The news of humans' strange, and often tragic, interactions with wild animals filled the news in the early part of October 2003. First, Las Vegas's famous Siegfried and Roy magic duo fell victim to an on-stage attack by one of their big Royal White Tigers. While Americans waited to hear on Roy's condition--whether he would survive or not--news came from New York of a man who kept a 400 pound tiger, and a large alligator in his apartment. Most recently, in the Alaskan wilderness, an air taxi pilot who was to bring them home found the remains of grizzly advocate Timothy Treadwell and his girlfriend Amie Huguenard. Tredwell was co-author of Among Grizzlies: Living With Wild Bears in Alaska. They had been mauled to death by a bear. The two victims recorded their final moments with a video camera found by park rangers.
People love animals. We tend to humanize them and see them through our own eyes. Our movies and popular culture reflect this. Books describe the emotional live of animals, movies anthropomorphizing animals behavior, and people dress their pets in baseball caps, dresses, and Halloween costumes. All of this is basically harmless, both to humans and their companion pets.
I've always had cats. They are mostly loveable and warm and fuzzy. My wife loves dogs. When we first got together I had to struggle with the idea of dogs living in the house with us. When I grew up, a dog living in the house was forbidden. Dogs were dogs, and they lived outside. Period. I had just gotten a pet dog, a little blue heeler mix that I named Punkin. I thought I was being original, but found out that lots of people name their dogs Punkin, and that many fathers nickname their daughters Punkin. My dog Punkin also has a nickname, Pooters. Again, I thought it was an original name. I found that many fathers nickname their daughters Pooters. In fact, my brother-in-law nicknamed his newborn daughter both Punkin AND Pooters. My dog was very confused at Thanksgiving.
Now, we are told, by Siegfried that the tiger was really trying to "help" Roy. A woman with big hair, who apparently enjoyed the tiger's attention, Sigfried says, distracted the cat. I've seen some of these women. When I lived in Lubbock in the mid-to-late 1990s, there were many women with big hair. Many hung out at bars, winking at men who bought them drinks, and saying, "Hi, there, Tiger!" Maybe one of these women made her way to Las Vegas. The tiger, Siggy states, was simply carrying Roy, who fell during the incident--spectators reported that the tiger knocked him down--like a mother cat would carry her cub. REALLY? Most cats pick up little ones from the scruff of the neck, not the front. Siggy said the tiger was just trying "to protect his pal."
Roy cannot speak. If he could, maybe he would say something else. In any event, while animals are lovable and generally good, ignoring their power is a mistake that too often snaps us back to reality. Wild animals are really are wild.
Thursday, October 09, 2003
Thursday, October 02, 2003
My Toilet Brush With History
The Houston Chronicle reported the September 21, 2003, death of blues musician Tary Owens. A student of UT folklorest Americo Paredes, Owens recorded slave songs of Texas African American prison inmates. Casey Monahan, director of the Texas Music Office, noted that among Owens’ most important contributions was his work with the Grey Ghost, Roosevelt Thomas Williams.
While this is a wonderful contribution, I think my own work with the Grey Ghost is often overlooked.
The famous “toilet” interview with the Grey Ghost immediately comes to mind. During a concert by the “Ghost” at Austin’s Continental Club, Dave Bedrich, Dan Pacious, Shawn Fonville, Chuck Waite and myself were enjoying ourselves indulging in the fabulous showmanship and ivory-tickling talents of the Ghost, when I felt the need to excuse myself and find the men’s room.
As I made my way to the Continental Club’s gentlemen’s room I found the door unlocked. I entered only to find that the room wasn’t the roomy expanse I expected to find in a club of such high renown. Indeed, the term men’s room was doubtfully applied. For although it was a room, about 8x8, there was no indication it was restricted to men, other than the small urinal, and an open toilet.
Lo and behold, there--comfortably seated on the toilet, in front of God and man was Mr. Roosevelt Williams--the Grey Ghost himself!!!! It was one of my cherished brushes with history. Living history! We talked briefly, and I told him it was an honor to meet him. He complained about getting old. I flushed the urinal and left him alone on the throne.
