Modern Marvels

I was sitting at the breakfast table with my wife Lauren this morning and we were talking about the events of the past 24 hours.

We were watching Facebook yesterday as our many Iowa friends were posting pictures of the violent weather. Fierce storms rolled through dumping lots of rain, downing trees and perhaps even killing a person in Cedar Rapids.

I got a call from my clients in Cedar Rapids asking me if I could do them a favor. They were running on generator power which only keeps the on-air studios up and running. Since I have a production studio in our home, they asked if I could voice and send them a couple of things that needed to be done pronto. Of course I said yes. The copy was emailed an hour later and the finished product was emailed back to them a half-hour after that.

It turns out the announcement was for one of the electric companies instructing folks what to do if they come across downed power lines and damaged transformers. Julie, the general manager there (she posted the picture below) said they were thinking about people who still had power who could produce the announcement. She suggested me, despite the fact I'm a thousand miles away in Massachusetts. It doesn't matter anymore.

The KZIA Studios

As Lauren and I talked this morning we couldn't help but remember the "old" days. What we did yesterday would have been impossible 20 years ago. I can do more in my home studio with a very fast PC, Adobe Audition, Audacity and several video editing programs, than I could do in any million-dollar radio studio I ever worked in.

The situation also pointed out how quickly we can move data from one place to another. I remember when we had to get something on-air right away from a remote location, the physical magnetic tape had to be hand carried either via FEDEX or a local delivery service. Now it's a touch of the button.

I'm glad we can do all those things now and I'm not nostalgic for the old days. I was never very good with a razor blade and editing tape, but I'm really good with a mouse and keyboard. I'm just amazed at how far it's all come in such a short time and glad I'm part of the evolution. Can't wait to see where it goes next!

To my friends in Cedar Rapids I wish for no more rain for a while, plenty of sun and knee high by the Fourth of July.

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For Pete’s Sake, Stop With the Phone Numbers Already

If you are making great use of a phone number as a “call to action” in your marketing, you should probably rethink that. We just don’t use and remember phone numbers the way we used to. Fact of the matter is our phones, which are smart, do it for us.

I was driving by an electronic billboard today and what I saw really made me laugh and then I thought about all the money this business was wasting and it almost made me cry. On this electronic billboard was a huge picture of a rather average looking man with a long phone number under it. Perhaps the name of the business was on the previous panel, but I was only exposed to the pixelated picture and the 800 number, which of course I can’t remember.

As a matter of fact, I can’t even remember my wife’s phone number anymore. The only phone number I can remember is the one we had when I was a kid. Technology has made “remembering” phone numbers irrelevant. All I have to do now is say “Lauren” and the phone connects me to my wife via voice or text. Putting a phone number on a billboard, in a radio commercial or on TV is becoming a very difficult ask. Not only do we not remember a number, we don’t even remember how to memorize it. Asking someone to remember a phone number is akin to outfitting them with a bear skin and a stone knife in the year 2013AD.

I have become so impatient that the mere act of having to “dial” a phone number feels like Hannibal’s trek across the Alps. I get past the area code and start forgetting where I need to go next. Can’t I just click on something or tell the phone to do something? What a drag.

Even in print phone numbers are a tough sell. That’s why you see more layouts that feature elements that can simply be scanned with a smart phone or tablet. The smart marketers know that phone numbers as a recall item are nearly cooked. The world has moved on, get over it.

In the electronic media and billboards a much better call to action is an easy-to-remember URL. A good case in point would be the board with the average looking guy. Instead of 1-800-xxx-xxxx, it should have be www.averagelookingguy.com, I would remember that and out of morbid curiosity I probably would have checked it out.

Marketing Lesson of the Election: You Can’t Polish a Turd

Billions of dollars were spent on marketing various candidates over the past several months aimed at trying to convince voters. Now that the dust has settled, the question of how effective those billions of dollars were looms large. More than $1.5-billion was spent by outside groups on both sides trying to influence the outcome of the vote. That doesn’t count the billions spent by the campaigns. Most of that money was spent on television advertising.

So, what did all that spending accomplish? Before the election the Democrats held the White House and Senate. Republicans held the House of Representatives. Billions later the Democrats still hold the White House and Senate. Republicans control the House. I think you get the message. Sometimes we get so involved in polls, demographics, psychographics and the like, that we forget to look at the end result. Nothing really changed!

