#95 - The Truth is Sometimes Uncomfortable

Non Fiction to report:

Cary Grant: A Biography by Marc Eliot. One of my favorite actors of all time. Evidently he was much gayer than I thought he was. I had heard like it was maybe, but unconfirmed. After reading it is more like they said in Blazing Saddles "you'd do it for Randolph Scott". Well, Grant certainly did.

In the President's Secret Service by Ronald Kessler. A behind the scenes look at the people who protect the president. Dishes some interesting dirt about the past and current residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Also makes the case that given the strains on the resources, budget, and people of the Secret Service, a protection failure is inevitable.

The Power of Less by Leo Babauta. Collected writings of Zen Habits Leo. Not much new content but it was easier to read than perusing through the blog archive. I'm attempting to implement the Most Important Task (MIT) / One Goal principle. I think part of my lack of progress on the list is too many areas to focus on. So, concentrating on 3 things for 6 weeks. First up is 1) Be in Bufferland, 2) Visit doctor & dentist, and 3) catch up on this blog. Bufferland also relates to my overall One Goal of being debt free by this time next year.

Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard - A sort of "response" to Ehrenreich's Nickel And Dimed which I mentioned in an earlier post. Fresh out of college kid starts out in a new city with $25 and the clothes on his back. He vows to have a job, apartment, car, and $2500 savings within a year. He also places the additional constraints of not using that new degree, previous contacts, or his existing credit history. Well-told, and an object lesson in perseverance.

Born Standing Up by Steve Martin - Autobiography of the "Wild and Crazy Guy" who became a comedy legend in the 70s and then walked away from stand-up a few years later. He's done a few other things since then (plus writing plays, books, and composing). Tells the story of how it took him 10-12 years of hard work to become an overnight sensation. An inspiring story, told with modesty and humor. Occasionally heartbreaking when describing his strained family relationships. Recommended. Also recommended is one of Martin's fiction books The Pleasure of My Company. Doesn't count for this list but it is one of the handful of books I had to read cover to cover in my life.