It was on this date in 1859 that the first person to cross Niagara Falls on a TIGHTROPE did so.
This idiot’s name was Jean-Francois Gravelet-a Frenchman known professionally as Emile Blondin. He performed his “feat” 160 feet above the Niagara gorge-just down from the Falls. It was the first of several famous tightrope walks, each with a different variation, from being blindfolded to having his manager on his back!
No video exists of this (obviously), but there have been many attempts to survive the Falls in a barrel-or similar device—and of course, I do have newsreel footage for your amusement here!
What possesses someone to flirt with DEATH like this? Some people have made it-and others have died in the attempt to….what? I mean, what is the POINT? Unlike someone who may risk his/her life for say, space exploration, going over Niagara Falls in a barrel accomplishes NOTHING, even if successful.
That said, enjoy the following clip-chronicling a few attempts—not all of which were successful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1y6RL7kpSI
If you’d like my blog in your inbox daily, just let me know! It’s free-you have me over a barrel! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
So, You Wanna Be A Reporter, Eh?
Today marks the launch of You Tube’s new venture—that of the ordinary citizen as “reporter”. Yes, you can realize that dream of being the first with the “scoop”, whatever it may happen to be!
The You Tube “Reporters Center” is a defined section where ordinary folks can upload stories to the web. Of course, it looks easier than it is. The filming, editing and audio may be handled neatly by technology-as is the case with getting it out to the WORLD via uploading to the web. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/reporterscenter
What may not be so easy is the actual telling of the story. If you head to the Reporters Center, there are some videos to assist you in writing your story. The first issue you may need to ask your self (internally) is WHY? Or, more to the point, WHO CARES?
If you cannot answer that question, it could be that fame/exposing your mug might be your sole motivation, in which case, save your time (and ours!) by taking up another hobby. You Tube is polluted with homemade videos about absolutely NOTHING. Worse than creating them-an exercise in wasting time, you have an audience of like-minded Neanderthals who have nothing better to do that waste THEIR time watching you waste yours.
Brilliant.
OK, assuming you have a story to tell-or would like to enter the world of web journalism, the following video may be of use for those who are planning to use interviews as a tool.
Tavis Smiley has some tips-perhaps they will help you—and maybe, in a year or so, Matt Drudge will be a has-been—and YOU will be all the rage for internet reporting.
Good luck!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loPmtnxI12o
If you'd like my blog in your inbox daily, just let me know! tim.moore@citcomm.com
The You Tube “Reporters Center” is a defined section where ordinary folks can upload stories to the web. Of course, it looks easier than it is. The filming, editing and audio may be handled neatly by technology-as is the case with getting it out to the WORLD via uploading to the web. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/reporterscenter
What may not be so easy is the actual telling of the story. If you head to the Reporters Center, there are some videos to assist you in writing your story. The first issue you may need to ask your self (internally) is WHY? Or, more to the point, WHO CARES?
If you cannot answer that question, it could be that fame/exposing your mug might be your sole motivation, in which case, save your time (and ours!) by taking up another hobby. You Tube is polluted with homemade videos about absolutely NOTHING. Worse than creating them-an exercise in wasting time, you have an audience of like-minded Neanderthals who have nothing better to do that waste THEIR time watching you waste yours.
Brilliant.
OK, assuming you have a story to tell-or would like to enter the world of web journalism, the following video may be of use for those who are planning to use interviews as a tool.
Tavis Smiley has some tips-perhaps they will help you—and maybe, in a year or so, Matt Drudge will be a has-been—and YOU will be all the rage for internet reporting.
Good luck!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loPmtnxI12o
If you'd like my blog in your inbox daily, just let me know! tim.moore@citcomm.com
Friday, June 26, 2009
And Now, Michael Jackson....
When does it end? Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett-and now the King of Pop.
More words will be said over the next few weeks to smother and render irrelevant anything I put out here. However, I must put MJ’s life and work in perspective from a personal point of view.
First, I must say that I am not –nor was I ever really a “fan” of Michael Jackson. As a DJ who grew up on the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Michael was merely a curiosity when he landed as a solo act. I was actually a fan of the Jackson 5 when I was a kid. I was singing, “stop, the love you save may be your own!” right along with the radio. I also remember reading an article from someone in the music business who was asked, “Who is the next big thing in music?”—and this person (whom I cannot recall, but obviously was spot-on) said, “Michael Jackson”. I distinctly remember thinking, “That kid from the Jackson 5? They are OVER!”
Shows how much I know.
The writer went on to extol the 1979 solo LP “Off The Wall”, the album that immediately preceded “Thriller”. When that record dropped in 1982, the music world exploded! I was the Program Director and midday announcer at WKSQ-FM (“Kiss 94”) in Bangor, Maine at the time. Mark Osborne, the station’s owner-told me to put “Billie Jean” on the air immediately—a move that Mark was not known for. It was fresh-and amazing, completely redefining pop music.
Despite all of this, I was more respectful of Michael’s incredible timing—to make use of the emerging medium of music videos and MTV—breaking the color barrier by producing visual masterpieces that were as compelling as the music itself. I believe it was the videos that really catapulted him to the mega-stardom that he was destined for.
As for the allegations, Neverland, “Bubbles” the chimp, the Elephant Man bones (and on and on)-all these things pulled me further and further away from admiring him as I did, say, Elvis—or The Beatles. Frankly, he was a mess. If even 10% of what has been reported about his childhood is true, then it is nothing short of incredible that Jackson was not committed to an asylum in adolescence.
His body of work was impressive-and his impact will be felt forever. In this world of downloads, it is highly likely that the sales pinnacle that “Thriller” achieved will NEVER be topped. Maybe that should be his legacy. The Guinness Book called him “The World’s Most Successful Entertainer”
Too bad that success didn’t extend to Jackson’s own life. His appearance-changing as it did—and his increasingly eccentric and bizarre behavior betrayed a scared little boy with low self esteem.
He deserved better.
