I haven't been very consistent in my blogposting lately, and I'm not sure why. Looking back over the last few weeks I think I've had more Friday Feasts than anything.
Mostly because my life is in a bit of a holding pattern, waiting for things to start or confirm to start.
I still haven't heard if I'm going to be directing a play down in Athen, TN - or even whether they want me to direct. All I got was an inquiry whether I was interested, and haven't heard anything more. Since auditions are March 11, surely some sort of decision or offer will be made any moment now. This will have a huge impact on my extracurricular activities during March and April.
I am music directing a show beginning late April, that's confirmed. I'm just in waiting mode for it to start. Which is fine, but it's interesting to be scheduled for something this far away in time (I've been attached to the project - how Hollywood! - for a couple months, already).
I also had an offer to music direct a show at Theatre Knoxville, but had to turn it down due to conflicts with the April show and possibly the Athens show. Who knew I was so popular? It's a shame, because I've never worked with them before and they have an interesting lineup of shows coming up. Hopefully we can work something out in the future.
BrainyBoy's Destination Imagination team is wrapping up work on their big aviation project, and is set to compete in a couple of weeks. This, combined with a number of other heavy school projects, has brought out some good work in him. The school science fair is upcoming which is a huge project as well.
Tink continues gymnastics and just being Tink, which wears her out.
I'm also prepping for another Atomic Horns gig Saturday night, this time at the UT Nuclear Engineering 50th Anniversary conference at the Knoxville Convention Center. Hopefully I will either hold off or get through the cold I feel brewing inside me, or any of the much worse stomach stuff that seems to be slowly working its way through town and our family.
Even more exciting is the two tickets I have to the UT/Florida basketball game tomorrow night at Thompson Boling Arena. I'm really looking forward to going with my dad, who I haven't gone to a game with in years. I think I'm more excited about spending time with him than going to the game itself (don't get the big head, dad... :) ) Especially looking forward to this, but am a bit nauseated at the prospect of this.
Finally, big projects at work weigh heavy, but are either out of my hands completely or I continue to wait on content, graphics, etc. Corporate websites are a huge collaborative process, but sometimes people tend to place that as a small priority in their daily responsibilities. And the guy whose job it is to build the sites has no choice but to wait.
I hope everyone had a good weekend!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Friday's Feast
Friday, February 23, 2007 - Feast One Hundred & Thirty Two
Appetizer - Where on your body do you have a scar, and what caused it?
Last year I was at the Oak Ridge Playhouse rehearsing the band for dress rehearsal week. We had set up in the lobby, and I needed to run down to the stage to get some instruments. I ran down the aisleway and, suddenly thinking I was still in high school, broad-jumped onto the stage. Well, that was the plan, anyway. I was wearing shorts, and something on the edge of the stage caught my thigh and cut a nice long (but shallow) gash. It hurt like crap for several days, and there's still a scar. The embarrassment of it all was the worst part...
Soup - What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?
Many years ago my wife and I were driving back from North Carolina to Tennessee via I-40 through the Smokey Mountains. If you've ever driven that route, you know it's very twisty and turny. That day there happened to be a lot of traffic, and it was particularly stressful making sure you didn't smash into the person in front of you (and the guy behind you avoided doing the same). I turned my head to say something to Laura and glanced back to see traffic had come to a complete stop in front of me, while I was still tooling along at 40+ mph. I slammed on my brakes, actually pressing the pedal all the way to the floor for the first time I can recall. We screeched to a halt behind the car ahead of us with only a couple inches to spare.
Playing on our tape player? "Angels Watching Over Me" by Amy Grant.
Salad - Name a television personality who really gets on your nerves.
Oh, so many...so many. Simon Cowell, though I never watch American Idol. I've never been able to watch Jeffrey Tambor act. Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly grate on my nerves, as did Rush when he had a show. The most worthless, annoying and unwatchable user of airtime in the history of television, however, has to be Howard Stern.
Main Course - What was a funny word you said as a child (such as "pasketti" for "spaghetti")?
I can't think of any I used to say, but my son said "wakkim" for napkin and "ashleye" for eyelash. He still gets kidded for that by his little sister...
Dessert - Fill in the blank: I have always thought ______ was ______.
I have always thought improv comedy was the funniest comic form today.
Ok, that was lame...
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Bridging the Gaps
Cathy asked in comments to this post how we liked Bridge to Terebithia. I responded in the comments, but I wanted to repeat them in a post.
*WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD*
I enjoyed the movie and thought the acting was very good, especially by the girl who played Leslie. The acting of the other kids was good as well, although the directing was off sometimes - if the big bully boys were supposed to be tough, why were they singing and clapping and participating with the music teacher just like everyone else? Every bully I even knew detested "participating" and especially in music. It would've been more believable for them to have acted as if they were barely interested. Since they participated, I kept expecting them to come around at the end like the girl bully did. But it didn't happen so it felt a bit fake.
Speaking of the girl bully (whose name escapes me), it bothered me a little that Jesse and Leslie didn't seem to feel a twinge of guilt at the pain they caused her over the fake love letter. I was the recipient of one of those practical joke letters long ago and while I wasn't actually interested in the girl it was supposed to be from and assumed it was a fake from the tone of the note, if I had thought it was her and gotten my hopes up, I would've been crushed. But the movie seemed to take special care to present it as an acceptable form of "revenge". The girl was truly hurt and I thought the movie did a disservice to the audience by not addressing this as wrong.
I don't know how old the characters are in the book, but the kids almost seemed to old to be participating in the kind of "make-believe" that Leslie and Jessie were, which kind of took me out of that aspect of the movie a bit. I'm all for escapism and fantasy, and for not losing the aspect of childhood as we move into adolescence (goodness knows I still have it) but Jesse didn't seem to have enough of a "fantasy life" outside Terebithia to justify its creation. Sure we saw him draw and draw well, but nothing else in his life suggested he had any interest in fantasy worlds - trolls, kings, castles, faeries, magic, etc.
I would have liked to see him exhibit either more of a previous interest in fantasy, or come to embrace Leslie's vision of it more slowly. It was too quick and easy. For 7-yr-old Maybelle it was easy to believe, not for 12-yr-old Jessie.
The part where the teacher took Jessie to the museum, basically without her getting his parents permission herself, was creepy. If it had been another movie, I would've assumed some nefarious intent and if I were Jessie's parents I would be highly peeved that she just called him up - personally - and basically asked him on a date without consulting them. Teachers don't interact with students outside of class, especially middle-school-age and up students, without the parents being involved on the front end. I loved that she recognized his talent and wanted to take him and introduce him to the larger world of art but the way she did it suggests things we don't need to see and kids don't need to see as acceptable.
None of the kids we took seemed shocked or particularly upset that the girl died, but almost every one expected her to be in Terebithia at the end, waiting for Jesse and Maybelle. Or even thought she faked her death and ran away. They didn't want her to be gone, and didn't want to accept that fact. In tried and true boy fashion, they invented ways for her to come back. I'm not sure if that's a denial impulse or a male desire to "fix things" but I thought it was interesting.
This may seem a rather negative review, but overall I truly enjoyed the movie. Some of the parts above brought me out of true believability however and I think that was the director and scriptwriter's fault more than the actors or technical minds. Apparently the creator of the Rugrats kids show directed it, and that may explain some lack of acceptable maturity seen in the older kids.
I may be criticizing the filmmakers unfairly based on problems with the source material itself, but I haven't read the book so I don't know. I do know, however, that filmmakers have a responsibility to present positive messages to young people today. That doesn't mean everything in a movie has to be sanitized to the point there is no real conflict or controversy - not at all. I do believe that they need to recognize what things are good what things are bad, and present them that way. If a character stumbles, show the effect of the stumble and how they deal with it. If they do something good, celebrate it. If they do something bad, acknowledge it, explain it, and show how they deal with it (or don't deal with it - either is good storytelling). The ending of the movie, how Jesse dealt with Leslie's death by dealing his relationships with his father and sister, was spot on. But some of the other parts of the movie I illustrated above needed to be addressed in some way that was not. Even small, seemingly insignificant points can be stored by a child and pulled out in a real life situation at a later time without understanding their meaning. I hope a kid somewhere that's being bullied doesn't get the idea that writing a fake love letter is a good way to get back at the bully. It may be a satisfying way of taking revenge at the moment, but revenge is never a positive response to conflict. We need to emphasize that.
*WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD*
I enjoyed the movie and thought the acting was very good, especially by the girl who played Leslie. The acting of the other kids was good as well, although the directing was off sometimes - if the big bully boys were supposed to be tough, why were they singing and clapping and participating with the music teacher just like everyone else? Every bully I even knew detested "participating" and especially in music. It would've been more believable for them to have acted as if they were barely interested. Since they participated, I kept expecting them to come around at the end like the girl bully did. But it didn't happen so it felt a bit fake.
Speaking of the girl bully (whose name escapes me), it bothered me a little that Jesse and Leslie didn't seem to feel a twinge of guilt at the pain they caused her over the fake love letter. I was the recipient of one of those practical joke letters long ago and while I wasn't actually interested in the girl it was supposed to be from and assumed it was a fake from the tone of the note, if I had thought it was her and gotten my hopes up, I would've been crushed. But the movie seemed to take special care to present it as an acceptable form of "revenge". The girl was truly hurt and I thought the movie did a disservice to the audience by not addressing this as wrong.
I don't know how old the characters are in the book, but the kids almost seemed to old to be participating in the kind of "make-believe" that Leslie and Jessie were, which kind of took me out of that aspect of the movie a bit. I'm all for escapism and fantasy, and for not losing the aspect of childhood as we move into adolescence (goodness knows I still have it) but Jesse didn't seem to have enough of a "fantasy life" outside Terebithia to justify its creation. Sure we saw him draw and draw well, but nothing else in his life suggested he had any interest in fantasy worlds - trolls, kings, castles, faeries, magic, etc.
I would have liked to see him exhibit either more of a previous interest in fantasy, or come to embrace Leslie's vision of it more slowly. It was too quick and easy. For 7-yr-old Maybelle it was easy to believe, not for 12-yr-old Jessie.
The part where the teacher took Jessie to the museum, basically without her getting his parents permission herself, was creepy. If it had been another movie, I would've assumed some nefarious intent and if I were Jessie's parents I would be highly peeved that she just called him up - personally - and basically asked him on a date without consulting them. Teachers don't interact with students outside of class, especially middle-school-age and up students, without the parents being involved on the front end. I loved that she recognized his talent and wanted to take him and introduce him to the larger world of art but the way she did it suggests things we don't need to see and kids don't need to see as acceptable.
None of the kids we took seemed shocked or particularly upset that the girl died, but almost every one expected her to be in Terebithia at the end, waiting for Jesse and Maybelle. Or even thought she faked her death and ran away. They didn't want her to be gone, and didn't want to accept that fact. In tried and true boy fashion, they invented ways for her to come back. I'm not sure if that's a denial impulse or a male desire to "fix things" but I thought it was interesting.
This may seem a rather negative review, but overall I truly enjoyed the movie. Some of the parts above brought me out of true believability however and I think that was the director and scriptwriter's fault more than the actors or technical minds. Apparently the creator of the Rugrats kids show directed it, and that may explain some lack of acceptable maturity seen in the older kids.
I may be criticizing the filmmakers unfairly based on problems with the source material itself, but I haven't read the book so I don't know. I do know, however, that filmmakers have a responsibility to present positive messages to young people today. That doesn't mean everything in a movie has to be sanitized to the point there is no real conflict or controversy - not at all. I do believe that they need to recognize what things are good what things are bad, and present them that way. If a character stumbles, show the effect of the stumble and how they deal with it. If they do something good, celebrate it. If they do something bad, acknowledge it, explain it, and show how they deal with it (or don't deal with it - either is good storytelling). The ending of the movie, how Jesse dealt with Leslie's death by dealing his relationships with his father and sister, was spot on. But some of the other parts of the movie I illustrated above needed to be addressed in some way that was not. Even small, seemingly insignificant points can be stored by a child and pulled out in a real life situation at a later time without understanding their meaning. I hope a kid somewhere that's being bullied doesn't get the idea that writing a fake love letter is a good way to get back at the bully. It may be a satisfying way of taking revenge at the moment, but revenge is never a positive response to conflict. We need to emphasize that.
