When the Warranty Runs Out

My office for the week

Okay, I'll say it.

It sucks getting old.

Now that I'm much closer to 50 than 40, things that used to work well are working slower and in some cases, aren't working at all. (And before you say it, the part you are thinking of, works just fine---dirty minded bastards)

I say this as I lay in bed, with my foot propped up under 3 pillows with a soft cast on. And as much as I'd like to say surgery on my heel has been my only issue this year, it hasn't been.

A lot of the cliches you hear growing up have some truth to them. As a teen, I was told repeatedly to take better care of my ankle injuries because it would catch up to me when I'm older. In my 20's, if you carry a camera too long, you'll end up with bad shoulders. My 30's, slow down, you are working too much and protect your eye's the more you strain them the worse they are going to get.

And every one of those sayings came true.

The ankle part I kind of expected. I played sports as a kid and was very active. Playing basketball, my ankles rolled, a lot. And they got worse after the BIG injury. As a high school junior, I was playing in a Spring game when I came down on someone's foot grabbing a rebound, turned my ankle all the way right and left. Blew out all the ligaments and tendons.

My high school graduation present--ankle surgery and this from my doctor--"Just so you know, you'll deal with arthritis in your ankle from here on in". And as a teen, I just shrugged it off.

In my 20's, I began my TV career as a Video Photographer and Producer. I loved what I did and was good at it. I carried a camera until I was 44-years old. And it the 5,6 and sometimes 7 days a week of carrying a 20+ pound anchor on my right shoulder, eventually took a toll. Rotator cuff problems and arthritis at the end. I could barely raise my arm over my head.

Shooting Sports Back in the Day

The 30's, it was my eyes. Imagine growing up with perfect eyesight and starting a career in the visual arts. And one day you are sprawled out on the couch reading a book. You decide to get up and fall over from dizziness. Only to find out your eyes were messed up from straining because you can't see as well as you used to.

And it's gotten progressively worse. Some 15-years later, I can't see anything without my glasses. Anything. If you see me driving a car without either my prescription sunglasses or regular glasses on, you probably need to get out of the way. Heck, as recently as 2006, I could go work a football game during the day and shoot with non-prescription sunglasses on. Did it all the time and was one of the best Sports Photographers in the business. Today, I couldn't do it if I wanted to. I can't look in the viewfinder and see anything but a blur. And as an added bonus, I apparently have a cyst in one of my eyes, I'm going to see a specialist about it next week.

Once you cross the 40 threshold weird things begin happening too. I got a surprise trip to the hospital at the end of February. The reason. Apparently I suffer from Vasovagal Syncopothy (sp?). I passed out twice in the span of 12 hours. Thankfully, the Lovely Bride got me to the hospital, because I could feel the 1st one coming. And apparently, I passed out in the ER waiting room right after someone asked me my name. I woke up a few minutes later in a trauma room having no idea what happened. The second time was in the hospital after being kept for observation, I passed out and landed on my head in the bathroom of my hospital room. And that lead to a concussion. A serious one at that.

Concussion Recovery

I don't recommend ever getting a concussion, and I now totally get why Sports teams on every level from Little League to the Pros should make a big deal about them. Imagine waking up dizzy, with a headache that won't go away and unable to do much of anything but feel like you are hung over---even though you didn't drink anything.

I couldn't lay on my back without the room spinning or triggering a headache until very recently (2 months later). And believe me when I say this, it was one of the most miserable experiences of my life.


Which brings me back to the beginning. I just had a rather large chunk of bone taken out of the side of my heel. The growth was apparently an accumulation of fragments from previous injuries. Why take it out? Because, basically it prevented me from being active. I could walk on it. Even run on it. But that meant an hour of ice afterwards. Just going to the store was a chore because it really hurt afterwards.

So yeah, my point is this. When you are less than 40-years old, you consider yourself sort of indestructible, you can bounce back from anything. And to an extent, you can. But it takes a toll. And much like a car with a limited or even an extended warranty, it eventually catches back up with you. So be careful, but have fun. Don't limit yourself, ever, but remember, if you do get hurt, take care of it. Take care of it well and don't jump back in until you are completely and totally healthy.

As I write this I'm 48-years old. I've got a LOT of mileage on me, but I kind of enjoy being semi-active. I started working out regularly again and watching what I eat. I've lost 35-pounds since August of 2012. I plan on keeping that off and staying healthy. Even if the warranty has kind of run out, I plan on getting my money's worth out of what ever mileage is left.

On that note, I give you one my all-time favorite rock songs ever...

How to say Goodbye or Not....

The Chief

It's been a very strange two weeks. Twelve of the past 14 days have been spent in South Carolina dealing with my father's illness and death.

