Thursday's Washington Post had an interesting story on the Web site's front page. Over 100 Southern Maryland families with teen drivers are taking part in a study using a webcam-like device called DRIVE CAM. It allows parents to monitor their tender teen drivers in a way most kids don't like--at least right away. It emails the parents when their young one has done something stupid behind the wheel. It can send video to Mom and Dad's cell phone or home PC...notify them not just what happened, but where and at what speed...kinda like a flight data recorder. Nifty!
Okay. Watch the video. Then, read on.
I've been driving nearly 40 years. Over 2 million miles without a chargeable accident. Never a DUI. Lucky? Absolutely!!! But I also believe part of my "luck" comes from having quality driving instruction when I was a teenager.
Did you watch the video? Okay. Tell me this isn't a grand reason to make 18 the minimum driving age! I'll piss off a lot of teenagers by saying that--but a lot of states have raised their minimum driving ages past 16, anyway--so what's a few more months?
I'll tell you: More supervised time behind the wheel. Driving a car is a cumulative craft, like flying an airplane. It's a license to learn, not a license to drive. The FAA requires only 40 hours of stick time before getting a VFR ticket--but few people can master what's required for the checkride in 40 hours. Most students that get signed off to take the test have at least 60; many have 100 hours or more. Instructors must sign off on students before they can take the check ride. The same should hold true for new drivers. Maryland's learner's permits are now good for two years. Other states are at least 18 months.
Young drivers need to learn quality skills quickly; sometimes far too fast for many to get the grip. I'm all for comprehensive driving courses that (at least attempt to) teach basics of situational awareness and reaction, evasive manuevers and emergency procedures. More emphasis needs to be placed on the hazards of drunk driving, aggressive driving and the dangers of having five of your friends with you in your dad's E320 listening to NWA while doing 45 in a 25.
Problem is--these courses cost money. Sure, the school systems offer Driver's Ed, but these days, it's substantially pared-down compared to decades past. Budget cuts. Parents could foot the bill--but driving school is expensive. And the kind of driving school I recommend is only within the reach of a small number of well-off parents. My doctor made his 16 year old son take an evasive driving course before allowing him to drive unsupervised. And his son thanked him for it. Whether it sticks long-term remains to be seen, but if Jonah remembers even a hint of what he learned in those classes--it someday might save his life--and those in the car with him.
We all do stupid things behind the wheel. ANYONE can get in an accident at any given time or place. And, as teenagers, we did some really stupid things. But it's a different world now. Cars aren't battleships anymore. Although much more advanced, technically--they're also much more fragile. There are also about 200 million more cars and trucks on the road these days. With that--probably just as many crazy drivers thinking about anything but driving. And while an airbag might save your life--there's a good chance it would have never had to be deployed if the driver was simply paying attention.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Holy Crap
This will be an odd weekend. Saturday will be a day and night of enjoyment with my wife. Sunday; we'll probably have a nice lunch.
At 3pm Sunday; it'll all be gone. Gone!
I'm having a colonoscopy Monday. In the old days, colonoscopies were done in the doctor's office, with little or any anesthesia. Today, they resemble major surgery. You're sedated, usually with Versed or something similar...and although you're usually able to watch while the G-I doctor probes--you're too knocked out to care.
My pre-op prep instructions resemble a ransom note. Take two Dulcolax at exactly 3pm with an eight ounce glass of water. Mix one 255 gram bottle of Miralax with a 64 oz bottle of Gatorade; your choice of flavor. Drink one 8 oz glass of Gatorade/Miralax once an hour or something like that until bedtime, then take two more Dulcolax, etc. Oh, and by the way--you're allowed clear liquids only from 3pm through 6:30 the next morning. NO nothing after 6:30 am thru the end of the procedure. This is so the gastroenterologist doesn't get a surprise. I'm sure it's happened, too!
By that time, though, considering the heavy artillery going through my system--it won't matter. I will have read a slew of magazines, maybe even brought the laptop in the bathroom for a while. I'll work in the hours before the procedure--so that'll be interesting going without my usual 3-4 large cups of coffee. Maybe we can bring the home studio in the john, too!
But the unpleasantness of the procedure is nothing compared to its benefits...especially if you've lost a friend or loved one to colon cancer. Think Katie Couric's husband, Jay Monahan. More locally; we think about our pal, Walt Starling, who died needlessly in 2005 at 52. The painful irony is Walter had a colonoscopy scheduled for a particular day. The story is Walt got called into work the night before--and, because he was a "per diem" at the time--took it because he needed the money. He cancelled his colonoscopy. Many months later, Walt complained of abdominal pain. A CT scan showed a huge mass in his colon. Further tests showed it had spread to his liver and lungs. Stage four. Surgeons removed the mass, resectioned his colon and eventually sent him home. Walt lasted about ten more months. Had he gone ahead with the procedure when scheduled, there was a good chance doctors could have saved his life.
1,800 people attended Walt's funeral. He had so many friends because he was a great friend to so many. Few people touch others as he did.
In some way or another; we are all statistics. But one column I don't want to be in--is people who left way too soon because they didn't know they had colon cancer.
Besides; I can eat lunch after the procedure...
At 3pm Sunday; it'll all be gone. Gone!
I'm having a colonoscopy Monday. In the old days, colonoscopies were done in the doctor's office, with little or any anesthesia. Today, they resemble major surgery. You're sedated, usually with Versed or something similar...and although you're usually able to watch while the G-I doctor probes--you're too knocked out to care.
My pre-op prep instructions resemble a ransom note. Take two Dulcolax at exactly 3pm with an eight ounce glass of water. Mix one 255 gram bottle of Miralax with a 64 oz bottle of Gatorade; your choice of flavor. Drink one 8 oz glass of Gatorade/Miralax once an hour or something like that until bedtime, then take two more Dulcolax, etc. Oh, and by the way--you're allowed clear liquids only from 3pm through 6:30 the next morning. NO nothing after 6:30 am thru the end of the procedure. This is so the gastroenterologist doesn't get a surprise. I'm sure it's happened, too!
By that time, though, considering the heavy artillery going through my system--it won't matter. I will have read a slew of magazines, maybe even brought the laptop in the bathroom for a while. I'll work in the hours before the procedure--so that'll be interesting going without my usual 3-4 large cups of coffee. Maybe we can bring the home studio in the john, too!
But the unpleasantness of the procedure is nothing compared to its benefits...especially if you've lost a friend or loved one to colon cancer. Think Katie Couric's husband, Jay Monahan. More locally; we think about our pal, Walt Starling, who died needlessly in 2005 at 52. The painful irony is Walter had a colonoscopy scheduled for a particular day. The story is Walt got called into work the night before--and, because he was a "per diem" at the time--took it because he needed the money. He cancelled his colonoscopy. Many months later, Walt complained of abdominal pain. A CT scan showed a huge mass in his colon. Further tests showed it had spread to his liver and lungs. Stage four. Surgeons removed the mass, resectioned his colon and eventually sent him home. Walt lasted about ten more months. Had he gone ahead with the procedure when scheduled, there was a good chance doctors could have saved his life.
1,800 people attended Walt's funeral. He had so many friends because he was a great friend to so many. Few people touch others as he did.
In some way or another; we are all statistics. But one column I don't want to be in--is people who left way too soon because they didn't know they had colon cancer.
Besides; I can eat lunch after the procedure...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Update On A Few Things--
Haven't had much to blog about lately, so I thought I'd update you on the last few weeks:
--I hear the Goldman Family Party is still going strong, a week after OJ was convicted. Much as I feel for Fred and Kim; OJ's conviction just gave them five more years on the talk shows without repeating themselves...
--My gig in Chestertown went great (see my "I gotta gig" blog)! We sounded great! In fact; we were so good, A) The Fabulous Hubcaps, the headliner band, asked us how long we'd been together, to which I said, "not counting today?" B) the Mayor of Rock Hall (about 15 miles from Chestertown), asked if we'd be interested in doing a couple of gigs in the near future! This is a big deal for a bunch of 50-something guys who gaze at guitarcenter.com and pine for a Marshall 100 W lead amp with 2 cabinets...
--Our money situation is tanking. If you have money in TSP or something similar; you have my deepest sympathy. But my guess is most of this is election-year ploys. Gas prices will fall hard; the markets will rise and Bush will find Osama Bin Laden the first weekend in November. He'll be working at a 7-Eleven in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The same one Elvis worked at. Or did Elvis work in Chaska, Minnesota?
--I think it's hilarious AIG's top executives spent $440K on a "weekend retreat," complete with spa services (one can only imagine)...less than a week after the government handed them 2/3 of their $85 billion dollar payment. And now, the government's talking about giving them more! I heard CBS commentator Dave Ross today--talking about the bailout and how teachers are miffed because the trickle-down isn't going to schools and their salaries. Ross said teachers and school systems should get busy and reorganize themselves--as banks! I love Dave Ross.
--A few blogs ago; I wrote about my stepson, Nick, buying a Wii with his own money; his first major expenditure. Two days ago; our two Maltese(s) decided to eat the sensor bar. And yes, they do make aftermarket sensor bars for Wiis. Seems Frosty and Sammy aren't the first to use the sensor bar for a chew toy--nor will they be the last, it seems...
--I hear the Goldman Family Party is still going strong, a week after OJ was convicted. Much as I feel for Fred and Kim; OJ's conviction just gave them five more years on the talk shows without repeating themselves...
--My gig in Chestertown went great (see my "I gotta gig" blog)! We sounded great! In fact; we were so good, A) The Fabulous Hubcaps, the headliner band, asked us how long we'd been together, to which I said, "not counting today?" B) the Mayor of Rock Hall (about 15 miles from Chestertown), asked if we'd be interested in doing a couple of gigs in the near future! This is a big deal for a bunch of 50-something guys who gaze at guitarcenter.com and pine for a Marshall 100 W lead amp with 2 cabinets...
--Our money situation is tanking. If you have money in TSP or something similar; you have my deepest sympathy. But my guess is most of this is election-year ploys. Gas prices will fall hard; the markets will rise and Bush will find Osama Bin Laden the first weekend in November. He'll be working at a 7-Eleven in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The same one Elvis worked at. Or did Elvis work in Chaska, Minnesota?
--I think it's hilarious AIG's top executives spent $440K on a "weekend retreat," complete with spa services (one can only imagine)...less than a week after the government handed them 2/3 of their $85 billion dollar payment. And now, the government's talking about giving them more! I heard CBS commentator Dave Ross today--talking about the bailout and how teachers are miffed because the trickle-down isn't going to schools and their salaries. Ross said teachers and school systems should get busy and reorganize themselves--as banks! I love Dave Ross.
