Posts from January 2004

I’ve read 5 books so far this trip.

I started with two great novels, Middlesex (fantastic) and Fortress of Solitude (i loved it, my wife didn’t). I’d recommend both.

Then i shifted to politics.

Dude, Where’s My Country by Michael Moore and Lies and The Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken could have been written by the same person. They both make the exact same point – that our country has been hikacked by a gang of lying right wing maniacs. I happen to agree, but regardless of whether you do or don’t, they are worth reading. Lying Liars is the better of the two books.

The final book is a memoir by Bob Rubin of his life on Wall Street and in the Clinton Administration. It’s called In An Uncertain World. Bob Rubin is one of the people i admire most and this book did not let me down. If you are interested in politics and economics, i’d recommend it too.

Reading Bob Rubin’s book has made me very nostalgic for the days of the Clinton administration when sound fiscal policy and strong relationships with the rest of the world were important to our government.

The Internet at 16kbps sucks. I can’t believe this is how it was when we all got into the Net.

Contrary to my wonderful ethernet in Rio experience, it took me 3 days and some work to get an Internet connection in Florianopolis, and the best speed i can connect at is 16kbps. My cell phone doesn’t work here either.

So i’ll just have to go enjoy another beautiful sunny day on the beach.