JohnBollwitt.com

I think I’m discovering part of the reason that I fell in love with radio. The storms in the last few days have been spectacular. Jim called me this morning checking on some passwords that he had forgot to some of the computer equipment. Seems that power was lost on that end of town. He woke me up around ten this morning, but the day started for him around six. Ouch. Anyhow, that gives you an idea of what’s been going on.

When the skies get dark, people turn to the radio. Yesterday, the skies exploded. Alerts were pouring in from the NWS. Tornadoes. Thunderstorms. Flooding. It was all coming down the EAS pipe. As soon as Jim and I heard it come over, we’d head into the control room where Dennis was in a mess of notes from everything, trying to alert the public in danger. It was a rush. Some one out there was depending on the information coming out of our station. It’s an interesting feeling.

Thunder is booming once again as I sit here. I can’t help but think about the time that my mom and I were huddled in the basement as my heart beat with pure fear, tornado siren blaring outside. It was just a downdraft, but the winds were batting the house like a ping pong ball. We held onto each other under a blanket, not sure what was going to happen. The sky went green that day, which is never good. The power was out as soon as it started and didn’t return for at least a day. No one was hurt, and the only damage were to the trees. Not just by straight snapping of branches and trunks, but by a twisting motion like a bottle cap.

When I hear that tone, the one that alerts you of impending doom on the horizon, there’s a chill quickly followed by a rush of adrenaline. I know what it’s like to be that person stuck in the basement with nothing else to depend on but a radio.

As often happens in the world of my family, or that which I have come from, I find myself immersed in the world of “information and technology”. In geek, nerd, or corporate speak, that’s IT to you. In all seriousness, I can’t remember a day without technology being apart of my life. Computers, televisions, CD’s, VHS, and so on. When Star Wars finally made it to broadcast over our local CBS affiliate, I drove that beta tape into the ground because I watched it so many times. All this tinkering with gadgets, or electronics, just kind of comes second nature.

Mark today as another first. My first IT seminar. Microsoft Security Training. Imagine, if you will, a bunch of people crowded into an auditorium being lectured to about network and domain security. Group policies. On and on. To me, it is of interest because the more I can do at the station to keep all the office machines safe from hackers, the less late nights I’ll have. As far as the entertainment factor goes, it’s just not my bag. However, you look around this room and there are people who live for this. Pale skinned individuals with poor to no grooming or fashion skills, drinking their highly carbonated, sugary, caffeinated beverage of choice while munching on something sweet. They giggle with eagerness when they prove the speaker faulty on some subject he just covered. It’s like elementary school when the same people laugh at your for raising your hand, admitting to some security policy you operate on your local network that is so three months ago.

I’m not a PC person, but I can handle working with both platforms. By that, I mean Apple and Microsoft. I enjoy the work I do and like to think that I’m pretty good at it. I’m far from perfect, that’s for sure. I’m learning everyday, and in this business, that’s exactly what you need to keep doing, day in and day out. I fear some of these people, with their pony tails, belt clip cell phones, polo shirts, khaki pants, hush puppies, and portable technology of choice. I admit, what I do as a broadcast engineer is nerdy, but if I had their jobs, yet alone lives, I think I’d go postal.

Had a very long day. Jim and I made quite the tour of the northeast portion of the state. We had a translator to fix, and the mission was accomplished but not without headache. Interesting time. Good road trip. Swung through the FM site to check on things while on the way back into town. I have to say that it was a good idea, regardless of the puddles of water that awaited us when we walked in. We don’t know how, but two computers and a good collection of paper work is ruined. Some of it we hope to dry out. We’ll see. The roof is in the midst of being replaced. There could be some sort of connection there. Time will tell. I’m sure Ed will have an explanation in the next few days.

Right now, I’m listening to Billie Holiday and loving it. It might have something to do with the fact that I’m tired from today’s adventure. On top of that, today started out a little warm and muggy. Now it’s foggy and cool. It’s just the perfect thing to be listening to right now. It’s amazing how much my musical tastes range, but mood dictates my playlists more than anything. Ms. Holiday is making me feel quite all right.