Monday, February 19, 2007
The Beat Goes On
The overnighter was a big success. The kids decided to have a Jurassic Park marathon and collectively they watched all three movies back to back. I only made it half-way through the second one (the worst of the three, IMHO) and crashed about 2:30. The next morning the ones who fell asleep during the third one watched that one again.
That night the Atomic Horns had another gig, this time in the beautiful Oak Ridge Moose Lodge Hotel Ballroom, Casino, and All-Night Laundromat. The room was kind of small but the crowd was happy, the beer was flowing and a minimum of cold air creeped in through the doors.
That's two gigs for the band, and the next is not scheduled until the end of April so we're looking for something in-between then to fill in the creative gap.
I have an opportunity, possibly, to direct a play down in Athens, TN. Still waiting on some details but if it happens I'll be going almost directly from it into music directing "Suessical" back here in Knoxville so it looks like it's going to be a really busy couple of months.
I've been fortunate to get a couple of freelance website design jobs as well that pulls in some extra money. The sites are for real estate companies opening up new subdivisions, which is an interesting and fairly lucrative niche because a lot of what I do is simply redress the first site I built and use the new information with basically the same site structure. If I can keep these jobs coming in fairly regularly and find the time to do them, it will be a nice secondary (or tertiary?) source of income. In fact, I have my eye on a couple of new Dell desktop PC's....
That night the Atomic Horns had another gig, this time in the beautiful Oak Ridge Moose Lodge Hotel Ballroom, Casino, and All-Night Laundromat. The room was kind of small but the crowd was happy, the beer was flowing and a minimum of cold air creeped in through the doors.
That's two gigs for the band, and the next is not scheduled until the end of April so we're looking for something in-between then to fill in the creative gap.
I have an opportunity, possibly, to direct a play down in Athens, TN. Still waiting on some details but if it happens I'll be going almost directly from it into music directing "Suessical" back here in Knoxville so it looks like it's going to be a really busy couple of months.
I've been fortunate to get a couple of freelance website design jobs as well that pulls in some extra money. The sites are for real estate companies opening up new subdivisions, which is an interesting and fairly lucrative niche because a lot of what I do is simply redress the first site I built and use the new information with basically the same site structure. If I can keep these jobs coming in fairly regularly and find the time to do them, it will be a nice secondary (or tertiary?) source of income. In fact, I have my eye on a couple of new Dell desktop PC's....
Friday, February 16, 2007
The Bridge to Insanitia
Tonight Laura and I will host five ten-and-eleven-year-olds (plus BrainyBoy) in the annual birthday sleepover.
We'll go eat at McAllisters and then across the parking lot to Pinnacle theatre and see Bridge to Terabithia. Then everyone back to the house for munchies, DVD's, outdoor basketball, and general mayhem.
Tink has escaped to a grandparent's tonight and Laura will duck away early while Ireferee bounce torture facilitate the festivities all night long until everyone passes out.
We'll go eat at McAllisters and then across the parking lot to Pinnacle theatre and see Bridge to Terabithia. Then everyone back to the house for munchies, DVD's, outdoor basketball, and general mayhem.
Tink has escaped to a grandparent's tonight and Laura will duck away early while I
Friday's Feast
Appetizer
What sound, other than the normal ringing, would you like your telephone to make?
Well, since we're starting off light I'll make a True Geek Confession. My cell phone rings with the theme to "Star Trek: The Next Generation".
Stop laughing.
But if would be cool if my home phone could announce, "*beep* Incoming transmission from ______ for Barry. Shall I put it on speakers, sir?"
Soup
Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).
Sunny, but very hazy with occasional dark patches. Rarely rainy or stormy. Always warm, though.
Salad
What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?
Drama and music analysis, theory.
Main Course
Imagine you were given the ability to remember everything you read for one entire day. What books/magazines/newspapers would you choose to read?
a) The New Testament (as much of the epistles as I could). Proverbs would be good to have memorized, too.
b) So much news is fleeting, so there's no point to memorizing a newspaper or magazine...
Dessert
If a popular candy maker contacted you to create their next candy bar, what would it be like?
White chocolate with pepperoni. Oh, and watermelon.
Hey, you asked...
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Corporate Blogging Do's and Don'ts
Just got back from a lunch meeting of the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) of which Glenn "Instapundit" Reynolds was the speaker. It was kind of interesting after reading his site for so many years and never meeting him, then seeing and speaking to him twice in one week. As a matter of fact, his wife Helen was there as well but I didn't get to speak with her.
His talk was about blogging in general, and corporate blogging and podcasting in specific. He mentioned how it's imperative for companies to monitor blogtraffic about themselves and their products, to head off negative or inaccurate information. Also corporate blogs and podcasts are increasing in popularity and demand (meaning more people are listening and more companies are asking for them) and they can be done fairly cheaply and simply, but they need to be done right and with creativity, individuality and not read like press release boilerplate.
Glenn's a good speaker and knows how to engage an audience. I enjoyed myself and made a few more contacts in the local internet community. Maybe I need to hang around him more often...
Oh, and the food was really good. Green beans with ham chunks, salad, chicken, garlic bread... Mmmmmmm.
UPDATE: Instapundit is all over the story. Hmm...talk about self-referential...
His talk was about blogging in general, and corporate blogging and podcasting in specific. He mentioned how it's imperative for companies to monitor blogtraffic about themselves and their products, to head off negative or inaccurate information. Also corporate blogs and podcasts are increasing in popularity and demand (meaning more people are listening and more companies are asking for them) and they can be done fairly cheaply and simply, but they need to be done right and with creativity, individuality and not read like press release boilerplate.
Glenn's a good speaker and knows how to engage an audience. I enjoyed myself and made a few more contacts in the local internet community. Maybe I need to hang around him more often...
Oh, and the food was really good. Green beans with ham chunks, salad, chicken, garlic bread... Mmmmmmm.
UPDATE: Instapundit is all over the story. Hmm...talk about self-referential...
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Eat Your Brains
Great. As if we don't have enough to worry about these days:
Cadaver dog searches McClung rubble
Cadaver dog searches McClung rubble
A cadaver dog swept across debris piled two stories high at the site of the McClung warehouses fire to assure investigators nobody had been trapped in the rubble.That's all we need - zombie dogs roaming the streets of town. Although they kinda fit right in with the County Commission of the Living Dead...
Over The Hill
Please help me wish BrainyBoy a happy 11th Birthday!
For the local bloggers, he's the one who was wearing my hat briefly Saturday evening at the restaurant.
He's currently working hard on not only a school science project but also his DI (Destination Imagination) team project. He started JV soccer last week, takes piano lessons and sings in a kids show choir as well as participating in a number of church activities. He's a busy young man and I'm very proud of him!
For the local bloggers, he's the one who was wearing my hat briefly Saturday evening at the restaurant.
He's currently working hard on not only a school science project but also his DI (Destination Imagination) team project. He started JV soccer last week, takes piano lessons and sings in a kids show choir as well as participating in a number of church activities. He's a busy young man and I'm very proud of him!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Center of the Universe
Can anyone claim that Knoxville's not the rich, creamy center of the blogosphere?
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Top 10 Surprises at the Blogfest This Evening
Top 10 Surprises at the Blogfest This Evening
10. Perry Nelson wins rib-eating contest by stuffing 10 in his mouth at once. Still passed out under table.
9. Calhouns employees surprisingly unperturbed at SayUncle and Les Jones randomly firing off rounds into the rafters...
8. Rich Hailey looks surprisingly dashing in his Looney Toons pajamas.
7. Every 10 minutes on the dot, Michael Silence screams out, "Stop the Presses!!"
6. R. Neal mixing with West Knox Republicans surprisingly does not result in spontaneous combustion.
5. Supreme Court rules Glenn Reynolds term limited, wife Helen appointed to serve out the remainder of his term at Instapundit.
4. Bad reaction to spicy buffalo wings causes LissaKay to blurt out she keeps photos of Nixon and Reagan under her pillow at night.
3. Michael Faulk tearfully reveals he secretly loathes the mountains and would much rather live in a very deep valley.
2. Doug IM's Cathy to pass the salt. Cathy IM's Doug to hand her some butter. Doug IM's Cathy to remind her they need to pick up milk on they way home. Cathy IM's Doug that the baby needs changing. Not a word is said all evening....
And the #1 Surprise at the Blogfest This Evening...
1. Chase a kid, do a shot... Chase a kid, do a shot...
10. Perry Nelson wins rib-eating contest by stuffing 10 in his mouth at once. Still passed out under table.
9. Calhouns employees surprisingly unperturbed at SayUncle and Les Jones randomly firing off rounds into the rafters...
8. Rich Hailey looks surprisingly dashing in his Looney Toons pajamas.
7. Every 10 minutes on the dot, Michael Silence screams out, "Stop the Presses!!"
6. R. Neal mixing with West Knox Republicans surprisingly does not result in spontaneous combustion.
5. Supreme Court rules Glenn Reynolds term limited, wife Helen appointed to serve out the remainder of his term at Instapundit.
4. Bad reaction to spicy buffalo wings causes LissaKay to blurt out she keeps photos of Nixon and Reagan under her pillow at night.
3. Michael Faulk tearfully reveals he secretly loathes the mountains and would much rather live in a very deep valley.
2. Doug IM's Cathy to pass the salt. Cathy IM's Doug to hand her some butter. Doug IM's Cathy to remind her they need to pick up milk on they way home. Cathy IM's Doug that the baby needs changing. Not a word is said all evening....
And the #1 Surprise at the Blogfest This Evening...
1. Chase a kid, do a shot... Chase a kid, do a shot...
Friday, February 09, 2007
Blogger Meetup
All Knoxville-area bloggers invited to a blogger meetup this Saturday.
February 10
Calhouns West at Mabry Hood and Pellissippi
5:00 - ?
Be there, or...not.
February 10
Calhouns West at Mabry Hood and Pellissippi
5:00 - ?
Be there, or...not.
Crash Cartwheels
So, if you were wandering the halls at Fort Sanders hospital this morning and heard a Code Blue called...well, yeah, that'd be me.
How's that for an opening line?
I went in this morning to have a Gall Bladder scan done because I've been having some pain in my side for some time now. I already went earlier in the week for a treadmill stress test and a echocardiogram to determine if there were any heart problems first. Everything seemed normal, although I have an elevated cholesterol level I'm going to have to try and bring down...
Anyway, the way the process works is they inject a radioactive substance through an IV which they can track as it passes through the gall bladder. After an hour has passed, they inject another substance that causes the gall bladder to contract. They can then scan the functionality of the little green organ.
So I sit down in the little chair to prepare for the IV. Now, in the past I've been subject to vasal vagal attacks when I see needles. I actually don't even need to see the needle, just knowing it's nearby can trigger a loss of blood pressure, the tunnel vision and *boom* I'm in the floor. I hadn't had this happen in a number of years, having had blood drawn on a couple of occasions, so I thought I'd put that behind me.
Not so.
As the tech inserted the IV needle into my arm, I could feel the world closing in around me very quickly. They asked me if I was ok but I wasn't really able to tell them I was going to faint - I really thought I could lick it if I set my mind to it and thought about something else. Well, my blood pressure dropped faster than Rex Grossman's hopes for a contract extension and the next thing I knew I was flat on my back on a gurney with about 6 or 7 people scurrying around me. The tech apparently erred on the side of caution and pushed the panic button, summoning folks from all around the hospital on the crash team. As I regained consciousness I was able to smile and talk, assuring them (through a fog) I was ok and it's happened before. They cancelled the actual Code Blue before all the cart equipment got there but the ones that were there stayed for a while to make sure my BP came back up and I was ok.
After about 10 embarrassing minutes I was able to resume the actual test. The IV was inserted with no further problems.
