She should have been exhausted.
She should have just crawled straight into bed. But even though she was physically tired and worn out, her mind was still a whirl.
She ran outside to the barn, climbed the ladder to the loft, and looked out the open window. She sat down on the fresh hay and looked out at the stars. It was a clear night and she could make out the distant constellations. She wondered what it would be like exploring those distant celestial bodies so far from the dreary, grinding routine of the farm.
It almost made the pain in her back recede. Her red, chapped hands that so recently bled today were forgotten. She was up before dawn and worked with her father and siblings until dark. There was only work, rest and food. The same routine, day after day, all year round, only interrupted by school or inclement weather.
But there had to be something more, she thought. Something that made life more exciting, something that would challenge her mind and not just her body. She folded her arms on her knees, laid her head down, and begin to tear up.
A moment later, she thought she saw a flash of light. She looked up and saw a falling star, come crashing into the horizon just behind a nearby field. Then she heard her name called from below.
"Tabitha!" he called, in a strong baritone voice. He made the name sound very clipped and foreign. "Tab-eee-thuh!" He called.
She looked down and saw standing in front of the barn Yul Brynner. Not someone who looked like Yul Brynner, but THE Yul Brynner. He stood there with his hands on his hips. He was naked from the waist up, except for a purple sash. He had flowing pants that looked like a genie's or...or...the king of...something. He had bare feet. He had a a huge scabbard belted to his waist. His face had the look of grim determination and he was staring right up at her.
"Tabitha!" shouted Yul. "It is time! Come with me now! I command you! Instruct my children in western ways. And who knows? Some day I may dance with you! Some day you might be my....consort!" He reached out his hand to her.
She was frozen in fear and indecision. How could this be happening? Was Yul Brynner even alive?
Before she could do anything, she heard a strange sound and a wavering image appear near Yul. As it solidified, she knew who it was. It was Captain James T Kirk of the Starship Enterprise, in his prime!
"Tabitha Steel?" he asked. He looked up at her, a glint of a smile crossing his face.
"Y-y-yes?" she managed to stutter out.
"I am Captain James T Kirk of the Starship Enterprise. I am here as a representative of the Federation to recruit you to join us on our five year mission, to boldly go where no man or woman has gone before, to explore space - the final frontier!"
"Oh, wow! I can't believe this!" she said, She looked at her hands - still rough and unhealed. Her back still hurt like the dickens. She pinched her cheek. "Ow!" She got up to come down from the loft.
Yul Brynner pulled a huge sword out of his scabbard. He raised it up to smate Captain Kirk. Kirk quickly whipped out his phaser and fired. Yul Brynner collapsed to the ground.
Against her better judgement, she still came out of the barn towards the two men. "Don't worry, Tabitha! It was only on stun. He'll be alright in a few minutes," said Kirk. She just looked at Kirk, wide-eyed, her mouth slightly open.
"Look, if you still want to go with the, uh, King here, that's fine. Recruitment in the Starfleet is strictly voluntary. But we have a fine crew. I think you might enjoy assisting our Science Officer, Mr. Spock. He could use a fine mind like yours."
"Mind?" she said. That was all she needed. She was sold. "I am so there, Captain! Ready to come aboard!"
"Welcome aboard, Ensign Steel!" He reached out his hand, and she took it. Her hand was immediately filled with a soothing warmth, and she could already feel her sore hand beginning to heal. He put a cell phone shaped device near his mouth and spoke into it. "Beam two aboard, Scotty! We have our new recruit!"
A strange, wavery sound occurred again, and then they both vanished.
"Tabby! TABITHA!" Her father came up the ladder and saw Tabitha sleeping there in the loft. "Tabby!" She stirred from her deep sleep, and found that she was not on the Starship Enterprise. "Tabby! Did you sleep out here all night!"
"I-I guess so."
"Well, no matter. You're already late for your morning chores. No time to eat or change or dilly dally. Let's get up and at 'em!"
The weariness of it all about did her in. She got out of the barn and started to trudge to her chores. Then she noticed on the ground an unusual object. She picked it up and saw that it was an Ensign patch for a Starfleet uniform. She was also startled that her right hand, the one Captain Kirk shook, was no longer red, no longer cut.
Yes, it was a hard slog. But there it was. A hint or hope of something else. Not there yet, but certainly to be hoped for. She stepped a little more lightly.
Live long and prosper!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
June Musings!
Hope to have other reaction later, but here is my brief, instant reaction to the Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Care Act -
YIPPEEE! YIP YIP YIPPEE! YAHOO! HUZZAH! GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH!
CAN I HEAR A WOOP WOOP?
LET THE FUTURE BEGIN>>>>>>>>>NOW!!!!
So you know, same ol' same ol'. Yes, there are pitfalls ahead. If America elects a Republican President, retains a right wing extremist House of Representatives, and manages a sixty plus majority in the Senate, than we might possibly be plunged back into the stone age. And some states may choose to slow track this whole thing, pushing back medicaid expansion, and thereby increase the costs of the whole thing, which even though Republicans cause the problem they will be going "See! See! It's increasing the budget!" Oh, good grief.
Today was my Dad's 90th birthday. My sister helped organize a great party. I hope to publish pictures soon. My older boys were not able to be there, but they were to talk to Grandpa via Skype. as was Carol's son Nicholas. Dad seemed appreciative, but a little worn out from the day's activities.
I don't know where the Fall election is headed. By all logic, President Obama should be elected in a landslide. But who knows what whims will influence things when the time comes? It's a pretty scary thought.
I have fallen behind in seeing movies again, both at the theater and at home. Prometheus will now have to wait to rent. I still have high hopes of seeing The Dark Knight Rises in the theater. And I have Chronicles on my Netflix list.
The Strait Line, at last check was at 1,375 page views for the month of June. This exceeds last month's record of 1,025 by 350, with one day to go. Woohoo!
Next week should feature some stories with more pictures in it. I should get back on track with History of the Trap. I would also like to publish one or two more things on Smashword.
Until we meet at The Strait Line again,
T.M. Strait
YIPPEEE! YIP YIP YIPPEE! YAHOO! HUZZAH! GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH!
CAN I HEAR A WOOP WOOP?
LET THE FUTURE BEGIN>>>>>>>>>NOW!!!!
So you know, same ol' same ol'. Yes, there are pitfalls ahead. If America elects a Republican President, retains a right wing extremist House of Representatives, and manages a sixty plus majority in the Senate, than we might possibly be plunged back into the stone age. And some states may choose to slow track this whole thing, pushing back medicaid expansion, and thereby increase the costs of the whole thing, which even though Republicans cause the problem they will be going "See! See! It's increasing the budget!" Oh, good grief.
Today was my Dad's 90th birthday. My sister helped organize a great party. I hope to publish pictures soon. My older boys were not able to be there, but they were to talk to Grandpa via Skype. as was Carol's son Nicholas. Dad seemed appreciative, but a little worn out from the day's activities.
I don't know where the Fall election is headed. By all logic, President Obama should be elected in a landslide. But who knows what whims will influence things when the time comes? It's a pretty scary thought.
I have fallen behind in seeing movies again, both at the theater and at home. Prometheus will now have to wait to rent. I still have high hopes of seeing The Dark Knight Rises in the theater. And I have Chronicles on my Netflix list.
The Strait Line, at last check was at 1,375 page views for the month of June. This exceeds last month's record of 1,025 by 350, with one day to go. Woohoo!
Next week should feature some stories with more pictures in it. I should get back on track with History of the Trap. I would also like to publish one or two more things on Smashword.
Until we meet at The Strait Line again,
T.M. Strait
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Roly Poly Pudding 'n' Pie: The Great Strait Photo Show
Watched a roughly fifteen minute DVD that my sister compiled for my father's 90th birthday. It is composed of slides and pictures dating back from 1957 to the present. It represents a journey through time, showing the growth of three generations of a family, and the love that binds them. My sister did an absolutely awesome job and I commend her.
It is very difficult looking at pictures of my mother as she is no longer alive. She died October 19th, 2008, and I have missed her ever since. Yes, I am one of those who sometimes walks away from pictures rather than deal with the harsher edges of memory. So, that was the difficult part. Allowing myself to reminisce and not be overwhelmed by sadness.
Time is cruel. It takes no prisoners, it leaves no one untouched. You could see the changes as every family aged. There were also pictures of Grandma Martin, whom I loved dearly and lost when I was only 12. I could see myself age from a skinny little kid to a fat gray-headed old man.
But time is also sweet. I could see the bonds of love that swept across the ravages of the decades, the simple joy in having children and being with grandchildren. I saw the excitement of each descendant at being around my Mom and Dad. You could see the echoing effect of the caring and good values that have been passed on. You can look back and not just see the faded past, but also the promise of the future.
There were no pictures of Dad working. None. And that was a relief. Work was important to my Dad, but that is not what he treasures now. And I realize that for me, over the years giving the lion's share of my vacation to trips to Michigan, was not a sacrifice but a privilege, that I and my children got to be such a large part of the cavalcade of my parent's time on Earth.
Yes, I can see that I am fat, a real live roly-poly. I need to do something about that. The big shock are in some of the recent pictures. Some of the shirts I like wearing are my worst enemies. That and not being first in line every time someone says "Buffet!"
Happy Birthday, Dad! May these pictures give you joy, a reminder of the many wonderful family times we had, and bring you to a deeper certainty that the greatest work you and Mom did wasn't for any employer, but in leading your children and grandchildren to understand the power of love.
.
It is very difficult looking at pictures of my mother as she is no longer alive. She died October 19th, 2008, and I have missed her ever since. Yes, I am one of those who sometimes walks away from pictures rather than deal with the harsher edges of memory. So, that was the difficult part. Allowing myself to reminisce and not be overwhelmed by sadness.
Time is cruel. It takes no prisoners, it leaves no one untouched. You could see the changes as every family aged. There were also pictures of Grandma Martin, whom I loved dearly and lost when I was only 12. I could see myself age from a skinny little kid to a fat gray-headed old man.
But time is also sweet. I could see the bonds of love that swept across the ravages of the decades, the simple joy in having children and being with grandchildren. I saw the excitement of each descendant at being around my Mom and Dad. You could see the echoing effect of the caring and good values that have been passed on. You can look back and not just see the faded past, but also the promise of the future.
There were no pictures of Dad working. None. And that was a relief. Work was important to my Dad, but that is not what he treasures now. And I realize that for me, over the years giving the lion's share of my vacation to trips to Michigan, was not a sacrifice but a privilege, that I and my children got to be such a large part of the cavalcade of my parent's time on Earth.
