Foggy morning on the Seattle waterfront - August 2009
You made it this far into my website, and I appreciate your spirit of adventure.
The stuff to the right is random, to say the least. In my blog, I try to keep things at a professional level, as a way to communicate with peers and fans alike about the news business.
This page, however, is meant to be more fun. Most of the time, the events depicted to the right are based on real events in my life, only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Well, actually, I think the names have been real up to this point.
Anyway, take a few minutes to enjoy my ramblings about some of the "lighter" moments in my life and career. Oldest stuff is at the bottom, newest writings are always posted at the top.
Aren't we the coolest?
Matt and Ethan from the band "Relient K" stopped by to visit the show recently. I hHave to admit I was only vaguely familiar with their music before the visit, but they left me wanting more! Very talented guys, indeed. The band's roots are in Christian rock, and in the past several years, they've branched out into the pop world.
Their new CD "Forget and Not Slow Down" is pretty good, and they performed "I don't need a soul" live in the studio.
Thanks, guys, for making our day!
This is because I have dogs who find "jobs" for themselves on a daily basis.
Many days, the "jobs" (and I put that in quotes because while I'm sure the dogs feel these are important contributions to the family, I'm still trying to assign a true value of all this effort) are simply sitting by the back patio door, keeping an eye on the birds and the squirrels in the backyard.
Zoe always takes the patio door, while Cooper, when in a working mood, watches out the front window which looks over the driveway. Zoe is always on a "job" while Cooper is more of a "job shadower." He'll see Zoe go to "work" and so he'll get busy as well. Five minutes later, he's daydreaming or slacking o off to something else while Zoe continues her "job" unaffected.
Which brings us to the Christmas tree.
I have to admit, the dogs have been good with the tree this year, so far. Then again, there have been no temptations underneath it's plastic green branches.
At least there weren't until last night, when some friends came over bearing gifts. One minute, the gifts were placed safely on the floor under the tree, the next, two were gone. In mere moments, Zoe had transported not one, but two gifts, and had relocated them elsewhere. The gifts were found and returned to their homeland, but now you see the peril of dogs with "jobs."
And yet, would my life be half as interesting if Zoe and Cooper were unemployed? :-)
He passed away on October 19th, but I'll always remember him.
Up until recently, Tigg was, well let's just say a "husky" kitty. Many arguments have been started over guessing his exact weight, but a fair estimate is 18-20 pounds. There was a lot of Tigg to love, and he was a lover. He acted more like a dog than a cat, always craving your attention, and wanting to be in your lap. At his size, he really wasn't comfortable in your lap. Let me restate: YOU weren't comfortable if he was in your lap. The third picture made me laugh out loud, even today.
In recent months, Tigg lost much of his weight quickly. But he always was, and always will be "Tigg the Pig." Goodbye, big kitty, and I hope by now, you've met up with Codi Marie, who was waiting for you.
Tigger Marie 1997-2009
Now, your daily dose of "duh." I am a game show freak. I know, most of you already knew this (thus the "duh" reference).
So, you can imagine how excited I was to meet the host of Cash Cab, Ben Bailey. He stopped by the station for a recent visit. Ben was in town for another reason; he's a stand-up comic. He's done this for over a decade, and I've caught a couple of his specials on Comedy Central.
Anyway, you'd have to be a funny guy to pull-off a game show that takes place in a taxi. In person, he's a very nice guy, and everyone seemed to get along with him very well. He was very gracious, even to my mom, who happened to be in town for her annual "birthday visit." She got a picture with him like I did. If you think I look short standing next to Big Ben, you should see my mom. I think she comes in at a whopping 5'9" on a good day. In order to get the top of his head in the photo, you literally only see my mom's head in their picture.
She'll never forget that afternoon and neither will I. Thanks, Ben, for being kind enough to make it a memorable experience for both of us.
David Cook stopped by recently to talk about his album and his tour.David is the winner of American Idol season 7, and has been working hard since. Days after winning the competition, he went on tour with the other "idols," then went in the studio to make an album, THEN began his own tour.
He was pretty tired by the time he arrived in Seattle. I always enjoy asking those in the "biz" about their musical influences, and what's currently on their iPod. That question was what got David talking the most...he's really into other
people's music.
So what does a pop start like David like to do on his "down" time? He told me he likes to sleep in as late as he wants, and eat whatever's in sight! I guess that sounds pretty simple, but isn't he right? It's the simple things in life that we always enjoy the most.
Growing up, I remember watching Marlin Perkins, Jack Hanna, and more recently, Steve Irwin. They introduced me to wild animals, and I enjoyed learning from them. I never thought I would be the host of my own "Wild Kingdom" segment.
Here he is, a 10 week old Bengal tiger, his handler, Robyn, and a very excited yet nervous host (played by me). The tiger and his sibling were recently acquired by the Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah. Needless to say, it was a very fascinating 4 minutes on the radio. The biggest surprise was the sound the tigers made. I guess I expected a mew, but got what I will describe as a cross between a roar and a meow, better know as a "meow mix" (I couldn't resist). It reminded me of a young Simba working on his roar in "The Lion King."
I am always grateful for the experiences I get to be a part of through my work. After all, it's not everyday you get to pet, interview, and have your photo taken with a tiger cub!
I had a chance to meet Mr. Cronkite back in the late 1990's. He had come to Portland for a speaking engagement, and my station was actually the sponsor.
That meant the entire newsroom got to join him for a pre-event cocktail hour.
The "Most Trusted Man in America" was king before I ever got into the news business, but that night, as I listened to him speak about journalism, I felt as if I knew him. You know, "knew him" in the sense of having him come into my living room every evening to tell me what was going on in the world.
