A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to talk to some 5th graders at DeForest Middle School about the "wonderful" world of radio.  The kids were working on improving vocabulary by wrtiting commercials.Â
The teacher, Angela Frank is a friend of mine and she thought it would be a good idea to invite me to speak to the class about radio. I was a little nervous. I was afraid I would turn into Billy Crystal in the movie "City Slickers."
Thankfully, I didn't have a mid-life crisis. I actually had a good time. Perhaps, the best part was receiving individual thank you notes from all the kids. Each of them told me how interesting it was to hear about radio, but they also thanked me for skipping my afternoon nap to hang out with them.
I remember casually mentioning I usually take a nap in the afternoon, but I didn't realize how much I talked about it.  Hopefully they learned something from my visit.  I know I learned to stop complaining no matter how subtle the complaint may be. Â
I'm pretty excited for Halloween this year because Lindsay and I now live in a home which means we'll actually get trick or treaters coming to the door. For all the years I lived in an apartment, I would buy candy in hopes of some kids coming to the door in costume. Alas, I always ended up with bags and bags of fun sized candy which I would then eat well into the new year.
When I lived in Houston, Texas I decided not to buy candy one year and that was the only year a kid came to my door. I remember it clearly. He was dressed as Batman and his mom looked on as he opened his bag and said in the cutest voice imaginable, "twick or tweet." I ran to my cabinet, but all I could find was tea, some sugar packets and croutons.  Of course, I didn't give him the croutons. I was sure to pour some sugar on it first!
So this year, I'll be ready with lots of good candy for the kids. There is one candy I will avoid handing out this year.  Which one? Lewis Black explains it best...
I'm not a big fan of roller coaster rides. I don't like the feeling of my stomach dropping to the floor. I've been talked into going on rides before, but after seeing this video I'm never going on another crazy ride again.  It's amazing how different the guy on the left and the guy on the right handle the ride. Sadly, I think I'd be like the guy on the left.
Hey Packer fans, it appears the combo you never wanted to see will be happening soon. Brett Favre and Randy Moss will be joining forces and play for the Vikings. As you know, I'm a Bears fan and I imagine this news is pretty annoying for you, Packer Nation.
However, you shouldn't be upset that your old quarterback Brett Favre is finally getting his wish. Favre wanted Randy Moss to join him when he was still playing for the Packers, but it didn't  happen.
Yes, it will be annoying for Packer Nation if Favre and Moss tear up the green and gold at Lambeau this season. Yes, it will be annoying to see Moss jump into Favre's arms after scoring a touchdown. Â
HOWEVER, there are two reasons you should not be upset about this deal.Â
1) MONEY. The Vikings will end up spending a lot of money. No, it's not the additional salary that will be expensive. It will be the cost of having a third chartered plane for all their away games. Perhaps, you didn't know the Vikings already have two chartered planes because one entire jet is needed to carry Brett Favre's ego. Now, they'll have to have a third to carry the Randy Moss ego. Could it even be bigger than Favre's?
2) PENALITIES. The Vikings are sure to rack up a lot of penalities after Favre throws a touchdown to Moss. Why? It won't be excessive celebration penalities, but rather delay of game penalities. Favre's so old it will take him ten minutes to get to the end zone and hug Moss.
Just kidding.Â
Favre and Moss are still playing at a high level and are ready to kick butt. So I don't know really know what to tell you. It's probably going to suck for you Packer fans.
I love when someone takes a classic story and turns it around completely. That's exactly what happens in the musical Wicked, which is now playing at Overture Center. We've all seen the Wizard of Oz and we've all been scared by the flying monkees and the Wicked Witch of the West.  Would you ever think you could root for that green skinned evil woman? You do in this version of the story.
I saw this show in Chicago a few years ago and the production here was just as fantastic. The costumes, acting and sets are all amazing.  The only criticism is there doesn't seem to be a song that stays with you after you leave. Classic musicals like Hair or Cats and even Rent have at least one song that you're singing to yourself the next day. It didn't happen with this show, but it's still a well worth seeing.
You can still get tickets for the show, but you may actually get better seats by going to the Overture box office or call 258-4177. They even sell some seats in the first few rows for just $25! Those are sold in a lottery system 2 hours before each performance.
The posters for the show have a great line: So much happened before Dorthoy dropped in.Â
Don't miss it!
It's Tuesday and you're stuck in the office. Summer is slipping away and you have to work at a desk. Ugh! Here's a quick comedy break from Nick Swardson. He's got a new show coming to Comedy Central in October.
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
John Fogerty is making the talk show rounds this week, stopping in to see David Letterman Tuesday and Wednesday, and the ladies of "The View" on Thursday.
He's promoting his new album, "Wrote a Song For Everyone" which comes out next Tuesday...
It's a miracle that both Jonathan and KItty wanted to hear Barry Manilow this morning. They were not alone. Plenty of Fanilow's called in to vote yes. One caller claimed to have seen Manilow in concert 25 times!
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, it is another gorgeous Monday, fit for another great show at the Crystal Corner tonight.
Through locking ourselves in the barn on Irish Lane, tossing some ideas around, as well as a few choice beverages to...
Hey everybody, we were thrown for a loop by the twist this week, but were able to make one of our "oldie but a goldie" songs fit the mold.
We have a few songs that we have played consistently over the years, and we are very happy that we will be...
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
John Fogerty is making the talk show rounds this week, stopping in to see David Letterman Tuesday and Wednesday, and the ladies of "The View" on Thursday.
He's promoting his new album, "Wrote a Song For Everyone" which comes out next Tuesday...
It's a miracle that both Jonathan and KItty wanted to hear Barry Manilow this morning. They were not alone. Plenty of Fanilow's called in to vote yes. One caller claimed to have seen Manilow in concert 25 times!
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, it is another gorgeous Monday, fit for another great show at the Crystal Corner tonight.
Through locking ourselves in the barn on Irish Lane, tossing some ideas around, as well as a few choice beverages to...
Hey everybody, we were thrown for a loop by the twist this week, but were able to make one of our "oldie but a goldie" songs fit the mold.
We have a few songs that we have played consistently over the years, and we are very happy that we will be...
