Happy 30th, MTV!!!

So, with that announcement out of the way last week, I can talk about how numerology plays a part in things.  MTV was launched 30 years ago today.  Last week, I turned 40.  Meaning, I was 10 years old when Music Television came into being.  Yes, I spent over a decade celebrating, researching and sharing news and information about that decade.  It only makes sense that I would have to finish work on the book about the decade before the end of the year... I mean, just look at all those 'zeroes'.  They speak volumes to me.  I digress.  This was supposed to focus on a birthday.  So I'll share my experience with the channel. 

I discovered MTV late.  Well, not really late.  I really was 'raised on radio'.  Yet, I was spending the night at a friend's house (I think his name was Matt W. but I won't condemn him) when I first glimpsed a music video.  I was in awe!  I begged my parents to get cable.  That didn't work.  They were late adopters.  I mean, we didn't get our Atari until Ms. Pac-man came with it.  Anyhow, I'd have to steal moments at other people's houses until we finally got Music Television.

I've told listeners before that I was an avid Casey Kasem listener.  There is something about countdowns related to charts and the battle for the top spot that thrilled me.  Ok, it was mainly the trivia that came along before Casey would play the song.  So, watching MTV's weekly countdowns became just as important later on.  But, none more than what happened on July 13, 1985.

Summer vacation was in full swing.  We were on our way up to Idaho to spend time with my grandparents and aunt.  Actually, it wasn't so bad there in their little town as they had this funky dish pointing at the sky with hundreds of channels... including MTV.  (Where I first caught the premiere of Falco's "Jeanny" video.)  Anyhow, here we are on this trip.  For some reason, my family decided to stay a day or so in the itty-bitty town we kept blowing through on every trip to Idaho.  But, I'm content... they have MTV in the hotel.  My brothers and sister were down playing in the pool and I was glued to the television screen watching something called Live Aid.  I don't know how I got away with watching that much uninterrupted TV but seeing some of my 'radio' heroes on stage trying to make a difference meant something... means something to this day.

I was born to be on their music video-related game show, Remote Control.  Never got the chance.  I also waited anxiously for MTV Music News with Kurt Loder.  The man knew his stuff.  Heck, that could be a reason for me taking music journalism seriously.  Hmmm...

There was also something called 120 Minutes that seared a place in my skull.  Alternative music was defined differently back then.  You see, 'alternative' was what wasn't being played on the radio -- making it the alternative to what was out there.  Many genres filled this area (of which some became favorites of mine) but it could all be lumped into the college rock banner as well.  Heck, where else would bands like Public Enemy, Morrissey, Mudhoney, Public Image Ltd., the Ramones, 3rd Base, They Might Be Giants, the Replacements or many others be seen?  It was 120 Minutes that gave me variety and view of what was beyond 'pop.'

I dedicate part of a chapter of the upcoming book to MTV for taking a bunch of musicians and making them bigger than a radio wave.  Breaking artists that wouldn't normally get heard, breaking some that probably shouldn't have been heard or prolonging careers that maybe shouldn't have been -- the network did more to change the trajectory of music than any force during the decade.  It may have also been it's worst enemy.  Many imitators arose (many a local UHF station was launched under the guise of a 'free' music video channel, weekend video shows like Friday Night Videos and Night Flight, Canada's MuchMusic and scores of others) and eventually they changed what the M in MTV stood for.  But, what a run it was.  A history worthy of singing a little "Video Killed The Radio Star" or "Money For Nothing" to celebrate a 30th birthday for it, isn't it?

Decades

I guess it can be viewed as odd when one categorizes things in decades.  Of course, this is coming from someone who spent more than one decade focused on a particular one.  So, I guess it makes it more notable when I experience my own new decade.  Today is the big 40.

I can sit here and babble about all that I've learned and all that I've accomplished and how, looking back, I feel fulfilled.  That isn't happening.  I can say that I am inspired each and every day to do more, accomplish more and fill every bit of my life (and the lives around me) with as many great experiences as possible.  My circle of family and friends branches and becomes bigger every year and makes me that much more in awe of what I have.

Anyhow, that off my chest, I promised listeners of the show and readers of the blog/newsletter that I'd make an announcement on July 26th.  There was a reason.  What better way to announce my celebrating a decade in writing than when I become 4 decades old.  Heck, this is also the third decade anniversary of MTV's debut.  But, yes, I've been doing a lot of writing and hope to finish the book by the end of the year.  As soon as work on that finishes, we may be launching a new video series.  But, let's tackle these things one at a time.

Attending A Peepshow

Went out with the Hennessy boys (Dad and brothers) last night.  Had a great dinner at Strip House before going to see something called the Peepshow.  Tremendous show but I figured that, if anything, people walk in with no real idea what to expect other than Holly Madison.  So, why not take a moment and share it with you.

The show is a mix of burlesque, musical and Cirque Du Soleil.  Take a young overworked woman that comes home to her dog after a long day.  Bring her into the world of nursery rhymes in a mix of escapism but also trying to find herself.  Great music, a beautiful cast, sensual moments with many laughs, Peepshow is not what you think from the title.  (Instead think Little Bo Peep mixed with ummm... a peepshow.)  One of the major parts that you walk away astounded by is a spoiler that I can't reveal but you have to see to believe.

Overall, Peepshow is better than I expected.  Visually entertaining and something for everyone.  Ok, not everyone.  Actually, I was amazed at how many young women were dressed to the nines there attending (as if it was a girls night out.)  There is a lot of toplessness and sexual connotations made but if you have no problem with that (and are old enough) go check it out.

She Blossoms

Growth takes a lot.  Let's take a moment and think that somewhere a seed sinks deep enough into the soil to take root.  Of course, that wouldn't happen without enough water, sunlight, nitrogen, carbon dioxide... well, I think you get the point.

Next month will be a sort of anniversary for my wife.  She took a bad situation and planted a seed.  That seed was an education in the field of medical coding.  She fed that seed a lot of her time, energy and passion.  That nurturing allowed it to sprout recently in the form of a certification by completing her coursework with flying colors.  That sprout has matured over the last few months and today... it bears fruit.

Kerry isn't the type to pat herself on the back, shout out her accomplishments to the world or bring them up unless pressed.  That's her husband's job.  Speaking of jobs, that's what she starts today.  Of course, you really never know what you are going to accomplish until you put your feet in the right direction and start pushing forward.  You will never know how proud I am of her.  (That Bee Gees' song "More Than A Woman" is hard to get out of my head right now.)  She's a true fighter and is more than deserving of my awe.

Anyhow, a few hours from now, I'm going to make her a nice breakfast as she prepares for her first day at work.  As anyone would be, she is a little nervous.  Here's hoping that with a few nutrients and the sunshine on her (as it always is) she will have an amazing day and continue to blossom.

Independence Day 2011

I don't expect anyone to celebrate this holiday in Canada, Mexico or the U.K. -- especially there as it would be like celebrating the ex-fiance's wedding anniversary.  But, many people forget that July 4th is Independence Day (after the date written on our Declaration of Independence.)  Heck, most think of it a celebration of BBQ, fireworks and cold beverages.

It was on the 50th anniversary of that aforementioned document that the only two signers to become president (John Adams and Thomas Jefferson) passed away.  President James Monroe also died on a 4th of July.  Not to leave things on a downer, President Calvin Coolidge was born on the holiday (as it was made a federal unpaid holiday 2 years before his birth.)  All in all, I'm just thankful to have this moment to reflect on a small country's determination to become "free and independent states."