Yes, I can see that I am fat, a real live roly-poly. I need to do something about that. The big shock are in some of the recent pictures. Some of the shirts I like wearing are my worst enemies. That and not being first in line every time someone says "Buffet!"
Happy Birthday, Dad! May these pictures give you joy, a reminder of the many wonderful family times we had, and bring you to a deeper certainty that the greatest work you and Mom did wasn't for any employer, but in leading your children and grandchildren to understand the power of love.
.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Torrential Glances
I can hear the wind accelerating,
Spinning into a whirlpool of flare.
There is no cow flying by
Only the branches that glare
Off into a swirling night.
If I step outside my door,
I think there's no one there
Ignore the howling wind
Then I see the distant stare
Coming from your house across.
One light shines from your bedroom
Across the way I see you look
Your hair is frizzled and standing on end
In your hand the gun you took
Your eyes aflame across our space.
Lightning strikes and there I see
As clear as clear can be
Your eyes ablaze at me
The torrential glance you tee
Right into the soul of me
Your window you pull open
And aim your gun my way
I hear a crack of lightning
But it is not lightning I say
It is instead the last thing I hear
Spinning into a whirlpool of flare.
There is no cow flying by
Only the branches that glare
Off into a swirling night.
If I step outside my door,
I think there's no one there
Ignore the howling wind
Then I see the distant stare
Coming from your house across.
One light shines from your bedroom
Across the way I see you look
Your hair is frizzled and standing on end
In your hand the gun you took
Your eyes aflame across our space.
Lightning strikes and there I see
As clear as clear can be
Your eyes ablaze at me
The torrential glance you tee
Right into the soul of me
Your window you pull open
And aim your gun my way
I hear a crack of lightning
But it is not lightning I say
It is instead the last thing I hear
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Ripping Good Yarns: Comedy Series Awards!
My legion of Ripping Good Yarn fans, I am proud to announce the third group of our awards, given in the category of Comedy Series! Two awards will be given in this category, one will be the Ripping Good Strait Award that is solely determined by me because well, to paraphrase one of my least favorite politicians, Ronald Reagan, "I own this microphone!" The first will be the Ripping Good Fan award determined by all of your votes!
Ripping Good Fan Award, Comedy Series
Hot In Cleveland received 0% of the vote. So sorry, Miss White.
Parks and Recreation received 6% of the vote.
30 Rock and Raising Hope each received 9% of the vote.
Modern Family received 29% of the vote.
And with 47%, the winner of our comedy series award (drum roll, please!)......
The Big Bang Theory!
And the nerds shall inherit the Earth! I really am going to have to catch this program sometime!
Ripping Good Strait Award, Comedy Series
Modern Family! Truly an awesome show, representing the very best of character and great storytelling. A marvelous examination of family life as seen through three related but very different families.
But let's not rest on our laurels. Start commenting on who would like to consider for our next great award...Favorite Genre Series. YOU choose the category...YOU tell me your favorite show in that category. Examples: My favorite science fiction series of the last year is Fringe! My favorite western series is Hell on Wheels. My favorite medical show is House. Well, hopefully, you get the idea. This would be any show that ran during the current season (September 11 to present) and has great characters, exciting plot lines, and at least some continuity elements. Comment either here or on Facebook.
Remember, we're looking for shows with compelling characters, colorful and exciting plot-lines, and continuing story elements.
Fellow Rippers, I await your input!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Dark Day
"Oh, shine!" said Susie Mayer. "It's him!" Susie and Jenky Evans were watching the parking lot out front of The Chicken Hut. Sure enough, the same old rusty Ford Pickup was pulling up. Just like every Thursday at 4:30 PM.
"What are we gonna tell him, Jenky?" stressed Susie. "He is gonna freak the flat out when he sees the change!" She started to move behind Jenky, as if that stringbean could hide her. Tall and ropey, Jenky looked like the entire Evans clan, like lean cowboys instead of the grease monkeys most of them were. Susie was a tiny thing, only five foot and a little round, but in a feminine way. Many a night Jenky longed to work up the nerve to see Susie after work, but his voice choked off at all such things.
"He's gonna see that Maybeen has gone up on the Thursday Dark Special, and he's gonna blow up, just you see!" said Susie, her hands clutched together in front of her face.
The door creaked open with a tinny squeal, and out rolled Elbert Luck, a squat, determined looking man. He only came into town for Wednesday Senior Discount at Yeltin's IGA and then Thursday to The Chicken Hut for the Dark Day Special. Elbert was a stocky man, built like a trash compactor. He had a grim determination on his face. Not a mean look, but one of a man who knew what his mission was and was determined to achieve it.
He pushed open the front door of The Chicken Hut, and moved in shambling steps to the front counter. Jenky retreated leaving a shivery, little Susie to wait on Mr. Luck. "G-g-good day, Mr. Luck. What you like today, Sir?" As if she didn't know.
"I'll have the dark special." Elbert said it slowly, carefully, in a deep firm voice, as if he were announcing the second coming to those non-believers who were bound to perish.
"O-o-kaay, sir? You-you did see, sir, that the price has changed slightly, sir." Susie shakily pointed up at the hand written pricing board. The longstanding price of The Dark Special, ten pieces of dark meat for $4.99 had changed. It was now $5.69. Maybeen Herreld, the owner for the last twenty-three years, had held out as long as she could. But with the rising price of poultry and the damn increases in minimum wage, she had to adjust even the special price. Still and all, it was three bucks less than the regular price.
Elbert looked up, puzzled. He was not a man used to change. He had not varied his routine much in the last ten years, ever since his wife Arletta had passed. He thought for well over a minute, as Susie wondered if her bladder would hold. "I've got $5.34 cents exactly. That's for the chicken, plus the government's blood money. That's all I brought with me."
"I-I appreciate that, Mr. Luck, but the price has changed. It's now $5.69, which with tax is, is..." She looked around for somebody else, her mind too afire to think out math. Jenky peeked from around the fryer and squeaked, "Six dollars and nine cents."
Elbert shrugged. "Don't got it. Don't see why it has to change. A special is a special." He stood at the counter, unsure what to do. After a minute he asked, "How much would you charge for nine pieces?"
Susie was reeling, "Well, you could buy pieces you want individually. Dark meat is 99 cents apiece individually. You can buy that way."
Jenky had a brief fit of manning up, and came round to the counter with Susie. "Yeah, that'd be nine pieces for 99 cents each, so it would equal $8.91 plus tax, for a total of $9.53."
Elbert shook his head. "That sure don't seem right." And he stood there, blocking the counter as the Easter family came in, all seven of them. That was followed by the Harley brothers, and then even the Gorland twins. And Elbert wouldn't budge. "If I can't get my special, I may have to go someplace else."
"Dang it, Susie!" the uglier of the Harley brothers griped. "Can't you get him to get a move on?"
This was followed by some major league caterwauling by every soul there. Except for Elbert Luck, who, in a sense, was placidly blocking the plate. Finally, Maybeen came out of her office. "What in the name of our savior is a-going on out here? Has everyone lost their mind?"
Everyone started shouting about Elbert. "Please!" Maybeen shouted. "One at a time!"
Jenky put on his brave pants and spoke up. "Elbert, uh, Mr. Luck here, wants to buy the Dark Day Special, but he only has enough to cover the old price. I don't think he knew about the increase."
Maybeen scoffed. "Is that so, Elbert? Well, what do you think, Elbert? I can hold my prices forever? Geez, I wish my poultry suppliers would hold the line, but they got their problems too. And then the government stepping in to tell me how much I got pay these damn kids who are lucky in this town to have a job at all. Elbert, Elbert, what am I gonna do with you? You know things change!"
Elbert looked at Maybeen, tears swelling in his eyes. "I think....I think...things have changed enough." And Maybeen and the others (all except the Harley brothers who had the extra special privilege of being mean and dumb), all began to realize that this wasn't about the price of chicken, but about Elbert desperately holding onto a routine that diminished in his mind the pain of his wife's passing.
"Okay, Elbert, just for you today, the Dark Day special will be restored at 5 PM. You can get the special for $4.99."
"$5.34 with tax," piped in Jenky. Maybeen gave him a stern look.
"But, Elbert, I swear to God,next week you better be prepared to fork over an extra three bits, because I can't keep things the same forever. And I'm so sorry, Elbert, but neither can you."
Elbert looked at her with sad recognition. "Okay, I'll sit down and wait until 5. But that's really pushing it for me getting to The Wheel in time. It starts at 5:30 and it takes me twenty minutes to get back home."
Maybeen let out a sigh of exasperation. "Take a seat, Elbert. Maybe we'll accidentally give it to you a few minutes early."
As Elbert sat down, the ugliest Harley brother piped up, "Hey, we want that special too!"
Maybeen looked at those two wretched examples of humanity and said, "You know, I do have the right to refuse service to anybody I want."
So Elbert got the special and eventually The Chicken Hut returned to normal.
The next week, Elbert Luck was there with six dollars and nine cents.
"What are we gonna tell him, Jenky?" stressed Susie. "He is gonna freak the flat out when he sees the change!" She started to move behind Jenky, as if that stringbean could hide her. Tall and ropey, Jenky looked like the entire Evans clan, like lean cowboys instead of the grease monkeys most of them were. Susie was a tiny thing, only five foot and a little round, but in a feminine way. Many a night Jenky longed to work up the nerve to see Susie after work, but his voice choked off at all such things.
"He's gonna see that Maybeen has gone up on the Thursday Dark Special, and he's gonna blow up, just you see!" said Susie, her hands clutched together in front of her face.
The door creaked open with a tinny squeal, and out rolled Elbert Luck, a squat, determined looking man. He only came into town for Wednesday Senior Discount at Yeltin's IGA and then Thursday to The Chicken Hut for the Dark Day Special. Elbert was a stocky man, built like a trash compactor. He had a grim determination on his face. Not a mean look, but one of a man who knew what his mission was and was determined to achieve it.
He pushed open the front door of The Chicken Hut, and moved in shambling steps to the front counter. Jenky retreated leaving a shivery, little Susie to wait on Mr. Luck. "G-g-good day, Mr. Luck. What you like today, Sir?" As if she didn't know.
"I'll have the dark special." Elbert said it slowly, carefully, in a deep firm voice, as if he were announcing the second coming to those non-believers who were bound to perish.
"O-o-kaay, sir? You-you did see, sir, that the price has changed slightly, sir." Susie shakily pointed up at the hand written pricing board. The longstanding price of The Dark Special, ten pieces of dark meat for $4.99 had changed. It was now $5.69. Maybeen Herreld, the owner for the last twenty-three years, had held out as long as she could. But with the rising price of poultry and the damn increases in minimum wage, she had to adjust even the special price. Still and all, it was three bucks less than the regular price.