Much of the money spent on television ads was wasted because some of the basic rules of marketing were violated and some assumptions were made that just aren’t true.

Bad assumption: If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it. In this campaign many lies were repeated very often on all sides. So often and so obvious that virtually no one believed them by the time they voted. This bad assumption is proven wrong every day when you look at your email. Have you contacted that poor soul in Nigeria that just needs a couple of thousand to access a million that you can have half of? Have you given the Euro Lotto your Social Security number because you’re the grand prize winner? Those lies are repeated all the time, but they just aren’t believable like many of the ads you’ve been subjected to. You just hit the delete button in your head.

Just as is the case with the email scams, these political marketers believe they can steal votes by repeating lies. Just show the opponent in black-and-white and have them moving in slow motion while an ominous voice tells you that person is responsible for everything from an early winter to the NFL ref lockout. DELETE!

Broken marketing rule: Make sure the product is solid before you spend money. Herein lays a very basic marketing principle that played big in the failure of all those billions of dollars. In the case of this election, the product is the candidate. If your product isn’t ready for prime-time, you can save the money. If you look at many of the candidates who lost on both sides, the common thread is they were flawed. Spend all the money you want, but the majority of people won’t buy a flawed product.

The lesson for anyone selling anything is; don’t lie and don’t spend a cent until your product is right.

As an old marketing professor of mine once said, “You can’t polish a turd. It’s still a turd.”

The Prime Directives of Marketing Apply to All

Many times when I’m engaged by a company, it’s to help figure out why a campaign isn't working. In many cases it’s because a company or organization broke a basic marketing rule. One of those basic rules is never over-promise and under-deliver. It’s always far better to under-promise and over-deliver.

This rule has played out in a big way for Apple over the past several weeks, and it proves that even a marketing and engineering dynamo like Apple can pay a huge price when they stumble. The Guardian estimates the latest debacles involving Apple mapping technology and problems with Siri voice recognition have cost the company $30 billion in stock valuation.

Prior to the release of the iPhone 5, the Guardian reported Apple set the bar very high with the words they used to promote the new technology. “Designed by Apple from the ground up, maps gives you turn-by-turn spoken directions, interactive 3D views, and the stunning flyover feature. All of which may just make this app the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever.”

The experience of many Apple customers has been far from the “most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever.” There have been widespread reports of glitches and mistakes that have frustrated Apple users accustomed to the buttoned-down service from Google that used to be part of the Apple offerings for iPhone.

Apple executives were quick to acknowledge the mistakes and apologize, but much of the damage had already been done and they could offer no real immediate fix. They suggested using the phone’s web browser to access Google Maps, but that doesn’t offer turn-by-turn voice nav.

The lesson to be learned is never over-promise and under-deliver. Remember, even a company as big as Apple feels the bite when they ignore the marketing basics. It could be a fatal mistake for smaller companies with fewer resources.

Are They Ready for the Tools of Democracy?

Watching the coverage of what's going on in places like Libya and Egypt got me thinking today about an appropriate response. This latest "crisis" was spurred by the release of a so-called film by a Coptic Christian extremist in California who has some kind of an ax to grind with the prophet Muhammad. I've made more professional looking films with my cell phone and a laptop.

 This YouTube "film" has been featured in newscasts across the Middle East and has lead to demonstrations, violence and death. Some leaders in the region have demanded that the United States arrest and "punish" the person responsible.

Much of the Arab Spring, and incidents like the murder of our diplomats in Libya, have been mobilized using technology like YouTube, Facebook and cell phones. I believe all of those technologies are dangerous in the hands of those who have no real respect or understanding of democracy. It's like giving a loaded machine gun to a two-year-old.

These technologies are really designed to further extend the freedoms enjoyed by those in democratic societies. It's true that these technologies can also foster democracy in autocratic societies, but in many cases those throwing off the yoke of a dictatorial regime aspire to replace it with an equally anti-democratic theocracy.

The litmus-test for the introduction of these technologies should at least be an aspiration to freedom of speech and religion. If not, they should not be allowed to develop these American technologies. Perhaps an appropriate response would be to "turn-off" their access to Internet, cell and other technologies that are weapons in the wrong hands. Remember what we did to Iran's nuclear program by unleashing a sophisticated virus?

