Random Summer Thoughts
MON. 7/20/09 - Hello there. So - I took June off (and most of July), but whose got time to blog when you're trying to keep up with an 8 year old boy? Sometimes, I think he's got red bull in his veins, instead of blood. And he eats like a horse, now, too. Several times in the last month we sat down for a meal and he ate much more than I did. He's my little linebacker.
If you disagree with any of the following - please forgive me -but that's you're problem.
1) I don't know about you, but I'm really tired of all the road work and bridge construction going on in St. Cloud. I think I have a reasonable and affordable solution. Let's take half of all local law enforcement and have those officers do construction instead of police work. Sound crazy? Not really. In case you didn't know, WE HAVE WAY, WAY, WAY TOO MANY POLICE OFFICERS ON PATROL IN THE ST CLOUD AREA! Let's take half of them and get our bridge and roads done. The city won't go to shambles. We won't even notice. They're already getting paid their police salary. They might not like it - but that's how these officers can best serve our community. We don't need all of them writing tickets for going 50 in a 35 zone, if you know what I mean.
2) I won't talk too much sports, here, but - IF THE VIKINGS MAKE BRETT FAVRE THEIR QUARTERBACK IT IS GOING TO BE A COMPLETE DISASTER!!!!! Most Vikes fans may disagree with me, but the cold, hard, truth of the matter is this; he A) Is Washed Up - he stinks now, period. B) Is Not Healthy. C) Was bad last year. D) Is a horrible teammate
Just remember that you heard it here first - if the Vikes get Brett Favre - it's going to be ugly.
3) When did dating become so complicated? I was talking with a friend, who is about 17 years younger than I am, about dating nowadays. It used to be that when you liked a woman, you asked her to go out on a date. After a few dates, she was either your girlfriend, or she wasn't. Pretty simple and straight - forward stuff.
The entire process of courting a woman now, apparently, has at least three different stages.
The 'TALKING' STAGE - This is the initial 'we're just getting to know each other stage' - consisting only of very light and friendly e-mails, text messages, and phone conversation. Most men try to get past this stage as fast as possible!
The 'HANGING OUT' STAGE - This very important stage, is another that many men make the mistake of trying to rush through. 'HANGING OUT' means spending time together, going out on dates, but still without much physical affection. You're almost there....because finally....
The 'RELATIONSHIP' STAGE - This is when you are fully committed to that special someone (and hopefully they to you). There is intimacy, open and constant affection, and lots of "i love you's" every day.
Congrats - and enjoy it. Try to avoid that fourth stage that gets most of us........ The 'BREAK-UP' Stage....see you soon.
Kris Allen wins American Idol
THUR. 5/21/09 - Well, I hate to say "I told you so" - BUT I TOLD YOU SO! On Tuesday, I predicted an upset victory for Kris Allen, and that seemingly impossible victory came last night. Adam Lambert took the defeat very graciously, and why not. HE is the one who really emerged from Season 8 as a bona fide star. HE is the one that will be remembered and talked about - while Kris will be remembered as "the one who shouldn't have beaten Adam, but did."
This really was a longshot win for Kris Allen. If you read my blog below from April 8th, I had him ranked 7th out of the 8 remaining contestants at the time. He had been wildly inconsistent and was coming off of a terrible performance. It would've been no surprise if he would've gotten the 'boot' a month ago. The only good thing I had to say about him was that he was "a cute little guy". The nation must have agreed - because there isn't really any other way to explain how he could get more votes than someone who is obviously much more talented and deserving than he is.
Despite the final result (which I think makes a bit of a mockery of the entire season of the show), last night's A.I. was my favorite episode of the show, ever. The live performances were fantastic. Adam Lambert singing with KISS was awesome. Danny Gokey performing with Lionel Ritchie was terrific. Cyndi Lauper and Allison Iraheta did "Time After Time", one of the best 80's tunes of all time. I loved every performance, except for Rod Stewart. He looked really old and uncomfortable, almost lost, and he didn't sound very good, either. And I love Steve Martin - BUT WHAT WAS THAT? No more 'Idol' til January 2010. I wonder how many Kris Allen songs we'll be playing by then....
80's PROM this FRIDAY NIGHT!!!!
MON. 5/4/09 - The MIX 94.9 80's Prom is this Friday night, and I'm fired up! If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, there are only about 30 remaining, so you should probably stop reading and go get your tickets. Still with me? All right then, SWEET SIREN is our band - and you know they kick serious butt! We are going to have a fantastic time, for sure dude.
I'm having trouble deciding what to where, though. Probably not the most masculine sentence you've ever heard, I know. But seriously, I've narrowed it down to three choices.
1) The 'DON JOHNSON/ MIAMI VICE LOOK' - Do you even remember how ridiculously COOL Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas were back in the 80's? They were two smooth dudes - and you would be too, if you were constantly surrounded by drug dealers, guns, money, beautiful women, and crooked cops. Everything they wore was black, white, or grey. Do you remember those "suits" with the little shoulderpads? I'm thinking a grey one, with a white shirt, and one of those skinny ties we used to wear back then, black. Maybe a headband. I know you're feeling me.
2) The TRENDY/PREPPY LOOK' - This pretty much was my look in the 80's, that's why I'm leaning toward others. In high school, I wore my letterman's jacket just about every day. But underneath, were usually some GUESS jeans or LEVIS with the cuff of the pants rolled up a little bit. Certainly a POLO shirt. For shoes, could go with the checkered Vans or Pennyloafers (no socks), or the classic K-Swiss tennis shoes (with socks). Of course, headbands and/or wristbands were always an option.
3) The DEVO JUMPSUIT LOOK' - I'm really starting to like this idea because it seems the easiest. For a while in the early 80's, groups like DEVO and FLOCK OF SEAGULLS wore these one piece jumpsuits that were pretty cool. They were usually all one color, and had lots of zippers and pockets. Sometimes they had one big zipper in the front. But where do I find one of those things?
Oh well, GET YOUR TICKETS NOW - AND WORRY ABOUT YOUR OUTFIT LATER!
2 Get the 'BOOT' tonight on A.I.
WED. 4/22/09 - HAPPY EARTH DAY! Isn't it kind of weird that Earth Day didn't even exist when many of us were little. Apparently, it wasn't until the Clinton Administration that we realized that we all need to pitch in and take care of our planet together. To celebrate Earth Day - I came to work naked. So far, so good. To be fair, it IS a little cold in the building today, if you know what I'm saying.
Let's talk some IDOL! I don't know why Simon hates Lil Rounds soooooooooooooooo much. Thanks in large part to Simon, Lil is probably getting kicked off the show tonight - and I don't think she should go!
For my money (and there isn't much of it), the top three is pretty clear; Adam, Danny, and Allison. After that, anything goes. Chris Allen has been impressive in recent weeks and was very good last night, so he's probably safe. That leaves Matt, Anoop, and Lil. Matt should be gone, for sure. I'm going to root for Lil tonight, because I like her more than Anoop, even though the two of them have been moving in opposite directions in recent weeks.
