Jon's 46 and Lost in Cyberspace

On the subject of "Hitting the Wall"

2009-12-23T10:35:00.000-08:00

It has been four years. I have watched my world be flipped upside down then right side up and back and forth. Over that time I believe that the people around me may have noticed, but also knew that "dependable me" would still be around.

That seems to be my nature. I am always around when people need me. Need an assistant coach for a team, I am there. Need someone to help raise money, call me. Need someone to design a new logo for a group, e-mail me. Need someone to make sure everyone gets home safely while the world drinks around me, yep, I am there. It is just my nature.

For the first time ever, on Monday, I hit the wall, and it hit back very very hard. My reaction, as always, was just to get my self up and dust myself off and start all over again. This time, when I tried to get up... it took effort.

The goalie mask you see above carries the quote "Fall down 8 times, get up 9." It belongs to former WHL goalie Dustin Tokarski. It really exemplifies what I try to do... but this time the effort seemed so much different.

So... let's take a look at the last 12 months in my life...
Had a mystery headache that flattened me for two weeks causing me to go get a CT scan.
The results of the scan found nothing. (insert joke here.)
Answered dozens of Facebook random facts and questionnaires with every conceivable fact about myself.
Discovered re connections with people that I could have never imagined and realized I have made some kind of difference in many people's lives.
Created the mother of all Facebook notes with the "300" note, acknowledging stories about each and every one of my 300 Facebook friends.
Wondered how I have 562 Facebook friends now.
Said goodbye to my parents house by going to organize its clearance.
Watched a moving van pull up to my house and leave the memories of UpDaCreek in my own house.
Saw the people I work with at my major client get fired and the new ones wonder if I could in fact do my job.
Had those same people realize that I might be the person right to run their operations for the long term.
Lost a television show that I had worked on for the last 7 years.
Got a "replacement" deal for less than half the money for segments instead of a show.
Saw a 15 year streak of Emmy Nominations come to an end.
Realized that Emmy Awards were something I had obsessed about for no particularly good reason.
Turned 46 and figured I am on the "back nine."
Started an improv group that has brought me more joy than anything I could have ever imagined, and found a new permanent home for the group just six months into its existence as the theatre's resident group.
Almost saw the theatre close its doors before we even got to do our first shows until an anonymous donor saved the day.
Created a video for my daughter's sixth grade graduation that made everyone in the gym cry.
Cried at the fact that I have such a tenuous relationship with my daughter.
Had a dream that allowed me to see amazing possibilities in my life.
Had a dream where I didn't get away from the "bad guy" for the first time and felt the pain of being shot.
Had another mystery illness that shut down my digestive system for a week forcing me to get an MRI.
Had a situation where a close friend wondered if I had become a different person than the one he knew.
No cause was found, and it went away.
Saw my ability to sleep more than 8 hours go away.
Took a cruise and felt so close to the people I met on the ship, I almost applied for a permanent job on the Cruise Staff.
Came back to reality and realized that cruise life is fantasy, and reality can really suck.
Sent my son on an incredible three week cross country road trip.
Spent most of the next three weeks talking him off the ledge as the kids on the trip were making life miserable for him.
Wrote my first song.
Heard the crowd, thinking the show was over, talk over the last verse which had the message to it.
Questioned my future for the first time in such a way that I wasn't sure how it would all turn out.
Went through a long process to try to find a way to strengthen what I already have.
Found myself waking up before sunrise on most days, whether it was planned or not.
Left the place that I had lived in for longer than any other place in my life.
Moved to a new house that is so far out of my league it is ridiculous, but am finding a way to make it work.
Discovered an untapped improv character ability to "be big."
Discovered that I still felt like a jilted school girl when I didn't get invited to a party that many of my friends were invited to.

I think you can see how I might have hit said wall.

However, as I write you, the sun is out. I am in an amazing office surrounded by the memories of the past and the possibilities of the future.

I have two families that love me... one that I have, one that I chose, and who chose me.

And the wall is something I look back on and realize that I am only human. It will reappear when I least want it to... but at least I know it is there and may be better prepared for it next time.

Merry Christmas all... hope your wall stays in your rear view mirror and the endless possibilities of life bring you blue skies ahead.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of UpDaCreek

2009-12-01T11:52:00.000-08:00

Greetings to you, fine internet people... it's been a while.

I am coming to you live from the garage of an empty house. It was the house I lived in longer than any other, yet now, it lies without a chair, without a table, with nothing but the internet modem which is the last thing that dwells in the dwelling.

It is a surreal sight to look around and see where I changed the diapers of our first child, then our second. It is so strange to see the place where I sat in disbelief when we had to take our daughter to the hospital for the first time. It is unnatural to look into the kitchen and not see my lovely wife welcoming me home. I look at the sliding door and there is no dog waiting to be let inside. Home is now a memory.

Last night, I spent the night in an almost as empty house just a few minutes away from here, but a world away in terms of what will be. From a nice size rambler to the house that most people can only dream about, but somehow it has become ours.

The last time I had emotions like these were when I visited my parent's house for the last time. They lived in South Carolina in a house they called UpDaCreek, as it sat by an ocean fed creek.

Driving away from my new house for the first time this morning, I realized that we are on the banks of an ocean fed creek as well. Ours is on top of a hill and you have to go down a trail to get to it, but none the less, it is there. So, I called my wife and asked if she realized this as well. She didn't put two and two together either.

We had always said we wanted to live like my parents did, in a house of dreams, by the water, and now in a way we have. So we have dubbed the new house UpDaCreek West, and we will refer to it as a tribute to my wonderful parents who dreamed of this for us those many years ago.

Finally, their dream came true, and so did ours... and we think that somehow, some way, the connection of the Atlantic to the Pacific and the creeks that run by, make it all the more right.

Hey Mom and Dad, we made it!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of 5 in the morning

2009-10-28T05:36:00.000-07:00

Okay... it's technically 5:37 in the morning. I have been up for almost an hour now.

The song on the iTunes from Gary Go asks "whatever happened to me?" I don't think there could be a more appropriate song for this moment.

Over the last two months, my life has undergone a drastic change. I have seen the highs and the lows, the best and the worst... and I realize that I have not shared any of it like I used to. So let's get to that shall we?

This week alone, my wife and I have sold and bought a house. We never thought we would want or need to move, but as kids grow up, they seem to need space. Maybe, I should be more accurate. We needed more space. I love my kids, but they always seem to be right on top of us, leaving me and Gale with very little room to breathe. So now, we will have some breathing room as well as a new opportunity.

I have always wanted to entertain friends in my house, and our new house will allow us to do that in spades. It is a dream house that we could have never dreamed of, but as the stars aligned, interest rates low, job doing well, and housing prices where they are... we could.

Then, there is improv. Oh my God, how improv has changed my life. I have spent so many entries on this blog telling you about improv, but I had no idea what it would truly mean to me. The freedom it has given me to expand my horizons is limitless. That's what happens when you make up life as it goes along.

My improv group, {breakout}, will be moving into our own theatre in December. I went into this theatre with the idea of just doing some shows and the timing could not have been any better. They wanted to have a regular group to bring in younger audiences... and there we were. It is a magical place, or that was the feeling I had after our first rehearsal there. It seems so right, and I look forward to the hours I will be spending there.

The place that taught me all the improv skills is still a place I call home as well. Jet City Improv is looking to me to help them raise money as a member of their board. It is a tough thing to do with the limited experience I have, but ideas seemed to be what they needed. Let's hope those ideas can turn into dollars. I think they will eventually.

How about family? Life could have changed pretty dramatically there too. If there are peaks and valleys in any marriage, I have seen them both in the past two months. From the desperation of feeling totally detached to the high of new possibilities, this thing called love has been a crazy little thing. I am very blessed that I was raised to see things through, and keep promises, and that is what I continue to do every day. Happily, I have a good partner in that.

My kids... well, my relationship with my daughter is recovering. I am sure there are people who feel that they have no attachment to their kids. Not like the woman in "Private Practice" who won't look at her baby. I am talking very little in common and constant fighting. Such as it is with my girl. However, it seems like the freeze is beginning to thaw from both sides, and somewhere through the ice, we will swim in a relationship again. That's nice.

And what about a son who is so close to being you it is uncanny. My son is a mini-me. He does the same things I did growing up, makes the same mistakes, pulls the same tricks. He, however, has something inside him, that I never saw in me at his age - heart. He puts a lot into things even though he gets knocked down (that, I understand.) He is an amazing soccer goalie, with a competitive spirit. When it comes to friends, it's hard to see how it's going. He say he's picked on a lot. I know I was at his age. He has a strength that I did not, so I think he will be just fine. He is a loving son, and we are lucky that he is around.

Work? Wow... I could not have thought that things could change so much in a year. Yesterday, I left my office of the past three years, after five years of having an outside office, and moved back home. I sit here in the home office typing this and it seems surreal. And today, I discuss the future with my major clients, and I do so with confidence of a job well done. If you had asked me two months ago about my confidence in the future, I would have told you it could go either way. Today, it seems pretty good!

So what gets me up at 5 in the morning? That is the 64,000 dollar question. I can't sleep anymore. It started this past summer. The guy who loved to sleep in till 10 AM and hated mornings finds himself up before the sun on most days. I try to figure out a way to get back to sleep, but many mornings, I just give up. Like right now, I feel like going to bed, but it seems more right to talk to you.

The Gary Go playlist plays in the background. One of the songs on that collection is called "I am wonderful." It's not a song about egos, it's a tale of feeling good about yourself. Well, today, I, am wonderful. Tomorrow may hold other things, but I will take today.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger.

On the subject of new beginnings.

2009-10-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

Hey there... sorry to have been gone for so long. It's a busy time for me. Football season is in full swing, with basketball hot on its heels. However, what is most exciting is what I will share with you now.

Yesterday, my improv group {breakout} announced a creative partnership with a local theatre called The Phoenix Theatre. We will produce original shows for them throughout the next year, and hopefully beyond.

I will share some personal thoughts on the blog, as I promise to get back to writing. I have spent so much time launching this project that I have neglected some things... like the old blog. However, with this new beginning, I will begin to blog again. If you keep reading, you will even find a new old entry as I found one just sitting there, waiting to be finished!

I have missed you all!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Connections and Definitions"

2009-09-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

(I began this entry and realized I had not finished it... so I am sharing it with you now. It was written just after the premiere of my improv group's first original show in September.)

The world has been very right of late. That is nothing short of amazing considering how very wrong it could have been.

In one week, my life was going to be defined in one way or another, and the pressure was getting to be incredible. Around me, life was going on and I had no idea what the outcome was going to be. You, my internet friends, are probably wondering what I am talking about. After all, I have been absent from the blogosphere, but with good reason.

This summer was one of transition. In work, I was now working for a totally new set of clients, all of whom I had to educate in who I am and what I can do. At the same time, I was really exploring the world of improv. I had started a group and, with the help of some talented people, was looking towards creating an original show. Nothing that was familiar when I started the summer would remain at the end, or at least it seemed that way.

Following the magical cruise, life took a turn towards responsibility. Work took a very serious tone with huge expectations. Family life had new challenges with our attempt to buy a new house while selling place we have called home for 12 years.My daughter... starting middle school. My son, becoming a young man. My wife, stressed over everything. And me, well, at least I had improv.

As September began, the pressure was mounting. Expectations were high at my work to create a great atmosphere for the team I was working for. The team, which had not won a game in more than a year, needed an emotional boost, while dealing with the economic reality of life as we know it. Simply put, they needed more for less, and looked to me to do it.

In a parallel universe was my improv show. We had been rehearsing this show for months and had never made it through an entire run through. I was nervous that maybe I had set the expectations too high for something that was supposed to be fun.

All the while, I felt a real need for everything to work, never doubting it would, but always doubting whether others would say it did.

On Saturday, the 5th... the first game with the new bosses came and went, and the expectations of the presentation were exceeded. Relief... no doubt. However, that was all about work for a client. The next six days would be about pleasing just one client... the toughest one I had ever come across. Me.

I had hyped this improv show to heights that even I could not comprehend. Websites, twitter, facebook, e-mails, posters.... everything I had to be PT Barnum - barking to anyone who would listen. But there was a palpable buzz about what we were creating. I had talked about the show being different, and many aspects of it were shrouded in "secrecy." I left myself with no grey area... either it was going to be a huge success or a terrible flop.

On Tuesday night, the cast of my show met at our usual rehearsal place, but this time, the stakes had been raised. An invited audience of some of the top people in improv was in place, as well as members of another improv group that has been doing shows around town. I told the gathering very little about what they were going to see other than it was our dress rehearsal.

Moment by moment, the show came together before my eyes. The imagined world of romance and improv colliding was taking place. From the opening monologues on heartbreak to the final montage on Newts, most everything was organically coming together, just as I had thought it could. Fact is, our amazing director,Mandy, had understood my vision and gave us the tools to succeed. Sadly, she could not see the final product as she had a job assignment take her away just as the show was about to take place.

After the rehearsal, I nervously waited for notes from the audience. They came in great numbers... but they were not what I had expected. The first was about our chemistry. The audience noted that they could all tell we genuinely liked... even loved each other. They talked about the fact that the show had such a uniqueness to it that it was hard to define... but was so easy to understand.

On Friday night, we performed the premiere (and what we thought would be the only performance) of {girl meets boy}. It was a magical evening, everything we imagined it could be and some things that we could have never believed. A packed house, an appreciative crowd, glowing reviews from the audience and a feeling of accomplishment that beat any Emmy Award I had ever won. This was a piece of my heart, shared with the world, and accepted. That was the best feeling of all.

To share the experience with the people I love most, my family and my improv family. It was truly a defining moment, and one I will never forget.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Making Music"

2009-08-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

Greetings to you. I know it's been a while, but it's been that nutty time of year when I rarely have the time to change my mind, let alone share it with anyone. Today, I find myself with nothing but time as I have been forced to stop and rest. My body is playing some nasty tricks on me, and so I am stuck in bed attempting to escape the pain and get the sleep I have been denied over the nights.

I was going to write about how crappy that feels, but you don't read blogs to hear me bitch, although sometimes I will do that. Just go back one entry.

In the middle all this craziness of my illness came one of the most rewarding moments of my life. To understand fully the context, let's go back a few months.

Most of you know about my love for improv, and how that love has changed me, the way I think, and my desire in life to make others happy. If you have followed this blog, you know the story of how my Improv group began, and that we are going to be doing an original show in September.

In the journey to put together this show, the idea was to create as short form show, with a long form feel. As the show developed, the format took on a new air... a world of romance, introspection and happiness. In examining this world of love in the rehearsal hall, we have discovered that when reality sets in for our scenes, trying for what's in our hearts rather than what's in the comedy books, there is a unique take to the world of love. We saw that it was not about who was right or who was wrong... it was everything in between.

At my favorite improv theatre here in town, the second musical production I had seen at the Historic University Theatre was just wrapping up. The show, called Lovetanic, was improvised musical from start to finish, as was "Lease," another amazing show from the same director. Also, I had just taken Musical Improv and loved the musical aspect.

The one thing that both "Lovetanic" and "Lease" had in common other than one word titles that start with the letter L, was an opening song that was not improvised, but rather written especially for the show.

It was always our intention to have music be a part of our show, but only in the form of an opening act. The Chai House wanted us to take a full two hours, and a two hour improv show, especially with a relatively novice group, would be potentially tedious. So I brought on a wonderful singer named Megan Jergens, whom I had befriended from my karaoke days at Hula Hula. We loved the same kind of songs... ones that spoke honestly about love and what it does to the soul.

Rob, the musical director for Lovetanic and I had also become friends over Sounders soccer. We both show our love for the Rave Green and one day in a conversation on Facebook, I asked him what he thought of the possibility of writing a song for our show. The difference was I wanted to end the show with a song, one that sent home the message of the show.. Much to my happiness, he said yes.

He asked me what I had in mind, and I told him nothing sappy, nothing extremely snappy, but something that would make the audience think and reflect on what they had seen. Little did I know that I was, in essence, asking for a broadway show stopper of sorts.

Rob said he already had some ideas, which made me extremely happy. I told him I would send him some notes. I sat down at the keyboard and started writing ideas. I am not one for poetry. The last poem I had written was probably back in college, song parodies excluded.

For some reason, notes became lyrics and before I knew it, there were a set of lyrics staring me in the face. I sent them to Rob, saying it was just an idea of what I was looking for. I didn't hear from him for a few days, so I thought I had blown it... that he thought I was probably a little pompous - writing lyrics on my own rather than leaving it to the pro.

I could not have been more wrong. "Excellent," he called them. Turns out his e-mail had been not gettng to me as he was replying to Facebook messages on e-mail rather than on Facebook.

Last night, with Megan joining me, we met in a rehearsal hall and I heard, for the first time, the song written for the show. It was breathtaking. It was amazing. It was unlike anything I had imagined. And then I realized, the lyrics were all mine. I had collaborated in writing a song.

My happiness was the first thing to overcome the pain I had been feeling for the past weeks. The accomplished feeling was a most excellent tonic.

So when {girl meets boy} makes its debut, it will finish with an original song by my most talented friend, Rob, with lyrics from your faithful blogger, and sung by my enchanting friend, Megan.

When I returned home and played back the recording on the computer for my wife, I realized what the inspiration was. I had written a song on what love with my love was all about. No wonder it was so easy.

If you are not able to come to the show to hear it in person, I will post it following the show in September.

Well, sadly, I have gone back to feeling a little sick and have to go back to lie down again, but I wanted to share that magical moment with all of you.

Take care of yourselves, and may you find your own magical moment soon.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "needing therapy"

2009-08-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

Therapist is busy... so I will blog instead.

My son is on a cross country camping trip that he signed up for and has been looking forward to for months. Now, 6 days in, he has had kids picking on him, has lost his camera, has gone through a tornado watch and is so upset he wants us to fly out to pick him up and bring him home.

Our house is on the market as we have found a dream house very close by. It is everything we need in a house. Meanwhile, we have put a large amount of money into our own house to get it sold, and so far, it's the market we thought it might be... so I don't know what will happen.
When one of the real estate agents called us and told us that he was going to visit today between 3:30 and 5 PM, my wife and I decided that it would be a good idea to go take some measurements at the new house... just in case it all works out. My daughter was at a friend's house, and said that she wanted to have a sleepover... leaving my wife and I alone for an evening for the first time in a long time.

We returned home and the agent had not arrived and had not left a message. When I called the agent, he announced he was on his way and would be there in minutes. My wife had left to pick up the daughter who no longer wanted a sleep over. We had to get the dog out of the house again, and could not leave the injured (neck) dog in the house because nothing says "buy me" like a house with a high pitched whining dog.

The wife returns home and helps me get the dogs so the wife, daughter, dogs all pack up and go to Grandma's house to allow the viewing.

At Grandma's house, her dog had left a piece of rawhide on the floor which our injured dog decided to pick up and chew and start choking on, so when I went to go try to help him he bit me, thankfully not breaking the skin. He coughed it up and them decided to chew it again and swallow it and coughed. Now, my daughter is trying to help, not hearing me in saying that she will need some protection to do that. He bites her and inflicting a puncture wound on the finger.
This was while my son was on the phone freaking out over the tornado watch which was in the area of where he was camping, which I assured him was okay, as I had lived through many tornado watches in Texas and South Carolina, and checked the local weather there to see that the chance of rain was only 30 percent.

Meanwhile, my daughter's doctor says she needs to be taken to the emergency room for xrays. The Vet bills on the dog were already in the 700 dollar range, and who knows what this will be.
And this call comes after a trip to the doctor's office myself where I am having numbness throughout my left side around my waist, and which apparently is a textbook precursor to shingles. I asked the doctor if stress could cause this and he just laughed.

Happily, he said that I seem to be having the symptoms but not the rash, so I may be out of the woods. However, when I am stressed, there is a pretty intense pain in my side. So needless to say, I am waiting for the pain to hit.

So... how are you doing?

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "50 more questions"

2009-08-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

Hello internet friends. Sorry to have been gone for a while, but it's the busy season for me... and sadly, I had time for this. Who knew!

I haven’t done one of these in months… but saw that my fellow {breakout} cast member, Megan used this as “Morning Red Bull for the Soul”… Okay, it woke me up a bit, but not like a Red Bull.

No one was tagged, but let me know if you do one.

1. What time did you get up this morning?

8 AM – I used to sleep all the tiome, now I get up early. Don’t like it a bit

2. How do you like your steak?

Medium Rare

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

The Hangover... and it was very funny.

4. What is your favorite TV show?

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Atlanta

6. What did you have for breakfast?

4 Eggo Frozen Waffles, just like every morning

7. What is your favorite cuisine?

American… I am a steak and potatoes kinda guy.

8. What foods do you dislike?

Brussel sprouts and creamed spinach

9. Favorite place to eat?

Lunch: Chipotle

Dinner; A good steak house

10. Favorite dressing?

1000 Island with Caesar being a very close secons

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?

A very bright blue Toyota Highlander

12. What are your favorite clothes?

My karaoke dressup clothes, my Teatro Zinzanni and {breakout} American Apparel Long Sleeve T-Shirts, Lucky Brand Jeans (Lucky You!)

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?

Australia with my wife

Europe for a Football (Soccer) trip with my son.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

Half full

15. Where would you want to retire?

Somewhere quiet

6. Favorite time of day?

Night time

17. Where were you born?

Washington, DC

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?

Now, Soccer with my son… on my own, College Football

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?

No one cause I won’t tag this.

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?

See number 19

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?

You, of course.

22. Bird watcher?

I was an Orioles fan once, does that count

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?

Night!

24. Do you have any pets?

Two dogs, three cats, two kids

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?

The new phone books are here, and I have already placed them in the recycle bin.

26. What did you want to be when you were little?

A television announcer

27. What is your best childhood memory?

The Olympics in 1972 at age 9 and sitting with Howard Cosell talking sports.

28. Are you a cat or dog person?

Used to be a dog person, but then the constant barking of my current two drives me nuts, so the cats have won me over.

29. Are you married?

Yes, for 15 years

30. Always wear your seat belt?

I used to not… but now I do… hate the fact that the government had to make a law, but I guess it’s for the best… although I gave up riding bikes when they said you have to wear a helmet..

31. Been in a car accident?

Flipped a car at age 16 when I fell asleep at the wheel

32. Any pet peeves?

People who are not nice, and Washington state drivers (who have taken over the title from Virginia drivers)

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings?

Pepperoni and Mushroom

34. Favorite Flower?

Anything beautiful – white rose if I had to choose

35. Favorite ice cream?

Haagen Daas Lemon Sorbet

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?

Chipotle

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test?

None

38. From whom did you get your last email?

The people handling my Dad’s estate

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?

The Apple Store

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?

If I have to think of it, it probably wasn’t spontaneous… how’s that from an improviser!

41. Like your job?

The boss is a real… oh, wait a minute, I work for myself! I do like it. Stressful owning your own company though.

42. Broccoli?

Only when my wife makes it for me and insists.

43. What was your favorite vacation?

My recent Alaskan Cruise

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?

My wife

45. What are you listening to right now?

A clock ticking and I want to throw it out the patio door

46. What is your favorite color?

Cobalt Blue

47. How many tattoos do you have?

None and none.

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?

None and none.

49. What time did you finish this quiz?

8:52 AM with 1:26 left on my battery

50. Coffee Drinker?

Pepsi.

On the subject of "Pop Star"

2009-07-16T22:49:00.000-07:00

I didn't mean to steal the show. Okay... maybe I did.

Last week, my family and I took a cruise to Alaska aboard the Golden Princess. I had been excited about this journey for months since we booked it. To prepare for the trip, I was looking over copies of the Princess Patter, the daily newsletter of the cruise, from the days when my wife took a cruise.

There it was... tempting me like a great looking woman in a catsuit... yes... that strongly! (dozens of friends laughing hysterically right now.) "Be the star that you are - Princess Pop Star - If you are good, you're good, but if you're bad, you're better."

This competition seemed tailor made for little old shy me. Get out there and rip apart a performance and be awesome. It was the exact idea behind "Seattle's Most Awesome Karaoke Performance Ever!" At least that is what I thought.

On the second night of the cruise was the first night of the competition. I was there early to sign up. Lindsay, the nice member of the Cruise staff was there to take the sign up. They did not have the song I wanted to do, which was to reprise Jungle Love by Morris Day and the Time - the song I had done at the Awesome Karaoke Competition. So I looked and saw they had Rapper's Delight. Not only did they have it... they had three versions of it.

"Use the first version," said a helpful Lindsay. "It's usually the best."

I turned in my slip with the number and the selection and asked her not to tell what the song was that I was going to do. I was dressed in a full on Tux and a top hat from the night's formal activities. It was the perfect performance outfit, I thought.

Lindsay took the stage and welcomed everyone... and said, "no one likes to go first, but we have to have someone do it... so here is our first performer, Jon!"

I took the stage and talked a little bit with her saying "I know what you are thinking, tux and top hat... Frank Sinatra?" She laughed politely and said to go ahead.

When Rapper's Delight began... there was a very long intro... so I tried to get the crowd into it... and finally broke into the song... from memory. I went all through the crowd in the Explorer's Lounge to cheers, laughs, claps and smiles... I was barely able to keep up with the song after four minutes, but knew I had two minutes to go... or so I thought.

I finished the part of the song that I knew (the single version) when I noticed the music wasn't close to stopping. So I broke into my version of "Rehab" to the tune of Rapper's Delight. The crowd laughed and wondered where the heck this guy had come from. (Seattle actually)

When I got through Rehab, the song was still going. I finally said "Yo, Lindsay" to which she responded, "Yo, Jon!" I asked if this was the 12 minute version of the song, and she said "Afraid so!" I replyed, "if I go any longer I am going to have a coronary."

Big cheers, big laughs... I thought I was a shoe in. Remember - if you are bad, you're better! I only had to make the top three. Well, singer after singer went... and three of them were quite good. The crowd went with the singers rather than the performer, so I came in fourth.

I asked Lindsay if I was even close... and she said that they loved it, but the crowd vote went another way. I could, however, enter again on Wednesday night.

Wednesday morning, I woke up very early and went onto the balcony of my room. I thought that if I could wow the crowd that I might have a chance. I pulled out paper and pen and started writing a parody song to the tune of "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry.

I practiced all day and was ready to perform. This time I would get to go sixth. None of the performers were very awesome up to my performance, so I felt good.

Jorge introduced me and asked me what I would be singing. I responded "Katy Perry" but in a different way! I had taped my lyrics to the screen and they wondered what I was up to.

I started the song "This was never the way I planned, not my intention." People laughed and thought I was singing the real song... but I continued.

Got so brave, ring in hand, I needed intervention.
I'm down on my one knee, Oh my God, will she say yes?
Or if she just says know, who else would I impress?
I kissed a girl and I liked it, the taste of her cherry chapstick.
I kissed a girl just to try it, hope HER boyfriend don't mind it.

There were laughs and cheers... and I thought I was getting to them. I continued.

We're going down the aisle now, God, it's too late.
But that was 15 years ago, guess it was my fate.
Pick up a loaf of bread!
Honey, would you mow the lawn?
Could you be home by 9?
Grey's Anatomy is on!

More laughs.

I kissed my WIFE and I liked it, the taste of her Avon lipstick, (Biggest laugh)
I kissed my wife just to try it, hope the pool boy don't mind it.
It felt so wrong, it felt so right, hoping that I will get some tonight,
I kissed my wife and she liked it. She liked it?

My wife she is so beautiful,
she loves me its a fact I know,
Tonight I want to have some lovin', oh
What's that? You're tired?
At least I have the H B Ohhhhhhhhhhh!

Well I thought I had nailed it. I didn't sing it perfectly, but for stage presence and entertainment value, I could not have done better. Jay, of the cruise staff, thought I was nuts and asked me if I like to perform, to which I said, of course. He guessed the name of my show was the Jon show to which I said... no, it's actually called Breakout.

Sadly, I came in worse than third, which meant I missed the finals, and my dreams of being on the big stage were dashed... or so I thought.

Thursday night, I was privileged to see the wonderful people who had entertained me all week show their even more entertaining side. The show, the International Crew Show, highlighted the talents of many of the crew members as well as the Cruise Staff. There were a lot of great performances but two topped them all.

Adam's performance of an original song could have easily put him on American (Or Australian) Idol. Actually, I think he might be a triple threat, and believe someone needs to discover him and put his talents to work. Comedy, Music and Acting... he can do it all.

The other was an old vaudeville routine called "If I were not on the Sea." Lindsay's Lorenna Bobbitt and Gemma's Nurse were hilarious. Heck, they all were. I saw a little more of Cruise Director Dave's Arabesque than I would ever want to however!

Later that night, we received the Princess Patter in our room. The Patter is the calendar of ship activities for the next day. I opened up the Patter and there it was mocking me. Princess Pop Star finals tonight at 10:30 - not to be missed. Also there was an item about Talent Show signup and rehearsal... 9:30 AM in the Wheelhouse Bar.

I had not been sleep well all cruise, so I woke up early again on Friday and was wide awake at 8:15 AM. I went to the Horizon Court and had some breakfast. I then had the idea that I might just have fun in the Talent Show and wouldn't it be funny if I did an act about not making it into Pop Star.

Out came the pen and paper... which made me feel light years younger as normally I would be using the computer to write ANYTHING! My self imposed exile from all things computer was hampering me, but I would not be deterred.

Pen in hand, I wrote a parody song to Rehab... yes, the same song I had sung a million times before. The song went like this.

I tried to make it into Pop star,
they said No, No, No.
Know I can't sing, it don't mean a thing,
This I know, know, know.
If I could get on stage, I know I'd be the rage,
But when it comes to Princess Pop Star,
They said Go! Go! Go!

I couldn't dance in Ballroom Blitz.
Gemma said I moved like sh_____it's a family show.
Cause there's nothing, nothing she could teach me,
That could have made a difference anyway.
Lindsay said "Just go take a Class!"
But the ship was moving so much,
I kept falling on my my ass.

I tried to make it into Pop star,
they said No, No, No.
Know I can't sing, it don't mean a thing,
This I know, know, know.
If I could get on stage, I know I'd be the rage,
But when it comes to Princess Pop Star,
They said Go! Go! Go!

The Cruise Director said "Why are you here?'
I said I have an idea.
I'm crusin, crusin with my honey.
So I thought I might just be funny.
He said, "you must have been misled."
"Drink this, buddy then go back to bed.

I tried to make it into Pop star,
they said No, No, No.
Know I can't sing, it don't mean a thing,
This I know, know, know.

I may never get to cruise again.
That's why, ooh I need you friends.
I just tried to spend all week.
To make you all laugh until the end.
You can't say I didn't try.
But to not make the finals just made me cry.

I tried to make it into Pop star,
they said No, No, No.
Know I can't sing, it don't mean a thing,
This I know, know, know.
If I could get on stage, I guess I should just turn the page!
Cause, when it comes to Princess Pop Star,
They said Go! Go! Go!

35 minutes and I had a song... and into the Wheelhouse Bar at 9:30 arrived Assistant Cruise Director, Ben. Sadly, he and I were the only two in the bar. That meant, there would be no talent show. I told him it was ironic, as I had written a song about being upset about making it into Pop Star. He thought I was joking.

He read the song, and laughed out loud and said... "well that makes it easy, we'll just have to put you into Pop Star." I was quick to tell him that I appreciated it, but I wanted it to be fair to the people who made it fairly. He said that I would perform in a showcase performance while they tallied up the votes.

When I arrived for Pop Star rehearsal, the other contestants were perplexed. When I stepped up to the mic and sang the song, they got the joke totally, so happily, I was a welcome addition in their eyes.

I spent most of the day rehearsing, but could not get through it all. I was amazingly nervous. So I came up with the idea that it would be presented as a letter of complaint to the Cruise Director. That way, I could carry the lyrics with me.

Showtime approached and we all went back stage led by Jorge, Lindsay and Jay. The contestants were all nervous, but I felt great. The pressure of not competing was just fine! When I changed into my human mirror ball disco shirt and top hat, they all had a laugh!

