The faint distant sound of Med Center One, a low rumble at first then louder and louder until it is nearly a deafening roar overhead. And just as fast it is gone from view just a dull whisper against the back drop of city noise. But in this troubling sound, a single word hope.
I hate the noise but I'm so glad those guys are there, be safe and keep up the good work.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sundance Film Festival Brings Southern Rural Life to the Big Screen
Year's ago I attended a small film festival sponsored by Robert Redford at Park City Utah. The week long event had just changed its name from US Film Festival to the Sundance Film Festival . Back then it was nothing more than a whole lot of skiing and beer drinking with a few movies each evening made by little known producers, directors and actors, who in many cases were the same person. The hype and celebrities were no were to be found.
Now the once small festival is huge and very main stream. Robert Redford has often smiled when asked about his greatest achievement, his answer is often the annual Sundance film festival.
Last year Frozen River became one of my favorites. Frozen River was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic film. The film is a gritty look at life on the economic abyss as well as the edge of the United States where only a frozen river divides the US from Canada.
This year Debra Granik’s “Winter’s Bone,” changes the venue from up North to down South. The film is one that Sundance patrons have called the best movie in the festival.
Jennifer Lawernce in Winter's Bone
Based on Daniel Woodrell’s novel and set in Southern Missouri’s Ozark woods, the film follows indomitable 17-year-old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) as she scours the pine-strewn hills and hollows near her cabin home in search of her missing meth-cooking father, who put their house up for bond after he was arrested. At the same time she's hunting for her father, Ree must care for her ailing mother and her young brother and sister. Ree’s terrifying outlaw kin are none to happy that she’s asking questions and dredging up the past, but her mission remains singular: find her father and protect her family.
The naturalistic thriller is saturated with small, telling details that collectively create an undeniable authenticity and regional authority; one set of neighbors is dressing a recently slaughtered deer, and more than one rusted-out car litters the otherwise bucolic landscape. This is no accident. Granik, who won the director’s award at the 2004 Sundance for her film “Down to the Bone,” explained her filming process as “visual anthropology.”
Granik, who first started working on “Winter’s Bone” in 2006, ultimately shot the film in 2009 entirely on location in Missouri. They cast locals in supporting roles and used them as dialect coaches. The costume department exchanged Carhartt jackets and plaid flannels with residents, to make sure the garments were stained with the dirt, soot and work of the local land.
“It was these details,” Granik said, “that helped us flesh out the characters.”
A little closer to home The Southeastern Film Critics Association gave "That Evening Sun" its Gene Wyatt Award, honoring the film that "embodies the essence of the South."
Hal Holbrook in Evening Sun
Adapted from the short story by William Gay called "I Hate to See That Evening Sun Go Down." Writer-director Scott Teems, who makes his feature debut, has been shown in limited relase since Thanksgiving. You can catch Evening Sun this week at the Ballantyne Village Theatre.
If you have moved to Charlotte in the last ten years and have never left the protection of SouthPark or the Brikdale Village you might not recognize the real world that is out there past I-485. But each of these films will leave you feeling a little out of touch with the real world, a world that is hard and never fair. A world free of bling and six figure incomes and multi million dollars homes that are so often portrayed on MTV Cribs.
If you're tired of Avatards telling you how great James Cameron's epic motion picture is or friends that can't wait for Twilight Eclipse (aka Twilight 3) these 3 films might be just what you need.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Cat Moans
The cat weathervane anchored above my house has been moaning for the last 3 hours. The wind rushing past the eves with an occasional rumble, makes sleep elusive. WSOC’s John Ahrens a freakishly narrow shouldered guy I’m used to seeing in Charleston is explaining the National Weather Service’s watch and warning system to a sleepy Charlotte. It’s 11:30.
Funny how the talking weather heads and station executives like to stay on the air for extra innings when storms roll across the Piedmont.
Of course 100 years ago those who lived along Queens Road or out in the hither lands of Providence or Sharon didn’t have the play by play and color commentary of John Ahrens and Steve Udelson nor the computer graphics of WSOC-TV's Severe Weather Center 9.
