Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy!

Feb. 22: TV: 0 min.
Read: The Alchemy of Air 30 min. = 1 hr (2 hr. 5min.)

Feb. 23: TV: 4 hours. CRAP!!
Read: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking 30 min. = 30 min. (-1 hr. 25 min.)

Feb. 24: TV: 0 min.
Read: Blink 30 min. = 30 min. (-55 min.)

Feb. 25: TV: 0 min.
Read Blink 30 min. = 30 hr. (-25 min.)

Feb. 26: TV: 0 min.
Read: Blink 30 min. = 30 min. (5 min.)

Feb. 27: TV: 0 min.
Read: 0 min. (5 min.)

Feb. 28: TV: 1 hr. 45 min. Layer Cake
2 hr. 15 min. CRAP! = 4 hr.
Read: Blink 30 min. = 30 min. (- 3 hr. 25 min.)

-1- a smile
-2- touch
-3- LCD Soundsystem!

by Thomas Hager

An excellently written story about two scientists who discovery of how to extract nitrogen from the atmosphere that fed billions and killed millions.

After explaining the important role nitrogen plays as a fertilizer and as an explosive, The Alchemy of Air traces the history of the two tragic German scientists (Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch) and their discovery of a process that allowed nitrogen to be pulled from of air.

A great read!

-1- Warmth
-2- Thought
-3- the breath

by Steven Johnson

This book examines the life of Joseph Priestly, the scientist who discovered the relationship between plants, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and mammals. Priestly lived during the American Revolution and his ideas about politics, science, and theology help shape the beliefs of Thomas Jefferson and other American founders.

The book in a nut shell is: Smart guy finds plants release oxygen, writes about religion and politics that piss people off, immigrates to US, is friends with Thomas Jefferson.

I was not very impressed with this book. It lacked a compelling story or an eye opening revelation. For me, the high point of the book was touching on the relationship of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. I was interested in their falling out and the debate via letters they had 10 years after Priestly died.

Feb. 15: TV: 0 min.
Read: The Invention of Air 30 min.
The Alchemy of Air: A Jewish Genius, a Doomed Tycoon, and the Scientific Discovery That Fed the World but Fueled the Rise of Hitler 30 min. = 1 hr (-1 hr. 55 min.)

Feb. 16: TV: 0 min.
Read: The Alchemy of Air 30 min. = 30 min. (-1 hr. 25 min.)

Feb. 17: TV: 0 min.
Read: The Alchemy of Air 30 min.
Phantom Tollbooth 30 min. = 1 hr. (- 25 min.)

Feb. 18: TV: 0 min.
Read The Alchemy of Air 1 hr. = 1 hr. (35 min.)

Feb. 19: TV: 0 min.
Read The Alchemy of Air 1 hr. = 1 hr. (1 hr. 35 min.)

Feb. 20: TV: 2 hr. CRAP!
Read The Alchemy of Air 1 hr. = 1 hr. ( 35 min.)

Feb. 21: TV: 0 min.
Read The Alchemy of Air 1 hr. = 1 hr. (1 hr. 35 min.)

-1- Friends
-2- Humor
-3- Breakfast

Feb. 8: TV: 0 min.
Read: 1 hr. The Invention of Air
15 min. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing = 1 hr. 15 min. ( -1 hr. 55 min.)

Feb. 9: TV: 0 min.
Read: 30 min. The Invention of Air = 30 min. ( - 1 hr. 25 min.)

Feb. 10: TV: 0 min.
Read: 30 min. The Invention of Air = 30 min. (- 55 min.)

Feb. 11: TV: 0 min.
Read: 30 min. The Invention of Air = 30 min. (-25 min.)

Feb. 12: TV: 4 hours of CRAP!!!
Read: 30 min. The Invention of Air = 30 min. ( -3 hrs. 55 min.)

Feb. 13: TV: 0 min.
Read: 30 min. The Invention of Air = 30 min. (-3 hrs. 25 min.)

Feb. 14: TV: 0 min.
Read: 30 min. The Inventio of Air = 30 min. (-2 hrs. 55 min.)

I am having trouble with this new years resolution for several reasons. First, I am having a difficult time coming up with things I am grateful for. I do not mean that I am bitter, just I have never labeled in the past what I am grateful. It is making this very challenging.

Second, I find myself during the week looking for things to fulfill my resolution. This was not exactly my intention when I came up with this idea. I want to be grateful for what I have or experience not to be searching for something to be grateful for.

The way I am going to address these issues is to spend some quite alone time on Sunday thinking. This will give me time to reflect and project for the week.

We'll see.

by Bob Harris

A funny and exciting journey of the life of a Jeopardy contestant. Trebekistan is the place Bob Harris describes when breaking down facts to remember for Jeopardy. His brain is filled with thousands upon thousands of facts that fill his brain with what, at the beginning of the book, is useless. As time passes, these facts begin to take on more meaning to him and he longs to flesh them out.

Bob's travels in Trebekistan with a skilled and a playful voice. The book is, at times, a very personal touching story about dealing with loss and the searching for meaning.

-1- for control
-2- for forgiveness
-3- for computers

Feb. 1: TV: 3 hrs. 30 mins. Superbowl
Read: 1 hr. Prisoner of Trebekistan
30 min. Phantom Tollbooth = 1 hr. 30 min. ( -10 min.)

Feb. 2: TV: 0 min.
Read: 1 hr. The Invention of Air = 1 hr. (50 min.)

Feb. 3: TV: 0 min.
Read: 30 min. The Invention of Air = 30 min. (1 hr. 20 min.)


Feb. 4: TV: 1 hr. CRAP
Read 30 min. The Invention of Air = 30 min. ( 50 min.)


Feb 5: TV: 3 hr. Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
Read: 0 min. = (- 2 hrs. 10 min.)


Feb 6: TV: 120 min. National Treasure Two
Read: 0 (-4 hrs. 10 min.)


Feb 7: TV: 0 min.
Read: 30 min. Phantom Tollbooth
30 min. The Invention of Air = 1 hr. (-3 hrs. 10 min.)

It has been insightful to monitor my TV and reading habits. I am learning where a lot of my time goes.

I have the habit of watching long blocks of TV (3 to 4.5 hours) of absolutely nothing. Literally, I will switch channels for 4 straight hours.

During the last time I did this I asked myself what was my intention for watching TV, what was I looking for. I think I was looking for comfort by means of escape. I found myself thinking about JD of Scrubs rather than what I needed to accomplish.

Next time I find myself watching TV for comfort, I am going to first make a list of things I need to get done.

I have been enjoying reading again. It has been a long time since I had read at night. This is helping me relax and sleep. I have also found myself reading when I wake up. This is a nice time for me to get ready for the day.