Thursday, February 27, 2003
"Good journalism lasts, the ratings don't."
-Dan Rather on CNN's Larry King Live
With the impending war against Iraq and Saddam Hussien, and the world's reincarnated obsession with Michael Jacko, I'd think the nation's media had been living in heaven.
Now here's the more important question: Who's the lesser of the two evils?
Host of TV’s ‘Mister Rogers’ dies at 74
[update]
I have to say that when the news first hit me this morning, I sighed and went on. But as time progressed, so did my sighs.
Fred Rogers rode alongside two other gentlemen in the 2003 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Having been allowed press access to the photo stand, I received a slightly unexpected close-up view of the trio.
He was there: right in front of me…and only today does it hit me. The television figure I admired for so long, just feet away from me, and today… he’s farther than he’s ever been.
Although we had never physically met, I still can't help but feel a sense of attachment to the one man that came home at the exact same time every weekday to plop on his trademark sneakers, and do nothing more than to assure you that "everything would be okay."
And how those were truly the days:
When your biggest worry was to whether or not you wanted to color with crayons or markers, or nothing more than having to wait until tomorrow to see what happened to Elmo. When your friends called not to ask what tonight's homework was, but rather just to see if your mother would let you play.
Or when your bubble bath water was just a little too hot to sit in, contrary to the extremely cold water you need now to wake you up.
When you were begging your mother for that one candy bar at the grocery store, and not a $16,000 college education.
Times have changed, and our worries have become greater both in importance, and in their likelihood to affect others.
And although Mister Rogers signed off the air years ago, it still won't feel the same. Surely the nostalgic images and sounds of over 13 years ago will remain lingering in my head, just as they have for the last 18 years.. But there's one less person to reminisce with, and one less trolley to take us back to a time when everything was perfect.
We truly have lost an American Idol; one who was born, not made.
Fred's passing is symbolic not just in television history, but also for the life and memories of our childhood.
As one more class finishes their stay in the system, and we exchange our bubble bath for 2-minute college showers, and our candy bars for our future livelihood, it's hard not to stop and sigh in retrospect of the past 18 years of our lives. Much like Fred, the memories of these years remain in our hearts and in our minds, but they no longer exist in a physical form.
And that is all we are left with: the memories.
Our memories of escaping the horrible world outside by going inside to the warm, loving smile we all grew to know and cherish.
Our memories of the fairy tales, the assurances that everything would be "okay," and the opportunities to jump aboard the little red "chu-chu" to make everything perfect for a least a half-hour each weekday.
Today we remember Fred Rogers; and I will continue to for the rest of my life… Grown-up or not.
And so, before you go Fred, please:
Grant me one last ride on the little red trolley.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Teachers union expects FWCS to lay off 300
Well, now - if they weren't so g** damn busy chasing after 17 year old "accused nudists" at Wayne High School, they might not have to worry about budget cuts.
More on this Wayne thing later, if not in the paper counterpart.
The ultimate sin tax: Nevada considers taxing hookers*
Yah...Have fun taking those returns to H&R Block.
(I welcome your punchlines -- hit the your views link below and add your opinions.)
*Kudos to Jeff for the heads-up on this story...
oo... bad choice of words.
Dutch make sex industry legit by wrapping it in red tape
I'd reccomend a condom, but hey.. whatever.
E-mails foretold Columbia’s doom
Visit this site to see the actual emails (addresses and all) that NASA sent in the days prior to the Columbia tragedy.
Yes, I did say email addresses!
Talk about Homeland Security.
Look at the picture:
World Trade Center plan chosen
"New building will be taller than Twin Towers
Great... Now for the more pressing issue: what in the hell is this?
It's ironic to me when the person (druggie/alcoholic) who rear-ends you three months ago turns around and ends up with a brand new BMW.
And all because I said "Well - no harm - don't worry about it, man."
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Coke, To Pepsi plan new drink flavors
To quote:
INDUSTRY LEADER COCA-COLA, which has had recent success with its line extension Vanilla Coke, said it will launch Sprite Remix, a new “tropical” version of its lemon-lime soft drink Sprite.
PepsiCo said it will launch Mountain Dew LiveWire, a new orange-flavored Mountain Dew, to be available across the United States only through the summer.
Now - before you get all hyper and/or upset - I just want you to know that there's a logical explanation for this...
...and as soon as I find it, I'll let you know.
Monday, February 24, 2003
From the UK's Times Online:
"A GOVERNMENT-backed course is encouraging pupils under 16 to experiment with oral sex, as part of a drive to cut rates of teenage pregnancy."
In other news, the UK announced plans today for a new motto in an effort to help join The War on Terror.
"The UK: By the time we're done with you, we'll have you down on your knees."
>>thanks to liz for discovering this link...
...I think.
[CORRECTION: Willo would like to take the credit for discovering this link, and passing it off to liz... Stay tuned for more news on this alleged plagiarism.]
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Grammy Update
I miss my Jon Stewart....
Grammy Update
Two hours into the program, and not once have I heard a band or artist thank his/her/their fans.
Grammy Update
Oh - a wonderful pyrotechnic show with Nelly tonight.. just perfect timing....
As 200 people run towards the back of the theater in panic....
No, not because of the R.I dejavu...
But because Nelly had his band-aid off.
=====
I'm sorry, I've just been interupted by Fred Durst attempting to give political advice.
We'll, I'll give him credit: He's good at fakin' stuff: I'm sure he'd do great in politics.
Grammy Update
And that is why we love Robin Williams...
Grammy Update:
There's a reason musicians are such....
They can't do humor worth a sh*t.
Grammy Update
I just witnessed the best part of the night, and it was in a commercial:
Tiffany-Amber Theissen picking up a lil guy for a McD's commercial.
Eh - it was McD's... but..
IT WAS Tiffany-Amber Theissen!
Grammy Update
(Addition to the below)
Having a mute button on your remote control during a country singer's performance: even more priceless
Grammy Update:
Watching the grammys: painful
Seeing avril lavigne lose: satisfying
Dave Matthews losing: hurtful
Watching the look on Justin Timberlake's face after hearing B. Spears name for "Best Pop Album": Priceless
Grammy Update
No doubt after Simon & G?
C'mon... Superbowl Halftime was bad enough....
I remember the days when news magazines like "Dateline" were on once a week, and that's about it. Perhaps we're getting just a little too much news. Anymore sign-offs have gone from
"That's all for tonight, we'll see you next week.."
to...
"That's all for Dateline Sunday, join us again for Dateline Tuesday, and if you can't make Dateline Tuesday join us for Dateline Wednesday, unless it's preempted by the War on Terror, in which case Dateline Wednesday will become Dateline Thursday, and Dateline Friday will take the place of Dateline Saturday all because Dateline Thursday bumped Dateline Friday out.
I'm Jane Pauley, Good Night."
Well they're predicting another storm to sweep through tonight, giving us another 2-3 inches of snow...
Will they be right? Or will we be meteorologically blue-balled once again?
AccuWeather.com - Hourly Weather Forecasts for FORT WAYNE, IN
©2003-2007 David Studinski/Bewildered Society, unless otherwise noted.