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All posts for the month December, 2016

Our 50th Anniversary Season

Posted by Bud Weiser, WTIT on December 31, 2016
Posted in: sunday stealing. 13 Comments

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Sunday Stealing: Bud’s Last Stand 2016

Cheers to all of us thieves!

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Bill & Bud

1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before? I met Captain Kirk and, separately, I went to a “Dark Shadows” convention. Oh, I went to the Mike & the Mad Dog reunion where I met Suzyn Waldman. And the Cubbies…

2. Best thing that happened to you was…the survival and growth of my marriage to Kathy. I never thought I’d say this: It was a good separation. We both grew a lot. And there were some good things that happened while we were apart.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My daughter Jules had a daughter. I’d love to tell you

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With Suszyn, the New York Yankees broadcaster.

more, but as I have mentioned, we are estranged. (Fortunately, I have three more children that I could not be closer to…) In the meantime, both of my sons are expecting kids in 2017.

4. Did anyone close to you die? No. We did have some scares with my mom but at 93 it is to be expected.

5. What countries did you visit? This one. I did finally go visit my son in San Diego for the first time. Let’s face it. California is like a separate country.

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016? A good year health wise. I am out of work on disability and while I hope to keep improving, I’d like a year with nothing new to deal with.

docs-transporter-image7. What dates from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Meeting Bill Shatner, taking Kathy to Trekondernoga during the summer and taping this beam out!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I thought I had my best year at work. It would be ironic if it turns out to be my last.

9. What was your biggest failure? Turning 65. I swore I’d never get this old.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nah.

11. What was the best thing you bought? A 65” plasma 4K UHD TV.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? President Obama. While I found his promises not untitledkept frustrating, I believe he is a smart and honorable man who will be missed.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Trump. Totally. Grossed. Me. Out.

14. Where did most of your money go? Just paying the bills.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Starting to plan WTIT’s 50th Birthday Party. One of the guys from the past commented on the WTIT Facebook page said that we should do it in Vegas. I think he was missing the point. If he wants us to hit Vegas, well that would be great. But not moving the show there. But it should be an awesome time.

imagesnvii1asc16. What song will always remind you of 2016? The theme to Game of Thrones. I now it’s been out for six years, but we just discovered it and binge-watched all six seasons. Twice.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Happier, fatter (a recent development since not working) and poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?   Wrote more comedy. I have been editing a lot of WTIT comedy bits that never made it to our master reels. I love not only editing but remastering by improving sound effects and such. But I have not written enough. This post is a prime example…

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Complaining. Life isn’t fair. I gotta get over it.

20. How will you spend New Year’s Eve? At home with the Mrs.

21. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. “When I was younger so much younger than today, I never needed anybody’s help in any way. But now these days are gone and I’m not so self-assured. Now I find I’ve changed my mind, I’ve opened up the doors…”

22. What was your favorite new TV program? West World. Incredible series.

23. What was the rudest thing someone did to you in 2016? Today I got blasted over the questions that I used today. Well at first. She apparently liked another one that we’ve used in the past. While she was right that these were better questions (Yes, I changed it…) the arrogance threw me. I did leave her a whooper of a comment back. I suggested she find some other way to spend her Sundays. She has since apologized and all is well.

24. What was the best book you read? I’m reading a John Lennon bio currently.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? “Renegades” by the X Ambassadors is a great tune.

26. What did you want and get? After the TV my wife bought me a JBL sound bar. It’s like having a theater in my den.

27. What did you want and not get? A huge inheritance. Not that one’s coming, but shit wouldn’t that be great.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? I’ll go with Star Trek Beyond. Trek’s 50th year was something, particularly get that pic with Shat.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I didn’t do anything since a week before I was operated on due to my broken neck.

30. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying? That would be my wife moving back.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016? Yea, right.

32. What kept you sane? Smirnoff.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I love Katie Nolan.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Trump. I am in denial.

35. Who did you miss? My dad. It’s been two years now.

36. Who was the best new person you met? Susyn Waldman. She was very friendly.

Happy New Year! See you in 2017. Same time. Same blog.

Bye-Bye Land of the Free

Posted by Bud Weiser, WTIT on December 16, 2016
Posted in: Saturday 9. 16 Comments
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Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: O Holy Night (1967)

Unfamiliar with this week’s tune? Hear it here.

index1) This beloved carol takes its lyrics from a French poem. What else can we thank the French for? Fries. Yes, I know they didn’t invent them, Belgium did. But hey, should I have said “surrendering”?

2) How well do you know  “O, Holy Night?” Without looking up the lyrics, could you sing along with Ella? Not with a gun pointed at me. I hate the fucking song. But then again, I place no value with the religious aspects of the holiday. I knew that at fourteen. So I prefer the non-secular songs. But it’s a personal thing. I respect everyone’s right to figure out spirituality in their own way.

