A holiday ha-ha for you....

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/21/robot.rights.ap/index.html

A study released by the British government says someday robots might become so
advanced, they could demand their independence.

Is it just me or did someone in Jolly Ole England have JUST A BIT too much egg nog this Christmas?

Everything old is new again...

Garbage...

Just found a copy of "Only Happy when it rains". Wow... Of course most people don't know or care about some of my favorite groups... stuff I listened to when I was in college and a somewhat socially-inept 20-year old. Instead of the somewhat socially-inept 31-year old I am today.

My God, I can't believe it's been 10 fucking years since I was in college! It seems like yesterday I was hanging out in the Student Union courtyard at SDSU with Kara, Ishmael, Angie, James, and Crash. They all smoked, but I never did... I hung out with them cause they were interesting people. We'd crack jokes, and just have fun. No more than that.

Of course, the courtyard is paved over, a brand-spanking new addition to the Student Union... progress... what a kick in the nuts.

Anyhoo... some of my favorite "Moldy Oldies" that I remember this week!

1) "Only Happy When It Rains"-Garbage
2) "I'll Stick Around"-Foo Fighters
3) "Sister"-The Nixons
4) "Everything Zen"-Bush
5) "(21st Century) Digital Boy"-Bad Religion... read the lyrics to that and tell me that isn't fucking prophetic!
6) "All I Want"-The Offspring
7) "Big Bang Baby"-Stone Temple Pilots... after Scott Weiland stopped trying to sound like Eddie Vedder.
8) "Queer"-Garbage... a sample lyric... "Hey boy take a look at me/let me dirty up your mind." I normally don't turn to jello, but to hear Shirley Manson moan that out.......... 'nuff said.
9) "Mrs. Robinson"-The Lemonheads... a trite before I was in college, but hey, Juliana Hatfield is a babe.

I want to find "Art School Girlfriend" by Stone Temple Pilots... didn't we ALL want an Art School Girlfriend. Hell, I still want an art school girlfriend!

I must be nuts!

Remember that job offer in Wyoming?

I turned it down... despite the fact it was a 10-thousand dollar a year increase in my pay. But I wanted to stay close to my friends and family for now.

Did I make the right choice? I think I did, for now.

Cool Christmas Music

Okay, so the terms "Cool" and "Christmas Music" really don't go hand in hand... after all, how many versions of "Winter Wonderland" can you hear before contemplating suicide?

Okay, put the gun away... it was a JOKE!!! Don't get pissy, take it easy!

But let's face it... Christmas music is LAME for the most part. The same 50-70 year old songs rehashed and redone so many times, it's not even funny!

But I'm here to save you from Christmas Pablum... here's some really cool Christmas Music.

1) "Washington Square"-Chris Isaak
Okay, I am an unashamed fan of Chris Isaak. But even I was a bit leery when he came out with a Christmas album. Fortunately I was pleasantly surprised when the CD came out.

This song is fantastic, if just for the lyrics "Oh, it's Christmas again... but it won't be without you." Anyone who has a loved one away from home for the holidays, due to illness, distance, or war, will immediately fall in love with this song. I did!

2) "Zat You, Santa Claus?"-Brian Setzer Orchestra
Fun fun fun! The BSO rockabilly/big band sound is a breath of fresh air for the holidays. A close second is the rockin version of "Angels we have heard on high." Yeah, it's a re-hash, but a COOL re-hash. Forget milk and cookies; leave out a martini and olives for Jolly Ol' St. Nick!

3) Anything by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Classical music with a metal twist... kind of like Metallica but with Christmas tunes! You've probably heard "Carol of the Bells" umpteen million times by the TSO, but they also have some really good and touching pieces, including "Dream Child" and "O Come all Ye Faithful/O Holy Night".

Have a happy rocking Christmas!

Maybe I'm NOT a loser.

Leave it to family to bring you down to earth, or pull you out of your pity party.

Last week I was having a pity party, bemoaning the fact I was sans female compaionship. Fortunately my cousin gave me the virtual version of "a kick in the ass" and put the kibosh on my rotten attitude.

Besides, I have 19 years to go before I'm 50! LOL

Thanks, Wader!

I'm the "Time" Man of the year!

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/16/time.you.tm/index.html

And so are you!

But I'd like to take this time to thank all of you who voted for all of us! Without us, we would never have gotten this award!

BTW, I'm waiting for my "Man of the Year" plaque, AOL-Time Warner!

Am I a Loser?

los·er /ˈluzər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[loo-zer] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun

3.Slang. a misfit, esp. someone who has never or seldom been successful at a job, personal relationship, etc.

--from Dictionary.com

I think it's safe to assume we've all thought of ourselves in this way at one point or another. And now, I'm starting to think of myself in this manner.

While the radio thing is going well, I can't help but feel like I'm a loser in my personal life. I have some good friends at the station and in my personal life. But for the most part, I'm fairly alone. I'm 31, I've not had a "successful relationship", and I fear I'll be some pathetic, balding loser at 50, wearing too much cologne and trying to hit on inebriated college girls.

If that ever happens to me, please feel free to put a bullet in my brain!

A crossroads....

