The boys have a new shuttle box. This morning, I installed XP on it. It took a better part of the day getting everything operating correctly (networked, printer connection, audio problem troubleshooting, configuring desktops and settings for Calvin). I still need to find some good nanny software to help restrict some of the boys' movement on the web. They stay on their websites well. The two areas of concern are when they are tempted by the recommendations on YouTube and when Calvin wants to look at pictures on Google Images. As Calvin gets more adept, I will want some restrictions on which websites he can reach so I'm just kinda shopping around and comparing what stuff I can sample on CNET.

I read in the HSV Times today that WLRH has a new local show on Friday evenings before World Cafe that is definitely in the adult alternative realm. This isn't enough reason for me to reinstall my RadioShark on my PC. The fundamental problem is that I'm rarely on the Winders PC nowadays, so shows I've recorded sit there all lonely on the hard drive. I found a page online about setting up stuff in ubuntu to record streaming audio. I plan on setting up JD's ubuntu PC (which she keeps on all the time) to record the new show and World Cafe, Car Talk, and probably some shows on Lightning 100. I'll then transfer them over to my laptop to listen to while working.

I tweaked my profile this evening. After much debate and years where I was determined not to mention it in there, I added information about my years as RoadKill in Nashville. The bulk of the new addition is a list of the things I did as RoadKill that I could easily remember and felt worth mentioning.

It seems that it's been a while since I posted these, so if you haven't heard any of my adventures in Nashville, you can...

Go to this entry for links to three stunts (Squeezing the Charmin, Pitching a Song on Music Row, and Getting Arrested at the Airport).

Go to this entry for an edit of when I went into the streets of Nashville in search of an honest person.

I was actually in the process of dubbing other RoadKill stunts from DAT to MD (for me to then dub into my computer since I no longer have my DAT player connected to the computer) when my receiver died. I'm in the middle of the time that I wrote a RoadKill fairy tale and read it to a bunch of 5 & 6 year olds at a day care. I also played the tape of my driving the monster truck for Calvin a couple of weeks ago. God, that was invigorating to hear! Grrrrr! The Power!

Anyone that doesn't know Darrell Ankarlo and would like to see who I slaved for for 6+ years, tune into Paula Zahn tonight and/or tomorrow night. I don't know what he's going to be talking about but I'm betting immigration.

By the way, just because we worked very close and well together doesn't mean we agree on issues. I will tell you that I was the libertarian voice of reason, while he'll tell you he was the conservative/realistic counterpoint to my idealistic views. Ah, non-sexual man love is sweet.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/23/djfired.rice.ap/index.html

Did he say something bad? Yes. Did he immediately realize it? Yes. Did Dorsey overreact by firing him? Here's where I allow the conspiracy theories.

I worked for KTRS for about 4 1/2 months. During that time I realized (along with Darrell) that the only reason we were hired were to prevent us from going to a rival station. This factor among numerous other things leads me to constantly believe the absolute worst when it comes to Dorsey. Was this "coon" incident the thing he needed to dump the new morning guy?

Sometime over the past year, the St.L Cardinals bought 1/2 ownership of the station. I guess Dorsey's money finally was used up and he couldn't find any more silent partners to help him out. My theory (which I haven't checked the STL media message boards or the like to verify any of this) is that the new half-owners strongly suggested that Dorsey dump his morning show (which has been a revolving door position since he bought the station in '98-ish) and hire this guy from another station in the market. As he did with us, he was probably already baiting the guy to buy as big of a house as his new paycheck could buy and probably suggesting "just a few tweaks" to the show. "But it's your show, I don't want you to do anything you don't want." - Damn, I heard that come out of his mouth so many fuckin' times!

Now, Dorsey gets out of this contract, sticks it to his new partners - "I told you we should have...", and saves all the money that he put in the contract likely because of a decency/controversy clause that releases the station from obligations if he says anything stupid on the air.

Had this incident happened at a station owned by someone WITH A SOUL; I would have done or expected mgt to do any/all of the following:
1. A short suspension of the host
2. A full volley on all TV news stations of station manager and host apologizing for the slip.
3. Time during suspension to be used to put host in front of all concerned political/racial groups. Use the time to show how host isn't a racist, wants these minorities to be a part of his show, and possibly get additional press from participation in group activities.
4. Create a racial harmony fundraiser to kick off immediately after the host returns to the air.
5. Have the minority owners of the station come on the air to support him - Ozzie used to be a silent partner of KTRS. Can't remember who other Cards/NFL Cards also owned a bit of the station.

I'll now go back to trying to ignore all work-related memories from St. Louis...