Roosevelt T. Williams was born in Bastrop on December 7, 1903, and named in honor of President Teddy Roosevelt. He toured the Southwest in the 1920s, following the “Big Swing” cotton-picking route, playing when and where he could, and supporting himself in the cotton fields and gins. He earned the moniker “Grey Ghost” because he hopped trains from gig to gig. When people wondered how he seemed to get around without being seen, he reportedly said, “I'm just like a ghost. I come up out of the ground and then I go back in it.”
His song, “Hitler Blues,” became internationally famous, but the Ghost was a drifter and he didn’t settle down until when in 1965 he became an Austin school bus driver. Yet, he still played gigs. Only in his final years did the Ghost receive the fame and notoriety he deserved. The Grey Ghost gave his last public performance at the Continental Club on his 92nd birthday. He thanked the crowd saying, “You make me feel like I'm somebody.” Owens told the crowd, “You’ll never hear that kind of music again.”
The Grey Ghost died July 17, 1996. Tary Owens was right, an era passed. Now Owens is gone, too. Fortunately, thanks to Tary Owens, both men will be remembered for their contribution to Texas music, and Texas history.
If you'd like more information, click here for a story from the Austin Chronicle on the life of Roosevelt T. Williams, aka The Grey Ghost.
For the obit on Tary Owens from the Houston Chronicle, click here.
While this is a wonderful contribution, I think my own work with the Grey Ghost is often overlooked.
The famous “toilet” interview with the Grey Ghost immediately comes to mind. During a concert by the “Ghost” at Austin’s Continental Club, Dave Bedrich, Dan Pacious, Shawn Fonville, Chuck Waite and myself were enjoying ourselves indulging in the fabulous showmanship and ivory-tickling talents of the Ghost, when I felt the need to excuse myself and find the men’s room.
As I made my way to the Continental Club’s gentlemen’s room I found the door unlocked. I entered only to find that the room wasn’t the roomy expanse I expected to find in a club of such high renown. Indeed, the term men’s room was doubtfully applied. For although it was a room, about 8x8, there was no indication it was restricted to men, other than the small urinal, and an open toilet.
Lo and behold, there--comfortably seated on the toilet, in front of God and man was Mr. Roosevelt Williams--the Grey Ghost himself!!!! It was one of my cherished brushes with history. Living history! We talked briefly, and I told him it was an honor to meet him. He complained about getting old. I flushed the urinal and left him alone on the throne.
Roosevelt T. Williams was born in Bastrop on December 7, 1903, and named in honor of President Teddy Roosevelt. He toured the Southwest in the 1920s, following the “Big Swing” cotton-picking route, playing when and where he could, and supporting himself in the cotton fields and gins. He earned the moniker “Grey Ghost” because he hopped trains from gig to gig. When people wondered how he seemed to get around without being seen, he reportedly said, “I'm just like a ghost. I come up out of the ground and then I go back in it.”
His song, “Hitler Blues,” became internationally famous, but the Ghost was a drifter and he didn’t settle down until when in 1965 he became an Austin school bus driver. Yet, he still played gigs. Only in his final years did the Ghost receive the fame and notoriety he deserved. The Grey Ghost gave his last public performance at the Continental Club on his 92nd birthday. He thanked the crowd saying, “You make me feel like I'm somebody.” Owens told the crowd, “You’ll never hear that kind of music again.”
The Grey Ghost died July 17, 1996. Tary Owens was right, an era passed. Now Owens is gone, too. Fortunately, thanks to Tary Owens, both men will be remembered for their contribution to Texas music, and Texas history.
If you'd like more information, click here for a story from the Austin Chronicle on the life of Roosevelt T. Williams, aka The Grey Ghost.
For the obit on Tary Owens from the Houston Chronicle, click here.
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
My Mother's Art
My mother is an artist. I've always known that at some level, yet I was reminded of it again a few weeks ago. I found some photos she took back in the 60s. Granted, they were photos of me as a small child, so there is of course some bias. It's not the subject, but the way the photos turned out that impressed me. I've been studying photography for a while, and for the past year have been trying to master the skill.
Photography has always been an interest for me. I used to get the Kodak catalog from Sears as a child and read, dreaming of the day when I would have enough money to buy an enlarger and develop my own prints. Now with one hour development, that's all in the past. I'll just concentrate on capturing the image, playing with light and exposure to frame just the right image.
