tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63143488652163788952024-03-14T12:48:48.543-04:00my loueyville - Louisville, Kentuckycelebrating the culture and character of one of America's most underappreciated cities: Louisville, KentuckyMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.comBlogger745125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-7318832848512846082020-10-04T23:58:00.001-04:002020-10-04T23:58:33.488-04:00Louisville, Not Kentucky...<p style="text-align: left;"></p><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3p9BCQOerB8/X3qS71MTneI/AAAAAAAACgI/j_5eAUYwMI4coNsaD3s5Bt4ZwWDWM_iOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s522/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-10-04%2Bat%2B11.28.10%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="502" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3p9BCQOerB8/X3qS71MTneI/AAAAAAAACgI/j_5eAUYwMI4coNsaD3s5Bt4ZwWDWM_iOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w193-h200/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-10-04%2Bat%2B11.28.10%2BPM.png" width="193" /></a></h1><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div>I've really wanted to start podcasting again. For years, my dearest friend, Linda Golden, and I co-hosted the podcast "<a href="https://louisvillenotkentucky.com/">Louisville, Not Kentucky</a>" together. The "co-" in "co-hosted" is kind of a farce. I showed up, we shared our content, and then Linda would toil over the editing and publishing process by herself. I never learned those skills. <p></p><p>But, then Linda's husband, got a career opportunity in Boston, then several in DC and the podcast ended. We did a proper ending, with goodbyes and such.</p><p>We had a decent following and a bevy of awesome guests. From the bugler who plays the call to the post at Churchill Downs (he let us hang with him in his cabin in the middle of the infield and made us earrings between races) to the Mayor, to locally iconic bartenders, restauranteurs, bloggers, theatre groups and more. We had merch. (I still have a lot of that merch.) We bought a tent and a table and hocked our podcast and merch and interviewed passers-by at street fairs and flea markets.</p><p>I kinda sorta met my husband via "Louisville, Not Kentucky." I met him, actually, on Twitter, but he then found the podcast and "fell in love" with my voice.</p><p>The flipside of the coin, Linda and I pissed off some Kentucky natives with the title of our podcast. Sometimes I think I'd be closer to some people I know if they still didn't hold a grudge against me for titling the podcast in a way that they think maligns the rest of the state.</p><p>In our defence, neither Linda nor I were from here. She came to Louisville from the Peace Corps in Africa to be with her partner, who was a bigwig at our local public media radio station. Before Africa, she had roots in NOLA, St. Louis, Houston, and Switzerland. I grew up in New England, went to college in NYC, lived in Tampa, Baton Rouge, NOLA, a brief stint in Knoxville, and then here. </p><p>Even though I was here for longer than Linda when she arrived, we shared a knowledge-hole when it came to the rest of Kentucky. I figured New Orleans is not like Baton Rouge, much less the rest of the state of Louisiana. Louisville is likewise a different beast than the rest of Kentucky.</p><p>But our name hurt people's feelings. They thought we were trying to make Louisville sound superior to the rest of the state. And maybe there was a shred of truth in that. But having lived in both Baton Rouge and New Orleans, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the largest city in La. has so very little in common with BR, the capitol, they seem like different states.</p><p>I feel that way about Louisville, too. But I get why people were mad. And I will mull over future names if I decide to pick this up again.</p><p>So here I am with the desire to start a new podcast, not well in touch with my former co-host, regretting the old name a bit (regretting losing touch with Linda with all my heart), but also not wanting to start from scratch. Of the 47 original episodes, only the last 4 exist still on Soundcloud, and I don't know how or if that can be fixed. I don't know how to edit podcasts, but if I can learn Spanish from Duolingo, I can learn to podcast somewhere online. I have none of the equipment I would need. Linda got all of those second-plus-hand from her husband. </p><p>And I am wholly committed to using the old "Louisville, Not Kentucky" logo because it was designed by an ex, the memory of whom always pisses me off, but whose logo design is hella great. </p><p>Do any of you have any thoughts about this? New name? Great podcasting/editing software tutorials? What would you want me to talk about (note, I'm only interested in Louisville stuff right now)? Guests? Wanna be a guest? Have something to promote? How do I distance podcast? </p>Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-88560987873816233892020-09-22T02:39:00.005-04:002020-09-22T02:39:50.999-04:00Things are a lot right now... I wanted to get back to blogging, but not like this.<p><b>Hey, my long lost Louisvillagers,</b></p><p>I've been wanting to blog again for so many months... But my pessimism about the world has flooded my creative process with doubt, insecurity, and bone-deep sadness. </p><p>Today I had a virtual appointment with my shrink, and as she went through the litany of questions she came to--</p><p><b>Shrink</b>: Are you still having intrusive thoughts about past traumas?</p><p><b>Me: </b>It's worse now than usual, yeah.</p><p><b>S: </b>Why is that? </p><p><b>Me: </b>Well, it's hurricane season, and shit is going to go down in Louisville soon.</p><p><b>S: </b>And why does that trigger you?</p><p><b>Me *annoyed because I've explained this before": </b>Because I lived in post-Katrina New Orleans for 10 months. Because there are hurricanes out there. Because we have choppers in the air and military Hum-vees on the ground. Because, like in Post-K NOLA, people here are confused and angry and restricted from knowing the truth."</p><p><b>S: </b>I forgot about that. Shit. I'm sorry. I understand it now.</p><p>###</p><p>So this afternoon I made this post on FB about our current crisis as the #BreonnaTaylor decision comes close. I opened it to "public" when an old college friend asked me to, and the comments have been like "drinking from the firehose" ever since. Here's the post with all corrections/ updates as right now with 300+ RTs: </p><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>TL;DR: The <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/breonnataylor?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZX2qJ29H0OlmtLRwb309VkxaUUU0C1ky36Rml1_mZA3X13SlQVisr-V5UVGjkcrJsHFfe4i2izJgSrIvJkzJPDGv8NTCztAdluI45o2efZaZZXUmhGbtKGtCyWMULxnsA-jl9N4kdzWb8srMc4BwuUb&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#BreonnaTaylor</a></span> news is coming and all signs point to no; her murderers won't be charged. Sorry, the rest of this commentary is pretty rambling. </b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Friends and family not in Louisville: For those of you still keeping an eye on the <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/breonnataylor?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZX2qJ29H0OlmtLRwb309VkxaUUU0C1ky36Rml1_mZA3X13SlQVisr-V5UVGjkcrJsHFfe4i2izJgSrIvJkzJPDGv8NTCztAdluI45o2efZaZZXUmhGbtKGtCyWMULxnsA-jl9N4kdzWb8srMc4BwuUb&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#BreonnaTaylor</a></span> case I thought I'd give you an update before you read some out-of-town numb-nuts' ranting disinformation about our "war zone."</b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>All evidence points to the Atty General's office announcing whether her police murderers will be charged very soon. </b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>And it's looking like the answer will be "no."</b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>The LMPD has declared a State of Emergency for the city (UPDATE [7:30pm]: apparently that's not something the LMPD can legally do-- so it's a State of Emergency for the LMPD. Awesome. Great to know that their comms staff is up to the super challenging stuff that lies ahead). </b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>They have bagged all meters downtown (means no parking). They have canceled all days off for cops until further notice. We've got helicopters in the sky (I live almost equidistant between Mitch McConnell's house and downtown, FYI). DHS police are guarding the court building-- which was boarded up this weekend-- and the buildings around it. </b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>The National Guard is either on their way or getting ready to be. Note that shortly after Breonna was murdered, the National Guard killed a popular BBQ chef, so, not too happy with them coming back. The National Guard members come from all over, and many of them are young white men and women from small, rural towns. They aren't experienced in "policing" cities, whether it's downtown or the predominantly Black neighborhood where YaYa's BBQ is located (in a tragic footnote, David "YaYa" McAtee's nephew was murdered this weekend).</b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>To the very best of my knowledge, and I have a lot of friends who are deep in their activism, downtown right now is peaceful. </b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>The picture attached features the street around the corner from where the protests usually take place. There are LMPD checkpoints all around downtown and the reporter that took this photo was not allowed to pass through (which I don't think is legal???). So, this is the war zone.</b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>(Update: 1:04am-- the photo should have been attributed to Ryan Van Selzer of <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/wfpllouisville/?__cft__[0]=AZX2qJ29H0OlmtLRwb309VkxaUUU0C1ky36Rml1_mZA3X13SlQVisr-V5UVGjkcrJsHFfe4i2izJgSrIvJkzJPDGv8NTCztAdluI45o2efZaZZXUmhGbtKGtCyWMULxnsA-jl9N4kdzWb8srMc4BwuUb&__tn__=kK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><div class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">89.3 WFPL News Louisville</div></a></span>. I was typing with some urgency and couldn't remember Ryan's last name. [Update: 1:10-- and I STILL SPELLED IT WRONG-- It's Van Velzer. This is why you need editors and copywriters, kids.) And when I made the post public, it was like drinking from a fire hose. Some people have seen fit to see my lack of giving attribution to the very talented Ryan as a reason I should not be trusted. I am sorry for that and apologize to Ryan and to those of you who thought I was giving... "fake news," I guess.</b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>I appreciate preventative measures, but these are extreme and super unhelpful. Everyone is confused. No civilians really know anything. That kind of stuff makes angry people angrier. </b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>If you, or anyone you care about, is still on the fence about this case or the murder of YaYa the BBQ man, please know this: Kentucky is a "Stand Your Ground" state. That means if someone is threatening you and you have nowhere to retreat to, you have the right to use a gun to protect yourself and property. </b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Both YaYa and Breonna's boyfriend were exercising their rights, but the NRA hasn't said a peep about their cases.</b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>George Zimmerman's lawyers invoked that law. He's a free man, signing Skittles bags for big $$. Trayvon is dead. Breonna is dead. YaYa is dead. But Zimmerman is doing just fine (despite committing several crimes since Trayvon's murder). </b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Am I scared? </b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>For my city, for my friends, for every BIPOC and POC in Louisville, for the fact that justice will not be done, that these awful murderers will still be paid by MY tax dollars to roam the streets and terrorize my fellow Louisvillagers, that we're probably the next city to end up on the "Anarchist Cities" list and lose so much federal funding... yeah, all that. For sure.</b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>I'll be fine. Sucks to live in yet ANOTHER city rife with corruption where the police can't be trusted... it's almost as if...</b></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Will keep y'all posted. Don't believe the numb-nuts. Get your Louisville news from Louisville news sources (eff the New York Times specifically who recently said that the city was "ravaged by violence" and changed it to "sometimes violent"-- without even noting the change-- when every halfway reasonable person in Louisville sent messages of "WTF?!"). </b></i></div></div><p></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div><p></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; orphans: 2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><b style="font-style: italic;">I recommend The Courier-Journal and WFPL public radio. The rest are pretty hit or miss.
