Techno Gadget of the Month: Scribd®

I've found a cool new site that I had not seen before, although (as usual) millions of others already have. It's called Scribd®, and it lets you upload all sorts of documents for public consumption. Some really good reading can be found there, but some other entries (as one might expect) are truly crap. Lots of e-books and the similar online sales propaganda. However, it's really cool to read (or download, or print) some of those old books you've been meaning to read, but always forget about when milling around at the used book store. I've also found some templates for work and/or organization that I find intriguing. Some things I question possible copyright infringement on, but I figure Scribd®'s got their own lawyers and removal system for those things. Use your discretion and common sense if you wonder about the legality of these items, as you really should with anything you encounter...not just with the internet, but with everything in life. (Daily sap comment added in for free.) Really some interesting stuff to be found there, though...sort of like a study group (complete with some really horribly written class notes) for the web.

Out and About: Foothills Brewing

It's been awhile since I posted a review of some local eateries that I've recently tried out, and I realized when perusing over the blog here that one is greatly overdue. That delay has been two-fold: (1) like so many others, I've been eating in more lately to save money and to hopefully improve my weight loss goals, and (2) I've made some conscious decisions of late as to what I want to use my discretionary spending money on, which ties in to my goal of being totally debt-free quicker. I've had reasonable success with the first objective, as I'm still down about 22 pounds (but now fighting a bit of a plateau getting more off), and the second one has really seen some headway...I'm now paying off the last outstanding account and finishing up on the student loan (excluding regular expenses like rent, electric, phone, etc). While it kills me to make these changes and reduce one of my favourite activities of eating out, I've done it for the combined positive impact it would/will make. So, instead of trying out a new venue once a week or even once every other week, it's been averaging more like a new venue every month.

That said, I have made it out recently and thought I'd post the comments here...and I also have one going for Milltown in Carrboro on deck.

(In the post about the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games a few days back, I also mention the simply divine Bella's in Banner Elk, North Carolina. It features some absolutely fantastic Italian food. I won't repeat that brief review here, but if you're in the Sugar Mountain/Beech Mountain/western NC mountain area, I cannot encourage you enough to go and give them a visit. The pasta is homemade daily, the sauces well-seasoned, and the bread is great, too. Didn't sample from the wine list that night, but now wish that I had.)

Foothills Brewing, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The WR and I found this place quite by accident when coming back from the GMHG, and actually found it when looking for suitable parking for another restaurant a couple of blocks back. As Winston-Salem is a bit less than halfway back from Linville, we decided to stop over there for a bit of lunch. Unfortunately, our first look took us in only in the direction of a Burger King, Quiznos, and one of the state's largest Lowe's home improvement warehouses. Turning around, we came into the downtown area, but only found half a dozen or so Chinese places that were open on a Sunday. Not really craving Chinese, we pressed on. Still we found nothing, and were about to give up and reconsider Burger King when we spied the Camel City Cafe. It looked open...one of the very few things in downtown Winston-Salem that was that afternoon...but no immediate parking was available. We kept looking and, about a block and a half down, we saw some public parking. Unfortunately for Camel City, we also then noticed the word 'Brewing' to our left...the Foothills Brewing, to be exact...and that's all two home beer-brewers needed as incentive to go patronize the joint.

Exterior of Foothills Brewing, Winston-Salem, NC. Located at the end of a very nice block, flanked by some very beautiful architectural buildings to its immediate left...nice walking tour 'finish line' if you're downtown.
I have to say I was rather pleased by the place. When you go to most breweries and/or beer emporiums here in the States, you should get a good variety of beers, but the food frequently can be lackluster (unfortunately this is a complaint I have against The Flying Saucer in Raleigh, where it's always a 50/50 chance of my food being fully cooked and/or hot when served...even the appetizers sometimes...I've learned to just skip getting food there). I was pleasantly surprised at Foothills, however, with the bison burger and rather large salad substitution (yes, I've also severely limited my potatoes intake these days). Not to mention, more times than not, there is a rather hard sell for specific beers in breweries, especially for their seasonal stuff...not so much here, as the waitress was more than willing to set up us with a sampler of their many offerings (and even brought two others, technically not samples).

