During the past few months I've done way too many posts about the weather; mostly about the snow. Therefore, I've been trying not to post about this subject anymore; until now.
I'm making an exception today, because the area I live in FINALLY got decent weather! Fantastic weather in fact! Record setting high temperatures; I loved it!
Okay, it was only for about three days; but hey, it was the weekend, it was sunny and warm! We had temps in the 80's, which makes me happy; those are the days I love the most.
I realize, it won't last, in fact, it's supposed to be cooler and rainy the rest of the week. With that in mind, I'd like to put this out to Mother Nature:
I know you can make it warm and sunny, you've proven that. Since you've shown it's possible to have nice weather, please don't let the last three days be considered our spring and summer for this year! Really, is it asking too much to have an actual summer this year; during the summer season? Please and thank you!
Twice a day for the past week, the "Simon in the Morning" show has been hosting their version of the "Hunger Games".
Each morning at 6:20am, and 8:20am, Scott, Jolynn and Jake would announce two "districts", (zip codes), to compete against each other. One caller from each zip code would call in and be given a type of food to name off. Each person would name a food from that day's category, and the first person to take longer than 5 seconds was eliminated.
My zip code was announced at 6:20 Tuesday morning, so I called, and actually got through. I and the person I was pitted against had to come up with various ways to prepare eggs.
I don't remember all the types we came up with, except the other person did say "candied" eggs at one point. No one was sure what that meant, however, I thought it could mean the candy eggs like you get at Easter. The last type I mentioned was "poached", and the other person couldn't come up with another type, so she was eliminated.
I was excited that I'd qualified for the trip to see Taylor Swift in Ontario, Canada; however, did I really think I'd win the grand prize? No, I didn't. I knew I'd have a 1 in 10 chance, however, I just didn't think it would happen.
On Friday, the final two were qualified for the grand prize, and a few minutes later Scott, Jolynn and Jake were to announce the grand prize winner.
I know that when a winner is picked, it takes time to call them, get it recorded for playback on the air, etc. That usually means a winner is picked and called right away. I was at work, waiting to start my day, and my phone wasn't ringing, so I knew I wasn't going to be the winner. The longer the phone didn't ring, the more certain I was I didn't win.
All of a sudden though, my phone DID ring, and it was an outside line. The caller ID was KUPL's number! So, I answered the phone, and there they were on the other side of the line, Scott, Jolynn and Jake! They asked if I knew why they were calling and I said I thought so; then Jolynn said, yeah, they'd just called to talk with me and tell me who'd won the contest.
Normally it's hard to pull anything over on me; I'm not a trusting person, and don't take things at face value. In this case though, already having it in my mind that I wasn't going to win, the length of time it took for the phone call, and the fact that I'm always giving them a bad time, (teasing), I figured maybe they really HAD called just to tell me who the winner had been! I was totally suckered on that, and I give them kudos for getting me good!
As it turns out, *I* AM the grand prize winner to go see Taylor Swift in Ontario, Canada!!! The whole process of picking the grand prize winner was even the subject of the Simon 90 video for the day.
Needless to say, that was around 9am; I haven't quite been the same since! I honestly don't think I really breathed for about 2 hours after I found out I'd won!
I know I can get very excited about things, so instead of rambling on and on about it from now, until the day of the show, I've told everyone I work with, all my friends and family, if I start getting hyper again, I'll just say "EEK!" Translation: "I'm sooooooooooooo excited!", and leave it at that. After all, winning is one thing, however I'd like to keep my family, friends and co-workers; not drive them away!
We've all had times that our personal space has been invaded.
I had one of these moments the other day, and it wasn't pleasant. The following is how I felt about this situation.
There I was, minding my own business, taking care of what needed to be done; and suddenly, there you were, in my face. I asked you to leave, you didn't listen; you just kept hanging around. I tried to ignore you, with no success; you just sat there, watching me.
This went on for a few minutes, then you upped the ante; you started pacing back and forth. Again, I asked you to stop, you wouldn't; you kept pacing back and forth, back and forth, only stopping to stare at me again.
Mind you, if I *could* have left, I would have. Alas, I couldn't; what I was doing needed to be done where I was. I'm fairly certain you would have tried to follow me anyway.
