The Start of Holy Week .....

..... found me in the pews of First Prez-Midland, and it was a good start. I enjoyed an above-average Palm Sunday service, due in part to the contributions of fifty young men and women who form the choir of Carroll College, a 167-year-old school dedicated to 'providing a superior educational opportunity for their students, one grounded in the liberal arts tradition and focused on career preparation and lifelong learning ..... and to demonstrating Christian values by example.' They are in the midst of a spring break tour of communities in Texas and New Mexico. The music presented by these young
singers and musicians included one movement, "Agnus Dei," from the "Requiem" of John Rutter, a modern composer whose work was unknown to me before this morning. Here is a recording of 'Agnus Dei,' courtesy of LuxAeterna36 on YouTube. By the way, Maundy Thursday service is at 7:00 p.m. Won't you join us?

I Scoop Frank .....

Normally, I would be tipping my hat to the proprietor of Books, Inq. The Epilogue on just about all matters bookish, but not this piece from The Onion, "Novelists Strike Fails To Affect Nation Whatsoever" ...

Rolling A 6, Bidding A +10 Farewell .....

Gary Gygax, a pioneer of the imagination who transported a fantasy realm of wizards, goblins and elves onto millions of kitchen tables around the world through the game he helped create, Dungeons & Dragons, died Tuesday at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. He was 69. HERE is a complete report from the New York Times' Seth Schiesel.

There is also this video tribute from the folks at Wizards of the Coast, which in 1997 acquired Gygax' company and its trademark game, which had become a commercial phenomenon, selling an estimated $1-billion in books and equipment, and being played by an estimated 20-million people ..... including me.

I enjoyed it. By the time I arrived at college, only a year or two after the game was introduced, it was already a staple on campuses around the country, and remained so for many years afterward. Over time, my 'mad monk' character gained a lot of powers, and I gained a lot of friends ..... and these were 'actual' friends, people across the table from from you, staying-up and winding-down after mid-terms, or sharing a long cross-country trip on the band bus. Gygax always stressed the social experience of the game, sharing the adventure - and for some of us, a pizza and beer - which I found to be superior to the virtual acquaintances one forms in today's generation of online RPG's. It also left more to your imagination than you are allowed through a computer program, and some dungeon-masters elevated their craft of fashioning a fantasy world to something approaching art.

My active participation - and even my interest - in D&D eventually faded as I gravitated more and more to the board games produced by Avalon Hill and SPI. But I never completely let go ..... and I suspect, cloistered somewhere, in some long unopened box, the mad monk awaits.

Won't You Join Us? .....

Wednesday evening, March 5, First Presbyterian Church of Midland will host Ron Hall and Denver Moore, two men whose amazing story became the book, "Same Kind of Different As Me. Their presentation is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the main sanctuary ..... but there are a number of reasons you'll want to come early!

Denver Moore was born in rural Louisiana, and after several tragic events went to live on a plantation with his aunt and uncle, who were share croppers. Sometime around 1960, he began a life as a homeless drifter until a judge sentenced him to ten years' hard labor in a Louisiana penitentiary. After that, his road brought him to Texas, where he spent years on the streets of Fort Worth. It was in Texas that he met Ron Hall, whose life had already seen a number of successes in education, business and art ..... but was about to take a very different turn. (Read more about them HERE)

IMHO, the book that arose from their story is a must-read ..... "A dangerous homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery," says promotional copy for the book, "an upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel, a gutsy woman with a stubborn dream, a story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it." And, apparently, there are others who share that view. Moore and Hall's website reports they have received more than twenty inquiries from screenwriters, film makers and producers, and have signed an option with Mark Clayman, the producer of "Pursuit of Happyness."

You are cordially invited to come hear their story in person ..... but, like I hinted earlier, don't wait until six-thirty to arrive. Before the presentation, there will be music and praise from Tru Lite Christian Fellowship, which is partnering with First Prez for this event. The churches are planning on a big turnout, and a closed-circuit feed from the sanctuary will be fed onto the big screen in the adjoining fellowship hall. Copies of Moore and Hall's book will also be available for sale before the presentation.

First Presbyterian Church is located on the northwest corner of Texas Avenue and A Street, on the western edge of downtown Midland. Additional parking is available across the street from the church (on the east side of A Street, and the south side of Texas Avenue).

Won't you join us?

I'm Just Not As Excited .....

... over the prospects of tomorrow's primary, as I might have been. Last week, Texas Secretary of State Phil Wilson predicted a record turnout for Tuesday's balloting ..... and I plan to do my part, and contribute my vote to the totals.

But, while I still will have a full slate of candidates from which to choose, some decisions have already been made for me (and for other voters in the Lone Star State). Only a fraction of those who announced their candidacy, are still running a viable campaign. Many of them have since announced their withdrawal, and offered their endorsement for one or another of a dwindling pool of active candidates.

