Sweaty Dreams and @%!#&*$!-ing Machines in Pieces on the Ground

Oy, what a couple weeks it's been! The kitchen is complete, I'm 90-something percent moved in and technology is taunting me - nay, mocking me! The new place is great but I have never, ever had so many computer problems as I've had this last week. Makes me wanna kill a brother!

I don't know if this place carries a different brand of electricity, but my main computer wouldn't even power up here. Seriously, the little power light just kept blinking some kind of Morse code "Fuck you, pally!", even after I unplugged it. Balls! So, in preparation for the new internet service, I grabbed the backup system, fired it up, then remembered that I'd pulled the CD drive and put into the main computer. Gah! CD Drive transplants are not as exciting as you might think. I swapped the memory over while I was at it, as well.

Backup system fires up with no problem, and I'm licking my chops at the thought of the new widescreen monitor I just picked up. But... (you knew there was a "But" coming, right?) the computer won't render the new resolution correctly. Hmmm... install the monitor CD and load the drivers and... nope! Another couple hours wasted while I try to reconfigure the display and get the video card to recognize the new drivers. I finally resolved that issue and the new monitor is working like a charm and dazzling me with its funky fresh coolness. I highly recommend a widescreen.

Now, of course, the new system is missing the dope software I use on a regular basis. Not a huge deal, because I can download most of it and there were a few apps that needed to be upgraded anyway. Still, there are a few apps that I don't feel like downloading again, mainly because the sources are - how shall I say it? - somewhat gray market, if you will, which makes them a little less convenient to install ,what with the extra steps involved.

And, of course, the main system had all my e-mail addresses on it - work, friends, classmates, everybody. And if that weren't enough, the e-mail app on the new system won't connect to the SMTP server properly, so I can't send e-mail from one of my accounts. Not cool, man - not cool. I'm hoping I'll be able to hook up the old hard drive as a slave and recover some of this stuff, but I don't have a lot of faith in the computer gods at this point.

Kids, take a lesson from my mistakes: Back up, back up, back up! I thought I had things covered but I didn't push the mantra deeply enough. Sure, my media files are safely on two other drives, but man... I really shot myself in the foot this time.

All in all, though, I can't complain; I have a sweet apt. with criminally low rent in a great location. I'll post some pictures of the new kitchen, once I've gathered the requisite cords and software.

Hell Week

Well, the big week is here. Bro-in-law will be here, probably tomorrow, to start the renovation at the new apt. My sisters dear will be here later in the week to go through some things and make ready for Mom's move to Michigan. There's a lot of work to do in a few short days.

• Install cabinetry, sink, stove and countertops in the kitchen
• Refinish or replace kitchen floor
  
• Move furniture into the new place
  
• Move my stuff to the new place
• Move some of Mom's bedroom furniture onto the trailer for her new place
• Clean my old place

At some point this week, I'll be transferring my DSL to the new place, which means fiddling with the phone lines to find the best way to hook it up. This will not be fun and also means I probably won't get much paying work done this week. We also need to go through a lot of Mom's paperwork to prepare for taxes and take care of other arrangements for her move. I was one of the leads on moving our office from the suburbs to downtown, in a previous work life, and that was far more enjoyable than a personal move.

There's a part of me that will miss the old place but it's a small part. The new apt. is 2 to 3 times bigger and will have a nice, new bathroom and kitchen. It will be worth it, so I shouldn't complain. Still...

Superman! We need you! And bring a blogger!

It seems our little village is beginning to fall apart. The Co-op is struggling with finances, its reputation and some logistical challenges that, imo, can be directly traced to leadership issues. The local recycling program is slated to be dropped by the current operator and there's no indication of how or whether the County will take over the operation.

And the local newspaper Poobah has, believe it or not, made a not-so-subtle harsh on bloggers. Not me, specifically - as far as I know - but still... We bloggers are a feisty bunch, not particularly inclined to take criticism graciously from people who can barely "do a Google" and think their position in an industry gives them carte blanche to point fingers and tell us "how it is".

As a newspaper editor, I admit I have a strong vested interest in the subject, but the value of newspapers is something many people take for granted in this era of the Internet, blogs and BlackBerrys. And they shouldn't.