Elbert looked up, puzzled. He was not a man used to change. He had not varied his routine much in the last ten years, ever since his wife Arletta had passed. He thought for well over a minute, as Susie wondered if her bladder would hold. "I've got $5.34 cents exactly. That's for the chicken, plus the government's blood money. That's all I brought with me."
"I-I appreciate that, Mr. Luck, but the price has changed. It's now $5.69, which with tax is, is..." She looked around for somebody else, her mind too afire to think out math. Jenky peeked from around the fryer and squeaked, "Six dollars and nine cents."
Elbert shrugged. "Don't got it. Don't see why it has to change. A special is a special." He stood at the counter, unsure what to do. After a minute he asked, "How much would you charge for nine pieces?"
Susie was reeling, "Well, you could buy pieces you want individually. Dark meat is 99 cents apiece individually. You can buy that way."
Jenky had a brief fit of manning up, and came round to the counter with Susie. "Yeah, that'd be nine pieces for 99 cents each, so it would equal $8.91 plus tax, for a total of $9.53."
Elbert shook his head. "That sure don't seem right." And he stood there, blocking the counter as the Easter family came in, all seven of them. That was followed by the Harley brothers, and then even the Gorland twins. And Elbert wouldn't budge. "If I can't get my special, I may have to go someplace else."
"Dang it, Susie!" the uglier of the Harley brothers griped. "Can't you get him to get a move on?"
This was followed by some major league caterwauling by every soul there. Except for Elbert Luck, who, in a sense, was placidly blocking the plate. Finally, Maybeen came out of her office. "What in the name of our savior is a-going on out here? Has everyone lost their mind?"
Everyone started shouting about Elbert. "Please!" Maybeen shouted. "One at a time!"
Jenky put on his brave pants and spoke up. "Elbert, uh, Mr. Luck here, wants to buy the Dark Day Special, but he only has enough to cover the old price. I don't think he knew about the increase."
Maybeen scoffed. "Is that so, Elbert? Well, what do you think, Elbert? I can hold my prices forever? Geez, I wish my poultry suppliers would hold the line, but they got their problems too. And then the government stepping in to tell me how much I got pay these damn kids who are lucky in this town to have a job at all. Elbert, Elbert, what am I gonna do with you? You know things change!"
Elbert looked at Maybeen, tears swelling in his eyes. "I think....I think...things have changed enough." And Maybeen and the others (all except the Harley brothers who had the extra special privilege of being mean and dumb), all began to realize that this wasn't about the price of chicken, but about Elbert desperately holding onto a routine that diminished in his mind the pain of his wife's passing.
"Okay, Elbert, just for you today, the Dark Day special will be restored at 5 PM. You can get the special for $4.99."
"$5.34 with tax," piped in Jenky. Maybeen gave him a stern look.
"But, Elbert, I swear to God,next week you better be prepared to fork over an extra three bits, because I can't keep things the same forever. And I'm so sorry, Elbert, but neither can you."
Elbert looked at her with sad recognition. "Okay, I'll sit down and wait until 5. But that's really pushing it for me getting to The Wheel in time. It starts at 5:30 and it takes me twenty minutes to get back home."
Maybeen let out a sigh of exasperation. "Take a seat, Elbert. Maybe we'll accidentally give it to you a few minutes early."
As Elbert sat down, the ugliest Harley brother piped up, "Hey, we want that special too!"
Maybeen looked at those two wretched examples of humanity and said, "You know, I do have the right to refuse service to anybody I want."
So Elbert got the special and eventually The Chicken Hut returned to normal.
The next week, Elbert Luck was there with six dollars and nine cents.
Waiting for Supremot: Saturday Political Soap Box 27
I wanted to reassure you that the good ol' Saturday Political Soap Box Feature of The Strait Line had not been abandoned. Saturday mornings have sometimes been busy, but the major problem has been that most of my political thoughts have been centered around the impending decision of the Supreme Court, in which they may obliterate large chunks or even the entirety of the Affordable Care Act.
The Romney/Obama race jugs on, with nasty barbs and stupid remarks on both sides. We have made incremental adjustments to our immigration policy. We sit idle on a stagnant economy, as it gets buffeted around by events in Europe and by the complete lack of action on a needed second stimulus or action by the Fed. The vote in Wisconsin could be analyzed to death. We continue to ignore climate change, thinking it will magically go away instead of getting worse and accelerate like it has been.
But it is hard for me to think of these things when the most important piece of legislation since Medicare is on the line. No, it is no way a perfect piece of progressive lawmaking. It is mostly centered on Republican ideas and could be fairly called Romneycare. But it's a start, and it's what we got, It does build a foundation for the future, one in which, like Canada, some states could adopt something closer to a single-payer system, that once all but the most regressive states (Helloooo, Georgia!) see in practice, would catch fire across the country.
I cannot imagine what will happen if we have to step backwards again. This is not academic. Lives are at stake. Alison says I worry too much about things I can't control. And she is right. And this, my friends, is a biggie.
I will save my real fire and angst for when this verdict actually comes down. Whether this is a fair use of faith or not, I am praying that the law is preserved in it's entirety. To my Republicans and conservative friends who wish for the partial or complete destruction of this law, I caution you - you really should be careful what you wish for. It will have negative effects and repercussions you can't even begin to imagine.
So I sit and wait, worried and stressed, over something I have no control. And it seems hard to argue over the latest crazy antics of our political figures when all of this hangs in the balance. So I wait for Supremot, distracting myself with what I can, knowing that nine people hold a fiddle that could burn down the entire country.
The Romney/Obama race jugs on, with nasty barbs and stupid remarks on both sides. We have made incremental adjustments to our immigration policy. We sit idle on a stagnant economy, as it gets buffeted around by events in Europe and by the complete lack of action on a needed second stimulus or action by the Fed. The vote in Wisconsin could be analyzed to death. We continue to ignore climate change, thinking it will magically go away instead of getting worse and accelerate like it has been.
But it is hard for me to think of these things when the most important piece of legislation since Medicare is on the line. No, it is no way a perfect piece of progressive lawmaking. It is mostly centered on Republican ideas and could be fairly called Romneycare. But it's a start, and it's what we got, It does build a foundation for the future, one in which, like Canada, some states could adopt something closer to a single-payer system, that once all but the most regressive states (Helloooo, Georgia!) see in practice, would catch fire across the country.
I cannot imagine what will happen if we have to step backwards again. This is not academic. Lives are at stake. Alison says I worry too much about things I can't control. And she is right. And this, my friends, is a biggie.
I will save my real fire and angst for when this verdict actually comes down. Whether this is a fair use of faith or not, I am praying that the law is preserved in it's entirety. To my Republicans and conservative friends who wish for the partial or complete destruction of this law, I caution you - you really should be careful what you wish for. It will have negative effects and repercussions you can't even begin to imagine.
So I sit and wait, worried and stressed, over something I have no control. And it seems hard to argue over the latest crazy antics of our political figures when all of this hangs in the balance. So I wait for Supremot, distracting myself with what I can, knowing that nine people hold a fiddle that could burn down the entire country.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Ripping Good Yarns: Comedy Series Final Voting
It's time to vote!!! The nominations for comedy series are set! Please vote for one of the six, even if you have voted before!
Considerations for whom to vote for should include that these shows should have a strong plot line, and interesting characters. Another consideration as to what qualifies as Ripping Good Yarn are continuity elements. I feel the more the stories and characters cross over into each episode, the better. This diminishes for consideration, but doesn't eliminate, shows that primarily focus on single, done-in-one stories, such as some of the USA
These are your six nominees:
30 Rock: This is a gem displaying the creative talent of Tina Fey, the writer and star. It also features the talents of Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski. It's almost a modern, high juice version of The Dick Van Dyke Show. Although I do miss Tina Fey coming home to Mary Tyler Moore, or tripping over the ottoman.
The Big Bang Theory: Hugely popular nerd fest that may feature acutual comic book references. I have not yet seen this program, but I should get the first season fairly soon via Netflicks.
Hot In Cleveland: It took me awhile to remember the name of this show. Because I kept thinking of it as The Betty White Show! She is awesome...nobody can deliver a line like her.
Modern Family: Great show about the various Dunphy clan. Every actor, child and adult, hits it out with all cylinders. The only unrealism in the show is people always talking to their video camera. Who does that? Yet it seems to infect a lot of shows. Nevertheless, this is one comedy my whole family watches faithfully, and always gives me huge laughs.
Parks & Recreation: I am a latecomer to this series but I am enjoying immensely. Great ensemble cast, and I enjoy Amy Poehler's entertaining run for City Council. Rashidi Jones, Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, Nick Offerman and even Rob Lowe, are all outstanding! Trying to go back and catch this from the beginning. Nick Offerman's hilarious anti-government government worker reminds me of some of the people I meet around here.
Raising Hope: This show can be very silly, but also very affecting in a way. This low-income family is probably living a lifestyle a lot closer to most Americans than most television shows. And Cloris Leachman as Granma is a blast and a half! Come to think of it, if Cloris Leachman and Betty White got together and did the same sitcom - we wouldn't even have to have this contest! It would be a no-brainer!
These are your six nominees:
30 Rock: This is a gem displaying the creative talent of Tina Fey, the writer and star. It also features the talents of Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski. It's almost a modern, high juice version of The Dick Van Dyke Show. Although I do miss Tina Fey coming home to Mary Tyler Moore, or tripping over the ottoman.
The Big Bang Theory: Hugely popular nerd fest that may feature acutual comic book references. I have not yet seen this program, but I should get the first season fairly soon via Netflicks.
Hot In Cleveland: It took me awhile to remember the name of this show. Because I kept thinking of it as The Betty White Show! She is awesome...nobody can deliver a line like her.
Modern Family: Great show about the various Dunphy clan. Every actor, child and adult, hits it out with all cylinders. The only unrealism in the show is people always talking to their video camera. Who does that? Yet it seems to infect a lot of shows. Nevertheless, this is one comedy my whole family watches faithfully, and always gives me huge laughs.
Parks & Recreation: I am a latecomer to this series but I am enjoying immensely. Great ensemble cast, and I enjoy Amy Poehler's entertaining run for City Council. Rashidi Jones, Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, Nick Offerman and even Rob Lowe, are all outstanding! Trying to go back and catch this from the beginning. Nick Offerman's hilarious anti-government government worker reminds me of some of the people I meet around here.
Raising Hope: This show can be very silly, but also very affecting in a way. This low-income family is probably living a lifestyle a lot closer to most Americans than most television shows. And Cloris Leachman as Granma is a blast and a half! Come to think of it, if Cloris Leachman and Betty White got together and did the same sitcom - we wouldn't even have to have this contest! It would be a no-brainer!
