Why is 6 afraid of 7?

I'm not a math person. I still count on my fingers if I need to perform simple computations and no calculator is available. But despite that, I have a thing for numbers, especially when it has to do with time.

So I was particularly fascinated with something that happened this A..M at 12:34:56 7/8/9. As you can see, the numbers aligned- in order from 1-9 for that split second in time. For the first time in 100 years or so.

And I just think that's darn cool. For no particular reason. I mean today's date even amuses me-7/8/9. Yes, I know purist argue that it's really really 7/8/09. So you can write 07/08/09 then. Ya happy now?

Reminds me of a joke:

Q: Why is 6 afraid of 7?


A: because 7 8 9.

You have to say it aloud if you don't get it the first time. An oldie but a goodie in my small book.

Another thing about time...do you have a certain time of the day where you always seem to look at the clock, without even trying to do it at the same time? Many times, whenever I glance at a digital timepiece the time reads 4:22. Really, it's true!

Back in my radio days, and heck even years after...I'd look at the clock and think..."it's 10:20 it's time to go into spots" or it's 12:55 time for the top of the hour.

Old habits, like time are a funny thing.

And that's all I have time for today.

If you have the time, some old time like posts for some newcomers.

Time Talking

Little Ditty 'Bout Time

Still Remembering

All the Michal Jackson hoopla has got me reminiscing this week. I've been remembering the time, a time that was simpler and the livin' was easy. It was a time of music bought with hard earned allowance and baby sitting money. Music first discovered on the radio. Music on vinyl.

I mentioned before, my fascination with radio was evident even back in the day. That included diligently listening to former Detroiter Casey Kasem every Sunday night on Keener 13 in Detroit. I remember commiserating with my friend over our utter dismay that “Miss You" by the Rolling Stones beat out "Saturday Night" by the Bay City Rollers for number one. I was pretty young then, I didn't have any older siblings to tell me about the Stones and the Beatles and now I laugh at my lack of musical knowledge...back in the day. Yes, I remember the time, it's funny what you do remember from so far back.

And so today, as MJ is finally put to rest there's news that radio legend Casey Kasem has quit. A class act in a business FULL of classless jerks certainly was inspiration to this recovering DJ.

It's like all the childhood characters are starting to slip away. And all that's left is the remembering.

A Recovering DJ's MJ two cents

I'll always remember where I was, and who I was with when I first heard the news about Michael Jackson. Kinda like Elvis, John Lennon and Joe Strummer. A part of my musical life, gone in a flash.

For all intents and purposes, the person-Michael Jackson, has been out of my life for many years. Since leaving radio, I don't need to keep up on his antics. And I like to keep the musician/artist separate from the real life drama. What you do on your own time doesn't really bother me, doesn't affect the way I dig the music, your art. Other than the first night, I've purposely kept away from watching too much of the cable news or reading too much online.

"Off the Wall" from 1979 and "Thriller" in 1982 were truly the albums of my teens. Almost every song on those records were hits, and if not they were still damn good. Many hours were spent with my friends choreographing intricate dance moves to ""Billy Jean", "Rock With You" and a group fave, "PYT" and more. Well, we thought they were cool anyways.

We would pause to listen and sing along to Jackson Family Christmas songs played over and over at the Nursery/Craft store we all worked at during the holidays after school. "She's Out of My Life" was the premiere post break-up song, or at least "the crush doesn't like me" song...the line "damn indecision and cursed pride" seemed to fit the situations.

The scandal that surrounded him was not as important as the music that endured, melodies that reside in my soul as the soundtrack to many many good times.

And then I went from a listener to a player. I remember spinning "Black & White" for the first time in Lima, OH. Featuring Slash from Guns & Roses on guitar it was a tad "controversial" at the time. My Program Director was standing behind me in the studio and said" I don't think this song is going to make it" I said-"It's Michael man, it's gonna be a hit!"

20-30 years later you'll still find these songs on my ipod-an invention never dreamed of when I was spinning vinyl on my Panasonic turntable. "Wanna Be Startin' Something" , "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and other MJ gems are in the middle of my work-out play list, for their distinct motivational force on me. I ALWAYS get my booty moving a little faster when I hear them.

