Capturing a Feeling

I came across this video while browsing YouTube late at night at the radio station.

It really captures the feeling and vibe of unemployment and brings me back to when I was unemployed after being fired from a rock station due to a format flip.

All I had were White Russians, The Big Lebowski and a bad case of Shingles.

Certain situations, certain things can bring back that hopeless feeling, that "NOW WHAT????" emotion.

This video is one of them.

In Case You Were Wondering

I am currently delving into the world of digital media and it really is interesting. I have a new blog that concentrates on this interest and it is taking up most of my time and energy right now.This blog will not go away but in case you were wondering why I wasn't posting here as often or as in depth, that is why. Check out the new blog and don't worry, I'm still here.

Carlin on Death

Thought this clip might be interesting to some. George Carlin doing a bit on death:



George Carlin's last interview with Psycholgy Today

Small Market Trials

This video makes me laugh out loud so hard I cry. Now you may not find it as funny because you have never worked in broadcasting in a small country market.

I have. Okay, I am.

A lot of people find the fact that the guy switched from the dignified, serious news guy talk to the more relaxed way of speaking the funniest part.

I think that is hilarious too but the huge freaky bug that flies in his mouth, the pollen he complains about and the obvious disdain he has for the small town he is working are all too familiar to me and really get me rolling.

Check it out:



FYI: Yes this is real. The reporter is Isiah Carey and this was when he was doing news in Augusta, Arkansas. Luckily he has made it out of that "country ass town" and is now a reporter on the Fox channel in Houston. Check out his blog here.

RIP

Comedian/ Philosopher George Carlin has died.

He passed away last night due to heart failure and he was in my opinion one of the best. During his comedy specials you would not only laugh but also think. He always had an interesting and unique take on things.

His tone was usually a pessimistic one ( I would call it realist) and many times he would mention in his act how all was lost. Corporations rule, people are lazy and brainwashed by gizmos and gadgets and don't care. I can't say I disagree with him but I like to think that now he is in a place where his spirit feels refreshed. Maybe he is in a whole new world where things do make sense and things feel right.

If not, he will surely let them know about it.


1937-2008


A couple of the great Carlin bits:

One of my favorites was his take on religion.



And of course his famous "7 Dirty Words You Can't Say on Television" routine that led to a Supreme Court case.
Obviously be forewarned, TONS OF DIRTY LANGUAGE IN THIS ONE.

No really. Words like Shit! Piss! Fuck! Cunt! Cocksucker! Motherfucker! Tits!

You know decades after this rant you still can't say these things on TV or Radio without paying for it either thru a FCC fine, loss of a job or paying for a subscription. Not that I am in dire need to say any of those words but you can say them all here online with no repercussions. Another reason to love the new media.

Shoot More, Work Less

Here is a post from my new blog :Media Ramblings.

It is a blog that is geared to a single niche: New Media. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a passion and a keen interest in the new media on the internet.

It's technology and ability to connect, inform and create is unmatched by any previous platform used to deliver information. I like to think that we are in the Wild West era of this new technology and I am excited to be a part of it.

Please check out the new blog now and then but of course, my original voice here on the web will remain in tact. Enjoy this excerpt exploring what really makes this new media different and special:


I am sitting here wondering what is the main thing that makes this new media world so exciting?

There are plenty of options to choose from of course but what is “that one thing?” The one resounding thing that really makes this stuff special and truly a NEW form of media?

There are many choices, accessibility being the obvious one. I know that sounds simple but it is really quite amazing and consequential. Never before in the history of civilization have people had the ability to voice their opinions to so many so freely. Never before have people had so much information quite literally at their fingertips.

Take for instance all of the writers out there that can now have their work viewed by as many people as possible. No longer do you have to wait to be published. Publish yourself! Choose a topic and make your opinion known. Tell your story. Sure in the past you could mail out manuscripts and HOPE to be published and get an audience for your work but now it can be available to EVERYONE INSTANTLY.

Imagine the young student that can now research and complete an entire research paper from their couch using their laptop. Remember when research actually required travel? Long trips to the library hoping to find what you are looking for are a thing of the past.

Forget writing a single paper, you can even complete an entire degree program online and and choose between physically attending the graduation ceremony or just having the diploma mailed to you. Receiving a Bachelor's, Masters or even Doctorate degree can all be done online.

