Two interesting items today on the cultivation of intelligence:


BRAIN CANDY
Is pop culture dumbing us down or smartening us up?
(book review by Malcom Gladwell)

LEARNING FROM LEONARDO
How to be a genius

Spamalot was an absolute laugh riot. Even better than I expected, and I'm a huge Monty Python fan. (Quest for the Holy Grail is my favorite comedy of all time.)

I've been super busy for a several months and have done jack squat with the site. I had such plans. But life is what happens while your busy making plans, as John Lennon once said.

So what's been going on? The basement remodel is in full swing. Bought the toilet and sink tonight. The carpenter and plumber will be here on Tuesday. I'm told four days for all the carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. That would be great, but I've never had a contractor do what they say they will when they say the will. But I'm feeling lucky. We'll see.

Tomorrow after work it's off to Home Depot for paint, faucets, the doors, etc. Then I'll be working on a new project Friday night and then heading to NYC Saturday morning to see Spamalot Saturday night. Tedi and I are going to do some sightseeing, see the show, have dinner, stay overnight in the city and head back sometime Sunday. Then it's back on the new project and then back to work on Monday.

I've been buying way too much silver jewelry and loving it. That site is completely addicting.

I've also got Paul on a gluten-free diet. I have to drop Grumblefish a line and let him know how that's working out, since he is the one who gave us the idea. So far, no improvement in Paul's health. He's actually feeling worse and he's been gluten-free for about two months, now. We're giving it at least six months, though. So lots of cooking is in my future. But I don't mind. It makes me feel like I'm helping, even if I'm not.

I made a second blog for Paul: Changes. It's doing very well right out of the gate, thanks to the existing blog audience. He's also been writing poetry again. Nothing yet on the book publishing efforts, but he's still at it. Hopefully he'll get some good news soon.