Friday, December 17, 2004
Thursday, December 16, 2004
The Original Log Cabin Republican?
Was Abe Lincoln a fellow gay American? C.A. Tripp's new book, discussed in today's NYT, makes an interesting case. Joshua Speed, the gentleman pictured left, shared Lincoln's bed for an astonishing four years. David Derickson, captain of Lincoln's bodyguards, shared his bed whenever Mrs. Lincoln was away, and "even wore the President's nightshirts." Billy Green, another Lincoln bed companion, said that the 16th President's thighs were "as perfect as a human being could be." Mrs. Lincoln was known to be unstable and insecure, and Abe was never particularly close to her or any other woman. Of course, the world 'homosexual' didn't exist in English until the 1890s, so I'm not quite sure what Honest Abe thought he was. Can't wait for the audiobook.I am major ill today, I woke up and returned yesterday's dinner and lunch. Am staying home in bed, where I belong, despite much to do at the office ahead of my two week holiday absence...
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Wednesday, December 15, 2004
To Those About To Read, I Salute You
Wow, you really are reading me, out there! I got quite a few comments on my travel statistics. That sure makes me feel good!
I'm rushing to complete final projects. I've decided to drive up to Boston this weekend, more on that later - my Aunt Lorraine is turning 74, and I haven't seen her or my cousins in a while. I love to drive!
I once again single-handedly dis-assembled and re-assembled my computer to replace yet another faulty drive.
Have you been missing the cartoons? Me, too! So here are a few to enjoy:
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Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Mother and Child (Country) Reunion
Two of my friends were in Portugal and Brazil last week, an interesting synchronicity. Thomas' Portugal pictures, on his site now, are spectacular, my favorite of which is Oporto, the storybook-like source of Port wine. And David, in Brazil, managed to catch a wide view of clouds threatening Rio's Copacabana beach... (I've just approximated the two countries' national colors)
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Monday, December 13, 2004
That's 35 Countries I've Been To...
Botswana's Miss Marple? I just began, on audiobook, "The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency," the first in the beloved series starring the eminently sensible and delightfully cunning Precious Ramotswe's exploits in Gaborone, Botswana. One chapter down, it sounds promissing.
Correction: That's 35 countries I've been to now that I've spent an evening in Ireland, not 34.
These countries, for anyone who cares, are as follows, with the # of visits in parentheses: Argentina (14), Austria (1), Belgium (4), Brazil (18), Cambodia (1), Canada (6), Chile (4), China (1), Colombia (1), France (11), Germany (4), Holland (5), Iceland (1), India (2), India (2), Indonesia (3), Ireland (1), Israel (1), Italy (4), Kenya (1), Mexico (17), Morocco (2), Nepal (1), Norway (1), Paraguay (1), Peru (2), Russia (1), Singapore (1), Spain (2), Sweden (1), Switzerland (5), Thailand (1), Turkey (1), UK (9), Uruguay (3), and Venezuela (1). This does not include three countries where I have only seen the airport: Ecuador, Panama, and Japan.
Now, for a masterful geek trivia touch: I have been to countries beginning with 16 different letters: A B C F G H I K M N P R S T U V W. The 10 letters I have not encountered are : D E J L O Q X Y Z. I hope one day to see Denmark, Egypt, Japan and Jamaica, Luxembourg, and Zimbabwe. Less likely are Oman, Qatar, Yemen. There are no countries beginning with X or W, though there are four territories beginning with W: West Bank, Wake Island, Wallis and Fortuna, and Western Sahara, controlled by Israel, the US, France, and Morocco respectively...
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Sunday, December 12, 2004
Arms Of Morpheus
Just got home, 9pm New York time and 2am London time. It was the best of trips, it was the worst of trips... : - ) Just kidding, it was mostly good. Really nice to see Doug. Explored London and finally, on my 9th visit, saw the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels. Now, it's time to "morph" into "Sleeping Aaron."But I'm back, for a while, until Thurs Dec 23 when I head out to my family in Arizona.
My Mom's computer is broken, so I don't know if anyone is reading this at all. : - )
Finished a great audiobook today, "Life of Pi." More on that later. Nitey nite, Aaron
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