Afternoon TV just ain't what it used to be ... (a sign of hope for newspapers)

This blog post is not about people watching less television and reading more newspapers. I'm not THAT naive. Instead, it's about my revelation today that the current mainstream media vs. the Internet paradigm shift seems to have shades of the network vs. cable battles from approximately two decades ago.

I seem to (vaguely) recall the doom and gloom claim among the networks when cable started to grab hold. I remember celebrating when our rural home was finally plugged in. I remember switching over from network mainstays to Nickelodeon and Disney distractions.

And perhaps this kind of behavior IS to blame for the fact that this week's network television schedule is not riddled with the types of programming that beckoned me off the bus during my childhood afterschool hours. Things like: The Smurfs (it's their 50th anniversary this year!), Gummi Bears, Scooby Doo, Thundercats, Animaniacs, Small Wonder (not a cartoon, but close!), Ducktales, Heathcliff, My Little Pony, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Talespin, Inspector Gadget, She-Ra, He-Man, Jem, Voltron, Muppet Babies, Transformers, Darkwing Duck and others. (I even remember someone I knew in high school had a Darkwing Duck TATTOO -- wonder if that's still there ...)

A peek at this coming week's afternoon television on the major networks includes soap operas, the news, talk shows and sit-com re-runs. The closest thing to a cartoon is King of the Hill and The Simpsons at 5 on Fox. Oh, and some Cosby Show re-runs. Seriously. Instead of Brainy Smurf and Strawberry Shortcake, we get Dr. Phil and Tyra.

The public television stations still have their good thing going, but definitely cater to the younger child with items like Arthur, Reading Rainbow and Curious George.

Afternoon programming for kids is still out there, it's just that cable has taken over all facets of afternoon television for the younger set with fare like The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, SpongeBob Square Pants, Total Drama Island, Chowder, etc. They're not that bad. If I were a kid nowadays, it would likely be this set of shows that I talked about on the bus with friends about who got home in time to see what, who got to watch what, which were your favorites, which show's paraphernalia toys did you get for your birthday, etc. So it's there -- you just have to have cable.

Nowadays, it's the doom and gloom among traditional media that the Internet is killing them. I remember when we finally got fed up with dial-up and got a high speed connection. And I know that I've started to read more newspapers online, and watch more TV online, and stream my radio online.

And it's true: The explosion of the Internet is hurting mainstream media, it's pretty obvious right now as more and more newspapers are putting significant percentages of their staffs on the chopping block. But is it the death of mainstream media? I think not.

We are in transition. (And ask any mom who's gone through labor au natural: Transition sucks.) We are still wondering what content is best played where, when, how and by whom? Good question. If we knew the answer, we wouldn't have the questions.

We'll have to wait and see while everything sorts itself out. But traditional media will not die; it will evolve. (Perhaps heavily relying on the very medium that wounded it so very deeply.)

I dare say that when we look back 20 years from now, there will still be television ... there will still be radio ... there will still be print media.

But we will have reason to be nostalgic.

It won't be the same.

And nothing ever is.

VIDEOS: The wayback machine and memories of a firestarter

Time for a little trek in the wayback machine as I celebrate the signs of summer's end and school's start. Time to reminisce about the summer of 1996 when I bought my first concert tickets to something called "The End Fest" ... something that just celebrated its 16th year. Sweet, sweet 16. Anyhow, back to the wayback machine ...

In 1996, EndFest was at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds in Bremerton. I'd gotten tickets for myself and pals, and even bought one for my brother. Acts included: Tracy Bonham, Dishwalla, the Verve Pipe, Goldfinger, No Doubt, Everclear, Prodigy, Beck, Filter, Ice-T, the Posies, 7 Mary 3, Super Deluxe, the Deftones and Gus, among others. I think Radiohead might have even been there ...

In 2008, EndFest is at the White River Amphitheatre with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Modest Mouse, Snow Patrol, Wolfmother, Eagles of Death Metal, Rock Kills Kid, Nine Black Alps, The Subwaysm, The Gossip and others. I did not buy tickets. But this IS the year I bought my first tickets to a major rock concert since college ... but it's not until October 11. (Guess who ...)

In memory of Endfest's 1996 location ...

Move to Bremerton by MxPx


And a shout-out to the yesterday and today of the band I'm about to see live ...

El Scorcho by Weezer (1996)


Automatic by Weezer (2008)


And back to the wayback machine ...

In 1996, I remember seeing No Doubt on the big stage (one of the reasons I snagged tickets), and my YOUNGER brother, who had just graduated high school, was reminiscing about how the previous year or two he had followed them on the small stages of smaller concerts.

In 2008 ... his skater ska girl has gone glam and my wee brother is playing underground music of his own to a cult following who may someday also reminisce about the day they saw him on small stages. And Beck is off the small stage and a Big Name at Bumbershoot.

Just a Girl by No Doubt


Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani


Where It's At by Beck (1996)


Gamma Ray by Beck (2008)


And an oldie by goodie by the bro for good measure ...


And back to the wayback machine ...

In 1996, I remember at the end of the Fest, people began to empty out a bit early before this odd Scottish band hit the main stage. This unknown who'd been flown in was Prodigy. Not many had heard of them yet, but those who stayed enjoyed the show. We got to get up closer ... and I thought the fact that their band was made up of a dancer as well as musicians was pretty cool. And soon many had Prodigy fever, and I'm sure some regretted the fact they left the concert early.

In 2008, Goldfinger has been replaced by Goldfrapp. And the Flobots are the new kids on the block who are stealing the summer, and even played at the Democratic National Convention. Speaking of which, this is also the summer that the NKOTB were out and about again. Scary. I don't regret skipping that concert, though I know several we enjoyed it.