Happy Independence Day, folks!

Deep Dental Disturbances

Went to the dentist yesterday.  Sometimes things just go through your head while sitting in the chair waiting for their exploration.  I was hungry.  I got up late, brushed my teeth and casually considered having something to eat on the way there.  So, I had to ask the dentist:

"What percentage of your patients didn't brush after eating prior to their appointment?"

I mean, it was on my mind.  You don't really have to speak out what is in your head but for some reason, I had to.  She didn't take long to think about it and said 65%.  Which is a bigger number than I thought.  She then said, "The early appointments have less as most brush right after breakfast.  After lunchtime is another story."

My lesson for the day was that most people figure that a dentist is already going in looking for decay... might as well surprise them with something freshly chewed.

Yes - Fly From Here

Yes have returned with their first new studio album in a decade, Fly From Here.  The release also marks the debut of new vocalist Benoit David as well as the return of former keyboardist Geoff Downes and producer Trevor Horn.  Yes' sound is unmistakable and trace it back to vocal harmonies, arrangements, instrumentation or what many just call mysticism.  Many of their albums can be seen as growing things... let's go with the multiple limbs trees with a solid base.

Fly From Here is no different.  It is also the title of the 6-part trunk supporting a stand-out track like "We Can Fly" which branches off and reaches onward and upward for a bit more sun.  A direct extension of that melodic limb is the breathtaking "Sad Night At The Airfield."  I get chills from that one.  "Bumpy Ride" is frenzied and exactly as advertised -- taxiing you back to the "We Can Fly (Reprise)."  "The Man You Always Wanted Me To Be" is a solid song that someone could build a treehouse on.  "Hour Of Need" just fills the room and is quite a distinct path from the other tracks.  You could even call it a meandering branch.  "Solitaire" is a stunning little instrumental leading to the full-throttle "Into The Storm."

You may notice that I didn't cite specific stand-out performances by the band members.  I have to say that I just can't here.  This is such a cohesive Yes release with each piece so vital that I wouldn't want to pull anything apart and hear it as less than the whole.  No parachute nor Dramamine needed for this flight.  Fly From Here is a steady ride that soars!

4 out of 5

The Future Will Be Visualized

I have to say that the time I've had since ending Talking 80s Music has really given me a chance to step back and look at things.  The OCD spiral of news writing and hosting the show had to come to an end.  It was either going to be clean or messy.  One of the things that I've concluded is that my future with podcasts may be minimal.

I remember sitting in a conference room listening to a great keynote speech by Gary Vaynerchuk a few years back.  Of the many nuggets I got from him was in the form of a question, "Why aren't you doing video?"  If you are honest, personable and have a working knowledge of your subject, people would like to see you.  That thought sat in the back of my mind for years.

Recently, I started thinking about the future of 'the show' and know that it will never be back in that same form.  It was an amazing time and an unforgettable journey.  Yet, if CNN or USAToday ran a poll asking people what a 'podcast' was... it'd stump 80% of the readers.  Of the 20%, not all of them are regular listeners and many focus on niche markets.  Even as I type this, the word 'podcast' is showing up in my spellcheck as an error.  Heck, the word has been around for 7 years... get with it people.

So, I ask myself, why try to push into an area that is self-limiting.  Sure, changing the terminology from podcast to talkcast or blogcast can affect the numbers but we are innately visual beings.  During the last few months, I've been tinkering with video projects and in the future... it very well could be the path for a new show.  I can see it clearly but I have another goal in sight and I expect to talk about it next month.  Back to work for me.

American Pride

I mentioned several video projects in the works before.  You are going to have to get used to seeing them pop up here and there.  This Memorial Day, my assistant videographer woke up early with me to catch the sun rising over Veteran's Memorial Cemetery.  It was all part of the plan for creating a video for a terrific song called "American Pride" co-written by my friend Geno.  So, despite a few technical issues (that I see more than some others,) it went pretty well.  Hope you enjoy.

Night Ranger - Somewhere In California

Energy.  It's something we all seek in one form or another.  Sometimes it's from a restful sleep, a caffeinated drink, a second wind or pure inspiration.  Night Ranger have definitely found the latter for the release of their upcoming album, Somewhere In California.

The disc leads off boldly, yet brilliantly, with the keyboard-heavy first single, "Growin' Up In California."  The chorus is pure bliss and it reminds you of everything you liked about Night Ranger to begin with.  Not an easy feat.  "Lay It On Me" with its scorching guitars showcases their rock roots and begs to be heard live in an arena.  It'd be easy to mistake the slow build of "Time Of Our Lives" as a just some ballad.   Make sure you hear the whole song as the guitar solo here rips just after an emotional blues run -- stamping this as something special.  "End Of The Day" has some beautiful layering on what becomes a love song of perseverance. While those are some amazing stand-out tracks, there are some terrific journeys on songs like the thumping and wailing of "Follow Your Heart," past romantic reflections of "Bye Bye Baby (Not Tonight)," the high-flying "No Time To Lose Ya," the very catchy and possessive "It's Not Over," the rock tribute-laden "Rock N' Roll Tonite" and the slick closer "Say It With Love."

This is the album Night Ranger fans have been waiting for... no matter in which decade they loved them most.  It's also a great place for the uninitiated to dive in.  Somewhere In California is crammed full of catchy choruses, determination, self-aware production and it just rocks throughout.  Now, if we could only just bottle what Night Ranger has.

4 out of 5

And The Future Will Write Itself...

Lots going on over here. Some of it is even along my current direction... some not. I don't think that I'll ever be able to walk away from my love of music and my quest for knowledge surrounding many acts. So, while it looks like I've gone underground, I've been formulating a way to combine everything. As of now, you'll see more and more music-related posts from 'Classically Martin', reviews and other meanderings. There are multiple video projects that are in the works, some written work and I'll mention that in the future. But, I figured I'd need to prepare you for seeing CD reviews surface here at MartinHennessy.com (a.k.a. Rantings Of An 80s Nut.)

The Bella And Tulip Show: Caught In The Act

So, I've been spending a lot more time messing around with my video projects during my musical hiatus.  Today was a chance for me to test out some new software.  But I knew that I'd have to have something to work with as subject matter.  One thing we've been confused about is the mess we sometimes see in the kitchen when we've been gone for a little bit.  It's hard to punish one dog over the other without evidence.

Around noon, we set up a camera and left a banana peel and part of a PBJ sandwich in the trash.  We left for just over 11 minutes.  The video above is what transpired.  Hope you enjoy.  It was fun editing.  We've put velcro on the door in hopes to avoid this kind of incident again.

Caring 4 Kids

My friends and sister-in-law have been involved in a charity called Caring 4 Kids for quite some time.  I had been there a few times to help out but, this week, they needed it.  As you'll hear in the video, a local church donated 21,000 pounds of food.  (You may want to increase the volume on the video as it drops a little in the middle.)  It's amazing how much there was but more astounding is the work entailed to just organize the items.  Funny, as I had mentioned the charity the day before in a Facebook post.  I went with the wife to help sort for a few hours.  It's a bit of a blur but I also took a day off of work to help with the bagging and today helped hand out the food to the kids.

It isn't often that I'm able to help but I found myself wanting to get the word out a bit more about what they do.  So, here it is in a little video.  If you'd like to help them out by 'liking' their page on Facebook, you can do so here.  But, if you also happen to be in the Las Vegas/Henderson area and are looking for something positive to do for an hour or more on a Thursday around 6pm... call the people mentioned at the end of the video.  That's when they bag a lot of the items.  If you can imagine about 400+ bags being filled with 9 items or so and the assembly line that it takes to make it happen, you can understand why I mention it.  But, I can see myself spending more time helping them out.

