The reprise of "No B Side"

I was looking at some of my old blogs today, and came across this one.  I wrote it in Feb. 2017.  Re-reading it, I see that not much has changed at all in the last 2 years. I think it bears repeating.

February 2017
 As an observer of all things going on around me, it appears that the media has lost the fact there there is a B side to all that is going on in the world right now. 

Let me clarify. "B Side" is a music industry term that originates from when record labels release 45s. One song on each side. and A side (Which was supposed to be the hit song) and a B side which featured another song on the album that was good but not being considered as an A side single.  So, you played the A side song and the B side may NEVER get heard. 

Funny thing, though, sometimes people want to know what's on the B side. And occasionally, a B side song is a hit.  Maybe a DJ at a radio station played it by mistake. It's happened many time in the course of music history. Google "B SIDE HITS" and you will be surprised at what songs charted that were never supposed to be hits.  
Now, in the world of CDs and MP3, and streaming services, the B side is not a factor anymore and we now hear the Chart Cut and it's all we ever hear. (Listen to XM radio and tell me what the repeat rotation is) I was a radio DJ for many years. My luck was that they never made me follow the national rotation, and I was allowed to play what I wanted.  So, I mixed it up a lot and played songs that you didn't hear a lot, but everyone remembered. The songs you don't hear anymore."

I have a point to all this. Really.  It has to do with the news media. 

We are in a time of great division. It is not the first time, and it will not be the last time.  I don't choose sides, I observe what I perceive to be only A Side information.  All the media seems to thrive on is the anger and the negative energy that is spewed forth by people who don't or won't accept the current world and political situation. 
You see riots, and angry mobs, celebs who think they have the voice and ear of the people. And it's only so because the news media shoves it into your face and surrounds you with this hate and anger. All for ratings.  Bear with me. If  you are watching the news and there is rioting in the streets, and cars being set on fire, and you switch to the other news channel and see some warm and fuzzy story about happy people doing good things, do you shake your head and go back to the riots and anger because it's "more interesting?"  It's like listening to the first 10 seconds of a B side single and deciding that the A side song is better because that's what the record company has chosen to give you. It's what the networks chose to broadcast because they know that you will watch. 

I want to see the B side to all this hate and discontent. Show me the good. There is good in everything. It's the Yin and the Yang. You can not have one without the other.  Problem is, we are only looking at the Yang. We need a little more Yin I think.

I used to counsel teens. At the beginning of a group session, which I KNEW was going to be all about bitching about their parents and their life, as teens are prone to, I would go around the room and tell them to give me a HAPPY before we started. It had to be thought out . Not "I'm happy to be here...or I'm happy the 49ers won the Superbowl. (It was a long time ago) It had to be a genuine, happy feeling. It was hard for them. They were so programmed to be negative that it was beyond them to think that they had anything at all going for them. But.. they managed in the end to come up with something thought provoking. 

We have a higher power of some sort watching over us. I believe that.  Sometimes we just need to turn off the constant A side and flip to the B side and see what is there. It might be a better song. 

Have a great day.

I Have had to take a step back

I know it's been a couple of weeks since I have posted.  With all that is going on right now, new President, people happy about it, people not happy about it, people acting like total asses as well as those making their voice heard, using their first amendment rights the right way, I thought I would just sit back and take it all in.  I have been loath to write, because I don't like to get involved in politics in my blog if I can help it.  That being said, let me express my concern with people who take an event like the inauguration of our President, (like him or not) and make it an excuse for senseless violence. We the people have the right to protest. It's a right given by our forefathers. It's a wonderful thing. BUT, if you are going to throw bricks through windows of a business whose only fault is that the building is in firing range, then you have no right to bitch when you are arrested and charged with rioting and vandalism. You should go to jail. Do not pass go! You are a punk.

