Apparently a lot more Americans do these days. There has been a lot in the news about the latest Census figures.
One of the most written/talked/blogged about findings is that Phoenix is now the fifth largest city in the United States, edging out Philadelphia. Here's an interesting piece from the City of Brotherly Love's Inquirer.
Even more interesting is that Phoenix and our nearer neighbor to the west, Dallas, had fewer than 100,000 residents about 100 years ago.
Census Bureau stats show people are moving to places where it is sunnier. Cities in Florida, California and Texas each showed tremendous growth. Check out the bureau's info for yourself. Another interesting tidbit: In 1910, only three of the 10 biggest U.S. cities had 1 million or more residents. With the latest figures, only one hadn't cracked the million mark, and it was only about 70,000 folks away.
Not surprisingly, New Orleans was a big loser in terms of population, but that wasn't only because of Katrina.
Thoughts? I'm probably the only nerd around here so enthralled by population figures.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Delayed news...
Fashion house founder and style icon Liz Claiborne died---yesterday.
Why am I just now discovering this news an entire day later? The news was posted on MSNBC shortly after 2 p.m. and shortly after 3 p.m. on the AP wire.
The style icon, who helped revolutionize the dress for women entering the paid labor force, died Tuesday at the New York Presbyterian Hospital after suffering from cancer for a number of years, said Gwen Satterfield, personal assistant to Claiborne.
Maybe its just me and maybe I'm impatient but it seems like I should have known this about an hour after it happened yesterday. I was totally baffled to discover that it was YESTERDAY and the news doesn't know about it until today.
I remember when Pope John Paul II died (I know Claiborne is no major religious leader, but still) I received a news text message on my cellphone the moment it happened. My mother called me about two hours later and asked me if I heard the news.
"Duh," I told her. "That news is old."
I could not believe she was just finding out when she called me. I thought she'd been under a rock that day.
One of my co-workers said the possible delay in learning about Claiborne's death could be because she isn't as relevant today as she was in the late 70s and 80s when her company skyrocketed. She said that if this had happened about 20 years ago it would have been a bigger deal.
Puh-leese.
I'm used to getting information the minute it happens. I like e-mail alerts and news updates telling me the latest juice. I thrive off them. Check our web site. You can get up-to-date information there too.
I don't sit around waiting for people to leave this life but when they do (or when they do something else noteworthy), if they're important enough, I expect to hear about it.
Why am I just now discovering this news an entire day later? The news was posted on MSNBC shortly after 2 p.m. and shortly after 3 p.m. on the AP wire.
The style icon, who helped revolutionize the dress for women entering the paid labor force, died Tuesday at the New York Presbyterian Hospital after suffering from cancer for a number of years, said Gwen Satterfield, personal assistant to Claiborne.
Maybe its just me and maybe I'm impatient but it seems like I should have known this about an hour after it happened yesterday. I was totally baffled to discover that it was YESTERDAY and the news doesn't know about it until today.
I remember when Pope John Paul II died (I know Claiborne is no major religious leader, but still) I received a news text message on my cellphone the moment it happened. My mother called me about two hours later and asked me if I heard the news.
"Duh," I told her. "That news is old."
I could not believe she was just finding out when she called me. I thought she'd been under a rock that day.
One of my co-workers said the possible delay in learning about Claiborne's death could be because she isn't as relevant today as she was in the late 70s and 80s when her company skyrocketed. She said that if this had happened about 20 years ago it would have been a bigger deal.
Puh-leese.
I'm used to getting information the minute it happens. I like e-mail alerts and news updates telling me the latest juice. I thrive off them. Check our web site. You can get up-to-date information there too.
I don't sit around waiting for people to leave this life but when they do (or when they do something else noteworthy), if they're important enough, I expect to hear about it.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
An interesting report on journalists' campaign contributions
MSNBC recently posted this article that lists journalists at news organizations from throughout the country who gave money to campaigning politicians and groups. For those of you who haven't been to J-school, professors, advisers and deans are generally pretty clear about how we should handle campaign donations: Don't do it.
It's kind of funny, because we journalists (and particularly reporters, it seems) pride ourselves on being bastions of free speech. But our mentors and peers tell us to curtail that speech, at least in the way of dollar signs. And we all know money talks, so that should definitely be considered speech.
A lot of us also are discouraged from taking political sides even in conversation. We're told not to put stickers or buttons with political slogans on our desks or backpacks. When I was working at The Daily Reveille, the LSU student paper, we had rules that no one who worked in the production and editorial sections of the paper could wear any paraphernalia from student government elections. The consequences of doing so: a reprimand at least, if not termination.
I admit it is a bit unfortunate that this is the way our industry is. It's restricting freedom. But perception equals reality for a lot of people. We may be able to gather facts and quotations from people who are on the opposite end of the political spectrum from us, but donating money denotes activism to many. That makes us hard to trust.
We want your trust. We don't want to seem shady.
Now, Chris Daly raises some excellent points about the report on his blog. MSNBC's Bill Dedman says there are about 100,000 journalists in the country and only lists 144 who gave money. So that means most of us don't, and that should be pointed out.
Definitely check out the list. Just for full disclosure, there are several Gannett papers on the list.
What do you say?
It's kind of funny, because we journalists (and particularly reporters, it seems) pride ourselves on being bastions of free speech. But our mentors and peers tell us to curtail that speech, at least in the way of dollar signs. And we all know money talks, so that should definitely be considered speech.
A lot of us also are discouraged from taking political sides even in conversation. We're told not to put stickers or buttons with political slogans on our desks or backpacks. When I was working at The Daily Reveille, the LSU student paper, we had rules that no one who worked in the production and editorial sections of the paper could wear any paraphernalia from student government elections. The consequences of doing so: a reprimand at least, if not termination.
I admit it is a bit unfortunate that this is the way our industry is. It's restricting freedom. But perception equals reality for a lot of people. We may be able to gather facts and quotations from people who are on the opposite end of the political spectrum from us, but donating money denotes activism to many. That makes us hard to trust.
