Link 222

We've moved!

2008-08-10T20:33:00.005-05:00

Well, it's been a long time coming, but Link222 has FINALLY moved to The Times main site.
Thanks for all the love and devotion you've shown us here on our Blogger site.
Now, we we want you mosey on over to our new spot, bookmark the page and continue to join us in the conversation.

Your weight in water

2008-08-05T00:35:00.002-05:00

So, I think I can safely say I've changed my lifestyle this year. Starting in January, I began calorie counting. It wasn't the easiest thing at first, but I got the hang of it. Of course, having off days to eat what I wanted helped keep me on track. When I started seeing results, the motivation really kicked up a notch. I lost about 20 pounds altogether, and most of that within the first three months.

Two months later, I added exercise to my new routine. While I've had my ups and downs of wanting to wake up in the mornings to get to the gym, it's proven very beneficial.

But there are still areas that need some work in this new 'lifestyle' and my water intake is one of them. I have tried several times throughout the years to adhere to a guideline I'd read a few years back -- drink 1/2 to 1 ounce of water per pound you weigh. Well, for some reason, I have not been able to reach this goal the past few months. It's just A LOT of water! A lot!

But today, victory! I did it, I did it! Granted, it was just about the minimum (1/2 ounce per pound I weigh) but definitely something to build on.

While basking in my glory, I was surfing the Web to see if I could find references to this 'feat' to see why on earth I might need to actually drink an ounce per pound.

CNN had an article from the Mayo Clinic that gave a good amount of information as to why watering down my life may be worth my while. Come to find out, that 1/2 ounce per pound really isn't quite enough since I'm exercising for an hour-plus every day. But, it did tell me that many of the foods I'm eating -- cucumbers -- and some other drinks -- tea -- help with my water intake. But I know it's still not enough.

Ugh, back to the water fountain I go!

Should journalists clap for political candidates?

2008-08-03T23:07:00.001-05:00

A week ago today I sat in an audience of hundreds in Chicago listening to Sen. Barack Obama. This was after waiting in line for about an hour to go through security.

I was in the Windy City for UNITY, a gathering of at least 6,000 journalists from throughout the United States.

There had been talk for months – and some formal announcements and attempts at planning – about Obama and Sen. John McCain showing up for a debate, or something like it. McCain opted out.

Obama was a few days late. You may have heard about his venture into the Middle East and Europe.

It was disappointing not to have both there for an exchange of ideas or a little argument. But that’s something no one outside the candidates’ campaign planners could really affect.

Something we journalists can affect, though, is the way we do our jobs and how we conduct ourselves.

We waited a few hours for Obama, who appeared live on CNN. We were the audience. Before he came on, there was a panel discussion among news managers from throughout the country. One of the questions asked was whether reporters should clap for government leaders or political candidates during speeches or events such as the one we were at.

Almost everyone on the panel said no. I was glad about that.

Now some people think it’s disrespectful. You should respect the office of the president, senator, mayor, etc… But there is a common line of thought among journalists that we don’t want to give even the appearance that we show some sort of favor toward one official or another. That doesn’t mean a lack of respect.

But you wouldn’t have known many journalists think like that last week. During the commercial break, reporters hopped out of their seats, ran to the stage, and snapped photos of Obama with their cell phones. Many clapped or cheered when he spoke during taping.

I could take issue with other things that happened, including that in a room full of hundreds of journalists, we were allowed to ask only four questions, one for each organization at the convention: AAJA, NABJ, NAHJ and NAJA. But that, I think, had a lot to do with planning and organization for television.

But what do you think? Is it silly for us journalists to be concerned with something like applause? Or does it make you trust us less? Or more?

All for a little souvenir

2008-07-22T00:06:00.003-05:00

London, San Francisco, Gulf Shores, Pisa and Paris, Ireland, Chicago and now add Seattle...
These cities are always just an outstretched arm away from my sight thanks to an attempt at forming some sort of collection in my teens.

On my last vacation, that collection almost left a bad taste in the mouth of a really pleasant trip. And it was all because of water.

Seemed like a harmless souvenir until I was going through security to catch my flight home from Seattle.

"I'm going to have to look through your bag," the TSA'er told me.

Fine, I thought, look away.

My travel companion, Amy, was the one getting stopped through all of our flights leading up to that point. She looked at me with a big grin on her face -- "Your turn," she said.

Priding myself on my travel skills, I really wasn't worried. I didn't have any sharp objects, all of my toiletries were under the obligatory three-ounce threshold and I didn't even have them with me.

We had taken only carryons on the trip to avoid the drama of checked baggage but were glad to hand those puppies over at 5:30 that morning to lighten our load. Toiletries were checked and I just had a small tote bag with purse essentials, some fragile souvenirs and a book. Check away, check away, I thought.

Then she pulled out my box. She started opening it.

"What's in here?" she asked.

"A snow globe," I answered as innocently as a 5-year-old receiving her first snow globe from a relative's vacation.

"You're going to have to check this bag," the TSA'er informed me.

What?!?!?

The x-ray machine guy looks over and says to the girl checking my bag, asking, "Snow globe?"
"Yeah," she replied without even glancing his direction.

It has liquid in it. It was a pretty big snow globe, so, yeah, it has more than three ounces of water in it. I get that, but...

What?!?!

Do I really look smart enough to put something in the liquid in my obviously commercially made snow globe. Seriously. Trust me, it would not have three ounces of water left in it. It would have none! The massive hole would have assured you of that.

"You can't take on any snow globes," she informed me.

Afterward I looked at the TSA Web site and she was right -- no snow globes. But, you have to go all the way to the bottom of the list of what you can/cannot bring, in the OTHER category. There was no way I was ever going to check that far down the list.

So my innocent little collection just became a major hassle.

We were escorted, ESCORTED, out of security, the TSA'er with my bag and my personal belongings in hand because of the "danger."

I had to go back to the ticket line to check another bag. Luckily, Amy had a duffel bag as her carry-on so I stuffed it in there, once we were out of harms way, of course.

Not only that, my innocent (ahem, expensive) snow globe was about to cost me $15 more. I was flying American, the we-charge-you-to-bring-luggage-on-vacation-how-dare-you-take-anything airline.

Except, gasp!

I was surprised to find that I, yes me, yours truly, was actually allowed two (yes like double the amount of one) checked bags for free.

Hooray!

I guess I was flying far enough cross country (oh, just about 1,500 miles) to warrant two pieces of luggage for such a trip. (Let me clarify by saying I'm not sure why I was allowed two, for free, but it may have been that I booked my flight before the surcharges. Not sure)
Did I mention how much I love to fly on American Airlines. Yeah.

So, it took a few minutes but not so bad with the self check-in kiosks.

However, maybe love was a strong word.

"We don't have fragile tags," the AA lady told me as I asked for one for my expensive souvenir.
Well what are the odds that innocent souvenir makes it home in one piece since you won't let me hold on to it, I thought to myself.

If it shatters, I hope a piece of glass stabs the person who threw it ever-so-gently onto the plane. Now that could be dangerous!

Walk away from the desk I told myself ... don't want to be stopped by security outside of the checkpoint, too.

So, luckily the airport was not horribly busy this morning and we went to a new security line quickly.

The same one in fact, but shift change hindered us from chatting up the lady who so graciously insisted on carrying my luggage earlier.

I walk through with a pleasant face, ready to see the other side of the conveyor belts to reach some breakfast. It was early!

Then, some man grabs my bad. NOT AGAIN!

I had some liquids, he said. I was thinking -- you can have the hand sanitizer! Take it!
He tells me he's going to search it and I literally think I said, "have at it" this time.
He pulls out -- my water bottle.

"Take it," I said before he could even ask me.

I put my shoes back on and grabbed my bag, ready to just find my gate and go home.

We start to walk away and I remember why Amy and I are friends, as she says, "The water bottle of liquid was easier and more dangerous for putting liquids in than the snow globe."
The first TSA'er never even touched the water bottle.

I agreed with Amy, she picked the wrong "opportune" object.

I think she just wanted my beautiful snow globe that played music from "The Wizard of Oz" for herself.

She sure did disappear after escorting me out.

No wonder I couldn't get a fragile tag because after that bag hit the conveyor belt, there was nothing fragile in it.

So after the long cross-country flight, we wait for the bags to come through baggage claim. All of the bags are nicely placed in a row on the belt. But I didn't see the duffel bag.

Then, there it was, laying on its end and all scrunched up. I pulled it off the belt and grabbed my box. Of course it was crumpled up. But, luckily, the story has a happy ending. My snow globe was fine and now sits atop my dresser for me to admire the city that I REALLY enjoyed and to remember the craziness I went through to get it home.

A great morning can turn bad quickly

2008-07-18T18:25:00.003-05:00

Today was a first for me: I ran a 5K on a military base. (I guess you could technically say it was a first because I had never lived on this particular day before... that I know of. But I won't get quite that far out there.)

Anyhow, I was really happy with my time in the race and felt good about the camaraderie I saw out at Barksdale. Plus, if I'm not about to pass out from exhaustion, exercise in general makes me feel better. So I thought I would reward myself with a smoothie and roll into the office.

Until I pulled up to where Smoothie King was supposed to be off Youree Drive, and it WASN'T THERE. Man, was I disappointed. I drove around the shopping center thinking maybe they just moved. But I didn't see it. Since I have really made it a goal to be at work on time lately, I didn't want to keep searching. I settled for a strawberry milkshake from McDonald's. I'm sure that had a lot more calories and fat than the strawberry smoothie I was going to get.

Fortunately, I came back to work and did a little investigating. I felt stupid, because Smoothie King had just moved across East 70th Street. But in my panic I hadn't looked behind me. Some reporter, huh?

But isn't it funny how after a great morning, something little like that can really shape your day?

A-Rod... OK?

2008-07-10T10:27:00.005-05:00

In case you missed it – because you, of course, need to know everything about celebs’ lives – Alex Rodriguez is getting a divorce. And a whole bunch of people want a piece of it.

His wife, Cynthia Rodriguez, is citing A-Rod’s extramarital affairs. And this week, an ex-stripper took some credit. And some blame Madonna.

Everyone’s talking about it. Comedian Billy D. Washington, in town for a stint at the Funny Bone, joked about it on 94.5 this morning. We bring it up in the newsroom between talking about news that truly affects daily life around here: the price of gas and the Haynesville Shale.

But besides the sordid, so-called details, what makes this so interesting? Should it be?

USAToday writer Paul Daugherty gives some interesting perspective on the obsession. The Yankees third baseman has an amazing career and tons of money. And for right now, at least, that is overshadowed by some apparent misjudgment in his marriage.

But, Daugherty writes, we’re used to that from athletes, politicians and pop stars. This line was particularly poignant: “… it has taken from the joy we feel as fans.”

What do you think? Has this mired your view of A-Rod? Or does it make him that much more appealing? Or do you care?

An appropriate Independence Day tribute

2008-07-04T11:21:00.001-05:00

I thought this was a really interesting and cool opinion piece in USA Today. It gives a quick history lesson on an aspect of the Declaration of Independence many of us may rarely think of – its printing.

Antonio Perez makes heroes of John Dunlap and Mary Katherine Goddard, calling them the “Founding Printers” for their roles in making the document available to hundreds. The moniker places them up there with the likes of Thomas Jefferson.

Mass communication has come a long way since then. And the Internet obviously has revolutionized it. But in 1776, printing and distributing was not only a much more rigorous process, it was dangerous. Dunlap and Goddard could have been put to death for being traitors against England.

We journalists, I think, particularly owe a debt of gratitude and remembrance today to these two historical characters. Another interesting note about Goddard: she ran a Baltimore newspaper called the “Maryland Journal.” Thanks to Perez, too, for bringing a history lesson to life.

Happy 4th of July!

Road trips for you?

2008-06-30T23:07:00.003-05:00

The New York Times ran several opinion pieces last weekend about gas prices. We liked this one by Michael Paterniti. It's about the Great American Road Trip.

So what are your thoughts on that? Is it truly a rite of passage? Are you going on one this summer, or did you have to give one up?

Imus is at it again...but who cares?

2008-06-24T19:45:00.004-05:00

I saw the headline about Don Imus’ latest racial flap yesterday, read a little bit of the story that followed ... well, enough to get the gist of what happened, and I instantly had a reaction: I simply shrugged my shoulders and said “Eh...”

I could care less. In fact, I even chuckled a little bit. Not because racism or offensive language is funny, at least not in this context, but because I really don’t get the point of even getting upset about it anymore.

As my favorite gossip queen Wendy Williams always says – it is what it is. Nothing to see here folks.

Yeah, I know it’s a huge contrast from what I felt the last time he spouted off one of those racially charged comments. And I still stand by what I said in the aftermath of that incident.

I just feel like the point was made, action was taken and even though he’s back on the air, he's forever marked his place in history for the ignorant racially insensitive comments he made. He's forever tainted. Case closed.

In fact, part of me, only a small part, could actually consider his claim that he was only saying what he said out of defense for black people, not to attack them.
Call me dumb, naïve or just plain ol’ bamboozled, but I actually could see his point, if that is the truth, and the irony of it all is what tickled me.

I mean, if Imus truly was making the comment to point out another case of racism, it’s comically ironic that he gets ragged for being racially offensive.

On the other hand, if he was foolish enough to put his racism back on display after all the hell he caught the last time, he's just proven once again that's he's an idiot hell-bent on self destruction.

It’s like he’s reached that point where you just wanna say “Gramps, just sit down and hush.” Either that or he’s once again found a way to inject himself back into the media spotlight, which ultimately means more ratings, big bucks or whatever else.

Whatever ignorant comments he makes at this point are irrelevant – nobody should care.
And I’ve given him enough attention in this post, so I’ll just once again shrug my shoulders and say “eh…”

What do y'all think? Or are you saying "eh..." too?

Ode to George Carlin, former Barksdale airman

2008-06-24T09:19:00.005-05:00

By now, everyone has probably heard that George Carlin has passed.

I found this interesting, though:

Carlin was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in the 1950s, serving in the 376th Bomb Wing's 376th Armament and Electronics Maintenance Squadron, and working part-time as a disk jockey at radio station KJOE, whose other staffers included Wolfman Jack.

Exhibiting the rebellious streak that would run through his life, he received three court-martials and numerous disciplinary punishments, according to his official Web site. He received a general discharge in 1957, and 20 years later was able to return to the area to perform at the Municipal Auditorium telling nothing but Barksdale and Shreveport jokes to fill an hour of stage time. Read the story in full here.

I also didn't know that his "Seven Words" routine led to a key Supreme Court ruling on obscenity. I mean, I knew about both of them but I didn't know they were intertwined. My favorite class in college was Communication Law and Ethics. I don't know why, but the legal system related to communication law is fascinating to me.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this.

Race and rights -- what can be more controversial?

2008-06-19T19:26:00.003-05:00

I guess abortion and war. Maybe. But people around here love to talk about race -- even if they don't really do it.

For instance, when someone hears me say I had to cover a shooting, they always want to know if the victim was black or white. Today someone was trying to describe the patrons of a night club to me as "urban." Do they mean city dwellers? I think not. The list could go on...

Here's a story from the middle of the Pacific that I thought was interesting. Being a Native Hawaiian myself, I think about this a lot. Being a journalist myself, I'll withhold my opinion.

But does anyone out there care? In northwest Louisiana, folks tend to think of things in black and white, regardless of the influx of Hispanics and Asians. (Some contend Hispanic is an ethnicity that can be grouped into the black or white races. Thoughts on that?)

Do you think the U.S. government or anyone else should be held responsible for actions (now) dead men took more than 100 years ago against people who are no longer living? (Congress apologized for it in 1993.)

Remember when ... "Inflation woes :0("

2008-06-17T09:29:00.011-05:00

In preparing to write a new post, to remember how to write HTML to link to a Web site, I came across this post from just a little more than six weeks ago. I thought I would re-publish it, just for kicks -- and to see if anyone's thoughts have changed.

Friday, May 02, 2008

Inflation woes :0(

So, I was pretty irritated today after I went down to the Coke machine to buy a 'pop' (yes, I still call it such even after four years of living in Louisiana). I was SHOCKED and annoyed when "1.15" popped up on the window instead of the machine moving to get me a soda for $1.10. I wonder if this is due to gas prices?

