Not a good idea

Yesterday, a co-worker of mine asked me a couple of questions about buying a house. You hear on the news that it's a great time to buy a house, but that's about as much as I know. We bought our house in Urbana almost a year ago, so I do have a little bit of experience on the subject.

As he asked questions about what I ran into, I realized how much I hated the entire process. I'm the kind of guy who goes to a car dealership and picks out the car I want and just buys it. There's no haggling, no gamesmanship, and no playing around. I want to leave as fast as possible with my car.

This is why I hate the home buying experience. You can't just say, "Hey, I like that house. Here is X amount of money. Get out of my house!". You have to go down 18 different paths for weeks to get things done.

I tried to help my co-worker with his questions, but quickly let him know that asking me for home buying advice is like asking a blind person to tell you about the Mona Lisa.

-Lithgow

I know Kung Fu

I'm going to go ahead and assume that everyone here is fairly new to the blog since it's three weeks old. If you wish to leave a comment and you don't have an account, please be sure to put your name so it is much less creepy!

I had a great chance to catch up on some TV yesterday. The season finale of Chuck was Monday and I got a chance to finish that up. Is it just me or was the last 10 minutes of Chuck the same as the first Matrix movie? He even said the same line at the end, "I know Kung Fu". I love Chuck but only Keanu can toss a line out like that and make it work. I hope it doesn't fall off the deep end.

Speaking of falling off the deep end, 24 is a couple weeks away from being over. The show has to find ways to keep you guessing but it is getting harder and harder. I don't like seeing Tony Almieda as a bad guy, but they have to find ways to twist it up a bit. Hopefully they don't blow the ending.

No peaceful drive to work today. The people of Decatur are up and at it early today.

-Lithgow

Peace on Earth

I normally roll through Decatur pretty early in the morning. Living in Urbana, I always come in off of I-72 and get on 51 heading into town. I usually hit town before 4AM.

Today was no exception. I got to Decatur about 3:45 and proceeded into town. I didn't realize until I got to the station that I had not driven past one other driver the entire way through Decatur. I always see a few people out and about. This morning, it was quiet. I got out of my car and just stood outside of the station enjoying the silence. How often can you be downtown somewhere and not be hearing a sound?

Hopefully, your day can be that peaceful. I know mine won't be.

-Lithgow

This almost couldn't wait....

I've been hanging on to this story since Friday, and I have been dying to get back to work just to write this blog.

Friday afternoon, I was scheduled to do a live broadcast from Jackson Chevrolet Cadillac in Sullivan. If you have ever been to one of our events, or driven past our parking lot, you have seen the giant box trucks that we drive to our events. We like to think of them as moving billboards. If you haven't seen them before, they are about the size of a medium U-Haul.

Anyway, I normally get in the back of the truck to make sure that all my equipment is there and no issues will arise once I get out on location. For some reason, I decided not to do this on Friday.

I hop in the truck and head down 121 for the windy drive to Sullivan. I felt like I could kill someone at any moment on the highway from the wind blowing the truck into the other lane. Little did I know, that wasn't the only danger I was posing. Apparently, someone (I won't name names) was putting a banner into the back of the truck I was to drive, and decided to leave the door all the way open. This means that the door had been wide open for at least two days. I drove from Decatur to Sullivan at 60mph with the back door to the truck wide open.

It scares me to think what would've happened if a speaker or our 2-wheel cart flew out of the truck and hit someone. Needless to day, I learned a lesson Friday. Do not trust your co-workers. They may be setting you up to commit vehicular homicide.

-Lithgow

When is a TV ad effective?

I must say that I remember my wife and daughter going ga ga over the Diet Coke commercial where the ladies in the office were making goo goo eyes over the shirtless guy with the washboard abs at the construction site drinking the Diet Coke. Needless to say Diet Coke is their favorite drink since.

Guys, I have found the perfect hamburger ad. Hardee's and their newest hamber ad featuring Padma from Top Chef. May sound sexist, but I have now out grown McDonald's. See why below:









Happy Hamburgers...

