Archive for May, 2008
May 29th, 2008
The Associated Press reports that General Motors Corp. said today that a quarter of its U.S. hourly workers are taking the company’s latest buyout offers, opening the door for new hires who will make less money.
Yes, I know most of them will get tens of thousands of dollars in buyouts and will go back to school, start a business, go into a new career or retire.
What I’m wondering: How have you re-invented yourself mid-career if you’ve taken a buyout in the past few years?
May 28th, 2008
Before moving to the features desk, I covered manufacturing for the Register Star for several years. One lament employers had and still have is convincing school students that they can often make more money in manufacturing than in many other jobs.
And now comes a cool quiz at aol.com that pits 15 blue-collar jobs against the same number of white-collar ones, and asks you to guess which earns more money. One asks who makes more, an architect or a lineman. (photo from mgccc.edu)
My son is an apprentice lineman, who’ll beat the architect $58,720 to $54,291 when he’s a journeyman in a year. Even so, I’d be less worried about his safety if he worked in an office like an architect. I’m not worried about him acting safely but about the other guys he has to depend on to do their jobs.
Anywho, take the quiz and be enlightened.
May 27th, 2008
At 8 p.m. Saturday, CBS will start a new mixed martial arts series, “CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights.”
“Kimbo Slice” is the big draw. (Photo courtesy of ProElite.com and EliteXC). 
It’s a first for MMA on prime-time network TV. Critics call MMA “human cockfighting.” But it sure is popular, as evidenced by Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter.” And the house was full at the Victory Sports Complex in Loves Park April 26 for Rumble in the Park, an MMA fight night.
I met Randy Couture, a former MMA champ, in Las Vegas at a motorcycle event a few years ago, and that piqued my interest in watching the fights on TV for awhile. I admit to having to put my hand in front of my face (like I do when I see surgeons operating on TV) at times because the fighting was too intense.
What do you think about MMA, and such fights being broadcast in prime time on network TV?
May 23rd, 2008
An LA Times story about the new book, “The Chris Farley Show,” poses a few what-ifs.
“Would the ‘Shrek’ trilogy have been as successful if Mike Myers hadn’t played the title character? At the time of his death, Farley had already laid several tracks for the green ogre.” And “Would ‘Farley and (David) Spade’ have the same comedic ring today as ‘Abbott and Costello’ or ‘Martin and Lewis’ if they had been given the opportunity?”
Made me think about a “what if” Register Star story I proposed that was written 1997. “What if Rockford sued Money for defamation.” It was a tongue-in-cheek story about suing the magazine after it ranked Rockford at or near bottom of the best cities listings.
What are some of your what-ifs, whether they be local or international in scope.
What if Webbs Norman hadn’t been head of the Rockford Park District for so many years?
What if Greg Mortenson, author of “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One School at a Time,” who’ll be in Rockford in September, wins the Nobel Peace Prize? Will oppressed women in Pakistan, Afghanistan and elsewhere get an even bigger boost to end up better educated to benefit not only themselves and their countries but the rest of the world?
List your what ifs.
May 22nd, 2008
On Monday, I posted a blog item asking you to tell me what should make a comeback in the Rockford area.
You’ve posted great ideas, and now I’m asking you: What shouldn’t make a comeback in the Rockford area.
I’ll go first. Fred Ford at Chicago Rockford International Airport. Ken’s Hideaway in downtown Rockford. Symbol in the middle of downtown Rockford. 
(Of course, Symbol is now in Sinnissippi Park. Register Star photo)
I’m hoping to turn your suggestions (with no names attached) into an Ask Geo column in the newspaper in the next few weeks, so all the people who aren’t cool bloggers like you know what we’re communicating about.
May 22nd, 2008
I’m intrigued with developments in the FDLS case, and read every story about it that I see and even tune into Nancy Grace and Anderson Cooper to hear the latest.
