Fast Food Nation

To show you how far behind I am in my reading, a couple of weeks ago I just started reading Fast Food Nation, which I've had for a couple of years. Repeatedly, everyone tells me, "Oh, you have to read it, it's a great book." And I respond, "I know, I know, but I'm like 10 books behind, I'll get to it eventually." Well, I'm almost finished and it is one of the best and most eye-opening books I've read. It goes into the history of fast-food restaurants, centering on McDonald's. Then it talks about how it got to be so big and how it became the model for all types of chain stores (the founders of Gap went to a McDonald's to see how they provided the same service at each store). Following that, they get into how the burgers and fries are made, which is downright scary. The poor people that live and work at the slaughterhouses, how unsanitary and dangerous it is there. It also goes into detail how E. coli came about, and how it's worse to have than AIDS in the most severe cases. I've cut back on my eating at fast food places, Friday nights I get pizza or eat at Panera. I do stop at McDonald's for a milkshake on the road, but from now on, I'm going to think twice about where I stop and eat on the road. Will I cut out McD's, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc. for good, probably not, but you will find me there less frequently. Anyway, great book, should definitely read it.

Now for sports:

• Oscar Freire survived a crash-filled day as the Tour worked its way to the Normandy coast. Tom Boonen, deprived again of a stage win finishing 2nd, is the overall leader by 13 seconds. One of the few non-American threats to win the Tour still in the race is Iban Mayo. You may recall 3 years ago, Mayo won the Alpe D'Huez and looked to be the next revelation, but he's been a huge disappointment the last couple of years. His form is reportedly better and he didn't crash today, which was good news. The bad news, he had crashed the previous two days. Hey Iban, ride up front if you want to win, get a clue!
• It appears Phil has recovered from his US Open brain cramp. He's only one off the lead at the Western, shooting 67 where he almost made a double eagle at his last hole. The same can't be said for Tiger, who struggled to a 72.
• Tennis may have its next great rivalry as Rafael Nadal has appeared to learn how to play on grass. He is in the Wimbledon semis, one match away from playing Roger Federer for the title.

Oh, what else:

• Kim Jong-Il did go to college, he graduated from Kim Il Sung University. Kim Il Sung was his daddy. Talk about a scary guy. Dictator, who thinks he's a playboy, loves porn, and now is testing nuclear missiles whenever he pleases. My big question is: Will the UN actually confront them, or will they design another superb Oil for Food program so Kofi Annan's song can get some more kickbacks?
• Not that I'm complaining, but what happened to John Basedow?
• And what's up with Survivor winners. First Richard Hatch doesn't pay his taxes, then Brian, the used-car salesman, shoots a puppy with a bow and arrow? He claims he thought it was a coyote. Must've been one big puppy.

Well, I thought I had more, but I guess not. Have a good one.