Matthew

The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World by Miroslav Volf

That’s crazy talk!

Money and Possessions: Interpretation by Walter Brueggemann. A very interesting study of how scripture views money and possessions by Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann, and it challenges they way most people views these matter in today's political world. If a person is interested in an alternative way of looking at these topics, this is a good book to look into.

I've been having Brian Wilson mania lately, there are times when I forget what an incredible talent he his, then I hear something like this: And I have to enter his musical world again

Echo & The Bunnymen: What Are You Going To Do With Your Life?

Hate to be a downer after just his first spring training start, but Madison Bumgarner has never looked the same after his motorcycle accident in 2017, and this is the final year on his contract.

Opus One Overture Cabernet

The Collected Poems of Denise Lerertov. Levertov is a new discovery for me, the first poem I read of her's was six months ago, and I fell in love with her writing from the first line . I've been strolling through this book at a very leisurely pace (about half-way done), soaking in her greatness. That is what's great about reading, there's always an unexpected discovery waiting around the bend. Late PS: Reading Levertov, who was a great friend of Robert Duncan, made me feel a pang of sadness that David Gitin is no longer with us.

Yeah, the deal for Harper will have to be more than Machado's, even if it's one million per year. I don't see Boras settling for the second best contract. Even though I still follow the Padres (wasted the 70s watching them), I still think it's a bad signing. They are making much noise about the younger players coming up, but usually the prospects never develop as expected, so Machado jumping ship by trade in three years would not surprise me.

Agree with your take on this, I saw Miami as a much better fit. Also, with the announcement that Bochy is retiring at the end of the season, I think that means the Giants are out of the Harper hunt, as I don't see Harper signing on with his future manager in doubt.

I dread the US version, I don't think it can better the original movie.

I liked it also, it's one of those films that the actors have to be convincing in their roles, playing their parts unironically, having real sincerity. I also thought the two pairs were very good: Rolf Lassgard & Bahar Pars, Ida Engvoll & Filip Berg.

A Man Called Ove

I've been eyeing that Douglas bio also -- so many good books to read, so little time. Though, when I think of that, I always remember the Twilight Zone episode with Burgess Meredith, Ack!!!!

Thanks for the recommendation! it looks like an interesting read.

Please let us know what you think of the Bates book, I've been interested in that topic for a long time, I'm just starting this book:

Lee Hazlewood: The LHI Years -- Singles, Nudes & Backsides 1968 - 1971

All the Colors We Will See: Reflections on Barriers, Brokenness, and Finding Our Way by Patrice Gopo.

Though, I still think Reggie's doppelgänger is still standing at home plate in Tiger Stadium, watching his homer off Doc Ellis...

So many great, and interesting teams from that era. The Orioles, Pirates, Mets (the 1969 series is very interesting to look back on), Reds, among others. In hindsight, it was a glorious time for watching baseball.

A lot of bad baseball, and teams going into "rebuilding mode" is probably the most serious problem about baseball right now -- who wants to see two terrible teams play terrible baseball for a terrible three plus hours? It's laughable that Baltimore wound up 61!!!! games behind the Red Sox. Talk about the integrity of the sport!

Still feel he never got his due as a player (though what getting his due would look like, I don't know), he was a great one, but he played in an era that had Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Kaline, Mantle, all these great players. Fearsome baserunner, a good manager, just a great baseball guy. RIP.

On the Giants: I can see it in theory, it makes sense, but is that what Harper wants? A team rebuilding with an older nucleus? The Giants farm system is a joke, no one coming up is any good, they are serviceable players, but not ones to take you anywhere, and certainly not beating the Dodgers. And that is a major thing; even with Harper, it will be a tough road to beat them in the coming years. However, they went after Barry Bonds, and that helped turned the team around. I'd love to see it, I always felt it was a good fit, but it seems if Harper comes to the Giants, money will be left on the table, and I don't see that happening. Maybe it will all add up to nothing and Harper winds up back with the Nationals, and it was all much ado about nothing -- we'll see.

Think it still comes down to the Yankees or Philly. Boras is doing his usual thing now, having Harper meet with different teams, just recently, the Giants. It gives the appearance that there's an active market, but I don't believe it. Yanks or Philly is my call.