Voting is now open, and I will close sometime Sunday, probably early evening. Vote here or on facebook. You can just name your choice, and/or you can advocate for it - your call. I would prefer that you not denigrate the choices other people make. I look forward to your participation.
Remember, even if you have voted before, PLEASE VOTE AGAIN!!!
Let the final vote begin!
Remember, even if you have voted before, PLEASE VOTE AGAIN!!!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The Flying Dragon Greets A Special Newcomer!
The Flying Dragon children anxiously await the new arrival!
Here he is! Also proof that everyone was right - photography is not a good career option for me!
Roman gives the okay sign to the nurse.
The bundle of joy in his Daddy's arms.
Congratulations to Lauri and Jerome, on the birth of Roman, Flying Dragon's latest and greatest superstar! He was a little early, but that's because he heard that Gemini was the birth sign of the greatest actors! Chris and Tamara, our Flying Dragon co founders, welcome to the wonderful world of grand parenting! Spoiling is an official part of your job description!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Larry King's Got Nothing On Me
Talk show host Larry King, in addition to his other endeavors, had a regular column (or, for all I know, still has) in USA Today. It has a random, disjointed quality that wildly careened between incomplete thoughts, fractured sentences, and strange juxtapositions. Here's a made up example of what I'm talking about - ....The Avengers....go see it!...but where was Emma Peel?...Scarlet Johannson - wow!...she could be my 9th wife...does cheese stop you up like it does me.....The Los Angeles Kings!...Kings of the ice hockey world!...but not named after me, at least I don't think so...ice is cold, isn't it.
So I thought I would give it a try.
.....waiting for the Supreme court verdict on the Affordable Care Act...Republicans do not seem to be aware of the destruction a negative decision could wrought....Rottweilers are not naturally vicious dogs, they have to be trained that way.... Nancy Pelosi predicts a 6-3 decision to preserve the law...my joy at that is tempered by the fact that she predicted the Democrats would hold the House in 2010.
.....hoped to see Prometheus...so far not panning out...get to about 25% of the movies I put on my must-see list....hear it's good...tragedy that my favorite Alien movie scene actually comes from Spaceballs...Hello my honey!
.....sports is something I don't watch a lot of....used to follow baseball statistics pretty closely, but the steroid era, among other things, diminished my interests....see some racing because only major sport where men and women directly compete against each other....yes, I know...little cars going in an endless circle...NASCAR looks like traffic...nevertheless, thank God for DVRs and fast forward!....though the Tigers were gonna go gangbusters but they've gone inexplicably flat...still, there's plenty of time and there's always hope!
...customer service...would it have hurt you to at least come out to my car and look at the warning light before telling me you were too busy to see me?...on the other hand...clerk at CVS...you went out of your to find me a larger product at a cheaper price than the one I had picked out for myself...you win my service person of the week award!
....my new schedule...blog traffic building nicely...although this disjointed crap might be a setback!...History of the Trap proceeding apace,,,not made any progress on children's play idea....and the concept of selling on eBay or other sites has not gotten off the ground...thinking about trying to sell where most things have to be virtually given away...fighting shipping methods...people who complain...people who don't pay...lots to gear up for to do that.
....Flying Dragon now flying at new location on Tebeau Street...if you've been holding off going because of no air or lack of good bathrooms YOU NO LONGER HAVE ANY EXCUSES.....Thank you, Georgia Biomass!...your generous donation has been a vital shot in the arm!...I don't like getting shots, do you?...Annie looks awesome...don't miss out!
Well, I concede to the master. This is disjointed, but try as I might, I just can't reach Larry King's level of random verbiage. Larry King, I salute thee!
Dogs are funny creatures...and speaking of funny, don't forget to catch Bill Cosby's show at the Palace...I do love pudding!
So I thought I would give it a try.
.....waiting for the Supreme court verdict on the Affordable Care Act...Republicans do not seem to be aware of the destruction a negative decision could wrought....Rottweilers are not naturally vicious dogs, they have to be trained that way.... Nancy Pelosi predicts a 6-3 decision to preserve the law...my joy at that is tempered by the fact that she predicted the Democrats would hold the House in 2010.
.....hoped to see Prometheus...so far not panning out...get to about 25% of the movies I put on my must-see list....hear it's good...tragedy that my favorite Alien movie scene actually comes from Spaceballs...Hello my honey!
.....sports is something I don't watch a lot of....used to follow baseball statistics pretty closely, but the steroid era, among other things, diminished my interests....see some racing because only major sport where men and women directly compete against each other....yes, I know...little cars going in an endless circle...NASCAR looks like traffic...nevertheless, thank God for DVRs and fast forward!....though the Tigers were gonna go gangbusters but they've gone inexplicably flat...still, there's plenty of time and there's always hope!
...customer service...would it have hurt you to at least come out to my car and look at the warning light before telling me you were too busy to see me?...on the other hand...clerk at CVS...you went out of your to find me a larger product at a cheaper price than the one I had picked out for myself...you win my service person of the week award!
....my new schedule...blog traffic building nicely...although this disjointed crap might be a setback!...History of the Trap proceeding apace,,,not made any progress on children's play idea....and the concept of selling on eBay or other sites has not gotten off the ground...thinking about trying to sell where most things have to be virtually given away...fighting shipping methods...people who complain...people who don't pay...lots to gear up for to do that.
....Flying Dragon now flying at new location on Tebeau Street...if you've been holding off going because of no air or lack of good bathrooms YOU NO LONGER HAVE ANY EXCUSES.....Thank you, Georgia Biomass!...your generous donation has been a vital shot in the arm!...I don't like getting shots, do you?...Annie looks awesome...don't miss out!
Well, I concede to the master. This is disjointed, but try as I might, I just can't reach Larry King's level of random verbiage. Larry King, I salute thee!
Dogs are funny creatures...and speaking of funny, don't forget to catch Bill Cosby's show at the Palace...I do love pudding!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
He's A Yard Man!
He's A Yard Man!
Na Na Na Na Nannanaaa
He's A Yard Man!
Thank you , Blues Brothers!
Recently, I was with a teacher, out for the summer, who was asked what he was doing with his time. He talked about how very, very busy he was, with yard projects, and with straightening out the house. He made it sound like it was overwhelming and he had no time for anything else.
I am also familiar with a couple, who on Saturdays, the man would go out into the yard and work virtually from dawn until dusk on the yard, while his wife was inside reading. He would come back in with disgust that she had been just inside reading, a "worthless activity", while he was outside doing the yard-work, a "worthwhile activity".
And my own parents, once they retired to a lakefront home, would always be able to tell me the many, many tasks that they would do each day to maintain their home, particularly my Dad with the yard-work.
In my own world, the yard is not quite so demanding. We have an acre lot, so it is not really teeny tiny. I mow it, not as often as some of my neighbors, but the job does get done. We have pine isles that are left natural. We have some plants and flowers that were put in, mostly selecting those that were very low maintenance. We have periodically tried to grow some vegetables. Right now we are attempting some sweet potatoes. But it doesn't take us endless hours to do. It doesn't consume our lives.
So when I hear other people talk about how much time they spend in their yards, it makes me worried that I'm doing something wrong. We do not have a yard that would warrant inclusion in Better Homes & Gardens. But neither do we have one that looks junky or abandoned.
I can conclude two things.
First, there are some people who spend a lot of time in the yard, not out of complete necessity, but because they enjoy it. It brings them pleasure and satisfaction of a job well done. I have no problem with this. I think it is a great thing. But, like in my second example, about the husband dissing the reading wife, chill out! You have your hobbies - the thing you enjoy, and so does she. To say one is more worthwhile than the other is ridiculous. As long as she also gets some sort of exercise in some way, what is the big deal?
Second, I think there is a tendency in our culture, at least the parts that I am familiar with, where it is impossible to tell people that you really aren't doing much of anything. We are a work ethic society. Down time is not a respectable to tell people. So when they ask us what we're doing, we feel like they look askance at us. We must list some project where we're rebuilding or remaking something, or we could be seen as lazy no-goods.
With my revised schedule, I am spending more time trying to write, increasing my blog presences, working on a novel, organizing stuff to sell on eBay. Yes,I also take care of the yard, help around the house, do the things necessary to keep a house and family running well. But we all find joy and happiness in different things. We all need to stop and smell the roses (some of us whom have carefully planted and pruned our own). Let us all have respect and appreciation for the myriad of ways people spend their time, activities and non-activities.
I do need to increase my walking and exercise time, however!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Olive Garden Is Not the Answer
Oh, how I love Italian restaurants!
There are two basic kinds High Italian, by which I just menu that the menu is a bit fancier, a bit closer to authentic, the ambiance is a little formal and classy, and there are more emphasis on the wines on the menu. Low Italian has more common fare, focusing on pizzas, calzones, spaghetti, maybe even lasagna, chicken parmigiana and fettuccine. A good example of High Italian would be Carrabas. The Low Italian may have alcohol, but it is not centered on a huge wine list. It doesn't matter to me. I love both, although I can afford the Low Italian more often. Examples of Low Italian include The Brick Yard in Thomasville, CJ's on St. Simon's and Broomelli's in Brunswick.
Our area has had great difficult sustaining a true Italian restaurant, either high or low. Other than Pizza Hut and others who specialize in pizza delivery there has been little success. Most efforts, when they happen only last a short time. The most recent failure was Matt's, which tired to bridge the divide between High and Low. Although Matt's had good features, the conflict in styles was probably a little too much for Waycross to handle.
So now we find that two restaurants are coming to town, both housed in the same structure, an Olive Garden and Red Lobster. Makes sense, considering the Darden family that created these restaurants were originally Waycross area residents and learned their trade here with a restaurant known as The Green Frog.
A good friend asked me if I tonight the answer to my craving for a good Italian restaurant in Waycross. I had to answer no. no, it's not.
Olive Garden completely and utterly fails the Wong's test. Wong's is a great local Chinese restaurant owned by the wonderful Paul Tang. It is centered around good, plentiful food and great customer service.
Olive Garden makes you wait forever, even if it's not crowded. It operates on the Disney principal of staffing, which is to deliberately slightly understaff based on your expectations. So no matter when you come, you almost always have to wait. Wong's strives mightily to serve you as quickly as possible. It does not understaff. It does not think you value the restaurant more because you have to wait.
Olive Garden will not prepare to order. However you want your food, whatever combinations you want, whatever sharing arrangement you want to make, the answer at Wong's is always yes. At Olive Garden, the answer is, are you kidding me? Alison was recently at an Olive Garden in Jacksonville and ran into this very problem. They would not modify the fare, even just to leave out an objected to ingredient.
