Who Knew He Liked Birds?
This has been a weird day. I'm kind of looking back at it and asking myself, "Did that really happen or did I have too many martinis?"
My goodness, I am beat. The MN State Fair has worn me out. I love, LOVE working the MOU booth and answering bird questions. It's a good chance to talk to people who may not consider themselves birders but have an interest. It's a chance to reach people you may not normally talk to you in your day to day life. One chance to help kindle a tiny spark of interest in birds. Or just shoot the breeze with fellow bird lovers.
However, the sounds (and smell) of the State Fair are catching up to me. Tomorrow is supposed to be the Bald Eagle Recovery Day Event at the fair and I would love to go, but I just don't think that I have it in me. I think I need the peace and quiet of banding birds at Carpenter Nature Center...although last week wasn't too quiet, but at least there's no constant din of fair rides, bands, and kids having an afternoon meltdown.
When I finished the MOU booth, I headed over to the fm107 booth to say hi to Ian and Margery--I do bird segments on their show a few times a month (although I rarely talk birds). I had to thank Ian for giving me some really great advice this time last year and plus I just truly enjoy their company. I have to say, I met some unexpected people. One was CJ, the Star Tribune's Gossip Maven. When I realized who she was, I said, "Oh, I actually read your column." She thanked me for admitting it out loud and in public.
Then, I met a most unexpected bird lover. He loves cardinals and bald eagles. He loves visiting the National Eagle Center and has even had the chance to release rehabbed eagles back to the wild. He would love to watch birds watch more, especially up near his cabin but his job in Washington keeps him too busy. When he lived in St. Paul, he loved listening to Jim Gilbert's Nature Notes on WCCO. His resolution was to watch more birds and enjoy nature. Who could this nature lover be?
Republican Senator Norm Coleman. Who knew he likes a little hot all-bird action?
My goodness, I am beat. The MN State Fair has worn me out. I love, LOVE working the MOU booth and answering bird questions. It's a good chance to talk to people who may not consider themselves birders but have an interest. It's a chance to reach people you may not normally talk to you in your day to day life. One chance to help kindle a tiny spark of interest in birds. Or just shoot the breeze with fellow bird lovers.
However, the sounds (and smell) of the State Fair are catching up to me. Tomorrow is supposed to be the Bald Eagle Recovery Day Event at the fair and I would love to go, but I just don't think that I have it in me. I think I need the peace and quiet of banding birds at Carpenter Nature Center...although last week wasn't too quiet, but at least there's no constant din of fair rides, bands, and kids having an afternoon meltdown.
When I finished the MOU booth, I headed over to the fm107 booth to say hi to Ian and Margery--I do bird segments on their show a few times a month (although I rarely talk birds). I had to thank Ian for giving me some really great advice this time last year and plus I just truly enjoy their company. I have to say, I met some unexpected people. One was CJ, the Star Tribune's Gossip Maven. When I realized who she was, I said, "Oh, I actually read your column." She thanked me for admitting it out loud and in public.
Then, I met a most unexpected bird lover. He loves cardinals and bald eagles. He loves visiting the National Eagle Center and has even had the chance to release rehabbed eagles back to the wild. He would love to watch birds watch more, especially up near his cabin but his job in Washington keeps him too busy. When he lived in St. Paul, he loved listening to Jim Gilbert's Nature Notes on WCCO. His resolution was to watch more birds and enjoy nature. Who could this nature lover be?
Republican Senator Norm Coleman. Who knew he likes a little hot all-bird action?
posted by birdchick at 6:08 PM
29 Comments:
I forgive you for getting your photo taken with a Republican. If he likes birds, he can't be ALL bad.
Regarding the last photo: I'm not exactly sure what to say but felt compelled to do so anyway. Heh.
Yes, I bet he likes birds with fava beans and a nice Chianti. Norm Colman is an environmental nightmare. He has voted to allow drilling in ANWAR. He has voted to expand oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. He is a co-sponsor of the coal industries bill that will give them tax breaks and loans to produce plants that liquefy coal turning it into gas. This process produces 125% more CO2 the producing diesel and 66% more then producing gas.
So Norm Coleman may like to watch birds but he does not want us to live in a world that can support bird life or any other life.
I'll talk to anybody about birds, especially a senator with an environmental track record I don't agree with. It's an opportunity to get what you have to say directly to his ear.
Go Sharon! I hope his ear bled.
That's cool. We all do what we can to help our friends the birds and the environment. I plan to do my part by helping whoever gets the nomination beat him in '08.
Good for you, Sharon. Preach directly to the guy--maybe you'll make a dent!
Besides, who knows whether this hot all-bird action might just come back to haunt him later! You know these republicans and their (ahem) predilections.... ;)
Drop names much?
And Norm Coleman? You should be ashamed, instead of grinning like a . . . well, I won't say what I feel.
John Mikes
Weekend Shooter
Did you get to meet James Lileks?
Great picture, Sharon!
Kathy
Hey, Weekend Shooter,
This blog's ALWAYS been about the name dropping, that's nothing new.
