The I Chong.

[Brother D]

While mooching around the internet, I happened to stumble upon "The I Chong- Meditations from the joint", by Tommy Chong,   really cheap, too! Have any of you dudes read it? Seemed quite a fitting addition to the library.

[Reverend Al]

I've read it.  It was quite a while ago, but if I remember correctly the first half or so is mostly autobiography, after which he gets into some of the details of his arrest and subsequent incarceration.  The impression I got was that he was still pretty pissed off about the whole thing when he wrote it.  It was an enjoyable read, but I can't imagine too many people digging it if they aren't already fans.

[Brother D]

Thats a bummer, was gonna order a copy. Was hopin for somethin far out given the title, but at least i'll save a clam or two. Thanks for the heads up, rev dude.

[Reverend Al]

Don't get me wrong.  Tommy seems to be one of those "celebrities" who people either really like, or really don't, and those who don't appear to object to his near-constant promotion of the benefits of marijuana and the "glorification of drug use" in his movies (i.e., people who have bought into the U.S. government's bullshit anti-marijuana campaign) more than they actually object to him as a person, so those are the people who probably wouldn't enjoy it.  It's written with a lot of humor, so it's not an "angry" read.  But regardless of the subject matter discussed in the various chapters, there are times when he seems to find a way to bring it back around to his incarceration.  I can't say I blame him, because he appears to perceive his conviction and incarceration as the only truly negative period in what he has otherwise described as a "perfect" life.  He's subsequently become quite philosophical about the whole thing, but...well, it's like the old saying:  "When you're up to your ass in alligators it's difficult to remember you're there to drain the swamp."  And this book was written while he was still trying to get clear of his legal problems, so it's understandable that some anger might slip into his writing now and again.

But that's just, like, my opinion, man.  If you like Tommy Chong you'll probably enjoy the book, but the only way to find out is to read it and decide for yourself.

[Brother D]

Thankie duder, maybe I will give it a go at some point. Was hopin for somethin akin to a duder version of The I Ching, as it is a core thing to taoism much like the Tao Te Ching. Maybe there's an idea to bat around our beach community, I dunno...

[BikerDude]

Here's a talk he gave about it and other stuff I guess.

Tommy Chong - The IChong - Convict Doper in Palm Springs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iKAfqWPkQU

[Brother D]

Thats' cool, thats' cool. I dig the podcast he does too, funny shtuff, mang.

[Reverend Al]

Thankie duder, maybe I will give it a go at some point. Was hopin for somethin akin to a duder version of The I Ching, as it is a core thing to taoism much like the Tao Te Ching. Maybe there's an idea to bat around our beach community, I dunno...

Tommy is a spiritual guy, and he mentions that occasionally in the book (as best I can remember), but spirituality isn't the main theme.  "I Chong" is just wordplay because of his name.

[Brother D]

I guess some kind of dudeist oracle, would be cool, though would it be practical? Going with the flow is a major part of our ethos and having some insight into what we are flowing with, could be useful. Dudeitate on this, will...

[Brother D]

Just finished reading this book and yeah, it ain't no I Ching, though Tommy does refer (or reefer), to another translation, (more a guide to), by Carol K Anthony, which according to amazon blurb, is more in the parlance of our times. That said, he does have some innerestin' points of view. I am a fan, so enjoyed the read.