2006 World Series Champs...Back in Action!

Okay, it's not quite as cool as the official opening day, nor is it as exciting, but there's just something about the first day of spring training baseball. The Cards played their first game of spring ball today and, now that I'm basically a FFloridian, I hope to swing down to Jupiter to catch some grapefruit league ball. Best of luck, birds, and here's to a repeat of '06!

I'm Moderately Smart...right?

Over the last week or two, I've been working my way through Thomas Friedman's "Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After 9-11." Friedman is a columnist for the New York Times and an expert in globalization. At the beginning of the book, he stated that he doesn't seek to editorialize or persuade-just be clear in his writing so people can draw their own conclusions. I appreciate this since, it seems, most political books I've read as of late get into "he said/she said."
Yet, as I've read Friedman's book, there are times I feel like a complete nincompoop. The conflicts of the Middle East are his main source of content. Since 9-11, I think most Americans have become more aware there IS a world outside our borders, and some of us may even know a good deal more than we did six years ago. Yet, the names, the views, the histories, the wars, the different religious factions, etc. etc. etc. are really tough to keep straight-even for an hombre like me who tries to stay up on this stuff. And yet, remembering who the bad guys are and who the good guys are is tough! I mean, there isn't anything surprising about the fact most folks cannot name their Senators, much less know their views on foreign policy. And still...I continue to feel ignorant. It's not for lack of trying, either! But, doesn't this just go to prove that this world we live in is one complicated, complicated place? Still, that makes me want to learn-not throw up my hands and disregard it all. I hope you do the same.

Thanks to All...and a Shameless Sales Pitch

Thanks to the folks who stopped by my open house yesterday. For those who may not know, I'm relocating to Florida and I'd really, really like to sell my house! Here are the specs:
1400 sq. ft.
3 bed/2 bath
new roof, new kitchen, newly sealed basement, fenced backyard, hardwood throughout, all appliances stay with the house, one car garage, HUGE back deck, walking distance to Kirkwood shopping/attractions and just around the corner from Tillman Elementary School on sought-after N. Taylor Ave. Any questions? Call my home office at 314-822-9057. The house is for sale by owner until the weekend of March 10. Then, the price is likely to go up. Other questions? E mail me directly at:

marcus@marcusengel.com

Slaid Cleaves

One of my favorite singer/songwriters is Slaid Cleaves. Considering it is a rare Saturday night when I had nothing to do, I spent part of the evening surfing the net, mainly to see what concerts are going to be where I am. After reading through Slaid's concert schedule (hey Slaid...hook a brutha up! Come to Florida or St. Louis, man!) there was a caption which I totally, totally love. It read:

Slaid Cleaves. Grew up in Maine. Lives in Texas. Writes songs. Makes records. Travels around. Tries to be good.

Wow. Brevity at it's best!

talking toilets...

In an effort to persuade bar patrons not to drive drunk, the state of New Mexico has installed talking toilets in some drinking establishments. When men go to use the restroom, a seductive recording of a female voice says something like, "Hey, big boy...had one too many? Be sure to stay safe and get a ride home."
First and foremost, the seductive female voice would make me want to pee more! Second...hey, what can this hurt? If it keeps even one intoxicated person from getting behind the wheel, it accomplished the mission. Props to the state of New Mexico for taking some creative initiative!

Old People Kick Some Serious Tail!

Wow, while I'm not exactly a fan of murder, you've gotta give props to these old farts for defending themselves. That's the U.S. military training, some half a century later coming out! Hoo Ah!

Top News- Elderly Tourist Kills Mugger With Bare Hands - AOL News
http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/elderly-tourist-kills-mugger-with-bare/20070223114409990001

I Hate Myself Right Now

I have just spent the last 30 minutes watching a Broward Co., FL judge ramble on about his in laws, his baby at home, his angry wife, San Francisco, the Bronx, Texas, how much he's afraid of death and funerals, his health and a million other things of no relevance to anything-and darned sure not the case of Anna Nicole he's been appointed to determine. What a complete mockery of the legal system. I mean, this entire freaking mess is nothing less than lawyer ego getting in the law's way. I have never, EVER seen an episode of such self centeredness outside of a high school! And know what's worse? I'm watching this crap! I have approximately 45 more years on this planet and I have just wasted a good portion of this afternoon watching idiots act like the law is nothing more than their personal looking glass. And know what's worse than the worst thing I just told you? I'm going to keep watching this! God, sometimes I hate myself!

