Just some shit on my mind today, and I need YOUR help with something. (1126 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: 1 on 21 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by L.G. <el2tha.g.at.gmail.com> (View user info) at 2005-03-23 18:29:35 EST
I often find myself trying too hard to write something funny or entertaining so that it will be accepted by the uber masses. So today I've chosen to just jot down the things going through my mind today. Hopefully I won't get -2'd to death.
I've always taken pleasure from being judged by my appearance. I find it funny the assumptions people make. One look at my tan skin, my baggy jeans, my oversized shirts that read Ecko, Phat Farm, Rocawear, and Enyce, my silver chain hanging from my neck, the silver hoop and diamond in each of my ears, and people assume me to be some kind of thug or wannabe gangsta. I'm not. I wear them because they're comfortable, I like the brand, and I personally like the way I look in them. They also assume me to be fucking stupid. I cannot tell you how many teachers have done this. At the beginning of every semester I am treated with a condescending, you ain't shit attitude, which always changes by the time they read a paper of mine or see some work I've done.
I get the opposite treatment at work. I work in the Accounting department of our company, which automatically makes people assume I'm some kind of nerd. I mostly keep to myself during the day, choosing to put on a pair of headphones and listen to music, because it makes me concentrate on work instead of spending the whole day on uber. The way I dress at work is also very different. I like to wear brands like Claiborne and Perry Ellis. These things combined make people think of me as some kind of quiet, reserved pretty boy. It's funny when people I work with see me outside of work, and the look of shock on their faces when they see me wildin' out at a bar or club is priceless.
It's a great feeling when you can surprise someone and completely tear apart any assumptions they've made.
Oh, and the girl issue I posted about here: http://www.ubersite.com/m/62388
Well of course the situation has gotten more complicated. It wouldn't be life if it was easy, right? We hung out last night, and decided to stay in since it was raining pretty bad. It was a good night, and I swear I got so close to telling her everything. So why didn't I? Well, the night before I ran into a girl I used to go to high school with. We had a small thing for each other back then, and she still looks damn good now. In fact, she's almost exactly what I'm looking for physically. Yeah, I'm still a superficial bastard, but I honestly don't think I can help it. The way we ran into each other was pretty interesting. I was pulling up to the local liquor store, and saw a cute ass bending over into the driver's side of a car. I saw the girl's front, and made a comment to my friend about how she was cute, making sure she heard me. Next thing you know, she's calling my name and I realize who it is. I get her number and that was that. I see this turning into a bad situation for me. We'll see.
School has always been easy for me, but I find that the hardest part is actually going to class. I don't know if it's ADD or if I just get too bored with it, but I cannot stand it. While this does affect my grades because of attendance, I still do well on tests and such. Why? Well I think I am honestly a better learner when I can sit down on my own time and read the book, whatever book it may be. I've always believed that knowledge is power, and have decided that I need more, but that I want to do it on my own. This is where I need your help. I need some suggestions on some good books to buy. They can be books you can buy in any book store, or textbooks from college courses, whichever will teach me the most about the subject. Here are a few subjects I'm interested in.
Philosophy- I'm going to start with Sun Tzu's The Art of War, because I've read parts of it and find it interesting. Other than that, I'm new to the subject and need some suggestions.
History- Not the same bullshit stories you always hear about though. I want true, unaltered facts. Most of the history books I've seen are filled with so much propaganda and false information it's sickening.
Mythology- Not my biggest interest, but one nonetheless. I've found Egyptian mythology to be the most interesting.
Psychology- I've taken a course or two, and find it's much easier to manipulate people when you know exactly how they're thinking. Sounds evil, but hey, I like getting my way.
Well that's all I can think of for now. If you have any suggestions for works of fiction, I'd appreciate that too.
I know rap music isn't liked around here, but I think some of you should give Devin Tha Dude a listen. It's not the 'i'm a gangsta I'mma kill you nigga' kind of music that gets played on MTV and the radio all day. He has a lot of good, soulful tracks on his CD's with some good subject matter. I'll leave you with a quote from one of his songs I'm currently listening to.
