Suggestions?

So Megan turns 30 on Sunday (She's gonna kill me for posting that) and I want to get her a very special gift.

Her dream is to go to NYC, which won't happen right away, but maybe later this year. Anyone know how I can get a cheap package or have any suggestions for MUST SEE'S/DO's?

I really want to make this special for her, so I am open to suggestions.

A Little Clarification...

I probably should have mentioned this yesterday for clarification, but didn't really think anything of it until I received a few calls and noticed some of your comments. First, let me thank all of you for your concern, it really means a lot. Also thanks for your prayers.

Just to clarify a little bit, there is nothing happening medically or marriage related that are crises. Since I wrote the blog so early in the morning (something I can do since I work the morning show at the radio station) the thought never occurred to me that I might raise some fears.

I still can't share much, but Megan and I are at a bit of a crossroads and have some decisions to make in the coming weeks. Basically we have some tough decisions to make that we are wrestling through and yesterday was a point day relating to all of that. Like I said I'll share more in the near future, but can't yet.

So again, all is well. We are both healthy as far as we know, and all's well in our lives together (in fact I think it's pretty darn good that I'm blessed with such a great woman). Thanks again for our prayers yesterday, they were felt and we appreciate it so much.

A Special prayer need....

If you think of us today, could you please lift us up in prayer? I'll share more when I can, but we need your prayers today if you could. Thanks! I appreciate and pray for all of you often!

-Matt

Skybus...

We had the chance this last weekend to head to Ohio for a little long weekend. We decided since it was a short weekend we would fly instead of drive. Normally we are looking at 350 to 400 for a round trip flight from Pensacola to Ohio. Everyone up home rants and raves about skybus which is based in Columbus. They are the no frills airline with DEEPLY discounted airfares. We had always thought about trying them out, but thought the only hub was in Jacksonville 5 hours away. However, we found out the fly into "New Orleans" but it's actually Gulfport/Biloxi which is only two hours away, so we thought we would give it a try.

We did not get the $10 fares, but evidently you have to be one of the first ten to purchase that flight to get the rate. I was amazed however to see airfares under 100 with less than a week before departure. We wound up paying 75 for the first leg of the flight and 55 for the second, but it was a direct flight at night.

The flight home was delayed an hour, getting us into Columbus late, but I was highly satisfied. There was plenty of room, the planes are brand new, and the flight crew including captains were awesome. They had fun (especially on the flight back yesterday), were very pleasant and did a great job. I WILL fly skybus again. It is well worth it.

The only downfall is a chance of a delay (but it's not that bad with delays), you do have to pay for luggage (checked-5 each for first two bags) and drinks/snacks, but I'll take that over a $400 ticket.

So check them out at their website and enjoy it. And those friends and family who live in the frozen tundra up north....now is no better time to visit! we'll come pick you up.

Your travel guru (yeah right)...
-Matt

Idol Farce?

Well it is back...and honestly I am just not sure what to think this year. Of course I am talking about American Idol, and in the midst of the oh so wonderful writer's strike, it is one of the only "decent" reality shows that are permeating the airwaves right now since all of the good scripted shows are stuck in limbo right now.

On a quick tangent as it relates to television, there is one scripted jewel that premiered last weekend on Fox. It is a must watch if you are a fan of the Terminator movies. It is called the "Sarah Connor Chronicles," and I am impressed so far.

Okay back to Idol-I just really don't know what to think. Part of me likes the first few weeks with the "bad" mixed in with the good, but I'm already sick of it after two episodes. I get frustrated at the way they belittle some of the contestants by letting them through the auditions only to be made fun of on national TV.

HOWEVER...working in radio and being the local producer for a nationally syndicated show there has been a lot of talk about how "real" it all is.

Don't get me wrong, I know that reality TV is scripted to some extent. I know that there are several rounds of auditions, and I know that some of the "bad" contestants are people doing a "bit" for radio or to boost their careers. That's fine...I'm okay with that and some of them are really funny. However, what about the ones that really are sincere...and how many of them are sincere? The tall guy who butchered "livin' on a prayer"-I really think he was real and I feel bad about him. Or what about the guy who "sings low" and did "go down Moses" pretty sure he thought he could sing...don't know though. I am not entirely convinced that "I am your brother guy" was legit but who knows. I know this is all part of the grabbing ratings and viewers, but couldn't you shorten it...some of it is okay, but at least 2 weeks worth of 2 hours for 2 nights-a little much now, we've seen it. Let's get on to Hollywood.

Of course if you haven't heard, rumors are flying that the 50 finalists have been leaked to the net and several of them have had reps or recording deals in the past.

So with all of that and record labels dropping past idols (Taylor Hicks, Kat McPhee, and Jordin Sparks), I just don't know what to think. I am a little skeptical this year. I'll keep watching for now, but I need to see some breakout talent if they want to keep me this year. Let's have a couple more laughs and move on okay? Thoughts?

I am your brother...
-Matt

The battle at two years...

