I love the team that I work with, on-air and behind the scenes!  This promo is from a series produced by Raymond Smith in our promotions department.  Thanks, Ray!!!

FOX66 MORNING IMAGE - FUN MIKE 30 WKD from The Promo Department on Vimeo.

I'm Hooked.... AGAIN!!!

It's official!  I still have the passion for Star Wars, 39 years after my first experience!  I saw Episode VII: The Force Awakens three times in its first week.  I'm sure there are others who have seen it a dozen times by now, but three has been the norm for me, until it comes out on Blu-Ray.

SUPERHEROES IN GOTHAM

Saw this story air on CBS This Morning Saturday.  I wish I was in NYC right now so that I could go to this exhibit!  Maybe it will come to a museum in Detroit or Flint.  I think SUPERHEROES IN MOTOWN or SUPERHEROES IN VEHICLE CITY sounds good!

Farewell to The Baby Grand

Mom has parted ways with this baby grand piano after more than 40 years of ownership! Unfortunately, nobody had played the instrument in decades. It hadn't been tuned in so long that when Mom inquired about bringing it back into shape, she was told it was a lost cause. ALL of the piano's inner workings and the keys would need to be replaced.

Let this be a lesson to others-- If you own a real piano (no offense to owners of electric versions, but they aren't real-LOL), keep it properly maintained. As you can tell from looking at this one, it is a BEAUTIFUL piece of furniture. However, since we didn't keep up with the maintenance, it was nothing more than a huge decorative piece.

I took lessons on the piano when I was 9 or 10 years old. Had a very patient teacher named Mr. Marius Fossenekmper, who once played with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.  He lived somewhere in Midtown Detroit and took DDOT busses to our home in Sherwood Forest to administer my weekly lessons. I played one recital at which he called me the only student of his who properly used the foot pedals as I played.

The late Marius E. Fossenkemper

(far right) in October 1941 at a 

Detroit Symphony Orchestra event. 

Sadly, after our move to Southfield in 1976, Mr. Fossenkemper had no way to get to us and we didn't have a way to get me to him so I stopped taking lessons. While searching the Internet for the photo at left, I learned that Mr. Fossenkemper died in 1999 at the age of 96.

I have few regrets in life. Not continuing with the piano is one of them.

Mom had the piano removed from her condo this afternoon. She decided to keep the bench.

Wow....

It's been over a year since I last posted on this blog!

Is a bad Apple spoiling the bunch?

A little more than a month after its release at a starting price of $99 with eligible upgrade or new 2 year contract, the Apple iPhone 5c price has been slashed to $45 at Walmart. By most accounts, the 5c is not selling well. By my account, this is the fastest price-cut available through any source in iPhone history.

Apple iPhone 5c
Photo: Apple, Inc.

Released alongside the iPhone 5s-- which has a more powerful chip and much talked about fingerprint security technology, all at just $100 more than the 5c price-- Apple is selling just one of the colorful, polycarbonate models for every 2-3 of the more elegant glass/metal models. 

While just about everyone, except the folks at Apple, thought the 5c would be a new bargain version of the iPhone at a price point much more palatable to folks in the lower tax brackets. Apple CEO Tim Cook says the 5c was never meant to be that. He says the 4s, now free with contract, is the current entry level iPhone. Analysts predict that by this time next year, the 5c will replace the 4s as the free, entry level iPhone when Apple is expected to introduce an iPhone 6 and move the 5s to the mid-level position. We'll see.

Personally, I don't find the 5c appealing, not because of the price, but because of the old 3G-esque chasis and the Easter egg pastel color offerings. What do you think?

Apple iPhone 5C: Guys, do you feel left out?

The much anticipated latest updates to Apple's iPhone have been announced, including the new iPhone 5C.  The "C" could stand for "cheaper" since the phone will start at $99 with a new 2-year activation.  But, the folks at Apple would probably prefer that you focus on the "colorful" choices the new phone will come in.

Now, I'm all for vibrancy and love colors.  Considering that Apple took its revolutionary iPod from standard black and white models to include several cool colors, it's about time they do the same with the iPhone.  But, geez! Do you think we could get some colors that might be more appealing to guys?!?  Not that guys don't like colors like blue, green and yellow which are all included in Apple's palate of colorful options for the iPhone 5C.  But, is it too much to ask that we get some non-pastel options?!?  In addition to sky blue, could we get an electric blue or navy blue option?  How about evergreen or army green?  A rally yellow, maybe?  Candy apple red for the guys who just don't want to have a pink phone?