They just listened to the wind and the rain.
I turn off the flat screen high definition image of John Arenas plunging my bedroom into welcome darkness. The wind pushes harder against the trees that surround my house and I listen.
The rain comes harder, then stops and comes harder still. The cat moans as the wind pushes its tail South then East, then North and South again.
The tornado warning will last until 11:45 and so I listen for that tell-tale sound of a freight train rushing through the night’s darkness. I’m prepared at any second to make a dash to the basement to escape the reported tornado’s path. But all I hear is rain and wind and a copper cat moaning as it pivots in circles on the roof above my house.
I imagine that 100 years ago a weather vane and a watchful eye to the west was about as good as weather forecasting could be. Quiet tin roof panels on a barn across the pasture meant all was well. Livestock running for cover meant you might want to do the same. A banging unlatched door on the chicken coop meant you might want to pay attention.
It’s the thud of a limb on the far side of the house that gets my attention and I get up to have a look. Madison my 7 year old black lab stirs in the kitchen and tags along to see what is up. Close behind Madison is Callie her six month old Labrador student of all things dog. The three of us determine all is well and one by one we wander back to our respective beds.
It’s 12:05 and a new day, the wind has eased and so too the rain, its steady rhythm quiets further as I drift off to sleep.
While not winter's end this storm will be one of many that will signal that spring is coming and with it more weather alerts and Severe Weather Center 9 interruptions.
Next time I think I’ll turn off the talking weather heads, and just enjoy the sounds of rain as it falls across the Carolinas.
Funny how the talking weather heads and station executives like to stay on the air for extra innings when storms roll across the Piedmont.
Of course 100 years ago those who lived along Queens Road or out in the hither lands of Providence or Sharon didn’t have the play by play and color commentary of John Ahrens and Steve Udelson nor the computer graphics of WSOC-TV's Severe Weather Center 9.
They just listened to the wind and the rain.
I turn off the flat screen high definition image of John Arenas plunging my bedroom into welcome darkness. The wind pushes harder against the trees that surround my house and I listen.
The rain comes harder, then stops and comes harder still. The cat moans as the wind pushes its tail South then East, then North and South again.
The tornado warning will last until 11:45 and so I listen for that tell-tale sound of a freight train rushing through the night’s darkness. I’m prepared at any second to make a dash to the basement to escape the reported tornado’s path. But all I hear is rain and wind and a copper cat moaning as it pivots in circles on the roof above my house.
I imagine that 100 years ago a weather vane and a watchful eye to the west was about as good as weather forecasting could be. Quiet tin roof panels on a barn across the pasture meant all was well. Livestock running for cover meant you might want to do the same. A banging unlatched door on the chicken coop meant you might want to pay attention.
It’s the thud of a limb on the far side of the house that gets my attention and I get up to have a look. Madison my 7 year old black lab stirs in the kitchen and tags along to see what is up. Close behind Madison is Callie her six month old Labrador student of all things dog. The three of us determine all is well and one by one we wander back to our respective beds.
It’s 12:05 and a new day, the wind has eased and so too the rain, its steady rhythm quiets further as I drift off to sleep.
While not winter's end this storm will be one of many that will signal that spring is coming and with it more weather alerts and Severe Weather Center 9 interruptions.
Next time I think I’ll turn off the talking weather heads, and just enjoy the sounds of rain as it falls across the Carolinas.
Friday, January 22, 2010
My Dates with a TV News Reporter Part Five
Soon after the TV girl story first showed up on the web I started getting emails. Some kind, some pretty threatening.
TV girl divorced the Marine two months after he returned from Iraq. She left Charleston and hasn't been back since late 2007. Her carreer has moved on and she's been dating a guy who is just like the Marine she divorced, controling, mean and insulting, some things never change.
The last text message was something to the effect of "you know I can't come back to Charleston and you can't come here" my reply was a final "K".
But as much as we learn from life we also tend to repeat our mistakes, and so it goes.
