Tracy’s Random Thoughts July 2008 Edition

It’s summer and I’m amazed it hasn’t been that humid in DC.  Of course that will change in the next couple of days.  I wish I was in Chicago or Seattle.  Anyway, on we go:

1. Election 2008

I’m not going to get into it now since everyone wants to makes this news after one single soundbite and another, and you know how it goes.  Talk to me about it during the conventions.

2.  The Washington Nationals

Wow, this is a mess.  First, the team is not all that great to start with.  There is no offense on this team and most of the stars are on the DL.

Second, the owners want the city to pay $3.5 million, plus $150K per day of “not completing the stadium.”  By that, the owners mean the offices were not completed.  Ok, if they sound like that, the Lerners leap frog Dan Snyder as the most hated owner(s) in DC, and that’s pretty hard to do.  By the way Washington fans, the Taters start training camp next week.

Finally, MLB is investigating the front office of the Nationals from improper contracts among Latin players.  I knew Jim Bowden would be involve in this, but I’m shocked by Jose Rijo’s involvement, since he is a Dominican, but if you stuck around a guy who is been quoted saying “I want to say a prayer to [a player's] butt,” I’m not shock at all.  I won’t be shock if Bowden is out of a job and possibly Brian Cashman (DC product) be the GM since he is in hot water with George Jr. (Hank Steinbrenner) since the Yankees are in 3rd place right now.

This is not a great start for a team that opened a stadium this year and had some hopes for this year.  At least they were first place for 6 days.

3. Network Programming

This has been disturbing me for awhile, but what is with some of the networks showing movies out of the range?  For example, the Cartoon Network was showing Jurassic Park 3 and School of Rock, and Fuse (a music network) was showing some random music that doesn’t associate to music, and CMT showing something not related to country? 

This has been my worry, but there is too much media control among television networks, hence the variety of different shows in niche networks.  I can’t decide which is which anymore.  No wonder people are going to the internet to find what they are looking for. 

4.  Cricket

I don’t what’s wrong with me, but I have started listening to cricket matches because my Tony Kornheiser friends have this obsession with cricket.  I even have a newsletter for cricket on my Blackberry.  If you think cricket is boring, well, yes for the general audience.  However, just think cricket as golf, just add 1-2 days.  Cricket is only for the fanatics, but try to hear the audio commentary from the BBC.  They make the sport enjoyable.  Just think of the team of David Feherty and Gary McCord.  By the way, the International Cricket Council (ICC) are putting $300 million to make cricket a mainstream sport in the U.S.  Good luck, it will never happen.

5. There’s nothing to do in July

I just want to say that because we’re now entering the dog days of summer.  Not my favorite times.

Ok, that is all and within a month, I will make that big announcement soon, although some had a sneak peek, and I’ll shall kill them. 

 

Tracy’s Random Thoughts August 2007 edition

I was going to do this sooner, but with technical difficulties, I’m back and on vacation.  Here are my thoughts:

1. The Virginia driving laws

To make this simple, Virginia passed a law that reckless driving (i.e. speeding over 20 mph the speed limit, DUI) will triple the fines to help rebuild roads and transportation issues.  There are two segments about the story:

The law itself- GOOD!!!  There has to be tougher laws on reckless driving and being from Northern Virginia, this is a wonderful law.  I don’t drive, but as a passenger, there are too many idiots who don’t know how to drive, thus causing most of these accidents.  Now, the only flaw is the fines are only effect Virginia residents, but not out-of-state.  I agree with the Henrico County judge that residents of Virginia should not only be the only ones punished.  Hell, most of Northern Virginia is not from Virginia.  The law should spread to everyone who is traveling to Virginia and the law will be amended and I do hope this is still the law for years and years.

The people who hate this law- SHUT UP!!! Virginia is giving you a service to drive better and the only thing you’re complaining about is it will hurt in your pockets.  You want to drive 100 mph or get drunk and pay a small fine?  I’m happy you want the government bump the gas tax, but you’re upset of actions that you’re not suppose to do?  You worry about the poor?  Here’s how you tell the poor: Be careful on the road.  That’s it, that’s the list and they’ll listen.  All you have to do is pay attention on the road and follow the rules.  Is that really difficult?

