Tuesday, 5/31

After over 33 years, today is my final day as an employee of Taconite Broadcasting.

I've been hinting over the past few weeks of changes that are happening around here, and this evening it becomes official—the station is being sold. Unlike many occasions where radio or TV stations are bought & sold, usually to big faceless corporations, we're lucky in that we're being picked up by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. They want to expand their presence in Marquette, and seeing as how they already own two radio stations in Baraga it seems like a perfect fit for them.

One of the great things is that they're buying the station to keep it just like it is, so if you're listening you shouldn't hear a change at all. Unless, of course, a change might be something we want and/or need.

And then that would be a good thing.

But this also means that for the first time in a third of a century (way over half of my entire life, actually) I will not be an employee of Taconite Broadcasting. From the first time I walked through the doors of the old studios in Ishpeming until the time I walk out of the doors in downtown Marquette tonight, I've worked for one company and one company only. I realize that's rare these days, and I also realize that I've been incredibly lucky in that time. Both Joe Blake and Tom Mogush have been great owners to work for, and they've made sure that we've had everything we need to become the station we are today.

I may not have said it a lot, but I have appreciated that over the past third of a century.

Tomorrow when you turn the station on you'll hear what you've been hearing since (it seems) the dawn of time. I myself will wake up as usual and stumble into work as usual. I guess this really will be one of those instances where the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Even if I'm not working for the same company any more.

So today marks the end of one adventure, and the beginning of another. I have high hopes; I also hope you enjoy the ride!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 5/27

This is a story I told ten or so years ago. But seeing as how we're heading into the Memorial Day weekend, I think it's a story that bears repeating.

Buried under a birch tree in Marquette’s Park Cemetery, not far from the Kaufman Mausoleum, lies a young man named Ralph Ellis. Ralph was a native of L’Anse who came to Marquette in the late 1930’s to attend classes at Northern Michigan College of Education (now, of course, NMU). While at Northern, Ralph played on the football team and joined a fraternity, and fell in love with a local girl named Margaret Kepler.

Just before Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, Ralph was drafted into the U.S. Navy, and became an aircraft test pilot stationed in California. Every chance he could, he came back to Marquette to visit Margaret and her family. They became engaged in late 1942, and in June of 1943, Margaret and her mother took the train out to the West Coast, where Ralph was still test-flying new Navy planes. On July 1^st, 1943, Ralph and Margaret were married, and took off on a week-long honeymoon to Yosemite. After their return, Ralph returned to duty as a test pilot. His first day back, July 9^th, 1943, he was killed when the plane in which he was flying crashed.

He and Margaret had been married 8 days.

Margaret and her mother, who were still in California, had Ralph’s body brought back to Marquette with them, and buried in Park Cemetery. In fact, if you ever find Ralph Ellis’ headstone, you’ll find he’s buried right next to his in-laws, Mr. & Mrs. F.J. Kepler. For her part, Margaret was married—and widowed—twice more before passing away in 2001.

There are many stories like that in cemeteries across Upper Michigan; if you have a few moments this weekend, and it’s actually nice outside, maybe go for a stroll in one of them, and say “thanks” to all those we’re supposed to honor this weekend. I have feeling I'll be doing just that.

So on that note, have yourself a great 3-day weekend. I'm sure Ralph would want you to.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 5/26

To paraphrase a great American philosopher, the waiting really IS the hardest part.

I kinda thought this would happen. I kinda thought that my brief encounters with lilacs while downstate last weekend would trigger this yearning for our flowers up here to bloom. And while I'm loathe to say it, I was right. I wish I wasn't.

But I was.

Now, when I walk to work in the morning, I come across my favorite lilac tree and still see this--

I'm mentally shouting “hurry up you guys” at the top of my lungs. Thankfully, I haven't shouted it out loud yet; however, should the Mining Journal police log say something along the lines of “lunatic yelling at tree, 300 block of north Front Street”, you'll know who they're talking about.

Really, you will.

Based on my obsession with these flowers, I know that we're not that far away from their blooming. In fact, I can tell you, based on how big they are in the picture, that on or around Memorial Day they should be ready to sniff. But having already caught a few whiffs for the season while downstate, I don't know if I can wait that long. I've already caught my first whiff, and now I'm jonesing for my next. I know it's not healthy; I know I should probably have a little more self control. But I don't. I've said it before and I'll say it again--

My name is Jim, and I'm a lilac-holic.

