soundboard de cheevo

Yes this is a Pomeranian wearing a Red Sox jersey with a Red Sox collar and leash. The degree of fanaticism is a force to be reckoned with in this town. I wouldn't be caught dead in a Yankees cap anyway, but up here you better be ready to defend yourself physically if you dare declare the Bronx bombers as your boys. I know Auburn and Alabama have one of the fiercest rivalries in college football, but the hatred between these teams is like nothing I have ever seen before. Tonight in the subway tunnel there were plenty of beer soaked fans that wanted nothing more than swing fists with a Yankee fan or anyone else that got in their way. Observing the mayhem as an outsider was definitely interesting and I am sure glad that K and I accidentally wore red (my backpack, her shirt) to not draw too much attention to us as outsiders, but I was damn glad to get back to the safety of the hotel last night. When we saw the city bus full of Boston cops activated for what we thought to be crowd cont

Roy and Liane are getting married at Marsh Chapel, a gorgeous space that looks more like a small cathedral with wooden sculptures and some of the most beautiful stained glass I have ever seen. The windows feature traditional religious figures like saints with important figures in American history like Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross. The pictures don't do the place justice, but were worth posting anyway. I am doing a reading from a book called "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran. I am not familiar with the book, but found out today that Roy's mother gave it to him after he graduated high school so if Beck Burns likes it, I like it too Roy gave me a copy tonight as a gift along with Sonic Youth's rerelease of 1990's "Goo". That album was our soundtrack in college and ironically was reissued this year with outtakes and other DVD like extra goods. The note he wrote me was so sweet and made me cry as I realized just how much I have missed him since he left Birmin

As we were approaching Marsh Chapel this past afternoon I saw a guy standing on the steps and thought to myself, being in an unfamiliar city, "that guy looks like Jonathan," and it pleasantly dawned on me that it was Jonathan. Our good friend and long time dinner party compadre is Liane's best friend and one of the ushers/attendants in the wedding. He and his childhood friend, Jason, are staying at one of the swanky hotels in the theater district for the weekend and it is so nice to get to see the amazing Boston sites with him. Jonathan lived in Boston for a year and knows how to get around the subway lines. We are planning a big shopping trip Sunday in the neighborhood where we had dinner tonight (close to Fenway Park). We briefly got trapped in a shopping dream fantasy turned reality in Urban Outfitters until Karen pulled a major intervention and got us out of there and back on track to the restaurant. Otherwise I might still there. Jonathan is pictured here with Liane&

In the five years since I last saw Beck Burns (known formally as Rebecca) she has become a grandmother and has gotten a sassy new do that she was showing it off for the Charley's paparazzi last night at the rehearsal dinner. Liane is a lucky girl to be getting such a great set of in-laws. Roy's parents have always reminded me of my own and I think he feels the same way about mine. That is probably one of the reasons why we have remained such great friends.

We all had a fantastic time at Roy and Liane's rehearsal dinner. I laughed so hard with Roy and his parents, got to meet his precious tiny nieces Lauren (3) and Rachel (7 months) for the first time and their mom Lisa. Sadly Roy's brother Robert is overseas with the Navy and can't be here for the wedding, but Lisa's mother is here to help with the babies. The restaurant was really nice and old and just like the stereotypical Boston bars in "Cheers" and "Good Will Hunting" -- warm low lights and gorgeous wood interior. The bar unsurprisingly was packed with Red Sox fans watching the weekend series with the Yankees. Some of the drunken fans took a liking to Liane's dad, Leonard, because every time he walked over and starting watching the game on the massive flatscreen, the Sox would score or make a good play. We started calling him Lucky Len. He and Liane's mom, Janet, are as cute and sweet as Roy's parents. This is already a good wedding pa

