30 April 2007
26 April 2007
MerleFest: The Americana Music Celebration
A quick post for all you fellow die-hard music lovers: MerleFest: The Americana Music Celebration starts today and runs through this weekend (April 26-29) over in Wilkesboro, NC. A simply fantastic line up of performances are scheduled on a multitude of stages. (Requires Adobe Acrobat© reader to pull up the full schedule for each day.) Tickets are still available at the gate (and not available any more by phone nor over the internet), but get there early as some shows have limited seating. The weather has a chance of rain on some days, but is predicted to be partly cloudy most of the time with pleasant temps. As usual, the crowds could be large but MerleFest© is always worth it. Come out and enjoy if you can.
For those of you unlucky to be able to attend, you can listen in by two methods: via satellite radio on two of XM radio's channels, XCountry and Bluegrass Junction, or via the web through mvyradio (their broadcast starts at about 2pm EST today).
BEST OPTION, AND IT'S FREE! RadioFree MerleFest!
25 April 2007
Anzac Day: Lest We Forget
It's Anzac Day in Australia now, a national day of remembrance of those brave Australians and Kiwis who fought and died in the First World War at Gallipoli. A brief description of the holiday and its significance can be found at the Australian War Memorial site. (I know many people here know nothing about this whole campaign...and I only knew about it through the Mel Gibson/Peter Weir movie prior to visiting Oz firsthand...but I highly recommend history buffs check out the many links here to get a full story. The history of Gallipoli is a very important part of the history of the Australian and New Zealand peoples.)
From the interior of the ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney. The inscription details the different stages of the Gallipoli ANZAC campaign and reads: Gallipoli, The Landing, Krithia, Lone Pine, Sari Bair, Hill 60, The Evacuation". January 2006.
While I've never been to a Sunrise Service in Australia yet, or yet even seen a full parade of veterans in full uniform march in downtown Sydney, it was about four years ago I did make it to the Sunset Service that was held at Martin Place. It was very somber, very traditional, and very respectful. For the (mostly) Aussies and (few) Kiwis observing it with me, though, it was also a bit unintentionally funny: near the end people from the crowd were called up to sing and yours truly...tone deaf and jet lagged, but proudly wearing my newly acquired rosemary...was asked to lead with a verse of "God Save the Queen". To the natives' amusement and embarrassment, this DAR family member knew absolutely nothing of the lyrics. God bless the soldiers and organizers, I suppose, because they refused to let me retire away quietly...one dear older lady from Penrith even busily wrote out the words for me on the back of the program so I could follow along. It didn't help matters that they knew the American theme, while I butchered the chorus of the Old Empire's every time I tried. Whatever else may said about them, you can't say the Aussies are not patient when it comes to trying to educate (and help) their American visitors.
To my amazement afterwards, many fellow attendees came up and thanked me for attending and being respectful for their service. When I left, I got many goodbye hugs and handshakes and even some more rosemary for my jacket's lapel. (I've read many different things about the importance of rosemary to the ANZACs, but the reason I was told that day was that the soldiers kept it to keep their clothes smelling a bit fresher between washings. At the time, I was concerned my jacket had picked up some foul odor via 16 hours+ on a plane across the Pacific; later on, waiting for a ferry at Circular Quay I learned that rosemary is worn by everyone on ANZAC Day as a sign of respect and remembrance.) The hugs and my awful performance may fade into memory, but the rosemary pin has carefully resided in a glass container since my return.
My respect and the rosemary...and that wonderful service of remembrance...forever live on. As well it should be...lest we forget.
From the interior of the ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney. The inscription details the different stages of the Gallipoli ANZAC campaign and reads: Gallipoli, The Landing, Krithia, Lone Pine, Sari Bair, Hill 60, The Evacuation". January 2006.
While I've never been to a Sunrise Service in Australia yet, or yet even seen a full parade of veterans in full uniform march in downtown Sydney, it was about four years ago I did make it to the Sunset Service that was held at Martin Place. It was very somber, very traditional, and very respectful. For the (mostly) Aussies and (few) Kiwis observing it with me, though, it was also a bit unintentionally funny: near the end people from the crowd were called up to sing and yours truly...tone deaf and jet lagged, but proudly wearing my newly acquired rosemary...was asked to lead with a verse of "God Save the Queen". To the natives' amusement and embarrassment, this DAR family member knew absolutely nothing of the lyrics. God bless the soldiers and organizers, I suppose, because they refused to let me retire away quietly...one dear older lady from Penrith even busily wrote out the words for me on the back of the program so I could follow along. It didn't help matters that they knew the American theme, while I butchered the chorus of the Old Empire's every time I tried. Whatever else may said about them, you can't say the Aussies are not patient when it comes to trying to educate (and help) their American visitors.
To my amazement afterwards, many fellow attendees came up and thanked me for attending and being respectful for their service. When I left, I got many goodbye hugs and handshakes and even some more rosemary for my jacket's lapel. (I've read many different things about the importance of rosemary to the ANZACs, but the reason I was told that day was that the soldiers kept it to keep their clothes smelling a bit fresher between washings. At the time, I was concerned my jacket had picked up some foul odor via 16 hours+ on a plane across the Pacific; later on, waiting for a ferry at Circular Quay I learned that rosemary is worn by everyone on ANZAC Day as a sign of respect and remembrance.) The hugs and my awful performance may fade into memory, but the rosemary pin has carefully resided in a glass container since my return.
My respect and the rosemary...and that wonderful service of remembrance...forever live on. As well it should be...lest we forget.
24 April 2007
Staggering Upward...the A to the Q
So I've gotten a few emails over the last few days and need to answer them...
Yes, I'm still around and still processing last week's events. Yes, it's always something, but yes, this is also what most people call Life.
No, I have not retreated to under a rock to protect myself from all the bad news. Although I'm not so sure getting lost at the beach or in the mountains someplace would necessarily be a bad thing after the last three weeks.
Yes, I am working a bit too hard on far too many projects and with too many people. I should be happy my input, ideas, and work ethic are desired, I guess, but on the flip side I'm dangerously close to being burned out. Which means I probably already am, as even I am recognizing the mental and emotional fatigue.
No, I still haven't had a vacation yet this year even though I really need one. I still have people angry at me for pulling out of the one I scheduled for March, job or no job.
Yes, I fully recognize that doing something can cause more things to need to be done, but I'd rather be known for trying to do something positive that failed than never trying at all. Seems like a no-brainer to me, actually. (Except for that burn-out factor mentioned above.)
No, I still don't understand what make people 'tick' (or not, as the case may be) or why we have to hurt each other to make things 'even'. Both on a large and small scale...whether it be Virginia Tech, a friend's self-destructing marriage and messy divorce, or the intrusion of a former (and distrusted) acquaintance into my personal affairs...I still have to take a deep breath and just acknowledge I may never know the 'why' to these (and so many more) situations. And I need to accept all of that, as painful as it is for me to do. And still go forward.
All I can say is, is there has got to be a Higher Plan. I don't know what it is yet, but all indicators lead to a Higher Plan. I have to believe that, because frankly I don't like the prospect of the alternative right now.
And, finally, an apology is due: To my beloved WR, who I did not fully respect the feelings too well of last Thursday and whose pain was quite evident, even at a thunderously great Albannach show. I'm very sorry, mate: after most of my life in and out of clinical medical settings, I unfortunately was medical and clinical when we spoke...the absolute worst thing I could have been...in your loss. My favourite all-time Hokie was in pain and I couldn't address it properly, let alone lessen it. A thousand hugs, dear friend, and I ask for your forgiveness for my unfeeling behaviour.
Now I'm going to put one foot in front of the other and slowly, but surely, I will reach the peak of this hill...for this portion of the climb, anyway.
Yes, I'm still around and still processing last week's events. Yes, it's always something, but yes, this is also what most people call Life.
No, I have not retreated to under a rock to protect myself from all the bad news. Although I'm not so sure getting lost at the beach or in the mountains someplace would necessarily be a bad thing after the last three weeks.
Yes, I am working a bit too hard on far too many projects and with too many people. I should be happy my input, ideas, and work ethic are desired, I guess, but on the flip side I'm dangerously close to being burned out. Which means I probably already am, as even I am recognizing the mental and emotional fatigue.
No, I still haven't had a vacation yet this year even though I really need one. I still have people angry at me for pulling out of the one I scheduled for March, job or no job.