(jim@wmqt.com), patiently (and occasionally not so patiently) waiting for the lilacs to bloom.

Wednesday, 5/25

Did you know that, against all odds, I’m apparently a gentleman?

While going through a few drawers in my office getting ready for next week I came across a list from a couple of years ago. I had always meant to write about it, but as far as I can tell, I never actually got around to doing it.

Until, apparently, now.

The list, which comes from the website Tres Sugar, contains everything it takes to make one a true gentleman for the 21^st century, and I, for some bizarre reason, fit each and every definition.

I don’t know whether to be proud or scared, but here’s the list of what makes on a perfect modern-day gentleman--

1. He is news savvy

2. He doesn't overuse Facebook or other social media

3. He dresses up without borrowing

4. You can take him anywhere

5. He recommends books

6. He tips well

7. He pays you back

8. He doesn't talk about exes

9. He can cook dinner

10. He holds the door

11. He is kind to women -- and men

12. He's not perfect, and he knows it

I especially like the last one, as how it fits me to a “T”!

8-)

When a (female) friend told me about the list a couple of years ago and I printed it out, I had to laugh. I mean, I don’t think of myself as a “gentleman”; I think of myself as someone who merely tries to behave himself and treat others with respect. These days, I guess that makes someone a “gentleman”, unlike the old days, when gentleman was someone who, I dunno, wore a top hat everywhere and knew which fork to use with which portion of a meal.

Thinking about it, though, I can see where my friend was right. Everywhere you go, you see guys dressed up (or, more to the point, dressed down) in dirty T-shirts and baseball hats, ignoring their companions while watching You Tube videos of people smacking each other in a sensitive area and speaking (too loudly) on a cell phone. I mean, that’s just not right. It’s not polite, and it’s showing whoever you’re with a basic lack of courtesy. Has the bar fallen so low that just being a good and polite person means you’re now a “gentleman”?

If true, that’s a little scary.

So, at least for this time & place, I’m apparently a “gentleman”. It’s a title that I’m not 100% comfortable with, because it doesn’t seem to be a title that would be hard to achieve. It’s just kind of sad that it’s a title to which more guys don’t aspire.

Sigh...

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 5/24

An hour or so later and we would have been smack dab in the middle of it.

First of all, we’re back from our little extended weekend getaway to see Loraine’s family. A good time was had by all, especially the dork who saw these awaiting him when pulling into Reese–

I’m easy to make happy. What can I say?

That picture as taken Friday afternoon, a couple of hours after we had driven through Gaylord and approximately right as a tornado tore through the town, killing two and injuring almost 50 others. It’s weird; when we drove through the sun was shining and things looked calm & peaceful.

It’s rather strange to think that just a few hours later all hell would break loose. Guess it’s a good thing we weren’t running late Friday, right?

Believe it or not, I really didn’t take any pictures down there, so I don’t have many to share with you. I did bring a camera, but in what may be a first for me I didn’t even take it out of the bag. We had so much that needed to be taken care of (everything from a trip to Aldi to watching our team, RB Leipzig, win the German national championship in overtime & penalty kicks (while playing a man down)) that Loraine & I didn’t even get to take our usual stroll through her home town.

However, I did get to make sure that I got a shot (albeit out of the car window and with a phone camera) of The Awesome Flatness of Reese–

Of course, the picture really doesn’t do it justice. But it gives you an idea of just how flat it is. And that’s really, really flat!

Now it’s back to a short week leading into another long weekend. And who knows? Maybe it’ll also be the second long weekend in a row where I get to sniff lilacs.  Here's what they were like on my walk to work this morning--

I’m just saying…

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 5/19

I wonder which will cross the finish first—me, or the lilacs?

As you know (and are probably sick of by now) I've been watching as the lilacs on my favorite bush slowly peek their heads out. This morning, in fact?

No, that's okay. No need to thank me for the picture. I'd do it for anyone

8-)

Anyway, as you may also know Loraine and I are heading downstate tomorrow to drop in on her parents for a few days. We're set to be back in Marquette Monday afternoon. And that's what's making me wonder—will the lilacs fully pop out before we get back?

