Rick Stenerson and Modern Man

I ran into a column in Sunday's Forum about my buddy Rick Stenerson and his friend Modern Man. Rick is a regular on our radio show. He's connected to a local video store and watches the new movies in time to review them on KFGO. He also does other stuff, (stuff that makes him a living for instance.) One of his lifelong buddies is a local artist named Modern Man.
I've known Mod for fifteen or so years and admire him greatly. His is truly the lot of an artist. His pot to piss in may improve if Rick has his way as he tries to get Modern's work in galleries around the country. His work is often startling and always unique. I wish him well.

Photo courtesy of In-Forum

Cover Story

Sandy and I made the cover of the High Plains Reader! We've "been together" for fifteen years as an on-air team. The folks at HPR thought it worthy of a story.
Check it out here.

Doug, Bob, Jack and Jurgie puffin' on a stogie from Fidel

This pic of some of the boys in Jamaica slammin' down a Cuban cigar reminds me of when Kinky Friedman visited the White House. He offered President Clinton a Cuban Cigar. The President, embarrassed and in front of many others, reminded the Kinkster that Cuban Cigars are illegal in the U-S. Kinky looked Bill in the eye and told him "..don't think of it as bolstering their economy; think of it as 'burning their fields.'"

Super Sunday. How shallow can I be? I dig Prince!?

Prince is just fine.
I'm rooting for the non-Chicago Bears team. Go whomever you are.
My wofe and I saw Prince at the Fargodome some years back. He was great. For a short guy, he's sensational. For a tall guy, he'd be just as good. I wonder if he'll ever age? How old is that purple little cat? I'd pay good money to see him at his new venue in Vegas.
It was a fine halftime show.
I'm on three boards and am ahead $0 at halftime.
Stay tuned.

Uploaded pics from Jamaica. The things you see alongside the road at 9 MILE, (Bob Marley's birth and resting place.)

Brrr

Here is is Super Bowl Sunday and once again my arse is frozen. Baby, it's cold outside. Minus 22 or something like that. You can see your breath! But, as I've heard a thousand times in the past week, "..that's why we live here!" And, I've heard, "...we've seen colder days." Yeah, right.

Jack and Sandy are now working the 10:30am-2pm shift at KFGO. It's an old time slot for us and we've been successful there in the past. I hope it works out this time around. We did well in the latest ratings. Our daypart was up in adult numbers. KFGO was up overall. Larry Ristvedt is back with Tom Wynn in the mornings. Ed Schultz is back at 8:30am until 10:30am. We expect he'll do well in the ratings.

I have no plans for Superbowl XLI. I've been invited to Dennis and Bernies to play cards. I'd love to do that but doubt I will. Loretta doesn't play cards and it's likely she'll want to do something today. I'm on three Superbowl boards! I don't know how I can avoid winning some money. Something will surely come my way...

A week ago...it looked like this...in Jamaica

And on the reverse side of oceans encroaching on Jamaican soil, comes a real OMG!

Tell me again Mr. Bush why you don't believe in global warming? Is it because you too will see yourself stranded on thawing ice in the Arctic Ocean?