Fainting aside, it's not a test I'd like to take again anytime soon. While the radioactive dye courses through my veins, altering my DNA as it goes, I had to lie flat on my back for an hour under a machine that relayed the position of the dye to the scanners. Luckily I was able to watch a TV that swivels above me and rotated facing straight down. Unluckily it was tuned to Fox News (Our New Motto: "All Anna Nicole Smith - All The Time"). Anything you want to know about Ms. Smith's untimely death that was learned between 9:40 and 10:40 am this morning, I can tell you.
After the hour was up and my arms beginning to cramp, they injected the testing solution. Hey, bottle that stuff up and send it home with me, whaddya say? Actually, not. By causing the gall bladder to squeeze, it can cause cramping in the abdominal area the tech said, though I never really felt it. However I definitely felt the head-swimming nausea caused by the sudden rush release of the bile or whatever foul substance the gall bladder puts into my system for about 5 minutes. I broke into a cold sweat while taking many deep breaths, attempting to quiet my gorge. After about 5 minutes the effect passed, and I was finally up and out of there by 11:15. A little wobbly and sore but none the worse for wear.
Kudos to the staff at Regional's Nuclear Medicine department and the Code Blue team. I hope I didn't keep them from responding to a real emergency, but it's good to know they're on the ball.
I joked that I was just testing them :)
How's that for an opening line?
I went in this morning to have a Gall Bladder scan done because I've been having some pain in my side for some time now. I already went earlier in the week for a treadmill stress test and a echocardiogram to determine if there were any heart problems first. Everything seemed normal, although I have an elevated cholesterol level I'm going to have to try and bring down...
Anyway, the way the process works is they inject a radioactive substance through an IV which they can track as it passes through the gall bladder. After an hour has passed, they inject another substance that causes the gall bladder to contract. They can then scan the functionality of the little green organ.
So I sit down in the little chair to prepare for the IV. Now, in the past I've been subject to vasal vagal attacks when I see needles. I actually don't even need to see the needle, just knowing it's nearby can trigger a loss of blood pressure, the tunnel vision and *boom* I'm in the floor. I hadn't had this happen in a number of years, having had blood drawn on a couple of occasions, so I thought I'd put that behind me.
Not so.
As the tech inserted the IV needle into my arm, I could feel the world closing in around me very quickly. They asked me if I was ok but I wasn't really able to tell them I was going to faint - I really thought I could lick it if I set my mind to it and thought about something else. Well, my blood pressure dropped faster than Rex Grossman's hopes for a contract extension and the next thing I knew I was flat on my back on a gurney with about 6 or 7 people scurrying around me. The tech apparently erred on the side of caution and pushed the panic button, summoning folks from all around the hospital on the crash team. As I regained consciousness I was able to smile and talk, assuring them (through a fog) I was ok and it's happened before. They cancelled the actual Code Blue before all the cart equipment got there but the ones that were there stayed for a while to make sure my BP came back up and I was ok.
After about 10 embarrassing minutes I was able to resume the actual test. The IV was inserted with no further problems.
Fainting aside, it's not a test I'd like to take again anytime soon. While the radioactive dye courses through my veins, altering my DNA as it goes, I had to lie flat on my back for an hour under a machine that relayed the position of the dye to the scanners. Luckily I was able to watch a TV that swivels above me and rotated facing straight down. Unluckily it was tuned to Fox News (Our New Motto: "All Anna Nicole Smith - All The Time"). Anything you want to know about Ms. Smith's untimely death that was learned between 9:40 and 10:40 am this morning, I can tell you.
After the hour was up and my arms beginning to cramp, they injected the testing solution. Hey, bottle that stuff up and send it home with me, whaddya say? Actually, not. By causing the gall bladder to squeeze, it can cause cramping in the abdominal area the tech said, though I never really felt it. However I definitely felt the head-swimming nausea caused by the sudden rush release of the bile or whatever foul substance the gall bladder puts into my system for about 5 minutes. I broke into a cold sweat while taking many deep breaths, attempting to quiet my gorge. After about 5 minutes the effect passed, and I was finally up and out of there by 11:15. A little wobbly and sore but none the worse for wear.
Kudos to the staff at Regional's Nuclear Medicine department and the Code Blue team. I hope I didn't keep them from responding to a real emergency, but it's good to know they're on the ball.
I joked that I was just testing them :)
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Friday's Feast
Friday, February 09, 2007 - Feast One Hundred & Thirty
Appetizer - Have you been sick yet this winter? If so, what did you come down with?
Amazingly, none of us at the Inn of the Last Home have been sick this winter. We all got flu shots, so that's good right there... but barely a sniffle or upset tummy in sight.
Soup - What colors dominate your closet?
Probably brown and green. Lots of work-casual stuff like khakis. My favorite color is green so there are several dark and forest green shirts in there as well.
Salad - How would you describe your personal "comfort zone"?
I'm not sure what this means, but I am very comfortable around other people in close proximity. I don't have a very rigid "personal space" and it doesn't bother me at all to be touched - either by a handshake, pat on the back, etc. I think a lot of human communication can be accomplished by touch and shouldn't be resisted. A good hug is a great thing :)
Main Course - On which reality show would you really like to be a contestant?
Since I generally loathe reality shows, I guess the current "You're the One That I Want" would be the closest since it's casting a Broadway musical. However, I'm nowhere near the Danny Zuko type so I don't think I'd get very far. Maybe if they were casting a new version of "Into the Woods"? One can only dream...
Dessert - Which holiday would you consider to be your favorite?
I've always loved Christmas so that's probably my favorite. The last few years I've developed a new affection for Halloween, though....
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Nature vs. Nurture
There's an age-old argument regarding how children are raised, and whether the paths they take in life are determined by their own genetic dispositions or the quality of attention and love given by their parents.
Wikipedia defines it:
First was the movie "Matilda" I watched with my daughter, Tink, on ABC Family last week. It's a 1996 movie based on the 1998 novel by Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach). The story is about a little girl who develops extraordinary powers controlled by extraordinary sweetness, while being raised by parents who are extraordinarily obnoxious. The first line in the movie says:
Next is a story few people are unfamiliar with, Harry Potter. Since being protected by his mother from evil Lord Voldemort, infant Harry was raised by his aunt and uncle, the Dursleys, who had their own pampered son. We've seen in the movies and in the books how the Dursleys didn't tell Harry of his powers and kept him basically as an indentured servant in their own home, housing him in a small room under the stairs and rarely speaking to him with any kindness whatsoever. (In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if J.K. Rowling didn't dip into Roald Dahl's bag of tricks for this living arrangement, as it's eerily similar to Matilda's family.) Somehow Harry develops an innate sense of kindness and generosity, once again independent of his aunt and uncle's personalities. Their own son Dudley is a complete doddering, doted on mess but Harry is so completely out of place he might as well not even be related.
It's interesting to note that both Harry and Matilda have supernatural abilities, which may explain part of their ability to resist the influence of their respective households. Yet I don't think even in the literary world the possession of magic powers specifically endows a character with innate "goodness". Two cases in point.
The last media example I noticed is the American TV series "24". Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland) is the knight in not-so-shining armor who has saved America time and time again from nefarious bad guys, evil-doers, terrorists, ex-lovers, former bosses and wandering daughters. This season we meet Jack's brother, Graem and his father, Philip. Both men are high up in a multi-national corporation that has brokered nuclear weapons and nerve gas to terrorists, assassinated ex-presidents and controlled a sitting president. I believe it's safe to say these are not nice men. So how can ultimate good guy Jack grow up in a house where his father and brother were so mustache-twirlingly evil and not see what's going on, much less stay good himself?
The Bauer story is a much grayer area (no pun intended) than the two previous tales, because we've seen Jack use methods that would make even the worst "good guys" turn pale. Decapitation, shock torture, cold-blooded killing - none of these tactics would be considered "good guy" tactics, yet since Jack's motives seem to be (mostly) pure and done when they had to be done, he is forgiven. Only brother Graem, under Jack's torture in this past week's episode, reminds Jack that they are the same - two men fighting for what they believe to the best of their ability. They just happen to be on two different sides - neither good or evil. Just grey. This may be what Graem thinks, but Jack's loyalty to President Palmer I and his devotion to his friends, wife and others speaks volumes for the character Graem lacks.
Speculation abounds that Jack's deceased mother must have been a saint to counterbalance the influence of his father. That remains to be seen... There is no evidence at this point to suggest Jack's early home life was anything but ideal - perhaps later this season more details will emerge, in fact it's very likely we'll learn a lot more about Jack's history with his father and brother. I doubt, however, his home life was anything like Matilda's or Harry's - if Jack had been kept under the stairs, he would have broken out years before. Yet, Graem's assertions aside, there's no doubt Jack Bauer is a fundamentally very different person than his father and brother.
So there are three fictional examples of people brought up in homes where the families are horrid yet the children turn out to be moral and upright citizens. How is this possible? How do these children actually learn what it means to be loyal, to be kind, to be fair and understanding and patient and studious when nothing of the sort is taught to them? In fact, the opposite is taught. Matilda's parents hate reading, love TV, are crooks and can't believe she's a prodigy. Harry's aunt and uncle fear his his witchcraft heritage, ignore him, insult him and try to keep him from learning who he is. Jack's past, as I say, is a bit murkier but it's safe to say his father and brother were completely business and money-oriented, and while there's obviously a strong connection between Jack and Philip (witnessed by "The Look" Philip gives Jack during the torture, in which Jack backs down guiltily), it can't be a connection with a lot of love and mutual respect.
It's easy to explain these away as fictions - in fiction you can do whatever you want. 24 frequently plays fast and loose with logic (from Central to Southern California in 5 minutes???) and if Roald Dahl or J.K. Rowling wanted their creations to sprout third arms, know all the verses to "Rocky Top" or have a small colony of gnomes living under their bed that wear purple stockings and recite bedtime stories, that's all within their power. Do the family, "nature vs. nurture" assertions translate to real life, though?
Here's the real question: If one is to accept as an axiom the possibility a "good" child can grow up in a "bad" family, is it equally possible that a "bad" child can grow up in a "good" family? Is a child's innate, genetic nature independent of whatever influence a parent might have on them? Or do they have any actual choice in how they turn out?
I consider ours a "good" family. My wife and I love each other and don't fight too much :) We have two smart kids that are kind to others and mostly kind to each other. Laura and I are educated, teach right and wrong and Tink and BrainyBoy generally respond positively to discipline and instruction like most kids do. They're smart, creative, talented... they're not exposed to cruelty or ridicule except on an abstract evening-news scale. I have no real fears either will turn out to be anything different than well-adjusted, happy members of society.
But I've seen too many instances where families may also think they're "good families." They provide for their kids monetary needs. They give them opportunities for education, sports, extra-curricular activities, amusement - anything a kid might want. But is the emotional connection there? One but has to turn a jaded eye to deep West Knox County and the million-dollar homes with the business-obsessed dads and the status-obsessed moms (and vice versa). Witness the debate over relieving overcrowding at Farragut High School by rezoning Farragut kids to the new high school being built nearby - the outcry from Farragut parents that our kids might have to leave the safe halls of FSH and mix with their kids (the heathens at Karns and Bearden also being rezoned to alleviate overcrowding) was too much for the status-conscious to take. That kind of attitude reflects a greater desire for status and superiority than truly looking to create the best possible school environment for their children.
It's those kinds of things - nurturing aspects that on the surface seem commendable but when you dig deeper turn out to be selfish on the part of the parents, and don't care for the kids at all - that present a danger when raising kids. I go through the same thing at times, wondering time after time if my playing in a band or music directing plays takes precious time away from my kids to satisfy my own creative needs. While it brings in extra money and keeps me sane, does it always justify the time away? It requires constant attention and vigilance to ensure one's kids are being raised the best way possible, with enough love and caring and attention to who they are, not who you are.
I am concerned about all the kids whose parents don't provide the right environment for them in the home. Whose own situation in life is more important to them than their kids'... Maybe it's possible for a Matilda or Harry or Jack to come out of a home where the parents are neglectful, uncaring or cruel. I certainly hope so.
But it could equally be just a fiction. I'd love to think that some kids in bad homes will turn out good. It's up to us, though, to make positive childhoods a reality.
