Carbondaley Dispatch

This blog has moved

2010-04-25T16:40:00.001-05:00

This blog is now located at http://carbondaley.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://carbondaley.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

2010 'to do' list, so far

2010-01-12T07:22:00.000-06:00

A few months have passed since I posted here, Bloggee, so here's the latest:

#1- Karmadale After Blog is still a work-in-progress; the chore of sorting thru thousands of photos to find a hundred or so to included in the digital copy of the blook.

#2- I've been working on Forever Jung, a book of selected essays by late local naturalist Jim Jung to be published this year, on March 15, printed @ Lulu.com

#3- This month, I will debut as "world's oldest white rapper" or "whitest old rapper" (take your pick) at the Spotlight Grill , mostly likely the day after MLK Day, on open mic night. ... doing excerpts from The Marliad, and some fresher raps about current events.

#4- My video doc "The Angina Monologue" is still in prog. Parts 1 & 2 are up on YouTube. Additional scenes have been shot -- and will be incorporated w/1 & 2, along with some still to be shot interviews w/ local medical professionals.

Enough to keep me busy for a few more weeks.

Fall Classic

2009-10-30T07:41:00.004-05:00

If you read this between Oct. 30 and Nov. 7, you may have noticed problems w/the Shawnee Net home page. As I write this, the news feeds have disappeared, replaced by a series of error messages. The reason for this is two-fold 1) I've moved my websites to a new, improved server. and 2) I'm travelling to Philadelphia today, to bask in Phillies phever w/ my homeboys and family. I appreciate Karmadale more if I get out of town for a few days every few months.

Which means I'll miss a week of peak colors on leaves of local trees, and yet I must be leaving to be in Philly for games 3, 4 and 5 of Major League Baseball's "Fall Classic" ... the World Series, where my "Fightin' Phils" attempt to prove that last year's championship was no fluke -- by beating the storied New York Yankees in a best-of-seven series.... The teams just split two games in New York. If I'm lucky (and I am) the Phils will wrap it up in game 5... winning 3 straight games at home.

But here in Southern Illusionois, it hasn't been a classic Fall at all. It's rained so much this month, it feels like the Pacific Northwest. ... A steady downpour continues as I write to iPage tech people about the MySQL problem w/ Shawnee Net. Supposed to be cleared up by tomorrow.

Okay, I've got to finish packing.... Will try to add some links en route.

Riding Springer Ridge

2009-10-19T08:15:00.002-05:00

... rode my bicycle to Vulture Fest in Makanda yesterday. Besides the scenery, the highlight was seeing two MySpace friends at the old Bluelocks building, pictured here.

A 9 mile ride from my house to the Makanda Boardwalk... I had forgotten how narrow and hilly Springer Ridge Road is.

Angina Monologues

2009-10-16T08:42:00.000-05:00

A few days ago I checked myself into the Emergency Room at Memorial Hospital with chest pain that turned out to be angina. My visit included an overnight bed in room 343, where a video was shot of me explaining what I was doing there -- and how I planned to pay the bill. ... Part two will be shot next week.

From 2009 1013 Hospital

postcard from the edgy

2009-07-30T09:27:00.001-05:00

it's been a busy summer, and more fun since leaving greyhound, though i'll miss some of my colleagues from those days. ... the pics at right offer a random depiction of some of highlights so far, still focusing on local people and events.

some pix are personal, some are public, such as the ribbon cutting at the Stadium Grille. ... Let me tell you, after eating there... they should tape the ribbon back together, and put the building up for lease!

at last the folks at Southern Bank will have a nice building to look at.... But everyday when I drive by it seems like fewer cars are in the parking lot. overpriced, small portion, poor beer selection... Nice ambience though.

the other pics are of friends in various states of work or relaxation.

i myself and leaving town tomorrow, for a few weeks, by bus to the NW and points beyond for a few weeks. Where i stop nobody knows, but I'll be tweeting as I go. I'll send you a postcard from Vancouver.

tonight is the final Sunset Concert of the summer... some funky music from the steps of Shryock auditorium.

See ya there, Bloggee.

How I partially spent my summer vacation

2009-07-14T09:01:00.009-05:00

Enjoying my rediscovered freedom to spend mornings doing "whatever" -- not having to open the Greyhound ticket office at 9:30 anymore.

For instance, I could attend yesterday's ribbon cutting at the new Stadium Grille, across lot from First Southern Bank. In the multiple exposure collage pictured here, Chamber of Commerce director Kristin Gregory spools ribbon to Bonnie Brackett, CCoC Board Pres, as Aur Beck and a couple dozen others look on.

The collage was created with Picasa, uploaded to Twitpics and Facebook.

Although out of the bus biz, I am still driving for Blue Star Lines, picking up the Amtrak crew from the station, and driving them to the motel. Although it is an easy gig, I often have to wait for the conductor or engineer as they take care of business in the station. The other day, I snapped some photos of my work environment, including this one, which shows the vehicle I drive.

From All Aboard Amtrak

I also shot some video of Great American Taxi at last Thursday's Sunset Concert, which you can view on YouTube

Let's see what else? It looks like former employer Art Lovers Trading Company has hung its last painting on the walls. However, owner Sue Mills will continue to promote local art on the internet and elsewhere. The painting on the wall is a print of the sand painting of the old Carbondale Bank bldg by Vic DeGraff.

From Artistic expression

A couple weekends ago ...I attended the benefit for Cayenne Boyd at Orlandini Vineyard. The photos are uploaded at the link below.

Gotta go.

From Benefit for Cayenne @ Olandini Vineyard

sight for poor eyes

2009-06-19T07:09:00.003-05:00

Somone asks what I'll be doing when my run with Greyhound is done. Simple: continue what I've been doing -- morning drives for Blue Star Lines, finishing my blook, selling my own books, promoting the sand paintings of Vic DeGraff, occasional blipping, tweeting, etc.

Of course Ill be keeping up w/ goings on in C'dale, scanning ShawneeNet for the latest local news feeds, including the "Dazette" And since I now have Mediacom I can watch City Council meetings on TV. (Eurma Hayes Child Care should have been allowed to fail 5 years ago, when Council agreed to underwrite its operation.)

The ShawneeNet site needs upgrading too ... with more photos and links to businesses.

All of this requires clear vision -- which I got a couple of days ago.

Had my eyes examined by Louisana's own Mia Guillory, the Opthamologist at Doctor's ValuVision in the Mall, where I got tested and fitted with new eyeglasses this week.

I bought a couple of pair.

Now everything has come into better focus.

counting the days

2009-06-12T08:30:00.003-05:00

Only 18 days until my Greyhound adventure ends: June 30 will be my last day. Not that I'm counting the days, or anything.

I plan to train the staff at the BP gas station (905 E. Main, across from Sonic & Midas) to take over in July.

After that, I'll have mornings free for the first time in five years. ... Time to process photos and write chapters for my blook -- and tweet on local stuff ... and play deejay on blip.fm.

Haven't you heard?

2009-06-08T08:05:00.007-05:00

In a letter to supporters, reprinted on the Team Brad website, Mayor Brad Cole announces his intention to seek statewide office on the Republican ticket. Which office, he doesn't say. Whatever one he can get, I guess. At this summer's State Fair in Springfield, Cole's fellow party members will convene to compare notes on a strategy to retake control of State government. ... Seems like Cole is staking his territory.

Most of comments in the local press are negative; not much has changed in that regard since the mayoral election.

There are actually two sets of comments on the story: several on the "breaking news" version.... and several more on the "front page" version.

Tweet from Pickles Alley

2009-05-27T07:52:00.004-05:00

Bicycling to work yesterday ... down Main St. on the south sidewalk ... three fire engines passed by at an alarming rate, so I stopped and sent a "tweet" from my Blackberry -- at the entrance to the alley called "Pickle's" in Scott Thorne's "Dazette" blog.

That's the south entrance to Carbondale City Hall / Civic Center at the end of the alley.

If you don't care to click on the link to that tweet, here's what it stated:

Tweet from pickles alley: 3 fire engines just went haul-assin down Main St.

Today I'll try to find out where the fire trucks were headed in such a hurry.

Tweet from Woodlawn Cemetery

2009-05-26T08:28:00.017-05:00

Along with a couple hundred other folks in C'dale, I attended the annual Memorial Day service at Woodlawn Cemetery, where the first-ever such observance was held in 1866 according to a tweet posted that morning. ;-)

I had intended to videotape the entire service, but the memory card ran out before Mayor Cole's speech was done. ... The photo above shows him gesturing toward the curious unnamed sarcophagus (pictured above) he thought might have been knocked to the ground and opened during the sudden Derecho (aka Hurricane Lucille) that blew through town earlier this month.

During the event I shot off a couple of tweets -- one about the Illinois State grant the City got for to begin restoration of the old Attucks H.S bulding, across the street from that very cemetery. WSIL TV3 was there, and reported on the story: Carbondale Gets Grant for Renovating Attucks School

The other tweet concerned Mayor Cole retelling the story of "The Giving Tree" a children's story by Shel Silverstein. Since my Twitter Updates also go to Facebook, one of my Friends there was incredulous that Cole would tell this story since the City would incinerate the destroyed trees and branches instead of recycling.

More photos of the storm damage and aftermath on my Picasa web albums. The album is called If a Tree Falls in Carbondale.

Tweet ya later, Bloggee.!

beesy beesy

2009-05-17T10:58:00.001-05:00

Experimenting with a new look for summer... Will be adding more photos to the mix, too.

City: No time for twitter just yet

2009-05-14T12:46:00.004-05:00

Back from visit to City Hall re: the City's communications response. Picked up paper copies of #12 & #13 Mayoral updates on recovery. The city's tech guy, Mark Jones, told me he was too busy to tweet the info - or have someone else do it. ... I pointed out that the several items on the piece of paper I was holding could be cut-and-pasted from the word processor into Twitter. ... Mark stated that he understood how twitter worked, but he was too busy to deal w/ it. ...

I think the Mayor will have to approve whatever goes out. Cole sends and receives text messages daily, so he should "get it." Not sure why he just didn't do it. Guess he preferred the on-air radio updates. A friend said he was boasting on-air about what a great job the City was doing. The great leadership he has shown is another sentence for his political biography when he runs for governor.

When I saw hizzoner on the Monday after Hurricane Lucille, I asked what name the hurricane had been given. "Hurricane Obama' he joked "like Katrina was Bush's fault." A bit of Republican humor by the Mayor on a dark day for Carbondale. But he's probably right, the hurricane created a lot of extra work for folks.

I also stopped by Castle Perilous to ask Scott Thorne of the meaning of "Pickles' Alley" ... Seems Scott was taking a bit o liberty with the name, but I won't make a big dill about it.

Actually, Pickle's alley was between Walnut and the PK's Parking lot. The big brown Christian Baril law office used to be called "Charley Pickles" - a hangout back in the day. But Scott liked the name, and "Notes from Pickles' Alley" was born.

Just checked the @CarbondaleIL twitter site... No updates, following 2, 7 followers.

Storm damage on Springer St.

2009-05-14T09:21:00.000-05:00

Civics 3G

2009-05-14T08:39:00.005-05:00

so i went to city yesterday and it was busy with food stamp recipients because the M'boro office was w/out power, and people needed to take care of business, so Mayor Cole offered the use of the Cdale Civic Center.. ... Mark Jones, the city geek, was working on something in another city bldg. Deborah .... wouldn't say much... seemed anxious to see me on my way... Wouldn't say anything for fear I'd quote her.

also stopped into the Main Street / Chamber of Commerce office, where I spoke to Sandy at Main Street and Barb at Main Street about the value of Twitter.... Barb got it and signed up @cdalemainstreet before I left the office. And she used it to post important information, which I didn't get on time because I didn't have the feeds set to go to my cell phone. For twitter feeds to have max use, they should be forwarded to your cell phone.

@ericmittan Channel 3's production editor tipped me off to Jim Raser's @forecaster feed, which I'm getting.... Think I'll add it to the feeds at left, along w/ my own Twitter feed.

And some comedian started a mock "@explorecarbonda" twitter feed. Funny stuff. Can s/he keep it up?

And the Dazette's Scott Thorne is twittering @castleperilous for his Castle Perilous game venture. And Scott's been busy dropping links and tidbits at a good clip. I had to laugh, though, at his first post-Hurrican Lucille

Since the city apparently does not have "explorecarbondale" ... how about @cdalecity or @carbondale_il

Today, I'll try agintoget holda Mark Jones or Mayor Cole to find out what's up w/ the City's twitter and other stuff, like the future Bike 2 Work Day.

all thumbs

2009-05-13T08:07:00.001-05:00

Looking out my window see no Ameren truck, They knocked off at 8 or so last night, and so Day 5 without power begins. One good thing: as a result, I'm becoming more profish w/Blackberry keypad thumbing.

Wanted to comment on the City of Carbondales disaster preparedness and performance, after a visit to City Hall to find out about the City's use of twitter and other electronic media.

I've already been told by Mayor Cole and Mark Jones that twitter account exists, but the name I was given "@ExploreCarbondale" doesn't exist.

I'll go there after my morning Greyhound stint and speak to Mark Jones, the City's top geek.

note: this post was originally typed w/ Blackberry keypad, and edited after power was restored. The original had more errors due to my misthumbing.

If a tree falls on Springer St and nobody hears it. . . .

2009-05-11T10:38:00.001-05:00

Reading in the Dazette that there was a storm here on Friday--which explains the 100 mph wind and heavy rain a little after 1:00 pm! I captured some of it on video from my upstairs porch door and bicycling thru neighborhoods until the camera's memory card ran out.

Ironically, I was about to buy a new video camera when the power went out.The freakish storm is being called an "inland Hurricane" by experts:"Hurricane Lucille"?

Naturally, I tweeted the event on my Blackberry - sending out 140 character updates of "the situation". Unfortunately no one in Carbondale actually READ them at the time, but at least I shared the event w/ out-of-towners

On Saturday I tuned into C'dale radio 1620-AM and only heard a Boil Water order. A little more info would have been appreciated, so I text-messaged Mayor Cole about the lack of info, and he texted back they were "working on it"

Later he texted that the radio message was changed and an email had been sent. EMAIL? Who could read it w/ the power down? He texted back for me to get a printed copy at City Hall. I went there, but the door was locked and the email was taped to the door.

