How Dallas Changed the World

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89984954&sc=emaf

I know you will be jealous when you find out, if you didn't already know. But I've been to the Dallas house. Anyway, awesome piece from NPR.

Just the facts, ma'am

Not that elections are only about the facts. They are about feelings and beliefs as well. But I believe that most of the people I know actually only want the facts 97% of the time. Here are a couple of good websites I came across that allege to be non partisan sources of information. I would much rather have this election be about actual issues than about propaganda. I'm actually at the point where I do not like to engage in political discussions at all because of the misinformation out there. I would also hazard a guess that most of my closest friends have no idea who I voted for in the primary. I just don't like to speak about it because I'm concerned with it becoming a mudslinging conversation. And while I do not believe that anyone who is in politics is above mudslinging; I believe that I am. So, anyway...here are some good sites.
http://www.opensecrets.org/
http://www.presidentialelection.com/
http://www.procon.org/

The Thirteenth Tale

Aside from the allusions to Jane Erye that Diane Setterfield hits you over the head with, I loved this book. It was very fairytale...fantasy like while being set in 100% reality. I've read blogs talking about a possible feature film. I think this is better suited as a Lifetime movie of the week. But an excellent story nonetheless.

Obama in 30 seconds

EDITED TO CORRECT LINK!

My friend Catalina (Stan's wife....most of you have met or heard about Stan...the Russian) made this video for MoveOn.org's Obama in 30 seconds contest. Check it out & vote if you are so inclined. If you do choose to vote they will ask you for your e-mail, and they will also send you a link to confirm your e-mail, so no one just votes over and over for the same ad.

This is the direct link to Catalina's ad:http://obamain30seconds.org/vote/?v=view-1105-nWmPtM

Howard's End

Loved it. E. M. Forster is great. Room with the View, Where Angels Fear to Tread. He reminds me a lot of Jane Austin...I'm a bit of an anglophile, but I'm pretty greatful that I don't live in that society....whether it's in 1810 or 1910. The extreme awareness of class and money is a bit much for me. But it does drive most decisions even in 2008 United States of America, so I guess they make for good plot devices. Thanks for the recommendation ,Kathy.

Fundraiser

We had a PEO fundraiser last night. I'm not sure how much $ we raised, but it was fun. It was a silent auction. I won a pot of flowers and a book to explain to me what these flowers are and how to care for them. I bid for my mother as well and won her a book lover's basket with Jon Grisham's latest as well as Lisa See's new book. I met my friends Carolyn and Lelia's husbands for the first time but Robbin couldn't be there which I was pretty disappointed about.

I'm watching a tivoed episode of 21 Jump Street right now.....with guest stars of Jason Preistley, Pauley Shore, and the oldest brother from Mr. Belvidere....so far the message is don't drink and drive. Even wine.

Which rug for my dining room?

What do you think?

taksim tile rug west elm

Room & Board - Gate 8'x9'9" Rug in Linen

The Drawing of the Three

Audiotogo does not always send you the books in order of your queue. For the most part, this isn't a big deal. However, when I put Stephen King's Dark Tower series in the queue, I didn't realize that those also could and would be sent to me out of order.
I received "The Drawing of the Three", the second book of the series the weekend before last. I read a synopsis online of "The Gunslinger" so I could jump into this CD without waiting. The audiobook on the way home has become a key ingredient in keeping me sane during my commute. With construction on the Edens and the Tristate continuing and the start of the Cubs season, I believe my dependence will only be growing.
Anyway, I enjoyed "The Drawing of the Three". It's been awhile since I read Stephen King and I had forgotten what a good ...although at times over detailed...storyteller he is. I think I will follow the rest of the Dark Tower series. Though to protect myself from receiving them out of order, I now only have the next one in my queue.

3:10 to Yuma & Pizza DOC

3:10.....Lots of gunfire. So much so that a movie with 2 of the sexiest men alive became a bit boring for me.

I went to Pizza DOC on Saturday night. Glad to try a new place, but I'm not a fan. This pizza was a bit too greasy. The noise level was higher than most bars. If someone I knew really liked it and wanted to go there, I wouldn't say no, but I'm not going to be suggesting it myself.

Martian Child

You should only watch this movie if you are a John Cusack fan and if you don't mind crying.
It's kind of sweet though.

They don't want you to go north.

Apparently, the powers that be do not want you to travel north of the Kennedy expressway; evidenced by the fact that both 294 and 94 Northbound are again under major construction at the same freaking time. I have a long, but easy commute, I take 90 almost the entire way. I do not have to get onto 94 or 294 to get to my office. But because of the huge back ups that the northound contruction is having, the entrances are backing the entire Kennedy. Oh my rage!
Don't even let me get started on the unholy mess that is the River Road Toll Plaza.

At least I love my car.

Live Free or Die Hard

So much violence. So unrealistic. So many car crashes. So much gunfire. I really needed another Gruber brother the calibar of Jeremy Irons or Alan Reichman rather than the guy from Scream 2. And not even Jerry O'Connell, but the other guy. Hee. Can you imagine Vern playing an evil mastermind? Overall though, a fun movie. yippee kayay motherfucker.

Boot camp

Robbin and I did a backpacking boot camp this weekend to get ready for some as of yet unplanned overnight hiking trips this summer. I did fairly well, but the 8 mile hike today thoroughly kicked my ass. During the hike I was relatively okay, but I am exhausted tonight. The temp dropped below freezing Saturday night, which tested the outer limits of our gear. We'll definitely be investing in some sleeping pads to provide some insulation from the cold ground should we continue to backpack in early spring or late fall. Also need some dried fruit next time... not sure how I missed it this time around as it is normally something I bring even for a day hike. One of our fellow backpackers was kind enough to give us each a strip of dried mango from Trader Joe's and it reminded me how tasty dried fruit is on the trail. So next time, less Odewella bars, more dried mango.

American Studies

Finished "American Studies" by Louis Menand today. The most pragmatic view on American cultural phenomena I have read. The comparison of Jerry Falwell to Larry Flint is perfect. And notice, it is a comparison, not a contrast. The essay on The People vs Larry Flint articulated what didn't settle well with me about the movie, which for the most part I thoroughly enjoyed. The opinion that evangelism and porn (at the Hustler variety) are two sides of the same coin rings true when viewed through the lens of demonizing sex. They both manage to do that very well.
The essay on the New Yorker was interesting but so long it made the collection feel like a collections of essays plus a dissertation on the New Yorker magazine.