First off - I love the huge light displays that people put a lot of effort (and money I'm sure) into around the holidays. Now, there's a fine line between artistic and tacky, but I find even the way-over-the-top displays are a lot of fun to check out. Not sure I'd want a row of bright LEDs outlining Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer on my front lawn, but I get a kick out of seeing it on someone elses lawn.
On to egg nog. Big fan. I get a smile just walking past the dairy section of the supermarket and seeing the cartons of egg nog just waiting there. Here's the kicker to this story - I haven't purchased any egg nogg yet this season. Perhaps today will be the day.
Soooo.. over Thanksgiving I had my 25th high school class reunion. It was a lot of fun! It was genuinley nice to see people I haven't sen in.. ohh..25 years. One thing very cool was that I got the chance to hang out and talk with some of the folks who I didn't hang out with all that much in high school (typically those who actually worked on studious stuff instead of goofing off). I realized how many cool people there are in my class. Maybe if I had put my silly electric guitar down for a little while during high school, I would have found that out sooner.
Ciao for now
George
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Strange Day
Well, it's the Veteran's Day holiday (Vets day itself was yesterday), and it also is my Dad's birthday. My Dad passed away in 1990 and it's always kind of tough for me around his birthday, and especially this year because it's his 75th. I miss him tremendously. He was a really good guy, and I always think that if I have half the good qualities he had, I'm doing okay.
What was it about him? I guess the first thing that comes to mind is that he was just generally a kind person. I was thinking about this yesterday - how in his dealing with people, he treated them well. He made a point to never talk down to people - to never make people feel stupid. It made him happy to boost people up rather than cut them down. Seems like there are a lot of people in the world who would do well to follow his lead.
Dad wasn't perfect - he'd be the first to admit that - and I think now that he's not around, I probably put him up on a pedestal a bit, but he sure was a positive force to have around.
He was the type of father who felt it was very important that us kids knew we could take whatever path we wanted to in life - and that he would be proud of us no matter what.
It's funny how kids can sense what their parents are feeling. I was at the dinner table last night, feeling pretty bummed out and missing my Dad terribly, and without my letting on that I was feeling sad, my oldest - Joey (named after my Dad) - gave me a big bear hug that was exactly what I needed. Must be in the genes. My Dad could give a hug that could cure all that ails ya', and I like to believe I'm no slouch myself. It was just what I needed - like Joey was covering for Dad.
Alright - enough sad crap. My Dad would want us to get out and enjoy the day. Good plan.
-George
What was it about him? I guess the first thing that comes to mind is that he was just generally a kind person. I was thinking about this yesterday - how in his dealing with people, he treated them well. He made a point to never talk down to people - to never make people feel stupid. It made him happy to boost people up rather than cut them down. Seems like there are a lot of people in the world who would do well to follow his lead.
Dad wasn't perfect - he'd be the first to admit that - and I think now that he's not around, I probably put him up on a pedestal a bit, but he sure was a positive force to have around.
He was the type of father who felt it was very important that us kids knew we could take whatever path we wanted to in life - and that he would be proud of us no matter what.
It's funny how kids can sense what their parents are feeling. I was at the dinner table last night, feeling pretty bummed out and missing my Dad terribly, and without my letting on that I was feeling sad, my oldest - Joey (named after my Dad) - gave me a big bear hug that was exactly what I needed. Must be in the genes. My Dad could give a hug that could cure all that ails ya', and I like to believe I'm no slouch myself. It was just what I needed - like Joey was covering for Dad.
Alright - enough sad crap. My Dad would want us to get out and enjoy the day. Good plan.
-George
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Slow down, Skippy!
Well... it had been a while since I had recieved a speeding ticket, but my run is over.
Leaving the radio station Friday afternoon, I was driving on the Pike westbound around the BU bridge area. In retrospect, I wasn't keeping tabs on my speed as well as I should have, although it felt like I was pretty much staying with the flow of traffic.
As I was approaching the tolls, I noticed the tell tale Massachusetts State Police Crown Victoria with the blacked out grille coming up behind me, and before I knew it, he had the lights on and was motioning for me to pull over to the left, just before the toll plaza.
I really didn't know what to expect - it didn't feel like I was driving super fast.
The Trooper was very professional, and in return I tried to be as polite and direct as I could be.
My father taught me that one of the more boneheaded things you can do in life is be a jerk to a police officer. Just watch any episode of COPS and you'll see proof of this.
So I answered his questions honestly; i.e. "no sir, I don't know how fast I was going (true)."
He said he clocked me at 70 something after the Pru tunnel, and 66 in the 40 mph zone before the tolls. I didn't deny any of it. I was pretty sure he knew better than I did how fast I was going. He just wrote me up for the latter.
It's funny, I know a lot of people try to give excuses to cops and try to weasel out of a ticket, but I didn't think that was the right route.
I thought afterwards that maybe I should have said something like "I have a good driving record - I just wasn't paying attention to my speed as well as I should have" (both true), or "I just got off work and am late for taking over for my mother-in-law watching the kids" (also true).
But in the end, the reality was - I was speeding. As the theme to Barretta said "don't do the crime if you can't do the time".
The "time" in this case happens to be a $260 ticket. Ouch.
Why is it that things like this happen when your finances are in a state where the last thing you need is to have to shell out that kind of money for not paying attention on the road?
I'll be driving 26 miles an hour to and from WBOS for the time being.