Gaston College, February 21

Thanks to Amy Davis and the Gaston College community for an awesome time yesterday! Thanks to all who purchased and ordered books, to all who E mailed me afterward and just for welcoming me in like an old friend!

Wake Forest University, February 20

Many of you who've read "After This..." may recognize the name "Steve Hirst" from the back cover. Steve is the Greek advisor for Wake Forest University, as well as being a good friend. This is a pic of he and I before my program for the Greeks of WFU on Tuesday.
Thanks Steve!

Gaston College

Wow, wow and WOW! Thanks so so so much to the Gaston College community for welcoming me in this morning! Signs all over campus, banners on stage...what can I say? I felt like a rock star! A HUGE thanks to Amy Davis for contagious exhuberence and for being the driving force to get me to Gaston! Thanks for all the help, for being such a great client, for some good eatin' of NC BBQ after my program and just for being so darned much fun!The CD you compiled of all the songs from my book is truly awesome and I think I may use it for future presentations! Pictures will be posted in the next day or so!

Wake Forest University"

Thanks to all who came out this evening at Wake Forest. We'll post some pics in the next day or two, but wanted to send a quick shout to Steve Hirst, the Greek community at WFU, Brian and the other dudes from the Injury Prevention Theme house, the future Dr. Beaver and all of you guys who made dinner out such a freaking awesome time!Take care, guys!

This Friday-acoustic gig at D'Vine Wines

Well, I sorta feel like the Rolling Stones. Ya know, I'm doing a final "tour"...until I do another tour, then another, then another. But, since Lisa at D'Vine Wines has given me an open invitation, well, I'll take it! So, same as usual, folks:

Friday night
7-9 p.m. or so
D'Vvine Wines, downtown Kirkwood

Come on out and have some vino and enjoy some sub-par covers of some of the best rock songs ever(in my not-so-humble opinion)

NACA in Nashvegas!

Currently attending the Natl. Association of Collegiate Activities conference at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Me and a few bazillion of my closest college friends, that is! Thanks to all who stopped by the Coleman Productions booth today to give Carson some lovin' and find out about my programs, as well as those presented by other speakers.

Beauty and the Geek

Since it's Sunday and I tend to be a lazy butt on the Lard's Day, today was spent watching the Beauty and the Geek marathon. Yes, I realize this also makes me a geek. Or boring. Oor something. But, I digress.
For all the trash of this show, I've gotta say that it has some decent points. I mean, the whole idea is learning and reciprocation. Girl doesn't know what LCD stands for, but she DOES know how to buy clothes and make the geek look good. Guy doesn't know how to style his hair, but he DOES know how to use logic to use a map. So, everyone wins. And isn't that the sign of all good relationships?

Associating Up

Becca, the hairdresser extraordinaire, had her way with my Hendrix white man's fro today. And, as always, she showed her talent by turning my Cosmo Kramer head of hair into something manageable and, dare I say, cool!
Yet, wwhile we chit chatted, I was a little sad to learn that Becca would soon be leaving her current salon. When I asked why, she gave an answer I thought was worth sharing: "I want to work with hairdressers who are better than me." Becca has worked her way to the paramount of her current salon. She could easily stay there, pulling in more dough than any of the other employees. But, she wants to challenge herself by associating and learning from those who have more talent, experience and techniques than she does.
So often, people reach the top of their "circle" and strive for nothing else. Not Becca. She wants to continue to learn, expand and grow in her work-a sign she is a true professional. And a lesson we can all learn from

Greeting Cards for Anorexics

Hallmark has introduced a new line of "greeting" cards for those occassions when you just don't know what to say. They now have cardsfor people just coming out of drug or alcohol rehab, conquering an eating disorder, coming out of the closet and even when a family member has been a victim of homicide. I mean, we now live in a country where you can go to the mall and get a card specifically for a mom of a murdered kid. Personally, I think this is an awesome concept for Hallmark-it's just sad that some of the things the cards commemorate are part of our society and our social make-up.

What'd You Get for Valentine's Day?

