Blogvious

I’m sitting in San Francisco International Airport waiting for my flight. It’s 9/11/08. Seven years ago today the world was going mad. Today the air is thick with 9/11 tributes, which I find completely fitting and proper. Those touched personally of course have a special kinship with the event that the rest of us have been spared. I was home in San Diego when it happened. I was up early and saw plane number two hit in real time. It was like a surreal nightmare which one could not fully comprehend - or awaken from. No one I knew personally was touched, but like all Americans, I was forever changed.

When I was two years old JFK was assassinated. I grew up in a world of adults frequently asking one another ”where were you when…?”  Because I was a baby, I never experienced the horror of that event. The closest I ever came to understanding it was in 1985 when the Challenger exploded, killing all aboard, including the first teacher in space. Nothing of course could prepare any of us for the atrocities of seven years ago today. Now I too ask, “Where were you…?”, as do so many others.

There was also a frequent refrain about how much the world had changed since that day in Dallas. Phrases like ‘the end of innocence’ and ‘the end of Camelot’ were frequently used. Since I did not know a world before that date, I could not relate to any change at all. Was the world better?  Was the world worse? We tend to idealize the past. It’s a universal human tendency - and it’s usually incorrect. The world is a much better place today than it was 40-odd years ago, but it certainly is different as well. 

How about the the youngest among us today?  They are born into a world of color coded threats, encroachments on civil liberties, US troops fighting in far off lands, stringent security and global terrorism (and global warming). They do not know life before this…then again, they will not know of ‘duck and cover’, ‘cold war’, ‘mutually assured destruction’ or other relics from a nightmare era I hope we have left in the dust bin of history. Their world, on balance, is a better one from many perspectives.

Is the world better overall? Is the world worse on balance? People tend to find what they are looking for, so the answer to both could be yes. If you want to believe the world is worse since 9/11, you can find ample evidence. If you want to believe the world is better in spite of 9/11, and that humanity, for all the warts and indiscretions, continues an upward spiral of accomplishment, then there is plenty of evidence for that as well. As an optimistic realist, I strongly hold the latter view.

However, and regardless of your world view, today is a day for all Americans to reflect on what has happened, what changed, and what we learned. To remember that the world can be a dangerous place, and that ideas do matter. Some of those ideas are worth defending at any cost. I’m not wrapping myself in the flag here. Our nation was based on dissension and revolution. We need many voices in the public square. Today however is a day to quiet those voices and reflect.

The sun will come up again tomorrow, and we can again begin our quarrelsome discussions. It’s also a good time to ask someone “where were you when…?”

– Carl Melville / Blogvious

There were two historic milestones in 1908. The world saw the Ford Model-T for the very first time, and the Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the very last time. Even my beloved Wrigley Field was not built until six years later, 1914. Could this be the year? Could this be the end of the curse? Was the 20th century simply a rebuilding century? As many diehard cub fans know, we’ve been down this road before.

The last time that I was this excited about the prospect of the Chicago Cubs entering the World Series was 1969. I was eight years old, and with childlike curiosity and glee I watched as the season unfolded and the Cubs continue to rack up victories. Ron Santo. Billy Williams. Don Kessinger. And of course the beloved Mr. Cub himself, Ernie Banks. George Will said that the golden age of baseball was whenever you are 10 years old. In my case he was off by two years but I certainly understand his point of view.

Those of you that follow baseball may remember that 1969 was also the year of the so-called Miracle Mets. What seemed like a miracle to the rest of the world seemed like a nightmare to me as my first place cubbies continue to lose game after game after game, all the while the Mets — who had been in the cellar all season long continue to rack up late-summer victories. My Grandfather, one of the greatest Cubs fans that’s ever lived, tried to warn me that fading in the fall was something the Cubs were known for. You can guess – or remember how the story ended. The Cubs didn’t go to the World Series, they didn’t win the National League pennant, they didn’t even win their division. It was also when I became familar with the Cubs mantra “There’s always next year”.

It’s now almost 40 years later and the Cubs are once again poised to go all the way. This could be the year, and what a way to end a century of losses. As I write this, the Milwaukee Brewers are four games behind the Cubs and have a better won / loss record in the last 10 games. The only thing worse than losing to the Mets again would be losing to the Cheeseheads from Wisconsin. The fact that the Milwaukee Brewers are even in the National League (vs. American) is surely a sign of the coming apocalypse. If you see a Packers fan of horse, run for cover.

I’m over 2000 miles away from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field now, but if the Cubs managed to make it, I will find a way to get back home and see at least one game. This is one that simply can’t be missed. However, if they fade, I will do what all true Cub fans do; I look forward to next year. Being a Cub fan from an early age has taught me to both deal with adversity and have faith in the future. Eamus Catuli. Go Cubbies!

– Carl Melville / Blogvious

It is not hyperbole to suggest that there is a new star in the Republican Party tonight. Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention was an absolute home run by any measure.

