I supspected as much

Thanks for this to Hector.

Posted by Me at 20:03 link

Power of Suggestion

On Thursday, Bush said that he has supported the idea of improving the transmission grid "all along." However, the Bush administration has past fought efforts to revamp the nation's electrical delivery systems that were not part of broader energy legislation.

Republican allies of the Bush administration, including House Majority Whip Tom Delay, R-Texas, derailed just such a proposal from Democrats in June 2001. The measure, proposed during California's energy crisis, would have provided $350 million in federal loans and loan guarantees for the industry to improve power transmission systems around the country.

The Bush White House has supported provisions mandating transmission reliability standards for industry, but only as part of broader, more contentious energy legislation including measures like expanding drilling for oil and natural gas in federal parks. This has made passage difficult.

[full story]

The Wedding

When I first saw Ian & Tessa together, they seemed perfect for each other. Having followed Ian's life through his blog the last few months, I admit that a few times it did seem things were less than perfectly smooth, so I wondered. Of course in this life, and more especially, in this society, one never knows, does one? But that wedding, that whole weekend, was the perfect mystic ceremony to send those two marvelous human beings off into their life together. They have a much better shot than most. Make the most of it, you two!

Read Ian's description of the wedding here, on his blog.

This was the first major social event I've attended with my friend from NJ — and big social events are not my forté (more like my pianissimo, for the musical cognoscenti) — so I was a bit nervous about how it would go. Her charm and high spirits carried the day! She comes from a big family, and has a lot of experience with weddings and other major festivities (my social experience consists mainly of getting drunk and then making a fool of myself countless times at University), so I kind of leaned on her most of the weekend and a good time was had by all.

And she looked absolutely gorgeous in that black dress!

Last Thursday, the first day of festivities for us, we drove up to Hillsdale. I went for a brief bicycle ride around the little town of Copake, then we dressed and headed just over the line into Massachusetts for the rehearsal dinner. The wine, food, and conversation were all truly excellent. I especially enjoyed getting to know Ian's brother Steve a little better. He's a fascinating and brilliant guy, and I look forward to seeing him again. My only regrets are that 1) I didn't stand up to make a toast to Ian; and 2) that I fell into one of my trademark silent black moods as a result of 1).

Here's my virtual toast to Ian:

Here's to that strange, shy fellow I met as I was running down the stairs of Hinton James dormitory on a nondescript August afternoon in 1985. I'd been on the UNC campus all of two days, and I was more than a little interested in starting a band, but without a clue how to proceed.

I was actually thinking about that as I ran down from the fourth floor to check my mail, when I heard a familiar bass line drifting out of a room near the stairs on the second floor. It was Sting's riff from "Oh My God" by the Police, and it was being played rather well, I thought. I was a forward young man in those days, so I simply walked over and knocked on the door. An awkward-looking red-haired fellow wearing thick glasses and baggy clothes invited me in, and thus began one of the most intriguing friendships of my life.

When I met Ian that day, I was a buzz-cutted midshipman in the Naval ROTC, a business major and a registered Republican [Note: my ultra-conservative, ultra-strict Dad took me to register; I had little choice but to register the way I did, but I did NOT, repeat NOT vote for Reagan in 1984!]. Within a month, I'd dropped out of the ROTC, joined the "major of the month club," and broadened my worldview considerably. Of course, a lot of this can be attributed to the vast quantities of alcohol I consumed several times each week, but my burgeoning friendship with Ian had more than a little to do with it, too.

If I'd never met Ian, I well might be a Naval officer today, or a successful businessman. But I might never have known the joys of multi-week roadtrips, spent a summer in New Jersey, or realized just how far that back rub trick I taught Ian could get someone (you owe me big-time for that one, Ian)!

I've known Ian for over half of our lives so far. We may be close to the midpoint of our lives — and I hope to know Ian for all the rest of our lives, because he's made my life a much richer place so far. even if he is a bit too fond of words like "solipsistic." I can't wait to see what's going to happen next.

See, it wasn't brilliant. And at the time, it wasn't even that well-formed. I guess I'm too shy at semi-casual extemporaneous speaking these days. I guess I'll have to work on it.

Friday, we bicycled a segment of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail and I also put in some hard miles on the roads of Columbia County. That evening, the wedding party met at a nearby park for softball and NC barbeque (flown in especially for the occasion). One of the unexpected highlights was that Ian rode to the park with us. It was nice just to chat with him, even if he did miss the ironic humor of Robbie Fulks' "She Took a Lot of Pills (and Died)." We played softball until the sun went down, then Ian and his posse hit the local bowling alley, which was fun.

Then it was back to Ian's house for blackjack. The photographer Lars Lucier rode with us, and it was great fun chatting with him; turns out that not only does he actually know someone I went to a horrible little school with, but that person had a major positive impact on Lars' life!

