Rue the darkness

Date Tila Tequila? Sure. Privatize CUC? No--it will just further convolute its shameful trail of corruption.

So, what's the answer to the CNMI's power woes? Well, here's one idea, and, quite possibly, the only idea that can work--read all about it in Rue the Darkness.

You'll notice my call to action at the end of the column. You can, as always, contact me here.

Correction: In today's column, I mentioned an article I wrote "in 1988 or so." I meant to say "in 1998 or so," thus making an error of, ahem, an entire decade. One scary thing about middle age is that the decades really do start to run together. Yikes!

This week's news

"He lived in a steamy, dilapidated trailer by a swamp. Roaches swarmed all over the place. He sat, shirtless, in the collapsed remnants of a cheap reclining armchair..."

Today's column is continued here.

1-2-3-4-R

Today I share highlights of this year's tropical travels. Most of the places I saw were racing ahead economically. Meanwhile, Saipan remains stuck in "reverse." It's a heck of a contrast.

How to negotiate!

Book stores are brimming with books on how to be a sharp negotiator. Here's my take on the gig in today's Saipan Tribune.

Emergency electrons

Don't let Saipan's blackouts thwart your work routine. Notebook computer users can use inverters to convert their car's electricity to usable tech juice. Here's my latest look at the gig. This follows an earlier piece I did on March 2 last year.

The secret's out now: Blackouts are no excuse for missing a work deadline. You might want to hide this column from your boss.

WWII and a jazz singer too

A WWII vet sent me an interesting video (At the Interface: The WWII Recollections of Donald M. Showers) that I review in today's Saipan Tribune.

The producer's web page is shoestringprod.org/interface.

We also take a glance at Miss Emily Anne, an up-and-coming jazz singer who's working the San Francisco club scene. You can catch some samples of her interesting sound at her site, myspace.com/missemilyannegigs.

Both of these stories dovetail perfectly with the Long Tail effect, as musicians, merchants, and others use the Internet to reach out to niche markets.

Random thoughts for CNMI grads

Maybe Friday the 13th isn't an auspicious date to contemplate graduation stuff. Oh well, here we go anyway...

Little Worries, Big Worries

As bad as the immediate effects of high gas prices are, the long-term consequences may be far more painful. Is it time to chuck the car and buy a donkey? Maybe, maybe not, but in any event, this week's column ponders the gig.

e-Book look

Can e-books do for reading what the iPod did for listening? Find out here.

Short tale of The Long Tail

"The Long Tail is an inspiring, thoughtful, and informative look at a phenomenon that we’re all involved with, but that we have a hard time getting real perspective on."

Click here for the rest of my review.