Obtaining news by reading short blurbs on the Internet or the mindless, more-often-than-not inaccurate assertions by bloggers is the lazy way to obtain information on prudent matters that profoundly affect all of us. Unfortunately, that approach can be an impediment to beneficial and meaningful progress.

Huh... On one hand, I'm not really burning up with righteous indignation over this slight, regardless of its intended target(s). This column, and a similar, previous column** I'll have to hunt down, bring a sense of irony that we bloggers are so terribly fond of - i.e., I'm reading Rick's columns on the paper's web site. Via my computer. Because, evidently, even Rick Fromm realizes that the times are changing - perhaps more slowly in Decorah than some parts of the World - and a good number of people prefer to find their news online.

I don't buy the deadtree version of the paper, personally. Who needs the stack of papers cluttering up the place? Not to mention the 75 cents per issue. Sure, there's a point to be made that I'm missing out on some things. But do you know why? Because the paper doesn't bother to post them on their web site. A few thoughts on the whole scenario:

• I'm sure the paper brings in more ad dollars via the deadtree version than they do on the web site. That makes sense, I suppose, due to space and layout formatting for ads. And I'd hazard to guess the deadtree version gets more eyeballs than the web site, right now.
• The web site is, frankly, pretty dismal. Between the numerous typos, redundant and mis-categorized classified ads, and overall paucity of content... well, it's not exactly blowing my mind, y'know? Does anybody actually look at the site on a regular basis? Seriously, they'd do their online readers a great service by hiring someone (ahem!) to edit and manage the site. Hell, hire an exlusive online reporter and give people a reason to read the site. (ahem! again)
  

I was going to make another point there, but I think it deserves a deeper analysis, so here goes. I realize this is a small town and, honestly, we're fortunate to have a successful, long running newspaper here, but... Well, it's just not very good, in my opinion. Where's the journalism? Every article of length that I read is basically a long quote from whomever they happen to interview on the subject. Where's the analysis? Where's the investigation? Where's the "here's what this means to you, citizen"? And back to the web site comparison, does the deadtree version contain the same editing mistakes and lack of attention to detail?

Rick lobs an easy-for-him crank on bloggers but, to be honest, most of the bloggers that I read do a far better job of posting facts, sources and analysis, and make the issue more interesting than anything I've seen from the local paper. Rick had a column***, some months back that I'll have to hunt down, making the case (not very subtly, I might add) that you should stick with the professionals and avoid having work done by hobbyists. So, I have to ask: What exactly are the qualifications of the folks at the local paper? Are they Journalism majors? (I honestly don't know, I'm not being snarky here.) You don't have to live in Decorah too long to see the "Family Business" model (koff nepotism koff) at work in some of our media outlets. So...??? Is this an example of professionalism? Maybe I'm missing something, I don't know.

To be perfectly honest, does the newspaper provide any information that the grapevine wouldn't give us, if we had a little more patience? Here's a perfect example - the Police report or Police Blotter or whatever they call it. Seriously, Rick? In 2009? What is that, but a chance for people to nod knowingly at each other and cluck their tongues over traffic accidents and those "ne'er do wells from out of town"? It's hardly what I'd call a "public service", to say nothing of its newsworthiness. How bout some actual investigation and analysis on current events that actually affect us and our neighbors? Agri-Processors ring a bell? You said the story wasn't newsworthy because (to paraphrase) it "didn't occur in Winneshiek County." Sweet balls, brother! Talk about tone deaf.

Maybe someday we can sit down for a beer and I'll tell you how some fellow bloggers and I nearly shut down a talk radio station owned by a national media corporation, because the hosts were calling for the execution of people for their political beliefs. Or how three of us raised over $6,000 in less than two months to pay for utilities, holiday meals and provide Xmas gifts for some folks across the country who were down on their luck. Or how mindless bloggers discovered a "reporter" in the White House press pool was a gay* male prostitute with no real journalism experience, working for an online GOP "news outlet", whose White House visitation records were "classified". (Doesn't that just burn your britches, Rick? The nerve!) I could go on.

