Tonight, I am moved. I am watching the Service for Rosa Parks on C-SPAN. I encourage everyone to either watch this on TV if it is rerun or to just purchase a copy of it at the above link.
Hers is a name I've not paid much attention to over the years. In my world, I've not personally witnessed any horrible acts of prejudice. I've always been raised and taught to respect the equality of all, to love all of my neighbors of this world. We are all God's children, simply said. But what a different world and environment I might have known if it was not for Rosa Parks. It humbles me to think what a different person I might have been if not for Rosa Parks.
I need to tape the above service and keep a copy in my home. To watch it the next time I think I've got it tough. To watch it the next time I feel overwhelmed. To watch it the next time I think that my problems are too high to be overcome. She reminds me that with God, all things are possible. If I live for a just God, I don't need to be overwhelmed by what might be an unjust system. She did overcome and I will overcome.
She didn't want to just be remembered as the bus woman. But that's all I remember being taught about her in school. I didn't know that other black Americans had been arrested for similar incidents prior to her. The difference is that she was the first to plead "not guilty" to breaking any law.
It's now that I am proud to remember a story from my white grandfather's youth. He had a good friend who happened to be black. As the story goes, they would go to the movies together. The law being what it was, his friend was not allowed to sit on the main floor seats but rather was segregated to the balcony seats. Their easy solution was that my grandfather would just sit up in the balcony with his friend and the rest of the moviegoers of color. There was no law against that. It seems that my grandfather was a highly evolved young man and I'm proud to know him.
Of course, I'm sure that I have ancestors whose stories are not as nice. I just don't know those stories. What is important to me though, is that I am to my children and future grandchildren what my grandfather is to his children and grandchildren: a man they are proud to know, and a man Rosa Parks would be proud to know.
May God bless you, Rosa Parks. We needed what you gave us. Thank you.
Here's a link to a bio of her life's work.
Monday, October 31, 2005
The Nashville Library Website Just Got Cooler
While checking my record this morning to see if my copy of Nighthawks At The Diner had come in yet, I found a new feature on the Nashville Public Library website. They have added an image collection.
Here, I have found Nashville postcards dating back to 1907. I have found interesting and historic photos of downtown Nashville from several decades past. I see a picture of JFK speaking at the Maxwell House Hotel in 1959. I also see a photo of Mayor Beverly Briley's Oath of Office. (Sorry about your messed up parkway.)
There is a 1962 photo of the under construction Municipal Auditorium, where I would later meet the likes of Def Leppard and Bon Jovi. I also found a photo of the Hume Fogg basketball team from 1969. My brother would later play for the same school.
As cool as this is, I need to get down to the library and visit their Nashville Room and see what else they've got. I may have a Murfreesboro address, but I've got a Nashville heart and soul.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
You Want Fresh Sounds? The Go! Team Is On
Sunday morning, 9 am, The Go! Team is wowing me to no end. If my car stearo was half decent, I'd be blasting this to and from work for the next month and a half. As it is, I will have to settle for deafening my neighbors with it when I get home tonight.
Find the music, read about it, and rock on, people!
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Our Very Own Vandyland On The Splendid Table
Thanks to Corey for sending me this audio link to The Splendid Table talking about Vandyland.
And also thanks for pointing me to roadfood.com and their Vandyland page. I'd advice all readers to get on down to Vandyland, say hi to chef Mac McGee, and order a delicious chocolate soda.
And also thanks for pointing me to roadfood.com and their Vandyland page. I'd advice all readers to get on down to Vandyland, say hi to chef Mac McGee, and order a delicious chocolate soda.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Mark Your Calendars, Set Your Tivos
Nov 9, PBS Steve Martin Tribute
Also, Shopgirl is playing in select cities and is getting rave reviews. Watch for it at your local theater and enjoy.
Also, Shopgirl is playing in select cities and is getting rave reviews. Watch for it at your local theater and enjoy.
Who Do You Love?
That title only vaguely goes with this entry, but in thinking of two friends and their famous former boyfriends, I thought of that great Bo Diddley song. Rock still hasn't really improved on that great classic tune. Anyway, on with the blog...
