A Good Read

I have an eclectic taste in novels. I am addicted to books on tapes that I can 'read' on my way to work. So besides the Swedish Crime novels I mentioned in a previous blog...I have found another type of book that I like.

I am not sure what to call the genre, they are sort of kind, quirky folks (not in the mainstream) doing service to others. These are feel good stories mostly, clean and positive, yet at times brutally realistic.  The theme of these to me is best described as Christian Service to 'do unto' others. Not preachy, more sort of teaching; as in teaching and describing people doing service to need youths.  The best ones of this slightly different genre in my opinion are Plainsong and Eventide by Kent Haruf.

Recently, though, I picked up a book on tape version of "Made in the U.S.A." by Billie Letts. Similar to Plainsong...it speaks toward out of control troubled but redeemable youths being helped on the road to stability by the kindness of out of the usual characters. In Plainsong, the unusual characters were the two awkward but kindhearted McPheron brothers, elderly bachelor ranchers. In "Made in the U.S.A", the helpful character is a crippled ex-Circus performer and his unusual family.

If you are interested in reading something different and positive, I would recommend any of these books.


The version of "Made in the U.S.A." I 'read' was read out loud by Cassandra Morris. Part of the joy of books on tapes is experiencing a really good reader. The reader selected has an impact on how the story is internalized, a great reader enhances the reading experience.  Cassandra Morris really seemed to be perfect for this particular reading. I really enjoyed the experience.

Cheers, nca

Happily In the Dog House again.

On a previous post on this blog, the author mentioned the nature of his pug infestation. To be fair, there should be no surprise for the author that he married into a family with deep love for friends of the canine variety. If the author had simply taken the time to peruse family albums in early stages of his courting, the evidence was direct and undisguised. The author, invites blog readers everywhere to view the evidence and decide for themselves.

Cheers....nca

Beach Volleyball

I admit, I have always been a bit biased concerning the Olympics. I still prefer the days when American Olympians were amateurs. The Dream Team is a Yawn for me...give me those American Amateur Basketball teams any day. And I still have a hard time with any 'sport' that has to be 'scored' by judges. I like amateur athletes in the competition, and I like sports were a winner is judged by his time, or with a tape across a finish line.

But, I can be open minded to some degree. I watched the 2012 London games and I have to admit I enjoyed this year's women's gymnastic all around competition...even with the judges out there. Just seen the precision and the joy and imaging the immense training these athletes have gone through...just impresses me.

I can find no fault with glimpses of personal excellence.

But please....Beach Volleyball. Oh, I get it, I am a hetero male and I get the bikinis and the long legs. But the Olympics? I'm sorry, but they already have volleyball...real volleyball. What is next, mud volleyball?

 Jello Volleyball?
Greco-Roman groping?

I think it is fine to find sports that more people in the world can enjoy. Cricket? Rugby? Finding true international sports, sounds like a great idea. But synchronised swimming? Are the standard swimming and diving competitions not enough?  And rhythm gymnastics? Please. It's girls dancing with ribbons.

If you are going to do that, why isn't square dancing or ballroom dancing not part of the Olympics.

A friend of mine at work asked me which Olympic sport I would want to do if I had the ability.  The answer was easy. Men's 100 meter dash. Power against power. Muscle against muscle. Speed against speed. Bring it on! If only...

Just my thoughts, for what they are worth.

Cheers, nca


p.s. concerning the disqualified badminton players....I have one problem with this. I saw swimmers laying back at the end of qualifying rounds once they knew they had qualified. I see sprinters doing the same thing...I've seen Michael Phelps do it in qualifying rounds. Please tell me, what is so different about this? They had qualified, and now were looking for seeding. This happens in all sports. How can we judge these athletes, we should be judging the rules that put them in that position.