2. Conspiracy TheoriesYou know, these conspiracy theories are becoming true every second.  There is the NBA fixing games, 9-11, Iraq, Lynne Cheney being the boss of Dick, Memo 46 that booted a radio talk show host.  I think these conspiracy theories are hidden truths.  With evidence and the media surrounding 24/7, these theories are becoming the truth.   What I’m more worried is that some the newsmakers of the past might have an untold history; hence change the course of history.  I don’t think it’s bad, but it now questions what to believe now.

3. Summer is almost ending.

I just have a question; when did August became the new July?  There was a huge heat wave in the middle of August.  I’m telling ya, the summer might extend to September, my favorite month sooner than later (Disclaimer: yes, the same month as my birthday, but fall begins).  I wish the rainfall just go to Northern Virginia anytime.

4.  Animal Lovers

I have given it some thought and this pops up from my mind, why there is a lot of love for animals?  I heard from a discussion of why humans care more about animals than other humans?  I really don’t know the answer, but if anyone knows an answer, I want tom know.  From Barbaro to the Michael Vick investigation, these animal stories have a strong attachment to us than anything.

5. Others that you need to check out

• No wonder Hollywood is optimistic about the movie season.  The Simpsons Movie was very funny, I want to see The Bourne Ultimatum, SuperBad I might be interested, but Hot Fuzz is the best comedy I’ve seen this year. 
• My new show on the list: Psych.  It is a wonderful show about a fake detective with perfect vision and his sidekick.  If you want pop culture references, inside jokes, great characters, and storylines, this is the show.
• Soccer can be popular here in the states, but it won’t reach the major sports zenith.  They need to attack the NHL audience to be competitive and if the scandals continue to scroll in the other leagues, you might never know.
• One month away from Judgment Day.

That is all, have a nice time.

Tracy’s Random Thoughts June – July 2007 Edition

Sorry (or proud based on your point of view) for the delay, I’ll give my reasons later on, but I got a whole lot of catching up to do:

1. The Supreme Court

Well, you know they’re going to be 5-4 decisions in favor of the conservative side for a long time.  I don’t agree with the decision states can’t change county lines based on race (That’s more politcal leverage for conservatives).  However, the “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” I understand the ruling.  I think everyone, including students, have a right for free speech and everyone has a right to counter if they don’t take the inapproriate action.  In this case, the slogan was from real life.  Although the boy said he wasn’t advocating using illegal drugs, he did get busted two years later selling marijuana.  Not the smartest of moves to help the case and I understand the decision.  If you believe in something, stick to your word.  Also, this is going to stick 5-4 in favor of the conservatves and that’s fair because the Democrats blew their chance of getting power and this is the consequences their getting.

2. The Pants suit

If you don’t know the story, DC Judge Roy Pearson came to drop off clothes at a local DC Cleaners Store.  The following day, Roy came to the cleaners to pick up and the Chungs gave him the wrong pants.  Roy wasn’t happy and said he will sue because of the sign “Satisfaction Guaranteed” and that Chungs didn’t make that promise.  The Chungs did found his pants, but Roy said it didn’t match.  A settlement was on the table three times; the last offer was $12,000.  However, Roy declined all offers and wanted $67 million for the “DC people”.  Shockingly, the case went through the pre-trial and it was on court.  When the judges say the amount was too high, Pearson decrease heavily to a mere $54 million.  The decision was for the Chungs and no money was exchange.  Now, Roy wants his lawyer to make an appeal, but the lawyer didn’t listen and wants the judge to tell Pearson to pay not only his lawyers’ fee, but the Chungs as well.  Then, Mr. Pearson said that he won’t give up the fight for DC consumers.  Oh, I forgot to add his tenure is up for renewal and this doesn’t sound good for Mr. Pearson.  Here are the people I feel sorry for: The Chungs, the lawyers on both sides, and the DC residents who have to pay taxes and is spent on this case.  The money was useful for the Eastern Market reconstruction or the DC schools, but the DC taxpayers have to deal with pants for their taxes.  As for Mr. Pearson, he does need help of every kind.

