News 2008-07-08 Andanh.com

Media Amnesia::A Moment of Unplugged Zen Poolside Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:07:33 -0800

relaxing poolside.jpg Each summer, I try to make a concerted effort to get away from the always-on barrage of media and technology. This past week, I visited my family in St. Louis, where I grew up. While I did have to do work for some of that trip, I also tried to unplug and distance myself from work and media for part of the vacation. My past efforts at unplugging have had mixed results, with my dad even calling me out in the comments section of the blog.

The sun is beating down on me through hazy clouds and cool breeze. I'm sitting in a metal pool chair, perched at the edge of the water, with my feet dangling in. There's a fake palm tree nearby, giving me some shade and a spray of water to cool me.

The scene is far from quiet, as this is a sprawling kids swim park, with children of all ages swarming about, climbing stairs and coming down slides. Water is spurting all around, from water guns attached to turrets, from PVC pipes that open with the tug of ropes, from a very large bucket that sits atop the slide and pours out over everyone from time to time. As I watch my son and his cousins go up the stairs and down the slide, up the stairs and down the slide, up the stairs and down the slide, I slowly reach a state of quiet solitude.

How can such a scene of chaos bring quiet and zen? Sitting there, half in the pool, half out, one eye open for kids, one eye shut to the sun, I am far away from the rest of the world. I am in a bubble cut off from the workday world, and that rejuvenates me.

Things That I Experience

> Kids running around and swimming, enjoying the sun.

> Parents who look kind of familiar to me. Did we go to school together? Play on a Little League team 30 years back?

> Lifeguards trying with a degree of futility to stop the kids from running.

> The sun beating down inside my eyelids.

> The taste of hot dogs and fries and toasted ravioli (this is St. Louis, of course).

> My skin becoming sunburnt in all the spots I missed.

> The smell of chlorine, the cries of stubbed toes, the gossip of parents.

> Inner peace.

Things That I Do Not Experience

> Text messages on my smart phone. I barely know where my phone is.

> The latest comments posted to my blogs.

> My FriendFeed telling me what every wired person around recently did online.

> My Yahoo personalized start page updating me on my favorite blogs and news sites.

> The latest political news on Obama's patriotism/religion tour.

> CNN. Fox News Channel. MSNBC. News of any kind. (I limit my TV watching to Cardinals/Cubs baseball games.)

> NPR. Newspapers. Disaster coverage. Local political dust-ups.

> Emails with press releases.

> Fear and dread.

> Deadlines.

Twitter famously asks, “What Are You Doing?” My answer: Absolutely nothing. Better yet: I don't have to tell anyone about it.

Photo of person relaxing poolside by Rob Main via Flickr.

Top 5 Week One Hundred One Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:17:30 -0800

NBC's Olympic lab
Network to measure various media platforms during Games
Best Practices for Fair Use Video
Center for Social Media outlines ways to keep video legal
LA Times online cuts
Newspaper's 250 layoffs don't spare online staff
Curtailing free speech
Private sector reins in online speech more than courts
Carnegie-Knight expands
Three more j-schools become part of $11 million program

Obama, McCain Look West as Political Battlegrounds Shift Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:15:00 EDT
Sen. Barack Obama hopes to win four Western states -- Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Montana -- in November, but Sen. John McCain is campaigning hard to hold on to the GOP strongholds. Pollsters offer insight.

Doctors Recommend Cholesterol Tests, Drugs for Young Children Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:38:00 EDT
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended Monday that children with risk factors such as obesity and a family history of cardiac disease be screened for high cholesterol -- and said some should be treated with cholesterol-lowering drugs.

41 Killed in Blast Outside Indian Embassy in Afghan Capital Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:10:00 EDT
A suicide bomber ignited a car bomb Monday outside India's embassy in Kabul, killing 41 and injuring 139. The casualties included an Indian defense attache, a diplomat, two embassy guards and six Afghan police officers. A Taliban spokesman denied ties to the attack.

Aid to Africa Tops Agenda for Leaders at G-8 Summit Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:55:00 EDT
World leaders entered the second day of their annual G-8 summit prepared to focus on whether Africa is receiving enough aid amid soaring food and oil prices and concerns over climate change. President Bush called on wealthy nations to give mosquito nets and other aid.

