August 31, 2016
2 0 8 4:M i s s i v e 7
This is a good news, bad news situation. The good news is that it is still *JULY* here in my time ... which is 2084. That means not only did I succeed in continuing to access the loophole in the Vitalnet that allows me to communicate with the past on the last day of your months, but I also figured out how to send longer messages. The bad news is that I am still not able to send the entirety of those missives without alerting my e-asylum keepers that I am taking advantage of this loophole. That means that even though I've managed to "freeze" time where I am, it is still advancing where you, the reader, are. That also means that I'll have to continue to prioritize that which I am sharing with you, and that it may take me longer to explain the decades of history you've yet to experience. "One upgrade forward, two bugs back" as we say in my day. But all the same, it is progress of some sort, which isn't easy to come by in the world in which I now exist (a software system housing my IQ, EQ and SQ files). Until the next part of my communique reaches you, I remain aware of where it is from which we've come ... and where it is we just might go, as chatter about the Fourth Uprising increases, and as I remain t1a7n72.lif.
L V C || C L Memory 37
In 37 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 #37: the first annual (and maybe only) "holiday hunt", also known as the Wig and Buckle 1993 Christmas Party.
Some of my favorite line items of the 50 that could be hunted ...
4.) three premises of ontological argument for the existence of God
5.) create a tenth reindeer and put him in an alphabetical list of the others
16.) how many appendages would you need to wear the rings given to you by your true love on the eve of the twelfth day of Christmas -- explain
25.) tell a real what-I-was-doing-during-the-blizzard-of-93 story
28.) if LVC did Phantom and employed casting by type-casting (no audition) who in our group would be Phantom? Christine? Raoul? Firmin? Carlotta?
45.) make up and answer your own question
It looks like I didn't keep the team scores to know who won ... but really, when it comes down to it, all of us were winners that night!
Random Wordplay for Wednesday 8/31/16
Used in a sentence, "In case you don't know your analogy constructs, Invest:Florida::Derecho:Chicago is to be read as 'invest is to Florida as derecho is to Chicago'".
And I draw that conclusion because I had no idea what a derecho was before moving from central PA to Chicago (it's a special kind of wind storm that is like a city tornado, except it's straight-line winds) ... and I had no idea what an invest was until this past week in Florida as we all watched to see where invest 99L would go.
First, it turned out that invest 99L missed us in southern Florida completely and then hung out in the Gulf before turning into Tropical Storm Hermine, which will be headed north and threatening Tampa and most of the East Coast over the upcoming holiday weekend. Second, it turns out that invest is short for investigation, and it is quite literally a disturbance that the Hurricane Center wants to investigate closer -- and the L stands for the Atlantic (E is used in the Pacific) -- and they only go from 90-99, and then they start over again at 90 (which seems odd, but ... whatever).
Who knew -- besides meteorologists, that is? And now -- me! And also now -- you!
MY (NEW) FAVORITE FLORIDA WEATHER WORD:
https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/what-is-an-invest-20120815
MY FAVORITE CHICAGO WEATHER WORD:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/derechofacts.htm
BEWARE THE HERMINE!:
https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/tropical-storm-hermine-things-to-know-florida
August 30, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 38
In 38 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 #38: the start of awards season.
Lookit ... let's be clear that it was just an honor to be nominated -- especially since I'm pretty sure that the nomination for both of these honors in late 1993 was the extent of what happened (coincidentally, both at the same time), because I don't think I actually *won* anything.
I can also say, though, that it was particularly rewarding to me because I had such a long and strange trip through college. I started out fast out of the gate, got distracted with all kinds of new freedoms, actually took a year off between my junior and senior years, and then found my way back to a strong finish, proving many wrong who thought I'd never graduate.
The truth with me is that I perform the best when I know that others think I won't succeed. It's always been the greatest motivation for me ... from way back then to even now. And the other truth (also true from way back then to even now) is that my successes have been because of all the support I've been lucky to have from so many people, including the staff and faculty and students of dear old LVC.
Random Tune for Tuesday 8/30/16
Tonight, Steven Tyler joins the one and only Martina McBride (she who has the most references in this blog) in a live duet from a recent CMA special. Mind you, the duet sounds like it needs a little bit of polish, but it's more about seeing the two of them together than anything else.
Although the song, Aerosmith's 'Cryin'', is indeed a classic one (at least from my generation).
YOUR LOVE IS SWEET MISERY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVmJZt_MG00
August 29, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 39
In 39 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 #39: emceeing the annual Thanksgiving festival.
