Hop On— Hop off — episode 2
EPISODE 2 (1/30/23)
WELCOME to WEEK 2 OF HOP ON/ HOP OFF
Below is a review of “stuff” that passed though my world this week. Hopefully, you find interest. If nothing else, there is a whole-heck-of-a-lot of variety.
1- THE HOMELESS IN PHILADELPHIA
The week was not all that crazy or interesting
I had three days off from work ; something that never happens, but, Kristy and I had planned to volunteer to assist a project in Philadelphia supporting, or at least managing the homeless situation.
The folks at PIT did not get back to us after I filled out an on lin info form ( that i know of) and looking at myself, I did not search for more information past the application. That said …. I had taken the time off , so , I took advantage of the opportunity to catch up, unsuccessfully, on many an open loop.
For a second, back to the homeless situation in Philly …. the reason we looked to assist was connected to a trip to and from Philadelphia to see a show some weeks ago. As it occurred, on the way home, we saw, a few different souls sleeping “on the pavement”. And when I say “on the pavement, I mean … 13th and Walnut on the corner in the middle of the sidewalk. No blankets … no nothing. On the way home, back to Vine street, we saw a few more folks. AND … it was COLD !!!! Real COLD. And oddly, the situation was the same.
The Homeless have always been a concern to say the least, but this just seemed odd. Well, I took a look on line and the most recent numbers showed that the homeless in shelters in Philly are down 14% in 2022 but the number of homeless “on the street” is up about 10%.
Hmmmm … well …. I am sure there is much to this but we wanted to help regardless. We do travel to Philly for sports and theater, and I grew up maybe 10 miles from City Hall. Indeed, I may have spent 25+ years in North Jersey, 15 years in Allentown, and the past 5 years out here in the Harrisburg area but … deep down, and for all time, I do love Philadelphia.
Hopefully, we have the chance to offer support down the road
2 ) Schedules , Calendars and More
If you are at all like me in regards to the day, the week and the month, and trying to keep some sense of organization, this article could come in handy … well, it could be even more than you need; but … I thought I would pass it along.
Some of the better tricks …. and there are more listed than I could keep up with …
- Scheduling appointments: If you use a work or school Google Calendar account, you can use its built-in scheduling tool to let people book office hour appointments or other meetings by picking times you mark as available. Here’s Google’s explanation of how to do that.
- Get Your Daily Agenda by email — go to settings for my calendars > Other notifications. Choose daily agenda.
If you’re an Apple devotee, Fantastical works on Mac, iPad, iPhone & Apple Watch. It understands events entered in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, & Japanese. Unlike most other premium calendar tools it syncs with Apple’s Reminders, and has a good free version.
If you like help planning out your day Sunsama includes a helpful workflow for prioritizing your time
Hope this helps whether you are organizing a rehearsal or a week of golf appointments :-)
3) Sesame Street — So COOL
When children are exposed to traumatic events within their own neighborhoods, communities, or across the world, you can help them feel safer and more secure…and build hope for a more peaceful, kinder future.
I wonder sometimes how parents respond to “killings”, “riots”, discussions regarding the abortion, or January 6th. Here above, and if you spend a little time looking at the many options, I think there are some pretty cool resources to offer assistance.
Reflecting, I really do not recall ANY discussions inside my home about the trials and tribulations of the day. I WAS a big newspaper reader ( I would sit on the front step waiting for the afternoon Philadelphia Bulletin) but still … it is hard to remember much conversation in the 60's.
The race riots in Newark in 1964 were 70 miles from my house? I do not recall any discussion of such … at all. I would have been 13. I remember watching the murders of Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King … but I do not recall any discussions or anything. I think, the idea back then was to kep reality away from kids?
I built my own views on abortion, capital punishment, Vietnam, women’s liberation and civil rights. One exception, I remember my dad suggesting I take it easy on my anti-war rhetoric. I looked at him … he rarely seemed to steer me one way or the other. “George”, he said. “What do I do for a living”? “You work for Boeing designing air systems for helicopters”. I said. “Right. Chinooks. The helicopters that head for Vietnam” he responded. “And how are you paying your tuition to college”, he asked. “Well”, I squirmed … “You are”, I responded. “Right. So … take it easy. You can believe what you want but … can you back down the protests at the dinner table?” I agreed.
