More History Being Lost & One Solution

WTHR (Channel 13) Indianapolis ran a story tonight about how historic Shelby County (IN) records are being lost. (See the video, here. NOTE: I had to manipulate the link a little, because when I tried the full on, it gave me the "yellow bar" at the top of the browser, and immediately "turned it off", showing their home page. Even THIS link will give you the warning (but will stop, allowing you the CHANCE to allow popups. If you do not allow popups, it will tell you. Just temporarily allow them for this.)

The Shelbyville News carried the story, yesterday, apparently related to story on the building, "Shelby Manor" (aka the "County Home" - "For nearly 160 years, Shelby County's 'poor farm' or 'county asylum'") and its deteriorating condition. The roof has caved in in at least one spot, and water leaks from the roof to the ground floor in others.

County records are stored there, some in boxes, and many old ledger books, some dating to the 1800s, are simply stacked haphazardly, in various rooms, some covered with mold and mildew.

I'm absolutely positive that Shelby County is not the only local government (including various towns, cities, townships, etc.) or old business (funeral homes or cemeteries, included) with old records stored in extremely unstable environments. Simply keeping them in courthouses is no guarantee of protection. Look at all the historical records lost in New Orleans and in various other floods (think about all the records lost in the major flooding along the Mississippi a few years back) and fires. I already talked about one of the most recent in History, both Local and Family, lost (October 9, 2006 post).

Apparently, plans are being made to purchase a house near the courthouse annex, and move all the records there. However, there are boxes stacked floor-to-ceiling in offices in the basement of the annex. Sounds to me like nothing's organized, and it will take years to clean, restore, preserve, organize and store them correctly.

The problem is, government budgets for preservation and restoration of historic documents, buildings, etc. are continually being cut. The money is then used, sometimes for valid purposes, sometimes for "pork". Please note: I am not, in any way, saying that the latter is the problem in Shelbyville, I don't know. It's just that I've seen and heard about so many government agency budgets being cut, then heard about strange programs suddenly getting much more money than was originally budgetted.

"Ah... It's just old stuff... Who cares?" I expect to hear this from almost anyone under 20, but as you get older, you do start becoming interested in history. If you destroy it when you are young, you will NOT have it when you really want to look into it. And, even if YOU are not interested in it, there are millions of people who ARE. And there will be millions more people interested in the future. Those who make "fun" by going around, defacing and knocking down gravestones, are no better (and those who destroy records on purpose are no better than them.)

Besides, it's our state's (and with all combined, our country's) history. And, for the individuals, it's our FAMILY's history. It can be used to trace from where a family came, where they went, who married who, who divorced who, who was named in wills, who owned property, who went to jail for what, who died of what and when, names, dates, locations, jobs, etc. Demographics can be generated for each location for state historians and others, allowing for spotting of trends. (This type of statistic is how they figure out what item carries E-coli from an individual Taco-Bell... Everyone who got sick at SOMETHING that caused it...)

No... It's not the family stories every family has, but it's the proof that those stories are real.

What can be done? I guess it's time to share an idea I've had for the past few years, but not known of any way to implement it. Maybe some of these records can be saved for posterity.

A foundation or organization should be created (or a division of an existing one) that is fully-funded. If started by the government, no budget for it should ever be cut. Donations by organizations and individuals should be made possible. The idea is to make it self-sufficient. How? Read on.

Personally, I feel that these records MUST be digitized. While every library has a micro-fiche reader, many of these are very old, and I believe that optical devices should be used. (CDs, DVDs, even high-capacity hard-drives.)

There are book-cradle copiers/scanners, that will allow copying/scanning of the pages of the old books and ledgers without destroying the bindings. Recent loose documents should fit in a more normal scanner. A "mergable" text database, with the standard text being master field records and the written information (where the underlines show what needs entered) being detail record fields, needs to be created for each type of record. The images should then be linked to each detail record. These detail records may then be printed in reports using various appropriate sorts. All of this information can be stored on optical storage devices (CD/DVD/etc.) or removable hard-drives. Copies should be made, and sent to various libraries and historical museums, at least state-wide. As new records are created, they should be digitized in much the same way.

For even larger documents (plot maps, etc.), a large-format scanner should be employed. The scan could then be stored as a more "normal"-sized page, and/or "broken up" into smaller, more manageable pieces and stored. In these cases, the index numbers/letters on the maps, and the actual plot numbers (and associated names) could be put into a database. And plot books (when I sold insurance on a debit route, these were generated yearly, and banks, title offices, and county offices usually GAVE copies of them away... They're probably all sold, now...) should be digitized. (Old and current.)

Doing this could make all records (especially the text databases and low-resolution copies of the images) available on the internet. The individual optical records may also be sold by the libraries/museums, or even the governments or businesses themselves.

For privacy advocates, remember that all of these records that I'm talking about are "public record". Anyone could/should currently be able to go to the courthouse and look up the information there. Anything considered more sensitive (prosecution records - also stored at the Shelby Manor, and other such items) would be secured for the standard 70 or so years.

Something to think about: With online phone books, numerous public record search firms, etc., I don't know why the census records are so sensitive, except for showing family income, which could technically be blurred! Ancestry only shows indexes and images those from 1930 and before, though they have many states that allow marriage, birth and death records, to well-past 2000. And Social Security Death Indexes are pretty current.)

As for the books and actual records, once the data has been digitized? They should be donated to the state museum. A copy of (or master of) the digitized data should be, too. If they don't want them, a secure warehouse, centrally located to the state, should be built, climate controlled, fireproofed (no water sprinklers - halon or better), and guarded 24/7. This should be where all the archival data in the state should be organized and stored. Sensitive data should be locked in a special vault. With the digitized records as a "card index", the location of each item could be found. The building should be open daily, and historians, genealogists and even interested general public should be able to use the computer to view the records in which they are interested. If the books are in too bad shape for the public to handle, maybe a reference librarian or two should be on-duty, too. Since digital copies of the records have already been made, there should be no reason for anyone to actually have to read the books, unless the scans have had problems, and this should have been taken care of when they were scanned.

Maybe someone from government, or in a position of money or power. will actually read this blog post, and consider something like the above. Maybe someone from the History Channel's "Save Our History" will.

I hope so... We are losing our history at an alarming rate. It MUST be remembered that our history doesn't just mean buildings and monuments, though they are important, too. (Does everyone know that the Ambassador Hotel, where RFK (Bobby) was assassinated, was demolished?)

If you're interested in something like this, or have a better idea, let me know.

Bill Sanders

Another Annoying Commercial & Voting

Ok... I'm sick and tired of the two General Insurance commercials we see fairly regularly on our local stations. If you haven't seen it, the commercial starts with ... a commercial ... more specifically, the end of a commercial, giving the number in a fast cadence: "Call 1-800-general NOW!" In one commercial, the guy is laying under his car, working on it, grabs the handy cordless phone laying by his side and calls. In the other, a cute girl is watching TV, picks up the phone, flips her long hair out of the way, and puts the phone to her ear. In both, they say they'd like to speak to "the general". The commercial goes on to describe some of the services offered, then a funky-looking animated general, driving a car toward the camera is displayed, and the phone number with cadence is repeated. Ok. so far, huh? Well, the in come the spouses. They both act somewhat suspicious, throwing their arms out, looking mad/disgusted/something like that, and say "[Honey] WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?" (the male spouse says "Honey".) The person on the phone looks and smiles at the spouse, saying "The General!"

Why is this annoying? One - the cadence. I understand that it makes the number unforgettable. But even Gieko (sp?) has mixed up their commercials - the caveman, the gecko, and I think I've see even a different approach. I don't remember any other commercial for "the General". Safe Auto doesn't do an R Lee Ermey ("Mail Call") to DEMAND we call. Maybe the animated General logo is to soften the approach. But the other reason, REALLY gets on my nerves. Two - the spouses' attitudes when they ask who their significant other is calling. As I said, they act like "WHAT are you doing on the phone? Talking to your girl/boy-friend?" GEEZE! If I asked my wife (or she, me) that way, I doubt either of us would just smile and say "the General", and I don't know anyone else who would. Why is it that we would find this appealing? YES, all concerned are handsome/pretty young men and women, but those ATTITUDES...

On another note, before the election this past Tuesday, November 7, 2006, I wrote a piece I sent to a couple of papers (no response). It's about Politics - "Who's "best" for the position, the party, America? The dynamics of political ads, IMHO," and called Politics - Politicos and Parties. After I voted, I came home, and wrote a piece describing my experience (sent to the editors local newspaper - "The Lebanon (IN) Reporter") called Handicapped Voting at the National Guard Armory in Lebanon, Indiana. Check them out.

TTYL -BS

Political Ads and Criminals Among Us

Political Ads

Have you noticed? It seems like the vast majority of the negative political ads are by the parties' national commitees. Sure, there are local ads where the opposing individuals approve the slamming commercials. (Heck... Indianapolis' prosecutor race is at least 90% negative.) And some of the things said...

People wonder where our kids are getting this type of attitude? Yes, the scoudrels on the TV shows we all watch can be "nasty", but we can always point out to our kids that they are not real people. But the nastiness in those pervasive political ads, which gets even worse around election day, has to take SOME of the blame. These are REAL people saying these things about each other. GEEZE!

