ArchaeoTexture

Goodbye to a Good Man .....

2009-12-10T07:55:00.006-06:00

It was with great sadness that I read that Sal Guererro of Odessa, a pioneer and a patriot with a legacy of "exceptional volunteerism and love of his country," has died.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of this story from the Odessa American's Laura Dennis (right, OA Photo)

I first met Sal in the 80s, working a camera on the studio floor at KMID-TV/Big 2, as he (along with Roger Robles and Gracie Reyes) were recording weekly episodes of Mexico Tejano. We would touch-base again a few years later, after I was laid-off at 2, and was working as a freelance writer. One of my assignments was a feature-length piece on Sal, for Nueva Vista, a weekly bilingual publication of the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

Sal and I spent a long and wonderful afternoon at his home in south Odessa. His life provided enough material to fill a book ... in fact, it DID fill a book, and Sal was kind enough to present me an autographed copy at the end of our interview.

Sal's early life, living and working in Texas was something many of our Hispanic pioneer families would recognize. But his life took a dramatic turn when he enlisted in the Army, and fought in World War II. Sal was a combat engineer - and those of you with some knowledge of the military profession know what a hazardous job that can be.

Like so many vets, Sal came home with a determination to play an active role in his community and his country, to serve and work for its preservation and - when necessary - its improvement. Most of that determination and that work would play out in Odessa, where Sal moved in 1947. He was active in Scouting, youth athletics, radio and television broadcasting, veterans affairs, voter registration, politics (Ector County commissioner) and so much more. At times, the impact of his efforts reached outside Ector County - he was a charter member of the American GI Forum, for example, which had an impact across the Lone Star State.

And now he's gone ... and our world is lessened by his departure ... goodbye, my friend.

It's Almost Showtime for Midland Artist .....

2009-12-09T12:05:00.002-06:00

This week on Texas Country Reporter ... "meet a painter with a Chinese watercolor style from the Far East." It's none other than Ricky Chou of Midland, Texas!

CLICK HERE and HERE to learn more about Chou, his art, and TCR's visit to the Tall City, courtesy of Jimmy at Sticky Doorknobs.

Locally, Texas Country Reporter airs Sunday nights at 10:30 on KWES-TV, NewsWest 9 (Channels 9 and 709 on Suddenlink Cable), right after the ten o'clock news.

Happy Hirsute Holiday .....

2009-12-07T07:55:00.001-06:00

Holiday Evening at MC offered me an opportunity to see how my whiskers measured-up against those of a leading, longtime member of the Brotherhood of the Brush. I have that 'right jolly old elf'' beat every which way in terms of length ... but, alas, he's got me in coloring, with a beard as white as new snowfall on a moonlit night. Me? My coloring is a motley collection of browns and grays and whites ... but, give me time.

AAAAGGGHHH !!! .....

2009-12-06T17:05:00.001-06:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6), in danger of missing the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl for a second time in four seasons, went ahead 24-20 on Ben Roethlisberger’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward with 1:56 remaining, only to have the Oakland Raiders (4-8) rally and win it.

Oh, Come All Ye Faithful ...

2009-12-05T19:35:00.000-06:00

Here comes the Lee High School Band, a really great train from the Oops Alley Clowns, and a mounted patrol, bringing an end to the parade. Good night, everyone.

Hark, the Herald ...

2009-12-05T19:25:00.001-06:00

Music from the Alamo Junior High band, floats from Cub Scouts and Indian Princesses, candy flying in all directions, and a reminder from one of the local churches of 'the reason for the season.'

My Favorite Entry In the Parade ...

2009-12-05T19:14:00.000-06:00

The Mustang Band from San Jacinto Junior High School, with baddest baritones in the Basin!

Winter Wonderland ...

2009-12-05T19:10:00.001-06:00

Music from the Goddard Junior High band, all kinds of brightly decorated flatbed trucks from local businesses, and a four-wheelin' Santa.

Jingle All the Way ...

2009-12-05T18:58:00.001-06:00

Leading off the parade with "Jingle Bells" are the combined bands from Midland High, Midland Freshaman - and the downtown debut of the Bowie Arts Magnet School band.

Underway at Last ...

2009-12-05T18:54:00.000-06:00

The phalanx of police cars at the head of the parade is finally on the move! Looking forward to what follows. It's cold out, but a thermos of hot chocolate is helping that.

I Love a Parade ...