I was already thinking about blogging about gas prices because it hit me hard the other day when I stopped to look at the price of gas. "Are we REALLY paying $3.47 for gas?" I said aloud. Now, I doubt I'll ever be asked to give my opinion about gas prices, seeing as how I drive a Corolla and probably wouldn't be targeted for interviews by newscrews. So I'm giving my opinion here.

Even though I fill up less often and pay LESS for a tank of gas than others, I still think $3.47 (or whatever today's price happens to be) is OUTRAGEOUS. But I'll still keep pulling my debit card out when I need to fill up every two weeks or so. Hey, I don't complain much about gas because I know I really only fill up about once per pay period unless I'm traveling. But I DO remember when I traveled to Las Vegas on my way to Louisiana and thought $2.05 was a good bargain for gas in that city in February 2004. Once I made my way into the desert, the price dropped to $1.65 and I was intrigued by the change after just a few 100 miles on the highway. Oh, and at the time, I had a 22 gallon tank in an old 1993 Chevy Caprice Classic, so I THOUGHT I had it rough then!!!

So, what do YOU think about these higher gas prices? Do you see inflation anywhere else around you? And, how about those oil companies? (Do you think, "Don't even get me started"? Please do!)
Posted by Stephanie Bemrose at 4:50 PM
Labels: gas prices, inflation

3 comments:
mahogani (the media goddess) said... wait until you go to a local convenience store and try to score a regular-sized candy bar .... it's a DOLLAR! (remember when they were 59 cents?)

my circle k cappucinos have gone up 30 cents as well (boooo)

oh and don't forget the $4 milk! sheesh ..

pretty soon we're gonna need government assistance for gas and groceries.

1:45 PM
Donecia Pea said... That's SO real mahogani, it's getting kinda scary.

And THANKS Stephanie for giving us small car drivers a place to rant about gas prices without getting chewed out for complaining by the SUV and truck driving folks, lol.

I know it could be worse, but for someone who used to be able to spend anywhere from $7 to $10 to fill up my now 7-year-old Honda Civic, these rising gas prices KILL me. I mean it really is all relative. For me, spending $35 to $40 a week to fill up hurts my pockets as much as spending $100 would for someone who can afford an SUV. It's just all bad.

But I've never made the connection between rising gas prices and that ever-rising pop machine downstairs. (Ummm, I'm a lifelong Louisianan and I've said 'pop' all my life, lol. In fact, so does my entire family.)

3:26 PM
Ashley Northington said... Don't even get me started!

Last week I paid $55.30 to fill up my solara and it didn't reach even reach the full line completely!!!

I looked up and saw my bill had climbed over $50 and nearly had a heart attack. It's getting ridiculous. Oh, and milk prices? I can't even risk it. Milk is now a luxury for me. I only buy it when I absolutely need it.

Everything is going up...except the 27.5-mile gas/driving reimbursement.

I read over this blog and thought, "Wow --- was I REALLY complaining about $3.47 for gas prices? I'd be GLAD to pay that today!"

And I also think that we are -- or at least I am -- very grateful that Gannett IS increasing our driving reimubrsement to match the increase in fuel costs.

So ... do you have any new thoughts on inflation woes due to an increase in fuel costs, food costs and pretty-much-every-service-in-the-United-States-that-depends-on-trasnportation-in-some-manner costs? Please discuss.

PS -- look at this, that JUST popped up on the News of the Day as I was editing this blog: Wholesale prices bolt higher in May. Well, yeah, duh!

The mixed count

2008-06-05T22:52:00.004-05:00

Recently I've come across a couple of interesting media offerings that look at what it means to be mixed race. The topic has re-emerged in conversation partly because of the way the Census Bureau started counting people in 2000 and because of Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama. (Interestingly, he continually is referred to as the first black contender from a major party.)

An MSNBC report looks at the rise in number of people who identify as multiracial. There obviously will be some growth just because the feds now are paying attention.

Being of mixed race myself, I always like to hear what people think about the subject. Does how you look make you identify more with one of your parents' families than the other? What do people say when they find out you are mixed? Do they ask?

It is particularly interesting here in northwest Louisiana where a common question is "Are they black or white?" Obviously, that excludes quite a few other races.

Read the report and watch The New York Times video below and tell us your thoughts.

We are as bloodthirsty as ever

2008-06-01T20:27:00.008-05:00

I watched an ear explode Saturday night.
It took place during a mixed-martial arts fight between Kimbo Slice and James Thompson. The two fought in the main event of an Elite XC card on CBS.
Slice, who is an Internet legend for his backyard brawls, has become a spectacle in the MMA world. He won his first few fights, albeit against less-than-stellar competition, in spectacular fashion, all knockouts in the first round.
His fight Saturday was a different story. He was actually losing the fight going into the third and final round, when the unfortunate incident happened.
Slice's opponent, Thompson, had one of the worst cauliflower ears I've ever seen.
For those who don't know, a cauliflower ear is caused when the cartilage is damaged and fluid collects. The ear then thickens, and sometimes becomes unrecognizable.
While Slice was the reason people tuned in Saturday night, it was Thompson's ear that stole the show.
Every time Thompson ate a punch from Slice, his ear wiggled from the shock. A wiggling ear in slow motion is a sight to behold. My buddies and I were transfixed. We started calling Slice's punches "earwigglers."
Finally, Slice threw a right hook that caught Thompson square in his deformed ear, and it exploded. Blood spewed, and we all cringed in unison. It was spectacular.
I've been watching MMA since I was in high school, back when Royce Gracie, Dan Severn and Ken Shamrock were running the UFC, and I've never seen anything like that before.
We were all expecting Slice to punch it. Thompson's ear had a big bullseye on it, and it was just a matter of time before Slice exploited it.
After it was all over (Slice won by TKO in the third round), I started thinking about the spectacle that I just witnessed. Not the fight itself, but the experience of watching the fight in a crowded place with eight or nine friends.
It was akin to the scene in "Gladiator" where the crowd was rooting for death. Although the situation was not nearly that dire, we were just as bloodthirsty.
I'm not just the casual MMA fan. I enjoy the science the of the sport. My favorite fighters are B.J. Penn and Anderson Silva, who are brilliant technicians.
But like the casual fan, I love a good knockout, and I'm drawn to these circus acts, like Slice.
Let's face it, Slice isn't a top-level fighter. He's a brawler, who's milking his 15 minutes for all its worth.
The fact that I'm drawn to him, and so are millions of others, says a lot about our society as a whole.
It has been hundreds of years since gladiators fought to the death in the Coliseum. In that time, we've made astronomical advancements in every facet of our lives.
When it comes to our most basic, primal instincts, however, we haven't changed much. Although, we don't want to see anyone die, we certainly celebrate seeing someone knocked unconscious.

Sex and the City's back...Yay?

2008-05-29T11:18:00.006-05:00

I remember when I fell in love with Sex and the City.

It was about five years ago. I was trying to get over a breakup and one of my best friends recommended the show like a prescription drug: Rent every season available on DVD, watch each and every one of them and you will feel better.

And amazingly I did feel better and became immediately hooked. I was constantly, feverishly searching for my next high with every DVD I rented. Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte were my new, cool NYC friends and I lost myself in their world of high fashion, cool jobs and men, men, MEN.

I didn’t have HBO at the time and I remember the torture I went through waiting on the last season to end so I could rent it on DVD. I made sure I avoided any hint of someone revealing the final episode.

And when that day came and I completed the final episode of the last Sex and the City show ever – I was done. It was finished. Yeah, there were questions, but that was all she wrote and I knew I had to accept it. I remember the rumors and buzz that a movie would come out soon after that, but then it faded away. And eventually, I let that fantasy go.

So imagine the excitement I felt when I heard the movie was actually coming out this year …Well, that’s just it – there was no excitement from me.

I’ve mustered up as much as I could to be ecstatic as everyone from my friends to Oprah are about this Sex and the City movie, but I keep coming up with nothing. It just seems about three years too late, irrelevant and basically nonsensical to me.

I’ve watched the preview commercials with the vivid colors and humorous quips, but it just feels predictable and tired to me. They almost look tired to me. Like they’re trying too hard. And that kind of makes me sad.

I know my opinion is in the minority, it may even seem almost blasphemous to hardcore SATC fans… And truthfully, if coerced enough, I’ll likely be in a movie theater line somewhere, at some point to see it. Furthermore, if it turns out I'm wrong I will gladly concede the point.

But from the commercials and stuff, it just looks like an extended, big-screen version of the latest episode from the show that once dwelled in the archives somewhere and has been brought back to life. And maybe that’s the whole point, but for me it just seems like the thrill is gone.

I don't need any more proof

2008-05-28T15:15:00.004-05:00

If you think all the talk about rising food prices is a bunch a smoke, you're wrong.

At first, I didn't notice minor changes like the cost of my favorite pasta meals increasing by about 50 cents or how the price of milk kept rising and eventually costing more than a gallon of gas at one-point (FYI: milk is now a luxury for me).

But after my favorite hometown chicken place kept increasing its prices, rising food costs hit home.

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Southern Classic Chicken. I mean I absolutely love it. I've even dreamt about its greasy goodness before. And one of the things I loved most about the chicken shack was its low-low price.

I could get a two-piece combo meal--complete with white-meat chicken pieces, fries, a roll and a drink--preferably lemonade--for $3.75 when I first arrived in Shreveport in October 2006.

Later on, sometime in 2007, the cost for that meal got bumped up to $4.07. Then it changed to $4.40. This year, that price climbed to over $5.00.

I thought the lady at the drive-thru window was mistaken when she told me the price. I automatically handed her a $5-bill. I was expecting change. She told me I needed to add more change.

I looked at her funny. She noticed my confused stare and said, "the price went up."

Ugh.

I gave her the needed change and I was completely irritated.

What good is bragging to my mother about Southern Classic ("You can't beat them with a stick if you tried," I used to tell her. "The food is sooooooo good and its doesn't cost but $3.") if it costs just as much as any other fast-food joint?

This cost increase has deterred how much I go to Southern Classic (or S.C. as I sometimes abbreviate when inviting coworkers to join me there). I don't want to pay that much for chicken. And I don't wanna pay that much for milk or pasta meals either. Don't even get me started on gas prices (I've spent nearly $60 to fill up my Toyota Solara).

What's a girl to do?

I guess cough up the money when necessary and spend more wisely like everybody else.

Are you ready for curbside recycling?

2008-05-27T12:50:00.003-05:00

Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover announced today that citywide curbside recycling will start in August. Residents should start receiving their blue bins in June.

Many of our readers may live in apartments, and officials with Pratt Industries, the company that is building a paper mill at the Port of Shreveport-Bossier and is handling recycling collection for the city, say complex managers can call them to get community bins.

What are your thoughts? Will you participate, and do you think others will? Is the timing good or a little late?

Dresses, weight and grandmothers

2008-05-18T12:26:00.003-05:00

I think I'm going to develop a weight complex.

I'm in my cousin's wedding next week. I was a last-minute addition to the ordeal, so I only recently got my dress. And it had to be altered because I couldn't fit a certain region of my body into the top portion of the strapless gown.

And do you know what the alteration ladies told me?

One said, "You've got til Saturday. Just skip a couple of meals and it will fit. Even if it's just water weight it'll be enough."

The other said, "There's no telling how many meals you've eaten since you ordered this dress. Luckily, you only need a little bit of room."

Christ.

The entire time I was being fitted, my mind kept flashing back to my visit to Nashville last week.

I was putting on lotion and my grandmother walked in and noticed my beautiful legs. She stared at me and exclaimed, "My God, Ashley! You and those hips. Those legs are getting big. I don't know what we're going to do about them! It's lucky that you don't have a big, ole' fat stomach or I don't know what we would do."

My goodness.

I have gotten bigger over the past couple of years. But I'm not in college anymore. I guess this is what happens when you start a career and move away from home.

But I don't quite understand why folks keep talking about my weight and insist I'm "lucky."

I guess I should be glad I don't have a "big, ole' fat stomach."

Sigh.

Let's talk about online dating

2008-05-17T14:58:00.002-05:00

Now that the poll is closed, we wanted to continue the conversation about online dating. Ten of you have dated someone you met online, and nine haven't.

So let's hear more about it. How did it work out? Are you still dating this person, or was it a disaster? Did you ever feel unsafe once you met this stranger in person? Or did you just keep your dating life virtual?

Chime in about this online lovin'.

A disaster's a disaster, but this puts things into perspective

2008-05-13T21:33:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I interviewed Louisiana homeland security Director Mark Cooper. We talked about a lot of things: his time at Parkway High School, communication systems and disaster response. One of the interesting things he said was that a tornado in a rural parish can be just as devastating for a small town as Hurricane Katrina was to New Orleans.

I appreciate that perspective on many levels. I grew up in the country and am aware of how folks in places like Webster Parish can be overlooked when something (natural disaster or otherwise) happens.

But I can't help but think how much worse things could be, and how fortunate we are. With the cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in China, the number of those feared dead is in the tens of thousands. And to make things worse, the government in Myanmar is blocking much of the aid the United States and other countries are trying to send.

Any thoughts? Should we count our blessings or just keep things in perspective?

What would your mother say?

2008-05-11T14:52:00.003-05:00

Today is the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day. Contrary to what you might think, card companies and restaurants didn't create it. A West Virginia woman named Anna Jarvis did.

And according to this Associated Press article, she wouldn't like the way many of us celebrate it today. Here is an interesting quotation writer April Vitello got from Laura Prieto, an associate professor of women's studies at Boston's Simmons College:

"Mother's Day was meant to be — and still is — a celebration of a nineteenth-century ideal of motherhood, when mothers were supposed to dedicate themselves completely to nurturing their children and making a cozy, safe home," Prieto said.

Apparently Jarvis, who never had children, even got arrested for protesting a New York Mother's Day celebration in 1948.

So what did you (or your loved ones) do for Mother's Day? And would Jarvis be mad?

Just for fun — as you ponder your answer — think about these factoids from the article:

Census Bureau's count of U.S. mothers: 83 million.

National Retail Federation's estimate for U.S. Mother's Day spending: $15 billion.

Year President Woodrow Wilson made the holiday a nationwide observance: 1914.

Does Miley know best?

2008-05-06T16:37:00.004-05:00

I thought the hoopla over Vanity Fair pictures of Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana) would die quickly, but it hasn't.

For those that maybe haven’t heard, there's an article about the 15-year-old with pictures where she appears to pose naked with just a sheet draped around her (but in fact she’s not entirely naked which you can see in this behind the scenes slideshow) in the magazine's June issue.

I’m not saying it’s not a big deal…it is. I guess my problem is who some think is at fault. Disney reportedly issued a statement accusing Vanity Fair and photographer Annie Leibovitz (known for her kind of racy photos) of taking advantage of a 15-year-old.

Really? Did they? Or did they pitch an idea to this girl and her parents and handlers, all of which were on the set and are OK with the photos?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…it starts at home. Yes, young Miley has a very different childhood than others, but does that make her parents any less responsible for her actions?

Also, when are these Disney and Nickelodeon kids going to learn that the clean-cut image they portray for their day jobs has to continue into every waking moment of their lives? I mean it’s what they get paid the big bucks for, right? (And I mean big. Portfolio estimates Cyrus will be worth $1 billion in the next three years.)

But I guess both sides could be argued.

While I take issue with Cyrus’ parents, I'm not sure other parents should let their kids become so dependent on a fictional character or celebrity that one slip-up from that celeb could affect a child and their behavior. I don’t know if Cyrus should have had to apologize to other kids, and their parents, for doing something that she wanted to do.

I'm not sure yet which side I agree with the most, but what do ya’ll think? Were all the discussions and finger-pointing necessary? And do you think the pictures are that bad?

And just because I'm curious...which picture would you think catch people's attention? The one of Cyrus and her father Billy Ray Cyrus that looks more like man and woman than father and child...

