Naked, Drunk and Writing

Title of a new book, getting rave reviews!  I like the idea, sort of how it worked to do the HP book, so there are those who think she has the right notion.   But in a world where many (most?) observers are predicting the End of the Book, why would anyone try more writing?  

And Google's new proposal makes sure that the consuming public does well, if not authors.  But then have you weighed a recent copy of Business Week alongside an issue from a decade earlier?  For grins, I compared and found today the issue is about 76 pp. vs. 180 pp. ten years ago.  Missing a lot of ads is the first observation.  Missing judicious reporters might be another sign.

But, writing is a lonely pursuit anyway.  I think you mostly write for yourself, and then if you are lucky, someone else might read it as well.  If you are really lucky, a dialogue might start.  Note how many rejoinders are in this blog, for example.  Tom Peters, with the most popular business book of all time -- six million copies in two years -- got 36 letters, only eight of which asked deeper questions.  His cryptic comment -- "I did better than one in a million!"

Get Naked and Drunk sounds actually more like a Jimmy Buffet theme.  Sounds good to me

Greetings from the House House

Well, it finally happened today. The final inspection -- FINAL INSPECTION! -- for our modest abode in Menlo Park occurred today. All the lights work, all the utilities are safely connected, there are stairs or deck landings outside every door, and unbelievably, we are now free to begin to get an actual mortgage.

The saga has been lengthy, almost entirely due to the crazy bank mania of the past year. From having one appraisal to needing three, from having a local appraiser to requiring one "untainted" by local knowledge and probable collusion with a lender, from "work in progress" funds to everything must be done to qualify for the funds you need to finish...

This would make a book nearly as good as "Marley and me" but I don't have the heart to write it. Instead, I picked up a copy of "Trotsky: Downfall of a Revolutionary" by Bert Patenaude that came out yesterday. It is gripping, and certainly reveals that we mostly live mundane lives compared with someone of his visibilty and stature.

"May you live in interesting times"