The Challenge of Thor
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I AM the God Thor,
I am the War God,
I am the Thunderer!
Here in my Northland,
My fastness and fortress,
Reign I forever!
Here amid icebergs
Rule I the nations;
This is my hammer,
Miölner the mighty;
Giants and sorcerers
Cannot withstand it!
These are the gauntlets
Wherewith I wield it,
And hurl it afar off;
This is my girdle;
Whenever I brace it,
Strength is redoubled!
The light thou beholdest
Stream through the heavens,
In flashes of crimson,
Is but my red beard
Blown by the night-wind,
Affrighting the nations!
Jove is my brother;
Mine eyes are the lightning;
The wheels of my chariot
Roll in the thunder,
The blows of my hammer
Ring in the earthquake!
Force rules the world still,
Has ruled it, shall rule it;
Meekness is weakness,
Strength is triumphant,
Over the whole earth
Still is it Thor's-Day!
Thou art a God too,
O Galilean!
And thus singled-handed
Unto the combat,
Gauntlet or Gospel,
Here I defy thee!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Mythology Part One
The voice of Joseph Campbell has been echoing in my head since 1989. My friend and mentor, Dave Anderson of Butler County Community College, introduced Campbell to me when I first began teaching at the college level and I knew I had found someone important.
But it all began well before that. I began reading myths when I was very young. The Twelve Labors of Hercules, Theseus and the Minotaur, Jason and the Golden Fleece were some of my earliest ventures into myth. I loved the characters, the themes, and the lessons that resided in myth.
From there, I delved into Norse mythology: Thor with his mighty hammer, Mjolnir, tales of Odin, and, of course, Beowulf.
I realized, from early on, that these stories somehow embodied truths about the human spirit, and, as my other friend and mentor, Art Barlow from Clarion would say, “All myths are true.” He’s right, all myths point to spiritual truths that can be identified and felt by all humans.
Before I move any farther, allow me to offer a definition of myth. Myths are stories, rituals, and works of art that point to transcendent spiritual truths. Think of it this way: Humans live in the physical plane, but we also know that there is a spiritual plane “out there” somewhere. This is the realm of the non-physical. How do we know what occurs in the realm of the non-physical? How do we begin to understand how we are connected to the spiritual realm? Through our myths.
The problem, as far as I can tell. Is that we’ve kinda screwed up the interpretation of our myths. We either treat them as fairy tales that are not literally true and therefore mostly irrelevant, or we treat them as literal, historical facts, which make them equally irrelevant because when we interpret them as facts, we mistake the symbol for the referent and therefore remain focused on the symbol.
For example, once upon a time, a girl named Red Riding Hood didn’t really come across a wolf dressed in her grandmother’s clothing, did she? And even if she did, we don’t interpret the event in literal terms.
Instead, we take the spiritual/psychological truth from the story and move on. The story teaches us that it’s certainly important for a young woman to understand that there are big, bad wolves in the physical realm and that a young lady should be careful. So, even though the myth didn’t actually occur (or maybe because it has occurred symbolically so many times in human history) we can gain a spiritual truth from it.
In contrast, religious fundamentalism would take us in the opposite direction. Instead of allowing the symbols to remain symbols that transcend the physical realm, fundamentalists of all stripes attempt to codify the symbols and events into actual historical events. And while there may be one or more historical events connected to the emergence of the symbol, we need to allow the symbol to point to the spiritual truth without getting caught up in the need to demonstrate the scientific validity of each of the symbols.
Guess what? There are many flood stories in mythologies from around the world. They teach us that we live on the razor’s edge—that disaster can strike any time—and often does. In Noah’s case, it also teaches us to have clean hearts and to be prepared for difficulty on our journeys through life.
Therefore, to focus on the story of Noah’s Ark as an actual historical event and begin searching mountains in the Middle East or Africa for remnants of Noah’s Ark is to miss the point. The story of Noah is simply another flood story generated by human beings, in the physical plane, in order to comprehend a larger spiritual reality.
That’s what myth does. It points from the direction of the human heart toward universal truths within the spirit realm. It provides humanity with a roadmap to understand our place within our cultures and within the cosmos. It should be leading us always toward larger, shared spiritual truths and not toward arguments about whose god is mightier.
More later.
Doc
But it all began well before that. I began reading myths when I was very young. The Twelve Labors of Hercules, Theseus and the Minotaur, Jason and the Golden Fleece were some of my earliest ventures into myth. I loved the characters, the themes, and the lessons that resided in myth.
From there, I delved into Norse mythology: Thor with his mighty hammer, Mjolnir, tales of Odin, and, of course, Beowulf.
I realized, from early on, that these stories somehow embodied truths about the human spirit, and, as my other friend and mentor, Art Barlow from Clarion would say, “All myths are true.” He’s right, all myths point to spiritual truths that can be identified and felt by all humans.
Before I move any farther, allow me to offer a definition of myth. Myths are stories, rituals, and works of art that point to transcendent spiritual truths. Think of it this way: Humans live in the physical plane, but we also know that there is a spiritual plane “out there” somewhere. This is the realm of the non-physical. How do we know what occurs in the realm of the non-physical? How do we begin to understand how we are connected to the spiritual realm? Through our myths.
The problem, as far as I can tell. Is that we’ve kinda screwed up the interpretation of our myths. We either treat them as fairy tales that are not literally true and therefore mostly irrelevant, or we treat them as literal, historical facts, which make them equally irrelevant because when we interpret them as facts, we mistake the symbol for the referent and therefore remain focused on the symbol.
For example, once upon a time, a girl named Red Riding Hood didn’t really come across a wolf dressed in her grandmother’s clothing, did she? And even if she did, we don’t interpret the event in literal terms.
Instead, we take the spiritual/psychological truth from the story and move on. The story teaches us that it’s certainly important for a young woman to understand that there are big, bad wolves in the physical realm and that a young lady should be careful. So, even though the myth didn’t actually occur (or maybe because it has occurred symbolically so many times in human history) we can gain a spiritual truth from it.
In contrast, religious fundamentalism would take us in the opposite direction. Instead of allowing the symbols to remain symbols that transcend the physical realm, fundamentalists of all stripes attempt to codify the symbols and events into actual historical events. And while there may be one or more historical events connected to the emergence of the symbol, we need to allow the symbol to point to the spiritual truth without getting caught up in the need to demonstrate the scientific validity of each of the symbols.
Guess what? There are many flood stories in mythologies from around the world. They teach us that we live on the razor’s edge—that disaster can strike any time—and often does. In Noah’s case, it also teaches us to have clean hearts and to be prepared for difficulty on our journeys through life.
Therefore, to focus on the story of Noah’s Ark as an actual historical event and begin searching mountains in the Middle East or Africa for remnants of Noah’s Ark is to miss the point. The story of Noah is simply another flood story generated by human beings, in the physical plane, in order to comprehend a larger spiritual reality.
That’s what myth does. It points from the direction of the human heart toward universal truths within the spirit realm. It provides humanity with a roadmap to understand our place within our cultures and within the cosmos. It should be leading us always toward larger, shared spiritual truths and not toward arguments about whose god is mightier.
More later.
Doc
Today's news
Just wanted to point out that I loved two stories in today's Times News. The first has to do with the state asking Erie County and prioritize the projects it is asking for money for. A lot of the controversy seems to involve the $7 million budget over run on the convention center project. Now, I was never a big proponent of this convention center. However, as the weather is shaping up here - I can see why someone would want to have a convention in Erie. And, if we get that runway project completed, then maybe we're on to something - at least for the three months out of the year that it's beautiful. But, for this thing to be successful, I think we need the parking ramp. It comes back to the "bird in the hand being worth two in the bush" saying - and I think Convention Center Authority chief Roger Richards alludes to this. Let's take the money and do the Convention Center right before chasing after other projects. Granted, one of those projects is the airport runway, which, as I said is, inexorably connected to the Convention Center's success, so let's not put that by the wayside. But, this Gannon technology incubator. Wouldn't that be competing with the eBizITPA organization that we already have? Let's keep our focus here.
One other comment on the Convention Center over run: It does seem that prices for building materials are up all over, so I giving the Authority the benefit of the doubt on that one.
The second story I really enjoyed was the one where Joe Sinnott refuses to extend the loan period for this Herbert Fliss juice plant guy. From what I understand, this guy really screwed the former owners of the Midway driving range on East 12th and then deserted the spot as a site for his plant. He is also being sued by some other city I think. He's got some issues and God bless Joe for not putting up with his B.S. anymore. Hopefully, we get the money back. I also hope Fliss eventually builds his plant in Lake City, but we shall see.
Ralph
One other comment on the Convention Center over run: It does seem that prices for building materials are up all over, so I giving the Authority the benefit of the doubt on that one.
The second story I really enjoyed was the one where Joe Sinnott refuses to extend the loan period for this Herbert Fliss juice plant guy. From what I understand, this guy really screwed the former owners of the Midway driving range on East 12th and then deserted the spot as a site for his plant. He is also being sued by some other city I think. He's got some issues and God bless Joe for not putting up with his B.S. anymore. Hopefully, we get the money back. I also hope Fliss eventually builds his plant in Lake City, but we shall see.
Ralph
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Roethsliberger Update
The following is an audio update on Big Ben's condition from a doctor at Mercy Hospital (source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
Update
Doc
Update
Doc
Return from Atlanta
I've returned from Atlanta safe and sound.
The dream of the movie of the trip that's playing in my head right now is incredible.
I was able to complete quite a bit of writing during my trip, at least five significant pieces (~1000-1800 words).
It's going to take a few days (weeks? months?) for me to improve overall coherence and prepare the writings for publication.
The writings will be posted to Ralph's Place as the summer unfolds.
This is gonna be fun....
DoCtorDeE
The dream of the movie of the trip that's playing in my head right now is incredible.
I was able to complete quite a bit of writing during my trip, at least five significant pieces (~1000-1800 words).
It's going to take a few days (weeks? months?) for me to improve overall coherence and prepare the writings for publication.
The writings will be posted to Ralph's Place as the summer unfolds.
This is gonna be fun....
DoCtorDeE
Father Baseball
I'd just like to take a moment to issue a shout out to my boy Chris "Beane" Benoit, the self-proclaimed "Father Baseball" of years gone by.
"...when the snow started to melt and spring invaded the air on the southern shores of Lake Erie, it was Father Baseball's job to discern if indeed, baseball season had officially begun. How would he do this? With his nose, of course. Father Baseball would sniff that air, take it in, almost like a wineconnoisseurr, toss the air around in his noggin and then declare if indeed it was too early, or if baseball had officially cometh."
Cheers.
Ralph
"...when the snow started to melt and spring invaded the air on the southern shores of Lake Erie, it was Father Baseball's job to discern if indeed, baseball season had officially begun. How would he do this? With his nose, of course. Father Baseball would sniff that air, take it in, almost like a wineconnoisseurr, toss the air around in his noggin and then declare if indeed it was too early, or if baseball had officially cometh."
Cheers.
Ralph
Monday, June 12, 2006
Summertime and the living is easy
Right. At least I'm hoping so. Stomach problems seem to be mostly behind me, which is good. Seawolves have a five game homestand stand coming up. Weather seems to be shaping up. Supposed to maybe hit 80 degrees this weekend. Lake Erie water temp is listed at 63.
I don't know how often I'll be visiting Ralph's Place over the summer. If last week was any indication, not much, but maybe more. We'll see I guess. This is still a pretty new venture, and I'm trying to figure some things out. I've started some sort of book/extended essay/modern novella type of work. Here's an excerpt:
"My son, who is 7 just asked me, 'How about home runs did Tino Martinez hit?' Tino Martinez was a great fielding, solid hitting first basemen that the Yankees picked up in the mid-1990s, before they made their run of four World Series titles in the Joe Torre/Derek Jeter era. My son remembers him from last year, when he returned to the Yankees after being let go a couple years earlier in favor of slugging Jason Giambi. Giambi contracted some sort of rare stomach parasitic disorder while in Japan, after having to stop taking the steroids he’d used for several years prior and appeared a shell of his former self early last season. So, Martinez was brought back to fill in. Martinez, because of age I assume, not steroids, was also a bit of a shell, although he did go on one torrid streak, hitting like seven home runs in seven games early in the season, that keyed some big wins. By the time my son picked up on him toward the playoffs, however, Giambi had miraculously returned, working with hitting coach and former batting champ Don Mattingly to reassemble his stroke and eventually wound up being the 2006 A.L. Comeback Player of the Year award. So, Martinez had been relegated to coming off the bench.
The cool thing about my son’s question is that I can now go online, to a wonderful Web site, www.baseball-reference.com and view Tino Martinez’s career stats. It used to be you had to buy this expensive big book called the Baseball Encylopedia to look up every player’s statistics in the history of baseball. I remember my friend Red had a copy, and I spent more than a couple of afternoons at his house thumbing through the thing. You could really get lost in it, looking up stuff like Smokey Joe Wood's 1921 pitching numbers.
baseball-reference.com is the same type of thing. And because it’s online and has all sort of hyperlinks embedded in it, you can very easily jump from one area to another. I called my son into my office to answer his question about Tino, which was 330-something, and we started jumping around to figure out things like exactly how many World Series did the Torre led Yankees win? It was four in five years, including three in a row from 1998-2001. Then we jumped to the career of his favorite hitter Gary Sheffield and went over his year-by-year home run stats and the awards he has won. Then, we jumped to Texas first baseman Mark Texiera. Baseball stats have a very soothing effect from some reason. They’re just numbers but they say so much about the game."
Well, that's it for now. Yes, aside from Presque Isle and the Seawovles, I'll leave you with two of my other favorite things to do in the summer. Both have to do with music:
1. The Mayville Bluegrass Festival is this weekend. This thing rocks. It is in a great location and really brings in some top notch nationally renowned bluegrass acts. It gets a bit pricey, but you have an ear from some good bluegrass, I'm sure it's a bargain.
2. Erie's own Eight Great Tuesdays is a wonderful series of concerts. It doesn't start until July 11, of course, sometimes the summer weather doesn't really kick in until that time around here either.
Both event I just mentioned are great family affairs, although, Eight Great Tuesdays is probably even better for the family because it's free.
Cheers.
Ralph
I don't know how often I'll be visiting Ralph's Place over the summer. If last week was any indication, not much, but maybe more. We'll see I guess. This is still a pretty new venture, and I'm trying to figure some things out. I've started some sort of book/extended essay/modern novella type of work. Here's an excerpt:
"My son, who is 7 just asked me, 'How about home runs did Tino Martinez hit?' Tino Martinez was a great fielding, solid hitting first basemen that the Yankees picked up in the mid-1990s, before they made their run of four World Series titles in the Joe Torre/Derek Jeter era. My son remembers him from last year, when he returned to the Yankees after being let go a couple years earlier in favor of slugging Jason Giambi. Giambi contracted some sort of rare stomach parasitic disorder while in Japan, after having to stop taking the steroids he’d used for several years prior and appeared a shell of his former self early last season. So, Martinez was brought back to fill in. Martinez, because of age I assume, not steroids, was also a bit of a shell, although he did go on one torrid streak, hitting like seven home runs in seven games early in the season, that keyed some big wins. By the time my son picked up on him toward the playoffs, however, Giambi had miraculously returned, working with hitting coach and former batting champ Don Mattingly to reassemble his stroke and eventually wound up being the 2006 A.L. Comeback Player of the Year award. So, Martinez had been relegated to coming off the bench.
