Random Flashback for Friday 12/31/10

With a temperature of nearly 55 degrees headed into my favorite celebration of the year, I need as many holiday images as possible to get me in the right mood. [Getting in the right "spirit" (wink wink nudge nudge) is part of my evening plans!]

So I'll end a year of micro-blogging (and since I'm often a little too wordy in my posts -- all I want for Christmas next year is an in-house editor -- I'm not sure I can still adjectify my creative output as "micro") with this twenty year old shot of the family Christmas tree in 1990. I'm so looking forward to 1991 (a return to LVC with three performances to recall, more time at Hebron church with the young-uns and a few more family photos) ... and, of course, I'm even more looking forward to 2011.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Random Thought for Thursday 12/30/10

I've yet to drop acid. But if someone sneaks into the apartment and swaps out my stamps for the kind that pay homage to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, I truly hope that my experience will be just as trippy as having watched "Rudolph's Shiny New Year" on ABC the other evening. I knew I had no memory of it from my youth, but yet it was an official sequel of sorts to the famous RankinBass production, so I went into it with certain expectations.

A Red Skelton, a giant Big Ben whale, a vulture who needed to eat a baby to live forever (I think), a Mel Brooks-ian Million Year Old Man and a pedophile-ish Rumpelstiltskin later, I walked away bizarrely confused by the message they appeared to be giving Baby Happy about his giant ears. "People are always going to laugh at you, kid, 'cause they can't help it. But don't take it personally," was not only the subtext -- it was overtly stated at one point.

But hey, when it was all said and done, I have to echo most of Rudy's final words -- "Have a Hap Hap Happy New Year (and may it be shiny too!?)!"

NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR RUDOLPH and FROSTY's CHRISTMAS IN JULY:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079828/

RANKIN WANTS MORE MONEY FROM WARNER BROS:
http://www.rankinbass.com/

DRUG REFERENCES ABOUND IN POP MUSIC:
http://www.popculturemadness.com/Music/Drug-References.html

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 12/29/10

Ergonomically Correct Rubber Bands.

Used in a sentence: "I've mentioned it before, but due to change at my workplace, I am currently an employee who works completely from home (now going on two months) -- and, what I miss, besides the fine people with whom I used to come into regular contact, is the access to the ergonomically correct rubber bands."

I don't know why that concept makes me giggle (apparently, new stretchier rubber bands help people avoid carpal tunnel syndrome). Of course I think that it's a case of marketers latching on to a buzz word in order to increase sales (and the price point) -- much as organic and green have been (questionably) attached to so many products in the last few years. Really -- was there that much demand from rubber band injuries (that weren't intentionally inflicted slingshot style) for a healthier alternative?

BUY THEM AT SAM's CLUBs:
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=171439&pid=CSE_Froogle&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=183856

FIND OTHER ERGO-PRODUCTS AT THIS REFERRAL SITE:
http://www.onlineorganizing.com/UsefulLinksSubCategory.asp?subcategory=ergonomics

LABEL IT "GREEN" TO INCREASE YOUR STASH OF "GREEN" $:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/AreGreenProductsReallyGreen.aspx

Random Tune for Tuesday 12/28/10

Eight months ago, I foreshadowed today's listing. To be honest, although it strikes me as lazy, I'll simply re-post what I said that day in April, with one minor change to the number within the comments representing the countdown to NYE.

I now have a new annual song to play every New Years Eve (my most favorite holiday of the year) that might actually replace "Auld Lang Syne" for me when I celebrate in just over 3 days. It may be a little melancholy and a touch moody, but you can't argue with these closing lyrics:

"I wish everyone was loved tonight ... And somehow stop this endless fight ... Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days ... So take these words ... And sing out loud ... Cause everyone is forgiven now ... Cause tonight's the night the world begins again ... Cause tonight's the night the world begins again."

May you forgive, be forgiven and find a fresh new start wherever you may need it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOp4NAq6EHI

Random Memorial for Monday 12/27/10

Gone but not forgotten: my time with Paddington Bear.