By the way, props to our boy DANNY GOKEY for singing Earth, Wind & Fire's "September" - certainly the best song we heard last night.
Tonight is the return of last season's runner-up David (the little wienie) Archuleta. I think I'll watch the Twins for those five minutes....
American Idol Update!
WED. 4/8/09 - It's getting down to the "nitty gritty" on American Idol. Around here, we are all big fans of Danny Gokey. But he's going to really have to stay on top of his game if he's going to win. Here is how I size up the field right now. If you haven't watched 'Idol' yet this season, here's all you need to know to be up to speed.
1) ADAM - This guy is clearly the one to beat. He's a very versatile vocalist - and certainly the most polished entertainer of the group. The women, and the men, love him!
2) DANNY - Our boy has been very consistent, and the people and judges like his smooth, yet scruffy, voice. Still, will probably have to get better to catch ADAM, but the clear cut second choice.
3) ALLISON - Peter K says she has no chance to win - but I strongly disagree. She can sing her butt off; she can rock out, or be very soft and sweet. She's only 16 - but she's the real deal.
4) LIL - The judges are getting tired of having to remind LIL that she is an R & B artist. They ask her for Mary J. Blige and Rihanna - and she gives them Tina Turner and Celine Dion. She may be the best singer of the whole group, though, and if she gets her head together - she can still win.
5) MATT - This dude is very soulful, and he even looks a bit like Justin Timberlake. He's one dimensional, though, as anything other than a slow ballad he struggles with. I really like his voice, though, and so do the ladies!
6) ANOOP - He was great last night, but hasn't been very consistent overall. There is no question that he is fantastic vocally - but really has issues with his stage presence, definitely the worst of the remaining bunch. Like MATT, he is best when singing slow, soulful ballads....but that's about it.
7) KRIS - He sure is a cute little guy, and a good singer, but he's very up and down - and just happened to be terrible last night. Another with issues finding exactly who he is as an artist. Not in the same class as the top ones here, but he sure is a cute little guy.
8) SCOTT - It is becoming apparent that SCOTT is the one contestant left that has absolutely no shot to win. Everything he's done has sounded exactly the same. The judges have challenged him to "step it up". The problem is, he just can't. He will be a great Gospel/Christian artist - but not your American Idol.
WE'LL SEE WHO GETS THE BOOT TONIGHT!
Some Catching Up To Do
MON. 3/16/09 - So - I was right about the Super Bowl - but that was 6 weeks ago. Forgive me for the blogging hiatus, I really have no excuse. I certainly do appreciate all of you that have called my show and said things like, "Hey Ty, what's up with the Road Rage?" So, from now on, I will bring the Road Rage to you every Monday and Thursday. Twice a week. I promise.
Anyway, here's some of the 'highlights' (and I use that term EXTREMELY loosely) from my world since our last correspondence.
1) My son, Isaac, and I learned how to snowboard. Not surprisingly, he is much better at it than me. I did eventually figure out how to fall down without hurting myself, and that made the day much more pleasant. I got the hang of snowboarding one afternoon after a couple of cocktails. Funny how that works.
2) Been spending a lot of time at the Parkwood 18 in Waite Park. The Frosty Flix Kids Winter Movie Series was every Saturday morning - and I was there for the opening of "The Jonas Brothers 3D Experience". You should've seen Isaac (age 8) staring at all the young girls that were his age and even older. He is quite the ladies man, already. Absolutely fearless when it comes to talking to girls.
3) Valentines Day wasn't all that romantic. I believe me, the dog, and the cats, ordered a pizza that night. There was a lot of love that night - just not the kind a man is looking for on Valentines Day.
HAPPY ST PATTY'S DAY TOMORROW - STAY SOBER....(OK, WELL DO THE BEST YOU CAN!)
Ty's Super Bowl Prediction
FRI. 1/30/09 - OK, so even if you don't really care who wins the big game on Sunday, I'm going to give you a few things to watch out for (other than the commercials). A little insight to impress your friends with, or even better, maybe you can make a little money off of them. My first prediction is that someone at your Super Bowl party will be drunk several hours before the game. The game doesn't start until @ 5:30pm - so make sure that person isn't you. As for the game;
1) There is an old saying in football, "Defense wins championships". This has proven to be true year after year. The Steelers have the best "D" in the league, period. If Arizona cannot successfully run the ball (which I suspect), their offense becomes one-dimensional. Expect lots of pressure on Cards' QB Kurt Warner all night long.
2) While the Cardinals are the team with supposedly the better offense, I expect the Steelers will be the more explosive offense on this night. Pittsburgh will try to run the ball predominantly, but when they do throw, they go deep. Look for "Big " Ben Roethlisberger to make some big plays in the passing game, against the young and inconsistent Cardinals secondary.
3) A good start is an absolute must for the Cardinals. They are clearly the underdog, they are the lesser experienced team, and the crowd will be mostly black and gold. If this game is 14-0 Pittsburgh in the 1st quarter - you might as well go rent a movie - because the game is over!
The Cardinals had a great season. They've eclipsed all expectations had for them before the season. But it's about to strike midnight for Cinderella, if you know what I mean. If this was a horse race, I would handicap it by saying that the Steelers have a tremendous 'class advantage'. They are EXPECTED to be here, with their championship pedigree that goes back four decades.
Remember, you heard it here first. Final score; Steelers win 28-13
Happy New Year (better late than never)
WED. 1/7/09 - So, how many of your new years resolutions have you broken already? Me too. Pretty sad considering the new year is only one week old. Here's how my resolutions have worked out for me so far.
Res. #1 - Don't eat so much fast food.
The reality - I actually ate fast food twice ON NEW YEAR'S DAY! How's that for zero self discipline?
Res. #2 - Get to the gym and work out more - at least twice a week.
The reality - I have still yet to come within a 10 mile radius of the gym.
Res. #3 - Save money (be frugal, spend wisely).
The reality - Um....can I borrow $20 bucks?
Your Man's Christmas List
WED. 12/17/08 - Ladies, do you think you know what your man wants for Christmas this year? You probably do. But I have a list of things I guarantee he wants - and there is absolutely no shopping required! Now that I've gotten your attention, he wants;
1) You to never again ask him if a particular article of clothing 'makes you look fat'. If you ask - you already know the answer.
2) Please, don't make us watch any (I repeat, ANY) - reality TV shows. We hate them all, and rightfully so. The only thing that really qualifies as 'reality TV', is the news, or a live sporting event. So don't be surprised if I'm "busy", when you come get me to watch The Hills with you.
3) You to make him and his buddies a bunch of food for the big game on Sunday, but then leave while the game is on. He loves how you take such good care of him - but by you leaving - it allows him and his friends to be wildmen for a few hours. You will score a ton of points with this one!
4) Something new or different in the bedroom. Not that he has any complaints, but a little something special for him will prove to be memorable....he won't forget it!
