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Subscribe to RSSI'm a big fan of sitting. Take last night, for example: I had a great (seated) dinner with all of our summer interns at a Manhattan restaurant, after which I walked home and promptly sat down. For hours. It was great. Well, so much for that. Read this. This is confirmation that everything that feels good is bad.
And for my fellow reading fans, I'm excited to offer this list. While there will be disagreements—and discussion—someone has worked awfully hard and read a ton—so that we will have the benefit of all this wisdom and good reading. But whatever you do, don't sit down to read any of it.
Big debut tonight on my music website. If you don't know his work already, this is an artist you should know.
Careening back into the day's news: we are closely covering the Arizona decision, and we hope you can join us for tonight's broadcast.
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Hey Brian - Regarding your Britunes website, I'll preface my views by saying "we agree to repectfully disagree", I guess it's true when they say you eventually turn into your own mother, because I so clearly remember in the 60's when I was listening to the Stones, Beatles, Motown and everybody else at the time, my mother would always call out "turn that junk down"! But speaking for me, I just cant tolerate "these young kids today" as far as their music goes, Whatever act Letterman or Leno has at the end of their show, I can only take 10 seconds worth before I have to change the channel, I really can't believe that junk is classified as music. . . I guess it's a generational thing are something, which makes me wonder how the heck can you stand it since we're just a few years apart in age.
The website you attached with the magazine articles looks quite interesting, but when I opened my Gmail account, it included access to all of Life Magazines archives, from the 30's to 70's, just about every night I like to read a mag from the 60's and reminisce about the good ol' days, from the articles from celebrities who were just starting their careers, to articles about natural birth, quite taboo back then, the early styles of the computer, heart surgery, even the advertisements bring back childhood memories. I think I'll bookmark the article you attached for when I finally get through with the Life magazines.
Good Evening Mr.Williams, A fine broadcast this evening as always. Enjoyed your interview with Brian Burton of "Danger Mouse" on your website BriTunes. Really great music and thank you for listing all kinds of music selections on the website. Nice to explore all kinds of music groups! Thank You!
Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Anne Thompson from Venice,LA on the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf. After 100 days the well is capped although only temporarily it will soon be permanently stopped which is good news. The residents are trying to look forward, but the massive clean up conitinues with shorelines covered in oil. So much wildlife has been lost due to the oil and some islands will never be the same. Annd that is tragic. This spill has ruined many livelihoods of people who make a living on the Gulf waters and simply want to make things better. It is good there has been projects approved to improve the shorelines against oil spil disasters, but this will take time and time is of the essence.
The report by Mr.Tibbles from Michigan about another oil spill was terrible news and one hopes the oil will be kept from reaching Lake Michigan. Seeing the skimmer boats taking in the oil was encourging and one hopes more progress will be made.
The report by Miss Welker from California about the wildfires told of how quickly the fires spread due to dry brush and winds. It was heartbreaking to see the man's home destroyed because of all the memories that were lost. One bright note was finding his pet kitten still okay! So very cute! Always love kitties!
Hopefully, the firefighters will gain the upperhand in the hours to come.
The piece by Janet Shamlian about the first responder on the helicopter to the Deep Water Horizon Rig explosion told of the frightening rescues of injured rig workers and the race to save lives. He truly saved many lives that night and did his job bravely. Such a tragic event and the loss of 11 men is heartwrenching and sad.
These rescue workers did their BEST is terrible conditions while saving many lives.
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Thank You for all the web links in your posting this evening. Peace to You and to All!
Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori,Cary and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
Take Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
XOXO
Lisa
Thanks to Janet Shamlian for the story on the Coast Guard rescue team that worked all night of the fire which was the start of an even greater tragedy for our country. We take for granted what these brave men and women do every day to keep our waters and our people who use them safe. Every day I salute the helicopters and C-130's as they fly over my house on the Florida Gulf Coast or drive past their air station at the St. Petersburg/Clearwater airport.
hola, brian, i'm finally going to do it! i just got an email from the san francisco symphony about their gustav mahler cycle, i can't afford the whole set, so i've picked the 'das lied von der erde', which has that fabulous 'song of the earth' which was inspired by ancient chinese poems, his symphony #7 and #8, which were award-winners for the sfsymphony and i am pre-ordering the mahler songs with orchestra. it's all way over my head, but it's time to open the great 'mahler door':-) mahler lost his little daughter, rachel, to a serious fever when she was 5 (i think) and i'm sure that set the tone for his emotional work. michael tilson thomas is directing, of course:-) i am slowly getting through dexter filkin's 'the forever war' and richard's 'the war journal' is next. i have to go very slow or my sleeping meds won't work which ends up being hellacious, just like the wars . . . . . best, anna martina
Hello, Anna.