At least the leadership in Libya has condemned the attack, but in other places where leaders either remained silent or praised it, perhaps we should not share these tools that are designed for free democratic societies. Reminds me of the old "Prime Directive" in Star Trek. Do not share advanced technology with societies that are not ready.

Cutting Off One's Nose

Madison, WI - There are times as a business consultant that I come across something so outrageous, that I almost have to pinch myself to ensure that I am lucid. Such was the case at the annual Brat Fest today.

Every year I usually do a 30 or 40 mile bicycle ride down to Willow Island, park my Trek and reward myself with some tasty dinner at the festival. This year I pulled into the access road and followed the signs to the bike parking, as I have in past years. But, this year was different. There was a guy with a "security" shirt on who flagged me to stop. I complied with a puzzled look on my face. He strolled over to me and said, "If you want to come in, you'll have to pour out the contents of that water bottle on your bike." Wanting to make sure my 55-year-old ears were hearing right I said, "What?"

He said, "There are no carry-ins allowed. I also need to ask you what's in that pack on the back of the bike."

I could feel my blood starting to boil as I said, "There are 10 pounds of contraband bratwurst in the saddlebag that I plan on smuggling in."

By the blank stare I assumed he didn't find the humor in my retort. Why is it when you give someone a shirt that says "security" on the back, it immediately brings out the "mall cop" in them?

It's something I noticed when I promoted concerts way back in the day. We would always warn the security folks that the audience was the customer, not someone to bully or manhandle. Even with that warning the cop-wannabes just can help themselves.

I turned on my heels, said "screw it," and rolled on to the "alternative Brat Fest" up on Capitol Square where I was greeted with open arms and not subject to search and seizure.

The reason there was an alternative in the first place was a group of folks didn't want to support Johnsville because they donated heavily to Scott Walker's campaign, as did some of the organizers of the event. Brat Fest does a lot of good by donating lots of money to scores of local groups, so it's a tough call on what to do on that level.

On a policy that makes people on bikes empty water bottles and have bike packs searched for fear of people smuggling in food, that I can't forgive.

I would have spent a fair amount of money there and drank my bike water later. They didn't get a penny from me and probably never will now. It's a case of them cutting off their nose, to spite their face.

Greetings from the Land that Gave You Joseph McCarthy

Madison, WI (YourNews) – Those who fail to learn the lessons that history teaches are doomed to repeat it. In Wisconsin this week it’s starting to feel like deja vu all over again.

Wisconsin, every once in a while, seems to execute the equivalent of a political fart that reverberates through the nation. Back in the 50s we gave the nation Republican Senator Joe McCarthy. He was the guy that thought there were communists hiding under every rock. He ruined lives and was a bully who was eventually exposed. He died a sad, discredited drunk at the age of 48.

Our latest gift to the nation in the Joe McCarthy tradition is Governor Scott Walker. He appears to believe that unions are the root of all evil. If we can destroy communists, oops, I mean unions, then all will be well with the world and the state’s budget problems will go away.

When will we ever learn? The state and nation’s budget problems weren’t caused by unions. They were caused by a downturn in the global economy precipitated by greedy banks and corporations that bent the rules and stole the equity from virtually every homeowner in the nation. They stole from me and from you, but these are the people that Scott Walker wants to give money to in the form of tax breaks to create more non-union jobs here.

I’m not a member of a labor union and never have been. But I realize that without them I probably would be a lot worse off. They won the 40 hour week for many workers, paid vacation, sick leave and retirement. I guess Walker and clan believes those same people that just got done robbing us blind would have given us all those things out of the goodness of their hearts.

I sure do hope they learn how to govern, which is very different than winning an election. One must keep in mind, the majority of people in this state didn’t vote for Scott Walker. He won by less than 10 percentage points and a slew of people didn’t vote at all. After you win an election you have to govern. That means doing things like talking to people to try to build consensus before you act.

President Obama could have done what Scott Walker did. He had the power on day one to get health care reform passed without one discussion with any opposition. He decided to govern. He talked with the opposition and built consensus. He knew somewhere down the road he would need the opposition. It should come as no surprise to anyone that he was able to broker a deal on taxes and START.

Scott Walker has lit a fuse that will come back to haunt him. He probably will succeed in jamming through his union-busting bill. But in the process he is creating the seeds of his own undoing. In this Facebook and Twitter era he has ignited a machine that is capable of turning out 70,000 people on a cold Saturday afternoon in Madison, Wisconsin. He has birthed a powerful opposition that is connected in the ether and will only grow stronger no matter what happens.