5) To play his Wii, X-Box, PS3, or whatever the video game might be - whenever he wants and without being ridiculed. Hopefully, your man has his priorities straight, and if so, video games shouldn't be a problem. But vids are a release for us, so be tolerant, after all - a little John Madden never hurt anybody.
6) The obligatory night out with the boys. No questions asked. He's your man, you should trust him, so let him go hang out with his buddies. Period.
7) Stop dropping hints about marriage, kids, the future, etc. He loves you, therefore, you'll be the first to know when he wants to approach any of those topics.
8) And finally, he wants you in a Santa hat - and nothing else. Yeah baby! Happy Holidays........
Happy Thanksgiving
WED. 11/26/08 - Tomorrow is Thanksgiving - so I just wanted to wish everyone a good one. I always liked Thanksgiving, because it's a day when the entire family comes together....TO EAT! You ever notice what a good mood everybody is in on Thanksgiving Day? We all have a lot to be thankful for. When I was younger, I would always give thanks that I didn't have to help with the dishes. But now, as a grown up, I am thankful for many things. I'm sure your list is similar.
1) My son - Nothing is more important than our children, right? I am so thankful that he is healthy, smart, and gets along great with other kids. He is a very good boy (just like his daddy was!).
2) The job - Let's be honest - I have a great job. I would do this for nothing (but don't tell my boss that, because I'm basically doing it for nothing right now)! I do love it here in St. Cloud.
3) Family & Friends - Their aren't very many of us left in my family, but we are all very close and supportive of each other. Many of my closest friends live far away, but I have made many new friends since I've been here.
4) Health - While my overall health has been a concern at times (type 1 diabetic), I have come to realize that my situation is a managable one. There are many people much worse off than I am, and I am very thankful for my health nowadays.
5) My Pets - These guys could've been put under the category of 'family', because to many of us our pets are just as important as any family member. I spend A LOT of time playing, grooming, and talking to my animals. It's a bit of a zoo at home, but I wouldn't know what to do without my dog (Liberty) or my four cats (Haven, Toby, Lyric, & Famous Dave).
I hope you have much to be thankful for, as well. Happy Thanksgiving!
A Question of Kissing
MON. 11/10/08 - So here is the question. Should a guy ASK PERMISSION for that first kiss - or should he just GO FOR IT? I got into a very heated discussion on this topic this past weekend with a friend of mine.
His thought was that the proper thing to do was to ask for permission before going in for the big kiss. This shows that you are polite and respectful. Also, there was a question of the timing of the kiss - maybe she's not ready for it. No man wants to go in for the kiss, and have a woman pull away from him, that would be a 'worst case scenario'. So, in his opinion, the safe and appropriate thing to do is to make sure the kiss is welcomed by asking for her permission.
I completely disagree. Here is the bottom line. A man should be able to pick up on a woman's signals - her body language, facial expressions, voice inflection - to determine whether the kiss is appropriate. A guy should know by the end of a date (actually, way before then) whether or not she wants you to kiss her, or not. Plus, women are attracted to men who are decisive. So put your arms around her, pull her in close, look her in the eyes, and give her the best that you got! That's what I suggest.
And after you get that first kiss (and hopefully a second and third, and so on), be content with that. Don't assume or insist that the night should find it's way into a bedroom, or hotel room somewhere. She knows you want more than just a kiss, and chances are that she does, too. So be patient, and be a gentleman.
But that first kiss - JUST LAY IT ON HER!!!!!
Happy Halloween
FRI. 10/31/08 - Happy Halloween everyone! Make sure to have a fun and safe Halloween tonight. I will be down in St. Paul with my little ninja (he always wants to be something violent). Don't eat too much of your kids candy - even though I understand the Reeses P.B. Cups, Butterfinger's, and mini Snickers are all very desirable. Have fun with the kids this weekend!
Pound Puppy Makes Good
THUR. 10/30/08 - There was a police officer in Florida, that was told by his superiors that there was no money in their budget for a narcotics dog. So he came up with an idea, though most of his fellow officers thought it was crazy. He went to the local pound and adopted a dog - a cute, 11 month old black lab mix that he named 'Rezadu'.
The officer trained the dog for 12 weeks - and the dog was nationally certified in August. This is a terrific story, and it made me wonder something. I have a lab mix at home and I wonder if my pooch could be a police dog.
Then again, her nickname is "Stupid Dog" - so I doubt there is any police work in her future.
How to save $9,000 a Year
THUR. 10/23/08 - Yesterday on the show, I told you how Money Magazine gave us 6 things to do that would save us almost $9,000 a year. Included in that list was; shopping strategically (using a strict list and coupons), avoiding the morning trip to Starbuck's, and buying generic products at the grocery store. All good ideas (even though some items I just can't buy generic), but for me to save NINE GRAND A YEAR - I would have to do much more than that.
Here are the Top 5 ways that Ty James would save $9,000 a year. Easier said than done.
1) Cut back on the FAST FOOD. This is a huge one for me, being a single guy that can cook, but would usually rather not. I hate doing dishes, too. I don't even want to think about how much money I spend in one year on fast food.
2) Don't go to THE BAR. I don't go out to the bars very often, because I'm a complete lightweight when it comes to drinking. However, when I do go out, I always manage to spend way more than I intended. If you only go out once a week, that still adds up to several hundred per month.
3) One word - ELECTRONICS. CD's, DVD's, video games, etc. Many of us are suckers for this kind of stuff.
4) DESSERTS & Sweets. I can't help it, I have a sweet tooth. I need dessert every night (not good for a diabetic). And, God forbid there be donuts, cookies, muffins, or cupcakes in the lunchroom. If I didn't buy so much sweet stuff, I'd save a lot of $.
5) My boy, ISAAC. Yeah, I have to admit, I spoil my son rotten. He gets just about everything he asks (or whines) for. Pitiful, isn't it? But we're suppose to spend our $ on our kids, right? And he's such a good boy....
When We Knew The Election Was Over
THUR. 10/16/08 - It was January of this year, when a friend of mine asked me if I was interested in 'betting' on who would win the presidential election. Being the gambling man that I am sometimes known to be, I went on-line to check out what the odds on this type of event would be. Keep in mind, this was when the Democratic nomination was still very much up for grabs, while John McCain was basically running unchallenged. This was 10 months before Election Tuesday;
Barack Obama - 4/5 - $10 bet = $18
Hillary Clinton - 8/5 - $10 bet = $26
John McCain - 6/1 - $10 bet = $70 !!!!!!!
Without going into all of the mathematics - These odds were basically telling the whole world that John McCain had NO CHANCE! Whoever won between Obama and Clinton was going to win the general election, FOR SURE! The oddsmakers in Las Vegas would've never made McCain such a longshot if he had any chance to win. 5/2 or 3/1 perhaps, but not 6 to 1. That's just way too much. The guys that make these odds are not in the business of giving money away. They clearly saw this as a two-horse race.
We've still got two weeks until the election, and I suppose anything can happen. They say "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings". Well - I think I can hear her warming up!
