IS IT ALL ABOUT THE MONEY ?

    The internet is full of stories the past week or so, about A&E network suspending a reality show star for something he said in an interview.
   
    First of all, I have never seen 'Duck Dynasty'.  And I have no current plans to watch it.

    Not because of what this dude said, but because I am tired of what I call "Moron TV." In this country he has a right to say anything he wants, even if he only proves that he is a moron. And we have a right not to watch him.

    The TV channels are full of "reality shows." Not my reality, that's for damn sure.
   
    I got to thinking this week, "Is it all about the money?"

    Don't get me wrong. I do watch a few of these shows. I enjoy 'American Restoration,' 'American Pickers,' 'Renovation Reality,' and some of the car shows on 'Velocity'. But are these really true "Reality Shows?"

    These programs have intelligent hosts and you can actually learn something. They show a part of American History.
               
    I doubt that I would learn anything from watching 'Duck Dynasty', AX Men,' 'Swamp Loggers', or 'Survivor'. 

    And if you ever catch me watching 'Dance Moms' please shoot me.

     Don't get me wrong, these shows are extremely successful and pull in a TON of money for the networks, producers and the stars. And they are extremely inexpensive to produce.

    And that is the reason we have seen such an increase in 'Reality TV,' Talent shows, News Programs and the like.

    It can cost upwards of a million dollars to do a one hour drama program. Realty shows cost a tenth of that.

    Next time you see 'Renovation Realities on D.I.Y. look closely. Notice that when they are working at night the picture quality is less than perfect. Usually in black and white. That's because the renovators are given hand cameras to use at night. They are on their own. No camera man, no producer or director. And no 'overtime'. In other words, "keep it cheap."

    So I have concluded that 'Reality TV' is here to stay. Hopefully the more moronic shows won't last too long. 

    Your assignment this week was going to be to watch 'Duck Dynasty', and 'Swamp Loggers.' But I decided I did not want to subject you to it.
   
    So instead, go find a good 'chic' flick. That would be much more satisfying. You cant beat Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR     !!!!

IT WAS JUST 57 LITTLE WORDS

    More than any other day of the year, today is special. Many of us will gather with family and close friends to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Many traditions will be followed and new traditions will begin. It is our favorite holiday.
   
    As she does every year, Penny will go overboard with the meal. She has been busy in the kitchen for the past two days. Since we have been dieting since February, we will get our first taste of mashed potatoes and pie in a very long time. My friend and I will relax in front of the big screen and enjoy a bit of football.

    The sounds and aromas coming from our kitchen will be the highlight of the day.

    As our chilly morning begins, I got to thinking. "What am I most thankful for?"

    You can be thankful for good health, employment, and your friends. You can even the thankful for world peace. The usual items that of course I am thankful for. Life is good. 
     But this morning as I poured my first cup of coffee. I noticed a small, yellowing piece of paper affixed to our kitchen freezer.

    Picking it up and gazing at the old and faded piece of paper caused me to smile. That is what I am thankful for. It was just 57 little words.
   
    "Are you tired of the dating game as I am ? Were your holidays lonely too. Seeking sincere, honest girl to share long walks, old movies, dinner and good conversation. If you love to cuddle, this college educated, professional in his late thirties would like to meet you. New to the area. Send letter to BOX xxx Star Banner.

    How I came to write this prose all those years ago, is another long story best saved for another time. Let's just say that come next January it will be 24 years since it appeared in the local paper.

    It was just 57 little words that would change my life forever. 

    I must have put them in the correct order, as we were married the day after Thanksgiving in 1990. It makes it easy to remember, so we celebrate the day after Thanksgiving. Maybe I should send a thank you note to the Ball State School of Journalism.

    Just 57 little words. That's what I am thankful for.
       
    Happy Thanksgiving !!!!!

A GREAT AMERICAN TRAGEDY

    The dictionary describes a 'defining moment' as a noun meaning very crucial, critical, decisive, a point of no return and a turning point.
       
    Every generation has them. For my parents, it was December 7, 1941. It was a day that would live in 'infamy.'
   
    For today's generation it has to be September 11, 2001 when those towel headed bastards killed three thousand of our citizens on our own soil.
But that's another story.
   
    Defining moments are moments that we never forget. We know exactly where we were and what we were doing when that moment occurred.
   
    For my generation that defining moment happened fifty years ago today,. November 22, 1963 when a lone gunman fired shots from the Texas School Book Depository and snuffed the life out of the President of the United States.   

