Archive for 'The Salty Ham'

getting a big head

June 27, 2008 by the.muse, under Entertaining the Masses, Leg-Slappin' Fun, The Salty Ham.

So, my friend Shope saw this the other day going down the interstate through Birmingham. While it's not her picture, she did find it, and I just had to share it, because it's hilarious.

 

Because, seriously, what the crap do you do if you're traveling and you wake up to this? Do you wonder if the person you're traveling with has just taken you to Oz or Wonderland? Or that you're still dreaming? This is just insanely weird. And as we were all talking about it, we couldn't figure out what or why, or how. There were so many questions, we felt that our brain would fry.

But, the biggest question is this: why on earth would anyone allow a giant head of themselves to be created? If this were me, someone would SOOOOO be fired.

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you’re not joking?

June 26, 2008 by the.muse, under Leg-Slappin' Fun, Sweet Home Alabama, The Salty Ham.

So, lately the buzz (and snickering) around Birmingham has been about Mayor Larry Langford's proposal to the City Council to present the City of Birmingham as a site for the 2020 Olympic Games. No, seriously… he really did. And this is exactly why we're all still laughing.

Apparently, he believes that since he's pushing for the dome stadium (that we are still unsure will be built… and why, too), and for an olympic-size pool (for what reason, might I ask?), Langford believes that we would be a perfect place. Besides, we held the soccer events for the 1996 Atlanta Games, so that makes us ready, right? I mean, since our air traffic is about to be possibly severely reduced, it makes complete sense… Annoyed

What I love is that, according to Musings on Birmingham, Langford prefaced the proposal with: “This is not a game or a joke." Again, seriously??? If you have to say that, shouldn't you reconsider it altogether? If you know they're gonna laugh and giggle, you should know it's a bad idea. I mean, this is SO out in left field, it's not even funny.

Yes, Birmingham needs some good positive PR and something good for the economy, but having to put millions (probably billions) of dollars into building for the Olympic games when the city is already in debt in so many areas is SUCH a bad idea. And, if people are already upset with Beijing's pollution problem, I can't imagine what they will think about Birmingham's smog and ill-consideration for a greener city.

However, maybe I'm skeptical, because there are some like Musings and Andre over at the Terminal who think that a push like this could be good for Birmingham. I suppose it could be a good thing for Birmingham… I've just seen things continually flop that we thought were good ideas. See: Birmingham Fire, Birmingham Stallions, Birmingham Bulls, Alabama Slammers… and that's just the professional sports realm. The only things that work here in the state are college sports and racing. I could go on, but I don't have the time or the desire to be negative. I want to see Birmingham get out of its rut. I'm just not sure that the Olympics are the way to go.

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transportation & birmingham

June 25, 2008 by the.muse, under The Salty Ham.

Well, things in Birmingham obviously aren't getting any better, as noted in several sources lately. Lately, Men's Health and the Boston Globe wrote a story on the greenest and the less green cities in the country. Birmingham, in a list of 100, made 96, and scored a big, fat "F." I'd say that is pretty consistent with the city, considering that most people don't attempt to carpool, use public transportation, and refuse to do anything but commute alone. Plus, God forbid you get behind a bus in the city, or your car will be filled with black exhaust when they hit the acceleration pedal. 

Because Birmingham is such a commuter city, and gas prices are so high, you rarely see things that happened this morning. A local radio station's morning host from 960 WERC, opted to ride her horse to work. While backing up traffic, she also decided to pick up her breakfast through Arby's drive-thru. You can check out pictures of the exciting parade through the streets of Birmingham here.

Seeing how "The Magic City" also loves its cars, it's also no surprise that the airport is also under risk of further suspensions and reductions in air service. Of course, that's not so great for people who live here. Not only will flights cost even more now, it will mean that every flight will continue to require connections in other city… most likely Atlanta: the city that Birmingham loves to hate. But, as the old adage says, "If I die and go to hell, I'll have to layover in Atlanta." It's so true, and it seems it will only remain so for as long as I will live, and generations beyond.

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internets round-up: 08.13.07

August 14, 2007 by the.muse, under Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal, The Salty Ham.

After a burdensome and rough re-entry to graduate school, I’ve decided on a quick little vacation to visit some friends and ‘family’ that have been dear to me through the years. I won’t be completely vacationing… I’ll be doing research for my thesis, but hey… that’s just a day job.

Before I head out, there were a few things that were pretty stinkin’ eventful this week… And to lead off with the greatest story:

Enjoy, and bon voyage… minus the boat, add a car and many miles. Cheap, cheap vacation.

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under the radar

August 7, 2007 by the.muse, under The Salty Ham.

