Back Home

Back home from Ft. Lauderdale.

The following are the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from our vacation....

The Good:
1) The weather, overall, was much nicer than I anticipated. Highs in the upper 80's, with not a lot of humidity - well, at least not the kind of humidity that keeps you up at night here in Knoxville. The only bad spot was Friday when lightning storms rolled through and we had to scramble off the beach into the condo before we all became so much crispy bacon strips on the sand...

2) We were treated to a 6+ hour Fourth of July fireworks show, courtesy of the entire city of Ft. Lauderdale. I'll probably have photos to show later, but the balcony off our 8th floor, 3 bedroom condo wrapped all the way around from bedroom to living room to kitchen to other bedroom (the third being windowless). We were able to sit outside on the deck and watch fireworks go off all over town, from up to beach toward West Palm Beach to across the entire town, to down the beach toward Miami. The actual Ft. Lauderdale "official" fireworks were behind the condo, thus hidden from us, but we could see everything else.

It was a continuous 180-degree concert of light and sound, everywhere you looked there were fireworks going off somewhere, either nearby or in the distance. And it lasted from just before sundown to finally tapering off close to midnight. Even then you could see random bottle rockets and Roman Candles going off. Fantastic.

3) My brother got engaged! Congratulations, little guy :)

4) We got to take an airboat tour of the Everglades, and saw three alligators in the wild. Very, very cool. The boat just drifted up to the old gator and every once in a while the captain would throw a piece of wadded up vegitation at it, causing it to roll and thrash. Nicely thrilling. The boats were very loud, and we had to wear earplugs.

Which I later regretted throwing away while riding with kids back home to Knoxville...


5) I've found my new profession. I'm chucking website design and theatre, and I've decided to apply for the manager's job, or creative designer job, of one of these places. If they ever come to Knoxville or Pigeon Forge.

Wannado City in Ft. Lauderdale was amazing - just take a look at the website and browse at the geekiness of it all. If one of these had been around and nearby when I was a kid, you would've never gotten me out of it.

If they ever decide to franchise and open one in this area, I want to run it. I want to run the whole thing, from design, to HR, to corporate sponsorship opportunities to advertising. That's it, I'd retire a happy man.

6) No sunburn. For once. And a decent tan, to boot. Cool.


The Bad:
1) There we were - stationed at a park in Titusville, FL, right across the little bay from Cape Canaveral. We had a great viewing location, and could even see the Space Shuttle Discovery launching pad from our viewpoint. A number of menacing clouds had drifted about all afternoon, but about an hour before launch there was an official "no-go" unless weather conditions improved. They waited until only about T-10 minutes to launch to decide to scrub..

We were right there!!! *sigh*

Then we had over an hour of mega-post-UT-game-type traffic to get through in exiting the Cape area. I'm not kidding, it was bumper to bumper, stop and go getting out, so we finally started exploring by taking back roads around Titusville.

2) Didn't make it down to Key West like we'd hoped - the drive was just going to be too long, and bad weather was threatening the Keys. So our visit to the original Margaritaville didn't happen. Yeah, all together now, awwwwwwwwwwwww...

But buck up, little twooper... we did get to eat at one of these places in Ft. Lauderdale which is almost the same. So all was not lost.

3) Punked out in the Texas Hold-Em Tournament. Ah well. Good thing it wasn't for money...


The Ugly:
1) I love my fellow man as much or more than a lot of people, but there is only so much of that obnoxious New Jersey/Bronx/Brooklyn attitude and that !*@^%^! accent that a man can take. The two only complement and feed on each other. The more obnoxious the Yankee, the more screechy the accent. Oh, my, I love you all, but please go back home and leave the South to the Southerners...

2) In a similar vein, it becomes all too clear that when you are in America, your primary language around others should be English. And if you are a clerk and other clerks are around you and the customer (me), don't speak together in Spanish while I'm standing there. It's too much like the Seinfeld episode with the Korean manicurists talking in Korean about Elaine. It's just unnerving - don't do it.

3) Speaking of Korea....oh, never mind.

On Vacation

Back July 9, unless I get internet access in the meantime.

Don't break anything while I'm gone...

Here are some pictures where I'm going:

Friday's Feast

Friday, June 30, 2006 - Feast One Hundred!

Appetizer - On average, approximately how many times per day do you yawn?

Probably about 20. I don't get a lot of sleep :)


Soup - What was your most memorable school field trip?

Probably the Safety Patrol trip to Washington DC in 6th grade.


Salad - Fill in the blank: I was extremely __________________ this week.

Fill in the blank: I was extremely frustrated this week.


Main Course - Which color do you think of when you hear the word "soothing"?

Rich green


Dessert - What is something that, if you had to, you could save up the money to buy within one month?

If I had to, I could probably save up and but an HDTV. If I had to. I wish I had to. That would be nice...

Abstract vs. Concrete

Rich Hailey has a post about free speech. Beware, it has some unkind language not fit for polite society.

So, where do I stand on the Amendment to ban the burning of the flag? Well, it's pretty clear that we've already set limits on how far the freedom of speech goes. It doesn't give you license to lie, or to defame others, or to disrupt the peace. Freedom of speech does not allow you to walk through your neighborhood at 3AM singing Sweet Adeline in 4 part harmony at the top of your lungs. It does not allow you to verbally harass somebody based on their race, appearance, or sex. We accept these limits on free speech because we've concluded that the harm caused by this speech outweighs the speaker's right to express himself. It's an application of the old saw, "Your rights end when they begin to abridge mine."

Here's my comment:

The problem with debates like this is that when making tough decisions, we tend to fall back on abstracts rather than deal with concrete situations.

Freedom of speech is an abstract concept. It's a principle that can apply to many, many, many situations. Anyone can probably list 20-30 examples of Freedom of Speech issues right off the top of their heads. Each of those issues, however, is a concrete situation. And each situation has its own unique circumstances and details.

Life and culture has dictated that we may no longer, in polite society (i.e. in public) use the words Rich specifies at the beginning of his post when referring to other people. Back in the 50's and 60's, especially in the South, it was fairly common but through several decades of education and enlightenment society has determined that those words are offensive and wrong, and should not be used. If you use them in public, you will very likely be ostracized at worst, frowned on at best. There were no laws that said so, no rules or statutes making them illegal - just the general disapproval of society. That "Freedom of Speech" issue decision was made automatically as a process of the evolution of culture.

Similarly, the restriction of "shouting fire in a crowded theatre" has actually become a law based on the acceptance of society. I doubt even the staunchest free speech advocates would fight for that right, because it's simply the right thing to do. Congress made it official, but society actually made the decision.

These two concrete examples were decided for us, so we haven't had to debate them. And society decided them because they were the right things to do to protect our lives and civility. In a similar vein you have restrictions against libel and slander. And revealing classified information.

Yet, in a strict sense, they are all limits on the 1st Amendment, the freedom to say anything you want to.

Flag burning probably should've evolved in a similar fashion as racial slurs - it should've become so deplorable a practice that nobody would do it, at the risk of social ostracization. But that hasn't happened, and there are people fighting to keep the right to burn the flag. And Congress has had to attempt legislation to outlaw it.

That's where the abstract vs. concrete debate comes in. To some freedom of speech advocates, the right to free speech in the abstract trumps the concrete immorality of burning the flag, so they go against the better nature of society and defend the abstract.

In this case, we would be better served to examine the concrete and weigh the pluses and minuses of flag-burning better. Then a better-reasoned, better thought out solution might apply.

Unfortunately abstract is all some people have left, so they fight for it tooth and nail - at the expense of societal decorum and respect for a symbol of our country.

Should anyone ever burn a US flag in protest? No, I can't imagine a possible reason anyone would ever want to. It's a deplorable, horrible practice. Should it be a legally restricted act? I wish it didn't have to, but since nobody should ever do it, and the abstract fighters who won't listen to specifics of this example resist such a restriction.

We all would be better served to not follow blindly the abstract concepts that make up our customs and laws, but to apply logic, reason and fairness in understanding how these laws apply to our culture, decorum and public respect. Then make your decisions based on all sides of the argument.

