In the meantime

So it's that time of (four) year.  The presidential election is upon us and it's what everyone's trying to keep themselves from talking about.  Even though we know it's borderline inappropriate to discuss personal political views at work, we're all doing it.  I'm trying not to offend anybody in the process, but, at the same time, I feel like my doing so is unavoidable.  I feel like I'm losing control to politics - it's all I can talk about, all I can think about, all that I care about?  This blog is the last politics-free area of my life and I want it to stay that way.  So obviously, I'm starting a separate blog on politics and current events.  It will be a group venture and a learning experience at the same time.  I'm quite excited about it and will link to it on my blog links once it is up and running.

In the meantime, I'm still enjoying The Grapes of Wrath and Google's new internet browser, Chrome.  For more details, click here.

Would you like Pommes Frites with that?

Waiter Rant by The Waiter (Steve Dublanica), Ecco 320 pages.

This weekend I only managed to finish Waiter Rant. Among other things, I had to reinstall Windows (see earlier post), treat a heat rash, and get rid of a migraine, so, needless to say, it was a busy three days. Still don't feel much like myself, but I figured I'd write up my thoughts on this book.

Waiter Rant is a brief look at a few years in the life of a New York waiter. Pseudonyms are used to protect the innocent (presumably the author himself), though Steve Dublanica has since come forward as the author of both the blog and subsequent book that has raised so many eyebrows.

I had read a bit of his material at his blog (http://www.waiterrant.net/). I enjoyed his writing, at least at the blog level, and figured I'd pick up his book. The book itself is pretty good - the writing is witty, very conversational, and I can identify with most of the horror stories from my brief stint as a server at Bertucci's Brick Oven Ristorante. His stories are assorted and funny, well-written, and I could see how it would be easy to get swept up in just telling stories. Instead, Dublanica keeps the pace well and the overall plot also has a healthy arch to it - beginning with his entry to the restaurant industry, ending with his departure.

It's an entertaining read, but like anything of this sort, it's sort of disposable. I mean, I enjoyed reading his stuff, but I guess I'm more in the mood for something a little more substantial? weighty? significant? I think it's unfair of me to criticize his piece with my whining for non-fiction. If I want non-fiction that is socially relevant, then that's what I should read. Bottom line: The book accomplishes what it sets out to do. It's entertaining, a well-written, fun, light read, and allows you to exercise your empathy for the serving staff among us.

The 1% Well-Read Challenge

I stumbled onto the 1% Well-Read Challenge and decided to give it a go. The premise is to read 10 books in 10 months (easy enough) and they have to be on the "1001 Books to Read Before you Die" list (also easy enough). The list is pretty exhaustive though some of mine aren't on there. I've joined late, so please allow me to put one that I've already read and reviewed as my first selection. Here are my ten.