See something interesting on TV? Google it and within seconds you can have the background and history of whatever it is right in front of your face. Watch a video on the topic of your choice while also reading over the history of it on Wikipedia (check the sources.)

Inevitably, as awesome as all of this is, the new media will eventually begin to feel like regular media in the way that gifts under the Christmas tree lose their shine and become boring after a few weeks. It will soon begin to "fit in" and just be another source of info. For a lot of people it already is.

One of my interests (and career aspirations) lies in Digital PR and Marketing. The challenge there is to incorporate Social Media (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter etc...) into effective PR/Marketing campaigns. Many companies are using the same old media method of shoving their message down your throat in hopes that you will eventually swallow.

Problem? People utilizing the new media are smart and this isn't anything like the old media. Your horribly uninspired commercial message can be filtered into a SPAM folder or nailed by a pop up blocker before anyone even sees it. People are exposed to what they choose to be exposed to online and they go where they want to go.

The challenge?

Be where they want to be and be a part of what they want to be a part of without seeming like you are an outsider. Maybe try being honest and real?

Read this blog post by Eric Weaver, VP Digital at Edelman Seattle and then read the following response from me:

People are better than ever at recognizing a “PUSH.” Actually the term PUSH reminds me of a couple of terms used in the pro wrestling world, “WORK” and “SHOOT.”

I know, bare with me.

Something is a “WORK” if it is fake and scripted and done to achieve a specific goal like 99% of wrestling is. However, when it is real and unscripted and occurring by happenstance or when a wrestler is telling the truth and not in character it is referred to as a “SHOOT.”

Guess which gets more attention? Just go to YouTube and search for “shoot interview.” Tons of views, attention and interest from the wrestling community.

The UFC is quickly becoming the most interesting and popular fighting sport. Why? Because it is or at least perceived as being real, spontaneous and relevant.

Companies need to stop trying to ‘WORK” the crowd so much. Social Media needs to be a place for companies to “SHOOT’” more and “WORK” less.

Social Media is the UFC of media. New, real and relevant. It can’t be treated like an old form of media.

Being real counts for a lot to today’s consumers and the emerging social media allows companies to embrace that. I know I can spot a spam scam a million mouse clicks away and I steer clear.

Companies should not fool themselves. These days it is common knowledge that wrestling is fake, politicians pander and your post is totally fake.

Your not fooling anyone.

The Revolution Will be Downloaded

Remembering Russert

I admit that I finally shed some tears once the Thunder Road montage started.



Tim's Son Luke on The Today Show:

Happy Fathers Day!

I am far away from my Dad so I can't hug him or drink a beer with him but I called!

Let your Dad know you love him today.

I know I love mine.


On the trails in New Mexico


At the Chicago Rock Station I was on


Having a beer on my 21st birthday in Victoria, B.C. @ the Hogs Breath Inn

Revelations

Just bored and thought I would post this IRON MAIDEN song that I just bought off of iTunes.

Yep I am still stuck in my phase of remembering the great songs by IRON MAIDEN.

It is called Revelations and is off of the Piece of Mind album. It is also one of the IRON MAIDEN songs written solely by the lead singer, Bruce Dickinson. Read more about the songs meaning here.

It is based partly on a book by Aleister Crowley, with whom Bruce Dickinson has a mild obsession. Dickinson even directed a movie that has recently been released called Chemical Wedding based on the idea of Aleister Crowley's spirit coming back to haunt the living.

There is also a verse taken from a hymn by G.K. Chesterton which forms the first verse of the song:

O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.

Take a listen:

Hulk Smashed!

Okay so I saw the HULK movie today.

Going into this movie after reading all of the bad pre-reviews regarding the story line and the drama with the actors I admit that I didn't expect it to be very good.

I was wrong.

Screw all of the critics and the insiders that talk about actor spats in hopes that the movie gets panned. This movie rocked. The CGI effects were way more believable than expected. Great fight at the end with the HULK and Abomination too!

Of course I could do with less love story stuff but they didn't overdo it too bad.

Good effects, great fight but a little long. There are a few tips of the hat to the old TV series and the last scene provides an interesting hint as to what to expect in the future from MARVEL films.

Overall, 3 stars out of 4.

Go see it.

R.I.P

NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and host of Meet the Press Tim Russert has died of a heart attack today at the age of 58.

