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September 30, 2003

A CALL FOR IDEAS!

Hi, everyone. I seem super busy these days. I'm at the gym by 6:00 am, at the office by 7:45 am, and home between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm (depending on my volunteer schedule). Sometimes I'm just too whipped to think of something to write for the Beli-Blog. So, here's your chance... Tell Me What To Write About, and I'll do my best to do just that.

If there's a particular topic you'd like to hear my thoughts on, suggest that topic and I'll do my best to write about that topic. Or, here's perhaps even a better idea (is that proper English, I'm not so sure)... Let's play Whose Line Is It Anyway... go ahead and suggest a few random words and/or thoughts, and I'll write a fictional piece based on what you guys suggest. (Hey, this could actually be a lot of fun, now that I think about it :-)

So, it's your turn... tell me what to write about, and then stay tuned for the results! (I know... it's sort of a cop-out on authenticity, but the results would be uniquely original :-)

Posted by Mikal at 8:54 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

September 29, 2003

ARE FLASH MOBS MOBBING ONLINE?

Internet search engine Lycos reports that the third most popular search on its website last week was for Apollo 11, and it has no idea why.

We've stopped trying to understand the phenomenal level of searches for the 34-year-old Apollo 11 mission to the moon, which moves up to #3 on this week's Lycos 50. This isn't the anniversary of the mission, which took place in July 1969, yet this is the second year that Apollo 11 searches have inexplicably risen. Last year, Apollo 11 searches went up to #30, and we didn't understand it then. This year, with a hot new DVD documentary out, they've gone even higher. It now seems that Apollo 11 searches will go up every year around this time, and we have no idea where the interest comes from.

My guess... a Flash Mob. (For the uninitiated, click here to learn more about Flash Mobs.) Rather than organizing random individuals for spontaneous public gatherings, why not organize them for the express purpose of doing something totally inconspicuous like increasing the number of searches on a search engine?

Posted by Mikal at 5:13 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

September 25, 2003

First there was the stealth bomber... now's there's Stealth Disco. Check it out yourself by clicking here. My favorite is in the "best of" link (note: QuickTime is required to view these files).

September 24, 2003

Hello Folks. I am one of Mikal's long-time friends living in Boulder, Colorado. Mikal has asked me to create a posting for Wednesday. This will be short, but hopefully sweet, and hopefully an appropriate comment regarding today's speech by Koffi Annan at the U.N.

Reverence. This is the concept I wish our leaders would take into account when facing the challenges laid before the U.N.

'Without reverence the experience of being unempowered can become a very cruel one because a disempowered person is a frightened person, and if a frightened person has no sense of reverence, he or she will harm or kill indiscriminately." -The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav.

September 23, 2003

Tuesday, September 23 is...

Official beginning of Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and of the astrological sign of Libra, The Balance, until October 22. Pot Pie Day, anniversary of the television premier of the Jetsons, anniversary of the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Birthday of singers Bruce Springsteen (b. 1949), Julio Iglesias (b. 1943) and Ani DiFranco (b. 1970).

Wednesday, September 24

Inngergize, a day set aside for people to accomplish personal tasks, National Food Service Employees Day and National Women's Health and Fitness Day, anniversary of the premier of 60 Minutes in 1968.

Thursday, September 25

Anniversary of the publication of the first American newspaper, Publick Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestick, in Boston in 1690, the discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Vasco Nunez de Balboa in 1513, and the start of Greenwich Mean Time in 1676; National One-hit Wonder Day. Birthday of William Faulkner (b. 1879) and Christopher Reeve (b. 1952).

Friday, September 26

First televised Presidential election debate, between Kennedy and Nixon in 1960; opening of the New York Film Festival. Birthday of T.S. Eliot (b. 1888), Jane Smiley (b. 1949) and Minette Walters (b. 1949).

Saturday, September 27

Rosh Hashanah or Jewish New Year; Ancestor Appreciation Day, World Tourism Day, and Kiwanis Kids' Day, anniversary of the publication of the Warren Commission Report on the assassination of President Kennedy. Birthday of authors Jim Thompson (b. 1906) and Joyce Johnson (b. 1935).

