Radioguy and Droyne's Blog (Home of H&H Industries)

Ground Zero Mosque - Too Close Too Soon?

2010-08-25T18:07:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

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

RadioGuyTV

2010-03-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

My first foray into video blogging...

Ryan Stiles Interview

2010-02-09T20:14:00.001-08:00

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

2010-01-22T10:12:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-14T17:55:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-25T17:25:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-23T17:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-09-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

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

Glenn Beck to be honored in Mount Vernon Saturday

2009-09-24T17:43:00.001-07:00

Once again, I am confused and a bit disappointed by the loony left in Washington State. This time, it's with regards to "Glenn Beck Day" in Mount Vernon.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Glenn, he grew up in Mount Vernon, and got his start in media at a local radio station. He moved to TV as a talk show host, and (on Fox News) has rocketed to a position as one of the most popular radio/TV talk show hosts in the country.

A self-described Libertarian and conservative, his opinions have drawn ire from the left. During the 2009 Henry Louis Gates controversy, Beck argued that President Barack Obama has repeatedly shown "a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture," saying "I'm not saying he doesn't like white people. I'm saying he has a problem. This guy is, I believe, a racist."These remarks drew criticism, and resulted in a boycott promulgated by Color of Change.

Bud Norris, Mount Vernon's mayor and, a childhood friend of Beck, announced plans to honor Beck - not for his comments or political leanings, but for his success. Beck is scheduled to receive the keys to the city (a private ceremony - not an official city function - which really means nothing) on Saturday.

I guess what confuses me is the outrage from the left at this week's MV city council meeting, and from the Snohomish County chapter of the NAACP is that Beck is fostering intolerance. This is amusing to me, in the lack of tolerance shown in these protests. If Beck was a liberal, this would be a non-issue from the left, and a non-news story in the left-leaning local media. But if a conservative talk show host - whose job is to share his opinions - is to be honored for his success, the vehement critics take to the street!

I could write pages about liberal public figures who are honored for their achievements whose views or backgrounds are overlooked in favor of the honors bestowed upon them. The late Senator Ted Kennedy (D - Massachusetts) springs immediately to mind. His 1969 Chappaquiddick incident resulted in the death of automobile passenger Mary Jo Kopechne; Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident. The guy pretty much killed the woman, but to this day, he is all but canonized by the left as a bastion of virtue. Glenn Beck, on the other hand, has done nothing as heinous. He's not an elected official, directing the policies of the country, he's a commentator!

A word to the left who are up in arms about Glenn Beck getting the keys to the city - there are more important things than shouting at the mountain top to stop his being honored for "a local guy does good". If you want to show how tolerant you are, get past your disagreement with his political views and stop trying to block Beck's honor. And keep in mind that proceeds from the Beck event are going to the historic Lincoln Theater, which routinely shows independent films (produced and directed by far-left-leaning folks).

My Wife and My Boy

2009-08-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

My Wife and My Boy. I love them both dearly.

The Backyard Menagerie Grows

2009-08-17T18:21:00.001-07:00

Wifey and the boys (Baron and Magnus) were away from home this past weekend, attending a dog show in Enumclaw. I fully anticipated a very quiet weekend at home. On Sunday, while lounging on the couch, trying to find something on TV worth watching (250 channels, and nothing entertaining was on, as was usually the case), I hear a cacophony from my back yard.

My initial thought was, "those damn squirrels are fighting in the trees again". I turned the TV's volume up a notch or two and waited for the noise outside to subside. Not only did it persist, but it became louder by the minute. Frustrated, I went to the back door to see what was the matter. I was very surprised at what I found.

Huddled in the corner of the backyard, desperately trying to get past our makeshift chicken wire fence to the adjoining property, was 6 Guinea hens. What was surprising was: a) in the nearly 12 years of living at this address, I have never seen these birds; and, b) these birds are not native to NW Washington State - Guinea hens are native to the African country of Namibia.

A neighbor helped me get the birds across the fence, into the neighboring back yard, and their behavior quickly improved. They did, however, remain in that yard for most of the day, foraging for food. I found out later that Guinea hens have been plentiful in Washington Park (a mere stone's throw from my back yard), and limited food there may have forced them to look for sustenance closer to the area's human habitations.

So, aside from insects, the backyard menagerie now includes deer, raccoons the size of small dogs, 2 species of squirrel, numerous species of indigenous small birds (blackbirds, bluebirds, goldfinches, swifts, swallows, etc.), seasonal waterfowl (geese), seagulls, crows and ravens, the occasional predatory bird (hawks, falcons, and bold eagles), neighborhood cats, and - now - African chickens. I should set up a booth, charge admission, and sell collectible coffee mugs or something.

Influencing the Next Generation

2009-08-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

Great story to relate to you today...

I got a call this morning from a young lady inquiring about internship opportunities at the radio station. Calls like this one we routinely get, especially during the summer. Kids looking to learn about the radio industry when they aren't in school, that sort of thing. I asked her for her name and contact number, so I could pass along her information to our General Manager. When she told me her name, something clicked.

Flashback to "many moons ago": For over 10 years, I recorded and produced Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", featuring the voices of local elementary school children. Out of all the kids that passed through the station's doors, one stuck in my mind - this little girl who took a genuine interest in how I produced the program. I gave her a rudimentary walk through of how a radio show is produced, and told her about how much fun a career in radio is. Keep in mind, this was a 5th grade child, so I wasn't expecting any words on my part to stick.

Back to present day: As it turns out, this little girl, now in her last year in college, chose broadcast journalism as her major, and she is enthusiastic to start a career in radio. When I said I remembered her from all those years ago, she said my advice to her played a part in her choice of major.

Nuggets of wisdom from me making an impact on someone of the younger generation? I'm taken aback. Years ago, I gave bass guitar lessons to a classmate of sister. He's now a very successful professional bass player. I thought my influence was a one-shot occurrence. Who'd of thunk lightning would strike twice?

All Good Things...

2009-07-12T15:21:00.000-07:00

...must come to an end. In this case, it's the week-long "staycation" my wife and I have enjoyed.

Like other vacations, I laid out a list of things to do while trying to do as little as possible. We caught a show (the latest "Transformers" movie - a good diversion). We watched fireworks at night over Fidalgo Bay. I read a good book (four, actually). We visited family in Auburn. We spent an afternoon at the recently remodeled Southcenter Mall, shopping for books and eating Thai and Japanese food (I had some fantastic sushi with tempura shrimp and smelt roe). We spent a quiet day in La Conner, antiquing and walking the small town's quiet streets. We visited the local Scottish Highland Games, where we dined on meat pies, and I enjoyed some haggis (more on that later). We went out to eat at nice restaurants... a lot... and savored every bite.

We unplugged from the office.
We unplugged from our computers.
We stayed up late, reading and watching TV.
We slept in.
We relaxed.

Now, our escape from all things routine is coming to a close. For the first time in a week, the weather is cloudy. It rained a bit this morning, and by noon, it was cold enough to see ones own breath. The feeling at home is subdued, and we are already missing the fun we have had these past few days. We're ready to do it again, as soon as possible.

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-03T17:42:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone has a great Independence Day. I'm going to be staying away from usual fare, like watching the TV (all that'll be on is "Independence Day" (the movie) anyway). Gonna head downtown to broadcast the 4th of July parade for the radio station, then I'll start a week-long vacation (yes!!!).

So, to all reading this post, enjoy some BBQ, catch a parade or two, enjoy some fireworks, and overall spend the day out of doors. Have fun!

Bark In The Park 09

2009-06-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday was Bark in The Park at Storvik Park in Anacortes. The event is much like a children's festival, but for our canine companions. Hundreds of dogs and their owners attended.

Puppy's First Bath

2009-06-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

We gave Magnus his first bath the other day... Superubercutie alert!

Highlander Rebooted

2009-06-04T16:47:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine alerted me to plans in Hollywood to reboot the cult-classic "Highlander" movie franchise. I read a synopsis of the remake's plot, and - once again - was disappointed with what the folks in tinseltown are up to.

Many times, especially of late, Hollywood cranks out remakes of films that once were profitable for the studios that made them. Sometimes, the remakes are great re-tellings of the original films. Many times, though, the resulting cinematic offering is a pale comparison to the original, and (in my opinion) shouldn't have been produced in the first place. Those poor remakes - again, in my opinion - seem to be weak attempts to glean a few shekels from the movie-going public through various means, most often through the mere addition of a currently popular actor or actress and a generous amount of CGI special effects. Other times, screenwriters and producers will try to "remake" a movie by throwing all the things that made the original so good out the cinematic window. The pending remake of "Highlander" seems to fall in the second category, although it wouldn't surprise me that the finished product will fall into both categories.

