Moonwalk to the Afterlife

There are days that will stay burned in your memory when certain events happen. Thursday June 25th, 2009 was one of those days. A day when reality’s pause button was pressed and everything took a backseat to the death of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

There is no question that everyone knew the music icon. From the little boy who sung with his four brothers to the artist who recorded the biggest selling album in history. I had a copy of ‘Thriller’ and listened to it as much as possible when I was young. Everyone had a favorite song from him. I do have to agree with Lenslinger, ‘Smooth Criminal’ was a good one.

Hit after hit. Dance after dance. This was someone who became a legend in the music world. Now do not get me wrong, the man had his issues but there was no question of the talent he possessed.

While his mortality suddenly ended, his journey to immortality continues to grow. Fans across the globe are paying tribute with make shift memorials, by playing his music, and by just remembering how he affected their lives. It was no different here in town. Keytha K. and XRAY found one his biggest fans who was preparing to make the trip for MJ’s comeback tour in the United Kingdom. Meantime the Kidd and I hooked up with a local radio personality who knew Jackson during his rise to stardom.

He may have been strange to some but one thing is for certain he is going to be missed by his loyal following.

Sine Die

Sine die (from the Latin "without day") means, "without any future date being designated for resumption" or "indefinitely". Often used with reference to meetings or when an organized body's existence terminates.

A thorough explanation.

However, to the Ways & Means to Make Television Interesting Committee those words of Latin descent means, “It’s over”!

After months of wheeling, dealing, negotiating, and near throw down drag out fisticuffs, the odyssey known as the 2009 Louisiana Session has come to pass. The gavel-to-gavel coverage from the Government Street District was one of pure amazement while being quite informative.
From the feel good bills to the passionate debate in the chambers, we brought everything to our constituents of the district while making it look good in the process. Therefore, I have to give thanks to C-Line, Sena-Turd, The Meeks, and the rest of the committee. Job well done everyone. We combed through tons of legislation and an endless number of amendments while managing to keep what sanity we had left.

Therefore, hearing no objection, I move that we adjourn this blog entry sine die. Since we now have to cover the effects our peers in the House and Senate left us.

Special thanks to Senator Sasser for snapping the photo of C-Line & The Senator, did you know?

Spike's Back

While I was strolling through my Facebook page I stumbled on this. Good ol’ John Connelly, better known as “Spike” in these parts. It amazes me how one photo can get the memory juices flowing.

Spike is a rare breed of photographer. A funny wit combined with great eye for television. Not to mention he is the only guy who can leave XRAY TED speechless. But Spike has this talent of drawing you into his stories. You see Spike is what I call a “Sound Junkie”. If there is any way to get the sound of any object Spike is going to do it. Whether, is a raging river or some guy changing the windshield of a car, Spike is going to get a microphone to capture the sound. He once told me, “Buddy if you see it. Then you can hear it”. That thought always echo in my mind when I go put the story of the day together.

So what is Spike up to these days. Mostly capturing the once in a life time sports moments that we watch on the High Def TV. For example, remember when T.O. placed his signature on the lens, that was Spike adjusting the Macro.

Going to have to find Spike and do a little catching up. I’m sure the Turdpolisher would be interested in shooting the breeze as well. I’ll buy the first round, did you know?

Its Live TV!!!!!

I think the Turdpolisher would appreciate this one. Like his mantra states, "You got get dirty to polish a turd".

Omaha!!!!!

Time has come again for College Baseball’s elite to descend upon the Mecca of the sport. The holy ground known as Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska.
It is hard to believe it was one year ago that I saw this place with my own eyes. It was one year ago that I stood among the Purple and Gold and their run for a sixth championship. It was one year ago when I got to see a father’s wish for his son come true. It was one year ago that I mingled with baseball die hards from all over the country. It was one year ago that I had this photo snapped of Erin Andrews and myself.
That was cool. You see all of this stuff on the tube but it is nothing until you witnessed it in person.

This time I’ll have to settle for watching the Series on the Big Screen. That’s cool also since there’s some good games on the horizon. Maybe next year I’ll get to go back and see the Mecca once again. However, it is time to make sure the batteries are in the remote and the drinks are chilled. I have a feeling that the Purple & Gold have some unfinished business to take of, did you know?