Wikipedia defines it:
Nature vs Nurture is a shorthand expression for debates about the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities ("nature") versus personal experiences ("nurture") in determining or causing individual differences in physical and behavioral traits. With the development of human genetics, many important human traits have proved to be partially or mostly genetic.Three recent media events I've witnessed brought the concept to mind and got me to thinking. I'll be as brief on their descriptions as I can.
First was the movie "Matilda" I watched with my daughter, Tink, on ABC Family last week. It's a 1996 movie based on the 1998 novel by Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach). The story is about a little girl who develops extraordinary powers controlled by extraordinary sweetness, while being raised by parents who are extraordinarily obnoxious. The first line in the movie says:
Everyone is born, but not everyone is born the same. Some will grow to be butchers, or bakers, or candlestick makers. Some will only be really good at making Jell-O salad. One way or another, though, every human being is unique, for better or for worse.Somehow Matilda develops a fantastic intelligence, a love for books, a desire for learning, life skills, maturity and - oh yes - telekenetic powers, while growing up from birth to about age 7 in a house where her parents almost completly ignore her and are rude, obnoxious, self-centered boors. How is such a thing possible? How can a child develop his or her own sense of independence and maturity in an environment where such things are violently discouraged? Interesting question.
Next is a story few people are unfamiliar with, Harry Potter. Since being protected by his mother from evil Lord Voldemort, infant Harry was raised by his aunt and uncle, the Dursleys, who had their own pampered son. We've seen in the movies and in the books how the Dursleys didn't tell Harry of his powers and kept him basically as an indentured servant in their own home, housing him in a small room under the stairs and rarely speaking to him with any kindness whatsoever. (In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if J.K. Rowling didn't dip into Roald Dahl's bag of tricks for this living arrangement, as it's eerily similar to Matilda's family.) Somehow Harry develops an innate sense of kindness and generosity, once again independent of his aunt and uncle's personalities. Their own son Dudley is a complete doddering, doted on mess but Harry is so completely out of place he might as well not even be related.
It's interesting to note that both Harry and Matilda have supernatural abilities, which may explain part of their ability to resist the influence of their respective households. Yet I don't think even in the literary world the possession of magic powers specifically endows a character with innate "goodness". Two cases in point.
The last media example I noticed is the American TV series "24". Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland) is the knight in not-so-shining armor who has saved America time and time again from nefarious bad guys, evil-doers, terrorists, ex-lovers, former bosses and wandering daughters. This season we meet Jack's brother, Graem and his father, Philip. Both men are high up in a multi-national corporation that has brokered nuclear weapons and nerve gas to terrorists, assassinated ex-presidents and controlled a sitting president. I believe it's safe to say these are not nice men. So how can ultimate good guy Jack grow up in a house where his father and brother were so mustache-twirlingly evil and not see what's going on, much less stay good himself?
The Bauer story is a much grayer area (no pun intended) than the two previous tales, because we've seen Jack use methods that would make even the worst "good guys" turn pale. Decapitation, shock torture, cold-blooded killing - none of these tactics would be considered "good guy" tactics, yet since Jack's motives seem to be (mostly) pure and done when they had to be done, he is forgiven. Only brother Graem, under Jack's torture in this past week's episode, reminds Jack that they are the same - two men fighting for what they believe to the best of their ability. They just happen to be on two different sides - neither good or evil. Just grey. This may be what Graem thinks, but Jack's loyalty to President Palmer I and his devotion to his friends, wife and others speaks volumes for the character Graem lacks.
Speculation abounds that Jack's deceased mother must have been a saint to counterbalance the influence of his father. That remains to be seen... There is no evidence at this point to suggest Jack's early home life was anything but ideal - perhaps later this season more details will emerge, in fact it's very likely we'll learn a lot more about Jack's history with his father and brother. I doubt, however, his home life was anything like Matilda's or Harry's - if Jack had been kept under the stairs, he would have broken out years before. Yet, Graem's assertions aside, there's no doubt Jack Bauer is a fundamentally very different person than his father and brother.
So there are three fictional examples of people brought up in homes where the families are horrid yet the children turn out to be moral and upright citizens. How is this possible? How do these children actually learn what it means to be loyal, to be kind, to be fair and understanding and patient and studious when nothing of the sort is taught to them? In fact, the opposite is taught. Matilda's parents hate reading, love TV, are crooks and can't believe she's a prodigy. Harry's aunt and uncle fear his his witchcraft heritage, ignore him, insult him and try to keep him from learning who he is. Jack's past, as I say, is a bit murkier but it's safe to say his father and brother were completely business and money-oriented, and while there's obviously a strong connection between Jack and Philip (witnessed by "The Look" Philip gives Jack during the torture, in which Jack backs down guiltily), it can't be a connection with a lot of love and mutual respect.
It's easy to explain these away as fictions - in fiction you can do whatever you want. 24 frequently plays fast and loose with logic (from Central to Southern California in 5 minutes???) and if Roald Dahl or J.K. Rowling wanted their creations to sprout third arms, know all the verses to "Rocky Top" or have a small colony of gnomes living under their bed that wear purple stockings and recite bedtime stories, that's all within their power. Do the family, "nature vs. nurture" assertions translate to real life, though?
Here's the real question: If one is to accept as an axiom the possibility a "good" child can grow up in a "bad" family, is it equally possible that a "bad" child can grow up in a "good" family? Is a child's innate, genetic nature independent of whatever influence a parent might have on them? Or do they have any actual choice in how they turn out?
I consider ours a "good" family. My wife and I love each other and don't fight too much :) We have two smart kids that are kind to others and mostly kind to each other. Laura and I are educated, teach right and wrong and Tink and BrainyBoy generally respond positively to discipline and instruction like most kids do. They're smart, creative, talented... they're not exposed to cruelty or ridicule except on an abstract evening-news scale. I have no real fears either will turn out to be anything different than well-adjusted, happy members of society.
But I've seen too many instances where families may also think they're "good families." They provide for their kids monetary needs. They give them opportunities for education, sports, extra-curricular activities, amusement - anything a kid might want. But is the emotional connection there? One but has to turn a jaded eye to deep West Knox County and the million-dollar homes with the business-obsessed dads and the status-obsessed moms (and vice versa). Witness the debate over relieving overcrowding at Farragut High School by rezoning Farragut kids to the new high school being built nearby - the outcry from Farragut parents that our kids might have to leave the safe halls of FSH and mix with their kids (the heathens at Karns and Bearden also being rezoned to alleviate overcrowding) was too much for the status-conscious to take. That kind of attitude reflects a greater desire for status and superiority than truly looking to create the best possible school environment for their children.
It's those kinds of things - nurturing aspects that on the surface seem commendable but when you dig deeper turn out to be selfish on the part of the parents, and don't care for the kids at all - that present a danger when raising kids. I go through the same thing at times, wondering time after time if my playing in a band or music directing plays takes precious time away from my kids to satisfy my own creative needs. While it brings in extra money and keeps me sane, does it always justify the time away? It requires constant attention and vigilance to ensure one's kids are being raised the best way possible, with enough love and caring and attention to who they are, not who you are.
I am concerned about all the kids whose parents don't provide the right environment for them in the home. Whose own situation in life is more important to them than their kids'... Maybe it's possible for a Matilda or Harry or Jack to come out of a home where the parents are neglectful, uncaring or cruel. I certainly hope so.
But it could equally be just a fiction. I'd love to think that some kids in bad homes will turn out good. It's up to us, though, to make positive childhoods a reality.
Spirit of the Law
Moore: Ethics panel nominees broke law
Apparently no two commissioners can even speak to each other in passing without violation of the law. If they discussed the UT game last night, or maybe the Super Bowl on Sunday - is that illegal? Can two commissioners not even get together for lunch? And if they can, are they prohibited from discussing what color the carpet should be in the Meeting Rooms?
Next thing you know someone will be accused of violating the Sunshine Law by talking in his sleep. Lying in bed next to his wife, who is probably another commissioner the way things are working these days.
The purpose of the Open Meetings Act, or the "Sunshine Law":
Knox County Commission Chairman Scott Moore alleged Tuesday that four commissioners nominated for the new Ethics Committee violated the Open Meetings Act by gathering in Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale's office on Monday.Once again, the nominal leadership of our county shows its intelligence by alleging violations of the Sunshine Law - the very law the ethics committee will be investigating whether he and his cohorts broke in the first place.
Participants countered that they merely waited in the office before walking together to a press conference announcing their nominations and did not discuss commission business.
Apparently no two commissioners can even speak to each other in passing without violation of the law. If they discussed the UT game last night, or maybe the Super Bowl on Sunday - is that illegal? Can two commissioners not even get together for lunch? And if they can, are they prohibited from discussing what color the carpet should be in the Meeting Rooms?
Next thing you know someone will be accused of violating the Sunshine Law by talking in his sleep. Lying in bed next to his wife, who is probably another commissioner the way things are working these days.
The purpose of the Open Meetings Act, or the "Sunshine Law":
The Open Meetings Act allows for "chance meetings" as long as there's no discussion of matters coming up for a vote.But that's not enough for people who like nothing more than being petty and vindictive. Knox Countians need to be on top of things like this....
[Ethics committee nominee and Commissioner Mark] Harmon said all the nominees did was greet one another and that "there was absolutely no deliberation whatsoever."
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
And In Economic News...
Stock in Bluetooth wireless communication devices took an unexpected dip yesterday in heavy trading. Analysts contribute the fall to a projected decrease in overall nationwide usage, mainly due to the death of this man:
Graem Bauer, 45, was discovered dead yesterday of an apparent drug overdose. His brother Jack and father Philip was unavailable for comment.
Graem Bauer, 45, was discovered dead yesterday of an apparent drug overdose. His brother Jack and father Philip was unavailable for comment.
An Untouched Comedy Mine
Astronaut to face attempted murder charge
Astronaut Charged with Attempted Kidnapping
I mean, this sounds like the plot of the lost episode of "I Dream of Jeannie", where Jeannie's evil black-haired sister attempts to kill her with a magical BB gun to win Major Nelson's affections...of course Roger Healy accidently gets in the way, Dr. Bellows witnesses something he wasn't supposed to and hilarity ensues.
A NASA astronaut charged with pepper-spraying and trying to kidnap a romantic rival was granted bail Tuesday, but her release was delayed after police announced they were filing an attempted murder charge against her, a corrections department spokesman said.
Astronaut Charged with Attempted Kidnapping
A NASA astronaut who drove hundreds of miles to confront a romantic rival, wearing diapers on the journey so that she would not have to stop to use the restroom, appeared in court today facing charges that included attempted kidnapping, and was ordered released on $15,500 bond.When's the last time this kind of romantic triangle played out in the media? While the situation itself is very serious, still....you can't pass up fresh territory like Astronauts Gone Wild without doing something.
I mean, this sounds like the plot of the lost episode of "I Dream of Jeannie", where Jeannie's evil black-haired sister attempts to kill her with a magical BB gun to win Major Nelson's affections...of course Roger Healy accidently gets in the way, Dr. Bellows witnesses something he wasn't supposed to and hilarity ensues.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh...
...to keep from crying.
Jordan admits drug-dealing past
Jordan admits drug-dealing past
Newly appointed Knox County Commissioner Josh Jordan testified as a teenager that he sold cocaine for a drug dealer connected to the notoriously violent Florida Boys drug gang but said Friday he’s turned his life around since then.I'm glad the guy's turned his life around. But in a normal world, how many former drug-dealers would be elected to Commission of a county the size of Knox? And in a normal world (not even a perfect world) how many would be appointed to a vacant seat without that kind of fact being brought up to assist in making an informed and responsible decision?
Records from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1996 show that Jordan admitted peddling drugs — in the same district he now represents — when he testified against members of the gang.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Friday's Feast
Friday, February 02, 2007 - Feast One Hundred & Twenty Nine
Appetizer - What was one of the fashion fads when you were a teenager?
I was a teen in the 80's - in fact, the entire 80's were my teenage years pretty much. So take your pick - parachute pants (had 'em), pastel shirt with white jacket (had 'em), Members Only jacket (had it), Panama Jack painters hat (had it - maybe that was a local thing), leg warmers (didn't have 'em)
Soup - Name one thing you think people assume about you when they first meet you.