</b> Not fun. I'm too tired and present to deal with the awful people any more. Most of whom expressed their feelings in sort of this way: <a href="covid">like this</a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4LVe7MmnOE/X2mbi7-rFPI/AAAAAAAACfQ/LWyE-usTL0wy_9_hHUJqxXT0DsJQZSkuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s245/jane%2Bslut.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4LVe7MmnOE/X2mbi7-rFPI/AAAAAAAACfQ/LWyE-usTL0wy_9_hHUJqxXT0DsJQZSkuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/jane%2Bslut.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Reminder: there's nothing wrong with being called a "slut."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Peace. Loueyville.</div><br /><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><br /></div></div>Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-25952540210880932802017-11-08T16:01:00.001-05:002017-11-08T16:01:15.577-05:00Hello? Is this thing on?*wakes up, rubs eyes, realizes it's 2017*<br />
<br />
"Was it all just a dream?"<br />
<br />
Hi Loueyvillagers.<br />
<br />
I know. It's been a really long time. Like four years long. Crazy, right? We're living in a whole new world these days.<br />
<br />
I stopped updating this because I couldn't really balance writing it with my full-time job as a journalist with Insider Louisville. There's only so much writing a woman can do in a day, and my energies were better spent at the gig that paid my bills.<br />
<br />
I had an awesome run at Insider. I came on as employee #1 in the fall of 2012, went full time in the spring of 2013 and spent five years getting paid to talk to amazing people in Louisville and writing about it. Dream job. I wrote something like 2,400 articles at IL. It still boggles my mind.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately a couple of months ago I was laid off due to budget concerns. Media is tough. Local media especially. Media outlets, in general, are firing, not hiring, these days.<br />
<br />
You may have seen my byline still at Insider. I'm grateful that they and now LEO Weekly have let me freelance for them. It feels good to still have some opportunities to write about cool stuff in Louisville.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I just wanted to say hi. To let you know that I'm probably going to blow the dust off this blog, maybe gussy it up a bit and start contributing from time to time.<br />
<br />
Also, I'm looking for a full-time gig, hopefully writing, even more hopefully writing in service of the city of Louisville-- whatever form that takes. I've been writing about Louisville for more than a decade, and that's been a dream. I'd just like to go back to getting paid.<br />
<br />
But if you're a startup, a company, an organization that is doing good things in Louisville, I'd love to write for you too.<br />
<br />
Obviously, I'm open to freelance opportunities until I find the next place that I'll land.<br />
<br />
Want to see a resume? Email me at <a href="mailto:mrchipman@gmail.com">mrchipman@gmail.com</a><br />
<br />
Want to see all 2400ish stories I wrote for Insider? You can find them <a href="https://insiderlouisville.com/author/melissa/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Hey, remember back when I was an anonymous blogger because I was afraid I'd say something dumb and get fired from my teaching job? That was weird.<br />
<br />
Love to you all.<br />
<br />
MelissaMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-40991348738884104042013-07-09T23:23:00.000-04:002013-07-09T23:23:07.945-04:00Tuesday Randomness: Insider Louisville highlights, the Big Four and Shakespeare<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irsFFPyEGfA/UdzSw-SpTkI/AAAAAAAABds/GryBBwU3SbY/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irsFFPyEGfA/UdzSw-SpTkI/AAAAAAAABds/GryBBwU3SbY/s320/photo+(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Big Four at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love my job. I can't imagine what I could possibly enjoy more than talking to inspiring people and then writing about those conversations.<br />
<br />
Yes, at times, we at Insider Louisville refer to ourselves as "the Band of Misfit Toys." We're an odd bunch, but when you combine having the stomach to survive a startup AND being journalists, it isn't a big surprise that people willing to do both are a bit... off.<br />
<br />
And lately– not to jinx myself or anything– things have just seemed to gel. Today when I finished an interview I, as always, thanked the subjects for sharing their stories with me. And one of the subjects responded, "I can't think of anyone better to go to with this." When I tried to postpone another interview until next week, the subject told me that the news was happening this week, and he said, "And I wanted to make sure you had first crack at the story." (Obviously, I canceled the reschedule.)<br />
<br />
I've gotten emails from moms and dads thanking me for stories about their kids. I've gotten emails from moms (no dads yet) admonishing me for not writing about their kids (I'm working on it!). A subject's grandma wanted a "paper version" of a story I wrote (I had to say, "just print it out.")<br />
<br />
Thank you, innovators and entrepreneurs and artists of Louisville for sharing your stories with me. I'm so lucky, and I am learning so much from you.<br />
<br />
Some of my favorite recent stories:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/07/03/ypas-and-walden-theatre-alumnus-adam-brown-cast-in-lead-role-in-broadways-once/" target="_blank"><b>YPAS and Walden Theatre alumn cast as second principal role in Broadway's ONCE</b></a>... I haven't gotten to interview Adam Brown yet, but I'm working on it. Thanks to Walden's Isaac Spradlin for putting this news in my email inbox.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/07/02/roobiq-2/" target="_blank"><b>Roobiq reps Louisville in Silicon Valley.</b></a>.. Adam Fish, who relocated his business, Roobiq, from Louisville to San Francisco came back for a visit and sat down with me and co-founder John Receveur to talk about his time at an accelerator and how the Valley was treating him.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/06/27/startup-manufacturing/" target="_blank"><b>Custom Rubber Composites: Lean manufacturing in Louisville</b></a>... It's a dry business– manufacturing parts for heavy-duty conveyor belts– but fascinating to see a local manufacturer employing Lean Startup principals to their business. I also taught two of the co-founder's daughters, so it was nice to talk shop with a family I like.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/06/26/former-ge-intern-27-year-old-tomas-deluna-designs-new-product-line-for-millenials/" target="_blank">GE announces new appliance line for Millennials by Millennials</a>.</b>.. This was the most popular post on the week it came out. I have to believe that it was because I chose to focus on the "this line was designed by a former intern" angle. All other local news focused on the appliances themselves.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/06/26/forest-giant-education/" target="_blank"><b>Forest Giant puts teachers through a "mini-hackathon"</b></a>... How could I not love this story? It brought me back together with Dave Durand, founder of Forest Giant and the big brain behind the startup team, City Anchor, that I won Startup Weekend with back in September. Dave remains a hero of mine.<br />
<br />
To browse through more of my stories, <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/author/melissa/" target="_blank">visit my Contributor page for Insider Louisville</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Other cool stuff I've been doing:</b><br />
<br />
The <b>Big Four bridge</b> is everything everyone says it is. It's a perfect 1.5 mile round trip walk almost to Indiana. The BF and I went late one night. I'll have to check it out during the day. I'm ashamed it took me so long, but I will be a regular.<br />
<br />
I'm ambivalent about TWELFTH NIGHT at <b>Shakespeare in the Park</b>. It was long (we left at intermission around 10p) and kind of full of pomp. And non-Louisville actors? Unfortunate. But I am not ambivalent about the experience. There are few things nicer than watching theatre outdoors on a lovely summer evening. Bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. You can buy alcohol there. Don't believe the website when it says there's pre-show entertainment; there wasn't when we went.<br />
<br />
On the same night I went to Shakespeare, I went to <b>Burger Boy Diner</b>. Yes, it's a greasy-spoon diner, but yes, it was also fantastic. Fabulous service, a reasonably well-appointed jukebox. I got a burger and fries for under $6 and couldn't have been happier with the experience.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-7634655850159689922013-06-03T08:30:00.000-04:002013-06-03T08:30:03.070-04:00Happy blogaversary to me! Loueyville turns 6 years old.It's been six years since I started blogging in Louisville (May 29 was the official blogaversary).<br />
<br />
My first post were about the <a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Bats, BirdZirk! and the opening day of the Creation Museum</a> outside of Cincy (the latter remains one of my favorite posts despite the epic levels of snark involved).<br />
<br />
It's been four years since the <a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/search?q=wurth+logo" target="_blank">birth of my logo</a>. John Wurth at <a href="http://hatchcreative.net/" target="_blank">Hatch Creative</a> made it. I told him I wanted something retro-y, happy, with an acorn and a fleur de lis.<br />
<br />
My tag line is: "Neither here, nor there" because I am from the North and spent most of my adult life in the South and Louisville is... neither here, nor there.<br />
<br />
The acorn? There are all kinds of reasons behind that.<br />
<br />
My last name is Chipman, frequently, lovingly bastardized to Chipmunk. Chipmunks eat?<br />
<br />
I lived in New England and New Orleans and oak trees are ubiquitous throughout.<br />
<br />
And when I was a wee lass, I discovered that the Vanderbilts had a special affinity for the saying "Great Oaks from Tiny Acorns grow." I, myself, am not a particularly big person. I come from humble means. The aspirational message behind that aphorism felt particularly meaningful to me.<br />
<br />
I don't "do" analytics, and I have never tried to sell ads. I've never been compensated for or charged for posts.<br />
<br />
This has always been a labor of love.<br />
<br />
That doesn't mean that it's not without significant rewards.<br />
<br />
In 2011, I gave a speech at the Louisville Free Public Library called "<a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2011/10/600th-post-social-media-is-social.html" target="_blank">Social Media Is Social</a>" and it outlined just what blogging and tweeting had brought to my life.<br />
<br />
90% of my friends in Louisville met me through the blog or twitter. Media passes afforded to me because of my blog have allowed me to do probably thousands of dollars worth of activities. I got my first Louisville print media job with <a href="http://www.thelouisvillepaper.com/author/mchipman/" target="_blank">The Louisville Paper </a>because of my blog. And I am now employed full time as an online journalist at <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/author/melissa/" target="_blank">Insider Louisville</a>, in part because of the work that I did with Loueyville.<br />
<br />
There are close to 750 posts on this blog. Thank you to every single one of you who's read even one of these posts. You've changed my life.<br />
<br />
I know things have slowed to a trickle here since I started working at Insider Louisville. I hope you've followed me there– 80% of the stories I cover for IL are stories I would have covered for Loueyville. It's a dream to be paid for what I've been doing for six years for free. And I am grateful for all the Insider folks for this opportunity.<br />
<br />
I'll continue to do my best to fill in the cracks in my reporting for IL here.<br />
<br />
Happy sixth anniversary to Loueyville! And thank you for your continued support.<br />
<br />
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<br />Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-14775444572783896642013-05-28T08:30:00.000-04:002013-05-28T08:30:00.735-04:00Ohio Valley Wrestling: the most fun you can have on a Wednesday for $5<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJPesIiI5sM/UZ15yShKLUI/AAAAAAAABbQ/y0xRdsJxHV4/s1600/photo+(95).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJPesIiI5sM/UZ15yShKLUI/AAAAAAAABbQ/y0xRdsJxHV4/s200/photo+(95).JPG" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you see Chad Deity? Jamin Olivencia was part of the cast. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.ovwrestling.com/" target="_blank">Ohio Valley Wrestling</a> is probably the most fun you can have for five bucks on a Wednesday night.<br />
<br />
I'm a fan of anything that could be considered "spectacle." But I wouldn't have thought that could extend to wrestling if it hadn't been for <a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2012/01/knee-jerk-reaction-to-chad-deity.html" target="_blank">Actors Theatre's production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity last season</a>. That play, which is easily the best play I've seen in Louisville– perhaps even anywhere, humanized the sport and reminded us how much of an "art" it really is.<br />
<br />
The thing with wrestling is that you really need to go with a guide. I'm sure after a couple of consecutive visits, you'd pick up on the mythology, but if you go and don't have someone to fill you in on the soap opera, I think it wouldn't be anywhere near as fun.<br />
<br />
I was lucky enough to tag along with Louisville actress Leah Roberts, who has been a bunch of times and who knows some of the OV wrestlers. Without her Cliff's Notes version of the rivalries and stereotypes, I would have floundered.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRU1Sm6S8gQ/UaLmHRcY4dI/AAAAAAAABbw/azyqsUaJgCE/s1600/photo+(98).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRU1Sm6S8gQ/UaLmHRcY4dI/AAAAAAAABbw/azyqsUaJgCE/s200/photo+(98).JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
While I could now provide the Cliff's Notes of the Cliff's Notes for a companion, I'm still way fuzzy on the details.<br />
<br />
The super duper good guy seems to be a veteran with a prosthetic leg (who is actually a veteran with a prosthetic leg– that's not his character). He's just partnered with a long-haired Mohamed Ali, who is Middle Eastern/Latino and<br />
<br />
There's a bad guy named Paradise who is a flamboyant gay character (but in real life is a straight guy named Billy).<br />
<br />
There's a syndicate of militia-types called "The Coalition" who, despite their flag-waving, hawkish, U-S-A personas are still the bad syndicate.<br />
<br />
From the website:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Thanks for visiting the online home of Ohio Valley Wrestling, the official developmental territory for TNA Impact Wrestling! This is a place where the newest rookies of pro wrestling, other top talent from across the country, and future TNA Superstars come to "learn the ropes" of the squared circle before heading to the world stage! You can have a chance to see the stars before they're stars!</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
