Sunday, November 14, 2004
Back from New Orleans and fully recovered. I was very, very, very tired when I arrived in Calgary. Friday night was a wonderful time but I was still plenty drunk when getting onto the plane Saturday morning. Such a great time, so many stories, so many asses grabbed, so many meals had. I will be working tomorrow down south and then celebrating with Ms. McCann.
Not surprisingly, i have finished another book. This novel, The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields, was a different sort of novel. Enjoyable to read, and certainly a compelling a well written story. It hasn't made my list of 4 classics but I can understand it winning the Pulitzer Prize. Ms. McCann had recommended it, and she really liked it. Take that under consideration when you make a decision.
For anyone who wants to know my Christmas wishes, check out my wishlist at this link. Wink, Wink, Nudge, Nudge.
Not surprisingly, i have finished another book. This novel, The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields, was a different sort of novel. Enjoyable to read, and certainly a compelling a well written story. It hasn't made my list of 4 classics but I can understand it winning the Pulitzer Prize. Ms. McCann had recommended it, and she really liked it. Take that under consideration when you make a decision.
For anyone who wants to know my Christmas wishes, check out my wishlist at this link. Wink, Wink, Nudge, Nudge.
Friday, November 12, 2004
The weather in New Orleans has turned cool. I don't know exact numbers but I had to wear a jacket when i went out for lunch to a liquor store. No, I actually ate the food (and I do mean food) inside the liquor store and not in the alley behind it. And then my gracious host took me to see the unofficial Indian embassy in New Orleans on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Very strange place.
I leave tomorrow from this wonderful haven at 6:15 am, to arrive in Calgary at about 2:30 from San Francisco. So I can see everybody for a sushi dinner if they would like. Of course, you will have to organize it amongst yourselves. Just send me the invite on my phone.
I leave tomorrow from this wonderful haven at 6:15 am, to arrive in Calgary at about 2:30 from San Francisco. So I can see everybody for a sushi dinner if they would like. Of course, you will have to organize it amongst yourselves. Just send me the invite on my phone.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
New Orleans is still very warm, though much more humid than earlier in the week. Things are still very fun down here. I keep getting out, and I keep meeting new peeps, and I continue to indulge in fine cuisine. I've been doing a lot of reading these past few days. The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk was the first of the two I will report on. The second is Ironweed by William Kennedy.
Ironweed is a novel about Bumms, Hobos and that sort. A drifter who has yet to stop & face his problems head on is the protagonist. I have absolutley no sympathy for a man who runs from every tribulation in his life. There are characters in this novels who are drunks, who can't work, or whatever their problem is. I can sympathize with these hard-luck cases. I can see how these people need a fairer shake than I've given them. But the protagonist is a horrible anti-hero, a real louse of a person. I have trouble getting my head around this choice by the author. Perhaps it is to place your sympathy on the secondary characters, humans who aren't degenerates so much as they are luckless and unable to make it.
The Caine Mutiny was excellent. Just an excellent look at a minesweeper during WWII, the crew and their troubles. Filled with action and written with an enjoyable flair. I will definitely recommend it to others, including my father but i will be leaving my copy in New Orleans with my host in trade for The Source (Michener) and Gorky Park (Martin Cruz Smith). Get your own mutiny!
Ironweed is a novel about Bumms, Hobos and that sort. A drifter who has yet to stop & face his problems head on is the protagonist. I have absolutley no sympathy for a man who runs from every tribulation in his life. There are characters in this novels who are drunks, who can't work, or whatever their problem is. I can sympathize with these hard-luck cases. I can see how these people need a fairer shake than I've given them. But the protagonist is a horrible anti-hero, a real louse of a person. I have trouble getting my head around this choice by the author. Perhaps it is to place your sympathy on the secondary characters, humans who aren't degenerates so much as they are luckless and unable to make it.
The Caine Mutiny was excellent. Just an excellent look at a minesweeper during WWII, the crew and their troubles. Filled with action and written with an enjoyable flair. I will definitely recommend it to others, including my father but i will be leaving my copy in New Orleans with my host in trade for The Source (Michener) and Gorky Park (Martin Cruz Smith). Get your own mutiny!
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
New Orleans is absolutely beautiful right now. It's too warm to even be fall here. The first two days there was no need for a jacket. Clear skies and warm sunshine abound. Today I brought a jacket with me, mostly because I know not where the day will take me.
Finished reading the Moviegoer by Walker Percy already. It's a strange one. I need to think on it some more before I can make an erudite post about it. My NOLA host hated it, but i fear he hates many of the books I like.
The food continues to be excellent, along with the drink (And I'm imbibing). It's time to go to Maritime law. I'll post again soon.
Finished reading the Moviegoer by Walker Percy already. It's a strange one. I need to think on it some more before I can make an erudite post about it. My NOLA host hated it, but i fear he hates many of the books I like.
The food continues to be excellent, along with the drink (And I'm imbibing). It's time to go to Maritime law. I'll post again soon.
