Congratulations
Tuesday, July 18th, 2006
Congratulations are in order for Shaun Kenney, who just learned he’s going to be a Dad (again). Very exciting….
Archive for the ‘Life’ Category
Last Post
Wednesday, May 24th, 2006
As Mark Twain might say, "It's easy to quit blogging. I've done it a thousand times."
This time, though, I've reached the end of the line.
All I ever wanted to do was to write about culture, the media, and politics in the hopes of stimulating discussion. I've learned so much more from the responses [...]
Suspension Diary, Day 10: Potty Survives, Back To Work, Best and Worst
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006
Today, Rags and I retraced yesterday morning's walk. The trash was gone and the Port-a-Potty, having been uprighted, survived the night.
This was a day for me to catch up on a myriad of little things around the house that I had left hanging. I also bought a birthday present for the delightful French [...]
Suspension Diary: Day 9, Passive Vandalism, Trails, and Quiet
Monday, May 22nd, 2006
On our walk early this morning, Rags (my hobo terrier mix companion) and I headed over to my daughter's school. The sideline along the basketball court was littered with empty sports drink bottles from the weekend's pick-up games. The trash can diagonally opposite was empty. Guess it was too far for anybody [...]
Suspension Diary: Day 8, Anniversary Suspended
Friday, May 19th, 2006
I'm suspending this insufferable blog therapy series today.
On May 19th, 1990 I married Carole at the Hunter House in Vienna, Fairfax County, so that makes today our anniversary. It was a simple ceremony, with a small guest list, on a beautiful spring day.
Carole wore the wedding gown her twin sister had worn [...]
Suspension Diary: Day 7, Blowback and a Near-NLS Encounter
Thursday, May 18th, 2006
It was back to the Food Bank for me this morning, but only after some "blowback" from the spouse. She thought I was going to do some work "around here." When I asked, "Like what?" she mentioned cleaning her bathroom. Apparently, cooking dinner, doing the dishes, grocery shopping, laundry, and getting my [...]
Figures of Speech
Thursday, May 18th, 2006
When I was in Martinsville, I heard Cindy Price say of her cabin in the woods, "It ain't no bigger than nothin'."
I had never heard that expression before.
Yesterday, at the Food Bank, a lady stocking shelves said of her dog, "He ain't no bigger than nothin'."
Suspension Diary: Day 6, Existential Angst
Wednesday, May 17th, 2006
Despite follow-up yesterday afternoon and again this morning, still no call from the "profanity room" headquarters of the temp agency. Perhaps they read this blog and I've offended them. Haven't I learned anything?
So, instead of heading to some construction job site, I went back to the Central Virginia Food Bank. The Postal [...]
Suspension Diary: Days 4 & 5
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006
I am back from two days in Martinsville-Henry County and my thoughts and impressions remain a raging vortex of emotions.
It was a trip I knew I had to take, despite the risk and warnings from some quarters. It turned into the trip that I didn't want to end. I return inspired [...]
Send Me Someone Who Reads
Sunday, May 14th, 2006
I know I don't have to tell our readers this, but we all can use a friendly reminder sometimes.
Read to your children. Read with passion and expression. Even if you're reading Goodnight Moon for the 97th time, remember that a child will see something new in an old standard every single time you [...]
Seek and Ye Shall Find
Sunday, May 14th, 2006
On May 4th, Mary Rives Brown of Martinsville wrote a letter to Governor Kaine. In her letter, she described my caption contest entries of April 28th as "vicious, cruel and insenstive satire."
Since that letter, she has taken the time to study the Virginia blogosphere, plus the full context/history of the contest and [...]
Suspension Diary: Day 3
Friday, May 12th, 2006
I've made it to the weekend and this diary will mercifully take a hiatus until Monday, Day 4, although I can't be sure I'll be able to post from Martinsville. I'm looking forward to the trip. It'll be a chance to apologize in person, explain if asked, but, more importantly, to meet new [...]
Die Gedanken Sind Frei
Friday, May 12th, 2006
Bruce Springsteen's latest CD is a collection of songs from folk singer Pete Seeger.
When I was growing up in Manassas during the 60's (I was going to say "turbulent 60's", but it was relatively peaceful in my little town), my parents indulged my Bob Dylan/protest song interest by giving me the Dangerous Songs! album by [...]
Suspension Diary: Day 2
Thursday, May 11th, 2006
Yesterday, my spirit was crushed when I failed a written drug screen. Today, I'm walking on air after I let my urine take the test.
None of yesterday's employment agencies called, so I called one that I had held "in reserve" for today. They specialized in placing skilled trades, but I hoped they might [...]
Suspension Diary: Day One
Wednesday, May 10th, 2006
As if I haven't paused enough lately from our usual hard-hitting commentary and incisive analysis, I will now offer self-absorption squared: a diary of my suspended life.
Today the media frenzy slowed, with just another go-round with the Martinsville Bulletin, an annoying question from the Times-Dispatch's Tyler Whitley,and an invitation to appear for a [...]
I’m Blessed
Wednesday, May 10th, 2006
The outpouring of support I've received during my "ordeal" has truly been extraordinary, beyond anything I ever expected. Though I've sometimes felt all alone in 3-D, in the blogosphere I feel like I'm in the middle of a pep rally. It does a body good.
Some wonderful anonymous soul has even made a contribution [...]
Ten Days in May
Tuesday, May 9th, 2006
I have been suspended from my job for ten days without pay, beginning tomorrow.
96 people lost their jobs in Martinsville today. In many ways, I'm lucky. I presume I will have a job to come back to on May 24th.
I think the punishment is unduly harsh and doesn't do anything to allow me [...]
What If ….
Saturday, May 6th, 2006
What if, in a Twilight Zone, time machine twist, one little change could be made that would make the future turn out much differently?
What if I had actually heard about the Martinsville-Henry County jingle contest when it was first announced? (One might think there's a blog or some other place where all the local [...]
Once Upon A Midnight Dreary
Thursday, May 4th, 2006
I'm usually fast asleep at this time of night. The 5AM alarm has always come early for me.
Today, however, hasn't been an ordinary day and tonight hasn't been an ordinary night. I don't think I could sleep if I tried.
There's something bracing about receiving a call at home from a talk show [...]
Nail, meet head
Thursday, May 4th, 2006
As I've noted here before, I'm actually out of town at a conference/training seminar...which is why I haven't commented on Will's situation I'll be driving home soon, and I'll probably have more time to comment this weekend, but I did want to note publicly that I support Will 100%.
In the meantime, please read Waldo [...]