OVW Owner Danny Davis has had a hand in the training of Mr. Anderson, Matt Morgan, TNA Knock Outs ODB, Tara and Mickie James, CM Punk, John Cena, and Randy Orton just to name a few! Danny Davis is also well known as a former professional wrestler himself having wrestled as "The Nightmare" in USWA and NWA. He was also once a manager for Jerry "The King" Lawler.</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
OVW is excited that the stars training here have an opportunity to be featured on OVW TV and live events, making this the only full-time training facility in the country also providing weekly broadcast TV.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BCY761Bw-Oo/UaLoSwQKrVI/AAAAAAAABcA/63ycg1Q-l7A/s1600/photo+(96).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BCY761Bw-Oo/UaLoSwQKrVI/AAAAAAAABcA/63ycg1Q-l7A/s200/photo+(96).JPG" width="113" /></a></div>
Admission is $5– bring cash; there's a $1 surcharge for card payments. And the concessions offerings are similar to a movie theater, but way, way cheaper. I had a perfectly serviceable cheese hot dog and a can of Diet Coke for $3. Popcorn is just $1.<br />
<br />
Shows are at Davis Arena: 4400 Shepherdsville Road. Doors at 630pm and start at 7pm. The arena is deep in the heart of a warehouse/office complex. So have sharp eyes and follow the signs.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-87302674412302448282013-05-27T09:30:00.000-04:002013-05-27T09:30:02.323-04:00If you want to sing out, sing out: Le Petomane performs their Greatest Hits in concert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-JTqDLjF-4/UaLiSddSABI/AAAAAAAABbg/zwlKcoO99E0/s1600/Concert_ed_Effort_News.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-JTqDLjF-4/UaLiSddSABI/AAAAAAAABbg/zwlKcoO99E0/s200/Concert_ed_Effort_News.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I am so lucky that the people I love are so genuinely talented. It makes endorsing their events so guilt-free.<br />
<br />
A little less than two years ago, I was assigned to<a href="http://www.thelouisvillepaper.com/marooned-five/" target="_blank"> write an article for The Paper about Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble's show "5 Things."</a> I'd heard of Le Petomane, heard amazing things in fact, but had never seen them.<br />
<br />
For the article, I went to a brainstorming rehearsal, observed their process, met Greg and Abigail Bailey Maupin and Kyle Ware... and fell in love. With all three of them. And their process. And the production. And the Le Petomane concept.<br />
<br />
And soon thereafter, I fell in love with Kyle Ware for real.<br />
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Le Petomane is one of the best-regarded theatre companies in Louisville. Except for their occasional adaptation of Shakespeare, all of their plays are ensemble-written from the ground up, including the songs. The original music has often been the highlight of their productions-- think They Might Be Giants style smartness with a theatrical bent.<br />
<br />
So for the final show of their 9th season, they are reprising their greatest musical hits for a two-night concert next weekend. I'm told they'll be wearing custom-made jumpsuits <i>a la</i> The Brady Bunch or the Partridge Family.<br />
<br />
They've chosen the best of the best songs from their productions-- songs that can stand on their own with little context. So don't worry about being a Le Petomane newbie; you'll still "get" it.<br />
<br />
The six-person ensemble will be joined by the musical stylings of Brian Lilienthal and the ubiquitous Scott Anthony.<br />
<br />
From their press release:<br />
<h2>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">By popular demand, Le Petomane closes its ninth season with a one-weekend-only event: a live concert evening featuring a ridiculous number of original songs from the ensemble’s past shows. </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble<em> </em>drew upon songs from nine seasons of original, new work to create an evening of audience favorites. Le Petomane's <em>Concert-ed Effort</em> will feature</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> l</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">ive music by Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble members Heather Burns, Tony Dingman, Abigail Bailey Maupin, Gregory Maupin, Kristie Rolape and Kyle Ware, along with special guest ringers Professor Scott Anthony and Dr. Brian J. Lilienthal.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble was named Best Theater Troupe in the 2010 and 2011 LEO Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards, and has been described by The Courier-Journal as "simultaneously...hysterical, physical and thought provoking."</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Performances at The Bard's Town</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_137441811" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">May 31 at 7:30 p.m.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_137441812" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 1 at 7:30 p.m.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Tickets</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">$8 – 20 at our cheap and reliable sliding scale*</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Contact </span><a href="mailto:us@lepetomane.org?subject=Press%20Information" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;" target="_blank">Us@LePetomane.org</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> or <a href="tel:502-609-2520" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+15026092520">502-609-2520</a> for show reservations or more information, or find them on Facebook. For pre-show dinner reservations, please contact The Bard’s Town directly at <a href="tel:502-749-5275" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+15027495275">502-749-5275</a>.<br /><br />* a word or two about the sliding scale: one pays what one a) thinks fair and b) can afford; we make a reasonable amount either way. The low end is no higher than the price of a movie ticket; the high end is not such an issue - as a non-profit we will gleefully accept any amount above $20 one cares to give, and will cheerfully provide a receipt of said donation for tax purposes.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
</h2>
Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-10478789774436596522013-05-09T19:17:00.001-04:002013-05-09T19:17:28.757-04:00My IL Digest: Our Local Box, Happy Birthday Park, brilliant kids, the Churchill Downs bugler and more<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cN34nhqD6SE/UYwtykthTBI/AAAAAAAABZw/huu-MoXV038/s1600/photo-79-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cN34nhqD6SE/UYwtykthTBI/AAAAAAAABZw/huu-MoXV038/s1600/photo-79-300x225.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabe Bullard in the deserted infield at Churchill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's so much to love about my job with <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/" target="_blank">Insider Louisville</a>. <div>
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<div>
Sure there are drawbacks to every job. <div>
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This one's pretty high-stress at times. Sometimes I find myself climbing the stairs to my office in the morning thinking, "Okay, you're not trying to cure cancer. Things shouldn't have you this worked up."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
And as we all know, the comments-section of online journalism is where simple human decency goes to die. We're lucky at IL to not have too, too many trolls, but I assure you, my email in-box is a much thornier place than the comments section. (Really, we all can't agree that a childrens' museum might be a nice thing for the city? You disagree so heartily you have to get ugly about it? Think of the children!)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One of the things that bums me out about my job– and I'm sure all journalists, online, print and otherwise, feel the same way– is how ephemeral it is. I'll pour time and research and effort and care into a story. And at best it booms for a couple of days and gets passed around social media. At worst, it gets some reads and the quietly sinks down the homepage into the archives.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And that's sad. I guess it's a little bit about ego, sure. But it's more about the fact that these people that I report on are doing such remarkable things that I wish these pieces had a little more staying power. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>(Note: all links lead to the full article)</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/05/08/our-local-box/" target="_blank"><b>Dan Campbell</b> and <b>Jason Lee Menard</b> of <b>Our Local Box</b></a>, a startup subscription box that is delivering a package full of Kentucky-made goodness to doorsteps across the country every month. I met them at Tony Boombozz, where the idea for their venture first germinated and listened to them wax passionately about ecommerce and buying local. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like <b>Marsha Weinstein</b>, who may be one of my new favorite Louisvillagers, who founded the effort to get a <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/05/08/happy-birthday-park-the-hill-sisters-deserve-better-than-a-happy-birthday-parking-lot/" target="_blank"><b>Happy Birthday Park</b> installed on Fourth Street</a> to honor the composers and educators <b>Peggy and Mildred Hill</b>. It had been a while since I last chatted with someone who shared my passion for US Women's History. And she brought some pretty serious deficits to my attention. </div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
According to Marsha Weinstein, there are over 2,400 historical markers in the state of Kentucky. Sixty of them commemorate the lives and accomplishments of women. A <a href="http://migration.kentucky.gov/kyhs/hmdb/MarkerSearch.aspx?mode=All">quick search of the database of historical markers</a> in the state finds that Weinstein was probably being generous in her estimate. Of all the public memorials and artwork in downtown Louisville, none are dedicated to women.</blockquote>
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I eventually confirmed this last fact with the department of Public Art. We have art designed by women (very little) but nothing honoring women. Weinstein is a powerhouse and a passionate advocate for women and girls. It was an honor to spend an hour picking her brain. </div>
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Like <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/05/07/gates-millenium-scholarship-program-grants-two-high-school-seniors-full-rides/" target="_blank"><b>Anthony Perry </b>and <b>Susana Almaguer Martinez</b></a>, whom I didn't speak with but wrote about. These two Louisville high school seniors have 4.0 averages and a remarkable resume of acheievments. They've both been accepted by the Gates Foundation to receive Gates Millenium Scholarships– full rides to the schools of their choice. Perry, from St. Francis, will go to UPenn. Martinez, who has only been in the US for 2 years and attends Seneca, will be going to USF. </div>
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Like <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/05/02/opening-night-with-the-nicest-guy-at-churchill-downs-steve-buttleman-official-track-bugler/" target="_blank"><b>Steve Buttleman</b>, the official bugler of Churchill Downs</a>, whom Linda and I interviewed on Louisville, Not Kentucky. The story about our behind-the-scenes adventures at Churchill Downs' Opening Night is one of my all-time favorite stories, I think.</div>
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Sometimes, of course, it is all about me. Right? Even though I was sick and cranky, I think my recap of <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/05/01/kentucky-state-fair-main-stage-performers-announced-great-line-up-for-southern-conservative-white-men/" target="_blank">who's going to be performing at the State Fair is still pretty dead-on</a>. Again, pissy comments, but not not fun. Likewise, <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/04/30/bring-the-television-leave-the-umbrella-a-rundown-of-oaks-and-derby-restrictions-at-churchill-downs/" target="_blank">my rundown of what wasn't allowed at Churchill Downs during the Derby</a>. Jeffrey Lee Puckett of the CJ did it better (video!) later, but I did it first. </div>
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Those articles are just from the past 10 days and represent only a quarter of what I wrote during those days for IL.</div>
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I was also interviewed by the fabulous <b>Erin Keane</b> for <a href="http://wfpl.org/post/great-gatsby-f-scott-fitzgerald-and-louisville?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wfplnews+%28WFPL+News+Stream%29" target="_blank">WFPL's news special on the Great Gatsby</a> and Louisville. The two of us went in search of Daisy Fay's house in the Cherokee Triangle. It was a lovely way to spend a lovely spring morning. You can listen to the story at the link. (you can pick up my part at around 10:00, but if you're into Gatsby at all, don't miss the whole special from the start). Spoiler alert: We didn't find it. We don't think anyone can. That wasn't a journalism-thing. It was a former-English-teacher-thing. But still, part of a good couple of weeks.</div>
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Thanks to all of you who bring me great stories or who ARE great stories. You make my life and job so much better.</div>
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Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-52596955024480760852013-04-15T22:54:00.001-04:002013-04-15T22:54:51.058-04:00Man's humanity to man: Boston is in my blood and in my heartAs many of my loyal readers know, the Chipfolk hail from Boston. Mama Lou and her very small family (numbering two) live in SE Connecticut, but my father's extended and extensive family live in the North Shore of Boston or in the immediate Boston area itself.<br />
<br />
I spent the first 13 years of my life in Saugus, MA, just 14 miles north of Boston.<br />
<br />
I am the black sheep of the Chipfolk. I have a second cousin who lives somewhere in Indonesia (it was Borneo last I knew, but now I'm not so sure), but I am the only other Chip-person who has opted not to live within a T-ride of Boston proper.<br />
<br />
My Chipfolk live in Boston or work in Boston or play in Boston.<br />
<br />
It was hard to not live in the Boston area when my grandmother took ill and <a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2012/06/personal-brief-hiatus-part-ii.html" target="_blank">slowly passed away last summer</a>. It was hard to not live in the Boston area when the Red Sox won the World Series (both times). Or when my favorite cousin gave birth to each of her three children.<br />
<br />
And today it is hard to not live in the Boston area once again.<br />
<br />
All Chipfolk are well and accounted for.<br />
<br />
Thank goodness.<br />
<br />
And thank goodness for social media and text messaging, which allowed me to find this out within hours, not days.<br />
<br />
It will be a long time, I suspect, before the news out of Boston coalesces into something resembling sense. Maybe it never will. The murder of an 8-year-old child will likely <i>never</i> make anything like "sense."<br />
<br />