Jackson’s people have disabled the ability to embed his music videos on this blog (sorry!), so here is a LIVE performance of “Thriller” from 1987. Still impressive!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYrUQItmW4s
Michael Jackson, Rest In Peace. Maybe you will find the peace you never had here.
More words will be said over the next few weeks to smother and render irrelevant anything I put out here. However, I must put MJ’s life and work in perspective from a personal point of view.
First, I must say that I am not –nor was I ever really a “fan” of Michael Jackson. As a DJ who grew up on the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Michael was merely a curiosity when he landed as a solo act. I was actually a fan of the Jackson 5 when I was a kid. I was singing, “stop, the love you save may be your own!” right along with the radio. I also remember reading an article from someone in the music business who was asked, “Who is the next big thing in music?”—and this person (whom I cannot recall, but obviously was spot-on) said, “Michael Jackson”. I distinctly remember thinking, “That kid from the Jackson 5? They are OVER!”
Shows how much I know.
The writer went on to extol the 1979 solo LP “Off The Wall”, the album that immediately preceded “Thriller”. When that record dropped in 1982, the music world exploded! I was the Program Director and midday announcer at WKSQ-FM (“Kiss 94”) in Bangor, Maine at the time. Mark Osborne, the station’s owner-told me to put “Billie Jean” on the air immediately—a move that Mark was not known for. It was fresh-and amazing, completely redefining pop music.
Despite all of this, I was more respectful of Michael’s incredible timing—to make use of the emerging medium of music videos and MTV—breaking the color barrier by producing visual masterpieces that were as compelling as the music itself. I believe it was the videos that really catapulted him to the mega-stardom that he was destined for.
As for the allegations, Neverland, “Bubbles” the chimp, the Elephant Man bones (and on and on)-all these things pulled me further and further away from admiring him as I did, say, Elvis—or The Beatles. Frankly, he was a mess. If even 10% of what has been reported about his childhood is true, then it is nothing short of incredible that Jackson was not committed to an asylum in adolescence.
His body of work was impressive-and his impact will be felt forever. In this world of downloads, it is highly likely that the sales pinnacle that “Thriller” achieved will NEVER be topped. Maybe that should be his legacy. The Guinness Book called him “The World’s Most Successful Entertainer”
Too bad that success didn’t extend to Jackson’s own life. His appearance-changing as it did—and his increasingly eccentric and bizarre behavior betrayed a scared little boy with low self esteem.
He deserved better.
Jackson’s people have disabled the ability to embed his music videos on this blog (sorry!), so here is a LIVE performance of “Thriller” from 1987. Still impressive!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYrUQItmW4s
Michael Jackson, Rest In Peace. Maybe you will find the peace you never had here.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Farrah Fawcett---A Real Angel Now
What a week it has been-and my apologies for the morbid nature of the blogs the last few days. From Ed McMahon’s obit tribute-to yesterday’s piece on Jackie Gleason-on the anniversary of his death—and now, this.
Actress Farrah Fawcett, dying of cancer today at the age of 62. From her starring role in the 70’s TV show “Charlie’s Angels”-to her redemption as a serious actress in “The Burning Bed”—to her very public look at coping with cancer-recently broadcast nationwide.
She was America’s darling, our sweetheart, the object of fantasy—and probably none of that from her own perspective. Living in the bubble of show business and the manufactured images that are portrayed, reality must be a different animal than the public persona.
It doesn’t matter in the end.
At the end, she carried herself with dignity and bore her burden for all to see, in the hopes that it would give courage to others. For that-and the joy she brought to millions—she will be missed.
Below is a clip of Farrah 40 YEARS AGO, as a contestant on The Dating Game!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEuIlXVtbys
Farrah Fawcett, rest in peace.
Actress Farrah Fawcett, dying of cancer today at the age of 62. From her starring role in the 70’s TV show “Charlie’s Angels”-to her redemption as a serious actress in “The Burning Bed”—to her very public look at coping with cancer-recently broadcast nationwide.
She was America’s darling, our sweetheart, the object of fantasy—and probably none of that from her own perspective. Living in the bubble of show business and the manufactured images that are portrayed, reality must be a different animal than the public persona.
It doesn’t matter in the end.
At the end, she carried herself with dignity and bore her burden for all to see, in the hopes that it would give courage to others. For that-and the joy she brought to millions—she will be missed.
Below is a clip of Farrah 40 YEARS AGO, as a contestant on The Dating Game!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEuIlXVtbys
Farrah Fawcett, rest in peace.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Jackie Gleason-The Great One!
After losing Ed McMahon yesterday, I was reminded of ANOTHER man who made me laugh as a kid--- and in reruns to this day!
Jackie Gleason was indeed “The Great One”-in all ways. The child of a single-parent household, Gleason dropped out of high school and began performing in his teens. He passed away on this date in 1987.
Most famous for his role as Ralph Kramden in “The Honeymooners”, no blog could do justice to the interview that Morley Safer did with Gleason three years before his death in 1984.
The interview is in three parts-all of which are WORTH WATCHING!!!
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_vPLCJRvuE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM2336rhGZA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4XVsFPlKVI
That’s it for today! If you’d like my blog in your daily inbox, let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
“And Awayyyy we go!”
Jackie Gleason was indeed “The Great One”-in all ways. The child of a single-parent household, Gleason dropped out of high school and began performing in his teens. He passed away on this date in 1987.
Most famous for his role as Ralph Kramden in “The Honeymooners”, no blog could do justice to the interview that Morley Safer did with Gleason three years before his death in 1984.
The interview is in three parts-all of which are WORTH WATCHING!!!
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_vPLCJRvuE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM2336rhGZA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4XVsFPlKVI
That’s it for today! If you’d like my blog in your daily inbox, let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
“And Awayyyy we go!”
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Ed McMahon-Rest In Peace!
Today, we lost one of the last remaining ICONS of television, as Ed McMahon passed away at the age of 86.
