I'm Sorry

On Tuesday night's ATC (All Things Considered) commentator, John McWhorter, responded to comedian Michael Richard's racial rant. Lisen/read it here I wanted to learn more so I went to CNN to check it out. CNN It was pretty offensive. At first, he's just really angry. Then he goes over the edge and makes references to lynching and pitch forks.

McWhorter wanted to know what was the point of Micheal's apology on David Letterman? The commentator sounded tired of people apologizing for racism because, he felt, it doesn't mean they will change their thoughts. What I took from this: don't say you're sorry if you won't change. But I had a problem with it.

How can we start to change if we do not apologize? If I say I am sorry, that is a start. I will check myself in the future when I have those thoughts. I will for sure not verbalize what is wrong.

Then I started thinking about the power of apology...About the word sorry. It's a good word. Saying you're sorry begins healing. Saying you're sorry opens closed doors of communication. Saying you're sorry is humbling. To me, even if the person is not really sorry...They have been humbled. Think of your kids and forcing them to say sorry. What are we teaching them...They say it and don't mean it...Then we say, "Say it like you mean it." OK...We could be teaching really good actors. But I think you get my point.

So "Kramer" said he was sorry... ON NATIONAL TV!!! And I felt it was genuine.

Even if he doesn't think what he did was wrong, he has been humbled nationally. And you could say, he has brought discussions of racism out.

Window into my marriage: Saying you're sorry was a hard thing for my husband to say. He approached it much like the commentator. If you don't mean it, and don't feel it, don't say it. Stubborn. Proud. It hurt me a lot early in our relationship.

Silly, but a good example; dishes.

I asked him to do the dishes. He didn't. He was busy. No apology. He was doing really important stuff and ran out of time. OK...But I had to express to him that saying you're sorry isn't always personal. Sometimes, a lot of the time, it is for the other person. It acknowledges their feelings. Perhaps it comes from being a woman, but saying sorry is second nature. I have to work on not saying it all the time for silly things. Sorry the lasagna is dry. Could I have that paperwork today? It's due. Sorry. (WHY DO I DO THAT??) Eventually, my husband realized how important this was to me. And how happy his wife would be if he just said it! No one likes angry Sueann.

Another time I will tell you the story of the dogs on the highway, Pasco Firefighters and raging in Korean. Moral of the story: good intentions do not equal good outcomes.

My Office...not the Tavern

Here in Pullman, when you say, "Let's meet at my office." We responds, "The bar?" Yes. We have a bar in town called My Office. They have good Nachos. Here is my office. I was sorting through my hard drive and came across some pictures for the blog that I forgot to post.

Above, my black pleather couch that unfolds into a "futon." Very handy during pledge drives for naps! I get many visitors who sit on this soft pleather and chat to me. They talk despite this sign:

Below is the rest of my office. Some anime posters, a calendar and public tv/radio stuff. The other half of the office is currently being used to store displays. When we clear that out I plan to make a zen corner there... or a wet bar.

And this is my office neighbor, Gillian. We usually get to see each other for about 1 hour a day. :( More if I plan a party at noon and she has to stay!

Corean Christmas

I am going to Korea for the Holidays! While I am there I am going to visit a Korean orphanage and the first annimal shelter in South Korea. I am also going to brave the meat market where they sell dog for consumption. I plan to record my adventures there and bring them back for you. While I am away I will also blog my vacation. So look for that coming December 14th - 30th. If you have been to Korea before and have some suggestions for travelling or what I should see leave a comment or email me:
sramella@wsu.edu

Don't Look At My Ballot!

My husband looked at my ballot. It irritated me. This is a very private thing. In his defense he said, "We're married. It's ok." To which I replied, "Yes we are and no it's not."
The conversation could have ended there but he said, "You're not voting for ____? and look, you didn't vote for county auditor!"
I told him I didn't read up on the auditors so I am being responsible by not voting. And hey! It's my right to vote or not! and ... and... why am I justifying this to you?
His reply, "ok."
Good man. I was getting upset. Passionate you might say. I really don't like it making decisions without research or thinking things through.
Maybe some will say I am not a responsible voter - because I didn't do more research on candidates. Maybe I should have just selected a county auditor? Are they right?
To me, it seems responsible not to vote on things you don't understand or know about.

I once knew a man who never wanted children. He said the males in his family had mental issues and he didn't want to pass that on. I told him that he was the most responsible parent I ever met.

