“this is a people shooting hat,” i said. “i shoot people in this hat.”

today i finished THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, one of my all time favorite books. i've probably read this book nearly 15 times now. i never get tired of it. what's really amazing about it, and the reason why everyone likes this book anyway, is that Holden is such a relatable character. as i've gotten older i've noticed how different parts of the story appeal to me more than others, how those things shift in my head, how they are tossed and turned, and how they are always weighed differently. i think the same thing applies to the story INTO THE WILD. they both make you want to live in seclusion, blocking out the vanities of society and the poor wretchs' lives that get controled by some delusion or another. and just like Holden i've been on my toes for years trying to avoid becoming a phony --mostly this involves avoiding becoming the people in the churches i grew up in. i've always seen through them, those people of glass, those people Eliot called HOLLOW MEN. even as a child i saw through them. but now what's different is that i'm learning to distance myself without avoiding actuality like i've tried to do in the past. it's an impossible hoax anyway.

the novel is by far one of the most insightful books ever written.

Salinger always makes me want to start writing more too. fiction that is. i've been very happy this year as far as my motivation to write goes; although, it mostly has applied strictly to lyrics and poetry. if it weren't for finals at the end of this week (thank god the semester is finally ending), i would probably skip everyday, locking myself up in this old time restaurant that i frequent every week called Old College Inn and write. just write. nothing else.

god that sounds wonderful.

"Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody."

more more more

Chuck P. is at it again.
new book coming next year called PYGMY.
can't wait.

angela huston creeps me out but i still think she's great

Chuck Palahniuk's latest interview talking about the upcoming movie CHOKE.

(only problem is that it's only a partial interview with premier)

i am so freaking excited . . . i don't know what to do with myself.

EDIT: link is now fixed.

on the road to hitting bottom

i'm afraid, dear friends, that i may never be able to enjoy another single movie in my life.

batman was that good.

see also:

i am reed fish

check out:

the disturbia soundtrack
(it actually has a few surprises -- though i'm not saying it's awesome. only a few songs are)

read also:

roberto bolano

it is porno.
in the good way.
or is there any other?

what does gregory peck have to do with anything?

i finished snuff and all i have to say is what the fuck?

i love you chuckie p.

he put up a couple of my photos on his site.

oscar and angela from the office on last comic standing tonight

very, very soon this blog is going to be switched to private.

if you want to continue reading, please email me at hollandchase@gmail.com

it's possible that this is only temporary, but it is in my best interest to do so right now.

------

my trip to cloud city was awesome.

chuck palahniuk is awesome. (he gave me a signed blowup doll, a signed stuffed dog (read snuff), and i got signed and stamped copies of snuff and lullaby

the cure is awesome.

the rockies are awesome.

the mountain is possibly TOO awesome.

don't believe me?

just ask her.

also, record stores, in particular WaxTrax and Criminal Records, are of the devil. they steal lots of money from you.but i love them anyway.

also times 2:
here's a link to see what chuck's book tours are like if you are interested. keep in mind though that this is only a sampling of the evening. you had to be there to see it all. this is taken from his myspace where you can also find a link to a trailer for the new movie CHOKE based off his book starring sam rockwell and anjelica huston.

beat up old hats

something i didn't expect: dante's inferno is surprisingly a pleasant read.

something exciting: it's dobro day, baby. how much more money can you get?

something you'll hate me for: saying money when i talk (watch swingers and you will understand).

and how's the weather you ask?

wet and kinda cold. i love it. but i need to find a jacket.

i hydroplaned on the way from school to the house and almost ran into an 18 wheeler and then, in a brave attempt at avoiding said collision, i did a 180 in the middle of the highway.

fun times.

nobody wants to get drunk and get loud

lacy gave me the new elliott smith book yesterday. it's amazing. it's full of great photos, hand written lyrics, letters, interviews, and all kinds of stuff. it actually got me to put down hunter s. thompson for a little while. oh and the best part, it came with a cd that had 5 previously unreleased tracks that were recorded by him (solo acoustic) at Largo in LA. it sounds great.

schools out. finals were fine. i'm sure i did well on all of them. bad news though -- my car decided to hate me yesterday. i was studying in the car while listening to elliott for about 45 min. or so. I went to class, finished my final and went to my car so i could go to work. it wouldn't start. immediate thought: battery is dead. wrong. radio, lights, everything was working. it just wouldn't start. next thought: starter/alternator. turns out that was wrong too. bought a coke to eat through the small amount of corrosion on my battery cables and connections. still won't start. try to tighten the cables. won't budge. they feel firm. i have nothing in my car to knock it with (i.e. a hammer) so i use a shoe. still won't move. called dad. he brought me wrenches. then i still had to jump my car because the battery was weak -- not dead. pain in the ass. oh, and it was drizzling and a mite chilly. Yeah, you heard me - chilly. In Arkansas. As in 40 F with a pretty cold windchill. Today it's 75 F. Mother Nature is confused. But it's not quite winter, so I won't complain too much. I just wish it would get colder all ready and stop with the intense fog and drizzle/rain.

actually went to a rock show last night. first time in awhile. to be honest, it's the first time in awhile that someone decent has come. effin arkansas. hate you. anyway, the main attraction was Deas Vail. a band from AR. what the hell? the lead singer can sing so high it's almost unreal. also saw Ludo, a weird band from St. Louis. Very funny. I think their albums would suck, but a great live band. A bit like Weezer with comedy. Strange, off the wall lyrics. They danced and made faces, i dunno, like I said ... strange. Saw Edison Glass too. Pretty good. Bought their cd during their show. then another guy in the band started singing. i literally thought it was girl. kind of bizarre. another band was opening. i think it was called Treaty of Paris but we missed them because we got there late.

i also learned of a new organization called (can't remember--will find out). They fight to end child sex slavery. Seemed very cool. I'm gonna check it out. You probably should too. It made me want to go on tour with bands to help inform people of such things. you know, do my part. these kind of things matter. i'd rather concern myself with those types of issues than the usual crap i deal with.

i have a company party tonight. i think i'm getting a bonus check.