Les Paul's Funeral

As many of you know, I worked for the Waukesha County Museum for over three years, spending much of my time attempting to raise funds and support for an exhibit about Les Paul. It was to be called "The Les Paul Experience: Music, Sound and Innovation." During that three years much of the staff lived, breathed and bled Les Paul. I learned so much about this amazing man, and was so proud that he came from Waukesha. I also made a life long friend in the museum's director, Sue Baker.

Here's me meeting Les at the museum. That's Sue between us.

We raised over $600,000 for the exhibit, but that was a drop in the bucket compared to the budget for the exhibit Les designed. (Yes, the plans were his idea - anyone who thinks they should be changed - ahem, current staff - is nuts.) The exhibit we had planned would be big and beautiful and full of state-of-the-art technology. I left the museum hoping that the work we began would be completed, and that someday Les would walk through a comprehensive exhibit about his life.

Well, he was able to walk through an exhibit, but it wasn't at the Waukesha County Museum. As the board in Waukesha continued to focus on their own egos and incredible small-mindedness, Discovery World Museum in Milwaukee walked right in and did their own Les Paul exhibit, with Les's blessing. I've seen the exhibit, and it's nice, although not nearly on the scale we had planned. I was pleased that the person who strolled with Les through the "House of Sound," as it is called, was Sue Baker, who had become a close friend of his. It was she who he relied on to be his eyes and ears in Waukesha, and it was she who helped plan his final resting place here.

When Sue called and invited me to attend Les Paul's private, family funeral, I got chills and almost cried. To say that being there was an honor and a privilege is an understatement. The service was under a tent at Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha. It was a cool, rainy day, kind of perfect for a sad event. Security was tight, keeping the fans a hundred feet or so from the tent but not out of the cemetery all together.

Les's grandson Gary spoke for the family, telling stories and reminding us all that Les was somebody's dad, somebody's grandpa, somebody's great-grandpa - not just the genius, musician and inventor the public knew. One of the stories he told was that when his son was about 5 or 6 he brought him to see Les play at the Iridium jazz club in Manhattan. Gary's son stood on a chair and called out "Hi Grandpa!" in the middle of the set, so Les stopped and introduced them to the audience. Then he said to the boy, "Do you want to play guitar when you grow up?" and the boy said "No, I want to play the drums." Les said "Well, I better get going inventing the Les Paul drum set!"

There were many personal stories, and many tributes. One of the most poignant things, though, was the military honor. I had forgotten that Les served in World War II. Members of the military were stationed on either side of his coffin, and along the back of the front of the tent. An American flag was draped over his casket and then folded and presented to his son, Rusty. Then from a lone trumpet, somewhere off in the cemetery, came the mournful notes of "Taps." There wasn't a dry eye in the place.

After the service we all went to the Club 400, a small tavern in Waukesha that Les's brother used to own. His mother lived in the flat upstairs for a while. Also, this was the first place that Les played with Mary Ford. (Before that she had sung with him, but this was the first place where she played bass guitar with him.) The man who owns Club 400 said that he is going to take down the sports memorabilia upstairs and replace it with Les Paul and Mary Ford pictures and items. By the way, one thing that many reports of his death included was when he "met Mary Ford." For the record, Les never "met" Mary Ford - he met Colleen Summers. He MADE Mary Ford. Picked the name out of the phone book right before their debut. He thought it sounded good and would be easy for people to remember.

The Club had been closed (and cleaned!) for the event, and the menu included the two foods that, when pressed by Sue, Les said were his favorites: grilled cheese and lemon meringue pie.

Here is a picture (blurry - I am a terrible photographer) of Les's son Rusty with Sue at the Club 400:

I gave Rusty a big hug and thanked him for sharing his dad with us.

If you want to get inspiration from Les Paul, you can visit "Les Paul's House of Sound" at Discovery World Museum in Milwaukee, or soon you will be able to visit his grave site at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha, where Les will be laid to rest in a serene, park-like setting. At his request, his mother's grave is being moved so she will be next to him. One of the things Sue said when she spoke at the funeral was that his mother was his biggest fan and supporter and that Les was finally coming home to her, permanently.

Finally, I want to share the words of WKLH radio personality Steve Palec, who emceed the event: "I can't imagine a world without music, and I can't imagine music without Les Paul. We love you, Les."

