BERIGAN

Is Not Given west of New Orleans????

Don't tell me stores aren't going to close! Sources: Tower Records to Seek Chapter 11 Thu February 5, 2004 09:27 AM ET By Dane Hamilton NEW YORK (Reuters) - MTS Inc., the parent of high-profile entertainment retailer Tower Records, plans to file soon for bankruptcy protection after failing to find a suitable buyer, people familiar with the situation told Reuters on Thursday. A Chapter 11 filing for protection from creditors by MTS would cap a long period of financial distress for privately held Tower, a chain of nearly 100 stores located mainly in the United States that sell music and video entertainment in various formats. The Chapter 11 fling will involve a major debt-for-equity swap that would likely switch control of the company from the founding Sacramento, California-based Solomon family to creditors that include bondholders and banks, sources said. Like other retailers in the recorded entertainment industry, Tower suffers from stiff competition from mass market retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and high costs from retail leases. Digital downloading and file copying has hammered sales and led to widening losses, the company has said. The bankruptcy filing is likely to happen within the next week in Delaware, barring last minute hitches or objections from creditor groups working to hammer out the "prepackaged" bankruptcy plan. Most creditors appear to have agreed to the plan, sources said. The plan, which must be approved by a bankruptcy judge, won't involve significant store closings or employee layoffs, or even a liquidation, as some feared. But some observers say the long-term future of the glitzy store chain founded in 1960 is clouded, particularly due to competition from digital downloading, a medium that doesn't require expensive retail locations. "How do you compete with free?" asked William Brandt, chief executive of restructuring firm Development Specialists Inc., referring to competition from Internet music downloading. "They need to look for an industry-wide solution to the problem which they failed to lead. A better solution has to be found." Tower teetered toward bankruptcy last year when it defaulted on $5.2 million in coupon payments on a $110 million bond issue. It then hired investment bank Jefferies & Co. (JEF.N: Quote, Profile, Research) to help negotiate with bondholders and Los Angeles-based Greif & Co. to help find buyers under a forbearance agreement from lenders. The year before, it sold its top-performing Japanese division for $129 million, but the sale failed to stem a loss of sales due to shifting consumer demands. In a regulatory filing last April, MTS reported debt of $441.9 million, including $194.5 million in bank and bond debt, along with $247.4 million in operating leases. Sales for the nine months to April 2003 fell 9 percent to $429 million, while losses rose 47 percent to $36.3 million, said MTS in the filing. http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?t...storyID=4292579

so....how was it?????

TEACHING: Brains can hurt job applicants Marquis Harris - For the Journal-Constitution Friday, January 23, 2004 Could anyone imagine the day when an aspiring educator would be told that he is, in essence, overqualified? Perhaps my story is merely an exception to the rule. In either circumstance, the outcome is appalling. I am a 22-year-old African-American male and recent graduate of a respectable liberal arts college in Kentucky. I acquired a 3.75 grade-point average with a double major in Social Studies Secondary Education and sociology. I was a Rhodes Scholar nominee, inducted into the Mensa society in May 2001, named to the National Dean's List for three consecutive years, successfully competed in intercollegiate forensics and served as student body president. While in college I was also privileged to serve on mission trips to Mexico, Guatemala and Jamaica. In the summer of 2002 I was granted the opportunity to intern with Saxby Chambliss, who was then a U.S. representative running for the U.S. Senate. I served for two years as a court-appointed special advocate for the state of Kentucky. These experiences have proved to be beyond memorable and life changing. I did not become another faceless statistic of a failed minority or foster care youth. I chose to take charge of my future rather than allow myself to fall prey to the alluring, though deceiving, clutches of victimhood. As a young black male, I am often perceived as dumb, lazy, promiscuous and criminally inclined. If I sound at all pretentious for wanting to prove that I am anything but the above, then please accept my sincere apologies. In any event, lately it appears that my achievements have proved to be a liability rather than an asset. Anyone who meets me will attest to the fact that I am an extremely passionate individual. My passion is for people, which explains my choice of studies. Originally I planned to attend law school after college, though I wasn't entirely sure this was the right path for me. Over the summer, I came to realize that my true calling lay in inspiring, motivating, challenging and educating other young adults. After investigating, I assumed that Atlanta would perhaps be a viable market for teaching jobs. I applied to metro Atlanta counties including Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett, plus the Atlanta public schools, all to no avail. Certification was not the issue. I am certified to teach in Kentucky and have applied for certification in Georgia. My application is still being processed. Recently, I interviewed with a school in one of the metro Atlanta counties, only to receive an e-mail from the principal stating, "Though your qualifications are quite impressive, I regret to inform you that we have selected another candidate. It was felt that your demeanor and therefore presence in the classroom would serve as an unrealistic expectation as to what high school students could strive to achieve or become. However, it is highly recommended that you seek employment at the collegiate level; there your intellectual comportment would be greatly appreciated. Good luck." After reading the e-mail several times over, I felt as if I had been slapped in the face. It is truly a sad day in the world of education when a 22-year-old aspiring educator is informed that he is too intellectual to teach high school. I am neither looking for a handout nor a free ride. I would simply like some insight as to some possible answers to a seemingly unsolvable conundrum. Marquis Harris lives in Atlanta. http://www.ajc.com/friday/content/epaper/e...df52e200f1.html

