The Voices in Frank's Head

I hate my sinuses. I really do. And lately, as the weather is starting to change, I'm starting to think that they hate me, too.

This week has been insane - bouncing back and forth between Detroit and Lansing for work; plus taking care of dozen different details for Detroit Synergy. This past Thursday was Preservation Wayne's Honor Awards. I was one of the nominees in the Lucy Hamilton Education Honor Award (for my documentary on the Book-Cadillac Hotel ). I didnt' win, but it was still a very cool evening. I'll post more photos and pics later. For now, here's a quick pic of me with gang from Friends of the Belle Isle Aquarium.

Yes, I'm in love. Or at least severly infatuated. Melissa Theuriau is a French television reporter and arguably one of the most beautiful women I've even seen in my life. I'm sure there is some way in which she is less than perfect. I just can't seem to figure it out. Oh, wait - I got it - she lives a couple thousand miles away from me. *sigh* Please excuse me while I run off to my local bookstore for some French language books.

Quick Note: As of yesterday evening, I am now the public relations co-chair for Detroit Synergy . The three year old organization is obviously on hard times when they're willing to let someone like me grab a portion of the helm.

Bob Denver, who played Gilligan 0n Gilligan's Island , passed away today at the age of 70 after suffering from cancer. Where ever you are, Bob, here's hoping your know how much joy you brought into the lives of everyone. Your show was cancelled by a myoptic television network in 1967, but it found an unending life in the era of re-runs and syndication. Your jokes are still funny and you still bring joy to my life everytime I catch a moment of your show.

Okay - it really seems like former First Lady Barbara Bush is trying to be the Marie Antoinette of the 21st Century. When she was reacting to the plight of those who lost everything in New Orleans, and were now being relocated to Houston, Texas, she said, "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she chuckles slightly) is working very well for them." Excuse me?!? They have just lost everything they own and have generally been through hell. No matter how hospitable the good people of Houston are, there is really no way that it could ever work out well for them; I don't care how underprivileged they were. Truly dispicable. http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001054719

This is the tail end of an interview with Aaron Broussard, President of Jefferson Parish in Louisianna. It is one of the most heart-breaking things I have ever seen or heard in my life. http://www.michaelmoore.com/_images/splash/aaron_broussard2.mov (requires a Quick Time player).

I just found the "Shoot bin Laden" game on-line. It is oh-so-very-tacky and yet oh-so-very-funny. http://www.danstoys.com/mod.htm My high score is 5,800.

As I scroll through the news this evening, I learn that William Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, has passed away after his battle with cancer. He was 80 years old and had lived a remarkable life. I was always impressed by the fact that, even after he was diagnosed and had reached a point in his life where no one would possibly fault him for retiring, he hung in there and continued serving on the Court. There can be no doubt that with two vacancies on the Court, there will be a considerable amount of commotion in the U.S. Senate as everyone wrangles over who should fill his shoes. Whoever the President nominates, and however the Senate responds, this person will have some impressive shoes to fill.

Michael Moore published an open letter to President George W. Bush on his web site. I think it's absolutely hysterical in its tone and terrifying in its accuracy. Vacation is Over... an open letter from Michael Moore to George W. Bush Friday, September 2nd, 2005 Dear Mr. Bush: Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina and thousands remain stranded in New Orleans and need to be airlifted. Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you need help finding them? I once lost my car in a Sears parking lot. Man, was that a drag. Also, any idea where all our national guard soldiers are? We could really use them right now for the type of thing they signed up to do like helping with national disasters. How come they weren't there to begin with? Last Thursday I was in south Florida and sat outside while the eye of Hurricane Katrina passed over my head. It was only a Category 1 then but it was pretty nasty. Eleven people...

Okay - so last night I'm enjoying a comfortable evening at the Toy Chest . There's a cold Sam Adams in my hand. The Lions are on TV and they're winning. And a half dozen or so women are around me gyrating in nothing more than a g-string. You would have to pretty much think that my life simply couldn't get much better at that point. Ordinarily, I'd have to agree. But then it happened. The commerical that I worked on for the Michigan Credit Union League came on TV. It was the one with a distinguished looking gentleman, walking through his local credit union as he talks about how great it is in comparision to a traditional bank. I found myself pointing towards the television and exclaiming, "Hey! I worked on that commericial." The dancer who was closest to me just looked at me and smiled. Somehow, I doubt she heard what I said over the music and noise. She just smiled and then started twirling around on the pole. For a few moments, though, all of the young...

I saw this and it just blew me away. It's a video blog from New Orleans: http://current.tv/blog/items/401941.htm

As I watch coverage of the almost never-ending misery in New Orleans, my keeps wondering back to the Big Easy and nearby Mississippi. I think about my trip to New Orleans in 1995. I remember my flight down there being diverted through Houston because of a hurricane. I also remember driving along the highway in Louisiana, seeing signs along the side of the road marked "Hurricane Evacuation Route." I think about Stacey Breaux who, even though we never met face-to-face, was kind enough to design my production company's web site. There's a note on her site that it will be back soon with new images. That note was put up before the hurricane hit. I hope the site, and more importantly her, are indeed back soon. I realize that it's odd to think about someone and their web site interchangeably. Almost cold and callous, I admit. I suppose it's what happens when you mostly know someone from email. Life in the 21st century, I suppose. I also think about a guy I ...