Travels in the Real, and not-so-real, World

I recently finished reading a stellar, and thought-provoking biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. His life story was one of unparalleled triumphs, that existed, in later years, alongside tragedies like Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the very personal tragedy of the persecution he faced during the Red Scare of the early 1950s. He was, if you aren’t familiar with his life-story, a fascinating individual on both personal and professional levels. His facility with, and love of literature, languages and poetry in particular, in addition to his prodigious scientific abilities make him one of those rare scientists who permeated the public consciousness with their charisma, leadership and ability to communicate with clarity and concision. I do believe that there are many lessons to be taken from his life, and this particular biography, with respect to recent events (including the new Bush space policy), but I’ll divert first to ponder a bit the very nature of biographies. (more…)

This proved to be a rather eventful, and delightful, weekend; so a post is most certainly in order. Since food, and restaurants played a central role to the enjoyment, I shall devote some time to giving semi-detailed reviews of the entrées consumed and coffees imbibed. With Shih En visiting, Friday evening found us wandering around Pike Place, Belltown and downtown Seattle in general. Seattle has more ‘artisinal’ coffee places than anywhere else in the United States, and it was nice to finally enjoy a well-crafted, and presented latté — as opposed to the often poorly-steamed, and over-roasted substitutes I find myself drinking at Starbucks. No, I’m not a yuppie, I’m just a coffee snob now. Later in the evening, we stumbled upon an African (mostly Ethiopian) restaurant, Pan-Africa, which proved to be rather good, injera and all. The place had a strange early-70s vibe to it, based on my estimation and understanding of the styles and colors (no jokes, please) of that period — which comes from various movies, and of course, that ‘awesome’ TV show Quantum Leap. The evening concluded with a viewing of the interesting, if over-wrought, season premiere of Battlestar Galactica (and sweet, sweet desserts at that Capitol Hill institution, B&O Espresso). (more…)

I have been phenomenally delinquent in updating this thing, haven’t I. Well, loyal reader (there’s maybe one of you), fear not.. I’m updating! My life itself has been fairly routine now that most of the hassles/trials of moving into a new place are over with. I like my place a lot, and my sparse approach to furnishing it has worked out well

The title of the post relates however to something else. Namely, I’ve been reading reviews of Bob Woodward’s new book, “State of Denial”. Suffice to say, what it reveals is above all, profoundly depressing. I might have to read the whole book when it actually comes out, but by god some of its purported insights (fart jokes?) would all be very funny if it weren’t so sad. Maybe this book and it’s revelations, and attendant publicity, will finally shake people out of their complacency and recognize what a disaster recent foreign policy adventures have been for the United States. Maybe. I shan’t write anymore on the subject, lest I bore you.

Life settles into a routine, it seems, regardless of one’s efforts, and regardless of one’s place or location. Even while traveling a routine (albeit less situated in places) seems to emerge pretty quickly. That being said, there have been interesting things happening here (restaurants, music festivals, tourist traps); and the routine’s pretty engaging in and of itself. As for interesting things at the end of this weekend, I’m looking forward to listening to Rach 3 live later today, and perhaps finally dropping by the bookstore and get going on that hypothetical ‘reading list’ of mine. Till next time,