Let me know what you think of Dexter Filkin's "The Forever War"--that one is on my very big list of books to read. I'm finishing Richard's "Fist in the Hornet's Nest" and just about to read Sebastian Junger's "War". Richard's "War Journal" is a must-read in my opinion, and I'm fully confident you'll agree. It'll leave you at a loss of words--at least that's the effect it had on me. A very compelling book, and a wonderfully written one at that. Cannot wait for his book #3, whenever that is.
brian,
we had the first ever oilwell blow out in the gulf and our inept president shut down all drilling in the gulf. as you mentioned, we have 200,000 mile of oil pipelines and now have blowout in michigan.should we not shut down all the pipelines in the united states?
Good evening, Brian.
Your dinner with the NBC Nightly News Summer interns last evening sounds fantastic! A fellow young lady I've been in contact with for several months now is interning at Nightly News this Summer, and after I asked her she told me she happened to be among those great interns to join you! I heard it was a wonderful evening, full of laughter, and I'm sure great discussion. I'm so happy for her, and wish I could have been right there with you all. Maybe someday soon. Glad to hear it was a great time shared by all!
Appreciate all the great links this evening. As for the sitting down, I guess I'll have to start watching Nightly News while standing up from now on! Though, if you can believe it, I really have done that before. And as for the page with the “Best magazine articles ever”, I'm going to have to scramble up some time to look through all of those. Very interesting! It's also great to see another BriTunes installment again! Enjoyed your interview with Brian Burton. Exploring his music will be my after-midnight homework. I've been meaning to mention the fact that Deer Tick was in Roanoke (actually stayed in the same hotel my aunt did for July 4th) this past weekend for an annual Summer music festival (Floyd Fest), though with our move I didn't learn of their visit until right after their very last night here. It was a huge bummer on my part, but just thought it was great that they actually came by for a few days. I'm sure it was a great show.
I read the early breaking news this morning about the plane crash in Pakistan. With the monsoons going on in Pakistan, it makes me wonder why the plane even decided to lift off yesterday. Heard early news that there may have been survivors, but very sad to hear that wasn't the case afterall.
The unvealing of the letter written to FDR by Benito Mussolini is incredibly fascinating. I just love when things like this are released! It's amazing to me how many things there are out there of history that are still undiscovered. It's so exciting.
Janet Shamlian's report on Kurt Peterson was very touching. A true hero. It's hard to think how much worse this situation with the oil rig explosion would have been if such a brave and caring person like himself wasn't there to help.
Good to hear New York City has hired a bed bug specialist. It's such an odd kind of story, but at least now I won't have to say “don't let the bed bugs bite”. Hope it works!
Back to packing boxes...while standing up.
Have a wonderful evening, Brian!
Take care all,
-Cary
Anna,
I have read both of Richard's books too and each was interesting, compelling and emotional. Love his writing. I also cannot wait for Richard's next book! I have Sebastian Junger's "War" which I am about to read and I'm sure it is excellent. I have to get Dexter Filikins book. Wonderful Writing!
Enjoy Your Reading!
Lisa
hola, lisa, you and cary will have to let me know what you think of sebastien junger's book. dexter felt like he was trying to be too philosophical and picked up really weird details like even what the soldiers smelled like because of what their body was doing physiologically from the dehydration and the heat instead of just telling the stories and letting us do some thinking work, too. that made it sound like the soldiers were a biology experiment and he was the observing scientist . . . . i will read dexter's book again as i'm sure that there are lots of little things that i am missing as i get over the initial shock of the story's telling. i hope both dexter and richard are working on another book. best, anna martina
hola, cary, i have a great respect for dexter filkins, i follow his articles for the nyt. i am fully appreciating his writing on both wars. i can't say 'enjoying' because how can you enjoy a book about the horrors of war? he tells the stories with great lucidity and it is very interesting to see what affected him the most and his observations of the horrors the human psyche is capable of. i can't even begin to imagine what actually being there in iraq, must have been like, egads. junger's 'war' is not on my list of books to read because of dexter's review of that book. i am looking forward to richard's book. i am on page 278 of dexter's book, i will be sorry when i'm done, i will probably read it again after i read 'war journal'.
about 3 years ago, i was shopping in marshalls and i felt someone looking at me and looked up and rummaging through the gourmet cook books was someone who looked like what benito mussolini must have looked like when he was 24-25 years old. it was so odd, i felt like i had stepped into a time warp!
hope you get all settled in from your move. you have many healthy interests, i don't understand when young teenagers say that they're bored . . . . .
take good care, anna martina
Anna,
I only really just began following Dexter Filkins' articles, but always like to hear different perspectives on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'll be sure to check out his book. Richard Engel is a wonderful story-teller, and (being both good and bad...) while reading his book you'll feel like you are right there with him. I hope he's doing well wherever he is. As for Sebastian Junger, I was very lucky to meet him (and also Sgt. Misha Pemble-Belkin and Maj. Dan Kearney) at the screening of Restrepo and booksigning for his book "War" in D.C. this month. Sebastian is a very nice guy--he actually remembered me because I'd messaged with him on Facebook a few weeks before the screening. I recommend everyone look for a screening/theater for Restrepo. I can't even describe how compelling it is. His book "War" is all about his time spent with the soldiers in the Korengal Valley, which is what Restrepo is all about, so this is why I cannot wait to start his book.