The cool thing about my son’s question is that I can now go online, to a wonderful Web site, www.baseball-reference.com and view Tino Martinez’s career stats. It used to be you had to buy this expensive big book called the Baseball Encylopedia to look up every player’s statistics in the history of baseball. I remember my friend Red had a copy, and I spent more than a couple of afternoons at his house thumbing through the thing. You could really get lost in it, looking up stuff like Smokey Joe Wood's 1921 pitching numbers.
baseball-reference.com is the same type of thing. And because it’s online and has all sort of hyperlinks embedded in it, you can very easily jump from one area to another. I called my son into my office to answer his question about Tino, which was 330-something, and we started jumping around to figure out things like exactly how many World Series did the Torre led Yankees win? It was four in five years, including three in a row from 1998-2001. Then we jumped to the career of his favorite hitter Gary Sheffield and went over his year-by-year home run stats and the awards he has won. Then, we jumped to Texas first baseman Mark Texiera. Baseball stats have a very soothing effect from some reason. They’re just numbers but they say so much about the game."
Well, that's it for now. Yes, aside from Presque Isle and the Seawovles, I'll leave you with two of my other favorite things to do in the summer. Both have to do with music:
1. The Mayville Bluegrass Festival is this weekend. This thing rocks. It is in a great location and really brings in some top notch nationally renowned bluegrass acts. It gets a bit pricey, but you have an ear from some good bluegrass, I'm sure it's a bargain.
2. Erie's own Eight Great Tuesdays is a wonderful series of concerts. It doesn't start until July 11, of course, sometimes the summer weather doesn't really kick in until that time around here either.
Both event I just mentioned are great family affairs, although, Eight Great Tuesdays is probably even better for the family because it's free.
Cheers.
Ralph
Monday, June 05, 2006
A Journey to Atlanta
Okay. Tomorrow I leave for Atlanta.
I'm going to a conference on myth and archetypes. It's part of the Mythic Imagination Institute and people like Deepak Chopra will be there. It's going to be very interesting.
Ralph supplied me with an old laptop, so I'm going to see if I can blog from the road. No guarantees, but I'll give it a shot.
If nothing else, I'll do some entries on the road and post them when I return.
So, I'll be signing off for now, but stay tuned. I'll see if I can come up with some good pics as well.
DoCtorDee
I'm going to a conference on myth and archetypes. It's part of the Mythic Imagination Institute and people like Deepak Chopra will be there. It's going to be very interesting.
Ralph supplied me with an old laptop, so I'm going to see if I can blog from the road. No guarantees, but I'll give it a shot.
If nothing else, I'll do some entries on the road and post them when I return.
So, I'll be signing off for now, but stay tuned. I'll see if I can come up with some good pics as well.
DoCtorDee
Looking to the East
I've always been a guy that looked to the West for inspiration - sunsets, expansive Western U.S. ideals, making my home on Erie's West side, but for some reason today I have been inspired to face east. I've been facing the sun as it makes its upward arc - and it is treating me right. I'm also now induldging in some of this killer green tee with rice in the mix that Dr. Dee dropped by last Friday. So maybe that's helping me get my Eastern motif on. I wonder if this is a new way of living.
Cheers.
Ralph
Cheers.
Ralph
Friday, June 02, 2006
Henry Miller
So, I just got back from the doctor, where I finally went after my stomach has been bothering me for two weeks. He seemed to think, it's merely some sort of acid overdose (no, not that type) and gave me some pills to calm everything down. I immediately ate one upon getting home, ate a sandwich, got an upset stomach, and well, you can guess what follows. Anyways, I feel better now. Doc seems to think it will take a couple weeks to work itself out. As he said, "Well, you're looking like you lost some weight. I wish I could take off a few pounds myself." Trust me, it hasn't been worth it... or has it?
Anyhow, when I got back, I was browsing through Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer, as I've promised myself to do this summer and came across this passage, "If we go to Borneo, I won't have hemorrhoids any more. Maybe I'll develop something else . . . something worse . . . fever perhaps . . . or cholera. Shit, it's better to die of a good disease like that than to piss your life away on a newspaper with grapes up your ass and buttons falling off your pants."
I think I can relate.
Anyhow, when I got back, I was browsing through Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer, as I've promised myself to do this summer and came across this passage, "If we go to Borneo, I won't have hemorrhoids any more. Maybe I'll develop something else . . . something worse . . . fever perhaps . . . or cholera. Shit, it's better to die of a good disease like that than to piss your life away on a newspaper with grapes up your ass and buttons falling off your pants."
I think I can relate.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Memorial Day memories
What a weekend. We made it out alive and in one piece. Still have this stomach thing bothering me, although yesterday it seemed like it was all gone. Probably just the adrenaline kicking in, but at least gave me a glimpse of feeling better in the future. In other words, for the first time, there appears a way out.
I don't remember too much of what I did Saturday, aside from clean the garage, right when the heat starting ramping up. Then played some golf. Played again Sunday morning and then cut the grass. In other words, I nearly offed myself from heat exhaustion, all the while, not being able to eat or drink much without upsetting me tummy... . Monday was the big day though.
Have you ever held a picnic at Glenwood Park? According to the city ordinance, the pavilions are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Monday was my daughter's birthday, and we were expecting about 50 people for a Memorial Day/Birthday Picnic. The last couple years, we've held it in the backyard, but for some reason, I've got it into my head, I want to hold the thing once at Glenwood Park. Being it was Memorial Day, I expected it to be busy, but then I started hearing stories about people showing up at 5 or 6 in the morning to secure pavilions. On Saturday, we even went and scouted the place out and found some kid who had slept there!
I started to get worried. I didn't really want all those people at my house. So, I decided, I would sleep at the park. I was too tired to go over immediately when we got back Sunday night from a friend's backyard cookout, so I pulled out my sleeping bag, foam pad, and camping pillow, and set the alarm for 3 a.m. Sure enough, it went off and I found myself driving to the park with a car full of goodies, including a Dora pinata, to place on the tables. I also borrowed some yellow caution tape and wrapped it around the pavilion.
I was the first one there. The place was empty when I got there. I got all set up, laid down on a table and fell asleep. It was really a beautiful night. It was like 65 with a cool breeze, and I could hear the stream lapping in the background. It reminded me of nights I've spent camping in the Adirondacks. Of course, before going to sleep I did have a passing thought of some Jeffrey Dahmer-like character cutting me to pieces, or some crackhead mugging me for my cellphone, but this is Erie... and I wasn't delivering pizzas. Anyway, I comforted myself by remembering many of the dumber and more dangerous things I've done in my life that clearly had less of a payoff. And I fell quickly asleep. I woke up with the sun around 5:30 a.m. and found I was still the only person there. So, I guess maybe I didn't need to sleep there after all, but it sure was a nice night's sleep... People started showing up around six, with the last picnic grove taken around 7:15 a.m.
Our party went great. Lots of cold beer, water, and pop on a hot day and some charcoal-grilled yaps and burgers. Mariah and the kids had a great time running around the playground, heading to the zoo, and doing all the other fun things a kid can do at a park. Yes, that Glenwood Park is quite a place to have a holiday picnic.
Ralph
I don't remember too much of what I did Saturday, aside from clean the garage, right when the heat starting ramping up. Then played some golf. Played again Sunday morning and then cut the grass. In other words, I nearly offed myself from heat exhaustion, all the while, not being able to eat or drink much without upsetting me tummy... . Monday was the big day though.
Have you ever held a picnic at Glenwood Park? According to the city ordinance, the pavilions are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Monday was my daughter's birthday, and we were expecting about 50 people for a Memorial Day/Birthday Picnic. The last couple years, we've held it in the backyard, but for some reason, I've got it into my head, I want to hold the thing once at Glenwood Park. Being it was Memorial Day, I expected it to be busy, but then I started hearing stories about people showing up at 5 or 6 in the morning to secure pavilions. On Saturday, we even went and scouted the place out and found some kid who had slept there!
I started to get worried. I didn't really want all those people at my house. So, I decided, I would sleep at the park. I was too tired to go over immediately when we got back Sunday night from a friend's backyard cookout, so I pulled out my sleeping bag, foam pad, and camping pillow, and set the alarm for 3 a.m. Sure enough, it went off and I found myself driving to the park with a car full of goodies, including a Dora pinata, to place on the tables. I also borrowed some yellow caution tape and wrapped it around the pavilion.
I was the first one there. The place was empty when I got there. I got all set up, laid down on a table and fell asleep. It was really a beautiful night. It was like 65 with a cool breeze, and I could hear the stream lapping in the background. It reminded me of nights I've spent camping in the Adirondacks. Of course, before going to sleep I did have a passing thought of some Jeffrey Dahmer-like character cutting me to pieces, or some crackhead mugging me for my cellphone, but this is Erie... and I wasn't delivering pizzas. Anyway, I comforted myself by remembering many of the dumber and more dangerous things I've done in my life that clearly had less of a payoff. And I fell quickly asleep. I woke up with the sun around 5:30 a.m. and found I was still the only person there. So, I guess maybe I didn't need to sleep there after all, but it sure was a nice night's sleep... People started showing up around six, with the last picnic grove taken around 7:15 a.m.
Our party went great. Lots of cold beer, water, and pop on a hot day and some charcoal-grilled yaps and burgers. Mariah and the kids had a great time running around the playground, heading to the zoo, and doing all the other fun things a kid can do at a park. Yes, that Glenwood Park is quite a place to have a holiday picnic.
Ralph
Friday, May 26, 2006
Katrina aftermath
You all should know that I'm not the biggest Bush fan in the world - but I very much agree with this conservative editorial that appeared in today's Erie Times. It pretty much discusses how the Bush administration has been given undue blame and how the media has exaggerated a lot of what went on with Hurricane Katrina. I'm also reading an article in the current issue of Vanity Fair that kind of vindicates Brownie for his performance and calls him a scapegoat. Here's the thing: How many times have you been warned of a storm that never developed as badly as predicted? Happens in the winter here all the time. What if you never left your house every time they said a "blizzard" was coming?
The Vanity Fair article even recounts how the famous N'awlens drink "The Hurricane" was invented by some revelers waiting out a hurricane. Obviously, they didn't evacuate and lived to pass their drink recipe on to millions... I would say that 90% of the time, the best thing you can do with storms is wait them out. And after all, this is the "Big Easy" we're talking about. I think that nickname means that people there don't get too worked up about things. Truthfully, I think I would have reacted the same way the mayor of New Orleans did, who has received criticism for not wanting to ruin the tourist trade by shouting "hurricane" too early.
Okay, having said all that, there was a fuck-up with the levies. But that had nothing to do with emergency management. That was something that should have been fixed well in advance, because it's always better to prevent a disaster than manage one well once it happens. If Bush was responsible for not fixing those levies, than fuck him. But, I think that problem may predate him.
Ralph
The Vanity Fair article even recounts how the famous N'awlens drink "The Hurricane" was invented by some revelers waiting out a hurricane. Obviously, they didn't evacuate and lived to pass their drink recipe on to millions... I would say that 90% of the time, the best thing you can do with storms is wait them out. And after all, this is the "Big Easy" we're talking about. I think that nickname means that people there don't get too worked up about things. Truthfully, I think I would have reacted the same way the mayor of New Orleans did, who has received criticism for not wanting to ruin the tourist trade by shouting "hurricane" too early.
Okay, having said all that, there was a fuck-up with the levies. But that had nothing to do with emergency management. That was something that should have been fixed well in advance, because it's always better to prevent a disaster than manage one well once it happens. If Bush was responsible for not fixing those levies, than fuck him. But, I think that problem may predate him.
Ralph
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Baseball
The timelessness of baseball is a mysterious and wonderful thing. I'm looking out my window and I see my son and his friends playing a game of pick-up in the backyard. Something I would have done 30-some years ago. I've tried doing other things I did when I was a kid with my son, playing certain board games, but really, they all pale in comparison to today's video games and come off as dated. But baseball, well, it never really changes. It's still pitch and catch, and bat. I remember the catcher's gear and the mitt were favoriates of mine as a kid - we always used my neighbor's dad's old softball equipment. I picked my son up some old stuff at a sale and on eBay, and he's wearing it right now. Yup, I guess, some cliches are true.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Understanding Mother Earth (Part Two)
This entry is a reply to one of Ralph's comments posted to "Understanding the Earth" from May 24. Here is what Ralph said:
I personally am at a loss on how to fight pollution. While all your suggestions are good, do you think they'll be adopted by enough people to make a difference? Or is there a ying and yang factor at work here. As you remove pollutants, somebody else adds them back? My final thought on this is that despite all these pollutants and cancer causing agents, people are actually living longer now than they were a couple hundred years ago. It's evolution, baby, you just need to accept it or perish under its power.
Ralph,
Your argument actually proves my point: Humans, once they recognize a particular need, can change their behavior and address that need in order to find a solution...and quite often they do.
So, you say that humans are living longer. It's true. We are living longer because we realized--at a collective level--that we needed to take action to provide better healthcare for everyone. As a result, much attention has been devoted over the past 150 years to caring for people. We have thousands of hospitals and doctors offices across the country. Healing is big business.
It's a huge priority...and now people know what foods to eat/not eat and they know they shouldn't smoke cigarettes. These are corrective actions taken in light of information gained about a certain situation, namely, that we’ve been polluting our bodies for many years.
And once we realized that diseases like Polio and Smallpox needed to be eliminated, the right people came up with the right cures.
To toss your hands into the air and say, "Screw it. Pollute the environment. We'll grow specialized gills someday to deal with it" strikes me as blatantly irresponsible because it goes against the natural ability of humans to recognize a problem and take steps to correct the problem.
So, as these problems build and people become aware of them, it is possible to take steps to correct—or at least diminish—the problem.
And remember my opening point: the reason we are living longer is directly related to the fact that humans have tackled the problem of health care at the collective level. This has been accomplished over time with education and increased public awareness. We didn't just say, "Oh, well. This Smallpox thing really sucks, but there's no point in tackling the problem because we're just going to die anyway."
So, Mr. Wolf, if you want to take a “who cares” approach because the patterns that dominate our lives are too big to change, that’s your option. But I think the rhythms of our lives—and I know quite a bit about rhythms—take various shapes and sizes. We can affect some of the rhythms that fall within our sphere of influence (even as I acknowledge that other patterns remain outside our personal purview).
