Matthew

Thank you for the comments! I've read two of the three Atkinson's, but plan to read all three in the coming months, along with Ambrose's history of WWII. The one area I'm really looking for a recommendation on is the war Pre-Pearl Harbor, I still don't have a really good fix on that era for Europe. If you know of a good book on that topic, I'm all ears and eyes.

Nik Turner, The Space Falcons & Youth: Interstellar Engery

Reporting World War II. I've always wanted to read these two volumes, but kept holding back. Recently, I read a review by Alan Jacobs and it made me finally order it. Just started but the articles are very well written, makes me long for that quality of writing about events today. It'll take probably the rest of the year to finish. To add: One of the things I've come to realize is how much WWII was in the background and social atmosphere when I grew up (lived in San Diego), and it was the reference for everything. A lot of the, to me, old people I knew were WWII veterans, it was just a part of the culture. Now, it's not. I don't have a nostalgia for the war, but now that the vets are dying out fast, I feel a need to learn about it more than ever. One of the persons I respected the most in my life made the D-Day landing and was wounded about a week after. It all seems so far away now.

The Glass Menagerie. First time reading it, and it's almost too painful to read...

Dinner at Eight. All time classic final scene.

I've watched this a ton of times (watching many time today) and it really is an entertainment style that's long gone, but it really brings out how at ease everyone was on stage.

In terms of books Kathleen Norris book Dakota: A Spiritual Geography is an interesting book that as the title implies examines both aspects.

Dean & Britta: L'avventura

Roger McQuinn: Back From Rio

Poco: Live at Columbia Studios Hollywood 9/30/71. Very good music being played here.

This is one of my favorite Merton books, doesn't get talked about enough, some great insights, and of course, some very dated material.

Maybe I run with the wrong crowd, but I haven't heard or read the word statuesque in quite a long time.

Joni Mitchell: Court and Spark. Such a great album and it stands the test of time. The Laurel Canyon Movement produced a lot of timeless music.

Back in the day, when a bullpen was used up like that, the starting pitcher the next day had to go deep into the game. It didn't matter if he was getting shelled, you stayed in and pitched, to heck with your ERA!

Ugh! I don't care for the rule, or a lot of other changes in the game. I know I'm an old geezer, but the game was better just twenty years ago that what we have now.

Herman Hesse.

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen. Enjoyable read so far, I'm about a quarter of the way through.

This whole Carlos Correa situation is stupid beyond belief. I wonder who, for the Giants, put the brakes on everything? If it's Farhan Zaidi, then he should be fired. It wasn't a great signing, I wasn't too thrilled with it, but the Giants come of as incompetent in the whole thing.

I was astounded when I first heard this when it came out, and I'm still astounded by its majesty.

Scooby Doo. Fighting a virus from hell, so I'm watching fun movies. This reminds me of the Disney comedies from the 1960s. You have a very good cast, giving good performances. Pretty clean, so the whole family can watch, and you get a quality movie. Granted, it's not an all-time great, but it's an enjoyable, well made movie geared toward families and us oldsters. These are harder to make than they appear, and it probably is making everyone some nice money each year also.

Tito Puente: Top Percussion

Once you start messing with the rules of baseball, there's no turning back. Juiced baseballs, gambling sponsors, I'm convinced that Rob Manfred hates baseball.

Word is that Aaron Judge signs with the Yankees. Not surprised, the Giants were always a long shot, no way the Yankees could afford to let Judge get away. Now the Giants can go back to their usual picking up DFA'd players, and guys who are "great pick ups if they stay healthy", eg. Mitch Haniger, which they never do, eg. Evan Longoria.

Treasure Plant: I throughly enjoyed this one; great animation and a good retelling of Treasure Island.