Facing Potential Shortages, California Struggles With Water Rights Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:30:00 EDT
For the first time since the early 1990s, California is facing a summer of potential water shortages amid low rainfall and water allocation rules. Spencer Michels reports on how the problem has unfolded and the struggles over water rights in the state.

Tanker truck flips on side, leaks fuel on Phoenix road Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:16:00 GMT
Emergency crews have shut down 67th Avenue near the I-10 and have imposed westbound I-10 lane restrictions due to the Hazmat situation.

Scottsdale man commutes 26 miles on Rollerblades Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:31:58 GMT
You certainly won't walk a mile in Rae Larson's shoes, because he wears Rollerblades during his commute from his Scottsdale home to his central Phoenix office four times a week.

Valley women boosting breasts with recycled body fat Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT
A Valley doctor is one of just four in the country taking fat from "trouble" spots and moving it to the breast.

Motorcyclist critically hurt in west Valley hit-and-run Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:25:27 GMT
A motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries after being struck by a hit-and-run driver near 331st Avenue and Baseline Road. The suspect remains at large.

Salsa ingredients responsible for AZ salmonella outbreak? Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:10:00 GMT
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, 45 people in Arizona have been diagnosed with salmonella poisoning.

3 Glendale robbery suspects on the loose; stole lots of cash Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:37:01 GMT
Police say the suspects were armed with at least one shotgun and one handgun. They also stole a car during one of the incidents.

Avondale man shoots at armed robbers trying to take his baby Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:35:03 GMT
The robbers demanded money, then said "get the baby," according to an official. The father then pulled out his own handgun.

Mesa Neighbor shoots, kills man wielding pool cue Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:22:51 GMT
The girlfriend of the victim says he was "going crazy" when he approached a neighbor with a billiards stick.

2 men arrested for shooting at Tempe 7-Eleven Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:51:00 GMT
A clerk was shot at while trying to stop a beer run at the store.

312 fugitives arrested in Arizona; guns, drugs seized Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:54:24 GMT
Among the people caught was one man who had not registered as a sex offender and was living with a 14-month-old girl.

Tucson assisted-care home investigated after sexual assault Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:12:00 GMT
According to court documents, the assaults by the home's co-owner occurred at Baker House between May 20th and June 9th.

Man dies in Phoenix accident; car found overturned in canal Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:32:16 GMT
A passerby called police after seeing the vehicle in the canal. An official said the victim was dead when rescue crews arrived.

Family: Southwest Airlines kicked us off flight in Phoenix Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:57:00 GMT
The Seattle Mom and her four kids said Southwest left them stranded with no money and no way to get home. Southwest said the kids were so disruptive, it was...

Prestigious medical school to study Maricopa County's air pollution Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:54:00 GMT
The air pollution in Maricopa County apparently is bad enough to draw the attention of Johns Hopkins University.

Windy weather causes power outage in central Phoenix Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:09:00 GMT
The storm caused power to go out for nearly 1,500 APS customers.

Tucson assisted-living home investigated amid assault allegations Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:40:19 GMT
State officials are investigating an assisted-living home in Tucson following accusations that a co-owner of the facility sexually assaulted a female resident.

Phoenix apartment residents left without A/C; get mad Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:24:58 GMT
An ABC15 thermostat recorded 90 degrees in at least one apartment on Sunday night.

Elderly man missing; Phoenix police asking for your help Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:14:30 GMT
Joe Allen Hebern was last scene leaving his home Thursday in his 1988 Ford Ranger truck near 22nd Avenue and Cactus Drive.

Deal of the Day - Scottsdale Villa Mirage Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:30:00 GMT
Get a vacation cheap without heading out of town.

Deal of the Day - Surprise Stadium Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:30:00 GMT
Watch fireworks and listen live music for free with this Deal of the Day

Deal of the Day - Bar s Hot Dogs Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:45:00 GMT
Have a hot dog on the house with today's Deal of the Day

Deal of the Day - Danny's Car Wash Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:05:29 GMT
Clean your car for free today!

New Valley company offering lease option on solar panels Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:42:00 GMT
A Valley business claims it can save you 10 to 20 percent off your utility bill every month by leasing the panels.

