Every day is a new day and with that, a new opportunity.
EVERYONE is welcome and please join us each morning at 7:30 AM PACIFIC
to tell us what you're working on, share your show & tell, vent, whatever you want...
...this is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.
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Fortunately, on-line subscriptions have saved me from ever being one of those old guys you sometimes read about who has died in the gaps between seven-foot high stacks of old newspapers placed against every wall of his dwelling. But someday I suspect — not too soon I hope — they will find me expired in my reading chair, a couple of ink-and-paper books open at my side, the Kindle in my lap, a half dozen magazines and journals awaiting their turn that never came. Because ever since I was 14 and first encountered the
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, which I started reading a second time the minute I finished the last page, I've been a voracious reader. Fiction and non-fiction. A megaton of biographies. English and Spanish and a little bit in German, the last being an ability I lost ages ago through lack of practice.
I binged. I could go months without reading much of anything except perhaps for road signs and headlines. But then it would be 50 books in a third as many weeks, frequently volumes all on the same subject and very closely related tangents. Or a batch of novels by the same author. I like immersion, not least because it's a means of making stuff stick longer in memory. I'm eclectic, but I struggle on some of the hard science stuff, partly a product of poor math skills.
Of late, I must admit, I've retreated on the book front. Reading and writing on-line all day tends to reduce the amount of time I can even stand to spend reading a book. But I try still to read a couple dozen a year. Part of this is therapy to repair the damage done to my attention span by Twitter.
Almost always, when I am reading books, it's three at a time. I'm in a non-fiction phase at the moment and haven't read a novel in more than a year.
I've just finished Young J. Edgar: Hoover, the Red Scare, and the Assault on Civil Liberties (B-) by Kenneth D. Ackerman, and Eric Foner's 25-year-old seminal work, Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution—1863-1877 (A+).
I'm still at work on Monty Python and Philosophy: Nudge, Nudge, Think Think! It's a book of 21 essays by professional and amateur philosophers keyed to Monty Python telly episodes and film. The editors, philosophers Gary L. Hardcastle and George A. Reisch, asked Queen Elizabeth II for an essay, which one of her minions declined in a short, but polite letter. The rejection was surely to be expected given that the request letter contained this:
Perhaps you are stymied for ideas. Recall that Python humor has often been at the expense of your own Royal Family, and of institutions dear to England. This could be your chance to even the score or, if that is not to your liking (I tend to just ignore criticism, myself,, and maybe this is how you handle it), you may find this just the chance to comment on the place the Pythons have in the hearts of the Royal Family. Your call entirely.
Though he
is a Pennsylvanian, Professor Hardcastle ought to know better than to send a letter without a
u in "humor" to Her Majesty. The essays, however, at least the 11 I have so far read, are not missing in laughs, and there's serious thought as well.
The two books I'm preparing to read next are slim volumes. On the top of the stack is (in translation) Umberto Eco's Serendipities: Language and Lunacy which he wrote 15 years ago, although I cannot help but have the sense that, as with so much of his work, the deep thinking for it probably started 60 years ago. The second is by Walter Mosley, the African American mystery novelist whose finely crafted, character Easy Rawlins is a special delight. But this isn't a novel, it's a 113-page political essay, Workin' on the Chain Gang: Shaking Off the Dead Hand of History
That's what I'm reading.
Have you read any good books recently?
What's next on your list?
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Below the New Day sunrise cloud
:: COMMUNITY BUILDING UPDATES ::
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Let's build communities!
Every region needs a meatspace community like SFKossacks.
We take care of each other in real life.
I urge YOU to take the lead and organize one in your region.
Please tell us about it if you do and we're here for advice.
•
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
•
Click >>>HERE to see a list of all the regional Kossack groups that have organized for social and activism events. There are handy links to contact each organizer to join.
