Here we are, May...WOW is all I can say. The past month flew by...QUICK and I wanted to share a picture and journal entry I had a short time ago. I think you might enjoy it.
There are 4 times in my life I felt truly I truly accomplished something unequivocal, which is to say, those 4 times each gave me feelings I knew that I would never experience again. They were unique in every way as firsts and lasts in the same defining moment that I knew, I would never feel 'that way' again...yet they each have instilled in me the desire to have more of those moments.
The first was my marriage to my former wife, the second and third were the births of my two children, Charles and Theresa. Milestones and accomplishments each of them that have sculpted my principles and character in ways I am eternally grateful to know. Today, marked the 4th time.
My Co-Host at the office and on the radio, Mary Kathryn (you know her as Woo Woo) and I were hosting the Parade of Nations in Downtown Norfolk. There were 79 floats and marching groups we announced...and it was the 78th of them today that gave me this 4th experience.
As last of the marchers approached, the crowd was suddenly quiet. Even Mary Kathryn turned to me and said "wow, this weird quiet" and she was right...the whole mood shifted. Looking back, I know why.
The United States Coast Guard - Color Guard approached our broadcast area as my son stood snapping this picture. All one could hear was their slow and pensive steps, one after another like an advancing mass of strength and power. Then in unison, the heads of these men and women snapped towards my direction and silently, swiftly, and expressionless...the arms of the entire group saluted me at the podium. My knees felt weak, and almost in reflex, my right arm rose and saluted the group back. They did not lower their salutes until passing, and then almost seeming to vanish amongst the crowd.
I looked down to recompose myself at the copy on the table and noticed both my children staring at me with a proud smile. I knew what they were smiling about. I winked and smiled back and finished out the announcements.
Though I have done much work with the military and security areas over the years, never have I been saluted. ...and let me tell you, that's a feeling that is a first and last experience I will never forget as it also gave me a message I so deeply needed on this Saturday, April 28th 2012 in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia.
It's April, My GOSH, and that means it's time again for the GoodWill Closet Cleanout. The past three years, I have participated in going through the house, going through the closets, and donating the stuff I no longer need but might be useful to someone else.
This year, I have some real gems to pass along...and a special surprise, too...LOL!
Next week, the kids and I will be going through their toy closet. They've gotten bigger and we're excited to pass along some toys to other kids who might just love what my kids, Charlie and Theresa, have to donate to GOODWILL.
By the way, if you haven't, swing by a Goodwill...with spring here, you're bound to pick up some great deals on outdoor goodies. Click here to find a LOCATION NEAR YOU.
So my daughter, age, 6...we call her "Ree" or "Reesa"...though her given name is Theresa, she's dirt loving, sport running chunk of my heart...
This week, she started Baseball practice. She's a part of the team called The Cubs. Last night I went out to see the kids play...and WOW...my babies are growing up before my very eyes.
I see my kids most every day...and yet, to see her little self out there on the field, well, she didn't seem so little anymore. My baby girl is a young lady, and that, my friends, will well up any dad's eyes on the drive home.
As usual, I had the camera...and got some shots of her doing her thing.
Her Mom and "Dad 2" (as I call him), Brian came out too and we stood behind the dugout with those smiles that are all you can do to stop from breaking down like a blubberin' fool in front of your kids. They are (bother her and her older brother, Charlie) growing so quick.
Though i don't miss a moment...still the time is going fast...so without further adue....
And the video, oh yes, I always have plenty of that....here's some of that magic I caught on the field and about the home-plate
To her coaches who volunteer their time, I am forever greateful. It's parents like you that give parents like me....moments like this!
Last week, I got in to work and heard that a member of the Ghost Fleet of retired military ships that rests on The James River was moving on after 12+ years amongst the other ships of the Ghost Fleet.
The USS Cape Cod, which last served in Liberating Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm, was being moved out and to it's new spot near the Gulf of Mexico, where, it was to be salvaged and recycled.
I made a few quick calls around and loaded up the car for a day-trip out to see this historic moment...and it was darn awesome!
To see this big beauty being hooked up to tug boats and prepared for the move was not as melancholy as I thought. Once I got out there, all those ships of military history sitting there...it was like seeing a group of elder war heroes giving a final send-off to an old pal. It was awesome.
I also got some video...I'll be doin a longer-form version of it...but while I continue work on it, here's a sneak-peek of what I am working on.
It was great to see...awesome to witness, and fantastic to grab some pictures.
So this year, as the kids get bigger...somehow the play-place at Chick-Fil-a and trips to Chuck-E-Cheese sadly are not getting the squeals I was used to...then it hit me...MY KIDS ARE GETTING BIGGER. While I enjoy skee-ball, Charlie and Theresa are looking for bigger challenges. ...and with that mind, it was time for me to put on the magic creative hat and find some new adventures. Luckily for me, I have a strong cache of friends who are always sharing ideas....and this past weekend, we went ROLLERSKATING!!!
