Tuesday, May 31, 2016
History of the Trap Kindle Ebook NOW Available!
Check it out! Only $3.99 at the Kindle Store from Amazon.com!
Friday, May 27, 2016
Our Spoiled Society
Did you hear what happened on that show last night?
Increasingly the answer is coming back, "Don't tell me! I haven't had a chance to see it yet! No spoilers, please!"
Spoiler Alert! There's a phrase that didn't even really exist a few years ago, and now you hear it all the time.
It didn't used to be that way. Most shows were watched when they were first aired. In 1980, the highest rated show, Dallas, had first episode airings of over 27 million people. and there were 30 shows that had audiences in excess of 11 million. Nowadays, only Empire, The Big Bang Theory, and The Walking Dead come close to those numbers (and those closer to the 11 million number). The Game of Thrones is very popular, but it doesn't reach much more than 7 to 8 million.
I remember well the feverish pitch around the mystery of "Who Shot J.R.?" The whole country seemed to be speculating. Or the large numbers that watched the ending to MASH. Everybody watched them together, and we could all talk about them at the same time.
Even viewing major news events together has been becoming rarer. The whole nation was somber and horrified over the assassination of John F Kennedy, and we watched in wondrous awe as we saw men land on the moon. The only modern equivalent was 9/11, something we pray is never repeated. Nowadays, we see events, if we see them at all, through divisive filters. One network shows the Ferguson riots as noble protesters and out of control police, and another shows it as wild, uncivilized thugs against a valiant and outnumbered police force.
Another relatively new phrase was created - watercooler shows. These were programs that enough people watched that they could be discussed at work. The last major one for that was American Idol. These were part of a reality competition concept that demanded more real time viewing, so you could know right away who was moving on and who had been eliminated. But the viewership for these shows have fallen off to the point that they don't often reach the level or urgency where they could be discussed at the watercooler.
Recently, The Game of Thrones had a gripping and revealing plot point, explaining why a particular character could only repeat one word. It was a breathtakingly dramatic moment, that left some viewers in tears. But when you tried to talk about it, you were often met with howls of "No spoilers! I haven't seen it yet!" Some were way behind, seasons behind. and were all of a sudden trying to catch up to get up to speed. How could they do that? Ah, the power of English to create new words and connotations - binging - the act of watching many episodes in one sitting.
What's happened?
Time shifting has taken control of our entertainment world. Many have DVR's that record programs for later viewing. And as more and more people move away from televisions and cable, they are seeing an increasing number of shows through streaming. We didn't watch The Office when it was originally on. Instead we streamed the nine seasons and 200 episodes over the course of a couple years.
All this is fantastic, but it is creating a much more fractured audience, and making it harder and harder to have much in common. That fracturing has created an environment where there are many great new shows, as serial fictional television has expanded to basic cable networks and to streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Unfortunately, more and more of us are not able to share the experience together.
I would love to discuss Game of Thrones with you. But first we have to make sure that we're not "spoiling" it for those who are behind. And as for The Flash or The 100? Please don't spoil it for Benjamin and me. We're still 10 episodes behind!
Increasingly the answer is coming back, "Don't tell me! I haven't had a chance to see it yet! No spoilers, please!"
Spoiler Alert! There's a phrase that didn't even really exist a few years ago, and now you hear it all the time.
It didn't used to be that way. Most shows were watched when they were first aired. In 1980, the highest rated show, Dallas, had first episode airings of over 27 million people. and there were 30 shows that had audiences in excess of 11 million. Nowadays, only Empire, The Big Bang Theory, and The Walking Dead come close to those numbers (and those closer to the 11 million number). The Game of Thrones is very popular, but it doesn't reach much more than 7 to 8 million.
I remember well the feverish pitch around the mystery of "Who Shot J.R.?" The whole country seemed to be speculating. Or the large numbers that watched the ending to MASH. Everybody watched them together, and we could all talk about them at the same time.
Even viewing major news events together has been becoming rarer. The whole nation was somber and horrified over the assassination of John F Kennedy, and we watched in wondrous awe as we saw men land on the moon. The only modern equivalent was 9/11, something we pray is never repeated. Nowadays, we see events, if we see them at all, through divisive filters. One network shows the Ferguson riots as noble protesters and out of control police, and another shows it as wild, uncivilized thugs against a valiant and outnumbered police force.
Another relatively new phrase was created - watercooler shows. These were programs that enough people watched that they could be discussed at work. The last major one for that was American Idol. These were part of a reality competition concept that demanded more real time viewing, so you could know right away who was moving on and who had been eliminated. But the viewership for these shows have fallen off to the point that they don't often reach the level or urgency where they could be discussed at the watercooler.
Recently, The Game of Thrones had a gripping and revealing plot point, explaining why a particular character could only repeat one word. It was a breathtakingly dramatic moment, that left some viewers in tears. But when you tried to talk about it, you were often met with howls of "No spoilers! I haven't seen it yet!" Some were way behind, seasons behind. and were all of a sudden trying to catch up to get up to speed. How could they do that? Ah, the power of English to create new words and connotations - binging - the act of watching many episodes in one sitting.
What's happened?
Time shifting has taken control of our entertainment world. Many have DVR's that record programs for later viewing. And as more and more people move away from televisions and cable, they are seeing an increasing number of shows through streaming. We didn't watch The Office when it was originally on. Instead we streamed the nine seasons and 200 episodes over the course of a couple years.
All this is fantastic, but it is creating a much more fractured audience, and making it harder and harder to have much in common. That fracturing has created an environment where there are many great new shows, as serial fictional television has expanded to basic cable networks and to streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Unfortunately, more and more of us are not able to share the experience together.
I would love to discuss Game of Thrones with you. But first we have to make sure that we're not "spoiling" it for those who are behind. And as for The Flash or The 100? Please don't spoil it for Benjamin and me. We're still 10 episodes behind!
Thursday, May 26, 2016
History of the Trap: Cover at Last!
The cover for the SOON TO BE PUBLISHED History of the Trap!
The ebook cover!
The Print Cover!
(yeah, that's right! I said PRINT!)
Stay tuned to this blog for the up to the minute publication information of
HISTORY OF THE TRAP!!!
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
First World Computer Problems
Well, I intended to write more today. I had some hopes of being coherent and all kinds of wonderful things. But my Internet had other ideas and decided to take about twenty minutes to finally connect to our desk top.
Yes, I know. It may be time to get something new. It's fan operates so loudly that it's hard fro me to hear my song of the day selections. It's on like Windows version 2 or Vista or something that's like a millennial generations back.
First world problems. What can I say?
Of course, replacing the computer may mean saving a crap load of stuff to Flash Drives, trying to decide what photos to transfer, going to new Word or Excel programs that may or may not be compatible, trying to remember passwords that I've long forgotten, and countless more transfer problems. And don't even get me started about "the cloud".
