(lygenztia *199) Marconi would have listened to Country and Western.

Why do people call in to radio stations to make song requests? This just doesn’t make any sense to me.

We now have MP3’s, CD’s, ipod’s and all kinds of personal music media. We also have computer radio stations, satellite radio and Youtube. All of these different medium carry any song that you want to hear almost instantly…only a click away.

Radio is basically all pre-programmed now anyway. I don’t know of any stations that even have “request hour” anymore. (Correct me if I’m wrong)

I just can’t imagine waiting 30-40 minutes on a phone to talk to a screener (NOBODY gets through to the actual radio host anymore) and then sit by the radio all day, hoping to hear my song? Ummmm…..no.

I love radio, don’t get me wrong. But radio, sadly, is on its way out. In less than 10 years, radio as we know it….will be gone. All radio will be internet based, with “independent” stations operating based on small, or one person operations.

Marconi gave us some great times though.

Queen-"Radio gaga"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiuD6i8dN1g

I'd sit alone and watch your light
My only friend through teenage nights
And everything I had to know
I heard it on my radio


(Radio)

You gave them all those old time stars
Through wars of worlds -- invaded by Mars
You made 'em laugh -- you made 'em cry
You made us feel like we could fly

So don't become some background noise
A backdrop for the girls and boys
Who just don't know or just don't care
And just complain when you're not there


You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour


(Radio)

All we hear is Radio ga ga
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is Radio ga ga
Radio blah blah
Radio what's new?


Radio, someone still loves you!

(lygenztia *198) Everyone out of the water.....

The sure sign of Fall is not the leaves changing colour, or the frost. For me, the sure sign is the “street flood”.


Everywhere you drive the last few days, you see flooded streets…...water flowing forcefully down the road. Water being pumped into the drains and ditches from backyard pools. Maybe I’m just getting too old, or sentimental but I find this kind of sad. It is a sight that I just hate to see.

Our best memories, for most of us, are those we have from the summer. I think it’s because it’s such a short, exciting season. Now, at this time of year, the pumps are washing those memories away. Barbeques, swims, an outdoor get together, young ones learning to swim…now, all just a memory.

April showers may bring May flowers. But, September street floods bring only the reminder that old man winter is going to come calling soon.

Too damn soon, at least for me.

(lygenztia *197) "Truck drivin' sonofagun"

My brother popped in the other night, sporting his new ride. He just purchased a brand spanking new beautiful black and chrome GM truck.


There is something just so exciting (maybe it’s a guy thing??) about a new truck. The shine, the smell, the look, the clean, powerful engine. It’s always an attention grabbing time when a new truck pulls into the driveway. You can see the neighbours peeking over….thinking to themselves “wow, what a nice truck”.

And nice it was. Congratulations Bro’!

Now if only everyone else, would get out there and buy a new GM truck. At the very least, you’ll be entitled to your share of “Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes of fame.”

Joe Diffie....."pick up man"

Well I got my first truck, when I was three,

Drove a hundred thousand miles on my knees
Hauled marbles and rocks, and thought twice before
I hauled a Barbie Doll bed for the girl next door
She tried to pay me with a kiss I began to understand,
There's just something women like about a PickUp Man

When I turned sixteen, I saved a few hundred bucks
My first car was a Pickup Truck
I was cruisin' the town and the first girl I seen
Was Bobbie Jo Gentry the homecoming queen
She flagged me down and climbed up in the cab, and said
"I never knew you were a Pickup Man!"

You can set my truck on fire, and roll it down a hill
But I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe DeVille
I've got an eight foot bed that never has to be made
You know if it weren't for trucks we wouldn't have tailgates
I met all my wives in traffic jams,
There's just something women like about a Pickup Man

Most Friday nights, I can be found
In the bed of my truck on an old chaise lounge
Backed into my spot at the drive-in show
You know a cargo light gives off a romantic glow
I never have to wait in line at the popcorn stand,
'Cause there's just something women like about a pickup Man

You can set my truck on fire, and roll it down a hill
But I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe DeVille
I've got an eight foot bed that never has to be made
You know if it weren't for trucks we wouldn't have tailgates
I met all my wives in traffic jams,
There's just something women like about a Pickup Man

A bucket of rust, or a brand new machine
Once around the block and you'll know what I mean

You can set my truck on fire, and roll it down a hill
And I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe DeVille
I've got an eight foot bed that never has to be made
You know if it weren't for trucks we wouldn't have tailgates
I met all my wives in traffic jams,
There's just something women like about a Pickup Man

Yeah, there's something women like about a Pickup Man.

(lygenztia *196) hocus pocus AND abra cadabra

I had a really weird dream lately and was discussing the dream with an acquaintance of mine. The content of the dream actually isn’t even relevant. It was what happened afterwards that made things get “weirder”.


