FREEDOM WRITER

photo: F LoBuono

This is why I love New Orleans. It's not just the noise of the jazz the pours out of the booze soaked gin joints of fetid, wonderful, horrible Bourbon St. like their inebriated, stumbling, sweaty, stinking patrons. It's not just the grease dripping from the large, red, Coca Cola sign at The Glove Grill, the Gay luncheonette, guaranteeing the perfect amount of home grown flavor in every gut-busting breakfast . It's not just the elegant sophistication of the mirrored, tiled, steadfast Arnaud's. It's the quiet, spontaneous moments that one encounters off the well drunken conveyor belt of decadence that is Bourbon St. It's encountering the totally unexpected in a city that is, in a sense a contradiction of itself; it is both devoutly Catholic and utterly Bacchanalian. It is much like New York, but certainly with its own unique twists, a city of EXTREMES. Both are outrageously sublime and devoutly decadent. Both are frenetically peaceful and passionately indifferent. Both are stubbornly easy. They are NEVER boring. Thank god. :)

FREEDOM WRITER

photo: F LoBuono/ Sain Remy, France

. . . BECAUSE THE ONLY PEOPLE FOR ME ARE THE MAD ONES, THE ONES WHO ARE MAD TO LIVE, MAD TO TALK, MAD TO BE SAVED, DESIROUS OF EVERYTHING AT THE SAME TIME, THE ONES WHO NEVER YAWN OR SAY A COMMONPLACE THING, BUT BURN, BURN, BURN . . .

Jack Kerouac/On The Road

The Space Shuttle Discovery

I am once again pleased and proud to say that I've been chosen to join the crew covering the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis for its, and the entire Space Shuttle program's, final launch, scheduled for 7/7/11. Obviously, I am privileged to witness and document this historic event.

The last time I experienced a Shuttle launch was in July of 2006 with the successful "return to space" of the Space Shuttle Discovery. The was an historic event as well as it was the first launch of the Space Shuttle since the tragic loss of the Shuttle Columbia.

The word awesome is well over-used and, therefore, is in danger of being trivialized. However, I can't think of a more apropos one to describe witnessing a launch as we in the media do. We are only 2 miles from the actual "blast off" site. So, not only is the view spectacular but so is the feeling. The blast is so intense, the light so blinding, and the sound so deafening, that you can actually FEEL the launch. As the ship rises from its launch platform and takes to the sky, the pressure being exerted by the thrust of the engines can be felt deep in your chest. The safety rails surrounding our shooting platform begin to rattle. Slowly the shock wave spreads across the parking lot that surrounds the launch pad, setting off, each row in turn, the alarms of the cars parked their. The flame generated by the launch is as blinding as any sunny day. And I found the so-called roar of the engines not to be what I expected. Instead of a continuous roar, it was a series of loud, rapid fire "pops", almost like the popping of bubble rap (but, obviously, more intense). I was told that this sound comes from water vapor in the air around the super-heated exhaust exploding. And in about a minute or so, it's all over. Like I said, AWESOME.

The photos below were made, basically in sequence, from the launch of The Discovery. Hopefully, I'll have more for all when I return from The Last Mission.

FREEDOM WRITER 3

Photo: F LoBuono

WHEN LIGHTENING STRIKES YOU TO THE BONE

YOU TURN AROUND, YOU'RE ALL ALONE

BY THE TIME YOU HEAR THAT SIREN SOUND

THEN YOUR SOUL IS IN THE LOST AND FOUND

FOREVER, FOREVER

FREEDOM WRITER

Adapted from Traffic/Freedom Writer

FREEDOM WRITER 2

photo: F. LoBuono

WITH A SILVER STAR BETWEEN HIS EYES

THAT OPEN UP AT HIDDEN LIES

BIG MAN CRYING WITH DEFEAT

SEE PEOPLE GATHERING IN THE STREET

YOU FEEL HIM, YOU FREAK HIM

FREEDOM WRITER

Adapted from Traffic /Freedom Rider

FREEDOM WRITER 1

photo: F LoBuono

LIKE A HURRICANE AROUND YOUR HEART

WHEN EARTH AND SKY ARE TORN APART

HE COMES GATHERING UP THE BITS

WHILE HOPING THE PUZZLE FITS

HE LEADS YOU, HE LEADS YOU

FREEDOM WRITER . . .