I <b><i>hope</i></b> the murder of an 8-year-old child, whether on the streets of Boston or the streets of Baghdad, <b><i>never</i></b> makes anything like sense.<br />
<br />
But tonight I am overwhelmed by the Pollyanna need to remind each and every one of you that goodness starts with the individual. Goodness and kindness and a better world starts in the heart of one person, multiplied out.<br />
<br />
<i>Gosh, this makes me sound like a crazy hippy, and anyone who knows me knows that I am <b>not</b> a crazy hippy (or not much of one– put down the hula hoop, people! no one wants to see that shiz at Waterfront Wednesday!). </i><br />
<br />
But more than today's bombing reminds me of the Big Picture, it reminds me of the Small Picture. The one that begins with one person choosing to say a kind thing (or nothing at all) when the crappy thing to say is easier. That begins with letting someone else's bad behavior play out in its own way, rather than pointing a neon sign to it and then reveling in that person's error or bad judgement.<br />
<br />
That begins without judgement of everyone and anyone who has a different way of thinking or doing, letting those folks find their own way even if you're not a fan of where they're going...<br />
<br />
We have seen so many examples of man's <i>humanity</i> to man today:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Runners, after completing a marathon, going straight on to donate blood. </li>
<li>First responders who, after hearing the explosions, ran <i>toward</i> the devastation, not away. </li>
<li>Ordinary people offering their homes and free transportation and their cell phones and internet connections and food and comfort to people who couldn't get back to their hotels or parties. </li>
<li>A national outpouring of love and grief and support.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Lately things in my<i> teeny-weeny </i>little corner of Louisville have felt kind of toxic and disappointing.<br />
<br />
And then something like this happens, and I am so grateful and so in love with the <i><b>humanity</b></i> of humans.<br />
<br />
My people are safe. The heroes outnumber the villains. And in the face of tragedy and horribleness, we are all united in support and concern.<br />
<br />
Today, I was very proud when Insider Louisville decided to hold all of its posts until tomorrow. I wrote <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2013/04/15/our-heart-goes-out-to-the-city-of-boston/" target="_blank">this disclaimer</a> and then got the thumbs up from the boss.<br />
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In this case the Big Picture's importance outweighed everything else. As it should have.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-13275341794694917762013-04-12T10:00:00.000-04:002013-04-12T10:00:07.929-04:00Loueyville readers and friends (who I hope are also readers) pledge their time to the LPM pledge drive<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JLFxGMJ12Ag/UWdtdXjacoI/AAAAAAAABVM/oUELSVvrXpo/s1600/photo+(68).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JLFxGMJ12Ag/UWdtdXjacoI/AAAAAAAABVM/oUELSVvrXpo/s400/photo+(68).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Loueyville Bloggers"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm just bubbling over with gratitude today. Last night, 8 friends and blog readers and I <a href="http://www.loueyville.blogspot.com/2013/04/public-radio-plea-volunteer-during.html" target="_blank">volunteered at the LPM pledge drive</a>. Some were old friends and fund drive vets (Linda, Isaac, Ashlee). Some were newer friends or people I don't see all that often (Haley, Steve, Heather). And two were brand new friends I'd never met before (Emily, Sarah) but who had found out about the drive on the blog.<br />
<br />
Thank you, good Louisvillagers.<br />
<br />
And thank you too to all the people who volunteered but either couldn't make it or that I had to turn away. Your desire to volunteer and your support of Public Radio makes you awesome. It didn't hurt that we all had a rip-roaring good time. It was a little slow, so we filled the hours with laughter, pet pictures, and joshing around with the LPM folks. Thank you too, Louisville Grind, for feeding us in style.<br />
<br />
(On air, they kept calling us the "Loueyville bloggers," so I don't think I'm going to be picking up any new traffic for the on-air thanks. That's fine. They've never gotten it right, actually. What do you think I should have them say? Usually I think they say "Loueyville.com," which makes me wonder if people think it's folks from Louisville.com who are volunteering. I guess it's my fault for picking a rather silly blog name and sticking with it all these years. I should talk to my marketing friends-- does the blog need to be rebranded? Sorry, just thinking "out loud" here.)<br />
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I'm tickled-- tickled, I tell you-- that LPM folks and I already decided that next pledge drive, we'll either take 2 slots or the Friday busiest slot. I don't like turning people away, and I definitely love the heck out of volunteering.<br />
<br />
The pledge drive continues through Saturday. If you haven't renewed your membership or become a member this time around, please do so. The number is 502-815-6565. Or you can donate online at www.WFPL.org.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-71178996193662029012013-04-03T08:30:00.000-04:002013-04-03T08:30:04.703-04:00Dishcrawl Louisville Giveaway: Win a $20 gift certificate toward the Derby Crawl<div class="tr_bq">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdPdiLAnFzQ/UVu4S3_HaoI/AAAAAAAABU8/8ztB4odstGA/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdPdiLAnFzQ/UVu4S3_HaoI/AAAAAAAABU8/8ztB4odstGA/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
Ever since <a href="http://www.dishcrawl.com/louisville/" target="_blank">Dishcrawl</a> made the Louisville scene, I've been wanting to check it out. And I am so excited to have been asked to participate this month in one of two NuLu-based crawls. The first event sold out (but some tickets have recently come available again) in a jiffy, so Dishcrawl added a second night. The two NuLu crawls are on April 16 and 17 and are $45 each.</div>
<br />
If you don't know what a Dishcrawl is, it's a progressive dinner event, where you dine at a number of restaurants, usually within walking distance, eating one course at each stop. The starting place and the itinerary remain a mystery to you, so you sign up to participate in a Crawl of a particular neighborhood, pay one price and enjoy whatever the organizers throw at you. It's a great chance to try new places and to hobknob with fellow food enthusiasts (oy, I hate the term "foodie").<br />
<br />
It's a food event, a neighborhood event and a social event all rolled into one.<br />
<br />
And Allison from Dishcrawl has offered a giveaway to Loueyville readers. After the NuLu events, the next event is a Derby Crawl. Dishcrawl is offering a $20 gift certificate to the Derby Crawl to one of our readers. The event will take place on 4th street on May 1 at 7 p.m.<br />
<br />
From the Dishcrawl website:<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">What better way to spend the least productive work week in Louisville but on a Derby Dishcrawl? Grab your gang for a tour of the 4th Street Area of Town with Derby Inspired items, and be prepared to meet some new friends along the way. You'd better act fast though! These tickets are just like the </span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Derby, they don't hang around long! </span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">It's a guessing game! We’re keeping the names of the restaurants we will be visiting a secret for now, but here and there we’ll give you some hints. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Follow us on Twitter @dishcrawllou and be the first to know! </span></blockquote>
How do you win the gift certificate? Go "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/dishcrawllouisville?fref=ts" target="_blank">like" Louisville Dishcrawl on Facebook</a> and follow them on Twitter @dishcrawlLou. Then tell me you've done all that in the comments or email me at lou (at) loueyville.com. And you're entered! If you've already "liked" and followed them, you're still eligible– just make sure you comment or email. We'll pick a winner on April 20 and notify you pronto.<br />
<br />
Thanks so much to Dishcrawl Louisville for offering this prize to Loueyville readers. Stay tuned to the blog and my Twitter (@loueyville) to hear more about my NuLu Crawl experience.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-40144106105509116162013-04-02T09:00:00.000-04:002013-04-03T01:11:29.221-04:00UPDATED: Public radio plea: Volunteer during the pledge drive and we'll feed you well with GRIND<b>UPDATE: By 4 p.m. today, 10 people had signed up to volunteer. That's more than we actually need. But the more the merrier, right? Thank you so much for being so totally awesome, folks. I can't accept any more volunteers, but I encourage you to pledge online or call 502-814-6565 and pledge starting next Monday. It would be especially awesome if you called on Thursday, April 11 between 6-9 p.m. to make your pledge with one of our wonderful volunteers! Be well... Melissa</b><br />
<br />
It's public radio pledge time again. And once again, I've secured a block of time for Loueyville readers and friends to answer phones and sign up new pledges with WFPL. This is our fourth time manning the phones; every time has been more fun than the last. Again, rather than reinventing the wheel, I'm posting an old plea for contributors:<br />
<br />
It's that time again, Louisvillagers.<br />
<br />
Louisville Public Media is gearing up for their fund drive in a couple of weeks. During the past few fund drives, online personalities have repeatedly said, "Give what you can. Give what Louisville Public Media is worth to you." <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
[Several fund drives ago], I realized I <a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2011/04/show-public-radio-some-love.html">really can't afford to give what WFPL and WFPK are worth to me</a>. They are the only radio stations I listen to. WFPL is the source of all my non-online news (and the source of much of my online news as well through their blog). I live in a very NPR world. I probably should pledge 10 times what I actually do in order to really "pay back" what WFPL and WFPK give to my life. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But I can't. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So last [3 fund drives ago], I volunteered. Gave a little human capital to the pledge drive. And it was a ton of fun. And it would have been more fun if I'd been with friends.<br />
So this fund drive I'm putting a little group of Readers of Loueyville together to volunteer to answer phones at the fund drive. If you're interested in joining us, please drop me an email at Lou (at) Loueyville.com. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If you're reading this blog, you probably listen to one of our public radio stations. So I hope you consider giving back. If you can't join us, volunteer to answer phones on your own. Email: <a href="mailto:kwilkinson@louisvillepublicmedia.org">kwilkinson@louisvillepublicmedia.org</a> for details. You can also<a href="https://www.louisvillepublicmedia.org/support/"> pledge in advance</a> and be eligible for a drawing for a 13" MacBook Air. Just click the link or call 502-814-6565.</blockquote>
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<div>
We'll be manning the phones on Apr. 11 from 6 p.m until 9 p.m. The free dinner supplier that night is the <a href="http://louisvillegrind.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Grind Burger truck</a>. Yes, I planned our volunteering block with the food source in mind. </div>
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Would you like to join us? Email lou@loueyville.com.</div>
Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-46615749830661077342013-04-02T07:30:00.000-04:002013-04-03T01:11:59.117-04:00Loueyville: back on the blogging wagon (I hope)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QcegtYGVCD8/UVTfy7IBzRI/AAAAAAAABUs/1Xg_iojRJhk/s1600/Loueyville-Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QcegtYGVCD8/UVTfy7IBzRI/AAAAAAAABUs/1Xg_iojRJhk/s1600/Loueyville-Logo.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My goodness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>(Did I ever tell you that my pledge name for my college
fraternity was “Oh My Goodness”? I guess I said that a lot in college. My actual
pledge name was “Hawaii Volcano National Park,” but that didn’t catch on as
much. I think it was a reference to my enormous bosoms. I never asked.)</i><br />
<br />
<i>(And yes,
I said “fraternity.” I am a proud alum of the literary fraternity <a href="http://www.alphadeltaphi.org/" target="_blank">Alpha Delta Ph</a>i, a fraternity that
splintered in the 80’s when several colleges decided that the fraternity should
accept women. My chapter at <a href="http://www.alphadeltaphi.org/AboutUs/Chapters/tabid/59/agentType/ViewSearch/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Columbi</a>a opted to go co-ed but retain the
“fraternity” moniker. Others went with “society.” Women at ADP had the option
of being called “brothers” or “sisters.” I went with “brother,” because, you
know… tom boy. Are any of you ADP-ers? If so, Xaipe!) <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But yes. My goodness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh my goodness. I knew this was going to happen. I didn’t want
to believe it, but deep in my heart, I knew.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I accepted the position of Deputy Director of Content
at <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/" target="_blank">Insider Louisville</a>, a 30-hour a week position that basically just meant
“fancy reporter,” I suspected that days filled with writing about Louisville
might mean nights <i>not </i>filled with
writing about Louisville. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I hoped that wouldn’t be the case.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in March-ish, I took the position of Assignments Editor
at Insider Louisville (ie. “fancy reporter with organizational
responsibilities”) full time, and things just got worse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But my beloved companion reminded me recently that my blog
and my blog readers were the start of it all. And that perhaps going back to
blogging– however gently– might bring me some joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s the whole “dance with the one that brung you” sort of
thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Y’all are the reason I have my current job. Y’all are the
reason that I even <i>thought</i> that such
a career <i>might</i> exist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know a lot of you continue to follow me on Twitter, and
some of you may have even followed me to Insider Louisville (I hope ALL of you
do BOTH, if you haven’t already). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I still owe you and this blog. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I am committing myself to<b> at least one post a
week</b>– one post that’s wholly for the blog and not a rehash of my work for
IL. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of… I am pretty much madly in love with my day job.