And then there's the problem of what to get. Laptop? Notebook? Desktop? All in One? All for One? Mac? PC? 8 Gigs? 16? RAM? SCRAM?
Do I go to Staples or Best Buy? Do I try to buy local or over the web, through places like Amazon?
Do I get my nose pushed into how old I am by watching Alison and Benjamin put together the new computer while I just watch in confusion? I mean, does the wireless thingie just transfer over or do you have to do something magical? Yes, I said magic. As science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke said. any technology significantly advanced will appear to be magic. Ok, that might not be quite what he said, but my research time has been etted up by taking twenty minutes just to GET THE INTERWEBS ON.
I have a five day weekend starting up tomorrow (woohoo!), so logically this is when we should deal with it. BUT.......I really want to take major steps to getting History of the Trap released via CreateSpace, and Doug, my middle son, may be coming to visit this weekend, and some out of town friends may stop by.
On the other hand, maybe some of them know something about transferring to and starting up a new computer!
If I can ever figure out what the new computer will be!
Meanwhile, I may have to say good bye to half my allotted morning writing time for awhile.
Sigh.
Monday, May 23, 2016
No More Fish and Other Monday Musings
It was a great event. And we were honored to be a part of it. The Hollands threw the church a Fish Fry Saturday night to thank the church for our support in Donald becoming a Deacon to the Episcopal diocese.
But.....fish.
I tried. Really, I did. Every few years, I convince myself the other times were a fluke, and that I can really like fish if I just psych myself up.
This time, it was a whiting fillet, about the mildest fish you can get. And it was fried. People can eat shoelaces if they're fried. So I can do this!
Ok. Well, I got about 50% down of one fillet. It had skin underneath, and that part made it very fishy (at least to me - no one else seemed to notice). There were sides, like cheese grits and slaw, and I concentrated on those.
Later, I began to feel ill. Nauseous, upset stomach, throat swelling, and the taste of fish would not leave my mouth.
I spent most of Sunday trying to make up for it, and wound up gaining back all the weight I had lost the previous week.
So....no more fish. Sorry if that upsets my more health conscious friends, but I just can't do it.
Well, maybe in a few years, I could try Long John Silver's, extra-fried and drowning in malt vinegar, tartar sauce and ketchup. Don't that sound healthy?
--------------------------
The weekend was a disappointment writing wise, getting little done on my "positive style sci-fi story". Even more importantly, I continue to waffle on getting my books published/self-published. Every weekend I think I'm going to do something, and every weekend I wind up Hamletting it. Very frustrating.
----------------------------
Game of Thrones....now we know Hodor is saying. "Hold the door" . The most heartbreaking episode yet.
----------------------------
The Clinton people are getting out of hand. The Karl Rove style ruining of Sanders and his supporters is getting to be a bit much. And watching the media and Republican Party suck up to the fascist con man is making me more sick to my stomach than the fish did.
-------------------
My blood pressure is showing only the slightest of improvements, but at least it is an improvement. Maybe if I ate more fish. ...... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Until next time,
T. M. Strait
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Searching for a Progressive Georgia US Senate Candidate: Saturday Political Soap Box 134
Here's the central question - if you are for Bernie Sanders and the progressive message he stands for, who do you vote for in the US Democratic Senate primary. This is not an idle question. If the Sanders movement means anything, it has to start influencing the election of federal, state and local officials.
I don't mean to exclude Hillary voters. There are many Hillary voters whom I believe are almost or just as progressive as Bernie voters, but voted for Hillary for personal or strategic reasons. Many want a woman President, and we are way overdue for that in this country. I myself am looking forward to a President or Vice-President Warren or Gabbard.
And, yes, slowly but surely, I think this group will include an increasing number of independents and even Republicans. I know there are Republicans who are beginning to have serious questions about the direction of their party, and even if they cannot bring themselves to say or like words like "progressive" or "liberal", the fact is when they are polled, whether they understand it or not, they are beginning to support more ad more progressive ideas.
But that wake up time will come only when the Georgia Democratic establishment fully and loudly endorses progressive values. People won't nostalgically vote for a Nunn or a Carter just because they have Democratic names from the past - not if their ideas are often a sad echo of the past. Republican lite as a rallying cry is a ridiculous notion - why vote for the pale imitation when you can vote for the real thing?
The newest flavor of pale imitation is Jim Barksdale, the candidate endorsed by the Democratic establishment. Why? Because he is a rich investment banker who can help self-fund his campaign. It's hard to tell what he is politically. He's mostly running on the crappy message of "I'm not a politician" and "Look at me! I'm wearing a hat, so that means I'm just an average guy like you!" He claims to have made his clients money by foreseeing some of the economic collapse and "standing against Wall Street bankers" - whatever that means. If you want carefully thought positions that you can measure out as progressive or not, you can forget it. He's running on platitudes and "trust me - I'll do the right thing." I pass. I do not recommend that Team Bernie votes for him. so NO TO BARKSDALE.
There are few sources to consult with in trying to research this. I have in the past looked at the Atlanta Progressive News. This year, however, for the first time, have publicly DECLINED to endorse any one. Also Project Progressive simply declares there are NO progressives running for Georgia US Senate.
So on to whatever candidate websites I could find.
Trying to find information on James Knox is like trying to search for a unicorn. He is an Air Force veteran. That's all I got. If anybody finds out anything else, please let me know. Until then, I have to say NO TO KNOX.
Cheryl Copeland is a corporate manager. She has very few articulated positions, but those she has sound more like a conservative Republican than a even a moderate Democrat. NO TO COPELAND.
John F Coyne III is another one with mostly a business background, but he has some commission work, and was prominently involved with Georgia Special Olympics. He at least has clearly identified himself as a Democrat. The Atlanta Progressive identified him as a moderate to conservative Democrat. He looks like a good old boy, which, actually, may be a good thing. His language is a little basic, and he seems to over focus on being miffed that the Georgia Democratic establishment is pushing Barksdale instead of him.
So, this is by far less than the ideal candidate.
BUT....
In looking over his positions on some issues, he is far more detailed and intriguing than the others. His tax plan seems almost stolen from my own blog posts concerning tax reform. His position on health care coverage is more progressive than Hillary Clinton's, desiring to vastly expand Medicaid/Medicare in a program he calls Medi-Health. He favors increasing teacher pay, and significantly raising the minimum wage. Unlike the others, he is at least articulating positions that have at least a whiff of progressivism to them.
So, I, Tom Strait, a firm believer in Sanders progressivism, intend to VOTE FOR COYNE.
I beg of you, any Georgia progressives who may possess additional information or knowledge, please weigh in. I thirst for your input.
MEANWHILE,,,,another special message to the Georgia Democratic establishment.....
A recent Atlanta Journal/Constitution poll showed Clinton only four percentage points behind Trump in Georgia! Wow!!! Isn't that close? Isn't that exciting!