One by one, the contestants sang, with Billy and Ashley presenting the greatest performances. Lindsay from the Cruise Staff was doing the "green room" interviews and making everyone laugh with her "technical difficulties" some brought on by an apparent empty bottle of champagne. It was this bottle of champagne that led to me taking the performance to another level.

As I was being introduced, I took to the stage drinking from the bottle, looking lost, like I had just wandered onto the stage. David introduced me, and I told him to hold the bottle.

The performance went beautifully.... and you can see it here!

After I was swept off the stage by Lindsay, the smiles backstage were broad. It was what I had really wanted all along. It was not the winning of the competition, it was just the chance to take the big stage... a 750 seat theatre, with bright lights and a great sound system. It was what I had based the Karaoke competition at Jet City on, except this was way beyond that.

Upon leaving the ship the next day, I was having a tough time holding back tears. It had been a wonderful time with my family. What was making it so difficult was the fact that I had an emotion I hadn't felt since I was a teenager.

Back in Seabrook Island, SC, I have fond memories of some incredible friends who I made when they traveled to the resort island on vacation. They would enter my life for one or two weeks, and I would feel like I would always want to be their friend, although I understood that I would never see most of them ever again. Back then, I would be pen pals with some of them.

Now in the days of Facebook, I may never get to see them, but I can still be in touch with the 2009 version of pen pals. I am so pleased that Lindsay, Gemma and Jay have become my Facebook friends, and I truly hope that some day, they might look me up and say hello if they get some time in Seattle. If nothing else, I will, like most of my FB friends, keep them laughing with some fun status updates and a message or two from time to time.

To the Cruise Staff of the Golden Princess, thanks for letting me play on your boat, and thanks for being such awesome people. I am honored to call you friend, and hope you will always know this crazy guy will always have a special place in his heart for each of you.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "It's Complicated"

2009-06-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

I almost changed my relationship status last night, but after reading this, I think you all will understand.

She was very good to me for about a year and ten months. She treated me with respect. She brightened up when I looked upon her glowing face. She slept peacefully when I tapped her on the the head.

In recent weeks, she began to act differently. When I would need the right words from her, she would just spit my request out like she didn't care.

When I needed her to do something, really depended on her, she let me down.

Then, she did the unforgiveable. She ran out of space for my thoughts in her heart and brain.

Yes, I had done it again. I had run through a faithful friend in less than two years. I thought this one would be different. I thought she was more sturdy. When we first went out, she was fast, always faithful and I loved the fact that her body looked all sleek and shiny (yep, I like them to look that way.)

Alas, I was wrong. That's when I was in a pick up joint and saw a new one. She lookied like my old love, but her drive was much more, um, apparent. Her curves were even more than I had remembered in any old flame. And when I looked into her face, there was a perfectly clean complexion without any kind of imperfections. She was quiet when I needed her to be, and communicated beautifully when I needed to talk.

And then, the bartender told me of her secret. She has a friend that goes with her everywhere, and they "practically share a mind." Could it be true? I could have two that understand me. One to keep at home and one to take with me out in public? I met the little friend. She was petite and so dark, and sleek, and shiny, and sexy.

Sure enough, the bartender was right. When I spoke to the one, the other would say the words. And when I whispered into that small cute little place on the side of her head, her friend would know exactly what I was saying mere seconds after I said it.

I knew my old lady would never understand, but I had to. These new sultry beings were too tempting.

So I called my wife to ask her if she would mind if I picked up a new lady, and she said, "well, if you have to, I know that you will be happier if you do."

I didn't have the heart to tell her about the little friend. I just hoped she would understand.

So I brought the two ladies home and the kids seemed to really like them both, and immediately wanted to have a relationship with each of them, when I said, no kids, they are mine.

Cruelty. It is not my strong point, but at some time, I knew it would come to this. I called up my old lady and while I had her on the line, I let my new ladies listen in and basically take all the precious memories that we had formed together. Every single one from the past year and 10 months. Then, the most unkind cut of all. I informed my wife, and my old lady that not only did I have two new ladies, but that these two ladies had an intimate relation with the lady I keep at my office, and now they would be interacting as well.

Not only had I kicked my old lady to the curb, but the one that had proceeded her was able to stick around and play with the two new gals.

As I write this, she is still sitting there. Closed off now... her brightness gone, some scars apparent. There are a few things piled on top of her as well. I guess like an old lady with cats, she just will get used to it. I know there will be someone who will love her again... it just probably won't be me. That is unless my new ladies aren't around and I need her for a quickie.

I am sincerely hoping my new loves will be able to last longer than the old ones. I seem to run through relationships in less than a couple of years, no matter if the counselor had guaranteed me longer relationships. Time just seems to move on fast, and I need a lady I can depend on.

Thank God my wife understands.

So, it is with great pleasure that I announce that this is the first blog written on my new MacBook Pro with it's fully integrated iPhone and MobileMe. Pretty sexy, huh?

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

PS - I will be out of the blogosphere for a bit as I am going on vacation without my new or old ladies but with my wife, so I will resume writing when I return. There are just some times my wife wants to be the sole receiver of my attention. Imagine that!

On the subject of "Breaking News"

2009-06-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

Did you notice things slowed to a crawl yesterday? The world got slower?

Some icons passed yesterday and suddenly, old feels a little older.

Using the internet to get information was quite interesting yesterday, as I looked for news on the stories of the day. I was struck by the fact that the passing of these three legends took me back to a simpler time... where the internet, nay, computers were just a dream.

Hoy-yo!
His voice was unmistakable; his laugh even more so. "You are correct, sir." "Funk and Waggnals jar since noon today." Ed McMahon was the consummate sidekick. He made everything go just that much easier and added the laugh track to Johnny. Some would say that Ed alone could have been the audience for Johnny and his jokes would still resonate.

The thing I always loved about Ed is the thing I have the hardest time with. He was able to take a back seat to the star, and never desired to be the star himself. I could learn a lot from that, and maybe, someday I will.

The Poster
I had "that poster" on my wall. She wasn't my favorite angel, but she sure was pretty, I am more of a Jacklyn Smith type, but Farrah was something else. I loved her car almost as much as I loved her.

Her courage in later life was something we can all take a lesson from. She died with dignity and with a passion. I am happy she married Ryan before she left, as they lived life together, and that simple act showed their undying love.

The Roller Rink
I remember the blue SpotBilt shoes that were converted into roller skates. I remember the rink in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Learning to dance on skates seemed to be a lot easier back then, but the song I will always associate with skating backwards was "Rock with You."

I loved the "innocent" pre-thriller Michael Jackson. "Off the Wall" was, by far, my favorite Michael Jackson album. I am happy that as his is being memorialized that people are remembering him for his music, and not the craziness that became his life.

Like a player becoming a coach. Like a coach becoming a hall of famer. Like a hall of famer passing away, these three deaths have signaled a passing of time, and another reminder that I am getting older.

May God bless them all.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Growing Up"

2009-06-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

My little girl graduated from sixth grade today. They don't call it graduation as I guess it's not politically correct or some other reason, but fact is... she graduated.

It seems like it was just yesterday that I put her on the bus for the first time.

At the end of her Kindergarten year, I made a video (hey, it's what I do) where I interviewed the entire class about their memories of the year. I asked them what they learned... some of the answers:

"how to count a little higher than I did before I started school"
"how to read"
"that two wrongs don't make a right. They don't."
"to not destroy other people's property."
"be nice to others... and care about them."

As part of their sixth grade graduation video, I used the old video from 7 years ago as a basis for the final part of their graduation salute. You see, their answers then are as true now. Sure, they may have moved from counting to algebra, from reading to creative writing, but the basics are still there. They will still miss their teacher. They will miss their school. They will miss their friends.

The last two shots told the story best. As the Faith Hill's version of "Over the Rainbow" plays... we see a little girl hugging one of her students at the end of the day. The teacher, youthful and smiling, gives the petite girl with the cute yellow dress and the pink backpack a side hug as the two happily leave the classroom. The teacher hesitates, and turns out the light as the door closes, while the girl looks back one last time at her teacher. That is how the kindergarten version of the video ended 7 years ago.

For the sixth grade version, that scene dissolves into one last one. The teacher, now a little older and showing a little more experience exits the door when she is greeted by that same little girl, who is now nearly a half a foot taller than the teacher. The little yellow dress has been replaced by the more practical blue fleece top and long blue pants. The pink backpack has turned into a more with-it blue messenger bag. The two meet and hug once again. The teacher waves good bye as the student walks around the corner for the last time. Fade to black.

I had seen the video at least 20 times as I had edited and reviewed it, but still, I could not help myself. I was balling in the middle of a gymnasium of parents and kids. I could not control the sobbing of a dad who realized his little girl was not so little any more.

As I looked around, I was not the only one. It seems that imagery summed up the feelings of many of the parents on this day.

I am glad I could share my talents for the good of my girl... and hope that it provided the perfect ending to an amazing journey called elementary school.

I love you, sweetheart!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Urban Legends" and other impressions.

2009-06-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

There I was, just happily surfing through Facebook, when that wonderful red dot appears in the lower right hand corner of my screen. "_______has commented on a photo of you."

I click on the photo and one of my friends makes a pretty funny remark about a picture in a friends album. However, the remark itself could be taken by my less "understanding" friends as very offensive, and by my conservative friends as "oh my god, has Jon gone to the other team?"

Thank God, I am not Miss California.

Here's the story. As most of you know, I take improv classes very seriously. This past week's class, called "Attack" was about going to extremes to get your scene to go to a totally higher level.

The day before in class I was not attacking at all. As a matter of fact, I was like a sheepish puppy. I was having an awful day and it showed in my work. So as I entered day two of the class, I had decided that no one was going to out do me in class. I even stated in my Facebook status:
Jon went to Attack armed with a water pistol. Tomorrow, dammit, I go in with a fricking Howitzer. Watch out, class!

Day two was going much better. Halfway through the class, there was a moment where our instructor took a picture of two of the improvisers in a position, that out of context, could be taken in many ways. The point of the instruction was that the closer one gets in proximity to the scene partner, the more powerful the scene can become. So instead of two people standing two feet away, we were practically talking into the nose hairs and ear hairs of our partners. So when our instructor snapped the first picture, you might have thought they were about to kiss.

Smart alec me said "---- has just tagged you in a photo," which drew huge laughs from the class. So our instructor, hoping to help us, snapped away.

We moved to a game called interrogation. The object of the game is to make the person being "interrogated" laugh or they would have to divulge a secret to the class. We paired off and each of us used our own tactics.

Jim and I were paired up and I volunteered to go first as the "suspect." Jim could not break me. I used to watch a show called Make Me Laugh back in the '80's. The object of the show was the longer you didn't laugh with comedians shouting jokes in your ear, the more money you win. I would have taken home the grand prize.

Jim tried everything, including taking my finger and threatening to pick his nose with it. I said, "go ahead, brother!" It broke him.

When it came time for me to question Jim, I knew I had a tactic that always drives my wife nuts, in the wrong way. I was going to fog up his glasses by coming in and acting like I was going to whisper in his ear. I never got to the fog as the first statement out of my mouth was "ear hair," which got him to laugh and break.

After the exercise, our instructor asked if anyone broke, which most people raised their hand. Then he asked who did not break, and only a couple of us raised then. He then asked, does anyone think they can't be broken. Without hesitation, I strode up to the chair and plopped down with a badass look none of those people had ever seen in me. When I took my glasses off, there was an audible ooooh in the room. This was a showdown.

To understand what I was feeling, you would have to go back a week earlier when I was in rehearsal for my own Breakout group. I was doing this same kind of "interrogation scene" when I decided to play it very sheepishly. Our director took me by the cheeks and looked right into my eyes and said "you are 6-4... you are a big man... don't you ever, ever be ashamed of that fact. Be proud of who you are."

She was right. Most of the time I have been on stage, I have played kids or shy people, all in spite of my gregarious personality and undeniable size.

So with Mandy's voice in my head... the challenge was on. The instructor began, and I think a little to his surprise, I fought back with comments of my own. He tried many techniques, but nothing seemed to be working. We got into some very inappropriate banter about Mothers and such, and went very NC-17 (it was a class, I had no problem with that in a class.) The duel continued for minutes... only to have me break when he look exhausted and made a very funny pun saying that it made him feel "__________angry."

I felt like a million bucks. I stood up and was big!

Then, the instructor said, "does anyone think they can break me?" I was being nice and waiting to give my classmates a chance. I was actually a little warn out from the previous scene. No one would raise their hand, so I said... "you're on!"

Doug sat there as I circumvented the chair. Then I struck suddenly, using the same talking close tactic I had used on Jim earlier. I think he was a little caught by surprise. Doug has been my teacher for quite a while and was not used to this aggressive me.

Here is the Urban legend story. I continued to question him getting closer and closer to him. He leaned to the right and I followed him. He leaned to the left so low that I decided to just hit the floor and wait for him to drop. He raised himself up and slipped down in his chair so low that his shoulders were now on the chair and his body created a bench like shape.

This is where the Urban Legend kicks in. I said "so, that's how you are going to play it." Seeing that he was, in essense, a bench. I decided to sit on his chest, trying not to hurt him. The angle of the class however did not see that I was sitting on his chest, but rather... how should I say it... higher.

So the stories began, and apparently had gotten to a very big urban legend status by the time he had his next class, when one of the class asked if I really had "sat higher." That was not the term he used, but ew... I still hate the term he used. Anyway, I was told the class went into somewhat of a tizzy when one classmember said "well, who hasn't he done that to."

Now remember, one week earlier, I was playing shy roles and trying to be unassuming, now people were giving me a whole other reputation. To the instructors credit, he played down the story, laughing at the same time.

That night, I went onto Facebook and there was the notification of someone making a comment on a photo of me. They told the urban legend story, to which I responded with a gasp and EWWW! I then said I needed to take a shower. I wrote back that there was some "splainin to do."

This led to a response that used that "word" again, followed by a cleaned up version only using the first syllable - "tea."

My friend, realizing that I was not comfortable with my new reputation told from the urban legend took the comments down. She's my friend.

So, why do I bring it up again. I love Facebook. I love the way it keeps you in touch with friends, but as you all know, I have friends from all walks of life. From theater types to jocks, from liberals to ultra conservatives. And now, from people who knew me as a sports loving television obsessed guy to the one who loves improv and the theatre now. There have been many different me's, but everyone knows a different part of me.

If anyone happened to see that particular comment, some might have been offended... others ultra-suprised that something like that would be said about me.

The legend is something nasty. The reality is something that never had any intention to be. 430 of the 452 friends I have on Facebook would know that, but you never know what someone might decide to take and put in their pocket to use somewhere down the road.

Case in point... last weekend's Karaoke event. I had full intentions when the concept began of doing Amy Winehouse in a full Amy Winehouse get up. I had the wig (which was borrowed and beautifully worn by Megan in the competition.) I was thinking of what else I could do... then my wife said to me, "in this day of Facebook and YouTube, you don't want to take any chances." She was right, so I went with a plan B.

So now, the record is clear, and the story is told, so that there won't be any misunderstanding of what happened. The urban legend might stay, but my heart is clear. And for those who made comments... no harm done. And, to the one who was looking out for me to let me know the legend had made it's way around, thank you! I don't want to become Amy Winehouse!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Don't Stop Believin"

2009-06-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

There is a video on YouTube that is guaranteed to put me in a magical mood.

I was never in Glee Club. Our school didn't have one. However, if there was half this magic, I would have joined in a minute.

My life has taken an incredible sharp turn over the past year. Once a man obsessed with everything sports, the games on the field have taken a back seat to the games played on a stage. I have been bitten by the theatre bug, and it's venom may have saved my life. Okay, that might have been a little melodramatic, but there is no doubt it has changed who I am and how I identify myself. My work no longer defines who I am, and that is an amazing thing for me.

Ironically, the thing that makes sports most special is what is making these performing arts so rewarding. It's the ultimate team sport. There is no way that I can do any of this without the amazing dedication of others to make it happen. This is not the Jon show. I just get to play a part in it.

Last Sunday, Jet City Improv put on a fundraiser for its At-Risk Youth Education Program. We raised over 37-hundred bucks, which is not Jerry Lewis money, but not bad for a first effort. The idea came from a lunch conversation with my best teammate - my wife, who mentioned how cool it would be for me to do my karaoke on a big stage. One lunch turned into another and plans were set in place and it all came together.

To get an idea of how amazing it was to take the idea of Karaoke and put it on a theatre stage, I think you just have to see the pictures. It was the excellent work of dozens of people that made that show what it was... a magical night that we won't soon forget.

The result of the evening is a new ability to make a positive difference in the lives of many in the community and in particular, the improv community at Jet City. I so look forward to the opportunity to dream big dreams and watch them come to life.

Now, it's on to the next challenge. Another talented team, the Breakout Improv group, is getting set to take the stage for the first time next Saturday for the first of our preview performances. We would not have been able to come this far without the amazing dedication of our director, Mandy, and the belief that 8 other people have in yet another crazy idea. Again, big dreams turning into a beautiful reality.

So, I guess my mid-life crisis has been answered. The higher purpose question has been answered. What was in that blue room has been answered. It is a empty theatre, where dreams can come true just by stepping onto a stage.

All I have to keep remembering is...
"Don't Stop Believin'"

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Defriending"

2009-06-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

I just had the weirdest feeling.

There, in my Facebook highlights, was a photo album of a friend of mine with photos of an amazing event - a contest won by another friend of mine. I was ready to lend a congratulatory comment when I realized the comment box was not there.

I went up to the search box, and typed my friends name. The search results came up with her name on the top, and the fact we have 11 mutual friends. Then, I saw it. It stared at me like an accusatory finger from a Perry Mason episode. "Add a friend."

I had been defriended. My first feeling was surprise, followed by being a little hurt.

She had worked with my wife many years ago, and had moved away to take a job on the East coast. She went on to become an improviser at a very cool place, and was living her dream. When things changed, and the club closed, I even joined the Facebook groups in support of her cause, and sent her a wall note wishing her the best. It seemed pleasant enough, friendly even.

I had seen this person in person recently at a show where I was genuinely pleased to see her. She was in town to meet with many of our "mutual friends." The conversation was brief, but maybe a little uncomfortable, so that could have been a sign.

But then today... it was clear.

Okay, I am sounding a little melodramatic about it, but I never like to be thought of in a bad way. I know I can be a little much with Facebook status updates, and use Facebook more than most, but isn't that what it's all about... trying to connect with people?

I remember when someone told me I was too Facebook Happy, and felt a little insulted that she took it personally. So I guess people will think the way they want to and that's okay.

Now I have a quandary. I follow this person on Twitter. Do I unfollow her? Funny thing is that she has started using Twitter a lot to talk about some of the everyday things I do on Facebook. Decisions, decisions.

Defriending is an ugly business. It's clean and simple and there is a perfect getaway car... the ignore button. I guess it sometimes just has to be done. Maybe it was spring cleaning. Maybe it was I said something that offended her. Maybe it was nothing at all.

As most of you know, I am not in the business of "collecting" Facebook friends. As a matter of fact, this week, I ignored quite a few requests from people I didn't know. My basis for accepting a FB friend is simple... do I know them and have I a reason to accept it? If I don't know them personally, do we have a mutual interest (blogging, improv, NASCAR, Groucho Marx, etc) that we talk about and will become friends? If you don't fit into one of those categories, I probably will not accept the invite.

So my friend count goes back one, no big deal. It still hurt a little. (Hey, you... don't get any ideas.)

Oh, remember that person who said I was too Facebook Happy. I defriended her a while back so she wouldn't have to deal with my happiness. I guess it goes both ways.

Your friend,

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger.

On the subject of "The Secret"

2009-06-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

"Jon needs a song in his heart, an improv line on his tongue, a hat on his head, and a smileon his face... yes... it's one of THOSE days."
- my current Facebook status.

Just out of the shower. I know... nice visual. The shower seems to be where I can find clarity in life, and that is not a brand of shampoo. Although wouldn't it be nice if it was?

"Mind doing tricks on you? Is your life a mess? Need to find inner peace? Then try Clarity. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. You have Clarity... now enjoy your day."

Nope, not that simple. It's hard in these times to find reasons for a lot of things, but clarity has allowed me to figure out why I am such a grouch these days.

My friends, I shall now divulge the secret!

Remember "The Secret," that book that Oprah raved about for weeks and was the one book that was going to change everyone's lives? Didn't read it.

I know what the Secret is... connections.
Happiness is a hello away.
Happiness is feeling loved.
Happiness is loving in return.
Happiness is someone saying I heart you.
Happiness is sharing a moment.
Happiness is laughing with someone, not by yourself.
Happiness is getting a loving comment, and knowing it was written just for you.
Happiness is hearing "thank you."
Happiness is hearing "I'm sorry."
Happiness is not hearing "have a nice day" but feeling that someone who says it really means it.
Happiness is turning over in bed and having a loving person by your side who wants to snuggle.
Happiness is having "the moment" and having someone acknowledge you for it.
Happiness is someone catching a phrase from your past and realizing how fun it was to remember the moment associated with it.
Happiness is when you feel understood.
Happiness is when someone takes the time to understand you in the first place.
Happiness is wanting to share your secret with everyone else.
Happiness is them sharing their secrets with you.
Happiness is wanting to be around people you love.
Happiness is the people you love wanting to be near you.

One of my improv friends said to me the other day that improv was the best heroin ever. It's something that you get hooked on and it never lets you go. I had to agree with her, but thought that it's not the improv I am hooked on, it's sharing the joy of the moments with the people around me. Whether they are in the audience or the closer connection of sharing the stage with me, it's about the connection between your heart and theirs. That is what I am hooked on and can't get enough of.

The bottom line is this. I have been a grouch this past week, since a wonderful Sunday of improv. I was a grouch last week, after an incredible Sunday of improv. It was like coming off one of those highs that you don't want to come off of, yet you know it will be a crash. I know that crash.

When you are hooked on happiness, you need it even more. When my wife gives me a hug, when my kids do something to make me proud, when the dogs can be quiet for just a moment, that is real life happiness. It's not something that can be created, it is something that just has to be allowed to happen.

So I am going to try to find the happiness in the little things. Last night when I joked in my Facebook status that I was "waiting for a star to fall," a friend from the past reminded me of another star song that could go a long way towards allowing me to achieve what I have been blogging about today.

""Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for a rainy day..."

It's not raining... it's 88 and sunny... but it's still good advice. Because even if it's not raining, you need those stars to get you through the days that feel like it's raining.

So what are some of your secrets? Do tell.

Yours trulym
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Sexting" and "how people see you."

2009-05-31T09:51:00.001-07:00

Early morning... dirty... caught in the act... Yes, this is the closest you will ever get to a racy shot of me.

This morning, I was introduced to the new trend of the internet and cell phones. Sexting. It's when people exchange racy pictures of themselves via their cell phones or posting on the internet. I am sure Twitter has something to do with this too.

Technology has brought us so many wonderful things, so is this the next?

Apparently Sexting has become such a big topic, that it was the lead story on CBS Sunday Morning (a show I never miss by the way.) The story was about teens and their ability to get into trouble over this. One guy forwarded nude pictures of his old girl friend (age 17) around to his friends. Problem was, he was now 18, which made him a peddler of child pornography. The local DA put him on the sex offender list, after threatening him with 76 counts of distributing child pornography, and a life sentence. The guy is now ruined.

One girl, who was 12, took a picture of her and her friend on the phone. The picture showed the two in what looked to me to be sports bras, but described as training bras. The local District Attorney brought the girl up on child pornography charges, saying that she was posing provocatively. For those of you who did not see the story, I will repeat the pose here.

Oooh. racy. I am going to be getting calls from around the country asking for more I am sure. Sorry if you are reading this in the morning, and I have just made you choke up a little bit over breakfast. Perils of the trade I guess.

My point is this. The way you are perceived online or by what you send out over the internet is your new perception. Did I worry about this picture being sent to my bosses? Well no, because I know my boss. The fact is, if you are worried about how you will be perceived, worry about your online image, sexy or not.

Case in point. I had a dear friend who was fired from her job this week. She posted comments and notes on Facebook about what "they said." She sounded bitter, but was quick to say she did not want her job back.

I quickly wrote her and told her that I thought while Facebook is a wonderful way to get things off her chest, that it could also be her downfall for any future employment. I wrote, in part:

"You see, any potential employer who is savvy now figures out a way to check out your online presence even more than they check out your resume and sometimes even references. The reason is that your history of when you let your hair down... your unfiltered personality is there for all to see...

So if a future employer was to go on there right now... the first words he would see associated with you are "bitch" and "not a team player." Not because someone said that about you... but because you said that about you. Think about it... those words were not posted by someone else... they were posted by you."

Just a few minutes after sending this, I saw where she had taken down the references to the past and delightfully announced she was moving on to better things. I was happy for her.

The comments I write here and on Facebook are written for all to see. I will admit, I have some privacy filters on my Facebooks as somethings are just for my friends, but even things posted there could be seen or read by anyone without reservation.

It's interesting as less than a year ago, I was called to the carpet by a client for posting a picture of myself with a college gymnastics team. The photo, taken by one of the coaches, showed me on my computer in front of the team in their pre meet attire (which is basically one piece swim suits) in the poses that they had used in the media guide. The comment I made on the picture was, quoting, "now, this is how a television producer gets inspiration."

The comment was made because I had used each of those poses as the basis for the look for the year. Cameos of each of those poses were made into animated dancing objects and created a cool open for the team's video show. The exact poses, in their competition leotards, were seen in the media guide, and on their video headshots.

The comment, however, apparently created some double entendre for some readers and I was asked to remove that picture from my Facebook page, and oh, and any other picture of a student athlete from my page.

It was a dark day in my life, as someone perceived my thoughts as something other than it was intended. You see, the perceptions that others have of you online can trump the real meaning.

I put this to the test last night when I posted this status update:
"Jon Horton has taken his 10 year old son to a bar for a soccer pregame party. I guess I am starting him early."

The comments started to roll in. "Tsk Tsk," from someone who is a teacher. :<0 href="http://sambaysabor.com/pitt.aspx">You can see what I am talking about here.)

My thought was to be funny... but calculated funny. Heck, my choice of shoes earlier in the week brought in five times the comments, but people know about my affinity for loud shoes!

So next status update, make sure you say what you are wanting to say, or at least explain it quickly, and you will find life a lot easier.

Just a little advice for you still lost in cyberspace from

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Words"

2009-05-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

This morning, one of my favorite movies was on. "Finding Forrester" is the story of a kid from the Bronx Ghetto that is given the opportunity, through fate and friendship, to work with a famous enigmatic author. Sean Connery played William Forrester, who was portrayed as the JD Salinger of the day. The basic scope of the movie was the value of words, and the difference they can make in people's lives.

I know there is the constant argument that "actions speak louder than words," but I also totally believe that words on their own can provide the foundation for so many things, be it inspiration, or motivation, or compassion.

One year ago today, I started typing words on a screen without a care for where they might go. I didn't know if they would fall on deaf ears. My first blog was about how I had started on Facebook and MySpace and how I was moving into the blogosphere. My inspiration came from the blogs of two close improv friends, who still have their blogs going today.

Over the past year, I have tried to share parts of my life with you, in hopes that the lessons I have learned, and the chronicle of the journey I am taking, could possibly help someone through a tough day by their compassionate tone, their ability to make you laugh, or their ability to connect on a personal level with each and every one of you readers.

I do not pretend to be a poet. I do not pretend that my words are something important. They are just pieces of me that I want to share with you. One hundres thirty one pieces of my mind, my heart and a little bit o' soul.

So if you are new to the blog... I wanted to share some of my favorite entries with you in hopes that you might enjoy a little bit of my world, which could lead to your world being a little better.

The fourth entry "On the subject of going to Rehab" still ranks among my favorites. It was a journey in life taken through the lyrics of a song that I know was not written about me, for me, or really has anything to do with me. However, I seem to identify with it for a reason that is so "out there."

There are a lot of remembrances of my hero... my dad. The first was "On the subject of Lost and Found" which marked the two year anniversary of his passing. It's interesting as today, I received the final document from his estate, nearly three years after his passing. He is never far from my mind, and I hope in reading stories, he won't be far from yours.

This past year has brought along some incredible challenges for many of my friends... and the story of two of them are told in "On the subject of Life's Challenges." It tells the story of two friends and life changing challenges that brought courage and hope to both... and I think it will help you count your blessings as well.

I am a hugger, but have come to find there is a lot of meaning in hugs... or at least I think so in this entry from late July.

The earliest I ever wrote a blog was one Saturday morning so early, breakfast places weren't even open.

Many blog entries have been about self-realization and those moments you know that life will not be the same again. Then - there's a different me.

Last Thanksgiving, I wrote about what I was thankful for... and apparently it means even more now. Friends, real friends, were the subject of my thanks, and just a few weeks ago, my wife said nothing less than the fact she is thankful for my friends as well. The reason... they allow me to be be me. And that, my friends, is truly a blessing.

While I wrote 100 entries in 2008, I have only authored 31 in 2009. Many of the posts were inspired by those Facebook lists that everyone did for a while. 25 random facts, 48 questions were all part of the fad. They were also what led to me doing the mother of all Facebook lists.

When I clicked over to 300 friends on Facebook, it marked a wonderful time in my life, so I wanted to give thanks to the people that helped me get there... thus "300 friends, 300 stories." Never have I had so many people talk about the positive meaning of connections as I did from that post. I did a 400 version as well, but nothing was better than the original.

Life has become busy, but never too busy to try to inspire others. "Same Person, Different Life" told the stories of some of my long lost friends who I had reconnected with after many years, only to feel like I had found new friends.

The inner search for meaning in life allows for "refocusing" when life seems to be really stinking at the time. But when you have a realization that you believe may help others, it seems effortless to share it. "Into the Blue" was a blog about a dream, but I received so many notes that said the imagery helped them see a magical place in their lives.

And a little while later "People You May Know" did the same.

I realize this might feel like a "Greatest Hits" album and you all want some original material. I promise I will get to some in the very near future. There are lots of words stuck in my head, and many stories to tell. I will get to them this summer... including an incredible journey to Alaska.

Thank you all for being such wonderful readers. I hope my "words" have made a positive difference in your life.

As always, I am...

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "My Boss"

2009-05-24T09:28:00.001-07:00

I have the worst boss in the world. He is demanding. He won't let me take any time off. He is a workaholic. He is impossible to be around sometimes. He expects me to work most holidays, but this year, I'll show him.

On the other hand, he can be lazy, with a daydreaming mind and absent from the office for days on end. He never calls, or sends e-mail and he spends a lot of time on Facebook and writing his own blog.

Some days I hate him, but most days, my heart has a soft place for him. I know he can have his challenges, which is why I can understand what he is going through.

He is driven to reach his goals all the time, but he's suffering from mid-life crisis, attempting to figure out what he wants to do in his life. At the same time, he is the one that makes the company run so I have to be supportive.

This year has been especially rough, as I know it has been for many. His way with dealing with it has been to dive in to projects outside of work to make him feel accomplished until the world stops spinning so fast. It takes away from the time he can spend with others, but it seems to be working as the more time he spends on these project, the less he is apt to bitch about others.

So on this Memorial Day weekend, I am spending some time away from the boss, but I continue to hope he will be more understanding to me when I go back to work on Monday. Wait... Monday is a holiday? I wonder if he expects me to work on Monday. Let me check.

Okay, he said for the first time in a while, that I am welcome to take the holiday off and spend it with my family. He encourages me to go take a day trip with the wife and kids, but also to remember there is work to be done and to be in the office first thing on Tuesday morning!

Can't he just let me enjoy the weekend? Nope, because he is always worrying about the next project and building business and being all creative so that his clients can have nothing but the best. Why can't he just chill and enjoy life?

Damn, it's tough to be your own boss, but I will happily live with him. I have to.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Breaking Out of a Dutch Oven

2009-05-20T22:21:00.000-07:00

This blog began upon the inspiration of two friends from an improv class I took last spring. The class, Jet City Improv's 201, was a gathering of people from many walks of life. To me, it began as an opportunity to try a new style in improv education. I had taken almost a year of classes leading up to that class, but nothing had really clicked.