Tonight marks a first as I am posting from Boston, Mass. on the Thursday before my best friend Roy's wedding. Thanks to Chris T. (aka Speed 42), I found a super sweet deal on hotwire.com and got a round trip ticket and four nights at a new Marriott for $377 each. The catch is that the hotel is in a 'burb, but unlike Birmingham, Boston has an excellent mass transit system and the oldest subway line in the country. For reasons that probably don't need repeating, we left Birmingham at 10:40 a.m. and didn't get into our hotel until 8:00 p.m. I had many moments were I was trying to wish a double martini out of the thin air, but that never happened and I have stuck to my ginger ale all night. We did see the gorgeous Boston Harbor (pictured) while flying in just before sunset. The hotel, although a good 30 miles away from the city, is brand new, has free high speed internet, an indoor pool and gym and a really good restaurant that has authentic New England Clam Chowder, a lit

To round out this week's look back at the year 1975 in honor of my sister, I have posted a special photo blog just for her. I heart Cheebers: A thirty year retrospective highlights some of the sweet, funny and memorable moments that were captured in photography featuring Lindsay Brown b.k.a. Cheebers. (Side note: Neither of us know where the name Cheebers really came from. Her nickname for me is Beebers, not that that clears up matters any)

1975 evening television programming Remember when the TV had two big dials and that was it? You didn't need anything more because there were just a handful of channels. I don't remember a lot about television during this year with the exception of Cher who I was obsessed wth, "The Bugs Bunny Show" on Saturday mornings, "Captain Kangaroo" and a whole lot of "Sesame Street" and "Mister Rogers" on PBS. I did watch a good big of "Tony Orlando and Dawn" and was confused all through my childhood at which lady was Dawn (not knowing that that was actually the name of them as a duo). These prime time shows were clearly for the grown ups and when I did watch shows like "All in the Family" or "Barney Miller", I didn't understand anything about them. Now I realize the brilliance and edginess of so many shows that were popular during this time. There is quite an offering here from the day when good television writing

This is similar to the television my aunt and uncle had -- a big mamma jamma.

This is similar to the model we had minus the wood frame with pseudo drawers -- nothing fancy, classic standard '70s design -- note again the rounded corners.

1975 Headlines -- January 1 -- Watergate scandal: John N. Mitchell, H. R. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman are found guilty of the Watergate cover-up January 8 -- Ella Grasso becomes Governor of Connecticut, becoming the first woman to serve as a Governor in the United States who did not succeed her husband January -- Altair 8800 is released, sparking the era of the microcomputer Mar. 25 -- Saudi Arabian King Faisal, 70, was assassinated by his own nephew, who later was beheaded. April 17 -- Pol Pot proclaims the "Democratic Republic of Kampuchea" in Cambodia and becomes its Prime Minister (1975–1979). April 30 -- The Vietnam War ended with the occupation of Saigon by Communist troops. The conflict killed 1.2 million persons and had cost the U.S. alone $28 million per day since 1961. May 12 -- Cambodia seized the U.S. merchant ship Mayaguez and its 39-man crew in the Gulf of Siam. Anxious to prove that the U.S. could not be pushed around, President Ford called for an im

Entertainment -- 1975 style Here are some interesting facts about what was going on in the entertainment world thirty years ago. The Rocky Horror Picture Show debuted on September 26, 1975 -- just hours after Lindsay Brown was born. Jake Paltrow , Gwyneth's little bro was born the also born on this exact date. Other notable 1975 birthdays in entertainment: Freddy Rodríguez (Six Feet Under), Sara Gilbert (Roseann), Balthazar Getty (Lord of the Flies), Lil' Kim (rapper, actor), Lauryn Hill (musician, actor), 50 cent (rapper) and Birmingham's own Bo Bice who became a father for the first time this week when his wife, Caroline , gave birth to their son Aiden Michael Bice on Saturday, Sept. 24. Saturday Night Live premieres on NBC. George Carlin hosts the first show. ABC , CBS and NBC agree to create a "family hour," an early evening time slot that is free of violence and sex. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest sweeps the top Oscars, winning Best Pictu

1975 Grammies: Record of the Year: “ I Honestly Love You,” Olivia Newton-John Album of the Year: Fulfillingness' First Finale , Stevie Wonder (Tamla/Motown) Song of the Year: “The Way We Were,” Marilyn and Alan Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch, songwriters Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male: Fulfillingness' First Finale , Stevie Wonder Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female: “I Honestly Love You,” Olivia Newton-John Best Pop Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group or Chorus: “Band on the Run,” Paul McCartney and Wings Best Rhythm and Blues Song: “Living for the City,” Stevie Wonder, songwriter Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male: “Boogie on Reggae Woman,” Stevie Wonder Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Female: “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing,” Aretha Franklin Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group or Chorus: “Tell Me Something Good,” Rufus

1975 Vinyl -- Very honorable mentions: From NME here are other excellent musical mentions of 1975. From left to right, top to bottom: Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffitti Patti Smith, Horses David Bowie, Young Americans The Who, The Who by Numbers Curtis Mayfield, There's No Place Like America Today Parliament , Mothership Connection Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run Neil Young, Tonight's the Night Also released, but not pictured: Bob Dylan , Blood on the Tracks Pink Floyd , Wish you were Here Parliament, Chocolate City Bob Marley , Live

More photos and trivia are coming later today as well as later in the week to celebrate the year 1975. All I can say is get ready to get down!

- - Woman accused in death scheme The Associated Press HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - A grand jury will decide if a Gurley woman will stand trial for allegedly trying to hire a hit man to kill her neighbors to avenge her dead cat. Alisha Grantham, 38, is charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit murder. District Judge Lynn Sherrod sent the case to the jury and set Grantham's bail Wednesday at $200,000. She was arrested May 20. Sheriff's deputy Marcus Adams told Sherrod that Grantham tried to hire George Nayman of Gurley to kill the family next door. She suspected the family of three adults and a 13-year-old child of killing her cat. Adams said Grantham allegedly paid Nayman several hundred dollars in May with a promise of more money to follow after he killed her neighbors. One transaction included $15 for gas and a gas can. Grantham threatened Nayman when the murders were not carried out and he called the police. Officers notified the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, which called th

Leave it to a cat to make a game out of bringing groceries home. The scene I failed to capture digitally is the one following this where he pushes the ginger ale bottle off the counter, onto the floor and then looks at me like nothing happened. That pretty much sums up this sly devil in one moment. I swear he knows what the camera is and poses for pictures. I would love to have so much confidence in my camera presence. I seem to do very well just staying behind it and looking out. At least that has been the theme this week, whether it be my pictures or someone else's.

A fire burns in downtown Galveston, Texas as Hurricane Rita approaches the coast Friday, Sept. 23, 2005. As the storm approached, at least three buildings caught fire in the city's historic Strand District of nightclubs, shops and restaurants. It was unclear what caused the blaze, but a fallen electrical pole was lying on one of the buildings. High winds whipped the flames from structure to structure. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Monique Mercer, 9, of Orange, Texas, plays on a sand pile at a friend's home in Nacogdoches, Texas, as storm clouds from the fringes of Hurricane Rita create a picturesque sunset Friday, sept. 23, 2005, after Mercer and her family fled Hurricane Rita. (AP Photo/Beaumont Enterprise, Scott Eslinger)

Weather is always interesting and fascinating, unlike this past week in the life. I don't want to get into too many details about my self-diagnosed kidney infection (my best friend pharmacist backed me up) except I will say that I am taking a pill for pain that causes brown urine -- rock on! Step back Tyra Banks, because Hurricane Rita looks like the fiercest female making the current scene. My good newsroom buddy, Chris T, says that Rita is now up to 175 m.p.h. in the gulf, topping the highest wind speeds of Katrina. The good thing is that people are heeding the warnings that have been well-publicized down to the authorities canvassing neighborhoods with loud speakers, warning as many citizens as possible. I am sad for the people who left Katrina for southeast Texas and now have to flee that area as well. Hey I bet that empty ranch in Crawford would be a good place for evacuees. I can see that place loaded with beef jerky and power generators. Gotta perpetuate that Wal-Mart image