A detailed review of the upcoming "Highlander" movie can be found here.

Sometimes, the Little Things Count

2009-06-03T19:29:00.000-07:00

We've got a new puppy in the family, and during most of the week, I don't have much time to socialize/imprint/make myself known to our new young one - Tracy has both of our dogs with her at work for most of the day, and between our work schedules not precisely matching and her very busy after-work schedule, I haven't had much time to spend with the wee one.

This afternoon, Tracy got home at a "normal" time - enough time for me to spend with the puppy in our front yard. Nothing too extravagant - me sitting on the lawn, with the puppy playing with a toy. What made me say "awwwww" to myself was that while playing with the toy, Magnus ran around behind me and leaned up against my back to play.

(read: he considers me a "safe" zone)

That's a big thing for a new puppy to do, and I was deeply touched by the gesture.

Sometimes, it's the little things like that that make my day.

Introducing Magnus

2009-06-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce the latest addition to our family, Magnus. We picked him up from SeaTac Airport on Saturday (he was flown in from the breeder in Wisconsin). He's an 11-week-old Belgian Tervuren puppy, and is a delight. Here's a few pics for you to enjoy (click on each picture for a larger view).

More pictures to come!

New Puppy

2009-05-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

Tonight, we pick up our new puppy, Magnus. He's an 11-week-old Belgian Tervuren, the same breed as our big boy, Baron. We're filled with nervous excitement, and can't wait to welcome him to his new home. Here's a picture of him for added "ubercutie" effect...
More pictures after we pick him up from the airport...

The Friday Morning Fishbowl

2009-05-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

Friday mornings, from 9 to 10, we're got a little show put together at KWLE, called the Cozy Homes Friday Morning Fishbowl. It features Yours Truly (Newsguy Glen), DJ Rob, and Trainwreck Johnny. One of our new show segments involves highlighting music we don't like (for one reason or another), then sticking dynamite in the track and blowing it up! Here's a highlight from this morning's show. Crank it up and enjoy!

Great Obedience Weekend

2009-05-18T16:49:00.001-07:00

Tracy and Baron did wonderfully...

Baron Runs At Argus

2009-05-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

Summer Blockbuster Season Begins

2009-05-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it's not technically summer yet, but the summer movie season began on Friday with the release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I do think it's one of a string of (hopefully) great movies this year. Over the past 4 months, the number of movies I really wanted to see was very slim. If anyone who reads this has seen the latest X-Men movie, please let me know if you liked it or not.

The movie I'm really looking forward to is the upcoming Star Trek film. The trailers shown for the film keep getting better and better, and as the Trekkie in my household, it fuels my Trek need nicely. I hope the film lives up to the hype it's been given over the past year or so.

The new Transformers movie may be cool, but we'll see.

Baron in the Tulip Fields

2009-04-20T13:38:00.001-07:00

Got some great pictures of Baron Sunday in the tulip fields of the Skagit Valley. He may be featured in an upcoming calendar. Check out all the photos here.

Pizza Tonight!

2009-04-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to give it a try - my new "special"... sausage, onions, green peppers, pineapple, and tomatoes... YUM!

Ouch

2009-04-13T20:11:00.001-07:00

Oohhh. Headache...

What Are the Folks In Olympia Thinking?

2009-04-07T17:29:00.000-07:00

Every day, I hear a new example of the lawmakers in Olympia coming up with "novel" and "clever" ways to stimulate the economy, which has gone to pot in Washington State.

The latest is from Rep. Hans Dunshee (D - Snohomish), who is floating a bill that would - if approved - would put a $3 billion statewide school bond before voters in the fall. Rep. Dunshee is quoted as saying the bill would provide much-needed improvements to schools, and would provide a couple thousand jobs.

If one were to take that at face value, that sounds like a well-intentioned, feel-good bill. The problem with that bill, though, is economic feasability. Washington state has the highest tax rate among western states in the US, and ranks 42 out of 50 in taxpayer satisfaction, according to a recent survey. Those taxpayers who would take this proposal of Dunshee's seriously would either have no idea how bad the tax burden is on their fellow citizens, or simply don't care about the fiscal consequences. Putting a bill like this before the voters circumvents the blame on the voting public, not the legislature. If the legislature were to pass such a bill without going to the voters, any lawmaker who supported the bill would be hung from the rafters.

I'm also of the opinion that state taxes should not be guised as infrastructure improvements with the purpose of creating jobs. That's not what state government is for. Far too many times of late, the state has touted government programs as "job creators". The bulk of those programs, however, have led to unfinished projects, government waste, and little band for the taxpayers buck. Sure, the state has a load of transportation projects started, but years after the state promised those projects would be done, they're not.

Just two years ago, Washington state enjoyed a rare, $2 billion budget surplus. Republicans in the legislature shouted to the hilltops to save that money for poor financial times, and the majority party (the Democrats) not only ignored those warnings, but added more and more state programs and projects, that now result in a $9 billion budget deficit. Do the math - that's $11 billion in spending beyond the state's incoming revenue!

And now a lawmaker wants to tax the state another $3 billion to improve schools?!?!?

When I was a student, the schools weren't great to look at, but we got the education we needed. We didn't complain about our schools, and neither did our parents or teachers. The schools, as they were, served their purpose.

Perhaps Rep. Dunshee should think again about even suggesting this bill.

Bill O'Mara: 1917-2009

2009-03-23T16:14:00.000-07:00

My dear friend, Bill O'Mara, passed away early Saturday morning at the age of 92 of complications from pneumonia. Bill was best known for his time as sports director at KING-TV in Seattle, where he was the on-air voice and face of the Seattle hydroplane races. During my time at KLKI Radio, Bill was the station's sports director, and among the closest co-workers I have ever had the opportunity to have.

I knew Mr. O'Mara for over 12 years. He always called me "kid", which made me smile each time. He put 110% into each on-air appearance, be it a 2 minute sports update or play-by-play for a high school basketball game. He instilled in his co-workers a desire to be fastidious in preparation. Good Lord willing, if I ever make it to such an advanced age, and I'm asked who influenced me as a broadcaster, Mr. O'Mara will be at the top of the list.

Thank you, Bill, for years of friendship, mentoring, and so much more. You will be missed, my friend.

At Bill's request the family says there is no service planned.

Bill requested any memorial donations be made to:

Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum

5917 South 196th St.

Kent, WA 98032

One Last Ranma Video

2009-03-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

It's been many months since our girl, Ranma, passed away suddenly. I've been able now to put together a small "tribute" vid. Check it out, and comment if you want to.

New Agility Video - Baron at the 2009 Chuckanut Dog Show

2009-03-16T16:51:00.001-07:00

New Agility Video - Baron At the Kennewick Dog Show

2009-03-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

Snow Storm At The Pass

2009-03-16T16:03:00.001-07:00

Following a great weekend of dog agility and visiting my in-laws, Tracy, Baron, and I made the slog back home yesterday from Kennewick (in SE Washington) to Anacortes (in NW Washington). Heading out from Kennewick, we were hit with a dust storm the likes of which wasn't seen in many a year.

After a brief stop in Ellensburg for lunch (SuperMother burgers at the TAV!), we hit the road again, only to be advised via the radio that there was a lot of snow in Snoqualmie Pass. It didn't take long for us to get stuck in a big snow storm.
As the afternoon wore on, the weather got progressively worse.
By the time we got to the top of the pass, though, the weather began clearing. I was able to get a couple of shots at the top of the pass, though, that showed the storm's effects.

Guess Who Saw "Watchmen" Over the Weekend?

2009-03-09T15:48:00.000-07:00

Yup, it was me! Watchmen was awesome!

For those unfamiliar with the Watchmen movie (and who are considering forking out the cash to see it), it's based on a graphic novel (not a comic book) published by DC Comics, and is primarily about the investigation into the death of a costumed crime fighter called The Comedian, a morally-ambivalent, gun-toting psychopath. Other costumed heroes come out of retirement to find out who killed him, and a conspiracy is revealed (I won't say more about the plot, as it may spoil the fun).

The movie was great fun to watch, but I would caution anyone against bringing kids to see it.
"Mom! Dad! I wanna watch the new superhero comic book film!"
(insert game show buzzer sound here) Guess again - kids shouldn't see this one, and don't let your wee ones try to convince you otherwise. In short, here's why.

Loads of profanity.
Graphic depictions of sex.
A ton of graphic violence (one scene, for example, is of one of the "heroes" repeatedly taking to a suspected child-killer's skull with a butcher's cleaver).
And, of course, there's Dr. Manhattan, whom I like to call GlowingNakedBlueGuy.

He's a cool, super-powered anti-hero who is pivotal to the story, but bear in mind before you take the kids to see the movie, he is naked throughout the film. Very naked.

