Xpress-rated: Your sneak peek at Wednesday’s Mountain Xpress

It’s the week of July Fourth, so you can expect an explosive new issue of Mountain Xpress to hit the stands on Wednesday.

This week’s cover story examines happiness in Asheville in the wake of the city being named a happy place by Eric Weiner, author of The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World (Twelve, 2008). It was Weiner’s book (namely the “America” chapter) that led TV-news show 20/20 to report, “Asheville was recently named the happiest place in America.” Not exactly, Weiner notes: “I never actually said that Asheville was the happiest place, but it seems that people have latched onto that. I said it’s a place people go to because they think they will be happy. But it’s a nice place.”

There’s plenty more, including commentaries, an update on the controversy over the planned Parkside condos and the weekly array of features and columnists. Click below to go to the tape and see the rest.

—Jason Sandford, multimedia editor

 

 

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28 thoughts on “Xpress-rated: Your sneak peek at Wednesday’s Mountain Xpress

  1. zen

    You guys are great! Not perfectly comfortable under the scrutiny of the camera lens but informative and personal. I like seeing the paste boards of stuff and ads and Steve’s little notebook.

    I say you put together a ‘the making of’ the mountain express done in high-speed and sound bites that shows the process from meeting to dropping it off at the printers. That’d definitely be one to watch!

  2. super and interesting as always. … when does Kranky Ken Hanke review this one? ;-)

    but — a tip from Video Ralph — invest in a light guys, lights are cheap will help the appearance of your video a lot. Check out tips on lighting on http://urtvforums.org/index.php/board,4.0.html.

    light it up, use an external mike, and you guys will sparkle even more. … but, whatever, please keep this feature going, it’s excellent.

  3. [b]I say you put together a ‘the making of’ the mountain express done in high-speed and sound bites that shows the process from meeting to dropping it off at the printers. That’d definitely be one to watch![/b]

    I’m in support of the idea. It sounds like fun, if a lot of work for Jason Sandford, who puts these things together.

  4. Ken Hanke

    when does Kranky Ken Hanke review this one?

    A puckish satire on contemporary mores. I thought the guy playing Steve Shanafelt captured the very essence of the character.

  5. [b]I thought the guy playing Steve Shanafelt captured the very essence of the character.[/b]

    Yeah, but did they have to dress him in the same black shirt from the last video? Show a little imagination in your costuming, people.

    [b]He did have that “I stole Jason Bugg’s girlfriend in high school” look about him, didn’t he?[/b]

    “Stole” is such a loaded word. I prefer “liberated.”

  6. Better ‘bitter’ than ‘bitten.’ Here’s something that will cheer you up, your girlfriend DUMPED me in high school.

    but, back to the topic…

    what about screen capture videos of actual typesetting as it OCCURS! Now THAT would be kewl!

  7. zen

    Here’s something will cheer up neither of you – I was your transgendered girlfriend in high school, Ralph.

    And if Jason is looking for some camera help to do the filming, i’m available (with video and/or still camera)

  8. Ken Hanke

    Here’s something will cheer up neither of you – I was your transgendered girlfriend in high school, Ralph.

    This is getting downright interesting — possibly even rooty-tooty.

  9. I just realized that most of my favorite Xpress comment-crew members are in this thread. We just need Edgy Mama and a few others to be complete.

  10. nuvue

    Hey Ralph,
    That wouldn’t be about Middleton’s from Jackson Co. would it?
    I lived amongst that clan for 11 yrs…..On Caney Fork

  11. Edgy Mama

    You called, Steve?

    I’m still out in smoky California.

    I’m the girlfriend who would have broken all your hearts. But liberated your souls in the process.

    Whatever that means.

  12. brebro

    It dragged in places, but overall, I was enthralled with the preview and longed for more. (I usually like the book better, but in this case, we only get to see the printed version AFTER the filmed one.)

  13. travelah

    I’m the girlfriend who would have broken all your hearts. But liberated your souls in the process.

    edgy, I think that used to be referred to as being easy. :)

  14. nuvue

    I have been doing some soul searching and
    guess it would be nice to have your soul liberated…at least once a week….
    Hey Ralph, when does your book come out and where to get it?
    Sorry for being off topic here

  15. actually, I created THAT (computer-generated) … it’s a 21 PAGE! sentence …

    but, of course, much too simple in syntax and too easily understood to be included in the UDO.

  16. david

    Oh, boy. Another ralph roberts thread. I just love his opinions handed down from up on high!

  17. Calm down, David… I did not originate this thread.

    Also, if I may point it out to you, opinions are just opinions, we all have them and it is our right to post them here. If you disagree with my opinions, fine, post your own.

    However, personal attacks are unnecessary (too much of that going on on this board) and detract from your own credibility.

  18. nuvue

    Whoa David,
    I started this w/ Ralph
    While RR and I probably are far apart politically, I enjoy his posts and he is certainly able to blog his opinions all he wants. (and me too, you as well)
    I know it is off topic but still about publishing somewhat….I was interested in the Middleton family article he was working on cuz I lived in Jackson Co with that family for many years before moving to A-ville.
    The UDO thing came from other post, but his gibberish run-on sentence reminded me of the UDO which I could not plow through.

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