Monday, November 10, 2008

Is This Really the Way to Attract Tourists and New Business?

in this issue
Flags
Stranger then Fiction
Columbus News
Yoga
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I'll jump off this bandwagon for the time being but my final thoughts.

I'm not an overly patriotic person, albeit a little more now then I have been the last eight years, but I do love Columbus and it saddens me that no one wants to take responsibility for the flags. Also, if I did not hear that the flags were coming down soon to put up Christmas Lights (all LED) I would be a LOT louder in my concerns.

Is this really what we want tourists that visit Columbus to see when they visit to see where where Public Enemies was filmed?


Is this the best way to show those Modal "A" drivers that drove all the way from Crowne Point a few weeks ago now Columbus honors America?

Do you think Edward Jones Investments or any new business that is looking at Columbus senses that we really don't care WHAT our streets look like?

Would veterans feel pride when they walked down the streets of Columbus?

It's disrespectful and embarrassing.

I guarantee I will not let this happen next year. I will not use my indoor voice as I am now to get this fixed.
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We watched a very very good movie this weekend. "Stranger Then Fiction" starring Will Farrell, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman and Christian Stolte as the kids father AND Jon Nicholson.

Jon Nicholson you ask? Just wait - he has had an impact in my life. But first the movie.

"Stranger Then Fiction" in a nutshell - Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) is an auditor for the IRS who is awakened alone each morning by his watch. He is a compulsive counter and an obsessive time-saver. One day, Harold begins to hear the voice of a woman who is omnisciently narrating his life. Harold attempts to communicate with the voice, but soon realizes the speaker does not know that he can hear her. He is only frustrated until one day the narrator of his life says "Little did he know that events were set in motion that would lead to his imminent demise".

I like Will Farrell but I rarely like his movies as they are over the top slap sticky. I liken this movie to "LA Story" with Steve Martin. When I first saw this diamond in the rough movie it was the first time I saw Martin actually act! Same with this movie. Farrell is a wonderful actor and I really appreciated his talents and I hope I see more of this side.

And to top it all off, DJ was awake for the entire movie. We even watched all the extras at the end (the sign of a REALLY good movie).

And this is where I saw Jon Nicholson.

You see Jon Nicholson is an "on set dresser". I watched him in Columbus and Oshkosh tirelessly walking around for 16 hours a day nailing and sawing and taping things that would pop up, pop out or come apart. He was the guy I mentioned in my blog where I wanted to follow him and other production people around so I could take photos of these unsung hero's.

Of course when I mentioned this on IMDB, Hearnotthere (who has deleted all of his posts) called me a few names and I became a fanboy. And it went down hill from there.

I was not interested in taking shots of actors, I was interested in telling the story of the behind the scenes people. And Saturday night while we were watching the "extras", up pops Jon Nicholson. "I KNOW HIM" I blurt out and we backed up the DVD. That's him.

Anyway - nice to see you again Mr. Nicholson. I hope all is well.

This gets Grinders Seal of Approval




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Congratulations to the Columbus Boys Soccer team for becoming State Champions - WHOO HOO!
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As for election results in Columbus. Columbus voted 59.6% Obama, 38.6 McCain and 1.7% for somebody else (perhaps me?).

The big vote was in the Wisconsin legislature Assemble district 38 where Dick Pas received 82.6% of the votes in Columbus but still lost.

Fall River was 60.4% Obama 37.1% McCain and 2.3% somebody else.
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Sharrow Drug made a donation of $400 to the Columbus Club House (not sure what that is) from it's Hallmark Card and Gift Stamp Card program. I mention this because they were dissed when they wanted to be included in the PBS Columbus show. So I they need some airplay. IF you have never been to Sharrow, they are way more then a drug store, lots of cool classy gifts.

There is a new store in Columbus. Earth N' Elements Pottery, right next to the Anchor Bank (where you can get a free Calendar with a photo of mine in it. I'm Mr March). I'll have some photos of the place at some point.
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YOGA from India


Yoga fromWisconsin

And finally - I'm living on borrowed time today. My cholesterol meds (I need more GOOD cholesterol, I have very little BAD cholesterol) ran out and the paper today says "Statins lower the risk of heart attacks". Well - I have not taken any statins for 2 days!! I'm taking large quantities of Fish Oil hoping I make it the day!

Rod

20 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting those pics Rod.
    The first one took me by surprise, it made me cry... (I was ready for the rest)

    I'm going back now to read the rest of your blog...