Welcome to 2008! As I sit here through a day of playing the Wii, watching college football, and a STREAM of shows about obesity and weight loss (a marathon of season 2 of TBL and TLC had several shows about morbidly obese people) laden with a ridiculous amount of advertisements for weight loss specials/gyms I realize that 2007 was a tough year. I start 2008 at 340, only 2 pounds lighter than last year. I wasn't nearly as motivated this last year as I was in 06 and it shows. I could give all kinds of excuses as to why I didn't lose, but basically I wasn't dedicated. So I'm not making any real resolutions this year. I am going to try something different...I will use all of the resources around me and keep SMALL goals instead of making outlandish hopes for the year. If I start small and achieve those small goals maybe I can get further this year. And I'll be honest...the Wii does help! Playing even for a half hour a day helps, it really gets my heart up. I don't know what this year holds, but here's to another year of battling on...anyone wanna join me?

Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!!!

I hope it was a blessed and great time with family and friends! Thanks for being a part of our lives!

A Little Christmas Laughter for you!

I got a big kick out of this, and I think you will too-especially if you are a fan of Jeff Dunham. There are a couple of words and a bit of off color humor, so if you are easily offended you may want to skip it. I appreciate the thanks Achmed "unofficially" gives to the US military. Thanks to all the men and women serving! Enjoy and get a good laugh!

Wii like to play!

Once I purchased a Play Station 2 a few years back, I swore off Nintendo forever. I didn't need Mario, because Crash Bandicoot was just as entertaining and as much of a platform game as any Mario title out there. Well I sold the PS2 earlier this year since I didn't play it anymore and thought I was done with gaming except for at the church in the game room. That was until I had the chance to play the Wii at NYC this summer. From the first go around I realized how fun it could be...and how out of shape I was since it definitely requires physical activity to play it. So with all that said...Meg and I are now proud owners of a Nintendo Wii!

So here's to having a lot of fun with it...any maybe losing a few pounds getting some exercise playing. (I really think this was a BRILLIANT move on the part of Nintendo making a system that requires you to exercise to play it. If you are looking for a system that is family friendly (most of the games are rated for younger families) and that gets you going instead of just sitting I would recommend getting one (as soon as you can find one-we got lucky)

Meeting and idol...

We had our annual teen Christmas party Sunday night, and after an evening of feasting, gift "stealing" and stuffing our faces, we headed to a local church to hear Chris Sligh in concert. This was an unplugged show where he gave his testimony and talked about his faith journey through American Idol and beyond. I have to say, he is as genuine and light hearted in person as he was on the show. This was an awesome event for me as he was one of my pics to win last year and I really liked his voice all through the competition. I picked up a copy of his album (I think it is with his band pre-idol) and he rocks out as good as he sings a ballad. Here are a few pics including Meg and I getting to meet him after the show...

Politics 2008

With the year almost over and an upcoming year of what is likely to be filled with political jargon and propaganda, I thought this picture spoke for itself...

As the primaries arrive next year do your homework and know who you are voting for. I don't care who you choose-just vote...it's your opportunity to make a stand and if you don't vote, don't complain about what happens.

It's time for a playoff...

Okay, so I am thrilled that there is still a snowball's chance in the place of eternal punishment that the Buckeyes may make THE game. It also helps that we beat Michigan...AGAIN! I do feel bad though, Lloyd car was a great coach and I hope it wasn't just because of the loss to OSU. Best wishes to him though.

With all that said though, It is time to let the BCS go and just have a playoff...put them all on the field and let them battle it out. Most likely Hawaii will remain unbeaten and we'll be in the same boat we were with Boise State last year.

Here's to a screwy season and maybe another chance for the Buckeyes...and to hopefully at least tailgating at the game if the Buckeyes make it since it is SO close. We'll see!

PS...check out my good friend Briana's profile sporting the Scarlet and grey as a Michigan fan (since she lost a friendly "wager"). Here's the link- www.myspace.com/BrianaNStopp

Oh Well...

Well I guess it was bound to happen eventually. We lost today against Illinois of all teams. But the good side of all of it is that now the pressure is off and it is ON against Michigan. It should be a great game and the winner gets the Big 10 title...GO BUCKS BEAT MICHIGAN!!!

On the record...

Can ya help me?

I've just signed a petition to the 2008 presidential candidates asking them to go on the record and tell us exactly where they stand on fighting extreme poverty and global disease.You can take action on this important cause too by visiting http://www.one.org/ontherecord

Thanks!

Thoughts on the fall tv season...

Well I have finally had a little bit of time to check out the fall shows and get into a viewing pattern, so as promised here are my thoughts on fall television thus far. Let me know what you think...