Rest in peace MJ, you certainly brought alot of happiness to this lil' DJ...you deserve a lil for yourself now.

Plane Thoughts Part Deux

Song of the Day:
"Paper Planes"-MIA

Random thoughts from a recent flight.

I have several irritations about flying, which I've discussed before, but there’s one in particular that sticks out: I don’t understand how someone can board a flight and not bring ANYTHING to read or a game to play. Don't the get bored??

I personally cart along way too many activities and I rarely get to all of it…Nintendo DS, music, games and videos for my phone and computer, plus a selection of books, magazine, newspaper. I'm not good at doing nothing and like to be entertained at all times.

On a flight the other day, I observed a gentleman reading the “Sky Mall” catalog for two hours. Although I myself have been drawn in by the allure of it's shiny, never-before-seen gadgets, what-nots and doodads; I can’t imagine I could get through a whole 4 hour plus flight ogling doggy doors and wireless speakers that look like space ships.

The whole “incident“ reminded me of a scene from “Seinfeld”...the episode where Elaine is traveling with David Puddy and she is so irked with him because he does not have anything to do. This annoyance turns into their second break-up on the flight, and she starts to talk to the guy next to her, who she keeps calling “vegetable lasagna”. I think of this particular episode as well every time I see vegetable lasagna…usually in my grocer’s freezer.


Yes, big digression…

At any rate, what with my limited attention span I obviously can’t sit still without amusement, and find those that can survive without anything to do fascinating.


What I also don’t get is turbulence, and why we have to have it and why I seem to be the only one on a plane FREAKED out by it.

I have to distract myself. I try to pretend I'm on a subway. This trip I found a 5-song set by Yo Yo Ma suprisingly did a good job. And the book (I finished "Beauty by Zadie Smith,) and the video game (I currently hooked on "Peggle Nights") didn’t hurt either.

Distractions, diversions, what would I do without them?

Enought of the 8 already

My 2 cents on the poor 8

When I was a kid, one of my FAVE shows was “Eight is Enough”, a slightly syrupy ABC "dramedy" that started in 1977. Every night when an episode was over, I really wanted to have 6 more kids added to my family, preferably right away and the exact same cast. Despite the fact that I lacked any design and architecture knowledge, I’d lie awake at night, building additions onto our house for the extra brood in my head over and over again.

“Eight is Enough”, “The Brady Bunch”…all shows back in the day with loads of kids, and parents seemingly normal enough to deal with the stress and financial strain without having to sell anyone’s soul. Of course it turns out a lot of the actors on the show in real life were real hot messes. But isn’t that the case with reality…it's messy? Love, happiness and “normal” families only happen on a scripted show.

So you see where I’m getting with this??

I’ve never watched the show that Jon & Kate and the eight kids show. I’ve heard a few people here and there talk about it, but it never peaked my interest. I’m sure it’s sweet and all that, but ‘eh. I’m not a reality show kind of person anyways.

But these days, you can’t go to a grocery store checkout or peruse an entertainment website without seeing the latest scandal. It's too bad. Those poor kids. Shame on TLC, and shame on the parents…they are both monsters in my humble opinion. Get a real haircut lady. Of course, my hatred of her might stem from the fact that after 8 kids she looks better than me, heh heh.

At any rate, shame on the American public too. We’re the ones who can’t look away from an accident, a train wreck, no matter how horrible. We should say enough already, but we know that’s not gonna happen.

The neighbors are always the last to know

There was a story in the Sunday paper about a couple in Florida who have been accused of spying for Cuba, for many, many years. I was cracking up at the neighbors...who were SHOCKED at the charges.

They just didn't think it was possible the sweet li'l couple next door could be secret agents.

Seriously, don't you think they wanted it that way? If you DID think he could be a spy than he wouldn't have been a very good one, right?

If the neighbors were telling the media "Oh, I totally thought he was a spy. He was so shady and shifty..." then I'm guessing he'd have to turn in his secret decoder ring PDQ.

Instead they are shocked, " taken aback by news of the arrest."

People just crack me up sometimes.

I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out…

...So goes the old saying. I don’t know it really is a saying, but I k now I lie to say it. And then I goggled it, and apparently other people like to say it as well. So there you have it.