Everybody has their different style with a politician. If you happened to be at a fair booth, and a politician was there that you don't agree with, what would you do? Some people are going to ignore them, some are going to start in with how much they hate them, some are just going to go straight for profanity. I myself just engage them in conversation. Personally, I'm more interested in talking to someone I disagree with--especially if they happen to already hold the office, that's the person I would like to come around to my way of thinking.
Holy cow, girl! Are you nuts? No, I'm not talking about the Republican thing, not even gonna go there... I'm talking about the fact that you are wearing a BLACK LONG SLEEVE shirt at the Fair! That is just insane!!!
~other Sharon
I think if you show someone what needs help such as a individual eagle or bird, it helps for that person to relate, over the big picture. Which a lot of people have a hard time seeing. So what the birdchick is doing is giving the senator a chance to see how he could make a difference. How this bird came to be in this situation because of man's actions to the environment.
kitmarlowescot2
If you happened to be at a fair booth, and a politician was there that you don't agree with, what would you do?
I wouldn't smile and happily pose with a man who has the blood of over 3,000 Americans on his hands, among his other immoral acts. Birds aren't everything.
Weekend Shooter
Oh for Pete's sake!
Okay, blog readers, please be kind enough to let me know who I am allowed to pose with in photos. Also, please specify if there are persons I can pose with in photos, but should not smile and to specify what sort of facial expression I should have.
Thanks!
Now that's the type of seed planting I like to see.
We can conqeur those who do not share our views by forcing them into submission, but in the end that only breeds resentment and revenge. We don't truly win except engaging them and changing their minds and hearts.
Thank you
Oh for Pete's sake!
You don't need my help to be a shallow self-promoter who puts herself above the welfare of her nation. You seem to have a knack for it.
Well, name-calling has always convinced me that someone is right!
Trying to convince a bad politician to change is fine but taking a picture where you are arm and arm and have a big smile and put it on your blog has nothing to do with changing his mind. It is like someone said just self promotion. But we should expect it. This site is not really about birding it is just self promotion. Look at the last ten entries.
You and Colemean.
You doing a show.
You at the fair.
A video of your rabbit (buy your book).
Your cool life and cool Hollywood friend.
Your trip promo.
Rabbit book promo.
Bird banding.
Bird banding.
Mushrooms.
Bees.
Six out of ten are just promos for you. It’s your blog and you should run it however you like. You are not the only person who blogs to try and pump up your low self esteem. But don’t insult your readers with lame excuses about trying to change the jerk. Admit you wanted to show off and then we can all excitedly wait for the picture of you smiling arm and arm with Michael Vick.
If you guys don't like the blog, don't read it. You'll feel so much better.
Hey, John Mikes/Weekend Shooter,
"You don't need my help to be a shallow self-promoter who puts herself above the welfare of her nation. You seem to have a knack for it."
Oh, Lord!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Posing and smiling in a photo with someone is putting herself above the welfare of the nation?!!! That is the most moronic thing I have ever heard.
As for the quote, "Birds aren't everything"
Then, what the heck are you doing reading a birding blog! Grrrr...
And "Shameless self promotion"
This is how she makes a living! Give it a BREAK!
Geez!
Geez.
Sharon, I love your blog, and I love you and you can write about anything you want, and post pictures of anything you want, and promote anything you want. Because it's your blog, and your life and you can do whatever you want with your blog and your life.
Fer cryin' out loud.
This is a very simple concept that these trolls cannot seem to understand.
Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest. Carry on. :-)
Rule # 37 of commenting on blogs:
Don't talk to trolls.
I looked up Mr. Coleman to see his position on some things, and he's not one of my favorite people.
But:
Sharon, I adore you and agree with your stand on birds, nature, bees, rabbits, non-birders and whatever the hell you want to post about.
I tell everyone who asks "How did you get into doing this bird of prey thing?" :
Birdchick. Sharon Stiteler. This really cool chick in Minnesoooooota.
I name-drop my ASS off.
Cyber-Hug comin' ats ya.
Trolls blah !!!
Keyboards should have shock collars on them, because these people are quite rude.
kitmarlowescot2
And Personally it's your right to have a photograph with anyone, even Charles Manson, your business, not theirs. They as heck aren't paying your bills.
kitmarlowescot2
Sharon,
It's your blog, aren't you supposed to talk about you? I'm excited with all the various things you DO talk about: birds, bees, rabbits, books, cats/butterflies...keep it coming! Your faithful readers will continue to be here, and the "trolls" or jerks that don't like it can see their comments deleted.
Denise
Sharon ~ you rock! I've learned sooooo much just from reading your blog and others I've been able to link to off of it. I enjoy your self promotion :)
I think some trolls have diarrhea of the mouth. Keep on going doing what you're doing! *hugs*
It's YOUR blog, dear so YOU can decide for yourself what goes in and how. After all it's not as if you were cheerleading for the guy...
Blog on, you wild woman! In any damned way you wanna. Those trolls can just go to www.weapparentlyknoweverythingandthuscanjudgeeveryone!.com or someplace.
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