3) In order to get this record into stores in time for Christmas 1967, Ella had to record this in late

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Bye–Bye America

July. So let’s reverse that. Now that it’s Christmastime, what do you miss most about summer? Donald Trump hadn’t yet been elected by the Russian government. I cannot rule out that he was aware of their aid. It’s a terrible situation. If the Electoral College does not call for the House of Representatives to pick our president then they are not aware of why the Electoral College exists.

4) Sam is crazy about the open toed pumps she’ll be wearing to holiday parties, but that means she needs to get a pedi. Will you be at a salon between now and year-end? Nope. Haircuts have gone the way of my shaving. I am driving my wife nuts.

5) Will you be consuming any egg nog this holiday season? And if you do, will it be spiked? If I did, it would be.

 6) Thinking of holiday cuisine, what’s your favorite Christmas cookie? Whatever I’m offered.

7) Sam knows she will get a bottle of red wine from her boss, because that’s what he gives his staff every year. Is there a gift you can count on receiving? No.

8) What one gift would you most like to receive this year? Do you think anyone will get it for you? I would like the gift of reconciliation on a couple of fronts. But you don’t always get what you want.

9) This time of year is big for charitable fundraising. Here’s your chance to plug a cause or organization that’s near and dear to you. Anything that helps children I am for.

Have a good one. Whatever that means. Peace & love. We will return. Same time. Same blog.

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Love Me Now

Posted by Bud Weiser, WTIT on December 10, 2016
Posted in: Uncategorized. 14 Comments

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Sunday Stealing: The Bearded Questions

untitledWhat is some of your favorite music? I’m all about rock & R&B. I just added John Legend’s “Love Me Now” to my library. As far as rock goes, there are The Beatles and then everybody else. But I love it all, from Buddy Holy through Coldplay.

List your three favorite scents. I’m not good at this. My sense of smell sucks. Everyone will go “Can you smell that – it stinks!” That’s when I realize it’s not a bad thing.

How do you ground yourself or recharge? I love me somuntitled naps. While I am, still recovering from my neck surgery (it was in October. Who knew it would be this long? I’ve had to line up my disability policies because I lose my commissions on January 6…) I love to nap. It takes a lot out of me. But I am 65. If this is how my career ends so be it…

Any ways you treat or spoil yourself? I think that I said yes to a 65” TV but at $650+ delivered, it was hard not to be spoiled. Kathy gave me a JBL sound bar for my birthday and watching movies is amazing.

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Johnnie retired to Colorado. He had been with me almost from WTIT’s start. I miss him.

Besides your blog, do you have a creative past-time? WTIT takes a lot of time. I want to start podcasts to allow people to appreciate the journal aspect of it all. I just remastered a bit from 1968 when the cops turned on the demonstrators in Chicago during the Democratic Convention. I’d like to feature bits from 1972 one day and 2014 the next. I am also starting a WTIT Internet Radio station soon. It will my 12K music library and comedy bits.

Share something difficult you’ve been through. This whole neck thing was very dark. In two months’ time, I went from a normal to a walker. I still need it now and then. I use a cane at other times.

What helps you fall asleep? Ha. I won’t go there. Yep, it’s what you’re thinking.

What is one strength and one weakness of yours? I’m very creative and lousy at math.

Have you ever received a letter or written one to someone else? Last time I wrote a letter it was untitledto my daughter Jules. We’ve been estranged now for at least a decade. I tried everything. But it has to do with her feelings toward her step-father. My letter never worked but I kept trying. After a decade, I quit. I have two grandchildren that I have not met.

What makes you feel powerful, what breathes life into you? I love going to a UConn basketball game. But our WTIT recording sessions is as good as it gets.

untitledWhat’s your favorite thing to do at night? It’s that 65” TV.

If you could go back to any era, what would they be? I think the 1930s were fascinating.

Your favorite things to wear at home? A Beatles’ tee & jogging pants.

If you could be immortal or have an extremely long life span which would you pick and why? I don’t have time for this. You have NO idea how hard it is for me to type. So I’ll skip this exercise.

Tell us about something positive you have done for yourself or someone recently. I bought Bouncing Billy as UConn sweatshirt for helping me by driving me to doctor appointments. I can drive now but I don’t go far.

One thing you like about your appearance? My beard.

Something that makes you feel better after a hard day? I would have said a good drink, but I’ve cut way back. I don’t drink during the week and have a couple on the weekend. No real reason, just it kind of evolved.

If you have one, name a favorite book & movie. Notting Hill is my favorite movie. I really don’t read books.

I hope all is well with you. Sorry to bore you with my health crap. It feels good to vent. I’m trying to wrap my brain around the possibility that I’ll never work again. But who knows? Have a great weekend!