Later, at an emergency meeting for City staff and Council at 1pm, I posted a quick tweet, but I gave it a rest, since Codell Rodriguez was writing down the details for The Southern Illinoisan. (Although they didn't make it into the SI's Twitter account)

After the meeting I drove to Duquoin w/ another C'dale refugee and got the last room in town at the Budget Inn, watched the Denver Nuggets beat Dallas, and said hi to Councilman Haynes at Krogers.

That's my report so far.
It's Monday morning and I'm thumbing out this text on the Blackberry..

I plan to question Mayor Cole about the City's emergency communications response.

And the tweets just keep on coming.

Who's your cabbie?

2009-04-23T19:04:00.004-05:00

Met two Ace Taxi cab drivers today at the Bus Place, Dave (pictured) and Pat, who filled me in on prices... $4 anywhere in town....plus $4 extra per extra stop, and $2 per 5 minuetes if driver must wait. Also, passengers don't have to double up.

These prices are "introductory" through Summer.

What really impressed me about the 4 Green fleet vehicles is how clean they are ... and the drivers have all their teeth! ;-)

Go Green!

Giving it the old collage try

2009-04-23T09:16:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I went to Marberry Arboretum and snapped a few photos. There will be chapter on the Arboretum and other local green spots in my blook, Karmadale After Blog.

Does anyone know who Douglas N. McEwen is? The bench where i was sitting when the tree-sky photo was taken is dedicated to him.

I'll be uploading more collages and slideshows to this blog as the blook progresses, using my "SuperSlip 257" and Picasa.

Peace out.

Where's the tea?

2009-04-15T13:29:00.004-05:00

The local "Tea Party" was pretty well attended by mostly older people. Jeff Trexler, Secy of the local (newly formed) Constitution Party, opened the gathering with a prayer, the everyone took their place in line. I was hoping to find Shawn the Beer Philos'pher there, since it was he who tipped me off (on Twitter) about this event, and he and I expressed a difference of opinion about it's importance: I called it "sour grapes in a teapot" but Shawn said he'd rather have sour grapes than kool-aid... (Maybe Shawn should trying selling sour grapes at a sidewalk stand this summer to see which beverage washes down better with the public).

Also in the crowd, my house manager (who intensely dislikes Obama) and local blogger "Greener Than Thou" who handed out flyers of her own: about spending tax money to kill children and save bankers (and writes about the experience "At the Mad Hatters Tea Party" in her blog).

Also old friends Mark and Lynn (who spoke against Obama "spreading abortion" throughout the world with his policies).

Didn't see any tea, though... Click on the photo for more detail.

Bye bye (buy) Bytelife

2009-04-14T08:51:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I pulled the plug on Carbondale Bytelife since no one was posting to it, and my hands are full with other projects and blogs.

All 839 posts have been archived, and will be published in the DVD version of the blook Karmadale After Blog (now due in Fall 2009). Meanwhile ... individual posts will cost 25 cents, with a discount for multiple requests. For instance, all 839 posts could sell for 5 cents per post (about $40).

A chronological title and author list of all the Bytelife posts will be placed on the redirect page.

Better idea?

Of Taxes Taxis and Taxonomies

2009-03-26T11:37:00.004-05:00

A commenter to my previous post "Doug Law" asked if I paid taxes. Of course! I also have proof of insurance and registration, and valid license. But since I usually always ride bicycle, the license plate renewal 'scaped my notice. It's taken care of now. ... It would be cheaper to just sell the car, and take a taxi around town.

Not with Moonlight cabbie Rob Taylor though. It's reported in the Daily Egyptian, that he's quitting the business at the end of the semester, since fares have already been down, even before new taxi service came to town. I wonder who owns it. Someone with a business degree.

Taxonomies. Using TweetDeck for Twitter allows users to group the folks they're "following" into user-created categories. My categories are Folks and Friends ... News .... Geeky ... Marketing ... Entertainment.

If you aren't on Twitter yet, you should be! If you follow my updates, you'll be the first to know about tomorrow's meeting w/ Mayor Cole about this year's Bike 2 Work Day, or my YouTube video about it. ... Or the name of the owner of Ace Taxi. And more good info.

Doug Law

2009-03-21T14:28:00.000-05:00

Recently, I got stopped while driving to Schnucks, because my license plate registration was expired. On top of that, my proof of insurance was not to be found (since it was laying on the desk in my room, a block away). And, uh, my seat belt wasn't fastened. ...

Maybe because I'd just uploaded a video to YouTube of Will Whitmore singing "Johnny Law" ("the littlest man you ever saw") I expected "the book" to be thrown at me. Not the one I'm currently reading, but a hefty ticket.

Turned out, Officer Doug was a stand-up guy, and let me off with a warning, plus a ticket to provide proof of insurance at the County Courthouse in a few weeks.

What's so funny?

2009-03-03T11:17:00.004-06:00

Choose one: ... Clerks at Old National Bank (Schnuck's branch) are laughing at:

a) my favorite Charity,
b) the balance of my bank account, or
c) Zathos45 little tweets. ;-)

From Local Business Folks

Tough times for local PR profession

2009-02-19T18:19:00.005-06:00

Yesterday, walkin' with my sidekick The Jokir, we snapped a photo at the traffic island at Mill and Illinois ('Millinois', as I call it). For fun, I stood there as if I was holding a sign, and when I got home, I photoshopped a sign and words. Then posted it with this caption:

Carbondale man appears to be holding ”photoshopped“ sign on traffic island, seeking PR work for food.

”Dinner for two-four, depending of the menu,“ says Doug Barker, self-described ”media maven, "If it's 4 star restaurant, dinner for 3 or 4."

Other forms of payment acceptable to Much More Media PR firm include Saluki basketball tickets, and garden mulch.

I'm thinking of setting up a lemonade or cocoa stand at this location, since business has tailed off so much at The Hound. The two girls in the background might be interested in working it.

Meanwhile, I've been posting more pix to Bytelife ... so many that I'm thinking of changing the name from Carbondale Bytelife to Carbongaze Davette.

new blook cover collage

2009-01-08T09:22:00.004-06:00

The typeface will be cleaned up, but this collage is what the new blook cover will look like. ... Also the title is being changed from "Carbondale After Blog" to Karmadale After Blog.

This collage was created by Picasa, from a folder of pix from 2003. It is just a test.

Click on the image to see a larger version in the web album.

Into the MMIX

2009-01-03T06:57:00.012-06:00

What's new and exciting in 2009? In Carbondale, it will surely be the upcoming City Council election. Yesterday, one of the seven City Council candidates stopped into the BP Bus Place to say 'hi', and I assured him that I'll support the candidate(s) with the most convincing internet presence. So far, Pawel Sawicki has made the best webpression via Scott @ Carbondale Bytelife.

And nationally, the new President, Barack effing Hussein Obama! That's exciting! I get a Matthewsiastic "thrill up my leg" thinking about it. Or it could be the sweet guitar jam I'm listening to.... a live recording at Hangar 9, Dec. 2005, with Robbie Stokes, Chris Duarte, Din Dayemi, Grant Morgan, and the Majnun drummer and keyboard.
----------------
Now playing: Robbie Stokes - Stoked

I hope Obama can do something about decreased bus ticket commissions. Since I moved the station to a better location on East Main St., Greyhound has reduced commission rate, and raised ticket prices, so fewer people are using the bus. With gas prices dropping, bus ticket prices are still at $4/gal prices. If something doesn't give, I may be forced to quit, since The 'Hound already cuts into prose-writing time that could be going to my blook. ...

... As does Twitter, which I prefer to blogging, since I can usually shoot out a couple of 140 character "tweets" without too much effort, but sometimes it takes a bit of crafting to compact the message. Would make a good technical writing exercise. ... Of course, not everyone takes pains to convey much relevant information. I usually include a link, as do most of the tweeters I follow.

Often, following is reciprocal. ... You follow @BarackObama, and he follows you. I'm up to 77 followers. Barack Obama had 153,379. I select a mix of interesting people to follow, reporters like @Jayette in Springfield, PR mavens like @Dana_Willhoit, Web 2.0 technology guru and political savant @DaveWiner, or fake expert, comedian John Hodgman.

I take my blog and twitter (micro-blog) writing seriously. Writing in 140 characters or less, requires pithy expression, unlike blogging, where I get paid by the word. Ha ha. ha. ha. ha. (And the word is secret, like on the Groucho Marx You Bet Your Life quiz show.)

Wishing all who read this Happy MMIX!

----------------
Still playing: Robbie Stokes - Stoked

'Twas the Day After Christmas

2008-12-27T00:35:00.003-06:00

What's up, Bloggee? Vicissitudes of life got you down -- or UP? ... I stayed up late last night with a housemate who got dumped by betrayal. "The house is haunted now," he says.

Since the City is mandating more frequent housing inspection, each renter in the house is being asked to pay an extra $35 in January to cover costs. I'm all for improving housing safety, etc. Maybe the inspections can lead to reduced bad memories in houses. The city could add a paranormal exorcist to City Staff, replacing recently retired City Manager Jeff Doherty.

Meanwhile my own love life is looking up after a bad spell. With someone to go out with, I am more likely to be seen at places like Key West on Sunday night to hear and dance to Ivas John Band rocking the blues. Or the oddly-named, but breathtaking (especially if you have the cold that's goin around) Giant City State Park.

Yesterday, we walked out to the new apartment complex south of town, past Arnold's Market where Old 51 meets New 51. "Reserve" it's called. Snapped some photos, but they won't be included in the blook. No new material will be added after the last Mayoral election. Still need to finish a few chapters, but they will write themselves. (Maybe edit themselves, too?!)

Beginning to feel the old deadline pressure point in my right wrist, My friend The Beer Philos'pher kindly tweeted re: my long promised blook "Can such a project ever be completed?" he asks. ... 'Yes' is answer.

The publication date is Bike to Work Day... May 16, 2009.

With a new title (Karmadale After Blog) and cover design. Instead of the current ugly yellow and red, a collage of photos will wrap around front cover and back. (One of the highlights of the blook will the hundreds of photos of people, places and events around town over the past few years, through the last mayoral election, with updates. Plus video, like Mayor Cole singing "C is for Cookie" at Bike 2 Work Day with his bizarro doppleganger, and -- .)

Oh look, it's already the 27th.

Happy New Year, everyone.... See you on Twitter!

State of the Twitter speech

2008-12-07T19:15:00.001-06:00

Last week I met with Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole, to talk about his upcoming "State of the City" speech to the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce hoping for a preview copy I could leak to the blogosphere, and BC came through, as he always does, handing me a printed draft of his speech-in-progress, which updates previous years' projects, and presents some new ones. I suggested that he simply say "Ladies and Gentlemen .... the State of the City is fine." - and walk off the dais -- and out of the room -- before returning to the luncheon room microphone with "Gotcha!" He laughed at the idea, but didn't think the crowd would appreciate it.

However, he did hand me a printed draft of his speech, with permission to quote it in this blog, an exclusive to the Carbondaley Dispatch: Mayor Cole goes on record that he "looks forward to many good days and years ahead" for us all.

To hear more, come to the Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Civic Center, noon, Tues. December 9. ... I'll be there, twitterin' the speech as it is being delivered, as I did last week, when I first got hold of the draft.

More words from Greeley

2008-10-11T10:05:00.002-05:00

BlackBerry sez low 80's in The 'Dale today ...but it's much cooler in Greeley,CO, this morning - and drizzly. There's a HS band competition that my son is marching in, playing saxophone.His football game yesterday was a 40-12 loss, so he doesn't feel much like marching in the rain this morning.

This afternoon we'll drive to rainy Denver where I'll hop the midnight bus back to the former Capital of Southern Illinois - where the weather is fine - and a new business venture awaits:Words & More - with an office on Main St.- in the heart of the publishing district.;-)

Speaking of publishing, I took the plunge in Portland, and forked out a couple hundred bux for Adobe Acrobat Pro 9 Extended, since my daughter could get the educator's discount for me - a $400 saving that will keep the price of the blook under $15.

Reading Stephen You-Know-Who's book "I Am America (and So Can You)" has given me new ideas for the blook's layout and attitude. I want it to be an entertaining read, like Colbert's ("You make the first one good enough, then you don't have to write another." ...Same might be said of my last blog post).

Greetings from a "City that Works"

2008-10-07T10:41:00.010-05:00

I know, Bloggee, I know ... I've been remiss in updating this blog. ... Been meaning to, really, but with the daily Greyhound grind (see Graydog's blog), and all the political (GoBama beat McPalin!), entertainment (Hello Hulu!), and sports (Go Phils - Beat LA!) distractions, I just haven't had the time (or inclination) to focus much on hometown stuff. ... Besides, Scott at Bytelife has the local scene is pretty well covered.

But nudged by former local blogger Peter The Great, I guess I'll break my silence for a few words from Portland, where I'm visiting family -- including new grandson (who just got a brand new "Jumperoo" from "Doodah").

I love Portland: the family ties, the social scene, the bicycle-friendly environment, the many fine restaurants, cultural and recreational spots, thriving economy, and up-and-coming basketball team. ... With all of that, what the hell am I still doing in Carbondale, Illinois! Oh that's right, my friends, the social scene, the bicycle-friendly environment(?), and handful of fine restaurants, cultural and recreational spots, up-and-coming basketball team, and employment opps.

Even so, I'm gonna be away from my fair and consistent town until next week. The Greyhounders can deal directly with bus drivers until then..

Next stop for me is Greeley, Colorado (another city that works), to attend a high school football game and jazz concert.

And I'll be twittering along the way.

stream of bloggishness

2008-09-21T07:51:00.003-05:00

I've had a case of "writer's blogck" lately. ... Instead, been drinking campaign news through micro-media -- with sips of Papa Nicholas Espresso or Schlafly Pumpkin Ale. ... With all that drinking, blogging can be compared to urinating in front of strangers. (Ellipsis dots are then so many pee drops on the leg of literary style. ... )

Meanwhile, my blook is stalled by technical problems with video formatting and loss of print quality in the electronic-to-paper transfer using TK3 Author. ... Looks like Adobe Acrobat Pro 9 Extended will do the trick. (For a price of $600-plus, it should, but I hope to find a less expensive alternative.)

