I Love the Harbinger

2012-2014, I wrote, contributed, and worked for a fantastic community college newspaper called ICC Harbinger. I got to work with the most amazing people I had ever known and worked with whom I'm proud to call my second family. Well, in April 2013, the paper won over a dozen awards, and one co-worker said there should be a theme or a victory song about the newspaper.

2012 Harbinger photo

After that, for months, I try to figure something out. No one who knows me knew about or has ever read this. I wrote a bit of a parody about working for the paper with some help from one of the greatest male country singers of all time, Toby Keith. The song is called "I Love the Harbinger."

We have editors, we have writers
We have contributors and freelancers
And we got advisers, really great advisers
And we got the best photographers
And some of them would dress up like arty stars
Hmm, hmm, hmm, I love the Harbinger.

We write about students and professors
Amazing athletes and actors
And we cover painters, we even cover dancers
As we work as early birds to all-nighters
And some of the veterans talk about their battle scars
Hmm, hmm, hmm, I love the Harbinger

I love the Harbinger
It's a great workplace
I just finished editing the paper
It puts a big smile on our tired face
It's the best by far; be you as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm, I love the Harbinger

I've seen plays, I seen actors
Amazing musicians and illustrators
I've seen choirs, saw lots of performances from choirs
And I've even seen a hilarious girl and hookers
And we like to celebrate by opening the Shirley Temple Bar.
Hmm, hmm, hmm, I love the Harbinger
Yes, I do!

I love this paper
I love the editors
It's been a privilege to work together
It's fun to be around them now and then

But I love the Harbinger
It's a great workplace
Continuing the tradition of the paper
Will put a big smile on Mike Foster's face
It's not that bizarre, be you as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm, I love the Harbinger
Hmm, hmm, hmm, I love the Harbinger

The Store that Brings Quality Sounds

A little store in Downtown Peoria shows what makes electronics a bit more different than what we see at any other electronic stores in the Central Illinois area. Electronics Diversified has been part of Peoria since 1948 and both co-owners Don Gort and Don Baker know that what they have to show you is something that could just blow you mind away. If you are an electronics and sounds person then this is the place for you. Electronics Diversified has been unique among other electronic stores because they have not only the state of the art electronics but also vintage equipment to some that date back to the 1930's.

One thing that makes Electronics Diversified or better known as EDI, standout has been their unusual shift in types of equipment sold. It all started in 1948, as a spin-off to an x-ray business.

"They sold equipment to hospitals around the Central Illinois area," said Don Baker. "Soon after their business was installed, some of the doctors later would ask about mono equipment to be installed into the waiting rooms and if they knew of anyone who had done this kind of service."

Only a few businesses have made such an unusual shift.

Another difference has been their quality of sounds. They have sold mid-fi to higher end monos and store equipment for years. From solid state to high-bird and all tube integrated amplifiers, amplifiers and preamplifiers and also CD players with tube output that co smooth out the loudness. With that they have in store, from old to new electronics it could blow you away even some of those at Best Buy.

Other things that also make the store tick are their resurgence of vinyl and turntables that has surprised many young folks these days.

"Young people would come in to the store and we will be playing a turntable and they just couldn't believe the smoothness and dynamics they are hearing," said Gort stating on how young people's reaction to listening to vinyl records on turntables."

Both Gort and Baker advised to those who want to have a turntable is that they have to take care of their albums in a way that you don't have any pops or clicks that's caused by dirt. The prices for these turntables go up from $125.00 to $5,000 and higher end turntables do not come any with cartridges.

They stated that if you want to buy one, that would ranged from $29.95 to $1,895.00 in store, $5,000 if you wish to order one at the store.

A couple by the name of Mike and Jenny Waltz, who comes to EDI frequently just to see and hear what they have in store.

"Probably the best thing is that they sell vintage equipment that no one else sells," says Mike Waltz, who just loves vintages pieces.

Clearly these vintage equipment make EDI unique among other electronic stores.

Now, you've probably are thinking that, "so what? It's just like Best Buy or Wal-Mart." But not so fast, because that's not what it's all that's crack up to be at all. There's a huge difference between those stores and that of EDI.

EDI is a unique product of buiness, with services and commitment to that of the customer satisfaction.

"They help those of the common guy and they know a lot about it," said Jenny Waltz.

Another costumer gave his point of view very clear about EDI.

"They one thing that EDI is different than any other place is that they don't sell crap and they take the time to help the costumers with questions they have," stated by Scott Turner of Indianapolis, IN who comes to the store a couple of times just to see what they have in store.