Winning the Lottery

I found this interesting: Lottery Winner Sad Stories

Most of the winners who lost their millions had little experience with money. Most of them went crazy and spent it all and gave it all away, like MC Hammer: Famous in Debt so I have done research for us future lottery winners. Here are the steps we will take when we ...I...win the lottery!

1. CALM DOWN - Breath deeply...deeply enough to make yourself pass out. Do this while sitting in the middle of the bed. If you found out you won at the grocery store, run to your car and deeply breath in the passenger side seat. This way, when you faint, your head won't press the horn, drawing attention to you. After breathing/fainting. Compose yourself and stay calm. Go home.

2. TELL NO ONE - Call into to work and say you need a mental health day or feign sickness. Tell your spouse if you have one - don't tell your kids yet. Remember that Quaker Granola Bar commercial? Kids have big mouths, stuff it with a granola bar! Continue to tell no one until you track down...

3. HIRE A FINANCIAL PLANNER AND OR AN ATTORNEY - tell them you won. Then listen to them on how to plan out your future. They will likely hide the money from you in investments and CDs and stuff... keeping it safe and working for you for years to come. They'll help you determine what public radio station you want to support forever. PLEDGE NOW! Continue to tell no one else you won.

4. PICK UP YOUR WINNINGS ANONYMOUSLY - DO NOT take a public photo of yourself with that large, lying check! Keep in mind that the number on the check is half of what you'll get...TAXES man! Continue to do step 1. and 2.

***Follow these 4 steps and you have a greater chance of not losing all your winnings in 3 years and ending up 1 million in debt.

What would I do when I win the lottery? I would follow these steps. Then I would pay off my house, debt...figure out a way to anonymously help my family...start a bubble tea cafe, buy these shoes They're FABULOUS! I would buy all the things in my Amazon favorites folder; all Star Trek the Next Generation DVDs, English period dramas. Then adopt 2 Shih Tzus!

Korea on My Mind

Did you listen to this story on All Things Considered today? North Korean Defectors Fight Regime with Radio:

My Mother is Korean. It has been a blessing to live a life with one foot in Korean culture and one foot firmly planted in the U.S. It has also been a struggle to understand and meld these two distinctly differing cultures into my being. Not long ago I learned about Korean Han. Here is what Wikipedia says: What's Han?
Han is a concept in Korean culture, attributed by some as a national cultural trait. Han denotes a collective feeling of oppression and isolation in the face of overwhelming odds. It connotes aspects of lament and unavenged injustice. I would like to add that Han is deep, ancestral regret and despair.

Han, at times, has made my life miserable... of coarse - that's its job in some respects. I have been given some Han from my Mother. I don't believe she did it on purpose. But it is in me. I recently felt a deep connection with Han after Kim Jong Il did his nuclear test. I was overwhelmed with sadness, deep regret (for nothing I did) and despair. Even as I write this I am beginning to feel overwhelmed with sadness. Will my Mother's country be reunified? What suffering must be endured (for there will be suffering), Who will be the winner (probably China) and will I see the famous mountains in Northern Korea? Or will they be barren and grey?

But, I am not one to allow Han, or sadness from any origin to consume me for long. Thank God I have my American, Pittsburgh bred father to throw me some hope and cheer! This is where good old American Idealism comes in! Wash your face! Get up and out! Go DO something to make the world and yourself better! (Maybe make some bucks on the side and get rich...but remember the goal!) You Can Do It!

So I am reading and learning the deep and rich history of my Mother's country. I also am getting well versed in the political stories of North Korea. Next time you hear a story about Korea, know that I am listening and coming to understand and control this...Han...within me. These stories of reunion really get to me. Some Mothers and Fathers are still alive, waiting to see their children...its been 50 years since they last touched. Family Reunions:
Another Reunion story, one that makes me cry.
Starving in Korea

WSU Student Protest War Rape

On the WSU Pullman campus today there were several students standing silently with black hoods over their heads. Their message was very powerful. The silence was deafening. They were holding signs that told stories of rape during war.

Their pamphlet says "Whenever there is an unbalance of power, the potential for rape is increased. Rape during war appears to have gone through three main stages: 1. Rape as a reward for victors during ancient times. 2. Random cases of rape during modern times. 3. Systematic, organized rape as a tactic of war ... today."