However, occasionally, the larger, more difficult patterns can be tackled by groups that create energy which achieves its own intention, that intention creates an attraction of its own, and that’s how communal problems are solved.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Bobbo's Blog
I went over to Bobbo's Blog today to see what he had posted recently and I found a video of the artist "Pink" singing a song called "Dear Mr. President".
The video is kinda sappy, but I like all kinds of music, so I thought it was pretty cool. It's definitely worth watching.
Now I'm wondering how to post video to Ralph's Place.
Have you made any progress down this path, Ralph?
DDDDDDDDDDD
The video is kinda sappy, but I like all kinds of music, so I thought it was pretty cool. It's definitely worth watching.
Now I'm wondering how to post video to Ralph's Place.
Have you made any progress down this path, Ralph?
DDDDDDDDDDD
Understanding the Earth
I've been reading a lot of Earth-centered literature these days, including Gary Snyder's The Practice of the Wild, and random articles on sustainable farming and arguments against dolphin and orca captivity.
It seems that humans are evolving to a point where we understand that other life forms have a right to exist on their own--they are not for us to capture and imprison at places like Sea World.
Gary Snyder can really get it going, too. On page 181 of Practice, he writes, "There can be no health for humans and cities that bypasses the rest of nature."
He also writes in very moving and convincing terms about the similarities between bears and humans. I thought Ralph might like that part, in light of his uncanny relationship to wolves.
One report said that the federally protected orcas, living off the coast of Washington state, are legally toxic due to the number of PCBs that course through their bodies...and is there still any question where cancer comes from? It comes in regular doses from the synthetic chemicals that we ingest and are otherwise exposed to in our lives.
One professor wrote that male frogs in Midwestern states are beginning to produce eggs and he said that this could be connected to breast cancer in women...something about similar chemistry.
So, what to do? Clean House/Clean Planet by Karen Logan is a book that offers solid direction. She claims, as you might guess from the title, that eliminating the toxic chemicals from your house will help. It will change your world view as it relates to the environment.
Personally, I believe that soaps are way overused in America. Humans have lived on this Earth for tens of thousands of years and suddenly we need to scour everything in site with antibacterial soap? I don't think so.
Now, before my chef friends object, please know that I understand that foodservice is an entirely different matter, because of the threat of cross-contamination. However, everyday people do not need to use the detergents and soaps that we think we do. Go to Wegman's and look at the soap aisle, you know, the one with all the jugs of Tide and such.
Then think about taking all of that soap and dumping it into Lake Erie. Yup. Think about it. And that's only one Wegman's. All over the US, people are dumping soap, and bleach, and Clorox, into the water system.
While the water system can absorb an amazing amount of pollution--and while water treatment plants do a fantastic job making water "safe" to drink-- these efforts cannot absorb all of the chemicals, so we ingest them in our drinking water. And we shower in them.
All this, and I haven't even started talking about lawn fertilizers and other poisons that are being applied at this moment to thousands of lawns across the US.
Then there's commercial farming...
I hate to say this, but we're in big trouble as far as our water system goes. In order to have any chance, we need to stop the insanity. We need to stop dumping chemicals down our drains and we need to support political candidates who will act on behalf of the environment, unless we want our children to have increasingly poisoned water.
Enough for today, I believe.
DoCtoR
It seems that humans are evolving to a point where we understand that other life forms have a right to exist on their own--they are not for us to capture and imprison at places like Sea World.
Gary Snyder can really get it going, too. On page 181 of Practice, he writes, "There can be no health for humans and cities that bypasses the rest of nature."
He also writes in very moving and convincing terms about the similarities between bears and humans. I thought Ralph might like that part, in light of his uncanny relationship to wolves.
One report said that the federally protected orcas, living off the coast of Washington state, are legally toxic due to the number of PCBs that course through their bodies...and is there still any question where cancer comes from? It comes in regular doses from the synthetic chemicals that we ingest and are otherwise exposed to in our lives.
One professor wrote that male frogs in Midwestern states are beginning to produce eggs and he said that this could be connected to breast cancer in women...something about similar chemistry.
So, what to do? Clean House/Clean Planet by Karen Logan is a book that offers solid direction. She claims, as you might guess from the title, that eliminating the toxic chemicals from your house will help. It will change your world view as it relates to the environment.
Personally, I believe that soaps are way overused in America. Humans have lived on this Earth for tens of thousands of years and suddenly we need to scour everything in site with antibacterial soap? I don't think so.
Now, before my chef friends object, please know that I understand that foodservice is an entirely different matter, because of the threat of cross-contamination. However, everyday people do not need to use the detergents and soaps that we think we do. Go to Wegman's and look at the soap aisle, you know, the one with all the jugs of Tide and such.
Then think about taking all of that soap and dumping it into Lake Erie. Yup. Think about it. And that's only one Wegman's. All over the US, people are dumping soap, and bleach, and Clorox, into the water system.
While the water system can absorb an amazing amount of pollution--and while water treatment plants do a fantastic job making water "safe" to drink-- these efforts cannot absorb all of the chemicals, so we ingest them in our drinking water. And we shower in them.
All this, and I haven't even started talking about lawn fertilizers and other poisons that are being applied at this moment to thousands of lawns across the US.
Then there's commercial farming...
I hate to say this, but we're in big trouble as far as our water system goes. In order to have any chance, we need to stop the insanity. We need to stop dumping chemicals down our drains and we need to support political candidates who will act on behalf of the environment, unless we want our children to have increasingly poisoned water.
Enough for today, I believe.
DoCtoR
Monday, May 22, 2006
Cancel Your Cable TV (for the good of your children)
I know this will never catch on, but I believe that people should cancel their cable TV subscriptions.
Excessive cable television viewing has created an entire generation of children whose brains are wired differently. They don't read books because their brains can't slow down enough to create a space that is quiet enough for reading. I see it all the time and it's not pretty.
Television also actively promotes deviance: violence in various forms, passive aggressive behavior, drug use, sex, sex, and more sex...and it's all depicted as glamorous in American culture.
Well, it's not glamorous. It's disgusting. The only rational response is to shut it off, permanently, and find other things to do.
I was scanning the TV schedule this morning so I could write this column and I found that "judge shows" are rampant. So, from the comfort of our living rooms, we can peep into the legal lives of others and learn the lurid details of their dysfunctional lives. "Peeping" is not healthy, yet we publicize it, celebrate it, and teach our kids how to enjoy it.
[Then, there are the "cop" shows. We live in a country where the prison population, the largest in the world, topped 2.18 million recently. During a one-year period from 2004 to 2005, we imprisoned an average of 1085 people per week. But instead of expressing outrage, we sit at home and watch the arrests on TV. That's pretty screwed up, if you ask me.]
Aside from the prison issue, the best response by American citizens to this insane peep show is not only to shut off the TV and send the kids outside, but to eliminate the incredible money stream that is pumped into the cable TV industry.
I cancelled my cable TV subscription a few weeks ago (because it reached the point where I seldom watched TV), and I've never been happier. During the evening hours, I read (Joseph Campbell, Mickey Hart, James Hillman, Gary Zukav) listen to/play music, or converse with friends and family.
All of these activities are far better than sitting on the couch watching TV.
Now, I know that absolutely nobody will cancel their cable TV as a result of this column, but you can't blame me for trying.
I think our culture and community would be a lot better off if we turned off our TVs and, instead, held evening community rituals, such as bonfires, sing-alongs, color with the kids, basketball, indoor bocci--any of those activities. We have lost our communities in many ways because we all sit inside during the evening hours watching Survivor.
In closing, let me say that I have no hope that anyone will follow this advice, so I must resign myself to teaching another batch of children who suffer from ADHD and who have not read an entire book in their lives. It seems to me that these are the sad outcomes of a nation of children raised on cable TV.
Carry on.
Doc.
Excessive cable television viewing has created an entire generation of children whose brains are wired differently. They don't read books because their brains can't slow down enough to create a space that is quiet enough for reading. I see it all the time and it's not pretty.
Television also actively promotes deviance: violence in various forms, passive aggressive behavior, drug use, sex, sex, and more sex...and it's all depicted as glamorous in American culture.
Well, it's not glamorous. It's disgusting. The only rational response is to shut it off, permanently, and find other things to do.
I was scanning the TV schedule this morning so I could write this column and I found that "judge shows" are rampant. So, from the comfort of our living rooms, we can peep into the legal lives of others and learn the lurid details of their dysfunctional lives. "Peeping" is not healthy, yet we publicize it, celebrate it, and teach our kids how to enjoy it.
[Then, there are the "cop" shows. We live in a country where the prison population, the largest in the world, topped 2.18 million recently. During a one-year period from 2004 to 2005, we imprisoned an average of 1085 people per week. But instead of expressing outrage, we sit at home and watch the arrests on TV. That's pretty screwed up, if you ask me.]
Aside from the prison issue, the best response by American citizens to this insane peep show is not only to shut off the TV and send the kids outside, but to eliminate the incredible money stream that is pumped into the cable TV industry.
I cancelled my cable TV subscription a few weeks ago (because it reached the point where I seldom watched TV), and I've never been happier. During the evening hours, I read (Joseph Campbell, Mickey Hart, James Hillman, Gary Zukav) listen to/play music, or converse with friends and family.
All of these activities are far better than sitting on the couch watching TV.
Now, I know that absolutely nobody will cancel their cable TV as a result of this column, but you can't blame me for trying.
I think our culture and community would be a lot better off if we turned off our TVs and, instead, held evening community rituals, such as bonfires, sing-alongs, color with the kids, basketball, indoor bocci--any of those activities. We have lost our communities in many ways because we all sit inside during the evening hours watching Survivor.
In closing, let me say that I have no hope that anyone will follow this advice, so I must resign myself to teaching another batch of children who suffer from ADHD and who have not read an entire book in their lives. It seems to me that these are the sad outcomes of a nation of children raised on cable TV.
Carry on.
Doc.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Starbuck's Part Two
I went to Starbuck's the other day and ordered a Grande Mocha. It was good, but there was something missing. It seemed like there was no whipped cream at the top.
You know it: It's when you get that first delicious taste of coffee, mocha, and whipped cream (and if it's done right, you even taste the chocolate syrup that they drizzle over the whipped cream, at least initially).
But as I drove along, I truly thought that--in their hurry--someone forgot to load the whipped cream. I was a little miffed, because Grande Mochas cost $3.45. Oh, well.
Today I went there again, and ordered the same drink. I even asked the girl at the drive up window whether they would put whipped cream in the drink. She said, "Yes."
And she was not lying...I was able to actually watch the guy make the drink through the drive up window and--it's true--he skimped on the whipped cream. And he didn't include any syrup at all. I was getting no love for my money.
So, why should I make such a big deal about such a minor thing like whipped cream? Because the coffee business is quite nuanced. Starbuck's is selling me more than a drink; they're selling me a delicious and pricey coffee experience. Skimping on ingredients and hoping people won't notice is a good way to send me to Tim Horton's, Romolo's, or Boston Bean (in North East).
I don't know whether this is an issue with a single worker or whether it's larger than that, but I wanted to post this comment so that word might reach Starbuck's (at the Mall) so that they could sharpen the quality control. I don't want to lose them as a espresso source.
Dr. Java
You know it: It's when you get that first delicious taste of coffee, mocha, and whipped cream (and if it's done right, you even taste the chocolate syrup that they drizzle over the whipped cream, at least initially).
But as I drove along, I truly thought that--in their hurry--someone forgot to load the whipped cream. I was a little miffed, because Grande Mochas cost $3.45. Oh, well.
Today I went there again, and ordered the same drink. I even asked the girl at the drive up window whether they would put whipped cream in the drink. She said, "Yes."
And she was not lying...I was able to actually watch the guy make the drink through the drive up window and--it's true--he skimped on the whipped cream. And he didn't include any syrup at all. I was getting no love for my money.
So, why should I make such a big deal about such a minor thing like whipped cream? Because the coffee business is quite nuanced. Starbuck's is selling me more than a drink; they're selling me a delicious and pricey coffee experience. Skimping on ingredients and hoping people won't notice is a good way to send me to Tim Horton's, Romolo's, or Boston Bean (in North East).
I don't know whether this is an issue with a single worker or whether it's larger than that, but I wanted to post this comment so that word might reach Starbuck's (at the Mall) so that they could sharpen the quality control. I don't want to lose them as a espresso source.
Dr. Java
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Bush the Moderate?
I read an AP report this morning that covered President Bush's address to the nation last night concerning the Mexican immigration issue.
In part, the report said, "[Bush's] measure includes tougher border security provisions, a guest worker program and an eventual path to citizenship for nearly all the estimated 12 million immigrants in the country illegally. The bill also includes steps to make sure employers don't hire illegal workers."
Wow. This sounds like the position of a moderate to me. Is Bush finally thinking for himself--or is his position more related to the fact that he has lots of people telling him what to do on this one, including American businesses who actually want to keep the Mexican workers in the US?
In any event, his position is clearly centrist. Something Bill Clinton would dream up.
I thought, when I heard Bush was going to address the nation last night, that he was going to invoke the military option once again by simply sending Guard troops to the boarder because it makes good politics to "crack down on illegal Mexican aliens." And Bush's poll numbers sure need a boost.
But he didn't go in that direction. It seems that there might be some finesse at work in the White House. If only we could have used this kind of finesse with Iraq, instead of wasting so much money and spilling so much blood. Maybe we can use some of this finesse with Iran...wouldn't that be amazing?
I will predict one thing in closing: Bush's poll numbers will improve as he moves away from his persistent radical agenda to a more centrist position. Maybe Karl Rove is finally realizing that while radical positions can get a person elected, good governance comes from the center.
DocTorDee
In part, the report said, "[Bush's] measure includes tougher border security provisions, a guest worker program and an eventual path to citizenship for nearly all the estimated 12 million immigrants in the country illegally. The bill also includes steps to make sure employers don't hire illegal workers."
Wow. This sounds like the position of a moderate to me. Is Bush finally thinking for himself--or is his position more related to the fact that he has lots of people telling him what to do on this one, including American businesses who actually want to keep the Mexican workers in the US?
In any event, his position is clearly centrist. Something Bill Clinton would dream up.
I thought, when I heard Bush was going to address the nation last night, that he was going to invoke the military option once again by simply sending Guard troops to the boarder because it makes good politics to "crack down on illegal Mexican aliens." And Bush's poll numbers sure need a boost.
But he didn't go in that direction. It seems that there might be some finesse at work in the White House. If only we could have used this kind of finesse with Iraq, instead of wasting so much money and spilling so much blood. Maybe we can use some of this finesse with Iran...wouldn't that be amazing?
I will predict one thing in closing: Bush's poll numbers will improve as he moves away from his persistent radical agenda to a more centrist position. Maybe Karl Rove is finally realizing that while radical positions can get a person elected, good governance comes from the center.
DocTorDee
Romolo's
Speaking of good coffee, I realized last night--to my horror--that my home was bereft of chocolate. Coffee and chocolate is my favorite dessert, so I had to take action.