After the death of Joseph McCarthy, Democrat William Proxmire filled the seat. Proxmire called McCarthy "a disgrace to Wisconsin, to the Senate and to America." I wonder what the guy who takes over after Walker will say? History has a funny way of repeating itself.

Talking the Talk

By Glen Gardner

Madison, WI (YourNews) - The national debate that is raging concerning what influenced the Arizona shooter to go on a rampage that left death and sorrow in its wake is putting new focus on talk radio and the “temperature” of the national political debate.

Having been a talk show host, radio program director, general manager and radio station owner for the better part of 30 years, I have a unique perspective on this debate. So, did the right-wing nut-bags who spew their radicalized entertainment “cause” that young man to gun down a congresswoman and all those other people at that shopping center? As usual, if you ask the wrong question you will get the wrong answer.

There is no way anyone will ever know the answer to that question. I think the better question is, could the steady drumbeat of twisted logic and hate motivate someone to act in that fashion? There is no doubt in my mind.

Simple fact of the matter folks is radio (and television) works. If you repeat a message enough times to the right people, it will motivate them to act. I find it more than amusing that these talk show hosts and the companies that profit from their brand of free speech claim that they don’t wield that kind of power and influence.
In the next breath they send their sales departments out to tell potential clients that they most certainly can motivate behavior. Their entire business model is based on the fact that these people can motivate others to act in great numbers. I’m surprised that no one is calling them out on this point.

When I listen to these folks spew their crazy conspiracy theories and outright hatred for people like President Obama and Nancy Pelosi, I have a hard time accepting the fact that anyone buys what they are saying. Obama wasn’t born here, he’s not a Christian, and on and on it goes. I’m sure similar malarkey comes from the other side too, but the voices on the right are louder and more numerous.

Then I listen to the commercials that are in these shows and realize that the brand of hate these people are peddling without a doubt could motivate someone to act. People selling special seeds that you can plant after the world falls apart, magic crème to make your “petzel” bigger and instructions on how to hoard gold to better survive the impending collapse of world order that is right around the corner.

Boys and girls let me tell you, people do act on these messages. People buy this junk in great numbers. I know it for a fact. I have seen it from the inside. People call those 800 numbers and go to web pages and spend lots of money on stuff most of us would call crazy.

So, to these hosts and their companies that want you to believe that someone couldn’t be motivated to do something crazy by simply listening to a repeated message, over and over, think again. They really can’t have it both ways. To hear them talk you’d think that their message is “radio doesn’t work.” The ability of radio to motivate behavior provided me with a very comfortable living for many years.

Just because the First Amendment gives you the right to do something, doesn’t make it right. The flipside of freedom is responsibility.

Old Friends

Can you imagine us years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly? …
Memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fear...
Time it was, and what a time it was, it was…
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories; they're all that's left you

P. Simon 1968

Worcester, MA (YN) – I couldn’t help but think of the lyrics of that song as I was immersed in the past this weekend at my 35th high school reunion.

Back in my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts with the people that I grew up with 35 years after the fact was an emotional rollercoaster. I suppose when you live in the place that you grew up in, all those symbols of your youth are present every day. Having moved from New England nearly 30 years ago, it’s a bit like an emotional tsunami when you are faced with all of that in one fell-swoop.

There’s the house you grew up in, the cemetery where most of the family is buried, the grammar school, junior high and high school you attended. The place where you got your first job, and the place where you kissed your first girl.

It’s also the place where I forged friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Strange thing about those kinds of friendships is you may not see a person for months or years, but pick up right where you left off. There’s that cement of common experience that formed you. It’s a strong pull and something that can’t be replicated with people you meet later in life.

We gathered at a restaurant and relived the “old days” for several hours, but more importantly we continued that shared experience of growing up together. I don’t think that common experience stops when you go out into the world and get a job, start a family and in some cases move away. I don’t even believe that death can halt that process, as those who are no longer with us still had a presence and impact on those in the room.

For me reunions aren’t about going backward, but about going forward knowing that those bonds you forged all those years ago are intact. I know when it gets really thick; there is still a “home.” That home isn’t so much a place, but an emotional center that is populated with the people that played an important role in making you who you are.

