Jul 16, 2009

This Is Why I'm Hot


I now know how it feels to be nominated for something, only to not be the winner. No -- it's not the same as being skipped over for homecoming king (that did suck). Worse! I'm talking about GO Magazine's Hot List. I was down for "Hot Hilarious Blogger," but I guess I didn't whore myself out enough (ha) to solicit votes. I'm comfortable with that. Or maybe I've just not reached my popularity peak. Each week, one of the five nominees is marked out; I made it through week one, but my balloon was deflated this week. To be blunt, "Fair City News," is rawkin' awesome are rightly deserves the win. Have you checked that blog out? Hilarious! I'm just honored to have been chosen to be on that list. Yeah, I haven't posted in a while (getting my life in order, so don't expect daily posts for a few weeks), nor do I go to the bloggers meetings (I work, people!) but at least I haven't scrapped my blog entirely like many people lately. They're dropping like flies... maybe that's why I made the list? Either way, it's been a BLAST picking up the paper while I'm downtown, showing off my 15 seconds of fame. Thanks Mr. Lemmon and the GO staff for making me feel like somebody! However, I'm not a TV "camera dude." I'm a producer! Ah, well! :)

Posted by Brad at 7/16/2009 | | Comments

Jul 8, 2009

Just Keep Walkin'

..
I've just gotten word that this year's "AIDSWalk" will be held on Saturday, October 10th. Get your sneakers ready! This time around, yours truly has the honor of designing the logo for the event. That means I'm dusting off my artistic side for another good cause. Life is sweet! I'm a little nervous, because the logo shows up on all the promotional material and t-shirts. But how cool!? Do you want to help out for the walk? We could use volunteers and monetary donations! Email me at bradhaller@gmail.com to learn more. You can also visit the AIDS Project of the Ozarks website by clicking here.

Posted by Brad at 7/08/2009 | | Comments

Jul 6, 2009

Ghost of MJ

Posted by Brad at 7/06/2009 | | Comments

Jul 3, 2009

The Name Says it All

I was JUST thinking about how much Battlefield @ Kimbrough needs another eatery. Maybe this will stick around longer than the Gyro place that preceded it. Any bets on the type of food?

Yum Yum!

Posted by Brad at 7/03/2009 | | Comments

Jul 2, 2009

RT @burglar: Take My Stuff

Happy Fourth to all my friends who actually get three-day weekends! Enjoy your trips (insert sarcasm)!! Just don't update your social sites until you get back. Why? My brother-in-law says there's a facebook burglary scheme out there, in which someone puts an "away" message up, only to come home later and have their home ransacked. It's happening on Twitter, too. It's tough out there, so thieves have to evolve along with technology. Today, I got an email from Allstate Insurance, warning of just that:
......
“We’ve become accustomed to the unobstructed sharing of information, but we may not know who all of our ‘friends’ and ‘followers’ are,” said Tim Waltrip, regional sales leader for Allstate in Missouri. “By providing detailed updates about your travel plans, you may have alerted thieves to the fact that your home is vacant and vulnerable.”
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NEVER Update to Say You’ll Be Out of Town. Take the vacation countdown offline. Would you post a sign in your front yard that says “on vacation all next week?” Of course not. So don’t do it online either.
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If You Must Update, Be Nonspecific. If you stop updating, will your friends and followers immediately fear the worst and contact the authorities? If so, just post a quick-update that says you’ll be offline for a while.
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Have a Social Media-Free Vacation. You may be tempted to share fun vacation tidbits or upload a mobile photo while you are out of town, but doing so reminds thieves that you’re away. Save the updates for your return.
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Don’t Provide Personal Information. Never post your home address on a social networking site. But don’t assume that because your information isn’t online that a thief can’t find you.
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Keep that Lived-in look. While traveling, keep that “lived in look.” Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway, stop paper delivery, set-up timers for household lights.
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"Social media can be a wonderful thing, but we all need to remember that whatever information we share online is public,” said Waltrip. “By using a little extra caution, you can help keep your home safe while you travel.”

Posted by Brad at 7/02/2009 | | Comments

Jun 30, 2009

I Lurve Lil' Rawk


"Lurve" best describes my feelings about my recent jiffy quick road trip to the Natural State. You probably noticed the exclusive promotional poster created in honor of the much-deserved outing (see below). Our entourage navigated the long, winding roads to Little Rock -- population 187,452 -- with our Twittered-up cell phones in hand. The sun was setting on the gorgeous Arkansas River when we arrived, giving us an early peek at the bustling night life -- that, or all those pesky martial artist in town for the Taekwondo World Championships. Whatever the case, the downtown is hoppin' on Friday nights, complete with piano bars and breweries. Some bars even stay open until 5 a.m. It's a shame there aren't more food options after 2 a.m. I think the closest spot was Waffle House, which is a few miles west. But for those who actually get up early, the "Rivermarket" is quite a treat, with an indoor smorgasbord of all sorts of ethnic foods. I grabbed some freshly-made sushi while I watched some southern chefs whip up some Cajun cuisine. Diversity = delicious! It's right around the corner from the Farmers Market. Little Rock screams with culture, yet subtly clings onto its vintage backdrop. The folks even ride around in electric trolleys. Springfield City Council should consider trading in our plain CU buses for an old-fashioned rail system. Just east of downtown, the Clinton Library is still sucking in the tourists. Since 2004, the oddly-shaped building has seen millions of visitors, and for good reason -- it's absolutely amazing to see the gifts and documents gathered by Hill and Bill through the nineties. They got thousands of jewels, artifacts, paintings over the years; all I got was a lousy sticker! I kid, I kid. There really is nothing quite like peeking into a replica of the Oval Office. I think the biggest drawback of Little Rock, aside from being so far from a real metropolitan area, is the summer heat. Talk about swamp ass! But I give Little Rock two thumbs -- way up -- for being a cool vacation spot. I LURVE it! To see photos of our Shenanigans, visit my facebook page!


Posted by Brad at 6/30/2009 | | Comments

Jun 29, 2009

Light in the Loafers

We've come a long way since Jesus rawked his old school mandals (man sandals). Heck, even before that, mountain people in Mesopotamia strutted in the Iranian sand with "soft shoes." Centuries later, who hasn't owned Birkenstocks? Or those Dr. Marten sandals with the inch-thick soles? And who can forget when Old Navy lowered all our standards with those dollar flip-flop deals? Last summer, I was certain Sanuk sandals would stamp out the Crocs craze and become the light footwear to own. They're essentially canvass-covered slip-ons with a sandal sole and branded as being near barefoot territory. The price tag, however, kept them safe from Walmart -- but let's face it, without Walmart, your product rarely gets off the ground. So Sketchers made a knock-off, which I've seen a lot of places, but it still hasn't trumped the Croc (due to a lack of bedazzlers?). You still see those everywhere; they're cheap, so I understand. No -- I haven't given in, but rather tolerated the overwhelming presence. Moving on, we now have the "Vibram Five Fingers," which are putting an extra bounce in runners' steps. Imagine wearing a rubber glove... on your feet. They're just as gaudy as Crocs, but more expensive than Sanuks (80 bucks a pop!). Good luck finding them! The only place in Springfield that carries the heel-huggers is Sunshine Bike. They have piqued my interest, mostly because you have to force your toes apart. I'm not saying it'd be pleasant -- my childhood was filled with me throwing a fit anytime a string came between my toes -- but I'm up for the challenge. I'm mostly afraid I'd end up looking like a Disney character. Anything's better than Crocs, though.

Posted by Brad at 6/29/2009 | | Comments

Jun 24, 2009

Summer Break!

Who says you can't take a summer break as a working adult? I'm going to be out of the office until Sunday. Little sis Allie just got here and we're heading to Arkansas....

In the meantime, it's your civic duty to vote for me at "Hot Hilarious Blogger" on GO Magazine's website. Click HERE to vote!

