As of this post, the format’s changed. The best way to describe it is just to proceed with the posts, and hope you pick up on it all:

IS INTERNET DATING WORTH IT?

They call it “internet dating”. A more proper phrase for it is “how many times do you wanna be burned??”
Yes, I’ve tried it over the years (I’m divorced, so why not??), and, to a person, I’ve been burned, deceived, scammed and abandoned.

Now, don’t get me wrong: I’m definitely honest, and don’t go into the “good ol’ boy” routine of football, Nascar, bars and how-good-are-you-in-bed. I really believe in partnership of the truest form, don’t yell/fuss/control/abuse or act like some sex-crazed jock.

But maybe that’s what’s wrong with it. Maybe the “lady” on the other end’s expecting that … maybe wanting it.

Sorry to burst your bubbles, kittens … but that’s not love: that’s infatuation (to look up the meaning, just go here. Now look up love! See a difference?)

Listen … back in 2000, I “met” a “wonderful” lady from Wisconsin, and we got along just fine … until she saw my pic and realized I was only 160 lbs!  Then she broke away from the “budding” relationship because, in her exact words, “I’m looking for someone with meat on his bones”.
As luck would have it, she did find one a little farther down the internet superhighway. But don’t go asking her about her “new love.”
You can’t.
He ended up beating her to death.
Seems his “profile” and his “personality” were two different things.

In Kentucky recently, a man named Robert Drown, Jr. met a young lady on the internet, and they became close.  Soon, they became lovers … until she found out the man was a registered sex offender!
She broke off the relationship …

and, today, he’s in jail, awaiting trial.  The charge?  He strangled her to death, then raped and killed her nine-year-old daughter … and then set her house on fire — leaving her three-year-old daughter to die in the flames!!

Ahhhh, but he was “exciting” … he had “meat on his bones”.

Of course, I understand these “matches” don’t all end like that.  Sometimes, a good pairing can come out of it.  But listen … if you’re goin’ to look for a car, you’re gonna look under the hood, right?  If you’re hungry and eat a banana, you’re gonna peel it — or an egg, shell it — or a peanut, hull it, right??
Why?? Because ya don’t know if it’s good or bad before you do, correct??

Then why take people only on the basis of their looks, build or smooth talk and THEN share your family — even your BODY — with them??  Anybody can “hand you a line”!  Take the time to know … REALLLLY know … that person.
Look for what they focus on.  Ask some tough questions.  Read their “inner body language”!  DON’T MEET THEM IN BARS!!  Take some time to think …

There are men out there who are genuine and sincere (I’m one!)  Just take the time to find out …

You never know:  Your whole being may depend on it!

Yeah, I know it’s been a little while … but if you saw my desk right now (not to mention the field work I’m lookin’ at), then you’d see why I relate to that donkey over there to yer left …

Matter of fact, I’m on the road as I write this (no, not literally! Geez … isn’t that reserved for cell phone maniacs? lol).

But, tell ya what: I’ll be back in the dungeon … er office … tonight, and I’ll make sure to unlock th’ door so we can get back to our regular jawjackin’, okay??

Until then, stay as cool (and dry) as possible … and I’ll talk with ya then …

You find heroes in the most unusual places …

I remember, about fourteen years ago, I first met Chuck Leadingham — and, quite frankly, I don’t think either one of us was impressed with the other!
He was an Ashland (KY) city cop, about the size of a brick house and with an attitude that seemed to match.  I, on the other hand, was this crazy live-wire guy from outta town that would talk to a wall if it made a sound! (WHOA!  That’s a hyperbole, folks.  I’ve never really talked to a wall … well, exceptin’ my ex father-in-law, maybe …)

As time went on, I found out more about Chuck … and, the more I learned, the more I liked the guy:  Involved with kids in the PAL (Police Athletic League), takin’ underprivileged youngsters down to Wal-Mart for Christmas presents (part of the Shop With A Cop program) — and extremely faithful to and proud of his wife, Denise, and their two children.