And that does raise one spark of local interest for me ..... the other day, I spoke with a longtime energy company pro who planned to vote for Hillary Clinton tomorrow - not out of any great respect for Ms. Clinton, but out of concern over New Mexico Governor Richardson's endorsement of Clinton's opponent. What role, I was asked, might Richardson have in an Obama administration ..... please, PLEASE, PLEASE, not energy secretary.

Getting back to my earlier point ..... I find myself leaning towards the idea of a single nationwide primary ..... everyone goes to the polls and decides the same issues among the same pool of viable candidates. Sure, the candidates would pay more attention (and spend more money) in the 'BIG' states ..... but is that any different from what's going on now? I mean, how much time and money are the candidates spending on Rhode Island and Vermont right now, while Texas and Ohio are up for grabs the same day?

Anyway, those are my thoughts ..... what do YOU think?

Branding With Brahms .....

Those of you who have officed with me over the years can tell, by the photo to your right, that I am now officially installed in my new job.

All in all, the first week was a good one ..... I'm inclined to come back for a second week, and Midland College seems inclined to have me back ..... so, that's a good sign ..... Johannes doesn't go where he's not appreciated!

A Giant by Anyone's Standards .....

... and a wordsmith nearly without peer ... "William F. Buckley, Jr., the erudite Ivy Leaguer and conservative herald who showered huge and scornful words on liberalism as he observed, abetted and cheered on the right’s post-World War II rise from the fringes to the White House, died Wednesday. He was 82." CLICK HERE for the rest of the story from msnbc.com

While Buckley and I were near-polar opposites on so many issues, he had my near-total admiration for the way he elevated rhetoric to an art, and for his integrity. He was something of a Renaissance man who brought the same passion to scholarship, journalism, music, fiction and travel that he did to politics ..... and he was someone who truly practiced what he preached. Regardless of your philosophical stance, your world is lessened, to one degree or another, by his passing.

XM Moment: The Rest of Respighi .....

Quick ! ..... Name a work by Ottorino Respighi ! ..... Chances are, you did not think of Concierto Gregoriano ..... HERE is a snippet of that 1921 concerto for orchestra and violin, from emusic.com, performed by Sir Edward Downes and the BBC Philharmonic, and violinist Lydia Mordkovitch. It's a work I had never heard before, and I loved it.

My First Day At the Office .....

... went just fine, thank you! After a couple of interviews, checking references and going over my work experience, transcripts, and all that, Midland College offered me the job of Web Designer, and I accepted. I am primarily responsible for the design, update and maintenance of pages related to Midland College's website, but I'll also be expected to contribute to other projects, in other media, as well.

I'll be working for Chip McCarver, who knows a thing or ten about the Internet, himself, and I expect I'll be expanding upon what I already know - on an almost daily basis. They've taken me around MC's public information & media office, and it's as fine a group of co-workers as one could ask for, and the equipment is great! It's a Monday-Friday, eight-to-five kind of job ..... which will actually be a refreshing change from the all-days, all-hours kind of work I've done in television and print the last twenty years.

I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I'm heading to the southside Starbucks for coffee and conversation this evening ..... sharing my first-day stories, while listening to another West Texas blogger - Becky at Knitting Barista - with her own first-day stories to share.

Someone You May Not Have Read .....

..... but probably saw. The Associated Press reports that Robin Moore, author of books including "The French Connection" and "The Green Berets" (both of which were adapted for film), has died after a long illness. He was 82. Here is the rest of the story from AP. You can read more about the man, his life and career at his website. (Hat tip to Frank at Books, Inq. Epilogue)

Preach What You Practice, Redux .....

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15

Coming home meant, among other things, gretting back to work in support of Upward Basketball and Cheerleading in the Tall City. Upward is "an evangelistic sports ministry specifically designed for K5 through sixth-grade boys and girls that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in every child." But one doesn't need to have a child in that age group - or even have a child - to get involved as an adult volunteer.

My material for today's devotionals was provided by Astrid, the head of a Christian ministry in the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand, that brings young people to Christ through sports and English-language-instruction. Here is what I prepared from her contributions .....

"Sawatdee ..... Greetings from the people of Thailand. I recently return from Thailand as part of a mission team that met with, and worked with a number of Christian ministries in that country. One was an athletics ministry that is bringing young people to Christ through sporting events such as this one we are attending today. They provided me with devotional material that they wanted to share with their brothers and sisters in Midland, Texas, in the United States of America."

"They wanted me to remind you that there is a referee. In basketball, there is a referee and, like it or not, he or she is the official, the arbitrator and the judge of the game. In the game of life, there is one true God. Like it or not, He is the creator, the judge, and the arbitrator of each of our lives."

"What does the Bible tell us about God and his role in creation, and the beginning? In the Old Testament, in the Book of Genesis, we are told, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (New International Version) And in the New Testament, in the Book of John, we are told, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.”

