Books and Holiday Shopping

Not sure what to write about but I want to keep my diary up. I’ve had a sinus infection for the last 5 days and the drugs are finally kicking in (with some help from my body’s immune system). Maybe that’s why my energy level is not too high and I don’t have any deep thoughts about life to capture.

I did most of my Christmas shopping on line this year. I usually do some but this year I was getting dressed to go out looking. I had my list (prepared by Diane). I was going to get a haircut too. Then I looked in the mirror and decided I could wait another week. I also decided that I could save the gas and hassle of running around and just go online. I got CD’s that Diane wanted and 2 books (Diana’s book and the one on Alexander Hamilton. She also wanted some piano sheet music of some classical stuff. Found that and also a guitar music book for moi. Then I ordered her a few Breyer horses she had circled. She’s easy to buy for cause I always have 2 pages of wish list stuff pinned to my cork board in the den. Justin will be a little harder. I got him a remote controlled flying saucer in Singapore on my travels. I’ll have to see what else he would like when I pick him up Wednesday.

Speaking of Justin, we got tickets to see Bob Seger at "The Q" in downtown Cleveland. Just the 2 of us. He’s one of my favorites and Justin likes him too.  I saw him back in 1974 – over 30 years ago, when he was still up and coming. Now he’s in the Rock Hall of Fame (located here in Cleveland). That reminds me – maybe I’ll renew my membership and head down early. I bet he’ll swing by to see the hall before the show.

Just talked to my Mom on the phone. She had her 70th birthday Friday. She’s one of my favorite ladies and probably one of the people I look up to the most. She’s intelligent, talented and very classy.

In the book area I just finished "1776" and it wasn’t bad. It wasn’t too good a year for the new Americans but in the end they persisted. Kinda reminds me of our current situations in the middle east. Even if you have all the might, the persistance of people who believe they are defending their homeland will always win in the end. When will we  ever learn?

I’m also about halfway through "Screwed – The Undeclared War Against the Middle Class". It’s a good thought provoking book.  Most of his points are very valid about the need for a solid middle class and how that promotes stability. I can’t believe just how far our government has swung to the side of business instead of "we, the people".  I don’t agree with everything he says. But I think there are too many jobs underpaid in this country and too many top people making too much money. Businesses talk about being competitive globally but there are so many jobs in the US where global competition is not even a factor. I see hotels, Walmarts and eating establishments all underpaying their folks and creating a burden for the rest of society. None of these services can ever be globally outsourced. If our government stood up for folks like that then all businesses would be on the same footing. I’m willing to pay $1 more for a night stay to make sure the chamber person isn’t on welfare. The same for the meal I eat out. (As for Walmart – That’s too big to comment on here)

The other book I nearly finished last night  is "Unbowed" – The memoirs of Wangari Maathai of Kenya. She started the Green Belt movement among other work in Kenya to help empower women, help th environment and promote democracy. She won the Nobel Peace Prize 2 years ago. What a remarkable woman. A real fighter. She put up with a lot of shit in their male dominated society.  It’s a good bookI would recommend.

Well, Diane just got up and is blasting the Holiday music. She’s doing her morning ritual – sitting in front of the tree and writing in her journal.  Today she has pile of cat barf on the rug right in front of her. She watched the cat throw up just as she was going to bed last night. She has a theory on cat barf – If it’s on the floor clean it up right away before it hardens, if it’s on the rug then let it dry.      Deep Thoughts!