***NOTE*** This is a small tribute to my father Joe Stivers, who passed away on October 10, 2008. Please visit Remembering Joe Stivers for more information.
Happy birthday, Dad.
I miss you so much, as I do every day. This morning I woke up and immediately thought of you, and wondered what you would be doing for your 62nd birthday if you were still here with us. Perhaps a trip to Galveston? Or maybe a trek closer to this way? Either way, I know you would have had fun.
Today, I remember that little camping trip we took back when I was 10 years old. Well, not so much a 'camping' trip, but rather waking up and leaving the house at 5:00am, driving out to some point in the wilderness and cooking breakfast over a fire. Those were the best sausage and eggs I've ever had. Thank goodness you had the foresight to bring pepper - your preferred seasoning.
Not far from the spot where we had breakfast, there was a babbling brook filled with small rocks. I clearly remember when you took a quarter from your pocket and placed it underneath the one pale rock that stood out from the rest. You told me that if we ever returned to that spot, the quarter would still be there.
And sure enough, when we returned to that little plot of land somewhere north of Huntsville two years later, we found that same rock and the same quarter undisturbed. Again, we left the quarter underneath the rock so that we could rediscover it if we ever returned.
Well, Dad, it seems that you are the only one who knows exactly where that quarter is today. Because I cannot remember the location of that piece of land for the life of me. Maybe someday, either by coincidence or some strange force of nature, I will find myself standing on the edge of that brook looking down at that pale rock. But until then, that quarter will remain as evidence of our visit, and one of the fondest memories I have.
Mom and I miss you so much, Dad. We always send out our love to you, and keep you in our prayers.
Your loving son,
Alex
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Schizophrenic Hockey All-Star Games
As a former player, coach and even administrator of hockey on several levels, I hold the sport very close to my heart. But there are times when I have to show the game a little bit of tough love. I'm sorry, hockey. But you're getting a spanking today.
Well, not as much the actual sport of hockey, but rather the leagues running the show and their befuddled marketing directors who reek of desperation trying to woo new fans. In their attempts to make the game more marketable to a wider audience, they have instead made certain traditional elements confusing and even laughable.
Case in point...
Tonight the American Hockey League will hold its annual All-Star Game, which deserves much attention for two reasons. One, the league is very talented and entertaining with a lot of players who will certainly by the future of the sport. And two, the NHL will not be holding its All Star game this year, as its players will instead be participating in the Winter Olympics. Last night the Skills Competition was televised on Fox Sports Net, and I cringed when I discovered the names of the squads competing tonight:
"Team Canada" versus "Team Planet USA."
What?! Did I accidentally change the channel to 'Space Jam?' Why in the world do hockey leagues come up with these insane team designations? They're destroying the identity of the event and making it confusing to the outside hockey fan.
The obvious answer is because they want to showcase the fact that the game is an international sport and to keep things fresh. What they don't realize is that these decisions cause the All Star Game to stray from the original concept. The league is made up of teams, not countries. So, All Star candidates are players who stand out as top performers on their own teams, not based on what nations they hail from.
All of this started when the NHL experimented with its All Star Game back in the 90s, and changed it from a Western Conference vs Eastern Conference affair, and replaced it with North America vs The World. For a couple years, the concept was applauded. But like any form of novelty, the shine wore off and the format reverted back to East/West.
Sadly, the minor leagues didn't follow suit. Instead they presented more crazy ideas just to grab the attention of the one-time hockey-goer. Some were original and clever, but they all presented more cons than pros.
Example #1: 2000 IHL All Star Challenge: Houston Aeros vs. IHL All Stars
At the time this event took place, I was an excited 19-year-old Aeros fan who followed the home team and could still feel the excitement of the squad's Turner Cup victory the year before. And, I thoroughly enjoyed the game, as it was a close one with Houston winning 5-3. But in retrospect, I now realize some flaws this format presented. For one, it was a thrill for Houston fans to have the All Star Game pitting the home team against the best of the league. But I'm sure it alienated all of the other local hockey markets in the league, and probably some deserving players were not selected to the roster.