I decided to take a drive to Romolo Chocolate on West 8th Street (across from Frontier Park). Romolo's has the best chocolate in the city, as far as I'm concerned (and, yes, I've had Stefanelli's and Pulakos).
Plus, Romolo's also has an excellent coffee bar. This place is heaven.
So, there I was last night, sitting in the coffee shop, watching the rain, sipping Romolo's World Bean coffee while eating a chunk of their dark chocolate. Wow.
If you're looking for something to do on a rainy evening--or any other evening--Romolo's is the place to go.
Enjoy!
Doc
I decided to take a drive to Romolo Chocolate on West 8th Street (across from Frontier Park). Romolo's has the best chocolate in the city, as far as I'm concerned (and, yes, I've had Stefanelli's and Pulakos).
Plus, Romolo's also has an excellent coffee bar. This place is heaven.
So, there I was last night, sitting in the coffee shop, watching the rain, sipping Romolo's World Bean coffee while eating a chunk of their dark chocolate. Wow.
If you're looking for something to do on a rainy evening--or any other evening--Romolo's is the place to go.
Enjoy!
Doc
Monday, May 15, 2006
Starbucks
For something that is likely owned by Satan, Starbucks is a really nice place. I know I did my whole Tim Hortons addiction rant a few days ago. TH's coffee is good, but the atphosphere is pretty stuffy. Starbucks, for being a chain, does an amazing job with atmosphere.
I'm currently at this place in Philadelphia's Historic District (3rd and Arch) - right down near Independance Hall, Ben Frankin's grave, and the Franklin mint. There's been killer music on, as usual, for the last hour. The building itslf is also amazing. It's across the street from the Real World Philadelphia house. It's this really old buildng with a tremendous brick/stone facade, and these long, high windows that let in great light. They've modernized inside, but kept it pretty Spartan. There's like an aura, a breath to this place, like there is in all old buildings and I really enjoy it. It's got good air.
Plus I can get wi-fi. Starbucks does a great job mering the past with the present. It's really a place of wealth and taste.
Cheers.
Ralph
I'm currently at this place in Philadelphia's Historic District (3rd and Arch) - right down near Independance Hall, Ben Frankin's grave, and the Franklin mint. There's been killer music on, as usual, for the last hour. The building itslf is also amazing. It's across the street from the Real World Philadelphia house. It's this really old buildng with a tremendous brick/stone facade, and these long, high windows that let in great light. They've modernized inside, but kept it pretty Spartan. There's like an aura, a breath to this place, like there is in all old buildings and I really enjoy it. It's got good air.
Plus I can get wi-fi. Starbucks does a great job mering the past with the present. It's really a place of wealth and taste.
Cheers.
Ralph
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Orchids Show
This is the best I could come up photo-wise at the Orchid Fest. Not that there weren't plenty of opportunities. Awesome display of flowers. About 15 arranged exhibits, maybe, that were stunning. The variety, color, texture, wonderful things. This is my daughter standing in front of the orchids she selected as her favorites.
Cheers.
Ralph
Alexandre Dumas and nothing
I got really nothin' today. I've been pretty busy with my day job. Got a big trade show coming up that I'm trying to prepare for. Hope to get some pics at the Orchid show today.
Only interesting - somewhat I hope - anecdote I have, has to do with Alexandre (I like the French spelling) Dumas and his book "The Man in the Iron Mask." My mother-in-law found an abridged copy in her house and brought it over recently for my son to read. It's a bit old for him, but the pictures and title intrigued him. It also intrigued me, as I remember seeing the movie a long time ago, when I was probably 12. I liked it. It was about a French king who had a half-brother that he kept locked up in this iron mask, because the brother was actually the true heir to the throne.
The events took place around the time of Louis XIV, which was about 100 years before Dumas lived. But like a lot of great writers do (Shakespeare comes to mind), Dumas based his story on a historical legend and then embellished it. I found a great entry in the Wikipedia on the true identity of the "Man in the Mask." It turns out, it really is a mystery based on a historical person. One interesting thing is that the mask was not really iron, but cloth. How or why it was changed to iron in the legend, even before Dumas got ahold of it, is open to conjecture. Similarly, there seems to be little proof that the Man in the Mask was related to the king, of course, it has not been disproved either.
Dumas managed to tie the story of the Man in the Iron Mask together with his successful "Three Musketeers" serial. The Three Musketeers was another movie I saw as a kid and enjoyed immensely. I also have fond memories of the cartoon version of the Count of Monte Crisco (Not to be confused with the old Giants' pitcher John Montefusco, whose nickname was "The Count.")
When I was in college (about 15 years ago), this one-time affinity I had for video adaptions of Dumas' work motivated me to attempt to read the Count of Monte Crisco. It has some great stuff in it, but was definitely written in a such a style (it could have been the translation) that I could not have sustained reading the 500 pages in the book. I think I made it through the first quarter. The beginning, however, did include a fascinating account on torture and executions - like only a Frenchman could put together. And then, the last scene I read had this amazing account of a hashish or opium induced trip (I don't remember which) brought on by some after-dinner treats at a feast one night.
It turns about Dumas himself was quite a party animal. Here's the wikipedia entry on him.
I guess he was like a rock star in his day. From all accounts he was very famous, made quite a bit of money, but "spent it even faster than it came in." One account specifies that most of his expenses were related to "friends, mistresses, and art." Not a bad way to go through cash, especially if you're a writer. Keeps the karma on your side I think.
Cheers.
Ralph
Only interesting - somewhat I hope - anecdote I have, has to do with Alexandre (I like the French spelling) Dumas and his book "The Man in the Iron Mask." My mother-in-law found an abridged copy in her house and brought it over recently for my son to read. It's a bit old for him, but the pictures and title intrigued him. It also intrigued me, as I remember seeing the movie a long time ago, when I was probably 12. I liked it. It was about a French king who had a half-brother that he kept locked up in this iron mask, because the brother was actually the true heir to the throne.
The events took place around the time of Louis XIV, which was about 100 years before Dumas lived. But like a lot of great writers do (Shakespeare comes to mind), Dumas based his story on a historical legend and then embellished it. I found a great entry in the Wikipedia on the true identity of the "Man in the Mask." It turns out, it really is a mystery based on a historical person. One interesting thing is that the mask was not really iron, but cloth. How or why it was changed to iron in the legend, even before Dumas got ahold of it, is open to conjecture. Similarly, there seems to be little proof that the Man in the Mask was related to the king, of course, it has not been disproved either.
Dumas managed to tie the story of the Man in the Iron Mask together with his successful "Three Musketeers" serial. The Three Musketeers was another movie I saw as a kid and enjoyed immensely. I also have fond memories of the cartoon version of the Count of Monte Crisco (Not to be confused with the old Giants' pitcher John Montefusco, whose nickname was "The Count.")
When I was in college (about 15 years ago), this one-time affinity I had for video adaptions of Dumas' work motivated me to attempt to read the Count of Monte Crisco. It has some great stuff in it, but was definitely written in a such a style (it could have been the translation) that I could not have sustained reading the 500 pages in the book. I think I made it through the first quarter. The beginning, however, did include a fascinating account on torture and executions - like only a Frenchman could put together. And then, the last scene I read had this amazing account of a hashish or opium induced trip (I don't remember which) brought on by some after-dinner treats at a feast one night.
It turns about Dumas himself was quite a party animal. Here's the wikipedia entry on him.
I guess he was like a rock star in his day. From all accounts he was very famous, made quite a bit of money, but "spent it even faster than it came in." One account specifies that most of his expenses were related to "friends, mistresses, and art." Not a bad way to go through cash, especially if you're a writer. Keeps the karma on your side I think.
Cheers.
Ralph
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Some Wins Last Night
Amazingly big night for me as a sports fan yesterday. Don't know that there has ever been a night in which the Clippers and Sabres both won playoff games - each in the second round no less. On top of that, the Yankees scored a comeback win at home against Curt Schilling and the Bosox.
The Yankees' win although regular season, was as big as the other ones, because they had lost to the Red Sox twice in two tries already this year. The Yanks were down 3-1 and I told my son to go turn the front light on - it was getting dark and the Yankees flag was out - and their fortunes turned. The biggest hit of the night was A-Rod's tie-breaking solo homer. A-Rod has been just having an awful year, hitting like .250 and he made two errors - one very key - in the 14-3 rout by the Sox the night before. This, of course, follows on the heels of his terrible playoff performance last year. But I think things are going to start turning around for him. He has it rock bottom, done some searching, and perhaps discovered a game that will carry the Yankees through the playoffs this time around.
I remember Barry Bonds always used to struggle in the playoffs with Pittsburgh, but right before he left, he got a couple big hits and that carried through to some really impressive clutch performances with the Giants. A-Rod is kind of like Bonds.
I give Torre credit for enabling A-Rod the space to work out his game and re-adjust to a Yankee style of play - meaning teamwork and winning is placed above individual glory. Torre's style was evidenced in his playing Melkey Cabrera again last night a day after the recent call up (to replace the injured Sheffield), dropped a fly ball in right field. Torry never panics. He knows full well it is a 162-game season and plays it that way. Players respect that and feel comfortable playing for a guy like that. That's why A-Rod will take a chance, try, and work through new things that will eventually help out the Yankees - I hope. We are paying enough after cal.
Cheers.
Ralph
The Yankees' win although regular season, was as big as the other ones, because they had lost to the Red Sox twice in two tries already this year. The Yanks were down 3-1 and I told my son to go turn the front light on - it was getting dark and the Yankees flag was out - and their fortunes turned. The biggest hit of the night was A-Rod's tie-breaking solo homer. A-Rod has been just having an awful year, hitting like .250 and he made two errors - one very key - in the 14-3 rout by the Sox the night before. This, of course, follows on the heels of his terrible playoff performance last year. But I think things are going to start turning around for him. He has it rock bottom, done some searching, and perhaps discovered a game that will carry the Yankees through the playoffs this time around.
I remember Barry Bonds always used to struggle in the playoffs with Pittsburgh, but right before he left, he got a couple big hits and that carried through to some really impressive clutch performances with the Giants. A-Rod is kind of like Bonds.
I give Torre credit for enabling A-Rod the space to work out his game and re-adjust to a Yankee style of play - meaning teamwork and winning is placed above individual glory. Torre's style was evidenced in his playing Melkey Cabrera again last night a day after the recent call up (to replace the injured Sheffield), dropped a fly ball in right field. Torry never panics. He knows full well it is a 162-game season and plays it that way. Players respect that and feel comfortable playing for a guy like that. That's why A-Rod will take a chance, try, and work through new things that will eventually help out the Yankees - I hope. We are paying enough after cal.
Cheers.
Ralph
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Iran letter
It appears the Erie Times has created something it calls its "electronic edition." I can't find too much info on it, but I did find a link earlier to an ad for it, but that seems to have disappeared now. All I can find is the log-in page, which asks for $10 per month to view the paper, which from what I can tell actually looks like a paper, on your computer. Some of the stories in today's paper are still available on goerie.com, but certain ones, like this one I wanted to link to about Condy's reaction to the letter from the president of Iran, are not. I'm sure we'll see more on this in the days to come - the e-paper thing that is.
As far as Condy and the whole U.S. government's reaction to this Iran letter thing, I find it disturbing, but also fairly typical. It seems the Iranian president has taken some serious time and effort to put together this 17-page letter that contains a laundry list of complaints about the U.S., and some other stuff as well. But, it doesn't sound like the letter was overbearing, and I got the impression it was rather politely constructed. The U.S., of course, has immediately dismissed it as a con job to distract us from the nuclear questions at hand.
Have these people (our gov.) no cooth whatsoever? I don't get it. To me, it seems the letter should be regarded as an open invitation to diplomatic discussions. An introduction, of sorts, and can't we move forward from there? No, but because we're the big bully with all the guns and power on our side, and the letter doesn't say exactly what we want it to, we're ignoring it - and ignorance is bliss, at least as far as the Bush administration is concerned. Didn't we also ignore WMD reports on Iraq because they didn't say what we wanted them to either? Look where that has got us.
Can't we just respond diplomatically to these people, the Iranian president in this case, and work things out like civilized human beings? Oh wait, that would require some sort of compromise, and heaven forbid a man-child like Bush get involved in any compromise. He'll just takes his guns and weapons and invade you unless you totally give in to his demands. We're fucked as long as this fool remains in office. Thank God, and I use that term loosely, the American people are finally losing confidence in this guy, I just hope it's not too late to avert WWIII.
Ralph
As far as Condy and the whole U.S. government's reaction to this Iran letter thing, I find it disturbing, but also fairly typical. It seems the Iranian president has taken some serious time and effort to put together this 17-page letter that contains a laundry list of complaints about the U.S., and some other stuff as well. But, it doesn't sound like the letter was overbearing, and I got the impression it was rather politely constructed. The U.S., of course, has immediately dismissed it as a con job to distract us from the nuclear questions at hand.
Have these people (our gov.) no cooth whatsoever? I don't get it. To me, it seems the letter should be regarded as an open invitation to diplomatic discussions. An introduction, of sorts, and can't we move forward from there? No, but because we're the big bully with all the guns and power on our side, and the letter doesn't say exactly what we want it to, we're ignoring it - and ignorance is bliss, at least as far as the Bush administration is concerned. Didn't we also ignore WMD reports on Iraq because they didn't say what we wanted them to either? Look where that has got us.
Can't we just respond diplomatically to these people, the Iranian president in this case, and work things out like civilized human beings? Oh wait, that would require some sort of compromise, and heaven forbid a man-child like Bush get involved in any compromise. He'll just takes his guns and weapons and invade you unless you totally give in to his demands. We're fucked as long as this fool remains in office. Thank God, and I use that term loosely, the American people are finally losing confidence in this guy, I just hope it's not too late to avert WWIII.
Ralph
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
War on Drugs
A couple days ago (Sunday), I had the opportunity to spend some time in the courtyard - out back of Wegman's on Peach. It was a sunny day and these flowering trees were in bloom all around me. My wife was shopping and the kids were in the playroom. It was about noon. I grabbed a copy of the Buffalo News, mainly for some inside scoop on Buffalo sports, and a latte and headed out back. After reading the sports, I delved into the local page and came across this interesting editorial advocating the legalization of all drugs.
It involves a discussion with the Erie County Executive (Buffalo is also in an Erie County), who had this to say: "We declared the war on drugs 30 years ago, and it's not working As long as we see this as a criminal issue and not a public health issue, we'll have bloodshed on the streets."
A good point. This County Executive has also allied himself with a former cop, whose name is "Christ" (pronounced like ironic "twist.") "We didn't end Prohibition in 1933 because alcohol was great stuff or a wonderful drug," Christ said. "We ended it because as dangerous as alcohol can be, letting people like Al Capone run the marketplace made the problem worse. Yet we're doing the same thing now."
