Root Beer

When I was a kid, my dad used to take me fishing. We’d wake up at 5.30 in the morning, climb down the steep river bank to where the boat was docked, hop in and row around until we found a good spot and hang out, baiting hooks and casting as close to the reeds as either of us could get. We’d have a whole mess of fish by 10 o’clock. Then we’d row back to the dock, climb back up the river bank and I would head up the road to the house with the fish while he’d walk down to the store to pick us up some lunch. It would usually be something along the lines of a couple tins of deviled ham, crackers, a moon pie and a Frostie Root Beer. I have never seen this brand of root beer outside that portion of West Virginia, so imagine my satisfaction at finding out they are still around. They even have a website.

I’ve been thinking a lot about root beer lately, mostly because a few months back I fell down some stairs. I bruised a couple of ribs and really messed up a muscle, both of which aggravated and older, fully healed vertebral fracture. I am now medication that will make my stomach bleed if I drink alcohol. This sucks because I like my whiskey and I like my beer.

Also, I don’t drink caffeinated drinks. I hate coffee, I’ll only drink tea in the British Isles, and Red Bull keeps me up for days.

This all leaves me drinking a lot of root beer.. Locally, I’m pretty much limited to Stewart’s, A&W, IBC, and Barq’s. But I also found this website, Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel which reviews root beers. I think I’ll have to order some stuff.

The Companion, the new project, Wong Kar wai

It has been a while since I updated, but since nobody reads this thing, I shouldn't worry much. But anyway, a lot of things have happened.

My book The Companion came out. The paperback has nearly sold out and the hardback deluxe edition is doing well. I have finished the second draft of the new project, and am commencing the third. Here is a link to the trade paperback of The Companion. Here is a link to the Hardback.

As a matter of fact, Jim Gavin has written a very nice review of The Companion that I think you should read: Link.

But lately I have been thinking that the real thematic meat, so to speak, of Wong Kar-wai's films is food. Everybody in them eats. Major scenes revolve around food. I'm trying to analyze this to the best of my ability, and will report back soon.