There’s been very little “looking back” for me. It’s not without its trials,
but I still find myself freaking out sometimes when I get in my car in the
morning, drive to our NuLu office, and know that I am going to work at an organization where I
am being <i>paid</i> to write about this
city that I love so <i>damned</i> much. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I’ve done good work at Insider Louisville.<br />
<br />
I’ve
certainly grown a LOT as a writer. And most of the time, my bosses are very
liberal with their gratitude. And some
of the time our readers are grateful too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Online journalism can be utterly, bleakly demoralizing. I
actually have a work email folder labeled “nice things” where I save lovely
emails that I receive from readers. It’s a huge help when the maelstrom of
crapola hits, and I’m suddenly an anonymous punching bag.<br />
<br />
It doesn’t happen
often. But it happens enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(A reminder to IL readers, if you like an article, comment
or at least hit the Facebook “like” button. That shiz actually means something
on this end. If you don’t like it, still comment if you feel the need, but
remember that there’s a human soul at the other end, reading your vitriol.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I think I am back on the Loueyville horse. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This blog has meant so much to me over the years. I don’t
want it to lay by the wayside and die. This blog represents 6 years of my life…
more than 750 posts. And the entry point
to my (so far) success as an internet journalist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, hopefully, you will see new content here at least once a
week. I’m not going to count this post as my post for the week; I have good
news in the hopper that I will post very soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will probably also use the blog to reflect back on stories
on Insider Louisville– whether or not I have written them– that make me
proud. We’re building a stable of
awesome writers, and I want to celebrate them too. But I will add wholly new content to the blog as often as I can. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I write anywhere from 2-5 stories a day at Insider
Louisville, depending on my editing load. That means anywhere from 10-20 posts a week. I promise you, even though I have
been hired by a company that has its own (mostly great) agenda, I don’t write about anything I don’t believe in or endorse.<br />
<br />
That's important to me. And I will stick to my guns about that.<br />
<br />
You
can also get these stories by s<a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/" target="_blank">igning up on the Insider Louisville website for the newsletter</a>. All
the good stuff will land in your mailbox every morning. You can pick and choose what you read.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Thanks for your patience with me. Everyone who reads this blog played a part in landing me a job where I do this for a living. <br />
<br />
I'm excited to reinvigorate my old audience and to build a new one. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-85044867674792962412013-01-14T11:38:00.000-05:002013-01-14T18:15:12.356-05:00Louisville: My Funny Town<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wpm3xvl5x8/UPOG51ycIoI/AAAAAAAABM4/WlxaaLO8MQY/s1600/kitties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wpm3xvl5x8/UPOG51ycIoI/AAAAAAAABM4/WlxaaLO8MQY/s320/kitties.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"They are also unimpressed by the Golden Globes."<br />
@usernamelesser</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's January, so over at Consuming Louisville, the lovely and talented Ms. Michelle Jones is featuring her annual column "<a href="http://consuminglouisville.com/category/one-thing-i-love" target="_blank">One Thing I Love About Louisville</a>." I <a href="http://consuminglouisville.com/2009/01/one-thing-i-love-about-louisville-lou-of-my-loueyville.php" target="_blank">participated a bunch of years ago</a> back when I was still blogging anonymously and before I ever knew anyone here in town; it was actually how I ended up meeting Michelle, who has since become a dear friend and who helped to change my Louisville life.<br />
<br />
I've always wanted to participate again, but I'm always flummoxed. How do I come up with ONE thing I love about this city that I love SO MUCH.<br />
<br />
Inevitably, after the deadline to volunteer passes, I think of something. And of course, I've thought of that something this year.<br />
<br />
One thing I love about Louisville: Louisville is full of funny people.<br />
<br />
Google the "<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=%22funniest+actor+in+louisville%22&oq=%22funniest+actor+in+louisville%22&aqs=chrome.0.57j59l3j62l2.6220&sugexp=chrome,mod=1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">funniest actor in Louisville</a>." The top search result leads to my boyfriend. (Who, in my humble opinion, also deserves the title "best laugh in Louisville" and maybe even "most unsung altruist in Louisville.") Sometimes, when I mention that to someone – "you know, my boyfriend's been called the 'funniest actor in Louisville'– people will respond: "Well, IS he?"<br />
<br />
And the answer, I think, is yes. He also happens to be a very funny person when not in character. It's what drew me to him in the first place. And it's one of the many things that keeps me psyched about loving him on a day-to-day basis.<br />
<br />
I gravitate toward funny people. I like to think that I'm a funny person myself. But the people I love most in the world– and in this city– are the people who make me laugh hardest and longest.<br />
<br />
And it's not just the "expected" people; I spend a lot of time with actors and performers and writers and "public figures," and it's not surprising that they're quick with a quip.<br />
<br />
It's my friend who <a href="https://twitter.com/usernamelesser/status/290580915854385153/photo/1" target="_blank">graffitis her Twitter pictures with images of cats</a>.<br />
<br />
It's the fact sometimes I will lose whole hours at work because my co-workers (all of whom are my "superiors" at work, so I feel justified in playing along) get on a roll with funny stories.<br />
<br />
It's my favorite mom and our friends<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23hippiepreschoolrules" target="_blank"> rewriting the rulebook for the Montessori school her daughter attends</a>.<br />
<br />
But no joke, the funniest thing I've seen all year is local twitter humorist "Brokey McPoverty" (best handle ever!) and her #RespectableHipHop meme. <br />
<br />
I have to admit, I follow then unfollow Brokey all the time. She's a prolific tweeter, and sometimes when she's on a roll, it is pure gold. And sometimes I'm so busy that her prolificness is just too much for my feed, and I pull the plug.<br />
<br />
But after this most recent "roll," I may never pull the plug again.<br />
<br />
Genius.<br />
<br />
From <a href="http://www.postbourgie.com/2013/01/10/respectable-hip-hop/" target="_blank">her blog</a>:<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
Last night, much of Twitter united to reclaim and rewrite our favorite less-than-progressive rap and hip hop lyrics. It was a beautiful thing.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
It all started when I was listening to 2 Chainz, which I do when there’s no one around to judge me for it, and I thought about the line “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y34jC4I1m70" style="color: #cf581e; text-decoration: initial;">She got a big booty, so I call her big booty</a>.” I thought to myself, really? You can’t find a more inventive nickname than that? This is what’s passing for a rap lyric these days? Then I thought to myself–how fucking rude. You strip her of her name–her <em>entire</em> identity–and refer to her by her ass?? Inappropriate, 2 Chainz. Not cool at all. So, I revised it for him.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.postbourgie.com/2013/01/10/respectable-hip-hop/respectablehiphop/" rel="attachment wp-att-16718" style="color: #cf581e; text-decoration: initial;"><img alt="respectablehiphop" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-16718" height="287" src="http://www.postbourgie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/respectablehiphop.png" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); display: block; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 96%; padding: 5px; width: auto;" width="475" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
Then figured, why not help out some other misguided hippety hop rappers, too. Thankfully, Twitter joined in on the campaign and what we got was a few of the most hilarious hours of tweets I’ve seen in awhile. Not putting all of them here was tough, but here are some of the best.</div>
<br />
<br />
<script src="http://storify.com/brokeymcpoverty/respectablehiphop.js?template=slideshow"></script><noscript><a href="http://storify.com/brokeymcpoverty/respectablehiphop" target="_blank">View "undefined" on Storify</a></noscript>
<br />
I laughed so hard I hurt myself. That's the best kind of ouch in the world.<br />
<br />
We have a lot of "professionally funny" people here in Louisville. We're lucky to have the <a href="http://comedycaravan.com/index.cfm" target="_blank">Comedy Caravan</a> and <a href="http://thebardstown.com/" target="_blank">The Bard's Town</a>. I'm not too broken up about the loss of The Improv on 4th Street Live! because we have these two homegrown venues. We have the <a href="http://www.louisvilleimprov.com/" target="_blank">Louisville Improvisors </a>and <a href="http://www.lepetomane.org/" target="_blank">Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble</a>. Hunter S. Thompson was funny. Muhammad Ali was and is hilarious at times.<br />
<br />
There's <a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2012/12/27/kentucky-kicks-ass-kentucky-tourism-issues-tone-deaf-response-to-usa-today-story/" target="_blank">Kentucky for Kentucky</a> and<a href="http://www.lebowskifest.com/" target="_blank"> Lebowski Fest</a>. And we're about to host <a href="http://www.peeweeoverlouisville.com/" target="_blank">Pee Wee Over Louisville</a>.<br />
<br />
Joseph Ley's, Why Louisville, even the recently-departed and WAY-controversial Lynn's Paradise Cafe: funny stuff.<br />
<br />
We're a funny town. We're a smart town. And I love that so often I will meet a new person and think: "Wow, that's the funniest conversation I've had in...."<br />
<br />
In what? A week? Maybe? At most?<br />
<br />
I love that Louisvillagers makes me laugh. For all the right reasons. Y'all are funny, funny people. Thank you for entertaining me.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-34714152651778749742012-12-28T08:30:00.000-05:002012-12-28T08:30:01.529-05:00High highs and low lows: 2012When, in January of this year, I decided not to renew my contract at the Louisville Collegiate School where I had been teaching for six years, I never imagined that the leap I was taking would propel me this far.<br />
<br />
I never imagined that starting in the fall, I would wake up in the morning, throw on some clothes, – jeans are work clothes for the first time in a dozen years! – get in my car, drive to Nulu, go to an office where I have a big fancy desk, and spend my work day being paid to write about all of the amazing things that are happening in Louisville.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://520eastbrands.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_1902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://520eastbrands.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_1902.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">520 East Brands Holiday Lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I never imagined I would work for people and for a company that values me and my voice. I never imagined that my bosses would praise my work on a near-daily basis (or that I would butt heads with them, uglylike, on occasion). Or that I would be paid to tweet on behalf of local businesses that I love.<br />
<br />
I never imagined that my blogging and Tweeting habits (or addictions) would be what eventually earned me a living.<br />
<br />
I never imagined that clients would seek me out. That I would be, at one point, so overloaded that I had to turn down work.<br />
<br />
I thought that I would end up working for The Man, at least for a little while until I could distinguish myself and work my way up some ladder or another. I thought I would end up on the payroll of Brown-Forman or Humana or YUM!, towing a corporate line. Nothing wrong with that, of course. And I wouldn't turn down that opportunity, even now, necessarily.<br />
<br />
2012 has been a year of high highs and low lows.<br />
<br />
At the turn of the new year last year, I never would have imagined that as I approached 2013 I would be in Love with a capital "L." It's an amazing feeling. I kind of forgot how great it was.<br />
<br />
I never imagined that my friend stable would double in size. That I would know so many of my Twitter friends personally. That the world will at the same time become bigger and smaller to me in this way.<br />
<br />
I never thought I could be this happy professionally. Personally.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hdFMjQ99Qtc/UNzzyAGZklI/AAAAAAAABMY/u-kgkUy2bKM/s1600/171c1338b8f411e1a39b1231381b7ba1_7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hdFMjQ99Qtc/UNzzyAGZklI/AAAAAAAABMY/u-kgkUy2bKM/s200/171c1338b8f411e1a39b1231381b7ba1_7.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandmother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also never anticipated being this sad.<br />
<br />
I never imagined that I would face 2013 without <a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2012/06/personal-brief-hiatus-part-ii.html" target="_blank">my favorite person in the world</a>, my grandmother, Vange.<br />
<br />
I still have so much work to do to balance out my personal life and my professional life. I have so much to do to become the person that I want to be in 2013.<br />
<br />
But I am so lucky to have so many amazing people rooting for me. I'm so lucky that when I wake up in the morning and crankily scrape the frost from my car windows, I am going to a job I love at a business I believe in.<br />
<br />
I get to cheerlead for Louisville for a living. There's no job better suited to me than that.<br />
<br />
<br />Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-72343105687294846042012-11-24T09:30:00.000-05:002012-11-24T09:30:02.179-05:00Cats & Musicals & Angels for No Kill Louisville<b>Editor's note: </b><i>Because I have been working so hard at Insider Louisville, it's been a while since I let my freak flag fly on my own blog (not that I don't let my freak flag fly at IL-- bless their hearts for employing me anyway). So you get an extra helping of Lou here in this post. If you're only interested in the facts, skip down to the italicized bits. Lo siento mucho. I'll try to do better with moderation. -- Lou</i><br />