When you're an unofficial beer snob such as myself, I know that I want to try something new (why else go to a brewery?), but I also know what kind of beers I tend to like. I would be very rich indeed if I had a nickel for every time I ventured into a pub or bar or brewery and asked about the options available and only been offered the light, and/or mainstream Americanized, beers. (I'm not so sure that it has anything to do with specials per se, versus that most women aren't as picky, or as fond, of stronger beers like I am.) Much to their credit, the staff at Foothills made no such assumptions about what 'should' be offered, and instead were just very receptive to the particular likes (and dislikes) of the individuals imbibing their goods. The place was clean, too, with a nice separation of the dining area near the front and more of the 'pub' and very long bar area near the back. Airy, but not too 'stuffy' in its attempts to appear modern. Prices were certainly a good deal for what was offered, so no complaints there, either. Damn shame Winston-Salem is such a trek from here (1.5+ hours on a good day with traffic, each way), or otherwise I'd be making a more frequent visit.

Our beer sampler from Foothills Brewing, downtown Winston-Salem, NC. Some, of course, were better than others. Verdict: most very good, but I couldn't finish the (very strong stout, black one far right) and I still don't like IPAs...must be the 'grapefruit-like' aftertaste.

The one negative (and it's relatively minor): Foothills may need to rethink the choice of growlers they use for home sale (growlers are the glass jugs which patrons can buy and then take home beer straight from the brewery, reuse, and/or can also bring back in for a reduced-price refill). I'm personally an advocate for the German-style of growler (seen here), that features a nice ceramic top with a strong clamp, like a Grolsch bottle, that keeps fresh beer tasting good because it keeps air out. Instead, Foothills used something like this growler bottle. In principle, both growlers do the same thing but the second option is less complicated and (presumably) less costly to the Brewery and its customers. In practice, there is a massive difference to the life of the beer once the second is opened...growlers should be able to preserve a beer for 1-2 days minimum after first opened (the heavy ceramic-topped growler that WR and I use for our beer...purchased ages ago from Front Street Brewery in Wilmington, NC...can hold our beers' quality for a week well beyond first being opened). Unfortunately, the growler I brought back from Foothills (loaded initially with a very tasty Summer Bock) was really barely able to survive 3 hours after I opened it on the second day. Its 'drink life' didn't even come close to what the 'label' suggested it would be...and the beer chosen for it was certainly fresh when put in. Not a bad thing, I suppose, if the beer itself was cheap and you don't mind losing it...it is a bad thing, though, if a really good (and slightly expensive) beer goes bad because of it. And having your beer go bad...no matter if you're a home brewer or a commercial brewery...is just a heart-sickening experience to those of us who love the stuff. The German-style growler, though, could have saved the Summer Bock. Thinking when I go to Foothills again, I'll take the Front Street Brewery growler with me for a refill and see if I can't negotiate some sort of deal.

Four and a half stars (out of five) otherwise, with the staff getting five.

The Last Lecture: The Light Carries On

It is with sad news that I report Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. That, sadly, in itself is not life-altering news for most of us...we all know someone, or been someone, who has been afflicted by this horrible disease. Some will win the war, but unfortunately so many more will be lost. Unfortunately, we have lost the Professor.

Ultimately we all pass on, but some seem to know how to enjoy it a bit more, wake up and embrace it a bit more. Each day here is a gift, but honestly how many of us truly appreciate it as such? I know I am not alone when I say I too often take it for granted, and I am ashamed to admit as such. Especially on a day such as this, when I am reminded just how great we humans can be, just how grateful we should be for just waking up and having yet another chance to improve ourselves.

Professor Pausch gave a lecture in a series called "The Last Lecture" series. The series was to encourage the professors of Carnegie Mellon to write and deliver their 'last lectures' to an audience seeking their wisdom for the 'final' time. Specifically, what would their last lecture be, and what would they want their audiences to leave with? Professor Pausch gave one that will make your heart glow and your love of life renew...it was simply called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams". It is, arguably, the very best lecture a student...a person...a human...could ever hope to hear. (It has since been transcribed and developed into a best-selling book.) This lecture will make your spirit soar, but will also make your tears fall. It is worth every minute of viewing...do not rush it, do not watch it in parts, but do take in its feeling and its meaning because it does apply to all of us.

And it will also make you appreciate just how much a void we now all have with Professor Pausch's death. Rest in peace, Professor, and thanks for the wisdom. Your many students, thousands upon thousands you never met, thank you...and we will carry your love of life with us.

Introductions done, I give you Professor Pausch and The Last Lecture...

Professor Randy Pausch delivering "The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams", September 2007, Carnegie Mellon University. Video from YouTube.