Yes, I fully recognize that doing something can cause more things to need to be done, but I'd rather be known for trying to do something positive that failed than never trying at all. Seems like a no-brainer to me, actually. (Except for that burn-out factor mentioned above.)
No, I still don't understand what make people 'tick' (or not, as the case may be) or why we have to hurt each other to make things 'even'. Both on a large and small scale...whether it be Virginia Tech, a friend's self-destructing marriage and messy divorce, or the intrusion of a former (and distrusted) acquaintance into my personal affairs...I still have to take a deep breath and just acknowledge I may never know the 'why' to these (and so many more) situations. And I need to accept all of that, as painful as it is for me to do. And still go forward.
All I can say is, is there has got to be a Higher Plan. I don't know what it is yet, but all indicators lead to a Higher Plan. I have to believe that, because frankly I don't like the prospect of the alternative right now.
And, finally, an apology is due: To my beloved WR, who I did not fully respect the feelings too well of last Thursday and whose pain was quite evident, even at a thunderously great Albannach show. I'm very sorry, mate: after most of my life in and out of clinical medical settings, I unfortunately was medical and clinical when we spoke...the absolute worst thing I could have been...in your loss. My favourite all-time Hokie was in pain and I couldn't address it properly, let alone lessen it. A thousand hugs, dear friend, and I ask for your forgiveness for my unfeeling behaviour.
Now I'm going to put one foot in front of the other and slowly, but surely, I will reach the peak of this hill...for this portion of the climb, anyway.
19 April 2007
Respecting the Silence...UPDATED
Like so many of you, I am still stunned about Monday's horrible events in Virginia. With each passing day, the news and 'history' of this tragedy gets more and more troubling. For what it's worth...after we've all had time to properly respect the victims...I hope that this nightmare can open up some long-overdue dialogue in this country about gun control and mental illness, among others. I'm not so sure what we learned, at large, from Columbine 8 years ago, but Blacksburg hopefully will signal a turning point...a point where we try and prevent...once and for all...this from happening ever again. For the time being, though, I wish all the rhetoric would quiet down some so that we don't lose sight of all the wonderful people we've lost.
There is a nicely done article from MSNBC that profiles the victims and some of their many contributions. It's a sobering testimony to the fleeting joy that is life to be sure, but the victims so deservedly need to be remembered...from this moment on and forever into the future.
The same article above also mentions slain German professor Jamie Bishop's web page (which obviously is a bit out of date, as it still lists him living in Carrboro and still working at UNC at Chapel Hill). It's a wonderful site to get a glimpse of what this man was all about, and it displays his superb skills in web design and photography. I did not know him, but his strong sense of humour, love of art, and curiousity about digital media is front and center throughout the site. If you're interested in looking at it, it's called Memory39. (If you click on 'Profile' and then 'Journal' from the main page, then read his journal entry from June 2006...there are numerous condolences under the 'Comments' section. This is such a wonderful site, despite everything, and I wholeheartedly second another viewer who hopes that the site remains up as a dedication to Herr Bishop.)
And may Jamie Bishop, like the others, with their readily apparent appreciations for life, never be forgotten.
UPDATED April 20: Virginia Tech has a web page up for people wanting to make donations. Their main fund is called The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, but they also have some memorial scholarship and endowment funds that have been/soon will be established in the name of victims, including Jamie Bishop. Go here to make a donation. For those wanting to donate in Herr Bishop's name specifically, go to the page above and then click on the link under 'funds in honor or memory of the victims'; that page will take you to another where you can make donations online and *directly to* the Christopher James (Jamie) Bishop Memorial Scholarship Fund (use the drop down menu off the donation page). I understand donations sent in without any designation to a particular fund will go to the larger Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. Additionally, you can choose to make more than a one-time donation, if you wish (and that's also an option on the online donation page), so it can be a recurring gift.
There is a nicely done article from MSNBC that profiles the victims and some of their many contributions. It's a sobering testimony to the fleeting joy that is life to be sure, but the victims so deservedly need to be remembered...from this moment on and forever into the future.
The same article above also mentions slain German professor Jamie Bishop's web page (which obviously is a bit out of date, as it still lists him living in Carrboro and still working at UNC at Chapel Hill). It's a wonderful site to get a glimpse of what this man was all about, and it displays his superb skills in web design and photography. I did not know him, but his strong sense of humour, love of art, and curiousity about digital media is front and center throughout the site. If you're interested in looking at it, it's called Memory39. (If you click on 'Profile' and then 'Journal' from the main page, then read his journal entry from June 2006...there are numerous condolences under the 'Comments' section. This is such a wonderful site, despite everything, and I wholeheartedly second another viewer who hopes that the site remains up as a dedication to Herr Bishop.)
And may Jamie Bishop, like the others, with their readily apparent appreciations for life, never be forgotten.
UPDATED April 20: Virginia Tech has a web page up for people wanting to make donations. Their main fund is called The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, but they also have some memorial scholarship and endowment funds that have been/soon will be established in the name of victims, including Jamie Bishop. Go here to make a donation. For those wanting to donate in Herr Bishop's name specifically, go to the page above and then click on the link under 'funds in honor or memory of the victims'; that page will take you to another where you can make donations online and *directly to* the Christopher James (Jamie) Bishop Memorial Scholarship Fund (use the drop down menu off the donation page). I understand donations sent in without any designation to a particular fund will go to the larger Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. Additionally, you can choose to make more than a one-time donation, if you wish (and that's also an option on the online donation page), so it can be a recurring gift.
17 April 2007
Prayers for the Fallen...UPDATED
A time line of events and the status of the Virginia Tech campus and community can be found (and are being regularly updated) here and here. Locally, a 8pm vigil remembering the fallen will be held tonight on the campus of North Carolina State University, Raleigh. In Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina will be holding a vigil at the same time in The Pit by the Student Union. Additionally, there is an online vigil from The Virginian-Pilot (which allows for comments and condolences) here.
UPDATE: It is with great sadness that I report that a former employee of UNC at Chapel Hill was one of the 33 victims from yesterday's tragedy. Christopher James Bishop (aka Jamie Bishop) was gunned down yesterday in Norris Hall as he was teaching an Introductory German class there. Some of Bishop's students have been hailed as heroes for blocking the door and preventing gunman Cho Seung-Hui from re-entering the classroom after his first horrific invasion...very few survived unharmed. Bishop's widow, Stefanie Hofer, also moved with him from UNC-CH to Virginia Tech in 2005. She is also an instructor in German at Virginia Tech. The News & Observer has a profile of Mr. Bishop here.
This just continues to be a horrible, tragic, and incomprehensible loss.
16 April 2007
"Temples & Tombs" at the NC Museum of Art, reflecting past and present
A very brief post, as we've had power (and wind and rain) problems here for the last 24 hours, with still some additional weather possible today...
©The North Carolina Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art is opening their exhibit of "Temples & Tombs", an exhibit of some of the greatest Egyptian treasures on loan from The British Museum. It opens today and runs through July 8. It features more than 85 items for examination, although I don't know if any of these are some of the ones that the Egyptian Antiquities want returned to their homeland. Many kudos go to the Raleigh-based Museum, who has recently (or so it seems, anyway) stepped up the quality level of their exhibitions, most recently with the vastly popular "Monet in Normandy" which was so well-attended the last two weeks of its showing that attendance was on a pre-purchased, 'open 24 hours to accommodate everybody' schedule only. Contrary to what seems to be a long-established opinion about us here, there is a desire to support the arts and higher culture. The fact that the NC Museum of Art is right by the State Fairgrounds just helps people find it easier on MapQuest or Google Earth, that's all.
It's strange: after all the trips I've made to London, I never made it over to this collection at the British Museum there. It was always on my 'to do' list, as well is their Roman antiquities. I know this small showing in Raleigh is just but a fraction of what the main museum has back in the UK, but this exhibition may press upon me to go and finally do that 'Great Museum Trip' I've been threatening for years now.
This exhibit will be the first one of its matter that I've seen really in years, and it's been a long time coming for me. I'm certainly a fan of Egyptian works, and I was supremely lucky to visit there in 2001. I thought I had been 'blown away' when I had toured The Coliseum, The Pantheon, and The Vatican just two months earlier in Italy. In Egypt, I was simply awestruck by the remaining architectural and sculptural wonders still just open...sometimes at the side of the road, overgrown by weeds at some...for review and appreciation.