When I was younger, I looked forward to growing up and going on adventures. Just getting in my car, point it in a random direction, and just drive. Find a new town, set up new roots and a new life.

Ah the impetousness of youth!

But as I became settled in this area and set up roots, that wanderlust seems to disappate. Granted, I'd like to travel, but now not at the idea of uprootin my life.

It appears I have an opportunity to revive that wanderlust.

A colleague of mine has offered me a fantastic radio opportunity... in Wyoming.

As I think about it, it seems highly unlikely that I would go. After all, my friends are here, I have a great job, my family is here... I'm gonna be an uncle for crying out loud! It's a place I love and that I will always call home.

But there's that nagging little part of me... that incessant voice that says "throw caution to the wind and go west, young man!"

I don't want to say no right away, but I want to give it some serious thought... and figure out what's best for me.

Wish me luck.

How a Jackrabbit spends the day off...

Well I did something I never thought I'd do... take a day off.

I know, astounding, isn't it? Fact is, I don't like to leave my co-workers in the lurch. So even if they beg me to take time off, I usually don't like to. But considering all the stress over the past month with this remodeling kick, plus equipment and computer issues, and with basketball starting next week, now was as good a time as any to take some time off.

So what did I do? Not a whole heck of a lot. Kept in contact with work, chatted with some friends on-line, and slept in til noon. I also took a road trip to Mitchell and had a very lovely dinner at The Depot. If you ever find yourself in Mitchell, South Dakota, I highly recommend The Depot. I usually eat there at least once a year and I have yet to be disappointed. They are very good.

Then it was off to the movie theater to catch the new James Bond movie, "Casino Royale". All I can say is... WOW!!! I was ready to write off the whole James Bond franchise after a couple of non-very-impressive last movies. But Daniel Craig as Bond... WHOA! I still like Sean Connery, but this guy is very impressive, and I was happy to hear he's doing a couple of more movies... hopefully they can grab me like "Casino Royale" did.

Then it was a pleasant chat with a friend of mine, who also accompanied me to the dinner and the movie. Home by 1 and up by 5 to work this morning. All in all, though, it was an excellent day off. But I'm really looking forward to next spring... VACATION!

Back from the wiles!

Ah, the places I've been, and the people I've seen! Okay, so it was mainly in a 60-mile radius of Madison, sue me! LOL

It's been a little while since your intrepid Jackrabit1 left a cerebral deposit on this site! But when you're overworked, underpaid and neverlaid, you must make certian sacrifices!

Work is work... more personnel at the station, though it's been a challenge finding a news director. The call is out for us to do more, but there are some days I feel like they want to shove a vacumn cleaner up my hind end so I can clean as I walk. BTW, I'm no longer doing the music director thing, which relieves me to no end... considering I wasn't getting anything extra from it!

But we just wrapped up the football season and we're looking to start the basketball season in a few weeks, which I'm VERY excited for! Madison has a really good boys' basketball team and not only do I think they can make State, but they could also make a solid run for the title. Coach Ricke has really done a good job of pulling the program out of the doldrums and setting a really good foundation. And he's got a couple of uber-sophomores that are going to be big anchors the next three years.

SDSU's athletic future is looking bright, with the invite to join the Mid-Continent Conference and the speculated invite to the Gateway Football Conference. Speaking of football, I can't say enough about the football team... to go from such a pathetic start to fighting for a Great West Title at the end of the season is surreal. I'm excited about Jackrabbit football, it's my favorite sport to watch. Who knows, I might even buy a couple of season tickets next year! The women are looking good after pasting USC Friday night (don't let the close score fool you, they dominated the "legendary" Women of Troy). The men are very young, but they'll have a solid core of players the next few years.

And politics... hoo-baby! That deserves it's own posting... got a lot of righteous venom for both Dems and Reps! And I want to keep this posting positive!

So let's see... work, SDSU, sports... check... oh yeah, still single (you weren't really surprised to hear that, were you?)... Apartment still needs pictures hung up ( I trust myself to be level as I trust myself to fly a plane after drinking!)... Still gonna be an uncle (don't know if it's gonna be a da nice or da nephew!)... I think that's it!

Enjoy the reading!

To MySpace or not to MySpace?

Everyone is talking about hosting on MySpace. And I'll admit, I've been temped to try it out myself. The same goes with Yahoo 360, Windows Live, and whatever comes down the pike!

But then I wonder, is it really worth it? Is my life that freaking extraordinary that I need to spread it around to other parts of cyberspace?

I like Blogspot. It's fairly simple, not too difficult to maintain. Doesn't cost me a red cent, and the best thing, no one has to join a "special club" to post messages. What's so darn special about the others?

"Special Club"... sounds like a cult or a demented verision of the Mickey Mouse club!

Sorry, Dick!

Some names just don't get a break! From the SDSUfans.com website...
-jr1

http://www.sdsufans.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1156182433

Censored Words list change
Today at 12:47pm

Now board members can talk freely about how good Brooke Dickmeyer was, whether or not we'll ever play Dickinson State in anything, whether or not Dick Van d**e was one of the greatest slapstick comics ever, talk about acquiring sporting goods at Dick's, muse about the writings of Philip K. Dick, groove to the surf guitar of Dick Dale, discuss the deep symbolism and metaphor in Moby Dick, or even opine about Dick Cheney's skeet-shooting scores without worry of running afoul of the board's Censored Words list.

