MDONAHOE.com Blog

Sleep eating - mmmm corn!

2011-07-07T11:11:00.001-04:00

Elliott had a big day at the beach and got back to his grandparents house to eat his favorite food, corn on the cob, but just didn't have enough gas left.

This is actually a regular occurrence for Elliott. He goes 150 MPH all the time and when he sits down and is forced to be still for a few minutes it catches up to him.

A Song About Swords

2011-06-30T11:11:00.001-04:00

A sweet ballad by my son Jack at age 4 about swords.

Sherri and the Swan - When Swans Attack!!!

2011-06-28T11:49:00.000-04:00

This video was done in Pensacola, FL in April 2009. A swan lets Sherri know just who is the boss.

Kickin' the tires

2011-01-17T18:22:00.001-05:00

Well after some time of letting this blog sit in the cooler, I've decided to kick it back on. I've had the previous posts put in draft mode and I've just finished pulling a few of them back out. I've elected to keep a number of them in draft. Reasons, well...there was the time that I would rant without much regard to anything. That is not who or what I care to be now. You can't unwrite anything on the web, but..you can put in draft or delete it and the heck with it.

I hope to reinstate this blog. It seemed to be getting some resurgence in traffic for some reason with only one post stating it had retired. So officially 9038577 (google blog id) is out of retirement. I have no idea at this point what I'll write about so this may be just a catch all on whatever. Whatever is typically me talking about my kids, but Internet stuff, and computer stuff will likely drop here too.

For those of you just getting to this site, please note I have a web technology blog at http://www.topsweb.com - youtube channels: mddonahoe and topswebllc.
Twitter: mddonahoe

So please stay tuned and enjoy the sarcasm to come...

Michael

Something else coming soon

2010-07-05T15:50:00.000-04:00

Going to be changing this site up a bit soon. This being one of the oldest blogs on the Internet, well just retired. Need to start over with something else. More to come later...

Time...time..time..is not on my side.

2010-04-21T09:46:00.002-04:00

Well my intent was definitely to start posting regularly on here again, but work, home improvements, and the time they consume have taken precedent lately. Even my technology blog at TOPSweb has been sitting idle for a while which is a traffic killer.

So please be patient, I'll start my writing binge here soon. I'm totally jones'n to get the fingers flying again so more to come.

Your just full of pancakes!

2010-03-28T12:06:00.003-04:00

"your just full of pancakes" a quote from my son Jack to his brother Elliott when he said something silly today while we were at the Old Pancake House in Alpharetta, GA. i'm going to adopt it as my new saying for anyone saying something silly.

Analytics...Ground zero

2010-03-18T00:54:00.002-04:00

Well, I suppose I have only myself to blame. By all rights I could literally pull the plug on this blog and no one would know. According to Google Analytics, this blog has hit zero hits in the past two weeks, the all time low. Kind of sad really, at one time it was pulling over 800 hits a day and I never promoted it at all in any way. Traffic for this site has always been by word of mouth only.

So what's next. Well in the Internet, I suppose you launch 2.0 right? I think I'm going to try to do it again. Not going to promote the site and see how long it takes before I can break 1000 views a day purely on the content of the site. In other words, I won't publish backlinks to the site. If others publish links then that's cool.

I'm just curious about the power of quality content. And..I want to challenge myself to produce quality content on here and at TOPSweb.com, yes I will promote my biz here what do you think I'm stupid.

So check back - let's see what we can do with this thingy.

Sidekick to the cloud

2009-10-22T16:38:00.002-04:00

Recently a lot of people that have Microsft Sidekicks (i don't know anyone that owns one..) lost their data because this particular pda/phone saves it's data on servers instead of on the phone itself. This is often referred to as "cloud computing" where you are using centralized computing power for processing or storage as opposed as buying a new phone every year or so for a new upgrade. Google gmail and apps are a good simplified example of cloud computing. All your data and mail is held on Google's servers instead of like Outlook Express or other email clients where you would store the mail on your computer gathering and harboring viruses.

A ton of cynics seemed to just attack this because a few thousand people lost their data and we're marking it as the disappointment to cloud computing. Microsoft is ever so slowly restoring everyone's data back to their phones, but I'd like to challenge the naysayers at their own game. How many times have you lost data on your computer? Hard drive crashes, viruses, glitches, lightning storms, oops I installed that wrong - go back go back go back..Crap! For me it is an immeasurable amount despite my irregular backups and more careful installs.

I think cloud computing will be a key to the future of computing as bandwidth gets greater and greater. Using "smart terminals" will increase our capabilities for mobility. Being able to access the same information from your phone as you do with your computer can be a huge benefit.

I think the failure of Microsoft is certainly their ability to recover individuals data in a timely manner. However, as computing moves more and more towards cloud computing, at least we have a great case study to look at on what not to do in regards to data storage and recovery.

mdd

Father Knows Best, But So What.

2009-09-03T00:16:00.003-04:00

I have been getting a kick lately out of my two boys, Jack (3) and Elliott (2). They are full of destructive energy and can wreck a room in seconds.

The most amazing part is that I see myself in them and I see my Dad in me. Continuously phrases bellow out like, "This is the last time...I mean it..this is the last time!" "I'm not going to tell you again. No really, this is the last..time." Don't forget the countdown effect. "I"m going to give you 3 seconds...1...2..." Nothing ever happens until you say 2 and make a face of astonishment that they haven't moved.

The funniest though is watching my son Jack, he procrastinates terribly when he doesn't want to something. Drops his shoulders, drags his feet, elongates every syllable as he explains he doesn't want to do something. He puts so much effort into not doing something that he could have just done it already. Just like I always did... I remember very vividly how hot my Dad got under the collar when he was trying to push me along to do something and I resisted with all my worth.

It does give me some comic relief though. I find myself getting really frustrated and then I just kind of giggle as I hear my Dad's voice coming out of my mouth as I rant.

Elliott on the other hand is the strongest willed child - no scratch that - person I've ever known. I'm told I can be stubborn at times, but I'm pretty sure he takes this after his mother.

Talk soon,

Michael

GTD using Google Tasks

2009-06-08T12:47:00.003-04:00

Before I begin I need to go off on a rant for a second. This is why this post will not make it to my technology blog at topsweb.com and will be on my very opinionated blog here at sweet home mdonahoe.com. First let me say that David Allen's book Getting Things Done is a masterpiece work in productivity. I "try" continuously to follow this platform because, well, it seems to work in chaotic, insane, work environments. Let me say next that I am sick of iphones and Google adroid phones. Not because of anything other than the fact that I am completely jealous. Their swift little slider screens, their amazing applications that just look incredibly fun. From sonar applications, to games to conquer your actual local city on some google map game, to podcast players that don't suck, to all things that don't suck the iphone and the androids are it. Let's not forget that everyone is making stuff for these phones that I like. Evernote, Zinio, all the slick web 2.0 neato, "wow that is freakin' cool' stuff". Yet Verizon Wireless, which I might add has the greatest coverage for a cell phone has not delivered the goods for me yet. I love, scratch that, like a whole lot, my blackberry pearl. It's slim, it has my email, it syncs great with my geeky googleness with calendars and gmail and the like. But everytime I search on a way to better my GTD online software experience, the glorious iphone has a great new app and nobody is designing anything for the small window of the blackberry. I've decided I'm not leaving Verizon, because I do like the excellent coverage and they do seem to drag me aloing with the carrot of "coming soon" with android or maybe the iphone. Plus there is those pesky contracts. So with that said, I can now get to the subject at hand. How to GTD your google tasks without a stupid iphone. This will work most likely on a cell phone in fact. I searched around and saw a couple of posts doing this in a different way which didn't work for me. They named several lists by action instead of context. I'm sure that works, but from a mobile standpoint it sucks for me. I want to look at my list for instance when I'm on my lunch break and pull up a context of 'Errands' and see what errands I need to do. Then while at home, my '@home' list and see what is pressing there. I don't manage projects with task lists. I used web2project for most things that are more detailed such as this. To use a simple task list to manage any project is like pulling a tractor trailor with a minibike. You might just get it rolling but once it does you might not like the ride so much when you try to slow it down. Anyhow, as I said I found the best method was to create lists by context: @office @home @computer @anywhere @errands Someday Then within those lists create tasks and indent them under headings such as: Next Action Actions Waiting For By doing so allows me to go to http://gmail.com/tasks on my trusty blackberry pearl and see my tasks. It allows me to select which list to view so I work on that particular context. I'm sure Google at some point will add this into the mobile apps but for now this is the best method I've seen.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Duke Nukem Reported to be Dead!

2009-05-16T20:44:00.005-04:00

At the time of this writing it appears that 3D Realms the developers of the Duke Nukem video game series has pulled the plug. It is rumored that 3d has turned down a buying offer of $30 million for the pending release "Duke Nukem Forever".
It is hard to picture a world without the Duke of Nukes in it. Mr. Nukem has brought us so many memorable quotes that have embedded themselves into our pop culture....and some thtat didn't.

"Time to kick ass and chew some bubble gum.... and I'm out of gum."

"Half man, half animal....all dead!"

