28 December 2009

Top 10 of '09.... #9

For #9, we go back to July 18th when I finally get to watch some amazing footballers LIVE and in Person!

EPL greats Chelsea FC comes to town to play a Friendly against the Seattle Sounders FC. I have been a Football fan for a long time and have followed the EPL via online and Fox Soccer Channel, but have always dreamed of making a trip to England just to watch some football played by some of the world's best club teams. With Chelsea coming to Qwest to play a match, I finally got a chance to see great players like Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard as well as an Idol of mine Petr Cech play LIVE! An absolutely amazing experience!

Check out the recap of the match here

Best of 2009... #10

So I am going to do the Best of 2009 for me. These are the best moments, songs memories, whatever for the year. I have a lot that happened this year and a lot of things that influenced me this year, so I felt it appropriate.

Starting off @ #10

This is a song, that from the first bass note had me hooked! No matter what I was doing or how I was feeling, this song always perked me right up and calmed me down from whatever tizzy I was in at that point in time. A great song from a couple of House Masters!

Here is the Eric Prydz remix of Calvin Harris - Flashback

Ever Wonder about the station I work for?

This mix was done by DJ Earworm. He does a mashup of the Billboard Top 25 for the year exiting. This is one of the better ones that I have heard out of him.

20 of the 25 were played at one point or another on my station. These get mixed in with songs from Dr. Dre, 2Pac, EnVogue, Bel Biv DeVoe, and the like.

Give it a watch if you have a minute

22 December 2009

Great Works on the Horizon

Today I spent the first part of my day talking with some amazing people. Now I spend my time editing the audio down. Lots of fun times for me. I am going to have a ton of fun with this project.

What project is it, you ask...

Well... Keep checking back here after the first of the year to find out. I promise good times ahead!

21 December 2009

Sad... Well... Yes, but still not News worthy

As most of you know, I work for a radio station in my hometown of Seattle, WA. My job requires me to stay on top not only what's new in music, but also what's happening in the news and pop culture.  Because of this, I spend a lot of time going through emails, websites, and RSS/twitter feeds to keep on top of all of this so I can advise for my station and Air Staff to the best of my ability.

Now, news of a celebrity death is nothing new.  From the time the broadcast media started, they have covered the death of a celebrity.  One thing that has drastically changed is how big the celebrity had to be to get coverage. In the days of my idols, Murrow and Cronkite, you had to be a Head of State or an Icon (Monroe, Sinatra, Dean) to get even a mention on the evening news, and even then, you were lucky if it took up more than 2 minutes of air time.

With the development of the 24 hour news channel, comes the need to fill those hours with something to report on.  In this crazy world, I don't see a lack of things to report on. War, famine, disease, charity work, extraordinary people, community events, ect. With all these other things to report on, why is it that every time I hear of a "celebrity" death, it is plastered across every news station for days? Why do all I see in the news agency feeds (AP, Reuters) is information and "news" stories I would come to expect to read in a supermarket rag or on a gossip site? Some of the supposed most reputable news agencies reduced to gossip rags.

Here's an idea... Maybe you can gain your credibility back with this one.

STOP REPORTING ABOUT EVERY CELEBRITY or PSUEDO-CELEBRTIY THAT DIES BY THEIR OWN HAND!!!

And since I'm on the topic...

A PERSON CHEATING ON THEIR PARTNER IS NOT NEWS WORTHY NO MATTER HOW HIGH PROFILE THEY ARE!!!

This year, it seems it was a bad year for "celebrity" deaths. I can't remember a month this year that I wasn't reading through story after story after story of a celebrity dying, mostly due to a drug overdose or some other form of self inflicted death. The other popular story to report is infidelity inside a "celebrity" marriage. Stories about him cheating on her or her cheating on him. I seriously could have written an entire book out of just the headlines that I have seen out of news agencies that are about these 2 topics.

While any loss of life is unfortunate, why does the fact that these people lived in the public eye make it news-worthy? When medics get a frantic call from a housewife at 3am because her husband is face down on the bathroom floor not breathing, is a news crew following along? When the cops find a junkie on the streets dead after her dealer hot dosed her for not paying, are reporters banging on every door to find the leads?  And what about the families that are torn apart everyday because one partner doesn't stay faithful to the other? Where's the news story about the mother of 3 kids who was able to stay at home and raise her kids who now has to go work 2 jobs to make ends meet causing her to barely see her kids because dad couldn't stick to the vows he made? Where's the in-depth coverage over the man who contracted HIV through his wife of 10 years because she was out having unprotected sex behind his back?

