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Chuck Palahniuk ends up telling the same story over and over again in his books. What’s astonishing is how fresh and gut-wrenchingly surprising (sorry) his approaches are. Even in his most tired formulations (sorry, Haunt), it’s still worth reading till the end. It doesn’t hurt that the basic “story” Palahniuk tells over and over again is among the strangest, yet most basically fundamental, things scratched on dead tree.

Rant rates as some of his best work.

It’s not that his writing shines, because it doesn’t. It’s not that the book starts off auspiciously, because it doesn’t, particularly. Or: it does, but of course you’re too wrapped up in preconceived notions to understand how much it’s going to blow you out of the water, by the end. And it’s unfair to say that the writing doesn’t shine, because–preconceived notions.

It’s difficult to say more, or anything.

The basic structure of Rant is that of an oral history, the sub-title tells you. Though you could probably figure it out pretty quickly based on the string of names that pop up, the bold-faced names by occupations and descriptors. Also because Palahniuk spells it out for you on the second page. Just in case you aren’t good at figuring things out. (In which case, incidentally, this book’s probably not for you anyway.) Like any of Palahniuk’s writing, Rant is schizophrenic, with lots of things going on, rapid-fire details vying for your attention, trying to disgust, compel, impress. But Rant is schizophrenic in different sorts of ways than, say, Survivor, or Fight Club. There are the usual things put there to snag your attention, the things that make good soundbites for reviews, jacket copy, blah blah blah. Party crashing, rabies, spider bites, and so on.

Yes, but. These are distractions, mostly. Mind you, the distractions are their own commentary, but they’re not the main show. Figuring out where distraction ends and something else starts is the whole point, or at least part of it. You want the story? Read the book. Just don’t expect applause.

Seriously, though: apparently boxing, whether amateur or professional, can lead to brain damage. Or might, anyway. This found in a study that looked at amateur boxers for a biochemical marker for brain damage. (The study also looked at soccer players who repeatedly headed the ball, and found none of the biochemical markers. FYI.)

(Science Blog: “Even amateur boxing causes brain damage.” [May 2, 2007])

(2007) dir. Edgar Wright - w/ Simon Pegg as the dutifully over-efficient constable, Nick Frost as his bumbling partner in the country, and a slew of other notables: Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman, Edward Woodward–the Equalizer, folks!–, Timothy Dalton as the unctuously murderous supermarket magnate, Cate Blanchett with a mask over her face, and Peter Jackson as a crazed mall Santa. What’s not to love?

Synopsis: Nicholas Angel has only ever wanted to be a police officer–except that brief moment where he wanted to be Kermit the frog–and for his diligence, efficiency, and excellence, his fellow officers are made to look lazy. So of course he’s promoted to the countryside, where things are quiet, he arrests his would-be partner for drunk driving, and a swan’s on the loose. Of course, things are never quite so bucolic and peaceful as they seem at first glance…

Review: Hot Fuzz is, in a word, brilliant. It parodies the big budget American cop film, but in a different way than a parallel universe American counterpart would. (It’s not a straight parody, for starters.) Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg possess a strange intuition of when going overboard suits the film, and when playing it straight holds everything together. The quips and puns are packed to an absurd density, but that doesn’t prevent the citizens of this fine movie from being earnest from time to time. Except Timothy Dalton, whose character really doesn’t have an appropriate moment to be earnest. And a couple other people. But it’s a lovely movie. Full of explosions and sight gags and self-referential humor and blood. Something for everyone. It’s kind of like ‘Lethal Weapon’ meets ‘The Full Monty’, though of course there are a few differences.

Rating: [••••] out of [•••••] - (4/5)

In Alaska, a child saves a life by dialing 911 — thanks to the teachings of one of his favorite books, It’s Time To Call 911 - What To Do In An Emergency.

The real question, though, is how a child raised on Captain Underpants And The Preposterous Plight Of The Purple Potty People would have fared in the same situation?

I hope we’ve all learned our lesson for the day.

Not exactly breaking news, but Burmese pythons are setting up shop in the Everglades, and–apparently–they quite like it.

Each year a significant number of Burmese pythons - like the snake on sale in a pet store here - are taken home by people who never quite understand the presale warning.

They are told point-blank that their 20-inch “baby” will probably grow into a 20-foot adult and live for 25 years. That’s a lot of mice, rats, rabbits, and chickens to feed an adult snake capable of quickly dispatching other beloved pets, children, or even adults.

Authorities in South Florida suspect that many frustrated or frightened Burmese python owners have been releasing their snakes into the nearby Everglades rather than trying to find a new home in captivity for them.

…

In 2005, 95 snakes were captured in the Everglades. So far this year, more than 154 have been picked up.

But Python Pete is on the job, along with plenty of good-natured humans. Despite this, the battle’s far from over, and the outlook isn’t particularly rosy:

“We have been remarkably unsuccessful in eradicating any firmly established alien species in Florida,” says Richard Bartlett, a reptile expert in Gainesville, Fla.

(Christian Science Monitor: “Gators Beware: Pythons Moving into Everglades,” by Warren Richey [Dec 19, 2006])

As it turns out, David Lynch directs public service announcements much the same way he directs feature-length films. Which is to say, strangely. Look at Lynch’s anti-littering PSA over at WFMU (as well as some others).

(via WFMU’s Beware of the Blog)