It's hard to believe the Gulf Coast is being threatened so soon. Is Mother Nature angry with us? I wonder if there will be an end to this long line of furious hurricanes or if the Gulf Coast will eventually be completely wiped out. Is this really the end result of global warming? I wonder if the government can afford to build houses and buildings can be built strong enough to withstand 165 winds because that sure seems like where we are headed. Once again, the newsroom was buzzing tonight with news of Hurriance Rita. A large part of South Florida has been evacuated and when this storm heads in the Gulf, the warm waters are likely to create the same situation as Katrina by turning a category 2 or 3 into a 4 or 5. Predictors say there is a chance this hurricane could hit New Orleans again which sure is making Ray Nagin again look stupid as he he went against the feds by encouraging residents to come back into the city to have to turn around and tell them to evacuate again. Here's

A Nassau resident sits inside his car and watches the dark clouds and the oncoming winds from Tropical Storm Rita on the Eastern shore line of Nassau on New Providence Island in The Bahamas, Monday, Sept. 19, 2005. Heavy rain and strong winds lashed the Bahamas on Monday as Tropical Storm Rita crossed the island chain, gathering strength as the system headed toward Cuba and the Florida Keys. (AP Photo/Craig Lenihan)

Dark clouds gather and a palm tree blows in the strong winds from Tropical Storm Rita on the Eastern shore line of Nassau, on New Providence Island in The Bahamas, Monday, Sept. 19, 2005. Heavy rain and strong winds lashed the Bahamas on Monday as Tropical Storm Rita crossed the island chain, gathering strength as the system headed toward Cuba and the Florida Keys. (AP Photo/Craig Lenihan)

"Four years after the frightening experience of Sept. 11, Americans have every right to expect a more effective response in a time of emergency. When the government fails to meet such an obligation, I as president am responsible for the problem, and for the solution." -- George W. Bush Thank you George. After five years we have needed to hear at least one apology from the highest ranking official in our country and not the situation spun around to point blame elsewhere. While I believe the local and state governments of Louisiana should be held accountable for their role in this disaster, namely not heeding warnings about a severely stressed levee system in New Orleans, the feds needed to shoulder the blame post flood and amazingly they have. The way I was taught, if you don't accept responsibility for your mistakes, you don't learn from them. People, regardle

Surrogate nephew Ben and MC came by this afternoon. MC and K conversed while I got all absorbed in Benworld and I just had to share the results. Little mister has really got the toothless grin down to a science. He is wearing an outfit we gave him for his baby shower that has a little monkey on a string on the front. He was obviously in a very good mood and was all about watching Andi's every move. He is fascinated by her and can't quite figure out what she is since the doggies at his house are less than half the size of our mighty pup.

This is the hilarious face he made when he put the little monkey in his mouth for the first time after sucking on his fists. He's like, "What the hell is this thing I'm tasting for the first time?" Check out the hams this kid has for forearms. It's hard to believe just 12 weeks ago he was a scrawny little jaundice-ridden newbie.

Ben says: Power to the people!

MC informed me tonight that I am a member of an elite club. I am one of four people that Ben will burrow into. MC says he only does it to her, her sister and her mother, but he also does it with me every time I rock him. I have never seen a baby do this. He buries his face and just burrows down moving his head back and forth like a baby bunny tunnelling down a little hole.

