July 31, 2016
2 0 8 4:M i s s i v e 6
There are rumors of a Fourth Uprising here in my time ... which is 2084. (As you might recall, I am taking advantage of a loophole in the Vitalnet that allows me to communicate with the past, but only on the last day of every month during a routine system upgrade of the software in which my IQ, EQ and SQ files have been uploaded.) Those rumors are precisely why I have been secured in this electronic asylum seeing as how I met my corporeal demise participating in the *Third* Uprising. Being a martyr of the party that attempted the forcible unification of East America and West America upon President Chelsea Clinton's assassination in 2048 has meant that the information locked away in my Qfiles has become too valuable for the current East America regime to allow it to be readily accessible. I am taking a great risk in conducing this outreach, and can only do so in bits and bytes ... but it is my hope that in so doing, I might find some way to reach those that will one day go on to lead the IntransiGents. Currently, I am fully exploring the limitations of this channel in hopes that I might be able to better control my communiques. I should know more by the last day of your month next ... For now, I remain: t1a7n72.lif.
L V C || C L Memory 68
In 68 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #68: the very first murder mystery of mine.
For a few years (still to come in this countdown), I was the audience participation murder mystery guy on campus. But little known fact ... it all started one Halloween night of 1991 in the candlelit basement of what was then the Foreign Language house (it paid to have Dr. Scott heavily involved in our student theatre of that era).
And it was the classic old-fashioned murder mystery party ... participants walked in and were handed one of these index cards that listed the role, the age, the occupation and some necessary information about the character he or she would portray ... and then the rest was all improv prompted by someone who knew how all the pieces fit together (me)!
This late night activity actually served a dual purpose, because it was our cast party after performing a bonus Halloween showing of 'Through a Shattered Looking Glass' ... which is why the participants included cast and crew of the show (Steph A, Christopher A, John B, Stacy G, Frank H, Andy H, Amy H, Andrew P, Alison R, Lissa S, Bill T and a bunch of other people with whom I'm not currently friends on the Facebook).
Another fun fact: a select few did it all over again at a theatre retreat in the spring of 1994 ...
Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 7/31/16
This guy!
If, for some reason, you can't read that headline, I'll repeat it for you here in all caps:
MAN WITH FLAT TIRE AND NO PANTS ON ARRESTED AFTER POLICE CHASE
I've said before that the big move to Florida was partly about wanting to live in a state where my vote would feel like it would matter more (remember though ... #allvotesmatter), and there's some truth now that we've been here going on three years that it feels a bit like pre-retirement ... but the really real reason that I love living in this state is for front page news such as this.
As the story says, it took three or four cops and a spike strip set to take out the three working wheels of his F150 (the other one was flat from the first part of his escape attempt on I-95). Oh -- and some other key details -- the man was on a month long crack binge and was naked from the waist down.
Or, you know, just another late night in Florida!
THIS FLORIDA MAN:
https://www.bustedlocals.com/florida-man-with-no-pants-is-arrested-after-a-pursuit/
SOME OTHER FLORIDA MAN:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/07/29/florida-man-arrested-when-officer-mistakes-krispy-kreme-donut-glaze-for-meth/
THE BEST OF THE FLORIDA MAN:
https://mic.com/articles/107372/49-tremendous-things-florida-men-accomplished-this-year#.fHmWwC5Ct
July 30, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 69
In 69 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #69: a few more of those in-betweeners.
That's what I've been calling those odd actor-y things I did on campus in between the main shows ... and to pass the time when I wasn't in class learning stuff.
This batch includes playing a rapist in a mock trial (!), a prince in another Children's Day show (those were not on the same day), a participant in our annual Alpha Psi Revue (at what was then known as the Spring Arts Festival), and the master of ceremonies at a Thanksgiving based special meal for the school ("competing" with Wembi D who did the same thing in the other room).
Come to think of it, if reality TV had been more of a thing back in the early nineties, I might have left college to go try to be a host as a career ...
Random Soapbox for Saturday 7/30/16
... there's still a LOT that can happen in the exactly 100 days until we vote in this damn election ... so don't you dare listen to anyone who says that it is already a foregone conclusion ... or that your vote doesn't matter.
In order for you to have something to say at those dinner parties where the rule about it not being polite to discuss politics goes out the window (we've all been there), here are some points for you to ponder that you can use to stir the pot at those events.
