Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon

Yes, that's right. I mean that massive series of tomes called the Decline And Fall of the Roman Empire that takes up so much space on library bookshelves. I've read the adbridged version before but finally decided to accomplish my goal of reading the whole darned thing. All two million-something words of it.
These books were written in the late 1700's and still hold up as one of the most comprehensive history books ever. Not just is it incredibly thorough but just an amazing piece of prose. Gibbon's long flowing sentences are full of humorous sarcastic references to various emperors and even criticize religion. The battles between Paganism and Christianity are fascinatingly described in these pages.
I am on volume 3 of the total of 6 volumes so almost halfway toward completing the whole thing but one point I can take away from reading the volumes is that we really don't have it too bad in the US now overall. With all the problems we have here, reading this set shows how things can be a whole lot worse! Especially with an Emperor like Honorious!

Bara Hack

Back to the supernatural! Today's topic is about a small "lost" village in the town of Pomfret, CT. This small village hidden deep in the woods is regarded as one of the more haunted places in a region full of haunted places. Check out these pictures: http://travel.webshots.com/album/550901996NLFLhN

Way back when I was in fourth grade I went with my class on a field trip to the place. We walked around the whole site and it certainly felt creepy but there was nothing other than the ambiance to make anyone feel scared. Nonetheless it was a very interesting, peaceful place. Other people have had very strange experiences and there are all sorts of websites if you do a search that have information about the place. Well worth checking out for those with an interest in the subject. It is on private property so that "visitors are not welcome" but for anyone who makes the trip there, please feel free to post findings, etc.

Idiots At Concerts

The night before last I went to see Night Ranger at the BB King Bar and Grill in Times Square. The concert was fine but we had this drunken idiot in front of us. This guy who looked like Patrick Moraz from Yes, wanted to constantly fist bump with everyone around him to the music. Then he was air guitar playing and wanted to air guitar with different people around him. I just shook my head when he looked at me but he kept coming to me for some reason. Finally I shot him a real ugly look and he finally backed away but he was falling all over people around him. He fell on some poor girl at the table in front of him. I am surprised her boyfriend didn't knock him out but this guy continued acting obnoxious.
Towards the end of the show, during "Sister Christian" he was pumping his fist in the air to the chorus and almost hit someone in the eye. Then for some reason he felt the need to remove his shirt, an act which finally brought security over. They made him put his shirt back on and signalled to the bar to cut him off from drinks. During the last song, he was jumping around so much that finally security grabbed him and took him away. I wish they had done that a lot sooner. An idiot like that has the potential to put a damper on a good show. It amazes me how some people even if they have had plenty to drink, they seem to think everyone around them is entertained by their antics.

Terror And Consent by Philip Bobbitt

There is a lack of books that deal with a clear plan to deal with and defeat terrorists and terrorism as a general concept. Now during the Cold War, there were many books that prposed strategies for how this nation should deal with the Soviets and their allies. Strategies of Containment was one example of this. There are plenty of books that deal with terrorism and get down to its root causes and give biographical sketches of the major players. I have not found a good book that gives a concise strategy to dealing with terrorism until now. A few days ago at the Strand bookstore, I discovered a very detailed, well-presented tome called Terror And Consent. I am in the middle of reading it now and, it's an extremely thought provoking title with ample information and excellent endnotes. It's not from a left or right perspective but just makes for an informative read. If you want more infomation on it, here is the Amazon description with reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Terror-Consent-Wars-Twenty-first-Century/dp/140007701X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250011138&sr=1-1

Myrtle Beach, SC

I just got back from my eagerly anticipated vacation from Myrtle Beach. For those who haven't been down there, you could do a lot worse than to go down there for vacation. Even more the hotel could not have been more perfect. I was there four years ago and stayed in the exact same hotel, the Best Western Carolinian but this time was even better. The room was incredible, a full suite with a 12th floor view over the ocean. If there is one thing missing that Virginia Beach has, it's a boardwalk with water fountains and benches to sit on but otherwise the two beaches are pretty much dead even. A very good trip!