Random thoughts

... I recently finished Fyodore Dostoevsky's classic novel Crime and Punishment. It's a great read and I recommend it to anyone. Unlike most authors today, Dostoevsky really dives deep into the psyche of his characters. It has been a real education for my current short story project.

Although I enjoyed reading the book, older styles (and translated works especially) can make for some difficult reads. I probably spent five times as long reading this book as any others this year.

Still, the story was brilliant, the ending simple but meaningful and the characters were deeply thought-out.

I will be reading Brothers Karamosov before the end of the year. Some have called that book the greatest novel ever written. It's sub chapter titled "The Great Inquisitor" is famous, although I only know that it involves the Spanish Inquisition and Jesus.

I am most interested in how the book deals with the different paradigms of five characters who experience the same event. Dostoevsky's writing can be an acquired taste, but his characters are brilliant for their depth. I plan on taking some time to learn from the master while preparing my own story.

... I am currently reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, or as I've come to call it "Angels and Da Vinci Lose a Symbol." I enjoy the book because it's like watching a movie, it's fast-paced and it is interesting, but it's really the same formula without much change from his previous books. I guess the ending will tell for sure, but right now, I've seen this movie before. Most important, this book was a must-read after slogging through Crime and Punishment.

... The Denver Broncos are 4-0 and, God help me, I don't know if they are any good or not. The offense is horrible, but the D is really good. They are trying to reel me in, but I remain sceptical until I'm sure they aren't just setting me up for a stomach punch.

... It's too bad college football was cancelled this year. It would have been nice to watch CU and UVA try to make runs at the Big 12 and ACC. (THE WHOLE SEASON WAS CANCELLED!!!! I'M ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE!!! WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT?)

... I've been listening to a lot of the Beatles lately. I can't say why... I just do this from time to time. I've been watching a lot of youtube clips. Fun stuff. I think it started when I read a Rolling Stone article of why they broke up and that spiraled into fascination with the older days when they were on top of the pop world.

In fact, here's a great old clip from their last live performance as a group.