i reed gud

[thehefner]

Has anyone read Luke Reinhart's THE DICE MAN? Is it worth checking out? When I discover a book about a man who bases all decisions according to the casting of dice--and thereby discussing this philosophical implications of a life ruled entirely by chance--you might understand why my interest could be piqued.

If you've read that or Reinhart's "self help" guide, THE BOOK OF THE DIE, do let me know what you think. And if you have either, can I borrow them? The latter, especially; it's out of print and going for 20 bucks used on Amazon. It all sounds very Palahniuk*-like.



Meantime, I'm reading THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, by Richard Matheson, author of I AM LEGEND. I've heard great things about the 1950's film** and so I wanted to check out the original. This is only the second Matheson book I've ever read, and already I'm inclined to include him as one of my top three favorite authors.

The title is kinda terrible, leading one to believe the book to be trashy sci-fi pulp camp. Instead, what we get is one of the most engaging and usual adventure thrillers I have ever read, with layers upon layers of metaphorical implications. As with I AM LEGEND, this feels like a book-length TWILIGHT ZONE episode, and I mean one of the great episodes. And no wonder, considering who the author is.

By the way, THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN also includes a number of his most famous short stories. Ever read "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" while actually in a window seat on an airplane? It's fun! I only wish it had been night during a thunderstorm. Ah well.



*I was thinking about being a smartass and again misspelling Palahniuk's name in a Homer Simpson type way like "Palaninuckihick," but last time I did that, somebody threw a hissy fit.


**According to imdb, they're remaking THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN.

Directed by Brett Ratner.

Starring Eddie Murphy.

FUCK YOU, EVERYTHING.

Comments

[little-dinosaur.livejournal.com]

Rob really likes "The Dice Man", you could ask him about it. Plus, I'm curious about whether you two would be friends or anti-friends.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

How would we be anti-friends?

[little-dinosaur.livejournal.com]

It's not actually impossible that you'd cancel each other out.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Intriguing. It may be worth it, even besides learning about THE DICE MAN (which I'll probably buy anyway at this point, since it sounds like it might add a nice level of philosophy to my Harvey research). After all, I already have two Scottish friends, might be great to have a third.

Scottish pals are the new Girlfriends in Canada, don't you know.

[little-dinosaur.livejournal.com]

I can see you two conspiring to seize the Fringe circuit. Disturbingly.

Rob's a British resident of Scotland rather than an actual Scot. Does that still count?

[fragmentedsky.livejournal.com]

Starring EDDIE MURPHY? What kind of god would allow that to happen?

Oh, and speaking of last man on earth stories. OH MY GOD, Y.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

With Murphy and the director of the RUSH HOUR series, I can't imagine them not turning it into a comedy. Which is essentially and seriously like turning I AM LEGEND into a comedy.

So, how much did you cry?

[fragmentedsky.livejournal.com]

Definately got misty around the scarf part. I assume you know when the real waterworks started. They didn't stop until about ten to fifteen minutes after I'd finished the book, and I'm talking real crying here, not just a case of the sniffles. I was sitting on the bathroom floor because I had to take a shower before work but couldn't make myself put down the book and get in until I was done, and then I couldn't get in until I could see properly again.

My god, that man can tell a fucking story. And the ending - floating in the sky, the monkeys, "did you know Elvis had a twin brother?" - it was just perfect. Beautiful.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

And now, as I understand, he's getting an assload of money for a supposedly-amazing screenplay. Dude's going places! Hopefully he won't leave comics behind!

Now, if you haven't yet, it's time for EX MACHINA, INVINCIBLE, and THE WALKING DEAD. Ooh! And STARMAN! Oh man oh man, STARMAN.

[fragmentedsky.livejournal.com]

You show, I read.

Matheson won me over...

[american-arcane.livejournal.com]

...the first time I read "Born of Man and Woman"--which is still one of the absolute creepiest short stories I've ever read.

And that was before I realized he was a regular writer for the Twilight Zone.

But... Eddie Murphy? gah... it's going to be like "Memoirs of an Invisible Man" with Chevy Chase, isn't it? Except probably not as good. (Which, really, is not good at all.)

Re: Matheson won me over...

[civilbloodshed.livejournal.com]

Oh my God he wrote that?! I read it in seventh grade and it truamatized my fragile little psyche. D:

Re: Matheson won me over...

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

High praise indeed! Now I dearly need to check it out!

Re: Matheson won me over...

