10/6/06

Promissory Note

I, the writer; owe you, the reader; the following:

1 - decent post on something interesting.
4- rambling posts about seemingly nothing.
1 - podcast (new sponsor has been signed, Pole Shoppe)
1 - perfectly viable and user friendly site design.

I cannot promise anything spectacular in the next few days. Maybe I'll have something decent for you on Sunday. In the meantime - everyone out for the Market Harvest Festival tomorrow.. and Sunday for the Latino festival.

What does this mean? Fall is here, and its time for some good warm filling food, cozy nights with the family - and warm jackets. Jackets? Oh yes folks - this means the reappearance of the Forgotten-Roanoke.com jacket! You Too can easily spot your humble webmaster/overlord in my travels all over this town as I will be wearing the Forgotten-Roanoke.com jacket once again.

Last time it was public was a limited engagement back when the Lonesome Dove was torn down. Yes, it's been that long.

So keep your eyes peeled for the Forgotten-Roanoke.com jacket - or the handy Forgotten-Roanoke.com Bag which the wife models attractively. We always like meeting the public, and I enjoy it twice as much when your not trying to attack me for something I've said.

So there you go - weekends here, enjoy the nice cool weather and watch the trees. It's time.

10/3/06

800*

On the 800th post, a reflection.

No matter how interesting or important I find what I and my fellow Roanoke-based bloggers may write, no matter how thought-provoking and earth shaking I think my writings are - there's always better out there.

This is the time that I can give a few rounds of applause for those who inspired me in my hobby/obsession.

Lilek's The Bleat. M-F observations on.. well, just about anything that flares up in the life of a sort-of middle-aged writer.

IMAO. Frank J originally was alone in this, but since has added some of the finest voices in comedo-political-sociopathic blogging.

Kevin Walsh's Forgotten-NY.com - the inspiration for the seemingly hiatused Forgotten-Roanoke.com.. which is not truly on hiatus, Im just unhappy with the site design and interactivity.

Rhett over at RoanokeFire.com - my co-conspirator on organizing the scene for blogging (and social revolution, regardless of what he says) here in the 'Noke.

But the real reason I post this list is to highlight one blogger in particular. One which came quite unexpectedly to my attention.

There are quite alot of avenues that blogging can take, from the personal to the professional - the political to the paid advertisements. Blogging is mostly about sharing, information and revelations, but sometimes - there's one that blows you away with it's depth.

This is it. It has not been around very long, and is limited in scope, but remains one of the best written blogs I have ever read. Few people can write about any topic with such depth and emotion, and I am humbled.

So this is the 800th post, with an *. The * is for the fact it is not a true Roanoke post, that will come later.

Thanks to all my readers, with any luck the site will be back to full strength in a matter of weeks, the blog will carry on it's mission, and the Star City will shine once again.

10/2/06

1 Post away from another milestone

Can you imagine, it's been over a year now (first post on this version of the blog was 3/16/05) and Im on the verge of writing my 800th post?

But all that aside, I was unable to get to the city council meeting at 2pm today to stand up and speak up for the Mill Mountain Zoo. If anyone reading was there, please let me know how it went. I'm sure there will be more opportunities for public discourse in the future. However, that does not take the impetus off the public, to band together and support the Zoo.

In other news, Chef K informes me there are some interesting rumblings downtown - what with all the closings of late. He will have more on that later in the week, when his (and my week) in hell quiets down a bit.

We are in the process of lining up a sponser for the Fall/Winter season of Podcasts, and gearing up for the top secret project slated for a December release.

Interesting news today about the regional study on an ampitheatre. So the area is capable of handling one with a capacity of 7,000. I think we are better than that. Sure, maybe 7,000 right now - but consider how many people the Greek festival attracted. How many does Floyd Fest attract yearly?

I think the area can easily handle a 20,000 capacity ampitheatre, provided Roanoke has the sense to use the ampitheatre in a responsible and viable way.

Thats right, the city would have the onus upon them to actually step up and find uses for the ampitheatre. Graduations, ceremonies, live stage productions (a la "in the round" style theatre), movies... multiple use facilities.

Any ideas? Comments? Hit me back with something..

Awaiting word of the Zoo's fate...