The teacher was a talented young man named Doug. Like my previous teacher, his brain ran on 78 while the rest of the world runs on 33. Through his guidance and ever present kind words and motivation, I began to understand what this world of imagination called improv was all about.

Meanwhile, I found myself in the middle of a new kind of people. None of them were tied to any work I did. Few were the sports types I usually hang out with. And each one could make me smile with an action or just a few words.

These were my friends... and by the end of the class, they felt like family.

My "Rehab Blog" entry tells the whole story of how I felt about those moments. However, the story has grown into a new dimension.

After a couple of more sets of classes, my friend Sarah had the idea of forming a group to do improv together. We called it Dutch Oven, a double entendre name inspired by something that she said in a warmup game. We met at the Ram to discuss the idea with fellow classmates Paul and Ilias. We were all so busy, we did not know how it would work out.

Using Facebook, we put a plan into action, forming a group and inviting all the members of the 201 class into the group, and set up our first "playtime." We asked some members of another class who we liked (and caught our eye), to join us. It was at the cabana of Amanda's complex and it was a fun time. I took the lead in some ways to get us through the class, but it was a group effort.

We met again, this time at Ann's house, the same night as the Jet City auditions. Here, we were joined by a new group of friends. At this rehearsal, those of us who were not auditioning did what we could to help those who were. We even went to the audition and cheered our comrades on.

That was the last time we ever got together to play, which was a shame as it seemed like things were really starting to click. However, life got in the way, as everyone had their own lives to live.

Following a workshop, Sarah and I tried to get the group back together by holding a gathering at a local bar, but by this time, many of the group were on to their own thing. Dutch Oven was to be a casual gathering at best, but not a group. When everyone went their separate ways, Sarah, Paul and I stayed behind and talked.

"We still want to do this, right?" I said to Sarah. We were all in agreement. We wanted to do something, but what? There was a fourth person there. Deb, who had thought that this was just a post class gathering, saw what had happened and added her thoughts. The four of us left the bar that day knowing we were going to do something.

So back to the drawing board we went. First with a new Facebook group to communicate with each other. Then we went on a search for people who we believed would create wonderful chemistry with the rest of the group. We found one in a classmate who seemed to be that "girl with something special." Another came from an old friend from an old show. One came from the magical family of Spring 201 and another from my 301. And the final piece, someone we saw in a showcase that just rocked our socks and made us laugh with everything he did.

Next, I consulted with a good friend from Jet City Improv to talk over the format I had in mind. I wanted to do a different kind of improv show... one with more risks and interaction with the audience. The inspiring performances of Teatro Zinzanni provided a basis for many ideas. A show within a show where no one would ever be sure who was a part of the show and who was not. When I discussed the idea, my friend thought I might be onto something. So I sent out the show idea to everyone and many came back with a confused reply. They didn't see my vision.

So now I had the show idea, and brought together this group, but I knew that for success, that for one of us to be the "leader" was going to be problematic. I had taken an improv directing class from the man who wrote the book on the subject, but I knew I did not have the experience. But I also knew, from examining my own faults, that I have a tendency to take over a room. I don't know if it's my size, or my booming voice or just my personality. I didn't want to place that on the group, so I went in search of someone who would want to grow with us.

Many groups hire coaches, but I was looking for someone who wanted the opportunity for authorship. I wanted a partner in collaboration. And someone who wanted a show to call theirs as well. So I sent a Facebook message to someone who I had remembered from an old class. I had never shared a stage with her, but I have been mesmerized every time I see her perform. Many of us had given her the nickname "the ringer" as she looked like one of those players hired as a professional to come in and make a rec team be awesome. I asked her if she would consider growing with us. And she said yes!

We began rehearsals with a "table read" so to speak, as I tried to explain in voice what I had written on the page, and that description seemed to click with the cast. This idea of improv in a non traditional performance space seemed to challenge us all to try something new.

Rehearsals became a magical world of unlocked doors. The Ringer knew how to bring out the best of us, by opening our eyes to new perspectives on the approach we knew about improv. Week by week, we were learning new things, and taking copious notes so that we would have a workbook to use to develop ourselves as improvisers.

Now, the challenge was to find the space, and I did in the most unlikely of ways. I was meeting with someone two exchange some information at a tea house in Ballard. I noticed that there was a small stage that actually had a table with chairs on it. I saw the setting that I had imagined when I had come up with idea of a "central relationship" that would drive our show. When I saw this venue was the home of music of all kinds, and stand up comedy, that they might be open to something new.

Sure enough they were. The place is called the Chai House in Ballard, and their talent booker was intrigued by this show within a show, and last week, he booked us for our first show on the second Friday in September... a day with an infamous name... September 11th.

I thought, to myself, is that the best day to start something new... and then I said, if that day can be remembered by a few people for something positive, then it can only be positive.

And so, Breakout was born... and you can follow us on our Facebook fan page as we work up to our premiere. We'll have preview videos and photos as we lead up to the opening night.

For me, this has been a lesson in persistence. I did not want to give up on a dream, so I just threw all my knowledge into it... from producing to to using Facebook, everything came together. I can't wait to see how it will all turn out.

Yours truly,

Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Writing to scales."

2009-05-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Hello, scale. You have been nice to me. Last year, you fell faster than the stock market. I liked that. Um, the scale, not the stock market.. that stunk.

Now you are "trying to make an adjustment" and have those numbers go back up. I mean the scale and the stock market this time. For that I am mad at you. (the scale, not the stock market.)

For months, people have been glowing at me. Or is that gushing.

"Oh, you have lost weight."

"Oh, you look so good."

"Oh, Mr. Clooney."

Okay, maybe not that last one, but people have been much nicer and more complimentary.

I have found it easier to bound up the stairs at work (um, when I feel like getting to work.) I have found it easier to get to sleep (now that I take Ambien again.) And the half coke/half diet coke mix at Chipotle has been working like a charm! So much that I now have three of them before I am finished, and that's after I have stopped and had one at the local Circle K to wake me up in the morning.

And I am writing more than ever. At least, that is what I intend to do, but something is always coming up like life or work or going to the gym. Wait, I haven't been to the gym so that's not the reason.

I looked at the calendar and it lies to me to. It says I am old now. It says I am more than half way to 90 and that I could go all Jack Bauer cliffhanger any minute. Damn it!

So, Mr. Scale. I am talking to you. I am tired of you mocking me, and I am going to attempt once again to prove you wrong so you will once again feel so right.

I have a premiere to get ready for... September 11th (lovely day for a premiere, but I don't forget it.) I want to take the stage happy with my looks to make people laugh with me instead of at me.

Will you be my friend again? And by that I mean a real friend, not one of those people who wants to Facebook friend me after hearing I was a slim guy who turned out to be portly.

Okay, I am leaving now. I see a pair of warmups and running shoes in my future. I'll see you later.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Mother's Day"

2009-05-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

I am being an awful husband this year for Mother's Day. I know it. I can't help that my soccer team scheduled their game against my son's former favorite team on Mother's Day. I can't help that one of my classes is scheduled for Mother's Day. I can't help that one of my rehearsals is sched.. um.. wait a minute. I scheduled that one.

I am an awful husband.

Of all the saluting holidays, I should understand the significance of Mother's Day. After all, I was a Mother's Day baby. However, that may explain it, as it seems that important things always seemed to be scheduled on Mother's Day.

Take for example, the day I was born. Yours truly came into this world at 6:05 AM on May the 12th, 46 years ago. On that day, my Dad rushed Mom into the hospital for what was an uneventful delivery of a boy who just happened to be a dividend of the first vacation my parents had alone since their honeymoon. In the interest of full disclosure, my sister was conceived on their honeymoon, 13 years earlier... so you can see where this is going.

Anyway, Dr. Roger O'Donnell saw my Dad after the delivery and told him that Mom would be spending the day resting. That came as great news to my Dad as he was to play for the Columbia Country Club Championship that day. He was leading the tournament.

He went to the club and promptly walked to the first tee and handed out cigars to this championship seeking group, and simply stated "my wife has just given birth to a 10 pound, 2 feet tall baby boy. Would you like to concede the game or play?" They played alright, and my Dad shot a 77 to win the championship.

Upon arriving back at the hospital that afternoon, my Dad walked into the room. Mom was holding me, and Dad was holding a silver goblet, the championship trophy. He looked at her accomplishment and looked at his and asked "So, what have you done today?" and tossed the silver goblet on Mom's bed.

(Note: When my Dad passed away, one of the few things I brought home with me was that trophy as its significance was not lost on me.)

So that is the basis for my Mother's Day celebrations, so you can see why I am a awful husband. Okay, to be clear, that is one of my Mom's favorite stories, so my Dad was not an awful husband. It was that they had a special understanding of who they were as a couple.

Ten years ago this weekend, I was preparing to welcome into the world my second child. There were lots of tears that weekend, and not all of joy. I had just flown back to Seattle after being in South Carolina for my Mom's funeral. My wife could not join me for the event as she was on bed rest, and I did not think it would be a good idea for her to even trying to take the trip.

My son was scheduled to be born on May 13th, but Gale, the wonderful wife that she is, was able to convince her doctor to move the scheduled c-section up one day... so that he would share his birthday with mine. I had no golf tournament to attend that day, so I was in the delivery room with her. Okay... that would have never happened.. the golf tournament, I mean.

About 6 weeks earlier, I had been on the phone with my Mom in what would turn out to be my last ever conversation with her. It was on that phone call that I told her that we had decided to name the baby Drew Spencer Horton, to which she responded, "that's wonderful dear, I have a whole bunch of towels and things with his initials on it."

Drew was named after my Mom, Drucie, and the initials were designed to match hers. We had no idea she would never have the opportunity to meet her grandson.

However, a few weeks ago, the towels were delivered to our house with many other items from my parent's house, along with a portrait of my Mother and a 300 pound solid marble sculpture of her, both of which now reside with great "regalness" in our dining room.

So here we are ten years later, and I am surrounded of memories of Mom, especially the fact that I live Mother's Day every day I look into my son's eyes.

While it is not fair to my bride, maybe it is a little appropriate that I am spending my Mother's Day the way I am, sharing the afternoon with the living spirit of my Mom, then doing my own thing.

Don't worry, I will find a way to make it up to my wife. The karaoke CD I bought her will make her giddy with song, and I am sure a week or so of Honey dos to boot!

Happy Mother's Day.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Preparing for the Back Nine"

2009-05-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

"I'm not over the hill. I'm just on the back nine."
- A pillow that belonged to my Dad that I brought home with me from his house.

In just 6 days, I will no longer be 45 and lost in cyberspace. Yes, the calendar page turns and with it, the sense of being young.

I know it is just a different day, and the world does not change. The perspective, however is beginning to change. On my radio is still the music of a 20 or 30 year old. My sense of humor is more of a teenager than a middle-ager. Life's dreams, goals, and challenges - now, that is a different story.

Last week, I was privileged to be given access to Seattle Golf Club to tape a series of interviews with some golfers of the past from a local university's program. In this role, I was able to talk to people with a wide range of memories from those who won a championship two years before I was born to those who just recently graduated. While all the stories were wonderful, I related more to the stories of the older generation than the younger, and that both surprised and saddened me.

Listening to the stories of the older golfers was like listening to my Dad. The camaraderie, the memories, the love they had for each other, all became very apparent. It was the kind of story I had not heard from a member of that generation since my Dad passed away three years ago.

Walking through the locker room at that club brought another fact into focus. The design of that room is eerily similar to that of the club that my Dad belonged to in Bethesda, Maryland. At "BT", I felt as though I was part of an incredible privileged group of people who had made a difference. At the Seattle Golf Club, I sadly felt like a visitor who had not achieved what I believed I could where I could be amongst the members.

Talking to the members of the championship teams, many doctors or successful business men or golf pros, I was transported back to a time when time on the course was time spent reconnecting with my Dad. A bad day on the course was better than most good days in the office.

The last time I shared a golf course with my dad was one of the greatest experiences of my life. We played in a father/son tournament, and finished just two strokes out of the awards. We came so close, but it didn't seem to matter. The next time I would see him, he would be recovering from heart surgery, unable to even get to a golf course let alone play.

The last time I saw him, we talked old golf stories, and looked at some pictures. We knew that no matter what would happen, we always had that weekend at BT.

Now, I get ready to make the turn and head to the back nine. I haven't set foot on a golf course to play since he died. It seems too painful as if I hit a good shot, that would always be the one I would want to call Dad about.

The trip to Seattle Golf Club brought with it other thoughts. Would I ever live up to the life where I felt I could belong? My life has taken such strange turns lately. My old self would be longing for the "club life" or the "good life" as my Dad always called it.

My current friends, the ones who make me happiest, are not club types, but rather ones that seem more "touchable" and more "reachable."

I don't want to give up the dream of success that allows me perks and privilege, but I never want to lose touch with the friends who have shaped my life.

The conflict seems like a 20 foot putt to force a playoff in a tournament. Making it keeps the dream alive. Missing it doesn't mean the end, but it makes you wonder what if.

Right now, the question of "what if?" seems to be taking the shape of "what could be?" Exciting and scary all at the same time.

What lies on the back nine? Do I play an iron and play it safe or go for it with the "Loco" driver that was my final golf present from my dad? I step up to the tee soon. And frankly, it's a daunting task.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Turning on the Faucet"

2009-05-01T22:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I write just to write. Many times, it's to get something off my mind.

Yesterday, in the midst of working, I told my co-worker how absolutely infuriated I was getting about the hype being given the "outbreak" of the swine flu in the media.

There are so many stories worth telling that to see the first 11 minutes of a newscast dedicated to the Swine Flu and how you are going to get it sickened me. Yes, I meant the pun.

So, in the spirit of a previous blog entry, I decided to create the Whine Flu Pandemic Central. I planted all the seeds with links about whining and such. I even took some clipart and gave it the logo treatment. Then I put out the all out effort to recruit people to "Become a Fan"

Line by line, word by word, I used humor to get out my anger at the overreaction of society to something that really does not need that much attention. And oh, by the way, did you happen to notice it's sweeps for television... that lovely time where news operations bring out the heavy lumber to tell you what you need to know so you have to, I mean HAVE TO tune in to that particular news that night.

I would understand it if there were hundreds of deaths instead of dozens of cases of this sickness throughout the country, but these stories seem to be nothing but scare tactics.

Case in point. Five schools in this area have been shut down for a week because of a "suspected case" of swine flu.

Meanwhile, just one block from my office, a doctor who was also suspected of having swine flu, treated many youngsters, not to mention had contact with parents. If this was so serious, wouldn't that entire clinic be shut down and every one of those kids alerted to inform their schools of the situation so that they could shut down, and all the businesses that this woman went to, including the place I probably had lunch, have signs saying there is a danger here?

Now I guess you might say it would be poetic justice if I caught this thing after having this opinion, but why aren't people mad as hell and not going to take this stuff anymore?

Then, yesterday, I saw a story on HBO about schools eliminating Dodgeball or Musical Chairs or any competition where there are definitive winners and losers, as they say it might hurt the morale of the people who could be excluded or, dare I say, lose.

If that were not enough, there is a school that has banned the game of tag because of the possibility of injury. Their solution, shadow tag, where you tag the person by stepping on their shadow. Oh, we aren't finished there. The school has banned all touching. I mean no touching. That means a pat on the back, a high five, a hug. These have been replaced by the "Air Five" and "Air Hugs."

Where in the hell is society going?

Well, I guess there might be one thing the two subjects I have ranted about have in common. If there was a no touching policy at all schools, the chance of spreading Swine Flu may have gone down exponentially.

I am getting off my soap box... turning off the faucet.

My time is up, I thank you for yours.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of the 400... yep. I am at it again.

2009-04-29T14:22:00.001-07:00

What is a Facebook Friend?

Well, now that the number is 403, I wondered the same thing… so I started answering the question again... and here is what I found.

… a radio host who always says hello when we see each other at a game.
… a crew member who I don’t always remember, but after becoming FB friends want to hire more
… a person who loves her Beatles, and can be very funny at times.
… an awesome singer in Karaoke and someone I wish I lived closer to.
… a former work colleague who married someone else I worked with to make what I thought was the oddest couple, but they are great together.
… a funny woman who I have not met, but have many mutual friends that I hope to meet her someday.
… a talented cameraman who made life a lot easier on a lot of shoots.
… a member of the family who travels the world, one foot at a time.
… a wrestling newsletter writer who is really funny, and I wish I had time to visit with more
… a courageous friend whom I admire, and respect more now than when we dated.
… a fellow who remembers me from working with him on Hockey and now networks with FB
… former game operations person who was one of the nice ones. I still need to return his VHS tape of 2 Unlimited.
… number 401 and a future Karaoke friend who was very nice on our first meeting at Hula Hula.
… she is a funny improviser with a classic accent, who got her feelings hurt once, but remains a frequent contributor to my FB page,
… one of my SMU mates who understands this thing called social media.
… another SMU classmate who I did not know had such a fondness for pro wrestling.
… a staffer at the University I work at that always has a nice thing to say in spite of his always serious personality.
… the head of the original big screen video company… call him the godfather of IDEA.
… former colleague at CNN who was always nice to me and ended up being the boss of one of my better work friends later in life.
… crew member who is willing to play any role he’s needed for.
… another crewmember who loves his high school sports.
… a classmate of my wife’s who is a writing genius and someone I am happy to call friend.
… a fellow improv alum that has a great talent for facial gestures.
… former web guru at my TV station, and now on to national fame.
… voice of the Bears and anything else he can find. Always helpful.
… graphics genius that never questions if I need something… he always provides it for me no matter how busy he is.
… game show wizard who can always make me laugh.
… woman who keeps the Emmy Awards together who I hope to continue a friendship with long after the shine fades on the last statue.
… funniest member of IDEA and a guaranteed life of an IDEA party.
… NASCAR driver who lost his permanent ride, but will no doubt be back in the seat soon.
… king of Key Arena and Comcast Arena video… and someone I hope to be working with a lot more in the coming years.
… talented reporter I knew when he was a young pup, now, one of the big dogs in Rip City.
… she introduced me to my wife, and still helps me with promotion questions even today.
… my closest improv friend, and one I hope to share a breakout dream with in front of a live audience. I really appreciate her unwavering friendship through this past year.
… a classmate at SSS who still makes me laugh with his funny comments.
… veteran anchor and NASCAR fanatic who shares my passion for Washington sports, and keeps my friend Silvi in line.
… one of the rare newspaper people still employed, which speaks for his genuineness and talent.
… improviser who has now become king of all social media… at least what’s worth blogging about – hey I follow brianbrinkman thanks to you.
… a lady married to the above person who has rocked my world with her kindness, and hopefully will be the star of my new commercial!
… the boyfriend of one of my social media friends who is a pretty talented guy himself. Very nice to have made his acquaintence.
… a future broadcasting star, when she realizes that she can take her message to a wider audience. Always happy to pass on the fanmail.
… a Baylor Bear who when I made an April Fool’s joke about deleting all my friends and starting over was the first to volunteer. I hope that meant he still wanted to be friends!
… one of the nice guys back at CNN and still a fun guy to follow on FB.
… queen of broadcast production and someone I was lucky to know through my wife’s radio station.
… inspirational leader of my HS lacrosse team, still inspiring others today.
… the best basketball player I ever had a chance to work with and I am happy he’s finished his eligibility, cause now I can be his FB friend again. Don’t forget me when you hit the big time!
… the bravest lawyer I have ever had… just ask Suge.
… number 400 is a morning personality in Las Vegas who was always great to me as a media friend here in Seattle. Hope he comes back someday.
… SSS alum that I think wanted to add me so he could send me all his applications invites (you know the ones… invite 8 friends, and damn it if I am always one of the 8)
… the divine Miss Bravo who I have the honor of working with in the land of shove.
… afternoon drive personality at my favorite London radio station, and he was nice enough to friend me.
… if you need a voice… especially Tom Brokaw’s, he’s your man. I am looking forward to seeing him at the Karaoke Spectacular on June 7th.
… she makes me happy whenever she sends me just a hello… and she’s a great coach too.
… my homecoming date… and someone I am so happy to still keep in touch with… thanks Facebook!
… he was my first boss in radio… and one that never told me no… which is rare in that business.
… softball buddy who has turned into a good friend, partly because we knew each other casually for a long time.
… worked with him a few times, and wish I could more… one of the funniest actor/producers in Seattle
… she has become one of the experts in Seattle Social Media… she gets it and a lot of people are now following her, literally.
… former fellow producer of sports at a local station… and has found a life after television… well done you!
… his lovely wife who is a colleague at the station I do a show for. Always one for a great inspirational story.
… his double jointed finger distracts me, but he does a really good job as one of the poobas of Jet City.
… television producer and real estate tycoon. I have seen both go south on him, yet he keeps a great attitude.
… the girlfriend of my improv mentor, and a nice woman to boot (talented too!)
… former softball teammate who will forever stay in my heart as a victim of my motivational speaker gimmick in the title game.
… friend from my days in SC.
… person who convinced me to play softball. I may be her only FB friend as she joined just to get in the softball group.
… the woman who keeps the women of Rat City rollin through their bouts, and the only person I have bought a beer for in the last three years.
… one of my closest friends and resident Statler to my Waldorf, especially on my blog.
… she used to be one of my best couple friends and now that the couple is no more, she still is one of my great friends… which can’t be said for the other half of the couple.
… one of the genuine nice guys who I hope finds love again someday.
… he helped me keep my sanity at CNN.
… fraternity brother at SMU.
… head of the creative department at the TV station I work with.
… one of my old improv classmates who I can never get to come out and play!
… one person who is much different than the person I knew all those years ago.
… one of my first FB friends, and to this day, he still hasn’t said a word to me, although I have known him longer than anyone on here… who knows.
… wife of a former colleague who unsuccessfully tried to get her husband to join us here on FB… good luck with that continuing challenge!
… high school buddy.
… I love her, and am not married to her… and nothing more needs to be said.
… a really cool woman who is an amazing help on my Karaoke event, although we have only met once. She understands the Twitter thing too!
… he’s graduated from AI now, so hopefully we can work together.
… the musician in my first musical improv class and a future mom!
… mvp of the crew this year.
… an ad wizard who is destined to work with me and I with her.
… an IDEA guy who used to use me for all those apps.
… she’s so happy and thankful that I will always be happy to help her out. I hope our fundraiser is successful (June 7th at the HUT – Be There!)
… guru of graphics at the TV station… can talk your ear off… but in a good way.
… I asked her to be a part of my improv group, and she shied away… although I still believe she would be great!
… sang at my wedding and I still hear the song.
… hubby to the above singer and amazing person.
… good guy from improv class who is now blogging and becoming a life skills coach. You go!
… I misidentified him at a recent event, and still feel bad about it!
… he will be the number one guy at a station someday with his ability to still tell stories in a world full of soundbites.
… a guy who shares his talents and some nice words from IDEA, and is helpful in getting the FB word out.
… a former sales guy at my wife’s radio station who once was responsible for us all doing the Macarena… no, I mean you doing the Macarena!
… the EP of local programming at my local station. We once developed an idea for a karaoke show that would have been hilarious, but unless an idea has sponsors, it’s a dead idea.
… he’s dropped out of sight. Qu’el dommage.
… info man for the Mariners who still loves his sports.
… he got laid off yesterday, which isn’t really fair as he actually talked sports on a sports talk station… KIRO, hire him quickly!
… gave GONE a new meaning, and I hope he finds a fun place to work soon.
… an inspirational improv teacher who believes in her beliefs in a big way. Just ask her if she’s getting married.
… wonderfully nice guy from BYU who hopefully is having fun in Cougarland.
… talented athlete from SSS who went back to teach at the school later. Guessing he’s a high executive by now.
… one of the board of IDEA and very nice to a newbie like me a couple of years ago.
… you can call him Caesar, you can call him Groucho. I call him awesome in his craft and as a FB friend.
… still hanging in there as a local sports anchor in a business that is losing a lot of local sports.
… saw him at the golf course the other day, which is strange because he’s always near a football field.
… former CNN anchor who still appears on the air while trying to make a living in real estate.
… my lab partner at SMU in broadcast school. I ended up in Seattle. She ended up on Monday Night Football.
… I was at Hula Hula one night singing a rap version of Amy Winehouse and there she was.. haunting me. I thought she could have been Amy, and hopefully she will someday, but without all the problems.
… former Hokie Backstreet Boy, now a Bengal Backstreet Boy.
… independent producer who gets a lot of good gigs.
… he doesn’t know if he’s a Beaver, Husky or Musketeer, or all three at the same time.
… traveling the country as a free spirit and that’s good for her.
… journalist who is so connected, I think the world must go through his computer.
… childhood friend who is now a gospel singer, and apparently pretty good at it too.
… improv classmate who loves to put the dramatic flair into everything.
… okay, I couldn’t come up with anything better than a Larry King version of the 300 note, but I loved your suggestion for having people meet each other. I still want to work with you someday!
… he loves his football and now his soccer too.
… her name when I knew her was Vice, but she was always nice (working on rhyming for my musical improv class… see Doug, I do my homework.) Now if I could just rhyme her real last name.
… classmate at SMU and SAS and a very happy mom now!
… he used to own a company, now he just appreciates work… real sign of today’s times.
… the generation gap is starting to show with my relationship with this co-worker, but we still work well together.
… the future Mrs. Softy, who from her status updates, really wants someone to tell her the truth. Hope you find that!
… last seen on House Hunters… but that was a while ago he says. Happy guy in an unhappy business.
… IDEA counterpart from the U of Hou.
… promotions guru for a local sports team, who still seems to hit the mark.
… we worked together at CNN, and he always needed a little scratch. He called me a goofball. He’s probably right.
… he has worked hard to make my new favorite sports team fan friendly, and he needs to be applauded for that.
… one half of a great radio team that still brings it every day.
… the head of a great station group here in town… she’s had a tough job lately but does it well.
… capable woman. No, really, that what she was and is.
… politically oriented classmate of my wife, and great storyteller.
… we call her baby girl on the crew, and she sure loves her FB apps.
… mom to a classmate of my son. I think my son has a crush on her daughter.
… smartest guy in the school, now probably smartest guy in the room.
… my wife’s buddy, and a really genuine person.
… former HS PR guru, and I didn’t know until recently that he’s also a dee jay!
… old school girl in a new school world, yet she still gets both.
… used to do PR for my network, and was the first to escape to better things.
… recently added friend who is an old HS classmate, cheerleader, and now talented designer.
… buddy of my improv buddy, and fun person to talk to.
… recently moved away from Seattle before I could see her, and I am sad about that.
… resident philosopher of the Sportatorium, now keeps me honest in blogging and on FB.
… shared the moment when Hulk turned heel.
… she’s my Dawg and she’s moving back home to the land of Chick Fil A and Cherrywine, and happiness for her. Good luck, Dawg!
… he starts a new show next week. Pretty good for someone who wanted to work for free just a short time ago.
(What do you mean I am only half way through… 400 is harder than 300… but I go on.)
… good friend of the Mrs. with a quiet yet wild demeanor.
… young lady who could always make me laugh especially when she shows a state of being uncomfortable.
… she keeps showing up at improv places and keeps making people laugh… travels a lot too.. proves she can never be caught up with.
… he is the person who corrals the M’s media, which sadly does not include me anymore.
… #398 – but pretty much a perfect 10. Actress, Model, Classmate, and a very nice person.
… former intern who I rediscovered recently. Happy to see she’s doing well.
(Okay, now Adina… I just figured out what I should do but I am more than halfway, so I will continue, but I now know what I will do for 500, although I hope I never get there.)
… head of the rival improv group… but not a rival person.
… great athlete at my school, and a great guy now.
… we once were close improv friends, but she has caught the acting bug it seems. She’s great at it… so it’s a good thing. I do miss her though.
… my new improv friend who does so much improv, she worries that it’s too much. I just hope that when it comes to making choices of what to still do, she chooses to stay with the group because I love her talents and personality.
… I wish she could come sing Karaoke with me all the time, but alas, she lives in a place I wish I lived. We can keep wishing I guess.
… the love of my life and my wife. She likes this FB thing sometimes. I love her all the time.
… he used to hang around the improv scene all the time, but I haven’t seen him lately.
… former newsman for KSMU and the Daily Campus… who is surviving in life and in the television industry… and he’s blessed to be doing so.
… former floor mate from SMU who came close to going out with me once, although I don’t think she remembers it quite that way.
… okay Jana, maybe nicknames would have worked better… but yours is Heels.
… graduated from school last year with a spirit that I miss, and I think her team misses as well. Still have the picture too!
… classmate from SAS and one of the gang.
… the most talented woman I know, and happy to be getting to know her a little better.
… show director who was very understanding when we went in a different direction and she became busy… still very supportive and I appreciate that.
… another one of the sons of crew members who work on the crew, and I can’t keep him straight with the other one. Their names are too close.
… if ever I need a great pick me up, this person is always there to provide it with a great FB comment. Kind person, kind comments.
… one half of the studio tandem, the nice one.
… beautiful bartender with an even more stunning voice. Always is there with a wonderful smile on Sunday nights when I try out new material.
… my Brit friend turned Kiwi and finally heard from! She’s loving a simpler life. Good on ya!
… one half of the greatest NBA announcer team of all time, and an actor to boot. Always enjoy seeing him when he’s up for Pac-10 games.
… Lucky, and usually happy.
… host of a show on the Seattle Channel who I hope to get to meet and work with sometime soon.
… 72 degrees.
… photog who is surviving this economy, which is better than many.
… very cute girl in HS who is very nice family woman now.
… head of an NBA team and SMU Alum who still remains approachable.
… keeping things going at TAMU.
… A Canadian Superstar in the ring, who loses nothing in the exchange rate.
… she wants to keep the team together and loves every minute of it.
… former classmate, fraternity brother and leader at SMU. Surprised he’s not a congressman.
… funny lady who can rock some amazing characters, just needs some self confidence and she’ll star someday.
… recently left my station and was an amazing sport about it. He should be able to land on his feet soon.
… cheerleader and frat brother and happy go lucky guy.
… he probably still has Confetti in his hair 25 years later.
… great attorney for my friend, and good friend to my wife.
… often wondered what she would have been like if she was in the showcase.
… she was a manager at my campus radio station and still is in the biz all these years later.
… reporter to be, but has to figure out how to break in first.
… improv junkie that likes improv FB friends.
… went to school with him in second grade through high school. Smart cookie.
… one of the Montana people who make such great crew members.
… my niece who is all grown up now.
… fellow improv alum who just wants to see her old classmates make it up on stage. Reminds me a lot of my sister for good reasons.
… I think I will probably seem him on stage someday.
… Me, Hoya. Him, Terp… and he still reminds me.
… positively the most positive person I know… great blogger too.
… misunderstood talk host in Seattle. I hope they appreciate him more in his new home.
… nice guy and improv talent. Wish I could still be involved in his shows. Maybe someday.
… the graphics guru of the UC who shares his talents, which is really cool for a protective biz.
… Cougar first, cameraman second, but great at both.
… former intern at CNN who has some of my furniture.
… queen of the replay machine who is finding out how much fun producing is now!
… hope he’s finding work as he was one of the unkind cuts by a big corporation.
… ahead of the curve for 30 years.
… host of a talkshow that is about to go from radio to TV… I hope they are ready!
… the only Bulgarian I know.
… one of the people I like at a company I am not too wild about.
… the best photographer anywhere. Period.
… he could easily be a great friend if our wives understood how much we have in common and need the friendship.
… dependable photographer.
… we were really close, but it seems like I haven’t seen her in ages.
… that girl that was a rival in high school, but it turns out she’s great.
… I thought he would work with me in a company someday, but he’s got a great biz on his own.
… if you need a smart alec status report… this guy’s for you.
… she keeps on being nice, which is especially nice in this day and age.
… we went out, but I would not call them dates.
… assistant coach on my favorite team to work with, and always supportive guy.
… once a driven career woman, now a happy mom.
… head of the improv company I am blessed to work with.
… morning man at my college radio station, and funny guy.
… T. She wears heel and smells good, and takes both as a compliment in the right way. Refreshing.
… anyone who can be called Goat Boy and like it, is jakers in my book. Always gives me the nicest pub at the bouts and I appreciate it.
… SSS alum who isn’t sure about this FB thing.
… introduced me to my college sweetheart, and I thank her.
… we haven’t met but I feel like I know her. Groucho is the common thread.
… he’s a geek that says he’s a geek but doesn’t act like one.
… photog who is another one of the Coug brigade.
… improviser who has a great talent for characters, and one on whom I should draw some more inspiration.
… development exec who admitted to me once that she worked on a show that was stolen from me, but I am glad she shared the info.
… PC who is never PC. Glad she’s back in my life, even if it’s just in cyberspace.
… underestimated him. Great musician who I hope I can perform with sometime soon.
,,, member of the 201 family, who disappeared shortly after class. Reemerged for a short time, but now back into hiding.
… one of those girls I looked up to in High School, now all grown up like me with a family.
… hysterically funny member of the NASCAR family who does what I do, except with much faster subjects.
… karaoke diva, softball player, momma. Hope we can be good friends.
… standup comic who gave up on improv, but seems to be doing well. Only person I know who untagged himself from nice pictures.
… if there is someone that plays more softball than this woman, I haven’t found her.
… Illinois IDEA Counterpart.
… photographer who made a music video with me in college. Did the same song recently in karaoke and thought about looking him up and there he was.
… recruiting and basketball guru who survived the same storm as I did, but he moved to Texas to recover. Lucky him.
… member of the 401 brigade who was very nice.
… runs the biggest NCAA pool I know of, but still couldn’t get me to participate.
… saw him just yesterday. Think he’s a great businessman, and a nicer guy.
… no one knows more about women’s basketball than this guy.
… Bellingham based sports producer who has similar interests, but doesn’t seem to call me to work with him. You can you know!
… my nephew who lives in Bend, but apparently has a very busy life there so he doesn’t get up here much.
… shady character, but he is supposed to be.
… former Sonics PR guy who still loves the game.
… former boss of my wife’s radio station who has seen the ups and downs and has shared his great wisdom with me for which I am grateful.
… former NW producer who moved to the Midwest, and I think found his stride.
… professor and great friend when I was 15.
… my counterpart at Cal.
… sound engineer in Hollywood and gets to work with some cool people.
… always gave me a rough time about my Jordaches, but happily reconnected and was really sweet in her note.
… his current profile is Brock Lesnar, although he doesn’t know who he is.
… member of the tall club in Atlanta who was an exec with MCI… still looks great.
… sales manager at a local station group and very great to call on for advice or help.
… character name for a improv friend.
… the big man who is part hip hop, part gamer, all awesome.
… where did he go?
… cheerleader turned cheerleader mom… seems to be living life over again with her daughter and loving it.
… afternoon drive DJ on the number one music station in town… we should have done that show back then!
… women’s wrestling promoter and new partner in HD with the 21st century Bob Caudle.
… happily found me on Facebook! One of my groomsmen in my wedding and damn, do I miss writing with him.
… one of my favorite people and director of my improv show… and could not be a nicer or more talented person.
… owner of an innovative production company. We said we will find a way to work together and I hope someday we will.
… saw him recently in town, and glad he’s hoping to keep one of my best friends sane in LA.
… IDEA counterpart still working it.
… call him Sportscenter
… neighbor who looks like Julia Roberts.
… her husband who is nice enough to let me say his wife looks like Julia Roberts.
… he can’t wait for the DTV switch to happen.
… she can’t wait for the DTV switch to happen so he won’t have to worry about it anymore.
… leading lives in the right direction.
… former bartender trying to make it in real estate.
… a great film maker and video producer who took a right turn into a whole other industry.
… I misunderstood him, and he me, but we are trying to work through it.
… he let me “own” his wrestling company.
… former classmate and forward on my JV hoops team.
… producer at FSN, and still pluggin away long after many have gone.
… CEO of a growing web company.
… former assistant SID who is loving the Southern California sun.
… classmate and classy guy.
… number 403 – karaoke diva who is a regular at Hula.
… happy he is part of the breakout team. Can’t wait to get to know him more.
… former talk host who has reappeared on the air. One of the nice guys.
… wife of a former classmate who shared her account with her hubby. Hubby’s not on the account but she kept being my friend.
… he lives for practice but likes the games as well. Keeps Jennifer in line.
… blogger, producer, and needs some sleep. Come to think of it, better hours would allow her to live the life she should.
… Fellow Marylander who keeps the Panthers roaring.
… He sees Stars.
… took 007 to a whole new level in the land of the Seminoles.
300 down… 104 to go!
… keeps IDEA running.
… blogs through the eyes of his infant miracle.
… my physical improv idol.
… friend of my wife who may move closer to us again.
… her hubby who seems to be everyone’s FB friend.
… she is quiet, but when she allows herself to be, can be awesome on stage.
… father of my homecoming date.
… one of my favorite people and I wore the tie he gave me for Christmas at the banquet the other day.
… became friends with him at Denver IDEA… busy guy with lots of kids now.
… news man with a voice I would kill for.
… best fan a team could ever have.
… my 301 teacher who is about to be a dad. Call him the Tweet Daddy!
… number 399… and musical director of the most amazing show you will ever see.
… still in Seattle. Get to NY man!
… survived local TV and now with the big company on the campus.
… headmaster of the School, but an enigma none the less.
… my closest friend in the industry. I just wish he lived closer as we feel like we should be hanging out.
… not a person but a place… one that inspires me greatly.
… former classmate.
… big screen guy before I was in the big screen biz.
… former compadre at Prime… yes, that long ago.
… Arizona’s tech and video wiz who still threatens me with You Tube.
… sales guru at the local sports station.
… most helpful guy when it comes to my HS show… great writer too.
…. Ooh, It’s Gerry Todd.
… ask him about his Freddie Mercury unitard.
… NASCAR fan.
… legendary Elvis Operator, not elvis impersonator.
… one of the funniest women I knew, and happy to have been her pizza date before many a class.
… loves his baseball.
… improv genius and the guy who showed me the starting line to this obsession for which I will always strive for the finish line.
… happy to be reconnected with this wonderful guy. He’s retired and even busier than he was when he was working.
… ESPN west coast wonder, and someone who was always nice to me when we shared shoot locations.
… former CNN Producer and now a professor. I want to teach too!
… still owes me lunch, or me him.
… does this graphic work for you?
… shares name with a Cub although he’s a Cane.
… how can you be friends with a team. Apparently I am.
… friend for only two weeks that has become a friend for a lifetime. Keep on shooting girl!
… improv group that includes two friends.
… the Cat of Fat Cat.
… can tell you more about the Beatles than you ever thought you could know in a way you never knew you needed to know.
… his website may have killed my show… but he still is a nice guy,
… my roller pal who got me into all this, and I am happy she did.
… weather diva for the big 7.
… oooh… we’ll be right back. Hope to see him when he comes to town with the Royals.
… soon to be mommy. Now seen exploiting her baby online.
… had lunch with him the other day. Seems to have an optimistic view of life in transition.
… derby dame who I would love to see again sometime.
… courage personified. Needs to be hired by someone who will appreciate her.
… my youngest FB friend.
… formerly in the NBA and White House. How many people can say that?
… my youngest FB friend’s mom, and dear friend to my wife. Is currently reinventing herself… keep it up!
… her brother in law and coast guard officer… former next door neighbor.
… dee jay on Star and judge of the upcoming Karaoke Contest. Thanks!
… he talks on the radio but you don’t know it. You do but you don’t know it’s him.
… she is trying to make sense of the state of journalism. Good luck with doing that, but you are off to a great start.
… she can organize a successful event better than about anyone. Missed at the Chateau.
… Fannie Tragic who is awesome as a teacher and performer. Needs to teach me more.
… taught me what I needed to know to do my job, thankfully.
… member of the Breakout gang, and I hope she will stay in town instead of going Canuck on us.
… Greek comedy god.
… we trade love letters. Not those kind. The kind where she loves what I do and I love what she does. Call them shove letters.
… just recovered from a heart attack… and we are all blessed that he is still around.
… gym fan and heading to Alaska soon. Good for you!
… rare wife who understands her hubby’s need for improv and karaoke.
… proud mom to Alexis, and future minivan driver.
… traffic queen… Aussie, and most prolific Tweeter I know.
… maybe the most naturally beautiful woman I know, but I don’t think she knows it.
… rival school, good friend. Will we have an interesting work relationship? I sure hope so.
… sports lovin’ hubby of a news producer.
… the other John who I have lost touch with.
… recovering from knee surgery, but seems to be on the path back to fitness and teach others to be fit. Still haven’t changed in all these years. Actually, you’ve gotten better.
… I’m from Chevy Chase, she’s Shovey Chase.
… I hope he gets his smile back. He deserves it and will get to work on the big shoe next year.
… his loving wife who seems to love FB as well.
… Captain Crew-it-all.
… dated a burlesque diva and disappeared. Where are ya?
… actor, sideline reporter. Former colleague at CNN who I had to explain Aussie Rules football to when he had to report on it.
… promotions exec turned board game wizard.
… the voice of VHL, and an infomercial. I had great memories of his work but would like to forget the circumstances.
… now starring in NY or soon will be.
… hypnotic improv genius.
… keeping secrets now when I really need to know. Hopefully, it will be back to normal soon.
… jet setting woman who was, to me, the prettiest girl in high school.
… another victim of the journalism crisis… hope he lands on his feet.
… discovered recently that she did know who I was after I knew who she was for a long time.
… Science has left the building… and I wish she would return.
… take one… take two.
… apparently loving OKC, and a follower of my blog. Happy to see someone happy in that arena.
… Mr. Everything to me… my mentor and teacher… and he probably would be embarrassed that I would say that but I do mean it. Happy to be taking a class from him again.
… Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby Wilson.
… wrestler who apparently has made it to the big time although I haven’t seen him there yet.
(Breathing hard… hitting the homestretch.)
… high school loving member of the crew who is happy to fill any role.
… glossy 8x10 anchor of the local news who knows how to use FB and Twitter to build viewers.
… point guard on my JV hoops team.
… sales guy who works with me on the big screen.
… awesome woman of nighttime sports talk radio… and the only mom I know that could be one of the guys.
… wonder what she’s doing now… she’s been off the radar.
… probably went through one of the most courageous changes I have ever seen anyone go through in life, and he is blessed to know it and live it.
… future reporter in another market who was always nice to me when she was here.
… The grand high guru of all us IDEA college types.
… former Seattle sports TV anchor and current radio guy who is my only Z friend.