Don't get me wrong.  I know some guys like pastel colors and may find the iPhone 5C options adequate.  But, I'm thinking the majority of guys who would love to have the more affordable iPhone would prefer to have other color options.  I know that I would, if I were in the market for a new phone and found the lower price point appealing.  I have another year to go before I qualify to upgrade my iPhone 5 and when I'm eligible, I will go for the iPhone 5S or, wait for the iPhone 6.  I want that Touch ID feature! Way cool! And, much easier than constantly having to type in my four-digit code to unlock the phone.

Oh, Good Evening!

Note: Apple is currently accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 5C online.  The iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S will be available at Apple retail stores beginning at 8:00 AM on September 20.

I'm so glad we had this time together...

Why the NFL should dump the Pro Bowl

The NFL and NBC Sports hope fans want to tune in to the annual Pro Bowl tonight at 7pm ET. Commissioner Roger Goodell keeps threatening to get rid of the game if the quality doesn't improve.  But, it doesn't seem like recent moves with the event have done anything to facilitate a better game.

Fan voting is a joke; Nothing more than a popularity contest conducted at a time when we have no idea who will have played an "all-star' caliber season. (This is the case with all of the major sports all-star balloting.)  On top of that, too many of the players fans DO vote for (translated: the ones they want to see in the game) end up NOT playing because they are in the Super Bowl-- which wasn't an issue when the Pro Bowl was the week AFTER the big game-- or, they claim injury.  I say "claim" because it seems to me that the league, which thinks the Pro Bowl is important enough to stage,  has made it quite easy for elected/selected players to opt out of the game using injury as the excuse.

Inauguration Day 2013: Obama 2.0 & Congress 113

Congratulations and best wishes to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as the Obama Administration begins its second term leading America.

President Obama officially sworn-in
for second term on January 20, 2013.
(Photo: White House)

The President and Vice President were officially sworn in Sunday in accordance with the Constitution.  Today, we’ll all watch as the ceremonial events take place in Washington, DC.

I sincerely hope and pray that all of our elected officials in Washington will keep in mind that they are in DC to work—not for themselves—but, for us.

I sincerely hope and pray that the President and his team at the White House; Speaker John Boehner, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and their teams in the House of Representatives; and Majority Leader Harry Reid, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and their teams in the Senate will keep in mind that none of them will get everything they want, nor should they.

Compromise is not a dirty word.  It is—in fact—necessary and expected.  The petty partisanship of politics-as-usual is not acceptable.

The name of the game is moving America forward.  Democrats, alone, don’t have all of the answers.  Republicans, alone, don’t have all of the answers.  But, between them and various independent voices, America can flourish under the leadership of men and women who know and understand that we rise, we fall; we sink, we swim; we, as Americans, meet our fate together.

Godspeed to the Obama Administration and the 113th Congress as they work together to meet America’s challenges in 2013 and beyond.

Muted Emotions

Sandy Hook School in Newtown, CT

I woke up this morning and the emotional enormity of what happened in Newtown, Connecticut finally hit me - 24 hours after the event.

President Barack Obama wipes tears

from his eyes while addressing the

nation following the Newtown, CT

school shooting on December 14, 2012.

Despite having watched a great deal of the coverage and watching President Barack Obama deliver emotional remarks from the White House while wiping tears from his eyes and fighting to control his emotions, my emotions didn't fully manifest themselves until this morning.  This morning, when I turned on follow-up coverage and listened to the latest information and saw many of the same photos from the day before and found myself doing, a day later, what the president of the United States did at the White House. I wiped quiet tears from my eyes.

Titus Young Just Doesn't Get It

Detroit Lions WR Titus Young.
(Photo: DetroitLions.com)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Titus Young spoke with reporters today following practice.  It was the first time since he has talked publicly since his most recent exile from the team for disciplinary reasons.  Head coach Jim Schwartz deactivated Young for the Lions' Thanksgiving Day game agains the Houston Texans and sent him home for the week to, basically, get his head straight.  Judging by this session with media, I'm not certain he got the message. But, I'm not in the Lions locker room, team meetings or the practice field with the guy.  What do you think?

(Video: WXYZ.com)

I'm so glad that the reporters didn't ask Young questions about anything but his situation.  Nothing else he has to say matters until he addresses his behavior and its effects on the team.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

GO LIONS!!!

It's Twilight for Twinkies

If your kids love Hostess Twinkies, Ding Dongs, and Ho Ho's or Little Debbie's Banana Flips or peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches made on Wonder Bread, you had better stock up, NOW, if you can still find the products on store shelves.  Hostess Brands, which owns and has produced the iconic snacks and bread, announced on Friday morning that it is shutting down. According to the statements issued by Hostess Brands officials, the company is unable to continue operations and emerge from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy due to an ongoing Bakers Union strike.  Here is the letter to customers posted on the Hostess website:

Dear Loyal Customer,

I must regretfully inform you that Hostess Brands has shut down all operations and will be pursuing   the sale process of all of our brands and Company assets. Many people have worked incredibly long and hard to keep this from happening, but now Hostess Brands has no other alternative than to begin the process of winding down and preparing for the sale of our iconic brands.

