Last Tuesday the United States voiced its’ opinion, rather convincingly, on the course this country had pursued the past eight years. It’s the beginning of a new era, filled with hope and dreams.
We’re faced with so many problems: two wars, the economy, divisions within our own society, at times it seems insurmountable.
I have faith, my friends. Faith based on being able to look back on a half century ago. In 1957, President Eisenhower had to order troops into Little Rock, Arkansas to integrate the schools. Last week, an African-American became President-Elect of this country.
If this country can progress this far, it can do anything!
It won’t happen overnight. It may not happen in the next four years, but we have a start. A chance to be that special place the world used to think we were.
We’re going to have to sacrifice, struggle and stick to the ideals. It’s going to take some patience, but we can do this.
I’d ask everyone hearing this show, or reading this on the blog, to stop for just a second and say a short prayer. Pray the United States will find the strength to attain the ideals the founding fathers hoped for.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Word of the Day - Considerate (View from the BP)
Over the past few weeks I have been constantly reminded of a condition that appears to be afflicting so many of us.
It is a general lack of consideration for others.
We can explain or alibi this by complaining about the economy, our jobs, our families, our spouses or the pace of our lives.
Webster’s Dictionary defines considerate as being thoughtful of the rights and feelings of others
Not long ago I was stuck in a traffic jam outside of Washington DC. For those of you who have driven the Interstate 95 corridor around the city you have my profound sympathy. During the tie-up I covered a grand total of 20 miles in 2 hours. That is not recommended when one is driving a car with a manual transmission. It does terrible things to the clutch, your left leg and your nerves. Thank goodness that it was not an especially hot afternoon or I truly would have been doomed. BUT… it gave me the chance to indulge in one of my favorite guilty pleasures. … People watching.
There are some very interesting and entertaining folks out there:
Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the Motorized Stereo. This vehicle travels at highway speeds as though it were trying to outrun it’s own volume. The music is so loud that you can feel the bass from a quarter of a mile away. If you have ever been inside one of said vehicles, you know that you can’t hear the music at all. Your ears shut down and all you hear is a crackle. You can feel the music but only because it is shaking the vehicle so violently. I don’t care if they get ahead of me, as long as they go away from me. It makes me want to outfit the my car with a million watts of power, huge honking speakers and a huge collection of Lawrence Welk is my own defense. Is it considerate to force your musical tastes upon other travelers?
Then there is the Horn Blowing, Engine Revving Lane Changer. We see these folks on every divided highway. They pass on the right, on the left, weave in and out of traffic, tailgate and perform the death defying from the left hand lane across three lanes of traffic exit. They are so enjoyable. In a traffic jam they change lanes constantly. They force their way into the lane next to them no matter if there is an opening or not. Having to hit your breaks hard when you are only travelling at 10 miles an hour is rather silly but necessary when you encounter the mad weaver. Nature takes its revenge on the weaver though. After working so hard to change lanes, scare the hell out of the travelers and torture their vehicles you, who have stayed in your lane, observe them three cars to your right as you pass them. For all of their efforts they have gone nowhere.
The TaxiCab Breakdown Lane Passer is always entertaining. This is the driver who is such a hurry that rules laws and physical danger is of no concern. While the rest of us are laboring along at a snail’s pace, the TCBLP is zooming up the Breakdown Land passing us all. He might even wave to us suckers as he passes. In his haste he fails to see the revolving lights that are following in his wake. Whether it is a fire truck ambulance or a State Trooper is of no concern to this important busy driver. It is his RIGHT to get where he wants to go regardless of the consequences to him or anyone else. On the bright side, the last set of lights caught up with him just after he tried to force his way back into line and clipped the left rear fender of a Lincoln along the way. When last seen the TCPLP was being escorted through the traffic jam by Lincoln that he hit and by the Trooper. I guess that he will be late for whatever was so important in the first place.