In case you don’t keep up with Birmingham’s rendezvous with the stars (well, unless you were in Birmingham, I doubt you would), Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey dropped into Alabama the Beautiful on July 24, 2007. He had 2 stops on his trip: Barber Motorsports Park, where he would race; and Children’s Hospital, where he showed up as a wish for Addison Sewell, as part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Dr. McDreamy flew under the scope of most news sources, and most Alabamians never knew he was in town until after the fact.

If you’re a fan, stay tuned for an orange bracelet that Dempsey has promised to wear in the next season. It states ‘Stay Strong,’ and was a gift to Addison and all of her friends.

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at long last

August 6, 2007 by the.muse, under Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal, The Salty Ham.

The scrunched version of a summer semester has almost come to a close. I’ve got about 3 days left of it, and I’ll call it complete. Then, school starts back on August 22. I’m bound and determined to get my Master’s done in a year. My program director advises to take my time… but, I’m not a 23-year-old who just finished a B.A. and doesn’t know what to do with life. I’ve got plans, goals, a life to catch up to those who’ve already moved on. Yeah, yeah, it’s my life. But, I’m tired of not having what I want. So, I work harder. I’m impatient. So, sue me.

It’s been forever it seems since I’ve mentioned anything worthwhile, or anything at all. I’ve been buried under books and papers for the past 2 weeks trying to make what I’ve researched come out clearly, succinctly, and still manage to fill 12-15 pages for my grad class. I think it worked… we’ll see. You can check it out if you’re up for a read about an attempt to desegregate the monumental Birmingham Terminal Station that once stood above Fifth Avenue North. It’s a doozie, and it just might not make as much sense as I had hoped, since I was barely running on adrenaline.

I also got to see my cousin in the Army who was home on pass this weekend. Wow, they grow up fast. He’s about 8 years younger than me and it seems like he’s already accomplished the world as an expert marksman and a second class ranking. I just hate that they don’t get news while they’re at boot camp. Seems a little crazy. They had no idea that the Minnesota bridge had collapsed, or that Bush and Cheney had surgeries 2 weekends apart. But, my little cuz cleans up well. I hope he’ll manage the last 4 weeks of basic and graduate, then head on to Airborne Ranger School. That is, of course, if he doesn’t take the offer of honor guard at Arlington, which has been dangled. We’ll see what he does…
Other than that, there are a couple of interesting stories floating around on the ‘internets.’ Take a gander if you’d like:

That’ll do, Pig, that’ll do.

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the institution

July 26, 2007 by the.muse, under Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal, The Salty Ham, Voices of the Past.

I’m not sure how it fell off my radar, but the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is going to be an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. This means that Birmingham could have some great things happening before too long, getting the BCRI on the national radar… or moreso than it is now.

If you’ve never been to visit, it is worth the trip. I’ve never seen such a collection of materials. It’s one of the greatest civil rights history museums, if not THE greatest. I could be partial, though, since my historical fields focus on civil rights, and I have been a volunteer there…

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everybody wants to rule the world

July 15, 2007 by the.muse, under The Salty Ham, Voices of the Past.

It’s amazing to look at the history of Birmingham. The city has its unique qualities, a large dose of Southern charm, and beautiful architecture in old neighborhoods and the business district. However, there is an historical trait that remains in Birmingham, since its founding days in the 1870s: corporate power.

While corporate power is a fad all over the United States these days, it has a unique spin on the city of Birmingham. Since its beginning, the interests of the city have been in the hands of corporate cronies who deal out the money and power. Take for example its original city limits… here is a map of Birmingham in 1885 (the steel factories were excluded from the city limits):

You see, the boundaries on the east and west side of the city are drawn around TCI and Sloss Furnaces. It’s not an small incident, either… They were drawn around the furnaces as a tax shelter to keep the money flowing into the city. TCI, which eventually became U.S. Steel, and Sloss Furnaces were Birmingham’s largest money makers until the Great Depression.

After the Great Depression hit Birmingham, and it was drastically affected, the city leaders decided that other industries should be established in Birmingham in case of another break in industry that would cause such poverty and despair. They began to invest in electricity (Alabama Power), banking (First National Bank, which eventually became AmSouth/Regions), and insurance (Alabama Farmers Alliance or ALFA). These outlets produced massive profits for the city and are still powerful decision makers today. While steel is still produced in Birmingham – after all, it is the Pittsburgh of the South – it is not as thriving of an industry with the introduction of technology in engineering, or in short speak, the absence of manual labor.

