April 2012
2 posts
Registry
Alex and I are out of our depth with this whole baby thing! We registered at Babies”R”Us a couple of months ago, and it was as though we were transported to a different world. First off, it was a lot noisier than it usually it. It’s a special day when I’m in an environment louder than New York City. Kids were crying and parents were trying to talk over or corral their little ones,...
2 months
I have been quiet about this, but as time passes I am faced with this unbelievable, terrifying truth: Fatherhood. Alex is due in two months, and, though I consider myself a father now, when our little baby boy is born everything will change. With the countdown approachnig its end, I’m going to write about our experiences a little bit everyday, so that I can collect my thoughts. Perhaps,...
February 2012
2 posts
September 2011
5 posts
More Censorship in America →
These past couple of weeks have been ridiculous with the amount of censorship. First, the Texas school board decides to alter text books to reduce the importance of Thomas Jefferson—I fail to understand the logic behind this decision. Then the Missouri school board decides that Slaughterhouse-Five should be banned, since it teaches ideas contrary to the Bible. As a Christian, I am...
“So convenient a thing is it to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to...”
– Benjamin Franklin
Mile 81
Just finished Stephen King’s latest short story/novella Mile 81, which is available only as an ebook. Unfortunately, it didn’t impress me. I’ve read a lot of his stuff, and I have a high opinion of his abilities. In fact, if anybody is interested in learning about narrative pacing I would encourage you to read King; he understands readers in a way that most writers don’t....
Why Are So Many Literary Writers Shifting into... →
Interesting article on literary vs. genre fiction. Thought I would share it with anyone who’s interested.
August 2011
18 posts
Uh... Rock Me Like A Hurricane →
This is truly an awful song, but it’s the most fitting for the occasion. Plus, you have to love the symphony accompaniment.
Some damn fine reporting. →
Somebody had to say it. I’m glad it was Jon Stewart.
The Art of Fielding
This is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read this summer. Breathtaking in so many ways: the story, the writing, the characters. It reminded of The Power of One, one of my favorite books of all time. Both books use sports as a backdrop to convey individualism and the journey to self discovery. In case you’re looking for a new book, I highly recommend reading it.
BookBook
I’ve been really happy with my iPhone, since I bought it a couple of weeks ago. The one thing that it’s missing is a case. I’m not sure if this is the one, but I think that the idea is awesome. They make something similar for the iPad, which I would definitely get if I had one. If anybody is interested, here’s the url: http://twelvesouth.com/
July 2011
15 posts
Ridiculous book titles
The Huffington Post did an article titled “15 Most Ridiculous Book Titles Ever.” Below are my two favorites.
Is this book about commodifying graveyard space? If it is, I think it would be more appropriate if the book was titled “Reusing Graves Nobody Visits.”
I don’t understand. Besides being able to sing soprano, what are the advantages?
The link’s...
Cheerful Stephen King quote about kids
I love how Stephen King tells this story. A little morbid considering the book, but I think that it’s a fair assessment of many pre-adolescents.
Link: http://www.shelf-awareness.com/ar/readers/2011-07-29/_do_you_have_any_stories_about_how_kids_really_are_.html
*I have my own opinion of Lord of the Flies, which doesn’t quite mirror the quote, though I enjoy reading his story...
“There is nothing wrong with anger, or a sense of fairness, or jealousy, or love, as motives for decisions, and we need not be apologetic about them. Such feelings convey relevant information, and it would be as much a mistake to disregard them as to make the sole basis of decision.”
-From Obliquity by John Kay
On Contradiction
I was raised in an unorthodox household with a mother who prescribed to Christian doctrine but also understood that our culture was not a mirror of God’s will. Because of this dichotomy, she read a lot of Eastern philosophy and read books that other Christians would balk at. She instilled this same sense in me. However, one of her most contested quotes had to do with the Eastern...
What Good Is God?
Almost everyone who knows me is aware that I attend church on Sundays and believe in the redeeming power of Christ. It’s not something that I try to keep hidden, though at times I am embarrassed by the church, my faith’s history, and the multitudes that claim to be followers but use that belief as a platform to proclaim their self righteousness. Consequently, I’m a fan of...
Hamlet...Oh, snap!
The title for this post is a little stupid, but it reflects my mild euphoria over the possibility that I may get to act again. It’s nothing extravagant; it’s just been so long since I’ve had the opportunity.
I’m really excited. On Monday, I met my friend, Evan, for “coffee” at a Starbucks (neither of us got anything; we just needed a place to sit) in Union...
June 2011
4 posts
Audiobook covers
Penguin did a fantastic job designing several classic title covers. This one is my favorite out of the whole batch.
To see the others, here’s the link: http://www.boingboing.net/2011/06/29/penguin-kids-classic.html
I'm Here to Win
I started listening to audiobooks when I began training for a marathon back in college. I never quite got to the condition that it takes to run 26.2 miles: my knee began rebelling, and I’ve had trouble ever since. Despite this difficulty, I continue to get a couple of runs in every week. I’m Here to Win is one of those audiobooks that I sought to keep me company while I was out by...
Fall of Giants
I finally finished Ken Follett’s latest novel, Fall of Giants. The great thing about historical fiction is that it’s usually lighter than historical non-fiction, but there’s still a fair amount of truth to learn. World War 1 has always confused me, but I’ve never been too interested in reading a tome devoted to the subject. It’s a plus that this an epic story...
Article 1, Section 10 of the Constitution
“No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility. No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay...
May 2011
6 posts
Misery
Okay, so I know that I promised Gage to read Pet Sematary and Jake The Dead Zone, but I picked up this title because it was under five dollars, and that was all I had—the other two were more expensive. So far, I think it’s good, just as not as good as some of his other stuff. The story reminds me of The Long Walk without being as good, and I keep thinking of the movie with James...
The Importance of Being Ernest
Alex and I have been blessed to have the opportunity to see a lot of theatre since moving to New York. The latest is Roundabout Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Ernest. If you’re wondering why the woman in the picture has such masculine features, that’s because it is; Brian Bedford is cast as Lady Bracknell and also directs the show. I really enjoy Oscar...
Empire Magazine’s Harry Potter Celebration:
(Source: deardarkness.tumblr.com)
