WHIRLWIND…that’s the word I’d use to describe the past ten days of my life. Things have not slowed down for a minute since arriving in Albany, NY last week for my new job doing mornings at B95.5. I’ve looking for apartments every single day, shopping for furniture for an apartment I don’t yet have, learning my way around town, meeting new people, making new friends, taking 40 listeners to a NY Yankees game…oh yeah, and working on a new morning show! But ya know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m hoping once things settle down that I’ll have a chance to blog every day…but for right now it looks like once, maybe twice, a week will be it for the short term. The show will officially launch next Monday…so I’m taking a breather this weekend and heading back to Maine to watch Nick play in an All-Star Little League tournament. Although it’s only been ten days, there are moments when it feels like ten weeks…especially when it comes to spending time with Jack and Nick. I also missed Charmen’s birthday yesterday…of course she most likely doesn’t want to celebrate that event anyway! But it did get me to thinking about the different milestones in our lives.
A SURVEY BY PFIZER…found the average age for different milestones in people’s lives. Supposedly you have your first kiss at age 15…you’re financially independent from your parents at 22…and have the best summer of your life at 24. Age 32 is when you start reminding yourself of your parents…38 is when you start feeling your age…and you should stop having kids when you turn 41.
BEING HONEST…what’s the one thing about your spouse or significant other than drives you nuts?
If you’re like most guys…you hate your woman’s argument techniques. Ladies you hate your man’s lack of cleanliness. Here are the top five lists for both…
What Men Hate About Women
1. Saying “I’m fine” when they’re clearly not.
2. Talking too much.
3. Constantly asking what men are thinking.
4. Winning fights by crying.
5. Never saying sorry, even when they’re wrong.
What Women Hate About Men.
1. Not listening properly.
2. Not putting the toilet seat down.
3. Leaving nail clippings and beard shavings wherever they fall.
4. Having friends they don’t like.
5. Hogging the TV remote.
IT’S SUMMER JOB SEASON…if you think you have a crappy job, don’t worry…someday you might be a rich, famous rock star. Because even those guys had to work “regular jobs” before they got their big breaks.
THANKS for the growing number of people signing up as members of the website…and on my Facebook page. I promise to start doing more with my Twitter page soon…but in the meantime go there and follow me. I love hearing from all of you and do my best to respond to all of the comments, posts, private messages and e-mails in a timely manner. So keep ‘em coming!
You guys have been so great to me over the years…and I can’t wait to launch The B95.5 Breakfast Club with Bill & Laura for you. Check my Facebook page on Monday for a link to the show’s new page, pictures, and more.
WHEW! Finally a minute to catch my breath. This has been a crazy whirlwind kind of week. As you probably know by now, I moved to Albany, NY on Sunday for my new job hosting mornings on B95.5. While I still can’t say too much, I can reveal the show will be called The Breakfast Club with Bill & Laura. And it looks like the launch date is Monday, June 25th. Beyond that…it’s still a work in progress. As soon as I can officially announce anything else you’ll be the first to know.
Lot’s of stuff has been going on.. besides work and looking for an apartment…so I thought I’d take a few minutes to post.
BAD NEWS IF YOU HAVE A BIRTHDAY COMING UP…it just might kill you! According to a new study of more than two million people by the University of Zurich in Switzerland, you’re more likely to die on your birthday…or within a few days of it…than any other day of the year.
And the chance goes up the older you get. By age 60, you’re 14% more likely to die on your birthday or a few days around it than any other day.
They believe that the stress that comes from your birthday is the big reason. A birthday makes you think about how old you are, that stresses you out, and it can actually increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
The study found that guys are also more likely to die on their birthdays from accidental deaths…and suicides. The researchers think that could be tied to men being more likely to drink heavily on their birthdays than women.
Well hey…it’s your birthday, and f you’re about to kick the bucket what’s to keep you from having one too many?