Of course, the same poll also showed Bernie Sanders FIVE POINTS AHEAD of Trump! That's right. Bernie beats the Donald...IN GEORGIA!!!
The message is clear.
If you want to win back Georgia, stop going with a heavily red-tinged Blue (calling it purple or violet wouldn't do it justice - it's basically red disguised as blue). Go with deep Blue. Go Progressive.
Reluctant to do that?
We're organizing. We're coming.
Whether you like it or not.
I don't mean to exclude Hillary voters. There are many Hillary voters whom I believe are almost or just as progressive as Bernie voters, but voted for Hillary for personal or strategic reasons. Many want a woman President, and we are way overdue for that in this country. I myself am looking forward to a President or Vice-President Warren or Gabbard.
And, yes, slowly but surely, I think this group will include an increasing number of independents and even Republicans. I know there are Republicans who are beginning to have serious questions about the direction of their party, and even if they cannot bring themselves to say or like words like "progressive" or "liberal", the fact is when they are polled, whether they understand it or not, they are beginning to support more ad more progressive ideas.
But that wake up time will come only when the Georgia Democratic establishment fully and loudly endorses progressive values. People won't nostalgically vote for a Nunn or a Carter just because they have Democratic names from the past - not if their ideas are often a sad echo of the past. Republican lite as a rallying cry is a ridiculous notion - why vote for the pale imitation when you can vote for the real thing?
The newest flavor of pale imitation is Jim Barksdale, the candidate endorsed by the Democratic establishment. Why? Because he is a rich investment banker who can help self-fund his campaign. It's hard to tell what he is politically. He's mostly running on the crappy message of "I'm not a politician" and "Look at me! I'm wearing a hat, so that means I'm just an average guy like you!" He claims to have made his clients money by foreseeing some of the economic collapse and "standing against Wall Street bankers" - whatever that means. If you want carefully thought positions that you can measure out as progressive or not, you can forget it. He's running on platitudes and "trust me - I'll do the right thing." I pass. I do not recommend that Team Bernie votes for him. so NO TO BARKSDALE.
There are few sources to consult with in trying to research this. I have in the past looked at the Atlanta Progressive News. This year, however, for the first time, have publicly DECLINED to endorse any one. Also Project Progressive simply declares there are NO progressives running for Georgia US Senate.
So on to whatever candidate websites I could find.
Trying to find information on James Knox is like trying to search for a unicorn. He is an Air Force veteran. That's all I got. If anybody finds out anything else, please let me know. Until then, I have to say NO TO KNOX.
Cheryl Copeland is a corporate manager. She has very few articulated positions, but those she has sound more like a conservative Republican than a even a moderate Democrat. NO TO COPELAND.
John F Coyne III is another one with mostly a business background, but he has some commission work, and was prominently involved with Georgia Special Olympics. He at least has clearly identified himself as a Democrat. The Atlanta Progressive identified him as a moderate to conservative Democrat. He looks like a good old boy, which, actually, may be a good thing. His language is a little basic, and he seems to over focus on being miffed that the Georgia Democratic establishment is pushing Barksdale instead of him.
So, this is by far less than the ideal candidate.
BUT....
In looking over his positions on some issues, he is far more detailed and intriguing than the others. His tax plan seems almost stolen from my own blog posts concerning tax reform. His position on health care coverage is more progressive than Hillary Clinton's, desiring to vastly expand Medicaid/Medicare in a program he calls Medi-Health. He favors increasing teacher pay, and significantly raising the minimum wage. Unlike the others, he is at least articulating positions that have at least a whiff of progressivism to them.
So, I, Tom Strait, a firm believer in Sanders progressivism, intend to VOTE FOR COYNE.
I beg of you, any Georgia progressives who may possess additional information or knowledge, please weigh in. I thirst for your input.
MEANWHILE,,,,another special message to the Georgia Democratic establishment.....
A recent Atlanta Journal/Constitution poll showed Clinton only four percentage points behind Trump in Georgia! Wow!!! Isn't that close? Isn't that exciting!
Of course, the same poll also showed Bernie Sanders FIVE POINTS AHEAD of Trump! That's right. Bernie beats the Donald...IN GEORGIA!!!
The message is clear.
If you want to win back Georgia, stop going with a heavily red-tinged Blue (calling it purple or violet wouldn't do it justice - it's basically red disguised as blue). Go with deep Blue. Go Progressive.
Reluctant to do that?
We're organizing. We're coming.
Whether you like it or not.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Say Goodbye to these Ripping Good TV Yarns
It's May!
The time of year when the networks announce their new Fall schedules, and we say farewell to a few of our favorites. And a whole bunch of other TV shows we don't really know just blip out of existence, barely having been noticed.
Category A - Shows that I weep for and want back
Agent Carter (ABC)
Galavant (ABC)
Downton Abbey (PBS)
You, Me & the Apocalypse (NBC)
Category B - It's OK that they're gone but I would have liked to have seen more
Containment (CW)
The Family (ABC)
Heroes Reborn (NBC)
The Muppets (ABC)
Wicked City (ABC)
Banshee (Cinemax)
Category C - Shows that were Ok but had played themselves and it was time for them to go
Castle (ABC)
Extant (CBS)
Under the Dome (CBS)
The Bastard Executioner (FX)
Defiance (Syfy)
Mad Dogs (Amazon)
Haven (Syfy)
Category D - Either I've never seen them or it's good riddance to deadwood (I won't say which show is which)
CBS - Angels From Hell, CSI: Cyber (the last of the mighty CSI franchise), Mike & Molly, Person of Interest, Rush Hour, The Good Wife
ABC - Blood & Oil, Nashville, Of Kings & Prophets, Rookie Blue
Fox - Bordertown, Cooper Bartlett's Guide to Surviving Life, Grandfathered, The Grinder, Minority Report, Second Chances
NBC- Crowded, Game of Silence, Heartbeat, The Mysteries of Laura, The Player, Telenovela, Undateable
CW - Beauty & the Beast
TBS - Agent X
Hulu - The Awesomes
IFC - Benders
Hallmark - Cedar Cove
Freeform - Chasing Life, Switched at Birth (nostalgic only for the only time I saw a few minutes of it was at my son's work while he was editing it)
USA - Complications, Graceland, Royal Pains
Syfy - Dominion, Continuum
Showtime - House of Lies
TNT - Legends, Proof, Public Morals
HBO - Togetherness
A & E - Unforgettable
Starz - DaVinci's Demons
Disney DXD - Gravity Falls
Disney - Jessie
Oy. What a list.
LATER - what's coming NEW!
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Wednesday's Wandering Branches
 |
| Photo taken by Boatdock Bill Davis. |
It's Wednesday and I'm a-wandering. Mentally speaking, of course.
