Quote of the Day 5/31/04 Memorial Day

"Follow me!" Teddy Roosevelt’s charge command at Kettle Hill

Greetings from Banshee Blog's new headquarters!

Similar to the EIB Network, Banshee Blog headquarters have been pretty nomadic over the last month or so. However, Wild Banshee is now settled into her new permanent home. A big thanks has to go out to Jerry Wetzel, Chris Underwood and Seth Johnston. Without these three men, the great Banshee move could not have happened.

Quote of the Day 5/28/04

"It was a great point. I felt like pulling my pants down. What's bad about that?" Marat Saffin after a match at the French Open duirng which he pulled down his pants to celebrate winning a big point.

Do you have reservations?

What does the word reservation mean? Apparently nothing if you work for U-Haul.

As some of you know, Wild Banshee is switching home bases this weekend. U-Haul was supposed to be part of the process. However, less than 24 hours before the supposed move, U-Haul alerted us that they would not actually have any trucks available at the time that we had reserved one. Basically, the reservation only meant that if there happened to be a truck on the lot at the time that we reserved one then we could use that truck. Otherwise, we are just out of luck.

As Mimi correctly pointed out, it is good that hotels do not operate in this manner. Imagine a road-weary traveler dragging themselves into the hotel lobby with a reservation number in hand only to be told that there is no vacancy. The hotel manager informs the traveler, "We didn't mean that we would actually reserve a room for you. We just meant that if we happened to have one available when you showed up that you could have it."

Unfortunately, there is no real recourse for a customer in my position. Obviously there are more people wanting trucks than there are trucks available, so me canceling a reservation and using a competitor is no real skin of U-Haul's nose.

Quote of the Day 5/27/04

"I'd like to thank God. He has blessed me so much this year. But, I'm gonna have to ask His forgiveness in advance because I'm gonna go ahead and raise a little hell tonight." Dierks Bentley after winning the Academy of Country Music's award for top newcomer.

The Pulse of America

Standing in stark contrast to the Cannes Film Festival which awarded Michael Moore with the prize for Best Picture, the Academy of Country Music awarded three of its top honors to unabashed patriot Toby Keith. Keith won Male Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. Keith's latest album, Shock 'n Y'all, won Album of the Year. Shock 'n Y'all features such classics as "American Soldier," "Whisky Girl," and "I Love This Bar." If I remember correctly, Shock 'n Yall has already gone triple platinum. I wonder how Michael Moore feels to know that more people can sing the lyrics to "The Taliban Song" than will ever dream of seeing his "documentary" Fahrenheit 911.

Vigilance

Yesterday, John Ashcroft and Bob Mueller held a press conference to alert the American public about a possible terror attack planned for this summer. The terror alert level was not raised, but Ashcroft reminded the American public that the threat of Al Queda is still very real. He also provided the names and a brief biography of seven individuals who are thought to be involved in the planning of an upcoming attack. Illinigirl did her part in raising awareness by posting this informational poster on her website, and I thought that I would follow suit.

Wild Banshee's Top 15 Walt Disney World Attractions

Wild Banshee recently returned from the happiest place on earth. No, not Fantasia's house. Disney World. Like any good American, I wasn't content to just experience the wonders and the spectacles. Of course, I felt an overwhelming need to rank them. So, thanks to the help of some of my traveling companions, Banshee Blog is proud to present Wild Banshee's Top 15 Walt Disney World Attractions.

1. Illuminations (EPCOT)

2. Tower of Terror (MGM)

3. Fantasmic (MGM)

4. Aerosmith's Rock n' Roller Coaster (MGM)

5. Sci-fi Cafe (MGM)

6. World Showcase (especially food and music) (EPCOT)

7. Kilimanjaro Safari (Animal Kingdom)

8. Bugs' Life (Animal Kingdom)

9. Mission Space (EPCOT)

10. Indiana Jones' Stunt Spectacular (MGM)

11. Festival of the Lion King (Animal Kingdom)

12. Muppets 3D (MGM)

13. Splash Mt. (Magic Kingdom)

14. Philharmagic (Magic Kingdom)

15. Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom)

Quote of the Day 5/26/04

"Pennsylvania is a John Wayne state, not a Jane Fonda state." Gov. Bob Casey

Happy Birthday to the Duke!

Today, May 26, we honor the birthday of one of Hollywood's and America's greatest icons. John Wayne would be 97 years old today. John Wayne, born with the name Marion Morrison, acquired the nickname "the Duke" during his pre-Hollywood days when he earned his paycheck as a prize fighter. Although he is one of the biggest legends the silver screen has ever known, the Duke won is one and only Oscar in 1969 for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn in the movie True Grit. Even though John Wayne is one of my favorite actors of all time, I have no argument with his lack of awards. By his own admission, Wayne was not much of an actor. He once said that he played himself in every movie. And that is why fans loved him. His fans also loved him because he was a true patriot. Wayne once recorded a spoken-word album entitled "America: Why I Love Her." He also made the film The Green Berets during the height of the Vietnam War. In fact, John Wayne turned down the lead role in the Dirty Dozen in order to star in and direct the flattering portrayal of Vietnam-era Marines. John Wayne was also active in the Republican party.

I realize that many readers of this blog probably consider John Wayne's movies to be simplistic and trite. But, I think there is something to be said for unadulterated heroism on the big screen. John Wayne's characters stand for self-sacrifice, bravery, honesty and, of course, toughness.

Thank you, John Wayne.