We want your trust. We don't want to seem shady.
Now, Chris Daly raises some excellent points about the report on his blog. MSNBC's Bill Dedman says there are about 100,000 journalists in the country and only lists 144 who gave money. So that means most of us don't, and that should be pointed out.
Definitely check out the list. Just for full disclosure, there are several Gannett papers on the list.
What do you say?
Friday, June 22, 2007
Some Bonnaroo pics, as promised
Here's a visual taste of Bonnaroo, all the way from Manchester, Tenn.
The gate, where you wait for security guards to check your pockets and bags for items ranging from drugs (every day) to cameras (when "the artists" don't want their photo taken) and umbrellas (when it seems cloudy enough to rain or the sun is really beating down).
The Bobbleheads. Good for a shake or shade.
My partner in crime and sister, Sarah, with me.
The confusingly/cleverly named Which stage, with Damien Rice performing.
A Rice close-up.
An Adam's arm close-up.
As you can imagine, weeks without rain plus 80,000 (according to a USA Today article) people walking all over means LOTS of dust.
More dust, with a big screen side of Ben Harper.
My attempt at avoiding lung poisoning.
And this is what you do when you're sleepy -- just lie down.Thursday, June 21, 2007
See ya Visa
I dropped my credit card into my lock box this morning.
About 10 years ago, while in college, getting my own credit card seemed like a good thing. I'd build some credit, and I wouldn't have to worry about always having cash for big purchases like books. For the first few years I was good, paying off my balance every month.
By senior year, I had depleted most of my savings and the credit card became my friend. I have never had an outrageous debt, just persistent. I'm tired of it. So after hashing all this out with a trusted advisor, he suggested putting the card away and pulling it out only for vacations.
"But I don't use it that much," I protested.
"Now, what was your goal again? Oh, 'reduce credit card dependence,'" he said. "Put the credit card in the lock box."
Well, I couldn't argue with that logic. Today I'll embark on my cedit card moratorium for at least the next month to see how this goes.
If any of you have suggestions about ways you reduced your debt, I'd love to hear it.
About 10 years ago, while in college, getting my own credit card seemed like a good thing. I'd build some credit, and I wouldn't have to worry about always having cash for big purchases like books. For the first few years I was good, paying off my balance every month.
By senior year, I had depleted most of my savings and the credit card became my friend. I have never had an outrageous debt, just persistent. I'm tired of it. So after hashing all this out with a trusted advisor, he suggested putting the card away and pulling it out only for vacations.
"But I don't use it that much," I protested.
"Now, what was your goal again? Oh, 'reduce credit card dependence,'" he said. "Put the credit card in the lock box."
Well, I couldn't argue with that logic. Today I'll embark on my cedit card moratorium for at least the next month to see how this goes.
If any of you have suggestions about ways you reduced your debt, I'd love to hear it.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Showing my age
I had to work really late Tuesday night (by late I mean its well after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday and I'm still at work as I'm writing this) to cover a huge, breaking news story.
Since the news was so big, there were lots of people present including students (I'm an education reporter) and all of the television news outlets.
I went to purchase a Coke for me and my fellow blogger and co-worker Adam. We wanted to wash down the pizza reporters from Channel 6 ordered for us, them, and news channels 3 and 12. As I walked to the vending machine, I overheard some high school-aged girls talking and giggling about a certain television reporter's makeup.
"He puts it on so thick he looks like its for his casket," I heard one of them say.
Everyone laughed.
I knew who they were talking about but I won't say it--I'll let you guess.
Then another one of them said, "His eyebrows look better than mine."
They all laughed again. They all said they thought the reporter was really cute, despite his heavey makeup.
I said, "Some of my co-workers joke that he looks like Eddie Munster."
I giggled. They didn't.
"Ya'll don't know who Eddie Munster is?"
An older, 40-ish looking female police officer said to me, "Girl, they are too young to know who the Munsters are. They aren't that old."
Old?
How old do you have to be to know who Eddie Munster is?
Christ.
As I was leaving with my Cokes, one of the girls said, "Yeah, I'm not that old. I'm only 16."
Shoot. I must be that old then. For the first time in my life I'm old. And I'm only 23.
Since the news was so big, there were lots of people present including students (I'm an education reporter) and all of the television news outlets.
I went to purchase a Coke for me and my fellow blogger and co-worker Adam. We wanted to wash down the pizza reporters from Channel 6 ordered for us, them, and news channels 3 and 12. As I walked to the vending machine, I overheard some high school-aged girls talking and giggling about a certain television reporter's makeup.
"He puts it on so thick he looks like its for his casket," I heard one of them say.
Everyone laughed.
I knew who they were talking about but I won't say it--I'll let you guess.
Then another one of them said, "His eyebrows look better than mine."
They all laughed again. They all said they thought the reporter was really cute, despite his heavey makeup.
I said, "Some of my co-workers joke that he looks like Eddie Munster."
I giggled. They didn't.
"Ya'll don't know who Eddie Munster is?"
An older, 40-ish looking female police officer said to me, "Girl, they are too young to know who the Munsters are. They aren't that old."
Old?
How old do you have to be to know who Eddie Munster is?
Christ.
As I was leaving with my Cokes, one of the girls said, "Yeah, I'm not that old. I'm only 16."
Shoot. I must be that old then. For the first time in my life I'm old. And I'm only 23.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Bonnawahoo! (revisited)
You may have caught this at shreveporttimes.com as an update, but it didn't get put on here. Here's something from Friday morning. I'll give you some photos and other thoughts on my Bonnaroo experience soon.
So far, Bonnaroo is quite an experience. We left at midnight and drove all night just to wait four hours in about two miles of creeping traffic to get through the gate and claim a camping spot.
Some folks are saying there will be 90,000 people here by Sunday. I don’t have an accurate count yet, but there are a ton of dusty music fans here staying in a city of tents.