I used to wander more on Monday - well, more like muse, actually - but now that day has seemed to wander more to the middle of the week. My mind is fried and my spirit is scrambled.
---------------------------
I am still struggling with last week's tragic losses, and the two funerals I went to on Saturday. I empathize with the pain so many of those in the families and close to the families are going through. It, and other recent passings, have caused me to think a lot about retirement. It should make me think about valuing the now, and letting my phasing out and/or retirement from accounting take care of itself. How can one live only for a a time that may be months or years away? Shouldn't I just enjoy the way things are now?
Anyways, I don't have an answer. It's just what I'm trying to reason out.
--------------------------------
Meanwhile, nothing I do seems to be making my blood pressure any better. Losing weight, changing diet, increasing exercise, staying on medication - nothing is helping me lower the numbers. I haven't done yoga yet, so I may have to add that.
----------------------------------------
I don't want to get on the roof of the house. I'm clumsy and insecure, and our ladder is not well placed in order to make the final humpf onto the roof. We accumulate debris, particularly from a large oak tree near our house, and the branches and acorns and leaves need to be periodically cleaned out.
I just found out last night that someone else took the risk for me, someone whom I did not want to have to go on the roof of our house. It was very disturbing to me to find out this happened. I don't want it to ever happen again. So either I have to learn to get on the roof of the house, or I have to hire someone who will. If I bring in somebody else, I have to find that person, and not leave it to others.
----------------------------------
Election news continues to be depressing. Yes, even when Sanders wins, the mass media spends most of its time dismissing its importance and speculating on Hillary's VP choice. I want Bernie to make it to California. I want everyone to have had a chance to vote for him.
I often see Hillary people get nasty and vicious about Bernie and his supporters, and I see the same thing sometimes from the Bernie people towards Hillary. I'm sick of the whole thing and we need to STOP IT. Yes, I infinitely prefer Sanders to Clinton, but we are faced with the greatest threat to democracy that this nation has seen in a long time, and we have to get our act together to prevent that fascist con-man from entering the oval office.
I am PRO-BERNIE, and I wish we had viable third parties in this country, but we are simply not electorally structured that way. So although PRO-BERNIE, I am not BERNIE OR BUST - not if the bust part means allowing the oozing evil of Trump to slime his way in.
-------------------------------
It's way past time to blank or get off the pot on publishing a book. So, for now, I will self-publish and worry about an agent later.
Now, if I could only solve the cover dilemma.
---------------------------
Wanderlingly yours,
T. M. Strait
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Heroes Fighting Heroes! A Ripping Good Yarns Review
I've read a lot of comic books in my life. A lot. This should not be a big surprise to those who know me, or are faithful followers of this blog. I am not a huge fan of Heroes vs. Heroes storylines. They usually involve a silly misunderstanding that if the heroes had half a brain, or were the good people you think they were, could usually avoid, but because the comic company staff thinks you would really like to see, for example, Thing vs. Hulk, they will convolute a storyline to make it so. Misunderstandings, mind control, you have to fight or some captive(s) get hurt - on and on.
Captain America: Civil War is the exception that proves the rule. There are no misunderstanding or manipulations (with the grand exception of the Winter Soldier). just an important difference in dealing with an essential philosophical and political question - do we subjugate our own judgment in favor of a government(s)? This is not as clear cut a decision as you would think. Super-heroes can take rogue actions that can wind up hurting situations more than they help. They can take actions that damage diplomatic relations and put the world more at risk, They can cause physical damage, or inadvertently put lives at risk. They can unknowingly create adversaries by their actions. They can become vigilantes, using power and force in a way that short circuits the law and reason.
That said, I definitely side with Team Cap, and understand the greater autonomy that true heroes need to have. Sometimes the forces trying to control their actions are corrupt. Sometimes they're just ignorant of the conditions in the field, and the need for flexibility in handling them. Sometimes the heroes see the grays beyond the black and white. And sometimes they see the black and white through the smokescreen of grays that bureaucrats may throw up.
So I bought the premise, which is vital for me in a Heroes vs. Heroes conflict. The highlight of the movie is a five on five battle at an evacuated airport. It's exciting and balanced, watching the characters match up with each other in interesting combinations. Stand outs are the ASTONISHING Ant-Man and the AMAZING Spider-Man, bringing a sense of enthusiasm and humor to their efforts. The humor is balanced with the tremendous risk each side is chancing in gaining their goals. As restrained as they may try to be, what if one of them irreparably harms someone who has been their ally in the past? The movie effectively deals with that as well.
When the Winter Soldier is freed from his mind control, he can be an appealing character, and you can see the camaraderie between him and Cap build back up, as if they were pre-WWII kids again. On the other hand, mind-controlled or not, the Winter Soldier did some pretty awful things, and like Tony Stark, I'm not sure I could forgive all them.
The Marvel/Disney version of Spider-Man (as opposed to the TWO versions of Spider-Man from Sony/ Columbia) comes across as much more youthful and realistic than I've ever seen him visualized onscreen before. Tom Holland is definitely THE Spider-Man, and I look forward to future portrayals. Aunt May, on the other hand - played by the very beautiful Marisa Tomei, is well, a lot more younger and hotter than I've ever seen her before. So is Aunt May getting younger, or am I just getting older?
As usual, this review is late in the game. It's hard for me to get to opening weekends sometimes. And my little blog doesn't get me the creds I need to get into critics' pre-screenings. Nevertheless, I highly encourage you to see it if you haven't yet.
I give this gem 10 big RIPS out of 10.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Life in the Dash
It was a rough weekend.
On Saturday, I went to two funerals. I don't think I've ever done that before. I don't think I ever want to have to do it again.
The first was for Jimmie Burke. I knew him from the new theatre group, Purlie Productions, Jimmie being one of the chief organizers of that group. He was very friendly and supportive to me and the entire cast of The Diary of Anne Frank when we put on that play. I enjoyed talking with him and we shared much in common, including politics. Jimmie had been a prominent politician in Florida, where he had achieved the position of Speaker Pro Tem, the highest legislative position ever for a Florida African American. He moved back to Waycross in retirement, and had been a tireless advocate for his community and for all of us that cared about social justice and progress, but he was also a loving father, with a large extended family. He died as a result of domestic gun violence. He was 68
Crystal Simpson was a dear friend whom I mostly knew through the OHC Writer's Guild. She was a gifted writer, with a personable and heartfelt style. She was sister to another good friend, Elizabeth Welch, someone who has meant an immeasurable amount to the Writer's Guild (serving as Chairman) and to me. They have been great friends, supportive and encouraging to me in my own endeavors. She had heart problems, and was told eight years ago she would only live six months because of the severity of her conditions. She defied those odds, allowing so many more people, myself included, to get to know her. Physically, her heart may have been troubled, but spiritually - I knew of no heart larger, kinder and more generous. She has two loving sons, one of whom, Issac, is in Benjamin's grade at school. She always had a full house, her heart and hearth open to many, with a broad and loving definition of family. She was committed to helping troubled youth, and the Vietnam Vet organization.