Mistakes Men Make
FRI. 10/10/08 - Yesterday on the show, we discussed the "Top 10 Mistakes men make when approaching a woman." I found it interesting. Here goes a little "Relationship 101", Ty James style.
1) Don't invade her space. It is natural for a woman to be a bit on her guard when she first meets you. Don't be in such a hurry to be all 'touchy feely'. Remember, a woman knows within 10 seconds of meeting you, whether she would be 'affectionate' with you, or not. Just the fact that you're on a date, is probably a good sign as far as that goes. Women don't go out with men they're NOT attracted to. Women hate the proverbial 'octopus'. Be patient, and the physical stuff will develop naturally.
2) Don't Lie. - This is a really hard one for most guys (especially young guys), and I think it just comes down to maturity. Eventually, a man will reach a point in his life when he realizes that the object of the game is to find the right one person. That only comes through complete honesty and openness. Many guys will start lying to a woman as soon as the conversation begins. Not very wise. Nothing good will ever materialize from a relationship that is based on things or beliefs that are false.
3) Be A Gentleman. - This really should go without saying, but women despise a man who is constantly making sexual jokes, references, comments, etc. Most women also don't really want to hear about how 'studly' or 'big' a guy is. But still, many men (especially if alcohol is involved) can't help but to sabotage any chance they may have had with a gal, by coming on way too strong. Real 'studs' don't need to talk a big game.
Ty's Election Central
WED. 10/8/08 - I will be the first to admit that when it comes to politics, I consider myself a novice. And while I am technically neither a Democrat nor a Republican, I am very interested in how this particular election turns out. We have two candidates that are in many ways, complete opposites, and, they seem to genuinely dislike each other very much.
The polls say that Barack Obama is going to win. That may or may not be the case. But ask yourself this, how much does it really matter who wins? How much is your particular life going to change? I bet you'll still have to get up and go to work in the morning, if you know what I mean. This is the best election of my lifetime, because I don't think there is a bad choice. Of course, I have a preference. But the truth is;
1) Barack Obama is unlike anyone we've seen before. Young, energetic, charismatic, brilliant, and black. How about that? Is America ready for a black president? Should be. If minorities and college students come out to vote, this election won't be close. This guy talks about, and promises, change. Impactful and immediate change. Sounds good - I'm willing to give him a chance - hopefully if he wins, he can 'walk the walk'. But....
2) John McCain would be a terrific president, as well. Is there anyone who loves America more than John McCain. His age is a concern, not to mention the embarrassing and regrettable V.P. choice of Sarah Palin. However, he is infinitely qualified to run our nation, which he has served honorably for most of his life. Nobody is going to 'pull the wool' over John McCain's eyes, and he strikes me as a man we can trust. Does he represent more of the same, though? It's a fair question....
Crush on who?
TUES. 10/7/08 - You never really know who you're going to develop a little (or quite large) crush on. Even if you are married, it is entirely possible to have feelings for someone else. Many people are disciplined enough to not act on those feelings, many are not. Statistically speaking, we Americans consistently have crushes on two people;
1) The brother/sister of one of our good friends
2) A teacher or instructor
In all honesty, I've never had a crush on a teacher. However, I have had a lot of friends that had good looking sisters. I seem to have crushes on women that I don't really even see that much. The gal at the bank. One of the nurses at my doctor's office. A bartender at a local establishment. A certain local politician. The brunette that works in the produce department. You just never know....
Fortune Cookie Analysis
WED. 10/1/08 - When you go out for Chinese food, do you eat your fortune cookie? I don't, but I know many people do. Many times our fortune inside the cookie is a very straight forward message like, "Soon you will encounter a great financial opportunity", or "Soon you will meet someone very special".
But sometimes fortune cookies aren't so easy to understand. Here are a few that I've seen recently (I love Chinese food). These are actual fortune cookies, along with the Ty James translation.
1) Emotional baggage can be heavy - carry only what you need.
Translation - Life is too short to worry about mistakes you've made in the past. Forgive yourself, and move on. But learn from your mistakes.
2) A lie has speed, but the truth has endurance.
Translation - Telling a lie might seem like a good idea at the time, but it rarely is, and will often come back to bite you in the butt. By telling the truth, we gain respect and credibility, and our mind is more at ease knowing we don't have to continue covering something up.
3) You can't plow a field by turning it over in your mind.
Translation - Whatever it is you're thinking about doing - GO FOR IT! You'll never know if it's going to work until you take action. Thinking about it ain't doing it! Sometimes it takes a lot of guts to make a move, but if you've been thinking seriously about it, then you know in your heart that its probably the right thing to do.
The Truth About Spending $
THUR. 9/25/08 - Women lie to us men about how much they spend. This has been proven. The average American woman only tells her 'significant other' of about 65% of what she buys. That's a lot that we don't know about, guys!
Ahhhhh, but we can do it, too! That's right - we don't always tell you exactly what we did with our cash, either. We usually aren't out getting into any trouble, we just don't tell you to avoid possible conflict. That way we didn't lie - we just didn't tell you. Get it? Anyway, women spend their money on themselves, and so do we. Here's what you ladies might not know about. Men spend way more money than you might think;
1) At the bar - This is really just part of being a man - and some women are more tolerant of this than others - but men always spend more at the bar then they intend to. Think about it, a guy will go out with the intention of 'having a couple', but what usually happens? You see a few buddies - they buy a couple rounds, you buy a couple rounds, you get a bite to eat, you start watching the ballgame, etc. Before you know it, you've been there three hours and dropped $100. Then you go home and say you spent $40.
2) Gambling - Whether it's at the casino, a friends house for a poker game, pull tabs, or even the office football pool, men don't like to admit how much money they lose while gambling. It's a pride thing. You see, gamblers think they know what they're doing. So it's very hard to justify that when they lose. We know the truth, but we don't necessarily want anyone else to. Whatever your man tells you he lost at the casino - you should assume the actual amount is at least double that.
3) Food - Men like to eat out. That said, there's nothing better than a woman who is a good cook. Still though, men eat 10 times more fast food than women - and we spend way more at lunch than you know, especially when we go out with co-workers. You can send me to work with a bagged lunch from home - but I'll still end up getting a cheeseburger from somewhere.
4) Electronics - Have you ever asked your man, "When did you get that"? Probably. And you were referring to a new CD, video game, or cell phone gadget of some kind, more than likely. The main reason we don't tell you about these things, is because we are counting on the fact that you won't notice. We also don't like to be told to "grow up", as video games especially irritate many women.
Contract With Your Child?
WED. 9/24/08 -- I was reading yesterday that many parents today are having their children sign 'contracts' with them. The contract the child signs would say something to the effect of;
"By signing this contract, I promise to; not smoke, not do drugs, abstain from sex, etc."
You know, all the things that parents worry about. This might sound like a good idea at first, especially if you have a child who is extremely mischievous. You could put 'incentives' and 'rewards' in the contract, to really encourage the desired behavior. But then I started thinking - do I really want to be signing contracts with my kids? That just seems unnatural for a father and son.
