1,100 more nails in Dayton's coffin

It was announced Friday that 1,100 GM workers in Dayton will lose their jobs just in time for Christmas. Just two days ago, Bush quietly signed a spending bill that included a $25 billion auto industry subsidy, supposedly to help the development of fuel-efficient vehicles. For what seems like decades, progressives have been pushing to raise mileage and emission standards, but US automakers resisted, claiming it would drive them out of business (a position stalwartly supported by oil companies). Meanwhile, these same auto makers have done quite well selling high-mileage cars elsewhere around the world. But evidently they couldn't convert the Dayton plant to produce anything but "light trucks" so it'll just be shuttered. Maybe if we're lucky, someone like Honda or Kia will buy the place, but that's not very likely, as I'm sure GM has been starving the maintenance of the place. It's probably also so contaminated that it would cost millions and millions just to tear it down, so it will just sit there, another ghost in the ghost town.

Ups and downs

UP: The seminar I went to the other night was pretty interesting and informative, and borderline inspirational. It is encouraging to hear true tales of people paying real money for photographs. A friend claims the people who run these seminars make their money off photographers, not photography. I would dispute that to contend they make money on BOTH ends.

down: Have far too much on my plate, and am too easily distracted. It did help to have a gun to my head for a while there, but I'm not sure that's the answer.

UP: The shoots last weekend went great, and everyone even showed up!

UP: While the plan is to keep September almost free of shoots, there was one I couldn't pass up, and I'm looking forward to working with her again.

down: My September roadtrip isn't going to happen. Maybe October, maybe spring.

down: It seems I was a topic of conversation yet again. When Oscar Wilde said "There's only one thing worse than being talked about, and that's NOT being talked about" -- he was full of shit.

UP: Someone called to clear the air.

down: All those who DON'T call to clear the air, and steer clear instead.

UP: I've been invited to be a part of another art show the weekend of the 13th, which is always gratifying.

down: Still don't have pieces ready to hang, and while I could show stuff I've had around for a while, I'd really really rather not. Just don't know how I'll get them done in time.

UP: A model friend may come out of retirement for a shoot with me soon.

down: Then again, she may not.

UP: No cavities.

down: Dentist wants me to use special prescription toothpaste that costs $13 a tube. Oh, and get serious about flossing.

UP: The more we learn about Sarah Palin, the crazier and more corrupt her record and background appear to be.

down: The right wingers and middle america seem to think she's for real, figuring since they'd like to "have a beer with her" that somehow qualifies her to be vp or even president. She's teflon, too -- despite mountains of evidence and allegations and bad policy decisions, nothing sticks to her -- not even the same "inexperience" accusations the right is making against Obama.

UP: Tomorrow's Friday... and less than 2 months until election day.

down: it's 90 degrees out, and they were setting up Halloween displays at Walgreens today.

UP: Big ups to Miss Viv in an NYC elevator, probably on the security camera, too.

Slide

Reading Black Postcards by Dean Wareham, singer/songwriter/guitarist for the bands Galaxie 500 and Luna. He's just about 1 month younger than me, so it's interesting to read his memoir of growing up when I did, and the music scene as he recalls it. He even includes his memory of lying on his stomach in his living room, listening to the radio on headphones and singing along, which I vividly remember doing myself. When I was young, WING was the Top 40 station, and the ONLY radio station in the world, as far as I was concerned. At one point I recall wondering if all these bands weren't hanging around the WING studios and performing the songs live, one after the other, which is how it looked on TV shows. Didn't occur to me at that moment that they were playing records.

I'd just aimlessly picked up the book at the library, but have found it fascinating reading, so if you're of that certain age and music scene, I'd suggest picking it up yourself. It's also prompted me to revisit my Galaxie 500 and Luna records, and I've had part of the song "Slide" in my head for a couple weeks now... enjoy.

But you know, hidden thoughts
Poison life, poison life.
But you know, hidden feelings
You steal from yourself.
-- Luna "Slide"