I won't miss that magical moment, will I?

In all honesty, I don't think I will; based on my obsessive observation of lilacs the past few decades I'm guessing they're still a week or so away from blooming and releasing their magical scent. I could be wrong; after all, I'm wrong about things quite often. But with the weather forecast on the chilly side the next few days I don't think they'll quite be out by Monday afternoon.

We'll see. Either way, I can't wait to start sniffing!

****

Like I said, we're heading downstate tomorrow, so there won't be one of these either Friday or Monday. Tuesday I'll have the story of our visit, along with any pictures I take showing off (as Loraine calls it ) “The Awesome Flatness of Reese”.

Have a great extended weekend!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 5/18

I can't decide if it looks like a doorstop or a piece of cake.

Some days it seems, at least to me, that I've taken every picture there is to be taken in Marquette. I'll walk around with my camera yet take few pictures because I've already taken the exact same shot of the exact same thing several times before. So when I come across some weird lighting or a new angle of a building I've shot many times before, I smile a little smile and make sure I get the shot. That happened a couple of weeks ago, with this picture of the Savings Bank Building.

I've shot this particular building before, but never from this particular angle. And I don't think I've ever been able to get the whole building into one shot. But thanks to the upper level of the Range Bank parking deck, my freakishly long arms, a wide-angle lens, and a willingness to lean over a railing forty feet above the ground, I have the shot.

And I think it looks...different.

For some reason, to me, at least, the building in this shot looks even narrower than it does in person. I mean, you can stand behind it in real life and see how it tapers to the narrow back end, but for some reason this picture really makes it stand out in a way I've never noticed before. When I first saw it the first thought that popped into my head was “kitchen scraper”, those narrow things you use to clean dough off of a counter-top. But after looking at it a little more, I've come to the conclusion it resembles either a doorstop or the last piece of cake left after an all-night birthday party.

Now if the new owners would only let me put over-sized candles on the roof. THEN think of the shot I could get!

8-)

One of the many things I love about Marquette is the fact that you can wander around, even after however many years I've been doing this, and see things you never noticed. This is a great example. I see the Savings Bank Building every single day of my life. I thought I had looked at it from every conceivable angle, and in every conceivable light. But I was wrong, and it wasn't the first time. No matter where you go or what you look at, you might notice something you've never noticed before.

Even if you do think it looks like a piece of giant leftover birthday cake.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 5/17

I know which one was MY favorite.

I posted the latest “Pieces of the Past” video yesterday, one on the history of the old Marquette Mall, and I asked a question of members of the “You Know You're From Marquette If...” Facebook group—which was their favorite store there? Almost every one of the 20 or so “classic” stores in that old building—those places that were there for years—got votes, all except the one that would get my vote.

Of course, I'm totally not surprised by that. And, at the same time, I'm also totally surprised.

The Mall opened when I was a nerdy little “Star Trek” & “Star Wars” fan (as opposed to now, when I'm a nerdy big “Star Trek” & “Star Wars” fan), and the only store I ever really wanted to go into was B. Dalton Books. That way, I could see if there was a new “Trek” or “Wars” book, and, if there was, pick it up and go home happy. I could care less about any of the clothing stores or restaurants or any other kind of store in the building. As long as I could go into Dalton, that's all that mattered.

Apparently, I'm the only person who felt that way, but, well, c'est la vie.

8-)

I had quite the trip putting the video together; during the 70s my parents lived on Fairway Drive, which meant that I could hop aboard my (still) preferred mode of transportation (my bike) and head down there. The trip to the Mall (down the Vandenboom Road hill) was easy; the trip back home (up the Vandenboom Road hill) not so much. I actually rode up that very same hill last summer or the summer before and was amazed that it was nowhere near as difficult as I remember, but as I said back then I was a nerdy little kid, and now that I'm a nerdy big kid I can, apparently, handle a big hill on my bike with ease.

So, you know, yay!

If you're not familiar with this little piece of Marquette history, check out the video. And remember—the ONLY store worth going to was the bookstore!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 5/16

So...just what IS the protocol for removing dead people from your contacts?

I'm curious because, among the many changes we have coming around here the next few weeks, I will be getting a new phone. Of course, when you get a new phone you have to move everything from the old one, and that includes the contact info—the phone numbers, basically—of everyone who was in your old phone. Heaven forbid I—we, actually—have to remember phone numbers these days, right?

