Robin > Recent Status Updates

Just finished the UC chapter. As I spent the major part of my career working there, I was surprised to learn some history that is never mentioned. Guerilla theater took over the first UCSC commencement, proclaiming that protesting the Vietnam was was more important than curriculum. The audience was asked to stand in support of the Black Panthers, and most profs did. Clark Kerr said it was the worst day of his life.

Rather fascinating. From architecture to Pat Brown and Tricky Dick, from bipartisan to partisan, from San Diego to LA to the Bay Area. And I haven’t even gotten to the arts section yet!

Surprisingly interesting view of American women's history as viewed from the iconic Barbizon Hotel. Short, informative chapters, fascinating real characters.

Just started the book but I can tell already it will be the relaxing and wonder-provoking read that I'm craving during these busy holiday times.

Sweeping saga of 12th century China. Girls are worth nothing in this society. After her brother’s death, a girl takes on his identity and predicted fate of greatness, at great peril. Historical fiction about the Mongol invasion, something I knew little about.

It’s all downhill from here. Done with the long & lofty nonphysical existence/spiritual/afterlife chapter. Next two chapters were my favorites when I first read this c. 1990 (interactions with Gandhi & Anandamayi Ma). Then winding up with Yogananda getting back to work in Los Angeles, as unlikely as that seems in the 1940s.

Yogananda discourses on a variety of topics, including Indian music theory and practice--much more complex than Western music, while at the same time leaving more possibilities for improvisation. Next he's started discussing the ancient principles and practice of Hindu astrology. And yes, a few self-realization stories here and there. Great breadth!

Interesting discourse on many subjects , including a thorough discussion of traditional Indian music. A lot more complex structure, and at the same time more room for improvisation than in Western music.

A lot of science, so not the fastest read. Big Pharma won’t like it. Too many weight loss ideas that they can’t monetize. Lots of tips for breaking free from BP and the processed food industry.

The last few chapter tie together his childhood in Cuba and his forced exile to the US as an adolescent, without parents, privilege, or even food. As he put it, a 45 minute flight changed him from a white boy to a spic.

Finished the early unpublished poems, now on to the late unpublished. Throughout life cummings is consistent in his topics: nature, love, sex, death, relationships, and anti-establishment discourses.

387 pages total. Though it's a nonchronological memoir, there are still plenty of details to fill in about how Castro took over Cuba and why the author had to leave it.

Finished the early uncollected poems, where he writes in more standard forms, develops his style, and expresses his dislike of Communism in a long treatise.

Listened to the audiobook a month ago, now back from vacation and decided to read the book. I'm seeing Fidel Castro in a completely different way now.

Just finished "73 Poems," the last published collection, from 1962. Subjects include time, timelessness, nature, love, life and death. His experimental poems work--showing mastery of technique not always apparent in earlier works. On to the Uncollected Works.

A lukewarm treatment of what could be presented as a fascinating life and times. It's going to be hard to finish this one.

Just finished 95 Poems (1958), my favorite collection so far.

So far my favorite collection is 1 X 1 (One Times One)

At last I've carved out a little time to read poetry. More than halfway thru, but plenty of poems to go.

Approaching the midpoint, but still not there. Cannot rush reading ee cummings!

I'm enjoying the "Swing Time" audiobook so much more that the Smith's previous book "White Teeth." The story is told in several different times/places, and I can't wait to see how the author draws these plot lines together in the end.