Book Log 2007 #62: The Real All Americans by Sally Jenkins
Few people remember the Carlisle Indian Industrial School as anything beyond the place where Jim Thorpe played football. In this book, Jenkins takes a longer look at the school, its football team, and the prevailing attitudes that shaped the school's formation and eventual dissolution.
This is a fair amount to bite off at once, and the resulting work reflects this to some extent. The Publisher's Weekly review said the book has a term paper feel, and that's a pretty good way to describe it. It's more breadth than depth, which is unfortunate in some areas, most notably the football game versus Army that frames the opening chapter. We don't get back to it for a good 200+ pages, and when we do the treatment of the game seems skimpy for all the build-up as to the importance of the contest to the Carlisle players. There's also a lot of side information preceding the formation of the school which is important to some extent, but could have been reduced in order to tell more about the students and life at the school.
Still, it's a decent introduction to the subject, shining some light on to a neglected corner of American (and sporting) history. It just could have used more of that light.
31 December 2007
Book Log 2007 #61: Opening Atlantis by Harry Turtledove
The turning point in this alternative history takes place much earlier than in most books of the genre, as at some point in the indeterminate geologic past, a chunk of what we know as the US comes loose and becomes an island several hundred miles southeast of its real-life position. This island is discovered by fishermen, and is eventually settled by the Spaniards, French, and English, who seem most responsible for the island becoming known as Atlantis.
The book starts in the 15th century, with the three stories presented taking place following multi-generational gaps in one family (it's a bit like Steven Saylor's Roma in that respect). Each story focuses on an Atlantis-centered conflict, including tyranny from an outcast English noble, piracy, and the spillover of a European war (the Atlantean outpost of the French and Indian Wars, I think).
This is the first book of a trilogy, and I'm hoping the other two books will venture a little deeper into internal Atlantean politics and life, as in the first book it's not really discussed too deeply. I'm also hoping to get more interplay with Atlantis and neighboring Terranova (our North America), which in the first book is limited to learning of its existence and the mention of native Terranovans brought to Atlantis as slaves. Finally, there is regular mention of how different Atlantean flora and fauna are to both Europe and Terranova, so I'm hoping that one of the stories in the second book has some sort of Darwinian influence.
All that being said, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one.
The turning point in this alternative history takes place much earlier than in most books of the genre, as at some point in the indeterminate geologic past, a chunk of what we know as the US comes loose and becomes an island several hundred miles southeast of its real-life position. This island is discovered by fishermen, and is eventually settled by the Spaniards, French, and English, who seem most responsible for the island becoming known as Atlantis.
The book starts in the 15th century, with the three stories presented taking place following multi-generational gaps in one family (it's a bit like Steven Saylor's Roma in that respect). Each story focuses on an Atlantis-centered conflict, including tyranny from an outcast English noble, piracy, and the spillover of a European war (the Atlantean outpost of the French and Indian Wars, I think).
This is the first book of a trilogy, and I'm hoping the other two books will venture a little deeper into internal Atlantean politics and life, as in the first book it's not really discussed too deeply. I'm also hoping to get more interplay with Atlantis and neighboring Terranova (our North America), which in the first book is limited to learning of its existence and the mention of native Terranovans brought to Atlantis as slaves. Finally, there is regular mention of how different Atlantean flora and fauna are to both Europe and Terranova, so I'm hoping that one of the stories in the second book has some sort of Darwinian influence.
All that being said, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one.
29 December 2007
Book Log 2007 #60: The Rock from Mars by Kathy Sawyer
Rather than delve into any of that more detailed early history of the space race that I talked about, I opted to go for this book about the Mars rock that, about 10 years ago, was reported to show evidence of past life on the red planet. The explanation of how the rock was discovered and how the team of scientists determined that it contained evidence of life is pretty interesting.
What's not so interesting is the coverage of the ensuing scientific infighting and the bureaucratic wrangling involving NASA. Both are important parts of the story, but both are hard to make interesting. The book is notably drier as it goes along.
On a personal note, it was interesting to read about Dan Goldin, the NASA administrator at the time who would later be BU's president for about a month. He sounds like a very capable person to run an organization, but maybe not in education.
In any case, as this appears to be the only book about the rock out there, if you're interested in the topic you're pretty much going to have to read this. Which is OK, but don't expect too much.
Rather than delve into any of that more detailed early history of the space race that I talked about, I opted to go for this book about the Mars rock that, about 10 years ago, was reported to show evidence of past life on the red planet. The explanation of how the rock was discovered and how the team of scientists determined that it contained evidence of life is pretty interesting.
What's not so interesting is the coverage of the ensuing scientific infighting and the bureaucratic wrangling involving NASA. Both are important parts of the story, but both are hard to make interesting. The book is notably drier as it goes along.
On a personal note, it was interesting to read about Dan Goldin, the NASA administrator at the time who would later be BU's president for about a month. He sounds like a very capable person to run an organization, but maybe not in education.
In any case, as this appears to be the only book about the rock out there, if you're interested in the topic you're pretty much going to have to read this. Which is OK, but don't expect too much.
Book Log 2007 #59: A Ball, a Dog, and a Monkey: 1957 - The Space Race Begins by Michael D'Antonio
One of the books that came out in the wake of the 50th anniversary of the Sputnik launch, this mainly focuses on the US reaction to the launch and the year or so afterwards where the US was playing catch-up. And while it does a nice job of balancing the story between the people and the hardware, it's a bit too general, I think. I'd have liked more detail on some of the major themes, such as the interservice battle to provide the US with its main launch vehicle or the social changes to the Cape Canaveral area outside of killer traffic. I'd also have liked more information on the Soviet side of things.
The book did pique my interest in the period, and there are some more specific books out there, so this may be best viewed as an introduction to the early space race.
One of the books that came out in the wake of the 50th anniversary of the Sputnik launch, this mainly focuses on the US reaction to the launch and the year or so afterwards where the US was playing catch-up. And while it does a nice job of balancing the story between the people and the hardware, it's a bit too general, I think. I'd have liked more detail on some of the major themes, such as the interservice battle to provide the US with its main launch vehicle or the social changes to the Cape Canaveral area outside of killer traffic. I'd also have liked more information on the Soviet side of things.
The book did pique my interest in the period, and there are some more specific books out there, so this may be best viewed as an introduction to the early space race.
27 December 2007
Book Log 2007 #58: Millenium by Ben Bova
The year is 1999. Tensions on Earth have the US and USSR at the brink of war, fueled by each country's near completion of a spaced-based ABM system that would make the other side's nuclear arsenal useless. This situation is starting to spill over to the moon base whose international population belies its nominal separation into American and Soviet sectors. The leader of the base's US sector sees how war would ruin the moon community, and comes up with a plan to avoid war.
Written in the mid 1970s, it's about as inaccurate as to what 1999 would be like as you'd expect. That's not necessarily a problem, as I don't think anyone would reasonably expect Bova's vision of 1999 to conform to reality. But I didn't find the story particularly interesting, either, which is obviously a problem. The characters are all either war hawks or moon-based flower children, and the solution to the problem is pretty obvious. I also thought the ending was telegraphed a bit too much, but I may have just guessed right.
I'd not really recommend this, though I'd like to hear the opinion of someone more conversant with traditional sci-fi.
The year is 1999. Tensions on Earth have the US and USSR at the brink of war, fueled by each country's near completion of a spaced-based ABM system that would make the other side's nuclear arsenal useless. This situation is starting to spill over to the moon base whose international population belies its nominal separation into American and Soviet sectors. The leader of the base's US sector sees how war would ruin the moon community, and comes up with a plan to avoid war.
Written in the mid 1970s, it's about as inaccurate as to what 1999 would be like as you'd expect. That's not necessarily a problem, as I don't think anyone would reasonably expect Bova's vision of 1999 to conform to reality. But I didn't find the story particularly interesting, either, which is obviously a problem. The characters are all either war hawks or moon-based flower children, and the solution to the problem is pretty obvious. I also thought the ending was telegraphed a bit too much, but I may have just guessed right.
I'd not really recommend this, though I'd like to hear the opinion of someone more conversant with traditional sci-fi.
Book Log 2007 #57: Can I Keep My Jersey? by Paul Shirley
There's a lot to like about this book, in which ESPN.com blogger and basketball pro Shirley recounts the ups and downs of three years in his career. He covers the ups and downs with a good dose of ironic humor, and gives an interesting view of life on basketball's margins.
The main drawback is that the book reads like a blog, in that the focus is always squarely on Shirley. I found this to be a little distracting when he was talking about playing in Europe, as he'd spend more time talking about what it was like for him to play in Europe and less time talking about basketball in Europe in general. He also has a tendency to be repetitively sarcastic about his skills as an athlete and as a writer, which gets old quickly.
So I liked the book, but would have appreciated a little more... extrospection? Is that a word?
There's a lot to like about this book, in which ESPN.com blogger and basketball pro Shirley recounts the ups and downs of three years in his career. He covers the ups and downs with a good dose of ironic humor, and gives an interesting view of life on basketball's margins.
The main drawback is that the book reads like a blog, in that the focus is always squarely on Shirley. I found this to be a little distracting when he was talking about playing in Europe, as he'd spend more time talking about what it was like for him to play in Europe and less time talking about basketball in Europe in general. He also has a tendency to be repetitively sarcastic about his skills as an athlete and as a writer, which gets old quickly.
So I liked the book, but would have appreciated a little more... extrospection? Is that a word?
26 December 2007
Happy Boxing Day! We've been at the in-laws' the last fews days, and had a really odd Christmas. My mother in law was scheduled to work on both the 24th and 25th, so we actually did our celebrating on Sunday. She then didn't have to work on Christmas Day. So we spent Christmas pretty much sitting around doing nothing. But we did have fun seeing family and eating way too much.
Not too much else to add to that, really.
Not too much else to add to that, really.
20 December 2007
OK, there's an ad on during the game now that has Curt Schilling endorsing John McCain. Not particularly surprising given Schilling's politics, and I suppose it may help out here given the way the Sox are venerated here, but given Schilling's general reputation as a jackass I don't know if it'll help all that much. It also doesn't help that Schilling's delivery is solid oak levels of wooden.
It says something about the proliferation of college football bowl games that tonight's first game of the bowl season - the Pointsettia Bowl, featuring Navy and Utah, a pair of 8-4 teams - is being pre-empted on ESPN so they can show the end of a regular season college basketball game. It should be noted that the basketball game features two top ten teams - Pitt and Duke - while the bowl game does not (neither Navy nor Utah are ranked).
There are 120 teams in whatever the NCAA is calling Division I now, and over half of them are going to bowl games. Now if only their fans would follow - plenty of good seats still available at Qualcomm Stadium.
I'm also not sure if having Reece Davis, Mark May and Lou Holtz call the game is a good or a bad thing. Davis is OK doing play by play, but I don't care for Mark May - too full of himself - and Lou should stick to the pep talks.
There are 120 teams in whatever the NCAA is calling Division I now, and over half of them are going to bowl games. Now if only their fans would follow - plenty of good seats still available at Qualcomm Stadium.
I'm also not sure if having Reece Davis, Mark May and Lou Holtz call the game is a good or a bad thing. Davis is OK doing play by play, but I don't care for Mark May - too full of himself - and Lou should stick to the pep talks.
19 December 2007
Sorry for the disappearing act, but between the surgery and Monday I was down to one hand, and I quickly decided not to type more than necessary. On Monday they took off the bandages and took out most of the stitches, but the two fingers that were bent needed a couple of days to get used to being on the outside. Thankfully, they didn't go all Brooks Hatlen on me and have taken to life back on the outside as well as can be expected. I'm now pretty much at the same place I was the day before the surgery, but with the promise of increased sensation and function in the index finger as time moves along.
It would figure that we'd have our first two big storms the week I couldn't shovel. The wife did a great job in my stead, and our neighbor's son helped out by taking a pass with his snowblower on Sunday morning. The best I could do was help clear off the car, as that's a bit easier to do one-handed.
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend the experience. But it does give one a newfound respect for the importance of having both hands.
It would figure that we'd have our first two big storms the week I couldn't shovel. The wife did a great job in my stead, and our neighbor's son helped out by taking a pass with his snowblower on Sunday morning. The best I could do was help clear off the car, as that's a bit easier to do one-handed.
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend the experience. But it does give one a newfound respect for the importance of having both hands.
11 December 2007
Book Log 2007 #56: The Reach of a Chef by Michael Ruhlman
Having looked at what goes into making a chef and seeing what drives a chef towards perfection, Ruhlman uses this book to examine the growing role of the chef outside of the kitchen and into places like the boardroom and the TV studio. Along the way he also tries to sort out how it is that chefs have gone from tradesmen to near-rock star status.
Highly recommended.
Having looked at what goes into making a chef and seeing what drives a chef towards perfection, Ruhlman uses this book to examine the growing role of the chef outside of the kitchen and into places like the boardroom and the TV studio. Along the way he also tries to sort out how it is that chefs have gone from tradesmen to near-rock star status.
Highly recommended.
09 December 2007
A quick one-handed update: had surgery on Friday, seems to have gone well. I got into the hospital at 6:30 and was home by 11, and likely would have been out earlier if my doctor hadn't been late (a rarity for him, from what the other docs were saying). I remember very little thanks to the sedation. I do recall not feeling my left arm at one point, which would have been pretty disconcerting under normal circumstances.
For the next week to 10 days I'll have my left index and middle finger at rougly a 90 degree angle to my palm, so as to not put tension on the nerve. It's not particularly comfortable, but it could be worse. I do have a sling I'm supposed to wear, but around the house I've mosly just been keeping it elevated.
Otherwise, it's pretty similar to the first few days I had the brace with the original stitches. I'll try not to kill myself buttoning my pants.
For the next week to 10 days I'll have my left index and middle finger at rougly a 90 degree angle to my palm, so as to not put tension on the nerve. It's not particularly comfortable, but it could be worse. I do have a sling I'm supposed to wear, but around the house I've mosly just been keeping it elevated.
Otherwise, it's pretty similar to the first few days I had the brace with the original stitches. I'll try not to kill myself buttoning my pants.
06 December 2007
Book Log 2007 #55: House Thinking by Winifred Gallagher
I made it through the first chapter of this room-by-room examination of the modern home, but couldn't go on. I am clearly not someone who finds value in the psychology of design and architecture. Which in way is too bad, as some of the later chapters appear to help explain McMansions, a trend that I've never quite been able to understand outside of bigger equaling better. I've also read in a review that at one point she refers to MTV's Cribs as a children's show, so perhaps looking to her for guidance isn't such as good idea (of course she may have meant this ironically, or in reference to the maturity level of the average Cribs subject).
Anyway, not for me.
I made it through the first chapter of this room-by-room examination of the modern home, but couldn't go on. I am clearly not someone who finds value in the psychology of design and architecture. Which in way is too bad, as some of the later chapters appear to help explain McMansions, a trend that I've never quite been able to understand outside of bigger equaling better. I've also read in a review that at one point she refers to MTV's Cribs as a children's show, so perhaps looking to her for guidance isn't such as good idea (of course she may have meant this ironically, or in reference to the maturity level of the average Cribs subject).
Anyway, not for me.
Book Log 2007 #54: When Television Was Young by Ed McMahon with David Fisher
We all know Ed McMahon from his sidekick duties with Johnny Carson and his blooper and giant novelty check work, but in this book he tells us about how he and many others broke into TV and helped to define the medium. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a pleasant enough read. McMahon does include bits of conversations with folks like Mike Wallace, Eli Wallach and Sid Caesar, which is nice, but it's hard to read this and not think that a more comprehensive oral history would be better.
But for what it is, it's OK, probably better suited for readers who don't know a great deal about the early days of TV.
We all know Ed McMahon from his sidekick duties with Johnny Carson and his blooper and giant novelty check work, but in this book he tells us about how he and many others broke into TV and helped to define the medium. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a pleasant enough read. McMahon does include bits of conversations with folks like Mike Wallace, Eli Wallach and Sid Caesar, which is nice, but it's hard to read this and not think that a more comprehensive oral history would be better.
But for what it is, it's OK, probably better suited for readers who don't know a great deal about the early days of TV.
05 December 2007
Book Log 2007 #53: For Want of a Nail by Robert Sobel
Well before Harry Turtledove and Richard Dreyfuss tackled the question in The Two Georges, Sobel put forward the question of what would have happened if the rebels lost the American Revolution. In this case, the Revolution is put down pretty quickly thanks to a Burgoyne win in Saratoga. While most of the current US and eastern Canada become a British-centered country, some of the surviving rebels move west and eventually form a country that merges the remaining area of the current US and Canada with Mexico. A third power on the continent is Kramer Associates, which comes to dominate the United States of Mexico economically.