For what EDI has in store is something that nothing can over beat to any other store in Central Illinois.

Just before the start of 2010, both Gort and Baker decided that it was time for a change and a changed they have made. After being located on Brandywine Drive in North Peoria, just across from Northwoods Mall for over 30 years and on January 2010, they've moved to Downtown on the first floor of the Murray Building on the corner of Walnut and Water Street or for a better reference off of Washington Street across from the Peoria Police Station.

With the new place it almost feels like you are in a studio waiting to hear a band play. It's become a place where friends who are mostly guys that love to hear great sound quality that comes from one of your own music and to also hear some stories as well.

Since opening in 1948, EDI has been installing, repairing and given excellence in customer service advice for over 60 years and still gives us that sound that we could all love to enjoy. And both "The Dons," as they are called, are enjoying what they do and what they give to their fellow customers.

If you are looking to hear great sound out of your own music, then Electronics Diversified is the place for all that to happen.

20 years since My So-Called Life & Still-Growing Strong.

The cast of "My So-Called Life."

It was on this date, 20 years ago, that one of the greatest one season television series premiered and changed the face of television forever. "My So-Called Life" portrays of an adolescent and commentary if its perceptive central character Angela Chase, portrayed by Claire Danes. This being Danes' first leading role in television earning her a Golden Globe award and an Emmy nod. MSCL was the first television series to be called reality TV.

The show centers on strong themes of important social issues from child abuse, teenage alcoholism, homelessness, homophobic, school violence and drug use just to name a few. It really was like a PSA message in each episode.

With it's strong cast of actors and writers, this show stand the test of time as a show that still grows with new fans. Of the time when the show was going to be canceled, it drew in fans to started an online campaign to save the show. MSCL isn't just a show for teenagers, it's for teens, children and grown ups. This series doesn't talk down to the audience members from it's characters.

Claire Danes as Angela Chase

For a show that only lasted one season, it's still has a huge fan base to this day. It paid the way that network television now focuses on the young demographics of 18-49 yrs, 13-24 yrs. And of course, what kind I say about Claire Danes? She made what MSCL is all about. I don't think that if she wasn't Angela Chase that the show wouldn't have been anyway popular.

Even though the show was scheduled on Thursday night against the powerhouse of Must See-TV of Mad About You and a new little series called Friends. Looking back at it's season rating, if this show was on today's airing that this show would be picked up.

I have watched all 19 episodes of the series on DVD. I feel that none of the episodes are out of dated. The writing is still strong than ever. I still wish we had some closure to the cliffhanger at the end of the last episode. Will Angela decide to go with Brian and leave Jordan? Will Graham Chase have a successful restaurant business? Who knows?

Probably we can only give it an ending that we truly think it deserves. But know this, as of now and in the future, MSCL will still be watched, talked about and still grabbing fans no matter how they find the show.

My Prime-time Emmy Award Prediction

Here are my picks for the Primetime Emmy Awards, Monday night at 7:30/6:30c only on NBC hosted by Late Night host Seth Meyers.

Outstanding Comedy Series
Orange Is The New Black (Netflix)

Outstanding Drama Series
True Detective (HBO)

Outstanding Variety Series
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC)

Outstanding Miniseries
American Horror Story: Coven (FX)

Outstanding Television Movie
The Normal Heart (HBO)

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Voice (NBC)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Ricky Gervais, Derek (Netflix)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation (NBC)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad (AMC)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Robin Wright, House of Cards, Netflix)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Billy Bob Thornton, Frago (FX)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Coven (FX)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Fred Armisen, Portlandia (IFC)

Outstadning Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Anna Chlumsky, Veep (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jon Voight, Ray Donovan (Showtime)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad (AMC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Joe Mantello The Normal Heart (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Julia Roberts, The Normal Heart (HBO)

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Jodie Foster, Orange is the New Black (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Vince Gilligan Breaking Bad (AMC)

Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
Beth McCarthy-Miller and Rob Ashford, The Sound of Music, (NBC)

Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Speical
Ryan Murphy The Normal Heart (HBO)

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
Jenji Kohan Orange Is The New Black (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Vince Gilligan Breaking Bad (AMC)

Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays (HBO)

Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
Larry Kramer The Normal Heart (HBO)
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This is going to be an awesome award show to watch. The category to watch is drama due to the three way battle with Breaking Bad, House of Cards and True Detective. Thus has been an excellent year in television.

I can not wait to deep who takes the statue. I hope I am right. This is the best award show right next to the Golden Globes.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation of Traveling Through the Imagination of Endless Wonders.