<br />
Sometimes you just have to own your shortcomings.<br />
<br />
Here's one that I'm willing to own: Sometimes (<i>*cough* too often</i>), I make up my mind about something based on what will later prove to be less-than-sufficient evidence. And I can be... well, a little recalcitrant about my opinions.<br />
<br />
<b>Exhibit A: musicals.</b><br />
<br />
Ever since high school I have claimed to hate musicals. In retrospect, this may have been a case of sour grapes. I can't sing worth a damn. It's so bad, in fact, that Mama Lou would sometimes shush me when I was singing in the car (unless I was doing my spot-on imitation of Willie Nelson. Or Julio Iglesias. No joke, I can do both parts of "To All The Girls I've Loved Before," and you'd think that Willie and Julio were right there in the room with you... I never said I wasn't talented.).<br />
<br />
I could dance, though. So I was always cast in the musicals in the silent dancing role. But I never got to sing unless I was deep, deep in the chorus.<br />
<br />
(Oh goodness, sudden childhood trauma flashback: practicing for my first communion, I was asked by one of my classmates to just <i>mouth</i> the words of the hymn because I was throwing her off!)<br />
<br />
But thanks to the good people at Broadway Across America here in Louisville, I've gotten over my "I hate musicals" prejudice. Sure, some of them still grate (I'm looking at you, WICKED), but I have been utterly delighted by the most surprising of musicals. LEGALLY BLONDE? So charming! JERSEY BOYS (now through Dec 2 at the Kentucky Center)? I'm not even keen on Frankie Valli's music and I loved it!<br />
<br />
Opinion changed. You live, you learn.<br />
<br />
<b>Exhibit B: cats</b><br />
<br />
This is a lighthearted post, so I'm not going to trace this back to very dark roots. Suffice to say that I have experienced two cat deaths that shook me so deeply that I convinced myself that I didn't like cats at all.<br />
<br />
But I've been dating a cat person (actually an animal person, in general) for a little more than a year. And I've gotten to know his two beloved felines. And after months of practiced indifference I find myself deep in the thrall of kitty love. I talk to them all of the time-- even when The Guy isn't around. I am comforted when they cuddle with me at night. I am, I admit, a bit jealous when we both call for the cats and they inevitable choose to jump up on his side of the couch.<br />
<br />
Do I love cats? I don't know. But I love <i>these</i> cats.<br />
<br />
Opinion changed. You live, you learn.<br />
<br />
Sorry to be Chatty Cathy there... sometimes I just get on a tangent.<br />
<br />
Anyway, off to the point of the post:<br />
<br />
No Kill Louisville is organizing it's 3rd annual Pet Angel Tree. 17 area businesses are hosting trees and serving as drop-off spots for donations for 17 area pet shelters. Each tree is decorated with tags representing wish-list items for the shelter. Take a tag, purchase something for the shelter, and drop off the gift where you picked up the tag.<br />
<br />
It's so simple to do, and the needs, too, are very basic.<br />
<br />
<i>From the NLK news release:</i><br />
<br />
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</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 24.545454025268555px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Pet lovers can find a listing of the businesses taking part at <a href="http://nokill-louisville.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">nokill-louisville.com</a>. Wish lists for each of the 17 area shelters and rescues in the program are also located on the site. This year-end effort seeks to help thousands of abandoned and abused animals by providing needed supplies to area shelters and rescues. During our first year, No Kill Louisville’s Pet Angel Tree project <b>collected more than $15,000 in food, equipment and other materials - </b>all for local rescues and shelters.<b></b></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 24.545454025268555px;">
<i><br />This year’s list of rescues and shelters has expanded and includes (in alphabetical order): <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/Alley%20Cat%20Advocates.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Alley Cat Advocates</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/Barktown%20Rescue.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Barktown Rescue</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/Furever%20Friends%20Rescue.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Furever Friends Rescue & Transport</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/GRRAND.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">GRRAND</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/Humane%20Society%20of%20Oldham%20County.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Humane Society of Oldham County</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/JB%20Ogle%20Animal%20Shelter-1.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">J.B. Ogle Animal Shelter</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/Kentucky%20Humane%20Society.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Kentucky Humane Society</a>,<a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/Kentuckiana%20Pug%20Rescue.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Kentuckiana Pug Rescue</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/LMAS%20Wish%20List.pdf" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Louisville Metro Animal Services</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/New%20Albany-Floyd%20County%20Animal%20Shelter.BMP" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">New Albany-Floyd County Animal Shelter</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/New%20Spirit%204%20Aussie%20Rescue.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue</a>, No Kill Louisville (general and foster family needs), <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/No%20Kill%20Louisville%20Pet%20Food%20Bank.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">No Kill Louisville Pet Food Bank</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/Second%20Chances%20Wildlife%20Rescue.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Second Chances Wildlife Rescue</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/Shamrock%20Arrow%20Fund.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Shamrock Arrow Fund</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/Shamrock%20Pet%20Foundation.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Shamrock Foundation</a>, <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/Shelby%20County%20No%20Kill%20Mission.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Shelby County No Kill Mission</a>, and <a href="http://www.nokill-louisville.com/2012%20Angel%20Tree%20Program/Woodstock%20Animal%20Foundation.doc" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Woodstock Animal Foundation.<br /> </a></i></div>
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<i><b>Items needed for the upcoming year include but are not limited</b> to cat or dog treats, paper towels, bleach, Ziploc bags, pens, peanut butter, dish soap, dog or cat food, gently used sheets and blankets, dog or cat collars, leashes, and much more. For a full wish list, go <b>to <a href="http://nokill-louisville.com/pet-angel-trees" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">nokill-louisville.com/pet-<wbr></wbr>angel-trees</a></b>. <br /><br />Those who want to help can also choose to pick up a tag from a Pet Angel Tree at one of the following locations which also serve as the donation drop-off points (also listed in our website at the above address):</i></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.anchorageanimal.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Anchorage Animal Hospital</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Carmichael's Bookstore - Frankfort Avenuve location</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.dirtytease.net/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Dirty Tease</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hair-Lingo/149417905084159" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Hair Lingo</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://heitzman-bakery.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Heitzman Traditional Bakery and Deli</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/114870840150274443894/about?gl=us&hl=en" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Highland Coffee Company</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><i><a href="http://www.jeffersonanimalhospital.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jefferson Animal Hospital </a>- two locations - Fern Creek & Okolona</i></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaleidoscope-Hair-Salon/89811944160" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Kaleidoscope Hair Salon</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.momentsphoto.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Moments Photography</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.local.com/business/details/jeffersonville-in/the-office-supply-co-3970252/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Office Supply in Jeffersonville</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><i><a href="http://prestonanimal.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Preston Animal Hospital</a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Perkfections-Cafe-Bar/102560206769" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: initial;"></span></a></i></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Perkfections-Cafe-Bar/102560206769" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Perkfections Cafe</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.shinelouisville.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Shine</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/sonoma-coffee-cafe-louisville" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Sonoma Cafe</i></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 24.545454025268555px; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="http://www.healthgrades.com/provider/tracey-carson-2nf9d" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i>Tracy L. Carson - therapist's office</i></a></li>
</ul>
Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-15501431808019057572012-11-11T14:06:00.001-05:002012-11-11T14:06:48.471-05:00Some things are important: Slant Culture Theatre Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sR1kaA93VVQ/UJ_2vMYHfII/AAAAAAAABL4/9DBazmJNbU8/s1600/Slant-notagline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sR1kaA93VVQ/UJ_2vMYHfII/AAAAAAAABL4/9DBazmJNbU8/s320/Slant-notagline.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
Some things are just important.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://slantculture.com/" target="_blank">Slant Culture Theatre Festival</a> is one of those things.<br />
<br />
It's important because we are a theater-loving, arts-supporting community, and we deserve something like this.<br />
<br />
It's important because we're the home of the Humana Festival, and we should have a home-grown equivalent.<br />
<br />
Side note: the Humana Festival 2013 schedule was announced today. Check out Erin Keane's coverage <a href="http://wfpl.org/post/humana-festival-lineup-announced" target="_blank">here</a>. The exciting news is that, except for an anthology performance, all the playwrights featured are new to the Fest.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to reinvent the wheel in this post. I already covered the Slant Culture Fest in an article for the Louisville Paper. Check it out <a href="http://www.thelouisvillepaper.com/2012/11/09/slant-culture-theatre-festival/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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But it is important. We should support it. We want it to come back next year and for many years to come. It features five of the best and most exciting local theatre companies in rep, including my beloved <a href="http://lepetomane.org/" target="_blank">Le Petomane</a> performing my favorite play of theirs, 5 THINGS. (Also, check out Le Petomane's snazzy new website!)<br />
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I went to the launch and heard the fabulous Joel Henderson and the 40 Gallon Baptist and the sublime Cheyenne Marie Mize. I saw 5 THINGS and BUY THE BOOK last night.<br />
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There's still a full week left. Get a day pass, a weekend pass, or a pass for the whole shebang. You'll want to check out more than just one thing.<br />
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But, go. Support. Enjoy. We deserve this.<br />
<br />Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-48071233236431239182012-11-09T09:30:00.000-05:002012-11-09T09:30:01.310-05:00NPOTM: Hand in Hand Ministries<i>One of the many things I love about Louisvillagers is their willingness to come together and share ideas. The idea for Non-Profit of the Month sprang from a conversation I had during a lunch with <a href="http://www.robyndavissekula.com/">the lovely and talented Robyn Sekula</a> in late May. So next time you see her, thank her.<br /><br />Each month for the foreseeable future, My Loueyville will feature an ad and promoted content from a non-profit that I believe in and want to celebrate. On the website, you'll see a prominent ad and throughout the month, the blog will feature guest posts, contests, and/or special posts related to that non-profit.</i><br /><br /><div>
When Robyn Sekula approached me with an idea for a new Non-Profit of the Month, I pretty much had to say "yes." This whole thing was her idea, after all. <br /><br /><br />But bless her for "getting" me and this blog and the kinds of stuff that I am happy to throw my support into. In fact, her initial email about this group included this disclaimer: "This is a NON-PROSTHELYIZING organization. They send teams of college students and adults to these countries, and it’s amazing the stories they bring back to us."<br /><br /><br />Well, alright then. That's good enough for me.</div>
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Here's how Robyn explains Hand in Hand Ministries: <br /><br /><i>Hand in Hand Ministries is a Louisville, Ky.-based international service organization that works to share life’s essentials, including shelter, medical care and educational opportunities, with the world’s poor. We do this by leading groups of volunteers living in the United States and Canada on immersion trips to Appalachia, Belize and Nicaragua. Immersion trip teams are made up of individual volunteers, or groups from universities, high schools, or churches. Most groups work side by side with local people to build or repair homes. Others provide medical, or educational assistance, depending on the skills of those on the trip. An important part of each trip is to immerse the volunteers in the culture of each region and to encourage year-round support of our educational and medical programs. It is our hope that our volunteers will return home and become better for the experience while working to build a more just world. In all that we do, we seek to build community.</i><br />
