We’re Back!!

Thanks to our loyal Olberblogging readers and commenters for holding down the fort while I enjoyed my relatives’ visit last week. We were so busy, I only glanced at my IPhone for updates and did not turn on the good ol’ Mac PowerBook for days!! A good time was had by all.

I plan to restart our regular Countdown and Keith highlights with tomorrow’s broadcast.

Now to some unfinished business…

Poll Results

Our recent poll asked what type of programming or whom you would like to see in the MSNBC 10 pm (ET) prime time slot. Here’s the results:

1. 1. Dan Patrick (live sports talk and interviews)  =  25%
   2. International News Hours = 17% (tie)
   3. News with Black or Hispanic host = 17% (tie)
   4. Luke Russert with a youth-oriented program 13% (tie)
   5. Other  (see below) = 13% (tie)
   6. Keep Countdown replay = 8%
   7. Sam Seder = 8%
   8. David Sirota = none
   9. Chris Buckley and liberal co-host = none

In the “Other” category, voters responded with progressive radio comedian Stephanie Miller (who just heated up cyberspace by suggesting Rush Limbaugh be executed for treason) and blogger Alan E. Moses.  I say, let’s not.

Although cable news started the 24/7 news cycle, many hours go by when cable news channels do not broadcast any up-to-the-minute news. That includes MSNBC, CNN, FOX and, worst of all in my opinion, Headline News created for just such a purpose. We have repeats not only of Countdown, but Nancy Grace, Larry King, Showbiz Tonight, and other non-hard news programs. Cable news abdicated the 24/7 news authority to the Web.

That’s why I feel pleased to see that voters favored international news and news with a minority focus as their second and third poll choices. While I’d love to see Dan Patrick come to MSNBC with a regular sports news program, I’d love to see an hour of topical international news or national news from a fresh angle. I now subscribe to the New York Times on my Kindle, and I cannot believe how much more international information I receive than on any broadcast (or local print) source. In these difficult times, more not less news reporting and analysis (from fresh perspectives) remain vital. That’s why Countdown and The Rachel Maddow Show became successful. I hope MSNBC (and other cable news networks) listen!

We’re A Hit!

I really do not know what blog “hit” numbers may be considered “good” in cyberspace, but I’m proud to announce that OlberBlogging hit the big 15,000 cumulative hits while I was away. We usually generate about 150 to 300 hits in an average week. We started our blog very late in November, so I’m glad we have gained some regular readership. 

Our most viewed day with 605 hits was on January 6 during the height of our OlberBlogging “Favorite Countdown Pundits Poll” (thanks Craig Crawford and Chris Cillizza for all the helpful publicity) followed by 531 hits on February 20 for the controversial chimpanzee cartoon. Interestingly, many of those visiting OlberBlogging came by way of searching for information about the treatment of poor Travis the chimpanzee who was killed during an attack. As someone who knows a few chimpanzees personally, I’m happy that they found us while researching great ape welfare issues (as well as Obama welfare issues).

So thank you readers, commenters, lurkers and contributers for making OlberBlogging successful. Nice to know that the electrons reach interested folks in the Cyberverse.

Sorry

Sorry OlberBlogging (?) and Countdown fans, no blog post today.

I just ran out of time!  

Samantha will be reporting on tonight’s (Friday) broadcast which will be posted by Saturday afternoon.  I’ll try to add a short review of Thursday’s show with it.

And I’ll announce now that because relatives (in laws!!) will be visiting next week, OlberBlogging must take a vacation from Sunday, March 1 through Sunday, March 8.  

OlberBlogging will return to daily postings on Monday, March 9 following Countdown.

I will post any late breaking KO news, however. And check in during that week as I’ll post at least one OlberBlogging ”Inquiring Minds Question” for discussion. 

Thanks for understanding.  Tune in tomorrow afternoon for Samantha’s Countdown review.

The busy OlberBlogger (who really is busy not just playing around with her new Kindle gadget or surfing Twitter — well, okay, a little of that, too!).

Best Person in the World

Sorry, KO and readers, no OlberBlogging today.

 

My beloved 12-year-old canine soul mate Kayla is in surgery for a lump in her head. I’m just not in the frame of mind to focus on writing up last night’s Countdown.