Posted by Brad at 6/24/2009 | | Comments

Jun 23, 2009

Haunted Housesitting

I'm not saying the house I watched last week in Nixa, Missouri is in need of a priest, but I certainly wouldn't say I was by myself. The screaming refrigerator triggered my inner ghost hunter. Each time I shut the door, a faint shriek echoed somewhere inside or behind the appliance. I couldn't locate it -- and no, it wasn't rattling ketchup bottles. A valid explanation undoubtedly exists, like a leaky pipe or stuffed vent (or a residual ghost reliving a tragic icebox incident, anyone?). Regardless, it got me over-analyzing -- er, thinking. The beautiful home is in the heart of Nixa, just a few blocks away from the bright lights of BigBox Mart. Lots of civilization? Check. But had it not been for the company of two dogs, two cats and a fish (and that amazing architecture), I probably would've unrolled my sleeping bag elsewhere. Why? You see, a pesky lamp in the basement just wouldn't stay on. The bulb was fine, as was the power source. My conclusion: something or someone kept switching the knob on the side. The moment I heard the "click" from upstairs, I knew I had a guest. My friend who owns the home (but at the time was surrounded by different sorts of spirits at the beach) says she's not aware of any resident ghosts. Instead, she casually attributed recent odd happenings to a traveling spirit that faithfully sticks by her side. I'll admit, it was amusing to watch the dogs bark at empty corners. What was really scary, however, was having no wifi for a week!! Well, you can if you squat in the far southwest corner of the top floor, but the connection only last for three minute intervals. I tried wearing a foil helmet, but it didn't help. Also spooky: the only TV was in the basement (next to that darn freaky light)!!! Tranquillity won out, allowing me to get reacquainted with myself and my, um, inner demons. Ahhhhh!

Posted by Brad at 6/23/2009 | | Comments

Jun 22, 2009

To Die For

This, my friends, is why I'm addicted to Showtime.

Posted by Brad at 6/22/2009 | | Comments

Jun 20, 2009

HD Sunglasses?

Are these for real? My buddy Andrew says vendors are really pushing them in Eureka Springs. This begs the question: are we NOT already seeing the world in high definition? Wow.

Posted by Brad at 6/20/2009 | | Comments

Jun 19, 2009

Less is Less


In the future, we're going to remember 2009 as the year of scaling back -- not just jobs and finances. Odd marketing techniques are sneaking into our culture and they're not necessarily expediting our intelligence. For example, Quizno's is now labeling itself as "Q Sub." I can't find a good explanation, so I'm just assuming it's to make it easier to recognize. Q = yummy. Easy to remember. Ethically responsible? Hardly. On July 7th, a cable station will boldly go where it shouldn't. Trekkies are scratching their heads over the Sci Fi Channel switching to "SyFy." The re-branding is an effort to expand its scope and trademark, and get in touch with tech-savvy viewers. OMG! Then today, THIS news about "Pizza Hut." Errr, sorry, the "Hut." A company insider says, "Yes, we're also introducing another vocabulary word with Pizza Hut, which is 'The Hut.' That ties in nicely with (today's) texting generation. We wanted to make sure that Pizza Hut and 'The Hut' become common vernacular for our brand." The "Hut" will also be serving up an in-store digital video network at some locations. Why not call it "Pizza?" Anyway, slowly but surely, other businesses will adapt this method. In 2019, Jimmy John's will be "JJ's", Buffalo Wild Wings will be "BWW" and Olive Garden will be "The Garden." It's George Orwellian! But is now the time to take a gamble? Why not cut prices instead of letters?

Posted by Brad at 6/19/2009 | | Comments

Jun 17, 2009

Innocent Pains

Warning!!!
You may think less of me after reading this post.
Not long ago, a dear friend requested that I blog my guilty pleasures. "Wait, you have to be somewhat ashamed of something to put it on that list, right?" Alas, I've mulled over the following list and present to you my SORTA guilty pleasures.
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1. As the World Turns
Ha! Betcha thought I was a "Days of Our Lives" kinda guy. Well, you're wrong! I jumped off that bandwagon once the demons left Marlena alone. Once Luke and Noah's storyline took off on ATWT, I've been an avid follower, via YouTube. So 2009, no? I admit the quest is stereotypical, but it's amazing watching such a groundbreaking couple claw their way into the history books -- and our hearts. They've kind of flown under the "gay" radar on daytime TV, which speaks wonders of society.
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2. Craigslist: Missed Connections
"You were wearing a red cap..." Rarely can I go more than a day without peeking at the random things these daring posters type. From random (and creepy) glances to extremely vague references, it's cheap entertainment at its finest.
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3. ABBA
Thank you for the music... not necessarily the movie. 'Nuff said!
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4. Perez Hilton
Yes, I subscribe to his news feed. It keeps me balanced. Wait, am I trying to explain this to you? Ever heard of keeping your friends close and enemies closer? I'm still connected to the New York Times and Drudge Report. So there!
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5. Oreo Ice Cream
A few years ago, there was an SNL skit about a group of people all trying out a delicious dessert. As they passed it around, each person's over-the-top reaction to the taste grew exponentially. They ended up "meowing" because it was so good. That's my case with Oreo Ice Cream. I can't go near a tub of it without cleaning it out. I'm such a fat girl.
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6. "To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar"
Hands down THE funniest 90's movie, after Austin Powers, of course. Vita's graceful leadership, Noxie's sarcasm and Chi-Chi's wobbly compassion keep me coming back for more. I rented it back in the day, owned the VHS, nabbed the DVD and will probably have it on Blu-Ray some day. Classic.
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7. Broccoli with BBQ Sauce
I used to be a closeted dipper. Now I mix it all on one plate. What? Are you judging me. Go ahead... try it!
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8. "Mama's Family"
Vicki Lawrence could do no wrong. Growing up to the 'family' made me a well-rounded person. I can proudly crochet a Kleenex holder like Iola, make kwik keys like Vinton and stew some mean prunes like Thelma. Okay, you got me -- I can't stew prunes. Ah, to live in Raytown.
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9. Halloween in July
It's silly to celebrate the funnest occasion only a few weeks out of the year. I get started the last weekend of July and keep on spookin' through October 31st. I have absolutely no qualms with seeing jack-o-lanterns for that long. I don't THINK I'm related to Rob Zombie???

Posted by Brad at 6/17/2009 | | Comments

Jun 16, 2009

Sneak Peek!

I know several of my Cali friends saw this flick MANY moons ago in a very exclusive sneak peek. Well, "Trick r Treat" is finally coming out this October on Blu-Ray, after several years of gathering dust at Warner Bros. I figured it's my duty to pass this along: nine minutes of the film! It shall tide us all over until Halloween! It's coming! hahaha
Folks, this will be THE autumn flick to watch out for (sadly, not in theatres, though)!

Posted by Brad at 6/16/2009 | | Comments

Jun 15, 2009

iGot It




I have a new friend... Mr. iPhone. Yessir, I finally pulled the trigger and bought one. To this day, I feel a little empty inside from that hefty transaction, but the shiny, blinking lights are a good distraction. The best part is that I bought it just a couple days prior to the announcement of the iPhone 3G S. Initially my heart sunk, but I learned I would be getting a $100 credit on my bill since the 8 gig was going down in price. Score! I'm all about just updating the software once it's available. Sure, I'd like to have video and picture messaging (HERE are all the features) but I'm just happy that I have an iPhone. Now I can wow my dad with my fart soundboard and GPS.

Posted by Brad at 6/15/2009 | | Comments

Jun 13, 2009

Which Way, Waldo?

Last week's a blur. Anyone close to me can vouch for that. I was in no place to elaborate on the resurgence of Waldo. Yes, Waldo. Check last week's post about the upcoming movie. Yes, movie. Today I actually have time to dive into the production (a theme?). I have some advice for the folks who'll be delicately handling Martin Hanford's most prized possession. First, don't make it. Now that I got that out of the way -- if you MUST do this -- you need to seriously come up with an edge. How about 3-D? Let's consider IMAX. Remember how hard it was to spot Waldo in the Nintendo game or the Saturday morning cartoon? Projecting him onto a 12,700 square foot screen would be a riot! Obviously Waldo's going to travel, so we'll need to put him ALL over the world. Think Conan's Tonight Show introductory cross-country video. But don't stop there. Incorporate some kind of viewer interaction. Let's see -- how about reversing the gimmick? Maybe instead of going to the movie to find Waldo, you're going to see yourself. Make it a big spectacle during filming, to tell people to be the extras. I can see the McDonald's tie-in now. As far as storyline, that can't be lost like Waldo himself -- no way. I suggest making it an origin story. How did Waldo get his token red and white shirt? Why does he wander so much? When did Wizard Whitebeard surface? Is Odlaw really a nemesis, or a split personality of Waldo's? I'm not sure we can guarantee quality with this movie, but if done properly, it could be fun. Just don't f**k it up.