"They also wanted me to remind you that there is a plan. In basketball, the coach wants the team to succeed and has a game plan for that, where each player has a role, a purpose, in helping his or her team succeed. In the game of life, God has created each of us with a purpose, because of his great love for us. God has a game plan for all our lives."

"What does the Bible tell us about God’s Plan? In the Old Testament, in the Book of Jeremiah, we are told, “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (New International Version) And in the New Testament, in the Book of John, we are told, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

"I'd like to extend an invitation to you ..... if you are looking for a church home, perhaps you have found it, here, at First Presbyterian, where we proclaim the good news of Christ's resurrection and share the forgiveness and new life found in Him. Each of us is a minister called to respond to suffering and to celebrate the joy of others. Our witness is to one another, our neighbors and the world - whether it's in Midland or in Thailand. We find strength through the study of the Word of God, through fellowship, worship, prayer, stewardship and service."

"In closing, won’t you join me in prayer ....."

And Now, This Word From ... Uh .....

Frank at Books, Inq. Epilogue put me in touch with this report by Fox News' Michael Park, asking, "how big do you have to be to earn the wrath of the United Nations and Internet giant Google?"

I'm no great fan of Faux News, and the report admittedly left me with questions about Inner City Press, its "news judgment sometimes" being "more than a little off the mark," and its vagueness about staffing.

However, there is something bigger at work here, and I share Frank's dislike for "the idea of Google - or anybody else - making up my mind for me." In the past, there might be some solidarity among journalists, covering stories where another media outlet (even if it was a competitor) was up against some freedom-of-the-press issues. Whether this story gets much attention remains to be seen.

Pictures Worth A Thousand Words .....

... include this shot of a 'broken buckle' in downtown Midland (of special interest to ARCO alumni) at Bleu Chocolate; this beautiful rendition of a room for beautiful music at Pen In Hand; and a wonderful winter scene at Just Pictures.

And let's not forget words AND pictures ..... such as this poem by by Robert Bly at Blue's Blog.

The Blogosphere Has Spoken .....

Regardless of what some might say about us debauched harlots of the mainstream media ..... or what others might say about dang Yankees from back-east ..... this quiz by Captain Stampede tells me that ...

How evil are you?

Thanks to the GOOD Jim at Serotoninrain (who got it from the NEUTRAL Rach at Precipitation) for the heads-up.

Wish Me Luck .....

I have another job interview today ..... it's a second interview with this particular organization, so I guess I made the first cut ..... that's a good sign.

I have been back in-country for a few days, and have hit the ground running in terms of work. One West Texas-based magazine for whom I have written a lot over the past couple of years, folded in January ..... but there's a new magazine that should be showing-up on local stands in the next few weeks, and I've already done some work for them.

The JBS Institute at UT-Permian Basin sent me a letter ..... 'thanks, but no thanks' ..... didn't even get to interview for that one, which is a shame - I think I could have done a good job with that one. But, at least it brings an end to a job application process that began months ago.

I'm also thinking of looking up and out in the months ahead ..... tripped over A LOT of story ideas during my mission to Thailand ..... and I need to dust-off my copy of Writer's Market (heck, just get a new edition), and start sending out some queries.

Can't rule out a return to television, either.

I'll keep you posted .....

A Super Tuesday Update .....

..... from Missioner, with this post at West Texas Missioner about a landslide victory for Barack Obama in the Democratic primary ... in Jakarta, Indonesia. Apparently, their Super Tuesday got under way while we were still fluffing-up the pillows Monday night ... pesky time zones!

Losing An e-Friend ... Or Am I? .....

Frank at Books, Inq. tells us he is leaving the Philadelphia Inquirer ..... but not the blogosphere.

Yeah? So What? .....

Considering the topic of yesterday's post, I find myself hearing the latest development in the soap opera that is Bobby Knight, and thinking, "Yeah? ..... So what? ..... I'll take John Wooden over Knight any day."

Don't let that chair hit you in the butt on your way out, Bobby.

Recalling the Greatest Generation and WWII .....

This past week has featured two stories that harken back to Second World War, and the heroism of those who fought that war ..... the men and women of what Tom Brokaw called, "The Greatest Generation" .....

Fought and covered that war. First, there is this story ..... NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) - The figure in the photograph is clad in Army fatigues, boots and helmet, lying on his back in peaceful repose, folded hands holding a military cap ... he could be asleep. But he is not asleep; he is dead. And this is not just another fallen GI; it is Ernie Pyle, the most celebrated war correspondent of World War II. CLICK HERE for the complete story.

I love of news journalism, and I admire those who raise the bar for all of us in the profession ..... I wouldn't mind being something like Ernie Pyle when I grow up.

