My daughter insists that I read the four book "Book of Ember" series (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_of_Ember) .
My daughter read the book a year or so ago, and received the next three books for Christmas. The book was recommended by one of her cousins.
I did like the movie, and am enjoying the book.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Reading (E-Reader) - "I'd Rather We Got Casinos And Other Black Thoughts" - Larry Wilmore
I'm in reading limbo at the moment, recovering from the Christmas season. Partially started a number of books, some on "Intelligent Design", "Red Pyramid" with my son (Rick Riordan's new series) and a stab at a few others.
The only one that's "sticking" right now is Larry Wilmore's "I'd Rather We Got Casinos And Other Black Thoughts". I'm familiar with Larry Wilmore from his recurrent spots on "The Daily Show with John Stewart", and like his low-key approach.
The book is a series of essays and letters he's written over time on various "Black" topics (e.g. his suggestions to alter the term "African American").
The essays read like his Daily Show character - quiet but biting.
The only one that's "sticking" right now is Larry Wilmore's "I'd Rather We Got Casinos And Other Black Thoughts". I'm familiar with Larry Wilmore from his recurrent spots on "The Daily Show with John Stewart", and like his low-key approach.
The book is a series of essays and letters he's written over time on various "Black" topics (e.g. his suggestions to alter the term "African American").
The essays read like his Daily Show character - quiet but biting.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Started "Red Pyramid" - Rick Riordan (Paper Book)
Am reading "Red Pyramid" - Rick Riordan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kane_Chronicles) which is the first book of a 3 book series.
The book appears to be in the "Percy Jackson" universe - the base of operations (so far) is the east shore off Manhattan, where they refer to "other gods" being on the island (which is where the Olympian gods are based in the Percy Jackson series).
The Egyptian gods are featured here instead of the Greek (Percy Jackson) and Roman (The Lost Hero).
The book appears to be in the "Percy Jackson" universe - the base of operations (so far) is the east shore off Manhattan, where they refer to "other gods" being on the island (which is where the Olympian gods are based in the Percy Jackson series).
The Egyptian gods are featured here instead of the Greek (Percy Jackson) and Roman (The Lost Hero).
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Enjoying "Dangerously Funny - Uncensored Story of the Smothers Brothers" - David Bianculli (Audiobook)
As a child, I remember enjoying the Smothers' Brothers Comedy Hour on CBS. However, in hindsight, I must have missed lots of the information flow of the show (drug references and political references would have been lost on the 3-6 year old I was during the show's run).
However, watching clips on YouTube, I can see how the show would have been appealing, and even moreso to an older version of myself.
"Dangerously Funny - Uncensored Story of the Smothers Brothers" by David Bianculli tells of what was going on, both on-screen and behind the scenes at this show. I am astounded to hear how strong a character Tom Smothers has behind the scenes, compared to his naive on-screen persona - I was even surprised to find out that he is the older brother.
The barriers that were broken on this show regarding racism, religion and politics make it a truly groundbreaking television event. It's sad to see the show only ran 3 years (3 big years 67, 68 and 69), but seeing the behind the scenes battles, it is likely the show would have been cancelled at some point - the damage among the principals was too great, Tommy, as producer, became quite militant and drew far away from the CBS executives - it is hard to imagine any hierarchy surviving that type of schism - somebody had to go.
The timing was truly unfortunate - in today's world, that show (which was still a ratings success) would have likely found a home on cable and ran a normal life-cycle (e.g. dying out when viewers tired of the show) not a removal due to corporate politics.
I think Tom and Dick Smothers can remain proud of their product - they could have run a more "normal" show, and had a longer stay on network television, but I doubt they would have been as fulfilled as they are from this one. I also doubt anybody would write, let alone read or listen to, the story of the show 40 years later. Few shows retain this level of interest after they leave the air.
However, watching clips on YouTube, I can see how the show would have been appealing, and even moreso to an older version of myself.
"Dangerously Funny - Uncensored Story of the Smothers Brothers" by David Bianculli tells of what was going on, both on-screen and behind the scenes at this show. I am astounded to hear how strong a character Tom Smothers has behind the scenes, compared to his naive on-screen persona - I was even surprised to find out that he is the older brother.
