Archives for February 2004

February 24, 2004

Books

Some background: a few years ago, the Modern Library came up with a list of its 100 Best Books of the 20th Century. That inspired my predecessors at Harvard Book Store to make their own top 100 list, which is now being updated. They asked us all for a handful of titles that have amused, informed or changed us in one way or another.

Me being me, I sent off a list and immediately started second-guessing myself. Each day since then, I've thought of two or three titles I missed. But I have a website, so I can do my own list (just 20, not 100; I don't think you or I could get through that):

(PS - the links all go to order pages on the H.B.S. website. Don't be afraid to pick up a couple!)

20. Ball Four, Jim Bouton. I picked this up in high school because I heard it was the first baseball book to tell it like it is from a player's perspective. Following Bouton's 1969 season with Seattle and Houston, even 15-year-old me could see that this was a special sports book.

19. The Waste Land and Other Poems, TS Eliot. I'm not a big poetry fan, but T.S. speaks to me somehow. "The Hollow Men" is my favorite.

18. The Iowa Baseball Confederacy, W.P. Kinsella. Field of Dreams, my all-time favorite sports movie, is based on Kinsella's Shoeless Joe. I liked this book better, but can't picture a movie based on it. The story, of a rip in space and time that allows the Chicago Cubs to play an infinite game against a team of all-star hayseeds, is magical and beautiful.

17. Our Dumb Century, The Onion Staff. The Onion turns its hysterical eyes on the 20th Century. Try and count how many "trials of the century" there were, or how often France surrendered.

16. Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich. Ehrenreich spends a year working crummy jobs for crummy pay to see how people do it, and if there's any hope for the working destitute. I was ready not to like it -- it must be nice to have the luxury of throwing in the towel and running back to your real life -- but she tells the dismal life stories of her coworkers with real empathy and understanding. This book confirmed why I'll never give Walmart a nickel.

15. The Tripods Trilogy, John Christopher. I'm a sucker for stories of disaster and post-apocalyptic landscapes; this one was my first and favorite. A young boy, knowing that he'll soon enter an adulthood of slavery to a race of invaders, runs away instead to seek a Resistance. His encounters with the shattered world of the past make for a very clever story.

14. Bird By Bird, Anne Lamott. I have a friend who hates Anne Lamott, so don't tell her that this is the book that's most inspired me to want to try to think about being a serious writer.

13. The Devil's Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce. I wish this turn of the century had a chronicler as wicked, mean and honest as Mr. Bierce.

12. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl. Horrible, horrible things happen to horrible, horrible children. What more could you ask for?

11. The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood. In the world of the future, a brutal theocracy has taken over America. Women like the protagonist are stripped of their identities and forced to breed children for the infertile ruling class. Buy it while it's still fiction.

10. A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole. Ignatius Reilly is a bombastic blowhard with lots of big ideas and no real skills. Turn him loose on New Orleans and watch absolute comic genius ensue. The fact that this, maybe the best American novel of the century, was so snubbed by publishers that the author killed himself over the rejection -- well, that says something.

9. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Mark Twain. It's kind of hard to pick a favorite Twain book, but here you go. See my earlier comments about Bierce.

8. The Lost Continent, Bill Bryson. Bryson's other travel books -- he's done Britain, Europe, Australia and the Appalachian Trail -- all probably should be on the list as well, but I decided to be fair to all the other authors and pick my favorite. He is a hilarious, amiable, everyman traveling companion; his observations are by turn poignant, thoughtful, and oh-my-god-you-have-to-read-this-part funny. I'd follow Mr. Bryson just about anywhere.

7. The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde. Nobody has ever combined social criticism, plot-twising and overall impertinence the way Wilde did. But you knew that.

6. Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger. A cliche? Maybe. But everyone who read it in high school, convinced that there was more to life than the dreary sameness of high school, desperate for confirmation that someone else was out there feeling the same isolation and confusion, knows why this book still gets to me a little.