...or the one that's causing the stir?

photos from VanityFair.com

Cell phones and driving don't mix

2008-05-04T21:35:00.003-05:00

Recently, I was trying to find a parking space at Wal-Mart when a woman cut through the parking lot nearly causing an accident. I laid on my horn, but she didn't even look up.
She was on her cell phone.
I have a million of these stories. It happens at least once a week.
I'm not suggesting that cell phones be totally banned from vehicles, but something needs to be done.
It would be great if people would use common sense and not engage in long conversations while driving, but that may be asking too much.
I admit that I use my cell phone while driving, but only quickly, usually less than 30 seconds. Nine times out of 10, it's to call my wife to tell her I'm on my way home. That other time is when people call me.
Our state legislature has gotten involved, and there are several bills in the works that would affect the way people use cell phones while driving.
I hate to say it, but I agree that a law is the only way to go. Enforcement will definitely be an issue, but that's an issue for every crime, whether it be speeding, stealing or murder.
Once again, we have proved that we can not govern ourselves. We need someone to do it for us.

Inflation woes :0(

2008-05-02T16:50:00.005-05:00

So, I was pretty irritated today after I went down to the Coke machine to buy a 'pop' (yes, I still call it such even after four years of living in Louisiana). I was SHOCKED and annoyed when "1.15" popped up on the window instead of the machine moving to get me a soda for $1.10. I wonder if this is due to gas prices?

I was already thinking about blogging about gas prices because it hit me hard the other day when I stopped to look at the price of gas. "Are we REALLY paying $3.47 for gas?" I said aloud. Now, I doubt I'll ever be asked to give my opinion about gas prices, seeing as how I drive a Corolla and probably wouldn't be targeted for interviews by newscrews. So I'm giving my opinion here.

Even though I fill up less often and pay LESS for a tank of gas than others, I still think $3.47 (or whatever today's price happens to be) is OUTRAGEOUS. But I'll still keep pulling my debit card out when I need to fill up every two weeks or so. Hey, I don't complain much about gas because I know I really only fill up about once per pay period unless I'm traveling. But I DO remember when I traveled to Las Vegas on my way to Louisiana and thought $2.05 was a good bargain for gas in that city in February 2004. Once I made my way into the desert, the price dropped to $1.65 and I was intrigued by the change after just a few 100 miles on the highway. Oh, and at the time, I had a 22 gallon tank in an old 1993 Chevy Caprice Classic, so I THOUGHT I had it rough then!!!

So, what do YOU think about these higher gas prices? Do you see inflation anywhere else around you? And, how about those oil companies? (Do you think, "Don't even get me started"? Please do!)

Summer repeat

2008-05-01T10:09:00.003-05:00

Like most of Generation Y, I have a considerable amount of debt.

Debt that sometimes makes me shudder or gives me goosebumps when I think about it. So instead of complaining about it (as I hear many of my fellow Gen Y-ers), I've been trying to find a second job--a place where I could work on the weekends to bring in some extra cash to help pay off my debt.

But no one will hire me.

Since I cover education news, summertime is best for me to take on extra work. There are less school board meetings and, of course, less school events to cover. I thought it'd be ideal for me to get a job this summer, but as I stared a thank-you-for-applying postcard from my absolute favorite big box store I realized it's never going to happen.

Never.

And this isn't the first time it's happened. Last summer I applied to about half-dozen places but I came away with no job. I remember standing in a home decor store explaining to a manager that I have already graduated from college. For some reason, she kept asking if I was still in school. I told her I wasn't several times, but she didn't get it.

Another place asked where I worked full-time. When I told this manager, her face lit up and she asked me lots of questions about what it was like being a reporter. Apparently, she'd been interested in journalism, but she never finished school, she said. After I answered all her questions, she told me she didn't think she could hire "someone like you."

What?

Someone like me? Is it because I'm a reporter? Or, is it because I already work 40-plus hours a week and I won't be available during those hours? Or, is it because I'm not a current college student or among the 87 percent of the state's population who doesn't have a college degree?

I changed the way I respond to certain questions so potential employers won't think I'm snobbish or I won't take my second job seriously. I've even tried to omit my full-time job from applications so they won't get scared I'm going to write something bad about them.

I've got one more application out. I hope it materializes into a position at the new high-end purse store opening in one of the malls.

Meantime, I've got my rejection postcard on my fridge.

The point of this social networking thing

2008-04-28T21:14:00.006-05:00

Social networking sites obviously have been a bit of a thread in the last couple of entries. I came across an interesting post today at Internet Evolution. It's from Andrew Keen, who has been analyzing the Net for a long time (relatively, anyway).

Keen is questioning the worth of facebook. Microsoft paid Mark Zuckerberg -- who's about the age of most of these bloggers -- $15 billion to own just a little bit of the site. Part of Keen's rant seems to be a bit jealous, and, heck, who's not? Don't you wish you would've come up with an idea like facebook or myspace?

But another major point of his blog is the importance of the Internet today. After the dot-com bust, it started reshaping as a way for people to connect. Gannett, and by extension, The Times, have bought into this. And there obviously is something to say about the popularity of Web relationships. Before the paper's Web site redesign, people would write anonymous comments on articles for hours on end. Literally. That is still happeneing to an extent, but users still are getting used to it.

So Keen says social networking sites basically have to figure out how to really make money off of advertising without alienating the folks who need to connect. The money-making part is something newspapers including this one deal with constantly. How do yout think all these sites will progress?

Makes me wanna holler

2008-04-26T15:22:00.002-05:00

Right now, I’m supposed to be enjoying my vacation and I am. However, there’s a cloud of sadness and disgust hanging over me.

It all started when I got the text message from a friend Friday morning informing me that the three police officers charged in the murder of Sean Bell were acquitted.

Acquitted?

For murdering an unarmed man leaving a bachelor party with friends the night before his wedding day?

How can that be?

The news instantly sparked within me feelings of disappointment, outrage, hopelessness, fear, nausea. And it brought back memories of other such police murders of unarmed men, like Amadou Diallo, Marquise Hudspeth.

One emotion I didn’t feel was surprise.

I know some of you don’t see it this way. Some of you may say Bell and all these other men got what they deserved. Others may say there are no winners.

But that’s just not enough for me. I cannot mentally reconcile the justice of this verdict. I can’t understand how the law says shooting and killing an innocent, unarmed man 50 times is justifiable. I can’t understand how the law seems to always protect murderers who wear badges.

I keep trying, but I just can’t see how this is fair.

The new shreveporttimes.com

2008-04-25T18:19:00.001-05:00

We're talking about it, and folks are starting discussion groups. So we want to know what you think about the new shreveporttimes.com.

A lot of work has gone into the redesign, and the Web guys still are tweaking it. What do you like? Dislike? Miss? How can it be improved?

The Link 222 staff may not have the power to make upgrades ourselves, but we know the guys in the basement who can.

MySpace - good for the kids?

2008-04-24T23:10:00.003-05:00

Just like hip hop, I’ve always felt that MySpace is often misunderstood, usually by people who know very little about it.

YES, I have a MySpace page and I love using it as another way to reconnect with some of my friends.

And YES, on the flip side, I’ve often said MySpace is the “ruination of relationships” – married or otherwise. But I don’t blame MySpace for that.
I blame dumb people (usually guys) or naïve people (usually girls) who use MySpace for those purposes. (I’m ONLY joking with the gender inferences!)

Anyway, I do tend to think kids and MySpace are about as bad a combination as kids and liquor, gambling or anything else bad.
And Lord knows there’s plenty of stories out there to back my claim.

However, I ran across this interesting MSNBC story that suggests otherwise. In fact, it actually said a recent survey proved quite the opposite: That MySpace can actually be good for teenagers. Well, shy teenagers, to be more specific.

I’m not sure if I’m buying it 100 percent, but what do you think? Do you think MySpace can be good for the kids? Or should it be just for adults?
Do YOU MySpace? Or are you one of those folks who think social networking is just weird, period?

When will it end?

2008-04-23T18:28:00.003-05:00

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama may have to arm wrestle to determine who will be the Democratic nominee for the presidency.

I was looking forward to some closure after the Pennsylvania primary. I thought if Hillary lost this one, she'd bow out. Or, if Hillary won by some ginormous margin, then Barack would've exited the race.

I knew it was a long shot, but when will this madness be over?

I don't know about you, but the Democratic battle has gotten old for me. The appeal of electing the first woman or the first black for president is not as exciting as it once was (DISCLAIMER: That last sentence does not mean I will/did vote for either of the two candidates).

After her win, the former first lady said:

"Some counted me out and said to drop out. But the American people don't quit. And they deserve a president who doesn't quit, either. Because of you, the tide is turning."

Yikes.

It's never going to end.

Who do you think will win the arm wrestling match?

Discuss.

Green is the new black

2008-04-22T11:25:00.003-05:00

Lately I've been looking to different sources for news on global warming, what's going on with the environment and how we can help.

What have I learned? To go green is to be cool and trendy.

The "green" theme was all over my magazines this month.
Vanity Fair - the third annual Green Issue (and Madonna)
Elle - Green Issue (and Madonna) with online components like the Eco Chick blog
Both Time and Newsweek have also been encouraging folks to "go green" with ads on recycling, stories with "10 fixes for the planet" and of course, where the presidential nominees stand on the issue.

I guess my concern is that helping the environment is treated like a trend, a fad, instead of a life change we all may need to make to preserve the Earth...and ourselves. And with it being treated like a fad, I'm worried that, like most trends, being eco-friendly has the potential to go out of style.

Environmental issues are not new. They existed way before Vanity Fair decided to publish its first Green Issue. (Side note: In an interesting post, blogger Frank Locantore pointed out how Vanity Fair's issue was a lot of talk with no substance. He points out that the magazine never mentions their own efforts to be eco-friendly and doesn't even use recycled paper for their mag.)
Maybe now, it's only becoming "cool" because celebs like Leonardo DiCaprio and Camron Diaz have jumped on the bandwagon?

I think straight talk is the best medicine for the problems facing our environment. Valid information and facts help me more than where I can buy "My White T is Green" shirt or other paraphernalia. Other than magazines, I'm not too sure if news broadcasts or other informational outlets are too helpful either. (On the Today Show this morning, First Lady Laura Bush spoke about changes they've made to their home to become eco friendly. Helpful?)

And I'd like to hear more options than just recycling and using LED light bulbs. I'm sure there's more we can do, but we rarely hear about it. And more importantly, people need to know the WHY. I wonder if your regular Joe Smith knows exactly what's going on in the environment and why we should change our consumption habits, etc.

But what do you think? Have you decided to "go green?" Do you think you ever will?

And what's the best way to get the message out to the masses?

From Idahoan to Louisianan

2008-04-21T17:01:00.006-05:00

So I think I'm now officially a Louisianan. I have been filing taxes in Louisiana for quite a few years now but still held my Idaho residency as a military wife. (I got divorced about a month ago.)

So now that I'm a resident, I should learn about Louisiana. When I grew up, the strongest affiliation I had with Louisiana was the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark exploration of it.

Here is some information that would be good for me to know. Did you know ...

Louisiana's motto is the "Sportsman's Paradise." Idaho is the Gem State. I remember back in elementary school, we would have some parent bring in star garnets, which are their official gem. Louisiana's official gem is Agate, found in Louisiana gravel.
Here's another interesting fact, for me, at least: In Louisiana, the uplands and hills the elevations rise to Driskill Mountain, the highest point in the state at only 535 feet above sea level. Only two other states in the union, Florida and Delaware, are geographically lower than Louisiana, though several other states, such as Kansas and Nebraska, are geographically flatter. In Idaho, the lowest point is Idaho's lowest point, 745 ft above sea level, in Lewiston. This was one of the first comparative facts that I learned about the two states where I've held residency.

Okay. That's enough learning for today. Now tell me about your home state. Where all have you lived? What crazy or interesting facts do you know about your state?

A ballsy move in Florida

2008-04-17T23:36:00.004-05:00

This just in out of Tallahassee:

"A discussion in the Senate on Thursday turned a bit, um, testy, over an issue that this usually august body rarely has occasion to discuss: replica bull testicles hanging from vehicles."

Now you know the Sunshine State is not the only place you can see these things. I've noticed quite a few knocking around here on some of my fellow truck drivers' road toys. I even remember seeing a pair when I spent a semester of college in California.

My truck is not bejeweled with fake reproductive parts, and I don't think it ever will be. But does that mean a state legislative body should keep other folks from letting them hang freely?

And I really must give AP Writer David Royse some credit for making a story about a bill and bulls read so well.

The day after

2008-04-16T22:15:00.003-05:00

Link 222 wants to know how the tax filing process went for folks out there. Did everyone do his own or get an accountant to help? Did you e-file?

And are your state returns finished along with federal? Did anyone actually file taxes early?

Since it's the day after April 15, did anyone celebrate? Or at least relax a little?

Let us know what's on your mind!

The politics of religion

2008-04-15T22:32:00.003-05:00

I’m a Christian. In fact, I’m the daughter of a Baptist pastor and have gone to church my entire life, but I’ve always felt my religion was something personal. In fact, I only mention it here to make a point.

I mean, my faith and spirituality is about my personal relationship with Jesus Christ and I believe it manifests itself through my actions, reactions and behavior, particularly toward my fellow man.

In other words, I’ve never felt the need to broadcast my religion to the world on the regular. I’d rather show you. Just like the song goes
“This little light of mine…” well, I rather let it shine than force it down your throat.

So, I cringed when I began watching CNN’s “Compassion Forum” with Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on Sunday night. (Republican presidential nominee John McCain was also invited, but did not attend.)

As the moderators and selected people from the audience asked Clinton and Obama in separate segments, to share their favorite Bible stories, describe a moment when they caught the Holy Spirit, or describe how they were led to Christ, my family and I were sitting there like “WHAT?! Why are they asking this kind of stuff? Why are they even having a forum like this?”

I strongly believe in the separation of church and state. I think it’s a very dangerous thing when you try to mix the two, because you stand a chance of some fanatic just taking it too far and then you got a raging tyrant, or something scary like that, running the country.

Religious freedom is one of the principles this country was founded on. And presidential candidates shouldn’t have to explain it or wear it like a badge. If it’s the essence of who they are, it shows. Besides, I’m not voting for a minister, I’m voting for a president.

Anyway, overall I felt like both candidates handled the questions about as best as they could. And it actually turned out to be pretty interesting and provide some insight into their spiritual lives.

But it wasn’t enough for me to change my vote one way or the other. (Now, you don’t really think I’m going to tell you which candidate I favor do you? Lol.) Overall, I was just uncomfortable with the whole thing. I mean I’ll admit it’s cool to know if someone shares the same faith as me. It’s a good thing to know, but a political candidate’s religion is just not at the top of my list when it comes to who I’ll choose for the commander in chief. I feel like the record of that person's works will bear that out.

I guess I feel this way because I’ve seen hypocrisy at all levels, from local to national folks, black, white, yellow, whoever, who claim to be this or that and 9 times out of 10, when they’re touting the claim, it’s coming from a place of phoniness or self-righteousness. What’s even more disgusting to me is when candidates exploit religion, namely Christianity, for personal gain or use it to distract people from issues that actually affect them. I mean if Jesus is love, how can you hate or kill people just because they don’t look or act like you, you know? Or how can you propose, legislate or approve bills that actually leave the masses of folks in financial despair, jobless or even homeless, just flat broke and struggling?

I could go on and on, but I’ll get off my soapbox now. I want to know what y’all think? Did anybody see it? Even if you didn’t see the CNN forum, what do you think about the subject in general?

That's what it's all about ....

2008-04-14T15:11:00.006-05:00

No, I'm not talking about the hokie pokie. I'm talking about journalism. To my Link 222 peers, what does journalism mean to you? What drives you to do your job?

I rented All the President's Men with Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman over the weekend. I wanted to feel their hunger for getting the story of Watergate even before they knew it was such a vast story with a huge impact. I watched it in front of my friends to share with them a little bit about what journalism is all about -- how we can help give people a window into what they need to see.

I mistakenly watched Resurrecting the Champ last night. I say that because I thought it was a boxing movie and didn't pay much attention to the box in the movie store. I'm totally buying it now and I will probably add this to the same collection of insightful journalism stories such as the previous movie. I don't want to give anything away about the story but it definitely shows the full spectrum of experiences a journalist can have, about wanting to share a story that should be told, yet not finding any takers. I also like how the main character dabs at the broadcast lifestyle and realizes he doesn't want to change his passion towards that direction. I absolutely recommend it for my journalist peers.

