Monday, December 18, 2006
Thotz And Obsurvashuns.......
Has the NASCAR juggernaut finally been derailed? The organization has abandoned efforts to build a track in on Staten Island, NJ due to heated local opposition. Their 2006 TV audience was smaller than the previous year. I now see empty seats at major tracks like Daytona and Indianapolis that in previous years were packed solid, with nary a ticket to be found anywhere. While still somewhat pricey, tickets for major NASCAR venues are no longer impossible to find and buy. Could this all be part of the fallout of a concerted effort by NASCAR to get away from their southern-fried, moonshine soaked past? Could this effort be alienating thousands of once hard core loyal longtime fans? Notice you will rarely hear country western music on their race telecasts these days.
The National Republican Party leaders have calmed down somewhat now that they realize there's no way in hell they're getting their hands on that S.D. senate seat anytime soon. That's good. It was a rather tawdry display they put on, barely concealing their glee at possibly gaining control of that position.
I saw "Flags Of Our Fathers" on November 25th, and enjoyed it a great deal. (One of my interests is WWII history.) About a 1/4 of the way through filming that movie, it's said Clint Eastwood came to the realization that he needed to make another movie telling the story from the Japanese point of view. Called "Letters from Iwo Jima," it's a movie I definately plan to see. Until it closed in 1997, I spent several years volunteering for the Minneapolis branch of the "Planes Of Fame" museum. I treasure that time as I had a chance to talk with many WWII combat veterans, both volunteers and visitors, and listen to the stories they had to tell. Most of the veterans I've talked with have been able to forgive the Japanese for what happened during that war and move on. But many others have not. Some of the stories I've listened to would make your hair stand on end, and at least give you an understanding of why some find it so hard to forgive and forget. (If you want to find out what really happened, a good place to start is a book called "The Old Breed" by E.B. Sledge. Warning: This is not escapist fare.) A lot of the Vets who I worked with at that museum have since "gone west" and more are joining those ranks every day. If you know a WW2 combat vet, and they're up to it, you might learn something by asking thoughtful questions, and then just listening........
Why, oh why, will someone hang on my ass during rush hour traffic, bust their balls to get around me, and then once they're in front of me, drive SLOWER THAN I HAD BEEN GOING???????
I've heard that some of the Southeast's best chili comes from the state of South Carolina. Too bad this guy doesn't make any of it........ At least he knows that unless you're using charcoal, you're merely cooking on a stove that happens to be outdoors. Or does he...........
The National Republican Party leaders have calmed down somewhat now that they realize there's no way in hell they're getting their hands on that S.D. senate seat anytime soon. That's good. It was a rather tawdry display they put on, barely concealing their glee at possibly gaining control of that position.
I saw "Flags Of Our Fathers" on November 25th, and enjoyed it a great deal. (One of my interests is WWII history.) About a 1/4 of the way through filming that movie, it's said Clint Eastwood came to the realization that he needed to make another movie telling the story from the Japanese point of view. Called "Letters from Iwo Jima," it's a movie I definately plan to see. Until it closed in 1997, I spent several years volunteering for the Minneapolis branch of the "Planes Of Fame" museum. I treasure that time as I had a chance to talk with many WWII combat veterans, both volunteers and visitors, and listen to the stories they had to tell. Most of the veterans I've talked with have been able to forgive the Japanese for what happened during that war and move on. But many others have not. Some of the stories I've listened to would make your hair stand on end, and at least give you an understanding of why some find it so hard to forgive and forget. (If you want to find out what really happened, a good place to start is a book called "The Old Breed" by E.B. Sledge. Warning: This is not escapist fare.) A lot of the Vets who I worked with at that museum have since "gone west" and more are joining those ranks every day. If you know a WW2 combat vet, and they're up to it, you might learn something by asking thoughtful questions, and then just listening........
Why, oh why, will someone hang on my ass during rush hour traffic, bust their balls to get around me, and then once they're in front of me, drive SLOWER THAN I HAD BEEN GOING???????
I've heard that some of the Southeast's best chili comes from the state of South Carolina. Too bad this guy doesn't make any of it........ At least he knows that unless you're using charcoal, you're merely cooking on a stove that happens to be outdoors. Or does he...........