Adapted from Traffic/Freedom Rider

Social Commentary: On Same-Sex Marriage in NYS

Writing a completely impartial blog is not only virtually impossible, it is impractical. At least it is for me. I write the blog with a certain perspective and Point of View (POV), usually written in a way to challenge the reader (I hope!). If it had one, this would be TalkFrank’s Mission Statement. Therefore, when people challenge me, claiming that some entries lack impartiality, they are missing the point; I am NOT impartial, especially when it comes to matters of conscience. People who commit acts of wanton discrimination, regardless of their political affiliation, will be called out for their lack of compassion or reasoning. I have jokingly called the blog “an equal opportunity basher”!

Still, even with a conscious effort to “spread the wealth”, I continually find myself in opposition to Republican policies more than for any other group. The so-called Gay Marriage legislation pending in the New York State Senate is the latest example. As I write this entry, a bill to legalize gay marriage is still being held in committee, preventing it from a vote on the Senate floor. The measure which easily passed in the overwhelmingly Democratic State Assembly, would make New York the sixth State (and the largest) in the Country (along with Washington, D.C.) to allow same-sex marriage. It is significant to note here that although the Assembly in New York is overwhelmingly Democratic, the Senate is controlled by the Republicans, hence the disparity in the approval of the legislation.

Andrew Cuomo, New York’s Democratic governor, who campaigned on a “legalize gay marriage” platform, has made impassioned pleas to members of both parties to pass this legislation. Weeks of passionate debate, fueled by millions of dollars spent by lobbying groups both in favor of and against the legislation, have raged all over the State of New York. Most of the “anti” lobbying has been done by religious groups like the Catholic Church, conservative Rabbis and other conservative groups.

Although some Republicans have softened their stance in recent weeks in response to Governor Cuomo’s urging and poll numbers that say the majority of Americans are now in favor of same-sex marriage, many have delayed their approval pending amendments to the legislation that would protect religious groups from impending law suits that might be filed against them by gay advocacy groups. Why? Because this would allow these conservative religious organizations to continue to practice systematic discrimination against gays. WTF?! Why would we condone discrimination of any kind in ANY place – including so-called houses of worship?!

Despite compromising the language of the bill to accommodate these groups, the vote on the legislation is STILL BEING DELAYED. It’s as if the longer the Republicans wait the greater the chance that the issue will just fade away. Well, it won’t! This is an issue of Civil and Human rights and needs to be dealt with now!!

It has been said that this is complicated issue with civil, moral, ethical, and religious implications. To me, it is not complicated at all. In fact, when viewed from my perspective, it is remarkably simple. This is about FREEDOM, the freedom to choose to live the life that EVERY HUMAN BEING deserves without interference from the government. This is a PERSONAL CHOICE and should not only be allowed by the government but actually supported by it! And this is one of the things that KILLS me about Republican policy: they constantly claim that they are for a smaller, less intrusive government but would then inject more rules and regulations that intrude on the private lives of American citizens. This mind-set reflects their stance on abortion as well. They would have the Government control what a woman chooses for her body.

These are PERSONAL and MORAL issues to whit the government has no business meddling in. Again, it’s a simple equation: if you don’t believe in these things, don’t partake in them! If you don’t believe in abortion, don’t have one. If you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, don’t marry someone of the same sex! Clear. Pure. Fair. FREEDOM ACROSS THE BOARD.

Religious leaders claim that homosexuality and, subsequently, same-sex marriage is an “abomination” that decays the moral fiber of society. Simply put: what a crock of shit! Homosexuality is part of the human experience. It has been with us since the beginning of human existence and will continue until the end of that existence. And, despite, the warnings of conservative religious groups, the human race continues to thrive. In fact, we are SO successful that we are actually in danger of overwhelming the earth and its ability to support our burgeoning population. Well, so much for their theory that homosexuals are taking over the world, signifying the end of the human race!

