This is why I spent countless hours straining my eyes to cheat off of Cameron while sitting behind him in high school. Bad eyes, a 5 on the AP US History test, and a permanent memory of "C-squared"s backside...it was all worth it. Dude takes a three month vacation from book club and comes back to put us all in our place, reminding us yet again of our own inferiority.
I can agree with Cam's take on "Daniel" thus far. I think the discomfort and confusion is absolutely what Doctorow is trying to portray. I still those "extremes" with which we precariously flirt are relevant in today's political environment. It wasn't what Doctorow had in mind, but Cameron is right--a small push in either direction and we really aren't so far different today than we were then.
I especially liked Ben's thoughts on how society will always be divided along some line.
In a way, though, that very idea disproves anything that Daniel's parents would have agreed with. Their support of the communist party was based on Socialist ideals, and the hope that a perfectly "equal" society could one day exist. Such a society is impossible, and it always will be, as evidenced by Cameron's thoughts as well as Ben's--there will always be extremes, there will always be "haves" and "have-nots". This is why every society in the history of the world that has been based on Socialist ideas has failed.
I'm hoping to finish the book as soon as possible because finals are rapidly approaching. I've really enjoyed it so far.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The book
I don't know if it is my ADD or what but I am struggling with this book. I don't even know what is going on half of the time, maybe that is because it is in my car and I only read it at stop lights? I doubt it though, that book is deep. I will keep forging ahead though, just glad we got the band back together! First we get MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice together and now the book club is rolling, what a month.
I am reading at a verocious pace the book, "The Lone Survivor" and it is a page turner. It is all about a Navy Seal guy, his training and then his trip to Afganistan. His unit gets attacked and it is pretty intense. These guys were getting shot 4-5 times before they went down. Almost cried reading it. Highly recommended. You would think our Army friend Smurf would have recommended that instead of that terrible Epicenter book, which he didn't even read. Anyways, anyone else notice that a North Korean that won the silver in Air pistol shooting got caught using roids? How heavy are these air pistols?
I am reading at a verocious pace the book, "The Lone Survivor" and it is a page turner. It is all about a Navy Seal guy, his training and then his trip to Afganistan. His unit gets attacked and it is pretty intense. These guys were getting shot 4-5 times before they went down. Almost cried reading it. Highly recommended. You would think our Army friend Smurf would have recommended that instead of that terrible Epicenter book, which he didn't even read. Anyways, anyone else notice that a North Korean that won the silver in Air pistol shooting got caught using roids? How heavy are these air pistols?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Just The Tip
That's how far in I am, just the tip. 30pgs. Good to be back though, and apologies for the hiatus.
My initial reaction to this book was pure emotion. Every page so far (IMO) is meant to be a slap in the reader's face. Jarring. From the unflattering character descriptions, to the explicit sex scenes to the syntax and story flow (or lack there of), I think Doctorow is really trying to make the reader uncomfortable, and evaluate where they stand in the world with regards to politics, love, family, etc. By highlighting extremes it makes us wonder aloud if we could be pushed to those outer bounds by some uncontrollable circumstance. It's not about being "liberal" or "conservative" or "communist", its about the environment and people and chance that tip us in one direction or another. Obviously, you can choose to react in several different ways once on that path, but once a train has been set in motion its much harder to change its course.
I think Frank was on the right track in his last post to warn of the dangers of extremist behavior, but to call extreme left immature and extreme right bigots is a wild oversimplification. Not only is there an enormous amount of nuance associated with people's belief systems, but the "left" and "right" are merely constructs that couldn't exist without each other. For example, say I waved a magic wand and all the "right wing" people on the planet disappeared. Would conservative views disappear? No. The remaining "liberals" would have to redefine themselves from the other liberals and half of the population would then be "conservatives" again. So if Frank's theory held true, would the previously slightly immature then become the extreme bigots? I would argue no.
I've never read any Doctorow before, but I must say he is one of the most powerful writers I've encountered in a good while. Great choice Benny, I look forward to the journey.
Favorite Quote so far, page 25 of my copy:
"There are no decent settings for joy or suffering. All our environments are wrong. They embarrass our emotions. They make our emotions into the plastic tiger lilies in the window boxes of Howard Johnson restaurants."
Discuss.
