Eric, freshly fortified from halftime fare, is back at work atFire Ant Gazette. So how are ads shaping up in the second half ... we have some differences of opinion, Weigh-in for yourself.Sunday, February 06, 2011
How about the ads? Are THEY stepping up?
Eric, freshly fortified from halftime fare, is back at work atFire Ant Gazette. So how are ads shaping up in the second half ... we have some differences of opinion, Weigh-in for yourself.
Turning Into a Game
What did I expect of a Super Bowl involving two of the most storied franchises? Pretty much what I'm seeing now. An intense and physical struggle ... brilliance from both teams, and on both sides of the ball, exhileratinf plays and near-misses that are every bit as exhilerating ... and no sign that either team is relenting.Whoo-Hoo 2!
FOX is right ... we've got game. The Steelers take their first possession of the second half, and score a touchdown! Packers still lead, though, 17-21. Time for the Steelers defense to step up.GREAT Show!
I've been thinking that the NFL's decision to go with the Black Eyed Peas was a good one ... but I had no idea HOW good until tonight. It wasd a GREAT show, one of the best. Sure, some technical problems with sound and the floor lights in the Tron-inspted setting - but those were minor. Significant contributions from guest artists such as Slash and Usher, and no wardrobe malfunctions.What appealed to me about the NFL's choice was that it was a break from selecting performers who may not have as strong an appeal for younger viewers as they do for older viewers. Not so the Black Eyed Peas, who have had a solid fifteen years ... including a strong preference among colleges producing Lipdub videos.
Whoo-Hoo!
Less than two minutes left in the half, and the Steelers scored a touchdown! Packers still have a substantial lead, though, 10-21.AGGGHHH! AGGGHHH! AGGGHHH!
The Packers did it agaion! They intercepted Big Ben ... again! They get a thouchdown ... again! They now leaD 3-21. at some point, the Steelers need to settle down, and step up ,,, NOW would be a good time.Finally!
Into the second quarter, and the Steelers finally get onto the scoreboard with a field goal. Game's now 3-14 in favor of the Packers!AGGGHHH! AGGGHHH!
... all of which is quickly followed by Big Ben being picked-off, with the interception being returned for a touchdown ... Packers now lead 0-14. I EXPECTED special teams to have an impact ... but I WANTED it to be in the other direction!How are the ads doing?
Eric at Fire Ant Gazette wraps-up the first quarter of ads. Check it out, and offer up your own views. My favorites? Chevy Silverado, Kia Epic Ride and "Cowboys and Aliens."AGGGHHH!
Less than four minutes to go in the first quarter, and the Green Bay Packers score a touchdown, and now lead 0-7. The ensuing kickoff return - 45 yards! - is then called back by a Pittsburgh penalty. C'mon Steelers!A tip of the Terrible Towel ...
... to Eric at Fire Ant Gazette. Even the mosT tiresome aspects of the Super Bowl - the self-congratulatory promotions, the marketing, the latest spin on our National anthem - are all best seen from a fire ant's perspective!Check it out!
A place I don't want to be ...
... is at the bottom of the pile struggling to reclaim a dropped ball! Both teams are really very good, and neither is here by fluke. Special teams play could be critical!Packers retain possession ... Dang!
Finally!
More than four-and-a-half hours after the pre-game sho started ... 34 minutes after the 'start' of the game ... and we have kickoff!Yeah!
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Thursday, February 03, 2011
A moment of hope on Egypt's troubled streets ...
Even as the situation in Egypt took a turn for the worse, as crowds of pro-Mubarak supporters took to the streets, and there was a rise in violent clashes with protesters calling on the country's president to step down, there emerged a singular moment ... and a cause for hope - small, but there nonetheless - for that troubled country's future.
"A pic I took yesterday of Christians protecting Muslims during their prayers." Posted by @NevineZaki on Yfrog
Monday, January 31, 2011
Pop till you drop ...
Larry Knowles of AOL News isn't afraid to say it, and neither am I ... it is a true "pop" icon ... maybe even the greatest of all time. Happy Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, everyone!
"For the past 10 years, fans from around the country have been setting aside time on the last Monday in January to twist and stomp, often in unison, as they commemorate what's known as Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day," Knowles write in this post on AOL News. "The day, known as BWAD, was begun in 2001 by a couple of bored radio DJs in Bloomington, Ind., supposedly looking to fill the news void between Martin Luther King Day and the Super Bowl. During that first BWAD, the radio station held a 'Bubblympiad' that included events such as a Bubble Wrap popping relay and Pop-a-Mole."
And so, without further ado ... are you ready to pop till you drop ... or at least until midnight? If you don't have aby actual bubble wrap close to had, here's some virtual bubble wrap for you ... time's a-wastin,' so get a-poppin.'
"For the past 10 years, fans from around the country have been setting aside time on the last Monday in January to twist and stomp, often in unison, as they commemorate what's known as Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day," Knowles write in this post on AOL News. "The day, known as BWAD, was begun in 2001 by a couple of bored radio DJs in Bloomington, Ind., supposedly looking to fill the news void between Martin Luther King Day and the Super Bowl. During that first BWAD, the radio station held a 'Bubblympiad' that included events such as a Bubble Wrap popping relay and Pop-a-Mole."And so, without further ado ... are you ready to pop till you drop ... or at least until midnight? If you don't have aby actual bubble wrap close to had, here's some virtual bubble wrap for you ... time's a-wastin,' so get a-poppin.'
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Devil's in the Details ...
Just about anyone who has been in the news business long enough will have a story - or two - of the one that got through ... an error that got through composition, proofing and re-proofing. I'm not talking about a simple typo such as a mis-spelt word or a fault in punctuation. Rather I'm talking about a factual error ... a representation something that just ain't so.
