Snow - Winter in Michigan

Until my wife and I retired - no longer had to go to work every day - I tolerated snow. Now, since I don't HAVE to negotiate slick and slushy roads on a daily basis, it's not so bad. As a matter of fact, I say to 'Mother Nature' "BRING IT ON!"

In the past week, we've received probably nearly 8 to 10 inches of the fluffy stuff.

What is interesting to note is that the television stations here 'breathlessly' report the weather as an urgent news item. I understand that it is important to be aware of the conditions, but THIS IS MICHIGAN - WE GET WEATHER! Thanks to our geographic location south of Canada and being surrounded by the Great Lakes.

Have you noticed all the 'technology' used by the climatological prognosticators to keep us informed? They should be able to tell us when leaves should fall, and into whose yard it will land. Recently one display of weather advisories on the TV map looked like a kaleidoscope of colors. what is the adage . . . . if you can't amaze them with your brilliance, baffle them with B.S.

Photo posting (albums) on the web - FLICKR

Yahoo offers on-line photo sharing at FLICKR (yes, without the 'e'). This is a project I have been putting off for years and have finally decided to tackle it. I have to state that this is a GREAT way to 'share' photos with family and friends.

If you have photos you want to 'share' with others, I'd recommend you check it out.

Here is the link:

http://www.flickr.com/

Michigan's Upper Peninsula in winter

If you have never visited the "U.P." in winter, consider the possibility. What (you say), go to the cold, snowy, frontier hinterlands in the winter?


Yes, it is colder and snowier as you would expect, but it is winter in it's finest glory. Quite picturesque, actually. Plus, you aren't fighting any crowds of tourists looking for fudge or native American "artifacts," just people seeking outdoor recreation like skiing and snowmobiling, or just trying to 'get away.'

The scenery is quite spectacular with trees coated with fluffs of pure, white snow and the stark reality of bare, leafless trees poking up into the occasional blue sky. Even when it is grey and overcast (normal for Michigan winters), it can be breathtaking in a black and white sort of way - if you get my drift (pun intended).

It is quieter there during the winter months; you are able to contemplate better than during the noisy, busier and bustling summer months.

Give it a try. Take a weekend, or even a week and visit our sister peninsula to the North. You will find it relaxing and refreshing.

Reporting the News

My wife and I are former journalists and we are becoming increasingly irritated over how the News is reported, specifically on television. First, let me point out that if you truly want 'just the facts,' it can be found in print publications or on the radio. The print media reporting of the news is limited only by space restrictions, so one would be able to get much of the details to be an informed citizen. Radio news reporting is limited to the time length of the newscast, usually five minutes or less (an hour); which would be just a summary.

Television news reporting is 'big business' and a visual medium which rakes in big bucks for the station owners (if they have good ratings). To garner the ratings - which IS the name of the game - TV stations go 'all out' to insure they are the one to watch. They resort to all sorts of gimmicks to attract your eyes and ears, to intrigue you, to pique your interest, and hook you to tune in to their broadcast instead of their competition. Of course, that's how it works, you say. And there is POWER in this tactic.

The problem that we are noticing is that there appears to be more gimmickry and gadgetry sometimes - than there is substance. Details are left out, the reporters place themselves into the story, the staff constantly states how they 'researched' ("worked their resources"), that they were first with the report (". . . we reported this earlier, " ". . . as we broke this story . ."), and constantly wave documents at the camera in an attempt to prove they have done their homework.

I DON'T CARE! Just report the details, completely and accurately. Forget all the 'homey chit chat' and give me INFORMATION!

Yes, television is a visual medium - but quit being so damn clever and just provide NEWS and not Vaudeville.

Walter Cronkite is, no doubt, shaking his head at the current state of local TV news broadcasts. Me too!

AARGH!

The practice of PROFESSIONAL Public Relations.

I am sensitive about this issue, as I am proud to say that I was employed in this field for over 20 years. I have the education and the experience to back me up, which does not include my background in radio broadcasting and journalism.