Even before I watched these movies, I had been recently reminded of what journalism is all about -- for me. It's about sharing stories of those whose stories need to be told. I was able to do a story in a round-about way of a similar situation that one of my family members has experienced. I felt honored to be able to tell two people's stories even though only one was mentioned in the story.

One of my proudest moments as a journalist happened early in my career when I wrote about a local event for an organization that supports those who are mentally ill. They gave us a news release and I decided to attend the event and write a story. After it was over, I wrote the story and moved forward. The gentleman who originally gave us the press release stopped by the office later and told me that he carried the article around in his pocket and pulls it out when he is having a bad day because it reminds him that people actually care about him and his cause.

For me, THAT's what it's all about.

Prioritizing freedoms

2008-04-11T21:48:00.003-05:00

Images of authorities forcefully entering a polygamist compound this week have been disturbing on many levels. Obviously the accusations of sexual abuse are the most significant.

What makes this situation murky for some is the religious freedom factor. (That, of course, is besides the track record in Texas for authorities killing members of non-mainstream religious groups). I don't think many people who read this will say it is OK to force girls to marry men. There may be a few who are OK with having multiple wives.

But in a country that prioritizes religious freedom (with a Constitutional Amendment to prove it), outside views clearly have won in this case.

There are all kinds of beliefs out there that some think are strange: keeping silent during child birth, reincarnation, resurrection. At what point do you think the government should be able to tell someone they can't do something their religion instructs them to do?

Time's almost up

2008-04-10T22:22:00.005-05:00

After much procrastination, staying true to my usual M.O., I finally filed my taxes today.
I was so ashamed to admit this even 24 hours ago until I discovered there are many more out there like me, putting off the inevitable.

And unlike me, they still have yet to take care of their business.
Well, now that I’ve quit dragging my slow behind on this, I want to help you, my fellow man, with this friendly reminder/public service announcement:

YOU GOT LESS THAN 5 DAYS LEFT!!!!! STOP SHUFFLING AND FILE THOSE TAXES ALREADY!

No more excuses. Even, if you’re cheapsakate like me, you can either do it yourself or do like I did and have someone do it for you. In my case, I went to the Queensborough Neighborhood Association where the folks were nice and friendly.
But best of all, it was FREE!

Here’s a list of some other places that offer free tax assistance, but time is running out, Tuesday will here before you know it. So, you may want to call them first:

The AARP Tax Aide Program, Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon., Broadmoor Branch, Shreve Memorial Library, 1212 Captain Shreve Drive, (318) 869-0120.
Barksdale Air Force Base, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., basement of the Military Personnel Flight (MPF) Building on BAFB. For active military, retired military, reservists, dependents and Base employees only. Call 456-4765 for appointment.
Caddo Community Action Agency, Cedar Grove Center, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 8001 Fairfield Ave. (318) 868-7222.
Caddo Community Action Agency, David Raines Center, 1625 David Raines Road,
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., (318) 425-2401.
Caddo Community Action Agency, St. Vincent Center, 4055 St. Vincent Ave., Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (318) 861-4808.
Centerpoint, 1002 Texas Ave., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (318) 227-2100 for appointment.
Louisiana Department of Revenue, 1525 Fairfield Ave. Call (318) 676-7505 for appointment.

Wellness, or something like it

2008-04-09T16:59:00.004-05:00

I ate chocolate chip cookies for breakfast this morning.

Afterwards, I raced to a school to write about its first-ever health fair. I didn't think I'd learn anything new (I already know it's NOT a good idea to eat cookies for breakfast):

Brushing my teeth properly? Check.

Flossing? Check.

Washing my hands? Check.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables? I'm working on it (I can't profess to be totally healthy. I mean, I did eat cookies as my first meal).

But, I did learn something unexpectedly.

A nurse coaxed me into getting my height, weight and body mass index checked by some gargantuan machine.

When I saw the results, I was shocked. Literally. I almost thought about developing an eating disorder.

That machine said I was an inch shorter and weighed about 15 pounds more than my doctor's scale--and I thought that was wrong.

I've got to do something. And, quickly.

Luckily, those fleeting thoughts of developing an eating disorder subsided: I had three chocolate-covered donuts for lunch.

I'm going to do better. I promise.

I love these!

2008-04-07T22:03:00.004-05:00

Recently, in my spare time in my evenings, I've been look through oodles of photos of "kittehs" (pronounced kitt-ees) from the Web site Icanhascheezburger.com. It's where people in cyberspace put captions on cat pictures. Here are two that I have found that made me laugh out loud:

For dog lovers, there is a similar, but not quite as developed Web site Ihasahotdog.com. Here are two of their examples:

So I hope you enjoyed a quick laugh, or at least a little smile.

It's never easy

2008-04-06T22:16:00.005-05:00

Having recently dealt with a death in my family, I've heard a lot of people tell me dealing with it is never easy. Even when it is common, I think that's true. I've been to a lot of funerals and sat with a lot of families during times like these, and none are ever quite the same. And I'm never totally prepared to accept that someone is gone.

So I know the family and friends of Ethan Powell are struggling now. So many people throughout the country and even outsides its borders cared about this child who died Saturday from leukemia.

I first learned about him because he went to a daycare center my mother used to run. She just got back from a trip to Europe, and I hated to tell her Ethan had passed. I even posted a blog almost a year ago when Noel Methodist Church hosted one of a couple bone marrow testing sites.

People wanted him to pull through.

Obviously his story will live on. From what his dad has posted, Ethan's parents will work to help find a cure for other children. That is noble tribute.

Armageddon Files, Vol. 1: You be the judge

2008-04-03T22:29:00.006-05:00

Want a sure sign of the apocalypse? Check this photo out:OK, when I first saw this picture while browsing some political news on the ABC News web site last week, it shocked the sweet bejesus outta me. I mean, “How the…? What the…? When the…? huh?” Was all I could manage to articulate.

Of course, reading is fundamental, so when I took some time to actually read the story, I was a little bit clearer on the situation. Well, slightly, I mean, he’s not a biologically-born man but a transgendered man with female organs inside who happens to be a husband to a wife named Nancy and they live in Oregon. “Ohh okk…Now, it all makes sense…say what? Ok, let’s try this again…” I thought.

So, I used some common sense and figured I should just read his own first-person account on The Advocate, which was mentioned in the story. By now, I’m sure all of you have heard the story of even seen it Oprah earlier today.

Well, after skimming his story in The Advocate, I finally understood that this wasn’t about some crazy science experiment or something, but a couple trying to have a child… Granted, they’re doing it in a completely unconventional way that is extremely strange to me, particularly when it comes to the aesthetics of it all, but their desire to have one didn’t sound any different to me than any other couple … Right? ….Or wrong? I’m just not sure on this one, what do y’all think?

Is it a sign of the apocalypse? Or is it just another interesting example of the ever-changing American way?

Jay-Z and Beyonce marriage: true or false

2008-04-02T18:40:00.003-05:00

An editor, who knows how much I love to gab about celebrities, sent me this from a newswire:

"Beyonce and Jay-Z take out marriage license in Scarsdale GNS Entertainment for April 2, 2008 By ROB RYSER The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News SCARSDALE, N.Y. — Long rumored romantic pair Beyonce Knowles and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter may soon be the first couple of hip hop.
The superstar entertainers, better known as Beyonce and Jay-Z, recently took out a marriage license in Scarsdale, People magazine reports.
Citing an unnamed source, people said the couple took out a license on Tuesday, which was April Fool’s Day.
Both superstars have consistently downplayed rumors of a romance between them.
Scarsdale Village Clerk Donna Conkling could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning.
In order to get the marriage license, the couple would have had to make an appointment and both show up with proof of their age and identity, as well as pay a $40 fee.
The license is good for 60 days. "

I've been waiting for this for a while. But why did they have to take out the license on April Fool's Day? Does that mean this is a joke?

I hope not. Is everyone else as excited as I am?

Discuss.

Situational UN-awareness

2008-04-01T22:06:00.002-05:00

So I received a story about a man arrested for taking pictures of women's derrieres in a local store. Police were called after the husband of one of the women saw a man taking pictures of her in a local Wal-Mart.

I would like to think I would have enough situational awareness to know if someone was taking pictures of me. Then again, if it was going on behind me, I may not have noticed. So here's a reminder to remain aware of your surroundings. You never know who may be taking photographs.

Then, I also saw this story about a woman arrested after she thought she was calling a drug dealer. This is like one of those "World's Dumbest Criminal" tales. The police had called a woman about a car registered in her name. The woman called the police back and "stated that she would like to buy $150 in crack." Wow. She must have thought the phone number looked similar to her dealer's number. Or she just figured the only person who would call her would be her dealer.

The moral of the story is to not call a number back until you've checked your voicemail to know who called you in the first place. Again, it's a case of situational unawareness, although this time it's electronic awareness rather than physical.

Have you ever been startled when you realized you weren't aware of your surroundings? I'm sure we all have. Care to share?

Rounding up the news

2008-03-28T19:31:00.004-05:00

Sometimes our jobs are a little easier than others. Today, the news happened to walk past me while I was driving.

I was heading back from a work function in Baton Rouge with recently hired Times copy editor Jessica Waldon when we happened to see state Representative Patrick Williams walking on Highway 190. He's been hiking from Shreveport to the state Capitol to draw attention to autism, child obesity and education.

Jessica was gracious enough to take photos of Williams and his friend Floyd Kirksey as they walked. And they were moving pretty fast, which made it hard for the photographer of the day to keep up in flip flops. I guess that may have made the job harder for Jessica, but the easy part was having those guys on our route home.

Regardless of how you feel about politics, walking more than 250 miles in just more than a week is a pretty serious task, so I have to give a few props to the legislator. I prefer to do my walking in the woods and away from vehicles traveling 65 mph. But if he followed my lead he wouldn't be getting the attention he's trying to use to help Louisiana residents.

(Thanks to Jessica for documenting me at work. See? Reporters don't always just sit at desks.)

Best of times

2008-03-26T15:59:00.004-05:00

In about an hour, our newsroom will pack into the building's conference room to celebrate the best of the best.

Our ceremony will pay tribute to those in the newsroom who do good work and deserve to be honored. We nominate our coworkers for honors ranging from best reporter to best manager. It's one way we get to tell each the folks we work with how much we appreciate the work we all do.

And I LOVE it.

But this event has got me thinking about all the things that I could have done better over the past year--inside the newsroom and out. In the paper and on this blog. In my professional life and in my personal life.

But all that pressure I've put on myself has really got me thinking.

You know what I realized?

I realized that there are a LOT of things I can do better. And I'm going to try to do better, starting now.

While we celebrate our Best of Times honorees, I'm going to take time to celebrate myself and work on improving all the facets of my life. I don't need to wait until New Year's!

I promise to smile more, eat healthier, live better, work harder and let people know how much I appreciate them.

Your turn. Tell me what tweaks are you going to make to become the best you can be.

Behind the scenes of a war

2008-03-25T08:31:00.004-05:00

A story is out now about the U.S. military deaths hit 4,000 but this story, The chaplains: Telling stories of the fallen highlights more of what happens behind the scenes. It's a profile of three military chaplains and their experiences in Iraq.

Chaplain Kevin Wainwright, from Fort Hood, Texas, talks about how close he was to some of the soldiers killed. He had once had given Holy Communion to a soldier days before he died. Chaplain Jesus Perez, also from Fort Hood, discusses how he breaks down to grieve soldiers he had known. The Rev. David Sivret, from the Maine Army National Guard, was injured in a suicide bomber's attack of a mess hall in Mosul, Iraq, but continued his duty running on adrenaline.

There's a local page dedicated to the five year mark of the War in Iraq, including a photo gallery honoring Local heroes killed in Iraq.
Whatever your political believes or thoughts about the war in Iraq and in other locations, take a moment to find an individual story and honor that single person, not as a number but as a life lost.

(Times graphic/Times photo)

A life-long eulogy

2008-03-21T23:21:00.003-05:00

Looking down from a pulpit at a blue casket and sprays of lilies and roses was surreal.

Even when your loved one is old, it’s hard to plan her funeral, much less sum up the accomplishments of a life that ended just short of a century.

But that’s what I found myself doing this week after my 91-year-old grandmother passed away.

My baby brother and I both had the honor and responsibility of giving a eulogy.
This certainly wasn’t the first time I had thought about what Pauline Vanessa “Granny” Strong Causey meant to me. But I knew that at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning, my words delivered to the First Baptist Church in Doyline had to count. Even for people who believe in an afterlife, a home-going celebration brings a certain sense of finality. I had, maybe, five minutes.

On one hand, it felt perfectly natural to speak about things both painful and joyous in front of a group of a couple hundred people. On the other hand, it was quite possibly the hardest thing I’ve done.

Jonathan recited a knock-knock joke and talked about Granny helping him learn to read. I read her motto, which she wrote on the inside of a card she gave me for a graduation. It told me, among other things, to be dependable and follow the Golden Rule.

There were the trips I’d take her on to the grocery store that somehow ended up including a dress shop or plant nursery. As I said Wednesday, Granny had ways of persuasion.

But after my brother, our cousins and I slid that blue coffin over a big hole in the ground, I started thinking of a lot more things I didn’t mention. Like the hair cut she gave me a month ago before I went to a Mardi Gras ball. She didn’t want any young’un of hers going to a fancy shindig with “duck tails,” she’d said. Or the red capes she used to make me before I started to school. I’d run around her yard with those things flying from an elastic band around my neck.

As we pallbearers pulled the pins out of the carnation boutonnieres attached to our coats and laid the flowers on the box that held her body, I couldn’t help but wonder if my words were enough. Will people remember who she really was? Will I?

The pain of loss is still fresh. But I think I know the answer to my questions. When we pick the first tomatoes off the vine in early summer we’ll think about how she’d bake them into a casserole that looks like a pie. When the daffodils – or buttercups as she called them – sprout in late winter, we’ll remember that she made us wait months to cut them with the mower because she said they wouldn’t bloom right the next year.

We’ll smile as we come across a newspaper clipping she stuck inside a notebook or romance novel. The faded yellow paper will remind us about a wedding or athletic event.

And we’ll cry when we look at old pictures of her cradling a baby.

Teddy Allen beautifully described her funeral service in a column that was a tribute in itself. But the best thing we can do will be to live her motto and retell stories about her in life’s little moments.

That, I think, makes her contributions infinite.

She told me just weeks before she died that she was proud of her family because, overall, we are good citizens. I hope we can continue to make that true.

(The photo is from Granny's 90th birthday party in August 2006. Special thanks to Times photogrpaher Val Horvath.)

Texts by public officials

2008-03-18T10:20:00.002-05:00

I saw this story on our Web site Sunshine Week: Text messages latest access battle about text messages written on tax-payers' time or technology falling under FOIA rules.

Courts, lawyers and states are increasingly treating these typed text messages as public documents subject to the same disclosure laws -- including the federal Freedom of Information Act -- that apply to e-mails and paper records.

"I don't care if it's delivered by carrier pigeon, it's a record," said Charles Davis, executive director of the National Freedom of Information Coalition at the University of Missouri. "If you're using public time or your public office, you're creating public records every time you hit send."

A Texas judge agreed in December, ordering the city of Dallas to turn over e-mails written by some city officials as well as messages sent on hand-held devices such as cell phones.

Should public officials be put under more scrutiny than those who do not have a public role? Does it only matter if it's a government cell phone? How do you determine when a politician, or anyone else in a public role, is "on public time?" Or should those in public roles be held to a higher standard so not to have this problem? Or is this all just outlandish?

And, for those of us who pay our own cell phone bills, here's some information on how to save money by renegotiating your cellular plan.

Bad news for reporters

2008-03-14T22:42:00.006-05:00

On this Friday before the start of Sunshine Week, I thought it was interesting that two stories about reporters becoming the news surfaced this week.

This one is about a haughty sheriff who threatens small-town journalists with jail time for writing about his son's arrest.