I've had a few friends ask this today, so I figured I'd just tell the world...and tell the world why it's meaningful, while I'm at it. *drum roll, please*....The Valentine's Day haul from the lovely and talented Marvelyne was a Kris Kristofferson CD, a pound of coffee(in the bean, as I like it), a kick butt Polo shirt and some Bisinger's chocolates, direct from STL. Each of these is special because it shows how well she knows me. I've been searching for Kris' "Me and Bobby McGee" for a long, long time, coffee and Marcus are like kids and puppies(just less slurping), I love long sleeved Polo shirts with henley collars AND I first introed Marvelyne to Bisinger's a few years ago after she'd heard me talk about it ever since we met. Now, I am NOT a chocoholic by a long shot. In fact, it's not even on my top 10 list of foods. But Bisinger's? Yeah, it rocks!(BTW, anyone from Bisinger's reading this? How about ya hook a brutha up for the free advertising?!)
My opinion on gifts is that they should ONLY bbe given if one is absolutely certain the other will like it. Otherwise? We all have far, far too many material goods. Gifts that come from the heart and reflect the relationship are those that will be cherished forever...either that or until the chocolate and Starbucks runs out! Happy Valentine's Day, all!

Protecting People from Idiots

Did you read about the Belgian woman who was killed earlier this week by a cheetah in the zoo? Here's a quick rundown...37 year old zoogoer(is that a word?) who helped "sponsor" the cheetah's care by donating money. After the zoo closed, she hid out in a restricted area, stole the keys to the cheetah's cage and paid the cheetah a little visit. The cheetah then attacked her. Shocking. I don't mean to make light of a human tragedy, but the story DOES get a lot more weird.
After this occurred, an animal rights organization called GAIA demanded the zoo be shut down because it's unsafe for visitors. Beg pardon? If GAIA wants to make a statement that the idea of wild animals being captured and caged is wrong, fine. They may have a point.
What is NOT a point is that the zoo isn't safe. Seriously, they really think the zoo isn't safe because a woman disobeyed the zoo hours, hid in a restricted area, stole a keeper's keys and ended up being tragically mauled? "Tragically mauled" is the sad part, but the other stuff was all her fault!
I really, really hate it when orgs of any kind take their mission statement and try to make it fit a completely different situation. Do what you say, say what you do, but don't make claims that don't fit into any rational situation.

Pride

Almost always when I use the word pride, it's in a negative way. But, pride is so much more than that. When Ii was playing high school athletics, we used the term "pride" to denote our loyalty to the school, the team, all that stuff the Beach Boys talked about in "Be True to Your School." Now, when thinking of human behavior and interaction, I think of pride as a limiting mindset. People are too pride to admit they need help, or people are too proud to believe they maybe, just maybe, have made a mistake.
I've been house hunting lately and I see another definition of pride-the pride of ownership and care. As we drove through a neighborhood today, it was pretty obvious today was trash day. In one neighborhood, there were trash bags stacked along the street next to overflowing trash cans. Granted, it's trash, but there's a proper way to "display" your trash while it's waiting to be taken to the big landfill in the sky. After exiting that subdivision, we drove through the next one down the street. Here, it was trash day, too, but all trash was in trash cans and all cans had a lid on top. There were no extras laying around, either; mattresses, old toys, bikes, etc. Little details show the mindset of the neighborhood. Neighborhoods are, after all, made up of neighbors-and I want neighbors who even take pride in the disposal of their trash. To help keep the area clean, organized and as pretty as possible(even on trash day) shows a pride that I want to find in all people, but especially in neighbors.

Please Vs. Thank You

Saturday afternoon, I flew back into Orlando and into one of the messiest airport conditions I've ever witnessed. From the time the plane landed until my luggage came down the carousel, over 50 minutes had passed. Sixteen...count 'em, 16, flights were backed up due to the baggage problems. There were several hundred passengers standing around a carousel waiting for their baggage to come around...but that's kinda hard when the carousel wasn't even moving. Folks were getting irritated, and rightfully so. After standing around for more than half an hour, someone working for the airline came over the PA and said, "Folks, please be patient. We've got 16 flights worth of baggage backed up and we're trying to get it straightened out."Obviously, you cannot fully realize her tone without having been there to hear it, but it was nothing short of accusatory. Why? That one wword: please. Please be patient. Polite? Courteous? No, not so much. Saying "please be patient" accuses those of us standing around of NOT being patient. And maybe folks were NOT patient, but it wasn't like they'd done anything wrong. The airline was the problem.
So, I tried to think if there was another way the airline employee could have worded it. Would this sound better? "Thank you for being patient. We apologize for your wait. We have had some technical problems and we're working on getting your luggage as fast as possible." Better? Yes, I think so. I never really thought the word "please" could be accusatory, but I guess I now know differently. When there's a choice between please and thank you, choose thank you.

