Kudzu: Nature Conservancy follows where Desirable Roasted Coffee leads!

More than two years ago, I enlightened Desirable Roasted Coffee readers of the dangers of kudzu. Not that it did a lot of good; last time I was in the South, the stuff was still growing. Maybe the Nature Conservancy's "Invasive Species: What You Can Do" article will wake people up, but that's not likely, since they soft-shoe the danger:

"Once established, kudzu grows at a rate of one foot per day; mature vines can be 100 feet long."

One foot per day? Kudzu grows fast enough to take down slow cows. Dozens of farm implements are lost every year in the South because Bubbas leave them out in the field while they go into town for a part. It is certifiable fact that at least one kudzu vine starts just south of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and, as of noon today, was snaking its way into a bean field four miles east of Emporia, Virginia (see map). Perhaps the Nature Conservancy wants to spare us the hard truth, but I say "take the truth... before the kudzu gits ya."

    Technorati : kudzu, nature conservancy, rapacious vegetation

Posted by Allan Jenkins at 11:25pm in Rapacious Vegetation, South | Permalink | Comments Welcome! (0) | TrackBack (0)

It's spring, so a visit to the plant nursery is in order

Yesterday was sunny and balmy here in Denmark, so a trip to the plant nursery was high on the agenda.

Now I have five kinds of sage, new rosemary, celery, parsley, a peppery oregano, some more thyme (who can have enough?), Moroccan mint and something called "Mexican" tarragon, of which I am skeptical but willing to give a chance. It seems to taste the same as French tarragon (that is, it doesn't taste like the grass Russian tarragon is), but not particularly different.

Technorati : gardening

Posted by Allan Jenkins at 07:13pm in Free Time, Rapacious Vegetation | Permalink | Comments Welcome! (3)

PR Bloggers Get Knickers in Twist Over FedEx Protecting its Mark

Update: The more I investigate this episode, the more repulsive it becomes.

Jose Avila registered the domain "fedexfurniture.com" on 22 June 2005. Four days later, Brian Oberkirch, a web consultant, who is Avila's web designer and PR representative , posts that he's been inspired by a Steve Rubel post and NPR interview that suggests FedEx should get on the blogging bandwagon.

Oberkirch (or his employee or whatever) kept up the drumbeat throughout July, practically begging FedEx to sue Avila. And they hooked Rubel, who was enticed to comment to this post within hours of it being put up.

I can smell the Fulton Fish Market from here.

Let any corporation take on the little guy and tout le blogosphere (at least the please-let-me-be a PR pundit, Manhattan section) gnashes its teeth. I'm starting to see why some PR practitioners seem to have no large clients.

This week's case is FedEx vs. Jose the Penniless Programmer. Jose used lots and lots of FedEx packing boxes, acquired free from FedEx, to furnish his crib.

No harm there, not really. Most students and new graduates have had at least one "packing case" coffee table; I know my Navy and college bookshelves were milk crates from the Bi-Lo.

But Avila couldn't stop there. He bought a domain (in June, so this was calculated in advance), bought a hosting service (apparently with the money saved through DIY furniture making), and set up a website replete with photos, donation requests and -- a design that used as much FedEx livery as one could dare to do.

FedEx asked him to take down the site. Now, note, they didn't ask him to get rid of the furniture. Or ask for their boxes back. Or ask for damages. Just take down the commercial website that uses their name, their livery and many, many photos of their stuff.

But to hear tout le blogosphere (p.l.m.b.pr.p (ms)) tell it, Jose's civil liberties are being ravaged and savaged by the mean corporate beast.

Here's an FAQ, if this comes up at cocktail parties this weekend:

1. Why, by the way, is Jose this month's darling? Why, because he's a blogger -- at least, since last month when this started happening. Bloggers are the new holy people -- They can do no wrong, no matter how wrong they are.

2. Is Jose a blogger in the meaningful sense of the word? No.

3. When did he start blogging? Last month, weeks after he registered the domain.

4. But B.L. says he's FedEx's biggest fan! Steve says Jose is "expressing his love!" Really? Utter bullshit. Doesn't say so on his website. Anywhere. I can't find a word that says he likes FedEx.

5. Why is FedEx the big bad wolf? Well, for New Yorkers, a Southern-based, non-unionized company makes a useful target. Of course, they still use FedEx; otherwise, they couldn't stay in business.

6. If FedEx had been really a beast, wouldn't they have flown him to HQ to have lunch with the CEO, and hold a press conference, and then send Jose back to stay penniless? Yes.

7. It's pretty ugly furniture. God, yes.

8. I guess tout le blogosphere won't be talking about this next week. Now you got it!

Posted by Allan Jenkins at 10:47am in Blogging for Benjamins, Public Relations, Rapacious Vegetation | Permalink | Comments Welcome! (12) | TrackBack (3)

Why I Left the South: Was Afraid the Kudzu Would Git Me

I'm often asked why I moved to Denmark. Kudzu is the real reason. I figure I'm far enough away to die of natural causes before it gets me.

You think I'm joking? Find the house in the photo below.

Posted by Allan Jenkins at 09:04pm in Expatriate Life, Rapacious Vegetation, South | Permalink | Comments Welcome! (3) | TrackBack (0)