echoplex's Blog

Today I saw something I didn't wish to see.

As I was running errands I came across a fatal accident.

It must have just happened minutes earlier; there were emergency vehicles on the scene, and rescue workers scrambling.

Apparently a dumptruck hit a minivan, and from news reports I heard later that day, a child was killed; a woman and another child seriously hurt.

When you hear 10-second soundbites on the local news about accidents like this, you may cringe and then go about your day.

It is a whole 'nother ballgame when you have seen the crash they speak of, and realize someone died in that spot.

A child no less.

I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to get a call at work and be told your son is dead and your wife and child are critically injured. My heart goes out to the father of this family.

My heart breaks for the dump truck driver, whom I saw. He has to live the rest of his days realizing that he was involved in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a child.

At times like these I truly question where a "God" is. How something so horrific can happen in an instant, and change the lives of the people involved. You would think a loving deity would have intervened somehow before glass and metal shattered, bodies were mangled, and sirens screamed.

I suppose all I can do as a witness to this awful accident is to pray for all involved. Pray that they find peace amidst the tragedy.

I ask that you all do the same.

I may be 39 years old today, but I am still that geek kid who salivates at the trailers of new action films.

I am peeing my pants in anticipation for this week's new Batman epic The Dark Knight, followed by the second big screen thrill ride based on one of my fave TV shows The X Files: I Want To Believe.

I watched a trailer online for the next James Bond 007 film Quantum of Solace, coming in November. Some fanboys hate the title, but judging from the taut, riveting scenes on display, this upteenth Bond adventure is sure to please.

I thought Casino Royale was one of the best Bond films ever, and new 007 actor Daniel Craig is hands down the best man to fill the secret agent's shoes since Sean Connery.

I also like the fact that the makers of these new Bond films ~ much like director Christopher Nolan is doing with the Batman franchise ~ are taking an iconic character and redesigning him for a new audience.

Besides being breathstopping thrill rides the new Bond and Batman films also concentrate on character development: something lacking in today's big-budget action films.

You will see me in line for next week's big Dark Knight release, probably wearing a grin as wide as the Joker's, and at the November showing of yet another 007 roller coaster ride.

My question to the 1.5 of you who still respond to my blogs is this: who do you like better ~ Bond or Batman?

A 38-year old man in Peru was sent to the hospital after experiencing stomach pains.

Doctors found the cause of his ailing tummy: 17 metal objects the nutcase had swallowed.

Among those objects: nails, a watch clasp, knife, screws, pens, and barbed wire.

Suffice to say doctors determined the man was mentally ill but gave no reason why he swallowed the items.

More iron in his diet perhaps?

By no means am I a sports fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I have to weigh in on this whole Brett Farve controversy.

Favre retired tearfully several months ago. A nation ~ and more specifically a city that backed him for 17 years ~ wept with him.

Radio call-in shows were devoted to his legacy. Magazines sold thousands if not millions of copies honoring Number 4.

Everywhere you turned after the stunning announcement that the storied Green Bay Packer quarterback was saying goodbye to the game, Brett Favre mania was evident.

Hell~ for Father's Day, my Dad received the Sports Illustrated hardcover book chronicalling Favre's stretch as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

And now, Favre wants back in the game. And it isn't even playing for the team he built his legacy on.

It feels like being sacked twice, doesn't it.

My opinion of Favre has changed dramatically with this breaking news. Now i frankly don't give a cheesehead what the &*(%$ he does from here on out.

What is his family saying about this? Aren't they embarassed?

This guy can't make up his @#$% mind.

I say goodbye #4. You did your share in Green Bay; now stop toying with our emotions.

In 1997 I discovered a book that literally changed my worldview. Written by Wisconsin native Neale Donald Walsch, the book is titled Conversations With God, and it has become somewhat of a publishing phenomenon, producing a series of popular titles and even a movie.

Walsch came to write CWG  after suffering a host of life failures. Suicidal and searching for answers he cried out to his Higher Power.

The result was both life-altering and extraordinary, and became the basis of his bestselling book series.

Walsch received answers to his soul-searching through a lengthy dialogue with what he claims to be as "God," a "Higher Self," the "Divine," etc. New Agers term this process "automatic writing:" when you allow something outside yourself to dicate text.

I have done this on my own, and can honestly say it works. When you tap into the spirit that is within you, answers come with a frequency that is beyond common human comprehension and capabilities.

At any rate, Walsch asked this "God" a myriad of questions, both personal and of greater, more wide-reaching significance.

"God's" answers are profound, wise, eloquent and speak of a higher truth missing from today's mindset.

Conversations With God came into my life at a time when ~ like Walsch himself ~ I was suicidal and seeking answers, The life i had created was a travesty, and I demanded guidance on how to improve it, or else I was prepared to end it.