I clearly remember my Hardy Boys collection of books (they were some of the only items I put in my bedsheet hobo-style the time I almost ran away from home when I was in middle school [not to be confused with the time I successfully ran away from home when I was in high school]). My mom sold Avon so I was all over the Sweet Pickles collection (Rest, Rabbit, Rest being the one to which I was drawn). Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series fueled my imagination about good vs. evil for years. So why is it that I had completely forgotten my hours spent reading about the adventures of Paddington Bear until I heard it referenced pop-culturally on the animated holiday episode of Community? [And, maybe this is why I have such a relatibility to Brick on ABC's The Middle? "Relatibility", (said in a whisper directed at my chest)].

My motivation for actually trying Smucker's Orange Marmalade for the first time, you are missed.

OF COURSE HE's NOW MARKETING A BRAND OF ENGLISH BREAKFAST:
http://www.paddingtonbear.com/newsstickysituation2010.html

A SWEET PICKLES BOOK LISTING:
http://tripatlas.com/Sweet_Pickles#Books%20in%20the%20series

SAYS BRICK, "SWIMMING's NO FUN WITHOUT A BOOK"!:
http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle/bio/brick-heck/274018

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 12/26/10

What South Bend is talking about this week:

[... as I wrap up my time with the family in Indiana and head back to Chicago!]

So it's the holidays and I found out a day late, but I now know what to get as a gift for the person who has everything -- an historic bridge! When I first heard about this INDOT program, I assumed that it was one of those pay money for your community group to have a plaque things, but it turns out they want you to actually adopt it and take it home with you. Having grown up in Central PA, it reminded me of efforts to protect the wooden covered bridges that dot the countryside ... but the website below has the photos of the bridges-waiting-for-your-family-to-love-them, and I'm afraid they look like they might stay in government foster care for quite some time.

FACES THAT ONLY MOTHERS CAN LOVE?:
http://www.in.gov/indot/2967.htm

TURN OF THE CENTURY BRIDGES TO SAVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-11-22-bridges22_ST_N.htm

PA PRETTY COVERED BRIDGES ALSO AT RISK:
http://pacoveredbridges.com/

Random Soapbox for Saturday 12/25/10

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... who am I kidding? It's the holidays and I just got finished with one of the biggest meals of the year (this holiday, inspired by Gordon Ramsay's BBCAmerica specials) ... and I don't have the mental acuity for any randomness today. Plus -- in honor of the Christmas spirit -- what have I got to complain about? Instead ...

... Commence Food Coma!

Wake me up in two hours with a cold six pack of Guinness and a family card game or two.

Merry Christmas!!

REST THE TURKEY AS LONG AS YOU COOK IT AND DON'T MISS THIS GRAVY:
http://www.squidoo.com/gordon-ramsay-ultimate-christmas-recipes

WATCH THIS 3D YULE LOG INSTEAD:
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/25/132287649/on-a-tv-near-you-the-yule-log-now-in-3-d

IT's NOT A FOOD COMA, IT's POST PRANDIAL SOMNOLENCE!:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postprandial_somnolence

Random Flashback for Friday 12/24/10

It's the holidays and it's Christmas Eve Day, so my simple wish for you is that you approach the holiday season with the same wide eyed wonderment that my niece Ashlyn did twenty years ago unwrapping whatever is in this giant box. Merry Christmas* to you and yours.

[*And to those of you of different or no faiths, I ain't mad at ya -- I hope you and yours have a great weekend too!]

Random Thought for Thursday 12/23/10

It's the holidays, which can be an odd mix of emotions. If I promise to hit the high notes on Saturday, please permit me to be a bit maudlin tonight (and if you're not a fan of holiday melancholy, then move along as there's nothing else to see here). Cherish the moments you have with loved ones and honor those traditions you have with family and friends, because things change all too quickly. Children age, loved ones pass on and pets are with us for such a short time.

I'm headed to a family celebration with two of three nephews who won't be in attendance (one's starting a new life and new traditions with his fiance and another is wrapping up basic training) in a car that once had a pit bull who would drool on my shoulder waiting for his last bite of whatever item I got at the only Hardees in traveling distance from the city on the Indiana turnpike (RIP Demon) to exchange gifts that are no longer wrapped soap-opera style (in a box with the lid wrapped separately) like my "grandma" Joann used to do.

As one of my favorite holiday tunes goes: "May the new year be blessed with good tidings' til the next time I see you again ... If we must say goodbye, let the spirit go with you 'til the season comes 'round again."

