... apparently black gold.
Double rainbow on June 15th ... and I was not the only one stopping and taking pictures.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
At the end of the rainbow is gold ...
... apparently black gold.
Double rainbow on June 15th ... and I was not the only one stopping and taking pictures.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Vampire painting
Had no idea I was painting a vampire until I was painting this vampire the other night ...
Free seats are good seats by definition
Seattle Sounders FC 2
DC United 3
MLS Regular Season
June 10, 2010
X-Box Pitch at Qwest Field - Seattle, WA
Using the free seats was nice. It was good to see the Sounders dominate in possession and attack so much ... but this was a debacle. Scoring two goals so late and having a real chance at a third in the last minute of stoppage time was exciting, but this never should have come to this. DCU is not a good team and never should have been in this game.
Monday, June 07, 2010
Since I am not in Cape Town
The 2010 World Cup starts this week!
20 years ago I went to the World Cup in Italy.
Italia 90.
My friends and co-workers were - mostly - unimpressed. Although the Italy portion of the trip was considered pretty cool.
I also attended games in 1994 in the Rose Bowl, made some plans that didn't happen for 1998, and didn't consider another World Cup to be a realistic plan until South Africa was awarded the 2010 cup. The plan was to go to South Africa for 10-14 days, fly up to Cairo for a weekend, go across to Italy and visit my old friend, take a train to London, and then fly home. I had a long time Liverpool supporter pen pal in Cape Town ... who moved to New Zealand. So, the option of trying to set up a trip was realistically squelched.
A road trip to Yakima beckons instead.
Anyways, since I had to cancel (technically I only canceled plans to plan a trip) my trip and do not have all sorts of photos and stories to gloat about on this blog I decided to post a little retrospect of my trip 20 years ago.
20 years ago (!?!) the US of A made its triumphant return to the World cup after 40 years. 40 years earlier we had stunned the world by beating England 1-0. Today, the rematch. In 1990, a resounding 5-1 pounding at the hands of Czechoslovakia. I think the Czechs actually held back. It was Florence, a beautiful day, and a small group of Americans supporting our team. I have recounted my experience getting my Czech flag in a post a few years ago. This was a truly great day. I have no photos though, because the mother of my friend did not think it was safe for me to bring my camera. The guy next to me was convinced we would win and advance out of our group because this game and the Austria game were "winnable". Well, we scored in those two games ...
The second US game against Italy was worrisome. All day in Rome people would hold up both hands to indicate a ten goal barrage was coming. It was hard to doubt them. It didn't happen. Italy did win 1-0 on an early goal, but they lost interest, the US stayed with them, and late in the game nearly got an equalizer. The Italian crowd was not amused. Pete Davies' account of this game is frighteningly accurate in All Played Out.
I had the opportunity to see Roma for a couple of days, become a member of a Scottish pub, and to attend Saturday Evening Mass at the Vatican. Mandela was to be at the Vatican the next day so I missed out on a John Paul II appearance as he was reportedly resting and preparing for the visit. Also, I took a nap in the Coliseum. Waking up sitting on a giant rock to look out and see that sight will always stick with me.
Pompei was a worthwhile day trip. I met a number of fellow recent college grads slash current students from the east coast and hung with them for the day. Our group also included a Swiss kid just daytripping around.
I was hoping to catch a game in Palermo between Egypt and Holland, but travel considerations and my lack of adequate planning of such travel arrangements made it not happen. I did catch a third game while in Naples between the Argentines and Soviets that Argentina won 2-0. Naples is a crazy, crazy town and I loved it. I got to pal around with the friends of my friend and saw some cool sights. Anyone who has ever heard my story about how I was to recognize the girl in the train station has heard me discuss this particular day at length before. It started in Pompeii, led to Naples where I was to find "the most beautiful girl in train station", involved watching Maradona in Naples (he was with Napoli at the time and when I recently saw Manny and the Dodgers at their Spring Training stadium I got the same feeling about how Dodger fans feel about Manny being much like Napoli fans and Maradona - long story short is don't call him Ramiroids), and ended up with a late gathering of people in a sidewalk seating section of a very old pizzeria and crashing on the couch of "the most beautiful girl at the train station".
Completely random but still sort of 2010 relevant soccerish side note is that on the plane I saw the movie Coupe de Ville, which was directed by Sounders FC owner Joe Roth.
