Pick Three with William Fitzsimmons

Perhaps its because of my proclivity towards organization (a gentler way of describing my rampant obsessive-compulsive disorder), I tend to visualize life in terms of themes, motifs, and lists of sorts. As such, picking three current items which have peaked my interest is only difficult in the sense that the list must be limited to such a small number. But for the sake of clarity (and in the sincere hope of avoiding the instillation of boredom), I shall endeavor to do just that.

Without further verbosity…

1. “An Utterly Impartial History of Britain or 2000 Years of Upper-class Idiots in Charge” A book by John O’Farrell

(I was told at least one-third of the included images had to include facial hair)

I don’t think it’d be completely accurate to suggest that I live in the past. But it wouldn’t be completely incorrect either. The past is gone, it’s behind us, can’t be altered, can perhaps be remedied, but it will remain ever what it is. And that’s fine with me. Maybe not totally, but it really has to be, doesn’t it. That being said, if we shun the past, it’s vital importance will be lost on us forever. This book is one of the most honest and engaging historical presentations I’ve ever come across. It’s also the funniest. O’Farrell finds a way inspire both sympathy and incredulousness in British history’s most notable figures, wars, and periods. I wouldn’t say it’s a book for everyone. But if you like things that are good, you’ll probably dig it.

2. “A History of Violence” A film by David Cronenberg

(It’s not a 4th sequel to Lord of the Rings; I made that mistake at first too)

This certainly wasn’t an under the radar film, as it shouldn’t be. Not sure when I first stumbled upon Cronenberg’s movies, but I’m very glad that I did. In a short amount of time he became one of my favorite storytellers. ”Violence” is basically a neo-western framed in a modern tale. It’s an examination of how gray the difference between culpability and innocence really is. It also has the most appropriate and fascinating sex scene I’ve ever witnessed. Cronenberg recently finished a film about the relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, also starring Viggo Mortensen; so I’m legitimately starting to wonder if he isn’t getting some of his ideas from the “movies William would want to see super badly” file.

3. “Midday Moon” A Song by A Weather

You know how you can get obsessed with a song and you play it so much that you’re friends start to roll their eyes whenever you take over the car radio because they know exactly what song they’re about to hear? Well that would have happened to this song a long time ago, if it wasn’t so fucking good. There’s not a weak spot in this. It’s just exactly what a song should be. If I once came up with a line as genius as “you once were a dish sponge, now you clean tiles, in the bathroom where sponges go to die” I’d be perfectly happy to retire. Or maybe it’s just her voice. Yeah, that’s it.

4. (Bonus! Number 4! What sort of madness is this?!?) Malekko Omicron Analog Tremelo Pedal

This one is only really relevant to guitar players, so if that doesn’t apply to you, feel free to go back to google image searching puppies chasing babies (that’s what I was doing before this at least). Nothing overly complicated here, just a beautiful micro tremelo pedal for the electric player. If you’re in the market for a subtle but tasteful pedal to add to your lineup, this should be thrown into consideration. It also is about the size of a guitar pedal that you’d see your barbie doll loading into a club if barbie was an electric guitar player. And if dolls were alive.