Well there you have it… 403. Don’t expect I will reprise this at 500… but I hope you all know that I am blessed to have all of you as a part of my life. As I said before, I don’t collect FB friends, I recall stories and look forward to the new ones ahead. So to those old and new, take care and be well, and I will see you right here whenever you need me.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Becoming a Fan"

2009-04-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

They are trying to get traffic number up. I get it. But, why is Facebook trying to get people to be fans of the most inane things.

Sleep. Yes I like it.

Seattle. Seems like you have two choices here. 44 thousand are fans of Seattle's government page. As Seth and Amy say "Really?!?!" How is the government pages image that pops up a Sonics logo. "Really!?!?!" 35 thousand are fans of the travel page. I don't have to travel to Seattle.

How about NOT being a fan. I am NOT a fan of Seattle Traffic.

Staying in Bed. See Sleep. Seems this little number was founded on New Year's Day of this year, probably from someone who was out all night on New Year's Eve. This "non-profit's" mission -Rollover, snooze, adjust pillow, repeat.

Where did this idea come from? I can understand showing your undying love for things that you truly like, such as In and Out Burgers. But Los Angeles?

Pages that promote a product make perfect sense. States of being on the other hand... um... do they want you to sleep more? Where are the things that ask you to be a fan of the following? I think I will search some I think should be there...

Being Nice. I would be a fan of being nice. It seems like being nice has a fanbase of a mere 228 people, none of whom have anything to say as the wall and info are totally empty, as I would believe their capacity to actually be nice might be the same. I guess I wasn't being very nice there.

Love. It's what the world needs now, is love sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just to little of. The funny thing is when you type in love, the first thing that appears for me is the "Pass a Drink" application. Nothing says love like sending her a shot!

Good driving. How many bad drivers are there on the road, so I want to support the good ones. I guess I am in rare company. Please meet Mr. Chris Williams from Crewe, United Kingdom. He apparently is the only fan of good driving in the world. Oh, now I see. He's a driving instructor. At least his car is air conditioned. Nothing says good driving like an air conditioned car!

Laughing. If we all laughed more, our world could loosen up from the stressed out place in which we currently reside. Well apparently 1,700,690 people already beat me to this one. Okay, I will become a fan. And instantly, the number is up to 1,770,985. I guess we all laughed at the same time.

Twitter. Oh, I guess I am already a fan, however I have to declare my love in less than 140 characters. There are 45 thousand fans, but no posts. An interesting side note is that the Twitter edited picture that shows up only shows "it" which is appropriate since Twitter is the it application these days.

The 80s. What decade should get more fans than the 80's except that most people on Facebook were barely born then and think of this decade as we did the 50's or 60's. Hey now, I can become a fan of this "other business" with 18,850 people. How is it an "other business" though? Credit to the folks who put this one together because it has some great flashback photos and such.

Blue Shoes. Isn't everyone? Oh wait, that's just me. Actually there is a blue shoes fan club, but it seems to be for a high school team.

Blogging. Oh I guess I can become a fan, but there are only 18 right now.

So, show your love for something and become a fan... and I am waiting to see who sets up the fanpage for "Jon's 45 and Lost in Cyberspace." I might even join that one.

Have a great week. Show some love. Be Nice. Laugh. Be a good driver. Live in the 80's for a moment. Blog a little and compliment someone on their blue shoes. That is if you can find one other person with blue shoes!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of I don't know... a new chapter.

2009-04-24T22:48:00.000-07:00

Last blog I said it's more important to know what you don't know.

Here are some of the things I don't know how to do...

I don't know how to use Twitter effectively. I can explain what it is to my friends and watch them RT and # and @ all day long, but I can barely figure out how to follow someone.

I don't know how to effectively coach a kid's soccer team. I took over a team when the coach bailed and the aggregate score of our first two games has been 24-3. And that is with my son getting 14 saves in each game as goalie.

I don't know how to be an auctioneer. A few years ago, I was asked to conduct a live auction at my kid's school's spring arts festival. The item, a quilt, went for 750 dollars. For some reason, this made me the new school auctioneer. In these tough economic times, it's hard to get people to part with their money. Tonight, I auctioned three items and two were purchased at bargain prices, but still a chunk of change. Sadly, it was my wife who bought both.

I don't know how to pick good produce at the grocery store or cook anything other than steak. When I do try to do something more complicated, heaven help the victims.

I don't know how to find places I have been before. The other day I had an appointment at a place I have driven by, but never been to. Sadly, when I needed to find it, it took three calls to my wife, and this was after I found it on my Google maps on the iPhone. Turns out, I drove past the place twice while trying to find it.

I don't know how to stay up past 11 without something to engage me. I have started to fall asleep in the middle of my favorite television shows, just like I used to kid my dad about doing not that long ago. What am I? 70 now? Get me the senior menu. If I am doing something like Karaoke or being at a show, I am fine, but at home, someone must be turning on the sleeping gas.

Sadly, I don't know how to finish this blog as I started with a long list and now it's gone from memory. Must be time for me to go to bed. Getting old... not much fun.

Good night, and good luck to you and you and you.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "People You May Know"

2009-04-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

Before I start this post, a very special thank you to those of you who wrote me here, via e-mail and on Facebook about the Into the Blue post. I am happy that it inspired so many.

My 9th grade World History teacher entered his classroom on the very first day and introduced himself. "My name is William W. Wanamaker (writing his name on the chalkboard as he said his name.) You are dumb!"

The adolescent throng looked on in amazement. Was he nuts or just a little off?

"You people think you know what you know but what is more important is that you don't know what you don't know. You are dumb."

Yeah Yeah! Okay.. Check, please! I still remember to this day Peter Katson getting up and doing a dead ringer impersonation of "Wally" as the teacher was called out of the room to attend to someone running in the hall.

Over the years, I have realized that Mr. Wanamaker was not crazy. He was in fact right. Knowing what you don't know is as important to life as what you do know.

That brings me to Facebook and "People you may know." This application is a pretty amazing and powerful tool. In the past, I was always amazed at the ability of Facebook to know who I might know. I know what the trick is, it's about commonality. It's about mutual friends. It's a law of averages.

Last week, in its ever changing desire to make Facebook more useful, the People You May Know tool became "Suggestions." Now, it includes not only people I may know, but suggestions for things I might want to become a fan of. I can understand things like "the Chicago Cubs" or even Andy Samberg, but these inane suggestions included "Sleep," and "God." I thought that this was indeed a sign of the Apocalypse, but as Mr. Wanamaker said, I am dumb.

Sifting through the minutiae of every day life is part of every day's challenge. When Facebook is involved, getting through the crap to decide what is important to me can be a chore all unto itself. The same can be said in spades for the new suggestions tool, until you realize that if you decide to take the time, you can find some incredible stories.

The people you may know in this application ratcheted up the number of people exponentially. Where there were once 8 or 10 people it would suggest, now the numbers were reaching the hundreds. I was thinking "how much longer can I go through this? Is every friend of a friend or people who it says "You and BLANK both went to Southern Methodist University' would be posted.

Off I went over a couple of sessions of time I thought I would never get back. No. No. No. No. Who's that? No. No. No. Who's that? I was like a typical male using the remote when his wife isn't home. Yes, it was that bad. Suddenly, people I did in fact know began to show up. There was a girl who I thought was cute back in high school. And no, I didn't instantly friend her as it was I who had the crush on her, while I don't think she knows I existed. (Those cynical types, you know who you are, are saying - "yeah, Jon... you waited until after you saw her current pictures" - no I didn't even friend her then, and still have not.)

There were many who I knew through organizations (IDEA - the big screen operators trade group,) those current and former members of the media who I wanted to network with (ESPN, local media) and who I have worked with in the past. Then one name came up that I thought would be a fun add. Instead, it rocked my world.

I once wrote about "Same Person, Different Life." It was that realization that many of my friends were very different people than the people I had known before. Little did I know how different life can be for some.

When I worked at a national network back in the 90's, I was blessed to be able to share a workspace with some really nice and pretty famous people; people who you saw in your living room every night on the news or sports. To many, these people were stars. For me, they were just co-workers. You have to understand that it takes a lot for me to get starstruck because of growing up in a household where the President of the United States was a guest at your parent's wedding.

One of the people I worked with was a star on a small scale, on his way to becoming a superstar in the business. He was one of those people that many could do a great impersonation of when called upon, as his style was so unique. He was young, and very driven, but stayed nice to everyone (except when he got competitive on the basketball court, where his constant shirt tugging became a little annoying.) There was no doubt in my mind that this guy was destined to be a star.

On Sunday nights, the one night when we all did not work until 2 AM, he would lead a group of us to a late night dinner where the steaks were good, the Sinatra would be flowing out of the jukebox and friendship moved to the front of the conversation ahead of work. It was where we all let our hair down.

We actually shared our last day on the job at this network. He had received one of the prime spots in all of local television, replacing one of the icons of the market.I was going to Seattle to start a new life as a television producer for a local station.

A few years later, I had moved to a regional sports network, when I heard that our national network had hired my friend as an anchor for its headlining news show. He was going national once again.

There he was in all his glory, back to his bombastic delivery. I can still hear his descriptions of big plays, sometimes with a frenetic pace that made him difficult to understand. His star was shining on national television, and on the rise again.

A few years later, the national network moved in a different direction and he found himself as one of the lead anchors in one of the biggest markets. I had a friend who worked at the same place and told him to say hello to my old friend. He replied "that jerk?" Okay, I know he rubbed some people the wrong way, but I never heard anyone call him a jerk, or in this case something that I just won't type.

It was just a short time later when I was traveling, and I happened to find my friend sitting at the bar at one of my favorite restaurants. He was having dinner between shows and I approached him. He was extremely happy to see me, and we traded stories of the old days. This was no jerk, this was my old friend.

Later, I recounted the story to my friend who had been the one who tagged him as unpopular. He told me other stories, then other friends told me other stories, and each was worse than the last. How could I see one person so differently than the rest of my friends?

In recent years, he has dissapeared from the air, with the small exception of a narrator job on a network show where he did not appear on camera. It was definitely him.

Fast forward to earlier this week, and there was his name in "Suggestions." The picture next to it showed a man happy with a wife and three kids - the perfect family picture. So I instantly hit the "add as friend" button and sent him a personal message (as I always do, I never hit the button without writing something!) I said that I always appreciated his kindness when we worked together and hoped that the note found him well.

The next morning, I was accepted as his friend, and there was a note in my inbox. He told me that he had moved to a place with a much slower pace from the bigger cities he had lived in before, and he told me that he had changed careers and was working for a place that sounded like a bed and breakfast, but then I reread the note. He was working for a treatment center. He continued, "blessed in too many ways to count."

I immediately wrote him back and congratulated him on the courage to change careers and told him that I have been searching for my own "higher purpose," and was pleased to see that he had found his. I told him a little about my life in Seattle and wished him best of luck in his "new life."

Just moments later, I got a beautiful note from him. He told me that his life had gone out of control, and that he was blessed and fortunate to still have a life, a wife and a family. He wished me happiness with my family and then added one of his signature signoffs, which made me smile broadly.

My thoughts immediately went out to him. I thought of the wonderful days we had together in the same workplace. His way that he could light up a room and put a smile on everyone's face, and those stories from others about this "different guy" than I knew. Then the rumors and other stories. None of them had added up, but now suddenly, the calculator of life was not lying.

We all have our journeys. We all take our separate paths. Some of us choose and are blessed to be able to live life without dangerous turns caused by outside substances. Some are not so fortunate. To know what we know is important. To know what we don't can change lives.

To see the wonder of someone who has gone from a sure shot superstar to one that works to help people be the star of a more important place, their own world, is a journey I want to follow. It is the epitomy of Same Person, Different Life.

I hope that he will always know that someone who admired his work as a star, admires him even more now, and that he always has a friend he can turn to should he need one.

"People you may know" --- if I told you his name, my friends, especially my work friends, would instantly know the name and start doing the impersonation. He is definitely one that I am happy I know... and know again.

He discovered that what my teacher said was right. It's what you don't know that can change your life. He knows now and he's blessed for it... and so are we all. I hope you know that!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of "Into the Blue"

2009-04-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, I will say this is going to be deep. If you are reading to have a laugh, or to make a funny comment, this entry might not be the one for that. However, if you are going through a time in your life that is anything like mine… please read on, Then, if you want to share your experiences, please do.

When I first started to blog, it was to chronicle a journey in my life, one that was taking me through cyberspace. It was a vast uncharted area that took me to a place mostly familiar yet always new. Joining Facebook and beginning the blogging experience brought me home in many ways with reattachments to many friends of the past. Gave me a “Cheers” type place, where everybody new my name, with my new friends from the improv world. It introduced me to new friends and allowed some connections… real life connections with people who are helping me with new projects.

Of all the friends I have made, it is the Journey that has been the most rewarding. When I wrote the 300 note, it was not to show off how many friends I had, it was to look into my own life, and take inventory of the luckiness that had blessed me every day.

I am not a religious person. I was raised in an Episcopalian family, but we were not regular church goers, at least as a family. My access to the church was always limited to Chapel services on Friday morning in the school cafeteria, where we would all sing our hearts out about “the Saints of God, patient and brave and true.” As a matter of fact, the last time I went to a church service of any kind, I heard that very hymn sung. It was the memorial service for my Father.

Patient and brave and true. Those words mean a lot right now. Emotions have guided me through the last few months since cleaning out my folk’s house. There has been a lot of sadness in mourning, even these three years later. As the world is as it is, sadness has taken shape in other things. Transitions being the most apparent.

I have lost parts or all of projects I have held dear to my heart, thanks to the economy. Things that have defined myself as being, a producer of a high school show, the leader of a college big screen show, the head of a small company, seemed to move into a blurriness not ever experienced by me.

All the while, I have been talking to my wife about a higher purpose for me. What is it out there that is going to help define me as a person of this world? What kind of legacy can I leave that will have a meaning for the rest of the world when I am no longer there?

Everything I thought of keeps coming back to writing. Would it be a book, or a movie or something I don’t even have a concept of yet? The mystery of the journey was haunting me every day.

Patient and brave and true.

I can’t rush into decisions in this time. Life of all kinds is so fragile, so precious, that it can change in an instant. I know that can be said for any time, but right now, it seems even more so.

Take for example the guy who worked with me on my high school show. Here’s a young guy, newly married, with a new house and a job he loved. His world changed in a single moment when someone else in another city had not done his own job in a “brave and true” manner so he gets to pay for it by losing his job. I went to this guy’s going away party and there were nearly a dozen other people who had also lost their livelihoods. They all had smiles on their faces, not of despair, but of relief. It seemed their journey was just beginning.

When I arrived home, I rushed to the Emmy Awards site to see if my yearly Emmy nomination was posted, and alas, for the first time in 15 years, my name did not appear on the sheet. I did not feel disappointment, instead, relief.

Which brings me back around to this journey… the journey of my own life, a life defined not by who I am, but what I do – at least in the perspective of the guy I see in the mirror.

So on this Easter Sunday, I woke up from a dream. To give proper perspective, every dream I have had over the past three weeks has been a nightmare, some of panic attack proportions, and sleepless rest of the nights. This one looked to be going the same way.

(Note to readers… I took notes on this dream when I woke up – and I realize some of this seems a little out there… but please bear with me, I promise it means something.)

I was part of a group on a bus. Many on this bus had chosen to take some sort of drug to make their life easier, to make their reality different. I am not talking acid or LSD, but something that eased their pain. As we were driving along a dark road, I alerted the driver that a young lady needed to get off the bus. She was British, and had long passed her stop, but she new she needed to get home. Against his judgment, and that of the group, he stopped and let her off, and I got off the bus with her, through the back emergency door, like the one you find on a school bus.

We were dropped off not on a dark street, but in a 30’s or 40’s kind of town classic signage. It was an inner city type place, but not a ghetto. There were people all around us, who seemed to be doing all right, but this was not really a happy place. The woman’s name was Sarah, and all she had with her was a guitar case, and I assume a guitar inside. I asked this lady why she needed to be here and she said she needed to find a place that could allow her to be who she was.

As I looked out on this city, there were many signs on top of businesses that looked harmless. They identified stores and other businesses. Sarah and I were standing on the third or fourth floor on a verandah or balcony, and I had a good view of everything around me.

About that time, a matronly lady rushed the two of us and told us that we were different and we did not belong here. She told us that if we were to stay, we had to take these pills that were issued by the local jail. When we refused to take the pills, the lady rushed off as though she needed to call in authorities.

Sarah and I looked at each other. We saw that everyone else was just going about their own lives without a care, and we were the only ones who seemed to be worried. That worry turned to panic.

Then she said, whatever is about to happen, go with it as though my life depended on it, and she disappeared. As she did, sirens went off, and panic hit the streets. The signs on the building fronts flipped. Some of them said, “Run! Keep Running.” They were Big Brother like in their call to action.

I took them at their word and Sarah’s and looked to escape this place. Being on a higher floor, I found myself jumping down stairwells and sliding down poles to get to the ground floor. A fire truck’s ladder, which happened to be near the building helped me escape the structure.

Then I began running. I had no sense of where I was going, but it felt like it was away from something. The first obstacle I could remember was going through a neighborhood with chain-linked fences that I needed to leap over to keep going.

Then a series of white grand pianos were lined up and I dove like Superman sliding across the top of them into the yards next door, but when I landed, it was more like landing in a pool. However, I kept running.

Then details of where I was began disappearing one by one until all I saw ahead of me was a sea of blue. This was not water, but rather the color blue… like I was running into a giant soundstage painted this color.

For those outside of the television business, this is the color blue (sometimes green) that is used by weathermen to do their forecast in front of. It is called chromakey blue. When seen on televisions, anything blue can be replaced by literally anything.

I had quite literally run “into the blue.” It was then I stopped, and looked around and then woke up. I was calm, not panicked. I did want to write down what had happened, so I did, because this had some sort of meaning to me, and I knew what it was.

For years, I have thought there was only one thing I could do well in my life, and that was a sports television producer. My work defined who I was, and who I was going to be.

To me, running into the blue was a wakeup call. Remember, in television terms, this blue can be replaced by anything, and that was when I understood what was going on.

The blue represented possibilities… limitless possibilities. The “jail issued drugs” represented going with how everyone else wanted to define me, through their limited expectations of who I am or what I could be. Being on a higher floor represented that I had reached heights in my life that allowed me to look down and see what it was I had accomplished. Getting off the bus with a stranger was my desire to help others in their journey. Being on the bus with a bunch of people familiar to me, some of whom wanted to take those drugs represented my current life.

I have wanted to find this “higher purpose” in my life and it turns out that all this time, I was being blocked by not looking “into the blue,” and not seeing the possibilities that life had in store for me. It’s ironic for someone whose company is called “Flying Colours.”

I had written in my Facebook status update this week I was declaring this “Breakout Weekend,” as that was the name of the improv show I am starting with a new group on this Sunday. Breakout was the name given to the show for many meanings, one of which was a new beginning.

So in the early morning of an Easter Sunday, it was not someone or something that showed me the way. It was something of a higher source that allowed me to begin a trip “into the blue.” I now can begin to imagine the possibilities of life because they are limitless. It’s not the end of the journey, just the beginning, and I wanted to share that with you in hopes that you can find the “blue” in you.

On the subject of a Tough Day

2009-04-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I posted a status update that was unlike any other. It was simple and straight to the point.

"Jon is having a tough day."

A lot of times, I will admit I write status updates to get a reaction, and on the surface, this one would seem to be one of those occasions. However, when I wrote it, nothing could be further from the truth.

For once in my Facebook life, I just told it like it is. No comedy, no cleverness. Just honesty. It's rare for me. Hey, hold it... not rare for me to be honest, just rare for me to be blunt.

I wasn't fishing for sympathy, I was just telling it like it is.

What is a tough day?

Many people who know me well say they are few and far between, as in "he couldn't be having a tough day, he's smiling too much." Or, "Jon must be in a good mood, he's funny today."

To the people who talked to me through cyberspace yesterday, I was just that. One chat to help organize a fund raiser, was full of smileys and funny lines, as if nothing was wrong at all. It was a conversation that one would imagine from a smiling, wiggly little kid who just had the funniest joke. The fact that the lovely person on the other end of the conversation was so bright and optimistic, the yin to my yang, more than helped. It was sunshine on a sunny day.

This was a mere respite to the rest of the day, whose sole task was to do something to others that I had had done to me three times before.

The first was in college. I was just a junior, but I thought I was becoming a great sports announcer. My job, which I don't think I ever got paid for, was to be a color commentator for two great HS programs, Hurst LD Bell and Euless Trinity. We were doing the games on KXOL, and while play by play was my forte, the guy who organized the broadcasts was raising the money so he got the prime job. One day, about 7 weeks into the season, he casually told me that desipte the fact we were using most of my equipment to make the games happen, my voice was no longer welcome on the broadcasts. I was asked to leave.

Fast forward to the early 90's. I moved my life back to my hometown of Washington, DC to develop a program on my childhood's favorite team, the Washington Redskins. The show, "Redskins Weekly," was the first ever syndicated show on the team and starred local personality Johnny Holliday (a person I grew up listening to call the Terps and the Senators) and the legendary General Manager Bobby Beathard. The team was coming off a Super Bowl season, and the show was one of 11 Redskins shows on the TV at the time. The show was a modest success financially, huge success critically, and everything was set up to move from an independent station to the ABC affiliate. Through contacts I had made, we were all set to talk to the station, but when the meeting took place, I was asked not to attend. I was told it was just an informational meeting.

The show was sold to the ABC station, with one proviso. I would not come with it.