If I were stuck in such a jam and was atop a motorcycle, I would not be jammed up for long. I admit it. I would slowly motor through the cars sharing the lanes that were not moving. Instead I would like to introduce you to the Café Racer Stunt Rider. For those of you who have not been acquainted with the CRSR allow me to explain. The Café Racer Stunt Rider is decked out in color-coordinated helmet and leathers. He rides his bike with authority and even some talent. As the cars in front of him pull away, he waits. He allows perhaps 50 feet to open between himself and the car in front of him. He then drags his boots behind him, over-revs his bike’s engine and drops the clutch in first gear. The bike’s front wheel leaves the ground and he spins the rear wheel, removing perhaps a thousand miles of rubber from each "wheelie". The stunt is impressive but it doesn’t get him anywhere and scares the hell out of the first car behind him who is afraid that the CRSR will dump the bike and end up under his front wheel.
Of course I can give you more sketches of inconsiderate behavior.
How about the Cell Phone Addict who can’t keep up with traffic because the calls or texts that he is participating in are more important than keeping his place.
Then there is Tailgater who is attached to your rear bumper so closely that you cannot see his headlights in your rearview mirror.
My favorite is the Party Car, who cannot keep their beer cans, candy wrappers and chips bags in their own vehicle.
I think you get the idea.
Think about it. Consider how your behavior affects others. Treat them, as you would like to be treated. Remember the Golden Rule? That’s what we’re talking about here. We’re not talking about manners. We’re talking about being considerate.
Like it or not we share this planet. Be considerate of others. Hold a door for the person behind you. Take your cell phone conversation out of the restaurant. Keep your voice down in an elevator.
Want to feel good about yourself and be happy?
Smile at someone on the street. You don’t have to say anything. Just smile. They might smile back. They might even say hello. Wouldn’t that be nice?
It is a general lack of consideration for others.
We can explain or alibi this by complaining about the economy, our jobs, our families, our spouses or the pace of our lives.
Webster’s Dictionary defines considerate as being thoughtful of the rights and feelings of others
Not long ago I was stuck in a traffic jam outside of Washington DC. For those of you who have driven the Interstate 95 corridor around the city you have my profound sympathy. During the tie-up I covered a grand total of 20 miles in 2 hours. That is not recommended when one is driving a car with a manual transmission. It does terrible things to the clutch, your left leg and your nerves. Thank goodness that it was not an especially hot afternoon or I truly would have been doomed. BUT… it gave me the chance to indulge in one of my favorite guilty pleasures. … People watching.
There are some very interesting and entertaining folks out there:
Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the Motorized Stereo. This vehicle travels at highway speeds as though it were trying to outrun it’s own volume. The music is so loud that you can feel the bass from a quarter of a mile away. If you have ever been inside one of said vehicles, you know that you can’t hear the music at all. Your ears shut down and all you hear is a crackle. You can feel the music but only because it is shaking the vehicle so violently. I don’t care if they get ahead of me, as long as they go away from me. It makes me want to outfit the my car with a million watts of power, huge honking speakers and a huge collection of Lawrence Welk is my own defense. Is it considerate to force your musical tastes upon other travelers?
Then there is the Horn Blowing, Engine Revving Lane Changer. We see these folks on every divided highway. They pass on the right, on the left, weave in and out of traffic, tailgate and perform the death defying from the left hand lane across three lanes of traffic exit. They are so enjoyable. In a traffic jam they change lanes constantly. They force their way into the lane next to them no matter if there is an opening or not. Having to hit your breaks hard when you are only travelling at 10 miles an hour is rather silly but necessary when you encounter the mad weaver. Nature takes its revenge on the weaver though. After working so hard to change lanes, scare the hell out of the travelers and torture their vehicles you, who have stayed in your lane, observe them three cars to your right as you pass them. For all of their efforts they have gone nowhere.
The TaxiCab Breakdown Lane Passer is always entertaining. This is the driver who is such a hurry that rules laws and physical danger is of no concern. While the rest of us are laboring along at a snail’s pace, the TCBLP is zooming up the Breakdown Land passing us all. He might even wave to us suckers as he passes. In his haste he fails to see the revolving lights that are following in his wake. Whether it is a fire truck ambulance or a State Trooper is of no concern to this important busy driver. It is his RIGHT to get where he wants to go regardless of the consequences to him or anyone else. On the bright side, the last set of lights caught up with him just after he tried to force his way back into line and clipped the left rear fender of a Lincoln along the way. When last seen the TCPLP was being escorted through the traffic jam by Lincoln that he hit and by the Trooper. I guess that he will be late for whatever was so important in the first place.