Breaking Open Some Boxes For A Cause

Back a bit ago, I mentioned my wife's mission to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation through the 3-Day For The Cure event.  She's been doing great (although the moving did interfere with training a little but we are finding new routes.)  She has raised 17% of her goal so far (which she needs to accomplish by around August.  It also happens to be a big garage sale happening within our new community and... well, it just makes sense to use it to raise money towards her goal.  So, on Saturday Apr. 16th, you will find me behind a table maybe with a stereo going.  The location could be found here. 

Funny thing about moving is that we've been going through a lot of boxes recently and found that I still have an odd CD or two, some DVDs, lamps and other stuff gathering dust for the sale.  Here's the interesting part.  I know that not everyone has money to donate to a great cause like breast cancer research.  But it amazes me how we can all find junk we are close to throwing away (as we don't all have time to hold a garage sale... especially for just a few items.)  So, if you'd like to help me, help Kerry, help the Susan G. Komen Foundation by donating those items for the sale, we'd love to have them and would cherish your support.  Most of you have ways to get ahold of me (especially via Facebook) and if you'd like to drop something off (old plates, appliances... heck, this could be a long list) just drop me a line.  If you are in the area that day, feel free to stop by as well.  Kerry will also be selling some pink rubber-like wristbands (think LiveStrong meets boobies) and some bracelets specifically for the charity.

During the week, we heard from a member of our family that went through a breast cancer scare.  One of the hardest things about dealing with the disease is that it's hard to talk about when you are waiting just to find out how test results are.  Since starting this journey we've also found more and more family and friends that have fought this disease.  So, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for contemplating or even reading any of this.

Moving Can't Be Painless: Part 2

I have to say that after all that previous drama, it got kinda boring with the relocation.  We're starting to feel a bit at home.  Sure, you set one thing up and then break something else and now have to replace it... but that's the fun of organizing a new abode.  Put together a lot of shelves, ceiling fans, a television stand and set up the computers.  I'm sure that I'm forgetting something else.  We also started organizing the garage (which cleared out a lot of the boxes stacked taller than the wife... no, it wasn't intentional.)  The dogs are enjoying the new running room.  Our son is enjoying his new-found freedom to explore (it seems like his room isn't dangerous enough for him anymore.)  If his grades stay above water, he'll be picking up a new bike next week.  Kerry is back to reading (for enjoyment.)  And I'm getting closer and closer to starting a project that I expect to announce in July.

We still have a few home projects to finish (computer networking issues, a ceiling fan and a dishwasher) but there are less and less boxes stacked up and tools lying around (because at any moment... aha... needed that screwdriver.)  I think the only thing we really need right now is a bit of rest and a start on our new routine.  Probably going to start that by exploring the nearby restaurants and walking routes.

To The Missus On Year #3 Of Her Purgatory

I don't mention it often but I'm a very lucky man.  I'm not easy to be around for long periods of time.  I ramble on about bizarre things.  I listen to music some people wouldn't let their children hear.  I snore.  I talk in my sleep.  I am stubborn, out-going, opinionated and right most of the time... (Ok, that last part is a bit overboard.)  But, for some reason, I was lucky enough to find someone as caring, stubborn, patient and as loving as my wife.  She doesn't like the spotlight on her but I wouldn't be half of what I am without her.  Thank you for 3 wonderful years and making my family that much better for it.

Moving Can't Be Painless: Part 1

I know, it's been a bit.  Here is the Cliff's Notes synopsis.  We moved.  Computers remained unplugged for over a week.  (The shakes started wearing off after a few days.)  Moved crap around.  Broke things.  Fixed things.  Built things.  (It amazes me more and more how companies can send extra pieces for bookshelves... has to be a psychological trick to make us feel stupid as we re-read the instructions for the 49th time.)

I have to say that the physical move went great and a big Thank You goes out to my brother-in-law Greg and friend William.  Let's dwell on the move for a moment.  Kerry and I picked up the U-Haul early and went straight to a store to pick up some furniture we ordered.  We then headed to the house to start unplugging the computers, loaded up the delicate items in her car and prepped the big items for loading up.  Greg and Willie arrived and we loaded up a few items going to my Dad's house and then everything else joined the party.  We were mainly concerned about the big items as there were many and we left more than we should have (but didn't have much more room in the truck.)  We then drove to the new place and dropped off the goodies and ate lunch.  We then went to my father's and dropped off some big items for him and loaded up a lot of items that he'd been holding there for us.  Off we went to the new place to drop off the stuff.  I was able to drop off Willie and the U-Haul in time to not get charged.  (I'm not going to mention the turn signal light issue to save time.)  I then ran to the old house to see if there was anything we'd need for the night.  Called the wife and told her I'd call when I got closer to the new place to pick up food on the way back.

So, it seemed like a busy day already.  Right?  I take these items over to Greg's house and add two tired dogs to my cargo (as my sister-in-law Kelly watched over them during the move.)  I'm now heading out and I get a frantic call from the wife saying, "Head home!  Head home!," and, confused as I can be, I reply, "Which home?!"  It didn't help matters.  Needless to say, my son David was working as hard as a one-armed child could (seeing as he broke one in a scooter accident.)  While helping out by breaking down boxes, he cut his wrist open...  he screamed, ran towards where his mom was (and this is where I lose track of the story because from my later view of the crime scene... it looked like he ran circles around the house.)  Kerry took him to the emergency room while I continued to drive home.  I had a heck of a time keeping the dogs away from the puddles of coagulating fluid.  Oh, did I mention the nice new cream colored carpet at the new place?  No?  Well, I got acquainted with it for 3 hours as Spray & Wash with Resolve works wonders but requires a lot of elbow grease.  (Leave it to me to leave the steam cleaner at the old house.)  I finished moments before they got back from seeing the doctor.  David earned 3 stitches, a lot of praise for being a 'big help' and a wrapping covering his unbroken other arm... yes, his best hand for doing anything was at the end of a cast now.  Great for the upcoming CRTs.

I have a photo stashed away somewhere but... it was a painful but satisfying move.  David's cast was removed a week later and he still has the stitches in.  He's also getting to know the neighborhood really well.  Anyhow, there is more to the move but it'll have to wait.  Still have more stuff to get done around here but wanted to check in and let you know what's been going on.

20+

As much as I loathe moving, there is something cathartic to it.  It's a time for you to re-evaluate items you've been holding onto.  The last time I moved (almost 3 years ago when I got married), I discovered a stack of notes from a girl in high school.  I thought that it was funny that here were 20+ letters that were jotted down during a history class that I knew I read but they were scattered in a little paper bag all by themselves.  They came from my senior year and my correspondence with a classroom pseudo-pen pal.  So, I decided to look at the notes.  I told the wife about it and even read them to her -- partially to absolve myself of the contents but also to share in the discovery.  Yes, the girl (no names) was persistent and had a crush.  It even reminded me of a time when she came over (in a tight black leotard... my favorite color) and received a massage... and I didn't take it further.  To this day, I don't know why I didn't (because massages always lead me into trouble) but I do know that some things aren't meant to happen.  I tossed each of the letters away after reading them.  But, being 20+ years older and going over 20+ letters really reminds a man of how much he's grown and how oblivious to some things he can be.