5. Microserfs, Douglas Coupland. Maybe when you write a book about disaffected Microsoft peasants who leave to start their own software company, it becomes dated the second the ink is dry. Maybe the novelty of email and twentysomething entrepreneurs wore off between the hardcover and first paperback editions. But please don't dismiss this as a product of the past; this book has some of the most permanent, real, vibrant characters I've ever read. And dammit, I'm man enough to admit I cried a little at the end.

4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams. The tale (this and its four sequels) of Arthur Dent, rescued from the Earth just before it's destroyed, is partly an epic tale of interplanetary adventure. It's also a framework for Adams to go on countless digressions about -- yes -- life, the universe, and everything. And it's all hilarious in a very British way. I don't know if I can fully trust anyone who's not a Hitchhiker's fan.

3. A People's History of the United States, Howard Zinn. A real high school would either supplement or (better yet) replace their standard US History textbooks with this essential retelling of the nation's story by the people who really created it. Reading this book made me suspect everything the powers-that-be ever told, or will tell, me.

2. 1984, George Orwell. Now more than ever. Our here, Winston Smith, tries desperately to find some escape from a political system designed to crush and bury any individualism or thought. I'm not the first to suggest that the world of Big Brother looks closer now that it did even in the heyday of totalitarianism. But if the shoe fits... (Incidentally, the John Hurt movie version of this is perfectly faithful to the book and incredibly well-done. Check it out.)

1. Youth in Revolt, C.D. Payne. Part of me wishes I could claim that my all-time favorite book was something deep, thoughtful and weighty. But I can't claim that with a straight face. This book, about a remorseless 15-year-old hell-bent on winning the girl of his dreams, is absolute comedy gold on every single page. In fact, I may start it again tonight.

Already, I feel like I could have expanded the list - no Vonnegut? Mark Leyner? Kafka? James Morrow? Dave Barry? Good points all. But screw it. At this time, these are my favorites. That's why I put it on the Web and not on stone tablets.

February 22, 2004

Telling

You can leave comments on the John Edwards blog.

You can leave comments on the John Kerry blog.

And, of course, you can leave comments on the Dean blog which started this all.

But not on this guy's blog. I wonder why.

February 20, 2004

Supersize Economy

The laughable Bush Administration is considering changing the classification of fast-food jobs from "service jobs" to "manufacturing jobs". Why? Because suddenly the Bushies can claim "we've created 2 million new manufacturing jobs" with a straight face (and they will). And because McDonalds and Taco Bell execs are missing out on some sweet corporate tax breaks that manufacturers like Boeing and GM are getting.

Riiiiiight. And ketchup is a vegetable.

The only possible upside that I see is that the organizers at the big unions might be very interested in finding out that there are these 2 million new manufacturers and potential members...

Wedding Photos

How can anyone click through this photo album and not believe that this is an Unqualified Good Thing? Why does the Right hate love?

February 19, 2004

Postmortem

No doubt over the next (weeks/years), we'll be reading about what went wrong with the Dean campaign. And though I'm tempted to just sit home and sulk, sad because another candidate that I thought could offer real change has lost, I guess I'll throw in my two cents, too.

There are two reasons Dean's campaign failed, one practical, one insiduous. Practical first. The campaign was able, at first, to energize a huge number of people; unfortunately, the problem with a widespread, (mostly) decentralized movement is how to harness that energy in the right direction? When I volunteered a couple of times in New Hampshire, folks were making phone calls to people who had already been called, sometimes within hours. Sooz went to a house to drop off some literature, only to be told that different people had been there the day before. The analogy of the headless chicken comes to mind. There's a fine line between a decentralized grassroots effort and a tight, professional organization; Dean's campaign leaned heavily toward the former.