He worked his way up the ranks, I was told, without any ”special favors” or whatever; at the last, he was the APD’s Field Commander.

Today, the SUV is sitting beside Unity Baptist Church, draped in black crepe.  Beyond the flags that lead to the front of the church … beyond the mounds of flowers and grieving friends, officers and others … lie the bodies of Chuck and his beloved Denise.  They were killed a few days ago when their motorcycle’s rear tire blew out.

Now, I’ve gotta make it to the funeral in a moment, so let me touch on these lessons quickly:

• First, all of us who knew Chuck can tell ya that he was living proof that one person can make a difference.  He/she can rise to whatever level he/she aims for! 
• Second, never take for granted that you’re gonna be safe on a motorcycle!!  Imagine … a simple nail or whatever took out two vibrant lives!!  And anything that’s that simple to take outta commission shouldn’t be totally trusted, right?? Gimme four wheels any day! 

Okay … mebbe my timin’ was off; I shoulda started this after the funeral.  Right now, gotta go.

Talk to you this evening, okay??

OUCH!!  Has it been that long??Huh?? Oh … I was just sittin’ here, readin’ about all the stuff that happened back in ‘68.  Man, it seemed like everything was changin’, didn’t it??

I mean, ya had kids (well, 18-year-olds, anyway) wantin’ to vote, African-Americans wantin’ equal billing with whites, women wanting more rights (including equal pay), and we all wanted lower prices … and the end of that senseless “Vietnam War”.
And ya know what?? We finally got those things!   Awwww, sure it took awhile to get some of ‘em enacted … and that war finally stopped for us five years later (but Nixon did start cuttin’ back troops in ‘69, remember?).

But the most awesome part of it all was that most of it was ’cause young people stood up and roared in the face of the Establishment!!  Uh-huh … from colleges and simple farms to The Beatles and beards, the word went out to put a stop to prejudice, hate and war.

Ahhhh, but today?  Gee … lemme think about it a minute:  We’ve got … ummmm, kids (well, 18-year-olds, anyway) wantin’ to be taken seriously in society, African-Americans wantin’ fair treatment in our courts (no, I mean as jurors and witnesses as well as defendants), women wanting better physical security (including an end to harassment), and we all want lower gas and grocery prices … and the end of that senseless “Iraqi War”.

Hasn’t changed much in forty years, has it?  But, today, those youngsters who changed so much back then have all grown up and have families of their own to worry about — well, that and bills, mortgages, their health and keepin’ the boss happy  (in other words, everything our folks worried about!).

But, listen — if we knew how to change things back then, why don’t we all get together and do it now??  We’re all a little bit wiser, right?  We’ve been through the ropes, right?
And we do have a bit more “clout” than we had back then, right??
Then what’s stopping us?  No, we don’t haveta “take to the streets” like we used to; we’ve got this internet now and can write, campaign, protest or whatever … and do it faster and more effectively!  We’ve got cell phones and Blackberries and other gadgets that make “gettin’ our voice out” more efficient .. and effective!

A SPECIAL VID

I dunno about you, but this video reminds me of those days, and how we’ve fulfilled everything it said.  Now it’s time to think about makin’ this nation - this world - safe so the troubles we face won’t have to be handled by The Coming Generation.

THE KNICKERBOCKERS: THE COMING GENERATION
(it’s the “B” side of their hit 45, “LIES”)

Now, this vid’s from Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and is a bit on the worn side, but … well, just listen to the song:

Okay … I’d like to hear some noize about this subject, okay? Write or leave a message at the beep … ummm, I mean on the comments side and tell me: What’s on your mind?

