Bob the Builder

The work week is over.  Here is a list of tools I used this week: Bosch roto-hammer, 4 lb mini-sledge, mill file, shovel, Bobcat with front end loader, rebar bender-cutter, dikes, pipe wrench, De Walt 12v cordless drill, assorted Craftsman combination wrenches, 34 inch Pittsburgh (it is made in China) wrench, assorted punches, De Walt 4" angle grinder with diamond blade, Makita 7"angle grinder with flap wheel, De Walt chop-saw with carbide blade, channel lock pliers, Craftsman 1/2" socket set, Craftsman 1/4" socket set,  18 inch Crescent wrench, hex wrenches, Klein insulated screw driver, wire strippers, wire crimpers, Lincoln flux core welding machine, three different prybars (The smallest is one foot long.  The largest is five feet long and weighs 80lbs!), De Walt bench grinder with wire wheel, trowel, rebar tying hook, Milwaukee reciprocal saw, Skill rotary saw.

Too Old for Narnia

Last night I went into the boys' room to read to them.  I took from the shelf The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis.  They both complained of my choice.  Basil said he had heard it before, to which explained that he had heard two of the Narnia books but not this one.  Anselm said he was "too old for Narnia" and that he liked Greek gods and heros now.  To that I said, "I'm 43 and still love Narnia, besides, I don't think you remember this book since it was a few years ago that you last heard it."

After the first page of the first chapter I stopped reading and asked, "Shall I stop?" Basil said "NO!"  Anselm said, "No, this is good."  At the end of the chapter, when I closed the book they begged me to keep reading.  I read them another chapter tonight, again they begged me to keep reading when I had finished the chapter.

People are so funny.  We think we know what we like and don't like.  I wonder, how many good things have I passed by and not noticed because I thought I was "too old" or too serious, or too sophisticated?

Saturday Soundtrack

Like much of the music that forms the soundtrack of my life, I first heard this song because of my brother Mark.  Interestingy, I didn't even know it formed part of my soundtrack until earlier tonight when I heard some of the cast of Garison Keilor's show singing it, and sang along with them.  I was surprised that I knew all the words.  This version of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" is really cool because it isn't only Al Green, but lots of other amazing musicians, such as Tito Puente, Carlos Santana, and Toni Childs all working together under the direction of Paul Shaffer (he is a musical genius.) during Letterman's 7th anniversary show.    

Al Green, as you probably know, became a Christian minister and left show business.  He has since returned to show business.  Toni Childs still has an intersting voice and is still recording and performing.  Carlos Santana is still performing and doing works of philanthropy.  Melissia Etheridge is still a musician, but, sadly, she has allowed her homosexual activities to eclipse her music-making.  Tito Puente the greatest percussionist ever to come out of Puerto Rico died of old age in 2000.  He was a decorated veteran of WWII (he served on a U.S. Navy warship) and a lifelong performer.  In 1997 he was awarded the National Medal for the Arts, the United States' highest award in the name of the people (That is what distiguishes it from the Kennedy Center Honors, which is more of an honor in the name of the cutural eites.) In 2003 he was posthumously awarded a Grammy for lifetime achievement. Paul Shaffer (he is a musical genius) still works as David Letterman's music director, but also is the musical director for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and has released to albums of recorded work.