Van 38: Blisters and Babies (DM)

Recent Reads

Ed: John Turnbull: The Global Game: Writers on Soccer (Bison Original)
This is a great compilation of soccer writings. From prose to poetry, essays and reflections, nearly every piece I've read has been well written, informative and enjoyable to read.
Dave Eggers: Zeitoun
Eggers has done it again. An excellent work that tells the story of an Arab American family post Katrina. Similar to his book What is the What, author proceeds go to a charitable fund helping victims of Katrina. Buy this book.
William Sears: The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two (Revised and Updated Edition)
An in depth and useful text breaking down just about all one would need to know.
Gary Ezzo: On Becoming Babywise: Giving Your Infant The Gift of Nighttime Sleep
I've been reading a variety of baby books, this one stresses a rigid schedule--elements seem solid.
Watchman Nee: The Normal Christian Life
Nee, a Chinese theologian, has complex, interesting and solid insight on Christianity.
Ishmael Reed: Japanese by Spring
A hilarious and at times slightly manic read.
Alan Moore: Watchmen
The first graphic novel of this sorts I've read. Moore writes in a true hybrid form, this is an interesting story and the way it is revealed makes it all the more so.
Harvey Pekar: The Quitter
A good story about Pekar's younger years.
Harvey Pekar: American Splendor: Another Day
The first Pekar I've read. Solid--it's like an illustrated short story compilation.
Carlos Ruiz Zafón: The Shadow of the Wind
Thanks to my man Shaft for this rec. I can't imagine any reader not enjoying this book. It is complex, yet also simple in its mystery tale likeness.

“That’s the reason why women have babies. It wouldn’t work the other way around.” LP

Adidas Sambas may be good indoor shoes, but they are terrible indoor, full court basketball shoes. A total of four blisters prove this. The one that is currently open and filled with pus is the most painful.

I hit the YMCA after picking up a few items at Trader Joe’s (we had our friends over for dinner last night and had to nab a few provisions). I was planning on doing some weights and an elliptical and thus the choice of Sambas. As I walked into the exercise room I was asked if I wanted to play five-on-five. Having not played in at least a year I jumped at the chance, thinking to myself that my feet were in for it.

I didn’t think it would be like this though. After five games and an hour of run and gun ball walking proved difficult. It didn’t help that I was guarding a mini Rip Hamilton/Reggie Miller; dude kept running the entire time. When I joked with him that he should post up and play inside, he responded that he wasn’t even tired and needed a cigarette—classic.

It felt good playing ball, and it was affirmed that I am in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I was tired, and my feet were burning, and I still stayed with mini Rip Miller the entire time.

Anyway, one day later after the joyous gift of a snow day for Liz and I, we had just finished eating bagel and egg sandwiches when I noticed the steady and slow flow of pus. I thought about my wife, who is set to have a baby in the next few weeks, and about how weak I am. Here I am bellyaching about a blister and she has another person inside of her—hilarious. As I was sucking it up and being so tough (yeah right) taking the three bottles of wine Tim and I polished off last night into the basement, Liz pointed out the fact that the human race would come to a quick close if it were men in charge of birthing. Couldn’t agree more, now where’s that preggers wife of mine, my foot hurts and needs tended to…