The Mechanic

So, I joined Netflix a few weeks ago, and so far have received and watched two movies.

Since I haven't been keeping up on my movies, and don't know what I'd like or what's worth seeing, I chose to make a few selections based on things I've already seen, as well as a suggestion from my beloved, Geoffrey. He knows how much I love cars, car scenes and chases - Bullitt being the all time best in my opinion (or may I say at the very least the best one I've seen so far!)

He recommended a movie called Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry. Great cars, and of course it had the ever popular (and handsome) Peter Fonda as the lead character. Since seeing this, I've added Easy Rider to my Netflix queue!

After returning Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry - my first choice was a Charles Bronson film.

The Mechanic. Bronson is the consummate professional. I promise if you haven't seen this movie, you'll love the first few minutes... It'll make you want to see the rest!

Next up on my list is Easy Rider, followed by An American Werewolf in London, A Clockwork Orange, Papillon (love me some Steve McQueen too!) and a few more recent ones like Little Miss Sunshine and Fight Club.

I've been told that the car scenes in The Italian Job are pretty good. Maybe I will add that to the list as well.

If you'd like to make a suggestion for my viewing pleasure, please leave a comment or email me!

Rock on with your bad self,

H

I Want My MTV

Looking at those old pictures of myself from the 80's has stirred up some sort of emotions...all of a sudden I'm reliving the glory days!

As Heidi and I sat around the office we were talking about how cool it used to be to come home after school, throw down the chemistry book, and turn on MTV.

I still remember the first video I ever saw on MTV...I Ran by Flock of Seagulls.




And who could forget those great MTV promo's?





I instantly fell in love with Nina Blackwood, MTV's rocker VJ...and what guy worth his parachute pants didn't think Martha Quinn was just about the cutest girl in the world? Alan Hunter rocked a mullet almost as good as mine, JJ Jackson was just cool, and all the girls I knew gushed over Mark Goodman.

MTV used to really be Music Television...and even though times have changed we're lucky to have this website: http://www.mtvmusic.com/.

Go ahead...put on your leg warmers or Def Leppard concert shirt with the sleeves cut off, turn up your computer and rock out. Just don't let your kids see you!

It's that time of year...

So looking at Bill's pictures and how young he was - reminded me that Senior pictures are due before Friday of this week.

So, we sat down tonight and looked at the pictures - they're really nice. We did them right here in the yard and I must say we did a darn fine job! Once they're downloaded to the computer I will show you my photographic skills...

Anyway, a few months ago Caitlin (my daughter) went up north to see her great uncle and have him do her pictures. He's great at it. In fact, he is so good the store wouldn't let us print the photos from the CD he made! They told her that the pictures were professionally done and they wouldn't release them unless she had the memory stick from the camera. Well...that isn't happening, so we had to take a few more.

I still have this one from the photos that her uncle took, I had it printed out and everything, but she won't let me turn it in to the yearbook staff.

I don't know why. It's a great picture.

LMAO... I did say she went to Northern Maine, didn't I?

Rock on with your bad self...

H

1980's Flashback

After being on the air from Wednesday morning to Friday morning...over 50 hours without sleep...I did my best to get caught up over the weekend.

I did find a little time to listen to Frank's Back to the 80's Weekend while relaxing around the house...and ran across some old pictures of myself while putting away some stuff in the basement.
Here's one of me on the air at age 18..circa 1984. I did have a nice smile!

















Here's another...from my very first morning show in 1987 at the studios of Magic 99.3in Parkersburg, WV. I still have the smile...and a really great mullet!


By the way, the guy in the picture with me is Hall of Famer, and notorious spit-baller, Gaylord Perry.

Of course everyone here at Frank has had a good laugh at my expense...and that's cool. I laughed too...not as hard as they did...but I still laughed.

I dare you to pull out some old pic's and do a "Then and Now"...and send them to me...I could use another laugh or two.

51 Friggin hours.... Holy cow!

WOW.

So, I was on Craigslist this weekend and found a thread about Bill and I, and I saw there was a little difficulty in people believing that we could stay awake for 51 hours straight without the help of drugs or illegal substance.

Just so there is no confusion - WE DID in fact stay awake and on-air around the clock broadcasting for 51 hours. We used no illegal substances - regardless of what the ignorant people on Craigslist think. Perhaps in the 70's and 80's radio was an industry where drugs ran rampant - but no more. Not at FRANK FM, and certainly not for me or Bill!