Also stalled, the Grand Opening for Graydog's Greyhound at its new location (inside the BP gas station on 905 E. Main) -- until a state-approved white on green highway sign is installed on the corner of Walnut St. and Cedarview Ct., where Domino's is. The City has sent a request to IDOT for approval, so stay tuned.

Aside from these two projects I've been twittering my heart out. Not as often as blogfather Dave Winer, or Peter the Great's hero Guy Kawasaki, or Peoria's Pundit, Billy Dennis, but with 277 updates - and counting -more than other locals.

I usually try to squeeze a link into my tweets by using "Tiny URL"

For instance I will tweet about this blog post, with link.

I've also added a twitter feed to this blog.

Question: if blogging is like public urination, what is twittering? It's more like marking territory with pith.

Although some readers seem to have a prejudice agains the "micro-media" ... I urge all thirsty information seekers to have sip or two -- then pour some of yourself into the glass.

----------------
Now playing: Muddy Waters - I'm Ready
via FoxyTunes

9/11 Truth videos today at MIMC

2008-09-11T08:25:00.000-05:00

Carbondale Bytelife: "the Muddy Independent Media Center at 214 N. Washington, will show 9-11 truth videos from noon to 9pm, interspersed, no doubt, with rousing discussions.

On Friday, Sept 12th, at 7pm, the usual time for videos, Muddy Media will show 'Improbable Collapse', followed by a discussion."

Toy story

2008-08-27T08:10:00.002-05:00

Add another local blog to the list, Bloggee, 'cause Sue and Sam Cox at My Favorite Toys have started blogging about the(ir) toy business in the University Mall and online. Their goal is to sell more toys, so if every reader of their blog would buy a toy or two, then they will be sold on blogging as a marketing medium.

Here's a headline I'd like to see for a blog about tops: "Our Top Story" -- Getting to the bottom of tops, giving a classic toy a new spin.

I was checking out yoyos at the the mall store (located near Macy's & Garfield's) the other day, and later tried to buy one online. (Some rapper should create a pro-yoyo video. "Yo yo ... wrap your hand around a Duncan.") But I couldn't find "yoyo" or "yo yo" on MyFavToys.com website. The toy business must have its ups and downs, like everything else.

Online media converge in Denver

2008-08-24T22:23:00.000-05:00

EchoDitto Blog | Following online media at the DNC : "At the Democratic National Convention next week, 125 bloggers will hold press credentials and hundreds more will be reporting from The Big Tent." If you're so inclined and have the time, Brian Sykora explains how to follow them all, using Bloglines.

(I wonder how many uncredentialed bloggers are in Denver. Where's their feed?)

You can also follow Twitter updates from the DNC... Use Twitter Search, and type in #dnc08 or #bigtent

Musical interlude

2008-08-24T13:06:00.003-05:00

After work on Friday, I hung out at Hangar 9, with my pal, Al, and a pale ale, to catch eight talented musicians jamming on the back porch. With six-string guitars, mandolin, banjo, bass and slide guitar, fiddle and bass fiddle, Nathan Graham, Robert Russell, Ryan Blake, John Beck, Chris Debiossi, Rick Johnson, Gary Childers, Ruth Ann Levinson, Jeff Sills.

Everyone was talking about young Graham, a cracker-jack singer and strummer. His band is called Black Diamond Highway. I'm going to see them all perform today at the Bluegrass Jamboree, 2-8 pm, at Rustle Hill Winery.

Between twitterin' and swigs, I went inside for another pale ale, and got to talk with Josh of the Jah Roots band performing later that night on the main stage. ... He gave me two of the band's CDs to listen to and plug, Crucial and Joy:
----------------
Now playing: Jah Roots - Crucial
via FoxyTunes

----------------
Now playing: Jah Roots - Joy
via FoxyTunes

I like this band. Infectious ska riffs. Would have stuck around to hear them play, but it was time for a Gyros and Greek Salad at El Greco, where Al and I discussed the difference between listening and hearing. Jah Roots hails from Springfield, MO. .. I'll add their MySpace page to MyFriends. ... Nate Graham doesn't have any web presence (although there's another Nate Graham from back east).

Civics 2.0

2008-08-20T06:47:00.006-05:00

Struck by the number of violations of open meetings law and TIF District by the City of Marion, Mayor Brad Cole wonders why no newspaper reporters have picked up on it. I watched from a chair in the Mayor's office yesterday, as he read the striking comparisons between Marion and Carbondale, which Scott Thorne found in a comment to this story in The Southern.

I always enjoy visiting Mayor Cole at his office -- starting with a wintergreen Lifesaver from the bowl in the lobby, and a refreshing bottle of Shawnee Mist water (bottled by the City) provided by Faith Johnson, his secretary, whose sister is an American Idol fan, like me.

Those mayoral meetings mostly mean me giving him an update on my life, and very little of me interviewing him about city biz. (For instance, he'd only half-jokingly tell me that the stack of papers on his desk is "secret stuff" he's working on. (Probably the new police station at old Lincoln Jr. High site.))

Also, he would neither confirm nor deny my theory that during the minute when the tape recorder was turned off during a closed session of City Council he said, "I'm turning this off, to f*ck with the City Clerk's head, and make her wonder what was said." ... "Since the discussion not recorded pertained to possible litigation concerning [City Clerk Janet] Vaught, whose job duties include keeping recordings of city council meetings." (as reported in The Southern).

I did make two requests: 1) that the City approve an official state-highway approved city sign that says "Greyhound Bus" on Cedarview Ct. Drive, on the corner where Domino's Pizza is located. And 2) That he attend the official ribbon-cutting of new location in September. He said he'd try to do both.

I'm staging my own ribbon cutting, although I realize that for $100 membership in the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, they will send out invitations to 400-plus members. But since few, if any ever ride a Greyhound Bus -- (and even if I join, a representative of the Chamber may not show up! see next paragraph) -- I'll just send out invitations to the people in the immediate vicinity of the business. Some Dentists, and the Secy of State, and Sonic people and Rent-One and Warehouse Liquor and Today's Technology, etc. and the Mayor, along with Moonlight Taxi and Blue Star Lines representatives, along with others in the ground transportation biz, like SIU Transport specialist Mark Robinson (the original Busdog). Maybe then, Graydog's will make the newspapers, where those 400-plus Chamber members are sure to see it.

Don't get me wrong. I have no problem with the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, but executive secretary Lisa Cardinale appeared to have a problem with me, until I told her it was Scott Thorne, not I, who posted the story about Welcome Fest, which mentioned the absence of a Chamber representative at the event. Seems like Executive Director Meredith Rhodes might have some 'splainin' to do, perhaps in a comment to Scott's post -- or to this one. (My advice to her, ignore it. Pretend like I didn't even stop by the office to say 'hi'.) Or send a tweet into the world of Web 2.0, like me.

Every day is not Bike 2 Work Day

2008-08-14T19:03:00.011-05:00

Saw former city manager Jeff Doherty at the BP today, looking relaxed and fit. Since retirement every day is like Saturday, he says. Lucky him. For me, every day is Thursday, except on months with 30 days, when every day is Monday.

Besides Jeff D., today, I met a video editor at Longbranch for a glass pineapple juice, and Jim Zimmerman from the Arthur Agency came to the table, so I introduced him to Mr. Video, who may be getting a gig out of it. And Amy McMorrow breezed down the sidewalk, with flyers for an art event on The Square. Since the Art Lovers blog hasn't been updated for awhile, I'm sending her an invitation to contribute. Should invite the artists, too.

I wish the commenters would reveal themselves. There's a kind of paranoia about commenting in this town, such as the helpful commenter who calls him(?)self "paranoid," who has a problem with my bicycle route to the BP (when/if i pedal there from home.) I'd probably just ride East on Main St. on the sidewalks, giving right of way to rare pedestrians.

But back to commenting. Although Bytelife has lively discussions, it also has some absurdly ad-hominem name-calling by someone who has it in for DaveX, WDBX's king of the wee hours. The guy hates DaveX so much, I don't know why. But DaveX always comes back with a counterpunch, so more power to him. In the future Bytelife should require registration to comment, like in Peoria. Would pseudonymous contributors like "gadfly" and "sam w. clyde" still contribute if they had to register? Would "paranoid"?

I'm quite impressed by Billy "3,752 Tweets and Counting" Dennis's Blog Peoria Project. Don't know if C'dale has a sufficiently unparanoid population to engage in community-wide blogging, though. Bytelife is supposed to be a "Carbondale Bloggers Blog" Scott Thorne does most of the posting with DaveX chiming in with a self-promotional spread every so often, and me dropping a community interest item once in awhile (reserving self-promotional stuff to this blog).

Speaking of self-promotional stuff, according to a twitter update, I recently uploaded a book about alien abduction to LULU.com. ... For my effort, I'll get $1 for each book sold, and it gave me practice for publishing my own blook in prog, which is only a few months away from publication: on Bike 2 Work Day in May.

Obama announcing VP candidate via text & email

2008-08-13T14:50:00.000-05:00

Twitter / Barack Obama: Announcing the VP candidate...

Day of Rest

2008-08-10T22:36:00.001-05:00

Today, a break ... after a week of being hounded by bus customers. Yesterday, one of them bought a ticket from Jackson, MS to San Francisco, CA, and I hooked him up with his own blog, Bound for New Zealand right there at Graydawg's Greyhound ticket counter, where the journey begins.

Business has boomed at the BP, since the buses have been taking ten minute breaks en route. Shoplifting has, as well. ... As anticipated, my own bottom line has not increased, while the workload has. It's more like a job now (requiring motorized transportation due to distance).

But not today. Although the buses will still stop at the BP, I'm stopping for a rest. ... maybe go to the new Batman or to Blue Sky Vineyard to hear the Saloonatics from 2-5pm and surf the web. Maybe send a tweet or two. Last I heard (Friday afternoon), i was shootin' hoops at the old CCHS outside court. Must be done by now, since I'm at my home computer, listening to
----------------
Zero 7 - Distractions
via FoxyTunes Zero 7.)

I should have tweeted after getting into an accident on Friday night. Young lady in an SUV tried to cross the street from Professional Park Drive to Sonic, right in front of me, as I was heading East on Main, in the far right lane. Hit the side door. Cops said it was her fault. Gave me a sobriety test, which nearly hypnotized me. There was a witness, too, a roller skating waittress, who said she'd testify. ... Another time I shoulda tweeted, out at Arnolds Market on Saturday, wolfing down a "Boskydell Bomber" at the picnic table out in front, seeing Bruce Appleby and Bill Simeone (two former English profs) in the lot. Never thought on 8/8/80 I'd have an informal meeting of my Ph.D. committee on 8/8/08.

Saturday, I got together with an Amtrak friend on layover, and two other Sunday hoopers for a little HORSE action, but soon got challenged to a game by some young whippersnappers, Terron, Jonathan, Steffan, whom you'll probably see in the big show at CCHS in a two or three years.(Another time I coulda tweeted, but again without eyeglasses.)

The courts at Attucks Park are by far the best in town, with outdoor lighting and 4 baskets with nets (two full courts).

Haven't watched any of the Olympics yet, nor heard any coverage. ... The only bit I've got so far came from KT's twitter. My reception for Channel 6 has not been that good, even with the analog-to-digital signal converter box, I bought at Radio Shack in Murdale, with the $40 coupon from the government (which RS applied to the total price, including tax, which I questioned at the time, but they did it anyway).

But enough about me. ... What's going on in Cdale lately? The Saturday morning Farmers Market on "The Square" has more people than when it was on Wednesdays on hot afternoons.

And Jeremiah's is still standing, but not for long.

I wasn't crazy about the Git Sum lunch I tried last week, some kind of curry chicken, which was okay, but not much of it, compared to New Kahala, my favorite Chinese take-out place. I'll try another item on the menu next time, but fear this Indian take-out spot will not survive long.

Went to see Pineapple Express Friday night, a film about the best weed in the world, which seemed more like schwag, though with a good heart. I can't be too critical of the script (written by Seth Rogen and partner at age 15) since my own script has been languishing for months. Maybe I should hire Jonathan, Terron, or Steffan to punch it up.

That's all for now, Bloggee. I've got some photos to add later. ... If you want more blog news about C'dale, read Bytelife.

----------------
Now playing: Zero 7 - Simple Things
via FoxyTunes

Day of no rest

2008-08-04T23:16:00.000-05:00

If you've been following my updates on Twitter, you know my trip to Portland didn't happen, due to too much work to do, and not enough workers. But my younger son still got to go to see his nephew for the first time, and I will try again, in late September, when things are slower at the 'Hound (and Robert Plant and Allison Krauss will be performing in the Rose City) ... Meanwhile, son Chris has started twittering, at my request, so I can receive verbal snapshots.

So much work was still undone on Friday night, that hopping on a bus to Denver (from there a plane to Portland) was out of the question. Even the loss of most of the ticket money did not deter me from staying put ... So much to do that even Sunday offered little rest -- mostly cataloging and lugging boxes of books (catalugging?), then uploading a partial list of hundreds of titles into Google Docs spreadsheet. Eventually to be sold online, but now the tomes are mostly packed in boxes in a nearby warehouse for easy access.

Nearly went to the Unitarian Fellowship Sunday morning, inspired by Greener Than Thou's inspiring rant about religion and social justice, but by the time i finished reading, the clock was past 11.

Mid-afternoon on Sunday, got a Greyhound inquiry on my cell phone from a guy who wanted to know where 905 E. Main St. was ... and since I was in mid-haul of box of books, and it was Sunday, I was curt, not courteous. But then I learned the free weekly newspaper that printed a blurb about the move (no link because it's not online) did not mention that the fact that it's at the BP gas station (although that info was provided) -- only the address was given -- along with my cell phone number and an invitation to call with questions. ... No wonder the guy called me! He wasn't a thoughtless idiot, but a hard-working volunteer member of the press -- workin' on Sunday, just like me.