Then there is this story, known to all of us who have been fortunate to live in the company of Marines, but not so well known to the country at-large ..... REDDING, CALIFORNIA (AP) - Raymond Jacobs, believed to be the last surviving member of the group of Marines photographed during the original U.S. flag-raising on Iwo Jima during World War II, has died at age 82. CLICK HERE for the complete story.

Semper Fi, Sgt. Jacobs, sir.

Could'a Knocked Me Over With a Feather .....

Considering how fast and how high the cost was rising, is anybody out there REALLY surprised by this report that the U.S. Department of Energy officially quashed the $1.8-billion FutureGen project slated for central Illinois, leaving the experimental venture to Congress for survival. Mlost of you will remember that speculation over this very development was circulating in both the actual and the virtual worlds even before the final selection of a project site, last month.

"Soon To Be Gone" .....

... is the subject of this photo at Bleu Chocolate Photoblog ..... though that might be just fine with some members of the ARCO Alumni Association's Tall City Chapter.

They're Outta Here .....

Beginning today, one West Texas blog is taking its virtual show on the actual road ..... according to this post at West Texas Missioner, today's the day a group of Midlanders is departing the Tall City for two weeks of Christian mission in Thailand. Apparently, they plan to blog about their experiences, when they can. Good luck and Godspeed!

Gotcha! .....

"If you're like most Americans, you feel you're getting screwed all the time," Bob Sullivan writes HERE, in a recent post to his blog, Red Tape Chronicles. "When you open your monthly bills, rent a car or sign up for pay television service, you hear that tiny voice inside saying ;Watch out!' You're not paranoid. You're merely paying attention. Hidden fees cost the average American consumer nearly $1,000 a year, $5 or $10 at a time, new research shows."

Sullivan's online venture is dedicated to unmasking corporate sneakiness, government waste, technology run amok, outright scams and other 21st-century headaches ..... and offering real solutions that save you time and money. One product of his virtual work is now appearing on actual bookshelves ..... "Gotcha Capitalism: How Hidden Fees Rip You Off Every Day - and What You Can Do About It"

Consumer advocacy has long been a staple of the news, with some media outlets maintaining a beat reporter devoted almost exclusively to such stories. The internet, Sullivan goes on to say, offers consumers and their advocates another venue, another forum for speaking up, speaking out and making their complaints public. Sullivan's own Red Tape Chronicles blog is a regular stop for me ..... and it should be a regular stop for you, too.

Covering the Boom .....

Last week, I took issue, here, with a report by NBC News, and how a single word could give a dark slant to an otherwise positive, or upbeat report. With that in mind, it doesn't hurt to note reports that capture one's attention ..... for the right reasons.

Which brings me to this report by NBC's Don Teague, on the oil boom in West Texas ..... in particular, its impact on the community of Andrews. There is very little in the report that would surprise us here, in West Texas and southeast New Mexico. But I think audiences outside the Permian Basin - across a nation whose economy is far from booming - would find it interesting and informative.

We see the positive effects of the boom ..... and the annoyances as well (with the ubiquitous "Help Wanted" sign posted at an Andrews business). Viewers are also warned that there is always the prospect of a bust, and the negative effects that would have. And while mention is made of the surge in luxury cars and homes in Midland, far more time is devoted to other ways that money is being put to work ..... one roughneck has paid off his mortgage, while another is putting a sizable chunk of his money into savings for his children's college education.

All in all, a good report.

Utterly Interesting .....

Here's something neat ..... it is a new feature from Utterz that allows you to "instantly blog your experiences, thoughts and ideas, anywhere, using all the capabilities of your mobile phone ...... It's kinda like a community blog for cell phones." According to their website, "Utterz mashes together the voice, video, pictures, and text you call or send in and creates an 'Utter' that can immediately update your websites." Among those in West Texas that are dipping a virtual toe in this new pool, is Eric at Fire Ant Gazette, and Missioner at West Texas Missioner ..... and so is honorary West Texan Jim at serotoninrain, blogging from Pottstown, P-A (just northeast of Texas).

Lyrical, Virtual Record .....

This looks like fun ..... as well as an opportunity to leave your mark in the record books. Mio Destino, an online vendor of lingerie from the top French and Italian Lingerie designers, is sponsoring an attempt to create "The World’s Longest Online Love Poem."

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the current record for 'longest modern handwritten poem in the world' is held by Patrick Huet, of France, who wrote a 7,547 verse poem in 2006 ..... and it should be noted that his was a solo effort, and was an acrostic, to boot.

To contribute to the ‘World’s Longest Online Love Poem,’ visit this page on Mio Destino's website, and simply write in the space provided. All submissions must be approved, and inappropriate, non-poetic or offensive material will be censored.
(Thanks to the ever-loving Frank, at Books, Inq. for the heads-up.)

Welcome Home, Sam .....

As I noted in in yesterday's post, it was a night for television fans to enjoy their weekly fixes ..... unlike Jimmy at Sticky Doorknobs, though, I was able to hear all of my fix. "Life on Mars" came to an ending that was - for me - entirely satisfying. Sam Tyler came home at last ..... though he first had to come to terms with just where - and when - 'home' was.