C’mon in … the door’s open …

Huh??  Oh … I’m just … readin’ the paper here.  Y’see, a guy I knew up there with Ashland’s Police Department was … well, he and his wife were killed in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, and …
y’know, ya can’t believe someone you know and dealt with often (no, I wasn’t arrested by him for anything!) has gone so suddenly.  I mean, accident and all, ya still can’t help wonderin’ “Why them??”
‘Course, I’m not alone in my thinkin’.  Read on:

STREET-SIDE:  I’m learnin’ that folks as far away as Fort Mill, S. C. have gotten word of this crash and are sendin’ their prayers to Chuck Leadingham’s family … An email from someone in Marietta, Ohio — where the story seems to have broken first — said that “if anybody reads about it, they’ve got Denise as working in ‘Summit, Ohio.’  The FCI is in Summit, KY” …  and a guy from West Virginia told a local news reporter, “at least he wasn’t killed in the line of duty …”  Listen — any death of someone young, whether it be in a wreck, from illness, or by the business end of a gun barrel, is tragic … Natch, the folks around Ashland — from the regulars at Jolly Pirate Donutes to the shoppers at the Mall — are all shaken up …

A QUICKNOTE  … and I don’t think it really has to be said, does it?:  If you’re ridin’ a powerbike, please keep an eye on its condition!  According to prelim reports, the back tire blew out, which caused Chuck to lose control and hit a guardrail, throwin’ both he and Denise off the bike.  Now, knowing Chuck, I’m sure they were wearin’ helmets … but the fact remains that these machines are definitely more lethal than a car in the event of a wreck.  So keep yours in top condition …

SPOTLIGHT … Actually, this is a “retro” spotlight, and the man I’m about to spotlight has passed on to his reward.  But, since we’re talkin’ about Ashland, it’ll give ya an idea of the type of folks they have up there.
Here … pull up a chair and listen …

About three years ago, 88-year-old Charlie Kopp was tending to his disabled wife, Helen, before going to open his store (Kopp’s Office Supplies) for the day.  When he awoke, he went downstairs to (I assume) get the paper or something — and fell down the stairs!
Well, since he was gonna get breakfast ready for his wife, he got up painfully, went back upstairs and fixed her meal.  After getting her to the table, he sat down with her to eat and enjoy her company.  There was no doubt that Charlie loved his wife dearly, and wanted her to be comfortable and happy.
When he got up to wash the dishes, he noticed that the back of his neck hurt somewhat, and, only after finishing the dishes did he call one of his employees and ask for a ride to his chiropractor’s.
The man got to Charlie and Helen’s house and, when he entered, found some blood coming out of his boss’s ear!  So, instead of chiropractor, he was gonna take him to the hospital.
Now, Charlie first wanted to make sure his wife was okay and, when he was satisfied with that, he agreed to the hospital visit. That “visit” turned into a “stay” though, when the doctors found out that Charlie had …

broken his neck … and wrist!!

He was more interested in taking care of his wife than he was complaining or worrying about himself.  Even as he went into rehab after surgery, he was still demanding to know that Helen was all right.

Although Charlie Kopp’s gone from us now, we all can learn about love and devotion from this one story … from Ashland, Kentucky …

Okay … that’s all I’ve got room for right now, so I’ll see ya tomorrow with more!  Until then, tell me:  What’s on your mind?

Just for fun, and because it IS Labor Day (when EVERYBODY oughtta just “take a break” and kick up their heels a little) I thought it’d be cool to tell ya the story of the day my whiskerlickers (ie, cats) took over the PC:

Y’see, the cats like to hang out in my upstairs office. One afternoon — having finished my paperwork — I took my Westie, Brandi, out for a walk.
Leaving the computer on and shutting the door behind me, I went downstairs and, with scruffy canine on her leash, started out of the house.

Well, I thought I’d shut the door behind me! Apparently, one of my “Meow Mafia” found that it didn’t “catch”, and pushed it open. This, of course, led to a wave of feline foragers infiltrating the room — and, with a blank Word document on the monitor, the temptation to check out my keyboard was too strong for them.

