A Rude Awakening...Pun Intended

Some people meditate, some people yoga, some people go to therapy, while others take medication to get their balance. I get up at 9a.m. evry Saturday morning and watch Bob Ross paint for thirty minutes on "The Joy of Painting". I'm not quite sure what it is; but there is someting about the timbre of his voice, the smoothness of his speech, and his mannerisms that just put me at ease, relax me, and place me in the right state of mind to have a good weekend. This morning I tuned in about 5 minutes late and said quite out-loud..."WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY?"


This looks like "The Joy of Painting"; I'm pretty sure that's the studio, but that's not Bob. This guy used the word SMASH to describe one of his brush movements. What about my happy trees and their friends the happy little shrubs? Bob teaches us that we don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents. I was not getting the same vibe from this hair farmer here. Now, I know he passed away ten years ago, but I count on my public television broadcasters to resurect the old fellow and put him on my screen at least once a week. All I could think was that I have an appointment for my fisrt massage in 2 years this afternoon and that'll set everything right.

Here I have an opportunity for a segway. No, not one of those fruitbat yuppie mobiles that makes me see red as they cruise down the sidewalk, but a chance to change the subject (slightly). I think rather than retype all of the below text, I will just copy what Surly Pump Monkey wrote and the comment I offered and he quoted...

Help Save Public Broadcasting!!!
I know this was just covered recently but one of the few things I feel strongly about is Public Broadcasting. And I would hope that enough voices would remind our so called Representatives that Public Broadcasting is an important piece of our lives. Don't forget that Moveon.org has a petition to sign and you can add comments as Paradox did. In fact here are his:

Public broacasting hosts some of the only valuable programming left on television and radio. Commercial radio has become formattted, unoriginal, and frankly, un-lstenable. Network and cable television programming is not far behind becoming more and more saturated with mindless drivel; while PBS and other public broadcasters continue to provide programs that enlighten, educate, and truly entertain. The American people would be losing one of their most important cultural outlets and resources that exists today if we were to lose these organizations.
-Paradox

Please sign the petition and contact your local House Representative. Especially if you're living in a Red State. That means you, you Hoosiers.

If this concerns you, please take some time to visit Moveon.org. They have links that help you identify your local rep and let them know what you think. Oh, and by the way; that guy on the boob-tube this morning was none other than Bob Ross's son Steven, who was guest hosting the show this one time. Fhewww, he had me thinking I might have sfind some other weekly regiment for my mental stability. I can now continue on with my weekend.

Saving Private Zion

Surly Pump Monkey put up a post where he mentions SOMAFM, which is one of my favorite FREE internet radio stations. Check 'em out, they have 8 different channels, all offering a differently flavored mix.

Another great internet radio station is BOOMBASTICRADIO.com. They are currently having financial issues and need more listeners so that they can get more sponsors, and therefore afford more licensing (pay for the songs they let you listen to). They have just about the most eclectic mix of musical genres I have heard anywhere, but are currently operating on a limited playlist due to lack of funding. Please at least check out their site and read what's going on. To listen is FREE, but they also offer subscription that lets you request songs (that usually play witin the hour), as well as take advantage of other services. If you can, try and tune your media player (I like WINAMP) to this channel (whether you are at you computer or not) so that they can get their listener count up, and return to their (usually) ever expanding playlist.

Boy, do I love those parenthesis.