TV girl divorced the Marine two months after he returned from Iraq. She left Charleston and hasn't been back since late 2007. Her carreer has moved on and she's been dating a guy who is just like the Marine she divorced, controling, mean and insulting, some things never change.
The last text message was something to the effect of "you know I can't come back to Charleston and you can't come here" my reply was a final "K".
But as much as we learn from life we also tend to repeat our mistakes, and so it goes.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Charlotte's CMUD Billing Mess
The Charlotte Observer's Paper Trail Blog notes the following:
City: No widespread water problems
Investigations of high water bills have not detected any unexpected trends or systemwide problems, according to a city memo released today.
City officials expect a Cornelius task force of business owners and residents to finish by March their work looking into the string of complaints, many from the Cornelius area the report says.
Here are excerpts from the "Utilities High Bill Concerns Update":
Cornelius Task Force - The group is tackling the complexities of meters, rates and billing and began clarifying some concerns raised by customers in the audience. Most customer concerns raised Monday evening were addressed by the task force, with four new cases identified that require further investigation by Utilities.
Additional Meter Testing – Utilities has begun implementing a meter-testing plan. Since mid-December, accuracy tests have been conducted on 11 in-service meters. The tests were conducted in accordance with industry-accepted practices and the meters were found to perform properly and accurately. The next step will include independent third party verification of the in-house test results.
Electronic Transmitters – It’s relatively infrequent, but malfunctioning electronic transmitters can result in low water use readings for a period, which can eventually lead to a high reading and subsequent bill ‘spike’ after the transmitter is replaced. Any customers affected by failing transmitters – or any other error on the City’s part – receive appropriate adjustments to their accounts.
Customer Investigations - Ongoing media coverage continues to prompt higher than normal bill inquiries and concerns. ...To date, Utilities staff has not detected any unexpected trends or system-wide problems in its investigations.
Last fall, residents of the Peninsula neighborhood in Cornelius complained of unusually high bills - in some cases, more than $500 a month - or abnormal spikes. Media coverage spurred more complaints citywide, and CMUD said it's struggling to investigate all of them.
City: No widespread water problems
Investigations of high water bills have not detected any unexpected trends or systemwide problems, according to a city memo released today.
City officials expect a Cornelius task force of business owners and residents to finish by March their work looking into the string of complaints, many from the Cornelius area the report says.
Here are excerpts from the "Utilities High Bill Concerns Update":
Cornelius Task Force - The group is tackling the complexities of meters, rates and billing and began clarifying some concerns raised by customers in the audience. Most customer concerns raised Monday evening were addressed by the task force, with four new cases identified that require further investigation by Utilities.
Additional Meter Testing – Utilities has begun implementing a meter-testing plan. Since mid-December, accuracy tests have been conducted on 11 in-service meters. The tests were conducted in accordance with industry-accepted practices and the meters were found to perform properly and accurately. The next step will include independent third party verification of the in-house test results.
Electronic Transmitters – It’s relatively infrequent, but malfunctioning electronic transmitters can result in low water use readings for a period, which can eventually lead to a high reading and subsequent bill ‘spike’ after the transmitter is replaced. Any customers affected by failing transmitters – or any other error on the City’s part – receive appropriate adjustments to their accounts.
Customer Investigations - Ongoing media coverage continues to prompt higher than normal bill inquiries and concerns. ...To date, Utilities staff has not detected any unexpected trends or system-wide problems in its investigations.
Last fall, residents of the Peninsula neighborhood in Cornelius complained of unusually high bills - in some cases, more than $500 a month - or abnormal spikes. Media coverage spurred more complaints citywide, and CMUD said it's struggling to investigate all of them.
Monday, January 18, 2010
My Dates with a TV News Reporter Part Four
I've been asked so I'll tell.
First TV girl is not pissed that I'd post this story or parts 1,2 and 3.
To those who sent me hate mail because her husband is "serving our country" overseas, get a life. No it's not Marika Kelderman on channel 5, she's not married and I'm not that smart.
To anyone else who thought this is dumb ..... Oh sorry I thought it was kinda cute. I also thought some people might see part of their own lives in my mess.