I just looked at those photos and saw the results of someone with an eye for a photo that I wish I had. Mom has always been a shutterbug, but using a instamatic or some other point-and-shoot device that she could whip out in a moment's notice. She always had a camera in her hand, asking us to stop and smile so she could take a photo. She's endured many groans and complaints, smiling, just so she could save a snapshot and place it in the drawer in a dresser long over-filled with memories on Kodak paper.
Besides her amateur photography she loves to plant, her home surrounded by pots and planters filled with enough plants to rival any plant house. Her greatest talent was wrapping gifts. A skill she learned back in the 40s and 50s at a small gift shop in her hometown as a young girl, she can create flowers out of ribbon and the finished gifts look like wedding cakes with flowers and ribbons.
Now, in her seventies, her once thin and nimble fingers are showing signs of arthritis, and the subjects in her photographs have their heads missing, she still loves plants and flowers. Never wealthy, nor a member of the country club set, my mother is as much an artist as her limited resources would allow. With the limited time she had raising children, and working ironing clothes for neighbors, she still is rich in creativity and imagination.
Photography has always been an interest for me. I used to get the Kodak catalog from Sears as a child and read, dreaming of the day when I would have enough money to buy an enlarger and develop my own prints. Now with one hour development, that's all in the past. I'll just concentrate on capturing the image, playing with light and exposure to frame just the right image.
I just looked at those photos and saw the results of someone with an eye for a photo that I wish I had. Mom has always been a shutterbug, but using a instamatic or some other point-and-shoot device that she could whip out in a moment's notice. She always had a camera in her hand, asking us to stop and smile so she could take a photo. She's endured many groans and complaints, smiling, just so she could save a snapshot and place it in the drawer in a dresser long over-filled with memories on Kodak paper.
Besides her amateur photography she loves to plant, her home surrounded by pots and planters filled with enough plants to rival any plant house. Her greatest talent was wrapping gifts. A skill she learned back in the 40s and 50s at a small gift shop in her hometown as a young girl, she can create flowers out of ribbon and the finished gifts look like wedding cakes with flowers and ribbons.
Now, in her seventies, her once thin and nimble fingers are showing signs of arthritis, and the subjects in her photographs have their heads missing, she still loves plants and flowers. Never wealthy, nor a member of the country club set, my mother is as much an artist as her limited resources would allow. With the limited time she had raising children, and working ironing clothes for neighbors, she still is rich in creativity and imagination.
Sunday, August 24, 2003
Learn the Words, Ozzy!
Poor Ozzy Osbourne. Although his wife, Sharon, is recovering from the colon cancer, other calamities have befallen our wobbly rocker.
Jack, his son entered rehab, his tour manager died of cancer, and he's missed some scheduled concerts due to an undisclosed illness.
Now, he's forgotten the words to an American classic. I'm not talking about Crazy Train, Gets Me Through, or Mama, I'm Coming Home. No, friend, I'm talking Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Wait, you say, that's not on any of his albums, nor is it in his regular line-up. Give him a break!
Ok, fair enough, but Ozzzy failed this at a public performance at Chicago's Wrigley Field on August 17th! It apparently has some Cubs fans screaming, and I don't think they were showing the OZ man "devil heads" with their hand gestures, either. One letter to the editor called the performance "inexcusably despicable." Another said it was an insult to the "Cubs organization and major league baseball." Even more so than Sammy Sosa's cork-infested bat?
Speaking of which, we went to the Astro's game to watch the home team take on the Cubs. We got great seats, the best we've ever had. We were on the first level, there was food right behind us and we were about 40 feet from right fielder Sosa when the Cubs took the field.
What a blast! We spent the entire evening heckling Sosa, shouting "Saaaaaammmmmy!" Some called him "Corkey." Mari would shout "Dive, Sammy, Dive" every time a ball was hit to the outfield, anywhere in the outfield.
That's what I like about baseball. I mean you have to give Sammy Sosa credit for his homerun record, and man does that guy hustle! Yet, every time he came out in our area he was subject to unmerciful heckling. Baseball is a great equalizer!
I like Ozzy, too. But cannot defend his performance this time. As I mentioned before, when I saw Ozzfest this year, I did think some of his songs were poorly performed. I do cut him a lot of slack, because it's amazing that he can even roust himself up to do a performance. But, to butcher a song in a performance that people are really looking forward to seeing, really ruins an evening for people.
If you want to read the story, check it out on the Chicago Tribune webpage, or click on this link.