My initial reaction to this book was pure emotion. Every page so far (IMO) is meant to be a slap in the reader's face. Jarring. From the unflattering character descriptions, to the explicit sex scenes to the syntax and story flow (or lack there of), I think Doctorow is really trying to make the reader uncomfortable, and evaluate where they stand in the world with regards to politics, love, family, etc. By highlighting extremes it makes us wonder aloud if we could be pushed to those outer bounds by some uncontrollable circumstance. It's not about being "liberal" or "conservative" or "communist", its about the environment and people and chance that tip us in one direction or another. Obviously, you can choose to react in several different ways once on that path, but once a train has been set in motion its much harder to change its course.
I think Frank was on the right track in his last post to warn of the dangers of extremist behavior, but to call extreme left immature and extreme right bigots is a wild oversimplification. Not only is there an enormous amount of nuance associated with people's belief systems, but the "left" and "right" are merely constructs that couldn't exist without each other. For example, say I waved a magic wand and all the "right wing" people on the planet disappeared. Would conservative views disappear? No. The remaining "liberals" would have to redefine themselves from the other liberals and half of the population would then be "conservatives" again. So if Frank's theory held true, would the previously slightly immature then become the extreme bigots? I would argue no.
I've never read any Doctorow before, but I must say he is one of the most powerful writers I've encountered in a good while. Great choice Benny, I look forward to the journey.
Favorite Quote so far, page 25 of my copy:
"There are no decent settings for joy or suffering. All our environments are wrong. They embarrass our emotions. They make our emotions into the plastic tiger lilies in the window boxes of Howard Johnson restaurants."
Discuss.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Out of My League?
Boy, I feel like Ben picked a book that is maybe 10 IQ points higher than my reading level! I'm 80 pages in and I'm only able to follow the main story, but I feel there is a lot of subtlety going over my head. It's an interesting read thus far.
My question is pretty abstract. Do you think the more well adjusted a person is, the more politically moderate they are? Maybe that is an obvious yes. Maybe not. I am just trying to line up Daniel's odd behavior (at times it seems disturbing) with his political outlook. Offensive or not, political radicalism in our day seems juvenile and immature. If you are really on the far left, you are irresponsible. If you are on the far right, you are a bigot. It seems to me as you grow up and experience things, you find the middle ground - where reasonable resides. It seems to me that the extremeness of both Daniel's parents and their political polar opposites are the cause of major conflict in this story and in current events. What do you think?
My question is pretty abstract. Do you think the more well adjusted a person is, the more politically moderate they are? Maybe that is an obvious yes. Maybe not. I am just trying to line up Daniel's odd behavior (at times it seems disturbing) with his political outlook. Offensive or not, political radicalism in our day seems juvenile and immature. If you are really on the far left, you are irresponsible. If you are on the far right, you are a bigot. It seems to me as you grow up and experience things, you find the middle ground - where reasonable resides. It seems to me that the extremeness of both Daniel's parents and their political polar opposites are the cause of major conflict in this story and in current events. What do you think?
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Is the Cold War Over???
Great book thus far by Ben. I'm only about fifty pages into it, but I don't think we could have chosen a book more relevant to today's political environment. It's the fascist, extreme Right vs. the radical communist Left. I haven't quite figured out Doctorow's agenda here. I initially thought he would be fighting against all the conservative "red-scared" nut jobs that sent their neighbors to the electrical chair at the height of the Cold War, but he has been critical of BOTH sides in his novel. How is this anything like today? Well, while John McCain may not be seen as a right-wing extremist, Obama has CERTAINLY (and with some justification at times) been called a radical, Marxist, left-wing communist. We've sort of tip-toed around politics at times on this blog, but I think this book won't allow that. Perhaps that's why Doctorow has had just about every one of his books on banned-book lists all over the country--he brings to the forefront topics that make people uncomfortable, scared, and angry. I'm looking forward to the rest of the book. And even if you aren't reading it, take some time to think about the politics that are happening right now. It would be interesting to hear everyone's point of view, even at the expense of things getting heated and people disagreeing.
As an aside for Ben--midterms are in the summer because 2nd-year med students in the UTMB curriculum have class for 11 months. I had an 8-week "summer" during which time I did research in plastic surgery. Have you (or anyone) seen The Onion movie? I haven't seen it or heard anything...is it worth renting?
