confessions of a nasal mist addict

I can think of no better way to kick of this page than with a review/intro to Chuck Palahniuk.  While that name may be foreign to you, you’ve probably seen “Fight Club”  “Choke” and “Stranger Than Fiction.”  Chuck P’s latest missive is “Pygmy.”

“Pygmy” is the story of an exchange student, most likely from an Asian country although it’s never revealed in the novel.  It’s the story of a 12 year old raised in what sounds like a Communist country and written entirely in first person in a very broken form of English.  Whether it’s his description of dodge-ball or a vibrator, every inch of the text save for quotes from such (in)famous historians like Karl Mark and Adolph Hitler is written in a dialect that at times can be more complex than a jigsaw puzzle of snow.

It makes for a challenging read until you get into a pace and absorb it.  Before you know it, you’re thinking and talking to yourself in “Pygmy-speak” such as:

“Fake statue dead male, fake torture plaster on two crossed stick, fake blood painted red hand and foot…scent genitals plant life…cylinder white paraffin encase burning string, many tiny single fire.”

Jesus on the cross with candles below.  Just imagine how he describes the game of dodge ball.  Whew.  Not exactly bed time reading unless like me, you thrive on abuse.

 Speaking of abuse, also on my night stand is Ryan Adam’s recent release of poetry, “Infinity Blues.”  Known as the poster boy for the Americana music movement smoldering under your sheets, Ryan proves his prolific style once again with page after page of painful prose, hence the title.  If you’re a fan you’ll immediately recognize his writing style but unlike Jeff Tweedy’s “adult head” you won’t find recognizable lyrics and phrases from his songs (i.e.: “pure bug beauty”).  Ryan has taken an apparent leave of absence from recording and touring and touts a problem with his hearing as a reason.  Could it be the sobering effect of sobriety?  Ryan took the cold turkey turnpike a little over a year ago and has recently wed Mandy Moore.  Ryan will have a legit art opening soon…somewhere in NY and now calls France home.  Success can be such a bitch.  Next on Ryan’s to-done list is a work of fiction aptly titled “Hello Sunshine.”  An appropriate turnaround from the blues to bliss?  Time is in the telling. 

Smell ya later.