In the way of entertainment, my sister and I enjoyed the indie-pop of California-based The Little Ones. One of our fellow campers called them “too poppy,” but I think a little melody and spunk can go a long way.
Another interesting review featured burlesque dancers and a guy who could lift irons (the kind you use on your clothes) with cords attached to his pierced nipples. Stay tuned for more.
So far, Bonnaroo is quite an experience. We left at midnight and drove all night just to wait four hours in about two miles of creeping traffic to get through the gate and claim a camping spot.
Some folks are saying there will be 90,000 people here by Sunday. I don’t have an accurate count yet, but there are a ton of dusty music fans here staying in a city of tents.
In the way of entertainment, my sister and I enjoyed the indie-pop of California-based The Little Ones. One of our fellow campers called them “too poppy,” but I think a little melody and spunk can go a long way.
Another interesting review featured burlesque dancers and a guy who could lift irons (the kind you use on your clothes) with cords attached to his pierced nipples. Stay tuned for more.
Monday, June 18, 2007
MySpace vs Facebook
I think my MySpace days have come to an end.
When I first started a MySpace page about 2 years ago I was addicted. I was on there all the time, looking for old friends and keeping up with friends from home. It was very useful because instead of spending my days on the phone, I could check their MySpace page and see what they're up to or send them a quick note.
But now, my inbox is flooded with promotional messages, concert notices and notes from folks who use MySpace as a dating service. Here's an example of one I got just yesterday:
Give me the chance to starting a revolution with changing you life and mines with you. We can be like a puzzzle with a million of pieces that i'm putting together to bring a picture of us holding hands, is it possible i get to kno u better?
Huh?
A few months ago I joined Facebook and I love it. It's a lot more exclusive in the way that only people listed as your friends can look at your page or leave comments. It seems a lot simpler too. I haven't gotten any mail I didn't want and it's got a lot of cute, extra features.
Now I just have to talk some other folks that are on MySpace to switch to Facebook so I can have all of my friends in one place.
Any thoughts? Anyone out there prefer MySpace? Is there anyone else like me that made the switch?
When I first started a MySpace page about 2 years ago I was addicted. I was on there all the time, looking for old friends and keeping up with friends from home. It was very useful because instead of spending my days on the phone, I could check their MySpace page and see what they're up to or send them a quick note.
But now, my inbox is flooded with promotional messages, concert notices and notes from folks who use MySpace as a dating service. Here's an example of one I got just yesterday:
Give me the chance to starting a revolution with changing you life and mines with you. We can be like a puzzzle with a million of pieces that i'm putting together to bring a picture of us holding hands, is it possible i get to kno u better?
Huh?
A few months ago I joined Facebook and I love it. It's a lot more exclusive in the way that only people listed as your friends can look at your page or leave comments. It seems a lot simpler too. I haven't gotten any mail I didn't want and it's got a lot of cute, extra features.
Now I just have to talk some other folks that are on MySpace to switch to Facebook so I can have all of my friends in one place.
Any thoughts? Anyone out there prefer MySpace? Is there anyone else like me that made the switch?
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Home goodies
On Saturday morning I set out for Nashville.
By Saturday evening I was eating all of my grandma's homemade cooking. It was good.
Late on Saturday night my best friend and I ate lots of homemade sweets while staying up late watching movies and talking.
On Sunday I went to my home church and went over my best friend's house to eat her mom's food. It wasn't ready when I got there but I promised to be back to eat the roast, cornbread, green beans and other goodies.
Later on Sunday I ate food at my great-grandmother's home in Springfield, Tenn., and at KFC.
I went to a party Sunday night and I ate (and drank) more.
Monday morning I ate for breakfast my grandmother's left overs from Sunday: baked chicken, turnip greens, sweet potatoes and bread. Delicious.
Monday afternoon I decided to eat at Krystal's a fast food chain similar to White Castle but it's not in Shreveport. I huffed my fries and burgers down. I had a piece of caramel cake to boot.
By Monday evening I was sick. Really sick.
I couldn't eat anything Monday night or all-day Tuesday. Not one morsel of food.
Here it is Wednesday and I've only been brave enough to drink water.
I guess this is my punishment for being piggish.
By Saturday evening I was eating all of my grandma's homemade cooking. It was good.
Late on Saturday night my best friend and I ate lots of homemade sweets while staying up late watching movies and talking.
On Sunday I went to my home church and went over my best friend's house to eat her mom's food. It wasn't ready when I got there but I promised to be back to eat the roast, cornbread, green beans and other goodies.
Later on Sunday I ate food at my great-grandmother's home in Springfield, Tenn., and at KFC.
I went to a party Sunday night and I ate (and drank) more.
Monday morning I ate for breakfast my grandmother's left overs from Sunday: baked chicken, turnip greens, sweet potatoes and bread. Delicious.
Monday afternoon I decided to eat at Krystal's a fast food chain similar to White Castle but it's not in Shreveport. I huffed my fries and burgers down. I had a piece of caramel cake to boot.
By Monday evening I was sick. Really sick.
I couldn't eat anything Monday night or all-day Tuesday. Not one morsel of food.
Here it is Wednesday and I've only been brave enough to drink water.
I guess this is my punishment for being piggish.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Dealing with deployment
So, the boyfriend left this morning for his 6-month deployment. Around noon he started on a series of flights that will eventually land him in Iraq.
It was kind of weird this morning when we said goodbye. It was very similar to any other morning that he’d leave for work except the hug lasted a little longer, I had tears in my eyes and we both knew that instead of him coming back at the end of the day, he won’t be back until the end of the year.
I’m really not handling it as well as I thought I would. I’ve been crying off and on since he left at 7:30 this morning. (Those that know me know that I’m EXTRA emotional...lol. It gets kind of ridiculous sometimes.) I really want to be the strong girlfriend that knows this separation is only temporary and is confident her boyfriend will be back in December, unharmed. But for some reason it's very hard for me to be that person right now.