I’M SEXY AND I KNOW IT…well not me…but according to a new poll by Billboard Magazine, Britney Spears is Music’s Sexiest Woman…by a landslide. Here’s the Top 10…
1.Britney Spears: 45%
2.Lady Gaga: 12%
3.Beyonce: 8%
4.Rihanna: 6%
5.Katy Perry: 5%
6.Demi Lovato: 3.89%
7.Madonna: 3.75%
8.Jennifer Lopez: 3%
9. Nicki Minaj: 1.89%
10.Taylor Swift: 1.84%
The voting was a lot closer for Music’s Sexiest Men…
1. Adam Lambert: 26%
2. Adam Levine: 12%
3.Justin Bieber: 10%
4.Enrique Iglesias: 9.75%
5.Bill Kaulitz from Tokio Hotel: 8%
6.Bruno Mars: 5.9%
7.Jon Bon Jovi: 5.8%
8.Chris Brown: 5%
9. Usher: 3%
10.Drake: 2%
SHE MAY NOT BE AS SEXY…but the 55,000 people who attended MADONNA’S gig in Istanbul, Turkey last week got a very special treat: A clear view of one of her 53-year-old NIPPLES.
Hey look…she’s older now, but in my opinion, Madonna is still very hot. I know the haters will criticize her for any number of things…but had I been at that concert, I would have been screaming for more! Just sayin’.
PEOPLE ARE SECRETLY JUDGING YOU…by the shoes you wear. Here’s the scary part…they’re judging you ACCURATELY. A new study out of the University of Kansas found that people could guess someone’s age, gender, income, political beliefs, and major personality traits with 90%accuracy just by looking at their shoes.
People tended to correctly associate expensive shoes with wealthier people… flashy and colorful shoes with extroverts and younger people…and shoes that looked old but taken care of with responsible people.
Some less obvious connections: people with practical shoes tended to be more agreeable…people wearing boots were more aggressive…and people in shoes that looked uncomfortable were generally calmer.
WELL, IT’S BEEN A LONG DAY…so I think I’m going to kick my shoes off and take it easy for the rest of the night. Keep checking my Facebook page and/or Twitter feed for more updates about the new show and what’s going on as I adjust to life in Albany, NY.
I also promise to keep posting SFTFH at least three times a week with topical, fun stuff. Thanks for the love and support.
FINALLY, SOMEONE TOLD KIDS THE TRUTH…and of course now he’ll have to live with the consequences! A few days ago, an English teacher spoke at his high school’s graduation in Boston. His message to the graduates was… YOU’RE NOT SPECIAL and even if your parents have told you that every day…no one’s going to hand you anything in the world. So if you want anything from this point on, you have to earn it.
Here are a few of his best quotes. Amen to all of them…
“Yes you’ve been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. You’ve been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie. We’ve been to your games, your plays, your recitals, your science fairs.”
“Smiles ignite when you walk into a room and hundreds gasp with delight at your every tweet. And now you’ve conquered high school…here we all have gathered for you. But do not get the idea you’re anything special. Because you’re not.”
“Across the country no fewer than 3.2 million seniors are graduating about now from 37,000 high schools. That’s 37,000 valedictorians, 37,000 class presidents, 340,000 swaggering jocks, 2,185,967 pairs of Uggs.”
“But why limit ourselves to high school? Even if you’re one in a million, on a planet of 6.8 billion, that means there are nearly 7,000 people just like you.”
“You see, if everyone is special, then no one is. If everyone gets a trophy, trophies become meaningless. We Americans have of late come to love accolades more than genuine achievement. We have come to see them as the point.”
“No longer is it how you play the game, or even whether you win or lose, or learn or grow, or enjoy yourself doing it. Now it’s ‘So what does this get me?’
“As you commence, I urge you to do whatever you do for no reason other than you love it and believe in its importance. The fulfilling life, the distinctive life, the relevant life, is an achievement, not something that will fall into your lap because you’re a nice person or mommy ordered it from the caterer.”
“Exercise free will and creative, independent thought not for the satisfactions they will bring you, but for the good they will do others…and those who will follow them. Then you too will discover the great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself. The sweetest joys of life, then, come only with the recognition that you’re not special. Because everyone is.”
That teacher may be my new hero. However, I’m fairly certain that some namby-pampy helicopter mom or dad will take issue with him and try to drag him through the mud before this story is complete.
In my case, after reading about his speech it reminded me of the Baz Luhrmann song, Everyone’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen).