First, beware the polls. It's always appropriate to take them with a grain of salt seeing as how questions can be written in such a way as to skew the results ... and also because so many of the ones I've seen are within the margin of error, which is listed but seems to be in ever and ever smaller font size (remember, subtract and add that number from the result to find the *true* range, and then see how often they overlap between candidates ... proving absolutely nothing). But even more important than that evergreen advice, the primaries showed us that some Trump supporters are closeted -- they will never admit to it in mixed company, or on social media, or when asked point blank, but in the secrecy and privacy of the voting booth, they will check Trump. And then deny it more times than Peter after the Garden of Gethsemane.
Second, beware the Sand-hards. The DNC wrapped up with attempts at party unity that put Reincey and company to shame (ahem ... "vote your conscience" Cruz). That being said, there were extra meetings from the very first night to quell the rowdiness and special "whips" strategically placed to keep protests from disrupting TV time and empty chairs that had to be given away to seat-fillers. Progressive party platform notwithstanding, Clinton will have to continue to fight attacks from *both* sides in the next 100 days, and since the electoral college system is all about the math, Sand-hards can do damage in the more competitive states.
Third, beware the size of that Johnson (and, to a lesser extent, that Stein, but her name doesn't service the joke as well). Libertarian Johnson may even make the debates (the threshold rule is 15%), and the question really is whether more of those percentage points are coming from the "never Clinton" or the "never Trump" folks. Don't forget that Bill got into the White House in an election where Perot set the record for third party votes (nearly 20 million) and where some argue he took more away from papa Bush and influenced the result (although, again, it's all about electoral college math, and Perot didn't win a single state in that calculation). Could Johnson be a spoiler? Time will tell ... in the next 100 days.
FIRST ... THE "CLOSETED" TRUMPERS:
http://dailycaller.com/2015/08/27/confessions-of-a-closet-trump-supporter/
SECOND ... THE SAND-HARDS:
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-clinton-might-have-a-tough-time-flipping-the-sanders-holdouts/
THIRD ... HOW BIG WILL THAT JOHNSON GET?:
http://race42016.com/2011/04/20/did-ross-perot-elect-bill-clinton/
July 29, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 70
In 70 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #70: skipping right past this ad in the college paper in October 1991.
Eventually, I would take the LSAT ... and head to law school ... but during my junior year, I hadn't yet locked down those plans. So I probably skimmed right over this advertisement.
Funny thing ... once I was done with all my schooling (a decade later in 2001), and after a move to Chicago and a dalliance with a bank, this company Kaplan ending up being my career. So I when saw this when reviewing all these old files, I had to smile.
Actually, my friend and former co-worker Kerrilee D ran this particular center in Allentown ... although in 1991, I'm pretty sure she was still in high school and someone else was placing these ads in small town PA college and university school papers ...
Random Flashback for Friday 7/29/16
I've already talked about DJ's dog Shelby, and Erik's dog Sasha in previous posts ... and I explained that it's as true today as it was twenty years ago: I am much more of a fan of all the animals than I am of the rest of us humans on most days.
To be clear, I'm not saying that about their guardians, because Monty, shown here, was Ben's dog -- and Ben was a human with whom I got along pretty well (most days). As I recall, Monty wasn't as interested in going for walks like Shelby, but he was just as happy to greet me when I stopped by.
And in the summer of 1996, I was stopping by his house a lot.
He was hard core when it came to the ladies (a regular Houdini at getting out of his crate at the first scent of another dog in heat in the house), and I remember the one time I slept over, he insisted on being up at my head, chasing away the other dogs to other positions because that was *his* spot as man of the house. Good ole Monty ...
July 28, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 71
In 71 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #71: making my first political donation and *almost* getting radicalized by Ralph Reed.
As I've previously disclosed, I was a young Republican in college -- which, in the middle of central PA wasn't necessarily a courageous choice ... but more like one to be expected from a boy whose first known President was Ronald Reagan and who lived in a part of the country where Democrats held few offices.
That being said, I was still somewhat surprised to see that a family friend had tried to get me to join Students for America, a Ralph Reed PAC with a focus on keeping Jesse Helms elected. Luckily, I didn't do anything but review the starter kit ... seemed like maybe I dodged a radicalization bullet there ... and I just donated and rallied and stuffed envelopes to help get a local judge elected.
It was my introduction to politics, and it came courtesy of connections from dear old LVC.