The book is written like a history, which is pretty impressive given the number of fake sources created and cited. Unfortunately it reads like the stereotype of a history, with a dryness that takes away from even the most interesting parts of the narrative. From what I've read this was to some degree intentional; I'm sure there were dozens of historians that appreciated the satire. I found myself drifting quite a bit when reading.
I wasn't also so sure that many of the technical milestones made sense, which seems like a common critique. I also wasn't always convinced as to some of the broad social movements and their political consequences, as they were often introduced and dispensed with in one chapter, making it harder to understand and accept how they developed.
Worth a look for fans of the genre.
Well before Harry Turtledove and Richard Dreyfuss tackled the question in The Two Georges, Sobel put forward the question of what would have happened if the rebels lost the American Revolution. In this case, the Revolution is put down pretty quickly thanks to a Burgoyne win in Saratoga. While most of the current US and eastern Canada become a British-centered country, some of the surviving rebels move west and eventually form a country that merges the remaining area of the current US and Canada with Mexico. A third power on the continent is Kramer Associates, which comes to dominate the United States of Mexico economically.
The book is written like a history, which is pretty impressive given the number of fake sources created and cited. Unfortunately it reads like the stereotype of a history, with a dryness that takes away from even the most interesting parts of the narrative. From what I've read this was to some degree intentional; I'm sure there were dozens of historians that appreciated the satire. I found myself drifting quite a bit when reading.
I wasn't also so sure that many of the technical milestones made sense, which seems like a common critique. I also wasn't always convinced as to some of the broad social movements and their political consequences, as they were often introduced and dispensed with in one chapter, making it harder to understand and accept how they developed.
Worth a look for fans of the genre.
03 December 2007
Three things I learned this weekend about the airport in Chattanooga, Tennessee:
1. They seem to be reducing their carbon footprint by turning off lights - even when people are still in the terminal. I was waiting for a couple of people, and while sitting near the gate where my plane came in the lights in that part of the terminal were shut off. I got the hint and moved to the gate where I expected one, if not both of the flights I was waiting for to come in. Both flights were late, and when the second one came in and both were boarding they shut off the lights in that part of the terminal. While people were still there waiting to board.
Maybe they needed the extra juice to run the baggage return? I mean, there were probably a dozen people with checked baggage on those flights.
2. Before flying in I checked to see if there was a bus or something to get from the airport to downtown. The bus system doesn't have a stop at the airport. I found this odd, given that in most places a public transit link at the airport is the norm.
I now know why there isn't one: the local transit authority is getting a cut of the extortionate rates that cabs charge for runs from the airport. For two people, they charged $33. Renting a car for the day would have been cheaper. Now, we didn't ask the rate before getting in, which is a total failing on our part. Thinking about it, I wonder if this is some sort of off the books thing, as the meter wasn't even on during our trip.
Can you tell I don't take cabs too often?
3. Skybus flies to Chattanooga, which you think would be handy as they also fly to Boston. Except in this case "Boston" actually means Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Which would be great if I were leaving a car, as the free parking (referred to several times, always in all caps, on the Pease website) would compensate for the longer drive.
The other problem is that the Skybus flights aren't necessarily coordinated. So while I could go Portsmouth-Columbus-Chattanooga, it wouldn't work in reverse as they only have one flight from Chattanooga a day.
I also ran across something called Allegiant Air, which offers flights from Bangor, Maine to Orlando, apparently. Something to keep in mind for the in-laws.
1. They seem to be reducing their carbon footprint by turning off lights - even when people are still in the terminal. I was waiting for a couple of people, and while sitting near the gate where my plane came in the lights in that part of the terminal were shut off. I got the hint and moved to the gate where I expected one, if not both of the flights I was waiting for to come in. Both flights were late, and when the second one came in and both were boarding they shut off the lights in that part of the terminal. While people were still there waiting to board.
Maybe they needed the extra juice to run the baggage return? I mean, there were probably a dozen people with checked baggage on those flights.
2. Before flying in I checked to see if there was a bus or something to get from the airport to downtown. The bus system doesn't have a stop at the airport. I found this odd, given that in most places a public transit link at the airport is the norm.
I now know why there isn't one: the local transit authority is getting a cut of the extortionate rates that cabs charge for runs from the airport. For two people, they charged $33. Renting a car for the day would have been cheaper. Now, we didn't ask the rate before getting in, which is a total failing on our part. Thinking about it, I wonder if this is some sort of off the books thing, as the meter wasn't even on during our trip.
Can you tell I don't take cabs too often?
3. Skybus flies to Chattanooga, which you think would be handy as they also fly to Boston. Except in this case "Boston" actually means Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Which would be great if I were leaving a car, as the free parking (referred to several times, always in all caps, on the Pease website) would compensate for the longer drive.
The other problem is that the Skybus flights aren't necessarily coordinated. So while I could go Portsmouth-Columbus-Chattanooga, it wouldn't work in reverse as they only have one flight from Chattanooga a day.
I also ran across something called Allegiant Air, which offers flights from Bangor, Maine to Orlando, apparently. Something to keep in mind for the in-laws.
29 November 2007
BLOGALICIOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP TEN-PLUS
1. Missouri
2. West Virginia
As much as I dislike the BCS, I'll agree with their rating here and hope for the best.
3. Kansas
4. Ohio State
My theory: Kansas lost a virtual road game to the team that's now number 1. Ohio State lost at home to a team that has never been in the top 10. It's probably too much to ask that Kansas jump Ohio State should either of the top two teams lose this week.
5. Hawaii
They win this weekend, they should get to play in a BCS game. Going undefeated should mean something, even with all the strength of schedule talk.
6. Oklahoma
7. Georgia
I've not really seen Georgia play this season, and I have seen Oklahoma play, so I'm going with them here.
8. USC
9. LSU
10. Arizona State
Not much to say here, other than I'm duly unimpressed with the ACC and am giving up on putting either of their finalists in here.
109. The Mid-American Conference
Their championship game features teams that are 7-5 (Central Michigan) and 6-6 (Miami). Bowling Green, at 8-4, is not in the title game thanks to a loss to Miami, even though they apparently played an extra conference game. Remember when there was a little buzz about the MAC?
1. Missouri
2. West Virginia
As much as I dislike the BCS, I'll agree with their rating here and hope for the best.
3. Kansas
4. Ohio State
My theory: Kansas lost a virtual road game to the team that's now number 1. Ohio State lost at home to a team that has never been in the top 10. It's probably too much to ask that Kansas jump Ohio State should either of the top two teams lose this week.
5. Hawaii
They win this weekend, they should get to play in a BCS game. Going undefeated should mean something, even with all the strength of schedule talk.
6. Oklahoma
7. Georgia
I've not really seen Georgia play this season, and I have seen Oklahoma play, so I'm going with them here.
8. USC
9. LSU
10. Arizona State
Not much to say here, other than I'm duly unimpressed with the ACC and am giving up on putting either of their finalists in here.
109. The Mid-American Conference
Their championship game features teams that are 7-5 (Central Michigan) and 6-6 (Miami). Bowling Green, at 8-4, is not in the title game thanks to a loss to Miami, even though they apparently played an extra conference game. Remember when there was a little buzz about the MAC?
We have a consultant working in the office due to a staffing shortage, and she sits in the cubicle right in front of mine. For the most part this isn't an issue; we don't interact more than to say hi, and in fact I'm not even sure of her name (which seems bad, but from past experience the consultants don't get particularly chummy with anyone).
But this morning took an interesting turn, as all of us in the back were serenaded with this album. I'd admit surprise that Hall and Oates had made a Christmas album, but that would indicate I've considered their career since, say, 1990.
And while I'm not as positive about the album as the reviewer, I do think it could have been worse. Still, it wasn't something I was looking to hear, and it leads me to consider what I could play in return. Outside of looping "Christmas in Hollis" or the dogs barking "Jingle Bells" for an hour, I'm open to suggestion.
But this morning took an interesting turn, as all of us in the back were serenaded with this album. I'd admit surprise that Hall and Oates had made a Christmas album, but that would indicate I've considered their career since, say, 1990.
And while I'm not as positive about the album as the reviewer, I do think it could have been worse. Still, it wasn't something I was looking to hear, and it leads me to consider what I could play in return. Outside of looping "Christmas in Hollis" or the dogs barking "Jingle Bells" for an hour, I'm open to suggestion.
28 November 2007
Book Log 2007 #52: The Soul of a Chef by Michael Ruhlman
In this follow-up to The Making of a Chef, Ruhlman sets out to figure out what it is that makes great food. The first section looks at the 10 day Certified Master Chef exam at the CIA, an ordeal whose low pass rate and focus on traditional cuisine makes it virtually meaningless to many in the trade.
From the objective and technical, we then move to a more passionate and creative quest for perfection in a leading modern American restaurant. And while the food here is excellent, there's a lack of tradition and technique that Ruhlman finds a little discomforting.
The two parts find synthesis in the last part, which details the French Laundry and its chef, Thomas Keller. It's not only a great profile of a top chef and an incredibly inventive dining experience, but it demonstrates the link between the chef, the physical act of cooking, and an interest in and love for the actual ingredients.
At this point I'm just going to recommend the entire trilogy of books, though I'll save The Reach of a Chef for its own entry.
In this follow-up to The Making of a Chef, Ruhlman sets out to figure out what it is that makes great food. The first section looks at the 10 day Certified Master Chef exam at the CIA, an ordeal whose low pass rate and focus on traditional cuisine makes it virtually meaningless to many in the trade.
From the objective and technical, we then move to a more passionate and creative quest for perfection in a leading modern American restaurant. And while the food here is excellent, there's a lack of tradition and technique that Ruhlman finds a little discomforting.
The two parts find synthesis in the last part, which details the French Laundry and its chef, Thomas Keller. It's not only a great profile of a top chef and an incredibly inventive dining experience, but it demonstrates the link between the chef, the physical act of cooking, and an interest in and love for the actual ingredients.
At this point I'm just going to recommend the entire trilogy of books, though I'll save The Reach of a Chef for its own entry.
Book Log 2007 #51: The Grid by Phillip Schewe
I had high hopes for this book, as I knew little about the history or the technology behind the electrical grid, and given our growing dependence on it I figured it made sense to get some background.
My hopes weren't quite met, and while I'm writing this up way too late to point to specifics in the text, I did feel that the book didn't go quite deep enough into some of the history, and really didn't go deep enough into the technology. A basic chapter on how electricity gets from the plant to your house would have been helpful, as I know of much of the technology, but not in any sort of detail.
All that being said, I'm in favor of anything that gets us thinking about where our power comes from and the challenges to keeping the juice flowing, so I'd say this is worth a look.
I had high hopes for this book, as I knew little about the history or the technology behind the electrical grid, and given our growing dependence on it I figured it made sense to get some background.
My hopes weren't quite met, and while I'm writing this up way too late to point to specifics in the text, I did feel that the book didn't go quite deep enough into some of the history, and really didn't go deep enough into the technology. A basic chapter on how electricity gets from the plant to your house would have been helpful, as I know of much of the technology, but not in any sort of detail.
All that being said, I'm in favor of anything that gets us thinking about where our power comes from and the challenges to keeping the juice flowing, so I'd say this is worth a look.
25 November 2007
For the first time since Wednesday, I'm home. What happened in between?
Finger - I spent part of Wednesday morning having the final couple of stitches removed, as things had closed up well enough to allow the job to finish. Much less painful than the first destitching, though I still have to keep things covered as there's still some closing up that needs to happen.
This is expected to happen over the next couple of weeks, which will be just in time to have the finger cut open again to fix the nerve. Surgery is scheduled for December 7, and I'm a little concerned because it appears I'll be knocked out in some fashion for it. Seems like overkill for working on a finger.
Turkey - went down to my sister in law's and stuffed myself with the requisite amount of holiday food (a quick plug here for Spinelli's, a function hall and baker in East Boston and Lynnfield, from whom we got a blueberry pie, a pumpkin pie, and a Black Forest cake). I also watched about 30 hours of football, although none in person, which was too bad given the nice weather (another quick plug here for the high school alma mater, who won their conference with a Turkey Day win over dreaded rival Georgetown, and will play Brighton High School in the first round of the playoffs on Tuesday).
Gotham - Yesterday we drove down to NYC to attend the BU-Cornell hockey game at Madison Square Garden. Traffic was awful (everyone in Connecticut was on Route 95 at some point yesterday afternoon), so we got to the hotel later than hoped.
We wound up staying at the Millenium Hilton, which is most notable for overlooking Ground Zero. We got a very good look into the construction site from our room on the 29th floor, but didn't have much of a chance to walk around the site (to the extent that one can).
We took the subway uptown and got off so we could walk over to Rockefeller Center. The tree wasn't lit, but there was skating and at least half of the people who were on Route 95 in Connecticut earlier in the day were there doing the same thing that we were doing.
After extricating ourselves we walked back down to MSG, met up with Chris (i.e. the Grim Reaper of occasional comment fame) and got to our seats... eventually. It's a odd system they use, as there are four "towers" with escalators, which you get off of when you get a floor with your "gate" number on it. It actually didn't work too badly going up (initial confusion notwithstanding), but going down there was a bit of congestion.
MSG bills itself as the World's Most Famous Arena, which is about the best thing you can say for it. It is on the old side, has a very interesting odor (left over from the years of circuses and boxing, I'd imagine), and the seating is done up in a very unappealing purple and teal upholstery which is made out of some sort of rubberized burlap. The sound works very well, at least in terms of volume, though I think at one point someone from JFK called and complained that they couldn't hear the jets take off.
The game went surprisingly well, as the Icedogs scored three in the first en route to a 6-3 win in front of a partisan Cornell crowd. Out of the 18,200 there for the game, I'd say about 16,500 of them were rooting for Cornell. We also heard the Cornell alma mater about 40 times, which is more than I've heard the BU song in 20 years (which is fine, as I'm not a big "Clarissima" fan). They even had Cornell folks locking arms and swaying while singing the song, which I don't think you'd see BU folks do without getting paid.
Not much else to tell of our time, as we went back to the hotel after the game. We did nose around the neighborhood a little in search of a convenience store, and saw St. Paul's Church, which looked interesting, but didn't think that sightseeing at midnight was such a good idea. I'd have liked to have had an extra day, but between the holiday, work for the wife, and the expense of staying down there it wasn't going to happen.
Finger - I spent part of Wednesday morning having the final couple of stitches removed, as things had closed up well enough to allow the job to finish. Much less painful than the first destitching, though I still have to keep things covered as there's still some closing up that needs to happen.
This is expected to happen over the next couple of weeks, which will be just in time to have the finger cut open again to fix the nerve. Surgery is scheduled for December 7, and I'm a little concerned because it appears I'll be knocked out in some fashion for it. Seems like overkill for working on a finger.
Turkey - went down to my sister in law's and stuffed myself with the requisite amount of holiday food (a quick plug here for Spinelli's, a function hall and baker in East Boston and Lynnfield, from whom we got a blueberry pie, a pumpkin pie, and a Black Forest cake). I also watched about 30 hours of football, although none in person, which was too bad given the nice weather (another quick plug here for the high school alma mater, who won their conference with a Turkey Day win over dreaded rival Georgetown, and will play Brighton High School in the first round of the playoffs on Tuesday).
Gotham - Yesterday we drove down to NYC to attend the BU-Cornell hockey game at Madison Square Garden. Traffic was awful (everyone in Connecticut was on Route 95 at some point yesterday afternoon), so we got to the hotel later than hoped.
We wound up staying at the Millenium Hilton, which is most notable for overlooking Ground Zero. We got a very good look into the construction site from our room on the 29th floor, but didn't have much of a chance to walk around the site (to the extent that one can).
We took the subway uptown and got off so we could walk over to Rockefeller Center. The tree wasn't lit, but there was skating and at least half of the people who were on Route 95 in Connecticut earlier in the day were there doing the same thing that we were doing.
After extricating ourselves we walked back down to MSG, met up with Chris (i.e. the Grim Reaper of occasional comment fame) and got to our seats... eventually. It's a odd system they use, as there are four "towers" with escalators, which you get off of when you get a floor with your "gate" number on it. It actually didn't work too badly going up (initial confusion notwithstanding), but going down there was a bit of congestion.
MSG bills itself as the World's Most Famous Arena, which is about the best thing you can say for it. It is on the old side, has a very interesting odor (left over from the years of circuses and boxing, I'd imagine), and the seating is done up in a very unappealing purple and teal upholstery which is made out of some sort of rubberized burlap. The sound works very well, at least in terms of volume, though I think at one point someone from JFK called and complained that they couldn't hear the jets take off.
