Stuff about me
My name is Keith Michaud and this is “Letters From Away,” a blog written by a Mainer living outside the comfortable and sane confines of New England. The blog is intended for Mainers, whether they live in the Pine Tree State or beyond, and for anyone who has loved ’em, been baffled by ’em or both. Ayuh, I am “from away.” Worse still, I live on the Left Coast – in California. Enjoy! Or not. Your choice.
Stuff people write
RSS and stuff
The 25 most moving 9/11/11 front pages use type, color, photos, illustration to evoke memories | Poynter.
Posted in Disaster, News and Newspapers, Newspapers, Politics and government
Tagged 9/11 attacks, front page, Pentagon, Poynter, World Trade Center
Bill Nemitz: Keep Preble Street miracle from disappearing | Maine Sunday Telegram
A cynic might read Dovid Muyderman’s story-turned-screenplay, in which two young Jewish brothers live in a homeless shelter by night and pull straight A’s at Portland High School by day, and scoff that it’s too far-fetched — stuff like that just doesn’t happen out there in the real world.
Except it did.
“This is eerie,” said Muyderman, 31, as he and Mark Swann, executive director of Preble Street, stepped inside the Portland social service agency’s Lighthouse Shelter for homeless teenagers Thursday morning. “This is very familiar ground. It’s changed a little bit, but it’s got the same feel.”
What kind of feel?
“It’s a place to sleep, for sure,” Muyderman replied. “And a place to go to that’s safe and usually has food and resources and is really proximal to the school, which was good for us.”
He’s talking about himself and his older brother, Josh. Their story, which Dovid Muyderman hopes soon will be on a screen near you, is proof positive that kids without a home need not be kids without hope.
Click for the rest of the commentary by Bill Nemitz in the Maine Sunday Telegram.
Posted in Economy, Education and Schools
Tagged Bill Nemitz, Dovid Muyderman, homelessness, Josh Muyderman, Portland, Preble Street, shelter
Portland seen as welcoming home to immigrants after 9/11 | Bangor Daily News
Paul Bradbury, then the facilities engineering manager at the Portland Jetport, was in a staff meeting the morning the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. When the second plane hit, everyone in aviation knew it was some form of terrorism, Bradbury said.In the days that followed, details emerged. The world learned that Mohamed Atta and Abdulaziz al-Omari came to Portland, stayed at the Comfort Inn in South Portland, bought gas at a local Exxon, took some cash out of ATMs, stopped at Walmart and dined at a Pizza Hut.
Then they left their rental car at the Jetport parking lot and boarded a US Airways Express flight into Logan Airport in Boston, where they boarded the plane they would turn into a weapon.
They exploited a weakness in American society, the common wisdom that people should comply during a hijacking, mugging or robbery.
U.S. aviation essentially was shut down for about two weeks. When flights resumed, things were changed in Portland and across the country.
“When we reopened, we’d taken this huge mental and psychological hit, so part of the recovery was psychological, too. We had National Guard at the airports with machine guns,” said Bradbury.
Click for the rest of the story by Matt Wickenheiser in the Bangor Daily News.
Posted in Disaster, Maine, Politics and government
Tagged Abdulaziz al-Omari, immigration, Islam, Maine, Mohamed Atta, Muslim, Portland, Portland International Jetport
9/11: When innocence was lost | The Washington Post via the Bangor Daily News
WASHINGTON — For Karen Hughes, counselor to the president of the United States, Sept. 10, 2001, was a day of celebration and relief. It was her wedding anniversary. She and husband Jerry dined at a favorite restaurant in the Watergate and reviewed the drama and chaos of the previous months.
There’d been the long presidential campaign, the disputed election, the move to Washington. They had to move a second time when the first house didn’t work out. Then a freak summer rainstorm had flooded their basement, soaking their possessions.
All that was finally behind them. And so she could say:
“We’ve survived the worst.”
And: “Things can only get better from here.”
That Monday – call it 9/10 – was the last day of a certain kind of American innocence.
Click for the rest of the piece by Joel Achenbach of The Washington Post reprinted in the Bangor Daily News.
Posted in Disaster, Law and Order, Maine, Politics and government
Tagged hijackers, Pentagon, Sept. 11, terrorist attacks, World Trade Center
For border towns, attacks changed a way of life | Bangor Daily News
After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, changes at Maine’s border crossings were not subtle. More officers were added at ports of entry, inspectors became more vigilant and, in some cases, new ports were constructed.