So, it's funny that as I was doing some early pre-packing for the latest move, I discovered another set of letters --  this time from an ex-girlfriend.  You can say she was the first significant one after high school.  No, there weren't 20+ there but I let them sit on the desk for about two months and explained what they were to the wife (with the intention to do the same as before.)  It was as we were talking about the move and some logistics that the phone rang.  I looked over at the letters (post-marked 1991-92) and started opening them.  The wife was on the phone as I browsed the first one, ripped it up, browsed the second, ripped it up... and then just ripped the others up.  I came to the conclusion that sometimes there are reasons why the past is the past and the present is the present.  Holding on to some great memories of the past are fine.  Clinging onto them can be maniacal.  So, I'm feeling good.  Purging some things always lightens my soul and... I was able to share it with the one I love.  Back to packing but... I might have to be more selective of what I keep for now on.  B)

Leaving Las Vegas

The phrase 'Las Vegas native' has always been odd for me.  I mean, when you move to a town when you are 2 years old, you really don't remember enough of your old one to say that it was home.  So, after 37 wonderful years (minus a 6-month sabbatical in Reno), we're leaving.  We signed the papers today.  It's hard to do when you have a lot of great memories of the place and, yes, even the stigma of 'Sin City' on your back never seemed that bad.  Heck, I'm a huge fan of the weather.  I really can't stand the cold.  So, as I start packing up my things along with my wife and son, I say farewell to a city that never sleeps and never did me wrong... and say "hello" to Henderson.

She's In Training For A Cure

I might not have mentioned it previously but the wife and I have been doing a lot of walking.  Usually, we'll try to take the girls (dogs) out with us and have worked up to a 4-mile hike a few weeks ago (hours before Super Bowl.)  There has been a reason.  Sure, the health benefits are great (as is wearing out the dogs.)  But, Kerry has a goal and I'm going to support her every step of the way.

In November, Kerry is heading to San Diego with her BFF to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure event.  This isn't a simple little trip.  Essentially, they will head out and walk 20 miles, camp out, pack up, walk another 20 miles, camp out, pack up and walk the remaining 20 miles in what can only be called a 3-day endurance test.  So, she's in training.  I mean, it isn't often that anyone walks for 20 miles continuously or does so 3 days in a row.

Yes, training will be difficult but also difficult will be fund-raising.  Neither of us have really ever done that before either.  They have set a minimum of $2,300 in donations as her goal before she participates which means we have until September-ish to work on it.  I try not to use the web sites or my other ventures as a platform for asking for things... I am bad at that but, during the next few months, I will be trying to keep you up-to-date on Kerry's training progress and post a little link up.  We also hope to hold a few fund-raising events as well.

Right after signing up, a friend of hers told her that her other friend had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Cancer, itself, is scary but when it hits home, it hits hardest.  Men also get breast cancer.  One of the sad things about the disease is how it can destroy a woman's self-esteem.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I think breasts are one of the most amazing inventions and I can stare at them for hours.  Let's go save some boobies!

It might be good to mention now that unfortunately, donations from outside the United States are unable to be processed but we would like to thank you for even considering it.

Coke, Is It?

I can honestly say that I failed the Pepsi Challenge over 2 decades ago.  I just like the taste of Coke.  For the longest time, I was a 2 20-oz. bottle-a-day Diet Coke drinker (yeah, caffeine.)  Anyhow, I don't drink soda anymore but this article saying that they've finally revealed the recipe for Coca-Cola got me thinking.  First, it's hard to say 'finally revealed' as they say it was found in a 32 year-old newspaper.  It's like saying, "We can finally reveal the winner of the first American Idol."  It happened, was covered and it's done.  But can the recipe be real?

I'm writing this to say that I'm doubtful.  Just a few problems with the recipe that includes at least 4 different oils and 8 oz. of alcohol amidst 2.5 gallons of water and 1quart and 2 pints of lime juice.  Not only do the oils (which would be a fat) not register on the label as even a less than a gram but at no point is alcohol listed on the label.  Here's one label below:

So, if this this recipe is false, it is blatantly so.  If it were correct, it could be an issue with mis-labeling the product -- which could be a lawsuit.  It also must be noted that the above label has to be an older one as high fructose corn syrup is the major sweetener used today.  Could that recipe, printed in a newspaper 3 decades ago, be a very early one that was discarded, changed and rendered useless by the time it was published?  Something to consider.

Super Day 2011

I do not know if I can legally say Super Bowl or not but I spent a great day with my wife, son, nephew and dogs.  We woke up around 6am and had cinnamon rolls and packed a few sandwiches for a trip.  There is a section of this massive hiking trail around Boulder City near Lake Mead and we decided to give that a try.  Our plan was to try to get a good 4 mile hike in (with the dogs) before heading back home in time for church.  We figured out the directions and despite leaving late got there just about when we intended to.  With two boys and two dogs in tow, my wife and I started our walk/hike.  But, we wound up going the wrong way.  It really wasn't a bad thing, though.  You have a great view of Lake Mead and half-mile markers to give you an idea of distance.  The dogs did great and spent most of the day sleeping afterwards.  When we got back, we prepared for church and the Super Bowl.

David is a little funny... ok, a lot funny.  He has his favorite football team and can barely remember any of the players' names.  Part of what I believed made me a bigger fan of professional football was fantasy football -- where you have an investment in almost every game and particular players.  This prompted me to create a Super Bowl fantasy match-up for the boys (the prize being bragging rights, 3 packs of sugar-free gum and a Star Wars Pez dispenser with 3 packs of Pez.)  For anyone attempting a two-person fantasy draft, it's important to balance things.  There is only one QB and one defense which means that when one is taken, the other is pretty much given to the other player by default.  The draft went well.  My nephew wanted the Packers to win the game and went after only Green Bay players.  David was more selective but of course would have many of the default Steelers players after losing the coin-toss but also grabbed wide receiver Greg Jennings of GB.  By the time the game started, Jakob told us that he thought he made a mistake.  His second pick, running back Brandon Jackson, was hurt and he forgot.  I conferred with the wife and then asked David what he thought.  I asked my son, "What would you want to happen if we found out that your other running back was hurt and not going to play the game?"  With everyone agreed, Jackson was replaced with Starks... until Jackson caught a pass.  I had to tell my nephew that changing players during a game was already a bit unfair but the player he drafted was actually in the game and his replacement player would have to be switched back.  I don't think he took it well.  When offered dinner at Olive Garden near half-time... he was outta here.  But, I told him that we'd still keep score and the winner would still be the winner.  David watched the rest of the game (and we'd have to keep reminding him when his player scored points or screwed up.)   Final total was about 53 to 25 (I didn't keep the sheets so we are guesstimating here) in my son's favor.  We even ran the points with the replacement player -- which only got the score 4 points closer.

But, I think this was a growing step for the boy as he watched everything but the half-time show (to play outside.)  Had a great time with the wife and it was a great day.  We passed out earlier than normal as well.  I'm sure that I had nightmares about replacement players.

Teamwork And Homework Pay Off

This will be a rather long update but it's a few stories that intertwine.  I might have mentioned elsewhere that we were getting our son back on his educational path by adding some new structure to his after-school hours.  This came after seeing quite a few missing homework assignments.  He now spends at least 90 minutes at the kitchen table doing homework before anything else.  He has actually noticed how much better his life has been around this new change and how breaking away from it feels so disorganized and confusing.  Anyhow, he spent two late nights catching up on late/missing homework assignments that brought his Science and English grades up.  (As he had A's on most everything but many zeroes on homework brought the grades down.)  I might have also mentioned his teacher and assistant dean approaching us about having him represent the 7th grade in the Science Bowl.  This is actually a state-wide competition over science and math that is now in its 4th year.  Most likely... this wouldn't have happened if he didn't bring those grades up.