MONDAY-NBC takes the cake again this year with their lineup. Chuck is perhaps the best new "dramedy" on tv. Heroes is even better this year and I find myself hating the wait for the next weeks new episode. Finally there is Journeyman about a reporter who is an unwilling time traveller. It is defintely worht watching. The only other show I watch on Monday nights (or when I can get to it) is the new CBS comedy Big Bang. It is a comedy about two geniuses who live next door to a not so genius blonde. It provides some great humor and is a good look into society and the stereotypes we have about geeks and blondes. It's worth checking out.

TUESDAY-Tuesday finds me flipping between NBC/ABC. First it's The Biggest Loser and then over to Boston Legal. TBL is good again this year, but I hate the fact that at the beginning of the season they made some of them feel like rejects again before letting them know they were still going to be on the show. Boston Legal I got hooked on last year late, simply because I think the Denny Crane character is hysterical, and i find the cases (althought unreal) intriguing. Two to skip on Tuesday though are Cavemen and Carpoolers. Cavemen was a HUGE letdown and is not the least bit funny. Carpoolers just doesn't keep my attention . I don't see either of them lasting (but I've been wrong before)

WEDNESDAY-Wednesday of course is church night but I record the shows I like and catch them later. Pushing Daisies is a hit as far as I am concerned. It is original, witty, and I love the fairy tale type storylines complete with narrator. It has a bit of a Tim Burton-esque feel that catches my attention. The new Bionic Woman is okay, but I am not 100% sold on it yet. The same goes with Private Practice-I am just not commited to it yet. Two shows I could do without are Kid Nation-I had high hopes for it and didn't even make it through one episode and Phenomenon, which even though I love magic is just not good enough for me.

THURSDAY-Thursday of course includes all the returning shows with Survivor-which is decent this year but I fear on its last leg, The Office and My name is Earl on NBC, and one that I wrote off last year but am now a big fan uf-Ugly Betty on ABC. In fact Ugly Betty is perhaps one of my favorite shows right now, although the adult themes (all of the craziness in the fashion world) do bother me sometimes. Another ABC staple that I have started watching is Grey's Anatomy. While it is more drama than I like sometimes, it provides a good medical drama since ER just isn't good anymore (i'm surprised it is still on).

FRIDAY-When we are home Friday sees us watching Friday Night Lights, which I had written off last year, but again turned out to be a good show. This year it is a little bit edgier but the stories are more compelling. Also I have started checking out Numb3rs on CBS. This cop drama intrigues me in the fact that I know there are people that smart out there.

So that is my viewing pattern for the fall. Any others I am missing that I should check out? I am still getting caught up, but there are others that I am starting to check out like Big Shots, Life, Moonlight, and Dirty Sexy Money which I haven't watched yet.

thoughts?

Speaking of radio...

I mentioned the radio station in one of my earlier posts, and so I thought it would be good to mention that I had my first official show at q100 tonight as a part of our "Flashback weekend." If you heard it, let me know what you thought. I normally of course am just the producer of the morning show, so this was pretty cool. I am not sure what will come of it yet but it was fun to do it and know that it was "my" show.

Movie Review-Bee Movie

So Meg and I had the chance to go catch a movie tonight for the first time since I started working at the radio station, so we decided on the new Jerry Seinfeld movie "Bee Movie." Since I haven't done a review for awhile, I thought I would throw in my two cents...

Honestly I would have to give it a "bee minus." It wasn't bad, it just wasn't that great as far as I was concerned. There were some pretty good puns and some adult humor, but some of the subtle messages about relationships were a little too disturbing, but maybe I was just reading a little too much into it who knows? Not to mention the fact that there seemed to be a little bit of the "love the earth, everything is a part of the greater planet" mentality-again I may be reading too much into it though.

Overall the story wasn't bad, it's about a young bee who gets out of the hive and experiences the real world. I won't say more so as not to spoil the plot, but basically the whole story revolves around his experience and what he learns about the outside world.

There were some decent messages mixed throughout that I think are good to note. And these could possibly be used for illustrations, the biggest being that everyone has something to offer to make a difference, not matter how big or small. I did like that aspect.

Again-not a bad movie overall, but I would say save your money and catch it on DVD when it comes out. Grade B-

a W is a W

Well it was ugly, but a W is a W as far as I am concerned...play like today against Michigan though and we'll lose! Still unbeaten though-GO BUCKS!

Waiting on Kirk and Spock...

So watching the new season of Heroes-which is amazing of course, I have noticed that it seems that there is an abundance of appearances by the original members of Star Trek. First it was Sulu as Hiro's father, now Ohura as the aunt/grandmother of the Nikki's son, I half expect Denny Crane (boston legal-william shatner) to show up defending some unknown Hero character played by Leornard Nimoy. Any idea why they are showing up on the show?

Meet Gizmo...

Here is the new addition to our family (at least for now). We are calling him Gizmo because of the size of his ears...Here are a few pics of the little guy (who is really cute and up for sale):

Can you believe the size of these ears?

Tuckered out after playing...

Hiding in the closet during a storm...


I am trying really hard not to get attached. He sure is cute, and my fear is that if we don't sell him soon he will be a permanent addition to our family.