So the update.. might as well call this the "epilogue" now if you're expecting Pucke to take center stage and pour his heart out. GUESS AGAIN!
The marine husband returned to Iraq six months after we first met. Ever since then he's been blowing up TV girl's myspace page and cell with graphics and text messages. Seems TV girl put him on notice and he doesn't want to lose what he lost long ago.
The once uncaring self absorbed husband is suddenly Mr. I want to change. Hummm.
Well, I don't really know what to think. Considering TV girl confessed she had spent the better part of the past two weeks being the wife (yuck!) and trying to sort out their marriage.
So let's cover the facts first she's below my age limit (sorry Juliet I'm sticking to my 30+ rule) Let's be real here unless you have a PhD or are in your last year of an internship at MUSC (yes that would be you Jamie) I'm not even thinking drinks, much less relationship. Second I hate being lied to, which TV never has but man do I know a couple of experts on that subject. Third I don't want to be the cause of any marrige to come to a crashing end. Last I'm so not ready to make nice j/k, I mean play husband... but someone, somewhere, sometime though I'm not dumb enough to make it a goal or have a deadline.
To TV girl just because you think I'm a nice guy, polite in every way and have really nice hands doesn't mean we are meant to be. Please don't flip your entire life upside down for me. On the other hand I'll always be your best friend, just a cell phone call away.
BTW You best not wink on camera again it's not as subtle as you think, plus you know I'm in love with Robin Meade!
So what next? I have not a clue.
How about the Bahamas? Any takers?
First TV girl is not pissed that I'd post this story or parts 1,2 and 3.
To those who sent me hate mail because her husband is "serving our country" overseas, get a life. No it's not Marika Kelderman on channel 5, she's not married and I'm not that smart.
To anyone else who thought this is dumb ..... Oh sorry I thought it was kinda cute. I also thought some people might see part of their own lives in my mess.
So the update.. might as well call this the "epilogue" now if you're expecting Pucke to take center stage and pour his heart out. GUESS AGAIN!
The marine husband returned to Iraq six months after we first met. Ever since then he's been blowing up TV girl's myspace page and cell with graphics and text messages. Seems TV girl put him on notice and he doesn't want to lose what he lost long ago.
The once uncaring self absorbed husband is suddenly Mr. I want to change. Hummm.
Well, I don't really know what to think. Considering TV girl confessed she had spent the better part of the past two weeks being the wife (yuck!) and trying to sort out their marriage.
So let's cover the facts first she's below my age limit (sorry Juliet I'm sticking to my 30+ rule) Let's be real here unless you have a PhD or are in your last year of an internship at MUSC (yes that would be you Jamie) I'm not even thinking drinks, much less relationship. Second I hate being lied to, which TV never has but man do I know a couple of experts on that subject. Third I don't want to be the cause of any marrige to come to a crashing end. Last I'm so not ready to make nice j/k, I mean play husband... but someone, somewhere, sometime though I'm not dumb enough to make it a goal or have a deadline.
To TV girl just because you think I'm a nice guy, polite in every way and have really nice hands doesn't mean we are meant to be. Please don't flip your entire life upside down for me. On the other hand I'll always be your best friend, just a cell phone call away.
BTW You best not wink on camera again it's not as subtle as you think, plus you know I'm in love with Robin Meade!
So what next? I have not a clue.
How about the Bahamas? Any takers?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
My Dates with a TV News Reporter Part Three
When you fall for someone you shouldn't fall for, the first warning sign is you can't think straight. The second warning sign is you can't remember when it was that you last had a coherent thought.
I put the coffee pot in the refrigerator and the milk sits on the counter, it's the 3rd time in three weeks I do this and the cause is another 4AM phone call from TV girl. She's been at the scene of a fire since 2 AM, so I have 3 hours before she shows up at the door to the resort condo I've rented for a few days.
Over the last three months we have settled into a very comfortable routine. Three hours is too far to drive for dinner and sex so we opt for just the sex. Going out for dinner takes too much time, so we don't eat.
A week after we met at the wedding it was like we'd know each other a lifetime everything just clicked, it fit and fit well.