I have a few friends that “support” gays but do not accept same-sex marriage, arguing that, by definition, the word marriage is reserved for the union of ONE man and ONE woman. By whose definition? Conservatives claim that “the bible tells us so”. Well, what if, like me, you don’t believe in the bible? Would you have the government, who so many of us distrust in matters of personal choice, define marriage for us? I don’t think so!

Besides, with all of the other pressing issues afflicting our society today (too numerous to discuss here and now), why would you give a shit what anyone else is doing in the privacy of their own homes? Why would you prevent two loving people from sharing their lives in the way they choose to, with all the protection our government was designed to give to ALL OF ITS CITIZENS? Comedians who support same-sex marriage often use the line that “gay couples deserve all the misery that marriage brings to heterosexual couples”. There’s a lot to be said in such simple logic! It’s really very profound: every human being has the UNALIABLE RIGHT to choose their own path. It’s our Government’s DUTY to support that choice.

Well, New York State Republicans, it’s your turn to choose. What will it be; freedom or tyranny? The choice should be simple.

One of the Most Beautiful Woman in the World - Liv Tyler

I've attended hundreds of Red Carpet movie premieres and have been privileged to photograph dozens of beautiful women. And none have been more beautiful than Liv Tyler. Statuesque (about 6'3' in heels!), long, leggy, with beautiful porcelain skin, luxurious black hair, and ice blue eyes, she was simply radiant. I hardly ever gush, but this woman was just extraordinary looking. WOW! :)

Not To Be Outdone: Big Red

Not to be outdone by some stupid dog, BIG RED executes his own roll over maneuver! And most cats are clean animals, constantly grooming. Well, not BIG RED. He usually finds the biggest pile of sand or dry dirt to flop and roll in. Then, he proudly parades around with the grains of sand and dirt adorning his fair. What a slob!! :)

For the Shear Joy of It

I made the following photos in a sequence while we were in our backyard. Rex, aka THE BIG DUMB YELLOW DOG, launched into one of this favorite pastimes: a spontaneous roll and back rub on the grass! It can't be to just scratch his back - he always comes out of it with more crap on his coat than when he started! No, I think that he does it for THE SHEAR JOY OF IT. It never ceases to MAKE ME SMILE. I hope it does the same for you. :)

When You Think About It: The NCAA and Ohio State

When you think about it, was the NCAA right for punishing The Ohio State University (OSU) football program for violations of its rules, committed by the Head Coach and a number of OSU players? Well, yes AND no.

First, here's the back story (short version): In an investigation originally unrelated to any Ohio State students, the FBI raided a Columbus, Ohio tattoo parlor for drugs, gambling and other illegal activities. During the course of the subsequent investigation it was discovered by law enforcement authorities that at least 5 OSU players, including star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, had traded OSU football memorabilia for tattoos and cash payments. The authorities immediately alerted the NCAA which began its own investigation into the allegations. The Ohio legal authorities found no legal grounds with which to charge any of the players involved. However, the NCAA found that the players had indeed violated NCAA rules. They found that the players had traded football memorabilia (like signed helmets and game jerseys) in exchange for tattoos and cash. It was also alleged that drugs and gifts such as cars may have also been exchanged. The NCAA further found fault with the OSU Head Football Coach, Jim Tressel. They alleged that Coach Tressel had at least given tacit approval to the players supporting their behavior and had, possibly, even given them direct support by supplying some of the memorabilia (a game jersey signed by players AND Tressel found at the tattoo parlor was given as evidence). The NCAA handed the OSU football program a penalty of a 5 game suspension for Pryor and the 4 other players, as well as for Coach Tressel. The suspensions were to begin at the start of 2011 season.