How do you appropriately summarize his career? In a world where he was content to be the “second banana” to Johnny Carson, he later emerged from that shadow and created his own identity, one that was as varied as the roles he played out in the public spotlight.
Sidekick, game show host, emcee extraordinaire, host of “Star Search” pitchman for a variety of products-and the guy who wanted to give you millions in the Publisher’s Clearinghouse—and even a movie star of sorts, appearing in several films.
Through it all, he was funny, self-deprecating and a guy that America would love to have a beer with.
Born in Detroit, he was raised in Lowell, Mass. and graduated from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. in 1949. He worked as a carnival barker in Mexico, Maine for 3 years-and as a bingo caller in Maine as well. During World War II, he was a Marine fighter pilot-and served in Korea as well.
Most famous for his introduction of Carson: “Heeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!”, he was a huge part of the success of the Tonight Show. In later years, his financial troubles made headlines-and surprised his many fans who naturally “assumed” he had millions stashed away. Billionaire Donald Trump offered to buy his Beverly Hills home and lease it back to McMahon in order to keep it from being foreclosed. A lawsuit McMahon lodged against a contractor for mold spores in his home (which made the family ill and killed their dog) netted McMahon about $7 Million dollars.
Enjoy the following video clip of Ed McMahon, appearing on the Tonight Show after he had a wee bit too much to drink-hilarious!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC-25xPmX7o
Ed, you will be missed! Thanks for the many years of laughs!
How do you appropriately summarize his career? In a world where he was content to be the “second banana” to Johnny Carson, he later emerged from that shadow and created his own identity, one that was as varied as the roles he played out in the public spotlight.
Sidekick, game show host, emcee extraordinaire, host of “Star Search” pitchman for a variety of products-and the guy who wanted to give you millions in the Publisher’s Clearinghouse—and even a movie star of sorts, appearing in several films.
Through it all, he was funny, self-deprecating and a guy that America would love to have a beer with.
Born in Detroit, he was raised in Lowell, Mass. and graduated from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. in 1949. He worked as a carnival barker in Mexico, Maine for 3 years-and as a bingo caller in Maine as well. During World War II, he was a Marine fighter pilot-and served in Korea as well.
Most famous for his introduction of Carson: “Heeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!”, he was a huge part of the success of the Tonight Show. In later years, his financial troubles made headlines-and surprised his many fans who naturally “assumed” he had millions stashed away. Billionaire Donald Trump offered to buy his Beverly Hills home and lease it back to McMahon in order to keep it from being foreclosed. A lawsuit McMahon lodged against a contractor for mold spores in his home (which made the family ill and killed their dog) netted McMahon about $7 Million dollars.
Enjoy the following video clip of Ed McMahon, appearing on the Tonight Show after he had a wee bit too much to drink-hilarious!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC-25xPmX7o
Ed, you will be missed! Thanks for the many years of laughs!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Anniversary Scramble
I know that a lot of guys forget their anniversaries. My hope is that they all have comfortable sofas.
I have yet to forget-and I’m not likely to do so. What still astounds me is that anyone would put up with me for what is today—24 YEARS!
Peggy is the love of my life-and after nearly a quarter century, three kids, two dogs, a cat and countless (deceased) fish have been in the mix since then, she is still hangin’ out with me.
Go figure.
On this day in 1985, our future was as bright as the beautiful June day in Ellsworth where we were married-and Northeast Harbor where our reception was held. So much has happened-and I wouldn’t trade any of it for a substitute life or circumstance-or partner!
I am cutting this blog short in order to-in typical male fashion—rush out and pick up a card and a gift that you will fawn over—whether it deserves to be or not.
I love you, Peggy!
I have yet to forget-and I’m not likely to do so. What still astounds me is that anyone would put up with me for what is today—24 YEARS!
Peggy is the love of my life-and after nearly a quarter century, three kids, two dogs, a cat and countless (deceased) fish have been in the mix since then, she is still hangin’ out with me.
Go figure.
On this day in 1985, our future was as bright as the beautiful June day in Ellsworth where we were married-and Northeast Harbor where our reception was held. So much has happened-and I wouldn’t trade any of it for a substitute life or circumstance-or partner!
I am cutting this blog short in order to-in typical male fashion—rush out and pick up a card and a gift that you will fawn over—whether it deserves to be or not.
I love you, Peggy!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Golf Is The Hardest Sport
Now there’s a statement that will forever elude consensus, but the evidence seems overwhelming to me, a golfer who sucks.
Ok, not all the time, but I string together moments of brilliance and combine them with episodes of total ineptitude. I am, unfortunately, heavier on the latter. On one tee, I smack it 250 yards right down the middle. Next tee, same club, only the ball’s flight resembles a banana as it rockets into the woods. Go figure.
Tennis is a tough sport, requiring skill, quick reflexes and stamina. However, one forehand is about the same as another-the simple variety of shots is limited to a reasonable number. In golf, there are NEVER two shots exactly alike. You can play the same course a thousand times and you will never play the exact same shot. Even on the tee, you can play your ball at exactly the same place, tee it to the exact same height –BUT, the wind will be different, the weather conditions overall not the same, the moisture or lack thereof on the grass also affecting conditions.
If you’re not a golfer, you simply don’t understand. No offense!
That’s why non-golfers cannot fathom the near “worship” of Tiger Woods. Each and every player on the Tour is a phenomenal golfer, better than ANYONE we see or play with at our courses. Nevertheless, even they are astounded by how incredible Tiger is. He has already won 14 majors(17 if you count his 3 Amateur titles, which he does) 67 PGA Tour victories, just 6 behind Jack Nicklaus and 16 behind all-time tournament winner Sam Snead. There is no doubt that he will own all records and most observers already call him the greatest golfer of all time. Jack himself agrees with this.