Winners of the Games: Barleyjuice, Mother Grove, the My Three Kilts Family

Okay, I've been swamped at work since my return, but now I finally have some time to catch up. At long last, I've taken some time away to do a quick review of this year's Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, completed last weekend.

First off, I have to say that the Wise Ricky and I were invited to join...and had an absolute blast...with the lads from My Three Kilts and their wives (Rachael, Heather, and Julie). Considering that they weren't all that familiar with us off-stage before the invite, it was a particularly strong leap of faith on their part, but one that made the Games a helluva lot of fun for us (and hopefully also for them). Fantastic memories were made (we shared the cabin from Sunday's post with them, too), and a lot of laughs...eight people in a hot tub built for six was no small feat, after all. Great people, great musicians, great couples one and all. And I can always thank them for helping me get the Wise (Yet Gay) Ricky into a Hooters® before he died...a memory that makes me chuckle even now when thinking about it. Honestly, as much as Ricky and I loved the Games and all the Celtic music of the event, we probably had more fun hanging out with the Kilts family. And we thank them...again...for the great times.

Speaking of the music of the Games...as usual, there was a lot. Some of it more to my tastes than others, as that always happens, but some of it really, really good. I have to be honest here: Ricky and I go to these Games to see the music, learn about our heritage (more mine than his as I'm Scottish and he's not, but to his benefit there were many an Irish-targeted item, too), and just generally soak up the atmosphere of lots of people drinking (beer, if you brought it, as the GMHG is inexplicably located in a 'dry' county) and lots of people (mostly men) wearing kilts. I would like to say we pay close attention to the sporting events and heraldry of the all-day activities, but honestly I have to admit we don't. We come for the music, I look to see if some wise vendor has my family's tartan available and never find it, and Ricky looks and finds a sporran that he really likes, but it's greatly overpriced. And then we go listen to more music, eat, drink beer, more music. (Wash, rinse, repeat.) It may be a lot of things to a lot of people, but for us, it's mostly the music.

(Fair warning, here comes the rant...)

That said, I will say this at long last and finally let it go (been simmering in my pot for two years now): I do not, for the life of me, understand the madness behind the big Saturday night concert, one of the GMHG's main attractions. Actually, I don't understand a lot about that whole concert's dynamics, including the lineup. Let me explain: I think there are three 'Groves' open throughout the day where musicians will do sets of their music (30 minutes or thereabouts), starting at about 10am and stopping at around 3:30pm or so...each band, I believe, plays two daytime sets in the same Grove with quick turnarounds. You bring your chair or blanket and misc food item and sit down among the natural beauty of Grandfather Mountain and take it all in...but you can come and go as you want, as the Games itself and Clan activities continue on unabated on the main field. The Groves are good, but are unfortunately limited to smaller-sized crowds.


Barleyjuice performing in one of the Groves, July 12, 2008. Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Linville, North Carolina.

Saturday nights, though, there is a more formal 'concert' feel to things, after all the days' competitions are complete and the Clan tents have went silent. You'd think with as many quality bands on tap and with many, many music-lovers in attendance, this would be the absolute best time to give the musicians the best line-up and area to roam and interact with the audience. You'd think bands would be scheduled like regular gigs are, with the opening acts leading up to more established 'headliners'. You'd think that an empty mountain field would be great to really let musicians fully interact with the audience, as they would no longer be hemmed in by shorter sets and the rocky seating geography of the Groves. (Especially, as the audience was reminded often, that the bands don't get paid to perform at the Games and rely on merchandise sales to cover their expenses.) You'd think the audience would be able to spread out on more than one hill, and be able to get to the food vendors, toilets, and merchandise areas with relative ease. You'd think all of those things would be a priority for Saturday night's show, but you'd be wrong.

Technically, an entire field is available for music and seating, dancing and eating...rimmed afar only by Port-A-Johns. Why the actual show is kept to only one small portion of that field, why the attendees of the concert are practically walking on each other to just move because of the restricted (but still viewable) seating space, and why there's a further very enclosed area for dancing (with rules!) on that field, is beyond me. And, damn it, it happened again this year. There was no rhyme nor reason with band scheduling for that show: Barleyjuice was one of the first ones out, and they have a huge following and are tough to follow; a last-minute change prevented a mass exodus when somebody finally realised that Scottish drumming gods Albannach (and one of Games' main musical draws, truth be told), wasn't scheduled to finish last as the headliner. All the while, fans of any and all who wanted to dance were pinned to stage right in a little corral, like calves waiting to be branded.