"I'm not going to fight you. I'm going to kick your ass!"

"I'm going to get medieval on your asses!"

"Now you see me. Now you're dead!"

"You invincible head shot scripted cheater!"

"Death before disco!""It's my way or.... Hell, it's my way!"

"Come get some!""It's down to you and me....you freak!"

"Your ass is grass and I got the weed whacker!"

"There's only two ways this can end, and it both of them, You Die!"

He will certainly be missed...rest in pieces.

Dusting off my blog.

2009-04-09T10:00:00.004-04:00

Time to dust off the old blog and get back to complaining about nonsense once again. I suppose you could say it is a late new years resolution for me to start writing in this thing again and being the procrastinator I am... So much to catch up on and not time to do so. Thus, for now, I'll leave you with this short video to enjoy - Sherri and the Swan.

Broken Illusion

2009-01-17T17:58:00.000-05:00

Nothing quite so beautiful as the imaginary pretense. Nothing quite as needful as the anticipated suspense. Living the dream on borrowed time before the eyes of fools are opened.
Present without lust living with longing. Present with faith living without light.
Uniqueness, you state your claim but only if everyone else agrees. Down on your knees ask for more and even more Never say please. What is the need?
Illusion is broken. Trust, you have none. Because, I see. She sees. He sees. Why can’t you?

Honda Roasted Chicken

2008-07-21T21:21:00.008-04:00

This morning I got in the car and was hit like a ton of bricks by the most putrid smell that's ever come across my nose. It literally smelled like a stinky bum had taken a crap in the back seat. Of course the heat here in Hotlanta didn't make matters any better. So I start inspecting the car and discover in the trunk a package of chicken that was left behind when I was carrying in groceries - 2 days prior. Yes, a package of chicken had been cooking in a black car all weekend.
I threw away the chicken immediately and headed to work with the windows down and sun roof open. I'm then cruising up Peachtree Industrial, Duluth's infamous speed trap trying to keep wind in the car and out running the smell of chicken death and of course I got pulled over and got a ticket for speeding.
I got to work and opened the trunk and left it open all day to air out in the hot sun, which seemed to help. The funniest part was after sharing my sad story of woe with one of my staff he sends me the following recipie:
HONDA ROASTED CHICKEN

Take (1) 2 pound bag of fresh Chicken breasts and place them on a piece of pine 2 x 8 board.
Pour (1) Cup of white wine on the chicken.
Add (1) Cup of finely chopped Vidalia Onion.
Add (1) Cup of minced parcley.
Place Board into trunk of Honda close trunk and allow to roast for (3) days.
Put on a mask and carefully remove board from trunk.
Take a knife and scrape off Chicken.
Eat the Board.

I don't think Chef Ramsey would approve.

10 Things I’ll Teach My Kids

2008-07-10T14:38:00.003-04:00

I have two kids now, in case you’re wondering why I don’t post much anymore. The oldest is 2 years old now and the other is just over a year old. They are both mischievous and a lot of fun now that they are getting older. As the sleep deprivation subsides from their earlier months, the desire to write has come back finally.
The great thing about these early years is everything, and I mean everything is a puzzle to them. They study the most mundane objects with such intensity, which typically makes me look at things like the texture of a baseball with them and take notice. It’s really cool to throw an inflatable ball as high as I can and watch the awe and smiles on their faces. Adults just don’t give you the same praise for these things.
So anyway, I was thinking about advice I’m sure to teach them so that they may avoid pitfalls in their life as I have gone through. I’ve seen a lot of stuff, done a few things, surely some good can be passed on.

Don’t diet - That’s right I said it. Don’t diet, ignore all the b.s. from advice from doctors to advertisements. Just eat right and exercise and let the rest be damned.
Stay in school - Getting a degree later in life is HARD. Later = 2 times the effort at 2 times the cost, and 2 times longer.
Never take a job with an ampersand in the title. this equates to two jobs in one paycheck - not smart.
Make time to take time. Easy to get caught up in the “busyness” of things and miss the only things that are important.
Money won’t make you happy, but being poor will make you miserable.
Quality is better than Quantity for everything.
Everyone deserves your respect, kindness, and heart. Only jerk offs deserve a kick in the ass.
Drive your vehicle like no one else can see you, fast enough to get away, slow enough not to be dangerous, and use your own judgement - don’t take advice from other vehicles.
Let your legacy exist, not be created. To quote the 70’s rock group Kansas, “All we are is just dust in the wind.” Don’t think you can create an everlasting memory, it will happen or it won’t no matter what you do or accomplish.
Be proud.

I’m sure there will be more than this to come.

I Dare You!

2007-12-03T14:36:00.002-05:00

Those words may not mean the same thing any longer. I remember me and my friends jumping lawn chairs on our bicycles. I had an amazing record of 13 of them; however, I landed on my back and knocking the wind out of myself. I laid there on the ground, a frightened 11 year old, hyperventilating. With each gasp of air a loud horrendous noise would come out - EYUUUUUUURK! EYUUUUUUURK! EYUUUUUUURK!

There was only one reason why the kids in my neighborhood made high speed jumps from riding 30 mph down our steep road and onto a cinder block and plywood ramp. Only one reason why we strapped a big wheel to a mini-bike and cruised at high speeds sliding sideways on asphalt, barely missing parked cars. Jumps with tonka toys, snagging swing sets at a full run on a bicycle, jumping from tree to tree, 12 foot flying leaps off of swing sets… Only one reason, somebody dared us.

No one would have ever considered any of those dares had it not for the fact we all wanted to emulate one man - Evel Knievel. Evel passed away this past Friday at age 69. I’ll never forget he was interviewed by Johnny Carson (I think) and he was asked if there was a bone that he hasn’t broke yet as Johnny listed off a long list of past broken bones – knees, arms, pelvis, skull, back, etc, etc. Evel set there for a second contemplating the question and then held up his left pinky finger, and said that one.

I don’t know what he felt like at age 69 before he died from all the broken bones and damages to his body. What I do know is that trying to emulate him as a kid still makes my knees hurt when it rains on the very back side of my 30’s.

Here’s to ya’ Evel! May you jump the river Hades with your rocket powered car more successfully than you did the snake river.

The Magic Thumping Stick

2007-06-02T14:35:00.003-04:00

I’ve learned a few important life lessons through the years. Keep the rubber side down, don’t drink the blue water, and don’t play with the house cat naked, to name a few.

One of the most difficult lessons to learn for me is looking at the simpler, low-tech solution, to a problem. I find myself constantly looking for the analysis of the systemic issue and trying to contemplate a technical architecture to best serve a root cause and solve a problem. In other words, I think too much on the simple stuff. There are times I forget that even though those that went before me solved these same issues, perhaps inefficiently, they still had a solution and it works. No time needs to be spent in contemplation for a problem that is already solved.

What brought this all to light for me was a recent experience trying to unclog a drain in my basement. It was the drain from my air conditioning system which had a plastic pipe going down to a metal drainpipe in the floor. Admittedly, all I know about air conditioning is that it feels really nice when it’s hot. I know it has a compressor, and I know it drips water..somewhere.

After investigating the problem, and removing the plastic pipe from the metal drain, it was very clear that it was completely clogged. I mean petrified, metal-like substance across the entire top of the drain. I didn’t realize that air-conditioners dripped liquid metal, but they do. I took a hammer and a large screwdriver and chiseled away for at least an hour. After an hour, all I noticed was that this drain had a metal bar welded across the middle of it. I thought to myself, “Why would someone be so stupid as to put a drain that has a metal center in it when corrosion builds up this heavily from the air conditioner? - Idiots.”

I tried fishing the pipe out, but the metal tip just would get stuck and it was about to be a permanent addition to the pipe. I went and got the industrial strength Liquid Plumber and poured full, all with no real result. I had at some point pulled up a chair next to this drain and I was sitting there frustrated as could be and I noticed a 2 foot X 2 inch wooden dow rod leaned up in a corner between a vent and the furnace, barely noticeable. I set there scratching my head, looking at this thing wondering why it was there. I hadn’t noticed it before. Out of pure frustration I pick up this stick and noticed it would fit easily into the pipe. I pick it up and pound the inside of the pipe in a very cave man-like way. “Grrrr must smash clog…grunt grunt!” I hit the pipe 3 times and it sounded like a commode flushing. A large gurgling noise came from the pipe. I pulled the stick away and the drain was completely unclogged. I thought, “Holy cow it’s a Magic Thumping Stick!”

Evidently, this stick when hitting the metal bar inside of the metal pipe vibrates the entire pipe, breaking loose the liquid metal clog causing it to flush down the pipe. Absolutely genius! This stick has been there since the house was built in the early 70’s. It’s worked perfectly ever since.

I’ve learned a very important lesson through this experience. Sometimes the most technical tools will not provide a suitable solution. If that happens, hit it with a big stick.