My son and I are inseperable. We talk very openly (sometimes too openly) about everything. He is only 8, but you would be surprised the things he hears and inquires about. I hope that we will always talk about our issues. I don't ever want to approach him with a contract of some kind, and say to him, "Here son, I need you to sign this."
What do you think, parents? Anyone had success with having your child sign a contract with you? Let me know at tyjames@mix949.com.
Healthy? Be Very Thankful!
MON. 9/22/08 -- On Saturday I was fortunate enough to emcee the National Kidney Foundation's first ever St. Cloud Kidney Walk. I immediately realized how lucky I am to be relatively healthy. Their were alot of people sharing their stories of triumph, and tragedy. At times, there was not a dry eye in the park, me included. There were dialysis patients, donors, transplant recipients, volunteers, medical professionals, and lots of families. I've been to many of these benefit type of events - but I've never felt the 'togetherness' that there was on Saturday. It really felt like I was there with 220 of my brothers and sisters.
If you have a healthy family, then hopefully you give thanks for that in some way. If it is through prayer, I would encourage you to pray for those who are less fortunate. I sincerely hope to see all of the same faces, and many other new faces, at this event next year.
Bad Relationship? Get Out!
THUR. 9/18/08 -- It has been brought to my attention that a couple of my friends are extremely unhappy in the relationship that they are in. As someone who suffered through 4 years of a horrible marriage, you can probably imagine what my advise to those people was. Get out! ASAP - Get out! You may think it's not that simple - but it actually is. Take it for what it's worth....Here is the first installment of Ty James' Relationship 101.
1) Feelings in a relationship are never as strong as they are the first time around. Basically, this means that if things don't work out the first time - they never will. There's absolutely no point in trying to get back together with someone, ever. You already know it doesn't work. Think about it - when you get back together with someone a second and third time, do you really have the passion, or more importantly, the trust, that you felt the first time? No. We all deserve to be happy. You only live once. You can do much better.
2) To quote a song by the great Roberta Flack - Where is the love? And by love I mean affection. When a relationship is strong, there is a lot of affection. I don't just mean sex. I mean lots and lots of hugs, kisses, cuddling, i love you's, the whole bit. Along with that should be the occasional card or bouquet of flowers, for no reason at all. Most guys aren't too good at that type of stuff - but we all want the "sugar", if you know what I mean. When the physicality of the relationship dies, the next thing to go is the relationship itself. Which leads to my third point....
3) Don't Kid Yourself - You know when it's Over. It may be hard to accept, but really, it's just part of life. As we get older, people in our life come and go. That's just the way it is. Don't stay in a bad situation thinking "I'll never find anyone else". Yes, you will. But you'll never find your 'soulmate' if you stay with that person whom you know is not.
Random (but funny) thoughts for a Wednesday
WED. 9/17/08 -- You've probably heard that Hulk Hogan is going through a divorce right now. So to help him with his 'grief therapy', he now has a new girlfriend. There's nothing wrong with that. He's movin' on. But here's the thing - his new young gal looks exactly like his daughter, Brooke. Am I the only one who is a bit freaked out by this? Could you be romantically involved with someone that looks exactly like one of your children? Me neither.
-- In London, a police chief is about to lose his job for wearing an inappropriate costume to a party. He dressed up as Osama Bin Laden to a party on September 11th. Yes, he decided to be Osama Bin Laden on 9/11. Very poor judgement, indeed. I don't know if he deserves to have his career go up in flames because of it, though. Some people would be very offended - others would think it was really funny.
-- Do you know what Robert De Niro, Phil Collins, Jack the Ripper, Bill Clinton, and Joan of Arc all have in common? They are all left-handed.
-- No matter when you were born - you share your birthday with @ 19 million people world wide.
When Women Attack
TUES. 9/16/08 -- Has anyone else noticed all of the stories lately about women attacking their husband/boyfriend? Making matters even stranger, these are not women that have been abused. These are not women who have been neglected. These are, however, women who were mad enough to try to kill their significant other. Crazy, or just in need of heavy medication? You decide.
1) A woman in Texas stabbed her boyfriend in the back and chest 11 times with an antique sword. Not the scissors, not a steak knife. A 3 foot long sword. She was really mad, apparently. So what did her man do to deserve the trip to the ER? HE FORGOT TO DO THE DISHES! And he really didn't even forget. He dusted and vacuumed the house, did the laundry, and was taking a break when she came home. Neighbors said they heard him screaming "Please don't kill me, baby, I'll do the dishes." I hate to laugh at another man's pain - but that's hilarious.
2) In New York City, a woman was fed up with her husband's obsession with the New York Yankees. After warning him several times that she felt the baseball team was more important than she was to him, she devised a way to assure he'd never watch another ballgame. She put together a concoction consisting of various household cleaners, various perfumes, air freshener, and whatever else she could find. She got her man drunk. When he passed out, she lifted up his eyelids, and SPRAYED THE STUFF DIRECTLY INTO HIS EYES. He did not go blind, but his vision was severely damaged, needless to say. That's pure evil.
3) A Florida woman wanted her husband to go to church with her, as was their routine every Sunday morning. He didn't feel well, and asked her if he could sit this Sunday out. Bad idea. When she came home, she found him asleep on their bed, with an adult magazine at his side. SHE BOILED A HUGE POT OF WATER AND DUMPED IT ON HIM! He nearly died, and guess which part of him she made sure to burn the worst? You guessed it, his 'manhood'. A little aggressive, don't you think?
So ladies, before you try to kill or do significant bodily harm to us - think it through. Please, don't overreact like the 3 examples above. I don't want my tombstone to say; "Here lies Ty James, tragically shot to death by his girlfriend when he forgot to bring home kitty litter."
Rainy Day Didn't Bother the Dogs
MON. 9/15/08 -- This past Saturday, the Tri County Humane Society had their annual fundraising event at Wilson Park. Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided not to cooperate with us. It rained steadily all afternoon long. Many of the contests and events had to be cancelled, and we were forced to spend most of the day inside the pavillion.
Despite all of that, we had a terrific time, especially all of the dogs. Dogs are very social creatures. They love meeting other dogs and new people - and I witnessed several dogs having a great time frolicking in the rain. I admit, it was not as much fun for us people that were getting downpoured on, but the dogs were having fun. I love this event because I got to meet a lot of people, and we all had one thing in common - our love for our pets. Some of us are obsessed with our animals. Many of us really do love our dog more than most of the people in our lives.
If you are one of those that have a dog - but you don't let it in the house or on your furniture - then you don't understand what I'm talking about. If you never treat your pooch to 'people food' - then you don't know where I'm coming from, either. If your dog is stuck in a kennell all day while you're at work - shame on you. If you don't love it when your dog licks you in the face - what's wrong with you?
And most importantly, you have to be affectionate with your pet. You must, just like with a child. Would you have a child that was two years old that never got hugs and kisses? Would you only speak to your child, when you wanted him/her to sit, or stay? Hopefully not. The pets in your home should be treated just like family - because to a lot of us - they are. Have you ever noticed how happy your animals are to see you when you come home from work? That's because they love you. That love should always be reciprocated.
