England Part one

I am living, but I don't feel like it today. The jetlag has been horrible and just sitting here, I feel like I am still on the plane. I will have to put together the trip in a few different posts.

Day one: arrive at Gatwick at about 10am. Customs is brutal in England as all of the transatlantic flights arrive at the same time. Go through customs, meet Father Thomas at the airport and we drive to Worth Abbey. Worth is just outside of Crawley which is about 35 miles SSE of London.



This is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Serene, pastoral, isolated and scenic, set amongst the rolling hills of England. A great time for reflection and silence in which to ponder the fate of the a)universe b)world c)my mental state.


Two days of being almost like a monk. No talking at breakfast or supper and church three to four times a day. Wow, did I ever need this


The head guy is Abbott Christopher. One of the funniest and coolest guys in the world. He came from some serious money (his family is the Jamison in Jamison whiskey) but gave it all up for his faith. That's impressive. Very little contact with the outside world, no televisions and only a newspaper and the internet keep them from knowing if the world blows up. This was a vacation for my brain.

Day two:
A visit to Chartwell.
I am a huge Winston Churchill fan. Anyone who can drink whiskey for breakfast and then go launch plans to win WWII is okay with me. Chartwell was Churchill's home while not in London. The pictures will arrive sooon.

Back From England

Just now recovering. I will post more and get caught up tomorrow. I am bushed.

Happy Father's Day Dad

Happy Father's Day, Dad. Thanks for having sperm that worked at age fifty.
You'd be 99 now. I hardly knew ye, I don't think anyone did.



You,too Grandpa Mac. At the dinner table, you came up with more cusswords than an episode of "Deadwood". Creative cusswords, too. Your sarcasm has been passed to future generations...


Well, hell, happy father's day to me, too. I am a very lucky man.

Happy Brithday Sir Paul

When I'm Sixty-four

When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now.
Will you still be sending me a Valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine.
If I’d been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I’m sixty-four.
You’ll be older too,
And if you say the word,
I could stay with you.
I could be handy, mending a fuse
When your lights have gone.
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday morning go for a ride.
Doing the garden, digging the weeds,
Who could ask for more.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I’m sixty-four.
Every summer we can rent a cottage,
In the Isle of Wright, if it’s not too dear
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera Chuck & Dave
Send me a postcard, drop me a line,
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, wasting away
Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty-four.

He wrote this at 16 for his father's 64th birthday and recorded at 25. It is strange for me because many years ago I wondered where I was going to be at the moment that Paul turned 64. I am still not sure.

Post 351 on Fathers Day

A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again.
-Enid Bagnold

McDonalds Opens In Africa

Thank you

Post 349 for Father's Day

"I'm looking for someone to change my life...I'm looking for a miracle in my life and if you could see what it's done to me..."
The Moody Blues

Post 348 for Father's Day

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."- Mark Twain

The Ten Greatest Drunks in History

Who's gonna tell you this stuff? Huh?
I am right here.

Stephen Colbert owns a representative

Note to US Congressmen: If you co-sponsor a bill requiring the 10 Commandments be displayed in the House and the Senate (so that we "don't lose a sense of our direction") you better know all ten when Stephen Colbert asks you to name them.

Here is the link. Oops

In Praise of...Colin Montgomerie

I was watching golf yesterday and I heard one of the announcers say something about how Colin Montgomerie was one of the least liked guys on the circuit, seems he's an arrogant Brit (ooh, and aren't those the worst kind).
On September 13, 2001 in the aftermath of 9/11, Colin was in town for a pro event at the Bellreive in St. Louis. They cancelled the event and that day, I did an all day telethon at the Galleria to raise money for Backstoppers, an organization that donates money to widows and families of fallen officers, paramedics and firefighters.
I saw him walk in the door and knew his reputation. He approached the table where we were and asked what was going on, I told him and he immediately whipped out his checkbook and wrote a check for $5,000. I know he makes that in a day, but I thought he was generous and I told him so. He said "I love America".