I agree, I can never stay bored! Have a good one.
Brian: I too like to sit and read,but only if the text intersts me. The Arizona court decision was a bad one! Arizona wants to enact a law that the Federal Government should have enacted throughout the land. If Judge Bolton wants the flow of miscreants and drug smuggling to continue, that's tantamount to treason. A true patriot who understands the makeup of our founding father's intentions, would understand the ramifications that will destroy our system of government! Judge Bolton( in her decision) proves herself to be a lackey of the Obama Administration. Other states are on board to enact their own immigration laws to protect their citizens. This is the will of most American's. The various polls prove it. How dare this administration run roughshod over our citizens!! I believe the Supreme Court in their wisdom will overturn this mockery of justice. I rest my case.
Hi Brian,
Here I go again with a blog entry....the new web-site and the way to post has challenged me a little. I think I have it figured out now. This morning I posted and then had neglected to log in first and then when I did the wireless internet connection lapsed and I lost my entry. I am using the mobile internet stick now so no worries. Now just to remember what I wrote:)
I too enjoy sitting. I had just promised myself that I will sit and read for 1 hour, early in the day while I am still wide-awake. I had mentioned that I was about to start reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Earlier when I was watching the Today Show you came on and mentioned that you would be doing a segment on that book. That was a coincidence! I feel that I do quite alot of standing in a normal day of teaching school. When I am off for 2 months I feel compelled to do all that I neglect over the 10 months of school and one of those things is sitting.
The Jersey Shore was my other little mention. My husband spent 2 weeks every summer of his 37 years there at Ortley Beach until he came to Winnipeg. Maybe we can visit there some summer soon. There are many lakes in Manitoba, 100,000 or so and they are clean but quite cold water. We tend to go the The Oasis about 15 minutes from the house. The sand and water are nice but apparently "no Jersey Shore" It is, after, all an abandoned gravel pit. Speaking of vacations, I had just been looking at possibly going to Yellowstone in August. I camped there a few times with my parents back in the 70's and when my sons were younger we camped there in 1988. What happened there in the campground is so shocking and sad. It is such a beautiful place and for something like that to happen there is very upsetting.
The segment a few nights back on bed bugs was disturbing but a necessary report. It was mentioned that it isn't necessarily linked to poverty but in some wqys it may be. I teach in a rough and tumble area of Winnipeg where money is very scarce and a few children this past year have come to school with bed bug bites and the apartments in the area are infected. People put out mattresses by the dumpster and others pick them up and take the infected mattresses back to their apartments. I had this year little triangular shaped things to trap bed bugs in my classroom. I never did trap any....thank goodness. It hasn't become a suburban problem here...yet. Just my two cents on that. I was in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan two weeks ago for my daughter's dance competition and was cautious in the hotel room because the Niagara Falls hotel we stayed in last year was apparently infected with them according to TripAdvisor.
I am enjoying Britunes....and the all the other links you provide.
President Obama is a "sitting" president in a manner of speaking and is the most powerful man in the world.\
Phyllis
However, if the president is divided because of his background, he may be rendered powerless.
Happy Birthday, Mr. President.
Dear Brian,
We just saw your excellent broadcast on New Orleans 5 years after Katrina. For you to have sat down 5 years ago to record your impressions of what you saw served as a critically important reminder of how New Orleans was failed on so many levels. You also spoke to why you recorded these impressions and the critical role you believed you and other media played in being the advocates for so many victims left stranded after the storm. My only question is why your bosses at GE and NBC did not see how important it was that this visual diary be broadcast on the network, instead of MSNBC. I find it tragic that your management did not see the importance of your show on this anniversary broadcast. They missed an opportunity to refocus attention on that much needed national dialogue you referenced; how our country needs to evaluate how government and communities can be better equipped to respond to these natural disasters; to come to terms with class, economic status, etc.
As a frequent traveler I might add that there are numerous markets which did not see tonight's broadcast. My wife and I have found many national chain hotels, particularly in the south who do not provide your MSNBC cable channel to their guests, even in Pittsburgh, Cleveland. We've also seen this omission of your cable in bars and restaurants where TV's are part of the landscape for daily customers.
However, we do want to thank you for reminding us who were fortunate enough to see your excellent program. It's just a shame that so many others were denied that opportunity.
Ted Power
Silver Spring MD