Italy was amazing. The beach at Ravenna was beautiful and I got to play beach soccer with a couple of women from the Dutch national team. I watched a home Italy game on TV with my friend's family, and let me tell you that was an intense room. The wine country I stayed in was breath taking. I took in Saturday Evening Mass at the Vatican with who I think is now the current pope. And, I watched Italy play in Rome ...
20 years ago?
My Mundial Predictions ...
2010 South Africa ...
I decided to be a bit of a USA homer and to assume at least one of the West African teams would advance far. My other assumptions would be that Euro powers would generally struggle away from Europe and that at least one traditional power would totally crap out in the first round. If this is even close to being true I will be shocked more than anyone reading this.
I have had to completely alter my approach due to injuries. I have no problem altering my projections up to the start of the tourney, after that I have to live with it. However, having two of the best African players taken out of the tourney so close to its start is just brutal ... I had Team Drogba making a run and getting a rematch with Brasil in the final, and I guess it is still possible he will play, but I no longer have the same feeling about their chances.
I decided to be a bit of a USA homer and to assume at least one of the West African teams would advance far. My other assumptions would be that Euro powers would generally struggle away from Europe and that at least one traditional power would totally crap out in the first round. If this is even close to being true I will be shocked more than anyone reading this.
I have had to completely alter my approach due to injuries. I have no problem altering my projections up to the start of the tourney, after that I have to live with it. However, having two of the best African players taken out of the tourney so close to its start is just brutal ... I had Team Drogba making a run and getting a rematch with Brasil in the final, and I guess it is still possible he will play, but I no longer have the same feeling about their chances.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
You Say You Want A Revolution
Seattle Sounders FC 3
New England Revolution 0
June 5, 2010 - Seattle, WA
X-Box Pitch at Qwest Field
In a game that really wasn't even as close as 3-0 ... the Sounders outshot the Revs something like 19-2 and scored early and often in the first half. The second half became a party where late in the game Freddie jogged from one end to the other in front of the crazies, slapped hands with the other Fredy in front of the goal and applauded the crowd before taking the corner. It was that kind of night.
This was the 50th Sounders match (in various incarnations and of various types) that I have attended at Qwest Field. I picked the correct one.
Keller applauding the crowd behind him prior to kick off was a nice touch. He really, really gets it.
I joked to the guy next to me that having guys with "Alcohol Enforcement" in the ECS section almost made it look like the stadium was making certain everyone was drinking as opposed to being there to throw people out.
It was also nice to see Michelle French get the Golden Scarf.
New England Revolution 0
June 5, 2010 - Seattle, WA
X-Box Pitch at Qwest Field
In a game that really wasn't even as close as 3-0 ... the Sounders outshot the Revs something like 19-2 and scored early and often in the first half. The second half became a party where late in the game Freddie jogged from one end to the other in front of the crazies, slapped hands with the other Fredy in front of the goal and applauded the crowd before taking the corner. It was that kind of night.
This was the 50th Sounders match (in various incarnations and of various types) that I have attended at Qwest Field. I picked the correct one.
Keller applauding the crowd behind him prior to kick off was a nice touch. He really, really gets it.
I joked to the guy next to me that having guys with "Alcohol Enforcement" in the ECS section almost made it look like the stadium was making certain everyone was drinking as opposed to being there to throw people out.
It was also nice to see Michelle French get the Golden Scarf.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
The Sweet Home Run Sound Of Bat Hitting Ball
The Sweet Home Run Sound Of Bat Hitting Ball is what I would title a biography of Ken Griffey, Jr.
It was a pleasure Junior.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Book list 2010 ... month five
Over halfway through the yearly goal in early May is making this seem less and less like a challenge. The real challenge at this point is continuing the pace and documentation. I reached the 52 book point on May 6, a couple months prior to reaching the same point (and 2009 reading goal). So, do I go for 104 and make it 2 books a week? Other viable options are 108 (9 books a month), 120 (10 books a month), 144 (12 books times twelve months), 156 (3 books a week), or some other number. Some of those numbers look ridiculous to me, and I have to guess that 120 is the likely high point, even at the pace I am going.
