Archive for July, 2008
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008
The Summer of ‘98
I just finished reading Philip Roth’s The Human Stain — kind of an American version of Milan Kundera’s The Joke. The story takes place during the summer of 1998 in the middle of the Bill Clinton - Monica Lewinsky scandal.
After reading the first page, I was transported back to my own summer of 1998. Most […]
No Comments » - Posted in Digressions, literature by eric
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
What I Hate About Facebook
Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with friends — old ones, distant ones, and new ones. I get to follow my friends’ big trips and their little adventures. But what I am increasingly finding annoying about Facebook is that my friend Christiana — who moved back to her native Greece from Washington, […]
No Comments » - Posted in Digressions, Friends / Family by eric
Monday, July 28th, 2008
The Geriatrics of War-Mongering
While Barack Obama hit his first three point attempt with all net in Kuwait, smiled with world leaders who smiled back, and made America look like a nice place after all, McCain stepped off a golf cart to pose for a photo opp at a geriatrics country club for the ultimate elite in Snobville, Maine […]
2 Comments » - Posted in Essays, Obama 08 by eric
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
Nuttin’ Out Jones
I am exploring with Jazz as a therapeutic treatment against writing political posts, and the song “Nuttin’ Out Jones” definitely takes my mind off politics and most other subjects.
2 Comments » - Posted in Jazz by eric
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
What is McCain Talking About?
I am doing my best to steer this blog away from constantly focusing on the elections, but sometimes I can’t help it. And this is one of those days. The press is thoroughly enjoying itself following Obama around the Middle East in his efforts to pose as a commander-in-chief.
In response, McCain has met with Bush […]
No Comments » - Posted in Essays, Obama 08 by eric
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
Two More for the Road
I had already made my book and music online purchases for my trip back home when I realized that there were two other books that I had forgotten. One minor setback — that actually helps with my personal finance — is that I always travel obsessive-compulsively light. I do not check in luggage, and I […]
No Comments » - Posted in Digressions, literature by eric
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
William’s Blog: Somethin’ Else
My very good friend and former co-worker, William, has recently left FON and migrated to Mozilla where he will serve as European community manager. As part of his new responsibilities, William has just started a Mozilla-centric blog. Two weeks ago in Paris, William and I brainstormed on what domain name to give this new William’s […]
2 Comments » - Posted in Digressions, FON, Friends / Family, Jazz by eric
Saturday, July 19th, 2008
Replenishing Supplies
My modus operandi prior to traveling to the States for the summer and Christmas is to replenish my garrison with books and music that I cannot otherwise readily find in Europe. Thus, a week or so before leaving, I always go on Amazon or Ebay and make a large purchase (to be shipped State side). […]
No Comments » - Posted in Digressions, Jazz, literature by eric
Friday, July 18th, 2008
When Not in Rome
When in Rome or when not in Rome, do as the Romans do, eat tomatoes! The other day I found some great tomatoes and basil at the fruit stand near my house in Madrid. I left them out for a few days to ripen, and today they were perfect. Then I went to a small […]
1 Comment » - Posted in Digressions by eric
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
The New Yorker Cover
ReWrite has asked about my views on the New Yorker magazine’s recent controversial cover. Originally I doubted writing about it, mainly because a few friends of mine just told me that they much prefer my digressions to my political posts. I happen to agree. Furthermore, I really didn’t want to get involved in the press’ […]
