Wednesday, October 07, 2009
People Smarter Than Me, Part MCMLXXVI
Penelope, who knows more about blogging than me, argues that blogs without focus are a waste of time.
So I ask you, dear readers-do I lack focus? Do I need focus? Am I a waste of your time? And, if so, why are you bothering to comment?
(Wait-that's a contradiction, isn't it?)
So I ask you, dear readers-do I lack focus? Do I need focus? Am I a waste of your time? And, if so, why are you bothering to comment?
(Wait-that's a contradiction, isn't it?)
Desert Island Books
The lovely, talented, and continually charming Jeanne asked, in the Bill James post below, what other books I would want to take with me to a desert island.
Many years ago, Tower Records (remember them?) used to publish a free magazine with artist interviews and suchlike promotional material. One of the pieces they used to publish was a reprint of an article called "Desert Island Discs" from a UK newspaper, in which artists would list the seven albums they would want to take with them (obviously, one assumes the presence of a solar powered player of said albums) to a desert island.
So, in that tradition and with Jeanne's inspiration, my Desert Island Books-the seven books I would like to take with me to a desert island. (I will exclude, for the sake of argument, books on wilderness survival and such. The natural first choice would be "how to survive being stranded on a desert island", but that's no fun.)
The books for a list like this not only have to be good, but they have to stand up to repeated rereading.
1. "The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract"-A long, detailed history of baseball, along with rankings of the top 100 players at the different positions and commentary about each player. I have read this cover to cover probably ten times, and love it each and every time.
2. "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", Robert Pirsig-First read it in high school, and understand it a little bit more every time I read it. A book about motorcycles that really isn't about motorcycles at all.
3. The Bible-I've always wanted to read it, cover to cover. I've read lots of books about it, but I've never read it itself all the way through.
4. "Get In The Van", Henry Rollins-A nonfiction account of Rollins' time with the punk band Black Flag. It doesn't sound immediately interesting, but Rollins is a fascinating man, and goes into various digressions often enough to make it a fascinating read.
5. "The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide", Douglas Adams- A bit of a cheat, because it is a 5 volume omnibus of the Hitchhiker's novels, but one that has stood up to repeated rereadings over the years. Of the hundreds of books I have bought, maybe the best value. Arthur Dent is an ordinary man in England who narrowly escapes the demolition of the Earth-and, believe it or not, hilarity ensues.
6. "Rabbit Angstrom", John Updike-Same as above-a cheat, because it is all the Rabbit novels in one cover. A fascinating series, following one man through the fifties, sixties, seventies, and eighties in America.
7. "The Civil War", Shelby Foote-Actually only read this once, but it's a tremendous read-a deeply detailed history of the American Civil War.
Feel free to leave your own list in the comments. The rules are simple-7 volumes of any size (the Civil War is a stretch-it's a boxed set of 3 volumes, but I consider it one item.) you have to take with you to live forever on a desert island. Assume your bodily needs (food, shelter, clothing) are taken care of-these are just to keep you entertained.
Many years ago, Tower Records (remember them?) used to publish a free magazine with artist interviews and suchlike promotional material. One of the pieces they used to publish was a reprint of an article called "Desert Island Discs" from a UK newspaper, in which artists would list the seven albums they would want to take with them (obviously, one assumes the presence of a solar powered player of said albums) to a desert island.
So, in that tradition and with Jeanne's inspiration, my Desert Island Books-the seven books I would like to take with me to a desert island. (I will exclude, for the sake of argument, books on wilderness survival and such. The natural first choice would be "how to survive being stranded on a desert island", but that's no fun.)
The books for a list like this not only have to be good, but they have to stand up to repeated rereading.
1. "The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract"-A long, detailed history of baseball, along with rankings of the top 100 players at the different positions and commentary about each player. I have read this cover to cover probably ten times, and love it each and every time.
2. "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", Robert Pirsig-First read it in high school, and understand it a little bit more every time I read it. A book about motorcycles that really isn't about motorcycles at all.
3. The Bible-I've always wanted to read it, cover to cover. I've read lots of books about it, but I've never read it itself all the way through.
4. "Get In The Van", Henry Rollins-A nonfiction account of Rollins' time with the punk band Black Flag. It doesn't sound immediately interesting, but Rollins is a fascinating man, and goes into various digressions often enough to make it a fascinating read.
5. "The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide", Douglas Adams- A bit of a cheat, because it is a 5 volume omnibus of the Hitchhiker's novels, but one that has stood up to repeated rereadings over the years. Of the hundreds of books I have bought, maybe the best value. Arthur Dent is an ordinary man in England who narrowly escapes the demolition of the Earth-and, believe it or not, hilarity ensues.