•
>>>Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
:: Events Currently on the Books for ALL Kossacks ::
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Saturday, March 2nd
Maryland Kos Meet-up
TIME: 5:30 PM
LOCATION: Wegman's Cafe Area
8855 Mcgaw Rd • Columbia
ORGANIZER: Send JamieG from Md a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. JamieG from Md
2. BilllaurelMd
3. Mollyd
4. Chi
5. Roxine
6. sreeizzle2012
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7. JanetT in Md
8. rb608
9. Deep Harm
10. Tamar
Maybees:
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Latest diary: Maryland Meetup, March 2nd, Columbia, Md.
Saturday, March 2nd
LAKossacks Brunch Meet-up in the Valley!
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Cafe Bizou
14016 Ventura Blvd. • Sherman Oaks
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Dave in Northridge
2. RLMiller
3. SanFernandoValleyMom
4. Shockwave
5. susans
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Maybees: |
Saturday, March 23rd
LAKossacks Monthly Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Dave in Northridge
2. Joe Bacon
3. jakedog42
4. SanFernandoValleyMom
5. Shockwave
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Attention, LA Kossacks! Valley Event in FIVE DAYS!
Saturday, March 2nd!!
Lone Star Spring Texas State-Wide Meet-Up in Austin
TIME: 2:00-5:00 PM
LOCATION: Opal Divine's Penn Field restaurant and bar
3601 S. Congress Ave • Austin
ORGANIZER: Send nomandates Kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. nomandates
2. teknohed
3. papa monzano
4. Chrislove
5. Chrislove's BF
6. glorificus
7. politik
8. mr pea
9. anotherdemocrat
10. Odysseus
11. suesue
12. mr sue sue
13. blue armadillo
14. texasmom
15. texasdad
16. htowngenie
17. navajo (honorary TX Kossack!)
18. afisher
19. manoffire
20. Wino
21. Mrs. Wino
22. VinaMist
23. doraphasia
24. Urban Owl
25. Texdude50
26. icelus
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27. entrelac
28. Mr. entrelac
29. JayRaye
30. cosette
31. belinda ridgewood (honorary TX Kossack!)
32. Carol in San Antonio
33. krwheaton
34. +1 from Harris County
35. KTinTX
36. TexMex
37. Musicman (honorary TX kossack)
38. freerad
39. freerad's guest
39. just another vet
40. rabel
41. 13Friday
42. rdnels
43. Sandia Blanca
44. Noisy Gong
Maybees:
Mosquito Pilot
yoduuuh do or do not
elginblt
DaniTheET
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Sunday, March 3rd
Austin's 84th Annual Zilker Park Kite Festival
TIME: Early Afternoon
LOCATION: Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Rd. • Austin
ORGANIZER: Send papa monzano Kosmail to connect at the event.
Latest diary: Not a Pipe Dream: TEX KOS Statewide Meet-Up This Saturday
Monday, March 4th
New York City Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send Sidnora a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. sidnora
2. joanbrooker
3. ask
4. brooklyn liberal
5. rubyr
6. casperr
7. thankgodforairamerica
8. Rosalie 907 + friends
9. blue jersey mom
10. clenchner
11. Ollie Garkey
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Maybees:
plf515
Laura Clawson
Arjun Jaikumar
belinda ridgewood
Its the Supreme Court Stupid
srkp23
David Nir
Batya the Toon
kathny
TiaRachel
Mets102 |
Latest diary: NYC Meetup 3/4 - One week from today!
DailyKos readers who live and/or work in New England
(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont)
New England Kossacks All Day Meet-up
Saturday, March 9th
ORGANIZER: Send Clytemnestra a kosmail to attend.
TIME: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
LOCATION I: SolToro in the Mohegan Sun Casino
1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard • Uncasville, CT
RSVPs:
1. Clytemnestra
2.
3.
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Maybees:
annieli
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TIME: 7:00 - 10:00 PM
LOCATION II: Mystic Pizza
56 West Main Street • Mystic, CT
RSVPs:
1. Clytemnestra
2.
3.
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Maybees:
annieli
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TIME: 11:00 - ? PM
LOCATION III: TBD
[Address] • [City]
RSVPs:
1. Clytemnestra
2.
3.
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Maybees:
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Latest diary: New England Kossacks - March meet up
Sunday, March 10th
SFKossacks ALL-DAY Event to Roll Out the Red Carpet for a gilas girl
• Meet at the Ferry Building at 11:00 AM to take the 11:35 AM ferry to Tiburon.