Post Number 344 for Father's Day

"My father always used to say that when you die, if you've got five real friends, then you've had a great life."
- Lee Iacocca

Post Number 343 for Father's Day

"I felt something impossible for me to explain in words. Then when they took her away, it hit me. I got scared all over again and began to feel giddy. Then it came to me -- I was a father."
- Nat King Cole

(for you, coop)

Sports Illustrated's Top Photos of The Year

Going into town from the farm on a Saturday morning meant the day was sweet. Fountain Dr. Pepper's from Norman's Rexall Drug(see earlier post), shooting pool, getting NEW comic books, cherry shakes from the Dairy Queen and the new SI would be out. I would buy it then ride home and read it.
Still love SI.
Here's their award winning photos from 2000-now.

Clear Channel Now Thinking About One Second Spots

From smays.com

:30's, :60's and :01's
In early 2005, I linked to an Adrants item about Cadillac trying out five second commercials (and made the obvious reference to Max Headroom). According to Advertising Age, Clear Channel is considering one-second commercials (called Blinks)

The Blinks could be used in a number of ways. Clear Channel's Creative Services Group crafted a demonstration spot using the McDonald's jingle, and placed it between one hip-hop song and another. The group also created a Blink for BMW's Mini Cooper with a horn honking and man's voice saying "Mini," and placed it before miniaturized news reports. (Neither marketer has a deal with Clear Channel for Blinks.) Other audio mnemonics that could use Blinks are the Intel chime and the NBC bells.

Sounds like a publicity stunt but who knows. Not sure how this syncs with CC's "less clutter" philosophy. If anybody has heard one of these (or, better still, could send me a wee air-check), gimme a shout. [Thanks, Jackie]

Steak and Shake has been doing this for years....."bean crock".

Wikipedia's Comprehensive List of Problems Solved By MacGyver

Loved the show. Warning!! Plot spoilers abound. Here's the list.

Blue Dress+Wind=Trouble

I love Toni Braxton. I think she is one beautiful lady and sings like a bird. When I was working in Smooth Jazz radio, I played her stuff a lot. During opening ceremonies for the World Cup in Germany, it apparently was a very windy day....

Song Rip-Off Update

I was watching the NBA gane last night. I never watch pro basketball until the playoffs, then I love watching the pros. I heard "Magic Bus" for some car company and thought to myself, does Pete Townshend really need all of this money? I used to love Pete and The Who and thought they epitomized what rock and roll was about...loud and not pretentious at all. How wrong I was about Pete. He has sold his soul to the corporate machine. Just about every popular Who song has been stolen for something to do with cars, TV shows, you name it, Pete's sold it.

What the hell does "Oye Como Va" have to do with Honda's? When I interviewed Carlos Santana many years ago, he said "Oye Como Va" was the song that Tito Puente started his "Houseparty" with on Saturday nights broadcasting on the "X" out of Mexico. It is now selling cars. I guess I can't blame Carlos, it's not his song and maybe Tito's family needs the money....

I have cut up my Chase card due to the fact that "All You Need Is Love" is now thier theme song. Outrageous!! Did Micheal do this or was it Paul? If Paul agreed, than he's even more greedy that I previously thought. I about shot my water through my nose when I heard this. I'm seriously steamed that future generations will associate "All You Need Is Love" with a credit card.

Why Advertise?

In a column this morning, Bill McClellan wrote an article about something that I have been wondering about. Why does Ameren advertise? Are there choices in electric companies? I don't understand the need for them to be buying commercials with my money. They also throw a lot of money to lobbyists on both sides of the state congressional isle. What is the point? We have no choice when it comes to electric power.

Another question...why does MOdot run spots? Do we have a choice when it comes to fixing our roads? I didn't think so. This is a blatant attempt to spend the taxpayers money foolishly.

In Praise Of....A.R.S.

I thought the Atlanta Rhythm Section would be superstars. Formed out of the band that once was The Classics 4 (Stormy)(Spooky), this studio band caught me with "Doraville" from 1974. I caught the bug big time with "Dog Days" and was hooked. I never got to see them live, I just loved the smooth style and laid back playing that personified their music. Here are my fave ARS tunes....

1. "Sky High"
2. "Doraville"
3. "Crazy"
4. "Georgia Rhythm"
5. "Spooky"

As good as it ever got.

Blender’s list of the 50 Dumbest Rock Star Purchases

See the list here.

Er...uh..I'm jes' sayin...