And the one with video shows a women beating a TV personality.

I do like a good story, and strong-armed law enforcement makes for some great fiction. But it's scary when the powerful try to shut down the truth, something that is Constitutionally protected.

Fight scenes are great for the movies, but I hate to think one of my co-workers or I would be brutalized for doing our jobs.

Personally, I have only felt physically threatened twice. And they both happened to be at or near the office. Once a woman brought her scrappy teenage son to talk to me about a photo they didn't like. (I didn't take the picture.) The boy came ready to fight, apparently, and bowed up at me a few times. (The bowing was obvious because he flexed his biceps, made visible by the cut-off sleeves of his T-shirt. I'd say that was on purpose.) We didn't fight because I told them there was no reason to yell. They recently had lost a family member in a traffic accident and were understandably upset.

Another time a man grumbled to me that he had "no respect for paparazzi" as I asked him if his loved one, who was pregnant and involved in a car crash in downtown Shreveport, was OK. He angrily told me I had to leave, and I said I hoped she was OK. I still decided to stay close by on the publicly funded sidewalk. He stared but never charged. (I didn't clarify to him that a paparazzo usually photographs famous people.)

I'll be the first to say that I know reporters can make folks mad. Words are powerful, and people don't always like what we ask, say or publish -- even if they know it's true. But does that mean they have the right to physically threaten or act on such a threat?

The (insert minority) vote

2008-03-13T12:11:00.003-05:00

It’s wrong to assume that just because I’m black that I’d cast my presidential vote for Barack Obama, or just because I’m a woman I’m more likely to vote for Hillary Clinton. Or that because I fall into both minority categories, that I'm a Democrat.

However, that’s what it seems like the media is focusing on right now, especially with primary and caucus results coming in. And I guess that’s fine, considering the historic nature of the Democratic nomination.

BUT there’s one thing us media folks do all the time (in every election, not just presidential races) that literally makes my skin crawl: we overanalyze and make a hyperbole of the “black vote,” or “Hispanic voters” or “women voters.” Another one I’ve seen: “better-educated black voters.”

I've witnessed talk of reporters being instructed to get elections' race breakdowns and find someone to analyze them. I’ve even heard stories being called “black-voter turnout stories.”

During the Shreveport mayoral election how blacks voted seemed to be a very hot topic for folks inside and (especially) outside of the newsroom.

Last I checked there were more white men voting in all types of elections all over the country than any other minority group. And out of the relatively small population of blacks and Hispanics in the country there are a small number of people in those races who actually exercise their right to vote.

I’m not saying that race and gender in votes should be ignored. They shouldn’t. And sometimes it is very interesting to focus on. But I am saying that in the grand scheme of things, those minority groupings— especially black voters— aren’t really the determining factor in deciding elections. The real decision is made by the hordes of majority voters.

That said, the next time I see a story about “black-voter turnout,” I hope to see one about “white-voter turnout” too.

Stupidus Assidos

2008-03-11T11:11:00.005-05:00

It’s a sad thing to admit, but I’ve generally come to expect that most guys just cannot keep it in their pants, particularly politicians.

Or maybe I should say particularly men in positions of power. And that stereotype was proven, yet again, with the latest sex scandal that had me and several other co-workers buzzing earlier today.

This time, the man at the center of the scandal is New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer. In a strange twist of irony, the governor once known as “Mr. Clean” was accused of, and practically came clean about, paying for sex with a high-priced call girl.

Sure, it would be easy to call him just another lowdown, no good, so-and-so, but I’m convinced that Spitzer is just merely a victim of an epidemic that’s afflicted a disproportionate number of men that span across socio-economic lines, ethnicity, race, religion, Democrats, Republicans, Independents and even the average joe schmo.

I think the disease starts somewhere in the southern region of the male anatomy and moves to the brain, paralyzing the brain cells in its path. I believe the disease is called stupidus assidos, which of course is Latin for…well… I’m sure you can fill in the blank…

And is it me, or does it seem like, lately alot of these men are getting caught with their pants down, literally...I mean yeah we got Spitzer right now, but before that it was Louisiana's own U.S. Sen. David Vitter who was linked to a high-price escort service last year. And who can forget the 2004 scandal involving New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey who was caught in an adulterous affair with another man. What could cause all of these men and so many more to risk losing everything - their family, political career and dignity - for one moment (or moments) of infidelity? The explanation is simple: Stupidus assidos.

OK, in all seriousness though, what in the world is the deal? I mean what was Spitzer, this leader, husband and father of three teenage girls thinking when he agreed to meet up with a prostitute at a Washington hotel room?? On the fricking day before Valentine’s Day!

I guess it’s time to ask that age-old question: Is it really impossible for men to be faithful? But, I promise I’m not asking from a judgmental standpoint, I’m just very curious as to what happens in the thought process when men are in these situations.

Daylight Savings Time

2008-03-10T18:12:00.003-05:00

Is anyone else still dragging after yesterday's morning "Spring ahead" time change? Or just me? The overcast skies probably didn't help, nor the lack of coffee. Hopefully tomorrow morning will be brighter and a little bit more caffeinated.

I know Daylight Saving time is supposed to save money in the economy and all that jazz, but does it really help? Or does it just mess up your sleeping cycle?

I found these articles End Daylight Saving Time and YouChoose.net: Keep Daylight Savings Time All Year doing a Google search for the correct phrase and such. Interesting.

Both of these articles Keeping Kids Healthy: End of Daylight Saving Time and Surviving the Change to Daylight Saving Time talk about making more gradual changes to your schedule over a few days.

How did you adjust?

What kind of words warrant a resignation?

2008-03-07T13:28:00.004-06:00

Word got out today that Samantha Power, a Harvard professor who has been volunteering as a foreign policy adviser to Barack Obama, has resigned.

The reason: everybody found out she called Hillary Clinton "a monster" in an interview.

This story raises a couple interesting questions. Power apparently told a reporter for a Scottish paper that her name-calling was off the record. Not everyone agrees with what that little phrase means, but in an interview, the reporter is calling the shots. The reporter may have treated the comment differently if Power were not part of an extremely wealthy, high-profile presidential campaign. But I would be willing to guess this wasn't her first interview.

I interview people all the time, and they like to throw the "off the record" lingo out. I can be understanding with someone who is not media savvy, but not politicians or their advisers. Then again, I may have chosen not to insert the comment because it was kind silly.

Apparently Obama -- or at least more if his campaign advisers -- thought Power's comment was a bad move. Granted, that is not a very nice or grown-up thing to say, but was it really that bad? Should she have quit her job? This is politics, right? I never knew there was anything particularly sweet and kind in this game.

Got jokes?

2008-03-06T18:36:00.002-06:00

I love playing jokes on my family and friends.
I think it’s something about the thrill of seeing their reactions and the complete shock on their faces when they realize what’s really going on.

My younger sister is always one of my biggest targets. I remember when we were younger. She’s always been a heavy sleeper, so sometimes I’d wait till she would get deep into one of her afternoon naps and right when she was in mid-snore, I’d frantically shake her awake like the house was on fire, yelling, “Hurry up! It’s time to get to school! You’re running late! Hurry!”

It would take everything to keep me from laughing as I’d watch her jump up, dazed and confused, blindly rushing to the bathroom to start the shower before I’d say “I’m just playing girl!” Boy, she would get so mad and chew my head off, but by then, I was usually falling on the floor laughing at the whole thing.

I thought about that and other such memories when I read about how Ashton Kutcher will take Punk’d to a whole ‘nother level with yet another reality show. However, this new show, Pop Fiction, will target another group celebs love to hate – the paparazzi.

On one hand, it sounds like a very clever way for celebs to poke fun at the very folks who scrutinize their every move. On the other hand, it seems kinda silly since some of these very celebs tend to use the media just to get public scrutiny and attention anyway. Thoughts anyone?
Meanwhile, what’s the best practical joke you’ve ever played on someone? Or what was the best practical joke ever played on you?

What's in a name?

2008-03-05T13:13:00.004-06:00

The thing I hate most (besides being confused with Shreveport celebrity Donecia Pea) is for people to get my very simple name wrong.

I got called Ashley Northingham yesterday for the zillionth time. Ugh! Ham? It's NorthingTON, people. I gave the school secretary a break though, I just smiled and shrugged as if she pronounced it correctly.

She was very nice and professional, but I get tired of over-enunciating my last name, only for people to still get it mixed up with something else.

At least she didn't say Worthington. Or Washington. Or Nottingham. Or Northing. I get all those other last names a lot too.

The people who get it wrong the most are administrative assistants. I call them incessantly. And, just when I think we've built a friendly relationship someone always lets me down by saying, "OK, Ms. Worthington. I'll tell him to call you."

Ugh.

I get a ton of mail addressed to Ashley Northingham, Ashley Nottingham, Alisa Northington (I can only guess the first name mix up is due to the fact that my editor's name really is Alisa--at least they got the last name right.)

When people call to ask me for my email address I cringe: "It's A as in apple, D as in dog, N.O.R.T.H.I.N.G.T.O.N. at gannett.com. And that's G.A.N.N.E.T.T."

It's really a mouthful.

I understand my name is long. It's even too long for me to write the whole thing when I sign papers. But I will never change it. Not even if I marry. I think my last name is one of the things that makes me unique--aside from the other Ashley Northington, who is a teacher in Aiken, South Carolina. I bet people mix up her name a lot too.

At restaurants I don't even tell people my real name. Most of the time I give the hostess the last name of the other people I'm with: Rucker, Anderson, Ellis, Holland. Lately, I've taken to Hunter. I stole that from my editor Velda. I think her last name suits me well--at least for restaurant reservations.

But seriously, how hard can it be?

Really hard.

Just ask any school secretary.

Jewel's back!

2008-03-04T08:33:00.002-06:00

You've probably already heard that Jewel is reinventing herself now as a country singer, but I didn't know when she would be finished with her newest songs.

Well, I heard Jewel on the country radio station Saturday. I like her song, "Stronger Woman" so I thought I'd share it with you:

Here's the "single" version with the lyrics embedded in it.

Here's the music video ...

What do you think about the song? What do you think about her twang? How does it measure up to, or fall less than, other country or any genre of songs about empowered women?

An interesting combination

2008-03-03T15:56:00.008-06:00

We have a place in the newsroom we like to call The Usual Spot, or
TUS, for short. This is where we put food or any other kind of goodies
to share with our co-workers.

Today in TUS was an 11 pack of the new Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr Pepper. It came to me minus one can from my mother, who didn't like it. I didn't know how my taste buds would react, so I figured I shouldn't test it alone.

I guess the verdict is still out. I immediately got e-mails from people in the building who said they didn't want to try it. And some said it was gross. But another said she thought it tasted like a "cherry Tootsie Pop," which was a good thing to her.

I thought that was accurate, but I don't know if I would call it good. It is quite a juxtaposition of tastes. I like chocolate, cherries and Dr. Pepper separately, but I don't know if this will work for me. I think the cherry and chocolate does mask the diet taste, though. Diet flavor tastes nasty to me in any drink.

The stuff hasn't gotten a lot of good reviews outside of here, as evidenced by blogger Derek K. Miller in Canada.

Apparently it is only the third "flavor extension" Dr. Pepper's history. They've had a good run, so it seems like it's only good business for them to try to branch out and hook some more lovers of all things carbonated.

Got any opinions on the new drink out there? Zero calories and carbs, according to the nutrition facts.

And if you need a little... entertainment... on this rainy Monday, enjoy this Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr Pepper-inspired video from Tay Zonday featuring Mista Johnson. I'm not sure this helps or hurts.

Born-again... virgin?

2008-02-29T21:38:00.003-06:00

The topic of reclaimed virginity is nothing new, but this MSNBC story I read about a single mother with two kids who decided she wanted to go that route was quite interesting, to say the least.

She chose to reclaim her virginity through prayer and supplication. Meanwhile others have taken the more drastic measure of actually having their hymen surgically replaced. (I must admit, I’m still scratching my head trying to figure exactly how that works.)

And apparently, this story says, “revirginization” is becoming more and more popular.
So, let’s get real for a second – if you could re-claim your virginity, would you? And furthermore, why?

Or, are you one of those folks who tossed it and never looked back?

I Heart Obama

2008-02-28T16:45:00.005-06:00

Nope. Not Barack.

I’m talking about Michelle Obama.

She’s awesome. What I admire most is her ability – and determination – to balance her family and her career.

There are times when I struggle with how I want life to be. Do I want to be a devoted mother, with my family being the focus? Or do I want to put this $50,000+ degree in print journalism to use and accomplish all my career related goals? For some reason, in my mind, there’s no way the two can be meshed together.

Michelle Obama is an example of those two lives meshed. The Obama’s two daughters are her focus but she’s also a successful lawyer and executive.

Alone she’s interesting, but coupled with her husband, the Obamas display a type of love and partnership in their marriage that some – like me, the product of a single-parent household – find it hard to believe exists anymore.

The two have made it no secret that Michelle Obama was hesitant to support another campaign. She questioned how it would be run and how it would affect her family. Only after she got answers she was satisfied with, did she give the OK her husband was waiting on. Now, not only has she given her OK, she’s proved to be his biggest fan and supporter. She is even taking a hiatus from her job as V.P. for Community and External Affairs at University of Chicago Hospitals to participate on the campaign trail.

I’ve read dozens of articles about her and what she’s doing (Check out Newsweek’s package) but what sealed the deal for me was listening to her talk about her husband. Her conversational manner was disarming and when she spoke, the mix of adoration for her husband and being able to intelligently speak about his platforms was entertaining, informative and refreshing. She wasn’t too soft or too harsh. To me, she was real.

Loved it. I could go on and on, but I won't. (You're welcome.)

My boyfriend once bought up the point that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is also pretty awesome. While I give Rice her props, Michelle Obama is more real to me. Not to downplay Rice’s accomplishments, but it’s truly the successful balance of home and work lives that gives Obama the edge, in my book.

Decide for yourself and let me know what you think. Here’s part of an interview she did for CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

Un-historic passion

2008-02-26T21:12:00.003-06:00

Once again slightly piggybacking on the topic before me, I watched the movie Across the Universe over the weekend. In the opening few minutes, it shows some 1960s riot scenes. I said aloud, "People in our generation don't really riot." Then my friend said, "There's not as much to be passionate about -- not like there was in the '60s."

I realize that people do occasionally riot and protest and strike these days, but definitely not as often as what we saw in the news in the '60s. I agree with Adam that we still need to honor our individual and our collective historic past and learn from it. But is our generation passionless? Are we "Generation, Huh?" or "Generation Who Cares?" Look at how we sometimes get hyped up but then don't follow through -- look at our attempts to "Rock the Vote."

So -- what are you passionate about? What do you think about our generation? Are we passionate or far less than those who came before us?

A little bit of all of our history

2008-02-25T22:39:00.003-06:00

PBS produced a really interesting series called "African American Lives 2" for black history month. I haven't actually been able to watch it on television, but I have caught up some through the Web site. You can read a little about the lives and genealogy of some famously successful blacks as well as others who didn't know they had much African ancestry.

Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. leads research into the lineage of Morgan Freeman, Tom Joyner and Maya Angelou, among others. He shares his discoveries with each one, and they find out something they didn't know about themselves.

But the best part is that it happens on camera. You can see snippets from the videos. My favorite part about this is seeing raw, unscripted emotion from people whose public images are the stuff of pop culture legend.

Aside from the fact that one of these gets quite a lot of coverage on this blog, the interviews with Tina Turner and Chris Rock are my favorites for one reason: We get to see them cry. That's right. Chris Rock, the smart-mouthed joker, and Tina Turner, the picture of a rock 'n' roll survivor, shed tears.

Turner finds out an ancestor sold land for a price far below its value in Tennessee to build a school for black students -- one she later attended. And Rock learns, among other things, that one of his relatives, who was a freed slave, signed up to be a solider for the Union during the Civil War.

These examples are reminders of how important the past is to the present. Emotional reactions alone show that. It certainly makes me want to pin down more about my families' not-so-distant past, especially when it comes to sacrifices my grandparents and their parents made.