It's the Highland Games, people: we like to drink, we like to eat, we like to make new friends and be old friends, we like to make and listen to our music, and we like to dance. Give us those opportunities and we'll even pay you for it. All we are saying, is give fun a chance. (Apologies to John Lennon.)

(Rant over.)

On to the highlights:

Albannach. This is almost always a given, as I've only seen one semi-off performance from them ever, and that was due to too much alcohol consumed by the band prior to the show. (They're Scottish, so I let my people have a 'bye' on that point, as long as it doesn't become a habit.) As usual, they took it up another notch this year in their Grove performances. Consistently, they do a tremendous show. And I, for one, really like learning from David Ross...glad to see they're always a 'team' package. Jamesie, the flirty one who looks like he stepped out of a scene from "Braveheart" with long hair disheveled any which way, was in rare form. I'm still amazed Kyle can keep up the pace he does, as long as he does, on the drums...my arms would have grown numb.

Mother Grove. What a difference a year makes! Those who dared to ask me last year about what bands I thought disappointed would have heard Mother Grove almost at the top of that list. This year, though, they either 'found their voice' or significantly retooled their attitude when performing...the tempo was faster, the sound tighter, the song selection better, the extended solos not so much (or at least not to the point where I wishing they would stop, last year's went on and on and on). The female fiddle player, Laura Adams, is about as top-notch as any band can hope for...and any woman who can jig and fiddle at the same time to her degree of excellence is well worth a viewing. Considering the band and equipment had some instruments stolen in May, I'm hoping the merchandise sales at the Games maybe helped replenish their funds. "Kick Me" is a great song, wish they would lead off with that.

Barleyjuice. While this may be blasphemy in some circles, here goes: the best band at the Games this year. Now before the Albannach fans come after me, let me add this: The best band at the Games this year with vocal material. The one, if only, gripe, that comes against the Albannach legion is that a great deal of their songs sound the same (which is further hampered by the fact that so many of their songs are only drums and bagpipes, and very little vocals). Albannach is tribal, is primal, is the spirit of Scotland: unrelenting, fierce, and proud. You either love them or hate them, but that largely depends on how much you love their sound (drums).

Barleyjuice, however, is from the wilds of Philadelphia, an area which is also known for being a little unrelenting and proud (and several more things) it its own distinctive way. Barleyjuice, though, focuses a lot on lyrics and their songs are quite memorable because of just that. They don't have the wild abandon of the Scots, no, but they do perform one damn lively, and audience-friendly, show. And they specialize, or so it seems, in Irish-based drinking-then-shagging songs...nothing wrong with that. (Unless you're at work and work in a medical facility; some bosses object to "I'm in Love with a Priest"...it's not what you think, folks...playing in an office.) This year Barleyjuice also showed a more, 'rock/country' side to them than I've seen. Any band that go from "Tartan is the Colour of My True Love's Hair" to The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" to Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried" to Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues", and then back to their "Weekend Irish" song is simply damn great. They have fun on stage, and with their audience...and it shows. And, God bless the Philly boys, at least two of them are SCOTS (Southern Culture on the Skids) fans, too, all the more reason to adore these fellas. The SCOTS can toss chicken during their "Eight Piece Box"; Barleyjuice should toss waffle fries during their "Potatoes". (Doing the "Potatoes" dance with WR and Scott's wife, Julie, on Saturday night is a great memory I take away.) My only issue with Barleyjuice is that they rarely make it down this way, although they will be in Williamsburg, VA, for their Scottish Festival in early October. Fabulous band.


Barleyjuice doing "What's up Yours?". Courtesy of YouTube.

Bella's in Banner Elk, North Carolina (hidden away in a Food Lion Shopping Center complex, of all places). Except for a lovely place near the Trevi Fountain in Rome, I have never had better Italian food in my life. All in our party agreed, it was top-notch material, even by Heather, our Italian by heritage in the group. Forgive the slightly high-strung blonde hostess, though, I'm hoping she was just having a bad day and easily overwhelmed. Also kudos to the Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department and Linville Central Rescue Squad members: 2 years straight they've given dead-on recommendations for food that has been nothing short of fantastic (not to mention, they do a great job with parking and transportation to/from the Games).

Lowlights/disappointments:

See lengthy rant above.

