Went to a music festival here in town yesterday, a big celebration of area musicians. It was one of those things where you have to sit directly in front of whoever you’re listening to, in order to avoid hearing 8 other bands at the same time. About a hundred performers ranging from crazy impressive to […]
September 21, 2011
Your Handy, Informative “Falling-Satellite Survival Guide”
As you may have heard, the UARS satellite, first put in orbit in 1991, will be coming out of orbit on Friday. The satellite, which weighs 6.5 tons and is about the size of a school bus, will burn up on re-entry… mostly. NASA scientists speculate that approximately 26 pieces of debris will survive re-entry […]
September 18, 2011
So You Want To Be A Stand-Up Comedian…
As some of my readers know, for several years I was a professional stand-up comic (there’s a little more detail on the Author Page). Well, yesterday, a young, aspiring comic climbed the distant mountain where I sit, contemplating the higher dimensions of humor, to ask my advice. I kind of laughed (in a sagely, slightly […]
September 15, 2011
Rescuing Han
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… right around the end of The Empire Strikes Back… Luke: Leia, Chewie, C3P0, R2D2, Lando, thanks for meeting. Okay, it’s been a rough couple months, I know we’re all pretty shaken. C3P0 got blown to bits, Han’s frozen in carbonite— Chebacca: Graawwnk! Luke: I know, […]
September 12, 2011
The Running of the Artists
So, I ran my first 10k race yesterday. Yes, I know – “Ooh, a whole 10 kilometers? Well, you just rest those rocket launchers there, Mr. Prefontaine, while I dial the Guinness people for you.” But it was the first one I’ve done, and only the second race I’ve ever been in. So it was […]
September 8, 2011
My Favorite Google Searches
As anyone who composes a blog discovers, one of the little joys is seeing the Google searches that lead people to your site. Sometimes it’s just kind of nice (“Wow, they looked specifically for me!”), sometimes it’s illuminating (“Wow, a lot of people want pictures of balloons”), sometimes it makes you shake your head (“Wow, […]
September 5, 2011
Any Sign is a Relief If You’re Lost
Yesterday was a day for a couple good omens, which it seems like everyone could use right now. One good omen involves some friends of ours who may be coming to the end of a very dark period in their lives. The other was that my garage is clean. One is possibly a bigger positive […]
September 1, 2011
Welcome Back, Teachers!
Dear Teachers, Welcome back, staff of Lakeshore High! I hope you had a terrific summer and that you’re excited for another great year! Remember how important your job is, and that our community respects and appreciates what you do here. Some of you may be feeling discouraged after last week’s “Teachers are Lazy, Inept, Leeches […]
The Byronic Man 
September 25, 2011
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