Is that too much to ask?

Let's Give Him What He Wants!

This is great - One Hand Clapping is reporting Drudge as saying:

CRAZY SADDAM: AMERICANS MIGHT REINSTALL ME AS PRESIDENT!

Saddam Hussein believes the Americans may reinstall him as president of Iraq, the NEW YORK TIMES is planning to report on Sunday, newsroom sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

Saddam Hussein has no illusions, his chief lawyer says. As he sits in his prison cell reading the Quran and writing poetry, he knows the inevitable is coming — a death sentence handed down by the Iraqi court trying him for crimes against humanity.

Yet Saddam refuses to submit to the fate that awaits him, Khalil al-Dulaimi, said, for he believes there is a way out:

President Bush will use the court’s sentence as leverage to try to persuade Saddam to tamp down the insurgency, he said, so desperate are the Americans to stanch their losses.

In his madness, Saddam believes the Americans might even reinstall him as president of Iraq!

I love it - here's what I think we should do:

Find an area in the desert southwestern US that resembles the Iraqi desert and climate. Build a replica of a palace and surrounding cityscape. Use cardboard and duct tape if you have to - maybe even put the whole thing inside the Astrodome if you have to, nobody's using it.

When Saddam is sentenced to death, have a crack US team "rescue him" in the night, telling him Bush has decided to reinstate him to the throne, and supposedly fly him back to Iraq. In reality, you take him to this "New Iraq" and turn him loose in it - constantly monitored 24/7 by undercover agents disguised as generals, townspeople, servants, sycophants, even his (dead) two sons. Let him believe he's really in charge back in Iraq. Use whatever Truman Show/Capricorn One/Star Trek holodeck technology and stagecraft is necessary to pull off the illusion, and have our people subtly press him for information about where all the leftover Iraqi secrets are hidden. Eventually Saddam would give someone an order to dig up a bunch of live WMD's he ordered buried in the sand, or put in a call to Syria to ask for the stuff back he shipped there before the war started. Then get all the Al Quaeda and other terrorist cell contact information he has.

Even have Bush or Condeleeza Rice pay him a visit, to maintain the illusion that we've really put him back in power.

Then, when we're all through with him, we "attack" and "capture" him again. Provide him the route to another spiderhold to hide in. Arrest him, put him back on trial. Set up another "escape"...

Repeat ad nauseum. As long as you can keep everyone from cracking up when they talk to him, you should have a grand old time screwing with his head for years to come...

Around the World in 80 Dances

Unbelievable. I just sat with my jaw open, transfixed.

Where's Matt?

Here's here. And here. And here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and there, and there, and over there, and under there, and way around there, and...

Well, here.

Dance on, Matt.

Friday's Feast

Friday, June 23, 2006 Feast Ninety-Nine

Appetizer - On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you like your job?

Wow. Hm. Overall I'd say it's a 7 but right now it's about a 4 or 5.


Soup - When was the last time you think you were lied to?

I feel like I'm lied to all the time when I read about politics and anything to do with people wanting to get or keep a political office.


Salad - Share some lyrics from own of your favorite songs.

The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear,
I've seen that road before.
Don't leave me waiting here,
Lead me to your door.

Many times I've been alone
And many times I've cried.
Anyway you'll never know
How many ways I've tried.

But still they lead me back,
To the long, winding road.
You've left me standing here,
A long, long time ago.
Don't keep me waiting here,
Lead me to your door.

Main Course - What do you do/take when you are in pain?

Thanks for reminding me. I have to take a couple of Aleve because my back's been really stiff and sore the last couple days. I always take Aleve for any muscle pain or headaches - it always works.


Dessert - Fill in the blanks: My __________ is very __________.

My back is very sore.

Wait, we covered that. How about:

My patience is very stretched.

Honk!

HONK!
by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe

Honk! is the story of Ugly, whose odd, gawky looks instantly incite prejudice from his family and neighbors. Separated from the farm and pursued by a hungry Cat, Ugly must find his way home. Along his rollicking and harrowing journey he not only discovers his true beauty and glorious destiny, but also finds love and acceptance in all its forms.

Honk! won the Olivier Award (the British equivalent of the Tony Award) for Best New Musical in London in 2000. Witty and hilarious, but also deeply moving, Honk! treats audiences to equal amounts of laughter and tears. Its charm, humor and message of tolerance are perfect for every audience.

Erin Youth Players
Erin Presbyterian Church
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, June 22, 23, 24 - 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 25 - 2:00 pm
Reserve Tickets Online

For some reason I didn't get listed on the production team on the web page, but I am Music Directing this show. Come see it and say hi!

That Time of Year

Thank goodness, our annual long national nightmares are over.

Miami Heat wins NBA finals, Carolina something-or-others win NHL finals.

Now that that uselessness has finally passed, can we get on to more important things?

Oh and by the way - today is the longest day of the year. Celebrate! It just gets worse and shorter from this point...

80's Video Blast of the Week V

In 1984, a band released their third album entitled, "Sports". It hit #1 on the Billboard charts and was designated multi-platinum a year later.

I saw them in concert at the old Stokely Athletic Center in 1985.

This week's Video Blast of the week came off of that album, a poster of which hung on the wall of Marty McFly's room in "Back to the Future". It represented the quintessential beach song to me and a lot of other people that summer.

Watch the video to see all the hints and clues.

Ladies and Gentlemen, from my favorite band Huey Lewis and the News, "If This is It".



By the way, rexwilder (of course) got it. And the answer to his clue is that HLN sued Ray Parker Jr. because they thought several parts of the "Ghostbusters" theme were too similar to their own "I Want a New Drug".

I don't see it, but that's just me.

Observation

It would be nice if the Knoxville News Sentinel and Metropulse paid nearly as much attention to the Knoxville area theatre scene as they did to the Knoxville area music and night life scene...

Check out the KNS Entertainment page for comparison. Lots of coverage of "Bonaroo", a blog devoted to the Knoxville entertainment (if he covers local theatre, it's sparingly), individual sections on "Music", "Night Life", plus CD Reviews, MusicScene, Band Reviews, etc. Only in the "Fine Arts" section do you find the occasional play article, but it still has to share space with visual art, symphony, ballet, etc.

There are a good number of ongoing theatre companies in the Knoxville area that produce plays year-round. Home-grown rock bands and music festivals get a lot of free publicity in the papers these days - it would be nice to see the theatrical acting and behind-the-scenes talent we have locally get a share of it.

Guess the 80's Video Blast of the Week

That time again kids - Guess the retro-video! If someone gets it in one, I'll...um. I'll...I'll wear parachute pants to work. And leg warmers.

Ok, this 80's-era video:

1) Opens with a piece of another song by the same artist/band playing on the radio.

2) Features at various points in the video: a big snake, a gypsy sceance, French sailors on leave, severed heads, an airplane pulling a banner and exhausted vacationers.

LiveJournal Invasion

I'm suddenly getting a bunch of referrals from Live Journal places like http://blahblah.livejournal.com/friends/ - several dozen of them, all with different "blahblag" names, but the rest is the same. And I don't think I've gotten a referral from the same one twice.

Since I don't know anyone that hangs out on the LiveJournal morass, I can't figure out where the links are coming from. I visit the links, but it's so much of that middle school chaos, it's hard to read a thread. I don't see any links to lasthome.blogspot.com.

Has anyone else seen the same thing?

Just Point Me in The Right Direction..

I haven't mentioned here that I'm Music Directing a new show. It's called, "Honk!" and it opens next weekend for a one-weekend run. The show is a musical version of The Ugly Duckling story, and won raves in London and Broadway the last several years. This particular production is cast entirely with middle-school and high-school kids, so it's been a challenge teaching and rehearsing music to some kids who, a) don't really read music, b) voices haven't changed enough to have the real articulation and projection to reach much past the edge of the stage.

But the show goes on. I'm lucky to have my friend Michael the Bass Player from "Annie" helping out, as well as another good friend, Dan, on keyboards that I've known and worked with for years.

