Katrina Aid

It's heartbreaking to see the videos of the destruction left behind on the gulf coast by hurricane Katrina. It will undoubtedly be a long time before things get back to normal down there, if they ever do.

It's nice to see the american corporations stepping up to the plate with food, water, and cash donations to help their fellow citizens, and I have done my part by donating to the Red Cross efforts.

One question I have to ask though.

Where is the international community?

Every disaster in another country is followed by requests and sometimes "demands" for U.S. aid. Then when the Americans "annie up" and give aid we are sometimes criticized for it not being enough.

Where is their help now that we could use it??

Instead of siphoning off our taxdollars "as fast as the dollar wheels on a gas pump turn", step up to the plate. Do your part.

But as usual, I'm sure it will be Americans taking care of Americans.

A late "Big Link"

Sorry the "Big Link" is late but just got back from the coast.

Back in 'da "Big City"

Finally made it back to the "big city" from Morehead/Atlantic Beach on Sunday, and with a thankful no show from Irene.Just in time to start classes on Monday.

With everyday scenes such as this early morning sunrise.............





this deserted beach perfect for reflecting and quiet time alone.........................





and this sunset, it makes me wonder why the hell I ever decided to come back.

It also makes me want to put the residence up for sale, transfer to Cape Fear Community College, and get out. I don't think it would take much convincing on my part to get the "son" to move, but what would I do without "Greensboro"?

Thanks Irene

Looks like Irene is going to spare the coast.

Thanks.

So it's off to the beach later this morning for a much needed vacation before starting my classes on August 22.

Yep, back to school 32 years after graduating! But that's a whole 'nother post.

The Big Link

The big link for this week is Roch's new local internet advertising company.

Me, Myself and Irene

No not the Jim Carrey movie, but I'd really like to know what it is with Me, Myself and Irene.

The 1999 Hurricane Irene ran me and a friend off the coast from a long awaited fishing trip. We left during torrential rains only to drive home and find out that rain was the only thing North Carolina got out of the storm. The weather was beautiful at the coast the day after we got home.

Now we have another Irene threatening the North Carolina coast. Just so happens that our annual family beach trip to Emerald Isle is planned for next week.

Do we go or not??

Nobody saying anything right now but I'd sure hate to go down there and have to turn around and drive back in all that "evacuation traffic".

Go figure. Just my luck.

Just hope the bitch stays away from here.

And if I ever do get married again, her name will not be Irene.

Showtime

Showtime's new program "Weeds".

Showtime's promotion for new subscribers. Free Haagen-Dazs for a year.

Coincidence?

Probably not but what better way to satisfy your "munchies" after watching that new program?

But for how long?

With all the hoopla over this at the August 1 G'boro City Council meeting and the plans to adopt a resolution against it and officially contact businesses selling this product and expressing displeasure, a resolution may be adopted against watching Showtime in Greensboro NC because of their new program.

Happening Again

Talking with one of my fellow co-workers for the past 24 years, until I got laid off in April, and he is telling me that they are gearing up for another round of layoffs soon.

They used the same spiel that they used when they laid me off.

"Bad management decisions and overseas competition."

What burns my ass is why aren't the people that made the "bad decisions" headed out the door along with the hourly employees that are losing their jobs??

It makes no sense to me how one company can buy another, have the same equipment, employees, accounts, (the only change was in management), and run it into the ground in 2 years, with 50 to 60% (maybe more since the're not finished) of the employees losing their job.

Unless that was their intention from the start.

The Big Link

Was out of town and it's late. Guess it's better late than never.

Last week's Big Link is here.

Success in Wilmington

The Cape Fear Blues Festival went off this weekend without a hitch. I guess my Woodstock '69 no rain dance really worked. We did have a deluge on Friday night but it was after the Blues Cruise, and everybody had moved off to the inside venues safe from mother nature.

We decided on The Rusty Nail because a friend from Greensboro co-owns the place and we needed to renew old friendships with someone we haven't seen in awhile.

The Polar Bear Blues Band was playing, the suds were flowing, and we enjoyed the companionship and energy of blues lovers from all over North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina. Even a couple that had drove in from Texas because a friend of their's was playing in the festival.


The pic at left is one Jr took from the deck of the Battleship North Carolina. It was early and several members of our party decided to tour the battleship before things started cranking up.

The park where the festival is held is located next to the battleship. Can't ask for a more serene setting to hold an event.

The dock in the pic is one where you could take a $3 boat ride on the Cape Fear River.








An early shower on Saturday kept some of the crowd indoors. When the sun came out the place got slammed. The tent was full and about 50% of the grass area was covered.

Food and beverages were available as well as artwork from a local artist.

Jr said the Hawaiian food was the best though all I saw him eat was hamburgers and french fries.










The concert featured the Dynamic Therm-O-Tones, Charlie & Rose Lucas, The Cape Fear Blues All-Stars, Tad Walters, Elliot & The Untouchables, Lil Ronnie and The Grand Dukes, and Jimmy Thackery and The Drivers.

Elliot & The Untouchables put on one hell of a show. They are a band out of Columbia SC and play at the Double Door in Charlotte quite often. If you haven't seen them and like the blues, this is a must see concert.

Then there's Jimmy Thackery (pic left) and The Drivers. A former guitar player for The Nighthawks, Thackery is just an awesome, awesome show.

It's been said about Thackery that he is a four hour show.

Not that he plays four hours, but that is how far one should drive to see him.

And I'm here to tell you---------he doesn't disappoint.

Now we'll gear up for the Bull Durham Blues Festival coming in September. Maybe see you there!!

The Big Link

This weeks Big Link