I've reserved a group rate $20.00 round-trip per adult and $13.50 round-trip for seniors and children. Arrive in Tiburon at 12:30 PM
• Lunch reservation is at 12:45 at Guaymas for 20 people. We have an indoor terrace reserved with a beautiful view of the City.
We'll only have a little over 1.5 hours for lunch but luckily the dock is right at the restaurant and leaves at 2:35 PM. Arriving at the Ferry Building at 3:25 PM.
• Walk 3 blocks to Market & Main to catch the N-Judah at 3:55 PM. One way fare $2.00. Muni ride to 9th & Irving to arrive at 4:24 PM. Walk 1/2 mile into Golden Gate Park to the
Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. Arrival at 4:40 and the garden is open until 6:00 PM. Admission: Adult $5.00, Seniors $3.00, Children $1.50.
• 6:30 PM Park Chow for dinner at 6:30 PM, a 10 min. walk from GG Park.
• Take return Muni N-Judah at 8:30 PM or 8:49 PM back to BART at the Embarcadero.
RSVPs for Ferry Ride and Guaymas:
1. a gilas girl
2. navajo
3. side pocket
4. dharmasyd [lunch]
5. Meteor Blades
6. Glen the Plumber
7. remembrance
8. smileycreek
9. paradise50
10. Cali Scribe
11. Mr. Scribe
12. slouching
13. no way lack of brain
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14. norm
15. boatsie
16. Lorikeet
17. FogCityJohn
18. madhaus
19. Steveningen
20. skywriter
21. where4art
Maybees:
edrie
lineatus
maggiejean
scaboni
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RSVPs for Dinner near Golden Gate Park:
1. a gilas girl
2. navajo
3. side pocket
4. Meteor Blades
5. smileycreek
6. paradise50
7. citisven
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8. norm
9.
10.
Maybees:
lineatus
skywriter
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Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
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Friday, March 15th
Kansas & Missouri Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Free State Brewing Company
636 Massachusetts Street • Lawrence
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. glitterscale
3. Geiiga
4. Syoho
5. Paula68154
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Maybees:
Scout Finch
zamrzla |
Latest diary: [Diva waiting...]
Mid-March - Boston Kossacks First Meet-up
Boston Kossacks First Meet-up
TIME: Possibly 2:00 PM, stay tuned
LOCATION: The Border Cafe
32 Church Street • Cambridge
ORGANIZER: Send GreyHawk a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. GreyHawk
2. bjedward
3. gmoke
4. BlueStateRedhead
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Maybees:
AnotherMassachusettsLiberal |
Latest diary: Boston Kossacks - 1st Meetup
New York Hudson Valley Kossacks
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boran2
DATE TBD
NY Hudson Valley Kossacks' First Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Hudson House
2 Main Street • Cold Spring, NY
ORGANIZER: Send boran2 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. boran2
2. thankgodforairamerica
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Diva waiting...
TBD - Late March or Early April Meet-up
Colorado COmmunity Kossacks Pot Luck
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: ColoTim's home
Address given by Kosmail • Outside of Denver
ORGANIZER: Send ColoTim a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. ColoTim
2. Frankenoid
3.
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Maybees:
victoria2dc
acpa
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Latest diary: Colorado COmmunity Meetup - Flowers Edition
Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
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Friday, April 19th
Kansas & Missouri Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Springfield Brewing Company
305 South Market Street • Springfield
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Diva waiting...]
Saturday, April 20th]
Dkos Asheville's First Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: The Bywater
796 Riverside Dr. • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Otteray Scribe
4. eeff
5. people power granny
6. Joieau
7. LamontCranston
8. cultjake
9. GordonNC (UID 5123 & City Councilman)
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10. DawnN
11. SteelerGrrl
12. SteelerDude
13. Captain Sham
14. Sandy on Signal
Maybees:
polecat
Land of Enchantment
jnhobbs
alicia (plus two)
Nic Goodman
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Latest diary:Dkos Asheville Open Thread
From randallt: "DKos Asheville is hosting a meet up and we've managed to cast a wide net! Asheville NC is the epicenter of cool progressive in the heart of the mountains and we have folks traveling from Eastern Tennessee, the Southern Highlands and Charlotte. So don't let the distance keep you away, come to Asheville, sign up today! You know you want to."