Posted by Brad at 6/13/2009 | | Comments

Jun 11, 2009

Austin from Ten Years Ago

"Shall we shag now, or shag later?" Well, it's much later, but to me, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me still has plenty of mojo, baby! It's been ten years to be exact -- seriously! A decade ago today, I'd barely had my license, but my buddy Brandy and I ventured across St. Louis and southern Illinois to catch every showing we could. A couple storms tried washing us out, and her car even broke down on the JB Bridge, but nothing trumps Fat Bastard. So what's with my infatuation with the flick? It stems back to the original, obviously, and it has a lot to do with my dad. He and I watched the '97 movie together on a float trip (we always passed on camping out, opting for a Best Western). We laughed and cried; it was a bonding moment that thawed out into a new passion. I lived and breathed this movie, counting down the days since I first caught wind of the sequel. I was just starting a new job in a movie theatre, which is huge for a 16 year-old. Things were changing so fast that I needed to clutch onto something. I had all the toys, books, soundtracks, etc. You could say I had tunnel vision. Hell, I even thought Citizen King's song "Better Days" mentioned June 11th. However, the real lyrics are "crank it to eleven, blow another speaker..." Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger" still gives me goosebumps. It was my happening, baby, and it freaked me out!
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Of course, Goldmember came out in 2002. It was also a spectacle, as I was still working part time at the movie theatre. But I was fresh off my first year in college, so I had a lot more on my plate. I'll admit, the third wasn't so hot. There, I said it. It only took me seven years. Gosh, I feel like I just stopped loving a child. AP3 was still very funny, but the humor was getting tired. So what does the future hold for Austin? There's always talk of a fourth installment, but it doesn't go much further than rumors. Mike Myers has mentioned a desire to show things from Dr. Evil's point of view. But that clock's ticking. I'm sure they'll pull one out eventually -- à la Indiana Jones -- but I highly doubt it'll have the ingredients of Austin Powers 2. June 11ths will come and go, but none will ever be as special as 1999. If only I could find a time machine and get back there. I'd be back in time for tea!

Posted by Brad at 6/11/2009 | | Comments

Jun 10, 2009

Layin' the Tracks

Fresh off the iPod...
((Also really into "Girl Talk" lately, via Allie. More info HERE))

Posted by Brad at 6/10/2009 | | Comments

Jun 9, 2009

Crayzee Cloudz

If you stepped outside tonight around 6:30 p.m. in Springfield, you probably saw a gnarly "roll" cloud.
video
CHECK IT OUT!!!
(((sped up for dramatic effect)))

Posted by Brad at 6/09/2009 | | Comments

Social Surrender

Enthusiasm wanes. That can't be avoided. We've all bought something shiny, played with it a few days, yet lost interest faster than you can say "Rubix Cube." The very few -- the proud -- stick it out. I know only two people who can solve those puzzles anyway. So I've been thinking, the 2000's answer to that toy is social networking. Everyone's taking a crack at it, but not all the colors match up on all sides.
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Take blogs for example. A recent New York Times article found 95 percent of them are ultimately abandoned. I believe it. I took a gander at my blog roll and was shocked by how many people either changed their links, removed their blogger IDs, or hadn't posted since May 5th, 2007. We're essentially surfing in a cyber graveyard. The article states, "Not all fallow blogs die from lack of reader interest. Some bloggers find themselves too busy — what with, say, homework and swim practice, or perhaps even housework and parenting. Others graduate to more immediate formats, like Twitter and Facebook. And a few — gasp — actually decide to reclaim some smidgen of personal privacy."
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This after one of the area's most popular bloggers (Life of Jason) just threw in the towel. He didn't lose interest; he had a calling from God. He'll still be available via Facebook and Twitter. But those aren't exactly safe havens either. Sure, they're quicker and much more user-friendly, but THIS article from slate.com says most people sign up for Twitter, post once, and then never return. It says, "Ten percent of the service's users account for more than 90 percent of tweets. 60 percent of Twitter users do not return from one month to the next. Thus far, Twitter has been considerably better at signing up users than keeping them."
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So how does someone avoid falling off the blog bandwagon? I suppose it's inevitable, since blogs are much different from other forms of writing. There's no closure. At least with writer's block you can coast to a final chapter and get yourself published. "Blogger's block" doesn't let you fly under the radar. I can't justify shutting down just yet. This site is my way of publicly sorting out the things that confuse me and amuse me. Plus, I like being in the top five percent.

Posted by Brad at 6/09/2009 | | Comments

Jun 8, 2009

Bound to Bomb

The running joke on those "MacGruber" skits is that despite big plans using the most insufficient means, everything always culminates with an explosion in Will Forte's face. And true to form, this is exactly what's going to happen when the big screen version is scraped together with a wire, some thread and toothpaste. Oh yes, it's gonna happen folks. HERE is the article. Now that there's absolutely nothing we can do to halt production (even with Kristin Wiig), why not remind ourselves of SNL's other dim, sketch-based movies? "It's Pat" anyone? Better yet... "Stuart Saves His Family","A Night at the Roxbury","Coneheads","Superstar","The Ladies Man?" Okay, so "Wayne's World" wasn't too bad, but I highly doubt MacGruber will reach that caliber. How many times can his world blow up in a feature film? There are FAR better characters that deserve Hollywood treatment: Church Lady, Debbie Downer, Gap Girls, Mr. Peepers. Okay, I'm joking about that last one. Or am I?

Posted by Brad at 6/08/2009 | | Comments

Jun 7, 2009

Plop, Plop

Stopped by a Target in south St. Louis over the weekend. Forgive me for being out of the loop, but are antacids the remedy in this equation?

Posted by Brad at 6/07/2009 | | Comments

Jun 5, 2009

My Parents Joined Facebook

Don't you love how Facebook's blurred ALL the lines you've conveniently avoided crossing for years? Forget awkward family reunions. I'm sure you've had that creepy relative constantly friend-requesting you until you're bullied into accepting. As far as I'm concerned, having family as friends is fun and healthy. My mom's on my buddy list; my grandma just joined. But what happens when a nosy relative and an already annoying post (I abhor those quizzes/polls) clash? You get THIS website. The following posting is an excerpt.

HILARIOUS.

Posted by Brad at 6/05/2009 | | Comments

Jun 4, 2009

Theatre Vs Theater

Today's fork in the road is brought to you by the letters "R" and "E," courtesy of the liberal arts. Two roads have diverged in our newsroom amid our "alcohol at the movies" report. I've taken the one less-traveled, by sticking with "theatre." It just looks so much better, no? Kinda snooty, but deal with it! So what's the real difference? Wisegeek.com says you can have it either way. It says, "speakers of British English are taught to use 'theatre,' while speakers of American English use 'theater.' The '-re' and '-er' difference is common to many other words in British and American English, like sabre/saber, center/centre, and so forth." Apparently folks in the northeast have warmed up more to the "-re" than Midwesterners. Some thespians prefer the "-re" to refer to live performances, versus an "-er" in a movie theater. Get it? Don't get me started on pronunciation. It's certainly not a "thee-ate-her," like some older folks I know. Nor should it be a "thee-uh-truh." That's a bit TOO snooty for me.

Posted by Brad at 6/04/2009 | | Comments

Jun 3, 2009

So Who Can Marry Again?

THIS IS A MUST-WATCH.
"America's Best Christian takes time to explain to less-informed Christians the curious details of the Lord's concept of marriage."

