Mild temperatures, modest winds, and an enthusiastic crowd in the stands. It's a good night for soccer as the West Texas Sockers prepare to take the field against the Laredo Heat. Just a few minutes to kickoff.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Busy Season ...
A busy time of year for Christian mission, and the West Texas Missioner blog. Blogging help has arrived, though - and darn good help it is! Be sure to welcome the new contributor at West Texas Missioner.
An Addition to My List of Favorite Shows ...
A new series that began ariring late last month on the History Channel, has quicly become a weekly favorite for our family, and an addition to our 'must-see TV' list.
"Life After People: The Series" begins in the moments after people disappear. As each day, month, and year passes, the fate of a particular environment, city or theme is disclosed. Special effects, combined with interviews from top experts in the fields of engineering, botany, biology, geology, and archeology provide an unforgettable visual journey through the ultimately hypothetical.
The series is now about how or why the people are gone ... they're just gone, and it's almost as if they left suddenly and quietly, leaving behind their cities in a near-pristine state ... a lot like some of those 'empty city' shots from "On the Beach" and films like that. And while, the series relies on speculation aboput what direction 'life after people' might take, it is very informed speculation, and relies a great deal on our archaeological and historical record. And some of that record is pretty recent ... sure, you look at what happened to Angkor Wat, Cambodia, 600 years after abandonment. But you also look at what happened to the High Line in New York City, USA, 50 years after abandonment, and the city of Chernobyl, Ukraines, just 20 years after abandonment.
Not all the time is devoted to our grandest buildings and monuments. You also learn what might happen to the dinosaur skeletons at the Smithsonian, the ivy at Chicago's Wrigley Field, and all those giant vats of beer at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Saint Louis.
The show is interesting and informative - even provocative ... it gets you talking and wondering, "what if?" And the special effects are really very good. They complement the story, but they don't overwhelm it ... though they do provide some memorable images.
I recommend it. "Life After People" airs Tuesday nights at nine o'clock (central) on the the History Channel (channel 62 on Midland's Suddenlink cable system). If you gave high-def History Channel on your cable system, it's even more fun to watch!
"Life After People: The Series" begins in the moments after people disappear. As each day, month, and year passes, the fate of a particular environment, city or theme is disclosed. Special effects, combined with interviews from top experts in the fields of engineering, botany, biology, geology, and archeology provide an unforgettable visual journey through the ultimately hypothetical.The series is now about how or why the people are gone ... they're just gone, and it's almost as if they left suddenly and quietly, leaving behind their cities in a near-pristine state ... a lot like some of those 'empty city' shots from "On the Beach" and films like that. And while, the series relies on speculation aboput what direction 'life after people' might take, it is very informed speculation, and relies a great deal on our archaeological and historical record. And some of that record is pretty recent ... sure, you look at what happened to Angkor Wat, Cambodia, 600 years after abandonment. But you also look at what happened to the High Line in New York City, USA, 50 years after abandonment, and the city of Chernobyl, Ukraines, just 20 years after abandonment.
Not all the time is devoted to our grandest buildings and monuments. You also learn what might happen to the dinosaur skeletons at the Smithsonian, the ivy at Chicago's Wrigley Field, and all those giant vats of beer at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Saint Louis.
The show is interesting and informative - even provocative ... it gets you talking and wondering, "what if?" And the special effects are really very good. They complement the story, but they don't overwhelm it ... though they do provide some memorable images.
I recommend it. "Life After People" airs Tuesday nights at nine o'clock (central) on the the History Channel (channel 62 on Midland's Suddenlink cable system). If you gave high-def History Channel on your cable system, it's even more fun to watch!
Raising the Stakes ...
Not all competition among local television news departments is on-air. A growing portion of it is online, as well.
Over the last few weeks, KWES-TV/NewsWest 9 (the NBC affiliate for our West Texas/southeast New Mexico market) has raised the stakes in the online competition by adding live, streaming video of their four and five o'clock broadcasts.