They produced a book that purported to interpret and explain what your dreams are meant to mean to you. Right. Every dream has some distinct “message” or theme that is meant to somehow enrich the life of the dreamer, or “warn them” of some impending disaster. Right.

So, if I dream about a lemon…and someone on the other side of the planet dreams about a lemon, we both are set to “find our true sense of purpose”? Right.

Better yet, if I dream about the Wizard of Oz and someone on the other side of the planet also dreams about the Wizard of Oz, we are both about to break out in a severe case of acne? Really? Wow…how insightful, scientific and well thought out.

Did you know that if you dream of a key, that you are about to encounter a problem? Phew! What a relief to know that. I have never had a problem in my life before, surely, like every other human on the planet. Good to know that if I dream about a key, I can prepare. Because now I know that I am going to have an impending problem. Wow, that is so helpful to the day to day management of a persons life.

I can only imagine the science that goes into dream interpreting. It must be pretty technical stuff. I’m sure they use blind trials, controlled testing, credible surveys and peer reviewed papers.

Do people really believe this hocus pocus? Do some people so badly need an escape from the humdrum of a day to day mundane existence that they put some stock in this foolishness?

I guess so, but if you put any faith in this bunk, then you are dreaming in technicolour.

(lygenztia *195) I don't think JGA Creighton envisioned it quite this way.

It’s a good thing that you need to wear a jock for hockey. Goodness knows that I’ve taken more than my share of kicks to that area lately.


Most of my hits to the jock have had nothing to do with the actual game, or playing it. But for whatever reason, they have all been indirect bodychecks that still managed to land squarely below the belt. Or, at least that’s how it felt.

I’ve given alot to the game and the people around me over the last 9 years. Much, much more than my share actually. I’ve never asked for anything in return, that was never why I volunteered anyway.

But the sum return on the investment in the game in a time of need? Zero. Less than that actually, because one or two good shots to the groin were thrown in, for good measure.

Nice.


Such is life and the world keeps turning. We move on.......or skate past the pylon, as it were.

(lygenztia *194) "At the sound of the beep, enter your numeric message"

Do you know what a “pager” says to the rest of the world? Well, strap on your seatbelts ladies and gentlemen, ‘cause I’m going to tell you.

A person that carries a pager has a not so subtle message to the rest of us “commoners”. That message is….

”I am way too important to give you my phone number.”
“I am way too important to take your calls.”
“I will call you only when it is convenient for me.”

I mean, who the heck actually carries one of these things anymore? Well, i'll tell you who. (whom??)

Pretentious jerks carry pagers. And I’m told, so do most drug dealers. I don’t like either type.

If you really want to join “the rest of us”, get yourself a cell phone. (And for the drug dealers, get yourself a nice warm jail cell.)


http://affordablephones.net/pager.htm

(lygenztia *193) Where were you when the world stopped turning?

September 11th, 2001.

I can still remember it like it was yesterday. I can remember where I was, what I was doing, who first told me what was going on and how I felt.

Like it was yesterday.

I do not scare easily. But I can tell you on that day, I sure knew what fear felt like. Sadly, terrorism works, if we let it.

The world changed forever on that day and there is no turning back now. Canada and the U.S. have become seriously protected territories. (as have our allies) We're in this together and that's a fact.

Still, I can’t help but get the feeling that we are kind of like eggs in a carton. Well protected from being jostled, but still only a major hit away from seriously damaging the contents.

I just pray that the extremists are not waiting…….lulling us into a false sense of security, biding their time. I don’t live in fear. I’m not “scared”, but I’ll tell you one thing…I sure haven’t forgotten what that day was like.

Move forward and live your life. But don’t forget to look back every now and then. It’s an ugly sight, but we owe it to the dead, and to the survivors, never to forget.

__________________________________________________________________________________

"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" by Alan Jackson


Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA


Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky


Did you shout out in anger
in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know


Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do


Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran


But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us


And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate


Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home


Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street


Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun


Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns


Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood


Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran


But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us


And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran


But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young


Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us


And the greatest is love

The greatest is love


The greatest is love


Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

(lygenztia *192) Let the kompoloi fall where the may.

My wife went to Greece recently and brought me back a set of “kompoloi”

Kompoloi are “worry beads”. They are, more or less, considered lucky beads that you carry around with you that are joined on a tassel. You can “google” or look them up in Wikipedia, if you want a more exact description.

They are really neat and I was quite interested to learn about an authentic Greek cultural symbol. I was very pleased to have my own set to carry around and fiddle with.

So, the very next day I happily set out for the day with beads in pocket. Problem is…..I lost the damn things, the very same day. Must have fell out of my pocket. So much for my foray into Greek culture.