Well, *half* of the annual Thanksgiving festival, because what happened was that students were funneled into *either* the East OR the West Dining Halls (normally, students only ate in the East, and the West was dark except for special events), and they were literally separated by the kitchen and staff offices.
As such, the only way to seat all the students at the exact same time for the campus celebration was to invoke the special event rule and to run simultaneous dinners of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, etc etc. with two different masters of ceremony.
What's most interesting to me is that the cover of that program (not seen in the picture) said the events started at 5pm ... which seems awfully early for those who were the direct opposite of senior citizens (who normally eat at that time). Regardless, as the hymn stated, "we gather[ed] together to ask the Lord's blessing" ... and we had a grand old thankful time.
Random Memorial for Monday 8/29/16
Or Gene Wilder, as he was more likely known to you and me.
Or, if we're being completely truthful, Willy Wonka, as he was actually *first* known to me, until I came to know him as Gilda's husband. And now he's gone to be with her (although there were three other wives ... and I have no idea if any of them have also passed on ... so there's that) ...
Regardless, to him who delivered the best performance of this Roald Dahl poem, which in my mind was actually the first thing I thought of when I heard of his passing today:
Round the world and home again
That's the sailor's way
Faster faster, faster faster
There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There's no knowing where we're rowing
Or which way the river's flowing
Is it raining, is it snowing
Is a hurricane a–blowing
Not a speck of light is showing
So the danger must be growing
Are the fires of Hell a–glowing
Is the grisly reaper mowing
Yes, the danger must be growing
For the rowers keep on rowing
And they're certainly not showing
Any signs that they are slowing.
... you will be missed.
WHAT I WILL ALWAYS THINK OF WHEN I HEAR 'GENE WILDER':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tya1UixPX2Q
GENE ON GILDA:
http://www.people.com/article/gene-wilder-tearful-goodbye-gilda-radner
MORE QUOTES TO REMEMBER HIM BY:
http://www.ibtimes.com/gene-wilder-dead-13-quotes-remember-willy-wonka-actor-after-his-death-2408831
August 28, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 40
In 40 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 #40: Smokey, the dorm cat.
So ... here's the way it worked. Pets were not allowed in dorm rooms.
HOWEVER, we were in FE213, which was officially at the end of the hall. As such, it was our understanding that the rules did not apply to us. I mean, sure, it was important to avoid anarchy and we supported the application of rules to everyone else ... but, we were "special".
Which is why we had a kitten. It took a village to raise the kitty (Brad H, Jon M, Kim H and I all co-parented for awhile), and it was my job to share my ham sandwiches with her and to take her to the park so she could experience the use of her claws (as seen in the photos) before her trip to the vet when they came out. Oh -- and anyone and everyone got to nap with her.
Between the litter smell and the time she went into heat and got "attracted" to the window handles, I'm not sure if the RA knew or not, but for that semester, Smokey was our therapy cat.
Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 8/28/16
Elections!
Not those ones in November that will be here soon enough, but the *primaries* that take place THIS Tuesday!
All eyes are on the Senate race. Because it's a closed primary state, only registered Republicans can choose whether to send little Marco on to the general election and maybe back to Washington (for a small percentage of the time, assuming he didn't learn any lessons from his current run as part time senator), while registered Democrats choose between current house members Patrick Murphy or Alan Grayson to put up against little Marco in November. (By the way, Rubio does still have an opponent, a Trumpish homebuilder named Carlos Beruff, but he's being pretty much ignored.) My endorsements: if you're red, vote BERUFF, if only just to honor the fact that Rubio said he didn't want the job back when he was competing in hand size contests with the Donald ... and if you're blue, vote MURPHY, if only to inject a little youthful attitude into our government.
Some eyes are also on a certain race pitting Debbie Wasserman Schulz against an opponent (Canova) in what is being portrayed as a Sanders/Clinton revenge match, what with all the democratic drama while she was heading up the DNC, a job she held until the Russians intervened with a well timed email hack. Only registered Democrats in a certain area can participate in this battle (by voting ... a lot of people from all over have been spending money to influence the outcome, which is a bit frustrating), so if you fit those *voting* categories, my endorsement is for SCHULZ, because of her history of delivering for her constituents -- which is the job of a representative, after all.
One more item of interest (accompanying lots of local races all over the place) is an amendment that would promote solar energy by providing tax breaks to homes and businesses that install solar panels. Some are concerned that this is a play for big businesses to avoid paying taxes that would help local communities, but the reality is that this is a very sunny place ... and that alternative energies need to be encouraged in order for there to be future survival (at least up until the rising ocean waters wipe out the state). My endorsement: vote YES on the amendment (which needs 60% to pass).