. . .

OK, I guess Dick Van d**e is still out of bounds, according to the board software. Sorry about that, Dick.

Uncle Jackrabit

I kind of like the sound of that! That's what's gonna happen in 31 more weeks!

Say a prayer for my brother, Katy, and their little one to be!

WTF?!?!

Got this in the station's e-mail this morning... just one of those things that make you say "WTF?"

Names have been changed to protect the stupid! LOL

Subject: Site Contact: Tattoo me for $
Message: Hi My name is **buddy** my phone # is 605-xxx-xxxx I live
here ... and have to decided to sell my body to bussiness for
advertisemnt . I will get a tattoo of any logo or advertisement for $

Buddy, if you're not on medication, get on it now... if you are, UP THE DOSAGE!!!

The "Death Penalty"

Wow... two posts in one week... you're in for a treat! LOL

Your humble blogger has now "executed" two people. Now before you start getting worried that I might be some axe-toting maniac, let me explain.

I consider myself a pretty easy-going, laid-back kind of fellow. I can tolerate a lot, up to a point. After that, I get pretty goddamn mean; kind of like tripping my "asshole" trigger. I call it, "getting my Irish up."

In any case, I've decided to "eliminate" certain people in my life. Not kill them, mind you, but to eliminate all traces of their being from my life in the hopes of regaining some of my self-respect. These are usually people that have, in one form or another, humiliated me, hurt me, used me, or made it very clear they want nothing further to do with me. Not as many as I'd expect on the last one, though! LOL. I call it the "Death Penalty"

When I "execute" someone, I take out all traces of them ever being in my life. Notes, cards, gifts, e-mails, messages, messenger contacts, etc. In Orwellian terms, they become a "non-person", and I no longer care if they live or die.

Harsh? Yes.
Cold-hearted? No more than what they were to me.
Immature? Depends on your point of view
Necessary? Yes.

Bill O'Reilly said it best in one of his books (I'm paraphrasing, so don't hold me to accuracy), "If you want to stay positive, you need to avoid negative people." God-damn right, Bill! So I WILL stay away from these people and all those who have been a negative influence on my life.

God, it's nice to finally have a pair! LOL

Hell of a birthday gift...

I tell you... there's nothing like getting stood up on your birthday to make you feel REALLY good!

About as good as a kick in the nuts!!!

Wow... it's been a while since I've been on here! That's what happens when you are over-worked, and over-stressed! LOL

Some big changes right off the bat... First, I have moved!!! After five months of sometimes fruitless searching, I found a nice place to live in Madison. It's right up by Trojan Field and the Community Center; in fact I can look out over Trojan Field from my "office" (okay, a spare bedroom where I set up my computer.) The rent is decent, the place is in nice shape, and I don't have to worry about mowing the yard or shoveling... so I'm a happy camper!

I've also upgraded my Internet, getting high speed... it's pretty freaking sweet! beats the hell out of dial-up any day!

Work is still work, though a bit busier... I'm now the acting music director, which means I've seriously got my plate overflowing!!!! I told my GM that I'll do the MD on a temporary basis but he's got to find someone else to do the job. I'm just afraid I'll burn out before too long.

Other than that, not much new going on.... but with all these changes in the past month, do I WANT more going on? LOL

Thoughts on living in "flyover land"

Being that I'm from what many consdier a backwater "red state," I probably have a skewed view on what others consdier normal. But I'm pretty straightforward on this..

I'm getting a little preturbed with the idea that there are all these people that think South Dakotans are nothing but a bunch of illiterate, knuckle-draging, booger-eating morons. Just google "South Dakota," and you find half a dozen sites on the first page completely deriding our state because of certian political decisions. Which will not be discussed here.

Well, to those people who continue to knock my home sweet home... Kiss my 100-percent South Dakotan ASS!!!

Can you even FIND South Dakota on a map? Or are you so concerned about being pissed off about something, that you forgot that little nugget of information. Have you MET a South Dakotan? Granted there aren't that many of us, but you honestly think that you can judge all of us based on one law?

Not very "open-minded,"are you? And besides, one that my sweet-gray haired grandma (rest in peace) taught me is that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. But then, that's common sense, and apparently it's in short supply in some areas of the U.S.

So go ahead and knock us... it's a free country after all. It just makes you look stupid and we get a pretty good laugh at your expense.

Okay... that's my rant for tonight! Good night, kiddies!

Jackrabbits versus Gophers!!!

WOO-HOO!!!

South Dakota State University is going to play the University of Minnesota in football! Granted, it won't be til 2009, but that is FREAKING SWEET!!!!!

November 14, 2009, I'll be in Minneapolis, in my SDSU jacket, face painted yellow-and-blue, half snockered on Grain Belt Premium rooting on my Jackrabbits. Granted, they might get slaughtered, but it's better than playing Augustana!

The only way to make it better is to have the "Pride of the Dakotas" take on the "Pride of Minnesota" in a Battle of the Bands, upper-midwest style!