On aol.com today, though, a new way-out-there question I hadn’t even considered is being asked: “Will polygamist fashions have any influence on mainstream style? Prairie skirts are in fashion this season, while dusty pastels and neutrals are being introduced to offset trendy bold colors and patterns.” (Source AP)
Save me, please!
What’s your take?
May 21st, 2008
Used car salesmen, politicians, lawyers and journalists. None are high in the public’s eye as trustworthy characters, or so the conventional thinking goes.
And then there’s crazy talk show host Jerry Springer, who makes provocative comments in a speech he delivered to law graduates in Chicago. Edited version in today’s Chicago Tribune.
There’s something in it for all of us to think about.
My favorite: “It is perhaps inevitable that we are inclined to always be judging others. But let me share this observation. I am not superior to the people on my show — and you are not superior to the people you will represent. That is not an insult. It is merely an understanding derived from a life spent on the front lines of human interaction. We are all alike. Some of us just dress better — or have more money — or perhaps we were born into better circumstances of parental upbringing, health, brains and luck.”
Any of his comments speak to you?
May 20th, 2008
I’m hoping to write my column next week about a Rockford native, Dan Lindsay, who is premiering his new documentary, “LAST CUP: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong,” 
which is a drinking game.
If you play or have played, blog about it here. And if you want to be included in a story about it, e-mail me at gbraun@rrstar.com as soon as possible but by 5 p.m. Thursday, May 22, and include your name and phone number.
(photo taken from directwholesaleproducts.com)
May 19th, 2008
Barb Rhodes, you are the Love Wing Ding winner with a wickedly awesome ode of sorts.
Call me at 815-987-1331 as soon as possible but by 9 a.m. Tuesday to claim your two free tickets and the coveted parking pass to the May 25 all-day long rock concert at Rockford Speedway. You’ll of course have to show me identification to prove you are who you say you are.
Her entry and an explanation of it are No. 24 and 25 in my blog Love It/Hate It contest.
“I’d go “ALL THE WAY” through “HELL AND HIGH WATER” for the Wing Ding when Rockford’s “ALIVE” with 25,000 “BODIES” who “STAND UP FOR ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!” Any “WICKED SOUL” who complains hasn’t experienced this event. Otherwise, they’d say it’s “THE FAD” and be “ADDICTED.” I’m “SO HAPPY” for this tradition!”
25. Barb Rhodes | May 19th, 2008 at 10:48 amJust in case it wasn’t clear in the above blog, the words in caps & quotes indicate a song title from each of the nine 2008 Wing Ding bands:
All the Way - The Last Vegas
Hell and High Water - Black Stone Cherry
Alive - P.O.D.
Bodies - Drowning Pool
Stand Up For Rock ‘n’ Roll - Airbourne
Wicked Soul - Another Black Day
The Fad - Chevelle
Addicted - Saving Abel
So Happy - Theory of a Dead Man
The Hate Wing Ding winner is Tyler E. who gets free earplugs. Tyler: Please call me at 815-987-1331, even if you don’t wanna spend the gas money to claim your prize. Please do so as soon as possible but by 9 a.m. Tuesday. His post:
“I hate Wing Ding and here’s why… horrible weather, crowded beyond belief, but most of all: an entire day’s worth of radio-friendly pre-pubescent “hard rock” and an excuse for snotty pre-teen brats who think they’re cool because they just spent their allowance on a black t-shirt at Hot Topic to act like hooligans. These kids would have no idea how to act at a REAL metal show. WXRX is a joke, the current music scene is a joke, and people need to grow up and realize there is more music out there than the garbage they are force-fed by the radio. How could nu-metal still possibly be alive in 2008? It boggles the mind.”
May 19th, 2008
AOL has an intriguing list: 25 Things We Think Should Make a Comeback, including full-size spare tires, vent windows, vinyl records.
What do you think should make a Rockford-area comeback? Doug Logan and The Rolling Stones at the MetroCentre? A permanent home for Charlotte’s Web? The Wagon Wheel?
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