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  • Michael Gates Gill: How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else

    Michael Gates Gill: How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else
    Michael Gates Gill was 64 years old, divorced from the wife of his four children and not married to the mother of his fifth, a laid-off ad executive with a dwindling client list wondering if he would be able to make rent the next month. Fate brought him to a Starbucks on the day of a job fair and on impulse he applied for a job. The book chronicles his first year working as a “regular joe,” and the everyday triumphs and struggles that came with it. Plenty of flashbacks (and name-dropping—but he’s got them to drop) fill in the backstory of his former life and childhood. Gill’s gratitude for the co-workers and customers at Starbucks who gave him a second chance comes through in his vivid characterizations and observations. Submitted by Louise Julig

  • Malcolm Gladwell: Outliers: The Story of Success

    Malcolm Gladwell: Outliers: The Story of Success
    Malcolm Gladwell presents a fascinating and provocative blueprint for making the most of human potential. He takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of "outliers"—the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. His newest book, Outliers poses the question: what makes high achievers different from the rest of us? Gladwell's answer—that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from—may surprise you. The author says that their culture, their family, their generation and the idiosyncratic experiences of their upbringing play powerful roles in success. His book explains the secrets of software billionaires, what it takes to be a great soccer player, why Asians are good at math and what made the Beatles the greatest rock band. Submitted by Claire Yezbak Fadden

  • John U. Bacon: Cirque du Soleil: The Spark - Igniting the Creative Fire that Lives within Us All

    John U. Bacon: Cirque du Soleil: The Spark - Igniting the Creative Fire that Lives within Us All
    Frank followed the nondescript men through the white door, unmarked and forgettable on the overactive casino floor. On the other side he found KÀ—a permanent Cirque du Soleil performance in Las Vegas—and the opportunity to redefine himself and his career. "Cirque du Soleil: The Spark—Igniting the Creative Fire That Lives Within Us All" is a whirlwind tour of the shows, people, costumes, make-up and magic of this modern-day circus while reminding Frank—and the reader—how fundamentally important creativity is in all aspects of our lives. As Frank journeys through his personal transformation from uninterested to invigorated, readers are reminded that a few small things can go a long way in reigniting the creative fire that smolders in us all. Submitted by JoAnna Haugen

  • Thich Nhat Hanh: Old Path White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha

    Thich Nhat Hanh: Old Path White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha
    Thich Nhat Hahn traces the life of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha after his enlightenment, from birth to death. More than a strict biography, it also relates the teachings of the Buddha as they unfold naturally throughout his life. These are told in very straightforward language without proselytizing, following the principle “Every person should be a lamp unto himself.” There is a great deal of repetitiveness in the story, which can irritate, but think of it as a mantra and it becomes calming. Though lengthy, the book reads quickly due to the simple yet elegant writing, and is recommended to anyone with an interest in Eastern religion or philosophy. Submitted by Louise Julig

  • Richard Preston: Panic in Level 4: Cannibals, Killer Viruses, and Other Journeys to the Edge of Science

    Richard Preston: Panic in Level 4: Cannibals, Killer Viruses, and Other Journeys to the Edge of Science
    This collection of nonfiction narrative essays by the author of "The Hot Zone" are thought-provoking and deftly written. Favorites were "The Mountains of Pi" about the Chudnovsky brothers, "one mathematician born into two bodies," who built a supercomputer in their apartment to calculate pi to two billion digits, and "The Self-Cannibals" about a little-known genetic disease that causes its victims to compulsively self-sabotage to the extent of mutilation. With compassion and humor, Preston shows the humanity of the victims of this disease and allows us to see them as one of "us" rather than one of "them." The introduction, "Adventures in Nonfiction Writing," is a bonus to anyone interested in the writing process. Submitted by Louise Julig

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October 22, 2008

2007 Wildfires, One Year Later: Bob in Las Vegas

We live in Las Vegas, and so were not directly affected by the fires of last year.  We were indirectly affected because Louise lives in Encinitas, which was threatened.  I received a call from her in the middle of the morning which went something like this.  "Daddy, we have been requested to evacuate because of the fire danger, and we can't take the kittens to a shelter because pets are not welcome.  Can we come and visit you?"  Of course I said sure, come along you are always welcome.  After I hung up I called my wife Marge and said to her about as follows.  "Marge, I have decided to take a drastic step and take in a homeless family for a while..."  After a moment or two, I continued with the whole story.  The trip took longer than usual since the I15 over the pass was closed because of the fire.  They were able to make it over the following morning and all were welcomed around noon.  We have cats ourselves, and were concerned that they would make trouble for Louise's kittens.  To everyone's surprise, her kittens took charge on arrival, ate our cat's food and generally bullied them, though there were no fights.  We all enjoyed the impromptu visit and were glad that we could be a refuge in this disaster.

Posted by Louise at 04:15 AM in California Wildfires, Natural Phenomena, Our World Photos, People |

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