I’M NOT WHAT YOU WOULD CALL A NASCAR FAN…or even a racing fan. But I am a fan of funny and/or cool names…and these are some of the best ever. The fact that they just happen to belong to race car drivers makes it even better.
The website Jalopnik.com asked its readers for the 10 Most Ridiculous Race Car Driver Names…and this is what they came up with. Oh yeah, just in case you were wondering…these are all 100% real names of real drivers.
AT ONE POINT IN TIME…everyone loved Mr. Rogers. That’s why this is the coolest video of the day…bar NONE.
TWO MOVIES OPEN TODAY. If you have young kids, get ready to shell out the bucks on movie tickets, the related toys, and the Happy Meals forMadagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.
Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple and of course, King Julien, Maurice and the Penguins are all along for the comedic adventure.
To be perfectly honest…I love this brand! My family actually own the first two on DVD. C’mon…you’re telling me those penguins don’t crack you up? And that King Julien? Hilarious.
Premethius. A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.
JOB STATUS UPDATE: Great news! We’ve finally worked out all of the details on my new job at B95.5/Albany, NY. We’ll take all of next week to build, plan, and prepare…and if all goes as planned, the new morning show will launch on on Monday, June 18th at 5:30.
I couldn’t be more excited about this next chapter in my career and life. Thanks to all of you for your continued support. I hope you will all listen either in Albany or online.
Look for more updates and more info about the new show on my Facebook page. If you’re on Twitter you can find me there too. Have a great weekend.
YOUR JOB MIGHT BE MAKING YOU FAT. A CareerBuilder survey found that two out of five people say they’ve gained weight at their current job. And one in four have gained more than 10 pounds. Here are the jobs most likely to cause you to pack on the pounds:
1. Travel Agent: It’s a sedentary job, which contributes to weight gain. My question is…who uses a travel agent? Doesn’t everyone just use Travelocity?
2. Attorney or Judge: High stress level jobs also lead to weight gain.
3. Social Worker
4. Teacher
5. Artist/Designer/Architect
6. Administrative Assistant
7. Physician: Aren’t these the people telling us to lose weight?
8. Protective Services, like police officers or firefighters: One word… donuts!
9. Marketing and Public Relations
10. Information Technology Professional
More than half of of the people surveyed said they’ve gained weight because they sit at their desk most of the day, and 56% said they eat their lunch there as well. But it may also have something to do with what they’re eating…
When asked how often they eat out at work for lunch instead of bringing their meal from home, 53% said they do so at least once a week, 23% at least three times a week and 11% at least five times a week. And 10% just eat lunch out of the vending machine at least once a week.
So how do you keep from having to buy new pants every six months?
Take more steps throughout the day: Take the stairs instead of the elevator or stop by a coworker’s desk instead of sending an email.
Snack healthy: Snacking can seem innocent when done in small bits and pieces, but the extra calories will start to add up quickly. Keep plenty of veggies and fruits in the office fridge so you have a healthier choice on hand.
Pack your lunch: This way you control your portions and also save money.
Drink water: Ditch the caffeinated drinks and juices. Water helps make you feel fuller faster, and cuts down on the calories.
WHILE SOME JOBS MAKE YOU FAT…others make you think about having lots of life insurance. The Bureau of Labor just put out this list of the 10 Most Dangerous Jobs In The U.S. and how much they earn for putting their lives on the line.
1. Fisherman: 116 deaths per 100,000. Average salary: $25,590.
2. Loggers: 92 deaths per 100,000. Average salary: $32,870.
3. Pilots: 70.6 deaths per 100,000. Average salary: $76,050 for
commercial pilots, $118,070 for airline pilots.
4. Farmers and ranchers: 41.4 deaths per 100,000. Average salary: $60,750.
5. Roofers: 32.4 deaths per 100,000. Average salary: $34,220.
6. Trash collectors: 29.8 deaths per 100,000. Average salary: $34,420.
7. Truck drivers: 21.8 deaths per 100,000. Average salary: $37,930.
8. Miners: 19.9 deaths per 100,000. Average salary: $37,230 to $89,440.
9. Police officers: 18 deaths per 100,000. Average salary: $56,250.
10. Stuntmen: 2.5 deaths per 100,000. Average salary: $70,000.
HERE’S A JOB where you get free food…if you’re sneaky enough!