--A few blogs ago; I wrote about my stepson, Nick, buying a Wii with his own money; his first major expenditure. Two days ago; our two Maltese(s) decided to eat the sensor bar. And yes, they do make aftermarket sensor bars for Wiis. Seems Frosty and Sammy aren't the first to use the sensor bar for a chew toy--nor will they be the last, it seems...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Kids And Birthday Parties
One aspect of getting married at 51 was inheriting a kid. Nicholas turned 11 last week; his birthday party was this past Saturday.
Kids birthday parties in the 'burbs resemble getting Ringling Brothers on the road. Plans for these things start months in advance, much like a wedding. There's the invitation list. The venue. The theme. Getting invited means you're "in the loop." Not getting invited means you must find something else to do with your day. Many kids seriously in the loop sometimes have several parties to go to in a day, much like Hollywood stars.
Then, there's the food and activities. Many parents max out credit cards and take out second mortgages to pay for their child's soiree. This year; we decided to try and keep it on the cheap, but good at the same time. Nick wanted taquitos, tortilla chips and pizza rolls. Off to Sam's Club for institutional-size boxes of taquitos and pizza rolls, plus giant bags of tortilla chips you'll never finish without having a second party. We also got him a giant birthday chocolate chip cookie, because that's what he wanted.
It wasn't enough.
Eleven kids and their parents showed up yesterday. Fortunately; most of the parents left and came back; elated to have some together time. A couple of parents stayed and drank adult beverages. First item on the kids' agenda--nibble on taquitos and tortilla chips--then, play outside.
About 45 minutes later, the little darlings return, hot and sweaty. And hungry. They proceeded to devour the party table of taquitos, pizza rolls and Velveeta dip much the same way as pirhana go after a cow that wanders aimlessly into the Amazon.
It became evident in short order we weren't going to have enough to eat. The taquitos were history and the pizza rolls weren't far behind.
Across the street to Giant for more pizza rolls. Two giant bags later; I return, to find we're now into the birthday present and birthday cookie portion of the show. Apparently, if you tell kids something sweet is on the way; they'll stop eating.
Now; we have two whole bags of pizza rolls plus another half-bag from the feeding frenzy. We also have two huge bags of tortilla chips, another institutional-size brick of Velveeta, plus the melted Velveeta we didn't get to.
Above and beyond all this--the ice maker quit working. So much for the Dreamsicles...
Kids birthday parties in the 'burbs resemble getting Ringling Brothers on the road. Plans for these things start months in advance, much like a wedding. There's the invitation list. The venue. The theme. Getting invited means you're "in the loop." Not getting invited means you must find something else to do with your day. Many kids seriously in the loop sometimes have several parties to go to in a day, much like Hollywood stars.
Then, there's the food and activities. Many parents max out credit cards and take out second mortgages to pay for their child's soiree. This year; we decided to try and keep it on the cheap, but good at the same time. Nick wanted taquitos, tortilla chips and pizza rolls. Off to Sam's Club for institutional-size boxes of taquitos and pizza rolls, plus giant bags of tortilla chips you'll never finish without having a second party. We also got him a giant birthday chocolate chip cookie, because that's what he wanted.
It wasn't enough.
Eleven kids and their parents showed up yesterday. Fortunately; most of the parents left and came back; elated to have some together time. A couple of parents stayed and drank adult beverages. First item on the kids' agenda--nibble on taquitos and tortilla chips--then, play outside.
About 45 minutes later, the little darlings return, hot and sweaty. And hungry. They proceeded to devour the party table of taquitos, pizza rolls and Velveeta dip much the same way as pirhana go after a cow that wanders aimlessly into the Amazon.
It became evident in short order we weren't going to have enough to eat. The taquitos were history and the pizza rolls weren't far behind.
Across the street to Giant for more pizza rolls. Two giant bags later; I return, to find we're now into the birthday present and birthday cookie portion of the show. Apparently, if you tell kids something sweet is on the way; they'll stop eating.
Now; we have two whole bags of pizza rolls plus another half-bag from the feeding frenzy. We also have two huge bags of tortilla chips, another institutional-size brick of Velveeta, plus the melted Velveeta we didn't get to.
Above and beyond all this--the ice maker quit working. So much for the Dreamsicles...
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mid-Life Crisis. Or, I Got a Gig This Weekend, Dude...
I've spent decades in broadcasting. But I've also spent decades in and out of the music business as a musician.
Radio and music went hand-in-hand for a long, long time. I spent most of grades 9-12 playing in bands and working weekends on the radio somewhere. Guitar was my main instrument; I managed to make very good money playing in a lot of DC-area groups in the 70s. But I also dabbled in reeds (clarinet, alto, tenor, flute) and Hammond B-3 organ. When I was 17; I got a job working Friday-Saturday nights playing solo guitar in between sets at Blues Alley. Huge feather in the cap. No matter it paid just $15 an hour, which was the union rate at the time. Of course; $30 a night went a lot farther then. Fact was--I was suddenly thrust into being able to play with some of the top jazz musicians of the day. I even got mentioned by Felix Grant one night on WMAL! Understand--this was 1972-73--and, when you're a kid and all the planets are aligned; well...
I continued to play through college and into the early 80s. But then, I abruptly gave it up and sold all my equipment. Little things like a '65 ES335; a '59 blond Stratocaster, a vintage 4-10 Bassman amp (perhaps the ultimate guitar amp), plus scads of accessories.
Boy, was that stupid. Had I had some foresight; I would have put those things in temperature-controlled storage!
Been on eBAY lately? My 335 (bought at Chuck Levin's for $300 or so)...would now fetch in the area of $10,000! And my beloved Strat? $15,000 easily! Holy crap! Even the new guitars are going for four figures! The new version of the 335 is over 2 grand. A new, playable Strat is close to that--and that's not even the same-quality guitar made back in the day! Hell; the guy who used to WORK on my guitars, Paul Reed Smith (who was a guitar tech at Chuck Levin's before striking out on his own), is making a fortune selling better-quality guitars than Fender or Gibson. It's said "it's not the guitar; it's the player." But those PRS guitars are wonderful.
Okay. Fast-forward to today. One of the stations I do news for from home for is having a big event this coming Sunday. The Fabulous Hubcaps are headlining. This is a great local band; guys who get AARP and are still going strong! Most I know from years and bands past. But also on the bill is a band made up of guys who work at the station! Turns out we all used to play for a living; a couple still do--so the plan was launched.
Thursday; I'll pack the Hammond XK3 keyboard I play nowadays and truck up to the other side of the Chesapeake Bay and we'll start practicing. We need 20 songs for Sunday's two one-hour sets. We won't get a dime for it; in fact...we might have to pay THEM! But the fun we'll have will outweigh any hassle. We're expecting to have lots of fun with The Hubcaps...and we're also expecting to relive some memories we all thought would go by the wayside.
It must be Reunion Week. Broadcasting last week; music this week. What's next?
Cross your fingers we don't suck. Some of those "memories" may come back slower than others!
Radio and music went hand-in-hand for a long, long time. I spent most of grades 9-12 playing in bands and working weekends on the radio somewhere. Guitar was my main instrument; I managed to make very good money playing in a lot of DC-area groups in the 70s. But I also dabbled in reeds (clarinet, alto, tenor, flute) and Hammond B-3 organ. When I was 17; I got a job working Friday-Saturday nights playing solo guitar in between sets at Blues Alley. Huge feather in the cap. No matter it paid just $15 an hour, which was the union rate at the time. Of course; $30 a night went a lot farther then. Fact was--I was suddenly thrust into being able to play with some of the top jazz musicians of the day. I even got mentioned by Felix Grant one night on WMAL! Understand--this was 1972-73--and, when you're a kid and all the planets are aligned; well...
I continued to play through college and into the early 80s. But then, I abruptly gave it up and sold all my equipment. Little things like a '65 ES335; a '59 blond Stratocaster, a vintage 4-10 Bassman amp (perhaps the ultimate guitar amp), plus scads of accessories.
Boy, was that stupid. Had I had some foresight; I would have put those things in temperature-controlled storage!
Been on eBAY lately? My 335 (bought at Chuck Levin's for $300 or so)...would now fetch in the area of $10,000! And my beloved Strat? $15,000 easily! Holy crap! Even the new guitars are going for four figures! The new version of the 335 is over 2 grand. A new, playable Strat is close to that--and that's not even the same-quality guitar made back in the day! Hell; the guy who used to WORK on my guitars, Paul Reed Smith (who was a guitar tech at Chuck Levin's before striking out on his own), is making a fortune selling better-quality guitars than Fender or Gibson. It's said "it's not the guitar; it's the player." But those PRS guitars are wonderful.
Okay. Fast-forward to today. One of the stations I do news for from home for is having a big event this coming Sunday. The Fabulous Hubcaps are headlining. This is a great local band; guys who get AARP and are still going strong! Most I know from years and bands past. But also on the bill is a band made up of guys who work at the station! Turns out we all used to play for a living; a couple still do--so the plan was launched.
Thursday; I'll pack the Hammond XK3 keyboard I play nowadays and truck up to the other side of the Chesapeake Bay and we'll start practicing. We need 20 songs for Sunday's two one-hour sets. We won't get a dime for it; in fact...we might have to pay THEM! But the fun we'll have will outweigh any hassle. We're expecting to have lots of fun with The Hubcaps...and we're also expecting to relive some memories we all thought would go by the wayside.
It must be Reunion Week. Broadcasting last week; music this week. What's next?
Cross your fingers we don't suck. Some of those "memories" may come back slower than others!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
MBS/NBC Radio 10-Year Reunion
I love it when a plan comes together.
Showing up at Saturday night's Mutual/NBC Radio reunion was almost like going to the MBS/NBC Christmas Party back in the day. For a lot of us; reconnecting was almost like not having to reconnect at all. Many of us had stayed in touch over the years; some of us had worked together again since the two networks were ousted from Crystal City in August, 1998. Some people weren't there because they were working and couldn't get off. Others weren't there because they weren't with us anymore. Regardless; everyone who was there had a great time. Lots of memories. Lots of inside stuff that spouses and outsiders who aren't in the business don't understand:
--Jim Bohannon was the perfect MC, as he always is.
--Bob Edwards read the "Mutual" chapter from his soon-to-be-released memoirs. It pretty much put the entire network in perspective. It also told the saga of C. Edward Little; legendary now...at least to the Geezers. The youngins don't understand what that era was all about.
--Dan Scanlan was moved to tears.
--Yours Truly played and commented on the last-ever MBS cast from Crystal City.
--John Henrehan told his Tom O'Brien story which, if you had ever worked with Tom, hit everything on the head. Everyone who worked there in the Bopper Era has a Tom O'Brien story.
