Searching for Bobby Fischer (1943-2008)

Chess master Fischer
Mr. International
Dead at 64.

Anyhow, if you remember the book and/or the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer (I don't), apparently it had something to do with someone considered the next Bobby Fischer...like how Hilary Swank succeeded Ralph Macchio as The Next Karate Kid. Classy.

But if you're literally searching for Mr. Fischer, you'll have to go old school for this adventure. Do I hear epic adventure? Here's how:

1. Go to the banks of the River Styx. You might try one of the following Stygian rivers:

• Styx River in Tasmania, Australia
• Styx River in New South Wales, Australia
• Styx River in Ontario, Canada
• One of four Styx Rivers in New Zealand
• Styx River in Perm, Russia
• Styx River in Alabama in the USA
• Styx River in Alaska in the USA
• River Styx in Florida in the USA
• River Styx in Georgia in the USA
• River Styx in Kentucky in the USA
• One of the two River Styxes in Michigan in the USA.
• Styx River in Ohio in the USA

But you will not be successful. Try the Acheron River in northwest Greece. Keep walking until you find some poor (literally poor) wandering shades unable to pay the Ferryman.


2. Choose a Ferryman. Most people expect to ride with Charon (the one on the far left), but he's much too expensive for most people. On the plus side, Charon serves Louis XIII cognac on his boat.

If you want to save some money, you're going to have to settle for Phlegyas' boat. It's like coach class, but it'll take you from point A to point B.

3. Avoid any all all three-, two-, or one-headed hellhounds, especially the one named Cerebus. Or at least take the Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan along as a traveling buddy...and as a decoy.

4. Once you reach Hades...well, there are a whole lot of places to look and a whole lot of residents to potentially piss off. So you're on your own. Why are we searching for Bobby Fischer again? Anyhow, this map might help:

5. Good luck. Well this shaggy dog story went nowhere...

Bobby Fischer photo credit: Chris Lott. Acheron River photo credit: Samuli Lintula. Michelangelo's rendition of Charon in The Last Judgment photo credit: Ghirlandajo. Phlegias with Dante and Virgil, stained glass in Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan photo credit: G. Dallorto.
Underworld map credit: Virgil.org.

Ryan's List-Worthy from Last Year List: Books I Read for the First Time

Since I didn't read any books last year...there's more to this sentence...that were published in 2007, I'm going to list three good reads from last year, regardless of release date. Why only three books? I only read about eight and a quarter books in 2007, which is probably an 825% increase than the previous handful of years combined.

1. My Ishmael by Daniel Quinn Buy from Amazon.com
Along with Ishmael (which you'll have to read before this one), The Story of B, and Beyond Civilization, this book is a great read for those who have enough chutzpah to leave the pyramid schemes of the world and run a small business (or similar way of life) that isn't very pyramid-like. And if you can't totally leave the pyramids behind, there's a lot of philosophical stuff that might help subvert the status quo...in a good way, of course. And if that doesn't sell you on these books - the hero is a wise, telepathic gorilla.

2. The Art of War by Sun Tzu Free e-Book | $1 Audiobook | Free Audiobook | Buy from Amazon.com | Buy for Kindle
If the above selection (and related books) represents yielding to nature when it comes to lifestyle (in general) and business (if applicable), then this one represents badass, yet strategic, warmongering - which is slightly necessary when it comes to competing with rival businesses and bigger fish. I personally feel that several seemingly contradictory qualities are necessary for success. Then again, I am neither a self-help guru nor a life coach. In any case, The Art of War just badass.

3. Old Greek Stories by James Baldwin Free e-Book | Free Audiobook | Buy for Kindle
I love anti-Zeus/Jupiter propaganda. Textbook author James Baldwin's interpretation of Greco-Roman myth is light on the Greek and heavy on the Roman, even to the point of ignoring the whole Cronus/Saturn eating his children storyline. It's this kind of storytelling that makes you want to play God of War II (where Zeus is also the bad guy), or at least watch a YouTube video or two:

By the way, Kindle e-Books require a reader, like Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device.

If this list doesn't float your boat, you can always watch (good) TV:



Francisco Goya's "Saturn Devouring His Son" rocks.