One of our news channels also interviewed a few kids about them. They were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. A few said they'd thought about being a Mayor, Governor, etc., but they didn't think they'd ever want to run, because of the negative ads.

And the ads are one thing, but if the press should EVER find out about ANYTHING that person did when they were growing up... WATCH OUT!

Criminals Among Us

In Indiana, this week, a 16-year-old waitress was killed by a co-worker, who'd recently been let out of a Kansas prison for killing a 5-year-old, after spending 20+ years as a model prisoner. He had family in Indiana, and the paperwork was OK'd allowing him to move in with them, transferring his parole from Kansas to Indiana.

The story is that his truck broke down, she stopped to help, he "got a feeling", and strangled her to death, then stabbed her with a hunting knife to "make sure she was dead". He left her body in a field. An amber alert was issued the next morning, and the search was on. After a day or so, the police arrested him, apparently after he confessed and led them to the body. Of course, everyone is asking how this could happen? How could a child-killer (he also stabbed the child's mother, but she lived) be released from a Kansas prison, move to Indiana without the police knowing, live in a neighborhood where no one knew, and be free enough to kill again.

Well, my understanding is that when someone serves the minimum time for their crime (notice that most sentences are "10-25 years"? "25-life"? etc.?), they are eligible for parole. They go before a parole board to plead their case for release. Victims families are allowed to speak and/or send letters to the board, pleading against release. The parole board decides, based on testimony and their actions as a prisoner, and maybe they are released. (Everyone knows that CHARLES MANSON has been before the parole board a number of times, right? If you don't know who he is, search for his name.) From my understanding, normally release on parole is contingent on probation, where if they are caught doing anything against the law (I assume something like speeding is ok).

It's been very recently that those convicted of sex-crimes had to report to a registry, which everyone can view online, and see where they are living. If you don't notice, apparently, there's a time-period for their reporting. In other words, it appears that after they have reported for a length of time, and stayed out of trouble, they don't have to report any more.

Now, they are saying that the same type of registry should be created (why not the same one, so it's easier?) for "child killers". (I'm sure this will be expanded to include other violent crimes.)
Personally, I'd like to know. I know that I wouldn't do anything to them but watch them like a hawk. (Same with the sex-crime people.)

But what of those who have served their time, served their probation and are now actually "rehabilitated". I've seen cases where the criminal becomes an advocate. (Anyone else watch "It Takes a Thief" show on Discovery?) And there are many more former criminals (some sexual, some violent) who have turned around and become advocates. Of course, I'm not dumb enough to suggest that ANYONE but the ex-con themselves would KNOW that they are rehabilitated. And, I'm sure that Discovery and Allstate (who now sponser ITAT) realize that they are taking a chance. However, I'm also sure that the guys on the show also know that this is one of the very few chances they have to "ply their wares" and get away with it, by helping homeowners with their security.

What about all those former drug addicts? We glorify the stars who have "cleaned up their acts", even when they have relapses. Do we track them forever, too? How 'bout all those former hookers? Do we keep track of them, too? How 'bout the kids who commit crimes as kids, then have their files sealed when they reach a certain age? Should ALL of them have their files sealed? Should they be monitered? Who will pay for the manpower to do this? We are having problems keeping up with all of those who are arrested and NEED to be put in prison. (That's where the "early release" and/or "minimum sentencing" came from.)

Truth is, we never know most of our neighbors well enough to know whether they've ever been in prison for anything. (In this case, "jail" and "prison" are the same.)

Remember when we, as kids, had the "run of the neighborhood"? Neighbors actually WATCHED OUT for everyone's kid. Hillary's right about her quote of the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." Now-days, it's "It takes a neighborhood", "town", "city", etc. And it seems it's NEVER anyone's fault but the parents.

Hell, I rode a bike or WALKED a mile to school each day, from second grade through 10th, when I got a car. Oh, and home for lunch and back to school, 2nd-6th). We played outside all over the neighborhood. Mom just yelled out the door for us when it was time to come in. There was no (or very little) worry about child molestors, no worry about kidnappers, killers, drug dealers, gangs, etc. in our neighborhood. I don't remember ANY stories (and I read the paper) of kids being killed or abused (and we were SPANKED when we were bad). I'm sure it happened, but not in our town.

Our generation was probably the last who will see that freedom as kids.

Ok... I rambled off the subject for a second... How did it happen? He did everything he was supposed to do to get out before he died. (I know that the parents of the kid he killed years ago, and the parents of the kid killed recently will object.) He went through all the legalities and was allowed to move to Indiana. The cops say they didn't know he was in the area. And what would they have done differently if they did? There are too few cops to handle the traffic, special events, patrolling, etc. AND to watch every ex-con who moves to town. The one thing it's unsure of is if anything was done about psychiatric treatment that was recommended.

What would I do if it was my kid? I'd want to kill the bastard. Thank God it wasn't. And I'm praying for the victims and the families (both the victims' and the killer's) involved.

Something has happened to our society to produce these criminals. Part has to do with the fact that very few families can live on one salary, so both parents have to work. Part has to do with not being allowed to punish our kids physically (well short of abuse) without the fear of being arrested. (Remember the wooden spoon? the yard stick? the brush? Hell, I even got whacked in Jr High by the vice-principle. I had the fear of God in me that my parents would find out. Too busy, too permissive, too... Is TV to blame? Personally, I don't think so, but the shows the parents watch WITH the kids, without explaining about "special effects" is may be... How 'bout the video games getting more and more violent? Yes, I'm sure that doesn't help. Personally, we played the more "lame" games, and the kids killed MONSTERS, not other people, at least until they were 16 or more, and KNEW it was a game... Is it the fact we don't go to church near as much? That could be, too.

So anyone have a solution short of putting them all to death? (DNA has proved that some of those convicted of crimes weren't involved, even years later.) Are we getting ready for an "Escape from New York" scenario, where we wall off complete cities, and send all the criminals there? What happens when THAT fills up?

I have no clue how to end this... I just needed to ramble... about dumb questions, about how we are no longer as safe (read free) as we used to be... about other observations.

So, that's it, for now.

History, both Local and Family, lost

The Williamsport, Warren County, Indiana library burned, almost to the ground, last night (Sunday, October 8, 2006). It was four (4) years old. The fire was started in a dumpster and spread to the roof, where it ... "spread like wildfire" ... burning books, displays, shelves and historical documents indiscriminately. (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061009/LOCAL/610090436 and http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5514765, which just ran a story on the fire, much longer than what's shown, here.)

Being my family's "historian", and knowing that one part of the family came from Warren County, I'm sure that papers that would have been available, there, are no longer. And it was ARSON! (Why would anybody set a fire to a library? Just for "fun"? What kind of "fun" is this? You have devastated the library staff, patrons (daily, weekly, or even occassionally), children who visited for story-time and to check out books for themselves, townspeople, county officials, those who donated books and their family papers to the library, those who gladly paid (and even though who didn't) extra taxes and funds, for the building, and many others. Happy? (IDIOTS)

I hope this also points out to EVERYONE that there are assholes in our midsts that care nothing for education or local history. PLEASE be sure to keep an eye out (small towns through big cities) when travelling around your, or others', towns. If you see ANYTHING suspiscious, report it (call 911) IMMEDIATELY. This town just lost a new jewel. They plan on rebuilding, but there were many items lost that are irreplacable.

I also hope this points out to people, everywhere, that your historical records are just that close to being gone. With the advent of computers, money should be spent and time should be taken to at the very minimum scan every historical document (papers, pictures, books, etc.) you have into the computer. Then make copies and keep at least one "master copy" of them off-site. This includes every town/city with historical records in special rooms, stored in the basements (there HAVE been floods that have destroyed records), every courthouse and library (and whereever else they're stored), museum, etc. I have ideas about this, if anyone is interested.

This admonition also includes every family with old family documents, pictures, bibles with pages of listed family, etc. Think of all the people in New Orleans and elsewhere who have lost every picture, every document, everything, pertaining to their family. They have lost irreplacable items handed down from generation to generation. With off-site scans, they could be reproduced... Not the same as the "real thing", but better than nothing at all.

No matter how "safe" and "protected" you feel you are by sprinkler systems (water destroys records), Halon Systems, Security Systems, alarms of any type, watchmen, or whatever type of system you have, you are vulnerable to assholes. Just like those who send out computer viruses, trojan horses, adware, spyware, etc., that are only built to cause problems and destroy others' computers and records, they are out there. They could care less about "historical value", "business records", "personal records", etc. They exploit the smallest "hole" in the security. All they want to do is destroy.

Remember, that at one time, all of the federal census records were stored at Commerce Building in Washington. There was a fire:

[The 1890 Federal Census images and indexes on Ancestry.com] have been extracted from the remaining population schedules for the 1890 Federal Census, which was destroyed by a fire at the Commerce Department in Washington, DC on 10 January 1921. The surviving fragments consists of 1,233 pages or pieces, including enumerations for Alabama, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas. The records of only 6,160 of the 62,979,766 people enumerated survived the fire.

(Source: Ancestry.com, 1890 Census - http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=5445&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 - MY bolding - BS)

Even the Federal Government is vulnerable, and THEY should know better. Spend the money to scan all of our National records.