Streaming video - originating locally - has come a long way since the first serious attempts in this market. For the news producer, the technology has improved dramatically over the years. Meanwhile, for the news consumer, access has increased - again, dramatically. It will be interesting to see how this latest venture works for both the on-air and online products - and viewership - of this station.
Over the last few weeks, KWES-TV/NewsWest 9 (the NBC affiliate for our West Texas/southeast New Mexico market) has raised the stakes in the online competition by adding live, streaming video of their four and five o'clock broadcasts.
Streaming video - originating locally - has come a long way since the first serious attempts in this market. For the news producer, the technology has improved dramatically over the years. Meanwhile, for the news consumer, access has increased - again, dramatically. It will be interesting to see how this latest venture works for both the on-air and online products - and viewership - of this station.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
George Likes 'em, and So Do I ...
George at Sleepless in Midland has expressed his appreciation for the "What If ..." ads from Sprint. I share that appreciation. Here's the latest, "What If Film Crews Ran the World?"
Monday, May 11, 2009
Hotelicopter hoax flies over bloggers’ heads ...
That's the conclusion from Dave Demerjian in this post at Autopia, where he notes, "There’s a sucker born every minute, and they’re all buying the 'hotelicopter' story, ahem, flying around the blogosphere."
"Several websites, including some that should know better, are reporting that a guy named Alvin Farley has spent five years converting the world’s largest helicopter into the world’s first flying hotel," Demerjian goes on. "Thing is, the story has a few holes big enough to fly the Hotelicopter through."
IMHO, we'll be hearing more from the folks at Hotelicopter ... that what was rolled out for us was not an 'April Fools' hoax, but a marketing tool.
"Several websites, including some that should know better, are reporting that a guy named Alvin Farley has spent five years converting the world’s largest helicopter into the world’s first flying hotel," Demerjian goes on. "Thing is, the story has a few holes big enough to fly the Hotelicopter through."IMHO, we'll be hearing more from the folks at Hotelicopter ... that what was rolled out for us was not an 'April Fools' hoax, but a marketing tool.
Friday, May 08, 2009
MC Graduation, 6
Move the tassle, and that's a wrap. Congratulations to the Midland College 2009 graduates. All in all, I think everything went very well. I'm not surprised, though - I've seen first-hand how much work went into the planning and execution of the evening's festivities ... from the first note of music, to the last sip of punch. A wonderful evening, and I'm glad to have been a part of it.
MC Graduation, 5
Technological advances in commencement appreciation. Even those in the higher tiers, at the back of the Chap Center, can enjoy a nice view of the proceedings thanks to a live broadcast of the presentations, shot from a nice location on the stage, and displayed on a giant screen behind the stage. And let's not forget advances in noisemaking, so the traditional ckappibg, whistling and cheering can be supplemented by all varieties of horns-in-a-can.
MC Graduation, 4
Time for the presentations ... certificates, followed by associate degrees (arts, science and applied science), then bachelor degrees (MC is one of only four junior colleges allowed to award a bachelor's degree). Introductions of the students and presentations of degrees, shouts from the students' cheering sections, handshakes, photos ... hundreds of joyful moments in one evening, under one roof.
MC Graduation, 3
And it has begun. Lines of students filing in, shouts from family members when they see a love one, all kinds of phots and video being taken ... all to Sir Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance."
Invocation by MC honor student Rebecca Karth, followed by MC music professor Michael Jordan singing the National Anthem. Then it's time for greetings, introductions and salutation from MC President Dr. Steve Thomas. This is Dr. Thomas' first commencement as MC's new president, and be's doing an outstanding job.
Invocation by MC honor student Rebecca Karth, followed by MC music professor Michael Jordan singing the National Anthem. Then it's time for greetings, introductions and salutation from MC President Dr. Steve Thomas. This is Dr. Thomas' first commencement as MC's new president, and be's doing an outstanding job.
MC Graduation, 2
About a half-hour till the ceremony starts, and the Chap Center is filling-up. An orchestra made up of MC music faculty and students is performing, and doing a good job. Hundreds of students will be honored tonight, and there are A LOT of proud family members on hand to celebrate their accomplishments.