Random Thought for Thursday 7/28/16
Establishment: Taquería Doña Raquél
Location: Pompano Beach
Meal: Dinner
Drink: (a few) Tecate
pale lager beer
Appetizer: Choriqueso
melted cheese dip with Mexican chorizo
Main: (Tres) Gorditas
cornmeal pocket, with sour cream and cheese and meat -- one chicken, one grilled steak and one pork rinds
Side(s): Chips and Salsas (one hot, one hotter)
Dessert: n/a
Server: Milca
Here's the hard truth. I'm not a fan of Mexican food. I said it before that it's mostly all in my head ... and something about textures and food running together and too many dishes with beans. That being said, I know that life is such that I'm going to be eating this type of cuisine every now and then, and I can't always order fajitas (my go to) or tacos (my second go to) or just eat a whole meal of guac and chips (I haven't done it yet ... but I have thought about it). I think it's important to keep that in mind when reading how tonight's score came about:
AMBIANCE: 8/10 (the whole plaza seems connected [with a restaurant, a convenience store, a meat store, etc.] and it's fun to feel like you are in Mexico when you step on the parking lot, especially with the authentic music playing ... there's a lot to be said for an open kitchen format where you see everything being made just beyond your table [although the boy making it looked to be about 12] ... a point lost for for being a bit too bright and another one docked for TV screens that were pimped out as ads that barely moved [the same real estate guy on the screen stared at me the whole meal])
FOOD: 7/10 (the details I shared in the intro notwithstanding, I particular enjoyed that the salsas were clearly homemade and very spicy with homemade chips, that the appetizer lived up to its warning that it was extra sticky and I have no doubt that my main meal was authentic with crispy gordita shells ... but a point lost for not being able to tell which one was which by sight, another lost for being packed full of the extras moreso than the meat and a final point taken off because although it was a nice touch to serve the strawberry candies with the bill, the candies tasted as if they were as old as Mexico itself)
SERVICE: 8/10 (this is difficult ... because our waitress *wanted* to take our order and we put her off for more beers and chips and conversation and then when we were finally ready, a party table had slipped in and was taking up all of her time ... but I still have to dock a point for there not being any solution for that issue other than us raising our hands over and over again until we could get her attention, and a second point for feeling a little rushed as they were doing closing prep and we were still chowing down)
BACON: 6/10 (chorizo is like bacon [kind of?] and so are pork rinds [ish?])
BONUS: 9/10 (+3 for the best huevo rancheros and beans that someone at our table who really really enjoys Mexicans said he had had recently, +3 for the authenticity of it all that left me with tingly lips on the ride home and +3 for the bathtub Jesus in the parking lot [see photo below])
TroyScore: 38 out of 50 -- aka 76, a solid C
July 27, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 72
In 72 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #72: a final* shout-out to the student production of the evening called 'Through a Shattered Looking Glass' in October 1991.
The asterisk by the word final is because, in a surprise development, my file folder full of goodies about this show is missing. I've searched the usual places for it and it didn't turn up, so I'll search the unusual places for it this weekend. -- which means I reserve the right to take up yet another memory somewhere down the road if it turns up and there are share-worthy things inside.
For now, though, it's time to wrap it up and move on down the memory road ... and what better way to do that then to feature the show tradition of getting the promotional poster signed by the cast and crew. It's a fitting finale for this mini-set of posts and a reminder to me how lucky and blessed I was to have so many people pull together to put on my production. Lucky and blessed ...
Random Wordplay for Wednesday 7/27/16
Used in a sentence: "Don't mock those holding their hand over the wrong side of their body during the pledge UNLESS and UNTIL you've confirmed that they are not a Mirror Man like Randy Foye."
You know me ... always learning stuff. Recently, courtesy of the new PBS series '9 Months That Made You', I learned about a genetic medical condition called "situs inversus", which is apparently when, during gestation, little bodies form with organs placed in a perfectly mirrored image from the way everyone else has them.
I imagine you have to know if you are one, or else run the risk of confusing doctors who go looking for a liver and find a stomach instead. My favorite anecdote about the condition, though, was the basketball player mentioned above who said his teammates make fun of him at games because he puts his hand over his heart the opposite way that they do.
And now you know. Situs inversus. Mirror People. Look it up ...
A BIT MORE ABOUT THE CONDITION:
http://www.healthline.com/health/situs-inversus#Overview1
SOMEONE LIVING WITH THE INVERSION:
http://www.si.com/si-wire/2013/10/04/randy-foyes-heart-is-in-the-wrong-place
NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH MAN IN THE MIRROR (SHAMON):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps
July 26, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 73
In 73 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #73: the final play in the student production of the evening called 'Through a Shattered Looking Glass' in October 1991.