Now, it's 1995. The station I was working for had a bright new shiny coat of paint on it courtesy of its new affiliation with CBS. Everyone was excited about the move as little ol' KSTW was now "Northwest Eleven." I had moved there two years earlier to produce their Sonics programming as the station held the rights to the Sonics and Mariners at the time. It was May, right around my first birthday as a married man and the Sonics were just eliminated from the playoffs in the first round for the second time in two years. I stood up in my newly remodeled man room and looked at my wife and said, I have a bad feeling.

The next day I walked into work and was told that "Northwest Eleven" would no longer be doing the Sonics, and thus I would no longer be needed at the station.

(A footnote: A few years later when the station lost its CBS affiliation, the station held similar meetings with 67 employees to say that they would no longer be doing news, and thus would no longer be needed at the station.)

Just a few months later, one of my first jobs at the local cable network I was new to was to help him with an edit of a story of a Seahawks coach who could not stop saying Um. (That same coach is now the head coach at, um, Hawai'i.) I watched as this editor/producer put together a piece on this new thing called a non linear editor. He taught me how to use this newfangled machine called "the Cube."

When I had the opportunity to start my own company, one of the first calls I made was to this very friendly and professional producer/editor. At the time, he was a very rotund guy who moved amazingly well for his size. The greatest thing about him was his hustle. Make that the second greatest thing.

I hired him to be a segment producer... make that a miracle worker, for my new show. He would go out with his own camera and shoot three stories and come back to my house and edit them. He would also handle the tough overnight edits of the final show in the den at my house while I prepared to go on the road to cover another team. The constant smell of roasted chicken was always in the air as he had the oddest way of eating.

One day, the chicken smell was gone, and he called me on a day that I would usually see him. He said, I have a surprise for you. He walked up to the house and handed me a tape. He said, here are this week's segments. Perplexed, I looked down and wondered how he had done it. Cheerfully he replied, "I just bought a new edit system."

For the next few years, I would look into the mail box for the envelope, or await the Fed Ex or UPS driver to deliver the tape... and it was always there... like the faithful Saint Bernard waiting to rescue me. It went on that way for five more years.

That chicken smell? This rotund figure went on the Atkins diet and lost over 85 pounds. Not only was he a hustler, he was healthy as well.

Never once while delivering those tapes did he ever say a cross word. Never in those times was he ever less than absolutely excellent. He was the heart and soul of the team, albeit a small team. I couldn't do the show without him.

So how do you make a call to say that you can't hire a guy like this. It tore me up all day, and was only made worse by my first attempt reaching only voice mail.

As I was about to drop my rent check off at the landlords, the phone rang and the caller ID displayed his name. My heart sunk. I was up front with him, much like that status update had been earlier in the day. I told him that, while it's not 100 percent final, that it looks like the show we had worked on for all these years, more than 200 shows and 600 segments, was coming to an end.

His reaction? "Oh, that's okay. I had a hunch. Maybe it's run its course. Thanks for the opportunity to work with you."

Oh my god. Is there someone out there really like this? He was so understanding as I said, "the station is not going to do the show, thus he would no longer be needed." The same kind of words that devistated me more than a decade earlier were difficult words for him to hear, but seemingly just a small bump in the road, not something to drive off the cliff for. It was the first time I had ever had to deliver the words after hearing them delivered to me all those times.

That was why it was a tough day, made amazing by two very understanding people... one who I have only known for a short time and one that have depended on for years. KD and MC, I thank you both.

And to the large number of people who did comment on the status on Facebook with beautiful words of encouragement, thank you. I didn't ask for it, but as it turned out, I sure did need it.

Thankfully, no one chose to click on "like" on this status.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Closing Windows

2009-04-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

I huge part of my life came to an end yesterday. I was told "it's not official" but it was an official sounding phone call. The television show I have been producing for 8 years has been canceled. To be more accurate, the current Emmy Award winning Outstanding Sports Series, ratings leading sports show is ending without even a goodbye. As a matter of fact we ended the last show with a message to the viewers saying "See you September 5th."

So I guess it's time to retire the jackets, throw away the hats, make the shirts into work shirts. And so it goes.

I got the call in the last moments of vacation, putting a sour end to an otherwise wonderful week.

Returning home, I instantly went into "get work" mode with some e-mails, phone calls and two meetings scheduled for today.

My Dad wrote in his book about when a window closes, a door opens. That might have happened with those meetings, scheduled before I left for Long Beach.

The first was with one of my main client who is working with a high level advertising agency. We talked over the ad campaign and they asked me to produce it. What a wonderful opportunity, and one that might lead to others down the line. I have wanted to get into advertising more as my career has proceeded, and now I might get the chance.

The second one was with a sports team here in town to become the team's official production company. I thought it went well, and will learn more next week.

So after a large step back, I am already moving forward, and hope that the new avenues on which to travel become the first leg of a new journey. Cue the door opening.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Beaches

2009-03-27T15:50:00.001-07:00

No, I am not starting with a Bette Midler lyric.

You might have noticed that many of my title pictures on this blog have me on the beach. Reason is simple... it is my favorite place in the world!

This weekend, I am going to get away for a while to the beach. It will be my first trip to this particular beach, which is Long Beach in southern Washington.

I spent many a summer on the beaches of the east coast. In my younger years, hours upon hours were spent in Bethany Beach, Delaware. We lived right on the boardwalk in a complex called Ocean House. I wish I could recapture the sound of the waves through the open window in my bedroom or better yet, the sounds of summer off the front porch.

Mornings would be for body surfing on the waves and just playing in the sand.

Afternoons would be spent playing baseball on a sandlot next to the townhouses. We'd buy flour and make lines for the field and we'd play until Mom called us in for dinner.

Evenings were almost always spent walking down the boardwalk to "downtown" where we would get ice cream or licorice at Sherry's Sweet Shoppe. Then it was off to see Mr. Fisk at the miniature golf course.

That was the life.

Later years were spent on the beach at Seabrook Island, but there, it was more like spending time at the beachside pool. I didn't really go on the beach a lot when I lived there, but it always seemed like I was "on the beach."

When I went back to visit my parents there after moving away, my appreciation for the beach grew. And as my Mom and Dad both passed, it was this beach that gave me my "place."

Those were the wavy beaches of the Atlantic. The Pacific always seems to be rocky, expecially up here in Washington. I understand that Long Beach is more like the Atlantic beaches... so I am looking forward to it.

The sound... the feel... the peace. Yes. I am definitely looking forward to the beach.

See you soon.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Refocusing

2009-03-18T19:34:00.000-07:00

I have been reading the news, hearing the reports, seeing the statistics. Now I know what they are talking about.

Yesterday, I was dealt a first hand blow courtesy of the new economy of America. My job over the next few days is to figure out how to do what I have been doing for the last two years, and for less pay and with less help. Welcome to the new reality.

My first reaction was to be bitter and angry, Then I remembered something written by a fellow blogger in her most recent post. She said "We are not the job we do, the house or car or big plasma screen TV in our possession... yet, if you end up losing those items or experiences in your present moment, and you feel pain and suffering at that loss, that means your ego is attached to those things. You have the power, in that moment, to honor and recognize those emotions because it's a wonderful opportunity to get back in to alignment with who you truly are. What you focus on grows."

My ego had taken a huge blow as all I could think about is all the hard work I had put into this particular project... the extra hours of production... the constant thought process of how to make it better. All I could think was "I did all this and this is how they repay me?"

My wife had to spend many hours talking me down. She reminded me not to take it personally, which was all I was doing. The reason was not for the work I was losing, but for the news I would have to give others that their job was being cut back, eliminated or asking them to do their great work and not get paid as much for it.

The second call I had to make was someone who had been with me from day one on the project. It was not enough that in the past month or so, his son was the victim of a terrible accident, or on this very day, that he was losing his father in law. No, now, it was time, albeit the wrong time, to tell him that despite all his hard work, that we were going to have to figure out a different way to work together.

This morning, I didn't even want to get out of bed. I worked through the day, productive as I could be, but still with the guilt and distraction. Then, after dinner, headache still a present companion, I decided to open up the computer and write. First, redoing my Facebook status from earlier in the day which read "here's hoping people understand that what happens in the business world does not effect the way I think about people on a personal level."

The new one reads: "is remembering to breathe. Okay. Now that I have reminded myself, I must remember to continue doing it. Okay. So far so good. Oops. Mind Wandered." Even with everything in life, I still keep my sense of humor (much like a cherished other fellow blogger.)

It was at that moment I decided to go back to reading some blogs, and was guided back to that post. I felt pain and suffering because it was all about my ego... the way people think of me. It was not something I could control, thus it was a great source of stress. But as a card given to me once said "no one can ever make you believe anything you don't want to believe."

Again, I focused on the blog's meaning. Take inventory of what is good. Those of you who know me and those who read this blog understand I know how to do that. With that as a benchmark, here goes:

I have a wife who loves me and believes in me every moment of every day.
I have two kids who love me and one who even makes me laugh most of the time.
I still can make my mortgage payments and even do some fun things, which makes me luckier than many of the people I know.
I know that in this world, I have a higher meaning to my life that I have yet to find, and that this experience is pushing me to find it even harder now.
I know that by merely writing these words that at least one person will take solace in the fact that they are doing okay and should take inventory themselves.

So the refocusing commences, as I learn to take care of myself in new ways - focusing inward so that the radiance and joy can flow outwards. For someone who is happy 98 percent of the time, it's an adjustment to get out of the land of the blues, but step one of the journey starts now.

Thanks Kim.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

P.S. - My son just came out wearing his "My Dad Rocks" shirt, with a note attached below it. It said "no matter what!" He seemed so happy to show it to me. Now that is what life is all about.

On the subject of Life's Soundtrack

2009-03-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, here’s another one of those Facebook challenges… from Brent Ruth… the instructions are thus:

Think of 15 albums that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life or the way you looked at it. They sucked you in and took you over for days, weeks, months, years. These are the albums that you can use to identify time, places, people, emotions. These are the albums that no matter what they were thought of musically, shaped your world.

Now to my personalization of it…

Okay – since I take these things one step further – I will pick the top tracks off them as well! (You can find them on Google now!)

Helen Reddy – I Am Woman
Okay… start the presses and make fun of me, but it was the first album I ever bought when I was like 7 years old. I loved the sound of her voice and I used to hear her on the radio. She might have been one of my first crushes too.
More than anything, I think it set the stage for my relationships with women, and made me realize at an early age the importance and wonderment of the other sex.
4. Peaceful – One of my first favorite songs… a song about serenity
6. Where Is the Love? – a classic
7. I Am Woman – It was the anthem of the time and probably set me up for the statement I use more than about any other “in the battle of the sexes, I rarely root for my own side.”
9. This Masquerade – Love the George Benson version of this song as well.

Abba – Waterloo
This was one of the first albums I bought and I really liked Anna. Great sound. I think that I just liked the title track though and kept playing it over and over.

Barry Manilow Live
As a teenager, I was not sure who I was going to turn out to be. There were many feelings of guilt and self doubt because of a lot of complex issues, the biggest of which was the fact I never seemed to be able to find a girl to like me. So I would be at home sometimes when my parents went out, and I would blast this album on the big stereo and sing at the top of my lungs.
1. Riders to the Stars – first song on the album and a great opener.
3. Looks Like We Made It – a boy who wanted to dream that he actually had a girl.
4. New York City Rhythm – just liked the song.
7. This One's for You – Love sick heartbreaking sing out!
10. Weekend in New England – Hopeless romantics unite.
12. Could It Be Magic/Mandy – Classic Manilow.
13. It's a Miracle – When I wasn’t feeling down, a great song to sing. When I was down, even better.

Soundtrack – Grease
Look at me, I was Sandra Dee. At least that was what the other kids in the neighborhood thought of me. I was the clean cut kid who always stayed out of trouble. I dreamed of being Danny, but was probably more of a Kenickie. But in reality, I was Sandy, a love struck pup who just wanted to be able to date someone who everyone else liked.
2. Summer Nights by Olivia Newton-John – tell me more, tell me more. Every great romance I had as a teen was a summertime romance.
4. You're the One That I Want by Olivia Newton-John – Olivia Newton-John. Spandex Pants. Do I need to go on here?
6. Beauty School Dropout by Frankie Avalon – An in home karaoke hit which one day I need to do in public.
7. Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee by Stockard Channing – See above.
8. Greased Lightnin' by John Travolta – I loved to perform this with the gang at Confetti Night Club. We had all the choreography.
15. Born to Hand Jive by Sha Na Na – I know the hand jive… do you?
22. We Go Together by Olivia Newton-John – I actually can sing this whomp bam boo song all the way through

Billy Joel – The Stranger
Sitting by the pool, dreaming of going out with Kim Hill, seeing her sister Debbie who gave me my first kiss, hanging out with Kenny, Paul and the gang. Having that first puppy love date with Shellie Donohoe. Dreaming of fitting in… that was in my head when this album hit my ears. It is the only album here that every song has a meaning.
1. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) – The search for independence began here.
2. The Stranger – feeling like I am on the outside when I am really in.
3. Just the Way You Are – the way I wished people felt about me.
4. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant – I wasn’t Brenda or Eddie.
6. Only the Good Die Young – so I pray I don’t die before I’m 50.
7. She's Always a Woman – I used to sing this about Kim Hill… boy, talk about puppy love.
9. Everybody Has a Dream – and so do I.

Soundtrack – Saturday Night Fever
I love disco. There, I said it. And this is obviously the penultimate disco album. However my story goes deeper. It was in Spain and France where I really got into this album. I was traveling on a school trip with a number of other schools from around the country. When I had gone to lunch with 4 girls from Karns High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, we got into a taxi that took us to the wrong hotel. We missed our tour and were basically on our own for the day. We spent it learning dances from the movie. Kelly Seaman (who I had a big crush on) Karen Ohnesorge (who became my big time penpal and very good long distance friend) and her two classmates went through all the choreography for “Night Fever.” We all, as teenagers, performed the dance in a grown up disco in San Sebastian and received a big ovation from the stunned crowd in the disco, who all wondered how these kids could dance so well.
1. Stayin' Alive by The Bee Gees – a classic.
3. Night Fever by The Bee Gees – see story above.
5. If I Can't Have You by Yvonne Elliman – a great lyric.
12. Jive Talkin' by The Bee Gees
13. You Should Be Dancing by The Bee Gees
17. Disco Inferno by The Trammps – perhaps the best disco song of all time.

Supertramp – Breakfast in America
Seabrook Island, South Carolina. Summertime at the beach as a teenager. I was a disc jockey at a roller skating rink and helped out with the local dances. But on the juke box at Seabrook was The Logical Song. I remember singing this song in my car with the Sovinski sisters and can still remember to this day most of the words to the tracks below. It was a great time in my life and one I will remember fondly always.
2. The Logical Song – the single from the album and a song that is so true for all of us who think we should be logical.
3. Goodbye Stranger – an anthem for saying goodbye to people I grew to love, but knew I would never see again.
4. Breakfast in America – Singing in the car down Bohicket Road with Linda and Sharon.
6. Take the Long Way Home - Because I never wanted these days to ever end.

Donna Summer – On the Radio
Tuesday and Friday nights were the greatest nights of the week when I spent Summers at Seabrook. That is because those were the nights that neighboring Kiawah Island held their teen dances. On those nights, the gang would all go over to the bike shack where the rec director, Frank Olivetto would spin the tunes. He had a limited selection, that is, until I volunteered my huge dance music collection. The final song every dance… Last Dance.
I never wanted to hear that song, as it always meant the dance was over. Sometimes, it would mean the end of an amazing night with a cute girl. Other nights, it was the end of a victorious evening when Elizabeth Scheld, a 98 pound wonder of a dancer, would have won our umteenth t-shirt for winning the couple’s dance competition. Every time I hear the song, I am transported back… wishing for those days when the only thing that would outnumber my dreams were the stars above.
1. On the Radio – a song you can belt out on the way to the dance.
8. Heaven Knows – a duet with Brooklyn Dreams – and a classic dance song.
9. Last Dance – see above.
10. MacArthur Park – Someone left my cake out in the rain?
11. Hot Stuff – along with
12. Bad Girls – one of the best dance songs ev-ah!
13. Dim All the Lights – an underrated Summer Song and one of my favorites.
14. Sunset People – Another underrated song – very LA.
15. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) – with Babs and a fun duet.

Michael Jackson – Off the Wall
When you are a DJ in a roller disco, you have to have this album in your rack. These songs are still among my favorites to roll too, and I have done it all these years later. Yes, I can still dance on skates, although I am much more terrified of falling now.
1. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough – a fast dance. Crossing my skates and snapping my fingers.
2. Rock With You – I am turning backwards and dancing my wheels off.
5. Off the Wall – third place of these songs, but still darn good.

Pat Benatar – In the Heat of the Night
For years, Kristy McNichol was the object of my crush affection. That was until I heard the spandex covered, powerful female sound of Pat Benatar. And life was never the same. I have seen her more than any other artist in concert and still think she’s pretty spectacular these days, even though I still prefer picturing her back in the 80’s. Sign.
1. Heartbreaker – How could someone so tiny sing something so big.
6. We Live for Love – shows off her operatic skills and made me enjoy high notes.

Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
My friends as a teenager loved three artists – The Who, Rolling Stones, and Bruce. This was the album I most associate with those Friday nights in Paul Gerrity’s basement, with everyone pairing off into their own couples and little ol’ me dreaming of one day being part of a couple.
1. Thunder Road – first song on the album and the start of any beer laden singalong.
5. Born to Run – we all loved this song… what Bruce fan doesn’t? Also led to one of my favorite times in a comedy show when a comic played this song and I screamed 1-2-3-4 at the perfect time, causing him to stop and say, “no one has ever done that – very cool.”
8. Jungleland – When we sang this, there was a lot of passion in the room… and that was not about sex… just friendship.

Pretty in Pink Soundtrack
I love John Hughes movies, and this, while underrated, was one of his best. I was not Ducky, I just thought I was. I was not poor like the lead, but identified with her greatly. It’s the story of someone who just wants a place in the world, and I could see myself there when this album came out.
1. If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – a great coming of age song.
2. Left of Center by Suzanne Vega – identified with this more than any other song, although it seems that even though I thought I was Left of Center, I was just normal
5. Pretty in Pink by The Psychedelic Furs – Title track, nuff said.
6.Shellshock by New Order – I wore out two cassettes of this album with this one song along. I would always play it when I took off on an airplane for a trip. I would be asleep by the end of the song.
8. Wouldn't It Be Good by Danny Hutton Hitters – The song I believe in more times than not – about being in a different place and time when times aren’t so great.
10. Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths – The title is self explanatory.

Prince – Purple Rain/The Time – Ice Cream Castles
My best friend and I loved this movie and the music from it led to many night of dancing with our girlfriends. Later, when I worked at Confetti, I would do performances of The Time from this movie. It was the best music of my leaving college days.
1. Let's Go Crazy by Prince & the Revolution – Just a great party song.
2. Take Me With U by Prince & the Revolution – a great cruising song… and how many of you ladies wanted to be Apollonia?
5. Darling Nikki by Prince & the Revolution – I actually played this during a happy hour when I was a DJ and got in trouble. Saw an incredible performance of this song just last night at a birthday party. Timeless entertainment.
7. I Would Die 4 U by Prince & the Revolution along with.
8. Baby I'm a Star by Prince & the Revolution – one of the best combo songs of all time.
9. Purple Rain by Prince & the Revolution – an anthem of all anthems.
The Time – Ice Cream Castles
4. Jungle Love – Oh Ee Oh EE oh!
6. The Bird – We learned all the choreography and did the routine at Confetti as the lipsync group “White Time is It.” I was Morris Knight!

Celine Dion – Unison
I am guessing it is probably not hip to love Celine Dion, but you didn’t listen to Celine when I did. I was in Detroit covering a lacrosse game and the league asked me to stay an extra day so that they would not have to pay more for the plane ticket. Back in those days, it was easier to pay for another night in the hotel than the extra plane fare. So I stayed the extra night on my own and had a great adventure beginning with a basketball game, spending the day at the auto show (where I discovered an old college friend as one of the car models – leading to an unexpected lunch) and ending with Stars on Ice. When I returned to the hotel room, there was a special with this new star on CBC singing in French and her newly learned English. Her name… Celine Dion.
I won’t list the tracks as I loved all of them.
As a postscript, her songs would provide the soundtrack of my honeymoon and wedding including “When I Fall in Love” and “The Power of Love”

Elton John – Greatest Hits 1976-1986
My wife turned me onto Elton John’s music as we were dating. Philadelphia Freedom was always one of my favorite songs. “Can you feel the Love tonight” was “our song.” This album was the one she seemed to play the most.
1. I'm Still Standing
6. Don't Go Breaking My Heart
9. I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues

Amy Winehouse – Back in Black
How can Amy Winehouse and I have anything in common? I first heard her on British radio a few years ago and called her a new millennium Nancy Sinatra. I loved her sound. Then, I found out what a mess she was. Rather than writing her off, I just began to love her music more. Last year, I thought of a song to debut at my first improv karaoke night and decided Rehab would be funny. Little did I know if the importance of that song in helping me understand my life.
1. Rehab – see above.
2. You Know I'm No Good – Kate Jaeger rocked my world with her performance of this song on that night, and I am trying to figure out how to do a guy’s version of it.
6. Love Is a Losing Game – One of the most tragic love songs of all time, and most beautiful at the same time.
7. Tears Dry on Their Own – When I went through a bit of the blues last year, I sang this song a lot.

Well there you have it. What makes me take a simple game and turn it into a novel. It’s all a journey in self realization and another exercise in counting my blessings. If these songs brought back some memories for you, I am very pleased. If they reminded you of me, then I am truly honored.

On the subject of Alphabetical Analysis

2009-03-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

I met Keridwyn last night at Hula Hula, and discovered a fellow blogger who seems to like the lists... and had one I had never seen... so thank you Miss D for inspiring me to do this one.

Here's my life from A to Z.

A
- Available: to be a good friend and a great ear to anyone who needs me
- Age: --- 46 in May
- Annoyance: --- mean people and people who talk during movies.
- Animal: Giant Panda

B
- Beer: -- I like the ads, but don’t drink any
- Birthday: --- May 12th, same as my son.
- Best Friend: --- Guys: Klobucar, Steve and Watson. Gals: Mary Stuart, Kelly, and most of all, my honey.
- Body Part on opposite sex: --- legs and shoulders
- Best feeling in the world: --- being appreciated
- Blind or Deaf: --- deaf as I have learned to communicate in that environment
- Best weather: --- 72 and sunny
- Been in Love: --- why, yes I am
- Been on stage?: --- perform in improv show
- Believe in Magic: --- karaoke at Hula Hula
- Believe in Santa: --- used to

C
- Candy: --- Sour patch kids
- Color: --- Blue
- Chocolate/Vanilla: --- Vanilla but not in personality
- Chinese/Mexican Food: --- Mexican (southwestern)
- Cake or pie: --- Cheesecake (is that a pie?)
- Continent to visit: --- Australia
- Cheese: --- Ones I don’t have a reaction to.

D
- Day or Night: --- Formerly a night owl, but now enjoy the day
- Dancing in the rain: --- I will someday

E
- Eyes: --- Brown
- Everyone's got: --- to love each other
- Ever failed a class?: --- I came close to failing Trigonometry, but my teacher took pity on me.

F
- First thoughts waking up: --- what do I have to do
- Food: --- Beef, it’s what’s for dinner

G
- Greatest Fear: --- not being liked
- Goals: --- to make a real difference in the lives of the people I know, and even people I don’t
- Gum: --- Big Red or Eclipse Green
- Get along with your parents?: --- I did… and I miss them dearly.

H
- Hair Color: --- Brown
- Height: --- 6-4
- Happy: --- Yes I am.
- Holiday: --- Not into them as much anymore.
- How do you want to die: --- Sleeping at an old age with someone I love holding my hand

I
- Ice Cream: --- Haggen Daas Lemon Sorbet
- Instrument: --- I can play the piano by ear, but only songs I think I know.

J
- Jewelry: --- Wedding ring. I have a bracelet my wife gave me, but it bothers my wrist.
- Job: --- Television Producer

K
- Kids: --- Two – Char and Drew
- Kickboxing or karate: --- MMA if I did anything
- Keep a journal?: --- My life is on a blog and on Facebook

L
- Love: --- My Honey
- Letter: --- S
- Laughed so hard you cried: --- at *&$( in the Box on SNL.

M
- Milk flavor: --- Nonfat
- Movies: --- Romantic Comedies and Action without gore
- Motion sickness?: --- Talk to me after my cruise
- McD’s or BK: --- McD’s

N
- Number: --- 21

O
- One wish: --- that people would remember and utilize the Golden Rule.

P
- Perfect Pizza: --- Pepperoni or CPK Thai Chicken
- Pepsi/Coke: --- Pepsi (although now it’s always a half & half)

Q
- Quality/Quantity: --- quality

R
- Reason to cry: --- Many Grey’s Anatomy episodes or when I feel like it
- Reality T.V.: --- Survivor, and sometimes Dancing with the Stars
- Radio Station: --- Capital Radio in London, BBC Radio 1 and XM Radio
- Roll your tongue in a circle: --- Yep
- Ring size: --- I think it is a 7

S
- Song: --- Rehab by Amy Winehouse for not the reason you think.
- Shoe size: --- 11
- Salad Dressing: --- Thousand Island
- Sushi: --- I’ve tried it.
- Skinny dipped?: --- Once, once.
- In the shower?: --- Soap, Wash Hair, Shave, Get Out
- Strawberries/Blueberries: --- Strawberries with Powdered Sugar

T
- Tattoos?: --- Never ever
- Time for bed: --- After Letterman’s Monologue or Headlines on Monday with Jay
- Thunderstorms: --- I miss them from the south, but don’t miss how nervous they made me on tornado watches.

U
- Unpredictable: --- No, except when I am on stage.

V
- Vacation spot(s): --- South Carolina and this year, Alaska

W
- Weakness: --- self confidence, focus and addiction to blogging and Facebook
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: --- Mary Stuart
- Who makes you laugh the most: --- Klobucar and Steve
- Worst feeling: --- self doubt
- Wanted to be a model: --- I couldn’t work!
- Worst Weather?: --- Rain… so why do I live here?
X
- X-Rays: --- yep.
- X-Men --- best pez dispenser (had to add that one)

Y
-Year it is now: --- 2009
-Yellow: --- means get through the light.

Z
- Zoo animal: --- Giant panda

LAST PERSON WHO…
1. Slept in a bed beside you? --- Gale
2. You went to the mall with? --- Gale and the kids
3. You went to dinner with? --- Gale and the Kids at Rubys
4. You talked to on the phone? --- Steve
5. Made you laugh? --- Fred Umayum and his Facebook status
6. Hugged you? --- Kaci
7. Said they loved you? --- Gale
8. Held your hand? --- Gale
9. You spoke with? --- Someone to reschedule an appointment
10. You cried over? --- the reaction to the 300 note.

Until the next one that inspires me...

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Taking Inventory... a thank you to the 300