MC Graduation, 1
About one hour till the ceremony begins, and families are already arriving, looking for just the right seat to enjoy the festivities. Lots of smiles on faces , and already some excitement in the air. It looks to be a good night at MC!
Supporting Alamo's Bandsters ...
Younger Son and I will be doing our part to help some fellow musicians, Saturday ... and we hope you will, too.
According to this report from the MRT staff, "seventh- and eighth-grade band students at Alamo Junior High, trying to raise funds to help defray the expense of summer band camp at West Texas A&M University, will participate in a daylong Play-a-Thon Saturday at Alamo."
Younger Son is, himself, a bandster and attends another junior high. But he has some good friends in the band at Alamo, and we both want to do what we can to help them attend summer band camp in Amarillo ... the same session, as a matter of fact, that Younger Son will be attending.
About 140 band students will participate in the six-hour event. A Play-a-Thon Concert will be held at 3:20 in the afternoon, Saturday, on the front steps of the school, but supporters can stop by and make a donation anytime from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The school is located at 3800 W. Storey Avenue, just east of Midland Drive, and a couple blocks south of Cuthbert, in southwest Midland.
Some great kids making a beautiful noise for a worthy cause ... won't you stop by and show your support?
According to this report from the MRT staff, "seventh- and eighth-grade band students at Alamo Junior High, trying to raise funds to help defray the expense of summer band camp at West Texas A&M University, will participate in a daylong Play-a-Thon Saturday at Alamo."
Younger Son is, himself, a bandster and attends another junior high. But he has some good friends in the band at Alamo, and we both want to do what we can to help them attend summer band camp in Amarillo ... the same session, as a matter of fact, that Younger Son will be attending.
About 140 band students will participate in the six-hour event. A Play-a-Thon Concert will be held at 3:20 in the afternoon, Saturday, on the front steps of the school, but supporters can stop by and make a donation anytime from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The school is located at 3800 W. Storey Avenue, just east of Midland Drive, and a couple blocks south of Cuthbert, in southwest Midland.
Some great kids making a beautiful noise for a worthy cause ... won't you stop by and show your support?
Community College Community: Tonight's the Night
It all comes together tonight ... all the plans, all the work and - especially among the students - all the hopes, and the dreams.
The 36th Commencement at Midland College kicks-off tonight at seven o'clock, at the Al G. Langford Chaparral Center. It's the culmination of an especially-busy period around the school where I work, and it's been an 'all-hands' effort, with many of us taking on added tasks and responsibilities, doing our part to make this evening come together for our grads.
And while Commencement is the primary end-of-year event, it's far from the only event. Earlier this week, the annual Pinning Ceremony honored West Texas newest nursing program graduates. We've also had recitals by MC music students, the presentation of the Hilda Simmons Levitt Awards to student poets, and the awarding of grants to local non-profits by MC's Students In Philanthropy.
It's been a busy time in our Athletics Department, too, with several exciting seasons (during the spring, it's men's and women's basketball, golf, softball and baseball) leading to appearances in conference, regional and national tournaments.
And in spite of the hectic pace of late, we've kept in touch with our community, hosting a number of events in recent weeks, including the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, the Hospice Teleconference, an Earth Day Fun Fair, and a competition for trebuchet teams from local schools.
A busy few weeks at the end of another great year. And it all comes together at the Chap Center in just a few hours ... tonight's the night!
The 36th Commencement at Midland College kicks-off tonight at seven o'clock, at the Al G. Langford Chaparral Center. It's the culmination of an especially-busy period around the school where I work, and it's been an 'all-hands' effort, with many of us taking on added tasks and responsibilities, doing our part to make this evening come together for our grads.
And while Commencement is the primary end-of-year event, it's far from the only event. Earlier this week, the annual Pinning Ceremony honored West Texas newest nursing program graduates. We've also had recitals by MC music students, the presentation of the Hilda Simmons Levitt Awards to student poets, and the awarding of grants to local non-profits by MC's Students In Philanthropy.
It's been a busy time in our Athletics Department, too, with several exciting seasons (during the spring, it's men's and women's basketball, golf, softball and baseball) leading to appearances in conference, regional and national tournaments.