(And as an aside, I figured it out—the only phone numbers I know without having to look them up are Loraine, both my parents, and the Q107 transmitter, which I have to call every time something goes wrong. Can you guess which one I wish I didn't know by heart?)

Anyway, my current phone is four years old, which means that there is a lot of outdated contact info in there. That phone also contains the numbers of three people who, sad to say, have passed away in those six years. They were individuals Loraine and I had met in the course of her research, and people who had become cherished friends in the process. Sadly, they were also all in the 80s or 90s when we met, and sadly, like many people in their 80s and 90s, they're now gone.

So when considering the transfer of contacts from my old phone, I find myself in a bit of a quandary. After all, I don't need their phone numbers any more. They're dead. But, for whatever reason, it doesn't feel right deleting their info. I don't know why. The rational, logical part of me knows I don't need the numbers any more. But to the rest of me it just doesn't seem right to get rid of the info. It's a dichotomy I can't explain. It's not like by deleting the numbers I'm removing them from my life. That happened when they passed away. And it's not like I'm ever gonna use the numbers again. Knowing my luck, I'd accidentally touch of the entries and call the number, only to have whoever picked it up when it was reassigned by the phone company answer the call and wonder what's going on.

Just what is one to do? Is there a proper etiquette for dealing with a situation like this?

In the end, I'm sure the logical, rational, and practical side of me will win out, and the numbers won't be in my new phone. I know I don't need them, and I know there's absolutely no reason for me to digitally carry them around with me. So there—I guess we can now consider that the proper etiquette for dealing with a situation such as this.

Still, it'll just seem strange not having them in my phone. Now, if I could only do that with the number for our transmitter...

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 5/13 (!)

Really? Those two names?

I don't know if you've seen this yet, but Time magazine has a cute little feature on their website that allows you to see what your name would be if you were born today.

How does it do it? Well, it determines the popularity of your name the year you were born. For instance, the year I was born, “James” was the third most popular name for a baby boy. So it takes where your name ranked in popularity and then extrapolates to 2022, because the Social Security people just released their list of the most popular baby names of the year. So, if I was born last year and still had been given the third most popular name of the year, I would no longer be “Jim”.

Nope. My name would be Oliver. You know—like nerdy cousin who made “The Brady Bunch” jump the shark.

Of course, Loraine had a much bigger laugh than did I. The year she was born her name was the 607^th most popular girl's name, so if she had been born last year and was still given the girl's name that ranked 607, her name would've been Ellianna. Yes, Ellianna.

Oliver & Ellianna. Well, I guess we now know our names if we ever need to go undercover or something!

****

Finally, here's what an 86-degree day (well, 86 until it dropped to 61 in the span of half an hour) did yesterday!

(jim@wmqt.com) (aka Oliver)

Thursday, 5/12

Okay, Facebook, what's the deal?

One of the places where those “Pieces of the Past” videos I make end up is on Facebook, both on my personal page and the “You Know You're From Marquette If...” group page. This time around, I've been posting three every two weeks—on Sunday and Thursday of the first week, and then Tuesday of the second week. Then I start over.

In looking at the statistics for all the videos I've posted since late February I've noticed something interesting. Or, perhaps, disturbing. I'm not quite sure yet. The videos I post to my personal page, no matter which day of the week, get lots of views, likes & comments. The videos I post to the “You Know You're From Marquette If” group page on the Thursdays and Tuesdays get lots of views, likes, and comments. But when I put them up on Sunday they hardly get any views, likes, or comments.

What's the deal, Facebook?

I've contacted the administrator of the page and she has no idea what's going on. Other people post things on Sunday and those gets sent through normally. But, for whatever reason, when I post something on Sundays it doesn't get sent to everyone within the group. A few people see it and can react to it, but the majority of people?

Nope.

I mean, in all truth it's not that big of a deal. That group is just one of the places where I post the videos. And if anyone wanted to see one of the videos they may have missed they could always go to the History Center's website & check it out. It's just...strange that it happens on Sunday and only Sunday.

Guess I won't be posting any of the remaining three videos for the season on that day of the week now, will I?