In a game that is so hard, Tiger makes it look easy. And he makes the pressure putts when he needs to. It is often said that “golf doesn’t build character, it reveals it”
I’ll try to remember that the next time I’m hurling clubs and screaming obscenities after another errant shot. Actually, I’ve grown beyond throwing/breaking clubs-and am comfortable that I can actually become a BETTER golfer as I grow older, a quirk of the game that is not usually present in other sports. After all, it is finesse, not raw strength that determines one’s level of play. I could fit both Sergio Garcia and David Toms in one pair of my pants-and they’d still have room to invite friends over. Yet, each of these diminutive players can out-drive me by triple digits!
As it is U.S. Open week, I am into WATCHING the good guys on TV and try to pick up some tips (and no I don’t mean a tip like “take up tennis”)
Here’s a short video of some of Tiger’s best shots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gKSxUer_3I
FORE!
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, just let me know!! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Ok, not all the time, but I string together moments of brilliance and combine them with episodes of total ineptitude. I am, unfortunately, heavier on the latter. On one tee, I smack it 250 yards right down the middle. Next tee, same club, only the ball’s flight resembles a banana as it rockets into the woods. Go figure.
Tennis is a tough sport, requiring skill, quick reflexes and stamina. However, one forehand is about the same as another-the simple variety of shots is limited to a reasonable number. In golf, there are NEVER two shots exactly alike. You can play the same course a thousand times and you will never play the exact same shot. Even on the tee, you can play your ball at exactly the same place, tee it to the exact same height –BUT, the wind will be different, the weather conditions overall not the same, the moisture or lack thereof on the grass also affecting conditions.
If you’re not a golfer, you simply don’t understand. No offense!
That’s why non-golfers cannot fathom the near “worship” of Tiger Woods. Each and every player on the Tour is a phenomenal golfer, better than ANYONE we see or play with at our courses. Nevertheless, even they are astounded by how incredible Tiger is. He has already won 14 majors(17 if you count his 3 Amateur titles, which he does) 67 PGA Tour victories, just 6 behind Jack Nicklaus and 16 behind all-time tournament winner Sam Snead. There is no doubt that he will own all records and most observers already call him the greatest golfer of all time. Jack himself agrees with this.
In a game that is so hard, Tiger makes it look easy. And he makes the pressure putts when he needs to. It is often said that “golf doesn’t build character, it reveals it”
I’ll try to remember that the next time I’m hurling clubs and screaming obscenities after another errant shot. Actually, I’ve grown beyond throwing/breaking clubs-and am comfortable that I can actually become a BETTER golfer as I grow older, a quirk of the game that is not usually present in other sports. After all, it is finesse, not raw strength that determines one’s level of play. I could fit both Sergio Garcia and David Toms in one pair of my pants-and they’d still have room to invite friends over. Yet, each of these diminutive players can out-drive me by triple digits!
As it is U.S. Open week, I am into WATCHING the good guys on TV and try to pick up some tips (and no I don’t mean a tip like “take up tennis”)
Here’s a short video of some of Tiger’s best shots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gKSxUer_3I
FORE!
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, just let me know!! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Thursday, June 18, 2009
A Beatle Birthday
“They say it’s your birthday!!!”
That familiar Beatle song may be directed at one of its writers today, as Paul McCartney celebrates his 67th birthday! There was more fanfare for this occasion three years ago, as the lyrics of “When I’m 64” (from “Sgt. Pepper”) resonated as the milestone marking a long and distinguished career—that is STILL going strong.
Faithful readers of this blog will therefore be the FIRST to know that 94.9 WHOM is putting together a TERRIFIC promotion-that hopefully will start on Monday-that will send one lucky listener to Halifax , Nova Scotia to see McCartney LIVE on July 11th! Of course, if it all falls apart, I will have egg on my face, but we are confident that our friends at The Cat (the highspeed ferry) will partner with us to deliver this incredible concert experience!
The show will be at Halifax Common –and will include two tickets (duh), roundtrip transportation (with your car) aboard The Cat-and hotel accommodations as well! Let’s hope it all comes together.
It’s hard to imagine how an obscure singer from Liverpool, England, along with his bandmates became such an international sensation! After the Beatles, no member has had as much solo success as McCartney, in the process becoming one of the world’s wealthiest entertainers. Since the early 60’s , I doubt that anyone has been photographed more-or have had their life chronicled as much as the Fab Four-and Paul McCartney in particular.
Below is a clip of McCartney’s appearance on The View earlier this year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT4MPMjRwIU
Would you like my blog in your in-box daily? Yeah, yeah, yeah! Just let me know:
Tim.moore@citcomm.com
That familiar Beatle song may be directed at one of its writers today, as Paul McCartney celebrates his 67th birthday! There was more fanfare for this occasion three years ago, as the lyrics of “When I’m 64” (from “Sgt. Pepper”) resonated as the milestone marking a long and distinguished career—that is STILL going strong.
Faithful readers of this blog will therefore be the FIRST to know that 94.9 WHOM is putting together a TERRIFIC promotion-that hopefully will start on Monday-that will send one lucky listener to Halifax , Nova Scotia to see McCartney LIVE on July 11th! Of course, if it all falls apart, I will have egg on my face, but we are confident that our friends at The Cat (the highspeed ferry) will partner with us to deliver this incredible concert experience!
The show will be at Halifax Common –and will include two tickets (duh), roundtrip transportation (with your car) aboard The Cat-and hotel accommodations as well! Let’s hope it all comes together.
It’s hard to imagine how an obscure singer from Liverpool, England, along with his bandmates became such an international sensation! After the Beatles, no member has had as much solo success as McCartney, in the process becoming one of the world’s wealthiest entertainers. Since the early 60’s , I doubt that anyone has been photographed more-or have had their life chronicled as much as the Fab Four-and Paul McCartney in particular.
Below is a clip of McCartney’s appearance on The View earlier this year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT4MPMjRwIU
Would you like my blog in your in-box daily? Yeah, yeah, yeah! Just let me know:
Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Lady Liberty Arrives!
The Statue of Liberty-a gift from the people of France-arrived in New York harbor on this date in 1885!
Designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, it arrived in many pieces-more than 200 packing cases-- and had to be assembled atop the pedestal built to display her on Liberty Island. The 151 foot statue was a dramatic first view of America for the millions of immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island to be processed for citizenship.
A couple of neat videos included today-one of a New York Congressman taking us up to the top-as the first person since the terrorist attacks in 2001 to do so. The second is of illusionist David Copperfield, who made the Statue “disappear” on Live TV 3 years ago! First, the tour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_rgmqnQYYo
Now, here’s the illusion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S6tJpUxvOU
Hail the Statue of Liberty, iconic symbol of America-and Freedom!
If you'd like my blog in your box, e-mail me at: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, it arrived in many pieces-more than 200 packing cases-- and had to be assembled atop the pedestal built to display her on Liberty Island. The 151 foot statue was a dramatic first view of America for the millions of immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island to be processed for citizenship.
A couple of neat videos included today-one of a New York Congressman taking us up to the top-as the first person since the terrorist attacks in 2001 to do so. The second is of illusionist David Copperfield, who made the Statue “disappear” on Live TV 3 years ago! First, the tour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_rgmqnQYYo
Now, here’s the illusion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S6tJpUxvOU
Hail the Statue of Liberty, iconic symbol of America-and Freedom!
If you'd like my blog in your box, e-mail me at: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Birth Of The Roller Coaster
My guess is that this was a novel concept back in 1884, when the first roller coaster opened at Coney Island in Brooklyn.
Costing a nickel to ride, the first “switchback railway” (as it was called) traveled a whopping 6 mph! An instant hit with the public, there were soon hundreds of other roller coasters across the country.
Needless to say, the cost to ride—and the SPEED have both gone up considerably.
I LOVE ROLLER COASTERS!!!!
Despite a healthy fear of heights, I am somehow not phased by the death-defying drops and turns of today’s coasters. I have ridden the biggest and baddest that Busch Gardens and other amusement parks like Cedar Point have to offer—and I can go on repeatedly without stopping.
I’ve found there is a big difference between the motion of roller coasters and , say, the Spinning Teacups, which I cannot abide. The spinning will make me toss my cookies every time. The kids seem immune to the spinning rides—and I think I was that way early in my “riding career”, but no longer. I can get sick watching OTHER people spin around that violently!
Check out the video below-a roller coaster called, appropriately, “SCREAM” Notice the stats on length, turns and speed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPu9JytZCSw
Whoa! Can we go AGAIN!!!!??????
Costing a nickel to ride, the first “switchback railway” (as it was called) traveled a whopping 6 mph! An instant hit with the public, there were soon hundreds of other roller coasters across the country.
Needless to say, the cost to ride—and the SPEED have both gone up considerably.
I LOVE ROLLER COASTERS!!!!
Despite a healthy fear of heights, I am somehow not phased by the death-defying drops and turns of today’s coasters. I have ridden the biggest and baddest that Busch Gardens and other amusement parks like Cedar Point have to offer—and I can go on repeatedly without stopping.
I’ve found there is a big difference between the motion of roller coasters and , say, the Spinning Teacups, which I cannot abide. The spinning will make me toss my cookies every time. The kids seem immune to the spinning rides—and I think I was that way early in my “riding career”, but no longer. I can get sick watching OTHER people spin around that violently!
Check out the video below-a roller coaster called, appropriately, “SCREAM” Notice the stats on length, turns and speed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPu9JytZCSw
Whoa! Can we go AGAIN!!!!??????
Monday, June 15, 2009
Stupid TV's Role Model
Hee Haw made its debut on this date in 1969. It was the country answer I suppose to Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, but with an extra dose of stupidity.
Although the program only ran for two years, it was a huge hit in syndication and ran until 1992! Actually, it was something of a hit in its original run—in the Top 20, but CBS decided the show’s “hick” country focus was not doing the network’s image any good.
Hosted by Roy Clark and Buck Owens, the show featured stupid humor, stupid pranks and low-brow EVERYTHING, but the musical guests on the program were surprisingly good-and the talent of even the show’s regular clowns (like Grandpa) was evident when showcased. I have yet to know what Junior Sample’s talent was-other than being a bit SLOW mentally-and having that become the essential theme of bits involving him Junior always seemed bewildered as to why people were laughing.
There is much to be said for “escapism” with our entertainment-and TV has plenty that falls into that category. Seldom is the escape this ridiculous. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to witness both the silliness—and some of the talent—as Grandpa plays the banjo—and breaks a string mid-performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26rQy2n2JVk
If you have a problem with this blog, a complaint line has been set up at: BR 549 (You Hee Haw fans will “get” this one)
Seriously, if you’d like my blog in your box, send me an e-mail to : tim.moore@citcomm.com
See y’all later, ya heah?
Although the program only ran for two years, it was a huge hit in syndication and ran until 1992! Actually, it was something of a hit in its original run—in the Top 20, but CBS decided the show’s “hick” country focus was not doing the network’s image any good.
Hosted by Roy Clark and Buck Owens, the show featured stupid humor, stupid pranks and low-brow EVERYTHING, but the musical guests on the program were surprisingly good-and the talent of even the show’s regular clowns (like Grandpa) was evident when showcased. I have yet to know what Junior Sample’s talent was-other than being a bit SLOW mentally-and having that become the essential theme of bits involving him Junior always seemed bewildered as to why people were laughing.
There is much to be said for “escapism” with our entertainment-and TV has plenty that falls into that category. Seldom is the escape this ridiculous. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to witness both the silliness—and some of the talent—as Grandpa plays the banjo—and breaks a string mid-performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26rQy2n2JVk
If you have a problem with this blog, a complaint line has been set up at: BR 549 (You Hee Haw fans will “get” this one)
Seriously, if you’d like my blog in your box, send me an e-mail to : tim.moore@citcomm.com
See y’all later, ya heah?
Friday, June 12, 2009
Little League Baseball In Trouble?