The game went surprisingly well, as the Icedogs scored three in the first en route to a 6-3 win in front of a partisan Cornell crowd. Out of the 18,200 there for the game, I'd say about 16,500 of them were rooting for Cornell. We also heard the Cornell alma mater about 40 times, which is more than I've heard the BU song in 20 years (which is fine, as I'm not a big "Clarissima" fan). They even had Cornell folks locking arms and swaying while singing the song, which I don't think you'd see BU folks do without getting paid.
Not much else to tell of our time, as we went back to the hotel after the game. We did nose around the neighborhood a little in search of a convenience store, and saw St. Paul's Church, which looked interesting, but didn't think that sightseeing at midnight was such a good idea. I'd have liked to have had an extra day, but between the holiday, work for the wife, and the expense of staying down there it wasn't going to happen.
20 November 2007
Book Log 2007 #51: The Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux
I first read this book my sophomore year in college when it was assigned as reading for an introductory geography class. I don't know that it taught me much beyond the idea that Asia was the place to be in the '70s if you wanted to have sex with prostitutes of indeterminate age and/or gender. But I did enjoy the book, and many years later decided to give it a re-read.
This time around I still enjoyed it, and probably appreciated some of the more unique combinations of time and place better than I did the first time (most notable here was a visit to Vietnam between the Paris Peace Accords and the eventual fall of South Vietnam). Though I was slightly more off-put than usual by Theroux's depiction of his fellow travelers, which was odd given that they're not that different from the depictions in all of his train books.
So I'd still recommend it, but with the added suggestion of finding the version with the original cover. The collage-style front is superior to the one used now, and there is a period photo of the author on the back that would be fantastic if it were in color. I'm sure it's nowhere to be seen in the new printing.
I first read this book my sophomore year in college when it was assigned as reading for an introductory geography class. I don't know that it taught me much beyond the idea that Asia was the place to be in the '70s if you wanted to have sex with prostitutes of indeterminate age and/or gender. But I did enjoy the book, and many years later decided to give it a re-read.
This time around I still enjoyed it, and probably appreciated some of the more unique combinations of time and place better than I did the first time (most notable here was a visit to Vietnam between the Paris Peace Accords and the eventual fall of South Vietnam). Though I was slightly more off-put than usual by Theroux's depiction of his fellow travelers, which was odd given that they're not that different from the depictions in all of his train books.
So I'd still recommend it, but with the added suggestion of finding the version with the original cover. The collage-style front is superior to the one used now, and there is a period photo of the author on the back that would be fantastic if it were in color. I'm sure it's nowhere to be seen in the new printing.
While the three flakes I saw would argue for yesterday, I'm calling today as the first day with snow for the season as there's been steady snowfall for the last hour or so. It's fairly light and not sticking, which is just the way I like it. Not that it would stay long if it was sticking, as it's going to be in the 50s the next couple of days (nearing 60 for Thanksgiving; we could go to the beach!).
16 November 2007
I'm pretty much unmoved by the Barry Bonds indictment. I tend to feel the one thing he's clearly guilty of is being a jackass, which for better or worse isn't against the law. It'll be interesting to see how the feds put their case together, as given the past leaks you think we'd have heard if they had something new and juicy to use against him.
At the least it means we've seen the last of Bonds as a player - until the lawyers drain him enough so that he has to team up with Jose Canseco for the Long Beach Armada - so it was semi-fitting that A Rod was in the news as well for closing in on a return to the Bronx. I'm less surprised about him going back to the Yanks than I am about Scott Boras getting cut out of the equation. I don't suppose many players have the sort of clout to do that sort of thing, but I'm sure owners will be happy to see this as the start of a trend. I also have no problem with him going back it it means another decade of him being craptastic in the playoffs. That would be just fine, thank you.
At the least it means we've seen the last of Bonds as a player - until the lawyers drain him enough so that he has to team up with Jose Canseco for the Long Beach Armada - so it was semi-fitting that A Rod was in the news as well for closing in on a return to the Bronx. I'm less surprised about him going back to the Yanks than I am about Scott Boras getting cut out of the equation. I don't suppose many players have the sort of clout to do that sort of thing, but I'm sure owners will be happy to see this as the start of a trend. I also have no problem with him going back it it means another decade of him being craptastic in the playoffs. That would be just fine, thank you.
15 November 2007
BLOGALICIOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP TEN-PLUS
1. Kansas(def. Oklahoma State 43-28) - I'd call this week a trap game if it weren't the Cyclones. Still, you have to think that some minds are on Kansas City.
Next opponent: Iowa State
2. LSU (def. Louisiana Tech 58-10) - expect a similar score this week, even on the road.
Next opponent: at Mississippi
3. Oregon (Idle) - Dixon's out, the Ducks are down 20, and the Ducks' backup is Ryan Leaf's brother. On top of it all, Erin Andrews is wearing something frumpy. It's all going to hell.
Next opponent: at Arizona (11/15)
4.5. Missourahoma (def. Texas A&M 40-26 and Baylor 52-21) - no, it's not an AT&T ad, though I'd accept renumeration for furthering their ad concept. I know the Sooners beat the Tigers and thus should be billed ahead of them, but Missouri did beat Colorado, something Oklahoma couldn't do. So I'm calling it even for now, illogical or not. If nothing else, next week will break the tie.
Next opponents: at Kansas State [Missouri] and at Texas Tech [Oklahoma]
6. West Virginia (Idle) - still on track for a big conference title game against UConn, assuming they can do what the Huskies couldn't do and top the Bearcats on their field. UConn better not screw things up by losing to Syracuse.
Next opponent: at Cincinnati
7. Ohio State (lost to Illinois 21-28) - there are worse things than a loss to the Zookers. Losing this week at home, for example, and giving Lloyd Carr the retirement gift he'd most want.
Next opponent: Michigan
8. Arizona State (def. UCLA 24-20) - they get some time off to contemplate a game thick with Rose Bowl implications, should this Oregon-Arizona game keep going the way it is. This could be the only time all season that Sun Devils fans are rooting for the in-state rival.
Next opponent: Idle
9. Georgia (def. Auburn 45-20) - is there still a possibility that the SEC East could end in a four way tie? Because that would be awesome. Of course, things have to go south for the Bulldogs this week for that to happen, but Andre Woodson has a track record for that sort of thing.
Next opponent: Kentucky
10. Mississippi State (def. Alabama 17-12) - Sylvester Croom finally gets his team to break through, putting their second straight win over the Tide on the mantle with wins over Kentucky and Auburn. And they're bowl eligible, to boot. Congrats to one and all.
Next opponent: at Arkansas
109. Miami(lost to Virginia 0-48) - OK, you're 5-5, but you get blown out in the last game ever at the Orange Bowl? What the hell happened to you? I hated you at the height of your thuggery, but you guys are just sad now. Who'd have thought that the dud team in the ACC expansion would be you lot?
Next opponent: at Virginia Tech
1. Kansas(def. Oklahoma State 43-28) - I'd call this week a trap game if it weren't the Cyclones. Still, you have to think that some minds are on Kansas City.
Next opponent: Iowa State
2. LSU (def. Louisiana Tech 58-10) - expect a similar score this week, even on the road.
Next opponent: at Mississippi
3. Oregon (Idle) - Dixon's out, the Ducks are down 20, and the Ducks' backup is Ryan Leaf's brother. On top of it all, Erin Andrews is wearing something frumpy. It's all going to hell.
Next opponent: at Arizona (11/15)
4.5. Missourahoma (def. Texas A&M 40-26 and Baylor 52-21) - no, it's not an AT&T ad, though I'd accept renumeration for furthering their ad concept. I know the Sooners beat the Tigers and thus should be billed ahead of them, but Missouri did beat Colorado, something Oklahoma couldn't do. So I'm calling it even for now, illogical or not. If nothing else, next week will break the tie.
Next opponents: at Kansas State [Missouri] and at Texas Tech [Oklahoma]
6. West Virginia (Idle) - still on track for a big conference title game against UConn, assuming they can do what the Huskies couldn't do and top the Bearcats on their field. UConn better not screw things up by losing to Syracuse.
Next opponent: at Cincinnati
7. Ohio State (lost to Illinois 21-28) - there are worse things than a loss to the Zookers. Losing this week at home, for example, and giving Lloyd Carr the retirement gift he'd most want.
Next opponent: Michigan
8. Arizona State (def. UCLA 24-20) - they get some time off to contemplate a game thick with Rose Bowl implications, should this Oregon-Arizona game keep going the way it is. This could be the only time all season that Sun Devils fans are rooting for the in-state rival.
Next opponent: Idle
9. Georgia (def. Auburn 45-20) - is there still a possibility that the SEC East could end in a four way tie? Because that would be awesome. Of course, things have to go south for the Bulldogs this week for that to happen, but Andre Woodson has a track record for that sort of thing.
Next opponent: Kentucky
10. Mississippi State (def. Alabama 17-12) - Sylvester Croom finally gets his team to break through, putting their second straight win over the Tide on the mantle with wins over Kentucky and Auburn. And they're bowl eligible, to boot. Congrats to one and all.
Next opponent: at Arkansas
109. Miami(lost to Virginia 0-48) - OK, you're 5-5, but you get blown out in the last game ever at the Orange Bowl? What the hell happened to you? I hated you at the height of your thuggery, but you guys are just sad now. Who'd have thought that the dud team in the ACC expansion would be you lot?
Next opponent: at Virginia Tech
13 November 2007
Book Log 2007 #50: The Making of a Chef by Michael Ruhlman
When we watch cooking shows at home, the wife will occasionally comment that I could cook like the folks on TV (this being before my recent demonstration of horrifically inadequate knife skills). I never had the same faith in my cooking ability, and after reading The Making of a Chef I'd say my skeptcism was justified.
In this book, author Michael Ruhlman enters the chef's training program at the Culinary Institute of America, and works his way from learning how to chop an onion to manning a station at the school's highest-profile restaurant. Along the way, we see not only the work that goes into passing this progrsm, but get insights as to why people go through this in the first place from his fellow students, instructors, and the CIA's president.
And that's where the major difference lies. I think I could, with the sort of practice gained by the repetition in the program, learn to properly make food. But it's the conversion to the chef's worldview that I would find difficult, the drive to work every day regardless of all the internal and external factors that slow down the rest of us - blizzards, illness, or even a self-inflicted gash.
The one thing the book clearly demonstrates is that what makes a chef isn't just learning the ingredients and techniques, but making the jump from someone who cooks to someone whose life is dedicated to the production of high quality food. Both are demonstrated in fine fashion in this book, which is a must-read for anyone who is into food.
When we watch cooking shows at home, the wife will occasionally comment that I could cook like the folks on TV (this being before my recent demonstration of horrifically inadequate knife skills). I never had the same faith in my cooking ability, and after reading The Making of a Chef I'd say my skeptcism was justified.
In this book, author Michael Ruhlman enters the chef's training program at the Culinary Institute of America, and works his way from learning how to chop an onion to manning a station at the school's highest-profile restaurant. Along the way, we see not only the work that goes into passing this progrsm, but get insights as to why people go through this in the first place from his fellow students, instructors, and the CIA's president.
And that's where the major difference lies. I think I could, with the sort of practice gained by the repetition in the program, learn to properly make food. But it's the conversion to the chef's worldview that I would find difficult, the drive to work every day regardless of all the internal and external factors that slow down the rest of us - blizzards, illness, or even a self-inflicted gash.
The one thing the book clearly demonstrates is that what makes a chef isn't just learning the ingredients and techniques, but making the jump from someone who cooks to someone whose life is dedicated to the production of high quality food. Both are demonstrated in fine fashion in this book, which is a must-read for anyone who is into food.
12 November 2007
For all you New Yorkers feeling a little blue given the way your little brother to the north is pushing you around in athletic pursuits, chin up. You at least get a visit from the Pope. And at 81, he still has a better arm than Damon.
08 November 2007
BLOGALICIOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP TEN-PLUS
1. Kansas(def. Nebraska 76-39) - You'd be excused if you thought this was an early season basketball score. I know Nebraska 2007 isn't like Nebraska 1997, but 76 is still a pretty impressive number to hang on the Cornhuskers. Giving up 39 is worrisome, though, especially in light of this week's opponent, who have proven that they can score.
Next opponent: at Oklahoma State
2. Ohio State (def. Wisconsin 38-17) - Kansas beat Toledo worse than Ohio State beat Akron, and Toldeo has one more win than Akron. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Not that it'll change the Buckeyes' death march to the BCS title game.
Next opponent: Illinois
3. LSU (def. Alabama 41-34) - nice road win, though the grumbles about all the close calls are starting to pick up. Expect that to be the cover when Ohio State and Kansas play for the national title while LSU guts some unlucky team in the Sugar Bowl.
Next opponent: Louisiana Tech
4. Oregon (def. Arizona State 35-23) - change of plans, Kansas plays Ohio State in the BCS title game while everyone gets the matchup they want when Oregon and LSU play in the Rose Bowl. Look for the Ducks to keep their end up this week.
Next opponent: at Arizona
5. Oklahoma (def. Texas A&M 42-14) - good win this week, now a bit of a breather against the Temple of the Big XII.
Next opponent: Baylor
6. West Virginia (Idle) - so much for a must-see match-up, though there's still ample room for the Mountaineers to slip up and miss their conference title game against UConn in a couple of weeks.
Next opponent: Louisville (10/8)
7. Missouri (def. Colorado 55-10) - Oklahoma loses to Colorado, Kansas squeaks by them, and Missouri blows them out. Remind me why I have them down here?
Next opponent: Texas A&M
8. Arizona State (lost to Oregon 35-23) - as predicted last week, UCLA lost to Arizona, so expect the Sun Devils to lose this game 55-12.
Next opponent: at UCLA
9. Navy (def. Notre Dame 46-44) - congrats on snapping the 43 game losing streak. If you didn't beat ND this year, you may never have beaten them again. Does this mean that Delaware could beat the Irish?
Next opponent: at North Texas
10. Florida State (def. Newton Klown Kollege 27-17) - Thank you.
Next opponent: at Virginia Tech
109. UTEP(lost to Rice 48-56) - I think the only way you give up 56 points to the Owls is to play defense with 9 guys. Awfully sporting of the Miners to do that, though it doesn't do much for your bowl eligibility.
Next opponent: at Tulane
1. Kansas(def. Nebraska 76-39) - You'd be excused if you thought this was an early season basketball score. I know Nebraska 2007 isn't like Nebraska 1997, but 76 is still a pretty impressive number to hang on the Cornhuskers. Giving up 39 is worrisome, though, especially in light of this week's opponent, who have proven that they can score.
Next opponent: at Oklahoma State
2. Ohio State (def. Wisconsin 38-17) - Kansas beat Toledo worse than Ohio State beat Akron, and Toldeo has one more win than Akron. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Not that it'll change the Buckeyes' death march to the BCS title game.
Next opponent: Illinois
3. LSU (def. Alabama 41-34) - nice road win, though the grumbles about all the close calls are starting to pick up. Expect that to be the cover when Ohio State and Kansas play for the national title while LSU guts some unlucky team in the Sugar Bowl.
Next opponent: Louisiana Tech
4. Oregon (def. Arizona State 35-23) - change of plans, Kansas plays Ohio State in the BCS title game while everyone gets the matchup they want when Oregon and LSU play in the Rose Bowl. Look for the Ducks to keep their end up this week.
Next opponent: at Arizona
5. Oklahoma (def. Texas A&M 42-14) - good win this week, now a bit of a breather against the Temple of the Big XII.
Next opponent: Baylor
6. West Virginia (Idle) - so much for a must-see match-up, though there's still ample room for the Mountaineers to slip up and miss their conference title game against UConn in a couple of weeks.
Next opponent: Louisville (10/8)
7. Missouri (def. Colorado 55-10) - Oklahoma loses to Colorado, Kansas squeaks by them, and Missouri blows them out. Remind me why I have them down here?
Next opponent: Texas A&M
8. Arizona State (lost to Oregon 35-23) - as predicted last week, UCLA lost to Arizona, so expect the Sun Devils to lose this game 55-12.
Next opponent: at UCLA
9. Navy (def. Notre Dame 46-44) - congrats on snapping the 43 game losing streak. If you didn't beat ND this year, you may never have beaten them again. Does this mean that Delaware could beat the Irish?
Next opponent: at North Texas
10. Florida State (def. Newton Klown Kollege 27-17) - Thank you.
Next opponent: at Virginia Tech
109. UTEP(lost to Rice 48-56) - I think the only way you give up 56 points to the Owls is to play defense with 9 guys. Awfully sporting of the Miners to do that, though it doesn't do much for your bowl eligibility.
Next opponent: at Tulane
06 November 2007
So the good news is that I'm now up to 1.5 hands, as I've had the splint off since Sunday and I've been able to reincorporate my non-filleted fingers into day to day tasks.
