Well, Monday afternoon I was able to sneak away from the radio ranch for a second because the office was pretty much closed for the holiday.  So I went to wash my car really quick at Poplar and Mendenhall.  As I’m waiting, I see THERE IT IS!!!  The AT&T store.  I don’t know what came over me, because I HATE monthly fees and phone payments.  I don’ t so much mind the one time phone cost, or even signing a contract, it’s the larger monthly bill that’s always prevented me from buying a better phone… like, yes… AN IPHONE!

Well, since I had time to waste while waiting on my car… I went into the store.  My wife has been on hers quite a bit playing games and stuff since her work purchased hers.  However, I was never convinced.   This, until Sheila the AT&T rep started showing me what hers does.  Music music music.  94.1 KQK on my Iphone! Yes.  My contacts?…no problem.  All your e-mail groups both work and home, easy to do.  Sports updates, weather, GPS.  Free aps.  SOLD!   (After I negotiated the best possible rate since I was already on AT&T.) 

It’s the greatest thing I’ve purchase since my wife’s wedding ring and my childs first crib. 
This is the most perfect thing anyone who loves their family, music and sports could get… Luckily, I love all 3!     I will say this:  For as much hype as it’s received, the Pandora is highly overrated due to the fact that you can only fast forward through so many songs (like 3) before their license fee problem doesn’t let you do it any longer.  Get flycast and listen more on yours (if you get one) to 94.1 KQK!

I know somewhere in a very dark uninhabited corner of my attic there is surely a few of my old school yearbooks.  Ahhh… high school.  I was one of those lucky people WHO LOVED HIGH SCHOOL.  I was also lucky enough to go to the very same elementary, junior high, high school in the same very small town in southern Illinois all the way through. 

I graduated with the majority of the kids I started out with.  In my case, the school was small enough that it was actually attached by a single hall way through the entire complex (ok, not small like a one room school or something) Kindergarten all the way up to the high school building.  My high school graduating class at Mount Olive High School was 42 people. 

This picture is of three of best friends from school…. (L to R) Matt Ruemmler, Mike Markezich, Tim Vogt, and me.   Two striking fashion trends:  mega tuck job on the shirts (at least those that weren’t in rock bands like Tim) & the faded streak blue jeans…  There’s a few others!

Two of them were in my wedding (Matt and Mike).  Tim was my neighbor and I taught him how to ride a bike at the age of 2 (I loved riding bikes, even at 3!).  His dad, Bill Vogt, was my first little league baseball coach. 

So, here’s to high school… It’s amazing that one picture can bring a thousand memories.  I thank God that mine are all good ones.

New thoughts for the new year….

Okay let me change that from “new thoughts”  for the new year to just “ thoughts’ for the new year.  I think sometimes as we embark on a new year my thinking is the same….new start, new beginning, fresh outlook, correct the wrongs of the year gone by and make this year better, etc, etc.  I had a pretty rough 2008, but 2009 was much better….now, what can we do with 2010 to make it extra good.

Here are some things I will do this year, many items were certainly on my list from last year….and the year before that and the year that. So, without referring to last years list (which I could probably cut and paste) here is my list of “things” for 2010.

I plan to………

…..blog more often

…..eat more fruits and vegetables…shop on the outer perimeter of the store…avoiding as many processed foods you find in the middle. FYI…I love processed food and it seems to love me back…. haha.

……be more patient with my children.

…..actually find 3 to 4 times a week to exercise.

……read 3 books this year….non-self help books for a change.

……clean out my closet and either fit into the skinny clothes or finally get rid of them once and for all.

……get through the kids clothes and toys that they have outgrown and neither boy can fit into.

Oh yeah, I also plan to be a better person, save more money and drink less soda in 2010.

NOTE: If organizing is on your list of things for the new year, we interviewed the author of the book pictured above, it’s a good guide to get organized, ORGANIZE NOW by Jennifer Ford Berry. Her website is www.jenniferfordberry.com

I just played the Bee Gee’s “Nights on Broadway” and it reminded me that there is now an actual play called “Memphis” on Broadway in NYC!  Great Memphis National exposure, right!

Read more about the Broadway play “Memphis” here!