Finding all kinds of strange characters on that page when I returned, I could just imagine the four largest cats (Sugar, Gadget, Doo-Wop and K-Cat) seizing the chance to take over and express their opinions (either that, or trying to order cat food over E-Bay®!).

Doo-Wop: Hey, guys, LOOK! Th’ old man’s left his writing thing on! Let’s see if we c’n type somethin’ like he does!

Sugar: Um …. I dunno, man! Is that Brillo-backed excuse for a mutt around here?

Doo-Wop: Naaaah … she’s gone for a walk. (He looks puzzled at the keyboard) Hey … any of y’all know how to work this thing?

Sugar: Awwww, move over, Friskie-face! I’ve seen th’ old man use this, so it can’t be that hard! Now … what to talk about? (he stops to think, then perks up his ears) I know! Hey, Gadget … how do ya spell “neutering”?

Gadget: O-U-C-H!! But why are ya writin’ about that?? We oughtta tell them to send cat food or somethin’!

K-cat (entering the room with a scrunched-up nose): WHOOOOO-EEEEE!! Don’t y’all go back to th’ litter box for a few minutes, ya hear? It’s a mite pungent … HEY!! You’re on the ol’ man’s writin’ thing!

Gadget: Yeah … Sugar’s tellin’ folks some stuff about fixin’ cats …

K-cat: Why? Did one of us break or somethin’??

Doo-Wop: Awww, get serious, Stinky! There’s so many little kittens out there with no home, scroungin’ outta trash cans and sick. Heck, I see ‘em everytime I’m up there in the man’s kitchen window, catchin’ some rays …

K-cat: Brother, you can’t even catch a decent mouse! But I saw ‘em, too … and grown humans can’t take care of all of ‘em! There’s just too many …

Sugar: D-UH! … that’s why I’m writin’ this, dude! See, folks’ve gotta remember to get their pets fixed so it won’t be like that.

Gadget: Yeah. the man. took us to that vetur … that vetra … that doctor up the street, remember? It don’t cost a lot, and it didn’t hurt us!

Doo-Wop: Hmph … speak for yourself, specs! I couldn’t scratch myself for weeks! But you’re right. I mean, about the … whatcha call it? Nootering? An’, ’sides that, the humans oughtta watch out for their pets … sometimes, when they get out, they could get dead by one o’ them big things the man calls “cars.” Or by big, mean dogs or somethin’!

K-Cat: Yeahhhh! Well, ‘cept BRANNN-deeeee! That mutt can’t even catch her own tail! (all the cats begin to laugh as K-Cat continues) Anyway, why don’tcha write about that new thing on the magic picture box that the man likes to watch? I think it’s called the Dog Whisperer, or something.

Gadget: Oh, yeah! It’s where that man … what’s his name? Ummmm, Cesar sumpthin’, an’ he shows how to train (hee!hee!) dogs! It’s on that Aminal Planet TV channel.

Doo-Wop: Hmph … hasn’t done much for that overgrown flea-flicker that lives here, has it?? Ya notice they never haveta do that with us?? Shoot … just give us a little room, some good food and water, and we’re good to go!

K-cat: And please – after what I been through …don’t forget … a clean litter box!

Gadget: But the human Cesar takes the dogs, an’ … an’ makes ‘em learn to do something called heel, and be good, not bite … you know, stuff like that.

Sugar: Yeah … and didja know that when doggies are fixed, sometimes they’re easier to train? An’ it doesn’t cost a bunch of those green papers humans call money, either!

K-Cat: Cool! Hey … while you’re on that thingy, see if the ol’ man got any o’that HE-mail he talks about. Mebbe somebody’s got a purty girl cat …

Gadget (anxiously guarding the door): NO TIME!! Hurry … the ol’ man’s just come in the back door!

So they all take off like a flash, knocking off the keyboard, turning over the chair – and leaving a mess on the desktop! .