A Brand-New Me! #17 (Hank Zipzer) by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver, Jesse Joshua Watson (Illustrator)
On May 1st I saw Henry Winkler give a talk and reading of his latest book. He was awesome as a speaker, great with the kids in the crowd, and very gracious when I told him that I will always love the film, "The One and Only." I chose not to tell him that my daughter only got excited about him when it was pointed out to her that he was the football coach in "The Waterboy". The caption on my daughter's book reads, "You are so wonderful" ... So ... I had no choice but to read this. It does a really nice job of conveying the thoughts and struggles of a kid just trying to make his way in the world. I hope my daughter enjoys it and reads other books in the series.
Taekwondo : A Path To Excellence by Doug Cook
I am very proud of getting my first black belt. I received my First Dan black belt rank in December 2006 at Seattle Tae Kwon Do and am nearing completion of a second black belt in Thai Kickboxing this summer. Reading about the philosophy behind various martial arts is something I enjoy,
Shakespeare Wrote For Money by Nick Hornby
Given that so much of what I am doing here is based on doing a monthly reading column and diary like Hornby it seemed necessary to read this third and final collection of his monthly essays. On occasion, we even read some of the same stuff.
Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel
Much of the criticism of this book has to do with how self-indulgent it comes across as. Well, I am not sure how this book would have worked or been remotely relevant to anyone had it not been an entirely over the top level of too much information. Really, it almost had to be this way or it would have felt like it was lacking. It is brutally honest, often unflattering, and yet impossible to put down. I am a week older than Wurtzel and somehow managed to grow in in the same world and an entirely different one.
What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell
This is the last of the four Gladwell books for me, so it is with mixed emotions that I finish it and find myself waiting for his next work.
George Washington's Rules of Civility (and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation) by George Washington
George Washington was known to be a man of particularly impeccable manners. He wrote this list of 110 rules of manners and behaviors as a guideline for himself and others drawing on many works and his own experiences. This is a small book I found in a classroom, but it is worth noting and tells us many things about such an important figure in US History.
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
I recently started watching True Blood on DVD. It is entirely likely that a number of books in this series will end up on this reading list by the end of the year. I see myself grabbing books here and there and cranking this series out.
Showcase Presents: Shazam! by DC Comics (Various Writers and Artists)
This is a 500 page collection of early Shazam! stuff so I will include it here. Fun stuff that is a product of its time, but worth the read. Love some of this old comic stuff.
A Strange Kind of Glory: Sir Matt Busby and Manchester United by Eamon Dunphy
This is not blasphemy on the part of a Liverpool supporter since Busby was actually a Liverpool player for three season. Plus, my respect for the game made this a worthwhile read in advance and in principle. As a history of the development of the professional game it gives a lot of insights into how things really worked back in the day. And, it seems like things aren't really that much different, other than the commas in the dollar figures now.
Tunnels by Brian Williams and Roderick Gordon
It took me a while to get into this as I incorrectly assumed that it was for a much younger crowd than it really is. The things that happen in this book are more in the later Harry Potter side of things where the consequences are real and dark and severe and genuinely scary people exist. I am looking forward to the other two books already released in this series.
Lost and Found by Alan Dean Foster
The first novel in The Taken trilogy. I have always loved Foster's ability to put clever dialogue and scenarios together in numerous books of his that I have read. It had been a while since I had taken on a series of his so I decided to jump into this trilogy. As usual, it did not disappoint.
Fray by Joss Whedon
Last year when I was doing a simple list I included significant graphic novels. An 8 issue mini series plus extras feels right to include here for both consistency and thoroughness. This series jumped ahead in the Buffyverse several centuries to a time without a current slayer ... worth reading for Buffy obsessives.
Living Dead In Dallas by Charlaine Harris
The second Sookie Stackhouse book. At this point I have decided to not only get totally caught up in True Blood, but to also go ahead and read the series too ...
May total = 13 / YTD = 61 (goal 100)
A Brand-New Me! #17 (Hank Zipzer) by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver, Jesse Joshua Watson (Illustrator)
On May 1st I saw Henry Winkler give a talk and reading of his latest book. He was awesome as a speaker, great with the kids in the crowd, and very gracious when I told him that I will always love the film, "The One and Only." I chose not to tell him that my daughter only got excited about him when it was pointed out to her that he was the football coach in "The Waterboy". The caption on my daughter's book reads, "You are so wonderful" ... So ... I had no choice but to read this. It does a really nice job of conveying the thoughts and struggles of a kid just trying to make his way in the world. I hope my daughter enjoys it and reads other books in the series.
