A Day That will Live in Celebration

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a central figure of the 20th century during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war, and a community organizer whose neighborhood encompassed the entire nation, was born on this day in 1882.

This day may be marked with less enthusiasm by some ... especially here, in the Tall City. Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor, established the foundation for modern American liberalism ... a legacy that is being recalled once again as a new administration takes charge in America, and tackles a new generation of problems ... with some observers even offering the phrase 'a new New Deal.'

Roosevelt was not entirely successful in every measure he proposed. Yet for all that, there are few who left such an indelible imprint upon us, our nation and its place in the world. His Wikipedia write-up notes that Roosevelt "has been consistently ranked as one of the greatest U.S. presidents in historical rankings, alongside Abraham Lincoln and George Washington ... a 1999 survey by C-SPAN found that by a wide margin academic historians consider Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Roosevelt the three greatest presidents, consistent with other surveys ... anf Roosevelt is the sixth most admired person from the 20th century by US citizens, according to Gallup."

Did Roosevelt elevate himself as high as history has? Maybe ... and maybe not. He was the first to establish a library (The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum), setting in motion what has become the dominant form of presidential memorials outside of Washington, D.C. As for a more traditional memorial, Roosevelt reportedly told Felix Frankfurter that he wanted nothing more than a plain block of stone the size of his desk erected in front of the National Archives. Such a memorial was built during the 1960s ... but would be dramatically eclipsed decades later ... you can still see that block of stone, by the way, at the new FDR Memorial in Washington, DC .

There is no lack of online resources about FDR, his life and his world. Some good ones include the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Resource Guide from the Library of Congress, the New Deal Network (a collection of photos and primary sources), the FDR Cartoon Archive, FDR's episode in the "American Experience: The Presidents" series, Photographs of Franklin D. Roosevelt from the National Archives and the Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center Museum.

Taking a Break ....

Blogging has been placed on the back burner this past week, and will remain there for a little while longer. As we deal with the sadness and the joy of losing a loved-one, I STRONGLY urge you to take the advice of fellow blogger Eric, at Fire Ant Gazette, and "use the time you would otherwise have spent here hugging someone you love."

Cheerio ...

I have been many places, and known many people ... I have held very few of those people in such high regard as I did Anne Buress. Over the years, as I came to know her better, my regard - and my love - for Mrs. Buress never stopped growing.

Hers was a long and remarkable life ... and not always an easy life. It was one that knew more than its share of difficulties, even dangers. Yet she came through it all in what I see as a genuine triumph of the spirit and the soul. For all the harshness and drepivation she had known through her youth, she was one of the kindest, most generous and giving people I have ever known. Her greatest gift to me was giving away her daughter's hand in marriage.

Earlier this week, our prayers that Mrs. Buress might find healing and wholeness were answered, and she passed on to where she "will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

Cheerio, Anne.

The Bridge: Counting the Hours ...

Tomorrow morning, one of Midland's old churches will open its doors on a new venture, and a new addition to the Tall City's community of faith.

It's called "The Bridge," a new worship service being added to the schedule at First Presbyterian Church-Midland.

"The Bridge is an ancient-future worship experience at First Presbyterian Church, each Sunday morning at 11:00 in the chapel," The Bridge's website explains. "Our desire is to engage God's ancient words in a new way, all for the purpose of entering into the presence of God."

"Wherever you are in life's journey, we hope that you'll join us at The Bridge, as we put our trust in God who is with us."

Preparations - conception and organization, staff development, construction and rennovation - have been well under way for the better part of a year. You can follow the progress of those preparations at "Into the West Texas Sun," a recent addition to Midland's corner of the blogosphere. The Bridge is not replacing any of the current services at First Prez - it is an addition to the church's schedule of worship, taking place in the Chapel (the church's original sanctuary), while a traditional service is under way in the Sanctuary itself. Both services will be preceded by shared fellowship and refreshments in Lynn Hall.

For more information, please call John Van Dusen 684-7821, Ext. 176.

Tall City on the World Wide Web ...

Much of the world's attention was rightly focused on the city of Washington today. But the town of Midland, Texas, also had a moment in the national/world spotlight. "Bush, family arrive in Texas: Thousands greet him in Midland" was the headline for this report from msnbc.com, accompanied by the following video clip ...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I Was Right ... Well, Mostly ...

