Good post over at A Stranger In A Strange Land on the potential for Political Disconnect. Jeffrey Utech uses his in-laws communication tendencies to note a problem with political discussions today: that people are often talking right past each other. In the process, he says some intelligent things about the war in Iraq: Still, I [...]
Hard to believe but a new year is upon us. I will have to get used to writing 2004 on letters, checks, etc. I am not usually one for resolutions but this year I have been thinking about goals for the new year and I thought I would share my book/writing goals with you. – [...]
Since Nostradomus was a fake perhaps it is a valid monikor. Regardless my prognostication abilities have been taking a hit lately. In this prognostication challenge I started out strong, winning two out of the first three weeks. I struggled in the middle, however, with a couple weeks of 9-7 or even 8-8. In the end, [...]
My mother-in-law, being the kind person she is, loves to buy me books and frequently does so on my birthday and other gift giving occasions. This Thanksgiving we visited my in-laws in Northern Minnesota and she insisted that I let her buy me a book; she even allowed me to pick one out at the [...]
I saw Master and Commander this past weekend, and although I enjoyed watching it, I must say I was a little disappointed. James Bowman gave it two stars and Terry Teachout sang its praises in National Review [subscription required] but it just left me a little flat. The battle scenes are quite thrilling and the [...]
My respect for Richard Brookhiser took another hit today after this comment in The Corner: I was sufficiently unimpressed by The Fellowship of the Ring to skip the other two. What? My lovely wife gave me the extended version DVD of both the Fellowship of the Ring and the Two Towers so I watched them [...]
I am back from my short holiday blog vacation so expect some book reviews soon. During the break I was thinking about the interplay between reading and writing and was wondering if the too are often in conflict. If one is a voracious reader can one be a prodigious writer? What about vice versa? I [...]
Last week I posted some pop music songs that had a link to Christmas but were not Christmas songs per se. Well, here is another one: the Pogues Fairytale of New York. Warning: adult themes and language involved. Fairytale of New York (from If I Should Fall From Grace With God) It was christmas eve [...]
I never thought I would say this, but mercifully the NFL regular season has come to an end. My Pittsburgh Steelers struggled to a ten loss season, I finished last in two separate fantasy leagues (managed a fifth place in another), and generally struggled to enjoy this season. My love of football continues but it [...]
I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas. I am opening gifts with some friends tonight so expect a short posting break until I feel like blogging again. I hope your holiday is a time blessed with family and friends. God Bless.