If I were stuck in such a jam and was atop a motorcycle, I would not be jammed up for long. I admit it. I would slowly motor through the cars sharing the lanes that were not moving. Instead I would like to introduce you to the Café Racer Stunt Rider. For those of you who have not been acquainted with the CRSR allow me to explain. The Café Racer Stunt Rider is decked out in color-coordinated helmet and leathers. He rides his bike with authority and even some talent. As the cars in front of him pull away, he waits. He allows perhaps 50 feet to open between himself and the car in front of him. He then drags his boots behind him, over-revs his bike’s engine and drops the clutch in first gear. The bike’s front wheel leaves the ground and he spins the rear wheel, removing perhaps a thousand miles of rubber from each "wheelie". The stunt is impressive but it doesn’t get him anywhere and scares the hell out of the first car behind him who is afraid that the CRSR will dump the bike and end up under his front wheel.
Of course I can give you more sketches of inconsiderate behavior.
How about the Cell Phone Addict who can’t keep up with traffic because the calls or texts that he is participating in are more important than keeping his place.
Then there is Tailgater who is attached to your rear bumper so closely that you cannot see his headlights in your rearview mirror.
My favorite is the Party Car, who cannot keep their beer cans, candy wrappers and chips bags in their own vehicle.
I think you get the idea.
Think about it. Consider how your behavior affects others. Treat them, as you would like to be treated. Remember the Golden Rule? That’s what we’re talking about here. We’re not talking about manners. We’re talking about being considerate.
Like it or not we share this planet. Be considerate of others. Hold a door for the person behind you. Take your cell phone conversation out of the restaurant. Keep your voice down in an elevator.
Want to feel good about yourself and be happy?
Smile at someone on the street. You don’t have to say anything. Just smile. They might smile back. They might even say hello. Wouldn’t that be nice?
November 5, 2008
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US
HAPPY ANNIVERSAY TO US
We made it!!!!!!!!! Two years of broadcasting, WOW!
There are some thank you's to some terrific people who have helped make this possible.
RJ (the techie gnome) gets to be the first. His knowledge of pooters and willingness to dig deep for the technology makes this all possible.
Lucy and Barb, thank you for allowing us the untold hours to make this work.
Ginger, a special thanks for all your hours of listening, critiquing and loaning me music.
PJ and Carlene, thanks for being the first fans. Without your encouragement we may have bagged this thing before it really got started.
A very special thank you to the artists who answered my e-mails and phone calls. Their willingness to allow us to play the music is what drove me. Mark Casarra, Craig Woolard, Bob & Andy Angelucci, I can't say enough about you. I'm proud to know all of you.
Dave Bupp, what can I say? We've known each other for more than 40 years and it's been a neat ride. Thank you for the music, the knowledge of songs and artists and especially for trying to keep me on track. Don't ever stop the e-mails.
Last, but far from least, thank you to everyone who has listened over the past two years. We started the station so music that normally doesn't get radio airplay would be heard. Every time you open us up or pass the word along to friends, you validate what we're trying to accomplish.
Two years.............amazing *wandering off mumbling*
HAPPY ANNIVERSAY TO US
We made it!!!!!!!!! Two years of broadcasting, WOW!
There are some thank you's to some terrific people who have helped make this possible.
RJ (the techie gnome) gets to be the first. His knowledge of pooters and willingness to dig deep for the technology makes this all possible.
Lucy and Barb, thank you for allowing us the untold hours to make this work.
Ginger, a special thanks for all your hours of listening, critiquing and loaning me music.
PJ and Carlene, thanks for being the first fans. Without your encouragement we may have bagged this thing before it really got started.
A very special thank you to the artists who answered my e-mails and phone calls. Their willingness to allow us to play the music is what drove me. Mark Casarra, Craig Woolard, Bob & Andy Angelucci, I can't say enough about you. I'm proud to know all of you.
Dave Bupp, what can I say? We've known each other for more than 40 years and it's been a neat ride. Thank you for the music, the knowledge of songs and artists and especially for trying to keep me on track. Don't ever stop the e-mails.
