The news sucks. Talking heads and newspapers spout bad news about the economy, the environment, and, of course, the whole Tiger Woods’ thing. Makes you wonder: Isn’t anything good happening in the world? Price of gas is fairly stable. That’s a good thing.

 I started my career as a newspaper sports writer. We viewed the news department as mercenaries, shooting us up with despair. The sport’s department was a happy place, an escape from the doom and gloom. The news guys argued that people wanted to see bad news. That’s what sells, they said. I think they were wrong because, at some point, it all just becomes sickening.

 Thankfully, I have some good news. Money does buy happiness. For only a few bucks you can buy lots and lots of happiness. I’m talking about my new book. It’s like my old sport’s department, an escape from the woes facing us today. It’s about an era before emails and cell phones ruled our lives. There are no murders or car crashes, although there are some dicey boat moments.

If you think this blog is just a shameful attempt to sell my book, you are correct. At the same time, I guarantee you’ll enjoy reading my book. And, if you don’t, you can always go back to the six o’clock news.

Enjoy.