I've heard it said over and over that to know someone, you must learn their history. We learn from the past and mistakes made. If all the history is lost, how will we ever learn? Whether you are interested or not, others may be. (Many family historians are thought to be crazy by their families... They want every scrap of paper, copies of every picture, copies of various documents, etc. And many are "pack rats". It's necessary to PROVE someone was who they said they were, where they were, what they were, etc.) Although images (scans) are not the actual documents and, technically, can be "massaged" (think of all the fake pictures sent around in emails), they are better than nothing, and if the actual document is destroyed, they may be all we have.

Various organization are involved in a "Save Our History" campaign, tied in with the History Channel. Part of our "history" is the history of our families. When it's gone, it's gone.

Scan those records. Create databases. Back them up and save copies FAR AWAY and safe from damage, if something should happen to where the actual records are stored. ("In a fire safe" on the same site means nothing. Fires in these buildings can reach temperatures high enough, for long enough periods of time, to damage or destroy things in many of these safes.) It's worth it.

Bill Sanders

Sports, Politics, Etc.

Sports

We spent the day watching the Colts and NASCAR (two TVs going at the same time...) And I have a few observations:

Colts Win

The Indianapolis Colts beat the Tennessee Titans, 14-13. Why is it that everyone is making such a big deal of "the winless Titans" almost beating "the undefeated Colts"? On any given day, any NFL team, from the ones with the worst records to the ones with the best can win. This means that one team has to lose. Duh! Why can't anyone remember, in one of the Indianapolis Colts' worst seasons, in the 80s, (I always remembered it as the ONLY game they won, but they may have won a couple of others... Thought it was the Dolphins they beat, and they were after another undefeated season...), must have been in early-mid November, they beat a team that was undefeated to that point. (At least that's the way I remember it!) It can happen... And, as was proved last year, they can't "sit back" and "rest on their laurals(sp?), assuming they can beat teams having a tough time, and they can't "let the starters rest" in the final games of a season. They need to keep the momentum going for the finals. (I'll stop there... Don't wanna jinx anything!)

NASCAR

Talladega, October 8, 2006 - Dale Earnhardt Jr is leading in the last few laps. Jimmy Johnson and Brian Vickers (teammates) are directly behind, with Johnson waiting for the last (white flag) lap to get a run and try to pass Jr. The white flag falls... Johnson drops back to get the run, Vickers still behind him... They take off, Johnson drops below Jr, is about half-way past, and Vickers follows. But he was moving faster than Johnson by just that tick, taps Johnson's back end as he gets behind, which turns Johnson up into Jr's door, and wrecks them both. Vickers goes on to win.

My wife almost screamed out "He did that on purpose!", though you could see by the replays that it didn't appear to be so. She kept saying "Jr better be the winner!", though it was obvious that that was not going to be the case. Even Jr said nothing looked "purposeful" in the replay. Johnson, on the other hand, without seeing the replay, pretty much put the blame on Vickers, saying, without actually saying it, that he'd done it on purpose. I guess this will be up to NASCAR to figure out, but, again, it didn't happen at the finish line, so there's no way that Earnhardt or Johnson will be scored the winner.

Oh... Another "friendly arguement" I have with my wife has to do with certain other drivers. (I don't root for ONE driver... I root for a few, usually Stewart, Jr, and Jeff Gordon - probably because no one else likes him (I always like the underdog!)) What's strange is the illogic of TRUE NASCAR fans! (Apparently, I'm not one, because I see logic in a lot of places others don't.) Here's the point: If Jeff Gordon says anything in interviews about ANY favored driver (especially Jr!), my wife says he's whining. Where, if Jr says exactly the same thing about ANY other driver, he's NOT whining. What's the difference? Jr has a Southern accent, and Gordon's speech is nasally (therefore "whiney" to some). Hell, I even understand the fanaticism of race drivers.

I used to watch Wild World of Sports and loved the "Stock Car Races". I knew some of the drivers' names, and watched them go. I loved Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt (Sr), and others. Was I "fanatical" about it? No, but I did enjoy it, and usually decided sometime at the beginning of the race who I would root for. SOME fans, obviously, love THEIR drivers. I wish I could get that deep into it, but to me, it was just "fun". Now, it's even more "fun" to watch the race. My wife is a die-hard Earnhardt fan. She works nights, so tends to fall asleep during races, but if Jr's in the lead (or near) WATCH OUT!

The thing today? See, when Jeff (Gordon) went out of the race in a wreck (not caused by what he was complaining about), he said the "bump drafting" (where one car goes nose-to-tail with the car in front, literally "bumping" him forward, or raising the rear tires slightly off the pavement, where the lead car loses traction - sometimes causing a wreck, depending on where it happens), especially by JR (OMG!), which NASCAR said it was going to watch carefully, was really bad. My wife immediately goes "WAH! WAH WAH! Such a baby"... I kept trying to point out that if Jr said the same thing, she wouldn't have said that... She said "Jr never would"... BS! I've seen it with my own eyes! Everyone, but Jr, drives dirty, and everyone but Jr (and a few of the older drivers) is a baby! See the "logic" in this? I don't! GEEZE! (We were both grinning about the "arguements" we were making, so, no... no worries about that, but she was pretty adamant! LOL)

Politics

Oh, gawd! They're at it again... If you didn't know it, this is an election year (and if you don't, you need to get off the internet and watch TV more! ;-)

It seemed to start fairly nicely... Local prosecutor wanna-be put an ad on TV asking for your vote. Nothing negative there. Then (I can't remember who started it) one of them pointed out the other's record, then one pointed out the other's record (or lack thereof), and it's off to the races.

I understand. The saying is "If you can't find something nice to say about someone, don't say anything." However, in Politics, it's "If you can't find dirt on someone (or make some up) you will lose." The "make some up" part is not strictly true. They find ANYTHING they can make negative comments about and put it on. No wonder people don't want to be politicians any more... Even if you make it, you are up for more and more and more scrutiny. There aren't a lot of people out there that want EVERYTHING in their past (from when they were about 12 or so on) detailed in public! Even if it built their values to be those others would respect.

BTW: Various political ads report the opponent voted AGAINST various legislation apparently desired by those who would vote for that person. Think about this: MANY, MANY times, desirable legislation is added to - usually items that favor one small area (as in "pork barrel" projects) - and the only way to keep the "pork" out is to vote against the desirable legislation. Who knows? It COULD even be a strategy of certain parties (individuals or the whole group) to add this "pork" in, knowing certain congressmen will vote against it, thereby giving them "fodder" for these political ads. By the same token, if the desirable legislation is voted FOR by the opponent, THEN they could say they voted FOR various pork barrel projects.

Politics is a nasty business. Actually, politics, itself, may not be nasty, but the tactics used in political ads DEFINITELY is.

Other Stuff

Bad Ads

Some of the ones previously discussed are still out there (or trotted out for occassional play). Thank GOD it's not as often as before. There are others... I can't think of them at the moment... Apparently, I just "put them out of my head" as soon as I see them. (Defeats the purpose, doesn't it!)

Infomercials

Looks like a new crop of infomercials have arrived at Discovery and History Channels. Some are new versions for many I've already researched at www.orangefrogproductions.com (Scams, Shams and More Flim-Flams button.) Some are new things. Soon as I get the following up and running CORRECTLY, I will have to get on to researching them.

Orange Frog Productions

Version 2 will be out soon. I have not made major changes to OFP since it went up in 2003. This revamping will (hopefully):

• I am dividing it into three logical sections - Main; Owner; and Scams, Shams and More Flim-Flams (scams = various types of scams, shams = Infomercials, Flim-Flams = Rumors = Trivia lists, Urban Legends, etc.; and it includes information on Spam.) There are probably other ways that I SHOULD have done it, but it works for me, for now.
• I am making it more "accessible" (the print is designed to enlarge - or shrink - if you wish) - The sidebar buttons will currently overlap the content area, but it will work.
• I am adding buttons to all external links, allowing users to open that link in the current or a new window)
• I am adding definitions (glossary entries and tool tips)
• The background is a bit lighter, so the contrast will make it easier to read
• I'm trying to be more careful, so it works in both IE and Firefox. I know there are other browsers out there, but they seem to follow the lead of those two. I've already found and fixed some things. Hopefully there are few others. Most have had to do with the styles used to format things.

While it's not completely done, I believe it's ready to debut as OFP's main site. I have also included a Sitemap for the new site, and a Sitemap from the old site that links to the new pages.

A little more work (want to use Google Sitemap to let Google know there are changes, and have to make sure the old links will go to new pages via .htaccess file), and I will republish the site.

Keep an eye on it. www.orangefrogproductions.com. The new version is currently at www.orangefrogproductions.com/ofp2/index.html, but will be moved "down", soon. Let me know what you think.

That should do it for now.

TTYL

BigDaddyBS (Bill S)

Odds & Ends II (Croc Hunter, Commercials, VR)

The Crocodile Hunter (Steve Irwin) (Discovery's site, Australian Zoo (Home of the Crocodile Hunter))

NOTE: The Australian Zoo site, above, was still being slammed Tuesday night.

In case you've been under a rock, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, was killed, Monday, September 4, 2006, morning, when a stingray barb apparently pierced his chest and heart (freakish accident), and he pulled it out. They are assuming that the stingray's poison, not normally fatal, direct to his heart, did it. (He could have bled to death, but those there said he died within a minute, and a small hole in the heart would have taken longer, I believe.)