White wall, vacant lot

2008-07-29T07:00:00.008-05:00

C'dalephiles like it when I write about the former Capitol of Southern Illinois, but it's too much of a downer for me lately, with all the old familiar buildings and businesses going down and out, and few new ones springing up. ... No. I take it back. There are some hopeful signs, such as "We're making way for Progress" (on the Varsity Theater building) and "Please don't mar or deface these office walls" (pictured here) which somehow has gone undefaced in 30-40 years! The quoted phrase appears to have magical properties.

Why doesn't the City do something with the vacant lot adjacent to this wall (where American Tap used to be)? That would be a good topic for the Carbondale Bytelife blog. (Maybe Scott will pick this up and walk with it. ...down the alley to City Hall.)

C'dale Greyhound move completed

2008-07-24T13:08:00.005-05:00

The Greyhound bus stop and ticket station are together again ... at last! After 3 years on Washington St., where it wasn't wanted, 'cause it would bring down the neighborhood. ... But BP-land at 905 E. Main St. is pro-Hound to-the-Max. ... Arif, the friendly Pakistani, is thrilled to have the bus passengers alight and buy some snax and drinks and cigarettes.

I had a lot of help getting the job done ... not much from my district manager, but Junior Bear and friends came through at crunch time. The same sign JB hung above the address at 215 N. Washington is now atop two posts driven deep into the grass in front of the station -- at the distance prescribed by city code. (Thanks to Steve for coming out to the site, and fast-tracking the permit process.)

I haven't checked to see if any of the newspapers mentioned it... Sent out copies of the flyer to the papers (in lieu of press release). Planning to have an Open House, ribbon-cutting, with some bus-minded friends and business associates when I get back from Portland in August.

Meanwhile, the drivers liked the map I sent to Nashville and St. Louis (from whence all buses to C'dale depart), and they are pleased to have a place where passengers can use the rest rooms and buy refreshments ... It really is a better location, even though it's costing me more time and money, as I knew it would (which is why I dragged my paws in making the leap.)

Been operating without internet, due to a lengthy verification process between Verizon and ShawneeLink. ... Alternative solutions (using the Blackberry as a tethered wireless modem) has failed so far to do the trick ... Looks like a dialup connection is the only viable option. NetZero has a 4.97 per month deal, which should get me through another week without DSL.

Now I've got to hire and train someone pronto, 'cause in two weeks I will be in Oregon -- holding my grandson in my arms for the first time. ... One of the desk clerks at the motel where the Amtrak crew crashes every night (so to speak) is interested. How about you, Bloggee? If you're available from 9:30-11am, or 3:30-5pm, you could get paid $10 per hr printing bus tickets and helping bustomers.

Hot time at the Sunset Concert

2008-07-15T10:16:00.003-05:00

Last night's Turley Park Sunset Concert by blogger Brian Wright and the Waco Tragedies was hot! From pre-concert pizza at Mississippi Flyway (5 ingredients, 14 inch, lotsa cheese, $12.95) to the final song(?) "Glory Hallelujah", (see the band perform this song on AOL UnCut video.) ... During the band's intermission, a guy performed with with flaming wands and spitting fire. (Snapped some photos of his act -- as well as the police response right after.)

Wine and Art Fair fares well

2008-07-12T21:16:00.004-05:00

Like Bytelife's Scott and Becky for The Southern, I attended the Town Square Wine and Art Fair Friday night ... impressed with all the people in the crowd, some of whom I got to speak with, like new Carbondale City Manager, Allen Gill, who's not a tee-totaller, and event organizer Main Street director Megan Cole, pictured here, proud of the crowd behind her.

I managed to get off a few tweets with the Blackberry, including one about Councilman Lance Jack's off-the-record slip about his latest business venture. (Sorry, Bloggee, to read you'll have to go to my twitter page. ;-))

Gill agreed the City needs to improve its dissemination of public information, and smiled when I said I wasn't trying to create a job for myself, although "City Twitterer" has a nice ring.

I figured out a way to get the most from the $5 admittance, which got you a plastic glass with Fusion (local bar) sticker on it, and samples of wine from ten different local vintners. But the samples were so minute and variable that it took too long to get a nice wine buzz, so I purchased a full glass of Chancellor red, but for the next glass, I went to each purveyor and had them each add a 'wee dram' of their own brand of dry red wine into the glass. The resulting glass is pictured here, and it tasted fine. Will definitely do it again with a chardonnay at the Fall event.

That's right. Everyone's talking 'bout a Fall Wine and Art Fair... Personally, I'd like to have it every month! Wine not? Either way, I'm sure the organizers will find ways to improve the event. Let's hope the Ivas John Band is invited for a return engagement. Ivas just gets better and better. Blues you can use -- to dance to -- and I did.

Partying at True Value

2008-07-10T06:45:00.006-05:00

After a grueling day at work yesterday, I hooked up with one of my Amtrak friends to attend the Chamber of Commerce 'Business After Hours' schmooze-fest in honor of C'dale's new City Manager, Allen Gill, who has been on the job for a couple of weeks (although I can find no mention of him in the City website).

Who would have thought socializing amidst appliances and lawn furniture could be so much fun? Fueled by a catered spread, and a glass or two of Chateau Red from Von Jakob Vineyard, -- and the company of Conductor Dave, and Valerie Rasp, of Keep Carbondale Beautiful, and Good Samaritan House director Susan Metcalf, I haven't had a more enjoyable social hour this year. (Rescuing a fly from Valerie's wine was a highlight. I shoulda shot some video of its recovery process) Also flying by our table, Chamber director Meredith Rhoades, and Murdale True Value owner George Sheffer.

Sheffer is the man behind the huge "Saluki Pride" Dawg Paw Prints on the streets and highways leading into town . . . and he outlined for Valerie all the steps that had to be negotiated with the City and State authorities to accomplish that feat. (Early this coming Sunday morning the Saluki Pridesters will be out on Grand Ave. laying down some fresh Paw paint. ... Since I will already be up-and-about at that time, some photos may be coming your way next week, Bloggee.)

Many other business and community leaders lined up to meet Mr. Gill, including fellow blogger and businessman Scott Thorne, who may well have his own take on the event.

----------------
Now playing: Stacy Mitchhart - Got to Get the Feeling Back Again
via FoxyTunes

Moving news

2008-07-09T07:23:00.007-05:00

Here's some moving news: The Greyhound agency (ticket office and bus stop) will be consolidated at one location: 905 E. Main St. effective July 21, 2008. ... That's the plan, if Verizon gets the phones installed by then. ... The move will be a boon for the BP Station, which will be getting more customers eacg day ... It also will improve the passengers, who no longer will have to obtain tickets blocks away from where the bus stops, or stand outside the Amtrak station at night ... For me, it will mean a longer trip to work, and longer hours, ugh. ... More money for rent, as well. So why do it? Because it is the better business thing to do ... I can only hope the extra time and expense pay$ off.

(Anybody know why the $ symbol is used for dollars? A dollar to the first commenter to answer.)

Money's on my mind these days. My economic stimulus check went directly to United Airlines for tickets to Portland, Oregon. ... I sure hope the big bus move is all hunky-dory by the end August, when I'm among the blackberries in the great Northwest. But my own Blackberry will make it possible to keep in touch -- literally -- with a mild buzz on my left hip whenever Scott Thorne posts to Bytelife, or someone tweets from Twitterland.

Twitter has definitely opened new windows of interest and opportunity, such as FoxyTunes, "cloud computing" (Web 2.0) and Seesmic video blogging. Way more 'cutting edge' than blogging (sorry, Bloggee).

And the Blackberry has been awesome ... I don't know how I've done without one all these years. It may not be as slick and pretty as the iPhone, but it gets the job done for $90 per month. And because I use the phone so much for The 'Hound, it's deductible!

Right now I'm listening to the my favorite community radio station, WDBX (stream) which will be a good place to advertise the big move. I'll try to squeeze some money out of corporate for Brian and the gang at 224 N. Washington, across the street from the current bus ticket office.

Blues & Blackberry at Key West

2008-07-07T00:09:00.002-05:00

Some friends and I went to Key West on E. Main St. last night to catch The Ivas John Band, which has all new personnel, except for The Big I, who continues to rule the roost as the best front man in all The 'Dale. (Don't believe me? Check out the band at next Friday's "Wine and Art Fair" at Town Square.)

Also saw some old friends in the crowd: Dancin' Corrina Lang (tomato fertility goddess), Radio wunderkind Will Stephens, and Solar seller, Aur Beck, to name a few. I had fun text messaging those guys ... "Ivas sounds great tonight!" and watching them look around to see who the message came from.... Even managed to get off a "tweet" for the occasion.

John McTrain

2008-07-01T08:19:00.004-05:00

Here it is ... my entry into the Colbert Nation's Green Screen Challenge to make John McCain Interesting. The background shows a train passing Carbondale's Town Square. (Those who follow my Twitter updates knew about this video yesterday. ... Blogging is so passe. ;-) )

New Times looks and sounds great

2008-06-24T07:35:00.005-05:00

Instead of listening to the news on WJPF-AM or KUNC-FM, this morning I tuned in to Pandora custom music via Foxy Tunes, and browsed the new Saluki Times web site, which looks much better than the old News Service web page. I sent an email of praise and query to the webmaster, and got some details from PR Director Tom Woolf, who explained.

University Communications' Web team, including Liz Duncan, unit director Janet Douglas, and Jessica Mann, were responsible for the design and "behind-the-scenes" work of creating the new site, designed to replace the weekly email Spotlight newsletter to faculty and staff, while "presenting the news releases in a different, more 'modern' format."

One of the key purposes of Spotlight was to keep University employees informed on various topics, such as notices from the Human Resources folks. We continue to do that; on the bottom left of the site is For the Record, which, for example, this week includes information about new parking decals for the upcoming school year.

("For the Record" was devoid of content at this writing.) My favorite feature, "Flyers Row"

... existed on Spotlight, and had been created a couple of years ago in response to a recommendation from the "Agility & Efficiency Task Force" as a way of promoting events and activities on campus while reducing the amount of paper used for flyers. Obviously, fewer paper flyers would help improve the appearance of the campus as well.

Pete Rosenbery, a member of the Public Relations staff (which generates the news releases), was responsible for Spotlight, and he continues to handle Flyers Row on new site.

----------------
Now playing: Pat Metheny - The Fields, The Sky (Live)
via FoxyTunes

More Fruits of the Season

2008-06-22T09:39:00.002-05:00

Following up on Scott T's post on Fruits of the Season, I went Blackberry picking yesterday at the Verizon Store next to the U8 Theater -- and came home with a 'world edition' model with broadband capability (and a barbecue basket from Larry's Pit BBQ, since I was in the neighborhood). Now, I can google in the palm of my hand, if there's a Verizon wireless signal in the air, so my clinical disorder (?) internet addiction can be satisfied wherever, whenever.

The Blackberry device I got is called "World Edition" since it has the capability of working anywhere in the world. This could come in handy someday -- if I get a job teaching English in a foreign land, such as the Philippines or Marion.

Sunset, Sunrise

2008-06-20T06:52:00.007-05:00

Sojourn (warning, ugly web site), the band at last night's Sunset Concert rocked the crowd at Turley Park with covers of classic tunes like Steely Dan's Reelin' in the Years (the last song I heard, pedaling off to a late supper):

Are you reelin in the years?
Stowin away the time?
Are you gatherin up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?

When I got back home, the guy who owns the house was there -- in town for the University School reunion: according to the The Southern, 300 graduates of school from all classes will be reelin' in the years at SIU campus, and "historical display windows in the SIUC Student Center ... will be on display until June 25. People can also take one of the campus tram tours, which will be held throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday."

Meanwhile, the schedule for the morning Amtrak train to Chicago is back to 6:30 departure this week -- which means rising at sunrise (5:35 am) to drive the crew from motel to station on time. Not much sign of sun, though -- just clouds and drizzling rain.

I keep forgetting to snap a photo of the panels for the mural going up on the east side of the Amtrak station tracks. They've been up for about one week.

Future Sunset Bands
June 26: The NK (Nikhil Korula) Band (MySpace), Shryock,
July 3: The Greencards, Turley Park,
July 10: Junior, Shryock,
July 17: Brian Wright and The Waco Tragedies (MySpace) Turley Park,
July 24: Gizzae, Shryock

----------------
Now playing: WDBX Live
via FoxyTunes

Firefox & friends

2008-06-18T21:46:00.012-05:00

The Firefox 3 browser was released on Tuesday to much fanfare -- and a record number of single day downloads. As a happy F2 user, I joined the throng and downloaded it myself. Installation was a snap (or rather, a 'click') and so far so good.

Although the new version of Firefox has many improvements over F2, I haven't tried any of them yet, except for the feature that automatically posts a link to music listened to as a post is being written, such as this "smooth jazz" tune:

----------------
Now playing: Grover Washington, Jr. - Mister Magic
via FoxyTunes

So what else is new? A fellow twitterer just blogged about some other tools available for serious internetworking with friends and colleagues: Do Yoono How to Chirp, Flock and Minggl? The features of these content-aggregation applications are listed, along with a link to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, which explains how social networking aggregators began with Google's FriendFeed.

I can see the value of not having to log-in to every social network site in order to keep updated with MyFriends, Diggers, Facebookers, Linked-Inners, et. al. . . . But since most of my associates barely have enough time for email, it may not save much time -- unless I get some new friends (which would actually take more time!). . . . I will try to Minggl later, if it's F3 compatible.

Social Networking meets Social Work

2008-06-17T06:53:00.005-05:00

On Saturday, a woman in distress, fearful of an abusive husband finding her, decided not to buy a bus ticket out of town, and I began my weekend as a social worker (a human resource). Since it was lunch time, I drove her to Good Samaritan, and dropped her off, promising to drive her and her things to Park Place East, which has cheap clean rooms for rent.