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Yes Shrub, as a matter of fact, this seat IS taken.
As regular readers of my blog know, (Both of you) my oldest son had the same condition, AVM, suffered by S.D. Sen. Tim Johnson yesterday. And as you both know, my son is fine now. Unless Johnson's condition takes a disastrous turn for the worse, (And from all reports, the doctors appear to have it under control.) I predict there's no way in hell he'll resign the office so the Republican governor can hand it to someone from his own party. Senate historian Donald Ritchie said senators serve out their terms unless they resign or die. He also said there was precedent for senators remaining in the Senate even though illness kept them away from the chamber for long periods. So unless Johnson dies, that seat will remain in Democratic hands.
Sensing an opportunity to grab control of the Senate, the Republicans have been doing a pretty poor job at hiding their glee over Johnson's plight. I think it's time for them to stop salivating.
It's very unseemly.
Sensing an opportunity to grab control of the Senate, the Republicans have been doing a pretty poor job at hiding their glee over Johnson's plight. I think it's time for them to stop salivating.
It's very unseemly.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Gadgets and Geeks
Merry Christmas!
There. Got that out of the way. No one can point an accusing finger at me for being a curmudgeon this year.
A recent Sunday edition of the Minneapolis Star & Tribune (Newspaper to the free world!) contained an interesting if somewhat breathless story of the explosion of media entertainment screens and gadgets in the modern household. It seems the average American home now has more screens than children. (With some people I know, that might be a good thing.)
http://www.startribune.com/459/story/833974.html
It's become a multimedia world, with TV's, computers, Gameboys, Blackberrys, Cellphones, even navigation screens in the newest generation of luxury cars all vying for our attention and affection. People are more connected than ever before, and it's only going to get better. (Or worse, depending on your point of view.)
Now don't get me wrong here. I am as much a techie as anyone. I was one of the first of my social group to get a computer for the home (IBM-XT 1991) and hook it up to the internet. (AOL-1993) I was using a computer when DOS was the OS of choice for users like me.
I've owned VCR's and stereos over the years, and enjoyed using them. I've since graduated to a DVD recorder with home theater sound, and I really enjoy that. (I chose the DVD recorder over a DVR because I wanted the ability to burn my recordings onto a disk and keep them.) I will admit to possibly being one of the last to own a cell phone because I found other people using them in public highly annoying and I didn't want to be "one of those." I finally got one when my oldest son got tired of trying to get hold of me when he wanted and bought it for me. I admit it's an extremely handy device that I use much more than I thought I would.
But an interesting thing happened to me some time ago. A friend, who shall remain nameless, kept calling my cell phone number. I had been driving around the area, performing a few mundane tasks, but also enjoying some quiet time and listening to some really loud woman sing opera on the radio. I was also considering making a batch of really bad chili. I reached home, and was immediately greeted by the land line ringing, with said friend on the other end, in a somewhat irate state of mind. "Why didn't you answer your cell phone!" "I didn't have it on!" "Well dammit! Leave it on! I needed to reach you!" "Who died?" "No one!" Who's injured?" "No one?" "So no one died, and no one's injured?" "No!" Right then, I proceeded to set him straight with the facts. Those facts are that this cell phone is on when I WANT it to be on, and not a second more. It serves me at my pleasure. I DO NOT serve it. In other words, I will answer the thing when I am damned-good-and-ready. Not a second before. Period.
He was silent. He honestly didn't know what to make of that for a minute.
See, here's the thing. We make these machines. They don't make us. All these things have off switches. I think it would do all of us some good to turn them all off, and pick up a good book. Or go for a quiet walk. (WITHOUT the IPOD!!) Or just sit on the porch with a good cup of coffee and read the newspaper. Like I said earlier, I'm not anti-gadget. Quite the opposite. After all, I didn't name this Blog "Musings Of A Technonerd" for nothing. I love a good gadget as much as the next geek. The trick, you see, is knowing when to turn them off, put them down and devote some time, love and attention to the important things in your life. Like your spouse, or your kids, or your dog, or whatever. That takes some discipline. But I think it's easy to do once you get into the habit. Give it a try. You might be surprised at what you discover.