I know, some people may not give a shit, but those of us into TV, who at least occasionally watch the Animal Planet, who have seen Steve Irwin on the many talk-show appearances he's made, and who have actually seen his movie, are going to miss him.

I haven't watched his show that much, recently, but do know I liked him (strange as he seemed). While I don't condone it, I even understood what he was saying about "teaching his children" about crocs and wildlife, a couple of years ago, when he held his baby while doing a show with a croc at his zoo. (However, I DO believe the child was MUCH too young to understand what was being ... "taught".) I loved his passion, his knowledge, his daredevilism (idiocy, to me, at times), his mission and his loves. Terri, his wife, and kids have lost one of the good ones. He was as, if not more, passionate about his family as he was about his conservationism and animal protection.

He brought us closer (sometimes TOO close for comfort - ours AND his, or, I'm sure, at least Terri's) to the many wild animals (especially crocs and snakes) he loved. His enthusiasm for wildlife helped MAKE Discovery's Animal Planet, and spawned hundreds upon hundreds of "wanna be" imitators (more than any Mutual Of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom", or Disney's "True Life Adventures" wildlife movies), and made people aware of the plight of many animals.

He will be missed.

Commercials I HATE!

NEW! - OMG! I thought it was one of those PSAs (Public Service Announcements), and his kid was hurt. Nope! ATT - Phone call at 3-4AM waking man and woman up. He says "What?"... She says, "Who is it?"... He says, "Are you sure it's him?" (looking very worried)... " She says, "What is it?" ... He gets out of bed, goes to his computer, turns it on (DAMN that computer's FAST), and says "Johnson pulled a quad... He's out this week..." The screen shows a football player as the man says "No... You were right to call" and it goes to the ATT service being advertised. THIS IS BY FAR one of the nastiest "misdirection" commercials I've seen in quite some time. I HATE IT!

Oh, yeah! Subway's "Fat Wallet" campaign. What kinda crap is this? They spend years telling us how to LOSE weight by eating their stuff, now they want our wallets to get FAT? Besides THAT, the commercial is stoopid to the max. Apparently, Jared is too busy making personal appearances (or working at a REAL job) to do their commercials any more. I saw one before the fat wallet thing, but nothing since. FAT WALLET? Gosh... They're saying that SPENDING MONEY will make your wallet fat. Never EVER did that for me!

Oh, there are plenty more... Mercifully, they go right out of my head when the show starts back up, so aren't as memorable. Also, thankfully, they haven't been repeated into the ground, yet.

VR & Me

I have a "plan review" with VR coming up next week. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, see my 5/24, 7/23, 7/27 and 8/19 posts.

By their rules, they own the stuff installed on my van, and my scooter, now, until I find a job and hold it for 90 days... What this means is if they drop me, they have the right to "reposses" everything or demand payment for it... OR, it MIGHT be possible that I can be listed as a "homemaker", which, technically, I guess I am, since I don't work (SS Disability) and my wife does.

Now, remember... This has been going on for THREE FREAKIN' YEARS. If the van had been taken care of immediately, I MAY not have screwed up my knee, and might be able to walk more. I'd have also been able to keep looking for a job, and may have been able to get my business up and running without help.

Yes, I also tried to set up a business through them, but it seems that it HAS to be a money-maker, right away, or they aren't interested. (They also only supply money for certain items... If I could make money like that THAT fast, I wouldn't be on disability, now would I?) My other point is that gas was CHEAP (relative to today's costs) back when all this started. While it appears to be coming down, it ain't cheap now! The business I had come up with would require driving around the county, at least, spreading out to other counties as this one is done. I can think of something else that could/should be done, genealogically, and that could make some money, but to do it RIGHT would require a bunch of up-front money, and then some time to gather the info, arrange it so all could read it, and publish it so it could be sold. I believe either is something that would be right up the state historical and genealogical societies would be interested in. And the first would also interest the DNR. However, if I got any of them involved, I probably wouldn't be able to SELL the information. Hell, it could also be used as "learning" experiences by numerous Jr/Sr High School classes and clubs. (No more clues... It's still my idea!) Let's just say it involves high-res digital imaging (cameras and/or large-format/book scanners), databases/tables, research, programming for the database entry and retrieval, data entry, probable artwork, local and state history, and a buncha other work, especially organizational.

If any TRUE "venture capitalists", philanthropic organizations, or businessmen who can tell me what and how to do what I want, and/or those who may be interested in history or genealogy in Indiana, and possible ties to education, are out there, and want to know what my ideas are, contact me. (This will not be a blog or email "meeting"... It will be face-to-face, so I know it's for real, and you know I'm for real.)

Don't get me wrong, I REALLY DO appreciate VR'ss help in getting me SS Disability, my scooter and my van mods, I just would have appreciated it more in 2003!

We'll find out next week what's up, here.

Odds & Ends

VR and ME Update

My van's been modified. TWO DAYS... I waited THREE YEARS and for over SIX MONTHS after the bids were let. The low bidder (who shall remain nameless) for SOME reason or other DID NOT return calls and could not be reached after all that was needed was the completion date.

Superior Van & Mobility, Indianapolis, took a little over a week to get the parts in, and TWO DAYS to get it done and back to us. We took it in Wednesday afternoon, talked to the guy about where the seat should go (move it back and to the right a little), where the hand-controls were going to go, and we came home. Friday (today) we were called to come in around 3. We got there at 2:50, and he was pulling it out of the garage as we entered their lot. We parked, watched him park, turned and saw the Crossroads people pull in. (Jennifer Radloff, Occupational Therapist/Driver Training - kewl lady! and "her student").

We went to the van, the installer explained how the hand-controls worked, and told us they'd moved the seat back THREE inches, not two, as planned. I didn't want to get into it until we'd seen how the lift worked, first. He brought the scooter out of the van, explaining the remote functions as he went, and set it on the ground, unhooked it, and showed how to stow the hook. Then he handed me the remote to show I knew how to get it back in. No real problem... It will just take getting used to the remote(s) - There's a wired one ON the lift, and a wireless one to carry with me. I got into the driver's seat and PLENTY of leg-room, for the first time EVER. In fact, I straighted my arms out like we always picture race-drivers (they don't, the damn steering wheel's REALLY close to their chest).

Jennifer had me drive around a little to get used to the hand-controls (not too hard... Still push when I should pull at times! But that's GOOD... Push is brake, pull is gas), and we went back to Superior, where Jenn and her student got out, Chris got into the "Green Machine" van, said she'd follow me home, and we took off. I figured out the cruise control (Chris seldom uses it, and I had NEVER used it in this van), and used it on 465 and 65, most of the way home.

WOW! Only the SECOND time I've driven (without a trainer/tester) in almost THREE YEARS. I even pulled it into the garage! (This might not sound like much, but for the past three years, Chris has driven me everywhere I needed to go. I walk down the ramp and wait, while she backs the van out, then I get in. It's kinda tight on the passenger side, to leave room on the driver's side.) It'll take a little getting used to, but getting in and out (Driver's side) is MUCH easier, I'll actually be able to let Chris sleep and go to my own doctor's appointments myself, and (if I can find a job) I can get to it. I can't afford gas, now, though, but I CAN GET OUT ON MY OWN! WOO HOO!

Now I just gotta make sure VR gets any papers it needs, find out what I have to do before I get the ownership papers (right now, VR owns the stuff), find a job I can manage and afford to get to and from (hopefully in Lebanon, and hopefully pays decently!), and ... Well, you know the drill, right?

9/11

For ANYONE who wonders why our soldiers are overseas, especially in Afghanastan, and even those in Iraq and elsewhere, watch the History Channel. Recently, they've been running reenactments, with interviews with the real people involved, on everything from how people survived, what lead up to, how they closed all airspace in such a short time, etc. Seeing this will REMIND you why we're at war.

Just leaving Iraq and Afghanastan now will only alienate those who believe in us (we don't see that much on the news... it's not controversial or sensational enough), turn those who are on the fence against us (we did that with Hussein and Bin Laden, remember?), allow the insurgents to declare victory over the US, invite ever more and even stronger attacks on our own soil, and ensure that every soldier over there feels we let them (and their fallen comrades) down.

Watch the shows. Remember. NEVER FORGET! We promised it then, and this is a promise WE SHOULD KEEP FOREVER!

Kyndel Christine Klump

And, for those who don't know it, Chris' (my wife) youngest daughter had a baby. Check that out (with pictures) here.

New OFP Website

DAMN! I didn't know I had that many pages. I've split many into multiples, especially in the scams, shams and more flim-flams section. I have a few more of the rumors to do, then the graphics capabilities, and I will put it up. I don't know for sure how I'm going to "keep the old pages", but update it to point to the new ones. (All names have been changed.) I have people finding my site searching for these things, so have put even more information on each on the new version. (The SITE name will not change, but all the pages within it have new names. I think I'll be putting some type of cross-reference from the old pages to the new ones in, but am not sure.)

Anyway, it's coming along. Shouldn't be TOO much longer, now.

