I’m reading this one to my five-year-old daughter. It’s taking forever because she’s not really that into it. I think it’s a little dull for her after so much Dahl. The prose is rather plain and the narration delves deeply into 19th Century prairie house-building techniques. Still, I think it’s a worthwhile read because the girls in the story are good role models. Maybe she’ll decide to give it another go when she’s older.

You can argue with me all you like but you’ll never convince me that John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas is not the most awesome Christmas album ever. You just can’t beat the twanginess of “Please Daddy (Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas)”. It’s a true American classic.

I liked the first two seasons, but the third season got lost in death and dispair. There was little humor left. I watched the first episode of the fourth season last night and it was more of the same from the third season. I don’t need to watch anymore of this. It’s too depressing and upsetting.

The Wiggles have changed my life by making it a living hell whenever they are on the tube. They are talentless hacks in primary colors. Why do kids like this crap?

Confession: my wife does most of the cooking. I need more practice. I also need to read more about cooking and food in general. This book seems like an awesome reference. We’ve had it awhile and I’ve not given it much of my attention. Time to change that.

This is the most enjoyable and accessible of Stephenson’s novels. I think it’s also my favorite.

It wasn’t quite like I remembered. It’s from the New Revised Moosewood Cookbook. We didn’t have the right rice (had to go with plain basmati) and steamed Brussels sprouts just didn’t go well with it. Also, too much peanut sauce was left over.

Two cups daily, one mid-morning and one mid-afternoon. It contains just enough caffeine to keep me going, and lots of other good stuff to keep me healthy. I’m thinking of uping my daily intake to three cups.

The thing that I took away from this book which I wasn’t aware of going in is that the book burning was just a side-show. The real reason there weren’t any books anymore (in the open) is that people just stopped reading. A mindless virtual reality, much like TV today, took care of everyone’s needs and killed their curiosity. Also, an intense athletics and action-based culture made sure no one had the leisure to think or examine life.

And it was going so well, relatively speaking, for the Fishers et al. My god, the last three episodes were almost unbearable. I mean that in a good way, I think. I love this series for what it shows and for what it doesn’t show. No other TV series breaks so many taboos and does it in such a “so what?” style. But, man, it can be a real downer. The season finale gave me a bit of relief, closure, but I was seriously bummed out for about two days afterward. I need a break, spend more time outside in the sun, hug my family.