LOOKING FOR MORE REASONS YOU GOT DUMPED? Last week, a survey came out with the top reasons people get dumped. If you remember, stuff like fighting too much, not being ready for a relationship, and being too high maintenance all made the list.
Well, the website that did the survey just released more data digging even deeper into breakups. Here are five of the interesting facts they found…
1. People are most likely to break up after one month because one person drinks too much. At six months, the top breakup reason is the old “I’m not ready for a relationship” excuse. And after six months, the top breakup reason is too much fighting.
2. Of those who broke up over sexual reasons…the other person’s low sex drive was the reason 19.3% of the time. A high sex drive was the reason 10.3% of the time.
3. People are more likely to get dumped for being too tall than too short. Of the people who ended things for a physical reason, 19.4% said the person was too tall, 8.3% said the person was too short.
4. The physical feature that drives the most breakups…being overweight. 22% of people who’ve ended things said it was the other person’s weight.
5. Gambling is the most destructive of the four biggest bad habits. 27.3% blamed gambling, 15.2% blamed drugs, 15.2% blamed drinking, and 6.1% blamed smoking.
SURVEY SAYS…another Hollywood legend passed away over the weekend. I grew up watchingFamily Feud…starring the very hip, very cool, very suave Richard Dawson. Sadly, he died Saturday at age 79 from complications related to esophageal cancer at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.
As host of the greatest game showever, Family Feud, Dawson is said to have kissed in the neighborhood of 20,000 women! He won a daytime Emmy Award in 1978 as best game show host. The show was so popular it was released as both daytime and syndicated evening versions.
There have been several hosts since Richard Dawson left the show…but none have had the success…or the swag…as the original. In my opinion Richard Dawson ranks among the Top # Game Show Hosts of all-time.
Long before life as a game show host…he had gained fame as the fast-talking Cpl. Peter Newkirk on Hogan’s Heroes, the CBS comedy starring Bob Crane set in World War II. The show ran from 1965 until 1971.
I remember coming home after school and watching re-runs of it every afternoon. As crazy as it sounds…they made being in a WWII POW camp seem fun.
R.I.P. Richard Dawson.
I MAY NEVER GO OUT IN THE SUN AGAIN! Here’s the photo making its way around the internet of a 69-year-old former delivery truck driver. Two dermatologists at Northwestern University just published a report on the man as part of their study on just how damaging the sun can be to the skin. Their verdict is…it might even be more damaging than we believe.
The right side of his face looks like any person in their late 60s. But the left side spent several hours a day in the sun while he drove his truck…and looks like the face of someone who’s at least 100 years old. Bring on the SPF 65,000!
THANK YOU for all of the congratulations, well-wishes, and positive vibes all of you have sent me. I was shocked at how many responses I received to Facebook post last week…and how many of you sent private messages, texts, and e-mails.
There have been a couple of minor last minute details that have popped up that need to get ironed out…so until they do, my start date has been pushed back a short while. Please keep checking my Facebook page or Twitter page for updates. That’s where you’ll here the news first.
Again…thanks for your love and support. I can’t wait to get back on the air and talk with you each morning.
DON’T FEEL LIKE EXERCISING TODAY…
or ever? Then use this new excuse: exercise might be BAD FOR YOU.
A new study by Louisiana State University contradicts every other study or piece of common sense. They found that for about 10% of people, exercise was actually unhealthy.
Those people saw negative effects on either blood pressure, insulin levels, or bad cholesterol after working out. About 7% of people actually got worse on two of those. All of those can increase the risk of heart disease and strokes.
They aren’t exactly sure how that’s possible…and they’re worried it could actually become an excuse for people to avoid exercising. So before you decide you’re one of the 10% who shouldn’t exercise, you might want to wait for another study that backs this one up. Because, ya know, every other study ever…doesn’t.
