The other day I finished reading The Brothers Bulger about one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives, Whitey Bulger, and his brother Billy Bulger, the former Massachusetts State Senate president. The book was written by Boston newspaper columnist and talk radio host, Howie Carr. Subtitled, How They Terrorized and Corrupted Boston for a Quarter Century, the book is a fascinating look into the lives of these two brothers from South Boston who certainly left their scars on the state. It details the seamy world of Boston politics and Boston crime and shows how sometimes the two were one in the same. Although well researched and written, I found the subject matter to be disturbing for the simple fact that it all actually occurred and continues to occur as Whitey Bulger is still on the loose, and Billy is living comfortably in retirement.

To change gears a bit, my next read is a fictional story of crime by Sandra Brown, titled Chill Factor. I hope I find the fictionalized crime to be less exasperating.

Yesterday, May 3, 2006, Bill Gates gave an interview to Donny Deutsch of CNBC during a Microsoft-sponsored event.  During the interview, Gates explained what it’s like to be the richest person in the world.  “I’m not bothered when I’m out in public or anything. Someone might ask for a signature, rarely, but that’s not a difficult thing.” However, Gates did express a little reluctance about his status: “I wish I wasn’t [the richest in the world]. There’s nothing good that comes out of that. You get more visibility as a result of it.” They were honest answers and certainly understandable from someone who has had to endure sharp criticism and derision for much of his professional career.

Personally, I don’t think Gates gets enough credit.  His charitable organization, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is the world’s second richest philanthropic organization with an estimated worth of more than $29 billion; that’s billion: 29 followed by 9 zeroes.  Recently Gates’ foundation announced a technological breakthrough that will produce the synthetic drug needed to treat malaria, cheaply.  It is expected that a life-savings dose of the drug will be produced for 25 cents within the next five years, thanks to the foundation.  In 2004, they reached their goal of providing internet access and training in libraries in every state and the District of Columbia.  They’re also heavily involved in childhood vaccination programs and HIV/AIDS research.

My only recommendation to Mr. Gates would be to follow the lead of Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, and have a little fun.  Allen owns three of the world’s 100 largest yachts, including the thrid largest, Octopus, a 414 foot behemoth aboard which Allen often hosts parties that include famous guests like George Lucas and Jeff Goldblum. He is also an owner of the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers and the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, and is the founder of Seattle’s Experience Music Project - not bad for a college dropout.

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
Eleanor Roosevelt

No, the popular English singer hasn’t been jailed; he’s playing a free concert in Boston, sponsored in part by WBOS 92.9FM.  On Saturday, May 27, Boston’s Hatch Shell on the Charles River will play host to Earthfest 2006, a family-friendly, live, outdoor concert featuring James Blunt, Los Lonely Boys, Brandi Carlile, The Fray, and The Alternate Roots.  The Family Stage starts at 10:00am and the Main Stage begins at 12:00 noon.

For other free Hatch Shell events, see Massachusetts’s Department of Conservation and Recreation’s 2006 schedule (PDF).