But, I guess it may be too early to tell how I'll handle this since this is only the first day. I can only hope that it gets easier and I can be the person he needs me to be.
Still, December 17 can’t get here fast enough.
It was kind of weird this morning when we said goodbye. It was very similar to any other morning that he’d leave for work except the hug lasted a little longer, I had tears in my eyes and we both knew that instead of him coming back at the end of the day, he won’t be back until the end of the year.
I’m really not handling it as well as I thought I would. I’ve been crying off and on since he left at 7:30 this morning. (Those that know me know that I’m EXTRA emotional...lol. It gets kind of ridiculous sometimes.) I really want to be the strong girlfriend that knows this separation is only temporary and is confident her boyfriend will be back in December, unharmed. But for some reason it's very hard for me to be that person right now.
But, I guess it may be too early to tell how I'll handle this since this is only the first day. I can only hope that it gets easier and I can be the person he needs me to be.
Still, December 17 can’t get here fast enough.
Monday, June 11, 2007
It's that time already?
The moment I checked my email and saw the subject line I cringed.
And the reaction surprised me just like it did before. It’s not like I didn’t see it coming. I mean it’s been 10 years. A whole DECADE since we tossed those caps and set out for the real world of college and adulthood.
But for some reason, my initial reaction is a cringe anytime I see or hear anything related to my high school class reunion. Which can’t be normal because I keep getting all these happy emails and myspace notices from former classmates anticipating the reunion.
Even the subject lines are all enthusiastic. I mean if subject lines like “Register at C/O ’97 Reunion Website” or “REUNION SUGGESTIONS” don’t sound bubbly, I don’t know what does. (Hey, don’t ask me how I can tell they’re bubbly because I wouldn’t be able to explain it. They just ARE.)
It started off like six months to a year ago with whispers. Well, OK, they weren’t whispers, more like questions that came every time I ran into a former classmate, which is crazy in itself because somehow I don’t run into them often. “Have you heard anything about a reunion yet?” they’d ask.
I’d shrug my shoulders and say “Nope, sure hadn’t.” And that’s when I noticed that what I was really thinking was “Nope, thank GAWD!”
I don’t even know why. I mean it’s not like I’m doing bad or anything. I mean, I’m not rich and famous, but at least I can check the “employed” box in a hypothetical survey. That automatically means you’re doing OK, right?
And it’s not like I had a scene from “Carrie” at my high school prom that I’m afraid of re-living or anything.
Heck, I’m still trying to figure out how a nerd like me even made it to prom – with an actual DATE!
I don’t know, maybe it’s because high school reminds me of such a different time in my life, as I’m sure it does for most folks who can even remember it.
I mean, thank goodness I wasn’t the geek that got “wedgies” everyday or got picked on or bullied.
As far as I know I was a pretty likeable nerd.
But I always felt like I found myself in college. That’s where I found my “bestest” friends. That’s where I had the most fun of my life, that’s where I set the foundation for my future career. That’s where I felt 100 percent comfortable being me because there were thousands others just like me. Or maybe not just like me, but all striving for the same goals: success. That’s just where I fit in. Where it all began for me.
And high school? Well, it was high school. I mean it was fun and I had friends, but you know how high school is.
Even if you were one of the chosen popular ones, you still remember. I mean who really wants to re-live adolescence and puberty and all that?
Nevertheless, even as I type this, I’m cringing. Still deciding if I want to go. Fortunately, I feel somewhat normal after running into some classmates who seem to cringe just like me.
At first I said “Absolutely not.” Then I started thinking
“Maybe I’ll consider it.” Now, I’m just at a “Hmmmm…I don’t know…” And anyone who knows me knows what that last phrase usually leads to …
But who knows…At least I still have about two months to decide.
And the reaction surprised me just like it did before. It’s not like I didn’t see it coming. I mean it’s been 10 years. A whole DECADE since we tossed those caps and set out for the real world of college and adulthood.
But for some reason, my initial reaction is a cringe anytime I see or hear anything related to my high school class reunion. Which can’t be normal because I keep getting all these happy emails and myspace notices from former classmates anticipating the reunion.
Even the subject lines are all enthusiastic. I mean if subject lines like “Register at C/O ’97 Reunion Website” or “REUNION SUGGESTIONS” don’t sound bubbly, I don’t know what does. (Hey, don’t ask me how I can tell they’re bubbly because I wouldn’t be able to explain it. They just ARE.)
It started off like six months to a year ago with whispers. Well, OK, they weren’t whispers, more like questions that came every time I ran into a former classmate, which is crazy in itself because somehow I don’t run into them often. “Have you heard anything about a reunion yet?” they’d ask.
I’d shrug my shoulders and say “Nope, sure hadn’t.” And that’s when I noticed that what I was really thinking was “Nope, thank GAWD!”
I don’t even know why. I mean it’s not like I’m doing bad or anything. I mean, I’m not rich and famous, but at least I can check the “employed” box in a hypothetical survey. That automatically means you’re doing OK, right?
And it’s not like I had a scene from “Carrie” at my high school prom that I’m afraid of re-living or anything.
Heck, I’m still trying to figure out how a nerd like me even made it to prom – with an actual DATE!
I don’t know, maybe it’s because high school reminds me of such a different time in my life, as I’m sure it does for most folks who can even remember it.
I mean, thank goodness I wasn’t the geek that got “wedgies” everyday or got picked on or bullied.
As far as I know I was a pretty likeable nerd.
But I always felt like I found myself in college. That’s where I found my “bestest” friends. That’s where I had the most fun of my life, that’s where I set the foundation for my future career. That’s where I felt 100 percent comfortable being me because there were thousands others just like me. Or maybe not just like me, but all striving for the same goals: success. That’s just where I fit in. Where it all began for me.
And high school? Well, it was high school. I mean it was fun and I had friends, but you know how high school is.