(right) Abandoned, sun-worn, and vandalized statues in the rural countryside, Egypt, 2001.
Just like in Rome, in some places there is a statue or historical landmark of something on every corner, or so it seemed. Some things, like seeing one of King Tutankhamun's golden funeral masks (behind glass, in the non air-conditioned Egyptian Museum in Cairo) or actually climbing up on one of The Great Pyramids, still seem like out-of-body experiences.
(left) The Great Pyramid, from the first or second row, 2001. The stone at the very foreground is the actual height of that entire row and I believe all the ones above it as well. I'm 5'11" and it came up to my shoulder level thereabouts. I'm an architectural buff so this pic also shows how even after all this time, the angles are still about as perfect as any engineer could hope. Until you actually see this monument in person, you can't really comprehend just how massive it is.
The tour itself...I was one of 10 American women, led by an equally more 'unique to Egypt' female, unmarried, Christian guide from Egypt but educated in Britain...was thoroughly one of the best I shall ever go on and even included a cruise down The Nile.
If sometimes here I sound a bit hesitant to return to 'the birthplace of civilisation' (I remember that phrase on countless billboards across the country, in English no less), it's not because of the wonderful people, or architecture, or substantial history, but instead of the abject poverty and in the lack of safety (not to mention respect) for women without escorts. Whereas we would stay in what can only be described as luxury while in our hotels, the moment we crossed the street we would be surrounded by children wanting to do anything for us for money...all the while standing on city streets in feet that clearly had not worn shoes in years, if ever at all. Many of these children and their families live in Cities of the Dead.
,+Cairo,+2001.jpg)
One of Cairo's Cities of the Dead, 2001.
The first few days of this was disconcerting; by the last few days of the trip, the guilt when trying to buy souvenirs in shops when hungry and non-school-attending children waited at the front doors was defeating. I may or may not be 'The Ugly American', but that was the first time I've ever felt like one. I've traveled the world over, but despite Egypt's many charms, I don't know if I'll ever go back there as it's truly been the only place I truly felt unsafe without a guide...and we even had escorts at all times with us. And while I desperately try and separate the two events, I'm sure being there on that fateful September 11 (and then having to scramble my way out, in any way I could), somehow taints my memory.
I don't know who my money ultimately goes to when I go see one of these exhibits; I suspect little, if any, can ever hope to make it back to the people of Egypt. Perhaps wrongly, perhaps rightly, I will go see this exhibit and support the wonderful Museum of Art in bringing it here. It's a shame, though, so few of the people attending will ever see what I experienced first hand: that the 'Birthplace of Civilisation' needs support for its people to be civilised and successful once more.
The North Carolina Museum of Art is opening their exhibit of "Temples & Tombs", an exhibit of some of the greatest Egyptian treasures on loan from The British Museum. It opens today and runs through July 8. It features more than 85 items for examination, although I don't know if any of these are some of the ones that the Egyptian Antiquities want returned to their homeland. Many kudos go to the Raleigh-based Museum, who has recently (or so it seems, anyway) stepped up the quality level of their exhibitions, most recently with the vastly popular "Monet in Normandy" which was so well-attended the last two weeks of its showing that attendance was on a pre-purchased, 'open 24 hours to accommodate everybody' schedule only. Contrary to what seems to be a long-established opinion about us here, there is a desire to support the arts and higher culture. The fact that the NC Museum of Art is right by the State Fairgrounds just helps people find it easier on MapQuest or Google Earth, that's all.
It's strange: after all the trips I've made to London, I never made it over to this collection at the British Museum there. It was always on my 'to do' list, as well is their Roman antiquities. I know this small showing in Raleigh is just but a fraction of what the main museum has back in the UK, but this exhibition may press upon me to go and finally do that 'Great Museum Trip' I've been threatening for years now.
This exhibit will be the first one of its matter that I've seen really in years, and it's been a long time coming for me. I'm certainly a fan of Egyptian works, and I was supremely lucky to visit there in 2001. I thought I had been 'blown away' when I had toured The Coliseum, The Pantheon, and The Vatican just two months earlier in Italy. In Egypt, I was simply awestruck by the remaining architectural and sculptural wonders still just open...sometimes at the side of the road, overgrown by weeds at some...for review and appreciation.
(right) Abandoned, sun-worn, and vandalized statues in the rural countryside, Egypt, 2001.
Just like in Rome, in some places there is a statue or historical landmark of something on every corner, or so it seemed. Some things, like seeing one of King Tutankhamun's golden funeral masks (behind glass, in the non air-conditioned Egyptian Museum in Cairo) or actually climbing up on one of The Great Pyramids, still seem like out-of-body experiences.
(left) The Great Pyramid, from the first or second row, 2001. The stone at the very foreground is the actual height of that entire row and I believe all the ones above it as well. I'm 5'11" and it came up to my shoulder level thereabouts. I'm an architectural buff so this pic also shows how even after all this time, the angles are still about as perfect as any engineer could hope. Until you actually see this monument in person, you can't really comprehend just how massive it is.
The tour itself...I was one of 10 American women, led by an equally more 'unique to Egypt' female, unmarried, Christian guide from Egypt but educated in Britain...was thoroughly one of the best I shall ever go on and even included a cruise down The Nile.
If sometimes here I sound a bit hesitant to return to 'the birthplace of civilisation' (I remember that phrase on countless billboards across the country, in English no less), it's not because of the wonderful people, or architecture, or substantial history, but instead of the abject poverty and in the lack of safety (not to mention respect) for women without escorts. Whereas we would stay in what can only be described as luxury while in our hotels, the moment we crossed the street we would be surrounded by children wanting to do anything for us for money...all the while standing on city streets in feet that clearly had not worn shoes in years, if ever at all. Many of these children and their families live in Cities of the Dead.
,+Cairo,+2001.jpg)
The first few days of this was disconcerting; by the last few days of the trip, the guilt when trying to buy souvenirs in shops when hungry and non-school-attending children waited at the front doors was defeating. I may or may not be 'The Ugly American', but that was the first time I've ever felt like one. I've traveled the world over, but despite Egypt's many charms, I don't know if I'll ever go back there as it's truly been the only place I truly felt unsafe without a guide...and we even had escorts at all times with us. And while I desperately try and separate the two events, I'm sure being there on that fateful September 11 (and then having to scramble my way out, in any way I could), somehow taints my memory.
I don't know who my money ultimately goes to when I go see one of these exhibits; I suspect little, if any, can ever hope to make it back to the people of Egypt. Perhaps wrongly, perhaps rightly, I will go see this exhibit and support the wonderful Museum of Art in bringing it here. It's a shame, though, so few of the people attending will ever see what I experienced first hand: that the 'Birthplace of Civilisation' needs support for its people to be civilised and successful once more.
15 April 2007
Dedicated to all those who are searching for calm in the storm...
It's raining here tonight, cats and dogs-like, and has been off and on for hours. And the rest of Sunday promises more of the same, plus some high winds. No snow, though, (which will unfortunately plague the Northeast later today) and for that I am grateful. But it's the kind of night in which I amazingly can't sleep...the kind of night where you long for a good convo with a friend in front of a fire, the kind of night where you long for a midnight walk on an empty beach, the kind of night where you long for a friend and lover to hold you until a happy sleep is unavoidable.
It's also apparently a night for change, capping off a week or more of change for some. Part of my insomnia tonight is also the inability to turn my mind off. When my friends are troubled, I pride myself a bit (I guess) on 'being there' for them and they know it. (All the more reason I know that psychology degree is paying off, even if I don't use it in the everyday job...LOL.) This week, to put it mildly, has been an exceptionally busy one on the 'good friend' side. Broken hearts, broken wallets, broken trust, broken vows...it's been a tough one in the state of the human condition. Some times I've been sad, more than a few times I've been angry, once I've been rather betrayed and let down, and in two cases I've been relieved. Yet, as much as this friend-counseling has effected me, it's effected those directly involved far, far worse. I can't sleep because I'm trying to figure out what I can do to be a better friend and supporter to them; many of them can't sleep because they're in a deep emotional pain this morning. And, as much as I want to, I can't just reach in and remove that hurt from them. Believe me when I say I would if I could.
But sleep will come to me eventually today, although it most likely will be light again before it does so. No matter...my friends are my family in many ways and my family and loved ones always come first. I've practiced the 'me first' mentality of living in what seems like eons ago and it doesn't work anymore...and it shouldn't have worked in the first place all those years ago. I get less sleep some days perhaps now, but I know the friends I have will be there for me should I ever call upon them. They're fewer in number than they used to be, yes, and they're scattered throughout the globe, true, but they're great people everyday and fantastic people when it matters most.
And, in the midst of this 'decompression' that I go through after one of my marathon 'listen sessions', I try to find something to read or listen to that will settle my mind down a bit and onto much more mundane affairs. Books were not working tonight, so I searched for music. At some point, I switched to finding a particular gospel piece that inspires and grounds me..."The Truth Shall Set You Free"...but after some searching, I realized its CD was left behind with some earrings in a motel in Grafton last year. Oh well, the earrings weren't too meaningful, but I sure hope someone took the time to listen and appreciate the music. Real shame about leaving that CD, though.
Still not happy with my other music and still unable to mentally 'switch off', I came back to this little box of electronics and found a new online radio station from Oz to listen to. (I always find the Oz radio announcements rather quaintly funny...the Harvey Norman's "Go, Harvey, Go!" and Bing Lee jingles will forever remain in my head, I swear. Oz radio also doesn't play the same 22 songs all day, every day, which is also a big plus. American mainstream radio has much to learn from them, in my opinion. Plus...and I admit this sounds a bit 'new agey'...but every time I tune in, invariably it's already tomorrow there. So for us Scarlett O'Hara descendant types, it's somewhat comforting to know that tomorrow is already going on in Nature's Paradise.) About four songs in, though, I heard what I'd been looking for...the following song entitled "Opportunity". While it took me awhile to find the exact artist (Oz radio is not, however, real keen on saying the 'last played' song info), I knew immediately this is the kind of message I needed to hear...and also the message I needed to give to others. For those of you who can happily count your blessings in life, enjoy. For those of you who are hurting directly or, like me, as the byproduct of a friend's pain, take comfort and peace. It's easy to be angry, and hurt, and sad. It's much, much harder, though, to feel those things and still march on. Keep the faith, people, keep the faith. Tomorrow is, in fact, another day.
(Video from YouTube, as usual. Lyrics from Leo's Lyrics.)
"Opportunity"
by Pete Murray, video with Murray and John Mayer from his album "See The Sun" ©2005 Pete Murray
"Opportunity"
So it goes another lonely day
You're saving time but you're miles away
Your flowers drowning in some bitter tea
Seeing lost opportunity
Find your mirror
Go and look inside
See the talent you always hide
Don't go kid yourself, well not today
Satisfaction's not far away
Chorus:
Hold on now, your exit's here
It's waiting just for you
Don't pause too long
It's fading now
It's ending all too soon you'll see
Soon you'll see
Your coffee's warm but your milk is sour
Life is short but you're here to flower
Dream yourself along another day
Never miss opportunity
Don't be scared of what you cannot see
Your only fear is possibility
Never wonder what the hell went wrong
Your second chance may never come along
(Chorus)
(Music)
(Chorus)
Soon you'll see
Soon you'll see
Soon you'll see
Soon you'll see
It's also apparently a night for change, capping off a week or more of change for some. Part of my insomnia tonight is also the inability to turn my mind off. When my friends are troubled, I pride myself a bit (I guess) on 'being there' for them and they know it. (All the more reason I know that psychology degree is paying off, even if I don't use it in the everyday job...LOL.) This week, to put it mildly, has been an exceptionally busy one on the 'good friend' side. Broken hearts, broken wallets, broken trust, broken vows...it's been a tough one in the state of the human condition. Some times I've been sad, more than a few times I've been angry, once I've been rather betrayed and let down, and in two cases I've been relieved. Yet, as much as this friend-counseling has effected me, it's effected those directly involved far, far worse. I can't sleep because I'm trying to figure out what I can do to be a better friend and supporter to them; many of them can't sleep because they're in a deep emotional pain this morning. And, as much as I want to, I can't just reach in and remove that hurt from them. Believe me when I say I would if I could.
But sleep will come to me eventually today, although it most likely will be light again before it does so. No matter...my friends are my family in many ways and my family and loved ones always come first. I've practiced the 'me first' mentality of living in what seems like eons ago and it doesn't work anymore...and it shouldn't have worked in the first place all those years ago. I get less sleep some days perhaps now, but I know the friends I have will be there for me should I ever call upon them. They're fewer in number than they used to be, yes, and they're scattered throughout the globe, true, but they're great people everyday and fantastic people when it matters most.
And, in the midst of this 'decompression' that I go through after one of my marathon 'listen sessions', I try to find something to read or listen to that will settle my mind down a bit and onto much more mundane affairs. Books were not working tonight, so I searched for music. At some point, I switched to finding a particular gospel piece that inspires and grounds me..."The Truth Shall Set You Free"...but after some searching, I realized its CD was left behind with some earrings in a motel in Grafton last year. Oh well, the earrings weren't too meaningful, but I sure hope someone took the time to listen and appreciate the music. Real shame about leaving that CD, though.
Still not happy with my other music and still unable to mentally 'switch off', I came back to this little box of electronics and found a new online radio station from Oz to listen to. (I always find the Oz radio announcements rather quaintly funny...the Harvey Norman's "Go, Harvey, Go!" and Bing Lee jingles will forever remain in my head, I swear. Oz radio also doesn't play the same 22 songs all day, every day, which is also a big plus. American mainstream radio has much to learn from them, in my opinion. Plus...and I admit this sounds a bit 'new agey'...but every time I tune in, invariably it's already tomorrow there. So for us Scarlett O'Hara descendant types, it's somewhat comforting to know that tomorrow is already going on in Nature's Paradise.) About four songs in, though, I heard what I'd been looking for...the following song entitled "Opportunity". While it took me awhile to find the exact artist (Oz radio is not, however, real keen on saying the 'last played' song info), I knew immediately this is the kind of message I needed to hear...and also the message I needed to give to others. For those of you who can happily count your blessings in life, enjoy. For those of you who are hurting directly or, like me, as the byproduct of a friend's pain, take comfort and peace. It's easy to be angry, and hurt, and sad. It's much, much harder, though, to feel those things and still march on. Keep the faith, people, keep the faith. Tomorrow is, in fact, another day.
(Video from YouTube, as usual. Lyrics from Leo's Lyrics.)
You're saving time but you're miles away
Your flowers drowning in some bitter tea
Seeing lost opportunity
Find your mirror
Go and look inside
See the talent you always hide
Don't go kid yourself, well not today
Satisfaction's not far away
Chorus:
Hold on now, your exit's here
It's waiting just for you
Don't pause too long
It's fading now
It's ending all too soon you'll see
Soon you'll see
Your coffee's warm but your milk is sour
Life is short but you're here to flower
Dream yourself along another day
Never miss opportunity
Don't be scared of what you cannot see
Your only fear is possibility
Never wonder what the hell went wrong
Your second chance may never come along
(Chorus)
(Music)
(Chorus)
Soon you'll see
Soon you'll see
Soon you'll see
Soon you'll see
11 April 2007
Somewhere civil attorneys are penning their letters, on behalf of the players...
It's official.
At a little past 2:30pm today (EST), NC Attorney General Roy Cooper dropped all remaining charges against the 3 accused men of the Duke University Lacrosse team. At a little past 3pm today, news outlets all over the Net and elsewhere were devouring the finer details of this mess of a prosecution...and taking full aim at the accuser. Now fully named in numerous outlets (including a front page headline on The Drudge Report), and complete with her old mug shots accompanying the copy in some, it's open season in the print today. For the former accuser's sake, I hope she does have some familial and mental help available, as it's clear that the media sharks are out for blood to such a degree it would weaken the strongest of spirits. Even the relatively even-handed local News & Observer paper is running multiple stories on today's developments, and have teased with not only one but two in-depth follow-ups about the former accuser and DA Nifong (and Nifong's will be a 5 part series, no less). Yes, we have resuscitated our own soap opera.
It's also with some amusement and chagrin that I keep reading how this dismissal leads to an 'end' of this whole controversy. Oh, no, folks...we're just getting started, unfortunately. There's going to be a lot of name-calling and finger-pointing...and Lord knows how many civil suits...before this story finally 'ends'. With any luck, we might even make it someday as a 'Movie of the Week' on one of the cable TV channels. (Tongue firmly planted in cheek, folks.) No matter how the final chapter is written, though, it will be years down the road...and it will have to be written by the community left behind itself...after all the hoopla and analysis has faded away, after the satellite trucks have moved on to another town's tragedy, after some more money is made at someone else's painful expense. Now the hard work begins here: preventing this from ever happening in our judicial system again. And that work should not...and cannot...be dismissed.