3.  The Tony Kornheiser Show

This is one of my favorite shows on the radio and now I have to wait 6 months for the return on Tony Kornheiser on the dial.  The best moments from this incarnation:

•  Death Star Radio
•  Nigel
•  Animal Revolution
•  Farhi/Plotkin
•  Cheese Test
•  Liz Clarke hatred of Canada because of Anne Murray’s “Snowbird”
•  Jeanne McManus unlike of musicals
•  David Aldridge
•  The Sopranos/American Idol reviews
•  Finally, my emails getting read.

Sadly, Monday Night Football consumes the fall and I’m back listening to all NPR.  Speaking of NPR…

4. The Public Talent Radio Quest

I want to say this to the voters who leave comments about the next public radio star:  NPR is not the only company that is looking for shows.  There are also Public Radio International and American Public Media and all three are not under the same umbrella.  It’s like Chad Johnson saying “Ocho Cinco,” but it’s really “Ochenta y Cinco.” It’s scary that NPR is like Xerox in that people don’t say copies, they say “Xerox.’

Anyway, the field has been dwindle down to 10.  This was an unexpected top ten in my opinion, but I’m not an expert, so I trust the judges on this account.  The second round consists of free association, live read, and a billboard.   Most of the voters have issues with this round because it covers the basic skills of radio and why the judges did not want to jump ahead to the creative part.  As a former music dj (I’m not going to bring that up), this was a perfect exercise, except for the live read.  I wish on the live read segment, the judges give the keywords and the contestants have 30 minutes to write their live read and use all the keywords before reading on the air.  If they miss a keyword, they are DQ’ed or dock them points.   But the other exercises are appropriate for the contest because the host must be kept on their toes and also limit mistakes so the crew don’t use 20 takes on one line.

As for the second round, after numerous listens to all of the contestants, I can say one person who wasn’t on my radar in the first round would bring a different voice that public radio needs and the format would be something new on the radio airwaves.  I would like to give my opinion who it is, but by saying Public Radio Talent Quest, the page is linked, so I’m not going to tell unless you email me and I’m willing to share on a one-on-one basis.  Reason being I made my own top ten list in the first round and only one or two in my list were in the top 100.   I don’t want to play favorites unless it’s necessary.

5. Summer time

Hooray for summer, the extra days off, the sun, the beaches.  Well, it would of been fun if it were 72 degrees.  However, after a few breaks in the weather, DC is back up to the 90s again.  Oh boy, do I enjoy summer [sarcasm].  One day, I will build a doomsday device that will bring a nuclear winter in this world for 10 years and everyone will love it.

That is all for me.  I’m not taking a break from blogging, had some sickness in me, but I’m 100% now.  I got stories to share but it’s late at night.  I’ll share them this week, or just go to Facebook.

It’s coming, and I don’t like it

This weekend is Memorial Day and this means the unofficial start of summer. School’s out, people putting on their best bathing suits, twitching little freaks running through the streets, vacations. Well, I don’t like it. As a young kid, I always enjoy summer for its long break. As I grew older and knowing my body, summer is not kind to me. Although I love Washington D.C. (and Fairfax), the summer is the worse because of new buildings replacing trees and reduce rain. The summer also makes me delusional and I really can’t think straight because I’m so much concentrating on hoping the building blast Arctic air. The summer also shows a terrible family gene: sweating profusely. That tells me a sign of weakness and I hate being sweaty among my friends and co-workers. Now, I’m not a wimp because of the assumption that I want climate control. During the summer (and spring), I would want that. But, I would like to have frostbite than be sweating. I really enjoy the fall and winter seasons because those seasons are more thoughtful and you’re in control. I wish telecommuting becomes popular so in the summer, I can go near the ocean like in Ocean City, Maryland, San Diego, and underrated Seattle. Most of those days in those areas, you get 70 degrees and fair weather (except Seattle, where 50 degrees is heaven for me). Although D.C. is my town, sometimes D.C. bites me in the back. Damn, where’s a nuclear winter?