Moonwalking with Einstein

I needed a break.

I am roughly half-way through about 3 books and I wasn't feeling the momentum. I knew I needed a jolt and that was provided by my wife's fascination with a book featured in Discovery magazine. We talked about it and it just seemed like a fascinating topic.

I purchased Moonwalking with Einstein and devoured it. It's a quick read and, most important to me, it adds something to my life.

Josh Foer was a journalist who covered the world memory championship only to discover that none of the mental athletes considered themselves to be savants or anything close. To test the theory that anyone could do what mental athletes could so with training, Foer trained and won the American memory title the very next year.

Most fascinating about this book is that Foer succeeds in walking the reader through some of the techniques. He walks the reader through the process of memorizing a 15-item grocery list and left a vivid picture of that list in my mind. It is very illustrative... to the point that I literally cannot forget this grocery list.

I have been left with images, at our old Virginia home, of the following;

... a man with a snorkel diving into the sink... salmon cooking on the vent of out television with smoking peat providing the heat... an elk screeching at the top of our stairs... socks dancing on the fireplace hearth and a she-male at a desk with Sophia Loren on his/her lap.

I couldn't forget that list if I wanted to. Jen and I ended up memorizing two of our credit card numbers to test the number formula... and it worked.

Although the book is not a self-help book, it gives any ambitious reader the tools to begin tinkering with his or her own brain. I will begin to work on this technique to memorize the presidents in order and my goal is to eventually memorize the Colorado Probate Code so I can work more efficiently.

There is a natural conflict between the ancient memory techniques documented in this book and our modern world and its many memory crutches (like i-phones, the Internet in general, etc.). I tend to believe that, although such tricks may no longer be necessary, there is nothing wrong with sharpening the saw, so to speak. Also, I like a good challenge.

Foer includes information about patients who represent the extremes of the memory spectrum - from the man who could not forget, to people who could not remember anything. He discusses the physiology of memory (what little is really understood) and the study of expertise.

Moonwalking with Einstein is a real feast. I loved it. I have a new leader on the early-season rankings.

Unlikely Disciple

I read, Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose, which was assigned to me by Book. As we have all said about our book challenge, the best part is horizon-expansion - and this book certainly probed new territory for me.

I struggled with this book, but not in a bad way. I struggled because this book will hold up a mirror to anyone on either side of the God divide.

Roose spent a semester at Liberty University, Jerry Falwell's evangelical university. He came away with a better understanding of what makes evangelicals tick. So, why was this a struggle? Two reasons. 1) It touches a blind-spot issue for me; 2) the author's undercover status.

I've always viewed Falwell and his ilk as being on the "wrong end of the fire hose" politically. In Jerry's case, this is a literal description because he fought the Civil Rights Act and was openly in favor of segregation. Although he repented later, its hard to know (and harder to convince myself) that the repentance was true rather than politically helpful.

Thus, I have always viewed his gay-bashing as particularly anger-inducing. It "smacks of the fire hose" from a person who held that political position before. Although I have debated the gay issue with close friends without animosity, I admit that it's a topic that requires regulation. And therein lies my struggle with this book.

I admit that I have a bit of a blind spot on this issue. And, many of the characters in this book have no problem saying what I would consider to be slurs on a daily basis. The author excuses it to a point by explaining the culture in which they live and were raised. I struggled with that justification. By the midpoint of this book I was very agitated and at times outright angry.

But, by the end, the whole picture came into better focus. I enjoyed the book overall and feel it had an impact. Any anger induced was a part of the greater experience. That experience led to a humanizing of a segment of our nation I don't get to see often. And, although humanizing does not equal agreement, it accomplished reflection on my part.

I also struggled with Roose's ruse. He had to mislead his classmates if this book was going to succeed. I get that. I understand that. But, every journalistic bone in my body is worn out waving red flags about it.

By the end, I understood why he had to go undercover, but that didn't mean it didn't feel awkward. Roose struggled with that ethical issue as well. Surprisingly, none of the students seemed bothered when he finally told them.

An impactful book leads to contemplation, and I don't think I'm done contemplating this one. I wont' be done for awhile.

Appreciation

The Nuggets became relevant again in 2003 when the unthinkable happened. It would have been typical for the Nuggets to get the third pick in a two-deep draft, and that's exactly what happened. And that's when rumors began that Detroit was prepared to pass over Carmelo Anthony with its second pick.

It was too good to be true. Melo took Syracuse to a national title and dominated the college game. If it were not for LeBron James, Melo would have been the consensus best player in the draft.