--Dick Rosse, who may actually look younger than ten years ago, read a poem he wrote for the occasion.
--Paul Anthony played the "Laff and Gaffe" blooper reels, with commentary in between each cut. Sad they didn't have the one with Tony Marvin, obviously schnockered, completely butchering a "The World Today" newscast when the sponsor's executives were in a listening room in Minneapolis. Tony got two weeks off for that one. Anyone else (at the time) would have been permanently jettisoned from the industry.
--Marty Davis was stunning, as usual. She shot the video and it'll be on YouTube shortly.
--Bart Tessler, our boss at the end, showed up for the cocktail gathering, then, left.
--Phil Alexiou liked the salmon.
--I would have walked right by Rob Schaefer on the street. Glad I saw his name tag lol!
--Cara Fogarty and husband John Stempin couldn't make it at the last minute. Sad, since Cara was a good friend to all of us.
--Pat McDougall brought her mega-expensive Canon digital SLR and got lots of candids.
--Pat O'Donnell (Wash/Balt AFTRA Exec Secretary) sat at the front table. I hoped they comped her ticket. Pat's efforts in 1997 kept our salaries, severance and benefits intact. If it weren't for Pat; we would've gotten about $37.50 when we left. Pat's now-late husband, Tom Powers, was the AFTRA local counsel for years. He, too, was remembered fondly. He was just as instrumental in getting that contract as Pat was. Pat would probably say even more so than her.
--Where was Dean Everette? How could we have a party without Dean?
--We remembered Fred Lowery. We all wish Fred could have been there. Perhaps he was, anyway. We also remembered Kurt Henschen. He was probably there in spirit, too.
Jill "I Need A Job" Nado and Rita Rich did a helluva job of putting this thing together.
Reunions don't mean much except to those who attend them. But we had close to 100 people show up for an event where Jill was hoping just to break even with 50-60. There were others who couldn't come that night who wanted to; others were conspicuously absent. I know one thing: The 12th floor of 1755 Jeff Davis Highway--as screwed up as it was--was home for a lot of us in more ways than "just a job." When we left 8/31/98, severance checks in hand; we left a piece of ourselves in that building. Perhaps that's why so many of us showed up Saturday night. We may have moved on in jobs and careers, but will always remember the toil to put together a product that, despite the limitations--was many times better than the rest.
Showing up at Saturday night's Mutual/NBC Radio reunion was almost like going to the MBS/NBC Christmas Party back in the day. For a lot of us; reconnecting was almost like not having to reconnect at all. Many of us had stayed in touch over the years; some of us had worked together again since the two networks were ousted from Crystal City in August, 1998. Some people weren't there because they were working and couldn't get off. Others weren't there because they weren't with us anymore. Regardless; everyone who was there had a great time. Lots of memories. Lots of inside stuff that spouses and outsiders who aren't in the business don't understand:
--Jim Bohannon was the perfect MC, as he always is.
--Bob Edwards read the "Mutual" chapter from his soon-to-be-released memoirs. It pretty much put the entire network in perspective. It also told the saga of C. Edward Little; legendary now...at least to the Geezers. The youngins don't understand what that era was all about.
--Dan Scanlan was moved to tears.
--Yours Truly played and commented on the last-ever MBS cast from Crystal City.
--John Henrehan told his Tom O'Brien story which, if you had ever worked with Tom, hit everything on the head. Everyone who worked there in the Bopper Era has a Tom O'Brien story.
--Dick Rosse, who may actually look younger than ten years ago, read a poem he wrote for the occasion.
--Paul Anthony played the "Laff and Gaffe" blooper reels, with commentary in between each cut. Sad they didn't have the one with Tony Marvin, obviously schnockered, completely butchering a "The World Today" newscast when the sponsor's executives were in a listening room in Minneapolis. Tony got two weeks off for that one. Anyone else (at the time) would have been permanently jettisoned from the industry.
--Marty Davis was stunning, as usual. She shot the video and it'll be on YouTube shortly.
--Bart Tessler, our boss at the end, showed up for the cocktail gathering, then, left.
--Phil Alexiou liked the salmon.
--I would have walked right by Rob Schaefer on the street. Glad I saw his name tag lol!
--Cara Fogarty and husband John Stempin couldn't make it at the last minute. Sad, since Cara was a good friend to all of us.
--Pat McDougall brought her mega-expensive Canon digital SLR and got lots of candids.
--Pat O'Donnell (Wash/Balt AFTRA Exec Secretary) sat at the front table. I hoped they comped her ticket. Pat's efforts in 1997 kept our salaries, severance and benefits intact. If it weren't for Pat; we would've gotten about $37.50 when we left. Pat's now-late husband, Tom Powers, was the AFTRA local counsel for years. He, too, was remembered fondly. He was just as instrumental in getting that contract as Pat was. Pat would probably say even more so than her.
--Where was Dean Everette? How could we have a party without Dean?
--We remembered Fred Lowery. We all wish Fred could have been there. Perhaps he was, anyway. We also remembered Kurt Henschen. He was probably there in spirit, too.
Jill "I Need A Job" Nado and Rita Rich did a helluva job of putting this thing together.
Reunions don't mean much except to those who attend them. But we had close to 100 people show up for an event where Jill was hoping just to break even with 50-60. There were others who couldn't come that night who wanted to; others were conspicuously absent. I know one thing: The 12th floor of 1755 Jeff Davis Highway--as screwed up as it was--was home for a lot of us in more ways than "just a job." When we left 8/31/98, severance checks in hand; we left a piece of ourselves in that building. Perhaps that's why so many of us showed up Saturday night. We may have moved on in jobs and careers, but will always remember the toil to put together a product that, despite the limitations--was many times better than the rest.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Welcome Back Spam!
Last Friday; Virginia's Supreme Court declared the state's anti-spam law unconstitutional. At the same time; it overturned the conviction of Jeremy Jaynes, considered one of the world's biggest spammers. Jaynes got nine years for sending billions of spam emails worldwide...lots of them for things like "Cialis Soft-Tabs," "Chewable Viagra" and other things anyone with half a brain just knows aren't true. Jaynes was allowed to stay out of jail pending appeals.
And it looks like he'll be staying out of jail for a long time to come.
Jaynes made a fortune before being convicted and sentenced...apparently, enough money to hire great attorneys who kept his case in various courts until Friday's ruling. Although his case could conceivably go through federal appeals courts and, eventually, to the U-S Supreme Court; it appears Jeremy has won.
Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell says he'll take it to the U-S Supreme Court; says he's "very disappointed" in Friday's ruling. But, it's an election year--and it looks like McDonnell's going to run for Governor next year--so...
Two questions: What will this do to anti-spam laws in other states? When will Jeremy start spamming again?
Other states have similar anti-spam laws, but they haven't really been tested. Will Jaynes become the poster child for spam--and will his attorneys file in other states to have those laws overturned, too? Probably.
If Jeremy has any of his fortune left--and he probably does--it will take him about five minutes to find a provider and start spamming again. There are plenty of ISPs that will take his money and set up a corner of the server room just for him.
Ten years ago--back in the Windows 95 and 98 days--we got spammed plenty. Go on your computer at 7:30 am and watch the inbox flow! One email for me; 150 spam. It was a real pain in the ass. Some people still get a lot of spam. But, for the most part; the industry--and computer users--grew a brain and figured out how to limit or eliminate it. Nowadays; I get maybe one a day that seeps through. Any other "direct emails" usually come from online merchants or services I've chosen to get emails from.
But spam is still a big problem. By and large; computer users (read: all of us) really don't want it unless we ask for it. Perhaps the original anti-spam laws were written wrong? If spam is now truly protected under the First Amendment; how about new laws that severely punish spammers if they continue to send emails to those on a "do not spam" list? It's worked in telemarketing, although more and more on the "do not call" list seem to be falling through the cracks.
Treat the disease, not the symptoms.
I, too, am disappointed at Friday's state Supreme Court ruling. I'm getting my inbox ready as I write...
And it looks like he'll be staying out of jail for a long time to come.
Jaynes made a fortune before being convicted and sentenced...apparently, enough money to hire great attorneys who kept his case in various courts until Friday's ruling. Although his case could conceivably go through federal appeals courts and, eventually, to the U-S Supreme Court; it appears Jeremy has won.
Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell says he'll take it to the U-S Supreme Court; says he's "very disappointed" in Friday's ruling. But, it's an election year--and it looks like McDonnell's going to run for Governor next year--so...
Two questions: What will this do to anti-spam laws in other states? When will Jeremy start spamming again?
Other states have similar anti-spam laws, but they haven't really been tested. Will Jaynes become the poster child for spam--and will his attorneys file in other states to have those laws overturned, too? Probably.
If Jeremy has any of his fortune left--and he probably does--it will take him about five minutes to find a provider and start spamming again. There are plenty of ISPs that will take his money and set up a corner of the server room just for him.
Ten years ago--back in the Windows 95 and 98 days--we got spammed plenty. Go on your computer at 7:30 am and watch the inbox flow! One email for me; 150 spam. It was a real pain in the ass. Some people still get a lot of spam. But, for the most part; the industry--and computer users--grew a brain and figured out how to limit or eliminate it. Nowadays; I get maybe one a day that seeps through. Any other "direct emails" usually come from online merchants or services I've chosen to get emails from.
But spam is still a big problem. By and large; computer users (read: all of us) really don't want it unless we ask for it. Perhaps the original anti-spam laws were written wrong? If spam is now truly protected under the First Amendment; how about new laws that severely punish spammers if they continue to send emails to those on a "do not spam" list? It's worked in telemarketing, although more and more on the "do not call" list seem to be falling through the cracks.
Treat the disease, not the symptoms.
I, too, am disappointed at Friday's state Supreme Court ruling. I'm getting my inbox ready as I write...
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Don Lafontaine
Anyone who's cracked a mic as a voiceover talent in our generation knows the name Don Lafontaine. Don was to voiceovers what Itzak Pearlman is to the violin. Trailers for over 5,000 movies; hundreds of thousands of commercials. Millions in net worth. He invented a whole new way of doing things.
Don Lafontaine died yesterday, Labor Day, of complications from pneumothorax. In a nutshell; he was admitted to Cedars-Sinai for shortness of breath. Turned out it was a collapsed lung. And, a blood clot. Word is the clot moved elsewhere after the lung was reinflated and that was pretty much that. Don Lafontaine was 68.
Very sad. On top of being the most-prolific and highest-paid voiceover talent in the Universe; Don Lafontaine was also one of the nicest guys in the business. As much money as Don Lafontaine made; he may have been equally responsible for mentoring others and launching their careers. He was a big ham; unafraid to parody himself or the business that made him so much money. The Geico TV spot with him is one example--but I think of others you can find on YouTube if you search with his name. The limo ride to the awards show (Five Guys In A Limo) is classic.