The rehearsal schedule has been fairly brutal - I get up, go to work, grab a quick dinner and rehearse from 6:30 - 10:30 or 11. Get home, unwind for a bit, go to bed.

Repeat ad nauseum till June 26.

As a result, I'm part of the walking undead these days. My enthusiasm for work has hit a big low, and I don't feel very much like the happy corporate camper these days.

I need sleep, I need to play with my kids, I need quality time with my wife (well, I always need quality time with my wife and we're lucky to get a night out here and there anyway), I need to do something productive outside of theatre.

Hey, hopefully "Lost" - Season 1, Disk 5 will get here tonight from Netflix.

There goes my sleep...

Blog Title of the Month

"Wastin' Away in Blogaritaville" (blogaritaville2.blogspot.com)

I love it - I wish I'd thought of it...

Didn't We Already Cover This?

From Brian Hornback, Knox GOP Chair:

The Brian's Blog team will be doing some research to determine what if any advantage there is for Knox County having a Charter. A review of pros and cons. County Commissioner Mike Hammond of Friday remarked in an interview. "I'm not sure we need a Charter."

Didn't the citizens of Knox County fairly decisively determine they wanted a charter back in 1988? Have there been any significant calls for revocation or amendment to the charter in the intervening years (save the metro government initiative a few years back)?

These sentiments have been shared by public officials and citizens to Brian throughout the weekend and week. Keep in mind that before Friday only 2 out of 95 counties in the state had a Charter form of government. There has been a decline throughout the country in local governments having a Charter form of government.

Keep in mind, Brian and others, that the opinions you gather over a weekend will tend to be those closest to your own views and mindsets. The folks you associate over a typical weekend will likely be folks at your church, friends in the neighborhood, political allies, etc. Therefore any "concensus" you might glean from a weekend's worth of "fact-finding" are likely to be very similar to your own views and each others. You're more likely to be exposed to dissenting opinions during the workweek and out in the public at large.

A proper first step would be to have a refrendum with a simple question of Shall, Knox County have a Charter form of Government? If it passes then pursue a Charter Commission, if it fails than begin prepartion to revert to the normal structure.

Again, we had a referendum 18 years ago that voted in the charter. There's no need to reinvent the wheel. It seems fairly obvious to me that some people in the County would be glad to keep term-limits from being re-imposed, and are siezing an ideal opportunity to "revisit" the idea of a charter's existence.

It is possible that the Charter could be an instrument or fad, who's time has come and gone. Similar to the schools that were built with open style classrooms that were designed in California in the 1970's, they were then bulldozed and replaced while Knox County is still living with at least 3 of these schools, today.

I'd like to think political parties could be declared a fad as well, but not much luck in that.

But simply bringing up the possibility can plant seeds of "are we out-dated? are we behind the times?" in the public mind without it being true. Case in point, the schools example here. I don't have any idea the validity of the argument that "open classrooms" are good, bad or indifferent. All that's stated here is California used to have them and we have three of them still. Maybe they're great schools? Could be. But this comment implies that because they came from California in the 70's (considered a kitschy decade to most people) they must be bad. Like they still had plaid furniture with suede wallpaper and lava lamps in the classroom...

Hey, maybe these three schools are lousy. It doesn't matter. I could just as easily the idea of charters to a fabulously successful venture that began in the 70's and give you a completely different perception. Like, oh, let's say this - there was a computer networking adventure that began in earnest in the late 60's, early 70's. Maybe you heard of it: "ARPANET". That network eventually evolved into a little venture they call today the Internet. Maybe you've heard of it.

Knox County voters opted to govern themselves with a charter in 1988. That's it. Work to fix the charter, like Mayor Ragsdale is doing. Don't pretend there's a groundswell of sentiment from the citizenry to abolish it.

Comes Around...Like a Bug

Remember this?

Squashed.

It's a Clog World After All

My Foot Soldiers:


See here for first breaking news of the glorious revolution...

80's Video Blast of the Week IV

In the mid-80's, artist Paul Simon visited South Africa and incorporated many of the musical lessons he learned there into his mega-hit album, "Graceland".

This song, the first single of the Grammy-winning album, was released in 1986.

The video features Paul Simon's friend from some of Saturday Night Live stints, Chevy Chase, who "takes over" the show and sings the song (in Paul's voice, of course). Paul appears a bit dejected, which is in his character from appearing on SNL, but does do some background vocals. Paul does get to play a couple of instruments including the bongoes, penny whistle, bass guitar and sax. Chevy joins in on trumpet as well.

Reportedly, it was shot in one continuous take but I'm not sure that's true as there are several jump and P.O.V cuts.

WATCH FOR: Chevy setting the glass and whistle down on the "table".

Congratulations, Rich - got it in one, as well. I've got to make the clues harder :)

Ladies and Gentlemen, Paul Simon with "You Can Call Me Al"

Charter Responsibility Question

I have a question.

Have we determined who's responsible for not turning in the charter to the TN State Government 18 years ago?

According to this story, The Knox County Law Director's Office had to request Knox County Administrator of Elections Greg Mackay to forward a copy of the charter to the state immediately. Mackay had testified in the charter validity hearings that he could find no evidence that it had ever been turned in.

Shouldn't there be some accountability from both the Election Commission and probably the Law Director's office for 18 years of inattention?

I don't care to see heads roll, I just want to see someone admit, "Yes, I screwed up." And if the person(s) responsible from 18 years ago are no longer available, I still want to know.

And I want to see documented evidence of new procedures put in place so it never happens again.

Guess the 80's Video Blast of the Week

Here's the clues for this week's 80's Video Blast of the Week:


1) The artist/lead singer who sings this song isn't the one actually lip-synching the lead vocals in the video.

2) At various times in the video a trumpet, sax, pennywhistle and bongoes are played. Well, sortof.

3) It was the first cut released off of a very special album.

4) By some reports, the video was shot in one continuous take.

Since RexWilder guessed "We Are the World" last week in one try, maybe these clues are too easy... we'll see how quickly someone gets it this time.

What do you think? No Googling! Makes guesses in Comments....

Top 10 Effects of Knox County's Charter Being Ruled Invalid

From the Home Office in the smoke-filled basement of the 5th Avenue Hotel...


Top 10 Effects of Knox County's Charter Being Ruled Invalid


10) Anderson County immediately invades Karns and Farragut, Union County moves in on Halls and Fountain City and Blount County cuts off the Northshore Drive supply line. Sevier County makes slight mistake, releases Seymour into the wild.

9) Bill Haslam circles the wagons, declares Knoxville city limits to be closed into 100-yard radius around City-County Building.

8) Knox County Chancellor John Weaver fulfills life-long dream, sentences Herb Moncier to a good ole-fashioned hangin'. Tim Hutchison brings a lunch and a lawn chair, makes a day of it.

7) Charter Cable mistakenly files for bankruptcy.

6) Kurt Russell sightings begin at Chilhowee Park. Local biker gangs upset when it turns out to be David Keith in an eyepatch.

5) That sweet, sweet smell of burning zebra...

4) Jack Neely rejoices, reopens circa-1900 saloons on Gay Street. Immediately gunned down in street for 2 dollars and a pint of whiskey.

3) The ghostly spirit of Cas Walker periodically appears, makes angry observation that he was declared an invalid a long time before the County was.

2) County Mayor Mike Ragsdale decides to run for his life. Once again runs unopposed.


..and the Number One Effects of Knox County's Charter Being Ruled Invalid...


1) Wanda Moody and Mary Lou Horner tearfully reenact Thelma and Louise final scene, drive car off Cherokee Bluff into Fort Loudon Lake.



UPDATE: Wow, I wasn't far off the mark:

Charter fallout continues

Two commissioners suspended their campaigns because of a previous ruling upholding term limits and lost in the primary. But as result of Judge Weaver's ruling, both Mary Lou Horner and Wanda Moody dropped out of a race they did not need to drop out of .

"Obviously that (term limit decision) had a tremendous impact on the outcome of the election," Moody said.