Another good point. But, and a pencil in a huge BUT here (I like big BUTTS after all), there was one major flaw in this article. The event that motivated the county executive to go public with his view on drugs was a nun being murdered by a crackhead she tried to help. This story was on the Front Page. The point that the county exec, Christ, and the columnist are trying to make is that dealers are the cause of violence and not users, BUT in this case, which was the very event that brought these guys out - the murderer was actually a user seeking money to support his habit. So, if drugs had been legal, he still conceivably would have committed the crime. The columnist, to his credit, recognizes this flaw in logic and scrambles to cover it with the following:
"Dealers shoot each over over turf, not because they're high. Most thieves don't heist stereos or - in the case of Sister Karen's killer - a cell phone to cover the rent. They sell the stuff to pay for their next fix.
"Legalize and regulate drugs, like we do with alcohol, and dealers go out of business, addicts get treated and the violence mostly goes away. "
I am not quite sure I agree with that because I think most treatment programs fail - at least from the people I know. However, I don't necessarily think legalizing drugs would increase their use- if you want to try it now, you can probably find it whether it's legal or not.
In conclusion, I think this county exec, who seems to be in some political hot water at the moment, may just be doing some grandstanding and trying to re-invent himself, ala Marion Barry. Nonetheless, it made for some interesting and thought provoking copy. I doubt Marky D. will be coming out soon with any such position.
Ralph
It involves a discussion with the Erie County Executive (Buffalo is also in an Erie County), who had this to say: "We declared the war on drugs 30 years ago, and it's not working As long as we see this as a criminal issue and not a public health issue, we'll have bloodshed on the streets."
A good point. This County Executive has also allied himself with a former cop, whose name is "Christ" (pronounced like ironic "twist.") "We didn't end Prohibition in 1933 because alcohol was great stuff or a wonderful drug," Christ said. "We ended it because as dangerous as alcohol can be, letting people like Al Capone run the marketplace made the problem worse. Yet we're doing the same thing now."
Another good point. But, and a pencil in a huge BUT here (I like big BUTTS after all), there was one major flaw in this article. The event that motivated the county executive to go public with his view on drugs was a nun being murdered by a crackhead she tried to help. This story was on the Front Page. The point that the county exec, Christ, and the columnist are trying to make is that dealers are the cause of violence and not users, BUT in this case, which was the very event that brought these guys out - the murderer was actually a user seeking money to support his habit. So, if drugs had been legal, he still conceivably would have committed the crime. The columnist, to his credit, recognizes this flaw in logic and scrambles to cover it with the following:
"Dealers shoot each over over turf, not because they're high. Most thieves don't heist stereos or - in the case of Sister Karen's killer - a cell phone to cover the rent. They sell the stuff to pay for their next fix.
"Legalize and regulate drugs, like we do with alcohol, and dealers go out of business, addicts get treated and the violence mostly goes away. "
I am not quite sure I agree with that because I think most treatment programs fail - at least from the people I know. However, I don't necessarily think legalizing drugs would increase their use- if you want to try it now, you can probably find it whether it's legal or not.
In conclusion, I think this county exec, who seems to be in some political hot water at the moment, may just be doing some grandstanding and trying to re-invent himself, ala Marion Barry. Nonetheless, it made for some interesting and thought provoking copy. I doubt Marky D. will be coming out soon with any such position.
Ralph
Monday, May 08, 2006
Orchids
So, is anyone planning on going to this Orchid Show scheduled for this weekend at the Glenwood Ice Rink? I became intrigued by orchids a couple years back when my brother sent me the movie Adaptation - another movie about a writer. Nick Cage, and Glenn Close, and someone else is in it. It's about Charlie Kauffman and his struggles to write a screenplay based on this book titled, The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean. There's some interesting writing stuff in there, but there's also some very interesting orchid lore. Apparently, people are really into orchids. In fact, here's a link to the New Yorker by Orlean that she used as the basis for the book. Very well written and fascinating article that addresses the orchid culture. I'm looking forward to heading to this weekends show and checking out the scene.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Weekend, Weather, Golf
Great weekend, huh? Anybody else enjoy the wonderful weather. Sure, it was a bit cold, but this sun thing energizes me. On Saturday, I finally got out of the house long enough to join the newly remodeled Erie Golf Club. They've done a great job so far. I think the wonderful new bar and restaurant, known has Happy Gilmore's, is what finally sold me on joining there. Now, I am not a big fan of the movie by the same name, but I am a big fan of good draught beer, and the restauranter told me has was going have four different types of draft. When you add this to the wonderful view you get from the top of the hill up there, especially at sunset, well I need to a good place like that to drink. That's not to mention the golf course, which has been renovated as well. They've added some new holes, which gives it some more length, put in an irrigation system, and hired an excellent greenskeeper, who even used to make J.C. Martin an enjoyable place to play - when it had no irrigation. I plan on doing a full review of the course itself after I've had a chance to play it a few more times. I've heard there have been some complaints about a couple of the new holes being too tight, but they are also fairly short, and I think they can be managed well with some iron play, but we will see.
Cheers.
Ralph
Cheers.
Ralph
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Wonder Boys
I finally got around to watching Wonder Boys. It's marvellous. One of the finest pieces of writing I've seen in a very long long time. Bravo.
The movie was based on the novel by Michael Chabon, who also wrote a book called The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, which is sitting in front of me right now. It was a gift from Stephen Hardy, editor of a magazine called Lightwave.
I used to work for Stephen years ago. I believe he enjoyed the book, which gives me good energy going into it.
I did take a crack at it once, but I've never given it a proper chance. I guess I just had to wait till now.
Here's the first line: "At the beginning of the summer I had lunch with my father, the gangster, who was in town for the weekend to transact some of his vague business..."
Sounds promising; I'll let you know how it goes. I'll pass it along to you when I'm done, Ralph.
Happy Sunday,
DocTorDee
The movie was based on the novel by Michael Chabon, who also wrote a book called The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, which is sitting in front of me right now. It was a gift from Stephen Hardy, editor of a magazine called Lightwave.
I used to work for Stephen years ago. I believe he enjoyed the book, which gives me good energy going into it.
I did take a crack at it once, but I've never given it a proper chance. I guess I just had to wait till now.
Here's the first line: "At the beginning of the summer I had lunch with my father, the gangster, who was in town for the weekend to transact some of his vague business..."
Sounds promising; I'll let you know how it goes. I'll pass it along to you when I'm done, Ralph.
Happy Sunday,
DocTorDee
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Great City or What? (Stress on second part)
I know last week there was something in the paper about this Keep Erie Wierd movement... but has anyone seen the front page of today's Erie Time-News? The main story is about the exciting horse racing that people will be able to gamble on soon - and how the purses will be driven by the slots revenue. There's even some comment about people being able to drink, play slots, and gamble on horses at the same time- the whole she-bang!- and this is presented as a positive thing. Then, there's a a story about our horribly mismanaged County Fair, which is teetering on bankruptcy. Apparently some of the "best of fair" winners haven't even been paid. There's also a story about low-income neighborhood healthcare clinics closing down. Finally, there's a story about a "shocking" drug bust in a trailer park near Taki's.
And, that's the front page ladies and gentleman, in your fabulous city. One note I will make - hats off to Mark DiVecchio for his work to seemingly keep the county fair on track for this year. This may all be a little political grandstanding - as the guy from Northwest Bank seems to keep insisting they had no plans for foreclosing on the fairgrounds, but at least DiVechhio is doing something that looks good for a change. Hell, I never thought Phil English would make much of a politician in his early years, but look at him now! There's hope for ole' Marky D. yet.
Finally, I love this part in the drug bust story about neighbors copying down the licenses plates of the 30 or so cars that were showing up a night at this trailer to buy drugs. Why do people care if other people use and buy illegal drugs? Never understood this.
Cheers.
Ralph
And, that's the front page ladies and gentleman, in your fabulous city. One note I will make - hats off to Mark DiVecchio for his work to seemingly keep the county fair on track for this year. This may all be a little political grandstanding - as the guy from Northwest Bank seems to keep insisting they had no plans for foreclosing on the fairgrounds, but at least DiVechhio is doing something that looks good for a change. Hell, I never thought Phil English would make much of a politician in his early years, but look at him now! There's hope for ole' Marky D. yet.
Finally, I love this part in the drug bust story about neighbors copying down the licenses plates of the 30 or so cars that were showing up a night at this trailer to buy drugs. Why do people care if other people use and buy illegal drugs? Never understood this.
Cheers.
Ralph
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Annex Mexico
The United States should annex Mexico.
It would solve the current Mexican immigration problem and US employees whose jobs are Mexico-bound could cross the border and begin working without losing citizenship.
How do you say Steris in Espanol? I'm not kidding. Bring on the pesos.
Either that, or let's announced USMC. UnitedStatesMexicoCanada. We could have free borders between countries and focus on guarding the entire land mass instead. An attack on one country would be considered an attack on all.
That might confound (or at least confuse) Al-Quaeda.
Speaking of loonies, we should be free to spend lots of those north of the border, as well. They take lotsa loonies at Tim Horton's, don'tcha think, Ralph? So their profit would be our profit. Brilliant, eh? And who doesn't love the maple leaf?
How about the North American Treaty Organization, NATO?...doh! That one's already taken.
As for Biden's notion of The United States of Iraq...Three separate states with shared national defense? That sounds familiar. Think it'll fly in the Arab world?
Bet not.
DDDDDDDDDDDDD
It would solve the current Mexican immigration problem and US employees whose jobs are Mexico-bound could cross the border and begin working without losing citizenship.
How do you say Steris in Espanol? I'm not kidding. Bring on the pesos.
Either that, or let's announced USMC. UnitedStatesMexicoCanada. We could have free borders between countries and focus on guarding the entire land mass instead. An attack on one country would be considered an attack on all.
That might confound (or at least confuse) Al-Quaeda.
Speaking of loonies, we should be free to spend lots of those north of the border, as well. They take lotsa loonies at Tim Horton's, don'tcha think, Ralph? So their profit would be our profit. Brilliant, eh? And who doesn't love the maple leaf?
How about the North American Treaty Organization, NATO?...doh! That one's already taken.
As for Biden's notion of The United States of Iraq...Three separate states with shared national defense? That sounds familiar. Think it'll fly in the Arab world?
Bet not.
DDDDDDDDDDDDD
Tim Hortons
There seems to be an odd, and somewhat disturbing development occurring in the Erie coffee drinking scene: an addiction to Tim Hortons coffee. Have you tried it? It's taken me probably about a year of on-and-off drinking before I finally became hooked. But, I've had it like five times in the past week and can't seem to face going back to anything else. Even Starbucks, which I used to swear by, seems to either pale in comparison - for regular coffee, or be overkill - for lattes, when compared to Tim's. The disturbing part is that my wife has also become addicted- to decaf, as she's preggers - but addicted nonetheless. Then, I was having beers with two guys the other night and they also claimed they were addicted. The one guy was actually running late for a meeting recently, but did a U-ee on Peach Street when he noticed he was passing Tim's before getting on the highway. Is this some sort of Canadian conspiracy to bring down the U.S. ? I don't know because it seems Canadians have the same problem-as I found some Canuck-centric chat boards and other posts on this very topic. There's even a Muslim-centric forum on the topic. I would like a Congressional investigation.
Speaking of which, it seems the two biggest stories in the news these days are gas prices and the continuing war in Iraq. What is the relation between these two events? Are they only tangentially connected, or are they directly related, i.e., did the war directly lead to $3 a gallon gas? Or, was the war started because the neo-cons knew there would be $3 per gallon gas on the way, and if the war had gone well, it would have prevented the price increases - or delayed them? Or has this $3 per gallon gas made the Bush's and bin Laden's allies even richer and the war was started as kind of distraction to all that? Can we get an investigation on all this, instead of whether oil companies, who last I checked were in business to make money, are actually just being really successful at what they do?
Right. Also, if you get a chance, check out David Broder's column on Joe Biden's plan for a new Iraq. It involves dividing the country up into three states: one each for the Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis. It's pretty much what I've been saying should have been done since we ripped apart Saddam's regime. Now, I'm not an expert, but from what I understood, Iraq was kind of kludged together by the Brits after World War II, and it has always required force to make all these people get along. The reasons for tying it together in the first place, I'm not sure of, but it probably had something to do with making it large enough to defend itself vs. the Turks. Clearly, though, these three factions are not going to co-exist in a peaceful democratic government. Hell, we even had a Civil War in the United States 75 years after it was founded, and our North and South populations had a lot more in common than Kurds and Sunnis do.
Come to think of it, didn't the Canadians pull out of Iraq? Maybe they're planning on cutting off our coffee and invading us while we're too asleep to defend ourselves.
Ralph
Speaking of which, it seems the two biggest stories in the news these days are gas prices and the continuing war in Iraq. What is the relation between these two events? Are they only tangentially connected, or are they directly related, i.e., did the war directly lead to $3 a gallon gas? Or, was the war started because the neo-cons knew there would be $3 per gallon gas on the way, and if the war had gone well, it would have prevented the price increases - or delayed them? Or has this $3 per gallon gas made the Bush's and bin Laden's allies even richer and the war was started as kind of distraction to all that? Can we get an investigation on all this, instead of whether oil companies, who last I checked were in business to make money, are actually just being really successful at what they do?
Right. Also, if you get a chance, check out David Broder's column on Joe Biden's plan for a new Iraq. It involves dividing the country up into three states: one each for the Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis. It's pretty much what I've been saying should have been done since we ripped apart Saddam's regime. Now, I'm not an expert, but from what I understood, Iraq was kind of kludged together by the Brits after World War II, and it has always required force to make all these people get along. The reasons for tying it together in the first place, I'm not sure of, but it probably had something to do with making it large enough to defend itself vs. the Turks. Clearly, though, these three factions are not going to co-exist in a peaceful democratic government. Hell, we even had a Civil War in the United States 75 years after it was founded, and our North and South populations had a lot more in common than Kurds and Sunnis do.
Come to think of it, didn't the Canadians pull out of Iraq? Maybe they're planning on cutting off our coffee and invading us while we're too asleep to defend ourselves.
Ralph
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Krauthammer, Clippers
Charles Krauthammer does a great job in his column today addressing some of the issues behind the recent spike in gas prices. K's theory is, he says, the same one he pushed forward 10 years ago when people were panicking as gas hit $1.50 per gallon. It's supply and demand, stupid. He cites the SUV boom as increasing demand, along with the industrialization of China and India. Supply, of course, is down because of some worldwide crises (didn't we start one in Iraq?) and the damage to the Gulf refineries because of the hurricane. He also blasts Bush for his "investigation." (Funny, how all the conservative columnists are now turning on Bush. It seems to me even Michelle Malkin was taking some shots at Bush's immigration policies yesterday. All I can say is, what took you all so long to turn on this flim-flam man?) There was also an interesting cartoon depicting an American trying to pay an Arab at the pump for his gas. He had these little tiny dollar bills that were supposed to represent the falling price of the American dollar - which, of course, would also contribute to the gas spike. At least I live on a bus route.