Ahhh Football is in the air

2006-12-12T14:42:00.002-05:00

It’s almost cleansing isn’t it. I mean the whole spirit of the game, the excitement, the strategy, the anticipation between 800 commercial breaks. God I love this time of year. I was so proud I got to set my son Johnathan (Jack) down for his first Cowboys game. I was so excited to share that with him I couldn’t stand it. They got their butt kicked, which by the end of the game I was praying this isn’t going to be another season like last year, or the year before, or the year before, or… It’s been a while ‘boys.
I just hope when Jack gets a little older he’s not looking at my favorite team on the television, with a Falcons jersey on, looking at them the same way I look at say the Browns or the Cardinals. Whenever those teams win one you go, “for real, they beat ____, no sh&t.” I can just see it now, stating, “Yea but you should seen those days with Roger Staubach, and especially the 90’s when Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith..the good ole days…” He’ll roll his eyes and say, “Surely you’re not talking about that old announcer guy Troy on football night and that dancing dude on Dancing with the Stars reruns are you.” I’ll hold my head in shame and wish I were still a Bengals or a Bears fan.
Now the Cowboys has the NFL’s all-time best coach, Bill Parcels, and it has one hell of a great receiver (loud mouth), Terrel Owens. Way to go Jerry Jones, this is like mixing fire and gasoline together, wonder how long this will last. Great for team bonding. Well I hope T.O. holds his cool and matures before next week. He held it together in front of the cameras this past game. Every time Drew Bledsoe sent him a pass that looked like he was throwing a chunk of lead, I would sit there in silence.. “Please hold together T.O. .. Please hold it together…” He did…then I cursed Bledsoe for 10 minutes for T.O.
One last thing, if you get the chance go see the movie ‘Invincible’ - excellent movie even though it’s about Philadelphia Eagles player, it’s still really good.

T-T-Trying t-t-to q-q-quit s-s-s-smoking…

2006-11-11T17:59:00.000-05:00

Sometime just before Thanksgiving I went on the patch. Stage 1 of the patch is not so bad, it is a little rough not to smoke, but that really does help. Then comes stage 2, I thought I was going scratch through my shirt trying to activate the nicotine on the patch for about 2 weeks. I swore that some of the patches were defective. I used up stage 2 and I knew stage 3 would be horrible. It first starts with 28mg for stage1, then 14, for stage 2, and who knows what stage 3 has. It seems no store sells it although every box has it on there, that you need it.
There’s nothing more frustrating than driving from store to store at 7am in the morning looking for a nicotine fix. “got to have my stuff man” Such was the case yesterday morning. I think the makers of Nicoderm and everyone else must think you’ll give up before you get to stage 3. “Yea, the final non-smoking stage is not our top-seller”, I can picture it in my mind.
Thus, I went to the nicotine gum. This stuff sucks!! My jaws feel like their going to break. I just have one question to the makers of this Nicorette a la leather your selling. Why is it so f*&cking hard to open?!?! Each individually wrapped, sealed, and a tiny hard to get a hold of tab to pull, is just freakin’ great for shaking hands.
I just called in my prescription for Zyban…
- to be continued -

Nth

2006-05-08T14:41:00.002-04:00

Throughout my life and travels I have seen and experienced things that could amaze and confuse most anyone. After many years I suppose I’ve grown to a feeling that, well, I’ve seen it all. I hadn’t.
On March 20th 2006 by far the greatest miracle I’ve ever known entered into my life and my life is truly blessed beyond any capability of my imagination to conceive. Johnathan (Jack) Emerson Donahoe, my son was born, my life will never be the same and I couldn’t be happier about it.
Now I’ve heard millions of stories about child birth and how wonderful it is, how painful it is for the mother, and how unforgettable it is. I guess I would hear this from folks and just sort of write that off as ramblings of a crazy parent who are not trying to capture some sort of sanity as their child is tearing the restaurant apart. I was wrong.
My Uncle Phillip asked me before the delivery whether or not I was going to be present during the delivery. I told him I was and he said, “Great, I look forward to hearing about your experience.” This kicked off a bit of nostalgia for me thinking of when his son, Phillip William was born. Uncle Phillip called the house and talked to my mother and was balling like a baby himself, “He’s the most beautiful baby in the world!” My initial thoughts were ‘Wow I have a new little cousin!’, ‘Wow, Phillip is a dad!’, ‘What, Phillip was crying?’ See it may be me, but Phillip had never seemed like the “crying” type. In fact, he sort of seemed like the kind of guy that could set there and watch somebody club puppies and never even flinch. I’m not certain but I think I have a memory of him as a teenager cheering when Old Yeller died. Maybe I just made that one up, but my point is he’s not the crying type.
Well I understand perfectly as to why now. To witness such a miracle is overwhelming. I laughed, cried, and looked at my wife in such a unique and loving way. As she was going through the height of delivery and was screaming and clinching my hand so hard I thought it would break, I felt helpless. I felt like there was nothing I can do to make this pain go away. I thought if this child ever back talks his mom, I’m going to slap him silly. I thought, I really owe my parents an apology for something, for what I’m not sure, but I know I do.
As Johnathan came into the world I kept taking in air. I just couldn’t believe what I had just seen. It was the most surreal, beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed and he was an angel put on earth. Immediately I was worried about him, he came out not screaming and crying, just kind of laid back and breathing kind of heavy. I thought oh hell, he’s got high cholesterol. He was fine, we got him to the table and after snipping his cord and he started screaming bloody murder, loud enough to deafen 3 rooms away. I thought, ahh, he’s going to be a singer or an orator, I’m so proud. When we set him in his mother’s arms I thought my heart would burst right then and there. That would be about the second time I had cried I guess.
The following couple of weeks were wonderful and difficult. I recall in the height of my partying days of getting home a 3 a.m. and back up at 7 a.m. to go to work and…sort of getting through it. Well, I now understand the pressure of folks wanting you to have children while you are in your twenties instead of the backside of thirty something. That ‘no sleep’ reserve tank ran out of gas a long time ago, or so I thought. The first two weeks was like having your body in a Chinese torture camp and your mind in Heaven, or maybe it was the other way around, I don’t remember. Part of this I suppose is my own fault. Everyone tells you over and over, “Sleep when he sleeps.” It’s impossible, he’s too cute when he sleeps, you have to stare at him. After the second week was over and Jack started sleeping about 4 consecutive hours in a row during the night, Sherri and I noticed the dizziness went away. It’s been getting better and better as we go.
Jack is now starting to smile and do little baby giggles. I don’t care what’s on your mind, it is wiped clean with pure joy every time you hear or see that. Since Sherri was pregnant I’ve worried myself sick over what kind of father will I be, how will we afford this, insurance, day care, SIDs, on and on and on. There is so much to worry about, but as I hold him in my arms and he stares me in the eyes and smiles I have the greatest moment of clarity in the world. Being a father isn’t a burden by any means of the imagination. It is a new beginning not only for this small child, but unto myself. You are filled with immeasurable hope. love, patience, and understanding. This child is a part of me, a part of her, and the world is brighter for it. There is no limits on love.

