03.10.05 Well my outside work on radio and TV is starting to wind down. I am having a blast with
it. It has reminded me of the days that was my everyday job. It was particularly interesting going
on the radio as a guest. While I have hundreds of hours of experience as a host it certainly is
different when you are the one being questioned. As host you have control but as the guest you
never know whats coming. It was kind of humorous having the host of the program we were on
calm us down before the show, assure us things would go smoothly, apologize in advance for
looking through the glass at the producer and thanking us so vigorously after the show. I used to do
all that with my guests! You know, it really helps. Even though I wasn't really nervous going in, for
some reason it is comforting to know the person in control is concerned enough about the guests
comfort to go through all these welcoming steps.
Working in TV and radio is unique in other ways too. On the one hand I really focus and make sure
to eat and sleep according to my on air schedule so I look and feel my best. On the other hand being
on the air is 100% pure fun. Doing radio and TV is one of the most exciting and invigoration things
in the world. Adrenalin definitely kicks in and being in the "zone' actually brings as much physical
pleasure as intellectual stimulation. I remember very early in my radio career coming in for my
show sick as a dog. I had a fever, body aches and could barely get out of bed. But as soon as the red
light went on I felt fine. I did my 3 hour show and honestly forgot I was even sick. The adrenalin
or whatever that kicks put me back at full strength. It wasn't until after the show was over - right
after the last goodbye - that my body returned to it's very ill condition. It was that day that I
learned how much I enjoyed doing live broadcasting.
Also when this media flurry is over I won't have to worry so much on my look (think about George
from Seinfeld trying to figure out what time to shave ...not to early not to late... to look my best in
front of the camera).
Next, I have some friends coming through town and I will be playing host for a few days. Look for
a return of news analysis and all the fancy pictures and stories I typically post on the site very soon.
As usual I have a lot to say and a lot to share with you so I can't wait to reclaim the time it takes to
get it all out.
03.08.05This is really a busy week for me. I have been working all day and then at night I have
been going to do some local television. It is making for some very long days. Wednesday I am also
going to be on a radio program doing what I do best - talk. (I would give details but it is not about
the news or this blog so I won't. When I do finally get invited by the mainstream media to brag
about the website I will definitely let you know so you can see and hear the man behind MQAblog).
So while I am focusing on the "old media' a bit this week the new media - my web site - is being
somewhat ignored. It's a shame too because there are some really good stories out there. I would
love to talk about the problem of military recruitment since the Iraq war; The presence of "counter
recruiters" on high school campuses; the US government acknowledging that they are sending
terrorist suspect to other countries for "questioning"; the presence of another torture tape by
American servicemen cracking under pressure in the Iraqi hellhole; former President Bill Clinton
having to undergo another operation and the nomination of a United Nations hater to be...um..the
US representative to the UN. But, alas, I can only direct you to those stories and invite you to
browse through my many archives. Thanks to all of you for your support. Just seeing all the hits I
am getting on a daily basis make the hard work that goes into doing this web site well worth it. Keep
on visiting every day and why not tell a friend to visit MQAblog.
