Go Vote!

The polls are open now and have been for quite some time. Check here for the list of early voting places in NC. Here's a map of those places in Forsyth County.

Luckily, if you want to vote on Saturday (which I'll be doing), the State Board of Elections revised Saturday hours until 5 p.m. If you're in line at 5, you get to vote. If not, plan to come back on Tuesday.

And, if you want to go ahead and make your decisions before you get to the poll (it does make it quicker to vote once you actually get in), you can print out a sample ballot, here.

Happy voting!

Game Designers Are So Sneaky . . .

Well, either that, or Tiger Woods can walk on water.



Wait, EA Sports says he can. Hmm . . .

You Can't Be Serious

"Last night came final and irrevocable proof that the country is entering tough economic times, unseen since the 80s: AC/DC have returned to the top of the album charts for the first time in 28 years." (The Guardian, October 27, 2008, here)

Wow, really? I heard about this on the way home this evening, this theory that AC/DC doesn't do well or release an album unless economic times are really horrendous. And The Guardian does make a good point; see the end of their story for that.

But AC/DC as a bellweather for the economy? Really, how simplistic do they think we are?

In honor of those evidently very intelligent and foresight-filled men . . .

From Shelton . . .

Yes, I really did stomp grapes. It was lots of fun. Beautiful vineyard. They're the only estate winery in the state, meaning that they grow their own grapes and make their own wine. They're also the largest in the state, and their winemaking process is driven by gravity. Go check it out.

I Really Could've Sworn She Was at Shelton

I think it comes as no surprise that I became much closer with my paternal grandmother in my senior year of undergrad. She was wired, and stayed that way, even though she lived alone on a mountain with a small dog and the great outdoors in Spokane. It was her way of staying connected to her progeny, especially those of us far away, who wanted to hear from her, who'd share things with her because we knew she would listen and give us good counsel.

When she passed, just a few months after I graduated, I didn't truly get the opportunity to grieve. Now, as I honor her memory by posting her thoughts here, I'm blessed by the presence I feel.

And I'm not really surprised at all that she showed up at Shelton this past weekend to check on me, my mom and my dad. Angels are just good like that, you know.

******************************************************************************
(April 2, 1999)

In the old days, the aged were the story tellers making history and religious values alive and important. In recent times, we make our old ones think they are not important. We spoof their stories and make them feel foolish.

The truth is that we are ignorant of what is precious. Rigidity can creep in and set in young minds if there are no soft memories, no laughter, no times too deep for tears.

Age is grace-a time too valuable to waste.

Peace,
Tawanka

And a glorious Easter to all.

Aughh! We're at War!

Ok, well, maybe not. But, yesterday at Shelton Vineyards, when they shot the cannon (yes, a cannon; twice, even) to scare the birds out of the vines, it scared almost everyone.

Good wine. Grape stomping. A tour. More wine. Cheese. Art. Beautiful weather. A good day all around.

Photos later, after dad remembers to send them.

Men's Rules for What Not to Do on Match

Match is fun. It really is. If nothing else, as I've mentioned before, it's great for the ego. But I've come to discover a lot of things guys shouldn't do. Now, should any guy on Match (or some other half-way reputable dating site) find this, I feel it my duty to share the below rules for what not to do on Match.

1. Do not say, "I know you," unless you really do. Then, if you really do, stop being a freak and actually talk to the gal in real life. If you don't, you're just proving how completely ignorant you are and how highly you think of us women.
   
2. If you're much, much older than my preferred age range--like old-enough-to-be-my-father older--that's not cool. That's not cute. That's creepy. And desperate. And so completely transparent.
3. If you write an email, at least make an effort! You're trying to impress someone on the other side, and dear heavens, if it's me, you lose major points for writing "u" instead of "you" or thinking "a lot" is one word instead of two or for proving that your high school was incorrect in recommending you for graduation because of your severe lack of basic understanding of third-grade English grammar.
4. Don't say something like, "I thought I'd try this." It's like admitting defeat and that all the other women you've ever met and dated (or tried to date) didn't have anything good to say about you. To anyone. Ever. Please, for all of us, grow a pair and don't think that your life sucks because you're on an on-line dating site. You're not admitting defeat; you're pursuing an additional opportunity.
   
