Thursday, December 18, 2008
Paper boy (or girl)
Recently, I've been picking up overnight shifts (NOTE: I work for health and human services now, not a pimp)and discovered an online Nintendo classics game site. I've spent the week playing Paperboy, which was just as exciting as I remembered -- look out for the grim reaper, lady wielding a knife, jackhammer dude, small tornado and break dancer guy while trying to deliver the daily news. I was never able to make it through the week as a youngster. However, only moments ago I beat the game, which was rather anti-climatic. Only a headline reading, "Paperboy retires!"
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Upon Googling Myself . . .
Karen Parks’ “Nobody Knows” – A Tribute to Harry T. Burleigh (transcript)
Friday, February 08th, 2008
By Craig Havighurst
Soprano Karen Parks has released a new CD whose title, Nobody Knows, is intended as a double entendre. Half of the album consists of vital and well-known Negro spirituals. But Parks is also calling attention to the unknown composer and singer who brought those spirituals into the American mainstream more than 100 years ago. WPLN’s Craig Havighurst reports.
Audio for this feature is available here.
It’s likely that only students of American classical music and African-American culture will have heard of Harry T. Burleigh, even though the songs that Burleigh first arranged for concert performance are woven into our national DNA.
(SOUND: Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen)
Karen Parks sings Burleigh’s songs and his praises on her new album Nobody Knows, released this month through Nashville’s Thirty Tigers. She says Burleigh has been important to her since the very first time she was tapped for serious vocal training. She was growing up in Greenville South Carolina, a precocious freshman in high school intent on a career in corporate law. Then a teacher heard her voice and arranged to enroll her in a regional fine arts academy. Parks was 13.
PARKS: “And I am so fortunate for that. I was the only African American female at the fine arts center. I wanted to sing spirituals. They knew that, and they wanted me to of course, and my first book was The Spirituals of Harry T. Burleigh”.
Burleigh, who was born the year after the end of the Civil War, wanted to be a recital singer, and his home community of Erie, Pennsylvania raised funds to send him to New York’s National Conservatory of Music. There, he became a protégé of the conservatory’s new director, the era-shaping composer Antonin Dvorak.
SNYDER: “And the unusual thing for an African American musician at that time was that he did not forsake his heritage in the spirituals.”
Jean Snyder, assistant professor of music at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is writing a biography of Burleigh.
SNYDER: “And it’s probable that Dvorak helped him fully understand that this repertoire was a repertoire that was universal. And in Dvorak’s own words, he said give those melodies to the world.”
(SOUND: My Lord What A Morning)
Burliegh did just that, embracing Dvorak’s radical view that folk songs were important art that should be integrated into classical music. Karen Parks says his arrangements brought subtle and uplifting instrumental accompaniment to what had been an entirely a capella form of singing.
PARKS: “The spiritual must be simple yet on the classical concert stage it must be interesting and intricate enough to have that title, and that shows the real genius of Burleigh.”
Burleigh’s race kept him from the recital career he longed for, but he did teach at the National Conservatory and became an editor at an important music publishing house. Parks recalls another long-term position that regularly put him on a stage in front of New York’s wealthiest elites.
PARKS: “I believe it was in 1894 that he applied to be the baritone soloist at St. George’s Episcopal Church. There were 60 applicants. And he was only African American, and there was only one position, and he was chosen. Of course there was some uproar but it didn’t matter. He had the talent and they could see beyond his color.”
Parks brings remarkable credentials of her own to the Burleigh recording project. After her post-graduate training at UC Santa Barbara, she earned a Fulbright scholarship which allowed her a year of private study at La Scala Opera House in Milan, perhaps the most prestigious such academy in the world. She trained to sing in 12 different languages, but on Nobody Knows, she sings a uniquely American strain of English, one that — like Dvorak’s work — is both vernacular and rarified.
(SOUND: Lovely Dark And Lonely One)
In “Lovely Dark and Lonely One,” Burleigh sets music to a poem by Langston Hughes.
PARKS: “There are some powerful words there, and you want to express that. The text determines they way that a song, any song, is sung in my opinion. The words must be expressed to their fullest extent.”
Karen Parks brings her interpretation of those words and Burleigh’s music to Vanderbilt’s Turner Hall this Saturday night at 8.
For Nashville Public Radio, I’m Craig Havighurst.