Judith Marie will take up duties tonight so we’ll have highlights sometime on Thursday — I hope.

Those with dogs and other pets understand.  But Kayla is very special. She truly is the Best Person in the World. For nearly 10 years she has worked with children who were sexually abused or in very at-risk situations. Our animal-assisted therapy program (PetShare) for sexually abused children gained national attention — Kayla and I spoke at several national conferences and universities. 

 

Kayla during one of many TV interviews

 

Kayla knows just what to do to help children talk about their trauma, I don’t have to cue her in any way. Kayla also helped 60 young evacuees of Katrina, our “Katrina Kids,” talk about their fears and make them feel at home here in the Houston area. She still visits a very at-risk school where students come and discuss their problems (and often refer friends as well). 

 

Kayla (left) with assistant work with "Katrina Kids"

 

She hosts “Kayla’s Club” at schools where she teaches children from neglected homes her most important message: 

 

 

In the Buddhist tradition she truly is a bodhisattva, or a Buddha in the making (in fact two Buddhist llamas told me that).

So, let’s send out good thoughts for Kayla. She definitely is love  incarnate.

Countdown Schedule-Update

According to TV Newser, KO has tonight and tomorrow off. David Shuster will be filling in for him on Countdown while Savannah Guthrie will be subbing for David at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Who’s subbing for Guthrie at the real 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue wasn’t mentioned.

Looks like KO heads North for the rest of the winter. And he deserves a few days off. Maybe he’ll finally get to unwrap his OlberBlogging birthday gift that’s waiting patiently on his desk for more than a week. Stay warm, Big Guy.

OlberBlogging won’t cover Countdown until KO’s return, but we also may fill in with other interesting tidbits during the recess.

Safe travels! Watch that approach over the Hudson!

Good News: OlberBlogging’s own “Favorite Countdown Pundit” Craig Crawford will appear on Countdown tonight (Tuesday). KO will miss his chance to offer congratulations for such a wonderful honor!!

In Memory – Update

 

Message from the President on NASA’s Day of Remembrance, Jan. 29, 2009

 

“The arrival of a new year reminds us that life is a journey, one that takes us on many unexpected paths. NASA’s role is to pioneer journeys into the unknown for the benefit of humanity. Along the way, we sometimes experience tragedy instead of triumph.

Today, we pause to reflect on those moments in exploration when things did not go as expected and we lost brave pioneers. But what sets us apart as Americans is our willingness to get up again and push the frontiers even further with an even stronger commitment and sense of purpose.

On this Day of Remembrance, we remember the sacrifices of those who dared to dream and gave everything for the cause of exploration. We honor them with our ongoing commitment to excellence and an unwavering determination to continue the journey on the path to the future.

                                                                                        President Barack Obama”

 

 

Apollo 1:

January 27, 1967

Ed White

Gus Grissom

Roger Chaffee

 

Challenger 51L:

January 28, 1986

Christa McAuliffe (teacher in space)

Greg Jarvis

Judy Resnik

Commander Dick Scobee

Ron McNair

Pilot Mike Smith

El Onizuka

 

 

Columbia: STS-107

February 1, 2003

Mike Anderson

Kalpana Chawla

Commander Rick Husband

Laurel Clark

David Brown

Pilot Willie McCool

 

Today NASA Johnson Space Center holds its annual memorial services for the seventeen astronauts who died in the line of duty. May we remember and may they rest in peace.

Breaking News: OlberBlogging Calls It First

In our December 11, 2008, post “Hairballs, Haircuts and Helmets”  the #3 Countdown highlight reviewed problems between NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and Obama transition staffers.  That post discussed background of the Obama NASA transition team as well as named our favorite prospect for Obama’s NASA Administrator:

Also, my choice for the new NASA Administrator:  Major General Charles Bolden, who once was considered for a similar post but had to withdraw due to Congressional complaints about losing a general post-Sept. 11. Bolden is a former astronaut who is widely respected both in and outside the agency. BTW, he is African-American.

