King Dork

King Dork has been one of the best books I've read in a while. The ending felt a little vague and without a solution but I feel that this was the effect that Frank Portman was going for. Frank "Dr. Frank" Portman from the band the Mr. T. Experience is certainly an author I want to read more from as well as read some of the other books referenced by Tom, he main character. I'm especially interested in reading Brighton Rock now. King Dork reminded of the experience I felt when I was younger and read Then Again, Maybe I Won't by Judy Blume as it ellicted the emotions of a young boy and all experiences you go through so well. I related a lot to how Tom felt, his alienation from the other kids, his isolation inside his own mind and how things sound much better inside than when spoken. When I was Tom's age I wasn't as in to music as he was, but I was definately into D & D (as most young dorks & geeks were, i prefer the term geek myself,) and never understood how to talk to girls either and was interested in codes and Dr. Who. The story tended to drift around as the thoughts flowed from Tom's mind, and it seemed sporadic at times, which helped give the impression of a young kid trying to explain the events of his 10th grade year. The book was a quick read, and by that I mean that I didn't want to put it down ever, except towards the end when I didn't want it to end and wanted to delay that a bit. I can't say enough great things about this book and hope that everyone checks it out.

One great part in the book that I want to mention without spoiling anything is that Tom is always coming up with or thinking about great band names. Along the way he mentions that "Most Precious Blood" would be a great band name. Well of course it would, since MPB is already a great Straight Edge band.

Jury Duty

So I got picked today to sit on a Grand Jury for the next two weeks (thankfully 2 of the days are court holidays and you won't be called for jury duty again for eight years if you serve on a grand jury.) They also have free Wi-Fi so I can keep up on my email and work over the hour lunch break we'll get.

On an unrelated note I started reading King Dork (which comes out in paper-back next week) by Frank Portman today figuring that I'd have time while sat in the jury assembly room waiting around to be called. I'm really impressed with the book so far and it really reminds me of my own youth in so many ways. I plan to write a more in depth review of the book when I finish, along with some other neglected reviews of the Out of Step book and some new (well new to me) CDs I recently picked up.

While sitting there in the jury room I started wondering how I'd be able to handle being unbiased when a case could involve drugs or alchohol. I know I'm smart enough to not judge someone outright by those things, but sometimes our choices and judgements are hidden to us. I guess that's part of the reason why we have a jury system, so I can judge people for the ills of their lives, I'm only kidding =)