For some reason, you think about a lot of things in your life when something like this happens, it's hard not to. And I say this for several reasons.

It's been a blur as to what happened. The Chief (my nickname for Dad) had not been in great health for a long time. He survived Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1998-99. But it took a toll. It left his immune system wrecked. It left him with very little to deal with infection. Any infection.

The Chief and Oliver

And this one hit suddenly. Out of nowhere. I will always remember our last conversation, as sad as it makes me. He called every Sunday night at 8 p.m. Not 7:59, not 8:01, but 8 on the dot. And it always started with me "Hey Chief, what's goin' on with you?"

We talked for about 15-minutes or so like normal, nothing particularly deep, nothing crazy, pretty routine and he handed the phone off to my mother.

And we didn't think anything else about it.

Until that Tuesday.

Mom called and said they were at the hospital and it was pretty bad. The Chief had been throwing up since Sunday night--non stop. He wasn't able to hold anything down. And nobody knew exactly what was wrong. While I was concerned, I also was thinking, he gets pneumonia every couple of months, this too will pass.

Me and The Chief/Graduation Day

It didn't.

I called again on Wednesday for an update and Mom was very upset. I talked to my sister who was there. Same thing. I asked if they needed me and they said not yet.

The next day just didn't feel right. I can't put my finger on it, it just didn't feel like a normal day. I was nervous and decided to go catch a movie to take my mind off things.

I never finished the movie. My sister called. My Aunt (Mom's sister) called. Mom called. All in a 30 minute stretch. And what stood out to me was this. Mom said it's still getting worse, it's not looking good, I don't know what to do.

Michelle and I had already talked. I told her the day before something's not right, we might have to go. And she was ready for it. Because I called her around 3 p.m and said "We've gotta go, this is bad". We were at my parents house 6 hours later.

The whole time, all I could think of was this: The Sunday phone call can't be it. It can't be the last conversation. It's not possible.

Ist Day at Ga.Southern/With Roomie Mark McLean

We moved The Chief to a hospital in Savannah the next day. It was bad. He was transported in an ambulance. The doctor said it was viral meningitis. But nobody could figure out how he got it. Viral meningitis is never a good thing, but for most of us, it's something we can cycle through after a few days.

Not The Chief.

Before he left the hospital in Bluffton, he had to be sedated. He was essentially put into a coma. And still, all I could think of was the last conversation.

We set up camp at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah. My mom wouldn't leave the Neural ICU. Michelle and I went back to her house and cleaned it up, straightened everything. And by Saturday...nothing had changed.

One of the toughest decisions I've ever made was the one I was faced with on Saturday. Do I stay? Do we go back? Michelle had to be back. She had a meeting to run in Cincinnati on Monday. She was flying out Sunday. And The Chief, while not improving, wasn't regressing.

Chief at Work/Circa 1985

We went home. We picked up Rosie (the dog) from the kennel and came home. Michelle flew to Cincinnati and I went back to work. And stayed in constant communication. I knew that I was off beginning Thanksgiving morning and off for the next week.

So I held out hope we didn't have to go back until then.

Mom called Monday as I was getting home from work. "It's not good". "He's not getting better". "The Doctor thinks he may not and we may have to make a decision".   And with that my mind was racing--"How can that be?"  "How can they not be able to do anything?" "How can we have to make that decision?". I didn't leave Monday afternoon, though I could have. I hadn't been sleeping well and didn't get much sleep before work. And I had to find somewhere to put Rosie. And Michelle was out of town.

Even with the holiday, I managed to get Rosie to stay at her vet's office. And Michelle got a flight back on Tuesday.

Chief with My Niece Jordan/His Granddaughter

But I left early, as soon as I could get Rosie to the vet.

I got there just after lunch and Mom was in a daze. She knew. Me, I didn't know what to think. How do you wrap your hands around something like this? Sure, in the back of my mind, I knew this might happen one day--but not now.

Michelle got there a couple of hours after me. And we all had to figure out what to do. Mom had already known.

The Chief and I had conversation about what to do if this ever happened. He had it with my sister and my mom too. And that's why we knew what we had to do.

We spoke to the doctor on Wednesday (day before Thanksgiving) and he asked us to give it 48-hours. We agreed but decided that had to be it. We knew. He wasn't improving and it was looking more and more like he wasn't going to. They were having a harder and harder time keeping him stable. His vitals were getting worse, not better.

But how do you just say "Pull the plug?"

We had to talk Mom into going back to the house Wednesday night. We were hoping that if it was going to be 48-hours, we could get her a good meal and some rest.

Visit at Ga. Southern/Parents Day

Thursday morning, we were all up at the crack of dawn. Not because we had to be, but nobody could sleep. And then my sister called to check on him. Mind you, when we left the night before, she and I spoke to his nurse and said "If there are ANY issues, please call us".