[american-arcane.livejournal.com]

It's a very short story.

And, it appears, someone has it on their blog:
http://journal.pcvsconsole.com/?thread=16346

Not the prettiest way to read it, but all the words seem to be there, in order. :)

Re: Matheson won me over...

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Rock and huzzah! I'll check it out.

Similarly, I also have Harlan Ellison's I HAVE NO MOUTH AND I MUST SCREAM on my desktop, waiting to be read.

Re: Matheson won me over...

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I have not read that one, nor is it compiled in either SHRINKING MAN nor LEGEND! Must needs check that one out. I also wanna see some of his STAR TREK episodes!

Ah hell naw, you're right, aren't you? This is gonna be MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN all fucking over again.

I haven't finished SHRINKING MAN yet, but god, it's staying with me all throughout. I hope the much-praised movie holds up.

Re: Matheson won me over...

[american-arcane.livejournal.com]

It's been many years since I've seen the old Incredible Shrinking Man film... but I do remember it having a bit more depth than many of the other sci-fi/horror films of the time. There are some neat effects, though. They were prominently featured in an old issue of Famous Monsters that my father had socked away (and I grew up reading). :)

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Dude. The Dice Man is like my favourite book. Seriously. And if you check out my Facebook you'll see that I've actually managed to get in touch with Rhinehart! (His real name is George Cockroft).

By the way, I'm Rob. Samara's friend in Scotland. She said we should talk. You know, because of performance and stuff.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Aye, in my feeble wikipedia research of him, I saw indeed that it was a pseudonym! That's awesome that you met him!

All right, I'm totally gonna pick up a copy. Have you read BOOK OF THE DIE? Is it worth getting?

Furthermore, heya! *waves* Yeah, she's said as much to me. As if I'd really know where to begin. ... uh... soooo... stages, huh? I know, right!

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Haha. I love how I start out with "Dude. Seriously" like someone from your side of the pond and you start out by saying "Aye" just like a real Scotsperson!

Oh, I've not met him. No one meets him. He's an enigma and kinda reclusive. Meeting him would be like meeting Steinbeck or something. He's given like two interviews ever. But I got a Facebook message from him. He says he doesn't dice anymore but he advises me to carry on rolling the bones.

'Book of the Die' is just like a collection of philosophies from the Dice Man books. There is also 'Search for the Dice Man' which is a sequel (but isn't really needed) and 'Adventures of Wim' which is GOOD but not about dicing: it just has similar themes. The Original 'Dice Man' is where it's at.

Sam's told me a bit about what you do. It sounds great and I dig that you go for a storytelling thang rather than all that standup jazz. I only do short readings and standup sets at the moment: art centres and comedy clubs and stuff. I have a full-length show called 'The Crinkle-Cut Man' in development but it's taking me forever to stage it. It's cursed! So you're playing the Fringe this year, yeah?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hehe, oh god, maybe Samara is right, we will cancel each other out! We'd better not meet in person, or else risk something along the lines of Ron Silver in TIMECOP.

I actually say "aye" all the time. No idea why or where that started! I also say "pally," and "huzzah," which get occasional confused looks.

Ah, but still, that's goddamn awesome! Man, I wish Steve Ditko would comment on my Facebook.

Rock, then I'll totally get a copy of THE DICE MAN, and--if you're cool with it--will happily accept your loaned copy of BOOK OF THE DIE. I'll make it a point to return it to you in person when I bring the show to Edinburgh (probably in 2010 at this rate).

For now, I'm sticking with the North American Fringe circuit. It's stressful and exhausting but pretty awesome. Have you considered trying that for your show? Even besides Edinburgh (the big leagues!), I think there are quite a few Festivals throughout the UK. But then, I dunno in what capacity you're having trouble staging it, so perhaps that won't help matters.

If I may ask the dreaded question, what's your show about? Multiple characters or solo? You starring or directing?

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Ho!

Of course I'm cool with lending/giving you my 'Book of The Die'. All you gotta remember is that if you lose it, I'll cut you a new one. I'm kidding. I'm not attached to the book. It's yours.

I like that you say 'aye' and 'huzzah' (I use that one too) and also that you reference 'Timecop' as though it was the most normal thing in the world. Poor Ron Silver.

'The Crinkle-Cut Man' is solo and an extended reading of pages from my diaries. Or rather, Robert Wringham's diaries (because he is a character). The problem I had with staging it is that my partner in crime (my live musical accompaniment guy) got scared at the last minute. I'll find a new guy though and get this back on the road when I can. American Fringe? Sounds knackering. Glasgow first. Then Edinburgh. Then Canada. One step at a time!