The barriers that were broken on this show regarding racism, religion and politics make it a truly groundbreaking television event. It's sad to see the show only ran 3 years (3 big years 67, 68 and 69), but seeing the behind the scenes battles, it is likely the show would have been cancelled at some point - the damage among the principals was too great, Tommy, as producer, became quite militant and drew far away from the CBS executives - it is hard to imagine any hierarchy surviving that type of schism - somebody had to go.
The timing was truly unfortunate - in today's world, that show (which was still a ratings success) would have likely found a home on cable and ran a normal life-cycle (e.g. dying out when viewers tired of the show) not a removal due to corporate politics.
I think Tom and Dick Smothers can remain proud of their product - they could have run a more "normal" show, and had a longer stay on network television, but I doubt they would have been as fulfilled as they are from this one. I also doubt anybody would write, let alone read or listen to, the story of the show 40 years later. Few shows retain this level of interest after they leave the air.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Finished - "Made in America" - Bill Bryson (Audiobook)
I hadn't really known what Bill Bryson's book "Made in America" was about. It primarily focuses upon language development of American English, which proves a launchpoint to discuss details of the U.S. founding fathers, the Wright Brothers, life in the early colonies of the U.S. words taken from specific events, or times.
All in all, an interesting read. As a non-American, it was a little heavy on the American worldview, however, given the thesis of the book, not really surprising or off-thesis.
I found his conclusions about political correctness odd - he does say it is laced with subjectivity, which is true. He pointed out that some words like "manipulate" and "mandible" come from roots unrelated to the male gender, even if some on the politically correct side would like to erase all "man" labels. He also pointed out that some of the wishes to remove "man" in all words (or all references using the word "black" like Blacksmith) is not necessary and only considerations where it is reasonable to infer that the existing word, through usage, would imply a gender differentiation (e.g. "Chariman" implying only males, while "Chair" being gender neutral).
What always amuses me about this debate is that the goal seems to be to create odd words, regardless of whether or not the "gender" was removed. Why is "mankind" evil and "humankind" OK? Or "Fireman" evil and "Fireperson" OK? In both cases there still exists a gender-specific root, hu-MAN and per-SON - both of which would have drawn ire if they were the commonly used words.
I can't say that I like the PC movement as a "starter". I might agree that "chariman" is male, but would be happy with "chairwoman" as the exact, parallel word for the female in that role. I might also agree that "chair" is a suitable substitute for both. I believe some form of gender-neutrality in language would evolve naturally - what I take exception to is that those who feel the need to force the change often wish to go much further in pushing a broad agenda than the words alone (e.g. looking at all acts of violence perpetuated by males as "natural male aggression" requiring prison, while infanticide or violence perpetrated by females as "illness" requiring compassion; or expecting a 50/50 gender split in jobs, even if applicants are 10x more likely in gender A than B).
All in all, an interesting read. As a non-American, it was a little heavy on the American worldview, however, given the thesis of the book, not really surprising or off-thesis.
I found his conclusions about political correctness odd - he does say it is laced with subjectivity, which is true. He pointed out that some words like "manipulate" and "mandible" come from roots unrelated to the male gender, even if some on the politically correct side would like to erase all "man" labels. He also pointed out that some of the wishes to remove "man" in all words (or all references using the word "black" like Blacksmith) is not necessary and only considerations where it is reasonable to infer that the existing word, through usage, would imply a gender differentiation (e.g. "Chariman" implying only males, while "Chair" being gender neutral).
What always amuses me about this debate is that the goal seems to be to create odd words, regardless of whether or not the "gender" was removed. Why is "mankind" evil and "humankind" OK? Or "Fireman" evil and "Fireperson" OK? In both cases there still exists a gender-specific root, hu-MAN and per-SON - both of which would have drawn ire if they were the commonly used words.
I can't say that I like the PC movement as a "starter". I might agree that "chariman" is male, but would be happy with "chairwoman" as the exact, parallel word for the female in that role. I might also agree that "chair" is a suitable substitute for both. I believe some form of gender-neutrality in language would evolve naturally - what I take exception to is that those who feel the need to force the change often wish to go much further in pushing a broad agenda than the words alone (e.g. looking at all acts of violence perpetuated by males as "natural male aggression" requiring prison, while infanticide or violence perpetrated by females as "illness" requiring compassion; or expecting a 50/50 gender split in jobs, even if applicants are 10x more likely in gender A than B).
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