Talk Radio, the Movie

OK, so I am home sick today and decide to watch a movie, which I never do. I figured I would watch something I have never seen, something older, then I looked at the On Demand under their "freebies" and see Talk Radio.
I mean, I am in radio, so I thought, maybe I can relate to the characters.

If you've never seen the movie, let me just say that it isn't something you watch with your kids. It's about a guy named Barry who went from selling suits to being on the radio in the late night Dallas radio market. He is about to go national. You get to know Barry through watching his interaction with the callers, most of whom are very dangerous people. He receives death threats almost daily. There is a twisted triangle between Barry, his girlfriend/Producer, and his ex-wife, who is Barry's emotional link to a better time in his life. He has a love/hate relationship with his board controller and the station owner. They have all know each other for a very long time and the tension is palpable. They are nothing apart from each other and it eats them up inside.

As I watched, I couldn't help but consider some of the things that were going through Barry's mind. He speaks to the world every night, has free reign on the content of his show, and the only people who call are Jew haters, KKK members, teenagers who call just to hear themselves on radio, and women who "love" Barry because, well, I'm not sure, maybe because he has the kind of voice you can't turn off. In his last show, he chides his listeners for not having anything good to say. I couldn't help wondering if Barry had started to understand himself and begin to like himself after the final show. He faced some of his worst demons in one night and came out having the last word. If you have seen the movie, you know what happens next.

Hopefully I haven't ruined it for you, but have enticed you to see the movie. I can assure you that Barry does not work for WTPL, but I wish I had a chance to interview him for my show.

Loving the Winter?

Not really. I actually despise winter. I am one of those "inside people" you hear about who take vitamin D3 so I don't end up with seasonal depression. My husband, however, is an "outside person". Which is good for me because once in a while I get outside to do stuff. Like snowmobile, ski, sled, snowshoe. OK, I am in the doorway cheering him on while he does these things, but I do have a coat on so technically I am getting fresh air. What? OK, give me a campfire and a pair of running shoes any day over snow. Memorial Day, here I come!

Tough Week!

What a crazy week! We had a special lunch for our favorite producer, Jay Dawg, who celebrated his first 10 years in broadcasting. Sales meetings, phone calls, appointments with clients. Evenings consumed by church activities, kid's homework and sports. Another snow storm. Rescheduling. Again. Try fitting exercise in with that! Meals, dentist, investments, dog, chiropractor, hair color. Networking, building relationships with clients and colleagues. Dinner and a movie. Hanging out with friends. I guess it was really a typical week after all. Monday. Bring it on.

Happy New Year!

I don't think that January 11th is too late to wish someone a Happy New Year. In fact, I think I get a free pass the entire month of January. It seems everyone I speak to these first days of 2011 is glad to start fresh. I hope that for you it is a chance to lose some baggage from the past so you can begin to look at the opportunities ahead. And if you come to that place in February or March, Happy New Year!

It's not about finding the right person

Someone once told me, "It's not about finding the right person, it's about being the right person." We were talking about marriage, of course. So upon the start of my second marriage, I made a conscious effort to be the right person. I often ask myself, am I the kind of wife I would want to have? Invariably, the answer is no, which sends me back to the drawing board. But my husband, who is the right person, continues to be the right person and constantly forgives me with the brush of a hand like it's no big deal. You can't control other people, but you can be the kind of ___________ (fill in the blank) you would want to have, whether that is a boss, mom, wife, friend, employee, or neighbor. You can live your dream, with or without the support of others, but it's easier with it. So offer the support others need to help them live their dreams and be the kind of _________ you would want to have.

Red Sox

I am not sure what it is about the Red Sox. Listening to Jerry Remy or Joe Castiglione brings memories of my dad working out in his garage with the game on. Every game. No matter if they were in last place. Which they were at times. My dad died at the age of 56 in 1993 and never got to see the Red Sox win the World Series. So when they won in 2004 and again in 2007, I had a tough time not getting choked up. My dad cheered for them and always kept the faith. So it's good to be a fan of the Red Sox. It teaches you patience. And humility.

Clients

Working with a few big clients in the next couple weeks. Looks like NHWIB is moving to the next level.