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Movie Critics Are Not News

Dear NPR,

In the past week, I've heard two stories from you about the recent layoffs of movie critics from a number of papers (here and here). I realize that you think this is news and requires multiple segments of coverage, but it's not. It's navel gazing. You and the entire news industry needs to get over yourself. The tide is turning and while it freaks you out a lot, it doesn't bother me. Because I've found something better. It's called the Internet.

I've never (ever! ever!) cared what a movie critic in the paper has said. And as harsh as this sounds, I don't care that 28 of them have been laid off recently. I care about them as people and I feel horrible that they suddenly can't pay their bills. But I don't care about their jobs. It's basic business. It's the law of supply and demand. If there's no demand for your services, then you're out of business.

So as scary as this is to you and the entire news industry, remember this is how the world works. You have to keep providing valuable services that people demand. When you stop doing it, you're toast. While that's truth and interesting to those of us in business, it's not news. So please find something better to report on.

I promise that if you give me one more segment about movie critics losing their jobs, I swear I will never (ever!) give you another dollar. Which is a shame becuase normally I think you use my money well and provide a very, very valuable service.

Yours truly.
Erica

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Daniel Davis Books for Auction

Daniel Davis is an illustrator and author at Steam Crow in Phoenix. He recently donated a set of his books to the Kids Need to Read foundation, and they're being auctioning off on eBay ($$ for kid's books).

Kids Need to Read
Ebay Auction

Marrow Donor Found

I almost cried from happiness this morning when I got email from Abby telling me that Erica found a marrow donor! Remember when I asked you to register, especially if you're multi-racial? This is great news!

Abby's email:

"Hi everyone,

Since I wrote to you a while back requesting that you get on the registry for my friend Erica (you remember her, from this song and this blog), I wanted to send you an update. Erica was given another chance at life from my new hero, her bone marrow donor. The donor is a 5/6 match, so not a perfect match (are you on the registry yet?), but the transplant seems to have gone smoothly so far.

Today is Day Zero for her. There have been some rough days lately due to really strong chemo and some nasty radiation, but overall, she has held up with her usual strength, grace, and sense of humor. Please keep her, and her donor, in your thoughts in the coming weeks, as we wait anxiously to learn whether her body will accept the marrow, and as she begins the long road to health.

Feel free to leave well-wishes for her on her blog. She loves to read them, and she keeps the comments as a sort of journal of the experience. And if you have any ideas for yummy-tasting low-microbial recipes, I'm all ears. We're at a loss for how to make her highly-restricted diet appetizing.

What a beautiful day!
Abby

P.S. Obviously, many people with blood diseases aren't as lucky as Erica. Please register if you haven't."

Stop the Phone Books

Today I sent email to the phone book company asking them to stop sending me phone books. I don't use the phone book any more and don't want the paper to go straight into the recycle bin. I was inspired by the site, 50 Ways to Help (link via Gist).

I was surprised to get this response:

"Our records have been updated. Thank you for using [name of phone book company here]."

Do you think they're serious? Or is this just the email they send when there's no procedure in place to deal with such a request? I guess I'll know in a year or so when I do or don't get any more phone books.

Fund-A-Stache 2008

Some of the guys at work are really into facial hair. They participate in Wiskerino. And make awesome videos like this. They even use facial hair for a good cause!

http://www.fundastache.org

For the month of May, men will be growing mustaches for charity. They'll be posting pictures so there's entertainment along the way. It's an awesome idea and one that's already been dubbed as COOL.

You should check it out. If you're feeling generous, donate to the charity chosen by your favorite mustache-growing man. If you're feeling playful, join in and grow a 'stache for May!

Interstate

My friend, David, over at Stringify, just published an iphone app that I think is lots of fun! It's called Interstate. It's a way to check off each state when you see a license plate from that state. It even shows you what percentage is complete. Fun that he took a game we've all played and made a fun little app. I'm definitely playing this next time I'm on a road trip!

Multi-racial Marrow Donor Needed

My friend, Abby, wrote asking for help. I'm now asking for your help. Abby's friend, Erica, has leukemia and is looking for a marrow donor. She needs a minority or multi-racial donor, who comprise only 3% of the donor registry.

Despite the dire situation, Erica clearly has a sense of humor about it. She recorded a song about her need.

Watch the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYUFB542Iak

I, personally, am not in the donor registry, but I'm going to find out how I can be. If something as simple as donating marrow can save another person's life, I'm up for it! Won't you do the same? Go to Marrow.org

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