The Misguided March of the Penguin

2006-03-16T14:40:00.002-05:00

The infamous mascot of the operating system Linux, is the notable cartoon looking penguin. All I’ve heard for years is how wonderful Linux is. Well in my opinion, it’s awesome, no - wait it sucks, no - now that I think about It’s pretty darn good… hmmm, no on second or third thought, it’s really not that great… Actually, I don’t know…let me think about it some more.
Here are some anonymous quotes from friends and acquaintances that I’ve met through the years and their thoughts on Linux:
“I have a Linux server that hasn’t needed rebooted in 2 years.” “Linux is the most stable environment.” “IT’S FREE!” “You can do everything you can do on a Windows machine only it’s more powerful and stable”
Everyone touts about its stability and it’s low cost, so in 2002, rather than going with a free version I bought a copy of Red Hat for about $45.00, and installed it on an old 500 Mhz laptop. Well, about a month ago I finally got the dang thing hooked on to the Internet. By this time, I’ve lost the registration code, so much for any updates.
Finally, after a recent laptop meltdown - an Alienware 2.4 Ghz, running Windows XP Pro. I then realized that I did not have the money to purchase a new laptop, so I decided to give Linux another try. I purchased Linspire (the operating system formerly known as Lindows) for $50 and dropped some more memory in my clanky old, but still surviving, laptop. I was very impressed, Linspire, is very easy to use, it comes with tons of free software. For the first three weeks, I swore that I’d never use another Windows machine again. Why pay for upgrades after upgrades after upgrades, spending tons of money on software, when all of this good quality open source stuff was right here, costing me nothing. Upgrades…cost nothing.
This was all crushed as I discovered that although there is tons of open source - free software available, main stream software makers such as Macromedia, do I dare say, Microsoft, doesn’t make didly squat for Linux. No Itunes, no Dreamweaver, no Photoshop, no Frontpage, no Quicken, none of them, only cheap renditions.
I now have a Windows XP desktop, a Red Hat Linux desktop that collects dust, and a Linspire laptop, that… well I use to surf the Net and check email with, that’s about it. It made me really wonder about the legitimacy of “open source”. Now, according to the legions of open source lovers out there, and I’m half way on that band wagon, the Internet should be open and usable to all user regardless of hardware, and well, yes..free. Source code of software is open, not proprietary, so that development can be done by the masses for the enrichment of all users, not necessarily for a quick sale.
The problem as I see it is that the opposite has occurred. Is it really “open”, well yes and no. Lots of people design software for Linux. However, good freakin’ luck installing it. Perhaps my opinion, but you shouldn’t have to have a degree from MIT just to be able to google. What I’ve found is that, things are easy if you buy a package Linux such as Red Hat, Suse, Linspire, etc. However, they have on their sites tons of software you can download and it all works with ease and no pain. But, if they don’t have it, don’t venture onto the Internet and try to download something unless you are prepared for a real hellish education on computers. If they tell you a specific video card or network card works with their software, get it, and nothing else or you’ll lose sleep for sure. You’ll find yourself following directions like, “Go the /root from your console and adjust your chrome config file to access the proper domain, if it’s not there than you need to adjust the DNS lookup file” …and it goes on and on. It took me 2 months to find the console, to which I had to learn 200 commands to try to log in, finding out that it had to be on the root login, which I had not idea what the password was and chrome….what…what the hell does this mean… Then try to figure out what a dns lookup to a domain of computer that isn’t on a network or even hooked to the Internet. It reminds me of Steve Martin talking about the French as talking about Linux from a long time Microsoft user,” It’s like those bastards have a different word for EVERYTHING!”
My point is that when I get software for Windows, it will work on all of my Windows machines. If I have software on my Red Hat Linux, then I have to wait for it to come available for distribution by Linspire for me to get it on my Linspire machine. It’s just not as easy as surfing the net and going, “oh that program looks cool, I think I’ll download it.” No, if you do, it’s an all-nighter in computer software design getting pac-man to work.
Now I’m not trying to knock Linux for the sake of everyone feeling comfortable with their Windows. I think the practices of Microsoft is not that commendable. There hasn’t been a good Microsoft operating system since DOS 3.1. All windows suck, and now we are holding are breath for Vista, the newest version of Windows soon to come. Promising us….well, all we ever know is it’s supposed to be better. I’ve been thinking about this and I’m trying to figure out what has been better about Windows XP Pro vs. Windows 95. I still haven’t really come up with an answer to that.
Yet, for that past 10 years every single time Bill Gates puts an upgrade out there I’ve bought it. From Win3.1 to Win3.1.1 to Win95 to Win98 to Win98SE to WinME to Win2000 (sp 1,2,3,4) to WinXP Pro to WinXp Pro SP2 to now Vista. Office 4 to 5 to 97 to 98 to 2000 to XP to 2002 to 2003. Bill didn’t become the richest man in the entire world from being naive or stupid, I have come to discover. Each new upgrade tasks your computer harder, you upgrade or buy a new computer, then continue with this upgrade-go-round, until your computer takes 10 minutes to move the cursor, then you start over again. Why is Linux more stable than Windows, because it doesn’t change every year to suck your money away. The incentive is slow, cumbersome, but get it right and move to the next thing.
The next thing… Where would Linux or any Open Source product be without Windows? My guess, you’d still be getting all excited about your high score on Pong. The fact is, Open Source will never lead the way in software, it only tries to emulate the competitive market. However, it doesn’t make sense for a user to have to spend that much money every year for a slightly more 3-D effect on their icons. If all you do is surf the Net and check emails, play a game here and there, why are you paying so much for Windows, makes no sense. If you are a business, and your employees’ computer requirements are word processing, internet browser, excel and email - I have a $300 solution per employee that will last them 5+ years without any additional investment in upgrades. Close the Windows and come outside - march with the penguin. Otherwise, I’ll see you at the computer store standing in line - V is for Vista.

Singers Pray Twice

2002-12-22T14:18:00.002-05:00

The following is an interview with my mother, Dianna E. Donahoe, which was prepared for a Music Appreciation class at Rogers State University. It turned out much better than I had expected and I wanted to post it up here and share it with everyone. Hope everyone enjoys this, this is probably my favorite writing piece that I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing.
Singers Pray Twice An Exclusive Interview with Dianna E. Donahoe
Prepared for Dr. Hugh W. Foley, Jr. December 8, 2002
Written by Michael D. Donahoe
Singers Pray Twice

I grew up in Eastern Kentucky with music all around me my entire life. Eastern Kentucky is probably one of the most influential areas for the music industry over the past few decades than anywhere else. Within a fifty mile radius of where I lived there have been such talents as Loretta Lynn, The Judds, Ricky Skaggs, Joe Diffy, Billy Ray Cyrus, and that’s just popular music, not even listing most Bluegrass talents were all from this area.

The popular music of most of the artists to come from this area was spawned not of its country music roots, but of its rich heritage of folk music that breathes in the area. Mountain Folk Music is the heritage and part of the deep culture that lies in Eastern Kentucky. This music has a purity, and long lineage of strong heritage that dates back hundreds of years.

I could think of no one person better to interview that has brought so much of this music into my life as well as done so much to keep this music alive in its purest form than my own mother, Dianna Donahoe.

Dianna, mom, has provided so much to this area to preserve its musical heritage and as well to grow herself musically as well. It is my great honor to provide the following interview, and a journey of a singer’s development.

How long have you been performing? I’ve been singing in public for about 39 years…
Who were your biggest influences to become a singer? My Dad was a very strong and stern man and never actually gave compliments to anyone. One day, he walked by me and I was singing as I worked in the garden, he stopped in his tracks, and turned to me and said, “You have such a pretty voice” I remember thinking “Well, it must be true, if he said so…”
Your father passed away at a very young age; did he ever get to see you sing on stage? He came to the first folk festival I ever sang at, he was very proud.
How did you come to be performing Mountain Folk Music? When I was a child, my sisters and I would sing together for fun, not much else to do then… The songs were old, and unique, at least I would learn later. We all went to a small grade school called Bonanza, spelled like the TV show, where they would teach us many of the old ballads. The grade school was 1st through 8th and had maybe 50 students. We had great teachers there, which were very educated and dedicated to preserving our heritage as well. Plus, I have a good memory for music and how it should be sung, I learned a lot from the people that lived around us then as well.

Later, I went to Alice Lloyd College and we had had a thing called evening vespers where we all gathered in a hall to eat and talk. One evening, someone asked if anyone knew “Red River Valley”. No one stood up, so I very nervously raised my hand, and then sang it. When I’d finished it was very quiet and I thought I had done something wrong. It was the first time I’d sang solo in public before. Then someone very special told me they were astonished by my voice…Mr. Grender, the Choir Director, who we all referred to as “Pappa Grender”. He then took me under his wing after that and insisted that I join the Alice Lloyd Choir. Pappa Grender was very impressed with my voice, he even wrote, “The Ballad of Alice Lloyd” specifically for me to sing when we would tour the country to perform in places like Boston, New York, etc. He encouraged me to sing my way; the “Hill” way, I think he is possibly the first person to make me believe I was talented.
You have a very powerful, almost operatic voice, how did you ever come to discover you had such power in your voice? When I was a girl I would go up on the hills, and sing as loud and hard as I could. I wanted to hear the mountains echo and ring as I sang, and they did.
How did you get involved with the Folk Festivals of that area? The Kentucky Highland Folk festival was originated by Ms. Edith James and Ms. Kathryn Frasure. Edith called Alice Lloyd College to find choir students that were willing to sing at this festival they were arranging. My name was given to them and I went to audition for Ms. Edith. After I sang she was jumping up and down with joy because I sang with the older styles, she called me “her treasure”.
Edith was heavily involved with music other than the festival wasn’t she? Edith was a music teacher in the area then and had a great involvement with her dedication to preserve our type of music. She has a collection of Folk Music ballads that are held by the Smithsonian Institute for preservation of our music.
You have not only been a performer at the Folk festivals, but you have also planned many of the Jenny Wiley Folk Festivals that later became the Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival, as well. What prompted you to get involved with the business side of the festival? Actually, the Jenny Wiley Folk Festival and the Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival are two different festivals. I’ve been associated with the Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival since the beginning, both as a performer and later as the Director. Our festival was once held at Jenny Wiley State Park at the Amphitheatre. The stage was actually built for the festival. The Kentucky Highlands Folk Festival is the oldest ongoing festival in the state of Kentucky. Anyway, the Ky. Highlands Folk Festival always had a committee that planned the festival each year. A few years ago, I did not hear from anyone, and in checking found that when Ms. Kathyrn Frasure, the long time Director became ill, the committee had dissolved. There was not going to be a Festival anymore…I could not accept this, so I stepped in, contacted the performers, booked the Amphitheatre, and had the Festival that year. I continued for a few years following.
I recall when you were planning the festivals, there being a lot of different varieties introduced to the festival such as some more modern styles such as Rob McNurlin, as well as traditional sounding styles as Marie Baily, and also Scottish bag-pipe music as well. Why did you decide to add so much diversity to the play list?
I think that the music should be varied…there is so much talent here in the hills. Our music is more than just one type of style or sound and has such rich heritage and culture added to it. I think the really old country and western music, from the 30’s & 40’s, like what the group “Mule Band” who plays at the festival is something you don’t hear anymore. The traditional folk music, like my ballads, reflects the people who settled here….strong, intelligent, and talented people from England, Scotland, and Ireland. This music was preserved in almost the original way, because the area was so cut off from the rest of the world. There weren’t a lot of major highways built through this area until just recently. That isolation helped a great deal in preserving the influence of our music from our ancestors. What you have to understand is that the people of this area come from a lineage of land owners, the land was granted as reward by the King. It also has lineage of many Irish that immigrated to America in the late 1800’s and settled here. I get angry when people think of us as dumb hillbillies, or as uneducated, or barefoot buffoons. These people have such wonderful heritage that is probably more preserved of our European ancestors than anywhere else in the country. Along with that heritage, we carry a great influence on our music. I enjoyed letting people easily see that similarity by seeing Scottish bagpipes being played. They played a lot of what we consider our songs, which actually came from Scotland, Ireland, or England.