Here's the account, according to the Trib:
Chip Caray: "All right, Chicago. Here comes Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne."
Ozzy: "All right, Chicago. I want to hear a real crazy crowd start singing. Are you ready? Are you ready? I can't hear you. Are you ready?
"One. Two. Three.
"Let's go out to the ballgame. Let's go out to the bluhhhhhn.
"Take me a ee-yan eeya (humming) the field.
"I don't care if I ahh-uhn ack.
"Da da da da duh da da da eam. Duh ee, da da da da dahhh.
"For a fee, two, three strikes you're out at the old ballgame. Yeahhhhhh."
Sharon: "Now let's get some runs."
Ozzy: "Yeah. Let's get some runs."
Great Ozzy. Sounds like someone already had the runs!
Jack, his son entered rehab, his tour manager died of cancer, and he's missed some scheduled concerts due to an undisclosed illness.
Now, he's forgotten the words to an American classic. I'm not talking about Crazy Train, Gets Me Through, or Mama, I'm Coming Home. No, friend, I'm talking Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Wait, you say, that's not on any of his albums, nor is it in his regular line-up. Give him a break!
Ok, fair enough, but Ozzzy failed this at a public performance at Chicago's Wrigley Field on August 17th! It apparently has some Cubs fans screaming, and I don't think they were showing the OZ man "devil heads" with their hand gestures, either. One letter to the editor called the performance "inexcusably despicable." Another said it was an insult to the "Cubs organization and major league baseball." Even more so than Sammy Sosa's cork-infested bat?
Speaking of which, we went to the Astro's game to watch the home team take on the Cubs. We got great seats, the best we've ever had. We were on the first level, there was food right behind us and we were about 40 feet from right fielder Sosa when the Cubs took the field.
What a blast! We spent the entire evening heckling Sosa, shouting "Saaaaaammmmmy!" Some called him "Corkey." Mari would shout "Dive, Sammy, Dive" every time a ball was hit to the outfield, anywhere in the outfield.
That's what I like about baseball. I mean you have to give Sammy Sosa credit for his homerun record, and man does that guy hustle! Yet, every time he came out in our area he was subject to unmerciful heckling. Baseball is a great equalizer!
I like Ozzy, too. But cannot defend his performance this time. As I mentioned before, when I saw Ozzfest this year, I did think some of his songs were poorly performed. I do cut him a lot of slack, because it's amazing that he can even roust himself up to do a performance. But, to butcher a song in a performance that people are really looking forward to seeing, really ruins an evening for people.
If you want to read the story, check it out on the Chicago Tribune webpage, or click on this link.
Here's the account, according to the Trib:
Chip Caray: "All right, Chicago. Here comes Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne."
Ozzy: "All right, Chicago. I want to hear a real crazy crowd start singing. Are you ready? Are you ready? I can't hear you. Are you ready?
"One. Two. Three.
"Let's go out to the ballgame. Let's go out to the bluhhhhhn.
"Take me a ee-yan eeya (humming) the field.
"I don't care if I ahh-uhn ack.
"Da da da da duh da da da eam. Duh ee, da da da da dahhh.
"For a fee, two, three strikes you're out at the old ballgame. Yeahhhhhh."
Sharon: "Now let's get some runs."
Ozzy: "Yeah. Let's get some runs."
Great Ozzy. Sounds like someone already had the runs!
Monday, August 18, 2003
Is George Bush Too Texan?
So, I'm sitting here, it's about 4 am Monday morning and I'm grading papers.
CNN is running a story about western forest fires. One of the problems, it seems, is that old Smokey Bear was wrong. That kind of makes me sad, because I love Smokey Bear. In fact, he's even got his own website. I mean, come on! He's been around 50 years! A bear that old must be doing something right!
Well, the problem, it seems with forest fires is that we HAVE been preventing fires, and that is just plain unnatural. Here's why: Too much understory. I don't like that term. It means what I used to call underbrush, as an English student, understory sounds like some subliminal text in a narrative. Anyway, it is kindling whatever you call it. Of course, this is very flammable, and without natural fires, which used to occur before Smokey went to work, the understory was limited. Now, we have become too successful with wildfire control, and the flammable mess accumulates and leads to hotter fires. Like polio, our success in preventing unwanted dangers has actually made us more susceptible to disasters.