Well, the time has come to say goodbye to summer and hello to the fall semester of school. Goodbye freedom, hello books! Whatever you see it fits, I guess. Well, I know that I had pretty much an exciting summer vacation to say. My definition of summer vacation is not going to awesome places and doing crazy, cool things. My vacation begin and ended right here at home.

During the summer I have finally completed a goal that I've been trying to do for a long time now. I finally got to read books and I didn't just read one or two or even three. That would have been impressive though. I read seven books, baby!

I know what you’re thinking, why is it a big deal? Well, back when I was in high school I use to read books non-stop then when I went to college, which kind of went down quite a bit. I might have read at least one book that wasn't even assigned to me for class but that book was stretch out for more then what was worth, say almost a year.

But anyway, my goal of reading more than two books has been complete. This summer I read “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Labor Day,” “The Hunger Games,” “Catching Fire,” “Mockingjay,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “Divergent.” 

The plan was to read one book for one week, starting on Monday and ending it around either Saturday or Sunday. I read six out of seven books within a week but the last one, “Divergent” took me longer than I expect because I got distracted and it threw me off. Reading that book took me three weeks to get done with it. I did enjoy it though and agree with what others are saying about the book.

I think now, my goal is just to keep reading more and more but not pushing it. Since I’m taking a Literature class, I think maybe I should take it easy since there will be a lot of reading going on in the fall.

Also this summer, I got to really see some awesome films in theaters. Films like “Captain America 2,” “The Amazing Spiderman 2,” “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Lucy,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” 

All of them blew my mind away. CA2 was way better than the first film. I don’t understand what other people are saying about Amazing Spiderman 2, because I saw it with both of my little brothers and we thought it was amazing. Even my brother is a huge Spiderman fan and supports Marvel comics, and still loved it. 

"Lucy" was just mind-blowing to watch. "Guardians" was just flat-out hilarious to see. I think of it as more of a comedy action film than just a action film. Probably one of the best Marvel comic turn to film I've seen along with Amazing Spiderman and Captain America. Chris Pratt is amazingly funny. If you haven't seen him on NBC's Parks and Recreation, you need to see it now. He's like Woody Harrison of our generation. 

What can I say about "Ninja Turtles?" That it's flat-out amazingly awesome!!! Cowabunga all the way dude!!!! I'm a huge fan of the turtles since the cartoon series from the late 80's to early 90's and the live action films in the early 90's. 

I thought that the Shredder was totally bad-ass to look at and that Megan Fox was outstanding as April O'Neil. The writers really mixed the story up just a bit. Will Arnett was great, I never really seen him in an action film before. Raphael was also totally bad ass and my favorite ninja turtle. But I'm considering since the Nickelodeon cartoon series that Donnie is moving up there. 

From accomplishing some reading to seeing some awesome movies, there's gotta be room for some television. One of the best new series that I've seen is "The Night Shift." Finally, a medical drama that deals with life and death situations. I haven't seen this kind of medical drama since "ER" and "House." This  isn't the crappy soap opera drama of "Grey's Anatomy."  

Also I've been catching up on Netflix with both the best comedy and drama series ever to air through online, "Orange is the New Black" and "House of Cards." It's really a must see to die for. They are probably going to take away most of the Emmy's next week. Who knows? 

With all of this going on, I've never had this kind of family story arch like this before. For the past year, my mother has been trying to find a house so that my brothers can go to a better school (they really do). Since the summer started they've had some houses that they had in their grasp but suddenly it was taken away from them due to something that the owner was trying to get away with or someone else bidding on it. 

This was really driving me crazy. My own mother asking me about the housing markets is something that seemed desperate to know, since I don't know quack about it. 

But finally this past week, they finally got a house. They maybe moving a bit farther than where they were living but at least three out of four are happy. 

My beloved Chicago Cubs are in dead last, what else is new, right? The news maker was Javier Baez, who has been climbing through the minors this year and was brought up to the majors. The kid can hit and will be a big star down the road, he's only in his early 20's.  I've seen fans calling for the firing of Theo when they saw Baez for the first time striking out a lot but then came when he finally hit the game winning run. Boy, I love being a Cub fan, the emotions are just so high. 

Football season is just around the corner. I don't care about preseason, it doesn't mean anything to me at all. I'll watch some of it but it doesn't prove anything expect what's going on with the team and players. Can't wait to see how the Bears will do this year. Forecast is calling high expectations maybe a 12-4 team, I'm going 11-5.