Last, but far from least, thank you to everyone who has listened over the past two years. We started the station so music that normally doesn't get radio airplay would be heard. Every time you open us up or pass the word along to friends, you validate what we're trying to accomplish.
Two years.............amazing *wandering off mumbling*
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
November 3, 2008
One more day until the elections. (supply old man happy dance here)
I hope y'all vote, one way or another. It's what makes this country work.
Now, thanks to all the visitors, this past month.
Sacramento, California
York, Pennsylvania
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Maassluis, Zuid-holland, Netherlands
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States
Gurgaon, Haryana, India
Potomac, Maryland, United States
Metairie, Louisiana, United States
Nevlunghamn, Vestfold, Norway
Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia
Bochum, Nordrhein-westfalen, Germany
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
North Wales, Pennsylvania, United States
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
I hope y'all vote, one way or another. It's what makes this country work.
Now, thanks to all the visitors, this past month.
Sacramento, California
York, Pennsylvania
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Maassluis, Zuid-holland, Netherlands
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States
Gurgaon, Haryana, India
Potomac, Maryland, United States
Metairie, Louisiana, United States
Nevlunghamn, Vestfold, Norway
Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia
Bochum, Nordrhein-westfalen, Germany
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
North Wales, Pennsylvania, United States
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Gurgaon, Haryana, India
The above ISP's are simply the ones we see coming through the site. We know there are more.
Thank you, all, for joining us and enjoying the music.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
October 27, 2009
We only have one more week until the elections..........thank goodness.
I'm tired of the commercials, accusations and constant "talking heads".
Tonight's show is free of all that stuff. Just music, birthdays and history.
Next week, about November 5th, FNST Radio will celebrate two years on the air!!
I'm pretty proud of this, even if the listener base hasn't grown as much as I'd like.
Thank you to everyone who tunes in, drops us an e-mail, etc.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
PD
I'm tired of the commercials, accusations and constant "talking heads".
Tonight's show is free of all that stuff. Just music, birthdays and history.
Next week, about November 5th, FNST Radio will celebrate two years on the air!!
I'm pretty proud of this, even if the listener base hasn't grown as much as I'd like.
Thank you to everyone who tunes in, drops us an e-mail, etc.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
PD
Monday, October 20, 2008
October 20, 2008
Levi StubbsJune 6, 1936 - October 17, 2008
This should have been posted on the 17th but I was out of touch. Vacations will do that to you.
I have great memories of Levi and "the Tops". He was such a tremendous force in the music of our youth.
In 1966 we finished a gig at Palisades Park and drove like madmen back to Harrisburg because the Tops were playing that night at The Raven. Nevermind that it had to be 120 degrees on that stage and the fried chicken didn't sit well. The Tops put on one hell of a show.
1967 saw The Magnificent Men and The Four Tops playing in Asbury Park New Jersey. Then we headed to New York to do the Jerry Lewis Telethon, the year before it went nationally. (timing is everything) It was a terrific weekend.
When my daughter was little, maybe 10, one of her first concerts (besides Class Act featuring Rita) was the Tops at Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center. I can still see this little blonde asking her mother, "Can I get up?".
The next thing I know she's at the rail, dancing for all she's worth to "Reach Out", etc.
Thank you, Levi. For all the music and the memories
Sunday, October 5, 2008
October 6, 2008
Here we are, the seasons changing again. It doesn't really seem possible but the cool (40F) mornings say it's so.
By this time, next week, I'll be kicked back on the beach.
It's time for our yearly vacation and we all need it.
It's been a trying year.
If the station crashes it'll stay down until the 20th.
We'll be too far away to do anything about it.
Hopefully, that won't happen and y'all can enjoy the music, as always.
Keep watching the news, try to keep a sense of humor and hope.
BTW, saying a small prayer for good weather in North Carolina is allowed.
PB
By this time, next week, I'll be kicked back on the beach.
It's time for our yearly vacation and we all need it.
It's been a trying year.
If the station crashes it'll stay down until the 20th.
We'll be too far away to do anything about it.
Hopefully, that won't happen and y'all can enjoy the music, as always.
Keep watching the news, try to keep a sense of humor and hope.
BTW, saying a small prayer for good weather in North Carolina is allowed.
PB
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