New G-Sync Feedback

It appears my new Lifestyle Editor position at RapidGrowthMedia.com's G-Sync column is making an impact on the entertainment scene of Grand Rapids.

Here is a reprint of an email that Wealthy Theatre's Erin Wilson sent to his staff this morning. It highlights the real issue in our community and the dire need to advocate and promote community building events.

"In a week when the all-original "Judy Show" (10/10/08 at WT) has gotten nil advance copy...

Rapid Growth provides: http://rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/gsync100908.aspx

Big thanks to Tommy, whose own website Tanglefootstudio.com references the artist who created Wealthy Theatre's facade logo, Alynn Guerra (who has an exhibit opening next week, more info here: http://www.alynn-guerra.blogspot.com/ )

It's a small world after all. And thanks to RG, there are good people in the city of GR who know we exist and have events and all that ;-)

What a great publication... Cheers, Erin (Wilson)"

p.s. SAVE THE DATE: TANGLEFOOT 18 OPEN STUDIO is NOVEMBER 21-23. Details to follow.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. (The 3 R's On Target)

In the April 14th issue of Newsweek, they devoted the magazine to the sujet du jour, Green.

In my bedroom, aI plow through the stacks of magazines that will eventually become something else, I was encouraged that the cover of this Newsweek would become a great stylish bag.

Target in looking to reduce their impact on the planet, is asking us to send back our red and white plastic bags. In exchange for this gesture, they will send us a fashionable reusable bag....Free.

So in the images to follow, I have provided a photo illustration of how it all went down this AM...and all from the comfort of my bed.

Recycling in the bedroom, who would have thought it was possible.*

If one missed this issue, I am pretty sure one will find it in a doctor's lobby or by dumpster diving in your better read neighbors curbside recycling bin. (However, on the latter activity, remember we live in a YouTube world now.)




(*While this blogger believes there are many items we can make greener in our bedrooms, he does not encourage the recycling of certain items. Please do not rinse "préservatifs" and hang on your clothes line, these are still a one shot and then discard item.)

Happy Earth Day, Grand Rapids!

( Congrats on another year without bike lanes. )

Well, Hello, Dalai

"Its so nice to have you back where you belong."

This past weekend the Dalai Lama was in Ann Arbor and the timing of his message of alleviating suffering is still a timeless goal not often obtained enough in this world.

Having been backstage for the event, it is a bizarre twist to be so close to someone and watch the many who have to safeguard his life.

I guess when someone uses words like 'fragile peace' it is easy to become a target of violence. Why is it those who advocate peace are always on the front lines of violent attacks?

As he sat cross-legged in his chair His Holiness encouraged the crowd of thousands to be the cause and the effect for peaceable change in our lives and also in our world.

In this largess of space, it felt like we were all in a living room setting as he spoke to those who lined Ann Arbor’s Crisler Arena. I doubt I can find the words to neither express the warmth nor paint a picture of such honest and peaceful serenity.

As I was leaving out the tunnel, I watched many waves flags waving in support of China. It is ironic that these people who are protesting the Dalai Lama would not have this same luxury back in China. (Freedom of expression is not just a USA thing but also a global right of all people.)

Even though I have committed NOT to buy any of their products whenever possible, it is not that I am actively seeking to mobilize an anti-China campaign.

Far from it.

This is a peaceable first step in trying to reduce my impact the same way one carefully places one's foot to a fresh spring carpet of clover.

This is easier put in a blog than in practice since those three little words “Made In China” are stamped on just about everything we consume and then toss into piles in our homes or the landfill.

It is not that I am doing this because the Dalai Lama says I should, nor because I think a free Tibet is even possible in a world of corporations versus the historical lines of national boundaries.

Instead, I step lightly out of the material world because I am alarmed at China's lack of fulfilling their Olympic bid pledge to address their human rights violations taking place in slow motion in places like Darfur and Sudan and played out on the front page of the world press.

To continue to support human suffering is nothing I would allow in my country, why in a distant land with my connected dollars. I do not want my life decorated on the backs of genocide.

I know this confessional line of thinking is troubling and may hold up like a sand castle being built on the shores of a hurricane.

But I am ok with this logic. The Olympics are supposed to highlight the best we can be. As a host country China needs to halt their practices to gain my support again.

Since President Bush has made it very clear that our economy is in need of blind consumers re-depositing their "Bush Bucks" back into the pockets of corporations hungry for more, I think he has played his hand clearly to us as Americans.

We do hold the power to change our world with the simple act of how we spend our money. (I plan to deposit my refund with a safe fund or maybe on a whim I will use it to buy a goat or two via Oxfram.)

And while I know the USA is not perfect and is also a violator of many atrocities, I can start my journey in my own land and by staring to wash the blood off my hands as I step forward into the future.

I can make the small changes that will make a big impact in ending suffering. Power must flow up from all of us working together.

There is much more to blog here but for now I will give pause on the eve of Earth Day.

The Dalai Lama was very clear that the changes we need to see happen in this world need to flow from us.... from our actions.