I think I already have the gist of your show. It sounds awesome.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hel, I like that you get the Ron Silver reference. In my life and especially in my shows, it's always a gamble to let myself be as naturally nerd-esoteric as I am. God bless the five people who get it!

Oh, yeah, that would rather gunk up the progress, wouldn't it? Good luck finding a replacement!

When are you thinking about Canada? Presumably in a couple years, yeah? I'm planning to hit the Canadian circuit next year, as I heard great things in Orlando from CAFF vets. It's all set up that you can apply for one and sign up for a whole number of 'em at once, then basically just travel from the East coast to the West for the whole summer.

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Oh, I have no plans to tour Canada yet. Gotta take things one step at a time. Glasgow first and we'll see how things go in Edinburgh. If I ever get around to doing Canada it would be for the Montreal Comedy Festival I think, plus Samara has told me all about the Fringe there which sounds pretty good.

But I'm coming to visit in October on a purely leisurely basis. Which rocks.

And of course I got Ron Silver. I'm just impressed that you went there! Haha. Timecop.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

One more thing, I finally checked out your Facebook, and... wait, is that Jimmy Hogg to whom you refer? The solo performer?

[wringham.livejournal.com]

No! But wait. I think I know who you're talking about. Is he a really hyperactive guy?

The James Hogg I'm on about was a Gothic Scottish writer. He was like the Scottish Mary Shelley. He wrote what was possibly the first 'evil twin' story and the evil twin in question was called Robert Wringham. I'm obsessed with the evil twin idea and my real name is Rob Westwood - so because his name was so similar I used it as a stage/pen name. Basically, my on-stage self is my evil twin. But you don't have to know that to enjoy my shit.

I've checked out your MySpace too and I think I'd love to see your show! It seems to be in the right ball park for me to appreciate. Cos although I'm billed as a standup sometimes I prefer the idea of solo theatre which *happens* to use comedy as a tool.

Do you perform fulltime by the way? My performance stuff is only a side project really but I want to do it properly some day.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Jimmy is... I'm not sure I'd say hyperactive. He's energetic and intense on stage, but off, he's pretty chill and scruffy. This cat:

http://torontoist.com/attachments/toronto_johnnie/2007_07_07Curriculumvitae.jpg

But I don't think we're talking about the same guy. Weird, I didn't realize there'd be more than one James Hogg! I met him at Orlando Fringe; dude goes alllll around the circuit here, Canada, and the UK (he's a Londoner). Brilliant performer, but he's got a maddening poker face, so if you have him in your audience, you may be certain that he hates your show even if he loves it.

Ahhh, I did not know that you had a stage/pen name! Well, at least the first name is the same, so it'll keep from being too confusing. Or maybe I'll just call you "Bruce."

Evil twin obsession? Fascinating! I have a bit of a thing for duality myself, which actually plays into why I very much would like to read DICE MAN.

Egads, my MySpace! I need to update that like whoa. A little embarrassed that you saw that. But hey, glad it's piqued your interest! I surely hope you can see it one of these days, and that I can see yours!

Yeah, I sometimes have to go by "standup" as shorthand for some people. What're you gonna do, right?

Full time? Nah, not yet. I mean, the goal for the near future is just tour the Fringe circuit and dedicate the off-season to writing, as I have a number of scripts in mind as well as a novel or three. I've met a couple people who do this full time, and it took them five to ten years to get to that point.

Unless it stops being fun (or the stress and frustrations just ain't worth it and ruins everything), I'm in this for the long haul. But sooner or later, I think I'm gonna have to get a real job again.

[little-dinosaur.livejournal.com]

And I was worried I'd have to start you two off talking! "Timecop". You geeks!

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Actually, I think that IS the guy I had in mind. Maybe I caught him on a particularly hyperactive day. And that *is* a coffee cup he has there. Besides, it was ages and ages ago I saw him and he was in a cabaret of other acts so maybe I've remembered it wrongly or got confused. Awesome that I know (sort of) who you're talking about though.

You seen a guy called Wil Hodgson? I'm into him at the moment. Again, he's billed as a comedian but he just talks about his life. I get the impression it's all real too. I wrote a review of one of his shows here (though the fuckers edited me considerably. But at least they kept the phrase 'punk hulk').