She didn't.

The Chief's heart was giving out. He was running out of steam.

We went back Thursday morning as soon as we could. And one of the first people we saw was his hematologist.  It got worse. "His white blood cell count is 0.5". Mind you it was 1.5 the day before. And this was while on medication to improve it.

That's when it hit. This was it. His doctor came and saw us that morning. We all were there. And Mom said it. She had to. It was her decision. "Take him off the ventilator, it's what he would want". But she wanted to wait until her sister got there to do it. And she was still an hour and a half away.

So we sat there. And thought about it. And all I could think of was "That was it, the Sunday call was our last talk?"

Mom and Dad Wedding Day/1963

By 2 p.m we were in his room. And the nurse took him off the ventilator.

We stood there. My mom in tears, my sister and niece as well. I cried for a couple minutes, how could I not? And I didn't move. Michelle stood next to me the whole time. I wasn't going to move. As long as he was still there, he was still breathing, I wasn't moving.

It seemed like a blur, like it happened in minutes, but it didn't. It took over an hour. And I never moved. Not a step.

The Chief passed away, peacefully, at 3:45 p.m on November 22nd. Ken Cantor was 72 years old. He is survived by my mom, me and my wife, my sister, her daughter (my niece) and a great-grandaughter.

Michelle and I waited and were the last to leave the room. It took a couple of minutes. His eye was open just a little, I closed it.  But we did leave. We walked out, we bowed, we saluted and we walked away with the rest of the family.

And all I could think about was the Sunday call was it....the last talk.

Time heals most wounds and softens the sadness. I know this. But it's so strange to me. I'm not sure I've wrapped my arms around all this and don't know if I ever will. The Chief and I became very close, and yes, there was a time we weren't. But as we both got older and wiser, we got closer. He was the best man at my wedding in 2007. I couldn't think of a better honor, it was the best present I could ever give him. And seeing his face that day was one of the single greatest moments of my life.

I got home Wednesday night, just about two weeks after this all started. And it feels really weird. I stayed behind for a couple of days to make sure Mom is good. She is. I think. I don't really know. We talked a little about things, but not in great detail. We talked about what's next, what to do, where does she go from here. She has said the same thing over and over again.

And all I could think about was the Sunday call.

I'm not sure how this Sunday is going to be, not talking to him. Like I said earlier, we didn't always have a deep conversation, but I really looked forward to the call as much as he did. I know how proud he is of me and that I made him happy with my success, I've been a good son. He told me so. And I know that is the greatest thing you could ever do for your parents. But it doesn't make it any easier.

I'll be okay and life will go on. I know this. Everyone deals with loss in a different way. I've seen it so much in my career and it worries me a little that I've become sort of numb to it. But I'm not. The SINGLE biggest thing that The Chief taught me was to always be positive, always look ahead, always take the good from the bad.

And that's what I'm doing. In my own way, I'm incredibly sad, but at the same time I'm incredibly happy. I got to be raised by parents who love me and did everything they could to help me succeed. And I take strength from that. I will not look back and be sad. I will not wallow in my grief. I will celebrate what he did and make myself better from the experience. It's the only way I know to honor him, it's the only way I know to celebrate him. It's the only way I know to make things better.

Settling in: Or Back Where We Started

Mi Casa

Well, we've been back in the Atlanta area for about 5 weeks now and you can say that, yeah, we've started finally settling in.

And yes, in a lot of ways we are living the cliched life.

The house, thankfully, is almost completely unpacked (except for the loft), we've got most everything where it needs to be and we've started buying the stuff we need to finish filling the place out.

It's been nice being busy almost every weekend, but for me, it almost feels a bit like I've stepped back two years.

It hasn't been quite the same as the first couple of months in Cincinnati for a few reasons. Mostly because I've been finding some stuff to keep busy and have been slowly catching up with people that I haven't seen in a while.

Me at Nebraska game

I also got a couple of freelance gigs, which, quite honestly were fun. Sure, it required me to shoot again, but it was with a small camera and very, very light gear. And I did, quite honestly, enjoy it. I got to go to Nebraska for a University of Nebraska game and Lubbock, TX for a Texas Tech game, shooting a segment for a friends production company. We did promotional spots for Texas Pete Hot Sauce (tasty). And I'm pretty sure there is no chance I'd go to either place if it wasn't something like that.

The challenge now is finding regular work. It's been a little different than it was in Cincinnati for several reasons. The biggest: there are jobs here. Not a lot of them, but a few. And I have friends trying to help me get them. And slowly but surely, they are starting to pan out. I just wish they'd pan out a little faster, but most of you who know me realize my ADD gets the best of me sometimes.

