We all just wanna be Weather Channel Stars

 

(so how you gonna do it?)

I’m Gonna trade this life for fortune and fame, I’d even cut my hair and change my name (to Jim, or Alexandra), ’cause we all just wanna be Weather Channel Stars livin in hilltop houses dodging houses and cars, the girls are pretty and screens are sweet and Al Roker we all get to meet. We’ll hang out in the coolest bars, in the VIP with the movie stars even Playboy Bunnies with their bleach blonde hair,  hey hey I wanna be a Weather Channel Star. (note to mom, I stole some lyrics and changed them from a song called “I wanna be a rockstar”)

Weatherman…or weatherperson I guess since Alexandra, Heather and locally Janet and Catherine grace our screens are our local versions of rockstars.  We all get up in the morning and wonder what the weather is going to be like.  Or in the evening to plan the next day.  Might for work, or junior has a game or maybe you are going fishing or skiing, what ever it is weather affects our daily life, and so does the weather man or woman.

Why do we put our trust in these people?  Why when they are rarely right on or even close?  I picture the big morning weather meeting like this:  The group huddles in a dark room surrounded by glowing screens showing the latest gizmo’s in the weather world, Doppler(what ever that means) radar, computer models(no not the pretty woman kind), historical data, and the Farmers Almanac and yet they cower in the darkness away from all of this throwing chicken bones and finalizing the “forecast” with a killer game of paper, rocks and scissors.  This goes on for hours on end, especially if the bones tell them a storm is a brewing.  When the group can’t all assemble due to illness or vacation I believe they go back to old school meteorology and throw darts at a board with all the possible scenarios given the time of year (bulleye, gonna be a typhoon today so wear your goloshes).

I am fasinated by weather that is why I jest.  I study weather for my sailing experiences and like to know what to expect when I walk out the door each day.  I can not think of another profession (maybe some in the medical field or counseling) where you can be a “rockstar” and be compensated so well for being wrong so often.  What is the average track record? 50% spot on?  Maybe not that good, depends on how the bones are rolling that morning.

Case in point, winter snowfall predictions for 2011-12.  This whole topic came up last week (January 2012) when we were basking in the beautiful warm weather of late winter or early spring, in January.  Temps had been in the mid to upper 40′s for weeks.  The only snow we saw was in November, almost two months earlier.  The snowfall predictor showed that this winter was going to be a blustery old-fashioned winter filled with copious amounts of the white stuff.  Hmm, must have misread the bones again.

I should have been a meteorologist.  It was not nearly as sexy of a career when I was in college, no Weather Channel (for you youngun’s out there, Cable TV didn’t arrive with Christ’s birth, it is a fairly new technology you take for granted).  Can you imagine being wrong 50+% of the time and pulling down large figures from the boss man.  Most of us would be fired with a track record like that.  The average salary for a meteorologist today is $90,000 a year and if you are a Jim Cantore wanna be at the Weather Channel be prepared to make upwards of $120,000 a year.  Bingo we have a winner.

I guess I am not all that surprised that weather people aren’t all that accurate.  You have to remember Anchorman, the legend of Ron Burgandy.  Brick Tamland was the weatherman, need I say more?

Skilled Trades in America a unique look and plea

This from Mike Rowe, host of Dirty Jobs on Discover Channel.  He makes a plea to government officials with some great points and unwanted outcomes if this isn’t addressed.

 

Another example of whats wrong with todays media

You’re a 19 year old kid.

You’re critically wounded and dying in the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam ..

It’s November 11, 1967. LZ (landing zone) X-ray.

Your unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense from 100 yards away, that your CO (commanding officer) has ordered the MedEvac helicopters to stop coming in.

You’re lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you’re not getting out.

Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you’ll never see them again.

As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.
Then – over the machine gun noise – you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter.
You look up to see a Huey coming in. But.. It doesn’t seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it.

Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you.

He’s not MedEvac so it’s not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he’s flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway.

Even after the MedEvacs were ordered not to come.He’s coming anyway.

And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 3 of you at a time on board.

Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses and safety.

And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!!
Until all the wounded were out. No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs and left arm.
He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman, United States Air Force, died last Wednesday, 12-14-2011, at the age of 70, in Boise, Idaho.

May God Bless and Rest His Soul.

I bet you didn’t hear about this hero’s passing, but we’ve sure heard a whole bunch about Lindsay Lohan, Dr. Murray, that sicko Sandusky, and a 72- day sham marriage.

Shame on the media !!!

It is really unfortunate that our news media has lowered themselves to the level they have.  Currently celebrities with drug and drinking problems, pedophiles and marriages made to cash in on TV monies and reality shows are more important than true American Heroes and real news stories.

A good time for a rerun…hey hey hey

What’s happening Rog?  A 70′s sitcom type of header, anyone?  Anyway…

As I have struggled lately with topics and inspiration I continue to look in different places.  I vaguely remembered jotting down a New Year’s wish that struck a chord.  So I thought I would re read it.  It spoke to me again, as it did when it jumped from my mind to my fingers to my keyboard.