Not coincidentally, CWG appeared on a bookshelf of a store I was at days later, thus beginning a spiritual journey that has not ended for me to this day.

I have read all of Walsch's subsequent books, and had the chance to see him speak here in Milwaukee about a decade ago. His books have inspired me, enthralled me, and  made me see life thru different eyes.

This is not to say I have not fallen along the way. Recently I have had a "falling out" with  God, cursing Him for the setbacks I have experienced as of late, including financial chaos and career woes.

Basically for years I have felt anger, resentment and even hatred towards the same God that a decade ago I was so overjoyed with reading about in Walsch's books.

And then yesterday: disgusted with myself over quitting a recent job (a job I loathed to no end), having little money to my name, and being slapped with an eviction notice, I was moping around a local Barnes and Noble for no good reason when I found Neale Donald Walsch's latest book Happier Than God.

Despite having told myself I was done with the whole self-improvement/spiritual/New Age movement, there I was staring at this book.

I decided to purchase it. And like a decade earlier, when the original Conversations With God stepped into my life and changed my thinking, so did Happier Than God.

I immediately sat down in the mall's food court and began reading the book. Although there were dozens of noisy people around me, I still managed to shut them out and focus solely (or would that be soul -ly?) on this text. It was as if I was encased in a bubble.

What I read literally altered my perception of my current experiences, and brought peace to an otherwise chaotic crisis.

I am grateful for this book, and all of Neale Donald Walsch's work. There are a lot of sterling spiritual thinkers out there: Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Gary Zukav, to name a few.

A book titled The Secret has become a cottage industry, selling millions upon millions of copies, producing a hit DVD, and tauted by Oprah Winfrey.

But Walsch's material speaks to me in ways that few authors can. No matter how far I fall, no matter how low get, there is no disputing what Walsch's books have taught me.

I just wish I could be a better student.

Reuters reports a new phenomenon going on in our country called "desk rage."

Like "road rage," desk rage is the result of angry folks taking out their aggression on others.

While road rage takes place on the streets, "desk rage" takes place in our workplaces.

According to the article, half of U.S. workers report verbal abuse and yelling at their jobs. One-sixth of workers report that anger at work led to property damage, while one-tenth reported physical violence and a fear of the workplace due to employee' threats.

Two to three percent of workers admit to pushing, slapping or hitting someone at work.

This is incredulous to me, although it probably should not be, given the state our society is in.

Have you ever been a victim of workplace abuse and/or violent threats? On a lesser but no yet demeaning scale, have you ever been cussed out, put down, intimidated, or unfairly criticized or singled out by your employer or fellow employees?

I just quit a job where a coworker was condescending to and frequently scolded me. He treated me like I was his two-year old son ~ who I am for certain when that kid grows up, is likely to put a gun in his mouth .

At a  job I held earlier this year one woman flew into a tirade, pulling the hair of a coworker and punching her in the stomach.

The phrase "Can't we all just get along?" may sound quaint, but it has some validity to it. When we are taking out our frustrations on our coworkers, that says a lot about the state of our mental health.

I for one will not stand for anyone treating me unfairly, in the workplace or elsewhere. I don't care WHO you are, what position you hold, or where you came from: treat me with respect and I will do likewise.

Treat me like s**t? You'll be getting a face full of it.

I remember when once upon a time the library was a place you could go for peace and quiet; a haven for study, reading and research. When a patron rose their voice above a hushed whisper, the librarian would silence them with a firm "Shhhh" or "Quiet please."

Those days are gone. Yesterday I was at a local library and in the span of fifiteen minutes ~ fifiteen minutes ~ I heard:

• a man talking loudly on his cell phone, despite a sign in front of his face saying that all cell phone usage is not allowed
• a young man talking noisly to his girlfriend while perusing the Internet (and when approached by a librarian and asked to lower his voice, he did not apologize, but huffed)
• a hysterically crying toddler whose father angrily told her to "BE QUIET!" yet he continued on surfing the Web
• an older woman listening to her iPod at full volume, enough for those around her to hear
• an annoying ringtone going off, not once but twice

Librarians can only do so much. They are not the police. But given today's attitude by so many that "I can do what I want, when I want, how I want, and where I want, all others be damned," they almost have to be.

Instead of focusing on what their job is ( to help the public find information), librarians need to contend with the rude, inconsiderate, selfish narcissism of their patrons.

It is a sad state of affairs when the library ~ traditionally viewed as a "fortress of solitude" long before Superman was even created ~ is now home to some of the most self-centered jerks on the planet.

A recent blog from wfbdoglover entitled "I could not speak" warrants a reply from myself, having been a child care teacher most of my life.

First off, I am both sorry wfbdoglover had to witness the exchange at the movie theater involving this teacher and a child, but also happy  that she did: this travesity compelled her to seek out the proper person(s) involved and to have something done about it.