    OH! I logged on just now cuz I was thinking of you! I was jsut watching Rigis with Morimoto making sushi! It was HILARIOUS! and then it hit me, Regis is Rod in a few years!!! O M G ! ! !

    The resemblance is uncanny! (same impish smile!) LOLOLOL

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  2. PS: I've been drying barley adn malt all night long! Still an hour or two before it's dry enoughto grind I'd guess. It smells awesome though!

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  3. WHAT????

    Regis is Rod in a few years!!! O M G ! ! !

    OH MY GOD!!! THIS CAN'T BE TRUE!!!

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  4. Doesn't Columbus have some sort of street crew that takes care of things like this?

    I remember when I lived in Menomonie, they had flower baskets hanging from their lampposts downtown and there were people who would come around and water them everyday.

    Then in the winter we would have lighted wreaths and they would go around every couple days and make sure the lights still worked.

    Why put up decorations if you don't take care of them.

    Those flags are disgusting! They'd be better of leaving the lampposts bare.

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  5. I loved that movie!!!!!!
    (also the first time I liked a WF movie)

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  6. hopefully someone will post a clip soon! (so you can see for yourself Rod!) ROFLMAO!!!!!!!

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  7. Love the yoga pics! LOL
    I want to see the resemblance too!!!

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  8. HnT deleted all his imdb posts? Awwww. Who's following him now?

    I always thought his preoccupation with, and inability to distinguish between, the many types of fans vs. murder-minded stalkers was... interesting. Funny he's mentioned today; he's one of the folks that came to mind when I wrote my blog this morning.

    I guess my hope to see some of those '70s-era signs in downtown Columbus updated (or at least cleaned) for visitors doesn't stand a chance if the easier yet infinitely more important things remain neglected.

    Let's not excite Rod today! No surprises, no loud noises! Wear an overstuffed parka at all times, dj!

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  9. As we travel around WI and see the well kept up downtowns it's always so depressing to return to Columbus. There was so much talk about improving the downtown but nothing ever happens. What I hate is how in the winter they do a really crappy job of plowing. It's hard to shop downtown when you can't get in or out of a parking spot.

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  10. Great Blog!!!

    Listen Up Columbus!!!

    There are Flag issue's!!!!!

    Those flags are really sad!!!
    I hope they get them down Fast!!
    And if they are going to put some up next year!! Better have a plan to take care of them!


    Shakes~ I think you are on to something!! With the Rod , Regis look alike thing in a few years!LOL!!

    Haven't seen that movie,but sounds pretty good.

    Well everyone stay warm today.It sure is a chilly one.

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  11. Rod,

    I could not agree more about the flags downtown. They are a complete and absolute disgrace. How much can 50 flags cost? And if we cannot afford flags at least take these down. We might as well hang feed sacks on broom sticks out there. Who would know the difference. The complete apathy and lack of desire for something better downtown is disgusting. Whether it is city government, business owners, civic organizations, or just regular citizens people that care seem few and far between. If it's not flags, it's weeds, trash, beer bottles, potholes, disgraceful public parking areas, and buildings falling into disrepair. I am working to bring new business people downtown, they take one look around and wonder what the hell is going on here. Where is the pride or the leadership to change things? Why would any business move here? There is garbage in the alleys that has been sitting all summer. The weeds in the alleys are 4 feet tall. The parking lots are so full of potholes and trash that there is no appeal to stop here to shop. Everyone passes the buck.

    I will work with you to fix this problem if your interested.

    Todd Frey

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  12. BRILLIANT - Feed Sacks On Broom Sticks Days.

    YOU Sir - are the answer man! I can see people coming from miles around. Let's take this one step further.

    BACON on Broom Stick Days.

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  13. I almost forgot to comment on the Yoga from India
    &
    Yoga from Wisconsin

    Is that you and Left Hand Louie?

    Just kidding!!!LOL!!!

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  14. That's what I am talking about! NOT BORING. You are out of your slump. Even if you had not mentioned PE at all, this days topics were enough to hold a person's interest. Sweet!

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  15. OMG! Rod does look like Regis Philbin!

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  16. I think the American Legion or the Sons of American Legion is talking about doing something about flags. I'll ask my husband and see if they can get on this NOW.

    Your yoga pics crack me up!

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  17. Is This Really the Way to Attract Tourists and New Business?......


    ___________________
    Julie
    "BEST PRICE for the BEST ENTERTAINMENT"

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