“Now You Know”

Tony Arcabascio and Arkitip have collected a set of columns that he wrote for the magazine (under the name “The Alife How To”) from 2003 to 2006. The result is Now You Know, a “how-to book for the street smart,” in the form of a nicely executed mini-book, with a handy slip cover. Apart from being a cool little object, the actual columns inside are pretty hilarious (and depending on what kind of life you’re living, possibly useful). Topics include how to: make a slim jim, avoid assault charges, torch a car, talk someone through a trip, and get married.

The avoid-assault-charges piece includes this observation: “As long as you got your mom with you when you fuck someone up, you’ll always have an advantage. You can’t get away with murder, but you can hurt them bad.”

That clarifying second sentence is an example of what I find appealing here. Obviously I’m quoting that bit out of context, it’s even better when you read the whole (somewhate harrowing) story that leds up to him drawing this particular conclusion.

Probably I also find it so appealing because I know and like Tony, having met him while writing a story a while ago and kept in touch. He seems like such a nice guy — he gave me a copy of the book, after all — I can’t imagine him torching a car.

Although now that I think of it, I can imagine him having torched a car. Just not lately. I don’t think.

Anyway, check it out.