Although less visible, the division of cross-border communities is one of the long-lasting impacts of the attacks and the heightened security and border restrictions that resulted.
Before 9/11, the border between Maine and Canada was more a line on a map than a barrier. Border agents from both countries often simply waved through the familiar faces they saw frequently crossing the international boundary. Residents of Aroostook County attended churches in New Brunswick. Canadians bought cheaper gas in The County. Socializing with friends and family on the other side of the border was routine.
Reports shortly after 19 hijackers flew planes into the World Trade Center and Pentagon said some of the men had entered the U.S. through Canada. Although not true (the hijackers flew into the U.S. from Europe, Asia and the Middle East and had visas issued by the U.S. government), work to better secure the border soon was under way.
While millions of federal dollars have been spent on improving infrastructure — such as building new crossing facilities in Calais, Van Buren and Forest City — the change that has most affected Aroostook County residents is the requirement for a passport, passport card or NEXUS card, an alternative offered through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to cross the border.
Click to read the rest of the story by Jen Lynds, Diana Bowley, and Sharon Kiley Mack in the Bangor Daily News, along with video.
Bangor Air National Guard base bigger, more active after 9/11 | Bangor Daily News
The mission and scope of the Maine Air National Guard base in Bangor — the state’s only active military base and home to the 101st Air Refueling Wing — developed into something new in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“We’re a lot more active,” MAINEics pilot Lt. Col. Adam Jenkins, who is the 132nd Air Refueling Squadron commander, said recently.
After 9/11, the Bangor-based air refueling wing added approximately 150 full-time active-duty personnel to its roster and now handles or manages nearly 15 percent of the air refueling missions worldwide, according to Lt. Col. Debbie Kelley, a spokeswoman for 101st.
The MAINEiacs have 10 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, which essentially are flying gas stations that can refuel other airplanes — a crucial function during wartime — and now plays a key role in most military missions the U.S. undertakes, Maj. Gen. John W. Libby, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard, said last week.
“When America goes, we go,” Libby said. “That’s a big change for the air guard.”
Click for the rest of the story by Nok-Noi Ricker in The Bangor Daily News, along with video.
Coffeehouse observation No. 341 – Well, pardon my space
They may need a traffic light at the coffeehouse door. A woman was just cut off by another woman just as they approached the door. Oddly, the woman who was cut off said “thank you” as the woman who cut her off briefly held open the door for her. I mean, she was very nearly slammed into and she says “thank you”? Better manners than I would have had in the situation. And certainly far better manners than the woman who cut her off.
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud©
Posted in Coffeehouse Observer
Tagged caffeinated, caffeine, coffee, coffeehouse, coffeehouse observation, Coffeehouse Observer
Coffeehouse observation No. 340 – How much is too much, er, Bebe?
How much is too much? Especially when it comes to designer crap, er, I mean, designer clothing. A woman is sitting out on the coffeehouse patio and she’s wearing a besparkled black Bebe baseball cap, a besparkled black Bebe tank top, and besparkled black Bebe flip-flops. … But at least she’s sitting with a woman wearing a Sick Puppies T-shirt. Bebe’s friend has her priorities straight – rock over Bebe.
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud©
Posted in Coffeehouse Observer
Tagged BeBe, caffeinated, caffeine, coffee, coffeehouse, coffeehouse observation, Coffeehouse Observer, Sick Puppies
Coffeehouse observation No. 339 – Return of the housecoat
I was standing in line at the post office Tuesday when a woman walked in wearing slippers, white tube socks, a house coat – yep, they still make ’em – and a hairnet. She came in, dropped off her envelopes and shuffled out the door. Walking to the coffeehouse today, I spotted her. This time she was wearing a floral print dress that was probably made during the Kennedy administration. As I approached, she moved to her right as far as she could to avoid being within 20 feet of me. … I’m struggling to find the normal in all this. But then again, it is Stockton.
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud©
Posted in Coffeehouse Observer
Tagged caffeinated, caffeine, coffee, coffeehouse, coffeehouse observation, Coffeehouse Observer
Coffeehouse observation No. 338 – It’s true love – coffee
If you haven’t noticed, I have a thing for coffee.
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud©
Posted in Coffeehouse Observer
Tagged caffeinated, caffeine, coffee, coffeehouse, coffeehouse observation, Coffeehouse Observer
Coffeehouse observation No. 337 – A second cup is better, but nothing else
There is NOTHING better than a cup of coffee. Except perhaps a second cup.