I've talked to a couple of people who are interested in bringing me on-board, but they can't do it right now. And it isn't one of those "We don't have an opening, call me when you do" kind of things.

Me at Texas Tech Game

And then there is this. I'm waiting on word when I can start over at CNN working on a freelance basis. No, it isn't full-time, but it is work. And good work. And something I'm really interested in doing.

Really,we've been doing stuff too.

Our second week here, we had to go to Louisiana to see Michelle's mom. It wasn't an "Ideal" trip, but worked out ok. We've been out to dinner several times with friends and we've even gone to see a Foo Fighters concert.

So yeah, we've been pretty busy. That accounts for 3 of our 5 weekends. Two of those being me travelling, one, both of us. And one where we baby sat Michelle's niece.

Now comes the next step, yeah, it's really, really tough sitting at home waiting for something to happen to keep me busy. But yet that is exactly what I'm doing. And no, I'm not stressed over it because I really believe that I will be working regularly again. Soon.

The Forever Move

Air Mattress--oy, my back

How long has it been now?

I'm not a big fan of moving. For that matter, I'm not sure that I know anyone who is.

On the odd chance you don't know, yes, after a little over 2-years in Cincinnati, The Lovely Bride and I are returning to Georgia. We bought a really cool house in Smyrna and though we announced it a month ago (seems like a year), we are moving in full this week.

There is nothing about moving that is fun. And I should know. Since graduating college in 1988, I've moved 13 times (I had to count), with the current move being number 14. So this is a subject that I know a little something about.

Out of those 14 moves, at least 9 of them I did myself with the help of friends. We don't do that anymore.

Where I wrote this--temporary office

And over the years I've added and subtracted, gained and purged a lot of stuff. When we came to Cincinnati from Atlanta in 2009, we moved from a 2600 sq. ft. house to a 1300 sq. ft. rental house. Since living here we downsized to an 1100 sq. ft. apartment. And now we are moving back to an 1800 sq. ft. house.

But back to the question. Why does it take so long?

Here are my thoughts: First, you have to give notice at your job if you are leaving it. I finished work at the palatial digs of WCPO on Sept. 25th. I gave them notice on the 7th. That is 18 days. And what's worse, I knew I was leaving at the end of August. I just couldn't say anything.

Maybe that is why this seems like such a long process: We've known we were moving for 60-plus days and are just now getting to do it.

Anyway, continuing on my list: You have to find someplace to live. Sometimes that is easy, sometimes it isn't. We were lucky. We are friends with our realtor and she's helped us in no short order; sell 2-condos, buy 2-houses and sell 1-house. She knows us pretty well and what we like. We found a place in a matter of a couple of days. Specifically, in one weekend.

Then there is the move itself, which may be one of the single most stressful things you'll ever do in your life. Yes, it was easier, to an extent, when you did it yourself. It's much more difficult when movers are involved.

We got estimates from 2 sets of movers. And believe it or not, the cost was nearly $2000 different. For the same stuff. To pack and load our stuff, which there is no longer a ton of; and to move it to Georgia.

You then have to schedule them..in advance to do it.

Sept. 2009 the move to Cincy

They came yesterday (Tues. the 4th) to move our stuff and I now sit, writing this in an empty apartment. TLB is cleaning parts of it that I didn't yesterday and we drive down to Georgia tomorrow (6th).

I've never been so ready to be done with something my entire life. No, I don't have a job down in Atlanta (yet), I think it won't take as long as it did here in Cincinnati (6-months). So I'm a little anxious about that. But it's also a lot easier to find something in the town you are living in than from 500+ miles away.

I know, it will all be over soon and we'll be spending our weekend unpacking our stuff and finding out how much we need to fill up the house. I look forward to that.

I guess though I really shouldn't complain too much. It does pale in comparison to the move up to Cincinnati. That one, we knew about at the end of March 2009, we didn't get to move until that September.

Guess this kind of sums it up...and it is one of my favorite songs of all-time:

Maybe I'm Amazed

Best I could do with a camera phone and no zoom

Betcha thought you'd never hear from me again on this blog...did ya? Or am I so predictable that you knew I'd eventually come back.

Ah...it's probably a little of both.

Really, the big reason I'm back is because I wanted to share about a great concert we saw last week (Aug.4th).

We saw Sir Paul McCartney play Great American Ball Park here in Cincinnati.

And yeah, he was every bit as good, or better than advertised.

The video screen

We've all, or at least I think we've all been to big, stadium concerts growing up. For me, it was the "Rock Superbowls." Me, my first big concert was a "Rock Superbowl" in 1983 (I'm old), featuring Journey, Bryan Adams, Sammy Hagar and Aerosmith. It was a drizzly late-summer day in Orlando, Florida and we went to the now Citrus Bowl (former Tangerine Bowl) and sat in the metal bleacher seats for 4 hours.