How are these stories any less tragic or unfortunate as any celebrity?  Why do we always here about celebrities having these problems, but when it happens to an everyday person, it goes totally unnoticed?

Have we as a society become so obsessed with the lives of the people we see through the TV that we have forgotten to care about our own neighbors?  As a society have we stopped caring about what's really happening in our world?  Why do we allow these news agencies to run with this garbage and not tell us what's really happening in the world?
 
It saddens me that I have to spend most of my day sifting though all of this JUNK to find the real news stories. I want to spend my day being informed on what's actually happening in the world.  I want to read more stories about people striving to make this world a better place for all of us, not who what caught doing blow while underage at a nightclub. I want to hear stories about people taking their time and resources to rebuild, not about some celebrity douchbag that can't keep it in his pants.
 
What ever happened to integrity in Journalism?
 
Where's Walter and Edward when you need them?

14 December 2009

You know...

So this is totally a test post for me. In finding more ways to keep this blog updated, I am trying to give myself the ability to post from my phone. Man, gotta love technology.

You know... I was thinking about something the other night, and it carried itself over into today. There is a new site out on the interwebs (www.uncoverostomy.com) that is dedicated to bringing more awareness to ostomies and trying to eliminate some of the negative stigmas that are associated with them. I think that the work that Jess Grossman, IDEAS, and the UOAA are doing is awesome. As most americans and people of the world today knows, sex sells. I believe that this site does a great job of showing that ostomies can be sexy and not something that detracts from the visual of the body and that someone can lead a "normal" life with one.

There is, however, something that I feel this site fails to do, and because of this, will fail at its ultimate goal.

The sites title is Uncover Ostomy, yet the only time that it is uncovered is in the studio during a photo shoot. Outside of that, this site does nothing to show real life with an ostomy uncovered. It shows that a person with an ostomy can lead a normal life, but saying you have tips on how to hide your ostomy isn't really living with it uncovered now, is it.

There is an old saying that I completely think is true. Out of sight, Out of Mind.

I think that the work that has been started by IDEAS, the UOAA, and Jess is a great start. But for this to really be successful, you have to take it a step further.

Now I am not one to criticize without suggestions, so I have a few that will help take this to the next step in awareness.

First, you have to show real people in real situations with their bag showing. A man playing some basketball with his buddies. He's on the "skins" team, and you can see that his ostomy isn't getting in the way of him playing some ball. (His shooting ability, well that's a whole other story) A teenage girl at the beach wearing a 2 piece swimsuit sunbathing with her friends gossiping about the boys at school. Several ostomates playing some beach volleyball. Ostomates working out in a crowded gym. Everyday situations where it is the norm for the abdomen to be exposed and ostomates participating without embarrassment or heckeling by the people around them. Show ostomates with their bags exposed in real world situations.

Second, organize more than a "World Ostomy Day." You want people to pay attention, you have to go big, with a big visual. Think of this, 1000 ostomates hanging out in the middle of summer with their bags exposed on Venice Beach. For something local to me, Flash Mob of Ostomates in Pioneer Square having a dance party. I'm not thinking "March on the Capitol Steps" as that could be shown as either positive or negative depending on who sees it. Think "What's something that we already like to do that we can get a ton of ostomates to join in on where we can show people that we are just as normal as they are." That's the stuff that will turn some heads and generate the positive talk that needs to occur.

I think if you can successfully do those 2 things, it would really get the awareness movement going.

But hey, I could be wrong. After all, I have only been a member of the broadcast media for 10 years. What could I possibly know. (Sorry I had to get that joke in cuz I'm weird like that)

Peace, Love, and joy to you all this Holiday Season!

