Ryan Again Seeking Early Release

I'm not an unforgiving person.  However, I find it ludicrous that George Ryan is seeking a modified sentence to be with his terminally ill wife.  Why is that the Ryans believe they are entitled to special treatment?  I sincerely hope this request is rejected.  And unfortunately, if it is, I'm certain they will blame the system, rather than his wrongdoing for putting them in their predicament.  Just once, I'd love to see a jailbird politican actually "get it."
  

Mysteries of Pittsburgh

Just finished Michael Chabon's "Mysteries of Pittsburgh".  It's a pretty good read, dealing with the post-graduating summer of Art Bechstein, who finds himself torn between two lovers, four friends, and a father who works for the Pittsburgh mob.  Some of the critical praise calls him a 1980s Holden Caulfield, but that goes a bit too far.  It's not a classic like "Catcher in the Rye" but it's a good book with a lot of great turns of phrase and plotting, and shows the promise Chabon fulfilled in "Wonder Boys", "Kavalier and Klay" and "The Yiddish Policeman's Union."

Chicago Mayoral Race

Really, Chicago African-Americans?  Carol Moseley Braun is the best you can come up with?  Aside from the fact she is damaged goods, what qualifies her to run a city the size of Chicago?  Particularly when you consider she showed zero leadership skills in her uninspiring stay in the Senate.  Either of the candidates who dropped out to make room for her run as the African-American candidate -- James Meeks and Danny Davis have better qualifications, and more integrity.  We can all do better.

Moonlight Mile

I'm a fan of Dennis Lehane, and just finished his latest, Moonlight Mile.  Disappointing read.  It's more or less a sequel to Gone Baby Gone which along with Mystic River is my favorite novel by Lehane.  The dialogue, as usual, is great, the plot is the problem -- you can see the payoff coming from a mile away, it's rushed, and it doesn't hold together very tightly.  Coupled with The Given Day (which is better than Moonlight Mile, but just so-so), Lehane is off his game. 

Volunteering

Am looking into volunteering.  Might look at pro bono work, or possibly work tutoring / mentoring kids.  I'm looking forward to giving something back to the community, and trying to make this world work a little better for someone else.

Best Wishes for 2011

Hope everyone had a great holiday season, and best wishes for 2011!

The Christmas Story (from The Gospel of Luke, N.A.B.)

Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. ^2:2This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ^2:3And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. ^2:4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; ^2:5to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. ^2:6And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. ^2:7And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ^2:8And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. ^2:9And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ^2:10And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: ^2:11for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. ^2:12And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. ^2:13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
 ^2:14Glory to God in the highest,
 And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.
^2:15And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. ^2:16And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. ^2:17And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. ^2:18And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. ^2:19But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. ^2:20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.