Was it just me, I wondered earlier today, or did anyone else see the elder George Bush displaying MHS Bulldog pride with a purple-and-gold scarf as he and Barbara took their place for today's inauguration?

UPDATE: I was right! Well, mostly ... it was actually a purple-and-gold scarf-and-sweater combination (detail from a Getty Image by Justin Sullivan).

GO DAWGS!

An Addition to the Inaugural Archives ...

A new volume has now been added to the archives of inaugural sights, sounds and speeches. Here is the contribution from 44th President of the United States Barack Obama...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

You can read the text of President Obama's inaugural spech HERE

So, how does it compare to past contributions to these archives? Find out for yourself at this innaugural library from iCue.com (a division of NBC/Universal, Inc.) ... audio and video of more recent innaugural address, film-with-sound of older addresses, silent films going back to McKinley's innauguration in 1901, and stories told with words, pictures and documents dating as far back as George Washington and the very first presidential inauguration.

Has it Really Been 44 Years ...

... since I was part of a massive gathering such as we're seeing in Washington today? Yes, it has. What I'm seeing and hearing today reminds me of a cold-but-sunny afternoon in our nation's capital, in 1965, and a piece of history that passed by as I stood with the crowds along Pennsylvania Avenue.

It was Innauguration Day for President-Elect Lyndon Johnson. Preparations for the event included assembling an honor guard of military personnel from all services, lining the parade route and other areas where innauguration festivities were taking place. This included my dad's unit from Quantico, a Marine base in nearby Virginia. He was called-up, and the rest of the family got to go along and join the crowds. I remember it as a crowded and noisy day. There was a celebratory air to it all.

It was an exciting time then ... and it's an exciting time now.

And it's a hopeful time. For all the derision the word has received from local online punditz ... this is a time for HOPE. For today, at least, there is music and celebration, noble images and brave words ... and there is hope, as there is at all innaugurations. Whether or not that hope is realized, of course, remains to be seen. But today we are hopeful. Today, we must all be hopeful. HOPE is a word that must not be reserved for one person, one political party, or one philosophy. It is a word we must all use, and a concept we must all do our best to realize ... whether it's in the halls of our nation's capital, or the streets of Midland, Texas.

Now, 44 years after I glimpsed a bit of history motor by, I remain hopeful. God bless President Obama, God bless America, God bless us all.

Time (and Technology) Marches On ...

Eight years ago, only one local website delivered streaming video of Geroge and Laura Bush's visit to Midland, and was only partially successful. This time around, three local news websites promise streaming video of this afternoon's festivities ... and I suspect all three will be successful.

Time - and technology - marches on. While streaming video wasn't brand-spanking-new in January, 2001, it was still in its growth and development stage, as more and more groups were introducing it to their sites, refining it and expanding its capabilities. This was especially true in West Texas. I was editor of mywesttexas.com at the time, when it was a joint venture of the Midland Reporter-Telegram and KWES-TV/NewsWest 9. My part of the proposed sreaming video was simple ... the much harder task was on the technical side, where our engineering staff found themselves wearing an 'IT Hat' in addition to those they normally wore in the process of keeping a television station up and running, as well as setting-up and maintaining a live television signal from downtown Midland that day, and ensuring that all equipment (lights and cables, cameras and microphones, etc.) were ready.

The television broadcast of the rally was flawless ... I wish I could say the same for the webcast. As time went by, we were eventually overwhelmed by all the data and the room it required, and we had to close it down. We carried on from there with text, photos, and uploaded videos going online just a few minutes after they had been recorded. It wasn't live, but it wasn't pretty darn current. Over time, that would change. When I was editor of kwes.com, we would introduce consistent and reliable streaming video for our readers, and let them follow developing stories around Texas, around the nation and around the world.

Today, you can go to three local websites sites - the Midland Reporter-Telegram, KWES-TV/NewsWest 9, and KOSA-TV/CBS 7 - for live coverage and streaming video of the event, and I suspect that all three will be successful.

Time, technology - and the expertise of the staff for each of these sites - marches on.

The Bridge: Counting the Days ...

In less than a week, one of Midland's old churches will open its doors on a new venture, and a new addition to the Tall City's community of faith.

It's called "The Bridge," a new worship service being added to the schedule at First Presbyterian Church-Midland.

"The Bridge is an ancient-future worship experience at First Presbyterian Church, each Sunday morning at 11:00 in the chapel," The Bridge's website explains. "Our desire is to engage God's ancient words in a new way, all for the purpose of entering into the presence of God."