2009-12-05T18:45:00.000-06:00

... and it looks as though the Midland Christmas Parade (2009 nighttime edition) could offer lots to love - if it would just get started, that is. Running a little late - I'll keep you posted.

Ghost of Christmas Past Offers Glimpse of Wizards Yet-to-Come .....

2009-12-04T12:05:00.005-06:00

The other night, I had a chance to watch Blackadder's Christmas Carol, with a cast that included Robbie Coltrane as the Ghost of Christmas Past ... in a performance that - to me, at least - also offered a preview of filmgoer's first glimpse of Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, more than ten years later.
(go about six minutes-or-so into the following clip, courtesy of E5A9O8B7 at YouTube)

Please, Take Your Time and Take Care .....

2009-12-04T07:55:00.001-06:00

I've already had to help a couple of folks who got spun around and stuck on an icy patch of Wadley. If you must go out today, PLEASE take your time, and take care.

If you can work from home today, do it.

Going out? While your vehicle's warming-up, sweep-off ALL the snow, including what's on your hood.

Assume all the roads allow 10 mph, and plan accordingly. You may not have to travel that slow ... but then again, you might. I know, I know ... some mook's going to blow by you in the next lane. Let 'em go.

Heavy feet on the gas and brake pedals do NOT help.

The fact that you're driving some SUV that covers all kinds of outrageous terrain in a television commercial does NOT apply to Midland streets. They are not a closed course, and you are not a professional driver. No matter what you're driving, it's YOU - as much as, or more than - the vehicle that will get you where you're going, safely.

Community College Community: Holiday Evening .....

2009-12-03T07:55:00.006-06:00

To say that it's a little busier-than-usual around the workplace, today, would be a mild under-statement. Midland College's Holiday Evening, one of the Tall City's premier seasonal celebrations, is TONIGHT!

It's a family-friendly evening that offers, as the saying goes, 'something for everyone.' Most of the events taking place this evening are free-of-charge, and we're hoping you, your family and friends can join us. I don't think there's a single part of the college organization - students, staff and faculty - that isn't helping out in some way.

The students are a big part of the evening. The MC Students In Philanthropy organization will be holding their annual Frito Chili Pie Fundraiser this evening from 5:15-6:30 p.m. in Marie Hall Academic Bldg. Proceeds from the event benefit SIP's spring grant-making activities.

Then there's MC's art students. There will be a reception for the Fall Student Art Show this evening from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the McCormick Gallery of Allison Fine Arts Building. Also taking place at Allison (tonight and tomorrow) is the MC Student Art Hallway Sale, a wonderful opportunity to get a one-of-a-kind gift for someone - or yourself! - and, at the same time, reward the work of an MC art student.

You can also enjoy the work of our students during the “Sounds of Christmas” concert presented by the MC Jazz Band and the MC Chap Singers, this evening from 7:20-8:45 p.m. in the Wagner & Brown Auditorium of the Allison Fine Arts Bldg.

But Wait! You Also Get ...

Lighting of the Hodge Carillon Tower and Carolling by MC Chap Singers at 6:45 p.m. Our physical plant staff have been hard-at-work getting lights up around the campus, and it's a sight to behold.

Christmas at the Dollye Neal Chapel, from 5:15 - 6:30 p.m. in the chapel. Enjoy music by harpist, Megan Metheney, in a candle-lit setting filled with holiday cheer. Also, plan on seeing the special holiday decorations at Hall’s Way.

And I almost forgot Santa! He'll be around the entire evening, making his list, checking it twice ... and visiting with you to find out if you've been naughty or nice.

It should be a great night, and we hope you can join us!

This Nut's Nuts About Nuts .....

2009-12-02T07:55:00.004-06:00

One of the perk's to the cooler temperatures we've been experiencing ... it's time to get out there and gather pecans. There's nothing like the approach of winter to convince even the hardiest among them to split-open their outer husks and drop to the ground ...

... where they find me waiting. A couple times a week, after dropping Elder Son off at Math Lab, I proceed to the nearest public pecan tree, bag in hand, and gather-up a few dozen candidates for my next batch of cookies, muffins, cake frosting, pralines, whatever.

And while I don't "work" the public trees the way some do, there's still plenty to meet my needs for my brief forays into the kitchen, and the needs of others I encounter under the trees, gathering their own batch of fresh pecans, and making their own culinary plans.

And there will probably be more pecans on the ground a few days later. Pecans seem to drop like that, in fits and starts, following intermittent pauses ... different, really, from crops like cotton, which seems to follow a much stricter timeline in opening-up for harvest, responding to man's prodding as much as - or more than - nature's.

