Currently Reading

I just glanced over at the side bar and saw that it said I was still reading "Gilead". Yikes. Truth be told I finished "Gilead" about 2 days after Amon and I got back from Colorado. So much to do, so little time to do it. Updating the sidebar of the blog falls into that category of items reserved for ironing curtains and dusting the top of your book shelf; you know you should do it but somehow it always seems to not be done.

So SINCE "Gilead" I've read the Lemony Snickets books 1-5, part of "Lake Wobegon", bits and pieces of "The Dangerous Book for Boys", and have been brushing up on C.S. Lewis in preparation for the soon to be re-convening Inklings group. I'm currently reading Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughter House Five" as part of my ongoing attempt to read more of those English Lit. class/cultural classic books I some how missed out on. I while back I read "The Old Man and the Sea", and I've also read "Lord of the Flies" recently.

The book we'll be covering in Inklings this semester is "Surprised by Joy". It's Lewis's "autobiography" although I'd think today's literary critics would describe it as more of a memoir. It is certainly told with a point to make (how he became a Christian and what the motivation means for his literary aesthetic) and it only covers a portion of his life. I think it will be interesting to compare his attitudes and approach to life, literature, Christianity in "Surprised by Joy" (written relatively early in life) to one of the books we did last semester in Inklings "A Grief Observed".

Upcoming reads include something by Shakespeare (either a comedy or a history...who's to say), some Chesterton, probably re-read Phantases, some peruse the Annotated Hobbit, and An Acceptable Time, the other 8 Lemony Snicket books, and who knows what else.

Let me know your thoughts on any of the books I've mentioned...I'd love to hear.

Mike

Welcome back STS-118

The crew of STS-118 is back on earth despite questions about whether the shuttle would be safe to re-enter the atmosphere with a damaged tile. I was listening to an interview with a science and technology public affairs professor who was discussing the change or lack of change in NASA's culture regarding safety issues.

It's a very intersting topic. NASA is our nations space agency; it is not a private corporation. It makes me wonder what kind of discussions would be taking place if we were talking about a private corporation. On the one hand, being a public organization I would IMAGINE it is subject to more inquiry and public openness. Maybe not. However, I have to think that with private space ventures there would be a POTENTIAL for a more dollar oriented approach.

If NASA has to jump through hurrdles to get people thinking safety over money...what will happen with private space ventures?

I hope and wish that private space travel will start as soon as Virgin Galactic seems to imply it will (first commercial sub orbital flights by as early as 2009). There's a part of me that worries about what sorts of risks may be taken to be the first, the highest, the longest, etc. There's also a part of me that thinks that my kids are going to be able to come up with some really awesome sports and games on their vacations to the Galactic (Insert Corporate Sponsor) Center located in Geosynchronous orbit above the Barrier Reef.

Emperor's New Diet?

How much would YOU pay for "Gourmet Salt"?

I recently read an article that detailed a "salt sampler rack" (like a spice rack but with different salts) that sold for over $100.00. I just can't imagine who's buying over $100.00 in gourmet salt. I could see spending 5 bucks on some cool looking black salt, but I imagine that's probably still a pretty hard sell for most people.

Maybe I'm missing something.