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Of course I got up early to watch the Royal Wedding of William and Catherine (of the United Kingdom).  It was very nice.  Now, I suppose I’ll catch up on reading stuff about it, as well as still watching tv.  (this is what I get for scheduling a few days off from work with coincidental timing)…

(cross-posted on sswslitinmotion.tumblr.com).

Hope you’re having a nice Easter, Passover, spring!

I have recommended Jennifer 8. Lee’s book on Chinese-American food; but I do question whether Panda Express can work in China (link is to an NPR coverage on the subject, including soundbites from Jennifer 8. Lee.  I’d guess that Panda Express would have to pull quite a marketing thing.  Not sure if their food stuff is any healthier than McDonald’s, but hey, who knows?).

Via an AABANY posting on Facebook, I discovered this link to a recent NPR interview: Michel Martin talking to Prof. Thomas Sy, who researched on the issue of APA’s as leaders.  Very interesting stuff.  Prof. Sy made some illuminating points.  In a way, it goes both ways: Management (whoever they are) and APA’s as employees have to change (it ain’t about just working hard).  And, it turns out that being masculine is still the model of leadership – well, not sure what that means for women (or women of color, especially).  We all still have a long way to go!

In time for Passover: really interesting essay from Sandip Roy on NPR, on the Jewish community of Calcutta, or what was once a strong Jewish community, as Jewish people left for Israel and away from the turmoil of the Hindu v. Muslim conflict at the time of Indian independence from Britain.

Siddhartha Mukherjee, oncologist, won the 2011 Pulitzer for Nonfiction for his book, The Emperor of All Maladies, a biography of cancer.  NPR re-posts the interview with Mukherjee that was on “All Things Considered.” Great interview – and I think I’ll read his book, or at least to add to the perpetually long to-read list.

Last, but not least: the passing of Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith, a long-time companion (well, in America, we’d say sidekick) to the Doctor.  At least she got to work with at least 4 Doctors (I feel bad enough that I fell behind on watching the latest series).

Shakespeare’s birthday!  (more or less; something about the day he was baptized and plus or minus a couple of days).

Roger Ebert has a nice tribute to Shakespeare on his blog, including embedding/linking to a YouTube video of the Beatles doing a Shakespeare skit. Oh those Brits.

I have to see the Shakespeare exhibit at the Morgan Library & Museum before it closes on 5/1/11.

Umm… and there are probably many other things floating in the Internet and in NYC and all over the world about Shakespeare, in time for his birthday (like, say, Stratford in England).  Check them out!

(cross-posted to sswsliteratureinmotion)

I read the excerpt of Janny Scott’s book on President Obama’s mom in the NY Times Magazine preview; it’s a very illuminating article. The book will likely be fascinating.

I’ve liked Scott’s previous reporting on the subject, so I’m looking forward to one day reading it in book form. I would like it if Obama would one day write about his mom, as fascinating his book on his dad has been.  Of course, I’ve said this repeatedly… (see here, way back in 2008).

Plus, great post from Slate about the above article, concerning how interesting it is that examining the president’s mother brings some insight about his psyche and approach to matters.

If you’re curious about my previous thoughts about Obama’s own books, check out the following links to the triscribe blog: I had read “Dreams of My Father” way back in 2005(!) and had enjoyed it as very good writing (and very interesting for how it was written long before he was US Senator and President); and I remember looking forward to reading “Audacity of Hope” back in 2006 (but I don’t remember if I did get around to reading it).

(cross-posted to sswsliteratureinmotion).