TAKE IT FROM ME…everyone loves a compliment, especially a guy. So the editors at Match.com talked to relationship experts to get some advice on how you should…and maybe more importantly…how you shouldn’t compliment us. Here are the top four tips they came up with:
1. Don’t Say You Like Our Shirt…Tell Us We Look Good in It. There’s a slight difference, but it’s an important one: If just you say it’s a nice shirt, you’re complimenting our fashion sense…and honestly, the overwhelming majority of us don’t care much about that. We just usually buy what’s on sale at Target…and a lot of times you actually bought it for us. But if you tell us we LOOK GOOD in it, you’re complimenting our looks, not the shirt.
2.Compliment Our Friends. First, figure out what WE like about them. Then try to echo it. For example, if we think the dude is hilarious…and you do too…then let us know. If we know YOU think our friends are cool, we’ll feel cool too. And as crazy or immature as it sounds…just don’t go overboard with it because then we might get jealous.
3. If We’re Chivalrous and Open The Door for You, Make a Big Deal About It. Sadly, chivalry isn’t engrained in men the way it used to be. And most guys have to actively think about doing things like opening doors and pushing in chairs. So if you thank a guy for it and mention how most guys never do stuff like that, it gives us a mini ego boost.
4. Don’t Talk About How Great Our Job Is…Tell Us We’re Really Good at It. Guys like to hear how good they are at things, especially their job…even if they hate their job. But if you just started dating and tell us our job is great, we’ll probably assume you mean it must pay well. Then we start wondering if you’re just after our money…even if we don’t make much.
Does it sound like a lot of ego stroking? Maybe. But think about it…everyone likes being complimented. And if it leads to a great relationship, what’s the problem? Is it really that big of a deal? The key is don’t go overboard because most of us will see through it eventually and think you’re just playing us. So be sincere…and enjoy the rewards.
A FEW NEW MOVIES OPEN TODAY…but nothing as big as the past two or three weeks.
Snow White And The Huntsman.Kristen Stewart plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen (Oscar winner Charlize Theron) who is out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the one girl threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) who was dispatched to kill her. Sam Claflin stars as the the prince long enchanted by Snow White’s beauty and power.
Battlefield America. If you have kids…this is probably what they’ll want to go see. This is a young Hip-Hop dance battle movie for a new generation of dancers. It takes a steady look at the underbelly of the youth battle dance culture in Long Beach, CA.
I’m a sucker for movies based on real life. So this is my personal pick for best movie of the weekend.
FINALLY…that’s a good word to describe the end of today’s blog AND my long 12 month job search! If you missed the announcement yesterday on my Facebook page…I’ve finally found the job I’ve been searching for.
I’m going to be the new Morning Host at B95.5 in Albany, NY. I’ll be teaming up with market veteran, Laura Daniels for what promises to be a very real, very fun morning show. Musically…if you like John Mayer, Maroon 5, Adele, and classics from Goo Goo Dolls, Smash Mouth and Train…then you’ll love B95.5.
I’ll be taking next week to meet with our entire team to create a very fun, fast paced, real-life, topical morning show that I’m sure you’ll really want to listen to each morning. And YES…we stream. Just click on the hyperlink I provided in the last paragraph and you’ll be taken right to the website.
Of course I’ll do my very best to keep you updated on how things are going as we lead up to the launch of the very first show. Check back here and on my Facebook page or Twitter page to find out how things are going.
I can’t say THANK YOUbig enough or loud enough to all of you that have stood by me over the last year. Your love and words of encouragement have meant more to me than I can ever express. Every morning radio guy should be so lucky to have the quality of…not just listeners, but friends…as I do.
From the bottom of my heart…THANK YOU for caring and keeping me top of mind. I promise to create a great show that you’ll be happy to listen to AND tell your friends to listen to.
Have a great weekend. Hard to believe…but the next update will be from Albany!
IT FEELS LIKE FOREVER since I last posted…so let’s get caught up. The reason I haven’t posted since last week is because I had to travel out of town for a job interview. I can’t say too much at this point, but things went really well…and I hope to be able to tell you more no later than tomorrow afternoon. The best…and fasted way…to get the news is by going to my Facebook page and becoming a fan. I hate that word….because I consider you all friends and NOT fans…but it’s a Facebook thing I guess. Anyway, I’ll update my page AS SOON as I get the official word.
In the meantime…what did you think of the American Idol results?