"I felt like that was the right thing to do, and I did it," Horner said of her decision to suspend campaigning back in April. "Since they've heard that my telephone has rang, rang, rang, rang."

...

Neither has any recourse, other than find new ways to get involved in a political process whose future is far from clear after Friday's ruling.

"We'll get through it," Moody said of Knox County.

Lake advisory to boaters on Fort Loudon: Watch for falling cars...

Grab Your Torches and Your Pitchforks...

...it's time to riot in the streets! Anarchy rules, baby!!!

DEVELOPING: Chancellor rules Knox County's charter invalid

Chancellor John Weaver on Friday ruled the county's charter invalid, re-igniting the controversy over term limits for county officeholders.

Dogs! Cats! Living together! Mass hysteria!

A-iiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

But seriously.

Chancellor invalidates county charter

A chancellor ruled today that Knox County’s charter is "invalid and ineffective," meaning the county would revert to the form of government outlined in the state constitution.

The ruling also invalidates term limits, which restricts the number of terms an elected official may serve.

I know the legal specifics are complicated, but it looks like in Knox County if you vote for something, it ain't necessarily so. Especially when various clerks and legal officials forget to turn in the charter to the state for 18 years. How can we expect them to cross the t's and dot the i's?

So we continue, and barring appeals the county commissioners who should by all rights be sitting at home planning their next ventures are back in the saddle again. Probably for another 8-12 years each.

Where's Frankenstein when you need him?

UPDATE:

"I was shocked," County Commissioner David Collins said.

Collins was one of five commissioners who filed suit, asking Chancellor Weaver to determine if the charter was valid or not. He did so in hopes of providing clarity on the issue of term limits and did not think the ruling would be as wide-ranging as it was.

I think it's safe to say, "Be careful what you wish for, buddy." Oh, and thanks a lot guys...

Friday's Feast

Friday, June 09, 2006 - Feast Ninety-Seven


Appetizer - About how much money did you spend on gas this week?

Probably about $30


Soup - What is your favorite brand of toilet paper?

I just close my eyes and grab what's closest.


Salad - When was the last time you discovered something that you thought was pure genius?

Sometimes I'll hear little snippets of music, a chord progression here, a style of playing a certain passage there, that just take my breath away and I marvel at how composers and performers will occasionally hit on a very special moment where everything just clicks, or brings you to another level or emotional experience.


Main Course - What is the least amount of sleep you can get by on per night?

About 4 hours. Any less, or the same for a couple nights in a row and I'm a zombie. Just like I am now (curse you, First Season DVD's of "Lost"!)


Dessert - June is a popular month for weddings. Do you know anyone who is getting married this month?

No, I guess I don't. There was a time about ten years ago friends of mine were getting married left and right. Today not so much. Maybe the cycle will come around again...

But meanwhile, I do know of a really nice blogger (a Nashville transplant to Down Under) who just got married.... Ain't they purty?

UPDATE: Holy CRAP! So did he!!

What Goes Around....

I'm teaching a class on blogging history and basics to some area seniors today, and I'm using all of you as examples, so you'd better be on your best behavior! Watch the language today, huh, and keep the nudity down to a minimum? I don't want to have to give someone CPR because Michael suddenly decided to start doing Half-Nekkid Thursday yesterday...

This is also a day where a big step in my future employment status will either be encouraged or squashed. I'm nervous as all get out. Think of me fondly...

UPDATE: I demonstrated Big Orange Michael, Logtar, Sugarfused and SayUncle. Also mediablogger Michael Silence and a couple other guys no one's heard of like Glenn somebody-or-other.

I also used Becky as an example of a person I would never have met in real life that I've become friends with online. I mentioned how she actually once showed me a live shot of the Hawaiian coast, and how blogs can be used to meet people and see places you might never get a chance to in real life.

There were only five people, but they were attentive and asked questions. Everyone created their own Blogger page (I know, I know...buggy and all that but it's what I'm familiar with) and I showed them how to edit and create posts.

I'm exhausted :)

Feed Withdrawal

What's up with Bloglines? I'm not getting any RSS feeds today...

Injury to Actress Turns Into Treat for Audience

Accident Turns Play Into an Improv Show

"The Pajama Game" became a waiting game last night when a minor accident injured a cast member and caused a 27-minute interruption in the performance.

To calm the restless audience in the American Airlines Theater, Harry Connick Jr., who plays the lead character, Sid, conducted a question-and-answer session, sang "Happy Birthday" to someone in the audience and talked about the future of his native New Orleans and his high school career.

A slight onstage injury to actress Roz Ryan necessited a pause in the performance, so Connick took the opportunity to occupy the crowd during the delay.

Good for him and good for the audience. It's treats like these that make live theatre special.

Eventually the actress was treated, the set repaired and the show went on.

More Proof They're Just Pretending To Be In Charge

A charter request, 18 years later

"Eighteen years after the fact, Knox County Law Director Mike Moyers asked local election officials Monday to forward a copy of the county charter for approval by the Tennessee secretary of state.

State law required that the Knox County Charter and the results of the referendum vote that approved it in 1988 be sent to Nashville. An official proclamation declaring the charter's adoption also would have been returned.

Yet for whatever reason, none of that apparently ever happened, Greg Mackay, Knox County administrator of elections, testified last week during the contentious three-day trial over the charter's validity. At least he couldn't find any evidence that it happened, Mackay said."

More evidence that nobody anywhere has any idea what they're doing anymore.

You'd think once in the past 18 years someone in the local or state government would've, you know, like, noticed.

If a document that had to be filed with the state hadn't been filed in my company for 18 years, heads would roll. In Knox County, you smirk, shrug, and start digging through the filing cabinets.

"Waa-waa-waa-WAA..."

Oh, Linus....

Our good, good Linus, how you will someday regret these words:



Your Sweet Baboo awaits you, my friend...

80's Video Blast of the Week III

In 1985, famine in Ethiopia was a hot button topic. Inspired by the success of Band-Aids "Do They Know It's Christmas," Harry Belafonte gathered a group of performers never before gathered for one project. On January 29, 1985 21 soloists and more than 20 other contributing vocalists from all parts of the music industry "checked their egos at the door" (as requested by organizer Quincy Jones) and recorded the Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie-penned "We Are The World".

The single went on sale March 7, 1985 and was an instant smash. It went on to sell 7.5 million copies in the U.S and was #1 on the Billboard charts for 4 weeks. It also won Grammies for Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.

Cindy Lauper's jangly earrings caused some momentarily disruption in the recording process (close, Masses of Everything!) and a hasty rewrite of the lyric, "there's a choice we're making / we're taking our own lives" to the less suicidal-sounding, "there's a choice we're making / we're saving our own lives". What didn't make the final edit was adjustment to the line "as God has shown us / by turning stone to bread", which is an error because the devil tempted Jesus to turn stones to bread but he never did.

Congratulations Rex Wilder for guessing it in one!

A list of performers follows the clip. Enjoy :)



Soloists

* Lionel Richie
* Stevie Wonder
* Paul Simon
* Kenny Rogers
* James Ingram
* Tina Turner
* Billy Joel
* Michael Jackson
* Diana Ross
* Dionne Warwick
* Willie Nelson
* Al Jarreau
* Bruce Springsteen
* Kenny Loggins
* Steve Perry
* Daryl Hall
* Huey Lewis
* Cyndi Lauper
* Kim Carnes
* Bob Dylan
* Ray Charles

Contributing vocalists

* Brian Elsenbeck
* Dan Aykroyd
* Harry Belafonte
* Lindsey Buckingham
* Sheila E.
* Bob Geldof
* Jermaine Jackson
* Jackie Jackson
* LaToya Jackson
* Marlon Jackson
* Randy Jackson
* Tito Jackson
* Waylon Jennings
* Bette Midler
* the News (of Huey Lewis & the News)
* John Oates
* Jeffrey Osborne
* The Pointer Sisters
* Smokey Robinson

(Sources: Wikipedia and MSNBC)

Into the Woods..

My kids are both out at Wesley Woods camp this week.