We actually get up at 2:30 in the morning, to be at work by 4AM. A normal work day for us is 4AM to about 12:00PM. Unless it’s Thursdays, that’s the day we go to the ARL to meet our Pet of the Week and we leave at 10:30.

At times it did feel impossible, and without the support of all the employees at Nassau Broadcasting, it wouldn’t have been the success that it was. We had people with us around the clock, bringing us food, drinks and yes, coffee. We had energy chews, and some Emergen-C mix that we put in water (not so nice tasting I might add) as well.

Our studio is on Congress Street, and the window shades were open 24-7.
A lot of people stopped and waved, some actually came inside and said hello and many people called in the middle of the night, just to see if we would really answer. We did, and some of them were shocked to actually find us there!

And just like those folks calling in the middle of the night, there will always be someone who doubts. But we did it. We wanted to go longer, but we couldn’t. The exhaustion came in waves, one minute you’re tired, and then a little while later you’re feeling like a champ and can go for several hours. At one point, I wanted to throw up, but I didn’t. I did however manage to walk into something and get a nice bruise on the side of my face.

We didn’t set any records (I think the record we were told about was 126 hours) but we accomplished our goal. We got more than $6100.00 raised by the time we left Friday – but it didn’t end there. Friday night I was told that the employee contributions from our co-workers were still coming in and that people were still calling throughout the morning to offer their help. We even had a gentleman call and donate 3 cords of firewood cut and split in 16”lengths – he was even going to deliver it!

For anyone of you who reading this right now, who were able to call and donate…THANK YOU!
For all of you who called and offered support to us during the workday, THANK YOU! For all of you who called in the middle of the night to offer support, THANK YOU!

I wouldn't hesitate to do it all again. It was a great experience. Tiring, but great.

Rock on with your bad selves, things are back to normal...
(Well, as normal as things can get for Bill and I)

H

A trip down memory lane...

OK, so this is so bad that it's oddly good. At least it was for me.
The sad thing is that back in the day - this was the BOMB!

Kids were scared! I was! But there is a message hidden deep in this episode. And that message is...



JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS...

"The Stranger"

Does this bring back memories for you like it did me?

I watched some other really bad ones too...and I have concluded that Sid & Marty were two pretty twisted up dudes! I mean really...they deny rumors of drugs being involved with their show making, but COME ON!!!! Who in their right (or left) mind can come up with this stuff?

I'll leave you to ponder, I am off to enjoy the sunshine.

I also have a strange craving for frogs legs all of a sudden...wonder whats up with that?

Rock on with your bad self,

H

Mac attack! Well, almost...

So after months of nagging by my Frank colleagues, I’m finally throwing my grungy ol’ Red Sox hat into the blogging ring. And what better to get the ol’ blog ball rolling than a blog about an AMAZING concert experience!

If you’re the type that likes a great rock n’ roll show, you have your mental list of the greatest concerts you’ve ever attended. I’m going to have to make some room on my list for the Lindsey Buckingham show I checked out this past Sunday night at the Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, NH. (Sorry Foreigner, gonna have to bump your show last summer at Saddleback, Maine off my list, as fun as it was.)

I lived in Lebanon for nearly six years before coming to Portland, so I knew what a great venue the Opera House was, having seen Richie Havens and Roger McGuinn there in the past. I had never seen an electric show in this intimate hall, and knowing what a great musician Buckingham is, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

Knowing Buckingham’s sometimes tenuous relationship with his band Fleetwood Mac, I wasn’t sure what to expect setlist-wise. We were treated to a generous amount of Mac favorites along with his solo hits and a few from his new album “Gift of Screws.” He actually started the show off with two from his new one, then a couple of solo favorites like “Trouble” and “Go Insane,” and as soon as the eerie tape effect that introduced “Tusk” emanated from the giant stack of amps, the crowd went absolutely NUTS.

Buckingham’s voice has held up well over the years, and his singing is much more intense live than on the studio recordings we’re so accustomed to hearing. That intensity redefined songs like “Tusk” and “Big Love,” the latter of which he did during a brief solo acoustic set. Most of the show was electric though, with a crack three piece backing group giving Buckingham’s tunes some muscle.

He acknowledged the crowd many a time, and called the colorful Granite State surroundings “transcendent.” (Imagine what he might have thought of the area had he visited on a sleety January day…) He even took the time to autograph a fan’s original “Buckingham Nicks” album while his guitar tech tuned up one of the many axes he employed that night.