If you saw my Facebook comments or my Twitter posts…then you know I predicted that Phil Phillips would win. I’m not sure what the judges were thinking throughout the season, but like a lot of people, I think the judges tried to sway votes toward Joshua Ledet. But, when he was eliminated a couple of weeks ago, suddenly, Phil was their guy.
Look…I honestly didn’t care who won. I wasn’t really impressed this season with any one singer. I thought they were all very similar and equal talent wise. There wasn’t any real “Wow Factor” about any of them. So Phil was as good a choice as any. And I suppose if I thought about it for a minute…I’d be more inclined to plunk down $15.99 for his CD before any of the other singers that made the Top 12. So congratulations Phillip Phillips!
DO YOU ACTUALLY DO THE STUFF ON YOUR TO-DO LIST? If you’re like me then you do one or two things on average and then you turn on the TV or raid the fridge! So here’s a trick from a psychologist to help you actually DO the stuff on your list. Make a WHY-DO list instead. List everything you have to do…then write one or two reasons WHY you should do those things.
So instead of writing “Do laundry,” write “Do laundry so my blue shirt is clean to wear on my date this weekend.” And if you can’t figure out a reason why for a task…then it probably isn’t important enough to be on your list.
ON A RELATED NOTE…here’s a little kid’s to-do list. I’m particularly fond of the last two!
MILFs GET ALL THE ATTENTION…but what about the DILFs? Well the editors atAARP the Magazine think guys over 50 are hot too…so they just came up with a list of 21 guys they call, MEN ON FIRE. Here are a few of the guys that made the list…
George Clooney, 51 Antonio Banderas, 51 Jon Bon Jovi, 50 Samuel L. Jackson, 63
NBC news-stud Brian Williams, 53
WHAT A CRAZY, BUSY WEEK IT’S BEEN! This is only my second post of the week because my schedule got thrown out of whack this week…which isn’t a bad thing…especially when I have the chance to spend an entire day with my son and his friends on a 4th grade field trip.
As many of you know, I’m continuing to search for a new job. Radio jobs are hard to find…good radio jobs are even harder to find…and when you’re a successful morning show host, believe it or not, it’s darned near impossible! I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. Most Program Directors, Brand Managers, and Market Managers assume because you’ve been very successful in big markets that you won’t be happy in a smaller market…or that you’ll be too expensive. In my case, nothing could be further from the truth. Sure I can’t raise my family on $35,000 a year anymore…that’s just a fact…no matter where I live or how great the economy is. So that does eliminate some stations. However, I also don’t have to have six figures.
I’m not sure if I’m happy about it or not, but I’ve actually turned down three or four offers in the past few months. When people hear that, the first thing they ask is why. The answer is simple…it has to be the right fit. Not just for me, but for my family. It has to make good business sense AND good family sense.
The great news is that I continue to have a lot of interest from stations all across the country, I’ve been doing lots of interviews, and I’m VERY optimistic that it’s just a matter of time before one of them is a really good fit.
The reason there wasn’t a blog post on Tuesday is because I took an entire day to work on a presentation for a company that has a great reputation and some really good stations. So now I’m waiting and hoping that it turns out well.
Thanks to all of you that continue to pray, send encouragement and positive comments my way. I can’t begin to express how much strength I gather from you.
WITH THAT SAID…did you watch American Idol last night?
God willing this is the week that Hollie Cavanaugh finally goes home. I believe she HAS to be in the bottom two tonight along with Phil Phillips. Although I loved his version of Volcano last night.
As much as Phil has grown on me over the past few weeks…how can he beat Jessica Sanchez or Joshua Ledet? Especially after Josh pulled off what I think may be the BEST performance EVER on American Idol.
The only thing that concerns me with Joshua is that he occasionally comes off a little smug. Maybe it’s all of the attention going to his head. Hey, that’s normal and I understand how it could happen. But he needs to get over that quickly because in all seriousness, I’m not sure he’ll be as big a star once he leaves the show as he and others seems to think he’ll be.
While I’m not crowning him the winner just yet…I think he is a nose out in front of Jessica. I can’t wait to see what happens tonight.
THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE of why I love baseball!
ON THAT NOTE…it’s another busy day so I’m off to make the most of it. I hope you’ll do the same. I also hope you’ll go “LIKE” my new Facebook page and follow me on Twitter.
