New Inspirations

So I've ran into a few new things over the past week. Here's a quick recap:

Music: Late Registration - Kanye West
Funny story here. Being the king of self-promotion that West is, he started pimping around information that M.I.A. was going to guest star on his new album along with tons of other artists. Well, word eventually got out that M.I.A. turned down his collaboration invitation and the media loved the story. After being called on this by a German reporter during an interview, Kanye simply replied "I'm Kanye West."

But anyways, to avoid an obtuse, Pitchfork-like review laden with excessive exposition, I'll simply state that this album is damn good. I feel kind of bad since I'm not supposed to like mainstream hip-hop these days (8th deadly sin, yes?). But I was immediatley hooked into several songs on the first listen. Check out "We Major" especially, the beat and horns are ridiculous... but then again, I liked the song the first time I heard it... when it was named "Hoe Cakes" by MF Doom.

Clothes: Banana Republic
So I'll agree that Banana Republic is old news. But some of the styles they have this season is damn hot. I went on a little shopping binge a few days ago and BR took a sizable chunk of the spending allowance. Funny thing is, that all too familiar post-orgasmic depression that usually sets in a day after blowing some change on meaningless clothes was non-existent this time around. Believe it or not, I actually found a dress shirt and slacks at fit well and look great. Consume... CONSUME.

Drinks: Cran-Apple Martini @ Ozio
So you're out with some friends on a Thursday night. You've done the whole Yeungling or Gin and Tonic thing for the past couple months. You want to try something new. You don't want to look gay, but you're out with a bunch of girls that you have no interest in anyways. They order a round of martinis. What do you do?

I tried the second or third Martini in my life the other night while bar-hopping around DuPont. Being the sucker I am for anything Cranberry, I gave the Cran-Apple version a try. Just like the Kanye West album, I'm ashamed to say that it was damn good. Yeah, maybe the scene of me nursing a Martini glass in a prominent corner of swank bar with a gang of hot-to-trot girlfriends added to the user-experience (I'm not that vain, am I?). But I had to order two more rounds, especially when I noticed some of the other bar-patrons staring me down with jealous looks (Yes... yes I am that vain).

Books: Zero - A Biography of a Dangerous Idea by Charles Seife
Old and busted: books on Pi and Infinity. New Hotness: A historical and mathematical overview on Zero. I've been interested in the subject matter for sometime now and Seife's book addresses the exact points I wanted to see and more. The history of Zero - a placeholder vs. a value; Theories on void and nothingness; Organized religion and its war against Zero; Why Pythagoras was an idiot; and who can forget my favorite, Zeno and his three paradoxes of motion. Did I just geek-out on you a little too much. Ok, I'm sorry... but this book is way too cool to put down.

Politics: Newt Gingrich
"Wait Brian... so you're a Republican? Umm... we can't talk anymore, sorry."

I've been having some doubts about the GOP's chances in '08 for sometime now. Hillary Clinton is the aire-apparent for the Dems and our pickings on the Republican side seem kind of slim these days. President Bill Frist? C'mon now.

But over the last few weeks I've started listening to the stuff coming out of the Gingrich camp and I'm honestly a bit excited. You forget that a huge reason why I'm a Republican today is because of the GOP House class of '94 under his leadership. He's currently touring a new book, but its interesting to see the stops along his tour: Iowa, New Hampshire, etc. Say what you will about him, but the guy has a head and he knows how to speak in complete sentences. And believe it or not... he's talking about important things and giving meaningful answers to questions: Real Health Care reform, Immigration, National Security. Egad! Of course, he is a longshot for the GOP nomination all things considered, but crazier things have happened.

But I'm sure a vast majority of you may be freaked out at the idea of a President Gingrich. That's okay... fine... be that way. But do me a favor and listen... JUST LISTEN... to the first 5 mins of his speech at the National Press Club here in DC this past week (Real Player needed - Thanks C-span.org). With the tendency to compare the '08 hopeful's speaking skills against our current officeholder, the idea of a Gingrich White House seems a bit more engaging than the prior. Tell me I'm wrong.