Really, I should not be having any fun. I have a paper to work on, research to do, work to complete. But, I find myself delving into much nicer hobbies -- learning to surf, biking, spending time with friends. I probably should even mention my current arch nemesis, Gran Turismo 3. It is a little disk filled with Satan bits. Wake up in the morning, play a little GT3. Get home in the afternoon, oops how did I end up driving a rally car. I bought it as a fun, simple, game that was easy to get into. Well, I am into it. I should distract myself back towards more wholesome pursuits.
But this does get me to the topic of driving. I don't drive too much these days, but memorable events seem to center around while I am driving. Just yesterday, the radio reassured my faith or lack there of, in humanity. With people in the US freaking out about Anthrax this and terrorist that, my patience for the herd mentality is wearing thin. I can safely vouch that the overreaction is not just limited to the US though.
It turns out that France has 'as many literary prizes as some countries have people'. You would think this is a good thing, I really have met few books I did not like -- unless it is something Oprah recommends or aspires to be like Danielle Steele. Anyway, a particular award that targets cutting edge young authors was in a bit of a tizzy. To placate world concerns about appearing negative towards people of the Islamic faith, a book in which the narrator (in a work of fiction) professes a dislike / prejudice agains people of the faith is in the hot seat. People on the committee did not want it on the 'short list', groups are threatening to sue, etc. So, they took the book out of the running. I forget the name or author, but it is probably safe to assume the book was written prior to September 11. Of course, if it was left at that, there would not be much of a story. In true French fashion, there is a pretty messed up twist. The winner of the award was a book about a man and his predilection for sex with young girls. The author, of course, was a man in his late 70s who has admitted his own strong desire for prepubescent girls. Moral of the story? Nevermind...I won't go there.
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As a small side track, living in Santa Cruz, there is a lot of politics around widening the main highway going south. There are all sorts of arguments about why this is bad, mostly knee jerk, or focused on something like public transport powered by the smell of hippies. It is all pretty sad. In any case, I will just point out that a three car accident at 3pm in the afternoon, 8 miles south of Santa Cruz was responsible for snarling traffic in all of Santa Cruz well past 6 in the evening. Idiots...