Keep smiling!
-George
Leaving the radio station Friday afternoon, I was driving on the Pike westbound around the BU bridge area. In retrospect, I wasn't keeping tabs on my speed as well as I should have, although it felt like I was pretty much staying with the flow of traffic.
As I was approaching the tolls, I noticed the tell tale Massachusetts State Police Crown Victoria with the blacked out grille coming up behind me, and before I knew it, he had the lights on and was motioning for me to pull over to the left, just before the toll plaza.
I really didn't know what to expect - it didn't feel like I was driving super fast.
The Trooper was very professional, and in return I tried to be as polite and direct as I could be.
My father taught me that one of the more boneheaded things you can do in life is be a jerk to a police officer. Just watch any episode of COPS and you'll see proof of this.
So I answered his questions honestly; i.e. "no sir, I don't know how fast I was going (true)."
He said he clocked me at 70 something after the Pru tunnel, and 66 in the 40 mph zone before the tolls. I didn't deny any of it. I was pretty sure he knew better than I did how fast I was going. He just wrote me up for the latter.
It's funny, I know a lot of people try to give excuses to cops and try to weasel out of a ticket, but I didn't think that was the right route.
I thought afterwards that maybe I should have said something like "I have a good driving record - I just wasn't paying attention to my speed as well as I should have" (both true), or "I just got off work and am late for taking over for my mother-in-law watching the kids" (also true).
But in the end, the reality was - I was speeding. As the theme to Barretta said "don't do the crime if you can't do the time".
The "time" in this case happens to be a $260 ticket. Ouch.
Why is it that things like this happen when your finances are in a state where the last thing you need is to have to shell out that kind of money for not paying attention on the road?
I'll be driving 26 miles an hour to and from WBOS for the time being.
Keep smiling!
-George
Monday, October 15, 2007
Meerkat Mania
Okay, I'll admit it, I get a big kick out of places like the zoo and the aquarium. Something about the different creatures.
So, here's the headline from creature world - meerkats at the Stone Zoo.
I love that show on Animal Planet, Meerkat Manor, and when I heard that the Stone Zoo had meerkats, I had to pay a visit. I love going to th ezoo anyway, and the two closets to home for me, the Franklin Park Zoo and the Stone Zoo are both awesome.
It was really cool seeing the meerkats in person!
they looked a lot like the ones on the show, although maybe a bit plumper. I'm guessing that's a factor of the captive meerkats not having as much room to run around as their brethren in the wild.
The snow leopards at the Stone Zoo are awesome, too. I love the big cats (jury is still out on how I feel about smaller cats - see "skunk" posting).
The gila monster is also really cool. If you're not hip to the Gila (pronounced HEE-la), it's a big lizard found in the southwest US and Mexic. It's unusual in that it is a venomous lizard.
I had a ribber gila monster when I was a kid. I forget its name.
Let's chat again soon
George
So, here's the headline from creature world - meerkats at the Stone Zoo.
I love that show on Animal Planet, Meerkat Manor, and when I heard that the Stone Zoo had meerkats, I had to pay a visit. I love going to th ezoo anyway, and the two closets to home for me, the Franklin Park Zoo and the Stone Zoo are both awesome.
It was really cool seeing the meerkats in person!
they looked a lot like the ones on the show, although maybe a bit plumper. I'm guessing that's a factor of the captive meerkats not having as much room to run around as their brethren in the wild.
The snow leopards at the Stone Zoo are awesome, too. I love the big cats (jury is still out on how I feel about smaller cats - see "skunk" posting).
The gila monster is also really cool. If you're not hip to the Gila (pronounced HEE-la), it's a big lizard found in the southwest US and Mexic. It's unusual in that it is a venomous lizard.
I had a ribber gila monster when I was a kid. I forget its name.
Let's chat again soon
George
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Two words: Stevie Wonder
Wow, what a show.
I certainly don't want to be the guy who rambles on, talking about how great something was that obviously not everybody experienced, but I do want to get across the point that STEVIE WONDER IS A MUSICAL GENIUS!
I caught him at the Bank Of America Pavillion on Thursday night, and it was just unreal. He basically played evey song I would have wanted him to play, and didn't play the ones I was hoping he wouldn't (can you say "I Just Called To Say I Love You")? His voice sounded great, his keyboard and harmonica playing were awe inspiring - it was simply amazing.
Now, I know that I'm not always a "deep" human being, but this show struck a serious nerve. I think because he was playing songs from the past 25 - 30 yers of my life, and I was thinking about all the stuff that Stevie has been through with me (though he may not know it). It was like doing a little time travelling, without ever having to set foot in your friend Marty's DeLorean.
Stevie said he may be coming back this way to make up for the cancelled second show. If he does - go see him. 'Nuff said.
peace out
George
I certainly don't want to be the guy who rambles on, talking about how great something was that obviously not everybody experienced, but I do want to get across the point that STEVIE WONDER IS A MUSICAL GENIUS!
I caught him at the Bank Of America Pavillion on Thursday night, and it was just unreal. He basically played evey song I would have wanted him to play, and didn't play the ones I was hoping he wouldn't (can you say "I Just Called To Say I Love You")? His voice sounded great, his keyboard and harmonica playing were awe inspiring - it was simply amazing.