Even if you were one of the chosen popular ones, you still remember. I mean who really wants to re-live adolescence and puberty and all that?
Nevertheless, even as I type this, I’m cringing. Still deciding if I want to go. Fortunately, I feel somewhat normal after running into some classmates who seem to cringe just like me.
At first I said “Absolutely not.” Then I started thinking
“Maybe I’ll consider it.” Now, I’m just at a “Hmmmm…I don’t know…” And anyone who knows me knows what that last phrase usually leads to …
But who knows…At least I still have about two months to decide.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Not all police news is bad
These businesses didn't get printed earlier in the week with the establishments and employees who were cited for underage alcohol sales, but I thought it would be nice to put them out there.
No, they're not as newsworthy. Why? Because people and businesses everywhere don't get in trouble on a daily basis. Doing what you're supposed to isn't that big of a deal. Maybe doing what you're supposed to do really well or better than everyone else like you is worth a note, though.
And, we usually don't get a list of people who don't get in trouble. This time we did, and here you go. Maybe these are places you frequent.
Businesses that were in compliance and refused to sell alcohol to underage operatives during Bossier City Police Department Vice Unit operation targeting underage alcohol sales:
1. Airline Citgo, 1995 Airline Dr.
2. Albertson’s, 3121 E. Texas St.
3. B.G.’s Lounge, 2262 Barksdale Blvd.
4. Buffalo Wild Wings, 375 Boardwalk Blvd.
5. Cascio’s Food Mart, 2252 Barksdale Blvd.
6. Circle K #8172, 4609 Shed Rd.
7. Circle K #8189, 4629 E. Texas St.
8. Circle K #875, 3226 Barksdale Blvd.
9. Cricket’s Bar, 1738 E. Texas St.
10. Texaco Day and Night, 3820 Industrial Dr.
11. D’Shay’s, 2704 Barksdale Blvd.
12. Diver Down (Harley’s Pub), 1835 Old Minden Rd.
13. Dana’s Food Store, 2051 E. Texas St.
14. Food Fast #90, 2494 Airline Dr.
15. Food Town, 1918 Benton Rd.
16. Gator’s Seafood Grill, 1903 #A Benton Rd.
17. Holiday Lanes/Ten Pens, 3316 Old Minden Rd.
18. Hub Lounge, 4340 E. Texas St.
19. J & A Stop and Go, 4200 Airline Dr.
20. Joe’s Place, 905 Barksdale Blvd.
21. Jubilee Food Express #1, 1300 Barksdale Blvd.
22. K.C.’s Good Times Bar, 3480Industrial Dr.
23. Locker Room Sports Bar, 3218 Barksdale Blvd.
24. One Eyed Jack’s, 1201 Dixie Overland Dr.
25. Pudge’s Bar, 2706 Barksdale Blvd.
26. Rack’em Sports Bar, 2248 Barksdale Blvd.
27. Rockin Rodeo, 1003 Gould Dr.
28. Shotz Lounge, 1426 Barksdale Blvd.
29. Texaco Day and Night, 1290 Barksdale Blvd.
30. Thrifty Liquor # 9, 3000 E. Texas St.
31. Thrifty Liquor # 14, 1806 Benton Rd.
32. Uncle Frank’s Dart Lounge, 4403 E. Texas St.
33. Valero Diamond Metro #4199, 2840 Airline Dr.
34. Wild Orchid Cabaret, 3735 E. Texas St.
(Source for list: Bossier City Police Department)
No, they're not as newsworthy. Why? Because people and businesses everywhere don't get in trouble on a daily basis. Doing what you're supposed to isn't that big of a deal. Maybe doing what you're supposed to do really well or better than everyone else like you is worth a note, though.
And, we usually don't get a list of people who don't get in trouble. This time we did, and here you go. Maybe these are places you frequent.
Businesses that were in compliance and refused to sell alcohol to underage operatives during Bossier City Police Department Vice Unit operation targeting underage alcohol sales:
1. Airline Citgo, 1995 Airline Dr.
2. Albertson’s, 3121 E. Texas St.
3. B.G.’s Lounge, 2262 Barksdale Blvd.
4. Buffalo Wild Wings, 375 Boardwalk Blvd.
5. Cascio’s Food Mart, 2252 Barksdale Blvd.
6. Circle K #8172, 4609 Shed Rd.
7. Circle K #8189, 4629 E. Texas St.
8. Circle K #875, 3226 Barksdale Blvd.
9. Cricket’s Bar, 1738 E. Texas St.
10. Texaco Day and Night, 3820 Industrial Dr.
11. D’Shay’s, 2704 Barksdale Blvd.
12. Diver Down (Harley’s Pub), 1835 Old Minden Rd.
13. Dana’s Food Store, 2051 E. Texas St.
14. Food Fast #90, 2494 Airline Dr.
15. Food Town, 1918 Benton Rd.
16. Gator’s Seafood Grill, 1903 #A Benton Rd.
17. Holiday Lanes/Ten Pens, 3316 Old Minden Rd.
18. Hub Lounge, 4340 E. Texas St.
19. J & A Stop and Go, 4200 Airline Dr.
20. Joe’s Place, 905 Barksdale Blvd.
21. Jubilee Food Express #1, 1300 Barksdale Blvd.
22. K.C.’s Good Times Bar, 3480Industrial Dr.
23. Locker Room Sports Bar, 3218 Barksdale Blvd.
24. One Eyed Jack’s, 1201 Dixie Overland Dr.
25. Pudge’s Bar, 2706 Barksdale Blvd.
26. Rack’em Sports Bar, 2248 Barksdale Blvd.
27. Rockin Rodeo, 1003 Gould Dr.
28. Shotz Lounge, 1426 Barksdale Blvd.
29. Texaco Day and Night, 1290 Barksdale Blvd.
30. Thrifty Liquor # 9, 3000 E. Texas St.
31. Thrifty Liquor # 14, 1806 Benton Rd.
32. Uncle Frank’s Dart Lounge, 4403 E. Texas St.
33. Valero Diamond Metro #4199, 2840 Airline Dr.
34. Wild Orchid Cabaret, 3735 E. Texas St.
(Source for list: Bossier City Police Department)
Friday, June 08, 2007
And now for the Paris Hilton spoof video
This had more than 505,000 hits just four hours after it was posted today on YouTube. Look and laugh for 2 minutes and 47 seconds.