Second, Dean clearly caught the attention of the power brokers in business and media. What's good for them is a regular pairing of one Democrat and one Republican, who may differ in some things, but fundamentally will play ball with business as usual in government. Kerry offers different leadership than Bush, but not a significant difference. (Please don't read this as "Kerry's the same as Bush"; nothing could be further from the truth. South Knox Bubba has a great chronicle of the worst Presidency in history - read it and realize that a bucket of clams would have done a better job.) But Dean was seen as the candidate who would shake things up; while that appealed to people like me, it terrified the comforted and powerful.

You can, for a large part, chalk up Dean's rise and fall to the media. Their second favorite kind of stories are "the underdog" and their favorite are the "whatever happened to?" With Dean, they got the opportunity to run the two stories almost back-to-back. I'm not even talking about the hysterical assholes at the NY Post; the national media's prophecy that the Iowa speech would be Dean's undoing fulfilled itself within hours. Of course, they later recanted their overcoverage. Thanks, guys. You can join the umpire who blew the Knoblauch tag call and later apologized in the "Too ******* Little, Too ******* Late" Hall of Fame.

So now what? Dean's pledged to keep his supporters in the fight for a better, more progressive America. Good for him. John Edwards is keeping Kerry honest, and gaining momentum. Good for him, too; I like Edwards more and more the more I read about him.

I won't give up. I won't run off with Ralph again. I won't stop talking up the progressive cause. I won't stop dreaming of January 20th when Bush, smirk wiped off his face, hands over the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania to (insert name here). I won't stop dreaming of Rove and Ashcroft and Cheney and Rummy and the rest of the gang are nothing more than embarassing footnotes to history. I hope.

February 16, 2004

Wanderlust

So there's two things gnawing at me lately. One, I haven't really been on a road trip in years. Two, in 65 days I turn thirty.

So in a rare flash of insight, I thought, "Well, why not combine those two things and take yourself on a 30th-birthday road trip?" Then it dawned on me that I didn't have a specific destination in mind, nor did I have the moolah to treat myself to fancy hotels and dinners. Hence this appeal.

The Appeal
To anyone in the Eastern United States or Canada, who has an extra couch or something and doesn't mind putting up a traveler for a night somewhere between April 17th and 24th. Who doesn't mind making an extra sandwich. I want to visit you. I'm agreeable, I can pick up after myself, and I won't put any unreasonable demands on you. I'd be happy to be shown around your town, but equally happy to take a couple suggestions and then fend for myself. Concordance with the Major League Baseball schedule is good but certainly not required.

Potential benefits for you include: prominent, effusive thanks on the trip portion of this blog, help with the dishes, and willing freeranging discussion on the topic of your choice. And whatever else I can do to sweeten the deal.

So there you are. I humbly ask for your help in giving me direction. If there's a place for me, leave a comment or email me at "michael at bunkosquad.com" with date availability and other info/requests. I'll figure out my best itinerary and let you know, as soon as possible, what time you can expect me.

(UPDATE: If you want to help, but don't want me darkening your door, there's a Paypal tip jar on the right, just above the search box. Did I mention you're all extremely discerning, good-looking readers?)

Much thanks in advance.

February 14, 2004

Good Things Are Happening

Cathy's been writing a ton of great updates to the goings-on in Beacon Hill about the hopefully-inevitable victory of gay marriage rights. For those not in Boston or closely following the Constitutional Convention, the pro-rights crowd has managed to keep the antigay amendments and separate-but-equal "compromises" at bay.

And what's been going on in San Francisco this week has been amazing. Have we hit the tipping point? Couples flying to S.F. from all over the country! Spontaneous ceremonies in Philly! 200 San Francisco city officials giving up their weekends to help with the weddings!

Of course, there's the obligatory downer, from the certainly-crabby Randy Thomasson of the Campaign for California Families, who can't stand the idea of anyone living their life outside of his rigid framework. Hey, Randy! Why is the so-called Campaign For California Families so aghast at the idea that, right now in San Francisco, new families are forming?!? Maybe you should change your organization's name to "Campaign for California Throwbacks and Bigots". Truth in advertising and all that.