5. The profile is there for a reason. Please, fill it out. If we wanted to know nothing about you, we would stare at you from across a crowded coffee shop and do absolutely nothing. Instead, we clicked. If we're interested enough to look at your entire profile, give us at least something to learn about when we get there.
6. Do not give backhanded compliments like: "I love how you don't waste the space above you're shoulders." (Yep, that's a genuine comment off of Match, grammatical errors and all.)
7. Do not send a bold-faced booty call message like this: "Let me be honest . . . I'm not looking for a relationship but . . . I'm a very fun guy and you won't be disappointed." That's repulsive. If you want that, try some other site like Adult Friend Finder. Or Craigslist.
   
8. Balance the ego with modesty. Yes, you should tell us about the good stuff, but don't puff your chest too much. If you do, it means you have no room to care about anyone else in your life.
9. Post a photo. Or 12. A head shot's great, but it's amazing what you don't see in a head shot that you wish you'd known about. Attraction online doesn't always start with a photo, but it's still a big part of it.
10. Get someone who knows you well to see whether you actually match what your profile says. This game doesn't get any easier online; in some respects, it gets harder. Wouldn't it be better if you didn't waste your time and money with someone who thought you were something else entirely, by eliminating that chance at the beginning?

WFDD Wants My Money

They do. They ask for it about 200 times a day this week. And I'm inclined to give them some of it, especially when they tell me I could win a Mac Book Air (ooh, ahh). But, I'm not convinced.

I'm not convinced because I know how much they ask businesses to pay for "sponsorships." In my industry, they're known as really very expensive, really very short ads that you have to run lots of to make any impact at all.

I'm also not convinced because they could be (if they're not) writing grants to get their funding. And because they get some of my taxpayer money, too.

And, let's be honest: Diane Rehm's voice grates on me like nothing else and someone over at WFDD the other day said it would be worth paying the 27% cost increase for her program next year. I disagree. Completely.

In any case, I do value what NPR brings me, at least most of what it brings me. But I want a little more say in how they spend my money. Shouldn't I be able to vote for which shows make it and which ones don't? Shouldn't I be able suggest that WFDD only give in-kind sponsorships to local arts groups? Shouldn't there be a listener advisory board to help the staff decide how to spend all that money?

Someday, tomorrow perhaps, I will give WFDD money again, especially when they threaten the non-renewal of Morning Edition or All Things Considered or Prairie Home Companion. But until I can direct my donation to my favorite shows or at least most of my money to that part of the station I really want to support, it's going to take a lot more to part me from my money.

Other charities, including the couple I've got listed on the side of this blog? Check them out on Charity Navigator. Heck, for a shocking look at how some charities are run, check out the Top Ten Lists. It's even worth pointing out that Charity Navigator's got a good list of how to be a good philanthropist, here.

Be smart with your money, especially these days.

"A Man Trained in the Art of Seduction . . ."

Oh, yeah. It's my new favorite show. Really, with a quote like this, how can you NOT like this show? Yep, I missed the entire first season, but it's not really necessary, especially when NBC loads two minute reviews online of every episode.



(c) Warner Bros Television

Questions for All

(March 27, 1999)


When we were born, we could not walk or talk or even focus our eyes. But the ability to do all these things and more was born in us. By continual effort, we still grow and learn and develop our identities.

We learned early that we were not a bird and not an animal. And this is where personality begins to question--then, what am I? Who am I? Why am I here?

Is this an identity crisis?

No. It is a belief crisis.

Peace,
Tawanka

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Took the video down; it was driving me nuts.

Watch it here.