So, I'm now reading "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn. Have you all read this? Why not? Go and get it now. It should be required reading.
I was struck this morning by this passage: Around the same time (1730s), in New York, an election pamphlet urged New York voters to join "Shuttle" the weaver, "Plane" the joiner, "Drive" the carter, "Mortar" the mason, "Tar" the mariner, "Snip" the tailor, "Smallrent" the fair-minded landlord, and "John Poor" the tenant, against "Gripe the Merchant, Squeeze the Shopkeeper, Spintext and Quible the Lawyer." Hey--where's "Joe" the plumber?
Seriously, though...everyone needs to hear the "unsanitized" version of history at some point, don't you think, as they're blissfully celebrating Columbus Day, for example?
In other news, it is cold here. We've had a little ice, we've had a little snow....we've HAD IT. Yes, I am thankful we're not suffering more ice storm-related power outages (and feeling great empathy for all the people in the northeast who are), and I'm thankful we're not in single digits or worse, but...it's not even winter yet, technically. Bah.
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Oh yeah, I keep forgetting it's not winter yet. Especially when I'm on my rear in the middle of the parking lot.
Yeah, we're getting the snow. I'm cool with that as long as it doesn't keep me from going to my swim party tomorrow morning!
We have sleet here, but I kind of like sleet.
I've heard others recommend the People's History before...but if I'm honest with myself, I know I probably won't ever actually read it. I'm too much of a fiction girl. :)
It's too cold to play outside, and now all the snow is covered with ice... argh! More snow in our forecast for tomorrow
I'm sorry, but I would never read something as trivial as that. I ONLY read FICTION!
(That was my attempt to be the reverse of the Nonfiction snobs, but you caught that, right?)
In other news, it is both snowing AND sub-zero here. Fun!
People's History is great! It doesn't read like a history book, which is nice because I like fiction more as well. I found it very easy to read and digest and gave me a LOT to talk about. :)
3car, at least I've been spared that indignity. So far. ;)
noelle, I have such admiration for your dedication. I've been trying to get myself back into an exercise rut and so far...not working so well. (See, there's a couch, with a blanket and some kitties...and it's cold outside...)
lara, fiction is my first love, too...but I also love history, and when it's well-written (which this is) it READS like fiction.
stinky, that sounds just godawful!
stef, hee! You fiction snob, you.
precipice, exactly!
That book actually was required reading for one of my history classes, and I also met Howard Zinn and he signed my copy!
Is this one of those books that's going to piss me off then make me want to build my own log cabin in Montana and live alone?
So all of you who are dealing with ice and snow probably don't want to know it's 69 degrees here in Atlanta today, right? And you don't want to know that it's going to be in the 70's tomorrow either, correct? If it makes you feel better, this weather is not helping me feel the Christmas spirit. When you go out Christmas shopping and people are in shorts it's just not the same.
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