Desert Island Discs

I was reading this book review on Paste Magazine's site the other day and I got me to thinking, "What is my desert island disc?" Of course, I knew that one would not be sufficient so I'm going to allow myself five, just because in the event of a plane crash, tidal wave, or sinking ship, I'm pretty damn confident that I'd be able to grab at least that many before falling into utter hysteria. And, well, I'm not that sure of what they are just yet. But, just for kicks, I thought I'd ask my faithful four readers (maybe we've lost one, added another, hmm?) what their seminal albums were? What are the albums that just make you quiver even today? What five would you take on a desert island?

The article itself goes on to discuss something else, namely the push of technology and the endangerment of albums as a whole. With the digital age and the ability to pick and choose songs, we're in serious danger of loosing classic art pieces like The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper" or Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. So, I ask you another question: What is that life changing album or two that you've had? What was that album that you heard and you knew that the world was going to be all right because this music existed within it? I really am curious to hear some responses. Wonder if anyone will?

Sexual Healing

Recently, for whatever reason, the word "sexual therapist" has caught my eye whenever I see it. Most often, it's on a book I'm receiving into our store's inventory or on the back cover as I'm doing my best to strip the label off so I can send it back. But, the title has grabbed me as of late and left me with a question: How does one become a sexual therapist?

Well, let's consider the connotation here first. The initial understanding, at least in my sleep-deprived head, is that one who fits this description is one who, now stay with me, provides sexual therapy. This is a person who majored in sex, so to speak. How do you do that? How do you become the guy or girl who is the sex major? Was there a class for this? What university do you go to to get this degree? Do you see my frustration here? My confusion?

Now, I'm all for the institution of sexual therapy. Clearly, there are numbers of folks in this world who find themselves struggling with various disorders and situations that call for the instruction of someone who's a little more knowledgeable. But again, more knowledgeable? Okay, one image for you and I'll close this little crazy diatribe: Dr. Ruth. Dr. Ruth is one of our foremost sexual therapists. I just don't get it....

Bird by Bird...

In my hiatus from blogging here, I've been spending my time doing all sorts of things like interviewing people with mixed results, working, wringing my hands as I ponder the future, and, oh yeah, reading. My friend, Matt, recommended that if I want to write it is probably a good idea to read some good books on the subject as well as just read in general. So, the holidays behind us, I've started to work on that.

The first book I picked up on the subject of writing was Anne Lamott's, Bird by Bird. This is a book I've been wanting to get for a long time but just never did. Lamott's Traveling Mercies changed and challenged the way I think about a lot and I was excited to see how she'd impact my thoughts on writing. Finally, I picked it up and here we are, finished and discussing it.

The book itself is great, offering solid advice accompanied by Lamott's signature wit and self-deprecation followed up with a big slice of poignancy here and there. She is one who truly loves the craft and wants to gift all who are willing to try with the tools and encouragement to take their pens in hand and put them to paper. If you're thinking about writing, if you are a writer, or if you're just curious about the whole process, this is a great book for you.

But that's not why I write this. In one of Lamott's chapters, she breaks out for just a moment, offering an example of how writers intrinsically have a message within their work. She's not advocating the world of "after school special" writing but rather the simple idea that we write to share our worldview and our thoughts. Inherent within are going to be value and moral judgements. It makes sense. As she shares this example, I was hit with the proverbial lightbulb going on. This was one of those things that just made me go, "YES! YES! YES!"

She writes:

"I'm not suggesting that you want to be an author who tells a story in order to teach a moral or deliver a message. If you have a message, as Samuel Goldwyn said, send a telegram. But we feel morally certain of some things, sure that we're right, even while we know how often we've been wrong, and we need to communicate these things. For instance, I used to think that paired opposites were a given, that love was the opposite of hate, right the opposite of wrong. But now I think we sometimes buy into these concepts because it is so much easier to embrace absolutes than to suffer reality. I don't think anything is the opposite of love. Reality is unforgivingly complex." (Note the italicized portion especially!)

Now, I'm going to leave you to think about that for a while. Stay tuned and I'll address my thoughts on it shortly!