“She’s the voice of Iowa. If you want to deliver a message and you’re not talking to Kay, you’re not doing it effectively.” — Tommy Vietor, Iowa Spokesman for Senator Barack Obama.
The quote is from a nice piece that ran in the Chicago Tribune on January 1st. I’m posting it here so I –and Kay’s many friends– can find it.
My friend Jamie seems to be getting much better results from the Poor Man’s Steadicam, so I have to conclude I haven’t mastered the tool yet. In the short video above, notice how smoothly they come down the stairs and even when Jamie starts jogging, the shot remains very steady. Well done, Jamie and Anonymous Cameraman.
Not sure which birthday is captured here. Maybe four? I’m second from the left in the bitchin’ shorts. To my left is Craig Watson, who shared my birthday and is helping me hold one of the little baskets that were given as party favors. I’m pretty sure he’s not gay either. To my right is Unidentified Guest holding a small caliber pistol. He got to blow out the candles and feels guilty about it.
Ripley and Lucy in repose.
I got a call from India this afternoon. It was a singing telegram from Barb. A charming lady (with some backup by Mr. Baboo) sang the tune below. The story behind the website it equally entertaining. That they can do this for just $5 is pretty amazing.
“I’m So Happy”
I love it when you call me… (ring-a-ling-a-ling)
I love it when you sing… (lah lah lah lah LAH)
I love it when you hold my hand… (Awwwwww…)
And even when you cry… (wah wah wah)
I’m so happy. I’m so happy.
I’m so happy when I’m with you.
I’m so happy. I’m so happy.
I hope I make you happy too.
I love it when we spend time… (tick tock, tick tock)
I love it when we laugh… (hah hah hah)
I love it when we hug and kiss… (smooch)
And even when we fight…. (you jerk!)
I’m so happy. I’m so happy.
I’m so happy when I’m with you.
I’m so happy. I’m so happy.
I hope I make you happy too.
Oh yeah… I hope I make you happy too…
Oh yeah… I hope I make you happy too!
According to the news release that just hit my in-box, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has selected my home town as one of his DREAM (Downtown Revitalization and Economic Enhancement for Missouri) which comes with a $300,000 grant to make structural improvements to its downtown area. The money will be used for things like awning and façade improvements to buildings in downtown Kennett to make them more attractive to potential employers and job creators.
When I was growing up in Kennett, the downtown area was thriving. When the big discounters came to down, “downtown” dried up and the last time I was home it was a pretty sad sight. I don’t know if new awnings will turn the tide. In memory of brighter days for Kennett… and hopes for brighter days to come, “Kennett, My Home Town.” [Photo by Charles Jolliff]
Bob lives in Madison, WI, where it’s damned cold. And every morning (and every evening) he hops on his bicycle and peddles pedals five miles to work. Whatever the weather, no matter how cold. Or so he says and I want to believe him. I don’t know how you ride a bike in ass-deep snow but Bob says you can (special tires?).
He snapped this photo this morning. It was a few degrees below zero. Note his rosy cheeks.
When it’s that cold, what happens when you sling a bucket of warm water into the air? It freezes before it hits the ground.
Update: Willie Lohman “peddles” like his life depends on it. Thanks, E. for the reminder.
Jim Lipsey was one of Learfield’s first employees. He was part of the KLIK gang (Derry Brownfield and Bob Priddy) that helped Clyde Lear get the company up and running.
On Friday we got Clyde, Jim and Bob in a studio to talk about those early days and Jim’s contributions (there were many). Jim will be 87 his next birthday. I want to be him when I grow up. When I joined the company in 1984, Jim showed me the ropes of affiliate relations. It was a privilege to work with him. Here’s 10 minutes from a half-hour chat.
Lucy thought I had left the house.
As part of his training to become a police officer, our little buddy Andrew had to subject himself to a few thousand volts from a taser. For reasons not clear to me, they video the experience. This clip only lasts 7 seconds but you can watch it over and over.
Rather than go with the department-issue Taser, Andrew decided to spring for something that would make a statement on the street.