Learning From Mistakes - Minimalist Winter Backpacking
November 24, 2008 by erics · Leave a Comment
I thought I’d dig up an old trip of mine for this week’s post. Several years back I was feeling pretty stir crazy in October, it had been over 40 days since I’d spent a night outside and that particular year I seemed to have the camping itch even worse than usual. So early one Saturday in late October I tossed a handful of things into a backpack and drove up to the snowy Rockies. Read more
UM Book Club - Little Brother by Cory Doctorow Part IV
November 6, 2008 by Greg · Leave a Comment
Pages 181 - 266 (Ch 17-end)
In the final reading section the book is quick paced. I found myself fervently consuming the remaining pages all in one sitting. I was so caught up in the story, my mind moved from the analyzation of the book to the plot and character interaction. This has definitely served as a testament of Doctorow’s writing. I’m looking forward to reading more of his work.
Marcus and Ange meet with the journalist Barbara to divulge all of the information on the prison and the following xNet. Immediately following the meeting, Marcus starts receiving emails from hacker turned DHS agent Masha. As a side note, everytime I read that name a certain website comes to mind.
Fearing his security, Marcus and Ange plan to go underground with Masha’s guidance. Things go awry and Marcus backs out of the agreement. Zed comes back and serves again as a guide to Marcus. Shortly after Marcus is whisked back to the prison, undergoes torture, and is rescued by Barbara and a team of local law enforcement fellows. Charges are mostly dropped, and Marcus lives happily ever after with Ange working on a non-profit derivative of the xNet work.
This book serves its intention well. It renewed my excitement about technology and opened my eyes a bit more to things going on in current news. Suddenly I’m paying more attention to global stories about Australia’s interim terrorist prison and local stories about the operation of government funded security cameras in my neighborhood.
UM Book Club - Little Brother by Cory Doctorow Part III
October 29, 2008 by Greg · 4 Comments
Pages 181 - 266 (Ch 12-16)
In this section we saw a lot of activity as the novel climbs to what I’m anticipating is an epic conclusion in the few remaining pages. Two significant events occur that both carry the story as well as modify the dynamic of the plot. This story has been a fantastic surprise so far. Doctorow’s talent as a writer and story teller come through even in this youthfully targeted novel. Read more
UM Book Club - Little Brother by Cory Doctorow Part II
October 22, 2008 by Greg · 2 Comments
Pages 89 - 180 (Ch 6-11)
In the second section of Little Brother we get into the meat of the story. We see the rise of Marcus (now M1k3y) on the underground network Xnet. With bugged computers everywhere, Xnet is accessed via a linux distribution named Paranoid Linux created for an outdated xBox platform. Marcus leads a sneakernet campaign to pass disks out to everyone interested.
As homeland security tightens Marcus’ friends Jolu and Van have grown apprehensive of any insubordination. Not wanting to end up back in the unmarked prison or worse, end up in the same place as the still missing Darryl, they both express issue to Marcus. The worsened government actions have the opposite effect on Marcus. Though he feels guilt for risking many people’s safety with xNet and counter tactics, each raise in security is met with another move from our protagonist. Read more
UM Book Club - Little Brother by Cory Doctorow Part I
October 15, 2008 by Greg · 3 Comments
Pages 1 - 88 (Ch 1-5)
This novel feels like Harry Potter. Mystical, innocent, and somewhat of an indulgence to read as an adult . Except instead of wands, spells, and wizards, it’s real life technology, accessible and available to most people. While a few steps into the future, it’s talking about things that exist today. Each chapter is packed with technological trailheads for any eager reader to follow into a real life interest in computers. Awesome.
The first section we are introduced to the main characters. Marcus narrates the story and introduces us to his ARG team Darryl, Jolu, and Van. We meet a few antagonists: Fredrick Benson the vice principal, and Severe haircut lady of Homeland Security. The stage is pretty much set in the first few chapters, peering into the main characters’ personalities as well as the motive for the rest of the story.
There are a few things that really stick out to me.
The opening paragraph:
I’m a senior at Cesar Chavez high in San Francisco’s sunny Mission district, and that makes me one of the most surveilled people in the world. My name is Marcus Yallow, but back when this story starts, I was going by w1n5t0n. Pronounced “Winston.”
To me, this is one of those details that as a reader, I gloss over till I’m at the end of the book and I find myself back in present time. Much like for the duration of Catcher in the Rye, I forget that we’re talking to a therapist. I’m interested to find out the context in which Marcus as has been sharing this story. Or, it could just be that he changes his handle after his personal security systems have been breached.