My girlfriend and I had decent seats, but a few songs into the show, a small mob of fans headed to the front of the stage, just inches from Buckingham and his band. He didn’t seem to mind and neither did security, so we decided to mosey on up front ourselves. Perhaps the highlight of the show was watching Buckingham solo his heart out on Mac standards “I’m So Afraid” and “Go Your Own Way,” knowing full well that we were probably much closer to Buckingham than his own engineer was when he originally recorded the songs in the studio! Bottom line—the guy can play, and it was an amazing experience to see it up close.

You still have one more opportunity to see Buckingham’s solo show before he heads out of New England; he’ll be at Boston’s Berklee Performance Center this Friday night. If you can swing it, go to this show. I can’t promise you’ll get to be inches away from the stage, but I will promise you that you’re in for a couple of hours of great live music that you won’t soon forget.

Anyhow, great to be back in Maine after a brief weekend away, I’ll try and drop in on the Frank blog more often!

"Professor" Leif Erickson

OJ's new digs!

So, last week we found out that the jury found OJ guilty on all counts and if we're lucky he'll get the max time of 30+ years! Which could be for him, a life sentence. Honestly, the dude's in his 60's...he isn't getting out any time soon.

Of course we all know that the court can't charge him for something he's already been cleared of, but come on, we ALL know he did it. We're not stupid. Consider the juice freshly squeezed!

Anyway, check out his new place! Actually, it's quite nice...

Neutral tones - which keep tempers from flaring, and are also easy to coordinate and accessorize with. Is that a Wedgwood blue paint on the window? I have always loved that color. It really makes the natural light from the window seem soothing doesn't it?

He has a great writing desk/night stand/occasional table, which looks like pretty high quality wood inlay with a painted surround. I am glad the trim was painted the same neutral color as the wall, if they'd gone with the Wedgwood blue on the desk, it would have made the room really unbalanced.

He has a daybed, which also doubles as a settee for those times when he chooses to entertain. I am also happy to see that the cushion has a built in pillow as well as an UN-removable cover. Those bedbugs are running rampant again, good to know that the decorator took that into consideration when designing this elegant space.

Would you take a look at the brushed stainless fixtures? WOW! I don't have brushed stainless anything at my place! This is really upscale, and quite fitting for the star currently occupying it.

I don't suppose he would agree though. He's probably complaining that it's too small, he is cold or cramped, or he can't stretch out in bed or something unnecessary like that.

One thing I don't see though, is the display case for his sports memorabilia... Wonder where that is going to end up?

Rock on with your bad self,

H

Greed is good....

The 1980's spawned some good movies...who can forget Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, or Pretty In Pink? All solid choices for a rainy Saturday.

But there's one movie in particular that I think sums up the '80 perfectly. In the age of "I want my MTV", excess, and self-absorbent behavior...no movie was better at exemplifying the era better than Wall Street.



Michael Douglas is the high-powered, successful, and ruthless power broker Gordon Gekko. Charlie Sheen is Bud Fox...the young, ambitious trader willing to do just about anything to get to the top. The two become tangled in a mess of loyalty, deceit, and insider trading...a lot like the current financial mess our nation finds itself in today!



So it's apropos that 20th Century Fox announced they're moving forward with a Wall Street sequel...and word is that Michael Douglas could be back, playing Gordon Gekko!

In the modern-day story, Gekko has recently been sprung from prison and gets involved a much more tumultuous financial world than during his heyday.

Unfortunately, Charlie Sheen will not appear in the sequel.

Jackie Chan vs. Steven Seagal

Ok... So this morning Bill and I got into a bit of a tiff regarding Steven Seagal and Jackie Chan. He actually took cover when we starting slinging our comments! I thought he was under his desk calling for help on his cell phone...

Yeah, I read Bill's blog and can't believe he is calling Jackie Chan a cartoon character! This guy is really something...it's sad that Bill can't recognize a washed up has been like Steven Seagal. I mean honestlly... Didn't he retreat from being relevant back in the 90's? Now, don't get me wrong — there was a time not so long ago when I might have been fired up to see a new Seagal flick. Ok, maybe not.