He will be sorely missed.

1950-2008

Skype Me

Hey I am now on Skype. With Skype you can have free phone conversations using your computers speakers, webcam and internet connection. Pretty cool.

I tested it and I can record conversations onto my GarageBand application on my Mac and creaate podcasts as well. This opens up a way to interview people and post podcasts on a blog. The possibilities are endless...

I will place this tag on the side of my blog too but you can contact or call me using my Skype name LukeWalkerSkype. It is free for Skype to Skype calls. It starts to charge you for other type of calls so only call me using the Skype application on your computer. Download it here.

First Look

Here is the first trailer available for Bill Maher's documentary on religion called Religulous.

Captain Jack on Tybee?

Rumor is that Johnny Depp will be marrying his long time girlfriend Vanessa Paradis June 14th, this Saturday, on Tybee Island, Ga.

Maybe at Sandra Bullock's house?

Hmmmmmmm, may have to go grab some Razzeritas and check it out.

***UPDATE***

I am getting alot of hits from Paris, France on this post. That of course is where Johnny Depp has a home.

So clearly he is an avid reader of my blog. How about an invite Depp? Come on, I'll just chill in the back.

Besides I'm single and could really use the event to meet some new women. Shoot me an email.

UP THE IRONS!

Tonight while at the radio station I browsed iTunes for some music I hadn't heard in a long time. For whatever reason I stumbled on IRON MAIDEN. I used to listen to them a lot while in middle school.

They were the band with the album covers and t-shirts that were just as mesmerizing as their metaphysical and historically based songs.

Listening to Infinite Dreams, the first song below, I was shocked to find that I remembered the lyrics by heart and enlightened to the possibility that my interest in spirituality and persistent wonder about what this life is all about may have been sparked by songs like this.






The second song below, The Trooper, is one of many MAIDEN songs based on historical happenings. It provides a good adrenalin rush and is definitely a new addition to my jogging playlist.

The song is about the Battle of Balaclava in 1854 during the Crimean War and is at least partially based upon Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade", taking the viewpoint of one of the slain troopers.





To risk sounding like an old guy, where is the cool stuff like this today? Noone seems to have any interest in anything but the "Top 40", mindless, uninteresting fluff. While that may be fine sometimes I can't help but really savor some of these IRON MAIDEN songs tonight.

I Did It!

Well I did it.

I woke up early as hell on a Saturday after working at night on Friday and ran a 5k. It was actually great. There were a lot of people there and after the race they provided water and fruit for everyone. I had a banana and 2 Dasani waters.

For now my goal with these races is to not walk. I accomplished that and finished the race in 31 minutes and something seconds.

Good enough for me. I still weigh in the early 230's so I'm happy with that time. I am wanting to get down to 190-210lb range eventually. Once I weigh less it only makes sense that I will move faster.

After the race I came home and immediately collapsed on my bed. Ahhhhhhh I love a well deserved sleep.

There is an 8k in Bluffton and an Triathlon in Hilton head coming up in the next 2 weeks....hmmmmmm.

I think I better stick to 5ks and laps around Forsyth for now.

Have a great weekend!

Daily Show Hilarity

And here come the parodies....

You know it's time to concede when your being portrayed in popular culture as DARTH VADER.



BaRocky!

Fiji 5K Saturday

I have registered and will run my next 5k since doing the Lifetime Fitness Run at Brookfield Zoo with my brother. I'm looking forward to it. It's at 8am on Saturday morning! How weird that I do this for fun now. Back in the Army it was torture.

How things change...

Here is the site for the run: http://www.FIJI5K.com/

Tonight is the Night

Tonight is the night that it may finally end!

The Never-Ending Democratic Primary Season is coming to a close and Barack Obama has clinched it. Will Hillary concede tonight? Rumors are that Hillary will concede and is hoping to be offered the VP spot on the Obama ticket. Another rumor has Bill Clinton having a romantic affair with actress Gina Gershon.

Personally I hope Clinton does not become the VP. I would prefer John Edwards or Jim Webb. Well let's face it my pick for President is Jesse "The Body" Ventura so what do I know.

Congrats Obama!

Reason # 2436 I Sometimes Have Trouble Sleeping

What's Wrong with Radio?

The fact that radio is the main way I make a living can be a scary thing at times. Why you ask?

Articles like these.