As an aside for Ben--midterms are in the summer because 2nd-year med students in the UTMB curriculum have class for 11 months. I had an 8-week "summer" during which time I did research in plastic surgery. Have you (or anyone) seen The Onion movie? I haven't seen it or heard anything...is it worth renting?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Hurricanes and Midterms...
I'm glad people enjoyed The Alchemist. It's an easy read that seems to bring things into focus. A little self-meditation is good for everyone.
For those of you who were worried about me surviving Tropical Storm Eduardo...scratch that, did any of you even know that Eduardo was a big deal down here? I even called Dave when his entire state was underwater, but does he make any attempt at checking up on me when the hurricane is about to hit? Actually, the whole thing was way overblown. We were worried for awhile...gas stations were out of gas, people were fist-fighting over water bottles and beer at the grocery store, and in the end it was just a bad rain storm.
As if the possibility of a hurricane wasn't enough, I have been dealing with midterms all week. I'm heading out now to buy The Book of Daniel and I'm putting all studying behind me this week, so I can read what I want!
Congrats to Ben on the move to Colorado...maybe Hillary and I will see more of you now (her family is there). From what I understand, the further south you get, the better lawyer you are. Soon enough, you'll be down here by us!
I'm also gearing up for the olympics...
The Beijing Olympics: Are They A Trap?
...notice my favorite guy from the Sonic commercials! "What else did your body tell you to do? Did your body tell you to wear that sweater today?"
For those of you who were worried about me surviving Tropical Storm Eduardo...scratch that, did any of you even know that Eduardo was a big deal down here? I even called Dave when his entire state was underwater, but does he make any attempt at checking up on me when the hurricane is about to hit? Actually, the whole thing was way overblown. We were worried for awhile...gas stations were out of gas, people were fist-fighting over water bottles and beer at the grocery store, and in the end it was just a bad rain storm.
As if the possibility of a hurricane wasn't enough, I have been dealing with midterms all week. I'm heading out now to buy The Book of Daniel and I'm putting all studying behind me this week, so I can read what I want!
Congrats to Ben on the move to Colorado...maybe Hillary and I will see more of you now (her family is there). From what I understand, the further south you get, the better lawyer you are. Soon enough, you'll be down here by us!
I'm also gearing up for the olympics...
The Beijing Olympics: Are They A Trap?
...notice my favorite guy from the Sonic commercials! "What else did your body tell you to do? Did your body tell you to wear that sweater today?"
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Good Book
I enjoyed The Alchemist. I think the thing that I liked the most was the character Santiago. I thought he was extremely intelligent and thoughtful. Throughout the book I liked how he was so perceptive and caught onto things. I especially liked how he picked up on unspoken cues, the language of the universe, and acted on them.
To me the whole book seemed to symbolize life for most people. Santiago thought he had it all planned out but then another opportunity came up and he was wise enough to follow through with it. Most people aren't. I'm not sure if my life is following my personal legend or that I believe such things have been concretely ordained. I guess I need to watch the omens a bit more carefully! In the end though, his life became much more than he imagined it to be.
I thought it was clever that he ended up back in Andalusia. The story is obviously showing that the journey was just as important as the destination. It's good to be reminded about such eternal truths.
I can get behind Ben's suggestion and Nick's vote of The Book of Daniel despite Nick's obvious bias! As if we haven't had enough Russian themes in the previous books we've read (Epicenter and Asher Lev)! Just kidding. I read a small summary and it does sound good. I'll look forward to it!
Alchemy
I enjoyed the Alchemist. Thanks Nick. The subject matter (following your dreams/destiny) and the way it was presented (third-person omniscient narrator) really force introspective thought - something I like doing anyway.
The story invites us to find and pursue our personal legend. It glorifies those that pursue their dreams saying that the universe conspires to help them, that God is with them, that they will know the soul and language of the world, etc. etc. At the same time, it treats those that choose local, safe and secure paths as cowards who are no more than sheep only seeking food and water. You'll recall the crystal shop owner who won't go to Mecca and the Baker who wanted to travel that didn't as examples.
The only problem I had with the story is that I felt it didn't give the reader any credit. In the story, the boy was asked to 'read the omens' by paying attention to subtle signals that the desert/nature was presenting. He would come to know the language and soul of the world through this process. Yet, the author didn't give the reader omens to follow, we were herded along like the sheep. Instead of being asked to read subtle signals, we were beaten over the head with plain, repetitious statements of his thesis (following heart/legend =good, being a sheep/settling = cowardly).