    Sometimes I may forget someone's birthday or an anniversary. Hell, last week I couldn't remember where I put my car keys.

    But I remember that day in November like it was yesterday.           

    I was a twelve year old seventh grader at Hickory Junior High School in Hickory, Pennsylvania. I had gone down to the gymnasium to purchase a book for the weekend.  
       
    I was walking towards the book table when a class mate ran up to me. She said "I just heard that someone shot him."  "Shot who?"  I asked. "The President." was her reply.

    By the time I got back to my home room, word had spread. We didn't have cell phones and internet in the olden days, so word did not spread at the speed of light. In those days it was  more like the speed of sound. Our teachers did everything they could to keep us calm. The Cuban Missile Crises occurred the year before and was still fresh in all of our young minds. We were all certain that the "Ruskies" had something to do with it and the missiles would soon be flying.

    But that was not the case.

    When I got home that afternoon, mother had the TV on. I will never forget those three days. Everyone was glued to the TV watching those black and white images.

    Certain images from that long and dreadful weekend are permanently etched upon my brain.
   
    The plane unloading the casket back in Washington, where  we saw the blood stains on Mrs. Kennedy's dress. I remember being glad that we didn't have a color TV.

    The images of that nut case bar owner stuffing a gun in the gut of the assassin. (Notice I did not use the word "alleged")
   
    The riderless horse and the flag draped casket as it went down Pennsylvania Avenue.

    But the image I remember best, and maybe it's because we see it so often is that of a young boy almost three years old saluting his father.

    Those few moments 50 years ago, changed the course of history. Just like December 7 and September 11.

    I wonder what would have occurred had those shots not been fired on that November day in Dallas.

    JFK would have certainly been re-elected in 1964 and would have paved the way for his brothers election in 1968.

    Just think: No Nixon. No Watergate. What would have happened in Vietnam? Would he have pulled us out? We will never know.

    Our history is dotted with defining moments, some huge like that day in Dallas, some so minor we don't even notice them. Maybe a car accident that claims the life of a young man that would have gone on to discover a cure for cancer. Or a college choice gone wrong that may have led to another great discovery.

    It makes life interesting and unpredictable.

    As I took a few moments this morning to remember, I got to thinking,  "No matter what your politics are, we have to agree that it truly was a "Great American Tragedy"

    Have a nice Thanksgiving

WHAT THE HELL IS A DRUM CIRCLE ?

    I love living downtown. One block from City Hall and three blocks from the downtown square.

    There is always something to do. There is an art gallery, old fashioned movie theater, plays, and too many bars and restaurants to mention. Summer Jam sessions and Ghost tours to name just a few. 

http://www.feeldowntownocala.com/2013/09/19/start-your-weekend-in-downtown-ocala-5/

    Recently the city built a "Citizen's Circle." Located next to City Hall, it is a gathering place for many local events. The sounds of the free concerts from all genres of music can be heard on our front porch.

    Last Friday night as I settled into my easy chair to watch a re-run of "Big Bang," my wife says to me, "They are having a drum circle down at the Citizen's Circle. You wanna go?"

    So I thought to myself, "What the hell is a Drum Circle?"

    Being the curious type, I could not resist. 

    I discovered that a drum circle is exactly that. A group of people sitting in a circle banging on some drums.

    Sounds silly doesn't it?

    I am here to tell you. It was a blast.

    I am not much on audience participation or anything "woo woo." I leave that up to my wife. I am more grounded. Being an Engineer by trade, I tend to go with facts and figures.

    There were people of all ages. Some were dressed as a throwback to the sixties. I could not tell if they were hippies or gypsies. But I could tell that they were all having fun. I wondered if Cher was going to show up and start belting out "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves."

    There did not seem to be a leader. Someone would start a beat and then every one would join in. I was amazed at how everyone seemed to join together  as one.

    At one point I swear I could hear the intro to Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk."

    As I sat there on the ledge with some dear friends, I realized something.

    These were happy people. The work week was over for many of them. 

    They weren't thinking about paying bills, Obama Care, or who at work was out to get them. They were sitting in their chairs enjoying their spare time with others.     

    The kids were dancing. Everyone was smiling. I think they have the right idea.

    Maybe there is more to this 'woo woo' stuff than I thought.

    So, your assignment for this week.  Go out and enjoy something.

    I hear that this Friday night, 'The Little River Band' is giving a free concert.    Maybe they can talk Ocala's own 'Royal Guardsmen' into stopping by with their dog 'Snoopy'.
 