Tink recovered nicely from her little bout of stomach flu and will be back Tuesday afternoon. Brainyboy will be back Friday.

One of Cathy's is out in the wilderness this week, too.

House is kind of quiet.

I woke up with our cat nestled in the crook of my arm this morning - he hasn't done that in the 13 years we've had him - I guess he missed them.

Too.

80's Video Blast of the Week - Your Guess...

Sorry, but I neglected to post a new video blast on Saturday. I'll post one for this week tonight.

Any guesses to the one I have selected?

Here are a few hints:

It was released in the mid-80's

The single sold 7.5 million copies in the U.S and was the #1 single in the U.S. for four weeks.

There was a problem with the sound of jangly earrings being heard on the taping

There is a line in the lyrics that contains an inaccurate Bible quote

Another of the lyrics was rewritten because it was feared it might be misinterpreted as a call for suicide.

No Googling Allowed!

There ya go! I'll post late tonight or tomorrow morning.

Someone Clear This Up For Me...

Was or was not, George Carlin the Vice-President of the United States in 1945?



If not, could someone alert my subconscious of this historical error, because that's what I dreamed last night... and I'm a little concerned what else I might dream in error tonight.


Just to sort of "head off" any confusion before it happens, I'll repeat to myself tonight before I go to bed:


"Sir Isaac Newton did NOT invent the Cuisinart."
"Vasco de Gama was NOT the first man on the moon."
"Judy Garland did NOT slay Goliath."


There, that oughta do it.

The Diagnosis

Stomach bug. Apparently one's going around that causes a high-ish fever and tummyaches.

As yet, no yakkin' - but the day is young.

Doc said it's a 24-36 hour thing, so we should be clear by tomorrow afternoon at the latest (hopefully).

Of course, it doesn't help things a bit that I watched a Discover Health Channel show the other night about a horrible salmonella epidimic that made 200,000 people sick a couple years ago and caused some teenagers life-long damage...

Friday's Feast

Friday, June 02, 2006 - Feast Ninety-Six

Appetizer - On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how funny do you think you are?

I think I have a better sense of humor than most - I'd say about an 8. I have the ability to make people laugh in most situations...


Soup - Name a local restaurant would you recommend to a visitor to your town or city.

Litton's Restaurant in Fountain City, which is the area of town in North Knoxville where I grew up. It makes the best hamburgers around.


Salad - What's a lesson you were lucky enough to learn the easy way?

I never had to learn the painful lesson of a breakup. My wife was my first real girlfriend, and we dated until we got married. And she still puts up with me! I guess I learned how to be a partner without going through hell and back like a lot of people.


Main Course - Where would you like to be 5 years from now?

I don't have any desire to move so I hope I'm still here in Knoxville. As far as career goes I would like to see either advancement or movement to another business, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I hope that I have advanced my theatre "hobby" into a part-time career by this point, by which I mean I am able to make enough money from directing and musical directing that it starts to be a supplemental income - if nothing else for groceries and clothes and what not. I know my family life will be different as I'll have a son in high school and a daughter almost ready to go to middle school.


Dessert - If you could see the front page of a newspaper from June 2, 2106, what would you imagine the headline might be?

"100th Anniversary of Invention of Flying Car Today. "

(subhead) Historical records show most adoption of concept quick and easy, becoming part of everyday life within first year of manufacture.

Fever

One of the worst things a parent has to face is also one of the most common: illness.

I came home from rehearsal tonight to find Tink sacked out on the living room chair and learned she had a fever and a stomachache. I'm happy I was able to cheer her up a bit - it's amazing what a few silly faces can do to light up a sad one.

She's sleeping in the bed with my wife now who can give her much better TLC than I can - when the kids are sick I'm a nervous wreck. I've slept on her floor once when she was still in the crib and had a fever (just a minor one, too, but it didn't matter to me).

But still, she's in good hands :)

Kill Us, Kill Them

So, let me get this straight...

...Islamic Jihadists who use guns, planes, bombs, knives and other forms of violence to kill unbelievers are bad.

But are we attempting to train a generation of Christian kids to use the same tactics?

Check out this video game.

"Wage a war of apocalyptic proportions in LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces - a real-time strategy game based upon the best-selling LEFT BEHIND book series created by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Join the ultimate fight of Good against Evil, commanding Tribulation Forces or the Global Community Peacekeepers, and uncover the truth about the worldwide disappearances!

• Lead the Tribulation Force from the book series , including Rayford, Chloe, Buck and Bruce against Nicolae Carpathia – the AntiChrist.
  
• Conduct physical & spiritual warfare : using the power of prayer to strengthen your troops in combat and wield modern military weaponry throughout the game world.
  
• Recover ancient scriptures and witness spectacular Angelic and Demonic activity as a direct consequence of your choices.
  
• Command your forces through intense battles across a breathtaking, authentic depiction of New York City .
  
• Control more than 30 units types - from Prayer Warrior and Hellraiser to Spies, Special Forces and Battle Tanks!
  
• Enjoy a robust single player experience across dozens of New York City maps in Story Mode – fighting in China Town , SoHo , Uptown and more!
  
• Play multiplayer games as Tribulation Force or the AntiChrist's Global Community Peacekeepers with up to eight players via LAN or over the internet!

Talk to Action describes the game:

This game immerses children in present-day New York City -- 500 square blocks, stretching from Wall Street to Chinatown, Greenwich Village, the United Nations headquarters, and Harlem. The game rewards children for how effectively they role play the killing of those who resist becoming a born again Christian. The game also offers players the opportunity to switch sides and fight for the army of the AntiChrist, releasing cloven-hoofed demons who feast on conservative Christians and their panicked proselytes (who taste a lot like Christian).

Is this paramilitary mission simulator for children anything other than prejudice and bigotry using religion as an organizing tool to get people in a violent frame of mind? The dialogue includes people saying, "Praise the Lord," as they blow infidels away.

The designers intend this game to become the first dominionist warrior game to break through in the popular culture due to its violent scenarios and realistic graphics, lighting, and sound effects. Its creators expect it to earn a rating of T for Teen. How violent is that? That's the rating shared by Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell - Chaos Theory, a top selling game in which high-tech gadgets and high-powered weapons - frag grenades, shotguns, assault rifles, and submachine guns -- are used to terminate enemies with extreme prejudice.

The publishing empire created by Tim LaHaye and Jeff Jenkins, authors of the inexplicably popular and theologically suspect Left Behind series, are at the heart of the creation and distribution of this game.

I really believe there is a large sect of Christianity out there in America that wants this kind of scenario to happen. It's the same sect that, while they may hate the Islamic Jihadists for blowing up the World Trade Center and lopping off heads of innocent bystanders in Iraq, secretly long to take the same action against their own "infidels". All in the name of God, praise the Lord and pass the ammunication.

Still more disturbing is the realization that a member of the Board of Directors of Rick Warrens' Purpose Driven (mega-)Church is also on the Board of Directors for this Left Behind Games company:

The international director of Mr. Warren's Purpose Driven Church, Mark Carver, is a former investment banker who serves on the Advisory Board of the corporation created in October 2001 to develop and market this game. The creators plan to market their game using the same network marketing techniques that Mr. Warren used to turn The Purpose Driven Life into a commercial success. For example, they plan to distribute their merchandise through pastoral networks, especially mega-churches.

I don't want to get into a discussion about how The Purpose Driven Life relates to the Left Behind empire and vice-versa - the site linked above is looking at that story. I do mention it because my church is struggling with whether to offer a church-wide Sunday School discussion on The Purpose Driven Life. My wife has read it and enjoyed it, and got a good message from it. I have not read it but have planned to and kept putting it off.

Thank goodness Slacktivist reads (and brutally critiques) Left Behind so the rest of us don't have to.

It's a very dangerous business that these mega-churches/mega-corporations have opened themselves up to. They and their congregations run the risk of being taken over by charismatic leaders and pastors that promote their own suspect theological agendas that stray in several different directions from the core Christian message. We have to stay vigilant.