2009-03-04T20:56:00.000-08:00

Today, I reached the 300 friend mark on Facebook. My wife was kidding me as I seemed to be counting down to the mark, but as I reached it, it seemed to be a calling to me. She said, “you are just collecting friends.” I disagreed with her as I said I knew all of the people personally with only about 5 exceptions where we met through similar interests. I told her I had a story I could tell about each and every one.
This is the second time I have approached 300, but I was asked by my work to remove a number of associated friends – it’s a long story, but if it was not the case, this would be close to a 500 story list.
So in the tradition of 25 random facts and 44 things, here are 300 personal stories, a journey through a life of friends. There is a pattern to it and if you read through them, there is no doubt you can identify yourself. I truly am appreciative of each and every one of you… so enjoy the ride, and the stories. We start with friend number one, in some particular order.
- A great radio host and friend from back in the KJR days.
- Has worked with me at the University on Big Screen Presentations
- A fun improviser who I spent an afternoon with after our musical improv class and had a blast.
- The King of IDEA Karaoke!
- A good friend of the improv family, and by proxy, a friend of mine.
-A talented cameraman who I first met at Washington State University on such a snowy night we had to shoot inside all day.
- A traveler and an extended member of the family.
- Wrestler and commentator and someone who has successfully fished for many FB friends, however, I think I could genuinely call him a friend.
- My girlfriend my freshman year at SMU, but has turned out to be an even better trusted friend who genuinely cares about me. Has a life journey that could be a movie with some truly life changing experiences.
- A fun improviser from my UP class days that I call by one simple letter.
- Former morning man at my college radio station, and fun to work with.
- Former Sports Editor at the Daily Campus who actually let me write a column for the paper.
- Sports Information Guru at the University. Became FB friends when we did a project together and I never took him off.
- One of the true nice guys at CNN and actually became a boss of one of my protégées.
- Formerly a regular member of my TV crew – loves to do PA for High School events, which makes him a kindred spirit.
- Extremely intelligent professor at an Ivy League school who I met at one of my wife’s reunion parties.
- Very funny improviser who I shared two different classes with. Love her concerned look.
- Web Wizard at KING 5 that went big time. I think he’s had more new ideas for a television website than anyone I know.
- Voice of the Cal Bears who was very helpful in trying to help me get a stat program that worked with my scoreboard.
- Game show guru and former publisher of a Pro Wrestling newsletter. If I ever need a nostalgia kick, I can get one from him.
- Very funny video guru at Tulsa who can make me laugh heartily at his status updates.
- NASCAR Driver who drives on the Nationwide Circuit. Lucky enough to get to spend a weekend with his race team last year.
- The video guru at Comcast Arena and a guy who works with me to make the Rat City Rollergirls look so great. Really has gone through it all in this business and someone I enjoy working with.
- Helped Introduce me (along with her ex) to the woman who is now my wife, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
- One of the strongest women… strike that… people I have ever known… but more importantly, someone who I truly like and hope that our future dreams of an improv group can come true.
- Friend from elementary school, high school and recently got back in touch through FB.
- Veteran Anchor at KING 5 who I see around the station. He and I share a hometown and a love for NASCAR.
- Probably the most in love guy I know with his new bride. One of the funniest and kindest of the professional improvisers I know.
- Shares a name with another of my FB friends, making things quite confusing, but this one is a great writer for the Everett Herald covering the Huskies.
- Where to I start with “wonderbride?” Newswoman, improviser, future television host (gosh I hope) and a great person to be around.
- The best gymnastics commentator in the country and she works for me. How lucky am I?
- Former College leader at IDEA and recent winner of the big prize for college video. Understated in his humor but has really been a great friend in the biz.
- Shared CNN moments with him and saw him get a dream job only to have it turn into a nightmare. Glad he’s back on track!
- Spiritual and actual leader of the lacrosse team I was on in high school. His brother played as well.
- Guided me through the toughest challenge of my professional career and helped me stand up to a major network. Considering he’s had hip hop big wigs settle instead of fight him, I’d call him courageous as well.
- Morning radio personality who is mutual friends with me and my wife. You can see him in Penguin Windows television commercials.
- Former video coordinator at the U and now an assistant coach. One of the most positive people I know and I wish we could have worked together for a lot longer. Glad we keep in touch here.
- One of my closest friends from high school. Dated one of my best friends and ended up going to the homecoming dance with me after her breakup and when my girlfriend could not make the trip down. Genuinely have affection for her and am happy that life turned out great with two wonderful daughters.
- Station manager at KSMU who gave me my first break as a sportscaster.
- Member of my softball team and Husky fanatic. Really great guy who understands more about me than most people.
- Former executive assistant at a cable network and the only person I know that has a Mariners jersey with the name Ball Girl on the back (she was one!)
- One of the heads of Jet City Improv. I think he is a long lost brother of Brian Benben of Dream On and Private Practice fame. Great dojo teacher and master ninja as well.
- Worked with him at FSN, and he helped me try to buy a house. I didn’t which worked out well for me as it turns out. Shared CNN memories together. He has a great newsletter he sends out to his real estate customers… and if you need to buy or sell, this is the guy!
- Significant other to my favorite improv teacher. Shares a name with one of my close friends from the wrestling days, although their personalities could not be further apart.
- Formerly on my softball team, and now living in Gig Harbor. Victim of my greatest memory of being a softball manager when I gave her a Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker routine that brought her to tears laughing and made the other team think I was nuts.
- One of the gang at Seabrook Island with Mike, Albert and Mary Stuart. Remember him being the mastermind of interrupting one of my dates on a deserted road.
- Great mom to my kids best friends and is a great friend herself. Going through one of life’s toughest transitions right now and if anyone can make it through her faith, it would be her.
- Superhero and the only guy I have ever seen admit he likes wearing the costume. Hopefully will be a great host for our improv group and a nice guy to boot.
- This guy singlehandedly help me get a job when most of the other CNN guys thought I was just a goofball. Spent many a late night in the Airport Channel studios doing resume tapes and running prompter for each other. Now a morning news anchor in Spokane.
- Fraternity brother at Lambda Chi in my pledge class.
- Director of promotions and marketing at my television station. Has been great to work with.
- Greatest Midwest accent in the world. She moved away and now has moved back on her “Great Adventure,” and I am sure happy she’s back. Hope she will be part of the improv group as she is fun to work with don’tchaknow.
- Knew her as a totally different person in my high school days. Now a free spirit living in Las Vegas under a totally different name.
- My best friend in 6th grade who has yet to respond to any messages or wall posts. I almost wonder if he is mad at me about something. He was one of the inspirations for my love for blogging.
- Former special event coordinator at the U who moved back east with her family to raise her daughter in a less frenzied environment than Seattle. Role model for what I dream of doing someday.
- Good friend from high school and best friend of one of my close friends. Could always make me smile.
- I love this woman, and she is not my wife. She is my longest tenured friend, my little sister and one of the greatest people I know. Will forever be in my heart and always have a piece of me with her, even though we are separated by an entire country. She has helped me through bad times and cheered me through the good. I will always love her very much.
- An intern at my company who did a great job on his projects.
- Mommy to be and great musical improv teacher. Funny lady.
- I met this guy when he was a snot nosed punk. No really he was. Now I consider him one of the most hard working and dedicated people I know and am lucky to have him on my crew.
- Ad wizard who I met when she was working in the football office at the U. Wonderful to work with and I hope we can work together on something in the future.
- IDEA Counterpart in Minnesota who apparently loves Facebook applications.
- Education Director at my improv place, and a wonderfully kind person. First time I tried to talk to her, I was told she couldn’t talk to me. Turns out that was literal. Now she’s back talking and doing great work.
- Blogger who I met in improv class. Has one of the great spirits I know. Discovered we had a mutual friend from the most interesting of circumstances who thinks the world of her as well.
- One of my wife’s best friends and a great mom. She sang at our wedding and made my dad fall in love all over again with her song.
- Husband and former pastor. Helped do a memorial service for my Dad here in Seattle that allowed my family to grieve. I will always be thankful to him for that.
- Quiet storm of my 201b and 301 improv class. Accompanied me to Hula Hula for post class Karaoke because he understood that it was good for chemistry. Will always deny the camera angle for our last scene in 201 video.
- Friend of a friend who shared a fun day with me in West Seattle
- Sportscaster and great story teller at KING 5. Was an intern for me at Channel 11 and I always had a hunch he would make it… and now he has. Funny FB status and wall posts too!
- New college leader for IDEA from Purdue. Great communicator through FB and helped me launch the FB IDEA group. Very talented designer. Wish I had his eye for the artistic.
- Former salesman at KJR and friend from back in the radio days.
- “The French Guy” from improv class, and very interesting person to know. Wish he would have performed with us longer, but seemed to want to move away from it.
- Stat guy from the Mariners and very helpful at ASU when I was working on an FSN project. Happy he’s up here.
- President of IDEA and person who redefined the word “gone” for me. I hope he can find some good work after the good works he’s done for many of us.
- My first improv teacher at UP and an inspiration to keep going. Sorry she moved to Philly, but happy she chases the dream.
- Friend from BYU from IDEA… really sought my help on some projects and I was honored to do so.
- Quarterback of my high school football team and big man on campus. Went back to the school to teach in later life, which I always thought was cool.
- “Look at you my special friend.” Caesar from Teatro Zinzanni and I look forward to meeting him after his Evening with Groucho show later this month.
- The man behind Dawgman and unknowingly started the longest, most inane thread in the history of the message board just by saying that he talked to me.
- Former Sports Anchor at CNN Headline News and still at it, although he does real estate on the side. Nice guy.
- One of the Backstreet Boys from Virginia Tech from IDEA Chicago. Actually dedicated his karaoke song to me, although I still don’t know why.
- Long time producer who helped me find my first office. Talented curler and that is not something you can say about many Americans.
- Intern at UW who worked with me for gymnastics. Must have the largest shirt
collection from all the team he roots for and worked for.
- Worked for the company I used to share an office with. Nice young lady who was always looking for a break and found one traveling the country. One of my first Twitter followers too.
- Former web wizard for CBS who worked with me at SMU.
- Friend at Seabrook Island as a teenager. Now a spiritual music singer with a happy family life.
- Actress and Improviser. Happy I did not attend her Halloween party as she probably would think I liked her outfit just a little too much.
- Amazing director at Jet City. Hope to take a class or be directed by her someday as she was the director of one of the most incredible improv shows I have ever or ever will see.
- Works with me on the crew at football and as a counterpart with the Seahawks.
- Worked with me on the old Pinnacle Wrestling shows. Has a much different look about her now, and I think she’s got a good future in the business.
- Only person who went to high school and college with me. Living a wonderful life with her family now. Only wished we would have been better friends in college. Kinda lonely those days were.
- Technical director and production business owner who works with me from time to time.
- An amazingly talented young man who I have been honored to work with. Has made my company’s productions look incredible and I hope we will continue to work together in the future.
- Promotions director at KJR and future Mrs. Softy. Great to work with on the renegade coaches show.
- Video wizard at the University of Houston and fellow member of IDEA
- King of Promos at the Mariners and very helpful when I did Mariners Weekly for FSN.
- How about a scratch? One of the people I worked with at NewsSource at CNN. Hasn’t seemed to change a bit and a very nice guy.
- Met him as the Media Man at the WIAA and now he’s at the Seahawks. Always has great ideas and am thankful for his help in letting us use Qwest Field for our High School media days for the Blitz.
- Former co-worker with my wife, now the boss at one of the top station groups in Seattle. Very helpful to me personally as someone in the executive offices who can help me understand business.
- Only of my wife’s Hum-Chums (It’s the Humanities department folks) and very entertaining raconteur.
- A person who my wife should get together with more… calming influence on her. Also the mom of a little girl my son has a crush on.
- Possibly the smartest kid in my school. Scored a perfect score on his SAT’s then went to Harvard.
- Queen of the Airwaves on KUBE 93. A budding television star when I worked with her at FSN before she moved to Phoenix. Called her my secret weapon. Wish we could have worked together more.
- PR Director at FSN. Always knew how to filter through the BS of Fox and was a great person to talk to when the world was going crazy there.
- Friend of Adjil who I met at a powerlifting meet on a sunny day in West Seattle. Great day.
- Gamma Phi Beta at SMU who I remember well from college. Turns out she lives in Seattle now! Hope we can get together and catch up in person sometime soon.
- Used to come over to my house to watch WWE Pay Per Views. Saw Hulk Hogan turn heel and were still marking out! All grown up now… amazingly.
- Talented improviser who I got to know at the first Improv Karaoke night. Very nice!
- She’s my Dawg from Georgia. Played on my softball team and worked with me at the U. Calls me Skipper! And she’s a Dawg and would never be called a dog.
- He came to work for me as an intern type looking to get into the television business and is about to start working full time for a cable network. Very happy for him and it has been great watching him grow in the business and his recent status of fatherhood. Great first baseman too!
- One half of the Bopsy twins although she doesn’t know the nickname. Funny young lady who probably wondered why the Old Man found her so funny.
- When I first took a class with this woman, I was intimidated as hell and mentioned it on FB once. She never realized I felt that way, and now we are improv friends. She is an original in a good way.
- Freshman member of my HS basketball team and better than me as a Senior. Big time basketball fan here in Seattle and quite the political mover.
- Honcho of UP and a very good improv teacher as well.
- Big time stud of the football team back in high school. Great to catch up with him on FB
- One of my favorite people met through improv classes. One of the reasons I call my Spring 201 class my family. Inspired me to do my blog through her incredibly entertaining blog. Genuinely hope she finds the elusive life partner as she is a wonderful catch.
- If we didn’t live on opposite coasts, I think we would probably hang out. Funny woman who I met at IDEA and instantly took a liking to. Works for NASCAR which makes me envious. Karaoke night with her was most memorable part of Chicago trip.
- How do you put in short words the love of your life? My best friend. My honey. My Schmoopy. The person who makes me who I am, and I will forever be her loving hubby,
- Texan who is an improv fan and the only person I have met in Seattle that knows where Plano is.
- One of the most surprising FB friend requests ever. Liked her in college, but thought she didn’t like me much. Now living a much different life out in the sticks but seems very happy.
- Spectacularly nice former gymnast at the U. Have a picture of us that she gave to me as a way to say thank you for the work I did with her and the gymnastics team. I have actually had some people who visit my office if that is a picture of me and my wife! Very special part of working with the gym team.
- One of the great people from my sister school back in the prep days.
- The most talented singer and improviser I know. Can always make me laugh just by laughing. Beautiful in every sense of the word, although some people might not understand.
- Introduced to her by the star of Teatro Zinzanni, and a very funny lady. She has given me some good advice about starting an improv company, and I appreciate it.
- Former head of the Emmys and still an amazing woman for all her good works.
- One half of the ownership team of the best studio space in Seattle, and for some reason he works for me from time to time. I think he likes me a lot better than his partner does.
- If you ever go to Hula Hula and hear this lovely lady sing, consider yourself entertained. Recently found that she had a similar situation with FB as I did with my work, which makes us understand each other more than she knows.
- My one and only friend from New Zealand. I miss her immensely for her ability to understand my dreams and hopes professionally. She left the crazy business we were in to start a doggie day care. Good on ya!
- They call him Lucky. Great cameraman who has been through more in life than most people his age. Victim of a birthday prank on the big screen at the arena too.
- Former co-worker at CNN. Most known to me as the man who introduced me to the greatest blooper of all time. “He was 70 degrees.” Also had the best sign-on of any of the anchors for his unique name. Now performing at Altitude.
- Former shooter at FSN who I always gave a rough time for putting up FSN banners whenever he’d shoot a high school game.
- Cheerleader from my sister school. Thought she was very cute.
- Big honcho for one of the NBA’s best teams. Wish I would have kept in better touch with him as I miss Texas and would love to come back to work there someday!
- One of the Texas A&M Trio from IDEA Denver. Good guy.
- He is the Canadian Superstar and a funny guy to work with. Enjoyed giving him a rough time when we worked together at Pinnacle.
- Member of my softball team who I think does not get me most of the time, but puts up with me since I have the team.
- Former VP of the SMU student body, and a fraternity brother, Looks exactly like I thought he would in his profile picture.
- She likes to play guys on stage, either that or some character that is unlike who she truly is. Funny lady!
- Producer at my television station who gives me a rough time about my friendship with the former Husky football coach. Probably doesn’t understand me all that well which is what makes me an easy target for his jokes.
- Fraternity brother and former SMU cheerleader best known for being one of the ones that Greg Hood, the Aggie Officer of the Day, drew a sword on for going onto Kyle Field back in 1981.
- My music director at KSMU and the person who hired me at a bar called Confetti. I owe a lot to him for the fact that I still look back on the time we worked together as one of the best times of my life for the time I was able to spend around such great people.
- Great attorney in Los Angeles who is a good friend of my wife’s from high school. Very helpful when I had the only legal situation in my life as she helped me find the person who eventually helped me prevail.
- Improv classmate who missed the rush of performing on the stage. I wish she could have enjoyed that moment as I think she would have enjoyed it. Should be much more confident of herself than she is as she is good at what she does.
- Worked with me at the college radio station as Traffic Director, which has nothing to do with congestion on I-5. Both lived in Atlanta at the same time but never caught up.
- She was wanting to get onto television and I gave her the opportunity. Young person who has a lot of drive and will eventually go places when she finds the perfect direction.
- Wanted to be my friend from improv connections… and after all, improv is a great family.
- Of all the people I have as FB friends, I have known this person the longest. We went to second grade together after all. Now a successful doctor and new to FB. (get a picture will ya?)
- A member of the Montana Mafia, a group of television professionals from Montana. Works with us when she’s not working with Fox, but could work with us more if she wanted the experience of some higher status work.
- My niece who was the flower girl at my wedding 15 years ago! She has grown up into a woman now, which is hard to imagine as the first time I saw her was turning on and off the merry-go-round at her birthday party all those years ago, and making her laugh.
- Former improv classmate who reminds me all too much of my older sister.
- University of Washington student who came into Musical Improv class carrying full Marine Military Dress Uniform, and proceeded to knock our socks off with his talent in musical theatre. As Doug says, “what says Marine like musical theatre?”
- Former schoolmate at SSS who used to give me a rough time about being a Georgetown Hoyas fan. Amazingly, I am not a Hoya fan anymore.
- Co intern coordinator at CNN with me, and someone who inspires a lot of people these days. Happy to see he has found his calling.
- The most numbers oriented talk show in the history of sports radio. Married a sports anchor and moved to Utah where he is amazing the listeners there. Got a raw deal here in Seattle where he wasn’t the most understood host, but no one, I repeat, no one did the homework this guy did every day,
- Creator of Cure Improv and one of the true good guys. Came to work for me at a Gym event just to experience the event. Hope he will be a great part of the Oven group.
- Cougar and great cameraman who came to my defense on many occaisions when I was misunderstood at FSN.
- Intern I had a crush on at CNN, who moved into my apartment. Before you get any ideas, she moved in when I left for Seattle. Owns one of my Georgetown chairs and is married to one of the other producers from those days at CNN.
- This woman makes me look good as she gets replays on in lightning fast speed at the U. Very hard worker and nice too… great combination.
- Former news director at FSN and probably one of the most educated people I know. How he ended up in sports, I’ll never know. Hope he lands on his feet soon!
- Former Sports Information intern at SMU who has gone on to big things in the cyberworld after a career in TV. Understands the power of FB better than just about anyone.
- Member of the awesome 201 squad that killed before my 301 show. Very funny improviser who invited me to his birthday party the day I got some sad news. Couldn’t make the party, but always appreciated the invite.
- Amazing photographer who might be the best in the business. Happens to be a pretty good high school basketball referee as well. We shared many a media day together for High School preview cover sections.
- One of my new close friends. A kindred spirit if I ever had one. Like me, has a spouse who does not understand his love for getting up in front of a crowd and making them laugh. I think one day he and I will do a duo comedy show… mark these words.
- Softspoken photographer on my U crew. Always does good work, but also takes amazing vacations. Must be nice.
- Becoming like a little sister to me. Transplant from the south trying to figure out Seattle. Talked her into staying with one of her hobby loves and I think she is glad she did. Hope we can perform on the stage together someday.
- She was on my bus in “middle school” and I thought she didn’t like me. Turns out she was a nice person, and I am happy to have caught up with her on FB.
- Probably my closest friend at CNN and is now traveling the country at golf tournaments. Thankful for the friendship as the CNN tenure was not one of the easiest times in my life, but he seemed to make it easier.
- He said I used to be on his talk show back in Texas, and I seem to remember doing that. Might hold the record for most self confident status updates in the history of Facebook.
- Former PR person at the cable network. How someone hasn’t fallen in love with this woman is beyond me. Always a great sounding board in my darker days at the net.
- Did you ever have one of those people that you dated even though it seemed more like a rivalry? This person did just that… she was the one that everyone thought should be going out with me and I with her. I guess they just wanted to pair off the smart alecks.
- I met up with her through a mutual friend and tried to help her with career choices. She seems to have done pretty well.
- The leader of Jet City Improv and person who made me understand that it takes more than rehearsing to make a good improv group. You have to genuinely know and like each other as well.
- Host of the Musical Misery Hour on KSMU and a very funny fellow.
- Introduced me to my long time college girlfriend, and for that I will always thank her. \
- Friended me because we both had a liking for Groucho, and early in my FB career, that was good enough for me. Wife probably wonders about her icon though with the long legs in fishnets.
- (Missed the cut and paste!) Talented improviser who I wish I had known as an improviser when she lived here. Worked with my wife at the radio station and I kept hearing "she's so funny, you have to see her perform." Oh how I wish I did, because I probably would have started improv much earlier!
- Big guy with a huge talent for improv. Also best friend of another improv friend and one of the conductors of the Train of Thought. One of the best deep voices in the biz.
- Photog for me at FSN and now doing a lot of the work on highlights on my high school show on the local station.
- Substitute teacher for the 300 class at UP and very talented guy. Didn’t know how well he was thought of until a couple of years later.
- My most unique friend who helped me realize you don’t need sounds to communicate how much someone means to you. Happy to have reconnected after 15 years and glad to hear she’s doing well.
- I understood this guy at first, but getting to know him after he came to my party when others blew it off told me a lot about him. Happy to be a dad he is, and it’s nice to see.
- Wife of one of my softball teammates and Karaoke Diva. Great personality and very nice to be around, unless she’s just lost a softball game when she would smash a ball through your head if you’re not looking.
- An improv classmate at both UP and JCI and stand up comedian. Always seemed to get too nervous at improv, but still killed a lot.
- IDEA counterpart at Illinois.
- He created the only music video I was ever in for a final project in a class. I did a lip sync at Confetti to the song I Love Rock and Roll by Joe Piscopo as Frank Sinatra. We had a limo and everything. Never saw the final product. Oh well.
- Web wizard for high school sports. Left Seattle for Texas and left behind a huge headache from a business relationship with someone we both had our challenges with.
- Member of the Cure Improv troupe. Great characters and nice person.
- Photographer who I first worked with at FSN. Had to support him through his first child who came too early. Tough times, but we talked through it. Good prep for the fact that both my kids were born early and I learned some valuable lessons.
- Former writer for the Times and now the Pied Piper of women’s basketball. Valuable resource for me for my high school show as no one ever helped me more in identifying the best subjects for prep profiles.
- My nephew who lives in Bend. We miss seeing him a lot up here. Says a lot that he is my FB friend when his mom is not.
- Video operator on my crew, and one of the guys who has been most faithful in good work for the show.
- Former Sonics PR guy who was there when it all fell apart, but he landed on his feet.
- We traveled to Spain and France on a school trip. We were left behind on a bus trip and along with some of her classmates, practiced the Night Fever dance from Saturday Night Fever. We performed it at a disco that night. She and I became great pen pals and I have the letters saved to this day.
- My counterpart at Cal Berkeley.
- Former frat brother who is now one of Hollywood’s leading sound guys. He got to work on one of my favorite shows. Pretty cool.
- Number 299. Used to tease me for wearing Jordache Jeans in high school.
- My counterpart at Kansas, and someone who paid me a huge compliment at IDEA Chicago. I will forever be grateful to him for that as it made me realize I was doing the best I could.
- Former member of the Sky-Hi Club in Atlanta with me… okay two things. She missed the cutoff by a half an inch and it’s a club for tall people. Get out of the gutter. Happy to have known her and gone out with her a couple of times when I lived in Atlanta. Classy lady.
- Former salesman at wife’s radio station. Caught up with him a few weeks ago and he seems to be doing quite well at the new station. Tried to hire my wife back to her old job only to be declined. Thanks for trying though!
- One of two people to have two entries as a friend, as this is his/her alter ego.
- Improv’s big man, gentle giant and a big talent. Hope to have him cooking up great scenes soon.
- Standup comedian and member of the Spring 201 family, although he seems to be the estranged member of the family right now. Maybe improv wasn’t his calling, but we all think it could be.
- Okay, I had a crush on her in high school and she knew it. She became an NFL cheerleader and I was over her by then. Funny now as it is her daughter that has become the cheerleader. Not falling far from the tree.
- Afternoon drive DJ for KUBE… and someone I wanted to work with on television. Just didn’t happen, but he seems to be doing just fine.
- Shares a last name with one of my best friends and I know them both from Pro Wrestling, except the people he works with are a lot better looking than the people Steve and I worked with.
- The Ringer. One of the most talented improv people I have ever met and sure to be a star someday.
- Owner of a production company in LA. We always seem to be close to working together but the pieces never seem to fall into place.
- When we met, I thought I was meeting myself at a younger age. Incredible talent when it comes to making good television. Best moment was when he hit an old lady at Stanford. Long story.
- Another member of the 12th Man Productions.
- Softball teammate who we call SportsCenter as every play he makes is a highlight.
- Neighbor and Mom to some of my son’s best friends. Thought she had a remarkable resemblance to Julia Roberts when I first met her. Nice lady.
- Former producer at FSN who got a raw deal when his wife who was…
- An assignment producer at FSN who did great work was abused by an authority figure at the network. Happy to see she’s found happiness as a mom while that idiot ruins another network. We love telling stories about the old days and that interesting “goodbye” letter from the fuehrer.
- Creative talent behind the Betas. Would love to work with her someday.
- Classmate at SSS who has found a higher calling, in spite of the fact he is a dead ringer for former WCW Four Horseman, Arn Anderson.
- Bartender at Zeek’s when I would go there for dinner before improv class. Also works with the Roosevelt football team, which led to one of his players winning an academic segment on my show.
- A truly funny guy who I wish I understood better. The term does not play well with others seems to come to mind, but for talent, he’s hard to top.
- Founder of an independent wrestling company, and someone who put a lot of trust in me. His life is much different now, and seemingly much happier.
- Old high school friend that shared many moments dealing with Coach Casey’s rants.
- Owner of an internet company that I worked with. Too intelligent for me to keep up with.
- Former UW Assistant SID who was always a joy to work with especially back in the Runnin’ with the Pac days.
- Old high school friend who actually gave me his company’s Rolling Stones tickets and went overboard trying to get them to me. Thanks!
- Former morning show host at my wife’s radio station and one of the good guys.
- A guy from high school who could be the big man on campus, but decided to help me start a booster club. Never forgot that.
- Plays on my softball team and seems to live for it every summer. Great teammate.
- Producer at my tv station, hockey fanatic and fellow blogger. Always has a nice word to say.
- Number 300! My counterpart at Florida State University, and a very amazing editor.
- EVS operator extraordinaire and does improv too. How cool is that? Also is a new daddy, which is his favorite and most important role.
- My improv inspiration, and he probably thinks I stalk him. Possibly the most incredible physical improviser anywhere. He wrote the book on Directing Improv. Literally, he did!
- Longtime friend of my wife married to..
- Another great friend of my wife, who deals with a life changing disease every day, and I admire his tenacity to not let it effect his life.
- The shy improviser who just got married. Can do some amazing scenes when she allows herself to do it.
- I finally made it to you my friend! And you know who you are. How we became friends is still interesting to me, but you are genuinely one of the people I most like being around. You always make me laugh and have some nice words. I look forward to our future as friends and so does the Mrs.
- News Director at KSMU who went on to become one of the top radio news reporters in America.
- Teacher of my 301 class and future daddy. He likes biscuits!
- Stand up comedian and classmate in improv. Now works at 30 Rock doing 30 Rock. Very cool.
- Original marketing director at my TV station, and a very talented artist.
- Thought we would develop a TV show together, but it just never happened.
- One of my best friends from the IDEA group, and someone I wish lived closer to me so we could go to some ball games together. Being at Wrigley with him is one of my fondest memories.
- Not a person but a place of Love, Chaos and Dinner, and the place that inspires me to perform every time I go there.
- Friend from High School who I did not know extremely well, but remember fondly.
- Original editor at Prime Sports. We worked briefly together before he went off to do great things in the area of DVD games.
- Sales Manager and brains behind the show that almost got me in big trouble.
- Classmate at SMU and lover of the Gerry Todd Program.
- Entertainer who I have never met, but plugs his shows better than anyone I know on Facebook. Maybe one of 5 people on here I have not met.
- Another I have never met, but became mutual friends with the NASCAR driver friend of mine.
- EVS Operator and one of the few people who believed in me as an event producer from day one, and I will always be grateful for that.
- Regular dinner date before Improv class and one of my closest improv friends. About to become a bride and hopefully a big time cook in the Dutch Oven, a term which she brought into my life and not for the reason you think.
- Someone from my media contacts who I don’t know too well, but he seems to know me.
- My very first improv teacher and one of the great guys I know. Original Almost Live contributor and a genius when it comes to the art of improv.
- A good friend that I lost for a while when a mutual friend interceded. Happily, we are about to reconnect. Father of a Special Olympian who is an inspiration across the country.
- Former producer at CNN Sports and now teaches others how much fun we had and how tough it will be.
- I really thought this guy and I would become good friends after IDEA Chicago, but he seems to have his reasons not to call, even though we work in the same city. Maybe someday.
- He makes me look good and I try to return the favor. Great graphics artist and inspiration for many looks I use.
- Teenage friend who I only knew for a couple of weeks, but we have reconnected and try to be very supportive of each other. Happy she is back in my life, and I am happy for her new companion who gets lots of love.
- Not one person but three. They can make improv a total nightmare… in a good way.
- My chief photographer for my best show ever. Very talented and knows what he does well.
- Contributor to the creation of my television series now screenplay. Producer of a show that should have NEVER went off the air and one of the most in demand speakers on the Beatles in the country.
- Web guy for my show and my station, who will sometimes return an e-mail or phone call.
- My new friend who is part Rollergirl, part Marketing person, all nice and we have enjoyed working together. Says thank you a lot and I like that
- Chief meteorologist for a local station who I knew when she worked at my station. Only person I have ever known to have an audio equipment garter!
- My first broadcast partner now with the KC Royals. Is doing what I always hoped I would do, but we each found what we do well.
- Former TLC host and current radio celebrity. Helped me with a game show I once developed. Miss her on While you were out!
- Dockyard Derby Dame and one of Adjil’s best friends. Sorry about the ending of the Bachelor.
- Courageous woman, and my wife’s roommate at the time when I first met her. Amazing woman to be so optimistic in spite of all that has happened to her.
- One of my wife’s best friends who has given me some important knowledge for dealing with my own family’s challenges.
- I am amazed his picture is on FB as I don’t think his picture is available anywhere else. One of the top DJ’s in the country and now a family man in spite of a very non family friendly program.
- The goddess of the fascia and a damn fine looking woman!
- Local radio newswoman who found me through my blog. Never met her but would like to someday.
- My physical improv teacher and a great inspiration. Hope to perform in front of her one day and make her proud!
- Taught me my original editing system, thank God, as I had no clue how to use a machine I paid 20 K for!
- The Greek God of Improv… and a great guy at that.
- Brother of my wife’s best friend and a great karaoke host.
- Gymnastics fan extraordinaire. Met her through the College Gym board when she complimented my internet broadcasts.
- The most talented person I ever worked with, only to be set of course by a tragic accident involving her beautiful daughter. I think she’s back on track now. Miss working with her and can only wonder what if when it comes to still working together.
- Aussie traffic goddess. Tall too… and twitters. Terrific!
- One of the nicest people I have met in improv. Doesn’t want to be thought of as a party girl, and doesn’t need to worry about it. Down right beautiful woman too.
- Husband of one of my FB friends and sports producer.
- Improv classmate and member of the family. Missing in action.
- I was in love with this woman when I lived in Washington, DC. However she was too hurt by a previous relationship with someone else and could not trust me. She eventually found happiness, and was the inspiration for my oft used line “in the battle of the sexes, I rarely root for my own side.” I can still hear her singing Taylor Dayne songs. She wondered on a recent comment how I keep up with all my FB friends… and maybe this note might help her understand.
- Chyron guru and hard working member of the crew.
- Captain of the crew, dad who has been through a long string of challenges with children and someone I could not really do my job without.
- One of the unique guys I know and dates a Bettie Page like dancer.
- Former CNN International anchor who now works with the team that changed my life, but is no longer here.
- Improv classmate who moved back east just when I started to understand her. Always played a pissed off woman, but she was far from it in real life.
- My improv teacher at UP. Enjoyed his class but he got upset at me when I made the analogy that I felt like a kid who did not like what his 4th grade basketball coach was doing.
- A good friend who I originally thought I should hate as he kind of took my job. However, he ended up being one of my longest lasting work friends and our phone conversations are always comedic.
- The most beautiful girl in my sister school, and now living the life I thought she would.
- We both went to SMU, and covered High School Sports then a college conference.
- A funny lady who seems painfully shy for her amazingly outgoing ability to take the stage.
- Director of some of my shows who wonders why he doesn’t do more for me. Probably because he’s too busy.
- Former Sonics game ops guy who is one of the few who made the trip and actually likes OKC.
- Without a doubt, one of the most importantly influential people in my life. As the first improv teacher who totally understood what I was all about, he opened my eyes to the possibilities of actually succeeding on the stage. I stand in awe of how talented he is and only hope I can repay him someday by performing on stage and making him proud of his trust in me.
¬¬- I first met this guy as an intern at the cable network and he has grown into one of the best cameramen in the country, traveling all over the place every week. The fact he has to balance that with being a family man is a challenge, but one he meets well.
- A talented wrestler, this Canadian is one of the most naturally charismatic people I have ever seen step into the ring. I think he will be on Monday Night Raw someday.
- A utility and cameraman on our crew, he once said he would do anything to work on my high school games. He doesn’t have to beg for work anymore… seems like I always see him on one crew or another… even mine.
- Didn’t exactly get along well with him when we worked together, but this sports turned news anchor has developed an entertaining niche at his new station, and has kept working in the business longer than just about every other anchor I worked with.
- A great basketball player from high school, this guys attitude always gave him an edge. Nice to see him again on FB.
- I first met this woman as an intern at the cable network. She moved into the position of reporter and my only criticism of her was that she did not fish for stories. I think that she had a different calling and I believe she found it as one of the most solid radio personalities and color commentators in the business. She could hold her own doing men’s or women’s games and I think she she should be doing both!
- The other of the Bopsy Twins from improv. She is a naturally funny young lady but needs to open herself to the possibilities. Met her for the first time at a Karaoke party where she got a version of the song she wasn’t expecting. It turned out to be pretty entertaining.
- The co-leader of the IDEA college group, and someone who seems to balance family and work very well.

So there you have it. 300. Every person, a different story. Every person, special in their own way. Thanks to you all for being my friend, real, Facebook or otherwise. I am blessed to know you.

On the subject of Addictive Content

2009-03-02T16:58:00.001-08:00

It's a double whammy for you folks today, courtesy of the cybercrack known as Facebook Viral Challenges. You know the ones. Oh, if you are reading the blog, you are probably one of the people who don't have Facebook.

Viral challenges are basically a questionnaire or project that one person does. They then tag, or bring attention to other people that they want to complete the same questionnaire or project they just did. It just seems to keep going and going.

It all began with 25 random facts and grew from there. The latest couple involve a Photoshop project and another questionnaire.

First the Photoshop project. This one is kind of fun. Here are the instructions. You don't even need to be on Facebook to enjoy the creativity you can have, and you can do it more than once. The idea is to create a record album cover for your own band.

1 - Go to "wikipedia." Hit "random"

or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random

The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"

or click http://www.quotatio

nspage.com/random.php3

The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on "explore the last seven days"

or click http://www.

flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days

Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together.

5 - Post it with this text in the "caption" and TAG the friends you want to join in.

And here is my result:

I added my own touch for the parental advisory, as I always like to raise the stakes in any of these things I do. If you are my Facebook friend, you can get the advisory emblem for yourself in my photo section.

Part two of this entry is 44 questions. It's a Larry King random question quiz with more insight to yours truly. Enjoy.

1. Do you like blue cheese? I have grown to like it, especially when it is paired with beef in a burger or steak.

2. Have you ever been drunk? Yes, but I haven’t had a drink since the early 90’s and even rarely before that.

3. Do you own a gun? No

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Actually never a big fan of KoolAid.

5. Do you get nervous before a doctor appointment? I always think he is going to find something, and get discouraged when he doesn’t have a simple answer.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I prefer Polish Sausages, but my wife can’t stand to be around me after I have had one..

