Dirkmonster

Music theory made easy

It's a good day when you learn something...

Last night, my guitar teacher Skyler at Gene Ford Music in Brentwood showed me that if you can count to twelve and know your alphabet to G you can understand music theory.  And I thought Uncle Leon was a genius (LOL...he is).

Well written depression blog

I came across the Bipolar Wellness Writer blog recently.  The posts I've read are particularly well written and Susan's voice is truly comes through as authentic.  If you're interested in that topic, I recommend taking a look.

Strong storms through Nashville today

Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were in effect Thursday afternoon in Middle TN. In Nashville, NES reported over 6,000 customers without power just before 3pm in the area east of Donelson Pike.  Coincidentally, my office is just west of Donelson Pike. I took this video showing that downed power lines would not be a surprise.

Do beer and electronics mix

I've been waiting for my opportunity to blog something about the 2008 CES in Vegas.  Today, I weigh in:

Cold beer is cool and so are fancy electronics, but together I am not so sure.  Consider the Krups/Heinekin BeerTender which makes its way to the US this spring.  According to Engadget, the device holds those 5 liter Heinekin mini kegs ($22).  It keeps it cold for 30 days and provides a fancy way to deliver the goods.  But considering the $400 price tag, let's consider whether it's worth it to the, um, serious beer drinker.

5 liters = about 170 ounces (sorry, whether it's dutch beer or from milwaukee we drink ounces)

170 ounces = just over fourteen 12 oz. beers

Reasonable people may debate whether 14 beers should last you 30 days, but if I have a little help from my friends, it may not last 30 minutes.   Hence, why not save your 4 hundy and use the plastic tap on top of the mini barrell?

Now, a kegerator. That's a different story.  I'll probably never have one but it's the real deal.

WWII MIA Tennessean ID'd

I came across a release from the Department of Defense that amazed me.  The remains of a WWII Sailor from Newcomb, TN (E TN) have been identified and are being returned to his family.

He is Seaman 1^st Class General P. Douglas, U.S. Navy, of Newcomb, Tenn. He will be buried Jan. 26 in Sneedville, Tenn.

On July 6, 1943, the light cruiser “USS Helena" was struck by torpedoes fired by Japanese destroyers off the coast of Kolombangara Island, Solomon Islands, in what would become known as the Battle of the Kula Gulf. More than 700 servicemen were rescued, but Douglas was one of more than 150 servicemen who were missing as the ship sunk.

I wonder what his family must be feeling after more than 64 years without closure.  What a story to tell his decendants.  Read the rest of the story. 

NewsChannel 5 may sell

This morning brings big news that Landmark Communications, parent company of Nashville's CBS affiliate WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5, is looking into selling the station as well as its other assets.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/BUSINESS/80103001

I worked at NewsChannel 5 for 7 years and Lyn has been there nearly 20.  So it's quite a big announcement for us.  I can just write personally that working at Channel 5 and by extension Landmark was an incredible professional and personal experience.  Professionally, it offered me a job when I really needed one and offered opportunities for growth along the way that ultimately lead me to what I'm doing now.  Of course personally Channel 5 means more because that's where I met Lyn.  As I've often said, she interviewed me for the job and I ended up getting the job and a wife out of the deal!  And that's one thing about Channel 5 - when you're there it seems like you're part of a big family. And sometimes it really turns out to be reality.

First flurries of 2008 in Brentwood

OK, so it doesn't pile up to the weather in Buffalo today. But take a look at the first flurries of 2008 in Brentwood, TN.  The wind is howling, it's bitterly cold and the clouds gave it up.

Happy New Year everyone!