Nothing too shameful at your MySpace, old chap. I love all of your photos! The one on your Facebook right now makes me laugh. I love you lesbian pride t-shirt! Nice touch! A friend of lesbians, I've recently started wearing a "Friend of the Glasgow Women's Library" badge but it's not quite as cool as your tee!

You'll love the Dice Man. It's not so much duality as a totally fractured self. Get the book! They printed way too many editions so you can probably get a copy on eBay for about 2c.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Ah, maybe that's explains it, as he does have a distinct stage energy, yeah. Awesome indeed!

I think I have heard of Wil Hodgson, but I couldn't tell you from whence. I'm totally gonna check him out if I'm ever lucky enough to get the opportunity.

Ha, yeah, lesbians are a recurring theme in my life, and aside from that, the T-shirt in particular plays a special part in my original show. Also, that badge rocks, although I think my friend spacechild has us both beat with his "I (Heart) Being Black" button. He, of course, being white.

Fractured self? Shit, even better! I'm on it like a hobo on a ham sammitch!

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Oh, lesbians and Jews are my favourite communities! It's good to have favourites. By the way, standup comedians are also fast becoming a recognised minority group. I have good anecdotes about this. Maybe some sort of 'comedy pride' movement might be in order? And special parking spaces.

You can be insulting and awkward and socially clumsy and people will call you an asshole but when they find out you're a comedian it all becomes clear. It's like something clicks and they go "Oh! You're a comedian! I thought you were just rude!" It's like finding out that the guy who's been ignoring you all evening is actually deaf. Weird, huh?

Haha. 'I (heart) being black.' That's cute. Do you dig Ali G?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Comedians are becoming an endangered species? Will we need to establish habitats?

Hahahaha, it's totally weird but totally true!

I do thoroughly enjoy Ali G, but I think I gravitate more toward Borat. Either way, Sacha Baron Cohen is awesome. What's odd is that I normally loathe that kind of humor; it usually makes me feel deeply uncomfortable and embarrassed, but for some reason I feel like Cohen transcends a style of comedy usually reserved for the PUNK'Ds of the world, y'know?

It's a shame to see his sudden spike in fame over here suffered from the backlash after the Borat movie, but I think the man is brilliant and I can't wait to see what he does next.

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Haha. I love Borat too. I thought the movie was fantastic and there was a really good team of writers behind it.

I think he does have a new character. A gay MTV-style TV presenter or something? The question mark is because I think this character might have kicked off in America but we've not seen much of him here.

I remember Cohen when he was starting out on the 11 o'clock show. It's flabbergasting to see how well he's doing. He was on Curb Your Enthusiasm for goodness sake!

I know what you mean about PUNKD style humour. I think it depends upon the architect of it though and how knowing it is. Lowest common denominator stuff is ok if it's coming from an intelligent guy and not just from some fratboy hick on YouTube.

Check out Stewart Lee? He's probably my favourite performer right now. He's most famous (internationally anyway) for co-writing Jerry Springer the Opera but he's done loads of other great stuff. Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MroAtQKHu8

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

A new character, besides Bruno, the gay hairdresser? Last I heard he was making a while Bruno film, but I haven't heard a damn thing about it since it was announced 'round the time BORAT came out.

That said, regarding the architect of that humor... I honestly, with complete sincerity, consider much of JACKASS to be works of art. I can defend this position, I swear! It's all in the movies, man!

Haha, I'd never heard of Stewart Lee before, but I did see JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA at its original run at the National in London. The video was great. Now I have "are you a sardine?" burned into my brain.

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Ah, Bruno. That was it. Not a big fan of Bruno to be honest. But maybe we he gets into his own world via a movie he'll be good. Then again, I loved Borat when he used to be on 'Da Ali G Show' when no one else did. I just think Borat was a good idea.

Hehe. I have a softspot for Jackass too. There is something quite endeering about people who will put themselves through so much pain for our entertainment. It's so imaginative too. Like the papercutting bit in the movie: someone had to do their homework to find out about that material! The stuff I don't like on Jackass is when they pull other people into it: like annoying waiters in restaurants and stuff. They can fuck off for that. But we love seeing them shooting either with rubber bullets and eating vomit omlets etc

Fantastic! I wasn't lucky enough to see the show live but I've watched the DVD so many times that the disc has grooves in it. I've seen Stew doing standup live a million times though. I even met him! This was my first ever interview so it's not a particularly good one but at least I got to hang out with Mr. Lee: http://tmcq.co.uk/interviews/stewart-lee/

Haha. "Are you a sardine". I love it. The proper DVD of that show is coming out in August.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I've never seen Bruno myself, but I don't believe I've heard of anyone who's a fan. But it was the only major character of his left, so they threw an assload of money in Cohen's direction and said run with it. We'll see.