Finally, after another few minutes you disappeared. Oddly enough, this was more disconcerting than you actually being where I could see you. When I could see you, I at least knew where you were and could keep an eye on you. After you disappeared, I kept wondering where you went, and if you were coming back to harass me. Again, if I could have left then, I would have. Since I couldn't, I was left to continue what I was doing, while keeping one eye open for your possible return.
Right before my task was complete, I saw you again, peeking out from where you'd evidently been lurking since you disappeared. Further away, yet still close enough to invade my personal space and make me feel uncomfortable. Believe me, if I'd had a way to be done with you before then, I would have. Then I wouldn't have to see you hiding in the shadows.
After what seemed like an eternity, I was finally at my journey's end; and you were still there.
I stopped everything, went for help and guess what? You ran away, to where you couldn't be found. Curse you, you stupid, despicable spider!!!
P.S. You and all your spider buddies stay out of my car from now on; got it?!
Dick Clark, the iconic host of "American Bandstand", "New Year's Rockin' Eve", and various game shows, has passed away at the age of 82. His cause of death is listed as a massive heart attack.
According to reports, Clark had gone into the hospital for outpatient surgery Monday evening, and while there, suffered the heart attack. Those reading this may remember that Clark had suffered a severe stroke in 2004, which left him partially paralyzed.
Dick Clark first gained national recognition as the host of the teen dance show "American Bandstand", first in Philidelphia, then moving the show to Los Angeles. The show ran on the ABC network from 1957 to 1989, and spawned such phrases as "nice beat, easy to dance to, I give it a 75", which was often what teenagers who were rating the music on "Bandstand" would say.
The Pacific Northwest has a connection with Clark as well. In 1965 Clark was looking for a "house band" for a show he was putting together called "Where the Action Is". Paul Revere and the Raiders had moved to the Portland, Oregon area in 1962, and hired manager, Roger Hart. Hart contacted Clark to audition the Raiders, for the show, and the band got the part. They appeared on "Where the Action Is" five days a week for two years, helping to catapult them to national fame.
In 1972, Clark started "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve", also on ABC. Clark hosted the show each New Year's Eve, until his stroke in 2004. At that time Regis Philbin hosted, with Ryan Seacrest taking over the main duties since 2005. Clark would appear in segments of these shows, but never fully hosted the program after 2004.
Clark also hosted a series of game shows during his heyday, most notably "$10,000 Pyramid". If this weren't enough, Clark, along with Ed McMahon hosted a series of "Bloopers" TV shows. The programs would show outtakes from various TV shows and commercials from around the world.
Dick Clark Productions also created the "Academy of Country Music Awards", (ACM's), which are held every April in Las Vegas.
There are so many other things that Dick Clark had a hand in during his long, illustrious career, there's not enough time, or room, to mention everything here.
For those who grew up in the "Bandstand" era, Dick Clark will always be an icon of the music industry. So, so long for now Dick Clark, and may you rest in peace.
For 20 years country artists Brooks & Dunn were nearly unstoppable. Almost from the day they were put together, the duo started having hit after hit and winning award after award. They won "Duo of the Year" so many times at the various country music awards, that it was kiddingly known as the "Brooks & Dunn Award".
Then, after two decades, the duo called it quits. Each one went their separate ways to pursue their individual interests.
Ronnie Dunn went in the studio and started working on a solo album, and started booking shows as a solo artist around the U.S. To date, three singles have been released from Dunn's solo debut, two that have been hits, and one that wasn't. I'll come back to this in a moment.
Meanwhile, Kix Brooks has kept busy as the host of "American Country Countdown", a syndicated show counting down the top 40 country songs on the music charts each week.
In addition, Brooks has been a part of various "Songwriter Showcase" programs, with other country songwriters, showcasing their musical talents around the nation.
Another business Kix has been part of is a winery, where he has his own brand of wine for sale to the public.
While Ronnie Dunn almost immediately started putting out solo music, Kix Brooks is just now testing the waters with his first post B&D single, "New to This Town".
I don't know about anyone else, however, I've always thought Ronnie Dunn was the "voice" of Brooks & Dunn. Yes, Kix is good too; it just seemed their biggest hits were the ones sang by Ronnie.
That's what I thought was kind of funny about Kix's new single; though it's a solo effort, he still has back up support from another big name, Joe Walsh of the Eagles. Whether this is a media move, to draw attention to Brooks' solo career or what, I don't know. The song is good, and you can definitely tell it's Kix; just not sure where Walsh fits in.
