Erik’s Blog

Everyone who’s been reading this blog — all two of you — know that I’ve been on a major McSweeney’s kick lately. It’s a damn good thing that I’m not a trendy guy or else I’d reject McSweeney’s as being so 2001. Fuggedaboutit, they rock.

One of the books I’ve purchased with my limited funds is McSweeneys’ release of Future Dictionary of America. The book was originally created to raise funds to help vote Dubya out of office. I guess you could say the effort failed, huh? (As always, Democrats are great at attending fundraisers and other events but SUCK at voting. You know what they say about getting the government you deserve…)

Part of the package is a CD called Future Soundtrack of America. It’s about half filled with stuff I like, but that half has made it into heavy rotation at Chez Erat. The Old 97’s tune “Northern Line” and Mike Doughty’s “Move On” in particular are hot. I’m even getting into the Death Cab for Cutie song “This Temporary Life,” and I’m not a DCfC fan.

As always, I could completely do without the Blink 182 song. Didn’t that band go belly up? I sure as hell hope so.

Anyway, I figured I’d share. Don’t get the CD on iTunes, get it from McSweeney’s by purchasing a copy of the fore-mentioned book. These guys need to keep going, like, forever.

I ordered a subscription to McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern the day after Christmas. Merry Christmas to me! However, it’s mid-April and I have not seen a single issue. Late in March I got an email from McSweeney’s stating that the issue is about ready to ship and to get any address changes submitted by something like March 29th. That’s the last I’ve heard.

They’re going to have to change the name of the publication with this kind of release schedule. Yikes.

(Update 4/21: It shipped on the 18th. S’about fuggin’ time!)

Another book that I finished a short while ago but forgot to review.

I’ll cut to the chase: The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan is an incredible book.

For those who don’t know what it’s about, the book traces some of the parallels between plant and human advancement, the idea being that plants use us just as much as we use plants. Sounds really stuffy and dry, doesn’t it? Trust me, this book rocks.

Four human desires are discussed along with their associated plants: sweetness (apples), beauty (tulips), intoxication (marijuana), and control (potatoes). The section about control (potatoes) is probably the most intense as it contrasts organic farming, “monoculture” (such as planting acres of only one thing, like potatoes in Idaho), and genetic modification. It’s interesting, fascinating, and majorly creepy all at the same time.

Anyway, great book, highly recommended, run don’t walk to your bookstore and get a copy. You won’t be disappointed. [5/5]