Erin Shaw Street

Saturday

It's Saturday and the sun is shining and I'm inside working on a take-home test. At first I was glad to be able to take it home, but then remembered that take-home tests are usually harder than the run of the mill type. I have already written five pages about communication theory. Phew that gets old. I am trying to be good though, and I am taking the first step by locking myself in the house to work on this and two papers and reading, reading, reading.

This is particuarly difficult because Sidewalk Film Festival is going on. Last night we went to see "Americano," the opening night film.  Official Americano Movie SiteIt's about three young Americans who have recently graduated from college and go to Spain to find themselves in Hemingway land among the bulls. The star is Joshua Jackson, aka Pacey from "Dawson's Creek." He and the rest of the cast were supposed to be there but didn't come -- at least to the opening -- because of hurricane delays.

All in all I thought it was excellent cinematography and scenery, OK acting but a totally cliche plot. I'm a Hemingway fan and all, but. Actually maybe that's why I am so critical.

So Lola is helping me do my work. She has a torn ACL and is on doggie bed rest. We are hoping she will recover and not need surgery. Who knew dogs had ACLs?

The end of an era

I was shocked when I heard my friend Joynt's voice on my voicemail. We email almost every day but rarely talk during the work week, so I knew it was something big. The news was something we had all been expecting for a long time, but was still jarring nonetheless: The Birmingham Post Herald will publish its last issue tomorrow.

My two cents: I'm sad. Mostly for my friends who still work there. Even though the paper had been on its last legs for years, it still managed to keep going.

The PH, though it will cease tomorrow, will continue to have a lasting impact on journalism in Alabama and all over the country. Three generations of reporters cut their teeth in that newsroom. They were able to write in-depth features that went where the other paper wouldn't (and didn't) go. There was enormous creativity and a ton of talent.

Those reporters are all over the country now. Some still work in the newsroom, and some have become famous Pultizer Prize winners. Others left journalism. But I think the lessons they learned at the PH have lasting effects no matter what their business is today.

I know because the Post Herald gave me my first job. I was 21, newly graduated and ready to break news.  What a big awakening I had on that first day when the police scanners blasted news of a fire and I fumbled out the door with my reporters  notebook and a map. A few days later the city editor brought over a big stack of medical books, put them on my desk and said, "OK, you're the medical reporter." "But I have an English degree! I don't know anything about science," I replied. "Well start reading," he said.

How those circumstances changed my life. I had the chance to write about stories of life and death, of the amazing medical research being done in Birmingham and the people whose lives it touched. Long after I left the PH to cover county government at a bigger paper, my experience at the PH would change me. It taught me that my passion is telling stories (no surprise there), but stories about how people deal with life-changing illnesses, and of the science that saves lives.
And that I could make a difference in contributing to narrative -- for change.

It taught me how to be assertive, how to never take "no" for an answer, how to talk with people about their biggest, darkest fears and how to work on 17 things at a time -- all while managing to fit in a long lunch with co-workers. We had good times.

So, long live the Birmingham Post Herald. Tomorrow's News Today :)

Post Herald Closing

	Birmingham Post-Herald ceases publishing Friday The Birmingham Post-Herald will publish its final edition Friday. Owner E. W. Scripps Co. of Cincinnati said today it decided to close The Post-Herald because the economics of publishing the paper were no longer favorable. “The Post-Herald has a long tradition of journalistic excellence and community service, but Scripps was left with no choice but to face economic realities,” said Richard A. Boehne, head of Scripps’s newspaper division. Scripps has developed a severance plan for The Post-Herald’s 43 editorial department employees and will attempt to place some at other Scripps newspapers. Scripps said the closing of the Post-Herald marks the end of a joint operating agreement between Scripps and Advance Publications Inc., owner of The Birmingham News, which manages the printing, marketing and distribution of both papers. The JOA between Scripps and Advance was scheduled to run until 2015.   The Birmingham News will continue to publish seven days a week in the morning.  “We are saddened by the closing of the Post-Herald,” said Victor Hanson III, president and publisher of The Birmingham News Co. “Regretfully, few cities can support two quality daily newspapers and Birmingham is no exception. “Be assured that The Birmingham News, as it has since 1888, will continue to serve the Birmingham community with superior news and information, commentary and advertising services. Each year we seek to improve upon those services and the year ahead will be no exception.” The Post-Herald traces its roots as a Scripps newspaper back to 1921 when the company established the Birmingham Post. In 1950, the Post merged with The Birmingham Age-Herald to become The Post-Herald. As part of the transaction, The Post-Herald and The Birmingham News created the JOA and merged the business and production operations of the two newspapers, but maintained separate editorial products.

New York

Got back from NY, NY last night. It was a whirwind weekend filled with shopping, mad dashes for pizza and lots of Broadway.

Friday I met Jenny at our friend Brian's apartment, where we were staying. We made an immediate journey to H&M. Then we ate at Burger Heaven, and I wondered if it was related to a Hamburger Heaven where Dad took me a long time ago. Memorable burgers on both accounts.
That night we went to see "Alter Boyz," a quite funny and close to being sacriligious musical featuring five "evangelical Catholics" in a singing group like the Backstreet Boys. With songs like "Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone" you can't go wrong.

Ryan's friend Carlos (second from left)  is the dance captain, and we met up with him and one of the stars of the show, Danny. Carlos is the best. He grew up in part in Clearwater and has a pug named Buster so we automatically get along.  We went to a trendy little lounge where Ryan met us.

