Thursday, June 18, 2009
Every Precious moment
Who remembers that last day of school, the first day of summer vacation? Most of us have fond memories of stepping off the bus for the last time in late June without a care in the world. It's not that things in the world weren't a challenge, or dangerous, or frightening it's that we didn't know enough about it to care. The only thing that mattered was fishing and baseball and bike riding and friends. Summer meant 4th of July fireworks and a population of people who actually knew what they were celebrating on that day. Summer meant you were outdoors from dawn till dusk riding your bike with no helmet, making no contact with your parents until supper time and living every precious moment. We didn't have our faces on our cell phones all day because there was no such thing. We didn't waste hours on video games because there were none. We ran through poison ivy, got mumps and measles, went to the doctor and actually got treated without being asked how we were going to pay for it. I know, I sound like a baby boomer who's past was happier than his present. Not true. I'm very happy today but I think it's fun to point out that the "care free" season is here and for gosh sakes we ought to let our kids and grandkids enjoy it. Someday they'll write about the good old days when Twitter and Face Book will have gone the way of the Hula Hoop. By the way I bought a Hula Hoop on Craig's list the other day. Got a good price.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
New title for FOX News
Why is everyone on the FOX news network so ticked off? Every time I see one of the poor souls they're upset over something. Lately they're up in arms because President Obama had the nerve to reach out to the Muslim world and suggest that they may be people too. Hey FOX news, I've got news for you, your act is old, negitive, boring and irrelevent. I'll go one step further, you're hate mongers disguised as news reporters and anchors. I'm happy to live in a country that allows FOX news to do what it does but I'm also happy to have quick fingers and a remote. As soon as I see Sean or Bill or Ann on HATE TV, I switch over to something that makes sense, like Family Fued or The Price is Right.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Quiet I Can't Hear the Music
Growing up in the 1950s I had plenty of opportunities to listen to disc jockeys fill time between songs. When Cousin Brucie or Dandy Dan Ingraham made a funny remark in between Elvis or Beatles songs that constituted "talk radio." For me and my generation it was all the talk radio we needed. I still listen to Cousin Brucie on Satalitte radio and he still makes more sense than any of the "talk" people I mistakenly tune in to today.
How much talk is too much talk? That's an open question of course and the answer is si9mple. When I get tired of hearing about the same topic I change the station.
In my home market, Seattle a lot of people are changinbg the station these days. They're changing to music and away from talk. In times like these I guess people feel more comfortable not hearing about "times like these." Music soothes the soul, settles the nerves, evokes the emotions. Talk too often has the opposite result.
I tuned out of talk radio about ten seconds after the last election. I love the new president but I'm sure I'll disagree with some of things he does in the next three years. I'll disagree on my own however, not with any prompting from Rush or anyone else.
So what about sports talk radio you ask? There's too much of that too. Two hours before the game starts I do not need to listen to "expert" anlayists tell me why one team will win and the other will lose. And when the game is over, I'm done, let me go on with my life. Please don't bore me with post game analysis let alone sound bites that don't change from week to week.
Good luck to all the radio talk show folks out there. I know you work hard and I wish you the best, just don't talk me anymore it distracts me from the music I'm trying to listen too.
How much talk is too much talk? That's an open question of course and the answer is si9mple. When I get tired of hearing about the same topic I change the station.
In my home market, Seattle a lot of people are changinbg the station these days. They're changing to music and away from talk. In times like these I guess people feel more comfortable not hearing about "times like these." Music soothes the soul, settles the nerves, evokes the emotions. Talk too often has the opposite result.
I tuned out of talk radio about ten seconds after the last election. I love the new president but I'm sure I'll disagree with some of things he does in the next three years. I'll disagree on my own however, not with any prompting from Rush or anyone else.
So what about sports talk radio you ask? There's too much of that too. Two hours before the game starts I do not need to listen to "expert" anlayists tell me why one team will win and the other will lose. And when the game is over, I'm done, let me go on with my life. Please don't bore me with post game analysis let alone sound bites that don't change from week to week.
Good luck to all the radio talk show folks out there. I know you work hard and I wish you the best, just don't talk me anymore it distracts me from the music I'm trying to listen too.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Running for Office
I'm running for public office.
