Dear friends:
I'm shutting this blog down effective immediately. The reason: mrmayday.com, a flashy new website where you can find my scribblings on politics, general interest, and old clips I've put up online. I hope you enjoy.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Post-Election Article Revelations
So the general election is finally over. Nearly $1 billion dollars in outside money, lots of stress, lots of duress, and lots of patience were spent only to keep, essentially, the same government. So what happens now? The necessities. Get ready to hear the terms "fiscal cliff," "compromise," "taxes," and my favorite, "middle class America". Perhaps "Iran" should be thrown in for good measure.
Anyways, here're a few pieces I put together on the direct implications of the elections and the various issues you'll likely be hearing about over the coming months:
Anyways, here're a few pieces I put together on the direct implications of the elections and the various issues you'll likely be hearing about over the coming months:
- Colorado and Washington Legalize Marijuana, But Federal Battle Looms.
- Boehner Extends Offer On Fiscal Cliff.
- The Election's Biggest Winner: A Man Named Nate Silver.
- Citizens United: The Biggest Non-Issue Ever, Maybe.
- Puerto Rico Approves Statehood, But Is It A Tease?
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Politix update for October 30, 2012
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via Comedy Central
- President Obama Seeks to Streamline Gov't with Secretary of Business
- Joss Whedon Endorses Romney for the Zombie Apocalypse
- The U.S. Takes a Closer Look at Islamist Militants in Mali
- FEMA Money Flows, but Disaster Relief Debate Looms on the Horizon
Best,
Mayday
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Politics, the West Coast, and an update
Regardless, it's work, and it's work I know well and it's work I enjoy.
Link Breakdown:
I may post the articles in full soon.Reports from Syria
Can Obamacare Be Fixed Without Repeal?
Why the Drone War is Indefensible
How the Eurozone Crisis Affects America
Friday, July 13, 2012
Time to fire up the 'ole blog again.
It's been a while. Expect more posts, developments in journalism, politics and culture in the coming days. I promise.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Save the date: Bay City mechanic retires on 11-11-11 after 40 years at 11:11 a.m.
BAY CITY — In his 40 years as an auto technician, Mark Voss never thought he’d see computers in cars. He also thought he wouldn’t need reading glasses on the job.
But after four decades of turning wrenches, Voss has seen a lot of changes in the automotive world. He retires today at 11:11 a.m. to coincide with today’s date: 11/11/11. It also happens to be his 58th birthday.
“He’s one of those rare employees that, as a company, you have very few of,” said Joseph Thelen, general manager of Thelen Subaru. “He was the kind of technician who’d come up to the lounge and talk to the customer.”
Thelen said he was lucky to have a such a seasoned mechanic on his team. Voss has six years more seniority than any other employee at Thelen. He said Voss was factory certified for both Mazada and Volkswagen automobiles.
Voss said he started working at Wells Motors in 1971, a car dealership that predated Thelen Subaru. After Wells Motors was bought by Thelen in 1977, Voss decided to stay and work with today’s Thelen Subaru dealership, located at 1112 N. Euclid Ave.
Voss said he felt it was time to retire about two years ago, around the time he had to get his reading glasses. During his tenure, cars have become more technical and difficult to maintain. And with the advent of onboard computers, an idea he scoffed at years ago, he now spends more time reprograming onboard computers and fixing dashboard light warnings on top of his regular repairs.
“I have more and more of that all the time,” he said. “When I started here there was no such thing as a check-engine light. It’s time for the young kids to take over.”
Mechanic Mark Peterson, who started at Thelen Subaru six years ago, has worked next to Voss’ repair bay for the past four years and said he’s enjoyed working with Voss’ jovial attitude.
“When I first came here, Voss kind of — I guess you could say he took me under his wings,” said Peterson, 27 of Frankenmuth. “It was funny because I would always go and ask him questions, and now it’s I am always helping him. For the first year I was always unsure of things and now everything’s gotten so complicated he always comes to me to help him.”
Voss said he’s looking forward to relaxing after today. He said he plans to spend time with his family, further is wood carving hobby and maintain his ’68 Chevrolet Impala.
As a way of thanking Voss for nearly 35 years of service, Thelen said the dealership will foot the cost for a vacation of Voss’ choice.
In related news, Kathy LaLonde and her staff at Little House, 924 N. Water St., in Bay City, invite customers to drop by to celebrate LaLonde's birthday today.