And if funny isn't enough, check out the news from today.
And if funny isn't enough, check out the news from today.
Goodbye Dr. Burke
So it’s official: Grey’s Anatomy’s sexy, intellectual Dr. Preston Burke has been fired.
Or, technically, the actor that portrayed him, Isaiah Washington, was fired. And I’m sad.
When a friend of mind emailed me the news early this morning, I didn't want to believe it.
Of course, his termination comes as no huge surprise to G.A. fans, especially in light of all the controversy surrounding him and those infamous anti-gay slurs he made about fellow actor T.R. Knight (George O’Malley.)
And as much as I LOVE the character of Dr. Burke and have always respected the career of Washington, I had to side with right and admit he was just plain ol’ wrong for what he said.
And as with any wrong, I felt he had to suffer the consequences, whatever that may be. I mean what was he thinking?!
Unfortunately for me, I still LOVE the character of Dr. Burke, especially Washington’s portrayal. So, this latest news makes me sad.
In fact, I really think the true losers in this whole mess are the fans.
I mean, forget the war in Iraq, the presidential campaign or even the rising crime. The firing of Washington is a tragedy of epic proportions.
You have to be a true, hardcore GA fan to understand where I’m coming from. That show has some of the best writing, acting and on-screen chemistry on television.
As Barbara Streisand’s “The Way We Were” plays in my head …
And their portrayals are so real and gripping that I swear sometimes you’re literally on the edge of your seat, bawling your eyes out or laughing your behind off, or curled up in a ball of anticipation at the end of each episode.
So that makes Washington’s departure something akin to the loss of a loved one or something. Well, in TV land anyway.
I’m wondering now if they're gonna replace him or just let the character go. I mean, I love Shonda Rhimes and I think her writing is just phenomenal, but I don’t want a replacement. That’s like adding insult to injury.
Right now, I just can’t even see how the show will be the same. Especially will all those loose ends that left us hanging in the season finale. I mean what’s gonna happen now? Oh lawd is the end near?
GA fans are y’all feeling me? What do y’all think Shonda should do or should have done?
Or, technically, the actor that portrayed him, Isaiah Washington, was fired. And I’m sad.
When a friend of mind emailed me the news early this morning, I didn't want to believe it.
Of course, his termination comes as no huge surprise to G.A. fans, especially in light of all the controversy surrounding him and those infamous anti-gay slurs he made about fellow actor T.R. Knight (George O’Malley.)
And as much as I LOVE the character of Dr. Burke and have always respected the career of Washington, I had to side with right and admit he was just plain ol’ wrong for what he said.
And as with any wrong, I felt he had to suffer the consequences, whatever that may be. I mean what was he thinking?!
Unfortunately for me, I still LOVE the character of Dr. Burke, especially Washington’s portrayal. So, this latest news makes me sad.
In fact, I really think the true losers in this whole mess are the fans.
I mean, forget the war in Iraq, the presidential campaign or even the rising crime. The firing of Washington is a tragedy of epic proportions.
You have to be a true, hardcore GA fan to understand where I’m coming from. That show has some of the best writing, acting and on-screen chemistry on television.
As Barbara Streisand’s “The Way We Were” plays in my head …
I mean, they were like this wonderful, uniquely diverse family of hardworking, smart professionals dealing with everyday, real-life situations that anybody could relate to. The themes transcended race, religion and gender.
Like a United Colors of Bennetton ad brought to life.
And their portrayals are so real and gripping that I swear sometimes you’re literally on the edge of your seat, bawling your eyes out or laughing your behind off, or curled up in a ball of anticipation at the end of each episode.
So that makes Washington’s departure something akin to the loss of a loved one or something. Well, in TV land anyway.
I’m wondering now if they're gonna replace him or just let the character go. I mean, I love Shonda Rhimes and I think her writing is just phenomenal, but I don’t want a replacement. That’s like adding insult to injury.
Right now, I just can’t even see how the show will be the same. Especially will all those loose ends that left us hanging in the season finale. I mean what’s gonna happen now? Oh lawd is the end near?
GA fans are y’all feeling me? What do y’all think Shonda should do or should have done?
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Go back to jail!
Seriously, why is Paris Hilton not spending all of her time in jail?
Her sentence was already reduced. Being released for medical reasons is ridiculous.
She knew what she was doing by driving on a suspended license. She knew what she was doing when she was pulled over for driving recklessly (translation: driving drunk). She should have spent time in jail then.
So now she's confined to her house for the next 40 days. I wish I could be locked in a mansion with a wait staff for that long.
All of these people who get off the hook by complaining are beginning to make me sick. If you do something wrong you should have to suffer the consequence.
If I were in the same type of trouble as Paris, I think I'd probably still be in jail.
Her sentence was already reduced. Being released for medical reasons is ridiculous.
She knew what she was doing by driving on a suspended license. She knew what she was doing when she was pulled over for driving recklessly (translation: driving drunk). She should have spent time in jail then.
So now she's confined to her house for the next 40 days. I wish I could be locked in a mansion with a wait staff for that long.
All of these people who get off the hook by complaining are beginning to make me sick. If you do something wrong you should have to suffer the consequence.
If I were in the same type of trouble as Paris, I think I'd probably still be in jail.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Veggies everywhere!
I love the idea of the Farmers' Market. Tons of fresh vegetables and fruit for relatively cheap prices. Automatically, I start feeling healthier.