You have heard of #3 on NPR before. Recently on All Things Considered we heard this first hand account of child rape in Uganda. Then we hear about the subsequent forced enlistment of these children into the Lord's Resistance Army.
NPR STORY: UGANDA CHILD SOLDIER

It is hard to not feel overwhelmed with the madness of the world. As I read the signs an anger stirred in me. Two things went through my mind; Why are the women and children the first to be victimized? And I feel guilty for living a blessed life. I can have great discussions with you about the first question. The second, I have already worked out. As free, independent, blessed American woman, I cannot feel guilty about my blessings. It would be a sin to me. I must transform that thought into positive action. Let's not be overwhelmed with the madness of the world. Instead, let us do our part to help with what we have. We have so much, and to whom much is given, much will be expected.
Stop Darfur Genocide
Prevent Forced Child Prostitution
Find Your Local Food Bank
Whitman County Community Action Center
Yakima: Northwest Community Action Center

You Did It!

Thank you so much for pledging early! Today is Tuesday... we would normally be on the air for the fund drive. But today, we had a meeting, relaxed a bit and got back to our normal work. Most of us anyway. The Membership department is hard at work entering all those pledges. Kudos to Sue and Sarah for doing the paperwork!

Now, back to the news and music you want from us.

Power Breakfast was Filling!

WOW! You are amazing! I mean...we have NEVER had that much money come in during a DAY of fundraising, let alone one hour! Thank you if you pledged during our Power breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 11th. We were a little nervous but very excited about this idea of a Power Breakfast. We didn't imagine that so many listeners would respond and pledge so early!
The totals are still coming in but is sure seems like you pledged more than $100,000 in ONE AMAZING HOUR!

Wouldn't it be nice if we had maybe... 2 Power Meals (Because I want a Power Dinner...or Power Snack next pledge drive!) then we would be done with fundraising in a blink of the eye!

THANK YOU THANK YOU for pledging and paying for public radio! PS Do you have our phone number memorized yet?

Prairie Home Companion Pictures!

The above picture is of Garrison walking down the isle. He warmed up the crowd by singing Home On The Range and mingled with people looking for their seats. It really made me feel homey and close to Garrison.



Here's the crew doing Guy Noir. That skit was hilarious with its reference to Foley... oh man...so funny! Many ladies at work think Fred Newman is a hottie with that head of white hair!

Here is Robin Rilette with Garrison. I love this picture because Robin is laughing and looks like she is enjoying this moment.

This is Patricia Heasler, our Southeast Washington Account Manager.

Here I am with my friend, Isaac, waiting to get a photo with Garrison.

LOVE his facial expression! I just want to touch his face and knead it into a soft dough ball and bake it. Garrison is so cute!

PHC Was Here!

Here is the first picutre of many to come.

I had to post something right away! I promise to have more tomorrow or Wed. for you! What a super show! If you want to listen to it you can go on their site - sad to say there are no copies for purchase.

Prairie Home Companion
Here are some comments about the show!

I was going to send you a note and this made it easy. The Richland seniors ask that I pass on their undying gratitude for the second show, and also wanted me to let you know that they were very pleased with the seats they were assigned. The show was absolutely wonderful and we could not have been more pleased, unless, of course they had actually been able to shake the hand of Mr. Keillor! It turns out one of our folks used to work with Garrison’s sister while he was still pretty much a local star.

The concert was wonderful. The audience in the nose bleed section were treated to a good performance because of the big screens. Palouse City was well represented in my area with at least 6 members of the community including our City Mayor. THanks for bringing a great program to us.

Loved loved LOVED it!

I made the PHC show and wanted to see the later show but could not due to scheduling. “Unreal” is all I can say. I have loved the show for years, but now I have an even deeper respect to the craftsmanship involved. Garrison is a true master of his domain, and what a great band and supporting cast. Please get them out here again, it was worth every cent. Wylie and Charlie were great additions for the local color. A seamless production. Hopefully we did our part out here to help them do their job. Thanks for supporting the show,

It was absolutely one of the most awesome events (except for maybe the beach boys) that you have ever brought to Beasley. Would love to have him come again!!!

It was fantastic! I didn't want to say so before the show but I would've paid even more for the tickets than we did. Thank you so much for making this happen!

I talked to my parents last night and they had an absolute fabulous time at the show Sat. afternoon. Their seats turned out better than we thought and they were so excited and extremely happy to have had the opportunity to get to the show. They said they had a great time, the whole production was great!

The Story of the Siena Pianoforte!