From MSNBC (via the Associated Press), the official statement from AG Cooper.
And, if I were Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong and his counsel, I would be feeling in a very precarious position tonight, indeed...as he well should be. I was personally taken aback by how stinging AG Cooper was of Nifong and that simply cannot bode well, even though Cooper tried to sound relatively impartial during the question and answer session that followed the above statement. Nifong has went from a relative unknown to one of the most-reviled men in the state, if not the nation at large. In June, we'll find out what the North Carolina Bar Association rules about Nifong and his ethics and practices in dealing with this case.
Time will tell, though, also just how much rope Duke University will be given by the now totally-free men and their families...bettors around here are allowing just enough for a public relations (and bank account) hanging. Evans/Finnerty/Seligmann Fieldhouse anyone? Or perhaps several fully-endowed scholarships in Criminal Law at the Duke University Law School? Or perhaps a whole new major, with an emphasis in Criminal Science Investigation? If Duke University gets away 'clean' on this (in light of everything, good and bad), it will have to consider itself very lucky indeed. Though I'm not sure it deserves that blessing.
Who knows, maybe the defendants are changing. But something tells me that maybe Justice still has some distance to go.
At a little past 2:30pm today (EST), NC Attorney General Roy Cooper dropped all remaining charges against the 3 accused men of the Duke University Lacrosse team. At a little past 3pm today, news outlets all over the Net and elsewhere were devouring the finer details of this mess of a prosecution...and taking full aim at the accuser. Now fully named in numerous outlets (including a front page headline on The Drudge Report), and complete with her old mug shots accompanying the copy in some, it's open season in the print today. For the former accuser's sake, I hope she does have some familial and mental help available, as it's clear that the media sharks are out for blood to such a degree it would weaken the strongest of spirits. Even the relatively even-handed local News & Observer paper is running multiple stories on today's developments, and have teased with not only one but two in-depth follow-ups about the former accuser and DA Nifong (and Nifong's will be a 5 part series, no less). Yes, we have resuscitated our own soap opera.
It's also with some amusement and chagrin that I keep reading how this dismissal leads to an 'end' of this whole controversy. Oh, no, folks...we're just getting started, unfortunately. There's going to be a lot of name-calling and finger-pointing...and Lord knows how many civil suits...before this story finally 'ends'. With any luck, we might even make it someday as a 'Movie of the Week' on one of the cable TV channels. (Tongue firmly planted in cheek, folks.) No matter how the final chapter is written, though, it will be years down the road...and it will have to be written by the community left behind itself...after all the hoopla and analysis has faded away, after the satellite trucks have moved on to another town's tragedy, after some more money is made at someone else's painful expense. Now the hard work begins here: preventing this from ever happening in our judicial system again. And that work should not...and cannot...be dismissed.
From MSNBC (via the Associated Press), the official statement from AG Cooper.
And, if I were Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong and his counsel, I would be feeling in a very precarious position tonight, indeed...as he well should be. I was personally taken aback by how stinging AG Cooper was of Nifong and that simply cannot bode well, even though Cooper tried to sound relatively impartial during the question and answer session that followed the above statement. Nifong has went from a relative unknown to one of the most-reviled men in the state, if not the nation at large. In June, we'll find out what the North Carolina Bar Association rules about Nifong and his ethics and practices in dealing with this case.
Time will tell, though, also just how much rope Duke University will be given by the now totally-free men and their families...bettors around here are allowing just enough for a public relations (and bank account) hanging. Evans/Finnerty/Seligmann Fieldhouse anyone? Or perhaps several fully-endowed scholarships in Criminal Law at the Duke University Law School? Or perhaps a whole new major, with an emphasis in Criminal Science Investigation? If Duke University gets away 'clean' on this (in light of everything, good and bad), it will have to consider itself very lucky indeed. Though I'm not sure it deserves that blessing.
Who knows, maybe the defendants are changing. But something tells me that maybe Justice still has some distance to go.
10 April 2007
Gathering Storm of Charges Being Dismissed? UPDATED
A quick post this evening, as I'm sure there will be more to come on this over the next few days if the rumours hold true...
Rumours abound (both in the local and national media) that tomorrow will bring the end of the 're-investigation' of the sexual assault and kidnapping charges still being held in place (as of tonight, anyway) against 3 former Duke University lacrosse team members. The charges, which until last December also included rape, are the result of a year-long controversial (and some would label clear fiasco) investigation of the alleged crime. (A whole lengthy list of articles on this case can be found here, with the most recent articles near the top.) This challenged investigation has included everything from multiple DNA tests, constantly changing witness and victim accounts of events, questionable legal and lab practices, and the recusal in January of the original District Attorney, Mike Nifong, in light of ethics charges related to his alleged withholding evidence in the case. God knows no one here wants any more of a rush to judgment for any of those involved, but frankly, the State investigators called in to 're-cover and re-evaluate' everything cannot work fast enough to many following the case.
This whole ugly affair...no matter if tomorrow sees the charges dropped, modified, or held in place...has put a black eye on local and University community relations, an unfortunate event fueled by a sensation story-seeking national (and even international) media and the sheer reversal of all the evidence and statements first presented for indictment. Race, economics, gender, 'questionable practices' of all involved, politics...it's been brutal to those of us who live here. I can only hope that no matter what is resolved, no matter when, that when the dust all settles we taxpayers and local residents can have a final investigation for which we can have some faith and pride. Perhaps after that is accomplished, we can somehow figure how to mend our many frayed and raw edges. Until then, folks, say a prayer for us and try not to judge us too harshly for this legal nightmare...it is not standard practice. Or at least I sure as hell hope not.
Lord only knows what still awaits us. Stay tuned.
From recent reports:
The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC): "Former lacrosse players returning"
NBC-17 TV (WNCN, Raleigh, NC): "Development Expected in Duke LAX case" (complete with video)
Also an update from The Smoking Gun (Jan 24, 2007): "New Ethics Charges for Nifong"
UPDATE April 11, 2:36am: The Drudge Report is reporting (via ABC News) that all charges against the 3 male defendants will be dropped.
Rumours abound (both in the local and national media) that tomorrow will bring the end of the 're-investigation' of the sexual assault and kidnapping charges still being held in place (as of tonight, anyway) against 3 former Duke University lacrosse team members. The charges, which until last December also included rape, are the result of a year-long controversial (and some would label clear fiasco) investigation of the alleged crime. (A whole lengthy list of articles on this case can be found here, with the most recent articles near the top.) This challenged investigation has included everything from multiple DNA tests, constantly changing witness and victim accounts of events, questionable legal and lab practices, and the recusal in January of the original District Attorney, Mike Nifong, in light of ethics charges related to his alleged withholding evidence in the case. God knows no one here wants any more of a rush to judgment for any of those involved, but frankly, the State investigators called in to 're-cover and re-evaluate' everything cannot work fast enough to many following the case.
This whole ugly affair...no matter if tomorrow sees the charges dropped, modified, or held in place...has put a black eye on local and University community relations, an unfortunate event fueled by a sensation story-seeking national (and even international) media and the sheer reversal of all the evidence and statements first presented for indictment. Race, economics, gender, 'questionable practices' of all involved, politics...it's been brutal to those of us who live here. I can only hope that no matter what is resolved, no matter when, that when the dust all settles we taxpayers and local residents can have a final investigation for which we can have some faith and pride. Perhaps after that is accomplished, we can somehow figure how to mend our many frayed and raw edges. Until then, folks, say a prayer for us and try not to judge us too harshly for this legal nightmare...it is not standard practice. Or at least I sure as hell hope not.
Lord only knows what still awaits us. Stay tuned.
From recent reports:
UPDATE April 11, 2:36am: The Drudge Report is reporting (via ABC News) that all charges against the 3 male defendants will be dropped.
