My Friends

This weekend my friends have really proved their worth. The Socialist already got his due here, while Tre provided Lisa an air matress for tonight's campout. Then Erv brought a projector to LuLu's party so the girls could watch DVD's on the wall of the tent, transforming a memorable party into an awesome one. (plus he bought her a gift). Good Joe's, one and all, and I'm very proud to call them firends.

Just Junie being Junie at Lu's gathering

My Thanks

Many thanks to The Socialist, who once again went out of his way to aid a friend and in the process saved LuLu's backyard birthday party by coming over and repairing the back stairs.

What the heck Are you Up to Mr. President?/Jimmy Carter, Jimmy Carter

What the Heck are You Up to Mr. President? by Kevin Mattson, is a short but informative book that showcases the background, delivery, and ultimately disastrous after-effects of Jimmy Carter's 'Malaise' speech.

For those too young to remember (and that would include me) the 'Malaise' speech - it never actually uses the word - was a public scolding Carter delivered to the American people, encouraging us to re-examine our energy policy and habits and refocus both for our betterment. It was met with initial praise, but soon became a symbol of the pessimism and defeatism of the Carter era.

The book details why the speech went wrong. It was designed to address the energy crisis that gripped America, and yet Carter dragged his feet so long that the crisis was waning by the time he pulled the trigger. Combine that with the ill-fitting mix of a somber, pragmatic President urging a weary people to essentially 'suck it up', and it was not a recipe for success. Rumor is Reagan knew he had the Oval Office when he heard the speech.

Keep in mind, Mattson isn't anti-Carter. It's his position that Carter was right, and the speech *should* have altered American behavior and (by default) history.

I enjoyed the book a lot.

Did I mention he was pro-Carter? Contrast that to Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter by Gary Allen.



I picked up this gem for free at a local rec center, and in fairness, it isn't just anti-Carter. It's anti-Democrat, anti-Republican, and most shocking, anti-Martin Luther King (these days, with his sainthood all but assured in American consciousness, attacking MLK seems horrifyingly racist. I'm not sure that was the author's intent, but I'm not sure it wasn't).

It was written prior to the 1976 election, presumably as a means of torpedoing his candidacy. It didn't work, and neither does the book. Then again, it wasn't a horrible read, especially if you're looking for a glimpse of the political mindset as we approached the Bicentennial.

(both books read August 2009)

Lawrence Eagleburger

Former G.H.W. Bush Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger has passed away. He was 80. RIP.

Happy Birthday!

Happy 8th Birthday LuLu!

Had a wonderful birthday party today for Lu, and watched a few hours of the anime show "Fruits Basket" with YaYa. God help me, I actually think the show is pretty good. Well written, funny, and not at all handcuffed by its odd premise.

James Arness

RIP James Arness of Gunsmoke, age 88

Quote

Embarrassment comes from being afraid of embarrassment. Like a snake eating its own tail, if you have no embarrassment to feed it it just slinks away - A Lee Martinez

Zoinks

This morning Lisa woke us all up early, before 6:30. I came downstairs & she said to me "You have to leave early to go pick up the birthday treats." Still half awake & confused, I said "For whose birthday?" Oopsie. LuLus bday is Sat. I have not forgotten; every moment of my spare time has been spent prepping for her party. But that one comment is what she'll remember & tell her therapist in 30 yrs. Guaranteed.

Breaking News

BREAKING NEWS: former VP Candidate John Edwards was just indicted on conspiracy and campagin finance violations

JuneBug

The New Nook

I really like it. It navigates easily like the Nook Color and delivers a crisp, distinct text. It's much smaller and lighter than I expected. While the screen size is more than adequate, the overall dimensions might turn some people off. In my experience ereaders are still in a transition phase. People want it to mimic the physical experience of a book, and I'm not sure the petite size accomplishes that. But I read a chapter or two on it today and found it just as enjoyable as the old Nook. I'm actually hoping things improve around here so I can pick up a pair for my two oldest kids for Christmas.

The other night Lisa & I watched "Jesus Camp". I'm not a Fundamentalist, and where Christian practices are concerned there's a wide gap btwn their world and mine. Still, despite the filmakers intention to make them seem nuts, in the end all they are doing is passing on their Christian beliefs - and bully for them.

Junie and a Pal, and a Blurry Gizmo

Lu and Junie

My Thoughts

Everything is obvious once you know the answer

Quote of the Day

"If you can't handle me at my worst, then you don't deserve me at my best." – Marilyn Monroe

The New Nook

I played with the new Nook today. It's very compact, but the screen is about the same as the B&W Nook - excuse me, the Nook "1st Edition". It's navigation mimics the Color, and the text really is sharper. Still a 'flash' between pages, tho' I'm told that will be ironed out. Impressive

Chasing the Moon

I finished reading A Lee Martinez's 'Chasing the Moon'. It's a sci-fi comedy in the tradition of Douglas Adams, about a woman who rents an apartment that has a interdimensional perpetually hungry blob living in the closet, and a demon dog in the hall. I'm a fan of Martinez, and while it wasn't his best work, it was fun to read.

A Drop of the Hard Stuff

I stayed up to finish reading Lawrence Block's "A Drop of the Hard Stuff", the welcome return of unofficial private eye Matthew Scudder. It wasn't the best of the series, and I was sad to see the now aged Scudder relegated to narrating cases a quarter century old. Still, I rarely tire of Block's simple but skilled prose, and I enjoyed reading it from start to finish. B

The Dilemma

Lisa and I rented "The Dilemma" starring Kevin James, Vince Vaughn, Winona Ryder and Jennifer Connely. I list the cast in such detail because it's al this film had; it could never decide whether it was a comedy or a drama and so failed at both. We didn't so much as chuckle once, and Lis fell asleep with a half hour left to go. Lucky her. C-

Kid Art

Titanic

Titanic launched on this day 100 years ago

Memorial Day

My Memorial Day: marched in a parade, trimmed our lawn, failed to talk Lisa into a nooner, took a nap, did the dishes and two loads of laundry, watched Jersey Shore, went to the grocery store, took apart/cleaned/repaired and installed a window AC, went to work for six hours, and came home to find our cat had passed away.