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All rights reserved by Keith Michaud©
Posted in Coffeehouse Observer
Tagged caffeinated, caffeine, coffee, coffeehouse, coffeehouse observation, Coffeehouse Observer
Coffeehouse observation No. 336 – Bandolier or butt pack?
Just spotted a fella in his 50s walking down the street in front of the coffeehouse with his butt pack wrapped around him like a bandolier. Surprisingly not really out of place in Stockton.
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud ©
Posted in Coffeehouse Observer
Tagged caffeinated, caffeine, coffee, coffeehouse, coffeehouse observation, Coffeehouse Observer
Coffeehouse observation No. 335 – Well, they’re not a rock band
Ten or so Latino guys – all in traditional costumes and carrying musical instruments – just came into the coffeehouse (which is attached to a theater) and one of the brighter bulbs here just asked: “You a mariachi band?” … Well, duh! They’re not a rock band, Einstein.
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud©
Posted in Coffeehouse Observer
Tagged caffeinated, caffeine, coffee, coffeehouse, coffeehouse observation, Coffeehouse Observer, mariachi
Coffeehouse observation No. 334 – Paparazzi have invaded the coffeehouse!
Here I am minding my own business with my friend Brenda when the first photographic attack is launched. (Photo by Craig Sanders)
There I was minding my own business when there was a commotion and camera flashes started going off in my face.
“Great!” I immediately thought to myself. “The paparazzi have tracked me down to my coffeehouse, my sanctuary! This is all I freakin’ need!”
OK, perhaps paparazzi never follow me around. I have no fame, no fortune, so why would paparazzi follow lil’ ol’ me around?
They wouldn’t.
As it turned out, the so-called commotion – which was not a commotion at all – was due to the arrival of former co-workers, Record reporter Jennifer Torres and Record photo editor Craig Sanders. They were in the coffeehouse to meet the subject of a feature story that Jennifer was writing.
So, while Jennifer chatted with the feature subject, Craig and I chatted and he snapped a couple of shots. And, of course, I mugged for the camera.
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
Here I am launching my counter offensive. (Photo by Craig Sanders)
And here I am launching my last-ditch effort to fight back the paparazzi horde. (Photo by Craig Sanders)
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud ©
Posted in Coffeehouse Observer
Tagged caffeinated, caffeine, coffee, coffeehouse, coffeehouse observation, Coffeehouse Observer
Back at the job search all over again
I haven’t written here much in the past month or so because of a project that has kept me from the job search and from blogging, except for shorts burst on Coffeehouse Observer.
The project involved fact checking several chapters of a travel guide due out next year. The travel guide publisher has promised me more work and the editor just emailed me about two projects. I could use the money.
But now I’m back at full speed, at least on a limited basis. I’m still looking for work and trying to line up freelance gigs to get by.
What I really need, of course, is a real job, one with steady pay, some benefits, and some social contact.
Things are really rough out there. They just announced that the unemployment rate in California is back up to 12 percent, the second worst unemployment rate in the country behind Nevada. The unemployment rate in the county where I live usually has been about 5 percentage points to 8 percentage points higher than the state level, so I would not be surprised if the unemployment rate here is 17 percent or higher.
It is terribly frustrating and unnerving. And very, very scary. It is even more frustrating and more unnerving and scarier when recognizing that the unemployment rate really does not count all those who are out of work, people who have given up looking for work or otherwise are no longer counted by the government. Experts usually say that the unemployment rate is significantly higher when taking into account those people. I am among those people who are no longer counted.
But I keep looking.
Friends I’ve known for 20 years or longer voice amazement that I haven’t been offered work in the past two and a half years since being laid off
“You have tons of experience,” they say. “Why hasn’t someone hired you already?”
That experience is a double-edged sword – I have proven myself capable, which is good for an employer because quality work will be done within deadlines. But I’ve proven myself capable, which is bad for an employer because it will cost the employer more in salary, the employer immediately assumes.
“You’re good at what you do,” my friends argue. “Something has to come up for you soon.”
I suppose I was good at what I did, but it has been a while since I did what I did. And employers can see that and I fear now that they barely consider my resume.
Just last week I applied for a job on the East Coast and within two days I had received an email noticed that I would not be considered for the position. I was sooo happy that the company took the time to fully consider my qualifications. (Please read the sarcasm in the previous sentence.)