<br />Next week is one of Hand in Hand's biggest events. The Legacy Breakfast is on Nov. 13 at 7:30 a.m. (registration at 7 a.m.) at the Olmstead. This is the ninth annual event and it is free and open to the public and up to 400 people are expected.<br /><br /><br />Here's how the news release describes the Legacy Breakfast: "The event will feature two speakers. An 11-year-old boy named Mauro from Nicaragua will speak, along with two young men from Appalachia who plan to further their education after volunteers helped them with their home this past summer."<br /><br /><br />Unfortunately, I dropped the ball a bit, what with being so busy lately... <b>you have to RSVP TODAY to attend the event. </b><br />
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<span class="s1">To make a reservation, call Hand in Hand at (502) 459-9930 or visit the web site, <a href="http://www.myhandinhand.org/"><span class="s2">www.myhandinhand.org</span></a>, and make a reservation through the link on the home page.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Do it. Go and learn more about this incredible program. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Thanks to Robyn for bringing this to my attention. And my apologies for not getting this information out there soon enough.</span></div>
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Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-87182797006793028392012-11-06T09:30:00.000-05:002012-11-06T09:30:00.715-05:00Happy in Louisville Today I had lunch with someone I'd never met.<br />
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Ten or so minutes into our discussion she said, "I don't even have to ask you if you're happy. When you talk about your work, you just smile. I can't remember meeting anyone who smiled as much as you do when they talked about their work."<br />
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And it's true. I am stupid happy about the way that my professional life has manifested recently. I am crazy in love with my job at<a href="http://insiderlouisville.com/" target="_blank"> Insider Louisville</a>. I am thrilled to the teeth with how respected and appreciated I feel working for them. <br />
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I wake up in the morning (grumpy as always... I frigging hate mornings) and revel in the fact that I am going to work to be paid to write about how much I love Louisville. I end each long day wiped out but also jazzed by the idea that I have done nothing all day except write about what's amazing about this city.<br />
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But... and this is a big "but"... I took this job thinking it wouldn't impact <a href="http://loueyville.com/" target="_blank">My Loueyville</a> at all. But it clearly has. I'm not posting as often as I normally do because I am sending all that energy to work at Insider Louisville. Monday through Friday for IL, I post anywhere from three to six posts every day about stuff that's going on in this city. It doesn't leave all that much room for me to hone in on truly brilliant events.<br />
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Bear with me, people. I am trying to strike a balance. My Loueyville is my first and most important love. But, Insider Louisville is paying my bills right now...<br />
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Give me a few more weeks to create a balanced internet presence. It will happen, I promise. In the meantime... Hot damn, I really am very happy.Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-70620909095016848072012-10-30T15:55:00.001-04:002012-10-30T15:55:17.939-04:00Guest Blogger: Gabe Bullard on WFPL & Louisville Public Media<br />
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<i>Gabe Bullard is the Director of News and Editorial Strategy at WFPL and a dear friend.</i></div>
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In the final hour of this fall's membership drive, I said something silly about my coworkers. I called us "true believers," like I was Stan Lee introducing a new Avengers adventure. </div>
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You hear it a lot during pledge drives. "What we do is kind of crazy." We spend money buying national programs, sending reporters across the city and state and paying DJs, administrators and technicians. Then we ask people who have been getting this content for free for six months to voluntarily call us and help pay for it. No bills mailed to your house, no set amount to pay. It takes true believers to work in an enterprise like this, but it also takes true believers next to their speakers or computer to make it work. It's amazing to have a community that supports us, and I can assure you that every time you hear someone on air say thank you, they mean it.</div>
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The last pledge drive brought in $435,000. Now what? Well, we continue bringing you the shows, programs, music and coverage you listen to. But we're not resting. That would be too easy. It would be easy for our reporters to come in, read some press releases and knock off early. It would be easy to play the same hit songs over and over. But what we do here is a little crazy. We want to make things. We want to dig into stories. We want to develop new podcasts and shows. We want to find new music and uncover big news. We want to find more shows and bring them to you. And we hope that you'll help us pay for all this later on. </div>
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I know this sounds a bit "group hug," but it's true. To spare you, though, I'd like to mention a few things I'm excited about. </div>
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First of all, news. I have been a journalist my whole career. I always wanted to be one. Now I get to work with some of the best journalists in the city. It's great to be in news meetings and hear the ideas for stories that we'll be reporting in the next hours, days and months. Also, <a href="http://wfpl.org/post/lpm-receives-challenge-grant-create-kentucky-center-investigative-reporting-0" target="_blank">we're building an investigative reporting cente</a>r.</div>
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Second, shows. We love the shows that have defined public radio for years, and we're always looking for what will define our sound in years to come. WFPL was among the first stations in the country to play some of my favorite programs: Q and the Tobolowsky Files (note: I didn't make the decision to put these on, but I certainly celebrated it). We also have Bullseye on Friday nights and WTF on Sundays. Both are must-listens for me, and they're hard to find on the airwaves in other cities. And there are also great pieces out there coming from independent producers. I go through the website <a href="http://prx.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">prx.org</a> the way record collectors dig through bins. You may hear short and excellent pieces from the Memory Palace, 99% Invisible and Decode DC when you listen to WFPL, because we want to showcase things we like. </div>
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Third, more shows. We love finding great shows and bringing them to you. We also like making them. Phillip M. Bailey's Noise & Notes is a new addition to our Saturday night lineup, and our new podcast Strange Fruit: Musings on Politics, Pop Culture and Black Gay Life just launched. That's in addition to new reporting series: The Big Break, Unique and You Again. </div>
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We want to bring you stories and shows that we find interesting and important on air, and we want to do it online and in person, too. Look for us to be in the community more. We're launching new blogs. Check out our Instagram, where we're showcasing photos from This...Is Louisville magazine. </div>
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None of this is meant as a knock on anyone else in media around town. We share the same goals. We all want a robust media, and we all benefit from it. But this isn't a great time for media. Things are tough and we're always making sure we spend our money in the most beneficial ways possible. We're happy to be expanding. We're happy to be building a reporting center. We're happy that we can do all this through support from local people who like what we do and who want to keep it going.</div>
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Sometimes it helps to be a little crazy.</div>
Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-3655893399477277472012-10-19T08:30:00.000-04:002012-10-19T08:30:04.369-04:00Late Notice: A Trio of Halloween Radio Plays
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I'm sorry I wasn't able to bring this to your attention sooner, but I just got the press release. </div>
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You only have two more chances to see the Coffee Cup Theatre Company's (CCTC) presentation of three Halloween radio plays at the Bard's Town Theatre-- tonight and Saturday night at 7:30pm. </div>
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I'm a big fan of all three stories presented: "The Monkey's Paw," "The Canterville Ghost," and "The Cask of Amontillado."</div>
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When I was a wee lass-- single-digits-young-- I was a precocious reader. I taught myself to read at age three and blew through reading levels until I was reading-- and devouring-- Agatha Christie novels before the age of ten. </div>
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Before I was in my teens, my mother handed me Dante's <i>Inferno </i>and the Cliff's Notes to Dante's <i>Inferno, </i>and I read it from cover to cover, dutifully sketching maps and diagrams of Dante's journey through Hell with colored pencils and a pad of newsprint.</div>
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But when I was really wee, maybe seven or eight, my Nana gave me a beautifully bound and illustrated collection of Poe stories. I could read most of it myself, but I struggled with some of the vocabulary. I remember sitting with Nana on the couch of her beach house (which would later become her full-time home after retirement) and having her read "The Cask of Amontillado" to me before bed.</div>
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I still remember the chill I felt when she read the exchange between Fortunato and Montressor at the very end of the story (I don't think this is a spoiler at all, in case you haven't read it).</div>
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Fortunato says, "For the love of God, Montressor."</div>
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And Montressor responds, "Yes. For the love of God."</div>
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GOOSEBUMPS. Even now.</div>
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And for the past six years I have taught that story to high school juniors. And every time I get to that point in the story... chills. </div>
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Here's info from the press release from the CCTC: </div>
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<i>Coffee Cup Theatre Company (CCTC) will open its 2012 – 2013 Season with a trio of Halloween plays performed at The Bard's Town, located at 1801 Bardstown Road, on October 11, 12, 13, & 18, 19, 20 at 7:30 pm. </i></div>
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<i>The production entitled </i>Halloween Trilogy of Radio Plays<i> featuring "The Monkey’s Paw" by W.W Jacobs and adapted by Jeanette Jaquish; "The Canterville Ghost" by Oscar Wilde; and "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe and adapted by Cecilia Fannon and John de Lancie.</i></div>
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<i>Tickets are now on sale and reservations can be made by calling (502) 299-8501 or e-mailing <span class="s1">coffeecuptheatre@gmail.com</span>. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors (Cash & Checks only).</i></div>
Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-50002482345658941582012-10-18T18:12:00.000-04:002012-10-18T23:24:47.052-04:00Thursday Randomness: What have I been up to?Is it the middle of October already? My goodness. Time really flies when you're having fun.<br />
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And, gentle readers, I am having so much fun these days!<br />
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Sure, money is way tight, and I am still struggling with what to do about my lack of insurance. But if you zapped those two stressors from my life (anyone? anyone?), I'd be fool happy.<br />
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I'm totally crazy about my new freelancing life. I have the best readers (that's YOU!). My friends never cease to amaze me. And The Guy and I just passed the one year of dating mark, and I couldn't be more in love.<br />
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<b>So, what else have I been up to? </b><br />
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<li>Tomorrow marks the end of my second week of employment at <a href="http://www.insiderlouisville.com/" target="_blank">Insider Louisville</a>. Depending on who you talk to, I'm either the "Deputy Director of Content" or the "Associate Managing Editor." I'm not really hung up on titles; whatever you want to call me, I'm having a hell of a good time. I've been helping out around the joint, writing 2-5 articles a day, working on vetting freelancers and much more. We're still moving into our new office in NuLu, and every morning when I drive to work I have to pinch myself. Ever since my job hunt began, I've had a superficial goal of either working downtown or in NuLu, and here I am with my own desk, an endless supply of good coffee, and a job that I can't wait to go to when I wake up. My bosses respect me. I feel like I add a lot to the organization. And I'm getting paid to do cool stuff and write about it. My fingers and toes are crossed that this turns into a full-time gig with benefits someday soon. (And my fingers and toes are crossed that I continue to be this happy with this job).</li>
<li>For the past six weeks or so, I've been working part time as a "Twitter Specialist" for <a href="http://520eastbrands.com/" target="_blank">520 East Brands</a>. <a href="http://520eastbrands.com/about.html" target="_blank">Shane</a> is a dream to work for, and I'm thrilled to be the "twitter voice" for many beloved local and national brands. I knew one day my Twitter addiction would pay off!</li>