The latest example comes from one of our national television news broadcasters ...
Apparently after 5,000-or-so years, Egypt has grown tired of the old neighborhood, and has moved. Really, though, I don't know if it was a move 'up' ... I mean sure, they no longer have Sudan as a next-door neighbor ... but now they have Iran!
I've deliberately deleted the bottom portion of this screen shot. Doesn't really matter who did it ... it happens to just about anybody at one time or another. And not just among your local news producers, either ... even the 'big boys' let one get through every now and then.
And it also happens to most news CONSUMERS, too. There are those who will latch on to mistakes such this as proof for their shrill denunciations of the mainstream media and its degradation. From my own experience, I suspect most of media's detractors would do far worse if they found themselves flying a journalist's desk for a while.
But, hey, it happens ... whether you're relocating Egypt, introducing Hoobert Heever, or announcing that Dewey has defeated Truman. What's more important is what you learn from it, and figure out how you might do things a little differently the next time.
Pay close attention to the details ... that's where you'll find the Devil.
___________________________________________________
On another Egypt note ... in the midst of the ongoing protests, please keep that troubled country and its people in your prayers.
The latest example comes from one of our national television news broadcasters ...
Apparently after 5,000-or-so years, Egypt has grown tired of the old neighborhood, and has moved. Really, though, I don't know if it was a move 'up' ... I mean sure, they no longer have Sudan as a next-door neighbor ... but now they have Iran!
I've deliberately deleted the bottom portion of this screen shot. Doesn't really matter who did it ... it happens to just about anybody at one time or another. And not just among your local news producers, either ... even the 'big boys' let one get through every now and then.
And it also happens to most news CONSUMERS, too. There are those who will latch on to mistakes such this as proof for their shrill denunciations of the mainstream media and its degradation. From my own experience, I suspect most of media's detractors would do far worse if they found themselves flying a journalist's desk for a while.
But, hey, it happens ... whether you're relocating Egypt, introducing Hoobert Heever, or announcing that Dewey has defeated Truman. What's more important is what you learn from it, and figure out how you might do things a little differently the next time.
Pay close attention to the details ... that's where you'll find the Devil.
___________________________________________________
On another Egypt note ... in the midst of the ongoing protests, please keep that troubled country and its people in your prayers.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Early Morning Sky Over MC Campus
One of the benefits of coming to work early today, was getting a chance to get some shots of the skies as I walked across the Midland College campus to my office.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Steeler Nation's Mane Men
"Conference Championship Sunday is over, which means we have 14 days without real football to survive (sorry, the Pro Bowl doesn’t count)," Gregg Rosenthall writes in this post on NBCSports.com
Rosenthall then goes on to suggest "nine storylines we’re already tired of just thinking about," as well as a couple he will probably never get enough of. One of the latter is Pittsbugh Steeler DE Brett Keisel's beard. "That thing is the seventh wonder of the world, and it would be hard to devote too much attention to it," he admits. "Two weeks of hype for Keisel’s beard wouldn’t be enough."
Probably more well-known nationwide - especially to television viewers and shampoo consumers - is another Pittsburgh defender and Mane Man, Troy Polamalu. Me? I prefer Keisel's brush ... those of you who have met me in the actual world would know why.
Rosenthall then goes on to suggest "nine storylines we’re already tired of just thinking about," as well as a couple he will probably never get enough of. One of the latter is Pittsbugh Steeler DE Brett Keisel's beard. "That thing is the seventh wonder of the world, and it would be hard to devote too much attention to it," he admits. "Two weeks of hype for Keisel’s beard wouldn’t be enough."
Probably more well-known nationwide - especially to television viewers and shampoo consumers - is another Pittsburgh defender and Mane Man, Troy Polamalu. Me? I prefer Keisel's brush ... those of you who have met me in the actual world would know why.Dashboard Survey
Last month, I had a chance to drive up to Lubbock at mid-day. I've made the tip once or twice - or a zillion times! - before, and everything was pretty much as I had remembered it ...
... except for the rigs. There were A LOT of rigs on one side or the other of the road north, especially on the first-half of my drive, from Midland to Lamesa. I counted 19 along that stretch of road, and another one just on the north side of Lamesa.
And consider this, mine was a quick dashboard survey. Being the only one in the vehicle, I had to keep my eyes on the road at least half-the-time, so I probably missed some. There's also a stretch where a low ridge runs close and parallel to the highway for a number of miles ... not all that high really, but high enough to block any view of the countryside to the east.
Sure, a couple of the rigs I saw were pretty small ... probably devoted to work-over rather than making new hole. But even those small rigs represent business ... some company is leasing them from another company, and paying a crew to work them. In all cases, money is changing hands, goods and services are being produced and consumed, people are being employed and royalty-owners probably found their Christmas stockings to be a little fuller than they had expected.
I know, I know, I know ... a majority of our local punditz - at least those who focus upon the state of our local community and its economy - insist that everything pretty much sucks. Yet, in spite of all that, as a result of my December Dashboard Survey through Midland and Dawson counties - no matter it's lack of thoroughness - I can't help but feel some optimism. I have hope that things are going alright in our little corner of the country, and getting better ... and I have in mind a prayer of thanks for what we have, and that our good fortune might spread.
... except for the rigs. There were A LOT of rigs on one side or the other of the road north, especially on the first-half of my drive, from Midland to Lamesa. I counted 19 along that stretch of road, and another one just on the north side of Lamesa.
And consider this, mine was a quick dashboard survey. Being the only one in the vehicle, I had to keep my eyes on the road at least half-the-time, so I probably missed some. There's also a stretch where a low ridge runs close and parallel to the highway for a number of miles ... not all that high really, but high enough to block any view of the countryside to the east.