"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny ..."
Isaac Asimov
There. Got that out of the way. No one can point an accusing finger at me for being a curmudgeon this year.
A recent Sunday edition of the Minneapolis Star & Tribune (Newspaper to the free world!) contained an interesting if somewhat breathless story of the explosion of media entertainment screens and gadgets in the modern household. It seems the average American home now has more screens than children. (With some people I know, that might be a good thing.)
http://www.startribune.com/459/story/833974.html
It's become a multimedia world, with TV's, computers, Gameboys, Blackberrys, Cellphones, even navigation screens in the newest generation of luxury cars all vying for our attention and affection. People are more connected than ever before, and it's only going to get better. (Or worse, depending on your point of view.)
Now don't get me wrong here. I am as much a techie as anyone. I was one of the first of my social group to get a computer for the home (IBM-XT 1991) and hook it up to the internet. (AOL-1993) I was using a computer when DOS was the OS of choice for users like me.
I've owned VCR's and stereos over the years, and enjoyed using them. I've since graduated to a DVD recorder with home theater sound, and I really enjoy that. (I chose the DVD recorder over a DVR because I wanted the ability to burn my recordings onto a disk and keep them.) I will admit to possibly being one of the last to own a cell phone because I found other people using them in public highly annoying and I didn't want to be "one of those." I finally got one when my oldest son got tired of trying to get hold of me when he wanted and bought it for me. I admit it's an extremely handy device that I use much more than I thought I would.
But an interesting thing happened to me some time ago. A friend, who shall remain nameless, kept calling my cell phone number. I had been driving around the area, performing a few mundane tasks, but also enjoying some quiet time and listening to some really loud woman sing opera on the radio. I was also considering making a batch of really bad chili. I reached home, and was immediately greeted by the land line ringing, with said friend on the other end, in a somewhat irate state of mind. "Why didn't you answer your cell phone!" "I didn't have it on!" "Well dammit! Leave it on! I needed to reach you!" "Who died?" "No one!" Who's injured?" "No one?" "So no one died, and no one's injured?" "No!" Right then, I proceeded to set him straight with the facts. Those facts are that this cell phone is on when I WANT it to be on, and not a second more. It serves me at my pleasure. I DO NOT serve it. In other words, I will answer the thing when I am damned-good-and-ready. Not a second before. Period.
He was silent. He honestly didn't know what to make of that for a minute.
See, here's the thing. We make these machines. They don't make us. All these things have off switches. I think it would do all of us some good to turn them all off, and pick up a good book. Or go for a quiet walk. (WITHOUT the IPOD!!) Or just sit on the porch with a good cup of coffee and read the newspaper. Like I said earlier, I'm not anti-gadget. Quite the opposite. After all, I didn't name this Blog "Musings Of A Technonerd" for nothing. I love a good gadget as much as the next geek. The trick, you see, is knowing when to turn them off, put them down and devote some time, love and attention to the important things in your life. Like your spouse, or your kids, or your dog, or whatever. That takes some discipline. But I think it's easy to do once you get into the habit. Give it a try. You might be surprised at what you discover.
"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny ..."
Isaac Asimov
A short update.
This Saturday, the 9th, will mark one month since my son had his operation. I'm pleased to say he's doing very well. He's switching from one type of anti-seizure medication to another right now, (I don't remember the names.) and the new one seems to have less intense side effects than the old one. His health is good, the scar on his scalp is healing nicely, and is less obtrusive than it was before, expecially with his hair growing back. The thing that bothers him the most is the loss of his license for a full six months from the first seizure. (Oct 9) He understands why, and accepts it, but he still really missed driving.
Once again, I want to thank everyone for all of the thoughts, prayers, and expressions of support we've received since I firts wrote about this. I can't believe it's been almost 2 full months since this all started. You positive thoughts and expressions of support made it easier.
Thanks.
Once again, I want to thank everyone for all of the thoughts, prayers, and expressions of support we've received since I firts wrote about this. I can't believe it's been almost 2 full months since this all started. You positive thoughts and expressions of support made it easier.
Thanks.
