Morning Thoughts

Gymnastics For Youth

Morning Thoughts

Now that I have gotten past the first few chapters, it has become much easier to read The Predator State. It is starting to give a coherent argument on why supply side economics do not work. It argues that a regime based purely on savings with little or no tax on capital gains creates an environment of unequal income distribution focused on the idea that it is a natural right to hold onto capital. At the same time it does not give any natural rights to the producers of capital, labor. The ideas are quite provocative. I personally believe that there should be more incentive for investment than saving.

I was looking at the Fantagraphics site and noticed that they had just opened their own bookstore. It looks very cool. I wish that I could go to it in Seattle. Maybe when I visit my family there I will get to see it.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery1201 South Vale Street (at Airport Way S.)Seattle, WA 98108, Mon. - Sat 11:30 - 8Sun 11:30 - 5206-658-0110

This is a link to a story about it on the web.

http://www.fantagraphics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=126

I did a little bit more reading in Writing Begins With the Breath and a few more writing exercises. This poem is about a swing in the park when I was young that swung out over a
lake filled with green algae.

Mountain Lake Park

Swing over green water
Pump your legs back and forth
Feel the cool breeze

I took a short break to drive up to my local library. Because I am just getting back on my feet, I didn't want to stress myself too much.

I picked up a copy of the book donation form. I think that it is very well designed. We need a new one for our library. We also need a new poster for requesting donations. I am going to give it to the new director. I think I might also pick up some other samples of flyers to bring back as well.

Right now, I am sitting at the computers in the library typing away. I haven't been here for several weeks. It is very quiet here today which is almost a relief.

Thoughts For Today

Thoughts For Today

I found it hard to read God's Demons by Wayne Barlow. The main problem is that there was a big picture of a demon on the front cover of the book. Somehow, this does not seem like a great image for a book while you are on the subway. Also, it makes references to Milton's Paradise Lost and John Dee. This makes it slightly uncomfortable for me to read. He is using the names of demons as they would appear in alchemical texts from the 16th century which is a bit unsettling. It is an attempt to recreate hell as a fantasy setting.

In a fantasy setting, I would like to have my demons and evil creatures remain completely fantastical. The writing is good. This is something which I think would be better to read in a private setting with plenty of time for contemplation on what you are reading.

I have started reading House of Many Ways by Diana Wynn Jones. This is the sequel to Howl's Moving Castle. Howl's Moving Castle was made into an anime film. It is lightweight entertainment written for young adults.

I am still doing a bit more ordering for social sciences. I have ordered Freedom From Oil by David Sandalow as part of the order as well as Public Domain, How To Find and Use Copyright Free Writing, Music, Art, and More by Stephen Fishman. This book is part of the Nolo Press imprint. I am requesting a copy at my library so I can see if it might be useful for this blog.

Fantagraphics Books sent me their latest catalog. This is one of my favorite presses for alternative graphic novels. I was looking through this and there are a few new items which look fascinating. The first is The Wolverton Bible by Basil Wolverton. Basil Wolverton's art and comics are astoundingly different and very strange. Spacehawk is quite interesting to look at.
http://www.bpib.com/illustrat/wolvertn.htm

The other book which really stood out for me in this catalog was Blazing Combat by Archie Goodwin. This is a really excellent war comic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blazing_Combat

I am still ordering social science books. It is making my head spin a bit at this point. I sometimes think my brain will fly off to the land of words, where there is a castle made entirely out of sentences and punctuation. I will be off next week and am looking forward to my vacation.