I have to admit that Steven Seagal is a guy that was the epitome of ass-kicking cool a little over a decade ago, able to deliver menacing lines in a throaty whisper and make it sound badass. He could dispatch entire batallions of bad guys without breaking a sweat and who can forget his 'cold stare', or his ability to employ unusual weapons with startling effectiveness (a pool ball in a tube sock!). Cold stares and tube socks can only get you so far.

And don't even get me started on his movie titles or character names... What a joke!

Now, lets talk about a real martial artist! Jackie Chan started his film career in 1972 as a stunt man in Bruce Lee's film Fist of Fury, and returned in Bruce's 1973 Enter The Dragon. You don't work with Bruce Lee if you're not amazing, right? Right...

In the 80's - Jackie had a part in Cannonball Run, (did you know that Bill?) and the way the credits were shown at the end of the film with the outtakes and bloopers, gave Jackie the idea to do the same on his future films. Jackie can laugh at himself, and wants us to also...

Jackie is an Ambassador for UNICEF/UNAIDS and spends all his spare time working for children, the elderly, and those in need. He even makes wishes come true!

Meahwhile, Steven Seagal is too busy putting on too much make up and figuring out ways to use trick photography to make him look not old and not fat. If there's any doubt who could win in a fight between these two, check these clips out and then come back and talk to me about a 'cartoon character'.

Jackie Chan is the Man. Jackie Chan even has a video game about him. Does Steven Seagal?

Yeah, I didn't think so.

Steven Seagal is at home right now wishing he was Jackie Chan.

Rock on with your bad self,

H

Steven Seagal vs. Jackie Chan

This is the sort of hard-hitting commentary we engage in off the air at 107-5 Frank-FM.

Heidi made a comment about a Jackie Chan movie...just one of the five movies she's seen since 1998. After I told her that I've never seen a complete Jackie Chan movie I was forced to take shelter under my desk because I was certain her entire body was about to explode!

Barely able to contain herself she spent the next 10 minutes regaling me with the highlights of his career...actor, writer, musician...it would appear that Mr. Chan is quite the renaissance man!

After listening to her tirade...and still not convinced that my time would be used wisely watching a Jackie Chan flick...I told Heidi that I much prefer the butt-kicking style of Steven Seagal.


Once she was done laughing and calling Mr. Seagal a bevy of unprintable words, I reminded her that Jackie Chan is a cartoon character, while Steven Seagal is indeed the baddest of the bad-asses...and to prove my point...I whipped out these awesome movie clips...and just in case you too think Jackie Chan could take Steven Seagal in a fight...just watch these:













Had enough? Good...case closed!

Are you people crazy?

Alright, you know how I feel about piercings, and people who turn themselves into absolute freaks. I don't much care for it. Tattoos are fine, great actually, but for me I don't really want to be turned into a pin cushion, nor do I want to be stuck by one.

Just my opinion - you're welcome to share your opinion with me, should you choose.

When I saw this, I knew it would be my topic of today. I actually saw the picture months ago and forgot about it. When I saw it again today, I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by once again.

This is apparently the new fad...although I don't know where. Europe maybe? They're cutting edge, they're always ahead of us in the fashion department aren't they? I haven't seen any of these around here in lil Ol' Portland Maine. Now, that's not to say that they're not here - I've seen some pretty 'cutting edge' folks on Congress Street. Remember that big picture window I get to sit behind everyday? ;) Lots of people walk by that window...

Anyway, on to the fad. It's called - yes, you guessed it... Eye Jewelry.

I call it N-A-S-T-Y! WTF is someone seriously going to do with this thing? Where could you wear it? Honestly, wouldn't you feel like you had something crawling on the side of your face? I would be swatting at it. What about when you look to the side? Does it catch on the lower lashes and make your eye twitch? Not only would you look like a freak with one of these, you would look like a freak with a twitch. Nice.

I just can't imagine how this is practical or suitable to any situation! Is it supposed to be attractive? Cause, uh...it isn't. No, really, it's not.

There's even a video for crying out loud!

And if that isn't bad enough, these folks took the eye jewelry even further.

Gross.

Oh yeah, and there's a video for this too...



The procedure costs $3,900 per eye...

Gee, it kind of makes me sad that I only have two eyes...NOT! This kind of stuff makes me sick.
Literally the second video did. I couldn't finish watching it.

I can't stand looking at it anymore while I am typing this.

Rock on with your bad self, and keep this crap outta your eyes!

H

I Wanna Be a Cowboy

People sometimes ask me if I wasn't on the radio what I'd do. I usually reply, "Sleep in."
Then they give me a disgusted look and follow up with, " I mean for a job."