We haven't talked much on this blog this year about black history month, but this series is a good reminder that this is American history. I haven't done great research into my genealogy, but I am fairly certain I don't have black roots. But I am still proud when I hear stories like these. This nation was built on the shoulders of many great people whose stories deserve to be told.

So listen and share.

Dinosaur times

2008-02-22T16:09:00.003-06:00

I just realized that work can be done without the help (or interruption) of e-mail and the Internet.

We were without both early on Monday. At first, I was infuriated. I was expecting several e-mails and I knew I had to send out a bunch of electronic messages. I also expected to call a bunch of people--but how could I look them up without searching for numbers on the World Wide Web?

Since we couldn't work, the least we could do was party in the newsroom, right? Wrong.

Then I noticed Maggie Martin, a 43-year Times veteran, typing away on her computer.

I wondered what she could be doing. And by this time, a bunch of us were flipping out about the lack of technology in our room. One frustrated editor discovered a way to send instant, electronic messages through the system we use to write our stories. Our executive editor announced that we would find a work-around for posting online updates (of course we would).

Apparently, Maggie heard the commotion and she said, "You can still write your stories, Ashley. I'm typing my column and I don't need the Internet for that."

Oh, that's right...I could type up some notes for a story and type the stories for which I already obtained all the information needed. And there is a thing called a phone book--I could look up necessary numbers that way. And for those e-mails, I could just call people for the information I needed.

I was astounded by all the work I learned to complete without my editor, PR representatives, sources and friends constantly sending me messages. It was easy for me to work without the temptation of breaking to search the web for latest celebrity gossip. I actually got a LOT done.

Us Generation Y-ers are used to technology. In fact, we crave it (at least I do). When we are without it, we often find ourselves lost and frustrated--like I was on Monday. But I guess that's the difference between the awesome and amazing Maggie Martins of the world and me.

What do you think?

More text message tips

2008-02-21T21:36:00.004-06:00

I could hardly watch the Democratic presidential debate earlier tonight for all the texting and phone calling I was making and receiving throughout the whole thing.

But it did remind me of this interesting story I recently ran across about text messaging privacy, written in light of the controversy surrounding Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his chief of staff Christine Beatty.

Of course, I’ve already talked about that on here. However, this story gave some interesting, useful information that even I wasn’t aware of.

Like the fact that basically anyone out there can easily intercept your text messages using an inexpensive radio kit or even creating their own similar devise.

As for the tips, they gave some of the no-brainers, like “Don’t ever text personal information such as your PIN number, password or banking info to anyone.” (Gee, you think?)

But, then there were some tips that were new to me, like this one: “Those concerned about privacy can send anonymous text messages with services like AnonTxt.com.”

Anyway, you can check out all the tips for yourself. Or do you even care? Is text messaging privacy something you ever think about?

Catch the eclipse?

2008-02-20T19:25:00.004-06:00

It was a little overcast tonight, but if you were patient the clouds would blow by in time for you to catch a glimpse of the lunar eclipse.

To my naked eye it looked white with a shadow creeping over. But my camera gave it a reddish tent, which was a lot cooler.

Here is an example of my somewhat lame attempts at catching it in a photo. I don’t have a tripod and was trying to hold my breath and prop my elbows on top of my car. I also tried to use a long exposure. You can see I moved a little bit with that second moon sort of forming on the right side.

Plus I was standing, say, 240,000 miles away from the object in view.

Did anyone get a good view or shots of the moon?

Did you ponder Presidents Day?

2008-02-19T08:41:00.005-06:00

Yesterday was Presidents Day. I worked, but most of my friends, especially those who are military, were off from work.

Now that we're all back into work, did anyone actually dwell on the meaning of Presidents Day? Whether you worked or you were off having fun, what did you do to celebrate the occasion? Did you think -- at all -- about the current president or past presidents?

Speaking of presidents, I saw this (Former President Bush endorses McCain) on TV this weekend. I'm pretty sure we all know where former President Clinton stands on the campaign trail. What do you think of former presidents giving their political endorsement? Does it say, or weigh, any more than other organizations who endorse a candidate?

Or do we even care what anyone else thinks of the candidates?

When you fall, get back up and try again

2008-02-18T09:26:00.007-06:00

Want a fun way to exercise, a lesson in determination and a reminder of how old you are?
I have two words for you.
Hot. Wheels.

Co-workers Tarah Holland, Nishia Livingston, Ashley Northington and I headed to Hot Wheels skating rink in Bossier City in search of something new to do Saturday afternoon.

What we got was a good workout, some good laughs and some believe a few bruises.

It had been years since most of us dared to get out on the hardwood on four wheels…and it showed.

I’m not sure if I ever stood completely up, always bracing myself for a fall and Ashley spent quite a bit of time looking up from the floor.

I will say Nishia was a pro, skating around the rink clapping and dancing and I never saw Tarah hit the floor (not to say it didn't happen).

In the end we may have spent more time sitting on the bench than skating on the floor, but it was there that the dozens of kids in the rink – on their skates and on their butts – reminded me of a valuable lesson.

When you fall, get back up and try again.

Those kids out there didn’t have a care in the world. They didn’t care if they collided with another kid or got tripped by someone else’s skate. They simply laughed it off and got right back up.

We were too consumed by the fear of falling (and possibly hurting ourselves) and too busy trying to look like pros.

Those kids were just busy having a good time.

Be it skating, a task at work or a personal goal, one fall shouldn’t stop us from completing what we set out to do.

In my search of new things to do, this had to have been the most fun. I highly recommend it.

Next up: bowling and kite flying.

Take two of these and keep it moving...

2008-02-15T18:44:00.005-06:00

I basically spent Valentine’s Day in misery suffering from what I later found out was bronchitis.
At least, that’s what the doctor said it was. And I should accept that coming from a licensed medical professional. I realize that.

But it’s the way he arrived at this diagnosis that's got me scratching my head. In fact, I’m still scratching my head about several doctors’ visits I’ve had in the last year or two.
With each visit, lately I’m feeling more and more like I’m going through a drive-thru window at a fast food restaurant more than I am seeking medical attention, check ups or whatever.

First, let me clarify: This is in no way an attack on the medical community at all because Lord knows we need them. They work as hard as, if not harder, than many other professionals out here.

And really, maybe it’s my fault for watching too much “Grey’s Anatomy” or “ER” through the years, but I coulda sworn a standard doctor’s visit entailed some level of warmth, hospitality and at LEAST a question-and-answer period.
(For the sake of anonymity, I’m not going to name the place or anything like that.)

But my recent experience all started when I tried really hard to go to my primary doctor just to find out what the heck was going on with me.
Unfortunately, that office was completely booked with patients, probably suffering with the same thing I have or the flu or whatever other “heebie jeebie” out there, because God knows it’s all going around everywhere.

So I was put on a waiting list, but I didn’t want to take a chance on not getting to a doctor before the day’s end, so I went to another facility that handles this kinda stuff.
After waiting forever just to see the doctor, when I got in there he basically listened to my heartbeat, looked down my throat with the light thingy and promptly diagnosed me with bronchitis.

I was amazed. I coulda sworn I thought they would have had to take some blood, swab my tongue, take some DNA or something before arriving to a conclusion like that.
My eyes widened, reflecting my shock and he mistook it for alarm: “Don’t worry, it’s pretty common this time of year. I will have the nurse bring you the information for your prescription. Thank you and have a nice day,” he said.

This entire process took all of 5 minutes and I tried as hard as I could to ask as many questions as I could quickly think of in that brief time frame, but by the time he completed that sentence, his hand was on the knob and he was on his way out.
So I finally managed a “Wow, that was pretty quick!” And he smiled and said “Yes.” And that was that. He was outta there, while my mouth hung open with “But, but...”

And I’m still scratching my head trying to figure this whole thing out.
I know in these hard times of lay-offs, strenuous work hours, cutbacks and everything else that, just like journalism and many other industries, even healthcare has to struggle to keep afloat, but is this really what I should expect now when it comes to a doctor’s visit? Is this the norm or did I just pick the wrong time of day or place to go?

My medical peeps, will you help me out on this one?

Oh yeah, Happy Valentine's Day.

2008-02-14T22:53:00.002-06:00

You love birds and or relationship haters should feel free to chime right in. What did you get? Did you spend the day alone (like 8 of our 17 poll responders say they did)? Or were you sitting at your desk blogging?

Let's talk blackberries/BlackBerries

2008-02-14T19:13:00.003-06:00

What do you think when you hear or read the word blackberry?

I had a funny realization this week when I got an e-mail with the word blackberry in the subject line.

A press release from the LSU AgCenter said there would be a lunch talk about Blackberries. I thought it was timely considering the service outage this week.

But it wasn’t a BlackBerry you plug into the electrical socket. It was the blackberries you pull off a vine.

I may seem a little dumb for not putting that together immediately. I know the AgCenter focuses on, well, agriculture. (I was in 4-H from fifth-12th grades.) But when you’re glancing at your inbox you have to process a lot of information quickly. Read. Save. Delete. (Especially when you get an e-mail every day saying you’re reaching the maximum storage space Outlook allows.)

Still, it’s funny the images some words paint in our mind because of the way we use them now. My BlackBerry Curve has cost me plenty of money, so I can blame that mental slip on that. But four or five years ago, I probably would’ve thought about juicy, reddish berries growing on the side of a country road.

Here are some other words that name something different today than they did years ago: Mouse, diva, gay.

Who’s got more examples like those? (Yes, this post is definitely a writer/geek/nerd post.)

The pressure starts now

2008-02-13T18:35:00.004-06:00

Today, after getting my picture taken for an upcoming project, I heard our calendar assistant calling my name.

“Ashley, Ashley, Ashley! Who loves you? Who loves you?” She motioned towards a green and brown box from Pro Flowers.

I smiled. I told her, without even opening up the box, that they are from my father.

“No they aren’t,” someone else in the newsroom said.

Before I knew it, I opened my box in front of a very captivated audience. Roses. And just as I thought, they were from my daddy.

Everyone else looks in the box. Ooos and ahhs followed.

“Who are they from?”

“My Daddy,” I replied.

Gasp!

That’s right. My Daddy sent me flowers. Not some love interest. Not some man pretending to like me. And not myself pretending that my "boyfriend" has sent me a special treat.

I didn’t think my audience was quite as captivated as they would have been if I’d told them they were from a boyfriend.

Tomorrow there will be more audiences crowded around unsuspecting (or suspecting) co-workers as they open their flower boxes or they get their teddy bears and chocolates.

There will be more ooohhhs and aaahhhss. And it won’t stop there. There will be questions of what the fellow worker will do for the holiday and who, exactly, is the gift from. The questions, of course, will be answered with a smile and details of what’s to come for the night.

And there will be no time to generate a true, private and personal reaction to the gift. Not really. Instead, time will be spent answering questions.

Friday will be even worse. Last year, I didn’t have the nerve to tell my co-workers I’d spent the evening arguing over dinner and helping my male friend pick out a flat screen television at Best Buy. It wasn’t romantic enough.

As much as I love Feb. 14 for being the official day to let another person know how much you care for them, I hate was it does to us. We get crazy. We start acting like we live on the set of some romantic movie. And when our loved ones don't get us the gifts we think we deserve, we get mad.

The day is not about caring, it's about the show--the stories we tell people, especially our coworkers.

There are the girls (and I call us girls because that's what we start acting like), like me, who grin and endure it. We answer the questions in detail. And we sometimes gather with others to see what another has been gifted.

There are other girls, too. Obnoxious girls. They flaunt their gifts and practically shout their Valentine’s Day plans for the entire world to hear. The girls like me only smile at their ridiculousness.

Then there are the bitter girls. These are the girls who are normally happy, but get depressed around Feb. 14. Any sign of love or happiness near V-Day makes them want to upchuck.

Christ.

I’m not doing it this year. I will not participate in the craziness. I will avoid the show. It’s too much pressure.

I will celebrate my singleness with friends.

And I’m going to try very hard not to wish I was stuck in some romantic movie scene.

Pack, move, clean, unpack. Ugh!

2008-02-12T10:58:00.001-06:00

Last night, I took an evening off from moving. I just finished moving out of an apartment and into a house for rent Saturday. I disagreed with some of my apartment's rules (for example, they wrote me up twice for letting my cats outside without being on a leash), and I also wanted a little more home-like feel in my living space.

In the midst of this moving adventure and hearing snow stories from home -- the University of Idaho and nearby Washington State University closed Jan. 31 for the weather for the first time since 1990! -- I am reminded of an interesting moving story.

In December 2003, my nearly ex-husband and I got a 24’ U-Haul stuck in the snow on the UI campus after the attendant at the U-Haul store told us that we didn’t need chains for the truck and they didn’t have studded tires available for it either but that “it’s heavy enough that you won’t get it stuck.” We proved him wrong. It got stuck when the bumper got caught up on a pile of snow. AND, the truck couldn’t get traction because the snow had melted for a little while, then refrozen to create ice on top of packed snow. Oh -- and on top of THAT, we were moving boxes into our Married Student Housing apartment in -20 degree weather!

Anyway, now, I’m in the process of unpacking. UGH! Do you have any helpful hints to help me keep my sanity? Do you have any interesting moving stories? What roommate nightmares do you dare share?

To be or not to be...happy

2008-02-11T15:19:00.000-06:00

During my early-morning news reading, I came across a story on CNN.com featuring an Oprah re-run about happiness (which will air today).

"Are you happy --really?" the headline reads.

It certainly got me thinking.

A guest on the show, psychologist Dr. Robert Holden has dedicated his life to studying happiness. He is the founder of the Happiness Project in England and also is the author of 10 best-selling books, including "Happiness Now!"

Dr. Holden said those looking for happiness often don't realize they already have it, the article states. He recalled a conversation that he had with a spiritual teacher some time ago.

"'You have to understand that the pursuit of happiness is a mistake,'" said the teacher, Holden recalled. “'It's like, you don't chase happiness out there. You learn that you're happy inside you, and then you go running.'"

That made me think a little bit more. So much so that my cynicism broke just enough to let it make some sense.

We often find ourselves in absorbing situations – whether short-term or whether they threaten to swallow us whole, but some of us seem to lose sight of the fact that, though the situation may be difficult, it hasn’t entirely altered our complete "inner spirit."

When I used to think about the more than 1,000 miles that separate me from my family, I believed that I was anything, but happy. But now, I’m coming to realize that when 4:30 p.m. rolls around each day, I get the first of two or three phone calls from my older sister. A few hours later, I call my mom to ask her about her day or she calls me to ask me about mine.

Rather than sadness, those times are undoubtedly when I smile the most and laugh the hardest. Yes, it’s also when I miss my family the most, but at the same time, I realize I’m actually happy – I just miss them.

I’ve frequently confused missing my family with unhappiness. Yes, it still sounds a little weird to me, but it does make sense – for me anyway.

From now on, I’m going to try to do a better job of differentiating between the two.

If you’re unsure of your happiness, try this Happiness Quiz on Oprah.com and don't forget to share your thoughts here.

Duets make Grammys great

2008-02-10T23:12:00.000-06:00

Did ya'll watch the Grammys tonight?

I thought it was pretty good, especially as far as the performances were concerned.

Beyonce and Tina Turner.

Fergie and John Legend.

Alicia Keys and John Mayer.
Kanye West.

My favorite had to be Beyonce and Tina Turner performing Proud Mary. I enjoyed watching Tina prove that she still has it as she shook, spun and sang next to Beyonce, who is at least 40 years her junior. (I know one of my fellow bloggers could second my admiration of the performance.)

Kanye was a close second with an OK performance of Stronger but a heartfelt performance of Hey Mama that reminded those that may have forgotten how close the rapper and his mother were and that he's still grieving. Sunday's performance marked exactly three months since her death.

Like some others, I haven't been a fan of award shows the past few years but the Grammys didn't dissapoint.

Did anyone else enjoy the show? And did you think the right artists walked away with awards?

Heather Ledger: A death to ponder

2008-02-08T01:54:00.000-06:00

There obviously has been a healthy love of pop culture among some of my fellow bloggers, and I'm honestly surprised I'm the first one to touch on the death of Heath Ledger.

Sadly a New York City medical examiner report confirmed some suspcions this week: He died from an overdose of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine.