I'll repeat my standing offer: I have yet to hear one argument against same-sex marriage that doesn't boil right down to the arguer's religious beliefs or out-and-out homophobia. Or hear one example of how any straight couple is threatened by this. (Ken and Barbie don't count.)

Only a Bastardized Godfather Quote Will Do

Theo Epstein: We offered him Manny and prospects to let A-Rod go, but Hicks said no. The next day Steinbrenner went to see him, only this time he brought Luca Brasi. And within an hour, Hicks had all but traded A-Rod for Soriano.

Bob Lobel: How'd he do that?

Theo: Steinbrenner made Hicks an offer he couldn't refuse.

Bob: What was that?

Theo: Luca Brasi held a gun to Hicks' head. And Steinbrenner assured him that either his skull, or Alex Rodriguez, would be in the Yankees' dugout next year.

February 09, 2004

Me and the Dean Screen

When I look back on my time volunteering for Howard Dean, I'm going to remember spending a lot of time holding big signs in fierce winds. So there I was in Harvard Square the other night with Sooz and other Mass for Dean types, holding a Dean screen -- a DVD projector showing Dean clips on a homemade movie screen.

Gabe of ben-yosef.com was there filming some of us. Here's his video; I'm all the way at the end.

Where Was George?

I don't really know if blogs are the cutting edge of anything. (I know this one isn't...) But I do find it interesting that while the "mainstream press" were spending the past week delving into Hootergate, Kevin at CalPundit has found some interesting stuff about George W. Bush's service record.

February 05, 2004

Succinct

Jessanne has received some interesting correspondence from Senator John Kerry.

It's Good To Live In Massachusetts

If you're ever in doubt on whether you're on the correct side of an issue, look at the people who are allied against it.

The movement of human history, and particularly American history, has always been an attempt to break away from the darkness and close-mindedness of the past. Yet there are those who try to block this at every step of the way. The forces aligning to stop gays from marrying, by and large, look like the same cast of characters who sputtered when interracial marriage bans and miscegenation laws were struck down. Who prophesied doom when women and blacks were recognized as having the right to vote.

They were wrong then; they're wrong now. You don't get the benefit of the doubt when you try to block basic human rights.

And I have yet to hear one argument against same-sex marriage that doesn't boil right down to the arguer's religious beliefs or out-and-out homophobia. Or hear one example of how any straight couple is threatened by this.

February 04, 2004

Tales From the Inbox

I just got this:

I am creating a web directory, (url deleted), and would like to include your website Bunkosquad.com under the "spirituality/astral projection" category. If you'd like to be added, please follow this url...

Man, did they do their homework or what? If you have any comments or need to reach me, I'll be floating above the French Riviera.

February 02, 2004

Superbowl

24 hours later, I'm going to shamelessly rip off Peter King, and present my 10 Things I Think I Think about the big game.

1. I think I think that being a Patriots fan has become a heady mix of euphoria and determination. In their 15-game streak, they only really blew out one team: a Buffalo squad checking their watches and tee times the last game of the season. So there's never a moment when you can truly breathe easy, but you also know - way back in the back of your head - that Belichick and Brady will figure out a way to pull it out.

2. I think I think the Pats are as close to a dynasty as anyone may ever get again in the NFL. Look at their roster and find one area that needs obvious improvement. Defense? Not a chance. Receivers? Above average, and with a quarterback that can make the most of them. O-line? Perhaps. Kicking? Please; despite his first half, if an invasion from Neptune could only be staved off with a 50-yard field goal, you know you want Vinatieri out there to save the planet.

The only immediate issues are a more consistent running game (Antowain Smith's getting a little old, and Kevin Faulk's never had that breakout I expected) and punting (egads). They've got draft picks and cap room; they've also got, I'm now convinced, absolute geniuses running the show.

3. I think I think that if I were in Vegas now, I'd probably play it safe and bet on a Pats-Panthers rematch next year. These are two solid teams.

