Five more days of rain -- but no hurricane in our laps, thanks to a cold front dipping down from the Midwest and fending off the "bad weather" and keeping it mostly out to sea.
The Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast might get "more than we will get -- at least in terms of rain and tidal swell."
We really don't need a hurricane in Savannah -- anytime; but especially now.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tomorrow World 2015?
Another pretentious rock concert (last weekend in Atlanta) ends is rain, slop, miserable conditions and danger to several hundred thousand "fans." Stupid never changes.
From Woodstock onward there has been a steady parade of small-time promoters aiming for the "big bucks" by renting a cow pasture, setting up a temporary stage wired beyond belief, and then falling victim to their own lack of planning. "What if it rains?" often never enters the picture and so the chances of a real tragedy proliferate.
This is yet another example of why we need serious regulations of "promoters" and "entrepreneurs" who don't know squat.
From Woodstock onward there has been a steady parade of small-time promoters aiming for the "big bucks" by renting a cow pasture, setting up a temporary stage wired beyond belief, and then falling victim to their own lack of planning. "What if it rains?" often never enters the picture and so the chances of a real tragedy proliferate.
This is yet another example of why we need serious regulations of "promoters" and "entrepreneurs" who don't know squat.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Deans
I currently have a Dean who, like some teachers, is always on the lookout for new talent. He is easily impressed by a speech, presentation, or poster session at some conference and then brags to his current staff how wonderful it would be if this new "genius" could be on board with us. He, at the same time, overlooks and underplays his current staff, and exists in a kind of "fools paradise."
Teachers who are always looking for the next class to provide "real students" are in the same boat. Both attitudes say something about people like the Dean. To be a Dean is to ignore the present and hope for a future that will not happen, apparently. And somehow be satisfied as well.
Teachers who are always looking for the next class to provide "real students" are in the same boat. Both attitudes say something about people like the Dean. To be a Dean is to ignore the present and hope for a future that will not happen, apparently. And somehow be satisfied as well.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Complete College America
Perhaps the largest "public relations" sham ever launched against the college system in America is the not-for-profit "Complete College America." Armed with statistics gleaned from census reports and various educational foundation reports -- they have played the "state legislatures" of many states for establishment fools.
By redefining educational success as high graduation rates this foundation has convinced the legislators that quicker graduation means better jobs and more jobs! No proof for either of these two claims others than the "common sense" approach used by Republican business concerns for years. The Republican elite doesn't want a well-educated America -- they want an American public that is "just educated enough" to take the many low and middle range jobs that American business has to offer. Corporate giants want fodder: assemblers, electronic overseers, lower-level management, and the lower-than-that level of jobs that proliferate in American factories and even white collar corporate structures. More people working is more tax dollars; more tax dollars benefit government, regardless of the degree of satisfaction achieved by the "new working force."
The highest paying jobs will go, not to graduates of two year schools; but to graduates of four year schools who also have a liberal education and can solve problems and view growth critically. America and Americans have been played for a fool -- by American and World business. Capitalism at work!!
By redefining educational success as high graduation rates this foundation has convinced the legislators that quicker graduation means better jobs and more jobs! No proof for either of these two claims others than the "common sense" approach used by Republican business concerns for years. The Republican elite doesn't want a well-educated America -- they want an American public that is "just educated enough" to take the many low and middle range jobs that American business has to offer. Corporate giants want fodder: assemblers, electronic overseers, lower-level management, and the lower-than-that level of jobs that proliferate in American factories and even white collar corporate structures. More people working is more tax dollars; more tax dollars benefit government, regardless of the degree of satisfaction achieved by the "new working force."
The highest paying jobs will go, not to graduates of two year schools; but to graduates of four year schools who also have a liberal education and can solve problems and view growth critically. America and Americans have been played for a fool -- by American and World business. Capitalism at work!!
The Changing Shape of Everything
Politics just isn't the same. The Catholic Church (and religion in general) just isn't the same. Morality and ethics just aren't the same. And here we sit.
I hope I can weather all this change -- and could so so even if the worst happens, and "the Donald" becomes "the President." I must admit I did not even consider that possibility when the election cycle started -- and now I wonder if even that ultimate awfulness could be feasible.
This is how the world ends -- not with a bang, but a "Trump whine."
I hope I can weather all this change -- and could so so even if the worst happens, and "the Donald" becomes "the President." I must admit I did not even consider that possibility when the election cycle started -- and now I wonder if even that ultimate awfulness could be feasible.
This is how the world ends -- not with a bang, but a "Trump whine."
Thursday, September 24, 2015
New Audience
I have become a new audience member for the two sisters who sing -- Emerson Rhudy and Kate Rhudy. Along time ago in Charlotte I was a friend to their Mom Jane -- and a "partner" to their Grandmother Nancy in the theatre production company known as "MANNA..."
I knew all of the Nixon family but I shared some things in common with Jane -- she was a runner (much better than I was; but I ran as well); she was into massage/therapy (I was a "shiatsu" practitioner); she lived in Charlotte (as did I -- I worked at UNCC just like David Nixon her Dad did).
When Nancy Nixon died (some time later) I had already left Charlotte and was living in Savannah, GA with my wife Sheila, and starting a bed-and-breakfast. I remember the last time I talked with Nancy-- on the phone; several months before she died. She was hopeful but resigned to her fate at that point -- I wanted to be there but for many, many reasons -- mostly emotional -- but I couldn't be. I am glad the "family tree" now includes two more artists, this time in music, but fully representative of the talent of the Nixon/Rhudy tree of life.
I knew all of the Nixon family but I shared some things in common with Jane -- she was a runner (much better than I was; but I ran as well); she was into massage/therapy (I was a "shiatsu" practitioner); she lived in Charlotte (as did I -- I worked at UNCC just like David Nixon her Dad did).
When Nancy Nixon died (some time later) I had already left Charlotte and was living in Savannah, GA with my wife Sheila, and starting a bed-and-breakfast. I remember the last time I talked with Nancy-- on the phone; several months before she died. She was hopeful but resigned to her fate at that point -- I wanted to be there but for many, many reasons -- mostly emotional -- but I couldn't be. I am glad the "family tree" now includes two more artists, this time in music, but fully representative of the talent of the Nixon/Rhudy tree of life.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Long Days at Work End HARD
Americans work way too much. Too many hours. Too few real vacations. Too little respite from the constant and unending stress! I hate it; and yet I have become used to it all.
As have most working Americans. We have been brainwashed by fear and worry that somehow we will lose our jobs if we arrive at work a half hour late (or leave ten minutes early). It is a vicious and
and cruel cycle of excess with no recourse. No respite. No stoppages.
And the result -- a paranoid and orderly work force, sans creativity, sans individuality, sans growth. And the rich factory owners and upper level administrators get richer -- and the rest of us; well, the rest of us just get deader.
As have most working Americans. We have been brainwashed by fear and worry that somehow we will lose our jobs if we arrive at work a half hour late (or leave ten minutes early). It is a vicious and
and cruel cycle of excess with no recourse. No respite. No stoppages.
And the result -- a paranoid and orderly work force, sans creativity, sans individuality, sans growth. And the rich factory owners and upper level administrators get richer -- and the rest of us; well, the rest of us just get deader.
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