Speaking of this past Sunday's video (the one that made me notice the fact it wasn't getting viewed by everyone) here 'tis. And it's kind of one I wanted people to see, especially because this past Sunday was VE Day. So here you go!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 5/11

I received a note yesterday from a listener who moved out of state but obviously still thinks of us. I'll let you ready it, and maybe you can make a suggestion to help someone out.

Said the note--

“I'm reaching out because there is a disabled man who lives on Oakbrook Drive in Harvey who's metal roof came off his home yesterday due to the high winds and storm you had. He has no family left, his brother who was living with him had a stroke and passed away last year. His name is Tracy and he is physically handicapped.. His neighbor lady who has been checking in on him has called all of the agencies and there is no one to help get this man's roof repaired. 

He desperately needs the help of the people in Marquette. I used to live in that neighborhood where he resides but I now live in Wisconsin. My parents are in their late 70s and told me what happened. Most of the people in that neighborhood are elderly or on limited income so they are not able to provide manual or monetary help. Tracy is in his 50s with use of only one of his arms and has NO family to help and no money to get his roof repaired. I don't even know how he is getting his meals from day to day.”

So...if you have a thought on who might be able to help or if you'd like to do so yourself, just let me know and I'll pass the word along.

Thanks!

*****

Finally, wanna see how much difference a few warm days make?

Not this weekend but next we're going downstate to visit daily blog readers Betsy & Floyd of Reese, and wondering if they'll be ready to greet us when we get back.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 5/10

I wonder what they're thinking about when they sit down on the bench.

Across the street from the station is the courtyard of the First Presbyterian Church. At the back of the courtyard is a bench with an American flag, some flowers, and a few other things that actually make it a little oasis of peace in the middle of a downtown.

You can see the courtyard from the front desk of the station, a place where I spend a couple of hours a day working on a few things and, I have to admit, casting covetous glances at all the people wandering around outside. Yes, I'm a little jealous of them.

But that's not the point of this blog.

Almost every day when I'm working at the front desk I see two things—I see an older woman out with whom I'm guessing is her granddaughter go into the courtyard, where Grandma sits on the bench and the toddler plays in the grass. Then they leave about 10 minutes later. Later on in the day I also see an elderly gentleman who walks into the courtyard and sits on the bench, thoughts to himself. A few minutes later, he leaves.

And since it's an almost daily habit for both of these individuals, that's why I'm wondering what they're thinking about.

In all honesty I really don't need to know what they're thinking about; as it is, I almost feel like I'm intruding on their personal moments when they go into the courtyard. But part of me wonders about the reason why. Does the courtyard give them peace? Are they connected to someone who had something to do with putting it together, and going there reminds them of that individual. Is it just a stop on a walk up & down a hill?

I don't know. And, truth be told, I don't really need to know. Over the past year I've just been noticing these (almost) daily visits, and it has piqued my curiosity, even though it's none of my business. As long as the courtyard brings them whatever peace or rest or escape from reality they're looking for, that's the important thing.

I'm glad they've found it. And now that I've noticed it, I'll try not to pay any attention to it. It is, after all, their moment.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 5/9

I shudder to think what I'll need—or even what the world will be like—in 2030.

I'm starting to think about someday replacing my 8-year old laptop. There's nothing really wrong with my current machine, other than the fact that it's running Windows 8.1 and, I'm guessing, someday soon Microsoft will stop offering updates for it. There's still more then enough hard drive space on it and it runs my video editing software like a charm, so it's not like I need a new one.

I'm just thinking about it.

I'm approaching this thinking that whatever laptop I may next get will (hopefully) last just as long as the one I'm currently using—eight years. Because of that I'd want to make sure that it has everything it'll need to fully function up to 2030 in terms of memory and processing power, but then that leads me to wonder--

Just what WILL computers be doing by 2030?

I'm sure I'm overthinking this. After all, the world hasn't technologically changed that much since 2014, when I bought my last laptop. It's still fully functional after eight years. And I'm pretty sure that whatever laptop I buy now will be just as fully functional in 2030. But there's a small part of me—a very small part, admittedly—that still thinks of a year like 2030 as “the future”, a time when cars fly, robots walk the dog, and you plug a jack into your brain to get the day's news.

Even though I know better than that.