“This Friday, 11-11-11 is my birthday,” she said. “There is chocolate cake, 11 specials and gifts for my customers.”
But after four decades of turning wrenches, Voss has seen a lot of changes in the automotive world. He retires today at 11:11 a.m. to coincide with today’s date: 11/11/11. It also happens to be his 58th birthday.
“He’s one of those rare employees that, as a company, you have very few of,” said Joseph Thelen, general manager of Thelen Subaru. “He was the kind of technician who’d come up to the lounge and talk to the customer.”
Thelen said he was lucky to have a such a seasoned mechanic on his team. Voss has six years more seniority than any other employee at Thelen. He said Voss was factory certified for both Mazada and Volkswagen automobiles.
Voss said he started working at Wells Motors in 1971, a car dealership that predated Thelen Subaru. After Wells Motors was bought by Thelen in 1977, Voss decided to stay and work with today’s Thelen Subaru dealership, located at 1112 N. Euclid Ave.
Voss said he felt it was time to retire about two years ago, around the time he had to get his reading glasses. During his tenure, cars have become more technical and difficult to maintain. And with the advent of onboard computers, an idea he scoffed at years ago, he now spends more time reprograming onboard computers and fixing dashboard light warnings on top of his regular repairs.
“I have more and more of that all the time,” he said. “When I started here there was no such thing as a check-engine light. It’s time for the young kids to take over.”
Mechanic Mark Peterson, who started at Thelen Subaru six years ago, has worked next to Voss’ repair bay for the past four years and said he’s enjoyed working with Voss’ jovial attitude.
“When I first came here, Voss kind of — I guess you could say he took me under his wings,” said Peterson, 27 of Frankenmuth. “It was funny because I would always go and ask him questions, and now it’s I am always helping him. For the first year I was always unsure of things and now everything’s gotten so complicated he always comes to me to help him.”
Voss said he’s looking forward to relaxing after today. He said he plans to spend time with his family, further is wood carving hobby and maintain his ’68 Chevrolet Impala.
As a way of thanking Voss for nearly 35 years of service, Thelen said the dealership will foot the cost for a vacation of Voss’ choice.
In related news, Kathy LaLonde and her staff at Little House, 924 N. Water St., in Bay City, invite customers to drop by to celebrate LaLonde's birthday today.
“This Friday, 11-11-11 is my birthday,” she said. “There is chocolate cake, 11 specials and gifts for my customers.”
Bangor Township church giving free haircuts for returning students
BANGOR TOWNSHIP — Kali Blackmar, 13, of Bay City sits in hair stylist Lynn Camero’s chair in the beige basement of New Hope Baptist Church. She, her sister and her brother have come to get their hair cut before going back to school.
Free haircuts are being given at the church, located at 3360 E. Midland Road in Bangor Township, to students returning to school in the coming weeks. The shearing started Monday and continues through Wednesday.
Camero, 67, said about 15 children have come out each day for a total of 72 haircuts as of Thursday morning.
Rev. Lee Austin, 62, said the idea first came to light when she was getting her hair cut by Sue Wegner, 48, two months ago.
“She was cutting my hair at her house and said her dream was to give everyone in Bay City who can’t afford to have a hair cut a free one,” Austin said. “I said, ‘Sue, if I supply the people you can cut as much hair as you want.' ”
Wegner agreed, and was joined by Camero for the event.
“On the first day we had a family of 12 walk in all at once,” Austin said.
Another free hair cutting session is planned for the first weekend in December.
Free haircuts are being given at the church, located at 3360 E. Midland Road in Bangor Township, to students returning to school in the coming weeks. The shearing started Monday and continues through Wednesday.
Camero, 67, said about 15 children have come out each day for a total of 72 haircuts as of Thursday morning.
Rev. Lee Austin, 62, said the idea first came to light when she was getting her hair cut by Sue Wegner, 48, two months ago.
“She was cutting my hair at her house and said her dream was to give everyone in Bay City who can’t afford to have a hair cut a free one,” Austin said. “I said, ‘Sue, if I supply the people you can cut as much hair as you want.' ”
Wegner agreed, and was joined by Camero for the event.
“On the first day we had a family of 12 walk in all at once,” Austin said.
Another free hair cutting session is planned for the first weekend in December.
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