The bad news is that, at some point in the not too distant future, I'll be back down to one hand for at least a couple of weeks. This isn't too unexpected given the nature of the surgery, but what I didn't expect is that for those weeks, the repaired finger will have to be immobilized in a bent position so as not to place undue tension on the nerve, which could stretch it.
(I won't go into the details of the procedure, which at one point used terms like "zig zag stitch" and things that I'd rather not consider happening to my corpus.)
And after that I get to wait 6 to 8 months for the nerve to fully regrow. At which point the doctor I saw estimated I'd have 50 to 60 percent recovery of sensation. Which is enough for the important things, but not enough to get fine sensations. That's better than the ongoing numbness I have going on now, at least.
I'll find out my surgery date in the next couple of days. I'm hoping it'll land when we're closed for the holidays, as that would cause the least amount of disruption with work and other plans. It'd also give me an excuse to lay on the couch and watch bowl games. Not that I need one per se, but if I have one I'll take it.
The bad news is that, at some point in the not too distant future, I'll be back down to one hand for at least a couple of weeks. This isn't too unexpected given the nature of the surgery, but what I didn't expect is that for those weeks, the repaired finger will have to be immobilized in a bent position so as not to place undue tension on the nerve, which could stretch it.
(I won't go into the details of the procedure, which at one point used terms like "zig zag stitch" and things that I'd rather not consider happening to my corpus.)
And after that I get to wait 6 to 8 months for the nerve to fully regrow. At which point the doctor I saw estimated I'd have 50 to 60 percent recovery of sensation. Which is enough for the important things, but not enough to get fine sensations. That's better than the ongoing numbness I have going on now, at least.
I'll find out my surgery date in the next couple of days. I'm hoping it'll land when we're closed for the holidays, as that would cause the least amount of disruption with work and other plans. It'd also give me an excuse to lay on the couch and watch bowl games. Not that I need one per se, but if I have one I'll take it.
01 November 2007
BLOGALICIOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP TEN-PLUS
1. Ohio State (def. Penn State 37-17) - I should just accept that they'll be undefeated going into the Michigan game.
Next opponent: Wisconsin
2. LSU (Idle) - a win this week pretty much puts them in the SEC title game.
Next opponent: at Alabama
3. Oregon (def. USC 24-17) - now if only Dennis Dixon could get some more national air time for his Heisman campaign.
Next opponent: Arizona State
4. West Virginia (def. Rutgers 31-3) - a week off to ponder what we thought would be the game for the Big East title.
Next opponent: Idle
5. Kansas (def. Colorado 19-14) - I tried to come up with a US history related joke for this week's game. Be happy I didn't.
Next opponent: Nebraska
6. Arizona State (def. Cal 31-20) - assuming ASU's QB can throw, this should be fun to watch. Unless you live outside of the Pacific time zone; then you won't be able to see the game at all.
Next opponent: at Oregon
7. Oklahoma (Idle) - Lots of deep reds in Norman this Saturday. That's all I've got.
Texas A&M
8. Trinity University (Texas) (def. Millsaps College 28-24) - if you've not seen the winning score, watch this.
Next opponent: Centre College
9. Missouri (def. Iowa State 48-28) - I should probably have them higher, but their win last week didn't involve 15 laterals.
Next opponent: at Colorado
10. Connecticut (def. South Florida 22-15) - I couldn't bring myself to go to the 2 loss teams just yet. Of course, these guys may be one after this week.
Next opponent: Rutgers
109. UCLA(lost to Washington State 7-27) - OK, you're 5-3, but your losses? Unexplainable. I fully expect you to lose this week and then beat ASU by 40.
Next opponent: at Arizona
1. Ohio State (def. Penn State 37-17) - I should just accept that they'll be undefeated going into the Michigan game.
Next opponent: Wisconsin
2. LSU (Idle) - a win this week pretty much puts them in the SEC title game.
Next opponent: at Alabama
3. Oregon (def. USC 24-17) - now if only Dennis Dixon could get some more national air time for his Heisman campaign.
Next opponent: Arizona State
4. West Virginia (def. Rutgers 31-3) - a week off to ponder what we thought would be the game for the Big East title.
Next opponent: Idle
5. Kansas (def. Colorado 19-14) - I tried to come up with a US history related joke for this week's game. Be happy I didn't.
Next opponent: Nebraska
6. Arizona State (def. Cal 31-20) - assuming ASU's QB can throw, this should be fun to watch. Unless you live outside of the Pacific time zone; then you won't be able to see the game at all.
Next opponent: at Oregon
7. Oklahoma (Idle) - Lots of deep reds in Norman this Saturday. That's all I've got.
Texas A&M
8. Trinity University (Texas) (def. Millsaps College 28-24) - if you've not seen the winning score, watch this.
Next opponent: Centre College
9. Missouri (def. Iowa State 48-28) - I should probably have them higher, but their win last week didn't involve 15 laterals.
Next opponent: at Colorado
10. Connecticut (def. South Florida 22-15) - I couldn't bring myself to go to the 2 loss teams just yet. Of course, these guys may be one after this week.
Next opponent: Rutgers
109. UCLA(lost to Washington State 7-27) - OK, you're 5-3, but your losses? Unexplainable. I fully expect you to lose this week and then beat ASU by 40.
Next opponent: at Arizona
Book Log 2007 #49: The Edict by Bob Cupp
The year is 1457. A new game is sweeping Scotland: golf. The annual tournament is afoot, and a young shepherd is looking to finally take his place among the immortals who have previously taken the title. But can he survive a plot that seeks to keep him from winning at all costs? That's the premise of this historical novel (really a novella) by Cupp, who is a well-known course designer.
I can't say I was overly taken with the book. There's not as much suspense as you might expect from the set up, and the vast majority of the action takes place before the titular edict is enacted. The way the story unfolds is also a bit odd, as it shifts more than once into regular third person to a viewpoint that's more like narration.
All that being said, it may be worth a gander for golf fans.
The year is 1457. A new game is sweeping Scotland: golf. The annual tournament is afoot, and a young shepherd is looking to finally take his place among the immortals who have previously taken the title. But can he survive a plot that seeks to keep him from winning at all costs? That's the premise of this historical novel (really a novella) by Cupp, who is a well-known course designer.
I can't say I was overly taken with the book. There's not as much suspense as you might expect from the set up, and the vast majority of the action takes place before the titular edict is enacted. The way the story unfolds is also a bit odd, as it shifts more than once into regular third person to a viewpoint that's more like narration.
All that being said, it may be worth a gander for golf fans.
31 October 2007
A cooking tip for you all: if your serrated chef's knife gets stuck in a head of cabbage, work it out slowly and with your free hand nowhere near the knife. Otherwise, your free hand may later look like this:
I will say that this looks a lot better than it did about 22 hours ago. Eight stitches will do that. I managed to cut an artery and apparently a nerve, which will require some sort of microscope-assisted surgery. Fun times ahead.
Oh, and typing with one hand? Not as much fun as you might think.
I will say that this looks a lot better than it did about 22 hours ago. Eight stitches will do that. I managed to cut an artery and apparently a nerve, which will require some sort of microscope-assisted surgery. Fun times ahead.
Oh, and typing with one hand? Not as much fun as you might think.
29 October 2007
Notes on a weekend passed, which I will entitle "Of Course, I Saw the Losses in Person."
Thursday - Met the wife after work and got on the road. You can tell there was World Series madness in the air as there was an actual skywriter attempting to further thin the ozone layer with a "GO SOX" message. Only problem was that on the first pass, he drew the 'G' backwards.
We got roughly to Syracuse before stopping for the night, listening to Game 2 on the ESPN Radio affiliate out of Chicago. I've pulled in WFAN and WBAL here, though not with the sort of clarity that we were getting Thursday. We thank you, WMVP-AM, for your strong signal.
That being said, listening to Joe Morgan on the radio magnifies his inadequacy about a hundredfold. At least with TV there are the pictures and other distractions.
Friday - back on the road, and thankfully the WHTI passport rules haven't quite taken hold for driving into Canada yet, as I put mine through the wash when we got back from England. It's still perfectly legible, but I don't think I'd want to have it be the only thing between me and spending time in a Customs and Border Protection holding area.
It's also notable that we got through Ontario without the jack-booted thugs issuing us another speeding ticket.
Got into Livonia, Michigan at about mid-afternoon, at which point the wife had to do some work catch-up, scotching plans for dinner. We instead ate at the Red Robin across the street, as we'd never eaten at one and the chain was involved in a Top Chef challenge this season. I don't think the winning burger is on the menu, or they've changed it so significantly that it's unidentifiable. In any case, the food was fine but it's a loser on the value for cost principle.
Then it was off to the first of two BU-Michigan hockey games, complicated by getting lost, which I manage regularly when visting Ann Arbor. We parked downtown, leaving us a pretty significant walk to the rink. We did get to the game on time, and saw the team play better than they did against UNH, but still lose 4-2. The team still can't find the net with any regularity, and are now showing a tendency to allow odd man rushes. I hope that, by now, they realize that John Curry has graduated and will not be around to bail out sloppy defensive play.
We got a ride back to the car after the game (with thanks to Mike, who also gave us a nifty driving tour of Michigan's athletic facilities and a suggestion for parking on Saturday, important given that the hockey game was close after the Michigan-Minnesota football game).
No World Series game, so we pretty much packed it in when we got back to the hotel, though I stayed up for a while watching The Godfather.
Saturday - we slept in a bit, but eventually got over to The Henry Ford, the unusually-named historical attraction outside of Detroit whose showpiece is Greenfield Village. We didn't tour that given the rain, so we opted for the tour of Ford's Rouge assembly plant. Pretty interesting, though I'd have preferred more history about the plant. The most we got was on the "Battle of the Overpass" between union organizers and Ford security. We got to watch some assembly of F-150s, which was mostly people twiddling with hand tools. Though we did get to see robots put in windshields, which is less exciting than welding but still pretty neat to see.
Then it was back to the hotel and walk through the attached mall, which was too nice for us to buy more than a book and some ice cream. We napped, watched some football, got dinner, and headed back down to Yost.
And promptly got lost again. Turns out Ann Arbor has a Fifth Street and a Fifth Avenue, and we had directions for the wrong one. We eventually worked back to the road we'd missed the night before from our original directions, and got within three blocks of the rink, once again making it just in time for face-off.
We'd have been better off chucking the whole thing and seeing a movie, as Michigan scored in the first minute and never looked back, winning 6-2. I am not optimistic about the season, which is kind of sad given the healthy number of seniors on the team. Expect a quote from Jack about the team's lack of heart by the end of the year, earlier if they don't beat Cornell at Madison Square Garden over Thanksgiving weekend.
Sunday came early, as we were making the drive home in one shot. Nothing too amazing to report here, as we got through Ontario again without attracting enforcement from The Man. I did nearly get us impounded at the border when I misconstrued the CBP officer's question about where we came from as being general about the weekend, not specific about that morning. The glare he shot me was punishment enough.
We only caught the second half of the Pats game on the radio, as we couldn't pull it in until we were back in state. We ran across five different stations for Bills-Jets, which seems like at least four too many. I do wish I'd seen the Pats game, given the near-video game quality of the score. It's almost too bad we have to play the Colts next week, as if we had a more pliant opponent (let's say Atlanta), we'd likely put up 100.
Got home in time for the final game in the Series, though a poorly-placed nap led to some confusion when I saw the score was 4-3. There was a minimum of celebrating given the hour, so I was able to go to bed happy about the win and Mike Lowell's MVP nod (I chose not to consider free agency implications until today), and before A Rod decided all the attention on people who aren't him just wasn't acceptable. I look forward to seeing the last decade of his career unfold from San Francisco, where the fans are used to highly paid, prickly superstars on a megalomaniacal quest to break the home run record, even if it means very limited playoff appearances.
Thursday - Met the wife after work and got on the road. You can tell there was World Series madness in the air as there was an actual skywriter attempting to further thin the ozone layer with a "GO SOX" message. Only problem was that on the first pass, he drew the 'G' backwards.
We got roughly to Syracuse before stopping for the night, listening to Game 2 on the ESPN Radio affiliate out of Chicago. I've pulled in WFAN and WBAL here, though not with the sort of clarity that we were getting Thursday. We thank you, WMVP-AM, for your strong signal.
That being said, listening to Joe Morgan on the radio magnifies his inadequacy about a hundredfold. At least with TV there are the pictures and other distractions.
Friday - back on the road, and thankfully the WHTI passport rules haven't quite taken hold for driving into Canada yet, as I put mine through the wash when we got back from England. It's still perfectly legible, but I don't think I'd want to have it be the only thing between me and spending time in a Customs and Border Protection holding area.
It's also notable that we got through Ontario without the jack-booted thugs issuing us another speeding ticket.
Got into Livonia, Michigan at about mid-afternoon, at which point the wife had to do some work catch-up, scotching plans for dinner. We instead ate at the Red Robin across the street, as we'd never eaten at one and the chain was involved in a Top Chef challenge this season. I don't think the winning burger is on the menu, or they've changed it so significantly that it's unidentifiable. In any case, the food was fine but it's a loser on the value for cost principle.
Then it was off to the first of two BU-Michigan hockey games, complicated by getting lost, which I manage regularly when visting Ann Arbor. We parked downtown, leaving us a pretty significant walk to the rink. We did get to the game on time, and saw the team play better than they did against UNH, but still lose 4-2. The team still can't find the net with any regularity, and are now showing a tendency to allow odd man rushes. I hope that, by now, they realize that John Curry has graduated and will not be around to bail out sloppy defensive play.
We got a ride back to the car after the game (with thanks to Mike, who also gave us a nifty driving tour of Michigan's athletic facilities and a suggestion for parking on Saturday, important given that the hockey game was close after the Michigan-Minnesota football game).
No World Series game, so we pretty much packed it in when we got back to the hotel, though I stayed up for a while watching The Godfather.
Saturday - we slept in a bit, but eventually got over to The Henry Ford, the unusually-named historical attraction outside of Detroit whose showpiece is Greenfield Village. We didn't tour that given the rain, so we opted for the tour of Ford's Rouge assembly plant. Pretty interesting, though I'd have preferred more history about the plant. The most we got was on the "Battle of the Overpass" between union organizers and Ford security. We got to watch some assembly of F-150s, which was mostly people twiddling with hand tools. Though we did get to see robots put in windshields, which is less exciting than welding but still pretty neat to see.
Then it was back to the hotel and walk through the attached mall, which was too nice for us to buy more than a book and some ice cream. We napped, watched some football, got dinner, and headed back down to Yost.
And promptly got lost again. Turns out Ann Arbor has a Fifth Street and a Fifth Avenue, and we had directions for the wrong one. We eventually worked back to the road we'd missed the night before from our original directions, and got within three blocks of the rink, once again making it just in time for face-off.
We'd have been better off chucking the whole thing and seeing a movie, as Michigan scored in the first minute and never looked back, winning 6-2. I am not optimistic about the season, which is kind of sad given the healthy number of seniors on the team. Expect a quote from Jack about the team's lack of heart by the end of the year, earlier if they don't beat Cornell at Madison Square Garden over Thanksgiving weekend.
Sunday came early, as we were making the drive home in one shot. Nothing too amazing to report here, as we got through Ontario again without attracting enforcement from The Man. I did nearly get us impounded at the border when I misconstrued the CBP officer's question about where we came from as being general about the weekend, not specific about that morning. The glare he shot me was punishment enough.
We only caught the second half of the Pats game on the radio, as we couldn't pull it in until we were back in state. We ran across five different stations for Bills-Jets, which seems like at least four too many. I do wish I'd seen the Pats game, given the near-video game quality of the score. It's almost too bad we have to play the Colts next week, as if we had a more pliant opponent (let's say Atlanta), we'd likely put up 100.
Got home in time for the final game in the Series, though a poorly-placed nap led to some confusion when I saw the score was 4-3. There was a minimum of celebrating given the hour, so I was able to go to bed happy about the win and Mike Lowell's MVP nod (I chose not to consider free agency implications until today), and before A Rod decided all the attention on people who aren't him just wasn't acceptable. I look forward to seeing the last decade of his career unfold from San Francisco, where the fans are used to highly paid, prickly superstars on a megalomaniacal quest to break the home run record, even if it means very limited playoff appearances.
25 October 2007
This email from the MBTA just crossed by inbox:
Dear MBTA Customer:
Thank you for taking the time to let us know your thoughts on T-Radio. As we stated at the launch of this pilot test, MBTA riders would determine the fate of T-Radio. We have heard from a number of riders on a wide range of issues including the content and style.
Consequently, as of Thursday, October 25th, T-Radio will be suspended. While it is suspended, personnel from the MBTA and Pyramid Radio (the operator of the pilot program) will review and discuss the hundreds of emails received. Following a sufficient period of consideration, MBTA staff will present a recommendation on how the comments and suggestions might be addressed and whether a resumption of the pilot program is advised.