So, on Thursday (the 27th) David broke from the previously mentioned structure -- with our consent.  He went to play with his cousins that he hadn't seen in awhile but promised to get to his homework right afterwards.  That didn't happen.  While playing on his scooter, the rusted handlebars gave and he went tumbling to the ground.  All in all, he wound up with a buckle fracture of his right radius (near his wrist) leaving him without the use of that hand for the time being.  He tried writing with his left but switched back after getting his full cast.  All homework has caught up but it's been quite an experience for him as he's learning how much he depends on using both arms.

Fast-forward to 4:40am this morning as the wife woke him up to get ready for the Science Bowl.  Heck, I even went to sleep early and got up to go with them.  We arrived at the Henderson International Campus at 6:30am and turned in some last-minute paperwork for his participation.  Worth noting here is that writing out anything is a slow painful process during the healing and hardly legible (and never really considered how important that may be for math questions.)  We weren't allowed to see the first 2 contests but we got a phone call from David around their lunch break to tell us that they had won both their first head-to-head battles.  Arriving quickly afterwards, we just made it in as they started against their next opponent.  They won and had a little breathing room.  I found out that my old junior high school (that I participated in Varsity Quiz for) was also competing... and was the team to beat.  They would meet them in the finals.  By the first half of the game, they were down by at least 20 points and came back to a nerve-wracking finish but lost.  David had some tears in his eyes but I reminded him... it's a double-elimination tournament.  The team would play their sister-school from Reno for third place and beat them in what was called a North-South battle by moderator Nate Tannenbaum.  The next would be a rematch with my former school which had remained unbeaten.  David's team dealt them a more than 50 point beating.  I can't put it any other way.  So, they would play against each other one more time...  The other team would bring payback by topping them by 100 points.  It was a slugfest... well, mentally.  What has to be said here is that the main team consisted of four 8th graders (and a 7th that rotated in on the second half) and David's had an 8th grader, two 7th graders and a 6th grader.  Pretty darn good for a team just put together that could only get better next year.  So tonight, I remain a proud parent of a child that gave his all and learned to enjoy this competition.

I'd feel bad if I wrote all this without saying how nice Mr. Tannenbaum was.  Kerry and I have fond memories of watching this meteorologist's forecasts and on-camera wit.  But to have him moderate the final rounds was great.  He even too a moment to pose for a photo with the boy.  It gives David someone to look for on the news in the morning when he fills in for Ted Pretty.

2011: The Year Of Projects

I've always liked the word 'project' (unless it is related to living space) and, with the new time I've freed with the end of the show and discontinuation of Web sites, I have a bunch in the works.  I'm going to spill a little about them now but will hold onto a few others to mention later when it's more appropriate.

Since June of last year, I've switched to a vegan diet for 5 days of the week.  I figure that my choices at work lead me to some bad choices... so why not control them.  Pretty much, it's a dismissal of all animal products and by-products.  The days that I'm not at work, I enjoy but don't pig out on the items I can't otherwise.  When I first did this, I saw my cholesterol drop from over 300 to around 150.  Yes, cut that sucker in half but didn't add oatmeal to the diet until this week.  I may re-introduce seafood (like tuna) after my next bloodwork comes back.  But, I feel really good.

I've also gotten more involved with my son's schooling.  I saw him doing the same things that I was:  acing tests, not turning in homework and upsetting my parents with my grades.  After a lot of thinking on this and much frustration (as this happened once before) we are working on structure.  He now sits at the kitchen table doing homework for at least an hour and a half each night.  If he doesn't have homework, he'll have to read ahead or work on a school project.  So far, so good.

I have been picking up some new tech gear for a new video project that I'm starting focused on my family.  I can't say much as it includes more than myself and I don't want to overstep my bounds.  It's a great chance for me to enhance my interview and add new film skills to my arsenal.  All I know is that it is going to be fun and get me to spend more time with my family... and that's pretty important.  Now, if only those new microphones get here by Saturday.

Lastly, exercise.  It's been difficult to work in work out (boy, is that a weird phrase) time with my odd schedule.  I try something and lose interest.  My wife has set a goal.  There is a cool event coming up in November supporting the Susan G. Komen For The Cure foundation for breast cancer in the form of a 3-day, 20-mile per day walk.  We are trying to build her endurance up to this goal.  So we started last weekend to go walking one day and yoga/stretching the next.  We even found an interesting site called GeoDistance that allows you to see areas that you already have around you (as well as alternate routes) and measure them to figure distances.  This worked well for our hikes and other areas and have set the plan in motion.  So, my exercise is going to increase and I support her goal.  I'll be giving you updates as she gets closer to the November event.

So, I'm not spending all my free time sleeping in... those rumors are entirely untrue.  I have a lot of new stuff on my plate but feel that it's not only going in the right direction but the best direction.

Post Show Post

Today we had a proper ceremony to bid adieu to Talking 80s Music.  I did discover that once you get the idea in your head to do something in the future, it's really easy to accelerate the process.  First you come up with a list of things you want to accomplish before the end of the project.  Then you start whittling it down into 'must have' and 'possible' columns.  Then, you impose an even shorter deadline than before.

Regrets will always happen in life.  You could have always said something better, done something quicker or taken a short-cut but one thing I'm sure of is that we ended things on our terms.  Sometimes regrets are the areas of your life you put a curtain around and occasionally look at to say, "I'll get to that.  I will."  Well, the curtain has been drawn aside as I now try to incorporate my family into these future projects.

In Defense Of The Status Quo

Sure, I know that you'd expect me to talking music here and that I'd be posting this to support the band.  No, I'm not, but that "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" was really covered well by Camper Van Beethoven.  I just wanted to take a moment and reflect.

The status quo is a shortened version of the Latin term "in stātu quō ante bellum erat" which meant “the way it was before the war.”  By shortening it, we've left it to mean "the way it was."  This has some problems as it is currently used to talk about the way things currently are or (as defined) the existing state of affairs or state of things.  You hear about retaining the status quo, keeping the status quo and challenging the status quo.

A lot of what is said in the use of the phrase is in a derogatory sense noting a need for something different because the results of the 'existing state of affairs' aren't satisfactory.  That is where my sticking point begins.

If a bulb in a lamp goes out in your house, there are tons of options to yield a pleasant outcome.  You may turn on another lamp.  You may move the bulb from one lamp to another.  You may switch on a night light.  You may turn on an appliance or several.  You may grab a flashlight.  You may dismiss it as unimportant (as it may be daylight out)... but we are addressing moving away from the status quo -- which would be the new found darkness.

But the thing we are most knowledgeable is would be our status quo.  We wouldn't want to change it if were weren't entirely aware of what it was first.  Yet, often times we as a society do.  Our resolution to a perceived problem with the way things are would most definitely reflect our viewpoint.  Those viewpoints aren't always shared.  In that same household, one person may want the brightness to read a book, another may require that bulb they moved in another room and another may find a problem with turning on the other lamp as it may be a higher wattage bulb.  I'm sure there are many other viewpoints but not one is more right or wrong than another.

