Some Thoughts on The Lost Symbol

So I just finished reading Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol'.  I was wanting to formulate an organized book report that ties everything together with a lovely introductory paragraph, thesis, conclusion, etc., but then I realized a) this blog isn't a 7th grade writing class assignment and b) I don't think I care enough to put in the time and effort to write that (nor do my readers care enough to put in the time and effort to read it).   So, with no further ado, a simple bulleted list of random thoughts/criticisms/opinions on said book.

Oh, before I do so....SPOILER(S) ALERT.

*Can we get our main character, Mr. Robert Langdon, a steady girlfriend?  Now, don't get me wrong - I realize these aren't romance novels.  If one read these books in order (Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol), which I didn't, it appears as though first there's Victoria, then there's Sophie, now there's Katherine (although there's no outright romance between Katherine and Langdon, just some brief implications that it could possibly be there).  At the end of the Da Vinci Code, it seemed that Langdon was ending up with Sophie, who is now completely and totally absent.  He supposedly ended up with Victoria at the end of A&D, and if I remember correctly, there's a very brief reference to her and her absence in the DVC, but really, nothing is actually explained.  Don't get me wrong, I like the fact that Mr. Brown has chosen to create intelligent, successful, strong-minded women as Mr. Langdon's counterparts, as opposed to just one-dimensional trophies.  However, I don't like their supposed disposability.  I can only imagine if there's a fourth book, there will be a fourth chick.

*Granted, I read the DVC five years ago at this point and I can't say I vividly remember it.  However, what I don't remember is Robert Langdon being a complete and total moron.   That and I can't remember the lead-ins to each scene being so painfully obvious.  It seems as though there were so many moments like the following:
--some sort of conflict arises
--other character suggests: haven't you heard of xyz? (as a potential explanation to the previous conflict)
--Langdon:  Yeah, but duuuuhhhh, everyone knows that's just a rumor (I'm paraphrasing)
--xyz happens to be true (who'da thunk?)
--Langdon:  Ohhhh....
This scene plays out multiple times throughout the book.  After a while I wanted to reach in and smack Robert Langdon, if for no reason other than the fact that he should have learned from the fact that he'd just made this same mistake 15 pages ago.

*Katherine's whole field of research 'Noetic Science' could have been completely edited out with no loss to the novel whatsoever.  Granted, although the fact that she was in a line of scientific research may have served as important character development, Brown could have made her some kind of biologist/historian/engineer, not over-explained her job, and moved on with it.  Also, I was waiting for some moment when it all tied together in the story, but it oddly didn't, leaving it seeming purposeless in the book.  Perhaps it had a greater meaning within the story that got somehow *thankfully* edited out - I say this because something of Noetics reeked of 'The Secret'.  Shiver/gag.

*The very end of the book (which was a simple letdown) made me question if Dan Brown was somehow just really excited by the Obama campaign.  Judging based on the timing of the release of this book, and presuming when it was being written, only gives more evidence to this argument.

*I do not remember feeling this disturbed whilst reading the DVC.  Although, again, I read it a while ago and don't remember it as clearly, so I may be off on this.

*It was completely and utterly ridiculous that Peter Solomon, after all he'd been through in the night, was, at the end of the evening, in decent spirits talking about Masonic secrets.

*I do believe Dan Brown is possibly on track to become M. Night Shyamalan.  Or, perhaps, they are the same person.  Now THAT would make for a good twist.

I will probably add to this list as I think of more.  Your thoughts?  Agree?  Disagree?  Like the book?

Some Thoughts on the Healthcare Bill

I really can't fault the newspaper industry on this one. Way to attempt to up circulation!

I Don't Know Much About Photography....

...but to me, I get a different message from this shot than 'I'm really concerned about our health care bill'.

Cheaters....

So, recently, in the whole Tiger Woods scandal, Mary Schmich asked the question on facebook, 'is there any celebrity/public figured you'd be truly shocked/disappointed in to hear about an indiscretion'?

The response was generally unanimous.

And I am with the crowd on this. Is it possible for someone so in the public eye to not fall to temptation? I want to believe it IS possible, if the guy has the right attitude about things.

I may be stupid about this (along with everyone else, apparently), but I think this guy's got what it takes to keep himself behaved....



Your thoughts?

Someone's Approval Rating Just Went Up in MY Poll

Obama calls Kanye a jackass. Awesome.

Let's see his result next week....

Health Care

So there has been a rampant facebook status over the past couple days:

"No one should die because they (sic) can't afford healthcare and no one should go broke because they (sic) get sick."