It was pretty impressive.

But not as impressive as Sir Paul. Think about it. A 69-year-old "Rock Legend". He's put in the time, toured for years and lived the life. Yet he popped up on stage on a 85-degree, humid night in a Red Sport coat ready to entertain.

And entertain he did. For not one, not two, but three hours. No opening act. No sitting down and taking a water break. No intermission. Three hours of non-stop hits from the Beatles, to Wings, to McCartney the solo artist.

Oddly, there was a mix of ages in the crowd. Mostly older, there was a healthy amount of teenagers and twenty year old's too. And they got it.

For me, it was nostalgic and as the Lovely Bride will tell you, I was "Way" into it. So into it that my voice was shot for a day and a half afterwards. For those my age, McCartney's music was stuff we heard as kids and made you think about that time.

Me and the Lovely Bride in our seats..

It was impossible to not smile. And laugh. And sing. We did all of that.

So you are probably asking, why are you giving us a concert review?

And the answer is two reasons: One, because if you are above the age of 30, you must go see him play live if you can. And two, for those of us with bucket lists, it's one more thing that I can now scratch off.

Here's some kinda crappy cellphone video of "Live and Let Die", this was so cool the video doesn't begin to do it justice:

Home Alone

Me and TLB

10, well, no--actually 11 days on my own. Really, anyone who's known me for a long period of time is probably asking what's the big deal about spending 11 days without the wife? I'm mean, dude, you lived on your own for how long?

Roughly about 18-years. From age 22 through age 40. 1988 through the end of 2005.

And before anyone says "Aw, you're just whipped" (Tom Leonard), it's not quite the same as when you are younger.

Yeah, sure, you can pretty much do whatever you want. You can go out and drink beers and hey, I get to watch more sports in this time period than I will in the next 10-months. But it is different.

Unfortunately, part of it may be because I'm where I am (Cincinnati) and away from the friends I would normally hang out with during this time, and part of it may just be because I'm getting old, but either way, it's just really weird working and then having to come home and take care of both myself and the cat.

And it's not that I don't know how to cook, I actually do...and from what I'm told, I'm fairly good at it. I just don't cook much anymore, Michelle does that.

It's funny when you have all this time to yourself and you are wishing that you didn't have all this time to yourself. Never thought I'd be at that point. I always had work and up until my current job, I worked...a lot. That's not to say I don't now, but it is different.

The Wonder Dog

Heck, I don't know, maybe part of it is missing the dog. For the last 11 years, I had the Wonder Dog with me to keep me company. That's not to say Oliver, the cat, isn't good company, but it is different. Sure, he has his time where he hangs out with me...he is sprawled out on the back of the couch behind me while I write this. But it is not the same, it's different.

Really, I just miss having 'Chelle here with me. I miss what one of my co-workers calls "Sexy married time" or sitting on the couch in gym shorts and t-shirts watching TV together. I'm not whining here, really. Part of her job now includes travel, and I'm down with that. It's usually just a couple of days at a time, which is a little easier, but it's just the way things worked out this time.

I hope this doesn't come off sounding like I'm a whiny bitch. I'm not trying to. I guess I'm just lonely right now. You know, I had to do this for a couple of months in 2009, when she moved here for her job and I had to stay in Atlanta until we sold our house, that was much, much harder than this.

But, hey, between this and the constant love and attention OnlineSportsGuys takes out of my day, combined with work and I'm pretty busy and the day is over before you know it. Time will fly by, and the leftovers will run out, and 'Chelle will be home in less than a week now, so I got that to look forward to.

It's a safe bet, none of the stuff in this clip will happen (of course movie was made in early 80's):

It's not as easy as you'd think...

Me producing Sunday Sports Special--circa 2005/Courtesy: jon nelson

There are some things that you just know how to do. And because of that, you just assume that everything associated with it will be easy.

It's not that simple.

For anyone who's known me since I've been working in TV, you probably are aware that I produced Sports shows and Sportscasts on and off pretty much since I started in the business.

Sure, there were periods of time where I didn't do it. After all, I was always a Photojournalist too. I shot a lot of video in that time and had more than a few bosses who just assumed that was all I did.

It isn't.

Today (5/4/11), I got to do something I've never done in all my years in TV, I produced a Newscast. You might ask: "Why is that a big deal?" "Didn't you say you've produced Sports shows?".

I did say that and I did produce Sports shows. Heck, I've won awards while doing it. I created or helped create a couple of Sports shows in Atlanta, so, yeah, I know how it's done.

Me and Mark Harmon interviewing Michael Boley/Courtesy: atlfalcons

News is different.