09 April 2007
Jubilant Scots, Knife-Throwing Acrobats, and Variations of Honey Mead
Don't let the headline fool you...it wasn't that an eventful weekend. (And on the occasions when it is, I know better than to write any of the activities down either via the pen or the keyboard. Some memories are best left for me to remember, and then forget, when my memory starts to fail.) Instead, I'm recovering from a chest cold I've predictably picked up as a result of my idiotic stupidity this weekend (well, mostly Thursday night in Durham). One day I will learn Cold Weather and I really don't get along and, if faced to meet one another, I should always be more prepared for the elements. God knows Cold Weather always is. I will not complain here, because I only have myself to blame...as lame as an excuse as that is.
However, the cold had not started bubbling up by Friday, so unawares the WR and I ventured out to the NC State Fairgrounds and to the North Carolina Renaissance Faire. Ideally, it was to see our Scottish fave band, Albannach, at their 4pm show, but that quickly was bookended by other activities as the perpetually lively Jamesie et al only played a 30 minute set. It was a good set, mind you, and they seem to have made some loyal fans who came back after seeing them the first time last year, but it was only 30 minutes. Thank heavens the Faire had much more to offer...namely in the form of clothing and crafts vendors.
Some of the wonderful leather, satin, and silk handmade items on sale...and there was a lot...for Renaissance ladies, wenches, or just the wannabes. And, yes, bosom lovers, the corset on the left is made of leather, and the cups do have the words "Treasure Chest" hand tooled on them.
As you might imagine, some of the folks attending take this event very seriously. Quite a few of the attendees, and not just the 'characters' of the Faire proper, came in proper attire. I was just trying to be warm that day, any 'traditional' wardrobe suggestions be damned.
Food vendors were sparse, and the 'beer garden' (which is using the traditional meaning of that word very loosely) was even leaner. (You know the 'beer garden' was lean when the WR and myself...both beer snobs who generally would wholeheartedly embrace the stronger beers presumably found at a Renaissance Faire...could not find anything pleasing, out of the whopping 2 or 3 choices of honey mead variations to choose from, and decided to take our money and sinful tastes elsewhere in town.) I can only hope that after we departed at about 6pm that the variety of both improved a lot, as the crowd turnout was certainly there to make a few bucks for some enterprising food and drink staff.
For what it it worth, I did try and take some pictures. Unfortunately, I could not get any decent pics of Albannach this time (I had a Grizzly Adams-like character standing in front of me), nor of the second-best act we saw there, an acrobatic and knife-throwing threesome called Barely Balanced. While I had a great seat for the Barely Balanced show, unfortunately they were performing just as the sun was in every one's eyes. They could see us, while we were all squinting and with sunglasses trying desperately to see them. They did, though, put on a very good show and I was sorry I didn't have more money to contribute to them when they passed the hat around at the conclusion. While sadly I only got a very few pics of them early on in their set, I do, however, have some really spectacular later ones of the sun blinding me, but I'll spare you those.
The Barely Balanced kids with an (thankfully) unflinching volunteer from our audience. And, yes, those are knives the fellas are tossing back and forth. Knives above, knives below, and even around and in between when the ladies walked even further in and then eventually through the knife pattern. And while I missed it, Barely Balanced also does a fire show during nighttime performances as well.
Go see these kids (well, I think they're mid to late 20s in age, but I tend to call people younger than me 'kids') if you see they're coming to your local Renaissance Faire or festival. Their website is Barely Balanced.com, where, thankfully, you can see what these flexible folks can really do.
Doing whatever it takes to get the crowd in, Cameron from the Barely Balanced acrobatic troupe rounds up his audience in the most noticeable way he can.
All in all, it was a good, sunny, and relatively warm afternoon. The entertainment was lively, the vendors friendly, and the participants enthusiastic...and these pluses made the other shortcomings with the food and drink easily forgiven. I think the WR was quite pleased to lose his Faire virginity at this one and I'm glad we went. Now if they can just do something about the damn honey mead for next year...
However, the cold had not started bubbling up by Friday, so unawares the WR and I ventured out to the NC State Fairgrounds and to the North Carolina Renaissance Faire. Ideally, it was to see our Scottish fave band, Albannach, at their 4pm show, but that quickly was bookended by other activities as the perpetually lively Jamesie et al only played a 30 minute set. It was a good set, mind you, and they seem to have made some loyal fans who came back after seeing them the first time last year, but it was only 30 minutes. Thank heavens the Faire had much more to offer...namely in the form of clothing and crafts vendors.
Food vendors were sparse, and the 'beer garden' (which is using the traditional meaning of that word very loosely) was even leaner. (You know the 'beer garden' was lean when the WR and myself...both beer snobs who generally would wholeheartedly embrace the stronger beers presumably found at a Renaissance Faire...could not find anything pleasing, out of the whopping 2 or 3 choices of honey mead variations to choose from, and decided to take our money and sinful tastes elsewhere in town.) I can only hope that after we departed at about 6pm that the variety of both improved a lot, as the crowd turnout was certainly there to make a few bucks for some enterprising food and drink staff.
For what it it worth, I did try and take some pictures. Unfortunately, I could not get any decent pics of Albannach this time (I had a Grizzly Adams-like character standing in front of me), nor of the second-best act we saw there, an acrobatic and knife-throwing threesome called Barely Balanced. While I had a great seat for the Barely Balanced show, unfortunately they were performing just as the sun was in every one's eyes. They could see us, while we were all squinting and with sunglasses trying desperately to see them. They did, though, put on a very good show and I was sorry I didn't have more money to contribute to them when they passed the hat around at the conclusion. While sadly I only got a very few pics of them early on in their set, I do, however, have some really spectacular later ones of the sun blinding me, but I'll spare you those.
Go see these kids (well, I think they're mid to late 20s in age, but I tend to call people younger than me 'kids') if you see they're coming to your local Renaissance Faire or festival. Their website is Barely Balanced.com, where, thankfully, you can see what these flexible folks can really do.
All in all, it was a good, sunny, and relatively warm afternoon. The entertainment was lively, the vendors friendly, and the participants enthusiastic...and these pluses made the other shortcomings with the food and drink easily forgiven. I think the WR was quite pleased to lose his Faire virginity at this one and I'm glad we went. Now if they can just do something about the damn honey mead for next year...
05 April 2007
Durham Bulls Season Opener, 7pm tonight
I'll be busy the next few days as spring (finally) comes around. Whereas it's been in the low '80s (perfect weather, in my opinion), today it's about 20 degrees cooler and tonight we even have some damn frost warning or something. However, the arrival of spring is not gauged by the introduction of warmer breezes nor even by the deluge of pollen from all the flowering dogwoods: instead, the true arrival of spring is measured by the opening day of the baseball season.
And not the pros anymore, unfortunately, but the minor league teams in contrast. Maybe I'm haunted by the memory of my dear Dad trying in vain to show me how to throw a slider (Dad was a pitcher for many, many years of his life and baseball was his first love by far), but there's something just almost comforting about hearing a baseball be slapped around from leather mitt to mitt, something just nostalgic about the hot dog vendors selling their wares up and down the aisles, something just familial with the between-inning activities with young kids and the team mascot. And, at the minor leagues at least, a regular person can still afford to see a game. Unlike the majors, where ticket prices, attitudes, and drug scandals have alienated some new and old baseball fans alike, the minor league games still hold the promise the youth and the allure of what professional baseball once was. I haven't had an affiliation with any professional baseball team (well, with the exception of the long-suffering Chicago Cubs, but that's my sadomasochistic side coming through) since I was a child; however I follow, and take great pride in, the local minor league teams. (And yes, guys, there are plenty of single and smart women who understand and follow baseball. Come check it out yourself in person, if you dare.) My Dad was one of those woefully underpaid lads once, and he chased his dream as far as it (and his shoulder) could go. But we all need to support the people who lay it on the line and still aren't afraid to go chase their dreams, as so many of us don't anymore. Some will make it to 'The Show', and most will not...but you have to support those who know the odds and try anyway.
So tonight, as it's become a bit of a tradition in memory of my late father, I'm heading out to the season opener for the local Triple A affiliate team, The Durham Bulls. (Yes, film fans, this is the same team featured and filmed in the Susan Sarandon/Kevin Costner classic "Bull Durham", but the team changed to a more modern stadium...to what is now called the DBAP...a few years back. The far more homey DAP, with its wooden bleachers, great acoustics, and hard-carved graffiti from lovers generations back, still stands, though, and plenty of us 'old school' fans prefer that venue. Unfortunately for the DAP and fortunately for The Bulls, the number of fans necessitated a move to the larger and more modern-outfitted park.) The game tonight is against the Syracuse Chiefs and starts at 7pm. Tickets are still available online here or at the gate, and they start at an affordable $6.