Well, folks, MSNBC/NBC space correspondent Jay Barbree this afternoon broke this news story: 

Ex-astronaut emerges as NASA prospect

Obama team said to consider African-American, retired Marine

Yep, Major General Charles Bolden is under consideration for NASA Administrator!! And OlberBlogging proposed that appointment publicly first!!!

I feel the old reporter’s blood pulsing through my veins as I write this!  Yipee!

Miss Precious Perfect

Again, I must apologize.  The OlberBlogging posts for Monday (Dec 15) and Tuesday (Dec. 16) Countdowns will be delayed for a day or so.

While I was writing the post of last night’s broadcast, I heard crying downstairs. Our own Miss Precious Perfect, our 14-year-old gray kitty, an ol’ scaredy cat who hides all the time even from me, was in the middle of the living room floor unable to move. I rushed her to the vet, but the prognosis isn’t good.

For those of you who do not share your abode with pets, or who don’t see animals as individual beings, perhaps you will not understand such sadness. But as one who spent $2,000 in attempts to heal an ill guinea pig (including complicated eye surgery), who had her 20-year-old cat die suddenly in arms last year (I lived longer with that cat than with any human being, includingmy  parents) and whose soul mate, an elderly 12-year-old Sheltie who works with at-risk kids, ages daily before my eyes, such a potential loss cuts deep.

So, please be patient.  I will post the two missing Countdown highlights as well as a complete listing of the 25 most corrupt criminals as soon as I can. But my cat, named Min after Henry D. Thoreau’s cat, comes first in my heart and imagination. 

Please talk among yourselves about Countdown, your own “Miss Precious Perfect”, or the silliness of humans whose lives connect so closely with other sentient beings.

The Olberblogger

Min (aka "Boodles")

 

When Snow Falls and Pigs Fly

December 10, 2008 broadcast

by Olberblogger

 

Yes, I planned my daily OlberBlogging of Countdown highlights, but due to circumstances beyond our control (that grand old broadcast programmer’s excuse), forces of nature schemed against your OlberBlogger.

Instead, we countdown the five reasons why you won’t read highlights about Wednesday night’s Countdown:

 

#5: Multi-tasking during Countdown is foolhardy.

The night was freezing. The chili took an hour to simmer, so I decided to multi-task by making chili during commercial breaks so we could eat after Countdown (8 p.m. CST). Then the dogs demanded they be fed early as well. I cannot hear Countdown well from the kitchen especially when the dogs are whining. By the time I got to the TV, Keith already started on his fifth story.

 

#4: Snow falls in Houston, Texas 

Houstonians rarely see snowfall. Some children grow up never making snow angels, knowing the frosty taste of flakes on their tongue, or needing boots rather than flip-flops. Houstonians last experienced snow came in 2004, interestingly in a year in which another hurricane made a direct hit on the city. 

Throughout the town, denizens ambled outside, heads raised to heaven, arms outstretched and tongues hanging  to catch a few flakes. Cars immediately skidded into each other since no one knows how to drive in wet weather let alone icy conditions, especially with no snow tires on all the pick-ups.

My dogs whined again to get out — not to see the snow but make it yellow. The shock came when their foot pads touched the white stuff. Giddily, I threw a few snowballs to Barlet, my Malinois, and he looked so astonished when they smashed into nothing on the ground. He caught one, immediately dropped it and stared with that “humans are crazy” look dogs often make.

 

#3: The chili boiled over

The amazing falling flakes not only distracted me from my notes about Countdown, but also from the chili on the stove. Soon the bubbling chili also cascaded onto the floor, another wondrous event for my dogs that night.

 

#2: The parrot ate my homework

While I was cleaning up, my parrot flew away from his cage, landed on my chair and chewed up my Countdown notes. True!  

 

#1: Pigs fly!!

I locked Bodhi back in his cage, but now what was I suppose to do? I guess I’d have to have dinner then attempt to catch the Countdown rerun at 9 p.m.CST. That’s when Bartlet decided to chase around with his toy, shake it and then fling at my head. It was a pink squeaky pig.

 Snow in Houston and a freaking flying pig.

So, at that point, I figured all were acts of God (or some other force of nature not to be trifled with) advising me to give it up for the night. 

Thus I apologize for the lack of a proper Countdown review. Instead, I will post some related “best” photos for your amusement.