    I know where I will be.

WHERE ARE ALL THE VOTERS ?

    One of the first friends I made when I moved to Florida in 1989 was Jeff Southall.

    I had just accepted the job as corporate engineer for the Asterisk Radio Group of Ft Lauderdale. Jeff was the engineer at one of their stations in Venice.

    He came to the United States in the 1960's from England. Even before he became a US citizen, he volunteered to serve in the US Army. He served our country in Vietnam.

    He loved living here. It became his home. The thing he loved most was when he got the privilege to enter a voting booth and have his voice count for something. He always said there was never a good reason to miss an election. No excuses.

    We lost Jeff in 1992, in a terrible accident. He was electrocuted while working on a broadcast transmitter for a station in South Florida.

    I think of Jeff every single time I go to vote. 

    Yesterday as I entered Precinct One in Ocala to cast my vote, I again thought of him. As I looked around the huge room I got to thinking : "Where are all the voters"

    I cast my vote for City Council, and the proposed amendments. The entire process took less than five minutes. 

    Returning home, I again had this felling that I was part of my city. My voice counted for something. 

    This morning as I was looking at the results in the Star Banner, I felt my friend Jeff shaking his head in amazement.
   
    "Voter turnout was light on Tuesday, with only 3,407, or 10.45 percent, of the 32,590 registered city voters casting ballots. "
   
    I could not believe the print that was in front of me. Only 3,407 people took five minutes out of their day to vote.

    Shame on the rest. You are letting 10.45 percent of us make the decisions that may effect you. Are you so busy that you can't take five minutes out of your precious day? I can not imagine your day being so full that you do not have time to go vote? 

     If I can work my ten hour day then find the time to vote, WHY CAN'T YOU?

     I realize now that you do have the time. You just don't give a damn.

    And that is the sad part.

WHEN WILL THE WEATHER BREAK ??

   
         For those of us who live in Florida, there is one special day every year. We dream about it. We can't wait for it to come. And it happened this morning.

        It is not Christmas. It's not Thanksgiving. It's not even the Florida/Florida State game. (it comes in at number two)

        It's the first day every fall when the morning temperature falls below 70 degrees. And it happened this morning.

        I love living in Florida. But by the time September rolls around and the crowds begin to gather in "The Swamp",  I get to thinking:
       
        "When will the weather break?" 

        Summers are miserable here. It's hot and humid. Frankly, I tend to spend most of the summer indoors.

        We have our residents down here that love the hot outside weather. But I am not one of them. 

        Penny and I live for those cool fall and winter evenings, when we dine outside on our court yard, have a fire in the fire pit, and listen to some tunes on the outdoor speakers. It doesn't get any better than this.

        I have been here since 1989, coming from Indiana. As much as I miss the basketball, I never looked back.

        I wait with great anticipation for this time of year.  And it happened this morning.

       While all my old friends are digging out of snow drifts, living through blizzards, and fighting the winter colds; I am on the court yard, with a cocktail in my hands.

        It's worth the wait. And it happened this morning.

WOULD GENE RODDENBERRY BE PROUD ?

    I was a sophomore in High School when Star Trek premiered on September 8, 1966. I became hooked immediately. Over the years, I watched them all.  Star Trek, Star Trek : The Next Generation, Star Trek Voyager, Star Trek Enterprise, Deep Space Nine. With each new series, it got better and better. And of course I saw all the movies. The Star Trek franchise has been a huge part of my life.
   
    Star Trek II was inspired by one of the original episodes and had always been my favorite Star Trek movie. 
   
    When I learned that they were bringing back Kirk and Spock as Star Fleet Cadets, I wondered how that whole idea would work.  William Shatner was Kirk and Leonard Nimoy was Spock. No one else could play those characters. The Star Trek time line was already established. How would they handle it? I shouldn't have worried.
   
    The "new" Star Trek movie with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto was a work of art. I thought at the time 'it can't get any better than this.' They handled the time line in a brilliant fashion. They brought Spock back from the future, then proceeded to blow the time line right out of the park.
   
    So I got to thinking, "Would Gene Roddenberry be proud?"
       
    This re-booted Star Trek movie has been on TV many times in the last year or so. Whenever I stumble on it, I will watch. About the only other movie that I react that way to is 'Shawshank Redemption" but that's another story.
       
    So I waited patiently for "Star Trek Into the Darkness" to arrive via Blu Ray.
       
