It's 3:13 a.m. Friday, March 18 and I am wide awake.
I did yard work most of the day, cleaning up piles and piles of leaves. I actually hired someone to do the work last October and am still waiting for them to show up.
I also finally got the nets off my koi pond, just in time for spring. My body aches something awful. A great way to enjoy spring break, right?
I even took a sleeping pill and cannot sleep. If there are many typos in this, please excuse them. I am hoping that trying to write will make me tired enough to sleep. So far, that hasn't worked.
Spring break is almost over and I haven't accomplished much that I had planned. I do finally have my tax information compiled so I can file. I am hoping I won't have to pay either the state or federal government.
I am all for a simplified tax system.
I was once told about a new system under consideration by the government. There would be one question and one line of instruction.
The question? How much money did you make last year?
The instruction? Send it in.
That really isn't funny, but at now 3:20 a.m., what could you expect?
Friday, March 18, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Lady Gaga? Take me back to the 1980s
My daughter phoned us just a few minutes ago. Seems she is in Louisville at a Lady Gaga concert.
I know nothing about Lady Gaga other than the fact her taste in fashion is unique to say the least.
It's interesting, though, that while daughter Calen called, I was watching TV (no big news there) and listening to a promotion of a Time-Life collection of music from the 1980s.
I remember almost all of the songs and was able to sing along. It's good you couldn't hear that. I wouldn't last two seconds on American Idol.
My wife says my memory isn't what it once was. That may be true, but man could I still remember some of those songs!! I also remember what I was doing when listening to some of those tunes for the first time!
(I promise you, it really wasn't that bad).
The songs, though, did bring back many memories. And I can see myself cruising down the highway while listening to those songs.
I can't imagine under what conditions I would be listening to Lady Gaga while driving.
I know nothing about Lady Gaga other than the fact her taste in fashion is unique to say the least.
It's interesting, though, that while daughter Calen called, I was watching TV (no big news there) and listening to a promotion of a Time-Life collection of music from the 1980s.
I remember almost all of the songs and was able to sing along. It's good you couldn't hear that. I wouldn't last two seconds on American Idol.
My wife says my memory isn't what it once was. That may be true, but man could I still remember some of those songs!! I also remember what I was doing when listening to some of those tunes for the first time!
(I promise you, it really wasn't that bad).
The songs, though, did bring back many memories. And I can see myself cruising down the highway while listening to those songs.
I can't imagine under what conditions I would be listening to Lady Gaga while driving.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Wow! It is 2011 already? Let's stop some of the hate
Time flies as someone once said. I turned 58 last month. It is snowing and classes will begin soon.
Before you know it, I will be back in the classroom with plenty to talk about. I'm teaching, among other things, mass media ethics this semester.
Some in the federal government are talking about a law that would make it illegal to say bad things about federal officials. Many have already opposed it, citing First Amendment issues.
I am going to have to take the side of the First Amendment defenders. But I also agree that those of us who call this planet home, need to find a way to dial down the rhetoric. People are angry for many reasons, the economy perhaps the most, and words that are said in haste only adds fuel to the fire.
We need a little common sense and respect for one another in our discussions. I have friends who are Democrats, friends who are Republicans and friends who are probably something else.
We can discuss issues without pulling guns or resulting to physical violence.
My profession has undergone much change in recent years and probably will continue to do so in the years to come. That's because any of us with a computer or smart phone can post whatever we want, whenever we want, on the Internet.
I even have a smart phone now and am texting. Two months ago I would have told you that would never happen. I did not get an iPhone though I am an Apple fan. I am waiting until my current provider can offer me one. It is an Android phone.
Back to the point.
Twitter, Facebook and all such sites are where most of us get "news" today. And some of what you will read is little more than pure hate.
We need good journalists more than ever today.
Topix is a good example of what I am talking about. The idea to communicate with each other through Topix is appealing and, in theory, a great idea. But Topix is full of so much trash and libel that it is, in my opinion, worthless.
Many organizations that preach hate had almost disappeared until the Internet allowed haters from the far corners of the world to easily unite.
Do we ban all communication because there are a few nuts out there?
No, but we do need to consider consequences of our actions.
We all need to think about what we say and what we post. Though the Internet we can all communicate quickly. That's good. But anything that is inaccurate or hurtful is as permanent as the worthwhile stuff.
We need to remember that.
Before you know it, I will be back in the classroom with plenty to talk about. I'm teaching, among other things, mass media ethics this semester.
Some in the federal government are talking about a law that would make it illegal to say bad things about federal officials. Many have already opposed it, citing First Amendment issues.
I am going to have to take the side of the First Amendment defenders. But I also agree that those of us who call this planet home, need to find a way to dial down the rhetoric. People are angry for many reasons, the economy perhaps the most, and words that are said in haste only adds fuel to the fire.
We need a little common sense and respect for one another in our discussions. I have friends who are Democrats, friends who are Republicans and friends who are probably something else.
We can discuss issues without pulling guns or resulting to physical violence.
My profession has undergone much change in recent years and probably will continue to do so in the years to come. That's because any of us with a computer or smart phone can post whatever we want, whenever we want, on the Internet.
I even have a smart phone now and am texting. Two months ago I would have told you that would never happen. I did not get an iPhone though I am an Apple fan. I am waiting until my current provider can offer me one. It is an Android phone.
Back to the point.
Twitter, Facebook and all such sites are where most of us get "news" today. And some of what you will read is little more than pure hate.
We need good journalists more than ever today.
Topix is a good example of what I am talking about. The idea to communicate with each other through Topix is appealing and, in theory, a great idea. But Topix is full of so much trash and libel that it is, in my opinion, worthless.
Many organizations that preach hate had almost disappeared until the Internet allowed haters from the far corners of the world to easily unite.
Do we ban all communication because there are a few nuts out there?
No, but we do need to consider consequences of our actions.
We all need to think about what we say and what we post. Though the Internet we can all communicate quickly. That's good. But anything that is inaccurate or hurtful is as permanent as the worthwhile stuff.
We need to remember that.
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