"...mindless, more-often-than-not inaccurate assertions by bloggers..." Sure, that kind of thing happens. You're not exactly rockin' the free world, either, pally.

* I don't care if anyone's gay or not. But a gay male escort working for GOPUSA.com and pushing Republican talking points? It is to fucking laugh.

** As luck would have it, I can't find that particular column Rick penned, by searching the paper's online archives. You might be less than surprised to learn that most bloggers' sites have far better search capabilities than the local paper's web site.

*** See above. QED, Rick... QED.

4 in the morning came without a warning

- or - Insomniacs Don't Sleep Around

For the past several months, I've had a somewhat annoying habit of falling asleep in my recliner while watching TV, then waking up between 3 and 5am. The annoying part of this is that I can't get myself to go to bed, so I end up dinking around, trying to find something to do until the rest of the world wakes up. (Which might make you think I have nothing to do, which isn't true - I just don't want to do those things at that hour.) I've never been a big sleeper so once I'm up, I'm up, and that's the end of it.

So, here's list of random and probably irrelevant things going through my head this morning:

1 - I broke the shower in my apt. - well, the hand-held shower head, to be accurate. This obviously presents me with a hygienic dilemma, which is only mitigated by the fact that I don't spend a lot of time around actual people, most days. On the plus side, I can use the facilities at Mom's place, but I never thought I'd have to walk two blocks to take a shower. Of course, I could simply buy a new shower head, but I'm fairly psyched about moving out of this apt. and I don't feel like spending the money on it. (It's an old-timey bathtub that didn't have the shower hooked up when I moved in, so it's not like I have to leave a shower set up when I move. Yes, I know it's the right and generous thing to do, but...)

2 - I'm having a terrible time finding music I like, lately. I have somewhere near 9,000 songs in my iTunes catalog but nothing's moving me. Suggestions are welcome. Or if you're looking for something, let me know and I'll see if I have it.

3 - I keep meeting people I know (knew?) in town but not introducing myself. I don't know why. If we start talking, I'm happy to tell them who my parents are, but I can't seem to bring myself to just say, "It's me! I know you from years ago." Still odd, after all these years, I guess... Though I did run into a former elementary school PE teacher, but I can't remember her name, which may result in some computer work. Interesting...

4 - Speaking of music, I re-strung my bass last night, in preparation for this year's Bash. I'm pretty excited about playing, but I've really lost my edge over the years. I have a terrible time remembering lyrics and I've lost all confidence in my voice, to the point that I'm almost afraid to sing out loud.



Well, I feel better already! I should find something productive to do, now. Happy Monday! (Yes, the post title is a Night Ranger lyric. Good memory!)

Winterkill

I was sitting here thinking about the weather, like most of my neighbors in the great Midwest, and I suddenly wondered what the cost of the last month's storms and bitter temperatures has been. A few of us had discussed the near-panicked pre-storm stocking up that's occurred occasionally, but I'd be willing to bet that the snow, ice and bitter cold have seriously affected a lot of businesses across the area.

I know for a fact that restaurant and bar business has suffered (not that I haven't done my part to help the bars). Hell, the Haymarket closed early due to the ice storm a few weeks ago - that's serious weather, kids! I've seen that some livestock trading outfits shut down for a day or two because of the current cold snap, schools have closed for days at a time, the streets are unusually quiet downtown.

I'm not enough of an economist to determine how deep or wide the effects will be, but I'm sure that January will end up being a less than stellar month for a lot of smaller business throughout the Midwest. And that, of course, means that a lot of employees will be hurting. I haven't paid attention to state news enough to know if Culver has declared a Disaster situation, or whether that's warranted, but I know it's going to be a lean month for more than a few folks.

If you build it, they'll screw it up for you

From the e-mail:

On Friday Liz was "laid off with no cause," a term that means exactly what it says and no more. This action was taken by interim General Manager Michelle Schry, who is here for 9 weeks as we await the Jan. 26 arrival of Troy Bond, our newly hired GM. When she told Liz, 44 hours earlier, that she was about to be laid off, the reason given was that "your work is non-essential in the operation of a natural foods grocery store."