I had virtually never seen Elizabeth without Crystal, and vice-versa. They were very close, and loving and supportive of each other. They gave each other strength and courage. Their friendship was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
Crystal was only 33.
In some ways, the funerals were very different. At Jimmie's, my dark suit fit in perfectly with what everyone was wearing....at Crystal's, the dress was much more casual, and my suit was somewhat out of place. Jimmie's service ran two and half hours, and included a spellbinding, emotional sermon by the Greater Mt. Zion's female pastor....Crystal's was much shorter, and the pastors were more low key, but still you could see the emotion and love. Thee were other differences, but both showed love and support and grief.
One other commonality, expressed at each funeral, was a poem centered on the dates set on a tombstone, or in the funeral bulletin. It emphasized that what was important was not the date of birth or the date of death, but the dash that is in between the two dates. That is where life happens.
It's difficult to do sometimes. The rush and pressures of day to day existence interferes with our ability to enjoy the dash. Our fears and resentments and little feuds sometimes prevents us from connecting with others the way we should. Sometimes we are so consumed with some goal in the future, we forget to drink in the present around us.
I have to think long and hard as to what this means to me. But the first step was unplugging Sunday, and spending the day with Alison and Benjamin.
The commonality of life in the dash is love. The commonality of these two is caring and sharing, striving to make their own parts of the world a better place.
Cherish everyone. Feud with no one. Embrace the dash.
On Saturday, I went to two funerals. I don't think I've ever done that before. I don't think I ever want to have to do it again.
The first was for Jimmie Burke. I knew him from the new theatre group, Purlie Productions, Jimmie being one of the chief organizers of that group. He was very friendly and supportive to me and the entire cast of The Diary of Anne Frank when we put on that play. I enjoyed talking with him and we shared much in common, including politics. Jimmie had been a prominent politician in Florida, where he had achieved the position of Speaker Pro Tem, the highest legislative position ever for a Florida African American. He moved back to Waycross in retirement, and had been a tireless advocate for his community and for all of us that cared about social justice and progress, but he was also a loving father, with a large extended family. He died as a result of domestic gun violence. He was 68
Crystal Simpson was a dear friend whom I mostly knew through the OHC Writer's Guild. She was a gifted writer, with a personable and heartfelt style. She was sister to another good friend, Elizabeth Welch, someone who has meant an immeasurable amount to the Writer's Guild (serving as Chairman) and to me. They have been great friends, supportive and encouraging to me in my own endeavors. She had heart problems, and was told eight years ago she would only live six months because of the severity of her conditions. She defied those odds, allowing so many more people, myself included, to get to know her. Physically, her heart may have been troubled, but spiritually - I knew of no heart larger, kinder and more generous. She has two loving sons, one of whom, Issac, is in Benjamin's grade at school. She always had a full house, her heart and hearth open to many, with a broad and loving definition of family. She was committed to helping troubled youth, and the Vietnam Vet organization.
I had virtually never seen Elizabeth without Crystal, and vice-versa. They were very close, and loving and supportive of each other. They gave each other strength and courage. Their friendship was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
Crystal was only 33.
In some ways, the funerals were very different. At Jimmie's, my dark suit fit in perfectly with what everyone was wearing....at Crystal's, the dress was much more casual, and my suit was somewhat out of place. Jimmie's service ran two and half hours, and included a spellbinding, emotional sermon by the Greater Mt. Zion's female pastor....Crystal's was much shorter, and the pastors were more low key, but still you could see the emotion and love. Thee were other differences, but both showed love and support and grief.
One other commonality, expressed at each funeral, was a poem centered on the dates set on a tombstone, or in the funeral bulletin. It emphasized that what was important was not the date of birth or the date of death, but the dash that is in between the two dates. That is where life happens.
It's difficult to do sometimes. The rush and pressures of day to day existence interferes with our ability to enjoy the dash. Our fears and resentments and little feuds sometimes prevents us from connecting with others the way we should. Sometimes we are so consumed with some goal in the future, we forget to drink in the present around us.
I have to think long and hard as to what this means to me. But the first step was unplugging Sunday, and spending the day with Alison and Benjamin.
The commonality of life in the dash is love. The commonality of these two is caring and sharing, striving to make their own parts of the world a better place.
Cherish everyone. Feud with no one. Embrace the dash.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Voting on an Empty Ballot: Saturday Political Soap Box 133
It's time!
Voting is coming up, and I just reviewed the sample ballot posted in the newspaper!
I love to vote. When I turned 18, what did I do? Did I drink? Go to an X-rated movie? Carouse in any way? No. I proudly registered to vote. That's what turning 18 meant to me. I would finally get to be a full fledged citizen of this greatest country on Earth!
Then I looked more closely at the same ballot for the political party that I prefer to vote in. There were four candidates running for U. S. Senate. Awesome! I love having choices.
There was no one listed for U.S. Congress. That was odd. Was this not the time for the primary for that race? I thought those federal elections were done at the same time. So I looked over at the other party. No, they had a candidate running for U.S. Representative. Only one, though.
Okay, so I don't see any candidates for state offices. Those must be done at a different time.
No, I'm wrong there too. The other party has State Representative and State Senator. Not only that, they have county races as well. Only one each race, however. Most likely the incumbent.
So you have one party that is offering nobody to vote for, and another that has incumbents running without opposition.
Remind again....why is it that I like to vote?
This is such a horrifyingly bad state of affairs. When we read about other countries and make fun of their rigged elections, where you only really have one viable choice, like the elections we used to make fun of in Soviet Russia - well, we no longer have any grounds to mock them, do we?
Georgia has wildly careened from one party Democratic rule to one party Republican rule. Dictatorial one party rule is bad whatever party label it wears. I can only hope that one day we finally achieve civil, competitive elections, with a broader range of ideas discussed.
The thing that bothers me the most about this is ...... somehow I seem like I'm the only person who is bothered by it. Most people I talk to about this just shrug their shoulders, like it is the most irrelevant thing on Earth. The lack of choice they have doesn't seem to bother them at all.
Meanwhile, I'll keeping voting in whatever races I can. I'll still research and investigate, and come up with the best decision I can, in light of my own political and personal values.
Yet, I can't help but feel like Charlie Brown, going out once more to try to kick the football that Lucy is holding. Maybe, just maybe, this time Lucy won't snatch the football away at the last minute. Maybe, just maybe. the next time I look at a sample ballot, I won't feel like I'm in the Gulag. Maybe the next time I'll have actual choices to make.
Voting is coming up, and I just reviewed the sample ballot posted in the newspaper!
I love to vote. When I turned 18, what did I do? Did I drink? Go to an X-rated movie? Carouse in any way? No. I proudly registered to vote. That's what turning 18 meant to me. I would finally get to be a full fledged citizen of this greatest country on Earth!
