July 12, 2007
Boomers, It's Your Brain: Use it or Lose it - Learn a foreign language now
What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual.
What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual
What do you call someone who speaks one language? American!
Come on. You have put off learning a foreign language long enough. Have you noticed Americans are keen on purchasing foods and other products with French, Italian, German, and Spanish names, but won't even try to learn a foreign language. I know the usual excuses. It takes too long. Everyone speaks English. Let's face it. The real reason is because it's hard! My grandfather learned to speak fluent Italian when he was 80, so you have no excuse. Do you want to ever truly learn how people in other cultures think? Do you want a three-dimensional way of seeing the world? Well, get moving before you lose anymore brain cells. By the way, anyone who would like pointers on learning a foreign language (I speak Spanish), drop me a line. Wouldn't it be great to read G. Garcia Marquez in the orignal? Meanwhile you can get started here:
July 11, 2007
Babyboomer grandparents: Come clean!
If you were born between 1946 and 1964, let's face it; you could be a grandparent. Oy, you may be saying! Well, if you are still attending rallys -- climate change, Iraq war, No Child's Behind Left, Committee to increase G.W.'s I.Q., or other noble causes, you may feel the urge to do a traditional grandparenty thing mixed in with a bit of the digital age.
July 07, 2007
Bob Dylan interpeted with Dylanesque
I've gradually considered Bob Dylan as a literary figure and it seems to fit well. Here is a 'non-literary' interpretation of his work. I think it's pretty good. And I'm not exactly new to the music. I was at Newport in 1965 at the famous concert when he went electric. I liked that too.
July 01, 2007
The Girl with the Pearl Earring - Buy the Poster
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June 30, 2007
Clueless in Academe: Eyeless in Gaza?
If you are a professor, and you are wondering is it you or is it they, this book offers some clues.
If you're a student, and you're wondering is it you or is it them, read this book and save a lot of money
June 20, 2007
BABY BOOMERS - BOOK LIGHT - BRIGHT OUTPUT
Frustrated with those book lights that make you squint until you throw it (and the book you're trying to read) agains the wall in the middle of the night. This one by Mighty Bright comes with double and triple the average book light output.
May 09, 2007
May 07, 2007
February 10, 2007
WORD FOR SURGE IN FRENCH? Maybe you should know
How do you say 'surge' in French? Or any other word in French. How about learning that foreign language you studied for two years in college and don't remember a damn thing about. It's not too late. Hey, my grandfather learned fluent Italian when he was 80. So what's stopping you? I know. Everyone speaks English. You don't have time. Well, on your next trip to Whole Foods, I bet you won't be hesitant to buy Spanish olive oil, French mineral water, or dozens of other products. Admit it. You won't try speaking another language because it's hard. Remember those studies in aging. Use it or lose it. In other words, maybe you should get off your butt.
February 05, 2007
ALICE MCDERMOTT
Real writing for real women. Charming Billy by Alice McDermott. Does not have warning label "May cause drowsiness" as do the books by, among others, Toni Morrison, Anne Tyler, and Sandra Cisneros.
"Eloquent...heartbreaking...McDermott is brilliant."
—The New York Times Book Review
"An astoundingly beautiful novel about the persistence of love, the perseverance of grief, and all-but-unbearable loneliness, as well as faith, loyalty and redemption."
—The Philadelphia Inquirer
"In Charming Billy, Ms. McDermott writes...with wisdom and grace, refusing to sentimentalize her characters even as she forces us to recognize their decency and goodness. She has written a luminous and affecting novel."
—Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times
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