Scams

Speaking of scams, they're coming fast and furious through email (and maybe elsewhere). BE CAREFUL. I've received 4-6 "Nigerian Scam" letters (some inheritance, some something else) in the last few days. I just received word from a relative that they received information on the Jury Duty scam, where they call you, tell you that you didn't show up for Jury Duty, and a warrent has been issued for your arrest. When you protest that you've never been called, they ask for your Social Security number and Date of Birth to verify the info and cancel the warrent. NEVER GIVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO ANYONE WHO CALLS YOU OVER THE PHONE. If you are worried about it, get the number to call them back. (If they get hostile, they're most likely scammers, so who gives a shit what they think of you?) Then, look up the number in the phone book, and call your own local government office/court house, and ask if they called you. If not, tell the authorities. (This should work for ANYONE who will ask for your personal, bank and credit card information over the phone. DO NOT GIVE IT TO THEM WITHOUT CHECKING THEM OUT AS DESCRIBED. Get a number to call back, look UP the number in the phone book, call THAT number, find out whether they called YOU, and report it to authorities if they didn't.

This is from the email sent by my relative:

The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on Their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.Check it out here: http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp

Think that's it for now. Have a happy! And BE SAFE!

Bill

America's Got Talent - Finale Show

Kewl! I didn't do TOO badly. I was surprised that All That and the Millers weren't part of the top three, and even MORE surprised that the Passing Zone WASN'T in the top 5, but ... (At least it was AMERICA voting, and not Piers!)

If you missed it, Bianca Ryan (11yo with "the VOICE") won the Million! (TOLD YA!)

She, Celtic Spring (the family of Irish fiddlers/Celtic dancers) and Tayler Ware (the yodeler) were the top three acts. Add All That (the cloggers/tap dancing troupe) and The Millers (20yo older brother - singer - with 12yo harmonica phenom from Lafayette, Indiana - where I grew up), and that rounds out the top Five. All That and the Millers got a car each, it appeared. (Hmmm... All That is FIVE guys, the Millers are two, with one being 12 years old... Maybe there should be a rethink on these prizes? And I don't recall any mention of what #2 and #3 won... Hope it was better than a car and less than a million!)

Rappin' Granny (70+yo hip-hop rapper), Realis (gymnastic dancers), At Last (a cappella group), David and Danya (magic/quick change artists), and the Passing Zone (funny jugglers) got the fewest number of votes from America.

To NBC and the producers of America's Got Talent:

I wouldn't change the format much. You have a winner, even with Piers. I understand what he's there for... To be the "Simon Cowell" (a creator/producer of the show) of the group. The celebs can "gush" over any act, but he's kinda looking at it from a business standpoint. I understand what he was saying about some of the groups, but David (Quick Change) was right... He's got the right to criticize, and make his points, but not to belittle. Remember, the show's for entertainment, even IF you are going to give a million dollars at the end to one act.

Don't put it off too long, and be careful about which shows you compete with. It made it in the summer, partially because everything else is a repeat. Don't put it up against CSI, or other strong shows. You will lose. Even so, I'd like to see this as a fairly regularly-scheduled talent show.

And the Finale Show was great. I loved that you "brought back" some of the favorites, using the magician.

The only thing I didn't like was using "You're No Good" for the montage of acts that didn't make it. Some of them were! (And some were kids!) Regis should have clarified it meant more that they were "no good" FOR THE SHOW, or something like that.

To ALL of the top 10 acts, and even many of those that didn't make it this far:

Keep it up! There are a lot of people who "make a living" doing what they love. They may never win a competition, but they ... "love their jobs". And, a lot also cannot make a living at it, but keep doing it because they DO enjoy it. It's a money-making hobby. And sometimes, they make enough to "quit their day jobs." Many of you can, too. I hope agents and producers were paying attention to the show, and saw many acts they can use somewhere. See the next paragraph.

To those that didn't make it to TV this year... and even those that did, but didn't win (unless there's a rule against it):

They will do it again. It was a top show. Audition again (I think it's in January), with new/better material. See the previous paragraph. If you love what you do, and can make any type of money at it, or entertain people with it, keep at it.

Now... Suggestions to the acts or their agents/handlers, from my point of view as a former "entertainer" of sorts. (I used to play guitar, sing, write songs and at least ran sound for a few bands - sang some backup from the "board", too - that a friend was in), and graduated from Purdue with a degree in Mass Communications/Radio-TV. I know that doesn't make me any type of expert, but I'm gonna say it anyway! It IS my blog!)

First of all, you (the acts) are ALL good. The judges and/or America thought so, or you'd have never been in the top-10. You all did a great job, but here are some realities, observations and critiques:

For Realis - You have a very unique act. I think that it's just not something that everyone has a taste for. Keep it up!

For Rappin' Granny - As was said on the show, you are a very cool granny. As with Realis' act, not everyone has a taste for rap or hip-hop.

For At Last - You have a very kewl act. The problem, as I see it, had to do with your attempt at "upping the ante" for the Finale show. Adding the drums was too much. If you had stayed yourselves and didn't try to "go bigger" (except vocally), you may have done better. Maybe if the drums hadn't played as much as they did...

For David and Danya - I saw your act on TV, then on the internet a few times BEFORE the semifinals. (Someone had put it on one of the viral video websites.) Except for the first and last outfits, and the music, you did EXACTLY the same act, which was Piers' argument. You are EXCELLENT at it. David, your argument was that singers sing, dancers dance. BUT, they do DIFFERENT SONGS. Yes, if they get requests to do a song, they will sometimes repeat it. HOWEVER, in a competition, they WILL NOT do the same thing. Did you notice that NONE of the other acts did? INCLUDING the "wild-and-wacky" winner - an acrobatic Pavarotti on the first show he was on, and a completely NEW ACT on the Finale. The jugglers, the magicians, etc., CHANGED THEIR ACT for each show. Surely you have other outfits for this act (and if you don't, you SHOULD), and can rearrange things or make it different? Sure, you switched up for the Finale, adding the little bit of magic at the beginning and Brandi in one quick-change at the end, but even with Brandi included - ALL the outfits were THE SAME. When you're working on-stage, with mostly different audiences every night, you can do the same act. But TV eats things like this for snacks. Once you've done it, it's recorded, people watch it over and over, so you HAVE to change it, otherwise, it's stale. Danya, you're beautiful. Don't take the criticism so hard. Piers was being a jerk, but TRYING to give "constructive criticism", and it sounded like most of it was aimed at David, anyway, especially when he told Piers "Don't call me dumb". (And sorry if I spelled your name wrong! I didn't check on NBC for any spellings before doing this.)

For Passing Zone - I don't know what to say. I thought you'd have made it to the top five, at least. (You were in my top 4...) I mean, how many people could juggle PEOPLE, make Hasselhoff a juggler, and do it all with humor, too! LOL. Your banter makes your act. Keep it up. (Maybe the pause in the Finale, to put the dot on the shirt for dropping something was a bit too much/long.)

For All That - You guys are making tap/clogging kewl. Even with Celtic Spring doing something similar, I would have thought you'd have been in the top three. Using the ties as blindfolds was cool, but I almost expected you to strip those outfits down to at least your muscle-shirts. I did like the drums with your act, though I think their frenetic dancing behind you on-stage, distracted from YOUR act. YOU guys should have had At Last's drummers!

For The Millers - I was rooting for you all the way, ESPECIALLY after finding out that you are from Lafayette! ;-) As I said in my last post, I wanted more harmonica. I think the song-choice made a MAJOR difference, here. If you had showcased LD more than the older brother... But a song that had so many lyrics (even though I thought it was one that fit his voice better than the others), and him NOT staying back while LD took over... Piers is right that LD is the "superstar". Big bro probably should have played drums and had someone else sing. AND, it should have been a more "instrumental"/harmonica-friendly song, maybe even a Blues Traveler (Popper's group, for those that don't know) song. I understand the family connection... but for this show, ESPECIALLY in the Finale, there should have been more LD and less big bro.

For Taylor Ware - The song-choice, for me, was wrong. I understand that it might be part of your repertoire, but the super-slow-yodeling wasn't what I would have chosen for you for the Finale. I don't know what it would have been, but not that one. You do have a good "country" voice. I expect to see more of you in the future.

For Celtic Spring - You have a great act. But, again, I think Piers was right about one thing (God, I hate saying that!)... Establish yourself as a group, THEN bring in little bro. Think the Osmonds and Jimmy (or even Donnie, if I remember correctly.) Think of when the Jacksons added Michael. They had established themselves, before they brought in other family members (if memory serves). Again, I understand the family thing, and Mom and Dad in the background isn't going to hurt. I know you have to figure out something for little bro to do, but let him wait to dance up-front until you've become stars, yourselves. It will work as is for local groups and live shows, but not for a jaded television audience, I think that was the problem. Oh, and you guys do an excellent job with "Amazing Grace"... I just didn't think it fit the rest of that song, again, especially for the Finale.

For Bianca Ryan - Excellent song choice. It showed off both your softer and fuller sound as the first one did. I STILL think "Piece of My Heart" should be on the album I'm sure will be coming out soon, if you have other non-ballad/soul songs, but remember, that people want to hear "the voice".

More, for the producers and NBC:

If you are supplying "celebrity coaches", allow them to help with a song-choice, even if it's one of their own. I don't think that Popper would have chosen "Hard to Handle" for the Millers. They (the coaches), may want to get a list of the repertoire, and based on the earlier shows, help. I saw a couple of them simply go in, say "You're gonna win", and leave. If they're to be coaches, LET or MAKE THEM COACH... That's what you brought them in for, right? Not just to give the acts the chance to meet them (and give them TV time)? I would hope that they're savvy enough to have suggested that At Last NOT use drums, or suggest that David and Danya do something else, other than the same act (again, at least change the clothes used!) Their suggestions should be televised more, so the TV audience sees what the act was THINKING of or GOING to do, and what the celebrity coach suggested. (And the coaches must remember that it's the ACT'S final say... They just give advice.)

