Catching up on some things I have done since I have last posted (which has been too long)

As far as movies go, it seems to be the season of documentaries.

I saw "The Weather Underground" and "Spellbound" a couple of weeks ago, both very interesting documentaries, real-life character studies more absorbing than in most scripted movies. Spellbound showed kids competing at the National Spelling Bee, and how they have the same competitive drive, stresses, and joys that adults do in these kinds of competions. The Weather Underground shows a small band of radicals in the '60s and '70s who carried out small-scale bombings of U.S. government buildings to try to get our government to "wake up" at some of the atrocities it was doing. Their efforts were ultimately futile, due to their small numbers. This is a part of American history that is not known by too many people. It is interesting to see how the lives of some of the members turned out when the group broke up in the late '70s. Some settled down to live quiet lives, some went on to other radical groups and wound up getting thrown in jail, and one guy went on Jeopardy and won $23,000.

I had the opportunity on seeing the documentary "The Fog of War" last week. This is basically a conversation with one of the most interesting and most controversial characters of the last 50 years of American history, former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. He frankly talked about the World War II, and about Vietnam, too. He seemed to be playing his cards close to the vest with Vietnam in particular, tending to throw most of the blame for escalating the conflict on President Lyndon Johnson. But the lessons leared from the mistaken effort are apt, and should be paid attention to, especially considering the activities our present government are taking in Iraq.

I also played volleyball last week, so I don't only go to movies and hang out in coffee shops working on my book. :)