FLORIDA PRIMARIES IN A NUTSHELL:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/guide-floridas-primary-election-41701372
FLORIDA PRIMARIES IN DETAIL:
http://elections.mytimetovote.com/dates/florida.html
FLORIDA PRIMARY AMENDMENT VOTE IN DETAIL:
https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Property_Tax_Exemptions_for_Renewable_Energy_Equipment,_Amendment_4_(August_2016)
August 27, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 41
In 41 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 #41: *these* mid-Sep 1993 activities.
To be clear, these are mutually exclusive events ... Depeche Mode put on a concert at the Spectrum in Philly (and you only know about *that* location if you are of a certain age). They were not on campus (although we did get a nationally known band to campus before too long ... but that's another memory for another day). I don't even think I attended the concert with LVC friends, although I'm certain that some of them had to be there (as well as Holly F).
And the Amazing Maize Maze was in a field next to the athletic center across the railroad tracks from the main campus. As I recall, our, we were doing it when it was a new and novel concept (Good Morning America showed up for it) ... and, according to the article, student activities director Jen E pulled out stalks of corn herself to help build it.
Let it never be said that there weren't things to do in central PA (at least in Sep 1993)!
Random Soapbox for Saturday 8/27/16
... my new dentist best not be scamming me.
Here's the thing ... she and I started off on the wrong foot (or would that be "the wrong tooth") a year ago when I showed up in her office and asked for my twice annual cleaning, covered 100% by my insurance.
Her reply: "Nope, sorry, you need a deep cleaning!" after which she wrote up a treatment plan that included time spent in each quadrant (because that way you can bill four times) and a wish list of crowns and things she'd like to put in my mouth, despite the fact that there's not a trace of royalty in my genealogy.
My reply back then: "I'll call you when I'm ready to get started.".
Fast forward to this week (just about a year later), when I knew that I couldn't put it off any longer, as a lost filling was causing occasional sensitivity issues. So off I went for another consult, and this time, in addition to the quadrant work, there's now a root canal or two which she's added to the crown plans. And because she's rolled it up into the crowning activity, she's charging me 40% instead of the 10% I'm supposed to pay for root canals and fillings, as per my insurance.
Here's where it gets tricky. I did two quadrants, and discovered that I was paying 20% of the cost out of pocket. Problem is ... my insurance covers that task at 90%. That means she's getting an extra 10% from me and, despite what's on the treatment plan sheets I sign, and extra 10% from my insurance.
I go back in two weeks to finish the other half of my mouth, and she'll get one chance to correct her billing mistake. Otherwise, I think that's tantamount to fraud, and I think that's worth a call to whomever would care about that kind of office-keeping.
One last thought -- she will be in my mouth with very pointy objects, so I'll probably wait until AFTER the completion of the deep cleaning to bring up this discussion point. Seems safer, don't you think? (to be continued ...)
CAN YOU SAY, "RED FLAG"?:
http://www.cheatsheet.com/health-fitness/10-signs-your-dentist-is-ripping-you-off.html/?a=viewall
UPSELL ME FRIES, NOT DENTAL PROCEDURES:
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/09/dentist-ripping-you-off
WE AREN'T ALL *THIS* GUY YOU KNOW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjIL3fDxSZQ
August 26, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 42
In 42 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 #42: the cast party for the cast and crew of 'The Night of January 16th'.
As I mentioned in the last post, the truth is that these are some of the *last* photos of what was then the Little Theatre. In a genius move by director Rachel M (that's her in the upper right hand corner), she made the oh-so-perfect decision to have our traditional after show celebration to be a sleepover in said theatre.
I remember pizza ... and chain massages ... and lots of fun ... and maybe a little sleep. Also, clearly, and with proof to defy the stereotypes, a game of football (of sorts) between some of the theatre kids.
In a few days on this countdown, there will be memories of another show that took place during the aforementioned construction in a surprise location on campus ... but for now, it's about pausing to remember all the things that happened in that space in its classic format.
Random Flashback for Friday 8/26/16
Yep, 1996 was *hard* on taking pictures -- especially when you consider that you had to wait until they got developed before you realized that the battery was dying and putting orange glowing lights on the side of your photos.