Not only does industry have a deciding vote in what does or doesn’t happen in Birmingham, that power is extended to the architecture of the city. In the name of industry and business, numerous historical neighborhoods have been erased from existence with the introduction of interstates, need for space in the old district to encourage growth in the city, and the desire for bigger and better things. Of course, I plan to share more on each of these, but currently, dearest to my heart and interest is the old Birmingham Terminal Station.

The glorious station, established in 1909, was the central hub of Birmingham activity. In fact, the combination of track laid in the city allowed Birmingham to even become a large city. Railroads determined the existence of Birmingham, and the Terminal Station was where social and business interests were met. The building was extravagantly designed by a Southern architect and held stake to many celebrities’ entrances and departures.


But, because of an interest to build a U.S. Highway, which eventually became a desire to build a government building, the Terminal Station was demolished in the interest of business in 1969. Many people blame the city government for its destruction. Thousands of letters were written to the city’s mayor, George Siebels, to save the station for museum interests (especially to house the latest history in Birmingham: the civil rights movement). However, the station wasn’t owned by the city of Birmingham, but by the Birmingham Terminal Company, a subsidiary of the Southern Railways. Because of the decline of the railway industry in the late 1950s and the demand of roadways and automobiles following World War II, Southern Railways didn’t see the need to keep Birmingham as a central city. So, it decided to close the station and have it removed to allow Birmingham to buy the land and develop a government agency.

And, sadly to say, to this day, nothing has since been built above the Fifth Avenue viaduct.

Thanks to B’ham Wiki for the image of the Birmingham Terminal Station in 1909.

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observation tower

July 8, 2007 by the.muse, under Ins-and-Outs, The Salty Ham.

Having lived outside of the South (even if it is a short time), it’s amazing to be back and have a reminder of what used to be.

There are always the old men who gather and talk about nothing… in my case today, it’s at the local barbecue joint (that has wi-fi, since it’s not connected at the new apartment yet) and they’re jabbering on about the latest episode of ‘The Biggest Loser’ and what girls look good and don’t. Of course, they’ve already dropped by to look at ‘the little bitty snazzy computer thing’ and to make conversation about it.

Moving into my apartment earlier in the week (to avoid the torrential downpour that was so desperately needed in the drought), so many people said hi or smiled as I was walking in. One guy even invited me to drop by and visit next week with him and his wife. I’m definitely not used to this kind of interpersonal communication. It’s a bit of a change from Washington, D.C.

I’m not complaining… it’s nice, but I feel like I’m rude if I don’t always say hello or introduce myself. It’s a southern custom. And, it’s not adjustable.

I will say that I’m starting to feel a little more settled. But, of course, that could be because I have room to spread out now. It’s nice to have your own space and quiet hours to yourself as opposed to co-habitating with the parentals until I found a place. It was only a few weeks, but everyone’s schedule wasn’t always flexible, and it was difficult at times. But, I enjoyed the food and catching up with the folks.

For now, I’m slowly adapting. It’s taken a month to get to a point where I feel like I actually know my way around again. I still can’t remember what is here, and often find myself thinking I can just call up Manny & Olga’s, just walk up the street to downtown Silver Spring, or catch the metro to head downtown. But, those options aren’t available. Well, right now they aren’t. Hopefully they will be soon.

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point taken

June 29, 2007 by the.muse, under Ins-and-Outs, Leg-Slappin' Fun, Political Slants, Sharing Our Nation's Cap-i-tal, Sweet Home Alabama, The Salty Ham.

It seems like this week was big for news. However, the news that was covered wasn’t of any great importance. Or, it shouldn’t be…

There are several questions that are in my mind… and I believe they are all relevant.

  • Seriously?? Who checks the plates of the Wienermobile? Don’t you think that even the employees required to drive that thing don’t want to drive it? I mean, it’s the Wienermobile.
  • People, come on… it’s Paris Hilton. Boohoo, she suffered. I don’t think she did enough time in my personal opinion. And I think it’s crazy all of the media time that is spent on her release, when we’ve got a wacko VP in the White House hiding God knows what, and a war across the world that we’re paying out the noses for so many deaths. Paris Hilton is not that big of a deal.
  • Finally, they’re getting sentenced. And I actually do believe Siegelman’s claim that he was part of a Rove plot to eliminate Democratic control. But, hopefully when it goes to appeals, Scrushy will still get more time. That man is the devil in a nice suit.
  • When is anyone going to listen to Al Gore??? He’s a pretty smart fellow. It’s global warming, folks… we’ve done it to ourselves. God is probably laughing at us right now since we’ve not taken care of the planet. The U.S. is one of the worst at cutting corners to save a buck without care to the environment.

OK, enough whining and complaining.

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