I bought the promised John Hodgman book last week and I've been reading it in fits and stops since then. It's funny, really very funny, in a dead-pan, wry sort of way. It elicits snickers and chuckles at every turn, but (so far) stops short of a full-fledged guffaw. Odd thing about it is that there's a lot of little things in the book that, in another context, would be creepy, surreal fiction stuff.
For example, to find Warren Buffet's house in Robin Hood Hills, stand on any street corner in the town and put a quarter on its side; the quarter will then roll straight there. Or the Sterling Memorial Library at Yale which, on its rooftop, has a miniature model of the entire city of New Haven, the Sterling Memorial Library and its rooftop model included. By the third itteration, the library is small enough to contain only one book, which it does, containing "within its pages the fate of the United States, in great detail, to the year 3000."
How cool is that shit?
Meanwhile, I spotted these thirty facts about Vin Diesel. Go and read, for I would not want to ruin it for you by my commentary.
Now, my commentary: I was in tears. I laughed so hard that I actually became dizzy, but I haven't eaten anything yet today and that probably had a little to do with it.
Next up, Lore Sjoberg, owner of the late, great Brunching Shuttlecocks humor site commented a week ago on his blog that, while he likes to write funny things, he runs into problems when he picks a project and sets a schedule for it. He always falls through on the schedule and feels bad about it and abandons the project. His new take is to just update as the spirit moves him. For most people this would mean that they get nothing done. Lore, on the other hand, has seen a dramatic explosion in his comedic output; he's had three Lore Brand Comics and one Rating up in the past week, as well as general commentary on whatever he finds out in the world. check it out.
Finally, I'm slowly, slowly working my way through the fourth volume of the Complete Peanuts. It's tempting to tear through the book, but Peanuts is so good that I'd rather take the time to savor it, especially as it's going to be six months until the next volume comes out. So far in this volume I've read the introduction of Charlie Brown's baseball team and the brick wall. It's just amazing that something that contains characters so cynical, so casually cruel, who are so constantly the subject of scorn and abuse, can be so life-affirming. I loves me some Peanuts.
Comments (14)
Holy shit, Jason. I'm damn near in tears now. I'm glad that site causes the same reaction in others. Just...damn.
Posted by Bard | December 6, 2005 12:57 AM
Posted on December 6, 2005 00:57
It was amusing, but I didn't think it was that funny. I'll show it to Dave and see what he says.
Posted by Bekah | December 6, 2005 5:48 AM
Posted on December 6, 2005 05:48
I just can help myself I devour good comic books.
peanuts
mafalda
garfield
calvin & hobbes
how do you stop yourself from going forward?
Posted by gus | December 6, 2005 9:07 AM
Posted on December 6, 2005 09:07
I like Calvin and Hobbes and Foxtrot.
Posted by Bekah | December 6, 2005 12:12 PM
Posted on December 6, 2005 12:12
Chuck Norris doesn't sleep, he waits.
Posted by Ogre | December 7, 2005 1:59 PM
Posted on December 7, 2005 13:59
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Gus - I'm not really sure, honestly. But I only read 25 pages of the Peanuts book in a day, and only right before going to sleep. It lets the joy linger.
Posted by Jason | December 7, 2005 4:59 PM
Posted on December 7, 2005 16:59
Dave didn't think it was funny.
Vin Diesel plays DnD!
Posted by Bekah | December 8, 2005 5:24 AM
Posted on December 8, 2005 05:24
I've got no idea how Dave could not find those facts hi-larious. Truly, Canadia has warped his already fragile mind...
Sad, really.
Posted by Jason | December 8, 2005 10:43 AM
Posted on December 8, 2005 10:43
"fragile mind".
oh, i'll show you fragile.
Posted by Dave | December 9, 2005 4:45 PM
Posted on December 9, 2005 16:45
Hee hee. You'd have to reach me, first. :)
Posted by Jason | December 11, 2005 3:19 AM
Posted on December 11, 2005 03:19
Gee, that would be a challenge. When was the last time you moved at a brisk pace?
Posted by Ogre | December 11, 2005 7:52 PM
Posted on December 11, 2005 19:52
About a month ago.
But more it's that Dave lives in Toronto and I live in Seattle.
Of course, The One Dave is patient...
Posted by Jason | December 12, 2005 1:24 AM
Posted on December 12, 2005 01:24
and remembers....
Posted by Dave | December 12, 2005 5:10 AM
Posted on December 12, 2005 05:10
Oh man.
Posted by Jason | December 12, 2005 4:57 PM
Posted on December 12, 2005 16:57