A full understanding the status quo could only yield a better choice.  But, sometimes it isn't the best choice.  And if one considers "the war" as the battle of ideas over resolving a light bulb going out... the "in stātu quō ante bellum erat" would be to replace the bulb with a new one.  Which I know most of you considered as the obvious choice in the first place.  I'm off to go buy a light bulb.

No, Really, I Don't Need An iPhone

If you've read anything posted in this blog or know me well, you'd wonder why I haven't embraced the iPhone yet.  I think about it here and there but I can say that the biggest reason is that I really like the coverage and service I get with Sprint.  I hardly get a dropped call and I have little trouble talking with customer support when an issue arises.  Another reason may be that I don't want a cellphone bill that rivals a car payment.  We have our 3 lines and of those mine gets a hefty amount of usage (and is the only one connected to the Internet.)  If I keep it minimal, it means that it becomes a tool more than a diversion.  (I've seen you Angry Birds addicts.)  A third reason would be that I have my 160GB iPod and don't want to choose what music I need to not put on an iPhone to make it fit.  I like keeping my music collection separate.   There are even more reasons but they aren't as important.

Anyhow, for the last... 5 years or so, I've been using a Sanyo Katana.  (Pictured above.)  Kind of Star Trek-ish in the flip-phone/clam shell style but it's been perfect for my needs for at least the last 4 years.  It was actually pretty funny that Kerry would purchase the Katana II (in pink) when it came out and she's still using it.  That leads us up to yesterday.  You see, for almost a year, the bar that wiggles to create the vibrate mode on the Katana II came loose and since has made a sound like two vinyl albums rubbing vigorously together when set to vibrate.  Can't just have someone crack it open and fix it.  Mine has been good but I do need to send more email while away from the home and office.  A sudden problem with the phone and its Internet settings finally got me to look into a different phone.

Still, I wanted to avoid a data plan, expand my ability to type on the go, broaden my ability to search for things, keep things minimal and stay with the same service.  -- Another thing really should be said here.  After 5 years, how much bacteria do you think can get deep down into the microphone area that you breathe into?  I mean, you can wipe the area but can't really get in there... just sayin'. --  After checking all our criteria, it led us to one device... the Samsung Seek.

The addition of a touch screen allows us to step tenuously into the future.  The slide-out QWERTY keyboard will allow me more versatility with my writing.  Oh, and no charge for the upgrade.  (That helps quite a bit.)  I got one just like the above picture and Kerry went with pink.  No costs, no service changes and no hassle.  The real test will be when they are in our hands in the next few days.  So, for a little longer... no iPhone for me.  And I'm pretty darn content with that.

The Perception Of Success

Had a tough week. I like to take myself seriously when discussing music with an artist. Music means a lot to me and rolling around my head are those questions that ride the line between fan and journalist. But, possibly, my avoidance and ignorance of the personal lives of these people puts me in a different place all-together. I am a writer/historian/musicologist and I don't need the sensationalism that comes with trying to corner someone on a personal, sensitive topic.

So, why was it a tough week? Well, I had a chance to talk with a singer-songwriter where I could help him in promoting his new project and lead fans to his Facebook page (in a bid to increase pressure on a record label to reissue his long-out-of-print albums.) To record the interview, I had to go back to some PC technology that I abandoned for the Macbook earlier this year. We ran a test and everything went well prior to the interview. The very likable subject was amazing in the depth of his answers and the time he gave (over an hour.) I would even say that a friendship was made there. I thanked him and went off to edit the recording. It wasn't there.

So, here I felt that I lost a tremendous interview, let down my subject and breached some boundary as a journalist. I just wanted to curl up and get over the funk that overwhelmed me. I quickly sent an email off to the subject and let him know that I felt like I had ran over my best friend's dog. There is a big time difference between us but I heard back about 5 hours later and he had this "sinking feeling" when reading my email as he felt we had "lightning in a bottle" there in our discussion. He offered some time a few days later to re-record. It possibly went better the second time around and didn't come across rehearsed. Of course, we had some hiccups during the live airing of the show (which he stayed in the chat room and talked to our listeners) but in the end... it came out pretty good.

So, what can be said here is that success is a perception issue. I recall hearing that some of the biggest success stories in business came after at least 10 failed businesses. I can see that with relationships as well. What seems like failure sometimes are the steps toward success. Yes, having what you viewed as success ripped from your hands by technology or human error is heartbreaking but sometimes it is an unseen step towards something greater. It also helps to treat people with honesty and respect as they may just smile and say, "Let's try again."

Bella And Tulip Show 3: Coos Bay

So, here we are on our Hennessy 2010 West Coast Tour. Our first video comes from our stay in Coos Bay, Oregon. Tons of trees everywhere you look. The in-law's place is surrounded by a veritable forest with winding paths that I have yet to explore. On the first day there, we followed Bella who enthusiastically showed us around. Tulip and David make some guest appearances.

Hennessy West Coast Tour 2010

As most of you know, I don't travel often. I think it's because I like not being on a schedule for all things. I break out of the box today as we head out for Coos Bay, Oregon, to get our son from his grandparents. We'll stay there a few days and then head north to Bremerton, Washington, to his other grandparents' house for 3 days. Then back down to Coos Bay for 3 days (and where I'll be able to record one of the episodes of Talking 80s Music live.) After that, we head to Sacramento to see my a bunch of family on my side. (My sister and I were born there before relocating to Vegas when I was 2.) Then to Reno to see my friend Tracy. After that maybe we'll have time to putter through Carson City and Virginia City before returning to Las Vegas.

Yes, it sounds kinda harried, but we will get a lot in and I figure that it will be a great way to show David two state capitols in one trip. We also have an odd plan for music in the car. We each have our iPods and whenever we stop somewhere we will switch iPods but only play songs on the Top Rated list. Should be fun and educating (well... maybe more so for David as he hears a lot of songs he wouldn't otherwise.)

Tons of technology coming with us on the trip. (It'll be a test of the GPS.) Maybe a few videos will be filmed while there. We will also be taking the dogs (as it would be like making a mortgage payment if we left them somewhere.) Should be quite an amazing journey and I can't wait. Still got the a little jitters about walking away from the known around me for so long.

P.S. - The exact points on the map may not be factually correct as it was rushed and I've never been to either state.

Life Update: 062510

I know, I haven't been keeping you up to date on a lot of things. I think it's just getting a bit mad over here. So let's start with some fresh stuff:

1. Remember that video I posted for my niece Meagan? (Pictured above... a favorite photo of mine.) It seems that a few things happened. Wet Seal wasn't ready for the idea of social media driving people to the videos in their search for their next model. So, they went through and cut 25 instead and are down to 75. To get to final 25 (of which a winner will be chosen by Wet Seal), Facebook members can vote "once per day per person" at this link. Oddly enough, there is a Megan there... don't be confused. Look for the color photo to the far left about 5 rows from the bottom. It also looks like you might have to click the "Like" above on the page to get the vote to count. I thank all of you that voted and helped her get this far. Voting ends July 5th.
2. Went to help my mother pack for a bit as she moves closer to my sister in Boulder City. Yes, I'm envious. Beautiful town and close to the lake. Her poor dogs were sick the whole time we were packing, so I think we got a lot less done that we should have.
3. One week away from what I've been calling our West Coast tour. Going to see 2 sets of in-laws and then my grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins in Sacramento before seeing Tracy in Reno and maybe visiting a few northern Nevada landmarks. Oh... and we are taking the dogs. We bought sedatives... for them (sigh.)
4. The next few shows will be pre-recorded for Talking 80s Music to allow me to travel (and not bring a huge collection of gear in tow.) I wound up sending a last minute email to our featured act this week, Jon Astley, and wound up with the best non-interview I've ever done. Might splice it together to put with the text interviews at 80s Music Central. Very nice of him to do that for us.
5. Bark Off. I know, you've seen the commercials and thought... that can't work. We decided to try it out. It took a few times but it definitely calmed the house down. Bella hated it enough to try to chew into it today. No fear we have 3 more ready and waiting.
6. I guess there will be stress involved with going on a stress-relieving (or is it reliving?) trip. I'll just be happy once we are on the road. Should be doing a show live from Coos Bay, Oregon.
   