4. I think that the Panthers' uniforms look very dated (teal is so 1997), but look ten times worse on their punter. Todd Sauerbrun looked like he showed up in his pajamas.

5. I think I think I'm officially out of touch with pop culture:
5a. I still expect that when I hear the words "2-time Grammy winner", I will at least have heard of the person in question. Until Josh Groban came out and sang that NASA song. I wandered into the room just in time to wonder why Doctor Who was out there. I've been informed by someone more in the know that Groban is like "Kenny G with lyrics". Good to know.
5b. I think I think that I'm apparently out of touch enough to think that Justin Timberlake hardly qualifies as a "suprise special guest." Come on. Doesn't he always turn up at stuff like this? To me, a special surprise guest would be Lou Reed or a reunion of the Talking Heads. Not some overproduced lip-syncher who can't understand that to get back in the spotlight, you actually have to leave it at some point!

6. Unfortunately, I think I now have to segue into talking about America's Most Famous Nipple. I mean. Come on. Scandal, controversy, outrage, panic - the script of the last 24 hours could have been written by computer, and American fell for it. Everyone involved knew it was going to happen. This shock and outrage is just pitiful. (For a better summary, check The Fat Guy's take on it.)

That said, if I were President, and not above using a national crisis (which, apparently, this is) to ram through questionable legislation, here's what I'd do:

A.) Punish the networks involved. Viacom should be forced to sell CBS off for having the audacity to show a nipple on-air for 0.3 seconds. Anyone currently working at MTV will be indefinitely held under the Patriot Act, and the channel will revert to playing exactly what it played in 1986.

(UPDATE: That's not even accounting for the commercials. CBS thought MoveOn's ad was inappropriate for a national audience, but commercials about kids swearing and horses farting weren't. You go, Tiffany network. You go soon.

B.) Punish the performers not directly involved. Kid Rock should be held for wearing an American flag shirt (and for not even pretending not to lip-synch) and Puffy should be held for wearing a Panthers jersey.
C.) Punish the performers directly involved. Maybe we can send Justin into space after all; the Mars rover looks like it may need a permanent caretaker. And, just to be safe, Janet Jackson's entire family should be sent to Mars with him. Toby Keith, too.

Tough choices, I know, but they need to be made.

7. I think I think that since Peter King talks about Starbucks every week, now's a good time to give an emphatic thumbs-up to their hot vanilla creme drink. Mmmmm.

8. I think I think that, although I'll still religiously read him and undoubtedly laugh a lot, I liked Bill Simmons better when he was just the Sports Guy. He's now becoming the Half-Sports-Guy/Half-Uber-Guy's-Guy, and while it's OK to have a column that's 15,000 words about sports and 15,000 words about his celebrity poker game, I miss the days of the regular "30,000 words about sports" columns.

9. I think I think we up here in Boston had better cherish the Pats' win. The Bruins are nondescript, the C's look like they're edging into "San Antonio 1996 tank job" mode, and I refuse to let myself get emotionally involved with the Sox until August (yeah, that'll last).

10. I think I think I'm very impressed that Peter King can come up with 10 of these every week.

Some of This Stuff Writes Itself

Here's your Joe-mentum:

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman conducted seven radio interviews earlier today before taking his case to a fidgeting crowd of about 200 elementary school students in Albuquerque.

He had shaken hands with dozens of voters on Sunday at a boat show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and had delighted a crowd of youngsters by appearing with Twiggy, the water-skiing squirrel. But today, instead of standing side-by-side, as planned, with Gov. Bill Richardson, Mr. Lieberman was alone, defending his stance on Iraq to a fourth-grader.

Aside from the fact that Lieberman sounds just like Eugene Levy in A Mighty Wind (if not the dad from ALF), isn't his campaign starting to look incredibly like the subject of a Christopher Guest mockumentary?

February 01, 2004

YEAH!