The foreshadowing at the end of chapter 3:
In hindsight, maybe I should have unlocked my phone for them.
Straight forward and quickly resolved, this one sentence though really propels the reader through the next chapter.
Book Club Update
October 10, 2008 by Greg · Leave a Comment
I received the book club selection, Little Borther, in the mail yesterday. I paged through it, divided it up into 4 sections, and greedily devoured a few pages. From my initial impression, this looks to be an engaging read. This is, of course, if you find phrases like “teh suck” as amusing as I do. Check out the sidebar updates for pages and due dates. I’m also emailing the author, Cory Doctorow, to tell him about our little book club we having going here.
Cory Doctorow Little Brother Book Tour
September 19, 2008 by Greg · 5 Comments
You want it? You got it. We’re doing Cory Doctorow’s latest book, Little Brother, as the next Urban Monarch book club selection. Here’s a video and a reading from his book tour. Check out that steam punk watch. Wow!
Next Urban Monarch Book Club
September 17, 2008 by Greg · 5 Comments
Alright guys, the next Urban Monarch Book Club selection is up for grabs and you’ve got a chance to cast your vote. Here are two geeked out selections that are on my radar.
Anathem
by Neal Stephenson
Little Brother
by Cory Doctorow
Too geeky? Are you into it? Any other suggestions?
chuck palahniuk snuff book tour
April 16, 2008 by Cash · 3 Comments
UM idol and all around kick ass guy Chuck Palahniuk is heading out in support of his new book “Snuff” next month.
Not only will he be reading from the book, but (take a seat for this next bit) rumor has it, they will be screening an advance preview for the movie version of Choke.
Do what you must to be there. The synoposis of the book and tour dates after the jump:
um book club: rigged - part 4
February 5, 2008 by Cash · 5 Comments
Characters
- David Russo - Protagonist, Harvard MBA, born / raised in Brooklyn, Italian-American
- Dominick “The Don” Gallo - Biggest trader on the floor, part of NYMEX since start, $300 million fortune
- Khaled Abdul - Nephew to Sheik Oman, part of royal UAE bloodline
- Nick Reston - President (youngest ever) of NYMEX. Mentor / guide to Russo
- Serena - David Russo’s south American girlfriend
- Stephen Seebeck - Signature Asset Management worker from London, heavily into Dubai nightlife scene
um book club: rigged - part 3
January 24, 2008 by Cash · 3 Comments
Next Assignment
Pages: 207-End
Due: Thursday January 31st
Part 3
pages 142 - 206
Characters
- David Russo - Protagonist, Harvard MBA, born / raised in Brooklyn, Italian-American
- Dominick “The Don” Gallo - Biggest trader on the floor, part of NYMEX since start, $300 million fortune
- Khaled Abdul - Nephew to Sheik Oman, part of royal UAE bloodline
- Nick Reston - President (youngest ever) of NYMEX. Mentor / guide to Russo
- Serena - David Russo’s south American girlfriend
- Stephen Seebeck - Signature Asset Management worker from London, heavily into Dubai nightlife scene
um book club: rigged - part 2 at urban monarch
January 17, 2008 by Cash · 4 Comments
Next Assignment
Pages: 142-206
Due: Wednesday January 23rd
Part 2
pages 73 - 141
Characters
- Anthony Giovanni - Chairman, NYMEX. David Russo’s idol and eventual boss.
- David Russo - Protagonist, Harvard MBA, born / raised in Brooklyn, Italian-American
- Dominick “The Don” Gallo - Biggest trader on the floor, part of NYMEX since start, $300 million fortune
- Khaled Abdul - Nephew to Sheik Oman, part of royal UAE bloodline
- Nick Reston - President (youngest ever) of NYMEX. Mentor / guide to Russo
- Harriet Farelli - Giovanni’s secretary
- Jim Rosa - Trader
- Joey Bunetti - Trader
- Michael Vitzolli - 24 year old trader, $500K Profit in one morning
- Serena - David Russo’s south American girlfriend
Even when we lose” Rosa said “I’d rather lose a bet than not make a bet at all”
um book club: rigged - part 1
January 9, 2008 by Cash · 3 Comments
Next Assignment
Pages: 73-141
Due: Wednesday January 16th
Part I
pages 1 - 72
Characters (there are a ton of characters, I will break them out by apparent “Main” and “Secondary” roles)
UM book club: rigged first assignment
January 2, 2008 by Cash · 3 Comments
Assignment
Pages: 1 - 72
Due: Wednesday, January 9th
Having started reading already, the first few chapters set the scene for an exciting tale to come. Our protagonist’s initial introduction to the NYMEX (and the somewhat shady, impossibly wealthy people running it) as well as some mysterious rumblings half a world away in Dubai, where Khalad Abdul (nephew to uber-powerful oil patriarch Sheik Omam) receives his first family orders after completing a European university education.