She told me she was diagnosed bi-polar, and was taking medication. Days before, she had been to the Women's Center, but didn't stay long enough to receive help; and also SIRSS, without much help. Listening to her speak, I realized that her own manic thought processes and actions were causing her distraught condition -- and vice versa. Because she was homeless, I got permission from my own house manager for her to stay temporarily in a vacant efficiency apartment near my house.

On Monday, I spoke by telephone to two representatives at SIRSS (Laura and Pam), and met with Mary Campbell at Good Sam to find out what the system could do for the damaged damsel. Park Place East rejected her application for a room because of an unspecified ordinance violation.

Driving her to SIRSS afterwards, I had to pull the car over into the City Hall parking lot so she could throw up. She said she felt dizzy and weak. At 2:30 p.m. I brought her to the intake room at SIRSS, gave my cell phone number to the receptionist, and went about my bus'ness. At 5 o'clock, I phoned SIRSS, who told me she had left.

The last time I saw her she was sitting on a picnic bench at the rear of the SIRSS building with some guys smoking a cigarette. Some of her stuff is still in the apartment. I suspect I may be seeing her again. Her father lives in another state; he has my cell phone number. She probably should check herself in for treatment. Since her medication apparently is ineffective. If see her again, I will suggest that option.

The Case of Look-alike Patient
Now what are the odds of this happening? . . . Yesterday, after getting off the phone with SIRSS, I'm leaving Schnuck's Market and I see a guy I think I know -- a counselor at SIRSS. . . . As he approaches I say "Hi Sonny" and he sez "I'm not Sonny. I'm his patient." and I go "wuhh?" And he says he explains that the real one has a few more pounds on him. So I say, "Well Goodbye, Not Sonny." and go home. But later in the day, I run into both of them at SIRSS. Turns out the patient is quite an artist. He happened to have his portfolio with him. I snapped his photo, but it wouldn't be right to post it here. But I encouraged him to get hooked up with C'dale Arts to have a show at the Civic Center.

One final note on SIRSS.... If you were wondering what was happening with plans for a new building, the agency has purchased property across the street from its current facility on East College, and they have Capital Campaign going to get it built.

All that Twitters is not gold

2008-06-14T07:59:00.004-05:00

"A loyal fan" wants me to stop writing about Twitter. . . . a decision I had already made -- but not for the reason given by the fan (a few pennies from a Google ad-click). The fan has not been paying attention. I have repeatedly stated that I have little interest in analyzing C'dales woes and wonders -- except as they relate to my own activities.

For instance, picking up the Amtrak crew the past few days, I noticed that the traffic signals are no longer synchronized for smooth sailing (at 30 mph) all the way from Oakland St. to the Mall. I remember chatting with Jeff Doherty in his office 2-3 years ago, and him saying that he'd like to have people have to stop at the traffic signal at City Hall. He said he liked the idea of slowing things down, so people could look around. Not much to see, unfortunately. Very few people walk 'The Strip' of downtown Carbondale anymore. In fact, there is no "Strip."

Also this morning, I noticed the appearance of the Art Panels on the east side of the tracks at the Amtrak station.... Still unadorned with art, but the framework is in place. (I'll snap a photo and post it to Bytelife this afternoon.)

In conclusion, there's a lot of useless chatter on Twitter, but I can see its value for keeping in touch with friends and professional associates -- and for making new contacts and discoveries by following the links.

SIMful behavior

2008-06-12T09:20:00.003-05:00

Social Internet Marketing, or SIM, for short is a hot topic these days. A company in Raleigh, NC features stories about a couple of SIM clients, in Social Media IQ in Hub Pages, and my new favorite toy: Using Twitter: Smart Networking, or Reputation Disaster?

This is only my second day of SIMing with Twitter, so it's still too soon to tell how effective it will be. I do know that one local tweeter tailored her pants last night for a trip to Branson. She didn't say what she was wearing at the time, but I am wearing jeans and tee-shirt at the moment, my customary Greyhound ticket agent gear.

Mostly I've been focusing on work-related or media updates on Twitter -- somehow it eggs me on. And other social mediaites can be followed to -- like Ginger in Boston who discovered some new resources at this week's PRSA’s Digital Impact Conference, and reports on them in racetalkblog.com.

The "social media" scene in C'dale is retarded, due to the preponderant number of old-school paper-pushing sign-holders in the area. Just yesterday, two young sales people visited the Greyhound office to try to sell me advertising space in the directory. I explained to Ann and Benjamin it was a waste of money ($235 for a two line listing) for a business like mine, and probably for any business with a limited advertising budget. . . .I could publish the same directory for free at Shawnee Net. Would take a week or two (or several months!) since everything would have to be keyed-in, but that's a small price to pay for something free.

That's right, a "bwook"

2008-06-10T08:12:00.008-05:00

Over at Twitter, I hinted that I might not blog today. But how can I resist blogging about tweeting? 'Twould be like not talking about a big game or show you saw with friends.

Did you see the game last night, Bloggee? Or did you watch the City Council meeting on Cable Access? The agenda included an appreciation of retiring City Manager, Jeff Doherty. In a day or two the entire meeting will be available in audio.

I let loose a tweet or two last night, breadcrumbs along the community e-velopment trail . . . . (as this blog leaves more permanent markings of the journey). My plan is to convince local information purveyors (such as BE(E) at Main Street) to post their info to Shawnee Net or somewhere else that has an RSS feed, so folks like me can keep up with what's going on. I will do this, not by sending emails alone, but by personally visiting their offices and set up their free account. Twisting arms, if I must. If they refuse to get with the program -- the e-dification of The Dale -- then under the bus they go. And I'm just the guy who can do it.

Twitter has definitely made me more productive in the past 24 hours, although that may not be the case for everyone. Judging from the Twitter / Public Timeline most are like text messages to the world -- quite forgettable, but I may base a book on my tweets someday, the world's first bwook.

Tweet, tweet - there's been an 'quake

2008-06-10T00:42:00.005-05:00

According my latest tweet, I'm composing this blog post about Twitter.Com.

I'll begin by directing you to an article in The Star.com (thanks, tlev), Tweet, tweet - there's been an earthquake, which states:

"A little over a year into its life, Twitter appears to be reaching its tipping point – the threshold where mindless pastime ends and social relevance begins."

And it describes how "tweeters" alerted the world to the recent earthquake in China before anyone else. Another practical use of twittering (tweeting) can be read in Andy Carvin's Waste of Bandwidth: Almost Arrested for Taking Photos at Union Station in New York City.
which describes how this NPR photographer was hassled and banned by security guards:

Just got told by security to leave. Asked to speak with a supervisor to explain why we can't take pictures at union station.

But the best use of twittering so far must be this tale from Egypt: How to use Twitter to get out of jail - where the one word tweet "Arrested" spoke volumes, and saved the tweeter's ass from jail. (Not so lucky was his non-tweeting translator.)

For tweeting to work most effectively, a mobile phone with text capabilities is absolutely necessary. Otherwise you're limited to computer-only, like me (until I upgrade my phone plan.)

Social Networking in the Parking Lot

2008-06-09T19:27:00.002-05:00

Fresh from an afternoon of Twittering at home and office, I ran into a fellow "tweeter" in the parking lot outside of Family Video (that's me holding I'm Not There, the Dylan biopic where the main character is played by 5 different actors, including Cate Blanchett. . . . Get a load of those out-sized shades! My motorcycle goggles. But I digress).

KT is a computer specialist for the School of Journalism at SIU. He started back when I was on the faculty and using a Macintosh like everyone else in the Dept. I was faculty advisor for the original "S.A. Lukis" student advertising club that won a regional competition in Chicago. The prize was $25,000 in Mac equipment, which didn't buy as much computer as it does now. . . . But I digress. Again.

The subject of this post is Social Networking, the current buzz word on the 'net and in the news. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, The Aleluminati, the list is endless. I myself belong to several, most recently this Twitter deal....

So KT and I chatted about twitter and later we will twitter about chatting . . . by his car as his Little Caesar's pizza grew cooler on the car seat. We each snapped photos of the two of us together for our respective blogs. I challenged him to see who could get it posted first.... If I wasn't so wordy, I would have won, but KT beat me to it. And still I digress.

I think a really great place for Social Networking is inside Schnuck's. Just sit on the bench and see how many people stop to chat. That will make an interesting blog post.

All a'Twitter

2008-06-09T15:10:00.000-05:00

A new social networking sites has caught my eye called Twitter: What are you doing? where people continually update their latest activities. (brb, gotta twitter . . . ). This is great, I can start blogging about what I twitter about, and twitter what I blog about. Of course some stuff you wouldn't want to Twitter. (3:10 p.m. ... whacked off ... the heads of all the dandelions in the yard with a scythe purchased at Murdale True Value.)

I see some other local 'netters are already twittering, but only one was up-to-date today. The other two were a couple of weeks behind. You can follow these and other twitterers on line at the click of mouse ? My own exploits will be posted for as long as I continue twittering at twitter.com/lowercase_dave. Signing up is easy.

According the welcome email: The New York Times calls Twitter "one of the fastest-growing phenomena on the Internet." I don't know what to make of it yet, but when I find out, I'll twitter it, then blog it. Or perhaps the other way 'round.

Morris doesn't smell here anymore

2008-06-05T08:23:00.003-05:00

On a visit to Morris Library yesterday to renew my card, I noticed that the smell is not the same in the stairwell, due to new rubber-tread stairs. And the floors are mostly empty; bereft of books now housed in an annex bldg. on McLafferty Rd.

And the new sign-in procedure doesn't work, either, for reasons I'll explain to someone at the circulation desk this morning. If you have a Morris "Courtesy Card," eventually you'll have to do the same. If you don't have a "Courtesy Card" and live near SIU, then maybe you should get one. $10 per six months.

I don't mosey 'round in Morris like I did, when browsing was a tactile and olfactory experience. The digital is devoid of these, no walking down the aisle, viewing Pulliam clock tower out the window, or sitting on the 4th(?) floor balcony. The new library will be devoid of these as well.

I wonder how much time or money it would take to recreate the Morris Library scent. Never smelled anything quite like it in other libraries.

At large with Lynne & Jerry

2008-06-04T08:25:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I met "Biggest Loser" Jerry Lisenby (and his winning wife, Lynne), two trans-continental bicyclists taking a bus detour to Peoria for one of Jerry's speaking engagements. When they return to Carbondale later this month they will continue their bike trek across the continent to benefit the Children's Home of Illinois.

I'd like to host an event for Jerry and Lynne while they're here. Since he's a motivational speaker, a talk at the Public Library might be arranged . . . but he doesn't know about it yet. And I haven't heard his speech, yet I am motivated to take a look at a YouTube video of Jerry on the Today Show, which may be interesting to you if you're "getting up there" age- or weight-wise.

Reflowering

2008-05-31T20:08:00.001-05:00

The hack attack by Turkish hacker "iSKORPiTX" extended to all the web sites hosted by Shawnee Net. In 2006, he hacked more than 21,000 sites in a single day, sez Security Pro News. I should feel honored, sez PtG.

What happened is the home pages of the attacked site is replaced by Skorpy's page with a Turkish virtual flag fluttering above, and messages in four languages.

On the heels of server problems, and the subsequent hack attack, Shawnee Net site has been down for a 3 - 4 weeks, and it's still not back to where it was. A local geek tried to help, but he got a case of the drupals, and phoned-in sick-of-trying, due to an over-the-head-ache. Getting the site fully functional again is now job one for me.

Persistence in a righteous course brings reward, the I Ching saying goes. Another way of saying "Organization brings success," and Drupal offers a taxonomy platform for "Community Plumbing" that is unmatched in open source. Many cool websites use Drupal: The Onion, the New York Observer, and Yucatan Today, to name a few.

But all the high-tech information software in the world won't get the job done, if the folks in charge of things don't get the(ir) message(s) out. That includes city government, community organizations and businesses that fail to use electronic media to "get the word out."

I won't name names to blame for this failure (yet, because I'm hopeful a renewed persuasive push from me may water seeds I planted months ago), but kudos to Monica Tichenor and Beth Spezia at SIU-Public Broadcasting, and the news services at SIUC and JALC.

The new Shawnee Net theme is called "Forest Floor" and it has three columns (one of which I'm having trouble with at the moment). Still haven't mastered the color scheme, either, but the site will fully blossom soon.

Hack attack

2008-05-25T11:06:00.001-05:00

Surprised to find the Turkish flag flying on the Shawnee Net web site, with a message from Iskorpitx (TURKISH HACKER) , who has set some kind of record for hacking into web sites, according to Security Pro News.

And while Iskorpitx may be a super hacker, I am not impressed. Security at ShawneeNet has been lax, as the site is undergoing reconstruction.

Work to Bus & Bike 2 Work

2008-05-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

Negotiations for the new Greyhound Bus location (the BP gas station at 905 E. Main St.) have been complicated by the fact that Greyhound Lines Inc. recently cut the commission rate for small agencies like mine from a top rate of 12% to 9%, and the moving costs, plus the monthly rent will cost more than anticipated.

Been pondering how to complete a deal that will benefit all parties but me. . . . Try to work it so I don't lose money. One solution is to involve the crew at BP more than originally planned, and pay a percent of the 9%. How much is hard to say because it's only been 1 full month since the rate was cut.

If they can do the job, I can stay home in the morning and work on the blook, as well as the script for Hold the Sausage -- which can't be done, if I'm answering the questions of people who are "double checking" what the 800 number told them, or what they read online.

But until an agreement is settled with the BP folks, the move is stalled.

Meanwhile, Bike 2 Work Day came off nicely. Weather was permitting, and Global Gourmet box lunches were delicious. The trophy for the individual who rode the farthest went to a guy from SIU School of Microbiology, whose name I forgot to ask when handing him the trophy (but will). I only know he rode 12 miles. The prize for most members of a business or organization went to Morris Library who had 8 staffers ride their bikes to work, and to lunch at the Pavilion.

It would have been better (merrier) if members of the business community and the local bicycle club participated, but there are two big reasons why not. Some live too far away (they say), ore they are too fearful to bycycle on a busy street. Some don't want perspiration to spoil their day; and some, like Rotary Breakfast Club, and the Carbondale Bicycle Club don't participate (I believe) because they don't want to sanction anything sponsored by Mayor Brad Cole.