I happen to occasionally tune in to "The View" with my grandmother. Shortly after Ledger's Jan. 22 death the co-hosts were speculating on whether or not drugs contributed. Even though it was not clear then, I think Elisabeth Hasselbeck made a great point. She said the media seem to focus on female stars who appear to be in trouble with drugs or otherwise. Among those are Louisiana's own Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, the Olsen twins, etc...

But either the Heath Ledgers and Colin Farrells of stardom aren't partying enough to make photographers notice, or we only care when it looks like a formerly good girl is being unladylike. That to me reeks of a double standard.

And I hate that the very industry I work for seems to keep it going. Giving media consumers what they need versus what they want can mean finding a difficult balance. I'd be a tough one to convince that anyone needs as much star power as some of us put out there. But since we do, I feel like there should be some sense of responsibility to portray the state of things accurately.

So you consumers of all things paparazzi, do you think coverage of the partiers is fair? And what do media practitioners owe you?

(Photo courtesy of The Associated Press.)

Dallas, the city of....love?

2008-02-07T10:54:00.000-06:00

I’m going to try really, REALLY hard not to talk about the election since we’ve been talking about it all week on here, even if it is the only thing my friends have basically been talking about all week…(Is it just my friends and me, or was Super Duper Tuesday as exciting as…well…the Super Bowl?!)

Anyway, I know we’ve talked about shacking on here before but I ran across this story and thought it was worth sharing since they're talking about our age group and all.

Forbes magazine basically did a survey on the best cities for couples ages 20 to 34...unmarried, cohabiting couples, that is. (Apparently, cohabitating couples are a growing demographic among folks ages 20 to 34.)

And get this, Dallas topped the list. Who knew? Three other Texas cities landed in the top 10 as well – Houston, Austin and San Antonio…

Meanwhile, places like Cleveland, Ohio; Providence, Rhode Island and even Miami, Fla. hovered at the bottom of the list.

Now, in all fairness to our great city of Shreveport *coughs* they only selected the country’s largest 40 metropolitan areas for this study. Otherwise, I’m sure we woulda made the cut *coughs again.*

But anyway, what do you y’all think? Could the city of luuuuuuuuuvvvv really be right next door? I’ve never actually thought about it like that...Do you agree with their list? Do you know of some places they didn't include?

Get Tested

2008-02-06T15:40:00.000-06:00

Get tested.

As of September, nearly 1,250 persons in Northwest Louisiana were living with HIV or AIDS. About 68 percent of those cases were blacks, while 30 percent were white and 2 percent were of other races. Nearly three-quarters of those people were male.

Wow.

Tomorrow is National Black AIDS Awareness Day and it's so important to know your status.

I know I've talked about this before, but I think this is something we all can do--regardless of our race.

Here are some local happenings for the day:

* The Brotherhood Task Force of Northwest Louisiana will hold a candelight vigil for anyone affected by HIV or AIDS from 6-6:45 p.m. at its office at 838 Hope St. in Shreveport.

* The Task Force and the Philadelphia Center of Shreveport will put on a Runway Ball at Central Station, 1025 Marshall St. in Shreveport, Thursday night. The task force will offer HIV testing, and both organizations will provide prevention information.

*The Louisiana Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse program, will hold an open house from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and a Girls' Nite Out from 7 p.m.-8 P.M. at 1545 Line Ave., Suite 222, in Shreveport. The open house will allow people to get information about the project's prevention and referral services, while the girls' night out event will provide substance abuse and HIV prevention.

I'm going to get tested.

Will you join me?

Answer 10 Questions; Pick a President!

2008-02-05T10:35:00.000-06:00

While I was driving to work this morning, I was thinking of my blog topic. I had been thinking of posting about my impact on the world, brought about by the Super Bowl and others in the national spotlight. Then, I thought about blogging about moving and how much it sucks. But when I came across a Web site, I just had to piggyback on Tarah's voting blog.

So, how lazy are Americans today, when it comes to voting? Are young voters any more or less lazy? I found this, emailed by a coworker:

"You might find this interesting -- answer 10 questions at http://www.votechooser.com/ and find out
which presidential candidate is most similar to you!"

What? Seriously? Are we that lazy?

But, I have to admit, this site does help if you haven't paid any attention to where candidates stand. You can see which of your political stances match where the candidates stand. Before this morning, I couldn't have told you who I would vote for, if I wished to share. Plus, even if you disagree -- i.e., I agree with only five answers of any of the candidates -- you can see which issues you would be willing to compromise on and on which ones you'd rather hold your ground.

Now, I wouldn't recommend basing your vote on what this web site says. I would suggest you be a little more responsible than that by checking to make sure the candidate you like most from this site really does line up with the issues you choose. ("Trust, but verify.")

So -- what do you think? How lazy do you think that Americans are today, when it comes to voting? Are young voters any more or less lazy? Is it good to have these Web sites out there to do the legwork for you? Or is it a downfall of how lazy we have become that some people could actually rely on a questionnaire to choose our next president?

By the way -- don't forget to go vote today (or Saturday for us Louisiana folks!) After all, you've already done the hard work of 'researching' the candidates, right?

That rockin’ young vote

2008-02-04T11:18:00.000-06:00

Early primaries and caucuses have come and gone and nationwide political attention has now shifted to Super Tuesday.

Twenty-two states will hold primaries tomorrow and candidates are heavy into their final push for support. There are 1,023 delegates up for grabs for the Republicans and 1,681 delegates up for grabs for the Democrats.

The talk this election year about young voters and the impact that they have started early-on in 2007 — and rightfully so. The importance of presidential elections and the issues that face the country and the world are, now more than ever, of great importance to all voters.

According to the Youth Vote Coalition, 51.6 percent of people age 18-30 are registered to vote. In the 2004 presidential election, turnout among voters age 18-29 jumped nine percentage points, or 4.3 million voters, over 2000, according to Young Voter Strategies.

We know what many of the national hot-button issues are, but as a newcomer to the area, I want to know what issues are of importance to young voters in the Shreveport-Bossier area - both national and local issues?

What matters most to you and why?

Trying something new

2008-01-27T21:53:00.000-06:00

No, I’m not into hockey. I can’t even really say that I’m into any sport. But for some reason I’ve been wanting to go to a Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs game.

I guess with the bar and club scene getting old and the allergy I have to actually playing a sport, I’ve been looking for some new things to do.

I briefly mentioned my curiosity about the local team and the hockey game experience to the boyfriend so he got us some tickets for Saturday’s game.

Being the girl that I am I wondered what to wear, if it would be too cold and if I’d be able to keep up with the game.

Yea, none of that mattered.

I won’t say I’m a hockey fan now, but I really did enjoy the experience.

I liked throwing the plastic mudbugs on the ice the two times the team scored and I enjoyed my wimpy attempts at landing a puck on a tiny, circular mat in the middle of the rink during halftime.

The chants and screams of hatred from true hockey fans really amused me and made me wish I could get that passionate about any team.

(Shouts out to Eric Benbrooks whose enthusiasm and heckling kept me laughing through the entire game. Lol.)

Next up: A Battlewings game.

Before you sex text...

2008-01-24T23:24:00.000-06:00

Look, I’m not here to judge anyone and what they do in their personal lives, as long as it’s legal.
I mean, if extramarital affairs is your thing, hey, do you. (Just don’t even think about trying it with me!)

But, in this world of high technology, let the case of Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick be lesson to all of us cell phone users:

If you’re gonna cheat and attempt to keep it on the down low, think before you text (Or at least use code words, for goodness sake!) because you never know when those sneaky, sexy text messages you thought were just between you and your er.. umm… cohort (or any text message for that matter) will come back to haunt you.

Through the years...

2008-01-24T21:07:00.000-06:00

Last week, I gathered with many other fabulous women of all ages at Jayne Marie’s to celebrate the centennial anniversary of our sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since I pledged at Dillard University.(Yes, that's me nearly 10 years ago in the pic below.) Those days were filled with hard work, lifelong friendships and lots of fun.

And when you can stick around for 100 years, it’s just cause to celebrate, especially when it’s the first and oldest sorority founded for black women.
So, let me take a moment to send out a few birthday wishes to my lovely sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority: Happy 100 years. Happy 70 years to the Dillard University chapter and happy 10 years to my line sisters. Skee-wee my sorors.

Peace, poverty and beautification projects

2008-01-21T17:05:00.000-06:00

I don't mean to be cynical but I have to ask this question: when did Martin Luther King, Jr. become the poster child for cleaning up the parks and streets of Shreveport?

On the day the nation has chosen to honor the slain civil rights leader, many of the city's happenings were beautification projects. That's a good thing, but why do we need to wait until MLK Day to do a mass, city-wide cleaning project? Couldn't we have done this on Friday? Or even next Thursday? Why today?

I suppose he'd like for Shreveport to be beautiful.

I get King being associated with non-violence and justice. Or education and prayer. And eliminating poverty for all.

But picking up trash?

I'm thinking that may be a stretch.

I found this story today and I think it's interesting.

Tell us what you think.

Don't forget the dream...

2008-01-21T16:51:00.000-06:00

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day everyone. It's been 45 years since this famous speech, but the hope of King's dream still lives on...

Sadly, even 45 years later, that dream still isn't fully realized. The irony of one particular event today especially hits home.

Thoughts anyone?

Presidents and Books

2008-01-17T15:23:00.000-06:00

Presidential elections are pretty serious business.

And so is checking out a library book from the Shreve Memorial Library system, apparently.

Since many of the new Times' staffers are Shreveport transplants, we have to go through the trouble of getting new licenses, library cards, voter registration cards and other life necessities.

Last week my co-worker Velda Hunter and I went to register to vote in Caddo parish. We were out in five minutes--maybe less. All we needed was a form of picture identification and some proof that we actually lived in the parish: a checkbook, recent bill or updated drivers license would do.

I suggested we walk to the downtown branch of Shreve Memorial Library to get new library cards. I figued it would be a snap.

I was wrong.

I needed identification and two other pieces of mail that said I lived in the parish. My Tennessee license and check stub and online bank statement were not enough, though they were at the registrar's office.

Come back when you have something mailed to your address, the woman at the desk told us.

We tried to protest. We said we had just come from registering to vote. We even said we loved to read books. Did we need to use the computer? We could have gotten a guest pass for that.

No! We don't need computers. Both of us have two computers for work and one in our homes. What we needed was a library card, but the woman was having none of it.

I can register to elect a new president but I can't check out a library book.

Gee whiz.

I guess kudos are in order to the lady in the library who followed the rules.

Til death do they part...

2008-01-14T15:13:00.000-06:00

As much of a pop cult junkie as I am, even I’m really getting tired of all these dizzy, self-destructive Hollywood starlets hogging the spotlight and headlines in the midst of real news going on in the world, like, I don’t know, the upcoming presidential elections.

I mean, the way Britney Spears’ life has played out over the past couple of months, better yet, weeks, it’s pretty obvious that she’s on the Anna Nicole plan…

Well, it’s obvious enough to some folks so much so that I was shocked to hear about a web site that’s actually asking folks to bet on when her date with death would be. And it turns out there’s a prize if you guess the right date – a free PS3 player! They even let you leave "early condolences" for her.

I tried to browse the site a little bit, just to see if this was for real or some kinda sick joke, but the whole thing just creeped me out. Come to find out they also have such a site for Amy Winehouse who’s better known these days as half of the British version of Bobby and Whitney instead of the awesome songstress that she is (Ok, yes, I’m a fan…)

I mean that’s GOTTA be a wake up call when folks are counting down the days to your death.
Am I the only one who thinks this is sick, or are you placing your bets?

It's officially LSU day

2008-01-09T16:02:00.000-06:00

Yes, we are still celebrating.

I went to New Orleans to watch the BCS National Championship game, but I didn't have a ticket. I never made it into the Superdome.

Some people, including several who love me, think I am crazy.

I made an effort during the season not to get too blog happy with what some call my LSU football-related shenanigans. But I don't really consider it nonsense.

Some friends and family members couldn't understand why I would drive for hours late at night to make it to Baton Rouge or through the night to Alabama for an away game. One night I went without sleep. Another I slept in a tent in a mall parking lot. Then there was an apartment floor. The most comfortable spot probably was my pal's recliner in exotic Jackson, Miss. Of course, I had to startle said pal awake at 3 or 4 a.m., since he thought I wasn't coming when the arrival didn't happen at a decent hour.

I jogged with a buddy up a winding Tiger Stadium ramp to make it to my nosebleed seat for the Arkansas game in time to hear a player and close family friend recognized on senior day. Fortunately the defensive end was near near the bottom of the alphabetical list of honorees. Between coughs in the chilly November air (since my cross country runner buddy overestimated my fitness), I shouted with glee when they called out the name Zehyoue.

Tuesday I had to make a bleary-eyed, six-hour drive from New Orleans to Shreveport to make it back to work after the big win. But even though the dang BCS didn't shower favor upon me me in the form of a reporter's golden ticket -- the press pass -- Monday night was proof that all my fanatical effort was worth it.

Some fellow Tiger fans and I joked Monday that the BCS National Championship should mean a statewide holiday. (Who was really working anyway?) Yes, it is only a game. But only being a game is what makes it magic. Magic enough to spill onto Poydras and down Carondolet to Mother Clucker's wings where I watched the game, and up to Shreveport and everywhere between.

In a state that is last on a lot of bad lists, where crime is a major problem and children can't finish school, a little magic goes a long way. We are No. 1 at something.

Even converted Tech graduates like my dad can appreciate it. LSU football unites. We may not be able to agree on who the next president should be or what makes good foreign policy. We can't get New Orleans rebuilt or I-49 north finished fast enough. (And by we, I'm not just talking about father and son here.)

When the Tigers play, we all act like a family. Being national champions was enough for Gov. Blanco to declare today as LSU Day. Here's part of her prepared statement:

"They have faced adversity, doubt and criticism from their foes, but their talent and tenacity have proven without question that they are the best team in the country. I encourage fans to join me in celebrating LSU Day by wearing purple and gold to show their pride in our Fighting Tigers!"

So let's band together... and point at people from Ohio and make them feel like they're last in line.

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves

2008-01-08T16:45:00.000-06:00

Ahhh, the start of a new year. Everyone’s excited about things to come. Some are happy to leave 2007 behind.

In the spirit of all that is new, I think this would be a good time to welcome some new folks who have started to stop by, read posts and vote in the weekly polls. Welcome, and we hope you enjoy your time here!

I also think this may be the time to introduce ourselves to those newcomers and reintroduce ourselves to those that have been with us from the beginning.

From our very first post:

Basically we’re a bunch of 20- and 30-somethings who happen to be journalists at The Times, living in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.
You’ve probably seen us out and about, or talked to us, and, if we’re lucky, you might have even read at least one of our stories.
Well, what you may not know about us is that we’re a very opinionated bunch with a wide range of ideas, beliefs and perceptions of the world around us.And more times than not, we’re very vocal about those opinions and views among each other.
In fact, our discussions have played out a many of times over everything from newsroom chats to lunch and dinner debates. But at the end of the day, we’re just normal folks like everyone else, trying to figure out our way through this maze called life.
So we’ve decided to open up and share those experiences, thoughts, observations and perceptions with you all.

We talk about a little bit of everything on here. From the serious to the silly, from the controversial to the crazy, we comment on it all. It’s a mix of news from our personal lives and news from local, national and global levels.

And to clear up a point that seems to get confused in a lot of the comments left on posts: there is a difference between blogging and reporting. Think of blog posts as opinion pieces and news reports as unbiased presentations of what happened. We blog here, we don’t report.

Basically, if we’re thinking it or experiencing it, we’re blogging about it. Everything we write is personal to us, making this a place of personal thought, reflection and plain old fashion sharing.

Not everything is meant to be news and what we write here, you most likely won’t find in the pages of our employer. And that’s the point.

Like all situations in life, we realize we can’t please everybody all of the time. But we hope you’re finding something you like that brings you back and we enjoy the dialogue generated from some posts. But a little understanding on each of our parts goes a long way, I think.

So, Happy New Year, welcome, welcome back, and it’s a pleasure to meet you!

Link222 bloggers

Which presidential candidate would you drink a beer with?