<li><a href="http://chipmancreative.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chipman Creative</a> was hired two months ago to "ghost blog" for local real estate agent, WordCamp maestro, and fellow Start-Up Weekend attendee, <a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2012/10/wordcamp-louisville-2012.html" target="_blank">Scott Hack</a>. We did the true "ghost" thing for a little while, but over the past few weeks, we've started to put my name on the posts. So if you're looking for more of my posts, follow Scott's <a href="http://www.louisvillerealestate.com/blog/" target="_blank">blog</a>. And obviously, if you have any real estate needs, you should contact <a href="http://www.louisvillerealestate.com/" target="_blank">Finish Line Realt</a>y. Scott is awesome.</li>
<li>Last Saturday, my <a href="http://louisvillenotky.tumbr.com/" target="_blank">Louisville, Not Kentucky</a> co-host Linda and I <a href="http://www.loueyville.blogspot.com/2012/10/louisville-not-kentucky-at-flea-off.html" target="_blank">worked a booth at the Flea off Market</a>. We signed people up for our mailing list and interviewed people for Episode 7 and beyond. We met lots of listeners and even got to interview the Mayor. It was a beautiful day, and we're looking forward to doing it again in November.</li>
<li>Tuesday, a group of Loueyville readers and friends volunteered to answer phones at the NPOTM, <a href="http://www.loueyville.blogspot.com/2012/10/npotm-louisville-public-media.html" target="_blank">Louisville Public Media fund driv</a>e. Thanks to Kara, Dawn, Bethany, Stephanie, Stephen, Ashlee, and Linda for coming along. We ate lots of pizza and talked to some great LPM supporters on the phone.</li>
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So now, besides this blog, my twitter, my facebook, and my pinterest, you can now catch me on Insider Louisville, the Finish Line Realty blog, Louisville Not Kentucky, and as the voice of brands you know and love on Twitter. </div>
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Hope you all have had an excellent fall so far! Thank you for your support!</div>
Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-55479891484560960302012-10-11T08:30:00.000-04:002012-10-11T08:30:05.835-04:00Louisville, Not Kentucky at Flea Off Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my favorite monthly events in the city is the Flea Off Market-- an open air market in NULU that runs from 10am til 6pm almost all year 'round.<br />
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Last Flea, I bumped into Linda, my podcasting partner, and we both decided that Louisville, Not Kentucky ought to do something at the next market.<br />
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So this Saturday (10/13), you can visit the Louisville, Not Kentucky booth at the Flea Off Market. There we'll be:<br />
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<li>Doing live interviews with Flea-goers for future podcasts.</li>
<li>Interviewing some of the booth owners for an upcoming podcast.</li>
<li>Accepting pitches for future podcast segments.</li>
<li>Collecting adult-beverage drink recipes.</li>
<li>Signing people up for our new mailing list.</li>
<li>Taking pre-orders for Louisville, Not Kentucky t-shirts ($15).</li>
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So come visit us! Bring us your favorite drink recipe-- you can drop it off, or fill out a recipe card at the booth. We might mix up your drink for one of our "What are we drinking tonight?" segments-- and of course, we'll credit you. </div>
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Bring us your pitches for story ideas-- what would you like us to cover in future podcasts? We might be able to interview you right on the spot! </div>
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Sign up for our mailing list, so you'll never miss the latest Louisville, Not Kentucky podcast news. </div>
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Thank you so much to Flea Off Market for providing us with the booth space. Thanks in advance to Christine (<a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2012/07/guest-post-christine-explains-cyclocross.html" target="_blank">of the Cyclocross)</a> for loaning us a shade tent and to Bobbi (Kyle's mum) for loaning us a table. </div>
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And thanks once again to Kyle Ware for providing us with our gorgeous logo art and all of our design needs. If you're looking for an artist or designer, you can't go wrong with Kyle. And you'll definitely want a tshirt with his awesome logo design! Linda & I will be wearing sample shirts at the Flea, but if you're interested in pre-ordering one, sight-unseen, email me at Lou (at) loueyville.com.</div>
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We're so excited to meet you! Drop on by! </div>
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<a href="http://louisvillenotky.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Episode 6 is now available</a>. All episodes are available for<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/louisville-not-kentucky/id555341489" target="_blank"> download on iTunes</a>. </div>
Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-60862519688315304422012-10-09T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-09T09:00:08.662-04:00Bonus Moth StorySLAM in October!One of the best things that I do every month is volunteer at The Moth StorySLAM on the last Tuesday of every month at Headliners. My dear friend, Tara Anderson, is the producer and has allowed me to basically become the "permanent volunteer" for the event (I actually have it listed on my resume, that's how hardcore of a Moth fan I am).<br />
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This month you have TWO chances to check out The Moth StorySlam-- at its regular date and time AND in conjunction with the current exhibit at the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft (KMAC) called "Storytelling as Craft."<br />
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The event is on Thursday, October 18 at 8pm (doors at 7pm). It's free for KMAC members or $8 for the general public. <a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2010/09/awesome-louisvillager-gabe-bullard.html" target="_blank">Awesome Louisvillager, Gabe Bullard,</a> will be hosting.<br />
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<b>According to the press release: </b><br />
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<i>The Theme for this evening is: MUSE. Throughout history, artists have been inspired by influential individuals in their lives, motivating them to create their best work. Now it's your turn. What is your interpretation of this word and more importantly - how will you TELL it? This is an open-mic event where anybody can sign up to tell a story. Between 7 and 8pm, place your name in the hat and 10 storytellers will be chosen at random to present on the stage. Three teams of judges will also be randomly chosen from the audience. They will give each story a score and help determine the winner at the end of the night. Storytelling tips are available on The Moth's website: <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001J-fs5U4oSvzz8ebDvPfX-1akjCo-BLAUCHdH41oaQlwC9TxG0rURRnvQv0QSiH2YpPhWxq-TMLkwO_OAU_0_kjPwwvIAi9N0rZlxq9TBiWUZ0uVRwBdlPUfS_f3tyj-lK3HoZ_fQLKlxTQlivgOfCw==">themoth.org/tell-a-story/storytelling-tips</a>. Event information can also be found on <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001J-fs5U4oSvxJzruFxMo80a-8H6bxirP8sUp-kTzS-gFS6FGAomZs-I27ecP1Hu0d63WwTt81qisk1miGr_uFOy0a5mV_Ghl7R0undrbWesR1EZEFd8dZXcRecKFRUm159zbSF5mdw1m4_z3Y8EkhNw==">KMAC's Facebook page</a>.</i><br />
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I assume I will be there "taking stories" like I normally do. Stop by and say hi!<br />
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And no. I am too much of a wimp to get up on stage and tell a story myself. <a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2011/10/600th-post-social-media-is-social.html" target="_blank">I gave a speech at the LFPL a while back</a> and truly, TRULY thought I was dying of a heart attack halfway through. If the theme is ever "superheroes" then maybe... MAYBE... I'll tell a story. Maybe.<br />
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<a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2011/10/600th-post-social-media-is-social.html" target="_blank">Don't forget Louisville Public Media is the NOPTM this month</a>!<br />
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Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314348865216378895.post-27971432904235027042012-10-03T14:03:00.001-04:002012-10-03T14:03:45.849-04:00NPOTM: Louisville Public Media<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.louisvillepublicmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/VoteFD12b_183x180.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://www.louisvillepublicmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/VoteFD12b_183x180.gif" /></a></div>
<i>One of the many things I love about Louisvillagers is their willingness to come together and share ideas. The idea for Non-Profit of the Month sprang from a conversation I had during a lunch with <a href="http://www.robyndavissekula.com/">the lovely and talented Robyn Sekula</a> in late May. So next time you see her, thank her.</i><div>
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<i>Each month for the foreseeable future, My Loueyville will feature an ad and promoted content from a non-profit that I believe in and want to celebrate. On the website, you'll see a prominent ad and throughout the month, the blog will feature guest posts, contests, and/or special posts related to that non-profit.</i><br /><br />
When I was weighing my move to Louisville, I made a pro/con list. The "con" side of the list consisted of mostly ill-informed stereotypes like "1) It's in Kentucky" (<a href="http://louisvillenotky.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">hence the name of the podcast I co-host)</a>.<br />
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The pro list looked like this:<br />
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1) Bourbon<br />
2) Bluegrass music<br />
3) Great Public Radio<br />
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Again, still ill-informed... I got a healthy dose of Bluegrass music when I lived in Knoxville, TN for a summer with <a href="http://www.wdvx.com/" target="_blank">WDVX</a>. I just assumed I would get even more in, you know, the Bluegrass State.<br />
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But I came to Louisville Public Media before I even moved here. Before I visited for the first time, I googled Louisville Public Radio to make a mental note of the channel just in case I decided to rent a car. I was floored to discover that there was not just one station but three.<br />
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New Orleans has some damned good public radio, but what always bummed me out was that there were so few options when it came to talk programming. We had "Car Talk" and "Wait Wait" and "A Prairie Home." The standard news programs of course. But-- if I remember correctly-- only classical music from 9am til 4pm and from 7pm on. And all day on Sunday.<br />
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I did a happy dance at my computer when I brought up WFPL's programming. And that was before the programming got as awesome as it is now. So. Much. Talk.<br />
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And you may think that my "pro" list is silly or tongue-in-cheek, but as Kai Ryssdal is my witness, the quality public radio in Louisville was a very big reason why I decided to take the plunge and move here.<br />
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I'm super-excited to be going to see Stephen Tobolowsky this Friday at the Kentucky Center. If you aren't listening to the "Tobolowsky Files" on WFPL at 9pm on Thursdays or on his podcast, you're missing something special. But it was the final lines of his bio that made me swell with love for our Louisville Public Radio.<br />
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His bio concludes: <i>"He currently performs his stories on “The Tobolowsky Files” at Slashfilm.com and on iTunes. They are also broadcast weekly on radio in Seattle, <b>Louisville</b>, and Austin. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons."</i><br />
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Right? His brilliant show is only on three stations... and Louisville's WFPL is one of them.<br />
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It's pledge drive month. So October is the perfect month to make Louisville Public Media my Non-Profit of the Month.<br />
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Here's my standard pledge drive spiel:<br />
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<i>It's that time again, Louisvillagers.</i><br />
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<i>Louisville Public Media is gearing up for their fund drive in a couple of weeks. During the past few fund drives, online personalities have repeatedly said, "Give what you can. Give what Louisville Public Media is worth to you." </i><br />
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<i>I've realized I <a href="http://loueyville.blogspot.com/2011/04/show-public-radio-some-love.html">really can't afford to give what WFPL and WFPK are worth to me</a>. They are the only radio stations I listen to. WFPL is the source of all my non-online news (and the source of much of my online news as well through their blog). I live in a very NPR world. I probably should pledge 10 times what I actually do in order to really "pay back" what WFPL and WFPK give to my life.</i><br />
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<i>But I can't.</i><br />
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<i>So I volunteer to answer phones. Give a little human capital to the pledge drive. And it is a ton of fun. </i><br />
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<i>So this fund drive I'm putting a little group of Readers of Loueyville together to volunteer to answer phones at the fund drive. If you're interested in joining us, please drop me an email at Lou (at) Loueyville.com. <b>Our block of time is from 6pm until 9pm on October 16</b>. </i><div>
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<i>If you're reading this blog, you probably listen to one of our public radio stations. So I hope you consider giving back. </i></div>
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<i> If you can't join us, volunteer to answer phones on your own. Email: <a href="mailto:kwilkinson@louisvillepublicmedia.org">kwilkinson@louisvillepublicmedia.org</a> for details. </i></div>
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<i>You can also<a href="https://www.louisvillepublicmedia.org/support/"> pledge in advance</a> . Just click the link or call 502-814-6565.</i></div>
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Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554014121748989811noreply@blogger.com2