Don't get it twisted ... I still put HAPPY and MERRY in front of my holiday greetings. It's more like a respectful moment of silence on this silent night.

WARNING -- THE NOTES SAY THAT VINCE GILL HAS A BAD COLD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3KZrEn90ao

HOW TO WRAP GIFTS LIKE IN THE SOAPS (or STORIES, regionally):
http://www.ehow.com/how_4897343_gift-wrap-box-lid.html

SAMPLE THIS POET's EXPRESSION OF HOLIDAY MELANCHOLY:
http://slstellingstories.com/tag/holiday-melancholy/

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 12/22/10

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

Used in a sentence: "What I thought at first was a typo of some kind in one of my three TV Guides* turned out to be a cult phenomenon, and apparently one of the worst movies of all time -- so since it's the holidays, 'Don't miss this opportunity to view a seasonal classic that proves red and green ARE the colors of Christmas -- catch Santa Claus Conquers the Martians the next time it airs.'"

*Don't judge. We all have our addictions. I need the official TV Guide to plot my prime time viewing, the Sunday paper TV Guide to layer in local channels, PBS and non-prime time choices, and the TV section of Entertainment Weekly so that I can be appropriately influenced by critics. I've actually managed to cut back a little since TimeOut stopped printing its hipster selections in the weekly city cultural periodical. I don't have a problem. You have a problem.

SEE THE LIVE THEATRICAL VERSION IN FULLERTON CA EACH YEAR:
http://www.mavericktheater.com/html/sccm_10.html

MARTIANS KIDNAP SANTA BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE ON MARS TO GIVE PRESENTS:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058548/

TVGUIDE.COM SHOWS YOU WHERE YOU CAN WATCH THIS GEM NOW:
http://movies.tvguide.com/santa-claus-conquers-martians/116767

Random Tune for Tuesday 12/21/10

It's the holidays ... so why not post the ubiquitous song from the Honda commercial. Just as interesting at this you-tube link is the anti-hipster rhetoric [WARNING -- not all contributors there use safe-for-work language] and the concerns that Vampire Weekend sold out by profiting off of the car dealer's decision to give a truly new meaning to "ad nauseum" this season. Of course, upon closer inspection, the full lyrics include this section: "A vegetarian since the invasion. She’d never seen the word BOMBS. She’d never seen the word BOMBS blown up. To 96 point Futura." Kids nowadays, screwing up Christmas. Next someone's going to tell me the song's not about that holiday at all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vraoiVCDdaM

Random Memorial for Monday 12/20/10

Gone but not forgotten: the 2009 edition of the souvenir mug from Chicago's Christkindlmarkt.

It's the holidays and it's taken me a whole year to process the sad day in late Dec 2009 when the annual trip to the German market downtown resulted in the knowledge that the fest was SOLD OUT of the souvenir mug. I checked ebay in hopes to score one on the e-black market, and no luck. So now I'm putting it out to the universe like Oprah says I should -- all I want for Christmas is the 2009 mug!

That which fills the gaping hole in my souvenir collection, you are very much missed.

[see the sad sad photo above instead of the usual links and hit me up if you're of the disposable generation and no longer want what you got last year around this time ...]

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 12/19/10

What Chicago is talking about this week:

It's the holidays, so it's time for a true Chicago tradition -- the Christkindlmarkt in Daley Plaza! Now in its 15th year (the last 9 of which I've been able to attend), this re-creation of a typical German holiday market is full of vendors (the one that I visit first being the one that gets me an authentic Wienerschnitzel) selling gifts, ornaments and food! This year, I've added the pictures to the 2010 Holidays album on FB -- and I've included several of the "blooper variety" at the end -- the "authentic" German vendors (capitalism is equal opportunity, so they include one from Peru), the signs that say "no alcohol beyond this point" (a message you just plain wouldn't see in Deutschland) and the candy store chocolate pigs that appear to be in a daisy chain of sorts. Nothing says Happy German Holidays like copulating pigs!

2010 CELEBRATES 15 YEARS!:
http://www.christkindlmarket.com/en/

WIERNERSCHNITZELS IS ... A WEST COAST FAST FOOD CHAIN???!!!:
http://www.wienerschnitzel.com/locations.php

THE 2010 HOLIDAYS ALBUM ON FB:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=48308&id=1843633569&l=a11808616c

Random Soapbox for Saturday 12/18/10

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

It's the holidays and Suze, dear, you need to put your shtick aside and have a little cheer.