It was entertaining to read and as I wrote previously, it forced me to look at my life decisions critically. I enjoyed the idea that things were continually evolving--lead to copper to gold. The idea that everything has a personal legend to improve, at which point the personal legend changes so that the evolution continues.
When I was younger I just knew (you could say it was in my heart) that I was going to be a baseball player and that I was going to be a good one. My commitment to my dream was challenged continually by the lack of stability in my legs. I pushed toward my dream only to have it fail spectacularly. I thought that harder work and more fervent prayers could make up the difference but they didn't or couldn't. I don't know if it was stubbornness or if I just needed to learn lessons from the fruitless struggling but I kept pursuing it despite the pain. Nowadays, I like to think that baseball had nothing left to teach me and that's why I was sent in a new direction, toward new legends. Perhaps I had already become copper or something. Perhaps I quit right before I was about to break through. Maybe if I had tried to come back from the back surgery and accepted the independent league offers for scraps... Who knows, right?
Anyway, I'd like to hear other opinions on the book and/or some of your personal legends. I would also like to invite Cameron back to the blog once again. Cam, I am formally apologizing for calling you pseudo-open-minded or something like that a while ago. I was joking but after re-reading my post, I'm not sure it came across that way.
Ben
The story invites us to find and pursue our personal legend. It glorifies those that pursue their dreams saying that the universe conspires to help them, that God is with them, that they will know the soul and language of the world, etc. etc. At the same time, it treats those that choose local, safe and secure paths as cowards who are no more than sheep only seeking food and water. You'll recall the crystal shop owner who won't go to Mecca and the Baker who wanted to travel that didn't as examples.
The only problem I had with the story is that I felt it didn't give the reader any credit. In the story, the boy was asked to 'read the omens' by paying attention to subtle signals that the desert/nature was presenting. He would come to know the language and soul of the world through this process. Yet, the author didn't give the reader omens to follow, we were herded along like the sheep. Instead of being asked to read subtle signals, we were beaten over the head with plain, repetitious statements of his thesis (following heart/legend =good, being a sheep/settling = cowardly).
It was entertaining to read and as I wrote previously, it forced me to look at my life decisions critically. I enjoyed the idea that things were continually evolving--lead to copper to gold. The idea that everything has a personal legend to improve, at which point the personal legend changes so that the evolution continues.
When I was younger I just knew (you could say it was in my heart) that I was going to be a baseball player and that I was going to be a good one. My commitment to my dream was challenged continually by the lack of stability in my legs. I pushed toward my dream only to have it fail spectacularly. I thought that harder work and more fervent prayers could make up the difference but they didn't or couldn't. I don't know if it was stubbornness or if I just needed to learn lessons from the fruitless struggling but I kept pursuing it despite the pain. Nowadays, I like to think that baseball had nothing left to teach me and that's why I was sent in a new direction, toward new legends. Perhaps I had already become copper or something. Perhaps I quit right before I was about to break through. Maybe if I had tried to come back from the back surgery and accepted the independent league offers for scraps... Who knows, right?
Anyway, I'd like to hear other opinions on the book and/or some of your personal legends. I would also like to invite Cameron back to the blog once again. Cam, I am formally apologizing for calling you pseudo-open-minded or something like that a while ago. I was joking but after re-reading my post, I'm not sure it came across that way.
Ben
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
August book
We need a book for August? I really liked having a good short read this month, thanks Nick. Any thoughts?
Long time
Hey everybody. Sorry for the prolonged hiatus. Life has been crazy, as I have seen that all of yours have as well. I just wanted to send out a little update on what is going on with me, and let you know that I haven't fallen off the face of the planet. I finally finished taking Step 1 of the medical boards and got my score back. Suffice it to say that I am pleasantly surprised with how well I did. They don't give us much time between 2nd and 3rd year, as 3rd year has already started. I am now in the hospital on rotations acting like a "real" doctor. At least my patients generally think of me as a doctor, even though no one else does. It is a lot of work, and I am still adjusting to waking up everyday at 5 just to be at work until 5-10, depending if I have call. I am on the Internal Medicine service right now, meaning that people who get admitted to the hospital overnight or for a few days are those who we take care of. I don't really like Medicine, meaning Internal Medicine, but I am learning a ton about the politics of the health care system, as well as the many inefficiencies. My schedule for the year will consist of Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Surgery, Psych, Neurology, and Anesthesia.