All elements to make a great movie for adults, but not for the kids, I think. Check it out - it's in theaters right now.

Hey! Check this out!

2009-03-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

I put a lot of work into the items on my "News of the Weird" blog, and I hope that you will give it a visit. There's some pretty funny stuff in there, from odd news stories across the globe...

News of the Weird Archive

Taste of Anacortes

2009-02-19T19:31:00.000-08:00

Last night, Tracy and I participated in a great event, called "Taste of Anacortes". It is our small burg's version of the popular "Bite of Seattle", in which, participants travel to various local restaurants to sample appetizers and deserts, with the hopes of generating word-of-mouth buzz and return business. More information about the Taste of Anacortes can be found here. We hit five restaurants in our journey through the culinary underbelly of Anacortes.

The first stop was at Cameron's Living Room Dining. Nice digs - we hadn't been there before. The item for us to try was great. For lack of adequate menu descriptors, it was akin to a breaded shrimp puff/shrimp cake, served with a cherry sauce that brought out the flavor of the seafood, whilst keeping the overall flavor very light. Nicely done.

Stop #2 was at a local mainstay - Randy's Pier 61. Last night's offering was a selection of coconut-tempura shrimp and calamari. I wasn't sure if the calamari was squid or octopus (smart money is on large squid tentacles), but we were both very pleased with the appetizer. Keep in mind I strongly dislike anything involving coconut, and Tracy is gun-shy about calamari, after the "Baby Octopus Incident" years ago. Don't ask, it was a terrifying affair.

#3 on our itinerary was Thai Season, the new (and only) Thai restaurant in town. The restaurant was less than half full, and it took a long time to be served, but we were delighted with the offering placed before us - traditional Pad Thai, rice, and an off-the-menu item I think was called "morok" (or something like that) - we tasted coconut milk, elements of tea, chicken, and noodles, all wrapped in a banana leaf. We're big fans of Thai food, and plan to visit them again soon.

Stop #4 was at the Majestic Inn, a recently-renovated turn-of-the-century hotel that boasts one of the highest-priced menus in town. This is a place my folks like to frequent when they are in town, and rightfully so - they are known for serving food worthy of the price tag that goes with each meal. Our visit there last night, however, would not have heartened a culinary initiate to that establishment. Unlike our prior Taste visits - where we were seated by a staffer and told of the selection we would be tasting - we were greeted by the Matre'D, who simply said, "seat yourself, and the mushrooms are in the corner". Sautee'd mushrooms - something I can do in my sleep, and with much greater complexity and flavor than what was offered last night at the Majestic. Tracy and I had to fish what little mushrooms we could from the bottom of a deep re-heating pan in the corner of the diningroom in order to get a taste of the Majestic. Another diner (who had recognized me at our first stop (one of my very few times I can claim any sense of celebrity)) came over to our table and commented that the Majestic's Taste offering wasn't up to par for their regular menu. Grudgingly, I had to agree. Tracy and I were anxious to get out of there. The picture below is the result of about 3 minutes of dredging the Lexan for what few mushrooms I could find.

The last stop on our Taste of Anacortes tour was the Rockfish Grill, owned by Rick Star (a fellow bass player, and someone whom I have a lot of respect for). Instead of an appetizer, we were served desert - a dish of ice cream. Their not a creamery (their known for serving local food and local beer), so their desert offering included a small scoop of chocolate ice cream with a chocolate sauce and... drumroll please... beer ice cream! I was apprehensive to a beer ice cream... Would the beer flavor be overwhelming? Would it be a heavy desert? Nope and nope. It was light, rather fluffy, the beer component was unasuming, and it was served with a drizzle of key lime sauce, which brought out the subtleties of the desert. A great finish to our five-stop tasting tour of Anacortes!

Webcam Up! Let the Video Goodness Commence!

2009-02-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

My station's studio cam is now up! Now you can not only listen to The Whale on your computer, but you can watch us at play.

We'll have the studio cam running weekdays, in the mornings and afternoons, with special programming running during all other hours. The video stream features our audio stream, so you can not only watch The Whale, but listen to us in crystal-clear, digital, stereo goodness.

Click here for our homepage, or here to go directly to "Whale TV".

Ohhhh, Man!

2009-02-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

Holy crap on a crap cracker, this is freaking awseome! Check this out (make sure to watch it in full-screen)... The full-length trailer for the new Star Trek movie.

Puppy Mills Busted in Skagit County

2009-01-23T17:30:00.000-08:00

We got word this week of puppy mills being raided here in Skagit County - in the first two raids, over 400 dogs and puppies were discovered. More than 250 of the canines in the worst shape were rescued immediately, and taken to temporary shelters.

These dogs were kept in the most horrible of conditions - cramped in cages, living in their own urine and feces. Some of the puppies are as few as a few days old. Most of the adult female dogs were pregnant, and those that have already spent time volunteering as rescue workers have said the mills were set up as puppy factories - cranking out puppies as fast as possible, with no regard to the condition the animals were in. Most of these dogs have never had contact with human beings.

Tracy informed me this afternoon that authorities returned to one of the puppy mills and recued 308 additional dogs. Most of those rescued have been moved to a temporary shelter at the Skagit County Fairgrounds.

Tracy and I love dogs greatly, so much so that it is heartbreaking for us to hear (or see) dogs in such deplorable conditions. We are rallying anyone we can to help give these animals the help they need.

* Donations of money, dog food, bedding and cleaning supplies for the dogs cared for by S.P.O.T. can be dropped off at the Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic, 896 N. Burlington Blvd. in Burlington. The phone number is 360-757-3722.

* For food, volunteers request either Super Premium Nutra Nuggets or Optimum Health Puppy Formula, which can be found at Costco in a purple bag.

* To contact S.P.O.T., leave a message at 360-336-5388. Or e-mail spot@savingpetsoneatatime.org or make a donation at Saving Pets One At A Time.

* Donations of money and canned food for the dogs located at N.O.A.H. can be brought to The N.O.A.H. Center, 31300 Brandstrom Road in Stanwood. The phone number is 360-629-7055. N.O.A.H. also accepts donations online and will post updates at http://www.thenoahcenter.org.

We plan on volunteering our help this weekend at the temporary shelter, aiding the rescue effort in any way we can.

Beer Beer Beer

2009-01-23T16:31:00.001-08:00

This is pretty much my game plan for this weekend!

A Toe-Tapping Classic

2009-01-23T16:18:00.000-08:00

Crank it up and enjoy "Soupy George", by 7 Seconds Of Love!

Is Obama the Bringer of Change?

2009-01-22T17:42:00.000-08:00

The election has come and gone, as has the inauguration. Barack Obama is now the 44th President of the United States. I wish the new president all the best of success in bringing the country out of the numerous messes it is in. Mr. Obama campaigned hard as the Bringer of Change, and he has made many promises to enact the spirit of change that would, essentially, erase the eight years of the Bush administration. Just today, the president signed an executive order that calls for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba within one year. A very ambitious start as Commander In Chief.

What is striking me as odd, though, is Mr. Obama's cabinet picks. Throughout his campaign, then-Senator Obama promised a "fresh face" in his administration, without relying on Beltway insiders and other longtime D.C. faces helping him run the country. He was very clear that the country needed to be taken in a direction that broke from established politics and political figures.

President Obama, however, has chosen Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, former Senate majority head George Mitchell as special envoy to the Middle East, former Senate leader Tom Daschle as Secretary of Health and Human Services, outspoken Democratic Arizona governor Janet Napolitano as Director of Homeland Security, and Sen. Ken Salazar as Secretary of the Interior. All are well-entrenched D.C. politicos. Mr. Obama's running-mate, and now Vice President, is long-time Senator Joe Biden (D - Vermont). So much for a fresh face to politics in D.C., and so much for "change"!

I'm also concerned about the President's choice for Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner. During his confirmation hearing before a Senate committee, it was learned that he failed to pay $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes until he was nominated by Mr. Obama for Secretary of the Treasury. It strikes me as a little strange that any President's pick for Treasury Secretary is someone who didn't pay his taxes. His confirmation, though has been approved by the committee, and awaits a vote by the full Senate.

If President Obama intends to make good on his campaign promises of "change", he seems (to me) to have a rough start. I hope his policies will make up for the staff choices he has made.

Shameless Plug

2009-01-15T17:15:00.000-08:00

Make sure to listen to the Morning Zoo, every Friday morning at 9 on AM 1340, the Whale! DJ Rob, Jack "Mr. Entertainment" Hamilton, John "Hairdo" Hiles, and yours truly, sit down together to dish the dirt, take song requests, and have fun on the radio! You can listen live on the web at www.1340thewhale.com!