Then I get there, and unfortunately, the market here sells things in already set, fairly large quantities, instead of by the pound or the piece. That's great for a family of four. It's a little tough when it's just me -- or even me and the boyfriend. One zucchini is all I need for dinner - but I now have six.
So, like Bubba from Forrest Gump, I'm trying to figure out my options: zucchini bread, zucchini and pasta, fried, grilled...
I'll keep going back to the market, hoping the vendors will invest in scales. In the meantime, my vegetable repertoire is expanding rapidly. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm happy to hear them!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
This makes a reporter want to go back to summer camp
I really had fun on the job Monday because I got to tromp around in the woods with a bunch of kids. Don't get me wrong: This doesn't mean I don't like my job most days, but it's nice to have a little variety.
Usually I cover crime, but on this particular day I got to write about the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Camp, which is like Boy Scout camp for non-Boy Scouts. My article should appear in tomorrow's (Wednesday's) paper.
But being out in the summer heat, hearing about shooting a bow and arrow and watching as campers swam in a lake brought back memories of week-long stints with the 4-H Club or the First Baptist Church in Doyline. (I didn't necessarily do all of those activities at the same camp.) It was always exciting not to be in school and to do something totally different from the normal routine.
I have to say it was also nice to talk to people who were not victims of crime and aren't quite as jaded as some of us adults can be. These boys were all about having fun, avoiding spiders and trying to get back at the groups that had trashed their tents. You know, there always seems to be someone who wants to use toilet paper and toothpaste on anything but body parts at these kind of things. But that's all part of the experience, right?
Enjoy a few images I captured at the camp at Garland Scout Ranch in Stonewall. Maybe they'll help take us all back to those good times.
Shreveporters Julio Hernandez, 13, and Trey Gipson, 12, swim toward a pier.
Lifeguard Chris Ortiz, 18, holds up 11-year-old Michael Cooper II and tells him to kick during a short swimming lesson. 
Bossier City resident Kolton Williams, 12, flexes after swimming to a floating dock.
Usually I cover crime, but on this particular day I got to write about the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Camp, which is like Boy Scout camp for non-Boy Scouts. My article should appear in tomorrow's (Wednesday's) paper.
But being out in the summer heat, hearing about shooting a bow and arrow and watching as campers swam in a lake brought back memories of week-long stints with the 4-H Club or the First Baptist Church in Doyline. (I didn't necessarily do all of those activities at the same camp.) It was always exciting not to be in school and to do something totally different from the normal routine.
I have to say it was also nice to talk to people who were not victims of crime and aren't quite as jaded as some of us adults can be. These boys were all about having fun, avoiding spiders and trying to get back at the groups that had trashed their tents. You know, there always seems to be someone who wants to use toilet paper and toothpaste on anything but body parts at these kind of things. But that's all part of the experience, right?
Enjoy a few images I captured at the camp at Garland Scout Ranch in Stonewall. Maybe they'll help take us all back to those good times.
Dwight Shields, 12, of Shreveport, tests the water before hopping in.
Shreveporters Julio Hernandez, 13, and Trey Gipson, 12, swim toward a pier.
Lifeguard Chris Ortiz, 18, holds up 11-year-old Michael Cooper II and tells him to kick during a short swimming lesson.
Bossier City resident Kolton Williams, 12, flexes after swimming to a floating dock.Monday, June 04, 2007
How 'bout this...
Just when you thought you were out of excuses for calling in sick, in comes a batch of new ones.Not feeling your best lately? It could be your computer.
Ok, I’m not making light of the situation. I know these are probably very real illnesses that really can affect folks in a bad kinda way.
Shoot, I’m hoping I haven’t jinxed myself just by poking fun at it.
But come on … You have to admit those are some pretty convenient, creative excuses don’t you think? Has anybody heard of or actually suffered from any of these?
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Bad service
I will admit, I can be easily agitated at times. I think I'm generally understanding and easy going, but I, like everyone else, have my moments. And I had one Memorial Day evening.
A few of my co-workers and I took a job candidate to dinner at a steak-oriented chain restaurant in Bossier City (I'll be nice and I won't say exactly where, but I'm sure you can figure it out). Since I was working that evening and already had a refrigerator filled with leftovers, I decided I would just get a nice bowl of potato soup.
We were seated, and since it was a group of six people, it took a while for everyone to make their entree choices, but soon enough, we were settled in. That's where the problems began. We didn't have a particularly good waiter. Not particularly bad either, but certainly not one of the best. It was difficult, at best, to get his attention and our table went bread-less and drink-less for more than a few minutes, but we made due and didn't make too much of a fuss over it.
At the end of meal, everyone got their checks. Into the little check-credit card holder thingamabob, I slipped at $10 bill to settle up my $4.35 tab. What I got back was a $5 bill -- that's it. The waiter had kept my 65 cents! I would've just asked him for it (not that I should need to considering it's my money) but I had to go back to work. But what he did really, REALLY aggravated me and I remembered his name, so I wrote him a note basically saying that I didn't appreciate what he did and had he not done that, he would have gotten a slightly better tip.
Later that evening, I wondered if maybe I had overreacted. I've never been a waitress, so I can't speak from experience, but on some of my other jobs I would never think to keep someone's change for any reason. And wouldn't it be to a waiter's advantage to give someone all their change, and to give it in a manner where leaving a tip wouldn't be difficult. (Even if had wanted to give him a dollar, I would've had to wait for him to break my $5 bill.)
I would really like to hear from some folks with personal experience. Did I handle this situation OK?
A few of my co-workers and I took a job candidate to dinner at a steak-oriented chain restaurant in Bossier City (I'll be nice and I won't say exactly where, but I'm sure you can figure it out). Since I was working that evening and already had a refrigerator filled with leftovers, I decided I would just get a nice bowl of potato soup.