Sorry for not writing much. I have felt too overwhelmed to even check my email most days. I do read all of the posts, and I enjoy reading about what is going on in everyone's life. I don't know when I will have time to start reading for leisure again, but I hope things calm down in a month or two. I hope everyone's moves, work, school, families, etc. are doing fine. I really enjoy having you all as friends. Keep in touch.
Sorry for not writing much. I have felt too overwhelmed to even check my email most days. I do read all of the posts, and I enjoy reading about what is going on in everyone's life. I don't know when I will have time to start reading for leisure again, but I hope things calm down in a month or two. I hope everyone's moves, work, school, families, etc. are doing fine. I really enjoy having you all as friends. Keep in touch.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Boys to Men
I'm not sure how many of you remember the newsletter that Mrs. Hatch was kind enough to circulate for us when we were mission age. I was going through some old mission letters and I stumbled across them. Unbelievable. These must be the most hilarious things I have ever read. In an effort to revive the blog somewhat and to maybe bring Dave on board I am going to publish Dave's entry into the newsletter for September 2002. This is unedited:
This two-minute drill of September goes out to the month itself. I don't think September gets enough play. The months before, June July, and August, everyone loves because it is summer break. October, November and December everyone remembers for the Holidays. And what happens to September, it gets lost in the middle and no one cares to think about how September must feel. Well, there it is September; I know how you are feelin'.
-First off, BASEBALL
-more than 50% use steroids
-Ted Williams dies 3 days before the baseball all-star game
-They end the all-star game in a tie
-Is this soccer???
-and now they are going to strike on Friday.
-God save baseball and America
-I don't like much church music.
-Maybe because it is the only thing we can listen to on the mission or because every choir grad. from BYU thinks they can make their own church cd!
-marijuana-I smoke it because it's green, if it was white, I'd sniff it.
-band name- 3 more 4 milk
-I have been in 3 wrecks with Frank
-Olive Garden, Church parking lot (cedar), and the railroad tracks
-Has anyone seen my congressional medal of honor?
-Smurf's b-day = July 22
-sorry to my beloved friend on that one
-Jason Lang's parents are moving to Silicon Valley
-We can go there and then go see Benny play
_Ben, don't go pro until after your sophomore year, so I can see you play.
-I am still junior comp.
-18 weeks without a baptism
-I am losing my hair
-and I got piss all over my pants
-transfers are next week and all things could be getting better here soon!
-Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He is the Son of God,
-He restored the gospel to His prophet Joseph Smith.
-Through him we have the only true church on the face of the earth.
-Stay strong in the service of the Lord.
-this life is a battle until the end and I hope that everyone is geared up!
-much love to all of you. Even the ones who stopped writing.
Eat. Spit. Be happy.
Elder David Muir
And that is why Dave is one of my favorite people in the world! I hope you all enjoy that as much as I did. Everyone gave a valiant effort to be consistently funny in the newsletter and Dave was by far number one!
This two-minute drill of September goes out to the month itself. I don't think September gets enough play. The months before, June July, and August, everyone loves because it is summer break. October, November and December everyone remembers for the Holidays. And what happens to September, it gets lost in the middle and no one cares to think about how September must feel. Well, there it is September; I know how you are feelin'.
-First off, BASEBALL
-more than 50% use steroids
-Ted Williams dies 3 days before the baseball all-star game
-They end the all-star game in a tie
-Is this soccer???
-and now they are going to strike on Friday.
-God save baseball and America
-I don't like much church music.
-Maybe because it is the only thing we can listen to on the mission or because every choir grad. from BYU thinks they can make their own church cd!
-marijuana-I smoke it because it's green, if it was white, I'd sniff it.
-band name- 3 more 4 milk
-I have been in 3 wrecks with Frank
-Olive Garden, Church parking lot (cedar), and the railroad tracks
-Has anyone seen my congressional medal of honor?
-Smurf's b-day = July 22
-sorry to my beloved friend on that one
-Jason Lang's parents are moving to Silicon Valley
-We can go there and then go see Benny play
_Ben, don't go pro until after your sophomore year, so I can see you play.
-I am still junior comp.