Now, I know that I'm not always a "deep" human being, but this show struck a serious nerve. I think because he was playing songs from the past 25 - 30 yers of my life, and I was thinking about all the stuff that Stevie has been through with me (though he may not know it). It was like doing a little time travelling, without ever having to set foot in your friend Marty's DeLorean.
Stevie said he may be coming back this way to make up for the cancelled second show. If he does - go see him. 'Nuff said.
peace out
George
Monday, September 17, 2007
Post Weekend Posting
Back to reality - so I figured I'd check in.
What a night last night, with both Red Sox (they lost) and Patriots (they won) playing at the same time.
My intention was to get to bed early last night, but through a combination of the two older monsters being wide awake, and the games happening, I turned in about three hours later than I would have liked.
It was a nice weekend, but I didn't have a whole lot of downtime. Margaret had to work both days, and they both ended up being long days as well, so I was Mr. Mom for most of the weekend. I get reminded that it ain't alway seasy to keep three little ones busy on a rainy day. Luckily, my intellect is at about the same level as a three to five year old, so I have no problem getting down on the rug and playing with Legos and Hot Wheels.
It's officially the last week of summer - go crazy - take a day off from work and head to Crane's beach.
Don't forget to call me when you get there.
-George
What a night last night, with both Red Sox (they lost) and Patriots (they won) playing at the same time.
My intention was to get to bed early last night, but through a combination of the two older monsters being wide awake, and the games happening, I turned in about three hours later than I would have liked.
It was a nice weekend, but I didn't have a whole lot of downtime. Margaret had to work both days, and they both ended up being long days as well, so I was Mr. Mom for most of the weekend. I get reminded that it ain't alway seasy to keep three little ones busy on a rainy day. Luckily, my intellect is at about the same level as a three to five year old, so I have no problem getting down on the rug and playing with Legos and Hot Wheels.
It's officially the last week of summer - go crazy - take a day off from work and head to Crane's beach.
Don't forget to call me when you get there.
-George
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Oooh that smell
It's skunk!
This actually happened week before last when I was filling in for John in the afternoons, but due to the level of trauma I'm just getting around to writing about it now.
Got off the air at 7pm and had some other work to do in the production studio. Got my work done and called Margaret from the road. She gave me advance warning that I would be coming home to some serious stink, and that this time it wasn't diaper related.
Bianca, one of two cats living at our house, had suffered a direct hit from a skunk. And by direct hit, I mean she got sprayed right in the face. And it happened right in front of our house.
Bianca and I have a love/hate relationship in that many times I would love for her to run off and join another family. We got her from the pound when she was about a year old (they weren't sure). And it's likely she was abused and had been on the street for a while. She seems to have some "issues". She can be cuddly and affectionate one moment, and then act like beelzekitty the next moment
In this case I felt bad for her. Her eyes were all red and she could barely open them, and she was clearly in distress. Called the vet and he said to flush her eyes out with saline. What about the stink? For that, he said to use a combination of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dishwashing liquid. Didn't people use to use tomato juice for this?
He said the stink wouldn't go away completely, but the solution would make it slightly more tolerable.
He was right about the stink not going away. The whole house reeked, particularly the basement where we were making her stay for the time being. Margaret did the cleansing of the cat, and skillfully managed not to get the sh#@ scratched out of her (cats are not fans of baths).
If there's an upside to this, it's that Bianca looked great after her bath (she's all-white, hence the name).
She still has traces of the stink, however.
Who says my life ain't glamorous?
See you soon.
George
This actually happened week before last when I was filling in for John in the afternoons, but due to the level of trauma I'm just getting around to writing about it now.
Got off the air at 7pm and had some other work to do in the production studio. Got my work done and called Margaret from the road. She gave me advance warning that I would be coming home to some serious stink, and that this time it wasn't diaper related.
Bianca, one of two cats living at our house, had suffered a direct hit from a skunk. And by direct hit, I mean she got sprayed right in the face. And it happened right in front of our house.
Bianca and I have a love/hate relationship in that many times I would love for her to run off and join another family. We got her from the pound when she was about a year old (they weren't sure). And it's likely she was abused and had been on the street for a while. She seems to have some "issues". She can be cuddly and affectionate one moment, and then act like beelzekitty the next moment
In this case I felt bad for her. Her eyes were all red and she could barely open them, and she was clearly in distress. Called the vet and he said to flush her eyes out with saline. What about the stink? For that, he said to use a combination of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dishwashing liquid. Didn't people use to use tomato juice for this?
He said the stink wouldn't go away completely, but the solution would make it slightly more tolerable.
He was right about the stink not going away. The whole house reeked, particularly the basement where we were making her stay for the time being. Margaret did the cleansing of the cat, and skillfully managed not to get the sh#@ scratched out of her (cats are not fans of baths).
If there's an upside to this, it's that Bianca looked great after her bath (she's all-white, hence the name).
She still has traces of the stink, however.
Who says my life ain't glamorous?
See you soon.
George
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
hanging on to summer
Back from vacation, and time to jot down my thoughts. Had a couple of weeks on the Cape and it was great. Weather cooperated, and it was nice to catch up a bit on some sleep. Here's how you know you've been getting a lot of sun - when you notice that the tops of your feet are tan.
I gotta say, it's also nice to be back here at the radio station. I miss it when I'm away.
This is, for me, the time of year I call "hold on to summer" season. You really appreciate the days when it still gets pretty warm, and you start to notice little things like, if you go to bed with no covers, sometimes you wake up wishing you had a blanket or something. I think I'm a summer person. Oh well.