So, as I get ready to head back to Madison, Wisconsin, Worcester will never be very far in the rear-view mirror. It occupies an important space on my emotional map.

“Time it was, and what a time it was, it was… A time of innocence, a time of confidences. “

Here’s to the future.

gg

Talent on Loan From God?

What's more important, getting it right or getting rich? When it comes to what's put out over the public airwaves these days, it seems making money is most important and responsible broadcasting takes a backseat.

Two recent talk radio incidents point up how this once noble industry has lost its way. One involves radio talk show host Jerry Bader in Green Bay. The other involves El Rushbo.

Bader went on the air and broadcast false and defamatory information concerning Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton. His report was so vile, that I'll spare you and her the details. It also turned out to be untrue. Bader issued a lukewarm apology.

Bader was suspended for a couple of weeks as a result. Now Midwest Communications in Green Bay has a decision to make. Do they bring him back or fire him? The comments from Duke Wright, the general manager of the station are telling.

Wright says he hasn't made up his mind yet, but he's been hearing from fans of Bader's show that want him back. In my mind that is the setup for Bader's return to the airwaves. Who cares about broadcasting in the public interest anymore? If people want to listen to this guy weave fairy tales, why should management get in the way? Hey, it's the will of the people. It's all good for ratings and revenue, right?

And what does that say about the listening public? A guy that gets on the air and viciously attacks a public servant with a bunch of made-up hooey has fans. And station management is depending on the opinion of these "fans" to make a decision on Bader's return to our airwaves.

The other situation that defies logic has to do with recent statements made by Rush Limbaugh. He got on the air the other day and broadcast a report concerning President Obama (shocking) that charged he made comments in a thesis about having disdain for the Constitution. El Rushbo had a field day with this. The only problem is, it turned out to be a fake.

But the story doesn't stop there. When Limbaugh learns it's made up, he gets on the air and rather than retracting the error says, "I have had this happen to me," Limbaugh says he doesn't care if thesis quotes are fake, "I know Obama thinks it." It appears Rush now believes his own brand of BS and really does think he has "talent on loan from God." He can now broadcast fake information because he knows that despite the fact it can be proven to be untrue, the person is thinking it. Wow.

The airwaves that Bader and Limbuagh are using don't belong to them. They belong to the public. The broadcasters are licensed to use those airwaves in the public interest. Is it in the public interest to broadcast false information?

After spending 35 years in the radio industry, I can tell you that most broadcasters don't give a hoot about the public interest. What they care about is money and ratings. Money and ratings are important, but being a good steward of the public's airwaves is more important and codified.

I know all about the First Amendment and the need to generate profits. But for the life of me, I don't know how these people sleep at night.

The Incredible Shrinking Man Part Two

The Incredible Shrinking Man Part Two

By Glen Gardner

As we age we expand in many different ways. It’s said we become wiser, we expand our horizons and we hopefully grow as human beings. Unfortunately, in my case I had also substantially expanded my waistline as the years have passed. I have always meant to do something about it, but in the blur of everyday life it always seemed to take a backseat to the crisis of the moment. I could always take care of “that” when I’m ready. The only problem was I never felt quite ready.

Weight for me is a lot like birthdays. They both seem to stack up like cord wood and then you look in the mirror one day and say “who is that old fat guy?” If I didn’t know better, the answer to that question may have been “my grandfather.” I guess the apple never rolls far from the tree and of course the real answer was “me.”

During a trip to the doctor about three years ago I got the usual boomer warnings. “If you don’t start shedding some girth you are heading to diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.” He also warned me about a bevy of other ailments that I can’t spell if I failed to change my sloth-like ways. He also said “at 51 you are running out of time.” That was a real shocker. We are the generation that will live for ever, fat or not!

Of course the doc looked to me to be about 13-years-old. That little sarcastic boomer voice in my head quickly said to the doc “hey Spanky, why don’t you go get me a donut while I think about it.” What came out of my mouth was “what kind of a diet do you suggest?” Thoughts of Atkins, South Beach, pills, Weight Watchers, Nutri-Systems and suits made out of rubber that sweat the pounds off danced through my imagination.

