Essays on Life, Experiences & Hopes
The kids bough a console with their bday gift money that I picked up this morning. I started to unbox it so it’d be set up when they got home after school today. But then I remembered the joy of picking up my first Nintendo Entertainment System from the Montebello Toys R Us and slowly pulling the component parts when I got home. So it now sits in the box…Mario & his pals smiling at me while I wait a few more hours till the lil’ ones get here.
I think I saved an earth worm this morning.
It made it’s way along the black asphalt heading east. I believe it was unaware that around it laid the shriveled carcasses of others like it.
There was an inner conflict. Should I him it up and help him reach the grass at my neighbors lawn? How do I know it wanted the grass patch and didn’t instead wish to die in the heat? Would my fingers at his slimy back traumatize it for the rest of its life. Who am I to help.
I bent down, nabbed him from walked and threw it upon the grass. The tip of the body seemed to dart towards the soil under the moist green grass.
A patch of birds were the only eye-witnesses to my deed.
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| Saved!? |
While waiting to meet their new pediatrician my kiddos found an old typewriter to play with. With an office full of familiar toys and coloring books featuring their favorite characters, my children opted to explore the odd machine.
I watched from a fair distance. Seeing their fingers gravitate towards the metal keys and listening to the familiar clack. Like a piano they struck the keys quickly and they felt into a trance like state when the metal cracked against the black rolling pin.
Then my son discovered a piece of paper that bore letters. I think I saw the flash of the bulb go off in his head. “You use this to write words or even sentences” I’m sure he realized.
With their usual melodramatic energy they started the process of figuring out how to insert the paper into the machine and it was at this point in intervened. Without a word I fed the crisp white sheet into the slot and used the crank wheel to move it into place.
As they struggled searching for the letters that made up their names my son exclaimed loudly to his sister. “How did they ever survive with this technology.”
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud to the point where they both glanced back in confused amusement.
I don’t know kids. I just don’t know.
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| Artifact from a Land Before Time |
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| People Moving |
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| Must Have |
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| Mmm Chipotle |
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| Baby Kake Salad? Yes Please |
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| huh!? |
Stayed up late last night (May 24, 14) to try and catch a glimpse of the Camelopardalis meteor shower. Sadly, I didn’t get to witness one any streaking flashes across the Monrovia skies. Still, even though that was disappointing, I was still treated to a lovely view from a top.
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| Watching the Monrovia Skies |
The Library accomplishes it’s objective. It tells the story of the life and times of President Reagan in an interesting and engaging way.
He was a man who lived a full life and his time in front of the camera helps tell his story in entertaining visuals. There is so much to see at the library and I like the way that the lay out helps a visitor follow a tight narrative.
Like all Presidential libraries, it is not conducive to children under the age of 10 who do not understand the history of a man who served in the white house over 30 years ago. This is certainly a place for adults who will take the time to read and reminisce.
One of the darkest part of the Reagan story is the assassination attempt and this is presented in a jarring and dramatic fashion. The little ones were truly affected at this part and it does remind the visitor that the attack put his life in real jeopardy and that others risked and lost so much in their duty to protect the Commander in Chief.
In contrast, visiting and walking through Air Force one is an inspiring highlight by all means of the imagination and the plane does not disappoint. It is showcased in the most fantastic of ways and brought goosebumps to my arm when I first laid my eyes on it.
My one concern with the library is that it paints to rosy of a picture of the policy results of the Reagan years. Little to no mention is made of the scandals that plagued the presidency and the interactive monopoly style games towards the end of the tour are too simple in their treatment of Reaganomics. I would encourage curators to take more risk in this regard for I don’t feel that it would tarnish the reputation of a well beloved head of state.
Altogether, I am a fan of the library and will return to it again when the kids are older.
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| Replica of Ronald Reagan’s Oval Office |
I Am Legend and Other Stories by Richard Matheson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Once upon a time I knew “I am Legend” as a zombie story (made into a film)and after the outstanding fun of World War Z I decided to give the written version a try.
It should go without saying then that I was truly surprised and jarred some when the story’s antagonist spoke, interacted and shared the dark gift of the vampire.
This unexpected turned at first seemed off putting but as the protagonist mental and physical decay started to unfold I really began to care about his particular lot and the story became involving.
The ending was surprising. Different from the film, it took a tragic turn that Hollywood is too chicken to take. That as well impressed me.
The stories that accompany this tale did not grab me and so as a whole I feel the lower rating is needed. I am Legend on its own is sad, creepy and a page turner. I recommend it over the flick.
John Muir: Magnificent Tramp by Rod Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
It is apropos that I finished the audio-book experience on this work on Earth Day and that I had the opportunity to incorporate it into my Toastmasters Speech today on Water Conservation.
John Muir is a named that I have heard ever since I became aware that the more beautiful places on earth (and there are many) must be protected from those among us who believe progress trumps nature. Even then, in adolescence, I knew that there once was a man who fought with zeal for the majestic and the small and his legacy adorned the marquees of local high-schools, some local peaks and the cool Sierra Club stickers that adorned my old Jeep.
What I learned from this book is that Mr. Muir was an international wanderer and whose travels were beyond what I could have ever imagined. This was a man who pursued his love for the unseen path ahead and in his quest to wander gained fame and influence that is still revered and emulated by many.
Our global community is at a crossroads and though many will not read many of Muir’s original writings, a biography like this provides insights into a time and a man when mankind became aware that our combined actions affect so much more than we could have imagined.
Muir’s story is simple, harrowing, uncompromising and tinged with bitter-sweetness. After all, humankind fights the very earth that houses it and it takes reverence for our home-earth to fight our kind and maintain it.
Sex on the Brain: 12 Lessons to Enhance Your Love Life by Daniel G. Amen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A healthy brain is a sexy brain. That is the main take away I pulled from Sex on the Brain from Daniel Amen.
That is not a bad thing as the book does a terrific job of delineating the importance of a healthy noggin’ in sex and life in general.
I enjoyed reading the many interesting anecdotes and stories of people who are afflicted by a variety of imbalances and I found a new understanding of how fetishes and compulsions may function. It certainly gives some insight and it makes the argument that in order to enjoy a more complete sex life it is important to shy away from drugs/alcohol and also to seek help from professionals when a perceived issue arises.
The book is heavy on lists and at time this becomes tedious.
Overall, a good reminder that a loving sexual relationship doesn’t happen by change. It takes lots of work and care.