As always, we will continue to try and make your commute better through various means, and always ask for your feedback.
Thank you again for taking the time to write and have your voice heard. Its appreciated.
The quiet at North Station this morning was actually the sound of victory, for now at least.
Dear MBTA Customer:
Thank you for taking the time to let us know your thoughts on T-Radio. As we stated at the launch of this pilot test, MBTA riders would determine the fate of T-Radio. We have heard from a number of riders on a wide range of issues including the content and style.
Consequently, as of Thursday, October 25th, T-Radio will be suspended. While it is suspended, personnel from the MBTA and Pyramid Radio (the operator of the pilot program) will review and discuss the hundreds of emails received. Following a sufficient period of consideration, MBTA staff will present a recommendation on how the comments and suggestions might be addressed and whether a resumption of the pilot program is advised.
As always, we will continue to try and make your commute better through various means, and always ask for your feedback.
Thank you again for taking the time to write and have your voice heard. Its appreciated.
The quiet at North Station this morning was actually the sound of victory, for now at least.
BLOGALICIOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP TEN-PLUS
1. Ohio State (def. Michigan State 24-17) - this still feels fraudulent to me, so I sought out some "objective" ranking information. A straight RPI has Ohio State at number one, while the Sagarin ranking has them third. Of course, they also have Kansas second. So I suppose I'll remain part of the charade, at least for another week.
Next opponent: at Penn State
2. LSU (def. Auburn 30-24) - the only member of the SEC circle of death to win last week, so they get a reward. I look forward to their stomping of the Buckeyes in the BCS title game.
Next opponent: Idle
3. Oregon (def. Washington 55-34) - the loss to Cal takes some of the sheen off of this week's game (though perhaps not as much as if they'd lost to, say, Stanford). As with any games that hype a top offense against a top defense, it'll be the other side of the coin - the Ducks' D against the Trojan offense - that'll decide things.
Next opponent: USC
4. West Virginia (def. Mississippi State 38-13) - it still feels odd to put "key conference matchup" and "Rutgers" in the same sentence. Then again, the other key conference matchup is UConn and South Florida. Madness!
Next opponent: at Rutgers
5. Kansas (def. Colorado 19-14) - good win on the road, but College Station just seems like that much more of a hostile environment that Boulder, even if it is much closer to sea level. I can't see the Jayhawks pulling this out, but A&M is inconsistent enough to keep the door open for a KU win.
Next opponent: at Texas A&M
6. Oklahoma (def. Iowa State 17-7) - be happy I didn't drop you completely after such a lackluster performance. Take your week off and think about what you did.
Next opponent: Idle
7. Arizona State (idle) - speaking of likely frauds, the Sun Devils start their two-part exam to prove themselves this week. Luckily for them, the first part is a take-home, albeit against a team that has to be looking to take last week out on someone.
Next opponent: Cal
8. Virginia Tech (idle) - you know what needs to be done. Now please do it.
Next opponent: Chestnut Hill Barber College (10/25)
9. Missouri (def. Texas Tech 41-10) - holding the Red Raiders to 10 points is an accomplishment, especially as the lowest point total for them prior to this was 35. They've still got a ways to go, but I like the odds of a rematch with Oklahoma in the Big XII title game. This week should get them on their way. Of course, you would have thought the same thing last week for the Sooners.
Next opponent: Iowa State
10. North Dakota State (def. Minnesota 27-21) - I know it's no great shakes to beat the Gophers this year, but for a program that's in the middle of a transition from Divison II, it's well worth celebrating. Shame they're ineligible for the 1AA playoffs this year (part of the transition process, apparently).
Next opponent: Southern Utah
109. Minnesota (lost to North Dakota State 21-27) - didn't you used to not suck?
Next opponent: at Michigan
1. Ohio State (def. Michigan State 24-17) - this still feels fraudulent to me, so I sought out some "objective" ranking information. A straight RPI has Ohio State at number one, while the Sagarin ranking has them third. Of course, they also have Kansas second. So I suppose I'll remain part of the charade, at least for another week.
Next opponent: at Penn State
2. LSU (def. Auburn 30-24) - the only member of the SEC circle of death to win last week, so they get a reward. I look forward to their stomping of the Buckeyes in the BCS title game.
Next opponent: Idle
3. Oregon (def. Washington 55-34) - the loss to Cal takes some of the sheen off of this week's game (though perhaps not as much as if they'd lost to, say, Stanford). As with any games that hype a top offense against a top defense, it'll be the other side of the coin - the Ducks' D against the Trojan offense - that'll decide things.
Next opponent: USC
4. West Virginia (def. Mississippi State 38-13) - it still feels odd to put "key conference matchup" and "Rutgers" in the same sentence. Then again, the other key conference matchup is UConn and South Florida. Madness!
Next opponent: at Rutgers
5. Kansas (def. Colorado 19-14) - good win on the road, but College Station just seems like that much more of a hostile environment that Boulder, even if it is much closer to sea level. I can't see the Jayhawks pulling this out, but A&M is inconsistent enough to keep the door open for a KU win.
Next opponent: at Texas A&M
6. Oklahoma (def. Iowa State 17-7) - be happy I didn't drop you completely after such a lackluster performance. Take your week off and think about what you did.
Next opponent: Idle
7. Arizona State (idle) - speaking of likely frauds, the Sun Devils start their two-part exam to prove themselves this week. Luckily for them, the first part is a take-home, albeit against a team that has to be looking to take last week out on someone.
Next opponent: Cal
8. Virginia Tech (idle) - you know what needs to be done. Now please do it.
Next opponent: Chestnut Hill Barber College (10/25)
9. Missouri (def. Texas Tech 41-10) - holding the Red Raiders to 10 points is an accomplishment, especially as the lowest point total for them prior to this was 35. They've still got a ways to go, but I like the odds of a rematch with Oklahoma in the Big XII title game. This week should get them on their way. Of course, you would have thought the same thing last week for the Sooners.
Next opponent: Iowa State
10. North Dakota State (def. Minnesota 27-21) - I know it's no great shakes to beat the Gophers this year, but for a program that's in the middle of a transition from Divison II, it's well worth celebrating. Shame they're ineligible for the 1AA playoffs this year (part of the transition process, apparently).
Next opponent: Southern Utah
109. Minnesota (lost to North Dakota State 21-27) - didn't you used to not suck?
Next opponent: at Michigan
24 October 2007
23 October 2007
18 October 2007
THE BLOGALICIOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP TEN-PLUS
1. South Florida (def. Central Florida 64-12) - out of the remaining undefeated teams, they've played the toughest schedule, which is kind of sad, when you consider that schedule includes Elon and Florida Atlantic (who are no Florida International, but still). They've got the biggest test for undefeated teams this week, too. Which is also kind of sad.
Next opponent: at Rutgers (10/18)
2. Ohio State (def. Kent State 48-3) - the Buckeyes now face Massilon High School for the Ohio state title. But first they have to play a Spartan team that's gone 5-2 against teams that look impressive - Pitt, Notre Dame - but really aren't this year.
Next opponent: Michigan State
3-5. LSU, South Carolina, and Kentucky (Kentucky def. LSU 43-37; South Carolina def. UNC 21-15) - Circle of Death, football version. Kentucky beat LSU who beat South Carolina who beat Kentucky. Going to point differential, LSU is third, South Carolina fourth, and Kentucky fifth. But feel free to mix and match any way you see fit.
Next opponents: Auburn (LSU), Vanderbilt (South Carolina), Florida (Kentucky)
6. Oklahoma (def. Missouri 41-31) - now they get a month off before having to go to Texas Tech for the right to play in the Big XII title game. That the opponent may well be decided by this weekend's Colorado-Kansas game. I can't believe I just typed that.
Next opponent: at Iowa State
7. West Virginia (idle) - Syracuse, a week off, and then a game against Mississippi State. That's a schedule Ohio State could love, but only if the schools moved to Solon and Shaker Heights.
Next opponent: Mississippi State
8. Arizona State (def. Washington 44-20) - they're the only undefeated team in the Pac-10, and if the league is supposed to be that good this year it makes sense to rank the Sun Devils. They do have the killer stretch of their schedule over the next four weeks, but at least they have a week to bask in their appearance here without fear.
Next opponent: Idle
9. Kansas (def. Baylor 58-10) - whipping Baylor is a good way to look like you belong in the top 10. Then again, any team that's bowl eligible should be able to whip Baylor. The Jayhawks can answer at least some of the questions about their legitimacy with a win this weekend.
Next opponent: at Colorado
10. Boise State (def. Nevada 69-67) - Ian Johnson drained a 12 foot jumper at the buzzer to give the Broncos the win.
Next opponent: at Louisiana Tech
109. Rice (lost to Houston 56-48) - the Owls certainly deserve to be here, with a 1-5 record most recently marred by blowing a 13 point lead to the Cougars. But my motives aren't exactly pure here. A couple of weeks ago I had Buffalo here and openly questioned their move to divison I. They've responded with wins over Ohio and Toledo. Admittedly, not the toughest competition, but they kind of are to Buffalo.
I have Rice in a college football fantasy league, and need them to start scoring some points. So I'm hoping the shame of being here will get them into the win column. It doesn't hurt that among their remaining opponents are Marshall, Tulane, SMU, and this week's foe.
Next opponent: Memphis
1. South Florida (def. Central Florida 64-12) - out of the remaining undefeated teams, they've played the toughest schedule, which is kind of sad, when you consider that schedule includes Elon and Florida Atlantic (who are no Florida International, but still). They've got the biggest test for undefeated teams this week, too. Which is also kind of sad.
Next opponent: at Rutgers (10/18)
2. Ohio State (def. Kent State 48-3) - the Buckeyes now face Massilon High School for the Ohio state title. But first they have to play a Spartan team that's gone 5-2 against teams that look impressive - Pitt, Notre Dame - but really aren't this year.
Next opponent: Michigan State
3-5. LSU, South Carolina, and Kentucky (Kentucky def. LSU 43-37; South Carolina def. UNC 21-15) - Circle of Death, football version. Kentucky beat LSU who beat South Carolina who beat Kentucky. Going to point differential, LSU is third, South Carolina fourth, and Kentucky fifth. But feel free to mix and match any way you see fit.
Next opponents: Auburn (LSU), Vanderbilt (South Carolina), Florida (Kentucky)
6. Oklahoma (def. Missouri 41-31) - now they get a month off before having to go to Texas Tech for the right to play in the Big XII title game. That the opponent may well be decided by this weekend's Colorado-Kansas game. I can't believe I just typed that.
Next opponent: at Iowa State
7. West Virginia (idle) - Syracuse, a week off, and then a game against Mississippi State. That's a schedule Ohio State could love, but only if the schools moved to Solon and Shaker Heights.
Next opponent: Mississippi State
8. Arizona State (def. Washington 44-20) - they're the only undefeated team in the Pac-10, and if the league is supposed to be that good this year it makes sense to rank the Sun Devils. They do have the killer stretch of their schedule over the next four weeks, but at least they have a week to bask in their appearance here without fear.
Next opponent: Idle
9. Kansas (def. Baylor 58-10) - whipping Baylor is a good way to look like you belong in the top 10. Then again, any team that's bowl eligible should be able to whip Baylor. The Jayhawks can answer at least some of the questions about their legitimacy with a win this weekend.
Next opponent: at Colorado
10. Boise State (def. Nevada 69-67) - Ian Johnson drained a 12 foot jumper at the buzzer to give the Broncos the win.
Next opponent: at Louisiana Tech
109. Rice (lost to Houston 56-48) - the Owls certainly deserve to be here, with a 1-5 record most recently marred by blowing a 13 point lead to the Cougars. But my motives aren't exactly pure here. A couple of weeks ago I had Buffalo here and openly questioned their move to divison I. They've responded with wins over Ohio and Toledo. Admittedly, not the toughest competition, but they kind of are to Buffalo.
I have Rice in a college football fantasy league, and need them to start scoring some points. So I'm hoping the shame of being here will get them into the win column. It doesn't hurt that among their remaining opponents are Marshall, Tulane, SMU, and this week's foe.
Next opponent: Memphis
15 October 2007
Book Log 2007 #46, 47, and 48: The Hidden Assassins, The Blind Man of Seville, and The Vanished Hands, by Robert Wilson
I'd really liked the two books by Wilson that I'd previously read, so I was very happy to see a new book, The Hidden Assassins, appear at my local library.
It wasn't too far into the book that I started feeling that I was missing something. References to other cases and other characters were assuming that I knew about them, as there was little to no exposition to put them in context. But I kept reading, as I was enjoying the book quite a bit.
Of course, after I was done I did some checking and learned that I had actually read the third book in a series about Seville homicide detective Javier Falcon. So I went back and read the other two. Unlike some mystery series, it will be very helpful if you read these in order (The Blind Man of Seville, The Vanished Hands, and then The Hidden Assassins).
Falcon is one of the more interesting detectives to come along, and his personal history is as important in these books as the homicides he investigates. There is also an ongoing theme of life in a post-9/11 world, but I'm not sure I'm crazy about how that played out in the third book.
I very highly recommend the entire series.
I'd really liked the two books by Wilson that I'd previously read, so I was very happy to see a new book, The Hidden Assassins, appear at my local library.
It wasn't too far into the book that I started feeling that I was missing something. References to other cases and other characters were assuming that I knew about them, as there was little to no exposition to put them in context. But I kept reading, as I was enjoying the book quite a bit.
Of course, after I was done I did some checking and learned that I had actually read the third book in a series about Seville homicide detective Javier Falcon. So I went back and read the other two. Unlike some mystery series, it will be very helpful if you read these in order (The Blind Man of Seville, The Vanished Hands, and then The Hidden Assassins).
Falcon is one of the more interesting detectives to come along, and his personal history is as important in these books as the homicides he investigates. There is also an ongoing theme of life in a post-9/11 world, but I'm not sure I'm crazy about how that played out in the third book.
I very highly recommend the entire series.
Book Log 2007 #45: The Mind of Bill James by Scott Gray
I'm pretty conflicted about this book, as I liked a fair amount of what it covers about James's life and work, but it doesn't feel particularly whole to me. I can't quite put my finger on why.
I actually went and read some of the Amazon.com customer reviews to try to jog my memory, and I think (for once) they may have something. Each of the three "most helpful" reviews point to a lack of context. James is quoted at length, but there's not much discussion with anyone who isn't connected to James. They also point to a lack of explanation as to what he actually does. For example, Win Shares are mentioned, but not really explained.
So I guess my feeling about this book comes from it not really showing how, or even if, James has changed baseball. There should have been a chance here to give people more of an idea of what James has done and its impact on baseball. Instead, this book is a missed opportunity.
I'm pretty conflicted about this book, as I liked a fair amount of what it covers about James's life and work, but it doesn't feel particularly whole to me. I can't quite put my finger on why.
I actually went and read some of the Amazon.com customer reviews to try to jog my memory, and I think (for once) they may have something. Each of the three "most helpful" reviews point to a lack of context. James is quoted at length, but there's not much discussion with anyone who isn't connected to James. They also point to a lack of explanation as to what he actually does. For example, Win Shares are mentioned, but not really explained.
So I guess my feeling about this book comes from it not really showing how, or even if, James has changed baseball. There should have been a chance here to give people more of an idea of what James has done and its impact on baseball. Instead, this book is a missed opportunity.
12 October 2007
I was pretty surprised yesterday morning when, waiting for the Green Line at North Station, I found myself assaulted by the end of one of those slower Maroon 5 songs that was horribly overplayed and overused in movie trailers. Given that we've kind of moved beyond the days of the boom box, it took me a minute to figure out that the music was coming from the station's loudspeakers.
Turns out I had stumbled into the first day of T-Radio, a pilot program of what the press release calls "an expertly programmed radio format where informative news, entertainment and safety announcements are seamlessly integrated with music to appeal to Boston’s multi-cultural T-rider demographics."
Let's unpack that, shall we?
an expertly programmed radio format - I didn't know that radio for subway platforms was its own format. Are there Arbitron numbers for it?
informative news, entertainment and safety announcements - in the time I was on the platform I heard no news. The 'entertainment' consisted of the sort of funny facts you'd find on a fact a day calendar that you get in your office's holiday swap. There was one announcement, but it was just one of the "See Something, Say Something" spots that remind us that a slogan is the T's best defense against terrorism.