I'm off to get some more news writing done for this week's show but I hope all is well over there with you.

Help Meagan: Wet Seal 2010

I know. Usually, I say... "hey, look into this band" or "you really ought to look into this." It isn't often that I ask you to view a video on YouTube (despite the fact that I've been posting more and more to the site.)

Recently, my niece Meagan was accepted as one of 100 contestants competing to be a spokesmodel for Wet Seal for 2010. Her chance of getting to the next round entirely depends on how many views her video gets. I don't ask for much but if I can help my niece get to the next phase... I will have done all I can to help her. Help me, help her. View this video. Send it to friends. Ask them to send it along.

The Bella And Tulip Show: BandT Park 2

We figured that it was time to bring in a few guest stars. Most shows have guest stars, right? We just stumbled on two other puggles that look identical (we would lose track of who was who.) Goes to remind us that even though most puggles look similar, there are always anomalies like Bella.

The Bella And Tulip Show: BandT Park

Since I'm going strong, here's our first episode of The Bella And Tulip Show: BandT Park. Who would have thought that documenting the regular goings on at a dog park could rank right up there with cutting your wrists?

David Tennis 053010

Remember when I said earlier that I felt bad about not posting anything recently? Well, I've been taking David out on the tennis court each week and decided to record a little of today's work out with you -- family and friends. It'll be good to give him something to look back on and say "I'm a lot better now, huh?"

Things Taking Shape

I often like to use the word 'projects' when discussing the future. Some of these projects in the past were the newsletter, website, show, blog and other things. Things have been so busy with the new projects that I've neglected you here. So, I'll mention just a few:
1. One of the biggest projects is learning how to use this thing pictured above. It's a fully-loaded 13" Macbook Pro. For someone like me, that has been around and put computers together for well... way too long, it's a major shift. Things aren't were they are supposed to be. You don't remove things the same way. You wind up hunting for items or options that are right in front of your face. It's getting better. Hard to assess the battery life as it keeps running down so much when I'm using it. May be something to address in the future. But, Kerry loves the thing. It requires her not being around to get a few moments alone with it. Yet, I now have a lot of the most important software installed.

2. Been working on taking Talking 80s Music mobile using the aforementioned laptop. The show is hard enough to get through sometimes with the technological unpredictability of using the software and hardware I've been using for the last 3+ years. You may then understand my trepidation... no, fear of changing to something that could be even more unpredictable. It has to be done, though. We'll make the attempt during the episode after this one.

3. Picked up a video recorder a bit ago. Had 3 to 4 ideas for video series that I wanted to create. (Which has me considering placing almost everything I've been doing under the umbrella of a self-formed media group.) I'm expecting the first of these to launch after we convert to mobile.

4. We stopped publication of The 80s Nuts Newsletter after 12+ years. Kind of... You see, spending that long focused on cooking doesn't make you stop watching cooking shows or fiddling around in the kitchen. The passion for the news continues and may not always pop up on the show. So we created a blog (hahaha... kinda fitting isn't it) that will collect all those articles as they get posted. The good thing about it is that when I mention a video coming out... I can show it to you. When a free download is available, you can just click a link to it. It's the step we should have taken 5 years ago.

5. Been spending more time on the tennis court. (For those that know me, you are probably shaking your heads.) I've found a renewed passion for teaching while working with my son. Looking at doing some charity work utilizing these tools and have a few ideas lined up for later this year.

....oh, there are more but I won't bore you with them. I also didn't want to leave you out of the loop so long. Everything is going well over here and I hope all is good there with you.

Saying Goodbye To A Decade's Work

Busy day tomorrow, but I wanted to take a moment and express my thanks to all those that followed the 80s Nuts Newsletter in its more than decade-long journey celebrating the music of a decade. Today, I announced an end to that journey. Not easy.

Maybe it's a sign of O.C.D. but when you start doing something weekly that people enjoy (and in your own head think: depend on and expect), you keep going. My problem is that I create ongoing projects. I do that very well, in fact. But, one has to expect an end in there somewhere. And after more than 520 issues of the newsletter, I'll be putting it to rest on Apr. 23rd.

It's not easy. It's letting go of an obsession for covering the information better and more extensively than anyone else. I also have to re-evaluate 80s Music Central and Talking 80s Music. The latter could still have a purpose as a series focused on specific recording artists each week -- sans the news.

The problem with having so many ongoing projects is that the new ones that I'd like to start are held back. There are a few new video series that I have in my head. I have a few charitable projects that I'd like to launch. Each take time and effort but won't be the same solo effort. Any of these future endeavors will be team Hennessy or nothing. It's going to take some time to adjust as it feels like I'm grieving but I see a bright future ahead.

Time To Make An Adjustment

Got a lot in my head right now. Been looking at my multitude of project ideas and my limited time to implement them. Some of it is because other ideas blossomed and took over big chunks of time. I'm not unhappy about that... and oddly enough, neither is the wife. She turned to me the other day and said, "You are always going to have a hobby." From the statement, it doesn't seem like much but, in the context of the conversation, she understands that I'll always have a project in my head that I want to take to the next step. Like a hobby, it keeps me busy through most of my free time but not enough to ignore family.

So, as I work out the logistics this month, I'll be shutting... well, probably more like changing the door on one of my longest running projects. Passions must continue but the also have to evolve some. We'll see how it all works out shortly.

In This Corner

I was thinking about it yesterday. I was looking at David and thinking about what kind of turbulent love life he's going to lead. The crushes, the cold shoulders, the love notes and the less than amicable partings. They all take you somewhere though.

I say that because we all have a journey to find ourselves. (No, not in that existential or emotional retreating phraseology.) Some of us know early on and are literally blessed with self knowledge. For me, it was coming to terms with who I am, what I want and who I need to surround myself with and put in my corner for the biggest fights of my life. I chased, I flirted, I teased and I begged but, each time a parting came, I discovered a bit more of who I was. I'd look back and wonder, "What the heck was I thinking?" I started to try to make myself happy and not believe my happiness was the water that overflowed from my filling the empty vessel belonging to someone else. You can't go blindly throwing everything you have into a relationship hoping it will yield the same force back. That is... unless you find your cornerman or cornerwoman.

I'm up looking at the clock thinking... 2 years ago today, I made an amazing acceptance. I found an amazing woman. Her heart is open, loving and tender but it's ready to put itself into harms way for a select few. She strives to do better for her family. Her worries of letting people down prods her to go above and beyond. She would give up her own happiness to make her son, her husband or any member her family happy. And... she's much much more.  I can't express everything that she is to me but there is no need to catch overflowing water when your vessel is also being filled. There is also no blindness when you see the active force of love coming back at you. I'm blessed to have found you, sweetheart, and you make me all that I can be.