On Saturday Jenny and I met Ryan for brunch at a place near his apartment called good. And good it was. Then Jenny and I spent the day shopping in SoHo. We bought cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery ... yum.  The best find was at a street fair, where we met a handbag designer named Wendy Luker who made the best handbags and yoga mats out of vintage fabric. Plus she uses a womens cooperative to sew them. I bought two that are featured on her website: Wendy Loo Hanbags

That night we ran to see "Mamma Mia" with hot slices of pizza in our hands. What a New York moment. Ryan was the best as always and we took some goofy pictures on the stage.
After the show he took us to a party with lots of his friends in a sassy Chelsea loft. There were so many Broadway people there I wondered if someone would bust out playing on the grand piano in the  middle of the room. Lo and behold, the host did, singing an original composition to his partner to the tune of "You Made Me Love Me." Now that just doesn't happen every day. Then everyone sang Happy Birthday in ridiculously perfect keys.

When I sang, Ryan said I was killing him softly.

Sunday morning we woke up and booked it back to Times Square, where we watched "Broadway on Broadway," a huge free concert where many of the Broadway musicals feature their songs. It's sort of a preview of the opening season. I elbowed people to get a good camcorder view of Mamma Mia. Also really enjoyed the songs from "All Shook Up," "Color Purple" and of course "Rent." (Strange thing with that -- Frenchy, aka, American Idol castoff, is in the show).
At the end huge explosions of confetti are blasted throughout Times Square. Pretty cool.

At the time of writing, there are photos of the event, including several of Ryan at:

Broadway.com - Click on photo of Ryan on main page

The finale of the weekend was a trip to MoMA, which I have been wanting to make since it opened late last year. It was well worth the wait. The works in there are astonishing. I never cease to be giddy when I see Andy Warhol's soup cans and Marilyn.

So that's my story. Now I have to write a paper for class, which is much less appealing than thinking about fun times in NYC. I'm going to post some more photos in a related album ...

Off to NYC!

My bags are packed, camera, phone and ipod are charged and I am ready to go. It has been a very long week, and I'm looking forward to spending the weekend in NYC with Jenny. Tomorrow are going to see "Alter Boyz" and will meet up with my brother after his show. Saturday we're going to try to go to MOMA and see "Mama Mia" starring said brother. Sunday we are going to see some sort of Broadway promotion in Times Square, once again featuring Ryan.

Artwalk is over, School (and other things) are On

It's Sunday night and Artwalk has officially been over for more than 12 hours. It was a great event, with art better than ever filling the lofts and businesses and spaces in Birmingham's Loft District. It's amazing how much these few city blocks have changed just since last year's event. I went into several that were truly amazing -- the decorator show houses of lofts -- complete with plasma screen TVs on exposed brick walls, polished antiques and some serious art.

It was sort of surreal to participate in an event that you are so involved with actually happen. Favorites this year: watching the Ensley Drum Line (when I grow up I want to be a cymbal player with the moniker "Scrappy" on the back of my shirt), talking with new artists friends and most especially hearing things like, "This year's event is better than any other!"

Among the stuff we bought: a very cool necklace by Mandy Majerik Link to Mandy Majerik's work  that includes a big medallion with the quote, "And I Quote" and a 11x18 Nick Gruenberg photo of the neon Moon Winx Hotel sign in Tuscaloosa. It will look great in our guest room.

But I'm glad that it is over -- I was so tired last night. Plus today I had to write my first graduate paper. Um, where is my "MLA Style" book? Oy vey.

Shane's Birthday Cake

He shoots, he scores, he turns 39 ... Here are photos from Shane's birthday cake. I especially like the expressions on the players, who are vigorously defending the chocolate on chocolate cake.

Happy Birthday Shane!

Happy 39th Birthday Shane!

Tonight we celebrated Shane's birthday at Shula's thanks to my parents. The menu was printed on a football, which was a bit strange. As in we all passed around the football to read the menu/football. Lots of pieces of meat the size of footballs. Very appropriate eating to take place during the first Alabama game of the season, which we obviously didn't attend.

The food was quite tasty and we feel as if we might explode.  Soon Shane will receive a very special cake from Savages, of which I hope to soon post pictures.

Hopefully next year when he celebrates 40 and I celebrate 29 once again we will be touring Europe, he seeing the major futbol stadiums and me buying shoes.

Which, by the way, I bought five pairs of today. I wasn't trying to buy shoes -- I was actually out to buy him birthday presents -- but came upon a major sale at Parisian. As in 60% off and 10% off of that. As in $275 Kate Spade pink and gold snakeskin heels with a capital "H" reduced to under $50.  Took a test run of those tonight and very much looking forward to wearing them in NY.

And no, I haven't forgotten about the hurricane. That continues to swirl in my mind. I am hoping that in coming days we will learn more about how we can specifically help here in Birmingham.

Friday Night

This is what I am thinking now. I am thinking about all of the patients in hospitals in New Orleans and Mississippi who were already clingining to life, and now have to live without food, water or breathing assistance. I am thinking about how much time we spend working to pay for homes and food and clothing and how that can all get wiped away in a moment's notice.

I am thinking about my sister's boyfriends' family in Hattiesburg who may have lost everything, and of Shane's brother's best friend who has a home and business in New Orleans, and of a PR colleague here in Birmingham whose parents have lost their home in Gulfport. At least they got out.

I share in the sentiment of many, many people who are more engraged at our president than even before. I am angry at people who are filling their tanks to drive miles on unecessary trips.
But what right do I even have to be angry? I have a home that is standing, filled with nice things and fresh food. I have a paycheck and a hot shower and air conditioning and all of the luxuries one really needs anyhow.

I don't think that we will know how this is going to change us for a long time.

I just hope that it does.

To give to animals lost or hurt in Huricane Katrina, visit the American Humane Society website, www.hsus.org. They have launched a massive recovery effort.
Not to say that you shouldn't give to a worthy organization that helps humans, too. Everyone needs it.