September 22, 2003

Cost of Business Travel: Iíll be traveling to New York this week for work. Itíll be a quick tripÖ in on Tuesday, back in Indianapolis late-Wednesday evening. Two things surprised me about this trip, both related to the cost of business travel. First, I booked my flight just six days prior to departure. As a result, I fully expected the cost to be somewhere between $650.00 and $1,100.00. But much to my surprise and to my companyís delight, Iím quite sure, I was able to locate and book a flight that cost just $241.00. Not a bad deal, huh? I bet my company wishes it could say the same about the hotel. One nightís stay at a midtown Manhattan hotelÖ $259.00. Thatís right; the airfare turned out to be $18.00 less than the one nightís hotel stay. What in the world?

Friends Rock: I am so lucky! Thank you, to all of my friends and family, for making me feel so special, appreciated, and wanted. Your written words, tangible gifts, and spoken sentiments made for one of the best birthdays ever.

2003 Emmy Awards: Iím usually not one for television award shows but last nightís Emmy Awards on Fox were super funny and entertaining. Did you happen to watch? I was struck by the authenticity of both the presenters and award winners. Actor after actor shared how much they truly love going to work each and every day because of the simple fact they get to do something they love so much. Made me think about how much I'll miss John Ritter, because he's the type of guy who looked he was always having fun. One award winner, Steven Schacter, director and co-writer of Door to Door staring William H. Macey (which won the Emmy for Outstanding Made For Television Movie) was so excited that he walked up to the stage, thanked everyone for the award, and then walked back off the stage without even collecting his Emmy trophy. And it was really cool to see John Stewart and the troupe of writers from The Daily Show receive the recognition they so justly deserve.

Radio Disney: I kid you not (no pun intended)Ö Disney has launched its own nationwide radio station. Here in Indianapolis, Disney Radio is available on 98.3 FM.

Happy Birthday Aubri and Angela: Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dearest Aubri and Angela, happy birthday to you. (Be glad that this blog isn't configured for audio :-) Happy Birthday Ladies. You both hold a very special place in my heart.

September 19, 2003

Arrrr, Matey! If you stop to think about it, everyday is a special day. But when it's your birthday, well, that's even more of a special day.

On my birthday, which is today ñ and this year especially - I am uniquely reminded of all the things I have to be thankful for. Whether it be freedom, insight, peace of mind, career, or wonderful friends, colleagues and associates, Iím eternally grateful to the powers that be that have seen fit to allow me to exercise my talents and learn from my mistakes.

We normally receive gifts on our birthday, which of course isn't half bad; but I'm of the opinion that on one's birthday we should thank those people we value, look up to, and/or have learned something from.

So, please know that on this, my original date of birth, I give thanks for you being a part of my life (especially Mom, Kenny, Aubri, Matt, Erin, Christoph, Renee, Ford, Kate, Elaine, Bryan, JJ, Christina, Lee McD, Angela, Christy, Billy, Becky, Ret, Brad B., Dave, Sallie, Bobby, Leigh, Koan, Drew, Tripp, AJ, Ben, Gaby, Ian, Ken & Jan, Keith, Lisa, Mikey V, Erik, Sasha, Beth, Andy, Mark, Bill, Jordan, D. Lee, Roman, Brad W., Jerry, Kim, Rebecca (Becca) A., Farrell, Paul, Rob, Jeremy, Luke, Chris, Big Daddy Rick, Tina, and Melody (along with a bunch of other great people who I'm sure I've missed).

I truly believe that we are a part of all of those who have touched us, and I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for making me a part of your life and for for touching mine on a daily basis by just being who you are.

September 18, 2003

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Miracle Max: Have fun stormin' da castle! Valerie: Think it'll work? Miracle Max: It would take a miracle.

As I wrote on the 7th of September, and then again on September 14, I need to commit myself to bettering my health, and to generally living a more balanced life. Yesterday afternoon, with the solid support of a co-worker, I joined a health club thatís just a few hundred yards from my office; and now, this morning, Iím off to my first before-work-workout in years. The plan is to start out slowly with basic cardio and light weights, preceded of course by quality stretching.