Only Garth

I know that it looks like I'm starting to promote Las Vegas concerts. You may be partially right there. My wife is a huge fan of Garth Brooks. I'm a fan but never saw him live before. She's such a big fan that she woke me up, from a dead sleep, excited with the news that Brooks would start performing at the Wynn in Las Vegas at the end of last year. We couldn't afford the tickets early on and waited. Our tax return and the timing of our anniversary made tonight's performance a must.

She had the purchase of the tickets all worked out. She would wake up early, set up a few computers and two phones with the intention to get through and get tickets. The excitement faded after a few hours. The venue had just launched their anti-scalping policy which pretty much locked up their servers and phone lines. The phones were busy and the window applet that said she was 'in cue' would just time-out. Frustrated, she told me that she was done and was going to her mother's house to feed the dogs. When she returned, she tried again... and got through. The smile on her face when she came to tell me "Guess what?" had replaced the tears from earlier. We were to go with our friends Jennifer and Ryan (but that is a long story that, to protect the names of the innocent, must be saved for my memoirs -- due out July 26th 2041 via Simon & Schuster.)

Getting the tickets there was a breeze and they even had refreshments if the lines got bad. The solitary guitar sitting on its stand on the stage, viewed when walking into the Encore Theater, tells you right-away that it was going to be an intimate show. It was. As you may know, I'm first and foremost a fan of music history more than a particular artist. Brooks takes you along his personal history and I'm sure more than half of the audience went home to Google the likes of Merle Haggard, George Jones, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, Gladys Knight And The Pips, George Strait, Reba McEntire and Chris LeDoux (among others.) He teased with renditions of those songs -- laying the basis for what would become his own sound. Personal, laugh-out-loud humorous and thoughtful, you get to see a side of Garth that few do. He didn't let fans down that wanted to hear his songs either... you might have thought that from the description. He ripped into several classics, tested himself with a few songs the audience threw at him and brought out his wife Trisha Yearwood for a duet and her own hit single before winding down the show himself.

I have seen a lot of concerts. I don't review them often because the recorded medium and live arena are so different yet many just want to hear 'the hits' played just like on the album. That's not the way to judge a live performance. Of all the shows that I've seen, Garth Brooks' current low-key (a man and his guitar) set was quite possibly the best that I've ever seen. If you weren't a fan, you became one. If you were a fan, you got to know the man. And, I don't think that you can put a price tag on that.

Do You Want Another One? -- Happy Anniversary, Tulip

I figure that it's time to tell a dog story. This one takes us back to just about this moment a whole 365 days ago. It had been an interesting 4 months with our puggle puppy Bella. She was chewing on everything and excreting about anywhere she could. When we went to pick her up for David's birthday, Kerry and I discussed dog names and she said, "I've always wanted to call a dog Tulip." I told her that there was no way I would call a dog that. So, Twilight fan that she was... she had another name set aside. So when we put the puppy in the car, I asked David what he wanted to call her. He asked his mom what she thought was a good name... hence, Bella came into our home and vocabulary.

So it was now 4 months or so later and I'm sitting at work. My friend Corey came up to me out of the blue and asked, "Do you want another one?" Of course, my reaction is, "Another what?" So he goes on to explain that his wife has a bad habit of scanning the LIED Animal Shelter dog listings every night and she found another puggle. I didn't know what to think. If you asked me a year beforehand if I'd wanted even one dog, I'd have said that I didn't have the time, energy or room to devote to one. Now, I was entertaining the idea of a second dog. So, I told him that I'd check it out online and see if it was still there.

Kerry woke up when I got home early the next morning (as I usually do.) I was checking it out online and told her the story. We then both looked online and saw a very small photo. We talked about how another more mature dog could calm Bella down and keep her company when we weren't there. We decided that I'd go to the shelter the following morning and check out the dog just for kicks. I woke up early on March 5th and walked through the area looking at all the dogs. I didn't see this puggle anywhere and was heading back towards the car when I decided to ask someone.

When I asked about the dog, the man at the desk's eyes lit up. "You've come to check her out? She's such a sweetheart. We have no idea why she's been here this long. Here, let me get someone to show you where she is." She was there for well over a month (or about 3 if I remember right.) I guess, there is a viewing area and an area in back where dogs can go potty and sit in the sun a little... so I didn't see her. I used my cellphone and took a few photos of this shy little dog and sent them to Kerry. She quickly responded, "Get her! Get her now!" So, I didn't protest. We went to a little fenced-in grass area to see how she'd get along with me. She kind of kept to herself but was very calm. She would even hide behind the worker's leg. She'd been abandoned and that can't do well in the area of trust. "I'll take her," I said.

I sat there filling out the paperwork at LIED and it really hadn't hit me yet. The same man that called her a 'sweetheart' told me that because she'd been there so long, they'd let her go for... $25. Yes, that's right. After I got my jaw off the floor and handed him the money, he had me resume the paperwork. That's when he said, "You can wait to name her if you want and send the rest of the papers in later." If you know me by now, I don't do well with loose deadlines so I wanted it out of the way. That's when I remembered how Kerry really wanted a dog named Tulip. I started biting my nails. Was I going to break any manly oath that I'd made to myself to not name a dog after a flower and please my wife? You bet.

We were still a little concerned as to if she'd been fixed as she didn't have any scars or stitches but we'd later find out that she just healed really well. We hadn't told David and he was even more excited than before (as he'd been avoiding the little chew-monster Bella.) It was when I raised my voice at Bella, my heart first broke for Tulip. She peed right where she stood. Then she slowly went to the other side of the house. She thought I was upset with her and it worried me that this dog had to have gone through some really hard times. Never again! Never again without a home. Never again not knowing she belonged. I had to work later that night, but all I could think about was her adjusting to her new home. Kerry went shopping for a crate and extras on her way home from work.

So, this dog, that hops on our bed in the morning to snuggle near one of my legs, mini-howls when she's excited (usually around food) or licks me just because my hands are near her, has changed me more than I ever expected. We've always thought of Bella as Kerry's dog, as she follows her wherever she goes and snuggles up with her on the recliner at night. Sure, she's David's dog but emotionally, there is a bond there. And I have my own bond with Tulip. She makes me smile for some of the silliest reasons but she also has a piece of my heart that I will never get back. So, I'm thankful that one year ago today, a friend asked me, "Do you want another one?"

Happy New Year's.. Eve

You didn't think I'd post it in the morning did you. I'll be sleeping til at least noon after drinking strawberry daiquiri's and Arbor Mist Blackberry Merlot tonight with my beautiful wife, obstinate son (cider only), mother-in-law and father-in-law.

It has been quite a year. My wife has headed back to school (yes, she's just now learning how brilliant I know she is) for her next career. Our son got his second set of braces (yes, I had no idea straightening teeth needed more than one set.) Our dogs learned the 'down' command... (as long as I'm holding food.) The show is going great and this week starts its 4th year. I am nowhere closer to completing the book but I'm reading tons of them (so many, that I really need to update the reading list on the site.)

May this new year be the start of something special or a renewal of good things for you and yours!

Christmas 2009

Haven't been posting as much as I'd like but I wanted to wish all of you a very merry Christmas. It's been a great year for our family but I can say that nothing has filled our hearts with as much love as the two little girls you see above (Bella on the left, Tulip to the right.) We've even started taking them to the dog park daily as we do our walking.

Expecting a great day with my side of the family as we kind of gathered with Kerry's side a few days prior. (David had a fever, so I stayed home with him while Kerry was there in our stead.) The best gift we can hope for this holiday is the health of our family.