And try to make sure Left Behind: The Game isn't promoted in my church...

Short Takes

Welcome Back, Michael Silence and happy birthday to your lovely wife!

Lauren at Created for his Glory has a great anti-profanity rant (which sounds like a contradiction) with No Swearing Allowed - I have a great rant on this subject as well but I have to get a great picture digitized to go along with it, first

80's Video Blast of the Week II

Genesis: "Land of Confusion"



This week one of the weirder videos of the era. The same group that did the "Spitting Image" British TV show did caricature puppets of Genesis members Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford as well as a number of popular political figures of the mid-80's.

You can read more about the, ahem, genesis of this video here.

More Proof That...

...I should have a baseball hat surgically attached to my head so you can't see my hair.


This is also proof that we should never look at photos of ourselves taken at angles we can't see in a mirror....

Friday's Feast

Friday, May 26, 2006 - Feast Ninety-Five


Appetizer - How old were you when you got your first credit card?

I don't really remember having a card when I was in college, so I guess it was after. Probably when I got my first job after I graduated.


Soup - When was the last time you felt out of place?

Yesterday afternoon, at a meeting. Everyone in the room was talking about all these media and society people they know and I had no idea who any of them were.


Salad - Did you have a curfew when you were a teenager? If so, what time did you have to be home?

Not really a curfew, but I knew what time I needed to be home. I had no real reason to stay out all night. I had fun with my friends going out for pizza after the football games, but otherwise I came home. I really lived the idealized 50's high school experience in the early 1980's...


Main Course - Name a person from history with whom you feel you have something in common.

I don't feel I know enough about the people of history to know if I have much in common with any of them or not. See my post about historical accuracy for more of my feelings on the matter. I think most historical figures have a few traits attached to them (Lincoln: integrity, perseverence; Washington: honesty; Franklin: spunk, tenacity; Twain: wit, sarcasm) but we know very little overall about what kind of people they are. How did they treat their children? Their parents? Their peers? The strangers on the street? In some ages, their slaves and the "lesser" society members? Washington may have been the most honest man alive, and in his private moments kicked his kids and slapped Martha around. Yet many people would choose him as someone to admire and emulate solely on the legends of history. I'm not saying you shouldn't admire Washington - I do - I just think it's difficult to feel real commonality with people from the past, especially famous people, when all you have is the legend of their personalities to go on.


Dessert - When you read a newspaper, which section do you go for first?

When I was a kid, it was always the comics. Or, more correctly, the "funnies". That's what they were called, that's what they are called, and that's what they shall ever be called. Amen.

Today, if it's football season the sports page. Otherwise I usually skim the front pages of the top four sections (Main, Local, Business and Sports) then head to the sports. This time of year it's NBA and NHL tournaments (yawn!) high school baseball/softball/soccer finals (yawn!) and of course, NASCAR (extremely high-pitched and obnoxious yawn). Oh, and the MLB box scores which I'll occasionally peruse to see how badly my Fantasy players are doing (translation: badly). Sometimes there's a pro or college football story, but not all the time.

I enjoy the Editorial page because it's kind of like reading blogs. Except for the writing experience. And to see what's melting down Don Williams or Cal Thomas this week.

Most of the national and world news I see in the main section I've already read about the previous day on the web, so that's old stuff.

A lot of the Local section is spent with recipes and feel-good fashion articles, which I flip past. There's a way-too-short entertainment column above the TV listings, and then...of course. The funnies.

What I Watched Last Night

The last five minutes or so of American Idol. And then just because it was on.

My thought, after seeing him perform the final number amidst all the glitz and fireworks, etc...

What's the big deal?

Sorry, I could care less.. My wife thinks he's really good, but listening to him sing doesn't make me want to pencil him into my Top 5 pantheon. Not that I actually, you know, have a Top 5 pantheon of singers, but if I did he wouldn't be there.

His voice is too thin and shallow for the style of singing he was doing. I would've picked the girl.

If I cared.

Which I don't.

One More Soccer Story

Friday evening Brainboy's team practiced for their final game the next day. Well, it was nominally a practice but in reality it was kids vs. dads, and I played in my first ever soccer game - formal or informal. The first time I'd ever been on a field competing in any kind of pick-up type game of soccer.

It was fun.

Especially when I scored a goal right past the goalie, Brainyboy. (Ironically it was the third point for our team, which is what he scored for his team the next day).

He hasn't yet murdered me in my sleep, so apparently there's no hard feelings..

The Imprecision of History

Michael speaks about his minister's comments on "The Da Vinci Code":

"The DaVinci Code [sic] is a fictional book and movie. And while it does take some things from history that sound good and like evidence, Dan Brown takes liberties with the actual facts in order to tell his story. For example, Constantine did not approve what chapters went into and which were excluded from the New Testiment."

Here's something that is true of anything that's historically related to Christianity, but isn't directly referenced in the Bible: The history we all believe is the culmination of years and centuries of written and oral records, passed on from person to person. It is only as accurate as the veracity of the person or persons recording the event.

Now Dan Brown wasn't standing behind Constantine, chronicling his influence on the Bible. But then, neither was anyone else alive today. Nor was anyone who's lived in the last 1800+ years. Everything we know we know from history, and the writers who passed on the stories from year to year. And the truth is, while it may be an "accepted" historical fact that Constantine didn't do what Dan Brown _fictionally_ supposes he did, nobody can really sure.

History is always at best tenuous. What we believe is true is always subjective due to the most powerful influence of the time. The old adage is correct: "The winners write the history books".

Now, the more eyewitness accounts to an event the better the chance the history is correct. Everyone believes the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 12/7/1941. There were tons and tons of people who either witnessed the attacked or reported on it. But who knows who fired the first shot of the Revolutionary War? Was it Bell or Watson who really turned the final screw and invented the telephone (it could've ultimately been Watson that said, "Mr. Bell, come here - I need you")? Who was responsible for committing Christian forces to the Crusades?

History has a lot of questions, and a lot of facts taken as fact due to tradition. Maybe they're exactly true, maybe they aren't. But until a Doc Brown really perfects the De Lorean time machine, there's no way to be absolutely certain what happened when the Bible was first put together. We can believe, and accept that what happened is correct (and it most likely was) but to blindly dismiss any other historical possibilities that far in the past, even fictional ones, is disengenous and close-minded.

Those who forget history are bound to repeat it - but history may not be exactly what you think it is...

It's Amazing the Things You Can Get Into on the Weekend

1. Saturday morning was the End of the Soccer Season - for both Tink and BrainyBoy v10.3. Tink's 6-yr-old girls team was the usual mass of mayhem and confusion, with all the little girls running in a pack here and there like the hunting dogs in the old cartoon about catching a fox. They won, although sometimes it's difficult to tell who's scoring when all the kids fall into the goal along with the ball...
   
   BrainyBoy's 10-yr-old team was somewhat more refined, however that it a relative term. The best part of his game, however, was the goal he scored near the end of the game. Now, you have to understand BB isn't the swiftest kid on the block - he's become a competent goalie and is rather intimidating because of his size but he's always been a defensive player. In this final game, the coach promised him if they got a lead he'd let him play offense. Up 2-0, BB took control of the game and the ball, dribbling downfield and promptly placing it between the other team's goalie and the inside bar of the goal. It was the team's final score of the season, and my son was all smiles.
   
   So were we. Plus I have it on videotape!
   
   
2. After the game was the team party and cookout for BrainyBoy. More mayhem and confusion.
   
   
3. After the party the four of us drove to Gatlinburg for the Mountain Craft festival. Laura bought one of these:
   
   quilted maple top, walnut bow - Photo by Robert Batey
   
   It's a bowed psaltery, a string instrument originating in Scandanavia that has been imported to America and a built by a very talented craftsman named Rick Long. If you've never heard of one, go to the website and listen to some audioclips - it's a gorgeous instrument.
   
   
4. The rains came and forced us soon back to our car. The same rains fairly well washed out the Gatlinburg Highland Games, but we drove up to check it out anyway, even though it was getting late in the afternoon. When we arrived most of the participants were packing up to go home, but we were very lucky to see the last event of the day - the mass bagpipe band performance.
   
