Amitav Ghosh's In an Antique Land: History in the Guise of a Traveler's Tale published by Vintage is an early non-fiction work by the noted Indian novelist (whose work The Glass Palace is a favorite of mine). Ghosh wrote In an Antique Land after living in 1980 as a graduate student in an Egyptian farming village. He excavates a little known aspect of Middle Eastern history in a book that moves back and forth from the 12th century to the 20th, detecting and describing the interactions, real and imagined, of an Indian slave and local Egyptian merchants, holy men, and sorcerers.Gardeners and lovers of mysteries will be pleased to learn that several of the books of British born (John) Beverley Nichols have been re-issued by Timber Press. In Down the Garden Path, I chortled at lines such as "I would rather be made bankrupt by a bulb merchant than by a chorus girl." I expect the same witty, high-spirited writing in Merry Hall. And if I wish my flowers served up with a bit of murder and sleuthing, Nichols' detective novel, *The Moonflower, praised by novelists Somerset Maugham and Elizabeth Bowen, also rests on my to-read pile.  more »

A touch watch for Hellen Keller; a microscope that can early detect protein signatures of a tumor; "C leg" prosthetic foot; the Servais Stradivari cello of 1701; Multibladed Folding Knife ... all favorites from the Capitol's National Museum. more »

Making Movies: Brutal killings are not to be presented in detail and revenge in modern times must not be justified. more »

"My job duties require I wear the designated Hooters Girl uniform.My job duties require that I interact with and entertain the customers. The Hooters concept is based on female sex appeal and the work environment is one in which joking and entertaining conversations are commonplace.I do not find my job duties, uniform requirements, or work environment to be offensive, intimidating, hostile, or unwelcome." more »