Karen Parks’ “Nobody Knows” – A Tribute to Harry T. Burleigh (transcript)
Friday, February 08th, 2008
By Craig Havighurst
Soprano Karen Parks has released a new CD whose title, Nobody Knows, is intended as a double entendre. Half of the album consists of vital and well-known Negro spirituals. But Parks is also calling attention to the unknown composer and singer who brought those spirituals into the American mainstream more than 100 years ago. WPLN’s Craig Havighurst reports.
Audio for this feature is available here.
It’s likely that only students of American classical music and African-American culture will have heard of Harry T. Burleigh, even though the songs that Burleigh first arranged for concert performance are woven into our national DNA.
(SOUND: Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen)
Karen Parks sings Burleigh’s songs and his praises on her new album Nobody Knows, released this month through Nashville’s Thirty Tigers. She says Burleigh has been important to her since the very first time she was tapped for serious vocal training. She was growing up in Greenville South Carolina, a precocious freshman in high school intent on a career in corporate law. Then a teacher heard her voice and arranged to enroll her in a regional fine arts academy. Parks was 13.
PARKS: “And I am so fortunate for that. I was the only African American female at the fine arts center. I wanted to sing spirituals. They knew that, and they wanted me to of course, and my first book was The Spirituals of Harry T. Burleigh”.
Burleigh, who was born the year after the end of the Civil War, wanted to be a recital singer, and his home community of Erie, Pennsylvania raised funds to send him to New York’s National Conservatory of Music. There, he became a protégé of the conservatory’s new director, the era-shaping composer Antonin Dvorak.
SNYDER: “And the unusual thing for an African American musician at that time was that he did not forsake his heritage in the spirituals.”
Jean Snyder, assistant professor of music at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is writing a biography of Burleigh.
SNYDER: “And it’s probable that Dvorak helped him fully understand that this repertoire was a repertoire that was universal. And in Dvorak’s own words, he said give those melodies to the world.”
(SOUND: My Lord What A Morning)
Burliegh did just that, embracing Dvorak’s radical view that folk songs were important art that should be integrated into classical music. Karen Parks says his arrangements brought subtle and uplifting instrumental accompaniment to what had been an entirely a capella form of singing.
PARKS: “The spiritual must be simple yet on the classical concert stage it must be interesting and intricate enough to have that title, and that shows the real genius of Burleigh.”
Burleigh’s race kept him from the recital career he longed for, but he did teach at the National Conservatory and became an editor at an important music publishing house. Parks recalls another long-term position that regularly put him on a stage in front of New York’s wealthiest elites.
PARKS: “I believe it was in 1894 that he applied to be the baritone soloist at St. George’s Episcopal Church. There were 60 applicants. And he was only African American, and there was only one position, and he was chosen. Of course there was some uproar but it didn’t matter. He had the talent and they could see beyond his color.”
Parks brings remarkable credentials of her own to the Burleigh recording project. After her post-graduate training at UC Santa Barbara, she earned a Fulbright scholarship which allowed her a year of private study at La Scala Opera House in Milan, perhaps the most prestigious such academy in the world. She trained to sing in 12 different languages, but on Nobody Knows, she sings a uniquely American strain of English, one that — like Dvorak’s work — is both vernacular and rarified.
(SOUND: Lovely Dark And Lonely One)
In “Lovely Dark and Lonely One,” Burleigh sets music to a poem by Langston Hughes.
PARKS: “There are some powerful words there, and you want to express that. The text determines they way that a song, any song, is sung in my opinion. The words must be expressed to their fullest extent.”
Karen Parks brings her interpretation of those words and Burleigh’s music to Vanderbilt’s Turner Hall this Saturday night at 8.
For Nashville Public Radio, I’m Craig Havighurst.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Commission Office E-mail String
On Apr 23, 2008, at 2:40 PM, Janet Owens wrote:
Please ask me if you would like to change the thermostats so that Heather M. or I are aware of a change and can make adjustments as needed.
The thermostat in Scott's office was turned "off," so several offices on this side of the building have temperature readings of 78 degrees. We want to stay comfortable, not warm!
I appreciate your help!
Janet
Associate Director of Operations
NSCA Certification Commission
On Apr 23, 2008, at 2:59 PM, Scott Bonertz wrote:
My sincerest apologies to everyone. I picked up 17 hermit crabs at a flea market in Chicago over the weekend, and I read in my Crabs Household Journal that pet hermit crabs must be kept between 75 and 80 degrees. I promise it won't happen again, and I'll move my buddies to a temperature controlled chamber. By the way, I just counted and I only have 16, so if anyone finds one let me know (I think it is Paco).