Boomer

Why I love broadcasting

Messing around online yesterday, I found a couple of videos that reminded me why this business is so much fun.

This first video stars the Boss Tony Danza:



You know, we do some interviews with folks like this and I'm sure they're saying the same kind of stuff. Little do they know, often we are doing the same thing on the other end.


Now here is your obscene language warning:


Kudos to Shepard Smith of Fox News for getting worked up on the right side of torture against the guy who takes the point, "but it worked!". The comedic timing to say oops right as he took a breath makes that video even better. I worry that I will fall victim to the random swear word live too. The only problem with that is I guess I have enough common sense to not say WE DO NOT F****** TORTURE live on the air. Weird.

Have a great weekend!

-Lithgow

zzzzZZZZzzzzzz....

I don't think we have enough Mountain Dew in the machine to help get me going today. I don't know what it is, but I just have nothing today...

We had our 19th annual Office Party last night. It takes a ton of work and planning to get ready for, and then just goes right out the window four hours later. I hope all of our guests enjoyed the thousands of chips and plates that Kelly and I picked up from Sam's.

I am so excited for the weather we have over the coming days. I don't know if I'll spend any of my time outside, but you can't beat knowing it's sunny and 75 out.

One minor gripe, what is up with CBS playing repeats of their shows during their normal time slot and then new episodes after the fact? Why play a repeat of Criminal Minds at 8pm (the normal time!!!!) and then make me stay up another hour to see the new one. By the way, Best of Scott and Scott in the Morning today. The live version will be starting at 9am.

-Lithgow

Changes

I had a moment yesterday that taught me that I am now an adult and can't pretend to still be young anymore.

I walked to the bank to cash some checks that I got for my birthday. I started thinking of some of the cool stuff I could go buy for myself and have fun with. I thought, "Bethany and Connor can just look past this one...I can buy a new video game or something!". On my way back from the bank, I decided to go buy a bunch of stamps because we never have any at home. 42 bucks right out the window.

When I got home, we took Connor to Carle Hospital just to have him weighed. While we were up in the lactation room, Bethany wanted to check out some of the stuff they sell there. Needless to say, the frivolous spending I have done so far is buy 100 stamps (mostly for bills) and a new bra for my wife.

Happy birthday to me!

-Lithgow

I'm back

I know that we had agreed to take turns on the blog, but I am really enjoying it, so I am making the move to try to get on everyday. Boomer is still going to go every other day, so just check back daily and we'll update as much as we can.

Had a wonderful birthday yesterday with quite a few surprises. My parents came over to have some dinner to celebrate last night. My dad has been convinced that Connor does not know him or like him because every time he comes over, Connor will throw a fit when he holds him. So last night, I hand my dad Connor. Guess what happens? Yep! Connor freaks out like he never has before. My dad immediately shoots me a look like "See I told you he hates me!". Of course, the issue was a dirty diaper.

This leads me to a new theory. I think my dad literally scares the crap out of Connor. I don't know if it's his mustache, but he must poop everytime he holds him. Way to go Grandpa!

On a side note, we are getting the chance to talk to NASCAR Sprint Cup driver David Ruetteman after the show today. He is currently ninth in the Sprint Cup standings. Should be a lot of fun. I hope to post some audio on the blog, as long as everything goes well.

See ya tomorrow!
- Lithgow

Blow out the candles

Today is my 25th birthday. I think this may be the last semi important birthday for a long time. Can I now legally rent a car? Is that the last thing I had to look forward to? Oh well, now cross that milestone out. My wife told me my life is now 1/4 of the way over, and all I could say was, "Isn't it more like a third?"

I had an awesome weekend. Much of my wife's family was in town for my niece's first communion. It is always fun to get everyone together. There are so many little kids running around going crazy, you just have to try to keep up. Sometimes, I think I'm more like them than an adult. You're more likely to find me chasing one of them around or playing Candyland than you are doing something I actually should be doing.

Well, 25 years down. 25 more to go.