I rememeber him being kind, gracious, and for this young news anchor and reporter, he was encouraging. He told me he had heard me that morning on the air, and that I had a "good read." It wasn't much, but it stuck with me. I don't have a picture from that night, just a fond memory of getting an "atta boy" from someone in the business I really looked up to.
And that's the way it is...
Those of you named John are probably tired of it, as you see it so much. The same is true for the names Smith, Taylor, and Jackson.
Your name is pretty common. You see it everywhere! Which made this extra thrilling for me...
I had to go all the way to Washington DC to find it, but here it is: My name on a street sign! In the days since, I've discovered even more Calvert Streets, Avenues, and even a Boulevard.
This, so far, is my only photographic proof. :-)
Here's something a little different. This glowing figure is my cousin, Christopher.
He and his family were exploring Cave-in-Rock state park in southern Illinois. Aside from the unispiring name, the park is a beautiful place. Not so good for someone afraid of heights, just ask my Aunt Laurie.
Anyway, Christopher asked one of his parents to snap a picture of him standing in this solitary sunbeam. At the time, no one was even sure the picture would turn out, as it was so dark inside that cave. But look what happened!
Christopher is convinced this is proof that he is saintly, divine, and perfect.
I just thought it was a cool picture, and I wanted to share it with you. :-)
Everyday when I go to work, I have to leave my dogs, Zoe and Cooper at home (because I haven't yet taught them how to be professional radio announcers).
Lately, I've been getting into a regular habit of leaving the radio on for them. Somewhere, in the back of my mind (where if you dig and dig, you find a little logic). I've reasoned that it might be enjoyable for them to listen to me on the radio.Do they enjoy that? I'm not sure. Maybe I'm doing it for me and not for them? You see, with the radio on in the house, I'm guaranteed at least two listeners!
Here's what I'd like to think: Right about the time they've been home alone for about four hours, they hear my voice, and it calms them. They enjoy knowing that "daddy" is present, even if only by voice.
I guess the only way I'll know for sure is to install a nanny-cam, and I'm definitely not going that route. It's bad enough seeing the chewed-up sock when I get home...the last thing I want to do is see it as it happens!
I'm proud and honored to wish my grandparents a happy 73rd wedding anniversary.
A few years back, I sat down with them on their 70th anniversary, and asked them how they did it? (If you want to listen to that interview, go to the "my stories" page)
In an age where a marriage is lucky to last 10 years, 70 is quite a feat.
Recently, we replayed the story I created out of that interview 3 years ago to celebrate their 73rd anniversary. The response? Heart-warming.
People are going out of their way to express their admiration of my grandparents. It's a story that sounds like there's never been a problem, and yet, if you know my grandparents, you know that's not true.
They've had their share of trouble, but they figured out a way around the trouble. They have figured out how to value the other above themselves.
Maybe the thing I admire most is that they'll be the first to tell you it hasn't been a perfect 73 years. I've witnessed when things get heated. I've also witnessed how, no matter how tense things get, they've learned to let it go. My opinion here, but to me, it sounds very healthy to be able to get out what's bugging you, forgive, and move on, versus holding it in until you really explode, do permanent damage, and perhaps, cause casualties.
Thank you, grandma and grandpa, for your good example of
not just talking about grace, but living it everyday!
Yes, this is me and the "5K Wedge" from Wheel of Fortune. He was a really nice guy, lots of energy, and as you can tell by the picture, a real ham. I swore to protect his true identity, so unfortunately, you're going to have to simply know him as "Wedge."
I considered not posting this one for a moment, then thought it might make for a fun exercise in creativity.
If you have a couple of minutes, take a look at the picture, and help me decide the best caption. These are my suggestions:
A: Awkward prom picture with my date, "5K"
B: For the love of money
C: What the heck would you do if 5-grand fell into your arms?
D: I'm sorry, but all I have is a 5K
If you come up with a better one, send me an email! :-)
Yes, the star-power continues to line-up outside the KOMO studio door! :-)
Recently, American Idol Taylor Hicks stopped by to plug his appearance in the local production of Grease. Another very nice guy! AND, he was our first musical guest on our new FM frequency, 97.7 (he played his harmonica, and it soundedgreat!)
He was very personable, and seemed like the kind of guy you could talk about anything with.
So, I did.
I said "Taylor, since you know Simon Cowell, could you please translate something he said on the show the other night?"
I then played the soundbite in which Cowell, referring to the American Idol finale with Adam Lambert and Kris Allen, says it's going to be "What we call a big 'ding dong' coming up next week."
Mind you, this is all happening live on the air. Taylor is quiet for a second, so I again ask him if he has any idea what Simon just said. Then, without missing a beat, Taylor says "I'm pretty sure it's something I can't say on the radio."
Thanks, Taylor, for being a good sport!
Guess who got to meet Princess Leia?
Carrie Fisher stopped by to talk about her one-woman show "Wishful Drinking." This particular day, she was celebrating the news that her Seattle production was picked-up on Broadway!
It was very clear that life hasn't been easy on her. Anyone watching her play could easily deduce this, and it's apparent when you meet her in person. Yet, there is something so genuine about her. I loved her from the moment she walked into the studio. She didn't put on a front, and she was extremely candid. Honestly, it was one of my most favorite celebrity interviews ever.
She disclosed to me that she had an "ex" named Brian. Actually, she referred to him as a "y" instead of an "x," as in "why?"
joyable time I've ever spent in an interview. As you can see in the photo, we hit it off pretty well. I'd like to think I've redeemed Brian's everywhere!
And no, I didn't ask about her metal bikini.
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