the smedley log - suburban scrawl

Creativity and generosity

This evening in Philadelphia, my favorite music frontman will collect a little recognition for something non-musical. U2 singer Bono is about to receive the Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center in a ceremony I wish I could attend (though I absolutely cannot, for a variety of reasons).

The thing that has struck me about Bono’s humanitarian side is how willing he is to tackle huge issues, like third-world health and poverty. There are a few voices in the wilderness who still speak out against his effort, but I prefer those who bite off more than they can chew to those who merely sit in the corner criticizing idealism.

I, myself, am usually somewhere in between.

“Don’t admire people for their wealth, but for the creative and generous ways they put it to use.”
- H. Jackson Browne

light years

wishing upon stars
inching ever closer to
dimming forever.

A little help?

I’d like to start this all-too-rare blog post by saying to all my friends and co-workers who have been gloating presumptuously over the “demise” of Donovan McNabb: HA!

And then I’d like to ask for your help in a cause that both Donovan and I hold dear, which is defeating diabetes. On October 28, I’ll be taking part in a local walk to raise money for juvenile diabetes awareness and research.

If you happen to know me in real life and want to pass a donation along directly to me please feel free – I promise I won’t keep more than half for myself ;). Otherwise, you can go to my personal fund-raising page by clicking here and donating online. My fund-raising goal will be $500.00 this year. It’s a little on the ambitious side, but I know a lot of generous folks, so I’m aiming high.

Once again, if you’d like to help, get a hold of me in real life or click here. And if you’d like to enroll for one of this fall’s fund-raising walks (or rides), click on over to the JDRF website.

Thanks!

Friday random ten
(only just light years to go)

Luka – Suzanne Vega
American Dream – Better than Ezra
Blues – Switchfoot
Winding Wheel – Ryan Adams
Dream Awake – The Frames
I Don’t Wanna Waste Your Time – Over the Rhine
Brain of J. – Pearl Jam
Oh My Sweet Carolina – Ryan Adams
Crumbs from Your Table – U2
Find the River – R.E.M.

It started and ended strong this week, with hints of promise in between, including two of the stronger tunes (in my opinion) from Ryan Adams’ debut album and one from Over the Rhine’s latest. (And I’m pretty sure this is the first time in years I’ve recalled the crush I used to have on Suzanne Vega.)

For the broken arms and broken noses in the back:
Ben, Bob, Fred, Jill

Friday random ten
(bring your alibis)

Who You’d Be Today – Kenny Chesney
Hayling – FC Kahuna
Hotel California – Eagles
Walk between the Raindrops – Adam Again
Hey Julie – Fountains of Wayne
The Bed’s too Big without You – Police
It’s Only Natural – Crowded House
Wise Up – Aimee Mann
Troubled Man – 77s
The Side You Never Get to See – Frames

Quickly becoming my musical mantra: “Hayling”
Interesting re-use of a melody: The folks at one of Philly’s several sportstalk radio stations have harnessed the musical prowess of FoW’s “Hey Julie” to great effect by rewriting the lyrics and retitling it “Hey Charlie” – a twisted little tribute to every Philadelphian’s favorite baseball manager. It works for me, but I wonder how many folks in the Philly area actually get the fact that it’s a ripoff of an actual song?

‘Cause we’re never alone:
Ben, Cziltang, Fred

Friday random ten
(just like a de-tuned radio)

Ventriloquist – John Francis
Karma Police – Radiohead
Christian Street – Marah
Red, White and Blue – The Lost Dogs
When Love Comes to Town – U2
Long Shot – Aimee Mann
Hey Jealousy – Gin Blossoms
Grace – U2
All Kinds of Time – Fountains of Wayne
The Ocean – Dar Williams

Favorite track (at the moment): “Karma Police”
Local flavors: John Francis and Marah (two of Philly’s best, imho)
Just in time for pigskin season: “All Kinds of Time”

I might not be alone:
Ben, Cziltang, Fred, Jess

It’s the little things that kill

I’m one day into my moving week (yes, I took an entire week of vacation just to move).

What I’m noticing more than anything is how many expenses slipped beneath my radar when I was planning this adventure. They’re mostly little things, but they really add up. Fortunately, I have a great friend who’s pickup truck is sparing the pesky price of renting a U-Haul truck. So that’s one thing that won’t bring me to financial ruin this week.

I’ve already canned a Friday random ten post in case I don’t get back behind the keyboard for a while. Hopefully, I’ll be back online before October…

Helpless sharpshooters, elusive targets

“Alison, I know this world is killing you;
Alison, my aim is true.”
- Elvis Costello

Sometimes nothing changes until those who need help decide to seek it for themselves. And it doesn’t matter how desperately you wish you could make them see.

This is just a brief thought for those whose aim is true, and those who want nothing to do with salvation – at least not yet.

*
By the way, happy Labor Day. Don’t forget to appreciate the working folks you come into contact with today.

Oh, and happy birthday to my sister, who works pretty hard herself.

blissful allowances

tricks of ignorance,
immunity of conscience;
how we sleep at night.

Really, I didn’t have anything better to do

I’m moving – as in physically changing my abode – starting on Tuesday. The upheaval in my life has opened up various opportunities, including changing many address profiles, packing things and transferring or setting up service arrangements.

One change I was contemplating was a switch from traditional phone service and DSL to the much vaunted Comcast Triple Play. So I wandered over to the Comcast website to try to alter my service profile. At a certain point in the process, I was pushed into a chat with one of their distinguished “analysts.” Here’s how it went: [Read more →]

One more area where stereotypes get in the way

When it was reported last week that Owen Wilson was admitted to a hospital following a suicide attempt, the semi-serious news talk circuit finally had something to discuss with real potential to help someone. And maybe the ensuing discussion has helped. But the lion’s share of comments I heard were from tabloid-worthy entertainment folks who went on about how happy Owen Wilson always seemed so happy.

That’s something we seem to hear often when someone commits or attempts suicide. Commentators, whether on TV, radio or the neighbor’s front steps, too often focus on superficial trappings to determine how someone should be feeling. Even in cases like that of Kyle Ambrogi, the star athlete from the University of Pennsylvania, where depression is a known issue to surrounding friends and family, people often wonder why people with depression or anxiety can’t simply count their blessings and be happy. [Read more →]