"Wherever you are in life's journey, we hope that you'll join us at The Bridge, as we put our trust in God who is with us."

Preparations - conception and organization, staff development, construction and rennovation - have been well under way for the better part of a year. You can follow the progress of those preparations at "Into the West Texas Sun," a recent addition to Midland's corner of the blogosphere. The Bridge is not replacing any of the current services at First Prez - it is an addition to the church's schedule of worship, taking place in the Chapel (the church's original sanctuary), while a traditional service is under way in the Sanctuary itself. Both services will be preceded by shared fellowship and refreshments in Lynn Hall.

For more information, please call John Van Dusen 684-7821, Ext. 176.

George Goes Two-for-Two ...

A pair of visits today ... both the result of posts by George at Sleepless in Midland, and both of them a good experience.

The first was the City of Midland's Off-Leash Dog Park, in the Hogan Park complex, north of the Sibley Nature Center. This park is on off-leash park for dogs only. Each dog must be over 4 months old, wearing his or her current license tags and have been properly inoculated. No other animals are permitted in the park area.

George had posted about the park on numerous occasions, but it's only now that Younger Son and I got around to visiting, with our dog in tow. It didn't take for everyone to start visiting, dogs-wth-dogs and people-with people. A good time was had by all ... thanks for the heads-up, George.

Our second stop was a Do-It-Yourself Dog Wash, located inside a store front of the Mesa Verde Shopping Center (SW corner of Midland Drive and Neely Street). A dog steps inside an open booth and is tethered to a pair of links. Deposit $10 worth of token, coins or bills, then select from a menu of services - shampoo, conditioner, flea/tick-treatment, rinse and a two-speed dryer. The cleansing products used are free of chemicals, and the indoor location is handy for cold-weather washes.

I first learned about this business through one of George posts. Younger Son and I enjoyed it ... dog was kind of so-so about it all. All in all, I enjoyed the convenience, and I expect we'll be going back regularly ... thanks, again, for the heads-up, George.

Master of Manes ...

There are few in the Tall City to whom I bow my hirsute head in respect. One of them is Burr Williams, Executive Director of the Sibley Nature Center. Earlier this month, I trimmed (mowed?) my beard at the conclusion of my annual fourth-quarter-let-it-grow tradition ... but even before said trimming, it would have come-up short against Burr's.

Photo taken by the remarkable (if clean-shaven) Eric at Fire Ant Gazette.

Quick! Get Me a Bag ...

How on earth did I end up on NetRightNation? Go to this link, then type in the word "thawout" in the Find On This Page function from your toolbar ... and there I am.

Apparently, I have passed through a "unique portal to the conservative blogosphere" to appear - albeit briefly - on this “flagship blog in the Conservative Bloggers Consortium."

Does this mean I have to start going around with a paper sack over my head?

If You Haven't Been Following Eric's Series of Photoshop Experiments ...

... you should.

A Sip of Cognac, a Birthday Toast ...

... marking the bicentennial of the birth of poet, writer editor and critic Edgar Allan Poe, born on this day in 1809, in Boston, his legacy has generated new interest in this new century.

Through his writings - and adaptations of said writings for stage, film, television, even cartoons - he is best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, of tormented minds and souls. But he is considered the inventor of the detective-fiction genre (C. Auguste Dupin), and is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction (Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym). It is noted that he was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.

Would that he could have enjoyed back then, the interest and success he enjoys today. A number of cities are fighting for the honor to claim him as theirs and only theirs, in what's been dubbed 'The Poe War.' The U.S. Postal Servicfe has released a stamp to commemorate Poe's 200th birthday. And every January 19th, in the pre-dawn hours, crowds gather in a Baltimore cemetery, hoping to someday glimpse a mysterious visitor who places three red roses and a half-filled bottle of cognac at Poe's grave in Baltimore before quietly slipping away.

It's hard not to feel the allure of the man's vision, and the way he crafted the words that have shared that vision with untold milllions of readers and filmgoers ... and will continue to do so long after you and I have passed on to join him for a sip of cognac.

Poe's Wikipedia write-up is a good start for finding out more about the man, his works and his legacy. You can also visit the websites of the Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Edgar Allen Poe Society in Balyimore, Maryland, or the Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia.

Okay, So Make It an I-40 Super Bowl ...