If they meet me in the course of my job they probably think I'm a techhead. Although I design websites for a big local company, I'm probably the least internet tech savvy web designer out there.
Salad - On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how hard do you work?
Another work question. Actually the volume of work fluctuates from maybe 5 to 9, depending when I'm between projects or waiting on followup. I enjoy working and being productive, especially when the site is interesting or poses a creative challenge. It's doing the little piddly stuff like changing phone numbers on pages or adding and removing docs from the list of specialists in a local surgery center or some such that gets really tedious...
Main Course - If you were given a free 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl to sell anything you currently own, what would you advertise?
I can't think of anything I have that I actually want to sell, but if I had 30-seconds free in the Super Bowl I'd tell everyone across the country and the world how much I love my wife and kids, and that you can't buy that in a store from a commercial. Oh, and to hire me to direct a play. Wait-is my 30 seconds up??---
Dessert - Fill in the blank: I love to ________ when it is _________.
I love to lay on the couch and read a book or take a nap when it is warm and sunny outside, there's a nice breeze, the windows in the living room are open and it's utterly quiet with no one around.
Ultrasonic
Have you seen the commercial for the new movie The Messengers?
Next time it comes on, ask your kids if they hear the ultrasonic whistle...
Here's the premise: Supposedly there's a set of ultrasonic frequencies that only kids can hear, and as we get older we lose our ability to hear in that frequency range. This is a scientific fact - the movie states that there may be a visual range kids can only see and adults can't....and there lies - MADNESS!!!
Well, whatever. Anyway, at the beginning of the commercial there's a graphic of a sound wave, with the word "Ultrasonic" at the top (while the movie scenes are playing). The commercial came on last night while we were watching TV. We asked BrainyBoy and Tink if they could hear the sound, and they nodded as if, "duh..yeah". Laura and I looked at each other with surprise, thinking they were joking around. I backed up the DVR several times and we played it over an over - every time they could hear the whine, and we couldn't. This caused great amusement for BrainyBoy, though Tink thought it was "creepy" and wanted it to stop.
Amazing they can hear this frequency just fine, but can't hear me tell them to finish eating their dinner or pick up their shoes...
Note: the link to the preview site above doesn't contain the TV commercial, only the theatrical trailer. I haven't found it on YouTube yet, but if I do I'll post it.
Next time it comes on, ask your kids if they hear the ultrasonic whistle...
Here's the premise: Supposedly there's a set of ultrasonic frequencies that only kids can hear, and as we get older we lose our ability to hear in that frequency range. This is a scientific fact - the movie states that there may be a visual range kids can only see and adults can't....and there lies - MADNESS!!!
Well, whatever. Anyway, at the beginning of the commercial there's a graphic of a sound wave, with the word "Ultrasonic" at the top (while the movie scenes are playing). The commercial came on last night while we were watching TV. We asked BrainyBoy and Tink if they could hear the sound, and they nodded as if, "duh..yeah". Laura and I looked at each other with surprise, thinking they were joking around. I backed up the DVR several times and we played it over an over - every time they could hear the whine, and we couldn't. This caused great amusement for BrainyBoy, though Tink thought it was "creepy" and wanted it to stop.
Amazing they can hear this frequency just fine, but can't hear me tell them to finish eating their dinner or pick up their shoes...
Note: the link to the preview site above doesn't contain the TV commercial, only the theatrical trailer. I haven't found it on YouTube yet, but if I do I'll post it.
Our Only Recourse?
Yesterday the Knox County Commission held allegedly illegal backdoor meetings to replace their term-limited brethren. In violation of state Sunshine laws, they apparently decided amongst themselves without public input who would be appointed to fill the vacant positions. The practice of fair governing was blatantly usurped in front of our eyes to insert relatives, friends and supporters of previous commissioners onto the board. A lawsuit was filed immediately thereafter contending said violations.
What can be done about it by Knox Countians? The obvious first option is to vote at the polls. But since 20% of the populace ever gets out to vote at any one time, that's difficult to do in an organized way. Plus since most candidates are floated out by the local corn-fed versions of the two political parties, there is often not much to choose from.
Lane wonders if we should "impeach the whole bunch for just being idiots." Were it that easy, we'd do it in a heartbeat.
I wonder if it's not time for another recall proceedings, this time not directed at the city mayor's office at City Council but County Commission.
What can be done about it by Knox Countians? The obvious first option is to vote at the polls. But since 20% of the populace ever gets out to vote at any one time, that's difficult to do in an organized way. Plus since most candidates are floated out by the local corn-fed versions of the two political parties, there is often not much to choose from.
Lane wonders if we should "impeach the whole bunch for just being idiots." Were it that easy, we'd do it in a heartbeat.
I wonder if it's not time for another recall proceedings, this time not directed at the city mayor's office at City Council but County Commission.
The 2006 True Stella Awards
The 2006 True Stella Awards
Issued 31 January 2007
(Click here to
confirm these are legitimate.)
Issued 31 January 2007
(Click here to
confirm these are legitimate.)
#5: Marcy Meckler. While shopping at
a mall, Meckler stepped outside and was "attacked" by a squirrel that
lived among the trees and bushes. And "while frantically attempting
to escape from the squirrel and detach it from her leg, [Meckler]
fell and suffered severe injuries," her resulting lawsuit says.
That's the mall's fault, the lawsuit claims, demanding in excess of
$50,000, based on the mall's "failure to warn" her that squirrels
live outside.
#4: Ron and Kristie Simmons. The
couple's 4-year-old son, Justin, was killed in a tragic lawnmower
accident in a licensed daycare facility, and the death was clearly
the result of negligence by the daycare providers. The providers were
clearly deserving of being sued, yet when the Simmons's discovered
the daycare only had $100,000 in insurance, they dropped the case
against them and instead sued the manufacturer of the 16-year-old
lawn mower because the mower didn't have a safety device that 1) had
not been invented at the time of the mower's manufacture, and 2) no
safety agency had even suggested needed to be invented. A sympathetic
jury still awarded the family $2 million.
#3: Robert Clymer. An FBI agent
working a high-profile case in Las Vegas, Clymer allegedly created a
disturbance, lost the magazine from his pistol, then crashed his
pickup truck in a drunken stupor -- his blood-alcohol level was 0.306
percent, more than three times the legal limit for driving in Nevada.
He pled guilty to drunk driving because, his lawyer explained, "With
public officials, we expect them to own up to their mistakes and
correct them." Yet Clymer had the gall to sue the manufacturer of his
pickup truck, and the dealer he bought it from, because he "somehow
lost consciousness" and the truck "somehow produced a heavy smoke
that filled the passenger cab." Yep: the drunk-driving accident
wasn't his fault, but the truck's fault. Just the kind of guy you
want carrying a gun in the name of the law.
#2: #2: KinderStart.com. The
specialty search engine says Google should be forced to include the
KinderStart site in its listings, reveal how its "Page Rank" system
works, and pay them lots of money because they're a competitor. They
claim by not being ranked higher in Google, Google is somehow
infringing KinderStart's Constitutional right to free speech. Even if
by some stretch they were a competitor of Google, why in the world
would they think it's Google's responsibility to help them succeed?
And if Google's "review" of their site is negative, wouldn't a
government court order forcing them to change it infringe on Google's
Constitutional right to free speech?
And the winner of the 2006 True Stella
Award: Allen Ray Heckard. Even though Heckard is 3 inches
shorter, 25 pounds lighter, and 8 years older than former basketball
star Michael Jordan, the Portland, Oregon, man says he looks a lot
like Jordan, and is often confused for him -- and thus he deserves
$52 million "for defamation and permanent injury" -- plus $364
million in "punitive damage for emotional pain and suffering", plus
the SAME amount from Nike co-founder Phil Knight, for a grand total
of $832 million. He dropped the suit after Nike's lawyers chatted
with him, where they presumably explained how they'd counter-sue if
he pressed on.
©2007 by Randy Cassingham,
StellaAwards.com. Reprinted with permission.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Is Instant Communication Too Instant?
I have three email accounts that I keep up with regularly. One is my work address, that I use to communicate with other employees and the occasional member of the public with whom I have business. Since we're on Microsoft systems here in my office, we use MS Office and I have Outlook open the entire time I'm at my desk. I could get an email at any time advising me of a system outage that might affect my company's websites, an error on a page that requires immediate correction, or feedback from the public on any of the 30+ feedback pages scattered about all the hospitals' sites.
It's also set to deliver me local and national breaking news stories emails, enewsletters, error notifications and of course spam. The company's spam filters intercept most of it, but sometimes it gets through. There are rare occasions I will access this email account remotely from home but it doesn't happen often. The vast majority of my work is done at work.
I also have a personal Yahoo account that stays open all the time in Internet Explorer, the same browser I use to build my websites. This account is mainly for communication with friends and acquaintances, a lot of personal newsletters and Yahoo Group post notifications, theatre communication, and freelance web design work I do here and there. I don't advertise that account on the blog but it does exist and several people I know have it.
Finally, I also have my Inn of the Last Home email account open in Firefox all the time. I use Firefox simulatenously to test sites in the other most popular browser, keep up with blog postings and post to this site (like I'm doing now). And email sent to me having to do with blog feedback or other of that type of online business comes through there.
Here's my point - all three of these email accounts are open while I'm at my desk, and any time someone sends me an email on any of them, I get it fairly quickly. When I'm at home the lag time increases but I frequently check both Yahoo addresses often during the evening and the morning to see if there's any personal business or correspondence that needs to be taken care of. Typically if I receive an email that needs a response, it will be sent out very shortly after receiving it. Sometimes in minutes. Since chat is blocked at my work, Big Orange Michael and myself have been known to let the emails fly back and forth at times.
None of this email attention affects my work productivity, as it's always answered or read during slight downtimes between tasks. Sometimes my wife looks at me funny when I'm checking my email first thing in the morning ("who's going to send you anything at 3am?") but I feel it's my responsibility to answer an email as quickly as possible. If you were standing in a room and someone asked you a question, you wouldn't walk away, take care of some business, eat a meal, watch some TV, then walk back in and answer would you? I feel it's rude on my part to not respond in due haste.
This is an unknown practice at work, as most of my marketing manager clients check and respond to email haphazardly. I may send an email linking to a test site for review and it could be days before I hear a response. Which throws my productivity schedule off, because I have to stop what I was doing waiting for further instructions and comment. This is common in the print world they're accustomed to, but in the online world where communication and decisions are made instantaneously and on-the-fly it can be maddening.
What is your email etiquette?
How many email accounts do you use regularly?
How quickly do you check it? How quickly do you respond?
Do you handle work emails and personal emails differently?
Do we have a responsibility, ethically - if we accept that our email accounts are as viable a way of reaching us as telephones - to respond with all due haste? Or do we treat them as Caller ID and answer when we feel like it? I admit I screen calls at home, but only when I can tell they're solicitors or political calls. I think it's also rude to ignore call from someone you know just because you don't want to talk to them.
It's also set to deliver me local and national breaking news stories emails, enewsletters, error notifications and of course spam. The company's spam filters intercept most of it, but sometimes it gets through. There are rare occasions I will access this email account remotely from home but it doesn't happen often. The vast majority of my work is done at work.
I also have a personal Yahoo account that stays open all the time in Internet Explorer, the same browser I use to build my websites. This account is mainly for communication with friends and acquaintances, a lot of personal newsletters and Yahoo Group post notifications, theatre communication, and freelance web design work I do here and there. I don't advertise that account on the blog but it does exist and several people I know have it.
Finally, I also have my Inn of the Last Home email account open in Firefox all the time. I use Firefox simulatenously to test sites in the other most popular browser, keep up with blog postings and post to this site (like I'm doing now). And email sent to me having to do with blog feedback or other of that type of online business comes through there.
Here's my point - all three of these email accounts are open while I'm at my desk, and any time someone sends me an email on any of them, I get it fairly quickly. When I'm at home the lag time increases but I frequently check both Yahoo addresses often during the evening and the morning to see if there's any personal business or correspondence that needs to be taken care of. Typically if I receive an email that needs a response, it will be sent out very shortly after receiving it. Sometimes in minutes. Since chat is blocked at my work, Big Orange Michael and myself have been known to let the emails fly back and forth at times.