Example #2: 2010 CHL All Star Game: South Texas vs. Team CHL
First off, to a casual hockey observer, the name "Team South Texas" in a hockey game invokes a sense of shock and confusion. Hosted in Laredo, the format of this all star event took the better players from the three Central Hockey League franchises located in South Texas (Corpus Christi, Laredo and Rio Grande Valley) and matched them up with the better players from the rest of the league. Like the previously mentioned Houston scenario, I'm sure a lot of other franchises in the league were scorned by this format, and it was obvious that the "game" was more of a spectacle catered to the local fan base. Is it a coincidence that the home team almost always wins in this kind of format?
It's all about appealing to the new money and corporate sponsors, and it takes away from the tradition of the event. Remember, the All Star Game is supposed to be a celebration of the sport and the league's best players.
If you want an international feel to the sport, remember that there is a tournament every two years called the Junior Worlds, and it's probably the most entertaining tournament out there.
But don't give me a 'Team Canada' and a 'Team Planet USA', host the game in Portland, Maine, and then tell me it's special.
Oh yeah, and don't even get me started on that horrific production that was the Skills Competition last night.
AX
Well, not as much the actual sport of hockey, but rather the leagues running the show and their befuddled marketing directors who reek of desperation trying to woo new fans. In their attempts to make the game more marketable to a wider audience, they have instead made certain traditional elements confusing and even laughable.
Case in point...
Tonight the American Hockey League will hold its annual All-Star Game, which deserves much attention for two reasons. One, the league is very talented and entertaining with a lot of players who will certainly by the future of the sport. And two, the NHL will not be holding its All Star game this year, as its players will instead be participating in the Winter Olympics. Last night the Skills Competition was televised on Fox Sports Net, and I cringed when I discovered the names of the squads competing tonight:
"Team Canada" versus "Team Planet USA."
What?! Did I accidentally change the channel to 'Space Jam?' Why in the world do hockey leagues come up with these insane team designations? They're destroying the identity of the event and making it confusing to the outside hockey fan.
The obvious answer is because they want to showcase the fact that the game is an international sport and to keep things fresh. What they don't realize is that these decisions cause the All Star Game to stray from the original concept. The league is made up of teams, not countries. So, All Star candidates are players who stand out as top performers on their own teams, not based on what nations they hail from.
All of this started when the NHL experimented with its All Star Game back in the 90s, and changed it from a Western Conference vs Eastern Conference affair, and replaced it with North America vs The World. For a couple years, the concept was applauded. But like any form of novelty, the shine wore off and the format reverted back to East/West.
Sadly, the minor leagues didn't follow suit. Instead they presented more crazy ideas just to grab the attention of the one-time hockey-goer. Some were original and clever, but they all presented more cons than pros.
Example #1: 2000 IHL All Star Challenge: Houston Aeros vs. IHL All Stars
At the time this event took place, I was an excited 19-year-old Aeros fan who followed the home team and could still feel the excitement of the squad's Turner Cup victory the year before. And, I thoroughly enjoyed the game, as it was a close one with Houston winning 5-3. But in retrospect, I now realize some flaws this format presented. For one, it was a thrill for Houston fans to have the All Star Game pitting the home team against the best of the league. But I'm sure it alienated all of the other local hockey markets in the league, and probably some deserving players were not selected to the roster.
Example #2: 2010 CHL All Star Game: South Texas vs. Team CHL
First off, to a casual hockey observer, the name "Team South Texas" in a hockey game invokes a sense of shock and confusion. Hosted in Laredo, the format of this all star event took the better players from the three Central Hockey League franchises located in South Texas (Corpus Christi, Laredo and Rio Grande Valley) and matched them up with the better players from the rest of the league. Like the previously mentioned Houston scenario, I'm sure a lot of other franchises in the league were scorned by this format, and it was obvious that the "game" was more of a spectacle catered to the local fan base. Is it a coincidence that the home team almost always wins in this kind of format?
It's all about appealing to the new money and corporate sponsors, and it takes away from the tradition of the event. Remember, the All Star Game is supposed to be a celebration of the sport and the league's best players.
If you want an international feel to the sport, remember that there is a tournament every two years called the Junior Worlds, and it's probably the most entertaining tournament out there.
But don't give me a 'Team Canada' and a 'Team Planet USA', host the game in Portland, Maine, and then tell me it's special.
Oh yeah, and don't even get me started on that horrific production that was the Skills Competition last night.