Should I not have done that?
Scott
From: Karen Parks
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:04 PM
To: Scott Bonertz
Cc: Janet Owens; NSCACertificationCommission
Subject: Re: Warmer Weather
Scott,
Please review the Employee Handbook, pages 28-29: Commission Property/Premises, Workstation Guidelines.
Thanks.
Your Commission Coworkers
From: Bob Raatz
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:11 PM
To: Scott Bonertz
Cc: NSCACertificationCommission
Subject: FW: Warmer Weather
I found Paco, the news is not good.
From: HETA
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:04 PM
To: Scott Bonertz
Cc: Janet Owens; NSCACertificationCommission
Subject: Re: Warmer Weather
Do you want me to bring you some melted butter?
Heather Ahrens
Exam Assistant
examasst@nsca-cc.org
From: Karen Parks
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:04 PM
To: Scott Bonertz
Cc: Janet Owens; NSCACertificationCommission
Subject: Re: Warmer Weather
Or do you need paper towels and a good disinfectant?
Please ask me if you would like to change the thermostats so that Heather M. or I are aware of a change and can make adjustments as needed.
The thermostat in Scott's office was turned "off," so several offices on this side of the building have temperature readings of 78 degrees. We want to stay comfortable, not warm!
I appreciate your help!
Janet
Associate Director of Operations
NSCA Certification Commission
On Apr 23, 2008, at 2:59 PM, Scott Bonertz wrote:
My sincerest apologies to everyone. I picked up 17 hermit crabs at a flea market in Chicago over the weekend, and I read in my Crabs Household Journal that pet hermit crabs must be kept between 75 and 80 degrees. I promise it won't happen again, and I'll move my buddies to a temperature controlled chamber. By the way, I just counted and I only have 16, so if anyone finds one let me know (I think it is Paco).
Should I not have done that?
Scott
From: Karen Parks
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:04 PM
To: Scott Bonertz
Cc: Janet Owens; NSCACertificationCommission
Subject: Re: Warmer Weather
Scott,
Please review the Employee Handbook, pages 28-29: Commission Property/Premises, Workstation Guidelines.
Thanks.
Your Commission Coworkers
From: Bob Raatz
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:11 PM
To: Scott Bonertz
Cc: NSCACertificationCommission
Subject: FW: Warmer Weather
I found Paco, the news is not good.
From: HETA
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:04 PM
To: Scott Bonertz
Cc: Janet Owens; NSCACertificationCommission
Subject: Re: Warmer Weather
Do you want me to bring you some melted butter?
Heather Ahrens
Exam Assistant
examasst@nsca-cc.org
From: Karen Parks
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:04 PM
To: Scott Bonertz
Cc: Janet Owens; NSCACertificationCommission
Subject: Re: Warmer Weather
Or do you need paper towels and a good disinfectant?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Cincinnati Rocks!
I was visiting my family and BFF, Rick LaVenture Jr., this weekend in Ohio. With just a few days for my trip, I had to prioritize my outings. On Friday, Mom, brother Jerry and I went to the Cincinnati Zoo (pictures are pending as family and community photographer, Jerry, forgot his digital memory card and ended up shooting with film. They will be posted at a later date once they are developed from the Beavercreek Wal-Mart and shipped to Lincoln, NE). Highlights of the zoo include the polar bears (they enjoyed a large enclosure with mutliple swimming pools with underwater views for visitors. It was a warm 78 degrees and they back-paddled around the lake; I found them to be a delight), some kind of monkey I can't remember (these solid white and solid black monkeys zipped around their enclosure steeling bits of lettuce and carrots from each other), and the white lions.
On Saturday, Rick and I decided to skip church and instead spend the morning and afternoon at Trader's World. I had been to Trader's World as a youngster, but they've since expanded, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to find the requested "Ohio Kitsch" souvenir for the New Media Coordinator at my office. It was a success as I bagged a $4 Marshmallow Gun in Cincinnati Bengals colors, complete with a sandwich-sized bag of ammunition. The only thing Rick picked up was a few of the local "honeys" (see below). Other Trader's World attractions included the petting zoo with porcupine and magic carpet cleaning demonstration (below).