When we do go out dinner is always big fun, we joke and laugh, the conversations are always free and easy. Even the server at Poogan's cracks huge smile and tells us we are sooooo cute. We agree on most everything. Except, I like blue (colbalt) but she likes her blue light (Carolina).
She's smart and funny as can be, but the serious side comes out when work calls. I watch her toggle between her professional voice and her flirt voice. She's way cute then all busines and right back to way cute. She's also the new kid on the block at W whatever TV and that means weekends are a lost cause. She has big goals and big dreams and I learn fast don't crack on Katie Couric EVER!
At the end of May I'm reminded that the Marine will have a two week leave, but then would go back for another six months or so.
Last week the call came, the Marine was on his way. Tomorrow maybe Saturday afternoon. We call and text and call some more. At 11:52PM news comes that the Marine got an early flight out and will be "home" in the morning.
With her use of the word "home" comes a really sobering feeling, but I'm a nice guy. I offer encouragement and understanding. I promise to be here.
The next morning brings a text from TV Girl, "no call - no text K?" I don't reply. The "L" word shows up a few seconds later. I start to send the only thing I can say to that ... but change my mind. "Ditto" is not me but I send it anyway.
So all I can say is what was I thinking.
Footnote:
The "Marine" is back, and I'm really kinda glad. I'm also pleased to lean that his company has not been in a hostile area in 11 months. His job is at a desk at camp something freedom, they even have a Subway and Taco Bell. I'm sure it's not fun and frankly I think the war in Iraq is a mistake. I've also learned that "the Marine" has a really bad temper and once even loaded his AR15 and stormed out of the house to have a word with a friend who in a drunk fest made a move on TV Girl.
I think I'll change my cell number tomorrow. Move to LA or better yet the islands.
I put the coffee pot in the refrigerator and the milk sits on the counter, it's the 3rd time in three weeks I do this and the cause is another 4AM phone call from TV girl. She's been at the scene of a fire since 2 AM, so I have 3 hours before she shows up at the door to the resort condo I've rented for a few days.
Over the last three months we have settled into a very comfortable routine. Three hours is too far to drive for dinner and sex so we opt for just the sex. Going out for dinner takes too much time, so we don't eat.
A week after we met at the wedding it was like we'd know each other a lifetime everything just clicked, it fit and fit well.
When we do go out dinner is always big fun, we joke and laugh, the conversations are always free and easy. Even the server at Poogan's cracks huge smile and tells us we are sooooo cute. We agree on most everything. Except, I like blue (colbalt) but she likes her blue light (Carolina).
She's smart and funny as can be, but the serious side comes out when work calls. I watch her toggle between her professional voice and her flirt voice. She's way cute then all busines and right back to way cute. She's also the new kid on the block at W whatever TV and that means weekends are a lost cause. She has big goals and big dreams and I learn fast don't crack on Katie Couric EVER!
At the end of May I'm reminded that the Marine will have a two week leave, but then would go back for another six months or so.
Last week the call came, the Marine was on his way. Tomorrow maybe Saturday afternoon. We call and text and call some more. At 11:52PM news comes that the Marine got an early flight out and will be "home" in the morning.
With her use of the word "home" comes a really sobering feeling, but I'm a nice guy. I offer encouragement and understanding. I promise to be here.
The next morning brings a text from TV Girl, "no call - no text K?" I don't reply. The "L" word shows up a few seconds later. I start to send the only thing I can say to that ... but change my mind. "Ditto" is not me but I send it anyway.
So all I can say is what was I thinking.
Footnote:
The "Marine" is back, and I'm really kinda glad. I'm also pleased to lean that his company has not been in a hostile area in 11 months. His job is at a desk at camp something freedom, they even have a Subway and Taco Bell. I'm sure it's not fun and frankly I think the war in Iraq is a mistake. I've also learned that "the Marine" has a really bad temper and once even loaded his AR15 and stormed out of the house to have a word with a friend who in a drunk fest made a move on TV Girl.
I think I'll change my cell number tomorrow. Move to LA or better yet the islands.
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