Some guy named "Vonnegut"

Alright, so, regrettably it's been almost three months since we decided we'd choose books to read at relatively the same time and pace, despite not being at the same time and place.  After some issues with people on half.com getting their shit together, I finally received my copy of Cat's Cradle.  It's creased and ugly orange cover, with the kitschy illustrations, it's missing back cover, and thin brittle pages finally found it's way into my hands, and in my last weeks (by weeks I mean about three days) of work at "the Bank" I tore through about half of it or more.

After catching up with Rachael on her status, I found that I was perhaps a bit too giddy for reading again, and decided to put it down until she mentioned catching up, or until we didn't have something more important to do like start a new job ("the Credit Union") or move into a new apartment.

At any rate, I've been thinking of it again, now that my new job offers some down time, and the recent change in weather has kept me inside at lunch, instead of people-watching on the plaza.  Before I continue, however, I better mention my thoughts so far.

Having not read any Vonnegut, except for maybe the first 10 pages of Cat's Cradle in the fifth grade...and having read Coupland, I have to say that Cat's Cradle reminds me of All Families Are Psychotic.  Though, for obvious reasons - primarily that the former came before the latter - it should be switched; however, it is simply the fantastic story told through basic narrative with a sardonic view of the world being implied that links them in my mind.  A set of over-the-top characters in unrealistic situations presented in a way that completely ignores how ridiculous it sounds or seems.

This works better, perhaps, in Cradle because the idea itself of the A-Bomb existing, being used, or even being thought of as a "gift" of a "genius" - is pretty ridiculous - especially in the context of the novel's time, or even thinking of nuclear weapons today (obviously, what a boring observation).

Being an extremely, not-so-religious person, Bokononism is hilarious to me; for me it is what keeps the whole thing very dryly amusing.  The stupid terminology used, and the most obvious stab at religions, the idea of the karass vs. the granfalloon.  The idea of something like being a "Hoosier" is not a group of people that will help perpetuate your purpose in life, and is not truly a unifying quality or similarity.  I feel like this is a mistake of a lot of religions - love everyone in the world, except the people that don't count because they don't practice the way you do.  I also feel like I felt this way in high school.  I conclude that being too consumed by a religion is like being to concerned about who wins volleyball in P.E.

However, I do appreciate the idea of the karass, and the thought that there are people in your life that just have to be a part of your life; they are there with reason, even if you never really know what that reason is until much later - or never at all.  This is simply the idea of fate, and an invisible guide that keeps you on the predetermined path towards your inevitable finish line; and I am a firm believer in pre-destiny.

I'm really glad I didn't finish this in fifth grade, I think reading it now at a time in my life where -for the most part- hormones aren't a big issue for my decisions in life, and I know better than to shun someone for liking sports or claiming soverieignity to affiliations thering; I know better than to think "ew, American Eagle" and say "ooh, cheap American Eagle in Goodwill;" I know better than to take any story presented to me at face-value; I know better than to completely ignore current events (and at least have a passing interest and knowledge of them, enough to make vague reactions to them while reading a book anyway).

With that said, my favorite quote in the book thus far (though this is the first book in a while I've bothered reading with a pen-in-hand to underline moments, words, and quotes) is this:

"See the cat, see the cradle?"

Love it.

The idea of Hoenikker being an A-bomb scientist makes me curious to read up on the lives of the real A-bomb or any-bomb scientists.  I think it could start a good chain of free-association with the books we read - moving from fiction to non-fiction, and back again, following similar topics, locations, overtures, etcetera.  Though I also want to find a current copy of the English Literary Canon and try and check off what I have read; another project I started back in the day when I had the time and the insomnia that could easily consume 6 books in 2 and a half months.

Being in school again, though in a completely different subject matter than I'm typically affiliated with, I'm hoping that  perhaps this can also be a place where Rachael and I can dish out some "creative writing" homework.  Perhaps if we get a topic we can list it, then communicate on it and post some results...but, we really have to get this "Book Club" idea going.  Who knows, if we really get on ourselves, we can try to include other people we know who enjoy books, and typing about them in a self-important discussion type way.

Alright, your turn, Rachael.