   
   Sitting in the stands at the football field, we saw and heard the amazing spectacle of over a hundred bagpipe players in full regalia playing several numbers, including the traditional "Amazing Grace". Truly spectacular.
   
   
5. Back home and disappointed because "Lost" - Season 1, Vol. 2 was supposed to arrive from Netflix today, but it didn't. I've determined Netflix is not great on their shipping promises... Have to wait till Monday...

80's Video Blast of the Week

"Total Eclipse of the Heart"



Do any of you from my generation remember sitting in front of MTV (when it was first getting popular) and watch videos for hours? Waiting for your favorite one(s) to finally come into rotation?

YouTube has 80's videos like this one from Bonnie Tyler, one of my favorite songs from high school. I almost helped a girl perform this during a chorus concert. We did a duet of "We've Got Tonight" instead.

Friday's Feast

Friday, May 19, 2006 - Feast Ninety-Four

Appetizer - What is the last thing you had to have repaired?

My car, after I collided with a deer last year.


Soup - If someone gave you $2,000 with the stipulation that you had to spend half of it on yourself and give the rest to charity, where would you spend the $1,000 and which charity would receive your remaining $1,000?

I'd buy myself a synth keyboard, so I don't have to keep borrowing the one I've been using. That way I'll have my own for my band and the shows that I play. The rest I'd give to my church.


Salad - What is one of your favorite songs from the 1980s?

"The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News is probably my favorite song. It was the theme song to "Back to the Future".

*sigh* They don't make music like that anymore...


Main Course - You enter a pet store. Which section do you go to first?

Realistically, I head for the dog or cat food aisle cause that's probably why I'm there. But if I'm just hanging out or browsing, I'll go see the tropical fish.


Dessert - On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how athletic are you?

I'd say about a 6. I don't exercise much, but I can play softball without much problem.

Ok, That's Great, But...

Key sworn in as city's new fire chief

"When Robert L. Key Sr. was formally sworn in Wednesday as Knoxville's new fire chief, it was in a ceremony outside the Knoxville Fire Department headquarters building.

As Key took the oath of office from City Judge John Rosson Jr., he stood close to the department's antique fire engine, which is on permanent display."

...why, exactly, do we need to swear in a fire chief? I mean, who cares really, but why does a fire chief have an oath of office? Are we afraid they might betray the city and start putting out fires for Sevierville instead?

Man Deemed Incompetent

Man Deemed Incompetent
Nothing in particular to say about this story, I just couldn't quit looking at the headline:

Man Deemed Incompetent

Hm.

Man Deemed Incompetent

Before I read the article I couldn't help wondering who in particular it was about. The President? Bobby Knight? Alec Baldwin? Sam the Butcher? Or is it some kind of existentialist judgement of the human species? Some over-reaching feminist statement attempting to draw a conclusion on the relative intelligence of the male gender? A fatalistic message received from an alien intelligence out among the stars.

No, I'm pretty sure it's about this guy.

Christmas Capitalism and Field Trip Follies

Well, we did just like I said. Tink and I ate dinner, played Monopoly, bounced a balloon back and forth to each other and watched Looney Tunes until she went to bed.

One word about the Monopoly game we played. It was the Christmas version (one of about 10 versions we have, including Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Monopoly Jr., and I think maybe Green Acres. I'll have to check.) and she insisted on buying and selling yule-themed real estate. The thing about the Christmas version is some of the cards require you instead of advancing to St. Charles Place or taking a ride on the Reading Railroad, is to sing a chorus of "Jingle Bells" in order to keep from paying $100. In May. Ok, whatever. I sang. I'll sing anything. I'll sing "Ina-Gada-Davida" to keep from paying $100.

Then another card signified, "You've been elected Head Elf! Pay each player who voted for you $50" Wow. Institutionalized bribery up there at the North Pole.

Anyway, great holiday capitalistic cheer was spread all around. Even the cat put on his reindeer antlers.

So, my wife calls about 10:30. The fourth graders, she, and the rest of the parents spent the evening at the Grand Ole Opry, listening to - in her words - "some of the whiniest country music I ever heard." Yep, welcome to Nashville. Unfortunately Porter Wagner was supposed to appear but called in sick. But there were several performers they enjoyed, so it seemed to work out.

When they got to the hotel after the concert they found out the reservations had all been lost.

Welcome to Nashville...

Just Me and My Gal...

Laura and BrainyBoy are in Nashville today and tomorrow with the rest of his class on a field trip.

So it looks like it's just me and the Tinkerbell this evening. Any suggestions? Hang gliding? Rock climbing? Offroad racing?

More like takeout or frozen dinners, playing Monopoly and watching DVD's.

Who cares? It's an evening with my little girl.

So Many Choices...

WWLD?

WWDPD?

Thank You, Mr. President

At the Sound of My Voice...

Logtar has interviewed me online via podcast.

You can listen here, or go to Podomatic.com if the link doesn't work.

We discuss family, 9/11, blogging, superheroes, rock tumblers, whatever happened to Theatre Thursday and many other exciting topics, so take a listen!

Friday's Feast

Friday, May 12, 2006 - Feast Ninety-Three

Appetizer - What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Black Cherry, that I used to get at Kay's Ice Cream on Broadway in Fountain City. But just about any brand of Black Cherry is good.


Soup - What are 3 things you would like to put in a time capsule?

Today's newspaper, my high school yearbook and maybe a vinyl album.


Salad - Name something you are 100% sure of.

The Designated Hitter rule is bad for baseball.


Main Course - What is something you do to calm yourself when you're stressed or upset?

I play a game on the PC. Preferably something that totally occupies by brain, usually a simulation game like Civilization III or Starcraft. Planning strategy and using logic lower my stress levels.


Dessert - If you could receive an invitation to any important event, what would you like it to be?

I'd love to go to Game 7 of the World Series, or the Super Bowl. I'd also enjoy going to the Oscars or the Tonys.

Docent for a Day

Yesterday BrainyBoy v10.3 was a junior docent at James White Fort here in Knoxville. He and 17 other of his 4th-grade classmates carefully studied texts and history of the home of one of Knoxville's first settlers, and became guest tour guides for the exhibit.

Now That's Sum Classy Lit'ratyur

Painstakingly transcribed from a cartoon on the side of a Krystal cup:

Girl: What are you doing?
Boy: Don't peek. It's a surprise.
G: This better be good.
B: Don't worry.
B: Happy Birthday!
G: EEEEKKK!
B: Fry?
G: I love you as much as Krystal.
B: Slurp.
G: Giggle.

G: (to us) I knew my boyfriend was special when he set up a Krystal picnic for my birthday. 8 Krystals, fries, flowers and one coke with two straws. He's so sweet.

Marilee Harrison
Savannah, TN

I need to add this little heartfelt dialogue exchange to the post below of things that made me cry...

But what's extra funny is reading this without the benefit of the cartoon pictures. Until you get to her soliloquy at the end, it sounds pretty dirty.

Let's Get Dramatic About It

Here's a great example of a company stuck between a rock and a hard place - between sticking by their guns and legal rights, and disappointing a bunch of kids...

They Get to Put On a Show in the Bronx

"On Friday an official from Samuel French, the licensing agent for "Chicago," the hit Kander and Ebb musical that has been playing on Broadway for nearly 10 years, told that Bronx high school that it would not be allowed to stage the show because it had not applied for permission. Dozens of students, who had worked for months on the production and had been planning to perform it tomorrow, were heartbroken."

As the article says, it's a basic - basic - responsibility of a performing group wishing to put on a production to first pay royalties to the company that owns the right to the particular play or musical. This is true from the largest-scale Broadway musical on down to some of the most basic children's plays.

But apparently there was ignorance all around of this process:

The case, from a legal perspective, was not complicated. The school's drama teacher, Anthony Cerrini, 24, had decided to stage "Chicago." He found some dialogue on the Internet, transcribed some of it from the 2002 movie starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger, and wrote some of it himself.

