Hey Kid, (I mean you, Jodi)

I've been on a retreat of sorts. First, there was a week in LA, and then the return to a busy office at work, so I really haven't had a chance to write in a while. But I wanted to get back to posting something. I wanted to say something about the trip to LA and just in case you ever read this, let you know a little something about what you were like at 2.

In some ways LA went incredibly smoothly. We left on a Monday evening after work and in the countless times that I've taken the 5 up and down the state, this was the easiest, most traffic free drive ever. If it's ever possible to do the drive on a Monday night, we'll try that again.

LA was hot. Mommy had classes. You got to spend time with Daddy and the grandparents. At this age, you really are strong willed. You know that you need someone to take care of some things, but you are very insistent that it either by Mom or Dad. Tricycles, chocolate birthday cakes and other presents from your grandparents don't sway you. As soon as Mom and Dad are out of sight you unleash furious screams and buckets of tears. We're trying to teach you that Grandma and Grandpa love you and will always have the best of intentions for you, but you're not there yet.

We took you to the LB Aquarium with some friends. You seemed to like the seals and the little play area outside with the boat. If I had let you stay, you'd probably be still be out there spinning the wheel and pretending to pilot the boat. We also took you to Ikea, which since you tried every chair, sofa and bed in the entire place. The Swedish meatballs were also a treat, and I don't know if I've ever seen you happier. Disneyland, Legoland and such can wait until the next time.

On getting back home, you had your two year old check up. You weigh in at 27 lbs and 34 inches. 50th percentile across the board. You still haven't caught on to what doctor's visits mean yet, and were completely shocked on receiving a shot. You're in for more shocks. If you understand that your little sister is on the way, you don't give much indication. But you seem like a happy, though clumsy little kid. (Clumsy hands come from Daddy. Clumsy feet come from Mommy).

Keep growing little one.

Love Daddy.

Voter Fraud Fake Out

If you believed some people, voter fraud is the greatest threat to our democracy. Illegal aliens and people who vote more than once and/or vote in more than one district threaten the very integrity of America's election process. Interesting argument. I think about everyone would agree that it should be one person one vote, so if there's an issue of fraud it needs to be addressed. The problem is it's more myth than fact. Indiana passed new stringest voter ID requirements. The rationale was to prevent voter fraud. But the number of voter fraud cases reported in Indiana that prompted this new law? None. Zilch. Nada.

I think in the last election cycle, nation wide, they busted about twenty people for some sort of voter fraud. But now we get to the real reason for the voter fraud noise. Untold numbers of people were intimidated from exercising their right to vote. Across the country, these laws were used to challenge the votes of predominately, poor, non-white individuals. Thousands were challenged. And it's impossible to count how many more didn't vote because of the fear of this sort of intimidation. These people were falsely told they could not vote without valid driver's lisences, or numerous other untrue reasons. The deep dirty secret is most of these people tend to vote democratic.

If you're one of these people who might have your vote challenged for some illegal reason, I'd like to say, don't be afraid. Excercise your right. These people are punks. Don't be afraid of them.

Another 100 years

What would Chicago be without the Cubs losing it every year? I hope I never see them win. That's just the way it is. One semi-celebrity Cubby fan is my old college buddy. He's in the documentary Wait Til Next Year and a book by that or some other self pitying name. Anyway, Bill Murray mentioned "the Korean kid" on his David Letterman rant the other night. Something about being a Cubs fan, being a life lesson. Yeah, I guess that's what I'd say, if I always lost too.

Sound it out. Nuclear

Sarah Palin said it the wrong way last night and it just sort of grated. I blame Junior. He's taught a whole generation of rednecks and right wing nuts to mis-pronounce this word. Maybe they all do it on purpose now, just so Junior won't feel bad.

Another book I read this year.

Some of the local libraries have a program they run in October. One community one book. The idea is that everyone reads the book. Maybe they expect people to walk down the street and have the book as a random conversation starter. "You're reading, What is the What? Really, that's what I'm reading right now." Although I'd never heard of it before, this is the third year of the program.

So this year's book is What is the What by David Eggers and Valintino Achek Deng. So they, along with Michale Krazney(sp?) from NPR kicked off this month of reading with a discussion/interview in San Mateo free to the public. I gave up baseball last night and ventured through all the traffic to go see.

I haven't been to a lot of readings or author events before. Usually the book is enough for me. And I'm not really an autograph seeker. This one was interesting for a couple reasons. Val is one of the lost boys from the Sudan. He knows tragedy like you wouldn't believe. But he couldn't write. As he tells it he was giving a talk at a high school in Atlanta about his experience and he realized that he would never be able to reach enough people with his story to make a difference. He needed someone to help him right a book. Someone he was working with put him in touch with David Eggers. For the next four years they collaborated on writing Val's story and the story of his people. All of the proceeds from the book are going to his foundation. He's trying to build schools back in his home country.

Dave and Val have become good friends. Dave just went to visit Sudan a few weeks ago. And through events like this whole read along thing. They are getting their message out. So don't just read this book. Buy a copy.

Reading List

For the last year or so I've kept a list of the books I've read. According to my list I've finished 26 books. 14 novels, 7 short story collections and the rest non-fiction or commentary. The numbers surprise me a little. I would have guessed between 15 and 20 books. I also would have thought more short stories and less novels.

I guess if I had to pick one book that I read this year that everyone should read, I would pick Obama's Audacity of Hope. I read it knowing full well that it was a pre-campaign testing out the waters of the Presidency idea sort of book. In parts, it reads like a campaign speech. But it is effective in laying out his vision. It's very readable and since he actually wrote it and didn't have someone write it for him, you can see how he thinks.

It's an important book. Maybe everyone who's thinking about running for president should write a book a year or two before he starts campaigning. Sort of like a job application. And it doesn't count if you have someone ghostwrite it. I think McCain has 5 autobiographies out that he didn't actually write. That's all someone else adding spin.