AND WE GOT HIM! And we got to watch plays like these below:



I first went to see Melo play as a rookie with Baggs in 2003-2004. We wanted to see the super rookie. He was immature, excitable and raw. He had braids and a slender frame. But, the talent just gushed. He took ill-advised shots and often forced the play. He was quick to temper and, once frustrated, his game would fall apart.

His shot was a work in progress for a few years, but his first step was untouchable and he could amaze in the blink of an eye. Baggs, Tom, Book and I would cringe when he forced the jumper, and implore him to drive to the hoop. Still, we knew what we had and we just loved watching him develop.

A rebuilding year ended in the playoffs that rookie year with a would-be temporary coach. It was a pleasant surprise and the creation of new expectations. From 2004 through 2007 we watched Melo tighten his game. We shared 10-game packages and went to as many games as possible, including playoffs.

The playoffs became regular, but our appetite was not satisfied with first-round losses. Still, beggars can't be choosers, and we were more than happy with the Melo-era Nuggets.

Meanwhile, Melo's game changed. His shot went from spotty to money. His drives became but one weapon in a growing arsenal. He became a master at drawing fouls and finishing at the hoop. But, best of all, he turned clutch... I'm talking "it's not if, but how" clutch. In a town used to John Elway magic, that's a trait we could get behind. See below.



Eventually, surprising playoff appearances became frustrating early exits. Frustrations grew and the organization gambled on pairing Melo with Allen Iverson after Melo threw a punch (OK, it was a slap) and ruined Dave's trip to Florida in the process. It was a forced marriage with AI and it brought out all of his old habits. But only temporarily.

That all changed in 2009 when Chauncey Billups brought the final piece to the puzzle. Pepsi Center rocked. Something felt different. Then, this happened:



Jon and I were at the game and experienced Pepsi Center at its pinnacle. A game 1 blowout was duplicated in game 2. Game 4 in New Orleans ended with a 58-point demolition. Something felt right.

The Dallas series featured Melo at his clutch best when he managed to leave an arena full of Texans stone-cold silent. His dagger 3 shut the whole lot of them up with authority. Texans. Silent. I mean, c'mon, that's a feat!

Although Denver lost to the eventual-champion Lakers in 6 games, no team fought them harder. They fought hard and made us proud. Mike, a die-hard Laker fan, said Denver scared him more than any other team that year.

It felt like 2009 was the beginning. We all settled in for a few more years of knocking on the door.

Injuries, cancer and bad timing derailed the 2010 campaign. Another first-round exit seemed like a bump in the road until all the drama began leading to this year. Without rehashing the drama of 2010-2011, I'll just say this season never had a chance. The team is splintered by the Melo drama and none of us can bring ourselves to follow. Playoff seed? I'm supposed to care about that? If he's gone it's over! There won't be any playoffs.

Will they start over? Will he stay? (No). It's been so frustrating.

This week, Baggs and I completed the circle and likely watched our last game of the Melo era in Denver. It was so fitting. Melo was brilliant in scoring 50 while Billups nursed an injury, Nene was out sick and the team played as dispirited as advertised.

We shot hoops on the Pepsi Center floor and walked out into a blizzard. It was so fitting. So much fun, but it just didn't end well. The 50 points seemed detached of emotion as the trade rumors wore the team down to nothing. The frustration seemed shared by team and fans. It felt like a funeral.

So, I decided to focus on the appreciation part. It seems like time to say good-bye. If not by the trade deadline then by next season at the latest, the Melo-era Nuggets will be no more. In any event, it's not going to be easy watching him go. I love basketball so much, and its been a real pleasure.

We've seen a deep playoff run, great performances, guts and heart on the court and we experienced the best string of winning seasons in team history. For all of that I say "Thank you" to the Melo man. I wish he would stay, but I understand. I hate it, but I do understand. Damn it all, but I do.

So, thanks for the nearly 14,000 points; for realizing your rebounding potential; for learning to try on defense; for making your game so complete; for never giving up on a game; for revitalizing Pepsi Center; and for turning into a star before our eyes. Its been fun. I just wish it didn't have to end like this.

News?

I spent time searching for the right word to describe my current disillusionment with the media. The word I settled on is "nugatory." It is defined as follows: "of no real value; trifling; worthless."

Obviously, not all journalists produce a product that falls into this category, but the most widely-available sources disproportionately render their own product nugatory.

This post has been simmering in me for awhile. I cannot say how many headlines have made me think of writing this post - there are too many to count. The one that finally pushed me to start writing?

"Jones-Drew: Apology to Cutler isn't coming." You can find this gem of breaking news at espn.com.