Olive Garden food is okay. Not great, but if you explore and pick the right item, it can be enjoyed. I am not a big fan of the soup and salad combo, but I know many who are.
I recently asked those who knew about this combination restaurant (Olive Garden and Red Lobster), and whether someone could come in and one family member could order from the Olive Garden and the other from the Red lobster menu. The answer was no, you couldn't do that. THEY"RE IN THE SAME BUILDING!!! THEY SHARE THE SAME KITCHEN FACILITIES!
So, Paul Tang, you are a blessing and a curse. You have a great restaurant, but you have spoiled me as to level of customer service. My answer may not be popular, but it is clear and sure.
No, Olive Garden is not the answer.
There are two basic kinds High Italian, by which I just menu that the menu is a bit fancier, a bit closer to authentic, the ambiance is a little formal and classy, and there are more emphasis on the wines on the menu. Low Italian has more common fare, focusing on pizzas, calzones, spaghetti, maybe even lasagna, chicken parmigiana and fettuccine. A good example of High Italian would be Carrabas. The Low Italian may have alcohol, but it is not centered on a huge wine list. It doesn't matter to me. I love both, although I can afford the Low Italian more often. Examples of Low Italian include The Brick Yard in Thomasville, CJ's on St. Simon's and Broomelli's in Brunswick.
Our area has had great difficult sustaining a true Italian restaurant, either high or low. Other than Pizza Hut and others who specialize in pizza delivery there has been little success. Most efforts, when they happen only last a short time. The most recent failure was Matt's, which tired to bridge the divide between High and Low. Although Matt's had good features, the conflict in styles was probably a little too much for Waycross to handle.
So now we find that two restaurants are coming to town, both housed in the same structure, an Olive Garden and Red Lobster. Makes sense, considering the Darden family that created these restaurants were originally Waycross area residents and learned their trade here with a restaurant known as The Green Frog.
A good friend asked me if I tonight the answer to my craving for a good Italian restaurant in Waycross. I had to answer no. no, it's not.
Olive Garden completely and utterly fails the Wong's test. Wong's is a great local Chinese restaurant owned by the wonderful Paul Tang. It is centered around good, plentiful food and great customer service.
Olive Garden makes you wait forever, even if it's not crowded. It operates on the Disney principal of staffing, which is to deliberately slightly understaff based on your expectations. So no matter when you come, you almost always have to wait. Wong's strives mightily to serve you as quickly as possible. It does not understaff. It does not think you value the restaurant more because you have to wait.
Olive Garden will not prepare to order. However you want your food, whatever combinations you want, whatever sharing arrangement you want to make, the answer at Wong's is always yes. At Olive Garden, the answer is, are you kidding me? Alison was recently at an Olive Garden in Jacksonville and ran into this very problem. They would not modify the fare, even just to leave out an objected to ingredient.
Olive Garden food is okay. Not great, but if you explore and pick the right item, it can be enjoyed. I am not a big fan of the soup and salad combo, but I know many who are.
I recently asked those who knew about this combination restaurant (Olive Garden and Red Lobster), and whether someone could come in and one family member could order from the Olive Garden and the other from the Red lobster menu. The answer was no, you couldn't do that. THEY"RE IN THE SAME BUILDING!!! THEY SHARE THE SAME KITCHEN FACILITIES!
So, Paul Tang, you are a blessing and a curse. You have a great restaurant, but you have spoiled me as to level of customer service. My answer may not be popular, but it is clear and sure.
No, Olive Garden is not the answer.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Ripping Good Yarns: Short Series Awards!
My legion of Ripping Good Yarn fans, I am proud to announce the second group of our awards, given in the category of Short Form Dramas (13 episodes or less)! Two awards will be given in this category, one will be the Ripping Good Strait Award that is solely determined by me because well, to paraphrase one of my least favorite politicians, Ronald Reagan, "I own this microphone!" The first will be the Ripping Good Fan award determined by all of your votes!
Ripping Good Fan Award, Short Form Drama
Justified received 0% of the vote.
Hall On Wheels received 6% of the vote.
The Walking Dead received 13% of the vote.
Missing received 25% of the vote.
And with 38%, the winner of our short form drama award (drum roll, please!)......
Falling Skies!
Thank you, Spielberg fans. And please note, the premiere of this show is TONIGHT on TNT at 9 PM!
Ripping Good Strait Award, Long Form Drama
A Game of Thrones! Truly an awesome show, representing the very best of character, continuing adventure and great storytelling. A marvelous translation of the best book series I have ever read, The Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R Martin. I know that this is an HBO series and not all of you get to see it, but for those of you can, DO NOT PASS IT UP!!! If you read fiction and you have not started this series...WHY NOT??? It is tremendous!
But let's not rest on our laurels. Start commenting on who would like to consider for our next great award...Comedy Series. Any comedy, short or long, that ran during the current season (September 11 to present) and has great characters, exciting (and funny) plots, and at least some continuity elements. Comment either here or on Facebook.
Remember, we're looking for shows with compelling characters, colorful and exciting plot-lines, and continuing story elements.
Fellow Rippers, I await your input!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Ripping Good Yarns: Best of Summer TV
It used to be that summer was a vast wasteland on television, filled with repeats and, on rare occasions, a washed up pilot idea. Once every few years you'd get a gem like The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour or The Prisoner, but they were few and far between. And there were only the three major networks and PBS to pick from.
Now things are wide open as television has learned to operate on more of a year round basis. Short series (13 or fewer episodes) abound and the number of channels showing at least one or two scripted series have exploded.
The following are the best summer scripted series to watch for. This is based on my own interest and from the input I've seen so far from fellow Rippers. It only includes scripted shows who meet the base definition of a Ripping Good Yarn : more melodramatic than the average show, strong plot lines, interesting characters, the presence of continuity elements. I feel the more the stories and characters cross over into each episode, the better.
These are your six best of the best:
Breaking Bad: This show is nasty but very entertaining. Bryan Cranston is compelling as the ex-teacher with terminal cancer who decides to parlay his chemistry background into making designer drugs. He keeps making the wrong choices, and finds himself pulled down an increasingly darker path. Premieres July 15th on AMC.
Bunheads: The talented people behind Gilmore Girls are behind this show. So it has outstanding pedigree. An ex-dancer teaches ballet in a small California town. That's the plain summary, but the characters should be sharp and the dialogue snappy, Premiered June 11, ABC Family.
Dallas: I got the the theme music in my head just thinking about this. Dallas is back, and includes original stars Larry Hagman (J.R) and Sue Ellen (Sue Ellen). It also features new generation as well. I don't know how this update will be, but the original was a Ripping Good Yarn classic, with one of the most talked about cliffhangers in the history of television. Who shot J.R.? Oh, Bing Crosby, say it ain't so! Premiered June 13th on TNT.
Falling Skies: A Rippers fan favorite! A drama of an alien invasion executive produced by Steven Spielberg, it feature a community of valiant resistance fighters and their families as they defy the odds against them. Premieres June 17th on TNT.
Hell On Wheels: This It's a western! And a darn-tootin' good one! Centers on the westward expansion of the railroad, and features the rapper Common in a great acting turn. Really good continuity elements, and some good commentary on the nature of race and gender. Premieres August 15th on AMC.
Now things are wide open as television has learned to operate on more of a year round basis. Short series (13 or fewer episodes) abound and the number of channels showing at least one or two scripted series have exploded.
The following are the best summer scripted series to watch for. This is based on my own interest and from the input I've seen so far from fellow Rippers. It only includes scripted shows who meet the base definition of a Ripping Good Yarn : more melodramatic than the average show, strong plot lines, interesting characters, the presence of continuity elements. I feel the more the stories and characters cross over into each episode, the better.
These are your six best of the best:
Breaking Bad: This show is nasty but very entertaining. Bryan Cranston is compelling as the ex-teacher with terminal cancer who decides to parlay his chemistry background into making designer drugs. He keeps making the wrong choices, and finds himself pulled down an increasingly darker path. Premieres July 15th on AMC.
Bunheads: The talented people behind Gilmore Girls are behind this show. So it has outstanding pedigree. An ex-dancer teaches ballet in a small California town. That's the plain summary, but the characters should be sharp and the dialogue snappy, Premiered June 11, ABC Family.
Dallas: I got the the theme music in my head just thinking about this. Dallas is back, and includes original stars Larry Hagman (J.R) and Sue Ellen (Sue Ellen). It also features new generation as well. I don't know how this update will be, but the original was a Ripping Good Yarn classic, with one of the most talked about cliffhangers in the history of television. Who shot J.R.? Oh, Bing Crosby, say it ain't so! Premiered June 13th on TNT.
Falling Skies: A Rippers fan favorite! A drama of an alien invasion executive produced by Steven Spielberg, it feature a community of valiant resistance fighters and their families as they defy the odds against them. Premieres June 17th on TNT.
Hell On Wheels: This It's a western! And a darn-tootin' good one! Centers on the westward expansion of the railroad, and features the rapper Common in a great acting turn. Really good continuity elements, and some good commentary on the nature of race and gender. Premieres August 15th on AMC.
True Blood: Over the top vampire action! And I do mean ACTION - of all kinds, if you know what I mean. Cast full of great characters, plots that move at breakneck speed, vampires with real bite, this series has a lot to offer. My favorite vampire is Russell Edgington - a vampire in the true, most vicious sense. He once ripped the spine out of a news reporter WHILE HE WAS ON THE AIR! Premiered June 10th on HBO.
Honorable mention must also go to Damages (July 11th on Direct TV), Alphas (July 23rd on SyFy) and Suits (June 14th on USA). My biggest frustration so far this year is that I have been unable to find repeats of Revenge. If anybody hears when or if they are doing that, please let me know.
So you are not alone this summer! Plenty of great new Ripping Good Yarns to choose from. Enjoy!
Friday, June 15, 2012
A Philosophy of Swearing
What is swearing?
The common understanding seems to be a list of forbidden words, the use of which, because of their connotative meanings, seems to offend groups of people. Some have a long list of these words, others may concentrate on using god's name in a curse, such as "God damn it!"