On a lighter note, congrats to the Clippers, who had advanced to the second round of the playoffs. (Or as they used to be called in the old Gil Thorpe comic strip - the play-downs.) It's been a long-time coming - since the mid-1970s in fact, since the Clips, as the Buffalo Braves won a playoff series. I was less than 10 at the time and don't barely remember it. Guess who they will get to play next? Likely, the Lakers - their current crosstown rivals. As for the Lakers, I think ole' Phil Jackson is finally proving once-and-for-all that he doesn't get enough credit for his nine, count them, nine, NBA titles as a coach. Everyone says he had great players. But, the fact is, none of those great players, not Jordan, Pippen, Shaq, or Kobe won any, count them, any, titles without Dr. Phil on the sidelines. Of his great players, only Dennis Rodman won a pair of titles with Detroit - and that about sums up the NBA!
Cheers.
Ralph
Monday, May 01, 2006
Field of Dreams
After the 'Wolves game yesterday afternoon. (Photo by my lovely wife Maggie.)
Cheers.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Chaffee Gathering
Doug Chaffee has announced that this year's Annual Chaffee Music Gathering will be held at his place in Girard on July 21 and 22.
Headliner for this year is Ekoostik Hookah. I believe I saw them at least once at Grape Jam several years ago (Wattsburg, 1998, maybe?). {Ralph, were you there that year, or were you there for The Tragically Hip and The Dude of Life?}
Anyway, Doug Chaffee's website is http://www.velocity.net/~theparty/
He hasn't updated the site yet, but he will as he gets more bands. Be sure to check it again as we move toward summer.
The Gathering is lots of fun and family oriented...I've played there with one band or another for the past three years and always had a good time. Kids on swingsets and mellow people hanging out. Never had any hassles.
The event benefits the Children's Advocacy Center of Erie County and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Doug is a good guy and deserves lots of support for taking on this event every year. Go hang out at his place in July and listen to some good music.
DDDDDDDDD
Headliner for this year is Ekoostik Hookah. I believe I saw them at least once at Grape Jam several years ago (Wattsburg, 1998, maybe?). {Ralph, were you there that year, or were you there for The Tragically Hip and The Dude of Life?}
Anyway, Doug Chaffee's website is http://www.velocity.net/~theparty/
He hasn't updated the site yet, but he will as he gets more bands. Be sure to check it again as we move toward summer.
The Gathering is lots of fun and family oriented...I've played there with one band or another for the past three years and always had a good time. Kids on swingsets and mellow people hanging out. Never had any hassles.
The event benefits the Children's Advocacy Center of Erie County and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Doug is a good guy and deserves lots of support for taking on this event every year. Go hang out at his place in July and listen to some good music.
DDDDDDDDD
Friday, April 28, 2006
Barton Fink
Wow! Post #100 today. Thanks for all your help Dr. Dee and James L., and thanks for reading and commenting to all others who've enjoyed Ralph's Place.
Last night I completed viewing my triumvirate of writer movies, which I had planned. It started about a month ago with Wonder Boys, then moved onto Sideways and finished up last night with the Coen brothers' masterpiece Barton Fink. Barton Fink is probably the best of the three - as far as I'm concerned - of course, movies are a very subjective thing. John Turtorro is wonderful in the title role as a self-important writer who wants to be a "man of the people," yet condescends every "common person" he meets. John Goodman, who is equally strong as his psychotic neighbor calls him a "tourist with a typewriter" at one point. Then, they're all these great supporting roles, played with great intensity played by guys like this Tony Shalhoub.
This is probably my second-favorite Coen brothers' flick next to 'Oh Brother Where Art Thou?, which wins because of the tremendous musical score. But the dark, dark themes and light comedic touch, not to mention some tremendous camera work and acting, make Barton Fink eminently enjoyable. This flick came out in 1991, and I think I saw it in 1992. It's stuck with me all that time as being a great flick. Re-watching it certainly did not disappoint. Have only one question: Was that Brook Shields in a cameo at the end?
Cheers.
Ralph
Last night I completed viewing my triumvirate of writer movies, which I had planned. It started about a month ago with Wonder Boys, then moved onto Sideways and finished up last night with the Coen brothers' masterpiece Barton Fink. Barton Fink is probably the best of the three - as far as I'm concerned - of course, movies are a very subjective thing. John Turtorro is wonderful in the title role as a self-important writer who wants to be a "man of the people," yet condescends every "common person" he meets. John Goodman, who is equally strong as his psychotic neighbor calls him a "tourist with a typewriter" at one point. Then, they're all these great supporting roles, played with great intensity played by guys like this Tony Shalhoub.
This is probably my second-favorite Coen brothers' flick next to 'Oh Brother Where Art Thou?, which wins because of the tremendous musical score. But the dark, dark themes and light comedic touch, not to mention some tremendous camera work and acting, make Barton Fink eminently enjoyable. This flick came out in 1991, and I think I saw it in 1992. It's stuck with me all that time as being a great flick. Re-watching it certainly did not disappoint. Have only one question: Was that Brook Shields in a cameo at the end?
Cheers.
Ralph
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Money
I rarely leave my house before 9 a.m. to do anything but play golf, go to the gym, or grab a cup of coffee and a doughnut. Today, I was feeling especially ambitious and thought I would go to the MAC, fill the car with gas, and pick up breakfast for the family. Well, I guess the planets are just not aligned right for me at this early hour. I went to the MAC at 36th and Liberty, it was broken. I started to drive up Peach to hit the NW MAC at the Mall and realized there was a school zone thing going on at St. George's. So, I ducked into Country Fair on Gore and Peach to fill up the car and regroup. Pump wouldn't take my card. A blessing in disguise I figure, as now I have to go inside, but I can use the cash back option and not have to deal with the school zone. Cashier's checkout wouldn't take my card. Now, I'm just flummoxed, so I get in the car and drive back home. Put on my own damn cup of coffee and toast.
Cheers.
Ralph
Cheers.
Ralph
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Campbell, Collective Unconscious, and Clippers
The following post was taken directly from an email sent to me by my friend, Jon. Jon is a brilliant writer and thinker from DC (I know Ralph is a big fan of his work). I thought it was interesting that Jon sent me an email about Joe Campbell on the same day that Ralph mentioned the collective unconscious and the LA Clippers. Anyway, we'd like to have Jon submit regularly to Ralph's Place. Consider this his first entry. Doc.
I’ve recently been on something of a Joseph Campbell binge. I almost have to laugh now thinking back to my initial reaction upon hearing of Campbell and his work, which was – to me now – surprisingly negative. I don’t know what I must’ve been smoking. It’s like something inside me triggered this false “intruder alert” reflex as though my core values were suddenly under siege and the only thing I could think to do was to quickly erect some strong defenses.
And that’s a testament, I suppose, to the power of what Campbell was putting out – that exposure to it could elicit that kind of response. Surely that confirms he was onto something pretty potent.
I was just telling a friend the other day that my finally coming around to Campbell just shows you how there’s a proper time for everything, and to not respect that can lead to frustration. I guess what I’m saying is that when DokTorDee first approached me – with such excitement, I remember – with this wonderful new thing that he’d discovered, I was just not in a place where I could receive it.
Or, I should say, I could not receive it without subjecting it to all sorts of judgments. It’s taken me this long, I guess, to finally arrive at a place where I can experience Campbell’s teachings with openness.
I recently re-read “Thou Art That,” read for the first time parts of “The Masks of God: Occidental Mythology,” and just started reading “Myths to Live By.” The experience has me seeing the world quite differently. I’m not sure where it’s all headed but I’m enjoying the ride.
I almost feel like I want to affiliate myself with a Campbell study group or something. There must be such a thing out there (in DC at least).
Here’s an radical question: Do you think the study and experience of myth can or should REPLACE religion in one’s life? Because lately I’ve been feeling a deeper experience of the divine through what I’m learning about mythology than anything I’ve ever felt as a participant in organized religion.
I’m starting to feel like cultivating a deep understanding of mythology – studying and musing on it regularly – makes the need for religion seem almost beside the point.
What do you think?
I’ve recently been on something of a Joseph Campbell binge. I almost have to laugh now thinking back to my initial reaction upon hearing of Campbell and his work, which was – to me now – surprisingly negative. I don’t know what I must’ve been smoking. It’s like something inside me triggered this false “intruder alert” reflex as though my core values were suddenly under siege and the only thing I could think to do was to quickly erect some strong defenses.
And that’s a testament, I suppose, to the power of what Campbell was putting out – that exposure to it could elicit that kind of response. Surely that confirms he was onto something pretty potent.
I was just telling a friend the other day that my finally coming around to Campbell just shows you how there’s a proper time for everything, and to not respect that can lead to frustration. I guess what I’m saying is that when DokTorDee first approached me – with such excitement, I remember – with this wonderful new thing that he’d discovered, I was just not in a place where I could receive it.
Or, I should say, I could not receive it without subjecting it to all sorts of judgments. It’s taken me this long, I guess, to finally arrive at a place where I can experience Campbell’s teachings with openness.
I recently re-read “Thou Art That,” read for the first time parts of “The Masks of God: Occidental Mythology,” and just started reading “Myths to Live By.” The experience has me seeing the world quite differently. I’m not sure where it’s all headed but I’m enjoying the ride.
I almost feel like I want to affiliate myself with a Campbell study group or something. There must be such a thing out there (in DC at least).
Here’s an radical question: Do you think the study and experience of myth can or should REPLACE religion in one’s life? Because lately I’ve been feeling a deeper experience of the divine through what I’m learning about mythology than anything I’ve ever felt as a participant in organized religion.
I’m starting to feel like cultivating a deep understanding of mythology – studying and musing on it regularly – makes the need for religion seem almost beside the point.
What do you think?
L.A. Clippers
Is anyone else in Erie possibly an L.A. Clippers fan? I know it's a bit of a stretch, but this is the team that was formerly the Buffalo Braves back in the early to mid-1970s. I must have been 10 years old when they moved from Buffalo to San Diego, in some strange deal that also involved the owner of the Boston Celtics. I have about two or three Braves' memories. One involves NBA scoring champ and MVP Bob McAdoo and another a playoff loss (or maybe regular season) to the Celtics. There was also my grandfather teaching me how to say Ernie Digregorio's name. I think we settled on "Ernie D."
I've followed the franchise since it moved out West. Based on his column today, Richard Cohen would probably label me a sucker of the worst kind, but what the heck, it's kind of fun to be a Clippers fan. They're like a mysterious friend or lover from far away who only visits late at night a couple times a year. Because of that, they're always interesting. And being based in L.A. makes them an exotic pleasure for a Buffalo fan. Of course, a couple years ago, SI labeled the franchise the worst in professional sports, so it's not all roses. (They're also probably good tonic for a Yankees' fan.)
My buddy in L.A. took me to a Clippers game a couple weeks ago in a move that started out as a lark, but turned into a bit more than that, as the Clippers have somehow found their way into the playoffs this year for the first time in more than 10 years. The Clippers are actually a hot ticket in LA and last night, they won their second straight playoff game over the Denver Nuggets to take a 2-0 lead in a best of seven series.
The game started at like 10:45, as TNT held it up until the Heat/Bulls game ended. I've never heard of such a scheduling procedure, but, it is the NBA... About 10 p.m., I'm laying in bed, getting ready to sack out when I've overcome with an urge to watch this game. Now, I don't have TNT for reasons just like this. Yup, it gives me an excuse to go out. The choice was walk to Andy's or drive up to Wild Cards. Deciding to embrace suburban sprawl, I hopped in the mini-van and carted myself up to Wild Cards. They put the game on the big screen right in front of me, set me up with a Blue Moon draft on the ice-chilled bar and I was in business. I was sitting there in my orange Shaun Livingston throwback T-shirt (that I got at Staples) and must have been the only person watching the game. It was great. I think the Clippers played the all-time greatest first half in the history of the franchise. They were up 32-13 at the end of the first quarter. And after a brief run by the Nuggets, Cuttino Mobley - a journeyman sharpshooter, nails a half-court, three-pointer to end the half 56-34. I saw Penny Marshall in the crowd cheering.
I went home after that and the Clippers held on easily to win by 12. The whole experience was weird. My main questions regarding it are 1) what energy drove me out of the house to go watch the first half of the game - something I would rarely do? And, 2) was that energy tied in with the same energy that propelled the Clippers to such an amazing half? I would say yes. It's all part of the collective unconscious - And that, Mr. Cohen, is what makes being a fan a bit more than being a sucker.
Cheers.
Ralph
I've followed the franchise since it moved out West. Based on his column today, Richard Cohen would probably label me a sucker of the worst kind, but what the heck, it's kind of fun to be a Clippers fan. They're like a mysterious friend or lover from far away who only visits late at night a couple times a year. Because of that, they're always interesting. And being based in L.A. makes them an exotic pleasure for a Buffalo fan. Of course, a couple years ago, SI labeled the franchise the worst in professional sports, so it's not all roses. (They're also probably good tonic for a Yankees' fan.)
My buddy in L.A. took me to a Clippers game a couple weeks ago in a move that started out as a lark, but turned into a bit more than that, as the Clippers have somehow found their way into the playoffs this year for the first time in more than 10 years. The Clippers are actually a hot ticket in LA and last night, they won their second straight playoff game over the Denver Nuggets to take a 2-0 lead in a best of seven series.
The game started at like 10:45, as TNT held it up until the Heat/Bulls game ended. I've never heard of such a scheduling procedure, but, it is the NBA... About 10 p.m., I'm laying in bed, getting ready to sack out when I've overcome with an urge to watch this game. Now, I don't have TNT for reasons just like this. Yup, it gives me an excuse to go out. The choice was walk to Andy's or drive up to Wild Cards. Deciding to embrace suburban sprawl, I hopped in the mini-van and carted myself up to Wild Cards. They put the game on the big screen right in front of me, set me up with a Blue Moon draft on the ice-chilled bar and I was in business. I was sitting there in my orange Shaun Livingston throwback T-shirt (that I got at Staples) and must have been the only person watching the game. It was great. I think the Clippers played the all-time greatest first half in the history of the franchise. They were up 32-13 at the end of the first quarter. And after a brief run by the Nuggets, Cuttino Mobley - a journeyman sharpshooter, nails a half-court, three-pointer to end the half 56-34. I saw Penny Marshall in the crowd cheering.
I went home after that and the Clippers held on easily to win by 12. The whole experience was weird. My main questions regarding it are 1) what energy drove me out of the house to go watch the first half of the game - something I would rarely do? And, 2) was that energy tied in with the same energy that propelled the Clippers to such an amazing half? I would say yes. It's all part of the collective unconscious - And that, Mr. Cohen, is what makes being a fan a bit more than being a sucker.
Cheers.
