Happy Monday, everyone. Here's hoping you had a fine weekend amid the warm weather and cottonwood blizzards. I spent mine dropping lit, pulling weeds, and enjoying springtime in the not-so-big city.
As I noted on Friday, the 2007 Big Read has begun in Boise. A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway's 1929 book about love and war - seems like an appropriate selection for our time, as tens of thousands of American families deal with deaths, injuries, and uncertain futures caused by our nation's present-day military adventures. Here's the full schedule of events. I've also noted a few in the listing below.
As it did last year, the Idaho Statesman - a Big Read sponsor - is asking noted folks around town what's their Big Read, or which book they'd recommend to friends? (For instance, in today's paper, Dave Bieter touts The Poetry of Robert Frost.)
What about you? What's your Big Read? I challenge you to name just one book!
Bonus question for today: What about Z? Not only did Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky not get picked in this weekend's NFL draft; he apparently didn't get any interest as a free agent, either. Is his lackluster junior year the reason, or were there just too many other good QBs this year?
Here are some events happening this week. Feel free to add others in the comments.
All week - It's Boise Music Week's 89th year, with free concerts planned all over town. Click here for the schedule.
Monday, April 30 - The North End Neighborhood Association meets at 7 p.m. today at 1520 N. 12th St., Boise.
Tuesday, May 1 - A discussion of A Farewell to Arms will happen at 7 p.m. at the Caldwell Public Library.
Wednesday, May 2 - The Eagle Library plans a discussion of A Farewell to Arms. 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 3 - The East End Neighborhood Association meets at 6:30 p.m. in the gym at Roosevelt Elementary School, 908 E. Jefferson St., Boise.
Thursday, May 3 - The Big Read presents a panel discussion on "Healing and Recovering From War" at 7 p.m. in the Boise Public Library auditorium. Participants will include returning Iraq vets, a specialist on post traumatic stress syndrome, a mother of a soldier currently serving in Iraq, and VA personnel.
My Big Read would be To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I somehow missed reading this in school and for most of my adult life, but I finally picked it up a few summers ago and read it in a few days, mostly on the Oregon coast.
The book, written at the dawn of the modern Civil Rights movement, shows children discovering the reality of racism, as well as navigating the small thrills of everyday life, while their attorney father attempts to defend a black man accused of raping a white woman. Atticus Finch can't save everyone, but he sets an example of kindness and justice for his children and his community. That's all any of us can hope to do.
Posted by: Julie in Boise | April 30, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Re Z: Two words... "Hula Bowl" -- I'm sure it corroborated the perception that in "big" games he turns in mediocre (at best) performances... Georgia '05, SJSU '06, Fiesta Bowl (which wasn't exactly won on the strength of his arm). One of the ESPN guys (Jaworski? Mortensen? I don't remember) yesterday remarked there was a perception of an "attitude problem" but that Mike Martz (Detroit Head Coach) liked QBs with attitude problems.
Of course, I saw him on one of those promo events for prospective rookies and I think he finished second in a passing accuracy competiton -- so I'm not sure how fair most of that criticism is... his record as a starter sorta speaks for itself. OTOH, Kiper didn't even have him as the best undrafted QB from this part of the country (Matt Moore from OrSt).
Z. could probably find a camp (49ers maybe?) looking for someone to groom as a taxi-squad guy if he wanted, but his best bet may well be -- especially if he wants to clear up any questions about his ability to make downfield reads in pressure games -- to go play in Canada for a couple years, where the wider field and extra receiver and DB make the passing game all-that-more complex.
Posted by: The Nickel-Plated JA | April 30, 2007 at 11:28 AM
For me the Big Read will always be The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I suppose I'm drawn to this particular work (over for instance The Ballad of Reading Gaol or The Importance of Being Earnest) because of the way in which Wilde forces the reader to justify their own views and opinions of themselves and the lives they lead. It certainly doesn't hurt that the first time I read it I came to the end and did a serious double take and began the book all over again so I could find what I had missed...
Posted by: Tara Rowe | April 30, 2007 at 11:29 AM
Oh, and Julie, just last week I was speaking with the University Archivist at ISU and she agrees with you about Harper Lee's materpiece. She said she can't pass up the opportunity to watch the film (with Gregory Peck) whenever it is on and has picked up the book on numerous occassions. I have two first edition paperbacks of the book that were given to me by my grandmother and I pick them up myself on occasion to be reminded of the power of that story.
Posted by: Tara Rowe | April 30, 2007 at 11:31 AM
I read To Kill A Mockingbird as a kid and I loved it. Saw the movie a few months ago, and it didn't really do it justice, though Gregory Peck was really good.
My current reading list includes 1776. I'm just starting it and so far it merits the praise I have seen given it.
As for Z, he can't throw downfield. But I have to disagree with Nickel-Plated's assessment of the Fiesta Bowl. Z is totally responsible for putting BSU in position to win. I think he played the game of his life.
Posted by: Cameron | April 30, 2007 at 12:29 PM
I was so moved by TKAM, I named my son Atticus.
Posted by: Sisyphus | April 30, 2007 at 01:05 PM
Cameron, what someone scouting a game like that has to do, however, is separate the other parts of BSU's passing game (RAC, Bryan Harsin's play-calling/designs, etc.) from Z's individual performance... and in the Fiesta Bowl, you had an awful lot of passing game success coming from things like RAC, and the passing game's shortcomings being things directly attributable to Z. No quarterback "played the game of his life" in any game where he threw a pick-six late with the game on the line.