Election Day 2012

Did You?!?

Tyrann Mathieu's Phantom Menace

One week after I received and read the Sports Illustrated cover story on Tyrann Mathieu and his attempts to redeem himself for a possible return to the LSU Tigers football team, he faces drug (marijuana) related charges in Baton Rouge.

Several questions are now (in my best Herman Cain voice) "twirling around in my head" concerning Mathieu:

1. Is Mathieu destined to be just like his biological father, Darrin Hayes- also a talented football phenom in his day, but now serving a life sentence for second degree murder- with whom Mathieu has virtually no relationship?

2. Even if convicted, simple possession of marijuana is not going to earn Mathieu a life sentence in prison, but is this the next step down a path to a life sentence from football and, more importantly, productive adult life?

3. Are these things hereditary? Does Mathieu's family history wreak havoc on his psyche and prevent him from realizing he does not have to repeat his father's mistakes? 

4. And, considering Tyrann's demonstrated troubles to date, was it prudent for him to only spend a month, or so, in John Lucas' rehab program in Houston and then return to Baton Rouge and LSU with no real, on-site support structure to keep him strong in moments of weakness?

The whole thing almost plays out like Star Wars, to me.  The character comparisons are very clear.

A "Killer" Project to Support

"Seven years ago, I wandered into a musty blues bar on the outskirts of Tampa, Florida to hear a friend play a gig on his Hammond Organ. While I was familiar with the Hammond sound, I really hadn't paid much attention to it. There was my buddy Shawn Brown at the helm of this bulky two-layered keyboard, but he had morphed into this OCTOPUS -- pouring every once of his energy into his music. He was gliding over the keys, sliding levers, stepping on pedals, flipping switches with both hands. If this wasn't enough, he was singing too. Wow! I was simply floored," writes journalist Murv Seymour.

Seymour is a Southern University classmate and longtime friend of mine.  He recently told me about his "Killer B3" project that he has been working on with videographer Joe Bamford.  It's a project that has taken the pair on a seven year journey across America talking to fabulous musicians, young and old, about "a bulky 78-year old fluke invention that changed music forever."

Seymour and Bamford have listed their documentary project on Kickstarter, a website that helps creative people and entrepreneurs raise capital to take their original ideas from dreams to realities.  I checked out their page, played the introductory video-- which includes preview clips from the documentary-- and I was immediately sold!  There is truly something magical about music played on a Hammond B3, whether you hear it in a church, a jazz club or, for me, on the Every Woman's House/Club Remix of Whitney Houston's "I'm Every Woman."  It really does stir the soul.

"That night, I learned the Hammond Organ creates one of the most widespread sounds in music," writes Seymour on the Kickstarter page.  He also learned that, while commonly used,  "the Hammond Organ is one of the hardest instruments to conquer. Those (who) do devote their lifetime to it," Seymour added.

"Shawn told me each year, more and more of these "Old School" players are dying, Seymour writes.  "That was the trigger. I immediately knew the Hammond Organ would make for one hell of a story."  I agree.

I'm proud of my classmate and impressed by the preview of "Killer B3."  I encourage you to check out the Kickstarter page.  Read the background information.  Then, click on a link and contribute whatever you can to help make this documentary available to everyone.  Finally, pass this information on to people within your social network.

Oh, Good Evening!

Please pass the Pepto!

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) accepts GOP nomination for vice president at
2012 Republican National Convention. Photo: Politico.com

As much as I like the drama and intrigue of politics, it really makes my blood boil when politicians twist the words of rivals.  They don't put words into each others' mouths, they conveniently disregard words that actually come out.

Last night, during his address to the Republican National Convention, vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan all but blamed President Obama for the closing of the General Motors assembly plant in his hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin.

“Right there at that plant, candidate Obama said: ‘I believe that if our government is there to support you … this plant will be here for another hundred years.’ That’s what he said in 2008. Well, as it turned out, that plant didn’t last another year. It is locked up and empty to this day,” said Ryan in his speech.

Random Generosity

While at Office Depot this afternoon, I encountered a kindergarten teacher who was buying notebooks for her class. She was getting 10 standard composition books and having them cut in half for her young students. As she was getting ready to pay, I said, "I will take care of it." The joyful surprise on her face was all the thanks I needed.

Teachers are under-appreciated, underpaid and under-supported, in my opinion. My late father was an educator and in his honor, I was happy to pick up this teacher's tab. I encourage others to do the same.

Chik-fil-A and The Bible

I found a link to this commentary on my Facebook news feed.  When I watched it, all I could do was say… Oh, Good Evening!!!