I was in Las Vegas, having just awoken at the Stratosphere. Also known as the tallest building in Las Vegas. I always go to my computer to get the first news of the day. Today, for some strange reason, I turned on the TV instead. They kept playing this clip of a plane hitting one… Read More »
Growing up in Minnesota, Labor Day meant the unofficial end of summer. It was also our last gasp of freedom, since a new school year began on the following day. There were a few times when school started the last week in August. But for the most part, the first day of school was the… Read More »
It was 39 years ago today that I began my journey towards becoming a professional radio broadcaster at Brown Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Also known affectionately as “the voice factory of the Midwest”, this is where us kids who were too lazy to go to college and too scared to steal would go for our… Read More »
Did you have a computer room at your high school? At AVHS, we had 8 Decwriter floor console terminals which connected to the state of Minnesota educational mainframe computer in St. Paul. Each had a regular dial telephone next to it. You would call 636-4736 and wait for the tone. When you heard it, you’d… Read More »
16 years ago today, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Louisiana. Where were you? I was in Minnesota, having left the area just 27 days earlier. If I had stayed, I’m 99.9% certain that I wouldn’t be talking to you right now. Here’s what Ocean Pointe Apartments on Front Beach in Ocean… Read More »
Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. Of course, this means I am thinking of Peanut. He was the most personable, most friendly, and overall best cat that I have ever known. Peanut lived a long, healthy, happy life. He enjoyed 21 birthdays! When Peanut died in 2015, Kristine created this in his memory. In addition… Read More »
Every time I hear Billy Joel’s “The Stranger”, I am reminded of my 8th grade English teacher at Valley Middle School. Ms. Liz Moynihan was new to Valley for the 1977-78 school year, replacing Peggy Chirhart. She was young, fun, and best of all, had a love for pop music. One day, she brought her… Read More »
This tune randomly popped up on my phone while out walking this morning. I’ve always thought “Rock Wit’cha” was Bobby Brown’s finest effort. Sadly, it took FOREVER for MCA Records to release it as a single. On December 16, 1988, I arrived in Bend, Oregon as the newest employee of Q94 KXIQ Radio. In addition… Read More »
More fast food automation! We’ve all seen the self-order kiosks that McDonald’s is installing in their restaurants. Today, I noticed that Pizza Hut is also cutting back on workers. Used to be, a young guy or girl would occasionally stand on the intersection nearest this restaurant with a sign, advertising Pizza Hut’s special promotions. It… Read More »
There are lots of complaints these days regarding social media. People are claiming their opinions are being censored by Big Tech. What to do? I say “Take it old school!” 45 years ago this week, I bought my first citizens band radio. CB radio was the original social media: Facebook and Twitter, all rolled into… Read More »