Consumed by Facebook

As I feebly attempted to start actively blogging again, I ended up deeply consumed by Facebook. Its been fun reconnecting with old friends. And the games are like crack cocaine or cigarettes.

What is it about being human that we are so driven to addiction?

My thoughts and prayers go to the family of the trampled walmart worker and of course the families of those who have been victims of the attacks in Mumbai.

Happy buy nothing day, world.

Reform at Victory

is the title of Michele Ulriksen's new book about her experience in a fundamentalist reform "school/prison". Its a horrific and fascinating account written in a casual and easy to read style. But ultimately, I feel it is a sobering reminder that such places existed and continue to this day and parents especially need to be fully aware of what they are doing to their children when they send them away. They should also be aware that such institutions can be woefully ineffective in actually reforming kids.

I have to confess that I'm sure part of my enthusiasm for this book is due to knowing the author and her family, who live up the street and I've done some work for, but unless you are a fundamentalist Baptist reform school operator, I'm fairly confident that you too will find it hard to put this book down until you've read it through.

Check it out.