Looks like they put another one over on us. Dubya’s “No Child Left Behind Act” snuck in a provision that lets armed forces recruiters get the names and phone numbers of all seniors unless they specifically have their parents opt them out, The Washington Post Reports.

Of note:

“Like all recruiters, Baxley works brutally long hours. Twelve-hour days are typical, and not a weekend goes by that he doesn’t work at least one day. When he’s not out trolling for recruits at high schools or the mall, he is making hundreds of cold calls to potential recruits and logging the responses on note cards. The No Child Left Behind Act, landmark education reform signed by President Bush in 2002, requires public high schools to provide military recruiters with lists of students’ names and phone numbers unless parents specifically request that their information be withheld. But that rarely happens. Out of the more than 6,200 juniors and seniors in the Howard County school system last year, only 30 had parents who made that request.”



As my good friend Jim put it – “No Child Left Behind Indeed.”

–*Rob

Remember this guy from MTV? Yeah! Lookit that, it’s Adam Curry, former MTV VJ and master of big hair extraordinaire. His blog is interesting, in a geek kind of way (he was one of the first celebs to have a web site that he updated on a daily basis – so you could say he’s been blogging since the early 90′s) – but it’s his memories of his time at MTV that are the most intriguing.

Recommendation of the week – Rescue Me starring Denis Leary. What I thought was going to be another “tug at your heartstrings” drama – like ER or Third Watch – is a gritty, tough, pretty realistic look at what it is like to be a fireman in a big city. I’ve never been a huge Denis Leary fan but this role is made for him (partly probably because he’s writing the show). This is the future of TV – edgy, well written shows on cable. The networks are losing ground fast – and they have to pull out the reality shows to make up ground. Cable has the guts to do stuff the networks can’t and it pays off big time.

Oh yeah and how could I let this go without comment? Shatner back on Star Trek? As Kirk no less? I’ve been watching Enterprise all along. It must be the Star Trek name that draws me to it, or maybe I’m just a die hard fan, but even >I< have to question this little stunt. It’s one thing to use him in a movie – but to now bring him back…to the past? I see more time travel crap coming, and I’m just tired of that old plot device. Plus – Enterprise is moving to Friday nights – the kiss of death for most shows. Doesn’t matter much to me as I download the episodes anyway, but it can’t be doing that well….

–*Rob

This is the current update on everything.

My grandfather, who is 87, pulled a fast one on everyone. Not intentionally. Not to be morbid but we really thought he wasn’t going to pull through. My mom and her sisters went to his bedside to pretty much be there with him “when”. My mom packed funeral attire when she went. So here now against all odds and the doctors advice he underwent angioplasty. The doctors didn’t want to do it on him because he’s really in poor health but my GF is stubborn and he decided so they did it. The doctors were hoping to insert three stents which are little medicated screens to help keep the arteries and vein open. They figured if they actually managed to get in two they would be ahead of the game. Here they were able to do FOUR. Can you believe it?!! Here’s another interesting fact. Apparently angioplasty is considered a procedure and not surgery. You know you’re in bad shape if they won’t do a “procedure” on you because they’re too afraid. Anyway, the procedure is done while the patient is awake. How do you like that?! My GF got to watch on the monitor while they did this angioplasty on him. FACINATING!! Simply facinating.

So he made it through ok and his health greatly improved and my folks came home yesterday. Now there’s a story with a happy ending…..for now. I said it before. My GF is a tough old codger. He’ll outlive us all. (grin)

In work related news…… I wasn’t as far behind in my work as I thought and I don’t have to work this weekend. Woohoo!! The woman whose job I eliminated worked her last day yesterday. It was her birthday. (I suck) I still have to hire a jr accountant. This woman didn’t have those skills or I would have moved her. Once I get that squared away to help solve all of *MY* outstanding issues then work will be a dream. (yeah right) At least it won’t suck as bad as it has been. Providing my new person doesn’t turn out to be a lunk. My track record isn’t great on the first try. So we’ll see.

Today we are off to visit Scotty and Suzanne. Suzanne is expecting a little girl and due in about two weeks. We are taking a whole bunch of Melissa’s hand-me-downs which are still practically brand new. I’ll be glad to have the space and Suzanne will be glad to have the clothes.

We have starting to plan Melissa’s first birthday party. The birthday is Sept 6th. Labor Day! The party is Sept 5th. We ordered all of party supplies online. We’ll go to the local grocery for deli platter, and they happen to offer free BDay cakes for babies first birthdays. It’s all coming together.