This time of year is full of hope and appreciation.  I spend time to reflect on what was, what is and what will be.  I pray for my family and myself and I pray for you, all of you.  I want a better world for my daughter and wife and for the next generation.  I want parents to parent again and children to be respectful and kind.  I want peace in a world filled with hatred.

So enjoy last years post again, it is still relevant and timely.  Here’s to 2012 and hope.

http://mdprincing.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/i-said-a-prayer-for-you/

Does this make me a bad person?

“I like going to parent teacher conferences”, is how I picture the start of my confession to the shrink in my not to distant future.  “Does this make me a bad person”? I question out loud to Dr. Mindbender (made up don’t go looking for him/her…her definately…in the yellow pages).

Dr. Mindbender digs deeper with every visit until she discovers my horrid secret.  I really do like the parent teachers conferences, but why she asks.  I like to feel good about myself is my dark secret that is uncovered.  YES, YES it’s true!  I like to hear other adults tell how great my daughter is!  How wonderful she is to be around.  How smart she is and how she asks the best questions and helps to clarify learning (so the other understand as well) in a very well-mannered and intelligent way.  I DO!

I imagine that Dr. Mindbender would at this point would scrape me off the ceiling and ask why I feel that is different or dark.  I would point out the majority of youths today who are raised by the system instead of the parents (novel idea) who don’t have respect for their peers and constantly act out or are spoiled brats.  I would give examples, or let the teachers give them, of how well behave Sydney is, and courteous, polite and well-mannered.  A gem if ever there was one with a very big heart and love of learning and life.  Kickin’ it old school.

Yes tonight was parent teacher conferences and yes I went and got my fill.  I struggled to get my big head (oh is she really that great, stop…keep telling…stop…more please)  back into the car for the ride home but managed.  I also deflated when I allow my delusion to end and give the girl the credit, she is wonderful because she chooses to be.  Her parents, all four of us are just her guides (God is her biggest leader) in life.  We can show her the way (right and wrong) but she has to choose the path.  So far she is spot on.  Thanks Kid, your Daddy is your biggest fan and I love you.

Dreaming of St. John

Soloman Beach

 Normally I would be waking up sipping coffee looking over Cowpet Bay and the kids sailing Opti’s out of the St. Thomas Yacht Club.  This is the first time in 5 years Kitten and I rolled out of bed at home on this sunday in November.  Very different, very cold.  So I thought I would put a photographic blog together of our dreaming this year.  Enjoy these images from our past visits to our favorite Caribbean Island, St. John.

Honeymoon Beach all to our selves again

Kitten frolicking in the waves at Cinnamon BayA great way to see St. John, VI Flyaway Charters with our friend Capt. TrumanHanging with the rich and famous at Caneel Bay ResortGorgeous Trunk Bay one of our favorites

 It’s 10am Kitten, we should be at JJ’s Texas Coast Bar enjoying Egg’s Benedict and a bloody buddy for you and an ice cold Heineken for me.  Food for the hike to Soloman and beyond.  How about a date for this day next fall?

KNOCK, KNOCK….who is it?

Somebody’s knocking at the door, somebody’s ringing the bell.  Somebody’s knocking at the door, somebody’s ringing the bell.  Do me a favor, open the door and let them in.   -Paul McCartney

 

Knock, Knock…who is it I wonder?  (creaking of my door opening) Why it’s Chicken Little, duh.   Of course it is, the sky must be falling because Kim Kardasshian (note the spelling this how much she means to me) is in the news again.

I stumble out of bed at 5:30 am.  I shuffle into my well-worn slippers, shrug on my Chargers (Valley Lutheran not San Diego) sweat shirt and Sparty fuzzies.  One step, shuffle, trip over Lucy, grumble, get bounced on by Sam in my mine field like trek to the coffee pot.  I am ever on alert for stray toys (Lucy, again) that present shuffle hazards while I pour a man’s cup of morning Java with white chocolate and caramel creme, good morning beautiful.  My internal GPS has a route that takes me around the dining room and to the comfort of the couch so that I can absorb the morning news, you know important events that have occurred around the world in the realms of business, government, education, sports, events, religion, charities and other causes.  This is my time, no one to talk to just listening so that I am aware of the world around me and can discuss later if I choose with some intelligence (term loosely attached to todays media).

Somebody’s knockin, should I let him in?  Lord it’s the devil, would you look at him.  I heard about him but I never dreamed, he’d have blue eyes and blue jeans.  -Terri Gibbs

This morning is different.  This marks day two of her in the news.  Her being Kim Kardasssian(again, I don’t care about the spelling).  More specifically her woe is  me I’m getting divorced from some NBA shmuck after 72 days whine.  She says she married for love (cough, choke, muffled expletive that starts with bull).  In her infinite wisdom(?, followed by chuckles heard round the world) she said she had to follow her heart in this divorce, I guess she was following her pants in the marriage?

