Inspiration from Gene

Have you ever felt like you're capable of doing so much more in life than what you're doing right now? I had one of those moments last night, and it came at the most unsuspecting time...

So I was watching Gene Simmons: Family Jewels and he was spending some time in a veterans hospital. He and his daughter, Sophie, were talking with a man injured in war. He sounded like an incredible human being with amazing stories to tell. Gene and Sophie then visited with a Vietnam vet who was also in the hospital. Gene teared up while talking to both people (and if you watch the show you know this is quite an unusual sight).

After seeing that, I had this intense feeling inside of me that was striving to accomplish great things. I want to talk to interesting people of all walks of life, experience something besides sitting behind a computer screen every day, and feel like I made a difference in the world or even just one person's life. With the profession I'm in this goal is fairly doable. However right now and in the next couple years, I just don't see it happening, and honestly, I don't even think I want to do something so big so soon. Maybe something to strive for sometime in my future.

Memphis Here I Come

I'm going to Memphis, and I'm so excited! It will be my first trip there so I have no idea what to expect. It's a trip Jason and I kinda planned earlier this year, but fell by the wayside when gas prices soared. However, in the last week or so we've decided to go anyway. So instead of spending our 3 year anniversary in Springfield, we're taking the trip down I-55 to the home of the blues.

We got a cheap hotel room about a mile or so from Beale Street so I imagine we'll spend a lot of our time in blues bars, and the rest of the time stuffing our faces with BBQ for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hopefully we can make it to a Memphis Redbirds game and we might even make a stop at Graceland. We'll see. Either way this is the road trip I've been dying for the past couple months. It will be nice to see something new.

Week 7: August 3- 9

Alright just one photo this week.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008: Primary night! I snuck this photo while Joe and Christine were sitting on the news desk giving the latest updates on election results. We did something never done before in the Ozarks this night... a live election webcast. I boothed the show. We had a lot more online viewers than I thought we would. While the show didn't go as smooth as it could have, it was good practice for November.

Week 6: July 27- August 2

Monday, July 28, 2008: I worked the KSPR booth at the Ozark Empire Fair.

Friday, August 1, 2008: I caved in and turned the A/C on. I'm impressed I made it so long!

Friday I also attended Natalie Nunn's wedding. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from the event, but I think it goes without saying she looked amazingly beautiful. Congratulations, Natalie and Frank!

Ozark Empire Fair

I had my first experience at the Ozark Empire Fair tonight. I feel like I didn't really get to experience it though. I pretty much walked to the KSPR booth and back to my car. I did stop by and see the goats because they were on the way out, but I didn't see any craziness. However, I'm sure if I walked around long enough I could see some interesting stuff and run into some of the Ozarks' finest. All in all, it was a fair.

The KSPR booth was pretty fun though. I helped out with Weather JEOPARDY! and even got to play Alex Trebek for a bit.

Maybe I'll make it back out there later this week.

Week 5: July 20- 26

Here we go again...

Sunday, July 20, 2008: Chris Carpenter's 1st pitch and return to baseball. His first rehab start was with the Springfield Cardinals. Welcome back, Carp!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008: I finally finished this puzzle. It was hard.

Thursday, July 24, 2008: Believe it or not, but we found all of these hats in the station!

The Dark Knight

I can't wait to go see The Dark Knight! I feel like everyone and their brother has seen it but me. It really seems like it's been a long time since a movie has generated so much excitement not only before it came out, but even after. Everyone I've talked to so far said they loved it and it was even better than all the hype. I'm going Saturday so we'll see then! :)

It's cool when it's hot

That little Raging Rivers saying popped into my head as soon as I opened this up, so whether it makes sense or not, that's why it's the title of this post.

I haven't turned my A/C on yet.

On this, the hottest day of the year in Springfield, I expected to come home to a blistering hot apartment this afternoon, but not so much. It felt fine. So, I'm proud to say I'm still air conditioning free in my little home. As long as the ceiling fans are on it's perfect in here. I'm gonna see how much longer I can go. From memory, August is the worst month anyway, so I'm sure the air will get turned on within the next couple weeks.

Until then, hooray for $20 utility bills!

The thermostat says it's 85 in here, but I don't buy it.

Week 4: July 13- 19

One month down!

Saturday, July 19, 2008: I had some time to kill so I stopped in St. James. There's nothing wrong with wine tasting at 10:30 a.m.! This was my 1st visit there. I suggest the Country Red.

Saturday, July 19, 2008: I met up with my Mom and cousin in Rolla to pick up this awesome mosaic. Mom and I did it ourselves last weekend, but it wasn't completely ready until Friday. Isn't it cool? Once I get the legs fixed it will be my patio table.

Saturday, July 19, 2008: I bought a new fish! This is Bud.

The All-Star Game Sucks

Well, I'm watching the 2008 All-Star game right now. I'm a huge baseball fan, but I can't say I've ever been a fan of the All-Star game. I think the last time I watched a complete one was back in 1996, and that was because it was Ozzie Smith's last appearance. Instead, every year I tune in and out to see who's winning, and I only do that because the freaking game is actually important for something... otherwise I doubt I would watch at all. The team that wins (National or American League) gets home field advantage in the World Series. So considering the Cardinals have been pretty hot the past couple years, I like to know if the NL is winning. Unfortunately, the last time the NL won was the last time I watched a complete All-Star game... 1996.

I have so many issues with the star-studded event, mostly because it's just that... an event, not a game. None of the players or coaches take it seriously. Coaches make sure every single player makes an appearance at some point in the game. Even if a pitcher is on fire, they have to take a seat on the bench so All-Star Pitcher #2 can have his time to shine. It's retarded. There's no strategy, and the players don't even try because they don't want to get hurt. For a game that could mean so much to one team in the post-season, all the best don't give their best.

Considering this year's players, I wouldn't even call some of them "the best." When you think of the Pittsburgh Pirates, "all-star caliber" probably doesn't come to mind. However, I heard this from St. Louis broadcaster Mike Shannon, apparently the Pirates' outfield has a better batting average and more RBIs than the National League's starting All-Star outfielders. Those three were Matt Holliday (CO), Ryan Braun (MIL), Kosuke Fukudome (CHC). Fans should not be allowed to vote. Some very deserving people (like 11 game winner, Kyle Lohse) are left out, while household names (like Derek Jetter) are in. The Tampa Bay Rays are one of the best teams in baseball, yet zero Rays players represented the American League's starting lineup. The cubs, unfortunately, are tied for 1st in baseball with the Angels, they had 7 guys sent to the game, 3 of them had enough votes to be starters. Soriano was one of those 3 and couldn't even start because he's been hurt... what a waste of votes baseball fans.

Apparently back in the 50's the Commish banned fans from voting because Cincinnati Reds fans kinda rigged the system. Someone needs to do that again so fans can't pick the players anymore.

On a side note, I'm liking this Bank of America commercial I keep seeing. It shows the Cards/cubs rivalry along with some other popular ones. We got jipped on that a few years ago during a different rivalry commercial.