The antipathy to Cole goes back to the first year, when a baby shower was scheduled by the staff at City Hall for the same day (although City Mgr. Jeff Doherty rode . . . and now-retired assistant City Mgr. Don Monty was a year-round biker to worker, so the City was represented. Even Brad borrowed a bicycle an rode into the parking lot for the tv camera.)

Speaking of the tv camera, I tried to have a bit of fun while Cole was being interviewed by Channel 3, walking behind him during the interview with the guy who won the Year Round Rider trophy, but the station went with an extreme close-up of Cole's face, and only about 5 seconds of clip, so no comic hi-jinx were seen on the newscast.

Bye for now. It's almost time for me to bike to the bus station.

Beautiful day for a ride to work

2008-05-16T08:15:00.004-05:00

As noted elsewhere, today is Bike 2 Work Day; I'm stoked, spoked, and fit for a toke! Not a cloud in the sky. . . . A beautiful day for a ride, and everything is set for lunch at the Pavilion. Global Gourmet will cater the event; my mainn mann Darby McGrann will play guitar & croon a tune or two; and the trophies and prizes are good to go. . . . I hope there's a good turnout. . . . There's been a drop-off in participation since the first year, when even the City Manager joined in and rode to work.

If less people are involved, I blame myself. . . . I don't do enough of the person-to-person thing and follow-up. Not that I haven't tried; I've spoken one-on-one to various community and business leaders. Informally, but directly. And people pay lip service, but rarely pay hip service.

There are good reasons for not riding your bicycle to work today or any day -- too long a distance being the reason most people cite. Or not having a bike.

But those of you who know the freedom and joy of breezing along the street on a sunny Springy day like this one should ride their bicycles to Town Square this afternoon and spend an hour with some fellow travelers.

Caddy chic

2008-05-13T15:00:00.004-05:00

Preparing for future move to greener pastures, it's time to sell the old Caddy that brought me (back) here in 1996, when gasoline cost $1.30 per gallon.

It's been warehoused for 2-3 years, but last weekend, we got it started and moved into the sunlight for photos on Ebay, which has a helpful "Sell your vehicle" checklist (pdf).

Asking $750, but readers of this blog can get the "Bloggee Special" - $500, with a small magnetic statue of Mary for the dashboard thrown in.

Peddling Bike 2 Work Day 6

2008-05-12T07:39:00.008-05:00

Gotta get out and about today. Pick up gift certificates from local bicycle shops: The Bike Surgeon, Carbondale Cycles, and Phoenix Cycles, and ordering trophies from Carbondale Trophy for Friday's Bike 2 Work Day event at Town Square Pavilion.

I wonder if more businesses will participate this year? Perhaps an Arthur Agency vs. 1187 Creative bragging rights competition? I know that every single employee at Carbondale Greyhound will be riding a bicycle to work. If any luggage has to be picked up that day from Amtrak, I may have to tow the suitcase on my bicycle as I did a few weeks ago. (Quicktime). The video is tagged with promo for the local Bike 2 Work Day.

Fast friends

2008-05-11T08:46:00.003-05:00

One of the hats I wear is driver for a local company that transports Amtrak crew from station to motel and back, morning and night. Four days a week I drive, for the past couple of years, and I have met some cool conductors and ingenious engineers. Shall I use their real names? Conductors Dave, Stan, Josh, Jason, TT (the trophy-winning bike to worker), and engineers Jeremy, Steve, Bryan, and George? . . . No, I better not. ;-)

Over the months, we've had many brief conversations. Depending on who's riding, the conversation will be politics (local and national), sports, music, television, and sometimes Amtrak shop talk, which I do not overhear.

Adding up the minutes spent each day. It's more than I've conversed of some of my grown children in the past year. Those lovable train jockeys have become like family: like second-cousins, once removed.

George the engineer occasionally brings me a CD he has burned of new music: Ever heard of Ryan (not Bryan) Adams? A brilliant and prolific singer-songwriter. You can see him perform on Letterman courtesy of YouTube.

Conductor Dave-47 brings me the latest issue of The Onion humor magazine, which this week reveals a papal plot against the U.S. and a story about an "Area man determined to get money's worth from pay toilet." Dave himself is funnier than Onion. His strength is mimicry, but he gets off one-liners faster than a speeding locomotive. I should sign him as a client. Book him at PK's to warm-up the Tawl Paul crowd some night when the train gets in early. There has never been a really successful conductor comedian. He could be billed as Boxcar Bill. The only problem might be some heckler shouting out "All Are Bored!"

Speaking of Paul, Jeremy the engineer is a hard-core Paultard! Still supporting Ron Paul for President, because he opposes the Income Tax. I'll try to swing him to Obama before November. Convince him that Barack can fix the effed-up Federal Income Tax system -- as well as everything else that ails America -- when he gets in office. ;-)

One of the guys (actually two if you count Jeremy's ministership in the Church of Mail Order Ministers) is an ordained Baptist minister, who preaches at his church on Sundays (but never in the car). Like many other Americans, Rev. Stan is no fan of Obama's former pastor. Looks like Rev. Wright is getting thrown under the bus by Barack and the media as well.

Speaking of bus, the move of Carbondale Greyhound to the BP station on East Main St. has stalled due to no signed lease agreement yet, due to one thing and another. June 1 now seems the likely date accompli.

Speaking of dates, my Match subscription expires at the same time. I better get hooked up soon, or my choices may be limited to Greyhound bus customers (or bustomers as they're known in the biz). Unfortunately, things aren't working out with the nice woman for whom I created the blog of love last week. Turns out, she doesn't read blogs, because she is too busy with real life! Can you imagine that? I still love her, though. Just not in a bloggy way. Wow. That was fast. ;-)

Imagine no technical difficulties

2008-05-09T08:05:00.000-05:00

Our old friend Peter the Great notes the lack of frequent posts to this blog, suggesting that I might be out of town. Oh, I'm out of town alright -- at the Marberry Arboretum and Green Earth, enjoying the Spring sights and sounds.

The reason why I haven't been blogging much is the medium is 'old-hat' for me now. I need a new drug: Drupal could be it (sure sounds like a drug), but there have been technical difficulties with transferring files to a new server, causing the ShawneeNet aggregator to go completely down. It's always something, ain't it?

The new server is another story. I was hosting with a company in New Lennox, IL, but the service went south a few months ago, so when it came time to renew the contract I went with a spiffy-looking cheap hosting outfit called 3iX, which didn't work out (couldn't upload files for 4 days!) so I canceled the account, but they're dragging on refunding my payment. I should have investigated more before paying for a full year in advance.

So top priority is getting the Shawnee Net site up to speed again, with the aggregator and community blog components.

Another reason why I don't blog much about The Dale these days is . . . distractions of pop culture: the Presidential race (Obama all the way), the NBA Playoffs (Hornets all the way), American Idol (David Archuleta all the way. Watch David's amazing version of 'Stand by Me' on Tuesday's Idol. If you like it, his rendition of 'Imagine' ain't bad either.)

Speaking of standing and imagining . . . the manager of Longbranch, stood at the Greyhound ticket counter yesterday passing out a flyer for a meeting of the Historic Town Square Coalition. People in this town still don't get the virtue of virtual media. I could give you a list of names (and will, in my blook) of business and organizational leaders who fail to use electronic media to promote their things. If you find Longbranch's menu on the internet, it's because I scanned it and posted it, at no charge to the Branch, years ago.

Call me a dreamer, Bloggee, but I believe the people of Carbondale, Illinois want better information delivery.

Imagine no news paper, I wonder if you can,
Nothing to recycle, or throw in the trash can
Imagine all the people, linked by silicon . . .
Yahoo-oo-oo may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one.
I hope some day, Carbondale Community Arts, Main Street, the Chamber of Commerce, etcetera will join us
And the town will be more fun.

the blook of love

2008-05-05T07:30:00.005-05:00

We know who wrote Book of Love, but who (I wonder) will write the blook of love? Months ago, I signed-up for Match.com (endorsed by Dr. Phil) to meet a bicycle-riding woman in Portland, Oregon, where I plan(ned) to relocate when my work in Southern Illinois was done.

But now, it's certain I'll be staying here in C'dale for at least another year, due to expanding opportunities with Greyhound, and local-focus projects, like the ShawneeNet web site (completely down at the moment, due to technical difficulties beyond my time to figure out), the Vegetable House film, and the (long-promised, now on back-burner) blook.

Oh, and I met a nice local woman, who's on the front burner.

Shall I write the Blook of Love? To start, I'll need a blog of love -- and her permission. ;-)

If I were on City Council

2008-04-30T07:56:00.007-05:00

I was relieved when back in ought-5, i lost my bid for Carbondale City Council in the preliminary round. I wonder how my fellow candidates are doing now. I heard about Angie Kaye on the news the other day, where she's webmastering something, but I don't think she's keeping up her blog. Rhett Barke I see at Schnucks once in a while. Don't see Fritzler or Wissmann; nor TyJuan Cratic. I supposed the closest friendship I formed from the experience was with Hugh Williams.

If I were on City Council, I would have pressed to relocate the Amtrak Station across the tracks to Washington St.: which would make the Amtrak property available for commercial development. Maybe it would have been shot down, like my request to have the Greyhound bus stop in the 200 block of N. Washington.

Something has definitely got to give with the combined bus-train ("intermodal") depot, like in Champaign. There is talk among state legislators and local politicians to make it happen, but ground will not be broken for a local project for several years, is my bet.

(Speaking of bets, looks like I'll hafta payoff on mine with Tom Miller, that Katie Curic would last at least 3 years.)

If I were on City Council, the Mayor would have (had) a comedic foil worthy of his world class smart-assiness. As it is, only Wissmann and McDaniel seem to appreciate his one-liners. It would be funny to assemble an amusing "reel" of Cole cracks followed by Wissmann's seconding laughter (I'll try to make one from the next City Council meeting I listen to, promise).

If I were on City Council, I would write about the experience, as it transpired, commenting on the stupid things some City Councilors say. It might be fun to put together a Haynes lowlight reel. If I were on City Council, I'd do it.

If I were on City Council, I would support Mayor Cole's efforts to rebuild a City that got run down due to poor decisions by previous City Councils.

I would put forward a proposal to give City official "Home of Dome" status, a better slogan than "Haven't You Heard." The Geodesic Dome invented by former local Buckminster Fuller would be a good symbol for the City, a viable vision from the City's recent past, as shown by efforts by a local group to preserve Fuller's home. The Arena Dome could be reconfigured as geodesic when it is upgraded.

Since I am not on City Council (thank dawG, some say!), I pay little attention to City politics. What I know I read in the Bytelife blog; or the City's audio of the meetings; or from periodic meetings with the mayory old soul, himself.

If Maggie were Mayor

2008-04-22T07:31:00.002-05:00

Looking around Carbondale today, I wonder how much of what we see (or don't see) is because this blog supported Brad Cole for Mayor back in 2003. Hard to tell, but the landscape would certainly be different. Maggie had a Renaissance Vision; Cole had a Reconstruction Vision. Since he's been mayor, nearly 3 dozen buildings have disappeared from view.

Would Jim Jarvis and Cycletech still be located in the now-demolished dairy building, along with Gasoline Alley if Maggie were elected instead of Cole? Would Selmier-Peerless still be crumbling on the corner of Washington & Walnut?

Would K-Mart building be empty? Would TIF District approval have occurred; would First Southern Bank be there?

My reasons for supporting Cole back then were due primarily to Ms. F's 4x failure to reply to email messages concerning the swimming pool issue. By then, Cole had sufficiently impressed with his follow-through and willingness to go along with some of my ideas.

Would things be stagnant if Flanagan had been elected? (If she had, Sheila Simon would not have run for Mayor in the last election.) Tom Redmond would still be working at his job.

I saw Maggie recently at a musical event at Hangar 9. She looked great, and told me of her family's effort to grow organic grapes on land east of town.

Cole, I get to visit with in his office, every two or three months. Will see him at Bike 2 Work Day on May 16 . . . . Would there be a Bike 2 Work Day if Maggie were Mayor? Sure. Why not?

This post could shape up as a chapter in my blook, so the next time I see Cole and Flanagan, I'll ask them what they think.

Shake, rattle & (rock 'n') roll

2008-04-16T19:33:00.008-05:00

Like many others in the Midwest this morning, I was awakened by the shaking of my bed and rattling windows -- the result of what has since been labeled a 5.2 earthquake stemming from the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, located in Southeastern Illinois and Southwestern Indiana.

I rolled out of bed and threw up the window sash. Nope, wasn't Santa and 8 reindeer on the roof. Nor was there a division of tanks rolling down my street. This was my first plus 3.0 earthquake, and I was surprised no knick-knacks fell from shelves, but I rearranged my Simpsons action figures anyway, and returned to bed and sleep, wondering if some modern-day Tecumseh predicted this unexpected shifting of the earth's plates.

Today, it's the hot topic for discussion, but you may find Pandora Radio - Free Internet Radio more satisfying in the long run. I found 14 different versions of "Shake, Rattle, Roll," including: Bill Haley & His Comets, Big Joe Turner (the original), Elvis Presley, Joe Turner, Johnny Horton, Billy Swan, Clifton Chenier, Snooks Eaglin, Deep River Boys, Jeff Healey, Sam Cooke, Ernie K-Doe, Joe Williams, NRBQ.

Speaking of jobs

2008-04-13T21:10:00.003-05:00

Fernando Trevino may be out of job, but Jessica Bradshaw, the ticket bookster, has found full-time employment at SIU -- which means an opening at Greyhound for someone with computer experience, problem-solving personality, patience, and ability to collect money and give change 2-3 hours per day. I am certain that Fernando could handle it.

I could have used him yesterday, since my cosmopolitan, diverse City does not currently have a Spanish-speaking police or community service officers on duty. But English-speaking Officer Rebecca Mooney kindly stayed with an unfortunate Spanish-speaking woman who got left behind by the Greyhound bus, due to misunderstanding. She was very upset, in Spanish. . . . Jim at Amtrak phoned me and I drove over to investigate and help. Turns out she was the parent of a client at CCS (Center for Comprehensive Services) who eventually came to her aid with their vehicle. I plan to follow up on this with someone from The City. It seems unbelievable there isn't a Spanish speaking employee on City administrative or law enforcement.