'Til next time...
-George
I gotta say, it's also nice to be back here at the radio station. I miss it when I'm away.
This is, for me, the time of year I call "hold on to summer" season. You really appreciate the days when it still gets pretty warm, and you start to notice little things like, if you go to bed with no covers, sometimes you wake up wishing you had a blanket or something. I think I'm a summer person. Oh well.
'Til next time...
-George
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Tuesday Thoughts
It seems like I'm usually adding to the blog on Mondays, but this week I'm being a wild man and taking care of it on a Tuesday! I'm CRAZY, I tell ya.
So I'm having fun filling in for Dana this week. It's a refreshing change in routine to be on in the middle of the day. Been hearing from some of my regular listeners. I'm glad you guys have 'BOS on night AND day. Smart move.
Still trying to figure out when I'm going to catch The Simpsons Movie. I may be over thinking it, but I want it to be the right time. Don't want the theater to be too crowded - want it to be at a time of day when I'm nice and alert so that I don't miss any of the subtle jokes. I'm pretty serious about this. The other movie I want to see is the latest Harry Potter. And I definitely want to read the last book. I'm walking around doing my best not to accidentally hear people talking about the plot, because I want it to be fresh when I read it. If someone says "I can't believe that Snape..." I cover my ears with my hands and go "I'm not listening.. neee neeeee waaa waaaaa ooooh goooo" and go running away from the person. Well, that hasn't actually happened, but it could.
My song is running out - gotta go - 'til next time!
-George
So I'm having fun filling in for Dana this week. It's a refreshing change in routine to be on in the middle of the day. Been hearing from some of my regular listeners. I'm glad you guys have 'BOS on night AND day. Smart move.
Still trying to figure out when I'm going to catch The Simpsons Movie. I may be over thinking it, but I want it to be the right time. Don't want the theater to be too crowded - want it to be at a time of day when I'm nice and alert so that I don't miss any of the subtle jokes. I'm pretty serious about this. The other movie I want to see is the latest Harry Potter. And I definitely want to read the last book. I'm walking around doing my best not to accidentally hear people talking about the plot, because I want it to be fresh when I read it. If someone says "I can't believe that Snape..." I cover my ears with my hands and go "I'm not listening.. neee neeeee waaa waaaaa ooooh goooo" and go running away from the person. Well, that hasn't actually happened, but it could.
My song is running out - gotta go - 'til next time!
-George
Friday, July 27, 2007
I am about to walk around even more confused
Well, not exactly. And when I think about it, confused can sometimes be my natural state.
It's not a bad source of confusion, it's just that for the next few weeks my on-air schedule will temporarily be all over the place. Starting Monday, I'll be filling in for Dana on the WBOS Midday show. Should be a blast. I really like listening to her show when I'm on the other side of the radio. The week after that, I'm back to nights, then I'm on vacation, then I'm doing the afternoon show. One thing I learned about radio a long time ago, is the importance of being flexible. Just call me "Flex."
Big weekend in Boston! The Police at Fenway Park Saturday and Sunday.
The 'BOS family will be in attendance Saturday night. The amazing Dave G. let us know last week that he was taking us all to the show. He's a good man, and I'm not just saying that because he's my boss. Unless of course it helps my career to say that, in which case I am.
I love being at Fenway. The whole experience of being at the park is amazing. It's partly the look (old school), but it's also other sensations including the smells (ranging from burned Popcorn to inner-city stairwell).
Looking foward to hanging out with my buds and catching La Policia.
If you're going to the show - keep an eye out for us!
-George
It's not a bad source of confusion, it's just that for the next few weeks my on-air schedule will temporarily be all over the place. Starting Monday, I'll be filling in for Dana on the WBOS Midday show. Should be a blast. I really like listening to her show when I'm on the other side of the radio. The week after that, I'm back to nights, then I'm on vacation, then I'm doing the afternoon show. One thing I learned about radio a long time ago, is the importance of being flexible. Just call me "Flex."
Big weekend in Boston! The Police at Fenway Park Saturday and Sunday.
The 'BOS family will be in attendance Saturday night. The amazing Dave G. let us know last week that he was taking us all to the show. He's a good man, and I'm not just saying that because he's my boss. Unless of course it helps my career to say that, in which case I am.
I love being at Fenway. The whole experience of being at the park is amazing. It's partly the look (old school), but it's also other sensations including the smells (ranging from burned Popcorn to inner-city stairwell).
Looking foward to hanging out with my buds and catching La Policia.
If you're going to the show - keep an eye out for us!
-George
Monday, July 16, 2007
I love the nightlife... I've got to boogie
Monday blog entry once again - after a very cool weekend.
Actually got out of the house and hit the town - it was awesome!
I love my kids, but having three kids, combined with working every weeknight, makes recreational evenings few and far between.
The excuse for getting out was a party for an old friend of mine (in full disclosure, an ex-girlfriend) who was having a fortieth birthday party. Michelle and her husband (and kids) actually live in Australia, which puts a kink in hanging out with them very often. But they were back for this and our friends Bonnie And Amy organized a great party at District, which is a very cool restaurant/club in the leather district. Don't feel out of it if you're not sure where the leather district is, I wasn't too sure either. It's an area near South Station, and Kneeland Street in Boston, adjacent to Chinatown.