So, now I have two friends from work who are kind of like rock stars in my eyes. And by that, I mean that they both have dated famous people - one of whom is actually a rock star. These two women were already cool in my book, but their former boyfriends raised them up a notch or two.
The first one, I haven't seen in a few years. It's a shame how people so easily drift apart. No big falling out, no big drama. Just that moment when you realize that you haven't talked to that person in about six months, which later becomes years. That's life I suppose.
Anyway, E. and I were good friends who had football in common. Big Titans fans, we went to a few games together, talked about each game the day after, and generally had the big time. Some people thought we were dating, but it wasn't like that at all. We were just really good friends. Then one day, I started talking about how much the Cincinnati Bengals were a part of my football childhood. The great games with names like Ken Anderson and Cris Collinsworth and Icky Woods.
It was at this point that she told me that she and Cris used to date. I was over at her house and she dug up an old picture of him to show me. It struck me as a bit weird that the man who had once been her boyfriend was also the man on the poster on my wall when I was a child. No wallet size for me. How about 16x20?
And recently I was talking to a good friend who I admire greatly. Our thing tends to be music, always getting around to cool John Prine stories and such. Just a few weeks ago, she tells me that she used to date Southside Johnny. Being a man who listens to at least one Bruce Springsteen song a week and sometimes the same Bruce CD in my car for three weeks straight, I am now quite enamored by this info. Anyone with any E Street connection at all is immediately immeasurably cool in my book. It's safe to say that I will forever hang on her every word from now on.
Seriously, I hang on her every word anyway. She is an incredibly compassionate person and I'm lucky to call her my friend. I wish her the absolute best in life and I hope that in a few years I'm not remembering her as yet another person from whom I've drifted.
So, now I have two friends from work who are kind of like rock stars in my eyes. And by that, I mean that they both have dated famous people - one of whom is actually a rock star. These two women were already cool in my book, but their former boyfriends raised them up a notch or two.
The first one, I haven't seen in a few years. It's a shame how people so easily drift apart. No big falling out, no big drama. Just that moment when you realize that you haven't talked to that person in about six months, which later becomes years. That's life I suppose.
Anyway, E. and I were good friends who had football in common. Big Titans fans, we went to a few games together, talked about each game the day after, and generally had the big time. Some people thought we were dating, but it wasn't like that at all. We were just really good friends. Then one day, I started talking about how much the Cincinnati Bengals were a part of my football childhood. The great games with names like Ken Anderson and Cris Collinsworth and Icky Woods.
It was at this point that she told me that she and Cris used to date. I was over at her house and she dug up an old picture of him to show me. It struck me as a bit weird that the man who had once been her boyfriend was also the man on the poster on my wall when I was a child. No wallet size for me. How about 16x20?
And recently I was talking to a good friend who I admire greatly. Our thing tends to be music, always getting around to cool John Prine stories and such. Just a few weeks ago, she tells me that she used to date Southside Johnny. Being a man who listens to at least one Bruce Springsteen song a week and sometimes the same Bruce CD in my car for three weeks straight, I am now quite enamored by this info. Anyone with any E Street connection at all is immediately immeasurably cool in my book. It's safe to say that I will forever hang on her every word from now on.
Seriously, I hang on her every word anyway. She is an incredibly compassionate person and I'm lucky to call her my friend. I wish her the absolute best in life and I hope that in a few years I'm not remembering her as yet another person from whom I've drifted.
What's My Exit Number?
Hey TDOT! When you finish with Briley Parkway and I-40, can you take a look at my exit number off of I-24? Thanks.
The number six gets no respect. Take that, number six.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Back On The Block
It appears that all is well for the PC...again. So no more library blogging for me...until next time.
Got a touch of wanderlust here. Driving home tonight, I decided that it would be cool if I was driving across the country with a friend, singing loudly along to obscure Warren Zevon songs. But coming home and listening to Santa Monica's KCRW will suffice for now. I will never tire of hearing songs I've never heard before.