I applaud her efforts, and wish more folks were as driven to speak out when seeing anyone  cross the line.

As a former child care teacher I can honestly say that these sort of scenarios are not uncommon.

Typically the teaching staff at your local child care center are young, naive, immature females concerned more with what they are doing after work with their boyfriends than the livelihoods of the children they are taking care of.

I could tell you all horror stories, but I shall refrain.

I can't count how many young ditzes I have had to work with thru the years; girls who are simply there for a paycheck, and forget that child care is not only a job but a mission.

That "mission" is to provide the children in your care the most loving, compassionate, respectable, ethical and professional enviroment in which to learn and strive.

The teacher of whom wfbdoglover speaks clearly has no clue on how to provide the above, and thus needs further training, and/or needs to find another field in which to work. Culvers, perhaps?

As a former child care provider I must admit to not always being the best role model and example to the children in my care.

When you are getting paid less than a hamburger flipper, you are surrounded by 10 screaming, whining, antsy 3 year olds all vying for your attention, when you are given a "room" the size of your average office cubicle, when you are expected to create "lesson plans" but never given anytime to do so on the clock, when you get little to no respect from parents, and you are cleaning up a variety of messes per day (from the arguement over who gets the Tonka truck first, to actual messes  aka urine, vomit, feces, etc.) it is no wonder that some teachers "lose it" every now and then.

Anyone who has the audacity to be critical of child care teachers should walk a week in their shoes; their opinion will change mighty  quick.

Nevertheless this does not excuse lashing out at the children under your wing. Children learn from example. You ALWAYS need to be concious of what it is you say or do when around kids.  God only knows what they pick up from your example, and store away in their psyches for years to come.

I am glad I am out of the child care business. I did my share as a teacher, and hopefully made an impression on my wee ones thru the years.

But there is so much responsibility laid upon the child care teacher, and some of us are  ill-equipped to deal with it.

Although I enjoyed my days as a teacher, and the kids enjoyed me, I wonder if it was worth the headache.

Yeah, I guess it was.

By now you have heard that the Reverend Jesse Jackson got himself into a little trouble earlier this week when he was on the Fox News Channel.

Not realizing his mic was on, the controversial civic rights leader said to a guest sitting next to him that presidential candidate Barack Obama talks down to black people.

Jackson then whispered "I want to cut his n*ts out."

Jackson has since apologized for this crude exclaimation; his son has even called him out publically.

It is nice to see this Baptist minister showing his true colours.

 Mr. Jackson has also skirted controversy in the past for remarks he has made about Jews (calling them "Hymies"), and having an extramarital affair resulting in a child.

Any belief that Jackson ~ or his Antichrist/half brother- in -hatred the "Reverend" Al Sharpton ~ are in some way forwarding black relations within our society is delusional.

This guy is as evil as they come, hidden behind a facade of the title of "minister."

The educated know better.

Apparently some nutjob in Germany has been killing pet rabbits.

Since the start of the year 40 bunnies have been found decapitated, or worse.

I don't know if Glenn Close is on the loose there in German-town, but scheiBen!

While all of us were enjoying Independence Day watching fireworks at our local parks, some fireworks of another kind were happening in parts of Milwaukee.

Six people died on July 4th, the victims of the ever-growing violence in our city. Six people gone for good.

I have attempted to address this topic on this website, but have had those blogs removed.

It's insane. We have a crisis on our hands, and no one wants to address it openly and bluntly.

Why don't we all take a field trip to Bradford Beach and bury each others' heads in the sand, shall we?

You are going to be hearing about these murders for days on local news stations, including Fox6 ~ at least until the next shooting occurs.

What you WON"T hear is WHO is committing these heinous massacres.

I for one am not afraid to point fingers. The rest of you may be cowards, or you  may cry "racist,"  but I see reality as it is.

You all KNOW what that reality is. But you are too scared, too sissified, to "P.C." to state the obvious.

So be it. You are only lying to yourselves. By avoiding the truth, you avoid the responsibility to change.

And so the bloodshed will continue. Six will become sixiteen, then sixty, then...

Don't be foolish. Buck up and take a stand,  Milwaukee! We deserve better than this. We haven't worked this hard to become victims of senseless crime perpertrated by idiot thugs.

Wake up to the reality we face.

And by all means, let us do something about it.

The summer of 2008 is shaping up to be a hot one at the box office for sure.

Will Smith's superhero flick Hancock has already raked in $107 million; a certified blockbuster in only a week's time.

Other movies this summer have burst over the coveted $100mil mark: Pixar's Wall * E  with $128; the CGI animated epic Kung Fu Panda with $193mil; Sex and the City scored an orgasmic $144mil to date, while the fourth Indiana Jones and Iron Man adventures are duking it out for the top spot as biggest movie so far this summer, with $306 and $301mil, respectively.