It looks like wha?
This aerial photo taken from the Polk County assessor’s Web page shows the city of Des Moines’ detention basin at 2617 Easton Blvd. The basin, constructed about two years ago, helps prevent flooding, according to Des Moines City Engineer Jeb Brewer.

Brush With Greatness Part Ten

I think you know who these guys are...Taken in 1990 backstage at Kemper Arena in KC.

Funny

Kudos to the Kids and other crap I am thinking about

Paul has been accepted to Aeronautical Engineering School. We are talking NASA here. Not just aerospace but aeronautics. He has also embarked on his first solo road trip to the east coast. He will be doing a service project for Notre Dame over the summer. Get this...he will be building a back yard while living in the house owned by some hot shot stock market executive in Fairfield Ct. He has the house by himself each weekend while these guys go to "Cape Cod". Tough project huh? I think my summer projects always included detassling corn and bugs the size of your head. It's not rocket science...oh, wait it is!
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Emily has earned excellent grades her final semester of junior year. A 3.75 for the semester, nice job. She is slowly stepping away, I think we can all feel it. She is not long for this house.
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Jess is hopefully getting her feet underneath her and getting settled to what life is like after college. I apologize in advance for the numerous panic attacks and the feeling of terror that she is about to experience.
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The job front remains static. I have declined some things due to the fact that they just won't work and I am not that interested. It HAS to be the right move and I am sure it will come along. I have prayed about it a great deal. God will send me where God wants me to go. I would like to go southwest of here, but only time will tell.

Tivo Time

The Deadliest Catch.


This has been my favorite TV show lately. I have seen all of the shows and now I am watching them in reruns. I will set up my season pass to make sure I don't miss any more. This is the story of a group of crab boats that fish for Alaskan King Crab north of the Bering Strait. I guess I watch this because this looks like a challenging way to make some serious dough. I actually thought I might like to do this until the narrator said that the guys were up for 36 hours straight catching crab. I am too old for that.


Windfall





This show looks like it may have some promise. A group of friends win a huge sum of money in the lottery and we get to watch as (apparently) their lives change much more than we can imagine. I have a season pass all set up. I will watch the first show tonight and report. I hope NBC doesn't screw it up. The first show has promise, although I am the only one in the family who thinks so. I have taken the bait and I will report how this goes. Another interesting show, may be too many plot lines though, we will see.

My Friend Bill Page

I found out I lost another friend today. When Bill Page was in the news department at KBOA in Kennett, he routinely told me how happy he was. He was being paid a pretty nice salary and in return, Bill gave them his heart and soul. During the tornados that touched down in Caruthersville, Bill did a 36 hour shift. He thought it was what newsmen did. Shortly after that, he was fired for "budgetary reasons". He was heartbroken and emailed me to say so. (See a previous post)He decided to become a police dispatcher and emailed me a couple of weeks ago to tell me how much he liked his new job, he missed radio. I only met Bill twice. Once at the MBA in Kansas City (he won a bunch of times) and once in Kennett at the station. He died yesterday. Whatever the cause was, Bill died of a broken heart more than anything else. It immediately reminded me of the story about Coach "Bear" Bryant of Alabama, who coached the tide forever and finally when he retired, he died. Bill was a professional newsman. I think he would like to have been known like that.
Here is the announcement of Bill's death in the local paper.

Phoebe Cates

The picture on the left was taken in 1989. The one on the right, at the premeire of "A Prairie Home Companion", held over the weekend. We dig Kevin Kline at our house (a was a graduate of Priory)and apparently, life is treating him well, too.
She looks basically the same. Beautiful woman, always has been.

Two Types of Yoga

I love yoga..



Redneck Yoga..

Ouch, this one hurts.

Rest in Peace Billy Preston. How cool were you? You got the chance to jam with the Beatles on the rooftop. You got to be the "fifth Beatle." You did that amazing keyboard in "Get Back". You were the only person other than the Beatles to get a credit on their records. As I sit here listening to "Outa Space" (a #2 song in July of 1972, "Lean On Me was number one.), I say a prayer for your family. Apparently, you've been in a coma for awhile. Thank you for your music, your smile and that very very cool afro.

He seemed to me to be a very happy guy, it looked like he smiled a lot. Apparently, he had many battles with the demons that we all face.

Billy Preston was 59.