I Choose Not to be Offended

Today, I had the opprotunity to spend some time with an elderly gentleman who is in failing health. He was a successful businessman and it seems most times I hang out with him, I get a few more pearls of wisdom. It doesn't hurt that this is my girlfriend's stepdad and I want to get to know him while I have a chance!
Tonight, he made a comment I thought was utterly profound. He said one of the philosophies he lives by is simply, "I choose not to be offended."
In today's world, it sometimes feels like everyone is trying to be offfended. Seriously, don't you know people who are constantly looking for the tiniest "flaw" in, well, just about anything? Then that flaw is exposed as something that stings their very soul. Foolish.
These days, any comment about the nationality or race of another person will get you lumped in with David Duke and the Klan. Any statement about politics will get you dubbed a money-grubbing Republican fundamentalist or a left wing lib whack job. Any comment about religion will soon have you in the company of either snake handlers or ACLU lawyers. Again...by people who are trying to be offfended. And, we should all take a lesson from Bud's wisdom-choose not to be offended.

What About Me?

Last night, I got into an armchair psycho-analyzing session with my girlfriend, Marvelyne. The topic? Other people. In the last week or so, I've been around several people who seem to have a lot of trouble engaging in a conversation if the convo does not revolve around them. Like, all this person knows is himself/herself, so that's all he/she can talk about. There's no discussion of world events, philosophy, politics, arts, nothing-just this person. And if the other topics of conversation come up, the person steers to conversation back around to them. Me, me, me.
So, Marvelyne and I discussed why this is. Does the person not have any other interests? Or, is it something more deep seeded? Something like a need for attention.
We all need attention, but I think there's something "off" when someone consistently makes him/herself center of attention. I think I'm a fairly interesting guy, but I can also get bored with myself! Bring in some variety...and stop demanding the center of attention be you...this is what I would like to say to said person...but how can you do that? By "demanding" the spotlight, the person is showing his/her insecurity. To point it out will do nothing but cause a downward spiral of self doubt. I don't want to do that to anyone. So, how do you find peace with a "friend" like this? For me, it comes to a few things: 1. Knowing the score(I know this person, I know he/she is like this, so I just accept it) and 2. Keep it in it's place(I don't get overly invested in some relationship that has so little depth) Is it an answer that leads to a lasting peace? No, not really. But it gives me what I want out of it for now-a friendship, keeping that person in my life, but not letting their issues control my world. Armchair psychology 101-do NOT get caught up in other peoples' issues!

Thanks for Comin' Out!

Just a quick note to thank all the dozens of folks who showed up to my acoustic performance at D''Vine Wines last night. Y'all were such a great audience and I was truly humbled by the amount of support I had last night. Special thanks to Kennedy and the others who drove in from long distances! Don't worry-even if I'm living 1000 miles away, I've been assured I have an open invitation to play there any time I'm in the Lou. Thanks again!

Why craigslist.org is the best site on the web...other than marcusengel.com!

So, in an effort to get rid of all the crap I have before moving to Florida, I posted on-line classified ads on craigslist.org. Within a few hours of posting the listing for my treadmill, there were nearly a dozen inquiries. The gentleman who ultimately purchased the machine works for Nestle who owns Purina who make Carson's dog food, Purina Pro Plan. I noticed he made several comments about the food-the flavor, the size of the bag, the age of dog formula, etc. When he returned this evening to take the treadmill to it's new adoptive home, he brought along a bag of Purina Pro Plan, adult formula, chicken and rice-and Carson was one very happy dog! Thanks, Rick, for taking this treadmill off my hands and for keeping a few pounds on my pup! And thanks, Craig, for having the best site on the web! BTW, there are quite a few other things from Chateau Engel on there...including the house itself! E mail for details!

The Question Volley

Yesterday, I was listening to the Dave Glover show on 97.1 FM out of STL. The topic was conspiracy theories and all the myth, facts and hoopla that surround all the stuff we know, but we think we're NOT supposed to know. One caller made a point that I thought was really interesting, something he called, "The question volley."
In this, he talked about how when a conspiracy theorist is posed a question he/she cannot answer, their "answer" is to throw another question back at the original asker. He was using 9-11 as an example. Many claim 9-11 was a conspiracy and orchestrated by the Bush administration. When it was pointed out that why would have Bin Laden made the statement that they were responsible, all the history of terrorism his org did and claimed to have done, well, it begins to become quite obvious who the real culprit is-and it's not one of our own. So, when hearing all the facts, the conspiracy theorist volleys another question/claim...well, why does Bush care so much about oil? Answer comes and, without even hearing the answer, yet another question is vollied.