Pest control companies overrun with calls
Over the last few weeks, William Allen with Moxie Pest Service has been working overtime spraying pesticides. "Yeah, really busy. Been working a lot of hours, a lot of days," Allen said. That's because

Simulated gunman at El Con Mall
This morning there was pretend gunfire inside the old Macy's department store at El Con Mall. The Tucson Police Department brought together its newest officers and put them through a dramatic exercise.

No kill shelter forced to euthanize sick cats
Since the beginning of June, over 40 cats with serious illnesses at the Hermitage Cat Shelter have been euthanized. Hermitage officials say the animals were being neglected. In May, the cat care manager

Storm Clean-up on the Northwest Side
Saturday night's monsoon hovered above Tucson's northwest side and dumped a ton of rain.

Portion of Phoenix freeway closed for fuel spill
Associated Press - July 7, 2008 11:24 PM ET PHOENIX (AP) - A major diesel fuel spill in west Phoenix closed Interstate 10 for a time Monday evening.

McCain to visit Mich. Thursday to talk about jobs
Associated Press - July 7, 2008 9:54 PM ET BELLEVILLE, Mich. (AP) - John McCain's campaign says he'll visit Michigan this week as part of a swing through five battleground states to focus on...

Tacoma, Washington, runaway accused of breaking into house
Associated Press - July 7, 2008 9:44 PM ET TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - A Tacoma, Washington, boy who stole a car and talked his way onto airline flights as a 9-year-old is in trouble again.

McCain to hold town hall meeting in Albuquerque
Associated Press - July 7, 2008 8:54 PM ET ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain will attend a town hall meeting in Albuquerque July 15th.

Infamous Tacoma, Washington, runaway boy in trouble again
Associated Press - July 7, 2008 8:44 PM ET TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - The Tacoma, Washington, boy who stole a car and talked his way onto airline flights as a 9-year-old is now accused of burglary at...

Iraq raises idea of timetable for US withdrawal
Associated Press - July 8, 2008 12:53 AM ET BAGHDAD (AP) - The White House is downplaying a statement by Iraq's prime minister that his country wants some type of timetable for a withdrawal of...

Money, ads give health care top political billing
Associated Press - July 8, 2008 12:13 AM ET WASHINGTON (AP) - A coalition of labor unions and other Democratic-leaning organizations are going to spend at least $60 million to make affordable...

Government to announce changes to vehicle crash test rating program
Associated Press - July 8, 2008 12:13 AM ET WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration is expected to unveil improvements in the government's auto crash test program.

Housing rescue advances in Senate
Associated Press - July 7, 2008 10:33 PM ET WASHINGTON (AP) - It's still got a long way to go, but a mortgage rescue plan to save hundreds of thousands of homeowners from foreclosure has inched...

Wild likes Nolan's seriousness, ruggedness
Last week, it looked like the Minnesota Wild were done with free agency. They weren't finished, though, and neither is Owen Nolan. General manager Doug Risebrough desired another...

D-Backs hope for turnaround as they hit the road
PHOENIX -- Geography is the Arizona Diamondbacks' best friend. The Diamondbacks are 24-37 since May 1 but have managed to hang onto the lead in the woeful NL West, although the...

County seeks to hold onto spring training teams
PHOENIX -- The Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority is expected to plot its next move in trying to help Tucson retain its Major League Baseball spring training teams.

Gretzky, wife Janet Jones, join Tahoe golf lineup
STATELINE, Nev. -- All-time NHL leading scorer Wayne Gretzky and his wife, actress Janet Jones, have joined the lineup for this year's American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at...

A's snap 8-game home skid against Mariners
Associated Press - July 8, 2008 12:53 AM ET OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Wes Bankston hit his first career home run, Dana Eveland won his third straight decision and the Oakland Athletics ended an...

Mad Dog Maddux's winless streak reaches 11 starts
Associated Press - July 8, 2008 12:53 AM ET SAN DIEGO (AP) - Jorge Cantu hit a two-run home run off Greg Maddux and that was enough to carry Ricky Nolasco and the Florida Marlins to a 3-1...

Health Tip: Safety on Wheels
(HealthDay News) -- Roller sports -- including roller skating and roller blading, biking, skateboarding and scooters -- are a common cause of injury, especially in children.

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