I know computer (and all) technology will advance in the next eight years, but not so much that a laptop I get now will be obsolete by then. If anything, whatever technological advances do come will probably be most felt in the mobile area. That's where things are changing the fastest. Case in point—I'm using an eight year old laptop with no problem. My four year old phone? Not so much. I can't get many apps for it because it's “old”, I can't update the phone's web browser (once again, because the phone's so “old”) and the current browser can't handle some mobile websites, and it needs to get rebooted every few days to make sure that everything it can do is done properly.

So that's where I think technology will be changing the most by 2030. I'm sure whatever laptop I get now, especially because I don't spend 24 hours a day glued to it, will work just fine for the next eight years, and probably beyond. I'll be happy with it, I'll take good care of it and use it to its capabilities, and I'll forget all about the fact that I wondered if it would work that far into the future.

In fact, I'll probably forget all about everything like that until, in 2030 or 2031, I decide to get a new laptop/mobile computer/plug into my brain, and then start to wonder if THAT will last eight more years.

You know, until 2038 or 2039. And just think what things will be like THEN!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 5/6

You know, with everything else going on (and there has been a LOT going on) I totally forgot to update you on something. Namely, this--

The lilacs seem to be a week or two behind schedule this year, perhaps not surprising considering the awful April (at least weather-wise) that we had, but at least they're starting to stir to life. So there's hope. There's really, really hope!

8-)

Speaking of schedules, I have to scoot over to NMU to lay out the schedule for “High School Bowl” for next year in a bit. Yes, we're already starting to think about next year already, much like the lilacs are starting to think about the next few weeks.

Good thing we're all planning ahead like this, huh?

Have a great weekend. And if you can, don't forget to wish your mom a Happy Mothers Day Sunday. I know I plan on it!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 5/5

I had no idea the topic would be so popular.

Two days ago in here I posted one of the “Pieces of the Past” videos I make. The same day I stuck it up on Facebook where, as I write this 40-ish hours later, it has accumulated several hundred likes, 60 shares and almost 90 comments.

Who knew so many people liked the Marquette Branch Prison Gift Shop?

And when I say “liked” I really mean “liked”. People were sharing memories about what they saw there, many even snapped and posted pictures of items they had bought, and the overwhelming majority expressed disappointment that it's no longer around.

I'm glad I could share that with them.

Of course, as with everything there's a little twist to the whole affair. As people were sharing their memories with me I realized something that, I guess, I'd never before considered. Remember in yesterday's blog when I shared a deep dark secret...namely, how I've never watched a “Harry Potter” movie? Well, here's another deep dark secret--

Do you know that I don't think I ever went to the Prison Gift Shop? Unless someone brought me there when I was a real little kid (which is, of course, a possibility) I never set foot inside the Prison Gift Shop. I mean, I probably rode past it thousands of times before it closed in 2002, but as far as I can recall I never once set foot inside.

Yup. Even though I was born here and grew up here and lived here for decades while it was open, I never once visited the Prison Gift Shop.

I'm also the only person living in our apartment that never visited the Gift Shop. Loraine has memories of stopping in there with her parents when she was young and they were driving up to Houghton to visit her aunt. She grew up 400 miles from here and visited the Prison Gift Shop. Me, who grew up four miles from the Prison Gift Shop?

Not so much.

So while a whole bunch of people are sharing their fond memories of the place with me, I've now shared that deep dark personal secret with you. I'm glad that I allowed everyone who checked out the video the chance to relive that small part of their life, even if I can't relate 100% to what they're saying and what they're feeling.

That's what these videos are all about, after all.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 5/4

Happy Star Wars Day!

Wait...you don't celebrate Star Wars Day? But it's May the 4^th...you know, as in “May the force (or, in this case, the 4^th) be with you”. You really don't celebrate?

Oh, that's right. You're normal.

8-)

Every so often when I ask a movie trivia question about a “Star Wars” film I'll get someone who has never seen one. Several times, I've had TV-6 people in the studio to shoot my “What's Up” segment and they'll admit not being a fan of the films. And over the years on “High School Bowl” I've even had one or two of the brightest young people on the planet say that they just don't get “Star Wars”.

And that kinda blows my mind. I mean, I know I'm a dork and I grew up with the original films, but in a macro sense I'm also aware that they're a cultural phenomenon. Even if you're not a fan of the films—and, apparently, there are a lot more people out there like that than I ever imagined—you're at least aware of the significance of the movie series.