-Lithgow

Taco Night Musings

Nothing better on Wednesday night than going to Lock stock and Barrel for Taco Night and watching people. Had fun seeing folks put together their tacos and there are a number of different ways to build one of course. Last night I got to see the "Pile On" method. That is the person who talks to everyone in line and doesn't pay attention to what they are doing while loading their plate. Get out and enjoy Taco Night at LSB soon. Great food, good and cheap.....and a pretty fun night.

Going to Corks and Forks tonight...check out my next entry for the fun

Lithgow Friday!

Busboom

I learned a lot...

Yesterday, I was doing a live broadcast at the Kroger at Fairview Park Plaza from 5 to 7pm. There were a ton of people who got registered to win St. Louis Cardinals tickets from us, which is great. Standing outside in 40 degree weather though makes you focus on the other things going on around you.

I had a person talking to me as they walked to the parking lot, asking me about the tickets. She continued to walk into the parking lot while having her head turned back to continue our conversation, not unlike the lady in Death Becomes Her. As she walked, a car was pulling through the parking lot with a driver who was trying to reach something on the floor of their car. So both parties involved have no clue what's about to happen. The car rolls up at about 5mph and lays the lady almost on the hood before they both figure out they are about to have an incident.

You know, you just don't get to see stuff like that unless you stand out in front of a store like that for two hours.

Fun next few days coming up...starting at 9am I get to go to Panera to give away one hundred five dollar gift cards for tax day. And we just learned yesterday that NASCAR driver David Reutimann has agreed to come on the show next week.

Watch where you're going! See you on Friday!

-Lithgow

Lego Batman vs Lego Star Wars the DS Game..

Very big question this morning...Which is the better Video Game? Lego Batman is fun, but really is Clayface that important? I like the quickness of the game, and as a true fan of Batman, hate the Joker. Lego Star Wars is fun too, but I seem to spend more time getting thru levels. So let us know...Which is the better game?

Sad day for me to hear of the news that the number eight car is being parked in Nascar. Teresa Earnhardt should be real proud of herself for allowing such of piece of Nascar History to get parked on the scrap heap, and shame on her for allowing a talented young driver such as Aric Amirola to not have a ride this season. Junior appears to have made the right move to Hendrick Motorsports, and Dale Sr must be turning over in his grave right now.

Lithgow is up next...make it a great day!

Busboom

Wrap up

What a wonderful Easter weekend. I hope yours went well. We had a chance to see family this weekend. One of my sisters came down from Chicago to visit for a couple of days. Our baby Connor has had that effect on almost everyone he meets. You meet him, and then you must come back. I think he may have nicotine on his skin somewhere.

The important news of the weekend goes back to my last post on Farm Town. On Saturday night, I was hanging out with my wife and sister. In just a few short minutes, I had them both convinced that they really needed to sign up for it (if for nothing else than to shut me up). Wouldn't you know that my wife has followed the same path that I did...talking about how stupid and how big of a waste of time it was, then checking it everytime she is online. My sister has promised that she will sign up, and I won't leave it alone until she does (I know you read the blog Jana...you told me!!!).

Hope that the sugar crash from Peeps and Cadbury eggs doesn't make your Monday too hard to handle.

This may be one of the craziest sports plays I have seen in a while.



Lithgow

Customer Service Lessons

The other morning I had a great example of why business owners might need to look harder at their employees who meet and greet the public. I felt I had not received good customer service from an employee when I filled my car up with gas as a local station. Had a legit issue and the employee told me to pack sand. So, following the chain of command, I discussed the issue with the local manager who defended her employees bad customer service skills and choices. Folks, If you are going to meet and greet the public, smile if it kills you. Know that my money is good elsewhere if you simply can't smile. Know that I am paying for your good words and not your snide comments. Remember that if the customer is a jerk, he or she will eventually leave and go home. Keep smiling....You took the job.

Busboom

Time Consumption

I love the internet. It has really revolutionized radio with streaming, blogging, podcasting and what not, but the real reason to love it is all of the weird stupid time wasters you can find. One that I would like you to check out is on Facebook called Farmtown. You are given a plot of land to cultivate however you like. It is the stupidest, most boring game to see someone play, but I have wasted hours (maybe even here at work) building my farm up to it's current level 9 status (I feel like I'm talking about Dungeons and Dragons). This even feels sad just writing about. Anyway, that is our favorite time waster right now, but thanks to the internet, something better will come along days from now.