-D
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Following up

Tonight I woke up in the middle of the night. Don't really remember why, but I did. In an attempt to stay in bed and fall back asleep, without disturbing my sleeping wife, I decided to check my twitter feed and my Facebook from my phone. (What can I say, I'm a tech geek and I love being constantly connected to the world... Maybe that's why I am great at what I do... LOL) When I checked my twitter feed, I noticed that my last post got the attention of the people that help run uncoverostomy.com. At first, this worried me as I don't like being critical, but I think that constructive criticism is vital to development.

To my surprise, most all the comments seem to show me that the post was taken as it was intended, as suggestions on how to improve on a good idea. I am pleased that they saw it this way, and am completely open to helping out in any way that I can.

But one comment left on the Uncover Ostomy facebook page got me thinking some more and is causing me to write this entry at 3:30am.

One user (I will not use their name as thy are not a "friend" and without their permission I would feel bad writing it here) commented (I am paraphrasing from the post, these are not the users actual words) that being a UC sufferer, they are concerned about the possible need for an ostomy in the future. They go on to say that they think Jess's work in showing that you can get the sexy back after surgery is great and that they would love to learn how to conceal the bag in socially appropriate situations to be able to wear that pencil dress or tailored shirt without having their bag showing through. They also go on to say that not all ostomates may share my views on awareness, especially so recently post op. (I'm only 10 weeks post op)

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE with all of that!!! And I think there is a great idea in there too!

I spend a lot of time on the interwebs (like I said, I'm a tech geek) and one thing that frustrates me is that it was almost impossible to find ALL the information that I desired about Ostomies and what to expect in my life post op in one place. Yes, there are multiple websites with medical information (UOAA.org was great for me in this aspect) and others with more social information (I really haven found one that I like for this) but I found it impossible to get all the information I desired in one place. I will tell you that I find Discussion boards a waste of time. Half the time the thread leads in a direction it originally wasn't intended and they are also cluttered with other peoples conversations that don't pertain to the topic at hand. It takes way too long to filter through the junk. To find the jewel of information that you really wanted in the first place.

This leads me to the Idea that this Facebook user gave me.

I think that what we need is what I, for lack of a better term, will call a panel blog. A site, co-authored by medical professionals (surgeons, WOCN's, GI's, ect...), Members of the, as I call them, awareness societies (UOAA, CCFA, IDEAS, GYGIG, ect...) And everyday people living with ostomies. (at least 1 male and 1 female from every 10yr age gap) Their job will to be answer any and all questions presented. (at launch, definitely start with the FAQ's and go from there) Include Bio's of each of the contributing members so people know where the information is coming from. Have the site well indexed and searchable. Give people that wish to participate a forum to add their 2 cents without detracting from the information provided. Give ostomates a place on the interwebs to get all the information they desire in one place. And one other ciritcal aspect to this site, the authors have to be completely candid about any question that is presented. (The information I desired the most was the information I couldn't find ANYWHERE on the internet and finally had to ask a fellow ostomate who was willing to be candid with me.)

Besides, if its a joint venture, a lot of Non Profits could save a lot of money on site maintenance and server costs while reducing clutter on their own sites

We absolutely need to help each other out! We need to support each other before we can bring true awareness to the masses.

Please, any and all comments about anything that I have written is greatly encouraged! Some of the best ideas come from people being constructively critical of other peoples work.

Love, Peace, Chicken Grease!
-D

P.S. I know I am writing this after the previous post, but since this one doesn't really make sense unless you have read the other, I put it underneath.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

You know.... I really should find more time in my day!

You know... I really have like a dozen posts sitting around in the archive that I never posted because I never finished them... I really should go back and try and finish them... or at least post what I have already written.

Life is good! I started doing some Yoga yesterday to help build my core as I work on my legs for the ride. Let me tell you... I HURT today! But it is a good hurt! You know that hurt that you get when you know that you did a great workout and soon you will be feeling better. I love that feeling!

Life is interesting. I really need to find a way to get things out in the open without distroying relationships. I have never really been the type to complain or point out others flaws, because I do not like it happening to me. So I sit back and let a lot of things bug me in silence until I explode, destroying a lot of things around me. Then I spend the rest of the time rebuilding relationships. Hey, at least this time I didn't try to quit my job! I'm sure my boss is appreciative of that one! (long story, will explain if you really want to know...)