More stuff...

I haven't been on in a while (probably a week), so I figured I'd better leave you some tid bits as to what I've been up to.

Work has been work... mucho mucho hours. Overall, I think I've put in close to 70 hours this week. But that's okay. One thing... when I worked at Citibank, I couldn't wait to get out of there and I couldn't STAND to work 40 hours a week in that place. Now that I'm back at the radio station, sixty and seventy-hour workweeks aren't all that bad. Even if I AM salaried!

My big project is now working on our AM station, getting that all back in shape. Sadly, the station has been put by the wayside for a long time and it sounds like crap. So I'm updating it with new songs, new rotations, and soon, some new imaging. It's been a challenge, but I know I'm up to it.

Not much to report on the personal life... I think that's why I don't mind working long hours, less opportunity for me to have a personal life!

I got the opportunity to host karaoke this weekend. It's been a while since I've done that, but I had a good time.... and the extra money didn't hurt, either! But one of the most touching things I saw last night was when a soldier recently back from Iraq broke down while singing "American Soldier" Kup and I picked up the song for him and it was incredible! The entire bar started singing, some flashing their lighters and I heard the biggest round of applause I had ever heard in my time hosting karaoke. Not for my singing, mind you, but for this young sargent who had just spent 18-months in a volitile hell-hole. I'll have more on this in my next post.

And on that note, I hope you all have a wonderful Easter. Drive safe, and save me some extra ham!

Music List number 1

So if anyone has ever watched "High Fidelity," one of the running themes in the movie is about lists... lists of bad relationships, but most importantly song lists.

Now I'm not a music expert by any means. I play what I like and like what I play (unless its Carrie Underwood for the 18th frickin time in a row during my shift!!). But music is an important part of my life. It sets the mood, relaxes me, and can get me fired up for another day of waking up at 4:30 in the morning.

But my first list is songs to listen to when you want to relax... my top five....most of it is classical, but that's what gets me to relax.

5) "Blue Spanish Sky"-Chris Issak... beautiful, haunting. His voice was made for an acousitic guitar.
4) Second movement from New World Symphony-Antonin Dvorak... one of my favorite classical pieces... simple, relaxing...
3) "Greensleeves"-Ralph (pronounced "RAFE") Vaughan Williams... and old melody done, very very well. One of the finest of the British composers.
2) "Take Five"-Dave Brubeck... classy! cool! the sax is like floating on a cloud.
1) "Variations on a Theme by Thomas Tallis"-Ralph Vaughan Willams... like drifting away into outer space... or to the musty halls of a 16th-Century cathederal. Totally blew me away the first time I heard it!

So I hear that Backyard Broadcasting is buying out Feller in Sioux Falls.... I wonder if the meat cleaver will hack away a few more radio jobs?

I have a feeling that Backyard will sell out to Clear Channel in 24 months... then look for Lindsey Lohan on the radio 24-7!

I think I'll stick with Three Eagles.

24

Whenever something bad happens to me... I give myself 24 hours to feel bad for myself and wallow in self-pity and doubt.

24 hours is up.

Back to real life.

Now if I need to look for sympaty, I'll just check the dictionary... last time I checked, it was between "Shit" and "Syphillis!"

I needed a refresher course of the "Jackrabit1 Instiute of Who Gives A Fuck!"

Thought of the day....

After the day I had today... I think it would have been easier if I swore off women and became a priest! Hey, I'm Catholic! I've already got an in!

Becoming Apolitical

The other night I was out on a date... things were going swimmingly, and then the "3rd rail" of dating questions came up. And no, it was not about sex... GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER, YOU PERVERT!!!!

"What are your politics?"

You can ask anyone, from Miss Manners to my buddy Adam out in San Francisco, talking politics on a date are simply VERBOTEN. The only execptions is if you met at a "Save Air America" rally or at a Rush Limbaugh "Ditto-head" mixer! Then I suppose it would be okay. But to talk about politics while you're trying to have polite, friendly conversation is simply taboo in my book.

Speaking of politics, I'm getting to the point where I'm starting to no longer care about politics. When I post on message boards, I tend to stay away from anything political, instead posting on sports sites or on something that piques my interst... like the history of indoor plumbing!

I still have my political beliefs and I feel strongly about them. But I'm starting to realize that it's no longer worth the time nor trouble to publicly express them. When I have, one of two things happen: 1) No One Cares 2) I'm ripped a new ay-hole because my ideas don't "mesh" with the other persons.

It's the second reason that I'm starting to shy away from political discussion. I've began to notice that political discussion has quickly regressed into character assassination. While that's bad enough, it's also come to the point that if you don't "toe the line" one way or the other, you're derided as being for the opposite.

For a hypothetical example, let's say you are for education funding, but you're not for a bill that gives schools more money than you want to give. The bill is for 4 billion and you want to support 3 and a half billion. Well, according to the supporters of the bill, you are against kids, against teachers, and against education. Which is completely ridiculous. It's the whole "If you're not with us, you're against us" mentality.

And now you have all these people that say they will only associate with people that only share their politics. I think that is incredibly small-minded thinking on their parts. I have friends on all ends of the political spectrum; from ardent die-hard liberals to staunch conservatives, even anarchists! For me, politics is a non-factor; I hang out and am friends with these people because they are interesting people, who can carry on intellectual and sometimes warped conversations. But most of all, they respect me as a person and while we may not always agree with each others ideas, we respect them.

I guess that's what it all boils down to... respect. And politics today has absolutley zero respect for opposing viewpoints... both in the liberal and conservative ends of the spectrum. So from now on, don't talk politics with me.

I'm apolitical.

Runnin' Ragged

It seems as though this week has been rush, stress, rush, and crash!

Lot's of things going on this week... one of our announcers is leaving so the remainder of our programming staff is going to have to pick up the slack for a while until our new guy shows up. We also had several Vice Presidents from the corporation in Madison on Tuesday. I realize they have business that probably has NOTHING to do with us, but I still can't help but feel like I was put under the microscope.

So needless to say, it's been a bit stressful this first part of the week... it's led to some loss of sleep to be sure. But hey, the weekend's coming up! And not a moment too soon, either.

On the other hand, I seem to be making some friends at DSU... I seem to be getting along well with the baseball and the men's basketball coaches, which is good. The baseball coach even gave me an official DSU hat, which is pretty cool. So now I'm a Trojan fan as well as a Bulldog fan, Quarrier fan, and of course, Jackrabbit fan.

Speaking of the Jacks, they're playing an NAIA school in football next season?!?! Color me kooky, but what the hell? South Dakota State is a Division One School! We should have NO BUSINESS playing such a weak opponent! I realize that this was a last-minute scheduling thing because another team backed out, but come on! There's got to be some better competition out there! This is not helping us in terms of gaining respect as a Division One school. I'd rather much get my ass-kicked by top-quality teams and improve than to win over inferior teams and regress. That's my opinion on the matter; I could be wrong.

Apartment hunting continues in Madison... The one place I thought had promise was a bust! That and the potential landlord failed the litmus test (i.e. Mom). Mom's pretty experienced at getting to the tough questions.... perhaps in another life she was a reporter? I don't know... nothing has really stood out or shown a whole lot of promise... I'd obviously like a newer place to live in that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg, but unfortunately you have to be either a senior citizen or on low-income housing to get those kinds of places. So I'm S.O.L. for now...

Just another day in paradise, folks! Keep on Smilin'!

Finding my focus

And you may ask yourself / Where is that large automobile' /And you may tell yourself / This is not my beautiful house! / And you may tell yourself / This is not my beautiful wife!
--"Once in a lifetime," Talking Heads

When I was going back to school for my teaching certificate, one of my professors told me I should take a year off and go to Egypt. I told him that was a bit of a nutty suggestion. And then he told me something that's stuck in my mind, even six years later...

"Matt, you need to find your focus."

It makes sense, though. Life is like this great big ship, and you have to have a destintion to go to... otherwise, what's the point.

Finding my focus has been a bit of a challenge. I've had to fall on my face a few times, but I'm getting there. I think I finally found the focus in my professional life by coming back to radio.

Now on to the personal life... DAMN THE TORPEDOES, FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!

More stuff...

Well, the search for decent lodging in Madison continues! I saw one apartment that would be just about perfect. Close to the station, nice size, rent is decent... the only problem is the shag carpeting! Yeesh! But I'm going to take a second look tomorrow, perhaps we can work something out on the carpeting.

The Morning show continues... except I called the Catholic school by the wrong name. I'll get a lot of flack for that at Kiwanis! The funny thing is I'm a Catholic, so I'm sure this'll cost me a couple days in Purgatory!

Went to the Madison Fireman's Dance... my first time really hanging out in Madison... and it was a lot of fun! Makes moving to Madison seem not so bad.

The big boss is in town this week... apparently we're going to be doing some serious remodeling at the station... which is about time! If we're going to be professional, we might as well LOOK the part too! I'm excited to see what the results may bring!

I haven't seen too many new movies lately... I'd like to see "Good Night and Good Luck" because I'm a student of history. I'm pretty boring that way! But the thing is, is that as we get older, the more interesting history gets. I don't have cable, but when I do get it, I'm ususally glued to the "History Channel" Great stuff! Especially when they talk about the history of the some of the most mundane things... like indoor plumbing! I don't know... we take it for granted and the network does such a good job of presenting it in such a compelling manner it's hard not to be interested!

Well, that's it for my geeky self now! Enjoy, folks!

I'm Moving On

The Jewish have a unique custom... when they lose a loved one they mourn for thirty days. After the thirty days, they move on with their lives.

Although I haven't lost a loved one recently, I did say goodbye to two very good freinds. My boss, mentor, and friend, Jim, who decided to try his fortunes in Wyoming radio. And Jessica, who was one of the first people to make me giddy, upset, mad, and glad at the same time.

Jim, I know will keep in touch. Especially since I have his e-mail!

Jessica is different... since I talked with her the weekend she left, she has disconnected her phone and shut off her e-mail. It takes me a while to pick up on these things but the message is clear...

It's time to move on.

No bitterness this time, just sadness for losing a friend. But as my new boss Lorin says "Everything is Temporary". Smart man, Lorin... goofy-looking, but smart!

So I move on... new opportunites and new friends await... Life; Damn the Torpedoes, FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!

So there's a lot of talk about this new abortion ban in South Dakota, my home sweet home. It seems that there is a lot of talk on other blogs admonishing us or praising us...

**Before I continue, I must say that my opinions about this particular topic are personal and private. Please don't take this as endorsement of or opposition to any particular stand. If you do, you are a moron, and I will ridicule you mercilessly!**

I am amazed at the response coming in from all around the country and the world about lil' ol us. Now some of the responses are supportive, and some are critical, and some are just plain goofy.

Like right now, there's a few blogs out there calling us a bunch of "mysoginisitc, knuckle-dragging neanderthals." Excuse me, but I haven't dragged my knuckles since I stumbled home from the 1995 St. Paddy's Day party at Lambda Xi Delta in Brookings!

But now there's talk of BOYCOTTS? I'm sorry, but I think there's a point where passion becomes a bit nutty. It's great to believe in something, but when it dominates your every waking moment, then it becomes a hinderance.

Frankly, I'm suprised if some of these folks can even FIND South Dakota on a map!

And for those who are "ashamed" to be South Dakotans? Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. Just because there's a controversial law on the books, it doesn't change the fact that we as South Dakotans are about the nicest, hardest-working, decent folks you'll ever want to associate with. And if you can't look past some law and take some pride in being from where the crime rate is low and the education rate is high, well, I feel sorry for you.

After all, it's just politics! There are more important things to worry about in life! Like... The Vikings! And the Jackrabbits!!!

So the new position is going as well as can be expected... I've had to adjust my sleep schedule somewhat, and I've done some adjustments on my afternoon broadcast, but all-in-all things are going as well as can be expected.

Granted, I was plenty sad to see my boss go, but I'm happy that the president of the company has chosen our sales manager to run the station. He's had experience doing the job, and he's another person I feel totally comfortable talking to.

Asides from that, basketball is FINALLY over! Not to knock it, but i was getting a little burned out on basketball. Now I have a couple months of recovery time before the start of baseball season. Of course, now I have my brackets to keep track of! I think I did pretty well the first two rounds!

My thoughts and prayers going out to Susan, who's got a big decision to make on Tuesday. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you, sweetie!

Also want to welcome new freinds checking out the blog... Adam, Stacy, the afore-mentioned Susan and Lisa. Anyone else I missed... OOPS!

Stay safe and stay warm, my friends!

Things I have learned this week...

1) Change is always inevitable... it's up to us to adapt or be in trouble.
2) Having two friends leave in the span of a week really, really sucks.
3) Kirby Puckett was the greatest Minnesota Twin to ever live and was more of a ballplayer than Barry Bonds will ever be.
4) The Corn Palace is a really cool place for the basketball tournaments... too bad that it can't hold more seats.
5) Taurine is made from bull saliva... bull-spit!
6) Bull-spit tastes a lot like a jello shot, minus the vodka.
7) I'll be the new morning guy on AM 13-90 starting next week... I'm excited, but scared as hell!
8) I can function on 4 hours of sleep, as long as I can keep the hallucinations in check!
9) I REALLY need to move to Madison!
10) I never took much pride of being an alumnus of Dell Rapids High School, but after seeing the girls' basketball team this year, and the class that these young ladies showed during the State Tournament, I'm proud to say...

"It's Great! To Be! A Dell Rapids Quarrier!"

Quarrier Fan Matt, meet Bulldog Fan Matt, Jackrabbit Fan Matt, and Trojan Fan Matt. Hope you all play nice!

A lousy eight days...

Song of the Day: "Tonight, I wanna cry" by Keith Urban




Well, this last week has been complete shit.




Yeah, your mild mannered Sports Director said a bad word... well, this ain't the FCC, and I believe in being straightforward. Therefore, this week has been complete shit.


It was just lousy to start out... the womanthat I'm sweet on is moving to Colorado next week. And I'm afraid that I won't get the chance to tell her how I feel before she leaves. So that's been the downer all week... and then Monday rolls around.


Whoever had the bright idea to invent Mondays ought to be drawn and quartered!


First, my boss, mentor, and friend announces that he's leaving the station to take a new position with a station in Wyoming. Granted, I know that radio is all about change, but it still doesn't mean I have to like it. And the fact it's my second friend that's leaving this month is a real kick in the nuts.


Then last night, my childhood idol passed away. Kirby Puckett. Kirby. "Puck". The man who epitomized all that was good and right about baseball before this crop of chemically-enhanced crybaby underachievers. Dead. At 44. Way too young to go. A man with such joy. Even when the Twins sucked (and they did quite a few times), Puck was always out there, giving his all and playing with the enthusiasm of a child. Now we have these yahoos to look up to... effing brilliant!


It's been a lousy 8 days, that's for sure!

Some changes...

A good friend of mine pointed out that for some reason, only members of blogspot were able to post on my blog... so I did a little rooting around and fixed it. Now anyone can leave a comment! Hey, it's my first blog... go easy on me!


I also added links to very good friends who also have blogs (some on blogspot as well!). If you'd like me to add you, just e-mail me at jackrabit1@gmail.com. My only request is that you add my blog to your links as well.


Other than that, just doing some tweaking on post formats and the like, no big whoop. So feel free to comment away!

Sunday Laundry...

Okay, I did my laundry yesterday, but when you have a good title, USE IT!!


Looks like my schedule is somewhat set for next week... I'll have to sign on Wednesday and possibly Friday, in addition to doing basketball games in Mitchell and Salem. I'm almost done with the sports season, thank GOD!


A girl I really like is leaving... I'm not sure what to think. She says she's coming back, but I fear we'll grow apart. Which sucks, because I'm at the point where I have strong feelings for her. It doesn't seem fair, but she has to do what's right for her. I suppose I should tell her how I feel... Not that it'll make any difference in her decision, but I can at least get it off my chest!


So Madison lost in boys' basketball... it was a great game, but a heartbreaker of an ending. I know Chester will represent the area well and they are a bunch of great boys. But when you follow one team for the bulk of the season, you develop a bit of an attatchment, even becoming a fan... it's not exactly the most "objective", but it happens. I'll never be a "homer", by any stretch of the imagination, but I couldn't help but feel a little let-down that the Dogs didn't make it in. But they are a great bunch of boys and they'll be back next year.


Talked with Dad on Friday. He admitted something to me... he was proud to hear me on the radio! You know, I've had people come up to me and say they enjoy listening to me on the air, but to have family tell you the same thing is really special. I guess my family's pretty much been lassiez-faire about it. I mean Mom listens every once in a while, but that's about it. They're happy that I enjoy my job, but that's about it. I think it's great, in that it keeps me grounded, but the recognition is also nice as well.


I figure by the end of this month, if I keep expenses under control, I'll have enough money saved up to make the move to Madison. All together, I'm guessing it'll be around 700-1000 dollars to make the move... that's deposits, rent, furniture, necessities, etc. Of course, I'm probably OVER estimating, but I like to over-estimate so I don't get TOO surprised!


Now I'm looking at landlords... who is decent, who is crooked, who keeps up their properties and who doesn't. Do I go with a management property or do I go with an individual landlord?


Decisions... decisions... decisions... Stay tuned, folks!

Celebrate the Temporary...

When I was in fifth grade, my art teacher, Mrs. Hinsch, showed us a clay medallion she had made which said "Celebrate the Temporary". Being as I was only 11 and completely ignorant of such heady philosophical psalms, I blew it off as just being "goofy".


But as I grew older, I came to realize just exactly what that means. With the execption of rocks and air, everything is temporary. Especially us. In the terms of the cosmos, our lives barely register as a fraction of a second, if you're to believe Carl Sagan's "Cosmic Calendar."


So our lives are temporary in that they come to an eventual end... which means that everything we experience is temporary. The State Championship we win this year becomes next years 0-18 season. This month's "Employee of the Month" award quickly leads to a pink slip and unemployment the next.


Even relationships are temporary... when they get to "til death do us part" in a wedding, it shows that even marriage is set up to be temporary. Because it ends when we do (ideally). So all this talk about temporary things is pretty depressing, right?


To be blunt... a little.


But the nice thing is that we can celebrate the temporary. Lives, friendships, relationships, that dream season, awards. We can take comfort in them and the feelings we get from them. And when they're gone, there's usually something (or someone) to take its place. When one thing ends, another begins.


So tonight, I raise my glass.... to Celebrate the Temporary!

Nagy's Staying!

Looks like SDSU Men's Basketball Coach Scott Nagy is staying for another season. Good for him. After this season, he needs a fair shake. This has been the season from hell for him and his staff, but I think this adversity will make State and Nagy stronger, if you believe in Nietszche!

Howard Stern gets sued!!

I have a couple of issues with this... for example, if Stern was such a detriment to his parent company while he was promoting satellite radio, why didn't they just FIRE him? My God, he talked about it enough!

I think that this might, MIGHT be an underhanded ploy by CBS to cut into the Satellite Radio market. Those shares that Stern received are pretty valuable and I'm sure that CBS/Viacom/whatever the Hell they're called this week would LOVE to exploit Stern shooting off his mouth to muscle their way into this market!

It may be "just business." But from what it looks like, it's pretty shady business. But then, CBS is in the business of being "shady", especially when it comes to journalistic integrity (Dan Rather, anyone?)

Oh so tired...

I worked 16 hours today at the station! I'm tired, cranky and downright ornery.


Just imagine how I'd be if I hated my job!

A forgotten lesson...

I owe a lot of who I am to my high school English teacher, Mr. Nelson. He's the one who drilled me religiously in my writing, so that eventually I'd be able to put together more than three words in a coherent fashion. He also gave me the skills I needed to be an effective oral communicator as well... which is a big help in broadcasting!


But one of the most important lessons I learned in 11th Grade English was that words hurt. In fact, Mr. Nelson said that the most destructive weapon is not a bomb or a gun; it's the opening that's two inches below your nose. And I found that out the hard way on Sunday.


Without going into too much detail (out of respect to my friend), I hurt a very good friend a while ago with some poor word choices. I wasn't thinking with my head... just my anger. It hurt my friend. And I felt like an ass.


I still feel like an ass even now. Granted we're back on good terms; but I didn't realize the full scope of my ignorance and my hurtfullness until last night.


You remember the phrase "Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?"


I have a one-word response to that... BULLSHIT.


Guess I need to retake 11th Grade English... Anyone have Mr. Nelson's phone number?

Airing out the laundry....

Music of the day: "Sunday Morning Coming Down" by Kris Kristofferson


First of all, congratulations to my good friend Crystal on her recent marriage. She was united in holy-moly matirmony on Valentine's Day... Way to go, my friend! I hope you and Kyle have a long, fruitful, and happy life together. And if you're looking for names for your first-born, "Matthew James" is always a popular one. Just make sure it's a boy!


So here it is, 12:40 in the afternoon, but it feels like morning. Mainly because I just woke up! I usually don't sleep this late into the day; most times I'm up anywhere between 4:30 am and 7:30 am, depending on if I have to sign-on at the radio station. But if I have the day off, then I turn off the alarm and let my sleep-deprived system take over.


It looks like I have to sign-on Monday and Tuesday morning. Turns out my boss (who normally signs on) has to leave for an emergency... not a joke, either! When you're boss leaves you a message at 4:30 in the morning as he's driving to the Minneapolis airport, you have to give him the benefit of the doubt. So I hope everything works out well with him... I must be the only person in the country who actually gets along with his boss and not in a kiss-ass way!


Games I broadcast this week (mark your calendar, folks, there's a lot of em!):

Tuesday: District 7B Semifinals (two games), 6:30 and 8:00, FM 103.1

Thursday: District 5A First Round (Madison hosts Tri-Valley), 7:00, AM 1390

Friday: District 5A Championship (Madison / Tri-Valley vs. Chester / Howard, in Salem), 7:00, AM 1390.


State Tournaments are coming soon, so I'm excited for that. I'll probably be in Mitchell (State A Girls) and in Sioux Falls (State A Boys). Then I'll have about a 2-month break where I'll be concentrating my energy on programming for the station before baseball starts.


Like the mountain of laundry... it never ends!!!

L is for the way you look at me....

Okay, Cole Potter tunes aside, let's talk about... love.


Strange stuff this, this "love"... Stuff of legend, it's responsible for the most creation and destruction on the face of the earth. Al Pacino in "The Devil's Advocate" states that love is simply a biochemical reaction that can be reprodcued by eating large amounts of chocolate. For some it's spiritual, others purely physical.


I'm still trying to figure that one out!


For some people, love is an easy thing... you hear about how people meet in high school, fall in love, marry the day they graduate and never leave each other's side for the next 60 years. Others seem doomed to a life of lonliness, while some others seem like they'll "love the one they're near if they're not near the one they love".


Again, still trying to figure my part in this as well!


Why do people fall in love? Is it for some need of belonging? Financial security? Emotional stability? Or is it just a need to "get your rocks" off.


I post the question to you... why do people fall in love?

Yellow (black) and Blue

So South Dakota State is in its second year of being a Division One School. And it's been an interesting transition. Obviously, the series with USD is no more, but I'm sure it'll start up again when they move to D-I.


But there have been some pretty amazing things... playing some of the top teams in the nation (and holding our own against some of them!) and of course the improvements to Frost and Coughlin... it's been a pretty interesting trip, despite what some small-minded detractors might think!


And now the ugliness...This whole blow-up with the sexual assult charges on the men's basketball players. I know that no matter what happens, it leaves us with a black eye. And it feeds the flames that State got "too big for its britches" when it made the jump.


The fact is, this could have easily have happened as a Division II school and we would still be just as embarrassed. And no school is really "morally superior"; everyone has their own dirty laundry. Those who live in glass houses...

So now I go back to where it all started...back to Madison.


It seemed eons ago that I shuffled loose the employment coil of the radio station. Actually, it was only seven months. I decided that I wanted "a life" and to make more money.


Here’s the lesson I learned at my next job. A job where you get the dry heaves when you wake up is no life to have! But it also showed me that I have to love what I’m doing. I loved radio and I wanted to get back into it.


I never expected to be back in Madison. I applied at different stations in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, even Colorado and Missouri. I had one gentleman in Missouri want me to come down. But then I got the call from the president of the company...


"Come back to Madison."


So now I come back with some trepidation, but excited about my new responsibilities and challenges. To get the station back to it’s glory days when it typified everything great with radio. To be on par and even exceed the other stations, including in the "major cities."


Next up... a big move to Madison???

This is me and my brothers... I'm the oldest (and sadly, the shortest!) 

In the beginning....

So these are the first words that I’ll be writing here... For some reason, conventional wisdom dictates that the opening words of any great work should be poignant and memorable:
In the beginning...


It was the best of times; it was the worst of times...
Space, the final frontier...


But since this is definitely NOT going to be a great work, I’m pretty comfortable in NOT having some great opening. So let me just start off by saying something Bill Cosby has made popular recently.


Hello, Friend.

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