Now that you are checking out the blog, there are plently of ways to get involved with our show. If you want to point us in the direction of your favorite time wasters or just say hi, you can always email at slithgow@cromwellradio.com. We are both on facebook, just look us up. We've joked about signing up for Twitter but I don't think either of us are that advanced yet.

Of course, you can also sign up to be a member of the Country Club at http://www.us101decatur.com/. We do some exclusive give aways that are never mentioned on the air, directly to your email. Make sure you put in valid info, otherwise you'll never hear about it!!!

I don't know if we have established a theme to this blog yet, but we will keep taking turns. You can go back and see all the previous blogs here too (when did Busboom get so serious?).

I had to add this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D6GKSJOSsExE
If you haven't seen the above link yet, it is Vijay Singh hitting a hole in one at the par 3 masters yesterday. Unbelievable!!!

Be sure to check back with us!
-Lithgow

Here's to the winners!

Thank God the elections are over! The ads were playing enough that I could quote them verbatim. Quite frankly, I have no interest in hearing anymore what I believe, just who anyone is, or children who have forgotten their mom's last name. Congratulations to the winners and Adam Brown's victory should be a wakeup call to everyone who ran in this election. People vote for the guys and gals who run clean campaigns and work hard.

Next up is the question of what to do with our public high schools in Decatur. Folks, if you think that the folks in the Kile Building aren't serious about this issue...THEY ARE. The third meeting was held last night at The Decatur Tech Academy, and the question is not whether there will be a referendum coming to repair or replace both high schools, and our Tech Academy, but in which direction they choose to go. Folks this is a very interesting time for our public schools, and all of you who have railed against the failures of the school district need to get off your butts and get involved... your opportunity to dream and be heard is now..

Next Meeting will be April 29th at Eisenhower High School...call 424-3000 and ask for more information.

Busboom

My turn

I guess it's my turn to give the blog a shot. I get a lot of time to think driving to Decatur each day from Urbana. It's kind of nice really. On my travels on I-72 today, I was thinking how crazy it is that what we do actually works. Doesn't that sound nice?

Think about it. Putting a guy in his 20's with a guy in his 40's just sounds like they'll have a ton in common right? Busboom and I got started on US101 with doing the Eisenhower and MacArthur games and people tuned in (despite the fact that the first football season we called 1 win and that was the Staley Day game).

When we got a crack at starting Scott and Scott in the Morning, we were both excited, but I don't think either of us knew what would come of it. Well we got some very gratifying news yesterday. Scott and I were named finalists for two Silver Dome Awards from the Illinois Broadcasters Association. That's sort of like our Emmy I guess, if they had local Emmy's. We are up for the best community involvement with last year's book drive, and for best broadcast team.

We are hoping to come away with some hardware, but being one of the top 3 in the state is still pretty awesome. Thanks for listening to us and now checking us out here on the website. Hopefully, we'll keep this updated M-F.

By the way, vote today! It's been kind of nice not having a dog in the fight so to speak. We have talked to a lot of the candidates and it's been impossible for me to have an agenda or form an opinion of them ahead of time since I don't get a vote.

Well see ya Thursday! Boomer is here tomorrow.
-Lithgow

Get Out and Vote

Are you tired of the campaign ads? I certainly am. Well, thankfully election day is here and I BELIEVE that folks will get out to the polls and vote in the election. JUST WHO IS getting elected? I hope that it is the folks who worked hard and campaigned hard. They deserve your consideration, because they want to be there serving our community.

Anyone who doesn't vote in the election has no right to complain about the issues facing our community going forward. I am also looking forward to seeing just what the election judges will be eating during the day at the polling place where I vote, and I look forward to seeing seven layer bean dip sitting next to the Krispy Kreme donuts once again.

I look forward to Wednesday. A day without election ads. A great day again for our community...THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE!

Busboom