I've given a lot of thought to why I’m running for Newcastle City Council. It goes back a few decades to when my father Tony Ventrella Sr. ran for an office called “Constable” in my home town of Wilton, Conn. Dad was a barber with less than a high school education but a vast knowledge not only of national and local issues but of the wants and needs of people in his own community. My town was so small we had one police officer and he was on loan from the state of Connecticut. To fill the gap the town council created positions for four “constables” who would serve the public in various ways. My Dad performed such duties as serving subpoenas, directing traffic in construction zones and parking cars for town sponsored events. He loved people and was proud to work for the town. I feel the same way. “As Newcastle grows and welcomes new residents and businesses I want to be involved in its vision for the future.” To succeed as an individual, a family, a business or a small city you need a vision, a plan of action, a step by step climb into the future. I believe that “real political leadership can only emerge in a crisis.” I also believe that with every crisis comes opportunity. We are in a fiscal crisis in America that effects every one of us in big cities and small towns. We can only emerge from it by working together, unselfishly and without ego. I look forward to meeting every voter in Newcastle and because I have two ears and one mouth, I’ll listen twice as much as I talk. I look forward to serving my community.
I've given a lot of thought to why I’m running for Newcastle City Council. It goes back a few decades to when my father Tony Ventrella Sr. ran for an office called “Constable” in my home town of Wilton, Conn. Dad was a barber with less than a high school education but a vast knowledge not only of national and local issues but of the wants and needs of people in his own community. My town was so small we had one police officer and he was on loan from the state of Connecticut. To fill the gap the town council created positions for four “constables” who would serve the public in various ways. My Dad performed such duties as serving subpoenas, directing traffic in construction zones and parking cars for town sponsored events. He loved people and was proud to work for the town. I feel the same way. “As Newcastle grows and welcomes new residents and businesses I want to be involved in its vision for the future.” To succeed as an individual, a family, a business or a small city you need a vision, a plan of action, a step by step climb into the future. I believe that “real political leadership can only emerge in a crisis.” I also believe that with every crisis comes opportunity. We are in a fiscal crisis in America that effects every one of us in big cities and small towns. We can only emerge from it by working together, unselfishly and without ego. I look forward to meeting every voter in Newcastle and because I have two ears and one mouth, I’ll listen twice as much as I talk. I look forward to serving my community.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Twitter or Not
I admit it, I'm a baby boomer, born in the 1940s. My life was fine before lap tops, cell phones and GPS systems and it was certainly fine before Face Book and Twitter. I don't need Face Book or Twitter so why did I sign up for both? I'll answer that. I don't need a talking JFK doll or a 1968 rookie Tom Seaver card either but I have both.
At least I get some enjoyment out of pushing the button on JFKs lapel and hearing him say, "Ask not what your country can do for you," over and over again. I'm not sure if I get any enjoyment out of Face Book or Twitter. I really don't care what concert my friends went to last weekend. Unless it was a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons reunion it was a waste of time and money anyway.
I've been on Face Book for a month and Twitter for a week and I'm on the verge of leaving both. If I really want to send a message out to all my friends I'll call them or type a letter on my manual Royal typewriter to each one of them, spend $20 on stamps and drop them in a mail box. What a concept.
I have to go now. Just got Tweeted from someone who's interested in buying my talking JFK doll.
At least I get some enjoyment out of pushing the button on JFKs lapel and hearing him say, "Ask not what your country can do for you," over and over again. I'm not sure if I get any enjoyment out of Face Book or Twitter. I really don't care what concert my friends went to last weekend. Unless it was a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons reunion it was a waste of time and money anyway.
I've been on Face Book for a month and Twitter for a week and I'm on the verge of leaving both. If I really want to send a message out to all my friends I'll call them or type a letter on my manual Royal typewriter to each one of them, spend $20 on stamps and drop them in a mail box. What a concept.
I have to go now. Just got Tweeted from someone who's interested in buying my talking JFK doll.
Friday, May 8, 2009
News about News
Thursday May 7 was a painful day if you follow sports media. Not painful from the stand point of the actual news stories but painful because of the relentless repetition of those stories by endless numbers of talking heads.
