Crowd Sourcing Book Covers

You want to help me design the cover of my new book?

Keep in mind, this is not a novel.

This is not a non-fiction book.

This is not a crossword.

This is a collection of fictional truths attached to pictures of folks that have more than enough stories to tell. Unfortunately, I don't know what those stories are, so I had to make up my own.

Gimme a hand here:

Open Letters to Recently Deceased Celebrities

Dear Michael Jackson,

I loved you when you were black.

Yours truly,
Nick

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Dear Farrah Fawcett,

I am truly very sorry. No one deserves to go like that. You will be missed.

Yours truly,
Nick

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Dear Billy Mays,

I WILL MISS YOUR SHOE-POLISH BEARD AND SEEING YOU IN THE WIND TUNNEL ON THE 'MIGHTY PUTTY' COMMERCIAL. REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE CORONER SAYS I BLAME VINCE SHLOMI'S JEALOUSY FOR YOUR DEATH.

(if you're reading this and you don't get why that's all in caps, you don't treasure Billy the way I did.)

Yours truly,
Nick

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Dear Ed McMahon,

Star Search was the bomb.

Yours truly,
Nick

Beat the Reaper

Like books? Read this one.

Like amazing characters and plot? Read this book.

Like knowing there are worse hospitals than the one you got your head stapled shut in? Read this book.

Josh Bazell does it right with his novel Beat the Reaper. The simple fact that he wrote this while doing his residency makes me not ever want to sit on a paper covered table with him and simultaniously makes me want to follow him on rounds.

Tough economy getting you down and can't fork over the dough for a new book? There's this thing in your town called a library. Use it.

Boston Phoenix Gets It Done

I have been hopeful that the journalism for the Boston Phoenix (and Portland Phoenix by extension) would become steady and constant. With the front page article in the most recent issue (5/28/09) they get it done. Legalize Pot Now delves in to not only the most recent battles of the speed bumps decriminalization and legalization advocates have experienced.

While the story fell slightly short of the goal line in my opinion by not exploring the possibility that since Mexican drug traders make up to 75% of their profits from illegal marijuana sales, there may be some extra pressure being put on those in power to keep marijuana on the books. Extension perhaps more for a book on the subject (there are many and I'm sure many more to come) but it was the cutting edge of the article I craved.

Mike Miliard did a great job at getting to the heart of the story and gave good supposition for what to expect in the future.

Whathaveyous Of The Week

Plans coming to fruition...everything congealing like a nice soft cheese.

And verily I say unto you: If I speak gangsta to my fish is that, in fact, animal abuse or just an obscene hobby?

Short list of great whathaveyous from the week:

Steal Our Ideas
Jay Walker (yes, his real name) on the world's English mania

Digging For Dirt just got added to my to-read list.

Things Magazine

F My Life - Sample:

Today, I was standing around looking out the window at work when it became really dark and windy and started to pour. I watched a shopping cart fly across the parking lot thinking how funny it'd be if it hit someone's car. It hit mine. I need a new headlight. FML

And finally, a classic. Makes me want to play pool by the pool.