My answer is...I'd love to be an actor. I grew up watching Clint Eastwood and John Wayne play great characters like Josey Wales and Rooster Cogburn.

So I've always dreamed of making a western...maybe like Young Guns...



or Tombstone...



Of course westerns aren't as sexy as movies about talking dogs...but I don't care. I'd still love to play an outlaw gunslinger or a Marshall destined to meet his fears in a showdown with a bad guy.

They don't make many westerns these days...however, this past weekend one called Appaloosa opened with very little fanfare...but man it looks GREAT!



It's showing on just one screen locally...at the Cinemagic Grand at Clarks Pond in South Portland.

The next step...Oh boy!

Alright, it has been 20 weeks and 5 days since I decided to be a healthier me, and make some life changes. I put down my cigarettes on May 10th and haven't picked them up since. YAY! I couldn't be happier and I feel so much better! I smell great all the time too! ;)Everyone I see smoking, I mentally say to them "Put that down it's gonna kill ya!".

You can confirm with Bill, that sometimes when I see people walking or standing out on Congress Street smoking I shout at them (even though they can't hear me) that they should quit. Don't get me wrong, I think my mind will always be one of a smoker - there are days when I would be willing chew my own arm off, thinking I want one. Just catching a whiff sometimes makes me say to myself "Ahhhhh.." But, I am not fearful of starting back up again. No way! Quitting was hard and it totally sucked. No way am I going through THAT again! I think I've passed all the 'tests of my resolve' to be committed to quitting.

Now that I am confident and pleased with my success, I am ready to make another change. The next obstacle I shall take on (and overcome of course) is my weight. Bill has lost a good amount of weight and I watched him go through his struggles, and sore moments from working hard at the gym. He asked me to join him on many times, telling me all the reasons I should. I know he is right, but just like the smoking - I couldn't commit to it until I was ready. I wasn't sure if I could give two things up at once, if you ask me, that is just setting myself up for failure.

But, I am blessed to be in a relationship with someone who inspires me every day to be a better person. The support I receive from him is not only appreciated, it is incredible. He is incredible. I signed up for Weight Watchers, and he is going to follow the program with me! I need to follow a structured program like this to keep me on track, because just like everyone else on the planet, there are some days when I say "Willpower? What's that?"

It's been two days, and we're struggling already. Not because we cheat - but because it is new for us to count points, weigh and measure food and actually THINK about what we're eating. I am also not used to drinking all this water! I feel like I am constantly in the bathroom... I am going to my first 'meeting' tomorrow. I got weighed in when I signed up, and WOW. I wasn't impressed with myself. I have also decided to take the plunge and join the gym. I hate exercise. It sucks. But, if I want to be the best me possible, I know it is something I have to do. Besides, who wants to lose weight without exercise? Who wants that flab just jiggling around all the time?

Wiggle room is what I want!



I will keep you updated as to my progress, and if you have any helpful info or an inspirational story you want to share, please feel free to leave a comment! You can also email me franksplace@1075frank.com

Rock on with your bad self!

H

What's up with MLB?

It's October...and for baseball fans that means one thing...PLAYOFFS!

So let me pose this question...why does MLB insist upon putting games on TV so late at night? Our beloved Boston Red Sox don't take the field until 10 p.m. EST! If you live in California where the Angels play...that's GREAT...there's plenty of time to get home from work, have dinner, grab a frosty brew of choice and kick back for the game.

Hey MLB...how about a little love for us friggin' east coasters? By 10 p.m. I'll be sawing logs...and even if I can make it to 10 o'clock I'll be bobbin' for chest hair midway through the 1st inning.

Is putting the game on at 8:30 p.m. EST too much to ask? That still gives Angels fans time to get home and see the majority of the game. And even if they miss a couple of innings...who cares...most people don't watch the entire game anyway. Even if we stay up to watch the first couple of innings it's still a late night...and most everyone I know WORKS for a living and gets up at the butt-crack of dawn!

Plus think how much money MLB is losing out on in advertising dollars from east coast viewers. Here's a tip Bud Selig...if we're asleep we don't see the commercials...and then we don't buy what they're selling on TV.

All I can say at this point is thank God for ESPN Sportscenter and the Internet so I can see what happened.



OK, that's it...I'm off to catch a nap so I can at least see the first inning.

Talk to you in the morning!