Thursday, November 02, 2006

Thursday Round Up: Saving Lives...

I gave blood today, and as a result of my kindness, I'm told I saved three lives. I expect "Thank You" cards from each...

I'm kidding, of course. Not about giving blood or the cards, but about being kind: I did it for the free cookies (mmm, oatmeal raisin...).

Since my body has yet to fully restore the lost pint, I'm not firing on all cylinders right now. Which isn't really different from usual, but at least this time I have an excuse.

Anyway, in my depleted state, the best I can muster is a Round Up.

Tons of letters to the editor today. See if you can spot the differences between the Flier and the Times. Here's my favorite letter:

In evaluating the political judgment of the editorial board of the Columbia Flier/Howard County Times, we need only to harken back to this from the Oct. 21, 2004 issue: "But on balance, George Bush is resolved to doing the right thing. That's why he wins our endorsement."

Great call.

Oh, snap!

Speaking of Patuxent Publishing, have you taken their online readers survey? While I'm glad to see them thinking about how to improve their (awful, out-dated) website, I have a concern with one of their questions. The third one asks how often you visit their site. I only visit once a week or so, but would go more often if I had reason to.

As it is now, the site is only updated once a week, which is pretty lame, even for a weekly paper. At the weekly paper I used to work for, we updated our site almost daily, because, you know, stuff happens every day.

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Meanwhile, the new Kings Contrivance grocery store is already behind schedule. If I still lived there, I'd be up in arms. Or, at least mildly annoyed.

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Here's an interesting "citizen journalism" experiment. The Polling Place Project is trying to get voters from each polling location around the country to submit pictures of "democracy in action." I'd say it's a pretty safe bet you'll see Oakland Mills Middle School, where I'll be casting my votes. How about yours?

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Finally, since I'm pretty sure that after the election the number of people who read this blog is going to drop precipitously, now is probably my last chance for far-reaching shameless self-promotion.

As many of you probably know I'm not only a blogger, I'm also a musician (which I think is two strikes right there). In the spirit of reconciliation after being forced to choose sides, I'm officially making November "Let's Get Together and Drink Beer While Hayduke Plays Music With His Band" Month, or for the bureaucrats, LGTDBWHPMWHB Month.

My band, Hayduke and the Midnight Destroyers (really, Bittersweet), is playing several (well, two) local "gigs" this month, affording you multiple opportunities to experience the magic that is our live show. I can promise both a good time and a night without politics. And, really, what more can you ask for?

The first show is Friday, November 10 at Ram's Head Savage. The second is at Frisco Burrito on Saturday, November 18. For you early-to-bed types, I apologize, but the music doesn't usually start until 10ish.

Full schedule and more info about the band here.

16 comments:

wordbones said...

I'm a big fan of oatmeal raisin cookies too.

FreeMarket said...

My favorite letter was the anti-hunting letter about marking your calendar so you know when it’s safe to visit a park and not be shot.

I traded a pint of blood today in exchange for a pack of Famous Amos oatmeal raisin cookies, an orange juice and a tee shirt that is a size too big. I didn’t get lightheaded, which was a first for me. When I was finished, the nurse instructed me not to drink alcohol or exercise for 8 hours. I asked if I could play the piano, and she said yes. I was glad to hear that, because I have always wanted to be able to play the piano.

Anonymous said...

Hayduke,

Why is that your favorite letter? I hope you are just saying the PP is wrong. I would hate to think that you are equating GWB to CM.

If you are consider this:

Why is GWB so far down in the polls? Democrats? No they never liked him until 9/11. He is so far down because now the Republicans don't like him.

Why will the GOP lose at least one house of Congress on Nov 7th? Because Democrats have a great agenda and a real plan? Please. No. Because the GOP did one thing better than the democrats. What is that pray tell David.

The GOP managed to do in 12 years what it took the democrats to do in 40 years. Become the ineffectual majority and piss off their base of support.

That is why we have the national mood we have, because Republicans feel the same way as Democrats in this mid-term. I ask myself - where are the real conservatives? Get rid of these drunken sailors.

I think a lot of Ulman supporters would like nothing better than the national mood in DC to trickle down to local politics in Howard County. Chris Merdon is not George Bush. The issues in Howard County are not the same as in DC.

From what I am seeing, from what I saw last night at the Columbia Association meeting and how warmly Merdeon was greeted, I don't see a trickle down effect. I see an Ulman melt down coming.

Anonymous said...

It was good to see a few letters about Merdon's questionable integrity, the management claim, slow growth claim, and the Sierra Club voting record compared with the misleading campaign. If Merdon is so different, why is he behaving like Bush?

Hayduke said...

David: I was trying to be funny. It's usually safe to assume that if I post a "Round Up" and I use the words "Oh, Snap!" I'm having a little fun.

And so, it seems, is Freemarket. I always wanted to play the piano, too.

Yes, I realize how unfunny explaining humor can be.

To other commenters: Does the humor in my posts come through? Does it amuse or confuse you? Is it worth even trying?

Anonymous said...

The humor comes through. I think any regular reader of your blog would surmise that you don't use terms like "oh, snap" to make a point.

I believe that humor gets lost on those looking for a fight.

Anonymous said...

Freemarket was very funny. Hayduke, not so much. Sorry, but it does get lost to some because the frame of reference is that you are very serious. The phrase, 'much truth is said in jest' comes to mind.

I guess that makes me 'looking for a fight'. Sheesh.

Anonymous said...

Yes, it gets lost on me. I am sure you are very funny and your humor is dry (like mine). No offense intended.

Hayduke said...

Not even the part about thank you cards for giving blood was funny (I thought this set the tone for the post)? Or the silly acronym for November or the fake band name?

Actually, I don't think there were more than a couple sentences in that entire post without attempts at humor and/or irony (if I knew what that meant).

I don't get it. My wife usually laughs at my jokes.

Anonymous said...

Your wife must be a very nice person.

Anonymous said...

Oh, snap!

(see, used for humor!)

FreeMarket said...

My wife read my comment about blood donation and told me that I was a dork. I think she’s right.

Anonymous said...

My wife just read my blog for the first time and tried to throw our computer in the trash :=)

Hayduke said...

freemarket: My wife bought me a shirt that just says "Dork". She also bought herself an "I love nerds" sweatshirt. I'm not sure what any of this means, but I'm guessing mostly that I'm not very hip.

Anonymous said...

Hypothetically speaking, do you happen to know where your wife bought said shirts?

Christmas is coming, you know...

Anonymous said...

I think one needs to use both sides of their brain, engage contextual awareness, and avoid being a fuddy duddy to get every humorous remark.

My guess is that some of your fresher humor gets lost on part of the readerbase.

Some reference context.