A Certain Smugness .....

2009-12-01T07:55:00.001-06:00

... felt by dang-Yankees-from-back-east such as myself, as I watch all the brouhaha over the winter weather sweeping into out part of West Texas - BRING IT ON!
Of course, that being said, I plan to stay off the road as much as possible today. One of the things about my winter weather expertise - gained in places like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and other frozen locales north of the Arctic Circle - is to avoid demonstrating that expertise, unless absolutely necessary ... and I hope you'll do the same, if the weather around here does indeed turn dicey, and the roads get icy.

Happy Birthday .....

2009-11-30T07:55:00.000-06:00

Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis, academician, author, and an aetheist who became a champion of Christian faith and struggle, was born on this day in 1898.

In a way, I first "met" Lewis through a mutual friend, as I was studying the life and works of John Ronald Reuel (J.R.R.) Tolkien. Both were part of - for me, at least - one of the most interesting generations of modern English history.

There is a pretty thorough Wikipedia entry on Lewis. There is also the website of the C.S. Lewis Foundation, dedicated to advancing Christian thought & creative expression throughout the world of learning, and this site from Harper-Collins Publishers.

"What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step ..... You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

Women in the News .....

2009-11-28T12:05:00.002-06:00

Let's see ... Sarah Palin and her book? naaah ... Michaele Salahi and her celebrity aspirations? uh-uh ... I'll go with Neda Agha-Soltan.

Who, you might ask? ... Exactly!

It's been less than a month since Queen’s College, in Oxford, England, announced that it had established the “Neda Agha-Soltan Graduate Scholarship” for philosophy students of Iranian descent. The scholarship is named in honor of a young woman that some have called the "Angel of Tehran" ... and, really, that's not much of a stretch, at all.

In this report from the Telegraph/UK, Layla Ferani writes that "on a hot day in June this year, protesters gathered in Tehran to chant slogans against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A 26-year-old philosophy student wearing blue jeans and tennis shoes looked on, before suddenly falling to the ground. She had been shot through the chest."

"Shaky video footage, captured on another protester’s mobile phone, shows blood streaming from her nose and mouth as several men attempt to stop the bleeding. Then, in what would become the most harrowing image of the post-election unrest, Neda Agha-Soltan’s eyes rolled towards the camera, and her body went limp."

Is it me, or has it been very, VERY quiet - in both the actual and the virtual worlds - regarding the events of this summer in Iran? With the exception of Eric at Fire Ant Gazette, no one in the local blogosphere (myself included) makes even a passing mention of it today.

But then, along comes the announcement of that scholarship in Oxford ... and the not-quite-unexpected response from official Iran, that the "Iranian Embassy in Britain criticized University of Oxford's establishment of a scholarship in the name of Neda Agha-Soltan, the young woman who was shot to death in the post-election events in Iran." ... all of which makes me think Queen's College did the right thing.

Happy Birthday .....

2009-11-28T07:55:00.001-06:00

... to William Blake, English poet, painter, printmaker, and advocate for such causes as abolition, religious freedom and sexual equality. We've all had to read his poems at one time or another, in high school English classes, or college Lit courses ..... some of us have gone back, on our own, for more. A great man of words, I'll be the first to admit ..... but I've always been more partial to his pictures, which served so well to complement the images he conjured with his text.

Addendum: To this day, Blake's words continue to inspire ... here is "Tyger" by Guilhere Marcondes, who used one of his favorite poems, Blake's "The Tyger," as the starting point for his short film.

Simple Gifts at First Prez .....

2009-11-27T07:57:00.020-06:00

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.
(1st verse and refrain from the original by Elder Joseph Brackett; 2nd and 3rd verses added later)

First Presbyterian Church of Midland hosted its second annual Neighborhood Thanksgiving Party, Tuesday night, where friends and family were joined by guests from Breaking Bread Soup Kitchen, and others who do not have a place, a family, or the means to enjoy a shared meal for Thanksgiving. In addition to a traditional holiday meal with all the trimmings, there was plenty of fellowship, and dancing to live music from Jody Nix and his band. Also, a large number of meals were packed "to go" for delivery to the home-bound.

Organizers were pleased with this year's event, and are already talking about getting together once again, same time next year. For more information about Breaking Bread Soup Kitchen, call First Presbyterian at 684-7821.

Marines Out There Will Understand .....