I'd also suggest to you that you "keep up" with the Top 10, or at least the Top 5. Let's not have them disappear. America's gotten to know them (hell, even Leonid!) Don't do it on the web only. Keep on ET and Inside Edition (and other shows) to keep us updated on them. Besides, it will keep America's Got Talent top-of-mind, right? ;-)

I think that's it... (Like any of those named here will read this!)

I look forward to the next installment, if it's not changed too much, and not on opposite one of ... "my" shows! ;-) (And, if it is, I will have to decide which one to watch and which to record, right? LOL)

Bill

Prognosticating America's Got Talent

The America's Got Talent Season Finale show is well over... America's votes are in, but only the network and producers (I assume) know who won. America's Got Talent's first season is done. A new one is in the works beginning in January. I hope it "catches on", like some of the other reality shows. We were well-entertained on Wednesday (the main show) and Thursdays (results show, after the prelims were over) for a few weeks.

I miss the Prime Time "variety" shows. They had comedy, singing, dancing, and skits. Carol Burnett was one of the best. Sunny and Cher, Smother's Brothers, etc. But I even remember Dean Martin's, Ed Sullivan, Mac Davis, Glenn Campbell, hell, even Hee Haw was good (if you went in for that type of country). Late-Night, Johnny Carson was the best. He almost always had good people on, as does Jay. I hope Conan "tones it down" when he replaces Jay. (Anyone remember Joey Bishop (with his side-kick, Regis?) Dave, I like, but his humor is kinda like Conan's - a little too off-the-wall for me, I guess. And, for those that missed it Mike Douglas died last week. He was one of those afternoon variety-type shows, a la the late-night shows (except he didn't "hide" behind a desk! And if you don't know it, Merv Griffen, Dick Cavett were on in the afternoons, too (and before Merv was off, he created Wheel Of Fortune, bought Jeopardy and they've become staples for evening fare).

So, I hope America's Got Talent comes back as big, or better, than it was this time around. (I also hope they don't change it too much... They have a pretty winning formula, even with Piers playing the a--hole! (I haven't watched American Idol... Anyone see both? Is Simon that nasty on the show? I mean, I know he's an ass, but Piers could be downright mean.)

Last Friday, I sent the following in my LYAO Joke-Letter:

America's Got Talent

If you haven't seen it (NBC), check out the video clips at

http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/index.shtml#main

Some of my favorites (ALL are in the finals ... Actually, there are a BUNCH, but I had problems getting the links for you (see below). In fact, all of these will pull up an introduction screen. Click (or double-click) the link and watch. Each movie is 2-3 minutes in length, performances were about 90 seconds.

WARNING - There are commercials on some of these videos ... [and it looks like the "bulleting" isn't working inside a blockquote]

• The Millers (20yo & 12yo - the 12yo is the best harmonica player I've EVER seen) are from Lafayette, Indiana(!)
  
  
  
  • The Millers - Week 3 - First Appearance on show
  • The Millers - Week 4 Semifinals - Judge's Choice


• Bianca Ryan was JUST SO GOOD (and she's only 11yo!)
  
  • Bianca Ryan - Week 2 - First Appearance on show, was Viewer's Choice in Semifinal show she was on


• All That are very cool (they're gonna bring "clogging," though I might call it "tap dancing," back)
  
  
  • All That - Week 4 Semifinals
  • All That - Wildcard Show - Judge's Choice


• Quick Change - (How does she do that? You will NEVER believe your girlfriend/wife/daughter from now on when she says it takes her an hour to change clothes! LOL ... They didn't really change much of the act but the wig and last dress for the other shows, which pissed off Piers, but the guy made the point that singers sing, they don't all dance, dancers dance, they don't do much else, and QC is the ONLY act in the competition that does what they do. (and no one has yet figured out how!) Made it to finals as Viewer's Choice on Wild-Card show - and promise changes for Finale))
  
• Quick Change - Week 3 - First Appearance on show

When the NBC video screen is displayed, there's a link to the right above all the little pictures called "highlight" (the whole screen is flash, so I can't include the links - I HATE flash). Some I'd recommend (Would have included the links like above, but can't get the damn thing to email them to me ... Must be a limit of some type) [REMEMBER - "bulleting" isn't working inside a blockquote]:

• -Week 3 - Taylor Ware - About 11 years old - Yodeling - Made it to the finals (Learned yodeling from a book!)
• -Week 4 Semifinals - Judges React to the Millers (Piers makes the kid cry ... Sometimes Piers made Simon look "nice!")
• -Week 4 Semifinals - Kevin Johnson (Ventriloquist) - Didn't make it, but he's GOOD
• -Week 4 Results - The Millers (Sweet Home, again, but DAMN!)
• -Week 5 Semifinals - At Last (Asian a cappella group - fantastic!)
• -Week 5 Semifinals - Leonid the Magnificent (Russian - very tall and wears heels, too - He cried on the first one, and they brought him back ... He's very strange (you'll see later), but played it fairly "straight" for this one.)
• -Week 5 Semifinals - Realis (gymnastic dance) - I liked their first showing better, but it's not here. Judge's Choice
• -Week 5 Results - Realis (Judge's Choice)
• -Week 5 Results - At Last (Viewer's Choice - HATE that the mics weren't working right. I've NEVER understood how PROFESSIONALS can screw up for so long, like they did here!)
• -Week 6 Semifinals - Bianca Ryan (heard this and thought "She could bring this song back!" and she's only 11!!!)
• -Week 6 Semifinals - Nathan Burton (Magician - Kept "upping the ante" and surprised EVERYONE!)
• -Week 6 Semifinals - Rappin' Granny (70+ years old and rappin' - Judge's Choice - Think they STILL could have worked the mics better!)
• -Week 6 Results - Bianca Ryan moves on (Viewer's Choice - Does the first song again, but as a WINNER!)
• -Week 6 Results - Mayling Garcia - one of 13 people in the WORLD to play "Benjamin Franklin's Glass Harmonica" (Interesting ... )
• -Week 7 Semifinals - Celtic Spring (Viewer's Choice, on Results show - Piers made the little ones cry in this one, too ... Asshole!)
• -Week 7 Passing Zone (Jugglers - Juggling people! Most jugglers failed miserably, but these guys made it to the finals as Judge's Choice!)
• -Week 7 Semifinals - Quick Change - See what I meant about their not changing much. (1st wig and last outfit and song. Piers was right, but, if they change things up for the finale ... )
• -Week 7 Semifinals - Michelle L'Amour (burlesque dancer - Using KITT and David Hasselhoff's voice samples and the Knight Rider theme - KEWL! Oh ... The clip ends just as Brandy will reply "It's not the right size" and "X"s her.)
• -Week 7 Semifinals - Dave Smith (One-Man Sideshow - Does Tom Lehrer's "The Masochism Tango" in a ... "sideshow" way.
• -Week 7 Results - Hasselhoff Sings (OMG ... Michael Knight or Mitch (from Baywatch) SINGS IN AMERICA! Think this was one of his really big hits overseas. He's never "crossed the pond" that I know of."
• -Week 7 Results - Passing Zone Encore
• -Wildcard Show - Leonid (You'll get just a LITTLE idea of why he's liked and disliked at the same time ... He's just ... ... ... strange. And at 6'6" or so, he's wearing 6"+ HEELS? OMG!)
• -Wildcard Show - Nathan Burton (magician - It SNOWS inside!)
• -Wildcard Show - Quick Change (just so you can see it was the same show THREE TIMES (1st appearance, Semifinals and Wildcard. They DO promise to do something different in the finals - Made it by Viewer's Choice.)

----------

Ok... So who won the Finale Show? Well, first, here's a list of those who were in it (in alpha order from voting page at http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/vote/register.shtml (I'm sure this link will change, quickly):

• All That (Cloggers - Great... Wore uniform clothes, added drums, fireworks, and confetti, this time - Opened the show well!)
• At Last (Acappella Group - Added drums they didn't need.)
• Bianca Ryan (11yo with "the VOICE" - Fantastic)
• Celtic Spring (Family of Fiddlers/Irish Dancers a la "Riverdance" only correctly - Kewl. Little bro danced again, and it's cute (a la The Osmonds and Jacksons when little bro/sis worked with the group), but I don't think "cute" will win...)
• The Millers (Big bro sang "Hard to Handle" and it fit his voice better than the other songs, LD played harmonica on the guitar parts - Personally, I liked it, but I wanted MORE harmonica!)
• The Passing Zone (Jugglers - Put spinning plates and a spinning, flaming hat on Hasselhoff and juggled short-handled scythes around him - They are funny, too)
• Rappin' Granny ("It's GRANNY Time" - Pretty good for an old lady! Too much dance, not enough hip-hop rap, I guess... )
• Realis (Gymnastic Dancers - VERY interesting... I like it and they are GOOD, but...)
• Quick Change (Magician/Quick Change Artists - Pretty much the same show, except they brought Brandi out at the end and she made a "quick change" on stage - He's right that singers sing and dancers dance, but they do DIFFERENT songs, especially in competitions! Doing a touch of magic in the beginning, a different starting dress/wig, HIM changing into a different outfit, a different ending dress, and adding Brandi wasn't enough "change" for me. The lady IS a FOX, though!)
• Tayler Ware (Yodeller - Cute and Country - She's good, but I didn't like song choice. She sang too much and yodelled too little.)