The biblical admonition to not take the Lord's name in vain has nothing to do with any of that. It has do with the misuse of the deity's name in making an assertion as true that you are doing something in the name of God that you are actually doing in the name of you. So forcing other's to your will by claiming that the you are representing the Lord when you are clearly not would be a big no-no. For example, if you say you are taking up the mantle of Christ but do absolutely nothing to change your lifestyle, then you have taken the Lord's name in vain. If a country has a military goal and they wrap it in the mantle of religion (God is telling us to go and conquer so an so), you are using the Lord's name in a vain and deceptive manner. If you say you are doing something because "God told you to", and no such thing occurred, you are taking the Lord's name in vain. If you tell your congregation that only way to assure yourself of God's blessing is to give you lots of money, you are taking the Lord's name in vain. Politicians are constantly twisting religion to justify their positions - you don't even want to get me started on that.
To me, swearing is most importantly using language in an exploitative or abusive manner designed to either force people to do what you want or demean them. In that case, it is not a specific set of words but what your intent in using any set of words is. When a student gets a bad grade and the teacher says, "Well, I suppose that is the best I could expect from someone like you" that teacher has used language in a swearing, demeaning destructive way. When someone use the n word, in our culture, they are telling the person or people that they are inferior, beneath them, worthless. Swearing can even be done by a non-verbal attitude or stance. Swearing is the language of control, exploitation and destruction.
Words have meaning and power, but those meanings shift over time and cultures. What is considered awful in one generation is considered harmless in another. We should not focus solely on a list of forbidden words.
The common understanding seems to be a list of forbidden words, the use of which, because of their connotative meanings, seems to offend groups of people. Some have a long list of these words, others may concentrate on using god's name in a curse, such as "God damn it!"
The biblical admonition to not take the Lord's name in vain has nothing to do with any of that. It has do with the misuse of the deity's name in making an assertion as true that you are doing something in the name of God that you are actually doing in the name of you. So forcing other's to your will by claiming that the you are representing the Lord when you are clearly not would be a big no-no. For example, if you say you are taking up the mantle of Christ but do absolutely nothing to change your lifestyle, then you have taken the Lord's name in vain. If a country has a military goal and they wrap it in the mantle of religion (God is telling us to go and conquer so an so), you are using the Lord's name in a vain and deceptive manner. If you say you are doing something because "God told you to", and no such thing occurred, you are taking the Lord's name in vain. If you tell your congregation that only way to assure yourself of God's blessing is to give you lots of money, you are taking the Lord's name in vain. Politicians are constantly twisting religion to justify their positions - you don't even want to get me started on that.
To me, swearing is most importantly using language in an exploitative or abusive manner designed to either force people to do what you want or demean them. In that case, it is not a specific set of words but what your intent in using any set of words is. When a student gets a bad grade and the teacher says, "Well, I suppose that is the best I could expect from someone like you" that teacher has used language in a swearing, demeaning destructive way. When someone use the n word, in our culture, they are telling the person or people that they are inferior, beneath them, worthless. Swearing can even be done by a non-verbal attitude or stance. Swearing is the language of control, exploitation and destruction.
Words have meaning and power, but those meanings shift over time and cultures. What is considered awful in one generation is considered harmless in another. We should not focus solely on a list of forbidden words.
I have tried to teach my boys to use language in a respectful way.
I have tried to teach them not to use language in a destructive way.
I have not taught them a list of forbidden words (except the n word).
I do tell them to be attentive to their audience and
adjust their language accordingly. We are all human and slip up.
Place love and faith at the center, and that will help see you through.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Ripping Good Yarns: Short Series Final voting!
It's time to vote!!! The nominations for short form drama series are set! Please vote for one of the six, even if you have voted before!
Considerations for whom to vote for should consider that these shows should be more melodramatic than the average show. They should have a strong plot line, and interesting characters. Another consideration as to what qualifies as Ripping Good Yarn are continuity elements. I feel the more the stories and characters cross over into each episode, the better. This diminishes for consideration, but doesn't eliminate, shows that primarily focus on single, done-in-one stories, such as some of the USA
These are your six nominees:
A Game of Thrones: I grouped all the premium (pay channel) programs for this and picked the best. This is an outstanding program with great characters (more than any other show you've watched), terrific story lines, great dialogue, and strong continuity elements that will keep you coming back for more and more. This is fantasy adventure at its finest. Yes, there are dragons and sorcery, but it's the magic of the characters and story that will hold you. It unfolds in a highly realistic manner, and if you haven't read the books, there is no way that you will ever know what is coming next.
Justified: This came out on top when I grouped all the mystery, detective and western programs. It is a snap nasty story about a U.S. Marshal inKentucky
Missing: This edged out other programs in a category I call "cancelled but not forgotten". Missing is a show starring Ashley Judd, and featured her search for her son. The ratings started too slowly for the network, and they unfortunately had cancelled the show before they realized that the ratings were steaming upward.
The Walking Dead: This is the favorite in the horror/apocalyptic sci-fi group. The Walking Dead just stands out as it swallows you into its nightmare world where zombies have over-run just about everything. But it's the human dram and conflict that really stand out about this show, as you see Sheriff Rick desperately try to keep his band of survivors together.
Falling Skies: This is the winner in the USA/TNT/Lifetime runoff. A drama of an alien invasion executive produced by Steven Speilberg, it feature a community of valiant resistance fighters and their families as they defy the odds against them.
Hell On Wheels: It's a western! And a darn-tootin' good one! Centers on the westward expansion of the railroad, and features the rapper Common in a great acting turn. Really good continuity elements, and some good commentary on the nature of race and gender. This is our second chance winner.
These are your six nominees:
A Game of Thrones: I grouped all the premium (pay channel) programs for this and picked the best. This is an outstanding program with great characters (more than any other show you've watched), terrific story lines, great dialogue, and strong continuity elements that will keep you coming back for more and more. This is fantasy adventure at its finest. Yes, there are dragons and sorcery, but it's the magic of the characters and story that will hold you. It unfolds in a highly realistic manner, and if you haven't read the books, there is no way that you will ever know what is coming next.
Justified: This came out on top when I grouped all the mystery, detective and western programs. It is a snap nasty story about a U.S. Marshal in
Missing: This edged out other programs in a category I call "cancelled but not forgotten". Missing is a show starring Ashley Judd, and featured her search for her son. The ratings started too slowly for the network, and they unfortunately had cancelled the show before they realized that the ratings were steaming upward.
The Walking Dead: This is the favorite in the horror/apocalyptic sci-fi group. The Walking Dead just stands out as it swallows you into its nightmare world where zombies have over-run just about everything. But it's the human dram and conflict that really stand out about this show, as you see Sheriff Rick desperately try to keep his band of survivors together.
Falling Skies: This is the winner in the USA/TNT/Lifetime runoff. A drama of an alien invasion executive produced by Steven Speilberg, it feature a community of valiant resistance fighters and their families as they defy the odds against them.
Hell On Wheels: It's a western! And a darn-tootin' good one! Centers on the westward expansion of the railroad, and features the rapper Common in a great acting turn. Really good continuity elements, and some good commentary on the nature of race and gender. This is our second chance winner.
Voting is now open, and I will close sometime Sunday, probably early evening. Vote here or on facebook. You can just name your choice, and/or you can advocate for it - your call. I would prefer that you not denigrate the choices other people make. I look forward to your participation.
Remember, even if you have voted before, PLEASE VOTE AGAIN!!!
Let the final vote begin!Remember, even if you have voted before, PLEASE VOTE AGAIN!!!
The Military Has Gone Rogue!
I recently reposted a cartoon of a man watching and believing insane propaganda put out primarily by billionaires running ads on television. It included the assertion that Bin Laden had not been killed but was living in Palm Springs. One of the responses to this is that it wasn't President Obama who got Bin Laden, but it was the military.
Really? The military, in defiance of President Obama, just upped and killed Bin Laden in a daring raid that they themselves conceived of and executed without any authorization? Shades of Seven Days of May! The military coup is fait accompli!
The Constitution is written in such a way that the military is completely under civilian control. Given the rocky history that many other countries have with military coups and take overs, this seems like a pretty good idea to me. It was President Obama who gave the order, chose the method, directed the effort. He consulted others, both civilian and military, many of whom recommended either not to do it or other methodologies. This was his choice, his decision. A well trained military, one that had been shaped for counter-terrorism by several administrations, Democratic and Republican alike, carried out the mission in heroic fashion, with a precision that had to have struck fear into our enemies. But as good as it was, the military was the instrument - they were not the conductor.
Having a long political memory, the raid to rescue the hostages by President Carter comes to mind. President Carter was actually quite courageous in ordering this rescue. In this case, the military instrument failed. The execution of the President's orders fell to error and bad luck. But I don't remember the right in this country going after the military. No, they full-throatedly and viciously went after President Carter, and made the failure of the raid a personal weakness of the President. Probably more than anything else, it cost him the election. Then by some odd coincidence, the hostages were miraculously released the moment Reagan was inaugurated (you don't even want to get me started on that).
Yes, I remember the day that Bin Laden was killed, the flood on facebook of posts from my right-wing friends thanking everybody under the sun for the successful mission, even Bushy, Jr, but inevitably leaving out the man most responsible for it.
So, can the billionaires rewrite history and get a significant portion of the American people to believe whatever they want them to? Why, apparently, they've already got a healthy start!
Really? The military, in defiance of President Obama, just upped and killed Bin Laden in a daring raid that they themselves conceived of and executed without any authorization? Shades of Seven Days of May! The military coup is fait accompli!
The Constitution is written in such a way that the military is completely under civilian control. Given the rocky history that many other countries have with military coups and take overs, this seems like a pretty good idea to me. It was President Obama who gave the order, chose the method, directed the effort. He consulted others, both civilian and military, many of whom recommended either not to do it or other methodologies. This was his choice, his decision. A well trained military, one that had been shaped for counter-terrorism by several administrations, Democratic and Republican alike, carried out the mission in heroic fashion, with a precision that had to have struck fear into our enemies. But as good as it was, the military was the instrument - they were not the conductor.
Having a long political memory, the raid to rescue the hostages by President Carter comes to mind. President Carter was actually quite courageous in ordering this rescue. In this case, the military instrument failed. The execution of the President's orders fell to error and bad luck. But I don't remember the right in this country going after the military. No, they full-throatedly and viciously went after President Carter, and made the failure of the raid a personal weakness of the President. Probably more than anything else, it cost him the election. Then by some odd coincidence, the hostages were miraculously released the moment Reagan was inaugurated (you don't even want to get me started on that).
Yes, I remember the day that Bin Laden was killed, the flood on facebook of posts from my right-wing friends thanking everybody under the sun for the successful mission, even Bushy, Jr, but inevitably leaving out the man most responsible for it.