    I don't go to theaters anymore. Too many loud and rude people. And I hate spending all that money to have my movie interrupted by some moron on a cell phone. But that's another story too.
   
    Blu Ray in hand, I could not wait to see this on the big 60 inch screen in High Definition.
       
    Finally I got a couple of hours free, and on a lazy Sunday Afternoon, I settled in my chair and pushed the button.

    No spoiler here, I am not going to give away any of the plot.

    I will say this. As I watched this movie, I could feel Gene Roddenberry smiling down. This would have to be his proudest moment.

    Kahn, the Tribbles and Captain Pike are all in this movie. Even Nurse Chapel get a mention.
   
    But all that action and plot line pails to the one central theme. It is about the relationship between Kirk and Spock.

    All through the star Trek incarnations, we know that these two men are as close as two people can be. They have each others back. Take away the outer space, the aliens, and all the future mumbo jumbo and: The relationship would make a great 'Chick' flick.

    There are some twists and turns that make this the greatest Star Trek movie of all time.'  

     So your assignment for the week :  GO BUY THIS MOVIE ! You won't regret it.   

     The only movie I have ever watched that made me cry was 'My Dog Skip.' But I am a dog lover and get emotional when a dog dies.

   That is, until now. As I watched the last part of this movie and realized how they handled the time line, and how the story flowed, I cried like a five year old.
   
    Partly because of the story, partly because of the writing genius, and partly because Gene Roddenberry never got to see what his franchise would become.

    Or did he ???   

SHOULD I PUT THIS ON MY BUCKET LIST ?

    I was talking to a friend last week, and the topic of legalizing Marijuana came up. He was strongly against it. To be honest, I have always thought, 'so what, legalize it then tax the hell out of it' like we do with cigarettes and alcohol.

    Then I realized that I was somewhat of a hypocrite. How can someone make that determination when they have never tried it?

    So I got to thinking, "Should I put this on my bucket list?"

    A bit of background. Being in the broadcasting business, illegal drugs were always available. I just never chose to partake in that sort of activity. Not that I am some sort of prude, I just never had the urge.

    So I mentioned to my wife that maybe I should have that experience. I gave up smoking some 20 years ago, and was firm in stating that I would NEVER smoke it.
       
    "Well, there are other ways," she said with a smile. What is she, some sort of expert?

    A few days later, one of her friends brought over a pound cake. It was "special" she said.
   
    So, we both sat down at the kitchen table and ate two pieces each, then I waited for the results.

    It was an OK 'buzz' and stayed with me a long time. I get the same feeling if I have a few to many beers.

    It did not make we want to do anything stronger. It did not ruin my life. All in all it was the same as alcohol.

    So now, at the ripe old age of sixty-two, I can say (like everyone else on the planet) I have tried pot.

    As I sat at the kitchen table I realized something.
       
    My expectations were too high. Other than a slight 'buzz' it had no other effects on me.

    So here is your assignment for this week. Have some pound cake !!!
   
    Have to run now. I am really hungry............

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE ART OF LISTENING ?

    Being in sales, I deal with all types of people. Broadcasting in itself is very ego driven. From Disc Jockeys to Programmers, to owners and Engineers. Most of them have a slightly elevated opinion of them selves.

    I was on the phone with a station owner the other day and was trying to give him some advice based upon my forty four years in the industry. At every turn he interrupted. It did not take Captain Obvious long to realize that this person was not at all interested in what I had to say. It was impossible to get my point across so I gave up.  AND he started the conversation with "What do you think I should do............? If you don't want my advice, then don't ask for it!!
   
    I realized that we are all the same. We would rather talk then listen. We all love to hear the sound of our own voices.

    I got to thinking. 'What ever happened to the art of listening'?
   
    The  other day I was listening as two women spoke to each other. Almost every sentence was 'cut off' by the other one starting to talk. How can you listen when you are talking? How do you keep track of the content of  the conversation??  Woman claim they can do both. For some reason, I can not. Sometimes they were both talking at the same time.

    I find myself doing the same thing, as do all the people around me. It's hard to complete a sentence when you are constantly 'interrupted'. Does the other person feel that what they have to say is more important than what I am saying?

    Are we all that self absorbed that we don't really care what the other person is
saying?   

    Successful listening takes work. There are many resources on the web to help you accomplish better listening. Let your favorite search engine be your guide.

    The simplest solution I found is "Listen more than you talk." Simply put, "SHUT UP."