SOMETIMES IT’S BETTER TO BE LUCKY THAN GOOD…but nothing replaces hard work. According to almost 70% of people surveyed by LinkedIn, the most important factor determining luck is strong work ethic. Here are three tips to increase your luck…
1.Take the initiative. Break out of your routine. Meet new people. Attend a conference in a subject area you’re interested in. Put yourself into a positive situation. Do anything you can to gain new experiences in a familiar context.
2.Plan your moves. Imagine your ideal work situation. Then work backward from it. Think about how you will get there from your current position. Experts say to build a positive reputation, and leverage that to get what you want. Luck doesn’t just happen…it involves strategy. Visualize what lucky looks like.
3.Network. If you want to increase your luck, meet new people any chance you get. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone while in line at Starbucks or the grocery store. Look for opportunities on Facebook and Twitter…but don’t be so concerned with the number of likes or followers. Instead focus on the quality of the contacts. Find those people who can connect you with those others that can turn a great idea into reality. And keep in mind…the clearer you are about what you’re after, the likelier you’ll get it.
I DON”T USUALLY CARE ABOUT BOX OFFICE RESULTS…but when a movie shatters a box office record, I take notice. The Avengers…grossed a unprecedented $200.3 million from Friday through Sunday.
After just over a week in release worldwide, The Avengers has grossed $641.8 million. Like I said on Friday…this isn’t the kind of movie that I’d usually go see, but I can’t wait to go see it.
ONE OF RAPS BIGGEST PIONEERS PASSED AWAY ON FRIDAY. No matter if you like rap or not, there’s no denying the incredible influence that the Beastie Boys had on music and pop culture. Groundbreaking, innovative and creative don’t begin to scratch the surface of what these guys were, are or will continue to be.
On Friday, Adam Yauch…better known as MCA…passed away after a long bout with cancer. He was 47 years old, and leaves behind a wife and daughter.
In 2009, he was treated for a cancerous parotid gland and a lymph node and underwent surgery and radiation therapy. Here’s the video he made about his diagnosis.
OVER THE WEEKEND…fans swarmed iTunes to snatch up copies of the Beastie Boys albums shooting them onto the iTunes charts.
As of this morning…Licensed to Ill was #3 on the iTunes album chart, with Paul’s Boutique at #13. A 1999 anthology charted at #26, followed by 1994′s Ill Communication at #27, 1992′s rock and rap hybrid Check Your Head at #38, their final album, last year’s Hot Sauce Committee Part Two is #42, the Boutique re-issue sits at #83, To the 5 Boroughs is #174, and at #184 is the Head re-issue.
STUCK IN A RUT AT WORK? Hey, it happens to everyone eventually. But now more than ever employers want people that can dream up creative solutions and be innovative.
So how do you think more creatively? Here are six ways to get the juices flowing…
1.Shut Up and Listen. My grandfather always said you have two ears and one mouth so that you’ll listen twice as much as you talk. In my case that usually fell on deaf ears…but the point is this; noise can be a great inspiration…if you just listen to it. But it’s all about the right level of noise. Screaming kids and barking dogs will most likely hinder any real creative thought. According to a recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research, people working in a level of noise equal to what you’d hear in a coffee shop came up with more innovative solutions to tough problems.
2.Barrel Through. When facing a difficult problem, the left side of the brain works on finding the most logical answer. If one is easily found, you’ll eventually become frustrated and feel like quitting. As difficult as it may be…don’t. The frustration signals it’s time to switch to the right side of the brain and look at things from a creative perspective. The switch from left to right is what causes a “eureka” moment.
3.Get The Blues. Studies show the color blue calls to mind peace, tranquility, and open space. There’s no need to repaint, but a blue picture may do the trick. The worst color for creativity: Red. According to a study from the University of British Colombia, red makes people think about danger, mistakes, and caution.
4. Talk to Someone New. Diverse groups spark creativity. So if you’re still at a creative dead end after brainstorming on your own, run your ideas past someone who isn’t involved. It can be your spouse or a friend in an entirely different career field. Sometimes they can give you a fresh perspective. Pixar actually offers all of their employees improv classes…and makes it a point to have animators working on technical scenes sit near actual computer scientists.