Sports isn't easy to produce, but it's different. I never really believed that until today. Sure, I worked in News off and on throughout my career and have a pretty good grasp of it. But I can safely say...producing a newscast is entirely different than doing Sports.

Why is that?

Sports is fairly straightforward and simple. There is a lot of ad-libbing involved, but you know the content. And you can be a little looser and more flexible with it. That means you don't have to be exact in your timing. For instance, when I did my Sunday Sports Special at WGCL in Atlanta, I always knew that I could go into the show about a minute light. I knew that my anchor, Mark Harmon would make the time up and if we were tight at the end of the show with time...I could tell him to pick up the pace and he would.

News is nothing like that.

When you are producing 30-minutes of a 90-minute news hole, you have to be pretty close to exact in your shows. You have to make sure things are timed to the second. You have to hit your breaks at certain times and you have to put as much content in the show as you possibly can.

Me working at Atlanta Motor Speedway/Courtesy:Me

With a sports show, you can put in a rough time for stories knowing that you don't have to be precise getting in and out of it. News, is completely different. And if you aren't exact, the whole show gets out of whack. If the whole show gets out of whack, then you have to start cutting things.

In a sports show, you can just say, kill a particular story and it isn't that big a deal. As long as the show times out in the end, everyone is happy. News is nothing like that. If you are really heavy it not only impacts the stories in the show, it impacts Weather and Sports. And neither the weather folks nor the sports folks like it when you cut their time. And depending on the people and situation, they may let you know about it.

Having been on the Sports end of it, I don't like cutting their segments. Really, I don't. Though the on-air folks need to know it isn't personal.

Let me give you an example. In Atlanta, when I first started, Sports came after Weather...right after weather. If the weather guys went long, which they on occasion do, it meant condensing the Sports. When it started happening 3-4 times a week, we (me and my anchor) finally had to say something to the News Director (the boss) about it.

The compromise was putting a break between weather and sports. It didn't always mean Sports got all of their time, but it did most of the time.

It was a good feeling today to get back in the chair. It's funny, I was a video photographer for 20-years and only produced for roughly 9 or 10 of those years. I like producing, it's something I took to pretty well and it's something most everyone who knew how I worked figured I'd be decent at. I don't miss the shooting part, heck, I actually have feeling in my shoulder for the first time in the past 5-years. Yeah, it hurts once and awhile, but its mostly depending on the weather or how much I use it.

I do, at times, miss going out on stories and the adventure of being in the field. I always enjoyed that part. But I'm older now. I've done an awful lot. I've been all over the country covering stories and been to most of the biggest events in my generation's lives. I'll always have that, it can't be taken away and the people, places and things I've experienced, most people can only dream of.

And even though I've moved back into News, my heart is and will always be in Sports. It's what I know best and the looseness and spontaneity of it I always enjoyed. Sports people and the people they cover don't generally take themselves quite as seriously as News people do.

But...lift a glass. Enjoy your beer. Me, I've done something not everybody can do, I crossed the streams. I changed flight. If it wasn't official before, it is now, I've become an honest-to-goodness news guy.

It's a little weird, but then again, it's early David Bowie. But it is somewhat appropriate:

Why is everyone a skeptic?

Philadelphia Daily News Cover on 5/2/11

Today has been a strange day. No, the last few months in some ways have been really weird. It's almost like we are living in a different world then we used to.

So you might be asking: "What the hell are you talking about?" Well, sit down boys and girls...I'm about to answer that question and some of you...might not like what I'm about to say.

The subject of my ire is the rampant skepticism...about pretty much every thing that is going on in people's daily lives and in the world in general.

So the next question would be--"I still don't get your point?"

No, I'm guessing for some of you...you probably don't.

My point is, we (as in all of us) have gone from living our lives looking ahead and optimistic to being incredibly cynical and looking behind to blame and find the conspiracy in pretty much everything in our lives.

Huh?

The best example I can possibly give of what I'm talking about has happened in the past week or so. First, the president has to call a press conference to prove to a reality show host that he was born in the U.S.

Really?

The worst part is, a fairly large segment of the population believed the reality show host rather than the president. Despite the numerous documents revealed that said otherwise.

What part of that strikes you as weird?

I fully realize...and have had discussions with many people about the role of questioning things. It's what I do for a living.  And they are right. Some things need to be questioned. But only to the point of rational thought. There are many, many things that we believe without questioning the people that say them. Judges, lawyers and in some cases...people on T.V.

But nobody believes them either. Everyone allegedly "Has an agenda". And what is worse, there are an awful lot of people who believe this. In my business (T.V), we've gone from being the "Trusted Voice" to being the one's "With an agenda". And the reason for that. Because politicians...with an agenda told their followers that. And the followers believe them. So now the media is branded as a group "With an agenda".