And for those that can't make it to this side of the Triangle, the Double A farm team for the Florida Marlins, The Carolina Mudcats, have their season opener over in Zebulon on April 16 against the Mobile BayBears. Go here for more information on the Mudcats' opener. They do a great job over there, too, and it's a fabulous place for a family outing.
Update April 6: after what must have been one of my stupidest moves in awhile, I was running late to the game from work and didn't stop to get additional clothing (i.e., socks, a heavier jacket, oh, and maybe a full-length insulated parka)...in some sort of delusion that the cold weather surely would not hit a season opener. I was horribly wrong. Earlier this week, we were in the 80's and people were out and about in summer clothing. Thursday night, I froze in the bleachers as the winds went from mild to strong, and by the end of the game, were gusty and strong and from the northeast. And it was a whopping 45 degrees F. To cap it off, although the Bulls took an early lead, they ended up losing 2-1 in the final innings...not that too many people made it through to the end due to the cold. You know it's cold when the seventh inning stretch is marred not by people cheering while standing up, but by the sounds of their teeth chattering instead.
And not the pros anymore, unfortunately, but the minor league teams in contrast. Maybe I'm haunted by the memory of my dear Dad trying in vain to show me how to throw a slider (Dad was a pitcher for many, many years of his life and baseball was his first love by far), but there's something just almost comforting about hearing a baseball be slapped around from leather mitt to mitt, something just nostalgic about the hot dog vendors selling their wares up and down the aisles, something just familial with the between-inning activities with young kids and the team mascot. And, at the minor leagues at least, a regular person can still afford to see a game. Unlike the majors, where ticket prices, attitudes, and drug scandals have alienated some new and old baseball fans alike, the minor league games still hold the promise the youth and the allure of what professional baseball once was. I haven't had an affiliation with any professional baseball team (well, with the exception of the long-suffering Chicago Cubs, but that's my sadomasochistic side coming through) since I was a child; however I follow, and take great pride in, the local minor league teams. (And yes, guys, there are plenty of single and smart women who understand and follow baseball. Come check it out yourself in person, if you dare.) My Dad was one of those woefully underpaid lads once, and he chased his dream as far as it (and his shoulder) could go. But we all need to support the people who lay it on the line and still aren't afraid to go chase their dreams, as so many of us don't anymore. Some will make it to 'The Show', and most will not...but you have to support those who know the odds and try anyway.
So tonight, as it's become a bit of a tradition in memory of my late father, I'm heading out to the season opener for the local Triple A affiliate team, The Durham Bulls. (Yes, film fans, this is the same team featured and filmed in the Susan Sarandon/Kevin Costner classic "Bull Durham", but the team changed to a more modern stadium...to what is now called the DBAP...a few years back. The far more homey DAP, with its wooden bleachers, great acoustics, and hard-carved graffiti from lovers generations back, still stands, though, and plenty of us 'old school' fans prefer that venue. Unfortunately for the DAP and fortunately for The Bulls, the number of fans necessitated a move to the larger and more modern-outfitted park.) The game tonight is against the Syracuse Chiefs and starts at 7pm. Tickets are still available online here or at the gate, and they start at an affordable $6.
And for those that can't make it to this side of the Triangle, the Double A farm team for the Florida Marlins, The Carolina Mudcats, have their season opener over in Zebulon on April 16 against the Mobile BayBears. Go here for more information on the Mudcats' opener. They do a great job over there, too, and it's a fabulous place for a family outing.
Update April 6: after what must have been one of my stupidest moves in awhile, I was running late to the game from work and didn't stop to get additional clothing (i.e., socks, a heavier jacket, oh, and maybe a full-length insulated parka)...in some sort of delusion that the cold weather surely would not hit a season opener. I was horribly wrong. Earlier this week, we were in the 80's and people were out and about in summer clothing. Thursday night, I froze in the bleachers as the winds went from mild to strong, and by the end of the game, were gusty and strong and from the northeast. And it was a whopping 45 degrees F. To cap it off, although the Bulls took an early lead, they ended up losing 2-1 in the final innings...not that too many people made it through to the end due to the cold. You know it's cold when the seventh inning stretch is marred not by people cheering while standing up, but by the sounds of their teeth chattering instead.
03 April 2007
Albannach returns...to the NC Renaissance Faire
Just a quick post as I've been burning the midnight oil as of late (nothing like prepping and going into overdrive before a 3-day weekend, eh, folks?), but I wanted to point out that the North Carolina Renaissance Faire continues this weekend over at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. This is some great news to the 'Renaissance fair' types, but also to my fellow Irish and Scottish descendants who can go on Friday for Official Tartan Day. As a proud descendant of the ancient Clan Chattan, I take great joy in getting together with like-minded historical revelers over some heavier beer, lots of fried and boiled potato snacks for sale, all the while watching some weekend warriors take their 'sword-sparring' a bit too seriously. (Alas, long-time friend and amateur thespian Amanda is probably preparing for her own Faire back in the Midwest.) I have hopes that the Wise Ricky...who is the tartan wearer of the two of us, albeit he is Irish by blood and has readily adopted his kilt as standard social uniform, which sometimes is a bit difficult to explain as most people here do not know the Irish can have and wear their own clan kilts...can finally overcome his allergies to make an appearance.
For those of you who do not seem particularly thrilled with the Faire festivities nor the image of a lot of slip sliding (and not just from the alcohol) plaids, I still encourage you to come on Friday for one final reason: the Scottish tribal drum band Albannach. As regular readers here know already, Albannach wowed everyone (including your humble blogger, who generally leans toward more guitar-driven bands than drums) in attendance when they hit Raleigh last year. They have 5 drums at full volume at any time during their set...and when those booming sounds are added (so loud and full Phil Spector's famous "Wall of Sound" pales in comparison) with dancing and tribal chants, it's hard not to get swept up in the music. Last October, they received well-deserved standing ovations at the end of each of their gigs.
Donnie (aka 'The Bullfrog'), (left), is the lone bagpipe champ in this group, but he more than holds his own.
But the stage show...the powerful, enthusiastic, dynamic stage show!...may just be one of the best I've seen live in recent memory. (The highly-animated 'baron of bass' Jamesie looks like he just walked out of a history book/set from "Braveheart", I swear.) You can tell these wonderful musicians love their craft and their heritage...and are anxious to get everyone who'll listen to appreciate and fall in love with the Scottish culture, history, and traditions.
Kyle, Jamesie (aka the 'Baron of Bass'), and Aya (who's playing a Bodhran in the shadows next to the wall mural), (above, left to right), tearing it up mid-song.
The pictures shown here are from last year's great performance at the Tir Na Nog Irish Pub & Restaurant in downtown Raleigh (otherwise known as the place where I have to 'thaw' my meal's butter over the table candlelight fire, as all of their butter is frozen there, apparently). While the stage at the Fairgrounds will be much bigger, Albannach is more than ready, willing, and able to wow larger crowds. If you're in the area and can make the trip over, come see this great band if for no other reason. While a couple of band members seem a bit shy/reserved to the audience off stage, the open and very friendly nature of the others more than compensates. All of them are excellent musicians...and very proud Scots.
Lead drummer Kyle (left) forging the rhythm ahead with enthusiastic fervor.
In addition to handling drumming, singing, and Bodhran duties, Davey (below) created the band's poster for last fall...which is a series of really 'tongue in cheek' caricatures of all the band members.
While a specific time of performance at the Faire on Friday is not known yet, it will probably be sometime in that open-ended time frame of 3-10pm (last year they did at least 2 sets at the Gaelic Fest 2006 over at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre). If you can't make it to the Faire, they are scheduled to return to Tir Na Nog in Raleigh on April 19 at 9pm (and on Kilt Night, no less...get there early!!) and also will be up and down the Eastern seaboard this summer performing at several Highland Games-related functions. Tour details can be found here (and click on 'tour schedule' link at the top of the page).
