Catching Up on Some Authors

In the past few months, I've read novels by some authors that I had abandoned for some time. I read lots of their earlier stuff, then stopped at some point because their novels began to disappoint. But I've gotten reacquainted with 4 different authors with mostly positive results:

John Grisham: "The Innocent Man" is his first non-fiction work. It reads like a novel and the fact that it is true makes it all the more fascinating. In Iraq, the rule is that Saddam Hussein had to be executed within 30 days of the guilty verdict. It's a good thing we don't have that law here. The title of this book says it all, and if you are poor and cannot get good representation, then you just may be on your own in our criminal courts.

Stephen King: "Cell" is his latest novel to hit paperback and the first I've read of his since "The Stand." That could be why I had problems with it. The premise is intriguing. Some signal comes through all the cell phones turning people into zombies. A group of survivors are compelled to travel to Maine for some reason. Sort of similar to "The Stand" in which most of the population is wiped out and the few survivors are compelled to travel to Colorado. I didn't finish this novel. Something about it just didn't hold my interest. The characters weren't all that interesting, and despite the great set-up, it just didn't seem to do much with it.

Michael Crichton: "State of Fear" could be called the flip side of "An Inconvenient Truth." Basically, Crichton is saying, through a fictional story, that the whole global warming thing is a piece of crap. He makes some good arguments and the story itself is very good (which most of his are). Not sure why I stopped reading his novels. It's a little preachy at times but still a good read.

Dean Koontz: "Velocity" isn't his latest, but it's the one I decided to read to reacquaint myself with Mr. Koontz. His earlier novels were great, particularly "Twilight Eyes," "Lightning," and "Watchers." But at some point, I began having trouble getting through one of his novels. This is the first I've read in about 15 years. The plot is simple. A guy gets a note that if he calls the police, someone will die. If he doesn't call the police, someone else will die. The choice is his. In Koontz novels, lots of people do indeed die and the killers are usually pretty ferocious. But in the end, the hero comes out just fine. I really enjoyed this and will probably go back and begin reading some more of his that I missed.

Cleaning House Keeps the House Clean

A profound statement, I know. But, with our house being up for sale, we have to keep it in a state of cleanliness and order because we've had instances where we have a showing with just two day's notice. So, we need to have it in "show mode" almost constantly. We've found that doing a little bit of cleaning throughout the week helps keep it this way.

Mom, I guess you were right (which I know will promp a big DUH!!!). Spending a couple hours a week actually does make a difference. Yes, I know you've been saying this for a long time. Dorene and I both admit that it has been nice living in our house and having it clean basically all the time.

Now, if and when we move into our new house . . .

Cameron Gets Annexed

Since Saturday night, Cameron has been at Uncle Stu and Aunt Joyce's house. Since he was born, he has only been away from us for two nights in a row at the most. We've called every day to check on him to see if he's ready to come home or not. But each time, nope, he wants to stay. He's having a blast and just doesn't want to leave.

Finally, on Tuesday, he said he wanted me to come get him. Well, sort of. He said he wanted me to drive to Ohio to take him to Grandma and Grandpa Dennie's house. He would spend the night there, then I would drive back down and take him back to Uncle Stu's house.

Dorene talked to him last night and he was crying and crying and crying . . . .because he was going to have to come home today. Dorene's mom is going to pick him up and mom and dad's and for once, Cameron may not be happy to see his Grammy. We're very excited he's had such a good time and actually very surprised he stayed that long. I am sure that he'll be asking us the minute he comes home when he gets to go back.

By the way, the reason Cameron gave for not wanting to come home? "Anna's there."

Bush on the Air

I watched parts of the State of the Union speech, but that was about it. These tend to be glorified campaign speeches where they basically announce their plans to right every wrong and make the world a better place. Then the next day, all is forgotten.

One thing that I always find very irritating is the constant applause and standing ovations for every little thing that's said: "I want (applause) to tell you (applause) that (applause) last night's episode (applause) of "My Name is Earl" (raucous applause) was the greatest ever (standing ovation)." You then always have someone in the audience that is pointed out for some great deed they've done or accomplishment in their work. Last night it was the subway hero from New York and the founder of the Baby Einstein book/video empire. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Justices just sit there with hands folded.