6. "Rabbit Angstrom", John Updike-Same as above-a cheat, because it is all the Rabbit novels in one cover. A fascinating series, following one man through the fifties, sixties, seventies, and eighties in America.
7. "The Civil War", Shelby Foote-Actually only read this once, but it's a tremendous read-a deeply detailed history of the American Civil War.
Feel free to leave your own list in the comments. The rules are simple-7 volumes of any size (the Civil War is a stretch-it's a boxed set of 3 volumes, but I consider it one item.) you have to take with you to live forever on a desert island. Assume your bodily needs (food, shelter, clothing) are taken care of-these are just to keep you entertained.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Everybody Loves Twins
Somewhat shockingly, at least to me, the Minnesota Twins beat the Tigers today, 6-5, to win the final American League playoff spot. The Twins go to New York to get stomped by the Yankees tomorrow, while the Red Sox will head west to play the Angles out in sunny California on Thursday.
In the lesser league, Colorado plays the Phillies and the Cardinals face the Dodgers.
Some time after Halloween, we will have a World Series winner.
In the lesser league, Colorado plays the Phillies and the Cardinals face the Dodgers.
Some time after Halloween, we will have a World Series winner.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Bill James and the Invention of Common Sense
It is Bill James' birthday. The author, sabermetrician, and Senior Advisor for Baseball Operations for the Red Sox is 60 today.
James is probably the single most influential baseball author working today. A former night watchman, James has an intense dislike for cant and foolishness, and has spent his life analyzing topics, predominantly baseball ones, with rigorous logic. His writing is passionate, sometimes cruelly so, but always strictly commonsensical.
I have been reading him for as long as I have followed baseball, and consider his "Historical Baseball Abstract" one of the books I would want to take with me to a desert island. Happy birthday, Bill James.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
And another thing...
...the NFL has really got to do something about their officiating.
There have been a number of downright bizarre calls, not just today, but all season. Rules should be rules, no matter who the player is or what the situation is. As terrible as Tom Brady's injury was, football doesnt function unless you can tackle the quarterback.
There have been a number of downright bizarre calls, not just today, but all season. Rules should be rules, no matter who the player is or what the situation is. As terrible as Tom Brady's injury was, football doesnt function unless you can tackle the quarterback.
So You Think You're Crazy?
Steve at No More Mr. Nice Blog, on a New York Times piece about anxiety:
"Most of the time, though, the vast majority of Americans don't want to hear it if you feel any anxiety. Full speed ahead! Why are you being such a gloomy Gus ? You're worried that something could go wrong if we invade Iraq? You're afraid the housing boom could be a bubble? You have health insurance and don't have a serious illness and you're worried that if you have a really serious medical problem you might not still be insured, or might not be truly covered? Hey, enough! You're bumming us all out!"
Steve expresses something here I have felt for years, but have always had trouble giving a voice to.
I've always felt like I missed a memo somewhere along the way.
I have been living with what I like to call melancholia since I was approximately 15 years old. I have been this way for so long I cannot remember being any other way. It causes misery-buckets of it-but I think it makes me more sensitive, at the same time, and easier to live with. Whether or not I am easy to live with I will have to leave as an exercise to those who live with me.
I am a worrier. I don't take advantage of opportunities, I don't do things that are likely to be complicated. To borrow a title of a children's book, I am the Shark That Is Afraid Of Everything. I am this way to such an extent there are things that people do-attend horror movies, go to amusement parks-that not only do I never do, I cannot concieve of any possible way they would be enjoyable.
I have never run anything. I have never had to make my living based on my wits or my skills in any real way. That thought-being a salesman or running a business- terrifies me. I am constantly worrying that I'm not doing enough, that something is about to go wrong in my life.
Steve's notion, that it is this worrywartism that both may be genetic and may be the cause of my liberalism, explains a lot.
"Most of the time, though, the vast majority of Americans don't want to hear it if you feel any anxiety. Full speed ahead! Why are you being such a gloomy Gus ? You're worried that something could go wrong if we invade Iraq? You're afraid the housing boom could be a bubble? You have health insurance and don't have a serious illness and you're worried that if you have a really serious medical problem you might not still be insured, or might not be truly covered? Hey, enough! You're bumming us all out!"
Steve expresses something here I have felt for years, but have always had trouble giving a voice to.
I've always felt like I missed a memo somewhere along the way.
I have been living with what I like to call melancholia since I was approximately 15 years old. I have been this way for so long I cannot remember being any other way. It causes misery-buckets of it-but I think it makes me more sensitive, at the same time, and easier to live with. Whether or not I am easy to live with I will have to leave as an exercise to those who live with me.
I am a worrier. I don't take advantage of opportunities, I don't do things that are likely to be complicated. To borrow a title of a children's book, I am the Shark That Is Afraid Of Everything. I am this way to such an extent there are things that people do-attend horror movies, go to amusement parks-that not only do I never do, I cannot concieve of any possible way they would be enjoyable.