Firestarter by Prodigy (approx 1996)


No Handlebars by Flobots (approx 2008)


And that's all folks ...

In memory of my grandma ... a walk down memory lane

I'm not a native to Tacoma; but I am a near native -- a Tacoma re-plant if you will (within a handful of years it will be half my life's hometown). And this week, the Ruston-born, Stadium grad gritty-legit grandma to whom I credit a large portion of my Tacomaness ... died. And as the hours tick by, I find myself missing her a little deeper. Long-forgotten memories are washing over me like tidal waves. Happy memories that I'm realizing likely formed a foundation for the passion I have for this place I now call home, the place my children can claim as native son and daughters.

Grandma's death on Tuesday unleashed memories that I don't know why were all tied up in bundles in the back of my brain. Maybe there was too much of today occupying my brain space to leave room for the yesterdays we should always cherish.

Grandma, my stubborn, loyal and hard-working grandma, was a waitress for much of the time that I remember. And she seemed to enjoy it, and people seemed to enjoy her. I especially remember the time she spent at Mr. Munchie's, a fabulous homey diner where my brothers and I would sit at the counter and order monster-sized milkshakes as grandma laughed and showed us all off to her coworkers. Later in college, one of my husband's roommates fondly remembered working there with her during his high school days. I remember when she worked at the Narrow's bowling alley, and we'd go there too to see her, grab some grub and occasionally bowl. I thought it was eternally cool that grandma worked in a bowling alley. I believe it during a visit with grandma that I experienced the legendary Pizza & Pipes with the organ of lore, complete with dancing bubbles and way-better-than-Chucky-Cheese entertainment.

And then there's just the nostalgia that has also been escaping my brain cells the past few years. It was grandma's house where I first saw coffee cups hung on those little expanding coffee cup hangers that you hang on your wall (like what are now attached to my own cupboards.) I seem to recall a giant fork and spoon on the wall. Grandma always had the best refrigerator magnets. Awesome Christmas decor. Beaded room dividers. It was in her house (I believe thanks to my uncle) where I first wanted my MTV. (Phil Collins, Talking Heads, etc.)

I'm sure more will come as the days continue.

And, cheers ...

Today I was also overwhelmed by the kindness and caring of the communities in Tacoma. So, to the residents of my grandmother's senior apartment complex who checked on her regularly and reported any worries to local family members, the ones who laughed and cried and gossiped and played bingo with her over the years, who cared about what happened to her this week and will miss her as well. To Latte Linda who let my father and I unload our worries and our sadness on a caring, supporting shoulder -- and who poured a great cup of coffee. To my kind coworkers who've been super supportive whether I'm bawling my eyes out and otherwise freaking out or in a mode of eerie calm and acceptance (it changes by the minute at this point). To the hospice folks who handled everything so lovingly. To the doctors, nurses and others who attended to her. To Pierce Transit for being there for my grandma for decades, and for being the location where my aunt and I ran into each other for another cryfest just hours before we had to say goodbye. To my family, my friends ... and to Tacoma, where apparently it's really hard to go find a place to cry your eyes out all by yourself.

To all of you, thank you.

And to my grandma, thank you for your part in making here my here. I will miss you, but not forget you.

Things are hopping in Tacoma, and near-Tacoma

I am pleased to report that the Presidents of the United States of America are headed to near-T-town, performing live at Pacific Lutheran University's Olson Auditorium this Friday. I'm sad to report that I've used up my fun-without-kids time for a few weeks, so I will be lusting after that concert as I did the David Sedaris appearance at the University of Puget Sound last night -- from afar.

Oh the memories.

While a student at PLU, working for the student paper, we cranked up PUSA songs to get us through a night of no sleep. OK, at times, three nights of no sleep in a row. (By the way, to all my one-time professors, I do apologize for any crossing-eyes, random crying in the back row or otherwise passing out in class. I've since learned that sleep is a very, very good thing.) ... Then there was a Seattle appearance by Bill Clinton, introduced by the Posies and backed by PUSA. ... There was that internship where one of the newbie reporters was running out that day to buy a newly released PUSA album, and I was able to toss him enough money to snag me one, too. In a bad mood? Feeling a little sluggish? A bit bored? The Presidents can snap you out of that funk.

Me thinks I know the next "my day" album I'll be introducing the kiddos to. And me thinks they'll be boogie-ing in no time flat.

So while this Friday might be movie night in the basement for the family, followed by a day of native plant shopping, heading to the Proctor Farmer's Market on foot/bike and trying to hit the safety fair at Foss High School -- I think we'll be cranking up some PUSA music in honor of memories.

I'll honor lessons learned by getting some sleep.

Tell it, Wynton ... tell it to Tacoma

A legendary piece of music is written one note at a time, a gripping novel is written one word at a time, a towering building begins with just one line, and realizing the City of Destiny's potential will also take time.

And thus was the moral I gleaned from jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis' interview on NPR's All Things Considered this evening.

The topic was his new CD, From the Plantation to the Penitentiary; and it was his commentary about what it takes to finish something -- what it MEANS to take lots of little steps to create the bigger picture -- that struck me to the core, personally as well as locally.

I guess it also is fitting that Wynton is one of the few live music acts I've seen ... more than a decade ago ... at the Pantages ... in Tacoma ... back when downtown was still scary. Oh, and back when the closest thing to jazz I was familiar with was, well, I don't even think I knew about jazz hands then. And yet I loved it. And Tacoma.

Back then, Wynton spoke to Tacoma with his music. And he still does ... but at least today, in my ears, his words spoke volumes. Too often do I let the little things overwhelm me ... too often do I let the big picture escape me while I sit paralyzed. I battle the state of mind, and it battles back.

Today, I was no longer alone in that battle.

The people of Tacoma are not alone in that battle.

The fight for the future is one step at a time.

So let's keep steppin'.