I made it to another house of worship today, for my blook A Month of Sundays; this week to the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, where an internationally-known speaker inspired everyone, and I saw some old friends and met some new ones.

Got the rugby video completed yesterday, but the soundtrack did not get fully uploaded, which you can see/hear for yourself. No expert on video formats, I'll trial-and-error it again when I have time. I guess that's how YouTube makes it simpler, by standardizing, but I wanted to post it on the Vegetable House movie website.

Speaking of movie websites, been checking out the web sites of three forthcoming "stoner" movies. Harold and Kumar's site is the best . . . for entertaining uploading, but I like the marketing promotion by the producer of "Super High Me." on April 20. (Can you guess what time?) Maybe it can be shown at the Big Muddy Independent Media Center.

The photo above of Old National Bank -- with the Man-Tra-Con sign in front -- is there because I told the receptionist I would write something about it in my blog, including a link to the corporate web site.

Time to get started on a job I've been postponing.

Rugby shoot

2008-04-09T08:00:00.003-05:00

With Final Four action in San Antonio and the All-Fools Rugby Tournament in Carbondale, sports were on my mind on Saturday. Didn't see the NCAA, but shot some video of rugby matches for Vegetable House 2: Hold the Sausage. Spent most of Sunday putting it to music ("Start the Commotion" by The Wiseguys (performed on YouTube), so stay tuned. It'll be linked here when it's completed.

Hill and Dale Travelers

2008-04-07T07:01:00.005-05:00

FOREVER JUNG: But one plate falls, and another begins to spin: . . . . One year after his too-young passing, collection of essays by Jim Jung is in the works. Going back to the 2000 edition of Waterman & Hill-Traveler's Companion, through 2007, the last almanac published before he died.

Local book maven Jessica Bradshaw is helping edit, and Terry Clark, marketing chair, will sit on the sales committee. Yesterday, I met the guy who bought Jim's house. He plans to donate specimens of plants and herbs from the yard to Green Earth. Also, if you knew Jim and his wife Ruby, you may be interested in her news!

Prof. Clark and I had a brilliant conversation a month ago at Pinch Penny Pub. It was hilarious. About "image" advertising, in particular a spot that was run for SIUC. . . . Couldn't find it on YouTube though. The upshot of our disagreement was "What is the message?" Until I see the actual ad, I will not know the answer, because Prof. Clark could not tell me! ;-)

Information Specialists

2008-04-03T08:23:00.004-05:00

Following through on my post to Bytelife last week, the April 2, 2008 City Council meeting has been updated with the audio links, thanks to Mark Jones, the City's IT guy. Interesting to learn that someone in City government sees the need for a public information official. Until they hire one, I'll try to fill in. . . . with the help of Google Docs, Drupal content management, and information specialists like Beth Spezia of WSIU, who posted a news release to the WSIU Public Broadcasting blog at ShawneeNet, yesterday . . . all by herself, without me bugging her, the way I have to do with most people who would benefit from blogging. How many information specialists are there in Carbondale? There are two kinds: the content providers, like SIUC guy Mike Ruiz and the SIUC News Service and Spezia, and technical enablers, like Jones or Jamie Throgmorton, who set up the WDBX stream.

To make Carbondale's information easily accessible to all, the cooperation of these professionals is needed. For the next few weeks, I'll try to track them down: the web gurus and news nerds who make Carbondale's clock tock. Perhaps some video.

blogger on the roof

2008-04-02T18:35:00.003-05:00

This afternoon, after work, I went up on the roof with some duct tape, staple gun, and heavy duty trash bag, hoping to stem the leak from my bedroom ceiling.

Although I got a tenuous foothold, I couldn't move enough to cover the whole spot -- it simply was too steep.

Still, I'd like to climb up there again some sunny day and take a panoramic photo: there are some nice old buildings in the neighborhood.

forecast stimulates upward mend

2008-04-02T10:35:00.006-05:00

Another rain storm is the weather forecast, and my roof still leaks. Instead of writing this, I should try to get it repaired. I phoned the property manager to see if she can someone to patch it up today. If not, I can try to fix it myself.

One job I wouldn't try myself is circumcisioner (mohel). The subject came up recently concerning the future of my grandson's foreskin, which currently is attached to the rest of his 3-day old body. Knowing what I know now, (if I had a choice) I wouldn't have had it done to myself, nor to the son who plans to put his own son under the knife.

A staple gun, some duct tape and a heavy duty garbage bag might do the trick . . . temporarily.

I informed my son the people in the circumcision ward don't work for tips; he said the procedure costs $250. Ouch.

It would hurt more than my pocketbook if I fall from the roof while fixin' the hole where the rain gets in and stop my mind from wanderin'.

Corporations p(l)ay the fool

2008-04-01T09:10:00.002-05:00

No foolin': Funny Business leads to profits through a newly launched website from The Corporate Jester, Jeff Rogers, and a new book by David Riveness reveals The Secret Life of the Corporate Jester.

Perhaps I've found my niche: Greyhound bus jester.

Poster boy

2008-03-29T10:25:00.003-05:00

It's good to get out of the house, away from the keyboard and monitor, and meet with folks for some chat and chew, or sip and quip. . . . Friday night, I showed up at the Chamber - Main Street Open House, said 'hi' to hostesses Meredith, Lisa, Megan, and attendees like Councilman Lance Jack and Citizen Hugh Muldoon, Boys & Girls Club Director Randy Osborn, and Sam and Sue, owners of My Favorite Toys at University Mall, which has "toys you can't buy at Wal-Mart."

Of course, I advocated using the internet to promote their business, since (for most businesses, for most situations) corporate media advertising is a waste of money. Been preaching that since early 90's when I got religion, PR style.

Posters are a useful type of print advertising, however. I got one (pictured left) about the Art & Wine Fair on Jackson Street and adjacent lots. Street closed, live music, and . . . I'll post it at Greyhound office.

After an hour of hangin' with the Main Streeters, walked up to Hangar 9 to hear one of my housemates jam with some other musicians, including a few remaining blades of Broken Grass. Robert has amazing blues pickin' skills. He's always practicin' overhead in his room above the kitchen when I'm making coffee. It's nice having him for a housemate, since he's on the road a lot with his regular band.

I also saw my dear friend "Jalapena" at The Hangar with Maggie Flanagan and some other folks I didn't know. A singer herself, she'll be performing at Hangar next week with Robbie Stokes backup.

Listened again to Stoke's classic "All American City" recently (originally released as a 45 rpm). . . . I'd like to make a music video of it -- it's quite an epic composition (penned by his grandfather, and song by Robbie nearly 30 years ago). Apparently, it hasn't yet been uploaded to the audio file, so I must get on that. . . Back in 2004, Robbie and I made a deal for me to sell the 45's and donate $ to the Hurd Brothers Scholarship Fund at Southeastern College, which I still intend to do, although I haven't done much with it since then (one of those forgotten plates). I will transcribe the lyrics for the product description. The entire song is nearly 5 minutes long; it begins (mp3) . . . "The All American City, our history goes back in time here in the heart of Little Egypt land on the good old IC line . . . "

Speaking of 45 rpm, I bought a tuner at a church yard sale (Calvary on Poplar) and a turntable at thrift store yesterday, so my classic vinyl platters can be digitized.

Despite my appreciation for printed posters and tee-shirts, I still could be the poster boy for digital media -- except for not owning an iPhone or Blackberry. It will be a few years before one of those finds itself on a table next to a toaster at a yard sale.

Fragmentary Friday

2008-03-28T08:46:00.003-05:00

People ask how many blogs I currently maintain: about a dozen. Doesn't take much time if I don't write expansively in every one. So excuse me if I don't analyze the irony of the 76ers turnaround without Iverson, and the Nuggles struggles to make the playoffs; or speculate on how McCain will gain as Democrats and Iraqis continue fighting; or give shout outs to my homies at Graydog's who never read this blog; or bitch about (short list of) local community leaders who continue to retard the local internet scene; or sing the praises of my favorite American Idol contestants; or comment on a recent discovery in the Northwest; or update plans to relocate the ticket office and bus stop at the BP Station on E. Main (BP stands for Bus Place, in this case); or plug tonight's Open House at the Chamber-Main Street offices; or detail continuing efforts to rid my PC of whatever's hijacking the internet connection.

Sometimes it's difficult deciding where to break certain news, such as Jeremiah Wright flap, or the great news I received last night. Two words: Jacob William.

Windfall Wednesday

2008-03-26T08:01:00.014-05:00

Keeping with the Alliterative Adjective Day-of-the-Week, theme, Wednesday has several possibilities: Wacky, Weird, Wonderful, Wedding, Wet, Wild and Windy. Still haven't finished drafts of "Monkey Monday" and "Doozy Tuesday" published yet. Been dealing with a virus on my HP Pavilion caused by unwise downloading at The Pirate Bay.

Still keeping up with all my blogs on my laptop, with others in the works: a pop culture blog, and one for people over 50.

My $100 7.0 megapixel camera is working fine, so far. Been video'ing bicycle rides to work and around town for a video, The Way of the Bike, Carbondale-style.

Speaking of bikes, I've got to write a press release for the Chamber director to send to members about Bike 2 Work Day, May 16. I'll try to have it done before tomorrow night's Chamber of Commerce/Carbondale Main Street Open House, 5-7pm. When it gets done, it will be linked to right here.

What else is new? Looks like an Ebay service may be offered in its place when Greyhound moves out in May. People can bring there stuff there to sell online. Also, thinking about setting up a small computer station, say 3-5 computers to teach classes on using different applications in the same space. My landlord Charley Greer thinks people would pay to learn the things they need to know. I know I would. . . .

I need a virus removal class right about now. . . . Firefox opens, but can't connect to anything, and IE7 goes to rogue websites, with pop-ups offering to scan my system. (My system should be obvious: Like cooked spaghetti, throw it on the ceiling and see if it sticks (much easier than spinning plates. ha ha).

Speaking of Greyhound, yesterday was special, as in especially difficult, but eventually we got this desparate couple on the road to California, thanks to the owners of Truley's Country Kitchen, who really stepped up and helped those guys.

Speaking of stand up guys, I snapped a photo of Charley sitting outside this morning. He's always dressed real nice, because he's buys fashionable stuff for his Urban2 store. Don't be surprised if you see me dressed to the 9's someday (at the Carbondale Chamber - Main Street Open House on Friday. I should ask Charley to suit me up real fly for the publicity.

This afternoon I had a super meeting with a business guy who likes this blog. We lamented the virtual retardation of the community leaders when it comes to getting their information of the web timely and accessibly. It's unbelieveable, really, how many people are afraid to step into a blog and begin talking the walk -- people whose business and organizations would benefit from exposure. (For instance, try to find any mention of tomorrow's Open House on the Main Street site. At least the Chamber website has some details.

I guess the saying is true, "You can lead a leader to Blogger.Com, but you can't make them click."

Great Good Friday

2008-03-21T07:33:00.003-05:00

Followed by Ash Wednesday, Good Friday is the solemnest day of the year for the world's Christians, because it marks the anniversary of Christ's crucifixion. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia the origin of the term Good is not clear:

Some say it is from "God's Friday" (Gottes Freitag); others maintain that it is from the German Gute Freitag, and not specially English. Sometimes, too, the day was called Long Friday by the Anglo-Saxons.

Hoping for a great Good Friday, today. Meeting Ruby Jung to discuss publishing her late husband's essays as a book -- something I said I'd do at Jim's funeral a year ago. Haven't done much yet, except for retyping his first published essay. Today, we'll choose the other essays to include, selected from the 7 annual editions of his Waterman & Hill-Traveler's Companion. Jim was a fine writer, and his pithy explanations of complex phenomena is unequaled in Southern Illinois nature writing.

Earlier this week, I got together with the guy who introduced to Jim three decades ago. A guy who at the time drove a bus for the transportation service, but now has risen to become the marketing maven of SIU. Guess who? We drank some beer at Pinch Penny and got into a heated exchange about the meaning of the new SIUC image ads, with the tag: There are # stories, what's yours? I tried to find the ad at the SalukiDawgs YouTube, without success.

It's also been a week of meeting Coles: with Brad, the Mayor (about the City's possible participation in a city-wide informational website); and Megan at Main Street about the Town Square art fair this Spring, and Melissa Cole in England, who loves great beer.

The great Meredith Rhodes also met with me last week -- to discuss the Chamber's participation in this year's Bike 2 Work Day. She says she'll ride herself, and publicize the event to members. Since Rhodes is such a Beatles fan, like me, we're thinking this years event can have Beatles theme, and Chamber can provide "Tickets to Ride" at downtown businesses.

Other projects still spin away, and new ones appear. Just bought a new digital camera to replace my trusty Canon Powershot, which has seen better days. Got a great deal on a 7.0 mega pixel camera at Aldi! Will try the video feature today, and upload something over the weekend.

Saint for a day

2008-03-18T11:48:00.008-05:00

Saint Barack appeared in Philadelphia today, to preach a 37 minute speech of reconciliation and improvement, to quell the outcry over his former Pastor's anti-American pronouncements. The most important speech of his campaign, already it's been clipped and edited by enemies, who doubt his righteousness, for political opportunity.

Yesterday was another Saint's day, and today, a list of different holy men are honored by the Catholic Church:

St. Cyril of Jerusalem

St. Alexander

Bl. Christian

St. Salvatore

St. Edward the Martyr

St. Anselm of Lucca

Sts. Trophimus & Eucarpius

St. Salvator of Horta

St. Frediano

St. Narcissus and Felix

Although he isn't Catholic, his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright seems like a saintly man. I wonder what he has to say today? Does he stand by "God damn America?" Perhaps it doesn't matter -- Obama did a brilliant job of putting Jeremiah's invective in perspective, and pointing to a better future for all Americans . . . even the ignorati.

To further distance himself from Wright, Barack should consider adding his name to the growing list of Roman Catholic converts. This would score some major points with the most influential Catholic in America, and give BHO an excellent chance of achieving official Sainthood following his second term of miracle-working as President.