Once the funeral's done and the grieving subsides--one thing is certain: Life goes on. And in the 15-minutes-of-fame voiceover business--no doubt half the talent in L.A. will be on the phone with The Tisherman Agency or ICM this time next week. Don did so much work--it might take several people to take care of his schedule. My A-List guesses for his replacement:
--George DelHoyo
--Ben Patrick Johnson
--Andy Geller
--And, of course--Hal Douglas
--And here's a long shot: Comedian Pablo Francisco--who does an uncanny imitation of Don Lafontaine. Could he get into character for a couple million a year? I could...
God bless Don Lafontaine. He changed the industry and gave an entire generation of viewers and listeners a voice they'll always remember.
Don Lafontaine died yesterday, Labor Day, of complications from pneumothorax. In a nutshell; he was admitted to Cedars-Sinai for shortness of breath. Turned out it was a collapsed lung. And, a blood clot. Word is the clot moved elsewhere after the lung was reinflated and that was pretty much that. Don Lafontaine was 68.
Very sad. On top of being the most-prolific and highest-paid voiceover talent in the Universe; Don Lafontaine was also one of the nicest guys in the business. As much money as Don Lafontaine made; he may have been equally responsible for mentoring others and launching their careers. He was a big ham; unafraid to parody himself or the business that made him so much money. The Geico TV spot with him is one example--but I think of others you can find on YouTube if you search with his name. The limo ride to the awards show (Five Guys In A Limo) is classic.
Once the funeral's done and the grieving subsides--one thing is certain: Life goes on. And in the 15-minutes-of-fame voiceover business--no doubt half the talent in L.A. will be on the phone with The Tisherman Agency or ICM this time next week. Don did so much work--it might take several people to take care of his schedule. My A-List guesses for his replacement:
--George DelHoyo
--Ben Patrick Johnson
--Andy Geller
--And, of course--Hal Douglas
--And here's a long shot: Comedian Pablo Francisco--who does an uncanny imitation of Don Lafontaine. Could he get into character for a couple million a year? I could...
God bless Don Lafontaine. He changed the industry and gave an entire generation of viewers and listeners a voice they'll always remember.
Monday, September 1, 2008
School Days
Our family is about to enter a new phase: Middle School.
When Michele and I first met; she was going through a very bad divorce and I was coming off a very disappointing relationship. We wouldn't date for several more years. That's for another piece. But I remember, when we were introduced and met to chat the first time--her adorable son, Nicholas. He was about four at the time. Always smiling; always easy to make laugh. And always laughing. Until I got married, I was never much into kids, although I thought it would be novel to have one of my own. But Nick seemed to be a great template for the imaginary "ideal kid."
In an earlier blog; I discussed Nick's finally acquiring a Nintendo Wii. Tuesday; Nick puts the Wii on the back burner and heads off to an experience he'll hopefully remember longer than the Wii: Farmwell Station Middle School.
As anyone at the top end of the 45-54 demo like I am can attest; school is different these days. I can't relate. For me, public school was K-6, then 7-9, then 10-12. I vividly remember the first day of seventh grade. We didn't have "orientation" or an Ice Cream Social, where parents ate ice cream and waited patiently for their darlings to finish their tour, get their class schedules, meet their teachers , buy Spirit Wear and try out their locker combinations. We, on the other hand, got our class schedules sometime in July, in a little 3/4 size envelope, printed out on a grid on one of those old mainframe data printers. We simply showed up at our new school the day after Labor Day and fended for ourselves. And everyone was thrown in the mix together. We feared getting "rooked," where 8th and 9th graders would try to mark your face or clothing with lipstick. Or, getting "froot looped," which is where someone would yank the hang loop off the back of your shirt, effectively ruining it, since the hang loop was sewn into the shoulder pleat just below the collar. If you haven't guessed by now; this was the 60s. We wore Bass Weejuns, Peters golf jackets, wore Canterbury belts and carried Canterbury wallets. We were preppy but didn't know it. We didn't have Abercrombie or Old Navy. We had The Varsity Shop.
Nowadays; middle school starts in sixth grade. Sorry, but that's way too young. The administrator who made that decision should be shot. To me, every phase of public school needs a point where the student becomes the big fish in the pond. Sixth grade for elementary; 9th grade for junior high and 12th grade for high school. These are tried-and-true transitional ages. I just don't think sixth graders are necessarily ready for the rigors of large-scale social interaction. That includes culture shocks like fighting, first day in the locker room and missing the bus when you live eight miles away.
Oops. I spoke too soon. Lots has happened since 1966-1970, when I went to middle school. Kids don't worry about getting in a playground scrap nowadays. They worry about being gunned down because the kid sitting next to them brought their dad's Glock 40 for a nouveau version of Show and Tell. Girls don't just worry about menstrual cramps and why boys suddenly like them. They worry Justin will be at Amber's party next Friday night while her parents are away. Not that they don't like Justin, but Justin's presence might mean sudden parenthood. Whether they like it or not.
Geez. Remember when the norm was "let's not and say we did?" Okay. perhaps that's why middle school now starts in sixth grade. Perhaps this is why kids are now in a more-structured setting at an earlier age. Sex, drugs, guns, gangs. Fashion. Peer pressure. It gets younger and younger.
That's really sad.
As you get older; you realize there's a time and place for everything. And as you look back on your life; you realize losing one's innocence wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Fun at the time? Maybe. But how you'd love to have those couple of years back now...
These days; middle school is highly-structured and highly-specialized. Gone are the six or seven period days. Now; it's four 90 minute blocks, with different classes on alternating days. Kinda like college. And the school resembles prison. No bars, but each grade is, for the most part, sequestered in their own "house." No more "lunch buddies." Each homeroom must eat lunch together. There is little if any cross-socialization.
Remember the first time you saw a boy and girl holding hands, walking down the hall? I don't know about Farmwell, but in other schools, such PDA today will get you suspended, if not expelled. Same for horseplay or even a scuffle that gets broken up before it escalates. Text your friend in History class and get caught? You'll need an attorney.
All this in mind; we've tried to get Nick to realize he's not the only one going through this tomorrow. Millions of kids nationwide will take the next step toward adulthood. He's psyched, too. Already has his bookbag packed with the requisite school supplies. Now, if he can just get through the next 23 hours...
I hope Nick remembers middle school as a positive experience. Eighth grade is usually the worst, transitionally. But, in reality; they all are. All we can do, as parents, is make sure Nick knows right from wrong, support him unconditionally and point him in the right direction. And, wish we were his age again--and know what we know now...
When Michele and I first met; she was going through a very bad divorce and I was coming off a very disappointing relationship. We wouldn't date for several more years. That's for another piece. But I remember, when we were introduced and met to chat the first time--her adorable son, Nicholas. He was about four at the time. Always smiling; always easy to make laugh. And always laughing. Until I got married, I was never much into kids, although I thought it would be novel to have one of my own. But Nick seemed to be a great template for the imaginary "ideal kid."
In an earlier blog; I discussed Nick's finally acquiring a Nintendo Wii. Tuesday; Nick puts the Wii on the back burner and heads off to an experience he'll hopefully remember longer than the Wii: Farmwell Station Middle School.
As anyone at the top end of the 45-54 demo like I am can attest; school is different these days. I can't relate. For me, public school was K-6, then 7-9, then 10-12. I vividly remember the first day of seventh grade. We didn't have "orientation" or an Ice Cream Social, where parents ate ice cream and waited patiently for their darlings to finish their tour, get their class schedules, meet their teachers , buy Spirit Wear and try out their locker combinations. We, on the other hand, got our class schedules sometime in July, in a little 3/4 size envelope, printed out on a grid on one of those old mainframe data printers. We simply showed up at our new school the day after Labor Day and fended for ourselves. And everyone was thrown in the mix together. We feared getting "rooked," where 8th and 9th graders would try to mark your face or clothing with lipstick. Or, getting "froot looped," which is where someone would yank the hang loop off the back of your shirt, effectively ruining it, since the hang loop was sewn into the shoulder pleat just below the collar. If you haven't guessed by now; this was the 60s. We wore Bass Weejuns, Peters golf jackets, wore Canterbury belts and carried Canterbury wallets. We were preppy but didn't know it. We didn't have Abercrombie or Old Navy. We had The Varsity Shop.
Nowadays; middle school starts in sixth grade. Sorry, but that's way too young. The administrator who made that decision should be shot. To me, every phase of public school needs a point where the student becomes the big fish in the pond. Sixth grade for elementary; 9th grade for junior high and 12th grade for high school. These are tried-and-true transitional ages. I just don't think sixth graders are necessarily ready for the rigors of large-scale social interaction. That includes culture shocks like fighting, first day in the locker room and missing the bus when you live eight miles away.
Oops. I spoke too soon. Lots has happened since 1966-1970, when I went to middle school. Kids don't worry about getting in a playground scrap nowadays. They worry about being gunned down because the kid sitting next to them brought their dad's Glock 40 for a nouveau version of Show and Tell. Girls don't just worry about menstrual cramps and why boys suddenly like them. They worry Justin will be at Amber's party next Friday night while her parents are away. Not that they don't like Justin, but Justin's presence might mean sudden parenthood. Whether they like it or not.
Geez. Remember when the norm was "let's not and say we did?" Okay. perhaps that's why middle school now starts in sixth grade. Perhaps this is why kids are now in a more-structured setting at an earlier age. Sex, drugs, guns, gangs. Fashion. Peer pressure. It gets younger and younger.
That's really sad.
As you get older; you realize there's a time and place for everything. And as you look back on your life; you realize losing one's innocence wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Fun at the time? Maybe. But how you'd love to have those couple of years back now...
These days; middle school is highly-structured and highly-specialized. Gone are the six or seven period days. Now; it's four 90 minute blocks, with different classes on alternating days. Kinda like college. And the school resembles prison. No bars, but each grade is, for the most part, sequestered in their own "house." No more "lunch buddies." Each homeroom must eat lunch together. There is little if any cross-socialization.
Remember the first time you saw a boy and girl holding hands, walking down the hall? I don't know about Farmwell, but in other schools, such PDA today will get you suspended, if not expelled. Same for horseplay or even a scuffle that gets broken up before it escalates. Text your friend in History class and get caught? You'll need an attorney.
All this in mind; we've tried to get Nick to realize he's not the only one going through this tomorrow. Millions of kids nationwide will take the next step toward adulthood. He's psyched, too. Already has his bookbag packed with the requisite school supplies. Now, if he can just get through the next 23 hours...