And in spite of the hectic pace of late, we've kept in touch with our community, hosting a number of events in recent weeks, including the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, the Hospice Teleconference, an Earth Day Fun Fair, and a competition for trebuchet teams from local schools.
A busy few weeks at the end of another great year. And it all comes together at the Chap Center in just a few hours ... tonight's the night!
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Carver's JMG program a living, growing success story ...
Once again, the efforts of a select group of Midland students, and one of West Texas' top teachers, is harvesting state recognition for excellence.
According to this story from the MRT's Ruth Campbell, the Junior Master Gardeners at Carver Center (Midland ISD's gifted & talented campus) have dug up a state award for demonstrating excellence and increased knowledge of horticulture.
Over the years, teacher Emmy Ulmschneider and local Texas master Gardener volunteers have directed the efforts of JMG students in reclaiming what was once a weed and trash-choked courtyard of the old school, and creating an eco-friendly garden, landscaped with native plants, walkways, homemade bird-feeders and a pond.
Both of my boys were students of 'Miss Ulm,' and participated in the JMG program at Carver. Four years ago, Elder Son was among a group of JMG students who traveled to Austin to receive an award from the Texas Council of Environmental Quality - receiving accolades from that agency, Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Governor Dave Dewhurst and State Senator Kel Seliger - as the the state's top environmental program among youth/school groups.
And now, the JMG program at Carever is once again being honored for outstanding achievement. Congrats to Miss Ulm and her students, and to our local Master Gardeners ... way to go ... way to grow!
According to this story from the MRT's Ruth Campbell, the Junior Master Gardeners at Carver Center (Midland ISD's gifted & talented campus) have dug up a state award for demonstrating excellence and increased knowledge of horticulture.
Over the years, teacher Emmy Ulmschneider and local Texas master Gardener volunteers have directed the efforts of JMG students in reclaiming what was once a weed and trash-choked courtyard of the old school, and creating an eco-friendly garden, landscaped with native plants, walkways, homemade bird-feeders and a pond.
Both of my boys were students of 'Miss Ulm,' and participated in the JMG program at Carver. Four years ago, Elder Son was among a group of JMG students who traveled to Austin to receive an award from the Texas Council of Environmental Quality - receiving accolades from that agency, Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Governor Dave Dewhurst and State Senator Kel Seliger - as the the state's top environmental program among youth/school groups.
And now, the JMG program at Carever is once again being honored for outstanding achievement. Congrats to Miss Ulm and her students, and to our local Master Gardeners ... way to go ... way to grow!
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Dang! ...
I knew it ... I just KNEW I shouldn't have caved so fast and accepted that job at Bubba's Burger Barn! Seriously, though, a good story about charity fundraiser employing an innovative marketing campaign that highlighted the power of social media.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Wearing My Yellow Tie ...
... in honor of Bhumibol Adulyadej ( ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช ), born on this day in 1927. It was just over a year ago that I returned from a Christian mission trip to Thailand with, among other things, an appreciation for that country's ruler, the world's longest-serving current head of state and the longest-serving monarch in Thai history.
He was the King in the 1960s, when my father visited that nation for R&R, in the course of two tours-of-duty in the Vietnam War. Thailand has long been a friend of the United States - due in part to the appreciation their monarch has for the west. He was born in the US, and his education not only included schools in Thailand, but the University of Lausanne, in Switzerland, and Harvard University, in America. He serves as head of the National Scout Organization of Thailand, one of the oldest Scouting organizations in the world. He also developed a passion for jazz music, as both a performer and a composer, and was the first Asian composer awarded honorary membership of the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Vienna.
Other interesting points ... he is an accomplished, medal-winning sailor and sailboat designer ... he is possibly the only monarch in the world to hold patents (for, among other things, a waste water aerator) ... he is also a painter, musician, photographer (using a Canon!), author and translator.
So, why the yellow tie? While I was in Thailand, I learned that yellow is the color associated with the day of the king's birth (a Monday). That's why you see so much of that color during his birthday celebrations around the country, and on tributes to him throughout the nation.