Sure, a couple of the rigs I saw were pretty small ... probably devoted to work-over rather than making new hole. But even those small rigs represent business ... some company is leasing them from another company, and paying a crew to work them. In all cases, money is changing hands, goods and services are being produced and consumed, people are being employed and royalty-owners probably found their Christmas stockings to be a little fuller than they had expected.
I know, I know, I know ... a majority of our local punditz - at least those who focus upon the state of our local community and its economy - insist that everything pretty much sucks. Yet, in spite of all that, as a result of my December Dashboard Survey through Midland and Dawson counties - no matter it's lack of thoroughness - I can't help but feel some optimism. I have hope that things are going alright in our little corner of the country, and getting better ... and I have in mind a prayer of thanks for what we have, and that our good fortune might spread.
Monday, January 24, 2011
steeler nation ... Steeler Nation ... STEELER NATION ...
Me? I was going crazy last night, watching first one Steeler team, then another take the field. THANK GOODNESS the first team returned to close-out the game!
"Seventh heaven? ... Not quite yet," Dean Kovacovic cautions in this report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "That could come next for the Steelers, who won the chance at an unprecedented seventh Super Bowl crown by staving off the New York Jets, 24-19, in the AFC championship game Sunday night at Heinz Field. Ben Roethlisberger passed for 133 yards and a critical completion to avert a huge collapse, Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 121 yards, and a record crowd of 66,662 celebrated by waving Terrible Towels through equally terrible temperatures."
The final challenge for Pittsburgh will be Green Bay in Super Bowl XLV on February 6 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won the NFC championship earlier Sunday, 21-14, in Chicago. A Super Bowl just four hours up the road! With my Steelers!!! Now, if only I had a thousand bucks, or whatever it would take to get inside the stadium and watch the game :-(
Ah, well ... in the meantime, I can always get a Steeler Nation iPhone App ... and warm-up my Terrible Towel for February ... hope I remember how to do it ...
"Seventh heaven? ... Not quite yet," Dean Kovacovic cautions in this report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "That could come next for the Steelers, who won the chance at an unprecedented seventh Super Bowl crown by staving off the New York Jets, 24-19, in the AFC championship game Sunday night at Heinz Field. Ben Roethlisberger passed for 133 yards and a critical completion to avert a huge collapse, Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 121 yards, and a record crowd of 66,662 celebrated by waving Terrible Towels through equally terrible temperatures."
The final challenge for Pittsburgh will be Green Bay in Super Bowl XLV on February 6 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won the NFC championship earlier Sunday, 21-14, in Chicago. A Super Bowl just four hours up the road! With my Steelers!!! Now, if only I had a thousand bucks, or whatever it would take to get inside the stadium and watch the game :-(
Ah, well ... in the meantime, I can always get a Steeler Nation iPhone App ... and warm-up my Terrible Towel for February ... hope I remember how to do it ...
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Dana and Me ...
"Though it is embarrassing to admit this in public, I can no longer hide the truth. I have a Sarah Palin problem," Dana Milbank writes in an opinion piece posted earlier this week on at the Washington Post's website. "I have written about her in 42 columns since Sen. John McCain picked her as his vice-presidential running mate in 2008. I've mentioned her in dozens more blog posts, Web chats, and TV and radio appearances. I feel powerless to control my obsession, even though it cheapens and demeans me."
"But today is the first day of the rest of my life. And so, I hereby pledge that, beginning on Feb. 1, 2011, I will not mention Sarah Palin - in print, online or on television - for one month. Furthermore, I call on others in the news media to join me in this pledge of a Palin-free February."
Milbank admits to a media obsession with Palin ... and to having done his part to nurture and maintain that obsession. He goes on to note that abiding by such a pledge would be difficult at best, and that there may be consequences ...
"It's impossible, I figured, because Palin is a huge source of cheap Web clicks, television ratings and media buzz. If any of us refused to partake of her Facebook candy or declined to use her as blog bait, we would be sending millions of Web surfers, readers, viewers and listeners to our less scrupulous competitors."
In closing, Milbank calls upon others to do their part, to take a pledge of their own, prompting me to wonder whether I should risk alienating my readers, and reducing my reader-clicks from the double-digits down to the single-digits ...
"And so I pledge to you: Sarah Palin's name will not cross my lips - or my keyboard - for the entire month of February," Millbank announces. "Who's with me?"
(standing up in the back row, second balcony, and raising my hand) ... "Me."
"But today is the first day of the rest of my life. And so, I hereby pledge that, beginning on Feb. 1, 2011, I will not mention Sarah Palin - in print, online or on television - for one month. Furthermore, I call on others in the news media to join me in this pledge of a Palin-free February."
Milbank admits to a media obsession with Palin ... and to having done his part to nurture and maintain that obsession. He goes on to note that abiding by such a pledge would be difficult at best, and that there may be consequences ...
"It's impossible, I figured, because Palin is a huge source of cheap Web clicks, television ratings and media buzz. If any of us refused to partake of her Facebook candy or declined to use her as blog bait, we would be sending millions of Web surfers, readers, viewers and listeners to our less scrupulous competitors."
In closing, Milbank calls upon others to do their part, to take a pledge of their own, prompting me to wonder whether I should risk alienating my readers, and reducing my reader-clicks from the double-digits down to the single-digits ...
"And so I pledge to you: Sarah Palin's name will not cross my lips - or my keyboard - for the entire month of February," Millbank announces. "Who's with me?"
(standing up in the back row, second balcony, and raising my hand) ... "Me."
Friday, January 07, 2011
Just Do It ...