I see the light but I’m just running through a swimming pool to get at it.

We the people have had just about enough. I’m tired of delayed news for political effect. I’m tired of terror alerts based on 3 year old news. I’m tired of worry about a war that is monetarily based. I’m tired of our taxes being raised to cover bottomless spending. I’m tired of being held to one standard while the government has none. I’m tired of paying our public servants 10x the salary of the average person he/she is supposed be serving. I’m tired of hearing people who are uninformed or don’t vote complain about it. If you want to vote in this years presidential election and all other elections relevant to your location. All you have to do is register at least 30 days before the election. Go to your locations government website to get the registration form and mailing address. Take the time out to review the issues in your local newspaper. There’s usually a consolidated summaried version the paper the weekend before the election. Take 5 minutes to review your sample ballot then go to your designated polling place, sign in and proudly cast your vote for the person you feel will best represent your views.

I put some new music on Positive Rock today – eight songs to be exact. What’s funny is that a LOT of new music is either remakes or artists who harken back to days past. There’s new versions of The Cars‘ “Just What I Needed” and Wall Of Voodoo’s “Mexican Radio” as well as a new They Might Be Giants tune, and even a new Alanis Morissette song. It’s so odd how these old 80′s songs are now coming back into vogue – I’m betting that the young’uns probably have no idea that they’re remakes to begin with. Am I old? Geez at 36 I don’t think so, but I have procreated…so I guess I’m supposed to somehow now get out of touch with “what those damn kids are listening to.” Hmmm…interesting to ponder…

–*Rob

I’m really disturbed by this:

Missouri Approves Gay Marriage Ban

I just think it’s horribly closed minded to not afford gays the same rights as heterosexuals. Moreover, most of the people campaigning against it do so because they see it as a threat to their religious beliefs. So we’re essentially imposing a religious value on a social issue – which in my mind goes against everything this country stands for – or that I thought it stood for.

UPDATE 7:00 PM – At least Washington State has some sense: Washington State Approves Gay Marriage

–*Rob

Melissa is my joy and Rob is my hero. Life would be dull and boring without them. (grin)

So far this week has been a real bummer. Found out Saturday that my grandfather had a heart attack. Prognosis is not looking very good. He’s tough old codger so who knows but the family is “getting prepared” if you know what I mean. It’s kind of depressing but I think it’s good that my mom and her sisters and anyone else gets a chance to make peace. Anyone who knows my family will know understand how substanial that statement actually is.

Today I had to inform an temp employee that he job was being absorbed. She’s been with us since March and the original intent was to make her permanent but it didn’t work out that way. It’s too bad because she was a nice woman who really has some heart. I just didn’t have enough work for her or another employee so I had to consolidate. I did give her some notice since she’s been very helpful for us. I didn’t want to kick her straight out the door. The woman takes the bus to work every day and always managed to get to work. (heavy sigh) I feel like the grim reaper.

The OC, and other shows expose new bands.

Although the WSJ is a little behind on writing about this phenomenon, I have to say I’m glad new bands are getting good exposure through TV shows. It was in fact through watching The OC that I was exposed to Rooney – a great new alt-pop band who are one of my current faves. In fact, there’s a ton of new, upbeat alt-rock bands that aren’t getting a lot of pop radio exposure because pop radio is so hung up on hip-hop these days. Bands like The Killers, Stellastar, Finger 11, Modest Mouse and Caviar have fun pop-rock with solid hooks and lyrics. There’s also a lot coming from veterans of the late 80′s to mid 90′s college radio era of alternative as They Might Be Giants have a new album out as does Alanis Morissette and Morrissey. Also – Tears For Fears is readying a new album – due out 9/15, Cake has a new album out 10/5, and there’s an upcoming Robyn Hitchock album too. Commercial radio will continue to mostly ignore this stuff, but it’s out there if you look for it!

Oh yeah…and I uh….I watch The OC. Brenda got me hooked. It’s good as long as you don’t take it too seriously. It’s kind of like the anti-primetime soap.

–*Rob

A Giant Silver Bean



This is just some really cool art from Chicago. The “Cloud Gate” (the big silver sculpture) looks like it has a hole underneath – but the mirrored surface is just really cool. The LCD display fountain is also really wild – especially the way the fountain can change depending on the picture being displayed.

Maybe it’s time for another visit to the Grounds for Sculpture.

–*Rob