AX
Broken Rules on the First Date
Even though most of us consider ourselves to be 'free spirits' who tend to gravitate away from the rules, there are some instances when it helps to be a little grounded. The following story actually took place a couple months ago, and I woke up this morning compelled to share it with you.
During lunchtime on that Wednesday back in December, I did something truly pathetic. I went to a restaurant by myself. However, my self-esteem wasn't decimated, thanks to a probable Craigslist casual rendezvous involving a somewhat attractive blonde and a creepy denim enthusiast. I was seated one booth away from two adults having what appeared to be a Blind date, considering their conversation. It was either that, or this 'John' was being very nice to an escort taking her to lunch. Anyway, it was something right out of a comedy, and quite entertaining. To describe it, let me tell you the rules that were broken by the guy...
Broken rule #1: On a first date, a Chinese restaurant is a good pick. But not a Chinese BUFFET restaurant.
Broken rule #2: Unless it is a famous celebrity or a political figure, avoid talking about how somebody died.
Broken rule #3: When you give someone a compliment, never add a clarifier. Such as "You look really good... for 44 years old."
Broken rule #4: DON'T MENTION THE WIFE!!!!!
Broken rule #5: Never admit that you're not "all that romantic".
Broken rule #6: Try letting her talk once in a while.
Yes, it was a pretty nasty experience for both the lady and for myself, as it was also very painful to listen to. However, it was still the most entertaining eavesdropping I've ever done, even more entertaining than the time I was lounging on my back stoop and heard the phrase "You better not be pregnant!" shouted from the other side of the privacy fence.
The event also reminded me that when it comes to dating, there really isn't a book of universal rules to follow, only broken rules.
AX
During lunchtime on that Wednesday back in December, I did something truly pathetic. I went to a restaurant by myself. However, my self-esteem wasn't decimated, thanks to a probable Craigslist casual rendezvous involving a somewhat attractive blonde and a creepy denim enthusiast. I was seated one booth away from two adults having what appeared to be a Blind date, considering their conversation. It was either that, or this 'John' was being very nice to an escort taking her to lunch. Anyway, it was something right out of a comedy, and quite entertaining. To describe it, let me tell you the rules that were broken by the guy...
Broken rule #1: On a first date, a Chinese restaurant is a good pick. But not a Chinese BUFFET restaurant.
Broken rule #2: Unless it is a famous celebrity or a political figure, avoid talking about how somebody died.
Broken rule #3: When you give someone a compliment, never add a clarifier. Such as "You look really good... for 44 years old."
Broken rule #4: DON'T MENTION THE WIFE!!!!!
Broken rule #5: Never admit that you're not "all that romantic".
Broken rule #6: Try letting her talk once in a while.
Yes, it was a pretty nasty experience for both the lady and for myself, as it was also very painful to listen to. However, it was still the most entertaining eavesdropping I've ever done, even more entertaining than the time I was lounging on my back stoop and heard the phrase "You better not be pregnant!" shouted from the other side of the privacy fence.
The event also reminded me that when it comes to dating, there really isn't a book of universal rules to follow, only broken rules.
AX
THROWBACK POST - "Friendly Skies?"
***NOTE*** - This is a blog entry from November 22, 2006 from one of my former blog sites. I've added it to this site to prove that I can be topical every now and then. Enjoy!
All right, pull up a chair because this one's gonna be a doozy. As you may know, my work allows me to access many of the news stories around the world that fall through some of the cracks, but not all of them. Well, several events came up today that stirred up this diluted pot that I call a brain, and with it being laundry day (again), I found the time to rant about them. I'll try to keep 'em funny, and clean as possible. So here we go...
With Thanxgivin' around the corner, many of the topics have to center around the travel that goes with it. Sure enough, with the panicky nut jobs that are influencing the policymakers, a trip on an airliner isn't the afternoon picnic that it once was. Yes, I know that we have a whole other group of idealistic raisin-cakes to thank for that, but I think we're crossing some lines, here.