I hope Nick remembers middle school as a positive experience. Eighth grade is usually the worst, transitionally. But, in reality; they all are. All we can do, as parents, is make sure Nick knows right from wrong, support him unconditionally and point him in the right direction. And, wish we were his age again--and know what we know now...
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Mutual/NBC Radio Reunion--Or, Cash Bar At Its Finest...
In a couple of weeks; broadcasters from near and far will gather at a hotel to eat, drink, mingle, talk about old times and listen to some audio memories from days gone by. Certainly not the first time that's happened in my career...and it probably won't be the last.
But major bashes like the upcoming NBC Radio/Mutual Broadcasting System reunion are special--not just because of the camaraderie, but because we'll have a chance to remember how things were "back in the day." And, for me, at least (although I'm sure others will feel similar); the rememberances will go back a long time. I'll explain, albeit in a roundabout way.
Broadcasting has changed little on the outside in the last ten years. Radio stations and formats come and go. People come and go. But it's changed exponentially on the inside. The purge of NBC/Mutual in August of 1998 was a grand example of how things were about to change industry-wide. In a nutshell; Mel Karmazin, whom you may know now runs Sirius/XM; took over NBC/Mutual and CBS Radio. Mel eventually decided he didn't need NBC/Mutual, or its staff, payroll and general overhead. So, in July of 1998; we were told, en masse, we were being let go and NBC/Mutual's operations would move to NYC, down the hall from CBS. Once those network's contractual obligations to affiliates were fulfilled; NBC and Mutual would be killed off, although that would take a while. CNNRadio would eventually pick up most of those affiliates.
A few of the NBC/MBS crew went to NYC. But literally dozens lost jobs here. Fortunately; all but a few "stragglers" landed on their feet, found other work and moved on. Interesting that, had the networks not folded; most of us might still be there today, working on double-digit anniversaries and calculating our severance.
The NBC/Mutual complex in Crystal City (near National Airport) was old by anyone's standards. While other networks had converted--or were converting--to digital media; NBC/Mutual was still all reel-to-reel and all-cart. For the uninitated, that means we were still recording on and playing back tape. Ironically; Mutual was a pioneer in computer-controlled newscasts, having gone to an automated mic and time gate decades ago. The system is common now, but was way ahead of its time then. The computer fired the theme, turned your mic on and "clipped" you if you ran over. Problem was, by the time I got there in 1995 as an anchor; they were using the same system they used in the early 80s. And it was being held together with chewing gum. And, sadly--that's the way most of the 12th floor was until the end. Hell; if it hadn't been for Norm Pattiz buying NBC Radio; we might have still been using manual typewriters and carbon paper! By the time I got there; the BASYS system hadn't been in the building all that long.
But it was a thrill to work there; a thrill to be on-the-air there; a thrill to contribute. Why?
I grew up with broadcasting. My dad, Jim Hall, was a long-time Mutual anchor and correspondent in the 60s and 70s. For his day, he was considered one of the best in the business. Not only was he a top-notch newsman, but made significant money as a voice talent. I don't say that because he was my father; that's what everyone else said about him. I grew up with that level of the business. When I was growing up; it was glamorous. And, because of who my dad "was;" I knew a lot of the heavies of the time. And, in my various stops in my career; I would run into some of them time and again.
When Jim passed away in 1990; a good deal of the "old-school" MBS people attended his memorial service. It was touching.
Mutual was a big part of my family's life. Thus, when I was hired on to anchor in 1995; I considered that a huge thrill. In the end; I made many friends there. And when we all gather in a couple of weeks; it'll be nice to see them again.
There will be some who will be missing. One who immediately comes to mind is Fred Lowery. One of the most talented radio newspeople ever. Simply the best. And one of the nicest people you would ever know. Fred held down the overnight anchor slot for 20+ years. He liked doing overnights. First; it kept him away from management. Second; it left his days free for golf. We played a lot of golf together.
Every year; Fred would take his five weeks vacation in one big lump. Fred and Ann would drive up to their little "summer place" in Norway, Maine. You can't get there from here. Every year I was at NBC/MBS; I would cover that five weeks of overnights. We wouldn't hear from Fred for five weeks. No phone, no nothing.
In July of 1998; Fred and Ann went to Maine, as they usually did. But this time, it was different. Not long into their stay; Fred became ill. The nearest hospital was nothing more than a "community hospital," with limited medical facilities. It is said Fred walked in the emergency room under his own power. But he never left. His body failed rapidly and he died of a massive infection July 26, 1998. He was only 55. He died much the same way Jim Henson of The Muppets died--a raging staph infection that, by the time doctors got to it--was uncontrollable.
When we got the call the next day--Monday morning; we were, individually and collectively, in shock. I had just gone to bed after working Fred's shift, when anchor Barbara Porter called me to tell me. I wasn't the only one who dropped what they were doing to go in and hang out after hearing the news. It was that kind of place.
Kurt Henschen is another one. Kurt was a familiar news voice on WMAL in the 70s before going to MBS. He died of ALS two years ago. We had a wake for him in May of 2006.
Ironically; I did the last-ever Mutual newscast from Crystal City. It was the 5 AM show on Sunday morning, 8/30/98. It was nothing more than luck of the schedule. Otherwise; someone else might have done it. But for me; it was apt. 35 years of family history with the network...and I'm the one who gets to shut it down.
The 6 AM newscast came out of NYC. Jim Chenevey anchored it. But I had to have a newscast ready and be in the booth, just in case.
On Monday, 8/31, we all went in for one last day to clean out our boxes and get our severance checks.
You can listen to the last MBS newscast from Crystal City here.
I'm hoping the NBC/MBS reunion is a great blowout. I hope we all have great fun. A big thank-you to Jill Nado, Judy Thomas and Rita Rich for putting this together.
I'll always remember the great time I had working there--both in high school as a tape editor and as an anchor as an adult. I know many others will feel the same way. That's because despite the problems inherent to a big broadcast news operation--translation: all the bullshit we went through; we were all made better for the experience.
But major bashes like the upcoming NBC Radio/Mutual Broadcasting System reunion are special--not just because of the camaraderie, but because we'll have a chance to remember how things were "back in the day." And, for me, at least (although I'm sure others will feel similar); the rememberances will go back a long time. I'll explain, albeit in a roundabout way.
Broadcasting has changed little on the outside in the last ten years. Radio stations and formats come and go. People come and go. But it's changed exponentially on the inside. The purge of NBC/Mutual in August of 1998 was a grand example of how things were about to change industry-wide. In a nutshell; Mel Karmazin, whom you may know now runs Sirius/XM; took over NBC/Mutual and CBS Radio. Mel eventually decided he didn't need NBC/Mutual, or its staff, payroll and general overhead. So, in July of 1998; we were told, en masse, we were being let go and NBC/Mutual's operations would move to NYC, down the hall from CBS. Once those network's contractual obligations to affiliates were fulfilled; NBC and Mutual would be killed off, although that would take a while. CNNRadio would eventually pick up most of those affiliates.
A few of the NBC/MBS crew went to NYC. But literally dozens lost jobs here. Fortunately; all but a few "stragglers" landed on their feet, found other work and moved on. Interesting that, had the networks not folded; most of us might still be there today, working on double-digit anniversaries and calculating our severance.
The NBC/Mutual complex in Crystal City (near National Airport) was old by anyone's standards. While other networks had converted--or were converting--to digital media; NBC/Mutual was still all reel-to-reel and all-cart. For the uninitated, that means we were still recording on and playing back tape. Ironically; Mutual was a pioneer in computer-controlled newscasts, having gone to an automated mic and time gate decades ago. The system is common now, but was way ahead of its time then. The computer fired the theme, turned your mic on and "clipped" you if you ran over. Problem was, by the time I got there in 1995 as an anchor; they were using the same system they used in the early 80s. And it was being held together with chewing gum. And, sadly--that's the way most of the 12th floor was until the end. Hell; if it hadn't been for Norm Pattiz buying NBC Radio; we might have still been using manual typewriters and carbon paper! By the time I got there; the BASYS system hadn't been in the building all that long.
But it was a thrill to work there; a thrill to be on-the-air there; a thrill to contribute. Why?
I grew up with broadcasting. My dad, Jim Hall, was a long-time Mutual anchor and correspondent in the 60s and 70s. For his day, he was considered one of the best in the business. Not only was he a top-notch newsman, but made significant money as a voice talent. I don't say that because he was my father; that's what everyone else said about him. I grew up with that level of the business. When I was growing up; it was glamorous. And, because of who my dad "was;" I knew a lot of the heavies of the time. And, in my various stops in my career; I would run into some of them time and again.
When Jim passed away in 1990; a good deal of the "old-school" MBS people attended his memorial service. It was touching.
Mutual was a big part of my family's life. Thus, when I was hired on to anchor in 1995; I considered that a huge thrill. In the end; I made many friends there. And when we all gather in a couple of weeks; it'll be nice to see them again.
There will be some who will be missing. One who immediately comes to mind is Fred Lowery. One of the most talented radio newspeople ever. Simply the best. And one of the nicest people you would ever know. Fred held down the overnight anchor slot for 20+ years. He liked doing overnights. First; it kept him away from management. Second; it left his days free for golf. We played a lot of golf together.
Every year; Fred would take his five weeks vacation in one big lump. Fred and Ann would drive up to their little "summer place" in Norway, Maine. You can't get there from here. Every year I was at NBC/MBS; I would cover that five weeks of overnights. We wouldn't hear from Fred for five weeks. No phone, no nothing.
In July of 1998; Fred and Ann went to Maine, as they usually did. But this time, it was different. Not long into their stay; Fred became ill. The nearest hospital was nothing more than a "community hospital," with limited medical facilities. It is said Fred walked in the emergency room under his own power. But he never left. His body failed rapidly and he died of a massive infection July 26, 1998. He was only 55. He died much the same way Jim Henson of The Muppets died--a raging staph infection that, by the time doctors got to it--was uncontrollable.
When we got the call the next day--Monday morning; we were, individually and collectively, in shock. I had just gone to bed after working Fred's shift, when anchor Barbara Porter called me to tell me. I wasn't the only one who dropped what they were doing to go in and hang out after hearing the news. It was that kind of place.
Kurt Henschen is another one. Kurt was a familiar news voice on WMAL in the 70s before going to MBS. He died of ALS two years ago. We had a wake for him in May of 2006.
Ironically; I did the last-ever Mutual newscast from Crystal City. It was the 5 AM show on Sunday morning, 8/30/98. It was nothing more than luck of the schedule. Otherwise; someone else might have done it. But for me; it was apt. 35 years of family history with the network...and I'm the one who gets to shut it down.
The 6 AM newscast came out of NYC. Jim Chenevey anchored it. But I had to have a newscast ready and be in the booth, just in case.