At that point Spanky, I mean the doctor, turns to me and lets loose with something truly shocking. “Have you ever considered eating less and exercising more?” That little sarcastic boomer voice in my head quickly shot back, “Well of course I’ve considered it, but that sounds pretty freaking boring. Can’t you just write me a prescription Spanky?” What came out of my mouth was, “I’ll give it a try.” That was the start of my metamorphosis.

It’s not very sexy, but it was the best diet advise I ever got, even if it did come from Doogie Houser. The physics are very simple. Burn more calories than you consume and you will lose weight. I cut my caloric consumption to 1500 a day. I joined a health club and committed to visit there at least four times a week to burn a minimum of 2500 calories. A funny thing started to happen. For the first time in years I was subtracting from the wood pile and not adding to it.

I had some very bad habits I had to break in the process. Being a pretty busy person, one of my favorite tricks was eating over the sink. Over the years I have perfected the art. No plate is needed, no silverware required and whatever misses your mouth simply goes down the drain. Cleanup is a snap, but over-the-sink food tends not to be the most nutritional or low-calorie offerings. In a Ralph Cramden moment I was even thinking about writing a cookbook of things that one could eat over the sink. In an Alice Cramden moment my wife talked me out of that million-dollar idea.

One of the things that really helped me was a web site called Sparkpeople.com (www.sparkpeople.com). This free site helps you track what you’re eating and how much exercise you are doing. I have never been very good about really knowing what I toss into my pie-hole on a daily basis. This site made it very easy to track and plan what I eat. I was surprised at how much food you can eat at 1500 calories a day. I was also surprised at how many calories you can burn in the course of a week with just moderate exercise.

“Back in the day” I was a pretty good cyclist, but gave it up in a serious way when my boomer-belly made it impossible. As I shed pounds and toned at the health club over the winter I started training indoors on a stationary bike. When spring rolled around a couple of years ago I dusted off

You're Fired!

Listening to conservative talk radio today was a real treat. Hearing them carp about President Obama giving GM CEO Rick Wagoner his walking papers was rich. They were talking about that "slippery slope" we hear so much about. Should the government become that involved in the affairs of a company?

By the way, these are the same people that are all for the government telling a welfare mother she must work and raise her kids at the same time to get a paltry check and food stamps. These conservatives are outraged when Wagoner is sent packing by Uncle Sam with $23-Million in exit goodies. No outrage when the government tells the "welfare queen" she must get a job to get some government cheese. Now I may not be as smart as some of these folks, but it seems like the same issue to me.

A couple of things to remember about GM and Wagoner. They invited Obama and the government to the party. As many a dad has said through the history of handouts; "As long as you live under my roof and take my money, you will live under my rules." You know the Golden Rule. Them that got the money rule. In this case it's the government.

Just like those who require personal welfare, GM has surrendered some rights in its excepting billions in government handouts. For anyone to be complaining about that now I find hard to believe. Wagoner has presided over the largest slide in GM's value in history. Last I checked the company stock sat near two bucks a share.

I think Obama probably did Wagoner a huge favor. I'm surprised the shareholders weren't massing outside that spiffy building in Detroit with torches and pitchforks. What's better, getting sacked with a $23-Million dollar parachute or facing a barrel of tar and a bag of feathers?

I have often heard these narrow-minded Rush clones spout their venom about getting tough on welfare recipients who abuse the system. They say that a clear message must be sent. That examples must be set. That lessons must be learned.

In this case I guess I agree with them. I believe that President Obama has decided to get tough on a welfare recipient. A clear message has been sent. An example has been set. We'll find out soon if a lesson has been learned.

Peace and Quiet

The snow was like a field of untouched diamonds this morning as I headed off to Cross Plains, snow shoes in tow. It snowed about six inches last night and the conditions were near-perfect for a winter hike.

I decided to head to Festge County Park for a hike in the fresh snow. As I was putting on the shoes, a red tailed hawk soared overhead. That focused my attention on the sky, which was a deep and clear blue without a cloud in the sky.

I took off down the trail that heads to the valley floor where the Black Earth Creek winds through the drumlins in that area. It was a great hike down to the valley and some great exercise coming back up. The park features one of the best lookouts in the county with a great view of surrounding countryside.

What I like about snow shoe hiking is the quiet. Rarely do you see another person on the trails this time of year. Today I was all by myself other than the hawk and some other wildlife I encountered. The trail hadn't been cut yet, so it was a fair amount of work but it was great to be "going where no man had gone before." There is something special about blazing the trail after a fresh powdery snow fall.