I mentioned last week that I recently moved, and I think the ONE noticeable thing I have always carried with me is my love of the Detroit Red Wings.

I have a vague memory of going to Olympia Stadium (where the Red Wings played a long time ago) and as a child I was THRILLED to pieces when the guys smacked up against the boards. The whooshing of the skates, the chill of the stadium, the blood on the ice. All good times. I don't really know if I really was there, or if I dreamed it, but I’ve told the stories so many times when people ask me “How long have you liked hockey” that I believe it. Such is the legend of hockey in Hockeytown, AKA the home of the Detroit Red Wings.

In Michigan, the proximity to Canada I guess explains one reason why hockey is a big deal to a huge age group and both men and women in the area. People are rabid about the games. Naps are taken in order to watch the West Coast games. Yelling very loud at the TV is very common as well. During playoffs, plans are changed and trips are canceled. It's a big deal.

I worked with a great lady at a Detroit radio station who was going through a divorce and her ex-husband gave her a choice between 4 seats behind the Red Wing bench or the house. She said, “You can always get another house!” I sat in those wonderful seats a few times, and let me tell you…there is nothing like it, nothing like it at all.

That is if you’re a hockey person. If you’re not, well I don’t know what to tell you. There are more "non-hockey" people I think than hockey fans, so maybe that’s why we all stick together. And the Red Wings have become a little bit like Red Sox nation or the Dallas Cowboys back in the day. But Red Wings fan are much much nicer than those two teams.

At that same station in Detroit, The morning show “douche” (who is my “he who shall not be named”, because A) I think he’s litigious as hell, and B) he’s a publicity whore and I’m not about to give him any.

At any rate, the dude TOTALLY dissed Gordie Howe, a legendary player who is truly bigger than GOD in some circles of Michigan. I remember trying to explain to the marketing director that the morning show was going down a very very bad path with the Gordie Howe bashing, and she didn’t believe me. She was from Cleveland, so knew absolutely NOTHING about hockey. Which always used to crack me up, you’d think in a way they would be a hockey town. Kinda like I can’t believe Seattle is not a hockey town, so close to Canada…crappy weather conducive to hockey watching, etc. etc.

At any rate, within’ about 20 minutes of the Gordie Howe snub from the morning show, people began to FLOCK to the station raising hockey sticks and screaming very very bad words about the morning show and generally causing a huge ruckus. The phone lines were off the hook and the program director dragged the morning douche onto my show (I did midday’s at the time) to make an apology right then and there.

The point of the story is –Don’t mess with the Red Wings, or the fans. Unless you know what you're doing, it's just won’t be worth it.

I'll have more Red Wings musings coming up soon.

She was so moved

File this under: " Things only I care about Alex for $200"

Strange but true, I recently completed my 20th move. It was one thing to be in radio and move “town to town up and down the dial” but it seems at times a few crazy roommates and an upwardly mobile hubby has caused me to box up my crap.

1. Parents 1 to Parents 2
(small house we lived for a few years early on and then into house I grew up in)

2. Parents to Eastern Michigan Univ. Dorm 1
(the first of the 10 years it would take me to get degree)

3. Dorm 1 to Dorm2
(first time I lived by myself, took summer classes, was a bit scary at first but then cool)

4. Dorm2 to off campus
(the beginning of ”a time that shall not be named”)

5. Off campus to a horrible southern state I don’t want to talk about either

6. South back to Parents-
Entered the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts-True story...I won $1000 in a RADIO STATION call in contest, and when the jock asked me what I was going to do with the money I told him "Go to radio school and take your job some day"

7. Parents to Cadillac, MI 1
(First Radio Job)

8. Cadillac 1 to Cadillac 2
(Mice in the first place)

9. Cadillac 2 to Lima, OH 1
(Second radio job)

10. Lima 1 to Lima 2
(Ferret and roommate who got strange in first place)

11. Lima 2 to Akron, OH
(3rd Radio job)

12. Akron to Buffalo, NY
(4th Radio job)

13. Buffalo to Parents
(Yes, the 'rents were SUPER thrilled with me at this point...went back to EMU to finally finish my degree and SWORE I was done with radio)

14. Parents to On my Own in Mich 1
(It was in this time period I met met my now husband, graduated from college...and used that new degree to....go back into radio. Still paying for the degree too, ironic)

15. On my Own in Mich 1 to On my Own in Mich 2
( Roommate issues again and went and got my own pad. 5th & 6th radio jobs-best time ever working in my hometown of Motown)

16. On my Own in Mich 2 to Hackensack, NJ
(Love conquers career..sorta. BF now hubby had transferred there, I was getting booted....it was all a timing thing)

17. Hackensack to Jersey City 1
We fell in live with JC…. it‘s the 6th borough you know. It’s right across the river from NYC… where I eventually worked most of the time in my East Coast days.