Anyway, HAPPY LABOR DAY, EVERYBODY! (Now, where did I put that pooper-scoop??)

C’mon in … the door’s open …

Well, I toldja last go’round that I’d catch up on our StreetSide segment … but forgot to tell ya how I’m handlin’ it these days.
As readers of my old column know, I usedta get out around the Pineville/Charlotte area and just listen to the things that people were talkin’ about. Then, I’d include it in the StreetSide section.
Ahhhh, but this is the age of the internet, and, now, I’ve asked folks to write in with what people are sayin’ in their neck-of-the-woods.
Soooo, that bein’ said, here’s how it’s gonna run:

STREETSIDE: From Tahoma, Washington comes word that folks are a little concerned that the vibrant, attractive Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, might make Ms. Cindi (McCain) a bit jealous … and that Johnny Mac might be a little tempted to get to know his running mate … er, “a bit better!” (get the point??)
Naaaah … for one thing, McCain just isn’t that type. He knows and appreciates the fact that Sarah’s married, and he also knows what’d happen if he ever tried somethin’ like that. No, not just the tabs digging into his political hide, but Cindi would probably beat the bejabbers outta him!!
Now, I’ll letcha know The Eagle’s votin’ for Obama, but I still respect John’s moral standing. He’s just not interested in steppin’ out on his missus …

In Natchez, Mississippi, the lion’s share of gab has to do with the hurricane that’s gonna hit the Gulf Coast shortly (hey … it’s obvious!). But these folks are talkin’ more about helpin’ their neighbors (yeah, as well as themselves) in case somethin’ happens. Seems they’re sharper about a ‘cane’s effects now that they’ve wrestled with Katrina.
Some have already loaded up on canned foods, gotten a mess of milk jugs filled with drinkable water, battery-operated radios, high-beam flashlights and boarded up some of their windows.
What’s the old saying, “Prior planning prevents poor performance”? Well, this time, they’re gonna make sure they’re ready!

A reader from Baltimore, Maryland tells me the obvious: That the whole city is still buzzin’ about their Olympian, Michael Phelps. He says: “It’s the one thing everbody (sic) can agree on. Right now, its like Michael is God or something.” Well, I wouldn’t exactly go that far, Herb, but he is phenomenal. And listen — the eight-time gold medalist has more than home turf proud of him … this humble, sensible (and fast) young’un is America’s hero now!

HEY … DO YA LIKE 50s MUSIC??

Remember the “doo-wop” years? Yeah, it was romantic, wholesome … and downright melodious! Well, the vid you’re about to see shows ya how some of the unique sounds were created … sort of! Yes, it’s funny … yes, it’s a “parody” … no, you won’t be able to hear Everyday by Buddy Holly from now on without laughing. It’s called
THE LEGENDS OF DOO-WOP

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE (although it can’t get much lighter than that “Doo-Wop” video), there’s the email I received from a reader in Saskatchewan, Canada. It’s called “Murphy’s Lesser-Known Laws”:

Light travels faster than sound. It’s why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don’t.

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there’s a 90% probability you’ll get it wrong.

The things that come to those who wait will be the things left by those who got there first.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

The shin bone is a device for finding furniture in a dark room.

A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

When you go into court, you are putting yourself In the hands of 12 people who weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty.

Well, that’s it for this go’round. So, until next time (when we finally get back to mornal … normel … nurmal … ummm, regular sections), tell me: What’s on your mind?

C’mon in … the door’s open …

Man, I said I wasn’t gonna do it again, but …

Well, I’m headin’ out in about a week to do some damage … er, work … with Ohio Championship Wrestling.

But, this time, it’s gonna be just a leeeeeetle different.

I’m goin’ in as my Rock Relic character (now, this oughtta be fun!).  Hey … that’s what they want, that’s what they get!

Anyway, I’ve gotten emails from a lotta folks who (when I wrote on one of my other blogs about ‘rasslin’) really read me the riot act about how “silly” this so-called “sport”.