Posted by Brad at 6/03/2009 | | Comments

Jun 2, 2009

I TOLD You!


From "Ain't it Cool News:"
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Further exacerbating the tsunami of upcoming films based on board games, etc. - Universal and Illumination Entertainment have locked the rights to bring WHERE'S WALDO? to the big screen in live action form. ARTICLE in Variety.

Posted by Brad at 6/02/2009 | | Comments

May 27, 2009

Seize the Swipers

Working in loss prevention must be satisfying. You spend your whole shift being the Tom to someone's Jerry. You stare at TVs all day in a dark closet and you stalk people in the aisles. You have license to be creepy. Jumping in for the kill as the thieves rush the door probably nixes all that satisfaction though. But I'm sure it's a GREAT rush to stop a swindler. I've heard they do about $13 billion worth of damage a year. The biz is boomin'. Some places are putting in "PTZ" (pan, tilt and zoom) cameras, others are hiring more watchdogs. Why wouldn't they? Five-finger discounts are reaching record numbers, even shutting down some whole sale retailers. I watched a teenager totally get busted at Hobby Lobby a couple days ago. What a tremendous use of resources, all for one guy. He was cuffed and surrounded by a half-dozen officers. It begs the question: did his buddy end up ripping off the store during the spectacle? I'm simply fascinated by the entire process. What drives someone like that kid to steal something? Is it the game? Or the gain? Maybe I'm not cut out for loss prevention. I'll just watch on YouTube. CLICK HERE!

Posted by Brad at 5/27/2009 | | Comments

May 26, 2009

Blow (dry) Me


I've had my bike rack attached to my car's bum for about two months now. It's been beggin' for a little attention. If it were a tomagotchi, it'd be dead by now. That's because when I finally get a day off, those f'n dark clouds sneak around and burst rain all over my plans. I'm soo00o not exaggerating. Easter? Rained out. ArtsFest? Rained out. Mother's Day? Wet. Red Ribbon Ride? BARELY squeaked by. Memorial Day? A total, three-day washout. This morning, on my way to work? Beautiful! I know I'm going to regret this later this year, but seriously, gimme a break from the rain!!! I wanna air up my bike tires, not an inflatable raft. We're so comfortable with steady rain that folks are wearing their water shoes to the store! I took this photo at K-Mart (yes, I still go there) over the weekend. Maybe it was just a fashion statement? I'll tell you what IS a statement: old lady bonnets with flowers on them. Hawt!
(Side note: don't see "Dance Flick." I'd rather undergo water torture than see it again.)

Posted by Brad at 5/26/2009 | | Comments

May 22, 2009

So You Think You're Homophobic?

Two guys auditioned together on last night's So You Think You Can Dance.
Were Nigel and Co. really being homophobic? You be the judge:

Read more HERE.

Posted by Brad at 5/22/2009 | | Comments

Murder on the Homefront

It's not every day a high-profile murder case unfolds in your home county. The media in St. Louis are rocked by the deaths of Sheri Coleman and her sons Gavin and Garett. They were found strangled in their Columbia, Illinois home about two weeks ago. Now the dad, Chris Coleman, is being accused of the crime. Where does the arraignment happen? Waterloo, Illinois, of course! My home town. My sister works in the courthouse, and my grandpa does a lot of assessor work there. So, they kinda got a front row seat for Wednesday's court hearing. Here's the scoop from grandpa:

"I WAS IN THE COURT HOUSE THE OTHER MORNING WHEN THEY BROUGHT HIM IN FOR THE HEARING. TV TRUCKS ON MILL STREET AND MARKET STREET AND A CAMERA WAS SET UP ON THE SIDEWALK ON THE MILL STREET SIDE. CAMERAS AND REPORTERS MILLING AROUND THE MARKET STREET DOOR. WHEN THEY DROVE UP PEOPLE STARTED SHOUTING, MURDERER, BABY KILLER, ETC. I WAS GLAD I DID NOT SEE HIM, ENOUGH ON TV."

Big sis didn't get to see much. There's talk of a change in venue, but it's been noted that with the intense coverage nationwide, an impartial jury probably doesn't exist. And according to FOX, one of the top forensic experts in the nation has been consulted by the Major Case Squad before Tuesday night's arrest of Chris Coleman. HERE is the latest.

Posted by Brad at 5/22/2009 | | Comments

May 21, 2009

700th Post


I have posted 700 blogs since this blog was launched. I hardly EVER do more than one a day. Since spring '05, I've averaged about 175 posts a year. Thanks a LOT for being a follower. You may not know this, but I keep an eye on you, too. My "Feedjit" reader down at the bottom tracks where/when people log on. It's fun to see how people arrive. I have one reader who always opens my blog via his/her yahoo email. A lot of people arrive here by searching for "haller4me" in google (someone in Pennsylvania did that recently, but I don't know who). Other recent visitors: Red Bank, New Jersey, Portland, Oregon, Brooklyn, NY (Angela?), and Baulkham Hills, New South Wales. Love it! My heaviest day of traffic? Thursday, December 18th, 2008. THIS post. Thanks ya'll!

Posted by Brad at 5/21/2009 | | Comments

May 20, 2009

The Bald & the Beautiful

I don't have a full head of hair. So what?! A lot of people ask me if I miss it. Hmm... not really. It's kinda nice not needing a hair dryer, brush, hair gel, or a hair stylist. You save loads of money. My mom used to cut my hair (she's a professional) and she'd style it every morning before school. Actually, we'd have a line started in the kitchen. She'd pull up a stool and we'd take turns letting her fix our hair. It's funny, because I had a bushy head of hair as a kid. I never truly appreciated it until I hit my late teens. It was always highlighted and spikey... very snazzy. But once graduation rolled around, you could tell it was about to peace out. I kept ignoring it, like the elephant in the room, but eventually I surrendered and buzzed it from then on. It sucks because you have to be really careful about sun exposure, but man, I'm ready for work in minutes. A lot of people wonder why I haven't tried hair re-growth, but I kinda dig my look. You can't knock what the good lord gave ya! As my (bald) grandpa always says, "God only made so many perfect heads. The rest he covered with hair." Now if I just knew WHY I lost my locks. They say your mom's dad's genes will do it. But he's NOT bald. I wonder if my genes are backward. That would make a lot of sense.

Posted by Brad at 5/20/2009 | | Comments

May 19, 2009

Fall Ahead!

The big networks announced their fall lineups this week, and I'm still scratching my head. The biggest shockers: My Name is Earl was canceled and Ugly Betty was put on a death sentence, by being thrown into Fridays at 8 p.m. "It's a tent pole," says ABC. Yeah. Right. I'm guessing Earl will be picked up by either ABC or FOX, since it's not THAT bad of a show. It's much better than Parks & Recreation, which was renewed. Heck, Medium was swapped over to CBS, so we'll see. Some other surprises: Samantha Who? was dropped, having been a huge hit last year. Who knew? So You Think You Can Dance is also stopping in for a fall season. I'm still torn on that... because SYTYCD is always my summer show. Remember when Project Runway had nearly back-to-back seasons? Talk about burnt toast. Let's see... Wandy Sykes is getting a new show on FOX, which could be cool. I think Glee will be a Freaks 'n Geeks of 2009. Sorry, I said it. It's cute though. I'm also kinda nervous about Jay Leno's 9 p.m. block. Can he pull that off? America's Funniest Home Videos remains a Sunday staple... really? Yay to Better off Ted for returning. A Portia de Rossi show that isn't canceled? Shhh.. don't jinx it. I won't lie, I'm a bit excited about Courtney Cox's new show Cougar Town, but will she overcome the Dirt curse? It airs on Wednesdays. SNL is bringing its Weekend Updates back to Thursdays, which (I hate to be a downer) won't go anywhere with the absence of an election and Seth Myers at the helm. Man, can you tell I'm excited? Here are some of the fall lineups: FOX, ABC, NBC, & CBS.