Well, it's all over. I got sent home with my measly $30 check and never even considered for the criminal trial I was teased with yesterday. I must say I am disappointed. I got up extra early today, wore an interview outfit with jewelry, but nothing happened all day. Again we sat. I studied the autonomic nervous system and read the occasional People magazine item. This morning I sat in clear view of the clerk on the mic so I would know when she was about to call jury candidates, but it didn't happen. No drama, nothing interesting to report, but no lengthy trial either so I guess in a way it's a good thing. I do want to hear the words "crack rock" in a live trial setting some time (one that obviously not include me as the defendant). I hear once you get picked, you will get picked again so maybe next time. ( Interesting side note: The jury that was selected this week for the quadriple murder/drug deal gone wrong were all dismissed yesterday when the judge declared

I have had jury duty for the past two days and although I hate getting up early and having to wear clothes that need to be ironed, I must say I am enjoying a good bit of it. Downtown Birmingham is happening place to be during the day and I have always wanted to see the legal system in action and get a better look at the Jefferson County Courthouse with the luxury of not being involved in a trial (knock on Formica). Yesterday morning at 8:30 I was due in the jury summoning room which is a massive space the size of a basketball court with auditorium seating. There were hundreds of put out looking people there of all ages and colors. The attendants/clerks remind of the same folks at the DMV that love a bureaucratic runaround like a primate loves to scratch its ass. They didn't let me go because of school so there I sat all morning. I needed to be studying physiology anyway, especially since I will be missing lecture all week, so it was no time lost for me. Our "briefing" as

I am a grown person I know, but I still believe in concept of security blankets especially in times of stress. During 9/11 it was my new kittens from the humane society that I held and loved on while soaking in the reality of those hard moments that begin four years ago today. This week it has really helped to post blog entries and wear my new kangol visor, that already looks like it is 10 years old, while absorbing the news from Louisiana. I know that is weird, especially since I am woman. I have heard criticism from friends and family alike about how girls shouldn't wear caps my entire life, but it never has and never will stop me. It keeps overhead light glare out of my eyes, hides less than presentable hair and for some reason, provides me with a sense of comfort and relaxation and always has. When I was a kid, I wouldn't wear my team cap from softball until the day of the game. There was something sacred and ceremonial about the 'team cap' and that magic carries o

Me and Dad -- Spring 1973 After closer inspection of this photo, I realized I am wearing an Auburn cap. Auburn University is my parents' alma mater, the town where my sister and I were raised and where my Dad taught journalism for 20 years. Dad's love of Auburn came from his sister's husband, my Uncle Lee Oliver, who graduated in pharmacy from Auburn back when it was called Alabama Polytechnic Institute . For the people out there in Bloggerville that give a rip about college football, and yes I am one of them, here is some trivia you might or might not know. In 1972, the Auburn Tigers (10-0) were ranked No. 2. During the Iron Bowl, played in the City of Birmingham, college football history was made. With 5:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Alabama Crimson Tide had a 16-3 lead thanks to their suffocating defense. But on consecutive possessions, Auburn's Bill Newton blocked punts and David Langer returned both for TDs and a 17-16 lead. For a decade, Auburn fans

My current favorite cap is from an great independent record store in Missoula, Montana (where my parents live) called Rockin' Rudy's . It is so old and worn now that the brim has started to detach from the actual cap, the metal part on the back has betinaed and the cap has faded quite a bit. This picture was taken in August 2003 at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by my best friend Clare Vance. We had some pints of beer while on standby to see my parents in Missoula. I miss those beers sometimes, but leaned on them way too hard an often as a comfort and they always let me down the next day. It is better, although not necessarily easier, to seek comfort elsewhere like in a simple ball cap.