However, as the investigation continued, the evidenced mounted that the legendary OSU football program, considered squeaky clean under the evangelical Tressel, was rife with violations. And it became even more apparent that Tressel had played a key role in establishing the type of entitlement that leads to such selfish behavior. Criticism of Tressel and Prior became so intense that Tressel, one of OSU's most successful and beloved coaches, was forced to resign in disgrace. Terrelle Pryor became the poster boy for all the greed and selfishness that has become synonymous with the label jock. He decided to forgo a very promising senior season at OSU and declare himself eligible for the NFL's supplemental draft.

Well, was Tressel and Pryor that wrong. Sure, they were wrong. They all knew that what they were engaged in was strictly forbidden by the NCAA and could lead to severe penalties. Was it selfish by the players to risk not only their own seasons but that of their teammates for what amounted to baubles? Absolutely. Should they have been punished? Definitely.

But there is an underlying hypocrisy here that doesn't easily meet the eye. First, Coach Tressel. He is an evangelical Christian who used a lot of so-called Christian methodology in his coaching technique. He regularly lead prayer groups for players and staff. He encouraged prayer in the locker room. And he used his version of Christian morality to guide his players. Well, were is that Christian morality now? As the investigation continued to explore the situation, it became more obvious the Good Coach was more involved in nefarious activities than anyone could have imagined. It seemed that he reached the height of hypocrisy by living the philosophy of do as I preach, not as I live! In a sense, his TRUE religion became winning at all costs for OSU.

As a BIG TIME coach of a BIG TIME program, Tressel made millions of dollars. OSU makes millions of dollars on the BIG TV contracts and BIG BOWL games that the football team participates in. The NCAA, KING of BIG TIME college sports, makes BIG MONEY on the BIG TIME programs like OSU. Then, there are the players on whose backs Tressel, the NCAA, and OSU makes those millions and millions of dollars. And what do the players get; a good and valuable education (if they pursue it), free - Preferential treatment at a local restaurant or gin mill - Free room and board - And, if they're skilled enough and lucky enough, perhaps an NFL career. What they DON'T get is millions of dollars. Yet, the Universities that they represent make millions. And, in addition to what they make in any given season, the NCAA continues to make additional millions by selling the image of great college players to video game producers, long after that player has left the school! What does the player get? Zip. Zilch. Zero. Perhaps slavery may be too strong a word to describe it. Indentured servitude could certainly be applied here. (writers note: "South Park" did a fantastic parody of the NCAA and student athletes. Go to SouthParkStudios.com for more)

So, in a sense, can we really BLAME 19,20,21 year old kids for trying to make a buck off the fruits of their own labors? No. I don't think that you can. Certainly, you can at least understand it. Look, I've been to a Michigan-Ohio State game. I went to cover the game after Michigan's legendary coach, Bo Schembechler, died suddenly. This was to be the first game after his untimely death. I have to say that I've never seen anything like it. As soon as I got off the plane in Columbus, everything and everyone was covered in the OSU school colors; Silver and Crimson. And it was that way all the way to the stadium. The legendary "horse shoe" was filled with over 100,000 similarly clad crimson and silver lunatics, screaming their lungs out for their beloved Buckeyes! As a former small college football player, I had to say that I was awestruck. I would have given my left testicle to play one down in that stadium on that day.

It was a setting that showed the power and might of not just a university but the whole state of Ohio. And the crowed reveled in it. And the community made money. The bars. The restaurants. The parking lots. The police. The sanitation workers. The utility company. The taxis. The limos. The street vendors. The souvenir shops. Etc., etc., etc. Get the picture?EVERYONE made MONEY except the young men providing the very product that they were all hawking- BIG TIME COLLEGE FOOTBALL!

The NCAA's position is that each player receives a free, quality eduction from the school of his choice and that he is made aware that the NCAA reserves the right to use their image to promote its own image. Really? And that's fair? How dare they hand down this punishment to young men just for wanting what they see other young guys having (as foolish as those things may be :) )! If the damned NCAA paid each athlete a small stipend for his or her performance, it would eliminate the need to acquire things illegally or unethically. After all, aren't other students who work FOR their universities, PAID by that university? If a kid works in the school library isn't he compensated? Why should what athletes do for their schools on a playing field or gym floor be any different? Aren't student athletes, in a sense, also WORKING for that school? Therefore, is it so perverse to pay them as well?