In addition to the above rant, there might be a need to re-examination of the audience target. Some of the bands are a too rock for 'pure' Celtic material, some are too 'new age'. I have no problems with either to some degree, but some 'purists' out there aren't happy and the choice of bands in general kept creeping up in conversations, in merchandise tents, waiting for food, etc. Then again, beggars can't be choosers: if the GMHG don't pay the bands anything to perform, that does limit potential candidates. The tradeoff between these two forces will be interesting to see in years to come. Still wish they had an 'amateur' concert night for less established musicians and/or bands...my buds, My Three Kilts, would kill it.

I am trying really hard to not be too snide here, (which is my tendency as a former musician, unfortunately), but here comes a personal mantra: events such as this should not have bands doing covers of other bands'/artists' material unless those covers are done really, really well. (See Barleyjuice for advice on how to do this well.) The GMHG is the perfect place to play original material, or a lot of traditional songs that you've updated, and some covers. However, doing traditional songs or covers badly is the kiss of death, as most of the audience has a diverse, and deep, musical knowledge base.

In the interest of appearing nice, I won't name the guilty musicians directly...but those who attended, and those responsible for this muck, know who they are.

Last year, I railed against the 'Farrah Fawcett-head' lead guitarist band who proceeded to not only do a cover of an old AC/DC and Bon Scott-era song (generally always a mistake), but they did it horribly. That band somehow took "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock N Roll)"...a song that features a bagpipe solo in the original, for Pete's sake...and made it into a guitar song, complete with several missed chords, featuring (you guessed it) 'Farrah Fawcett' on lead in place of the bagpipe solo, even though 'Farrah's band had a very competent bagpiper. (Far more competent on bagpipes than 'Farrah' was on guitar, in comparison.) I'm a hard-core AC/DC fan, to boot. Bloody freaking hell. It was nothing short of stupefying.

This year, another band decided they wanted to incorporate a cover song in their set...but this time it was Led Zeppelin. "Good Times, Bad Times", to be specific. This is also generally not a good idea, as most everyone knows lyrics to most of their songs, and knows how the song is 'supposed' to sound. And let's never forget Led Zep was a phenomenal band, perhaps the best ever in rock. Everybody wants to cover them, everybody wants to be them on stage, but few (if any) ever will convincingly. (You know where I'm going on this, and it's not going to be pretty.) Let me finish with this: if you can't do a Led Zep cover song musically, don't play it in front of people until you can. Furthermore, if you don't sing the lyrics of a favourite Led Zep song that everybody in the audience knows the words to, don't perform it until you feel you can sing it on stage. What was played in the Grove...a mash of dropped riffs and an uneven beat, with audience members in the trees singing the song as no one else was...was a bit painful to witness. Please, in honor of the late John 'Bonzo' Bonham (legendary drummer for Led Zep), I beg you: work on the song a great deal more before playing it in public. Pretty please. Even with the forgiving sort that attends these Games, nobody likes Led Zep Musak. Nobody.

Glory be the Mountains

So, up in the mountains of western North Carolina, I have found my Summer Nirvana. On a porch, with a light, wispy breeze. And with a rocking chair.


Life is good, really good. And, despite the norm of what we're all told these days, it is absolutely the best when it is taken slow.

Off to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games!

It's been a 65+ hour work week, all jobs thrown in...again.

It's been a little housework, a little cleaning, a little reading, a little vegging out in front of the television when not at work...again.

It's been a daily (and weekly and monthly) track of the weight loss progression...again. Good news is I've lost 22 pounds so far and still continuing to lose, albeit only 1-2 pounds a week. Bad news is I've only lost 22 pounds (since the first of March).

It's been another day of not seeing a wonderful summer sunrise nor sunset...again.

So I'm off to play and have some much-needed fun with some friends, have some good beer and good food (within reason), and enjoy some great Scottish and Celtic music. Off to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and a rented cabin near Blowing Rock.

Standing Up to Jesse

One has to admire the long-standing effects of Jesse Helms: the man's been dead less than a week, was out of the public eye for close to six years before that, but he's still raising tempers and causing arguments.