Additionally, I was able to catch a glimpse of a new landmark in the Cincinnati area. If you're trying to find Trader's World, just take the exit directly after "Touchdown Jesus". This is a ginormous, and some may say "tacky", likeness of our Lord and Savior accompanied by a reflection pool. Rick points out the landmark at Solid Rock Church on the video.
On Saturday, Rick and I decided to skip church and instead spend the morning and afternoon at Trader's World. I had been to Trader's World as a youngster, but they've since expanded, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to find the requested "Ohio Kitsch" souvenir for the New Media Coordinator at my office. It was a success as I bagged a $4 Marshmallow Gun in Cincinnati Bengals colors, complete with a sandwich-sized bag of ammunition. The only thing Rick picked up was a few of the local "honeys" (see below). Other Trader's World attractions included the petting zoo with porcupine and magic carpet cleaning demonstration (below).
Additionally, I was able to catch a glimpse of a new landmark in the Cincinnati area. If you're trying to find Trader's World, just take the exit directly after "Touchdown Jesus". This is a ginormous, and some may say "tacky", likeness of our Lord and Savior accompanied by a reflection pool. Rick points out the landmark at Solid Rock Church on the video.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Kudos to the Sinclair on 40th and "A"
There's several reason's why I love this gas station.
1. Full-service, no exceptions, no extra charge. This comes in handy especailly when it is freezing. But no matter the season, it's always nice NOT to have to dirty your hands at the pumps.
2. Complimentary dog treats offered at all times. The coonhounds appreciate this one more than me, but it still makes the list.
3. Touchless Carwash, more gentle on the Acura.
But mainly I go there because of number one. Although, here in the U.S. the full-service gas station attendents are rare. In South Korea, full-service stations are standard. The difference--South Korean Gas Station Attendents are the younger female types that wear mini skirts instead of the coveralls of the Sinclair men. They still wear mini skirts in the winter, but they are accompanied with leg warmers, of course. Come to think of it, the South Koreans market a lot of products with the mini skirt, cereal and cell phones come to mind. But I digress, the point of this post is that a fill-up and wash is now a pleasure with the Sinclair Station on 40th and "A" street.
1. Full-service, no exceptions, no extra charge. This comes in handy especailly when it is freezing. But no matter the season, it's always nice NOT to have to dirty your hands at the pumps.
2. Complimentary dog treats offered at all times. The coonhounds appreciate this one more than me, but it still makes the list.
3. Touchless Carwash, more gentle on the Acura.
But mainly I go there because of number one. Although, here in the U.S. the full-service gas station attendents are rare. In South Korea, full-service stations are standard. The difference--South Korean Gas Station Attendents are the younger female types that wear mini skirts instead of the coveralls of the Sinclair men. They still wear mini skirts in the winter, but they are accompanied with leg warmers, of course. Come to think of it, the South Koreans market a lot of products with the mini skirt, cereal and cell phones come to mind. But I digress, the point of this post is that a fill-up and wash is now a pleasure with the Sinclair Station on 40th and "A" street.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Chicken
Why did the chicken cross the road?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR. PHIL:
The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before adding 'NEW' problems.
---------------------------------------------------------------
OPRAH :
Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GEORGE W.. BUSH:
We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLIN POWELL:
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAT BUCHANAN :
To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARTHA STEWART :
No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ERNEST HEMINGWAY :
To die in the rain. Alone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JERRY FALWELL :
Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?' That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRANDPA :
In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BARBARA WALTERS :
Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARISTOTLE :
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C%........ reboot.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALBERT EINSTEIN :
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILL CLINTON :
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AL GORE:
I invented the chicken!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLONEL SANDERS :
Did I miss one?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DICK CHENEY :
Where's my gun?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AL SHARPTON :
Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR. PHIL:
The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before adding 'NEW' problems.
---------------------------------------------------------------
OPRAH :
Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GEORGE W.. BUSH:
We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLIN POWELL:
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAT BUCHANAN :
To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARTHA STEWART :
No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ERNEST HEMINGWAY :
To die in the rain. Alone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JERRY FALWELL :
Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?' That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRANDPA :
In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BARBARA WALTERS :
Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARISTOTLE :
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C%........ reboot.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALBERT EINSTEIN :
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILL CLINTON :
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AL GORE:
I invented the chicken!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLONEL SANDERS :
Did I miss one?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DICK CHENEY :
Where's my gun?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AL SHARPTON :
Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
ok, well I've thought of something
Is anyone up for a Saturday (Sabbath) afternoon get-together? Blue Orchid? Greatful Bread? That should secure Angela unless she's already booked. . .