2009 Movies

2009-01-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

It's time to take a look at some of the movies that are scheduled for release this year. Last year, there were a few great movies released, and some real bombs. Many of the movies slated for 2008 release didn't make it to theaters. Here's a short list of some of my anticipated picks for 2009.

January 23rd - Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (following in the footsteps of Chuck Norris' Missing in Action films, this third installment is a prequel to the two earlier films).
April 8th - Dragonball Evolution (live-action re-telling of the popular anime series of the 80s-90s).
May 1st - X-Men Origins: Wolverine (can't wait for this one to come soon enough - Wolverine is one of my favorite comic book characters).
June 5th - Land of the Lost (re-telling of the Sid and Marty Croft childrens' TV show)
June 26th - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (sequel to the movie that was the modern-day version of the animated movie in the 80's, that was the next-step after the 80's TV show, that was the marketing device for the Japanese toys of the 70's).
July17th - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (the next film adaptation in the J.K. Rowling book series).
October 23rd - Astroboy (live-action adaptation of the 60's anime series).
December 18th - Avatar (live-action adaptation of the popular semi-anime series Avatar: The Last Airbender).

Other movies for 2009 that don't have release dates yet include:
Akira (live-action version of the anime classic)
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (re-make of the 1970's cult-classic film)
Barbarella (remake of the 1968 film)

I'm still waiting for a Green Lantern film release date. Word was filming was to start sometime this spring... I can hardly wait!

Oh, the Pain!

2008-12-31T17:24:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought I was done with this bad neck. After getting adjusted by the chiropractor last week, I had been steadily recovering from what the back-cracker called a whip lashed neck. All day today, though, all the pain and immobility returned with a vengeance. I can't move my neck without skull-crushing pain, and I've had a sharp headache all day. I'm really getting tired of this.

Ah... Sweet Relief!

2008-12-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

After almost two weeks of increasingly unbearable pain in my neck and head, Wifey had had enough. I got to a point where I couldn't move my head to either side, and Tracy made the call to put me out of my misery. "Off to the back-cracker", she cried, and off to the back-cracker I went.

The chiropractor spent a lot of time adjusting my neck, and asked me, "how did you whiplash your neck so?" Whiplash? "No motor vehicle accidents, Doc," I replied. "And I didn't slip on any ice or snow".

He said my neck was sufficiently screwed up to warrant some major rehab, so I've been icing it, heating it, and Tracy has been feeding me Screwdrivers for the pain. The neck bones are adjusted, but the neck muscles are so inflamed, I still have near-constant screaming pain.

So Tired

2008-12-23T19:36:00.000-08:00

I'm tired. So very very tired. I've tried relaxing in my usual way (a little soft 70's music, soft lighting, and as much time away from work as possible), but it doesn't seem to work these days. I've had a constant headache for over a week now, and moving my head just the slightest bit to either side causes skull-crushing pain.

I haven't had a full night of sleep in weeks, despite efforts to "sleep in" on the weekends. I keep waking up in the middle of the night, worrying about work. I'm getting comfort from heavy blankets on the bed, but I end up waking up overheated and groggy in the mornings.

I try to go to bed early, but my biological sleep clock is hardwired to prevent me from falling asleep until about 10pm.

Aarrgh! So weary! So tired! Merely want refreshing, pain-free rest!

Diarrhea For Christmas!

2008-12-19T16:15:00.000-08:00

Wondering what to get friends and family for Christmas?

More funny videos like the "Diarrhea for Christmas" at Heavy.com

Arthitis Medication... BAD

2008-12-18T19:49:00.000-08:00

With the terribly cold conditions locally, I applied from pain-reducing medication on my hands - I have a bit of arthritis in my hands, and the medication provides a modicum of relief. Tonight, though, I stood outside to marvel at the winter weather, and a snowflake got into my eye, so (in a reflex movement) I brushed my hand across my eye. Now my hand is swollen almost shut, and the left side of my face is on fire.

Another family pet gone

2008-12-17T19:02:00.000-08:00

We lost our cat, Beelzebub, today. Last night, he suffered a kitty stroke, and was failing fast this morning. Tracy took him to the vet this morning, and the vet said nothing more could be done. He was almost 18 years old, and was a happy cat to the end. We will miss him dearly.

Illinois Governor Arrested - Where's the Media Balance?

2008-12-10T18:43:00.000-08:00

Illinois gov. Rod Blagojevich was recently arrested on federal corruption charges. Among the allegations against him is that he tried to sell the now-vacant Senate seat previously held by president-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

Since his arrest, numerous stories have popped up on newswires and on the web sites of popular TV networks, (UPI, AP, CNN, CBS, etc.). Interestingly, what has been editorially left out of any coverage of the story is that Blagojevich is a democrat.

"Whoa there, Radioguy," you might say right now. " "What difference does his political affiliation have to do with anything?" Well, it speaks volumes when you consider who is reporting this story.

Pay close attention to the networks when a republican lawmaker is arrested on corruption charges (and, unfortunately, it happens to both democrats and republicans). If a republican lawmaker is indicted, charged, or arrested for investigation of unlawful conduct, you will hear that lawmaker described as a republican. The recent case against Alaska senator Ted Stevens is a great example. Every reference to him included desciptors like "republican senator", or "Ted Stevens, the republican senator of Alaska". When a democratic lawmaker gets in trouble - as is the case of Illinois gov. Rod Blagojevich - that lawmaker's politcal affiliation never mentioned.

On the surface, it may seem like I'm nit-picking here, that I'm quibbling over mere details. But this sort of unbalanced approach to reporting the daliences of our elected officials adds up, and I hope you, dear reader, will get wise to it.

Tame Deer Killed In Anacortes

2008-12-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

I was shocked to see this story in the local newswire:

Anacortes Police Chief Bonnie Bowers says she's disgusted by the most recent case of a deer killed by an arrow in a city neighborhood. In this case the body was left; the buck's antlers sawed off.

In recent months, three deer have been killed illegally in the city limits. The first, shot with a gun, was found in late September. The other two were killed with arrows, the most recent found last Friday.

Says Bowers, "It's terribly wasteful and disturbing and against the law."

Neighbors say the deer had been seen in the neighborhoods for years and were very tame.

Bowers says she thinks the two cases where deer were shot with arrows are related.

Police are working with state Fish and Wildlife officers. Bowers says whoever is killing the deer could face numerous hunting violation charges.

For months now, I have posted pictures of these same tame deer, hanging out in my front yard. These animals have become so trusting of humans that they are not frightened by cars (they usually stand in the middle of the road, so motorists have to wait for them to get out of the way), and they will all but knock on my front door to kindly ask for an apple wedge or a spare cup of corn.

Aside from the fact someone is poaching deer, and in my neighborhood, it shocking to discover that whomever is killing these animals is not killing them for the meat (venison is very delicious, BTW). Deer are being killed for their antlers, only. This is not hunting for sustenance, but trophy killing in its basest form. Granted, deer season is open locally, but killing deer inside the city limits is poaching, and to take advantage of the tameness of the local deer for the purpose of trophy-hunting is unacceptable. I hope the police find whomever is responsible, and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.

Feeling the Funk...

2008-11-28T19:59:00.000-08:00

...and not the good funk.

Home after Thanksgiving, and I can't help but feel a little out of sorts. Wifey decorated the house with Christmas decorations, and everything looks very festive. Yet my mood has been very subdued today, and I fear it's getting worse.

I can't help but think about how this will be our first Christmas without our dog, Ranma. Winter was really her time to shine. I get seasonal depression every year, and the way she lit up in the winter really helped me get through the season. Plus, our geriatric cat, Beelzebub, is showing signs of advanced age - his digestive system is getting weaker and weaker - signs that he may not last another year. If something were to happen to him, Tracy and I would be crushed. Tracy's emotions about our animals have always been closer to the surface than mine, but after all the heartache we've been through this year, to have yet another death happen would really be tough. The way she copes with losses affects me, though she'd probably say I don't show it. The more the subject comes up, the more I cry inside.

So here I am, listening to some very subdued Windham Hill Christmas music, feeling rather "blah", and hoping that my mood will improve in the morning. Granted, it's just the day after Thanksgiving, but I'm usually fully-into the holiday season by now. Today, however, I'm not.

Christmas Cards For Geeks

2008-11-28T14:24:00.000-08:00

Checking the web for show material and I came across some great Christmas Cards for the geek in your life. Check them out.

Shrimp On A Treadmill

2008-11-26T16:11:00.000-08:00

FOREST GROVE, Ore., Nov. 26 (UPI) -- A Forest Grove, Ore., researcher said he had never heard of YouTube until his video of a shrimp on a treadmill became a sensation on the Web site.

