23 July 2012

As it rained Saturday morning, there was only one yard sale going - and it wasn't great. So boo, hoo.

I've been listening to the songs on a two CD set entitled The Civil War; I forget where I got these from. I'm not sure if it's simply a recorded suite of new songs about the Civil War or from some musical production at Branson, MO. Songs are included which give a perspective of the war from slaves, a nurse, a wife who is left to work the farm, Frederick Douglass and even one Reb and a Yank soldier (nice they were included). They unaccountably missed the points of view of female musketmen, pack mules and the handicapped. I'm half expecting a song from Civil War homosexuals, but I'm only half way through it. Maybe it's in part two. In other words, this is a rampantly politically correct work - and the songs are mediocre. Bleah.

I found a colossal, like new two volume work at a library sale for only three dollars: Burke's Peerage World Orders of Knighthood and Merit; this is the currently published 2006 edition. It is very impressive - it contains many illustrations, nearly all in glossy color. Quite a book. I see you order it from Burke's Peerage for 295 pounds, which is about $458. I really ought to put this on e-Bay!

As is my occasional wont, I checked three documentaries out from the library on Friday to see if the one I think will be the best from looking at the covers is the best. Again, no.

Coma (2008) - By looking at the title I had supposed that this HBO work was about comas, how they happen, what's going on in the brain, the science behind it, etc. Nope... the title is misleading. This is about traumatic brain injury and recovering from a coma. It was the most thoroughly depressing documentary I have ever seen. Bummed me out. Yet another thing in life to fear... I'm sorry I watched it!

Been Rich All My Life (2006) - About geriatric tap dancing women from Harlem. I had high hopes for this one - "Sassy! Inspirational!" - and expected that it would be the best of the three. I'm not finished with it yet, but, no, I'm kind of tuning out. I may not finish watching it.

Bejing Taxi (2010) - In advance of the 2008 Olympics, Chinese taxi cab drivers cruise endlessly around town looking for fares and a living, a hardscrabble life. This was the best of the three. It was pretty low key, but I appreciated the view of modern Bejing.

The Chinese are erecting some odd, rather gormless looking buildings in Bejing. Eggs. Bird's nests. Bumps. Mandarins. Lego bricks. Weird crap in general (causing the site to ask if China is becoming the world's testing ground for bad architecture). The weirder the better there, it seems.

By the way, the city now known to us as Bejing has been known to us by many other names. I kind of wish they had settled on "Ji."

Gibson photos: Baby acne clearing up (hooray!), first appearance at church, "paying attention like a good boy." Sigh. I am crazy about that baby. Wish we lived closer.

Got to go... I'm having irritating problems with Internet Explorer.