On Monday, 8/31, we all went in for one last day to clean out our boxes and get our severance checks.
You can listen to the last MBS newscast from Crystal City here.
I'm hoping the NBC/MBS reunion is a great blowout. I hope we all have great fun. A big thank-you to Jill Nado, Judy Thomas and Rita Rich for putting this together.
I'll always remember the great time I had working there--both in high school as a tape editor and as an anchor as an adult. I know many others will feel the same way. That's because despite the problems inherent to a big broadcast news operation--translation: all the bullshit we went through; we were all made better for the experience.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Food Network: Anodyne To Civilization?
When Food Network first went on the air; I was, like, "so what?" Who's Emeril Lagasse and why does anyone care?
BAM!
These days; I can't go more than a day without watching Food Network at length. I haven't learned all that much about cooking. But I've learned a LOT about marketing.
Whomever's behind the casting and marketing of Food Network's show inventory is either a flat-out genius...or lucky. Maybe both. Emeril Lagasse. Rachael Ray. Paula Deen. Giada DeLaurentis. Ina Garten. Bobby Flay. Tyler Florence. Guy Fieri.
Boy--if I had my life to live over; my ass would be in culinary school!
I would think most of those I've mentioned--and a few others I haven't--would be doing okay without Food Network. But their day-in, day-out TV exposure has made most of them millions.
Paula Deen, for example. Started out as a single mom with $200, making bag lunches for local businesspeople. Her kids, Jamie and Bobby (now TV stars in their own right), delivered them. Paula then opened a little restaurant, which became a big restaurant. Then, her brother, Bubba (how apt), opened his own place. Licenses to print money. Then, Paula gets the Food Network gig. Ever watch her "Paula's Cooking" show? I've never seen so many Rolexes in one show! She's got one. Her husband, Michael, has one. Her kids have 'em. Paula, whose first marriage ended up in a landfill, marries Michael in a paradise setting and settles in to a quaint little place that dwarfs my entire condo building. Little vacations to the Caribbean, Paris; you get the idea. And it's all in the hard drive room at Food Network. Where's my checkbook, y'all?
Rachael Ray. Holy crap! Buyer for Macy's, right? Ends up teaching these "30 Minute Meals" courses at some community college. First cookbook goes through the roof. She's so adorable; it's hard to believe that Beef-On-Weck accent comes out of her mouth! When she was doing those "$40 A Day" shows; it was plain to see she was not just there for the shoot. Every show had a different guy. Then, she marries John Cusimano in Italy. By this time, Rachel's flush with cash. Flew 100 of her friends and relatives to the wedding and put them up! Wonder what was in the "thank you" bag? Now; Rachel's taping schedule rivals most trauma surgeon's surgical schedules. How good is that?
Giada DeLaurentis. Did Grandpa Dino get her this gig--or was he already gone by then? I'd love to see the Nielson breakouts on male viewers for "Everyday Italian." If any Food Network personality is flat-out beautiful; it's Giada. And, she can cook! Mangia!
Ina Garten. A Nice Jewish Girl who's husband just happens to be a top trial lawyer and they just happen to live in this "little place in the country" that just happens to have a full-blown restaurant kitchen. Ina does things like make Popsicles out of Martini & Rossi and freezes beef and chicken broth in cube trays for future use. I wonder if she's ever popped a couple in a glass of iced tea by mistake? I love their little lunch and dinner parties for their nearby rich friends, where they delicately slice thru the dishes she's painstakingly made from scratch. Usually; husband Michael is just getting home from work on the train and is famished. What timing. Her show's called "The Barefoot Contessa." But I swear I've never seen her barefoot!
Bobby Flay. Just once; I'd like to see Bobby make a dish WITHOUT habenero pepper. Just once!
Guy Fieri. What happens when your high school locker partner goes to cooking school...
Mario Batali. Anyone with the balls to wear orange wooden clogs is okay in my book. I remember the "Cooking With Mario" (or whatever it was called) episode where he whips up things at the kitchen counter, with 2-3 people sitting on stools on the other side? Do you remember the female impersonator? I honestly don't think Mario had a clue until about midway through the show. By then, it was too late.
Well; I could go on...but Emeril Live is coming up momentarily. I must prepare.
BAM!
These days; I can't go more than a day without watching Food Network at length. I haven't learned all that much about cooking. But I've learned a LOT about marketing.
Whomever's behind the casting and marketing of Food Network's show inventory is either a flat-out genius...or lucky. Maybe both. Emeril Lagasse. Rachael Ray. Paula Deen. Giada DeLaurentis. Ina Garten. Bobby Flay. Tyler Florence. Guy Fieri.
Boy--if I had my life to live over; my ass would be in culinary school!
I would think most of those I've mentioned--and a few others I haven't--would be doing okay without Food Network. But their day-in, day-out TV exposure has made most of them millions.
Paula Deen, for example. Started out as a single mom with $200, making bag lunches for local businesspeople. Her kids, Jamie and Bobby (now TV stars in their own right), delivered them. Paula then opened a little restaurant, which became a big restaurant. Then, her brother, Bubba (how apt), opened his own place. Licenses to print money. Then, Paula gets the Food Network gig. Ever watch her "Paula's Cooking" show? I've never seen so many Rolexes in one show! She's got one. Her husband, Michael, has one. Her kids have 'em. Paula, whose first marriage ended up in a landfill, marries Michael in a paradise setting and settles in to a quaint little place that dwarfs my entire condo building. Little vacations to the Caribbean, Paris; you get the idea. And it's all in the hard drive room at Food Network. Where's my checkbook, y'all?
Rachael Ray. Holy crap! Buyer for Macy's, right? Ends up teaching these "30 Minute Meals" courses at some community college. First cookbook goes through the roof. She's so adorable; it's hard to believe that Beef-On-Weck accent comes out of her mouth! When she was doing those "$40 A Day" shows; it was plain to see she was not just there for the shoot. Every show had a different guy. Then, she marries John Cusimano in Italy. By this time, Rachel's flush with cash. Flew 100 of her friends and relatives to the wedding and put them up! Wonder what was in the "thank you" bag? Now; Rachel's taping schedule rivals most trauma surgeon's surgical schedules. How good is that?
Giada DeLaurentis. Did Grandpa Dino get her this gig--or was he already gone by then? I'd love to see the Nielson breakouts on male viewers for "Everyday Italian." If any Food Network personality is flat-out beautiful; it's Giada. And, she can cook! Mangia!
Ina Garten. A Nice Jewish Girl who's husband just happens to be a top trial lawyer and they just happen to live in this "little place in the country" that just happens to have a full-blown restaurant kitchen. Ina does things like make Popsicles out of Martini & Rossi and freezes beef and chicken broth in cube trays for future use. I wonder if she's ever popped a couple in a glass of iced tea by mistake? I love their little lunch and dinner parties for their nearby rich friends, where they delicately slice thru the dishes she's painstakingly made from scratch. Usually; husband Michael is just getting home from work on the train and is famished. What timing. Her show's called "The Barefoot Contessa." But I swear I've never seen her barefoot!
Bobby Flay. Just once; I'd like to see Bobby make a dish WITHOUT habenero pepper. Just once!
Guy Fieri. What happens when your high school locker partner goes to cooking school...
Mario Batali. Anyone with the balls to wear orange wooden clogs is okay in my book. I remember the "Cooking With Mario" (or whatever it was called) episode where he whips up things at the kitchen counter, with 2-3 people sitting on stools on the other side? Do you remember the female impersonator? I honestly don't think Mario had a clue until about midway through the show. By then, it was too late.
Well; I could go on...but Emeril Live is coming up momentarily. I must prepare.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Doctors and Fax Machines
There's something to be said for the fax machine. Years ago; they were called "telecopiers." You loaded the rotating telecopier drum with special thermal paper, pushed the handset into a rubber cradle and turned the machine on. Within a few minutes, you received a fax. To send a fax, you loaded your original on the rotating drum, dialed a number, put the handset in the rubber cradle and turned on the machine. Within a few minutes, if something didn't crap out in the meantime; your fax was successfully sent.
Fax machines graduated from crude beginnings into slick devices capable of faxing, phoning and printing. Later, HP and other companies started making "all-in-one" printers which doubled as your main printer and also faxed, copied and scanned. Most of us have one. Nowadays, unless it's a color laser, they're cheap and fairly easy to use, if you don't mind the bloatware software that comes with them that attempts to take over your computer, much like Norton.
Problem is; how much do we really fax nowadays? Copies of originals, legal documents, stuff like that. I use efax for most of my faxing, since I GET a lot of faxes as part of my job; press releases, etc. It saves lots of paper and you can just delete what you don't want to keep.
But there's one industry that, to me, stands out head-and-shoulders above all others when it comes to faxing: Medicine.
My long-time doctor is part of a four-physician DC practice that specializes in Internal Medicine and Pulmonology; diseases of the chest. All four doctors are top-shelf; all named in Washingtonian Magazine's list of top doctors.
Over the years; I've found out doctors don't take calls unless you're returning their call. But I have found they're happy to call you back...if you send them a fax! A note with your ailment or question usually gets a response within an hour or so. It may not be from them, personally; perhaps it'll be from one of their staffers, which, many times, is self-defeating. You have to tell the story yet one more time. But at least someone gets in touch with you this way. Leave a message; it might be 2-3 days before someone calls back. You might be dead by then!
Doctors have to have big patient loads to make money these days. Their overhead, by and large, is simply too high. Remember: If you don't care when they call back, leave a message. If you need them right away; send a fax. Illogical, but it works!
Fax machines graduated from crude beginnings into slick devices capable of faxing, phoning and printing. Later, HP and other companies started making "all-in-one" printers which doubled as your main printer and also faxed, copied and scanned. Most of us have one. Nowadays, unless it's a color laser, they're cheap and fairly easy to use, if you don't mind the bloatware software that comes with them that attempts to take over your computer, much like Norton.
Problem is; how much do we really fax nowadays? Copies of originals, legal documents, stuff like that. I use efax for most of my faxing, since I GET a lot of faxes as part of my job; press releases, etc. It saves lots of paper and you can just delete what you don't want to keep.
But there's one industry that, to me, stands out head-and-shoulders above all others when it comes to faxing: Medicine.
My long-time doctor is part of a four-physician DC practice that specializes in Internal Medicine and Pulmonology; diseases of the chest. All four doctors are top-shelf; all named in Washingtonian Magazine's list of top doctors.
Over the years; I've found out doctors don't take calls unless you're returning their call. But I have found they're happy to call you back...if you send them a fax! A note with your ailment or question usually gets a response within an hour or so. It may not be from them, personally; perhaps it'll be from one of their staffers, which, many times, is self-defeating. You have to tell the story yet one more time. But at least someone gets in touch with you this way. Leave a message; it might be 2-3 days before someone calls back. You might be dead by then!