18. Jersey City 1 to Jersey City 2
Bigger place and now tied as the Best View Ever--if you kept the door of the front bathroom open, you could see the Statue of Liberty while…uh…you know… I also had my 8th radio job in Philly for a while, but that drive and other factors changed that. It turned out to be the last place I was on the air.

19. Jersey City to Seattle 1
Upward mobile hubby gets a job all the way across the country. Ain't love grand. ;)

20. Seattle 1 to Seattle 2-
Rents have gone down on this HUGE place with a Best View Ever Number 2. It truly is stunning.

Top 8 Songs about Movin’

1. Movin’ Out- Billy Joel (mentions Hackensack baby!)
   
2. Keep on Movin’-Soul II Soul
   
3. Move on Up-Curtis Mayfield (featured in a cute scene from "Bend it Like Beckham")
   
4. Moving in Stereo-The Cars
5. I Love to Move in Here-Moby
6. Move Away-Culture Club
7. Move Along- All-American Rejects
8. The Man Who Can’t be Moved-The Script (One of my new fave bands...very Maroon 5ish.)

Sittin' on a Dock on Tahoe...

Song of the Day: "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay"- Otis Redding

Spent the weekend at a friend's place right on Lake Tahoe and actually I was singing: "Sittin' on a Dock on Tahoe, ohhhh, I don't want to go."

It was my third visited to the area nestled between California and Nevada, and it just doesn't get old. I grew up with sandy beaches on the Great Lakes, and later fell in love with the Atlantic Ocean from South Beach to Point Pleasant. But with Tahoe you get the water, the mountains, the trees. And then there's the casino's at night, a great cure for a "nature overload"...something city folk experience from time to time.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...but after this weekend I have to say that's not always the case.

At times, pictures can't really convey those "momentary qualities of light" that Monet was so fond of painting. The sun chasing the water and the water tossing off sparkles. You can't look at a picture and really smell the clean air, hear the soft putt putt puttering of the small boats lumbering by, not in a hurry to go anywhere. Taste the succulent, perfectly spiced meat that was slow roasting on the BBQ, or feel the utter contentedness at that a simple yet full day can bring.

You can't see any of that in these pictures. Thank goodness for words.

Monday Moanin's

Song of the Day: "Ironic"-Alanis Morissette

One of those songs I like forgot I liked, mostly because it uses the word ironic and offers up some illustrations. What can I say, I'm a bit of a geek.

A Recovering DJ Definition of Irony:

The other day, I was late for something, because I was running around looking for my WATCH!!


Here's something funny too, apparently you can buy irony.com, I found this when I was googling for a definition link. And apparently I'm a little off on the real definition of irony, but what can I say, I only have an English minor.

I'm in the middle of packing up and moving across the courtyard...which is better than moving back across the country, but truth be told...some days I'd much rather do that...ha ha. Maybe that is irony too???

So posts are short and sweet this week, which might turn out to be the new format anyways. I'm ALWAYS a work in progress....:)

I'm also an iPhone junkie, but I can laugh at myself...check out this funny, I think it's ironic, don't ya think?

Phoney pet peeve

Song of the Day: "Hangin' on the Telephone"-Blondie

This comic reminded me of one of my top silly pet peeves- LONG, rambling voice mail messages. I can see that you called, I'm probably just going call you back anyways.

I also don't like the "it's me" on a message. I've noticed I have a lot of "Me's" who sound alike, although now they are easier to identify now with caller ID. Modern technology....

Fun little bit to take your mind off the flu

Oh, except I just mentioned it, so you're probably thinking about it now even if you weren't. Sorry. "The Swine" just showed up in my backyard, so now it's in my personal universe and even more annoying.