Posted by Brad at 5/19/2009 | | Comments

May 18, 2009

¿Por qué? roadtrip

Why are diesel prices suddenly lower than unleaded?
Why do left lane bandits always avoid the extra SLOW lanes on I-44?
And who decides where those extra lanes are added?
Can't someone put more in?
Why is almost everyone I pass talking on a cell phone?
(Get a hands-free, douche!)
Why do drivers peek over their shoulders to see who they're passing?
Does it matter? Are you just bored?
Why am I always the one who gets "paced?"
(I speed up, they speed up, I slow down, they slow down)
Is it impossible to use your turn signal?
Are you nervous your bulbs will burn out?
Did you know that cigarette you flicked almost flew through my sunroof?
And who tailgates on the interstate? Honestly!

Posted by Brad at 5/18/2009 | | Comments

May 17, 2009

Ride it Out!


"If it rains on ArtsFest, then the Red Ribbon Ride gets the all-clear."
Those words ALMOST jinxed this weekend's event. I got there about 6:30 a.m. with an umbrella in one hand and everything else covered in plastic...bummed! Was this going to be a wash-out? We went ahead with registration... and the sun eventually came around the bend. Of course, I had to run home to dry my clothes, but when I came back it was on! I was in charge of the prizes, which I have been working hard to gather in the last few months. KOLR donated nearly 80 percent of them! So as the riders started making their way back to Galloway Station around noon, I had all the names picked and written on my little boards. I had a BLAST giving them out. It was great hearing,"Hey! I never win anything!" from some first-time winners. One woman who lost a friend to AIDS recently won the second-biggest prize! I'm so thankful that KOLR, Gillioz, KTTS and MSU gave so much. It really added the icing on the cake. We raffled off FOUR tickets on Sun Country and AirTran that I was able to persuade them to send our way. And someone even paid $500 in an auction for a new, limited edition "Fat Tire" Schwinn bike. It was inspiring to see so many people turning out for AIDS awareness... and in good health! You should've seen all these cyclists' physique! I can't wait until next year. Volunteering is phun!

(more pictures coming soon!)

Posted by Brad at 5/17/2009 | | Comments

May 13, 2009

Awkward...


This is just as good as bad license photos.
CLICK HERE to go to "Awkward Family Photos."
Thanks Summer!

Posted by Brad at 5/13/2009 | | Comments

May 12, 2009

Hopelessly Hoarding

You know all that hoopla about ammo sales spiking? (I know it's hard to see all the lines because of the camouflage, but they're out there.) Well, apparently you don't have to sport a mullet to own a gun. Go figure! How do I know? My DAD - of all people - is hoarding ammo in his closet. He showed me his collection last weekend and he's STOCKED! It's shocking, because my old man's never been a gun type of guy. He did buy me a BB gun when I was a kid. No... I didn't shoot my eye out. But Mitch is an Obama supporter; he's never once fallen off the donkey. So what gives? I think it comes down to the fear. If it's not your president telling you to be scared, it's his critics telling you to be. It's kind of like the United States' unwritten law. An 11th commandment of sorts. I understand grabbing more ammo if you're into that, because Obama says "change" is coming.

But honestly, people like my dad really don't NEED the ammo. It's like when H1N1 spooked people into buying creepy face masks. Or when Y2K had everyone's normally sane neighbors stockpiling economy-sized baked bean cans. Better yet... the BEANIE BABY craze! If you tell the little Midwest girls they can't have a Princess Diana bear, they'll use all the ammo they've got (mom's credit card) to get one. My little sister shelled out more than $100 in the mid-nineties for a "Glory" Fourth of July edition of the token beanie bear. Now you can find that silly thing in a mall kiosk for five bucks. But at the time, she felt like she locked in a good decision. So are we ALL hopelessly hoarding? Does it really matter, in the end, if we bought every bullet we could find? Or does it matter (Brad!) if you got that "Joker" toy just because it's so hard to find? I guess if it makes you happy...

Posted by Brad at 5/12/2009 | | Comments

May 11, 2009

The Kewlest Thing!

It says the release date is subject to change, but I'm holding onto this card dearly. "Ghostbusters Wii" is COMING and this is holding my place in line. Geeks unite!

Posted by Brad at 5/11/2009 | | Comments

May 10, 2009

The Mother Load

I'm home in Illinois this weekend - for good reason. Mom's birthday is today and it ALSO happens to be Mother's Day! It's what we Haller children like to call a "double whammy." But with a mom that really enjoys the relax, it's the furthest thing from a "whammy." Here's her morning:

And it's been the weekend of flowers! Allie bought her a big fruit basket, and I potted some hydrangeas in a big coffee cup. Mom has a beautiful Chinese Snowball Bush in the back yard, so she filled up a pretty vase! I also planted my FIRST flower (picture pending). My mom's yard is soooo beautiful this time of year, I couldn't pass it up.

I still have the luxury of having all my grandparents, so I was able to wish both my grandmothers a happy Mother's Day as well. It's been a swell weekend. Short and sweet. Lots of family time.
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Some memorable quotes:
"I don't care where she touches me, as long as it feels good." Grandpa Burnell talking about his masseuse.
 ..
 "There are voices in my computer and they talk to me." Grandpa Gene on the many viruses he "mysteriously" downloads.
 ..
 "I went to the store looking for a nymph." Grandma Judy on her search for the right bird feeder stand. She settled with a small fairy theme.
 ...
 "Tossles." (Mom meant tassles, but I forget the context)

Posted by Brad at 5/10/2009 | | Comments

May 7, 2009

Looking for Some Hot Stuff

I swore it off for a long time. Don't ask me why, but I'm suddenly back in the coffee scene. It's just a day-to-day trial run of sorts. It's very dark, uncharted waters for me, because usually a bottle of water or hot shower pick me up. That's why I never paid attention to all those studies. So I needed a jolt of coffee knowledge... and found THIS article. Coffee can help you lose weight! It also helps you fend off illness! And it helps make people more persuadable! Drink up!

The facts are spilled all over the web. Here's what else I could soak up: apparently coffee might protect you against Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. Key word: might. There are very loose studies. However, consumption can exacerbate heartburn and increase your risk for a heart attack. Studies have also found that five cups a day reduces buildup of bad plaques in the brain. Of course, it makes you more alert (after about 30 minutes), but it also makes you a crazy addict. Drinking it reduces your risk of having kidney stones, but boosts your cholesterol. Most of the bad stuff doesn't happen until you become a coffaholic, so I'm going to filter down to one cup every other day. Kewl?

Posted by Brad at 5/07/2009 | | Comments

May 6, 2009

Whoa, Man!

The world is filled with lots of beautiful people. And the more beautiful and diverse our world gets, the more some guys end up looking like lesbians.

LOVE THIS SITE, and I love lesbians!

Posted by Brad at 5/06/2009 | | Comments

May 4, 2009

Seriously???


Just when you think you've seen EVERYTHING, the world reminds you that hillbilly life goes on! Remember Goldilocks? She has retired and moved to Springfield, Missouri. And instead of trying out several potential sleep spots, she seemed certain to catch a few zzzz's at Target this weekend... in the garden section! She traded in the fairy tale garb, and didn't give two shits how many people walked by laughing. She even took a few calls (that woke her up) while she relaxed. "Oh, I'm catching a break from the floods of people," she tells her friend on the other end. So much for just staying home. Seriously, that store was packed, so I don't blame her, really. Maybe a tad bit jealous...

And I took a pal to the psychic at the Renaissance Book Store and noticed this book. I caught the news of Bea Arthur's passing immediately following, which justifies the delay in getting this breaking photo out to the public. Apparently gremlins ARE out there. Unfortunately, I didn't have the strength to peruse the whole thing. So, um... don't feed them after midnight and you should be okay.

Posted by Brad at 5/04/2009 | | Comments

May 3, 2009

Something Wicked...

Season TWO of True Blood:

Posted by Brad at 5/03/2009 | | Comments

May 2, 2009

It Sunk In

Forget the policy changes, first 100 days or the new "first dog." What REALLY helped me finally realize that change has come to this great nation was a children's place mat at Wally World. He made it. Weird, huh?

Posted by Brad at 5/02/2009 | | Comments

Apr 30, 2009

Same Sex, New Stance?