The temperature hoovered around 15 degrees for most of the hike, but once you get your legs cranking it feels warm enough. It certainly beats going to the gym!

It looks like the snow goes away soon as the temperatures will warm as the week goes on. As much as I'm looking forward to spring, I'll miss the quiet of the trail in winter.

The Shuffle

Turn on your IPOD and put it on shuffle. Write down the next 25 song titles and artist. Don't be a cheater.

1. In the Beginning/Average White Band
2. Tangled Up In Blue/Dylan
3.Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning/ Vassar Clements
4. Society's Child/Janis Ian
5. Don't Do It/ Penguins
6. What Am I Going To Do With You/Barry White
7. Baby Blue Eyes/Joan Armatrading
8. Dark Star/ CS&N
9. Sail On Sailor/Beach Boys
10. Sweet Seasons/ Carole King
11. I Don't Believe I'll Stay Here Anymore/ Jonathan Edwards
12. Be Free/ Loggins and Messina
13. Candy/Dr. John
14. Better Days/ Janet Jackson
15. Street Corner/ Ashford and Simpson
16. It Might Be You/Stephen Bishop
17. Sweetest Somebody I know/Stevie Wonder
18. How Much I Feel/Ambrosia
19. Run Baby Run/ Sheryl Crow
20. Fountains/Starcastle
21. Walkin the Streets Alone/ The Marshall Tucker Band
22. Pink/ Aerosmith
23. I Say A Little Prayer/ Dionne Warwick
24. Ballroom In The Sky/ Carlos Santana and Wayne Shorter
25. All Together Now/ The Beatles

I'm An Icon

There are lots of things I've been called over the years, but icon is a new one. An article that appeared in Isthmus today referred to me as an "icon" in Madison. I appreciate my friend Bill at Isthmus bestowing the designation. I'm just wondering if it carries any extra responsibility.

Will I now have to be careful about spitting and cussing in public? Will I have to worry about children designating me as a role model? Most importantly, does this new position carry with it any financial gain?

How much do icons get paid in this new economy? I checked Monster and Craigs List and there was not one posting looking for an icon. I would think in these troubled times that icons would be in very high demand. Wouldn't you like to have an icon in your office? We can hang around and pontificate on nearly any topic and in my case I don't eat that much any more.

I remember many years ago sitting in the Chandler Jr. High guidance office being quizzed about my future ambitions. Now that I think back, I told my 8th grade Sherpa that I aspired to be an icon. He said something like "fat chance." I'm glad I never gave up on my dream of being an icon someday. There were times when I lost hope, but after all this is America where all things are possible. Cheers.

gg (the icon)

What's up?

It's been a while, I know. A lot of you have asked me to start posting again and now that my new life is established and rolling, I've got some time.

Thank you all for the kind words of support after the show came to a very abrupt end. I've been too busy to think a lot about the past, but it was a great run. One door closes and several more open.

The new ventures are going extremely well. I've started a marketing communications company that has been very busy with clients across the country. I'm also operating a full-blown Internet news platform for Madison and have contracts to operate news bureaus in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania with possibilities to expand into other areas soon. I'll keep you all posted.

I have to say there really is nothing like working for yourself. The corporate greed that has taken over the media has been their undoing. It's such a shame to see many of my friends losing jobs while CEOs and greedy shareholders that having been milking these companies for years continue to pull huge dollars. Their day is done, they just don't know it yet. That's the funny thing about real change. By the time most catch on, it's too late for them. Just as well.

Fasten your seat belts my friends because Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is just beginning. For those of us who embrace change, there will be great opportunity. For those who choose to bury their heads in the sand, they'll get a mouth full of sand. To the future. Cheers.
gg

Update

Thank you all for the very kind words and concern. I'm doing just fine and working on my next moves. You'll probably be reading something in the paper before too long on what my plans are. I'm not at liberty here to announce anything yet, but plenty is in the works. And to those who are asking about Tim, he is doing fine as well.

In the meantime, it's been nice to sleep in. Keep checking here and I'll keep you posted on what I'm going to be doing.

Today with the temp expected to peak in the mid 40's, I'm going to get up on that bike and give it a try. I don't usually do a lot of winter riding, but today seems like it might work. I'll let you know how it works out. BTW, I'm down 167 pounds so far.