(Looking out the studio window, the fog is rolling in. I like fog, it means it's not really freaking cold outside! It makes me want to get on the bike I don't own and go for a ride)

I think I have finally started to figure out my body again since the surgery. So much more to learn. I am liking that I don't have the pain that I did for the longest time! It's been weeks now since I took anything for Crohn's related pain. I hope that this continues for the weeks/months to come.

I love this time of year around the office. Most everyone is away on vacation, leaving me the only full time staff member around to get the work done. It's my station for a couple weeks a year. I love it! I soared under a lucky star to end up doing what I am doing in Market 13 so early on in my career, so to be in charge of the station is a HUGE thing! As much as this job stresses me out sometimes, I wouldn't want to do anything else!

We have an appointment for a ultrasound next week... hopefully we know more about what's happening with baby then. It's crazy times around here, but that's alright. She's doing better with this one. The nausea isn't getting to her as bad this time around.

I need to get back on the bike again. Anyone have a bike trainner that they don't need anymore? I need to start training for the ride. I may have to go through surgery again before the ride, so I need to be in ubershape before that happens just in case so I can bounce back quickly and still be ready by the time the ride starts. I am going to start riding with my family soon... I just want to be able to actually do some sort of distance before I go out with them. They have almost a year head start on me. (Oh hey, that reminds me... I still need to register)

Well I do have a lot of work to get done today... I hope that everyone out there on the interwebs has a great day and I look forward to seeing you all soon

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

02 December 2009

Something that has been bugging me this week....

This post is taking a break from writing about the usual Crohn's or surgery related things to complain about something that makes me slightly ashamed to be a part of the community that I am about to rip on.

Over the weekend, a very tragic thing happened. 4 uniformed Lakewood Police officers were sitting in a coffee shop, getting ready to get back out to protecting our streets, when a gunman came in and opened fire directly on them, killing all 4 of them. These 4 brave individuals did nothing but try to keep our streets safe for us, and were murdered in cold blood by some lunitic. My thoughts go out to the families of these brave individuals that gave their lives to keep us safe.

Immediately after the incident, a MASSIVE manhunt went underway to find the suspect in this tragic event and bring him to justice. I applaud the work of the Law Enforcement agencies across Western Washington for their efforts to get this man off the streets. Someone that can step up and shoot directly at 4 officers can not be described as stable. Personally I find it unfortunate that the suspect was killed before he could see his day in court, but that is a personal opinion on the situation. And that leads me to the issue that I have with some of my colleuges in this situation.

Monday morining, I woke up and turned on the news as I always do, (I will not disclose what channel I was watching as I have already addressed this with that station and don't feel the need to discredit them further) and as to be expected it was mostly about the Fallen Officers and the manhunt for the suspect. At this point they had the name of the top suspect, Maurice Clemens, and were broadcasting his name and photo in an effort to ade officers in finding this suspect. I absolutely don't have a problem with this, I think its a great idea that they ade the search in any way they can without compromising it.

Where I have an issue is in their inability to keep their opinions out of the news. All morning, all I heard was "Cop Killer Maruice Clemens" or "Murder Marice Clemens." I'm sorry... but when did he get in front of a judge and get sentanced as a murder?

Now, I know out justice system is flawed. Hell, just look at this case and you can see where some of the flaws are. A multiple time fellon had his sentance commuted by then Gov. Huckabee, had a parole condition that was a No Bail Hold if detained that was removed for no logical reason, only to be put back in place AFTER he bonded out in a case where he assaulted someone and was suspect in a rape. But it is our justice system, and we pride ourselves as a nation on bringing people to justice in front of a jury of thier peers. It's flawed, but it is what we have.

Now the News is suppose to be a broadcast of the facts, unless otherwise stated as an opinion. Being that this man never had his proper day in court, how can the media say he was a murderer. Suspected Cop Killer, Suspected Murder, Suspected Gunman... Absolutely we can say that. But he never had his day in court, so how can the members of the media label him anything but?

Personally, in my opinion from what I have seen, I think he absolutely did it. But that is my opinion. I would never broadcast that and try to pass it off as fact until he has been brought to proper justice.

The media does a lot of good in this society, but some things I can't help but be slightly ashamed that I decided to get into this business. All I can do it do my job with intregity and hope that my peers take notice and start doing the same.

Stay Safe! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

-D