Unfortunately, I don't gamble (I'm too stereotypically Scottish about money, and I know the statistical odds too well), so my pleasure in the cards was totally vicarious, but Walt Boyle's childish glee made me glad I'd come. I'd hoped to get a chance to school Ian at darts (last time we played, he beat me pretty soundly), but alas, it was blackjack until everyone (even Ian) was too tired for anything.

Saturday was the Big Day, but still I managed to squeeze in a bicycle ride — even if I did regret it a little! We dropped into Ian's and just hung out awhile. I was glad to get a chance to chat with Kendall. Then I tried out my brilliant idea of bicycling to the park for the groom's basketball game. I hereby officially name the hill leading up from Ian's house on NY-23 to the Massachusetts line "Motherfarker Hill." The downhill which followed was suitably thrilling/terrifying. Then came more nasty uphill.... Overall, the ride was definitely one of, if not the, most challenging 6 mile ride(s) I've ever done! It's a beautiful area to bike, and most of the roads have bike lanes. [If North Carolina would add bike lanes, I'd ride two hours a day on a regular basis, just like I did when I was younger and too dumb to care that I was putting my life in peril].

Predictably, I was totally useless in the b'ball game, but I probably would've been anyway.

My friend picked me up from the park (thank God!) and we drove back to the hotel to primp for the Main Event. My friend wore another stunningly beautiful dress, this one lavender (which, as it turned out, perfectly matched the lavender rice we threw at the happy couple).

Watching the clouds on the drive back to Hillsdale, I reminded myself to remind Ian that rain on one's wedding day is generally considered very lucky, but in all the hubbub that followed, I forgot. Ian, old pal, you were blessed. And, I think, God was having another of his many laughs at your expense!

The wedding was more than I'd ever imagined a wedding could be. Every detail was perfectly planned and executed. For minor examples, there were enough umbrellas provided for every guest, and the candlelight in the port-a-potties was exactly the right level of brightness! The big stuff was right, too. The food and drink, the band, the pace, the documentation, the decor, the guest list....

The ceremony was tinged with magic. A bagpiper led us to the top of a hill, where the vows were exchanged. Afterwards, we were received under a big tent, then we went into the barn for the reception. We ate, drank, talked, laughed and danced deep into the night. Being seated with my dear friends Jon and Lisa was a great blessing. I did miss my dear friend Chris, who is central to our inseparable group of four, but we did get to talk some throughout the evening.

The next day, my friend and I drove back to NJ, stopping on the way for a far-too-brief visit with my Uncle (who's technically not my Uncle) in Connecticut.

Now I find myself back in NC, classes underway again, no close friends (except for two wonderful dogs and my wonderful Mom).

On the one hand, I love it here. I've lived here most of my life. I know every neighborhood, every street, a lot of the people. I have family roots here tracing back to 1748 and Bonnie Prince Charlie. I know Statesville the way I know the words to "King of the Road" — so well I don't even have to think. And frequently here, I don't think at all!

On the other hand, I hate it here! No close friends, unhealthy culture, extremely limited career possibilities. Statesville needs and wants me the way a fish needs a bicycle, to use a tired but apt cliché.

Sometimes I reflect on the current phase of my life the way Robert Duvall's character in Apocalypse Now reflected on the war: someday it's going to end. [sigh]

Posted by Me at 23:18 link

Back in the Saddle?

I'm sure I'll get back to "normal" soon, but for now, I'm feeling a bit reflective. I checked my "political action" email today for the first time in several days. In less than a week, I've received over 30 urgent action alerts, over 30 things I can do to help make things better. Yes, I want to help "Dump Dirty Diesel," I want to help repel the attack on Alaska's forests, I want to help ensure the ability of States to protect their coasts, and all the other things I can do to help make it all better — but I can't help wondering: how much good am I actually doing?

Who reads all these emails and faxes, anyway? Do my impassioned pleas sink in and alter anyone's perceptions, or their actions? Or are all my entreaties written off as "liberal whining" by my conservative Representative and Senator? Does Senator Edwards care that I support most of his positions?

Sometimes this web log seems the biggest waste of time of all! I don't mean to disparage my loyal readers, but how many of you are there? I think, too, that most of you share my opinions on the political issues I write about. So why spend time "preaching to the choir"?

Am I just wasting my time?

I know I'm not wasting my time. I know the opinions are noted, that sometimes our letters, faxes, emails and telephone calls make the critical difference. I know things would be much, much worse if I and people like me stopped taking our little actions. I know that my readers find my links and opinions helpful (I hope so, anyway). I'd hardly be human, though, if sometimes I didn't feel very, very small compared to the huge problems I want to solve.

Okay, enough of thinking about it! Back to doing something....

Personal Trivia

I'll write about Ian & Tessa's amazing wedding when I have a little more time. For now, click here to see what it looked like (courtesy of Ian's brother Steve).

