I'm reading Gibson... again.  This time his last three books - in reverse order for no real reason.  I just happen to pick up a copy of All Tommorrow's about a month ago and then read a couple of reviews mentioning the connection to Idoru and Virtual Light.  So now... I'm reading Idoru.  I'm about 1/2 done.  Gibson is a real easy read. 

"Idoru lacks ambition. Just when Neal Stephenson is reaching out further into the future with The Diamond Age, Gibson pulls back into a closer, blander tomorrow. And loses his lyrical style and plot originality at the same time. Both of which were still strongly evident in Virtual Light. " The Poet Hiccups - a review of William Gibson's Idoru

I'm not sure what lyrical style The Poet is looking for, but I believe the story to be pretty solid so far.  Perhaps, all the hub-bub over the being the "father" (man, I would hate that label if it hung on me) of cyber-punk is just too much for some people to stomach. 

Personally, I can't speak for the reference to Stephenson (i'll add him to THE list though),  but I do lean toward agreeing with this review on WIRED - Gibson's 'blander tomorrow' is really today reflecting back...

Gibson claims he does not write about the future. His novels, he maintains, are reflections of the present.

Check out the words of Gibson himself (if you're interested), in this Salon article.  It offers some insight into Idoru as well.

I wonder... am I enjoying these stories because I'm reading them in reverse order written?  Maybe that's the key... or maybe, I just simply like Gibson's 'bland' style.

Next up... Virtual Light.  After that my wife's got a vote in for Timeline by Chrichton.  She's neck deep in quantum theory as spun by one of mainstream fiction's masters.  I love it.

8:27:23 PM      

Asimov. catchy acoustic pop/rock fans

All their songs were recorded at home in their livingroom. The music is surprisingly good and definitely worth a listen.

- trippedwire at 5:40 PM on October 06 2002

 [via Emergent Music]

I agree.  This song is a melancholy filled trip into oblivion... i like the organ at the beginning - nice touch.

I'm for sure giving the other 10 songs on their site a listen as well.

7:19:46 PM      

Several enhancements at Blogrolling.com

• backup files
• add to Radio

Good stuff!

7:01:11 PM      

"It isn't exciting. Terri and I have worked very hard to make it that way, and I'm damn glad it isn't. What it is, is home."

Poetry, my friend...pure poetry.

6:49:41 PM      

nf0 (josh cooper). I agree awesome movie. I was reluctant to watch it because i suspected it was a chick flick, and boy was I wrong. This is one that i wouldn't mind watching again in a few months.

I'm still trying to rationalize that pivotal scene where he's taken into "professional" care.  Was there a clue there?

I'm definitely going to have to see it again just to make sure I didn't miss something hidden there that might have forshadowed the events that follow directly.   A Beautiful Film any way you look at it - very insightful.

6:36:35 PM      

Gnews2RSS at VoidStar.com

"Search Google News and get the results in RSS format. A neat tool, but not guaranteed by its author. I did a test run and it seemed to work fine. The headlines plus content are available. Let's hope it sticks around for awhile. [Library Stuff, thanks to Library Techlog]

Score another find for Matthew and Steven! It's working for me, too. [Via The Shifted Librarian]

Too damn cool!

6:05:25 PM