It appears that even KISSING on a plane is enough to get you and your lady knocked onto the taxiway. This was sparked by a couple on a Southwest flight outta L.A., where the guy had his face pressed against the lap of his significant other. No one is exactly sure of whether he was trying to listen to her fallopian tubes or simply taking a nap, but it was apparently making someone else uncomfortable (or probably jealous). That couple was kicked to the jetway by officials citing the Patriot Act. What kind of crap is this?? I've been busted many times for PDA, but never had I seen someone wave a government document at me telling me to break it up! If anyone sees something like that in the Patriot Act, please underline it and send it to me.
Are people that uptight on a plane that seeing someone else getting to first base is going to inspire them to get them kicked off? I can see it now...
"Those damn kids in front of me can't keep their hands off each other. Well, they won't be making it to Vegas today if I have anything to say about it!"
Take it easy, pops! Those kids are doing the most ideal thing to make a long-ass plane ride seem remotely enjoyable. Think about the last time you made out. It seemed like 10 minutes, right? But then you check the clock on the wall and two hours have past (Yeah, that's how I work it). That uptight guy is just jealous because those people are cozy with one another and he's stuck between a dude he doesn't want to brush up against and another person who belongs in two cabin seats instead of one.
Another topic that has come up in the news is the boycott of Delta Airlines by a group of mothers. A breastfeeding mom was kicked off a plane not too long ago after refusing a blanket offered by a flight attendant to cover up the act. Now, moms, dads, and kids are forming 'sit-ins' across the country at Delta ticket counters to protest. I know that there are people out there who say that those kind of personal moments are best kept at home and out of the public view. But for me, a guy who has sat beside, behind, and in front of many crying babies, I'm all for it when it's on a plane. I will never be grossed out by a mom breastfeeding, because I know that's probably the only thing keeping that little bugger from screaming between takeoff and landing. Shoot, if they ever ask me again if I want an aisle or a window seat, I'm just going to respond by saying: "You know of any breastfeeding mothers on board?"
That reminds me. Airlines are always asking what kind of seat that you like, but you never know many of the details. To me, all seats are the same two and a half foot wide torture chairs. But if I knew that there was a hottie sitting in Row 13, Seat B, you know I'd be the first in line clamoring for the seat right next to her.
And don't say that you're not that shallow. I guarantee that everyone reading this has looked an attractive member of the opposite sex up and down while first boarding a plane. For me, I make it a point to. Because the SkyMall magazine isn't gonna entertain me for the next two hours. But having some eye candy to think about the entire way makes for an enjoyable trip.
Which brings me back to those hypocrites who hate on the nookie on the planes. Let's not forget that they are the generation who brought us the "Mile High Club."
Finally, another bothersome bunch of creatures are now making it really hard to be a Muslim and on a plane at the same time. A group of six passengers (who just so happened to be Muslim) were booted off a plane in Minnesota because someone passed a flight attendant a note. The gist of the note explained that the men were praying and it was making other passengers nervous. Are people so stupid and scared that anyone who bows their head during departure is immediately a terrorist? Hey, I myself have been known to say a few words to God while the plane is taxiing. It doesn't make me an enemy against America. I just want to get from Point A to Point B in one piece. Is that too much to ask for? Just to be a sarcastic ass, the next time I see someone clutching a crucifix and whispering on a plane, I'll speak up: "Hey buddy. Knock that stuff off or I'm getting the stewardess."
Let the people pray, for cryin' out loud. That's how you know that they're not terrorists. The last thing that those people want to do is draw attention to themselves. You want to kick someone off a plane? Go after the shady looking character with the unibrow not saying anything who keeps looking at his watch every two minutes. BTW, you don't have to be Muslim to be a victim of these scared inbred imbeciles. An Orthodox Jewish man was kicked off an Air Canada flight for praying, which attendants claim was making other passengers nervous.
Finally, let's reminisce about the good times of travelling, back when people dressed in their Sunday best and kept to their own damn selves. Now, you've got these sweaty beasts wearing just a thin layer of officially licenced NASCAR t-shirt, and all they want to do is interrogate the person next to them. And half of those people want movies to be made after them, so they think they're gonna pull off the nicer version of 'Flight 93': where the terrorists are taken down but the plane doesn't leave the ground.
Trouble is, there are hardly any terrorists on planes these days. They don't need to be, seeing as how we've made air travel dangerous enough with our own paranoia.
