Peace Breaks Out?

♠
Considering how ill and dangerous world affairs has been looking lately, we should perhaps note this clearing of the skies over the Korean peninsula:

BEIJING, Feb. 13 -- In a landmark international accord, North Korea promised Tuesday to close down and seal its lone nuclear reactor within 60 days in return for 50,000 tons of fuel oil as a first step in abandoning all nuclear weapons and research programs.

North Korea also reaffirmed a commitment to disable the reactor in an undefined next phase of denuclearization and to discuss with the United States and other nations its plutonium fuel reserves and other nuclear programs that "would be abandoned" as part of the process. In return for taking those further steps, the accord said, North Korea would receive additional "economic, energy and humanitarian assistance up to the equivalent of 1 million tons of heavy fuel oil."

Of course, this deal can fall apart again - been there, done that. And I would be surprised if it did not fall apart. However, as we have been living in this situation in which war is continuously ginning up ever since 9/11, this glimpse of progress toward a more peaceful world is worth beholding. It is nice to know that at least such things are possible. I almost feel like breaking out in a chorus of Kumbaya.

Maybe Monk should try a diet? Nah, some things are truly impossible.


(Source: Edward Cody for The Washington Post)

xXx

Peace Breaks Out?

♠
Considering how ill and dangerous world affairs has been looking lately, we should perhaps note this clearing of the skies over the Korean peninsula:

BEIJING, Feb. 13 -- In a landmark international accord, North Korea promised Tuesday to close down and seal its lone nuclear reactor within 60 days in return for 50,000 tons of fuel oil as a first step in abandoning all nuclear weapons and research programs.

North Korea also reaffirmed a commitment to disable the reactor in an undefined next phase of denuclearization and to discuss with the United States and other nations its plutonium fuel reserves and other nuclear programs that "would be abandoned" as part of the process. In return for taking those further steps, the accord said, North Korea would receive additional "economic, energy and humanitarian assistance up to the equivalent of 1 million tons of heavy fuel oil."

Of course, this deal can fall apart again - been there, done that. And I would be surprised if it did not fall apart. However, as we have been living in this situation in which war is continuously ginning up ever since 9/11, this glimpse of progress toward a more peaceful world is worth beholding. It is nice to know that at least such things are possible. I almost feel like breaking out in a chorus of Kumbaya.

Maybe Monk should try a diet? Nah, some things are truly impossible.


(Source: Edward Cody for The Washington Post)

xXx

Fresh Air

♠
It is one of those beautifully sunny mornings. There is just enough chill in the air to be invigorating. I am almost tempted to take a walk, and if I needed a shower, I might have gone. Instead, Monk was content to let Bo linger on the post-breakfast rounds, drinking in the fresh air, being reminded that it is good to be alive.

xXx

Fresh Air

♠
It is one of those beautifully sunny mornings. There is just enough chill in the air to be invigorating. I am almost tempted to take a walk, and if I needed a shower, I might have gone. Instead, Monk was content to let Bo linger on the post-breakfast rounds, drinking in the fresh air, being reminded that it is good to be alive.

xXx

Everybody Really Does Want Dirty Laundry

♠
WE'RE ALL PART of the pop culture world. Whether you think you are or not, whether you want to be or not, no matter how aloof and superior you feel, even if the Atlantic and Foreign Affairs are the only things you keep in your bathroom, you're as much a part of the celebrity culture as the booker on The View. Deal with it. As Gregory Peck said to David Niven in The Guns of Navarone, "You're in it now . . . up to your neck."

-- Larry Miller for The Weekly Standard

Oh, it's not so bad. This is in response to all the media hoopla over the death of the luxuriously busty Anna Nicole. Are we supposed to wallow in war, global warming, and New Orleans all the time? It's not like it would help. There is nothing wrong with a little celebrity gossip and sex to lighten the days. If the occasional nipple slip or the starlet getting out of a car in a miniskirt sans panties affords our primate-protagonist a little joy, so much the better.

( HOTNESS Alert: Nude Anna Nicole )

xXx

Everybody Really Does Want Dirty Laundry

♠
WE'RE ALL PART of the pop culture world. Whether you think you are or not, whether you want to be or not, no matter how aloof and superior you feel, even if the Atlantic and Foreign Affairs are the only things you keep in your bathroom, you're as much a part of the celebrity culture as the booker on The View. Deal with it. As Gregory Peck said to David Niven in The Guns of Navarone, "You're in it now . . . up to your neck."

-- Larry Miller for The Weekly Standard

Oh, it's not so bad. This is in response to all the media hoopla over the death of the luxuriously busty Anna Nicole. Are we supposed to wallow in war, global warming, and New Orleans all the time? It's not like it would help. There is nothing wrong with a little celebrity gossip and sex to lighten the days. If the occasional nipple slip or the starlet getting out of a car in a miniskirt sans panties affords our primate-protagonist a little joy, so much the better.

( HOTNESS Alert: Nude Anna Nicole )

xXx

Girls, Rock Your Boys

♠
For the first time in a long time, Monk was not satisfied with listening to sappy love songs. He wanted something harder, and he surfed the music channels again. He stopped at that Buzzsaw rock of the 70s, the music of Dee's wild and sexually free youth, listening to some Kiss music, at least for almost a minute. He settled at the Blues channel, ready to switch back home to Elvis where he can always feel safe.

I think it is this spring-like weather. A little stirring of vital life.

xXx

Girls, Rock Your Boys

♠
For the first time in a long time, Monk was not satisfied with listening to sappy love songs. He wanted something harder, and he surfed the music channels again. He stopped at that Buzzsaw rock of the 70s, the music of Dee's wild and sexually free youth, listening to some Kiss music, at least for almost a minute. He settled at the Blues channel, ready to switch back home to Elvis where he can always feel safe.

I think it is this spring-like weather. A little stirring of vital life.

xXx