Although I'm a voracious reader, I am not much of a book reviewer.
I just finished Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. This is his third or fourth non-legal suspence thriller, and I really enjoyed it.
Long story short without giving away anything: A journeyman NFL QB finds himself in an Italian semi-pro football league. Great descriptions of the sites, and even better descriptions of the food.
I want to learn Italian and buy 10 pounds of parmasean reggiano.
Read the book!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
NIU Heartbreak
We live about 14 miles from NIU, and my wife got her degree there in 1989. I attended graduate school there for a year. There are a lot of competing emotions about what happened there yesterday...frustration, sadness, confusion, anger.
The frustration is with the media, who, in their usual attempt to explain exactly what is happening within moments of it happening, get much of the story wrong. This is a sad and bewildering time for everyone, especially those directly affected. It is not the time to finger point and infer institutional blame.
I think we'll find out that the university did everything it could, and that the hospital did everything it could, etc.
How can we live in our country if every door is locked, every doorway has a metal detector, every person in need of medication is locked up? It wouldn't be American then, would it?
I don't have any answers. Let's think good thoughts for the survivors, and think even greater thoughts for the victims.
The frustration is with the media, who, in their usual attempt to explain exactly what is happening within moments of it happening, get much of the story wrong. This is a sad and bewildering time for everyone, especially those directly affected. It is not the time to finger point and infer institutional blame.
I think we'll find out that the university did everything it could, and that the hospital did everything it could, etc.
How can we live in our country if every door is locked, every doorway has a metal detector, every person in need of medication is locked up? It wouldn't be American then, would it?
I don't have any answers. Let's think good thoughts for the survivors, and think even greater thoughts for the victims.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
E Lection coverage
We were hit with a lot of snow Tuesday/Wednesday, so I couldn't be johnny on the spot with my Super Tuesday Erection coverage. Sorry, I meant 'election'.
Fox News had lots of problems with their graphics. The vote totals for a candidate would carry over from state to state. John McCain's 12 votes in the West Virginia convention would carry over to Alabama, where in reality the race came down to the wire. Other issues too numerous to mention. Don't producers pay attention to these little details? Brit Hume seemed to be unable to complete a sentence without mumbling at the end. I know there's a lot of voices in his head (I'm referring to line producers), but you still need to reach the finish your thought before moving on.
MSNBC's Chris Matthews continues to annoy. Does the man have no brain? Early in the coverage, he was grilling a Republican 'expert' about why any Republican candidate would bother to campaign in a dark blue state such as New Jersey. Chris, they campaign there because there's lots of delegates, and the goal is to WIN THE NOMINATION. They won't waste a lot of time and money there for the general erection. I mean election. How about more Keith Olbermann? I may be the only person on earth to write that. I can't help it, I enjoy witting and urbane, even from a liberal. Hell, only liberals can be witty and urbane.
CNN has a huge bright set. That was more than enough to keep me away.
With Romney only winning a few states that night, I was the only pundit to say that he was toast. And I was right. You can't finish 2nd or 3rd 80% of the time and expect me to support your candidacy. Just ask John "I'm good for the bronze" Edwards.
While I'm typing about it, John Edwards was using matching funds (none of his own sizable wad of cash), so half of every dollar he spent after New Hampshire was a wasted taxpayer dollar. This is why I stopped checking the $3 box on my tax return.
I will say this, I think nothing but good thoughts about Elizabeth Edwards, and you all should do the same. She has four times the moxie her husband has. I hope she gets to spend some quality time with her family before the going gets tough for her.
Fox News had lots of problems with their graphics. The vote totals for a candidate would carry over from state to state. John McCain's 12 votes in the West Virginia convention would carry over to Alabama, where in reality the race came down to the wire. Other issues too numerous to mention. Don't producers pay attention to these little details? Brit Hume seemed to be unable to complete a sentence without mumbling at the end. I know there's a lot of voices in his head (I'm referring to line producers), but you still need to reach the finish your thought before moving on.
MSNBC's Chris Matthews continues to annoy. Does the man have no brain? Early in the coverage, he was grilling a Republican 'expert' about why any Republican candidate would bother to campaign in a dark blue state such as New Jersey. Chris, they campaign there because there's lots of delegates, and the goal is to WIN THE NOMINATION. They won't waste a lot of time and money there for the general erection. I mean election. How about more Keith Olbermann? I may be the only person on earth to write that. I can't help it, I enjoy witting and urbane, even from a liberal. Hell, only liberals can be witty and urbane.
CNN has a huge bright set. That was more than enough to keep me away.
With Romney only winning a few states that night, I was the only pundit to say that he was toast. And I was right. You can't finish 2nd or 3rd 80% of the time and expect me to support your candidacy. Just ask John "I'm good for the bronze" Edwards.
While I'm typing about it, John Edwards was using matching funds (none of his own sizable wad of cash), so half of every dollar he spent after New Hampshire was a wasted taxpayer dollar. This is why I stopped checking the $3 box on my tax return.
I will say this, I think nothing but good thoughts about Elizabeth Edwards, and you all should do the same. She has four times the moxie her husband has. I hope she gets to spend some quality time with her family before the going gets tough for her.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Groundhog Day Eve
Our area was hit with about 7 inches of snow last night. There was no school today, and so my workday was truncated. Yet, I think I'm more productive NOT being in the office.
The first big snowfall of the winter is always a magical time. The third big snowfall of the winter is an inconvenient annoyance. Thankfully, it was warm enough for the roads to get plowed decently, although the usual blowing and drifting created some problems out in the country.
As of 3:45pm, the kids are playing in the snow, and I'm cathcing up on emails and voice mails. Not terribly busy at work today.
Pitchers and catchers report in about 2 weeks, and the Super Bowl is this weekend. January flew by.
The first big snowfall of the winter is always a magical time. The third big snowfall of the winter is an inconvenient annoyance. Thankfully, it was warm enough for the roads to get plowed decently, although the usual blowing and drifting created some problems out in the country.
As of 3:45pm, the kids are playing in the snow, and I'm cathcing up on emails and voice mails. Not terribly busy at work today.
Pitchers and catchers report in about 2 weeks, and the Super Bowl is this weekend. January flew by.
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