Netroots Nation 2013 in San Jose: Plenary Session Table Reservations
June 20th - 23rd • REGISTER HERE
SFKossacks:
1. side pocket [First Lieutenant]
2. mrs. side pocket
3. kimoconnor
4. citisven
5. lineatus
6. Cali Scribe
7. Glen the Plumber
8. remembrance
9. jotter
10. Mrs. jotter
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SFKossacks:
1. Lusty
2. mrsgoo
3. norm
4. boran2 (Honorary)
5. Lorikeet
6. FogCityJohn
7. slksfca
8. madhaus
9. boatsie
10. maggiejean
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SFKossacks:
1. Kamakhya
2. dharmasyd
3. Ebby
4. Bustergirl
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Native American Netroots:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. shanikka
4. no way lack of brain
5. translatorpro
6. Kitsap River
7. Charles Curtis Stanley
8. 4Freedom (maybe)
9.
10.
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Central Valley Kossacks:
1. tgypsy
2. cooper888
3. gotmooned
4. paradise50
5. smileycreek
6. Caddis Fly
7. Kestrel
8.
9.
10.
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Lone Star Kossacks:
1. nomandates
2. texasmom
3. texasdad
4. doraphasia
5. krwheaton
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Cheers & Jeers:
1. Bill in Portland Maine
2. Common Sense Mainer
3. vicki
4. Sharoney
5. Spousal Unit
6. cskendrick
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Los Angeles Kossacks:
1. Shockwave
2. jakedog42
3. susans
4. murphy
5. Dave in Northridge
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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NYC and beyond:
1. sidnora
2. belinda ridgewood
3. belinda ridgewood's guest
4. Jimdotz
5. theroaringgirl
6. thankgodforairamerica
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Community Quilt Project:
1. Sara R
2. winglion?
3. loggersbrat
4. ramara (Arizona)
5. Horace Boothroyd III
6. linkage
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Military Community Members:
1. DaNang65
2. drnatrl
3. angelajean (Maybe)
4. exlrrp (Maybe)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Misc. registered Kossacks + regions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Hopefully we can put together whole tables for them.
Community Quilt Project NN13 Flash Mob Photo
smileycreek is organizing and asking all Community Quilt recipients to bring their quilts to NN13. We'll assemble at a pre-designated location and time for a group photo with one of the NN13 professional photographers. It will be a group hug celebrating one of the most beloved community building projects we have here at Daily Kos with Sara R and winglion at the center of it. navajo and Glen the Plumber are going to scout out and select a location in advance for all to meet with their quilts for a memorable photo opportunity. Stay tuned.
Date: TBD Time: TBD
1. paradise50
2. Dave in Northridge
3. remembrance
4. BeninSC
5. mimi
6. cskendrick
7. DaNang65
8. llbear (not attending, quilt only)
9. Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse (may not attend)
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10. Smoh (not attending, quilt only)
11. slksfca
12. belinda ridgewood
13. Ebby
14. Bustergirl
15. Kitsap River
16. Charles Curtis Stanley
17.
18.
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June 27- June 30th
Glacier National Park Kossack EPIC Meetup!
TIME: 24/7
LOCATION: Glacier National Park
402 9th St W • Columbia Falls, Montana
ORGANIZER: Send arizonablue a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. BlueJessamine
2. arizonablue
3. Mr.arizonablue
4. Truman
5. Ojibwa - arriving for the weekend
6. MTmofo
7. figbash!
8. spottedbear
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9. jakedog42
10. Oke
Maybees:
Melanie in IA
Jim in IA
Joan McCarter
slksfca
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Latest diary: Glacier National Park Meetup! w/ lodging and campground info!
Send navajo a kosmail if you post a diary about an event so we can update our round-up.
Okay. Floor's open.
Tell us what you are doing on this NEW DAY?