It is posted mostly by people in regards to the debate over the debate over universal healthcare (presumably coming from those in favor of a government-run healthcare system).

I have a couple issues with it (grammatical issues aside). Now, I am not sure where I stand on the issue of universal healtcare. And, I am in 100% agreement that our current healthcare system needs some serious help.

However.

This is a blatantly over-simplified statement to appeal to emotion that is impossible to argue. Is anyone out there going to say 'no, people should die because they can't afford healthcare?' No one should die because he or she can't afford food, and that happens somewhat regularly. This statement doesn't argue the merits of whether or not a universal healthcare system would actually work.

That, and I feel this largely discounts a simple fact: good healthcare is expensive. Good, qualified doctors are not easy to come by. Medical school is expensive, and, more importantly, a large, taxing time commitment. There has to be some form of a reward (i.e. a decent salary that will, at the very least, one day pay off the debt accrued) in order for enough qualified individuals to follow through with it. Medical supplies and machines are expensive. Medicine itself is expensive. Sure, there may be some 'price gouging', if you will, but at the base of it all, there's still a decent cost to everything.

Now, if everyone in America is going to have good healthcare, the money to cover these costs is going to have to come from somewhere. Whether it be each individual, employers, the government, or someone else entirely is quite the debate. However, if it is the government, simply, the money is going to have to come from somewhere (read: a large tax). Whether or not that is the only right way to go is another debate entirely. Another thing to consider - despite how many people there are in America without health insurance right now, it is not easy to get into the doctor's office. I am definitely all for everyone having health insurance, however, we are going to need more qualified individuals in the healthcare field when this happens. Anyhow - the bottom line - the idea that we could possibly get 'free healthcare from the government' is simply an illusion.

I know this is one of those boring posts that no one likes or is interested in - sorry. Anyhow.

Important News Story About Our President

"Obama fills out brackets; who's in his final four?"

This nicely accompanies "Obama's Haircut", "The Obama Dog", "What Michelle Obama Wore", "The Obama Daughters' Chores", "The Obama Daughters' New Swingset", and my personal favorite "What's on Obama's Ipod?".

I'm not criticizing Obama on this one, he just went about his life like a normal person - it's more those really cared to write and read said pieces. It's not to say there aren't pieces like this on every sitting president (although usually not to this extent). Also, not to say there's not other unimportant writing out there that people are paying attention to, such as all celeb gossip, or, ahem, blogs.

However, there's just SOMETHING about this that bugs me. I can't pinpoint exactly why. Hmm.

O Really?

A Million Little Pieces.
The Secret.
Barack Obama.

Don't doubt the Oprah effect people!!!

The Inauguration

Ok, so Barack Obama is getting inaugurated this coming week.  Dare I ask, what's the big deal?

Now, this has nothing to do with my mixed feelings toward this candidate.  I'd say this no matter who it was.  The ELECTION was the big deal/historic part.  I understand the inauguration is his official 'taking over' ceremony - but realistically, it's not as though there are questions about what's going to happen during the event.  With the election, there were questions about the outcome.  Barring anything unforseen, we all know what will happen after the day comes and goes.

Anyhow - the inauguration isn't what's important - what he does when he's in office is.  Even if he gives the speech of his life on inauguration day - whether or not he succeeds at moving the country forward is what people will remember him (and every president) for.  Perhaps it's like the wedding day/marriage conundrum - people make a huge deal about the importance of the former, but it's the latter that really matters.   Anyhow.  I will be glad when the mayhem ends.  

Some of You May Have Noticed....

....it's been a while since I've hated on Barack.  Well, I am not hating on Barack - I think he's doing ok (considering he hasn't even taken office yet) - he's appointed some smart people, which is all he's really been asked to do so far - ok, fine....

However, I've had enough!!  I've had enough of talking about him!  ENOUGH!  (Yes, I realize I'm doing it now.)  Obviously, Barbara Walters (who, for someone who really had to work hard to break barriers for women in journalism, seems to be phoning it in over the past couple years) named him the most fascinating person of the year.  I'm sick of everyone being fascinated by him.  I'm sick of commemorative plates (shouldn't that come after the end of his presidency?!?!  Just sayin'!!).  

I'm sick of articles about 'what's on Obama's I-pod', 'Christmas at the Obama house', 'the Obama daughter's chores', 'Obama's haircut' - AHHHHH!!!   Seriously, the man is our president - not Britney Spears.  I realize there's a certain amount of human interest stories with all public figures, but COME ON.  

