Back in Utah
I'm in Utah all this week for work - both to train and to be trained. I arrived in the afternoon today. I spent my time in the terminal, on the plane, and whenever else I had some free cycles devouring a book my friend Dave bought for me by Cormac McCarthy called "The Road" - an excellent read.

In the evening, I went over to Krueger's house for a Skyline Reunion Committee meeting. This is the first I had attended in person; I had only participated via phone previously. Most everyone from the committee was there - including my dear old childhood friend Gretchen. Also in attendance were Sue, Chris and Lisa (of course), Kevin, Kay, Suzy, Kristi, and Dave C. The meeting was more laughing/chatting than planning, which is typical, but it was fun to be there in the room and enjoy the company of old friends.

I talked with Gretchen at length (she lived just a few doors down from me while growing up). We reminisced about the neighborhood, the people, and the activities of our youth. We were very fortunate to live in such a place that allowed us to forge deep and long lasting bonds during our pre-teen and teenage years. Even though some significant events changed the composition of our peers, Gretchen and I were constant. We never dated, we were always just there for each other as friends. Good times.

Book Review: The Road by Cormac McCarthy
My friend Dave sent me a book a couple of weeks ago titled The Road by Cormac McCarthy. He sent it to me for no other reason than he thought I should read it. Dave is a good friend, so I listen to his recommendations. And he doesn't send me books that often.

I began the book while waiting to board a plane to Utah and continued reading during the flight and then stole 15 minutes here and there to consume pages until I was able to finish it late tonight. I was riveted to the beautiful imagery and symbolism from beginning to end.

The story is that of a nameless father and his son surviving in a post-apocalyptic world. They begin their journey on "The Road" at the town where his father was born. The goal is to travel down the road to the coast where the hope is that they'll find some respite from the depravity, bleakness, and nihilism that has enveloped the world.

The fact that the journey starts at the town of the father's birth and proceeds linearly toward an end goal (the coast) is an obvious symbol of our journey though life. The father and son are propelled forward on the road, never able to backtrack or to rest long during their journey. Each day is a struggle for survival. Some days are easier than others. Some days are hell on earth.

How they face the challenges to their survival is telling. The father, clearly embittered by the harsh living, acts swiftly from the emotions of raw survival and street justice. He performs his actions repetitively and instinctively. The son on the other hand reacts to situations in a much softer manner, and is far more prone to distribute mercy to others they encounter. On the one hand, you can't help but empathize with the father and the actions he performs and the choices he makes. On the other hand, the son's appeal for mercy and kindness cannot be ignored. It is a beautiful contrast.

Another strong message delivered over and over in the book is that of the "fire" within. The father and son carry the "fire" (e.g. love for each other) and that alone is worth the struggle to survive. The closing message of love (and hope) is all the more vivid after reading the previous 300+ pages of the cold, gray, harsh journey along "The Road".

Recommendation: Exceptionally well written, highly recommended.