5. Think Like A Kid. As adults we’re usually more concerned with the value other people will put on our efforts. We worry about being judged more than kids do. According to a study, people came up with twice as many creative solutions to problems when instructed to pretend they were 7 years old and write an essay about what they would do with a day off from school. Watching little kids play, I’m always amazed at how sometimes their creations defy logic or appear to make and sense. Over the years, I’m positive that a lot of great ideas looked the exact same way at first glance.
6.Take a Hike. If you’re in a positive mood your brain is more likely to think creatively. So get outside for a short walk…or if you’re stuck in your cube, experts say listening to a peppy Mozart piece is the most effective mood lifter. That’s definitely not my kinda music…but the next time I’m stuck on what to put in this blog I’m going to try it.
I LOVE AMERICAN IDOL…but the last two weeks have been so boring. Last night’s two hour show featured the Top 5 competing in two categories: songs from the 1960s and Brit pop.
I’m crazy about a lot of the music from the 60′s AND Brit pop…I’m just not crazy about a bunch of kids singing songs their grandparents grew up on. The judges always tell the contestants to find songs they relate to and can make their own. Maybe it’s just me…but I’m not sure a 19 year old can relate to a song from 1965. As my 10 year old said last night, “That’s ancient history.” I tend to agree with his assessment. I know they’re looking for range of depth and the ability to sing several different genres of music…but if they’re looking for the next singing sensation, I think Idol producers should stick to music from the past twenty-five years…unless they’re spotlighting a particular artist as that weeks theme.
Here’s a quick video recap from last night’s show.
MY BOTTOM THREE PREDICTION…Phil,Skylar, and Hollie. As much as I hate to say it, I won’t be surprised if Skylar is eliminated tonight. It’s not because she did worse than the others, but because for whatever reason, people love Phil’s Dave Matthews impersonation, and Hollie appears to be untouchable despite horrible performances week after week. That leaves Skylar as the odd one out. I’m hoping it’s either Phil or Hollie…but I’ve been doing that for a few weeks now.
Not only will one singer go home tonight, also look for a performance by Coldplay, and the return of Carrie Underwood! And for snarky comments and opinions…be sure to follow me on Twitter tonight during the show.
I’VE NEVER BEEN A BIGASHTON KUTCHER FAN…but the dude is kinda funny. He did a video for the dating site worldwidelovers.com where he plays several characters including a Bollywood producer and a dread-locked stoner.
DID YOU SEE THE PREVIEW for The Choice? The new FOX dating show is a mash-up of The Voice and The Dating Game. Four single celebrities will sit in rotating chairs in front of a live studio audience, with their backs to a bunch of singles. The suitors describe their life, their interests and their turn-ons…and the celebrities can only rely on their voice and their answers to decide which ones will be potential dates.
If the celebrity likes what they hears, they pull the “love handle” and and spin their chair around to see their potential date face-to-face. Just like on The Voice, if two celebs pull their love handle at the same time it’s the single who gets to choose which celebrity they want to go out with.
Each celebrity bachelor/bachelorette will eventually pick three dates and their team will enter a Speed Choice round, where the contestants must convince their celeb why they should be in the final round. Two contestants per celeb are left for the final round, in which they’ll be asked to answer a question. The celebrities then have to choose whom they’re taking out on a date.
Hosted by Cat Deeley…The Choice premieres on June 7th at 9 on Fox.
THANKS FOR READING. Be sure to “like” my new Facebook page…and look for updates, videos, and other stuff throughout the day.
WHIRLWIND…that’s the word I’d use to describe the past ten days of my life. Things have not slowed down for a minute since arriving in Albany, NY last week for my new job doing mornings at B95.5. I’ve looking for apartments every single day, shopping for furniture for an apartment I don’t yet have, learning my way around town, meeting new people, making new friends, taking 40 listeners to a NY Yankees game…oh yeah, and working on a new morning show! But ya know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
BEING HONEST…what’s the one thing about your spouse or significant other than drives you nuts?
IT’S SUMMER JOB SEASON…if you think you have a crappy job, don’t worry…someday you might be a rich, famous rock star. Because even those guys had to work “regular jobs” before they got their big breaks.
