Live Together or Get Married?

I will start with a disclaimer to say that many of my friends have chosen to live together before marriage and I in no way mean to offend them or judge their decision, this is just a blog about my own personal beliefs for myself.

So it seems our generation is faced at some point in a relationship with the question of whether or not to move in together or to get married? They may not view the question as this but it really is what it comes down. My living together you get to "test drive" marriage without the commitment. It seems that over the last few days I have learned that a good percentage of my co-workers live with their significant other. It got me thinking about why they made that decision. For me, I wouldn't even consider it unless I was engaged and close to getting married and even then I don't know if I would do it. To me they are sitting up house and doing everything that married couples do without the total commitment to each other. It is no wonder that so many of these relationships fail because by just living together there is an "out" clause. I guess some would argue that divorce is the "out" clause of marriage but if you really want to be married and really believe in the vows of better or for worse and sickness and in health then you don't include an "out" clause. I don't understand why so many people chose to live together. I can already hear the arguments...it is cheaper, we are together all the time anyway, we are committed...well if all is that is true, why are you scared of marriage? I think so many marriages fail is because we have forgotten what the intent of marriage is and we have forgotten to take it so seriously. We fall in love but don't bother to answer questions like: Are we compatible? Do we both agree on how to handle money? Do we share common religious beliefs? Do we both want kids and if so, how many? Do we prefer to live in the city? Do we want to live near family? Will both people be at home (aka not travel) once we have kids? There are so many questions like this that most couples don't think about but if they took the time to answer these questions (and many more like these) honestly and seriously then maybe we would start to get more marriages right and we as a society wouldn't feel like we had to "test it out".

Vent - Rude Wait Staff?

Multiple people including myself have encountered an interesting phenomenon at restaurants lately. It seems that the waiter/waitress feels like it is in their job description to join in and interrupt your conversation while they wait on you. It is one thing to ask if I want more tea but for the wait staff to enter my conversation and overstay their welcome by participating in my table mates and my conversation. What is going on? Can't a waiter/waitress just take my order, check on me, bring my food and give me the check? I don't need their advice, I don't need their friendship...I just need my food! So this is my vent for the day.

Josh Kelley Rocks!

I just went to the Josh Kelley concert at Smith's Old Bar this weekend. Right now he is touring with Pat McGee and the show was awesome. Josh is quite the entertainer. He not only easily connects with the audience, his songs and voice rocks. He had the whole room grooving to his music and jamming with his band. He is a very likable character and easy on the eyes for us ladies! He mingled with the crowd after his set and while Pat McGee was playing. If you haven't heard his music, then I would definitely check out his website and his myspace page. I usually compare him to Jack Johnson and John Mayer but after going to his concert I think he blows both of them out of the water. I have his CD "Just say the Word" but his Fall Sampler is even better and has some great new and creative songs and is not quite as mello as "Just Say the Word". His music usually falls under the Folk genre but I wouldn't necessarily classify it as Folk, more new rock with a mellow twist. I can't wait for his new CD which comes out in Feb!

Pat McGee put on a good show but not near as entertaining as Josh. About halfway through the show they mentioned that it was the anniversary of the death of their drummer so after that I understood the low key atmosphere a little more. The opening act Sons of William also deserve a shout out. They were not as entertaining as Josh (which makes since because they are newer artist) but their music was pretty good. Definitely check out all these artists! Oh and I will throw out some love for one of my new favorite bands Lady Antebellum. This is a country group made up of Charles Kelley (Josh's bro), Dave Haywood, and Hillary Scott. The two guys and Josh all are from Augusta my hometown so I have to give them a shout out and show some love. Their music is great too so if any of these folks come to your town, it is definitely worth checking them out.

Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships by Chip Ingram

Seems that my blog has kind of turned into a review blog. Yes, this is another book review. Maybe I missed my calling in life to write...that can be another blog entry. So onto Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships by Chip Ingram. I just finished reading this book. I actually listened to Chip's talk on this topic about 3 years ago so some of it sounded familar. This book has come at a good time in my life. When I first started the introduction, I immediately but the book down because I didn't want to read something that made me feel bad about being single or read yet again more tips on how to find a mate. I begrudingly picked it up again a few weeks ago and am glad that I did because it has revolutionized how I think about dating, love, and marriage. This book isn't just for singles either it is for married folk, divorcees, young people, old people, etc. I would recommend this book for all ages. I won't attempt to do the book justice by trying to capture the main themes but in general I now of a new and better outlook on how I am going to approach finding love. Instead of waiting for the right person, fall in love, and put all my hopes in a person, I am going to instead become the right person, walk in love, and put my faith in God (ok, so I stole one theme). I am also not going to pressure myself to find the one or fall in love, instead I am looking for male friends. Not dates, friends and if it develops later then great. I think I missed out on some of my greatest loves in college that were my friends because we could never be on the same page about dating. Either I liked them and they didn't like me and vice versa. Good thing is that while I may have missed out on being their great love, they are still my friends to this day. So I encourage everyone (single, married, divorced, dating, etc) to read this book. It will challenge your way of thinking and make you look at relationships in a whole new (and better) way.

Two Urban Licks

I just went to Two Urban Licks last night for dinner. I have one word - Trendy. Well, two words - Trendy and Yummy. We had a 730pm reservation and the place was packed. When we left there were probably 50 people waiting so key to going to this place is going early and having a reservation. The outside porch and far dining area have an awesome view of the skyline of Atlanta. The food is a little on the expensive side - expect to pay $100 for 2 people. This would be a great 4th or 5th date place or a good place for an anniversary. It is a little loud on the inside so it isn't ideal for date number one but a good special occasion place. The restaurant isn't in a rush to turn over tables so you are able to enjoy your meal at a leaisurely pace - if you are looking for a quick meal, you should try somewhere else. The restaurant is in a a warehouse just off Ralph McGuill and not many other restaurants are around. It is definitely a hidden spot - much like Eclipse de Luna. This is a definite must if you haven't visited her before. Next time I go, I plan to request outside seating or a booth and definitely go with a date!

God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg

I just finished reading God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg. It is a quick read at about 170 pages. The chapters usually start with good visual images like the picture of Adam and God at the top of the Sistine Chapel (The Creation of Adam), the Where's Waldo book, A Beautiful Mind movie or the Princess Bride movie and then Ortberg explains how these concepts can relate to your relationship with God.

One part of the book talks about how you shouldn't feel guilty for reading the newspaper over The Bible or watching TV. Instead you should invite God to do these activities with you. God wants to be part of your life not just be part of the moments where you need him. Also, it talks about which pathway you most connect with God. Some people are more intellectual, others relational, some are activists while some are worshippers or servers and some are contemplative and others are creationist. I think I fit in a couple of these areas - intellectual, relational and creationist. We all our own ways of experiencing a relationship with God.

I think this book is a great (and quick) read and it can help jump start your relationship with God or just offer some good ways to connect with God.

Fighting Cancer

My sister is currently undergoing proton therapy radiation treatment in FL for a brain tumor. We didn't know anything about this kind of treatment yet it is on the cutting edge of fighting cancer. Proton radiation is different from photo radiation in that it doesn't have an exit ray so healthy tissues on the exit side of the tumor are not hit. Proton therapy can also be more precise than photon.

One thing we have learned about doctors throughout this process is that they don't know everything, a 2nd opinion can save your life, and doing research on your own on the internet is a good idea. To help pass this information along, I wanted to do a blog posting. There are currently 5 proton centers in the US and they are building more here and abroad. They can treat brain tumors, prostate cancer, bone cancer and probably other cancers that I don't know about. They are working on treating advanced forms of breast cancer and tumors in movable areas like your lungs. There is new technology that is able to track your breathing patterns and how your body moves so that the radiation will move as you breathe and hit the tumor spot. This helps reduce the error field and therefore reduces the good cells that it hits. Please share this with anyone you know that has cancer because it coult work for them. We have found that a lot of doctors don't know about this kind of therapy because they just haven't heard about it.

The FL proton center is a very positive place. The atmosphere is more like a doctor's office than a hospital - the staff doesn't wear scrubs and the walls are warm colors not white. The staff and patients are very friendly and it really feels like you are surrounded by family. They have an excellent patient support system in place - lunches, dinners, and donuts! I have seen how sharing your story and hearing about others can really aid in the healing process. I have also seen that having a positive attitude makes all the difference in the world in the healing process.

Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicolas Sparks

I just finished reading Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicolas Sparks. When I originally heard that this book was coming out, I pretty much dismissed it as something I didn't want to read. I have read many of Sparks' books to date - The Notebook (twice), Dear John, The Wedding, Bend in the Road, etc. But this new book was about a trip around the world that he and his brother took. I changed my mind about the book after I planned a 4 week with my sister. While my trip isn't around the world - it is just down to FL - it is a once in a life time adventure as my sister undergoes radiation. So I bought the book and ironically at the same time my grandmother bought the book for my sister. So upon my arrival in FL, we started the book together. Little did I know that in addition to reading about all the great places around the world, I would also be reading a memoir of Nicholas Sparks' life. The book in quite introspective and you come to love his parents, his brother and sister and his family just like he does with each turn of the page. You become so connected to the story that you begin to see yourself in the story and you begin to feel his hurts as he experienced the deaths of his mother, father and then sister. This story hits close to home because his sister has a brain tumor and while she is able to fight if off for several years (7, I think) she ends up dying very leaves behind with two small children and a husband. My sister has a brain tumor and while her prognosis is much sunnier, it definitely reminds you about what could go wrong and the pain that you could feel. But as the book reminds you, you must continue to love, trust in God and live. So I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to explore themselves, read about cities around the world, and share in a beautiful story of family, faith and love.

Cooking Light

My sister and I cooked this yummy recipe today. Most people know that I don't cook but this was quick and easy and very yummy so I had to share. We made blackened chicken and grilled avacado tacos. I was suprised at how tasty the avacados were and it is a nice twist on an old fashioned mexican dish.

Kissing on a First Date

I saw this video posted on MSN and thought it was pretty funny. It is about a 3 and a half minute video about reading the signs on whether or not to go in for the kiss on the first date. It made me laugh because I think the older I get, the more I revert to being 16 when it comes to dating. Maybe it is because I am out of practice or maybe it is because I have moved past the haze of college when everything seems acceptable. Hope you enjoy this good laugh too.

Atlanta is #3

Atlanta is #3 on the List of Best Cities for Young Professionals. I was kind of surpised - thought we would be 5-8 but glad we are at number 3. Of course my stat to figure this information out isn't even accounted for because I didn't go to the likes of Harvard and I stayed in the same city as my college. The article is pretty interesting, any guesses on #1? It shouldn't be a surprised - actually most cities aren't really a suprise just the order they fall in.

Halfway to Dooms Day

Everyone keeps telling me to stop referring to turning 30 as "the death march to 30". That is easy for you to say because you are either over the hill and are glad for me to join you or you are far enough of way to later say to me that it is so great to be 20. So from where I sit right now in July, I rather be heading towards any birthday in my 20s than my 30the birthday. I love college and would trade it all for those happy go lucky days. Maybe I romanticize the college days because studying for Thermo or writing an English paper was sure no phone but waking up at 10am, 11am, noon was great and always having someone around to stuff with was awesome and going to a party down the street from your house every weekend wasn't so bad either. While I reminiscence about the good old days and try to think of new ways not to look like I am that old girl in the club, I will recount for you where I am on my List of Things to Do in 2007....

Drum roll please....

1. Flights - 52, I think I am on my way to doubling 29 on this one
2. New restaurants - 24, a very distant 2nd but close to my goal of 29
3. Cities - 13
4. Books I have Read - 12, definitely doable to make 29

And that pretty much rounds out anything that is close to 29. I think I will accomplish my 29 hrs of skiing because I am going skiing for 5 days soon and have already been for 3. I probably have met 29 people but if I didn't catch your name or didn't have a meaningful convo then I haven't counted you. I have field 2 kickball teams where I have maybe know 5-10 people so that in itself would hit the 29 mark. The date category has not changed since my 1Q checkin - I would like for that number to improve. I am sitting at goose eggs for hrs at the beach (this makes me very sad) and holes of golf (maybe I should strive for hitting 29 balls at a driving range).

Despite my list be less than complete, I feel like to date I have accomplished a lot this year and will have found memories of 2007. I did the muddy buddy race again, I went biking on the silver comet trail with my family for Father's Day, I have had several good vacations to the mtns and have a great vaca coming up. I will strive to hit my marks on my list but I know some goals were high and would be like climbing Mt Everest. I have other personal goals that weren't on the list of 29 so I am also happy about that. So this is me checking in, back to day dreaming of the good old days...