David Scholnick of Pacific University said he and his research partner, Louis Burnett of the College of Charleston, took video of a shrimp running on an underwater tread mill two years ago as part of their research into the effects of fatigue on their experiments, The (Portland) Oregonian reported Wednesday.

The YouTube videos featuring the treadmill shrimp have collectively gathered more than 1 million viewers.

Here's a version of the now-famous video, with music from OK Go. The video for this song, "Here It Goes Again," is also on treadmills. Very appropos. Enjoy!

What I'm Thankful For

2008-11-25T18:02:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is Thursday, and I wanted to take a moment to tell you what I'm thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for my wife, who is loving and supportive, regardless of my mood or our circumstances.
I'm thankful for my job, which (after the economy tanked) I still have.
I'm thankful for my family, which is wonderful beyond description.
I'm thankful for our dog, Ranma, who - sadly - died in August. She gave me years of love and companionship I could never replace.
I'm thankful for our dog, Baron, who greets me every day with smiles and kisses, letting me know I'm loved.
I'm thankful for our cat, Beelzebub, who loves me in his own way, and reminds me that household pets can have very dynamic personalities.
I'm thankful for long-lost friends, who have caught up with me this year, and take me back to the happy days of high school and college.
I'm thankful for my best friend, Jim, who helped shape who I am today.
I'm thankful for Simon, my other best friend, who passed away years ago, but is always in my mind.
I'm thankful for Felyne and her family, with whom I was able to visit after more than 20 years away.
I'm thankful for this blog, with which I can record my thoughts.
and.. I'm thankful for you, dear reader, who takes the time to read my posts.

I hope that your Thanksgiving is one filled with friends, family, and food! Comment on this post, and let me know what you're thankful for!

Our Old Cat and Selective Hearing

2008-11-25T17:23:00.000-08:00

Our cat, Beelzebub, has been providing me with proof-positive of Selective Hearing. With Selective Hearing, you speak to a target, and target hears only what it wants to hear. The more dynamic the target's personality, the more Selective Hearing plays a role in getting the target to behave in the way you desire. For time-immemorial, accusations of Selective Hearing have been the bane of interpersonal relationships. Age of the target also seems to add to the argument that Selective Hearing not only exists, but is a natural part of the evolution of a sentient being from "clever" to "frustrating."

In the case of out cat, Selective Hearing centers around food, water, attention, and playing in the bathroom sink. Increasingly, he has given every indication that he is (as older animals tend to get) hard of hearing. In the middle of the night, he will howl for any of the above. The compassionate response to those pleas is, "he's old, he's going deaf. He can't hear us." But every once in a while, he proves that default response very wrong. When we call to him to get food, fresh water, attention, or some playtime in the bathroom sink (odd behavior, but something he's been fixated on since he was a kitten), he comes a-running. But tell him "no", and he plays the deaf card.

It's Selective Hearing. Nothing that can be fixed, but something that demonstrates how cheeky he can be.

"Screw you! I'm off to crap in the hallway!"

Terrible Album Covers - Round Six!

2008-11-11T16:21:00.000-08:00

Time once again to look back at some horrid album covers from days gone by.

Betcha wished you bought that KISS album instead.

If I saw a bunch of go-go dancers this taken with an organist who calls himself The Mustang, I'd freak out, too.

Nothing says "Holiday Season" more than fiddle music from the irrepressible Mister Pooh!

This album is the follow-up to Paddy's smash collection, "Catchy Tunes for Gender-Confused Cats".

This one pretty much speaks for itself. Yes, frat boys can stick it to tree-huggers with sensitive bluegrass!

More lame album covers later!

About the Election

2008-11-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

I did not vote for Barack Obama, but I congratulate him for winning the Presidential election. Come January, when he is sworn in, I will accept the fact he is President, and will give him the respect he deserves as the leader of our country. As someone who voted for "the other guy", I am very concerned about President-elect Obama's fiscal policy, how that policy will affect my family, and his anti-gun stance (I am a proud gun owner, and a firm believer in the right to bear arms).

While I expect four years of policies that will make me cringe, I can't help but wonder what members of the far-left will do to occupy themselves during the Obama Administration. I'm not talking about the Democratic majority in the House and Senate. I refer to the liberal talk show hosts, the Hollywood Elite, and every person who has picked up a protest sign and disrupted the lives of everyone with shrill shouts of "impeach Bush". With a far-left liberal in the White House, what are these folks going to do with themselves? These folks are hard-wired to stamp their feet, shout at the top of their lungs in a mouth-frothing frenzy, do anything they can to make sure you know they are angry individuals, and generally complain about anything that comes from Washington D.C., and all of their hatred was directed toward one man - George W. Bush.

These same folks put their "anti-Bush" blinders on, because it's all-to-easy to blame the person at the top, rather than those they voted for. These people never considered that members of the majority party in the Legislative Branch (Democrats) voted in support of the War in Iraq, and had the power to "change" the direction of the country, against anything Bush Administration wanted. The power was within their hands, but if you paid any attention to those angry anti-Bush folks (and, apparently, most of America did), you'd think everything that happened in the nation's capitol was the direct mandate of President Bush. The Blame Game is easy, when you're not happy.

Not getting a free visit to the emergency room when your protest sign fell on your foot and broke your toe? Bush's fault. Someone you know who volunteered to serve in the military wounded or killed defending our country? Not the fault of the person who inflicted harm on your friend or loved one, it's Bush's fault. Get arrested after holding up traffic downtown and smashing shop windows during your latest protest? Not your fault! Bush is soley to blame.

Years of anti-Bush sentiment by those that yelled the loudest culminated in a Presidential campaign during which the Democratic candidate successfully tied the Republican candidate to Bush, i.e., "vote for me, because the other guy is just like Bush". Hook, line, and sinker, the voters bought it. This same Republican candidate was hailed by the left a couple of years ago for his voting record, which crossed party lines many, many times. The President-elect, in case you didn't know this, was in office 140 days before he threw his hat in the ring for the highest office in the land, and, as a Senator, voted "present" more than for or against bills. So few times did he actually vote on something. So few times he took a stand for or against something while in office. But hey, he's "not like Bush", so he's elected.

Now those hatred-filled folks have nothing to complain about... yet.

So, here we are. Again, I will respect Barack Obama and his role as President. Anyone serving as President deserves respect, not hatred.

I will have my concerns these next four years, but - regardless of how I feel about an administration and legislature that swings far enough to the left to make the Green Party look like Bible-belt conservatives, I (and others who think like I do) will not act like all those hatred-filled folks who made this election possible. I will not be taking to the streets, blocking traffic and breaking laws in order to appear on TV, shoving my concerns down your throat. I will not bemoan the President's administration by waving "Impeach Obama" signs on the street corner. I will not get incenced and start screaming when in a conversation with someone who's political viewpoint differs from mine. In four years, I will not accept any claims that a candidate is just like the sitting President, merely because his or her opponent says so. Childish behavior like that is not what I (and others who think like I do) feel is necessary to make my voice heard. In four years, I simply vote for the "other guy".

Damn

2008-11-04T12:25:00.000-08:00

I learned today that my ex-girlfriend, Heather, was killed in late September. She was killed on Lake Washington (Seattle) by a 17-year-old boy who drove his motorboat into the sailboat she was on. Her death was a BIG story amongst the Seattle-are talk shows for weeks. I remember commenting to my co-workers that it was a terrible thing to happen to anyone. It wasn't until today that I learned she was the one who was killed.

Heather and I didn't speak much after we broke up, some 17 or 18 years ago, but we parted as friends and colleagues. Last I had heard of her, she was working on her graduate assistanceship at Central Washington University (we were both music majors at that school). While I left to pursue a career in radio, she got her Masters Degree and became a middle school music teacher.

Learning of her death has left me shocked. She deserved much better than the fate she received.

Synchronized Presidential Debating

2008-11-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the Presidential Election.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Movie Rifing 2.0

2008-11-03T15:46:00.001-08:00

For those who loved Mystery Science Theater 3000 (like I, and frankly, who didn't love it), many of the original MST3K cast members have banded together to bring riffing into the 21st century. It's called Cinematic Titanic.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-30T15:42:00.001-07:00

Moose! Moose! Moose!

2008-10-23T18:47:00.001-07:00

My wife's boss - an avid hunter - has given us some great meat... moose! Steaks and ground meat. I can hardly wait to start cooking that moosey goodness!

Another Co-Host Gone

2008-10-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

Well, my morning show co-host quit today. This is becoming a habit, I think. My first co-host quit in July, leaving me - the sidekick - to become the DJ. For a while, we tried out three very different people to fill that position, one of whom got the job. He's been with me on the air for about two weeks, and now he's gone.

Sing along!

