Good to Know.

I lamented the death of the age-appropriate temper tantrum long ago. I remember the sheer, unadulterated release of energy from screaming, crying and flailing various limbs until that first yawn. After that there was no possible way to keep up the physicality of the tantrum, nor the wailing. Then, I'd just (usually) drift off to a solid sleep and awake with nary a care the next morning save for puffy eyes and the occasional sore foot or fist from beating the mattress. Then at age 7 or 8, that got inappropriate. And that totally sucked.

Now, it seems my young mind knew more about relieving stress than my adult one. It is actually beneficial to have a tantrum? Yes! Well, not so much with the pounding fists or the face-in-pillow action, but with short bursts of shouting. I'm all about this.

And if you see me in my car with my mouth shouting loud enough to hear outside, but otherwise looking normal and not in danger, please carry on.

On December 11, he was in jeopardy.

Who is Alex Trebek?

Yes, we make fun of him and sure, we've bitched about him but we here at Alex would never hope for a heart attack (mild or otherwise) for anyone. We collectively love our iconic game show hosts.

Our best to Trebek and his family. Not that they'll ever read this, but you know, we still hope he's OK.

a sad day for dallas radio

Zac Crain had it first:

Josh Venable is Out at KDGE
(Exclusive: Must credit me.) Just got off the phone with my friend Josh Venable. He went in for his regular employee review today at the station. When he got there, someone from HR was waiting for him. He immediately knew what they were about to tell him: His position at the station — where he's been since he was 19 years old — was being eliminated. So he's out. No more 10 p.m-2 a.m. shift. No more Adventure Club. I am too close to the situation to comment rationally, but I'll tell you this: They made a mistake. I know it was a business decision, and I know station boss Duane Doherty would have liked to do just about anything else. But still, not good times. --Zac Crain

SHQ, RIP

I hate that some stupid, mindless act of vandalism ended up causing an awesome venue (with great plans on the horizon) to have to shut its doors. I loved every experience I had there. I love and respect the people that run the place and right now I feel for them that their vision has been lost in a senseless act and a subsequent rumor mill. Make Secret Headquarters your MySpace friends so you can be updated should a fundraiser be organized or if the PayPal button is still active.

And if you have any info regarding the vandalism of Secret Headquarters in Denton, please contact them via MySpace or Denton Rock City.

Oh, and Speaking of Game Shows

Dueces, Bob. Dueces.

East Dallas Animal Cruelty

This is despicable, as is any abuse to an animal. Let's hope this little one finds a loving home...and those that try to adopt her but are beaten to punch find other adoptable animals to love.

Below is a release from Operation Kindness. A giant cyber-hug to the awesome Garland couple and pets and lovies to Angel.

$2,500 REWARD OFFERED BY OPERATION KINDNESS IN ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE
Found Dog Had Evidence of Wire Wrapped Around Its Muzzle for 6 Weeks

A $2,500 reward is being offered by Operation Kindness in the apparent animal cruelty case involving a small dog that appears to have had wire wrapped around its muzzle for more than a month.
The 9-pound dog, which has been named Angel, was found Friday, March 23, in the intersection of Belmont and McMillan in East Dallas. She was wearing a plastic “E-collar,” which is normally put on an animal’s head to keep it from pawing an incision or wound.
The dog was rescued by Diane and David Leslie of Garland, who saw her attempting to cross the street. They took her to Operation Kindness, where the deep wounds around her muzzle were noticed.
Operation Kindness immediately took the 3-year-old spaniel-terrier mix to a veterinarian for treatment. According to Dr. Paul Keating of Trinity Pet Hospital in Carrollton, it appeared that wire had been wrapped around the dog’s muzzle for about 6 weeks and had been removed 3 weeks before she was found and taken to Operation Kindness.
“The wounds left by the wire completely encircled Angel’s muzzle and were so deep that her teeth were exposed on the side,” said Jonnie England, executive director of Operation Kindness. “The wire must have allowed her to eat, but each time she moved her jaw, it cut even deeper into her skin.”
Dr. Keating did reconstructive mouth surgery on March 29. “Angel has had some minor complications following the surgery, but is now recovering at Operation Kindness,” said England.
The $2,500 reward being offered by Operation Kindness is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for wrapping the wire around the dog’s muzzle. The case has been reported to Dallas Animal Services and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, and is being investigated as animal cruelty.

Anyone with information should contact Dallas Animal Services at 214-671-0105 or Operation Kindness at 972-418-PAWS (7297), ext. 226.

This is in our 'hood and I hate it.

Oh, and since it's tax season, I'll just add that donations to Operation Kindness are tax-deductible. Woo hoo!

Now, That's Some Grief.

I have never heard of this before. Um, wow.

(Thanks, Sophie, for the link!)

Crain Removed from Ballot

For a campaign with 1,571 MySpace friends, collecting 473 signatures to ensure a spot on the mayoral ballot should have been a cakewalk for Zac Crain and co. But according to this nugget, Crain has been officially removed from the ballot due to lack of valid signatures, leaving 12 candidates to battle it out for the big city seat.

I guess now I have to decide who among the remaining 12 is my new candidate...'cause dammit, I'm still gonna vote.

Oh well, Zac. Next time, man.

EDIT: Andrea has a snazzy post over at Unfair Park with more deets.

So Disturbing

So, over at Unfair Park today, Robert brought my attention to this turd of a Top 200: The Definitive 200.

Yeah, right. Definitive my ass.

First off, David Bowie appears for the first time at number 171?! Are you freaking kidding me? And Velvet Underground? Hello? I could kick Nico in the face, but that doesn't mean the band's music (with or without her) wasn't relevant or important or completely influential. Pixies? Um, K. I'll just stop. That effing Creed ranks above The Clash's London Calling makes me want to cry. Jewel has no business being on there. Nor does Linkin Park or Enya.

In short, there are so many things wrong with this so-called definitive list. But Wilonsky has a much less heated, well-written piece than my tirade so check it.

This Kicks So Much Ass

I love that AP had a Paris Hilton Blackout. I love it so much I'm not even gonna put up a pic.

Toogans, Noah, for this gem. Toogans.