He was the King in the 1960s, when my father visited that nation for R&R, in the course of two tours-of-duty in the Vietnam War. Thailand has long been a friend of the United States - due in part to the appreciation their monarch has for the west. He was born in the US, and his education not only included schools in Thailand, but the University of Lausanne, in Switzerland, and Harvard University, in America. He serves as head of the National Scout Organization of Thailand, one of the oldest Scouting organizations in the world. He also developed a passion for jazz music, as both a performer and a composer, and was the first Asian composer awarded honorary membership of the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Vienna.
Other interesting points ... he is an accomplished, medal-winning sailor and sailboat designer ... he is possibly the only monarch in the world to hold patents (for, among other things, a waste water aerator) ... he is also a painter, musician, photographer (using a Canon!), author and translator.
So, why the yellow tie? While I was in Thailand, I learned that yellow is the color associated with the day of the king's birth (a Monday). That's why you see so much of that color during his birthday celebrations around the country, and on tributes to him throughout the nation.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Fading Memories of My Pagan Youth ...
Another May Day has come and gone, and added another year to the span separating me from my pagan youth.
Another year passes, and with it comes a growing number of those with no idea that, once upon a time, May Day was something other than an occasion for celebration in various Marxist/Socialist/Communist/whatever communities.
It hasn't always been that way. May Day, or some variation of it, has ancient roots in European cultural history (prehistory, even), and like so many other celebrations back then, was tied to the movements of stars, the phases of sun and moon, and the passing of seasons.
Pagan in it's origins and observance, it was not adopted/adapted by the burgeoning Christian faith, and it's observance declined over the centuries. Still the tradition (what some call the 'green root' of May Day) persisted, and was still being celebrated at Trucksville Elementary School, in Pennsylvania, in the early 60s .... complete with music, dancing, and wrapping the maypole in brightly-colored ribbons.
But as the ancient green root diminished, another more recent root (what those same historians call 'the red root' of May Day) flourished through the 20th century in places like the Soviet Union and Cuba, and other parts of the world (including communities in the US) ... celebrating something far removed from what those Pennsyvania grade-schoolers celebrated.
Google-news the phrase "may day celebrations" and all you get is celebration a that grew from the red root of May Day ... kind of a shame, really ... I guess I'm just a sentimental old pagan.
Another year passes, and with it comes a growing number of those with no idea that, once upon a time, May Day was something other than an occasion for celebration in various Marxist/Socialist/Communist/whatever communities.
It hasn't always been that way. May Day, or some variation of it, has ancient roots in European cultural history (prehistory, even), and like so many other celebrations back then, was tied to the movements of stars, the phases of sun and moon, and the passing of seasons.
Pagan in it's origins and observance, it was not adopted/adapted by the burgeoning Christian faith, and it's observance declined over the centuries. Still the tradition (what some call the 'green root' of May Day) persisted, and was still being celebrated at Trucksville Elementary School, in Pennsylvania, in the early 60s .... complete with music, dancing, and wrapping the maypole in brightly-colored ribbons.
But as the ancient green root diminished, another more recent root (what those same historians call 'the red root' of May Day) flourished through the 20th century in places like the Soviet Union and Cuba, and other parts of the world (including communities in the US) ... celebrating something far removed from what those Pennsyvania grade-schoolers celebrated.
Google-news the phrase "may day celebrations" and all you get is celebration a that grew from the red root of May Day ... kind of a shame, really ... I guess I'm just a sentimental old pagan.
Friday, May 01, 2009
A Different Take on the Future of Journalism ...
I rather like the turn this discussion took ... Alan Rusbridger, editor-in-chief of The Guardian, offers his views on the future of journalism, as well as a symbiosis between mainstream media and new media that is just the opposite of the negative, adversarial relationship described by some virtual (and actual) punditz. Courtesy of Carta at vimeo.com
Alan Rusbridger on the Future of Journalism from Carta on Vimeo.
Alan Rusbridger on the Future of Journalism from Carta on Vimeo.
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