I'm using political examples here, but doesn't everyone do this? I know that most of my arguments with past girlfriends have veered off topic into the realms of the past. "Why did you ignore me last night at our friend's house?" Without getting an answer, one would be thrown back that was(yep, you guessed it!) another question. "Ignore you? You were rude to me over dinner...why?" And thus, the volley continues.
I am a huge, huge advocate of answering whatever question is asked. If you have to try to undermine the positon of another by NOT answering their question or by posing one of your own, then maybe, just maybe, the position that is held so dear needs a little work.

Friday, Feb. 9, Acoustic Gig at D'Vine Wines

7-9 p.m.
D'Vine Wines in downtown Kirkwood(N. Kirkwood Rd. across from Dewey's Pizza)

This may be one of my last acoustic sets as a St. Louisian, so come on out and say HI! If you've been before, you know D'Vine is a cool place, and I know darned good and well you'll not find as good of covers anywhere else in Kirkwood that night! Hope to see you there!

Thanks, Coach!

Wow, Superbowl Sunday! What a stunning display of capitalism!

That aside, I was smiling at a comment that one of the announcers made about Coach Dungee of the Colts. He said(and I paraphrase), "Coach Dungee told his players he will not talk any louder than a normal speaking voice. He doesn't yell, doesn't curse, doesn't get personal. Most coaches control the actions of players by intimidation and strength, but Coach Dungee's players just respect him and want to do what he says."

Wow! Doesn't that make Coach Dungee a spectacular(and unique) coach? Or, just a leader in general? I remember sitting in the Mu Rho Kappa Sigma house while I was in college, trying to control heated discussions between our brothers any time there was a disagreement. Our president and my roommate, Dewain, would let the "louddmouths" get their yelling and infighting out of their systems. Then, he'd quietly and calmly state his opinion. Maybe it was his seniority in the house, maybe it was because he just made sense, but that quiet, rational leadership style helped quell many, many debates. Never did he raise his voice or have to try to be heard above the crowd, he just spoke normally and got the respect and full attention of the brothersWhether it's a fraternity meeting with a bunch of loudmouths, or the winning team of the Superbowl, that quiet, calm, rational leadership style is the single most effective way to communicate to subordinates.

It's About Time...but What's With Georgia?

One of my Saturday night rituals has become watching 20/20 Mystery. Last night, it was a pretty typical case: guy and wife are divorcing, she has a lover, she's found dead of an apparent suicide. Well, as they investigated, they found the husband had an ex-girlfriend who died as an apparent suicide over a decade before. So, the dude fessed up and off to prison he went. I believe he got 80 years in prison, and he'd be up for parole in 2020. Yep, this was just a couple of years ago, but the murderer will be up for release in only 13 years. Two homicides, one where his own son would almost definitely be the one to find the body of his slain mother.
Now, this morning, I'm having my Sunday morning ritual of coffee and the Sunday paper. I was excited to see a sentence in a DWI death that took place in the St. Louis area, Jerseyville, Illinois, to bbe exact. In this crash, some redneck who was drun and coked up, hit a pedestrian as the pedestrian and a tow truck driver tried to pull the pedestrian's car out of a ditch. The sentence? 10 years. When is he up for parole? Nnot until 85% of the sentence is served. Props to IL for finally, finally taking DWI crash victims seriously and handing down some harsh sentences.
And the question begs to be answered...what's with our country's legal system? I don't mean to dis it too much since, well, we're better than most countries on earth, but really...does this seem like GA has their act together?

Numb

Got an E mail today from my British bloke, Rowan. We worked together at Camp Mo-Val when we were both in (as he says) uni(for those who don't speak Brit, this means college). He and I have been communicating lately while he travels the world in search of adventure. He was in Fiji when he learned that we here in Florida had some deadly tornados a few nights ago. Last I heard, the death toll was around 20, but that's probably risen by now. So, Rowan just E mailed to be sure everything was all right. And, as blogged before, it is!
In his E mail, he went on for what seemed an unusual amount of time talking about what a horrible tragedy these deaths were, how he wishes me and my countrymen, the best in our efforts to recover and move on, etc. It was the sort of thing you'd say to someone who'd just lost a family member in a tragic accident, not something you'd say when the dead were not known. So, I told him that, sadly, this doesn't feel like a big deal. Horrible, isn't it? After 9-11, Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in Indonesia, etc. over the last few years, nothing shocks us any more. Now, had this been in my own neighborhood, had I known the victims, sure, any and all support is appreciated. In our world today, nothing seems worthy of a second look unless it's a tragedy beyond words. And we've had enough of those to fill a lifetime.
Rowan's E mail showed me just how numb I(and okay, I'll probably speak for many people here) have gotten when horrible things occur. It's not healthy, it isn't "nice"(if that's a weak word, I apologize) and it really isn't how we should live. Every life is precious, whether we know the individual or not. I'd love to live in a world where a tragedy is considered a tragedy, no matter what the death toll.