Taekwondo : A Path To Excellence by Doug Cook
I am very proud of getting my first black belt. I received my First Dan black belt rank in December 2006 at Seattle Tae Kwon Do and am nearing completion of a second black belt in Thai Kickboxing this summer. Reading about the philosophy behind various martial arts is something I enjoy,
Shakespeare Wrote For Money by Nick Hornby
Given that so much of what I am doing here is based on doing a monthly reading column and diary like Hornby it seemed necessary to read this third and final collection of his monthly essays. On occasion, we even read some of the same stuff.
Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel
Much of the criticism of this book has to do with how self-indulgent it comes across as. Well, I am not sure how this book would have worked or been remotely relevant to anyone had it not been an entirely over the top level of too much information. Really, it almost had to be this way or it would have felt like it was lacking. It is brutally honest, often unflattering, and yet impossible to put down. I am a week older than Wurtzel and somehow managed to grow in in the same world and an entirely different one.
What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell
This is the last of the four Gladwell books for me, so it is with mixed emotions that I finish it and find myself waiting for his next work.
George Washington's Rules of Civility (and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation) by George Washington
George Washington was known to be a man of particularly impeccable manners. He wrote this list of 110 rules of manners and behaviors as a guideline for himself and others drawing on many works and his own experiences. This is a small book I found in a classroom, but it is worth noting and tells us many things about such an important figure in US History.
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
I recently started watching True Blood on DVD. It is entirely likely that a number of books in this series will end up on this reading list by the end of the year. I see myself grabbing books here and there and cranking this series out.
Showcase Presents: Shazam! by DC Comics (Various Writers and Artists)
This is a 500 page collection of early Shazam! stuff so I will include it here. Fun stuff that is a product of its time, but worth the read. Love some of this old comic stuff.
A Strange Kind of Glory: Sir Matt Busby and Manchester United by Eamon Dunphy
This is not blasphemy on the part of a Liverpool supporter since Busby was actually a Liverpool player for three season. Plus, my respect for the game made this a worthwhile read in advance and in principle. As a history of the development of the professional game it gives a lot of insights into how things really worked back in the day. And, it seems like things aren't really that much different, other than the commas in the dollar figures now.
Tunnels by Brian Williams and Roderick Gordon
It took me a while to get into this as I incorrectly assumed that it was for a much younger crowd than it really is. The things that happen in this book are more in the later Harry Potter side of things where the consequences are real and dark and severe and genuinely scary people exist. I am looking forward to the other two books already released in this series.
Lost and Found by Alan Dean Foster
The first novel in The Taken trilogy. I have always loved Foster's ability to put clever dialogue and scenarios together in numerous books of his that I have read. It had been a while since I had taken on a series of his so I decided to jump into this trilogy. As usual, it did not disappoint.
Fray by Joss Whedon
Last year when I was doing a simple list I included significant graphic novels. An 8 issue mini series plus extras feels right to include here for both consistency and thoroughness. This series jumped ahead in the Buffyverse several centuries to a time without a current slayer ... worth reading for Buffy obsessives.
Living Dead In Dallas by Charlaine Harris
The second Sookie Stackhouse book. At this point I have decided to not only get totally caught up in True Blood, but to also go ahead and read the series too ...
May total = 13 / YTD = 61 (goal 100)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Why I like the UnFrosted
I bring this up to people from time to time and get the impression that I am in a distinct minority in the frosted vs unfrosted Po Tars debate. However, I know that I am right because the frosting is nasty and you cannot toast and then butter the frosted ones ... I win.
Monday, May 10, 2010
I can now go back to ignoring the mNBA ...
Recent Facebook status:
"With the Zombie Sonics eliminated I can return to ignoring the mNBA existence and playoffs."
A couple of mildly sarcastic or incredulous comments from a friend about actually paying attention led to:
"I cannot take credit for Zombie Sonics, that is Bill Simmons on ESPN. However, I also did not watch any of the games, but was aware of them via headlines enough to know what was going on. I want to be a fan of Durant, but i cannot watch him play for OKC. Rooting for the Lakers was hard because I do not root for teams named Lakers, teams that are from LA, or teams that wear their particular color scheme. It was tough."
Basically, I wrote a bunch on this blog about the Sonics sale and saga. I have steadfastly refused to sit down and watch a game since the move to OKC occurred. I have not watched one game. I grew up with the Sonics, seeing so many games on person and television over the years that I really felt the ebb and flow of the franchise more than I did the Mariners or Seahawks.
