Israel

Happy B-Day Israel!

While (and not only in hindsight) it may not have been the best idea for Israel to have be refounded in the Levant, it was I think important for a Jewish state to be formed following WWII. Whatever the wisdom regarding the former decision, I hope that both Israelis and Palestinians can find a way forward which is both prosperous and peaceful.

Memes

I guess the following would fall in the realm of memes. Namely that television shows inform the viewpoints of those who haven't even watched them.

Twenty Pounds

I had my check-up today. I've lost twenty pounds since last year about this time.

Blogging

To my loyal readers (yeah, all three of you):

In the coming months I hope to be a more active blogger. I've been busy and that has kept me away from my blog, however, I'll try to allocate more time to this blog as it is generally a pretty good outlet for the detritus and random matrial flouting around in my mind.

That is all.

Incan Medicine

Incan doctors were apparently quite skilled when it came to addressing head trauma.

Bathroom

Here are some pictures of the progress up to this point. Thus far I've partially replumbed it, put down new tile, put up the walls that you see and put in a new toilet and pedestal sink. There is a lot to do still (like tiles for the ceiling - I took down the popcorn as it was in poor shape) but the end is in sight. Then I start work on completely remodeling the kitchen.

Boston Marathon - 2009

I completed a half marathon recently and that has spurred me to reach even greater heights! Namely qualifying for the 2009 Boston Marathon. Wish me luck.

New Books

Robert Fagles, trans., Virgil, The Aeneid (2006) (a new translation of one of my favorite texts) (2006)

Robert Hughes, The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding (1986)

Sena Jeter Naslund, Ahab's Wife or, The Star-Gazer (1999)

Stalin's Smallpox

At the age of six Stalin contracted smallpox. Is it ethically appropriate to wish that he had died from the disease? After all at the time he was still a mere innocent.

Recent Acquisitions

Orlando Figes, Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History Of Russia

Ted Tunnell, Crucible of Reconstruction: War, Radicalism and Race in Louisiana, 1862-1877

The Wexford Carol

Linky.

Checking In

Just checking in for those who are interested. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

New Acquisitions

John McCardell, The Idea of a Southern Nation - Southern Nationalists and Southern Nationalism, 1830-1860 (1979)

Eric Foner, Free Soil, Free labor, Free Men: The Ideology of the Republican Party Before The Civil War (1995)

The South's Main Interest

"The upper South, like the lower, went to war to defend the freedom of white men to own slaves and take them into the territories as they saw fit, lest these white men be enslaved by Black Republicans who threatened to deprive them of those liberties." -- McPherson, Battle Cry Of Freedom, pg. 284

Colbert '08!

I have my candidate!