Thanks!

ESPN.com news services LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech coach Bob Knight got into a verbal spat with the university chancellor, David Smith, at a grocery store Monday, prompting a review by school officials. One eyewitness told the Lubbock Avalance-Journal that Knight raised his voice to Smith after the chancellor approached him at a salad bar to compliment the coach on his recent good behavior. The witness told the paper that Knight flew into a rage and accused Smith of being a liar, saying that there had been nothing wrong with his demeanor this year. Smith turned to leave the area, the Avalanche-Journal reported, but Knight followed. The chancellor then told Knight that he deserved more respect than Knight was showing him, according to the Avalanche-Journal. The newspaper reports that no physical contact took place before Knight left the establishment after the confrontation, got in his car and pulled into traffic. According to the Avalanche-Journal, Knight stopped his car then and briefly got out before getting back in and driving away. Smith said the matter was being handled internally. "Right now, the athletic director and the president's office at the university are looking into the incident," Smith told The Associated Press. "We'll wait to hear more in the next few days about their review." Asked whether there was any discussion of removing Knight, Smith told The Associated Press: "I can't comment on any of those things right now." Knight was scheduled to be back on the sidelines Tuesday night when the Red Raiders (No. 18 ESPN/USA Today, No. 19 AP) play Baylor in Lubbock. Gerald Myers, the university's athletic director who was instrumental in bringing Knight to Tech in 2001 after he was fired at Indiana, witnessed the encounter. Myers had accompanied Knight to the store, according to the Avalanche-Journal. The men were getting food around lunchtime at Market Street, an upscale grocery store about two miles from the university, said Dan Sanders, chief marketing officer for United Supermarkets, which owns the store where the incident occurred. "Apparently, there was some sort of disagreement," Sanders said. "It took place very quickly." Neither Myers nor sports information director Randy Farley immediately returned telephone messages Monday night. While still at Indiana in March 2000, Knight was investigated by the university after former player Neil Reed said the coach choked him at a practice in 1997. In May 2000, Knight was fined $30,000, suspended for three games and placed under a "zero-tolerance behavior policy. In early September 2000, Knight was accused of grabbing a student by the arm, cursing and lecturing him about manners after the coach was addressed "Hey, Knight, what's up?" Knight was soon fired from Indiana for violating the behavior policy. Indiana's president Myles Brand, now president of the NCAA, fired him for what Brand called a "pattern of unacceptable behavior." Just over a month ago, Knight went into a profanity-filled tirade after an ESPN reporter asked about his relationship with former player Steve Alford, who was also participating in the interview. Knight later apologized for the incident. Texas Tech is 4-2 in the Big 12 this season. The Red Raiders had been unbeaten in the league until last week, when they lost to Texas and Oklahoma State. Information from The Associated Press and the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal was used in this report. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=1725735

Oh great. a new scam....kill 'em, hill 'em all!!!!!

Well, that did it...I'm gonna be a Monk ....the religious type, not the jazz type...not that there is anything wrong with...oh never mind...

