What a drag it is getting old...

Those words, from the Rolling Stones' "Mother's Little Helper" may just sum it up for the band these days. From people I've talked to, they still put on a good show, but the years are catching up with the guys. It's been reported recently that Mick Jagger goes backstage for a few hits of oxygen while Keith does his guitar solos. And I've heard he sometimes uses a teleprompter to avoid forgetting lyrics. Hey, whatever works for them is fine. I have a feeling they may be singing alternative lyrics on their upcoming tour, such as Paint It Black (in big letters I can see,) I Can’t Get No Satisfaction (without Viagra,)
Hey You…Get Off My Lawn, Waiting On Depends and Time Is (Not) On My Side.

She's such a control freak

Well, have you heard the latest audio where someone was caught off-guard by a microphone that was on when it should have been off? It happened today while CNN was covering the President's speech on the anniversary of Katrina. Reporter Kyra Phillips, apparently talking with someone in the bathroom, was heard loud and clear over the President. The
conversation includes her making a not-so-nice remark about her sister-in-law. Now, she should have turned the mic off before leaving the anchor desk, but I really blame the sound engineer. Where was this person and why were they not listening? The minute this audio was heard, it could have been turned off. I've learned after 16 years in radio, if something's on that shouldn't be, turn it off! Hey, maybe there's a job opening at CNN!

Now I feel old

It's off to college for a lot of folks, including my cousin Jim and my friend Deniese (that's not a picture of either by the way.) Beloit College has published their annual
mindset list. For example, incoming college freshmen (average age 18) have always had wireless phones, always known Germany as one country, grew up in mini-vans and have known only 2 US Presidents! They also have no idea what the fuss is about "Saturday at the 70s" on WNNS, although some discovered the music through their parents. Check out the whole list...if you want to feel old!

No, I don't want any

I guess companies have to do something now that the "do not call" list has cut down on telemarketing. So, if you call your credit card company or other business, prepare to get a sales pitch. This happened to me when I called with a routine question. "Can I interest you in signing up for credit protection...the first month is free." It even happens at the fast food places..."welcome to so and so's, would you like to try a chicken sandwich?" No, I drove up with a taste for a cheeseburger and I'm sticking to that! I don't want fries with that, I don't want to supersize, I don't want an apple pie, magazine subscription (an electronics retailer is selling these at checkout,) credit protection or anything else you're trying to sell. Let's just take care of the business at hand, thank you.

Are you gellin? Get off the plane!

The terror plot that was exposed last week has led the TSA to issue a new list of banned items for air travelers. I don't fly much, but in case you do,
here's the list. Lighters are an obvious one, but pretty much all liquids are now banned. Toiletries, like hair gel and mouthwash, are out. So are those comfy gel shoe inserts. No bugspray, toothpaste, nail polish or gel-cap pills. Expect longer lines when you check in too, as more care is taken to check bags. Hopefully this will keep air travel safe. Have a nice trip!

An Inconvenient Spoof

Well, once again I'm unable to upload a picture, don't know why. So just imagine a picture of Al Gore talking on a cell phone. That's what I had picked out. It seems the popular video site, youtube is featuring a spoof of Al Gore's environmental movie, An Inconvenient Truth. "Al Gore's Penguin Army" features Gore blaming everything on global warming as he brainwashes some penguins. Perhaps harmless fun, or perhaps something more? According to a story in the Wall Street Journal (read it here) the video originates from someone at DCI Group, a lobbying firm whose clients include Exxon-Mobil. No one at DCI or Exxon will talk about it, but could the video have been designed as a marketing tool to discredit Gore's message? I hope none of my $3.05 per gallon went to fund this venture. Whether you believe in global warming or not, you have to admit the environment's getting more polluted every day. That's why some larger cities have tougher emissions standards, which has led to innovations like hybreds and electric cars. Oh, I've heard "Who Killed the Electric Car" is another great movie. Perhaps a spoof of that is next.

Cool

Hope this and other thoughts of winter might help cool you down. From the National Weather Service website..."on average, as many people die from heat each year as from tornadoes, lightning, floods, hurricanes, and cold weather combined! In Chicago, 525 people died in a 3 day heat wave in mid July of 1995." So don't overexert yourself. Keep pets inside and drink plenty of fluids!