The political debate has already gotten nauseatingly old to me. That is how I've been feeling today -- kind of sick to my stomach and just over hearing the bloody details for awhile. Bottom line: all three levels of government failed with the hurricane disaster and something must be done about it. I know this terrible event will be debated for years to come. I am sure I will rant again about it, but I have moments where I have had enough bad news coming at me from all angles. I work in journalism so I have no choice to deal with it head on, but us news junkies sometimes overdo it and I'm feeling kind of sick with it today like I tied one all week with it and now I'm in hangover mode and don't want to see or smell the stuff for fear of puking. Admist the 24 news hour chatter around blame and enough Monday morning quarterbacking to last us the next century, the thousands of citizens helping the evacuees continue to shine and make me very proud of my community and our cou

I wish I had a dime for every time I say how sweet my life would be as a critter for a day - EBB

One of nice things about having a few thousand refugees in a city of decent size like Birmingham is that needs get met. Sunday afternoon at the civic center helped me relax a little over the situation with the evacuees because I could see first hand, not through the television camera, that people are being taken care of to the point where the extra folks, like me and K, were having to get creative with our volunteer efforts. Fortunately two friends of K's, Cliff and Russell, were smart and proactive in figuring out an unmet need -- laundry service . I will hand it to these guys for being clever enough to find something these people needed and getting the operation off the ground. The folks in need put their dirty clothes in a trash bag with their name on it and volunteers would sign out laundry with an estimated time of return. We did about 10 loads and saw everything from a onesie that would have fit Baby Ben all the way to big man-sized t-shirts. It gave us the scope of who has

Freddie Lee , International Cat of Mystery, pretends to be interested in helping wash the laundry of strangers as he peers out from a new laundry bag, but really just sees it as a potential pissing opportunity. That is his favorite way to treat a pile of dirty laundry by adding his own special signature to it. Fortunately, he did not succeed.

I am gladly amazed how quickly the city of Birmingham has embraced its new residents. Yesterday I spent a few hours at one of our local shelters downtown at the civic center with K and it was fairly chaotic, but there is also a nice sense of community there among the survivors and volunteers. The main room, the size of a large gymnasium, where the evacuees are staying has a few hundred cots on the floor and different areas set up like a fair for the survivors. Although it is makeshift at the moment, this part of the civic center is like a small city now. There is a pharmacy, a salon with free haircuts, manicures and pedicures, a playspace for little kids that has a padded floor and is marked off with a baby fence. There is also a clothing area, a food area and an area just for kids with clothes, toys, diapers, formula and the space all these supplies take up is massive. Each of these areas takes up the space of a convenience store. As I predicted, the kids I saw were happy. I played H

I got this text message yesterday from one of my oldest friends, Cameron. We grew up living across the street from each another in Auburn, Ala. and I have known him since I was 8 and he was 10. Cameron is an air traffic controller with the National Guard and spend time in Afghanistan two years ago. He lives in Meridian, Mississippi and was called down to Gulfport, a once beautiful town, now totally destroyed by the hurricane. This is the text message he sent me. No food, water or transportation, but he has text messaging down there and wanted me to keep him updated on the Auburn/Georgia Tech football game. I send him a text message every quarter and was sad to report to him that we lost 23-17 so it looks like Auburn's magic win streak is over, but it was a nice excuse to exchange about 20 phone messages back and forth and catch up with my old buddy. I hope he can get out of that hot Mississippi heat soon and get his butt up here so I can buy him a beer at The Garage. The Nationa

I have no choice but to turn on word verification. My last entry had 15 spam messages. Such an effective means of advertising!

I try to avoid too many bitter rants of my blog because I consider this a source of relaxation and entertainment, but those two pleasures have been hard to come by this week because I cannot believe that five days after Hurricane Katrina there are still more than 20,000 stranded people at the hell hole formerly known the New Orleans Convention Center . They have no place to sleep, no medical attention, little food and water and only the clothes on their backs. Our citizens used to think we were buffered from these types of situations by massive oceans and cultural boundaries. Is the real reason no one is helping these people because our country doesn't have enough National Guard troops since they are in Iraq? The convention center is not flooded. The roads are clear surrounding it yet people are still stranded inside tonight. Why are they being punished and held captive to lie in waste for being stranded? How in the world is this happening just a couple of hundred miles down the ro