Upon the passing of Ted Kennedy, I read an article talking about a time he brought in author Robert A. Caro to talk to his Senate colleagues about the tradition of the Senate. The article mentioned Caro writing an "epic" biography of Lyndon B. Johnson. I enjoy political biographies, and I thought I would pick it up and see if it was truly "epic."
The biography in reference is Master of the Senate which won the Pulizer for biography in 2003. It is the 3rd and latest part of a 4 volume set Caro is planning on Johnson. The 4th and final volume is likely due in the mid 2010s.
I just today finished the 1000+ pages biography, and in conclusion, I have to say the book is worthy of its accolades. It is fascinating because Johnson is a fascinating politician and Caro did such a marvelous job in researching him that he is able to draw unique insights into Johnson's personality and his incredible political talents.
I will likley make several posts in the next week or so about this book as I have found it so fascinating. I know most people hear "1000+ page biography" and can think of nothing worse to read, but I would highly recommend this to anyone. There are ideas and concepts about interpersonal skills I have learned from this reading which I want to implement in my life. Not everything about Lyndon Johnson was good, with some personal characteristics being truly dispicable. But he displayed great people skills, which he sometimes used for wrong reasons, but other times used to accomplish much good.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Single Fatherhood
Shannon is in Knoxville this weekend for her cousin's wedding. I have the kids by myself. So far, so good. It has been a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and Jacob has been playing with his friends outside for the past 5 hours. Ava had a good nap and has been very content. Parenting is easy when the kids do exactly what you want them to do. But I will be glad when Shannon gets back on Sunday.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Vegas Baby!
I just got back from a Kantara Initiative conference in Las Vegas. I work with KI in my SAML testing which was the motivation behind the trip. It was my first trip to Vegas, and I was excited to see a city I have heard so much about. I leave there greatly disappointed.
First, nothing about gambling entices me. Many people go there thinking they will just spend X dollars, are prepared to lost that (but only that) and consider the process of doing so entertainment. Not me. I can't get past the obviousness that slots and the other games are designed to win more than you do. The best that can happen is you get "lucky", and you quit while you are ahead. Not for me.
Still, I thought I might be able to appreciate the Vegas experience just as an observer. Not happening. Slot machine after slot machine, but everyone looked so unhappy playing them. I heard two or three people yell out in joy during the time I was there, I presume because of their winning something, but the rest looked frankly pathetic.
I also had high hopes for the famed Vegas strip, but it disappointed as well. The buildings were huge, but it had an over-built feel. I did not notice the lights as much as the enormous buildings overwhelming the scenery.
And then it was the small things. Because their profit lies primarily in the gambling, they do everything to discourage from doing anything else but gamble. I stayed in the Rio which is a huge hotel/casino. The only work out room they had in this entire place was was in their spa center, but to use it you had to pay $22/day. Internet service in the room costs $8/hour. The Comfort Inn is better than that.
I know there are other things to do in Vegas like the shows which I did not have the opportunity to see, but those are not big draws to me. I am glad to see it once on business, but I can't see going back on pleasure.
First, nothing about gambling entices me. Many people go there thinking they will just spend X dollars, are prepared to lost that (but only that) and consider the process of doing so entertainment. Not me. I can't get past the obviousness that slots and the other games are designed to win more than you do. The best that can happen is you get "lucky", and you quit while you are ahead. Not for me.
Still, I thought I might be able to appreciate the Vegas experience just as an observer. Not happening. Slot machine after slot machine, but everyone looked so unhappy playing them. I heard two or three people yell out in joy during the time I was there, I presume because of their winning something, but the rest looked frankly pathetic.
I also had high hopes for the famed Vegas strip, but it disappointed as well. The buildings were huge, but it had an over-built feel. I did not notice the lights as much as the enormous buildings overwhelming the scenery.
And then it was the small things. Because their profit lies primarily in the gambling, they do everything to discourage from doing anything else but gamble. I stayed in the Rio which is a huge hotel/casino. The only work out room they had in this entire place was was in their spa center, but to use it you had to pay $22/day. Internet service in the room costs $8/hour. The Comfort Inn is better than that.
