Finished Another Book!

Why a Curveball Curves: The Incredible Science of Sports, by Frank Vizard - Another smart gift from my wife, who keeps surprising me with books I like to read that AREN'T on my Amazon Wish List. :-) The book was fun for me because I like sports and science. Two great tastes thrown together. The book was a bit uneven though, getting into the ...nitty-gritty in some sports while just glancing over others. Everyone should have gotten a fair shake. Still, I enjoyed very much.

Finished Another Book!

Rising Sun, by Michael Chricton - Absolutely gripping. Quite an elaborate plot relayed in a very simple matter. 200 pages into this 388 page book I thought the case was wrapped, and then "Oh wow!" 150 pages later, I thought the story was wrapped again, and then "Oh wow!" Crichton kept pulling fast on...es, with great believable twists. A very, very good book. So good in fact, that I promise never to see the movie. :-)

Finished Another Book!

Why a Curveball Curves: The Incredible Science of Sports, by Frank Vizard and Robert Lipsyte - Another smart gift from my wife, who keeps surprising me with books I like to read that AREN'T on my Amazon Wish List. :-) The book was fun for me because I like sports and science. Two great tastes thrown together. The book was a bit uneven though, getting into the nitty-gritty in some sports while just glancing over others. Everyone should have gotten a fair shake. Still, I enjoyed very much.

Celebrity Spotting! Kurtwood Smith

After the Salute to Israel parade, we all went to Whitney Museum - just like everyone else - to use their restrooms. Standing outside was Boddicker from Robocop, whose other popular role was Red on That 70's show. He had his face buried in his Blackberry. I passed by and said, "I only know you as Boddicker." (I hadn't remembered his Red role at the time). He liked up and smiled and said, "Thaaaaanks," as if to say, "I've been in show business for 40 years and have distinguished myself and this is all you remember me for?" In hindsight, I could have said something much nicer. Ah well. Nice guy.

Finished Another Book!

Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won't Do), by Michael Wex - Michael Wex has helped me rediscover my Joy for Yiddish. His first book, "Born to Kvetch" gave the history of Yiddish, while this book reads a lot like a "Yiddish for Dummies" book. As a matter of fact, if I could find a book on Hebrew written in this style, I might a...ctually finally learn the language. This book is quite funny and surprisingly potty-mouthed, so a flag of caution there. Actually, the heck with caution, try it this book speCIFically for the "leeb mit tren" chapter. :-)

Finished Another Book!

A Seat at the Table: A Novel of Forbidden Choices, by Joshua Halberstam - This book was a pleasure to read. It accurately depicts human curiosity, the conflict of wanting to belong and needing to leave, the importance of family, the consequences of our choices. Additionally, the chassidic fables are beautifully woven into the narrative thro...ughout. The book provides great empathy for all the characters, no matter which side they're on in regard to the choices made by the protagonist. The work is fiction, but is the story of many people I know.

Finished Another Book!

Four to Score, by Janet Evanovich - Of all the pistol-packin' hot mama protagonist novels I've read (I'm up to date on all the Grafton books), this is the most hilarious and entertaining by a country mile. If any should become a movie, this one has to be it. The characters are well imagined and fall-down funny, each in their own right. It's so good, I'd recommend enjoying it before the first three in the series instead of having to wait to enjoy this treasure.

5 Races Down, 5 to Go

Mother's Day race in Central Park (http://www.nyrr.org/races/2010/r0509x00.asp)

I warmed up with a 2 mile leisurely jog, battling winds that can only be classified as psychotic.

I then blitzed through 4 miles at a 7:51 clip. Splits: 7:37, 7:34, 8:20 (good ol' set of hills and water stop) and 7:56. As the training goes along, I'm getting faster and faster. I'm battling plantar fasciitis though, so we'll see what happens with the rest of my season.

Finished Another Book!

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni - This book imparts valuable lessons on teamwork in the manner of a fable. I find this method of parlaying business lessons to be quite effective. The fable itself holds your interest, and the distillation at the end is just short enough to continue holding it through the end. I do, think, however, that the fable itself could stand on its own, and the lessons in the coda could be inferred. I'd be more entertained and just as informed.

Celebrity Spotting! Dick Clark

I spotted Dick Clark and said hi to him (he gave me a polite hello in return). He was chilling in a wheelchair outside a hotel. Looked good, unlike what he looks like on tv under all the corpse makeup.