Radio Disc Jockeys

This is something I think about sometimes. Mainly I wonder why in this computerized age, they haven't been more phased out. I listened mainly to Jack FM for years, partly for the wild variety of music (anything from 80's pop, classic rock, 90's grunge, even things like Atomic Dog every now and then!), but mostly because there are no DJs or annoying DJ chatter. I finally had to kick them to the curb for the most part, as they butcher a lot of classic rock songs (Free Bird, Won't Get Fooled Again, etc...) and I cannot tolerate that. I now listen to LoneStar 92.5 ; the DJs are not very intrusive, they only speak after a set of songs and not for long. As I think about it, DJs are even less necessary these days, as I guess the main function used to be to identify song titles and artists... but now you can find all that on the station's web site. Maybe a lot of people still want a little human touch these days when a lot of times it's hard to make a call without getting some kind of recording. There will also always be a need for traffic and weather information. I imagine though eventually human DJs will be more and more phased out...

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The Firm by John Grisham : The R R & R Review : !

Well, this is another book that kept me up past midnight. Very engrossing story of Mitch McDeere, who accepts a position with a law firm, while he had several offers from several other firms, and soon regrets it. This firm is caught up in some bad business that he soon becomes privy to. This book is a wild ride ; I would say take your time with it as it's hard to keep up with all the characters and shenanigans. On top of that, all the main characters end up with one or more alias ; one character even ends up with three (I think) and even comments she hopes she can keep up with them all. Mitch is one busy dude, becoming involved with both the Mafia and FBI. Ranger Brad recommends, as long as your brain is ready to keep up with everyone and everything...

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The Invasion of Sam Walton... On My Street!

I have finally found out what the construction is about at the end of my street which I have walked by... Walmart is arriving on my street... a street of nothing now but apartment complexes. Granted it won't happen any time soon as they have just begun. I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, it would make shopping for me a lot more convenient. Oh by the way, there is a Sams across the street from where my street dead ends near my apartment... so Sam Walton will be represented on both ends of my street! On the other hand, I think it might increase traffic on my street too much... which is not all that light to begin with. Also, I have a slight problem with Walmart's monopolizing attitude of taking over the world it seems... I'm sure a lot of mom & pop places have been put out of business by Walmarts in small towns. Then again, I would probably still shop there if it were that convenient... we'll see how it goes...

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Reading & Radio Resource

What do you know, some more r's... LOL. This is an organization I've been looking into. They record audio books and news for the visually impaired. I am interested in volunteering for them ; it sounds right up my alley since I love to read. I went on a tour of the place the other day and it seems neat ; everyone has their own booth to record in and a cubbyhole to keep the book they are working on. And there are plaques of recognition for so many hours of service. My next step is to tape an audition, which requires some study ; some of the words on these pages I don't know how to pronounce and accuracy is important. I will keep posted on how this progresses...

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Malcolm X(1992) : The R R & R Review

This is a biography of the controversial black leader directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington in the title role. It is mostly very good, involving and educational. It runs about 200 minutes and the first hour or so is kind of slow going, tracing his childhood and early life as a burglar, pursuer of white women, etc. It really picks up when Malcolm Little is imprisoned and is introduced to the Muslim faith by a fellow inmate. He is transformed into a charasmatic leader when he gets out, even able to lead several people marching down a street, in a memorable scene. On the personal front, his wife is played by Angela Basset, who I always like. But please tell me, who proposes marriage over the phone??? and who would accept over the phone... :>)

Malcolm X believed in separation for blacks and whites until he made a pilgrimage to Mecca, in a great sequence, where his beliefs are softened, and comes to realize Muslims come from all races. This change in his views eventually leads to his assassination while he's giving a speech, in front of his wife and little girls. If you can keep a dry eye while Ms Basset wails over her brutally murdered husband's body, you have a lot more restraint than I do. The film ends with actual footage of Malcolm X... Ranger Brad recommends... as long as you have 3 and a half hours in your schedule...

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Oh, The Weather Outside's Been Frightful...

Well, we had record snowfall in Dallas Thursday... it snowed day and night! It sure was nice to look at the whiteness from inside... with a hot chocolate. It's times like that I count my blessings I have a roof over my head... there have been times when I haven't, but thankfully it was never like the other day. There are a lot of trees around my complex and a lot of limbs fell from the weight of the snow! I know people up north think we are wimps as they have snow all the time :>) Truth is, I am so sick of this weather, figuratively and literally. I have gotten sick for the second time this season... think I'm getting over it now. I am so ready for spring and baseball season... bring it on!

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"1st To Die" By James Patterson : The R R and R Review

This is the first in a series known as the Women's Murder Club. It's formed over time by homicide inspector Lindsey Boxer, when she realizes she needs help with a sick, perverted series of murders of just-married couples, that come to be know as "The Honeymoon Murders". Let's just say the groom is always murdered first and the bride is always defiled in some way... AFTER she's killed! Over the course of the case, she enlists the help of her best friend Claire, medical examiner, also Cindy, a rising crime reporter, and Jill, a district attorney. They join forces and decide to conduct their investigation independent of the police force. The girls are all likable and the book works best when they meet up to discuss their clues. There are a couple of subplots that really get in the way a little bit, I think. I think Mr Patterson spends too much time on the relationship that blooms between Lindsey and her partner, and wasn't all that believable to me... but does provide some touching moments toward the end. Overall, a good, exciting, twisted story. One thing I will tell you, nothing is as it seems. I will look forward to reading more in this series. Ranger Brad recommends...

