Meets Expectations

Whipple Wonders where the great Andy Braun and his witty remarks have been since the great MicroLeague newsletters of the late 80's. Of course, Andy has been out there, but yours truly has missed those musings. Thank goodness for Facebook... Enjoy!

http://developer.sonyericsson.com/community/people/ajbraun/blog/2009/09/01/meets-expectations

Easter in Latta

There are moments when certain seasons, smells, days, and moments call you back to days gone by. At first you think it's deja vu, but then it becomes a memory. Easter Sunday, no matter when it falls, always - always reminds me of visits with my Great Aunt Anna Margaret in Latta, South Carolina.

She was all southern woman - towering at nearly six feet, with an imposing, yet welcoming presence; especially as she greats you with a bear hug embrace, forever burying your head in the largest bosoms you could ever imagine.

Fried chicken, ripe tomatoes, corn - she had it all made fresh and ready upon arrival. Locals brought tribute to her in the form of fresh vegetables from their gardens. Neighbors in large plantation homes that were slowly dying in the late setting sun with their inhabitants, expected visits from my sister and I. We always obliged, and truly enjoyed it. We went alone, even if we were little, and we were perfectly safe; though I'm certain parts of town, especially those on the "other side of the tracks" were not. Anna Margaret had the respect of all. She drove us around, saying hello to everyone, delivering food, care packages to people of all colors, ages, and economic standing. The purpose, of course, was to merely show us off. She was a proud southern gal, and the town granted her that pride without judgment. She was a legend in Latta.

Easter Sunday was spent at her church, where she served once as music director, and in later years filled in on the organ or piano. The choir was named after her. Another morning in the sun. In fact, it was always sunny on Easter in Latta. The summer heat was still at bay - there was dew on the grass. Easter egg hunts were under blue skies. Easter was perfect. Always perfect.

Anna Margaret's only fault was that she was a die hard Cowboys fan. We should have been sworn enemies, but we managed to coexist. Tom Landry, the dapper, classy couch of many famous Cowboy teams sent her a letter when he learned that she was ill and in the hospital. She was speechless at his kind, personal letter.

She left us many years ago. The town named a street after her and mourned her passing. I have driven out of my way to drive through Latta over the years and revisit fond memories. Her modest home is still there, though bare of shrubs and flowers she fussed over. The church is there, growing up in the center of town. And downtown oddly thrives, if only for two blocks. It is a town on the way to Myrtle Beach, and within a 30 minute drive of the booming Metropolis of Dillon. The pictures are from my last visit, though I have none of Anna Margaret scanned to share. It doesn't diminish my memory of her.

Easter will forever be in Latta, in the loving grace of one Anna Margaret.

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Sometimes television can be as compelling as a great book or movie. Deep in the bowels of entertainment, lies truth in television that manages to educate those blind to the daily plight of our neighbors; stirring emotions you never knew you possessed. All the while, this same program entertains you while strapping you to characters you laugh with, raise a glass to, and weep alongside.

HBO has once again done such a masterpiece. It isn't the Soprano's or Six Feet Under - clearly great works on their own. Still, they fall short of The Wire, which ended a five season run tonight. To say that I have an empty spot in my belly as the final credits rolled would be like saying McNulty has quit drinking (a reference not lost on the few fans).

Few fans indeed. The Today show had the creators of the Wire on for an interview prior to the start of season five. Critics rave that this show may be the best show ever made for television. So what if only the subscribers of HBO could see it in first run - if they new to tune in. Fortunately, you can now rent seasons 1-4 on DVD (or just buy them on ebay).

What's interesting is that each person tries to do the right thing in life at one time or another. Some manage to succeed, while others fail quickly. The outcomes vary regardless. The Wire captures the human drama of right and wrong better than any other medium. For the novice CSI viewer, easily impressed with flashy production, hot models, and cool location backdrops, you may find this journey a bit tedious; a point purposefully made by the shows creators. Our decisions have consequences. Really, is it a crime or a misdemeanor? Does the consequence reflect the degree of crime (and I speaking metaphorically).

Tom Waits captured the essence of this show with his gripping song "Way Down in the Hole", the shows' theme (yes, the Neville Brothers and the Blind Boys of Alabama, among others, have versions as well). Listen to the song - let it speak to you. Then expand into a new medium and take in the Wire for all 5 glorious seasons.

I was told that Barack Obama was asked who his favorite show in television was. The character was from the Wire. Omar. Rent it, see it through, and check back with me on this. Omar was one bad dude, but he lived by a code. And you must respect the code. Interesting choice for a politician. Perhaps Omar's persona was something Obama aspired to have - err - from a strong conviction around a code of conduct that is. As I said, Omar was a bad dude.

The final moments summed it all up for the fan. While just short of the amazing Six Feet Under conclusion, as well as the under appreciated Soprano's final moments, the ending to the Wire gave the fan the look into the future we both needed, and wept over.

Goodnight, western district. We will miss you all.

UPDATE: So Much for the Mariachi Band

Not even the joyous Mariachi video urging the Hispanic community to "get out and vote for Obama" could push him to close out Hillary and get the democratic nomination. The former First Lady has now won Ohio and Rhode Island to stay alive. Texas remained too close to call at the penning of this update, but Clinton held a slight lead. It looks like these democrats will continue to battle each other as the speed towards convention time. Goody, goody.

This all bodes well for Republican candidate John McCain, who clinched the nomination this evening. He can focus on unifying a party splintered more than the wood pile outside Paul Bunyan's house. If he doesn't keel over first.

Why is it that I feel that the best candidate for the highest office in the land remains anonymous? Probably because the job doesn't pay that well for the baloney you have to swallow.

It looks like 6 more months or political Oscar Meyer. Ugh.

Obama finishes Hillary, Deep in the Heart of Texas

This was posted on a friend's blog site and in a simple ad of song and support, signals the end of the campaign road for the former first lady. Enjoy!

Chris von Simson: Now I really think it it over for Hillary in TX