Saw another politician live and in person today. Joe Kernan, former mayor of South Bend and former Governor of Indiana was on campus to speak at a program sponsored by our Career Services Office. He seems like a really nice guy. Not the most powerful speaker in the world, but very down to earth very real. Didn't sound all that political.

Waiting to Exhale

I am still worn out from last night's game. To quote some dialogue from Seinfeld, "I'm speechless. I am without speech."

What more can you say? The Colts finally broke through, and what better team to do it against than the Patriots. They had to play flawless once they fell behind 21-3, and they did. But it was one of the most exhausting experiences I've had watching a game.

School's out on Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (or so I thought)

For the past 20 years, I have not worked on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. In Arizona where I worked, we had the day off even before the holiday became official. In a state university where I have worked for 15 years, of course the day is going to be honored. Same for the public schools. The South Bend Community School Corporation has always recognized the day, as did Veritas Academy, where Anna went for Kindergarten and First Grade.

So, I just assumed that as a student in the John Glenn School Corporation in North Liberty, Indiana, she would have the day off. Evidently not. We talked to family friend in the corporation on Saturday who confirmed that yes, no day off for this corporation on MLK. I was totally dumbfounded. I had just assumed that this was a day that all school corporations would want to take off and would truly want to honor King's legacy.

But that's not the case here. I am not sure why. I'm sure they have their reasons and that there are some powerful community leaders who are likely very critical of Dr. King and how he wasn't all that people say he was, yada yada yada. But, that's not the point. I've heard the arguments about how "white people" don't get a holiday, which is a load of you know what. We get the other 360+ days of the year. I think we can afford one day to honor an African-American leader.

No, we didn't pull Anna out of school that day. I'd never use my kid as a pawn in something her parents are trying to have changed. Plus, we didn't attend any MLK events that day, so we couldn't use that as an excuse. I was pleased to hear that her teacher was using the movie "Ruby Bridges" as a teaching tool that day (very good t.v. movie about a little girl desegrating a school in the south). In addition, it could be that many teachers want the holiday, but it's an adminstrative issue.

If anyone is ever unsure what the civil rights movement was all about, I highly recommend the documentary "Eyes on the Prize" and it's follow-up, "Eyes on the Prize II." This gives a very comprehensive overview of the movement and is excellent.

One thing that has always fascinated me is just how recent it really is that we officially treated blacks as second class citizens, even though the civil rights movement is often treated as ancient history. But, had Martin Luther King, Jr. not been assassinated, he wouldn't even be 80 years old yet.

All is Well

"24" and "American Idol" are now back on the air. All is well with the world now.

I think that Chloe could possibly get knocked off this season of "24." This is a show that doesn't play favorites. Anyone can die (and usually does). If not her, then maybe Curtis or Audrey. But you never know what's going to happen, and that's why it's such a good show.

Not too many talented people in Minneapolis for American Idol. A couple singers were okay and maybe they can punch it up in the next round. One of my favorite parts of the show is the second round, when they have to get in groups of 3 or 4 and perform. Lots of backstage politcs going on as they try to position themselves to make the final cut. Last night Simon mentioned an upcoming ABBA night. Can't wait for that one, because ABBA is one of my all time favorite groups. We'll see how much "Dancing Queen," "Waterloo," and "Take a Chance on Me" get butchered.

Starbucks Challenged

I don't drink coffee. Not at all. In fact, I've never even tasted a drop of it. Just never cared to. I get my caffeine fix via Mountain Dew and other soft drinks in the morning.

My wife is addicted to Starbucks. I'm usually not with her when she gets one because this is her treat. But recently, we went through the drive-thru at a Starbucks so she could get her fix. Now, I've never ordered at Starbucks before. When I want a drink, I go through the drive thru and it's basically, "large Pepsi" and that's it. But ordering at Starbucks was much more complicated. After a brief orientation session as to what she wanted, we made a couple dry runs before approaching the drive-up speaker. What Dorene wanted, was, quote, a "venti decaf sugar-free cinammon dulce latte." That's a total of 14 syllables for a beverage (which, by the way, costs much more than my large Pepsi).