I was flabber-smacked (gob-gasted? -- does fusion work with cultural idiomatic phrases of surprise?) to catch Suze addressing a little girl's request for a new doll on her show the other night -- and that show was not Saturday Night Live, and said Suze was not Kristen Wiig.

To be clear, more power to Ms. Orman and her message. I get it. The majority of America doesn't save because the majority of us are living paycheck to paycheck. [And the majority of us didn't get lottery winnings to invest in our future as a tip, either.] But to tell some poor thing she couldn't get a dolly because her liquid assets and her allowance income didn't meet Suze's standards, was a bit much. Can you imagine Suze at the mall in a jolly red blazer with kids on her lap yelling "de-nied" repeatedly?

So Suze, here's my Christmas wish. Take a hiatus, and come at us full force in January when the holiday bills come due. Then you can make us feel guilty -- and leave the darn kiddies alone!

SUZE's TOP 10 TIPS FOR 20-SOMETHINGS:
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/financiallyfit/suze-ormans-10-money-tips-for-the-20-something-2415847

KRISTEN WIIG's TOP 10 SNL MOMENTS:
http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/10/15/top-10-kristen-wiig-moments-on-snl-videos/

HOW TO BE A MALL SANTA CLAUS:
http://www.slate.com/id/2179999/

Random Flashback for Friday 12/17/10

It's the holidays! So why not post a photo from 20 years ago of my sister Bonnie's family in front of the Christmas Tree in good ole Schuylkill Haven PA. [This one is from so long ago that their little sister isn't yet in the picture (literally).] Of course, the nephews are both now young men on their own and living in middle America (Hey Ryan! What up, Tyler!), and my sister is back in PA with her husband and their sister after spending some time in Missouri (follow?). And that's just the tip of the iceberg with my family situation. So ... may your holidays bring a smile to your face just like Ryan's in this one (Ryan -- feel free to untag on FB now, if you're embarrassed).

Random Thought for Thursday 12/16/10

"My name is Troy. Neidermyer. Yes, like in Animal House!" could have been a different story if Jumanji had only been a bigger hit. For it is in Jumanji when Robin Williams returns from being locked inside the game and states aloud, "I wonder if Mrs. Neidermyer is still teaching 6th grade English." Yet another Neidermyer reference for pop culture -- right up there with the hockey players, the French filmmaker Frederic and my uncle's once-upon-a-time chicken restaurant (chicken is my people's heritage).

FREDERIC NEIDERMAYER's FILMOGRAPHY:
http://www.locatetv.com/person/frederic-niedermayer/196230/filmography

MOVIE MISTAKES FROM ANIMAL HOUSE:
http://www.moviemistakes.com/film67/page2

TURNS OUT JUMANJI IS BASED ON A BOOK WRITTEN BY ANDREAS NEIDERMAYER:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113497/usercomments?start=100

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 12/15/10

Traumatic Insemination.

Used in a safe-for-work non-salacious prurient-free zone: "Bedbugs procreate through traumatic insemination."

So this isn't some sweeps month stunt, and I'll keep it as clinical as possible so as not to offend. While reading up on bedbugs recently (did I mention I was just in NYC), I was surprised to learn of a situation not referenced in the Kama Sutra. Apparently, in this scenario, 'the male pierces the female's abdomen with his penis and injects his sperm through the wound into her abdominal cavity". I'll say nothing more, except "insects are creepy, dude".

SCIENCE, PEOPLE, ITs SCIENCE:
http://www.pnas.org/content/98/10/5683.long

I DARE YOU TO READ IT AND NOT ITCH:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/vector/vector-faq1.shtml

HERE's SOME GOOD PRESS FOR THE INSECT WORLD:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-130982/Insects-creepy-crawlies-friends.html

Random Tune for Tuesday 12/14/10

It's the holidays!