P.S. Remember, too, that you never have to hit or spank your pet. Just raising your voice is enough to scare them into changing their behavior. Be patient - like you would with a child. WOOF!!!!
Ty's Best Ever - 80's Love Songs
THUR. 9/11/08 -- A great man once said, "They don't write 'em like that anymore". All right, it was Greg Kihn, and I really have no idea if he was a great man, or not. But you could apply that little phrase to love songs nowadays. They don't move me like the love songs of the soulful 70's, and my decade, the 80's.
So let's take a little stroll down memory lane, back to the days when those of you that are my age were in Junior or Senior High School. Back to when slow dancing was important. Back to the 80's. I've come up with 4 favorites of mine. These were guaranteed to get a young man some 'affection' back in the day - if you know what I mean. Perfect for "landing the booty". What? That's a pirate reference. Here we go....
1) Ready For The World / Tonight (1985) - Do you remember RFTW? Nobody in the history of mankind could make two teenagers horny, faster than RFTW. Just about every song they ever recorded is about love, romance, sex, etc. This was their first single from their first album - but it epitomizes what these guys were all about. Gettin' some.
2) DeBarge / Time Will Reveal (1983) - If you're an 80's fan, you have to remember DeBarge. This song was the first single off their third album. Sweet vocals and sweeter lyrics. "What can I do to make you feel secure? Remove all your doubts - so that you know for sure". That's just the first line. These guys were SMOOTH.
3) Duran Duran / Save A Prayer (1982) - I always thought this was one of the best Duran Duran songs, ever (perfect for making out). This is a perfect song for the hypnotizing vocals of Simon LeBon, certainly one of the best frontmen, ever. This is a song about a guy finally getting his chance to be with the woman he loves - but it's only for one night - then she's gone. Ahh, the agony! "Don't say a prayer for me now, save it 'till the morning after." Good stuff.
4) Wham / Careless Whisper (1984) - Probably the song on my list you are most familiar with, right? You can say what you want about George Michael, but he can sing his butt off. There's no question that he wreaked of sexiness back in the 80's, and this song is still a mainstay on popular radio. Even though it's a song about cheating - we still love it.
Just so we are all clear, the greatest love song of all time, is Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" in 1973. Send me your list of best 80's love songs at tyjames@mix949.com. Stay out of the rain...
Ty's Favorite Local Bands
WED. 9/10/08 -- Every weekend here in the St. Cloud area, we have a wide variety of local music at our disposal. Lucky for me, my two favorite bands in the area, are groups that I get to see regularly working for Mix 94.9. I always know that I'm in for a real good time when I get to see Sweet Siren or Brat Pack Radio. Benton Station in Sauk Rapids is usually the venue.
SWEET SIREN - This is the band formerly known as "Suicide Blonde", and they have developed quite a following wherever they may play in Minnesota. The core of the band have been together for many years, and the 'tightness' of their sound is evidence of that. Relatively new to the group is lead singer, Carolyn, and her vocals will blow you away. Another thing I love about these guys is that they will play all night long. While most bands will play 1 or 2 sets at a gig, Sweet Siren plays 3. It's obvious that these guys love what they do. Favorites of mine include Journey's "Separate Ways", Gretchen Wilson's "Here for the Party", and Finger Eleven's "Paralyzer". My #1 fave from Sweet Siren, though, is their perfect version of No Doubt's "Hella Good".
You can see SWEET SIREN this Saturday night (9/13) - Benton Station in Sauk Rapids - 10pm
MIX 94.9 will be there!
BRAT PACK RADIO - It's all 80's all the time with Brat Pack Radio. If you are about my age (I graduated from high school in '88), then there is a good chance you will know and love just about every song they play. They truly represent the best in 80's music, and the most impressive element of their shows is the terrific variety of the music. From Wang Chung's "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" - right into the very soulful "Easy Lover" by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey. You'll hear all your favorites; Madonna, Prince, Duran Duran, Hall & Oates, Wham, etc. It's hard to pick a favorite when you know and remember every song - but if I had to pick one - it would be their version of Sheila E.'s "Glamorous Life" - a definite party starter!
You can see Brat Pack Radio on Saturday (9/20) - Benton Station in Sauk Rapids - 10pm
MIX 94.9 will be there!
It could be a long one, Vikes fans!
TUES. 9/9/08 -- If you are a fan of 'The Purple', as many of us are, there are a couple of things that I suggest you start to accept right now. It's gonna hurt - but the sooner that we accept these truths - the easier our lives will be. Remember, don't shoot the messenger. (Ladies, when you hear guys talking football and you want to get their attention - blurt out any of the following, and they'll be very impressed)
1) The Vikings offense is terrible because it is not WELL-BALANCED. A team needs to be able to run and throw. The Vikes can run. But even a talent like Adrian Peterson won't be able to do much if we can't pass. It's not just the QB Jackson's fault, either. Oh, he's bad all right, but his receivers are, too. Got to have faith in Jackson because the two other QB's behind him really stink!
2) The "D" is not nearly as good as it was hyped up to be. The Vikings defense is still very vulnerable to the pass. If they don't get pressure on QB's, they will get shredded by any team in the league.
3) The Vikings are not as good as the Packers (obviously), and may not be as good as the Bears, either. Chicago's win over the Colts was the most impressive, and surprising, result of the opening weekend. If they're good like they were a few years ago, that's not good.
4) Playoffs? I think not....
In Case You Missed the VMA's
MON. 9/8/08 -- I will admit, the only reason I watched MTV's Video Music Awards show last night was because I was all football'd out. I didn't even think MTV played music videos anymore. Seriously. I never see them when I'm flipping the channels around. I thought the weird, British guy was pretty good as the host, even though I had no idea who he was. I was unfamiliar with some of the acts, too. I wouldn't recognize neither Lil' Wayne, T-Pane,T.I., nor Tokio Hotel, if they were sitting on my lap (but I would call security). I do have some comments on the people that I did recognize, however.
1) Britney Spears looks fantastic! She was obviously a little nervous at times, but she did just fine. She won some awards, but she looked terrific. She is so talented and still so young. I am predicting a big Britney comeback in the very near future.
2) Does anyone hate men more than Pink? Certainly not. Her new song "So What", goes right into the "manbasher" column, just like every other Pink song we know and tolerate. It was very funny watching her beat guys up as she made her way to the stage. She really wrote a song called "You and Your Hand"! I better stop.
3) That Jonas Brothers song SUCKED! BAD! I was looking forward to seeing those guys because my son (who is 7) loves them. I'm sure they're very talented young men. I hear that they are very good, humble guys, as well. So I'll take it easy on the JoBros, for now. But that song last night was terrible, no question.
4) Speaking of things that sucked - DID YOU SEE KID ROCK ? I think Kid Rock is the luckiest man in the entire world. He can't sing, can't write, and is not a very good looking dude, either (Have you seen his teeth up close? Whoa!). He has been with beautiful women, and is filthy rich. Have you ever heard a Kid Rock song that didn't involve the sampling of some other song? Me neither. He stinks....
