Harvesting items, newsworthy or not

 
I originally posted this over on LiveJournal on Nov. 22; News of George Harrison's death yesterday reminded me:

Personal reminiscence time: 38 years ago today I was a 13-year old 8th grader at Edgar Allen Poe Intermediate in Alexandria, Va. It was an ordinary school day until about 2:20 in the afternoon, when we were changing classrooms, and suddenly a rumor was flying that the President had been shot. That was confirmed about 10 minutes later, and we were sent home early. I got home to find my mother in shock (Dad was in Antarctica), and we spent the remainder of the weekend, as did so many other Americans, glued to the TV screen. We were in disbelief, of course; "this doesn't happen in America," we thought. Of course, it had happened before, as we all quickly learned. I think I learned more about American presidential history that weekend than I'd ever learned before. I was fortunate enough to wangle a ride to Arlington Cemetery on that Monday, the 25th, where I stood about 500-1000 yards from the gravesite, along with many many other people. Neither Mom nor I have any memory of who I got a ride with, why she felt it was OK for me to go, or any other details. I just remember standing there among all those people, realizing this was history being made in front of me.

Then, 5 years later, of course, MLK Jr. was shot; by that time I was a senior in High School, singing in a local version of Up With People. Washington burned, and the group was called to "entertain" the National Guard and Marines trying to keep the peace. We did one highly-choreographed show on the back of a flatbed truck; imagine what the springs did to our vigorous dance moves! And then 3 months after that, RFK was shot in LA, and it seemed like the entire American experience was being destroyed.

Well, the world did go on, didn't it�but those of us who lived through that 5-year period have vivid memories I'm sure we'd gladly erase.

Odd coincidence that the emergence of the Beatles occurred during the same 5-year period; the Curator of the Rock and Roll Museum was on the News Hour last night and made that connection, too.
posted by Link Meister at 5:35 PM

 
Many thanks to Eric for setting me straight on eliminating the geocities path within my links! What a guy! I don't care what anybody says about you, Eric, be it the judicial system in Pa. or anyone else. . .but beware: in the words of someone or other, "no good deed shall go unpunished!"

I was gonna use the word(?) props up there, but I'm unclear on the definition or derivation. I posed the same question over on LJ when I was using it, and nobody ever responded (I hope because of LJ's notorious inconsistency). Somebody enlighten me!
posted by Link Meister at 2:55 PM

 
Here's one worthy of Pop Culture Junk Mail: what were we distracting ourselves from, pre-September 11?

Once again, our Administration has embarrassed itself; let us remain beholden to our campaign contributors, and argue for tobacco companies and against the World Health Organization.

Today's Word of the Day is one of Nero Wolfe's favorite words: flummery, meaning an empty compliment; unsubstantial talk or writing; mumbo jumbo; nonsense. The site cited above is probably the best fan site available.

'English lords must now parade before a New York jury "thick with delicatessen owners and rehabilitated alcoholics speaking with impossible accents."' So quotes this article about the current price-fixing trial of Sotheby's and Christies, now going on in NY.

Slashdot correspondent a victim of "pouncing-nerd syndrome?" Publish, perish, or be flamed, perhaps.

The NYT publishes its Holiday Buying Guide to Technology. In other techie news, how about using your mobile phone to identify music on the radio?

Finally, a Russian multiplication puzzle. An explanation is provided, but it still seems like magic.

Mind your kitties and pooches during the holidays! Tips from the American Animal Hospital Association.
posted by Link Meister at 2:40 PM

 
Let's see if the comments script works.
posted by Link Meister at 4:15 PM