Back to the point.  I don’t care.  This is not news.  This does not belong on my morning news program, it belongs on Entertainment Tonight.  I will most likely switch channels in the morning news realm, however I am afraid the others will cover it too.  Why?

How does this news affect me (with the exception of pissing me off in the morning)?  How does it affect my town, state, country and world?  Is it somehow related to a break through in science or medicine?  Is it related to a Nobel Prize (this has been questionable lately)?  Does it somehow effect schools, churches, charities or local business?  How is it deemed news worthy by so-called journalists?

Gone are the days of the journalist I fear.  They have been replaced by gossip columnists.  Scare tactic reporters who spin countless threads with nothing but bad news and their political agendas.  In the mix would include entertainment and talk shows.  Where have all the journalists gone?  You remember the ones who dug up the good stories, the real stories that affected our lives.  Ones that relished the good news stories but could deliver bad news if it was necessary.

I would trade today’s bunch for Ron, Champ, Brick and Brian from Anchorman.  Oh and for you famous professional athletes who read my rants ( you know who you are), if you see Kim K coming your way remember the infamous words of Forrest Gump’s momma, “RUN (insert name), Run (insert name)”!

Knots

Many times we stumble through life and find inspiration in places we don’t expect it.  This is a beautiful inspirational prayer that Kitten brought home from work with her today.  It was given to her by a rather eclectic man but one strong in his beliefs and today she was touched and shared it with me.  So today I share it with you and thanks goes out to Buster.

The Knot Prayer

Dear God:

Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life;  Remove the have nots the cannot, and the do nots that I have in my mind.  Erase the will nots, may nots and might nots that may find a home in my heart.  Release me from the could nots, would nots and should nots that obstruct my life.  And most of all, Dear God I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart, and my life all the am nots that I have allowed to hold me back.

In Jesus name Amen.

We find inspiration in all different places.  In people, places and things.  I feel it most mornings this time of year when I cross the Tittabawasee River each morning as the sun shines over the water and reflects the autumn colors on the water.  I find the inspiration in the positive words of a  co-worker who is going through a difficult time.  I find it in the eyes of my wife and daughter as they gaze at me lovingly.  I find it in the wind, the sun and all the wonder that surrounds us.

I hope you all find a Buster to brighten your world today.

I Believe

This was sent to me by a good friend who I miss dearly every day.  Thanks Lisa, Doug and Harper.  Enjoy.

 

~~ I BELIEVE ~~      A Birth Certificate shows that we were born  A Death Certificate shows that we died  Pictures show that we live!  Have a seat.  Relax . . . and read this slowly.   I Believe…  That just because two people argue,  It doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.  And just because they don’t argue,  It doesn’t mean they do love each other.   I Believe… That we don’t have to change friends if  We understand that friends change.   I Believe… That no matter how good a friend is,  they’re going to hurt you  every once in a while,  and you must forgive them for that.   I Believe… That true friendship continues to grow,  even over the longest distance.  Same goes for true love.   I Believe…  That you can do something in an instant  That will give you heartache for life.   I Believe… That it’s taking me a long time  To become the person I want to be.   I Believe… That you should always leave loved ones with Loving words. It may be the last time you see them.   I Believe…  That you can keep going long after you think you can’t.   I Believe… That we are responsible for what  We do, no matter how we feel.   I Believe… That either you control your attitude or it controls you.   I Believe… That heroes are the people who do what has to be done, when it needs to be done,  regardless of the consequences.   I Believe… That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.   I Believe… That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.   I Believe… That sometimes, when I’m angry,  I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.   I Believe… That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had  And what you’ve learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.   I Believe… That it isn’t always enough  to be forgiven by others.  Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.   I Believe… That no matter how bad  your heart is broken,  the world doesn’t stop for your grief.   I Believe… That our background and circumstances  may have influenced who we are, but,  we are responsible for who we become.   I Believe… That you shouldn’t be  so eager to find out a secret.  It could change your life forever.   I Believe… Two people can look at the exact same thing And see something totally different.   I Believe… That your life can be changed  in a matter of hours  by people who don’t even know you.   I Believe… That even when you think  you have no more to give,  When a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.   I Believe… That credentials on the wall  do not make you a decent human being.   I Believe… That the people you care about  most in life  are taken from you too soon.   I Believe… That you should send this to  all of the people that you believe in. I just did. ‘The happiest of people don’t necessarily have  the best of everything;  They just make the most of everything they have.     =

Belief

I don’t normally do this but I am giving you all a link to a great blog by my friend Curt.  Curt is a great publicist and promoter of talent and a well spoken and written christian author of a childrens book.

I often find inspiration in Curt’s blogs.  He is blatantely honest, direct and too the point.  He is also proud of his faith and encouraging to those who don’t believe.  refreshing to say the least.

Anyway, enjoy I do and I will find time to write my mummblings in the near future.

http://curtharding.com/blog/

thoughts, comments, critique, always welcome.

 

Matt