Whole Wheat Radio

One of the best things I've discovered on the internet is WWR. That's Whole Wheat Radio. WWR originates in Talkeetna, AK and has been around for years but it's current incarnation is very cool. It is an off-shoot of the Wikipedia collaborative wiki model and use the same software they do although modified to WWR's needs. WWR allows listeners to determine what music will be played by selecting songs out of the library. I can't explain it as well as if you just go and look around and see for yourself.

What I like about WWR is the 57,000 songs of independent artists. You won't find Travis Twit or whatever his name is. You won't find Celine, Britany, Faith or any of the artists played on commercial radio. What you will find is Antje Duvekot, Meg Hutchinson, Emily Kurn, Cold Country, Jeffrey Foucault, Last Train Home and many many others. It is folk, americana, country, bluegrass, newgrass, jazz, and blues.

I love my WWR and can't go very long without it. Neither will you once you give it a try.

One of the great things about WWR is that it introduced me to new artists, some of whom have come to Anchorage to play. Had it not been for WWR I wouldn't have noticed them. Because of WWR I've seen and heard many talented artists in person. They play at various venues like the PAC, City Park, Wendy Williams, Humpies, Snow Goose, Tap Root Cafe and others. They are ALWAYS worth the time and many are locals who could use our support.

WWR also has house concerts where the artists play live from Talkeetna and we get to listen for free (donations gladly accepted).

I think you should give Whole Wheat Radio a try. Once you do you won't go back to white bread.

60 Years

My dad used to tell the story of my birth 60 years tomorrow at every birthday gathering. Then when I left home he wrote me a note about it that I still have.

Mom woke him to say it was time. They got dressed and out to the car, turned it around heading for the hospital and... a flat tire. Was a cold March in South Dakota and dad had to change that tire. Worried that I'd come before he finished he hurried in the dark. No reason to hurry as it turns out. I wasn't born until that evening! Fooled him!

I have a lot of stories from dad. Wish i had taken the time over the years to collect more. He led an interesting life. Orphaned at 9 he was passed between sisters and aunts. He went to college and taught in a rural South Dakota school. He fought through the pacific in WWII with his national guard artillery battalion as an enlisted man and later an officer. He was mustard gassed, shot at by a zero or two and grew up quickly. He was always very independent and stoic. The last born, he saw all his brothers and sisters die before him. He lost his wife as well. But he was always religious, thoughtful, generous and loving. His last wish was to die in his own bed and he did.

I miss him today and wish I could hear him tell the story one more time!

Can you say...?

That you've read the Bible from cover to cover? If you can I joined you today. If you can't, why not? The Bible is a unique work of writing that should be read by all, if not because you believe, then to dispel long held wrong ideas or prejudices.

Now to start over!

Microsoft Vista

I never thought the day would come that I'd say I like Vista but it's here. Like anything else new we find fault and cling to what we know best without giving the new the benefit of the doubt. There are a lot of things annoying with Vista such as permissions and the search function but there are a lot of things right with it too such as Mail and Calendar. I really haven't explored very much but am as comfortable getting around in Vista as I was in XP. There is no real reason to give up XP if you don't want to but soon We'll have Windows 7 and then XP will become even more a relic.

It is interesting watching my daughter on her new Vista machine. There really is a steep learning curve, one which I wouldn't want to tackle while working full time and going to class once a week to keep current on a teaching certificate.

So there, I said it. Now what?

Spend, spend, spend

Today in Indiana, President Obama said he sure would like some of the dollars cut out of the Recovery and Reinvestment Bill put back in. He said something like; while we are spending money doesn't it make sense to spend money on problems that have been with us for years. Oh my! Hold on to your wallets!!! I thought this was a RECOVERY plan not a business as usual spending bill!!!

One thing for sure, he's a Democrat!!! Spend, spend spend. When is the new 60% tax bill going to be introduced?

A Tale of Two Choices

Let's say you are associated with a group having internal and even external problems. You get to choose a new spokesperson.

If given the choice between a young man who is well educated and talks well but has no real experience and one who tells it like it is with no sugar, who would you choose?

I think you have already decided and it appears to me that the shine is coming off the one you selected.

The first person promised to clean out the people who aren't doing their jobs and promised a new look to the group. No more business as usual except when it came to picking his staff and management team. Then expediency took front seat to the law and other consideration. His idea of "duck and cover" just in case it is needed is to constantly remind you how bad the group dynamic is and promises solutions. But the solutions sound more like business as usual. He is letting 2 committees make policy while he stands back and talks about it.

The second person who had a sound plan but was a little to rough around the edges and was associated with old management is quietly doing what he proposed to do in the beginning. He is calm and speaks with confidence. His plan is one that makes sense. His associates are likewise getting down to business.

It will be interesting for you to watch these two people and try to be objective. Whose plan will bring positive results? Maybe because you were so desperate for change that you threw your hat into the ring of the first person who spoke so adimately for change.

And you quietly hope this is fanciful writing!

More on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

The Wall street Journal has an excellent article on the "stimulus".