1. Google this number: 241543903
2. Then click on "Images"
3. Then join the fun, and stick your head in a freezer
(There's an interesting story behind this, which isn't as "new" as some believe)
2. Then click on "Images"
3. Then join the fun, and stick your head in a freezer
(There's an interesting story behind this, which isn't as "new" as some believe)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The MR-T Nails It
Say what you will about our local newspaper and its coverage of whatever issue is nearest and dearest to your heart ... they absolutely NAILED IT, dead-center-on-target when it came time to select their 2010 'Person of the Year.'
"Our selection for Reporter-Telegram 'Person of the Year' demonstrated to West Texans what it means to show courage during life's most difficult times," Shanna Sissom wrote in the opening paragraph of the tribute this year's year's recipient, Judge John Hyde of the 238th State District Court, of Midland County.
"Courage" is a word that gets tossed around way too much, IMHO, and applied to so many who are so undeserving. I fear, sometimes, that we are diluting the word, draining the last drop of its true meaning and reducing its impact for those occasions when its use is truly merited ... for people like John Hyde.
I first met Judge Hyde in the late 80s. He was already an established presence on the bench, and I was in the midst of job re-training. The oil bust of that era touched many lives, many professions, including my own. I had survived the first two rounds of layoffs at KMID-TV/Big 2 ... but the third one got me, and I was out of work. So, I went back to school, taking classes at Midland College, with a goal of becoming a paralegal. One of those classes offered 'intern' style education/experience, and I found myself at the Midland County Courthouse, student clerking (mostly) for Judge Hyde and (occasionally) for Judge Dean Rucker.
I wish everybody - especially the most outspoken and anonymous critics of our system - could have a chance to gain such experience, such insight and - ultimately - such appreciation for that system. I was a go-fer in every sense of the word, and I loved every minute of it. And through it all, I watched John Hyde at work, and listened very carefully to his instruction on what was transpiring around us.
To say I 'hold him in the highest regard' would be an understatement ... and my regard for him has only grown in the years since that internship. Eventually, the economy would recover, and I would return to media and journalism ... but this time I worked the courthouse beat so much better, and I had John Hyde (and Dean Rucker, and Pat Baskin, and Al Schorre, and so many others) to thank for that.
And I am hardly alone in my high regard for Judge Hyde ... just ask anyone else who has worked with him ... or anyone who has heard his presentations on the history of Midland County.
Of course, John Hyde has been in our thoughts and our prayers over the past year-and-a-half, during his battle with cancer. It is a battle being fought tenaciously, and with firm and loving support from his family, and his community, Sissom's article notes that doctors' prognoses notwithstanding, Judge Hyde has begun filling his docket for the year-to come ...
Well done, sir ... well done, indeed ...
"Our selection for Reporter-Telegram 'Person of the Year' demonstrated to West Texans what it means to show courage during life's most difficult times," Shanna Sissom wrote in the opening paragraph of the tribute this year's year's recipient, Judge John Hyde of the 238th State District Court, of Midland County.
"Courage" is a word that gets tossed around way too much, IMHO, and applied to so many who are so undeserving. I fear, sometimes, that we are diluting the word, draining the last drop of its true meaning and reducing its impact for those occasions when its use is truly merited ... for people like John Hyde.
I first met Judge Hyde in the late 80s. He was already an established presence on the bench, and I was in the midst of job re-training. The oil bust of that era touched many lives, many professions, including my own. I had survived the first two rounds of layoffs at KMID-TV/Big 2 ... but the third one got me, and I was out of work. So, I went back to school, taking classes at Midland College, with a goal of becoming a paralegal. One of those classes offered 'intern' style education/experience, and I found myself at the Midland County Courthouse, student clerking (mostly) for Judge Hyde and (occasionally) for Judge Dean Rucker.
I wish everybody - especially the most outspoken and anonymous critics of our system - could have a chance to gain such experience, such insight and - ultimately - such appreciation for that system. I was a go-fer in every sense of the word, and I loved every minute of it. And through it all, I watched John Hyde at work, and listened very carefully to his instruction on what was transpiring around us.
To say I 'hold him in the highest regard' would be an understatement ... and my regard for him has only grown in the years since that internship. Eventually, the economy would recover, and I would return to media and journalism ... but this time I worked the courthouse beat so much better, and I had John Hyde (and Dean Rucker, and Pat Baskin, and Al Schorre, and so many others) to thank for that.
And I am hardly alone in my high regard for Judge Hyde ... just ask anyone else who has worked with him ... or anyone who has heard his presentations on the history of Midland County.
Of course, John Hyde has been in our thoughts and our prayers over the past year-and-a-half, during his battle with cancer. It is a battle being fought tenaciously, and with firm and loving support from his family, and his community, Sissom's article notes that doctors' prognoses notwithstanding, Judge Hyde has begun filling his docket for the year-to come ...
Well done, sir ... well done, indeed ...
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Isn't There Anyone Who Knows What Christmas is All About? ... Theodore Wardlaw Does ...
Advent Devotional for Saturday, December 25
"Did you get what you wanted this year? After all, we all love presents! They look so enticing under the tree, all wrapped up and pretty, and we love imagining what’s probably inside. Then we open them; and I’m guessing that, for a lot of us, there is never more anticipation about the gift we get than in that very moment of unwrapping — right before the treasure is revealed ..."
CLICK HERE to read the rest of Dr. Wardlaw's devotional
Thursday, December 16, 2010
This is So ... uh ... Cool?
And people 'up-north' still ask me why I moved 'down-south,' and stayed there ...
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Just Because It's iFun ...
... and because it is well-suited to the season, here's something from the iBand at North Point Community Church in Georgia.
North Point's iBand from North Point Web on Vimeo.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
It's About Education ... and Compassion ...
World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is common to hold memorials to honor persons who have died from HIV/AIDS on this day. Government and health officials also observe the event, often with speeches or forums on the AIDS topics.The same will be happening right here, in the Tall City.