None of this email attention affects my work productivity, as it's always answered or read during slight downtimes between tasks. Sometimes my wife looks at me funny when I'm checking my email first thing in the morning ("who's going to send you anything at 3am?") but I feel it's my responsibility to answer an email as quickly as possible. If you were standing in a room and someone asked you a question, you wouldn't walk away, take care of some business, eat a meal, watch some TV, then walk back in and answer would you? I feel it's rude on my part to not respond in due haste.
This is an unknown practice at work, as most of my marketing manager clients check and respond to email haphazardly. I may send an email linking to a test site for review and it could be days before I hear a response. Which throws my productivity schedule off, because I have to stop what I was doing waiting for further instructions and comment. This is common in the print world they're accustomed to, but in the online world where communication and decisions are made instantaneously and on-the-fly it can be maddening.
What is your email etiquette?
How many email accounts do you use regularly?
How quickly do you check it? How quickly do you respond?
Do you handle work emails and personal emails differently?
Do we have a responsibility, ethically - if we accept that our email accounts are as viable a way of reaching us as telephones - to respond with all due haste? Or do we treat them as Caller ID and answer when we feel like it? I admit I screen calls at home, but only when I can tell they're solicitors or political calls. I think it's also rude to ignore call from someone you know just because you don't want to talk to them.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
That's My Girl
A few days ago, helping 2nd-grader Tink with study her spelling:
Me: Spell "turkey".
Tink: T-U-R-K-E-Y.
Me: Good... (searching for next word, but saying under my breath) "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly..."
Tink: (smirking, under her breath) "Oh, the humanity!"
Do I raise 'em right or do I?
Me: Spell "turkey".
Tink: T-U-R-K-E-Y.
Me: Good... (searching for next word, but saying under my breath) "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly..."
Tink: (smirking, under her breath) "Oh, the humanity!"
Do I raise 'em right or do I?
Friday, January 26, 2007
Word of the Day
Because I coined the phrase preggerventures to describe what lies ahead for my in-a-family-way-friend Tiger at Tiger Babble, I've submitted it to the Urban Dictionary.
I'll let you know if it's accepted...
Try to remain calm.
I'll let you know if it's accepted...
Try to remain calm.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Friday's Feast
Friday, January 26, 2007 - Feast One Hundred & Twenty Eight
Appetizer - If you could take lessons to learn any musical instrument, which would you want to learn?
I've always been fascinated by the tone and emotion of the cello. I've never attempted to play a string instrument before, and I'm unsure if I'd have the patience to learn but I'd love to give it a try. A cello has such a plaintive, melancholy sound that (to me) is much more expressive than any other string instrument (except the piano, of course). How much would a used cello go for, anyway?
Soup - Have you ever mistaken a person for someone else?
I don't recall a specific instance, but if you're caught staring at someone by accident and you feel like a fool you can always say, "Oh, I'm sorry - I thought you were someone else.."
Salad - On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets?
C'mere...let me let you in on a little secret... Actually, I don't know very many secrets unless they're privileged information from my work or something like that. I suppose I'd have to be a 9, because there are sometimes I'll share information with my wife that I might not've been given strict permission to include her in the discussion - simply because I believe a married couple should not be considered separate entities in that regard.
Main Course - What's the closest you've ever been to a dangerous animal?
You mean, outside a zoo? :) Last summer we took a trip through the Everglades and came close to several gators - we were in no danger, but they were right there in the water outside our airboat. At Animal Kingdom in Orlando there are no cages separating your tour bus from the animals. I guess the closest would be the time I was bitten twice on the leg by a brown recluse spider. Oooh...big game hunter, me...
Dessert - When was the last time you lost your patience?
I lose my patience with my kids sometimes when they take forever to finish a task, like cleaning their room or picking up toys. I've lost patience with people at my office before, when they take too long to get back to me with information or complete a project. But I usually keep a good handle on my patience and temper.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Boring?
My daily readership has gone way down. Am I just that boring? Do I need to post something controversial to get the interest going?
BlogFest Coming Up
Rich has announced a Blogfest get-together:
Where: Calhoun's on Kingston Pike at I-140 (that would be near Pelissippi and Mabry Hood Rd.)
When: Saturday, February 10 starting at 5:00PM
Who: Everybody
Why: Because.
I may have a band gig that night, but if not I hope to be there. Anyone in Knoxville who blogs or reads blogs or even just reads is welcome!
Where: Calhoun's on Kingston Pike at I-140 (that would be near Pelissippi and Mabry Hood Rd.)
When: Saturday, February 10 starting at 5:00PM
Who: Everybody
Why: Because.
I may have a band gig that night, but if not I hope to be there. Anyone in Knoxville who blogs or reads blogs or even just reads is welcome!
The New Ferret Face and Hot Lips
Aren't the pretty much filling the same role as characters in their respective shows? Dwight/Frank is the second-in-command, always wanting more power and abusing it when he has it, rival with the smarter and funnier co-worker, gets pranks pulled on him all the time, rigid and by-the-book. Angela/Margaret is the "secret" lover everyone knows about, very disciplined and whiny, looks down on her coworkers, plots with Dwight/Frank against everyone else.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
One More Reason to Subscribe to Netflix
I get Netflix's RSS feed for New Releases - coming up this week:
Wow, something for everyone!
- Pride FC: Shockwave 2005
Shockwave 2005 presents every no-holds-barred match held at Japan's Saitama Super Arena. Relive the bone-crushing thrill of matches featuring top-rated Pride fighters such as Wanderlei Silva, Takanori Gomi and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic as they face off in this premier mixed martial arts event. The Pride championships showcase a unique form of extreme hand-to-hand combat incorporating elements of judo, karate, jujitsu, kickboxing and wrestling. - The Best of Hooters
Get ready to enjoy plenty of toned, tanned and exceptionally endowed talent with this scorching hourlong compilation of highlights from five years of the legendary Miss Hooters International Swimsuit Pageants. Previously unavailable raw footage supplements traditional clips of these vivacious young beauties as they take to the runway to model some of the sexiest -- and scantiest -- swimwear around. - Mystery of the Megavolcano
Join "Nova" science detectives as they journey to Southeast Asia to reveal details of one of Earth's most destructive volcanic events. Known as the Toba eruption, this cataclysmic explosion that occurred 75,000 years ago is considered one of the most devastating natural occurrences in history. Watch scientists reconstruct this monstrous catastrophe as they ponder the fragile nature of Earth's crust and the power of the magma within its core. - Monster of the Milky Way
The award-winning science series "Nova" explores the galaxy for evidence of astronomy's most foreboding monster: the supermassive black hole. Though historically scientists have scoffed the black hole's existence, recent data points to the startling reality of the universe's most destructive objects. Computer imagery helps illustrate the creation, structure and movement of this cannibalistic phenomenon that sucks up everything in its vicinity. - Hooters: How Sweet It Is
You'll travel to one of the world's hippest hot spots -- Miami's famed South Beach -- with this sizzling collection of highlights from the Hooters Swimsuit Pageant week. More than 100 Hooters girls from around the globe display their ample assets as they take to the runway in the skimpiest swimwear you've ever seen. After the winner is crowned, you'll join the ladies on the beach for some extended party action. - Abba: In Performance
In this video critique (which includes archival concert footage), experts and insiders discuss the legacy of Swedish sensation Abba -- who burst onto the pop scene in the 1970s and quickly became one of the world's most commercially successful bands. With such catchy tunes as "Dancing Queen" and "Waterloo," combined with marketing smarts that led the group to record in several languages, Abba remains popular long after disbanding in 1983.
Wow, something for everyone!
And the Old Get Older...
Everybody join me in wishing Big Orange Michael a very happy birthday!!! Go visit his site and leave him a comment, he lives for that stuff...
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Gave Up
I just gave up on a project I was working on, trying to figure out how a new piece of equipment can be used here at work. I couldn't get it, our IT guy couldn't get it, so we've submitted the equipment to a higher power.
I hate it. I should've been able to figure it out, but I couldn't. So now once again I let someone else take up my slack. I hate this.
I hate it. I should've been able to figure it out, but I couldn't. So now once again I let someone else take up my slack. I hate this.
Why Not - Everybody Else is Doing It?
Since everyone else in Knox County has apparently decided they want to be one of the new County Commission appointees, I figured it was my turn. I'm officially throwing my fedora into the ring for 5th District County Commission. I figure my singular lack of experience in any sort of governmental protocol is more than outweighed by the fact that I'm a) nonpartisan, 2) not beholden monetarily or by political or business relationship to any entity, party, group or individual, c) have slightly more common sense than the average water mollusk, and 4) probably have more personal integrity than all politicians combined.
What the heck, I'm not doing anything important these days, except raising a family, holding down a full-time job, working part-time at my church and now supporting two full grown after-hours hobbies in theatre and my band. I should be able to give the job more real attention even with all those conflicts than most any other Knox politico ever has...
What the heck, I'm not doing anything important these days, except raising a family, holding down a full-time job, working part-time at my church and now supporting two full grown after-hours hobbies in theatre and my band. I should be able to give the job more real attention even with all those conflicts than most any other Knox politico ever has...
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
You Know Your Day's Gotten Off to a Bad Start When...
You notice the cat has jumped up onto the sink and is gnawing on your toothbrush...
Needless to say it was discarded. The toothbrush that is, not the cat.
Although it was close...
Needless to say it was discarded. The toothbrush that is, not the cat.
Although it was close...
Just in From NetFlix
- Disk 1 of the first season of The Office
- The first (and only) season of Leslie Nielsen's Police Squad
Um, I guess I do.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
So Long, Valencia...
...we hardly knew ye (*sniff*)
Gone:
Six Flags Magic Mountain
CalArts, home of the Walt Disney Modular Theatre
(CTU Estimates) 100,000 people.
Does the fictional nuking of an American city bother anyone else besides me? This is the reason I haven't been able to watch Jericho and why "The Day After" still resides in a dark place in my memory...
UPDATE: Just a point of order, after Season 3 of 24, Jack's daughter Kimberly was said to be living in Valencia with ex-CTU'er Chase and his daughter. After Season 4 and Jack's faked death, Chase left her for parts unknown - presumably she stayed put. During season 5 she is in a relationship with her psychiatrist, but no mention (that I recall) of marriage or moving. Therefore, with a lack of evidence to the contrary Kimberly Bauer may now be so much nuclear vapor.
It may never be mentioned one way or the other, but the one residence that was referred to for her was Valencia, so I would imagine that could be a very devastating plot point very soon for Jack Bauer.
Plus they'll never get to go to Magic Mountain together again...
Gone:
Six Flags Magic Mountain
CalArts, home of the Walt Disney Modular Theatre
(CTU Estimates) 100,000 people.
Does the fictional nuking of an American city bother anyone else besides me? This is the reason I haven't been able to watch Jericho and why "The Day After" still resides in a dark place in my memory...
UPDATE: Just a point of order, after Season 3 of 24, Jack's daughter Kimberly was said to be living in Valencia with ex-CTU'er Chase and his daughter. After Season 4 and Jack's faked death, Chase left her for parts unknown - presumably she stayed put. During season 5 she is in a relationship with her psychiatrist, but no mention (that I recall) of marriage or moving. Therefore, with a lack of evidence to the contrary Kimberly Bauer may now be so much nuclear vapor.
It may never be mentioned one way or the other, but the one residence that was referred to for her was Valencia, so I would imagine that could be a very devastating plot point very soon for Jack Bauer.
Plus they'll never get to go to Magic Mountain together again...
Monday, January 15, 2007
Zombie Commisioners
If you don't live in Knox County, you won't get this at all. And for that I envy you...
Randy Neal asks:
Michael Silence answers:
Which leads me to ponder:
If it's true that appointed commissioners won't have their abbreviated term count against them should they decide to run for office in 2008, doesn't that logically also mean the term-limited Commissioners could simply be appointed back to their old seats - since the abbreviated terms won't count against term-limits?