-18 weeks without a baptism
-I am losing my hair
-and I got piss all over my pants
-transfers are next week and all things could be getting better here soon!
-Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He is the Son of God,
-He restored the gospel to His prophet Joseph Smith.
-Through him we have the only true church on the face of the earth.
-Stay strong in the service of the Lord.
-this life is a battle until the end and I hope that everyone is geared up!
-much love to all of you. Even the ones who stopped writing.
Eat. Spit. Be happy.
Elder David Muir
And that is why Dave is one of my favorite people in the world! I hope you all enjoy that as much as I did. Everyone gave a valiant effort to be consistently funny in the newsletter and Dave was by far number one!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Life
Since Frank just gave a quick update I liked that idea and decided I will do the same. First though, I just finished the Alchemist and it is quite an easy read. There is a lot in it though so I did have to slow down a few times. I promise that this book will offer some of the best conversation that we have had yet if we all read it. I loved it and it taught me more lessons than three years of Junior High. Not including the day Senor Fuller kicked the door and whacked that Matt Allen kid doing a walk out protest. But anyways, life has been crazy the past month. It was exactly a month ago today that I was on a cruise in Alaska and got a text message from the girl I was dating stating that she had kissed her ex-boyfriend. Since then we got back together exclusively only to end it for good. But thank goodness for Facebook as a lot of girls saw how much fun we were having and it was easy to get all their numbers again.
I met this little latin looking honey that has my attention right now so we will see?
I just got back from Chicago where I went to my grandpa's funeral. That was the first death I've experienced really and it was actually a great reminder of how to live life. My grandpa was a great man and never showed anything but love.
Work is actually going well again, amazing what happens when you put in the time. That is probably the best part about being single is that I have a lot of time for work and reading books.
Overall though, I really cant complain. I'm off to have a roman candle war at Belmont though so I'll check in another time! Suckas!
I met this little latin looking honey that has my attention right now so we will see?
I just got back from Chicago where I went to my grandpa's funeral. That was the first death I've experienced really and it was actually a great reminder of how to live life. My grandpa was a great man and never showed anything but love.
Work is actually going well again, amazing what happens when you put in the time. That is probably the best part about being single is that I have a lot of time for work and reading books.
Overall though, I really cant complain. I'm off to have a roman candle war at Belmont though so I'll check in another time! Suckas!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Yeeeaaaahhhh!
I was starting to think it was all my random ideas and frequent posts that drove everyone away. That may be the case still, but it's nice to see people coming back! Hopefully Cameron, Clint, Hatch and Dave will chime in soon. It's hard to get back in the habit once you've been out of it.
A nice short easy read sounds good to me. I'll be picking up my copy of The Alchemist as soon as I can.
As far as a life update goes... I am currently working part time for Jimmy while I go back to school. I took three summer classes (Gen Ed stuff) and I'm almost finished with them. Makelle still works at the bakery decorating cakes. We just rented out our house and we are in the process of moving all our stuff to Makelle's family's house in Woods Cross. This should give us a chance for Makelle to get back into school this fall as well. We are pretty busy, but everyone is at this stage in life, right?!
I love you all very much and I'm excited to recommit to staying in touch.
A nice short easy read sounds good to me. I'll be picking up my copy of The Alchemist as soon as I can.
As far as a life update goes... I am currently working part time for Jimmy while I go back to school. I took three summer classes (Gen Ed stuff) and I'm almost finished with them. Makelle still works at the bakery decorating cakes. We just rented out our house and we are in the process of moving all our stuff to Makelle's family's house in Woods Cross. This should give us a chance for Makelle to get back into school this fall as well. We are pretty busy, but everyone is at this stage in life, right?!
I love you all very much and I'm excited to recommit to staying in touch.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
No excuses...
No one should be able to say that they couldn't read the book this month due to lack of time/availability. At 170 pages, double spaced, it couldn't be an easier read. And to make it even easier, iTunes is offering the book as a FREE download for those who would like to listen to it! So no excuses! Go get it, post your comments, keep in touch, yada, yada, yada...
..."The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
..."The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Greetings From Washington!
Hey guys,
I'm sorry that I have not been very active on this whole book club thing. I have made a promise to myself that I would try harder. So I will try and make posts more often and contribute what little knowledge I have to offer.