Okay, I guess the team from Arizona DID have something to say about it, so it will be Pittsburgh and Arizona in the Super Bowl. I can live with that. STEELER NATION, ARISE!

A Turnpike Super Bowl? ...

Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in the Super Bowl? Wow! Talk about a dream-come-true for this Keystone State native. But it might be a nightmare for a television network wanting to reach - and sell to advertisers - some broader demographics.

Besides, there's a couple of teams from Arizona and Maryland that might have something to say about it.

RIP: A Man of Action ...

The last of my trio of celebrity deaths is a man who was soooooo much what I wanted to be when I was young ... a man 'who lived a life of danger' and who was so wonderfully cool about it.

"Patrick McGoohan, an actor who created and starred in the cult classic TV show "The Prisoner," died Tuesday in Los Angeles after a short illness. He was 80 ..." Read the rest of this story from CBS News/AP

McGoohan (at right, in a promotional photo from CBS) rode the crest of a wave of British television programs that crossed the Atlamntic to America back then, some of which were among the most creative products to light-up our television screens ... few, though, were quite as stimulating/challenging to the mind as McGoohan's "The Prisoner," and none of them featured as cool a song as another McGoohan vehicle, "Secret Agent."

Here is a great appreciation of McGoohan and his career from Robert Lloyd, television critic for the Los Angeles Times.

RIP: A Man of Pictures ...

Another death of note this past week, was an artist whose work struck a special chord among those of us who have walked the hills and forest of southeatern Pennsylvania ...

... and to millions of others who didn't, but embraced his images nonetheless.

"Artist Andrew Wyeth, who portrayed the hidden melancholy of the people and landscapes of Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley and coastal Maine in works such as “Christina’s World,” died early Friday. He was 91 ..." Read the rest of the story from MSNBC and AP

Wyeth (at right, in a file photo from the Brandywine River Museum) was one of the best-known U.S. artists of the mid-20th century. And while there those who dismissed his work as more illustration than art, others called him the "Painter of the People" due to his work's popularity with the American public.

A realist, there was little of the abstract in Wyeth's work. His most common subjects were the land and people around him, especially in the more rural areas that can still be found an hour's drive or so from downtown Philly. His was a long and productive life and career, that continued right up to the present.

More on this man and his art can be found at his website, which makes for a wonderful, virtual visit. But if you ever get a chance to actually visit southeast P-A ... then GO!

RIP: A Man of Words ...

More than once, someone has pointed out that celebrity deaths always happen in threes. That seemed to be the case this past week - though that may depend upon your definition of 'celebrity.'

One of the deaths that made headlines this past week was a writer whose work I have enjoyed, both in print and in television adaptations of his works. "Dramatist and author Sir John Mortimer, who created enduring character Rumpole of the Bailey, has died aged 85 after a long illness. Sir John, who began working as a barrister in the 1940s, went on to become one of the most prolific writers of books and screenplays ..." Read the rest of this story from the BBC

He was also a prolific lawyer and advocate. A lifelong supporter of Britain's Labour Party and self-proclaimed “champagne socialist,” Mortimer took up several high profile freedom of speech cases.

For myself, I only began sampling his writing after enjoying - on PBS' "Mystery" series - the television adaptations of "Rumpole of the Bailey" that featured Leo McKern as Mortimer's curmudgeonly criminal lawyer (at right, a PA Photo of author and actor on the set).

--30--

It was just one year ago that I published an article about a local man coping with cancer ... today, I must write the closing paragraph to that story.

I learned Wednesday that Eric Hanson has passed away in Houston. A native Midlander and a second-generation oil-and-gas professional, Eric was also waging an ongoing and courageous battle with cancer. It was in that capacity that I interviewed him in January, 2009, for an article in Community Healthlink magazine about cancer, its diagnosis and treatment - and it was through that contact that I became better-acquainted with someone I had known only casually, through church and through our children ... in fact, the interview was conducted in my truck, as he and I were waiting for our kids to return from a church youth ski trip.

I'm glad I got to know Eric better ... and I'd bet just about everyone who knew him would say the same thing. Eric was one of the good guys ... active in his family, his profession and his community. Needess to say, we often thought of ways we might lift his spirits ... but it was often Eric who lifted ours! My interview with Eric not only looked back on the diagnosis and treatment of his cancer, it also looked ahead ... as far as I know, Eric never stopped looking ahead.