AX
All right, pull up a chair because this one's gonna be a doozy. As you may know, my work allows me to access many of the news stories around the world that fall through some of the cracks, but not all of them. Well, several events came up today that stirred up this diluted pot that I call a brain, and with it being laundry day (again), I found the time to rant about them. I'll try to keep 'em funny, and clean as possible. So here we go...
With Thanxgivin' around the corner, many of the topics have to center around the travel that goes with it. Sure enough, with the panicky nut jobs that are influencing the policymakers, a trip on an airliner isn't the afternoon picnic that it once was. Yes, I know that we have a whole other group of idealistic raisin-cakes to thank for that, but I think we're crossing some lines, here.
It appears that even KISSING on a plane is enough to get you and your lady knocked onto the taxiway. This was sparked by a couple on a Southwest flight outta L.A., where the guy had his face pressed against the lap of his significant other. No one is exactly sure of whether he was trying to listen to her fallopian tubes or simply taking a nap, but it was apparently making someone else uncomfortable (or probably jealous). That couple was kicked to the jetway by officials citing the Patriot Act. What kind of crap is this?? I've been busted many times for PDA, but never had I seen someone wave a government document at me telling me to break it up! If anyone sees something like that in the Patriot Act, please underline it and send it to me.
Are people that uptight on a plane that seeing someone else getting to first base is going to inspire them to get them kicked off? I can see it now...
"Those damn kids in front of me can't keep their hands off each other. Well, they won't be making it to Vegas today if I have anything to say about it!"
Take it easy, pops! Those kids are doing the most ideal thing to make a long-ass plane ride seem remotely enjoyable. Think about the last time you made out. It seemed like 10 minutes, right? But then you check the clock on the wall and two hours have past (Yeah, that's how I work it). That uptight guy is just jealous because those people are cozy with one another and he's stuck between a dude he doesn't want to brush up against and another person who belongs in two cabin seats instead of one.
Another topic that has come up in the news is the boycott of Delta Airlines by a group of mothers. A breastfeeding mom was kicked off a plane not too long ago after refusing a blanket offered by a flight attendant to cover up the act. Now, moms, dads, and kids are forming 'sit-ins' across the country at Delta ticket counters to protest. I know that there are people out there who say that those kind of personal moments are best kept at home and out of the public view. But for me, a guy who has sat beside, behind, and in front of many crying babies, I'm all for it when it's on a plane. I will never be grossed out by a mom breastfeeding, because I know that's probably the only thing keeping that little bugger from screaming between takeoff and landing. Shoot, if they ever ask me again if I want an aisle or a window seat, I'm just going to respond by saying: "You know of any breastfeeding mothers on board?"
That reminds me. Airlines are always asking what kind of seat that you like, but you never know many of the details. To me, all seats are the same two and a half foot wide torture chairs. But if I knew that there was a hottie sitting in Row 13, Seat B, you know I'd be the first in line clamoring for the seat right next to her.
And don't say that you're not that shallow. I guarantee that everyone reading this has looked an attractive member of the opposite sex up and down while first boarding a plane. For me, I make it a point to. Because the SkyMall magazine isn't gonna entertain me for the next two hours. But having some eye candy to think about the entire way makes for an enjoyable trip.
Which brings me back to those hypocrites who hate on the nookie on the planes. Let's not forget that they are the generation who brought us the "Mile High Club."
Finally, another bothersome bunch of creatures are now making it really hard to be a Muslim and on a plane at the same time. A group of six passengers (who just so happened to be Muslim) were booted off a plane in Minnesota because someone passed a flight attendant a note. The gist of the note explained that the men were praying and it was making other passengers nervous. Are people so stupid and scared that anyone who bows their head during departure is immediately a terrorist? Hey, I myself have been known to say a few words to God while the plane is taxiing. It doesn't make me an enemy against America. I just want to get from Point A to Point B in one piece. Is that too much to ask for? Just to be a sarcastic ass, the next time I see someone clutching a crucifix and whispering on a plane, I'll speak up: "Hey buddy. Knock that stuff off or I'm getting the stewardess."
Let the people pray, for cryin' out loud. That's how you know that they're not terrorists. The last thing that those people want to do is draw attention to themselves. You want to kick someone off a plane? Go after the shady looking character with the unibrow not saying anything who keeps looking at his watch every two minutes. BTW, you don't have to be Muslim to be a victim of these scared inbred imbeciles. An Orthodox Jewish man was kicked off an Air Canada flight for praying, which attendants claim was making other passengers nervous.
