Memories of the Street

Of rubber duckie, cookie monsters, vetoes, and public tv.

So, what should we talk about today? There are so many things to discuss. I know. Let’s talk about Sesame Street. Why did that come to mind? You know why if you’ve followed Oklahoma news over the last few days. Still, talking about something most of us can relate to is fun.

What is your favorite Sesame Street memory?

How about the pinball machine that taught you to count to twelve? How about saying your “A, B, Cookie Monsters” with Kermit? Could it be that time Ernie taught you why Rubber Duckies are so much fun? Or how about the time you sing, sing a song, with Bob and Luis? How about laughing at how Elmo gets worked up over a rock?

How about you getting to experience watching a whole new generation learning the same lessons you did?

I have many more memories related to it all: Mister Rogers Neighborhood, The Electric Company, 3-2-1 Contact, Nova, Nature, This Old House, The Victory Garden, America’s Test Kitchen, Paint This with Jerry Yarnell, The New Yankee Workshop, anything by Ken Burns, Doctor Who, Mystery, Gallery, and the OETA Movie Club with the late great B.J. Wexler.

The governor of Oklahoma doesn’t think any of that is worthwhile. He’s vetoed OETA’s renewal. Oh, the Oklahoma Legislature passed this bill on renewing OETA for 3 more years almost unanimously, with just a handful of No votes in the Senate. There’s a chance the Oklahoma Legislature could override the veto. We will have to wait and see if it happens. If not, OETA could end its broadcasts in about a year—no more public statewide over-the-air TV.

This Week

More of the same as last week. It's good to be busy at work with a new project, but that means many of my side projects are on hold for a bit longer.

More later. Time to sing. sing a song.

In The News

• Oklahoma bill banning gender-affirming care for trans youth heads to governor's desk | KOSU

• 'Calm down and sober up': Senate leadership has message for Gov. Stitt after mass vetoes | KOKH

• Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoes OETA extension, putting broadcast in jeopardy | The Oklahoman

• Governor Stitt says he is 'glad to veto' OETA bill | KTUL

• Walmart to open health centers in Oklahoma City | The Journal Record

• McCurtain County reporter: 'They're not going to silence me' | KTEN

• Graphic memoir 'Gender Queer' tops U.S. library group's list of most challenged books | Public Radio Tulsa

• Learning of life and death in the newspaper industry | NonDoc

Listening In

This last week I've been listening to many of the Daily Mix channels Spotify generates based on your listening history. One mix would have Sophie B Hawkins, Cheryl Crow, and Colton Ryan. Another would have Metallica, Spiritbox, and Armored Saint. And yet another would be Genesis, Yes, and Paul Kantner.

I'm still listening to Titan by John Varley on Audible. I'm almost done with it. I should start the second book in the Gaia trilogy, Wizard, in a few days.

Something To Watch

I made a book... but it's extremely large | Nerdforge

The History of Cursor Keys | The 8-Bit Guy

We Replaced John Wick with Steven Seagal | Corridor Crew

America’s War on the Gays (and Communists) | James Somerton

Down the Off-Grid Rabbit Hole... | Maggie Mae Fish

The Mouse Fights Back! Inside the lawsuit between Disney and DeSantis | Lawful Masses with Leonard French

Pink Shoelaces - Dodie Stevens Live 1959

Feedback Welcome

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave a comment on Substrack, email me at blogoklahoma@blogoklahoma.net, or connect with me at Mastodon at @blogoklahoma@social.tulsa.ok.us.

Have a great week.

– K.