We had a blast. Caught up with folks I hadn't seen in a while, met some very cool new people, did some dancing, had birthday cake, adn I even read a strange poem I had written in Michelle's honor. In case you're curious, my wife is totally cool with the fact that Michelle is an ex. She had a great time too.
I gotta get back to the Monday night radio show - we'll catch up soon.
-George
Actually got out of the house and hit the town - it was awesome!
I love my kids, but having three kids, combined with working every weeknight, makes recreational evenings few and far between.
The excuse for getting out was a party for an old friend of mine (in full disclosure, an ex-girlfriend) who was having a fortieth birthday party. Michelle and her husband (and kids) actually live in Australia, which puts a kink in hanging out with them very often. But they were back for this and our friends Bonnie And Amy organized a great party at District, which is a very cool restaurant/club in the leather district. Don't feel out of it if you're not sure where the leather district is, I wasn't too sure either. It's an area near South Station, and Kneeland Street in Boston, adjacent to Chinatown.
We had a blast. Caught up with folks I hadn't seen in a while, met some very cool new people, did some dancing, had birthday cake, adn I even read a strange poem I had written in Michelle's honor. In case you're curious, my wife is totally cool with the fact that Michelle is an ex. She had a great time too.
I gotta get back to the Monday night radio show - we'll catch up soon.
-George
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Happy Birthday U-S-and-A
Hope you had a fun fourth of July.
It was really nice for me & the family. We ended up going to Lincoln to see fireworks and - despite the rain - they were great. Initially we were going to meet up with my friend Pete who lives in Lincoln, but when the rain started, Pete and family bagged out. After some phone calls, we figured out that the fireworks were still going to go on, and we decided to brave the rain and head out anyway. Glad we did. It was really cool. Nice job, Lincoln!
They were amazing. We got there just as the fireworks were starting, and it was clear that they were pretty loud, so Margaret stayed in the car with the baby, and the older two boys and I got out and walked a ways to see the fireworks better. They loved it. At one point, during a period of relative quiet between explosions, Andy yelled out in his cute, enthusiastic three year old's voice "I really like these fireworks", which drew some laughs from the people standing near us.
Things to work on in life:
Not letting stress creep in where it's not warranted. Life will give me enough to stress about. Why add to it?
What made me think about this is that when we were leaving the school in Lincoln where the fireworks were, I was in the left of two lanes exiting and realized I wanted to be in the right. I put on my blinker, and probably could have pulled a power move and zipped in to the right, but I decided to lay back a bit to give those in the right lane enough time to see what I wanted to do. As I'm doing that, an Audi pulls up and fills the space I was going to move into. I was pissed. Now, I believe I'm a fairly level headed guy who would much rather go through life getting along with others, but it can raise my blood pressure pretty quickly of I feel my niceness is being taken advantage of, or if I sense someone is being a weenie. And that's what happened. So for a couple of minutes, I'm driving along being pissed at the driver of this Audi, fantasizing about how much of a bitch I could make payback be.
But then I start to realize that is not the right approach. Why? Because it's a waste of energy.
The truth is, maybe the driver of the Audi didn't know what I was trying to do. That's happened to me before, when I've unintentionally shut someone out of a lane change and felt bad about it.
The other possibility is that the driver was perfectly aware what I was trying to do, and wouldn't let me into the lane because they are... a jerk! And at the end of the day they will still be a jerk, and that's the way it is. I choose to do nice things for people - like letting them merge into my lane - because it's what I like to do. Viva la difference.
I'm a ways off from being truly stress free, but every little bit helps.
I feel better now.
By the way - thanks to New England Cable News (and Karen Swensen who I chatted with) for once again letting me come on during their Good Morning Live show and talk music on TV. I hang out with them on the first and third Thursday mornings of the month, right around 8:45. You can see today's segment by going to http://www.necn.com, clicking on NECN Shows, then Good Morning Live.
-George
It was really nice for me & the family. We ended up going to Lincoln to see fireworks and - despite the rain - they were great. Initially we were going to meet up with my friend Pete who lives in Lincoln, but when the rain started, Pete and family bagged out. After some phone calls, we figured out that the fireworks were still going to go on, and we decided to brave the rain and head out anyway. Glad we did. It was really cool. Nice job, Lincoln!
They were amazing. We got there just as the fireworks were starting, and it was clear that they were pretty loud, so Margaret stayed in the car with the baby, and the older two boys and I got out and walked a ways to see the fireworks better. They loved it. At one point, during a period of relative quiet between explosions, Andy yelled out in his cute, enthusiastic three year old's voice "I really like these fireworks", which drew some laughs from the people standing near us.
Things to work on in life:
Not letting stress creep in where it's not warranted. Life will give me enough to stress about. Why add to it?
What made me think about this is that when we were leaving the school in Lincoln where the fireworks were, I was in the left of two lanes exiting and realized I wanted to be in the right. I put on my blinker, and probably could have pulled a power move and zipped in to the right, but I decided to lay back a bit to give those in the right lane enough time to see what I wanted to do. As I'm doing that, an Audi pulls up and fills the space I was going to move into. I was pissed. Now, I believe I'm a fairly level headed guy who would much rather go through life getting along with others, but it can raise my blood pressure pretty quickly of I feel my niceness is being taken advantage of, or if I sense someone is being a weenie. And that's what happened. So for a couple of minutes, I'm driving along being pissed at the driver of this Audi, fantasizing about how much of a bitch I could make payback be.