Well, back to the main point about Bush. CNN showed a clip of him telling reporters about the problems of understory, and why it is actually better for the forests for us to chop them down. Remember, Ronnie Reagan said that those damn trees caused pollution. In his defense, Bush is correct on this one. Thinning would help solve the problem, somewhat.
So, there is Shrub, speaking off the cuff as he often does, and I was thinking, "He’s more redneck than Lyndon Johnson!" If you know anything about LBJ, he did his best to try to conceal his Texas drawl. He spoke slowly and measured on TV so he wouldn’t sound too “country.” Kennedy’s “best and brightest” called LBJ, “Uncle Cornpone.” They were Bright, but not above regional biases. Since LBJ was from backwoods Texas, he wasn’t supposed to be as sophisticated as the Harvard boys in JFK’s cabinet. Although he resented them and their attitude, he did his best to overcome his dialect.
Not Bush. In fact, he seems to think that his down-home Texan charm makes him more identifiable to the people. Maybe so. I think he comes across as too relaxed, and unprepared. He doesn’t think best on his feet, yet that’s the impression he conveys.
Then again, maybe it’s just because I like LBJ, and don’t feel the same way about Bush.
CNN is running a story about western forest fires. One of the problems, it seems, is that old Smokey Bear was wrong. That kind of makes me sad, because I love Smokey Bear. In fact, he's even got his own website. I mean, come on! He's been around 50 years! A bear that old must be doing something right!
Well, the problem, it seems with forest fires is that we HAVE been preventing fires, and that is just plain unnatural. Here's why: Too much understory. I don't like that term. It means what I used to call underbrush, as an English student, understory sounds like some subliminal text in a narrative. Anyway, it is kindling whatever you call it. Of course, this is very flammable, and without natural fires, which used to occur before Smokey went to work, the understory was limited. Now, we have become too successful with wildfire control, and the flammable mess accumulates and leads to hotter fires. Like polio, our success in preventing unwanted dangers has actually made us more susceptible to disasters.
Well, back to the main point about Bush. CNN showed a clip of him telling reporters about the problems of understory, and why it is actually better for the forests for us to chop them down. Remember, Ronnie Reagan said that those damn trees caused pollution. In his defense, Bush is correct on this one. Thinning would help solve the problem, somewhat.
So, there is Shrub, speaking off the cuff as he often does, and I was thinking, "He’s more redneck than Lyndon Johnson!" If you know anything about LBJ, he did his best to try to conceal his Texas drawl. He spoke slowly and measured on TV so he wouldn’t sound too “country.” Kennedy’s “best and brightest” called LBJ, “Uncle Cornpone.” They were Bright, but not above regional biases. Since LBJ was from backwoods Texas, he wasn’t supposed to be as sophisticated as the Harvard boys in JFK’s cabinet. Although he resented them and their attitude, he did his best to overcome his dialect.
Not Bush. In fact, he seems to think that his down-home Texan charm makes him more identifiable to the people. Maybe so. I think he comes across as too relaxed, and unprepared. He doesn’t think best on his feet, yet that’s the impression he conveys.
Then again, maybe it’s just because I like LBJ, and don’t feel the same way about Bush.
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Ups and (More Importantly) the Downs of Interviews
Ok, I'm typing this with mixed emotions, and it may all change in a couple of days.
Here goes. Went for the intervew Tuesday. They said they would notify Wednesday. The phone didn't ring. Not even bill collectors (the bane of the unemployed). NO CALLS PERIOD!!!
Depression set in....."Maybe they'll call tomorrow, Thursday," I said to myself.
The phone didn't ring. Not even bill collectors.
More depression....."Maybe they'll call tomorrow, Friday," I said to myself.
The phone didn't ring. Not even bill collectors.
Are you getting the picture. I practiced wrapping a noose, but I've never been good at tying knots. I tried turning on the motor of the car in the garage, but was out of gas. Weeping...Weeping.
Saturday I had to go to an adjunct meeting for the Fall Semester at CyFair. They needed an adjunct representative on the curriculum planning committee. Mari suggested that I should do that, but I was busy sulking.
I finally perked-up when I found out they want anyone with any ideas about offering a class on service-teaching to come forward. I’ve got a couple of fantastic (I think) ideas. One is to do an oral history project with Vets. There is a national program going on and that would fulfill a service-teaching requirement. The second idea I have is for colleges to work with local museums on a limited budget to plan educational material, graphic design, and exhibit planning. PUBLIC HISTORY, my friend, PUBLIC HISTORY.