I wish I could tell you to watch for LOM on videotape or DVD ..... but I can't. At this time, only the first of the two seasons is available, and that is on what Amazon.com describes as "Region 2 encoding (This DVD will not play on most DVD players sold in the US or Canada [Region 1]. This item requires a region specific or multi-region DVD player and compatible TV.)" ..... Why? I don't know ..... maybe it has something to do with an American version of LOM scheduled to air on ABC at mid-season ..... I notice that other BBC productions that came out at the same time as LOM - "Torchwood," "Jekyll" and "Doctor Who - Third Series" - and are not being adapted for American television, are readily available.

Bloody Brilliant Television .....

In an effort to keep everything in their proper perspective, I will - tonight, this very night - forgo world peace, global warming, and plots by myself and fellow debauched harlots of the liberal mainstream media to bring an end to the world-as-we-know-it ..... in order to kick-back in a comfy chair and watch television.

Ahhhhh, Tellee, you are my good, true friend. And I KNOW that at least some of you out there will understand. For Jimmy at Sticky Doorknobs, it's "American Idol" ..... for me, it's "Life on Mars"

Tonight, on BBC-America (Channel 343 on Suddenlink cable), the final episode of the series' second season airs, and American audiences will at last find out if Sam Tyler gets home. I've said it before ..... this BBC product has been one of the brightest lights on American television screens the past year-and-a-half.

And this DOES mark the end of Tyler's time- and mind-tripping odyssey. Many BBC television series have a limited run of seasons ..... in contrast to their American cousins who cling desperately to the vine, season after season, until long after the last drop of juice has been sucked away.

That's not to say, though, that fans of Life on Mars will be left with nothing to watch for. A spinoff of LOM, "Ashes to Ashes," featuring some of Tyler's old squad mates, premieres later this year on BBC - and we hope it jumps across the pond, and soon ..... also, an American version of 'Life on Mars' is being produced, and could air during the mid-season on ABC ..... and the star of BBC's Life on Mars, John Simm, is being mentioned as a candidate to become the Eleventh Doctor on that long-running British science-fiction story, Doctor Who.

As for tonight ..... good luck and Godspeed, Sam!

What's In A Word? .....

This morning, as I was catching-up on news headlines, I watched this report by NBC's Richard Engel, from his interview with America's top soldier in Iraq.

"At a graduation for 1,830 goose-stepping police cadets, U.S. General David Patraeus saw encouraging signs," Engel reported, going on to note the mixed Sunni/Shiite make-up of the graduating class, increased stability in more Baghdad neighborhoods, and other encouraging signs in this war-torn country.

What caught my attention, in particular, was Engel's choice of the word "goose-stepping" ..... In this entry, Wikipedia describes goose-step as a distinctive style of marching in which the troops "swing their legs from a vertical leg to a nearly horizontally-extending one, bringing it down with a loud simultaneous stepping noise and continuing the cycle in unison." It should be noted, this was NOT the style of marching shown in the video of the graduation ceremony that accompanied Engel's report.

So, what's the big deal? ... Quick ..... think of troops that goose-step! You may come up with the photo Wikipedia uses to illustrate the style ..... soldiers of the German Werhmacht marching through Warsaw at the start of World War II. Immediately beneath that is a more recent photo of Russian troops in Moscow, on ceremonial parade outside the Kremlin.

You can probably recall use of the phrase 'goose-stepping' - in a book or magazine, a newspaper article or column, a film or television script, whatever - to describe the actions of a group in a derogatory manner, to conjure images of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, and to relate said group to those images.

At the start of the report, the use of such a word, and the images it conjures, detracts from the rest of the report ..... I don't aspire to reach the heights Engel has in our profession, but I still think he could have done a better job in choosing his words.

Just a Country Lawyer? .....

While watching this report on CBS 7/KOSA-TV last week, I had a chance to see Albert Valadez heading into the Monahans courthouse to present motions on behalf of his client, a West Texas man charged in connection with an alleged scandal at the Texas Youth Commission facility in Pyote.

Valadez has years of experience in courthouses in small towns like this, including his tenure as 83rd District Attorney, a 'circuit' office that covered multiple counties in the more remote areas of Trans-Pecos Texas.

'Just a country lawyer?' Hardly. No more than was the late U.S. Senator Sam Ervin, who popularized the phrase during the Watergate hearings.

I watched Valadez at work for a number of years, when I was managing editor of the Fort Stockton Pioneer, just a couple of blocks up Water Street from the DA's office. He's a strong advocate in a part of Texas that has brought forth a wide array of challenges to our legal system ..... for example, the fatal shooting of Esequiel Hernandez by U.S. Marines, on the border near Redford; and the Republic of Texas standoff near Fort Davis.