"My talk is slightly different and my walk is not the same
I can't pronounce a couple words that's in the dictionary mang
I know it's easier to call me names than understand my nature
You and me might disagree but that don't mean I have to hate cha
Take some time to talk to someone who has a totally different culture
You just might learn something new, it ain't gon hurt ya
To collaberate, combinate, y'all could make a change
Instead of fighting eachother because you life is so plain
Now he got his thing, and you got yours
She got hers, since the day she was born
So we all got to get along cuz ain't nobody better than the next
No matter what race color creed or sex"
User Reviews
Submitted by Katastrofadark (user info) at 2005-03-24 19:24:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
As a librarian myself, I do recommend you to pay off your fine and get all those books for free. I've personally shelved most of those so I know we have them.
Submitted by briancte (user info) at 2005-03-24 14:23:12 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
no, i will not help you.
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-03-24 11:45:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks a lot everyone. So far only one book I have already read has been named, so I'm going to be doing a lot of reading.
Submitted by NetProphet (user info) at 2005-03-24 10:47:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
There will always be enough out there to read. If you're really curious, your local librarian will point you toward plenty of classic novels to enrich your mind.
That said, most people have anywhere between 10 and 10,000 times the literature in their house than they've actually read or intend to read. That is to say, the average person has a thousand pages of material in their home (between old textbooks, books they didn't finish, books they didn't START, etc.) for every hundred pages they've read.
Start by finishing every book you own that still interests you (and getting rid of the ones that don't- why would you keep them if you will never read them?) Then, go down to the library and read a book or two from there every week.
If your appetite for more information is still voracious, spend some time at Wikipedia.org - you can blow hours of time reading through their interesting and informative articles on just about every subject known to man. At home I've bookmarked several Quote of the Day and Word of the Day sites, and I try to learn a couple new words, memorize a couple new quotes, and study a couple subjects on Wikipedia each week (it's hard to do it every day).
You should rarely need to purchase books if you follow this kind of regimen. All the classic fiction (Dickens, Hemingway, Eliot), the philosophers (Kant, Berkeley, Hume, Aristotle, Nietzsche), the poets (Whitman, Dickinson, Poe), encyclopedias, and a wealth of other texts on all subjects can be attained at no cost from the library or internet. I think someone else already mentioned Project Gutenberg; there are many other free eBook sites out there as well if you look.
Hell, since I like the spirit of your inquiry so much, here's more online reading than you can shake a mouse at:
http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/archives.html
http://www.textfiles.com/index.html
http://www.alessandra.com/freeresources/index.asp
http://www.allsands.com/
http://www.youmeworks.com/
http://www.ecauldron.com/bookonline.php
http://free-ebooks.net/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://altreligion.about.com/library/texts/bl_textindex.htm
http://www.piney.com/Links.html
http://www.everything2.com
http://www.chaosmagic.com/occultlibrary/index.shtml
http://mysteria.com/magick/
http://www.sacred-texts.com/index.htm
http://www.jasnetworks.net/zotiel/OF/pdf.html
http://www.totse.com/
http://www.occultopedia.com/
http://www.aznewage.com/
http://www.occultforums.com/showthread.php?t=5966
There are a lot of theological and occult links in there, because that's what I do a lot of reading on personally.
Geez... this comment would have made a decent post on its own. Oh, well.
Submitted by InkyFingers (user info) at 2005-03-24 10:43:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Yeah, "A Child Called It" was interesting to read, but don't bother with the follow up books. They're just different versions of the abuse from book 1. The point is made in book 1, and the other books are just capitalization on his audiences propensity toward "bloody wreck on the highway" moments.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2005-03-24 08:20:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Psychology: Read "A Boy Called 'It'" by Dave Pelzer, and, if you have time, the follow-up books. It's a short read but will take you into the darkest recesses of the human mind.
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-03-24 02:49:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/62305
doh
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-03-24 02:49:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i have never heard of the clothes labels you describe i guess you are American- you'll grow out of the labels thing.
here is my list of 100 cool books: www.ubersite.com/m/62305
Submitted by Ivy (user info) at 2005-03-24 02:30:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for reading, so many people don't read anymore.
History- A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson - Starts off with the Big Bang
Philosophy - The Stranger by Albert Camus - Existentialism
Fiction - Angels & Demons, The Davinci Code and Deception Point by Dan Brown. I know he's probably one of the most mainstream authors right now, but shit, I read each of these books in no more than two days and they're all over 500 pages. All the facts are real, the plots are fiction- fucking brilliant
Greek Mythology - The Iliad by Homer
Miscellaneous- The Velocity of Honey - Random but interesting things explained that we've all thought about
The Pharcyde are great, but I'm sure you already knew that, and K-Os has a lot of good shit to say, but he's an aquired taste.