There is talk of paid protestors, other countries promoting this kind of thing and celebs cheering it all on.  I never thought in my life that I would agree with Michael Moore, but his statement rings true. If you want change, run for office. Start with your school board or City Council. Run for Congress or Senate, because it's not the other guy's responsibility to make the changes that you are passionate enough about to throw bricks through someone's business and drive up the cost of their goods.  If you want change, get off your ass and make your voice heard through the right channels. Calmly and purposefully. Violence leads to fear...fear leads to hate, and hate leads to the dark side of the force.  Peaceful protest will make your thoughts known. All for that! They will bring to the forefront all you are passionate about.  Change starts with you. Raise YOUR head above the crowd. Don't think you can? What makes anyone in office different than you? Maybe THEY decided that they wanted to be the voice in the crowd that was heard.  Love Trump or hate him.  He made his voice heard. He told people what he was passionate about. God bless him for being that person.  

So, these are my thoughts watching the events of the last few days.  I don't choose sides, I am not worried about what MIGHT happen....Only what is today. 

Have a great day!

I Think (Part 3)

I THINK:

He who smiles in a crisis has found someone to blame.

Politicians and diapers should be both be changed regularly...all for the same reason

Light travels faster than sound.  That is why some people seem bright until they open their mouth

The shinbone's purpose is to find furniture in the dark

God mus LOVE stupid people, or he wouldn't have made so many

Some people say 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em'  I say ' If you can't beat 'em, beat 'em, cause they will be expecting you to join them and you have the element of surprise....'

War does not determine who is right, only who is left

We have enough gun control. What we need is idiot control

Laugh at your problems....everyone else does

I did not fight my way to the top of the food chain to eat tofu

How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but a whole box can't start a campfire.

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese

Have a great day

Wow, we can talk about something else now!

IT's election day! Haleluya! The news cycles will squeeze every drop out of this wet rag. It's all we have heard about every day, all day for 2 years! What will all the news anchors and experts talk about now?  I'll be back after this AD!

How about this?  I work for Kia. Proud to be a multiple Kia owner. This year Kia is coming out with the 2017 Kia Soul TURBO.  That's right. The Hamsters are about to be supercharged. I am sure you have seen the Soul everywhere. They are one of the most popular selling cars in the free world. They are fun to drive, get great milage and are very affordable. But, now, they are going to be a little fire breathing monster. 201 HP out of a 1.6 Litre. Here's the deal, not only TURBO, but also leather, navigation, push-button start, cooled seats, the whole nine yards. 

Remember that Kia also features the 10 year, 100,000 mile drive train warranty and the 5 year 60,000 bumper to bumper PLUS at no added cost, 5year, 60000 mile road side assistance.  Email me for info..cashatkia@centurylink.net

Now back to our show....

I am sure that the end of this election coverage is nowhere in sight. We will go from who will win, to who won and what the hell are we going to do now?  If HE wins, he's not a politician..If SHE wins, she is the ultimate politician....The future of the USA depends on one of these two.  Makes one feel like a long tailed cat in a room full of Rocking Chairs. I guess all one can do it cast your vote and hope for the best. Again, I am not going to tip my hand. I voted for who I thought would be best. But as vile as this election has become, no matter how I voted, the other side will go to lengthy and ugly remarks about why I am an ass****.... That's my whole point, we live in a Democratic Republic where everyone, even you is entitled to vote for who you think is best.....Even if you ARE wrong. 

Have a great day.

The circus is in town....

So. Let the circus begin.  You gotta love Vegas. I love it. I live here.  I have been lobbing in on the news and it's amazing. Every heavy hitter from every news organization in the world has descended on the famous Las Vegas Strip. (Glad I don't have to be anywhere NEAR the strip today) It's funny to watch the news casters going crazy.."VEGAS BABY!!!"  you didn't hear anyone going "LONG ISLAND BABY!!"   

The debate itself is at the Thomas and Mack arena at UNLV. The same place that holds the PBA bull riding championship and The PRCA National Rodeo Finals.  So, it's fitting to have the debate at this venue since there is a long tradition of Bulldung being thrown around there.

Actually, in true Vegas style, they should have staged it at the MGM grand area, and put them in a Boxing ring.  12 rounds. DING!

Congratulations to Las Vegas for hosting the most important debate of the year.  Not bad for a town that was nothing more than a dot on the map in the desert 100 years ago. A hideout for outlaws on the trail.  Wait a minute, how appropriate.

Let the circus begin.....