Beware of Topical Ointments

2008-10-21T20:10:00.001-07:00

As a man pushing 40, and prone to genetic ailments, I've got a slight touch of arthritis in my hands. It's something I experience most during times of the year when the weather (read: barometric pressure) changes greatly. Today, the weather changed a lot here, so I used the medication available to me - Capsaicin.

Capsaicin is a widespread treatment for joint aches. It's main ingredient is capiscum, the compound that makes hot peppers hot.

With aching joints, I applied the medication as directed. My hands began to feel much better. A few minutes after applying the topical medication, I felt nature's call. Guess what happened next...

That's right, crotch on fire. Jumping around the house, swatting at my junk like there were flames emitting from my nether-regions. Ever eaten something way too spicy? Imagine that, but below the waist.

My hands feel great, though.

Friends Coming Out Of The Woodwork

2008-10-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

Not sure why, but I've been awash in friend requests on Facebook. I set up my Facebok page with the same intention as my MySpace page - to find and catch up with friends from high school, college, and my radio career.

I hope I'm not appearing to be stand-off-ish, but I haven't been doing to much replying to these friend requests. Granted, I'm adding these friends to my "buddy list", but I've been really under the weather for the past few weeks, and I haven't felt particularly chatty. I hope to make it up to everyone as soon as I can.

More pics from Felyne's family's visit

2008-10-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

There are loads of pics from the visit. Here's a few more for your viewing pleasure.

Bryce and Courtney with their Uncle Radioguy.

Baron was a well-behaved angel the whole day.

Felyne loves cats, but she and Baron hit it off right away!

Courtney poses with Pierre the Bear.

More pics to come!

Photos From Felyne's Family's Visit

2008-09-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

A couple of photos from this past weekend...

Bloggers (re)united: Radioguy and Felyne!

The families gather for a meal and a chat.

Two childhood friends together again after more than 20 years - my sister, Ingrid, and Felyne

Two online friends together for the first time: my wife, Tracy, with Felyne, with Baron and Pierre the Bear

James and I together again!

More photos to come. I've set up a Flickr collection of the photos I've taken of the weekend visit. You can view it here.

Fantastic Anniversary Weekend

2008-09-29T15:15:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was incredibly significant for me in two regards. First, it was my wedding anniversary - 11 wonderful years married to the love of my life, Tracy. Second, Felyne's family visited us at my parents' house in Auburn.

About 25 years ago, her family moved to Western Washington, while her father worked with the Boeing Company on new aircraft for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Our families became very close - my sister, Ingrid, became fast friends with Felyne, while I was friends with Felyne's two older brothers, James and Simon. For a great part of my childhood, Simon (along with Jim Hudson) were an inseparable trio of buddies.

Shortly after I entered high school, Felyne's family moved back to New Zealand, and (despite efforts by both families) it became harder for each family to keep in touch... Families moved to new homes, addresses got lost, etc.

A series of events following Simon's death a few years back led to Felyne and I rekindling the lines of communication between our two families. Since then, my friendship with her and James has gone far past my having been Simon's best friend. Tracy has also become very close friends with Felyne - they chatted online every day. But, until this past weekend, they had never met in person.

Both families spent this past weekend together at my parents' house in Auburn. It's been decades since we had seen each other, and - like hearing a favorite song from childhood on the radio - it felt like they had never left the states. Felyne's family is my family - it seemed there wasn't a day in my childhood that I wasn't doing something with them. I love them very much, and hope that it won't be another 20+ years before I can see them all again.

In the next few days, I will be posting some photos from this memorable weekend. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Being Sick Sucks

2008-09-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

Looks like I've picked up a head cold. Stuffed-up to no end, lots of sneezing, pressure in my head that makes me want to scream, and a general feeling of "oh, crap. I've got that". I feel terrible.

I was to attend my 20-year high school reunion, but my overall crappy feeling, combined with other factors (like, "$200 to find out which of my classmates have gained the most weight, lost the most hair, still live in Auburn, and still work for either Boeing or Weyerhauser), has led me to the conclusion that a weekend resting at home may be the best use of my time.

In two weeks, Felyne's family will be visiting. My family hasn't seen her family on well over 20 years, so it's a very big deal for all involved. I hope my head cold will be gone in time for that.

McElection

2008-09-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

For those looking for an alternative to the McCain/Obama debate, consider this...

Supercool game - Spore

2008-09-10T18:24:00.000-07:00

Haven't purchased the game yet, but I've got the Spore Creature Creator on my computer. On of my latest creature creations is what I call the SuperSpider... Check it out...

The game includes an option of posting a motion-capture vid of your creature in action, so you can see how it moves, etc. Watch it below...

The video quality is not the best, but - suffice to say - a few minutes time is all that is required to create an animated character worthy of Pixar!

Aarrrgh! My Hands Are On Fire!

2008-09-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

I have mild arthritis in my hands. It's not something that bothers me most days, but when the weather starts to change greatly, or when it's really cold outside, my hands ache.

Yesterday, Wifey (bless her heart for thinking of me) purchased some Capzasin, a topical analgesic, for me. Apparently, though, I appear to be one of those lucky few who is allergic to the drug's active ingredient, capsaisin. Capsaisin is a highly refined and concentrated form of the active ingredient found in hot peppers works by by depleting the amount of a neurotransmitter called substance P, which is believed to send pain messages to the brain. Contrary to what you might think, when applied, the topical analgesic is supposed to aleviate pain, and provide a soothing sensation.

Now, while a major-league chili-head (read: a guy who loves his hot sauce), I was surprised to discover that the topical analgesic I put on my hands caused the opposite reaction. Basically, my hands feel like they are on fire, my joints are achier than they were before application, my face is flushed, and my heart rate has gone up. According to the directions on the drug's bottle, this is not the normal reaction one should have. I think I'm allergic...

Regardless, my hands are on fire, and I can't do much about it until this is out of my system. Guess I'll just have to rely on good old Advil for my aches and pains...

Aarrrgh! There Be Deer Here!!!!

2008-09-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

Voiceover God Passes Away

2008-09-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

Don LaFontaine, the most recognizable voice in movie trailer history, passed away on Memorial Day at the age of 68.

LaFontaine was famous for recording more than 5,000 movie trailers and hundreds of thousands of television commercials, network promotions, and video game trailers. His nicknames included Thunder Throat and The Voice of God. He became identified with the phrase In a world…, which has been used in movie trailers so frequently that it has become a cliché. He parodied this cliché several times, most recently in a commercial for GEICO insurance.

I had the distinct pleasure to have had Don as a "buddy" on my MySpace page, and it tickled me to no end that we shared the same birthday (August 26th). His career was one I could only dream of. He remains one of my radio heroes.

Below, I'm posting a couple of great videos that feature his wonderful voice. Take a moment to watch them, and think about this great talent.

Not trying to sound polital here...

2008-09-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hey, all...

Just to clarify my recent posts about Sarah Palin... I'm not trying to convince you to vote for McCain and Palin in the General Election. It's the responsibility of each voter to make his or her own mind up about that. The last thing I've tried to do in these recent posts is convince you to vote GOP.

The point of those posts, more than anything else, has been to point out the failing of the so-called "mainstream" media (read: national news outlets, et al) to provide information in a non-biased fashion. In the case of Sarah Palin, the recent media attacks have had absolutely no basis in fact, and the "mainstream media" has made no journalistic effort to inform readers/viewers that what's being presented is not in a non-partisan fashion. No effort made to let media consumers know that what they are reading/watching is, actually, politically motivated. None, whatsoever.

I've been a radio news man for over 15 years now. A large part of that journalistic duies has been to provide accurate, non-biased, reports on the Wasington State legislature. Now, I have political leanings, like every other voter. But I know - first and foremost - that I have a responsibility as a newsman to put politics aside when I put on my reporter hat. To do otherwise would be not only unfair, but misleading to my listeners.

National media outlets have enjoyed editorial carte blanche for years, and take for granted the general public's zombie-like acceptance of whatever they publish as truth. If they tell you black is white, they bank on the masses to simply accept it without question.

What I want you, dear reader, to do is to keep this media bias in mind. The best decision you can make in any election is to do a little research on your own about the candidates, then vote for who you think is the best qualified for the job. Don't assume that what you see on TV or read in a newspaper or magazine is accurate.

Search for differing views about each candidate.

Get the facts - don't rely on opinions.

Make up your own mind - don't let a TV network or a national publication make it up for you.