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Milk with Breakfast

9. Can you do push ups? Not as many as I used to.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring.

11. Favorite hobby? Improv

12. Do you have A.D.D.? Probably, but I never was diagnosed.

13. What's your favorite shoe? My Blue Adidas Superstars

14. Middle name? Dru

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? 1. Can’t wait to go to the improv show tonight. 2. My dogs are obnoxious. 3. Why can’t my daughter eat anything other than waffles.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, Half Pepsi/Half Diet, Milk

17. Current worry? Economy and future of the country.

18. Current hate right now? Financial fat cats who did not earn the status, but stole it.

19. Favorite bed sheets as a child? Batman

20. How did you bring in the New Year? Taking my mother in law to the emergency room to treat her broken wrist.

21. Where would you like to go? Australia

22. Name three people who will complete this? Some of my improv friends, although I am not tagging anyone. I like for people to discover these and want to do them for themselves.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes, I misplace them all the time.

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? A blue adidas soccer goalie shirt

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Not since the 80’s

26. Can you whistle? Yes and I can do a perfect SMPTE TV Tone too.

27. Favorite color? Blue (Shade: Cobalt)

28. Would you be a pirate? Nope.

29. What song do you sing in the shower? Anything on the radio or Amy Winehouse

30. Favorite girl's name? Charlotte

31. Favorite boys name? Schuyler

32. What is in your pocket right now? My very large key ring.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? A woman sitting in a massage chair at Costco who was jiggling a little much.

34. Last thing that made you cry? A story of on Real Sports about a 6 year old golf prodigy and his dad.

35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? Bad sprain of my 4^th finger on my right hand in 2^nd grade.

36. Do you love where you live? I miss the South!

37. Revenge of the Nerds or Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Nerds… I actually have been the gym where they had to sleep. (Bear Down Gym at Arizona)

38. Who is your loudest friend? Me (can I be my own friend)

39. How many dogs do you have? Two – Cubby and Bear the Weiner Dogs

40. Does someone have a crush on you? I don’t know but I do think some people genuine like who I am and maybe love me, but not in a “get it on” sense.

41. What is your favorite book? Biographies.. but of all time – 1984.

42. What is your favorite candy? Sour Patch Kids

43. Favorite sports team? Washington Huskies, Seattle Sounders FC (They haven’t played a game, but I am a season ticket holder.

44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Say Goodbye to Hollywood by Billy Joel… and of course, Amazing Grace.

So there you have my latest entries. Not much of a blog post, but I do want to keep you entertained and let you know I have not fallen off the face of the earth. Just off the side of cyberspace!

And if you want more addictive content... welcome me to Twitter. IAmJonHorton. Oh god, more cybercrack! Yikes!

Yours truly,

Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Same Person, Different Life

2009-02-25T14:28:00.000-08:00

'Cause we belong together now, yeah
Forever united here somehow, yeah
You got a piece of me
And honestly,
My life (my life) would suck (would suck) without you
- Kelly Clarkson

The new song from Kelly Clarkson really has hit a cord.

It has been a whirlwind journey since returning from South Carolina and the rediscovery of my life. Many would say, Johnny, you are just being overdramatic, but alas, no. There is a new spirit in life right now. I find myself more in love with my wonderful wife than ever. I have a new bond with my kids as part of a bigger family, one with a heritage and story to tell - and continue to tell. I remain the same person, with a different life.

And in the midst of all this, suddenly, people who meant a lot in my life in older days seem to be finding their ways, in even a small way, back into my life. It might be something as simple as a Facebook message, or just a quick note to say hello.

Some of us would rather forget the past - I embrace it. There are a lot of choices I made that I might have changed, a right turn when I should have gone left... giving up on something I should have maybe held onto. And in the past couple of weeks, like rediscovering the past, I have seen the new version of people I knew dozens of years ago and realize that life goes on for all of us.

Getting surreal for a moment, do you ever feel like you are the only person conscious and the rest of the world is a play made just for you? Silly, isn't it? Think about it, people live their lives all around you, but you only have your own perspective.

Now back to the notes. I have caught up with someone I really liked, but she didn't feel the same about me back then. Kind of a case of older person's puppy love. She had been hurt in the relationship she had previous to meeting me, and did not feel that she could trust another man at that time. She is now married with kids and a great career. While her looks haven't changed, her life has become hundreds of times better... and that makes it all the more intriguing to me. Same person... different life.

I caught up with a high school friend who I always thought of as kind of a rival. She was always cool to me, but in the end, someone who I would think of fondly. She was on my bus, so we knew each other pretty well. Now, one of her kids goes to the same school we went to (which is now a merged version of an all boy's and an all girl's school.) Same person... different life.

Then there is my friend I met back when I worked for a cable network. We had not spoken since I had my nasty divorce from the cable channel. It was a huge legal mess, and all the higher ups at the net did not think very highly of me. My friend was a good friend of the head of the network, so I thought the relationship was poisoned.

A Facebook note and friend request made me realize that was not the case. He even started the note with "I don't know if you remember me." The fact is I always remembered what a nice guy he was and was sad that our friendship had not continued. It turns out that his life had taken an interesting set of turns. We hope to reconnect soon to play the game of golf we scheduled years ago, and catch up. So I prepare to rekindle the friendship with the Same Person, with now a different life.

No example of this is better than another of my new Facebook friends, who was a friend of mine when I was a teenager. I knew her under her real name and as a private school educated fine lady of the South. Now, I have recently seen her on Facebook with a totally new name, and living a life as a free spirit in Las Vegas... far away from the Charleston I met her in. Same person... different life.

I guess you could say that every day brings us all a different life, but to see such radical changes in the people I knew one way, and then to be reintroduced to their new life, it's an amazing journey.

So take the time to think about someone you really cared for that you may have lost touch with, one that you just want to say hello to or someone you genuinely miss. Don't be afraid to reach out and say hello. You may be amazed at the results.

Wishing you a happy different life every day of yours! My life would indeed... um... not be the same without you!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of an Incredible Journey

2009-02-20T22:37:00.000-08:00

The journal of the South Carolina trip continues... later in the week. The days after arriving were so whirlwind, there was no time to blog.. however... where it picks up will give you a great place for me to pick up the story.

Good morning from my parent’s breakfast table. It’s 8:28 on Thursday and what an incredible experience this has been.

You might remember in my getting here entry that I was not sure of how this trip would affect me, and I could not have been more wrong.

Let me begin by saying that this journey is one of the top 5 experiences of my entire life. I don’t use those words lightly – it has been nothing short of life changing. Pretty deep, huh?

I had known what kind of family from which I came, but I had lost touch with the history and heritage that made us Bloggers, er Hortons who we were and who we have come to be. This house, this beautiful house, is now a mess, thanks to yours truly and the army of people whose sole job it is to figure out everything in it and where it is supposed to go. My Mom and Dad would think it was just typical of me to make that mess, but somehow I think they are smiling right now… knowing that finally, a mess that I am making will make a positive difference.

Each discovery, every find, there is a new story, a renewed sense of family. A thing I can call mine, an item that was about to be forgotten, but now, passed on. Everything that needs to be accounted for – all 40 pages of items to be divided amongst three children and a special friend, is being found piece by piece. Some will be sold, as there is no room in our smaller houses to hold what this huge place once did. Some will be left as there is such a thing as too much information, but in its discovery, heartwarming stories have been recalled and new ones written.

Take for example one box of papers I found yesterday. In it, childhood photos of my father from 1920’a – report cards from his elementary school where he received straight D’s. However, back then, D was the top grade. My Dad was a smart cookie.

Also, a growth chart tag from the Department of Health, which would now be the kind of thing the pediatrician gives to a parent to show percentiles and weight and such. This one came with some tips for healthy child living. Some of these included:
Take a full bath at least once a week. Drink as much milk as you want, but avoid coffee and tea. Eat some fruit and vegetables. HAVE A BOWEL MOVEMENT EVERY MORNING. Now that’s not something you see on today’s health tips – good advice though!

Later in the day, I would find my own childhood doctor’s chart. The complete look at my life was not contained in a folder with multiple coloured stickers. No, it was just one piece of folded paper with things like “heart and lungs fine” through a chronological journey through my childhood.

In the attic were other boxes of random things, including my childhood books and pictures… lots of football and baseball books. One envelope included every ticket stub from every sporting event I went to with my Grandfather.

Poppa was an incredible man, who spoiled me rotten. He came from a background of politics and banking and was actually in Harry Truman’s cabinet (if you are a Truman fan, this house would have been your Valhalla.) While Poppa had treated me beautifully in life, my memories of him after his passing have never been as sweet. He died as a very mean person, especially to my Mom. I never forgave him for that, but the stance softened over the years.

It was not until I unpacked another photo box that I had a new and full understanding for him. He was the kind of person who sent pictures to me and to my Dad, and sometimes even Mom (his daughter) with the inscription, “with great affection and warm wishes, John W. Snyder.” My Grandfather could not say, “I love you,” especially if it was something that was going to be around for posterity.

My son, who is one of the most loving people I have ever seen, has taken an affection for this great grandfather, excited in the discovery of Poppa’s Secret Service badge (he wasn’t an agent, his department ran the Secret Service!) and field glasses and presentation pointers, all things that fascinated me when I was his age.

Thursday night was spent with my longest known friend, Mary Stuart. We wanted to play on the beach with the kids… and play the kids did, with dips into the frigid ocean. We took pictures, shed tears and realized that this is where we wanted to be.

Gale rejoined us at the house and we all went to a big dinner. Afterwards, we stepped outside, and we all said our goodbyes to “Mess.” Gale, knowing the importance, asked the kids to “give them a minute.” I walked over to the Land Rover she loved so much and preceded to collapse into her arms with the tears of hurt, joy, sorrow, pain and happiness. I know I will see my friend again someday, it just seemed like there was some kind of finality with that embrace… and it scared me.

Friday afternoon… high above the eastern seaboard on a plane that can best be described as a cigar. Panic attack as I got on the plane… but I was able to step outside before takeoff to calm myself. Still racy though.

On to a more positive thing… the final moments of our trip.

For the past couple of days I discovered love letters from my Dad to my Mom. They were written over a number of years, mostly for special occasions… a new house, Valentine’s Day, Christmas. Each was beautifully crafted with just the perfect words… discussions of a journey taken together.

As the very last thing ever done by the Horton family in that house, I decided to have a impromptu ceremony. I brought out my wife, daughter and son to the very spot where my wife and I were married almost 15 years ago. We took a couple of pictures. I asked my daughter to stand next to her mom, with my son standing at my side. I then put my honey’s hand into mine, and renewed my vows to her, promising to love her for the rest of my life and to make this family one of love and strength. We all cried. Then, my love said the words that touched me the most. “You are just like your Dad,” she said. My heart was filled with enormous joy.

The rest of the family left the house while I stood one last time in the house. I looked around the great room, now littered with the pictures and effects of a lifetime, all sorted into different categories with tags of a neon color. Instead of the disarray, I gazed upon a room that was haunted with the memory of my parents… a room I would never step into again. I fell to my knees, and kissed the ground and said “I will always miss you,” a comment made towards both my parents and the house itself.

I stepped outside where I was met by my wife. I stood on the bottom step, not wanting to move, knowing that one step forward would be the one step away from the place I must always leave behind.

Driving from the property, the Pussycat Dolls song “I hate this part right here,” was on the car radio. Definition of appropriate.

Our last stop in our stay in the South Carolina Lowcountry was Angel Oak, the oldest tree west of the Mississippi. This massive live oak with branches so large it looks like a labyrinth of trees entangled into each other. It was something that had been there in that spot for more than 1500 years… a symbol of endurance. I saw it as a sign of the enduring love I have for my parents and the continuing love I have for my wonderful wife and incredible kids.

I did not want to take this trip, and now I cannot imagine what life would have been like if I did not. I am blessed with a wife who cared enough to make me do it.

This journey was one of the most beautiful experiences in my nearly 46 years, a gateway to a new life. I shall see the world through new vision from this day forward, with the appreciation of the life that given to me, the life lived in formation of character, and the new life as patriarch, father, and just plain old grown up me. My Dad referred to himself in those aforementioned love letters as “the Grey Head.” I am not quite there yet, but as I make that transition, I will cherish the opportunity rather than dread it… thanks to my father’s final lesson, nearly three years after he left this earth. Thanks, Dad. I love you.

On the subject of Air Travel

2009-02-20T22:34:00.000-08:00

Hello readers… the following entry is a journal kept on my companion called Mac for my trip back to my parent’s soon to be former home… a place of memories for me, even though I did not formally live there, but still consider it one of the houses I lived in. This trip is to say goodbye to their memory, their belongings, and a place I will always remember as the spot where I began my life as a grown-up and a married man. So, if you enjoy a spirit walk, please feel free to take this one with me. I won’t promise it will all be fun, but I hope you can see little things with which you can identify. Let’s begin.

Saturday
Greetings from 37-thousand feet where it is 11 pm… United Airlines on my way to Charleston, SC by way of Washington, DC. Nothing short of the word bittersweet can describe this unexpected trip across the skies. A trip to my parent’s final resting place with an ever so short connection in the city of my birth.

First a little ranting. Leaving Seattle was almost a message to tell me – get the hell out of here. On our way to the airport… no less than four lanes of the main interstate – I-5, were shut down thanks to construction for “our convenience.” Once we muddled thought that, we reached Southcenter where we looked for a place to eat. Once we were able to traverse the maze that is the Cascade Garage, we were met with a 75-minute wait for dinner. That wasn’t gonna happen. (Um, what happened to people not wanting to spend money in this economy, but I digress.)

My family is not made up of the veteran knowledge in traveling that I have. For four years, the airplane was my second home. Well, it only took a trip through security to make me realize how much things have changed since I got off the road four years ago. A 30 dollar tube of skin cream was confiscated by the TSA. It caused a holdup of about 15 minutes. Once through security, we headed to the main restaurant in the airport – Anthonys. It was 8 PM. We were informed that they were only serving the late night menu, and no kids menu? Wha? 8 PM – late night?

So we went across the food court, and got the kids some pasta at the Pallino. What was pictured as a hearty plate of spaghetti was in actuality a meager plastic bowl. 20 bucks later for two crappy bowls of pasta… we went back to Anthony’s for grownup food. It was okay. Giving a positive credit where it is due… the waitress was awesomely nice, even filling our water bottles for the trip with ice water. Well done, her.

So to the gate we go, and there, we get on the plane… and the seats that I spent an extra 200 bucks for. Now you have to understand that to get a guaranteed seat on Untied (sic) Airlines, you have to buy “Economy Plus” which goes for an extra 49 per seat. My extra money bought a seat right next to a baby. My wife’s 49 dollars went straight towards a seat with a broken entertainment system and a short guy who slammed his reclining seat right into my wife’s knees without even an acknowledgement. Way to go, dude!

You have to realize that this trip began as my wife and myself taking a week to fly to empty my parent’s house, which sold after nearly three years following my father’s passing. When we made the decision, we had enough reward points from our bank to get two tickets. Heck, if we needed to, we could get four. When we were not able to find any folks to look after the kids, we then needed to include the kids in the travel plans. We had enough points… so no big deal. That would be the case if the fare did not double in the one day that we waited to buy the tickets. So now a free trip for two was a thousand dollar investment… and that was before the 200 dollars for the guaranteed seats one way and the 60 bucks to check one bag each – a policy started to offset “fuel prices.” Well sounds like they like getting the money.

We’re on the plane and after a few curt words from the flight attendants… we are having our first drink service. The only good thing at this point is my favorite comedic actress, Kristen Wiig is playing the surprise lady on the in flight entertainment
11:22 pm.
The movie is starting now. Never heard of it… so we’ll take a timeout. Baby is getting a bottle now… so there’s some hope for quiet. I should be dead tired… but I am wide awake.

11:31pm.
Movie stinks, so I am listening to XM on United Airlines. Billy Joel followed by Steely Dan.

You, dear readers, have already heard about my parent’s house in a previous blog, so I won’t go through the details again. My desire to go back was absent until some encouraging words from my wife. Sadly, the simple trip with the two of us became a production of gigantic proportions when we could not get anyone to watch the kids. I was looking for a time to say goodbye, and give her the same opportunity. Now it’s a chance for the whole family to do it, and after working through some very angry feelings that I was pushed into the trip, I am optimistic that this will indeed be the positive life experience that I was kind of sold on by my honey. We shall see.

3:45 AM
No… it’s not much later… just changed my clock to Eastern time. Funny thing about that. When I did I was working on a project in Final Draft, a screenwriting software.

I am starting in on a new writing project – a short play about the dynamics of a Tuesday Night Bowling League and when a team gets together for the first time. I was five pages into the new script when my time change kicked off the activation of my program, and so my writing has ceased… hopefully to be unlocked and picked up later.

The kids are handling the trip well. My daughter and wife are watching the movie, which stars Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates and the woman who plays Dr. Charlotte King on Private Practice. She’s not wearing any leather in this movie, so I almost didn’t recognize her. – (Note: She’s still no Kate Walsh!)

In the headphones, it’s Watercolors on XM… which is a recording as it repeats about every two hours. I remember a flight on TWA when I was 15 to Spain and France where the tape lasted about 1 and a quarter hours. I memorized every song on that one which included David Gates (of Bread fame) singing Never Let Her Go and Santa Esmeralda’s only hit “I’m just a sould whose intentions are good, oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.

3:53… Hey… there’s the first yawn. This plane is as hot as my office or my control room. Must be nearly 80 in here. Thank you Untied Maintenance Department. Signing off for a bit. Need to stretch.

5:16 AM. I have anxiety meds that I take for serious anxiety, like when I am on an airplane… thanks to clostrophobia. It was on one of these same red eye flights from Seattle to Charleston that I had my first bout with the fear. I was stuck in the window seat of one of those small planes, and felt locked into the chair. When we sat on the tarmac for more than an hour and a half, I freaked, and ever since, I have suffered from that fear.

Well, one of the side effects of the meds it is supposed to make you sleepy. Well, I’m sleepy alright, but I am also Dopey, Sneezy, Droopy and Doc. I can doze if I lean on the armrest of the seat, but if I lean back in my seat… no luck. I guess sleeping on this flight is not in the cards. Well, at least I have you all to keep me company.

My wife is playing Bubblebuster on her phone. She is addicted to that game like I am addicted to Facebook. It’s her go to diversion. I don’t get the attraction to it.

On the plane, 30 Rock was just followed by that CBS show with Haley Cuoco. Never watch that one, but she sure is a cutey. As for Tina Fey, there is a certain charm to her, but like my dear Kristen, me thinks the crush is truly comical.

Well I think I am on my third rotation of the same songs on XM… yep. Chuck has just come on the plane TV. I loved this show when it first came on but lost interest when 24 and Heroes became about all I could handle on Monday nights.

Speaking of Monday Nights, three of the stars of Monday Night Raw, The Miz, John Morrison and Chaz Gaspar of Crime Tyme were walking through the airport as we were ready to board. My son was thrilled and wished that John Cena was heading through. No such luck.

5:40 AM
Time in the air over 5 hours… and we are descending. My son is looking outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the Nation’s Capital. I am hoping to catch a glimpse of the inside of my eyelids. No such luck. Happily, I must say that other than the regular aches of being a big guy on a plane, and the cabin air much too hot until literally 5 minutes ago, this has been an uneventful flight. The baby hasn’t made a sound. Wow.

Bottom line… my butt is tired.

On the subject of Dreams and Memories of a Palace

2009-02-08T07:44:00.001-08:00

"So leave the memories alone,
I don't want to see,
The way it is, as to how it used to be,
Leave the memories alone, don't change a thing,
And I'll hold you here in my memory"

After three years, my father's house sold yesterday, and with it, the dreams of everything he worked for.

That house was his pride and joy. On the waterfront, bigger than life, a place to truly call home.

I never got to live there for an extended period of time... only a vacation, a holiday or two, but it was my home as well. They had built a separate apartment above the garage that was originally designed to be my room... instead it turned pink and became the guest room. And that's OK.

On a ocean fed creek, "UpDaCreek" was a palace of its time, without being ostentatious. Driving up to it, it just had a feeling of welcomeness unlike any other. From the porch that swung all around the house to the understated landscaping to those hanging plants that twisted in the summer winds, the house seemed to say "come on in and sit a spell."

All on one level, my folk's place had the great room of all great rooms. 30 feet by 30 feet with one wall totally windows to see the creek outside and the ocean beyond. Outside the french doors was a screened in porch with a series of rocking chairs. The porch started on one end of the house and sprawled all the way to the other end.

It was this porch I will remember the most. On an autumn day in 1994, after a week of driving rains and floods, the most beautiful day appeared. Most people in the south that Saturday were probably watching College Football. I was standing in the midst of many of my friends, and family, on a porch turned wedding chapel. In front of my parent's room, where the hanging swing usually was, my love and I exchanged vows and promised ourselves to each other for the rest of time.

The rest of time now will not include that place we stood. I somehow knew that as each and every time I went to visit my parents, or my Dad after Mom had passed, the last thing I would do is go stand on the very spot and remember, and dream, and swear I would be back there again.

The last time I stood there was June, three years ago, when I left my Dad's house after laying him to rest in the creek behind the house, just where we had spread my Mother's ashes five years prior. They will forever be a part of that landscape, their dust a part of the earth they loved so much.

My Dad told me on his death bed that at least he could die knowing that the house could help pave the way towards making life better for all of us. He had no idea of what the economy would do to those dreams.

My wife and I are talking about going back to help empty the house, a task already underway thanks to the executors of the estate who want to have the closing as soon as possible. I have mixed feelings. Do I want to go back? Can I go back, or will the memories be too much?

One of my favorite tribute songs, best used for of all things Pro Wrestler Ric Flair, is "Leave the Memories Alone." It's kind of how I feel right now. The sadness is overwhelming.

But it is in this sadness that I reach out. There are friends of mine that hurt much more today. From the loves they thought they had that turned out to be lies. From the jobs they sweated on to only be told that sweat was in vain. From the kids they love that need to heal from tragic accidents. They need my steady mind, my unwavering hand, my hug to let them know someone is there for them.

So maybe the dreams of my Dad's house did not die yesterday. Instead they live in the spirit described above. Dreams are not defined in dollars, they are instead built on love... so they do live.

Thank you, Dad.

On the subject of Questionnaires

2009-02-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

When I was on the dating scene, I used to believe that my dates were sometimes more like interviews... with me being Larry King (without the suspenders and age - but rather back when he was cool.)

Anyway, the latest thing in the world of cyberspace and Facebook is these viral 25 random things where you write 25 random things and tag 25 other people to do the same thing. Some people think of them as a pain, while others, like me, embrace the challenge. I posted my 25 in the last blog.

The other day, my friend Brent posted a new one with 48 questions, but went out of his way to say he was not tagging anyone... so that it would be something that, if found interesting, the person reading would not be guilted into following suit.

The strange part of this happened at dinner on Friday night. My family and a couple of family friends went out to dinner and decided that a half hour wait at Red Robin was not going to be fun (there were three hungry kids involved here.) So instead we went to a local pizza place and arrived for their half hour wait. Resigned to the fact we had to eat somewhere, we waited... and waited... and waited. 75 minutes later, we were finally seated. (To their credit, the establishment made up for it with a boat load of free appetizers.)

Expecting it to be a night of silent disgruntled conversation (the wait had made everyone edgy.) It turned into one of the most fun nights my family has had out in a long time. My daughter, who usually does not even like talking to me, had brought a book called "More Coke or Pepsi." It is, in essence, the same kind of question book as my friend had filled out. This one is made for tweens (probably girls) to share facts about themselves. We laughed and were having lots of fun doing the questionnaires.

So maybe these viral things are a way to feel attached. Maybe, people should not be offended when being tagged for such "nonsense." Maybe, it is a friend wanting to engage through cyberspace with you... and isn't communication the foundation of any friendship - in person or in cyberspace...

With that in mind... here are my answers to the 48 Questions. Enjoy, and have fun with comments. If you'd rather see it in Facebook, it's over there as well.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
I was lucky to be names after my father AND mother… how many of you can say that? Jon is from John, my dad. Dru (my middle name) is from my mom, who was Drucie.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
When wasn’t? Actually, I think it was watching the Grey’s Anatomy with the kid who needed the transplant from the serial killer.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I don’t ever write in cursive. I print all caps and most everything I do write is on a computer.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Ham (Appropriate, don’t you think?)

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Two. A 9 year old son (I will call him Mini-Me,) and an 11 year old daughter.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I think I would want to be more of an athletic type, maybe even one who loves the power tie scene, but I am not sure I could take the egos of the friends that go along with that.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Rarely, and that’s not sarcastic.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yep, and they cost me dearly when I had Mono in 1992. I just got a job at CNN and had to spend my first two weeks at my new job at home.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Rice Krispies, with a craving for Capt’n Crunch

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Nope.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Haggen Daas Lemon Sorbet or Vanilla

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
If they seem to be a kind person or someone I will have to protect others from.

15. RED OR PINK?
Red (My high school color)

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
The fact that I could have been an athlete, but did not have the tenacity to apply myself.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My Mom and Dad.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?
I think it is a wonderful exercise in looking into yourself, and sharing nice things with others.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Actually, I’m in my bathrobe and slippers at the breakfast table on a Sunday morning after a late night out… however, this question has a typical answer which is black (pants) and blue (shoes). YES Blue shoes!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The tapping of a keyboard and my son watching MythBusters. Most of the time, I listen to Capital Radio in London on my computer or iPhone or BBC Radio 1 on XM.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE
Blue

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Summertime rain at my childhood home.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My wife.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Yes I do. One of my new favorite people to be around.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
College football and good soccer.

27. HAIR COLOR?
Brown, going gray

28. EYE COLOR?
Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No, but I have an awesome new pair of red glasses that I love to wear.

30. FAVORITE FOOD
Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, Brilliant!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy Endings – can’t stand any movie with gore in it, and I am not talking the global warming movie.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Ironman on DVD, Paul Blart, Mall Cop in the theatres

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Again, bathrobe… but because of work… most of the time it’s purple.

34. Summer or winter?
Summer

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Anyone that knows me knows that I am a big time hugger.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
My friend Mary Stuart.

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
The people who “think” they are my friends.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Coffee with Groucho by Frank Ferrante

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I have a Wacom tablet.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Last thing I watched on TV was Friday Night Smackdown… yes – wrestling.

42. FAVORITE SOUND(S).
My daughter and son happy.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Rolling Stones from my high school days. Start me up!

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Maui to the west, Whistler to the north. Munich, Germany to the east, and Miami, Florida to the south.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Being friends to people who can’t stand each other.

46 WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Washington, DC.

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
People who actually enjoy doing this, and don’t think of it as another viral thing.

48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
Blind date. Only blind on my part though. She had already seen me on TV.

I hope you enjoyed it.... be well everyone!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of 25 Random Facts

2009-01-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

There is a viral game going through Facebook which "forces you" to reveal 25 random facts about yourself. Okay, force is a strong word, but it was a fun exercise in self-realization.

I thought I would share the post here as well... so enjoy 25 random facts about Yours truly, Johnny Blogger. (I can already hear the comments about number 2 rolling in right now.)

1. My favorite color is blue, and to be exact, the shade of cobalt blue, although I won't share where I got the name of the color of the shade from... too embarrassing.
2. The first record album I ever bought with my own money was Helen Reddy's "I am Woman." I know, embarrassing.
3. I was the only one to receive a standing ovation at my school's graduation honors day. Probably the proudest moment of my life.
4. My son and my mom share the same initials. As a matter of fact, the last conversation I ever had with my mom when she was alive was about that very fact.
5. I took an entry level job making 18K a year at age 30 so I could stay in the television business.
6. I never dated anyone from my hometown when I was in high school. Both my junior and senior year girl friends were both from New Jersey.
7. The only time I ever got so drunk I had a hangover was in 1982 in El Paso, Texas courtesy of the hotel bar which was playing new wave music. Thanks Steve!
8. I have never played soccer, but have done play by play for more different pro soccer teams than any other sport I have announced. (Dallas Sidekicks, Washington Diplomats, Washington Stars, Baltimore Bays, Seattle Seadogs, Seattle Sounders)
9. My wrestling stage name was Craig Johnson. I was an announcer in Texas and appeared on over 300 ESPN Wrestling shows. At the same time, I appeared uner my real name doing a show that aired immediately before the wrestling show.
10. I have seen Paula Poundstone do standup twice, and Pat Benatar sing 8 times, but both still are nothing like the 55 times I have seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
11. The presets on my XM are 80's, 90's, 20 on 20, The Blend, BBC Radio 1, Pop2K, The Strobe, The Groove, Soultown and Classic Rewind.
12. While my kids travel one mile to their school, and will have an even shorter trip to high school, my bus trip to school took 45 minutes and included two states and a territory (Maryland, DC and Virginia.)
13. I wore Jordache jeans in high school, and believe I was the only one in my school to own a pair of designer jeans.
14. I had a mustache in college and kept it until I got glasses in the late 80's.
15. My wife and I used to have a routine on Saturday nights after I would work a Husky game watching Trading Spaces, While You Were Out and What Not to Wear... and during the week, we would watch Changing Rooms and the British Version of What Not to Wear.
16. My high school career basketball statistics. 2 Points. 22 Minutes Played.
17. My dogs throughout my life have been named Gregory, Beau. Maverick, Cubby and Bear.
18. My grandfather's signature was on the dollar bill back in the late 40's and early 50's.
19. My first car was a Toyota Celica, blue, with bumper stickers from two different radio stations called Q107 as well as an SMU Mustang Mania sticker and a "Catch the Spirit" Saint Stephen's School sticker, which I happened to have designed.
20. I do a blog that was inspired by the wonderment of Facebook and all the relationships one can have in cyberspace. It does not take on that subject every time, but it does give me a good release (and is the reason why I am actually enjoying writing this...)
21. If I was to have done something different in my life, I probably would have been a lawyer and gone into politics.
22. The place I want to go before I die is Australia.
23. I met my wife on a blind date when we were set up because we were both tall. We set our wedding date within a month after meeting each other, and sure enough, we were married on the date we picked.
24. My karaoke theme song is "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse even though I have not had a drop of alcohol since sipping champagne at my wedding in 1994.
25. My favorite TV channel is never the same... among the past ones have been Speed, ESPN, Bravo, VH1 Classic, TLC and BBC America.

Hoping you have forgotten number 2 by now,

Yours truly,

Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Larry King

2009-01-28T19:02:00.000-08:00

I received this comment today.

"Larry,I saw you last night and you were in fine form, you are better then this. You are like an aging rocker phoning it in.Maybe you can do duets with past posts."

Well, in light of this elaborate critique, here comes a plethora of three dot thoughts - Larry King Style!

Will the last one out of business please turn off the lights? Does anyone believe that all the jobs being cut will lead to some bigger profits for the companies doing it... kind of like when the price of gas went up as did the money in the pockets of the oil companies?

Now that most of America celebrated for a week, will we go back to bickering? One look at Washington, DC today says yes.

Saw Paul Blart, Mall Cop over the weekend... actually a funny movie. Kevin James is a much more friendly person than Adam Sandler, who produced the movie. Works with James, wouldn't with Sandler.

Why is it I can have 200 channels on my TV and find a commercial on every one if them?

It's cold in Seattle, and it's the hottest it has been in 100 years in Australia. Blimey!

One of my best friends is about to be a new dad at age 45... good luck with playing catch when he/she is a teenager... still happy for him.

Just started working with the Rat City Rollergirls. Do you suppose that I will be allowed to be Facebook friends with any of them? Actually, I already am apparently.

Why does British radio play a better range of songs than American? And for my money, anyone who doesn't have XM or Sirius or Sirius XM is sentenced to commercial hell at 26 and 54 past each hour - no matter what station they are listening to.

What is it about some companies that they are just made up of people that are just plain mean? Why would anyone want to work for those people?

When will I be able to write a question and remember to put a question mark after it instead of a period?

I am going to try to become a sports season ticket holder for the first time since the 80's. It's a lot of money to spend, but I am hoping it will allow me to become a fan again. I hope it will also give me some quality time with my son or daughter when I take them.

Blogging used to be an obesssion, now it is something I enjoy only when I don't feel busy... otherwise it becomes an obligation.