I can't wait to see the Seattle mayor on TV with a mask, I'll be curious if they can find one big enough for him.

I digress...

The other day, I was researching for a post on Susan Boyle, and I stumbled upon a blog written by a guy from the U.K. He did a very funny "bit" called the "Female Celebrity Vilification Game." Fill in your own names for hours of fun with friends and family!

Missing Maude

When I first heard that sad news that Bea Arthur had passed over the weekend, I immediately thought of Maude, one of the first strong female characters my young eyes had ever watched on television. She was sassy and confident and talked back to that mean ol’ Archie Bunker. She scared me a little bit, but in a good way.

She wasn’t hot; she was sort the Susan Boyle of the day. I know that’s stretching it. But back in the 70’s, it seems the definition of “hotness” was different. I mean Sally Struthers on “ All in the Family” was considered the cutest person on the show. Not that there’s anything wrong with Sally, she did a remarkable turn on “Gilmore Girls”

But I digress...

Most people seemed to be talking about Bea on “Golden Girls” which I personally don't think could have happened without the ground breaking “Maude.” I read on blog a rather smart statement that “The Golden Girls” was “the original ‘Sex and the City’ but without all that ugly consumerism and pathetic pining. “ True dat.

But honestly, I didn't care for "The Girls" when it first came out. When I moved to Seattle however, it was the only thing on at 9 AM besides horrible talk shows. And I began to see the subtle charm of the show. It wasn’t about a bunch of old biddies; it was about a bunch of friends who somehow managed to save enough to retire to Florida.

Bea Arthur came from Broadway and was a star there first, until Norman Lear “discovered her.” She said many times she didn’t want to be the “voice of feminism” but I think it's better than being the voice of Jimmy Choo.

Looking back, she was a role model to a young girl who didn’t even know at the time what “feminism” meant. She just liked a tall funny woman who spoke her mind and wore long shirts. I’d rather look up to Maude then Carrie Bradshaw any day.

Think about television today- what strong role models for girls/women are there right now? Mushy Meredith from “Grey’s Anatomy?” Spoiled and Bratty Serena & Blair from “Gossip Girls?” Shady and skanky Kate on “Lost?”

Maybe Betty on “Ugly Betty” or Mary on “In Plain Sight” could be considered "Maude like?"

Yes I watch a lot of television, I know I know.

Recovering DJ: my five pence on Susan Boyle

So I’m finally chiming in on the whole Susan Boyle controversy, upheaval, or whatever you want to call it. I'm prone to comment on anyone named Susan, as well as music in general.

Like most news items, I've been paying attention with just half an eye and ear. I see drips and drabs on TV news and scan headlines here and there online or in one of those old fashioned newspaper things. You can’t miss her really; she’s s all over the net and is consistently a trending topic on Twitter.

In case your attention span is worse than mine. Susan Boyle is a contestant on "Britain’s got Talent," She's a tad bit frumpy to put it mildly, and the audience immediately thought she wouldn't be that great. But alas, it’s not true, she got “the voice”.

As a girl who’s got the perfect face for radio and makes everyone in a gym feel much better about themselves when she walks in, I gotta say Bravo Susan B! You make a Susan proud.

Some people are of course now commenting that perhaps it’s all been a calculated act or something, but backlash is inevitable.So what if she did have a few tricks up her taffeta sleeve? It’s called marketing and P.R. It's O.K when actors and other dubious “celebrities” plan their little plots, but heaven forbid a woman like Susan Boyle joke about never being kissed and then admit later she was joking.

The truth is, I just now watched the entire video of her first audition and I started SOBBING, even though I’ve seen parts of it already. Her cute little victory jig at the end reminded me we all have feelings and dreams and we should be permitted to go down our own paths, without getting trampled on by people who think they know it all.

And now I’ll go back to paying half attention.

No more unwatched flicks

The Recovering DJ household recently jumped on the "cost cutting caboose". Factor in that plus plain 'ol principle, and we decided to cancel our Netflix membership. It was really the principle of the whole thing, but strangely I'm a little sad. Cinderella was right, You really don't know what you got until it's gone.

