Drunker than me

That’s the title of a new country song by Kennett native, Trent Tomlinson. Viretta and Nancy were beating this drum back in September and sent us a pre-release CD. I sort of half-way listened to some of the songs but I’m not a country fan so I didn’t really give it a shot. I just watched one of the videos on Mr. Tomlinson’s website and loved it. The video and the music. Like I said, I don’t know shit about country music (possible song title?) but it sounds to me like the boy has some real mojo. I went to school with Trent’s daddy (and sat on the bench, watching his pop play basketball) so that might be a factor here. But if Trent’s career takes off the way Sheryl Crow’s did, we’ll need a bigger Welcome to Kennett sign.

‘Cause I keep worryin’ about who’s drivin’ home,
Who’s got the keys, who’s got the ‘phone.
Who’ll pay the bill, call a cab.
I don’t mean to make you mad,
But I don’t want that responsibility,
An’ I can’t be with a woman, baby, who gets drunker than me.

How to Stop Smoking

ashtrayI thought I had heard about all there was to hear on the subject of smoking but I learned some new things from this week’s Living Healthy Podcast (show #7, by the way). If you smoke or have a friend or family member that smokes, this episode is worth a listen. Dr. Domke told a chilling story about an acquaintence (a doctor!) who had not smoked for 12 years…smoked one cigarette at a party or bar or something…and still smokes today, years later. The addictive quality of nicotine is staggering. Of those who stop, only 10% are still smoke-free one year later. But Henry is convinced that smokers can quit. No question, this is our best show to date.

Henry and I are having a hell of a good time doing these. And they remind me of all the interviews and radio shows I produced back in the day. But podcasting is sort of the distilled essence of that “radio” experience. It peels away everything but the fun. To all my old radio buddies who saw corporate PD’s and greedy owners suck the joy and life from “radio as we knew it,” I highly recommend podcasting.

Co-workers in elf costumes

elvesBarb’s annual Golden Retreiver Holiday Card will be going out soon but they’ve been embargoed so we can’t show them here until the snail-mail runs.

The best I can do in the meantime is this image of two co-workers who donned costumes for today’s office party. Not a great shot because the restraining order prohibits me from getting closer than 100 feet.

Great customer service at Sears

Customer service is alive and well at the Jefferson City Sears. I wish Phil had included the store manager’s name so I could stop in, buy something, and tell him why. Phil’s story could have ended differently. The store manager could have stonewalled him and lost a customer forever. And there, on Phil’s blog, for the world to see (and Google search)…a little nightmare to make you think twice about where you make that big purchase. Shoot, I might email the Sears corporate honchos a link to Phil’s story.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me

Got an email today from a life-long friend (who happens to be my age) who said something to the effect of “…I only plan to work for 6 or 7 more years.” My first thought was, why so soon. Then I did the math and realized he (and I) will be 63 or 64. Daaaammnnn. Is it retirement time already?

We can’t predict what will happen in the next 6 or 7 years, but I don’t plan to hang it up anytime soon. I think I can do 75 in a walk. Maybe longer. And as long as world continues to be populated by clueless and lazy people, I’ll have something of a competitive edge (I’m not talking about you).

“First National Bank, may we help you?
“Yeah, this is Steve Mays. I’m just checking on my fuck-you money.”
“Hang on a second. (Pause) Yep. It’s all there.”
“Cool. Talk to you next week.”

More TV on your iPod

NBC has inked a deal with Apple to become the second network to sell television shows a la carte on Apple’s online iTunes store. More than 300 episodes from about a dozen prime time, cable, late-night and classic TV shows are now available for $1.99 apiece, viewable on computers or downloadable on the latest, video-capable iPod.

The programming spans from the 1950s to the present, including shows from “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Dragnet,” USA Network’s “Monk,” the Sci-Fi Channel’s “Battlestar Galactica,” and NBC’s hit series “Law & Order.” Sketches from “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” are also for sale.

I’m guessing that’s the toe-in-the-water list and we’ll quickly see last night’s stuff on iTunes in the morning. One more example of that Long Tail. Those programs were just gathering dust and now they’ll generate dollars.

DirecTV offers smarter ad

An EarthLink spot came on DirecTV tonight and I noticed little Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down icons at the top of the screen. I punchedthe Thumbs Up button on my remote… the commercial paused…and the following offer was displayed:

“Right now, get a TREO 650 from EarthLink for $199 and get $10/month off EarthLink High Speed DSL. Interested? Allow us to send you a free brochure.”

The options were: “No, thanks anyway.” and “Yes, please send me a brochure!” I chose “No” and the ad resumed. I’m not big on coupons and special offers, but for folks that look for deals, this is a step in the right direction.