Well, when I started into the order, I botched it by the time I got to "sugar free" and had no idea what I was ordering. Furthermore, I started laughing and Dorene was busting up. The person taking the order probably figured we had already had one too many lattes. I finally got the order out right. But from now on, Dorene is on her own at Starbucks and needs to do the ordering herself.

Colts, uh, Win

The Colts really make you nervous, don't they? When is that Peyton Manning offense going to kick it into high gear? Yes, a win is a win and they are in the AFC Championship game, but they don't let you relax. But a game with nothing but field goals? I did think the Colts final drive was a masterstroke of clock management, but they still made you sweat it out.

I'm hoping the Patriots beat the Chargers today because then the Colts get to play at home.

Have Mercy on Me, But I Don't Like This Music

For years I have tried to become a fan of Christian band, MercyMe. They are by far one of the most popular bands around, and their CD's sell very well. They hit it big with "I Can Only Imagine" and have never looked back.

But, I just don't get all the fuss. I still call their debut album one of the most painfully bland albums I've listened to. I rented it from the library multiple times, trying my best to become a fan. But, their music just doesn't do it for me. It all sounds very much the same, and just has nothing memorable to it (quick, name three of their songs; you can't do it, can you?).

I finally broke down and bought the latest MercyMe recording, "Coming Up to Breathe." I listened through it once (fast forwarding most of the way), and now it sits somewhere buried underneath some empty drink cups in my car. More of the same blandness I've come to expect from them. Why are they so big? I just don't get it.

Their music sounds like a continuous Phil Collins loop. I know I'm onto something there because I was told that at their recent concerts, they opened with "In the Air Tonight" and closed with U2's "I still haven't found what I'm looking for." So, even the band themselves admit they aren't very original. If I have to give them any credit, it's that their Christmas album is pretty good. But then again, those are covers of other songs.

For Christian bands that hit it big, I say more power to them. But for this group, I have to conclude: overrated in a big way. Y'all keep buying their CD's, though.

Soccer Takes America by Storm, part XXXIVXIVIX

Big news in the world of soccer. David Beckham, who is basically the Michael Jordan of soccer, is coming stateside to play for Major League Soccer. So once again, we'll be treated to stories of how THIS is the biggest news for soccer in America and how we'll finally all embrace this global sport.

Not gonna happen.

Bush's Surge

I just can't buy into it. I don't see how adding 21,000 more troops is going to change anything in Iraq. In the short term, it may indeed have an effect. But at some point, the troops leave and then things go back to how they were. I remember several years ago when the national guard went into Gary, Indiana when their murder rate was leading the nation. The murder rate dropped during the time the Guard was there, but when they left? Yep, things went back to how they were.

Iraq is a bit bigger than Gary, Indiana. The insurgency is so entrenched, that they'll probably just go into hiding for a while. Or, they may continue to strike, which will really be a devastating blow because it'll show how all the military might in the world can't effectively battle guerilla warfare in the streets. Nor will Iraqi civilians be any safer. If anything, it could get even worse for them. It's mind boggling how many Iraqis have died since the "liberation." Yeah, I agreed wholeheartedly when we went in. But now, I just want the troops to come home.

Good luck to those in the Bush adminstration trying to sell this plan. Let's see how the new Congress deals with it.

Cowboys, Colts and Ohio State

I wouldn't want to be Cowboys QB Tony Romo right now. He had a great year, coming out of nowhere and taking the Cowboys into the playoffs. All he had to do was catch a snap and hold it there for the kicker. It was a kick shorter than an extra point. That's it. If the kick is good, then the Cowboys go ahead and likely win the game. But he fumbled it. Not because of a bad snap. He caught it just fine but couldn't put it down on the ground. Romo-mania is on hold for now. I read that 5 fans greeted the Cowboys on their return to the airport. Dallas fans don't like to lose.

