Open Threads

Had a great Fourth of July week-end. Spoent two days on the lakes, racing around on some new Yamaha Wave Runners, relaxing on my buddies boat, and generally just doing nothing but soak up sun and hang out. It was great.

Week-EndPost + Comments

P.J., at his best:

IF YOU PLAN not to read this summer, “Living History” is just the book. Hillary Clinton’s new memoir is more than 100,000 pages long. At least I think it is. There are only 562 page numbers, but you know how those Clintons lie. A mere ream of paper could not contain the padding that has gone into this tome. Hillary–with the help of at least six ghostwriters–nails the goose of a manuscript to the barn floor and force-feeds it with lint.

We are informed, for instance, that Jackie Onassis was once, herself, a first lady and later married a Greek shipping magnate. We learn how a chief executive walks to the podium to deliver a State of the Union speech: “The president greets members of both parties who, by tradition, sit on opposite sides of the aisle.” Even Hillary’s grief over the death of her dad is padded: “My father would not be at the table vying with Hugh and Tony for one of the drumsticks or asking for more cranberries and water-melon pickle, two of his favorites from childhood.” And then there are the fulsome tales of official junkets–unimportant, uninteresting, uneventful, and unending. “I had given a lot of thought to how Chelsea and I should dress on the trip. We wanted to be comfortable, and, under the sun’s heat, I was glad for the hats and cotton clothes I had packed.” And I was glad for the scopolamine transdermal patch.

If you read only one book review this summer, make it this one.

Amusing ReviewPost + Comments

Sorry for the lack of posting, but I had a bunch of other things going on. For the first time this summer, it was nice out, I have been reading a great book (the DaVinci Code), and I just got a smoker (I have a brisket with a home made rub on).

IF you have any good suggestions for BBQ or for things to put in my smoker, let me know. I currently need a good rub for my ribs, as well as a mop so they don’t dry out. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

Lack of PostingPost + Comments (3)

I am going out for my birthday, so blogging will resume tomorrow or Monday. Go visit some of the fine sites over to the right.

Blog BreakPost + Comments (3)

One of the most interesting studies I have ever read was the 1996 “Nun” study examining the association between low idea density in writing and later development of Alzheimers. This is an equally interesting study:

Playing chess, bridge or a musical instrument significantly lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, according to the most comprehensive study to examine the benefits of challenging intellectual activity among the elderly.

Seniors who regularly engaged in pastimes that stretched their minds — sorry, watching TV doesn’t count — lowered their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias by as much as 75 percent, compared with those who didn’t exercise their minds, researchers said yesterday.

The report bolsters a growing body of evidence that exercising the mind through board games, social activities and education offers powerful protection against mental deterioration and disease.

Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “Use it or lose it.”

Alzheimer’s UpdatePost + Comments (3)