The MC Student Government Association, Midland/Odessa Area AIDS Support (MAAS) and the Texas Department of State Health Services will host a ceremony honoring those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and those who are dealing with AIDS on Tuesday, November 30, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the F. Marie Hall Academic Building, Rooms 110/111. The ceremony will also include the reading of an official proclamation by Midland Mayor Wes Perry. The public is invited to attend.
On Wednesday, in observance of World AIDS Day, these same groups will offer FREE HIV/AIDS testing and 10-minute counseling sessions from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the F. Marie Hall Academic Building, Room 110/111.
For more information, please contact Stephanie VanCuren at (432) 685-4543.
According to reports prepared by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007, and an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide live with HIV as of 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. UNAIDS goes on to report that, despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 2 million lives in 2007, of which about 270,000 were children.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Blogging from The Game, Wrap-up
And that's it ... game over .. the Midland Bulldogs fall to the Coppell Cowboys, 7-49.
An end-of-game custom - the team and the cheerleaders gather in front of the home stands, swaying, singing as the band plays the alma mater. There's usually a large gathering of fans, too - but only a small group of stalwarts remain, this time around.
Let's be clear on one thing - WE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF OUR BULLDOGS. They have flaunted the predictions and ignored the pre-season prognosticators over the course of the season, and into the playoffs, and have done the Tall City proud!
An end-of-game custom - the team and the cheerleaders gather in front of the home stands, swaying, singing as the band plays the alma mater. There's usually a large gathering of fans, too - but only a small group of stalwarts remain, this time around.
Let's be clear on one thing - WE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF OUR BULLDOGS. They have flaunted the predictions and ignored the pre-season prognosticators over the course of the season, and into the playoffs, and have done the Tall City proud!
Blogging from The Game, Pt. 10
Keeping spirits up ... The Bulldog Band is playing La Bamba, and EVERYONE is joining the conga line - bandsters, the guys who carry the M, H and S banners, cheerleaders from Coppell, you name it.
While praising the football team, we also need to tip our hats to the band, too. They've done an outstanding job this season.
Midland High's Air Force ROTC has come over to the sound of the music - these young men and women have been at every game, playing an important role in presenting the colors. They've also been an enthusiastic spirit section during the games.
Two minutes left in the game. Still 7-49 in favor of Coppell.
While praising the football team, we also need to tip our hats to the band, too. They've done an outstanding job this season.
Midland High's Air Force ROTC has come over to the sound of the music - these young men and women have been at every game, playing an important role in presenting the colors. They've also been an enthusiastic spirit section during the games.
Two minutes left in the game. Still 7-49 in favor of Coppell.
Blogging from The Game, Pt. 9
Now into the fourth quarter. It's been a back-and-forth thing ... Midland turns the ball over on an interception. Then Coppell turns the ball over on downs. Woods is back in at quarterback. Then Midland punts ... then Coppell punts. Then Midland turns over the ball on another interception. Score still 7-49 in favor of the Cowboys.
Blogging from The Game, Pt. 8
The second half is underway. Holifield is on at quarterback on the Bulldogs' first possession of the game, moving up the field and into the wind.
Halftime was good. Both Midland and Coppell boast outstanding bands. The Bulldog Band's drum line positively ROCKS.
Coppell takes over on downs. Six minutes into the third quarter, the Cowboys score. They now lead the game 7-49.
I'm surprised at the number of empty seats in the Midland stands ... still in line for concessions, I guess.
Halftime was good. Both Midland and Coppell boast outstanding bands. The Bulldog Band's drum line positively ROCKS.
Coppell takes over on downs. Six minutes into the third quarter, the Cowboys score. They now lead the game 7-49.
I'm surprised at the number of empty seats in the Midland stands ... still in line for concessions, I guess.
Blogging from The Game, Pt. 7
Twenty seconds left in the first half, Coppell scores again, and now leads Midland 7-42.
There's the whistle - halftime. This one will have performances by both schools' band - two large and very good ensembles.
Wondering what's being said in the Bulldogs' locker room right now, and what adjustments we might see in the second half.
Bulldog highlights in the first half include Donovan Anders. It is SO exciting when he gets the ball and runs it down the field. During the second quarter, Coppell used the wind at their back to full effect, with kickoff going out of the end zone, and away from Donovan.
There's the whistle - halftime. This one will have performances by both schools' band - two large and very good ensembles.
Wondering what's being said in the Bulldogs' locker room right now, and what adjustments we might see in the second half.
Bulldog highlights in the first half include Donovan Anders. It is SO exciting when he gets the ball and runs it down the field. During the second quarter, Coppell used the wind at their back to full effect, with kickoff going out of the end zone, and away from Donovan.
Blogging from The Game, Pt. 6
(sigh) 2:45 left in the first half, and Coppell scores again. They now lead 7-35.
Blogging from The Game, Pt. 5
Two minutes into the second quarter, score still 7-21, and the Bulldogs are moving down the field - but they lose it on downs at the Cowboys' 30-yard line.
Good turnout today. The Midland stands are full, except for the student sections - and they're slowly catching up.
Coppell has a good turnout, too. I'm guesstimating 500+ fans, plus band, cheerleaders, dance team, etc. And more Coppell fans are still arriving.
Four-and-a-half minutes into the second quarter, the Vowboys score again. They now lead 7-28.
Good turnout today. The Midland stands are full, except for the student sections - and they're slowly catching up.
Coppell has a good turnout, too. I'm guesstimating 500+ fans, plus band, cheerleaders, dance team, etc. And more Coppell fans are still arriving.
Four-and-a-half minutes into the second quarter, the Vowboys score again. They now lead 7-28.
Blogging from The Game, Pt. 4
Five-and-a-half minutes into the first quarter, Coppell gets the ball for a second time, drives down the field, and scores again. They lead 7-14.