Today, I went to Chapel Hill for a dental appointment. It went fine, thanks! Afterwards, I decided to check out the Bolin Creek Trail in downtown CH. Turns out it's a very nice trail — and all of 1.5 miles long. I also checked out the small, unpaved network of other trails leading off from it, all part of the alleged Chapel Hill greenway system (only slightly less of a joke than Statesville's), but in less than an hour, I'd exhausted all the possibilities (and, fortunately, myself as well). If I'd had a bit more energy, I might've ridden around campus or around town; the streets and roads in and around Chapel Hill are relatively bicycle-friendly. Instead, I headed back home, picked up the dogs from Mom, and came home. Mom and the dogs were very glad to see me, and vice versa, of course.

Still, I have that restless desire to be somewhere more in tune with my nature that so often follows me home from interesting places. Especially when so many of my friends (and of course, my closest friend of all) live there. [sigh]

Posted by Me at 23:45 link

Wonderful Wedding Weekend

Saturday, my friend Ian got married! This was only the second wedding I've attended as an adult, and it was an amazing experience in several ways. Every detail was perfect, and there were seemingly millions of details. Ian's bride, Tessa, proved she is a true master of organization, not only a brilliant planner, but a skilled delegator and, apparently, a harsh taskmaster! [Should that be taskmistress? I think not.] I'll go into more detail later, but the whole experience was powerfully magical and inspiring. I'll continue to absorb it for weeks, if not months, to come. I'll share some of it over the next few days.

Today turned out to be a memorable day itself. In the afternoon, I picked up where I'd left off with the D & R Canal towpath, just outside Princeton. My expectations were high, having had such a great time on the first two sections. I expected a smooth, fast, fun ride. I figured I might even finish riding the main section of the canal.

Rude awakening!

The ride started muddy, with puddles spanning almost the full width of the path, allowing one only inches (literally) in which to navigate; make a slight mistake and fall off the path into an algae-ridden body of water, or into a stagnant, muddy pool.

That was irritating, and continued for the first couple of miles, past Carnegie Lake (where rowers were rowing), and past the busy roads leading into Princeton which cross the towpath. For those, one has to stop, wait for a break in traffic, and then zip across, with very little margin for error. Nerve wracking!

At the second such crossing, across Washington Road, when I started to make my dash, the bike's chain got jammed in the gears, and I found myself flung over the handlebars onto the road! Fortunately, I was able to grab up the bike and scurry back before I became a road pie. I had a few scrapes, but the bike was unscathed, so after a few profanities, I managed to get back on and make a successful crossing.

The next mile or so was great, with few mud holes and only one more crossing. Then came the worst part. I suddenly noticed what appeared to be the tracks of a large construction vehicle on the path. Immediately, I found it much harder to pedal — my wheels were sinking into soft, deep sand! It was like trying to ride on a beach above the tide line. I had to shift down to the lowest gear and still I had to push at nearly maximum intensity just to move at a walking pace! I found it was easier to use the intermittent grassy margin than to slog through the "quicksand." A couple of times, I actually spun the wheels.

After 20 minutes of torturously slow progress, I slogged under a series of busy freeway overpasses and came to US-1, a fabled old highway spanning the entire U.S. East Coast from Maine to the Florida Keys, at this point a six-lane divided freeway — with no visible way to cross. It appeared a bridge crossing was being built, but only the supports were in place. I rode down the shoulder for a short way, but then decided I'd had enough.

So I backtracked the whole stinking mess. To ice the cake, it even rained a bit. I was so glad to be free of the soft sand that I rejoiced to be back among the mud holes! Unlike my first two towpath rides, I was glad for this one to end.

After cleaning off the blood, mud and sand as best I could, I recovered with some delicious Chinese food at a restaurant I'd seen on the way in. Back at the apartment complex, I felt more than a little sad to clean and break down my bike for its trip back to NC in the car's trunk. I'm beginning to think this might not be a bad place to live....

Music in my head:

• Erin McKeown — The Little Cowboy (among many others; to give you some idea of the atmosphere of the wedding, Erin McKeown played two wonderful songs at the reception, almost, it seemed, as a spontaneous afterthought. I didn't know who she was, only that she was this striking woman who appeared on stage from nowhere with an electric guitar, belted out two great tunes, then vanished again! I checked out her music today and have been blown away. I'm still not sure whether she was there because she's a friend of Ian and Tessa, but I'm glad to have seen her in such an intimate setting).
• United Future Organization — Doopsylalolic
• John Mellencamp — Hurt So Good (I laughed when this song played on the car radio immediately after my cycling ordeal)
• Nicola Conte — The In Samba (Kyoto Jazz Massive remix. This has become a permanent resident inside my head lately)
• Plastic Bertrand — Ça Plane Pour Moi

We listened to that disc on the way back from New England, and experienced the jarring transition as we approached the George Washington Bridge. I couldn't help but think of Ian and wonder what he would've said, had he been there.

[to be continued]

Posted by Me at 22:09 link