But lemme point out a coupla-three things, okay?

• First, professional wrestling is a physical contest; it’s just wrapped in an “entertainment” format. Whether the matches are “scripted” or not is actually a moot point; the fact is that they do work, sweat and strain to make it all look as real — and give the fans their money’s worth. It’s very physical.



• And there’s not much difference between a good “family-friendly” wrestling card (where there’s no obscene or offensive junk) and the rock concerts of the Sixties! If you want proof of that, just visit The Rock Relic’s post on rock and wrestling.
• But you’ve also gotta look at the fact that, honestly, pro wrestling mirrors reality! Uh-huh … because, y’see, we’re all wantin’ to put on the best show possible to please our particular “crowd” (remember “gets along well with others” on yer report card??). For some, it means taking on a different (though staged) personality (wait. You mean you’ve been watchin’ the political race and haven’t caught on to that??? lol).The only difference is that, in reality, life is the ring, and our opponents are whatever we’re up against on a daily basis. The hard part is that we don’t have the option of going to a room and working out who’s gonna win or lose! And our “matches” are genuine!

Still, it’s gonna be a fun gig. I know many of the wrestlers on the card (including a fantastic young superstar [and former high school English teacher!], Mason Raige [see pic at top]) … and a few of the fans.

Besides, I need a break …

Okay, listen — accordin’ to the clock-on-the-wall, it’s … broken!  Sheesh …
Anyway … I’ve got a few things to see and people to do until tonight, so, ’til I get back, think about it and tell me:
What’s on your mind?

Oh, yeah … we’ll get back to the regular format tonight, too!

Hey … c’mon in; the door’s open …

I was just readin’ the paper a bit — you know, about these conventions and everything.  Y’know, it’s weird how both sides say they’ll solve our country’s problems!
I mean, if that’s the truth, then why don’t they just combine forces??  Yeah … in fact, they don’t even need to have an election:  With both sides havin’ the answer, they can combine their plans and, somehow, maybe put it in a little pill form, and make it mandatory that every American take it regularly!
They could call it:  Obamacain — the wonder drug guaranteed to cure EVERY headache!  (huh?  Why not switch th’ names around?? ‘Cause if ya start it with John’s last name, it’ll sound like it came from a hamburger chain …)  Yeah, I know they could put it in a powder form like Goody’s® or somethin’, but you know how hard powders are to take and …
hmmm … powders? Political races?  “hard to take”?  Lemme get back with ya on that one.  You may be onto something  …

A SPECIAL “SHOUT-OUT”:  Okay … call me sentimental,  but I’ve gotta give a great big shout-out to my friends in Pineville, North Carolina.   If it weren’t for those folks and their warm hearts, this rascal woulda never gotten into press to begin with!  I know the town’s changin’, but I hope the wonder, humility and love of the people who make this community never changes!  I’m proud to be a Pinevillite — and will ALWAYS be one deep inside!!

NEWS YOU CAN USE  Now, everybody who knows The Eagle will tell ya that, if anything makes him bear his talons, it’s findin’ that a young’un or woman’s been beaten or abused!  But, what I don’t understand is why the courts don’t do more to stop it!  I mean, they give these creeps … this scum that beats their loved ones … a “slap on the wrist”, even if they’ve done it before! 
And, guess what??  As sure as I’m the Bald Bird, they’ll do it again and again until someone’s seriously injured, in a coma or dead! (hey … gotta call it like it is!)
Now, when I went STREETSIDE with the question: What should the courts do with abusers?, the people gave three basic answers: 

• In response to the first (and most common) one, I can only ask “Who’ll provide the rope?”
• For the second, I wonder if there really is a remote island somewhere that’d be big enough to hold ‘em.
• Now, the third one made me think a bit:  Y’all said that the courts are so busy tryin’ to judge the perps’ present crime that they don’t look at their ”rap sheet” to see if they’re habitual abusers!  If they are, then the sentence should be a lot stricter!   It’s a good idea …