Then I looked more closely at the same ballot for the political party that I prefer to vote in. There were four candidates running for U. S. Senate. Awesome! I love having choices.
There was no one listed for U.S. Congress. That was odd. Was this not the time for the primary for that race? I thought those federal elections were done at the same time. So I looked over at the other party. No, they had a candidate running for U.S. Representative. Only one, though.
Okay, so I don't see any candidates for state offices. Those must be done at a different time.
No, I'm wrong there too. The other party has State Representative and State Senator. Not only that, they have county races as well. Only one each race, however. Most likely the incumbent.
So you have one party that is offering nobody to vote for, and another that has incumbents running without opposition.
Remind again....why is it that I like to vote?
This is such a horrifyingly bad state of affairs. When we read about other countries and make fun of their rigged elections, where you only really have one viable choice, like the elections we used to make fun of in Soviet Russia - well, we no longer have any grounds to mock them, do we?
Georgia has wildly careened from one party Democratic rule to one party Republican rule. Dictatorial one party rule is bad whatever party label it wears. I can only hope that one day we finally achieve civil, competitive elections, with a broader range of ideas discussed.
The thing that bothers me the most about this is ...... somehow I seem like I'm the only person who is bothered by it. Most people I talk to about this just shrug their shoulders, like it is the most irrelevant thing on Earth. The lack of choice they have doesn't seem to bother them at all.
Meanwhile, I'll keeping voting in whatever races I can. I'll still research and investigate, and come up with the best decision I can, in light of my own political and personal values.
Yet, I can't help but feel like Charlie Brown, going out once more to try to kick the football that Lucy is holding. Maybe, just maybe, this time Lucy won't snatch the football away at the last minute. Maybe, just maybe. the next time I look at a sample ballot, I won't feel like I'm in the Gulag. Maybe the next time I'll have actual choices to make.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Leaving the Shore
I heard that you had gone to the shore
and I tried to follow you there
but I was too late.
I only found your footsteps
the impressions made in the sand
of you bare feet
I saw them lead to the swelling tide
and maybe I imagined it
but I thought I saw the top of your head
I thought I saw your blonde hair
peeking through your baseball cap
it was a quick glimpse, maybe illusory
I shouted for you to come back
that this was no time to go
I still needed you
I pleaded with you
let me see you one more time
at least to say goodbye
I wanted you to know
that you were never alone
and how much I love you
always and ever
In the churning distant waves
I saw the miracle
I saw your spirit rise
I saw it soaring towards me
reaching me with arms open
knocking me down
with the force of love
I felt your spirit merge with mine
And then I knew
We would always be together
and I tried to follow you there
but I was too late.
I only found your footsteps
the impressions made in the sand
of you bare feet
I saw them lead to the swelling tide
and maybe I imagined it
but I thought I saw the top of your head
I thought I saw your blonde hair
peeking through your baseball cap
it was a quick glimpse, maybe illusory
I shouted for you to come back
that this was no time to go
I still needed you
I pleaded with you
let me see you one more time
at least to say goodbye
I wanted you to know
that you were never alone
and how much I love you
always and ever
In the churning distant waves
I saw the miracle
I saw your spirit rise
I saw it soaring towards me
reaching me with arms open
knocking me down
with the force of love
I felt your spirit merge with mine
And then I knew
We would always be together
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Rural Comedies is the Place Ye Ought to Be
 |
| Eli Varnadore as Jed Clampett and Nadine Borrelli as Granny.. come watch their outstanding portrayals this weekend! |
Watching WACT perform The Beverly Hillbillies (a great show that if you haven't seen yet, you need to get out this week and sit a spell at the Ritz), I became nostalgic for those times with my Dad when he used to watch that show and laugh and laugh and laugh.
My Dad was not a big TV watcher. He was a very busy high school principal, working many hours and attending many meetings in the evenings. But if he was home, he wouldn't miss The Beverly Hillbillies. He also loved the other rural comedies, although he was more sporadic in catching them, including Green Acres, Petticoat Junction and The Andy Griffith Show. Later on, he was a big fan of Hee Haw. It was odd because other than Hee Haw, I never really heard listen to country music.
I was not as thrilled with these shows. They were not my cup of tea. I was more of a Twilight Zone/Star Trek kind of kid. Even in comedies I preferred things more like Get Smart and My Favorite Martian. But there was something special about being able to share a program with him, listening to him laugh and enjoy it.
Dad grew up on a large farm in southern Michigan, and the shows must have resonated with him. Sometimes we don't realize how recently it was that most of the population was rural, with large numbers making their living from agriculture. So for many of my Dad's generation, this was a glimpse backwards into a way of life that was disappearing.
At first brush, with it being awhile since I had revisited these shows, I thought maybe the shows were based on laughing at characters like The Beverly Hillbillies because they were kinda stupid and ignorant. There is a certain genre that I have come to greatly dislike, that promotes the idea that "our character is so dumb that he is actually bright". Examples are like Forrest Gump, Dave, Dumb and Dumber, Being Alone and countless sitcom characters. For me, the idea that the truly ignorant are a font of wisdom was permanently ruined by George W, Bush, Jr.
But having refreshed myself with WACT's fine play version of The Beverly Hillbillies, I discovered that's not the case. Yes, it's true - Jethro is bone stupid. But the rest of the family are just culturally different, and carry a wisdom and intelligence that is often missing from their sophisticated Beverly Hills neighbors. You find yourself laughing as much at the stuffiness and cultural straitjacket that those around the Clampetts have, even more than the Clampetts themselves. Jed may have been the wisest character in all of TV land back in the 60s.
And now all that is gone. There are no more rural comedies. That time period, even to reach back in nostalgia, has passed us by. Oh, sure, We still have nostalgia comedies. But they are more like The Wonder Years and The Goldbergs, with suburban settings, in a time period where the middle class had not completely receded, like it is on the verge of today.
Do I miss The Beverly Hillbillies?
The show itself? Not much.
What I miss is hearing my Dad laugh, this great big wonderful man, this hard working school principal dealing with a thousand stresses, being able to unplug and set back a spell, even if just for a half hour.
I do miss that.
I miss that a lot.
Monday, May 9, 2016
Passing the Torch and other Monday Musings
 |
| Benjamin, an actor torn between writers, his friends Camden and Trent. |
I have to give a shout out to my son,Benjamin Strait, for his extraordinary performance in Pierce County High School's Talent Competition. He and two of his friends performed an amazing skit THEY WROTE THEMSELVES called Writer's Block, with Benjamin being the actor trying to act out the contradictory story being written for him by two writers with very different viewpoints as to how a story should go. His group did not win the competition - that went to a girl who had won statewide acting competitions. But I know what I saw. So I now officially say....THE TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED!!! All Hail the new Strait Acting Champ!
