Boomer Randomness

I am a little behind in my blogging, as a certain dear friend has reminded me.   My crazy busy life sometimes refocuses my schedule and gets in the way of some of my interests, including writing.   I’m on vacation this week, so I am attempting to spend some time on things I don’t have a lot of time for, like cleaning my apartment.   And writing. So here are a few things on my mind this week, in no particular order. Ferguson.   I do understand the frustration of many residents of that St. Louis suburb on hearing the news that a grand jury did not indict the police officer who shot an unarmed man.   I do NOT understand how that justifies burning cars and local business to express their anger.   Vacations.   I think time off from work is very important.   It helps us recharge.   The down side: I get so wrapped up in the chaos of work that it takes days to unwind.   I have a whole day today, for example, with no time-specific ag...

This is the second year in a row that my job sent me to Nashville to help a DJ record interviews with country music singers during CMA week.   I love my job. During two days, he interviewed 80 different singers or groups.   I recorded every interview and took pictures of every performer.   The interviews are ultimately heard on nearly one hundred radio stations across the country. Me and Miranda Lambert I’ve met countless celebrities during my career, so I am not usually that impressed, but standing five feet from the biggest (and smallest) names in country music IS impressive.   These people are so real, so genuine.   In these interviews, they are mostly ego-free and this particular DJ is good at getting the singers to reveal personal feelings and thoughts. Nashville is the heart of country music.   It’s business, pleasure, struggle and success.   Every bar on Broadway Avenue has a wannabe superstar singing their heart out. ...

OK, I know it’s now November, but I had a busy October and got a little behind in my blogging.   The highlight of my October was a long weekend in Asheville NC, one of my favorite towns.   I spent this time with two of my favorite people, two women who mean the world to me.   One is an incredible friend who lives there and the other is an incredible friend (and more) who lives here.   There is so much more to say about the latter, but it’ll have to wait till next year.   Think about that a minute and you’ll understand. My Nikon got a nice workout during a visit to the Biltmore Mansion.   This was my second time there and the first time for my travel companion.   The house and grounds are a living shrine to the rich and famous of a bygone era.   Even today’s wealthiest people don’t live like this.   The house has more than 200 rooms, 43 bathrooms, and is surrounded by 8000 acres of beautiful grounds.   Here are a few of the 165 pi...