Where was I? Oh right ... two decades ago, I was in Chicago for the first time in my life (but not the last, what with living there for a dozen years to live it up in my thirties) ... and I was doing all the touristy things like seeing in person the thing I saw on the opening of Married with Children each week (I mentioned this was 20 years ago, right?) ... that which I referred to for the rest of my life as "BUCK'n'am fountain", in a Mandy Patinkin accent (from his 'My Pal Joey' suite medley) ... and that which I caught in full excitement mode for this photo, so to speak.
August 25, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 43
In 43 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 #43: more from 'The Night of January 16th'.
As has been tradition for the big shows when it's their turn in this series, this production will take up more than just one number. These photos, clearly taken from the audience by a loved one who came to see the show, can't even begin to capture *all* of the cast ... but it does represent a good cross section of the regulars from what was officially my senior year.
And ... as the potential bonus answer to a game of LVC theatre trivia (should anyone be playing that game somewhere in the country tonight), this was the last show ever in the Little Theatre of the Mund College Center. Immediately after this show struck, construction crews moved in to renovate it and to rename it after those who donated money for said renovation.
The courtroom based show included a "jury" of audience members each night ... as the DA character, I *think* that I won the majority of the shows ... but maybe Rachel M kept those records?
Random Thought for Thursday 8/25/16
Establishment: The Floridian
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Meal: Brunch
Drink: A Poinsettia and a Coke
split of champagne to mix with cranberry juice
Appetizer: n/a
Main: 222 Special
two eggs, two pancakes & sausage or bacon
Side(s): Bacon (once as a side to supplement the main, and once again because of an unforeseen bacon accident [see below])
Dessert: n/a
Server: Linda
This establishment is a Ft. Lauderdale landmark ... and so it was only a matter of time before we ended up there (actually, it was *almost* taste #28, until a last minute change of plans that night). And full disclosure, the fact that I spilled not one but TWO drinks ... and that I had to defend my bacon against the fork of the other person in my party such that a piece ended up on the floor ... will barely play a role in this review. To see why it ended up being the typical diner (not bad ... but not great), here are the score-components:
AMBIANCE: 7/10 (mirror walls make a place seem bigger than it is, and since this place is long but not wide [a few rooms side by side but none too deep], that trick worked ... with chandeliers and art of celebrities along the top of the walls, it gave off a diner "plus" kind of vibe ... a point lost because the celebrities weren't celebrities pictured eating at the diner, a second point lost because all the advertisements have an artistic rendering of the store front with white chairs lined up outside -- all of which seem to have been replaced by new tables that turned that area into outside eating instead of classic outside seating, and a final point lost because the flash of the camera taking a picture of the lost bacon [see below] disclosed a pretty dirty floor)
FOOD: 7/10 (let's start with the things at brunch that make me happy [besides bacon, which has its own category] -- butter that is spreadable and not frozen, and jam/jelly choices of more than just two ... plus super fluffy scrambled eggs and yuuuuge pancakes ... and cheers for selling coke instead of pepsi ... other than that, it was diner food [so not bad ... but not great] ... a point lost for serving it on a plate where my syrup ran into those scrambled eggs [in my humble opinion, pancakes and waffles and such deserve their own dish], a point lost for naming a meal the 2-2-2 and then making you choose bacon OR sausage [it should have been BOTH meats, instead of making me order one as a side, because that's what two means] and a final point lost because those yuuuuge pancakes were a little heavy by the time it got to the last bite)
SERVICE: 9/10 (similar to the experience about which I raved at Bonefish Mac's earlier this month, the server was excellent at her job, making every stop at the table seem like we all were just picking up a multi part conversation ... and, in many ways, we were, as we got to talk to her about her frequent trips to Chicago and other recent fun of hers ... just a point lost for waiting a touch too long for our check at the end of the meal)
BACON: 8/10 (a place that has 35 references to it on their menu ... and that even uses it to add some extra goodness to a classic diner dish [liver and onions AND bacon, says the menu] is going to score all the points ... EXCEPT for the fact that one of my pieces ended up on the floor [my fault] and that, as we left, we saw more bacon abuse outside on the sidewalk [not my fault], so a point has to be docked for each in memory of those lost pieces)
BONUS: 9/10 (+3 for the fancy office chairs at the "executive" table [see picture below], +3 for an alcoholic brunch drink I had not heard of before [mimosa, I knew ... poinsettia was new to me] and +3 for the aforementioned mirrors, because we caught the teenage busser checking himself out in them as he passed a few times)
TroyScore: 40 out of 50 -- aka 80, a low B
August 24, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 44
In 44 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 #44: 'The Night of January 16th'.
As in ... "what were you doing on ... the night of January 16th?"
As in ... what may very well have been the non-musical show with the largest cast. Ever. (Or at least during my time in LVC theatre.)