Since the beginning of time, it seems the civil rights of gays and lesbians were always manipulated by the right. The GOP has played the gay card in several elections, and was successful until recently. THIS article is very encouraging. In a nutshell, republicans are starting to figure out that gay marriage isn't as big of a deal as it once was. People (finally) seem to have more important issues to worry about. I guess it took a crumbling economy for gays to prevails. Gay marriages are happening more than ever, and the resistance is waning. Heck, John McCain even said republicans should drop their opposition same-sex marriage. And HERE is more on the overall re-branding efforts. Obviously I think this is a splendid idea, but I'm not being selfish about it. Some of my dear friends are republicans, and this always seemed to be the wedge between us. It's not that they don't support gay marriage, but they feel obligated to march along with their party. So in the next few years, the GOP will once again help sculpt gays' future. Let's hope they don't f*#k it up. (Photo courtesy NYTimes)

Posted by Brad at 4/30/2009 | | Comments

Apr 29, 2009

More Ghostbusters Goodness...

And CLICK HERE to see the official trailer for the Blu-Ray release!

Posted by Brad at 4/29/2009 | | Comments

Apr 28, 2009

Chicken Tetrazzini!

Forget soup, I want Chicken Tetrazzini! Here's the recipe, via "Food Network:"

9 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 pound white mushrooms, sliced
1 large onion, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk, room temperature
1 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature
1 cup chicken broth
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 ounces linguine
3/4 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup dried Italian-style breadcrumbs

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F

Spread 1 tablespoon of butter over a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish. Melt 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil in a deep large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook until pale golden and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate to cool slightly. Coarsely shred the chicken into bite-size pieces and into a large bowl.

Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil to the same pan. Add the mushrooms and saute over medium-high heat until the liquid from the mushrooms evaporates and the mushrooms become pale golden, about 12 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme, and saute until the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until it evaporates, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to the bowl with the chicken.

Melt 3 more tablespoons butter in the same pan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, cream, broth, nutmeg, remaining 1 3/4 teaspoons salt, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Increase the heat to high. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 10 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 9 minutes. Drain. Add the linguine, sauce, peas, and parsley to the chicken mixture. Toss until the sauce coats the pasta and the mixture is well blended.

Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Stir the cheese and breadcrumbs in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the pasta. Dot with the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown on top and the sauce bubbles, about 25 minutes.

Posted by Brad at 4/28/2009 | | Comments

Apr 27, 2009

KOLR Unveiled!

FINALLY! That sums up my day. I've been so busy lately getting ready for this. We broadcast our first shows as the "New KOLR 10 News" today. You can now tune in to check it out. What do u think?

Ya know, this is the SECOND time I've had the pleasure of being part of a news re-branding effort. The first was at Channel Four Eyewitness News (in Rock Island, IL) before it became "CBS 4 News." I've got a thing for the eye!

Posted by Brad at 4/27/2009 | | Comments

Apr 23, 2009

All Access? Pass!

There's something to be said about living in isolation. It's a luxury that I’m guessing isn’t quite understood these days - what, with the web and all. That, and nosy neighbors. I took a trip to “Grey Gardens” via YouTube last weekend and I still haven’t come back. I was a Beale virgin, but this social networker suddenly slipped into a coma of concealment. I turned my speakers up loud to drain out the new people next door. Now I'm sure they think two senile biddies live here. Ha! Then I watched Drew Barrymore’s HBO interpretation of the 1970’s events, and I grew even fonder of becoming a recluse. Who doesn’t want to just shut off their TV and laptop, and throw on a “We Belong Together” vinyl (not Mariah’s song)? I’d trade in my townhouse any day to live off a trust fund in a decrepit East Hampton mansion (minus the squalor and raccoon, of course). I guess in the 70’s it was much easier to fly under the radar. What kind of world would this be if Little Edie had a blog? Or a cell phone? Or a twitter account? I could see it now: “RT @BigEdie Just washed my favorite cape. Time for corn.” Alas, I keep emerging from my temporary darkness that is my bedroom in exchange for reality. But I’m going to continue screening calls and “misplacing” my phone when I’m in solitude. That’s my little hat tip to my girls of East Hampton.

Posted by Brad at 4/23/2009 | | Comments

Apr 21, 2009

Penny for Your Afternoon

When a homeless or less-fortunate person begs something of you, how do you react? Do you shy away, pretending he or she didn't just trouble you for help? Or do you freeze in your tracks to listen to their plea? That about sums up the options my better half had to face Monday afternoon. We were coming out of a meeting at the AIDS Project of the Ozarks. That's when a weak man in his mid-fifties came out, showed his medical bracelet and asked if either of us could help him get to his new government housing unit on the north side of town. I was in a hurry to get to work, so I couldn't. But Philip didn't waste a breath, and told "Victor" to go ahead and jump in his jeep. I found out later just how much Philip did for this man. He drove him to his hotel, helped load up about twenty bags of his belongings, and stood by him while he signed his new lease. He basically blew his entire afternoon for a stranger. Victor's unit was pretty shitty from what I hear, but that didn't cast any shadows over his pride. Anything's better than a hotel room I suppose. Or better yet, no shelter at all. Philip just kept giving. He bought Victor a pre-paid phone card, a big (luxurious) lunch at Backyard Burger, and about $100 worth of groceries and necessities. He truly walked in someone else's tattered shoes. Victor's been battling AIDS since the late 80's and never once seemed like a threat. But my instinct was to walk away and I feel horrible about that. When it comes to Philip, I couldn't be more proud. To me, that's above and beyond. It's inspirational. I'm glad I have someone like him in my life.

Posted by Brad at 4/21/2009 | | Comments

Apr 19, 2009

GO Figure!

Local publication "GO Magazine" named yours truly as "Hot Social Networker/Blogger" in its April edition. I made the "Hot List!"
..........

Posted by Brad at 4/19/2009 | | Comments

Apr 18, 2009

Gimme a Break

I'm trying to relax. I swear. But there's something about going 180 miles an hour and then coming to a complete stop that isn't sitting well with my body chemistry. My head wants to get up and go, go, go, but my body's saying "no, no, no!" So what good is a weekend when you're used to having no time to breathe Monday through Friday? I want to just sit here and watch TV, or just sit here. But I keep making mental notes of the 101 things I need to do before the end of the day. And then I do every one of them, and then some! Then the time slips away. I LOVE working on deadline, but not on weekends. Yes, I'm very productive on weekends, but dammit I need a break sometime. I wanna catch up with ME. I guess I should appreciate my youth and my drive. What good is a mushy brain on Monday morning? My home is spotless and my to-do list is toast, but I haven't rested. I feel cheated. Then it's back to the routine.

Posted by Brad at 4/18/2009 | | Comments

Apr 15, 2009

Best/Weekend/Ever

It was about a year in the making, but little Allison Haller FINALLY traveled to Springpatch to see her big bro. She made it through the nasty tornado warnings Thursday night to plop back into my life for a solid FOUR days! And boy, what DIDN'T we do? From massages to picnics, piano bars to sushi bars, and coffee shops to diners... we painted the town red. Thanks to the power of Facebook, I finally have proof of our endeavors (and a significantly lighter pocketbook). So for grandma and grandpa, here's a visual walk-through. Gosh family is fun! Kristin (big sis), you're NEXT!
........................................

Posted by Brad at 4/15/2009 | | Comments

Apr 14, 2009

Deconstructing KOLR

The countdown is on as KOLR/KSFX begins a much-needed redesign. Here's a look inside: News will be coming from our newsroom for the next week and a half:
 And here's another peek of our new logo:

Posted by Brad at 4/14/2009 | | Comments

Apr 13, 2009

30/Years

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad...!
Thanks for sticking together all these years.
From Carter to Obama, the 70's to the 00's, heavy metal to hip hop, and bowl cuts to buzz cuts...you've been through a lot.
Way to go!!!! Here's to another 30!