There is so much to say.
We arrived in Jamaica at 1pm, Sunday. We were in our rooms by 2pm and with luggage by 3. Then it was exploring to discover the pools, food areas and bars. The bars were discovered first and the pools and food on Monday.
I was up at 6am, with a cloud of smoke covering the resort. They were fogging the flying creatures that inhabit the area. It worked. Few bugs. Some small ants.
No big deals.
I escorted a group of KFGO listeners on a "canopy tour" near Anchovy Jamaica, about 45-minutes out of Mo-Bay. (Montego Bay.)
It involved holding onto a cord while fliding down a rope across the abyss. Our longest traverse was 1070-feet, 210-feet above the forest floor. We were secured by two pulley and a safety cord. Somehow, the safety standards of Jamaica were remarkable. Each jump was accompanied by a guide double-checking each cinch, tug and fastener. What a rush! I can't explain how exhilerated I felt with each jump. Stepping off a platform 200-feet above the ground is exciting to say the least.
Each crew member that accompanied us was a great person. Each one was honest, happy and enthusiastic. I didn't have enough money to tip them what they were worth. Far more than the customary 15%. (That is customary isn't it?)
Tomorrow we go to The Bob Marley House and his final resting place. I'm very excited about it. I've been told that they tourguides treat it very solemnly, with great reverance and respect. If one were take the time to check out Bob Marley, you'd know why his was the largest funeral in the history of Jamaica.
I'm in an internet cafe in our resort. There are three people in line behind me and I should go. There's so much to say, but so little time in which to say it.
Something I must ask and try to respond to, is, "what can we learn from the Jamaicans?" They are so friendly, kind, respectful, cheery and deprived. We, proud, hardworking Americans, who have so much, are so often down and depressive. The poor and oppressed people of Jamaica are so up and happy. How does that happen? Are they in denial? Are they ignorant of their condition? Or, does the Ganja help that much?
by the way, our driver, Barry, today, when asked which "football" team he prefers...said...not New England. Not Chicago. He said..."Jamaica. But, really, I LOVE Team Italia."
Kinda' like me and The Twins...but, I LOVE The Yankees. Sorry about that.
The keeper of the cafe is looking anxiously my way.
I must leave.

Hey Mon', it's Jamaica!

We wing our way to Jamaica at 7am tomorrow. We arrive at noon. That means we'll be at the hotel by 1. We won't be allowed into our rooms until 3. It sounds like a couple of hours on the beach with a foo foo drink featuring a little bamboo umbrella, slices of pineapple and a bit of Jamaican rum.
I think I'll arrive at the airport in shorts, flowered shirt and sandles. That'll save me the hassle of changing into something more comfortable when I get there.
Loretta has us all packed and ready to roll. Char is going to stay with the dogs. He'll also give us a ride to the airport at 4am. (We haven't told him yet.)
I'll be posting comments about our adventure here.

My card-playing pardner, Bernie, wife of a man selected to be one of my pallbearers if and when that time arrives, has suffered a loss. Her precious cat has "stepped on a rainbow" and has been bugled back to the baby Jesus.
Kitty died.
I'm sorry for the cat, for Bernie and for all those that lose those precious pets. It surely does hurt.
Kinky Friedman is my guru and favorite author. He may be the greatest living author today. Here's what he wrote about losing his "Cuddles."

E P I L O G U E

On January 4, 1993, the cat in this book and the books that preceded it was put to sleep in Kerrville, Texas, by Dr. W.H. Hoegemeyer and myself. Cuddles was fourteen years old, a respectable age. She was as close to me as any human being I have ever known.

Cuddles and I spent many years together, both in New York, where I first found her as a little kitten on the street in Chinatown, and later on the ranch in Texas. She was always with me, on the table, on the bed, by the fireplace, beside the typewriter, on top of my suitcase when I returned from a trip.

I dug Cuddles' grave with a silver spade, in the little garden by the stream behind the old green trailer where both of us lived in the summertime. Her burial shroud was my old New York sweatshirt and in the grave with her is a can of tuna and a cigar

A few days ago I received a sympathy note from Bill Hoegemeyer, the veterinarian. It opened with a verse by Irving Townsend: "We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle ......

Now, as I write this, on a gray winter day by the fireside, I can almost feel her light tread, moving from my head and my heart down through my fingertips to the keys of the typewriter People may surprise you with unexpected kindness. Dogs have a depth of loyalty that often we seem unworthy of. But the love of a cat is a blessing, a privilege in this world.

They say when you die and go to heaven all the dogs and cats you've ever had in your life come running to meet you.

Until that day, rest in peace, Cuddles.

mmmmmmm.....

Moorhead American Legion Monday NIght Pinochle stats

CLICK ON THIS TO ENLARGE IT.
The team on which I play is "The Aces." We are mired in the middle of the pack this week I think. We didn't play well last Monday and should drop below our third-place standing.

