Bill Disappears.....

I was disappointed to hear through the grapevine that Bill has been fired. Apparently he missed a day of work and didn't phone in to let someone know that he wasn't coming in to work. I would guess that there was more to it than that, but I wouldn't have fired the guy. He was organized and he seemed to work hard when he was on the job. Sigh....

What makes it even harder for me is that I have a sense that Bill lives pretty close to the financial edge. I don't know any particulars, but of all the guys to cashier Bill and his family seemed closest to the edge.

Somehow this just seems like a meaner world when stuff like this happens....Where is the attempt to work with people?

Rotoworld...

Yesterday morning I was reading "Player News" from the Rotoworld.com website for Major League Baseball. I love the editorial comments that come with the news. For example, ripping the Mets for firing Willie Randolph at 3:18 a.m. Seems like an odd time to fire a manager. Jack Morris says that the guy on the bench who stays is the "spy" for the general manager. In this case that would make Jerry Manuel the spy for the Mets. Rotoworld wondered how he would handle managing the Mets after doing poorly at managing the White Sox recently.... We shall see.

Rotoworld also ripped the Mariners for moving Itchiro Suzuki from center field, where he has won a gold glove, back to right field. This move is even more puzzling when you consider that Willie Bloomquist was scheduled to start in center. The Mariners aren't very deep in outfielders if that is there best option. Bill Bavasi was fired as general manager after a four year stint with the Mariners. They need to build a farm system and quit trying to buy their way into the playoffs.

I will be interested to see if Rotoworld's criticisms bear out over time.

"Pal, go get 'em" - Tim Russet

Yesterday I was shocked to learn that Tim Russert had died while at work at NBC. Mr. Russert was 58.

Tim Russert is a cherished member of the Fourth Estate. His willingness to grill his guests in a polite fashion will be greatly missed. I feel as if one of the trusted guards of the political machinations in Washington is gone, and who is watching the post now?

Mr. Russert is the prototypical story of the American dream. His father worked two full time jobs (delivering newspapers and working for the Sanitation department in South Buffalo, NY) and yet Tim rose to top in his field. The Sunday morning news magazine, "Meet the Press" was high rated, and Mr. Russert had been the host of the show since 1994 (I believe).

I liked the fact that Tim Russert didn't seem to be like Stone Phillips, Brian Williams, etc....someone who looks good in front of a camera. Russert did look more like an average guy, albeit, a very bright average guy. His energy for politics was palpable.

And then there is 58. Ouch. That is way too close.

So as Hunter Thompson once wrote, the circle is closed in by one. We all come together knowing that the members of the brotherhood are shorter by one very large man.

Tim, thanks for the ride.

Bela and Victor kick some serious butt...

Yesterday while I was writing "thank you" notes I listened to music on "You Tube". I stumbled upon Victor Wooten playing "Amazing Grace" on the bass and it was amazing. Then I discovered Mr. Wooten is part of the group Bela and the Flecktones. I had a great time listening to their music while I tried to write. I found the music very powerful and energizing.

Here is a link to "Big Country". Enjoy.

Notes from the Ground Floor...

Last night I was in the local Apple store for awhile (longer than I had hoped). During my stay a former faculty member wandered into the store and claimed her children, whom I gather she left there while she went shopping down the hall. Somehow I found all of this upsetting, as in, can't-sleep-at-night type upsetting.

I don't know why this person always puts me over the top. I would like to think that I could be compassionate to someone who is clearly struggling in her/his own personal life. I don't seem to feel any such compassion. This makes me think that the person in question has certain qualities that I don't like in myself and that is why I have no time for her/his constant screw-ups and struggles.

The photo here is of someone with the same name, but this isn't the lost soul formerly of Breck.