And it is so wrong and incorrect it isn't funny. But yet that is what people believe. Pollsters say only 30% or so of the public trust people on T.V. Why is that? Do they really think people doing the news are trying to deceive them? That we make stuff up? Can they offer tangible proof other than their own perception? No.

Where am I going with this?

What I'm getting at has really pissed me the hell off the past few days. It started with the whole Obama versus Donald Trump thing. What was the point? What made me angry is the ass-clown Trump made Obama have to call a press conference to prove Trump was wrong.

It's the whole "Birther" thing. And those "People" are in some cases rational grown up's who are supposed to be reasonably intelligent. To them this was the "Golden Egg" story. They were going to prove he's a "Sham" and "Stole the Presidency". People....shut the hell up...you sound like RACISTS! (Hmmmm....)

The other thing that is pissing me off is now that Osama bin Laden...or Obama bin Laden as some have called him...



It's a story full of twists and turns and ultimately will be the story of 2011. But yet it doesn't seem to be enough that the President, the past 2 presidents, congress, the military, the media, former military, foreign officials and others say Osama is dead. Now the charge is "We gotta see the body". Really.

The government buried the guy at sea. There was a reason for that. And there are pictures, with half the guys face blown off. And officials are contemplating whether or not to release them because they are apparently pretty graphic. And D.N.A tests. And eyewitnesses...quite a few of them.

But that's not enough.

No, I had a couple of friends tell me today "We're journalists, we need to see proof". And they are right...to a point. We take police at their word when they describe a crime scene. We weren't necessarily there to see what happened or conduct our own investigation for each crime we report. There has to be a certain level of credibility given to statements and descriptions that were made. We have no choice.

Maybe I'm just ranting about something stupid, but I don't think so. It gets me really pissed off to hear all the crazy accusations and assumptions that are made about things these days. I'm in no way, shape or form saying you should believe everything you hear, you shouldn't.

All I ask is please...PLEASE...think about things before you say something stupid about them. Even if it is just for a few seconds, before you start throwing out random accusations and just plain falsehoods and pass them off as the truth.

 I want to believe that most people are capable of rational, logical thought. I don't have to agree with it. That doesn't bother me at all. I like that everyone's opinion can be different. All I want is for there to be a logical, reasonable argument that can be made for your point. And respect that someone else's perception or opinion may be different than yours.

Looking for the worst: Don't be so judgmental

Mila Kunis/Celebuzz.com

Is it wrong to wonder why we lost all respect for each other? I'm not really saying you and me...although I guess theoretically I could be.

No, my question is more along the lines of why everyone is so angry and quick to criticize and more importantly, so damn quick to judge?

I was thinking about this after watching the Oscar's last night with TLB (The Lovely Bride) in part because of something she brought up. Here we were, sitting on the couch, watching the Pre-Game show (Red Carpet show) before eating dinner and I asked a question. "Why is this all about the fashion?". Her answer "It's the only thing that really counts".

My question is why? Is it that important to line up people to criticize and harangue these multi-millionaire actors and actresses for how they dress for an event? Or for that matter, who are we to judge them for it? And yet we do. I mean, heck, look it the long list of "Experts" who chime in and grade the actresses for what they are wearing. Is that what we've become?

((In the photo--Apparently the dress on Mila Kunis here, was judged a "B-Minus"---what the hell does that mean?))

There are tons of other examples of this. Heck, I experience it at work almost every day. Yeah, sure, I'm a journalist and writer and I get paid to write. But I don't claim to be perfect. I may strive to be perfect, but I'm not.

Writing Class/Courtesy: this.org

And yet the criticism is not only fast, it's nasty. You'd be amazed at the comments we get on my stations website ((www.wcpo.com)). "Who the hell taught you how to write?" "Are you on crack, hell I can do better than you""Are you all 3rd graders with no English skills" "You can't even write a clear freaking sentence".

Hell, when did the people who take the time to comment on websites become the grammar police? And if they are so great at it? Why aren't they professional writers?

But you can't say anything to them. You want to, but you can't. And quite honestly, it's the tone more than anything else that pisses me off. It's okay to point out a mistake, I have no problem with that. Just don't be so damn nasty about it and act like you've never made one. It's the same with the clothing critics...if you know so damn much then why aren't you the greatest designer that ever lived? Until you are..."Shut the fuck up!".

Sorry about the language.

I don't know. Heck, I have no problem admitting that I'm a cynic. But I don't judge everyone else either.

Here's another example. I'm reading a story about the NFL Scouting combine. Oh my GOD! Mark Ingram ran a 4.65 40-yard dash. According to the writers there (and there are way to freakin' many of them), he just killed his draft stock in the NFL.