In 2002 I chatted up Howard and Wally at a Storm draft day event and discussed the playoff series with the Spurs. Yes, I attended a game in that series.
I have a Kevin Durant Sonics jersey. It hangs because wearing it makes no sense.
I recently watch Sonicsgate and almost wanted to cry.
Now, we find that Durant has made the leap from merely being talented or entertaining to being a leader and winner. The jump is not one many players make. I cannot watch it. Clay Bennett and Howard Schultz and David Stern have robbed me of a true sports fan joy, that of watching a true superstar emerge for your team. I have been robbed of watching the emergence of what could turn out to be the greatest Sonic of all time.
"With the Zombie Sonics eliminated I can return to ignoring the mNBA existence and playoffs."
A couple of mildly sarcastic or incredulous comments from a friend about actually paying attention led to:
"I cannot take credit for Zombie Sonics, that is Bill Simmons on ESPN. However, I also did not watch any of the games, but was aware of them via headlines enough to know what was going on. I want to be a fan of Durant, but i cannot watch him play for OKC. Rooting for the Lakers was hard because I do not root for teams named Lakers, teams that are from LA, or teams that wear their particular color scheme. It was tough."
Basically, I wrote a bunch on this blog about the Sonics sale and saga. I have steadfastly refused to sit down and watch a game since the move to OKC occurred. I have not watched one game. I grew up with the Sonics, seeing so many games on person and television over the years that I really felt the ebb and flow of the franchise more than I did the Mariners or Seahawks.
In 2002 I chatted up Howard and Wally at a Storm draft day event and discussed the playoff series with the Spurs. Yes, I attended a game in that series.
I have a Kevin Durant Sonics jersey. It hangs because wearing it makes no sense.
I recently watch Sonicsgate and almost wanted to cry.
Now, we find that Durant has made the leap from merely being talented or entertaining to being a leader and winner. The jump is not one many players make. I cannot watch it. Clay Bennett and Howard Schultz and David Stern have robbed me of a true sports fan joy, that of watching a true superstar emerge for your team. I have been robbed of watching the emergence of what could turn out to be the greatest Sonic of all time.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
While getting ready for Knut I wrote this ...
It's 8:52PM Friday and you seem to be the odd one out at your booth ...
To the pretty girl I keep glancing at and is seeming to glance at me
There is clearly (at least to me) something more to you from what I see behind your eyes
But from the way you are cornered slash sequestered in a corner of your booth (with the uneven male female distribution in your group of friends) I may never know
You have only been sitting there for ten or so minuted since we first made eye contact as you walked by
And yet, we keep making eye contact, but don't either of us seem embarrassed or startled
If you knew this was what I was writing now how would you feel?
Is it creepy?
Is it flattering?
Is it, dare I say, romantic even?
So I glance again and you are looking this way again
What will the evening bring when the band starts playing?
To the pretty girl I keep glancing at and is seeming to glance at me
There is clearly (at least to me) something more to you from what I see behind your eyes
But from the way you are cornered slash sequestered in a corner of your booth (with the uneven male female distribution in your group of friends) I may never know
You have only been sitting there for ten or so minuted since we first made eye contact as you walked by
And yet, we keep making eye contact, but don't either of us seem embarrassed or startled
If you knew this was what I was writing now how would you feel?
Is it creepy?
Is it flattering?
Is it, dare I say, romantic even?
So I glance again and you are looking this way again
What will the evening bring when the band starts playing?
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Autographs and Free Tickets
Evans, Zakuani, and Riley at Dick's Sporting Goods in Puyallup on 5-2-10 ... and then I won the 4 tix to the DCU game too!
Saturday, May 01, 2010
I shook hands with The Fonz
He was awesome as a speaker, great with the kids in the crowd, and very gracious when I told him that I will always love the film, "The One and Only." I chose not to tell him that my daughter only got excited about him when it was pointed out to her that he was the football coach in "The Waterboy". The caption on my daughter's book reads, "You are so wonderful" ...
Book list 2010 ... month four
April found me over a month "ahead" at the start and having started a couple books in March that carried over. The library queue is winding down at this point so I will need to go over the lists to get it built back up soon. However, there is something sort of mental about finishing book four for the month, feeling behind, and realizing it is the 8th. A book every other day for a pace is ridiculous.