My fine adopted state, North Carolina, lost its long-time and very controversial former Senator, Jesse Helms, on July 4th. Helms was adored by some in the state and country (even Vice President Dick Cheney paid a visit to us in Raleigh to attend the funeral services), but absolutely reviled by many others. There are clear 'divisions', if you will, between the Jesse-lovers and the Jesse-haters: conservative versus liberal, young versus old, traditional versus modern. Most notably to his supporters, the late Senator was known to be a tireless defender of his beliefs and a hard worker for his constituents. Most notably to his detractors, the late Senator was known for having hard-core traditional values, and he actively campaigned against civil rights. For better or for worse, there was no middle ground about Senator Helms: he was either a source of conservative NC political pride, or a reason that NC should be embarrassed. My neighbours and I, along with about 10 friends who came over to chat while looking at the pouring rain, had a cookout on the 4th and actually toasted Helms' memory...and then we all prayed we would never see his like again in our lifetimes.

(To see what the controversy was about...and there were many...go here and here.

This week, we have made it through the heavy news coverage about his death, as well as a complete rehash of the late Senator's many legislative accomplishments. We have made it through the 'who's who' list of important notables who attended the funeral. I'm even pretty sure that all the delayed passengers at RDU airport (because of Mr. Cheney's arrival and departure and the demands for clear air space) made it through unscathed. Angry about some things like the rest of us, perhaps, but made it through.

Then comes today's news about someone who really took issue with all this posthumous 'Jesse-love'. And a reminder just how divisive Senator Helms was to our populace. In a sign that people with ethical standards still can and do work in the public sector, a politically-minded employee chose to leave his job in protest. Bravo.

My fine adopted state, North Carolina, has essentially strong-armed one of its state employees to either honour Senator Helms for his contributions (a demand of which the employee found morally impossible) or terminate his employment with them. In what may have appeared an appropriate and maybe even innocent gesture by current NC Governor Mike Easley to have all state flags lowered to half staff in recognition of Helms, one employee, L.F. Eason III from the state Department of Agriculture, refused. He would not do so, Eason stated, because he would not honour a bigot in such a manner. The State, for their part, said the decision was not Mr. Eason's to make and that the flags actually belonged to the State. (And I see the State's point to some degree on this, but actually the flag is not just a piece of cloth: emotionally, it embodies all that we Americans hold dear and it's not a piece of property to be taken lightly, like a pencil sharpener.) To Mr. Eason and millions of other Americans, that flag means equality, regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual preference. Equality that the late Senator fought against, for Pete's sake. Once upon a time, the flag belonged to the People, and that's why so many of us were taught to respect its values anywhere we saw it, regardless of whom the owner may be.

Since the story first broke, there has been some additional 'clarification' (and perhaps a tad bit conveniently-released information as this story has started to get 'legs') from the State as to what they said/didn't say to Mr. Eason, but there seems to be a 'no go' area between the two parties, too. Eason has stood his ground, and has acknowledged on the local TV news that while he recognizes there was an order from the Governor and that he does not own the flag and flag pole in question, he felt 'responsible' for his department, and for the directives given to his employees to carry out. Eason was a manager there, after all, and had worked with the State and in the Department of Agriculture for 29 years...it's been his only job since college. His contributions to the State and to the Department are many. Support or hate, Eason has reminded us all of the glory of our right to free speech. Yes, he violated a directive from the highest executive in the state. But he also acted with his conscience, and did not want his employees to do something he himself would not be able, in good faith, to do. Even at the risk of losing his job.

I may agree with him, you may not. But that's what makes America so great, and also what makes our tolerance of those who choose to dissent so unique in the world. At least he was thinking about it instead of just blindly going along, as so many of us do these days. Whether the State gave him an ultimatum as to 'fly the flag half-staff or be fired' is now in some sort of a grey area, but no matter as that's not the issue. The issue instead is that once Mr. Eason's opinions were known by the State (through multiple emails to superiors), the State disallowed any political dissent without consequences to Mr. Eason. There were other options for the State to consider with Mr. Eason, but from what's been reported and from the emails released, it appears that the State was in no mood to look at any of them. Which makes this whole thing ironic as hell...given that the object of all of this respect, Senator Helms, was known as a voice of dissent for over 30 years.

On the positive side, though, Mr. Eason has reportedly received three new job offers. And my fine adopted state has lost a loyal employee in more ways than one.

Still Have a Pulse

Yes, folks, I'm still here and I'm still alive. Problem is bosses are all taking their vacations right now, the fiscal year ended for us on 30 June, and I'm balancing my time between covering all of the above associated projects and oh, say, sleeping occasionally. And somewhere, somehow, I've still gotta prep for this weekend's Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. But at least then I can get a couple of days off.

More updates as I can squeeze in the time...