Mainstream Media - Shame, Shame

2008-09-04T15:09:00.001-07:00

Don't think the "mainstream" media is biased to the left? Guess what, it happens all the time, and most folks just consider what's printed in a magazine or in a newspaper, or on TV, as gospel truth. Most folks - either from collective apathy or a short-term memory disorder, don't recognize that most national media outlets have (politically) liberal ownership or editorial staffs. Case in point is this week's cover of US Magazine, which featured a story about Alaska Gov. (and GOP VP candidate) Sarah Palin. To set the record straight after a liberal blog began circulating lies that Palin's newborn son was actually her 17-year-old daughter's, and that she was trying to cover that up by claiming the baby was hers, Palin said Sunday the baby was hers, the baby had Downes Syndrome, and announced that her 17-year-old daughter was - in fact - pregnant. She also announced her daughter plans to marry the father.

US Magazine pushed through a cover story without any fact-checking. Here's the cover...

Now, how did the same magazine treat Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama?

US Magazine's publisher, BTW, is Jann Wenner - a major Obama supporter and donor. No mention of that a disclaimer in either magazine issue. No "heads-up" to readers that what they are reading is tantamount to a political attack on Palin because she is one of the things the left-leaning media hates the most - a conservative woman.

No media bias? Yeah, right.

Unwed Pregnant Daughter - Reason Not To Vote For McCain?

2008-09-02T18:08:00.000-07:00

Considered a bombshell by the national news media, it was announced this week that GOP Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter is five months pregnant. Criticism from the left has been that Palin is unfit to act as Vice President because of her daughter's pregnancy.

I have to ask, "why?"

Palin is a social conservative, which means she is pro-life. Also, she is against abortion. Also, she passed along her conservative views to her children, and - like any good parent - tried her best to instill in her kids a sense of "not to make the wrong decisions", like underage sex and pregnancy. Her daughter, however, chose not to heed those warnings, and is now pregnant. It's all-too-easy to say Palin should have done more, but the reality is that kids don't always obey their parents, regardless of that parent's politics. Palin's daughter, to her credit, plans to have the child, and marry the father. Can you imagine the condemnations from the left in this campaign if her daughter chose to abort the pregnancy?

Palin's daughter's pregnancy has no bearing on Palin's ability to be Vice President, or - if need be - President. Her daughter wasn't participating in illicet sex orgies, or was a call girl, or having an affair with a married man. She is having a baby with a man she loves and will marry.

Attacks from the left have left me asking about hypocracy... Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards, who ran as the D's VP candidate in 2004, recently admitted to having an affair. And during the Democratic National Convention last week, attendees gave standing ovations to two people whose behavior in office were, let's say "less than socially acceptable":

Former President Bill Clinton, who had an affair in office and lied to an federal inquiry over the matter
Sen. Ted Kennedy, who in 1969, who pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident in Chappaquiddick. Kennedy was driving a car withhis Presidential campaign staffer Mary Jo Kopechne as his passenger when the Senator drove off Dike Bridge into the channel between Chappaquiddick Island and Martha's Vineyard. The Senator swam to safety, but Kopechne died in the car. Kennedy left the scene and did not call authorities until after Kopechne's body was discovered the following day. Kennedy has been criticized to this day as leaving the scene of the accident, with Kopechne drowning, as he tried to figure out a way to spin the accident in a way that would preserve his political career.

One more thing - Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama, like incumbent Republican President George W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton, has admitted to taking drugs (pot for Clinton, cocaine for Bush and Obama). Former President Jimmy Carter's brother is well-known for his drug and alochol abuse. Yet again, social no-nos that don't seem to be mentioned by those who are attacking Palin for her daughter getting pregnant.

The criticism of candidates is that they need to be held to a "higher standard" than the rest of us. Guess what, that doesn't happen, and in many cases, what they do is far worse than what we do. To attack Palin on her daughter's pregnancy is mind-boggling, considering the recent record of office-holders and their kin.

Oh yeah, speaking of underage girls getting pregnant and getting the national spotlight... Pop star Brittany Spears' sister, Jamie Lynn, got pregnant at 16 last year, and was that poo-pooed? Nope. She ended up with a book deal, more press than her sister, and her mother sold the story of Jamie Lynn's pregnancy to OK! Magazine for a cool $1 million.

Sarah Palin - the next Vice President?

2008-09-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

Last week, Republican Presidential nominee John McCain announced that his running mate will be Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Whether or not you plan to vote for McCain come November, consider for a moment the strategy behind the vetting of Palin as the GOP VP choice:

There are a large number of Democrats who are steadfast supporters of NY Sen. Hillary Clinton, who lost in the Democratic presidential primary to IL Sen. Barack Obama. Many of those Clinton supporters maintained that they wanted a woman in the Oval Office, and that they wouldn't vote for Obama (some said they'd vote for McCain) because Clinton was not on the Democratic ticket. These voters wanted to see "change" in the form of a woman as close to (if not in) the highest office in the land. Now, with Palin as the GOP VP pick, there is a chance for that to happen, and I predict that a good many Clinton supporters will swing toward the McCain/Palin ticket for that reason.

Palin is a relatively "unknown" politician, which bodes well for voters seeking "change". Both the Democrats and Republicans have been campaigning nationally on "change" - that is, "we don't want politics as usual in Washington D.C.". Sen. Obama is a relative newcomer, elected to the Senate in 2004. His running mate, Sen. Joe Biden (D-Delaware), however, has been as Senator in D.C. since 1973. McCain (R-AZ) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, and has served as Senator since 1986. Palin has never served in federal office. She was elected Governor of Alaska 2 years ago, and previously served as a city councilwoman and - later - mayor of Wasilla, AK.

Palin is considered by many (including the left-leaning national media) as a "maverick". This is an important thing to consider when it comes to politics: the label "maverick" is regularly applied by Democrats to Republicans who will, on occasion, vote along with their liberal lawmakers. Democrats do not, by and large, use this label to describe fellow Democrats who vote conservatively (the ostricizing by the Democratic Party of Sen. Joe Lieberman is a case in point). McCain has been described by the left as a "maverick", as has Palin. If the presidential campaign weren't in high gear at this time, Democrats in D.C. may welcome both GOP candidates with open arms, knowing that - if elected - these two would consider liberal viewpoints/concerns fairly.

Finally - of Obama, Biden, McCain, and Palin, Palin is the only person in the race who has any executive experience. Obama, Biden and McCain (especially Biden) have many years of experience as committee members, speechmakers on the Senate floor, etc., and they have years of "working the D.C. system" under their belts. They all may have the ability to lead, but Palin is the only one amongst them who has governmental leadership experience. She's already done it, and has done so with great support from her constituents in Alaska.

With these things to consider, I think that - strategically - McCain has made a great choice for a vice-presidential running mate. Time will tell, over the next couple of months, if his decision will earn him the Presidency.

Uber Meat Again!

2008-08-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

As summer draws to a close, I felt it necessary to - once again - crank out some great grilled steaks. It's something I call "Uber Meat"!

Thick cuts of moo-cow, massaged with extra-virgin olive oil, and seasoned with sea salt and fresh-cracked black pepper.

Grilled to "medium-rare" in the middle, with just a slight crust on the outside that gives one eating Uber Meat the hint of "medium-to-well-done". Slightly crispy on the outside, and so tender on the inside that it almost says "moo" when you bite into it. All of this, without special dry rubs or customized BBQ sauces. This is, truly, Uber Meat. Yum!

Fun At The Beach

2008-08-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

The first real attempt at doing something special with Baron, after Ranma's death, took us to South Whidbey Island, and a great beach that is, mostly, an off-leash dog park...

Feeling Uncomfortable

2008-08-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

Wrapped up a very stressful week at the office today. I settled down to a couple of hours of online gaming and a few cold beverages, only to find out that the server for my game had crashed somehow (as I write this, the folks that run the game have no idea what happened, or how ling the server will be down).

On top of that, I've now got the hiccups. Not the variety that goes away after a few minutes -we're talking about an hours-long, "this is getting really tiresome", can't eat, can't drink variety. The "normal" way for me to rid myself of the hiccups is to simply stick my finger down my throat, thereby triggering my gag reflex. It works 99% of the time. Tonight, however, it isn't doing the trick. On top of that, Tracy is giving me a hard time for - in her words - trying to make myself vomit to cure the hiccups. So, I'm "doing it her way" - by not doing the finger down the throat. It's not working, and my body is starting to get sore from the spasming of the hiccups. Ugh!

Happy Birthday Tracy!

2008-08-20T16:36:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday, honey! I love you!

Hooray! I've Burnt Dinner Again!

2008-08-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

With Wifey away at Puppy School tonight, I thought I'd whip up something nice for her to come home to - a steak variant of one of my all-time favorite dishes: schnitzel. Honestly, if I had boneless pork chops, I would have tried making traditional schnitzel, but one must do the best one can with the resources available, so beef was the target of my culinary deviancy.