The Sunflower

I just finished reading The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans. It is probably the most touching book that I have a read in quite so time and what makes this unique is that it is a based on a true story. The book is exotic because the story takes you on a journey following a humanitarian effort through the jungles of Peru. It is also a love story and how love is more powerful than pain. Each chapter is a diary extert of one of the main characters and follows the journey of a woman finding herself and a man who has done so much for others finally finds peace. I would encourage everyone to read this book - it is a quick read and I think you can find out a lot about yourself and how it is important to remember that you are one in this huge world and what may seem like a big problem to you is a luxury for others. And that we all have the strength to go on, we sometimes just need that extra push from a friend and someone to believe in us that we have the strength to do anything. Anyone want to go to Peru?

Knocked Up

My sisters and I saw Knocked Up with Katherine Heigel and Seth Rogan. I thought it was funny and definitely a guy and girl type of funny. I was a little shocked by the vulgar language but I should have expected that since it came from the same director as the 40 Year Old Virgin. The movie did make you root for the couple to stay together and you begin to like Seth's character even though he is clearly a loser in the beginning. I will say that in real life there is a .001 chance that the couple who has a one night stand and end up pregnant will actually get together and last. They won't have these fun moments shopping for the baby or going to the doctor. The story was entertaining but if you put it in perspective and think about it in real life then it would never happen that way. The ending wouldn't be so clean and everything wouldn't wrap up nicely. I have seen this happen to people and they are forever broken - even when they are whole, the smallest part feels broken.

Big Love

I watched Big Love last night for the first time on HBO. It is a show about a polygamist family. The show is not short on star power with Bill Paxton, Jean Tripplehorn, Chloe Savigny, and Gennifer Goodwin playing the husband and 3 wives. The show was quite interesting to me. It was especially interesting to see that the 2nd wife said she married both the first wife and the husband not just the husband and then the 3rd wife said the same thing about the 2 wives and the husband. They seemed to work as a team and not really harbor any jealousy - but I do know it was a TV show. I have never watched this show but think I will continue to watch it to see how the storylines develop. The 2nd season just started with the family being outed as polygamists - the first wife had the hardest time with this b/c she was married to Bill for 12 yrs before he took in his 2nd wife and she was dealing with how her life had changed. I can't even imagine being part of a polygamist but they seemed like a typical family full of love.

One note on the latest book that I read - "Wild Justice" by Phillip Margolin. The book is a typical criminal drama/whodoneit kind of storyline. While the plot has a twist at the end, I thought the twist was pretty predictable. I will say that the book made me want to sleep with the lights on and had me jumping at any noise around the house making me think that there was an intruder!

Oprah's Debt Diet

I just watched today's episode of Oprah and the show was on getting out of debt. She had a lot of good suggestions and most are posted on her webite at http://oprah.com/jean. Jean Chatzky (author of Make Money, Not Excuses) gave her expert advice to do the following 4 things to start saving and get out of debt:
1. Max your Income
2. Spend less than you Make (ie pause before you buy)
3.Invest the money that you aren't spending (should be earning at least 5%)
4.Protect your money

I thought I would put this great advice out there on the web. I have said many times that I think colleges do a dis-service by not havine a required class about budgets, 401Ks, investing, etc. So now is the time to learn ourselves with a little effort. There is also a link to find money groups in your area - one group on the show was called the "Smart Cookies". They said it was good to find a money group so that you can have someone hold you accountable ans have people to share your financial goals. One point they made too was that it is important for women to have money in their own name so when you marry, make sure you have control over some of your own money.

Google Earth

Tonight I was watching part of the Glenn Beck show on CNN's Headline News. The anchor that was in for Glenn - MICHAEL SMERCONISH - was asking "expert" - JOHN PIKE, DIRECTOR, GLOBALSECURITY.ORG - about this concern over terrorists using Google Earth.

His response was - "Well, I`m not overly concerned about it. I think that it speaks to the relatively low quality of this terrorist plot. I mean, the problem that you`ve got with the imagery in Google Earth is that you don`t know how old it is. You don`t know whether you`re looking at an image that`s a month old, a year old, or a decade old."

