Justin > Recent Status Updates

This is fun to read, I'm pleased my friend recommended it to me. Plus I've been listening to Doughty and Soul Coughing on Spotify, and it's a nice blend of media to read this book while listening to the author singing.

Reading partly for fun, partly because I'm writing a term paper on psychopaths :)

I only have one story left in this book, but I'm worried that I'm going to start it and get distracted with schoolwork. It's a two-hour long story, I might have to listen to it on Tuesday/Wednesday on my commute to school.

"The Download Punisher"- Interesting look at the world of pirating music, and easy access to any/all information that you could possibly want. I generally liked this story, although I think I'm more fond of David's other stories in this collection, simply because I like the realistic stories that basically point out society's technological dependence. This was a fun read/listen, but quite unrealistic (obviously).

Love. This series is so enthralling, and so addicting, that it's hard to put it down. Even though it's a very long novel/series, it always seems to go quickly.

"Digital Girlfriend"- Hmm, this story sounds familiar. Karen's motorcycle accident, and her decision to create an adult website, are eerily similar to Em's story in "Growing Up Wired". That's not to say I didn't enjoy hearing this story. It was very personable, and you can't help but feel bad for her, no longer comfortable with herself and having to continue appearing perfect to everyone. That's a lot of pressure..

3 more stories left, but apparently they're a significant bulk of the collection. They have a lot of promise though, if they're anything like these first 9 stories I've read.

So far, so good. I like how the Internet is this monster taking over the world, one frat guy at a time. And how Victor is addicted to his computer/Internet porn, while the other guys in the house don't even have computers plugged in, and spend more time talking to girls than downloading them. That being said, this is an interesting fraternity Fleming has set up. I'll have to compare it to real frat life on my blog..

Posted up my review of the first half of the stories in Not from Concentrate at http://jerseyguyscanread.blogspot.com... please go read it and let me know what you think!!

"I Want to Stand in My Cubicle"- Definitely a dark comedy.. Feeling pretty bad for poor Gregory, all he wanted was to make a good impression but keep his crazy newfangled ideas about health and exercise. Fun ending though, nothing like calling your manager out on a stupid idea haha. And this is total truth, because cubicle really would be mindless, drone work. I'd probably keel over drooling.

Definitely finishing this book by the weekend. Sometimes confusing because I'm not entirely familiar with artwork, artists, and France, but I'm really enjoying the mystery/thriller aspects, coupled with bits of wit and humor from Chris Moore. I'm ashamed of myself for not having read his books before this.

"Girl Fistfights Boy" perfectly sums up gender roles and chivalry in the 21st century. Women are just as capable as men, and chivalry is out the window in exchange for equal treatment of the 'fairer' sex. Even when the girl starts a fistfight with a weaker male. Highly entertaining and the ending is a perfect fit. I'm glad Benny and Alice were able to recognize their own flaws and prejudices and just laugh it off.

"The Infidelity Detector"- interesting take on society's trust in technology, and lack of trust in each other. John is more willing to believe an infidelity detector than just listen to his girlfriend and choose to believe her anyway. I kinda liked this story, especially how his freak out is something that could and does definitely happen everyday in life. Sad how nobody trusts anybody anymore..

"Microcosmic Romance"- CHERRYWOOD NIPPLES! This was a hilarious story, akin to a grown up Dr. Seuss book. I definitely think this was all the more funny having listened to it, rather than reading it in print. Sometimes hard to understand, but in a good way. Like reading "A Clockwork Orange", you have to use context clues to understand these nonsensical words. I had a blast with this one though.

"Yuppie Marooned"- This was a really interesting take on office life. In a sense, workers really are marooned. Especially in this story, where poor Andy Iowa finds his way from happiness in Texas to insanity-producing boredom in Virginia. "It's not the black or the white we fear. Anything pure can be beautiful. It's the grey we fear," is such a thought provoking quote. I'll have to elaborate on my blog..