Just so everyone knows, Deidra, Andon and I love Washington, its such a beautiful state to live in. We had an amazing 4th of July with my entire family up here and I put on a huge firework show that was the hit of the neighborhood. I wish you guys could of been here!
I would also like to send a big Happy Birthday out to the great United States of America. What a wonderful place we have to live and to be free. I would also like to welcome home Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell. They are the 3 American hostage that were taken captive in Columbia over 5 years ago. Its so nice to see them home and to personally know that we as a country never gave up on them even though most people never even knew they were down there.
Once again I apoligize for not being so active on the book club and I will do my best to make it better. If any of you guys find yourselves in Washington our door is always open.
Smurf
I'm sorry that I have not been very active on this whole book club thing. I have made a promise to myself that I would try harder. So I will try and make posts more often and contribute what little knowledge I have to offer.
Just so everyone knows, Deidra, Andon and I love Washington, its such a beautiful state to live in. We had an amazing 4th of July with my entire family up here and I put on a huge firework show that was the hit of the neighborhood. I wish you guys could of been here!
I would also like to send a big Happy Birthday out to the great United States of America. What a wonderful place we have to live and to be free. I would also like to welcome home Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell. They are the 3 American hostage that were taken captive in Columbia over 5 years ago. Its so nice to see them home and to personally know that we as a country never gave up on them even though most people never even knew they were down there.
Once again I apoligize for not being so active on the book club and I will do my best to make it better. If any of you guys find yourselves in Washington our door is always open.
Smurf
Waiting on Cameron...
Or Frank, or Dave, or anyone else that wants to choose a July book. For now, I am reading (and suggesting) "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. Since we're already pushing halfway through the month, this is a short and easy read. Only 150 pages or so, and big font. You could read this in a few short hours, so no excuses! If someone else wants to make a suggestion though, then I am open to that.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Chris Farley Show
I hope that everyone has got this book and started read it. It may be the best book we've read so far. I have throughly enjoyed it and that may be the reason I'm almost done! I realize our group of friends has a strange affinity for Chris Farley, but that aside, it's an excellent book.
I like the way the book is structured into one long narrative from several different perspectives. You really feel like you get to know exactly who Chris Farley was. With the variety of points of view, it seems like it's a three dimensional look into his life. I'm sort of surprised that his family was so involved in writing it. It seems like there is a ton of information in there that I would consider overly personal and wouldn't want anyone sharing about me or my family.
The most interesting part I've read is at the very beginning when Chris was speaking to people at the rehab facility during his longest stretch of sobriety. Somehow they got the text of the little speech he made and it was really insightful to how people in those situations get stuck in those situations. He was really frank about how he tried to work the system and tell people what they wanted to hear. He seemed to have a real honest opinion about his problems and addictions and there are several people throughout the book that say he genuinely tried to overcome them.
It's too bad that he died as a result of his addiction. This book really shows you the human side of Farley and makes you wish more than anything that he was around just to care about people the way he did while he was alive. He seemed to be a positive influence on everyone he touched. He was a funny man.
PS
The best story in the book is a childhood story that Tom tells about Chris causing trouble around the dinner table after getting caught by his mom doing something completely disgusting. I won't ruin it for those who haven't read it, but that is reason enough to read the book. Best story I've ever heard, hands down.
I like the way the book is structured into one long narrative from several different perspectives. You really feel like you get to know exactly who Chris Farley was. With the variety of points of view, it seems like it's a three dimensional look into his life. I'm sort of surprised that his family was so involved in writing it. It seems like there is a ton of information in there that I would consider overly personal and wouldn't want anyone sharing about me or my family.
The most interesting part I've read is at the very beginning when Chris was speaking to people at the rehab facility during his longest stretch of sobriety. Somehow they got the text of the little speech he made and it was really insightful to how people in those situations get stuck in those situations. He was really frank about how he tried to work the system and tell people what they wanted to hear. He seemed to have a real honest opinion about his problems and addictions and there are several people throughout the book that say he genuinely tried to overcome them.
It's too bad that he died as a result of his addiction. This book really shows you the human side of Farley and makes you wish more than anything that he was around just to care about people the way he did while he was alive. He seemed to be a positive influence on everyone he touched. He was a funny man.
PS
The best story in the book is a childhood story that Tom tells about Chris causing trouble around the dinner table after getting caught by his mom doing something completely disgusting. I won't ruin it for those who haven't read it, but that is reason enough to read the book. Best story I've ever heard, hands down.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Ben is S-M-R-T!