For what it's worth, the most interesting thing I heard from the non-musical programming was that Pope John Paul II was named an honorary Harlem Globetrotter in 2000. I assume it went something like the dream in Fletch where the Pope's height is given with and without mitre.
seamlessly integrated - OK, there were no gaps of dead air or anything, but I figure anyone with basic radio training should be able to do this.
music to appeal to Boston's multi-cultural T-rider demographics - the T is a bit of a melting pot, so this actually makes sense. I am not sure if all the ingredients in the pot will find appeal from Maroon 5, Augustana, and Edwin McCain. Clearly, we're a bechamel rather than a demi glace.
The one thing I can say in the positive about T-Radio is that everyone could hear it. It was obtrusively loud, much too loud for me at 7:45 in the morning. I'm assuming there were complaints, as today I couldn't hear it on the platform at all. I could hear it in the walkway under Causeway Street, but that's about it.
There's an emphasis on the non-musical portions of the broadcast, which is interesting given that I've heard almost nothing that wasn't music. I'm also wondering how I'm going to hear much of the programming unless I'm waiting an inordinate amount of time for a train. This will probably work better at the Airport stop than North and South Stations (the only places getting T-Radio right now).
The kicker is that this new service rolled out the same day I got stuck in the tunnel between Park Street and Boylston for about 15 minutes. I was late to work, but at least I could think about the Pope being the Clown Vicar of Basketball.
Turns out I had stumbled into the first day of T-Radio, a pilot program of what the press release calls "an expertly programmed radio format where informative news, entertainment and safety announcements are seamlessly integrated with music to appeal to Boston’s multi-cultural T-rider demographics."
Let's unpack that, shall we?
an expertly programmed radio format - I didn't know that radio for subway platforms was its own format. Are there Arbitron numbers for it?
informative news, entertainment and safety announcements - in the time I was on the platform I heard no news. The 'entertainment' consisted of the sort of funny facts you'd find on a fact a day calendar that you get in your office's holiday swap. There was one announcement, but it was just one of the "See Something, Say Something" spots that remind us that a slogan is the T's best defense against terrorism.
For what it's worth, the most interesting thing I heard from the non-musical programming was that Pope John Paul II was named an honorary Harlem Globetrotter in 2000. I assume it went something like the dream in Fletch where the Pope's height is given with and without mitre.
seamlessly integrated - OK, there were no gaps of dead air or anything, but I figure anyone with basic radio training should be able to do this.
music to appeal to Boston's multi-cultural T-rider demographics - the T is a bit of a melting pot, so this actually makes sense. I am not sure if all the ingredients in the pot will find appeal from Maroon 5, Augustana, and Edwin McCain. Clearly, we're a bechamel rather than a demi glace.
The one thing I can say in the positive about T-Radio is that everyone could hear it. It was obtrusively loud, much too loud for me at 7:45 in the morning. I'm assuming there were complaints, as today I couldn't hear it on the platform at all. I could hear it in the walkway under Causeway Street, but that's about it.
There's an emphasis on the non-musical portions of the broadcast, which is interesting given that I've heard almost nothing that wasn't music. I'm also wondering how I'm going to hear much of the programming unless I'm waiting an inordinate amount of time for a train. This will probably work better at the Airport stop than North and South Stations (the only places getting T-Radio right now).
The kicker is that this new service rolled out the same day I got stuck in the tunnel between Park Street and Boylston for about 15 minutes. I was late to work, but at least I could think about the Pope being the Clown Vicar of Basketball.
11 October 2007
THE BLOGALICIOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP TEN-PLUS
1. LSU (def. Florida 28-24) - a close call in Death Valley, and while the defense managed to contain Tim Tebow, the most telling stat to me was LSU converting on all five of their fourth down plays. Now they just have to see if they can contain Andre Woodson at home.
Next opponent: at Kentucky
2. California (idle) - is picking last week for an off week an example of intangibles? A good week to bask in their lofty perch before a couple of interesting weeks on the road, though they may not want to be too complacent. The Beavers have won in Berkeley on each of their last three trips to town.
Next opponent: Oregon State
3. Ohio State (def. Purdue 23-7) - a win over an undefeated team is nice, but Purdue's clean slate was built on a pretty shaky foundation. Not sure if it's good or bad that OSU's schedule is so back-loaded. Good for now, I guess, as this week should serve up another solidly-played, but not particularly telling, win.
Next opponent: Kent State
4. South Florida (def. Florida Atlantic 35-23) - OK, FAU isn't that bad this season, but that's still a bit too close for a team looking to be one of the elite. Especially now that marquee match-ups with Rutgers and Louisville have lost their luster with those teams dropping out of the national rankings. A good win over a team that gave Texas a scare would help.
Next opponent: Central Florida
5. South Carolina (def. Kentucky 38-23) - good win over a nationally-ranked opponent, the second one of the season for the Gamecocks. They actually get a couple of weeks where they don't have to play a nationally-ranked team, which will be a nice break.
Next opponent: at North Carolina
6. Oklahoma (def. Texas 28-21) - winning the Red River Shootout is always a feather in one's cap, and a nice way to bounce back from their surprising loss to Colorado. If they can get past this week they've got an excellent shot at running the table, though the game at Texas Tech will be interesting.
Next opponent: Missouri
7. Missouri (def. Nebraska 41-6) - a statement game for the Tigers, who needed some street cred given their other opponents. They haven't fared well against ranked teams, or Oklahoma in general (having only won once in their last 17 meetings), so a victory here would be an additional turning point.
Next opponent: at Oklahoma
8. West Virginia (def. Syracuse 55-14) - this just makes the Orangemen's win over Louisville look that much more bizarre. A costly win given Pat White's injury, though if you're going to get injured this is a good time to do it. He just needs to get healthy for the game at Rutgers at the end of the month.
Next opponent: Idle
9. Illinois (def. Wisconsin 31-26) - it's been a good three weeks for the Illini. They gave Indian their only loss to date, and then knocked off nationally-ranked Penn State and Wisconsin. Those of you who are not including Rashard Mendenall in Heisman consideration may want to start now. Or perhaps on Sunday, as he may put up some gaudy numbers on Saturday.
Next opponent: at Iowa
10. Chadron State (def. Western New Mexico 21-0) - not only did this win keep the Eagles perfect on the season, it saw Danny Woodhead become the NCAA all-divisions career rushing leader. He broke the mark of 7,353 yards set by R. J. Bowers of Grove City College over the 1997 to 2000 seasons. Woodhead's total now stands at 7,411, and with five games to play in the regular season he seems in good shape to top 8,000.
Next opponent: Fort Lewis
109. USC (lost to Stanford 24-23) - dude, you lost to Stanford. Stanford.
Next opponent: Arizona
1. LSU (def. Florida 28-24) - a close call in Death Valley, and while the defense managed to contain Tim Tebow, the most telling stat to me was LSU converting on all five of their fourth down plays. Now they just have to see if they can contain Andre Woodson at home.
Next opponent: at Kentucky
2. California (idle) - is picking last week for an off week an example of intangibles? A good week to bask in their lofty perch before a couple of interesting weeks on the road, though they may not want to be too complacent. The Beavers have won in Berkeley on each of their last three trips to town.
Next opponent: Oregon State
3. Ohio State (def. Purdue 23-7) - a win over an undefeated team is nice, but Purdue's clean slate was built on a pretty shaky foundation. Not sure if it's good or bad that OSU's schedule is so back-loaded. Good for now, I guess, as this week should serve up another solidly-played, but not particularly telling, win.
Next opponent: Kent State
4. South Florida (def. Florida Atlantic 35-23) - OK, FAU isn't that bad this season, but that's still a bit too close for a team looking to be one of the elite. Especially now that marquee match-ups with Rutgers and Louisville have lost their luster with those teams dropping out of the national rankings. A good win over a team that gave Texas a scare would help.
Next opponent: Central Florida
5. South Carolina (def. Kentucky 38-23) - good win over a nationally-ranked opponent, the second one of the season for the Gamecocks. They actually get a couple of weeks where they don't have to play a nationally-ranked team, which will be a nice break.
Next opponent: at North Carolina
6. Oklahoma (def. Texas 28-21) - winning the Red River Shootout is always a feather in one's cap, and a nice way to bounce back from their surprising loss to Colorado. If they can get past this week they've got an excellent shot at running the table, though the game at Texas Tech will be interesting.
Next opponent: Missouri
7. Missouri (def. Nebraska 41-6) - a statement game for the Tigers, who needed some street cred given their other opponents. They haven't fared well against ranked teams, or Oklahoma in general (having only won once in their last 17 meetings), so a victory here would be an additional turning point.
Next opponent: at Oklahoma
8. West Virginia (def. Syracuse 55-14) - this just makes the Orangemen's win over Louisville look that much more bizarre. A costly win given Pat White's injury, though if you're going to get injured this is a good time to do it. He just needs to get healthy for the game at Rutgers at the end of the month.
Next opponent: Idle
9. Illinois (def. Wisconsin 31-26) - it's been a good three weeks for the Illini. They gave Indian their only loss to date, and then knocked off nationally-ranked Penn State and Wisconsin. Those of you who are not including Rashard Mendenall in Heisman consideration may want to start now. Or perhaps on Sunday, as he may put up some gaudy numbers on Saturday.
Next opponent: at Iowa
10. Chadron State (def. Western New Mexico 21-0) - not only did this win keep the Eagles perfect on the season, it saw Danny Woodhead become the NCAA all-divisions career rushing leader. He broke the mark of 7,353 yards set by R. J. Bowers of Grove City College over the 1997 to 2000 seasons. Woodhead's total now stands at 7,411, and with five games to play in the regular season he seems in good shape to top 8,000.
Next opponent: Fort Lewis
109. USC (lost to Stanford 24-23) - dude, you lost to Stanford. Stanford.
Next opponent: Arizona
10 October 2007
Book Log 2007 #44: A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
Before we went Under the Tuscan Sun and everywhere after, Mayle and his wife moved from England to Provence, with plans to restore a house and enjoy village life in France. This book chronicles their acclamation to their new life, both the positive (great summers and food) and negative (the mistral and tradespeople with an even more expansive idea of time than their American counterparts).
For the most part its an amusing tale, though with the explosion in travel writing of this nature many of the themes (amusing locals, byzantine bureaucracy, etc.) a little too familiar. Still, it's an enjoyable introduction to one man's adventures in Provence.
Before we went Under the Tuscan Sun and everywhere after, Mayle and his wife moved from England to Provence, with plans to restore a house and enjoy village life in France. This book chronicles their acclamation to their new life, both the positive (great summers and food) and negative (the mistral and tradespeople with an even more expansive idea of time than their American counterparts).
For the most part its an amusing tale, though with the explosion in travel writing of this nature many of the themes (amusing locals, byzantine bureaucracy, etc.) a little too familiar. Still, it's an enjoyable introduction to one man's adventures in Provence.
Book Log 2007 #43: In At the Death by Harry Turtledove
The last book in the Settling Account series of Turtledove's alternative history of the US, the war between the US and Confederates (and, by extension, Germany versus everyone else in Europe) comes to a close. Both sides comes to grips with the new political reality and the aftermath of the CSA's "population reduction" program for current and former slaves.
It's another solid entry in the series, as most of the characters are given a chance to return home or otherwise tie up the loose ends in their plot line. Even with that, there is some room for the series to continue, given the number of discussions between characters about possible war between the US and Germany. Given that the two have been allies throughout the series, it's hard to think why this would be so much of a concern unless we're being set up for something down the road.
The last book in the Settling Account series of Turtledove's alternative history of the US, the war between the US and Confederates (and, by extension, Germany versus everyone else in Europe) comes to a close. Both sides comes to grips with the new political reality and the aftermath of the CSA's "population reduction" program for current and former slaves.
It's another solid entry in the series, as most of the characters are given a chance to return home or otherwise tie up the loose ends in their plot line. Even with that, there is some room for the series to continue, given the number of discussions between characters about possible war between the US and Germany. Given that the two have been allies throughout the series, it's hard to think why this would be so much of a concern unless we're being set up for something down the road.
Book Log 2007 #42: The Mosaic Crimes by Giulio Leoni
You may know Dante best for his poetry, but this book introduces us to Dante the detective, as he is pressed into service to solve a murder while serving as a civil official in Florence. The killing of a master mosaicist points to a greater concern involving the Pope and the influence of Rome over Florence, which is undergoing turmoil thanks to the dispute between the Guelphs and the Ghibelines. And, of course, the Templars may be involved, too.
Can't say I was overly impressed with the book, which to me came off a bit as Umberto Eco lite. I think part of the problem is that there is some assumption that the reader is familiar with Florentine history and the Guelph-Ghibeline conflict in particular. You can read the book without such knowledge, but I don't think I got as much out of this subplot as I may have otherwise.
It's too bad, too, as this seems like fertile ground for any historical fiction.
You may know Dante best for his poetry, but this book introduces us to Dante the detective, as he is pressed into service to solve a murder while serving as a civil official in Florence. The killing of a master mosaicist points to a greater concern involving the Pope and the influence of Rome over Florence, which is undergoing turmoil thanks to the dispute between the Guelphs and the Ghibelines. And, of course, the Templars may be involved, too.
Can't say I was overly impressed with the book, which to me came off a bit as Umberto Eco lite. I think part of the problem is that there is some assumption that the reader is familiar with Florentine history and the Guelph-Ghibeline conflict in particular. You can read the book without such knowledge, but I don't think I got as much out of this subplot as I may have otherwise.
It's too bad, too, as this seems like fertile ground for any historical fiction.
07 October 2007
While nowhere near the most exciting thing to come from China this year, I did get something from that country that I'd been looking forward to: my new MacBook. I was eligible for a no-interest computer loan from work, and given that my iMac is about seven years old, it seemed like a good time to upgrade. I'd toyed with the idea of moving over to a PC, but the nearly 20 years I've used a Mac won out. Going with a laptop made some sense given that the wife already has a desktop, and the added mobility would allow me to do things like blog while watching TV. Which I'm not doing now. Not at all. Honest.
It was kind of an interesting culture clash when I went to the Apple Store to buy the thing, as work required a quote so they could cut a check, but the Apple Store doesn't take checks for what was an on-line purchase thanks to a hard drive upgrade I was looking to do. A manager came up with the work-around - use the check to buy a gift card and use that to pay for the computer - and after a 12 minute delay when they had to call in and verify the check, the purchase was made.
Apparently the hard drive work was done in China, as when I went to track the shipment I found that it had started there and the went to Anchorage, Indianapolis, and Boston before getting on a truck in Peabody and winding up here. Total time in transit was less than a day.
So far so good with the new machine, trying to become more familiar with the iLife software so I can goof off more effectively. I'm also trying to figure out how to get these new Intel machines to run stuff from the Classic environment. I did find a decent web site with instructions, but I'm clearly not doing something right. I'll get it sorted out just in time to find out that there's a one step Classic emulator out there.
Now we just need folks like Blogger to support the Mac environment better. There are several buttons I get when blogging on a PC that I don't get here. I'd rather not have to keep hand-tagging links.
It was kind of an interesting culture clash when I went to the Apple Store to buy the thing, as work required a quote so they could cut a check, but the Apple Store doesn't take checks for what was an on-line purchase thanks to a hard drive upgrade I was looking to do. A manager came up with the work-around - use the check to buy a gift card and use that to pay for the computer - and after a 12 minute delay when they had to call in and verify the check, the purchase was made.
Apparently the hard drive work was done in China, as when I went to track the shipment I found that it had started there and the went to Anchorage, Indianapolis, and Boston before getting on a truck in Peabody and winding up here. Total time in transit was less than a day.
So far so good with the new machine, trying to become more familiar with the iLife software so I can goof off more effectively. I'm also trying to figure out how to get these new Intel machines to run stuff from the Classic environment. I did find a decent web site with instructions, but I'm clearly not doing something right. I'll get it sorted out just in time to find out that there's a one step Classic emulator out there.
Now we just need folks like Blogger to support the Mac environment better. There are several buttons I get when blogging on a PC that I don't get here. I'd rather not have to keep hand-tagging links.
05 October 2007
Book Log 2007 #41: Tales from Q School: Inside Golf's Fifth Major by John Feinstein
I've always found the idea of Q School - the PGA's tournament for bestowing tour cards on golfers who have not otherwise earned one - to be fascinating, as it's a rare look into the lives of golfers who are (excuse the pun) on the fringe. I've also always enjoyed Feinstein's books. So I figured this would be a perfect match.
But it isn't. There are too many golfers entering and exiting the story, and it seems like a fair amount of the narrative is aimed at hammering home the idea that anything can happen at Q School, and usually does. Part of me thinks that may be the point, that the book is written in a way to mimic the nature of the event. Or at least I hope it is.
All of that said, I didn't think it was a bad book. The stories are still entertaining, and there are some great insights as to what it takes to succeed on - or not succeed and keep trying to make - the PGA tour. I was also interested to find a longish section on Pat Bates, a golfer who I knew growing up. I've not talked to him in a good 20 years at least, so it was something to get to compare the person he's become with the kid I knew.