But then I start to realize that is not the right approach. Why? Because it's a waste of energy.
The truth is, maybe the driver of the Audi didn't know what I was trying to do. That's happened to me before, when I've unintentionally shut someone out of a lane change and felt bad about it.
The other possibility is that the driver was perfectly aware what I was trying to do, and wouldn't let me into the lane because they are... a jerk! And at the end of the day they will still be a jerk, and that's the way it is. I choose to do nice things for people - like letting them merge into my lane - because it's what I like to do. Viva la difference.
I'm a ways off from being truly stress free, but every little bit helps.
I feel better now.
By the way - thanks to New England Cable News (and Karen Swensen who I chatted with) for once again letting me come on during their Good Morning Live show and talk music on TV. I hang out with them on the first and third Thursday mornings of the month, right around 8:45. You can see today's segment by going to http://www.necn.com, clicking on NECN Shows, then Good Morning Live.
-George
Monday, June 25, 2007
misc stuff & answers to serious questions
Jeez - I seem to always be writing these things on Mondays. I guess maybe there's more to talk about. I'm playing the Dandy Warhols on the air right now, and the beginning of the song Bohemian Like You made me think of Jumping Jack Flash. Similar chords. Sorry - that was just a random thought.
Went to Southwick's Wild Animal Farm on Saturday with Joey's (my four year old) best friend Josh and his family. It was really cool! I get a kick out of zoos anyway, and this place has a ton of stuff; rhinos, elephants, lots of monkeys (a veritable barrel full), lions, leopard, camels, giraffes, etc. Afterwards we got some fried food (my favorite food group) at this place called George's Surf & Turf (delicious), and had a movie night at Josh's place. His dad had borrowed one of those gnarly PC projectors and we watched Shrek 2 projected on a sheet hung on the back of their house. It was really cool.
Okay.. answers to questions most frequently asked:
1. Yes, my nose, hair and name are all mine. I was born with them and they have not been altered. With the nose thing, my Mom and Dad were both blessed with good sized noses, and so there was no way of genetically dodging a prominent proboscis.
2. How'd I get into radio? Not enough space for the full explanation, but I will tell you that I have always loved both music and performing. I can't even remember when I started listening to music. I started at a seriously young age. The albums that stick out in my memory are Beatles: Rubber Soul, Jackson 5: Going Back To Indiana, and Led Zeppelin II. I also started play acting radio shows from a very early age. Early in life I also started playing musical instruments (or more accurately, making noise). My Dad was a lover of bluegrass music, and he played guitar, banjo, mandolin and more. He just loved making music and thought everyone should play an instrument, regardless of how serious their skill level was. So that made it easy for me to try different things out. Fast forward to early high school when I started playing in rock bands, initially on bass, switching quickly to lead guitar (cooler solos). Put in a lot of time playing rock band staples (Steve Miller, Lynyrd Skynyd, Jethro Tull, etc.), before branching out into Jazz and Funk. Getting into the funk prompted a switch back to bass, because playing funk bass to me is one of the most fun things you can do with your instrument on.
My first radio experience was at my high school, where they had a "carrier current" (you could only hear it in the high school) AM station. The first song I ever played on a radio station was "Outta Space" by Billy Preston. I kept with the radio thing in college, with a funk show on WMUA at UMass Amherst. After I graduated (with a Communications degree) I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do long term, but the live music part of my life was still very strong, so I played in bands at night and got a "day job" through a temp agency. I ended up getting hired full time, and before I knew it, I had been at the company (DH Heath in Lexington) for a few years, in a few different jobs.
Then came a strange time in my life leading to a "fish or cut bait" moment for me.
My Dad got sick and passed away, which was something I couldn't fathom happening - but it did. I feel very lucky that I had my dad for the time I did. Dad was certainly not perfect, but if I can be half the father that he was, I'm doing alright.
With that life-changing event, and the fact that I was approaching the big 3-0 I asked myself what I REALLY wanted to be doing, and the answer was radio. Went to broadcasting school (to intern at a radio station you need to be in school), interned at two radio stations and got a job doing traffic reports for Metro Traffic. Through sheer fate, one of the stations I was interning at was bought by the company that owned WBOS - which happened to be looking for a Production Director (the guy who makes those funny things that run in between songs). With my musical recording experience, I had, as the hip kids say, the skillz. I parlayed that into some on-air stuff, ended up on the morning show and never looked back.
I've been very lucky that I've been able to stay in my home market (rare for radio) and have encountered some very talented people along the way that have helped me out, and to whom I am sincerely grateful.
I like getting the question about what it takes to get into radio and be successful. Does it take a voice from God? No, thankfully. Although I'm happy with my own voice, I certainly don't have one of those big "radio" voices that used to be the norm. What's important nowadays is that you LOVE radio - that you realize it's a really cool vocation. Enthusiasm goes a long way in this business, as does flexibility, and the people who succeed in radio are those who genuinely have a good time on the air. For me it's great because it combines being immersed in music, which makes me a happy camper, with the opportunity to entertain, which is also something I love.
Thanks for letting me do that!
-George
Went to Southwick's Wild Animal Farm on Saturday with Joey's (my four year old) best friend Josh and his family. It was really cool! I get a kick out of zoos anyway, and this place has a ton of stuff; rhinos, elephants, lots of monkeys (a veritable barrel full), lions, leopard, camels, giraffes, etc. Afterwards we got some fried food (my favorite food group) at this place called George's Surf & Turf (delicious), and had a movie night at Josh's place. His dad had borrowed one of those gnarly PC projectors and we watched Shrek 2 projected on a sheet hung on the back of their house. It was really cool.