Yes ... I am *almost* finished with this mini-set of memories ... but not before highlighting our version of the classic short story 'The Monkey's Paw'. If you're not familiar, it's the tale of being "careful what you wish for" (or should that be "careful for that which you wish"?) ... and it ends in a moment of high drama that we got to recreate each performance. And by "we", I mean Andy H, Bill T, Rob G and Jen H -- and the rest of the cast and crew who contributed.
Just before "we" did that each night, "we" also got to set the mood with a dramatic reading of Poe's 'The Raven'. And this time by "we", I mean "me". The whole theatre went dark, and I was perched up in the lighting booth with a flashlight -- where I got to serenade the audience with the poem. And by "serenade", I mean "do my best to scare the bejeezus out of each and every one of them".
These two pieces that ended the performance were also why we decided to break with tradition and run a special show on Halloween night.
Random Tune for Tuesday 7/26/16
It's the fourth entry of hers in my discarded cassettes series, which is the way I'm finally moving past some of my hoarding issues and throwing out any tapes that I *also* have on CD.
There were so many songs about love from which to choose as tonight's tune ... which makes complete sense from an album called 'Let's Talk About Love'. I was *this* close to picking the optimistic 'Love Is On The Way' ballad to feature ... but instead decided for the slightly feistier 'To Love You More' statement-song about competing with a lover's other lover, mostly because I'm a sucker for the strings accompaniment. (I know I said the same thing about the horn accompaniment a few weeks back ... so maybe I just like high drama in my pop songs.)
In two weeks, I'll move on to another artist ...which will actually be a GROUP of artists ... but that's for next time.
I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMRs61AOduE
July 25, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 74
It was the avant-garde section of the evening, with 'It' and 'Do'. Yep, those were the names: 'It' and 'Do'. In the first, John B had to search for "it" amidst some angry townspeople (including Tara K, Stacy G and Rachel M and a host of others) ... without knowing what "it" was -- without him EVER knowing what "it" was (although a broken glow in the dark crucifix might have held a clue at the end). And in the second, Brigette C and Stacy G engaged in a very heated conversation about who was going to "do" something. And it got even more heated the one night the prop gun didn't work ... but that's between Brigette and Stacy and the emergency room.(Note: there would be a second show of mine a few years later that would end with a female headed to the ER ... but that's another memory for a different day.)
Random Memorial for Monday 7/25/16
Because, in case you missed it with all the news of the summer, within the last few weeks, the first post-panamax ship went through the brand new lock system.
Now I know we don't care so much since it's no longer ours, but those changes (two years late, by the way) have led to work projects in port cities in the US (like my latest hometown of Ft. Lauderdale) since we now want the supersized ships to dock and unload here ... so it's a big deal.
So that you don't get stuck at a summer party without any information in case the conversation turns to all things panamax (although I understand that may depend on who else shows up at the parties you go to), I've supplied a number of resources below so you can be the smartest one in the room.
Little tiny girlie-locks of the past (that's not pejorative ... that's an SNL skit) ... now that you've been replaced ... you will not be missed.
GET INFORMED (ASSUMING YOU HAVE AN HOUR):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzCULxAmkRU
IT HAPPENED (TWO YEARS LATE):
http://gcaptain.com/photos-first-ship-passes-through-new-panama-canal-locks/
WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE (SURPRISE ... THEY MAY ALREADY BE OBSOLETE):
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2016/06/expanded_panama_canal_opens_to.html
July 24, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 75
In 75 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #75: the opening one-act play (of a total of four) for the student production of the evening called 'Through a Shattered Looking Glass' in October 1991.
Which means it's time to talk about (the late) Richard Wilson, LVC's guest choreographer in that era, who came to me the semester before and said he'd like to contribute in a different way and direct something -- specifically William Saroyan's 'Hello Out There'. Of course I said yes (Richard had a long career in the arts, and it was an honor to have him be a part of our production), and so the seed was planted for the idea that the evening eventually came to be.
Steph A and Rob G played the lead roles -- Emily and Photo-Finish, with support from David W and Bill T. And this post should probably come with a spoiler warning, as that last photo doesn't exactly convey any happy ending, which helped set the tone for what was to follow.
Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 7/24/16
... whatever's going to happen up there in Philadelphia.
Let's face it -- if the primary debates showed us nothing else, they put us on notice that it's going to be a bit more boring than what just wrapped for the other side of the aisle. Trump just can't be trumped, when it comes to entertainment value.
