October 19th, 2007
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I really loved this book.
In general I like Nick Hornby’s style of writing and dark yet subtle humor, so its not a big surprise that this book was a huge hit with me.
In Nick Hornby’s How to Be Good, Katie Carr is certainly trying to be good. That’s why she became a GP. That’s why she cares about Third World debt and homelessness, and struggles to raise her children with a conscience. It’s also why she puts up with her husband David, the self-styled Angriest Man in Holloway.
But one fateful day, she finds herself in a Leeds parking lot, having just slept with another man. What Katie doesn’t yet realize is that her fall from grace is just the first step on a spiritual journey more torturous than the interstate at rush hour. Because, prompted by his wife’s actions, David is about to stop being angry. He’s about to become good–not politically correct, organic-food-eating good, but good in the fashion of the Gospels. And that’s no easier in modern-day Holloway than it was in ancient Israel.
Hornby means us to take his title literally: How can we be good, and what does that mean? However, quite apart from demanding that his readers scrub their souls with the nearest available Brillo pad, he also mesmerizes us with that cocktail of wit and compassion that has become his trademark. The result is a multifaceted jewel of a book: a hilarious romp, a painstaking dissection of middle-class mores, and a powerfully sympathetic portrait of a marriage in its death throes. It’s hard to know whether to laugh or cry as we watch David forcing his kids to give away their computers, drawing up schemes for the mass redistribution of wealth, and inviting his wife’s most desolate patients round for a Sunday roast. But that’s because How to Be Good manages to be both brutally truthful and full of hope. It won’t outsell the Bible, but it’s a lot funnier. –Matthew Baylis
Written by Smriti on October 19th, 2007 with no comments.
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I volunteered to help out with this race in Calgary this year. I had heard good things about it from runners in the past and wanted to contribute to it, instead of participate. I must say I was astonished at the lack of organization and general disconcern I experienced at this event. We were asked to show up at 7am, which we did, and were efficiently directed to our posts during the race. I was appointed at the finish, and was supposed to collect the race time chips from the participants when they finished. Being a bit early i walked over to the table I was supposed to be at, when I set off the time alarm. It was pure coincidence that I was carrying an old one-time use time chip in my handbag. Well, the person responsible for time chip set up, lost it. He was completely unhinged by this, even though I apologized and explained that I was unaware of the chip in my handbag. He used crude language to explain to me (and another female colleague) how he had told off another woman at a different race who had also set off the time chip with her car keys a few times. Ok this was just the beginning, there was not finish sign or ribbon, they ran out of water all through the path and at the end point. They had no idea how many racers were signed up, and how many had finished, and in the end, nothing but 5 Zoo bucks, a t-shirt, and a thankyou e-mail was offered to the volunteers or participants. I guess I am spoiled from having recenlty participated in the Terry Fox race in Calgary, which was well organized, well stocked with food and drinks and generally gave the feeling of care and concern. It was free to boot.
SO in conclusion: I am not sure I want to participate in, or volunteer for this race next year, I might suggest you look for a free race that supports a good cause like the Terry Fox.
Written by Smriti on October 19th, 2007 with no comments.
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We have had mixed feelings about this restaurant for a while. When we moved to the NW quarter of Calgary about a year ago, we really liked this restaurant. It used to be owned by an older Asian couple whom were always interested in the customers and the food was really good for a place like this. It then got bought by new owners, and we noticed a few changes, the wait staff was friendly as always, the interior got a complete facelift to look cleaner and more neat, howeve the food got from bad to worse. I wonder if they changed the cook, or are just focussing on different priorities. This was an easy and quiet restaurant that my husband and I liked to dine at once in a while. I am not so sure we will revisit.
Written by Smriti on October 19th, 2007 with no comments.
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We took a friend to dinner at Moxie’s in Market mall this past week. We have been to Moxie’s in Thunder Bay, Ontario, at the Intercity mall, and its always been a good experience.
Since it was a wait to get it, we decided to sit in the lounge which was quite empty. We sat at a really nice booth, very roomy and comfortable, probably could have fit 5 of us easily. The bathrooms were nice, modern and exceptionally clean. The food was good, although a little too salty for my taste, and the portions were quite big. I had to take most of my dinner home. The service staff were friendly and courteous, and gave us enough time and space to chat and have a good social time. Our drinks were refilled promptly.
All in all it was a good experience, we will surely visit this restaurant again.
Written by Smriti on October 19th, 2007 with no comments.
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