Then he is later asked about this type of technology falling into the wrong hands and he says - "Well, no, I think that we need to continue to look at this. I mean, one good example of it is that we`re going to be having a new series of commercial imagery satellites. They`re going to have much better pictures than the existing satellites do. And one of the speed bumps that the government has put into place is that you`re going to be restricted to getting yesterday`s image tomorrow. The satellite could give you this morning`s image this afternoon, but just to have that extra measure of precaution, there`s going to be a 24- hour hold back, I understand, to make sure that you`re only seeing what was happening a couple of days ago, rather than earlier today. So we`re always drawing the line as the technology develops to make sure that we`re striking a proper balance between security and freedom.:

Does anyone else think he contradicts himself? The moderator didn't even call him on his contradiction instead he just ended the show. In one answer he says the Google Earth is safe b/c you don't know if the imagery is a year old, a month old and as part of the interview he says that in the time between when the pictures where taken and when you view it then a security checkpoint could have been built or troops could have moved positions. But later he says with improved technology that you will be able to see this morning's images in the afternoon and that the government is drawing a line in the sand. I would argue a very thin line and although it isn't real time - a security booth isn't going to be built where there wasn't one in 12 hrs. I do think the government needs to better monitor tools such as Google Earth. They should log people who are looking at airport layouts for instance or maybe restrict access to potential risky areas on a map. (Quotes and full transcripts can be found at the Glenn Beck website for 6/5/07.)

Also Google Earth just release a street level map which is cool for users who may want to find a place down the street to eat but is a very scary tool if it is used in the wrong hands. I think we need to safeguard ourselves by monitoring what is put on the internet for just anyone to use. Why doesn't the government put restrictions on what Google Earth can do and better yet why doesn't Google Earth police themselves and ask what is best to put on the internet to keep our citizens safe vs potentially endangering them.

I hope this sparks discussion/debate or at least gets your wheels turning - this is my attempt at educate myself outside of the Hollywood knowledge and to spread the word on issues that concern me.

Bobby Kennedy Jr

Ironically in the same weekend that I watched Bobby, I also read an article that my mom found - an interview with Bobby Kennedy Jr in the January 2007 Oprah magazine.

There were several exterts that caught my attention. One being Bobby's opinion on how we can reduce fuel costs and reduce our dependence on oil in the Middle East. I wish I had the article so I could explain it but basically if we all reduced our consumption (ie drive a prius what gets 44 mpg intead of Hummers that get what, 10 mph) then we would be helping the economy. He has a theory of pollution-based prosperity which was an interesting take on how to improve the environment.

He also pointed out that all of American is in love with celebrities and gossip and his point is that we know more about who wore what at an awards show or who won American Idol than what is going on the news. I think this is true and very very sad. I know that I for one read Entertainment News everyday and even get People magazine every week. Maybe I should change that subscription to Newsweek. I do think as American it is our priveledge to learn about different issues and form opinions. Maybe I should have an opinion outside who should win Dancing with the Stars or American Idol - I think we all should. It is our right and our duty as Americans.

One extert from the interview about this Bobby talks about his Father's legacy:

"he felt ..America is the last best hope for humanity. And that we had this historical mission to build a country that would be a paradigm to the rest of the world and to about what human beings can accomplish if they work together and maintain their focus on a spiritual mission....He wanted to invite people to our country who were communists and who were all kidns of people and debat them, because he believed on the merits that this country was so good and that is ideas were so good that we shouldn't be scared of debating or meeting with anybody.''

Makes you ask what America missed out on by not allowing RFK to lead this country. What would he have done? Where would we be now? I think it would have been an interesting ride and wish we could have seen it..lived it.

Another topic that Bobby Jr and Oprah discuss was how the opinion of America has changed since the JFK/RFK days. I think he said it well and I tend to agree with his words. Here is a short extert:

"When I was a boy, my father took me to Europe-Greece, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Italy, Germany, England, France. Everywhere we went, we were met by huge crowds, sometimes hundreds of thousands of people who came out because they loved our country. They were starved for our leadership. They looked to us for moral authority. They proudly named their streets after our presidents. And I remember after 9/11, the headline in the French newspaper lea Monet was WE ARE ALL AMERICANS. For two weeks after 9/11, there were spontaneous candlelight vidils in Tehran, initiated by Muslims who loved our country. It took more than 200 years of disciplined, visioniary leadership by Republican and Democratic presidents to build these huge reservoirs of public love. We were the most beloved nation on the face of the earth. And today-in six short years, through monumental incompetence and arrogance, this White House has absolutley drained that reservoir dry. America has become the most hated nation on earth. There are five billion people who either fear or just don't know what to think about the US. For me that's the most bitter pill to swallow."

In my opinion, we have lost that American feeling. We now live in a land where everyone feels that they have a right to sue someone for looking at them wrong. We live in a land where we think we are the greatest, the smartest, the best and every other country should be glad that we reach out to help them. That is not why America was founded. I hope that we are able to reverse the damage that has been done to the environment over the last 10 years and I hope that we are able to repair the American spirit not just at home but across the globe.