As in ... what was the second of my own trilogy of back-to-back-to-back lawyer roles.
As in ... what was the fall student-run production in 1993, also known as the beginning of my senior year of school.
As in ... what will be the topic of another night or two of memories in this countdown.
Random Wordplay for Wednesday 8/24/16
Used in a sentence: "We need more sharrows in this town!"
Now that I'm back to biking again (twice a week currently ... about to be four times a week soon ... with a goal of six times a week this fall), I'm much more keenly aware of the concept of sharrows.
Turns out that not all roadways have lanes big enough for a separate bike lane, so these signs painted on certain streets are the way to inform car-driving folks that, so long as that arrow is visible, the space should be *shared* between cars AND bikes.
With Florida being the absolute deadliest state in which to ride a bike ("luckily", other towns in Florida than mine are in the ten worst cities list), the more sharrows we have, the safer I'm going to feel.
MORE SHARROWS PLEASE:
http://luxurylivingfortlauderdale.com/fort-lauderdale-sharrows-bicyclists/
THE LAW OF THE SHARROW:
http://flbikelaw.org/2013/07/sharrows-and-bmufl-signs/
FLORIDA GETS TOP HONORS ... FOR DEADLIEST STATE IN WHICH TO BIKE:
http://www.attorneybrianwhite.com/cyclists-beware-10-statistically-fatal-bicycling-routes-in-the-u-s.php
August 23, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 45
In 45 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 #45: being supported by the kids from Hebron.
After all, I was once a kid from Hebron -- the local United Methodist church in nearby Lebanon, and LVC is officially a Methodist college. During my college years, I served by leading a Sunday night kids' church session, and then as a counselor at a few Winter Retreats. And the best part was, that as those "kids" grew older, they too reached out to me via old fashioned letter writing (remember, this was the age before e-mail).
It's true that I had a rough family situation once upon a time (after all, I had run away from home as a senior in high school in order to put myself through college) ... and it's ALSO true that what got me through any of the rough times was a tremendous support system of all kinds of people who were cheering me on to success -- including (but not limited to) the letters I got from Mandi F, Sandee J, Debra L and Jen L.
All things considered, I was (and am) a lucky lucky person ...
Random Tune for Tuesday 8/23/16
So in the trash can Eagles 'Desperado' must go.
And it's what I was referring to a month ago as the so-called 'summer of Celine' was ending and I promised that a "group of artists" would be featured next (except I forgot I had a Taylor Dayne album that fit in between alphabetically).
As for which of the oh so classic songs to pick for tonight's tune? I'm going to skip over all the most well known ones (like Desperado, Saturday Night and the Desperado/Doolin Dalton reprise -- all great choices in and of themselves), and go for the one with a message we all need to hear sometimes: "Son, don't wade too deep in bitter creek".
AND THERE AIN'T NO CAUSE TO WEEP ... AT BITTER CREEK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R68eQ6rqV0
August 22, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 46
In 46 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 #46: IN MEMORIAM: Richard M Wilson.
I've mentioned his name before in this countdown, as he was more than just the external choreographer for our school musicals ... he was also someone who was a big part of the evening that I directed at LVC when it was my turn (see the late 70's in this series for more information).
And ... as I was reminded when I looked through the recent batch of "missing" files, he was someone with whom I kept in regular communication long after our show together. He made me feel distinguished, because he responded with letters that were typed. On his *own* stationery!
That's him in the press clipping -- both with the white hair and beard ... and in the picture on his wall with his family from when he was younger.
Random Memorial for Monday 8/22/16
If it hasn't happened already, any day now Sanyo in Japan will stop making them, 'cause, you know, it's no longer the 80's.
Prior to the more mighty DVR and the supermighty "on demand", I was known to juggle three VCRs at once in order to capture all of the television I intended to watch. And I use the word "intended" purposefully, what with the fact that I still have many VHS tapes in the shed that are still in need of viewing.
Which is all the long way to say that my current DVD/VCR combo player best last a few more years, as it doesn't look like I'll be able to replace it ... technology that let me control my schedule back before that was the thing all the cool kids did, you will be missed.
'TIS TRUE ... 'TIS SOON GONE:
http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/7/21/12244094/japan-stops-vcr-production-funai
OH TECHNOLOGY ... SO FICKLE YOU ARE:
http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/gadgets-electronics/photos/8-technology-revolutions-that-are-now-relics/vhs-and-vcr
LAST CHANCE TO STOCKPILE THE EQUIPMENT!:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sanyo-FWDV225F-DVD-VCR-Player/44465829
August 21, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 47
In 47 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 #47: correspondence from roomie Jon M. (I *told* you that I couldn't tell the story of my LVC memories without mentioning him a bunch of times.)