Ironically, I have been following sports news almost exclusively lately because political news had rendered my patience nugatory. At the center of my frustration with political news is its intense focus on petty arguments. I found no relief in the realm of sports news.

Sarah Palin caused my "tipping point" on CNN. I was once a regular reader of the "CNN Political Ticker" until its incessant fishing for clicks with Palin as the worm became so blatant as to render its credibility nugatory.

Headlines for the ticker would indicate which candidate declared for what district, what political appointment was set for confirmation hearings and such other relevant news. Sarah Palin was mentioned occasionally, but not too often. Then one day I noticed a pattern had developed: An equal number of pro- and con- Palin teasers on the main page attempted to lure lovers and haters of the most over-exposed would-be candidate in history.

I felt manipulated. I even indulged in some of the early anti-Palin headlines like "Poll shows bad news for Palin." But then I noticed the pattern. For every "bad news for Palin" teaser, an equal and opposite "good news for Sarah" teaser was sure to follow.

The rest of the ticker began to follow suit. And the reporting of childish spats began in earnest. Headlines like "X slams Y," "X jabbed Y," and "X chastises Y" became the norm. The headliner was always Palin, but the "meat" of the Ticker began to take on the same petty pandering to both sides of any number of grade-school type name-calling. Here's an example of what is currently on the CNN Political Ticker as I type this:

"Gore and O'Reilly trade jabs." (Wait, am I reading CNN or TMZ?)

"Limbaugh surprises Elton John." (He asked that John perform for him for an event rather than, oh, I don't know, try to kill him for being gay.)

"Snooki gushes over Dubya." (That's right, a @#&%ing reality star's opinion!)

"Boehner: Not sorry for tears." (Apparently Republicans are supposed to apologize for their emotions. On second thought, that makes sense.)

"Bush daughter breaks with dad on big issue." (The answer: Gay marriage. Its the only issue Republican family members seem to disagree on).

"Obama no longer the same?" (WTF? Seriously... WTF? It turns out he's now focusing on promises he can keep. Again, WTF? They make is sound like he took up drinking.)

"Gore says snow does not disprove global warming." (Um... do people think it does? And if they do, aren't those people too busy staring at their padded walls to read the ticker?)

To be fair, there are still a number of relevant posts and I cherry-picked the most egregious. But, still, I didn't even have to dig deep to find those turds. It's about 50-50 on ridiculous vs. relevant. The only shocker was that Palin was not as prominent today as usual (although there was a post that "Romney is up on Palin.")

That is the phenomenon that chased me to ESPN. To reward my decision, ESPN incessantly reported the various twitter comments made about Jay Cutler's inability to finish the NFC title game. And, that, ladies and gentlemen, led to a headline that Maurice Jones-Drew will not apologize.

I give up. Then I realized that I probably shouldn't expect more from a medium that became mainstream only because it offered porn on demand. Once I remembered that, this all made perfect sense.

Wired for The Wire

I have been plowing through HBO's The Wire and I can't get enough.

I am through four seasons of the five produced and I'm ready to call the fight off: The previous champ is down and The Wire stands as my all-time favorite show. The only way this can change now would be for the fifth season choke in epic fashion.

In general, I am very happy with the new trends in television shows. The cable channels have introduced shorter seasons with higher quality. A 13-episode season packs every episode with quality substance. I also like that more shows now script an ending rather than simply wait for cancellation.

I have a wide-ranging list of shows in my list of favorites: Family Guy, Lost, Mad Men, Battlestar Gallactica, Arrested Development and such. In recent years, I have been exposed to more quality shows than at any other era. There are more shows I want to see like Dexter, Breaking Bad and others. So, what makes The Wire different?

It's real. It's dark. It's balanced. It's appropriately uncomfortable. It's powerful. It's a view under the hood of our society, and the engine's chrome has lost much of its shine.

The Wire speaks to me more than it may to many of my friends or family, which is why I do not expect many people I know to feel the same way about it. But it's gold to me.

I see the grease of society and its inner workings on a fairly regular basis. It's just part of the job. The Wire deals with realities of the legal system, class structure, economic realities and brutal politics beautifully. All the while, it manages to humanize all sides.

I am fascinated by paradigms and by the amazing number of perspectives one event can inspire. The Wire will challenge the viewer to consider those perspectives. Have you ever been made to feel for and root for a drug slinger? You will. Have you ever rooted against the good guy? You will. You will also root for some good guys and against many bad ones. But, the lines are all appropriately gray.

So long as you have a high tolerance for violence, strong language and some disturbing concepts, you will love the show. It rewards you for your tolerance by making you think.