Last night I was flying home on a coast-to-coast Delta flight. This particular bird has satellite video feeds built into every headrest (in coach too). CNN was covering the Republican National Convention but frankly it had been a long day and listening to the chattering class of pundits exchange idioms with seasoned pols did not intrigue me in the least.

I was interested in hearing Sarah Palin speak, mainly out of curiosity. My expectations were quite low. I had no idea who she was and the initial press information on her was bland, neutral and sketchy. The biggest controversy was whether she should be on the ticket all - then she began to speak. Wow. I was hooked.

I am an unabashed fan of Ronald Wilson Reagan. History will note that he was one of the greatest presidents of his century and in all of American history. He could also deliver one hell of a good speech. Bill Clinton, who followed Reagan by four years was also a skilled orator that could speak to the longings, emotions and aspirations of his base. When it comes to stagecraft he is as good as it gets - maybe the best there ever was.

The speech Sarah gave was one of the best I’d ever seen. It was full of red meat for the base (these speeches always are) but the delivery was extraordinary. There is truly a new star in the Republican party, and her name is Sarah. I cannot remember in my lifetime, and I was born the year that Kennedy was elected, that there has been a true rock star in the Republican Party.  During that time there have been several in the Democratic Party, most notably Bill Clinton, and of course the current candidate, Barack Obama.

Will Sarah’s efforts be enough?  Too soon to tell. Run, Sarah, Run.

– Carl / Blogvious

In a previous post I pondered the proposition of Twitter. To Twitt or Not to Twitt. Open minded but skeptical, I said that I would try to see what all the fuss was about. I was unexpectedly surprised with what I discovered.

More than just a self-aggrandizing podium for ego-centric technorati, though there is plenty of that, Twitter is actually fun - and a bit addictive. I’ve set up several Twitters now and am using them for personal and business reasons. Have they had a huge impact? Probably not. But as anyone involved in SEO can tell you, every little bit counts.

If you’ve not yet Twittered, take it from a would-be-doubting-dinosaur, it’s worth a look. For more information or to sign up, go to www.twitter.com.

– Carl / Blogvious

Don’t you love the old rock groups that recapture the public eye?  Well, not always. The Strolling Bones can still kick it out, but a few others need to pack it up and move along.

Remember Devo? Yes, that Devo. As in “Whip It” and a host of other widely forgotten tunes? Well they are back. What are they doing? Touring? Recording? Nope. They’re suing McDonald’s. Yes, lovable Ronald McDonald - a guy not geeky enough to be a member of Devo - is now the target of a lawsuit.

Seems Donald had donned the red Devo hat. While they are at it, they are also suing American Idol. They are actually suing because they claim a toy in the Happy Meal box is wearing ‘their hat’. As I said, you can’t make this stuff up. If you really want details, here’s the link: Divo sues over Happy Meal Toy.

By the way guys, the 1980’s called. They said your 15 minutes ended when Members Only went out of style.

– Carl Melville / Blogvious

In the Pantheon of great comedians, those that blazed trails, smashed barriers, and changed popular culture, none stand taller than George Carlin. A master of the language and an incredible comic talent, he used his gifts to actually change society’s norms. He gave voice to an entire generation, making it OK to challenge authority - especially arbitrary rules created for the benefit of the few. He did all this while keeping us laughing.

A friend of mine once referred to Carlin as “…a burnt out remnant of the ’60’s…”. While far from burnt out (he continued creative and productive work until the day of his death), he truly was a product of the 1960’s. Shunned by the establishment, he was a huge underground and counterculture hit. I was in grammar school when I first heard the “Seven Words You Can’t Say On Television”. Even at that tender age, listening to something I know I was not supposed to hear, I began to wonder “why?”.

Carlin made us ask “Why?” on a range of social, religious, and political issues. Agree with him nor not - he always left us laughing. He was also an equal opportunity harpooner. Democrat or Republican, white or black, north or south, everyone was fair game - so long as their pomposity made them stand out.

Raised a Catholic, Carlin saved his sharpest barbs for religion. Any religion. I have no doubt this offended many. The issues he raised, for the most part, were fair game - but not normally things we are comfortable talking about. No one could do that like Carlin.

When I listen to the razor sharp comedy of Chris Rock, and note the uncomfortable feelings it brings up in his audience, all the while laughing hysterically, I can’t help but think also of George Carlin. He’s left an indelible mark, and he will be missed. Bye George, and thanks for asking “why?”

If you’ve not heard of Steampunk, you are not alone. What an unbelievable visual tour de force. The look is hard to describe. My best shot was Retro-Nuevo-Chic-Techno-Deco, but even that comes up short. A friend is really in to this look and turned me on to it. The keyboard pics are just some of the items these guys concoct. To see and learn more about this genre, visit The Steampunk Workshop. Not sure how well they work, but I want one.

For more information on the Steampunk genre, visit Wikipedia.

– Carl / Blogvious