Closing in on blockbuster status is the Anglie Jolie action film Wanted; the redo of 60's TV comedy Get Smart with Steve Carell; even Adam Sandler's poorly reviewed Zohan pooper is at $94mil and counting.

Only Mike Myers' return to live action ~ as a love guru ~ and the Speed Racer movie have crashed at the box office.

Hell, even the new Hulk is a $100 mil-plus green giant.

With The Dark Knight and a new X-Files on the horizon,the summer of 2008 may go down in history when the public opted to hit the cinema more than sandy beaches.

I spent this picture perfect summer day sunbathing outdoors, and brought along a CD that seemed to gel effortlessly with the lovely weather.

The CD is called Buddha Lounge 6,  and is put out by the fine folks at Sequoia Records. I have numerous albums from this music label ~ including the other five Buddha Lounge  releases; all  stellar soundtracks for the season.

Brothers David and Steve Gordon take tracks off various Sequoia albums for a luxurious international trip thru exotic locales. The Gordon brothers carefully select each song to create a compliation of sensual, ethereal, mood-lifting electronica from all corners of the globe.

I think the Buddha Lounge  CDs offer a sterling example of Sequoia's excellent New Age/Relaxation/Healing Arts/Chillout catalog.

Ideal for lying poolside, a drive thru the countryside on a sunny afternoon, or just relaxing with your best buds, Buddha Lounge  is one sexy  place to visit this time of year.

Yeah - i have been critical of Summerfest a lot this year.

Still, I went to the Big Gig on Wednesday and Thursday this week, and couldn't have asked for a better time.

Sure, the rain wreaked havoc for a while on Wednesday, and it turned mighty chilly when that coldfront came blowing in, but I still had a blast checking out The Crystal Method at the spankin' new Harley Roadhouse that night.

The sound was impeccable: Crystal Method's bpms could have registered on the Richter scale. Along with a dazzling light show and computer animation flashing on video screens, TCM was a perfect match for the Harley Stage: like the motorcycle, TCM revs up, takes off, and sends you on a ride of your life.

Glowsticks were tossed, rave kids danced themselves in a frenzy, and I walked away with an increased appreciation for the electronic music scene. Loads of fun.

The next day I checked out Thievery Corporation on the Miller Stage, but not before meeting a fairskinned, freckled beauty from Alabama named Jennifer.

Jennifer was in town especially for the Big Gig; she heard about it from some friends back home and decided to come to Milwaukee and check things out. She became a Summerfest volunteer for a few days, working various jobs during the day and then seeing shows at night.

She even got to meet headliner John Mayer at the hotel she was staying at.

Jennifer and I hit it off immediately; she is into music as much as I am. We walked the grounds, talked about our concertgoing adventures, shared stories.

We went our separate ways that evening: she wanted to check out The Wailers and Gomez; me Thievery.

Still, she was a woman after my own heart. I gave her my email address and I hope she stays in touch. It is a shame she lives in Alabama. She would have made a lovely mate.

Anyhow, with the USBank fireworks exploding over the Lake, I took in Thievery Corporation for what concluded a stellar day.

I didn't expect TC to be as superlative as they were. i only have one of their CDs ~ a remix album titled VERSIONS ~ but Iive they are unbelievably diverse.

Thievery Corporation are two DJs who mix together musical genres from across the globe, set it to chillout electronic beats and seduce listeners to no end. In concert they bring along a whole busload of musicians, vocalists and even a belly dancer.

Their show was a sight to behold, as were the brilliant fireworks that night, and an even more dazzling young lady named Jennifer earlier in the day.

What a great time.

In a few weeks I am attending the three day alt-rock festival Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park, but before I do I am becoming acquainted with some of the side stage performers I may check out before the big headliners Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Nine Inch Nails, and Kanye West.

One of those side stagers are Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings who had one of the most delicious albums of 2007 titled 100 Days, 100 Nights.

If you are a fan of tabloid queen Amy Winehouse's Back To Black CD from last year, then you will adore Jones and her Kings.

I LOVE this record. It takes you back to the days of funkified R&B/jazz/soul music; when listening to this CD you will be transported back to the days of zoot suits, cruising in a convertible on a hot Harlem night and smoky nightclubs in New Orleans.

Their sound is retro but so ultracool for today's day and age.

And that voice! Oy vey. Sharon Jones can belt out a tune as good as soul queens Aretha or Tina. Backed by her multi-member players, Jones shines on tracks like "Nobody's Baby," "Be Easy," the sexy "Let Them Knock," and "Humble Me."

If you are sick of the Nickleback ripoffs, the snoozings of John Mayer, and all the rap/hip-hop throwaways that grace the current pop charts, check out this album.

100 Days, 100 Nights is soul music par excellence.