I expect prosecutors in this case will have their hands full.

Happy Birthday .....

..... to Jim at serotoninrain, whose celebration included a piece of cake and a piece of the action ..... I prefer the cake, myself.

Where Angels Fear to Treadmill .....

At the urging of Younger Son, I am posting this link to "OK Go on Treadmills" which he thinks is hilarious ..... I agree. By the way, in 2007, this video was named "Most Creative" in the inaugural YouTube Video Awards.

Preach What You Practice .....

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15

The 2008 season of Upward Basketball and Cheerleading in the Tall City is now under way, and will run every Saturday through March 1. Upward is "an evangelistic sports ministry specifically designed for K5 through sixth-grade boys and girls that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in every child." But one doesn't need to have a child in that age group - or even have a child - to get involved as an adult volunteer.

I have just finished my second Saturday morning as a volunteer, delivering devotionals during the half-times. As the teams rest, refresh themselves, and get briefed by their coaches (also volunteers, as are the referees and the time/scorekeepers), I talk to the family members in the stands for 3-5 minutes, delivering a little bit of Scripture, a brief inspirational message, an invitation to come to church, and a prayer. The devotional can be your own personal testimony, or the church can provide you with material that relates to what the participating children are learning about Jesus during their weekly team devotional times.

We need YOUR help ..... We are in need of more people willing to do half-time devotionals. Please contact Laurie Boldrick (682-3133) or Scott Kain (684-8440) if you are interested.

Participating local churches supporting the program are: First Baptist-Midland, First Presbyterian-Midland, Crestview Baptist-Midland, First Church of the Nazarene-Odessa, Sherwood Baptist-Odessa, First Baptist-Odessa, Second Baptist-Odessa ..... but EVERYONE is welcome to get involved and be a part of this program!

Fischer, Farewell .....

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND - Robert James Fischer, the reclusive American chess master who became a Cold War icon when he dethroned the Soviet Union’s Boris Spassky as world champion in 1972, has died. He was 64. CLICK HERE for the complete story from msnbc.com

When one covers a story - or a storied individual - long enough, one must be prepared for changes, for disparities, and for conflict in how one views the subject. Such was the case, for me, of Bobby Fischer. Writing for my high school newspaper, I prepared an article about the surge of interest among American teens in the game of chess, sparked by Fischer's celebrated defeat of Russian champion Boris Spassky in 1972. To the right, in an AP file photo by John Lent, taken in 1962, is the Fischer that many of us remember ..... or prefer to remember.

It conflicts dramatically with the picture we would have of Fischer later in his life - the chess master who condemned the world he once ruled, an American icon of the Cold War who renounced his U.S. citizenship, and the recluse who occasionally emerged from the shadows for anti-American and anti-Semitic tirades heard by a dwindling number of those who still cared about what he said.

Yet they were all part-and-parcel of one person. Remember that person as you will.

Enough, Already .....

If their social philosophies, their controversial posts, or their posts with which I disagreed, were my only criteria for dropping Jessica's Well from my blogroll ..... I would have done so long ago. But I believe that we can agree to disagree, and that something is lost in a society that lacks difference in perspective and opinion. I also believed that they deserved a link out of respect for their pioneering work, blazing new trails of the blogosphere into West Texas. But, enough already. Recent posts have crossed more than one line, and they're off my blogroll. Punishing them? Hardly ..... no more than an elephant will note the sting of one more fly. But me? I feel better now about the e-company I keep.

Classical Music and Newsroom Cretins .....

Last week, Frank at Books, Inq. got an interesting thread started with this post, and a link to this post by Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times about the relevance of classical music.

The ensuing e-discussion pointed fingers in a variety of directions. "The switch to playing works by composers of 'challenging' music not only turned off audiences, but a lot of performers as well," Frank wrote, noting that there IS contemporary classical music out there that general audiences love. "What classical music needs, quite simply, is composers who write music that audiences like to listen to, not music that critics or theorists or scholars insist is great whether we like it or not."

He's right. Music appreciation, as is the case for all fields of appreciation, has its snobs - a definition for them would, perhaps, include their claiming a higher - almost rarefied - state of appreciation than the rest of us can claim, that trumps simpler standards for music appreciation, such as our enjoyment of said music's tone, tempo, imagery.

But that snobbery can work in both directions ..... on the other extreme end of the same spectrum are those who, without bothering to listen to a single note, issue a jeering blanket condemnation of all classical music, and those who enjoy it ..... high falutin' music enjoyed by show-offs. And that's every bit as much a shame as the snobs at the opposite extreme. In the end, both do their part to drive a wedge between classical music and general appreciation.

I saw one of those extremes at work last year, during a morning story meeting in a television newsroom. One reporter had been contacted by a group promoting appreciation of opera in West Texas, and an event they were sponsoring. Any serious consideration of the story was quickly squelched by the news director who leaned his head back and started singing some opera-like notes in a deliberately off-key voice. Needless to say, his personal disdain for opera killed any chance of that story being developed.