My favorites: Bianca Ryan, The Millers, Passing Zone, All That.

Winners: Personally, I'd be happy if any of those four (4) won... I'm rooting for The Millers (I lived in Lafayette for 25 years, between 1962 and 1987, and I think they're (especially LD) FANTASTIC). All That really "upped the ante" as did Passing Zone. But think it will be Bianca. She's just that damn good, and had a good song for the finale.

Check out the videos... Who do YOU think will win? (And it doesn't count if you answer AFTER the Results Show on Thursday!)

-Bill

Heat Wave in the US

The news has been covering the heat wave in the US for the past couple of weeks. Apparently, it was over 100 in California for a few days last week (Jay Leno was doing "It's sooo hot..." jokes nightly, all week, and his opening "Headline", Monday, was "It's so hot, Jay Leno is running out of 'It's so hot' jokes"), and now it's hitting the Midwest. Tomorrow, rains (possibly strong storms) are supposed to come through cooling it down.

HOWEVER, I'd just like to remind anyone who reads this that while we're bitching about 95-100 degree tempuratures in the Midwest (heat index 100-110), just before and as I am writing this, in Baghdad, Iraq, it is 87 degrees at 2:00AM (yes, that's AM) on August 2nd, with highs of 111 degrees (F) for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 115(!) degrees (F) Saturday and Sunday expected. (Found at CNN.com - Weather - Baghdad, Iraq). And, in Kabul, Afghanistan, it's 73 degrees at 2:32AM, August 2nd, with highs expected of 104, 98, 104, 104, 104 for Wednesday through Sunday, respectively. (Found at CNN.com - Weather - Kabul, Afghanistan). And those are pretty NORMAL tempuratures for the areas, with not near the shade or breezes we have here!

For those who are under a rock for the shade, or have water in the eyes and ears, to keep cool, and missed it, that's where many of our soldiers are. And they are NOT wearing shorts and tank-tops. They are wearing full, normally long-sleeved shirts and pants, boots, flak-jackets, METAL helmets, and carrying MUCH more than a billfold, change, cell-phone and keys! They have prescious little air-conditioning, and fans only move the hot air around. True... It's most likely a DRY heat... BUT...

So, if you are "dying" of the heat, remember what our soldiers are going through.

And, no... I, personally, don't believe we should get out of Iraq and Afghanistan, as many do, or I believe we will end up with even MORE Middle-East fanatics who hate us even MORE. (Didn't we do that with Bin-Laden? Hussein? and others?) I would believe this whether I believe we should have gotten into the war, in the first place, or not.

I DO believe they (our soldiers and those fighting with them) should be kept in our hearts and prayers, though. And be sure NOT to let our (the US') feelings about the war, itself, color our feelings about our soldiers, like we did in the Viet-Nam war. Remember, they are the same people we were so proud of BEFORE the war.

Bill

UPDATE: Annoying Commercials

Looks like Ford (and/or Taylor Hicks' agents) got the idea, from the numerous blog entries and messages I saw when verifying the brand for Hicks' commercial. They haven't been playing the whole "singing" commercial all the time, now. They play the band under the announcer, and at the end of the commercial, cut to Taylor singing, "All that I can see... Possibilities". Man, it's MUCH easier to take now. As a tag, I like it. As the main commercial, after the first time in the evening, it was ok. But it was too much to have it on almost every break.

As for the comments about Jon Lovitz... I STILL like Lovitz... Have since he was the "liar" on SNL ("Yeah, yeah... That's it!") But, Subway needs to alternate Jared and the others into the rotation. You see Lovitz on every break, and it's time to visit Quiznos!

Speaking of Quiznoes, whatever happened to Baby Bob? - or Bobette (heard the baby was really a girl). Guess she grew too old for the spots, huh? (Thank you, aging!)

Oh, and as far as the sub commercials go, (and pizza, and...) You ever notice that the food looks SOOO much better (and the sandwiches so much thicker) on the commercials than they do in real-life?

There's a new batch of commercials for Geiko. A "faded/fading" celeb sits beside a "normal" person who tells about how Geiko is so great, "translating" it into their style (not necessarily what was said, but...). Charro ("hoochie coochie!" looking VERY hot for her age) does the "Spanish" thing (excited, like she always has been), Little Richard "Woo Hoos" everything (I can't really understand either), and Burt Bacharach plays piano and sings Geiko's virtures. It's nice that they have someone else doing it besides the Aussie-accented Gecko, and something other than the damn cavemen having lost his appetite after his friend ordered "roast duck". HOWEVER, while I can believe they managed to get Charro and Little Richard (both commercials are extremely annoying when seen too many times), I cannot BELIEVE they got Burt Bacharach to sit there and do this. I always thought he was too classy for this type of thing. (Apparently, not... Then again, he WAS always able to make fun of himself, if I recall). DAMN, though... Typical overplay. (Maybe we can ANNOY them into buying our stuff!)

Hey, and Brian Williams (NBC Nightly News) did a story on Head On. And said the same thing I did! THEY GIVE YOU A HEADACHE! (Hey Brian, did you get that from my blog? LOL)

Me and VR Part II

UPDATE on my last post:

I sent a copy of the link to the governor. Thought he might like to know about situations like mine!

I got a call today (July 27, 2006) from my VR Counselor (VRC). The vendor asked about what my new van was. I'm not sure why she couldn't look at prior emails, or my website, but I told her. She conferenced me with the vendor and asked, and I answered, again.

The vendor said, that it would work (that's what VR's NY "checker" had said, too), and said:

1. they needed the authorization (VRC said she'd FAX it to them, once she got it written out completely and ok'd by her supervisor, hopefully TODAY!)
2. they had to order the parts (a week to 10 days to get in after the order)
3. that he'd be "comfortable" with a completion date of August 25th. [This, of course, doesn't mean they'll WAIT until closer to that date... Just "in case of delays" getting parts, etc., so it may be an "at the latest" date. - bracketed are my thoughts -bs.]

KEWLNESS! At least it seems to be moving again!

Apparently, it can't be done in a day, as we originally thought. He said the day we brought the van in, they'd check measurements to see how far to move the seat, and where the hand-controls should be installed. Over that and the next day or so, they would move the seat and install the controls. The next day, they install the "scooter dock" (lift), and we'd come back that or the next day, make sure everything fit, the Crossroads Driver-Evaluation/Trainer would inspect, and make sure I could drive it, and we take it home!

My responsibility is to let the Crossroads counselor know when it will/may be, so she can make plans to be there when she needs to be, and I will do that by giving her a link to this entry. (JR - In case you missed it, they are "comfortable" with an 08/25 "completion date" for VR. Again, I'm not sure if that's WHEN it will be done, or an at the "latest" date.)

I will also send one to my father, so he's warned (got that Dad?) that we MAY need a ride back home from - then (maybe) 2-3 days later, back to - the vendor (Indy, South of 465). I will wait until I get the call from them and ask how we are to get home and back to them. Maybe someone there will drive us, or maybe we can "hitch" a ride back to from the Crossroads counselor, if she's doing training near here, to go back. (That's when she really needs to be there.)

BUT, it feels a LOT closer than it has since the first vendor was talked to.

YAY!

***

AND, I JUST got the following (after entering the above):

----- Original Message -----
From: [VR Counselor]
To: [me]
Sent:
Thursday, July 27, 2006 3:36 PM
Subject: RE: Sanders [VR COUNSELOR] -
HELP, PLEASE!

Bill, I just wanted to let you know that I just faxed the authorization for
the van modification to [vendor], with my supervisor's signature on the
authorization. [VRC]

Me and VR

Hmmm... Just realized I haven't said anything about my hand-controls and lift for my van since I first said something about it A MONTH ago (Me, Myself and I: Where've I Been?)... Here's THAT situation from the beginning:

In Feb 2003, my job was "eliminated". I spent the next couple of weeks updating my resume, setting up my website, and hitting every free freakin' job board I could find, applying, re-adjusting my resumes for their formats, etc., and looking for a job for which I was qualified... My salary expectations dropped from what I had been being paid (mid-50K) to entry-level (30K) over the next few months. NOTHING! (See my site and online resumes for more, there.)

In July or so, 2003, I started talking with Voc Rehab about help finding a job. (My right foot has NO toes, anymore, and my left no big toe, and I have neuropathy 1/2 way up my calves.) This didn't keep me from walking, but I'd had enough surgeries and problems getting around while recovering, I had an old scooter and lift in my van. The scooter was way too small, and the lift was an old one my father bought from someone off their front porch... Both WORKED, but ...

From the beginning, one of the things noted by my counselor was that I needed a better/new scooter (bigger) and van modifications - A new lift, probably hand-controls, etc. to help me get around. I had a few meetings with Job Counselors, and nothing came of them (I was having foot problems - ulcers that kept coming back, etc., but made every meeting and could have made any interviews that came my way, even if were using crutches on my scooter.)