Feel free to agree or disagree anytime at tyjames@mix949.com
5 CD's I Will Love Forever
FRI. 9/5/08 -- Let's face it, music helps us get through life. I suppose we could live without it, but none of us would want to. I've come up with five cd's that I have determined I can't live without. I've given this serious thought. These are all albums from the past, but ones that I still listen to regularly. If you don't have one, or any, of these in your collection, you probably should. Here we go, in no particular order. Enjoy!
1) U2 / The Joshua Tree (1986) - The very best album by my very favorite band. What else really needs to be said. This is the album that made them. Vocally, lyrically, and musically - we have never heard anything that compares to this. There is not a bad song on the album. Genious personified.
2) Journey / Escape (1981) - There has never been a frontman like Journey's Steve Perry. Unbelievable vocals combined with good old American rock n' roll. Who doesn't love "Don't Stop Believing"? I've known every word on this album for almost 30 years.
3) Beatles / Revolver (1966) - By 1966, The Beatles were no longer a bubble gum pop group. They were constantly experimenting with all kinds of things - not the least of which was their sound. From the sweetest of love songs, to definite political commentary, The Beatles hold nothing back. This is the album right before the "Sgt. Pepper" album. If you have heard of The Beatles, but are unfamiliar with their music, check out Revolver. It is true, by the way, that The Beatles started everything....
4) Bob Marley & the Wailers / Uprising (1980) - This is the album that made me fall in love with reggae music. Noone sounds as good as the legendary Bob Marley, who unfortunately died less than a year after this album was released. Focusing on life's struggles, poverty, and the belief in a higher power - this album is lyrically fascinating - and you will be groovin' all night long, too.
5) The Smashing Pumpkins / Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness (1995) - Billie Corgan is one talented dude! As lead singer and primary songwriter for the 'Pumpkins', he created this double CD, their third studio album. There are a few ballads, but this album is packed with energy. This is the CD that I put on when I'm in a bad mood - or if I need to get FIRED UP! The Smashing Pumpkins ROCK, period!
Have a great weekend!
3 Things Women Do That I Hate....
THUR. 9/4/08 -- Women! You can't live with 'em, you can't live without 'em. Let me first say that I respect and appreciate all women. I was raised by a mom, an aunt, and a grandmother. I was an only child, so I may have been a little spoiled. OK - I was spoiled rotten - but still, I've always had lots of 'girl' friends, and my share of girlfriends, too. I am a very laid back, positive person. I am the kind of guy, that generally speaking, is fairly easy to have a relationship with.
However, there are three things that I think every woman must understand. At least, if she wants to have anything to do with me. Here goes....
1. Don't be the "jealous type"! If we are a couple, then we are together - even when we are apart. You either trust me or you don't. And if you don't - let's break-up right now! I don't ever want to be bombarded with any of the following; "where have you been?" - "why are you late?" - "who were you with?" - "how many women were there?", etc.
If you are a woman that finds yourself asking your man these questions regularly, either;
a) your relationship is in bad shape
b) or there is something seriously wrong with YOU!
Women who are the "jealous type", usually will scare all the good men away in a matter of months.
2. YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO LET ME HANG OUT WITH MY FRIENDS. This cannot be over-stated enough. This is very important to us ladies, seriously! Watching the game on Sunday with you - is not as much fun as watching it with my buddies. That's just the way it is. Don't be mad or offended. If I have certain nights that I go play cards, or days when I may play golf, or if I'm on a bowling team - you had better be OK with all of that.
That said - if there is one of my friends that you really don't like, let's talk about it. If there are any problems you might have with my activities, they should be discussed, too. But remember this; If you are tolerant of him doing things with his friends, he is infinitely more likely to be completely honest with you reguarding what he does with them. No lies. That's always a good thing!
3. Like John Mayer says, "Say what you need to say!". DON'T SPEAK IN CODE. Please, please, please. If something is wrong - SPIT IT OUT! Don't drop me subtle little hints, hoping that I can read your mind. Don't make me try to figure it out. Just say it. Directly to me. So that you know 'I get it'.
The best time to address an issue is either over a meal, or right before bed. Whatever it is, we want to fix it. You may have to start the process, but we want you to be happy.
Hey, with a marriage as bad as mine was, I know a thing or two about being miserable. So, speaking directly from experience, please take my free advise to heart, ladies.
Pets In Heaven
WED. 9/3/08 -- Do our pets join us in the afterlife? You could go back and forth on this one all day long. I've heard both, yes, and no. If it is, in fact true, that 80% of us believe in some kind of afterlife - and 68% of us have pets of some kind - that means there's a lot of people out there (me included) that are probably hoping the first face that greets them on the 'other side' is that of a dog or a cat.
I believe in Heaven and Hell. I don't think that any animals are born bad, nor do I believe that animals have the capacity to be evil. Therefore, I must go with the belief that there are no animals in Hell. Lots of people, but no animals. Here's where it gets a little dicey.
If God (whichever one you happen to believe in) lets pets into Heaven to be with us, does he let ALL of them in? Where do you draw the line? A guy might have 20 dogs in his life, but only really have loved a couple of them. What do you do there? It seems like an 'all or nothing' kind of deal. Or does God know which ones we especially loved. Probably, I mean, he is God. My pets are an enormous part of my life, as I'm sure yours are to your life. I'm going to believe that along with my family and loved ones, I'll also be reunited with Liberty, and the rest of my four-legged family, when the time comes.
So when they bury me with a little plastic bag in my pocket - that's just so I can take my dog for a walk when I get to Heaven.
Thoughts for a wet Tuesday
TUES. 9/2/08 -- I've been in Minnesota long enough to know by now. I am somewhat forgetful by nature, and I have killed off my share of brain cells in my life. But yesterday - I forgot to roll the windows up on my jeep before I turned in for the evening. So, of course, it rained all night long! My seat behind the wheel was so drenched that I decided to wear my swimming trunks to work today - thus, pushing our 'casual' dress code to the absolute limit.
But seriously, our rain we had was not that bad. Let's all remember to say an extra prayer tonight for our brothers and sisters down in Louisiana and throughout the Gulf Coast.
Labor Day Weekend
FRI. 8/29/08 -- So Labor Day weekend is suppose to represent the end of Summer, huh? Well that's just great. To this California boy - that means that snow is right around the corner. However, it's going to be a nice weekend, so let's forget all that talk about snow. Here are a few outdoor ideas for you this weekend.
1) Canterbury Park - If you've never been to the horse races, you owe it to yourself to make a visit to Canterbury Park in Shakopee. When you ask someone if they want to go to the 'track', the usual response is "I can't afford to lose any money." To that I say, who can? But a day at the races doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg if you're smart. Have fun with it. Chances are, you will pick a winner or two. The great thing about betting on horses is that you can lose seven or eight races in a row - and then make it all back and then some, just by picking one winner. If you pick more than three, you just may find yourself on the road to financial freedom.