Doctors have to have big patient loads to make money these days. Their overhead, by and large, is simply too high. Remember: If you don't care when they call back, leave a message. If you need them right away; send a fax. Illogical, but it works!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Neighbors. 200 Grain Jacketed Hollow-Point. You Decide...
We live in a condo. There are three of us, plus two Maltese, Frosty and Sammy--and two Persians, Heather and Max. Outside of the occasional barking dog, we're pretty quiet and very much to ourselves. On the other hand--some of our neighbors--are not.
Our upstairs neighbor--hereinafter referred to as "Our Neighbor," is probably around 70. She's not all there, if you know what I mean. She's a retired middle school English teacher. Most of the building always thought she was a little odd, but she was always nice to us, albeit a little nosy. When I was hospitalized in November and December; she brought food and asked how I was. She's always volunteered to help bring in our groceries and has always been nice to Nick.
Until recently.
About a month ago; my wife, Michele, was walking our two Maltese. Our Neighbor was outside as well, along with some others from the building. Everyone gathered out on the sidewalk; our doggies hopping up and down on hind legs and yapping. Maltese do that. It's their job.
The moment Michele and the dogs happen on the scene; Our Neighbor says, "why can't you keep your dogs from barking?"
Michele: "They're not barking. They're excited to see you!"
Our Neighbor: "I hate dogs. I don't think they should be allowed in the condos. They bark and crap all over everything. And I thought you just had ONE dog. When did you get the other one? Aren't there rules about that? I wanna talk to Bill about this (Bill--not his real name--is the VP of the condo association). Where's Bill? What's his number?"
Our Neighbor was talking as if she was Miranda Priestly and this was The Devil Wears Prada.
Michele proceeded to try and explain that we were fostering Sammy, but that wasn't good enough for Our Neighbor.
The others in attendance looked at each other and rolled their eyes. One of the others quickly changed the subject--perhaps the weather; I don't know. But when Michele returned from her dog walk; she was livid. She told me what happened. I said I thought Our Neighbor was losing it even more than we thought. Now; Our Neighbor had an Agenda.
A few days later; Michele's out with the dogs--and there's Our Neighbor, hosing down her siding around her front windows. No one elses's siding, mind you. Just her's. Probably about six slats on either side of the windows. This is the same person who parks her car crookedly, crossing over another owner's lines--and ends up falling asleep in the car. We've seen it.
"So--when are you getting rid of that damned dog?"
Michele was stunned. "Well; we haven't decided when we'll get him another home."
Our Neighbor: "I'm gonna bring this up at the next condo board meeting. There's gotta be something in the rules about this. You're not BREEDING those dogs, are you?"
Michele: "No--we don't do that."
Our Neighbor: "Well--you'd better NOT! I KNOW that's against the rules! Know what? I'm gonna call the county, too! If the by-laws don't have something on this--I'm sure the county does."
This--coming from the same woman who, as I said up front, brought food when I was recovering, unsolicited--and helped bring in groceries.
Time out. We checked. The by-laws don't specify number of pets. A call to Loudoun County Animal Control found out two eight pound dogs and two Persian cats in a good home doesn't qualify as a critical animal situation. Later; we talked with the Site Manager, who confirmed that--and said if there was ever a change in those rules; we would be grandfathered and unaffected. She also said the board had basically had it with Our Neighbor for her incessant complaining on everything from pets to the blacktop...and that she would be dealt with once and for all at the meeting.
Usually; we don't go to condo association meetings. Lots of drivel. But, there's a first time for everything--and we made sure we went to this one.
Three days before the meeting; Our Neighbor tapes a typewritten note to our door, reiterating her being at the board meeting and her reasons for doing so. I wrote back, saying I was very disappointed in her demeanor and perhaps something along the lines of a psychiatric evaluation might be in order.
After 30 years of teaching eighth-grade English; it appears Our Neighbor's second career involves changing the world we live in. Remember; the tuning indicator won't stay locked in. She's the kind of person that will say "I can hear radio stations in my head." When you say, "I don't hear anything," she'll get indignant and say, "well, here--just listen!" and open her mouth wide.
Condo meeting day. Our Neighbor, who probably needed a makeover as early as elementary school--shows up in her Sunday Best; makeup troweled on a-la Tammy Fay. She had a manila folder and a digital camera. Everyone else is casual. The condo board was prepped for this, we found out. Apparently; Our Neighbor spends most of her waking hours (and, from what we hear, some of her non-waking hours, too) finding things wrong with our development.
Once the usual condo board business was complete; it was time for "Homeowner's Open Forum." This is where you say things like, "Is it possible to get the burned-out bulbs replaced in the hallway?," or, "there's a boat and trailer in the parking lot that needs to be removed." Our Neighbor used this time to air another laundry list of complaints, including:
--"Swirls" in the parking lot blacktop
--The color of the rubber stair treads in the stairwells
--How the outsourced cleaning service "sits around and does nothing after they've finished cleaning." (condo board response: "maybe they were waiting for their ride...")
--"I just know the tree outside my unit is dead."
Ohhhkay. Then, the board, already prepped for the pet rift, says to Our Neighbor: "We'd like to hear ALL your concerns and complaints RIGHT NOW."
Our Neighbor, not prepared for this sudden burst of hospitality, starts rambling about our dogs and how she thinks our condo is overcrowded and that if we're allowed to do it, everyone will be allowed to do it. The site manager--with witnesses, says there are no rules against a particular number of pets and the board doesn't plan to visit this issue anytime in the forseeable future. There are other things more important.
Tears welled in Our Neighbor's eyes. "FINE!" she said, chastened.
Then, the site manager asked Our Neighbor and us to stay after the meeting, because she wanted to discuss this further. The meeting ended soon after and we approached.
The site manager told Our Neighbor, in no uncertain terms, she was finished with the pet issue. It was done and no further comment would be entertained. Our Neighbor became argumentative--as if how dare the board not address Her Royal Highness's concerns. Then, Our Neighbor told us if we didn't like it there, we should move.
Holy shit.
My wife went ballistic. "We're not the ones with the problem! YOU are!"
The site manager said to Our Neighbor: "What exactly is it that you want?"
In the end; Our Neighbor didn't seem to know.
The condo board president chimed in. "You're not feuding, are you?"
Me: "No. We just want her to leave us alone."
Our Neighbor: "FINE! I will leave you alone FOREVER!"
Me: "Couldn't happen soon enough."
Our Neighbor storms out of the meeting room, fighting back tears. Bitter, lonely, elderly, unloved, unheard. Bad combination.
Outside; we ended up talking to one of our friends who lives next building over. We were kinda in the roadway. We see Our Neighbor backing out of her space. I told Michele and our friend we should step aside, since I thought Our Neighbor would try to run us down. I was nearly right.
Our Neighbor nearly catches rubber speeding away from the scene. She goes into seclusion. Two days later, we see her with multiple suitcases, apparently headed somewhere. Perhaps she has kids she's going to bother for a while. Perhaps she's ISO a retirement community??? My guess she's spending Labor Day week at a Red Roof Inn near Exit 6 on the NJTP, spinning a revolver cylinder.
There's an old saying: "You never know how drunk someone is until the first time you see them sober."
As Rachael Ray might say; "how true is that?"
Our upstairs neighbor--hereinafter referred to as "Our Neighbor," is probably around 70. She's not all there, if you know what I mean. She's a retired middle school English teacher. Most of the building always thought she was a little odd, but she was always nice to us, albeit a little nosy. When I was hospitalized in November and December; she brought food and asked how I was. She's always volunteered to help bring in our groceries and has always been nice to Nick.
Until recently.
About a month ago; my wife, Michele, was walking our two Maltese. Our Neighbor was outside as well, along with some others from the building. Everyone gathered out on the sidewalk; our doggies hopping up and down on hind legs and yapping. Maltese do that. It's their job.
The moment Michele and the dogs happen on the scene; Our Neighbor says, "why can't you keep your dogs from barking?"
Michele: "They're not barking. They're excited to see you!"
Our Neighbor: "I hate dogs. I don't think they should be allowed in the condos. They bark and crap all over everything. And I thought you just had ONE dog. When did you get the other one? Aren't there rules about that? I wanna talk to Bill about this (Bill--not his real name--is the VP of the condo association). Where's Bill? What's his number?"
Our Neighbor was talking as if she was Miranda Priestly and this was The Devil Wears Prada.
Michele proceeded to try and explain that we were fostering Sammy, but that wasn't good enough for Our Neighbor.
The others in attendance looked at each other and rolled their eyes. One of the others quickly changed the subject--perhaps the weather; I don't know. But when Michele returned from her dog walk; she was livid. She told me what happened. I said I thought Our Neighbor was losing it even more than we thought. Now; Our Neighbor had an Agenda.
A few days later; Michele's out with the dogs--and there's Our Neighbor, hosing down her siding around her front windows. No one elses's siding, mind you. Just her's. Probably about six slats on either side of the windows. This is the same person who parks her car crookedly, crossing over another owner's lines--and ends up falling asleep in the car. We've seen it.
"So--when are you getting rid of that damned dog?"
Michele was stunned. "Well; we haven't decided when we'll get him another home."
Our Neighbor: "I'm gonna bring this up at the next condo board meeting. There's gotta be something in the rules about this. You're not BREEDING those dogs, are you?"
Michele: "No--we don't do that."
Our Neighbor: "Well--you'd better NOT! I KNOW that's against the rules! Know what? I'm gonna call the county, too! If the by-laws don't have something on this--I'm sure the county does."
This--coming from the same woman who, as I said up front, brought food when I was recovering, unsolicited--and helped bring in groceries.
Time out. We checked. The by-laws don't specify number of pets. A call to Loudoun County Animal Control found out two eight pound dogs and two Persian cats in a good home doesn't qualify as a critical animal situation. Later; we talked with the Site Manager, who confirmed that--and said if there was ever a change in those rules; we would be grandfathered and unaffected. She also said the board had basically had it with Our Neighbor for her incessant complaining on everything from pets to the blacktop...and that she would be dealt with once and for all at the meeting.
Usually; we don't go to condo association meetings. Lots of drivel. But, there's a first time for everything--and we made sure we went to this one.
Three days before the meeting; Our Neighbor tapes a typewritten note to our door, reiterating her being at the board meeting and her reasons for doing so. I wrote back, saying I was very disappointed in her demeanor and perhaps something along the lines of a psychiatric evaluation might be in order.