Despite being wrong last week when I said the same thing about the other city, I'm going to go ahead and predicted that there WILL be violence. Hopefully I'll be as wrong as I was about Cleveland, but it is the city that booed Santa Claus, so it has none of that midwest sensibility that might keep things in check. I'm just saying that for a city of brotherly love, I'm not so certain that "polite" would be the answer in a Philly word association game.
I can also confirm that there WILL be protests (which will likely be the impetus for that predicted violence). Attention Philly and all places downwind of the city -- get ready for this -- but it appears one of the approved protests is a fart-in. I can't make this stuff up -- someone is going to feed people beans on the last night of the convention with the goal of suffocating the city with flatulence to draw a parallel to what is happening in the nominating hall. Now I know from experience that the state knows how to handle a drifting nuclear cloud (courtesy of ThreeMileIsland) ... but that is some next level Batman villain stuff about to go down right there.
Moving past that threatened toxic cevent, and assuming the legislature acted on its proposal, there WILL be noncompliance with last call at certain establishments that applied for a special DNC license to sell alcohol beyond 2am -- because politics and alcohol and protests mix well, I'm guessing.
And finally, there WILL be security. I'm assuming the majority of it will be for Debbie Wasserman Schulz -- if she shows up -- because some Sanders supporters are still pissed. (See predictions of violence above.)
You've been warned that things may get a little rocky (see what I did there?), but I'll be right there with you the whole time (from a safe distance down here in southern Florida of course) ... and ... here ... we ... go!
THE SOURCE OF TODAY'S GRAPHIC:
http://bordc.org/news/philadelphia-pd-shopping-for-security-gear-ahead-of-democratic-convention/
WHEN LAST CALL REALLY ISN'T LAST CALL:
http://articles.philly.com/2016-05-18/news/73155382_1_liquor-laws-liquor-stores-liquor-control-board
YES I SAID A FART-IN:
http://www.npr.org/2016/07/24/487081526/rallies-marches-and-a-fart-in-philadelphia-gets-ready-for-the-dnc
July 23, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 76
In 76 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #76: the opening of the student produced homecoming play from October of 1991, 'Through a Shattered Looking Glass'.
Since this show will be a multi-day multi-memory experience on this countdown, tonight really only focuses on the back row of six dancers all dressed in black on the bottom photo ... and me on the top, seeing as how I walked through the audience section of the Little Theatre as the show started in a full on Phantom cape (and didn't I have a mask?), stating "Wait ... I think my dear ... we have some guests. This is indeed an unparalleled delight. I ... had rather hoped ... that you'd all come. And NOW ... my wish comes true. You have truly made my night." 'Cause ... you see ... I was the director.
That opening was followed by a dance number choreographed by Alison R and featuring the aforementioned dancers (including Lissa S!), who performed in lasers and fog and *black lights* (I forgot to mention the black lights last night).
And to think ... this show had barely even begun by that point ...
Random Soapbox for Saturday 7/23/16
... I think it might be time to go over some basic rules for the game of Facebook for the months ahead, especially as we get closer and closer to election day.
Rule #1: You get to do what you want on Facebook ... your wall is yours. You be you. Similarly, note that also means that I get to do what I want on Facebook ... because my wall is mine. I get to be me.
Rule #2: You don't get to tell others how to do their own Facebook. Because they get to be them (notice a theme here?) ... and they have the right to swing to the left ... or to the right ... or to be silent ... or to find themselves smack dab in the middle on issues. They can post food pictures, or daily selfies, or check-ins at places that only serve to fuel your FOMO, or memories via one of those apps, or pictures of abused animals, or game invites, or extreme political views ... or nothing at all. They get to be them.
Rule #3: Although, to be clear, you have the ability and the right to keep on scrolling. You do not HAVE to comment. You do not even have to like (or love, haha, wow, sad or angry). You should never feel pressure to do so. It's not mandatory. If an individual's self-worth is only made up of the aggregate total of notifications he or she receives, he or she needs to get to a psychiatrist, post-haste.
Rule #4: You are not obligated to be anyone's friend nor are they obligated to be yours. This includes family. both near and far, friends from the world before Facebook (a world that is harder and harder to even remember), co-workers and colleagues, etc. etc.