For some reason, I got to thinking of old places I used to go to in Nashville when I was a kid. I'll throw out a few names of these special places which no longer exist. Dipper Dan's was an ice cream shop that my dad and I used to go to. There was some diner in Melrose whose name I forget right now; I will say that when I think of that diner, I remember that I used to always play "Black Water" by the Doobie Brothers on the jukebox. My favorite line from that song? "...pretty mama come and take me by the hand..."
Campus Grill was another spot that I loved. That was in the Vandy area and I always called it the Campus Girl. I remember the woman on the storefront sign (neon maybe?) and the cool, tall white hats the cooks wore. And lastly, The Sailmaker was the coolest place ever. All of the waiters and waitresses were all dressed up as characters. For the life of me, I have no idea if they were Disney type characters or generic pirates and such. I just know that little Bez loved the experience of going there all of the time.
It's good to be back to the blog and I hope for the best of health for this computer before me. And big time thanks to Greg for fixing it. I still owe you more beer.
Got a touch of wanderlust here. Driving home tonight, I decided that it would be cool if I was driving across the country with a friend, singing loudly along to obscure Warren Zevon songs. But coming home and listening to Santa Monica's KCRW will suffice for now. I will never tire of hearing songs I've never heard before.
For some reason, I got to thinking of old places I used to go to in Nashville when I was a kid. I'll throw out a few names of these special places which no longer exist. Dipper Dan's was an ice cream shop that my dad and I used to go to. There was some diner in Melrose whose name I forget right now; I will say that when I think of that diner, I remember that I used to always play "Black Water" by the Doobie Brothers on the jukebox. My favorite line from that song? "...pretty mama come and take me by the hand..."
Campus Grill was another spot that I loved. That was in the Vandy area and I always called it the Campus Girl. I remember the woman on the storefront sign (neon maybe?) and the cool, tall white hats the cooks wore. And lastly, The Sailmaker was the coolest place ever. All of the waiters and waitresses were all dressed up as characters. For the life of me, I have no idea if they were Disney type characters or generic pirates and such. I just know that little Bez loved the experience of going there all of the time.
It's good to be back to the blog and I hope for the best of health for this computer before me. And big time thanks to Greg for fixing it. I still owe you more beer.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
We'll Just Call This My Hiatus
My home PC is 3 years old. It's cranky. It's buggy. And it's spending the week at my friend's house. My friend knows how to fix computers and I don't. My friend fixes computers for the low, low price of a 12-pack of cheap beer.
Until he gets it back into shape, I'll be checking e-mails at the library. And, except for this post, I doubt I'll be doing much blogging.
Carry on and be well.
Until he gets it back into shape, I'll be checking e-mails at the library. And, except for this post, I doubt I'll be doing much blogging.
Carry on and be well.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Georgia Bulldog Fans Meet Georgia Bulldog
Uga? Ari. Ari? Uga.
Uga? Joshua. Joshua? Uga.
Proud photo-op complete. Carry on and enjoy your day.
Sheryl Crow, I Owe You An Apology
A few months ago, I wrote rather dismissively about a lot of what you have created musically since David Baerwald became a part of your creative past. Later, I heard "Good Is Good" from your new CD. Then, tonight, I heard your new CD in its entirety. You pretty much own me again.
This release, Wildflower, is a thing of beauty. It stands up there with your first release from so many years ago. It even seems to surpass it right this minute. It rivals my girl Aimee Mann, reminds me a bit of Sam Philips, and is the smoothest, coolest thing I have listened to in a long time.
I read an interview where you said that with John Shanks producing, instead of you producing yourself, you was able to really just focus on the songwriting and your own vocals in a way that you hadn't for previous releases. I can hear that your voice does seem to resonate in a way I haven't heard before. Your perfectly controlled raspiness complements the richly arranged songs in just the perfect way.
I suppose Wildflower could be just a little bit more quirky for my taste. It seems to get close to it with "Live It Up", albeit in a good-vibe, positive-anthem kind of way, but you totally lost me with "Always On Your Side" which just feels made for cheesy first dances at weddings across the globe. Still, it's a strong record and I thank you for it.