Finally, let's reminisce about the good times of travelling, back when people dressed in their Sunday best and kept to their own damn selves. Now, you've got these sweaty beasts wearing just a thin layer of officially licenced NASCAR t-shirt, and all they want to do is interrogate the person next to them. And half of those people want movies to be made after them, so they think they're gonna pull off the nicer version of 'Flight 93': where the terrorists are taken down but the plane doesn't leave the ground.
Trouble is, there are hardly any terrorists on planes these days. They don't need to be, seeing as how we've made air travel dangerous enough with our own paranoia.
AX
THROWBACK POST - "The Harbor Lights Episode"
***NOTE*** - This entry was originally posted December 3, 2006 on one of my former blog sites. I felt it was worthy of a second glace. Enjoy!
The last time that I stood in front of a bunch of people and spoke was back in May for the SHSU Eubie Awards. I was the MC for the night's festivities, and I actually had some decent material. But I had to ditch the gags after my very first joke was followed by the sound of crickets. The strange thing was, I was just being myself back then, but my peers were trying so hard to not seem entertained that they held in their reaction and I looked the fool. So ever since then, I've been a little skiddish when it comes to letting my personality flow. On most days I can talk up a storm and people are kicking me from under the table to get me to shut up. Then there are those days when I don't say much, and I'm a wallflower.
But thank goodness I was my usual outgoing self last night.
For those of you outside of CC, the Harbor Lights Festival is the holiday highlight on the Bayfront, complete with music, the lighting of the big tree and the classic visit by Santa. It's a pretty big thing for the kids and the show's been popular considering it's been around for 25 years.
Well, since Action 10 KZTV was one of the primary sponsors, it was fitting that a pair of our own talent would emcee the night event. However, one of my coworkers who was scheduled to be part of the show called me up, and I couldn't even recognize her voice. She had been fighting some throat illness and it seemed as if it had taken over. She lost her voice, and she was asking me to fill in for her. Did I mention that this was around 2:00 pm Saturday, four hours before showtime?
I graciously accepted, not just because I'm all about helping out the team and plug the station, but I felt this was an opportunity for me to put the name out there a little bit and get some exposure for myself. I'll admit it, I'm a bit selfish. So, with that pressure added, I prepped for the show.
Looking at the script, it read like a recycled 'Donnie and Marie' give-and-take. In addition to the corny language, the script was also very tight, and open to a lot of ad-libbing. Not the best situation with it being my first Harbor Lights and only having less than three hours to prepare.
Well, 6:00 rolls around and the ceremonies are off and running. Right alongside me is Lauren, and she's about as nervous as I was. But to add to that, she was absolutely freezing with the 38 degree windgusts coming off the bay. I was shaking myself. But we started off by introducing ourselves and talking a little bit about ourselves and our fondest holiday memory, I thought it was going to sound cheesy, but somehow we pulled it off.
Right after the first entertainment act, Lauren and I jump back on stage and we start going through the script once again. Unfortunately, there might have been some miscommunication behind the scenes, because the timing was off and the entertainment coordinator starts making appearances over my shoulder and whispering to stretch the material. The second act of the night was 20 minutes late, and Santa wasn't due onto the stage for another 8. So Lauren and I ran through the sponsers again and try to ad-lib some more. After that didn't work, we just went to the ol' faithful: holiday ambiance music while we waited for Santa's motorcade to make it to the stage.
During all of this, I'm holding a 17-page script in one hand and a microphone in the other. Right behind that, was a list of all the sponsors and event coordinators that I had to mention, those were on separate sheets. And whoever wrote and printed the script didn't put the page breaks in the appropriate places, so I repeatedly was having to stop and negotiate with the mic and flipping to the next page. And don't forget about the long pauses of me laughing at myself during the process. It was embarrassing.
Allright! Santa finally makes it to the stage, and the kids in the crowd are going nuts. There's a lot of good energy coming over the stage at this point, so I thought I would run with. I certainly had the blessing of the event coordinator, though, because she wanted Lauren and I to milk the Santa segment for all it was worth. So I broke into an impromptu news interview with Santa Claus. It took about three to four minutes, and I was asking him questions like "How's Corpus treating you?" and "Are the kids in South Texas naughty or nice?" Y'know, kiddie stuff.