Perhaps it is the Devil's advocate in me, but when I see this gif, I can ALMOST believe it was an accident, that there was 2 pieces to this outfit, but I did say almost.... http://www.drudgereport.com/janet.gif

http://webpages.charter.net/hiphophead/titty.mpg

Man shot 19 times in 1995 dies after being shot again 1/31/2004 BOSTON -- A man who survived 19 gunshot wounds in 1995 died Friday after he was shot again multiple times in his pickup truck. Lenny Isaac, 39, of Dorchester, was found by his sister, who spotted his blue pickup truck near the family's home at about 4:30 p.m. When she stopped, she discovered her brother slumped across the seat. He had been shot multiple times in the left side of his back and his neck. He was taken to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. In 1995, two men shot Isaac 19 times, allegedly over a bad debt. He underwent surgery at least eight times. Richard Frank, the man accused of shooting Isaac in 1995, was acquitted in 1997, even though Isaac knew him and identified him as the shooter. A former data-entry worker, Lenny Isaac had been out of work and on disability since that shooting. Police had no immediate suspects in Friday's shooting. His killing was the city's fourth homicide of 2004. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachus...t_again?mode=PF

I must admit, I've reached this stage where I feel football is just too brutal to watch. It seems as if the "Big Hit" is what it's all about; and if you happen to put a player out of the game -- great! I've gotten to know a couple ex-football players in the last couple of years, and their physical shape is unbelievable! One person has fingers that are all twisted around and knees that are completely gone. Like Campbell, he can hardly climb stairs, and when he does, he can't bend his knees, so he climbs them sideways. But, if you ask him, and the other I know, if they'd do it again, the answer is always: YES! There's something about that physical contact that is, and this is the only way to discribe it, addictive. I don't understand it, and I just shake my head in amazement. Football is a hard sport on the body, and I've read articles where it is claimed that average age of death for ex-NFL players is now in their fifties(!!). The human body wasn't meant to take that kind of punishment. I to have given up on boxing, and football is close behind. Of course, it's easy to give up Football, since I never was a huge fan the way I am with baseball. I recall seeing some "Old" Oakland Raider player on an HBO show who was an iron man, perhaps a center, who played for 10+ years. The camera showed him trying to get out of bed, and go on his daily routine. It was painful to watch. He was truly maimed by the game, he couldn't work, always in pain. Look at Bo Jackson, probably the best pure athlete in the last 50 years. People have gotten too strong, too fast, perhaps they need some sort of restrictions like NASCAR! No, that won't happen. If you are a supremely talented athlete, who is faster, stronger, than the rest of us mere mortals, how can anyone convince you to give it up, before you are PERMANENTLY disabled? I still say no one thinks it will be them. I mentioned the sad shape Earl was in last year when ESPN showed footage of him to Jerome Bettis. Bettis was shocked, but still went for on getting in shape for this last season. Of course, he can barely walk the day after a game. Teams will squeeze a player dry, then drop him like yesterday's news..... If I had a son or daughter(I saw just today there is some professional football league for women) who had athletic ability, I would push them to play Baseball, Tennis, basketball, almost anything but football.....Nolan Ryan has thrown twice as many baseballs as anyone else ever has, and except for a slightly lower shoulder, he is doing just fine. Pete Rose isn't in a wheelchair either....

Teen Called 'Weakling' Saves Man In Pond Victim: 'I Owe My Life To That Young Man' POSTED: 6:10 PM EST January 29, 2004 UPDATED: 1:53 PM EST January 30, 2004 CLEARWATER, Fla. -- A high school freshman who walked out of a weightlifting session after being called a weakling became a hero minutes later when he saved an elderly man who had driven into a pond. Video Fla. Teen Called Weakling Saves Man From Pond Click here for more unique Local6.com images and stories. Justin Gregorich, 14, was one of three people who jumped into the water Wednesday to pull Raymond J. Kane from his sinking Lincoln Town Car. "It's amazing -- there are snakes and there are alligators ... all three of them just jumped in right after that guy," said paramedic Mike Eash. Gregorich had hopes of joining Countryside High School's junior-varsity football team next season, and after school Wednesday he went to the team's conditioning practice. But at 5-foot-3 inches tall and 130 pounds, he couldn't lift as much weight as the other boys, who teased him. Gregorich said he left early and began walking home. "I'm thinking, man, I should have stayed at football, the coach is going to be mad at me, why did I leave?" he recalled. "And -- WHAM!" At that moment, the Lincoln veered off the road in front of him and sped toward the pond. Gregorich dove in, along with passers-by Michael McBrayer and Shawn Brady. One man opened the car door as Gregorich and the other man grabbed Kane by the arms, authorities said. They swam about 50 feet back to the bank. Kane was in good condition Thursday, issuing a statement through a hospital spokesman thanking his rescuers. "I owe my life to that young man," Kane said. He also wished him luck in making the football team. http://www.local6.com/news/2804286/detail.html