I’ve come to expect rejection, which does little for confidence or morale or feeling of self-worth.
I keep plugging away, though. I have no other choice. I ran out of unemployment benefits months ago and cashed in an IRA, the thing money experts – people with jobs not facing eviction or starvation – say never to do. I am living on the money that would have been a portion of my total retirement. Another portion is left in investment accounts that are dwindling with each dip of the Stocks Exchange.
I will never retire. Certainly, not in the conventional sense of “retire.” But then again, there is nothing conventional about what some of us are experiencing.
So I continue the job search. I continue to look in my field – journalism. So if you know of any openings in journalism – editing, writing, blogging – or freelance opportunities, you can get in touch with me via the email address under my contact info.
And I also look for jobs with nonprofits, green industry, colleges and universities, and occasionally government. I also look for delivery jobs and general labor jobs and retail jobs and … well, you get the point.
I suppose that’s it for now. I just wanted to let you know I’m still around, still kicking, and still very hungry to get back to work.
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud ©
Coffeehouse observation No. 333 – Wishing coffee boosted the IQ
If only coffee made us as smart as beer makes us dumb.
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud ©
Posted in Coffeehouse Observer
Tagged Beer, caffeinated, caffeine, coffee, coffeehouse, coffeehouse observation, Coffeehouse Observer
U.S. Olympics Committee: Redneck Olympics disrespects athletes | Lewiston Sun Journal
HEBRON, Maine — The Redneck Olympics “is disrespectful” to U.S. Olympic athletes, according to a letter from the United States Olympic Committee to Redneck Olympics organizer Harold Brooks of Hebron.
On Saturday, Brooks received a letter from the USOC asking him not to use the name “Olympics” if he intends to hold the Redneck Olympics in the future. The committee doesn’t seek damages for the word’s use in the Aug. 5-7 event.
Citing the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, the letter said there is “no question” that Brooks violated federal law by selling tickets to the Redneck Olympics, which cost $15 to $20 for the weekend, including camping. The act gives the USOC all rights to the word “Olympics” in the United States.
“We believe using the name ‘Redneck Olympics’ for a competition that involves toilet-seat horseshoes and bobbing for pigs’ feet tends to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games,” the letter reads.
Brooks objected to that characterization. “How can the people, the average person, in their activities, degrade anything?”
Brooks said the letter hasn’t changed his mind on holding another Redneck Olympics, a move that could spur a lawsuit from the USOC, who have filed suits in other instances of people using the word “Olympics.”
“They don’t scare me,” Brooks said Monday.
Click for the rest of the story by Tony Reaves in the Lewiston Sun Journal.
USOC letter
USOC letter Page 2.
Posted in Maine, Outdoors, Sports
Tagged Hebron, Redneck Olympics, U.S. Olympics Committee, USOC
Editorial: A Tale of Two Districts | Bangor Daily News
Lawmakers soon will be faced with radically different plans for redrawing the boundary between the state’s two congressional districts. One features straighter lines and a difference of only one person between the two districts — top priorities for the state’s Republicans. It does, however, move about 360,000 people from one district to another. The Democratic plan moves Vassalboro from the 1st District to the 2nd.
The choice for lawmakers should be easy — they should go with the simplest change that meets the requirements of the law and affects the fewest voters.
Recent history has shown this is unlikely to happen. Redistricting lines were imposed by the state supreme court in 2003 because lawmakers couldn’t agree on a plan. Maine doesn’t have to go down this road again.
Click to read the rest of the editorial by The Bangor Daily News.
Coffeehouse observation No. 332 – Lunch is a nice surprise at the coffeehouse
Nice surprise earlier today – lunch delivered to me at the coffeehouse. Chicken Greek wrap, fresh fruit and some Kettle chips. It was perfect.
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud©
Posted in Coffeehouse Observer
Tagged caffeinated, caffeine, coffee, coffeehouse, coffeehouse observation, Coffeehouse Observer
Coffeehouse observation No. 331 – Ghostly coffeehouse experience
The quiet sanctuary of the coffeehouse was disturbed the other evening when a local paranormal society parked itself in the seats next to mine. The only ghosts I want in my coffeehouse are those of my most recent coffee. … And why do they call going around in the dark “investigations”? Really?
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
All rights reserved by Keith Michaud©
Letters From Away 