In November, 2003, I fell, tearing the quad tendon from my kneecap (completely), thus not being able to walk at all. After FINALLY getting into an orthopaedic surgeon, getting an MRI, getting back with him for him to "read" the MRI and tell me I needed surgery (why I had to go in is ANYBODY's guess... could have told me that over the phone, and we KNEW that already!), and being referred to another ortho surgeon in Indy, I had surgery to repair my knee. 5 days later, I was in a Rehab Center (read nursing home) for five weeks with a "towel rack" (external fixator - held my knee straight with bolts through my muscle into the bone) on my leg. Then they removed that, put me in a plastic, wrap-around splint set at 0 degree bending for another 5-6 weeks, then I was allowed 30 degree bending for another month or so. For that last month, I started on physical therapy. After 26 or so once- or twice-a-week visits, I could walk from my car into therapy, do the exercises, and walk back out with a cane, instead of a walker. So, most of 2004 was shot to hell as far as finding a job or being there so they could fit van mods.

Oh... While I was in the nursing home, my scooter was delivered. Nice... Problem was I couldn't ride it for some time afterward. BUT, at least I had a new scooter that would more closely fit me!. My Dad "lent" me a couple of aluminum fold-up ramps he'd had to get when my Mom had foot surgery, but with my feet, knee and new weakness/balance problems, I couldn't do much to help set them up. So, my wife, father, one of my sons, whomever was available, took me to any doctor appointments, and I occassionally went (and still go) shopping with my wife. The scooter is for the longer trips (like shopping), but I can't drive, so someone has to take me. My parents live in Lafayette half the year (about 45 minutes away), one son was going to Purdue (just graduated, looking for a job in his field), and working almost full-time, and the other lives in the Indy area with his mother (again, about 45 minutes away.)

Then, sometime late 2004 or so, I got a letter from Voc Rehab that I was being dropped, since there'd been no contact for some time. GEEZE! (I didn't hear from THEM...!) I got that straightened out, was "re-setup" for van mods, the "job" idea had turned into a "business idea", and I had to write up my proposal for VR. Meanwhile, I waited to hear from Crossroads, who evaluates and does the driver's training. I met with VR about my business idea, that would provide a possible business for me, and help for various agencies of the government dealing with these issues, and they kinda "poopoo'd" it, saying it wouldn't make any money. (It's genealogically/historically related... Ancestry has since added a database containing SOME of what I wanted to do, only it's under THEIR subscription. And very little from Indiana. Hmm... Can't make money on it? Ancestry thinks so, anyway!)

Since the attempted "drop", I kept in contact with VR via email at least once every couple of weeks. I kept reminding my counselor that I needed van mods, and couldn't do much, now, with my feet AND knee, without them.

Around May, 2005, I contacted my VR counselor to find out when I was going to hear from Crossroads, and she said she'd find out. She sent a referral in June, and I waited. For the next six weeks, I emailed her every other week or so, and every Friday or Monday (the only days she apparently reads her emails) after my emails, she MIGHT respond that she'd check on it. FINALLY, Mid-August, she contacted them and they said they'd called ME in January (I believe I had either just had or was just going in for a foot surgery), and were waiting to hear from ME.

Some time in there, all my benefits (Cobra, Severence Pay, Unemployment, and Extended Unemployment) from my prior job expired, I managed to get on Social Security Disability (which barely covers my house and bills) and Medicare (which barely covers... Well, you get the idea).

I got an appointment for a Driver Evaluation in late October, so had to wait until then. Meanwhile, I had ANOTHER surgery on my feet, and complications ensued. My podiatrist assured me that I'd be able to walk as needed for the appointment. My wife got a new job, working 3rd shift in a factory. This wasn't TOO much of a biggie, except for doctor's appointments... They needed to be early, so she could take me (I, obviously, still couldn't drive - and she wouldn't let me, anyway, and VR said the way I was driving before was probably illegal), get home, and get some sleep before waking up late afternoon/early evening.

The Crossroads appointment came, and because my walking was limited, we used a wheelchair to go in and talk with them. I FINALLY met with the Driver Evaluator, went out and she looked at how I fit in the van, and using THEIR van, had a quick test on my dexterity using hand-controls. (I did well!) She figured all the things I would need, and that was that.

So, NOW the ball's rolling the right direction, right? Huh!

In mid-November, one of the emails I sent to my VR counselor asked how things were going with my van mods. She replied that she needed to review the report, which she hadn't done YET. They FINALLY contacted NY (the people who verify the need, get the bids for the work, and make recommendations), who said the mods were not major, so would not REQUIRE us to get a new van, but I had to get mine (a 96 Gran Voyager) inspected for drivability. And, early December, they put out requests for bids.

I had questions (among them, who in Lebanon could do the type of inspection that VR would accept?), that weren't answered until late December. VR WOULD pay for the inpection, but needed an estimate. The only people in town that I knew of that could do it would charge $250 for it. GEEZE! I drove that thing to Carmel from Lebanon (30 miles) and back every weekday for years, and had very few problems. And had driven various other places (Lafayette, Indianapolis, Evansville, etc.) without a problem. Now someone would inspect it, I'm sure FIND problems that needed fixed, and I'd have to pay for them with my limited income. NICE. And if the inspection was $250, what would the "repairs" be?

Anyway, Mid January, 2006, I found that I had copies of the authorizations for Crossroads to do driver's training, but SHE (the Driving Trainer/Evaluator) had never gotten a copy. I sent them to her electronically, we set up times for her to come to Lebanon to do it, and I was "trained" using hand-controls (their van). (Most had to do with correcting the "bad habits" I'd picked up in 30+ years of driving! The idea was to "get me through the test" as well as remind me of those "errors". Within a week, my wife wanted to go van shopping. She wanted to sell her car to her daughter, whose car was in worse shape than the van (not that it was in THAT bad-a-shape, but it WAS 10 years old and over 100.000 miles on it). We went, found one (a story unto itself), I informed VR and Crossroads, it was close enough to the same that they wouldn't have to rebid the modifications, and I no longer needed the inspection.

Through February, I finally got my driver's training. In early March, I had my driver's test using hand-controls, and passed. My license was amended. This means I can't legally drive without hand-controls. (I haven't except for driving the old van home while my wife drove the new van, and it was a little scary! No... No close calls, only very nervous putting on the brakes with my partial foot after not having driven for some time!) I had understood that the bids would not have to be made again, but no one was sure until NY said the new van was close enough they didn't have to be.

In mid-April, everything was FINALLY set. All (2) bids were in, we knew who it would be, and it would be done quickly, right? Huh!

We talked to the low-bidders to verify they could do it, and things looked good. THEN, for the next few months, my VR counselor tried, I tried, even my father (closer to them) tried to get hold of them. All VR needed was a "completion date" and authorizations could be sent. NOTHING.

Voc Rehab FINALLY (mid-July) contacted the people they go through in NY to ask what to do when the "low bidder" (apparently required by the state, unless I can cough up the bucks to make up the difference which I can't) doesn't respond to them OR me, and my counselor, someone higher up in VR, and I all received copies (the next day) recommending we go with the higher bid. That was July 11th.

It's now July 23rd, and I haven't heard word one from VR for a while (again). I have no clue what's going on. I can't get my couselor to respond to email. She's only in the main office Monday and Friday (and apparently that's the ONLY time she even LOOKS at her email or anything to do with emails she's received.)

I've kept Crossroads "in the loop" and apparently, my VR counselor DOES respond when SHE asks a question, but not me (at least all the time).

My last email to her forwarded a copy of my July 14th email and follows:

From: Bill Sanders
To: [VR Counselor]
Cc: [Crossroads Trainer]
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 3:35 PM
Subject: Fw: Sanders [Counselor] - HELP, PLEASE!

[Counselor],

What's going on? It's been two weeks since I asked, three since [NY] said "use [High-bidder]".

I don't understand why I don't get answers to my questions ("Will THEY contact me to set up an appointment?" and "Let me know if I need to do anything.", and most especially "What's happening with this?".)

At this point, unless [High-bidder] can get on it right away, I guess there's NO CHANCE to get it done before Chris' daughter has her baby.

Please help us get this finished.

Bill

[That email refers to the prior email, sent July 14, that said:]

I kind of expected to hear from you today about this, since [NY] sent it last Tuesday...

So, what happens now? I assume you:

• probably have to get permission to use the higher bid
• contact Superior for a Completion Date
• (maybe forward them the package of work, again, since it's been so long)
• send (can you fax, it's faster) the authorization for them to do it under FSSA/VocRehab auspices
• and what...(?) Will THEY contact me to set up an appointment?

Let me know if I need to do anything. You know I have copies of all MY emails to and from you, me, [Crossroads] and [NY], if you need any of them.

Chris' [my wife's] daughter is going to have a baby in Fort Branch/Evansville area, and they were talking about around August 8th. Chris is "waiting for the call" to zip down there to be with her in the delivery room. She's afraid the old van won't make it, so will need to drive the new van then. I would LIKE to try to get it done before then, if at ALL possible.

Any chance?

It's been ALMOST THREE YEARS since I've driven (except that one time, training and testing) and with it so close I can taste it, I'm antsy. When all this started gas was HIGH at $1.40 or so per gallon. NOW it's $3.00 per gallon. I probably won't be able to do the business I'd thought of because of this. It would have required me to drive around the county. If I had been able to when I could, I MIGHT have actually been making enough money to cover the gas. Now...

And so I wait...