I bring this up as a fiasco has developed with a local and respected corporation which has been alleged to having been involved in a campaign to recall government officials in another part of Michigan. Additionally, a local PR firm may have been behind a letter writing effort to discredit the same local officials.

It is sad to see the blot this might have on the practice of public relations by professionals who abide by the Code of Ethics of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) or others who value integrity and ethical standards in their work.

It is a fact that ANYONE can hang out a shingle saying they are a PR person and carry on with dubious distinction, casting a dark shadow upon true professionals.

I am not making any judgement on this previously mentioned scenario, but let us not make a wholesale comparison of everyone in the public relations profession to those who 'make up their own rules.'

On the topic of driving . . . .

Other issues that 'concern' me:

Continuously driving in the 'passing' lane. I admit that I used to be guilty of this.

Driving without lights at dusk or dawn or during hazardous weather.

Not allowing for safe distances between vehicles (just because there is an 'opening' between my car and the one in front of me, doesn't mean it is an opportunity to 'fill-in the space').

No being polite enough to permit anyone to enter heavy traffic from a parking lot or a mall driveway.

When traffic signals are out, it is a Four Way Stop!

Turning left, when the signals changes Green for a Left Turn. PAY ATTENTION and move along. It only stays Green for a predetermined amount of time.

In Winter, clear the snow from your rear window - I see you, but you might not see me.

Truckers . . . . AARGH!

Driving at the posted Speed Limit

I do a lot of driving. It is amazing to observe other drivers and their foibles. I've previously mentioned my pet peeve of not using turn signals (Clue Signals?). But I have recently noticed something about Speed Limits.

There are not enough signs indicating what the speed limit is in various locations. After turning onto a different route, there is no indication how fast a driver can go in that particular area. Now I know (according to the booklet handed out by the DMV/Secretary of State) what the expected/allowed limit is in unposted areas, but in urban locations, it might be different.

Also, as confusion arises as to the appropriate limit, some drivers tend to go slow - which may be OK until a limit sign is visible.

What ticks me off are the drivers who go too slow ( when it is obvious other vehicles are passing them by), or those who feel the limit is a 'suggestion' and decide it doesn't pertain to them and 'whiz' by me like they were shot from a cannon (Detroit drivers being a primary example). And the 'speedy' drivers honk, blink their lights, tailgate, and issue a hand gesture as they go by.

Well, I am issuing to them their own official "Single Digit Salute" and wish them well (hoping radar is operating just down the road).

Weather Happens!

I'm getting tired of the weather being the "top of the news" on television newscasts. Look, "Mother Nature" has been around longer than the News, and it will 'weather' no matter what. Just state the facts of: How Much, How Little, How Hot, How Cold, When and the Severity of it all.

Some of the graphics 'upmanship' is getting out of hand. And, how many Climatological Prognosticators does a TV station need? One for every day of the week?

The Weather Channel really goes to the extreme, with their 'reporters' standing out in the wind and rain, barely able to stand up.

And when one thinks about it, what other job continues to keep you on the job whether you are right or WRONG?

A National ID Card?

Shades of George Orwell's "1984." The premise may be good, but the requirement IS BAD!

Next we'll have to have an ID number tattooed on a viewable body part.

I do not like where this is heading, and I don't know if I will be able to refuse to participate. Requiring airline passengers to have an ID card if they want to fly (not that flying is fun anymore) is getting out of hand. If I understand correctly, you will have to prove who you are and where you were born to obtain this ID card. This data will then be entered into a national (large) database (a goldmine for identity thieves).


YIKES!

BLOG - Not Forgotten!

It's a New Year, and the holidays are over. The decorations are down and we can now return to "normal." The time seems to be so busy during December that proritizing is required, and some things are set aside . . . to wait until the 'dust settles.'

I apologize Dear Readers if you have been bored and waiting 'breathlessly' for new posts - Now IS The time! So here we go again . . . . .