Robyn Returns

I'm now going to update this blog every day/night. At least that is my intent. I will be commenting on a wide range of topics. These topics will include sports, movies, books, music, politics, current events and whatever else interests me . I plan on making this blog one that will be read by many people. I think people will be interested in what I have to say. Why? Because I have a wide range of interests and am extremely well-informed. I read just about everything and am always, shall we say "current", but unlike most bloggers, I have a sense of historical perspective. I don't always live and think in the moment. I realize we share a past and that what happened before affects what will happen next. No, I'm not a pure determinist. There is the free will factor... I think you'll understand what I'm saying once you start reading this blog.

So, let us go then you and I, while the evening is spread out against the sky...

Sports

The Lakers five game demolition of the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs (not "World Champion" as the NBA used to call their league champion) has been somewhat tainted by the non-call by officials at the end of Game 4 when Laker point guard Derek Fisher bumped Rick Barry's son Brent on a last second three point attempt that could have won the game for the Spurs. The NBA even went so far as to offer an explanation, saying a foul should have been called. Laker coach Phil Jackson correctly pointed out that the shot taken on the previous Laker possession by Fisher hit the rim and then hit Robert Horry, going out of bounds. This would have reset the shot clock and Kobe Bryant wouldn't have been forced to rush an off balance shot with only a couple seconds left, instead, most likely the Spurs would have been forced to foul. So all the talk about referee Joey Crawford's bias against the Spurs (from the Spurs' side) and the Lakers outplaying the Spurs the whole game and deserving the win anyway (from the Lakers' side) should have been moot.

So now we have the Lakers going to the NBA Finals with the opportunity to win their 15th championship. They await the winner of the Eastern Conference championship--either the Detroit Pistons or the Boston Celtics. Most people, including myself, hope the Celtics will advance. A Laker-Celtic Finals would be great for the league and exciting for fans. I won't make a prediction since we don't yet have the Eastern Conference representative.

Sports Radio--Just want to make a couple quick comments here. I listen to two guys consistently on the radio. They are Dan Patrick and Jim Rome. I respect both, but feel that Patrick's show is better because he doesn't have the ego of Rome and also he doesn't live in the moment like Rome. Example: Rome initially condemned the Celtics for not winning a playoff road game--suggesting they didn't deserve to win a championship. There's a reason they play the regular season and if Rome had any historical sense, any knowledge of past NBA playoffs, he would know that teams usually lose on the road and that the Celtics do not have to win a road game to win the NBA championship. I'm no Celtic fan. I've been a Laker fan since 1969 (I remember listening to all-time great Chick Hearn's call of Game 7 and especially that traveling call on Mel Counts that negated a Laker lead in the final minute)--but even a novice knows it's difficult to win a playoff road game. Not everyone can go fo, fo, fo!


Movies

If you ever get a chance to read the reviews of Carina Chocano of the Los Angeles Times, do so. She's the best, hands down. Even if you don't agree with what she has to say you'll enjoy her writing.

Politics

I'm a Democrat, but consider myself a moderate. I'm against legalizing illegal immigration, want an end to the Iraq-Afghanistan wars, lower taxes--but not at the expense of the poor, and currently do not support any of the presidential candidates...

Books

I've read a great deal of books over the years. Here is a list of the last ten books I've read:

• Einstein: His Life and Universe, Walter Isaacson
• John Donne: The Reformed Soul, John Stubbs
• The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War, David Halberstam
• The Wise Men; Six Friends and the World They Made, Walter Isaacson and Evan Thomas
• Babbitt, Sinclair Lewis
• Silas Marner, George Eliot
• Red Mutiny, Neal Bascomb
• March Violets, Philip Kerr
• The Pale Criminal, Philip Kerr
• A German Requiem, Philip Kerr

Currently I'm reading The World Crises by Winston Churchill. One may not agree with Winnie's political opinions or his interpretation of history, but no one can not like the degree of skill with which he writes. Simply brilliant and very entertaining.

Music

I enjoy several music genres--rock, country, New Age top the list. I download music from Amazon.com all the time. The last few songs I've downloaded are Frank Sinatra by Cake, Violet Hill by Coldplay, and Your Wildest Dreams by The Moody Blues...

Current Events

My only comment today is on George Bush's chest bump with the Air Force academy graduate. Look at that picture. Can there be any other clearer reason why Georgie boy won the presidency twice? He's a fun guy. Can you picture Boring Al Gore or Self-important John Kerry doing this? Btw, I voted for those two guys...


So that's my first blog in months, hoped you enjoyed it--although I doubt very many people read it! But they will, depend upon it.