So, can the billionaires rewrite history and get a significant portion of the American people to believe whatever they want them to? Why, apparently, they've already got a healthy start!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Ripping Good Yarns: Comic Book Edition
I started reading very early. My mother taught me before I started school. I don't really remember a time when I couldn't read. And from that early time, I remember comic books. When my mother would shop in the grocery store, I would go by the magazine section and look at the Classic Illustrated Juniors. I had a fascination with comics with Princess in the title. I imagined myself the rescuer of whatever princess was in trouble. I remember my mother helping me mail-order three of them, with titles like The Dancing Princess and The Frog Princess, and the longest wait of my life anticipating their arrival in the mail,
This love affair with comics proceeded on, from comics based on TV shows I was familiar with to the inevitable preoccupation with superheroes. Yes, I was there at the dawn of the age of Marvel superheroes. Over time, comics blossomed into so much more, with stories in all kinds of genres and interests. As I grew up , comics also evolved, with many written for older readers, including Sandman and The Watchman.
And so it goes. On into the present. Yes, I still collect and read comics. So do all three of my boys and Alison. Not just as dusty relics, but as living, current story lines As new comics we are reading and enjoying now.
Benjamin loves the Sonic comics, Mega Men, Young Justice and Mad Magazine. Doug likes Deadpool The Walking Dead and Spider-Man. Greg is a long time fan of Flash. Alison reads Fables and Rachel Rising. I read most of the Superman Titles, All-Star Western, Legion of Super Heroes, The Dark Tower, The Amazing Spider-Man, Fantastic Four and Buffy.
I will go into further depth on some of these titles, and also great comics from the past, in future stories. So be prepared. Comics books are an important of ripping good yarns. Even the vast legion of you who don't read comics find it permeating into the movies and TV you watch. And it's not just super-heroes - it's also the translation of many graphic novels into great movies.
So, comic book fans assemble! Your favorites will be an important part of Ripping Good Yarns. The rest of you, stand back and be amazed at the colorful, spectacular legacy that comic books have lit the entertainment with!
This love affair with comics proceeded on, from comics based on TV shows I was familiar with to the inevitable preoccupation with superheroes. Yes, I was there at the dawn of the age of Marvel superheroes. Over time, comics blossomed into so much more, with stories in all kinds of genres and interests. As I grew up , comics also evolved, with many written for older readers, including Sandman and The Watchman.
And so it goes. On into the present. Yes, I still collect and read comics. So do all three of my boys and Alison. Not just as dusty relics, but as living, current story lines As new comics we are reading and enjoying now.
Benjamin loves the Sonic comics, Mega Men, Young Justice and Mad Magazine. Doug likes Deadpool The Walking Dead and Spider-Man. Greg is a long time fan of Flash. Alison reads Fables and Rachel Rising. I read most of the Superman Titles, All-Star Western, Legion of Super Heroes, The Dark Tower, The Amazing Spider-Man, Fantastic Four and Buffy.
I will go into further depth on some of these titles, and also great comics from the past, in future stories. So be prepared. Comics books are an important of ripping good yarns. Even the vast legion of you who don't read comics find it permeating into the movies and TV you watch. And it's not just super-heroes - it's also the translation of many graphic novels into great movies.
So, comic book fans assemble! Your favorites will be an important part of Ripping Good Yarns. The rest of you, stand back and be amazed at the colorful, spectacular legacy that comic books have lit the entertainment with!
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Justification of Hyperbolic Nonsense
In my recent pseudo poem, Midnight Rings A Heavy Bell, I bemoaned the end of democracy because of the Walker loss. I was called out on it. After all, it was an election. The vote was about the same as the original Walker election. What's the big deal? Wisconsin had an open election and the people spoke. Where's the loss of democracy in that.
This next information, I admit, I stole from The Rachel Maddow Show. But these are facts, not her opinions. California, which held a primary election on the same day as Wisconsin. They had a proposition on the ballot that would have raised the cigarette tax by a dollar, with the money going to fund cancer research. California has the second lowest smoking rate in the country (only Utah is lower), and some of the lowest current cigarette taxes in the country. They weren't closing their budget gap. They weren't creating a slush fund for pet projects, or even education. They were trying to help find a cure to one of mankind's greatest medical scourges - cancer.
This measure was so popular, that in March it polled 67 to 30 in favor of passing. That's right. A two to one margin. What in politics is called a no-brainer, a slam dunk, something where all the angels are lining up.
Then came the commercials and the money. Big Tobacco and others in that class spent 50 million dollars to defeat this proposition. This is more than was spent in the Walker race. It was the most money spent on any contest . They completely drowned out the opposition. And the proposition narrowly lost.
That's right. Money walked. Negative advertising works. How does democracy work when it can be led by the nose like that. It's like watching the New York Yankees play a Little League team. Could the Little League team win? Maybe. Maybe once every thousand games they might. But you can't watch this and call it a real or fair ball game. Nor can you watch our elections any more and call them true democracy.
I wish the avalanche of money didn't work. But it does. I wish negative ads didn't influence people. But they do. And now that big money rules all, what is the first thing Republican led states try to do? Eliminate unions, one of the few big sources of money left to the Democrats.
I only wish it wasn't true. Technically, democracy still exists. But did you think it would disappear by an outright ban. no. It will dance on as a shadow puppet, the strings controlled by forces far beyond our dwindling control.
Welcome to the post Citizens United world. Welcome to Democracy Puppet Theater.
This next information, I admit, I stole from The Rachel Maddow Show. But these are facts, not her opinions. California, which held a primary election on the same day as Wisconsin. They had a proposition on the ballot that would have raised the cigarette tax by a dollar, with the money going to fund cancer research. California has the second lowest smoking rate in the country (only Utah is lower), and some of the lowest current cigarette taxes in the country. They weren't closing their budget gap. They weren't creating a slush fund for pet projects, or even education. They were trying to help find a cure to one of mankind's greatest medical scourges - cancer.
This measure was so popular, that in March it polled 67 to 30 in favor of passing. That's right. A two to one margin. What in politics is called a no-brainer, a slam dunk, something where all the angels are lining up.
Then came the commercials and the money. Big Tobacco and others in that class spent 50 million dollars to defeat this proposition. This is more than was spent in the Walker race. It was the most money spent on any contest . They completely drowned out the opposition. And the proposition narrowly lost.
That's right. Money walked. Negative advertising works. How does democracy work when it can be led by the nose like that. It's like watching the New York Yankees play a Little League team. Could the Little League team win? Maybe. Maybe once every thousand games they might. But you can't watch this and call it a real or fair ball game. Nor can you watch our elections any more and call them true democracy.
I wish the avalanche of money didn't work. But it does. I wish negative ads didn't influence people. But they do. And now that big money rules all, what is the first thing Republican led states try to do? Eliminate unions, one of the few big sources of money left to the Democrats.
I only wish it wasn't true. Technically, democracy still exists. But did you think it would disappear by an outright ban. no. It will dance on as a shadow puppet, the strings controlled by forces far beyond our dwindling control.
Welcome to the post Citizens United world. Welcome to Democracy Puppet Theater.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Ripping Good Yarns; Short Series Nominees Step 2!
The nominations for short
form drama series has reached its next phase! Four of the nominations are
set, and the other two
are open for additional consideration. So please, I
continue to need your input!
Considerations for whom to vote for should consider that these shows should be more melodramatic than the average show. They should have a strong plot line, and interesting characters. Another consideration as to what qualifies as Ripping Good Yarn are continuity elements. I feel the more the stories and characters cross over into each episode, the better. This diminishes for consideration, but doesn't eliminate, shows that primarily focus on single, done-in-one stories, such as some of theUSA
These are your four set nominees and the two slots open for consideration:
A Game of Thrones: I grouped all the premium (pay channel) programs for this and picked the best. This is an outstanding program with great characters (more than any other show you've watched), terrific story lines, great dialogue, and strong continuity elements that will keep you coming back for more and more. This is fantasy adventure at its finest. Yes, there are dragons and sorcery, but it's the magic of the characters and story that will hold you. It unfolds in a highly realistic manner, and if you haven't read the books, there is no way that you will ever know what is coming next. The next closest contender is Homeland. I only show the pilot, but it has gotten very positive critical reaction and some notice from Rippers. Other quality programs on the pay channels include True Blood and Boardwalk Empire.
Justified: This came out on top when I grouped all the mystery, detective and western programs. It is a snap nasty story about a U.S. Marshal inKentucky South Florida .
Missing: This edged out other programs in a category I call "cancelled but not forgotten". Missing is a show starring Ashley Judd, and featured her search for her son. The ratings started too slowly for the network, and they unfortunately had cancelled the show before they realized that the ratings were steaming upward. Runners up include my personal favorite,Alcatraz , and one of my
son Benjamin's favorites, Terra Nova.
The Walking Dead: This is the favorite in the horror/apocalyptic sci-fi group. The Walking Dead just stands out as it swallows you into its nightmare world where zombies have over-run just about everything. But it's the human dram and conflict that really stand out about this show, as you see Sherriff Rick desperately try to keep his band of survivors together. Also high in this group are TNT's Falling Skies, and F/X's super creepy American Horror Story.
Saved Slot for USA/TNT/Lifetime: There's nothing wrong with these shows. I just don't see many of them. They're a little lighter than what I usually watch. I think the only ones I see are Psych and falling Skies (which is not really in the same category as the other TNT shows). I want to be fair to this group and let my fellow rippers have a little bit more input into it. So, please, I need you! Shows mentioned already by Rippers include Psych, White Collar, Royal Pains, Burn Notice, suits and Rizzoli & Isles. Please, Rippers, help me out!
Saved Slot for Best of the Rest: Second chance category for any program that you feel has been slighted. Pay particular attention to the runner ups mentioned here. Also the Syfy programs like Warehouse 13,Eureka Alcatraz ,
Terra Nova, Falling Skies and American Horror Story.
Considerations for who to vote for should consider that these shows should be more melodramatic than the average show. They should have a strong plot line, and interesting characters. Another consideration as to what qualifies as Ripping Good Yarn are continuity elements. I feel the more the stories and characters cross over into each episode, the better. This diminishes for consideration, but doesn't eliminate, shows that primarily focus on single, done-in-one stories, such as some of the USA, TNT and Lifetime programs.
Let the selection procedure continue!
Considerations for whom to vote for should consider that these shows should be more melodramatic than the average show. They should have a strong plot line, and interesting characters. Another consideration as to what qualifies as Ripping Good Yarn are continuity elements. I feel the more the stories and characters cross over into each episode, the better. This diminishes for consideration, but doesn't eliminate, shows that primarily focus on single, done-in-one stories, such as some of the
These are your four set nominees and the two slots open for consideration:
A Game of Thrones: I grouped all the premium (pay channel) programs for this and picked the best. This is an outstanding program with great characters (more than any other show you've watched), terrific story lines, great dialogue, and strong continuity elements that will keep you coming back for more and more. This is fantasy adventure at its finest. Yes, there are dragons and sorcery, but it's the magic of the characters and story that will hold you. It unfolds in a highly realistic manner, and if you haven't read the books, there is no way that you will ever know what is coming next. The next closest contender is Homeland. I only show the pilot, but it has gotten very positive critical reaction and some notice from Rippers. Other quality programs on the pay channels include True Blood and Boardwalk Empire.