Rob Mcnurlin does music that showcases some of the influences from the old time music. He grew up with this music around him and it clearly is a part of him. He writes original music, but it is done much in the style of the old way.
Why did you decide to no longer plan these events? The Festival has been taken by the Mountain Arts Center…I still help plan it, and contribute, but there are professional people who can plan the Festival. It does take more than one person. I want it to continue as long as possible. The Mountain Arts Center will continue to have the Kentucky Highland Folk Festival for years to come as well. They’ve been given a very large grant to help preserve our music. They do that through continuing the festival of course, but also by going to schools and giving demonstrations of the music.
What do you see as your limitations as a singer? I cannot read music. I was told by Edith James, who again was very well trained in music and taught music, that if I were to be trained musically I would have lost the unique mountain sound.
Do you think that was true? I think it’s possible. I think that’s what happened to Edith, she saw that she had lost some of the purity in her way of delivering music that she wanted that preserved through me.
You were much more formidable then, but what about now; do you still believe that learning music would change how you deliver the music? I think no matter what our styles change whether we like it or not. The music our ancestors brought over changed because of all that influenced them here. They had a much more rugged lifestyle and did not have a lot of instruments initially; it made them sing much of the ballads a cappella, which sort of made much of the folk ballads we hear now. I think I’ve changed the way I sing them in subtle ways since I’ve started. I still sing in much of the same way, but there are still some differences.
I think teaching styles have changed since then. Probably so.
What is your favorite Mountain Folk song, favorite to sing? Gypsy Rover is my favorite…My favorite to sing is ‘Cruel War”, they are both such great stories.
How do you see the Folk music will be preserved for future generations? There are many programs now that teach our heritage in schools such as music, storytelling, which is also a big part of our heritage, crafts, etc. I believe it will be passed on through our children. I’ve had both of you {my sister Suzanne and I} both perform at the festivals on stage with me. I had your sister sing “Lotti tu dum” with me on stage; it’s about a mother and a daughter talking about the daughter getting married. And of course, you’ve sang “Long Black Veil” with me on stage a couple of times.
You’ve been an active participant of the Holy Family Catholic Church Guitar Group for, many years. Often just referred to as “The Good Times Group”, can you tell us a little about the group? We have been together so long that we know when the other person will breathe. We have wonderful harmonies. There is a lot of talent in this group. We try to be supportive of each other.
Prior to singing with the group you always sang a cappella, do you find singing in accompaniment with other singers and instruments limiting? Sometimes, yes, I love to let the notes soar, and do my own thing. I like the harmonies we do too though.
Do you find it more difficult or easier singing in a group? It is more difficult. When you sing with a group no one should be heard above the others, fortunately I get to sing the melody. We listen to each other, and do the song as written. There are many that touch my heart, because of the beauty of our blended voices.
Which types of songs do you like better? It depends on the song. The old hymns such as “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “In the Garden”, I like to do my way but there are many that we do together that are terrific.
What do you like best about singing in “The Good Times Group”? They are my best friends, and my singing partners. They are almost my family. I am very close to them and their families.
You sing a lot of older, traditional religious ballads, which as I recall weren’t often sung in the Catholic Church prior to you joining the group. The songs were always considered “Baptist” songs. Can you describe some of the differences in the music in each of those denominations? When I first went to the Catholic Church, I think I was amazed that there wasn’t a lot of singing. In fact I don’t think it was considered very important. It is now, or is at our church, although there are many in the congregation who still won’t sing. In the Baptist church I grew up in, the hymns were sung with great enthusiasm, with a piano being played so hard you thought it was going to walk right out the door. There was a big difference between that and the Catholic Church. I have learned to love some of the old traditional songs of the Catholic Church as well. There is a calming way to them, and the chants are wonderful.
Are there similarities? Some, many of the old ballads come from Gregorian chant. There’s a song called, “The Primitive Foot Washing Song” that is sort of a pure form of Gregorian chant that has been passed down generation to generation. I know about one verse of it, but to my knowledge it has never been written down.
How well was singing “Baptist” songs received initially by the congregation, clergy, and fellow group members? The people at Holy Family really love the old songs. Most know them, and will actually sing along. The first group I joined did not encourage solos. It was considered egotistical to put yourself in front of the congregation. The group I sing with now, “The Good Times Group” embraced the music. Recently, I brought in an old Mountain Hymn. We are all very eager to learn it. We are at our best singing harmonies as well as a cappella, I’m sure it will turn out very beautiful. There were some clergy that were initially resistant, but they came around as well. We prepare a lot each week to find out what bible readings are going to take place and what the message is going to be for the Mass. Then, we pick the most ideal songs to fit that Mass and arrange the music to suite certain moments during the mass. The songs we pick have to be the perfect ones, so they might be old traditional Baptist songs, or a group hymn, or something new. It just depends. I know the congregation loves the music. I’ve never heard people applauding the music in a Catholic Church until our group came along and now it’s not that uncommon. To me this means we’ve touch their hearts. I think now, in almost all Catholic Churches, you’ll find “Amazing Grace”, “Precious Lord Take My Hand”, “How Great Thou Art”, in the Misselets. I think it’s wonderful.
Do you think the group had something to do with the change in music in other Catholic Churches? I don’t know, maybe, maybe not. Times have changed, but our group is awfully good. We feel the message in the songs, the music makes us all more spiritual.
When the priest does the Eucharist he chants, is it difficult to blend the two different styles of the group with instruments with the chanting music without there being a clash in styles. I think it goes very well together. When Father chants he is basically singing a prayer. The same goes with us during the hymnal. We sing and then everyone prays. The songs themselves are prayers as well, that’s why I try to put all my emotion into it. When I sing, “In the Garden”, I picture myself being there with Jesus in that garden and I see everything taking place, almost like a movie playing in my mind. So during the hymnal, as singers we get to pray twice. We are blessed to have been given this gift.
What is your favorite religious song to sing a cappella? I know you think I will say “Amazing Grace”, which I do love, but my favorite is “In the Garden”….My dad loved to hear me sing that one.
What is your favorite religious song as a group? “How Can I Keep From Singing”, it lifts me up every time we sing it.
Let’s talk about some of your songwriting. You have within the past 4 years begun writing lyrics and some music. I guess the question is, of all the time you’ve been in music, why so late in trying this endeavor? I have always written poetry, which is lyrical, but I could not find a way to put my music to paper. A friend helped me do this, I would record it, and Kathy would then arrange it for me.
What prompted you to start? I think that after I adjusted to my children being grown, and gone, I thought more about what I had been putting off doing, so now that I have time…here I go…
Have you considered having your original music published? I have a copyright on one or two. There is one that is wonderful. I probably should.
Have you thought about putting together some recordings of your original music and favorite ballads to sell or have produced? I would like to have a tape made for my family. I’m not sure about selling them.
What do you see as being your next step in music, what would you like to try? I think I should take piano lessons, or write more music. I really do enjoy that.
Can you describe briefly what music has meant to you throughout your life? Music makes me happy, and sad, it touches my heart like nothing else can. But most of all, it has been a joy to me. Everyone wants to be special. My music has always allowed me to feel special. When I can touch someone else with my voice or song there is nothing better.
Any last comments for our readers? There is so much noise out there in the world, I feel so blessed that there is music as well.
12/29/2002 Mom Flatwoods Comments: Michael, I just read the interview again…I think I need to add…you make me feel special…Don’t know why I’m crying right now, but thank You again.. I think you will write a great novel someday…love, Mom
12/28/2002 Ed Dilks Linwood, NJ Comments: Nice interview and writing about your Mother, Mike. You have a gift, follow it. I knew your Mother sang, but not to the extent that the interview brought out. Good luck and keep it up Dianna. From your Yankee friend in “Joisy”.
12/24/2002 Jim Seidni Poquoson,Va. Comments: mike realy enjoyed your interview with your mother and had been to mass with her and your dad and had the pleasure of singing with her during mass.keep writing
12/22/2002 Barb Prestonsburg, Ky. Comments: Touching interview with your Mom Michael. I remember those wonderful times too. Great job guy.