----------------------
Another great big shout out to the cast and crew of The Beverly Hillbillies, who did a great job of bringing the best of the old sitcom to life, Thankfully, they were like the show in later seasons, and performed the play in color instead of black and white.
I enjoyed the performances of all, but want to particularly note some of friends in the cast: Taylor Mulkey was great as the dancing, finger-snapping, poetry drenched hippie chick. Brenda Luke played Mrs. Hathaway with exasperated perfection. Kimberly Beck, one of my closest and dearest friends, got her meatiest role yet at WACT, and was wonderful as the country Cousin Pearl, having to scream, faint, and persuade. Brittany Peacock had my favorite role, playing Emmaline (or Rita, or any one of many names), the con girl trying to help bilk the Beverly Hillbillies out of a million dollars with her schemes. She got to change personas several times, from country hick to city sophisticate to cold-heated con artist. I loved it!
----------------------------------------
Shout out to a successful Waygreen event with the OHC Writer's Guild. We concentrated on local writers, including books and handmade binders of material, and did quite well, We almost made as much in one show as we did all of last year! I sold one each of my collections, including my first ever sale of a poetry collection! I have moved from being a fake poet to being a fraudulent one!
-------------------------------------------
Shout out to all the wonderful mothers everywhere. Alison and Benjamin's Meemaw, were treated to a wonderful dinner at Reeal BBQ, eating steak and shrimp. Then we went to that great show mentioned above, WACT's production of The Beverly Hillbillies.
This was the first year for Greg and Doug without their mother. My heart reaches out to them. Remember her well, my boys. She loved you both very much,
----------------------------------
That's it. I'm done with the shout outs. I'm starting to lose my voice.
Until next time,
T.M. Strait
---------------------------------
Postscript:
We lost a great man this weekend. A man of great achievements and kindness, one who was fundamental in starting and inspiring Purlie Productions. We lost him to senseless gun violence, killed in a domestic altercation. It is very, very hard to say goodbye to Jimmie Burke, and I'm at a loss for words.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Empty Stage
I came onto
an empty stage.
My voice emoting
a blinding rage
My gestures swept
a romantic flair
My face revealed
a riveting stare
Had an audience been there
Had fellow actors seen my
thespian flourishes
There would have been applause
I would have fed off the energy
that nourishes.
Instead I am here alone
Waiting for a casting
that will not call
Reliving old memories
Dreaming of glories that were
before the fall
Patience
Maybe someday
But for today
only
an empty stage
an empty stage.
My voice emoting
a blinding rage
My gestures swept
a romantic flair
My face revealed
a riveting stare
Had an audience been there
Had fellow actors seen my
thespian flourishes
There would have been applause
I would have fed off the energy
that nourishes.
Instead I am here alone
Waiting for a casting
that will not call
Reliving old memories
Dreaming of glories that were
before the fall
Patience
Maybe someday
But for today
only
an empty stage
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Blood Pressure Arising
It looked like I picked a bad day to have my blood pressure checked. Everything about the morning was frustrating me. I was running behind, and I couldn't find the paperwork that would show that I had basic blood tests done in March. I thought that might mean I had to take them again, and you may not be aware of this, but they charge money for that sort of thing.
Regardless of my frustration, I had to go. My medicine "subscription" was about to run out, and they would not renew it if I didn't come in.
So there I was, waiting in the office. I was called back and I thought it was to go in, but they wanted a copay. Copay? Alison had told me a number of times that we had HRA (flex credits that paid for stuff like this), and that I should not make a copay. The receptionist did not believe me. I called Alison and she told me again that we do not copay. Unfortunately, the one insurance card I had did not show that, so...win to the medical clinic
Then I noticed strange noises coming from the TV. It was the bleatings of Fox & Friends, especially the whiny, anti-intellectual tones of .Steve Doocy. Why? Why? Why out of all the channels on Earth does it have to be that one?
Then I am put in a patient room to wait for the doctor. There is reading material! Front and center in the magazine rack is...GUNS. I try to joke with the nurse who is about to take my blood pressure, but she will have none of it. That's okay. They have a hard job, but it certainly doesn't help me relax.
Needless to say, my blood pressure reading was not good. The diastolic (bottom number) was as high as I'd ever seen it.
I told the nurse practitioner who came into to see me that I was particularly agitated that morning. He asked if it was anything they had done. I told him no, but that playing Fox News in the waiting room didn't help, that it was a highly offensive channel to some. He countered that it may be, but some people were offended by CNN as well.
Really? CNN? That bland corporate mush, designed to be played as background noise at airports? That's offensive?
All three major news channels are corporate owned entities. They are going to tailor their news according to those interests. The idea that on of them is a left wing balance to Fox News is preposterous. CNN is owned by Time-Warner, MSNBC by Comcast. They're not going to focus on news that challenges the corporate view of the world. For example, there is little discussion of net neutrality, as continued free and equal access to the internet is not in the interest of these large media conglomerates, who want determine speed and access based on who has the money to control it.
MSNBC used to have a center left bias, but that was before the Comcast takeover. They have been losing an amazing number of liberal hosts and commentators, with only three left with evening shows. And none of those support Bernie Sanders. They're more concentrated on the Corporate Democrats.
Fox News is primarily owned by one individual, Rupert Murdoch. He is free to tinge his corporatism with his own idiosyncrasies and biases. They made the decision, back in the nineties, to fill a need for a "conservative voice" in the media world. He had the very conservative political operative, Roger Aisles, to run it.
Since then, they have been at the forefront of the nastiness and extremism that have so damaged our culture. They make no pretense in the way they skew the news to make liberals look bad, and to confirm all the worst prejudices of their viewership.
They, in large part, are why the President cannot get the cooperation and compromises needed to move the country forward. On their channel, the President is a monster and any compromise with him is tantamount to surrender and treason. On their channel, poor people are lazy, Muslims are evil and so is their religion, trickle down works, half the country are selfish takers, climate change is a hoax, Benghazi was worse than 9/11 and 9/11 was Bill Clinton's responsibility (Bush kept us "safe"), there is a war on Christmas, Obama is a Kenyan, and men wearing dresses are lurking in the women's restroom.
I could go on and on, but either you see it or you don't. They have been responsible for playing to the worst fears of conservative America. And what happens when you constantly do that? Well, I'll tell you one of things that happens -
Regardless of my frustration, I had to go. My medicine "subscription" was about to run out, and they would not renew it if I didn't come in.
So there I was, waiting in the office. I was called back and I thought it was to go in, but they wanted a copay. Copay? Alison had told me a number of times that we had HRA (flex credits that paid for stuff like this), and that I should not make a copay. The receptionist did not believe me. I called Alison and she told me again that we do not copay. Unfortunately, the one insurance card I had did not show that, so...win to the medical clinic
Then I noticed strange noises coming from the TV. It was the bleatings of Fox & Friends, especially the whiny, anti-intellectual tones of .Steve Doocy. Why? Why? Why out of all the channels on Earth does it have to be that one?