I know there are other things to do in Vegas like the shows which I did not have the opportunity to see, but those are not big draws to me. I am glad to see it once on business, but I can't see going back on pleasure.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
My Labor Day Weekend
I saw my Dad have a heart attack.
My parents came down on Thursday evening. We had dinner together, caught up a little and then headed to bed. My dad had some chest pains in the last few days, but they were light and passing. He has a history of heart disease and a had a triple-bypass 15 years ago. His recent problems, even going back further than just this last week, due to different aligments.
Thursday night he had his most severe episode yet. Mom came into the room and told me "Kyle, I need you to take us to the hospital. I think your Dad is having a heart attack." I quickly decided it was much better to call 911 than to attempt to bring him to the hospital myself.
The EMS was there quickly and by that time Dad's chest pains had subsided. He was even thinking this just a false alarm, and it was not necessary to go to the ER, but they took him on to the hospital, arriving around 1:00 AM.
Shortly there after, the pains returned and this time strengthened. Now, it was no longer in his chest but into his arms and his back. The pain would come in ever increasing waves. Nitro glycerine, morphine and the other drugs did nothing to hinder the pain, and it continued this way until around 3:30.
Finally, the pain stopped, and he was able to rest. By 5:00 lab results showed that he had indeed had some type of cardiac event. Around 8:00 they transfered him from the South Baldwin Medical Center ER to Thomas Hospital which had a cardiac stent facility. Later that morning he had a heart cath which showed 80%-90% blockage in one of his by-passes. He later had a stent inserted to alleviate the blockage, and he did well with the procedure. He was discharged on Sunday, and he got to spend a few days in our home before leaving back to Georgetown this morning.
There in the middle of night in the ER was a scary moment. Witnessing a heart attack is not something I ever longed to see, but it is something I will never forget. Your heart is something you take for granted. How can you help it, given its silent, steady beating your whole life. Yet, when it comes under distress, you are then aware of its primacy in keeping your body alive. A primacy only exceeded by God Himself.
We are grateful the attack was not a massive, deadly one. While the glycerine and other medicine did not immediately remedy the pain, they likely helped and kept the heart attack from being worse. We are grateful for the providence of God and getting Dad through this. If you are going to have a heart attack, it can't happen at a better place than a hospital.
My parents came down on Thursday evening. We had dinner together, caught up a little and then headed to bed. My dad had some chest pains in the last few days, but they were light and passing. He has a history of heart disease and a had a triple-bypass 15 years ago. His recent problems, even going back further than just this last week, due to different aligments.
Thursday night he had his most severe episode yet. Mom came into the room and told me "Kyle, I need you to take us to the hospital. I think your Dad is having a heart attack." I quickly decided it was much better to call 911 than to attempt to bring him to the hospital myself.
The EMS was there quickly and by that time Dad's chest pains had subsided. He was even thinking this just a false alarm, and it was not necessary to go to the ER, but they took him on to the hospital, arriving around 1:00 AM.
Shortly there after, the pains returned and this time strengthened. Now, it was no longer in his chest but into his arms and his back. The pain would come in ever increasing waves. Nitro glycerine, morphine and the other drugs did nothing to hinder the pain, and it continued this way until around 3:30.
Finally, the pain stopped, and he was able to rest. By 5:00 lab results showed that he had indeed had some type of cardiac event. Around 8:00 they transfered him from the South Baldwin Medical Center ER to Thomas Hospital which had a cardiac stent facility. Later that morning he had a heart cath which showed 80%-90% blockage in one of his by-passes. He later had a stent inserted to alleviate the blockage, and he did well with the procedure. He was discharged on Sunday, and he got to spend a few days in our home before leaving back to Georgetown this morning.
There in the middle of night in the ER was a scary moment. Witnessing a heart attack is not something I ever longed to see, but it is something I will never forget. Your heart is something you take for granted. How can you help it, given its silent, steady beating your whole life. Yet, when it comes under distress, you are then aware of its primacy in keeping your body alive. A primacy only exceeded by God Himself.
We are grateful the attack was not a massive, deadly one. While the glycerine and other medicine did not immediately remedy the pain, they likely helped and kept the heart attack from being worse. We are grateful for the providence of God and getting Dad through this. If you are going to have a heart attack, it can't happen at a better place than a hospital.
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