Dennis Huber and his lovely, bright bride Bernie WON thousands of dollars in the West Fargo VFW Tournament earlier this month. My partner, Jody and I were "out of the money" by a couple of hundred points. She and I also stopped at The M&J Saloon and Steakhous in W-F on the way home. I ordered a Bloody Mary which was a very, very pale red. More vodka than tomato juice for sure. But, remarkably, Jody had a can of tomato juice in her purse, (?) and saved the day. We reddened it up, drank 'er down, and headed to Duffy's for a decent drink.

A week from today, Loretta and I fly from Fargo to Montego Bay Jamaica. We stay at the Sunset Beach Resort, in case you want to stop by and say "hey mon." We leave at 7am and arrive at 12n. That's fast. I have two Kinky Friedman books to delve into while there. I laugh aloud at the Kinkster. I admire his love of animals and his wry sense of life.

Another resolution

Beginning tomorrow, (Tuesday,) I'm going to go directly from my workout to work. That means I'll be showering at Meritcare Cardiac Rehab instead of coming home to do so. That means I'll be using a public shower, (which I'm sure is clean.) Should I wear flip flops? This means too, that I'll have to shave before I go to workout. Or do I bring my shaving kit and do it at the gym? Do I carry a suit bag since I wear a sports jacket, khaki's and dress shirt most days? How about my shoes?
Man, I'm hatin' 2007.

J. Edgar Hoover wore a dress. And was paranoic.

Ruining Your Holiday....Why the FBI Thought "It's A Wonderful Life" was a Subversive Film
Franklin & Marshall Professor uncovers the "dark side" of Capra classic

LANCASTER, Pa. -- "It's A Wonderful Life" is one of the most popular and heartwarming films ever made. Long regarded as the definitive Christmas movie, "It's A Wonderful Life" tells the tale of a man's life that is recognized as wonderful and truly rich after he suffers through many hardships and trials.


Yet in 1947, the FBI had some very different ideas about this holiday classic. In fact, the FBI branded "It's A Wonderful Life" and seven other films, including "The Best Years of Our Lives" as subversive.


To add insult to injury, the film's producer and director, Frank Capra, was reported to have "associated with left-wing groups and, on one other occasion to have made a picture which was decidedly socialist in nature--'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.'"


"The FBI tried to analyze the content of movies in order to find evidence that Hollywood communists were trying to put propaganda into movies," explained John Noakes, F&M assistant professor of sociology. "They had been keeping Hollywood under surveillance for several years, keeping track of people's affiliations, who ate lunch with whom, and who was sympathetic to communist causes. Their reasoning was that if you were either a communist or known to consort with communists, then you might put communist propaganda into your films."


In searching for subversive frames in Hollywood films, the FBI set up three categories of "common devices that were used to turn non-political pictures into carriers of political propaganda." These devices included smearing values or institutions judged to be particularly American, such as wealth, free enterprise and the profit motive; glorifying values or institutions judged to be particularly anti-American, such as failure or the triumph of the common man; and making casual references to current events that belittled American political institutions.


"According to the FBI, "It's A Wonderful Life" fit into the first two categories," said Noakes.


The casting of Lionel Barrymore as a "scrooge-type" resulted in the loathsome Mr. Potter becoming the most hated person in the film. According to the official FBI report, "this was a common trick used by the communists."


And, the triumph of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) represented the triumph of the common man, thus satisfying the second condition.


"What's interesting in the FBI critique is that the Baileys were also bankers," said Noakes. " and what is really going on is a struggle between the big-city banker (Potter) and the small banker (the Baileys). Capra was clearly on side of small capitalism and the FBI was on the the side of big capitalism. The FBI misinterpreted this classic struggle as communist propaganda. I would argue that 'It's a Wonderfil Life' is a poignant movie about the transition in the U.S. between small and big capitalism, with Jimmy Stewart personifying the last hope for a small town. It's a lot like the battle between Home Depot and the mom and pop hardware store."

I found that piece HERE

My Hometown, Firth Idaho

"How Much Fun am I?" Or, "What you Didn't Miss with me Last Night."