The Cowboys are the team I have rooted for the longest. I loved watching them during the glory Tom Landry "America's Team" days. They were very much loved and very much despised during those years. But you had to appreciate the teams of Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Drew Pearson, "Too Tall" Jones, Randy White, "Hollywood" Henderson, etc. They were quite the team. But then things started to fall apart. Landry was unceremoniously fired after Jerry Jones took over the team. That was bad enough. So who do they hire to replace him? Jimmy Johnson, coach of the much-despised University of Miami. Yeah, yeah, he won the Cowboys a couple of Super Bowl titles, but I never liked him as a coach at Miami, and didn't like him as coach of the Cowboys.

Finally, he left. Luckily I wouldn't dislike the next coach, because the only coach I disliked more than Jimmie Johnson was Barry Switzer from Oklahoma. But they would never, oops, wait a minute, they hired Switzer. You gotta be kidding! Yes, Switzer brought them another Super Bowl title, because this was during the Troy Aikman and Emmit Smith heyday. But it was hard to root for them during this time because those two coaches I just didn't care for. The only one left to bring in that I don't care for would be Steve Spurrier.

As for my other team, the Colts need to play much better against the Ravens than they did against the Chiefs if they expect to advance to the AFC Championship. I'm hoping the Patriots can knock off the Chargers, because I feel better about the Colts playing them then heading to San Diego. As for the NFC, the Saints are a great story and I'd like to see them keep going. Around here, all anyone talks about is 'da bears, who I really think are going to 'da lose next week, despite their 14-2 record.

I can't say I'm that excited about watching Florida-Ohio State tonight. It just doesn't hold that much appeal. I'll periodically check-in to see the score and stick with it if it's close in the 4th quarter, but it just doesn't hold much interest for me. If Florida wins, that could cinch the move to a college playoff.

Do the Math: 2 is Less than 7

This week we took on the duty of babysitting our pastor's kids, while he and his wife attended a pastoral conference in Florida. Our pastor has 7 kids. Add our two kids to the mix, and we were watching 9 kids. Add one of Anna's friends into the mix last night, and we were watching 10. We should have added a couple more then we could have had our own "Cheaper by the Dozen"scenario.

Dorene stayed at the pastor's house the whole time, because it would have been too big of an operation to move to our house, and their house has more room. I was back to work this week so I would stop by in the evening, but then go back home to take care of our dog and cats, which I can confirm is much easier than watching 9 kids.

It actually has gone quite well. The pastor's kids are all very good and well behaved, and very fun to be around. They have Sara, Matt, Rebecca, Hannah, Lydia, Andrew, and Wesley. Sara is 15 and one of the most delightful teenagers I've met. She's a huge help around the house and last night brought Dorene a mint mocha from Starbucks, so she scored some huge points there.

But as Dorene was saying, any thoughts of ever having more kids has now gone completely out the window. She likes our numbers at home. Just our two kids, that's it. We can possibly add another dog, but that's as far as we'll go.

Notre Dame Keeps the Streak Alive

Last night, the Notre Dame football team made it 9 in a row! That is, 9 years in a row that they've lost a bowl game. Once again, they did it in typical fashion, by getting totally blown away.

For a much better performing Notre Dame team, turn your attention to basketball. Last night, Dorene had won free tickets to the Notre Dame v. Louisville game. So, her dad and I went to see the Irish take on Rick Pitino's bunch. Louisville played pretty bad, Notre Dame played excellent and beat them by 17 points (although at one point, they were up by almost 30). They only have one loss on the year, so this could be a good season. We'll see if Notre Dame fans can make the switch, because the basketball team just doesn't always get that much attention.

The Boys from Boise

If Florida beats Ohio State next Monday, can the BCS with a straight face truly crown them national champs while an undefeated Boise State sits there empty handed? I think maybe it is indeed time for a college football playoff.