So whatever voodoo water you've been drinking, please offer some to the rest of us.
I first need to apologize that this post is going to kick the porn paintings down the totem pole a spot. Although, I must admit that Jimmy will probably become more productive. After Nick posted those paintings, Jimmy checked the blog on the hour and spent more time in the bathroom than usual.
Now that the month is over and My Name is Asher Lev is wrapped up, I wanted to give my final impression on the book. I'm astounded that Ben called the ending like a prophetic monk that had been fasting for three months. I was pretty shocked when he came up with the idea of painting the crucifixes. Asher's life was a culmination of several compromises. The more he painted the further he drifted from being a devout Jew. That is true of anything you spend your time with. When I served my mission, my life was significantly lop-sided in spirituality. Now that I'm married, have a job, and try to have a social life, my spirituality has come back down to a more evenly distributed level.
I'm all for being well rounded. I think versatility is one of the most important things someone can develop in life (the parable of the talents, for example). But, ultimately I agree with Asher's mother as she was walking out of the gallery. There are limits. Asher went too far. I don't follow Shakespeare's, "To thine own self be true" in all instances. I personally think that we have a filter in our brain that allows us to cast some ideas or words to the side before we throw them into reality. Asher may not have been the great painter he could have possibly been if he hadn't painted those crucifixes, but does anyone need to be at that level at the expense of those who matter most to you? There is a theme presented several times in the book that taking life is the worst thing someone can do because you kill the generations of people who would have been had not their progenitor been killed. What Asher did will have similar ripple effects to his generations. His kids would never know their grandparents, great aunts and uncles, everyone with whom Asher associated throughout his life. And even if he didn't have kids his actions would echo in that community for a long, long time.
It's disappointing. I wish he wouldn't have done that. The Rebbe was right to tell him to leave. Jacob Kahn was right to tell him that he better become a great artist as the only recompense for the pain he caused. Once you've done something to that magnitude, the only thing you can do is spend the rest of your life trying to justify it.
I'm looking forward to The Chris Farley Show.
I first need to apologize that this post is going to kick the porn paintings down the totem pole a spot. Although, I must admit that Jimmy will probably become more productive. After Nick posted those paintings, Jimmy checked the blog on the hour and spent more time in the bathroom than usual.
Now that the month is over and My Name is Asher Lev is wrapped up, I wanted to give my final impression on the book. I'm astounded that Ben called the ending like a prophetic monk that had been fasting for three months. I was pretty shocked when he came up with the idea of painting the crucifixes. Asher's life was a culmination of several compromises. The more he painted the further he drifted from being a devout Jew. That is true of anything you spend your time with. When I served my mission, my life was significantly lop-sided in spirituality. Now that I'm married, have a job, and try to have a social life, my spirituality has come back down to a more evenly distributed level.
I'm all for being well rounded. I think versatility is one of the most important things someone can develop in life (the parable of the talents, for example). But, ultimately I agree with Asher's mother as she was walking out of the gallery. There are limits. Asher went too far. I don't follow Shakespeare's, "To thine own self be true" in all instances. I personally think that we have a filter in our brain that allows us to cast some ideas or words to the side before we throw them into reality. Asher may not have been the great painter he could have possibly been if he hadn't painted those crucifixes, but does anyone need to be at that level at the expense of those who matter most to you? There is a theme presented several times in the book that taking life is the worst thing someone can do because you kill the generations of people who would have been had not their progenitor been killed. What Asher did will have similar ripple effects to his generations. His kids would never know their grandparents, great aunts and uncles, everyone with whom Asher associated throughout his life. And even if he didn't have kids his actions would echo in that community for a long, long time.
It's disappointing. I wish he wouldn't have done that. The Rebbe was right to tell him to leave. Jacob Kahn was right to tell him that he better become a great artist as the only recompense for the pain he caused. Once you've done something to that magnitude, the only thing you can do is spend the rest of your life trying to justify it.
I'm looking forward to The Chris Farley Show.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
paintings
Some paintings of note from "Asher Lev"...
The Art Spirit by Henri
Massacre of the Innocents by Reni
Guernica by Picasso (Guernica was the first city to be targeted by aerial bombing. Those killed were mainly women and children.)
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