I love Netflix, I really do. From what I've read they're a great company with excellent execution on a great concept. You generally get your new DVD the next day, and now you can even watch certain flicks on the net.

But a problem arises...when you don't watch the movies. Either for months and months or...ever. I've mentioned before that I had possession of a DVD for over 7 months before I watched it. The lack of pressure to turn in a movie on time for some reason lulls me into a mode of "I'll just watch it tomorrow, or the next night, or on the weekend."

Apparently this household isn't the only one suffering from self-induced Netflix nonsense. If there really are alot of people like me out here, the Netflix concept is even more genius.

In the meantime, it's back to cable movies. Thank goodness the new USA shows are starting.

It's not just Earth Day for some people

Song of the Day: "Birthday"-The Beatles

Today is Recovering DJ day too.

It’s funny how it's such a big deal to some people it’s their birthday and some people could care less. There must be a big psychological study about how you react to your big day defines the kind of person you are. As if it's that easy.

I have friends that go way overboard on their day, all "me me me" and it's like come on, we’re gettin' too old for this. But then I have some friends who don’t make a big deal at all and I think that’s wrong too.

Your birthday is your day; (unless you share it with other's- I happen to share it with four people I know, which I feel is an unusually large amount. I want my own day, HA). But regardless, you should be nice to yourself, treat yourself to something-however small but important only to you.
I think of my birthday as New Year's Day, which it really is. Another year of your life. I reflect on the past, and future and pour myself a glass of vino because it's all so much. Another story for another day.

I also try to do something nice for myself-like a mani/pedi, and responsible- I schedule doctor and dentist appointments before my birthday, that way I know every year when I’m due for my check ups. Ugh, that’s such a grown up thing to do now that I go back and read that.

When I worked in radio, saying a birthday over the air was a BIG DEAL, to both the birthday person as well as the person who made the request. I felt I possessed a great power over civilians, which I guess I did. But the simple gesture made people happy, so it was worth using the power for good instead of evil. At least I don’t think I ever used it for evil, unless I said someone’s age or something, broadcasting it to thousands of people at once…Oops.

Aaliyah (may she rest in peace) sang: “Age ain’t nothin’ but a number”. True, but sometimes it’s not a good number, not a number you want out there. I know some people hide their age, although now that I think about it, not in my circle. I am probably the only one who has started to think about shaving a few years off here and there, I mean who would it hurt really? I know some people who think they'r sooo old and therefore are acting so waaayyy too soon. And then I know people who don’t act their age, and I’m not sure if they ever will. I think I fit somewhere in the middle.

Today is also Earth Day, something I find veddy veddy amusing. Without giving too much away, Earth Day was created AFTER I was. Therefore, a somewhat egotistical maniac who thinks the world revolves around her might think Earth Day is about her.

Alas, not so. Just a funny little coincidence, which I think might help people remember my b'day. Or not, if they're aren't Earth Day sort of people.

At any rate, it’s certainly better than being born on a day like Christmas. You really get gypped on the gifts. Of course you do when you get older too, but that’s a story for another day boys and girls.

I love USA!

The network... Well and the country, of course.

I came to this fascinating and startling conclusion the other night while watching the season 2 premiere of “In Plain Sight”-a show about a pair of U.S Marshalls in New Mexico and the madcap mayhem that happens on the job. The male Marshall is named “Marshall” which my “punny” humor just loves. The female lead is played by Mary McCormack, formally a “West Wing” cast member, (In fact USA seems to employ a lot of former “West Winger’s” which I find incredibly amusing as well) **

At any rate, while watching, a promo comes on for a new USA show starting in June called “Royal Pains” starring Mark Feurstein, he of “In Her Shoes” (a once top-secret favorite Recovering DJ movie, now obviously that’s out)

“Royal Pains” also co-stars Campbell Scott, a fave of mine in the David Mamet classic “The Spanish Prisoner” and of course the Seattle singles scene in “Singles”. Add in the fact that the story sounds fun and I am hooked.

Another promo comes on later for “Burn Notice” featuring the hottest spy in the world played by Jeffrey Donovan and this is when I exclaim to my husband, startling him away from his Kindle, “ I love this network!”

He nods knowingly, his wife is a TV junky and her new fix is now within easy reach on one channel.