A few things ... first, notice the time and date stamp as the heading. It was an "ask" of mine to include that on letters to me, ostensibly so I could keep my files organized. Come to think of it, now that it's 25 years later and I'm re-opening those same files, I guess I can remove the word "ostensibly" from that comment.
Second, that reference to whether there any bruises on Matthew was a question about my car (I left LVC my junior year only on an 18 speed bike ... but by the time I returned for my senior year, I had a used Ford Escort). As to why it was named Matthew, I can't say what I used to say back then because I now understand it to be sexist.
Third, those three cheers in the close were for Cher, Fred Couples and the US (because the US Open was about to start). I first thought that it might have been VS, as in Pearl Jam's album, but that hadn't been released yet.
Finally, please ignore that extra 'h' in Jon's name. By the time we parted ways and shut down the dorm room, it would be gone.
Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 8/21/16
India's Independence Day.
Which, admittedly was this *past* Monday, so this post probably would have been better provided *last* Sunday.
And while I'm admitting things, I'll have to cop to the fact that my knowledge about India's freedom from Britain is somewhat limited to knowing the meaning of the word "raj" to play in Words with Friends ... and to whatever I learned from watching two seasons of Indian Summers on PBS before it (sadly) got cancelled.
But hey ... this melting pot down here isn't only for latins and haitians ... we celebrate *everyone*. Except the event in town wasn't at midnight on the 14th going into the 15th, which, according to the interwebs, was a necessary compromise because Aug 15th of 1947 was an "unfortunate and unholy" date astrologically to the Indians ... but Aug 15th was a "lucky day" to the British Lord who was coordinating all the details.
And now you know ... so tell any Indians you meet to have a happy belated independence day. Just, down here, make sure they aren't the Miccosukee or the Seminole kind of Indians ... 'cause they're the wrong kind and they only gained independence when they got to run the casinos.
LAST WEEK'S CELEBRATION:
https://www.yelp.com/events/fort-lauderdale-indias-independence-day-celebration
LEARN A LITTLE INDIAN HISTORY:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12641776
LEARN A LITTLE ABOUT WHY THE CELEBRATION IS AT MIDNIGHT:
http://guruprasad.net/posts/why-midnight-of-15-august-1947-for-indian-independence/
August 20, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 48
In 48 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 #48: enjoying the political cartoon stylings of classmate Natalie M.
(Natalie is currently an artist out of Philly, and I'm hoping that I can post these two cartoons on the interwebs in this series without any issues. I do own these copies of La Vie Collegienne, so I'm hoping that helps my legal standing to reproduce them in this manner.)
As you can probably tell from her drawings, LVC wasn't exactly going to appear on any top "party school" lists of that era (who knows what havoc is wreaked in modern times).
Natalie wasn't afraid to tell a little truth back then (and I know from the Facebook that she still holds true to that mantra). We all were just lucky enough to get to hear it.
Random Soapbox for Saturday 8/20/16
... let's hold off on all the Lochte bashing until all the truth comes out.
That statement aside, do I think that he is likely more than eligible for a gold medal in jack-douchery? Yes.
Do I think it's the most scandalous thing ever to happen at an Olympics? No.
Is it wrong to get drunk and to vandalize a gas station bathroom and then to create an exaggerated story to cover it up? Yes.
Have I been in gas station bathrooms where urinating on the wall might have actually made the only clean spot in the place? Yes.
Is the truth about all of this likely somewhere in the middle? Was there likely a gun pointed in the direction of the swimming boys? Did those same young adults likely have to fork over money to cover whatever drunken damage they did? Yes, yes, and yes.
Did anyone really expect anything better of Lochte? I actually don't think so.
Here's why ... I watched the Ryan Seacrest produced show about Lochte a few years back. At the time, he struck me as a bit of a simple childlike soul in an adult's body -- as the kind of frat bruh in a college town that likely gets drunk and urinates wherever he'd like ... whether in Rio or here in the USA. The difference -- our celebrity obsessed culture would likely think it's "cute" and chalk it up to "bruhs will be bruhs" behavior ... and that would be that.
One could argue that there should be a higher standard for Olympians .. to which I would counter that that standard has to be adjusted for simpletons. And if there is a punishment, it should fit the situation -- I haven't seen the details ... but I'm guessing that something akin to TPing a gas station bathroom, pissing somewhere other than the toilet, knocking a few things off the wall and engaging in urination sword fights (you know that's what boys do when they're drunk and go potty together) is something that doesn't necessarily rise to the level of national castigation that is currently underway.