After watching the season finale to season 3, I got so deep in thought I could not sleep until almost 2 am. I ended up ordering the book Homicide: A year on the Killing Streets by David Simon (the creator of The Wire). I am now plowing through that book, a nonfiction account of Simons' year with the Baltimore Homicide Division. The Wire is a fictionalization of much of his experience as a reporter in Baltimore.

If you look for a mental challenge, an honest look at the underbelly of society and a compelling and thrilling ride, I recommend you watch The Wire.

On Second Thought...

See, this is what happens when I decide to look on the bright side.

Although I still support the positions expressed in my previous post, my optimistic view has been hijacked because I read about our financial mess. The book is called Griftopia, by Matt Taibi. I have never read a more anger-inducing book.

Now, all those other issues seem like window dressing. Important, yes, but ultimately small compared to ridding our country of the kinds of habits that have turned our financial structure into a house of cards in a ceiling-fan store.

Griftopia takes a very detailed look at the financial crisis of 2008 and how financial institutions ruined so much (it will make you ill); explains the systematic dismantling of regulations designed to enforce responsible practices (it will make you mad); details the irresponsible habits of state and local government (it will make you so very sad); and generally and thoroughly documents what is going on every day (it will make you spit).

I literally had to go on an "angry walk" after every chapter. I coined that phrase for just this book. I read entire chapters to Jen out loud. You have never seen so much head shaking or heard so many pained sighs.

The people who had a hand in the outright theft performed by our financial institutions should be in jail. Still, we are left with a mess whether they are in jail or not. The damage is done, but I'm not sure we have learned anything. By all indications, they are back to financial trickery and used the bailout money to build a bigger house of cards.

I am no Tea Partier, but I get the anger over financial irresponsibility. The problem with that movement is that it over-simplifies solutions. The biggest problem with this mess as I see it is that there is no clear solution. A deep understanding of the root-causes of this mess only lead to a deep foreboding.

No, this is beyond cutting budgets. This is beyond earmarks or such other political shrapnel. This is a problem so ingrained that every proposed-solution seems unrealistic.

I have asked myself many times whether this is simply the knee-jerk reaction of reading an inflammatory book or whether my reaction is merit-based. My conclusion? The book isn't as inflammatory as the facts it gives. I even disagreed with many of the author's conclusions. I even disagree with some of his inferences. However, the facts are there. And, although I do not choose to draw an exact conclusion, my own conclusions are not pretty either.

Now, everywhere I look, there are only more signs of cracks. The 60 Minutes segment I posted above will make your blood go cold. The book describes even more desperate measures being taken by various cities that make them seem like junkies pawning a blender to score $5.00. The best example was the City of Chicago selling its rights to collect its 36,000 parking meters for the next 75 years. All for quick cash now. It fixed a budget hole for one year.

The amounts of unfunded obligations are astounding. I do not know a solution, but things are going to have to get very painful and our sense of entitlement will have to be tested to the limit. None of this is far off. I am starting to see 2008 as merely the initial reaction of hands without callous. The next few years will beat those callouses into us, whether we like it or not.

I am not going to blame this on any one administration or any particular point in our history. Greed, irresponsibility and foolishness like this runs very deep. This isn't political at this point. It's bigger than that.

I really wonder what things will look like in 10 years. Hope may not be lost, but I think the status quo is about to leave permanently. Leaders will have to step up and do things that are VERY unpopular.

Oh yeah... one more thing for those who just have to have an overly-simple catch phrase: we cannot cut taxes every election cycle and also have nice things.

Why Everything is Just Fine

I am starting to feel like the only content citizen these days. I'm certain that I'm not, but like-minded folks are either hard to find or stay quiet at home.

I'm very happy that the 2010 election is over. I'm not overly upset with the results, but I am annoyed by all the chatter, as usual. Of course, none of it surprises me. It's just part of the cycle. I'm hearing apocalyptic rantings from the right, incessant whining from the left and "disappointment" from the middle. But, here's the rub: I have received pretty much exactly what I hoped for when I cast my vote for Barrack Obama and his agenda. Below, I explain why.

To steal a quote from Louis C.K., "Everything is amazing, and no one is happy."

While things aren't "amazing" with the economy, things are better and the man who won the 2008 election has been working through his list just as promised. I know the rhetoric was sweeping, but I certainly hope I wasn't the only one who expected the results to be merely realistic.

HEALTH CARE

It has been reformed in a major way. Was it the wholesale changes the left wanted? No. Did it constitute a literal non-action as desired by the right? No. Was it a compromise? Yes. Was it watered down? Yes. Did it go far enough? No. It never does. our system does not allow it to.