Two minutes later, the Bulldogs are forced to punt - and it's a doozy, finally stopping at Coppell's 2-yard line.
it theCownoys step up to the challeng, driving nearly the entire length of the field. And they score, now leading 7-21.
Two minutes later, the Bulldogs are forced to punt - and it's a doozy, finally stopping at Coppell's 2-yard line.
it theCownoys step up to the challeng, driving nearly the entire length of the field. And they score, now leading 7-21.
Blogging from The Game, Pt. 3
WOW!!! ... Talk about responding in kind!
The Bulldogs receive their first kickoff and - 4 plays, and 75 seconds later - go in for THEIR first score. Game tied 7-7.
The Bulldogs receive their first kickoff and - 4 plays, and 75 seconds later - go in for THEIR first score. Game tied 7-7.
Blogging from The Game, Pt. 2
And we're under way ... and OUCH!
Coppell received the first kickoff and- 3 plays, and 75 seconds later - went on for the game's first score. They lead 0-7.
Coppell received the first kickoff and- 3 plays, and 75 seconds later - went on for the game's first score. They lead 0-7.
Blogging from The Game, Pt. 1
It's 62 degrees out. Very sunny, with only a light layer of high, thin clouds. Kind of windy ... but, hey, it's West Texas. Mostly, it's out of the south and, IMHO, it's enough to impact kicks, passes, etc.
All in all, not a bad afternoon for football, as the Midland Bulldogs prepare to take on the Coppel Cowboys in the third round of the 5A high school football playoffs.
All in all, not a bad afternoon for football, as the Midland Bulldogs prepare to take on the Coppel Cowboys in the third round of the 5A high school football playoffs.
Friday, November 26, 2010
What's In a Word? .....
William Shakespeare once suggested that "beauty is bought by judgement of the eye." With a deeply deferential bow to the Bard, I would go on and add my own scribble, that "sense is bought by judgement of the ear."
Which brings me to a verbal gaffe by Sarah Palin, the uproar - or lack thereof - over said gaffe, and the ensuing backlash towards those who did choose to raise an uproar.
Apparently, in the course of a radio interview Sarah Palin told Glenn Beck that America "has got to stand with our North Korean allies" in the situation that has arisen after the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong was devastated by a North Korean artillery attack.
Okay, so she made a mistake ... it happens to all of us at one time or another ... Beck corrected her, she corrected herself, let's move on with it, alright?
Heck, I didn't even hear of it until well after the fact. I don't care for Beck's program, and there was little or no mention of Palin's gaffe in the major news websites, in the papers, or on network television news broadcasts.
But the blogosphere? That was a different matter. The goof was added to a long list of "Palinisms" assembled by the bluer bloggers ... and you've probably noticed that news searches on engines such as Google are continuing to give weblogs and social media a greater profile - all of which served to help the gaffe find its place on the major news sources.
Even then, though, the story (if we can justify calling this a "story") might have withered, if Palin had not stoked the fire herself, "lashing out" at critics with jabs at others who have made mistakes of their own. Personally, I wish she would have just let the thing go. Like I said, it happens to all of us at one time or another ... let's move on with it, alright?
It's happened to our current President (one of the targets of Palin's jabs), and it happened to his predecessor, and to HIS predecessor. They all moved on, placed their gaffes in their proper perspective, emphasized what was truly important to the American people, and achieved success in their political ambitions.
As the son of a man who was one of "the Chosin Few," I can't help but think that our attention to developments on the Korean Peninsula are better devoted to other topics than Sarah's slip ... let's move on.
Which brings me to a verbal gaffe by Sarah Palin, the uproar - or lack thereof - over said gaffe, and the ensuing backlash towards those who did choose to raise an uproar.
Apparently, in the course of a radio interview Sarah Palin told Glenn Beck that America "has got to stand with our North Korean allies" in the situation that has arisen after the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong was devastated by a North Korean artillery attack.Okay, so she made a mistake ... it happens to all of us at one time or another ... Beck corrected her, she corrected herself, let's move on with it, alright?
Heck, I didn't even hear of it until well after the fact. I don't care for Beck's program, and there was little or no mention of Palin's gaffe in the major news websites, in the papers, or on network television news broadcasts.
But the blogosphere? That was a different matter. The goof was added to a long list of "Palinisms" assembled by the bluer bloggers ... and you've probably noticed that news searches on engines such as Google are continuing to give weblogs and social media a greater profile - all of which served to help the gaffe find its place on the major news sources.
Even then, though, the story (if we can justify calling this a "story") might have withered, if Palin had not stoked the fire herself, "lashing out" at critics with jabs at others who have made mistakes of their own. Personally, I wish she would have just let the thing go. Like I said, it happens to all of us at one time or another ... let's move on with it, alright?
It's happened to our current President (one of the targets of Palin's jabs), and it happened to his predecessor, and to HIS predecessor. They all moved on, placed their gaffes in their proper perspective, emphasized what was truly important to the American people, and achieved success in their political ambitions.
As the son of a man who was one of "the Chosin Few," I can't help but think that our attention to developments on the Korean Peninsula are better devoted to other topics than Sarah's slip ... let's move on.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
I took these shots earlier this week, during a walk around the mall and Beal Plaza, at the heart of the Midland College campus where I work. I hope you enjoy them. If you have some time during the long holiday now underway, you and yours might want to come up here yourselves, walk around, and enjoy the fall colors in person ... my pictures really don't do them justice.
I'll leave these with you as a seasonal postcard, of sorts. Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Call It What You Will ... But MARK It .....