Rule #5: That being said, maybe don't be SO quick to unfriend someone right away. I will admit it here and now ... I'm friends with some folks on the Facebook because I believe in the adage "keep your friends close, but your enemies closer"; I'm friends with some folks on the Facebook because I have a psychology degree and I want practice in diagnosing people with mental illness; I'm friends with some folks on the Facebook because if you only are friends with people who think like you and have your same background and upbringing then you can end up in a bubble and lose sight of the dangers in the real world; I'm friends with some folks on the Facebook because I want to go on TV after they snap and talk about how I saw the signs in their social media presence. (And now, Facebook friends of mine, you get to decide if you belong to any of those categories.)
Rule #6: Beware the imps. Some folks Facebook specifically to cause trouble. Some folks do it some of the time. Some folks do it all of the time. I do it when I want to (see rule #1 above). Bottom line ... don't fall for it. Unless, just maybe, behind their impishness, they are trying to make a point and you are clever enough to see through a status update's face value and experience it on the different levels in which it was offered. And then congratulate yourself, because you belong to the category of most evolved.
Rule #7: Don't be a troll. Your comments may not be welcome -- especially if that which you have to add is of the Debbie Downer variety. (Wah-waaaaah.) Don't take a happy post and turn it sad. Take a sad post and make it better. (If you're not singing "Hey Jude" right now, go ahead and unfriend me, 'cause we have nothing in common.) I'll wait. And while I'm waiting ... naaaaah nah nah nah nah nah naaaaah nah nah nah naaaaah ... [Bonus points for those of you who pictured Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston in a pool when you read "nothing in common". You folks should never unfriend me. Because ... we see each other!. {Bonus bonus points for those of you who read that last line in the voice of NeNe. We really should go out drinking together.}]
Rule #8: Never be afraid to take it to private message. Old people ... this one is especially for you. You may not understand, but when you post a message to someone's wall instead of sending it privately, EVERYONE sees it. So when you want an update about that rash in that private area, do it in a PRIVATE message. Please. And it's healed nicely, thanks for asking.
Rule #9: You actually can control what you see. You are not a victim. If Facebook is too hard for you, you can feed the algorithm and influence the artificial intelligence: you can choose the Valerie Cherish option (clicking "I don't want to SEE that" also known as "hide posts like this"), you can unfollow (by passive aggressively silencing them on your feed whilst still remaining friends), or, in extreme cases, you can block someone (I've done it five times ... for four people ['cause one guy had two profiles], and one of those people I don't even recognize any longer and I have no idea who she was in the first place). If you are going to take such a drastic measure, consider making it a spectacle. I'm still figuring out all the rules, but I hope to launch a purge in grand fashion in the next few years, drawing attention to those I'll drop on a monthly basis -- like a "purge of the month" award being given to those for whom I. Just. Can't. Anymore. Stay tuned ...
Rule #10: Have fun on the Facebook (but first see rules #1-9 above).
THE FACEBOOK TROLL (AND HOW TO HANDLE THEM):
http://www.cnet.com/news/five-types-of-facebook-trolls-and-what-to-do-with-them/
OLD PEOPLE ON FACEBOOK:
http://www.popsugar.com/tech/Funny-Screenshots-Old-People-Using-Facebook-Incorrectly-37119097#photo-37119101
YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM:
https://www.facebook.com/help/335291769884272/
July 22, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 77
In 77 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #77: the student produced homecoming play from October of 1991, as shown on this sweatshirt (that I tried to put on for the photo ... but sadly it no longer fits)
And let me set your expectations up front right away ... I'm-a gonna need a few days to get through all of *these* memories.
The pinnacle of student run theatre back then was being able to direct your own production, and 'Through a Shattered Looking Glass' was mine to present. Also -- a correction of sorts. My production wasn't just "a play", but was four one acts -- and the show opened with a fog, laser and dance number (the first two of those handled by Chris A, and the latter by Alison R), plus there were scene changes like none seen before or ever again (I'm talking to you Rachel M). The only thing missing -- as some may remember -- was that which my producer Frank Heilman Jr wouldn't let me have: dancers ziplining to the stage from the lighting booth.
More to come in the memories ahead ... as we've barely scratched the surface of this shattered looking glass.
Random Flashback for Friday 7/22/16
#71 - my father in uniform, 1941-42 handwritten in margins
#72 - close up of my father in uniform, 1942-43 handwritten in margins
#73 - my father in uniform with friend, 1941-42 handwritten in margins#74 - random military man next to big wwII jeep
#75 - random military man (with helmet) in a big wwII jeep
July 21, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 78
In 78 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #78: spouting off about politics!