No, when you think about it, those kids weren't ALL bad or ALL wrong. Tressel has his own demons to answer too. And the NCAA better start considering who it desires to serve most; the athletes it supposes to support or itself.

In response: Michele Bachman

First, please allow me to thank all of you who participate in the forum that TalkFrank is supposed to be. It always amazes me that anyone would even take the time to read my shit much less make the effort to actually respond to it! Again, thank you - even to those of you who are wrong! :)

There were a number of comments made that I think I should respond to directly. The rest will be the usual: Brain Droppings. It has been said that I "snipe" at Republicans only. Well, contrare my dear. I really do make an effort to call a douche a douche. TalkFrank is an equal opportunity abuser. In recent weeks I have called out two democratic "stalwarts", John Edwards and Anthony Weiner, for their douchey behavior. Yes, there has been a disproportionate number of Republicans, but I truly can't help that! IMHO, they are just such EASY TARGETS! After all the Republican Party, along with its Tea Party supporters, has been dubbed The Party of NO. And that ain't meant in a complimentary way!!

One could judge the relative strength of its party by the viability of its Presidential hopefuls. Well, if you honestly appraise the current Republican field of candidates and can't see, or choose NOT to, that this is the weakest crop in recent memory, then I need to smoke whatever it is that you're tokin' ! :) Let's say they are an eccentric lot at best.

It was also said that I was finding fault with values that I agree with. I was also asked what issue I had with religious fervor. First, and let me make this clear, I FIND LITTLE in the way of common ground with ANY of the Republican candidates in general, and with Michele Bachmann in particular. She (and they) would take away a woman's right to choose. The so-called abortion issue is about a woman's right to make an EXTREMELY difficult decision about HER OWN BODY. If you stop and think about it, it's one way that the Republicans can finally live up to one of their own mantras: a smaller, less intrusive government. It's simple, allow the woman to choose without interference. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN ABORTION, THEN DON'T HAVE ONE! This is a moral and ethical decision that NO government has any business being part of.

If she (they), had their way, she would also prevent two PEOPLE, who wish to share their lives together, from doing so. Ultimately, who gives a shit how two people, whatever their sexual orientation or proclivity, live their lives! Bachmann (they) would also prevent talented, dedicated individuals from serving their country in the Military simply because of their sexual orientation. WTF?! This is what kills me: Republicans (and the Tea Party) constantly talk about restoring our constitutional freedoms, while at the same time denying basic human rights to a large portion of our population!

This plays well with my objection to Bachmann's religious fervor. It's this adherence to religious dogma, that is at the root of most of the world's most pressing issues today. It doesn't matter if it's Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, or Islamic fervor, it all leads to the same intractable position: We are the way. Well, obviously then, there are many ways. As a devout (i.e. fundamentalist) Christian, Bachmann would have us believe that, with God's blessing, she will bring god into government and, therefore, our everyday lives. Who's god? Her god? I'm sorry guys but I don't believe in her god, and, therefore, will thank her to keep it out of MY government. Yes, I find a lot of fault with religious fervor.

The question was also raised, "what brilliant things has Obama said or done". Well, there are many but two come immediately too mind. First, the way he executed (pun intended) the plan to capture or kill Osama bin Laden was simply brilliant. It showed a man at the top of his game. Not only was the operation handled flawlessly, the way Obama handled a delicate situation in the aftermath was nothing short of brilliant. In contrast, you have two leading Republicans, Bachmann and Palin, who can't even get the most basic American history correct. Need I mention Lexington, Concord, and Paul Revere?

Second, I saw him speak to a group of supporters of Israel in the days just after his controversial comments on the Palestinian issue. I saw this confident leader speak in clear, strong language, and delineate his position without wavering. He took a potentially hostile audience and completely won them over. Powerful. I saw no wavering here.

