Blowing things up (metaphorically of course).

I recently finished reading Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins an absurdest classic (or to-be-classic as the case may be). The description on the book jacket calls it- "A sort of a love story that takes place inside a pack of Camel cigarettes. It reveals the purpose of the moon, explains the difference between criminals and outlaws, examines the conflict between social activism and romantic individualism, and paints a portrait of contemporary society that includes powerful Arabs, exiled royalty, and pregnant cheerleaders. It also deals with the problem of redheads", and that about sums it up. It's like poetry, I mean it doesn't rhyme or anything but it has a fascinating flow to it, perhaps it's on a lunar cycle. The Woodpecker is the chosen name of a redheaded outlaw bomber who makes blowing things up seem not only reasonable but downright necessary. He and a deposed redheaded princess fall madly into something like love and are determined to find a way to make it stay. The part about the difference between activism and individualism I found particularly interesting, all great causes (and I would add religions and philosophies as well) are started by individuals, people with ideas and gumption but as they become causes and institutions they become choked with average, unimaginative people who are jumping on to someone else's band wagon. Well that's not exactly the way the Woodpecker put it but that's what I walked away with. Now the blowing shit up (metaphorically speaking) is the main thing I brought from my trip through Mr. Robbins mind, they're lots of things in my life I let build up or that I build up into 'important' things that need to be blown away like so much brick and mortar. Before you rush out and buy this fantastically bizarre book let me caution that there is a good deal of adult language, sexual situations, drug use and typewriter abuse. Otherwise happy reading.