Posted by Brad at 4/13/2009 | | Comments

Apr 12, 2009

Sweeping Changes

As if working on holidays isn't shiteous enough, journalists and other TV folk are also (typically) denied vacation/time off during sweeps. You know, February, May, July and November. Up until this year, those months had been sacredly set in stone. However, the DTV transition that was supposed to happen in February bumped everything back. Then March Madness threw a monkey wrench into the numbers. Of course, the transition was delayed, and it leads me to one conclusion: just do away with ratings periods already. We're already off pattern. Plus, who are we kidding? Viewing habits have evolved. Very rarely do shows premiere in the fall anymore, so that makes it tough for networks to up the ante for November. Several other shows plan to be off-air by May. And July? Really? Who watches in July? People are watching shows on Hulu, YouTube, DVRs or iTunes. I'm not going far enough into this with a proposal of sorts, I just think someone needs to do their homework. Why not promote the shit out of news stories and TV shows every day? Why train people to tune in more heavily at certain times of the year? Why wait to pull out a wild card? Let's put all the money and dedication from the Neilsen Ratings system into the pockets of hardworking producers, anchors and reporters. Let's think outside the box when it comes to the almighty advertising dollar. Can you sense my bitterness that Halloween almost ALWAYS falls into sweeps?

Posted by Brad at 4/12/2009 | | Comments

Apr 9, 2009

Same Old Opposition

Have a looksy @ Iowa's gay marriage opposition:

You know by now that the state's supreme court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. Today about 300 people descended on the Statehouse in Des Moines, rallying for inequality. I guess Judge Joe Brown was a repeat. I kid, I kid. These fine folks took the time to press their favorite plaid shirts and homemade Easter sweaters. Give 'em some credit, they look great! But I guess you'd be smiling too if you could marry the person you loved. At the end of the day, it's mighty encouraging that only a few young (brainwashed) people showed up. 'Nuff said.

Posted by Brad at 4/09/2009 | | Comments

Why Is This Popular?

This fella in front of me tonight was damn proud of his XL hat. So proud that he felt everyone needed to see the price tag. It doesn't stop there. If I had a dime for all the price tags I've seen on display, I'd be able to buy my own hat. Please stop. This fad should be laid to rest. RIP Minnie.

Posted by Brad at 4/09/2009 | | Comments

Apr 8, 2009

Now Hear This

My late March/early April track list...

Posted by Brad at 4/08/2009 | | Comments

Apr 7, 2009

Who'll It Be?

It's ELECTION DAY! We're going to see some big changes in Springfield city government after tonight. There are also TONS of other issues for voters to decide. So, don't forget to vote!
...
KOLR 10's Brian Richardson and Jennifer Denman provided some excellent coverage of some of the biggest races over the last week. Check out these links again if you need some help making a decision.
...
Keep it tuned to KOLR & KSFX tonight for full coverage of the results. We'll also have our website, OzarksFirst.com, updating all the latest numbers. GO VOTE!

Posted by Brad at 4/07/2009 | | Comments

Apr 6, 2009

Hard to Handle?

We've officially moved our cashiers' cheese. What was once a predictable mozzarella - a routine "grab and drop" preceded by that monotonous yet famous Walmart beep - has been replaced by an eye-catching, silky Pepper jack of sorts that brings along promise of a better environment. Simply put: green bags are encouraging, but are they worth it? I can't tell you how many times we've driven halfway to the supermarket, only to turn back home just to pick up our collection of beautiful blue bags. You'd be hard-pressed to find either of us walking into the store without them. We're kinda like those self-absorbed 60-somethings who clutch their Coach bags while sending back their meal because it's too cold. The blue "green" bags are our Dooney & Bourke! Okay, they're not that flashy, nor are we stuck up, but those damn bags do seem to turn heads... just not always the way you'd expect. My friend Christina pointed out just how apprehensive cashiers have become about going green, which moved me to do some homework. If you watch closely, you can see the flames in their eyes the moment you flash the bags. They've just been slapped with a task that will now double your transaction time. Somebody has to load them onto their spinning wheel while another has to monitor the situation, reminding them to fill it to the brim. It's not as easy to waste space (like they love to do) when you have a bag restriction. You don't always get cooperation. One guy even refused to fill Christina's bag (not at Walmart) since the concept was so foreign to him. So like some fine cheeses, will the concept get better with age? Or will it mold away? I say eventually everyone will try out the Pepper jack. Some places are already banning plastic bags, offering their own bags to capitalize on the movement. We interviewed a German journalist today @ KOLR, who couldn't BELIEVE how much we Americans wrap in plastic. So it begs the question: if Walmart launched a campaign to melt everyone's favorite plastic bag stash into a new pair of crocs, would we be making headway?

Posted by Brad at 4/06/2009 | | Comments

Apr 3, 2009

¿Por qué? redux

Why did Iowa wait TWO YEARS after I left to legalize gay marriage?
Why isn't the working class compensated for the time it takes to prep and drive to work?
Why do I always get stuck behind a person with multiple orders at Subway?
Why do so many "sandwich artists" look disappointed when somebody steps in line?
Why do so many Springfield drivers think the LEFT lane is the slow lane?
Why did the south side Goodwill remodel, only to raise prices slightly?
Why does it take one day for gas to go up ten cents, but a week to go down a penny?
Why is MTV running and re-running new videos (at 3 a.m.) when it has a massive archive?
Why is the minimum online order for Jimmy John's $50? Who eats that much at 1 a.m.?

Posted by Brad at 4/03/2009 | | Comments

Apr 1, 2009

No Joke

Whoopsie!
Some April fool @ MSU is probably wishing she didn't lose THIS on campus today!
Thanks Philip for the pic!

Posted by Brad at 4/01/2009 | | Comments

Mar 31, 2009

Bail Out My Shows!

Television was intended to be informative and entertaining. But in these "tough economic times (barf)," it seems my favorite shows are playing a weak market by spinning story lines that reflect our ever-shitty financial climate. I don't want to watch desperate housewives narrowly escape foreclosure! Lynnette and Tom had to sell their dream pizzeria a few weeks back. Meanwhile their neighbors pecked away like chickens at all the goodies left behind on the restaurant floor. And on Ugly Betty, Wilhelmina and Daniel drove to D.C. to get a bailout for Mode Magazine. Boring. They didn't get the money because of their extravagant gallivanting, so now Wilhelmina's selling off her luxuries. Way to destroy a great character! I know there's a mentality that these shows should mirror reality, but dammit, I just wanna see my girl from Guadalajara prancing around in God-awful purple pants and a clashing denim jacket with ruffles! And I just wanna watch the girls gossip about Edie's death. So let's send some bailout bucks to the writers of these shows. And let's force Bunim-Murray Productions to require Real World roommates to get jobs again. That was the most interesting part (yes... I still watch). Let's make a few bucks and inspire our youth. And while you're at it Mtv, make Justin dance a little more in his videos. He just stands there now. Doesn't he get paid? Geesh.

Posted by Brad at 3/31/2009 | | Comments

Mar 30, 2009

More Random Weekendness

This is what I woke up to Saturday: hail, and very little snow. It could've been worse. In fact, it was MUCH worse in northwestern Missouri. The afternoon snowflakes were gone in a matter of hours. I knew spring would prevail. But for the time being, it was perfect weather for movies and chili!
...
...but I didn't have chili. Instead, my pal Christina and I stopped by "Captain Craig's" on the south side. And now we're both a little more versed in the seafood lingo! We snatched up FIVE scallops for $10. Ouch.... but "oh so good!" This place has the FRESHEST seafood in town. Those scallops were from the east coast just hours prior. So, no bigs. Xtina had the genius idea to make seafood pasta. She whipped out her best Rachael Ray impression, and voilà... beautiful food. Scrimp, scallops, angel hair pasta, welted spinach, pesto, tomatoes and lots of feta cheese (photo is not an actual representation). Mmmm....! I felt so guilty that I bought some new fish for my tank. Quite a community in there!
...
Then "Nick & Norah" on Blu... good times! I didn't want to watch this initially because it seemed a lot like "Superbad," which it eventually was... but much cuter. It was neat seeing gay characters sprinkled into the plot without really focusing on their sexuality. The music was fun... again, I was inspired, this time to shop around for some new tunes for my iPod. So why not spend five more hours snuggled up in bed, surfing for music? So sterotypical, but I really enjoy RuPaul's new single. Did you know iTunes has a feature where celebrities make playlists? So after some Röyksopp, Pet Shop Boys, Collective Soul, Kid Cudi (remixed), Peter Bjorn and Skye Sweetnam, I'm calling it a fun weekend!