In any case, it's probably a book best left for people who are more interested in golf than me.
I've always found the idea of Q School - the PGA's tournament for bestowing tour cards on golfers who have not otherwise earned one - to be fascinating, as it's a rare look into the lives of golfers who are (excuse the pun) on the fringe. I've also always enjoyed Feinstein's books. So I figured this would be a perfect match.
But it isn't. There are too many golfers entering and exiting the story, and it seems like a fair amount of the narrative is aimed at hammering home the idea that anything can happen at Q School, and usually does. Part of me thinks that may be the point, that the book is written in a way to mimic the nature of the event. Or at least I hope it is.
All of that said, I didn't think it was a bad book. The stories are still entertaining, and there are some great insights as to what it takes to succeed on - or not succeed and keep trying to make - the PGA tour. I was also interested to find a longish section on Pat Bates, a golfer who I knew growing up. I've not talked to him in a good 20 years at least, so it was something to get to compare the person he's become with the kid I knew.
In any case, it's probably a book best left for people who are more interested in golf than me.
Book Log 2007 #40: 1824: The Arkansas War by Eric Flint
This is the second book in a series that started with 1812: The Rivers of War, in which the War of 1812 goes a bit differently and, as a result, a conglomeration of freemen and Native Americans form a sovereign confederacy in Arkansas. This book takes things to the next step, as the confederacy fights for survival against attacks from locals who see it as a threat to slavery and a US invasion spurred by President Henry Clay.
Given the usual focus on the Civil War in alternative US history, this is a nice change of pace. The issue of race is also handled reasonably well, with moments that are either too stereotypical or too optimistic balanced out by the bulk of the book that touches on the subject.
Certainly recommended for alternative history fans, and probably not a bad series for anyone interested in the period.
This is the second book in a series that started with 1812: The Rivers of War, in which the War of 1812 goes a bit differently and, as a result, a conglomeration of freemen and Native Americans form a sovereign confederacy in Arkansas. This book takes things to the next step, as the confederacy fights for survival against attacks from locals who see it as a threat to slavery and a US invasion spurred by President Henry Clay.
Given the usual focus on the Civil War in alternative US history, this is a nice change of pace. The issue of race is also handled reasonably well, with moments that are either too stereotypical or too optimistic balanced out by the bulk of the book that touches on the subject.
Certainly recommended for alternative history fans, and probably not a bad series for anyone interested in the period.
Book Log 2007 #39: A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss
Finally had the chance to read this, and while it's quite good, I think having read The Coffee Trader beforehand took a little bit away from this book. There are some definite similarities between the two, and I found myself making comparisons as I went, which is a distraction. Otherwise, it's a very good historical mystery and worth the read.
Finally had the chance to read this, and while it's quite good, I think having read The Coffee Trader beforehand took a little bit away from this book. There are some definite similarities between the two, and I found myself making comparisons as I went, which is a distraction. Otherwise, it's a very good historical mystery and worth the read.
04 October 2007
THE BLOGALICIOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP TEN-PLUS
1. LSU (def. Tulane 34-9) - a little sluggish in the first half, but I don't think the Tigers were used to starting a game at noon. They may have also been looking forward a bit to this week, ironic given that the bigger game may now be the tilt with Kentucky in two weeks' time.
Next opponent: Florida
2. California (def. Oregon 31-24) - that's two solid wins against top 25 opponents, which is one more than USC has. A visit to Tempe is the only thing standing in between the Golden Bears being undefeated going into their game with USC.
Next opponent: Oregon State
3. USC (def. Washington 27-24) - you get the sense that the Trojans are living on borrowed time, which is odd given all their talent. There are several teams on their schedule that would have benefitted more from all of the mistakes made by USC in this game. It's their luck that they were playing a team in Washington that's still rebuilding. This is probably a good week to work out the kinks.
Next opponent: Stanford
4. South Florida (def. West Virginia 21-13) - I know this reeks of bandwagoneering, but the Bulls did beat a top 5 team and, earlier in the season, a nationally-ranked Auburn team. That's more than the other undefeated teams below them have done, although this week tends back towards the cupcake.
Next opponent: at Florida Atlantic
5. Ohio State (def. Minnesota 30-7) - the Buckeyes had a decent win at Washington, otherwise the opposition has made it hard to tell just how good this team is. We'll get an idea this weekend, when they take on an undefeated conference foe whose schedule has been even weaker than their own.
Next opponent: at Purdue
6. Kentucky (def. Florida Atlantic 45-17) - that Louisville win doesn't look so good now, but they also have a road win at Arkansas, which again is more than some other teams have. That and the Wildcats have Andre Woodson, who is a pretty good equalizer. Not sure if he's good enough to get through a brutal three week stretch, or even the game tonight that kicks it off.
Next opponent: at South Carolina (10/4)
7. Wisconsin (def. Michigan State 37-34) - little known fact - Wisconsin now has the nation's longest winning streak at 14 games. Getting it to 15 is going to be difficult: a week after giving up more than 200 yards rushing, they get to visit the team that is sixth in the nation in rushing offense.
Next opponent: at Illinois
8. Florida (lost to Auburn 17-20) - tough week for the Gators. They have the close loss at home, one of their captains gets arrested for trying to take his girlfriend's car from a tow lot, and now they get to travel to Baton Rouge to face LSU, the first of three road games against nationally-ranked teams. It's possible the Gators will enter November at .500; I don't think it'll happen, but this week isn't going to help.
Next opponent: at LSU
9. South Carolina (def. Mississippi State 38-21) - I may be a week early with these guys, but I'll give them the spot based on a win at Georgia and a respectable loss at LSU.
Next opponent: Kentucky
10. Cincinnati (def. San Diego State 52-23) - they've played no one of note, but have at least won big en route to being undefeated and nationally ranked for the first time in over 30 years. So huzzah to the Bearcats, who get their first actual test this week.
Next opponent: at Rutgers
109. Buffalo (lost at Ball State 14-49) - well, you have your annual win against Temple. I suppose that's something. Why did you go divison I again?
Next opponent: Ohio
1. LSU (def. Tulane 34-9) - a little sluggish in the first half, but I don't think the Tigers were used to starting a game at noon. They may have also been looking forward a bit to this week, ironic given that the bigger game may now be the tilt with Kentucky in two weeks' time.
Next opponent: Florida
2. California (def. Oregon 31-24) - that's two solid wins against top 25 opponents, which is one more than USC has. A visit to Tempe is the only thing standing in between the Golden Bears being undefeated going into their game with USC.
Next opponent: Oregon State
3. USC (def. Washington 27-24) - you get the sense that the Trojans are living on borrowed time, which is odd given all their talent. There are several teams on their schedule that would have benefitted more from all of the mistakes made by USC in this game. It's their luck that they were playing a team in Washington that's still rebuilding. This is probably a good week to work out the kinks.
Next opponent: Stanford
4. South Florida (def. West Virginia 21-13) - I know this reeks of bandwagoneering, but the Bulls did beat a top 5 team and, earlier in the season, a nationally-ranked Auburn team. That's more than the other undefeated teams below them have done, although this week tends back towards the cupcake.
Next opponent: at Florida Atlantic
5. Ohio State (def. Minnesota 30-7) - the Buckeyes had a decent win at Washington, otherwise the opposition has made it hard to tell just how good this team is. We'll get an idea this weekend, when they take on an undefeated conference foe whose schedule has been even weaker than their own.
Next opponent: at Purdue
6. Kentucky (def. Florida Atlantic 45-17) - that Louisville win doesn't look so good now, but they also have a road win at Arkansas, which again is more than some other teams have. That and the Wildcats have Andre Woodson, who is a pretty good equalizer. Not sure if he's good enough to get through a brutal three week stretch, or even the game tonight that kicks it off.
Next opponent: at South Carolina (10/4)
7. Wisconsin (def. Michigan State 37-34) - little known fact - Wisconsin now has the nation's longest winning streak at 14 games. Getting it to 15 is going to be difficult: a week after giving up more than 200 yards rushing, they get to visit the team that is sixth in the nation in rushing offense.
Next opponent: at Illinois
8. Florida (lost to Auburn 17-20) - tough week for the Gators. They have the close loss at home, one of their captains gets arrested for trying to take his girlfriend's car from a tow lot, and now they get to travel to Baton Rouge to face LSU, the first of three road games against nationally-ranked teams. It's possible the Gators will enter November at .500; I don't think it'll happen, but this week isn't going to help.
Next opponent: at LSU
9. South Carolina (def. Mississippi State 38-21) - I may be a week early with these guys, but I'll give them the spot based on a win at Georgia and a respectable loss at LSU.
Next opponent: Kentucky
10. Cincinnati (def. San Diego State 52-23) - they've played no one of note, but have at least won big en route to being undefeated and nationally ranked for the first time in over 30 years. So huzzah to the Bearcats, who get their first actual test this week.
Next opponent: at Rutgers
109. Buffalo (lost at Ball State 14-49) - well, you have your annual win against Temple. I suppose that's something. Why did you go divison I again?
Next opponent: Ohio
03 October 2007
On this day when the Red Sox begin their quest to win another World Series, I've come to a conclusion.
We need a second baseball team in Boston.
My reasons are several:
1. It's become well-nigh impossible to get tickets to home games. With limited supply and huge demand, it's no wonder that there are increasing numbers of fans taking mini (or full) vacations around road trips, and many more who just stay home.
2. This is one of the few areas of the country where baseball is still the dominant sport. I base this off of the Sports Illustrated fan map from a few years back that showed New England as one of the few places where the top fan-supported team was not the local NFL franchise, but the local nine.
3. We used to have a second team, so there's a history there, and even a few scattered fans who never made the jump over from the Braves to the Sox. It's not as common as finding Giants fans, but they are out there.
4. The Red Sox are making a transition from team to brand, between the foray into NASCAR, non-sport TV ventures like Sox Appeal, and the whole Red Sox Nation embarrasment. Being a Sox fan now is like being a Celtics fan in the 1980s. It's more about the scene and the aura of winning than it is about the sport. A second team would give an outlet to people who want to spend an afternoon at the ballpark actually watching baseball, not shooting a reality show or something.
So here's my plan.
I. TEAM
The most obvious choice for getting a second team is moving a currently floundering one. And as we already have an AL team in town, a National League team would work best.
Paging the Florida Marlins.
They're pretty much perfect for this operation. They're in the NL East, so they don't have to move divisions. They've won a couple of World Series, so they have some tradition, but are new enough that they aren't bound to Florida by tradition. They have no current fan base in Miami to speak of, and no real prospect of getting a new stadium. And they have some exciting players - including former Sox prospect Hanley Ramirez - to build upon.
The only negative with this team is their owner, Jeffrey Loria. Given the way he's operated both this team and the Montreal Expos, it'd be best if we could separate him from the team beforehand.
II. NAME
I have a couple of ideas. The first is the Pilgrims, trading off of a name that, despite what people think, was not an old name for the Red Sox. It's not the most hip name, but it's better than some of the other old names (official and otherwise) for Boston baseball teams: Puritans, Beaneaters, Bees, Somersets, etc.
The other name that comes to mind is Shamrocks. It salutes Boston's Irish community (which may be important, as will be discussed later), which the Sox have largely been able to co-opt for themselves. I actually like this quite a bit, as I think about it.
III. STADIUM and LOCATION
I've not been to all of the major league parks, but I can say that I've been most taken with PNC Park in Pittsburgh out of all the new baseball stadia. I liked the way it combines traditional layout and look with modern features, and its skyline views of the river and downtown are tremendous.
In order to capture that here, I'd look to do something along the lines of PNC, but slightly bigger (PNC seats 38,496; I'd look to seat about 43,000). And to get that view, it'd have to be in the Seaport District.
This raises some problems, as the Seaport District is also known as the South Boston Waterfront. As a neighborhood, Southie wasn't exactly amenable to a previous proposal to move the Sox in, and it's likely they'd feel the same way about the Shamrocks (the obvious pandering of the name aside).
However, between the Big Dig making the area more accessible for Route 93 and the Mass Pike and the ongoing development that's seen a convention center, the Institute for Contemporary Art, a major hotel, and several condo complexes go in, there may be reduced resistance to a baseball team.
I wouldn't look for public financing of the stadium, as we pay enough in taxes already. Given the presence of Fidelity Investments in this part of town (they have offices there and own the Seaport Hotel complex), perhaps they'd be just the right people to buy the team and get things moving.
If this doesn't come to pass, my next favored location would be out by Suffolk Downs, one of the proposed casino sites. There's still a chance to get city views, and it is located on the T. The only real road of note in the area is Route 1A, which is problematic, to say the least.
So there it is, embryonic in form but an idea whose time has come.
We need a second baseball team in Boston.
My reasons are several:
1. It's become well-nigh impossible to get tickets to home games. With limited supply and huge demand, it's no wonder that there are increasing numbers of fans taking mini (or full) vacations around road trips, and many more who just stay home.
2. This is one of the few areas of the country where baseball is still the dominant sport. I base this off of the Sports Illustrated fan map from a few years back that showed New England as one of the few places where the top fan-supported team was not the local NFL franchise, but the local nine.
3. We used to have a second team, so there's a history there, and even a few scattered fans who never made the jump over from the Braves to the Sox. It's not as common as finding Giants fans, but they are out there.
4. The Red Sox are making a transition from team to brand, between the foray into NASCAR, non-sport TV ventures like Sox Appeal, and the whole Red Sox Nation embarrasment. Being a Sox fan now is like being a Celtics fan in the 1980s. It's more about the scene and the aura of winning than it is about the sport. A second team would give an outlet to people who want to spend an afternoon at the ballpark actually watching baseball, not shooting a reality show or something.
So here's my plan.
I. TEAM
The most obvious choice for getting a second team is moving a currently floundering one. And as we already have an AL team in town, a National League team would work best.
Paging the Florida Marlins.
They're pretty much perfect for this operation. They're in the NL East, so they don't have to move divisions. They've won a couple of World Series, so they have some tradition, but are new enough that they aren't bound to Florida by tradition. They have no current fan base in Miami to speak of, and no real prospect of getting a new stadium. And they have some exciting players - including former Sox prospect Hanley Ramirez - to build upon.
The only negative with this team is their owner, Jeffrey Loria. Given the way he's operated both this team and the Montreal Expos, it'd be best if we could separate him from the team beforehand.
II. NAME
I have a couple of ideas. The first is the Pilgrims, trading off of a name that, despite what people think, was not an old name for the Red Sox. It's not the most hip name, but it's better than some of the other old names (official and otherwise) for Boston baseball teams: Puritans, Beaneaters, Bees, Somersets, etc.
The other name that comes to mind is Shamrocks. It salutes Boston's Irish community (which may be important, as will be discussed later), which the Sox have largely been able to co-opt for themselves. I actually like this quite a bit, as I think about it.
III. STADIUM and LOCATION
I've not been to all of the major league parks, but I can say that I've been most taken with PNC Park in Pittsburgh out of all the new baseball stadia. I liked the way it combines traditional layout and look with modern features, and its skyline views of the river and downtown are tremendous.
In order to capture that here, I'd look to do something along the lines of PNC, but slightly bigger (PNC seats 38,496; I'd look to seat about 43,000). And to get that view, it'd have to be in the Seaport District.
This raises some problems, as the Seaport District is also known as the South Boston Waterfront. As a neighborhood, Southie wasn't exactly amenable to a previous proposal to move the Sox in, and it's likely they'd feel the same way about the Shamrocks (the obvious pandering of the name aside).
However, between the Big Dig making the area more accessible for Route 93 and the Mass Pike and the ongoing development that's seen a convention center, the Institute for Contemporary Art, a major hotel, and several condo complexes go in, there may be reduced resistance to a baseball team.
I wouldn't look for public financing of the stadium, as we pay enough in taxes already. Given the presence of Fidelity Investments in this part of town (they have offices there and own the Seaport Hotel complex), perhaps they'd be just the right people to buy the team and get things moving.
If this doesn't come to pass, my next favored location would be out by Suffolk Downs, one of the proposed casino sites. There's still a chance to get city views, and it is located on the T. The only real road of note in the area is Route 1A, which is problematic, to say the least.
So there it is, embryonic in form but an idea whose time has come.
01 October 2007
28 September 2007
We had a fire at work today. OK, it wasn't in my building, and as it turns out it wasn't even in a building owned by the school. It was in a private apartment building that's between two of our apartment buildings, and is about 50 yards from my office. I got to spend part of my lunch hour watching the proceedings, which involved a lot of smoke and many, many public safety vehicles.
There don't appear to have been any injuries, which is pretty surprising. In a building full of college students, you have to assume that at least a couple will be home and asleep at any given time. No word on the extent of the damage, but our students who live in there are being moved to on-campus spaces for the time being. I have a feeling they'll be there for a while.