This release, Wildflower, is a thing of beauty. It stands up there with your first release from so many years ago. It even seems to surpass it right this minute. It rivals my girl Aimee Mann, reminds me a bit of Sam Philips, and is the smoothest, coolest thing I have listened to in a long time.
I read an interview where you said that with John Shanks producing, instead of you producing yourself, you was able to really just focus on the songwriting and your own vocals in a way that you hadn't for previous releases. I can hear that your voice does seem to resonate in a way I haven't heard before. Your perfectly controlled raspiness complements the richly arranged songs in just the perfect way.
I suppose Wildflower could be just a little bit more quirky for my taste. It seems to get close to it with "Live It Up", albeit in a good-vibe, positive-anthem kind of way, but you totally lost me with "Always On Your Side" which just feels made for cheesy first dances at weddings across the globe. Still, it's a strong record and I thank you for it.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Vivian Malone Jones, Stronger Than I
Dawgs, Dores, Titans, Bengals, Oh My
This is quite the interesting football weekend for me. Vandy and Georgia are playing right now. I have always been a dutiful Vandy fan. My wife, however, went to UGA and is very much the rabid, maniacal fan. That sweet, kind, polite southern girl I married sure can cuss when it comes to Georgia football. Now, I am always rooting for my Dores when they play, but I never expect them to win, so I never really care much about these "house divided" games.
But this year, with their 4-0 start and current 4-2 record, I want my team to win big time this weekend. I don't care about my wife's feelings for the next hour or so. I'm a Dores fan, man. And I'll take any and all wins that'll help secure a Bowl bid for the Black and Gold.
And then, there's Sunday. Our much aligned Tennessee Titans play the once-upon-a-time hapless Cincinnati Bengals. This year's Bengals are the proud owners of a 4-1 record. The first NFL game I ever attended was a Bengals-Seahawks matchup in the now defunct Riverfront Stadium. For twelve years, they were the whipping boys of the NFL, the celler swellers of their division, teams felt rewarded to find them on their schedule. An easy win, no doubt. But now, the tide has turned. It is a team whose owners are making better hiring and spending decisions. It is a team whose coaches are making a difference. They are smart, tough, and impassioned, and it shows on the field.
My cool pop was a Cincinnati kid and he raised me to know the deliciousness of Skyline Chili, the timeless lyrics to the song "We're Here Because We're Here", and that there is not much more satisfying than a Cincinnati Bengals victory. So, Tennessee Titans, I love you. But not this week. To those who know, I say "Who dey, who dey?" You know the rest.
(Edit to add: Vandy game is over. They have lost. Georgia won. Dawgs, I now wish you a national championship.)
But this year, with their 4-0 start and current 4-2 record, I want my team to win big time this weekend. I don't care about my wife's feelings for the next hour or so. I'm a Dores fan, man. And I'll take any and all wins that'll help secure a Bowl bid for the Black and Gold.
And then, there's Sunday. Our much aligned Tennessee Titans play the once-upon-a-time hapless Cincinnati Bengals. This year's Bengals are the proud owners of a 4-1 record. The first NFL game I ever attended was a Bengals-Seahawks matchup in the now defunct Riverfront Stadium. For twelve years, they were the whipping boys of the NFL, the celler swellers of their division, teams felt rewarded to find them on their schedule. An easy win, no doubt. But now, the tide has turned. It is a team whose owners are making better hiring and spending decisions. It is a team whose coaches are making a difference. They are smart, tough, and impassioned, and it shows on the field.
My cool pop was a Cincinnati kid and he raised me to know the deliciousness of Skyline Chili, the timeless lyrics to the song "We're Here Because We're Here", and that there is not much more satisfying than a Cincinnati Bengals victory. So, Tennessee Titans, I love you. But not this week. To those who know, I say "Who dey, who dey?" You know the rest.
(Edit to add: Vandy game is over. They have lost. Georgia won. Dawgs, I now wish you a national championship.)
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