Did it pass? YES. By THREE votes in the House on a reconciliation vote.

That should tell us something. That should tell us that it was not a slam dunk and no one had the power to force the magic number of votes. This wasn't imposed, it wasn't shoved down any throats and it wasn't a shuffling of deck chairs. It was reform born of compromise. Unfortunately, the best settlements leave both sides upset. That's life.

It's also exactly how the system was designed to work. So spare me the talk of our "broken" system. It functions exactly how it was meant to: Slowly, maddeningly, deliberately and with all the runaway momentum of a milkshake through a stirring straw.

Does that make reform either a tyrannical abomination or a weak cop-out and betrayal to legitimate reform? No.

I am as annoyed by those who bitch that it didn't have a public option as those who call it socialist. Why? Because neither sides seems able to understand that IT NEVER WORKS ANY OTHER WAY. A public option would have failed by 100 votes. So, stop it.

Republicans chose not to participate, which made this whole process less satisfying, but that was their choice and success followed anyway. We can't pretend Republicans don't exist any more than we can pretend all Dems would have voted for a public option.

IRAQ

Did everyone forget that this war is over? It's done now. We're staying, yes. But we've stayed everywhere we've ever fought. We don't build "temporary bases." That's life in a geopolitical world, but the war part of it is over and we can move on.

Thank you, Mr. President, for ending the war responsibly. Why does no one talk about this? Big accomplishment.

ECONOMY

We have job growth. Is it enough? No, but tell me what would have done it quicker (and don't say tax cuts alone). Reforms were added for Wall Street and banking. Was it enough? No. But, again, it never is. Remember when I explained how the system works above. This should no longer surprise anyone.

But, this slow process seems to shock people to outrage every single year, with every administration and every election. The minority thanks it for slowing "the march to socialism/aristocracy" and then rails against it when it slows that party's march toward its goals.

The economy still stinks, but I think we all knew this wasn't going to be easy and I support the measures that were taken to stop a deeper fall and get things on the road to improvement. We have less actual control than we think and are, to a degree, along for the ride. Reforms are like steering a runaway car away from obstacles... it doesn't actually stop the car. Still, its worth swerving even if we have to weather the storm.

AFGHANISTAN

This war is now in its 10th year or so. Afghanistan seems to be one of the most difficult and complicated scenarios we have faced since Vietnam. There are very few satisfying options for ending this conflict.

I supported this war when it was started because it involved a direct response to a direct attack. It led to the removal of a regime that openly sheltered, supported and strengthened organizations that have attacked our nation multiple times. Removal was justified.

President Obama was charged with the responsibility to help end this most difficult of conflicts now that we are faced with ending it responsibly. Much like Iraq, this is not a simple task. I'm not willing to express too strong a position one way or the other, but I trust the President's thinking, philosophy and judgment to do what is right in a difficult situation.

I wish him and our troops the best. I try not to spout too many platitudes or proclamations that might over-simplify this mess.

PIE IN THE SKY

I was disappointed when Jon Stewart started taking shots at the President and comparing his phrases in speeches as a candidate to his words as President. For one, I did not think there was a disconnect. Hopeful language about what we can do if we work together is not the same as saying it will be easy.

In politics, and in life really, disappointment is a constant companion. The only tactic to take is to manage it by balancing anything against the possible.

I am happy. I am content. I trust the judgment of our President. I agree philosophically with his solutions.

Just because I am happy, however, does not mean I necessarily mourn the recent Republican victory in the House. All progress is met with backlash and resistance. It has political consequences. If you need any further proof that Health Care Reform was sweeping, look no further than the political fallout of 2010. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I hope it yields cooperation, but I will not be surprised if it merely bogs everything down. This is the equivalent of getting a piece of ice stuck in that stirring straw I mentioned.

My only concern is that the Republicans will now resort to endless investigations and subpoenas rather than taking this opportunity to be a part of the solution. That is that party's problem. I hope for the best.

FINAL THOUGHT

Have you ever noticed how a politician's job seems to be heavy on TV appearances, campaigning, making speeches and supporting other candidates? Well, if you think about it, when exactly do they read these laws, contemplate votes or otherwise actually investigate the right thing to do?

Because they spend so much time in the campaign/political realm of the job, that's what we hear. The scary scenarios, the talking points and over-simplification. It happens every time.

It's possible the reason no one considers the actual merit of things is that no one talks about it.

I'm trying to give it some voice. One person's effort to admit being content.