The Music of My Home

2002-09-22T14:17:00.002-04:00

The following contribution is a paper that I’ve submitted for a college course of Music Appreciation. Unfortunately, I wrote this really quickly because of cramped due date that I wasn’t aware of, like a couple of hours. I really thought this would be a course that I would find extremely simplex due to my love and background of a lifetime with music all around me. The course has opened up a great deal of breadth to what I find wonderful about music that I didn’t see before, however, nothing as beautiful as what I’ve known my entire life. I wrote my first essay for this course in tribute to the music I love the most, a music that has blessed my life. I am blessed by this music because of a greater blessing, my mother. Thanks mom for the music in my soul. 9/22/02
Written by Michael D. Donahoe
The Music of My Home
Through my lifetime there have been few musical experiences that compare to my being able to attend the Kentucky Highland Folk Festival. The festival previously called the Jenny Wiley Folk Festival, used to be held at the amphitheatre at Jenny Wiley State Park. My mother has performed at these festivals every year since she was 19 years old. I couldn’t tell you exactly how long that is for its part of the forbidden knowledge for me to ask, however, it has been my pleasure to attend this festival every year through my youth. I try to attend as much as possible these days. This festival to me is more than just a yearly concert. This festival has outlined my very love for music, it has helped shape my youth, and has carried me during periods of my adult life. Now, the music from this festival calls to me, it gives me sanctuary from a distant stressful life, and it carries me away from wherever I am to the Eastern hills of Kentucky, home.
During the 70’s bluegrass music was extremely popular. The festival brought in along with traditional Mountain Folk singers and players, a wealth of talent of bluegrass bands to add to the mix. I was just a child, and my mother was a performer, so this gave me, so I thought, an exclusive back stage pass to run wild through the practice areas and stage passages. The festival for many years ran for 2 full days. The amphitheatre to me was the highlight of the history of the festival locations. The stage itself set in a bowl shaped area. A large rock steep incline covered in trees, shrubs, and vines, was the backdrop to the stage. This backdrop offered acoustically, perfect reverberation and added amplification to the performers. Behind the all the rows of seats were wooden platforms that held the lighting for the stage. The cool misty September air just added to the atmosphere of the surroundings. A light fog would cling to the side of the mountains and the lights from the stage would light it up. You felt as though you were in the middle of the woods in the mountains and somebody placed a huge stage, and a few hundred of your friends just showed up to watch a concert. It felt that way, because that’s exactly what it was. The amphitheatre sat in a valley surrounded by mountains in the middle of the Jenny Wiley State Forest, next to Dewey Lake.
All of the music was wonderful, but some of the singers sang folk ballads a cappella, the world just seemed to stop. These old timeless ballads had lyrics that sang of hard times, love, war, and depravity. They were sung with great strength and heart, and the surroundings that made up the amphitheatre made the songs real. Many of the songs incorporated the beauty of nature, or the hallowed eeriness of the fog covered mountains or the graves of the dead. You heard all of these lyrics and the scenery complimented the songs perfectly as night came on, the fog would just lay there on the hills. It was almost like hearing ghost stories, and you were in them. The echo the mountain backdrop provided as the singers belted each note and sustained those notes would literally stand the hair on the back of your neck. The entire audience would be deathly quiet, and as a cappella singers paused for breath between verses, a pin drop could be heard across the entire theatre.
During the 70’s and 80’s, John Skaggs would perform such ballads as Shenandoah. John, each year, would wear a vintage black tuxedo with suspenders. He had a long flowing gray beard and hair like Santa Claus and he could hit every note with perfection. His voice was warm and deep with wonderful clarity. He would sing old Irish ballads and invite the audience to join him.
My mother was and is another one of the great a cappella singers to grace the stage. Of course in my opinion, she’s the greatest. Her voice is almost operatic in comparison and strength. She’s sings in a relatively high octave and with such immense power. The years the festival was held at the amphitheatre were my favorite just for that reason. She would sing with her voice echoing across that valley and you felt an angel was singing Amazing Grace to you. She sings “In the Garden” and you feel God touching you. She would sing “Long Black Veil” and you felt the feelings of being haunted as she sang of a man’s story from the grave. She would sing “The Gypsy Rover” and you fell into the story of lovers who were forbidden to be together by her father because he was poor. Each of these ballads, reinforced by the natural surroundings, played out a movie in your mind and you desperately went through the emotions of the characters in the songs lyrics. Each time, even after I’d heard the songs a million times, each time.
Homer Leadford still performs today; he played at almost all of the festivals I remember over the past 30 years. Homer makes acoustical wooden instruments as his living and is one of the finest in the world. He makes such instruments as mandolins, guitars, banjos, dulcimers, fiddles (violin if you’re from anywhere else) and is an expert in playing all of them. Homer is more than just a musician; he was something of a performance artist and story teller as well. Every year he plays the same act and I never get tired of it. When I hear that he’s performing I light up like a little kid with anticipation. He would begin his act with playing a comedic style song with a guitar. He would then claim that he wanted to play a song with his brand new fiddle. Then he’d open up his case and have really puzzled look on his face, out would come the bow, and then with the other hand, a wood saw. He’d play on the act of what a terrible mistake he’d made, and then figure he wouldn’t be defeated and then strike the bow across the wood saw and begin to play “My Old Kentucky Home” The wood saw when played this way (if played correctly) has a high whining sound. It makes a similar sound to someone rubbing there finger around a wine glass and producing a high pitched note with a deeper harmonic from the vibration of the crystal glass. The does the same thing, only the note can be changed by bending the saw and thus changing the frequency of the vibration of the saw. Homer could hit every single note with perfection and it would sound almost extra-terrestrial with great beauty. He would then pull out a wooden puppet that rested at the end of stick and would rest on its feet on a small board that sat under his leg. As Homer would pick the banjo and tap his foot, the wooden doll, duly named “Dancing Jack”, would tap dance and swing its arms and Homer played fast tempos and complex chord progressions on his banjo.
Mary Baily attends every year as well. She played the hammer banjo and sang with a hard twang. Admittedly, when I was younger, I just had a tough time with that type of music, along with the hammer dulcimer. Mary would play classic tunes such as Barbry Allen, every verse. There is over 15 verses as I recall in this original ballad. As time has progressed I long to hear every last verse of it, her voice and raw sound and unsteady tempo, remind of the old traditional singers of the hills of KY. The sounds of immigrant influence crossed with old Southern Baptist Gospel sounds and melodies. It breathes of tradition and heritage of Eastern Kentucky. It brings me home.
There were many bluegrass acts through the years. I would peruse the backstage and listen to the players practice before they got on stage. They would run through complex scales and riffs with great speed and would combine in melody the guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and stand up bass. Each song would show the musicians’ expertise with the instrument in how his or her timing had to be perfect in the way they interchanged each chord with picking out different scales between changes. Each chord had to be played in perfect unison by each instrument and this would be completed at what seemed the speed of lightning. You could barely see their fingers moving as they went so fast, yet the harmonious fast pace rhythms sounded perfectly sweet as the singers would harmonize at different vocal octaves on top of the music. Songs like “Fox on the Run”, “Rocky Top”, “Orange Blossom Special”, and “Blue Moon of Kentucky” were all staples in each of the festivals.
Some of my favorite memories of the festival are of more recent years as well. There are a host of new talent that sings explicitly the older traditional songs and many now that produce original music in the traditional styles. I believe one of the individuals that broke that ground was Rob McNurlin. Rob took traditional styles and crossed them with sounds of newer folk music such as Bob Dylan and Arlo Gutherie, with cowboy styles such as Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, and put his own twist to them. Rob has played for years at the festival and has always provided an originality that seems to bring something new to a traditional genre. There have been many since that have followed his lead and are expressing a wonderful creativity to the sound of the traditional folk music.
There are individual experiences at each concert that I could have written about, but this brief compilation of memories, specific to the amphitheatre are the dearest over time. This paper doesn’t even cut the surface of how rich and beautiful this music is. There are funny antidotes and unique experiences that I have gotten to take part in or see that I will never forget.
I have lived away from Kentucky now for about 10 years. My trips home become less frequent each year as my job, my travels, my growing older place ever extending distance between my home and myself. But this music is rare, and it lives and breathes with the emotion and heritage of its performers, and it’s mine. When I hear it my heart always flutters, and I ride every note as it carries me back to my youth in the mountains of Kentucky. The music lives and breathes within me; it is the music of my home.
12/2/2002 Dianna aka
Comments: Michael, this means a lot to me…Thank you , Love, Mom