    Perhaps if you are listening, you can pay more attention to what the other person is saying. What a great concept this is.   

    Here is your assignment for the week. 'Shut the hell up.' That's it. Simple.

    You might surprise yourself. You may learn more, and have better conversations.

IS IT ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE ?

    I spent the long Labor Day weekend working in the yard. Florida is always HOT in September, and the weekend was no exception. The list of "Honey Do's" had gotten VERY long and it was time for me to start catching up.

    After a full days work I was extremely hot and tired and every muscle I had ached.

    My back hurt, my legs hurt, and my  shoulder felt like it had a dagger in it.

    I got to thinking. 'Is it all downhill from here?'   

    I realized that at 62, I can not work like I did when I was 32.  Or even 42.
   
    As we get older, we have to start slowing down. Instead of working all day on a Saturday, I should have worked half a day on Saturday and a half a day on Sunday. I would have gotten the same amount  of work done and my body would have been much happier. I made a mental note to myself. 'Don't overdo, you are not Superman'.

    I also realized how bad it would have been for me, had I NOT been going to the gym every morning for the past  six months. Those fifty pounds I have shed also helped.

    There should be no reason for me not to be able to do these chores around the house. I vowed to continue my exercise and diet routine and NOT fall apart by the time I am 65.
   
    So your assignment for the week is 'Get off the damn sofa !!!'

    Instead of watching four football games this weekend. PICK ONE and enjoy it.

    WALK somewhere. Get some exercise. Push yourself away from the dinner table and skip desert.
   
    JOIN a gym.

    "Is it all down hill from here?"  It doesn't have to be.  I won't allow it.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIVE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT LABELS ?

     I have an organizational problem. I have to be organized. It drives me crazy to have to search for items I know I have, but can not seem to locate. I have been that way my entire life.

    I was in the workshop last weekend sorting hardware. You know; nails, screws, nuts, bolts, and washers. I put them in piles according to size and type, then deposited them in their own individual glass jars. I then got out
my trusty label maker and proceeded to label each and every container.

    I thought back to the old days when the only way to make labels was using the old DYMO Label maker. Remember those things? It looked like a gun and you rotated a wheel to the letter you wanted, then you pushed the trigger. It would impress the letter on a little strip of plastic. Then you moved on to the next letter, and the next.

    Nowadays you have many options to make labels. You can use a computer or you can hand write onto a tiny peel off label. I even have a little tiny label maker that looks like a small keyboard. It works very well. But I digress.

    I realized that we label everything from hardware in the workshop to people on the street.

    I got to thinking, 'Is it possible to live your life WITHOUT labels.'

    We label and organize everyone into a compartment. Republicans, Democrats, Liberals, Conservatives, Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Christians, Jews, and Muslims. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. We label music. Country, Rock, Christian, Soul (oops, I am showing my age) Rap, Jazz, and so on and so forth. We are no longer Americans. We are Italian Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, German Americans.

    News flash. I am not any of those. I am an American. Period. The fact that my mother's family came from Germany and my father's came from England has nothing to do with me. I came from Indiana. Does that make me a 'Hoosier American'?

    We label people even before we know them. As a society we pass judgement long before we even speak to someone. We see them on the street and immediately judge them. I do it too. I hate tattoo's and I judge everyone who has one. We call people fat, ugly, too short, too tall, too religious, not religious, on and on and on we go. Dr. Martin Luther King said it best fifty years ago, when he spoke at the Lincoln Memorial "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” I guess Dr. King didn't like labels either.

    I am sorry to say that regardless of the progress of the last fifty years, we are not there yet.
       

    Here is your assignment for the week. Think before you speak. Try not to put any Kind of label on the people around you. It will be harder than you realize. Do this for one day, just 24 little hours. You might surprise yourself.
    And if you get through one day, try it for another day.

BEGINNINGS

                NO I DID NOT SAY THAT. Just kidding, I probably did. I have this habit of shooting my mouth off before putting my brain in gear. So I thought I would share with the world.
                Now that my long career in Broadcasting is winding down, I have finally made time for one of my earlier interests. That is writing.
                With a degree in Telecommunications and Journalism from Ball State University (1975) I have decided to put my Journalistic talent (if I have any) to use.
                 First by writing a book, then a blog.
                 Well, the book is going well and is about three quarters of the way complete. But I find I have other ideas rolling around in my little pea brain that I must put to paper. (or the internet)
                 That is why I am here. I hope I don't offend anyone. If I do, get over it.