2) MN State Fair - It's the last weekend of the MN State Fair down in St. Paul. Yes, it will be a zoo. Yes, finding parking and then doing all that walking, will be miserable. Yes, the food, rides, and merchandise are all way too expensive. OK, maybe this isn't such a good idea.
3) Renaissance Festival - Remember - and this is super duper important - you can't go to the Renaissance Festival unless you go with me on the MIX 94.9 trip on Saturday Sept. 27th. I'm dead serious! All the info you need is on the homepage of our website.
4) Miniature Golf - Who doesn't love mini-golf? Truly a favorite of kids and grown-up kids, right? Just remember to let the kids win! Don't be so competitive, Dad.
5) Take the kids (and pets) to the park - This is certainly the least expensive of the five, and a nice afternoon or picnic in the park is just the kind of thing that every family needs more of. It might sound corny - but my favorite thing in the whole world to do is simply play ball with my son outside. You can't put a pricetag on that. It's all about forming that bond with your child. I'll admit, it kind of stinks that he never lets ME hit, though. I always have to pitch to him, he never lets me hit! That's ok, though, he is my 'lil slugger. Another favorite thing of ours to do is when he and I take our pooch for a nice, long, walk. This is often the time that he will tell me what's really on his mind, or of anything that might be concerning him. God bless, and have a terrific long weekend.
Convention Talk
THUR. 8/28/08 -- As someone who is registered neither as a Democrat, nor a Republican, I am still very interested in the political conventions. I like listening to the speeches of the various prominent party members, but I especially like the analysis afterward by all of the political TV 'experts'. Have you noticed how happy everyone looks at the convention? If I were a Democrat, I would be a little bit worried. Something about "counting your chickens before they hatch", comes to mind. It's been a terrific convention for them. They have the man that should be president. But this race is going to be very close. I will give the Democrats this, though, the music in Denver has been great. Melissa Etheridge yesterday, and Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, and Michael McDonald will all perform tonight. I do have two questions, though.
Q) With the exception of Sean Hannity, everyone I've seen on TV at the DNC has been EXTREMELY complimentary towards Barack Obama. Will it be the same for John McCain next week, or is there really that strong of an Obama bias in the media?
Q) The Democrats have pounded into our heads that the Bush administration has been a complete failure in several ways. They tell us that America has badly regressed in the last 8 years. So, next week in St. Paul, are the Republicans going to get up and praise the Bush administration? Are they going to tell us what a great president Bush was - and how America is better off now than 8 years ago?
I think John McCain has an uphill struggle ahead of him. It would be almost impossible for any Republican to have to follow George Bush, who is generally perceived as clueless on the issues, and is certainly one of the least intelligent presidents, ever. John McCain might make a fantastic president - I just don't think we'll get to find out. I don't care what the polls say - McCain is clearly the UNDERDOG in this race.
So, how is it that I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat? Well, many moons ago when I was a college student at San Diego State University, I was walking on campus and stumbled upon a beautiful girl sitting at a table. She was signing people up for the Green Party. I told her that if she would go on a date with me, I would join her party. She did - go out with me ONCE, that is - but I'm still a member of the Green Party all these years later.
New Haven Nonsense
WED. 8/27/08 -- I find this impossible to believe. In New Haven, Connecticut, a nine-year-old boy named Jericho Scott, has been kicked out of the New Haven Youth Baseball League. The reason; he is too good. That's right. Parents from kids on the opposing teams AND league officials actually called a meeting and unanimously voted to eject Jericho from the league. League officials plan on disbanding Jericho's team and will put the players on other teams. All except Jericho, who still can't play. A team in this league FORFEITED THE GAME when Jericho went to take the mound in the first inning. That is ridiculous.
Jericho was told that he could remain in the league, but only if he didn't pitch. That is equally ridiculous. It turns out, Jericho is not a great hitter, it's just that when he is on the mound, nobody can touch him. Keep in mind, neither this kid, nor his parents, did anything wrong here. They didn't cheat. They didn't even break a single rule of any kind. This is a boy who is obviously very gifted - but instead of developing that talent - the New Haven Youth Baseball League has oddly decided to eject and discard it.
It is not uncommon at this age, for there to be a kid "in the league" or "on the block" that is bigger or better than most of the others. Those of us that played little league, all remember that one kid who was really, really, good! I don't recall any games being forfeited because of that kid, though. Have you ever seen a basketball game forfeited because a kid was "too tall"? Or what about a football player who was "too fast"? How about a cheerleading or dance competition cancelled because a kid was "too good"? It just doesn't, and shouldn't, happen.
I'll go ahead and say what noone in the media has had the nerve to mention, but....this is an african-american boy in New Haven, CN. I'm no city developer - but I'd be willing to bet that there's not a whole lot of black folks in New Haven, CN. So, forgive me if I sense a definite racial element involved in this case. I'm just saying....
Football Fever
TUES. 8/26/08 -- It's about that time of year again. Sorry ladies, but in case you weren't aware, football season starts in 9 days. 70% of American men say that they "love" football, so chances are, your man is fired up right about now. If your man is passionate about football, or about a certain team, then there's a good chance that he plays 'fantasy football', as well. Unfortunately for you, this means not only will he want to watch every minute of his team when they're on TV, he'll also want to watch games that you will find completely meaningless. You will often find yourself asking him questions like, "Tell me again why we HAVE to watch the Seahawks against the 49ers?". Do you know why more couples separate in the months of November and December than any other months? Football season. Here's a little Q & A, ladies, to help you survive the next five months.
Q) Does my husband really love the Vikings (or whatever the team may be) more than me and the kids?
A) No. Of course not. But, for three hours every Sunday - that game might be more important than you and the kids! Look at it this way, there are 168 hours in a week, so giving him three of them probably wouldn't kill you.
Q) Why is football so important to him?
A) Because we're men, that's why! Many women just don't get it. Some do, most don't. Most of us have had a particular team that we have loved our entire life. For some of us it's a father/son thing, as many of us remember watching games with our dad when we were young. For many of us it is a way to still be a part of, and take great pride in, our home town. Believe me, there have been countless times when I wished that it wasn't so important to me. But it is - I can't help it.
Q) Then what should I do when his football is on?
A) We really don't care, but something out of the house would be good. Some men will go to a sportsbar or a buddy's house, but most guys prefer to watch their game at their house. Many of us have weird or quirky rituals and superstitions, that must be performed, worn, drank, etc. before our game. Much of this kind of behavior is not really condusive to being in public. Plus, if the house is empty, we can really scream and holler, and act like big babies when the time is appropriate.
Q) What about dealing with him after his team loses? How much pouting should I put up with?
A) Good question. If his team wins, he'll be in a great mude all day long and for most of the next week. It's a beautiful thing. But guys take losses in one of two ways. Either he acts like a big, immature, jerk for a few days (I really feel sorry for you if you have one of these) - or he is grown up enough to realize that he has plenty of other wonderful things in his life that are infinitely more important than the Vikings losing (again)!