And that's a shame, really. Midland is no Bayreuth or London, no Milan or New York City, but it does have good appreciation for the many forms of classical music, including opera. During the summer, you bump into a lot of West Texans in New Mexico, attending the Santa Fe Opera, or the Chamber Music Festival. Closer to home, you get small but appreciative audiences for the Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale. And many local fans of classical music are proud of Midland's part in the life of Susan Graham, one of today's foremost opera stars, who has appeared on stages worldwide.

Note to news producers ..... just because you think a subject might be too high-brow (or low-brow) for you, doesn't make it something that won't interest news consumers.

The Best-Laid Schemes o' Mice an 'Librarians .....

... gang aft agley! Frank at Books, Inq. linked me to this story by the Washington Post's Mike Wade.

"The stroke of a pen at the Library of Congress - which rebranded 700 years of Scottish literary tradition as 'English literature' - has in recent weeks generated a spluttering uproar here," Wade writes from Edinburgh, Scotland. "And last week, faced with Celtic fury, the American institution made an undignified U-turn."

Numpty of .... er .... I mean, Librarian of Congress James Billington said the institution would return writers to their former Scottish status. Hoorah for Scottish Robby and his kin!

There is No Joy in Steeltown .....

..... the mighty Steelers have struck out .

Now That We Are Finally .....

..... getting used to writing the new year on our checks, Justin at It's All In the Details asks, "2008: Is the Internet in your plan?"

Apparently, I'm a Girl Band .....

..... and a FAT girl band at that. Here's how I found out .....

1. Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random

(The first article title on the page is the name of your band.)
2. Visit http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3

(The last four words of the last quote on the page is the title of your album.)
3. Visit http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/

(The third picture on the page is your album cover.)

I got this from Jim at Serotoninrain ..... who got it from Beth at And Then I Woke Up ..... who got it from Eric at Fire Ant Gazette ..... who got it from .....

Oh, Yeah !!! .....

JoePa’s 500th game
an Alamo Bowl win
over Texas A&M

Them's Fightin' Words .....

I realize that pre-game trash talk is a part - for some, an important part - of the college football bowl hype ..... but sometimes, the trash is in the heart of the speaker, as much as it is in the words ..... case in point, this report from the Associated Press (via msnbc.com).....

Sadly, to Texas' shame ..... during an Alamo Bowl pep rally, a Texas A&M yell leader told the crowd that Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was "on his death bed" and "someone needs to find him a casket."

Happily, to Texas' credit ..... the remarks drew boos from the crowd, and both A&M and Penn State fans have said the remarks were offensive and inappropriate. This was followed by apologies from A&M President Eddie Davis and Athletic Director Bill Byrne - both of whom showed a lot more class than that dumb mook - with his big mouth and small spirit - who started it all.

If Jimmy's House Is a'Rockin .....

..... don't bother knockin' .....according to this post at Sticky Doorknobs, he's joined the ranks of the guitar heroes.

Thanks, Santa! .....

No frankincense or myrrh under the tree this Christmas, but I DID get the the gold I wanted ..... no word, at this time, on whether or not Eric at Fire Ant Gazette got the gold he wanted for Christmas.

Happy Christmas .....

There was much to give thanks for last night, in the closing hours of Christmas Eve ..... I was thankful for a full moon, passing through the skies in clear, bright, colorful glory ..... I was thankful that merchants were enjoying a last-minute spurt of holiday shopping - and glad that my own gift-shopping was done, and I wasn't part of that spurt ..... I was thankful for the cheerfulness of the staff at the southside IHOP, as they served up a wonderful pre-Christmas-Eve-service meal for us ..... I was thankful for the sound of Greg Pysh singing "Divinium Mysterium" at the start of our late service at First Prez-Midland, and for the sound of all of us singing "Silent Night" as we passed the light from person-to-person, candle-to-candle ..... I was thankful for the awesome display of lights at the home at 1609 W. Neeley ..... I was thankful that the boys did go to bed on time, without any fuss ..... I was thankful for the bottle of Santa Fe Vineyards' Merlot, and the HD broadcast of "Christmas at Saint Olaf's" that helped My Favorite Landman and I get through the gift-wrapping after the boys had gone to bed .....

And I was thankful for the opportunity to go to sleep with the promise that, "for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Alleluia ..... Amen .....

Happy Christmas, Everyone!

"Imitation is the Sincerest of Flattery" .....

... Englishman Charles Caleb Colton once suggested ..... yeah, I guess so ..... but perhaps the flattery only comes in if the imitation is done well .....

Case in point, the Christmas lights sync'd to music by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. snopes.com offers this look at the creation of Ohio electrical engineer Carson Williams, and the urban legend that has emerged from that creation. It's hard to say just how many people have seen and been entranced by Mr. Williams' work.