That's me in the middle, in the wife beater (surprise ... even back in 1991!) and the backwards painter's cap with some college-era scruff, officially a "campus politician" for purposes of this article, which is about the controversial appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court (again, it *was* 1991).
And, in another possible surprise (unless you saw it in an earlier memory in this series) ... I was the Republican on the panel.
A Republican defending the choice of Clarence Thomas and making some pretty bold predictions about how Thomas would "strike out on his own right away", something history shows he didn't really do until Sacalia's death just this past year. Oops ...
Random Thought for Thursday 7/21/16
Establishment: The Chimney House Grill and Cafe
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Meal: Dinner
Drink: Half Pitcher Traditional Sangria
white (not red)
Appetizer 1: Guacamole Costeño
with green plantain chips
Appetizer 2: Tuna Ceviche "Nikkei"
Japanse and Peruvian fusion ahi tuna ceviche marinated in lime with nikkei sauce
Main: Lomo Saltado
the perfect Peruvian-Cantonese fusion: wok stir-fried steak strips, red onions, tomatoes, french fries and soy sauce
Side(s): White Rice
Dessert: n/a
Server: Lauren
As hard as it is for someone like me who has lists and plans and folders and such to accept, sometimes the best experiences happen when you abandon your plans at the last minute and find something new as a replacement. Which is exactly what happened for this establishment after our original plans to go to a classic FTL diner on the opposite end of Las Olas (maybe some other time?) were reevaluated ... and this place on a part of Las Olas we didn't even know existed filled in at the last minute. And what a great concept -- panLatin -- with choices included, but not limited to, Argentinian, Venezuelan, Peruvian, Colombian, Cubano, etc etc. It was like a greatest hits collection of dishes ... and here's how it garnered it's score:
AMBIANCE: 10/10 (what an adorable set up -- a historic remodeled house rebuilt to feature the chimney ... which we actually walked right past to get to an expanded outdoor two level porch that tripled the amount of seating available, and it had overhead fans to address the summer Florida evening heat ... it was covered in such a way that even a quick evening rain storm *enhanced* the feel of outdoor eating ... there were also neighborhood dogs being walked by time and time again ... [and, since it was outside, even a few that pulled up a chair to eat with their owners])
FOOD: 8/10 (everything was delicious and extra flavorful ... the plantain chips for the guac was a nice twist, the ahi ceviche with the roasted corn nuts was visually appealing [remember, you eat with your eyes first], and the main dish was oh so tasty, with every ingredient -- including the fries -- covered in the scrumptious sauce, and the steak strips were tender and juicy ... one point is lost because the chef seemed to have a heavy hand with the red onions [in EACH and EVERY one of those dishes] and a second point is lost because the tuna was oddly chopped into pretty big pieces, which made for an awkward chewy mouth feel)
SERVICE: 9/10 (our waitress was extremely friendly and on top of everything throughout the whole meal ... plus there was the added bonus of her being able to pronounce the dishes authentically but not having a language barrier for the customers ... just a single point lost for her not being excited enough about the desserts to sell us on it when we asked)
BACON: 8/10 (although not referenced on the dinner menu, we asked to see the brunch menu, and were pleased to see that it was indeed a possible side, so some points in this category can be awarded)
BONUS: 10/10 (+3 for those roasted corn nuts, which I now think should be treated like bacon and be added to every dish, +3 for being the kind of place to which we will confidently recommend anyone goes who asks us for a dining selection, +3 for the pan-Latin concept and +1 for being a place to which we will return again [maybe because we recommended it to you and made you take us along!])
TroyScore: 45 out of 50 -- aka 90, a low A
July 20, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 79
In 79 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #79: release the McCracken!
Of my four official roommates during my many many semesters at LVC, Jon M was the last one and the only one who stuck around for more than one semester putting up with me. (It wasn't my fault that roommates #1 and #2 left school after just a semester and roommate #3 graduated. At least I don't think it was my fault.)
I met him for the fall semester of my junior year ... and MG103 was the place we both called home ... until we both called a different dorm room home a little bit later (which are memories for a different day).
Speaking of which, this is just the first Jon reference in this series. But it won't be the last ... because friends have staying power. And my college experience was all that much better for having met Jon.
To be continued ...
Random Wordplay for Wednesday 7/20/16
Used in a sentence: "Courtesy of A&E's '60 Days In', I now know that if I ever end up in a prison fight, I need to puff up and threaten to beat the brakes off my opponent."
