August in the South

If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you've probably figured out that I am a History nut. I read historical biographies, historical fiction, historical fact and even watch historical reality shows. I grew up in the DC area, an area rich in history. I took it for granted that DC had such wonderful museums and monuments, I was over 21 years-old before I ever went into the Washington Monument. Washington, DC was built on a swamp, an area chosen by congress and designed by Pierre L'Enfant. Most of the residents in the area are employees of the Federal government, in some way. (My family has never been employed by the government or military, a matter of pride for me! The modern branch of the family has resided there since the early 1900's, my grandfather having relocated to DC from Blue Ridge, Ga) Now, being located at the fork of 2 rivers, but not on the shore, DC is rather humid, with not a lot of breeze. This fact is emphasized by the fact that even Congress has a vacation for the entire month of August. For those Northerners and Westerners new to the DC area (and the concept of humidity), the swamp-like atmosphere is unbearable. The worst time to go to DC is in August because of the heat, humidity and sheer number of tourists. Nothing is worse than to get on the subway train at rush hour, stuffed like sardines with several screaming, tired, hungry and hot children and their parents.
After almost 30 years in the area, I moved away. I moved to South Florida. Now we are talking Humidity. The humidity in SoFla never really got over 90%, but it stays humid 12 months out of the year. The humidity never really bothered me that much, as there was always a breeze blowing (except in Key West!) I also had a culture shock, as there isn't much history to South Florida, Miami not really being established until the 1930's. Yes, they did have a role in American History, (they were secceded by Spain in 1819), but it really wasn't until the early 1900's when Flagler built his railroad that people started coming down there. And it wasn't until the invention of Air Conditioning that people decided to stay. It is quite inhospitible, with the heat, the sun, not too many trees, bugs, storms and sand. One wonders, why the Spanish, after being on a ship for 6 months and landing in the Everglades, decided to stay, when all you can see for miles is flat, sawgrass with the occasional Mangrove tree.
After about 8 years, it was time to move on, so I chose to settle in the Atlanta area. This is as far West as I've ever lived, and as far away from any body of water. I read somewhere that Georgia doesn't have any natural lakes, they are all man-made. Inspite of that fact, we have Humidity. I would say worse than South Florida, as there is NO BREEZE here. This summer has been on of the worst for me, I can't take the humidity like I used to. It could be that I'm older, and heavier, but I don't take pleasure in being outside moving when it's this miserable. As for history, Atlanta was burned by Sherman at the end of the War of Northern Aggression, but nothing really happened here before that. Even when it was burned, it was a small, 2 horse town. There is a little history, but most of it is modern history, since WWII.
To sum all this rambling up, August in the South is pretty miserable, with heat and humidity. It kinda makes you want to sit on the porch with your Mint Julep, fanning yourself or curl up in a chair in the shade and read your book. Something about history...

Movie Review
I have finally finished watching all 2 seasons of 'Carnivale'. Pretty cool, kinda drags in places, but overall it's a good show. Unfortunately, there won't be a season 3, so lots of concepts are left up to you're speculation. Fortunately, it did answer enough questions that you aren't left hanging, but you do kinda wonder 'What if...'
Last night, I watched 'Casanova' with Heath Ledger and Sienna Miller. Filmed in Venice in period costumes, it was visually beautiful. I want to go to Venice someday. Heath Ledger was nice to look at, but he's not my cup of tea. The music was beautiful. The story was pretty lame. It's grouped with the 'Romance' movies, and I am just not a fan of romance movies. The fact that everyone falls in love and lives Happily Ever After is a concept so far from my life, I can't get into it. (So, for that matter is space travel, but I can get into that!) In this movie, Casanova, the well known Lover (Libertine, if you will) falls in love in 10 minutes with Sienna Miller and almost forefits his life for her. Come on, Give me a break. Then he leaves Venice with her and others to settle down and live with her. Her brother takes up the role of Casanova and lives to love and fornicate. Pretty stupid, but it's OK fluff. I didn't turn it off, I did watch the entire movie.

Things that make you go 'Arrggghhh!'

I've been enjoying my summer reading 'Atlas Shrugged' and spent most of this weekend reading it. I didn't get much else done, but what schedule am I on??? So I just did some research on this book and I found out that a Movie IS in the works. Starring Angelina Jolie as Dagny Taggart and Brad Pitt as John Galt. Arrgghh!!

In doing some other research, I discovered that the Original Rock group Asia is on Tour. Now, I kinda liked what they did, I think John Wetton is an excellent vocalist and musician, and I've been a fan of his since King Crimson. I was also a big ELP fan, but not so much a Yes fan. All of the 'Orginal' members are great musicians, but they got kinda silly towards the end. Granted, John Wetton had already moved on, (I think most of the originals had moved on by that time) so this will be pure and simple Asia. Over-produced or not, I liked the sound, but I probably won't go see them, I don't do Arena shows any more. BTW, age has NOT been kind to Steve Howe. Carl Palmer on the other hand looks great. I'm guessing it's something about Living Well.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'