This and That, Some You'll Care about Others, Ehhh

I just finished reading two very good books.  One by Laura Hillenbrand of Seabiscuit fame, entitled Unbroken and the other by Markus Zusak entitled The Book Thief.  The Book Thief was originally written for adolescents 13+ but any adult will find the book amazing.  Both deal with WWII, one in the Pacific theatre and the other with German citizens living in a small suburb of Munich.  In Unbroken, the protagonist is an Olympic runner, turned bombardier, turned Japanese prisoner, turned tortured soul, turned Christian.  In the second you have a 13 year old girl whose brother dies in her arms, to be given up to foster parents, to live through the saturation bombings of the allies and all that implies.  Plus, it's narrated by death.  I think I'll go watch A Fish Called Wanda.  Fettuccine, lasagna, risotto, marinara... 

I found this very interesting.  Homeland security has two new acronyms:  OTM, Other Than Mexican, and SIA, Special Interest Alien, meaning from a country known to harbor or train terrorists.  Apparently the Homeland Security Agency feels there's a need to create these acronyms because...they're concerned about SIA's crossing into the US over the US/Mexico border.
 

I am continually amazed at the success of Oprah.     I am way beyond proud of her because she has exceeded the American dream.  She did it her way and based on what she had going for her growing up, way to go Oprah.  But this adulation women feel toward her constantly amazes.  When I look at her magazine, at the news stand only, a great majority of what is in the magazine is what OPRAH HAS and what OPRAH CAN AFFORD.  One lead said "Get a private look into Oprah's fabulous mansion in Hawaii".  Or take her favorite things.  I looked at many of her "favorite things" and most American women can not afford them.  Oprah just isn't for me.  But she does top the list of the most charitable givers in the US and guess who's fourth?  That lovable fuzz ball, Rush Limbaugh.



Since my daughter has moved to London and I love Monty Python, I found this great site, thedailysquib.co.uk.  My goodness.  Did you know a US TSA agent got an STD from aggressively patting down Paris Hilton?  Shameful really...




If you're not watching Boardwalk Empire (Update 1/22/14...this year is its 5th and last season)  or In Treatment (Update 1/22/14...In Treatment is no longer getting the treatment and is off the air.  Watch it on DVD or Netflix) on HBO, shame on you.  My husband and I had a big disagreement with another couple about Boardwalk Empire.  We believe Nucky Thompson is only nookying Mrs. Schroeder to keep her out of the way and use her.  Our friends believe he's trying to find the lost sophistication of his late wife.  Since there's only two episodes left for the season, maybe the truth shall emerge.  As far as In Treatment.  Gabriel Byrne is one hot psychologist.  Each season Dr. Weston sees three patients each with a half hour session.  Then, he himself, sees a therapist to straighten himself out.  Encouraging, isn't it?  The second season with Blair Underwood was the best so far..... 



Go forth and enjoy your holiday season.  With or without the help of me or Oprah...