Then I am put in a patient room to wait for the doctor. There is reading material! Front and center in the magazine rack is...GUNS. I try to joke with the nurse who is about to take my blood pressure, but she will have none of it. That's okay. They have a hard job, but it certainly doesn't help me relax.
Needless to say, my blood pressure reading was not good. The diastolic (bottom number) was as high as I'd ever seen it.
I told the nurse practitioner who came into to see me that I was particularly agitated that morning. He asked if it was anything they had done. I told him no, but that playing Fox News in the waiting room didn't help, that it was a highly offensive channel to some. He countered that it may be, but some people were offended by CNN as well.
Really? CNN? That bland corporate mush, designed to be played as background noise at airports? That's offensive?
All three major news channels are corporate owned entities. They are going to tailor their news according to those interests. The idea that on of them is a left wing balance to Fox News is preposterous. CNN is owned by Time-Warner, MSNBC by Comcast. They're not going to focus on news that challenges the corporate view of the world. For example, there is little discussion of net neutrality, as continued free and equal access to the internet is not in the interest of these large media conglomerates, who want determine speed and access based on who has the money to control it.
MSNBC used to have a center left bias, but that was before the Comcast takeover. They have been losing an amazing number of liberal hosts and commentators, with only three left with evening shows. And none of those support Bernie Sanders. They're more concentrated on the Corporate Democrats.
Fox News is primarily owned by one individual, Rupert Murdoch. He is free to tinge his corporatism with his own idiosyncrasies and biases. They made the decision, back in the nineties, to fill a need for a "conservative voice" in the media world. He had the very conservative political operative, Roger Aisles, to run it.
Since then, they have been at the forefront of the nastiness and extremism that have so damaged our culture. They make no pretense in the way they skew the news to make liberals look bad, and to confirm all the worst prejudices of their viewership.
They, in large part, are why the President cannot get the cooperation and compromises needed to move the country forward. On their channel, the President is a monster and any compromise with him is tantamount to surrender and treason. On their channel, poor people are lazy, Muslims are evil and so is their religion, trickle down works, half the country are selfish takers, climate change is a hoax, Benghazi was worse than 9/11 and 9/11 was Bill Clinton's responsibility (Bush kept us "safe"), there is a war on Christmas, Obama is a Kenyan, and men wearing dresses are lurking in the women's restroom.
I could go on and on, but either you see it or you don't. They have been responsible for playing to the worst fears of conservative America. And what happens when you constantly do that? Well, I'll tell you one of things that happens -
Donald Trump
Like Victor Frankenstein, you first take pride in your creation, and then you look with a gasp at the genuine monster you have brought into the world and gasp, "My God! What have I done?"
I don't think in the vast majority of cases it the patrons, clients or patients of the business that is anchoring the TV on that channel. I think it is the owners, managers and entrepreneurs that are doing it. They are communicating their own political biases to those that come into their businesses. And they believe where they live is so monolithic in it's conservatism that will no one will object.
Well, they're wrong. I object. And I believe I am not alone.
Please, pick another channel. It's raising my blood pressure.
And more importantly, I think it's raising the blood pressure of the whole country.
So, please. Stop it. Just stop it.
Try the channel suitable for airports. Or the Weather Channel. Or HGTV.
Anything but that fountain of hate, bile and venom.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
It's Time to Listen to a Story About A Man Named Jedidiah
Verily, I say unto thee
Come now!
Come and hear the tale of a man named Jedidiah D Clampett, known most commonly as Jed
An impoverished man of the mountains
who could barely keep his family
in proper nutritional sustenance
Lo! One day he was hunting with a weapon
that explosively discharged at a fleeing forest creature
He missed badly, hitting the ground,
and to his startled amazement what did appear?
A bubbling cauldron of crude
A black gold! Oil! The flowing Texas tea that fueled the modern industrial age!
Suddenly, the aging Jedidiah was nouveau riche
Kin of his tribe urged him to move away from his homeland
That the Golden land of California
Was the proper place to locate
So they loaded up their transportational mechanisms
and moved to the village of Beverly
Beverly Hills, to be precise.
Cemented ponds! Cinematic performers!
Y'all are invited to this Ritz locality
To have a heaping good time
With The Beverly Hillbillies, that is.
C'mon in! Sit a spell! Take your footwear off!*
And please
Y'all double-dip and see it twice!
The Beverly Hillbillies!
This here is the cast, y'all. I'd start naming them, but I got spatial and time limitations, and I wouldn't want to leave anybody out. But take my word for it - they're a hard-working, talented bunch who you're gonna love to see.
*Removal of footwear conditional upon signing a waiver of responsibility, and upon said condition and odor of each individual foot involved.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Jessie's Girl and Other Monday Musings
Alison is now Jessie's girl. Yes, we have a brand new foster. Her name is Jessie, and appears to be a dachshund/chihuahua mix. She is tiny, only about half the size of our Pixie. She was hit by a car, and favors one of her front legs, which was bruised in the collision. Miraculously, she has no broken bones or other injuries.
She stated out terrified and shivering, scared of everybody. But Alison, with an assist from our friendly pack of three dogs, has brought her out substantially in just a couple of days.
------------------------------------
My weight is down. At least it was on Friday, when I achieved a weight that is probably my lowest in the last twenty years. My lower back and leg pain has receded, thanks to reduced time at work, including getting my Fridays back. Unfortunately, my blood pressure is as high as it's ever been. I am going to see somebody at the doctor's office tomorrow, so hopefully they will help me get a handle on that.
------------------------------------------
I'm no fan of Ted Cruz (that's an understatement), but I was hoping he could throw a roadblock in front of Donald Trump clinching the Republican nomination on the first ballot. Unfortunately, he is fading in the Indiana polls, and his announcing of Carly Fiorina as his running mate was a strange and desperate move that I think hurt his candidacy way more than it helped. What kind of bubble do these people live in where they think a failed CEO is someone that will boost their campaign?
Meanwhile, Sanders may beat Clinton in Indiana. I repeat...may. The mainstream has completely dismissed Bernie as a presence in the race. It's hard to say what the people in the remaining primary races will do with that - some people are bandwagoners and just want to go with the "winner". Only time will tell how prevalent an attitude that is. Historically, Hillary is not a very effective front-runner, but she's got a lot of media certainty behind her now, so we'll see. It's important to me that Bernie at least remain competitive through the California primary. Everyone should have a right to weigh in.
-------------------------------------
Game of Thrones is zooming past the books now. Something happened last night that I will do my best not to spoil, but I will express my belief that George R R Martin might have handled it differently, but with the same end result.
Warg on, Game of Thrones!
Until next time,
T. M. Strait
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