Rainy, dreary days are that which I am not fond of. Thunderstorms? Now we’re talking. They used to scare the crap out of me as a kid. They still do, but the fascination factor plays into things quite a bit. Watching the thunderheads off on the horizon. The thrill of the wall cloud passing over head and wind nearly knocking you over. Lightning so close that as soon as you see it, thunder announces that you are fortunate to not be fried like an egg. I love that. The boom is maddening enough to make you heartbeat quicken. If it can make me jump, all the more better. Call it the thrill seeker in me. It’s unpredictable. It could kill you. It’s fun.

Mike is on route once again. Before the sun was up, he was in the air with his crew. They say this one will be for two months. There is comfort in that. The destination is better than his last, but far from being the safest place on earth. I talked to him yesterday on the phone. Of course he’s not happy to go, but it’s all apart of the job. The guy has been to more parts of the world that I can even hope to see. At the same time, I don’t think I’d like to see them the way that he has. Regardless, I’m here to support him. I don’t like war of any kind, but this forum was never intended for any discussion of my political thoughts. He’s my brother, and I’m behind him and his squadron one hundred percent. Whatever brings them all home soon and safe.

A storm is brewing. Smells like rain. Time to end this in case the power goes out.

What is it about hair stylists? There is this unwritten rule, at least to me, that while getting your hair cut, or done, if you prefer, conversation must take place between yourself and the person working the mop on top of your head. Naturally, silence would be uncomfortable, so in its essence, this all makes complete sense. However, it is the nature of the conversation that always gets me. It doesn’t annoy me, but I seriously have to choke back laughter.

You sit down in the chair, they drape the anti-hair-falling-down-your-collar device, or devices, depending on the type of place you go to, ask you about how you want your hair, and off you go. Depending on the person cutting my hair, they grab their scissors or clippers, stare at the state of my head in the mirror, and begin. Every time, without failure, there is the key moment.

“So…”

Do I live in town? What do I do? What did I study? What do you do for fun? Wow, do you talk on the air at all? Where do you work? So that’s, like, technical and stuff, right? Where are you from originally? What type of music do you listen to? Oh, do you know so and so?

Do they teach this to them in cosmetology school? A specific class on how to initiate painful conversation. I bet I could be a professor and teach such a thing. Seriously, ask me about my job some time and I’ll have fun watching your eyes glaze over.

Look, I think it’s time we talk…

A few months ago, I made a decision that affects your involvement in my life. It has reached a point where a lot of things are changing for the both of us. Together, we have grown a lot. For nearly four years, we have seen two continents and many states. Every time, you were there for me. Hours on end, you’d keep me comfy and cozy.

There are so many great memories. Riding the Ginza Line and drinking beer on the train. Driving back home, alone, from Kansas City for the first time, trying to forget about the night before where I fell asleep in the bathroom after a night on The Plaza with Angie. All those times you kept me company walking back and forth to the station when I was putting the air studio back together. I had no clue as to what I had gotten myself into, but when I left for the day, your sound was always there to help take that stress away. Countless, countless times of listening to you in the car. How can I forget any of that?

Now listen to me… I want you to know that it’s not you, it’s me. Times have changed. I can’t be bogged down with carrying your things around all the time. It’s just too much baggage. I can’t handle that anymore. And you skip. Ok, so it’s not just me, but I still do love you. Like I said, we’ve had great times together. It’s just time for me to move on. And yeah, I have sort of found some one new. You just have to understand, our time has come to an end.

Sure, I’ll come back and visit from time to time. Eventually, those times will become less and less. We’ll turn into a memory. Every time I think about you, I’ll smile. And yes, I will miss you, but that pain is bound to heal over time. You’ll be fine. And I’ll do my best to help you find a new home.

I’m sorry, but you’re just not like my iPod. I just can’t keep carrying around all these minidiscs for the rest of my life. I’m so sorry, but one day, you’ll understand.

Reworking your resume is a hard thing to do. Before this who radio thing actually started to kick in, I was taught to push all the experience that I possibly had to just make myself look like some one you should hire. Now it’s a matter of refinement and references. Picking out people who you want to give you a good name is not the easiest thing. The part where you actually ask the person is intimidating. You’ve chosen them to say, “Yes, you should hire this guy because, quite frankly, he’s the guy.” In the end, this is just a roll of the dice. That degree is still in the cards.