Boise State won the game of the century against Oklahoma, but they won't receive consideration because their schedule was too weak. If Ohio State wins, then they are the champs and it's probably case closed. But if Florida wins, then the only undefeated team left standing is Boise State. Why shouldn't they be national champs? So what if their conference is weaker. They won on one of the gutsiest calls of all time, by going for the win instead of the tie. Give 'em the trophy. They are the "Hoosiers" of this football season.

Christmas 2006

We finally completed our Christmas tour for the year (well, almost, we still have one more delayed one to go).

This year, for our family Christmas, we stayed at a motel in town. Anna and Cameron just love going to motels and we had talked about this for a long time and they were very excited. We packed up everything after work on Friday the 22nd and headed to the Comfort Suites. We had dinner, swam for a while, then went back to the motel room to open presents. We decorated the room with lights and had our own spread of snacks and drinks. It was a lot of fun and this is a tradition we plan to continue.

We got up on Saturday and headed to Fort Wayne and Steve and Pam's house for Christmas #2 with my family. We had our usual paltry spread of food and drinks (yeah right, no one leaves hungry after one of our gatherings). Mom made her Cracker Jack, which I hadn't had in about 20 years. Pam made her famous beans and dad had his famous turtles. We then had our "dirty" gift exchange, in which you have the option of opening a gift or "stealing" one that was opened before your turn. My family was fairly nice and not too many gifts changed hands (and there were alliances at work to trade gifts).

Steve and Pam had houseguests that night, Allan, Carolyn and baby Conner. Actually, Carolyn wasn't there, she had to work, but dad and baby were there and it was great to have them as part of our gathering. Steve and Pam are going the extra mile and then some to give them a place to live while they get back on their feet. For many years, having a baby in the house would be Steve's idea of some sort of inner circle of Dante's Hell. So them agreeing to take this couple in was certainly admirable and a major disruption of a lifestyle they are used to.

We left Fort Wayne and returned home. We got the kids to bed fairly early because this was the night Santa would visit. Anna is not so sure about this whole Santa thing. She's convinced dad is involved somehow. Cameron, however, is very much into it. He was easily convinced that he had to get to sleep so Santa could visit. When they woke up the next morning, Santa had indeed come and they got to open their Santa gift and go through their stockings. Thus ended Christmas #3.

We spent the next few days at home. Didn't do much at all, just hung out with the family. Had a few of the pastor's kids over for the afternoon to play with the kids. Otherwise, just took it easy.

On Thursday, we headed down to Kentucky for Christmas #4. Dorene's parents have a cabin at Lake Cumberland. We spent two nights there, and then the third evening Dorene's brother, Rob and his wife, Connie, came over. Also present were niece Shon and her new husband, Aaron, along with their child, Jace. Rounding out the guests were nephew Sam and his looooong time girlfriend, Brittany. We also did a "dirty" gift exchange and Dorene's family is much more ruthless than mine. Gifts got stolen and stolen and it seems just about everyone had their hands on at least two different gifts. I started out with a basket full of Ale-8, which is Kentucky's official soft drink. This isn't just some passing fancy, Kentucky folks are passionate about their Ale-8. Go out to breakfast, and people order up a bottle. It's basically a type of ginger ale. Nothing all that great, but boy do people go crazy over it. I like it okay and figured a basket of it would be nice to take home. But no, Shon's husband steals it, despite my cries of, "But I'm from Indiana and can't get this stuff up there." Didn't matter, my desperate pleas went unheeded. Like I said, Dorene's family much more ruthless with this exchange. I ended up with some bath towels and Dorene ended up with, I'm not sure what. But it was a blast and we don't get to see Robert, Connie, Sam and Shon very much, so we really soak up the time we have with them. Cameron absolutely had a meltdown when we had to leave. He loves his Uncle Robert and wanted to go home with him.

We came home late on New Year's Eve. Got home just in time to see the ball drop in Time's Square. Ooh, yuck, I have to go back to work on Tuesday. Dorene gets another week off (sort of, we'll get to that later).

This weekend, we'll have Christmas #5 at Dorene's parents. No, our kids are not spoiled.