But that is about what I remember. In fact, when I walked into classes at La Salle College in 1974, it was like the world opened in front of me. Social issues, different peoples, alcohol, sex … and all of that was before the class work. My eyes were opened to religious differences, sexual preferences, different interpretations. I started to read about social issues, books I was suggested to read …. and on … and on.
Sooooooooo … if you have younger kids, or any kids, you might want to take a look … it is pretty amazing what the folks at Sesame Street have done. Why wait?
4) Get in Front? Clam up? What is the right way to go when you are in trouble ?
You may have followed the reporting around a “tragic accident” when a production member of the team of the western based movie, ‘RUST’, was shot and killed by Baldwin, using a gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks.
After months, Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
What I found interesting was the article slant discussing, comments Mr. Baldwin made in the aftermath of the shooting. He appeared on some podcasts, he did interviews, he didn't really take responsibility or show personal remorse and now, it is suggested that all of this perhaps, led to the charges. In short .. he ticked off the prosecutors.
Why I am sure I was attracted to the article, is that I have been counseled, and I now believe it to be true, that … when dealing with online and even media criticisms and threats … get out in front. Be sure that your story, and yes, hopefully the real story, finds the light of day, before, the papers, podcasts, and Medium articles take over the conversation. Indeed, waiting appears to put folks back “on their heels”.
In this case, as an amateur observer, it would appear that Baldwin was a bit too prolific. Using his access to get out and say more and more, perhaps without perceived concern for the person killed in this mishap, actually hurt his case and maybe even encouraged the prosecutors, and district attorney’s office to act.
No right answer??
I guess what I can hope is that all turns out as best possible for all involved.
5) How can Siblings be so different?
I have two brothers and a sister. We were part of the catholic birth control plan of the 50’s and 60’s … there are about 18 months between each of us … sometimes a little more.
And yet … it has always been clear that I was an odd duck when it came to the family.
- I was the sports guy . I played baseball , I took my dad to ballgames; I can name all of the players on the 1964 Phillies today. My sibling were not so inclined
- I was a jazz and pop enthusiast ( and drum corps). Particularly my brothers had a huge love for rock and roll … the more metal the better
- I was all about school and classes. I would stay up for hours to make sure I was ready for tests and I would make my dad stay up with me to ask questions or type my papers. I was clearly the more studious of the four
- I would stay in my room alone for hours reading and playing games (at the time)that could be played alone ( APBA baseball) ( if you are old enough) ( I was the loner of the group)
- I left home when I went to college and never really returned. I had a deal for years with girlfriends … IF … we went to my parent’s for dinner or a holiday, we could only stay for one overnight; otherwise, there was going to be a conflict. And the older I became, the more intense was the schism.
ANYWAY … not that I compare myself to the PRINCES … but , as their story unfolds, it is an interesting discussion. Why are they so different?
- Order of Birth?
- Intellect
- Other influences
Lots to think about. I enjoyed the article. I hope you do also.
6) San Francisco and Shaming for Wearing Wet-Suits
This is quick … just crazy how people can be shamed for wearing a wetsuit. Hell … that water on the West Coast is COLD !!!!! How is this even a thing?
7- THIS GUY … YES … the Congressman
Stunning that he got away with all of this … so many lies. So … so … so …. MANY!
And now … Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., who has been under pressure to resign his seat almost as soon as he won it for lying about his resume during the campaign, began settling into his new life as a congressman by delivering a few short floor speeches last week.If you want to catch up with all that he has altered … this may be worth a read. And now … I see that McCarthy is putting him on committees .
8 — HAPPY LIFE
Because I read a good bit in the world of Self- Improvement … this ended up in my inbox. I am offering for anyone interested.
9) Doomsday
I remember reading about this yeas and years ago. I was worried. Now .. well .. we are as closer to the edge than we have ever been … but … somehow, we live, and I live, like will will just keep on going. Not sure that is wise as when you really think about Korea, Russia, the split in the US, Israel and the Palastians, Iraq, Iran …. we can go on. It is scarey !
Here is a good review … of what is happening out in the world/
10) The Circus ….
I am just quoting “ the Atlantic”. I could not say what needs to be said any better ….
“Now controlled by its most unhinged members, the Republican Party has returned to power in the People’s House. Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the ringmaster of this circus, is happily paying off his debts by engaging in petty payback, conjuring up inane committees, threatening to crash the U.S. economy, and protecting a walking monument to fraud named George Santos, who may or may not actually be named “George Santos.”