Adding to the afternoon of craziness, an outbound Green Line trolley was stopped in the middle of the intersection about a half-hour ago, with a couple of police cars to keep it company. No idea if it broke down, hit someone, or contained a passenger of interest to John Q. Law, but it eventually got moving again.
I don't know if I really believe in the Rule of Three, but I may walk over to the Orange Line to go home. It's not the afternoon to tempt fate, apparently.
There don't appear to have been any injuries, which is pretty surprising. In a building full of college students, you have to assume that at least a couple will be home and asleep at any given time. No word on the extent of the damage, but our students who live in there are being moved to on-campus spaces for the time being. I have a feeling they'll be there for a while.
Adding to the afternoon of craziness, an outbound Green Line trolley was stopped in the middle of the intersection about a half-hour ago, with a couple of police cars to keep it company. No idea if it broke down, hit someone, or contained a passenger of interest to John Q. Law, but it eventually got moving again.
I don't know if I really believe in the Rule of Three, but I may walk over to the Orange Line to go home. It's not the afternoon to tempt fate, apparently.
27 September 2007
THE BLOGALICIOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP TEN-PLUS
1. Florida (def. Mississippi 30-24) - if there were ever a game to make me want to change the rule about sitting national champs keeping the top spot, this would be it. Tebow looked impressive, but if he has to have an unreal game every week he's going to implode. Probably during the streak where they have to play at LSU, at Kentucky, or at Georgia. Probably not this week, given how the Tigers have been playing.
Next opponent: Auburn
2. LSU (def. South Carolina 28-16) - offense? Check. Defense? Check. Special teams? You can check that box now. As if opponents needed more to be concerned about when playing LSU.
Next opponent: at Tulane
3. Oklahoma (def. Tulsa 62-21) - the win over Tulsa marked the Sooners smallest margin of victory to date. I imagine they'll win by less than six touchdowns this weekend. Though a five TD and a field goal margin wouldn't be surprising.
Next opponent: at Colorado
4. USC (def. Washington State 47-14) - I should probably have the Trojans higher, but I figure it'll sort itself out over time. A win this weekend like last weekend's will help.
Next opponent: at Washington
5. West Virginia (def. East Carolina 48-7) - the Mountaineers are finally putting it all together. Unfortunately for them, it looks like the Bulls have done the same.
Next opponent: at South Florida (9/28)
6. California (def. Arizona 45-27) - a rather comfortable homestand comes to a sudden halt with a trip up the road to Eugene. This could look like that Bengals-Browns game from a couple of weeks ago, especially if the likes of Louisiana Tech haven't prepared the Golden Bears for Dennis Dixon.
Next opponent: at Oregon
7. Ohio State (def. Northwestern 58-7) - another toughie on the road before the season's first big test. In case you didn't catch it, I was being sarcastic about this week being tough. The Gophers defense is easier to score on than (insert name of starlet/celebutante here).
Next opponent: at Minnesota
8. Texas (def. Rice 58-14) - considering the number of high school teams in Texas that could likely hang a similar score on the Owls, I can't say this makes up for the close call against Central Florida. They do have a classic trap game this week, what with the annual tilt with Oklahoma on tap next week. Throw in the revenge motive for last year's loss, and you've got a very interesting ball game on tap. But one that the Longhorns should really still win.
Next opponent: Kansas State
9. Wofford (def. Appalachian State 42-31) - the Big House is apparently no preparation for the gridiron bedlam that is Gibbs Stadium. 13,000 seats of sheer mayhem, it is. All kidding aside, I have to give props to the only football team at the division I level (FBS or FCS) to bear the Terrier name.
Next opponent: at Furman
10. Oregon (def. Stanford 55-31) - OK, I have no idea how they let Stanford score 31, but the continued offensive onslaught is impressive. That and I'm pretty much bobbing for teams at this point. Thank God for the conference schedules starting up so we can get some separation.
Next opponent: Cal
109. Louisville (lost to Syracuse 35-38) - the loss to Kentucky is understandable. It's a rivalry game, and most of the state roots for the Wildcats. And really, it was a matter of time before they finally took one. But losing - at home, no less - to Syracuse? A team that hadn't lost a game by less than three touchdowns all season? That's inexcusable.
Next opponent: at North Carolina State
1. Florida (def. Mississippi 30-24) - if there were ever a game to make me want to change the rule about sitting national champs keeping the top spot, this would be it. Tebow looked impressive, but if he has to have an unreal game every week he's going to implode. Probably during the streak where they have to play at LSU, at Kentucky, or at Georgia. Probably not this week, given how the Tigers have been playing.
Next opponent: Auburn
2. LSU (def. South Carolina 28-16) - offense? Check. Defense? Check. Special teams? You can check that box now. As if opponents needed more to be concerned about when playing LSU.
Next opponent: at Tulane
3. Oklahoma (def. Tulsa 62-21) - the win over Tulsa marked the Sooners smallest margin of victory to date. I imagine they'll win by less than six touchdowns this weekend. Though a five TD and a field goal margin wouldn't be surprising.
Next opponent: at Colorado
4. USC (def. Washington State 47-14) - I should probably have the Trojans higher, but I figure it'll sort itself out over time. A win this weekend like last weekend's will help.
Next opponent: at Washington
5. West Virginia (def. East Carolina 48-7) - the Mountaineers are finally putting it all together. Unfortunately for them, it looks like the Bulls have done the same.
Next opponent: at South Florida (9/28)
6. California (def. Arizona 45-27) - a rather comfortable homestand comes to a sudden halt with a trip up the road to Eugene. This could look like that Bengals-Browns game from a couple of weeks ago, especially if the likes of Louisiana Tech haven't prepared the Golden Bears for Dennis Dixon.
Next opponent: at Oregon
7. Ohio State (def. Northwestern 58-7) - another toughie on the road before the season's first big test. In case you didn't catch it, I was being sarcastic about this week being tough. The Gophers defense is easier to score on than (insert name of starlet/celebutante here).
Next opponent: at Minnesota
8. Texas (def. Rice 58-14) - considering the number of high school teams in Texas that could likely hang a similar score on the Owls, I can't say this makes up for the close call against Central Florida. They do have a classic trap game this week, what with the annual tilt with Oklahoma on tap next week. Throw in the revenge motive for last year's loss, and you've got a very interesting ball game on tap. But one that the Longhorns should really still win.
Next opponent: Kansas State
9. Wofford (def. Appalachian State 42-31) - the Big House is apparently no preparation for the gridiron bedlam that is Gibbs Stadium. 13,000 seats of sheer mayhem, it is. All kidding aside, I have to give props to the only football team at the division I level (FBS or FCS) to bear the Terrier name.
Next opponent: at Furman
10. Oregon (def. Stanford 55-31) - OK, I have no idea how they let Stanford score 31, but the continued offensive onslaught is impressive. That and I'm pretty much bobbing for teams at this point. Thank God for the conference schedules starting up so we can get some separation.
Next opponent: Cal
109. Louisville (lost to Syracuse 35-38) - the loss to Kentucky is understandable. It's a rivalry game, and most of the state roots for the Wildcats. And really, it was a matter of time before they finally took one. But losing - at home, no less - to Syracuse? A team that hadn't lost a game by less than three touchdowns all season? That's inexcusable.
Next opponent: at North Carolina State
26 September 2007
Book Log 2007 #38: The Archivist's Story by Travis Holland
One of the problems with how I do the Book Log is that I tend not to write the book up until I'm going to post. Which, a couple months after the fact, makes it hard to remember specifics about why I did or didn't like a book. Or, in this case, what the book was even about.
Turns out this is about a low-level KGB clerk who decides, after meeting Isaac Babel during the latter's imprisonment, to save one of his stories that is in the KGB archive awaiting destruction. This just adds to the tension that comes with working for the KGB, having politically questionable friends, being a widower whose wife died under still-unsolved circumstances, and a mother who is beginning to suffer the mental ravages of old age. Put all of this in 1939, at the eve of World War II, and you have a book that sounds like it should be pretty gloomy.
And while there is gloom, my impression of the book is that it was hopeful in its own way, nicely paced and, unusually, perhaps too short. I think I would have liked more time with some of the characters, or at least more about the time that's covered in the book. So I liked it, even if I had to jog my memory a bit.
One of the problems with how I do the Book Log is that I tend not to write the book up until I'm going to post. Which, a couple months after the fact, makes it hard to remember specifics about why I did or didn't like a book. Or, in this case, what the book was even about.
Turns out this is about a low-level KGB clerk who decides, after meeting Isaac Babel during the latter's imprisonment, to save one of his stories that is in the KGB archive awaiting destruction. This just adds to the tension that comes with working for the KGB, having politically questionable friends, being a widower whose wife died under still-unsolved circumstances, and a mother who is beginning to suffer the mental ravages of old age. Put all of this in 1939, at the eve of World War II, and you have a book that sounds like it should be pretty gloomy.
And while there is gloom, my impression of the book is that it was hopeful in its own way, nicely paced and, unusually, perhaps too short. I think I would have liked more time with some of the characters, or at least more about the time that's covered in the book. So I liked it, even if I had to jog my memory a bit.
Back to trivia last night, resulting in what might be the oddest win I've been involved with, which I'll detail in answering the questions:
What was the name of the enemy dojo in The Karate Kid? Cobra Kai - generationally, I'm the person on the team that should have gotten this. I wasn't. Then again, I don't think I've seen the original all the way through. The one where they go to Japan? Several times. I have no explanation.
Who is the oldest player to hit a home run in the MLB All Star Game? Cal Ripken, Jr. (Paul) - I was pushing for Carlton Fisk, but he has the record for oldest player with a hit. The guy I worked with came up with Ripken, thankfully.
What basketball player once challenged NBA commissioner David Stern to a naked wrestling match? Dennis Rodman - really, who else would it be? Some thought was given to Ron Artest, but this made too much sense.
What is the name of Jack Nicholson's character in A Few Good Men? Colonel Nathan R. Jessup (Hyph) - nothing special here, just one of the tougher questions of the night.
Who competes in the Olympics using the following codes: ISL, PUR, TPE? ISL - Iceland (Mike B.), PUR - Puerto Rico (Paul), TPE - Taiwan (Mike B.) - the bonus round was to name ten countries based on their Olympic country code. We were the only team to get Iceland, as everyone else went with Israel. Taiwan wasn't one of the ten, but after Iceland and Puerto Rico the rest were pretty straightforward, so I thought I'd add another harder one.
How many horses have won the Triple Crown - 5, 8, or 11? Eleven - this was the final question, which irritated the hell out of me because (a) we didn't know it, and (b) by being multiple choice, it increased the odds that someone would win on a guess. Didn't work out that way, as everyone guessed incorrectly and everyone bet all their points (we were gunning for the perfect game, otherwise we'd have done the math).
To the nearest hundred, how many Applebees restaurants are there in the US? 1700 - I think the host got this from the restaurant manager, who told us the exact number but I can't remember it. We guessed 511, which seems comically low until you consider the other guesses, none of which went north of 400. The comparative lack of Applebees in New England worked to our advantage, and we took the win.
What was the name of the enemy dojo in The Karate Kid? Cobra Kai - generationally, I'm the person on the team that should have gotten this. I wasn't. Then again, I don't think I've seen the original all the way through. The one where they go to Japan? Several times. I have no explanation.
Who is the oldest player to hit a home run in the MLB All Star Game? Cal Ripken, Jr. (Paul) - I was pushing for Carlton Fisk, but he has the record for oldest player with a hit. The guy I worked with came up with Ripken, thankfully.
What basketball player once challenged NBA commissioner David Stern to a naked wrestling match? Dennis Rodman - really, who else would it be? Some thought was given to Ron Artest, but this made too much sense.
What is the name of Jack Nicholson's character in A Few Good Men? Colonel Nathan R. Jessup (Hyph) - nothing special here, just one of the tougher questions of the night.
Who competes in the Olympics using the following codes: ISL, PUR, TPE? ISL - Iceland (Mike B.), PUR - Puerto Rico (Paul), TPE - Taiwan (Mike B.) - the bonus round was to name ten countries based on their Olympic country code. We were the only team to get Iceland, as everyone else went with Israel. Taiwan wasn't one of the ten, but after Iceland and Puerto Rico the rest were pretty straightforward, so I thought I'd add another harder one.
How many horses have won the Triple Crown - 5, 8, or 11? Eleven - this was the final question, which irritated the hell out of me because (a) we didn't know it, and (b) by being multiple choice, it increased the odds that someone would win on a guess. Didn't work out that way, as everyone guessed incorrectly and everyone bet all their points (we were gunning for the perfect game, otherwise we'd have done the math).
To the nearest hundred, how many Applebees restaurants are there in the US? 1700 - I think the host got this from the restaurant manager, who told us the exact number but I can't remember it. We guessed 511, which seems comically low until you consider the other guesses, none of which went north of 400. The comparative lack of Applebees in New England worked to our advantage, and we took the win.
25 September 2007
Book Log 2007 #37: Eagle Blue by Michael D'Orso
There's a lot to like about this book, which follows a season of the boy's high school basketball team from Fort Yukon, Alaska, a town predominantly populated by natives. On the one hand it follows the Friday Night Lights blueprint pretty well, giving us an insight into the wider community by examining the ups and downs of the season.
I think where the book might falter is in the increased focus on the coach rather than the boys who make up the team. Part of that may be simple utility; it's probably easier to access the coach than the players. That being said, I didn't feel like the book followed through from the more even focus between players and adults that opened things.
All in all, it's still a well-written and entertaining book about a team and a community at the fringe of America.
There's a lot to like about this book, which follows a season of the boy's high school basketball team from Fort Yukon, Alaska, a town predominantly populated by natives. On the one hand it follows the Friday Night Lights blueprint pretty well, giving us an insight into the wider community by examining the ups and downs of the season.
I think where the book might falter is in the increased focus on the coach rather than the boys who make up the team. Part of that may be simple utility; it's probably easier to access the coach than the players. That being said, I didn't feel like the book followed through from the more even focus between players and adults that opened things.
All in all, it's still a well-written and entertaining book about a team and a community at the fringe of America.
Thanks to all who donated for the PKD walk, which went pretty well, good weather (bright sun, cool to warm as the morning progressed) and good friends to walk with, but the pre-walk speechifying wasn't so hot.
You can see the route here, as we walked the stretches of Soliders Field Road and Greenough Boulevard bounded by the two bridges at the northeast and southwest cornerns of the map. It may not be the best route for a charity walk, given that we were stuck to the sidewalk on the bridges and for a decent length of Greenough we were walking on the shoulder of the road. Perhaps as it gets more established it'll get a better spot.
Not that they could have had the Esplanade, as it was booked for the weekend for some blues festival. I note this because, as is becoming standard practice for Hatch Shell shows they're closing down a lane of traffic by the Shell for parking. Because why would you need all the lanes of the city's most important east-west arterial road on a weekend?
We got stuck in that traffic on Saturday, as we were meeting friends for dinner, after which the wives took in the So You Think You Can Dance tour, leaving the husbands to hang out and watch sports. A fair trade for all involved. This also allowed me to see the continuing gentrification of BU's West Campus, between the now closed Store 24 and the Coldstone Creamery that's where the Korean place (former Mrs. Wilson's for those of you who go back as far as I do) used to be. The McDonald's has been closed for a while, but I can't say I lament that. At least not until it becomes a Starbucks or something.
Not much else to note from the weekend. Watched lots of football, but I bore you enough with that during the week.
You can see the route here, as we walked the stretches of Soliders Field Road and Greenough Boulevard bounded by the two bridges at the northeast and southwest cornerns of the map. It may not be the best route for a charity walk, given that we were stuck to the sidewalk on the bridges and for a decent length of Greenough we were walking on the shoulder of the road. Perhaps as it gets more established it'll get a better spot.
Not that they could have had the Esplanade, as it was booked for the weekend for some blues festival. I note this because, as is becoming standard practice for Hatch Shell shows they're closing down a lane of traffic by the Shell for parking. Because why would you need all the lanes of the city's most important east-west arterial road on a weekend?
We got stuck in that traffic on Saturday, as we were meeting friends for dinner, after which the wives took in the So You Think You Can Dance tour, leaving the husbands to hang out and watch sports. A fair trade for all involved. This also allowed me to see the continuing gentrification of BU's West Campus, between the now closed Store 24 and the Coldstone Creamery that's where the Korean place (former Mrs. Wilson's for those of you who go back as far as I do) used to be. The McDonald's has been closed for a while, but I can't say I lament that. At least not until it becomes a Starbucks or something.
Not much else to note from the weekend. Watched lots of football, but I bore you enough with that during the week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)