Brett Favre is Dead to Me

So it's official -- Brett Favre is the biggest douchebag in the history of the Green Bay Packers. Yes, even over Tony Mandarich. If you live under a rock, you may have avoided the news that Favre signed with the hated Minnesota Vikings today. The Journal Sentinel has extensive coverage online, including several photos of Favre in his Viking helmet at practice today. I want to slap that smirk right off his douchey face.

Brett Favre will go down in history as the biggest back-stabbing fan-hater in the NFL. After 15 years of adoration by the greatest fans in football, Favre "retired" and COULD have happily lived on in the hearts of present and future Packer fans. We would have retired his number and had a parade and probably erected a gold statue at Lambeau Field. I admit I bought several "collectible" magazines and the special edition of Sports Illustrated documenting his outstanding career. But did he go softly into that good night? No. He had to keep his face in the media constantly with teasers about wanting to return to the Packers. Or not. Or yes. Or no. Or play somewhere else. Or not. Or maybe.

It was bad enough that he played for the Jets - not very well, I might add. But the Vikings? Really? Jesus, Brett, do you hate us that much? What, we didn't kiss your ass ENOUGH for 15 years? Well fuck you and the private jet you rode in on. I am done defending you. You are dead to me. Long live Aaron Rodgers, the classy, humble, talented anti-Favre.

Put a target on Favre's purple and gold back. Drinks to celebrate the first sack of the season are on me.

Finally, a Moisturizer I Like

Let's take a little break from politics and talk skin care. For what seems like forever I have been looking for a daily/nightly moisturizer that doesn't feel greasy, doesn't clog my pores and create pimples, and improves my skin's appearance. Well, I finally found one I like!

L'oreal FUTUR-e is moisturizer with SPF15 protection and vitamin E. It is very light, non-greasy and absorbs into your skin very quickly. The pump is convenient and gives out exactly the right amount so there's no waste. I have been using it every night and every morning for about a month and I can see and feel a difference in my skin. I haven't had the blemishes I usually have, even during "that time of the month." I didn't have a bad wrinkle problem, but the little ones I have definitely look better. L'oreal FUTUR-e is $12.49 at Walgreen's. I am quite pleased!

The L'oreal FUTUR-e is perfect under the mineral powder foundation that I have been using for about six months now and love as well. Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation ($13.99 at Walgreen's) is a light foundation and powder in one product. It is quick and easy to apply with a sponge and lasts all day and evening. It's especially nice in the summer, when you don't want a goopy, heavy foundation and the loose powder that clumps when you sweat.

What's your favorite skin care product?

Bill O'Reilly must have finally seen the light

Believe it or not, this wonderful piece on President Obama was written by none other than Bill O'Reilly. Yes, THAT Bill O'Reilly. He hasn't denied it yet, at least. It will be in this weekend's Parade Magazine.

What President Obama Can Teach America's Kids

These are tough times for American children for a couple of reasons. The rise of the machines means that kids can now be exposed to material on computers or cell phones that is far beyond their emotional IQ. While high-tech can be a tremendous educational tool, explicit images and conversation easily found in cyberspace can rob children of their innocence and, in some cases, put them in actual danger. Even if parents are vigilant in monitoring the machines, kids can still get the bad stuff at school and on the playgrounds, as computer access is just about everywhere.

The disruption of the traditional American family is also adversely affecting millions of children. Right now, almost 22 million American kids are living with one parent; more than 80% of those are being raised primarily by Mom.

Just 50 years ago, a child living without a father was somewhat of a rarity. Now it’s an epidemic. Thus, our modern age presents vast challenges to children, and they need to learn lessons quickly in order to prosper. And who better to teach them than the President of the United States?

As has been widely chronicled, Barack Obama had a tough childhood filled with instability and loneliness. However, that did not stop him from rising to become the most powerful man in the world. His breathtaking achievement presents five important lessons for all children.

Lesson One: Forgiveness President Obama was just 2 when his father abandoned him and his mother in Hawaii. Four years later, his mother took her little son to Indonesia after she remarried. However, the home was somewhat chaotic as they tried to adjust to their new surroundings. So when Barry, as he was called, turned 10, he was sent back to Hawaii to live with his grandparents while his mother stayed abroad. That kind of situation could ruin a child. But President Obama betrays no bitterness. In his books and speeches, he speaks lovingly of his mom. He admits she was somewhat “reckless” but also says he felt he was “the center of her universe.” As for his absent father, the President says the void he left motivated him to succeed. So, it is obvious that he is not wallowing in past pain. He does not harbor bitterness toward his parents. Instead, he accepted his situation and saw it as a challenge. He forgave his folks and embraced a positive outlook.