--30--

Me? I'm Not Surprised ...

And I'll bet you're not surprised, either, by this report from the MRT's Courtney Bacalso about the way Midlanders responded to news of a pair of Brazilian nationals who found themselves out of work - and, apparently, out of luck - in the Tall City.

I've seen this same generosity at work, time and time again this past year ... whether it's welcoming international refugees, packing care boxes for soldiers, gathering supplies for flood victims, or helping schools, churches and NGO's meet funding goals for capital improvements ... and I'll bet you can provide plenty of added examples from the past year.

Something Good This Way Comes ...

A group that has earned praise for their "uniquely textured alternative worship music" is coming to the Tall City this week.

West Texans will have a chance to hear and enjoy that music and its message for themselves January 14, when David Crowder*Band - a 6-piece Christian electronic rock and worship band from Waco, Texas - takes the stage at Midland Center.

What? "electronic rock and worship" is not your cup of tea? Well, maybe you can help someone who drinks it by the gallon ... when they can

"We would greatly encourage you to attend this special worship event," local concert organizers say. "If you are unable to attend, we would suggest you purchase tickets we could give away to those who otherwise would not be able to attend."

Tickets for the concert are $20 each, and can be purchased at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, 800 W. Texas Avenue (on the west edge of downtown Midland); and Mardel Book Store, 5214 W. Wadley Avenue (in northwest Midland). For more information, call First Prez-Midland at 684-7821.

Younger Son REALLY Likes This Video ...

... and has asked me share it with you all. So here it is, answering at last that timeless questions ... "Why don't guys ask for directions?"

Blog, Wiki or What? ...

This past week at Midland College included an in-service for faculty and staff about the use of blogs and Wiki in an educational setting. Is one preferred over the other? The answer might be found in this video prepared by groupnon for Wikis and Blogs in Education ... great stuff!

Give 'em a Left Hook! .....

Oh, what a tangled web he weaves. Who best to take on arch-villain Bill O'Reilly than the original web-slinger, Spiderman?

OBAMA AND SPIDERMAN FIGHT EVIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Due to a great response to the future team-up between Spider-Man and President-Elect Obama, Marvel comics has decided to release a 6 issue limited series of the two fighting evil. Anonymous sources have leaked that their first villain will be an irradiated Bill O’Reilly. Read the rest of the story in the Weekly World News

Saturday Night Special ...

The nearly-full moon Saturday night will be the biggest and brightest one of the new year as Earth's natural satellite reaches its closest point to our planet.

Here is the complete report from space.com's Robert Roy Britt.

Turf Words ...

I had a chance last night to see the results of the recently-completed turf rennovation project at Grande Stadium ... and I thought they looked great.

The new turf, installed over the winter break, was one of the attractions of first day of the President's Cup Soccer Tournament, where eight high school teams from Midland, Lubbock and El Paso are giving the "real grass matrix variety" a proper break-in. And futbol uses every square-inch of the field, with players having to cover 20-25% more field than covered by a game of 'throwball.' (Why, yes ... I am a soccer parent ... does it show?)

And the field doesn't just look good ... judging by the speed and the turns made by players on the field, it provides a good playing surface as well. According to this report from the MRT's Lee Passmore, "the new surface of the venue got positive reviews ..." In that same article, it's mentioned that it might get better, once it's "settled in."

Got Devotion? ...

If so, you can help the folks at Upward Basketball & Cheerleading, which kicks-off its 2009 season in West Texas this weekend.

Upward introduces children to Jesus Christ by creating opportunities to serve through sports. Upward is a fun, reliable, passionate and encouraging sports experience for boys and girls, in K5 through sixth grade. Upward provides first class, organized and detailed sports programming. Unique aspects of Upward include an evaluation system that promotes equal and competitive teams as well as a substitution system which allows for equal playing time for all participants.Through Upward, children are exposed to quality coaching and sport development. Upward emphasizes character and integrity instead of a “win at all costs” mentality associated with today’s sports world.

And, NO, you don't have to be a member of a church in order to participate!

There are all kinds of ways you can help the Upward program in your community, and a number of colunteers have already stepped forward to serve as coaches or assistant coaches, referee or timekeepers.

You may also choose - and here's where the "devotion" from my post's title comes in - to present a brief devotional to the audience during the halftimes, while the teams are resting and getting ready for the next round of play. Your focus can be current events, a piece of Scripture from the Bible, or sports. You can compose your own, or work from guidelines that participating churches will provide you.