I don't drink, and I don't tend to party, but I sure did miss a great time at the recent convention for my trade. Wish I could have been there... especially for Karaoke!

Speaking of karaoke, my wige and I are hosting a Pot Luck and Karaoke party and in spite of inviting many people, the guest attending list is only at about 20 percent. Did I forget my deodorant or something?

Just burned my dinner... CPK Thai Chicken does not taste as good with burnt crust.

How did I end up with 242 Facebook Friends? (Hey are you one... if not, you can be!)

We have three cats now... one we have named Hall Monitor because she lives in the hall watching everyone walk by.

Super Bowl Week... yea. Um... who's playing?

Gwyneth Paltrow... could be in a top 5, but for my money, still have to give the top spot to Kate Walsh. She reminds me of someone... hmmmm. And when you turn your car on, does it return the favor? My wife says that with heated seats on a cold day, it's possible.

I'm not one for high quality video, but I am watching a sports show that is very jittery because it was done on a very low quality system.

I need a new Karaoke theme... most of the places I go to these days don't have Rehab. Although the best place ever to Karaoke does... I just can't make the drive to go there all the time. Speaking of Karaoke, I did another performance of Arnold-oke, this time at a bar near my house. It was not well received by a pair of guys who seemed to be of the redneck persuasion.

Okay... I think I have covered enough subjects to keep you wondering.

Take care all!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of checking in

2009-01-27T15:35:00.000-08:00

Greetings and felicitations.

Okay... that's all I got.

Yours truly,

Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Mystery and History

2009-01-23T14:48:00.000-08:00

This week will forever be remembered for two things for me. First the mystery. They examined my head and found nothing... insert joke here.

I went in for a Cat Scan as mentioned in the previous post, and the results did not show any real symptoms of why my head has been in such pain for two weeks. The mystery remained.

In cyberspace though, mention something is wrong, and the good words just flow in, and for me, it was just the right medicine. Did my head hurt any less? No. Did my heart fill with the joy of people thinking of me? Yes! Yes! Yes!

But while my ailments took center stage, people all around me were dealing with change, and that is where the history part arrives.

You might have thought that History would be signified by the Inauguration of our new President. Okay, I will give you that one. However, some of my friends, both close and of the Facebook type, found themselves out of a job or on the brink. While the nation finds hope, some of my friends find despair.

Truth is, both the mystery and the history converge into this incredible time we live in. One can only hope that when we all look back, the mystery will give way to the history. Hope will give way to realization... in a good way.

One final note. I read the following passage on a television industry newsletter which combines the two themes from today: "In a stationwide meeting Wednesday, employees were told that much lower ad revenues than expected are projected in the coming year."

Let's take a closer look at that. What is expected is now projected. We are guessing now what to expect? I guess that I am going to think that this will happen. I used to think that "expectations" were a problem, but now we making projections that those expectations were going to happen.

So with that in mind, I am hereby projecting that expectations of thoughts on the potential future posts of this blog shall be of a nature that could approach critical on either a good or bad note.

The mystery meets the history.

Thanks for the good thoughts everyone... and here's hoping your mysteries are history!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the Subject of Fear

2009-01-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

With the fact I barely post anymore, I don't know who will read this in the first place... but your fun-loving blogger and man about town is not scared out of his wits, just a little afraid.

You see, it's my mind I cherish the most. It's my ability to make other people have an emotion courtesy of something that I have accomplished. Whether it is a video I have made, or a television show I have produced, or a simple blog entry I have written, if it made you feel something, I feel like I am doing it for the right reason.

Today, I am writing for myself in hopes that you will just join me for the ride, and if you do have something to take from it, great.

About 12 days ago, I got a headache. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary as I get them all the time. You see, I worry a lot. I stress a lot, and after this blog you will see that in spades. However, this headache seemed different.

Sure, there were some stressers at work, like dealing with an invasion of my workplace by an outside force that seemed too much to bear. There is always the fact that my Dad's house is still on the market nearly two and a half years after his death and with it the ability and responsibility to move forward and leave behind. My late Mom was on my mind a lot as it is her calmness and desire to help that gets me through most of my most challenging days.

Many describe me as a basketball. Just when you think I am down, I bounce back up and give myself an opportunity to do something. I haven't been down lately, so there is nothing I feel like I need to bounce back from... but this headache, this thing in my brain will not let me rest.

Migraines... that is what Dr. Google would think. Many of my friends have them and all the symptoms were there... except the blurred vision and lights. Cluster headaches... that is it - right behind my eyes... except it isn't behind my eyes.

I went right along working with them as the intensity grew, but did not keep me from functioning.

Go to the doctor, my honey said, and after 5 days of these headaches, I did. He gave me something to take if they got worse, then told me to keep him up to date. He said from my description he did not have a lot to go on.

Then I got home. I had the day off and went to Costco with the Mrs. but half way through the shopping trip, I could not stand up without wanting to collapse into the fetal position. The pain had become too much, and I took one of the pills the doctor had prescribed for me, and we went home. I just crawled into bed and did not crawl out for any time for the next three days. Every time I stood, it intensified. I lie down in bed, it subsides but still does not release.

Then the real challenge. I had to go to work on Thursday. The doctor had been called with an update but there was no reply. Simply put, it was one of the most stressful days at work I could imagine, yet, there was this peacefulness all around me. I was handling it well, protecting those around me and doing what was right to do. My aches did not subside, but my soul was filled.

The next day, I had a full day of work, but now the pain was down to a 5. Earlier in the week, standing up would be a 9. The aches would peak at a 7 before a pill and go down to a 4.. but never below a 3. I always knew it was there.

The doctor wrote me an e-mail and his assistant called. They wanted to go deeper and check it out. Yes folks, they officially asked me to have my head examined. Yes, the dreams of thousands who have told me before, now substantiated by a request from the doctor - Jon - Go Get your Head Examined. Okay, they did not put it in that way, but they did schedule a CT Scan.

The weekend was a mix of work and watching my kids play basketball. Throughout the weekend, I have found this aura of strange calmness and emotional desire overcoming me. The confident, fun loving guy you all know felt like a gentle old man.

Last night, I rehearsed with an improv group, and all my faculties seemed to be there... we did some karaoke, and laughed. When I got home though... the traces of my ache still there... all I wanted to do was hold my wife's hand and not let it go.

I guess I just felt scared. I am sure they won't find anything, but what if they do? My wife calls this future tripping. I do it a lot.

I am confident there won't be anything there, but if there is not, then there is no answer to why these things won't go away. There are no classic symptoms to put a label on it... just like the answers given to me about the illness that one of my kids has.

The mystery, my friends, is the real killer symptom. So do I want them to find something? No. Do I want them to find something? Yes. A conundrum of the highest order.

I go in at 4:15... I am guessing it is one of those things that they will make you wait more days for a result. I am fearful of what they will find. I'm am fearful if they find nothing... because it will make me feel this is all just something in my head... which of course it is... but no one would believe me.

I'll let you know what they find, or don't. And I thank you for sharing this moment in uncertainty with me. I will try to resume my regularly scheduled mayhem soon.

Take care,

Yours truly,

Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Aches

2009-01-12T23:19:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't added to the entries lately. Have a nasty and very strange headache that will not seem to go away. So I just send good thoughts to all of you and promise to be back soon.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

P.S. Pass the pill bottle.

On the subject of Disconnecting

2009-01-06T21:39:00.000-08:00

Hi, my name is Johnny and I am addicted to connections.

(Hello, Johnny.)

I can't leave my e-mail alone for more than 15 minutes. I am a Facebook addict. I have to be near a computer to read or write a blog. In short, I have to feel a connection through this thing called cyberspace.

Some people call me overboard (my wife). Some call me obsessed (my kids). You can call me your Facebook friend. (I am, aren't I? And if I am not, by golly don't you think I ought to be?)

The fact is that with a pretty tough work schedule most of the time and a family of a wife, two kids, three cats, two dogs and three laptops, I have a lot on my plate. And when there is leftover time, I like to live vicariously through status updates and comments. (Oh how I love those little red dots that notify me of notifications, unless someone has sent me a Little Pea Patch plant or asks me to take a true age test... ignore!)

There is a tremendous appreciation for the status update, and how it makes me feel like I am in a party room where I am constantly saying "How you Doin?" in my best Joey voice. On Facebook, they answer before the question and I like that.

And then there is my cell phone, which rarely leaves my side, and is a constant source of texting and Facebook Mobile for iPhone. I know, pitiful.

However, I have entered a 7 day program this Summer where I shall succumb to a 1 step plan to take me away from all these connections. Today, my wife and I booked a cruise for our family.

You say "now wait a minute there, Skipper! Don't the ships have internet cafes now?" Why, yes they do little buddy. However, I have only paid for internet access once in my life, and that was for work purposes. And as for the iPhone, it's staying at home.

So from now until our country's birthday, it's addiction as usual, but for seven days in July, it shall be wonderful to be disconnected. I wonder if it will change my outlook when I return. Okay, probably not, but there's always a trip to Cyberspace Rehab? But I said, no, no, no.

Yours truly,
Amy Winehouse... er... Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Acts of God

2008-12-30T10:14:00.000-08:00

My dear friends, it's edition number one hundred of the blog, and I am talking religion here people! So yay verily, gather around my children and let me tell you a story. Peace be with you!

Okay, I just thought I should start a blog about "God" with a preacher like intro, as I am sure I have said a few gosh darns over the past few days. I am writing you from the very crowded waiting room inside my car dealership. I am waiting on an estimate for repairs on my beautiful blue SUV (no - it's not a gas guzzler - it's a midsize.)

So what does God have to do with it? Well, apparently it was one of his "acts" that caused damage to my car, where I will have to have the undercarriage of the vehicle replaced. Driving in snow qualifies as an "Act of God."

This comes after a broken tire chain link punctured the tire on my wife's Subaru. This shredded the inside of the tire. Since we have a four wheel drive, and it was caused by someone else's chain which was caused by snow, this little "Act of God" cost us abut 650 bucks as all four tires had to be replaced.

Seems like a lot of car repair shops are blaming God for everything, and why not? It's an easy out.

I have had a lot of friends go through some life changing experiences over the last month. Two of my best friends decided they could no longer live with each other. They are very much the church going types, and this little "Act of God" may get one kicked out of said church because this particular doesn't believe in divorce. Funny thing is, the father of the prospective kicked out person is a minister (retired from a different church.)

One of my blog followers and another of my best friends are getting through their first holiday season without their fathers. Some would say this too is an "Act of God," as it was "their time." Both are dealing with the sorrow in different ways, one with a very heavy heart, one by supporting her mom who is having a tougher time dealing with it all.

Two other friends have not been able to find love even though they are wonderful people who have lots of love to give. Thankfully, they give me lots of love through the phone reminding me that they love me. Should some "Act of God" give them a soulmate to give them the love they deserve to receive.

The newsman just came on with an update. He said we should expect winds of 55 miles per hour tonight. Act of God?

I am not bashing God or religion here, I am just saying that some things just seem to happen, and using the Act of God thing on me seems to be getting more popular as a go-to explanation. Truth be told, I do not live in a church going household, but I do, through many years of going to an Episcopalian school understand the concepts of theology.

In this country, our money says "In God We Trust," but we can't mention him on public property without giving people who don't believe in God an equal display (at least here in Washington State.)

What I would wish as an "Act of God" is that we could all learn to love each other a little more in the new year. I am blessed, and I did use that word intentionally, with some wonderful friends and a wonderful family. This family is now larger by two cats, thanks to what could only be explained as an "Act of God" as I was the one who said we could adopt them after being adamant about not having more pets in the house. My kids and wife have no other explanation, so that must be it.

So, my last message of 2008 is this... love each other, whether a higher power tells you to or not. You will find life so much better when you do. And if you have to thank someone for that... please do. And if you don't, you're welcome.

Gotta go, the mechanic is about to hit me with what this "Act of God" is gonna cost me.

Happy New Year, and God bless you all.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

PS... Apparently, the mechanic was able to "re-secure" the piece of the undercarriage and said it did not have to be replaced yet, thus saving me 300 bucks. Thank you, God. :)

On the subject of a White Christmas

2008-12-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

Bing might have dreamed of one, but he never could have imagined this.

It is a total blanket of white outside my door and for the first time in 45 years, I am enjoying a truly White Christmas.

In 45 years, Christmas has gone from a spectacular of bows and carols and gifts to a more reasonable holiday, and I am not positive it is for the better, so let me go back and take stock.

Rewind to the 1960's.

On Christmas Eve, my old neighborhood would gather for the best party of the year. It would begin in the large circle that was the centerpiece of the "Hamlet." The large evergreen would be covered with lights by Mr. Mattson and we would have a place to sing carols. My best friend, Allen Manfuso and I would always be belting out the songs, and for a night, the neighborhood felt like a huge family.

Every Christmas Morning on Kerry Lane, my sisters and I would gather on the top of the stairs wondering if Santa had visited our house. We would rush down the stairs in anticipation of what was there. From simple ABC blocks in a wagon, to a shiny fire truck to a new bike with a banana seat, my parents, um, Santa rarely would disappoint. Gifts would always be accompanied with an amazing Coffee Cake from a secret recipe.

Christmas Eve or Christmas night meant Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding! We would all wind down in the family room and enjoy the joy.

Since I was a full 9 years younger than my nearest sibling, the stairs were a lot less crowded in the 70's with just me at the top of the stairs.

My grandfather, who played a wonderful Santa, was still spoiling me rotten though. His presents were the ones with flash; my parents providing the practical ones.

In the 80's, Christmases moved to Seabrook Island, SC, the new home of my parents. It was a wonderful place with my parents incredible house. Gifts turned to nice clothes and practical matters.

Then into the 90's... and my first Christmas away from home. I was working at CNN at the time... no, really working on Christmas Eve and Day. Luckily, the Irish Pub in CNN Center happened to be open on Christmas Eve and they were serving Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding. It wasn't Mom's, but it was the only piece of Christmas that felt normal.

1993. I worked Christmas Eve... my first Christmas Eve in Seattle. I was anchoring the local sports on Channel 11 (the main and weekend anchor took the night off, so they let me make my debut - or they just wanted the night off.) Little did I know that appearance would literally change my life.

On that night, a stranger was watching the news. She had rushed home to see this guy, who a co-worker was setting her up with on a blind date. She apparently liked what she saw.

One year later, that stranger and I would be spending our first Christmas as man and wife.

We have now had our eleven Christmases with children, and for the first time ever, quality won out over quantity.

My wife gave me such thoughtful gifts, some for play, some for memories, some for comfort. My gift to her was a simple love letter. I had been busy leading up to the snowstorms, then I got sick and then time ran out. I had a couple of chances to go buy stuff, but my words ended up meaning more than any present.

Her birthday is just three days away, and we are celebrating at Teatro Zinzanni, a place where dreams come true, and I told her in the letter that there may be surprises under the big top.

So from a holiday full of gifts to a simpler day full of love. Who knows what the future will bring, but this I know... it's the love that makes Christmas, not the presents. And we are all lucky for the love from each other and the love from above.

This marks the final blog of the "first century." The next blog will be entry 100 of a project I did not think would make it past entry ten.

To all you wonderful people who have joined me on the journey, love to you, and peace in the days ahead.

Oh, my wife just uncovered our traditional Christmas Coffee Cake, and I can smell it. It's the same one that my Mom baked every Christmas morning, and it is simply cinnamon heaven. Okay, maybe it's coming back to me.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Saturday Mornings

2008-12-20T11:38:00.001-08:00

My daughter is watching her seemingly fourth episode of Suite Life of Zach and Cody. I think I am on my ropes end. The wife is asleep in the bedroom, and so tired that the resonant noises are keeping me from watching the television in there. So, without the television on a snowy day, I thought I would do something worthwhile, like blog a bit about Saturday mornings... the way I remember them.

I feel like a grandpa saying "back in my day," but it's true... back in my day, we had only a few choices for Saturday morning television, and that day was reserved for kids! There was no Saturday Today Show or extended Morning News... it was ours!

Some of my favorites... well I seemed to be an ABC guy. Hong Kong Phooey was definitely on the list. Lancelot Link Secret Chimp may be my all time favorite. Those monkeys still make me laugh.

Superfriends had me until they started getting all strange with the Wondertwins and that strange looking monkey like thing.

Schoolhouse Rock was the transitional program... I'm just a bill. Conjunction Junction, what's your function? I am happy to say I have the DVD of these for my kids, and my son loves them.

Of course CBS had Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, with the interludes of ba doop be doop be dopp be doop... In the News. Bugs Bunny and Road Runner could always get me going. Loved Wacky Races and always wanted to rescue Penelope Pitstop. I still quote Mutley when I get mad... "sacka frassa no good rotten!'

NBC - Frankly I don't remember many NBC shows. Maybe in the 80's when I wasn't a kid and Saved by the Bell made high school look cool after I had left high school. Ah. Kelly Kapowski, although I think I had a thing for Elizabeth Berkeley. (And no, I have not seen Showgirls.)

But the one I remember more than about any other was the strangely wild Krofft Supershow. One article I saw recently described this show as "an orgy of Sid and Marty Krofft weirdness." How true! On the heels of HR Pufnstuf came Wonderbug, Dr. Shrinker, and the one that tested my adolescence, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl. Yes, I thought Diedre Hall was a superheroine, and I didn't even know she was on Days of our Lives.

The end of "Saturday Morning" would always be American Bandstand. I loved Rate a Record and seeing the top ten. And as I grew older, I started liking to see the dancing more than the musical acts who had those amazing microphones with just the antenna. (Lip Sync? what's that?)

Sometimes, my TV would end up on Channel 20, WDCA (or was it Channel 5 - WTTG) where Don Cornelius brought us Soul Train. This was so strange, yet so compelling to watch. I guess this and Bandstand is what began my love of disco dancing and music.

Now, there are literally dozens of choices and here on the west coast, Saturday Mornings sometimes get rescheduled to Sunday afternoons due to sports coverage. Kids shows have become E-I shows, including one I produce on High School Sports. But one always remembers their childhood, and I hope I might have brought back a memory or two for you. Now if I can just get the vision of Electra Woman out of my head, I can go on with my day.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Carrying a Tune

2008-12-15T15:54:00.000-08:00

I sing constantly. My XM gets a workout as I am always looking for a song to sing. Until this weekend, the sound of loud music always covered up my singing, and I thought it was best that people not hear my warbling. Well, I may have to reassess that situation.

Under the incredible direction of Doug (improv teacher extraordinaire) and Amanda (have pink guitar, will travel), the Jet City Musical Improv workshop took place this past weekend, and I was one of the participants.

On the surface, this workshop was just another piece in my giant improv education pie, but little did I know how tasty it was going to be.

On Saturday, the group of 10 students began their foray into the musical improvisational arts by learning how to commit to a chorus. Rules include keep it simple and make it catchy.

Under the suggestion of Werewolves, my chorus was inspired by a meek person in a haunted mansion. "Why must I be so scared in this house, I am as frightened as a little mouse." Okay, it's not Lennon and McCartney, but it was my first effort, and it felt cool. What was even more interesting was that I actually was singing. My voice broke into spoken word singing, but it began with actual hitting the right note singing. I was amazed.

Others were more amazing than I was including some students from the UW who sounded and looked like they were just out of theatre class.

I was happy to be joined by some of my improv troupe and was loving their work as well.

Next up, we had to create entire songs... verse then chorus. Off the suggestion of Checkers, I went into a song about how I loved a soft furry puppy named Checkers, then I proceeded to kill him off in a horrible accident in a parking lot when I had to rhyme with something. The class laughed hysterically and then Doug imagined me taking it to a whole darker level with the dog causing a fatal accident killing the person driving the car and we all went - yikes, but knew it was the right way to go in improv.

Other classmate's songs included subject matters like Hover Monkeys, Corsets, Square Dancing in Gym Class and evil girlfriends (the nastiest song of the day.)

Snow fell on Seattle Saturday night into Sunday morning putting our class into jeopardy (singing the thirty second timing song here - nothing as genius as the woman who had the perfect timing song for cooking top ramen when her timer was broken, but I digress.) However, 9 of us traversed the icy roads and made it to class, and thankfully we did, because day 2 put an exponential spin on the class.

We began with some warmups that included Hot Spot. The premise here is that one person takes center stage in the circle and sings a song to which the others can join in. However, the warmup takes two shapes. One is to see who is willing to take the spotlight or hot spot and put themselves out front. Second is to see the judgement of the others on when they choose to tag in and take the spotlight for themselves.

After a couple of people sang, I tagged in and started into the one song I absolutely knew I knew... Amy Winehouse's Rehab. I went full force into performance mode, and for the first time with this song, I actually heard myself singing it, and it wasn't that bad, bordering on good. Later, I broke into Rapper's Delight in a full force fast pace making eye contact with many in the circle. We were all in a great mood after the circle... and ready for what was to come.

It was time for Duets!!! I got to work with Will Li (no relations to the Letterman band member.) He was one of the UW Collective - the university improv group. He was something right out of a musical, with a great voice and pitch. Our suggestion was bath house... but we took it in a different direction with the power of the bath house to make one awesome. I got the chorus in which "The steam gives us courage... the heat will make us strong." I know it doesn't rhyme, but it sounded good.

Beth and I did a duet as well... but for some reason I can't remember my verse.

Our class danced and learned the diamond which can lead to improvised choreography for a big production number. Pretty cool.

The highlight duet by John and Beth was off the suggestion of Chuck Norris. It was a strange mix of a love song and a story of domestic abuse in the number "Karate on my Body." Hilarious. Really, it was.

And Sarah's Checker is my Plan... about the evil mastermind who replaced people's eyes with Checkers.

Finally, we did scenes and played SING IT where we had to break into song when prompted or when it felt right. My scene with Will and Beth was set on the transporter deck of the Enterprise. I was apparently beaming up people and turning them into mutant squirrels. When I finally brought a human onto the ship, I offered her an acorn, which she said she didn't like. That meant "I did something right!" Of course, that created the song "I did something right, that became "you did something wrong" when the red light came on leading to self destruction. Oh, the joy of failing.

So, now my obsession with singing has taking a whole new level, which happily, now has a direction. Class was incredible, and my interest for the process peaked.

Weather permitting, we will all get on stage on Wednesday and try out our new performing skills. I'll let you know how it goes.

Good night fellow singers!

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Creating Emotions

2008-12-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

I want to start by apologizing to you readers for being away during a busy week. Time was that I would make time every day... now the day goes by so quickly that I am asleep before I realize all that I used to do goes without doing.

Now did that create some empathy for what you might feel about reading regularly. I did not start out to write the opening paragraph to make you feel one way or another... more to make me feel less guilty for not writing.

Creating emotions... it's just what I do in life. My job is to do that, to the thousands of viewers on television (and happily for me, the numbers are back up - that statement was to make me feel better) or to thousands of people in the stands, which I was happy to be able to do this past weekend. The emotion I created was hope and happiness for the audience, and accomplishment and happiness for me.

Through these blogs, I hope to create a pensive environment at times, but mostly I want to make you laugh... thus making you happy. For me, it's happiness in sharing to the desire for acknowledgment (yes, I get a huge kick out of comments.)

I spend a lot of time with my family trying to make them feel better, through telling them I love them to empathizing with their feelings. Again... it's trying to create an emotion for them, and to me honest, serenity for me.

Improv is all about creating feelings... and I have written scores of words about how I feel about that.

Sometimes, creating emotions can have a reverse effect.

Last night, at the Olive Garden, there was a significant wait for a table. I was sitting with my son when I saw some older ladies arrive. They looked tired and in need of a break, and were discouraged to hear of the long wait. I told my son to get up from the bench and walked over to them to tell them that they could have our seats. When I was half way over there, a teenage boy with Ipod earphones planted into his head, plopped his butt down where we were sitting.

The oldest of the ladies shrugged her shoulders, and the teenager was oblivious. The emotions created. I began as empathetic, went to hopeful and ended up pissed. For the ladies, frustration turned to appreciation turned to disappointed.

So, it taught me a lesson. Sometimes when you try to create an emotion, it can backfire, which reminds me that I need to spend more time letting things happen for themselves. I won't stop trying to do good things, but I need to quit forcing it sometimes.

But before I do, I hope all of you have a better today than you did the day before. See. I just can't stop!

Yours truly,

Johnny Blogger

On the subject of Crushes and Kisses

2008-11-30T12:09:00.000-08:00

Last night, it happened. Molly Ringwald charmed me again. Exhausted from work, I came home and on the television was Pretty in Pink. Boston Legal's James Spader playing a long haired cad far removed from the lovable Alan Shore. Jon Cryer was Ducky. Although a he was a puppy love filled nerd, I can identify with him.

This travel back into time began with my previous post, and suddenly I find myself stuck in a time that brought me so much happiness.

Then, this morning, my XM Radio had American Top 40, as Casey Kasem counted down the hits from November of 1980. And yes, I knew most of the words. My drive consisted of numbers 24 through 18. Christopher Cross (Sailing), Irene Cara (Out here on my Own) , Jackson Browne (that Girl Could Sing), Bruce Springsteen (Hungry Heart) and even Willie Nelson (On the Road Again) made appearances.

But the kicker was actually the kickoff. My radio was set to the 70's channel, as I was listening to Disco Saturday Night on my drive home. After hearing "here's a lost 45" teen heartthrob Rex Smith was on with "You Take My Breath Away." The memory rush hit me like a storm. Kristy McNichol was my crush back then. I think she was in a TV movie with Smith. I remember going to see "Little Darlings" two nights in a row just to see her. My parents let me stay up late to watch her in Family. I even rushed to buy the album "Jimmy and Kristy McNichol." The "bestest" Christmas present ever was a personally autographed picture of Kristy. I cried when i got it. When it came to heart throbs... Kristy was it.

That was until Pat Benatar came along, and suddenly, sensuality took a very sharp turn. Goodness in the form of Kristy became the badness of Benatar. Cute outfits on Miss McNichol were replaced by the spandex wonderment of this new Wonder Woman who could belt out a nasty tune.

I remember driving my blue Celica (I have a thing for blue cars.) On the back were bumper stickers from my favorite radio stations, both called Q107 (one in Washington DC, the other from Charleston SC - my summer home.) On my wall were posters of Benatar and Chris DeLisle (The Q107 Lips Woman.)

I had a boom box, a black and white TV, a CB radio, and a really cool desk where I could do my homework. I remember spending every afternoon on the blacktop basketball court of my neighborhood park playing a very rough game of playground basketball with Kenny Cassidy, Paul Gerrity and John McKenna.

Rewind to age 14.
My first real crush was on a girl named Shellie Donohoe. I took her on my first date (which I did not count as a date since it did not end with a kiss. We saw Young Frankenstein. I gave her a Polaroid Camera a couple of days later, which she would not accept. We remained friends, although she ended up dating one of the other neighborhood guys.

A little more than a year later, I received my first kiss in a men's locker room. Now wait a minute. Do not go jumping to conclusions! It was a rainy day at our neighborhood pool and the pool was closed. However, the neighborhood kids were there keeping the lifeguards, who we all liked to hang out with, company on a boring day. Then, the "scrooge" of the neighborhood - Hamilton Twitchell - showed up at the pool. He might have been a nice man, but we were scared of this older guy and thought we might get in trouble, so we ran into the men's locker room. There were three of us. Debbie Hill, and her sister Kim and me. I really liked Kim at this time. She was the older of the sisters, and very nicely put together... plus she had this Adidas swim suit that I really enjoyed seeing her in... but I digress.

We were all hiding in the changing area of the locker room when the subject of kissing came up. The Hill sisters could not believe that I was all of 15 years old and had never kissed a girl. So there it was, in a men's locker room, that Debbie Hill laid one on me. I was fluttering in glee.

This was the time of Grease and Billy Joel's Stranger album. While I was singing romantic songs of Joel, my inner Sandy was about to turn from innocent to well... a little less innocent.

Later that night, the gang was partying at Paul Gerrity's house. He had a converted basement that was the home to many a beer, lots of Springsteen, Who and Stones, and all of our neighborhood parties. I arrived late (I had been to something with my parents I think) and everyone was already a little drunk. Rarely would be the time I would have a beer, but I would from time to time. On this night however, Kim had one too many. The subject of my kissing history came up and next thing I know, Kim was grabbing me around the neck and planting a big one on me. What happened next was something of a surprise.

I was enjoying the kiss when she stuck her tongue into my mouth. I did not know what to make of it when she said "French! French!' I had no idea what was happening, but I went along and it did feel good.

She then proceeded to go back with her boyfriend and make out.

It would be a whole summer before I would enjoy that feeling again, when I had my first real girlfriend, Susan Kerdasha. She and I met at a dance on Kiawah Island, which was next to Seabrook, my island summer home. Our first date - The Muppet Movie. The date would end with that elusive kiss, and my relationships with girls officially began.

We dated for the two weeks she vacationed there, and decided it was love. the most awkward time of our relationship was when we decided that a non developed road would be a great make out place. Unfortunately for us, my friends spotted my car at the time (a station wagon belonging to my mom) . We were ambushed as I was trying to steal second. Needless to say, we were startled, but laugh about it now.

We bought matching bracelets, and wrote regularly. We spent Homecoming together and I travelled to New Jersey to go to one of her dances. Another trip took us to Great Adventure Amusement Park where we bought matching "Love is a Great Adventure" t-shirts. Puppy love was at its peak.

I don't remember how we broke up, other than the distance was too much, but I remained faithful throughout my junior year in school.

The next summer was indeed the summer of love. When you live on a resort island, people come and go, and with them, summertime romances. Think Dirty Dancing. Anyway, this particular summer began with a series of two week romances. The first with another Susan, then a Betsy and a Lisa who introduced me to Billy Joel.

In the middle of these romances were great friendships. Linda and Sharon Sovinski were sisters from West Virginia. They spent three weeks at Seabrook and I saw them every day as we were always by the pool or the rec center. I really liked Linda, but I think she was in a relationship, so I didn't want to wreck anything. Her younger sister Sharon was stunning - a cheerleader, and liked one of the others in our group, Albert Mikula.

The most vivid memory I have of the Sovinski Sisters was singing Breakfast in America by Supertramp, which we belted out in my car. They were wonderful people then... and happily, I found Sharon recently on Facebook. She is now a successful hair color designer and stylist in Los Angeles. She looks as I thought she would, and seems to be living a happy life. When I recounted the stories of Seabrook, she remembered them as vividly as I did... so it was nice to reconnect.

Towards the end of the summer, my friend Cassie Deveaux introduced me to a statuesque strawberry blonde named Sally. My taste in women took the turn from Kristy to Benatar. Sweet was replaced by sultry. If you watch Gray's Anatomy or Private Practice and know Kate Walsh (Addison), you have seen Sally.

We would travel north and south to see each other, and she gave me lots of new experiences, including my first ever look at ESPN. She had a thing for track shorts. I had a thing for her. It was as much fun as two kids could have while still remaining celabate. I would go into more of a story, but there were enough things that should remain private for many reasons... so I won't get into detail.

We went to prom together, first hers then mine. She was called the best looking girl at the prom, so I had that going for me. I remember that when we were ready to go, the tux I rented came with the wrong jacket. Luckily it fit. As for her dress... oh did it ever fit, with a slit up the leg that drove most of the guys at my school batty. We sang Fame badly, but it didn't matter... we were in love.

Our romance lasted my entire senior year and into part of my freshman year in college. Again, distance killed any chance of a long term relationship. She is happily married and just gave birth recently to her first kids... twins. We saw each other a few years ago, and age has treated her well.

In the midst of all of these romances came my longest lasting friendship... never a romance. Just a boy and girl who became man and woman and forever will be linked as "big brother and little sister." It's amazing to have a relationship like that that is so close when you are not family. Mess and I talk almost every week, and still share the closeness we had at age 15. It is truly a gift.

All in all I have an interesting perspective on life now that I have been married almost as along as I had been living back in those days that I can still remember so well.

Well, it's time for me to shoot back into the present day. I have to get back into the real world and go to work on this Sunday afternoon, but hope this trip back to the land of crushes and kisses can foster come great memories for all of you.

Yours truly,
Johnny Blogger