2008-01-03T19:18:00.001-06:00

I was just surfing the net for some news on the Iowa caucuses when I came across a Washington Post column on a cute Web site asking folks which presidential candidate they'd rather sit down and drink a beer with.

Whodoyouwanttohaveabeerwith.com is a hosted by the National Beer Wholesalers Association and, so far, has Barack Obama ahead of the 15 other candidates with 22 percent.

Ron Paul is the next best beer drinking pal with 15 percent.

So, which hopeful would you choose and why?

Moving on

2007-12-26T19:27:00.000-06:00

Since I moved to Louisiana, several interesting things have happened to me.

My mail kept getting returned to the sender because my apartment complex didn't put a lock on my mailbox for a month after I'd moved in.

The deposit check and application fee I spent $16.53 to overnight to my new landlords never made it there.

Half of the towels I owned were stolen from my complex's laundry facility after I walked back to my apartment to get a coke.

My neighbor leaves me love letters on my car.

Another neighbor leaves chicken bones on the walkway we share with two other tenents.

And I'm not allowed to sit in my computer chair on the patio. I'm told computer chairs are not acceptable patio furniture.

Friday marks the end of all that confusion. I plan to start the new year with a new apartment.

What are your plans for 2008?

For Christmas, some happy stories

2007-12-25T20:05:00.001-06:00

Since we journalists are known for spreading doom and gloom, I thought MSNBC's list of 10 happy stories was kind of cool.

As one of the reporters who helps put out arguably some of the most negative stories (I usually write about crime), I can see the value of lighter fare. So check out the lists, where you will read about twin moms giving birth to children on the same day, a stolen wallet turning up decades later and a man waking from a coma after 19 years.

Merry Christmas... and will it all be sad tomorrow?

Reality television

2007-12-20T17:24:00.000-06:00

Is there no limit to what they’ll put on T.V.?

I will admit, I’m a reality television fan. But this morning I turned on the television to find that R&B singer Mario has a documentary on MTV called, “I Won’t Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom,” and was a little disappointed.

Apparently, Mario lets the cameras roll as he confronts his mom about her heroin addiction, checks her into rehab and works to keep her sober.

I mean, I watch a little bit of everything in the unscripted genre nowadays. America’s Next Top Model, Project Runway and even I Love New York (yes, I’m ashamed), but I was sad to see Mario pimping out this very personal situation.

I then started wondering how this show came about. Did someone from Mario’s camp call MTV and pitch the idea? Or did someone with MTV hear of Mario’s troubles and pitch the idea to him?

Let's imagine someone decides to hold an intervention for you. Not only is overwhelming that these people that know and love you are begging you to get help and change your ways but SURPRISE!...sitting next to your crying, pleading loved one is an unknown man holding a camera, preparing to broadcast your pain and embarrassment to the entire world.

Some could say that all reality shows exploit someone – the weak, the sick, the unintelligent – but I really felt like Mario’s situation was one that should have been handled privately.

With all of the reality shows these days, I keep wondering what they’ll air next.

I almost feel like there's no such thing as reality television anymore because these participants are becoming more and more like actors, playing the roles established by some of the original shows - i.e. the mean girl, the smart girl/guy, the extra religious girl/guy.

Do ya’ll think reality television has gotten out of hand or is it just a sign of what viewers want to see?

(And so I don’t feel so ashamed, what are some of your favorite reality shows? Or better yet, what are some of the more ridiculous ones you’ve seen?)

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

“Passing the Cheer”

2007-12-19T16:51:00.000-06:00

So, I got a free cup of Joe, today. Really. The guy in the vehicle in front of me at Starbuck’s paid for my drink, and the lady at the window told me she “I guess they’re doing some sort of thing.”

Some sort of thing? Maybe it’s called “Passing the Cheer,” like the cup sleeve says. I remember this happened on Oprah once, but this had never happened to me before this morning.

So I handed my debit card out the window to her and told her I’d like to pay for the next order. She said “the next order is two drinks” and she told me what they were and that the total came to $5 and some change.

Her supervisor or another coworker, over her shoulder, told her just to offer for someone to pay for one drink rather than the full order behind them.

“That’s how it stops, usually,” she said. “One person behind someone will have 8 orders of coffee and the person doesn’t want to buy that many drinks.”

Okay. That makes sense. Depending on my sensations of holiday joy and giving, I may or may not want to pay for 8 other people’s cups of coffee.

Then I got selfish. I thought, "what if someone doesn’t have somebody behind in line? Like the last guy at the end of the line?" I guess he would get a free cup of Joe but not have anyone else to buy for. Well, I guess it's then his choice as to how he chooses to further, “Pass the cheer.”

So, ‘tis the season for giving, even among strangers in line at the local Starbuck’s drive-through.

Notable quotables for 2007

2007-12-19T15:56:00.000-06:00

I didn't pick 'em, but I have to say Mr. Shapiro did a right nice job. Following are some of the most mocked, banned, hilarious and telling comments from this year.

The 10 most memorable quotes of 2007, according to Fred R. Shapiro, editor of the Yale Book of Quotations:

1. "Don't tase me, bro." — Andrew Meyer, a senior at the University of Florida, while being hauled away by campus police during a speech by Sen. John Kerry.

I've heard this one called out at ball games, parties and bars as a joke, and it's been seriously discussed in our newsroom and in personal phone calls with my friends throughout the country.

2. "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us." — Lauren Upton, South Carolina contestant in the Miss Teen USA contest, when asked why one-fifth of Americans cannot find the U.S on a map.

You can't help but feel sorry for her.

3. "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country." — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking at Columbia University in New York.

This is shocking and believable all at once.

4. "That's some nappy-headed hos there." — radio personality Don Imus, referring to the Rutgers University women's basketball team.

An oft-blogged quote on this blog. He's back at work now.

5. "I don't recall." — former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' repeated response to congressional questions about the firing of U.S. attorneys.

Haven't we heard this from accused criminals in local courts?

6. "There's only three things he (Rudolph Giuliani) mentions in a sentence: a noun and a verb and 9/11." — Sen. Joseph Biden, speaking during a debate for Democratic presidential candidates.

Dang. That's funny and hurtful at the same time.

7. "I'm not going to get into a name-calling match with somebody who has a 9 percent approval rating." — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, referring to Vice President Dick Cheney.

BURN!

8. "(I have) a wide stance when going to the bathroom." — Sen. Larry Craig, explaining why his foot touched the foot of an undercover police officer in an airport men's room.

Dirty mental image. No matter what was really going on.

9. "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man." — Sen. Joseph Biden referring to rival Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

Biden makes the list twice? We'll see if no publicity is bad publicity.

10. "I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history." — Former President Jimmy Carter, referring to the Bush administration.

Strong stuff.

Anybody got some quotations that didn't make the cut?

(This list comes courtesy of the Associated Press and Reuters.)

Reducing hunger, building vocabulary

2007-12-17T15:49:00.000-06:00

It's the week before Christmas, when charities are sending out more requests for help and you probably don't feel like working. Alleviate both issues with this website freerice.com.

I heard about it on NPR this morning and I've already killed a few too many minutes doing "research." (The highest level I've made it to so far is 41 out of 50.) The website is set up as a vocabulary quiz. For every question you get right, they donate 20 grains of rice to a UN World Food Program. Have fun.

Ode to John Legend, Verse 1

2007-12-17T11:03:00.000-06:00

There’s no better way to make a holiday Scrooge-ette, i.e. me, smile during the holiday season like a concert performance by John Legend.

Most folks who know me know of my endless love for John Legend. When he first hit the mainstream music scene in 2005, that’s all I talked about, that’s all I was listening to. Period. I mean his CD “Get Lifted” stayed in my CD player for a solid year and six months. Even my editors and co-workers witnessed it because I had him on my computer screen wallpaper for just about a year as well. I was in love, and not so much with his aesthetic good looks, but with his artistry.

Before the hating and “clownation” begins, I must give this disclaimer: NO, I’m NOT a groupie. I just think John Legend’s music and his voice are like a beautiful breath of a fresh air that makes me swoon like I’m a teenager or something…(Ok, maybe that sounds slightly groupie-ish…)
I’ve had the pleasure of inhaling that cool breeze in person at two previous live shows (I even met him once! But that’s for another post…) And I got a chance to inhale it again last night when I saw his performance on TV One, in which he also introduced his new label Home School Records.

And just when I thought my love was dying for the man (I mean, is it me, or did he just kinda fade off the scene after his last album, “Once Again”?) I watched this show last night "Get Together with John Legend" and fell in love all over again.

Thanks to a text message from my friend and columnist Monica Carter Tagore, I tuned in just in time to catch him in action. And then, of course, I instantly text messaged all of my fellow friends who are John Legend fans.

It was pretty interesting, especially when he introduced a new artist who happens to be his little brother Vaughn Anthony. (Their vocal similarity is almost eery.)

Anyway, I should stop here before my friends, particularly my hating guy friends, clown me yet again for my latest ode to Johnny boy. However, if you’re a John Legend aficionado and you missed this show, catch it again Thursday at 9 p.m. CST on TV One. It’s a cool pre-holiday treat.

It takes a connection

2007-12-06T00:20:00.001-06:00

Sometimes it seems like human brainwaves connect in ways I just never expected.

This week Ashley and I am some other Times staffers are volunteering at Shreveport’s Cherokee Park Elementary with the Junior Achievement organization. Each grade level learns something about free enterprise.

I am teaching fourth graders. The first day I was really concerned that having these students get a grip on revenues, expenses and capital resources might be kind of tough. But after today, I feel a lot better.

We were talking about economies, and the word interdependence came up. When I asked the class to define the word, I got blank stares. So I asked if anyone knew what independence meant.

“It’s what those guys signed.” One student said. I was happy the young man knew a little about the Declaration of Independence, but recognizing a word is not quite understanding.

Then I hear a little singing on another side of the room. The teacher, who stays in the room to help with any disciplinary needs, laughed and asked if I heard the song. I said no and asked the girl to sing it louder.

And she did: “I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T. Do you know what that mean? She got her own house. She got her own car…”

I couldn’t let her sing alone, so I leaned and rocked a little bit to uncontrollable laughter. (I didn't join in on the vocals, however.)

The song is “Indepdent” by Webbie featuring Lil Boosie & Lil Phat.

All the lyrics are not necessarily appropriate for fourth graders to sing in class. But at that moment I was just so happy that there was a connection. Fourth graders throughout the room started saying independent means standing alone. Not needing anyone. And from there, we moved on to interdependence’s opposite meaning and how many businesses need each other to thrive.

I couldn’t have planned that if I tried. And if I had, I don’t think it would’ve worked out as well. We got some good laughs, but more importantly, we had an understanding today in Ms. Thomas’ room.

Like the rest of us, Taylor was a victim

2007-11-29T23:22:00.000-06:00

On the last night of his life, NFL star Sean Taylor settled in for a night of sleep in his suburban Miami home with his longtime girlfriend and his 18-month-old daughter.

Does that sound like someone who had it coming? Does that seem like a particularly wild night for a so-called thug? I would imagine not, because nearly all of us do the same thing, with some slight variations.

None of us are promised anything, even something as simple as taking another unaided breath in the morning.

It seems that some of us have forgotten that. I'll link to this column by FOXsports.com's Jason Whitlock as proof. I'm only picking on J-Dub this time because his piece generated the most conversation in our newsroom Thursday.

Now don't get me wrong: I have lots of respect for Whitlock, a second-wave pioneer in sports journalism and one of the most provocative media voices in the nation today. If, at the end of my career, I had a tenth of his juice in the news industry, I'd be certifiably big-headed (some folks may already believe this).

But to use Taylor's death as an example of some sort of epidemic, the so-called "black-on-black crime" problem, is another example of shallow analysis, anti-intellectualism and beating the same old drum.

The simple fact is that people usually commit crimes against the people closest to them and for a number of socioeconomic reasons too complicated to get into here, many neighborhoods wind up racially segregated. So, black people often kill black people in the way that white people often kill white people and brown people often kill brown people - but when has anyone ever heard the term "white-on-white crime"?

I would never minimize the problem of crime and its terrible effects on mostly poor and brown folks, but that's got little to nothing to do with why Taylor is dead today.

Another tired tactic is blaming hip-hop for many of the ills of society. Whitlock refers to this mythical "Black KKK," demonizing an entire, diverse and pioneering culture for yet another senseless death. It's a pretty large leap to connect those sort of dots - what does Talib Kweli or Wordsworth or Kanye have to do with a murder that Miami-Dade police have thus far considered to be a random tragedy? If Whitlock doesn't have rap music on his iPod, that's his prerogative. I get it, he doesn't like hip hop. But don't lie to folks by telling them Soulja Boy had something to do with Taylor's death when, as far as I know, Tony Soprano gets off the hook.

In the end, we're all vulnerable, weak, exposed human beings. Taylor indeed had a few rodeos with the legal system in the past but when he settled in for a night of sleep with his family Sunday night, he was like the rest of us. A potential victim.

And music has nothing to do with that.

It starts at home

2007-11-28T16:49:00.000-06:00

I’m not a big football fan, but the news of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor’s murder shocked and saddened me.

After reading about 24-year-old Taylor’s death yesterday and the toddler he left behind, I read today about the death of LaTora Wiley,16, and the 25-year-old man accused in her death.

The seemingly senseless taking of lives is insane and seems to be getting out of control, especially with the younger sector of the population.

What can be done to stop all of these murders of people not even old enough to fulfill the dreams they’re still in the process of dreaming about?

I think most of us look to our elected officials and law enforcement, but I think the solution may lie on a much more local and manageable level.

It starts at home, with the family. I really feel that instead of hollering about the mayor or the police department’s handling of crime, families of young offenders should be held responsible. They can get to their children way before the police do, way before they even pick up that gun, knife, baseball bat, or whatever their weapon of choice is.

I know there are exceptions. There is no sure-fire way that will keep kids from attacking/killing each other in every case. In some instances there may be parents that do all they can to raise moral, law abiding kids but things happen anyway.

From there, it goes to the community. If you’ve got the time, patience and resources, why not volunteer with underprivileged or troubled youth in the city. I know sometimes it seems far fetched to think that we can make a difference, maybe change the path of another human being, but it’s been done. I mean, look at it this way, being a mentor to someone who doesn’t have it at home could save someone else's life – be it the potential offender or victim.

Before I start getting all of the negative feedback and folks start to think I’m crazy, let me just say I’m not saying that my suggestions are going to heal the world, make it a better place. It’s just one part of a solution that will need everybody’s input.

And while some people shake their head, mumbling, “That’ll never work,” I challenge you to spend more time coming up with helpful ideas than shooting everyone else’s ideas down.

I know what I’m saying is nothing new. There are volunteers and parents out there everyday doing exactly what I’m talking about. Much gratitude to those people for spending their time doing work many of us don’t even think about doing.

OK, I'll step down off my soapbox now, but would like to hear your thoughts.

Is a recession on the horizon?

2007-11-26T17:17:00.000-06:00

I'm worried.

I feel like every time I open a newspaper or Web page the country's financial health is examined. And for good reason I suppose.

From CNNMoney.com:

"After years of living happily beyond their means, Americans are finally facing financial reality. A persistent rise in energy prices will mean bigger heating bills this winter and heftier tabs at the gas pump. Job growth is slowing and wage gains have been anemic. House prices are sliding, diminishing the value of the asset that's the biggest factor in Americans' personal wealth. Even the stock market, which has been resilient for so long in the face of eroding consumer sentiment, has begun pulling back amid signs of deep distress in the financial sector."
(Read the full story here.)

Man, doom and gloom, huh?

I'm trying to figure out what I need to do. I've adjusted my attitude and don't even get alarmed anymore when gas prices creep toward $3. However, I DO get mad every time I go to buy a gallon of milk and it costs more than that gallon of gas.
The price of living has, and continues, to skyrocket.

I'm reading more and more stuff about a possible recession (though that threat always seems to be in the air) and I'm wondering what's about to happen. How hard will times get? What has to happen - initiated by either consumers or producers - to make things better? Is the country's financial situation the consumer's fault? Is the media just making too much of this?

What do you guys think? What does the future look like in your minds?