So I send a "kiss for the whole world*" where all of us are brothers and sisters in a noble quest to end suffering and extreme poverty.

Please step into this new season of spring and let the cool dew of the clover fields under our feet renew our spirit. It is wonderful to exit winter and see such possibilities in each bud of green.

Peace.
Tommy





*Inspired and copied from Schiller’s Ode to Joy and it’s beautiful inspiring use in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

“Can you sense the Creator, world?

Seek him above the starry canopy.

Above the stars He must dwell.



Joy, daughter of Elysium

Thy magic reunites those

Whom stern custom has parted;

All men will become brothers

Under thy gentle wing.



Be embraced, Millions!

This kiss for all the world!

Brothers!, above the starry canopy

A loving father must dwell.



Joy, beautiful spark of Gods!,

Daughter of Elysium,

Joy, beautiful spark of Gods!.

God, I love those Europeans! (Except the Pope)

Over the past month I have been enjoying the leisurely activity of browsing our library's new release shelf.

And as I waddle out with my Meijer Recycle bag stuffed with over-sized books, I am finding an over-whelming amount of books with a Euro slant in every topic from gardening, art and advertising.

Today while I was sorting through the AM-mile-high-pile of spam, I discovered an Amazon.uk's offer of music that made me laugh so hard I just had to share with you.

So below I offer up the cover art from Fila Brazillia's Dicks CD.

See if you can guess which one was the cover for the USA and which one was for the UK.

Take your time, I'll hold.

Art Battle for Community: The Rematch

The Creston Neighborhood Association is hosting the
2nd Art Battle for Community,
an evening where one will experience up close
the development of the artistic process.

At the beginning of the event,
the artists will be given a topic.
They will have one hour to create an original piece
based on the topic. Attendees get to view artists create works of art
from the birth of a concept to the completion of the piece.

Later at 8:00 PM,
a lively auction will be held with
the original pieces going to the highest bidder.
Please join us in this creative fund raising event
to help grow one of Grand Rapids most vibrant neighborhood association
and support our local artists.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
6 -- 9 PM
$15.00 Donation
Limited Space / Arrive On Time

Location:
Sazerac Lounge
1418 Plainfield Ave NE
(North of Leonard)
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Free Parking in the Rear Lot

Props To Moo!

I am a big fan of handing out praise and today I am so impressed with how the online printer Moo.com handled a messed up order.

In a world of screwed up customer service departments (Nissan and Comcast), it is nice to know places that value a customer's time and money like Moo.com are still out there.

Anyone who has spent hours dealing with a company's 800 numbers multiple layers of prompts know too well what I am talking about here.

So if you are looking for a fantastic group that prints on paper from sustainable forests, please consider Moo.com.

Everybody Moo!!!!

Writer's Strike A Super Tuesday

Did the Writers Guild Association's strike create our thirst for endless Super Tuesday news programming?

I hope we are truly engaged in a country-wide dialog and not just couch-bound-bored while waiting for new episodes of 30 Rock.

(We really miss you Tina Fey, but we understand your fight)


Word to complainers:
dialog (noun) - a conversation between two persons;
talk, talking - an exchange of ideas via conversation; "let's have more work and less talk around here"

To Those Who Wrote Blogger About My Blog.

This site is devoted to satire.

As the old saying goes, "joke'm if they can 't take a ......" And this country needs a good joke after the past 8 years.

Oh, and if you have a problem with my site, sign your name to my site and don't go crying to Big Blogger Google Daddy when you don't like what I have to say.

(A copy of the Bill of Rights is still available for public viewing in Washington, DC for those who will get up off the couch and take a gander.)

Enough said.

Horny Penguins Unleashed On Mitt

These horny birds were left with no one to love this past Christmas and were last seen shamelessly offering great deals of better than 75% off in their Cash for Ass campaign.

Since Michigan is having a slightly downturn in the economy, even our penguins have had to get creative by gang banging on crowded bread racks seeking the attention at our local Family Fare Grocery.

Mitt Romney was seen at this same grocery store later this same day and while he did not talk about the impact of global warming on these Tuxedo wearing ice bunk buddies, but he did remind them that a marriage is between a man and a woman.

He added, should Same Sex marriage pass in this country as it has in almost every other civilized modern society, then a man may find these always ready for the Opera furry buddies as a potential mate.

While his message was solemn, he lost them when he warned of a coming slippery slope.

It had skied off left his tongue when the throng of black and white mates began to rub up and down each other as they prepared to engage in this naturally playful behaviour in an effort to satisfy their furry needs.

As the penguins oiled themselves up for some good old fashioned belly bumping, Mitt just hung his head low. Out of touch and not sure what to do he murmured he had to get going to the new JW Marriott downtown to drop off more copies of Book of Mormon with a new forward by Richard M DeVos.

Michigan voters will not be fooled this time around with non-issues. The penguins watched Michigan write hate into their constitution and just as fast, God punished their state by making them dead last in everything.