On the subject of Obama's so-called wavering on important issues, people have to understand that, IMHO, he is a centrist, i.e. a man looking for common ground in a divided Congress. I'll admit, there are times that this philosophy can be frustrating. However, when you look at it in the bigger picture, don't you think, considering the situation in Congress, it may turn out to be the most effective? How this is destroying the country (as has been said), I don't really know.

Someone also said that Sarah Palin is harmless and that we should leave her alone. Well, she is NOT harmless and, therefore, cannot be left alone. She must be called out for the charlatan that she is! She is a brilliant but shameless self-promoter who sold out the people of Alaska to make a buck! Her most recent trip to historic American sites to promote American values was a promotion all right - for HER and her new REALITY SHOW. It's shameless and so is she.

Look, I don't mean to discount any one's thoughtful opinion. But I do want to make an effort to point out things that may not be easily recognized for the hype that it is. Perhaps, because I'm in the news business, I may be a little more apt to read between the lines. It's probably just my nature, too! So, I shout out, especially to you ladies: don't let slick talkers and couture looking ladies fool you. If they get the chance, they'll gain immeasurable power and we'll get the shaft.

Again, and I SINCERELY mean it, thanks for your time and participation! :)

Social Commentary: On Michele Bachmann

Photo: The Guardian

Flipping through the channels, I stopped at CNN to listen to one of their reporter/analysts sum up last nights Republican debate from Manchester, New Hampshire. I don't recall her name and it's irrelevant. The content of what she was saying is not. She was basically "raving" about other pundits "raving" about the performance of Michele Bachmann, the Representative from Minnesota, and, NOW, declared candidate for the Republican nomination for President.

The reporter repeated "headline" type blurbs from other political commentators as if they were movie or Broadway Theater reviews! "She stole the show", said one. "She's a rising STAR", quipped another. The CNN analyst went on to add her own POV by saying she made "Tea Party favorite Herman Cain fade into the woodwork".

Really?! Isn't it, considering the strength of the field on the Republican candidates, like calling someone THE EMPRESS OF THE NORTH POLE?! In so many ways, she is so like her contemporary, Sarah Palin: photogenic, telegenic, energetic, kinetic, and so full of shit! What they have in charisma and, granted, they have LOADS of charisma, they lack in full understanding of the REAL issues that face this country AND the solutions to them. It's all the same RHETORIC! Yes, Obama has his too, it's part of the "game", but he also exhibits a brilliance in thought that is lacking in both Bachmann and Palin.

Now, in fairness, I have to give credit to Bachmann and her people for their brilliant marketing. Choosing the opening of the debate to announce her candidacy was a stroke of genius. She is marketed well. What concerns me is the shite she's selling! She can flutter her long lashes and flash her large, blue eyes all she wants. She can smile her pearly white smile until she blinds me. It's not her figure, or her luxurious, full, shinny hair that concerns me. It's what comes out of her MOUTH that does. Even the few times she may make sense concerning smaller government is easily overshadowed by her over-the-top RELIGIOUS FERVOR and hair-brained history. No, I don't see any common ground with her at all. She does NOT look like me, sound like me, and, most importantly, THINK like me.

So, Michele Bachmann, you are welcome to rule - the North Pole. And, please, take Sarah with you.

Social Commentary: The Separation of Church and State

An open letter to Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Dear Governor Perry:

This is in response to your request for other governors to join you in an "apolitical Christian prayer service" to provide "spiritual solutions to the many challenges we face in our communities, states, and nation". Who died and left you prophet AND governor? WTF?! Please stop ramming your damn religion down our throats. Or, as we New Yawkas might say, "you can stick it up your ass"!

Obviously, for someone who champions the Constitution, you've never actually read it. Otherwise, you would have noticed that implicit in the document is a little thing called the separation of Church and State. You may have also noticed that Christianity ain't the only freakin' belief system in this freakin' country. Freakin' A!!!!!!!!!!