What better time to listen to the haunting melody of Greensleeves (having read Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series during my formative years, it's a song that carries an additional mystical meaning for me). I couldn't find the Garth Brooks version on youtube, but it didn't take long to "settle" for Martina McBride instead. And, although I rarely double link on Tuesdays, I added the Jingle Cats version of the same song in a mash-up with Hava Nagila below. (And [warning: severely outdated pop culture reference ahead] like those who buy the clothes of Kathie Lee or the sneakers of Nike and have to live with the guilt of knowing underage kids made their products, I feel a little dirty in that I remain unconvinced that animals weren't hurt in the making of that version of the song.)

All the same, Happy Holidays!

IF YOU LIKE A LITTLE MARTINA McBRIDE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC9cbEHjvPs&feature=fvw

IF YOU LIKE A LITTLE MANUFACTURED TORTURED CAT NOISE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iClHpepBY1I

Random Memorial for Monday 12/13/10

Gone but not forgotten: the most recent season of the Amazing Race.

[So I committed to a weekly Aside with my posts since this season started. Tonight, I turn it over completely to the concept ... which I guess makes it a full on Amazing Race Ramble instead.]

I'll admit to having a bit of race-envy, and as I watched the final episodes of this season, I kept on putting myself in the situations in which they found themselves:

The last time I went on a white water rafting ride like they did in Korea last week, I was on a work outing with McDonald's 20 years ago! [Tubing in northern PA with the family at the hunting camp doesn't count as that pace was too leisurely.]

The last time I was in a helicopter like the racers took to beat LA traffic, I was looking over the city of Palmyra with Jakey at one of their town fairs!

The last time I was on a bungee swing, I was bundled up with Selman and Bennie at Cedar Point on the Ripcord!

The last time I came close to decorating a float was when I marched with the Cub Scouts in the Jonestown holiday parade as a dalmatian (although I don't think we had a vehicle on which we could ride)!

The last time I was in a taxi with someone who didn't speak English was actually just one week ago in NYC!

The last time I saw Bob Eubanks, he was hosting a series of "best game show moments" on TV!

The last time I had to piece together where I had been while vaguely recalling people wearing hats was the morning after I celebrated getting/keeping a job with my company by bar-hopping this fall.

And the last time I won a million dollars like the first all-female team was ... never. That's a shame!

This recent running of one of the best reality shows on TV, you will be missed.

RIPCORD!!:
http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/park/challenge_park/ripcord.cfm

YOU CAN BOOK BOB AS A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER (WHOOPEE!):
http://www.bobeubanks.com/

PHIL RIDES ACROSS AMERICA (summer of 09):
http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/blog/2009/03/01/the-amazing-race-host-phil-keoghan-will-ride-across-america/

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 12/12/10

What Chicago is talking about this week:

It can't really catch anyone by surprise (not if you've been here for the last two winters) that we're dealing with snow and wind and a touch of ice on a blustery day, with cold cold temperatures and super-below-0 wind chills forecast for the middle of the week. [So, Rahm, you best familiarize yourself with these facts before heading to the courts Monday to address the modern carpetbagger claims. And, da Bears, you really should have been better equipped for today's playing conditions.]

Amazing Race Aside -- so my attention now turns to tonight's finale. To be honest, I'm already more excited for all of the All Stars in the race coming soon (how hard will it be when I like most of the teams from episode 1 -- and is it a coincidence that both shows of recent Emmy competition took that all-star route at the exact same time?) Please let intelligence and good sportsmanship be rewarded with a Drs. Nat/Kat victory. Nothing too much against the shopping hostesses (a watermelon in the face does cry out for some recompense) or the fighting couple du jour (who uttered my favorite discriminatory line last week - "you can't ask old people for directions"), I just feel better rewarding folks at the higher end of the actualization scale!

SO MANY GAMES WERE CALLED THE BLIZZARD BOWL, WHAT's THIS ONE TO BE?:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/grizzly-detail/Patriots-Ice-Bears-at-soldier-field-36-7-111760359.html

TO THE COURTROOM FOR A RULING BEFORE HE SPENDS ALL HIS MONEY:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Status-Hearing-for-Rahms-Residency-Battle-111661684.html

THE NEW BUT OLD NEXT CAST OF RACERS REVEALED:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2010/12/cast-of-the-amazing-race-all-stars-revealed/

Random Soapbox for Saturday 12/11/10

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... the waiting area at the gate in a terminal is a public place and requires us to be on our best behavior.