Shut up already. That's enough about Bret's retirement, Manny's suspension and A-Rods hip. Whatever happened to the good old days when we were all scared to get Swine Flu.
I'm pleased that Bret Favre is staying retired, so is my cousin Jack who taught high school for 30 years. I'm happy for both of them.
Manny Ramirez finally got caught juicing and was suspended for 50 games. Lot's of guys at the local gym juice all the time and wish they were Manny Ramirez yet they're the first ones to call talk radio and denounce the former Red Sox and now Dodgers star.
Sometimes I long for the old days when you had to wait for your local newspaper or television sports cast to see and hear what was happening. In those days you actually had time to digest the story before beating it into the ground among your own friends. Now it gets beaten into the ground even before half the public hears about it.
Thank God we live in a country that recognizes the value of free speech. It's just that sometimes I long for silence and that's just as free.
Shut up already. That's enough about Bret's retirement, Manny's suspension and A-Rods hip. Whatever happened to the good old days when we were all scared to get Swine Flu.
I'm pleased that Bret Favre is staying retired, so is my cousin Jack who taught high school for 30 years. I'm happy for both of them.
Manny Ramirez finally got caught juicing and was suspended for 50 games. Lot's of guys at the local gym juice all the time and wish they were Manny Ramirez yet they're the first ones to call talk radio and denounce the former Red Sox and now Dodgers star.
Sometimes I long for the old days when you had to wait for your local newspaper or television sports cast to see and hear what was happening. In those days you actually had time to digest the story before beating it into the ground among your own friends. Now it gets beaten into the ground even before half the public hears about it.
Thank God we live in a country that recognizes the value of free speech. It's just that sometimes I long for silence and that's just as free.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Rookies, Red Cards & Seagals
What a whirlwind weekend it was in Seattle sports. Seahawks rookies and veterans soent three days at the team facilities in Renton at the first full mini camp. Led by top draft pick Aaron Curry, the linebacker out of Wake Forest the Seahawks went through their paces under the upbeat direction of head coach Jim Mora.
This week veterans will work on red zone and two minute drills before the rookies return in two weeks for another mini camp. Full training camp begins in late July with the first pre-season game set for August 15th at San Diego.
On Saturday in Bridgeview, Illinois the Sounders FC struggled to a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. A red card on Fredy Montero in the 49th minutes gave Chicago a man advantage situation which they exploited for the go ahead goal late in the half. The Sounders salvaged a tie when Freddie Ljundberg set up Tyrone Marshall for his first goal in two years. Seattle has a 4-2-1 record with 13 points so far this season. They host Los Angeles on Mother's Day at 12 noon at Qwest field.
Sunday night at Qwest 61 perspective Seagals went through final auditions for the 2009 squad. Director Sheri Thompson chose 28 girls for the new squad excluding a couple of popular veterans Georgia and Kat from the new team.
It was emotional for the girls who didn't make the team as well as for Thompson who told all the auditioners after the event, "I wish I could take 40 of you but we're limited to 28."
The Mariners rounded out a big weekend in Seattle sports with a 15inning 8-7 victory over Oakland at Safeco field.
This week veterans will work on red zone and two minute drills before the rookies return in two weeks for another mini camp. Full training camp begins in late July with the first pre-season game set for August 15th at San Diego.
On Saturday in Bridgeview, Illinois the Sounders FC struggled to a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. A red card on Fredy Montero in the 49th minutes gave Chicago a man advantage situation which they exploited for the go ahead goal late in the half. The Sounders salvaged a tie when Freddie Ljundberg set up Tyrone Marshall for his first goal in two years. Seattle has a 4-2-1 record with 13 points so far this season. They host Los Angeles on Mother's Day at 12 noon at Qwest field.
Sunday night at Qwest 61 perspective Seagals went through final auditions for the 2009 squad. Director Sheri Thompson chose 28 girls for the new squad excluding a couple of popular veterans Georgia and Kat from the new team.
It was emotional for the girls who didn't make the team as well as for Thompson who told all the auditioners after the event, "I wish I could take 40 of you but we're limited to 28."
The Mariners rounded out a big weekend in Seattle sports with a 15inning 8-7 victory over Oakland at Safeco field.
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