In Midland, there are programs at First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church. They are needing people to give short devotionals at halftime for the Upward basketball games at First Prez - and across the street, at Midland High - this Saturday. Games are from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.and are an hour long. If you can volunteer to give a devotional during any of these games please contact Scott or Melinda at 684-8440.

In Odessa, there are programs at Sherwood Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church and Faith Church of the Nazarene. And in Lamesa, there is a program at First Baptist Church.

Actual Meeting of Virtual Acquaintances ...

Once again, I've discovered that my virtual acquaintances - developed through posts and comments on one another's blogs - are even better when I actually meet them.

Natalie Rolfe has spent the last year at Lulwanda Children's Home in Mabale, Uganda, serving "90 of the most precious kids in the WORLD" by teaching them phonics and sharing the love of Jesus with them.She has kept a running account of her activities in her "When He Calls Me, I Will Answer" blog, where she reminds us that "pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this : to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." - James 1:27.

She is now on furlough, at home in Texas ... and that included a visit to the Tall City this past weekend, where she was the guest speaker at a lunch hosted by Midland Bible Church. It was a great time, the house was packed and the presentation - supplemented by photos and music, and followed by Q&A - was terrific.

By the way, Natalie's mission to Uganda is a 'work in progress,' and she is already preparing for her return ..."I am a SUPPORT-RAISING missionary," she explains. "Therefore, I wanted to give the opportunity to those who feel led to give. The Lord deeply cares for orphans (as stated many times in the Word) and He blesses those who contribute to the mission of helping them - whether through going, praying, or sending. If you would like to financially support my second year in Uganda, please make checks out to Midland Bible Church, with Natalie Rolfe in the memo."Midland Bible Church2800 North A Street, Midland, TX 79705

Strangely Quiet ...

It's been virtually quiet around West Texas' corner of the blogosphere about Bill Richardson's potential impact on the energy industry, once he made the move from Santa Fe to Washington.

Maybe that will change, now that said move has apparently been called off.

According to this report from NBC News, "New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state"

Considering the role of the oil-and-gas industry in the Permian Basin economy, and the impact Governor Richardson's had on the industry at the state level, I'm surprised there hasn't been much discussion among local online punditz about his possible impact at the national level. There's certainly been plenty of actual discussion, among real people, about the impact his state's policies have had upon exploration and development in the Land of Enchantment ... often ending with some variation of, 'Dang! What if he becomes energy secretary?'

We'll never now ... for now, at least.

So, Who Will be Who? ...

The BBC confirmed today that it will reveal the identity of the Eleventh Doctor as part of a special edition of Doctor Who Confidential to be aired on BBC ONE, Saturday, January 3.
Read the rest of the BBC press release HERE

Following the announcement in October that David Tennant would be stepping down from his role as the Doctor at the end of 2009, speculation has been mounting as to who would take over from him in Doctor Who, one of the most popular and longest-lived franchises in television. Also from BBC, HERE are some of the names which have been appearing in the bookmakers' lists of favourites to be the Eleventh Doctor.

(UN) Happy Valley ...

Forget next Thursday ... my interest in the 2008/2009 college football season came to a dismal end late yesterday afternoon, in sunny California.

Mark Sanchez passed for 413 yards and four touchdowns, USC dominated on defense and the fifth-ranked Trojans beat up No. 6 Penn State 38-24 Thursday in the Rose Bowl.

Get 'em next year, Lions!

Sounds of West Texas ...

Two nights, two concerts by internationally-renowned ensembles, and two performances by singers who first plied their craft onstage in West Texas.

The first was a concert by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Tuesday night at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock. Among the vocalists in that performance was Christina "Steena" Hernandez of Odessa, Texas. According to her bio, she started singing and dancing at the age of three and since then has always performed. After graduating Texas Tech University with a degree in acting, she moved to New York City.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs Christmas Canon, courtesy of TSOVids at YouTube

Wednesday night, on television, it was The New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve Concert on Live from Lincoln Center, live from Avery Fischer Hall with special guest , raised in Midland, Texas, and a graduate of Texas Tech University and the Manhattan School of Music who has gone on to perform at many of the most celebrated opera venues in the world.

Susan Graham performs À Chloris, courtesy of xavisuescun at YouTube

Two absolutely wonderful nights of music!