Brain Droppings: On the incomparable Les Paul

I am often asked, "who, in the course of the many interviews you've been involved in, were you most impressed by"? For me, that's not an easy question; not because there have been so many (although there HAVE been many) but much more so because I am not easily impressed. I'd like to think that I'm easily pleased but not so easily impressed. I know who I DIDN'T like: Kanye West. But to single out one of the many, truly impressive people that I have met (through the good fortune of having the job that I do) is more difficult. However, even with that said, there is one person that immediately comes to mind: Les Paul.

I had my first encounter with Les (it was easy to call him by his first name) in the early 90's while I was working at a small cable TV station in Rockland County, NY. One of the locally produced programs was called "Eye On Rockland". I was Executive Producer, co-host, director, and co-writer (hey, it was a SMALL cable TV station). It was a magazine style program featuring people and places of note within our coverage area which included Rockland and North Jersey. One day, the Advertising Sales manager for the station introduced us to Gene Gugig, the owner of a local radio station. Gene was an old-timer and could trace his experience back to the "Golden Age" of radio. He was looking to cut a deal to get some free cable TV advertising for his radio station. The proposal was this: if we shot and edited a commercial for his station, featuring none other than Les Paul, Les would allow us to do a feature on him for our "Eye On Rockland" program. It seemed that since both Gene and Les started their careers on the radio at about the same time, they were buddies since the old days. Having him on our program would be, of course, a huge boost. It's not everyday that you get access to a living legend.

From the moment we rolled up to his secluded, modern, "barn style" home, tucked away off Rte. 202 in Mahwah, NJ, we knew that this would be the opportunity of a lifetime! Since I don't have a ton of time to write ALL of the stories I could tell about Les, and you don't have the time to read them, I'll do my best to focus on those that capture the essence of a true, eccentric, lovable, genius.

Once inside I was shocked to see that Les seemed to have kept EVERY piece of equipment that he ever worked on, every correspondence that was ever sent him, and every photograph that was ever taken of him! Radio tubes, broken guitars, microphones, mic stands, and stacks of papers as tall as a man were everywhere. At one point, we were in his office and he was looking for something to show us when he found a check from ASCAP made out to him for $3,000. He asked us if we thought he could still cash it - it was 10 years old. These things just didn't seem important to him. I suppose that his place was a reflection of his mind: cluttered with innovation.

He also owned Gibson guitars - lots of guitars. In addition to the ones that were in various states of disrepair due to his tinkering, he had many others from Gibson that were intact and bore his name. Most were were works of art. He showed me one that was made of cherrywood and was so beautiful that I was afraid to hold it! When I asked him how many guitars did he actually own, his response was, "oh, I guess about 800"! When a company names a product line after you, as Gibson did, it's entirely feasible to own 800 of them.

Les was incredibly gracious, showing us around his home, explaining the significance of this piece of equipment or that remnant of a radio that became part of a new amplifier. Nearing 80, he still had the energy and enthusiasm of a man half his age. He pointed out dozens of photos of other guitar legends like Eddie VanHalen, and Slash, looking admiringly at the master himself, like kids looking up to a legendary ballplayer. He showed us the prototype of one of his most notable inventions, the multi-track recorder. And, greatest of all, he still had the prototypes of the ORIGINAL electric guitars that he had experimented with before he hit on the right formula for the electric guitar as we know it today. Hearing him tell how and WHY he invented the solid body guitar could fill a book itself. From it's original use in Gerkies Corner, Wisconsin, where he used it while performing in a roadhouse there, to Carnegie Hall, Les Paul's solid body electric guitar changed music.

Although one of the world's greatest inventors, he was, above all else, a musician. And music was the bedrock of his life. He performed, without fail, with his band, EVERY Monday night in NYC - no matter what! I remember that, while we were there, he received a phone call from a producer at a major cable TV network. Apparently, the network wanted to produce a special featuring Les and other famous devotees of the electric guitar playing on the same stage. Les said he liked the idea and they could have him any day of the week except Monday, telling them "I play with my band every Monday night".