At the news conference, Mr. Cerrini took responsibility and said that he had never been told about the need for an application.

...

To put on just about any Broadway show, a school or performing group must apply to the licensing company and pay a fee. No one at Lehman High School made the application, and the principal, Robert Leder, said he had not recalled having to apply for anything in 27 years of putting on high school musical events.

This lack of knowledge, by a high school principal who's been putting on shows for 27 years, and a drama teacher, is inexcusable. There's also this:

Meanwhile, Mr. Van Nostrand said that Samuel French would begin looking into those previous musical productions that Mr. Leder said the school had been putting on without, to his recollection, applying for permission. "I'm a little curious about what those other 27 years were," Mr. Van Nostrand said.

I think this school could be in some serious, serious trouble.

Oh, but wait! There's hope on the horizon, thanks to some city council members and other community leaders willing to hold their breath until they turn blue and guilt the rights-holders into granting permission:

...four [Bronx] City Council members and Betsy Gotbaum, the city's public advocate, vowed to stage a protest in front of the Ambassador Theater, where the Broadway revival is playing. By the time everyone arrived, however, the protest had turned into a triumphant news conference to announce that an agreement had been reached.

The Shubert Organization, which owns the Ambassador; the producers Fran and Barry Weissler; and, most important, the songwriter, John Kander, and the estates of the lyricist, Fred Ebb, and the book writer, Bob Fosse, had granted permission for a single unauthorized, unlicensed performance at the school.

So the thing we've learned here, is that no matter if you follow the rules, apply for permission to put on a show and possibly be rejected:

With "Chicago" there was an additional wrinkle. For many Broadway and touring shows, agreements are negotiated by the producers and theater owners prohibiting competing productions of a show within a certain distance.

If a group puts on a performance that violates this rule, it could be liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, Mr. Van Nostrand said. In the case of "Chicago," the radius from Broadway is 75 miles, easily covering East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx, where Lehman High School is situated.

A similar thing happened recently locally to the Oak Ridge Community Playhouse. Last fall, they had planned to put on the musical "Peter Pan", had applied for and been greated the performance rights. Unfortunately, a touring company of "Peter Pan" added Knoxville to its schedule and the company was forced to rescind its permission for Oak Ridge to perform it. That's how, in its place, they substituted "Annie".

But you can see how Oak Ridge abided by the rules, and I'm sure every other school that applied to do "Chicago" and was turned down because they were too close to the Broadway production was disappointed but complied. However, due to the actions of the city officials who excused the school principal and teacher's irresponsible and illegal actions, they saw the opportunity to take advantage of some possible bad publicity and "save" the show.

Sure, the kids were kept happy, but the law and justice and fair play was screwed.

Hmm..

Sounds a lot like the immigration question, doesn't it? Good things these kids are getting an education on how you can buck the system and cut to the front of the line, while the rest of those who work hard, keep their noses clean and follow the rules are ignored.




One final thought. What in the world is a high school doing performing "Chicago"?? It's not the most, um, innocent of shows and a far cry from "Oklahoma!" and "Bye Bye Birdie" that I did at Central High...

I Am: A Meme

I AM: wondering if there is anything I actually have control over.

I WANT: to know what I'm supposed to be doing.

I WISH: there was a lot less competition in the world.

I HATE: not being able to spend more time with my kids.

I MISS: being a kid.

I HEAR: an air conditioner. If I'm lucky, it's on.

I WONDER: what I might be eating for dinner tonight.

I REGRET: not being more decisive when starting my theatre career.

I AM NOT: in the mood to argue about it anymore. You win.

I DANCE: my Tink balancing on my toes.

I SING: anytime, anywhere, any song.

I CRY: during "Mr. Holland's Opus". Twice. Every time.

I AM NOT ALWAYS: confident in my abilities.

I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: letters magically appear on a computer screen.

I WRITE: HTML code. I wish I could write fiction. I wish I could write songs and stories that make people gasp, or smile, or think, or want to change their lives.

I CONFUSE: how to spell "weird" or "wierd".

I NEED: a weekend off with my wife.

I SHOULD: really stop blogging and reading blogs at work but that would mean doing more work, and who wants that?

I START: my work days the same way every day.

I FINISH: my work days the same way every day. Rut, what?

I TAG: the usual suspects.

Ah, so that's what it said...

Friday's Feast

Friday, May 05, 2006 - Feast Ninety-Two

Appetizer - From which country(s) are some (or all) of your ancestors?

My ancestors, like so many others in East Tennessee, are Scotch/Irish. It's interesting, though it defies all rational explanation except for the fact that the hills of the Great Smoky Mountains are similar to the Scottish highlands, I would feel perfectly at home here even if I hadn't grown up here. It's almost like there's a sense memory that is passed through the genes of those who emigrated from Scotland and settled here, and all their descendants. It manifests itself in the music, the dance, the atmosphere, the personalities - it's just very Celtic, and I can feel it almost as a tangible thing.


Soup - How would you describe your sneeze?

I like to sneeze. If I ever feel one of those maybe/maybe not kind of sneezes coming on, I try to find a light and stare at it. That always helps the sneeze right along. Usually I try to control it, but when I'm alone in the car and the situation just calls for it, I can let loose with a window-shattering sneeze. It's very...um...cathartic.


Salad - What is the last thing you cleaned?

Besides myself, this morning in the shower? I washed my hands a couple times today. I cleaned up my plate and Laura's plate after dinner. I need to clean some glasses away from the computer desk where they always tend to congregate over the span of several days...


Main Course - Who made the strongest first impression on you?

I can't think of anyone I've met that really made a huge impression on me the very first time. I guess I could say my wife, Laura ;)


Dessert - Name one thing you want to accomplish in your lifetime.

Boy, I'd love to go into space - somehow, somewhere, someday. I'd also like to be thought of as a successful theatre director, at whatever level is necessary.

Election Day Report

Me: "I'd like a paper ballot, please."

Lady Election Worker: "Ok, follow me..."

follow, follow, follow...

Lady Election Worker: "All right, you can take this ballot and fill it out and one of our many elaborate and secure voting cubicles (indicates cafeteria table with dividers made from cut-out cardboard boxes). When you're finished, dip your finger in the purple ink and you're all done!"



Heh. At least some folks have a sense of humor about all this...

Fellow Knox Countian - did you vote?

Only Looks Good Through the Bottom of a Bottle?

Last night, watching the latest "24" I just taped

Me: What? Seriously, some guy is actually going to hit on Chloe O'Brien??

Laura: (Upstairs, having already watched the episode earlier) He's really drunk.

Me: Oh, well that would explain it.

Just a Hypothetical Question..

I've got a hypothetical question about immigration. I'm not for this idea, nor against it necessarily - I'm just curious what you think the effect would be.

What would the effect be on America, our ideals, our law, or citizens or our immigrants if the "citizen by birth" statute were abolished? What if, instead, you had to be the child of a native or naturalized citizen to be considered an American citizen if you are born on U.S. soil?

I've heard it said many illegal immigrant use the fact that they have children that are born here in the U.S. as a tool to keep themselves in the country. What if that tie was no longer an option? Would that help/hurt/hinder the process of immigration and naturalization of citizenship in America?

Just curious. What do you think?

Happy Anniversary to the World's Fair

In the midst of darker celebrations and protests marring the day, here's a lighter remembrance:

The 1982 Worlds Fair opened on this day 24 years ago. Next year will be 25, and I hope Knoxville throws a proper bash.



UPDATE: But then, of course, someone has to come along and ruin my World's Fair Day:

Knox rally draws immigrant rights supporters

Some 300 people gathered at Worlds Fair Park Monday morning to support U.S. immigration reform that is friendly to workers from Mexico and other countries.

The downtown rally, held as part of a nationwide movement where immigrants are being urged to boycott work, school and shopping today as part of a "Day Without Immigrants," was organized by the East Tennessee council of the Tennessee Immigrants and Refugee Rights Coalition, which advocates for policies to empower immigrants and refugees throughout Tennessee.