Penguins known for family values, also know it is really better in states like Massachusetts for many people because it does allow gay marriage. If it wasn't so bad for people in Mass., then why are they at the top in every way? Mitt has a great state so why not try to export the good love happening in Mass.?

If the penguins get it, then why can't the candidates. Maybe they should go to the birds and the bees to see what the real problems are that are facing our country ...and our world.

Meijer: Better Choice

If one has to choose between Meijer and Wal-Mart ....go with Meijer.

While I enjoy the personal service from the businesses of my neighborhood, I must admit I love Meijer's true commitment to all things local.

Let's just say they deliver more than just a feel good 30 second commercial.

One can only image my smile when I discovered the printed message on the bottom of my grocery bag.

Very nice touch!

I think this headline says it all....

"Diet pill’s icky side effects keep users honest
Threat of embarrassment forces Alli users to eat healthy — or else" (Article Here)

I cannot go in to too much detail but I heard a story last night about what can happen if one shoots their limits. And finance charges are not part of the penalty for over extending one's grasp of the situation.

Thank "Name Withheld" for making me laugh so hard last night. If I had been on Alli I am sure the laughter would have produced a sequel.

If you take the pill, pass on the pie. Alli will not be your ally in this case.

They Are Killing People*

For once I am glad I did not jump on the bandwagon and buy a pet rock, a mood ring, a talking bass mailbox or a pair of those cute but not so innocent rubbery shoes.

I personally think rubbery things should be employed for covering for one's pee-pee from STD's, protection from fungal terrorist assault at the downtown Y's shower floor and an occasional fun lead-free flex toy.

It was reported that one only needs to Google "Crocs" to learn that not only are adults under assault from the fashion police for wearing these shapeless things (see Keep It Classy) but children are being eaten ALIVE by mall escalators.

The horror to be a parent at a J C Penny's White Sale one minute and then next on your way to fit your child for a prosthetic device.

I hate to say, but for once with all my problems, I am glad to be in my own shoes and not these Crocs.

Can you imagine the scene straight out of The Jerk with all the refund checks they may have to write if found at fault.

My check writing arm just hurts thinking about it. Not the money, "just all the Stuuuuuuuufffff."

Ok, back to PT.

*No one has died....yet. But in Singapore, a two-year-old girl had her big toe ripped off in an escalator.

Photo Credit: Flickr's stephenwong. No word on whether the child in this shot survived. Please refrain from sending Avatar Notes of Condolences until I hear more.

Calder Yahoo Maps

Little known fact... but there is a Calder painting on the roof of the County Buidling.

Now one can view it without having to use the heliopad on the new downtown Death Star ( J W Marriott).

What is it with these new buildings with neon? ( Hotels, Convention Center and Strip Clubs...Oh My! )

Winter Delight: 60 Second Viewpoint

Just Outside My Window

This is what I see out my window almost everyday.

I just wanted to share how amazing Winter can be in Michigan.

Photo Credit: Downy Woodpecker and a Red-Bellied Woodpecker at feeder, 2007

Happy Anniversary Susan

September 2006 marked the 25 year friendship with my close friend Susan.

Over the years we have continued to stay in touch even though many miles have been between us.

I am always amazed at the fact that each time we get together it feels as if no time has passed. On my last night in LA we both stayed up raher late while our SO's went to bed.

On this last night together we had a bottle of wine, played Tom Waits music and just let our conversations wander to our early days and to the future.

In the years to come, I hope to see her more as I have realized how close we have become over the years.

When I arrived home I had a nice note that reflected the last words we had with each before I departed for home. Susan wrote, "in spending time with you guys, several of our friendships here in L.A. seem downright deficient. We wish we had you physically in our lives on a daily basis. We certainly would never run out of things to laugh about."

Happy 25th Anniversary Susan! Hallmark really should make a card for people like you.

Photo: Susan is standing behind Kelly (seated).

Just Outside My Home Office Window....

No words are needed today.

In Bedded

It has been a loooooong week. Between all the work to be completed before the holiday break there are the festive parties that seems to spring up like weeds in my garden. Do they make Holiday Round Up to squelch these pop-ups?

Seriously, I love this season.

It is the time to travel the many avenues that fat will forge into our diets. Yep, this is the last stop before we arrive at Resolution Station, so eat up.

Every year I make a music video revue of the past year. It started off as a Valentine's gift when funds were running tight in our house and has ballooned into a full blown year end video production. Last year's Year 6 included parts 1-5 as well on one DVD. I was really happy to have been able to make this gift for my closest chums. It provides a nice bookend to the previous year and ensures the weepy eyed host/hostess will open that special bottle of wine one has been eyeing on the wine rack.

This year I am facing the fact that besides a table full of sugar cookies I have yet to decorate, I have not produced anything to give my friends this Christmas. So I have decided to produce a much smaller version of the year end video. My goal is to have it done in one day this year.

But one should not feel too bad or shocked at this news since I have not bought one gift yet this year. So I will pop an extra anti-anxiety pill and just roll with the season while Michael and the dog enjoy a Saturday AM slumber in bed.

Cheers!