 

Best of the “Worsts”:

Bartlet is not sure why white “furry” things fall from the sky

 Snow still covered our roofs well into early afternoon today!

 

Best of the Bests:

The Space Shuttle Endeavour, atop its 747 carrier, flew over the NASA Johnson Space Center today enroute from Edwards Air Force Base to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  Here’s how it looked from our backyard (a block from JSC). Photo taken with my trusty IPhone!

Let’s see — falling snow, flying squeaky pigs, and flying space shuttles on a 747!  Things get a bit weird around here!

 

Best Fashion Statement:

My 12-year-old Sheltie Kayla

Kayla, a registered therapy dog, “hosts” a weekly Kayla’s Club for at-risk students at a a very low-income elementary school. The kids come to “discuss” their problems with her and as I’m fluent in “canine” language, I translate for her. The students enjoy dressing Kayla up. They found a doll’s hat and put it on her. Kayla enjoyed the attention. I think she makes a great fashion statement — and a statement about we need to care for each other — especially the beasts and the children.

And here’s a story you won’t hear — but should — on Countdown (or any other news outlet):

Many of these kids are homeless. Some are bouncing from hotel to hotel in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Many others now live in cars with their families due to caregivers’ job loss. Many come to school in cold weather (even snowy days) dressed in shorts and T-shirts, the only clothes they own. The teachers take up collections to provided needed outfits as well as holiday gifts. Once when several students from the same apartment complex mentioned that they sleep on the floor, the teachers pitched in to buy them all beds, until they discovered the kids did have beds, but slept on the floor for safety reasons — so any stray bullets from drive-by or gang shootings that penetrate their bedroom walls won’t hit them.  Public schools in the USA! In the twenty-first century!

Sorry again for the lack of Countdown review. But I hope you enjoyed a peek in an atypical day in the life of your friendly Olberblogger!  

I’ll try to do better next time — unless snow falls, pigs fly or a parrot eats my homework!

MaET = T+2041

OlberBlogging Week In Review

December 7, 2008

by OlberBlogger

Thank you!

OlberBlogging completed our first week live. We are surprised and humbled by the results.

As of today, we’ve had just shy of 1200 hits in the first week, with 58 comments (okay, a few were mine). Yesterday, marked our biggest readership day with 161 views. Already today, 73 folks checked in even though we posted no updates.

My other handiwork, The Winking Buddha Blog (shameless plug) only reached the 1000 hit mark after three months (and seems to take a back seat to OlberBlogging lately)

We’ve fulfilled a major purpose of OlberBlogging, which had less to do with Mr. Olbermann and more to do with reuniting cyber-friends from the late Either Relevant or True blog. We’re glad to get back in touch. Plus, we’ve added many new friends, including Anneli from Norway who found Countdown via the MSNBC podcasts. Glad that electrons about KO, Countdown, Rachel Maddow (and even OlberBlogging) buzz worldwide.

Originally, we planned not to follow the customary Countdown recap format; however, the newscast does lend itself to that style. Instead, we’ve tried to mix Countdown highlights with what we hope is witty commentary (aka snarks) for a bit of difference. The photo clips receive good reviews as well.

We made a few mistakes. Never correct Mr. Olbermann on anything to do with writing — he’s always correct!  Also, my recent cataract surgery does not make distinguishing brown from dark-stripe suits easier.

Thanks to all, too, for your patience as we tweak the layout. WordPress thoughtfully upgraded its interface this week — which required us to learn to use its system twice. We appreciate your feedback on our look, style, contents and other thoughts about OlberBlogging.

We (why am I using first person plural?) plan to make additional changes as we go along. Several former ERT contributors offered to provide entries, and since OlberBlogging almost becomes a full-time job, we gladly accept. Guest contributions probably will start as soon as we complete the format tweaks.

Again, thank you so much for your support, interest, readership, ideas and most of all friendship.

Fondly,

Olberblogger-Bodhiness-Houstonian

(Ah! That’s why we’re using first person plural!!)

 

P.S.

Due to my late Monday class and early volunteer duty at school, the OlberBlogging highlights of tonight’s broadcast will be posted middle afternoon CST.