IN FLANDERS FIELDSIn Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved,
and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lt. Col. John Alexander McCrae, MD - Canadian Expeditionary Force
Here in the U.S., one doesn't see the poppies on people's lapels so much, as we used to when were children ..... One of the most ridiculous victories in America's 'war of drugs' was the declaration by 'drug czars' and their staffs that the poppy reminded people of addiction to drugs, rather than appreciation to those who gave the 'last full measure of their devotion' in service to their country. Such is not the case in Canada, England, and other countries that once formed the 'Commonwealth.' The paper poppies - and the fundraising for veterans' relief that they represent - have been prominent in photos and video the past couple weeks.
Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Veterans Day ..... call it what you will ..... but find some way to mark this day. Here, in America, the focus of the day has been expanded to honor all men and women who, throughout history, have answered their country's call to serve. There have been many in our own family, but - mindful of the origins of this particular holiday - I will tell the boys of their great-grandfather Frederick, a sergeant with the 102nd Balloon Company, U.S. Air Service, American Expeditionary Force, and his service in France during the First World War.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Ooops!!! ...
With a tip o' me bonnett to Robert Burns, "the best-laid schemes (and demolition charges) o' mice an 'men gang aft agley." From msnbc.com's PhotoBlog comes this report that a 275-foot smoke stack in Springfield, Ohio fell toward spectators and surrounding buildings as it fell the wrong way during its demolition.
Yikes!
If you look closely at the photo, you'll see that most of those spectators are are shown in mid-stride ... I know I would have been!
Yikes!If you look closely at the photo, you'll see that most of those spectators are are shown in mid-stride ... I know I would have been!
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Texts from the sidelines ...
In the "For What It's Worth" department, here's a transcript of the texts I was sending a Bulldog fan, from the sidelines at last night's football game between Midland High and Abilene-Cooper. TRUST ME, no words of mine could match the excitement of being there ...but here it is anyway ...
__________
Grande Stadium is ROCKING!!!
MHS went ahead, 42-35, with about four minutes left in the game.
Cooper's ball. MHS intercepts a Cooper pass with about three minutes left in the game!
MHS has the ball on Cooper's 35, trying to burn up that clock, and maybe get another score. Cooper's using its timeouts, trying to save time and get the ball back.
Both schools' bands are CRANKING ... both schools have a large, loud cheering section.
Two-and-a-half minmutes left, MHS went for it on fourth down - and MISSED it by a couple of inches!
Cooper gets the ball on downs :-(
Cooper driving down the field - 48 seconds left.
Cooper into MHS territory - 31 seconds left.
Penalty on MHS - Cooper has first down on our thirty - 20 seconds left.
EVERYBODY is on their feet - 7 seconds left.
Cooper makes a "Hail Mary" into the end zone - MISSES - game over!
MHS WINS!!!
WOO-HOO!!!
__________
Okay, back to here and now. After the game, I visited for a while with a reporter/still photographer from Abilene. A gentleman about my age, with a fine moustache and an easygoing, friendly manner. We shook hands, and complimented one-another's hometown teams. We both agreed that we had just watched a GREAT game.
"Aren't you glad we're back together in district," he asked. "You bet I am," I answered.
The Cooper team held a long meeting in the southern end zone, then headed up the field to their locker room. They passed in front of the MHS Bulldog Band, which gave the Abilene players, coaches, cheerleaders and supporters a long and enthusiastic round of applause. Plenty of the visitors waved back, held up their helmets or tipped their hats ... some smiled.
It's nice to see that there are those who take seriously that standard speech read at the start of every game, asking everyone to respect one another, to respect one another's efforts and achievements.
"Take care on the road home," I heard more than one Midlander tell a visitor up in the locker room parking lot, where teams, bands and cheerleaders were loading up their busses.
All in all, a wonderful night ... glad I was there.
__________
Grande Stadium is ROCKING!!!
MHS went ahead, 42-35, with about four minutes left in the game.
Cooper's ball. MHS intercepts a Cooper pass with about three minutes left in the game!
MHS has the ball on Cooper's 35, trying to burn up that clock, and maybe get another score. Cooper's using its timeouts, trying to save time and get the ball back.
Both schools' bands are CRANKING ... both schools have a large, loud cheering section.
Two-and-a-half minmutes left, MHS went for it on fourth down - and MISSED it by a couple of inches!
Cooper gets the ball on downs :-(
Cooper driving down the field - 48 seconds left.
Cooper into MHS territory - 31 seconds left.
Penalty on MHS - Cooper has first down on our thirty - 20 seconds left.
EVERYBODY is on their feet - 7 seconds left.
Cooper makes a "Hail Mary" into the end zone - MISSES - game over!
MHS WINS!!!
WOO-HOO!!!
__________
Okay, back to here and now. After the game, I visited for a while with a reporter/still photographer from Abilene. A gentleman about my age, with a fine moustache and an easygoing, friendly manner. We shook hands, and complimented one-another's hometown teams. We both agreed that we had just watched a GREAT game.
"Aren't you glad we're back together in district," he asked. "You bet I am," I answered.
The Cooper team held a long meeting in the southern end zone, then headed up the field to their locker room. They passed in front of the MHS Bulldog Band, which gave the Abilene players, coaches, cheerleaders and supporters a long and enthusiastic round of applause. Plenty of the visitors waved back, held up their helmets or tipped their hats ... some smiled.
It's nice to see that there are those who take seriously that standard speech read at the start of every game, asking everyone to respect one another, to respect one another's efforts and achievements.
"Take care on the road home," I heard more than one Midlander tell a visitor up in the locker room parking lot, where teams, bands and cheerleaders were loading up their busses.
All in all, a wonderful night ... glad I was there.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Poor Lebron ... what SHOULD he do? ...
Okay, so I'm still in social media mode ... this time jumping from Twitter to YouTube, where I am confronted with one question from Lebron James - "What should I do?" - and two different answers.