Amberer than her

2008-03-17T10:58:00.004-05:00

St Patrick's Day is a big deal in some circles. Being only half-Irish, not so much for me. St. David's Day, the Patron Saint of Wales, is more my thing, since I prefer amber-colored ale to green. But here's to Ireland, in her emerald glory; and to Greener Than Thou, for telling this story.

City of Carbondale - Organizational Chart

2008-03-11T12:43:00.006-05:00

Look at it. The City paid $25,000 for its web site five or six years ago, and the organizational chart is barely legible -- not to mention other problems with the site. Time for a new improved version -- which happens to be one of the items on the City Council budget agenda.

. . . To speed the process, accounts have been created for selected City and University publicity people for the Shawnee Net site, so they can post their press releases to one convenient and permanent location, where all local organizations can be represented.

For it to work, follow-through is needed by people in these organizations. Carbondale has been soooo slow in getting itself wired, and by 'itself' I mean the business and professional community, and by 'wired' I mean interconnected via internet. Besides email, not much intra-city communication takes place. And that's because of lack of leadership. I try to lead from here, pecking and clicking, urging (just about) everyone to blog, but it usually takes personal contact with individuals to get it going.

Yesterday, through the power of a phone call, Monica Tichenor, Coordinator of Public Information for WSIU public broadcasting, activated an account. It may only be a temporary expedient -- eventually the station's Public Information will have its own home, like SIU News Service -- but it's a start.

I'm hoping others will follow Monica's lead, and City staffers who currently send out press releases by email will take a minute (literally) to cut and paste them into the Shawnee Net "City of Carbondale" blog. . . . Ditto the Chamber of Commerce, the Arbor District, the Boys & Girls Club, and the rest, who aren't active in the blogosphere.

A Month of Mondays

2008-03-10T07:48:00.003-05:00

Usually, a blog post begins with a title, and sometimes a better title is suggested as the post develops. This title has probably been used before. Shall we google it? Appears no one has written a book with that title yet, but there is a band by that name, and bunch of other stuff -- but no book. Here's the concept: two drinking buddies go to 30 different pubs, one per week, for 30 Mondays, sampling the micro-brews from hither and yon. Snap a photo of the building, a few interior shots, and some quotes from the bartender. It's a concept that might work in other venues and other days, such as "A Fortnight of Fridays" visiting restaurants that serve fish. I feel another blog coming on.

CSS Investigation

2008-03-06T07:17:00.008-06:00

Through the power of cascading style sheets (CSS), more color and texture have been added to this blog. The backgrounds are details of Victor DeGraff sand paintings, like this .

The sand painting textures are only experimental; eventually, something more locally-themed will be used.

In like a lion . . .

2008-03-04T10:33:00.002-06:00

The old saying that the month of March "comes in like a lion, and out like a lamb" is half true, so far. Another storm front looms. Not as bad as the first ice storm in February, but freezing rain is in the picture, and more snow on Friday. The weather has not disrupted Greyhound bus service, nor has it set back plans to move the agency office in May.

Yesterday, I met the gentleman who runs the BP station on East Main St., and we all but sealed the deal. Someone from the DE contacted me, too, but -- until the contract is signed -- the announcement is not official. You'll be the first to know, Bloggee. The tentative opening day is May 1. Maybe we can have a ribbon cutting, you know, something different, like instead of ribbon, cut a length of tire inner tube.

The Lion-Lamb saying about March is offered as an example of Axiomatic Project Managing by consultant Carl Pritchard, as a way to build professionalism. Carl says we choose maxims which resonate with us and apply them in our daily lives. Safety first is one example. Some might call it a mantra, the thing(s) we tell ourselves repeatedly.

"If you find a few that resonate with you, they can become your signature. They can become a small component of what you represent. . .

My mantras are lyrics of Todd Rundgren songs. I think it's good to keep your mantra(s) secret. On the other hand, Pritchard is talking about maxims and wise sayings that have stood the test of time, like Benjamin Franklin's classic Lack of care does more harm than lack of knowledge. About the March saying, Pritchard speculates

In like a lion... So many projects start that way. Blustery. Confused. Cold. Relationships uncertain. The future looking downright Arctic. And yet, is it not those projects that (because of the investments we make in making them right) that go out like lambs? And conversely, those that we ignore or consider "easy pickings" from the beginning turn into the "lions" at the end?"

True enough. But with news alerts from Google, unruly blogs can be tamed, easy as shepherd's pie.

February made me shiver

2008-02-29T08:49:00.009-06:00

. . . with every ticket I delivered . . . no news of the home front, which I know you want. ;-) Instead I started a new blog about two of my favorite NBA teams, and updated several others: Graydog's Blog, the pro-Obama political blog In This Corner, the 9/11=.81 blog, the Hold the Sausage movie blog, the Colbwhat's'isname blog, and the pro-cannabis blog Hemp Sense. Meanwhile, local blogs requiring attention include the Bike 2 the Future blog, On The Square Online, Bark to the Future, and Heartland Artland.

Thinking of launching a new pop culture blog, to comment on American Idol and other TV shows, such as Craig Ferguson (what's with that guy? He's manically funny. Just discovered him, but can't stand watching very long. Jimmy Kimmel still rules that time slot on my TV, especially since his recent sexy video of him with Ben Affleck If you haven't seen it, first watch Sarah Silverman's video about her "fucking Matt Damon."). I could call the new pop culture blog The Idle American, if the name is not already in use. It is. Maybe Procrastination Nation is available. I'll look it up next month.

March time's on.

Plate techtonics

2008-02-22T07:46:00.005-06:00

The circus metaphor of spinning plates on sticks provides an overview of my entrepreneurial activity. The plates represent different projects, and the sticks are blogs created to whip the projects into shape. Sometimes, a plate can wobble through inactivity, and fall to the ground, like homeofthedome.com, and cyberdale.us, two spur-of-the-moment domains obtained, inspired by my own rhetoric! ;-), like with walterwendler.com a few years ago.

If spun the right way, the plates become frisbees flying into receptive minds of readers and consumers, as in the case of Marry the Mayor dot com, which got too big for its breeches and eloped.

The simple plate provides another metaphor for action: turn it over, and it's heaped with food, a 'full plate' of things to do.

Spinning plates and having a full plate are metaphors for effort, even when the plate feels like a manhole cover:

Updating Shawnee Net web site and revisiting long-dormant blogs, improving formats and adding Google ads. Makes sense!
Carbondale After Blog b(l)ook --this plate is on the back burner, due to limited writing time. Last week, I used free software called Sprout to make a Flash-based promo, including an audio clip of City Councilman Joel Fritzler's take on blogs, and posted it on Shawnee Net. And speaking of sprouts:
Vegetable House -- The seed for this project was planted in 1995: a film script about the comic comeuppance of meat-eaters and vegetarians on a college campus. Although the story is set in a fictional town, there will also be some recognizable C'dale figures making an appearance. Brad Cole as a sarcastic waiter? Walter Wendler as manager at Wendy's? And who will play the role of "Holiest Man Alive"? Treesong?
Sands of Time -- Selling "sand prints" of sand paintings by (the late, great) Victor DeGraff, especially the painting of the now-demolished Stage Company building, colored with actual brick from the building. The prints are printed on special sandpaper, so the feel of the original is reproduced.
Two new volumes of Between the Rivers local music compilations: of keyboard virtuoso's (piano and organ) and vocalists. The web site needs a spin or two.
Move the local Greyhound bus station to a better location on Main St. in May, when the lease expires on the current space on N. Washington St.
Open an Ebay sales service in the Washington St. space when the Greyhound ticket office moves out.
This year's Bike 2 Work Day is rolling around. Last year's event led to the creation of a new domain spokesfolks.info, which has been dormant. It should be redirected to the Bike 2 The Future blog or vice versa.
St. David's Day will be here in 9 days. On March 1, everyone should drink some amber colored ale or lager -- to commemorate a Celtic Saint! Why wait until March 17 to green beer? Amber is better. This year, I'll repost the "St. Dave's Day" stuff I wrote in the mid-90's, before the internet ruled. The Beer Philos'pher has created a cool social network web site called Aleluminati, that's really taken off in two short weeks, with about 66 members worldwide, counting The BP's wife. ;-)
Least, but not last, the long dormant, cobweb-ridden Shawnee Shopping store got a spin from the Southern Illinois Specialties lady yesterday. Look for more changes on that site soon.

Spinning plates is also called 'multi-tasking', which isn't as vivid a phrase. But "task" is the operative term. Each item on the list has many details to get done . . . important details like finding a cameraman and actors for the Rugby tournament on April 5, and changing the orange color of the beer in St. Dave's mug to amber.

Hopefully, this post will keep this blog spinning, as I get on the stick for those other projects.

Well thawed-out script

2008-02-15T07:39:00.011-06:00

The ice is slowly melting . . . side roads are still treacherous in spots; my bicycle went our from under me on a side street at 6 a.m., but the morning Amtrak crew for the morning Amtrak has been on time everyday despite the storm. The Greyhound bus schedules to Carbondale didn't run for 2 days, although the local office was open.

Obama's fired up, and so am I! Some people (exaggeraters like Jeff Rense) are negative about him, like with Cole, but for different reasons. They say he sez he'd invade Pakistan to get Osama, if there were actionable intelligence. Unfortunately, Bush has given the phrase "actionable intelligence" a bad name, although it's not a bad band name.

I'm fired up for different reasons than Barack. Now that the writers' strike is over, I can begin revising the script for Vegetable House. Since it was originally penned (literally) in 1999, it needs updating, with more t(r)opical and hip references.

Casting is currently underway. Looking for a Stephen What's-'is-name look-alike for starring role. Will begin shooting on April 5, at the All Fool's Rugby Tournament.

Think I'll add a blogger to the story. A female geek named "Meg O'Lomania" played as a cross-dressing Arab. Going for campus cult classic: Animal House meets Dogma.

Master of your domain

2008-02-13T07:22:00.003-06:00

No, not that domain. ;-) The other day, I got an email from a guy who owned the dot.com domain names for two well-known people in town -- wanting to know if I'd be interested in acquiring them. I didn't ask how much, because I wasn't interested. I think because I own Walter Wendler dot com, he thought I'd want to speculate on others. No.

I never pay more than $10 for a domain name. Yesterday, I purchased the domain name "holdthesausage.com" for the film I'm working on. Two years ago, I bought my own name domain.

How about you, Bloggee? Are you "master of your domain"? If not, go to GoDaddy and see if it's available. Then you can have your own home page, or redirect it to another site, as I did with walterwendler.com.

Sand man passes

2008-02-07T07:36:00.000-06:00

My friend Victor DeGraff, the sand painter, died suddenly on Tuesday, driving home from Art Lovers Trading Company, after dropping off a drawing by a fellow artist for an upcoming show. His car crashed into a ditch on Cobden Road. Victor was 87 years old, with a heart condition

His heart condition was he loved life -- especially art, music and good movies. . . and dining with friends.

Victor was a very active man. Not just "for his age" but for any age. As an artist, he was prolific, always working on a new sand painting or design idea. Like the man, his art is ageless.

Yesterday, I spent a few hours scanning & uploading his bird paintings. Today, I'll do the cave paintings; then the landscapes, seascapes, and abstract designs over the weekend.

Prints of most his paintings will be available through Art Lovers.

I'll miss Vic. He was a special friend.

Cole for Rudy

2008-02-06T10:20:00.000-06:00

I see where Rudy Giuliani got one delegate. It could have been our own Mayor Brad Cole, who was listed on the Republican ballot as a delegate of Rudy. Must be a Mayor to Mayor thing. Brad probably would have supported John Lindsay back in the day. A Mayor has ever been elected President, though a few have run.

I consider Cole 'a friend of the show', so I overlook his card-carrying Republican politics (as he forgives my free-thinking ways). If he can engineer the revival of the Varsity Theater, he can drag me to a Giuliani rally, for all I care. Since Rudy has thrown his support to John McCain, he's positioning himself to be Vice-Presidential nominee. Wanna bet?

And if the 72 yr old McCain kicks the bucket, it's Ghoulie time, baby.

Split decision

2008-02-06T09:16:00.000-06:00

Now that a certain project has been relegated to a better place, this blog can focus once again on me -- what I'm thinking and doing where, with whom, and sometimes why.

Yesterday's "Super Tuesday" electoral results were disappointing since I hoped Barack would win decisively, but apparently, it was a split decision: Top Democrats Trade Victories. CNN thinks the results may help Obama. We can hope.

Another split decision is with my girlfriend of four years, so I'll be solo at the WDBX Zodiac Ball. I'll be feeling kinda low, because my idea to rename our fair City went "down the old Carbondale - Paducah Corridor," as the saying goes.

The Heiress dumps on You-know-who!

2008-02-06T07:48:00.000-06:00

As a rule, I don't publish comments that use one of George Carlin's 7 dirty words. Or negative statements without some glimmer of support. But "The Heiress" sez the phrase "Paducah-Carbondale Corridor" sounds like the lower portion of her intestinal track and "the idea to name anything after Colbert" is (hold your ears and nose, Bloggee) an 'equally shitty idea.' Ouch.

Of course, it is ridiculous to rename Carbondale You-know-what-dale. Yet the process is instructive, and leads to interesting byways. I'm guessing those who hate the idea do not watch the Colbert Report, or 'get it', if they do. Stephen's an acquired taste, but his speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2006 won me over.

Now I see where he will be a special guest at a New Jersey theater gala, at $350-$500 a plate. How cool would it be for him to come to the 'Dale! Theater lovers hereabouts would gladly throw down $35 - $50 per plate to raise money for The Jackson County Stage Company, which will need thousands to refurbish the Varsity Theater.

In any event, "Please God Make It Stop" has upped the ante to $25 to stop writing about You-know-what-dale in this blog. He can donate it to The Stage Company.

So that's it, no more waiting for Colbert in this blog.

And the phrase "down the old Paducah-Carbondale Corridor" might take on a Munsonesque meaning as a silly idea that goes down the crapper.