Likewise, Ronnie Dunn's first solo single, "Bleed Red", was heavily hyped to radio stations across the U.S. The song was highly anticipated, as everyone wondered what the music would be like without Brooks. To be honest, "Bleed Red" would be as perfect a Brooks & Dunn song as it was a Ronnie Dunn single.
Maybe it's just me, what I don't get though is, here are two guys that have had solid success for 20 years as a duo. Now they've gone solo, however what each has offered up could still easily be considered Brooks & Dunn tunes, had they been recorded when the duo was together. Because they have solo careers though, each man has had to reprove himself to radio audiences; why?
Yes, I think every artist should have to prove themselves every time they release a single; what I don't get is how either Kix or Ronnie could *not* have a hit with the music they're putting out. As I stated earlier, each is still putting out the "Brooks & Dunn" sound, though they're doing solo work.
Yet, that's what happened with Ronnie Dunn's second single, "Cost of Livin'". This is one of my favorite cuts on Dunn's CD, yet, the song never really made it on radio.
I honestly thought this song would be a huge success; it's more of a ballad, which Ronnie Dunn is known for doing so well.
Now, with Kix Brooks releasing "New to This Town", and Ronnie Dunn's latest single, "Let The Cowboy Rock", on the airwaves also, it's more "Brooks vs. Dunn" instead of "Brooks & Dunn".
I guess, on the bright side, having individual music from both Kix and Ronnie is better than no Brooks & Dunn at all. It will be interesting to see how successful each one will be, and if one will be more successful than the other. I give them at least 10 years each however.
Knowing that reviews are usually skewed, owing to the opinions of the person doing the reviewing, I'll put this out first thing: I'd forgotten how much I love Lionel Richie's music!
With that said, it's kind of a given that those who've liked Richie's music in the past, will like "Tuskegee". After all, Richie's latest contribution is made up of thirteen of his biggest hits from the past.
Not that "Tuskegee" is a "Greatest Hits", or "tribute" CD; it's more a combination of the two.
On the greatest hits side, you have Lionel Richie singing, what else, his greatest hits.
While most tribute albums have other artists performing someone else's hits, the "tribute" part of this CD actually pairs country artists with Richie, putting a new spin on his classic hits.
Sometimes these things can be disasterous; "Tuskegee" though is a definite winner! As an example, I'm not a big Rascal Flatts fan; however, one of my favorite tracks is the duet of "Dancing on the Ceiling", they do with Lionel.
Even one of the less stellar duets, "Hello", (done with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles), is still good; it just doesn't shine as brightly as other tracks. Funny thing is, "Hello" is over all one of my favorite Lionel Richie tunes.
Again, if you aren't a Lionel Richie fan, you may not like his latest offering. Those who are though should be very happy with "Tuskegee".
April 14, 1962 was an historical day for the Portland Zoo, in Portland, Oregon. That was the day Belle, an elephant at the zoo, gave birth to a baby boy.
This elephant wasn't any ordinary new addition to the zoo however, this baby was special, not just in Portland, but all over the nation. This baby was the first Asian elephant to be born in the western hemisphere in 44 years.
From the time news of Belle's impending delivery was made public, it was the talk of the town and the entire United States. All types of contests were held, and the hoopla continued through the birth and beyond.
Once the baby pachyderm was born, (weighing in at 225 pounds and 35 inches tall), a name was picked for him from thousands of public entries. The winning name was "Packy", submitted by Wayne French of Gresham, Oregon. French won a portable stereo for his contribution.
Another contest winner was Lucille Fraizer of St. Helens, Oregon. Fraizer wrote a song for the new elephant, that was later recorded by local celebrity, Heck Harper.
Every year since his birth, Packy has had a birthday party held in his honor at the zoo he was born and raised in. This year is especially important, since Packy turns the big 5-0 in 2012.
A lot has happened in the 50 years since Packy made his debut. The Portland Zoo was renamed Washington Park Zoo; then renamed it's current title of The Oregon Zoo.
Packy grew up to be one of, if not the, largest Asian elephant in captivity; and also fathered baby elephants of his own.
While the sensationalism surrounding Packy and his birth may have tapered off throughout the U.S. over the years, in Portland, Oregon Packy is still a big deal, and not just in size.
So, here's wishing Packy, the most famous elephant in captivity, a very happy birthday, and many more to come!
