A New Soul

The first part of this G.K. Chesterton quote was making the rounds on the Internet this past weekend:

The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.

Here's the whole quote:

“The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.”
- G.K. Chesterton

If you really like the quote, join the society. That said, I'm in agreement. The slowdown for the past ten days whether you traveled, were snowed in or just hung with the family is a time for reflection on the year gone by and projection onto the year ahead.

2010 was a tough year, losing a mother and two friends, working extremely hard in business and with family, but on the flip side I bought my first electric guitar, played every night since and wrote eight songs along the way. And then I kept this blog going, albeit instituting Friday and Saturday nights off.

Looking ahead I hope for a combination of engagement and peace, if that makes any sense. I want a growth year, no matter how it happens. Having learned so much over the past several years, one hopes for something more than a New Year's resolution. One hope to have evolved, positive direction, maybe that new soul Chesterton prescribes.

Fresh, at all costs.

Pesach It

Very little news on the White House Seder last night, just a single pic in brief news stories like this, plus word that Sasha answered The Four Questions and found the afikomen.

Meanwhile, California Republican Senate hopeful Carly Fiorina stepped in the gefilte fish:

California Senate candidate Carly Fiorina (R) sent a letter to her supporters yesterday in honor of the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which she described as a time where "we break bread and spend time with our families and friends."

Add this to the annals of unfortunate metaphors, since Passover is actually a time when most Jews abstain from eating any bread at all.

Her campaign's attempt to spin the faux pas:

We meant all bread, leavened and unleavened, and matzo is just unleavened bread so that's what we meant by that.

A case of matzoh and Manischewitz to Ms. Fiorina to cover her for the next seven days.

Next year right back in Silicon Valley, Carly.

Holiday in the Sun

Our President makes a surprise visit to Afghanistan, dropping in unexpectedly on President Hamid Karzai:

President Obama made an surprise stop in Afghanistan today, his first visit to the war zone since moving into the White House. The one-day visit, which lasted a total of about 6 hours, included talks with Afghan president Hamid Karzai and his government, which the U.S. sees as key to completing its mission in Afghanistan on on the timetable Obama outlined in December. While on the ground, Obama also addressed U.S. troops and met with American commanders.
...

In Afghanistan today, Obama met with Karzai one-on-one for about a half hour. The White House described the talks as "very productive" and "businesslike," and included discussions of about "governance, merit-based appointments of Afghan officials, and corruption," according to reports from the ground.

After the meeting, Karzai told reporters that he was grateful for the continued American efforts in Afghanistan. Obama said he was "encouraged by the progress that's been made" by Karzai's regime.

But it was clear from reports that one of the American goals on the trip was to push Karzai's government to do better. After Obama and Karzai met, the American delegation -- which also included U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eichenberry -- met with members of the Afghan cabinet to discuss the future, which Americans hope will include the scaling up of Afghan security forces and the scaling down of American involvement.

Jones told reporters on the ground in Afghanistan before the one-on-one meeting that Obama intended to take a hard line with Karzai and "make him understand that in his second term, there are certain things that have been not paid attention to, almost since day one."

Speech to the troops:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Gotta like the boss dropping in to shake up Karzai and his corrupt partners, hope it makes a difference but have to wonder. The important thing to do is to get out gracefully, but firmly.

Godspeed, Mr. President. Gets home before the gefilte fish.

Be Thankful

Here here.

37 in 5770

L'shana tova tikatevu to all Nettertainment readers, regular, occasional or new. In case you're wondering, it's now the year 5770. I know, I expect to forget and keep writing 5769 on my checks for the next few weeks, too.

By the way, it may be 5770, but the U.S. is #37 in 2009:



Better luck this year.

Excellent 4th

I hope yours went well. Mine was enhanced by the secure knowledge that this guy is our President, our first Independence Day with him in office:



Hopefully the first 4th in a series of eight.

Loss for Us

For Memorial Day, here's the most recent casualties of those who chose to fight for us. We may argue about their mission, but not their sacrifice.

Whether they ever fully expected to die is each one's existential question, but putting on that uniform is taking, at best, a calculated risk.

It's the day we give thanks to those on lists like this one. And deliver our barbecued offering.

Goodbye to All That

Turn the page.



Happy New Year to all!

Bad Santa

Someone's been awfully naughty:

At least six people were killed when a man dressed as Santa Claus entered his former in-laws suburban Los Angeles house and opened fire on guests at a Christmas Eve party before setting the home on fire, police said on Thursday.

Let's hope you had a better Xmas.

Turkey in Belly

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

On a personal level, I'm thankful as always for my family, a feeling deepened this year.

I'm also thankful for my country and the new leader who has emerged since last year at this time and has his family lead by example.

And in an even more macro way, I'm thankful that this process looks like it may actually begin.