It was fun and though at first they both were excited...when we got out on the floor, the reality that the only thing between them and hard floor was 4 pieces of rubber and a bad judgment in balance, they both got a little apprehensive....but I urged them to keep at it. I skated with them both, giving the finer pointers of push and roll. By the time we left...they both were asking when we could come back. ....it's just a matter of sticking with it, as I said.
We also have gotten in to Kiting...while Theresa likes the single line type, I picked up a sport kite with 2 lines that can do loops and crazy figure 8's for Charlie and I....while the wind at the park didn't really cooperate with us 100 percent, we had a great time and I brought some foam gliders in the bag of stuff as well so the kids launched them off the side of the hill at Mt. Trashmore on a bright Sunday afternoon.
As the weather breaks here in the 7 Cities and we get ready for another spring, I look forward to seeing you out and about...STAY FROSTY, PEOPLE!!!
This weekend, I took the kids out to Smithfield to see the infamous 110 Year old cured ham....Theresa now 6, and Charlie 8...they were 'ready'....and so was I.
The thing about taking the kids to a 110 year old Ham owned by Mr. P.D. Gwaltney, which, now lays in repose within the Smithfield Cultural Museum is that you have to understand a couple of things:
1. The trip and the pictures are for YOU...not them...don't make it about them because it's not.
2. Once you see a 110 year old ham (as I explained with a dewy eye to my children), you have witnessed the only genius that remains freighted inside a glass cube that has stood the test of time as testament to the last of the greatest inventions known to man...bacon.
3. Once you see a 110 year old ham; you cannot un-see it!
The kids were back from Disney for their trip with their Mommy and "Dad II" after the wedding...so, it went without saying we had a lot of catching up to do! They told me about their favorite rides at Disney....Space Mountain and The Star Wars ride at MGM.
We went to the park for some fun and had a nice ride around the neighborhood. They were only gone for about 5 days, but, if I go much longer than 2 on any occasion (and you parents know)...you start pacing the house wondering what the heck to do with yourself. Thankfully, they were in a playful mood and there was much fun.
Video of our welcome back bike ride and park fun.
Despite the ultra hipness I exude (thats a joke), at the heart, I am a big soft-ee for kids...and mine are the reason I kept it together when I didn't want to...got better when many said I could not...and continue to make every day an adventure. I say to them "it's always great to see your smiling face"...and so it is only appropriate that one of the songs that makes me think of them most is James Taylor's classic "Your smiling Face"....
To all the parents out there...parents yet to be...and those who have become parents unto themsevles...it is great to be amongst you and thank you for the countless reminders to 'take more pictures, get more video...don't miss it".....I listened! :)
Okay, so today I got more than a few looks over my phone ringtone. What got me was that people seemed genuinely disturbed by this...and why, I ask? I have a rather common phone.
How may times has someone else's phone rang and you thought it was yours? Getting my point? When this phone ringtone plays, I want everyone to know without question "oh, that's Doud's phone.
...so Did I succeed?
So long to a guy who has great things ahead!
Lot's going on lately...Just today I found our a great guy in our building received an opportunity for a promotion within and will be leaving around the end of the month. Though, technically, he works for a competing radio station, we work for the same company and I have always enjoyed his positive energy and get it done attitude; and he's a good guy...so I knew eventually he would wind up getting a promotion and moving to a new challenge.
Sure, it'll be different not seeing him, but, I'm truly happy for him...he deserves this and will do great things. ...but, along with being a person who is liked and respected (rare finds these days)...he taught me (several years older than he) how to choose a good tequila; and that's saying something!
He didn't have subordinates, he worked with people...and though sometimes I'd shake my head at some of the off air stuff we'd work on, people who make you 'check yourself' every now and again are important. They keep your game on. He was that guy when he needed to be...not when he had a bad day.
T, all the best in your future. Sure, we competed on a 'how many listeners' standpoint, but, when it came down to it, you were always looking out for the 'common good'...and...well...you deserve the best! Proud of you, my man!
I'm pretty ecxited! In the next few days we will be launching the all new Morning Point Page!!! Yay! Hooray! ...and there was much rejoicing.
So whats going to be so "new" about this page? Well...as I like to say, we've been kind of lacking on that page in the substance department. ...and though in the true spirit of capitalism I would like to find someone to blame for the shortcoming, really, it ultimately falls on my lap. So what did I do? Well, I took up a quick class on coding so I could learn the 'back end' of designing and laying out the page.
Don't you have someone to do that? you ask....well, we do now, and you're looking at him.
So be on the look out for the new page within the next couple of days. If you heard it on the show, need the info again, or just want to investigate the goings on as you heard them...you'll be able to click in and get the info.
This sniffer belongs to one of those reality stars we learned to dislike at a level rivaled only by Kate Plus 8's, Kate Gosselin. But, much like Kate, this reality star made opportunity for herself by hanging out with United States Leadership and Government types only to ditch that journey and her husband of years. Sure, we all saw this one coming...but for most of us we just could not stop believing that his housewife could not just work it out with her husband...who loved her....faithfully. (come on...I'm handing it to you, here). :)
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