My youngest son Kevin is playing baseball in the Portland North Little League this season. It’s been fun going to his games and practices, but I am wondering how long baseball will survive at this level. I’ve noticed that more and more kids are gravitating to lacrosse (which I have nothing against, but really don’t know much about). The erosion is noticeable-as the number of teams in our league has dwindled considerably.
Who knows why this is happening? I hope that adult behavior is not a factor. As long as there have been organized sports, there has been disagreement between coaches and parents on how their kids are played (or not played), the level of instruction-sometimes it is completely absent—and the general handling of the kids by the coaches, all of whom are parents volunteering their time.
For the most part, I have no gripe against the coaches-those in charge of Kevin’s team are good guys with their hearts in the right place. I have noticed some miserable behavior on the part of adults—coaches and parents in the stands--in the past-and I sometimes think that there are coaches who want victory more than the players. The pressure that is imposed on the kids to perform is often what makes them exit the sport.
Failure is baseball is a very solitary experience. Unlike a missed shot in soccer, hockey, lacrosse, or other fast-paced game, a player walking back to the dugout from the plate is very aware that EVERYONE in the park witnessed the strikeout. Same too with a dropped fly or errant throw. Basketball’s free throw is the only common example of solitary failure that comes to mind.
Cultivating fun and sportsmanship while improving skills should be the goal of Little League. The coaches are directly responsible for demanding sportsmanship—and failure to instill these values leads to the incident below, where, in the handshake line after a game, one kid sucker punches another. It’s unbelievable to witness:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQPoTSjLIeI
Coaches everywhere can make practices fun while instilling the values of sportsmanship. There are MANY resources out there for youth coaches—and adults have to take FUN seriously---the absence of FUN and the ability of kids to really participate is sure to drive more kids to lacrosse and other sports where the action is nonstop.
Who knows why this is happening? I hope that adult behavior is not a factor. As long as there have been organized sports, there has been disagreement between coaches and parents on how their kids are played (or not played), the level of instruction-sometimes it is completely absent—and the general handling of the kids by the coaches, all of whom are parents volunteering their time.
For the most part, I have no gripe against the coaches-those in charge of Kevin’s team are good guys with their hearts in the right place. I have noticed some miserable behavior on the part of adults—coaches and parents in the stands--in the past-and I sometimes think that there are coaches who want victory more than the players. The pressure that is imposed on the kids to perform is often what makes them exit the sport.
Failure is baseball is a very solitary experience. Unlike a missed shot in soccer, hockey, lacrosse, or other fast-paced game, a player walking back to the dugout from the plate is very aware that EVERYONE in the park witnessed the strikeout. Same too with a dropped fly or errant throw. Basketball’s free throw is the only common example of solitary failure that comes to mind.
Cultivating fun and sportsmanship while improving skills should be the goal of Little League. The coaches are directly responsible for demanding sportsmanship—and failure to instill these values leads to the incident below, where, in the handshake line after a game, one kid sucker punches another. It’s unbelievable to witness:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQPoTSjLIeI
Coaches everywhere can make practices fun while instilling the values of sportsmanship. There are MANY resources out there for youth coaches—and adults have to take FUN seriously---the absence of FUN and the ability of kids to really participate is sure to drive more kids to lacrosse and other sports where the action is nonstop.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Major Leagues At Age 15?
It happened to Joe Nuxhall on this date in 1944-the youngest player to appear in a Major League Baseball game. Joe was a pitcher-and still in high school when he joined the Cincinnati Reds.
His debut was a bit shaky, giving up five runs on five walks and two hits in an 18-0 loss to St. Louis. The game was played during World War II, where it became common for young people to fill in for the stars, many of whom enlisted in the war effort. There were several other players who would never have had a chance, like Pete Gray, a one-armed outfielder who hit .218 and drove in 13 runs.
As for Nuxhall, he didn’t play again for the Reds until 1952 when he was 23 years old. He pitched 15 seasons in the majors and then joined the radio world broadcasting Reds games with Marty Brenneman. Called the “most beloved Reds fan”, Nuxhall became synonymous with the club that afforded his long career.
Below is a short video produced after his death:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1doC09rj_8
If you’d like my blog in your e-mail in-box daily, let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
His debut was a bit shaky, giving up five runs on five walks and two hits in an 18-0 loss to St. Louis. The game was played during World War II, where it became common for young people to fill in for the stars, many of whom enlisted in the war effort. There were several other players who would never have had a chance, like Pete Gray, a one-armed outfielder who hit .218 and drove in 13 runs.
As for Nuxhall, he didn’t play again for the Reds until 1952 when he was 23 years old. He pitched 15 seasons in the majors and then joined the radio world broadcasting Reds games with Marty Brenneman. Called the “most beloved Reds fan”, Nuxhall became synonymous with the club that afforded his long career.
Below is a short video produced after his death:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1doC09rj_8
If you’d like my blog in your e-mail in-box daily, let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Donald Duck-Propaganda Tool
If a cartoon character can have a birthday, today is it for Donald Duck, who made his debut on this date in 1934 in the Disney short film, “The Wise Little Hen”. Donald’s popularity led to the growth of the “Duck” family, from Daisy to Uncle Scrooge and nephews Huey, Dewey and Louey!
Perhaps more fascinating is the use of the lovable but cranky Donald to affect behavior during World War II. After grossing $8 million dollars with the release of their first feature length animated film, “Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs” in 1937 (quite an accomplishment during the Depression), Walt Disney devoted most of his company’s resources to the production of propaganda and training films during the war.
Donald was not spared in the effort. Below is an incredible Disney cartoon, called the “Spirit of ‘43” where Donald joins in the effort to convince Americans that taxation for the war effort is worth every penny.
It’s hard to conceive that cartoon characters of today would be employed in this manner. The image-conscious holders of trademarks for these cash cows would be hard pressed to make a cartoon that could endanger the carefully cultivated personalities or images of their creations.