Thank god! I was so used to getting the "ew, um, okay, no" reactions from people. Honestly, there's some serious artistic creativity that goes into many of these, playing with a bizarre and sometimes near-brilliant internal logic, capped with people getting hit in the balls. Love it!

Jackass seems to tap into something primal, some way we're wired on an animal level; I keep hearing reactions of people who laugh and are ashamed or embarrassed for laughing. I think Richard Roeper's review was, "God help me, thumbs up." I think if one was to, like, give up comedy for Lent (like, as a fast) and they wanted to get as much in as they could first, a double-feature of BORAT and JACKASS NUMBER TWO might just be sufficient to hold you.

But I agree, the pranks are my least favorite parts. Sometimes they work, usually when they're not pranking specific people but more like, say, running through London wearing cheesy rubber werewolf masks and howling.

You met AND interviewed him? Rock! That's awesome! But really, all this just further cements in my mind how Edinburgh is the "big time" in terms of Festivals, and how intimidating the prospect of finally bringing the show over there is. One day, oh yes, one day.

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Yup, met and interviewed. Strangely it didn't take place at the Edinburgh festival though. Because of the magazine's deadline I went down to see him in London. But that's okay because meeting him was awesome. He is definitely the guy who's inspired me the most.

But Edinburgh is amazing. You just bump into people as you walk about. I've seen Stew a few times around Edinburgh and I've said 'hi' but decided not dwell on stuff. The most famous comedian I've ever seen while walking around the town was Billy Connolly. Alas too star-struck to say anything.

Samara seems concerned that (a) the two of us are going to team up and take over the Fringe and (b) gossiping about her. But in truth, I think she's actually following this public conversation of ours, knows we're not talking about her and is secretly disappointed. So maybe we should. "Yes. Um. Samara. What's that crazy kid all about, eh?" etc.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

As for (a), well, we'll just have to wait and see. Great madness will certainly occur. I've already posited the theory that even if we didn't get on smashingly, I daresay we'd at least make for a great Shane Black style buddy cop movie.

As for (b), yeah, well, one of these days I know she's gonna get together with my actual Girlfriend in Canada and the two will spend hours talking about me and being Canadian.

S: Doctor, I smell burnt toast!

L: Hee hee hee hee hee!

ME: ???

You know what's funny, as Samara and I talked about this recently, she literally envisioned the conversation going, "So, John, huh?" "I know, right?" So if we did, it'd serve her right, really. I mean, eventually. Before she did it to me. preemptive strike and all that.

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Haha. Gotcha. Well, I don't really know how gossip works. The only dirt I have on Sambo involves me and I'm hardly going to gossip about that! Now I think about the whole thing is a bit of an exploding cigar. Dammit! So now I'll just say "So, Samara, huh?" and leave you to say "I know, right". We can now consider ourselves preemtive! Hurrah!

[wringham.livejournal.com]

Sorry. I forgot to actually review 'Book of the Die' after you specificaly asked me. Don't bother. It's 90% old material from Larry, Luke and Wim (the three books - the holy trinity). It's expensive and a dissapointment. When I come and see Samara in Toronto I'll bring my copy over and mail it from there. You can just hang on to it.

[lairdofdarkness.livejournal.com]

Hef I read the Dice Man a couple of months ago and really didnt like it. Like you I thought a book about someone who lives his life randomly would appeal to me. It starts off great and then gets weird about a third in. Having said that my taste is obviously from Earth 2 or smething as I also read "choke" by the fight club guy and really didnt like it either, yet the interweb seems to love it!!
Maybe its Earth Darkness rather than Earth 2, since I do live in the north of scotland.

I await your verdict on the book.

[wringham.livejournal.com]

'Choke' doesn't really go far enough does it? Neither does 'Diary'. 'Invisible Monsters' is fun though and his short story 'Guts' made me chuckle. I think he has better contemporaries doing similar stuff better. Paul Auster?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I kinda go back and forth on Palahniuk myself, so I sympathize. Vonnegut too. Definitely popular with the interweb folk and those of that ilk.

Still, as the Dent fan, I think I would be deeply remiss if I didn't check it out for the philosophy alone. Most assuredly I'll post my thoughts when I'm done.