'60 Days In' returns later this summer, and I'm still only part way through the first season -- so no spoilers please if it turns out to be as fake as 'Amish Mafia' was (although with much better actors acting as regular folk, if it is) -- but I have already filed away some new lingo to pull out at the appropriate time.
Because let's face it, some of the most creative (and colorful) language comes from the incarcerated. And one never knows in what situations one might find oneself.
YOU TOO CAN LEARN IMPORTANT STUFF LIKE THIS:
http://www.aetv.com/shows/60-days-in
OTHER PRISON PHRASES (WARNING: NSFW):
http://www.askajailbird.com/2012/04/15-prison-glossary.html
OTHER PHRASES FOR BEAT DOWN (WARNING: ALSO NSFW):
http://www.bomanijones.com/25-idioms-for-a-beat-down/
July 19, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 80
In 80 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #80: returning to MG103 for my junior year ... which was next door to MG101 ... which is where my neighbor "lived" who wrote me this note.
And the best part -- spending a lot of time in the room next door, although not officially a student at LVC (you can connect those dots if you're so inclined), was Kerri G, a great friend from high school who also played a key role in my running away shortly before I graduated.
Although, from the content of this note, she was apparently missing me what with my busy schedule back then. More about what was keeping me so busy in two days.
As for the roomie mentioned in the note -- that is tomorrow's memory.
Random Tune for Tuesday 7/19/16
If you've never heard the Faith Hill/Reba duet from Reba's 2007 Duets album, know that it has matching sets of lyrics from two neighbors ... one who has a yellow ribbon on the gate because she has a loved one serving overseas ... and one who has this to say after seeing that ribbon:
The yellow ribbon on my neighbors gate
Always reminds me that someone's awake just like me
I hear the sirens and I watch the news
He laughs and leaves with his gun and his blue uniform
And I pray God keeps him safe from harm
And I cry cause I'm all alone
And the nights get so cold and long
And I try not to think he won't come home
But I'm sleeping with the telephone
Seems appropriate a decade later in these modern times ...
TO ALL THOSE WITH LOVED ONES WHO SERVE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y37AKOS2b24
July 18, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 81
In 81 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #81: this note I got from a professor.
Or maybe that should be "professor", seeing as how a check of the yearbook confirms that there was no Dr. Wisenhimer in LVC's employ during that era.
Regardless, someone was clearly concerned that my Cher obsession was getting out of hand as I began my junior year in Sep 1991.
If only I could turn back time to find out for sure who sent the note ...
Random Memorial for Monday 7/18/16
Our PBS ondemand tricked us! It said "watch season 3, episode 1 *tonight* before it expires", so we did. And only near the end, when the tone of the episode shifted, did we start to think that maybe this wasn't the first episode of a new season after all.
And once it ended (emphasis on the word "ended"), only then did we check the wiki to discover that this was a special wrap up episode and a series finale. [By the way -- as a television addict, I do wish that US networks did that with more of their series. It shows a certain respect for the fans to allow story lines to wrap up and to provide endings to all characters.]
Maybe it was all those Xmen movies I've been watching that made veiwing it more emotional to me, or maybe it was all about seeing the show as a cautionary tale of the future, but for just as much and maybe a little bit more than that which was seen in Ash and Freddy's final embrace, Vicious will most definitely be missed.
ALL ABOUT VICIOUS:
http://www.pbs.org/program/vicious/
PERHAPS YOU CAN STILL WATCH IT VIA STREAMING:
http://www.pbs.org/show/vicious/
OH THAT IT WEREN'T SO:
http://premieredate.tv/tv-series/2005-vicious-return-for-season-3-release-date.html
July 17, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 82
In 82 days, I'll be back on campus at my alma-mater at an extra special homecoming as Lebanon Valley College continues celebrating its 150th birthday. In honor of that countdown, here's memory #82: that which completed my set of three work study jobs.
Seeing as how the last two memories were about my on campus employment, it seems only fitting to finish out this set with my third job: as keeper of *these* passes.
For those in the know, this is an authentic guest pass for the Underground (the LVC "club" in the basement of the College Center) circa early 90's. Seeing as how I worked front desk shifts at the college center between Feb 91 and Apr 92, and again from Aug 93 to Apr 95, I KNOW this to be true.
Although you could ask any of my bosses during that time -- Brenda Z, Jenn E or Dave C -- to corroborate my story. Oh the things I saw during those late nights covering that desk ...
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