Change Is Coming

As the industry continues to morph before our eyes, thanks in part to the social networks and the peeps on the street with the smart phones playing reporter. It is nice to crank out some good investigative journalism especially pieces that bring about some change.

A few months ago, C-Line did some digging into some questionable practices involving to use of overtime for some state agencies. Now, is it a crime to get over time, no it is not. However, when taxpayer’s money is being tossed around like plastic trinkets on Fat Tuesday, then someone needs to be accountable.

Therefore, with a magnifying glass and a ton of patience, she, and the photography staff, was able put together the initial sweeps stories leaving a lot of people with their jaws hanging a couple of inches of the ground. The accolades, as well as the outrage, began flowing like the Nile River. However, she was not done.

Just a couple of days ago, she managed to get the audit of the agency in question and change is forthcoming. So, with a little more planning we put this together.

Hopefully, this will keep the straying hands out of the cookie jar.

234 Years And Still Going....

It is not everyday that the desk decides to let me walk among the living during the day. I guess she is showing her gratitude for the endless number of info meetings that have been thrown my way. For that, I am eternally grateful since I needed to work on my tan. So in between keeping one of our state agencies honest, C-Line and I are invited to a party of one of the elite fighting groups in U.S. history.

That group is the United States Army. A group of brave men and women who have protected this country for 234 years.

For me this is humbling. To look at people, who at any given time, will step up to the front line and defend us from all enemies, foreign & domestic. To stand in support of people who sacrifice a lot for the beliefs of the greatest nation in the world. To greatly admire a new generation of solider ready to pick up the fight when needed.

So as I try not to make a spectacle of myself while getting the story a solider comes up to me and says, ”Thank you for coming”. I respond back, “Thank you for defending our freedom”.

I know that investigative story we were working on was going to be big. However, it wouldn’t be possible with these guys, did you know?

Weekend At The Box

As the college baseball season winds down, I have to give props to the Purple and Gold. Last year it was the farewell series at the old stadium that was capped off with a trip to Omaha. This year it was a pair of dominating efforts, in their new ballpark, that has earned them return trip back to the College World Series. This time the team is a year wiser and is poised for a run at the National Championship. Don't know if I'm going this year but there is a following ready to make the trip to Alex Box North, did you know?

Who Let The Dogs Out.

This is shocking. In all my years of political perusing, I have never seen anything like this. I’m sure the Lenslinger Institute and Schumck Alert Central are going to want this one.

With the President on international business, the National Press Core had some free time on their hands. So why not chill with “Bo” Obama, the family dog. What happened next is mesmerizing. The dog, with the attention of the country watching, decides to make a photographer’s shotgun microphone his new chew toy.



I just could not believe what I was seeing. The only question I have is why? Is he jealous of the attention the First Lady gets from all of the magazine spreads? Is he tired of the on going talks of the nation’s economic woes? Maybe he sees the Jonas Brothers as a threat to national security. It this his way of protest for not letting The Pussy Cat Dolls & Snoop Dog have a concert at the National Mall? Alternatively, is he tired of the Press asking the President about his Justice Nominee? Is he rebelling at Bob Barker and his efforts to control the pet population? On the other hand, maybe, he is just giving me something to blog about which would be the simplest reason of them all.

Even though all of the reasons are valid one thing is for sure. He is not coming anywhere near the Fuzzy Mic, did you know?

Vote Me YES!!!!!!!!!

Ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to announce that our efforts have paid off and the new Hooters Calendar Girl of the Year is in the B.R. Our lady Grace Espinosa has beaten out the National competition and will now head to the International Swimsuit competition later this year. Courtesy of her MySpace page she had this to say:

HOLY MOLY..... WE FREAKN DID IT...I WON!!!! THANKS TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU THAT VOTED 4 ME... I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU... REALLY, YOU GUYS ROCK!

Congrats are in order. The world has no idea what they're in for. We wish you good fortune in the next step of the competition. Now I have to figure out a way to get to Vegas, did you know????