Justified: This came out on top when I grouped all the mystery, detective and western programs. It is a snap nasty story about a U.S. Marshal in
Missing: This edged out other programs in a category I call "cancelled but not forgotten". Missing is a show starring Ashley Judd, and featured her search for her son. The ratings started too slowly for the network, and they unfortunately had cancelled the show before they realized that the ratings were steaming upward. Runners up include my personal favorite,
The Walking Dead: This is the favorite in the horror/apocalyptic sci-fi group. The Walking Dead just stands out as it swallows you into its nightmare world where zombies have over-run just about everything. But it's the human dram and conflict that really stand out about this show, as you see Sherriff Rick desperately try to keep his band of survivors together. Also high in this group are TNT's Falling Skies, and F/X's super creepy American Horror Story.
Saved Slot for USA/TNT/Lifetime: There's nothing wrong with these shows. I just don't see many of them. They're a little lighter than what I usually watch. I think the only ones I see are Psych and falling Skies (which is not really in the same category as the other TNT shows). I want to be fair to this group and let my fellow rippers have a little bit more input into it. So, please, I need you! Shows mentioned already by Rippers include Psych, White Collar, Royal Pains, Burn Notice, suits and Rizzoli & Isles. Please, Rippers, help me out!
Saved Slot for Best of the Rest: Second chance category for any program that you feel has been slighted. Pay particular attention to the runner ups mentioned here. Also the Syfy programs like Warehouse 13,
Voting is now open, and I
will close sometime Wednesday, probably early evening. Vote here or on
facebook. You can just name your choice, and you can advocate for it -
your call. I would prefer that you not denigrate the choices other people
make. I look forward to your participation.
Let the selection procedure continue! nominations for short form drama series has reached it's next phase! Four of the nominations are set, and the other two are open for additional consideration. so please, I continue to need your input!Considerations for who to vote for should consider that these shows should be more melodramatic than the average show. They should have a strong plot line, and interesting characters. Another consideration as to what qualifies as Ripping Good Yarn are continuity elements. I feel the more the stories and characters cross over into each episode, the better. This diminishes for consideration, but doesn't eliminate, shows that primarily focus on single, done-in-one stories, such as some of the USA, TNT and Lifetime programs.
Let the selection procedure continue!
Re Root
This last Friday, I was very pleased to visit a high school classmate whom I had not seen for some thirty-four years. It was a very good visit, finding out the different courses that life had take us on. It was interesting to see that the same basic character shone through for both of us, although a bit wiser and more experienced. I hope we will see more of each other in the future.
I have heard and read many complaints about Facebook. It is perhaps rightfully derided for many things. It is commercial and artificial often, constantly changing in confusing ways. Some people over-share, or have more contact or less contact than you desire. It's all a matter of perspective, so I'm sure I can be accused of thees things as well. I have three or four basic audiences (classmates, family, my liberal friends, my theatre pals), and like in Ghostbusters, sometimes the streams cross together in unpleasant and apocalyptic ways.
On the other hand, for this shy guy, it has helped me reconnect with people from my past that would have never happened before in the past. And for that I am very grateful.
Both of us, Dona and myself, had moved a number of times in our lives. The concept of where home really was came up. Like her, many of the places I have lived, I do not fell like I fit in to anymore. I don't even remember them feeling like home when I was there. She is hoping to move to a place she has been before, where she has some friends and is closer to family
So, where is home?
It's not Bridgeport, as much as I was raised there and would have some roots. I have no one from my family that lives there, and I really haven't been there in decades. The most recent time of significance would have been a reunion 19 years ago.
It's not the other places I have lived, including Cass City, Cartersville, Stone Mountain, Villa Rica and Rockmart.. None of these are places I would go back to. Nobody from these places, even with facebook, have any contact with me. I might remember a restaurant or landmark fondly, but that's about it.
Then it struck me. The cliche is true. Home is where the heart is.
It's where I'm at now. It's where my family is, Alison and Benjamin, her parents and relatives. It's where my church family is, the longest and deepest church commitment I have ever made. It's where my theatre family is, where I have been in many plays and helped make positive contributions to the vitality of community theatre and have finally begun to even make friends that exist even when I'm not currently in a play. It's where I work and have held a job at the same place for almost 13 years now (previously my record was 5 years).
So the light has gone on in my head. Blackshear. It's my home. I wasn't born here. God knows the politics here is horrible, and it never snows. But nevertheless, Blackshear/Waycross, I adopt thee. I am now your native son.
There's no place like home.
at least until Doug joins Ramya and Greg in California and start having grandbabies. Then it's a brand new ballgame!
I have heard and read many complaints about Facebook. It is perhaps rightfully derided for many things. It is commercial and artificial often, constantly changing in confusing ways. Some people over-share, or have more contact or less contact than you desire. It's all a matter of perspective, so I'm sure I can be accused of thees things as well. I have three or four basic audiences (classmates, family, my liberal friends, my theatre pals), and like in Ghostbusters, sometimes the streams cross together in unpleasant and apocalyptic ways.
On the other hand, for this shy guy, it has helped me reconnect with people from my past that would have never happened before in the past. And for that I am very grateful.
Both of us, Dona and myself, had moved a number of times in our lives. The concept of where home really was came up. Like her, many of the places I have lived, I do not fell like I fit in to anymore. I don't even remember them feeling like home when I was there. She is hoping to move to a place she has been before, where she has some friends and is closer to family
So, where is home?
It's not Bridgeport, as much as I was raised there and would have some roots. I have no one from my family that lives there, and I really haven't been there in decades. The most recent time of significance would have been a reunion 19 years ago.
It's not the other places I have lived, including Cass City, Cartersville, Stone Mountain, Villa Rica and Rockmart.. None of these are places I would go back to. Nobody from these places, even with facebook, have any contact with me. I might remember a restaurant or landmark fondly, but that's about it.
Then it struck me. The cliche is true. Home is where the heart is.
It's where I'm at now. It's where my family is, Alison and Benjamin, her parents and relatives. It's where my church family is, the longest and deepest church commitment I have ever made. It's where my theatre family is, where I have been in many plays and helped make positive contributions to the vitality of community theatre and have finally begun to even make friends that exist even when I'm not currently in a play. It's where I work and have held a job at the same place for almost 13 years now (previously my record was 5 years).
So the light has gone on in my head. Blackshear. It's my home. I wasn't born here. God knows the politics here is horrible, and it never snows. But nevertheless, Blackshear/Waycross, I adopt thee. I am now your native son.
There's no place like home.
at least until Doug joins Ramya and Greg in California and start having grandbabies. Then it's a brand new ballgame!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Not Too Big to Fail
I admit. This topic needs to be filled with researched facts. And, believe me, they exist. But here's the bottom line; I don't know what good they do. We all seem to go to our respective corners anyway.
You look out at the vastness of the ocean and you think - this planet is so vast that there is virtually nothing people can do to it to damage it. Oh, sure, it might not be too good if we threw around thousands of nuclear weapons, but everything else, why, nature and market forces will take care of. Everything will adjust and be perfectly fine.
Uhh, no it hasn't been and uhhh, no it won't be. Mankind has had a tremendous effect on the environment, and it will continue to have an accelerating effect in the future. We are constantly reshaping the planet.
The North American continent looked completely different before the arrival of European settlers. They changed the way land was used, what kind of flora and fauna thrived in the new world. Swarming hordes of buffalo were destroyed, whole forests were eliminated, top soils depleted, dust bowls started, pollution and smog. Please don't tell me mankind can't alter his environment.
We can do thins that improve things, extend our time at the top of the global food chain. We reversed acid rain, with the help of government legislation and regulation. We saved the ozone through the regulation of fluorocarbons. The Clean Air Act, the EPA, the green revolution in food - all these things and others have helped us gain time.
Now we are faced with the worst threat of all, the horrendous climate change most often referred to as global warming. I don't believe the threat of global warming is as bad as the mass media is telling you. I believe that it is much, much worse. I further believe that we are rapidly approaching the turning point of us being able to do anything about it. Soon, if not already, the problems will accelerate of their own accord and there won't be anything we can do about it.
This is by far the most grave threat the world faces, and much of the American Public, along with the majority of politicians (including some Democrats) have their heads in the sand. I don't know if we any longer have the will power to reverse this thing, like we have in times past. We are so divided and unwilling to listen, I fear that we will this time just let the window close.
And then where will we be?
The sun'll come out tomorrow, but you'll have to spend your bottom dollar on SPF 30,000.
You look out at the vastness of the ocean and you think - this planet is so vast that there is virtually nothing people can do to it to damage it. Oh, sure, it might not be too good if we threw around thousands of nuclear weapons, but everything else, why, nature and market forces will take care of. Everything will adjust and be perfectly fine.
Uhh, no it hasn't been and uhhh, no it won't be. Mankind has had a tremendous effect on the environment, and it will continue to have an accelerating effect in the future. We are constantly reshaping the planet.
The North American continent looked completely different before the arrival of European settlers. They changed the way land was used, what kind of flora and fauna thrived in the new world. Swarming hordes of buffalo were destroyed, whole forests were eliminated, top soils depleted, dust bowls started, pollution and smog. Please don't tell me mankind can't alter his environment.
We can do thins that improve things, extend our time at the top of the global food chain. We reversed acid rain, with the help of government legislation and regulation. We saved the ozone through the regulation of fluorocarbons. The Clean Air Act, the EPA, the green revolution in food - all these things and others have helped us gain time.
Now we are faced with the worst threat of all, the horrendous climate change most often referred to as global warming. I don't believe the threat of global warming is as bad as the mass media is telling you. I believe that it is much, much worse. I further believe that we are rapidly approaching the turning point of us being able to do anything about it. Soon, if not already, the problems will accelerate of their own accord and there won't be anything we can do about it.
This is by far the most grave threat the world faces, and much of the American Public, along with the majority of politicians (including some Democrats) have their heads in the sand. I don't know if we any longer have the will power to reverse this thing, like we have in times past. We are so divided and unwilling to listen, I fear that we will this time just let the window close.
And then where will we be?
The sun'll come out tomorrow, but you'll have to spend your bottom dollar on SPF 30,000.
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