Cleveland Browns Win!

We got to see hints of improvement over the last 2 games, but now a Win! Over the Steelers? Ha! Now to see if they can keep it going. Can they keep other teams from easily decoding their offense after the half (seems to happen a lot)? Can they keep their defense healthy for a whole season of game-saving? Can they pay Joshua Cribs, their only star player, enough to stay in Cleveland? I don’t know, but Browns are now fun again. Thats enough for me.

 

NOW WHAT?

 

Really. Now what do we do?

 

RANDOM RANT: Where’s my Halloween movies?

 

What a crappy Halloween. Sure, the trick-or-treaters were nice, but what about the television? My wonderful Television?

 

Walter Cronkite, The Associated Press Awards, and me.

On this, the 40th anniversary of the moon landing and just days after the death of Walter Cronkite, the subject of integrity kept repeating itself. Cronkite was there, our country’s eyes on some of the most influential events of the 20th century, bringing them into our homes and lives. I wondered how he would feel about the press we have today. Amazingly, for once, the television answered. An interview some years ago allowed him to rail against the growing trend of idiocy and entertainment in news media; where first amendment rights are abdicated by the media to allow reporters to pursue even friendlier, cozier, relationships with those they were meant to be reporting on. There was my answer, being replayed right before my eyes. Boob-tube was actually good for something.

The cult of personality was supposed to be created by the media, not to envelop them as well.

 

Play with your organ- The OHS way!

The Organ Historical Society (OHS) and American Theater Organ Society had their annual conventions in Cleveland, Ohio this year. Michael Barone of the “Pipedreams” radio program hosted both. Each annual convention is a week-long event in a different city each year, featuring recitals by famous organists in multiple venues across the area. Being a longtime Pipedreams fan and a resident of the Cleveland area, I assumed I probably never have this chance again. I decided to tag-along for the last day of the celebration.

 

Pinoy Pan-oy

A new ’souvenir’ from the wife’s Philippine vacation: an aluminum pan.

With no handle.

 

Not-So Edible Muffleheads?

My tranquil lakeshore community is inundated each year by a pervasive invader. They loom above the treetops in the late evening, swarms swaying in the breeze like black flags of doom. During the day, they carpet buildings, shrubs and cars until disturbed by the slightest movement. Then, this mass of agitated, blind, and deaf piles of flying intestines swarm around any unfortunate soul who comes to close. One or two are inevitably inhaled every year, causing much spitting, hacking, and general unpleasant behavior until the shock subsides.

 

Ohio Strippers Revisited… for the last time?

We’re approaching the end. Of what? Exotic dancing in Ohio! In my series of articles about this trend in Ohio ‘morality’, I’ve patiently waited for this legal battle to finally conclude. Well, apparently it has. In a recent report, the Supreme Court ruled that stripping wasn’t protected under 1st amendment and strippers can no longer touch patrons. This was the last-ditch battle of strip-club owners against a well-connected church PAC based in southern Ohio. No surprise it was a loss, but still sad to see that this is what our state has come to.

 

School Funding and memories of home

Recent local school funding battles have made me a bit nostalgic, and I find myself reflecting on my own high-school years. It’s hard to compare my experiences to the horror stories I’m hearing from around the country. Our school was, I suppose, rather well-off.

 

A letter to the President

Welcome Mr. President. We congratulate you on becoming our next leader-in-chief. We celebrate your historical achievement, as we celebrate the possibility of the lifting of a great grey veil that has shrouded us from the rest of the world. Soon we might see what the decisions we’ve made for this world has actually done to it.

You must understand this, however. You will receive a multitude of opinions on what should be done next, and how to do it. You have your own opinions, to be sure. But this will be inconsequential against the volume that will be placed at your feet. Now that the American public has learned how anyone can become president, we will assume our opinions can carry the same weight as a seasoned politician’s, and should be regarded as such. Do not become angered at this; it is no reflection of your achievement. This hidden truth was exposed to the public over the last eight years, long before your entrance into the national spotlight. Unfortunately, you must now deal with the consequences of informed democracy: people will expect YOU to listen.