They wouldn't be able to run again in 2008, but they would still serve out the remainder of this term.
I can totally see, politically, the Commission doing this "to ensure a smooth transition of power" and to "not disrupt the efficient running of Knox County government services" and to "thank all the outgoing commissioners for their years of outstanding service", etc. etc.
Zombie Commissioners - rising from the dead to eat your brains...
Randy Neal asks:
If someone is appointed and then stands for election and wins, does their appointed term count against the two-term limit?
Michael Silence answers:
No.
Which leads me to ponder:
If it's true that appointed commissioners won't have their abbreviated term count against them should they decide to run for office in 2008, doesn't that logically also mean the term-limited Commissioners could simply be appointed back to their old seats - since the abbreviated terms won't count against term-limits?
They wouldn't be able to run again in 2008, but they would still serve out the remainder of this term.
I can totally see, politically, the Commission doing this "to ensure a smooth transition of power" and to "not disrupt the efficient running of Knox County government services" and to "thank all the outgoing commissioners for their years of outstanding service", etc. etc.
Zombie Commissioners - rising from the dead to eat your brains...
24...Up to its Old Tricks
It's like slipping into a ratty old robe - worn and frayed, but still comfy and satisfying:
One perimeter set up - fails.
Another mcguffin (the mysterious package in the wall).
Wild-eyed Arabic-quoting "your-family-will-be-notified-of-your-heroic-sacrifice"-jargon-spewing Islamic terrorists (although they're so less interesting than Victor Drazen and his Chechnyans or Vladimir Bierko and his Russians..)
Disgusting torture/assault methods - Jack biting the neck of his captor (should we now call him "Jackula"?), shoulder nerve cluster severed, spinal cord skewered, Muslim traitor's kneecap muscles sliced..
Jack miraculously survives and recovers from his wounds (see previous shoulder nerver cluster sever and flat-lining after spinal cord skewering).
American citizens becoming paranoid.
FBI throwing its weight around.
Chloe getting involved in a hair-brain scheme (she would've fit right in with the Scooby-Doo gang), almost compromising the mission, then all is forgiven as Buchanan gets involved.
Shady, weaselly White House personnel...
Over-their-head CTU managers.
Did I miss anything?
One perimeter set up - fails.
Another mcguffin (the mysterious package in the wall).
Wild-eyed Arabic-quoting "your-family-will-be-notified-of-your-heroic-sacrifice"-jargon-spewing Islamic terrorists (although they're so less interesting than Victor Drazen and his Chechnyans or Vladimir Bierko and his Russians..)
Disgusting torture/assault methods - Jack biting the neck of his captor (should we now call him "Jackula"?), shoulder nerve cluster severed, spinal cord skewered, Muslim traitor's kneecap muscles sliced..
Jack miraculously survives and recovers from his wounds (see previous shoulder nerver cluster sever and flat-lining after spinal cord skewering).
American citizens becoming paranoid.
FBI throwing its weight around.
Chloe getting involved in a hair-brain scheme (she would've fit right in with the Scooby-Doo gang), almost compromising the mission, then all is forgiven as Buchanan gets involved.
Shady, weaselly White House personnel...
Over-their-head CTU managers.
Did I miss anything?
Friday, January 12, 2007
And in the "Don't Let the Door Hit You..." Department:
Supreme Court upholds term limits
Sheriff Tim Hutchison, eight of 19 county commissioners and other officeholders must leave office under a ruling issued today by the Tennessee Supreme Court.
The court upheld two-term limits approved by voters in 1994 for all government officials except court clerks and school board members. Politicians who have served more than two terms therefore must leave office.
Affected are Hutchison, Register of Deeds Steve Hall, Trustee Mike Lowe, County Clerk Mike Padgett and commissioners Mark Cawood, John Griess, John Mills, Diane Jordan, Larry Clark, Billy Tindell, Phil Guthe and John Schmid.
Question about "The Office"
Who else watches "The Office"? (counting show of hands) Ok, good.
Laura and I just started getting into this show regularly for just a few weeks now. We're divided on the concept of the show - are we supposed to assume there's a film crew taping the antics of Dunder-Mifflin for some unnamed, long-term documentary (i.e a similar concept used in Christopher Guest's amazing "Waiting For Guffman"/"Best in Show"/"A Mighty Wind" set of mockumentaries)? Or are just supposed to assume we're another worker in the office there with them, watching everything that's going on?
If it's the documentary option, I found it hard to accept(even for the purposes of sitcom satire) they had five different "film crew" that would go out and cover each sales team as they made their visits around the city in last night's episode. Nor do I find it easy to believe the "film crew" would be allowed to film some of the more intimate, emotional or embarrassing moments - at least without some interaction between the characters being filmed and their imaginary documenteers.
Maybe on earlier seasons this whole concept is addressed, we've just missed it. Any assistance?
Laura and I just started getting into this show regularly for just a few weeks now. We're divided on the concept of the show - are we supposed to assume there's a film crew taping the antics of Dunder-Mifflin for some unnamed, long-term documentary (i.e a similar concept used in Christopher Guest's amazing "Waiting For Guffman"/"Best in Show"/"A Mighty Wind" set of mockumentaries)? Or are just supposed to assume we're another worker in the office there with them, watching everything that's going on?
If it's the documentary option, I found it hard to accept(even for the purposes of sitcom satire) they had five different "film crew" that would go out and cover each sales team as they made their visits around the city in last night's episode. Nor do I find it easy to believe the "film crew" would be allowed to film some of the more intimate, emotional or embarrassing moments - at least without some interaction between the characters being filmed and their imaginary documenteers.
Maybe on earlier seasons this whole concept is addressed, we've just missed it. Any assistance?
Friday's Feast
Friday, January 12, 2007 - Feast One Hundred & Twenty Six
Appetizer - What comes to mind when you see the color orange?
Ha! Well, in Tennessee this is certainly a loaded question. I could say it's the color of all the construction cones and barrels we see all over the roads and interstates for months and years on end...I could say it's the color of the gorgeous sunsets we always seem to have this time of year...I could say it's a fresh glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice...but I will have to say that, along with white, it's the team colors of the greatest school to grace the face of the Earth - the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
Soup - Did you ever get in trouble while you were in school? If so, what was it for?
I don't think I ever got in trouble when I was in school, at least not after I was old enough to know better. I never cut class, never sneaked off early, never smoked, never smarted off to a teacher - I don't know what you call that, I guess when it came to personal responsibility I just matured in that respect very early. I'm sure my parents will remind me if I've forgotten some long-ago incident...
Salad - Which topping(s) make up your perfect pizza?
That's funny, we had pizza for dinner tonight. For me the basics: pepperoni and sausage, with cheese. My kids went through a long stage where they had to have "Hawaiian" pizza (with ham and pineapple). I do like the occasional meat-lovers with pepperoni, sausage, ham, beef, bacon, rack of lamb, salmon, elk, ostrich, blue whale blubber and petrified dodo meat. But that doesn't happen too often. And NO veggies. I don't want to see a speck of peppers, olives, onions...and ESPECIALLY NO mushrooms. I don't eat things that have been growing on a forest floor and have been peed on by frogs. Oh, and lay off the "goat cheese", "feta", "smoked swiss tofu" and all that other weird stuff you get at Tomato Head and Mellow Mushroom. Just mozarella, 'kay?
Main Course - Do you believe in UFOs/aliens/etc.? Why or why not?
While I don't necessarily believe we've ever been visited by a UFO or any other aliens, I find it very difficult to believe that there isn't life somewhere on another world. In the almost infinite varieties of solar systems supporting infinite varieties of planets with their own unique ecosystems, there must - by law of averages - be life somewhere out there. And if you assume there is life, by those same infinite varieties out there, there must be higher life and even intelligent life. I'm just going to assume they haven't progressed much farther than us yet. I hope that in my lifetime, if they do exist, we find out for sure.
It will be a huge theological question though - for Christians, are they saved? Did Christ make an appearance on their world in their species as well as ours? Does that make us less unique or more mundane? All the aliens-land-on-Earth books and movies I've ever seen have mostly dealt with assimilating (hah!) the "newcomers" into Earth society and rarely touch on how religions and creation stories might fit together...
Dessert - What color is your bedspread/comforter/quilt?
That's it? After a feast of epic proportions, that's the dessert question you ask?? *sigh* Oh, geez, I have no idea...I think it's maybe green. Shall I delve into the philosophical and sociological implications of such a choice? What does it mean in the continuing harmony of the family and married relationships? Why is it--
Oh, forget it. It's green.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
DeLurker Week
Apperently it's DeLurker Week around the web, the age-old traditional time when we all gather around the campfire, roast marshmallows and sing songs about--
Oh wait, that's not it. It's the time when folks who read certain blogs regularly but rarely if ever comment finally take the time to de-lurk and say hello. So if you visit the Inn every once in a while but don't typically make a comment, break tradition and say hi in the comments below.
You'll be glad you did, really ;)
Oh wait, that's not it. It's the time when folks who read certain blogs regularly but rarely if ever comment finally take the time to de-lurk and say hello. So if you visit the Inn every once in a while but don't typically make a comment, break tradition and say hi in the comments below.
You'll be glad you did, really ;)
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Time Enough at Last!
Ex-teacher gets more time for nude photos
Well, this is good because teachers these days are very busy, and rarely find enough time in their hectic day to take nude photos of themselves.
Oh wait, I'm not sure that's exactly what it means....
Well, this is good because teachers these days are very busy, and rarely find enough time in their hectic day to take nude photos of themselves.
Oh wait, I'm not sure that's exactly what it means....
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Ask and You Shall Receive...
Due to popular demand (well, Becky), now's your chance to hear me and the boys (and girl) caterwaul:
Play That Funky Music
- as interpreted by The Atomic Horns
Play That Funky Music
- as interpreted by The Atomic Horns
Fourth Bloggiversary
Four Years Ago today I opened the Inn of the Last Home blog for business. It's been insightful, frustrating, eye-opening, maddenening, boisterous, cantankerous and exciting. I've made some good friends, met some wonderful people and reconnected with friends long gone.
A hearty thank you to everyone who's ever visited, commented, and gotten close to me in these four years. Here's to as many more as the web will allow!
It's been customary for me to publish a year in review - I don't know if I'll have time to do one this year. Maybe a small one. We'll see.
Thank you - the bar is open!
A hearty thank you to everyone who's ever visited, commented, and gotten close to me in these four years. Here's to as many more as the web will allow!
It's been customary for me to publish a year in review - I don't know if I'll have time to do one this year. Maybe a small one. We'll see.
Thank you - the bar is open!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Uh-1...uh-2...uh-1, 2, 3,....
Friday night I performed on stage in a rock band for the first time.
For years I've been in an orchestra pit (such as they are) leading a band and playing keyboards for stage musicals. I've also performed onstage for plays and musicals, sung everything from jazz to swing to Broadway to oldies and standards. I've been in the chorus, behind a mike, pretended to play a trumpet in a ragtime band, punched out an unruly member of the Argentinian rabble to protect Juan Peron, served drinks to George and Mary Bailey, channeled Ed Sullivan to introduce Conrad Birdie and given Ado Annie a "Persian Goodbye".
But the other day I actually stood behind the keyboard, surrounded by bass, lead guitar, drums, trumpet, sax and trombones. The Atomic Horns band, based in Oak Ridge, played its first gig - a wedding at Cedar Bluff Holiday Inn attended by an estimated 200-250 people.
The bride and groom were young, early-to-mid-20's in my estimation, so the whole wedding party was young. And subsequently had a lot of energy - and they showed it on the dance floor. One couple from the guests obviously had dance experience swing dancing, which was impressive. It felt like the evening was a big success, and gives me encouragement for the future.
I sing solo or "Burnin' Love,", "T-R-O-U-B-L-E", "Volcano", "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," and "Play That Funky Music" plus backup on most of the rest of the songs in the three sets. Eventually we'll add "CC Rider" and "Fins". I'm also one half of a "Blues Brothers" section where I don the black hat, jacket and shades.
We finally started around 9:30pm and played till pushing 1:00am before the stragglers folded up shop.