So what a summer it has been this year. This fall might turn out to be all right. I haven't had a good fall season in a year so let's hope this year will turn out to be a good one. 

A Change of Mind

Let me just say that the past three weeks, I have completed a book series that I'm very proud of reading. That series was The Hunger Games trilogy. I'm very proud of reading this series and how would I say this, it literally blew my mind away both literally and visually.

Reading The Hunger Games two weeks ago, I never thought that I would fall in love with it. I've heard and seen that it was such a huge hit with other readers, both young and old, that I thought to give it a try. Well, it wasn't disappointing at all. I couldn't stop reading The Hunger Game that I would keep reading for a couple of hours and then read at night that went all the way til middle of the night around 3 am. I just couldn't put it down.

Then came Catching Fire, which I have to say is my favorite book of the three, that had a lot of things going for Katness. There is a method to stories like this and it happens in movie trilogy most of all that when you read the first book that you are riding a roller coaster and when you are on the second book you are riding it all the way up and as soon as you get to the top you are at the tip toe of the edge to go down but the down part is the final book.

And then this past week I finished Mockingjay, the final book, which is had a long storyline to follow but I thought it was still good and had some twist and turns that I didn't see coming. Like when Katness was going to shoot President Snow and then shot President Coin. I didn't think that would happen. And the ending of it all just made me feel a whole lot better for Katniss and who she ended up with: that I think she should ended up with in the first place. I just couldn't believe that mental status of her. I just felt so sorry for Katniss.

Besides just these books, the movies were just as good as the book. I love it when a book turns into a movie because I can see it visually better than what I can imagine because I might see it different than what the author had in mind. For example, the part in the book in Catching Fire when Gale was getting wiped I didn't have a problem with it even just reading the details but when I saw the scene in the film version, that made me sick to my stomach.

I can't believe after reading the first book that I got hooked on it right away. As I said last week about Never Judge A Title, that I was never interested in reading what others were reading let alone now reading a book series. I hardly read any book series but I have read the Temperance Brennan novels, but I'm only like five books behind of it all. And now, I've had a change in mind about reading book series.

Now, I'm on to my next book, this time another book series (Divergent) and hope that it's good. I hear a lot of good things about it and the film too.

Here's to the next one!!

Never Judge a Book By It's Title

When I was a kid, let's say around grade school, I never really understood the meaning of reading what other kids were reading. I mean why would I want to read what every kid around the world is reading like Harry Potter for one. I readied what I wanted to read. I readied books like "Harriet the Spy", "Space Jam", "Walking with Dinosaurs", "Frog and Toad" just to name a few. But then this summer has pretty much hit me like a wrecking ball without having Miley Cyrus riding on it.

This summer has been the first time in a while since I read more than just one book let alone some good books. Most of the time, I've been busy handing personal stuff that I won't discuses about on here but it took away my time to read a book. The only time that I had for reading would be during school and most of it would be books on subjects for class and also some mystery, crime, fiction novels and one book would last more than a semester because it would take that long to read it.

But as I said, something hit me that really never hit me before and that was reading what other people were reading. I never liked reading what others were reading. It wasn't the that kind of person I was.

Reading Harry Potter...that was a no.
Reading Twilight....that would be a never.
Reading The Hunger Games....nope.  
Reading Divergent.....I don't think so.

None of these books really caught my attention as something that I have to read because you couldn't put it down once you start it.

Well, I'm here to confess that I'm eating those words right now. This summer I've started to read books that others have said that they loved and can't put down. I've taken some of the books that my friends have read like "The Hunger Games", "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and "The Fault In Out Stars" just to name a few and let me just say that both of them were outstanding to read and that I couldn't put it down.

So far right now I've been reading "The Hunger Games" series (the first two series) for the past two weeks and so far it's the best two books that I've read so far along with "Fault In Our Stars." But I will saw that "Catching Fire" has to be my favorite so far that it had a lot more effect in the storytelling and that starting this week I will start on the "Mockingjay" and see how it will end. Also I'm planning to start reading the Harry Potter novels so never late than never I suppose.

I think I've finally see what other see in these books. In my mind, it's kind of like high school, when you don't do anything during your time there and years later you wish that you could have done something there, wishing you could relive it over again. Like Harry Potter, I wish I could go back and read those books when they started coming out in bookstores.

Well, I do regret not reading some of these books that my friends and others so helpless recommend on reading. It's the same way with me and televisions shows. And the lesson for this is probably never judge any book by it's title or how someone reacts to it. It could be something that you would read over and over again.