Saturday, November 22, 2008

It still screams


I woke up this morning to learn that Tom Gish, former editor and publisher of my hometown newspaper, The Mountain Eagle, had died at age 82.

Tom and Pat Gish were among the adults whom I admired growing up in Whitesburg. They were journalists and business owners and the parents of high school classmates of mine. Pat, in particular, was a role model for girls at the time. She and Tom were partners in the true sense of that word.

They allowed us on the high school newspaper staff to use their offices and darkroom and their typesetting and layout equipment -- as long as we were out of the way when it was deadline time for them. Later, when Appalshop moved in next door to their office and I was there almost everyday taking myself too seriously while learning to make documentary films, I would learn by observation how authentic and serious professionals worked day-in and day-out putting out a weekly community paper that would later become famous, almost legendary.

I was living in Whitesburg and working at Appalshop in 1974 when the paper was firebombed. I showed up at the Gishes' home with dozens of others to help get the paper out that week. There WAS a paper that week -- and the masthead had been changed to "It STILL Screams."

Rest in peace, Tom Gish. You're a legend.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Too butch?

I ran across the Gender Analyzer Web site today and it told me
We think http://dottcomments.blogspot.com is written by a man (77%)

Well, what do you think of that?

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Why I'm not writing here

I should write more.

So why haven't I been writing here? I realize that I've been writing other places, like Twitter and Facebook and I have a lively email correspondence going with several different people. So, I HAVE been writing, just not here.

I feel guity, like I'm neglecting someone/something.

Monday, November 17, 2008

No I will not follow you

Today I received this note in my email box:

Angie Milhous (AngieMilhous) is now following your updates on Twitter.
Check out Angie Milhous's profile here:
http://twitter.com/AngieMilhous
You may follow Angie Milhous as well by clicking on the "follow" button.


But Angie, sorry to let you down like this babe, but I will not be following you. I won't follow you because you're not a real Twitterer and you cannot spell.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Birthday season has begun

The first birthday card arrived in the mail which means that my birthday season has officially begun.

I like cards. Gifts, not so much. Especially this year, when I am worried about having to pack and move (soon, I hope).

There is one gift I would appreciate. Your vote. Just get out there and do your duty. I'm not even going to tell you who to vote for. Just do it.