That includes the brewers of Miller Lite, who have produced their own sync'd-lights-and-music video for a holiday commercial (this one offered by bsmister at YouTube) ..... not as good, really ..... for one thing, it relies a lot more on video editing, which was among the first 'How?' questions raised by those who saw Willams' original (he didn't ..... it's all carefully, electronically sync'd). And even with the shortcut of video editing by Millers' producers, the synchronization of lights and music is not as tight as Williams had managed through the hours he spent on dozens of Light-O-Rama channels.

By the way, Williams now has his own business website.

A Christmas Story to Share .....

..... from the wires of the Associated Press, via msnbc.com ..... "Christmas tree survives war, Hiroshima bomb" ..... read through it, enjoy it, and learn how there may be just two degrees of separation between many of us here in Midland, and Warren Nobuaki Iwatake in Tokyo.

Iowa, Shmiowa! .....

I just don't care ..... I am so sick of the time and money being spent - by the candidates, by the media, by everybody - on the upcoming Iowa caucus. Next month, when the caucus is FINALLY over, what will we REALLY know about the candidates, their appeal to a broad, diverse range of constituents, and their ability to lead our nation? Not much! It's hard to imagine a single state that is less representative of our country as a whole, that doesn't even come close to being the 'melting pot' that is one of our nation's strengths ..... although New Hampshire might be close. How will these candidates do in Texas, California, New York, Illinois? THAT will provide some answers, if we can just get our collective heads out of the cornfields!

Anyway, that's my opinion.

No Place Like Home for the Holidays .....

msnbc.com reports here that, "Dense fog and a low cloud ceiling forced airlines to cancel more than 200 flights at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Friday at the start of the busy holiday travel season. Travelers also encountered weather-related delays at airports in the New York City area."

Boy, does that bring back memories.

Back in the 70s, when I was a college student at New Mexico, I always kept a 'Christmas Club' account (remember those?) at the local bank, saving up enough money to buy a ticket to fly home to Pennsylvania for the Christmas/New Year holiday.

Albuquerque-to-Chicago O'Hare was by TWA ..... Chicago O'Hare to Avoca, Pennsylvania was by Allegheny ..... provided I could make my connection ..... I often did not. At the time, O'Hare was one of the busiest airports in the world, and there was the winter weather to contend with. Sometimes, the return trip (during the first week of January) was not better. On those annual trips, I spent more than a few nights in an airport hotel (they still did that back then) over the years.

We're staying in Midland this holiday season ..... and there REALLY IS no place like home!

The Rush .....

It had been more than six months since I left NewsWest 9, and more than six months since I had felt the rush that comes from 'doing news' ..... doing it right and doing it first.

This morning, I had a chance to feel the rush once more, as I was performing some temp work over at CBS 7. The FutureGen project which had employed me in recent weeks was behind me, and I was in the newsroom doing some maintenance when one breaking news story, then another, came across the desk.

The first was a story about an officer-involved shooting in Midland, which crossed our desk late this morning. In short order, we produced the first web report of this story, followed just a few minutes later by the first television report.

I found myself surfing the local 'net, seeing if anyone else had the story (they didn't), and came across another story out of Midland, this one about a Midland city councilman's bid for a seat in the Texas House. mywesttexas.com produced the first web report of this story ..... so we had to settle for the second web report and the first television report .....

Hey, it was still a rush!

FutureGen MOB's .....

My testing of the local waters-of-opinion, regarding the decision to pass on West Texas for a FutureGen site, has included a trip down the virtual roads of the blogosphere ..... there really hasn't been much out there ..... and not all of that has been worth the time spent on perusal.

The first to get the ball rolling was Eric, with this post at the Fire Ant Gazette.

Ospurt followed, an hour later, with this post at Jessica's Well. Unfortunately, the thread Ospurt started quickly unraveled in a particularly 'Wellian' manner, despite attempts to get back on-thread ..... and, frankly, I found very little steak underneath all that sizzle ..... a shame, really.

Back to Eric at Fire Ant Gazette ..... he got me, and a number of others to comment on this post about scientific achievement and government-funded initiatives, how we might yet benefit from the initial decision - and perhaps get a FutureGen of our own. He followed-up, today, with this post, offering a more humorous take on some 'Illinois Paranoia' (Illinoia?) being posted by Illini bloggers.

Whew !!! .....

With today's announcement that the FutureGen project was headed for Illinois, came a chance for me to take a breather. Developing the online component for CBS 7's "Countdown to FutureGen" coverage has kept me busy - and off the blogosphere - for the past week-and-a-half. But it's behind me, for now ..... anybody got a cigarette?

Another Tub of Popcorn .....

After reading this post of mine about the pop hit "Popcorn," Younger Son asked me to post this link to his favorite verson of the song, a music video featuring Crazy Frog, courtesy of King7045 on YouTube.