Lauren went the extra mile and scooted down to the crowd to where the children were and got a few questions from them to relay to Santa. So her segment knocked out about three more minutes.
Eureka! We had actually filled a 7 1/2 minute hole in the program just by being ourselves and with a little bit of clever and quick thinking.
It was also in this segment where I ran through the list of sponsors again. When I came down the list to Whataburger, here's what I said...
"And you can't talk about Corpus Christi without bringing up Whataburger. They're an institution here, and you pretty much can't throw a rock in this town without hitting one."
When that last bit came out of my mouth, I froze. I couldn't believe that I said it, not to mention into a microphone in front of a couple thousand people. What was even more surprising that I actually heard a lot of laughs from the crowd. I really couldn't see who all was laughing because of the lights. But I definately heard them. I was so shocked that the bit actually worked, I started to crack up and laugh a bit under my breath. Just before I composed myself and was going to read through the rest of the list, I heard a voice shout from the left side of the crowd.
"That was good!"
Again, shocked from the positive response, I chuckled again. Only this time I turned towards the direction the voice came from and replied: "Thank you" as only I would in an embarrassing situation.
So the show went on. The second act finally showed up and did a good job. I then went back on stage and tossed it to a couple of radio personalities as they introduced the laser light show. Again, groovy time.
Then we finally lit the 75-foot Christmas tree. And that was impressive. Pretty cool that Lauren and I were on stage for that one. Then I introduced the headliner band, a kid named JW Cudd. After that was over, we finally wrapped it up and got outta there. Lauren had to get back to work, and I was at the end of a workday that started at 7:30 that morning.
All in all, it was fun. I'm not sure how much I acted the fool on that stage. I'm also not sure how the people responded to me. There were a lot of hiccups in the program and plenty of times where I might have come off as foolish, but I think everything was okay in the long run. The coordinators said that we did a great job, and that they were in awe that we could talk to no end and pad the show. Good deal, I guess.
But the great thing was, I was just being myself. I didn't come off as stiff and I was able to laugh at myself when things were going wrong. Not exactly sure how many people were watching, because I was blinded by the lights, but another coworker told me afterward that close to 10,000 people usually make it downtown for the Christmas tree lighting. Jeezum Crow! 10,000???? Maybe it was a good thing that I couldn't see those people.
Amazing how in just a few months I could go from small town MC who couldn't get a laugh out of small town crowd, to performing in front of a huge audience. I hope that can be considered a skill.
The last time that I stood in front of a bunch of people and spoke was back in May for the SHSU Eubie Awards. I was the MC for the night's festivities, and I actually had some decent material. But I had to ditch the gags after my very first joke was followed by the sound of crickets. The strange thing was, I was just being myself back then, but my peers were trying so hard to not seem entertained that they held in their reaction and I looked the fool. So ever since then, I've been a little skiddish when it comes to letting my personality flow. On most days I can talk up a storm and people are kicking me from under the table to get me to shut up. Then there are those days when I don't say much, and I'm a wallflower.
But thank goodness I was my usual outgoing self last night.
For those of you outside of CC, the Harbor Lights Festival is the holiday highlight on the Bayfront, complete with music, the lighting of the big tree and the classic visit by Santa. It's a pretty big thing for the kids and the show's been popular considering it's been around for 25 years.
Well, since Action 10 KZTV was one of the primary sponsors, it was fitting that a pair of our own talent would emcee the night event. However, one of my coworkers who was scheduled to be part of the show called me up, and I couldn't even recognize her voice. She had been fighting some throat illness and it seemed as if it had taken over. She lost her voice, and she was asking me to fill in for her. Did I mention that this was around 2:00 pm Saturday, four hours before showtime?
I graciously accepted, not just because I'm all about helping out the team and plug the station, but I felt this was an opportunity for me to put the name out there a little bit and get some exposure for myself. I'll admit it, I'm a bit selfish. So, with that pressure added, I prepped for the show.
Looking at the script, it read like a recycled 'Donnie and Marie' give-and-take. In addition to the corny language, the script was also very tight, and open to a lot of ad-libbing. Not the best situation with it being my first Harbor Lights and only having less than three hours to prepare.
