Sharing from xkcd: The Pace of Modern Life

What would the authors quoted below think of the means of communication today?

http://xkcd.com/1227

As much as I claim to be a luddite and technoclast in many regards, this particular comic calls my bluff with regards to communication. While I do occasionally write and send letters for the anachronism of the action, I more often scribe a quick email with all its informality. There are multiple reasons for this, but it boils down to the speed at which a response can be obtained. While email is not realtime, it is very nearly realtime in some instances.

It is amusing that the dire predictions from over one hundred forty years ago have not came completely to pass, but many aspects are true.

All work and no play...

Some temptations are just too great for mere mortal men to resist:

Muscle Shoals police officer on administrative leave, accused of shooting deer on duty: A Muscle Shoals police officer is accused of shooting a deer on TVA property while on duty Sunday, according to The Times' news partner, WHNT news 19.

 I have to admit that I feel sympathy for Officer Scoggins. Given that the TVA is a federally owned corporation, one would assume that hunting would be permitted on it, and per a page the TVA site, hunting is considered alongside other recreation activities. Hunting on TVA lands is also discussed on this forum, with the consensus there being that it is permissable.

I'm not a hunter, so I am not well versed on hunting laws in Alabama, but I am an anachronist (not anarchist), so I am inclined to support the notion that public lands, and most of TVA property should fit that definition, should be available for public use.

So if hunting is allowed, what is Officer Scoggins crime? Was engaging in personal affairs during work hours? This would be quite an extreme example of such, but again, hearkening back several generations, I think this wouldn't have been given a second glance in our glorious "Mayberry" days. What would Sheriff Andy Taylor have done? Ol' Andy would have bagged it and tagged it and invited all of his friends over to enjoy that with which the Lord had provided. There would have been deer barbeque, potato salad, and sweet tea for all.

Unfortunately, we don't live in that simple time anymore. We live in a complicated world where everything has multiple consequences and simple actions have complicated responses. Was Officer Scoggins wrong to shoot the deer? I don't know. One can only hope that someone swooped in to gather the carcass and turn it into something tasty.

Madison Belles

This past Saturday my oldest daughter and I were both in our town's Christmas parade; Abby on her Girl Scout troop's float, and me as a part of American Legion Post 229's color guard. Behind me in the lineup were some of the most beautifully dressed young ladies I've seen. Assuming they were "Southern belles", they tinkled along (apparently wearing bells) behind me for the length of the parade route. They were emaculately dressed in antebellum style dresses and wearing what appeared to be winter shawls on this not-too-cold Alabama evening.

Photo © Madison Weekly News

Having young daughters, I can imagine they would love to casually stroll through town in their antebellum finest, so I did a little research on who they are. According to the Madison Weekly News:

The young ladies of the Madison Belles bring the art of antebellum charm and wit, southern hospitality and historical authenticity to events in the Madison area.

Dawn Johnson, proprietor of Southern Traditions, a wholesaler of customized fine linens for the home, first organized the Belles in 2009. The Belles have since become ambassadors that represent Madison City in the best way possible.

The Madison Belles have been seen around Madison at events such as Connect 2011, the Madison City Street Festival and Parade, Bark in the Park, The Lighting of the Lights at city hall, and the First Lady’s Annual Tea.

“Being a Madison Belle is a part social, part charitable and part learning experience,” says Johnson. “These girls aren’t just fluff, they have to know their history.”

More information on the group is listed on the Southern Traditions website. Apparently there is quite a selection process to become a Madison Belle. Given my oldest in first grade, she has quite a few years to prepare.

I'm a big fan of the Antebellum era, minus the slavery. I think it was the high point in Southern culture. It was at this time that Southern honor was at its apex. In some areas of the South, you can still experience the hospitality that we have historically been known for. That's what I like about anachronistic groups like the Madison Belles. They encompass all those good things we want to hold onto. I hope that someone in town can develop a male counterpart. Maybe then we can slowly, but surely restore that rich Southern heritage that seems to be so sadly diminished today.

The sinking of the Bounty

I'm not a sailing man (that would be my brother), but it's sort of sad to read the account of the sinking of the Bounty:

'Bounty Loves Hurricanes': A Legendary Ship's Final Hours Battling Sandy: As Hurricane Sandy approached the East Coast in late October, Captain Robin Walbridge wanted to save his ship, the legendary Bounty. He set out to sea to ride out the storm -- a decision which ended in disaster. He lost the ship, a crewmember and his own life.