Guess the kompoloi aren’t so lucky after all. At least for me......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombol%C3%B3i

http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=kompoloi&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=6faoSunQKZW2NtHEhKwG&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=6

(lygenztia *191) What the frig?

Some people substitute “Frig” for another vulgar word, thinking that this is more acceptable. But I have news for you, hypocrite, you are still swearing.

Substituting “Frig” for a word that…starts with the letter “F” and ends with the letter “K” and isn’t “fire truck” is still swearing.

The intent is there, the meaning is there, the spirit is there and the emphasis is there. You just attempted to make your cussing slightly more socially acceptable. That’s all.

When you say “Frig”, you really want to say that other word don’t you? You’re thinking it, you’re feeling it…..it’s right on the tip of your tongue. That big daddy, worst of the worst, “bad” word of them all.

But don’t think that you are kidding any of us. When you say “Frig”, we all know that you’re thinking and meaning that other word that starts with an “F” and ends with “K” .............but is not “fire truck”.


Potty mouth.

(lygenztia *190) "Ewww, that's scrodgee."

I’m going to conduct an experiment. I am going to make up a saying, or phrase and see if it makes its way into popular culture.

Have you ever wondered how newly entered phrases and sayings race their way around the globe? In this day and age, with the “inter-web”, it’s easy. But, a short couple of decades ago, it still happened. Albeit, with much less speed…or at least I’m guessing.

A phrase gets “invented” in small town Ontario. A resident of small town Ontario visits New York and uses the phrase, some New Yorker picks up on it. The New Yorker visits Australia and an Aussie picks up on it. All the sudden, the phrase has gone global.

But how fast does it happen? I guess it just depends on who uses the phrase. It’s almost like the wave in a sports stadium. Sometimes, it goes around…..other times it fizzles.

So, here goes my invented phrase, or word.

“scrodgee”

Pronounced-SKROD-GEE
Defined as: gross, messy or dirty

For example:
“did you see that roadkill? Man, that is scrodgee.”
“ I gotta wash up, i’m feeling pretty scrodgee”

Now go forward and use “scrodgee”. Let’s see if it makes it around.

(lygenztia *189) Damn, I needed that!

For most people, annual major cleanouts of basements and garages are commonplace. Some of us (like me) keep way too much junk around. The major clean up can be such a rewarding experience. “Cleaning out the old, bringing in the new”, so to speak. The problem is, that it seems like the item(s) that you haven’t needed for the last 7 years are ALWAYS the item that you need, less than one week after you have thrown them out.

For me, it’s always the same when I clean out my garage. I pick something up and think to myself “better not throw that out, might need it someday”. Really? When exactly am I going to use (or need) that giant foam hand that says “GO EXPOS!”? Or, the plastic lawn sign the driveway sealers left behind. Yup, you never know when you'll need one of those. Might start up a driveway sealing company one of these days.

I hate camping. Haven’t been camping in years. Sleeping in dirt and pools of water no longer appeals to me. However, I have enough camping equipment to outfit a military regiment for a week long outing. Better not get rid of it, though. “might need it someday”. Not bloody likely, I can assure you of that.

In the last round, I just “closed my eyes” and threw out (or got rid of) all kinds of old junk. Now, there is plenty of room in my garage and I have a TV/stereo and DVD player out there. I even managed to dig out my heavy bag to hang it up for some intense work outs. It’s now an awesome place to hang out, it’s pretty darn cool in there.

The problem is, I threw out all the wires and jacks to hook up the TV/stereo and DVD player. And, I threw out the cables and shackle to hang my heavy bag. So, off I go, with cash in hand........ to “bring in the new”.

Sigh…………….


http://www.homemadesimple.com/en_US/nbrcontent.do?contentType=ol&articleId=ar023

(lygenztia *188) Well, yes. But that's "different".

Funny how some people feel that the rules shouldn’t necessarily apply to them, like they do to you. Maybe it’s because they think they’re special (in a superior kind of way), or maybe they are just inconsiderate. Or maybe, just selfish, mean or self absorbed. (or all of the above)

We used to billet hockey players and some had their own car. Funny thing, one of my neighbours didn’t like them parking on the street. Thought that it “looked bad”. Ok, whatever, fine….I don’t really want to battle over it. I can be a team player. So, we went to extraordinary lengths to make sure all 3 cars always fit in the driveway. Everybody’s happy. Right?

Now, the same neighbour has 3 cars. And GUESS WHAT? Just guess. Seriously, take a guess what the issue is? (Hint-hint….parking.)

You see, now, they park one of their cars on the street. However, i’m not going to raise a stink because:
a) I don’t care
b) Life’s too short to worry about such things

They see no problem whatsoever with parking the 3rd car on the street. Because, “that’s different”. They have a special set of circumstances that are different from every single other person in the neighbourhood.

Yup, they’re special alright. Very special.