Thursday, June 10, 2010
What does it take?
I wish Obama would begin to act as if the country were facing an emergency. Maybe he'd do things like put hundreds of thousands on BP's payroll to clean up the mess. Maybe he'd follow the Manhattan Project model and gather scientists in a remote spot to get us off the oil energy standard ASAP. We have the brains and brawn to do all of this. What we lack is will and especially leadership. The tragedy is that Obama has the rare rhetorical gifts that could make this work. He could inspire the country.
US vs England in soccer's moment in America - Yahoo! News
US vs England in soccer's moment in America - Yahoo! News:
"American soccer has never been more popular in the United States or its players more well-known across the world. And on Saturday comes the first competitive match between the U.S. and England since the great American upset at the 1950 World Cup. For one afternoon, millions will be watching from California to New York island. Like never before in the United States, this is the sport's moment."
John Wooden: action, words and respect
It's been a long time since I've witnessed such a sad irony as the rhetorical tributes to UCLA's great coach John Wooden. Wooden is old school all the way. He walked the talk of his Midwestern old-school roots with old-school values like discipline, honesty, character.In athletics today, there's precious little old-school values anywhere. It's one thing to praise Wooden after he's dead, quite another to participate in university sports following corporate models of growth and greed. While Wooden clearly influenced individual athletes in positive ways, college sports has not followed his principles or his values. Colorado jumping to the Pac 10 in what may start a landslide of conference defections and changes is just the most recent example of change driven by money. The loss of character among sports athletes is too common to need explanation. Arrogance, drugs, selfish desire over team spirit run rampant in college sports.
Look at the Oregon QB just dismissed. Not every jock is an arrogant jerk, of course, the majority aren't, but there's never been so many who give sports a bad name. The world of sports has changed in major ways of which the Coach did not approve. His death is really the official end of an era of old-school values. R.I.P., Coach, the sports world will never be the same. I'm glad your world was still in place when I was a kid and sports fan growing up. I'm glad Hugh McElhenny never did a dance in the end zone.
Out of gas
Not done but I think I'm through for the day. Energy has tanked. A preview of the World Cup about to start on ESPN, first game bright and early tomorrow, I think it's time to do something else besides read student scripts.
By the way, during short breaks I made real progress on the banjo today. Man, this teacher is inspiring.
By the way, during short breaks I made real progress on the banjo today. Man, this teacher is inspiring.
Oil Disaster Shows Need for Endangered Species Act Overhaul | Wired Science | Wired.com
Oil Disaster Shows Need for Endangered Species Act Overhaul | Wired Science | Wired.com:
"Oil companies never considered the impacts of a massive spill on the Gulf’s sperm whales or five sea turtle species. They didn’t have to, because the law doesn’t require it.
“We need to include disaster planning in the Endangered Species Act consultation process,” said environmental lawyer Keith Rizzardi. “We can learn from experience.”"
“We need to include disaster planning in the Endangered Species Act consultation process,” said environmental lawyer Keith Rizzardi. “We can learn from experience.”"
Pac-10 adds Colorado, and more teams could soon follow | OregonLive.com
Pac-10 adds Colorado, and more teams could soon follow | OregonLive.com
Apparently the goal is to have a Pac-16. I don't like this trend because it emulates the corporate takeover model, bigger is better, and all the little indie teams are going to be worse off than ever, the very teams that make the NCAA basketball tournament so exciting. So unless football adds such a playoff system, all this does is make the big bigger and the smaller schools even more irrelevant. Of course, it is all about TV revenue and greed.
Banjo
Graded some scripts from advanced students, took a break to practice banjo -- our current song is Sandy Boys and it is very cool! -- back to scripts soon. This banjo class lifts the spirits. I love it.
Scrapple and oatmeal
I love this combination, I'm surprised it took me half a century to discover it. Fry a slice of scrapple, put it in a bowl, cover with cooked oatmeal, add milk, yum! Sometimes I add a fried egg as well.
Round Bend Press: Restaurant Work
Round Bend Press: Restaurant Work:
"Because my avocation is to address the cause of the underclasses as I swoop through the universe, reigning terror on the ruling class and fighting the good fight for justice, I'll occasionally write about real work.
You see, I have had many a job, and with few exceptions I have loathed them and the people I worked for (call me a malcontent; friends have and I respect their honesty). The worst of the worst jobs have been in the restaurant trade."
You see, I have had many a job, and with few exceptions I have loathed them and the people I worked for (call me a malcontent; friends have and I respect their honesty). The worst of the worst jobs have been in the restaurant trade."
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Banjo class rocks!
My banjo 2 class rocks! I expected it would. Same teacher, Leela Grace, and besides being an extraordinary clawhammer player she's a teacher who gets you excited to play the banjo WELL. She also has great taste in the songs she gives us to learn. I wish the class would last more than six weeks. She said she may do a Banjo 3 in the fall and if so, I'll be there! unless I have a conflict with teaching. If she sticks to Wed, I'll be fine.
Canzano: Rise and fall of Jeremiah Masoli reads like a Shakespearean tragedy | OregonLive.com
Canzano: Rise and fall of Jeremiah Masoli reads like a Shakespearean tragedy | OregonLive.com:
"The quarterback's demise is a painful exercise in vanity. Masoli is an idiot for failing to grasp the gravity of his final days as a college football player."
Portland leaves empty promises instead of affordable housing in South Waterfront | OregonLive.com
Portland leaves empty promises instead of affordable housing in South Waterfront | OregonLive.com:
"Seven years ago, Portland city leaders pledged that South Waterfront would include 430 apartments or condos for low-income residents. But the city has failed to deliver a single one."
11 SCREENWRITERS LATER: How Alex Young Lost Control Of ‘The A-Team’ – Deadline.com
11 SCREENWRITERS LATER: How Alex Young Lost Control Of ‘The A-Team’ – Deadline.com:
"The Writers Guild recently decided the credits on The A-Team. There were 11 writers who worked on the film -- 5 single writers and 3 teams of two"
Another example of what's wrong with Hollywood.
Banjo II
My first Banjo II class starts in a couple hours. I'm excited. It's only six weeks, though, and the challenge will be to do better after the class ends than I did the last time around. I'm so busy on so many things, playing banjo is a luxury easily put on the back burner. Ah, me.
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