Movie Reviews

So I am cheating by writing this review right after my book review but waiting to post it. This weekend, I saw The Good Shepherd and Bobby.



The Good Shepherd

This movie was loooong - 3 hrs long. I think a few scenes could have been cut so the movie was shorter. I must admit the setting that I watched this movie was a little loud so I missed some of the quiter moments of the movie - and there are a lot of these. I think overall the movie was good and Matt Damon did a good job - even though he doesn't really say much. It is kind of like watching Tom Hanks in Castaway and he just is my himsel on the island. Anyway, the movie is good if you have 3 hrs to spare and a quiet place to watch it. Angelina Jolie is in the movie but in a very small role. Alec Baldwin is even in the movie and I for one barely recognized him. As a side note, it also had Gabriel Macht in a very small role - I first saw him in the romantic comedy Because I Said So and think he is very good looking and apparently is was in an episode of 90210 (my college TV show of choice)! I give this movie a B.



Bobby

I wanted to see this movie when it first came out last Nov but it seems that it made a quick run through the theatres and the critics weren't too kind to the movie. At about halfway through the movie, I would have agreed with the critics but the ending of the movie makes the movie. You see how all the people the movie has been following (the kitchen mgr, bus boy, campaign workers, hotel mgr, salon owner, lounge singer, couple on vacation) all are affected by the tragedy of Bobby Kennedy being shot. I thought the movie did a good job of seamlessly transition between real footage of the shooting to the movie shots covering the same event. My dad and I watched this part of the movie in silence. After the movie ended, it gave us a lot of food for thought. What would have happened had he not been shot? Why did Bobby get ahead of his security? Why were all those people in the kitchen? RFK went from a high to a very big low - he had just won the CA primary and given a speech to a roomful of supporters only to be shot a few mins later and dash a roomful of people's hope... a country's hope. You see how all the people spent their day leading up to the shooting and how after the shooting, they are all equal and only one man doesn't survive. I give this movie an A+ mainly for the conversations that it will start and a glimpse into history that is slowing fading in our country's memory.

Book Reviews

I have taken a break from blogging - not purposefully, I just havent had inspiration. But of course, inspiration hits all at once so I am going to write a few blogs and post them over the next few days. So first up, Book Review time!

I have recently read Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama. I picked it up in the airport bookstore after going through about 20 books and finding none of them satisfying. Every back cover seemed to either be like a romantic themed book or a murder/mystery book that I had read a 1000s times. So I went with the lesser traveled road and purchased Obama's book partly because it was different but mostly out of curosity to find out more about the man who has thrown his hat in for the presidency. I would say that this book is a memoir - a true memoir not a memoir like A Millon Little Pieces is a memoir. Obama wrote the book after law school and the book traces his life from childhood in Hawaii, to his first big job in Chicago, and then to Kenya to explore his father's past and find out who this man was that loomed in his life yet never really played a role. I thought the book was well written and interesting. I would say the years in the Chicago were least interesting to me but were important in explaining the journey Obama has taken through life. My one argument with the book is that Obama keeps seeking to understand who he is as a black man. But he isn't a black man - his mother is white and his father is African. He is part white yet he is always struggling as a black man in a white world. I do appreciate the journey and the experiences he has, I just don't know why he doesn't feel equally compelled to trace his white history as well. Overall, an A+ and a good read that I would recommend.

As an aside, while I was reading this book I sat next to a young man in college who had read the book and was starting The Audacity of Hope - Obama's recent book. We discussed the merits of Obama and I think his ideas are great and would be behind him for the presidency except that he seems young and doesn't have the experience. I wish he had waited 4 more years or 8 more years to through his hat in because I think his unique life experiences and opinions would (and will and does) serve our country well.

Enough of the political banter, on to the next review. I just finished The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer. I have read several of his other books and classify his writing in the same strain as Dave Balducci. His books always center around the White House and major players in the government. This was a great read and while it follows the traditional murder mystery outline, it has a lot of good twists and turns and several underlying plot lines that keep the reader interested. I think his writing is a breath of fresh air in the murder/mystery genre. I will keep coming back for more as long as his books involve characters from DC who play major roles in government whether that be in the executive, judicial, or legislative branch. I hope he continues to write interesting books for us all to enjoy.