Also, Daniel mentioned seeing Juno again, and I thought maybe this weekend? Anyone? Anyone?
Also, Daniel mentioned seeing Juno again, and I thought maybe this weekend? Anyone? Anyone?
Friday, December 07, 2007
The Good Samaritan
I parked my car along side the street last night since I had not yet shoveled the snow on my driveway. A perfect wintry evening- not too cold, fresh snow glistening from the glow of the streetlights. I'm gathering my purse, gym bag and laptop when I hear a rap on my driver's side window. I'm startled and a little nervous. Before I roll down the window, the guy says, "hey do you have a phone I can use?" Somewhat relieved, I pass my phone through the window. He's overly gracious and explains that he has just hobbled down to the U-stop gas station (he has a cane in one hand) to use the phone and, of course it was broken. Upon hobbling back, he fell on the ice. I assume he is calling someone for a ride. At the first phone call, he learns that the person he is trying to reach has just left for work. Can he make another call? Sure. The next call is to his twin sister, which he is certain will pan out. There is some shouting, and I imagine his sister to be saying something along the lines of not my problem. He explains that he left the house to get something to eat; he can't make anything with the condition of his leg. Which doesn't make since to me—he was able to hobble down to the U-stop to call for help but was unable to reach something out of the cupboard or fridge to heat it up? I'm still feeling bad for him though, and I'm mentally reviewing the contents of my freezer, thinking there might be a lean cuisine I could give him. Can he make one more call? Sure. This time he is calling his mother. He explains the predicament again, and I get the idea that his mother, too, is less than sympathetic. I hear him say that he only has $15. He gave the rest to so-and-so because he didn't trust himself with it. He's going through the whole spiel—he walked all the way down to U-stop, broken phone, fell on the ice. Nice lady let him use her phone. Will mom please get him something to eat? Finally, it sounds like mom will order a pizza and have it delivered to him. I gather this because he says, "no I don't like Davinicis. Yeah, Valentinos. Get peperonni on it." I'm starting to feel less sympathy for him though, thinking he probably would have turned down the humble lean cuisine I would have offered.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
To Whom It May Concern
Hello again. I've been out of town visiting my mother in Dayton, Ohio. In my absence, I haven't checked the old condiment kitchen regularly, but now that I've gotten around to it, I see that Utenzi has provided the fodder for my next post. Thank you! So here I am, finally, with my participation. (Better late than never, right?)
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player list 6 facts/habits/secrets about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
My 6 facts/habits/secrets:
Fact 1: I had a let's say, "quirky," condition as a child where I would consistently faint at random. I say quirky because I had a lot of tests done and the doctors were unable to produce any reasons. As I grew older, about when I was in middle school, the fainting stopped.
Fact 2: I easily get stuck in rut. For example, why the hell am still living in Lincoln, NE. I mean I do love my friends here, but my job is so-so, my house is so-so, my car is, OK wait, I do love my late 90s luxury vehicle, but everything just seems so-so, ho-hum in Lincoln. I think my biggest complaint would be the harsh extreme of the seasons. OK I know I just riled up anyone from Minnesota or the Dakotas but I'm not as hardy as you all. I need climate control or Hawaii. Or New Mexico.
Secret 1: Speaking of New Mexico, I've never been there but I think it might be the perfect place for me. I don't even know that much about it but I've always felt a pull there.
Secret 2: My life is an open book so I'm really going to have to dig around for this one. OK, got it. I cheated my way through high school chemistry. I got a B and I didn't deserve it. Sorry Mr. Schoun. My mind doesn't think in compounds and I didn't want to completely obliterate my GPA because of it.
Habit 1: I like to pop zits. They don't even have to be mine. I'm know gross, huh?
Habit 2: Probably this is equally gross. I'm scab-picking junkie. I can't leave them alone. Relax, I do refrain from picking other people's scabs, that would be really gross and awkward. I love them when they are just almost healed over and you can lift off the scab and see the fresh pinkish white skin underneath. Unfortunately, I can rarely wait till this stage. There so irresistible.