But WWII occurred in an America that no longer exists. It is truly astounding to watch this short:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xphiYdfd-Tg
Imagine Scooby Doo or someone even remotely more contemporary going in THAT direction! Wow!
If you’d like my blog in your in-box daily, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Perhaps more fascinating is the use of the lovable but cranky Donald to affect behavior during World War II. After grossing $8 million dollars with the release of their first feature length animated film, “Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs” in 1937 (quite an accomplishment during the Depression), Walt Disney devoted most of his company’s resources to the production of propaganda and training films during the war.
Donald was not spared in the effort. Below is an incredible Disney cartoon, called the “Spirit of ‘43” where Donald joins in the effort to convince Americans that taxation for the war effort is worth every penny.
It’s hard to conceive that cartoon characters of today would be employed in this manner. The image-conscious holders of trademarks for these cash cows would be hard pressed to make a cartoon that could endanger the carefully cultivated personalities or images of their creations.
But WWII occurred in an America that no longer exists. It is truly astounding to watch this short:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xphiYdfd-Tg
Imagine Scooby Doo or someone even remotely more contemporary going in THAT direction! Wow!
If you’d like my blog in your in-box daily, just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Graduation Day
I’ll be taking a day off from everything but the daily radio show tomorrow. My daughter Christina will be graduating from Portland High School along with 230-some fellow PHS students.
The ceremony, at Merrill Auditorium, will no doubt be emotional for my wife Peggy and me. Although we’ve been through it before-two years ago for our oldest son John, it doesn’t get any easier to stop the “waterworks” when your child steps up to take that sheepskin.
Here’s a stock tip: buy KLEENEX.
We’ll be using enough of the tissues to populate a small rain forest tomorrow. Will the dam break happen at the beginning, when the procession marches in to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance”? (Yes.) Will it occur as the opening remarks about our accomplished students are delivered? (Yes.) Will it happen as our beautiful daughter steps up to receive her diploma? (Most certainly Yes.) And how about when they march out? (Yes, Yes, Yes!)
During the ceremony, I’ll remember changing diapers, holding her hand as she took those first steps-and running alongside that first bike ride. I’ll remember birthdays, vacations and holidays. I’ll recall her swinging in the backyard, swimming at the lake-and marching to receive her First Communion as well. Through it all, I’ll remember how lucky I am to have such an incredible daughter-as is the case for all my kids—and also that this chapter in her life and ours is over.
In the Fall, she’ll be off to college and on her own. Things will never be the same. But I’ll try not to be sad, as our pride in Christina’s accomplishments will erase any melancholy we feel for ourselves and for the passage of time.
Young parents often gripe about their lives, revolving such as they do around their children’s myriad activities. They often say things like, “Well, in only 10 years, they’ll be off and I’ll have my LIFE back!”
I’ve got advice for those parents: CHERISH EVERY MOMENT. Why?
1) Those 10 years will fly by in an instant, and
2) You will long for these times that you are now complaining about.
I have loved it all-and with a 9 year old, I am getting the unbelievable chance to go through it all again-perhaps with a little more wisdom.
Christina, we LOVE you, we are so incredibly PROUD of you—and we CONGRATULATE you on your Graduation from Portland High School!
Well done! And no matter what comes along for you, we will always be here for you-and with you!
Love,
Mom & Dad
The ceremony, at Merrill Auditorium, will no doubt be emotional for my wife Peggy and me. Although we’ve been through it before-two years ago for our oldest son John, it doesn’t get any easier to stop the “waterworks” when your child steps up to take that sheepskin.
Here’s a stock tip: buy KLEENEX.
We’ll be using enough of the tissues to populate a small rain forest tomorrow. Will the dam break happen at the beginning, when the procession marches in to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance”? (Yes.) Will it occur as the opening remarks about our accomplished students are delivered? (Yes.) Will it happen as our beautiful daughter steps up to receive her diploma? (Most certainly Yes.) And how about when they march out? (Yes, Yes, Yes!)
During the ceremony, I’ll remember changing diapers, holding her hand as she took those first steps-and running alongside that first bike ride. I’ll remember birthdays, vacations and holidays. I’ll recall her swinging in the backyard, swimming at the lake-and marching to receive her First Communion as well. Through it all, I’ll remember how lucky I am to have such an incredible daughter-as is the case for all my kids—and also that this chapter in her life and ours is over.
In the Fall, she’ll be off to college and on her own. Things will never be the same. But I’ll try not to be sad, as our pride in Christina’s accomplishments will erase any melancholy we feel for ourselves and for the passage of time.
Young parents often gripe about their lives, revolving such as they do around their children’s myriad activities. They often say things like, “Well, in only 10 years, they’ll be off and I’ll have my LIFE back!”
I’ve got advice for those parents: CHERISH EVERY MOMENT. Why?
1) Those 10 years will fly by in an instant, and
2) You will long for these times that you are now complaining about.
I have loved it all-and with a 9 year old, I am getting the unbelievable chance to go through it all again-perhaps with a little more wisdom.
Christina, we LOVE you, we are so incredibly PROUD of you—and we CONGRATULATE you on your Graduation from Portland High School!
Well done! And no matter what comes along for you, we will always be here for you-and with you!
Love,
Mom & Dad
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Babe Ruth-Role Model?
It was on this date in 1935 that Yankees slugger Babe Ruth hung up his cleats and called it a career. Now, I’m not a Yankee booster (far from it), but being a baseball fan, you have to acknowledge the place that Babe Ruth and many other Yankees hold in the history of the game.
After 22 seasons, 12 World Series and 714 home runs, Ruth was a larger-than-life personality who became one of the inaugural members of baseball’s Hall of Fame. Let’s not get into the fact that Ruth started out with the Red Sox-prompting the “Curse of The Bambino” which supposedly kept the Sox from winning the World Series until 2004.
