Where (Wo)Men Win Glory

I’m talking about Muni, obviously. 

I saw this young lady reading a SF library hardback copy of “Where Men Win Glory,” by Jon Krakauer of “Into Thin Air” and “Into the Wild” fame, while wearing a shirt that said “Army” on the sleeve (the young lady, not the book).    

After getting home and googling the title, I learned that the book is a biography of Pat Tillman, the football star who eschewed a lucrative NFL contract to join the Army, and was eventually killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan, though the original report claimed it had been enemy fire, and it was only after an investigation that the truth about what had happened came out. 

It was hard not to notice this book and its reader the day after 9/11.  I know I’m a few days late, but my thoughts go out to all those in the armed forces, whether they are home, abroad, or on public transit.

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Remember when “Amazon” referred to the large good thing that was being destroyed?

And not the large bad thing that did the destroying extorted?  For those of you sticking around this weekend, why not visit your local bookstore and pick up a new title with which to idle away your  labor day weekend?   Sound like too much effort for a weekend that is supposed to be free from labour?*  Does supporting your local bookstore sound taxing?  No longer an excuse!

I mean, COME ON.  What else could be easier?  Support your local bookstore AND be lazy! Do you want them to implant the book in your head?  Give them a few years and they’ll probably do it!  But in the meantime, how many more adorable videos do they have to make?  How many more Luddite socks must die! 

I have an idea, how about a book about the origins of labor day itself! 

* So our one Australian reader can understand at least one sentence.

Spotted: Ironic Eggers

I saw our very own Dave Egger’s book, “You Shall Know Our Velocity,” the other day while I stood  on a motionless train somewhere between Montgomery and Embarcadero that hadn’t moved in about five minutes.  I chuckled to myself, because that’s what crazy people do on Muni if one chose to describe the collective “we” that were the sorry souls on that train, I doubt it would have involved the word “velocity” unless preceded by the word “zero” or the plea “I wish I could instantly attain escape.”* 

I’ve read some of his other novels, including “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius,” which kinda hit close to home for me at the time and I think remains my favorite, despite really enjoying (the very different) “What is the What” and “Zeitoun.”  I’ll be sure to check out this earlier work of his.  And you should too. Think of the children! 

* Again, what crazy people do on Muni.