Then, my real objective was to talk to Susan Edwards, our history chair at CyFair. She used to be the chair at HCC. She was very encouraging, saying that just because they didn’t call doesn’t mean anything since they are notoriously slow. And it’s her old job they’re trying to fill. And she’s been gone for over a year. She also suggested I contact the secretary, and mention that she told me to call.
So there is still hope. At least I’ll make it through the weekend. Next week I must contact Texas Southern. I believe I will be able to teach a few courses there, hopefully Texas history!
I’ll keep you posted.
Here goes. Went for the intervew Tuesday. They said they would notify Wednesday. The phone didn't ring. Not even bill collectors (the bane of the unemployed). NO CALLS PERIOD!!!
Depression set in....."Maybe they'll call tomorrow, Thursday," I said to myself.
The phone didn't ring. Not even bill collectors.
More depression....."Maybe they'll call tomorrow, Friday," I said to myself.
The phone didn't ring. Not even bill collectors.
Are you getting the picture. I practiced wrapping a noose, but I've never been good at tying knots. I tried turning on the motor of the car in the garage, but was out of gas. Weeping...Weeping.
Saturday I had to go to an adjunct meeting for the Fall Semester at CyFair. They needed an adjunct representative on the curriculum planning committee. Mari suggested that I should do that, but I was busy sulking.
I finally perked-up when I found out they want anyone with any ideas about offering a class on service-teaching to come forward. I’ve got a couple of fantastic (I think) ideas. One is to do an oral history project with Vets. There is a national program going on and that would fulfill a service-teaching requirement. The second idea I have is for colleges to work with local museums on a limited budget to plan educational material, graphic design, and exhibit planning. PUBLIC HISTORY, my friend, PUBLIC HISTORY.
Then, my real objective was to talk to Susan Edwards, our history chair at CyFair. She used to be the chair at HCC. She was very encouraging, saying that just because they didn’t call doesn’t mean anything since they are notoriously slow. And it’s her old job they’re trying to fill. And she’s been gone for over a year. She also suggested I contact the secretary, and mention that she told me to call.
So there is still hope. At least I’ll make it through the weekend. Next week I must contact Texas Southern. I believe I will be able to teach a few courses there, hopefully Texas history!
I’ll keep you posted.
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Ozzfest 2003 !
This is actually an OLD event, but I wanted to add it. It's dated June 30, 2003:
I did something this weekend I don't normally do. I went to my first rock
concert. I haven't sent any mail recently, so I thought I would share.
I went to Ozzfest in San Antonio. I'm not a great big Ozzy fan, but I like
the TV show, so feel like I have a personal connection. Anyway, liked
Marilyn Manson's show...thought Disturbed was good, and thought Korn had a
good light show. Ozzy was over the top, of course, and he shouldn't have
done ALL the drugs when he was younger, because it really shows, but it was
a cool experience. Of course there were some fights, some people taken away
sick, and lots of dope smoking. Since when have girls started going topless
and painting their chests?? Weird. Eeek..I guess that shows my age.
It was interesting, especially since that really isn't my type of music.
But Mari wanted to go. So, it was my husbandly duty. It really wasn't bad
at all. And, I really liked Marilyn Manson's show. Very theatrical! I'm
familiar with the music because Mari listens to it all the time. Aside from
the bad language, it could be very mainstream. But his show was really
good. He had props and everything. The coolest was a giant inflatable bust
of Marilyn wearing mouse ears...pretty funny. He's actually funny. Ozzy
was funny, too. He apparently likes to spray water on the crowd. Now, keep
in mind Ozzfest began at 9:30am. There were small shows on the small stage
that lasted until 5:00, then on the main stage Chevelle began playing. We
got there Saturday at 3 pm, and didn't pay any attention to the little stage
shows. We went through the midway looking at food, drinks, and merchandise.
From 3ish to 5 we waited in the sun. About 95 degrees..mighty hot. Then
the clouds (God bless 'em) came. It made the rest of the afternoon
tolerable. Thankfully we brought some bottled water, grabbed a couple of
snowcones, and split a Diet Coke. That got us through without sunstroking
out.
Now, some people weren't so smart...or rather let me say partied out too
early. Drinking beer that early in the day in the sun is just plain stupid.