I was in the sack at 8:30pm New Year's Eve, 2006! 2007 was rung in by people other than I. I left the ringing to the pro's. Heck...I useta' be a fun person. What became of that guy? I miss him.

I did make a New Year's resolution:
I RESOLVE TO NEVER ASK SOMEONE I'VE CALLED ON THE CELLPHONE, "WHERE ARE YOU?"I hate it when asked, and will no longer questions someone's 10-20.

I had a dream last night. I dreamt that I met Art Bell of "Coast to Coast AM." In the dream I also shook hands with the big-voice guy that does Art's VO work on the all-night show. I remember in my dream being most impressed with the voice guy.

Rambling again

Who is THAT kid?
Saddam as a child. Pre-despot era.

Not that it matters, but, somehow, I feel a bit of sadness at the hanging of Saddam Hussein. I don't think we've discovered the extent of the USA's involvement in the gassing of the Kurds. One of our listeners on The Jack and Sandy Show said that Saddam got the gas from France. Well, who hasn't gotten gas from France? It would be nice to get the truth from someone other than well-known liars like the Bushies. I think he should have been kept alive, forever, in a tiny cell in some two-bit, third-world jail. A lifetime in a 9x7 cell sounds much worse than the momentary horror one would feel as he stepped upon the gallows.
A lifetime of terror has been repaid by a one-second drop with noose?

More important items are on the agenda this morning. I haven't written of my partner Sandy's husband having a medical adventure. He is home, recovering from major surgery. Without being too explicit, it was a typical male-only surgery, involving hard to get at body parts being removed. Cancer was in the mix, and has been completely removed. He is doing well and will recover fully. Doug, or as a few people who dare call him, "Pookie" is a great guy, a mental wizard and a good friend. I'm glad he's doing well.
This whole episode with Pookie has been reminiscent of a similar situation with my "Old Geezer" friend. Both these guys, among my hard-core group of true friends, get the same thing, same treatment and same outcome. I wonder if I'm an allergen? (I tend to think that I'm responsible for ALL THINGS...I'm not though...see: SADDAM HANGING.)

Another thing.

The Forum newspaper published an article about Ed Schultz

returning to KFGO. Many have expressed concern for Sandy and I if Big Ed comes back to the ranch. As with all things in life, there are only two things we can count on for sure....death and age spots. Sandy and I run into Ed about everyday at CC. (His national show is produced upstairs, just down the hall from my office.) He's been very pleasant and confident. We still aren't absolutely positive whether he's the guy that fired us a couple of years ago, or Dick Voight...or was it CC's reaches from the Twin Cities? Don't know. Don't care.
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is all we really have.
I'm confident though that the new owner of KFGO is congizant of our contribution to 790's success over the years. However, anything can happen. But, by God, I've got my health and a well-written contract. January 1st I begin my duties as Program Director for KFGO. We expect the FCC will OK the transfer from Clear Channel to local ownership within a month.
In the meantime. a locally maintained message board has been yipping like a toy poodle about Ed, KFGO, and Sandy and I...
HERE'S THE LINK:

To party or not....that is the question. I'd like to toss back a few, get smart, get in a fight, run naked through the streets and drive over lawns. But, will likely stay home and watch the Food Network. Rachel Ray is going to show us how to make delightful snacks from used confetti and and lying excuses for getting home late. (HUH?)

Who'd you rather be today? A former member of the Tri-Lateral Commission or a future member of Hell?

Movie Review...

"The World's Fastest Indian" with Sir Anthony Hopkins was GREAT! I can't say enough good about this authentic rendering of a common man's dream to break the world land speed record riding a 1920 Indian motorcyle. The movie is set in the mid-60's I think. Sir Anthony Hopkins is an acting fool. His character, Burt Munro of New Zealand couldn't have been more like himself than was portrayed in the film.
If there are only four stars to offer, I'd have to max out the rating system.
What a great movie....
Though not everyone will like "The World's Fastest Indian," I don't think I know those people.
You will like it, and if you don't...don't tell me.