After 30 years of teaching eighth-grade English; it appears Our Neighbor's second career involves changing the world we live in. Remember; the tuning indicator won't stay locked in. She's the kind of person that will say "I can hear radio stations in my head." When you say, "I don't hear anything," she'll get indignant and say, "well, here--just listen!" and open her mouth wide.
Condo meeting day. Our Neighbor, who probably needed a makeover as early as elementary school--shows up in her Sunday Best; makeup troweled on a-la Tammy Fay. She had a manila folder and a digital camera. Everyone else is casual. The condo board was prepped for this, we found out. Apparently; Our Neighbor spends most of her waking hours (and, from what we hear, some of her non-waking hours, too) finding things wrong with our development.
Once the usual condo board business was complete; it was time for "Homeowner's Open Forum." This is where you say things like, "Is it possible to get the burned-out bulbs replaced in the hallway?," or, "there's a boat and trailer in the parking lot that needs to be removed." Our Neighbor used this time to air another laundry list of complaints, including:
--"Swirls" in the parking lot blacktop
--The color of the rubber stair treads in the stairwells
--How the outsourced cleaning service "sits around and does nothing after they've finished cleaning." (condo board response: "maybe they were waiting for their ride...")
--"I just know the tree outside my unit is dead."
Ohhhkay. Then, the board, already prepped for the pet rift, says to Our Neighbor: "We'd like to hear ALL your concerns and complaints RIGHT NOW."
Our Neighbor, not prepared for this sudden burst of hospitality, starts rambling about our dogs and how she thinks our condo is overcrowded and that if we're allowed to do it, everyone will be allowed to do it. The site manager--with witnesses, says there are no rules against a particular number of pets and the board doesn't plan to visit this issue anytime in the forseeable future. There are other things more important.
Tears welled in Our Neighbor's eyes. "FINE!" she said, chastened.
Then, the site manager asked Our Neighbor and us to stay after the meeting, because she wanted to discuss this further. The meeting ended soon after and we approached.
The site manager told Our Neighbor, in no uncertain terms, she was finished with the pet issue. It was done and no further comment would be entertained. Our Neighbor became argumentative--as if how dare the board not address Her Royal Highness's concerns. Then, Our Neighbor told us if we didn't like it there, we should move.
Holy shit.
My wife went ballistic. "We're not the ones with the problem! YOU are!"
The site manager said to Our Neighbor: "What exactly is it that you want?"
In the end; Our Neighbor didn't seem to know.
The condo board president chimed in. "You're not feuding, are you?"
Me: "No. We just want her to leave us alone."
Our Neighbor: "FINE! I will leave you alone FOREVER!"
Me: "Couldn't happen soon enough."
Our Neighbor storms out of the meeting room, fighting back tears. Bitter, lonely, elderly, unloved, unheard. Bad combination.
Outside; we ended up talking to one of our friends who lives next building over. We were kinda in the roadway. We see Our Neighbor backing out of her space. I told Michele and our friend we should step aside, since I thought Our Neighbor would try to run us down. I was nearly right.
Our Neighbor nearly catches rubber speeding away from the scene. She goes into seclusion. Two days later, we see her with multiple suitcases, apparently headed somewhere. Perhaps she has kids she's going to bother for a while. Perhaps she's ISO a retirement community??? My guess she's spending Labor Day week at a Red Roof Inn near Exit 6 on the NJTP, spinning a revolver cylinder.
There's an old saying: "You never know how drunk someone is until the first time you see them sober."
As Rachael Ray might say; "how true is that?"
How Nintendo Wii Has Changed Our Lives (your mileage may vary...)
When my stepson, Nick, now age 10 7/8, wanted a Wii a year ago; we said no. "Buy it yourself," we said, almost in unison. Wiis are expensive. A year ago; there weren't any to be had, anyway. Besides; we thought he should start to understand worth. So; Nick, dutifully, saved his pennies, his holiday money from Nana and Poppy, walked dogs and even stashed his meager allowance; all along dreaming of a Wii. All his friends have Wiis, already--so he's not exactly done without.
A couple weeks ago; we all came to realize Nick had saved over $300. Wiis are $249 at Best Buy, IF they're in stock. But no! Nick had discovered Craigslist! And Nick had found at least half a dozen nearby willing sellers. See; anyone with half a brain KNEW this would happen. The Wii honeymoon ended and kids moved on in life. Anyway; Nick took $200 of his own money; his dad gave him $100 birthday money--and they set off to buy one slightly used but with many extra games and the ever-popular Nunchuk; apparently--a necessity for the hard-core Wii-ers.
Nick and I have spent the last week playing with this thing. I like bowling, golf and baseball. NICK, on the other hand, seems to like playing Super Smash Bros. and Mario. Now, wait a minute. Aren't those GAME CUBE GAMES? Yes, friends--they are. And they play in Wii! That's great--but if you're gonna play Game Cube games all day; what did you buy the Wii for in the first place?
Now we have to sell the Game Cube and the PS2 on Craigslist. Game Cubes are going for about $50...and that's if you have 11 controllers with them. I haven't seen how low PS2s are going for now. I'm not sure if I want to know.
A couple weeks ago; we all came to realize Nick had saved over $300. Wiis are $249 at Best Buy, IF they're in stock. But no! Nick had discovered Craigslist! And Nick had found at least half a dozen nearby willing sellers. See; anyone with half a brain KNEW this would happen. The Wii honeymoon ended and kids moved on in life. Anyway; Nick took $200 of his own money; his dad gave him $100 birthday money--and they set off to buy one slightly used but with many extra games and the ever-popular Nunchuk; apparently--a necessity for the hard-core Wii-ers.
Nick and I have spent the last week playing with this thing. I like bowling, golf and baseball. NICK, on the other hand, seems to like playing Super Smash Bros. and Mario. Now, wait a minute. Aren't those GAME CUBE GAMES? Yes, friends--they are. And they play in Wii! That's great--but if you're gonna play Game Cube games all day; what did you buy the Wii for in the first place?
Now we have to sell the Game Cube and the PS2 on Craigslist. Game Cubes are going for about $50...and that's if you have 11 controllers with them. I haven't seen how low PS2s are going for now. I'm not sure if I want to know.
Obama/Biden: Bonafide Ticket--Or Potential Car Dealership?
I'm kinda middle-of-the-road when it comes to politics. Since it's part of my job to cover politics; I can't be very "opinionated," nor have I ever been one to be an "activist."
But the Obama campaign fascinates me. Twenty years ago; Barack Obama would have been laughed at and reduced to eighth on the speaker's list at the Democratic National Convention...if he could get in the building. Now; Obama is poised to possibly become President. I've met him. Nice guy. But there's a certain something about him that tells me he doesn't take crap from anyone. He appears to be a very smart man. He also seems well-equipped to handle the flak he's received and the mini-scandals he's weathered, so far. No doubt the muckraking will escalate after mid-September.
Last night; Obama chose Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his VP running mate. The short list included Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Connecticut Independent Senator Joe Lieberman (A former VP candidate himself), Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and a few others. Obama made a wise choice. Here's why:
Some will say Biden puts his foot in his mouth. But he's a great communicator; completely at ease--whether he's in a committee meeting or on Fox News Sunday. He is unafraid to shoot from the hip. He is also a major player in U-S foreign policy on Capitol Hill; an issue which could determine who gets elected. Biden is an unabashed opponent of anything Republican, especially George W. Bush. He wasn't too kind to Bush I, either. Biden said the things other Democrats--and, in the end, most Republicans on the Hill--were afraid to say. And he was usually right.
Biden ran for President in 1988. Had his campaign been better organized; he might have made a better showing. And the Biden that ran back then is not the same Biden that's on the ticket, now. It's the old saying about "I wish I were 35 again and know what I know now..."
Biden is now 65; one of the longest-serving members of Congress on either side of the building. He was an-unheard-of 29 when first elected to The Senate in 1972. Delaware is one of the smallest states; not much ground to cover. But Biden has become one of the most powerful lawmakers ever. He seems adept at getting people to side with him with little effort. He has fantastic connections. But he's also not as centrist as Obama, which the Obama campaign probably hopes will completely unbalance anything the GOP throws at it.
But the biggest reason Biden is a good VP choice? If something happens to Obama, it's a good bet Biden would be unafraid to run the nation. I'm not so sure if the others could do the same. Second biggest reason? Obama/Biden has a nice ring to it.
We'll all continue to watch this unfold. I won't speculate who will win. But I've seen a lot worse tickets in my lifetime than Barack Obama/Joe Biden. Wish them luck. They'll need it.
But the Obama campaign fascinates me. Twenty years ago; Barack Obama would have been laughed at and reduced to eighth on the speaker's list at the Democratic National Convention...if he could get in the building. Now; Obama is poised to possibly become President. I've met him. Nice guy. But there's a certain something about him that tells me he doesn't take crap from anyone. He appears to be a very smart man. He also seems well-equipped to handle the flak he's received and the mini-scandals he's weathered, so far. No doubt the muckraking will escalate after mid-September.
Last night; Obama chose Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his VP running mate. The short list included Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Connecticut Independent Senator Joe Lieberman (A former VP candidate himself), Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and a few others. Obama made a wise choice. Here's why:
Some will say Biden puts his foot in his mouth. But he's a great communicator; completely at ease--whether he's in a committee meeting or on Fox News Sunday. He is unafraid to shoot from the hip. He is also a major player in U-S foreign policy on Capitol Hill; an issue which could determine who gets elected. Biden is an unabashed opponent of anything Republican, especially George W. Bush. He wasn't too kind to Bush I, either. Biden said the things other Democrats--and, in the end, most Republicans on the Hill--were afraid to say. And he was usually right.
Biden ran for President in 1988. Had his campaign been better organized; he might have made a better showing. And the Biden that ran back then is not the same Biden that's on the ticket, now. It's the old saying about "I wish I were 35 again and know what I know now..."
Biden is now 65; one of the longest-serving members of Congress on either side of the building. He was an-unheard-of 29 when first elected to The Senate in 1972. Delaware is one of the smallest states; not much ground to cover. But Biden has become one of the most powerful lawmakers ever. He seems adept at getting people to side with him with little effort. He has fantastic connections. But he's also not as centrist as Obama, which the Obama campaign probably hopes will completely unbalance anything the GOP throws at it.
But the biggest reason Biden is a good VP choice? If something happens to Obama, it's a good bet Biden would be unafraid to run the nation. I'm not so sure if the others could do the same. Second biggest reason? Obama/Biden has a nice ring to it.
We'll all continue to watch this unfold. I won't speculate who will win. But I've seen a lot worse tickets in my lifetime than Barack Obama/Joe Biden. Wish them luck. They'll need it.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A pleasant good afternoon, everybody
I'm new to blogging. Please be patient, gentle and kind. I'll catch up.
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