About 10 years passed between that first feature story and my next encounter with Mr. Les Paul. He was once again being nominated for a Grammy Award. Of course, this was no big deal for Les. As one of the greatest selling musical artists of all time, he had won many Grammy Awards. What made this one special was his age: at 92 (and still going strong) he was the second oldest performer to ever be nominated (Pine Top Perkins at 93 was the oldest). CBS News decided this was worthy of producing a feature piece on Les. I was assigned to shoot the story that would be reported by Drew Levinson. Since I was already somewhat familiar with Les from my first story, I made the initial contact with him and scheduled another visit to his home.

As surprised as I was at my first visit to Paul's home, I was equally so this time. The incredible clutter that dominated the house during my first visit was gone. The family had hired a housekeeper to clean up the place and keep it clean. The important items were still there but better organized and all in their proper place. In fact, many of his important innovations were on display in his home studio. They were being organized for shipment to the Smithsonian in D.C. where they were to be displayed in an exhibit honoring his work. What had not changed was Les' attitude. He was still vivacious, gracious, and giving. He relayed all the great stories of his life and work to Drew as he had done for me during our first interview. He displayed the guitar prototypes for Drew and even posed for photos with Drew and I. He also invited us to come and videotape one of his Monday night performances at Iridium in Times Square.

I remember arriving for his performance at Iridium on a frigid February evening. While looking for potential interviews from people waiting on line, we spotted the superb guitarist, Jorma Koukonen, waiting with the others to attend the show. Of course, we asked him, "why would you wait on line on a frigid evening to see Les Paul"? His response was simple and effective: "because it's Les Paul". And to have seen Les Paul perform "live" is to understand that. His wit and charm with the audience was only matched by his incomparable skill with the instrument he invented. To hear him play his signature song, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, was to listen to a master completely in tune not only with his craft but with his very soul. It was almost as if the music came from inside of him instead of inside the guitar. But, in a sense, they WERE one and the same: the man, the music, and the instrument he invented to make it happen.

Superlatives are over used in our celebrity worshipping society. This one's "great". That one's "fantastic". Another one is "awesome". Few live up to the hype. Well, Les Paul was all of the those things. He is the ONLY person who is in both The Inventors Hall of Fame as well as The Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. He was full of life and left a legacy as the man who changed the music. He would have liked that.

PS: By the way, Les took ill an the eve on the Grammy Awards and could not make it to LA to attend. If he could have, he would have walked away with another well-deserved award.

Douche of the Day: Guess who?!!

Photos of Congressman Weiner, exposing himself? A man named Weiner, an inveterate flasher?! COME ON! Then lying to the WORLD about it, on every news outlet he could find?! Like he's never heard of the internet, social media, twitter, etc. Like someone wasn't going to eventually notice or something? It's all just too easy, too surreal. Need I say more? How low does one have to go to be a DOTD?!

There are no other nominees that can even compete for today's Douche of the Day. The hands-down (or should I say "hands-on") weiner, I mean winner is NY Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner.

PS: To make matters worse, I think that he shaves his body. . . eyyyyyyyyyy

Tornado Aftermath, Springfield, Ma.

All images are exclusive to F LoBuono / All rights reserved.

The historic downtown of Springfield. Many homes and businesses were completely destroyed
The wrecking cranes began the night after the storms hit.
What's left of Main St., Springfield, Ma.
Lost trees at the Historic Town square.
The Old Church, Springfield made it. The trees surrounding it did not.
Healthy trees, twisted into kindling.
Luckily no one was in this car.
A tree crushed the roof of this historic home.
What's left of the family car.
Someones front yard, cluttered with destroyed trees.
Toothpicks!
The sidewalk that surrounded this tree is still attached to it's roots!
The wind blew right through Cathedral High Schools gymnasium.
The power grid was destroyed
Just like twigs!
All of the streets were blocked with downed trees.
Hanging power lines were a danger.
Try dealing with these power lines on the ground at 3 in the morning!