Brownie, now keep in mind I have only heard one song, once....but it was interesting. Jimmy Leach sounds a bit like Hutch, that is why I was guessing it was a British outfit. I think it was only one Ogran, in spite of being the Organolians...a mystery group, eh?????

I thought driving on 9 wheels would be so cool!

via email..... Marketing: > The buzz word, in today's business world, is MARKETING. Many people often > ask for a simple explanation of "Marketing." Well, here it is: > > You're a woman and you see a handsome guy at a party. You walk ove r to > him and say, "I'm fantastic in bed." > That's Direct Marketing > > > > You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a handsome guy. One of > your friends goes up to the guy and, while pointing at you, says "That's my > friend and she's fantastic in bed." > That's Advertising. > > > > You see a handsome guy at a party. You walk up to him, you introduce > yourself, > and you get his telephone number. The next day, you call him and say: "Hi, > I'm fantastic in bed." > That's Telemarketing. > > > > You see a good looking guy at a party. You straighten your dress, you walk > over to him, and you pour him a drink. You say: "May I," as you reach up to > straighten his tie, while brushing your breasts lightly against his arm. > Then you say, "By the way, I'm fantastic in bed." > That's Public Relations. > > > You're at a party and see a handsome guy. He walks over to you and > says, "I hear that you are fantastic in bed." > That's Brand Recognition. > > > You're at a party and you see a good looking guy. He fancies you, but > you talk him into going home with your friend. > That's a Sales Rep. > > > Your friend can't satisfy him, so he calls you. > That's Tech Support. > > > > You're on your way to a party, when you realize that there could be handsome > men in all the houses that you're passing. You climb onto the roof of one of > the houses and shout at the top of your lungs, "I'm fantastic in bed" > That's Junk Mail. > > You're at a party and a very well-built, muscular guy walks up to you > and gropes your breasts and grabs your ass. > That's Arnold Schwarzenegger. > > You really like it, but 20 years later your attorney decides that you > were offended...that's America.

While listening to my Satellite audio jazz station, I heard the song, When I See an Elephant Fly performed by Jimmy Leach & His New Organolians. Never heard of 'em! British??? Allmusic just showed this track on a couple of best of cds, so anyone know anything about this band? were the New Organolians the roots of Organissimo?

MMMM, scary Sonny Berman solo! Hope they do the early Herd as well, but I bet Sony thinks it will hurt their 2 cd set sales, which I bet are nothing right about now...

No. Man, I just went to the Atlanta Tower, and they looked at me funny (Well, funnier than usual) when I asked about the 25% off jazz sale.....Why don't they mention online , that it is only an online sale? Did I overlook that fact? Lately, ALL sales have been for online and Brick and mortar...and the bastards don't even have the same price in store VS. online. I saw the Wardell Gray Proper set was $21.99(Like the other Propers I saw tonight) in the stores, so Thought it would be around 17 online with the discount, nope. List Price: $25.99 Your Price: $19.49 You save $6.50 (25%) Not a bad price, but they seem to be fudging....need to check this set in a few weeks and see if it is less then....

Dang! Yours already shipped? I placed my order on Wednesday night for items that were "in stock," and my order is still "in process!" Big Al, how does one join EOAAL? Or are you it???

Skippy, the Pentatonic Fairy Fucker Trinkle, Tinkle, Little Pentatonic Fairy Fucker I Mean You , You Little Pentatonic Fairy Fuck! Well, You Needn't Have Picked Up the Soprano, You Pentatonic Fairy Fuck! I know, they don't seem like song titles anymore, but it was fun anyway!

Tom, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as well!

8 years, less with good behavior! What do you have to do to get life, anyway?

30,000 views, for nothing!