So there were a few people that passed out. There were also some fights.
This happened during the Manson show. It took him a long time to set
up....when you let drunk crowds get bored, remember: Idle hands are the
Devil's workshop..or something like that. Chevelle played on the mainstage,
first, as I mentioned earlier. Then came Disturbed. I only know one of
their songs..where the lead singer goes "Wak-ka-ka-ka!" They really whipped
up the crowd. Then Manson. Then Korn, and finally The OZZ MAN!
There is some need for some people to start a mosh pit. They walk around in
circles and get others to do the same, then run into each other. Like
blocking practice at football practice, except no pads, no coach, no sense.
There was an angry little man....smaller than me...who was walking around
singing to himself and acting like he was fighting....he should have been on
stage because he was putting on quite a show, although I've seen some people
do the same thing who were in special education classes, too. He tried to
get others to join his pit, but to no avail. His friends even tried to help
him go find a pit, but again, their efforts were futile. But he was
involved in a real fight. There was a guy who I think knew the woman in the
group he was in, I'm really not sure. Anyway, he spent most of the early
evening passed out on the grass. Mari thought it was a shame that he wasted
the best part of the shows knocked out. Little did anyone know this was
actually for his own good. When he got up, he apparently was mouthing off to
the little angry man and the little one's big thug pal. Somewhere in the
course of the argument, the drunk said something untoward to the thuggish
fellow. I turned around to watch the argument just as the big fellow put his
fist, and his entire weight, into the drunk's face. We were on a slope,
which may have added to the effect, but the drunk flew backwards just like
in an action movie! Then he finally got back up and kept on talking smack
to these guys. The police finally came and hauled the drunk off.
Ironically enough the little angry man did not fight.
I hope you enjoy my little story. Sorry it was so long, but it was an
event.
I did something this weekend I don't normally do. I went to my first rock
concert. I haven't sent any mail recently, so I thought I would share.
I went to Ozzfest in San Antonio. I'm not a great big Ozzy fan, but I like
the TV show, so feel like I have a personal connection. Anyway, liked
Marilyn Manson's show...thought Disturbed was good, and thought Korn had a
good light show. Ozzy was over the top, of course, and he shouldn't have
done ALL the drugs when he was younger, because it really shows, but it was
a cool experience. Of course there were some fights, some people taken away
sick, and lots of dope smoking. Since when have girls started going topless
and painting their chests?? Weird. Eeek..I guess that shows my age.
It was interesting, especially since that really isn't my type of music.
But Mari wanted to go. So, it was my husbandly duty. It really wasn't bad
at all. And, I really liked Marilyn Manson's show. Very theatrical! I'm
familiar with the music because Mari listens to it all the time. Aside from
the bad language, it could be very mainstream. But his show was really
good. He had props and everything. The coolest was a giant inflatable bust
of Marilyn wearing mouse ears...pretty funny. He's actually funny. Ozzy
was funny, too. He apparently likes to spray water on the crowd. Now, keep
in mind Ozzfest began at 9:30am. There were small shows on the small stage
that lasted until 5:00, then on the main stage Chevelle began playing. We
got there Saturday at 3 pm, and didn't pay any attention to the little stage
shows. We went through the midway looking at food, drinks, and merchandise.
From 3ish to 5 we waited in the sun. About 95 degrees..mighty hot. Then
the clouds (God bless 'em) came. It made the rest of the afternoon
tolerable. Thankfully we brought some bottled water, grabbed a couple of
snowcones, and split a Diet Coke. That got us through without sunstroking
out.
Now, some people weren't so smart...or rather let me say partied out too
early. Drinking beer that early in the day in the sun is just plain stupid.
So there were a few people that passed out. There were also some fights.
This happened during the Manson show. It took him a long time to set
up....when you let drunk crowds get bored, remember: Idle hands are the
Devil's workshop..or something like that. Chevelle played on the mainstage,
first, as I mentioned earlier. Then came Disturbed. I only know one of
their songs..where the lead singer goes "Wak-ka-ka-ka!" They really whipped
up the crowd. Then Manson. Then Korn, and finally The OZZ MAN!
There is some need for some people to start a mosh pit. They walk around in
circles and get others to do the same, then run into each other. Like
blocking practice at football practice, except no pads, no coach, no sense.