So, on my tag list:
Ceri
Daniel
Voth
Bryant
Exiled in Guyville
Angela
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player list 6 facts/habits/secrets about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
My 6 facts/habits/secrets:
Fact 1: I had a let's say, "quirky," condition as a child where I would consistently faint at random. I say quirky because I had a lot of tests done and the doctors were unable to produce any reasons. As I grew older, about when I was in middle school, the fainting stopped.
Fact 2: I easily get stuck in rut. For example, why the hell am still living in Lincoln, NE. I mean I do love my friends here, but my job is so-so, my house is so-so, my car is, OK wait, I do love my late 90s luxury vehicle, but everything just seems so-so, ho-hum in Lincoln. I think my biggest complaint would be the harsh extreme of the seasons. OK I know I just riled up anyone from Minnesota or the Dakotas but I'm not as hardy as you all. I need climate control or Hawaii. Or New Mexico.
Secret 1: Speaking of New Mexico, I've never been there but I think it might be the perfect place for me. I don't even know that much about it but I've always felt a pull there.
Secret 2: My life is an open book so I'm really going to have to dig around for this one. OK, got it. I cheated my way through high school chemistry. I got a B and I didn't deserve it. Sorry Mr. Schoun. My mind doesn't think in compounds and I didn't want to completely obliterate my GPA because of it.
Habit 1: I like to pop zits. They don't even have to be mine. I'm know gross, huh?
Habit 2: Probably this is equally gross. I'm scab-picking junkie. I can't leave them alone. Relax, I do refrain from picking other people's scabs, that would be really gross and awkward. I love them when they are just almost healed over and you can lift off the scab and see the fresh pinkish white skin underneath. Unfortunately, I can rarely wait till this stage. There so irresistible.
So, on my tag list:
Ceri
Daniel
Voth
Bryant
Exiled in Guyville
Angela
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Hank Hates Baths
But off the record, he loves them. I think he keeps up the pretense of hating our bathing rituals for Slade's benefit because Slade truly does hate baths (as any self-respecting dog should?).
This morning I rattled the treat jar to summon Slade, who was napping upstairs. After treats, I click on Slade's leash, which immediately triggers wagging tails and howling. I smile and pat Slade on the head; he still thinks he's going for walk as I turn him around and head for the bathroom. He throws on the breaks when he hears the running water that I've adjusted ahead of time to a barely warm temperature, confirmed with a dip of my elbow. I wrangle Slade into the bathroom and he is quaking, humiliated through out the entire sudds-ing and rinsing process. Once we're finished, I towel him down and release him to run around crazily about the living room.
Hank is already attuned to what is going on in the bathroom, and he lingers just outside the bathroom door. I grab his collar, and he plants his weight in his "heels," pretending that he's not going anywhere. This lasts for a second or two and then he gingerly, almost eagerly, steps into the bath. Once I start rubbing his ears and massaging his shoulders, it's all over. He's leaning into the gentle pressure of my fingertips, closing his eyes in relaxation as if he is spending the morning at a top-notch day spa. "Calgon, take me away."
This morning I rattled the treat jar to summon Slade, who was napping upstairs. After treats, I click on Slade's leash, which immediately triggers wagging tails and howling. I smile and pat Slade on the head; he still thinks he's going for walk as I turn him around and head for the bathroom. He throws on the breaks when he hears the running water that I've adjusted ahead of time to a barely warm temperature, confirmed with a dip of my elbow. I wrangle Slade into the bathroom and he is quaking, humiliated through out the entire sudds-ing and rinsing process. Once we're finished, I towel him down and release him to run around crazily about the living room.
Hank is already attuned to what is going on in the bathroom, and he lingers just outside the bathroom door. I grab his collar, and he plants his weight in his "heels," pretending that he's not going anywhere. This lasts for a second or two and then he gingerly, almost eagerly, steps into the bath. Once I start rubbing his ears and massaging his shoulders, it's all over. He's leaning into the gentle pressure of my fingertips, closing his eyes in relaxation as if he is spending the morning at a top-notch day spa. "Calgon, take me away."
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Quirks
I have developed a habit of imagining myself getting shot, for a brief second, as I walk to my car. In addition to the shootings, I also imagine being attacked by a wild animal or something with rabies. It's not fully played out in my mind. It's just a breif interlude that happens a few times during the day, typically when I am headed to my car. It's similar to Ellen's fear of headlights not being turned on and constantly having to check. Similar in the fact that you can't tell your mind to stop and expect it to obey. It's like, "ok I wasn't shot THIS time." But then the next time I head to the car I look around cautiously and think, "whoa, could I have been shot?" Ok, I'm fine.