This amazing looking piano has an equally amazing history. Built in 1800, The Siena Pianoforte was a wedding gift for a Siena farmer, Antonio Ferri, and his bride Rebecca Marchisio. The newlyweds stayed in Siena, raising wine-grapes, children and grand-children. The piano, on the other hand, traveled a great deal!

In 1867 the piano was sent to Paris for the Exposition. In 1868 it became the wedding gift from the city of Siena to the Crown Prince Umberto and was kept in Rome with other art treasures of the Royal Family. In the late 1880's, now King of Italy, Umberto visited Jerusalem and heard a talented pianist, an emigrant from Ukraine, named Mathis Yanovsky. He told him the story of The Siena Pianoforte and invited him to play it whenever he could come to Rome. Yanovsky died before he realized his dream. Years later, his grandson, Carmi, fulfulling a promise made to his grandfather, tried in vain to acquire permission to see the fabled pianoforte.

Years later, during WWII, Carmi was with a unit in the deserts of North Africa sifting through the sands and collecting what Rommel's retreating forces left behind. He was called upon to examine a large, plaster covered object buried in the sand. Carmi convinced his superiors that this was not a Nazi land mine and took the barely recognizable piano. Consigned to the extremity of an ordnance camp deep in Egypt, Carmi convinced the officer in charge to turn the piano over to the Brisih Special Service section. It was repaired in short order and Carmi went back to his unit.

The piano, however, continued its travels and went with military entertainers as far as Palestine where it was eventually sold to a Tel-Aviv junk dealer. It passed from owner to owner and was used as a hive for a bee-keeper, an incubator and even a meat refrigeration unit for a butcher! It was eventually left to rot in a Tel-Aviv city dump.

Carmi, retired from the service, came home to Tel-Aviv. He planned on opening his old piano workshop. One day his children told him that they had found his first job. When he investigated their find he discovered his old friend from the sands of Northern Africa, turned-over and baking in the sun. He thought that the instrument was beyond repair. He thought it over for the night, returned to the dump the next day and discovered the piano was gone.

Fortunately, it turned up in his shop days later, delivered there by a music lover who found it and handed it over to Carmi with orders to fix it. He changed his mind and in a fit of temper pounded his fist on the piano, cracking the plaster covering and revealing a little wooden cherub. Carmi paid the man off quickly and then just as quickly began uncovering the plaster. What he discovered was an elaborately carved case with friezes of plump, drunken cherubs hauling their drunken queen across the face of the piano. Carmi dug out an old picture of the Italian King's piano and discovered it was the very one in his shop.

Carmi eventually finished restoring the piano and the recording that I played this morning was made on it. What a story!

Robin Rilette
Photo and facts from Boston Skyline cd “The Siena Pianoforte.”

KWSU Check this OUT!

These photos were taken at our KWSU 1250 AM transmitter site. See the antiquity? KWSU has a great history. Here is what Wikipedia says:

"KWSU has a long history in broadcasting, dating to 1908 when it was known as Washington State College. NWPR's flagship station, KWSU-AM 1250 in Pullman, is one of the oldest radio stations in the world. It signed on December 10, 1922 as KFAE and became KWSC (for Washington State College) in 1925. For many years, it served a large portion of the Pacific Northwest. It became KWSU sometime in the 1960s, after Washington State attained university status. Edward R. Murrow began his career at the station, as did Keith Jackson and Barry Serafin."

So...KWSU has been around for a while, and as you can tell by the pictures below - it looks old too! But we prefer to call this Retro Broadcasting equipment Originals! Like this generator below! WOW!

And these cabinet circuitry and components! (I totally know what these things do you know...They make radio happen!)


The man in this picture is our Station Manager, Roger Johnson. He is taking a tour of this site - yes, it is in a cow field. One time, a cow actually kicked the transmitter and we were off the air. So many jokes from engineering that day! We now have a fence around the tower to prevent bovines from broadcasting their hooves.

This Blue cabinet is "new" from the ... 70's? I'll check on that. We are in the process of updating many things at this site - which will make you very happy in Moscow and Pullman. I know how frustrating it is to lose the signal during rainstorms.

Behind this panel...is the Broadcast Transmitter....


HA HA HA! It's the bathroom! The toilet doesn't flush during thunderstorms or Mercury Retro Grade. Our engineers should appreciate this joke!

James Fallows Was Here!

Author James Fallows was in Northwest Public Radio studios this morning! (above left with our Station Manager, Roger Johnson) It was a very exciting day for us! Here are some photos! And here is the link to the Diane Rhem show and his interview. James Fallows on NPR


Mr. Fallows had about 3 cups of coffee. He is on his way to China, where he will be based for the Atlantic Monthly. Listen to the show and especially the end where Fallows talks about pre-emptive journalism.

A Dog After My Own Heart

Here is an article in the Lewiston Tribune that made us at Northwest Public Radio happy.

Kathy Hedberg:

In the end, Bandit's final thoughts were of Northwest Public Radio.
My 13-year-old German shorthair dog, who made an indelible impression on the lives of everyone around him by sitting in our midst and passing gas, didn't survive the summer.

He had so many tumors over his body that he looked like a gourd. His legs were getting arthritic. He was tired and fussy, and it was just time to go.
Bandit was a public radio fan. He'd been one ever since he was a pup and I'd leave him alone with the radio on to soothe his anxiety.

Bandit, as you may recall if you've read this column in the past, had a lot of issues. If he had been human he could have made a mental health counselor rich.
I always attributed that to his early life when he belonged to a guy who held up a convenience store here in Grangeville with a shotgun.

The guy went to jail and Bandit came to live with me.

I figured the classic music on public radio would be a good influence on him. He grew to love classical music. He barked along with Mozart, wagged his stub of a tail at Vivaldi and ran around the house with glee every time he heard Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

He also came under the influence of the public radio announcers who plead incessantly a couple of times a year for listeners to pledge their financial support.

If a dog listens to that enough times he's going to want to do something about it.

Bandit had long claws, with which he could push the buttons on the telephone. Apparently when I was gone he'd call up during pledge week and make a pledge.

I didn't find out about it until the bill came in the mail. And then what could I do?

"Sorry, I can't pay. My dog made this pledge."

People would have thought I was just trying to weasel out of it.

On the final day of his life I loaded him into the car and we took a drive up to the ski hill south of town. Bandit liked to ride in the car. We listened to Northwest Public Radio on the way.

Suddenly the announcer came on the air and said that the station was ending the year with a financial deficit. She asked listeners to please call in with their support.

I looked in the rearview mirror and I could tell Bandit was listening and trying to figure out how he could get to a phone.

I turned the car around and headed straight to the vet.

The end came gently and peacefully.

And now Bandit is in heaven where, I assume, they pipe in music from public radio.

What's more, he'll be with all his friends, and even get to meet the great classical composers in person. I am sure Bandit is sitting at the feet of Mozart right now, listening while he's playing the piano and contentedly passing gas.


Thank you Kathy for this wonderful story of Bandit. I am sure there are many other public radio dogs and cats out there. Do you have one? Tell me in the comments! And remember to support your local humane society and adopt a homeless pet!

Josh Ritter Visits Northwest Public Radio

Northwest Public Radio is based in a small town with a big University. I went to college at Washington State University, stepped away from network TV news and got lucky by landing a job in public radio. I've been in Pullman a while. You know that song "It's a Small World?" It is true; VERY true in a small town with a large University. Take for example, Josh Ritter. He's famous you know. I have two of his CDs and recorded him on Conan O'Brien last month. Where was I? Yes. Small world. Josh Ritter is the son of Sue Ritter, who is the mentor of Shayne, who is the husband of Sueann Ramella! Did it get small in here?
I know Josh Ritter! I ate carrots with him at his parent's neuroscience Christmas party!

Josh came by the studios a few months ago and did an interview for the Saturday Show with Mary Hawkins. He was so polite, fun and sported a handsome new haircut. When I first met him, back in our carrot days, he had a full head of curly locks. Both looks suit him well. He played some amazing songs and then we talked fish. He was off to a dinner party with friends. He said he was going to make fish baked in rock salt. Hope it was delicious Josh and we hope to see you again!

Josh Ritter Official Site
Josh Ritter MySpace

Welcome Rita Brown!

Northwest Public Radio is very happy to have Rita Brown as our new Development Director! What a team player! What beautiful eyes she has and great style! Large, rounded glasses are very in this season!
Part of the gang hung out in the hall laughing at those crazy glasses. Everyone tried them on! I have photos of Gillian Coldsnow in these glasses but since her office is next to mine, I will not post that photo. (yet)


Top Row: Tom Hungate, Laura Hartner, Rita Brown, Sueann Ramella
Bottom Row: Robin Rilette and Gillian Coldsnow