Posted by: The Nickel-Plated JA | April 30, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Coaching only gets you so far. I'm sure they would rather have had Ian dominate than rely on Z's passing in that game, but unfortunatley Ian was basically invisible until the end. Z played the best he had all year, much to my surprise.
However, the fact that the pick six game was the game of his life is probably why he wasn't drafted.
Posted by: Cameron | April 30, 2007 at 02:28 PM
FWIW, ESPN is reporting that Z signed a free-agent deal to be the next special-guest-victim of the Houston Texans' inability to pass-protect. On the other hand, if they can solve that offensive line problem, Gary Kubiak is probably the perfect coach to groom Z while he's a (taxi?) backup to Matt Schaub.
Posted by: The Nickel-Plated JA | April 30, 2007 at 02:37 PM
Dang, I should have set up a separate thread for Z. Too much football and not enough lit on this one!!! But I guess I asked for it, eh?
I am glad to hear maybe Z will get his shot at the NFL, though some time in Europe or Canada to prove 06 wasn't a fluke may not have been a bad idea.
Sisyphus, you know, I see your nom de blog all over but I'm not sure I know who you are "in real life." You may have given me a clue here, since I do know of one young Atticus hereabouts.
And if I'd have had my daughter after reading the book, I may have named her Scout. Wait, Bruce and Demi did that, didn't they?
Posted by: Julie in Boise | April 30, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Uh oh, they're on to me. I'm aware of about a half dozen Atticii in Boise, none older than my son (so I get credit for starting the trend). There is a "famous" local in Boise whose son is named Atticus. I'm not him.
Julie, you and I will likely cross paths at some point. In fact I'm surprised we haven't since I'm aware of two degrees of separation. Damn my misanthropic tendencies. When it happens I will introduce myself. I look forward to it.
Posted by: Sisyphus | April 30, 2007 at 04:56 PM
I used to hang out in a bar named "Atticus" -- does that count for anything?
Seriously, if I was going to have to really get pinned down on a Big Read book (and sorry if I spent to much time on football...), I'd pick Vonnegut's 'Galapagos' -- it's such a clear exposition of the frailties of our "civilization" relative to the grand scheme of things.
Posted by: The Nickel-Plated JA | April 30, 2007 at 05:18 PM
I used to hang out in a bar named "Atticus" -- does that count for anything?
Seriously, if I was going to have to really get pinned down on a Big Read book (and sorry if I spent too much time on football...), I'd pick Vonnegut's 'Galapagos' -- it's such a clear exposition of the frailties of our "civilization" relative to the grand scheme of things.
Posted by: The Nickel-Plated JA | April 30, 2007 at 05:19 PM
D'oh! Sorry about that. Looks like I double-clutched on the post while trying to fix the typo....
Posted by: The Nickel-Plated JA | April 30, 2007 at 05:21 PM
(this sounds like fun...)
STREET PROTEST IN RESPONSE TO BUSH VETO of WAR FUNDING , organized by the Idaho Peace Coalition
http://npogroups.org/lists/info/idahopeacecoalition
This is short notice, but Idaho needs to send a message to our ( most highly valued ) Congresspeople that Bush’s veto which he’s expected to announce Tuesday ( tomorrow, "Mission Accomplished" Day! ) , that this political rejection of proposed war funding is unacceptable. The majority of this nation ( ie: the PEOPLE ), including the Senate and the House, has spoken! Bring our troops home now!
We’re going to meet this Wednesday, May 2nd, from 5:00pm-6:00pm outside of Mike Crapo’s office. (See directions and parking help below) It’s only an hour, so come down and bring a sign if you can make one ( Bush!tWar,Bush!tVeto,,,Bush!tLOSS! may be mine) . We’ll have extra there. We’ll advertise a “call-in” day to Congress as well. Water will be provided in case it’s another hot day. Feel free to bring the family. My kids will be there. Please call me with any questions. See you there!!
Peace and Justice,
Sonia Galaviz - Idaho Peace Coalition
861-xyzz
Directions: **Crapo’s office is across from the Winco on Front Street . If you’re traveling East on Myrtle, you’ll see Winco on your left. Turn left on S. Ave. A. Or if you’re traveling East on Front, turn right on S. Ave. A. His office is above George’s Cycle. There’s an empty lot behind the building that looks
available for parking, although there are no signs saying whose parking lot it is. There’s some street parking on the street directly West of Winco or you could park at Julia Davis and walk a block or two. Do not park at Winco as they’ve asked us not to.
(all (extra) comments my own...)
Posted by: BoiseNick | April 30, 2007 at 06:06 PM
For anyone that hasn’t been exposed, I’d currently recommend something by Kurt Vonnegut. I'm going to reread some of mine, but I'm not sure where to start. I could use a good laugh, and a cry. He also reminds me that human beings can be amazing artists, immensely compassionate, and utterly clueless.
I thought about the "Sirens of Titan", but am leaning more towards "Breakfast of Champions", as the drawings completely crack me up. A timeless satire sci-fi combo platter for anyone with an appreciation for the absurdities of life.
Football shmootball.
Posted by: Idagreen | April 30, 2007 at 09:05 PM