The Book of Totally Useless Information by Don Voorhees
How can a book like this be useless? This is the sort of reading that enables me to do so well at Trivial Pursuit and freak people out with all the weird crap I know. Useless? I think not.
Twilight Tours: An Illustrated Guide to the Real Forks by George Beahm (Author), Mike Gurling (Photographer)
Since the kids and I were going to do this it felt prudent to read this. Forks and La Push are where the books are set but not where the movies have been filmed, so this is needed before going to understand what Meyer used as opposed to the film directors.
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell
I know Gladwell has his critics, but his ability to convey a lot of complicated information, keep it in context, and yet not dumb it down makes me really enjoy reading his work. He is like Carl Sagan or James Burke, and that is really good company.
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
Given that this monthly reading journal is in part inspired from having read a collection of Hornby's own monthly reading journals, it was almost essential that a Hornby book would be included. Fortunately, he had a new novel for me to read. As I read this and got ready to write this my realizations about how much I seem to be trying to write like I am the American Nick Hornby became even more stark. It is not a bad writer to emulate, but as I am writing a soccer book, a novel, and this reading log the biggest influence on all of that is Hornby's writing. I have decided to simply accept that is the way it is.
Ball Four: The Final Pitch by Jim Bouton
I saw Bouton recognized in 2009 as one of the surviving members of the Seattle Pilots at a Safeco Field ceremony (where he also threw out the ceremonial first pitch) and realized I had never read this book. How is it that I had never read this book? It took many months to get this from the library and I am relieved to have now finally read it. This is an important sports book for so many already documented in other media reason that I will simply say that it does in fact live up to its reputation. Now, to head to the old stadium site and take pictures.
Time Blender by Michael Dorn
Yes, a book by Worf. Found it for a buck at a used book store when I was picking up a couple paperbacks for my Spring Training weekend. Would have bought it anyway on principle when I saw it. Didn't get much of a chance to read it during the trip and got back to it and finished it after library books were prioritized.
Bitch: In Praise of Difficult Women by Elizabeth Wurtzel
There is a good difficult and a bad difficult. I've dealt with both. This is the book that looks at the question many men ask, "Is it worth it to date the hot but crazy chick?" from the female perspective. Also, Wurtzel and I are peers ... having been born the same month and raised in the same era I know exactly the culture she is describing for having gone through things at the same time without having to look through a filter. No, this book is not perfect and some of it is a bit much. But, yes we do live in a world that has generally been afraid of strong women, so her points are valid.
Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Inazō Nitobe.
A look into the origins and meanings of Samurai culture. A must read after seeing Ghost Dog again ... even though this isn't the book he was reading in Ghost Dog. This is a book written to introduce and compare the culture of Japan with the West in order to explain to the world that there was a valuable culture in Japan. The author wanted to show the world Japan had a culture that was valid and important.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
After recently finally succumbing to the charms of Zombieland & Shaun Of The Dead I could not resist this book almost entirely because of the title. Yes, I have somehow recently become a connoisseur of zombie culture ... this from a guy who as a general rule does not care much for the horror genre. I actually think this will make a better movie than novel since so much of it feels like a giant sight gag waiting to happen.
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
I had meant to merely motivate a group of young people to work hard by discussing the ten thousand hour rule, in order to let them know that there is always room for improvement no matter how small and incremental. Some kids get cocky because you can get good at something fairly quickly. A hand raised. "Is that by Malcom Gladwell?" The girl asks. "Yes," I reply. "He's one of my favorite writers. Have you read his book Blink? It's about snap judgements." I had read an excerpt. I think I grunted something like, "huh" to her and then told her to get started running her laps with the rest of the class. I felt completely intellectually inadequate and no longer quite as well read. For the record, it was a third grade class and third graders are generally 8 years old and most turn 9 during the school year. Needless to say I had NO CHOICE but to read this book in its entirety now, along with the other couple Gladwell books that are on other monthly reading lists. On principle.
The Moviegoer by Walker Percy
I cannot remember who recommended Walker Percy to me, but there his name was on one of my reading lists. So, I got this one at the same time as the Worf book for the same price and trip. Then, it was weeks later before I got to it. Thank you to whoever it was or however it was that I ended up scribbling Walker Percy onto my reading lists ...
