Miscellaneous

It's amazing how fast life changes. My father fought as a Marine on Iwo Jima and today I played golf with a Japanese man whose uncle was killed there fighting on the other side. I doubt either man could have imaged today's 2-some.

If you have an iPod, download the Dwight Yoacam, Sheryl Crow version of "Baby Don't Go." If you can listen to it without signing along I'll refund your 99 cents. You might also try John Hammond's "If You Wanna Rock & Roll" from "Push Comes to Shove," but if you do you're going to want the whole album.

I was late to the "Into the Wild" party, but I read the book recently, and then watched the movie shortly thereafter, and thought they were both terrific. The story is an old one in which a young man searches for inner truth by freeing himself from the trappings and conventions of society. While the ending is tragic, the underlying story is uplifting. Sean Penn's translation to the screen does not disappoint. It has beautiful scenery, a fantastic cast, and a great soundtrack by Eddie Vedder.

I don't care what anyone says, these shows are not funny: The Office, Reno 911, Flight of the Conchords. Here's a book I want to read: "Unusually Stupid Americans" by Katheryn & Ross Petras.