We meet Tuesday night to go over and review how we did, and prepare for our second show in early February at a fundraiser for the Oak Ridge Playhouse. This is your chance to come hear us yourselves - more info will be forthcoming.
I can't believe I'm the one singing "Play that Funky Music".....
For years I've been in an orchestra pit (such as they are) leading a band and playing keyboards for stage musicals. I've also performed onstage for plays and musicals, sung everything from jazz to swing to Broadway to oldies and standards. I've been in the chorus, behind a mike, pretended to play a trumpet in a ragtime band, punched out an unruly member of the Argentinian rabble to protect Juan Peron, served drinks to George and Mary Bailey, channeled Ed Sullivan to introduce Conrad Birdie and given Ado Annie a "Persian Goodbye".
But the other day I actually stood behind the keyboard, surrounded by bass, lead guitar, drums, trumpet, sax and trombones. The Atomic Horns band, based in Oak Ridge, played its first gig - a wedding at Cedar Bluff Holiday Inn attended by an estimated 200-250 people.
The bride and groom were young, early-to-mid-20's in my estimation, so the whole wedding party was young. And subsequently had a lot of energy - and they showed it on the dance floor. One couple from the guests obviously had dance experience swing dancing, which was impressive. It felt like the evening was a big success, and gives me encouragement for the future.
I sing solo or "Burnin' Love,", "T-R-O-U-B-L-E", "Volcano", "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," and "Play That Funky Music" plus backup on most of the rest of the songs in the three sets. Eventually we'll add "CC Rider" and "Fins". I'm also one half of a "Blues Brothers" section where I don the black hat, jacket and shades.
We finally started around 9:30pm and played till pushing 1:00am before the stragglers folded up shop.
We meet Tuesday night to go over and review how we did, and prepare for our second show in early February at a fundraiser for the Oak Ridge Playhouse. This is your chance to come hear us yourselves - more info will be forthcoming.
I can't believe I'm the one singing "Play that Funky Music".....
Friday, January 05, 2007
Flowers on the Wall
This song has been running through my head. I don't know why...
Listen to a snippet here if you're unfamiliar with the tune.
Course if you sung it today you'd have to substitute Spongebob for Captain Kangaroo. But then if I were up all night I'd just be on the computer or watching something I'd DVR'd...
I keep hearin' you're concerned about my happinessThe Statler Brothers are a underappreciated act in the history of popular music.
But all that thought you're givin' me is conscience I guess
If I was walkin' in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none
While you 'n' your friends are worried about me I'm havin' lots of fun
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do
Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town
As long as I can dream it's hard to slow this swinger down
So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doin' fine
You can always find me here, I'm havin' quite a time
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do
It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright
Anyway my eyes are not accustomed to this light
And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete
So I must go back to my room and make my day complete
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do
Don't tell me I've nothin' to do
Listen to a snippet here if you're unfamiliar with the tune.
Course if you sung it today you'd have to substitute Spongebob for Captain Kangaroo. But then if I were up all night I'd just be on the computer or watching something I'd DVR'd...
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire...
Dec. 7th, SI.com - No thanks! Saban declines chance to interview for 'Bama post
Dec. 12thMontgomery Advisor - Saban continues to deny UA interest
Dec. 21st Miami Herald - Dolphins' Saban: `I'm not going to be Alabama coach'
Jan. 3 - ESPN.com - After repeated denials, Saban takes Bama job
Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban said Thursday that Alabama approached his agent about its coaching job but he declined to meet with school officials."I'm flattered that they may have been interested in me, but it never really progressed, because we just never let it progress," Saban said.
Speculation tying Saban to the Crimson Tide job first surfaced the day they fired Mike Shula on Nov. 27. Saban publicly denied interest several times, but on Thursday, he acknowledged that the school had contacted his agent, Jimmy Sexton.
"They called Jimmy and said, 'Is Nick interested?' And Jimmy said no," Saban said. "Jimmy asked me on several occasions, and I said no.
Dec. 12thMontgomery Advisor - Saban continues to deny UA interest
In his weekly news conference Monday, Saban was again asked about the situation.
"I think I've addressed that enough. I mean, when does this become a dead story?" he said. "I've already said what I've said. I've already talked to our team, and I don't think that I need to continue to address this. I don't see the issue here, and I don't see any reason to talk about it."
Dec. 21st Miami Herald - Dolphins' Saban: `I'm not going to be Alabama coach'
Challenged to state flatly he would not be the next University of Alabama coach, Dolphins coach Nick Saban said today, ``I guess I have to say it -- I'm not going to be the Alabama coach.''
''I shouldn't even have to comment on this,'' Saban continued. ``I think I've said this over and over and over again.''
Jan. 3 - ESPN.com - After repeated denials, Saban takes Bama job
Nick Saban has accepted an offer from Alabama to coach the Crimson Tide and leave the Miami Dolphins, two weeks after declaring "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach.
Saban's agreement with Alabama is for eight years and a fully-guaranteed $32 million, according to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli. Saban can potentially earn an additional $700,000 to $800,000 annually in bowl-game bonuses."
My Office Looks at Forty...
Gaze upon the destruction and mayhem wrought by my wife and coworkers...
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
May I Recommend....
Go See It: - Night at the Museum
Very, very good movie. Great special effects, funny, nothing objectionable, and with a little history and science thrown in. Oh, and Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt. Great movie for the family.
Go Buy It: - Olevia 332H LCD HD-Ready TV
I believe my friend Ferris Bueller said it best: "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."
Probably best birthday present I've ever gotten. Thanks, everyone!
Very, very good movie. Great special effects, funny, nothing objectionable, and with a little history and science thrown in. Oh, and Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt. Great movie for the family.
Go Buy It: - Olevia 332H LCD HD-Ready TV
I believe my friend Ferris Bueller said it best: "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."
Probably best birthday present I've ever gotten. Thanks, everyone!
Not To Be Insensitive, But...Why?
WATCH LIVE: Gerald Ford Funeral Services
(ABC News) Ford left his beloved Capitol for the last time, as the period set aside for ordinary Americans to say goodbye gives way to an invitation-only funeral. more
(ABC News) Ford left his beloved Capitol for the last time, as the period set aside for ordinary Americans to say goodbye gives way to an invitation-only funeral. more
A Winner, Finally
Last week, I won a free Fandango movie pass from Blingo, which is a search engine that supposedly piggybacks on Google but gives out prizes to users. I know Doug and Cathy use it and have won before, so finally it was my turn.
What's interesting is that if someone who signs up for the service at my invitation wins a prize, I also win whatever they won. So whoever signed me up (I think it was a blogger friend who has long since quit blogging) also has a Fandango ticket coming to her...
So, hey, it actually works. Click below to sign up and see if you can win something, too!
What's interesting is that if someone who signs up for the service at my invitation wins a prize, I also win whatever they won. So whoever signed me up (I think it was a blogger friend who has long since quit blogging) also has a Fandango ticket coming to her...
So, hey, it actually works. Click below to sign up and see if you can win something, too!
Tennessee loses..
Ah well, UT lost to Penn State in the Outback Bowl yesterday. We're now 0-3 against the Nittany Lions in bowl games, although thank goodness this loss wasn't nearly as bad as the Fiesta "Fiasco" Bowl loss back in the early 90's (does anyone remember the hit on QB Andy Kelly back against our own goal that caused him to cough up the ball straight into a Penn State defender's arms, who ran it into the end zone?).
I can definitely agree with Big Orange Michael that the ESPN coverage of the game was unfairly slanted toward Penn State. Now, it's the network's prerogative to feature one team over another if they feel the attention is warranted. I can understand the repeated shots of Penn State fans in the stands (including the three idiots in the football players rubber masks and shoulder pads and the other idiot in the JoePa rubber mask they kept showing - I mean, we do have Checkerboard Head so I can't really complain). I can understand the stories about the guy who cut his hair even though Paterno was really instructing someone else to, but the guy did it "just in case" - cute college football player story. And since ESPN was pushing Bobby Knight's 881st win, the anecdote about he and Paterno almost coaching for the same school was a big reach but hey, they have to promote it somehow. Then there was the timeline of Paterno's career, the trivia question about who was president when he started coaching, the Lion mascot... Does someone detect a trend? I may not like it, but all the camera angles and feature stories about one team over another may be annoying to the other team but I can live with it.
However, inexcusable was using Todd Blackledge - former Penn State alumni and, oh, did I mention All American quarterback from 1983 under Joe Paterno - as color commentator on the game was extremely unprofessional of ESPN. I counted at least three times they put up either photos of Blackledge as a player or video clips of him introducing his Penn State teammates before their 1983 bowl game. While I thought he handled himself fairly graciously, praising Tennessee when they did things right (not often) and chastising Penn State when they messed up (again, not that often) the appearance of impropriety was as blatant as I'd ever seen.
Can you imagine the uproar if Peyton Manning had been calling the game? We would have never heard the end of the bias accusations.
Of course, all the network bias in the world didn't affect the outcome of the game in any way - even if Manning had been the color commentator, John Ward calling play-by-play for ESPN and the network strung orange crepe paper around the broadcast booth while running clips of Eric Ainge in his first 5-yr-old grasshopper league game, we still would've lost. It just made the experience that less pleasant to watch.
Bob Kesling and the WIVK radio call feed was inexplicably almost 5 seconds behind the live TV coverage, so I turned them off after a while. Another inexcusable error, not that I minded not hearing Kesling mangle the down-and-distance like usual or praise Travis Henry for running the ball, even though he's been in the NFL for 5 years...
But really, the worst thing about the ESPN coverage wasn't the bias, or the clips, or Blackledge in his 1983 mullet - it was the interminable shots of that Troll, Paterno relaxing in the coaching box, watching the game like any other fan. I can't stand that guy.
I can definitely agree with Big Orange Michael that the ESPN coverage of the game was unfairly slanted toward Penn State. Now, it's the network's prerogative to feature one team over another if they feel the attention is warranted. I can understand the repeated shots of Penn State fans in the stands (including the three idiots in the football players rubber masks and shoulder pads and the other idiot in the JoePa rubber mask they kept showing - I mean, we do have Checkerboard Head so I can't really complain). I can understand the stories about the guy who cut his hair even though Paterno was really instructing someone else to, but the guy did it "just in case" - cute college football player story. And since ESPN was pushing Bobby Knight's 881st win, the anecdote about he and Paterno almost coaching for the same school was a big reach but hey, they have to promote it somehow. Then there was the timeline of Paterno's career, the trivia question about who was president when he started coaching, the Lion mascot... Does someone detect a trend? I may not like it, but all the camera angles and feature stories about one team over another may be annoying to the other team but I can live with it.
However, inexcusable was using Todd Blackledge - former Penn State alumni and, oh, did I mention All American quarterback from 1983 under Joe Paterno - as color commentator on the game was extremely unprofessional of ESPN. I counted at least three times they put up either photos of Blackledge as a player or video clips of him introducing his Penn State teammates before their 1983 bowl game. While I thought he handled himself fairly graciously, praising Tennessee when they did things right (not often) and chastising Penn State when they messed up (again, not that often) the appearance of impropriety was as blatant as I'd ever seen.
Can you imagine the uproar if Peyton Manning had been calling the game? We would have never heard the end of the bias accusations.
Of course, all the network bias in the world didn't affect the outcome of the game in any way - even if Manning had been the color commentator, John Ward calling play-by-play for ESPN and the network strung orange crepe paper around the broadcast booth while running clips of Eric Ainge in his first 5-yr-old grasshopper league game, we still would've lost. It just made the experience that less pleasant to watch.
Bob Kesling and the WIVK radio call feed was inexplicably almost 5 seconds behind the live TV coverage, so I turned them off after a while. Another inexcusable error, not that I minded not hearing Kesling mangle the down-and-distance like usual or praise Travis Henry for running the ball, even though he's been in the NFL for 5 years...
But really, the worst thing about the ESPN coverage wasn't the bias, or the clips, or Blackledge in his 1983 mullet - it was the interminable shots of that Troll, Paterno relaxing in the coaching box, watching the game like any other fan. I can't stand that guy.
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