I look at Jeff who is now pursuing his dream and I consider him lucky. His job is to do radio play-by-play for high school sports. Baseball, softball, basketball, and, hopefully this fall, football. We had a hell of a good time working together, doing the whole college radio thing. Sure, he’s not making loads of money, but he loves sports. Trust me, I know this from the conversations that found us both at some level of intoxication.

If I don’t take this chance, I might miss my opportunity. I can take everyone’s advice and do things the usual way. On the other hand, I can push to determine my own destiny. I have no inclination as to which one is wrong or right in terms of what I should do. However, I’m writing my own book. It’s safe to say that I have been doing that from day one. Since when have I ever really cared about what others thought? I’ve made my mistakes and learned from them, but this is something much bigger. Where I’m at is just a step in that general direction.

In the meantime, go here and play. Made me laugh.

A weekend that was everything I could hope for and more. Nothing spectacular. Just good. Troubled Hubble show was great as always. For some reason, every time I see them, there is something that makes the show different than the last one. Perhaps it’s the set list, atmosphere, or the alcohol, but it’s always a treat. The night was also a CD release party for the new solo album by Kathryn Musilek, bass player for Burn Disco Burn. Really great set. She is such a talented individual. Ah yes, the music is alive and well in this town.

That show was interesting in its social regards. Of course, Muffin and Bill made it out. To my surprise, so did Ryan. Suddenly there was a small lounge gathering from freshman year of college. Some things change, other just don’t. I haven’t laughed so hard in ages. Deidre even brought Vanessa out to break her into the goodness. And then I saw crap loads of other folks from times passed. I turned out to be quite the social butterfly. It was good to see them all.

Of course, hanging out with Muffin over the weekend was a blast as usual. He says he might be back a few more times before he leaves for Kansas. I say, that’s cool.

Oh… New pictures in the gallery from the fun had this weekend.

Holy crap summer is here. You can tell this because it’s cold in the station and sweltering outside. You walk into the place sweating. Ten minutes later, you’re freezing. I feel bad for leaving the apartment with a t-shirt, pants, and flip-flips on, walking past all the folks with the shorts, but I have to plan accordingly. It sucks, but life could be worse. At least I don’t have to dress up for work. Nothing wrong with it, but it seems that anytime I decide to wear something nice, those are the days that see me getting my hands dirty out at one of the transmitter sites or something. Weird thing today… Standing in the tech room, there are three phones on their own lines for myself, Steve, and Jim. All at once, they started ringing. Freaked me out as I was standing in equal distance of them all. Stupid telemarketers.

I bought a new blender. It’s a mighty fine blender. Kind of loud for these apartment walls, but oh well. Nothing will stand in the way of me and my smoothie. It even has a travel cup that you can blend in, as well as a forty-eight ounce pitcher. Great for the margaritas, which was already pointed out by my mother. If some one were to come over, say a good friend, I would blend something for them with my new blender. It’s a good blender. It might not be the best, but it’s my blender. You could be my friend, and I would blend something for you.

“Things that make John happy” number one has arrived. My very own MIDI keyboard. Let the fun begin. Two more to go.

This weekend is gearing up to be a good one, and it’s only Wednesday. How sweet is that? Another double remote on Friday, but that night will see Troubled Hubble at Gabe’s. On top of that, Muffin decided that he needs to make a visit. He’ll be in town that night as well. Rumor has it, Bill will make an appearance, being all lawyer-like. Deidre has made mention of the event, so it should be pretty good. I just hope I can keep my strength after a long day.

Interesting story about my niece, Josie. Appears that the computer they have at home had a hard drive failure. When they cracked open the case to replace it, no CD drive. My dad recalled how at one point in the past, they found that Josie had shoved two CD’s into the slot plus some change and a “large key”. This all happened some time ago, but I had not heard of this story. Rolled when I read the email this morning. Too funny.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! My mexican blood tells me that I must have at least one, if not two, margaritas before this day is over.