April total = 11 / YTD = 48 (goal 100)
The Book of Totally Useless Information by Don Voorhees
How can a book like this be useless? This is the sort of reading that enables me to do so well at Trivial Pursuit and freak people out with all the weird crap I know. Useless? I think not.
Twilight Tours: An Illustrated Guide to the Real Forks by George Beahm (Author), Mike Gurling (Photographer)
Since the kids and I were going to do this it felt prudent to read this. Forks and La Push are where the books are set but not where the movies have been filmed, so this is needed before going to understand what Meyer used as opposed to the film directors.
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell
I know Gladwell has his critics, but his ability to convey a lot of complicated information, keep it in context, and yet not dumb it down makes me really enjoy reading his work. He is like Carl Sagan or James Burke, and that is really good company.
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
Given that this monthly reading journal is in part inspired from having read a collection of Hornby's own monthly reading journals, it was almost essential that a Hornby book would be included. Fortunately, he had a new novel for me to read. As I read this and got ready to write this my realizations about how much I seem to be trying to write like I am the American Nick Hornby became even more stark. It is not a bad writer to emulate, but as I am writing a soccer book, a novel, and this reading log the biggest influence on all of that is Hornby's writing. I have decided to simply accept that is the way it is.
Ball Four: The Final Pitch by Jim Bouton
I saw Bouton recognized in 2009 as one of the surviving members of the Seattle Pilots at a Safeco Field ceremony (where he also threw out the ceremonial first pitch) and realized I had never read this book. How is it that I had never read this book? It took many months to get this from the library and I am relieved to have now finally read it. This is an important sports book for so many already documented in other media reason that I will simply say that it does in fact live up to its reputation. Now, to head to the old stadium site and take pictures.
Time Blender by Michael Dorn
Yes, a book by Worf. Found it for a buck at a used book store when I was picking up a couple paperbacks for my Spring Training weekend. Would have bought it anyway on principle when I saw it. Didn't get much of a chance to read it during the trip and got back to it and finished it after library books were prioritized.
Bitch: In Praise of Difficult Women by Elizabeth Wurtzel
There is a good difficult and a bad difficult. I've dealt with both. This is the book that looks at the question many men ask, "Is it worth it to date the hot but crazy chick?" from the female perspective. Also, Wurtzel and I are peers ... having been born the same month and raised in the same era I know exactly the culture she is describing for having gone through things at the same time without having to look through a filter. No, this book is not perfect and some of it is a bit much. But, yes we do live in a world that has generally been afraid of strong women, so her points are valid.
Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Inazō Nitobe.
A look into the origins and meanings of Samurai culture. A must read after seeing Ghost Dog again ... even though this isn't the book he was reading in Ghost Dog. This is a book written to introduce and compare the culture of Japan with the West in order to explain to the world that there was a valuable culture in Japan. The author wanted to show the world Japan had a culture that was valid and important.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
After recently finally succumbing to the charms of Zombieland & Shaun Of The Dead I could not resist this book almost entirely because of the title. Yes, I have somehow recently become a connoisseur of zombie culture ... this from a guy who as a general rule does not care much for the horror genre. I actually think this will make a better movie than novel since so much of it feels like a giant sight gag waiting to happen.
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
I had meant to merely motivate a group of young people to work hard by discussing the ten thousand hour rule, in order to let them know that there is always room for improvement no matter how small and incremental. Some kids get cocky because you can get good at something fairly quickly. A hand raised. "Is that by Malcom Gladwell?" The girl asks. "Yes," I reply. "He's one of my favorite writers. Have you read his book Blink? It's about snap judgements." I had read an excerpt. I think I grunted something like, "huh" to her and then told her to get started running her laps with the rest of the class. I felt completely intellectually inadequate and no longer quite as well read. For the record, it was a third grade class and third graders are generally 8 years old and most turn 9 during the school year. Needless to say I had NO CHOICE but to read this book in its entirety now, along with the other couple Gladwell books that are on other monthly reading lists. On principle.
The Moviegoer by Walker Percy
I cannot remember who recommended Walker Percy to me, but there his name was on one of my reading lists. So, I got this one at the same time as the Worf book for the same price and trip. Then, it was weeks later before I got to it. Thank you to whoever it was or however it was that I ended up scribbling Walker Percy onto my reading lists ...
April total = 11 / YTD = 48 (goal 100)
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