Posted by Brad at 3/30/2009 | | Comments

WTFDYHAK???

Why the f*$k did you have a kid? No really... why?
CLICK HERE. Loving it. Justifies life in the Ozarks.

Posted by Brad at 3/30/2009 | | Comments

Mar 27, 2009

Think About It

I can't keep my mind from wandering, dammit! And all this excessive thinking is delaying my slumber. Even my psychic was like, "Whoa! Chill out, buddy!" So what gives? I did a little research and found it's all genetic, at least for me. My great-grandfather Harry suffered from depression in his older years because he had a hard time relaxing his brain. My grandpa Gene says he's had the same problem, but is much better at hiding it. Then there's dad. Holy cow! In his defense, he's had some rough times in his life. He had a shotgun wedding in his early 20's and played world's greatest dad ever since... plus, I threw him a big curveball in 2002. He's had some bouts with depression. Now he's heavily medicated a lot, which is tough to understand, and rough for me, because I never know when he's clean. Being under the influence floats his boat I guess. For me, I'm still looking for the perfect anti-drug. I have a very healthy six-year relationship, a beautiful child (cat) and a totally fun job with the best co-workers I could ask for. But I'm still laying in bed, randomly thinking about the dumbest shit, like every damn night. And it takes me at least half an hour to shut my brain up. When I was a kid, I'd just sit up and draw really late at night to take my mind off things. That's the point when our minds supposedly shift into an altered "right brain" state and we're more creative, so I won out. Here lately, I've begun keeping scratch paper near my bed so when I'm half asleep I can scribble out some genius ideas. But now the thought of being productive makes me fall asleep quicker!! Can you be subconsciously lazy AND productive at the same time? Or am I thinking too much into this?

Posted by Brad at 3/27/2009 | | Comments

Mar 25, 2009

Why Help the APO?

The Red Ribbon Ride is coming up really fast (May 16th), so I'm frantically looking for prizes and sponsors. This gives me a great opportunity to plead my case on why YOU should be part of helping APO!
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Millions have it; millions have died from it.
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It's HIV/AIDS, and it doesn't discriminate. While even today this pandemic knows no boundaries, you can still gain solace knowing someone's looking out for all of us.
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It's like a boat coasting along the Atlantic, but with a hole in it. And the bold few who step up to try patching the hole aren't just doing that. They're also checking for more leaks and keeping track of everyone else on the boat.
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It's an arduous task that can only be completed by genuine, compassionate people – the kinds you read about in the paper or watch on the big screen. But they're among us in the Ozarks. They're the amazing folks who keep the AIDS Project of the Ozarks afloat in these trying times.
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For several months now, I've had the distinct pleasure of hopping onboard occasionally to volunteer my time with the APO crew. I've never met such a stern yet compassionate group of people in my 26 years on this planet.
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And I never thought I was signing up for friendship. Walk into their offices anytime and I dare you not to smile. It's contagious. These are real, inspiring people. And they're not watching the clock. They're not sitting there with one foot out the door. Hardly. They're keeping an eye on their clients, watching the community to see how to adapt in a changing society, and they're already planning next year's fundraising events.
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I had the pleasure of seeing APO's dedication in motion, with the implementation of the annual "AIDS Walk" in the center of Springfield. From tireless hours on the phones looking for donations to the constant brainstorming of how to utilize their strengths to get the word out, it became increasingly obvious that my new friends at APO had it all mapped out.
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They know what people go through. They're not just living their own lives, but the lives of hundreds of people who need their help in the Ozarks. It's an admiral choice and I can only hope they inspire more people to follow suit.
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That's why I think any help they can get is rightly deserved. You can't just sit back and let the boat coast. You have to start throwing out life preservers. You have to look for leaks. You have to keep an eye on the open sea, because it's a big world out there and every little bit of effort can ultimately pay off.
-BHa

Posted by Brad at 3/25/2009 | | Comments

Mar 24, 2009

Simply Put...

Posted by Brad at 3/24/2009 | | Comments

Hire Us, Dammit!

Journalists are awesome. Need we say more? Okay then, we will. This is from Jill Geisler (of Poynter)'s "Ten Reasons You Should Hire a Journalist."
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1. Journalists will improve the writing, photography or design in your organization. When journalists volunteer for church, school or civic organizations, they are inevitably asked to work on communications projects. Their writing is clear and succinct; their photography and design skills make whatever they're working on look more polished and professional. They're sticklers about copy editing and will raise the quality of even your internal memos.
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2. Journalists deliver on deadline. Their work lives have been defined by deadlines. Blowing a deadline is a cardinal sin in the newsroom culture. Tell them when something is due and you'll get it -- or you'll get a bulletproof reason from a nonetheless-contrite employee.
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3. Journalists are multitaskers. In recent years, journalists have been required to do more with less. Reporters and photographers took up videography, editing and blogging. They file stories for print, broadcast and online, some while also tweeting. (If you don't know what tweeting is, ask during the interview. Don't worry. It does not involve stomach upset.)
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4. Journalists are quick studies. Imagine a job in which you have to learn things every day, then turn around and teach those things to others. That's exactly how I've described the challenge and absolute joy of journalism at student career fairs. That skill set demands that journalists take in and process information with extraordinary efficiency and clarity, a benefit in any line of work.
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5. Journalists are critical thinkers. They've been trained that "If your mother says she loves you, check it out." Journalists know that asking why and why not, looking at multiple perspectives, digging beneath the surface, challenging conventional wisdom, discerning patterns, finding context and thinking about "what's next" improves any story. Just as it improves job performance in most any field.
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6. Journalists get answers faster than most. Even in social situations, you'll find friends rely on their journalist buddies to gather information. Scout the restaurant. Get the background on the car I'm thinking of buying. Vet the new school superintendent. Help me find the best doctor for my condition. Journalists know how to do research -- fast.
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7. Journalists know how to use the Web. Your organization may or may not have embraced all of its online opportunities, but journalists know firsthand why the Internet matters. Sure, some news folks adopted an online mindset more slowly than others, but now many are well-equipped to help you execute online strategies -- blogging, creating video and audio, connecting through social networks. They've been brought up to speed in the past several years as their newsrooms expanded their horizons.

8. Journalists have a great work ethic. If you've ever complained that your team has a 9-to-5 approach to the job, hire a journalist. Some may think they're crazy, but they've often followed stories, not schedules. They've dropped everything for breaking news. They've gotten up in the middle of the night to catch a perfect picture of the moon or listen to a source who could talk only in darkness. They took on the work of laid-off colleagues while still doing their own, for as long as they could. And they still have energy.
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9. Journalists have a solid moral compass. Imagine signing on to a job where you promise not to accept gifts that others could, must take pains to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest, should keep your opinions to yourself, are expected to question authority while respecting the law and to recognize that your work carries the opportunity every day to do good or harm. Journalists didn't just sign some statement saying they'll comply with the organization's policies, file it and forget it; they chose a profession that embraces a code of ethics and wrestles with its obligations daily. You might think they've fallen short over the years. But if you want to ask a great job interview question, ask journalists about some of the ethical minefields they've successfully walked and how they made it through while minimizing harm.
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10. Journalists are loyal. That's why they're hurting right now. The journalists you may hire have been faithful to their vocation, even when the going got more than tough. They've adapted, learned new skills, added duties, taken pay cuts and furloughs, mourned the loss of colleagues and coverage, and kept on doing work that mattered. What does that mean to you? Speaking as a management coach, I say it means this: hiring journalists presents you a terrific opportunity. Give them a job they believe in and they'll work like hell to help you succeed.

Posted by Brad at 3/24/2009 | | Comments