Ralph
Monday, April 24, 2006
Mid-term elections
E.J. Dionne really paints an optimistic picture for the Democrats in the upcoming elections. Most of the stuff I've seen on to this point has painted the Democrats as being in too much of a mess themselves to fully take advantage of the Republicans' woes. Dionne, however, does not rule out the Dems capturing a majority in the House, or even the Senate. I don't know Dionne too well, and imagine, because he writes for the Washington Post, he has liberal leanings, but nonetheless, this is the first I've seen from even a liberal that was this optimistic. I think a lot of the state race stuff surrounding Bebko-Jones and Good and other incumbents being put on the on hot seat is a positive sign as well. Finally, people are getting fed up with the status quo in government and seem to be doing something about it.
The only troubling thing mentioned in this article, and it's probably water under the bridge now, is that Bush's approval ratings are so low less than two years following he re-election. My question is, what has changed between now and the 2004 elections? Of course, personally, I'll go back to the 2000 Republican primaries when Bush's win drove me to switch parties - to Democrat. But for those who didn't recognize Bush as a fool right away, how could you not see it in 2004? There was never any believable justification for the war, and it was going badly at that time too. How could you approve of him then and not now? Or was it just a lesser of two evils choice, and when Kerry was involved, I can't say I can fully blame you... so, does that mean today that you vote for Bush again if the 2004 elections were held tomorrow?
Out.
Ralph
The only troubling thing mentioned in this article, and it's probably water under the bridge now, is that Bush's approval ratings are so low less than two years following he re-election. My question is, what has changed between now and the 2004 elections? Of course, personally, I'll go back to the 2000 Republican primaries when Bush's win drove me to switch parties - to Democrat. But for those who didn't recognize Bush as a fool right away, how could you not see it in 2004? There was never any believable justification for the war, and it was going badly at that time too. How could you approve of him then and not now? Or was it just a lesser of two evils choice, and when Kerry was involved, I can't say I can fully blame you... so, does that mean today that you vote for Bush again if the 2004 elections were held tomorrow?
Out.
Ralph
Sunday, April 23, 2006
MTR Stink
Yes, Summit Township has always been known for the beautiful and scenic Lakeview Landfill, the aromas of which, when the wind is blowing the right way on a peaceful summer afternoon, could make even the closest Hammermill neighbor retch. However, that stench is quickly being replaced by another putrid odor. Yes, it's the one originating from the MTR racetrack/slots parlor dealings.
Pat Howard does a great job in his editorial today, answering some of the questions I raised a couple days ago. Of course, he draws some of his information from a story that broke today (not posted yet) involving the details of an amendment to the current state gaming legislation - you know, the one that can provide Erie County with $10 million or $3 million, depending how you look at it. It seems the admonition would give $10 million directly to Summit, instead of Erie County. The paper also casts Marlin Coon in an even more villainous role than he's been cast so far. And Flo Fabrizio doesn't come off much better. Move over, Filippi and Rubino, MTR has sucked two more into its cyclone of greed.
As I've said before, this whole MTR things keeps getting stinkier and stinkier. Soon the landfill will smell like fresh daisies on a spring day in comparison.
Pat Howard does a great job in his editorial today, answering some of the questions I raised a couple days ago. Of course, he draws some of his information from a story that broke today (not posted yet) involving the details of an amendment to the current state gaming legislation - you know, the one that can provide Erie County with $10 million or $3 million, depending how you look at it. It seems the admonition would give $10 million directly to Summit, instead of Erie County. The paper also casts Marlin Coon in an even more villainous role than he's been cast so far. And Flo Fabrizio doesn't come off much better. Move over, Filippi and Rubino, MTR has sucked two more into its cyclone of greed.
As I've said before, this whole MTR things keeps getting stinkier and stinkier. Soon the landfill will smell like fresh daisies on a spring day in comparison.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
MoveOn.org and Net Neutrality
The following email hit my desk two days ago. It is reason for great concern, I believe.
Because of the overall length of this document, I pasted the latter portion of the letter as a comment to this entry (it's the PS, the PPS, and the Sources).
Doc
From: Eli Pariser, MoveOn.org Civic Action [mailto:moveon-help@list.moveon.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 5:15 PM
Subject: Congress is selling out the Internet
Google, Amazon, MoveOn. All these entities are fighting back as Congress tries to pass a law giving a few corporations the power to end the free and open Internet as we know it.
Tell Congress to preserve the free and open Internet today.
Dear MoveOn member,
Do you buy books online, use Google, or download to an Ipod? These activities, plus MoveOn's online organizing ability, will be hurt if Congress passes a radical law that gives giant corporations more control over the Internet.
Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon are lobbying Congress hard to gut Network Neutrality, the Internet's First Amendment. Net Neutrality prevents AT&T from choosing which websites open most easily for you based on which site pays AT&T more.
Amazon.com doesn't have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to work more properly on your computer.
If Net Neutrality is gutted, MoveOn either pays protection money to dominant Internet providers or risks that online activism tools don't work for members. Amazon and Google either pay protection money or risk that their websites process slowly on your computer. That why these high-tech pioneers are joining the fight to protect Network Neutrality1—and you can do your part today.
The free and open Internet is under seige—can you sign this petition letting your member of Congress know you support preserving Network Neutrality? Click here:
http://www.civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet/?id=7355-5713753-T2.v_8n48nanmAisc0MgDQ&t=4
Then, please forward this to 3 friends. Protecting the free and open Internet is fundamental—it affects everything. When you sign this petition, you'll be kept informed of the next steps we can take to keep the heat on Congress. Votes begin in a House committee next week.
MoveOn has already seen what happens when the Internet's gatekeepers get too much control. Just last week, AOL blocked any email mentioning a coalition that MoveOn is a part of, which opposes AOL's proposed "email tax."2 And last year, Canada's version of AT&T—Telus—blocked their Internet customers from visiting a website sympathetic to workers with whom Telus was negotiating.3
Politicians don't think we are paying attention to this issue. Many of them take campaign checks from big telecom companies and are on the verge of selling out to people like AT&T's CEO, who openly says, "The internet can't be free."4
Together, we can let Congress know we are paying attention. We can make sure they listen to our voices and the voices of people like Vint Cerf, a father of the Internet and Google's "Chief Internet Evangelist," who recently wrote this to Congress in support of preserving Network Neutrality:
My fear is that, as written, this bill would do great damage to the Internet as we know it. Enshrining a rule that broadly permits network operators to discriminate in favor of certain kinds of services and to potentially interfere with others would place broadband operators in control of online activity...Telephone companies cannot tell consumers who they can call; network operators should not dictate what people can do online.4
The essence of the Internet is at risk—can you sign this petition letting your member of Congress know you support preserving Network Neutrality? Click here:
http://www.civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet/?id=7355-5713753-T2.v_8n48nanmAisc0MgDQ&t=5
Please forward to 3 others who care about this issue. Thanks for all you do.
–Eli Pariser, Adam Green, Noah T. Winer, and the MoveOn.org Civic Action team
Thursday, April 20th, 2006
Because of the overall length of this document, I pasted the latter portion of the letter as a comment to this entry (it's the PS, the PPS, and the Sources).
Doc
From: Eli Pariser, MoveOn.org Civic Action [mailto:moveon-help@list.moveon.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 5:15 PM
Subject: Congress is selling out the Internet
Google, Amazon, MoveOn. All these entities are fighting back as Congress tries to pass a law giving a few corporations the power to end the free and open Internet as we know it.
Tell Congress to preserve the free and open Internet today.
Dear MoveOn member,
Do you buy books online, use Google, or download to an Ipod? These activities, plus MoveOn's online organizing ability, will be hurt if Congress passes a radical law that gives giant corporations more control over the Internet.
Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon are lobbying Congress hard to gut Network Neutrality, the Internet's First Amendment. Net Neutrality prevents AT&T from choosing which websites open most easily for you based on which site pays AT&T more.
Amazon.com doesn't have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to work more properly on your computer.
If Net Neutrality is gutted, MoveOn either pays protection money to dominant Internet providers or risks that online activism tools don't work for members. Amazon and Google either pay protection money or risk that their websites process slowly on your computer. That why these high-tech pioneers are joining the fight to protect Network Neutrality1—and you can do your part today.
The free and open Internet is under seige—can you sign this petition letting your member of Congress know you support preserving Network Neutrality? Click here:
http://www.civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet/?id=7355-5713753-T2.v_8n48nanmAisc0MgDQ&t=4
Then, please forward this to 3 friends. Protecting the free and open Internet is fundamental—it affects everything. When you sign this petition, you'll be kept informed of the next steps we can take to keep the heat on Congress. Votes begin in a House committee next week.
MoveOn has already seen what happens when the Internet's gatekeepers get too much control. Just last week, AOL blocked any email mentioning a coalition that MoveOn is a part of, which opposes AOL's proposed "email tax."2 And last year, Canada's version of AT&T—Telus—blocked their Internet customers from visiting a website sympathetic to workers with whom Telus was negotiating.3
Politicians don't think we are paying attention to this issue. Many of them take campaign checks from big telecom companies and are on the verge of selling out to people like AT&T's CEO, who openly says, "The internet can't be free."4
Together, we can let Congress know we are paying attention. We can make sure they listen to our voices and the voices of people like Vint Cerf, a father of the Internet and Google's "Chief Internet Evangelist," who recently wrote this to Congress in support of preserving Network Neutrality:
My fear is that, as written, this bill would do great damage to the Internet as we know it. Enshrining a rule that broadly permits network operators to discriminate in favor of certain kinds of services and to potentially interfere with others would place broadband operators in control of online activity...Telephone companies cannot tell consumers who they can call; network operators should not dictate what people can do online.4
The essence of the Internet is at risk—can you sign this petition letting your member of Congress know you support preserving Network Neutrality? Click here:
http://www.civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet/?id=7355-5713753-T2.v_8n48nanmAisc0MgDQ&t=5
Please forward to 3 others who care about this issue. Thanks for all you do.
–Eli Pariser, Adam Green, Noah T. Winer, and the MoveOn.org Civic Action team
Thursday, April 20th, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
Slots
Did anyone see this latest story on the slots revenue that is supposed to be coming to Erie County. Now, it seems instead of paying out $10 million annually as originally promised, there is some loophole, which the PA Dept. of Revenue is claiming will allow allow MTR to pay as little as $3 million based on a percentage of revenue. Of course, to make things even odder, MTR seems to be saying there is almost no way the loophole thing will stand up. And then, they're saying it's all irrelevant because they don't even have their permit, yet. I guess there are some hearings today.
First of all, if they don't expect to get the permit, why are they building? From their latest financial reports, it doesn't seem like they have money to burn. Second, if they didn't bring up this loophole argument against the $10 million, who did? And why is the PA Dept. of Revenue supporting it. Read the article. It's really bizarre.
This whole MTR thing has stunk from the get go and continues to. Did you ever see the Simpsons episode "Marge vs. the Monorail." Apparently Conan O'Brien, a former Simpsons writer, claims this is his favorite episode. Anyways, this whole MTR racetrack thing has always reminded me of the shenanigans the occurred on that episode. From the monorail song:
Abe Simpson: Were you sent here by the devil?
Lyle Lanley (monorail proprietor) : No, good sir, I'm on the level.
On a lighter note, it's good to see the City of Erie Streets Dept. hard at work these days. They did a wonderful job filling in the deteriorating spots on West 40th street. And they even fixed the broken guard rail/fence by the golf course on 40th and Cherry. Sometimes it's good to have influential neighbors.
Cheers.
Ralph
First of all, if they don't expect to get the permit, why are they building? From their latest financial reports, it doesn't seem like they have money to burn. Second, if they didn't bring up this loophole argument against the $10 million, who did? And why is the PA Dept. of Revenue supporting it. Read the article. It's really bizarre.
This whole MTR thing has stunk from the get go and continues to. Did you ever see the Simpsons episode "Marge vs. the Monorail." Apparently Conan O'Brien, a former Simpsons writer, claims this is his favorite episode. Anyways, this whole MTR racetrack thing has always reminded me of the shenanigans the occurred on that episode. From the monorail song:
Abe Simpson: Were you sent here by the devil?
Lyle Lanley (monorail proprietor) : No, good sir, I'm on the level.
On a lighter note, it's good to see the City of Erie Streets Dept. hard at work these days. They did a wonderful job filling in the deteriorating spots on West 40th street. And they even fixed the broken guard rail/fence by the golf course on 40th and Cherry. Sometimes it's good to have influential neighbors.
Cheers.
Ralph
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Howlers
Checked out the Seawolves again last night. Beautiful night. Maybe 65 degrees at gametime (6:35 p.m.) Seawolves had won two in a row. And you know how many people showed up? Less than 1,500. What gives? I know the 'Wolves have set a goal of like 4,000 fans per game and are working/have done some stadium improvements. But to draw a sparse crowd (and I probably should have counted because it certainly didn't look like 1,500) like that on a night like that makes me question the team's future here.
Maybe things will pick up as the summer/tourist season approaches. We can only hope because the Seawolves played some good ball last night in picking up a 3-2 win. Had a couple nice homers, some strong pitching, and took advantage of a mistake by the opposing team to put up the winning run. But I felt bad for the players, playing in front of all those empty seats.
Through seven games, it appears the 'Wolves are averaging 2,225 per home game. Recent history says we can expect to average around 3,500 for the year, but this also includes popular 'buck nights and other free ticket giveway specials. Plus, maybe if this year's team can actually post a winning record, it will also help draw people to the park.
It will be interesting to watch this situation. Part of the problem may be the novelty has warn off, but it really feels in a lot of ways that the Seawolves buzz has warn off. Finally, last night, in the bottom of the ninth with two outs (and to some extent in the eighth, when we scored the winning run), there was a little life in the stadium. But aside from that, it was very quiet and subdued. Not a lot of the howlin' and cheering that used to go on in years past. Maybe all it will take is a winner. We'll have to see....
Ralph
Maybe things will pick up as the summer/tourist season approaches. We can only hope because the Seawolves played some good ball last night in picking up a 3-2 win. Had a couple nice homers, some strong pitching, and took advantage of a mistake by the opposing team to put up the winning run. But I felt bad for the players, playing in front of all those empty seats.
Through seven games, it appears the 'Wolves are averaging 2,225 per home game. Recent history says we can expect to average around 3,500 for the year, but this also includes popular 'buck nights and other free ticket giveway specials. Plus, maybe if this year's team can actually post a winning record, it will also help draw people to the park.
It will be interesting to watch this situation. Part of the problem may be the novelty has warn off, but it really feels in a lot of ways that the Seawolves buzz has warn off. Finally, last night, in the bottom of the ninth with two outs (and to some extent in the eighth, when we scored the winning run), there was a little life in the stadium. But aside from that, it was very quiet and subdued. Not a lot of the howlin' and cheering that used to go on in years past. Maybe all it will take is a winner. We'll have to see....
Ralph
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Dial "1" First
Is there anyone out there that doesn't realize you have to dial "1" as the prefact to toll-free number? Apparently, from my phone ringing off the hook this morning, there are quite a few people in this categorey. It seems some bank changed their service number to a toll free call that starts with the same seven digits (866-XXXX) that make up the beginning of my phone number. I've received at least 30 calls, starting at about 6 a.m. Amazing...