You may not celebrate the holiday today, but at least you're aware of it.

But I get where some people are coming from. Obviously, I'm a “Star wars” geek  Like me, there are people who are also geeks for a series of films, but in their case they're “Harry Potter” geeks. They grew up with the books and the films, and they'll drink butter beer and play Quiddich. And when I tell them I've never seen a “Harry Potter” film and could care less about ever seeing one, they give me the very same look that I'm sure I give people who say they're just not interested in “Star Wars”.

To each their own. And, by the way, I hope you don't think any less of me because I really don't care about Harry Potter. We all have our deep, dark, secrets. I guess that's mine.

So if you celebrate today, enjoy yourself. If you don't, that's fine too. Just don't be surprised if you do hear “May the Fourth be with you” a time or two today.

Some of us just can't help ourselves.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 5/3

I'm done with them for the season, even if it (at times) seems like I've barely started yet.

I know I've been writing in here a lot about the most recent batch of “Pieces of the Past”, the history video shorts I do for the Marquette Regional History Center. Well, last night I finished putting together the 18^th (and final) one for the season, and it's engendered two feelings in me--

Yay, I'm done with them, and wait...I'm done with them already?

As I've mentioned, these little two or three (or more) minute vignettes take some work to put together. I have to figure out a topic, do research on it if need be, find visuals, write it, record it, edit it, and post it. Some of them I've done in a hour, some have taken a week. But when I look back at a calendar and realize I've been working on them since the end of January, it kind of blows my mind.

It hasn't really been three months, has it?

Yet it has. It's been over two months, in fact, since I posted the first one for the year. And in that time I've got to discover some amazing stories, interview some wonderful people, and then share the end results with everyone.

The previous two years I did these I didn't get the same feelings. I was starting to run out of ideas and was just more glad to be done with them than anything. But not this year. I don't know if it's because I've spread them out more (instead of two or three a week just doing one every five or six days) or because I've had other people on as special guests (talking about their area of expertise), but it's not the same this year. I don't feel like I'm ready to wrap up the season. I'm guessing that's a good thing, and I'm guessing that's why, when I clicked the “render” button on my editing software for that final video, it took me by surprise.

I'm actually ready to make some more.

Because I work ahead there are four more I've yet to share with the world, so I'm going to give you a sneak peek of the one that goes up later today—a very unique, very specifically Marquette story.

In fact, you may even have visited it yourself once or twice.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 5/2

Have you noticed the change?

I noticed it while walking around over the weekend. I saw moving trucks everywhere, and I also noticed that the parked cars on every single Marquette street are (slightly) fewer in numbers, as well. And over the past few nights, I’ve noticed less ruckus from noisy parties up & down my normally noisy block.

Guess that means that some NMU students are leaving for the summer, huh?

I’m always a little bummed when that happens; nothing seems to amp up the energy quotient of a city more than having thousands of college-age residents swell its population. It’s one of the things that makes Marquette Marquette, after all. I mean, can you imagine the city without all the students around? It’d be quiet, it’d be dead...

It just wouldn't be the same.

I know I’ve written in here before about some of the noises I’ve heard late at night, some of the college parties, and some of the just bizarre activities I’ve witnessed, all thanks to NMU students. But I (and don’t tell anyone this) actually do kinda miss them when they’re gone. You know how residents of places like New York or Chicago say they have trouble sleeping without the sounds of sirens in the air? It’s kinda like that with me and college students, I guess. It’s like it’s part of the area’s background noise; it just doesn’t sound “right” without it.

That being said, there will now be something about the next month or so that also makes Marquette a special place. We’re in those few “transition” weeks, the weeks between when the college students leave and the tourists start descending on our fair city en masse. It’s a few weeks for us to enjoy the fact that we have city just to ourselves. It’s a few weeks for us to do what we want when we want, and to know the only people we have to clean up after is, well, “us”.

Before you know it, it’ll be Memorial Day, when one set of our guests start showing up again. Then, in another blink of an eye, it’ll be the end of August, when our other set of guests return for another year on campus. So enjoy these few weeks. They may be fleeting, but they’re ours.

(jim@wmqt.com)