That's all folks!

There is a new radio station in our area that I've been trying out. They call themselves BOB-FM, and their slogan is "We play everything". While there are some styles that I have not heard yet, I would have to agree that their playlist is not limited to any particular genre. In one day I heard "Stand by Me", "Back in Black", and "Friends in Low Places". The point I wanted to make is that they call themselves Bob, but that's not the call letters of the station. They're not WBOB, they're WBBE. Every time they play the station promo where they say the call letters I think it sounds like Porky Pig trying to spell the word "we". Go ahead and say it out loud, you'll see.

Note to Mom: Stand by Me is an oldie, Back in Black is headbanging hard rock, and Friends in Low Places is country.

Oh the humanity!

On a cold day in late November 1978, in a Cincinnati shopping mall parking lot, stood an intrepid reporter from a local radio station unaware of the horror that was about to ensue. In an episode that he later compared to the Hindenberg tragedy, he was the eyewitness to the brutal death of several innocent turkeys that were mercilessly thrown from a hovering helicopter. This heroic newsman stoically described the carnage for dozens of listeners on live radio. His famous description of the plummeting "sacks of wet cement" stands alongside other historic quotes like "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself", or "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". May we never forget the tragedy of that day, or the lessons learned.

By now I'm sure you know I'm having some fun with the famous Thanksgiving episode of WKRP in Cincinnati. Everyone should be required to watch the classic call of Les Nessman witnessing the horror of the turkey drop in what TV Guide has named one of the funniest episodes of television ever made. In my opinion it belongs right up at the top of the list with Carol Burnett's Gone With The Wind sketch and Lucy's grape stomping. (Or chocolate assembly line, or Vitavetavegamin or whatever Lucy episode is your favorite.)

This classic TV moment is commemorated each November by the Danville Illinois hot air balloon group. Members take to the skies on thanksgiving morning and compete in a "turkey drop". They toss rubber chickens that are usually decorated creatively toward a target on the ground. I believe this Thanksgiving will be the 10th annual drop. I think that this would be a hoot to see, especially if Richard Sanders is present. They at least need to loop the audio of his call while the "turkeys" fall to the ground.

Interestingly enough, according to this link, the episode was at least loosely based on actual events. Truth is stranger than fiction.

This is one instance where I actually learned something by watching television. At the time of the original turkey drop I held the same belief as the Big Guy, Mr. Carlson. "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

A Real Renaissance Man

Here's a guy who has waaaaay too much free time. Conor Lastowka was asleep in 1986 when the Mets staged an incredible comeback to beat the Red Sox in game 6 of the World Series. That didn't stop him from becoming a fan, as in fanatic, of the contest, which he first viewed on ESPN Classic 15 years later. After watching it several times, he was enthralled with the bizarre circumstances that occurred to help perpetuate the BoSox World Series curse. It became a sort of passion for him. As a child of the 80's, he was a devotee of Nintendo's RBI Baseball (I can understand that). When he wasn't inventing national holidays (more on that later) a favorite pastime for him was playing the classic video game. After his Nintendo was stolen, he moved up to a video game emulation on his computer to play RBI Baseball. All in all, an accurate personification of the Gen-Y slacker.

While on the internet one day, he found a contest that offered $25,000 for the best video that spoofed pop culture. He naturally thought of using the emulator to recreate game 6. After some research, and downloading the actual game from MLB.com, he easily played the first 9.5 innings and saved his progress on the emulator. The bottom of the tenth inning is the important, and bizarre one. This inning he demanded perfection of himself and would not compromise the accuracy of the recreation. He says he took around 200 attempts in order to have a fly ball hit to just the right place in center field. Several more tries were necessary before the fateful ground ball to first base that ruined Bill Buckner's life.

After 4 hours of play and 6 more to match his efforts to the Vin Scully call from the MLB.com footage, he finished. Unfortunately, his video was about 3 times the length of the video contest parameters. He posted it on a video sharing site instead, so that he wouldn't deprive the world of his efforts. You can see it here. It has become quite popular around the net. It even helped him land a job with a video company after a VP saw it while searching the internet trying to score some pot. True story.

One fact I found very interesting about Mr. Lastowka is the fact that while in college, he co-founded National High Five Day. It is a day designed to promote community between strangers who slap hands for no good reason other than to celebrate life. It is celebrated on the third Thursday of April every year, which is the 20th later this week. So to commemorate Mr. Lastowka's achievements in the areas of video gaming and general slacker-tude, join me in smacking the upraised hand of unsuspecting strangers. And to think Mom always said that video games never helped anyone later in life.

Soccer schedule

It seems like basketball just finished but now it's time for soccer!! For all interested parties, the schedule is as follows:

4/15 2:00 Drew
4/15 1:00 Rachel

4/22 11:00 Drew
4/22 10:00 Rachel

4/29 2:00 Drew
4/29 1:00 Rachel

5/6 9:30 Drew
5/6 2:30 Rachel

5/13 9:30 Drew
5/13 8:30 Rachel

5/16 5:30 Drew

5/20 1:00 Rachel

Drew plays on field #16 and Rachel is on field #1 at the PCSL soccer complex.

Happy Anniversary

Forty years ago today my father took a wife. While I'm sure there have been ups and downs, it is obvious that they have experienced more ups than downs. Over the years, they have offered a wonderful example of what a marriage should be. I honestly can not remember either of them ever raising their voice against the other. I don't think there has ever been true conflict between them. Each approaches the union with the best interests of the other in mind and practices Biblical submission. As a husband myself, I admire that ability. They enjoy each other's company so much they voluntarily spend 24 hours a day together.

When I was a child, I was sincerely confused by classmates that were children of divorce, because I simply couldn't comprehend a situation where my parents wouldn't be married anymore. I always thought that everybody stayed married until death. That's just the way things are done.

Growing up in such a household I know I often took for granted that my parents loved each other and would always be together. The years have given me a greater appreciation for their relationship and the work that goes into it.

Mom and Dad, thank you for your example of a godly marriage to your children. Thank you for keeping your 40 year old promises. Thank you for the things I can't put into words. I wish you a happy anniversary, and I hope you have many, many more.

The solution

Since my entire readership has attempted my puzzle, I can give the solution now. The people Bart invited to his party all have names that can be typed with only the left hand. Therefore, this party should be chaperoned by Dad. Congratulations to Dawn for solving the puzzle.