One of the many books I’m reading right now is Steve Almond’s (Not that You Asked): Rants, Exploits, and Obsessions. A co-worker loaned it to me several months ago, I think because she thought I would like his essay on Kurt Vonnegut. Which I really did, but I’ve only recently gotten around to reading any of the rest of the book. I particularly like the description of the baby shower he says he and his wife held shortly before their daughter’s birth:
Thankfully, Erin and I agree on this point. We both believe that Americans would be a lot happier if they bought less and felt more, and we want to make sure we pass these values down to our daughter. At the same time, people want to buy us stuff. So we decided to throw an informal party that we billed as an effort to establish the Peanut Almond Library. Guests were instructed to bring a book, preferably used. Our final haul included forty-plus volumes, along with three adorable outfits, which certain guests insisted on buying for the child (in defiance of our direct orders) and which I plan to burn in a public Death to Capitalism rally when Peanut is old enough to appreciate the gesture.
Great sentiment — and one that’s certainly been on my mind since having kids. But if he really wanted to improve the world, maybe he should start by not naming his kid Peanut.
Actually, according to the author flap, they named her Josephine.
Not bad, but I still say it’s impossible to beat the Cthulhu-themed baby shower my friends threw a couple of years ago.