Ground Zero Mosque - Too Close Too Soon?

The proposed mosque and Muslim cultural center - is it too close and too soon? While I support the freedom to construct religious centers anywhere where the builders feel is appropriate, I do think the location of the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque" is too close to the site of the tragic 9/11 attacks to be tactful.

Happy Birthday to Me

Tomorrow, I hit the "big 40". Forty years of age, as of 6:30am Thursday.

Why is it that birthdays like this are called "the big" anything? 16, 18, 21, 30, 40, 65? Well, for someone to turn 100 is cause for celebration, but why the others?

16 - in most states, this is the age when you can get a drivers' license. Big deal, since you - at that age - are among the most dangerous drivers in the country. More motor vehicle accidents are caused by teen drivers than the second-most criticized age group, the elderly.

18 - In most states, when you turn 18, you are no longer considered a minor. But guess what, you still can't vote.

21 - Now you are of legal age to drink alcohol. Chances are, you have been doing so since you were at least 16. The best celebration you could do for your 21st is to not try to get into a bar using an ID that says you're a 45-year-old Chinese man.

30 - If you haven't died an early death from alcohol poisoning since your 21st birthday, then I suppose turning 30 is worth a small celebration. But, otherwise, it's really just a reminder that you're 10years away from being 40. Most 30-year-olds I've known were still as socially and personally immature as they were when they were 18.

40 - Most 40-year-olds are more mature than they were 10 years prior. Probably the most significant thing about turning 40 is the reminder that there is only 15+-years until retirement age, so get cracking on that 401k or Roth IRA before it's too late!

65 - The commonly-accepted age of retirement, although the federal government now expects people my age to work until at least 67. So, 65? Just another work day now...

What am I planning to do on my birthday? Work a full shift at the office, then have a couple of adult beverages at home and hang out with my oldest dog while my wife goes to a puppy class out of town. I suppose I should be more "woo-hoo" about turning 40, but it's going to be just another Thursday.

RadioGuyTV - Episode Two: Alice In Wonderland

My second foray into video blogging. This time, the topic is the recent release of "Alice In Wonderland".

RadioGuyTV

My first foray into video blogging...

Ryan Stiles Interview

I was fortunate today to be able to interview comedian Ryan Stiles. Listen to the interview here...

Finaly I have been having success with guitar practice

I have had a nice decade-old Yamaha FG-411 (Black) for a few years now and just recently I have finally gotten into a good practice schedule and I am making progress. Good enough for Mrs.Droyne to call from the kitchen "Is that you or a CD?" :) This last weekend to reward myself I replaced my crappy cardboard case with a polyfoam Road*Runner case and I really like it. Sturdy and light.

Greg Proops!

I had a GREAT interview with comedian Greg Proops this morning, as part of my radio show, "The Morning Swim" on KWLE.


Greg, as you may know, is "the one with the glasses" on the hit TV comedy show, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" He, and three of his "Whose Line" cohorts, will be performing next month at the local casino.

Many thanks to the Facebook friends who checked the interview out online when it aired this morning at 8:30. If you missed it, or would like to hear it again, click the "play" button below.

What I'm Thankful For - 2009

Once again, Thanksgiving is upon us. I'd like to take a moment to share with you some of the things I'm thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for:

• My wife, whose support and love keeps me going every day.
• My dogs, Baron and Magnus.
• A roof over my head, and a job to provide for my family.
• Family and friends.
• Social networking, without which, I would not be able to connect with many people I have lost touch with.
• The quiet serenity of home.

John Moawad: RIP

There are a handful of people I count among those who had significant influence on my life. One of those was my college jazz professor, John Moawad, who passed away this weekend after a long fight with cancer. Read more here.

His students called him "Coach". He held that he wasn't there to teach us how to play jazz, but to coach us through the process of letting jazz blossom and flourish. His vast knowledge of jazz (and rock and roll) inspired literally thousands of musicians and music educators over more than 5 decades. I had the distinct honor of playing bass in his Jazz Band, Jazz Choir, and his off-hours Swing Dance Band for many years, and enjoyed many gigs playing with him in jazz combos.

For me, Coach provided focus and encouragement at a time in my life when I didn't know my place in the grand scheme of things. For many of us, he was a father figure at some times, and the "cool uncle you wanted to hang out with" at others. He gave me some of the most memorable music moments of my life, and gave me his heartfelt support after I left college and began a career in radio broadcasting.

Many of the best years of my life were under his wing, and I miss him dearly. Rest in peace, Coach. You are missed.

Long Beach Weekend

Photos from our 12-year anniversary weekend in Long Beach are up on my Flickr page. Check them out here!