I have never run anything. I have never had to make my living based on my wits or my skills in any real way. That thought-being a salesman or running a business- terrifies me. I am constantly worrying that I'm not doing enough, that something is about to go wrong in my life.
Steve's notion, that it is this worrywartism that both may be genetic and may be the cause of my liberalism, explains a lot.
Game 162: And there...we....went!
In the final game of the 2009 regular season, Boston steamrollered the Indians one last time, 12-7. Boston got homers from Alex Gonzalez (?), Jed Lowrie (??), Dustin Pedroia, and two from JD Drew, while Clay Buchholz was downright inadequate, allowing 6 runs in just three innings.
The playoffs will either begin on Wednesday or Thursday. The Red Sox will play the Angels, and the Yankees will play either the Twins or the Tigers, depending on who wins a one day playoff Tuesday. When it is determined who the Yankees will play, they will then choose the 8 day schedule or the 7 day schedule for the first place round, and their choice dictates when Boston and Anaheim will have to play.
The playoffs will either begin on Wednesday or Thursday. The Red Sox will play the Angels, and the Yankees will play either the Twins or the Tigers, depending on who wins a one day playoff Tuesday. When it is determined who the Yankees will play, they will then choose the 8 day schedule or the 7 day schedule for the first place round, and their choice dictates when Boston and Anaheim will have to play.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Andrew Sullivan on Afghanistan
Andrew Sullivan on Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is the red headed stepchild of American politics right now-nobody knows what to do with it, but it's not going away. I don't really want to think about it either-there aren't that many options, and what's worse, all of them are lousy.
I can't help but think back and wonder what would have been different if the former President had not shifted our focus to Iraq in 2002. But that's old news-things would be different if Meade pursues Lee after Gettysburg, or if John McGraw signs Jose Mendez in 1920, or if Washington can't escape off the Brooklyn Heights.
I don't know what the President plans to do. I don't envy him the choice, certainly, and I don't know what I would do. I just want the killing to stop, as simplistic as that sounds.
Sullivan says it well, and I agree:
"And, to be honest, I have every confidence in this cabinet and this general and this president will do the best they absolutely can. And while we shouldn't stint in criticism, we should allow them some lee-way in an immensely difficult and fateful call."
Afghanistan is the red headed stepchild of American politics right now-nobody knows what to do with it, but it's not going away. I don't really want to think about it either-there aren't that many options, and what's worse, all of them are lousy.
I can't help but think back and wonder what would have been different if the former President had not shifted our focus to Iraq in 2002. But that's old news-things would be different if Meade pursues Lee after Gettysburg, or if John McGraw signs Jose Mendez in 1920, or if Washington can't escape off the Brooklyn Heights.
I don't know what the President plans to do. I don't envy him the choice, certainly, and I don't know what I would do. I just want the killing to stop, as simplistic as that sounds.
Sullivan says it well, and I agree:
"And, to be honest, I have every confidence in this cabinet and this general and this president will do the best they absolutely can. And while we shouldn't stint in criticism, we should allow them some lee-way in an immensely difficult and fateful call."
Game 161: You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can't...
Tune Josh Beckett, who was adequate, to be charitable, in his final regular season outing. Boston's bats exploded, however, especially a VMart grand salami that helped power an 11-6 win. Boston's regular season ends tomorrow with one final game against Cleveland, and then the playoffs begin either Wednesday or Thursday in Anaheim.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Game 160: Tune Up, Turn On, Drop Out
In another game that counts for historical accuracy only, the Red Sox beat the Indians tonight, 6-2. Dice K showed signs of life, with 6 decent innings, and V Mart and Jason Bay had two hits.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Hard To Know What To Say
The Phil Nugent Experience: The Roman Arena
Phil Nugent, this time, on Roman Polanski:
"I don't think that people would support this kind of use of their tax dollars and the police's time if Polanski had robbed a bank or maybe even if he'd killed somebody, but throw in "anal rape" of a child, and many people would probably all for seeing him torn apart by hungry bears in the Thunderdome on live TV. I'm not sorry for Polanski. I don't think his talent gives him license to rape children. I don't even, I swear to God, support the rape of children by anyone. But the Los Angeles County Justice Department is performing an expensive, international operation that I doubt it would like to try to justify on the grounds of protecting and serving the public, all because it got its shins kicked. They feel that they can get away with what they want to do because there are certain crimes that set off such a light show inside the skulls of most people that, if they're told what they're seeing is in reaction to one of those crimes, they'll forgive the law anything. So did John Yoo."
Game 159: The Tune Up Bomb
With the postseason roles all wrapped up, Boston finally righted the ship tonight, Jon Lester and friends spinning a three hitter at the Cleveland Indians for a 3-0 win.
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