Okay.. answers to questions most frequently asked:
1. Yes, my nose, hair and name are all mine. I was born with them and they have not been altered. With the nose thing, my Mom and Dad were both blessed with good sized noses, and so there was no way of genetically dodging a prominent proboscis.
2. How'd I get into radio? Not enough space for the full explanation, but I will tell you that I have always loved both music and performing. I can't even remember when I started listening to music. I started at a seriously young age. The albums that stick out in my memory are Beatles: Rubber Soul, Jackson 5: Going Back To Indiana, and Led Zeppelin II. I also started play acting radio shows from a very early age. Early in life I also started playing musical instruments (or more accurately, making noise). My Dad was a lover of bluegrass music, and he played guitar, banjo, mandolin and more. He just loved making music and thought everyone should play an instrument, regardless of how serious their skill level was. So that made it easy for me to try different things out. Fast forward to early high school when I started playing in rock bands, initially on bass, switching quickly to lead guitar (cooler solos). Put in a lot of time playing rock band staples (Steve Miller, Lynyrd Skynyd, Jethro Tull, etc.), before branching out into Jazz and Funk. Getting into the funk prompted a switch back to bass, because playing funk bass to me is one of the most fun things you can do with your instrument on.
My first radio experience was at my high school, where they had a "carrier current" (you could only hear it in the high school) AM station. The first song I ever played on a radio station was "Outta Space" by Billy Preston. I kept with the radio thing in college, with a funk show on WMUA at UMass Amherst. After I graduated (with a Communications degree) I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do long term, but the live music part of my life was still very strong, so I played in bands at night and got a "day job" through a temp agency. I ended up getting hired full time, and before I knew it, I had been at the company (DH Heath in Lexington) for a few years, in a few different jobs.
Then came a strange time in my life leading to a "fish or cut bait" moment for me.
My Dad got sick and passed away, which was something I couldn't fathom happening - but it did. I feel very lucky that I had my dad for the time I did. Dad was certainly not perfect, but if I can be half the father that he was, I'm doing alright.
With that life-changing event, and the fact that I was approaching the big 3-0 I asked myself what I REALLY wanted to be doing, and the answer was radio. Went to broadcasting school (to intern at a radio station you need to be in school), interned at two radio stations and got a job doing traffic reports for Metro Traffic. Through sheer fate, one of the stations I was interning at was bought by the company that owned WBOS - which happened to be looking for a Production Director (the guy who makes those funny things that run in between songs). With my musical recording experience, I had, as the hip kids say, the skillz. I parlayed that into some on-air stuff, ended up on the morning show and never looked back.
I've been very lucky that I've been able to stay in my home market (rare for radio) and have encountered some very talented people along the way that have helped me out, and to whom I am sincerely grateful.
I like getting the question about what it takes to get into radio and be successful. Does it take a voice from God? No, thankfully. Although I'm happy with my own voice, I certainly don't have one of those big "radio" voices that used to be the norm. What's important nowadays is that you LOVE radio - that you realize it's a really cool vocation. Enthusiasm goes a long way in this business, as does flexibility, and the people who succeed in radio are those who genuinely have a good time on the air. For me it's great because it combines being immersed in music, which makes me a happy camper, with the opportunity to entertain, which is also something I love.
Thanks for letting me do that!
-George
Monday, June 18, 2007
Whadda weekend!
Whew... busy weekend! Had our sixth wedding anniversary on Saturday, Andy's 3rd birthday on Sunday, Father's Day on Sunday. Had some listeners in to Sunday Morning Over Easy.
I've said it before, I'll say it again, WBOS has the nicest, most interesting, and clearly most attractive listeners of any Boston radio station, and I had a stellar gang in on Sunday - thanks to them! Also had live music from the father/son team of Dennis & Jake Brennan. They really sounded fantastic, and they happen to also be very cool, very nice people.
But here's something that I'm equally elated about - got a new guitar over the weekend.
Bit of history:
Growing up, I loved electric guitars and at some point made it my mission to save up enough money to buy a reallly nice electric guitar. I set my sights on a wine red Gibson Les Paul Custom which I had been coveting at the late great Boston music store E.U. Wurlitzer. Over time I put as much money as I could from my after school job bagging groceries at the Triple A Supermarket in a savings account I had set up, and when I got close to the fundage I needed, my Dad helped me out and I made it my own. Now, Dad was a devout acoustic instrument guy, but more importantly he was a supporter of people playing music in general, so that trumped the fact that I was getting an evil electric, and he was happy for me.
That gorgeous Les Paul became my guitar through high school and beyond. I can't count the number of Freebird solos done on that particular guitar.
Then came college at UMass Amherst, and somehwere along the way I ended up selling the Les Paul - most likely to pay rent. This, despite the fact that my father would always tell me that a musical instrument is the last thing you should sell - that the likelihood of getting instrument selling regret is high. Boy was he right. Ever since, I have been lamenting that I got rid of that guitar.
So... many moons later, I express to my wife that one day I would like to get a guitar like that Les Paul (albeit a lower-end one - to replace the guitar I had nowdays would cost about the same as a decent used Hyundai).