And no, I'm not taking a stand on the proper stance width one should take in a public toilette. As I awaited my delayed departure at LaGuardia (apparently, a very common occurrence at that airport), I witnessed a grown child reading aloud to her mother in a packed common area. Before I angered, I ran through the reasons that would allow me to justify the behavior. Was the mother visually impaired? Was this a reverse reenactment of some childhood tradition and the momma needed to be slumberfied before boarding? Were hidden cameras and John Quinones lurking as some "social experiment" was being filmed?

No, nope and not at all. Instead, the drunken daughter was practicing her oratory skills as the mother sat there smiling through a grimace as if she knew of the inconvenience to others but chose to support her child's foibles.

Maybe the new generation has it right. Put in the earbuds, turn on your i-machine of choice, and disconnect from the world around you. Although I'm concerned about the future of faux-connectedness foisted upon us by Facebook, at least I could have read my month old USA Todays in peace!

DEAR SKY STEWARD, PLEASE SHARE YOUR JETIQUETTE:
http://www.dearskysteward.com/

EXCUSE ME, BUT READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY WAS IN MARCH (APPARENTLY):
http://www.cta.org/Parents-and-Community/Read-Across-America/Events.aspx

WWYD:
http://abcnews.go.com/WhatWouldYouDo/

Random Flashback for Friday 12/10/10

And so ends the tale of my time overseas in 1990. This photo was taken by my sister as I spilled out into the terminal at Newark (which is close enough to NYC to continue my theme week concept, right?) in December of that year. I brought back with me 3.5 months of memories, connections with great people, a multi-stamped passport, the ability to dream in a different language on occasion, a frequent hankering for Wienerschnitzel, an early affinity toward stronger, darker beers, that piece of the Berlin Wall I referenced weeks ago and a desire (not yet quenched) to return. The economy interfered with my early plans for a 20 year reunion there -- maybe it's meant to be 25 in 2015? Jawohl! Time to start saving my pfennigs [showed my age, there, I mean euro cents!]

Random Thought for Thursday 12/9/10

I arrived at my hotel on Wall Street at the beginning of this week in the early AM only to find out that they were overbooked. Since I had a confirmed reservation, they moved me to their sister location a few blocks away -- next to the WTC site (pics on FB in the Holidays 2010 album). During the day, the work site was booming. At night, there was an eerie silence I didn't expect for the non-stop hustle and bustle of the city. I've devoured all of the documentaries in the years since the attack, but I still wasn't quite prepared for the realness of being right there where it had happened. A realness ... a sadness ... a we-will-never-forget-ness ... a we-will-rise-again-ness. As it was December 7th that I was there, it left me wondering if those feelings are what a generation or two above me feel when they go to Pearl Harbor?

MEMORIAL SCHEDULED TO OPEN 9/11/11:
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/On-Hallowed-Ground-Inside-The-WTC-Memorial--84661137.html

"WE FOUND $10,000 STUFFED IN THE DONATION BOX":
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/shrine_ecret_angel_CGDxrh9Pr3mjkghYtrfGLP

PEARL HARBOR MEMORIAL FUND TO RENOVATE THAT NATIONAL SITE:
http://www.pearlharbormemorial.com/

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 12/8/10

Bishiftual.

Used at the very end of a paragraph that probably needn't be as long as it is: "After working for a month in my new virtual workforce position with my company, it was great to head to NY this week and meet my colleagues -- five of us spread out across the country so that we can cover multiple time zones. As we perfected our schedule, we realized that me being in the CST was an opportunity to have me play the role of Day or Night lead, changing my start and end times as needed -- making me a proud bishiftual."

[Maybe you always presumed it to be so or connected the dots yourself or you may have always known. But now I can experience the freedom of announcing it publicly.]

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW SUPPORTS IT:
http://hbr.org/2009/12/enterprise-20-how-a-connected-workforce-innovates/ar/1

TIME ZONE CONVERTER:
http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc

RESOURCE GUIDE FOR BIs:
http://biresource.net/

Random Tune for Tuesday 12/7/10

How is it that it took me nine years to learn that this Rob Thomas holiday song was about the first Christmas after 9/11? And after having stayed in a hotel this week during my trip to NY within the shadows of the construction equipment rebuilding the WTC site -- something I heard and liked instantly becomes so much more poignant and moving when provided with the context. And the artist's attempts to affect change continue with the Sidewalk Angels Foundation, whose link is below for others interested in making a difference. Happy Holidays -- and a prayer for peace on earth within our time!

NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5pCDKX1b4g&feature=related

SIDEWALK ANGELS FOUNDATION:
http://www.sidewalkangelsfoundation.com/

Random Memorial for Monday 12/6/10

Gone but not forgotten: my time away from NYC.

Heretofore, my one and only time in the Big Apple was when I worked for Gretna Theatre (during the controversial year of Harvey and a too-naked for central PA Frankie) and went to watch auditions in the nineties. But now I've just gotten back from a work trip this week (hence the tardiness in my daily postings), and I can say that I enjoyed myself much more this time around. Twenty years ago, I drew the hasty conclusion that it was too many people in too small a place and that it was not for me. Now, with the experience of a decade in Chicago adjusting my Weltanschaung, it was a much easier experience to handle. It was still a work trip so there wasn't a lot of "tourist time" [ed. note: if reading this aloud, feel free to do it in the key of Vinnie and Paulie bellowing "t-shirt time"], but I did at least get to stand outside of Rockefeller Center (with the 30 Rock theme song blaring in my head) and to be blinded by the lights of Times Square (only in America would a major tourist destination be a basilica of billboards beautifully blaring that we should buy-buy-buy [ed. note: if reading this aloud, feel free to mockingly mimic N'Sync]).

The phrase, "been there, done that, not goin' back" with regards to me spending any time in NYC [ed. note: if reading this aloud, feel free to ask yourself why you're doing that and then to pronouce these letters in the tune of the song from Annie of the same name], you will be missed.

THE ALUMNI OF GRETNA THEATRE:
http://www.gretnatheatre.com/AlumniofGretnaTheatre.htm

GERMAN-ENGLISH WORDS or IT's NOT JUST FOR KINDERGARTEN ANY MORE:
http://www.germanenglishwords.com/

TIMES SQUARE THROUGH THE YEARS:
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/content.php?content=history

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 12/5/10

What Chicago is talking about this week:

DC news! Sure, the standard stuff is going on around here ... but for some reason, the local news was all about Washington DC. One story covered just elected Mark Kirk presenting the Republican response to the President's weekly address (after just one week in office, he's their go-to guy?). Then, a little bit of "shocking" news about how daring GWU was as students can co-habitate in the dorms this year -- in the actual rooms (some were aghast and one said George himself would never had predicted such a collegial living arrangement). But the most interesting story was the one about the highway crew that addressed winter weather by spreading a slippery substance (liquid magnesium) instead of salt. I'm sure it was frightening to those who were on the road, but it sounded to me like a Batman villain's modus operandi!

IS THIS HOW THEY HAZE THE NEW GUY:
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/12/us-sen-mark-kirk-delivers-national-republican-weekly-address.html

YOU CAN PICK SOME OF YOUR ROOMMATES REGARDLESS OF GENDER ... :
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Bed-Bugs-Found-In-GWs-Dorms-109045449.html

THIS WAS CLEARLY THE WORK OF "THE JOKER":
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/traffic/road-crews-put-down-wrong-chemicals-slick-roads-cause-accidents-120310

Random Soapbox for Saturday 12/4/10

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... we now have the leading candidate for worst timing of the year award.

It's not the first big snowstorm to hit Chicago today (nothing beats buying a Christmas tree in the snow!) but the recent announcement that the Madison Square Garden will add catwalks suspended above the action in 2013-14. The fact that it hit the news the same week as the young man fell to his death at Soldier Field and the toddler died after climbing over the glass partition at the Staples Center seems a little tasteless.

Sure -- there will be safety precautions ... and barriers ... and alcohol ... and rabid fans. But, the venue sees dollar signs in crowding more people into space heretofore just only filled with air, so the renovation continues. Add more seats! Sell more tickets!! Pack them in!!! Nearly 20,000 seats is just not enough!!!! And if we lose one or two along the way, that's just collateral damage!

SEE THE ARTIST's RENDITION ON THE "BRIDGES and FAN DECKS" LINK:
http://www.msgtransformation.com/Transformation.aspx#

RIP, MR. HAVERTY:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101129/ap_on_sp_ot/us_fatal_fall_chicago_stadium

RIP, BABY BOY TANG:
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5838014

Random Flashback for Friday 12/3/10

After multiple months overseas many many years ago, the group of us in Koln had grown a little homesick and weary of the semester abroad experience. How do I know? Because we got taken to task by Klaus one day (he's the older gentleman behind me) when the group of us were told that we had to start "adapting to the local conditions" better. It turns out my smart-alec-ness and antio-authoritarian streak were both well developed even in 1990, as the event captured in this photo is me passing out the infamous Fruh beer deckels labeled with the "Adapt to the Local Conditions Awards" at our farewell party. And, even back then, I couldn't edit well as you can see by the stack of awards I'm passing out. My awards that night ... "the most devoted member of a long distance relationship (with Cher)" ... "the most competitive class ender (often through questioning comments)" ... "the ducks' best friend" ... "most interested in testing McD's quality control" ... and ... "most complex personality". Much doesn't change in 20 years, after all!

And, here's this week's Amazing Race Aside -- I guess adapting to the local conditions in Hong Kong means dealing with the bait and switch. Meaning that the room that looks like Asian karaoke is really sushi-til-you-pukey! Tricky, Phil, tricky. [P.S. Dear tattooed punk girl, I got angry watching your boyfriend who apparently went off his meds this past week. I would have supported you throwing him overboard and you finishing the next few legs with the parakeets as partners instead, just so you know!]

Random Thought for Thursday 12/2/10

I know the science isn't there yet, but I now know what I want to add to my disaster supplies (right next to my cans of Chicken Noodle Soup and the military rations I was given 20 years ago) -- a mini-Lennie-James (Christmas is coming). Between Jericho and The Walking Dead, I'm convinced that he's the guy to have in your corner in the middle of an emergency (whether you find yourself in a nuclear post-apocalyptic anarchy or just a regular old post-apocalyptic zombie anarchy). Maybe he could be one of those creepy foam things you drop in water to grow to 20x its size ... or he could be "on call" ... or summoned like a genie in a lamp at the first sign that life as you know it has ceased to exist ...

And, in an overdue Amazing Race Aside (I missed the additional race-related obiter dictum around Thanksgiving, so I'll double up this week), can I also say that he's the person I'd not want to Double Uturn (its funny how I applaud The Biggest Loser for constantly changing the game and coming up with unique challenges and twists, but get frustrated at the Amazing Race for having to learn its vocabulary -- Fast Forward, Yield, Express Pass and now Double Uturn -- and its subsequent and frequent adaptations to its racing rules and regs) for fear that he'd calm-ly and cool-y take me out if I got in his way.

LONDON LENNIE INTERVIEWED IN 2008:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/my-secret-life-lennie-james-actor-age-42-829091.html

THEY GOT A BRITISH GROW YOUR OWN EVERYTHING, WHY NOT A LENNIE JAMES?:
http://www.jokeshop.co.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=sect&s=3573&id=jokeshop

THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF THE RACE:
http://www.amazingracefanwiki.com/page/Unwritten+Rules

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 12/1/10

Karbalaeinematmoeeney.


Before I use it in a sentence, let me say that I know domestic violence is never funny. Let me also say that my cultural frame of reference allows me to understand last names like Miller and Smith ('cause they were jobs) and Davidson or Jackson ('cause they were the next generation for David and Jack) and even Neidermyer ('cause all the mayors lived on a hill in Germany and the post office added the prefix Nieder- 'cause my folks lived at the bottom of the hill in the lower land [and Ellis Island workers did transpose the vowels]).


So, used in a sentence: When I read that Memphis Grizzlies star Haddidi had a domestic issue with his girlfriend this week, all I could do was giggle at her name (that sounded like a Jewish mystic played a counting game): Karbalaeinematmoeeney.

NOT KIDDING - ITs SERIOUS:
http://www.thehotline.org/get-educated/what-is-domestic-violence/

BUT I STILL GIGGLED AT THE NAME:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/grizzlies/2010-11-26-haddadi-assault_N.htm

MORE COUNTING OUT GAMES (Y-E-S SPELLS YES AND THAT MEANS NOT YOU):
http://www.playgroundjungle.com/2009/12/counting-out-rhymes.html