Ramblings of a Pseudo-Intellectual

By Andrew Chung
September 26, 2005

I admit I've run out of ideas. Some of you may have noticed that the Pseudo-Intellectual hasn't been updated in quite a while. I've just been caught up with many things outside of this web mag. So in an effort to keep this column alive, I thought why not write a piece about just any random thoughts I may have at the time.

JXM started as a means of expression on all artistic fronts for those that want to use JXM as a platform (Hint: for those quick witted enough to catch that, that was an invitation for any talented artists out there to contact me), thus, what better way to express myself then to ramble about anything I wanted to. A Pseudo-blog if you will (pun not intended). Hmm...there's an idea *wink* *wink*. I'll try to avoid the self-indulgencies however.

I'm reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel right now. It's an excellent book so far. Favourite excerpt from the book (and probably many more to come):

"These people walk by a widow deformed by leprosy begging for a few paise, walk by children dressed in rags living in the street, and they think 'Business as usual.' But if they perceive a slight against God, it is a different story. Their faces go red, their chests heave mightily, they sputter angry words. The degree of indignation is astonishing. Their resolve is frightening.

These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside. They should direct their anger at themselves. For evil in the open is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart. Meanwhile, the lot of widows and homeless children is very hard, and it is to their defence, not God's, that the self-righteous should rush."

Read the international news in any random given day and the excerpt rings true for all the violence around the world. Give the book a read if you have the chance. And I believe the author is Canadian as well. I don't know what that has to do with anything.

Alright...let's make a 360. I just watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Senseless action + over-the-top situations + cheeky comedy + glorified violence + thin storyline = Fun movie.

I know what you're thinking. 'This hypocrite is hinting about the violence around the world but enjoys glorified violence in movies?' But hey I don't believe violence is caused by movies. Violence in the name of God however is a well-known fact. And secondly I don't like glorified violence per se, but I still was entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Now that that's cleared up. I bought In a Coma by Matthew Good recently, and I'm listening to it now. What can I say the man's brilliant. Not in the 'on a higher level of intelligence' sense. But in the 'great' sense (think English lingo). However, he is a very smart man. Ten years of music in one set, what's not to like. Prime Time Deliverance acoustic is ace.

Let's make another 360. I recently bought Late Registration and The College Dropout by Kanye West. Strangely I'm listening to more hip hop as I'm getting older, how weird is that? Though, obviously I'm no hip hop aficionado. I've only been listening to the most popular rapper in hip hop right now. But the man can make a beat.

I recently read the fourth and fifth trades for Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughn. Wow, the series just keeps getting better. And it's actually hilarious (*cough* Bendis *cough*)! Vaughn continues with the twists, witty dialogue and fast paced storylines. Read it! Read it!

I've been extremely bored as of late. I feel as if I'm just floating along an endless stream without a compass. The lack of constant looming deadlines from a lifetime of schooling has been fucking with my head.

Someone please buy me a compass for my birthday.

Inevitably, I could not avoid some self-indulgencies, so I'll stop now, this has gone on long enough.

Rejoice fellow pseudo-intellectuals.