Oh -- and do I hope he learned a lesson? Hell JEAH!
IT MAY NOT BE TOO LATE TO BINGE WWRyanLochteD:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/08/19/get-ready-binge-what-would-ryan-lochte-do-weekend-esquire/88989354/
SOME SAY BAN HIM FROM THE NEXT OLYMPICS:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article96677802.html
A DEBATE ON THE ISSUE OF HOW TO FEEL ABOUT RYAN LOCHTE:
http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/fivering_circus/2016/08/should_we_feel_bad_for_ryan_lochte.html
August 19, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 49
In 49 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 #49: IN MEMORIAM: Ray Muller.
Shortly after starting this countdown, and over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, I did a few posts of people from my LVC days who had passed. This post belonged there, but until I located the "missing" folders this week, I had forgotten all of the sad sad details about Ray's death (a robbery gone bad at a NJ McDonald's where he was working to make money to go to seminary).
That being said, Ray was actually pictured in this series once before ... because he was part of the cast of 'The House of Blue Leaves', my first college play that set me on my path back then. That's Ray in the upper left hand corner of the cast shots in memory 144.
The tribute to this clown (literally ... he did clowning as part of a campus group that performed to cheer up all kinds of audiences) included this quote from his mother at the viewing: "We don't want any crying ... if Ray were here, he'd call us all wimps." No crying ... in honor of a man who lived his life to make other smile, any way he could.
Random Flashback for Friday 8/19/16
#81 - family picnic get together, with kids getting to play with a puppy -- and we've seen that girl with that haircut before [is it Joyce B?] (developed by James Lett Co on Sep 17 1947 as per stamp on back)#82 - unknown smiling boy in a ladder with high waisted shorts, likely fashionable at the time (developed by James Lett Co on Sep 17 1947 as per stamp on back)
#83 - big bushy cat on a couch (47 on back corner)
#84 - Uncle Bob (handwritten on back) with other man, also written was: "taken 1949 at Lititz at Reunion" (enlarged by Eastman Kodak Stores Inc Philadelphia as per stamp)
#85 - a somewhat blurry bunch of puppies in a field at feeding time -- at least I hope that's what they're all doing in that huddle (developed as Kodacolor Print Feb 10 1949 as per stamp)
August 18, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 50
In 50 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 #50: seeing all the LVC shows even during my year away.
So ... full disclaimer ... I found a few folders that were missing that represented the months I was "on break" from LVC between my junior and senior year, doing actor-y things on the other side of the state. As such, I'll have to spend a few memories over the next few nights catching up on some of the LVC things that were happening during that time.
One thing became quickly clear to me ... I drove back across the state to visit pretty often in that gap year -- especially to see the shows: 'Don't Drink the Water', Steph A's version of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' and Andy H's direction of 'Kiss Me, Kate'.
Because. let's face it -- you could move the boy off the LVC stage that year ... but you couldn't keep him out of the LVC theatre.
Random Thought for Thursday 8/18/16
Establishment: Pincho Factory
Location: Pembroke Pines
Meal: Dinner
Drink: (Maybe) Cherry Flavored Orange Crush
Appetizer: n/a
Main: Toston Burger (Add Patty)
two fried plantains as the "buns", then topped with jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and homemade cilantro sauce
Side(s): Bacon Cheddar Ranch Fries
topped with chopped bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing
Dessert: n/a
Server: Kieja (counter service)
I'm growing fonder of these unique to southern Florida chains (six locations down here and one up in Orlando) and I feel like I might be getting in on what may one day be franchised across the country. And this business model was interesting. There were parts that reminded me of a Noodles-n-Company style set-up (choose a specific protein kebob [steak, chicken or shrimp], choose what you'll place it on [wrap, rice or salad], and choose a flavoring [from seven different styles] ... but then they also had quality burger, chicken and hot dog choices. If you've been following along, you know it's rare that I'd pass up a burger .. and so despite the fact that the restaurant is literally named for their kebobs, it was one of those quality burgers that was the base for this particular score:
AMBIANCE: 10/10 (it was bright, clean, open and welcoming ... and the Olympics were on the many TV screens ... plus it was getting close to closing time, and yet there was no pressure to speed up the meal ... as a matter of fact, folks continued to arrive to place orders even in the last half hour ... so no complaints here)