All that said, it’s easy to mentally travel back to the good ol’ days, when a sentence containing the name of a baseball player didn’t ALSO include the term “performance enhancing drugs”. To do so would be nostalgic, but not necessarily accurate. The truth is that the great Babe (and most of his contemporaries) would collectively keep today’s gossip magazines and websites humming for weeks on end.
The point is that behavior was not much different back then-but the media coverage of it certainly was. Babe Ruth stretches the meaning of the term "athlete". He was overweight, a man prone to grotesque displays of binge eating, drinking and carousing. His fellow players also enjoyed a lifestyle that would never escape the scrutiny that today’s media inflicts on the famous.
A-Rod goes to a restaurant with Madonna-and it is front page news. Back in Ruth’s time, his escapades were often in front of-or WITH members of the media, who abided by a code of silence with regard to matters of a personal nature. Baseball writers, after all, were interested in the GAME , as were their readers. What these stars did in their off time was their own business.
That’s the way it used to be.
Now, ballplayers-rightly or wrongly-are held to the standard of role model. As such, they remain under the microscope on and off the field. I’m certainly not defending steroid use or infidelity, but before we castigate today’s players, let’s be careful not to make comparisons to the “stars of yesteryear”, whose “image” doesn’t always square with reality.
Enjoy the rare footage below of Ruth hitting his historic 60th Home Run in one season in 1927:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS7Iq_I0i6M
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, drop me an e-mail! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
After 22 seasons, 12 World Series and 714 home runs, Ruth was a larger-than-life personality who became one of the inaugural members of baseball’s Hall of Fame. Let’s not get into the fact that Ruth started out with the Red Sox-prompting the “Curse of The Bambino” which supposedly kept the Sox from winning the World Series until 2004.
All that said, it’s easy to mentally travel back to the good ol’ days, when a sentence containing the name of a baseball player didn’t ALSO include the term “performance enhancing drugs”. To do so would be nostalgic, but not necessarily accurate. The truth is that the great Babe (and most of his contemporaries) would collectively keep today’s gossip magazines and websites humming for weeks on end.
The point is that behavior was not much different back then-but the media coverage of it certainly was. Babe Ruth stretches the meaning of the term "athlete". He was overweight, a man prone to grotesque displays of binge eating, drinking and carousing. His fellow players also enjoyed a lifestyle that would never escape the scrutiny that today’s media inflicts on the famous.
A-Rod goes to a restaurant with Madonna-and it is front page news. Back in Ruth’s time, his escapades were often in front of-or WITH members of the media, who abided by a code of silence with regard to matters of a personal nature. Baseball writers, after all, were interested in the GAME , as were their readers. What these stars did in their off time was their own business.
That’s the way it used to be.
Now, ballplayers-rightly or wrongly-are held to the standard of role model. As such, they remain under the microscope on and off the field. I’m certainly not defending steroid use or infidelity, but before we castigate today’s players, let’s be careful not to make comparisons to the “stars of yesteryear”, whose “image” doesn’t always square with reality.
Enjoy the rare footage below of Ruth hitting his historic 60th Home Run in one season in 1927:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS7Iq_I0i6M
If you’d like my blog in your box daily, drop me an e-mail! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Monday, June 1, 2009
What Hath Ted Turner Wrought?
On this day in 1980, TV viewers witnessed the debut of a new network—and a new concept. The network was CNN (Cable News Network)-and the concept was that a 24/7 News network could succeed.
The answer to the concept is clear-as the proliferation of dedicated news networks proves that not only ONE-but many could succeed. Perhaps the larger question is: Are we better off? Or even better informed?
The basic problem with a dedicated news network is that there ALWAYS needs to be something ON. At any given time, the network decides what is news, whether it is really news or not. And as such, stories that would never have made it on an edited, 30 minute nightly newscast will now get HOURS of nonstop coverage. Octo-Mom and Joe the Plumber? We would have never heard of these people—and likely would be better off as a result.
Certainly, the ability to flip on the TV and get instant video from around the world on virtually any story is appealing. Somewhere, though, the line is crossed—and we don’t even know where the line begins or ends anymore
The first Iraq war-“Desert Storm”-became the first war that was essentially fought on live TV in 1991. It was “war as entertainment”-as millions of Americans followed the progress of U.S. forces in real time as they sat glued to their sets, making the war part of their nightly viewing.
The early days of CNN underscored that the dearth of real news didn’t stop CNN from filling up the airwaves with…well…what they called news. Below is a CNN clip from 1980 in which Peter Criss (yes, THAT Peter Criss from the rock group Kiss) is interviewed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLVtoWMmYic
Things have improved since then…..or have they? As Fox News says on their 24/7 operation: “you be the judge”
If you’d like my blog in your inbox, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
The answer to the concept is clear-as the proliferation of dedicated news networks proves that not only ONE-but many could succeed. Perhaps the larger question is: Are we better off? Or even better informed?
The basic problem with a dedicated news network is that there ALWAYS needs to be something ON. At any given time, the network decides what is news, whether it is really news or not. And as such, stories that would never have made it on an edited, 30 minute nightly newscast will now get HOURS of nonstop coverage. Octo-Mom and Joe the Plumber? We would have never heard of these people—and likely would be better off as a result.
Certainly, the ability to flip on the TV and get instant video from around the world on virtually any story is appealing. Somewhere, though, the line is crossed—and we don’t even know where the line begins or ends anymore
The first Iraq war-“Desert Storm”-became the first war that was essentially fought on live TV in 1991. It was “war as entertainment”-as millions of Americans followed the progress of U.S. forces in real time as they sat glued to their sets, making the war part of their nightly viewing.
The early days of CNN underscored that the dearth of real news didn’t stop CNN from filling up the airwaves with…well…what they called news. Below is a CNN clip from 1980 in which Peter Criss (yes, THAT Peter Criss from the rock group Kiss) is interviewed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLVtoWMmYic
Things have improved since then…..or have they? As Fox News says on their 24/7 operation: “you be the judge”
If you’d like my blog in your inbox, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
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