Ralph
Ralph
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Chief Freedom Professor
Got a call from Corey Donaldson today. Who is Corey Donaldson? Why, the self-titled Chief Freedom Professor. He is the author of Volunteer Slaves in a Free Nation, a preview of which I published back in February. I finally received a draft of his book in the mail last week, but as I explained to him, I had to clear my plate before fully diving into this energetic piece of literature. At the beginning of the book, he wants you to agree to a some conditions and one of them involves reading the manuscript in two weeks (he also wants you to take notes). Anyways, before I can committ myself to Corey's program, I need to get prepared. So, I'm getting there. I promise a review within the month.
Cheers.
Ralph
Cheers.
Ralph
Friday, April 14, 2006
Howlin' Wolves
We checked out the home opener for Erie Seawolves last night. Great night. Great weather. Even though the Seawolves lost (big), it was a great game. Baseball of course, is the American pastime, which means a game is a great way to pass time - I think- and on a beautiful night there is nothing better. Of course, about the middle of the ninth inning the weather started to turn. It dropped about 10 degrees and today's rain and chill is the end result. It looks like the rest of the Seawolves homestand will be tough - as far as attendance goes. There were only like 4,000 there last night and it was beautiful and opening night and they previewed this new scoreboard, which cost like $1 million. This all leads to my point that Erie is not a Double AA town. I know I'm hearkening back to days of 'yore, but the Seawolves were kick-ass as a NYP short season team, because the season started in late June and Erie doesn't really get rockin' until that time. Springtime in Erie generally sucks and it's not time for baseball. At least last night was fun, but that I think is the exception. We'll see...
Ralph
Ralph
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Singing Bridge Part Two
This is a reply from David Rutkowski, Assistant Manager from Presque Isle State Park, to an email I sent to him the other day concerning reconstruction of the Singing Bridge at Presque Isle State Park.
DDDDD
Dear Doc:
We, also, would like to see the bridge project started December 1 and finished by December 31. However, something like that is not possible.
First, the prime tourist time is also the prime construction time. While it is possible to construct bridges during the cold winter months, it is also better to construct during the summer. There are curing times necessary for the concrete to pass the strength tests, and concrete without the additives necessary to cure in cold weather makes a stronger structure. The curing time is also the reason why the project takes so much longer than seems necessary. Each component of concrete must cure for a certain number of days before the next component begins. That extends the time necessary for construction. Also, the old structure has to be demolished and removed, the access ramps re-worked, guard rails installed, etc. The process is a lot more involved than what it seems to a layman.. The project involves demolition of old and construction of new abutments, sidewalk, parapets, wingwalls, reinforced concrete deck, paving, landscaping, etc. Believe me, contractors want to do a job as fast as they can, but they also have to meet specifications and standards that ensure a quality construction. That takes time.
Another factor to the timing is the release of the funds. The design for the bridges was completed in 2002. We were waiting for the release of the funds for construction. When the funds are released, we begin the bidding process, followed by construction. The timing of the release was such that the work would start in April. We could have chosen to delay the start until after Labor Day. However, there are several problems associated with that. Such a delay would move the project into the cold-weather period. Any weather delays would have pushed the completion back, and could have impacted late spring-early summer traffic in 2007. Also, inflation would have increased the cost of the project if it were delayed. In addition, the bridge was down-graded from a 14 ton limit to a 3 ton limit last fall. Any further delays would have meant further deterioration to the existing structure, and would have risked a bridge failure if a large bus, delivery truck, or motorhome ignored the posted limit and collapsed the bridge. We could not take that chance.
So, bottom line is we at the park would prefer a different timetable, but we have what we have, and we will deal with it. I hate to use the old cliche, "Temporary inconvenience -- Permanent Improvement", but it is true in this case.
David Rutkowski
Assistant Park Manager
Presque Isle State Park
(814) 833-2945 FAX (814) 833-0266
DDDDD
Dear Doc:
We, also, would like to see the bridge project started December 1 and finished by December 31. However, something like that is not possible.
First, the prime tourist time is also the prime construction time. While it is possible to construct bridges during the cold winter months, it is also better to construct during the summer. There are curing times necessary for the concrete to pass the strength tests, and concrete without the additives necessary to cure in cold weather makes a stronger structure. The curing time is also the reason why the project takes so much longer than seems necessary. Each component of concrete must cure for a certain number of days before the next component begins. That extends the time necessary for construction. Also, the old structure has to be demolished and removed, the access ramps re-worked, guard rails installed, etc. The process is a lot more involved than what it seems to a layman.. The project involves demolition of old and construction of new abutments, sidewalk, parapets, wingwalls, reinforced concrete deck, paving, landscaping, etc. Believe me, contractors want to do a job as fast as they can, but they also have to meet specifications and standards that ensure a quality construction. That takes time.
Another factor to the timing is the release of the funds. The design for the bridges was completed in 2002. We were waiting for the release of the funds for construction. When the funds are released, we begin the bidding process, followed by construction. The timing of the release was such that the work would start in April. We could have chosen to delay the start until after Labor Day. However, there are several problems associated with that. Such a delay would move the project into the cold-weather period. Any weather delays would have pushed the completion back, and could have impacted late spring-early summer traffic in 2007. Also, inflation would have increased the cost of the project if it were delayed. In addition, the bridge was down-graded from a 14 ton limit to a 3 ton limit last fall. Any further delays would have meant further deterioration to the existing structure, and would have risked a bridge failure if a large bus, delivery truck, or motorhome ignored the posted limit and collapsed the bridge. We could not take that chance.
So, bottom line is we at the park would prefer a different timetable, but we have what we have, and we will deal with it. I hate to use the old cliche, "Temporary inconvenience -- Permanent Improvement", but it is true in this case.
David Rutkowski
Assistant Park Manager
Presque Isle State Park
(814) 833-2945 FAX (814) 833-0266
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Here's some of the action from courtside at Staples Center Friday night. I'll have to say these guys are pretty impressive in person. They didn't put much into in the first half, but as they came down the stretch, their athleticism really started to show. That's Sam Cassell and Mike Bibby with the great Ron Artest in the background. Artest dominating coming in and the Kings won by three. Although Friday was a great night, I'm still not sold on L.A. I guess my brush with greatness story is that that Penny Marshall sat directly in front of us for the third quarter, but still I as having a tough time getting down with the whole L.A. vibe. As DoktorDee commented earlier, San Diego can be a nice place, and S.F. is great. Still, however, searching for real kicks in L.A.Cheers.
Ralph
The Singing Bridge
Okay, so the Singing Bridge at Presque Isle is getting old and needs to be replaced. I understand that part.
But, instead of getting the job done during the off-season, they plan to close the bridge on Wednesday, April 12...just as the nice weather begins. That strikes me as odd. This project should be wrapping up now, not starting.
Then there's the kicker: News reports claim that they hope to have the bridge rebuilt by Labor Day.
Labor Day????
I mean, that bridge isn't that big. Why should it take five months to rebuild? That seems like an awfully long time for such a short span.
Besides, what are they going to do with all the traffic that heads in that direction at Presque Isle? Are they going to put in a big turnaround at Perry Monument? Or maybe they'll have a big sign at the split point telling people that the bridge is out. Seems like a big mess to me.
Maybe people will be so enamored with the new Tom Ridge Center that they won't need to actually visit Presque Isle...
Seriously, here's hoping that the bridge project is completed before the end of the tourist season. I would like to learn more about how these decisions were made.
Sincerely,
The Man Who Rides His Bike Around Presque Isle ~25 Times Each Year.
But, instead of getting the job done during the off-season, they plan to close the bridge on Wednesday, April 12...just as the nice weather begins. That strikes me as odd. This project should be wrapping up now, not starting.
Then there's the kicker: News reports claim that they hope to have the bridge rebuilt by Labor Day.
Labor Day????
I mean, that bridge isn't that big. Why should it take five months to rebuild? That seems like an awfully long time for such a short span.
Besides, what are they going to do with all the traffic that heads in that direction at Presque Isle? Are they going to put in a big turnaround at Perry Monument? Or maybe they'll have a big sign at the split point telling people that the bridge is out. Seems like a big mess to me.
Maybe people will be so enamored with the new Tom Ridge Center that they won't need to actually visit Presque Isle...
Seriously, here's hoping that the bridge project is completed before the end of the tourist season. I would like to learn more about how these decisions were made.
Sincerely,
The Man Who Rides His Bike Around Presque Isle ~25 Times Each Year.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Jesse Cook
Saw Jesse Cook last night at the Mercyhurst PAC. He plays flamenco guitar. It was a good show. His band is filled with talented musicians and they blend the flamenco sound with blues, jazz, and middle eastern sounds. Pretty cool.
I've got a pretty busy week coming up, so I don't know how much blogging I'll be able to do. I'll try to dial in a few times with some commentary.
Welcome home, Ralph.
DocTor
I've got a pretty busy week coming up, so I don't know how much blogging I'll be able to do. I'll try to dial in a few times with some commentary.
Welcome home, Ralph.
DocTor
Thursday, April 06, 2006
SoCo (as in Southern Cali)
All right. I think they've made posting pictures easier. Anyways, that's my "surfer dude" shot from not-so-sunny Southern California. I'm about to give up on this place. Highways and strip malls and the weather isn't even nice. We stayed at this tremendous resort by the beach in the picture the past couple days and they had two beautiful outdoor swimming pools, but noone could use them. I guess the weather out here has to be nice sometimes, but I never seem to get it. And the thing is, there were all these Europeans at this conference who brought their summer clothes because they've all seen too much of sunny California on TV I think. It's a fraud. I really made up my mind I was going to have a good time out here this time and so far it's mostly sucked. Tomorrow my last chance, otherwise, I'm going to throw this place on the scrap heap. We've got courtside Clippers tix. I also brought cha-ching - which I thought was all you needed to enjoy yourself out here. I guess you need more. Well I'll let you know. Looking forward to an interesting time at least.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
No Child Left Behind
I've been reading about No Child Left Behind. It seems like a fairly well-considered plan, all in all. However, there seem to be two major problems.
First, the mandate came from the Feds with little or no funding. As a result, the NEA, with support from many states, has filed suit against the US Department of Education, claiming that the Federal government should fund Federal mandates. Makes sense to me.
Second, although the goals of the program are lofty (making sure that all schools are "accountable" and that all students recieve a good education), it seems that all of these goals are going to be achieved through an increase in standardized testing.
Standardized testing has many problems, but allow me to point to a few. First, standardized testing resembles no activity in real life. Who has a job in the real world where they sit and fill in dots with a Number 2 pencil? Therefore, it doesn't teach any life skills, other than test taking, which is fu**ing goofy in my book.
As a result, we're going to see students who are very good at filling in lots of dots without knowing how to, for example, construct a simple bibliography.
The other issue is that only a small percentage of the population is good at standardized testing. Most students that I have seen immediately equate standardized testing with FAILING. That's been their experience in the past, so it becomes the present and future for them as well.
And I can understand. I have 11 years of college and can decipher all kinds of code/ texts written today or long ago. But when I read sample questions from standardized tests, I often become confused and agitated: "Do they mean this?" I think to myself. "Or not?" "Does the meaning of the question all hang on one word, or am I making it more complicated?"
Now I feel stupid.
Let's give standardized tests (at the high school senior level) to 100 random adults (college grads, even) and see how well they do. I'll bet many of them fail or at least struggle--even as they are otherwise successful in their professional lives. Better yet, let's give the test to Mr. Bush (since this is his plan) and see how well he does. I'll bet he gets stressed out and does poorly.
All this tells me that standardized tests are not very good barometers at measuring overall student performance.
In my opinion, too much emphasis on standardized testing will give this country a false sense that students are getting better and smarter, when in reality, they are only getting better at test taking and are ultimately less prepared for the real world.
DDDDD
First, the mandate came from the Feds with little or no funding. As a result, the NEA, with support from many states, has filed suit against the US Department of Education, claiming that the Federal government should fund Federal mandates. Makes sense to me.
Second, although the goals of the program are lofty (making sure that all schools are "accountable" and that all students recieve a good education), it seems that all of these goals are going to be achieved through an increase in standardized testing.
Standardized testing has many problems, but allow me to point to a few. First, standardized testing resembles no activity in real life. Who has a job in the real world where they sit and fill in dots with a Number 2 pencil? Therefore, it doesn't teach any life skills, other than test taking, which is fu**ing goofy in my book.
As a result, we're going to see students who are very good at filling in lots of dots without knowing how to, for example, construct a simple bibliography.
The other issue is that only a small percentage of the population is good at standardized testing. Most students that I have seen immediately equate standardized testing with FAILING. That's been their experience in the past, so it becomes the present and future for them as well.
And I can understand. I have 11 years of college and can decipher all kinds of code/ texts written today or long ago. But when I read sample questions from standardized tests, I often become confused and agitated: "Do they mean this?" I think to myself. "Or not?" "Does the meaning of the question all hang on one word, or am I making it more complicated?"
Now I feel stupid.
Let's give standardized tests (at the high school senior level) to 100 random adults (college grads, even) and see how well they do. I'll bet many of them fail or at least struggle--even as they are otherwise successful in their professional lives. Better yet, let's give the test to Mr. Bush (since this is his plan) and see how well he does. I'll bet he gets stressed out and does poorly.
All this tells me that standardized tests are not very good barometers at measuring overall student performance.
In my opinion, too much emphasis on standardized testing will give this country a false sense that students are getting better and smarter, when in reality, they are only getting better at test taking and are ultimately less prepared for the real world.
DDDDD
Monday, April 03, 2006
Waiting
Wanted to apologize for a dirth of postings over the last week or so. Been a bit slowed down by this stomach/sinus/it's all connected thing...Also trying to get ready for trip I have this week. Heading to Southern California, where, incidentally, the weather is supposed to be mid-sixties and cloudy and rainy. Now, I don't know what cloudy and rainy means out there, but we'll see. However, I can say that I've rarely enjoyed great beach weather in my trips to Cali. Strange how that Hollywood machine works...
Reason I'm posting now, if you'll excuse me, is because the people who I am going to see, despite my protests, claimed they could only book me on Northwest. And yes, even though it's the first flight of the day, it's already delayed because of insufficient crew rest. Instead of leaving at 6:30, we're leaving at 7:10. Not too bad and I should make my connection, but mind you, they originally wanted to book on a later flight with like a 30-40 minute conneciton window, so at least I'm not feeling too bad about getting up at 4:30 this morning.
More later.
Cheers.
Ralph
Reason I'm posting now, if you'll excuse me, is because the people who I am going to see, despite my protests, claimed they could only book me on Northwest. And yes, even though it's the first flight of the day, it's already delayed because of insufficient crew rest. Instead of leaving at 6:30, we're leaving at 7:10. Not too bad and I should make my connection, but mind you, they originally wanted to book on a later flight with like a 30-40 minute conneciton window, so at least I'm not feeling too bad about getting up at 4:30 this morning.
More later.
Cheers.
Ralph
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