Last week I stopped by Guitar Center and played a reasonably priced Les Paul and absolutely loved it. Started talking with the wife about putting money down on it so that it wouldn't get sold on me, and she said we should just get the thing. She's a smart woman. So it's a Father's Day/anniversary/upcoming birthday/Christmas present, and I love it. It brings back many memories of my previous Les Paul, and brings a serious smile to my face when I'm playing it. God, I love guitars.
-George
I've said it before, I'll say it again, WBOS has the nicest, most interesting, and clearly most attractive listeners of any Boston radio station, and I had a stellar gang in on Sunday - thanks to them! Also had live music from the father/son team of Dennis & Jake Brennan. They really sounded fantastic, and they happen to also be very cool, very nice people.
But here's something that I'm equally elated about - got a new guitar over the weekend.
Bit of history:
Growing up, I loved electric guitars and at some point made it my mission to save up enough money to buy a reallly nice electric guitar. I set my sights on a wine red Gibson Les Paul Custom which I had been coveting at the late great Boston music store E.U. Wurlitzer. Over time I put as much money as I could from my after school job bagging groceries at the Triple A Supermarket in a savings account I had set up, and when I got close to the fundage I needed, my Dad helped me out and I made it my own. Now, Dad was a devout acoustic instrument guy, but more importantly he was a supporter of people playing music in general, so that trumped the fact that I was getting an evil electric, and he was happy for me.
That gorgeous Les Paul became my guitar through high school and beyond. I can't count the number of Freebird solos done on that particular guitar.
Then came college at UMass Amherst, and somehwere along the way I ended up selling the Les Paul - most likely to pay rent. This, despite the fact that my father would always tell me that a musical instrument is the last thing you should sell - that the likelihood of getting instrument selling regret is high. Boy was he right. Ever since, I have been lamenting that I got rid of that guitar.
So... many moons later, I express to my wife that one day I would like to get a guitar like that Les Paul (albeit a lower-end one - to replace the guitar I had nowdays would cost about the same as a decent used Hyundai).
Last week I stopped by Guitar Center and played a reasonably priced Les Paul and absolutely loved it. Started talking with the wife about putting money down on it so that it wouldn't get sold on me, and she said we should just get the thing. She's a smart woman. So it's a Father's Day/anniversary/upcoming birthday/Christmas present, and I love it. It brings back many memories of my previous Les Paul, and brings a serious smile to my face when I'm playing it. God, I love guitars.
-George
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
We surprised Mom!
Weekend was fun,
The highlight was a surprise (sort of) 70th birthday party for my Mom. It was not completely a surprise because we had to let her know it was happening so that she wouldn't be out of town on the date we had planned. She wasn't aware of who was on the guestlist, however, and that's where the real fun was.
I think she had a genuinely good time. There were people from way back when... college roomates, people from her homeown of Winchester.. a lot of blasts from the past.
What made it cool for me and my sisters was that a lot of her old friends were also friends of Dad's and it was great to hear stories of Mom & Dad from way back when. Very timely in that I always am missing my Dad more around this time, what with Father's Day coming up and all. Dad passed away in 1990 and I miss him every day. I have no brothers, so he was like my Dad and Big Brother rolled into one.
Speaking of Father's Day - we're going to have fun this Sunday during my broadcast of Sunday Morning Over Easy. We'll get some listeners and their fathers to join us, have live music, goodies for the guests, and I'm trying to get my Uncle Kif (Lew Knight) to come for the festivities. He's my dad's younger brother and it would be great to have him there representing Dad.
Talk to you soon...
-George
The highlight was a surprise (sort of) 70th birthday party for my Mom. It was not completely a surprise because we had to let her know it was happening so that she wouldn't be out of town on the date we had planned. She wasn't aware of who was on the guestlist, however, and that's where the real fun was.
I think she had a genuinely good time. There were people from way back when... college roomates, people from her homeown of Winchester.. a lot of blasts from the past.
What made it cool for me and my sisters was that a lot of her old friends were also friends of Dad's and it was great to hear stories of Mom & Dad from way back when. Very timely in that I always am missing my Dad more around this time, what with Father's Day coming up and all. Dad passed away in 1990 and I miss him every day. I have no brothers, so he was like my Dad and Big Brother rolled into one.
Speaking of Father's Day - we're going to have fun this Sunday during my broadcast of Sunday Morning Over Easy. We'll get some listeners and their fathers to join us, have live music, goodies for the guests, and I'm trying to get my Uncle Kif (Lew Knight) to come for the festivities. He's my dad's younger brother and it would be great to have him there representing Dad.
Talk to you soon...
-George
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Blog like the wind
First off - thanks for reading my blog. It's kinda new territory for me, so you may have to bear with me a bit. And a warning - I am a lousy typist, so I apologize in advance for typos (if you see the word "Teh", I meant to type "the".
I shall make the topic of my first blog entry.. the weather! Mainly because its been so frickin' beautiful, and I am truly a summer guy. It just helps th ewhole outlook. There's nothing like a warm sunny day, with rightoues tunes playing to make the world right.
Please check back frequently for more bloggage.
-George
I shall make the topic of my first blog entry.. the weather! Mainly because its been so frickin' beautiful, and I am truly a summer guy. It just helps th ewhole outlook. There's nothing like a warm sunny day, with rightoues tunes playing to make the world right.
Please check back frequently for more bloggage.
-George
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