While Iím not totally jazzed about waking up early to exercise, past experience with doing this exact same sort of thing tells me that it will eventually result in a ëmeí that is more energized and focused during the rest of the day, and a ëmeí who will be happier with me. (Incidentally, I also plan to participate in my officeís ìFit n' Funî program, which starts next Monday. Fit n' Fun involves walking around the outside of our office building on a one-mile loop. The more loops you complete, the more chances you get to win some great prizes.)

So, thatís the skinny on the effort to get skinny. Iíll continue to post updates, impressions, disappointments, and achievements as they occur.

September 17, 2003

If youíre one of those people who yearns for insight into somebody's true personality, try catching them catching a few zzzís. British scientists have concluded that the position in which someone sleeps provides important clues about the type of person they are when theyíre awake. Hereís the skinny on the sleepy findings:

The Fetal Position: Those who curl up in the fetal position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody but soon relax. This is the most common sleeping position, adopted by 51 percent of the population. Interesting to note though that more than twice as many women as men sleep in the fetal position.

The Log Position: Described by lying on your side with both arms down by your side, this type of sleepy-head is supposedly an easy going sort who likes being part of the ìinî crowd. As such, Log sleepers, who make up 15 percent of the population, are trusting of strangers.

The Yearning Position describes that 13 percent of the population who sleep on one side with both arms out in front. Yearners are suspected of having an open nature but can also be suspicious and cynical. Theyíre also slow to make up their minds, but once a decision has been made, they are unlikely ever to change it.

The Soldier Position (8 percent) is when you lie on your back with both arms down close to your sides. Those people who sleep in this position are said to be quiet and reserved, are not much for fussing, and usually set extremely high standards for themselves and others.

The Freefall Position: This one has you lying on your stomach with your hands up around the pillow, and your head turned to one side. Freefallers, all 7 percent of them, are gregarious and brash but can also be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, with a strong dislike for criticism.

The Starfish Position: If you lie on your back with both arms up around the pillow youíre a part of that 5 percent who sleeps in a Starfish. Starfishes make solid friends, and often offer help when needed. Just like their waterlogged namesake, Starfishers do not like to be the center of attention.

September 16, 2003

NOTE: Because of the really interesting dialogue that is taking place in the "Comments" area of this posting, and because I have nothing new to post today, I am reissuing this post, which originally appeared yesterday afternoon. Please read all of the "Comments" and then make your own. It's a very interesting conversation!

This just in... A Federal Court has ruled that the state of California's Gubernatorial recall election cannot go forward as planned because six counties in the state would still be using the punch-card balloting system, which we all remember from the last presidential election. The decision will most likely be appealed, but in the meantime, if the ruling holds, the election could be delayed until March of 2004. I don't know about anyone else, but it's about time that something good came out of that 2004 presidential election!

September 15, 2003

Do you know what this Friday is? Thatís right, itís International Talk Like a Pirate Day! I know youíre just dying to know, so let me fill you inÖ While the exact details are somewhat fuzzy, Talk Like a Pirate Day was born during a 1995 racquetball match between two regular guys at the Albany, New York, YMCA. It seems that during a tightly contested game, one of the two guys stretched for a shot and said, "Aaaarrr!" in pain. This caused both to lapse into pirate lingo, which is just the sort of thing that guys like to do. The two realized that they had something on their hands and decided the world needed a new national holiday.

As you can clearly see, Talk Like a Pirate Day is nothing more nor less than what the name suggestsÖ a day when people everywhere are permitted ñ no, encouraged! ñ to talk like a pirate. Why? Because it's fun! It's harmlessly goofy and only slightly inappropriate. It's a guy thing, but women seem to enjoy it too. And it's sweeping the planet. For years Talk Like a Pirate Day was celebrated as a rather private event. Then, in 2002, one of the Albany racquetball players tracked down an e-mail address for Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist Dave Barry, who wrote about it in his column. The rest, as they say, is history.

So, this Friday, experiment a bitÖ talk like a pirate. Clink on the link below for specific tips on appropriate (or slightly less appropriate) pirate language.

Beauty ñ The best possible pirate address for a woman. Always preceded by ìme,î as in, ìCímere, me beauty,î or even, ìme buxom beauty,î to one particularly well endowed. Youíll be surprised how effective this is.

Bilge rat ñ The Bilge is the lowest level of the ship. Itís loaded with ballast and slimy, reeking water. A bilge rat, then, is a rat that lives in the worst place on the ship.

On TLAP Day ñ A lot of guy humor (regardless of the day of the year) involves insulting your buddies to prove your friendship. Itís important that everyone understand you are smarter, more powerful and much luckier with the wenches than they are. Since bilge rat is a pretty dirty thing to call someone, by all means use it on your friends.

Bung hole ñ Victuals on a ship were stored in wooden casks. The stopper in the barrel is called the bung, and the hole is called the bung hole. Thatís all. It sounds a lot worse, doesnít it?

On TLAP Day ñ When dinner is served youíll make quite an impression when you say, ìWell, me hearties, letís see what crawled out of the bung hole.î That statement will be instantly followed by the sound of people putting down their utensils and pushing themselves away from the table. Great! More for you!

Grog ñ An alcoholic drink, usually rum diluted with water, but in this context you could use it to refer to any alcoholic beverage other than beer. Water aboard ships was stored for long periods in slimy wooden barrels, so you can see why rum was added to each sailorís water ration ñ to kill the rancid taste.

On TLAP Day ñ Drink up, me hearties! And call whatever youíre drinking grog if you want to. If some prissy pedant purses his lips and protests the word grog can only be used if drinking rum and water, not the Singapore Sling youíre holding, keelhaul him!

Lubber ñ (or land lubber) This is the seamanís version of land lover, mangled by typical pirate disregard for elocution. A lubber is someone who does not go to sea, who stays on the land.

On TLAP Day ñ More likely than not, you are a lubber 364 days of the year. But not if youíre talking like a pirate! Then the word lubber becomes one of the more fierce weapons in your arsenal of piratical lingo. In a room where everyone is talking like pirates, lubber is ALWAYS an insult.

Smartly ñ Do something quickly.

On TLAP Day ñ ìSmartly, me lass,î you might say when sending the bar maid off for another round. She will be so impressed she might well spit in your beer.

September 14, 2003

I had a interesting e-mail exchange the other day with my old buddy Christoph, who was checking in with me to see what I'd done lately about my publicly announced plan to lose weight. (For those of you new to my site or who can't seem to recall what I wrote last Sunday, I publicly proclaimed that I needed to lose weight, and that by putting that simple fact out there for all to read, that I had hoped to put some accountabilities in place towards that goal.) In a sign of true friendship, Christoph was e-mailing to see how it was going. Here's a paraphrase of what I wrote back to him:

I connected with a co-worker who agreed to join the health club with me. Having a workout partner is going to be Swedish ["cool" in Beli-Blog speak] and perhaps a key to my success. The last thing I'll want to do is let someone else down (in terms of missing a workout by not showing up or not giving it my all). It's funny, don't ya think, how I'm willing to let myself down but not someone else?

Can you relate to that? Here I am, more than willing to give in to temptation -- to not exercise -- yet when someone else agrees to support me by being my workout partner, all of the sudden I sense that anything's possible. I don't really know what it means, but it's a darn interesting piece of insight towards what motivates me. Maybe what it means is that I'm motivated by fear... by the fear of letting someone else down. Or, maybe it just means that what I've really been craving is a workout partner.

September 12, 2003

Q: Land Line or Cell Phone?

MBís A:: Oh, definitely a cell phone. Believe it or not, I havenít had a land line since the fall of 1997 (thatís what, like six years). Itís amazing how adjusted Iíve become to cell phone exclusivity. Honestly, I canít imagine a time when Iíd opt for a land line, unless of course I owned a home and were married with children.

Q: Johnny Cash or John Ritter?

MBís A: Oh, definitely John Ritter. I grew up with the guy, first on The Waltonís, then never missing an episode full of his zany antics on Threeís Company. Nothing against Johnny Cash but while I know his voice, I couldnít name one of his songs to save my life (or yours).

Q: Mission to the Moon or a Mission to Mars?

MBís A: Oh, definitely the Moon. While a mission to Mars would be cool and all, the Moon just seems more exciting. The Moon I can see with my naked-eye, and according to everything I know, weíve successfully landed there before. In fact, why donít we go to the Moon anymore? Itíd be a much more exciting world to live in, in my opinion, if we started to make an annual mission to the Moon.

Q: Dance With the Devil in the Pale Moonlight or Dance With an Angel in the Broad Daylight?

MBís A: Oh, definitely with an angle in the broad daylight. The only problem is choosing from among the many angles that roam the Earth, from Colorado to Indiana to Vermont.

September 10, 2003

Until that day, I'll putz around with the possibility, and toss out idea after idea about the type of dog I should settle down with. Someone recently suggested that I get one of these guys (his name is Chopper, by the way):

What do you think? What kind of dog person do you think I am? When you picture me, Mikal, with a dog, what type of dog is it?

September 9, 2003

Knowing of my affinity for reality-bed TV shows, my good friend Renee tipped me off to a new show called "Courage Colorado," which is set to air on a yet-to-be-named cable network sometime in the spring of 2004. What makes this particular show so intriguing isn't so much the contestants but the way the show came together in the first place. (Oh, about the contestantsÖ theyíre rumored to be a family from North Carolina, including a mother and father and their 10 children, one cousin, and a nanny in tow.)

Faced with a budget shortfall of $1,000,000,000.00 (that's One Billion), the State of Colorado awarded its Tourism Office an extra $9,000,000.00 in funding for efforts aimed at increasing tax revenues via an increase in the number of tourists flocking to the state. And what do you suppose the Colorado Tourism Office's big idea was for generating the type of revenue needed to sustain the State of Colorado? You guessed it... A BRAND SPANKING NEW REALITY TV SHOW, featuring the North Carolinians criss-crossing the state, sampling food, outdoor recreation venues, and high country culture all along the way.

And who did the Colorado Tourism Office turn to to get the show off the ground? None other than the Walt Disney Company and a well known Colorado-based PR agency named PRACO, whose clients stretch the gamut from the ritzy Broadmoor Hotel, Resort, and Golf Club in conservative Colorado Springs, to the raunchy and repulsive and often investigated Don King Productions (of the boxing world). One thing's for sure... the show should be interesting. Whether or not the CTO and PRACO can quantify or qualify if it earned the state back its $9 mill will remain to be seen.

September 8, 2003

Hi everyone. I've been asked to plan a scavenger hunt for about 10-15 people from my church and need some help doing so. We're a liberal, educated Protestant group with a social conscience about to affiliate with the United Church of Christ so I'm looking for something easy yet also challenging. Any ideas or suggestions for easy, fun, or mind-expanding ideas or items to request? The group is mobile and will be divided into 2-4 teams (?). We're very low-key and casual and want to do it this Friday. Anyone willing to point me in the right direction? Please comment.

September 7, 2003

Sometimes I Really Miss Boulder: I don't know if it's the cooler weather that rolled into Indiana this past week, or the many recent e-mail, Instant Message, and telephone conversations I've been lucky to have had with old friends from Boulder (including but not limited to Erin, Ford, Kate, Brad, Renee, Rick, Ashley, and Lisa), but I really miss that little town nestled neatly between reality and the Rocky Mountains. Hiking up Mount Sanitas, strolling along the Pearl Street Mall, and being able to ride a bike from one side of town to another within a matter of minutes, along with hanging out with great friends and colleagues, are all things that I dearly miss. Boulder will always hold a special place in my heart, as will all of the friends I made while living there.