Huh...

It takes a lot... no, an extraordinary amount of balls for an interim(!) Manager to let a 25 yr. veteran go during a managerial transition period. Poor form and a very poor business decision, in my opinion. I'm very surprised that the Board would stand behind that action.

Part of the work I do is to convince my clients that their service model sucks. You can probably imagine how well that goes over - no one wants to hear that their baby isn't perfect. But this... I'd actually considered applying for the GM position at the Co-op - my resume isn't a perfect match, but you never know, right? - but after seeing how the Board rolled over for a fucking interim Manager on a nine week temp schedule... pffft! I wouldn't trust them to water my plants.

And while we're on the subject (you knew this was coming, right?), I've heard all kinds of horror stories, and patiently waited to play my part in trying to fix some of them, about how the Co-op operates. There's "We're a different kind of business!", and there's slack-jawed yokelism that lets your business pull itself under so you can maintain your bike trail cred. And all the patchouli and St. John's Wort in the world isn't going to outshine common sense and fundamental business practices. And the Co-op is a business. Just ask Michelle Schry.

I have to run an errand - I'll have more, in a bit.

Thinker's Block and Buggy Whips

I have a terrible time writing anything from a local perspective. I suppose a lot of that is because my blogging experience has been as an adversarial, muckraking SOB lobbing snark and curses into the national discourse, and I feel a little too exposed trying to write for people who know me. (Yes, I'm one of those foulmouthed bloggers you're always hearing about.) But even my alter ego blogging has trailed off, lately - I just don't have anything to say, to be honest. Which is really a poor status for a blogger, as you can imagine. I guess it's a good thing I never had any advertising, though that may have provided some impetus to write. Who knows...

Frankly, I'm not very good at "feel good" stories and personal reflection - well, at least not writing it down, anyway. To me, blogging is just inherently rant-y (that's a word, you can look it up) and, again, adversarial. But without that sense of anonymity, I have a hard time railing on the goings-on in the local scene. Not that I'm terribly concerned about people thinking I'm some kind of radical ne'er do well, but I don't know... it's different when you have to live around the people you're cranking on. Then again, maybe that's what this town needs - a firebrand who's not afraid to use a little salty language and call a dick move, a dick move.

Speaking of dick moves (that didn't take long, did it?) I'm not sure exactly what's going on at the Co-op. I see, via the Facebook and some unsolicited but well-meaning e-mails, that Liz Rog was let go. My experience with Liz is rather minimal, but she's one of those people that just... radiates something good. And, honestly, I'm not a Co-op member or even a serious supporter - I appreciate the concept and what those folks do, I've just never really taken the plunge and made myself a part of the scene. But I'm literally flabbergasted that the Board would let her go. Hell, at the risk of barrelling headlong into melodrama, Liz Rog is the Co-op - or at least the smiling, blue-eyed face of it. Very strange. Expect the paper to be filled with editorials expressing dismay and righteous indignation in the very near future.

It's interesting - to me, at least - to observe and experience the multiple personalities that a modern small town exhibits. Progress battles it out with heritage and history; technology makes shy advances and awkwardly gropes tradition; cliques and causes eye the competition, preening and strutting their stuff for our attention. I suppose it's the same old story that's been unfolding in every small town, in every generation, but it's half a headtrip to come back and watch it after so much time away.

The upcoming Reunion makes me wonder about our classmates: Why did you stay here? Why did you leave? Why did you come back? Will I measure up? Do I need to measure up? Have 25 years and thousands of miles softened the edges of our teen angst and given us something - maybe everything? - in common?

The Facebook pre-Reunion reunion has been a blast, for me. I wish I could find all 150 of us online and get the memories churning, get the Pep Enough flowing and give us all a chance to share in the victories and defeats, before we come together face to face. It also gives me a moment of pause and a fair amount of chagrin to think that I could have, should have, stayed in touch with so many people over the last 25 years. Ruth did me a huge favor, frankly, asking me to tackle this thing. It's pushing me out of my little world and reminding me of all the great people I had the privilege to grow up with.

I guess that's it from the small town front, for today. On, Decorah!