Wedding Bells

2002-07-14T14:16:00.002-04:00

As many of you may have already heard, Sherri and I eloped this past July 6th. We had an amazing time in the Smoky Mountains, complete with a small wedding chapel in the mountains, a secluded honeymoon cabin to ourselves, and just the natural beauty of the area. We watched breath-taking sunsets, skipped rocks in a mountain stream, watched a mother bear and her cubs playing in a field, and generally had a wonderful time.
It’s only fair that I express what we didn’t do by the fact that we eloped rather than having a normal wedding. We didn’t spend hours of anxiety worrying about if all the details of the wedding would be covered, we spent 3 hours. We didn’t spend tons of money on a reception hall and worry about what to feed everyone, we had a steak dinner for two. We didn’t spend months trying to figure out what the perfect dress and tux we should use, we spent an hour and rented the perfect ones. We didn’t spend a month of worrying about who should be invited, where they should sit, that person doesn’t get along with that person, we had just ourselves. I could go on, but you get the point.
I wonder who came up with all of the wedding traditions that are involved with a full blown wedding. Seems like you have to buy everyone an expensive gift, you spend a fortune on a cake. It’s a cake, nothing more than a cake. Then there’s dinners, flowers, clothes, and blah blah blah. Uggh! It’s disgusting. Fun to attend, not to plan.
Weddings in the 1800’s, which I assume most of the traditions were perpetuated from, didn’t cost thirty grand. People then, didn’t take out huge loans to get married. The fact is, getting married has become a huge business with huge market potential. There are wedding that happen every day, that bring together middle class families that rival the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Di. Why? Suckers, that’s why. Victims of marketing and salesmanship, all propelled by telling you it’s tradition. It’s self-made tradition for the good of the industry if you ask me.
There is a good side to this I suppose. The simple fact that because of all of this, places like Vegas and Gatlinburg exist, you can ever whatever kind of wedding you want in a day. It’s big business there. The rental shop had over a thousand dresses for her to use for less than a day. It worked beautifully. The fact of the matter is, we didn’t spend a ton of money and we shared one of the most beautiful, memorable experiences that I will always remember. When I saw her come down the aisle, I felt like I’d just seen her for the first time. She was exquisite and beautiful and heavenly. We held hands and exchanged vows and looked into each others eyes, I wished the moment could have lasted forever. She smiled, and laughed, and a tear ran down her cheek, as I fought back choking up myself. It was extremely intimate and beautiful experience. We didn’t feel any pressure from being the center of attention, it was just me and her and the eyes of God, and of course the preacher and some lady handing out Kleenexes. So if you are planning a big wedding, my suggestion is one of common sense, elope! Enjoy what the wedding is truly about, the union of man and woman before God. Anything added to that are side items that will cost ya’.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Donahoe

Cell Phones Driving Us Crazy

2002-03-09T14:11:00.002-05:00

Remember the days before cell phones? In my business, it has been required for certain people to be able to get in touch with me at will. So prior to cell phones, I carried around a pager the size of a garage door opener. If someone should call while I was ranting and raging in traffic, I would have to pull off into God knows where to find a pay phone to call with a calling card that cost something like 30 cents a minute. Generally, it wouldn’t be a business call which would further my already perpetuated frustrations.
Today, cell phones have made that portion of life easier, I think. I can call anywhere with free long distance and fortunately, and yes, unfortunately, anyone can call me at anytime. All of this without the inconvenience of pay phones.
New York passed a law about a 8 to 10 months ago that said it is illegal to use your phone while driving a vehicle. This was due to a large amount of accidents that occur as people try to talk, chew gum, and operate a 2 ton mass of steel moving about without much attention of the operator. When this law came about, it pissed me off. It seemed like a few bad apples had just started the wheels of justice to run over those of us that were responsible and attentive drivers. Other states were sure to follow suit, and since have.
I have to give testament to my own shortcomings in this regard as well. I currently drive a Jeep Wrangler. One of the best all-purpose vehicles ever made. I love the rag-top, the 5-speed, pretty good power, and the camaraderie of other Jeep Wrangler drivers is really cool. However, due to some freak of nature, people never call me on my cell phone when I’m going down a straight stretch of interstate. They only seem to call when I’m in a turn, in traffic, shifting from 1st to 2nd, while I have a coiled cord running from my cell phone to the cigarette lighter to charge the phone, all of this and I’m smoking a cigarette at the same time. And of course, I feel obligated to answer the phone while juggling all of the pre-mentioned tasks. People, do not try this away from home. I am an experienced, Jeep drivin’, cell-phone talkin, gear shiftin’, cigarette smokin’ professional. Actually the point being, this is not a safe practice. Now, I didn’t start this rant to tell you all of my faults, I want to tell you everyone else’s. Everyone listens to the radio and drives. This doesn’t seem to be an issue of distraction. Why is it most people lose all sense of competency when they have to talk and drive at the same time. If someone is sitting next to you, do you just go stupid when you drive. NO! Most people can manage to talk to the person next to them, they just can’t seem to talk on a phone. I don’t understand how some women can put makeup on in traffic, but cannot figure out what it means when the damn light at the intersection is for when it turns green. Or even worse, how people can manage to drive a car and successfully be able to find something in the glove box on the passenger side of their car, yet when their on a phone they will ignore a red light through a busy intersection. Tell me how it is possible that people find it so distracting on dialing a phone. Why do you have to look? All of us have used the telephone since we were practically old enough to talk. The f*&king numbers are still in the exact same place - they haven’t been re-arranged just because it’s a cell phone!
So is the solution to outlaw cell phones in the car? I personally will break that law every time my phone rings, I guarantee it. There are many options now available for cell phones, voice dialing, speakerphone, ear buds with microphones that plug into your phone. So why not make it mandatory to use such things. I think by doing so, it would eliminate some of these idiotic errors people seem to make because they forget what the main objective is while driving. “Avoid all objects whether moving or stationary.” I also believe if it were mandatory for the use of hands-free devices while driving, that car manufacturers and cell phone manufacturers would develop devices that would help this situation. Why not, we have a capitalistic society, God bless us for it, if someone can make a buck on something that is worth buying - make it, they will come.
Well, I must now close, I just received a call on my cell phone. Therefore, I don’t want to steer this conversation in the wrong direction. (I know that line was stupid, but it’s a little funny, right.)
Have a good one, and for God’s sake be careful out there.
Michael D. Donahoe

Veiled Justice

2002-01-27T14:10:00.002-05:00

I read this one today and I thought, oh brother, this is ridiculous. After bashing the Democrats last week it’s time to poke fun at the overly-conservatism of the Republicans. This week’s spotlight is on John Ashcroft, our Attorney General.
Within the forum area of the Justice Department building are two Roman-like statues. One of a man, The Majesty of Justice, and one to the left, a female statue - The Spirit of Justice, called by many, “Minnie Lou”. Now Minnie is sporting a Roman Toga that covers the left half of her body but leaves the right, top portion hangin’ free. That’s right, her right headlight has the high beam on for everyone to see.
Now, this has been sort of a ploy or joke within the Justice Department reporters for some time. When former Attorney General Edward Meese released his final report on his commission on Pornography. The reporters grabbed the opportunity to shoot a picture of ole Ed holding his report high with one hand and good ole Minne’s boob seemed to be resting on his right shoulder.
Well, it seems there has been quite a few pictures lately of John Ashcroft with Minnie in the background showing us the finer points of Justice. Ashcroft has grown pretty weary of it and has now ordered that the statues be draped. Mind you, that it being our wonderful government, it cost $8000.00 to cover Minnie. It must be the finest Armani Roman Toga that money can buy.
I know that Ashcroft is supposedly a very conservative and deeply religious guy. But….so what! When did religion come to be against art over the human body. I would like to bring to evidence Exhibit A, the Statue of David. Nobody has complained for centuries about ole David’s wanker hangin’ free. People around the world, religious or not look at this statue and think of what a work of art it is. So why is Minnie under such scrutiny. Well, it seems like as most conservative bastards, they have a hair up their ass about things they can’t comprehend. This country is just amazing, we are regarded around the world as “over-sexed Americans.” Yet, this is the only country in the world that someone gets offended over an aluminum work of art. Get a life Ashcroft, ya’ freak!
I haven’t seen the new “drapery” over Minnie, the Spirit of Justice, but I’m going to get very worried if she’s sporting a full robe and her head is covered, showing only her eyes. Maybe if we ever catch Bin Laden, Asscroft can get some style hints for Minnie. Give me a break.
God bless America, God bless Minnie!
Michael D. Donahoe

A Christmas Poem

2001-12-22T14:09:00.002-05:00

Ring! Ring! Ring!
The bells of the cash register sing.
Push, Shove, Shout!
One more gift before they’re out.
I’ve made the list and checked it twice
Only one problem.
I forgot my wife.
She’ll never understand
You know how she gets
So back into traffic
and put up with more sh*t.
What will I get her
A watch, perfume, earrings, or art
The lights are out, the mall is closed.
Looks like the extravagancies of Super Wall-mart.
Babies cryin’
Toys are flyin’
Lines are long
Smells are strong
Tempers flarin’
Nobody’s carin’
Oh no, the jewelry is missin’
Hope she likes fishin’
A nice rod and reel for the lady of my heart.
Better get some candy too
So she doesn’t rip my head apart.
These gifts she could never hate
Cause nothin’ says I love you like sweets and fishin’ bait.
Out of the store I dash too my car.
Back into traffic
At least its not far.
On Fords!
On Mercurys!
On Chevys too!
If I’m not home by six
I’ll surely be screwed.
Giddyup! Giddyup!
C’mon lets go!
I know its the south
But it’s only 2 inches of snow!
Up the stairs I fly
and into the room.
Better wrap these gifts fast
She’ll surely be home soon.
Where’s the tape?
Where’s the paper?
Now wrap the bow with care.
One things for certain
Next year it’s Victoria Secret for fancy underwear.
Back down the stairs
to put the gift under the tree.
Here comes my angel
Full of cheer and Christmas glee.
She hugs me
and kisses my cheek.
I realize in an instant
what I’ve forgotten all week.
O’ Holy Night
A child was born so sweet and little.
O’ Holy Night
He looks down and blesses me still.
MD
I want to wish everyone a very safe and Merry Christmas and thank you for visiting my page this year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Another American Crisis