We were seated, and since it was a group of six people, it took a while for everyone to make their entree choices, but soon enough, we were settled in. That's where the problems began. We didn't have a particularly good waiter. Not particularly bad either, but certainly not one of the best. It was difficult, at best, to get his attention and our table went bread-less and drink-less for more than a few minutes, but we made due and didn't make too much of a fuss over it.
At the end of meal, everyone got their checks. Into the little check-credit card holder thingamabob, I slipped at $10 bill to settle up my $4.35 tab. What I got back was a $5 bill -- that's it. The waiter had kept my 65 cents! I would've just asked him for it (not that I should need to considering it's my money) but I had to go back to work. But what he did really, REALLY aggravated me and I remembered his name, so I wrote him a note basically saying that I didn't appreciate what he did and had he not done that, he would have gotten a slightly better tip.
Later that evening, I wondered if maybe I had overreacted. I've never been a waitress, so I can't speak from experience, but on some of my other jobs I would never think to keep someone's change for any reason. And wouldn't it be to a waiter's advantage to give someone all their change, and to give it in a manner where leaving a tip wouldn't be difficult. (Even if had wanted to give him a dollar, I would've had to wait for him to break my $5 bill.)
I would really like to hear from some folks with personal experience. Did I handle this situation OK?
Friday, June 01, 2007
The wait: a true reporter's complaint
Man I was tired last night -- not unlike many other hard workers out there. But I think the weariness was a little different from usual, and it certainly was not because of running all over town to track down shootings and stabbings.
It's because I had to sit and wait. And reporter's just don't like to do that.
Big news of the day: Mayor Cedric Glover named Col. Henry Whitehorn as his choice for Shreveport's next police chief. But the announcement was delayed for longer than we (The Times and other local media practitioners) had imagined.
Reporters and photographers from most of the local TV and radio stations and no less than three Times staffers showed up at a 3 p.m. press conference at the mayor's office where the city's 14 summer interns were introduced. I felt a little sorry for these college students because it became pretty evident that most of us weren't there to hype them up. Only two reporters (including myself) asked any questions about their internships.
The third reporter's question asked when the day's major announcement would come. Glover kept it vague with "today."
It happened about five hours later. The majority of us camped outside the mayor's office until about 6 p.m., when they advised us of the nighttime press conference.
There, the same reporter mentioned earlier asked about the lag. The mayor, ever the wordsmith, slyly shot back: "We work very long hours here at the Glover administration."
I held my gripe for the most part until I pulled the mayor off to the side. I'm sure Glover wasn't thinking I'd come to this conclusion from our conversation, but here goes: We humans (and sometimes journalists particularly) can be seriously self-centered. It seemed our focus was on how inconvenient it was for us to have to wait on information to present to the public.
What we may have overlooked was that the mayor was calling the 17 chief applicants who didn't make the final cut.
"I wanted them to hear it from me... and not somebody else," Glover told me.
Now I'm in this business that prides itself on being a bastion of free speech, so I love being the vehicle for important information. But I think I probably would have appreciated that call from the boss that was turning me down.
Of course the mayor also had to wait for Whitehorn to drive up from Baton Rouge, where he was sitting through the Legislature's tedious appropriations process. I guess he could've walked out of the Capitol, but then we reporters would've complained about that, too.
We weren't the only folks waiting and asking. I know Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator bugged the mayor's staffers, too. He said he told them he had "a vested interest" in the person who was chose, but apparently that didn't work either.
Couldn't they have just set a time later in the day and told us to show up? The Legislature's schedule can be unpredictable, I know, but they wouldn't have had to told us why it was so late. We would've asked why, of course.
I suppose the lesson to us all, sheriffs and reporters alike, is that sometimes you just have to wait for it.
But I think we'll probably still complain. How else would we come up with stories to tell?
It's because I had to sit and wait. And reporter's just don't like to do that.
Big news of the day: Mayor Cedric Glover named Col. Henry Whitehorn as his choice for Shreveport's next police chief. But the announcement was delayed for longer than we (The Times and other local media practitioners) had imagined.
Reporters and photographers from most of the local TV and radio stations and no less than three Times staffers showed up at a 3 p.m. press conference at the mayor's office where the city's 14 summer interns were introduced. I felt a little sorry for these college students because it became pretty evident that most of us weren't there to hype them up. Only two reporters (including myself) asked any questions about their internships.
The third reporter's question asked when the day's major announcement would come. Glover kept it vague with "today."
It happened about five hours later. The majority of us camped outside the mayor's office until about 6 p.m., when they advised us of the nighttime press conference.
There, the same reporter mentioned earlier asked about the lag. The mayor, ever the wordsmith, slyly shot back: "We work very long hours here at the Glover administration."
I held my gripe for the most part until I pulled the mayor off to the side. I'm sure Glover wasn't thinking I'd come to this conclusion from our conversation, but here goes: We humans (and sometimes journalists particularly) can be seriously self-centered. It seemed our focus was on how inconvenient it was for us to have to wait on information to present to the public.
What we may have overlooked was that the mayor was calling the 17 chief applicants who didn't make the final cut.
"I wanted them to hear it from me... and not somebody else," Glover told me.
Now I'm in this business that prides itself on being a bastion of free speech, so I love being the vehicle for important information. But I think I probably would have appreciated that call from the boss that was turning me down.
Of course the mayor also had to wait for Whitehorn to drive up from Baton Rouge, where he was sitting through the Legislature's tedious appropriations process. I guess he could've walked out of the Capitol, but then we reporters would've complained about that, too.
We weren't the only folks waiting and asking. I know Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator bugged the mayor's staffers, too. He said he told them he had "a vested interest" in the person who was chose, but apparently that didn't work either.
Couldn't they have just set a time later in the day and told us to show up? The Legislature's schedule can be unpredictable, I know, but they wouldn't have had to told us why it was so late. We would've asked why, of course.
I suppose the lesson to us all, sheriffs and reporters alike, is that sometimes you just have to wait for it.
But I think we'll probably still complain. How else would we come up with stories to tell?
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