FOOD: 7/10 (the fries were perfectly topped with ranch and cheese AND bacon and were skinny and crispy and the burger was definitely of high quality, which is something that the establishment heavily promotes on its menu/website ... and the use of fried plantains instead of "buns" was something different -- I don't know that it added that much to the taste, but it certainly didn't detract from it ... where there is a point lost is that by the end of the burger, those plantains were breaking up into pieces and making it more of a challenge to keep a hold it ... also a point is lost for having a make-your-own-*Pepsi* machine [you know I like my Coke] and a final one is lost for that same machine that professed to be adding a cherry flavoring to my drink but that lied, as near as I could tell)
SERVICE: 9/10 (this was another counter service place [provide your order, get a number, take a seat and wait for delivery], but everyone with whom we interacted was smiling and friendly and a special shout-out to Kieja who was extra helpful and took time to explain the various options in the menu ... there was a bit of a wait for the food -- but no points are being docked because the food was of a quality to make the wait worth it ... there is one point lost for the size of the drink glass, which was practically a courtesy cup in our mega-gulp world)
BACON: 10/10 (it doesn't get any more simple than this ... the customer can get bacon added to any of the menu items -- burgers, chicken, hot dogs, fries ... you simply can't beat that)
BONUS: 7/10 (+3 for having an award recognized burger worthy of my other series on the Facebook [my burger quest based on the Zagat top 25 in the country list from a few years back], +3 for a well defined mission statement that is so bold as to be called a "pincho movement" and +1 for being a place to which we will return ['cause we didn't even get to try the actual pinchos {kebobs} yet])
TroyScore: 43 out of 50 -- aka 86, a solid B
August 17, 2016
L V C || C L Memory 51
In 51 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 #51: getting back into my routine.
After a year away, coming back for my (delayed) senior year really was like I'd never left.
And that meant returning to my on campus jobs at the library and the college center front desk. I pulled the best shift with regards to the latter ... alternating Saturday nights to close (midnight to 2am ... and 10pm to 2am the spring semester). I got to see *everybody* on campus on their way to and from The Underground (the club in the basement), and a good number of those *everybodies* had been drinking.
Looking through these staff manuals, I just had to include a photo of one of THE most important rules -- being absolutely certain to NEVER give out more than three dollars in quarters at one time. I can only imagine that amount has been updated in the current version of the manual for inflation.
Random Wordplay for Wednesday 8/17/16
Used in a sentence: "Earlier this week, the visitor tally at www.capcognition.blogspot.com rolled over to be 75,000 and counting!"
To anyone who has ever stopped by, THANKS!
(To anyone who sees this image and flashes back to my naked gardening day photo from this past May, SORRY!)
To anyone who thinks I should have millions of visitors by now, just know that I'm happy having a permanent place for most of my randomness should the Facebook ever close its doors!
To anyone who hasn't stopped by recently, here are just some of the changes to the blog this year:
- Thought Thursdays have been turned over to local restaurant reviews -- the 50 Tastes of Florida.
- Flashback Fridays now include, every other week, the photos I inherited from my father when he passed.
- The L V C || C L 150 Memories bonus series is heading toward its finish this October -- so if I knew you in college and you haven't been remembered yet, your turn is coming up.
- The *last* day of every month is for a new short story concept (only updated once a month) set decades in the future: 2 0 8 4.
- The *first* day of every month is dedicated to what will one day be my foundation (as soon as I win the lottery) called: Just One More ... with different monthly challenges to effectuate change.
- My once-short-now-long superhero origin story ('The Lorem Ipsum Archives') has been moved to its own blog (see link below) and has made it to Chapter 31 ... with many more adventures planned.
Speaking of which, a few initiatives for 2017 are also coming in the new year ... including the renewal of a second set of "50 Tastes of Florida" with new index features AND a brand new surprising short story concept weekly on what will be called TNT Tuesdays.
That's all the long way to say that there are more and more reasons to take a few moments to explore everything on the site (which is super easy to do with the list of labels on the right hand side).
So again ... many THANKS! I'll see you on the interwebs!
THE 2 0 8 4 SERIES SO FAR (NEW THIS YEAR):
http://capcognition.blogspot.com/search/label/2%200%208%204
THE JUST ONE MORE SERIES SO FAR (NEW THIS YEAR):
http://capcognition.blogspot.com/search/label/just%20one%20more%20...
THE 50 TASTES OF FLORIDA SO FAR (NEW THIS YEAR):
http://capcognition.blogspot.com/search/label/Series%3A%20%2050%20Tastes%20of%20Florida
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