There was an angry little man....smaller than me...who was walking around
singing to himself and acting like he was fighting....he should have been on
stage because he was putting on quite a show, although I've seen some people
do the same thing who were in special education classes, too. He tried to
get others to join his pit, but to no avail. His friends even tried to help
him go find a pit, but again, their efforts were futile. But he was
involved in a real fight. There was a guy who I think knew the woman in the
group he was in, I'm really not sure. Anyway, he spent most of the early
evening passed out on the grass. Mari thought it was a shame that he wasted
the best part of the shows knocked out. Little did anyone know this was
actually for his own good. When he got up, he apparently was mouthing off to
the little angry man and the little one's big thug pal. Somewhere in the
course of the argument, the drunk said something untoward to the thuggish
fellow. I turned around to watch the argument just as the big fellow put his
fist, and his entire weight, into the drunk's face. We were on a slope,
which may have added to the effect, but the drunk flew backwards just like
in an action movie! Then he finally got back up and kept on talking smack
to these guys. The police finally came and hauled the drunk off.
Ironically enough the little angry man did not fight.
I hope you enjoy my little story. Sorry it was so long, but it was an
event.
Big Job Interview
Today the big news is I had a job interview........yea!!!!
NO, I really mean YEA!
Houston Community College called me a couple of weeks ago. The chair sounded really interested, said I had a lot of experience (That was nice, and unexpected), and said he would call for an interview.
So I finally got the call, and he scheduled the interview for Aug. 12, one day after my 37th birthday. So it was kind of like a birthday present. I've been out of a job now for a month.
Got to the campus at 10:45 for the 11 am appointment. Waited until 11:30 for the interview, as the interview process got delayed.
While waiting, I chatted with the secretary....a really nice person. She told me that I was one of the last of the seven interviews they were conducting. Which is really great since the job begins on the 25th!
Finally, the chairman whisked me into a classroom across the hall, and the process began.
Now, I've been preparing for this interview for about a week. I went out and bought a on getting an educational job, Inside Secrets of Finding a Teaching Job. This is really a good book, and I recommend it. I prepared for an interview, going over strenghts and weaknesses, why I want to teach, my teaching philosophy. I also prepared a presentation....powerpoint lecture, handouts, etc.
Well, the Powerpoint didn't happen, because I would have had to bring my own computer...so I was a little overtechnified! Luckily, I prepared for this and had printed all the powerpoints, had lecture note handouts, and the lecture went great..I think.
They seemed a little overawed that I had put all my lectures on Powerpoint and had prepared a studyguide for every chapter of the book. They also seemed to think gave students a lot of tests or work or something. So, I don't know what they thought.
I'm supposed to find out tomorrow, today actually (Wednesday) if I get a callback. I've got my fingers crossed, and may say a rosary just for added prayer.
NO, I really mean YEA!
Houston Community College called me a couple of weeks ago. The chair sounded really interested, said I had a lot of experience (That was nice, and unexpected), and said he would call for an interview.
So I finally got the call, and he scheduled the interview for Aug. 12, one day after my 37th birthday. So it was kind of like a birthday present. I've been out of a job now for a month.
Got to the campus at 10:45 for the 11 am appointment. Waited until 11:30 for the interview, as the interview process got delayed.
While waiting, I chatted with the secretary....a really nice person. She told me that I was one of the last of the seven interviews they were conducting. Which is really great since the job begins on the 25th!
Finally, the chairman whisked me into a classroom across the hall, and the process began.
Now, I've been preparing for this interview for about a week. I went out and bought a on getting an educational job, Inside Secrets of Finding a Teaching Job. This is really a good book, and I recommend it. I prepared for an interview, going over strenghts and weaknesses, why I want to teach, my teaching philosophy. I also prepared a presentation....powerpoint lecture, handouts, etc.
Well, the Powerpoint didn't happen, because I would have had to bring my own computer...so I was a little overtechnified! Luckily, I prepared for this and had printed all the powerpoints, had lecture note handouts, and the lecture went great..I think.
They seemed a little overawed that I had put all my lectures on Powerpoint and had prepared a studyguide for every chapter of the book. They also seemed to think gave students a lot of tests or work or something. So, I don't know what they thought.
I'm supposed to find out tomorrow, today actually (Wednesday) if I get a callback. I've got my fingers crossed, and may say a rosary just for added prayer.
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