That is all.
Submitted by sword (user info) at 2005-03-23 23:17:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
screw buying books go to http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/ they have 500 or so classics and quality literature for free
Submitted by williamson (user info) at 2005-03-23 23:17:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
You remind me of a girl i know. Very smart but wrapped in a thin layer of stupid (worst metaphor ever). I get that feeling from you too.
Just take a +1 and I'll be on my way.
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2005-03-23 22:58:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
the only book i've read is "The Runaway Jury." i liked it a lot. it was better than the movie. in the movie, they changed it from lawsuits on big tobacco to gun makers. ghey.
Submitted by Envenom (user info) at 2005-03-23 21:09:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Reefer and beer!!!!!!! I'll be in the bathroom boo booin'
Devin is the man
Submitted by DanielH (user info) at 2005-03-23 21:02:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I've found Egyptian mythology to be the most interesting.
Plus two, from Blakely, using d's log on. (I said log.) Hang on, he likes too. says yall have cell number to harrass us. Hunch punch has done us in it's spring break here on gulf one of our freiends is dyeded purple fron doing hand stand in trash can of hunch punch. Can you believe i was accepted at Harvard? Ra rules.
From Daniel to "Everyone". (the perosn, not you as a whole (hole) Sorry for spelling in reply, you will get +2s/ henceforth. Wish you all were here. WELL SOME
Submitted by Tigre (user info) at 2005-03-23 20:33:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Book suggestions?
It's not often that I sit down to read a book, since I'm not often able to pay at- OH LOOKIT THE KITTY! AAAWWW! It's got a big fluffy tai- Are those shoes real leather? I don't like fake leather. One time I went to a fake leather making place, and this lady was like "Motherfucker I'll cut you." So I punched my father out and stole his beer.
That was a great victory for us all I could say.
What?
Submitted by ThineJericho (user info) at 2005-03-23 20:18:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Foucault's Pendulum - Umberto Eco.
An amazing book. I wouldn't recommend it to you if I saw you wearing FUBU and a silver chain .. but, as you said, assumptions are often wrong.
Submitted by boneface (user info) at 2005-03-23 20:17:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
History/Politics- "People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn. People will think you are a communist after you read this, but I think it is probably the other side of things that you are looking to be exposed to.
Black Music History- "Blues People" by Amiri Baraka (Leroi Jones). A history of black music in the context of white dominated society. "Black Noise" by Tricia Rose. If you have an interest in really understanding rap, this book is a good place to start.
Fiction/Philosophy- "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn. This is the only book by Quinn I have read, but I've heard his later works are good too.
Fiction- "Beloved" by Toni Morrison.
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-03-23 19:53:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Awesome. I'm putting everything suggested on a list and I'm going to read every single one.
Submitted by someone (user info) at 2005-03-23 19:43:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Philosophy-- Read Nietzsche, my personal favorite by him is probably Beyond Good and Evil, but you can check out The Birth of a Tragedy and check out some Greek history/mythology wrapped up into one easy package. Also, check out Fyodor Dostoevsky. I suppose his work would be classified under fiction but I have no clue how Crime and Punishment and Notes from the Underground wouldn't classify as Philosophy.
Fiction: Buy everything from the Beat Generation. I've read some of your stuff, and it's obvious you like drugs (at least pot) so check out the most famous drug addicts in modern history. Read Kerouac (best books: Satori in Paris/Pic and On the Road), Burroughs (Naked Lunch, which is a drug trip in itself) Ginsberg (Howl and Kaddish, but it's poetry) Ken Kesey (One Flew Over a Cuckoo's Nest, which is 10000000 times better then the movie) and Hunter Thompson, who wasn't really part of the movement but more of a spectator (he was a journalist) Also Tom Wolfe. (Thompson-Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, espn.com has awesome articles he wrote for them at the latter years of his life, and there free to check out) (Tom Wolfe--Electric kool-aid Acid Test)
That's all I feel like writing, should keep yah busy for a while.
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-03-23 19:13:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
"World's religions" by Huston Smith. I'm quite interested in it and it's pretty cheap for a semi text book.
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Thanks. I'll have to check it out.
Submitted by darko (user info) at 2005-03-23 18:51:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
"World's religions" by Huston Smith. I'm quite interested in it and it's pretty cheap for a semi text book.