Now, listen (and this is why I’m sorta pre-empting the full StreetSide segment) – this is IMPORTANT!
If you think that YOU, a DAUGHTER, COUSIN, CO-WORKER or OTHER FRIEND is being abused (and remember … it’s not always physically-noticeable!), GET HELP IMMEDIATELY!!!!! 
You might get the feelin’ that “well, they won’t like me pryin’” or “I don’t wanna lose their friendship!”  Listen … wouldja feel the same way if ya saw on the news that they’d been murdered?  And, if ya think you’ll lose their friendship, lemme ask ya:  What’s more important:  their friendship … or their lives?? 

Okay … so where do ya go to get that help?  Of course, you can go to various resources in your community (for example: abuse shelters, programs, etc.).  The best link I can find on the web to help is at http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm

Let’s give every woman … every child … a chance to grow, to love, to live freely and happily.  All it takes is to keep our eyes and ears open to watch out for our loved ones …. and our hearts open to help them …

Okay, that’s it for this edition.  So, until tomorrow, tell me: What’s on your mind?

C’mon in — the door’s always open …

Now, just find yourself a good chair and sit a spell while I show ya how this thing works (oh … just overlook the sawdust this once, okay? I’m just finishin’ up the woodwork here so we can be “open for business” before th’ next ish …):

Y’see, a long time back (I figure about twenty-two years ago), I was asked to write a little column in a paper called The Pineville Pioneer (huh?? It’s in North Carolina, just a little south o’ Charlotte …). Well, the editors liked that one so much that they asked me to do two more: one about our local school and the other about television shows.

Then the paper was sold and the new editors asked me just to cut it down to one big column for, by and about people and issues of the day. (Hmph … said they liked my style of writing! Guess they could read “chickenscratch” …)
Now, I didn’t know how well it’d do, but … well, people seemed to like it, and it was picked up by three other papers in the local area! I was bein’ called The Eagle by those students I was writin’ about earlier, so the moniker stuck.

When I left for the tall timbers of Appalachia (actually, Ashland, Kentucky), the column was continued in one of their papers on a monthly basis! Again, it seemed that everybody liked it … but, then, the paper folded (no pun intended. I suppose …). So, now, thanks to the wonderful folks here at Today.com, I’ve opened ‘er up to the internet, and … there’s gonna be a new edition every day of the week now!!

NEWS YOU CAN USE After a few words at the top of the page where we can just chill out for a minute, we’ll get to this section.

Huh? Awwww, we’ll talk about news and other stuff that folks can use in their everyday livin’! The good part is that you send the ideas in! Just email topics you wanna talk about, or leave a message in the comments section here, and we’ll cover ‘em in the next post! Just make sure someone can get some good outta your idea, okay??

STREETSIDE: Here, I usedta get out on the streets, into the coffee shops and malls, and find out what folks were jawjackin’ about. Then I’d print it in my column (providin’ it was clean). No names were ever used without permission from the folks who were doing the talkin’.
Now, if you’ve got your “ear to the ground” wherever you live, just take a few notes on what people are sayin’ and send ‘em in! I won’t use any names, natch, but it’ll be worked up and your neck-of-the-woods will get a little free publicity out of it all!

SPOTLIGHT In the original Coffee Talk, I took one specific person, place or thing that really made a difference to folks in the area. Today, I wanna do the same thing, but I’m countin’ on you to send those who you believe need a bit of recognition … and it can be from your area!

Now, if ya notice, everything’s written in a sort of “dialoguish” way.  The reason:  People talk that way!

Okay … I’ll be back tomorrow with more, but we <em>had</em> to get-on-board with this first post.

So, until then, this guy’s gonna hit the sack for about 360 minutes.  But I will be back … and that’s when we’re gonna start this thing properly!