And if you want to see a preview of them in action (from last year's huge Grandfather Mountain Highland Games), click here (video from YouTube, as usual):
For those of you who do not seem particularly thrilled with the Faire festivities nor the image of a lot of slip sliding (and not just from the alcohol) plaids, I still encourage you to come on Friday for one final reason: the Scottish tribal drum band Albannach. As regular readers here know already, Albannach wowed everyone (including your humble blogger, who generally leans toward more guitar-driven bands than drums) in attendance when they hit Raleigh last year. They have 5 drums at full volume at any time during their set...and when those booming sounds are added (so loud and full Phil Spector's famous "Wall of Sound" pales in comparison) with dancing and tribal chants, it's hard not to get swept up in the music. Last October, they received well-deserved standing ovations at the end of each of their gigs.
Donnie (aka 'The Bullfrog'), (left), is the lone bagpipe champ in this group, but he more than holds his own.But the stage show...the powerful, enthusiastic, dynamic stage show!...may just be one of the best I've seen live in recent memory. (The highly-animated 'baron of bass' Jamesie looks like he just walked out of a history book/set from "Braveheart", I swear.) You can tell these wonderful musicians love their craft and their heritage...and are anxious to get everyone who'll listen to appreciate and fall in love with the Scottish culture, history, and traditions.
The pictures shown here are from last year's great performance at the Tir Na Nog Irish Pub & Restaurant in downtown Raleigh (otherwise known as the place where I have to 'thaw' my meal's butter over the table candlelight fire, as all of their butter is frozen there, apparently). While the stage at the Fairgrounds will be much bigger, Albannach is more than ready, willing, and able to wow larger crowds. If you're in the area and can make the trip over, come see this great band if for no other reason. While a couple of band members seem a bit shy/reserved to the audience off stage, the open and very friendly nature of the others more than compensates. All of them are excellent musicians...and very proud Scots.
Lead drummer Kyle (left) forging the rhythm ahead with enthusiastic fervor.In addition to handling drumming, singing, and Bodhran duties, Davey (below) created the band's poster for last fall...which is a series of really 'tongue in cheek' caricatures of all the band members.
While a specific time of performance at the Faire on Friday is not known yet, it will probably be sometime in that open-ended time frame of 3-10pm (last year they did at least 2 sets at the Gaelic Fest 2006 over at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre). If you can't make it to the Faire, they are scheduled to return to Tir Na Nog in Raleigh on April 19 at 9pm (and on Kilt Night, no less...get there early!!) and also will be up and down the Eastern seaboard this summer performing at several Highland Games-related functions. Tour details can be found here (and click on 'tour schedule' link at the top of the page).
And if you want to see a preview of them in action (from last year's huge Grandfather Mountain Highland Games), click here (video from YouTube, as usual):
02 April 2007
Sad day in Chapel Hillville again...
I live in an area that is dominated, at least at this time of the year, by all things college basketball related. To say it may be the most popular religion down here would not be exaggerating, with the only other possible contender being NASCAR®.
As a person who transferred into this state not completely understanding how this whole 'routine' worked, it took me awhile to get used to the unwritten rules. People schedule their basketball watching around day care, grocery shopping, even getting gas fill-ups for their car, you name it whatever it is, it comes second to watching college basketball. The locals who don't follow the games for whatever reason, know exactly when the stores will be unpacked and with faster check-outs; they also can tell you what restaurants to avoid the entire day of a game, especially when it comes to this time of the year when fans pack in hours and hours early. And everyone can tell you when the Tar Heels (the UNC team) is playing against the Blue Devils (Duke University's team), the arch rival and equal basketball powerhouse whose campus is a mere ten miles away. Sadly for them, the Blue Devils (both men's and womens' teams) went home early this year from the NCAA Tournament. A little bit of extra light shone through, or so it seemed, on UNC's chances with Duke thus eliminated.
It's bad enough that two weeks ago things really couldn't have looked better for the UNC-Chapel Hill basketball teams, as both the men and the womens' teams were highly rated and well on their respective ways to the semifinal (and maybe even final) championship games. Both of the mens' and womens' teams are peppered with All-American types, scoring leaders, first team all-NCAA winners, etc. Things looked very hopeful then for the loyal supporters and very troubling for future competitors.
Then last Sunday, the Tar Heel mens' team did a self-destruct that eradicated their 11-point lead in regular time, forced them into overtime where they saw the Hoyas score 14 additional straight unanswered points against them, which finally led them to lose by a 12-digit margin in the extra period. To say that UNC coach Roy Williams' team didn't show that they even belonged in the Final Eight last Sunday would be kind. (And for the record, I love Roy Williams, as he was coach at the University of Kansas for many years and we share that additional bond. A class act guy, all the way.) But I must also give Georgetown their due: they stepped up when it finally counted.
But, God Bless'em, the UNC womens' team (who never get the attention, publicity, nor money of the mens' endeavours here) looked like they could bring a championship home. Whereas the fellas looked impatient, unpoised and even a bit panicked in their losses (especially last week's), the women seemed capable of bouncing back time and again from adversity and somehow, anyhow, could pull out a win. Yesterday, they played against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first (we hoped) of their Final Four matches. Unfortunately, I now bring you the equally bad news that a similar fate has befallen the UNC womens' team, who fell last night in the National Semifinal. Like the men last week, the women yesterday couldn't find the basket when it mattered the most: at the end of the game, after they had once built a sizeable lead. They didn't score any points in the last 8:18 of the game, and lost to the Volunteers by a score of 56-50. It's a heartbreaking disappointment, especially as this year's team may have been one of the best to take the floor for the Tar Heels in years.
So today, it's a sad day in Chapel Hillville again. Those that have temporarily lost their religion have taken solace in one of the many sports bars and beer havens around town. And those that haven't...just can't wait for the season to finally be over and are already dreaming of next year. And everyone has moved onto NASCAR® full-time now.
As a person who transferred into this state not completely understanding how this whole 'routine' worked, it took me awhile to get used to the unwritten rules. People schedule their basketball watching around day care, grocery shopping, even getting gas fill-ups for their car, you name it whatever it is, it comes second to watching college basketball. The locals who don't follow the games for whatever reason, know exactly when the stores will be unpacked and with faster check-outs; they also can tell you what restaurants to avoid the entire day of a game, especially when it comes to this time of the year when fans pack in hours and hours early. And everyone can tell you when the Tar Heels (the UNC team) is playing against the Blue Devils (Duke University's team), the arch rival and equal basketball powerhouse whose campus is a mere ten miles away. Sadly for them, the Blue Devils (both men's and womens' teams) went home early this year from the NCAA Tournament. A little bit of extra light shone through, or so it seemed, on UNC's chances with Duke thus eliminated.
It's bad enough that two weeks ago things really couldn't have looked better for the UNC-Chapel Hill basketball teams, as both the men and the womens' teams were highly rated and well on their respective ways to the semifinal (and maybe even final) championship games. Both of the mens' and womens' teams are peppered with All-American types, scoring leaders, first team all-NCAA winners, etc. Things looked very hopeful then for the loyal supporters and very troubling for future competitors.
Then last Sunday, the Tar Heel mens' team did a self-destruct that eradicated their 11-point lead in regular time, forced them into overtime where they saw the Hoyas score 14 additional straight unanswered points against them, which finally led them to lose by a 12-digit margin in the extra period. To say that UNC coach Roy Williams' team didn't show that they even belonged in the Final Eight last Sunday would be kind. (And for the record, I love Roy Williams, as he was coach at the University of Kansas for many years and we share that additional bond. A class act guy, all the way.) But I must also give Georgetown their due: they stepped up when it finally counted.
But, God Bless'em, the UNC womens' team (who never get the attention, publicity, nor money of the mens' endeavours here) looked like they could bring a championship home. Whereas the fellas looked impatient, unpoised and even a bit panicked in their losses (especially last week's), the women seemed capable of bouncing back time and again from adversity and somehow, anyhow, could pull out a win. Yesterday, they played against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first (we hoped) of their Final Four matches. Unfortunately, I now bring you the equally bad news that a similar fate has befallen the UNC womens' team, who fell last night in the National Semifinal. Like the men last week, the women yesterday couldn't find the basket when it mattered the most: at the end of the game, after they had once built a sizeable lead. They didn't score any points in the last 8:18 of the game, and lost to the Volunteers by a score of 56-50. It's a heartbreaking disappointment, especially as this year's team may have been one of the best to take the floor for the Tar Heels in years.
So today, it's a sad day in Chapel Hillville again. Those that have temporarily lost their religion have taken solace in one of the many sports bars and beer havens around town. And those that haven't...just can't wait for the season to finally be over and are already dreaming of next year. And everyone has moved onto NASCAR® full-time now.
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