The recipe was pretty simple - beat the meat to desired flatness, dredge in flour, dredge in beaten egg, dredge in bread crumbs, then fry in a skillet with 1/4 cup oil.

Yeah, right... I prepare the meat, do the proper dredging, heat the oil, and "start to set the meat to cookin'! YeeeeeeHaaaaa!" For one shining moment, I am the Dinner God. For one brief moment in time, I feel like all the celebrity cooks I've ever seen on TV. I feel like I'm Bobby Flay, whipping up some obscure Cuban dish with talapia and roasted chili peppers. Or Rachael Ray, fighting back the urge to turn to some non-existent camera and say how easy this meal is to prepare in under 30 minutes. I threw the first "faux schnitel" in the pan, thinking that a couple of minutes on each side should adequately complete the cooking.

As it turned out, I preheated the oil at a much higher temperature than should be used. After a couple of minutes in the oil, one side of my first "faux schnitzel" was damn-near black from charring. I quickly flipped it over, thinking to myself, "if I reduce the cooking time for this side, I should be able to salvage this shipwreck of an entree'". No such luck, the damage was done. The first cut of meat emerged from the skillet looking like something I had intentionally set ablaze in the morning, then left it to burn for most of the day, just to come back, scratching my head, and asking, "I wonder why THAT happened?"

The second and third pieces of meat were, in turn, added to the frying pan. I was rewarded with similar results, despite turning the stove's burner down "a notch". Careful planning and preparation on my part has yielded three charcoal-like hunks of breaded meat the likes of which would more likely be appropriate as spare pucks in a minor-league hockey game. They're hard enough!

Without missing a beat, I started baking some tator tots in the oven. At least we can enjoy an item from the typical school lunch menu! If there's one thing I can do, that's tots!

A Dream

2008-08-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

Dreams are a powerful tool to improve one's self, be it inspiration or a means to mentally or emotionally heal. I've never been one to attribute a "higher meaning" to the dreams that one has, but I can appreciate how dreams can provide sub-conscious reinforcement to the thoughts that are in a person's conscious mind. With that said, I remain confused by a dream I had last night.

In the dream, I'm living at home with my parents, in their lakeside house in Kent. Our family lived there when I was but a child, but in the dream, I'm a full-grown adult. During the dream, I try to conduct myself in normal day-to-day duties, but strange occurrences ensue.

I keep seeing Windsor, the dog our family had when I was a child. I'd see him in the reflection in a mirror, in a doorway - just in my peripheral vision - while walking down a hallway, at the far end of a room when I sit down. In the dream, I find my father, and tell him that "Windsor is here!"... He tells me that he has passed away, and that there is nothing I can do to bring him back. Yet, Windsor keeps appearing. At one point in the dream, I'm sitting down, and he walks to me, and I pet him. I can vividly remember his smell, the way his fur felt under my hand, the expression on his face. These are sensory memories I haven't had in over 20 years, and they are now "fresh" again in my mind.

Once, during my dream, I was sitting in front of the TV, and my newly-departed girl, Ranma, appeared next to me. I petted her back, she looked at me, and disappeared from view. The occurrences of Windsor in my dream became more frequent after that.

I'm not sure how to interpret my dream, or if the dream needs interpretation. The afternoon before, my mother and I shared stories of Windsor, who was the first dog I grew up with. While Windsor died after we moved from the Kent house, my fondest memories of him were when we lived in that house. Windsor's death hit my family very hard, and it took a long while for his passing to sink in.

My gut reaction to my dream is that my brain took my grudging acceptance of Ranma's death these past few days, and used my close bond with Windsor to affirm that it's OK to let my girl go. In my dream, it seems, the images of my father- whom I equate to strength of character - and Windsor - ever so quiet and loving - let me know that it will be OK, and that I will be able to - eventually - accept Ranma's passing as just as normal as his passing so many years ago.

The meanings of dreams remain, largely, a mystery to me, but the dream I had about Windsor and Ranma left me with a greater feeling of acceptance when I awoke in the morning. My heart is at peace, and I have my first dog, Windsor, to thank for it.

An Update

2008-08-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

First, let me say a huge thank you to everyone has either posted a comment about Ranma's passing on either this blog, or Felyne's blog. And a big thank goes out to everyone who didn't comment, but is keeping Tracy and I in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. It's all very appreciated.

It's been a couple of days now since our girl passed away, and emotional recovery is progressing. Our daily routine is starting to resemble what it should be, sans Ranma. She was such a big part of our daily lives, that the adjustment to "normality" will be sometime to come. As is expected, there are a ton of little things that keep reminding us of Ranma, and it seems that we're always seeing her out of the corner of our eyes. For Tracy, it seems that everything is a reminder of Ranma, but she would take her to work with her every day, and the two of them would pretty much be with eachother 24/7. For me, it's things like feeding time (Tracy has left Ranma's bowl on the kitchen floor, like setting a table setting for a lost relative), or at bedtime (both of our dogs slept on the floor on my side of the bed - Ranma's bed is still there, and our other dog - Baron - looks at it, expecting our girl to be there). Tracy has a firm grip on Ranma's collar, which we will never throw away. I hope that, when she will let go of it, I can add one of Ranma's tags to my keychain, so I can take a piece of her with me wherever I go.

In such a short amount of time since Ranma's passing, we've received numerous card, letters, and flowers. Most of those kind gestures have come from fellow "dog folks", who know how hard it is to lose a beloved dog. Felyne's family responded very quickly to our grieving, and sent us a bouquet of flowers within a couple of hours of receiving the sad news. Thank you so much! It's flattering, humbling, and comforting to know so many people are thinking of us at this time. Again, thanks.

Time is on our side, and the hurting will subside, as our acceptance of Ranma's death increases.

...

2008-08-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

I want my girl back.

My Girl Gone

2008-08-05T15:11:00.000-07:00

Ranma, my dog, the dog Tracy got for me so many years ago to fill a void in my heart that could only be filled with the love of a dog, passed away today at the age of eleven. According to the vet, she died of a heart attack. She was in great physical health, and was happy and spry this morning. It happened without warning, and the vet said she died without pain. Tracy and I are crushed.

Thank you, Ranma, for letting us be your "pack", for bringing joy into our lives, and so much more. You were more than a mere family pet to us. You were our little girl. I love you, sweetie. Good dog.

Dr. Horrible!

2008-07-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

Droyne turned me onto something very... VERY... cool - Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog.

It's the story of a evil super-scientist, Doctor Horrible (played by Neil Patrick Harris) who is trying to the into the Evil League Of Evil, while fighting his nemesis, Captain Hammer (played by Nathan Fillion), and longing after the girl of his dreams, Penny (played by Felicia Day). The story is told from Doctor Horrible's persective (a la a video blog), and... it's a musical! So cool! Check it out if you get a chance to. Here's the trailer...

You can watch the entire movie by clicking here.

New Family Project

2008-07-29T20:05:00.000-07:00

Now that the family photo CD project is all but complete (all that's left is to make copies for family members), my next family project involves recipes given to me by my mother. These recipes are - mostly - ones my grandmother collected and used over many decades. This should be fun!

Cute As Can Be At My Front Door

2008-07-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

I think the pictures will speak for themselves...

Do the Spaz!

2008-07-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

My niece, Courtney, loves to show off her dancing skills, as evidenced here.

Way to go, spaz...

Photo Album Completed

2008-07-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

After a lot of wrangling of photo scanning/editing software at home and at my office, I've finally completed my Bretitenstein family photo album.

I had originally suggested to my family that it be a photo DVD, but the project has been scaled down to photos and a Word document (describing the photos) on a CD-R. I scanned many of the photos whilst at work today (I've got the same scanner at work as I have at home), and was able to make a "test-burn" this evening, to make sure the project was ready for distribution. So far, so good!

If you'd like to check out my Breitenstein photo album, click here.

Breitenstein Family Photo Album

2008-07-16T16:03:00.001-07:00

For anyone who is interested, I've started posting my Breitenstein family photos on my Flickr Page. Click here to view what I've got added so far.

Family Photo Album

2008-07-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Got my hands on a bevy of family photos yesterday, with the hopes I can put together a photo CD to distribute to family members. The photos are of my ancestors from my maternal grandmothers side of the family: Breitensteins, Johnsons, and others...

Station Moved

2008-06-30T15:47:00.001-07:00

Well, we got the station moved in record time. We went off the air on Friday at 10am, had all the equipment moved to the new location by that afternoon, got back up on the air with our automation system by the next day, and we're now (Monday) down to installing the phone system and connecting to the internet. Not too bad...

Moving the Radio Station

2008-06-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well, we're moving the radio station to new digs in town later this month, so I'm in the process of boxing stuff up in my office. Amazing how much crap accumulates after 10+ years in the same room... More to come..