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.

Radio Daze

All good things must come to an end my friends. Such was the case with the program I've done with Tim for the past two years on WTDY. We really had a blast and I want to thank all of you who made the show very special. I'm sure my good friend Sly will take the ball and run with it.

After 35 years of getting up, off and on at 3:30am, I'm looking forward to watching some Letterman and seeing the sun rise. Day-one felt pretty good.

Thanks again and I'll miss talking with you. I've already moved on to the next thing and all is well here.

Springtime In America

I just watched President-elect Obama address the nation following his stunning victory tonight. I couldn't help but think this is springtime for America. We have all lived through a very long and dark winter. We have been through economic collapse, terror attacks and the politics of greed and hate.

Spring always holds promise. It's still cold and nothing's growing, but it's when the seeds are planted. We have a sliver of opportunity in this springtime for America. I hope we make great use of this time and plant the seeds that will regenerate this nation after a long and cold winter. I look forward to the summer and beyond and wish our new president the best.

Spring is a time to look forward. Spring is a time for hope and spring is a time to plan for the future. This is like the first warm day after that long and dark winter. It's springtime in America!

For Halloween

What not to do in a Monster Movie

Here is the list of things not to do if you find yourself in a monster movie.

Don't shoot at the monster. This has never been shown to kill a monster, but just makes them mad.

If you do decide to shoot at a monster, never attempt to reload when you run out of bullets. You will fumble, drop the bullets and end up as monster kibble.

When you run out of bullets and drop your extras, do not start hitting the monster with the butt of the gun. It makes them very testy.

Never have sex in a monster movie. The monster views this as a "two-fer."

Don't go to Japan.

Never try to escape a monster by driving away. As you are attempting to unlock the car door you will fumble with the key or break the key off in the door lock. Monsters know this and will eat you before you open the door.

Always have a fresh battery in your car if you expect to be in a monster movie. Monsters know even if you manage to get the door open the car battery will be dead.

Don't scream… that's like ringing the dinner bell for a monster.

Stay off all modes of public transportation. Monsters view a bus as a big steam table without a sneeze-guard.

Don't go swimming. Monsters love to eat wet people. It's like being pre-basted.

Don't use nuclear weapons on a monster, they like it.

Never except a job as a caretaker of anything.

Don't attempt to hide in a closet, that's where many monsters choose to live.

Never change altitude in your attempt to evade a monster. Going down to the basement or upstairs will usually result in you becoming monster kibble.

Don't bury a monster you believe to be dead. They will always reach their arm through the dirt to grab your ankle and pull you down then ring the dinner bell.

Never wear high-heeled shoes as you run through the woods. This will lead to you twisting your ankle, falling in pain and being the main course at the monster Thanksgiving dinner.

Never take a shower. Monsters like their food washed.

Enough Already

This campaign for the highest office in the land is really starting to get on my nerves. When I checked the mail today I received a total of five campaign pieces from the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Five pieces on the same day from the same people.

Each one of these mailers was a negative campaign piece spreading some kind of junk about Obama. I don't know what these people are thinking at this point. If this keeps up I may never vote for another Republican ever again. I can't remember ever being bombarded with more negative campaign literature. Not one of these mailers from the Republicans touted the accomplishments of their candidate. Each one of these five mailers was an attempt to paint Obama as a terrorist, crook, a danger to the nation or someone not fit to lead.

To top it off, when I checked the voicemail on the home line there was a message waiting for me from, you guessed it. The Republican Party of Wisconsin left me a message telling me that Obama was the devil and I needed to vote against him. I guess five mailers in one day wasn't enough. They had to back it up with a phone call too. A total of six communications to me and not a one talked about why I should vote for McCain.

I just can't fathom what these people are thinking. They are an angry, desperate and sad lot. Enough already. Please leave me alone. I feel like I need a shower every time I open my mailbox or answer my phone.