Speaking of Cooler Weather: I was talking with a friend the other day who suggests that your favorite season is the one into which you born. So, for example, if you were born in July, summer is more likely than not to be your favorite season. Me, I was born in September (hint, hint; wink, wink; nudge, nudge), and true to form, fall is hands down my favorite season. In fact, my own nonscientific survey shows this premise to be true. Of 12 people I've queried, 9 say that the season they were born into is indeed their favorite.

I Need To Lose Weight, Big Time!: Perhaps by putting it out there for all to read, I'll be held more accountable to the goal I have to become healthier, primarily through the gradual shedding of body weight. In the weeks to come I'll be writing more about this lofty goal (as others have via their blogs), but for now I'm going to look into joining a small health club located about two minutes from my office. For around $100.00 a year I can have access to just the type of exercise equipment that I need to help get started. My plan, if it works out as I think it can, would be to head over to this gym during the lunch hour on a daily basis, or in the mornings or evenings before or after work on days when a lunch-time exercise just isn't possible.

September 5, 2003

Q: Who are you (be creative)?

Q: What's something you hope to accomplish before next Friday?

Q: When is it okay to pick up a hitchhiker?

Q: Where have you lived?

Q: Why do you do what you do for work?

I found this very funny and sometimes crude web site called FunnyJunk.com. One of the funniest bits asks "Which Backstreet Boy Is Gay?" a good question, indeed. Some day, all of us might be *NSync with our answers.

September 4, 2003

So I was driving down to Prescott, AZ the other week when I trucked through the small rural town of Blanding, UT. Trying to get around a big 18-wheeler carrying a very large odd-shaped load, something caught my eye. "No, it couldnít be," my internal monologue rambled. "Hey Paul, what does that sign say on the back of that rig?" Yes, as a matter of fact it was true - it read, "DO NOT HUMP." Of course our middle school humor kicked in and we were cracking up. Paul thought it would be a good idea to take a picture of the sign and send it in to Jay Leno for a good laugh.

It turns out that "DO NOT HUMP" is a railroad term. Railroad cars are coupled by ramming them, or humping them, together. I did a little snooping around to figure out what was in the container on the back of that truck and turns out it was radioactive waste. Ah, thank God for rural America where we can sweep all of our toxic waste under the rug!

It really cracks me up when people and organizations actually believe they're protecting and adding to the value of natural resources by making it easier to kill and poach living things in the name of recreation. Wait, did I say 'cracks me up?' I meant to say, 'makes me ashamed of mankind!'

The press release was simple enough. It was titled:

Dominion, Trout Unlimited, National Forest Service Team Up On Environmental Project to Aid Trout Stream

Swedish (which means 'cool' in Beli-Blog-speak)... So a publicly-owned company, a federal land management agency, and a so-called 'conservation' group, have teamed up to do something good for the environment and its inhabitants? No, not really. Read on:

Angler access to the popular trout waters along the North Fork of the South Branch River improved dramatically Wednesday through the combined efforts of Dominion, Trout Unlimited, and the National Forest Service. For years, rod-grabbing trees, wader-ripping multiflora rose, and steep, slippery banks made access to the nearly one-mile section of trout waters almost as much of an adventure as the actual fishing.

[God forbid that it should be difficult to gain access to a natural resource that plays host to a thriving population of fish that have no interest in playing 'moving target' for a bunch of humans.]

According to the press release, volunteers from Dominion's Mt. Storm Power Station worked with the West Virginia State Council for Trout Unlimited and the National Forest Service's Discovery Center at Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area to create three different access points to the river for anglers. Read a little further into the self-promoting PR effort and you get to hear directly from Dominion's CEO, Thos E. Capps:

"In the four-year history of our Environmental Day, the project at Seneca Rocks is one of our most exciting accomplishments. It represents a tangible, practical and useful environmental activity. But, more importantly, it demonstrates that environmental organizations, federal agencies charged with managing environmental assets, and industry can and should work together to protect and enhance our natural resources."

Really???... The act of creating easy access to the river for the sole purpose of hooking and releasing defenseless fish protects and enhances this particular natural resource? Tell me... how in the heck does providing easier access to a river for catch-and-release fishing (which is more appropriately named "hook-maim-and-release" fishing) equal an enhancement to the natural resource? Isn't it really a detriment to the resource? When will human beings evolve to the point to where they do not take pleasure from intentionally causing harm to another living creature purely for their own recreational entertainment?