I think I need to stop working late.
I think I need to stop working late.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Untitled Post
This is a very interesting and thought provoking read...
Emily
How Long Does USA Have?
About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier:
"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."
The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:
1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From dependence back into bondage"
Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul , Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential election:
Population of counties won by:
Gore: 127 million;
Bush: 143 million
Square miles of land won by:
Gore: 580,000;
Bush: 2,427,000
States won by:
Gore: 19;
Bush: 29
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Gore: 13.2;
Bush: 2.1
Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country. Gore's territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare..."
Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegals and they vote, then goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years. Pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.
Emily
How Long Does USA Have?
About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier:
"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."
The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:
1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From dependence back into bondage"
Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul , Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential election:
Population of counties won by:
Gore: 127 million;
Bush: 143 million
Square miles of land won by:
Gore: 580,000;
Bush: 2,427,000
States won by:
Gore: 19;
Bush: 29
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Gore: 13.2;
Bush: 2.1
Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country. Gore's territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare..."
Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegals and they vote, then goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years. Pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.
Monday, October 15, 2007
My Mom's Accident
She and her broken ankle are on the road to recovery now. Reminder: Drive safely and buckle-up, everyone.
I asked her how it happened. She couldn't remember much because it all was so fast. Did the car in front of you stop suddenly, did you try to stop? She wasn't sure. But upon closer inspection at the junk yard, she noticed the break peddle to have snapped partially off and was bent all the way to the floor. Yes, she did try to stop, thus the broken ankle.
I'm loading the next photo in as small because it is really gross.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Blueberry French Toast Bake
Prepared by Heather A. for this morning's Commission breakfast. It was delicious. I recommend topping it with blueberry syrup.
Top evenly with cream cheese cubes and blueberries. In small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp. sugar, cinnamon, and nuts and toss to mix. Sprinkle over blueberries and cream cheese. Cover casserole tightly and refrigerate up to 24 hours. {P]Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and bake casserole, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes until golden. (Serves 8)
(You could use frozen raspberries in this super simple brunch recipe too, and I am sure there are those that would try it with bluebarb.)
BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST BAKE.
BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST BAKE.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1-1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 6 eggs
- 10 slices french bread, cut into 1" cubes
- 3 oz. pkg. cream cheese, diced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
PREPARATION:
Generously grease 13x9" glass baking dish. Beat flour, milk, 2 Tbsp. sugar, vanilla and eggs in large bowl until smooth. Stir in bread cubes until well coated, then pour bread mixture into prepared pan.Top evenly with cream cheese cubes and blueberries. In small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp. sugar, cinnamon, and nuts and toss to mix. Sprinkle over blueberries and cream cheese. Cover casserole tightly and refrigerate up to 24 hours. {P]Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and bake casserole, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes until golden. (Serves 8)
Friday, September 14, 2007
Spidy Sense
I sent out an e-mail to the office today:
Subject: New Staff Member
Please see attachment. I just met with him in the foyer.
This is by far the biggest spider I've ever seen outside of a petting zoo environment. I named him Spidy. (I think he is taking a dump in that picture.)
Let me tell you, I am the first to run for the (dyson) vacuum with hose attachments when I see a spider in my house. They can have the basement, but the upstairs is off limits. Yet I was so impressed with Spidy's size, I wanted him to live. I respect a spider that big. But then our IT guy removed a sandal and whacked him twice before I could suggest relocating him outside. I'm sorry Spidy. I'd like to take my shoe upside the head of our IT personnel. Note to self: Wear cleats.
Subject: New Staff Member
Please see attachment. I just met with him in the foyer.
This is by far the biggest spider I've ever seen outside of a petting zoo environment. I named him Spidy. (I think he is taking a dump in that picture.)
Let me tell you, I am the first to run for the (dyson) vacuum with hose attachments when I see a spider in my house. They can have the basement, but the upstairs is off limits. Yet I was so impressed with Spidy's size, I wanted him to live. I respect a spider that big. But then our IT guy removed a sandal and whacked him twice before I could suggest relocating him outside. I'm sorry Spidy. I'd like to take my shoe upside the head of our IT personnel. Note to self: Wear cleats.
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