2001-10-17T14:06:00.002-04:00

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”
These words were written by Thomas Paine over 250 years ago in a paper called The American Crisis I , during the Revolutionary War. The irony of this paper was its intent to build patriotism and to reveal people that lived amongst them that secretly supported Britain. Much like ourselves, it is impossible to know the face of a terrorist until after he or she is revealed.
There are number of people still even today after all the tragedy that has beset this country who still believe we should not attack the Afghanistan’s Taliban. Wake up and smell the anthrax a$$holes!! I completely understand the want and need for peace and normally I empathize with those who choose to turn the other cheek or in general take a pacifist attitude. This is not one of those occasions.
The vengeance the rest of us feel, however, must be thought out and properly channeled. I don’t agree with the consensus of the media that the Muslim religion is a peaceful religion, however, anyone that has read the Bible should realize that the Christian religion if taken literal as well is probably the most blood thirsty religion ever written. It is fanatics that f8*k every thing up. Muslims are extremely peaceful people, so are Christians. However, fanatical Muslims such as the Taliban easily compares to a bunch of redneck members of the KKK. Only a couple of years ago, fanatic redneck members of the KKK drug a black man behind a pick-up truck until he was dead. It’s all terrorism and I fail to see the difference. It’s hatred by fanatic freaks whose minds are so damn bent they can not clearly see the rudimentary meaning behind their religion. Peace.
So to the Osama Bin Ladens, the Grand Wizards, and the Jerry Fallwells, I hope you all F&*KING DIE a miserable, slow, painful, rat eating flesh death!!! You are the filth of this earth and no mercy do I wish on anyone that promotes your behavior on other human beings. (There still may be hope for Jerry yet). It has been my fortunate experience to know true followers of the Koran and followers of the Bible and the teachings of Christ. These people are the kindest and most loving people I have ever known and it is my pleasure to call these wonderful people my friends.
No mercy to those without reason. Let us as a nation come to know the face of our enemy, and truly understand who and what that enemy is. It is hatred through those whose obsession is to destroy that in which makes them most insecure - FREEDOMS, PEACE, DIVERSITY, LOVE - the very cornerstones of what this country is built upon.
In closing I would like to leave you with the closing words of Thomas Paine’s American Crisis I.
“Look on this picture and weep over it! And if there yet remains one thoughtless wretch who believes it not, let him suffer it unlamented.”

Terrorist Attack on World Trade Center - Photograph taken by Thomas Locke Hobbs
Michael D. Donahoe

To All

2001-09-12T14:05:00.002-04:00

September 11th, 2001 is a day that will live forever in our minds and conscious. The act of terrorism upon the United States has forever changed our lives and has left us as a nation feeling mournful, sorrow, angry, and very confused. We as a nation, once feeling invulnerable and taking for granted our safety and freedom are now inclined to look upon ourselves in question of what are our vulnerabilities. In many countries such as Israel, they live their lives daily with this type of threat and fear. It sorrows me to know that we no longer have the luxury of feeling that this can never happen to us.
Our reaction as a nation is to be commended through this horrific event. Our love, brotherhood, and togetherness have been remarkable and will continue to see us through the most horrible act to take place on American soil. This act was not against our armed forces, but was intended to drive terror and chaos amongst you and I, the people. We do not have a face to put to this evil deed, which further adds to the confusion of this tragedy. It is clearly an attack on our emotions and our trust of others.
Culprits involved will be brought to justice, for this I am very confident in our awesome and ingenious federal agencies. However, the effects of this will live on and on for further generations.
Even though our lives have changed the strength of the people prevails. The outpour of support and prayers and the civil manner we as a nation have reacted to this crisis is beyond amazing. Everyone has joined together to support each other and do what needs to be done in order to pull through this. We are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We are this countries greatest strength and that will not change or possibly be defeated by any act of horror. The more these villains try to bring chaos amongst us the more they will find that we will only bind us tighter and make us stronger.
My heart goes out to all of the families and friends of the thousands of victims involved in this tragedy. We will mourn with you for your loss and pray for your recovery to get through this. This county’s hopes and prayers are with you and to those that are bravely working on the recovery of victims through the massive wreckage.
To everyone that reads these words I wish and pray for your safety and protection.
God bless you all and God Bless America!!!
Sincerely, Michael D. Donahoe

Pearls

2000-12-07T13:56:00.002-05:00

And so the election continues….the stock market continues to drop faster than Madonna’s undergarments, and the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping adds to the stresses of our daily lives. Still today and this week marks one of the most horrific events in American history. December 7, 1941 marks the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor during WWII that killed over a thousand of our countrymen.
Let us take the time this week to remember those lives lost to this tragedy and the other victims of WWII. I’m reminded in writing this when I saw the movie Saving Private Ryan, a movie focused around the Normandy invasion. I went during the day, during a day off so I wouldn’t have to be inflicted by a packed theatre to see such a blockbuster movie. The theatre was practically empty with the exception of a small group of elderly people. It was a group of WWII veterans with their wives that had gathered together to see this movie. The movie was incredible as most of you well remember. Seeing it on the big screen with an incredible sound system truly reached down and pulled terror from inside as the screen shook and soldiers were brutally killed throughout the movie. As the credits rolled at the end I found myself exhausted and drained emotionally and practically physically from the tension of the movie. I stood up and made my way from the front of the theatre to behind the small crowd of veterans to exit the theatre. I overheard one of the veterans saying to another, “I hope this makes young people appreciate those that died for our country.” I thought immediately to myself that it certainly did make me appreciate them, but more so those that had lived through it.
To all of our veterans I offer my thanks. Thank you for putting your life in serious and real danger so that my future generations and I can enjoy the freedoms of the most phenomenal country in the universe. Thank you for bearing the weight of the sight of torturous deaths and accompanied emotions you endured upon your shoulders for all of us that did not. What you have sacrificed of yourselves is and was not in vain for you have given that of yourselves onto all of us. You are forged of true honor and we thank you!!
Thanks dad!

Michael D. Donahoe

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

2000-01-17T13:55:00.002-05:00

Twinkle, Twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are…….well this legendary question can now be answered to all the pondering children of the planet earth. It’s the International Space Station. As anything in any technical field there is an abbreviation or acronym tied to it and with no exception, NASA has dubbed this bright wonder the ISS. The ISS is very visible with its solar panels expanded and reflecting light it appears from earth to be slightly smaller than Venus and larger than any other star in the sky.
The ISS is a joint effort led by the US with other countries. Russia and Japan both have labs currently along with the US. This multi-billion dollar colossal is certainly a tribute to the capabilities through technology for mankind. It also marks an incredible team effort amongst many nations coming together to further common research goals and to further the human race. Sound a bit like Star Trek….it is. The ISS promises further exploratory capabilities through research in prolonged weightlessness in long term, low-gravity living conditions. Prior to such research, as is now, survival is uncertain for humans to explore any further than the moon due to the extended time frames. Unfortunately, our current technology doesn’t allow us to proceed to Warp 8 and be at Mars in a matter of minutes or hours, currently it would take us in the vicinity of years just to reach the next planet. The ISS also promises researchers in the private sector the opportunity to do research there. There are many hopes that cures for cancer, diabetes, HIV and other such illnesses can be obtained.
In what I’ve read about the benefits and capabilities of the ISS it seems that every potential benefit listed is still somewhat idealistic. Not much detail was given for exactly, short-term, what will be performed. Most of all that is listed rides directly on future hope and desires of obtaining results. I find it peculiar that the countries doing research there are all nations that rely on capitalism as their economic foundation. Therefore, billions of dollars are going into this, what is the immediate return on the investment. It would be naïve of us to think that there isn’t one, so why is there nothing being explained in detail of what those potentials might be. Then again, maybe I watch too much of the X-files and always see some sort of potential conspiracy involved with such things. Would it be too far fetched to say that genetic testing on humans could take place somewhere where international research treaties do not apply? It’s not so far fetched when you see how far we’ve come on the DNA genetic code since the agreement of no testing on humans would occur in cloning. An agreement that short lives amazing research for humans; however, in the wrong hands could have unimaginable damage.
Personally, I think there is a lot of good to come from the ISS. I don’t believe it’s a waste of taxpayers’ dollars. The innovation and vision that comes from this is clearly a milestone for mankind regardless of what all potentials may lie within. It is monumental to think how far we have progressed in technology in the past 10, 20, or 30 years. In the past 10 years we have forever changed our economy through communications. Of course, I am referring to the availability to the Internet to nearly every home. In the past 20 years we evolved away from really terrible music as well as put computing power in every home. Just over 30 years ago, we walked on the moon. We have walked on the moon. How I love to hear and say that and now we have people practically living there for the past 770 days. What’s next? What will we see and do before the year 2010. If you wish upon a star it can happen.
For info on the ISS please visit the following website: NASA