Order it here, support Urban Monarch in the process
um book club: rigged by ben mezrich
December 14, 2007 by Cash · Leave a Comment
Before UM was knee high to a grasshopper, its founding fathers started their own book club. It involved taking turns selecting a book and then meeting once a week to drink beers and discuss it. When it was finally my turn to choose, I selected “Ugly Americans” by Ben Mezrich. I’d fallen in love with his gripping, sometimes graphic, always sexy style of non-fiction after reading his two exposes on card counting (which launched my own obsession with the craft).
“Ugly Americans” was our quickest read ever. Between the ultimate male wish fulfillment lifestyle of its protagonist, exotic locations, and the dangerous world of the Japanese Yakuza (mafia) exposed, it proved the ultimate page turner.
Mezrich’s latest opus “Rigged” is primed to do the same thing for Urban Monarch’s current book club.
UM Book Club: The King of Methlehem by Mark Lindquist - Part III
Next Assignment
Pages: 179 - 235 (the end)
Due: Wednesday Sep 26th, Noon.
Part III
pages 120-178 Read more
UM Book Club: The King of Methlehem by Mark Lindquist - Part II
September 12, 2007 by Greg · 3 Comments
Next Assignment
Pages: 120-178 / up to Trust
Due: Wednesday Sep 19th, Noon.
Part II
pages 63 - 119
Characters
- Howard Schulz - Meth cook
- Wyatt James - Detective
- Martin - Initial tweaker narc (second run in)
- Midget - New narc found at identity theft scene
- Brandy - Howard’s current meth lab host
- Porche - Brandy’s 12 year old daughter
- Joe - Brandy’s 10 year old son
- Suki - Wyatt’s girlfriend
- Mike Lawson - Prosecutor
- June - Mike’s girlfriend
- Cocktail Ted Haller - Howard’s public defender
UM Book Club: The King of Methlehem by Mark Lindquist - Part I
September 5, 2007 by Greg · 4 Comments
Next Assignment
Pages: 62-119 / up to People Want the Truth
Due: Wednesday Sep 12th, Noon.
Part I
pages 1 - 62
Characters
- Howard Schulz - Meth Cook
- Wyatt James - Detective
- Martin - Initial tweaker narc
- Amber - Second tweaker narc
- Brandy - Howard’s current meth lab owner
- Suki - Wyatt’s girlfriend
- Mike Lawson - Prosecutor Read more
UM Book Club: The King of Methlehem First Assignment
Assignment
Pages: 1 - 62
Due: Sept 5Looking at the chapter titles, you’ll be reading from the beginning thru Know Your Rights, stopping at Queen or Bag ‘Ho. With chapters like this, I’m ready to get started right now.
Order it here: King of Methlehem
UM Book Club: The King of Methlehem
After many requests a new book has been chosen for the Urban Monarch Book Club. I bring to you, The King of Methlehem: A Novel by Mark Lindquist. Pick it up by Wed Aug 29 because that’s when the first reading assignment will be issued.
Instead of telling you what the boring magazine and newspaper reviewers thought of it, I’m going to highlight a few blog reviews. Read more
UM Book Club: After Dark by Haruki Murakami - Part IV
July 11, 2007 by Greg · 3 Comments
Part IV
pages 149-endCharacters
- Mari Asai
- Eri Asai
- Tetsuya Takahashi
- Kaoru
- Shirakawa
- Korogi
Songs Listed
- Page 162 - Sonnymoon for Two, Sonny Rollins
- Page 168 - Bomb Juice, Shikao Suga
- Page 179 - (soundtrack music), Francis Lai
The last section of this book is heavily defined by irony and sybolism. On page 162 Mari takes a much needed rest in the love hotel only after sharing with Korogi the weight of her sister’s endless sleep. She sleeps deeply with a silent TV in the room. When she awakes, she feels similar to her sister in her dream state saying, “I am me and not me.” Read more