In the enduring words of Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends.”
For those looking for details ….
11) JUST A DJ …
but a show that clearly is spectacular for a generation or three.
I put out a post about this as an independent article in “The Cadets, Drum Corps, and Marching Music Through the Eyes of George Hopkins”, but I thought I might post here for those who may have missed it
To be sure, I had never heard of Illenium. Yes, I knew about “DJ shows” but not with the lighting and associated effects here, and NO , I did not realize the audience these kind of events could draw.
The cash involved here is astounding but so is the audience.
Why I am interested ? It points to the future of independent marching music. Why ?? well … there needs to be a decision made. Are the top groups about entertainment or youth development?
I know … the answer is both.
But … no it is not. A marching group with the firepower of the Blue Devils, Blue Coats or Carolina Crown have a responsibility, and, I would say a MISSION, to entertain the crap out of people. It is not enough to play runs, or run fast or toss it high. Everyone does that!!!!!! You want to WOW people. You need to be the best of the best.
The breakdown of an elite class of corps, called the “G7” for discussion purposes, some years ago, has precipitated the collapse of tier 2 in drum corps. The Blue Knights, the Cadets, Crossmen, Mandarins .. etc … CANNOT keep up … and they WILL NOT keep up. And they should not try to keep up. They have such different levels of talent, money and experience that the actual process , outcome, and goals will be completely different.
But how about a look at this article I am writing … for later — the WAY TOO EARLY top 12 of Drum Corps International in 2023
#1 — The Blue Devils — — shocker huh.
#2 — The Bluecoats
#3 — Boston Crusaders
#4 — Carolina Crown
#5 — Cavaliers
#6 — Phantom
#7 — Blue Stars
and more to come. My point …. there is a separation that will not go away … and there is a shrinkage regarding the number of units … and that will continue.
Until … the game is changed. Until … the rules are changed. Until the structure is changed. Do not be fooled. The fiscal collapse of the Santa Clara Vanguard was clearly the result of poor management. BUT … the fact that it is even possible to spend so much money, to the point of not being to operate not one, but two corps, speaks volumes of the games being played.
So … Back to the Original VIDEO !!!!
Do take a look. It is astounding. And as you can see, these young people are very, very entertained.
12) Colin Kaepernick
I always admired Kaepernick although I was frustrated by his insistence in standing for his cause, even at the loss of his career. But … he did stand for his principles.
As it has turned out … he did OK and he is doing ok … and the NFL is better off I believe for his protests
Enjoy the release regarding his representation by one of the top Artist Agencies in the World
The former NFL quarterback holds the all-time NFL record for most rushing yards in a game by a QB. In 2016, he took a knee during “The Star Spangled Banner” to bring attention to systemic oppressions against Black and Brown people, and since then, has founded and helped to fund three organizations: Know Your Rights Camp, Ra Vision Media, and Kaepernick Publishing, which advance the liberation of Black and Brown people through storytelling, systems change, and political education.
Kaepernick sits on Medium’s Board of Directors, and has garnered numerous honors, including Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award; Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Honor; GQ Magazine’s “Citizen of the Year;” the NFL’s Len Eshmont Award; Sports Illustrated’s Muhammad Ali Legacy Award; ACLU’s Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award; and the Puffin/Nation Institute’s Prize for Creative Citizenship.
In 2019, Kaepernick helped Nike win an Emmy Award for its “Dream Crazy” commercial.
In 2021, he and Ava DuVernay released Colin in Black & White, a six-episode limited series on Netflix exploring his high school years. It won two NAACP Image Awards.
In 2022, Kaepernick became a New York Times bestselling author for his acclaimed children’s picture book I Color Myself Different.
He continues to be represented by Ben Meiselas at Geragos & Geragos.
13) SO wait …. all those people who thought they were sneaking fireballs and there was NO whiskey?
14) And Finally — the EAGLES AND THE SUPER BOWL
Well … it was a great game although a little messy. The day was a bit messy as we were in a grill/sports bar that was not piping in the sound at a level where you could hear what was going on. BUT … that said .. Philly is headed to the Super Bowl. Time to gear up for the big game.
GREASE THOSE POLES — Yes Philly fans like to climb light poles after a Super Bowl Win !!
That is all for this week. Feel free to like, to subscribe or drop me a line. Messages can be sent through Facebook messenger or any other avenue you would like
Thanks for following and keeping up with a little of this and a little of that
GJH