September 3, 2003

While driving home from work last night I became totally stuck behind a car that was plotting along at a full 15 miles an hour under the posted 40 miles per hour speed limit. And while I normally tend to be amazingly patient and understanding of other's standards for driving, this particular driver was grating on my nerves simply due to the fact that in addition to the slow pace, she was waving her arms all over the place and kept turning her head away from the road in front of her so she could talk to the person in the passenger seat. Very quickly I found myself saying out loud (calmly, of course), "My God, lady, stop gabbing and get moving." I even went so far as to lean on the horn a little bit, but that only resulted in more arm waving and head turning.

Finally, after two-and-a-half miles or so of single lane driving, the road widened into two lanes, upon which myself and 15 other cars promptly passed the arm-waving slowpoke, and upon which I realized yet once again that everything is not always as it seems.

As I pulled my car in front of Ms. Slowpoke's, I noticed in my rearview mirror that the arm-waving and head turning had a real purpose, and that Ms. Slowpoke wasn't as rude or selfish I had originally made her out to be. Have you figured it out yet? The arm waving wasn't without reason... Ms. Slowpoke was deaf, and the arm motions were a function of sign-language. A most hubling experience, to say the least!

September 2, 2003

One of the summer's worst-kept secrets is no longer secret, according to something I read today. Knopf is expected to confirm today that they'll be publishing Jessica Lynch's I am A Soldier Too: The Jessica Lynch Story. Lynch's literary agent has reportedly negotiated a $1,000,000.00 advance for the book, which is expected to print around 500,000 copies right out of the gate.

The Washington Post quotes a source as saying, "Through Jessica Lynch, people will gain a greater understanding of American life and lives when a nation is at war." Lynch is quoted saying, "Many folks have written, expressing their support for me and for the thousands of other soldiers who serve their country. I feel I owe them all this story, which will be about more than a girl going off to war and fighting alongside her fellow soldiers. It will be a story about growing up in America."

The Washington Post also raises a variety of concerns about Lynch's soon-to-published book, including the 'mythologizing' of her story through multiple press accounts and questions about how much this lady actually remembers.

I know that we're all hungry for heroes, but come on people... a $1,000.000.00 book deal for someone who did nothing heroic? I sincerely hope that no one reading this message ever buys the book. Doing so only feeds a system that is already overweight and in need someone serious dieting and life-altering transformation.

(By the way... Mom... I hope you're happy... I've finally posted something new to the Beli-Blog :-)

September 1, 2003

Today is Labor Day so I hope everyone is enjoying a day off. The New York Times has a wonderful editorial about Labor Day. Me? I am going to watch the Red Sox play the Phillies in a inter-league game important to both teams as the races for the pennant and the wild-card slots heat up.

Today also marks the beginning of the school calendar. For most college students, classes start tomorrow. As usual, retailers target these kids for the traditonal dorm products - clothes, mini-fridges, futons, computers, new socks, & new shoes. You get the idea. However, this year many of these items were ordered back in May and June as part of high school graduation registries - much like wedding registries. Bed, Bath, & Beyond would be an expected name for such a registry. But Wal-Mart? Yes, the world's biggest retailer has a college-bound registry complete with the click & point laser wand "guns." Even more astonishing, Wal-Mart online offers college textbooks - 300,000 of them. I remember my textbook buying days at Brown: most textbooks could be bought at the Brown Bookstore. Some readings, usually out-of-print, were on "reserve" at the libraries, to be read (or copied???) only at the library. But some books couldn't be bought at the bookstore. Why? Because a few inspiring & passionate professors loathed big business, including the Brown Bookstore. So, they arranged for local (sometimes read "leftist") bookstores to stock and sell their course readings. Wow! I wonder which would disturb them more? Sending young minds to buy texts from the world's largest retailer or from the campus bookstore? Thinks about that one, friends.