2009-11-27T07:55:00.000-06:00

... the added significance of this day. It is written that no Marines ever faced worse weather, terrain, or odds than those who fought at the Chosin Reservoir, begining on this day in 1950 and continuing for the next week-and-a-half.

Sign me, The Proud Son of One of the "Chosin Few" who Served with Chesty Puller and the First Marines ... Semper Fi

Step by Step: Christmas for Our Troops .....

2009-11-25T07:55:00.000-06:00

If you haven't checked-out and gotten involved in Christmas for Our Troops, you should. There's still time for you to show your support for the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan with the United States armed forces.
This is a Midland-based effort that "provides individual Christmas boxes full of a variety of gifts, necessities and goodies for our local men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. These boxes will be shipped the first week of December via Priority mail to ensure that our troops have a package from home in their hands before Christmas Eve. This is a non-partisan private effort to give West Texans the opportunity to give a little something back to the military folks who give so much for us and this country."

The latest step in this year's effort took place this last week at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, where young people assembled and stacked shipping boxes, getting them ready to be filled, sealed and mailed overseas.

There are other steps coming in the days ahead ... and other opportunities to for YOU to get involved. For more information, please contact CFOT Chairman Scott Davis at (432) 620-8820, or e-mail capatazhsd@sbcglobal.net . He'll tell you about ways you can contribute your time and effort, or about what is needed to fill those boxes the kids have assembled.

You can also make a financial contribution by contacting Western National Bank ("Christmas for OUR Troops Fund"), 508 W. Wall Street, Midland, Texas 79701.

A Wonderful Little Film We Almost Missed ...

2009-11-24T07:59:00.001-06:00

I'm a regular visitor to the video rental store ... and I regularly read every shelf of the 'new releases.' This past week, my search brought me to a wonderful little film I'd never heard of.

Nothing outrageous about THAT, really. There are a lot of films that don't make it to Midland-Odessa theaters, or make it into the pages of local media reviews ... that's why I read the shelves of new release so carefully, every week or so.

But you'd think a film starring Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman, William H. Macy and Marcia Gay Harden - all four of them Oscar nominees, and three of them Oscar winners - would have generated SOME buzz.

Submitted for your consideration, The Maiden Heist ...

... a comedy centered on three museum security guards (Walken, Freeman and Macy) who devise a plan to steal the artworks to which they have become attached over the years, when they learn the collection will be transferred overseas to another museum.

According to the film's write-up on Wikipedia, it had a tentative release date of May 29, 2009, before being shelved following the bankruptcy of its distributor, Yari Film Group. It made it to the large screen in June of this year, at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, before going straight to DVD this month ... and to our television at home, where both My Favorite Landman and I enjoyed it, and planned to rent a copy of The Accidental Husband, a romantic comedy starring Uma Thurman, Jeffrey Morgan and Colin Firth that showed in British theaters, but disappeared into that same Yari bankruptcy void before it could cross the pond to American theaters, instead going direct to DVD.

Let the Madcap Revels Begin ...

2009-11-24T07:57:00.001-06:00

Understandably, most of the local buzz about the 2010 Texas gubernatorial election has been about Rick Perry and Kay Hutchison ... what they is and what they isn't, what they will and what they won't. But then along comes Farouk Shami, a Houston businessman who officially entered the race, last week, for the Democratic Party's nomination.

According to Shami's campaign website, "the day he becomes Governor is the day business as usual ends in Texas." We shall see ... and in the meantime, let the madcap revels begin. I'll be watching both parties' (Republicans and Democrats) progress with interest.

Crazy (and Creative) Young Canucks ...

2009-11-24T07:55:00.001-06:00

Few entries in the University LipDub Project have gained as much attention - from news media AND prospective students - as this entry from Université du Québec à Montréal, in Canada.

"Present your own university with your self-made University LipDub video production," LipDub creators tell prospective producers. "Show the whole world that studying does not have to be boring. On the contrary, it is great fun!"

Boy, is it! With a 'good night' like this from the general student population, who needs frats?

This LipDub was produced during the integration (orientation) week of UQAM with 172 communication students. Shot and posted on September 10th, 2009, in just 2 hours and 15 minutes (though it was preceded by weeks of preparation and story-boarding). Did you notice the whole thing is one long shot - that's one of the trademarks, apparently, of a LipDub video.

Closer to home is this LipDub project from Texas State University in San Marcos.

Also, a good 'behind-the-scenes video from TSU ...