Well, 6:00 rolls around and the ceremonies are off and running. Right alongside me is Lauren, and she's about as nervous as I was. But to add to that, she was absolutely freezing with the 38 degree windgusts coming off the bay. I was shaking myself. But we started off by introducing ourselves and talking a little bit about ourselves and our fondest holiday memory, I thought it was going to sound cheesy, but somehow we pulled it off.
Right after the first entertainment act, Lauren and I jump back on stage and we start going through the script once again. Unfortunately, there might have been some miscommunication behind the scenes, because the timing was off and the entertainment coordinator starts making appearances over my shoulder and whispering to stretch the material. The second act of the night was 20 minutes late, and Santa wasn't due onto the stage for another 8. So Lauren and I ran through the sponsers again and try to ad-lib some more. After that didn't work, we just went to the ol' faithful: holiday ambiance music while we waited for Santa's motorcade to make it to the stage.
During all of this, I'm holding a 17-page script in one hand and a microphone in the other. Right behind that, was a list of all the sponsors and event coordinators that I had to mention, those were on separate sheets. And whoever wrote and printed the script didn't put the page breaks in the appropriate places, so I repeatedly was having to stop and negotiate with the mic and flipping to the next page. And don't forget about the long pauses of me laughing at myself during the process. It was embarrassing.
Allright! Santa finally makes it to the stage, and the kids in the crowd are going nuts. There's a lot of good energy coming over the stage at this point, so I thought I would run with. I certainly had the blessing of the event coordinator, though, because she wanted Lauren and I to milk the Santa segment for all it was worth. So I broke into an impromptu news interview with Santa Claus. It took about three to four minutes, and I was asking him questions like "How's Corpus treating you?" and "Are the kids in South Texas naughty or nice?" Y'know, kiddie stuff.
Lauren went the extra mile and scooted down to the crowd to where the children were and got a few questions from them to relay to Santa. So her segment knocked out about three more minutes.
Eureka! We had actually filled a 7 1/2 minute hole in the program just by being ourselves and with a little bit of clever and quick thinking.
It was also in this segment where I ran through the list of sponsors again. When I came down the list to Whataburger, here's what I said...
"And you can't talk about Corpus Christi without bringing up Whataburger. They're an institution here, and you pretty much can't throw a rock in this town without hitting one."
When that last bit came out of my mouth, I froze. I couldn't believe that I said it, not to mention into a microphone in front of a couple thousand people. What was even more surprising that I actually heard a lot of laughs from the crowd. I really couldn't see who all was laughing because of the lights. But I definately heard them. I was so shocked that the bit actually worked, I started to crack up and laugh a bit under my breath. Just before I composed myself and was going to read through the rest of the list, I heard a voice shout from the left side of the crowd.
"That was good!"
Again, shocked from the positive response, I chuckled again. Only this time I turned towards the direction the voice came from and replied: "Thank you" as only I would in an embarrassing situation.
So the show went on. The second act finally showed up and did a good job. I then went back on stage and tossed it to a couple of radio personalities as they introduced the laser light show. Again, groovy time.
Then we finally lit the 75-foot Christmas tree. And that was impressive. Pretty cool that Lauren and I were on stage for that one. Then I introduced the headliner band, a kid named JW Cudd. After that was over, we finally wrapped it up and got outta there. Lauren had to get back to work, and I was at the end of a workday that started at 7:30 that morning.
All in all, it was fun. I'm not sure how much I acted the fool on that stage. I'm also not sure how the people responded to me. There were a lot of hiccups in the program and plenty of times where I might have come off as foolish, but I think everything was okay in the long run. The coordinators said that we did a great job, and that they were in awe that we could talk to no end and pad the show. Good deal, I guess.
But the great thing was, I was just being myself. I didn't come off as stiff and I was able to laugh at myself when things were going wrong. Not exactly sure how many people were watching, because I was blinded by the lights, but another coworker told me afterward that close to 10,000 people usually make it downtown for the Christmas tree lighting. Jeezum Crow! 10,000???? Maybe it was a good thing that I couldn't see those people.
Amazing how in just a few months I could go from small town MC who couldn't get a laugh out of small town crowd, to performing in front of a huge audience. I hope that can be considered a skill.
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