Around Happy Valley

Ok, so this is more of a way to keep you all busy while I get my act together. Here's some decent reading for the rest of today.

• The Collegian did their yearly, "yes, we do have a band, and they do stuff" article. Frankly, they always give the impression that it's really hard to get into, and participate in the Blue Band. I know, this is more about the new Blue Band documentary premiering tonight. But just reading the article brings me back, to hating all those dork-ass bandos.*

"He said the tryout process begins with an initial music audition, in which the person selects a piece to audition with. Then they are asked to do some sight-reading -- on the spot playing of a composition they have never seen before. If someone makes it past this part, they join in on the days of fast-paced marching drills, he said."

• Staying with the Collegian, there's still a lot of hoopla around the post-Ohio State riots downtown. I guess the borough council never realized State College was a hard-core COLLEGE town.

"Other council members also denounced the riot and briefly discussed how to keep students out of Beaver Canyon during potentially riot-inciting conditions. The balconies in Beaver Canyon “make it entirely likely that somebody’s going to get killed,” said Mayor Bill Welch."

Really? You just thought of that now, Mayor Welch? I mean, it's not like those apartment towers haven't been there for decades.

"Borough Councilwoman Theresa Lafer said she has "neighbors who are thinking of using violence against students," after Police Chief Tom King recounted the riot in Beaver Canyon after Penn State's football victory over Ohio State. “They’re not just unhappy,” said Lafer, who lives on East Foster Avenue. “They’re furious.”

Sure, I mean, why would anyone expect there to be college students living in State College? Can Lafter and her neighbors really sit there with a straight face, pretending they didn't know that living so close to downtown State College was going to be quiet and peaceful? I mean, I'm not one who thinks what college students do is acceptable in the real world, but downtown State College–and the four to five block radius surrounding it–is not the real world, never mind quiet and peaceful. These townies need to get over themselves.

• Joe Paterno was happy to talk about the election, and had some very impressive things to say about the country.

"So, I think it's great to see that there will be, you say 200 million people are going to vote? Well, that's fine. I think that's great. Because it's our country. It not just your country, it's not 100 million people's country; it's not the rich cats who spend a lot of money to have some impact on the economy. It's our country. I read something three or four weeks ago that in 50 years from now, there will be more Hispanic and African-Americans than there will be white Americans in the sense of whatever a white American is; that we will have more people who have a different background than this country had when we fought the Revolution. We are very dynamic and we are a very, very exciting place to be, and it's a very challenging thing for leadership, because you've got such diverse groups. Now, can 200 million people make a better decision than 100 million? Well, if you believe that, you don't believe in democracy."

Of course, that was before John McCain got bitch-slapped by Barack Obama. That's not to say Paterno won't respect Obama as President. Joe's the kind of guy who practices what he preaches, to respect your leaders, even if you don't agree on everything.

• Here's BWI's coverage of the football parts of the press conference.

*I can say that because I was in the Blue Band for four years, earning a spot as Marching Guide and Music Section Leader.