I got hooked on USA last year when I started watching “Monk” every day to catch up on the show. The network does such a good job of promoting all their shows that I began to watch more and more. It doesn’t hurt that I am a marketer’s dream, pretty much swayed by slick production and quirky characters.

Yes, I watch too much TV.
I guess admitting it is one step towards recovering though, right?

**What makes USA the “West Wing” Network? (File under things only I care about.)

• Mary McCormack on “In Plain Site” played Kate Harper, deputy national security advisor

• Dule Hill on USA's “Pysch” played Charlie, the President’s assistant.

• Bradley Whitford-Josh on WW guest stars on “Monk”

• Richard Schiff who played Toby on WW had a two episode story on “Burn Notice” when I checked him out on IMDB it states he also guest stars on “Monk” and “In Plain Site” crazy!

Kindle 2: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)

My tribute to "The Bird"

My mom told me the other night, a quick one line e-mail…”Did you hear Mark Fidrych died, “The Bird” he was 54. I had not heard, and the news made me blue.

I honestly can’t recall if I ever saw the “Bird” pitch live, I feel like I did, and I'm telling people I did, but it's possible I'm embellishing a bit. I know back in 1976 I was a really really young, but I think the mid-70’s was when I got intrigued by baseball.

I think the crazy, wacky “Bird” got me interested in something I never cared about before, an entity that has become a part of my life since then. Late nights listening to my scratchy little AM radio next to my bed, Ernie Harwell calling the West Coast games, lulling me to sleep. Baseball was warm summer nights to me back then.

He spoke to the ball, he jumped over the white lines, he immediately congratulated great plays made by his teammates. His excitement and love of the game was infectious.

And I think the “Bird” got me into pitchers. All the great Tiger pitchers from back in the day-Dave Rozema, Jack Morris , Dan Schatzeder, Dan Petry….and on and on.

Back then, I couldn't wait to go see Patty Smyth and John Waite, at the time two of my favorite singers touring together was "totally rad". However, Kirk Gibson and Rozema showed up and sat two rows ahead of us. Guess whom we ended up watching more, the concert or Gibby & Rozie? That's how much I was into pitchers and the Tigers.

I remember my first game, at old Tiger Stadium at Michigan & Trumbell, the non-gentrified stadium that seemed a lot more “baseball like” than parks like Comerica and Safeco…both great ball fields that I’ve been to many times, I’m just sort a purist when it comes to the old school. Although then first time I went to Yankee Stadium I thought it was a total dump, but I got over that.

I loved my first game. My dad got box seats for the four of us. I believe we played Toronto. The seats were bright orange and the sun was burning bright. It was a good day.

I recall the game when Al Kaline's number was retired, I thought that ‘s when I saw the “Bird”. But it would have been too late for him then, his career was sadly already over. One great summer.

A sweet, genuinely sincere guy who was happy no matter what he was doing. Certainly an inspiration. The sad/funny thing is, these days, “The Bird” would not have been accepted.

I’ve been listening to Dan Patrick lately (and surprisingly liking him even though he’s a sports broadcaster). But he something the other day about Fidrych, how “We are so cynical and snarky now… (we would all think it's an act) it’s orchestrated, it’s pre-meditated, its not natural”

It’s true. We have celebrities that do absolutely nothing but let the paparazzi follow them. But a guy who is livin’ his dream, a dream of many people, would be ridiculed for enjoying the ride.

Let's hope he's still enjoying.


More articles on "The Bird"
Freep Flashback

Drew Sharp "When the Bird Was the Word" (that title has been in my head all week now"

I am 12 years old I swear. It's bad enough I'm a social media junky. Now I have discovered I can text in a blog post!? This is a test, this is only a test of the emergency recovering Dj network.

DC Tea Party Protest Shut Down By Secret Service, Package Thrown Over White House Fence (VIDEO)

What is wrong with people??? Bush is the one who dragged us down into this mess you idiots. What a bunch of lemmings, it just makes me sad and sick. Although I will say the government must hate people who don't own their place and who don't have children, trust me I know because we got TOTALLY reamed. What can you do? Absolutely nothing. You can't fight city hall. Death and taxes are the only things certain in life.
About Tax Day Tea Parties
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost