Saturday, March 31, 2007

$19,320!!!!

It's been over 24 hours, but I still can't believe it!

Okay, you're confused... let me explain.

After a one-year hiatus, we at KJAM held our "Jammin' for Kids Radiothon" for the Children's Miracle Network. We had done this 2 years ago and raised about $8300 for the CMN and (then) Sioux Valley Children's Hospital. Last year, due to changes in leadership, it was too much to put together in such a short time-frame.

But this year, CMN really worked with us. And on Wednesday, we began our 3-day radiothon. I wasn't sure what to expect, since it had been so long. Were we going to succeed? Or fall flat on our faces.

It was three days of tears, of stories that wrenched your heart (including mine), that inspired you, and that gave you hope. And after three mentally exhausting days, our final total came in.

$19,320

When Kim from CMN read out the total, I snatched the paper out of her hand just so I could see for myself. Ho-lee COW!!!!

There's still some more stuff that needs to come in, but we could see up to 20-thousand dollars easily!

I have to thank quite a few people. First to the ladies from CMN who busted their backsides for us, taking donations over the phone and lining up interviews. Kim, Amy, Bo, you are AWESOME!!!

To Chuck for lighting a fire under our backsides and getting us motivated for this.

To Peg and Groce who were just incredible on the air.

For Jason for busting his hump for getting sponsors all lined up.

And most importantly, to all the listeners who called in their donations. If ANYONE has anything bad to say about Madison folks, I'll have something to say about that!

Through these stories, my love for life has been renewed. My faith in humanity has been renewed. And my love of radio has been renewed.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Spring is life...

I guess it's been awhile since I've posted one of these things. Sorry to keep you waiting.

So what's been new? Well, not much really. It's been pretty hectic with sports this winter. Sometimes I'd be working 4 nights a week... and THAT'S after my regular stuff. But you know, this is the life I chose and it STILL beats the hell out of working at Citibank! But I get a "break" of sorts next weekend, as I'll be covering the State "A" Boys' Basketball tournament in Rapid City. My friend Skittle says its supposed to be in the 60's next week... groovy!

The newest addition to my family has not arrived as of yet. Of course, I'm talking about the little bundle of joy my brother and his girl are expecting. In fact, it is a girl and they have a name... Zoe Jane. I like Zoe... it's a bit unusual but still cute. At least it's a solid traditional name and not some "what the hell were you thinking name" that seems to be all the rage today. Seriously, how many different ways are there of spelling "Michaela" or "Dylan"? Just wait... someone is gonna get cute and spell one of those names with a "Z" in it! People sure are stupid! LOL

My show is doing well... amazing what getting ripped a new asshole will do to set your priorities! And if Chuck Harmer is reading this... Kiss my ass and get back to work! LOL

Seriously, though, I'm having a LOT of fun with my show. Adding some new features, one of which is a "Classic Cut" segment where I play a moldy-oldy country song. Actually, it's not too bad and I'm kinda getting into listening to some of that stuff now. Work-related hazard I guess! We also got a decent phone system in the studio (FINALLY!!!), so now I can do some call-in contests, and perhaps even do an all-request show! Amazing how creativity can flourish when given the right equipment!

Getting back to the family thing... with my brother just a few short weeks of being called "Dad" for the first time, I've started to think about my personal life. In the past, that's always taken the back-seat as my priorities were school and then work. But now that I'm in a relatively good point in my life professionally, why not get that way in my personal life. Granted my dating record hasn't been the best in the world, but you never know.

I've done some serious thinking about this... would I like a family of my own? Could I be a good husband and father? Can I give up living like a slob and eating cold pizza for breakfast (if I even HAVE breakfast!) and be a responsible family man? I think about that and I say....

Sure, why not!

Watch out ladies! The Jackrabbit is on the prowl! LOL... okay, a small joke there!