Mark Ingram at combine/Courtesy: nba.msg.com

Really? How do you figure? One, the kid hasn't played a game yet. Two, how often in a football game is he going to be running 40-yards in a straight line in track shoes and dry-fit clothes on?

Let the kid play football. We'll see.

If you read all the story's from the Todd McShay's and Scout.com's and NFL Network guys, you'd think the only way to judge a football player is by measuring every part of his body, asking him a bunch of bizarre questions to see how he'll respond (the Wonderlic test) and then have him run the 40.

Come on guys, you can't measure heart. You can't put a metric on how bad someone wants to be successful. If you go by the Combine results as the all-mighty, then every 1st Round Draft pick would be the greatest to ever play the game. That folks, ain't happening.

I'm asking a question here, and really, I know it's rhetorical. But when did we become so damn mean? When did we become a nation of back seat quarterbacks? When did those of us who've never done anything, proclaim ourselves "Experts" who can rip and destroy someone who's attempting to do something? I'm all for the "1st Amendment" and "Freedom of Speech", I mean I'm a frickin' Journalist, I live by it.

Sure, when I write a story on the OnlineSportsGuys.com blog, I express my opinion about things. But its just my opinion. And I always put facts or an explainer in there as to why I am saying it, I've worked in and around Sports for well over 20-years, I'm qualified to offer that opinion. If you can give me a good, rational, logical explanation as to why you are judging someone, insulting someone or criticizing someone, you have every right to do it. Just don't hide behind your frickin' computer, be a douchebag and not be willing to back up anything that you say.

There...I feel better now.

If it will make you feel any better, I found this old Santana song from the early 80's...enjoy it:

Beerfest: A sellout crowd and great diversion

Cincinnati Beerfest/Courtesy: Me

Sometimes the right thing comes up at the right time to take your mind off the other things you are dealing with at the current time. I really needed it this past weekend.

Last weekend, the second weekend in February, was one of those weekends. The Lovely Bride and I didn't do a ton, but we went to one event we'd been looking forward to. Beerfest.

Honestly, the event wasn't the all-out party that you'd think it was. It was the 4th Annual Cincinnati Beerfest, a celebration of the Craft Beer movement.

Most of you reading this are friends of mine and you all know how much of a fan we've become. Look at it like being a wine connoisseur.

I might add at this point, the picture isn't deceiving, the place was absolutely packed. The crowd was estimated at around 6,000. I can't argue with that. And yeah, there was a percentage of them that were there to just get drunk. But, at $30 a head, most were there to try new and exciting flavors of beer.

The Lovely Bride Enjoys/Courtesy: Me

And there were plenty of them. The popular favorites, Dogfish Head, Stone, Rogue, Left Hand, Sierra Nevada and a whole lot more. There also were some smaller breweries that had some pretty good stuff too. I've already found a couple of good local Microbrewers here, Rivertown and Mt.Carmel, this night I found a new one, Elevator Brewing from Columbus, Ohio.

We didn't spend an inordinate amount of time at the event, a couple of hours. And yes, before you ask, I stopped sampling after the 1st hour and nursed a bottle of water the rest of the night. But we had a great time.

Me at Beerfest/Courtesy: TLB

We spent a good 20 minutes just waiting to get in. The reason. The line. General admission ticket holders couldn't get in until 7:30 or an hour after those who paid $60. We were armed though. Armed with a 4 oz. tasting glass and 25 drink tickets, we were good to go.

We started out at the first booth we saw, Dogfish Head. We thought they had a Palo Santo Marrano, but they didn't so we ended up with an India Brown IPA.

We worked the room, Elevator's Porter, a Bell's Stout, Founder's version of an Ale, Left Hand's Milk Stout...all great beers. (If you are wondering, I love me some Stout beer...and some Porters) The other kind of funny thing, each table had, along with their beers, a container of water to wash out your tasting glass with before the pour.

I wonder sometimes if we've just picked up an odd habit or we are onto something. Proof, really is in the pudding. Over the past year, sales of Budweiser and Miller Products are down some 12-percent, while craft beers continue to gain market share. Yeah, I've had my fair share of their products, and didn't think anything about it at the time.

Maybe it's just age. Maybe it's just selectivity, I don't know. I don't really drink to get drunk anymore, I don't need to. I drink beers because I enjoy them. Because I've discovered there are an incredible amount of creatively crafted versions of beer. No, I don't like them all, but there are so many of them, it will take a long, long time before I repeat myself.

Next time you find yourself in a restaurant or bar, go ahead, try something different. Try something that's not the same thing you've tried over and over again, you might come to realize what we have....there's a whole new world out there.

This is what passed for fancy beer when I was a kid...or at least a clip. Enjoy some Bob and Doug McKenzie : (yes, they pre-date "spuds")