Sitting stinks (5X8 – 11/6/12)

The art of competitive sitting, the mayor of America, Gov. Pawlenty and his new gig, the people who work to the end, and one of the best marketing campaigns takes flight.


Caution: No politics ahead. You can get plenty here tonight with the live blog from MPR News. There will be no NewsCut tomorrow.

1) THE ART OF COMPETITIVE SITTING

Perhaps in your cubicle farm, you’ve noticed the people who stand for something — everything, really. They’re the people who have embraced the stand-up-at-work fad for its healthy ways.

It’s spreading, the Boston Globe reports today.

People have decided to stop sitting on buses and trains, the paper says today. They’re standing at restaurants. They’re standing up when they get together in each other’s homes. They’re standing at the back of the room in conferences.

It has become “competitive sitting.”

2) THE MAYOR OF AMERICA?

If there’s a hero standing above others in the east, where rumor has it there was a hurricane a week ago, it’s Cory Booker, the mayor of Newark.

Meanwhile, in Tom’s River, NJ, rescuers found this note scrawled on the wall of a home:

“WHO EVER READS THIS I’M DIEING – I’m 28 yrs old my name is Mike. I had to break in to your house. I took blankets off the couch. I have hypothermia. I didn’t take anything. A wave thru me out of my house down the block. I don’t think I’m going to make it.”

“There’s no rescue. Tell my dad I love him and I tried getting out. His number is ###-###-#### his name is Tony. I hope u can read this I’m in the dark. I took a black jacket too. Goodbye. God all mighty help me.”

In Brooklyn, residents of high-rise buildings are cold and they’ve been without power for a week. They’re afraid they’ve been forgotten. This is happening. In this country.

Some people are doing things to help. Up north, a couple of guys are going to miss Thanksgiving. They’re driving fuel from Duluth to the northeast. They volunteered.

3) GOV. PAWLENTY AND HIS NEW GIG

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty had his first go with APM’s Marketplace last evening. The governor is now the head lobbyist of a banking association and he found that business reporters ask tougher questions than he may be used to.

4) THOSE WHO WORK TO THE END

You have to really love what you do to keep doing it past a normal retirement age. Composer Elliott Carter kept doing it until he was 103 and died yesterday.

Says the Los Angeles Times:

The third of “the three Cs” of American music, Carter, like his contemporaries Aaron Copland and John Cage, did much to define the American sound in the 20th century. Restless, inquiring and perpetually up to date, his music tended to be ever-changeable, and his most important contribution was rhythmic invention. He resisted a constricting regular pulse, seeking instead a more organic way of thinking about time.

(H/T: Tom Crann)

5) WAITING FOR WES

One of the best marketing campaigns in years. A couple of NBA pros play the part of a couple of old geezers and take on some schoolyards. That “Wes” guy looks familiar…

In Brooklyn last night, by the way, something different happened.

Bonus I: “Growing up, I felt happy, lucky, and safe. I couldn’t fathom being what I am today: the daughter of a suicide victim.” (Thought Catalog) h/t: Sara Johnson

Bonus II: It’s not the stress that counts, it’s whether you can control it (Scientic American)

Bonus III: The rock is back! (h/t: Vince Tuss)

TODAY’S QUESTION

We’d like your help in covering the Election Day story in Minnesota. Today’s Question: What’s been your experience at your polling place?

WHAT WE’RE DOING

Daily Circuit (9-12 p.m.) – First hour: Does early voting change the importance of election day?

Second hour: House of Presidents.

Third hour: Music that captures the American spirit.

MPR News Presents (12-1 pm): Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy, speaking at the Westminster Town Hall Forum about their best-selling book “The Presidents Club.”

Talk of the Nation (1-2 p.m.) – The most memorable election night speeches.

All Things Considered (3-6:30 p.m.) – NPR will look at how voting is going in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy.