It’s been a while since I sent out a blog typical of what I have sent since 2005. I’m still doing hard copy and internet stories for IMAGES Magazine but I miss the interaction of the AZ Central blogs that we began at the Republic in 2006. Call it déjà vu or whatever but here goes an attempt to return to those days in my favorite Walter Winchell style:
Barb and I were listening to some 1970’s oldies last night
like “Safety Dance” from Men at Work, “Spirit in the Sky” from Norman
Greenbaum, and “Green Eyed Lady” from Sugarloaf. Great memories of the days in Kansas City
when we danced until closing time in Missouri at 2:00 a.m. then crossed over
into Kansas to the private clubs until 5:00 a.m. Crazy stuff but if you’re going to do it, do
it while you are young. The Home and Garden
Network and The Food Network can wait their turn to get you………It looks like
Moochelle Obama’s plan for feeding kids in American schools is a gigantic
flop. Too bad; gosh, what a surprise
that kids are starving eating that crappola she thinks they should have. Meanwhile, her kids go to a PRIVATE school and
are enjoying fine dining just like the Wagyu beef and other delicacies she
enjoys. What’s that? Did I hear someone say she is a hypocrite?..........It
looks like the Arizona Republic is in
trouble again. They are cutting their
workforce by 15% and giving employees new titles. Those who remain will have to apply for the new
positions. Hopefully extra baggage like
Montini, Valdez, and Benson will be seen waving those advertising signs while walking
the sidewalk, Oh, did I forget to
mention that they just raised my monthly bill by $8.00 Yeah, that too! Someone should tell them that not many people
read the paper anymore. I only read it
for tradition and the crossword puzzle………..Now I see where the AZ Cardinals
have joined the list of NFL teams with women beaters. You have to love pro football with the number
of fools playing it. There is no
substitute for class; too bad they don’t have any. Where are Fran Tarkenton, Roger Staubach,
Kurt Warner and others like them when we need them? Some sponsors are pretty upset over these
recent developments. If they pull out,
the players will get a taste of how the other half lives………….Interesting
tidbit: The last guy to play in an NFL
game without a helmet was Dick Plasman (1914-1981) of the Chicago Bears in the
1940 NFL Championship Game won by the Bears.
He was a 6-3 running back who weighed 218 and near the end of his career
played for the Chicago Cardinals. He
lived to be 67; not bad for a guy playing pro football without a helmet……….I
have been asked to speak at the quarterly meeting of the Daughters of the
American Revolution on October 4 at McCormick Ranch. I get the microphone for 20 minutes and am
going to talk about 20th Century Scottsdale history. It’s been a while since I spoke to a decent
sized audience but I’m looking forward to it.
The DAR is a good organization; very patriotic……….If you want to
communicate with me on Twitter, my address is @JimMcAl97309703. If you want to leave a comment on the blog click "comments" below and you will be taken to the comments page There is a box provided............Thanks, JM
22 comments:
From: Jack in Glendale
Great job Jim. Speaking of music KDKB went down the tubes at noon today. It's now alternative. Going to miss the station I've listened to for so many years. I hope KOOL doesn't go the same way.
jack in Glendale
Thanks, Jack.
No kidding? I thought KDKB would last forever. When I read your comment the first one I thought of was Bill Compton who was so important in building that station up.
KDKB, 1971-2014, may it rest in peace.
I'm not totally surprised though. Times have changed and although I always listened to KDKB, I hated the commercials even though I understood that they had to exist.
Today, I have Sirius in my car and it is great. A lot of stations, great formats, and no commercials all for $15 a month.
KDKB will always be remembered fondly though.
For more on music, see my blog from November, 2012 about "One Hit Wonders."
Jim, all you comments were ones with which I agree. Funny about why you still take the AZ Republic - my husband likes the crossword puzzles, too. I look at the grocery ads! We could save $400. a year by not taking this rag. Your blog had a surprise ending when you mentioned our dear DAR. Thank you for doing that.
Joy
My pleasure, Joy.
I think I only take the paper anymore because it is a habit. It's hard to believe that it used to actually be a pretty good publication. I even took the afternoon Gazette.
I don't like many of the writers anymore. Doug MacEachern is good and Robert Robb is OK. As far as Valdez, Benson, Montini, and Laurie Roberts, I wouldn't miss any of them.
Jim
It has bee awhile...great from the gut common sense views on what we call civilization.
Are you sure you are not writing as my Ghost Writer....Well done Kemosabe.
Thanks, Alan.
Great to hear from you., Always great to hear from a fellow USAF vet.
I have been neglecting the blog too long and the reason is filthy lucre. I've been doing pieces in the local IMAGES magazine and getting paid. We all have our price I guess! LOL
However, today I thought I would start doing a blog again. It just doesn't seem right to abandon it after all these years. The IMAGES stories will have to wait a bit.
Truly understand.
Speaking of the Air Force Vet thing. Going to Fort Walton Beach for a Nakon Phanom A-26 reunion in October. First one, 45 years later. Also saw, touched signed one on the aircraft I worked on in Fort Worth Texas earlier this year as it is being restored to flying condition. Hopefully will fly sometime in 2015
Best
Al
ALAN
It's a strange feeling about how the years have passed. September 10 marked the 49th year since I got out of the USAF. Your case is about the same with 45 years difference.
That's really something that you got to see one of the aircraft you worked on all those years ago.
Have a great time at Fort Walton beach for the reunion. I hope you get to see it fly.
Fun memories!
TO LEAVE A COMMENT CLICK "COMMENTS" AND WRITE IN BOX PROVIDED>
Enjoyed hearing from you again, Airman.
I gave up the Republic, as well, after reading their subpar approach to the news for years. Whatever one sees there has been on the telly for a day or two. I suspect that's where they get their material. Miss the x-words.
Anyhoo, good to see your material again.
Larry(duxoup)Rupp S/Sgt USAF
Thanks, Larry (Sarge). I have a copy of the 1978 "Republic" and compared to the 2014 version, it is 7 inches wider across two pages. The best thing about the '78 version is that Montini, Valdez, Benson, and Laurie Roberts are no where to be seen.
I wish we could have your old blogs too. As for Montini, Valdez, and Benson, they will fail at being sign walkers.
I read the paper for the funnies and some local content.
don't care for the USA paper crap they insert, like eating library paste.
Don Williams and I are eternally arguing politics, he is still a left wing Liberal with his head way up his ass. He liked DuVall.
Jim Johnson
Hi Jim,
I agree on the USA insert. It is just filler to make up for what they have taken from the regular edition. They really have nere raising my subscription $8. That is the last increase I will pay. IOt's too bad they don't have competition; they would be long gone by now.
Don and I haven't spoken for years since I told him to get his head out of his ass about liberalism and Obama. He is too far gone to change. He is an uneducated guy who always has the fear of needing economic assistance someday and he wants the Feds to be his daddy. I'm not surprised he likes Duval, another dumb ass liberal.
Take care, Jim. Always good to hear from you; keep in touch.
Arizona Dave has left a new comment on your post "REMEMBERING AZ CENTRAL BLOGS":
I miss your old blogs where we first met back in maybe 2007....then a golf game and a friendship now reaching toward 8 years....fun, fun times....would like to hear your speech at McCormick Ranch...I bet full of many interesting tidbits from the 20th century....maybe you and Barb could do one of your Kansas City dance steps.
Newspapers are ridiculous now-a- days...just a way to spend time while drinking that morning java.
Take care old friend.
Dave,
The old blogs were fun but like most things, there were losers who had to start using foul language and personal attacks so that ended it. The Republic transferred them to Facebook which i don't use. I don't know if they are still there or not.
I only get to do 20 minutes for the DAR at McCormick but I will condense it to fit. It should be fun talking to all those ladies; they are very patriotic and I get a free lunch out of it. Not a bad deal; they even wanted to pay me but I said no. Next time, if there is one, I might say "Yes!"
The Republic is on its last legs. This latest cutback of 15% of the personnel plus the large price increase will hurt them bad. I'm sure it will be the last straw for many readers.
Good to hear from you as always. If you get back here plan a morning to give me a golf lesson! LOL
Jim,
I miss the old AZ Central blogs. It was great while it lasted.
Have you seen or heard from Middy lately or anyone else from your blog?
Buzz,
Check out the comments section of the blog. I've had some comments and have replied to them.
I'm going to send the blog out again and see if we can have a deja vu on the old days at AZ Central. Keep an eye open on your email for the next one; probably within the next couple of weeks.
Mike Slater has left a new comment on your post "REMEMBERING AZ CENTRAL BLOGS":
Jim, nice to see you're back.
Thanks, Mike.
I'm going to try to this going again. I'm surprised I haven't heard fro Butch.
I am pleased to know you will address a meeting or the D.A.R.
I always felt that its members were elitist women whose organization in the not so distant past exhibited a great deal of bigotry toward other members of our society. Their snobbishness and total control over membership requirements mocked some of the ideals (liberal ones) that came into being, in part due to the success of the revolution.
In a sense, they remind me of the owners of NFL teams, all great Americans, who would not think of denying anyone of color from joining their group. Both now espouse good will towards all and support many worthy causes. But both emit a lingering aroma to my sensitive nostrils.
Thanks for the comment, Joe.
No question the DAR is conservative but with the country being what it is at the moment with the liberal guy we have as president, I think some conservative ideas are in order i.e. not depending on welfare as a way to make a living, quit blaming the rich since they are the guys who do the hiring (that is, if one is looking for a job and not depending on freebies), and believing in the good old American idea that if one applies themselves and works hard, they always have a chance at success and the opportunities that go with it. No one ever said it is going to be easy.
There is a great deal of satisfaction involved in accomplishing the latter if one is willing to get up in the morning and put in a day's work. We live in too much of a welfare society where dependence on government handouts are the rule and as those generations beget the next generations "work" becomes an extinct word. Obama's statement of "The rich need to pay just a bit more in taxes" only exacerbates the problem.
Post a Comment