Here's the answer from Mr. James, and Nike ...
... and here's an answer from some folks up-north, especially those whose hearts beat a little quicker in close proximity of Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena ...
Here's the answer from Mr. James, and Nike ...
... and here's an answer from some folks up-north, especially those whose hearts beat a little quicker in close proximity of Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena ...
Now, as a one-time Pennsylvanian, I rarely find myself siding with my brothers and sisters of the Buckeye State ... especially during football season. But I gotta admit - I feel more than a little sympathy for THEIR response on what Mr. James should do.
"Tweets" offer some perspective on rapper's release ...
Maybe I'm demonstrating my social media savvy ... or maybe it's something not-so-great that I'm demonstrating. Either way, when I sign-off from my Twitter account, I stay in front of the computer a few minutes longer, to watch their rotator of current tweets on a variety of trending topics.
I know, I KNOW ... I could be reading books and magazines, surfing the web, or even - gasp! - getting out and talking to people. But there I am, nonetheless, parked in my chair and soaking up someone else's virtual wisdom, 140 characters at a time. Today, there's more than a lil discussion of Lil Wayne.
Earlier today, the headlines started sharing the news ...
Rap star Lil Wayne released from NYC jail
NEW YORK (AP) — Lil Wayne has been freed from jail after serving eight months in a gun case, emerging with a hot new album, well-wishes from a former president and a deepened appreciation for his fans. The city's Department of Correction website said Thursday the Grammy Award-winning rap star had been released from the Rikers Island jail complex. CLICK HERE for the rest of the AP story
"FREE AT LAST!!!!!!!" the rapper's longtime manager, Cortez Bryant, Tweeted Thursday morning. And A LOT of the rapper's fans have been tweeting their love right back. But, at the same time, some are tweeting a different tune ... one that caught my attention.
sammyjay77African Americans tweeitng hard about lil #Wayne Released after gun crime but didn't tweet this hard about voting on Tuesday. Amusing!
DontezGripnemIf as many ppl that's excited about weezy coming home was excited about voting the other day, maybe the republicans wouldn't be in office.
Adri_ManeYou should be more excited about whats going on in the government than about Lil Wayne getting out of Jail. He aint helping you survive.
YourFavWhiteGuyNo blacks at the voting polls and every black celebrating Weezy's release at Rikers. Do I even need to add a punchline to this?
MrMason251Black people care more about a rapper being released than Voting. Let's see if Wayne pays for your Healthcare. #welcomehomeweezy
I seem to find myself in a smaller and smaller minority - I enjoy some coverage of entertainers and their work, as much as the next guy. But there are times when I find myself saying, "enough already!" I don't need round-the-clock television networks devoted to entertainment news, I don't need an intense panel discussion of why a celebrity did - or did not - do whatever is being trumpeted in the tabloids. And I can't help but think there are bigger stories going on around the world.
Back to those tweets ... one can say a lot, even when confined to just 140 characters - and I've gained a lot of respect for the ability of some to say a lot with a little. And while those who specialize in composing headlines and sub-headers for newspapers may no longer be in such great demand, there is a place for them in social media such as Twitter.
On a related note ... while watching that rotator, something I saw on NUMEROUS occasions was a retweet of "Open google maps, get directions from Japan to China, and skip to the 43rd step." So, I finally did ... it WAS pretty funny.
I know, I KNOW ... I could be reading books and magazines, surfing the web, or even - gasp! - getting out and talking to people. But there I am, nonetheless, parked in my chair and soaking up someone else's virtual wisdom, 140 characters at a time. Today, there's more than a lil discussion of Lil Wayne.
Earlier today, the headlines started sharing the news ...
Rap star Lil Wayne released from NYC jail
NEW YORK (AP) — Lil Wayne has been freed from jail after serving eight months in a gun case, emerging with a hot new album, well-wishes from a former president and a deepened appreciation for his fans. The city's Department of Correction website said Thursday the Grammy Award-winning rap star had been released from the Rikers Island jail complex. CLICK HERE for the rest of the AP story
"FREE AT LAST!!!!!!!" the rapper's longtime manager, Cortez Bryant, Tweeted Thursday morning. And A LOT of the rapper's fans have been tweeting their love right back. But, at the same time, some are tweeting a different tune ... one that caught my attention.
sammyjay77African Americans tweeitng hard about lil #Wayne Released after gun crime but didn't tweet this hard about voting on Tuesday. Amusing!
DontezGripnemIf as many ppl that's excited about weezy coming home was excited about voting the other day, maybe the republicans wouldn't be in office.
Adri_ManeYou should be more excited about whats going on in the government than about Lil Wayne getting out of Jail. He aint helping you survive.
YourFavWhiteGuyNo blacks at the voting polls and every black celebrating Weezy's release at Rikers. Do I even need to add a punchline to this?
MrMason251Black people care more about a rapper being released than Voting. Let's see if Wayne pays for your Healthcare. #welcomehomeweezy
I seem to find myself in a smaller and smaller minority - I enjoy some coverage of entertainers and their work, as much as the next guy. But there are times when I find myself saying, "enough already!" I don't need round-the-clock television networks devoted to entertainment news, I don't need an intense panel discussion of why a celebrity did - or did not - do whatever is being trumpeted in the tabloids. And I can't help but think there are bigger stories going on around the world.
Back to those tweets ... one can say a lot, even when confined to just 140 characters - and I've gained a lot of respect for the ability of some to say a lot with a little. And while those who specialize in composing headlines and sub-headers for newspapers may no longer be in such great demand, there is a place for them in social media such as Twitter.
On a related note ... while watching that rotator, something I saw on NUMEROUS occasions was a retweet of "Open google maps, get directions from Japan to China, and skip to the 43rd step." So, I finally did ... it WAS pretty funny.
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