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A Raisin In The Sun(1961):The R R & R Review

I've seen this this afternoon. This is one special film. Starring Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee. Walter Lee Younger(Poitier) lives in poverty with his wife, sister, mother and young son, who has to sleep on the living room couch. They have a chance for something better when his mother(Ms Dee) receives a life insurance check for $10,000 from her late husband. However, mother and son clash on what to do with the money, which causes some tension(and him to turn to drinking) : he wants to invest in a liquor store, she ends up buying a more spacious house in a white neighborhood, which also causes tension. Walter Lee is pissed that she has "crushed his dream", but in a touching scene, she gives him the remainder of the money left from the house to put aside for sister Beneatha's medical school dream, the rest for a checking account for him, then tells him he is now "head of the household". This is based on a play, and each actor has a chance to shine. I always tend to like films based on plays. The sister provides some comic relief, she's a little different, to say the least. I recommend this highly, especially the last monologue by Poitier. Very moving...

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Some Thoughts On This Year's Oscar Nominations... and a daring Super Bowl prediction

As usual, I haven't seen any of these movies yet... but that won't stop me. First of all, the Academy is INSANE for stretching best picture to 10 nominees this year. I read somewhere that was due to to lower ratings for the Oscars in recent years. But I don't see how this will help. To me, it would be mind-numbing trying to choose between 10 movies. OK, that being said, from what I've read and heard, I think Avatar will be a shoo-in for best picture. I think it has already gone past Titanic as box-office champ of all time and money talks. Everyone seems to love it and it sounds like a ground-breaking picture. Therefore, James Cameron should win for best director, since best picture and best director almost always go hand in hand(but not Brokeback Mountain... a topic for another day). Best Actress is pretty interesting... Meryl Streep is of course nominated again for It's Complicated, but she does not have a chance, being the Academy does not like to honor comedies in general, romantic comedies in particular. Sandra Bullock will probably win, she has had a lot of "buzz", but then Helen Mirren might, she is very respected. But I will go with Ms Bullock. Best Actor will be between George Clooney and Jeff Bridges... Mr Clooney is an old favorite but has already won, as I don't know offhand if Mr Bridges has, and he got a lot of critical "buzz", so I will go with him. Supporting Actor, I will go with Matt Damon, he is always good, and Supporting Actress, with Mo'Nique for Precious, I've heard and read she was remarkable.

Now for the Super Bowl Sunday, I fearlessly predict that either the Saints or Colts will win... mark my words...

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My "Celebrity" Encounters

Since I have been blogging about all the celebrities my neighbor knows, I thought I would talk about the "stars" I have seen, which is very few, and not as glamorous as hers :>) I have already reported in a previous blog about meeting Al Brumley, who used to do write-ups on Howard Stern in the Dallas Morning News, at a gathering of fans when his radio show was about to be taken off the air in Dallas. Not sure what happened to him. On another Stern front, I met his sidekick Robin Quivers when she did a book signing in Dallas for her autobiography "Quivers... A Life". By the way, that is a well-written and involving book, I would reccomend it. She was very nice, and the most deserving of my encounters to be called a "celebrity" Though I don't know what she is up to these days, even if she's still with Stern, as I'm no longer a fan of his. I find his humor kind of juvenile now. Even though I still enjoy South Park and Family Guy and the like. I've also seen Jeff Brady of Channel 8 news a couple of times at the Starbucks where I hang out. The first time I did a double-take as he walked by and like a dumbass said "Aren't you on the news?". I'm sure he was thinking "Can't I even go to Starbucks without being recognized by some nerd? :>)

On a barely related topic, I have gone to a lot of concerts in my youth, when I had more money, and they weren't so expensive! The highlight is definitely Pink Floyd at the now gone Texas Stadium, but I've also been to Rush, Don Henley several times, Stevie Nicks, Bob Seger, a double bill of Chicago and the Beach Boys, several others. I also won tickets on a radio call-in to Crosby Stills and Nash, which was cool...

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More Name Dropping From My Fun Neighbor

I love it when she comes over and gets in her name dropping mode like she did the other night. "Bohemian Rhapsody" was on again and it got her reminiscing about meeting Roger Taylor and Freddie Mercury(she calls him Brian) from Queen. She went on a couple of dates with Roger and even came up to her apartment for drinks. Unfortunately, she says he told her he could not spend the night because the band had made a pact not to separate on tour. She also met Dusty Hill from ZZ Top, her friend went out with him for a little while. But this may be the best part. She says she was a stand-in for Victoria Principal on "Dallas". She hung out with Larry Hagman and Steve Kanaly but Ms Principal kept to herself. When she gets in this mode, I pay strict attention because I don't want to miss a thing! How much, if any, is true, I don't know, but I sure enjoy hearing it!

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Controversy Where There Should Be None: The Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad

I read about this last week. Apparently college football star Tim Tebow is in a Super Bowl ad with his mother where the theme is "Celebrate Life" His mother was encouraged to abort the pregnancy that produced him while she was on a dangerous mission in Africa, I think. And he is grateful to her for that. And this has the radical women pro choice groups up in arms! I really can't believe these people. How could such a sweet sentiment be controversial? These women are not "pro-choice" in my opinion. Doesn't pro-choice also mean to have the choice NOT to abort? The groups that oppose this ad are scary. I say good for Tim Tebow and his mom!

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