Lesson Two: Respect Even though his mom and dad apparently put their needs ahead of his, he speaks of them in mostly affectionate terms. He finds a way not to demean them. Patricia Saunders, a clinical psychologist who works with children in New York City, says: “ Barack Obama dealt with his family situation by understanding it. He put his own ego aside and made a decision to act respectfully toward his folks. That maturity has served him very well throughout his life.”

Lesson Three: Persistence Barack Obama had few advantages as a child but decided to fight the good fight. That is, he got up when he was knocked down. For example, in 2000, he lost his run for Congress in Illinois. He could have given up and gone into the private sector where high-salaried jobs awaited him. But he preferred public service. So, just four years later, he ran again, this time winning a U.S. Senate seat. Psychologist Ruth Peters, who counsels children in Clearwater, Fla., believes that all the hard knocks Obama took in his young life prepared him for both defeat and victory. “Some people shrink when they are faced with adversity,” she told me. “Others seem to gain momentum and are challenged when they fail. The President did not use his difficulties as an excuse to quit. He used them as motivators to persevere.” But determination must be coupled with a very specific discipline in order to succeed in life. And that is the fourth lesson from the President.

Lesson Four: Hard Work A child does not go from taking English lessons in Indonesia to editing the Harvard Law Review without doing some tough work. The President earned his present job by performing in school and, later, in his various jobs. He was smart enough to lay a foundation for success. Early on as a kid, he understood the big picture. “Barack Obama loves his work,” Saunders says. “And this is a great example for children. They must understand that work is very important and will ultimately define their lives.”

Lesson Five—perhaps the greatest lesson the President can teach children: In America, anything is possible This is something of a cliché, but never has it been more vividly illustrated. Barack Obama, a youngster in Hawaii without his parents around, has toughed it out and become one of history’s great stories, no matter what happens going forward. What he has achieved in his 48 years is simply astounding.

Consider the odds. The United States is a nation of more than 300 million citizens. Only one person is currently the Commander in Chief. That man had no fatherly guidance, is of mixed race, and had no family connections to guide him into the world of national politics.

That adds up to one simple truth that every American child should be told: “If Barack Obama can become the President of the United States, then whatever dream you may have can happen in your life.” It all depends on lessons learned.

Distracted by...The Constitution

I was reading some more insane rantings about the supposed qualifications of the Presidency (I don't know why I do this to myself) and I see there is now a new thread developing. Not only is President Obama supposedly not eligible because he wasn't born here, but now "people" (is it correct to call non-sentient beings people?) are saying that even "if" he was born in Hawaii, he's still not a "natural born citizen" because his parents weren't both born here. Yes, somehow it's gotten around that the U.S. Constitution says that both your parents have to be citizens in order for you to be the President. Here's the rant that set me off:

"He is not eligible because he was not born of TWO PARENTS BOTH OF WHOM WERE UNITED STATES CITIZENS AT THE TIME OF HIS BIRTH as required by the Constitution."

Uh, those words appear no where in the Constitution. Here is what it says, and ALL it says, about eligibility:

"No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."

You can look for yourself at www.archives.gov if you want. Notice that the writers do not define "natural born" in any way, and that there is no mention whatsoever of parentage. I hope I do not need to explain that at the time the Constitution was written there were few 35 year-old men whose parents would have been born in the U.S., if any, a fact that would remain true for many years. Herbert Hoover's parents weren't born here, and he was president in the 1930s. Someone responded to the above rant with this true statement:

"LOL!!! Hey genius, there have been SEVEN Presidents with only one parent who was born an American Citizen.Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, Chester A. Arthur, Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover, Barack Obama. You are beyond a fool, and all of you 'birthers' are completely insane."

I fail to understand why people insist on quoting or paraphrasing a document that they clearly have not read, even though it is readily available online. (It just occurred to me that this is true of both the Constitution AND Obama's birth certificate!)

Okay, that's enough of this nonsense. I have facts to digest for my history class.