I can't help but think - two popular presidents from my lifetime - Clinton and Reagan - certainly had their moments when they were less than loved by the general public.  All president approval ratings have ebbs and flows - and Obama is only human.  I can't wait until he formally assumes office so the press and everyone else can stop worshiping the ground he walks on.  URGH!  

Barackstar

Ok, not to rant and rave FOREVER, but Barack Obama has not yet even been inaugurated yet and how many different keepsakes are there out there for sale?  I'm watching an infomercial for a Barack Obama commemorative plate.  SERIOUSLY!?!?!  That's not to mention dvds, posters, special editions of newspapers, etc.  I can't help but wonder if Barack Obama doesn't come through with some of his campaign promises (such as 'change'), there'll be millions of pieces of memorabilia for the Republicans to rub his face in?  

President Elect

I have a sneaking suspicion I'm one of the few who won't be disappointed by Obama...I have reasonable expectations on the man.

I do appreciate him giving multiple speeches over the past couple days pretty much saying "You know all those things I lead you to believe I could do over the past year and a half?  Yeah, about that...."

Mr. President

So he won!?!?

Congratulations Barack Obama!  He sure ran a great campaign.

I must say, I was touched by hearing older African Americans talk about struggles they and their parents and grandparents experienced in life and how they never thought they'd see this day and what it means to them.  

Now, the campaign is over.  It's time to stop talking about change and actually do it.  I look forward to not hearing the word change, in fact.  And the expectations are VERY VERY HIGH, president-elect, so things will surely be interesting.  I truly, sincerely hope Barack Obama does a good job, especially when it comes to improving our economy and healthcare system.

I truly also look forward the end of attack ads, the words 'hope' and 'change', and mostly, Keith Olbermann's hourlong nightly love song.  

(My loyal readers probably truly look forward to me writing about new topics.)

I'll miss you, Sarah Palin.  

I Voted!

I won't say for whom (really, there were a lot of positions to vote on...).

However, I will say this - there WAS a spot for a write-in candidate for president.

Get Out to Vote?

Apparently Starbucks is giving out free coffee to everyone who votes.  Woohoo - I am not saying no to free coffee!!

(Brief aside:  Again, I do not support this huge 'everyone must vote!!!' campaign because I do believe the ignoramus remain ignorant but are now playing a significant role in the political process.)

Who knows what'll happen when I go into that voting booth tomorrow - I'll keep you posted for sure!

Obamafest '08

So guess who was just offered a ticket to the Obama rally?  (Well, in exchange for a couple hours of campaigning for him.)  

What was the best was the voicemail:

"I'm guessing the answer is no because I know you're not as crazy about him but I thought I'd let you know...."

Thanks Rachel!

If John McCain wins on Tuesday

...we, the people of the United States, both democrats and republicans alike, can all unite under one notion...

...that it is very, very, VERY important that John McCain does not die while in office. 

Getting Out All of the Political Posts Before Election Day

So, if, on Tuesday, I vote for one of the two major party candidates (it's not looking very promising right now), I would choose, of those two utterly awful tickets, Obama/Biden. And I wouldn't be voting FOR Obama, I'd be voting AGAINST McCain/Palin. A vote is a vote is a vote - no mater how enthusiastic or unenthusiastic - it counts for the same amount.

I don't really know why Obama bothers me so much. In the entire past two years of this campaign, I have not been able to figure this out. (Sorry to 90% of my blog readers/Obama fanatics.) I think it's the fact that so many people keep trying to tell me that "just you wait Jaime - he's going to CHANGE THE WORLD!!!!"

Not everyone who has the ability to inspire have actually been able to effect a positive change. Obama's been inspiring, etc., for the past year and a half - and has this movement he's evoked actually accomplished something? (Don't tell me 'it got young people interested in politics' - he's mainly gotten them to CAMPAIGN FOR HIM, as opposed to improving anything - I suppose it's the rallying of the lemmings, not where they're actually lead, that matters to some.)

The other day I read a letter to the editor in my favorite newspaper. I don't remember the exact words, but it was something to the extent to 'Illinois is so messed up - our corrupt politicians, broken economy, etc. We need Obama! Oh wait, we already have him....' I couldn't have summed up my feelings better myself.

Again, to my loyal readers/Obamaists - I'm sorry. But man, I had to say it!

Good Job, Mr. McCain....

It's never too late for a career in stand-up comedy....

New Dancing With The Stars Contestants

Thank you Jeannine!