No Harm In This Here Hood

There were apparently some terrible storms that moved across central Florida last night. I say "apparently" since I slept right through them. No damage in our area; probably not for at least 30 miles. Being a mid-westerner by birth, I'm all too familiar with tornados. One can run through a neighborhood and devastate one home, while the neighbor's house is good as new. Weird. Thanks to those who checked to see if we were okay. We are!

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"

This is my book reccomendation for the day: "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer. Summary: A young boy named Oscar sets out to solve a mystery; a mystery of his "own making." His father was killed in the WTC on 9-11, and Oscar later finds a single key in an envelope that reads, "Black" in his father's personal effects. Oscar is a strange kid, by today's standards. He doesn't watch TV, has a business card(even tthough he's only 9), has heros like Stephen Hawking and Jane Goodall and takes French lessons. Not in school, but French for the fun of it. He misses his father greatly and the journey/mystery of the key becomes his mission. I'll not give the story away, but once he solves the mystery(sorta), he feels alone. His father is still dead and solving the mystery didn't bring him back.
Intellectually, we all know that when we're on a mission like Oscar's, that if we finish said mission, the work is done. But, like Oscar found out, the enjoyment of the mission WAS the mission, not the finale.
Not sure about you, but I have several people in my life who just love, LOVE drama. They'd never claim to, but once things settle down, they find a way to have a "new mission" which stirs up more drama. This is not my idea of fun-but it is, apparently, to these people. Once things get settled(what they probably -say- they want), they realize they're bored. Is there anything wrong with this? Uh, I'll let you judge that for yourself. The main point that "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" made for me was that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.

International Association of Assistance Dog Partners

Here are some pics from Tuesday's program at the IAADP conference in Baltimore, MD. Again, special thanks to Ed and Toni Eames for such a great opportunity to work for an organization which advocates for people just like me... and Carson!

King what?

As promised in my new year's blog resolutions, I was able to find a cool quote at the beginning of every month to replace the past month's. Looking around today, I was hoping to find something that just struck me and why I do this blog in the first place. My goal for this blog is always to be a venue to give readers something to think about, to ponder, to learn from or be inspired by. It's also a way for me to promote some causes I believe are worth learning about(ie, Mark DeWalle's current regiment to treat the rare form of cancer he has). Throw in the fact that there are just so,so, so many things in this world we can learn from; or, as I've been finding lately, so many things to observe and learn what NOT to do. I realize that some of the things over the last few months may be a bit inflammatory. Really? Moi? Yes, actually. If something I write is truly insulting or offensive to you, let me know! I always want to expand my own fields of thought, but if you disagree with my point, be able to back up why it's wrong-that's only fair.
So, as I've written things lately, I've wondered, "Hmmm, wonder if anyone is going to get up in arms about this..." As of yet, no one has, save for the occassional negative comment to the post. I welcome and encourage those, BTW...again, just be able to back up the viewpoint. So, while searching out quotes, this one popped up right away...and I love it! Thing is, I've never heard of Kingsley Amis. Well, a few hours ago I hadn't heard of Kingsley Amis. Now, thanks to the power of the almighty google, I have info on Mr. Amis AND a list of new books to read!
In short, Kingsley Amis was a British novelist in the 20th century. He had a fairly interesting take on literature-i.e., he claims he never read much because he simply didn't like to read(this is sorta like a animal lover never owning a pet because animals shed). Kingsley Amis was also knighted(right around the same time as Paul McCartney and Elton John, I might add) and wrote a boatload of novels such as "Jake's Thing" and "Everyday Drinking" and many, many other books I'd read simply on the basis that I like the title!
So, in an effort to keep the blog fresh, I learn...and continue to learn. And I'll let you know once I read some of Amis' stuff, too.