One Of Those Days

I had a nice weekend. Worked on both days but when work is fun, it is not work. Had a blast watching sports and actually got caught up on stuff. All in all, I also realized that I had a relatively light workload on Monday, one of my duties including writing this blog.

Well things started to change. First I was needed to take my friend Dean to school on Monday morning about a 10 mile drive. That request came from his mother. I was then going to pick him up. Dutifully I set the alarm for 5:30A and got up. At 6:30a, I received a text stating I was no longer needed. Yikes!!

I went into work early and of course spent an hour fixing my computer. Despite invoking the Wrath Of The Gods, the damn thing is not working. Fortunately I brought my laptop to work with me

Then I got caught up in a 20 minute discussion. You know the work kind. This never ending discussion was one I was trying to bail out of every 30 seconds. But since I had initiated it, I felt I had to stay to the bitter end.

Throw in one or 2 minor crises and I have spent nearly 3 hours accomplishing nothing. Except for writing this literary masterpiece. Oh well.

Diminished Expectations How I Went From Number 1 To Number 338 At The Rose Bowl

One of the greatest times in my life was when I worked for the late, great Bud Furillo. The most generous, fascinating and mercurial person I have ever known. Bud was a fantastic writer, and broadcaster. I truly loved the guy and loved all his stories. And he and I collaborated on one story I still laugh at.

Bud picked me up and I drove us to the 1997 Rose Bowl. Jake Plummer and the Arizona State Sun Devils were taking on The Ohio State University. We parked as usual about 15 minutes from the Stadium and Bud was having health problems so we were a little late getting our media passes. We hurriedly put them on and then up to the press box.

Before the elevator took off, a couple of surprises occurred. First Mike Tirico of ESPN got in. Then none other than John Glenn, and I for one realized the former astronaut still had the "Right Stuff." All during our ride up I felt an cold glance from Mr. Tirico. After getting off the elevator, we proceeded to do what sports journalist do all around the world before covering a big event. Bud and I dropped our gear off and headed to the food line.

While waiting in line we again were joined by Mike Tirico. He gave the once over and finally said," May I ask you a question?" I replied yes and he then said, "Can you tell me why your press badge is numbered 001. How did you get that?" I looked down at the pass and this being the days before ESPN radio said, " If I tell you can I get an interview?" He agreed and then I had to explain that the number 001 belonged to Bud Furillo who was covering his 47th Rose Bowl. It seems we had put the tags on without checking them and made a mistake. Tirico roared as Bud and I exchanged passes. I dropped 337 places to 338.

And yes Mike Tirico did give us that interview. Quite a Rose Bowl!!

New Head Of Riverside County Board Of Supes Wants Out

I have always had a few laughs at the expense of the august Riverside County Board Of Supervisors. What once was a serious legislative body has degenerated into a pompous, supercilious caricature of itself. Now all this would of course be harmless except for the fact they are responsible for many vital public services in the county.

Well today, keeping in tune with its comic opera theme the Board Of Supervisors appointed Jeff Stone as the head of the Board for one year succeeding John Benoit.. Stone certainly is a colorful character. A few years ago he tried to call a secession conference for counties to leave California.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/14/south-california-secession-jeff-stone_n_896433.html

After that idea bombed, Jefferson Davis Stone hit upon a new plan. He is now running for the State Senate.

Senate.http://www.pe.com/local-news/politics/jim-miller-headlines/20130725-state-senate-stone-to-run-for-28th-district.ece

So if Mr. Stone wins his election he will effectively have seceded from the Board Of Supervisors. They have chosen as their head, a man who wants to leave!! Figures.

How I Got Banned For Life From Palm Springs Film Festival

It is a good time here in the Coachella Valley. The weather has been tremendous. (Sorry to all those who have been affected by weather back in the East or Midwest. Or the extreme heat in Australia or rain in the UK and Ireland.) Also in town is the Palm Springs International Film Festival!! This is the 25th anniversary and it is going gangbusters. Major stars from around the world have graced our Valley with their presence. The Festival has always had a friendly vibe despite the fact a director once banned me from attending.

It all happened a few years ago when I disputed some of the obvious ridiculous financial projections the Festival made. They were counting internet mentions like dollars. I knew I had ruffled some feathers but someone had to. I just waited for the response and it came that afternoon on a rival station. Festival honcho Earl Greenburg who has since passed away went on the air in a rage. Who was I and how dare I make such comments? One of the hosts, who has since been fired twice said I had no talent and was a nobody. Perhaps right on the former but definitely not the latter. Earl then banned me for life.

I started to laugh because the next night, through the good graces of a local listener Nate Israelson, I had already been invited to the Canadian Film party at the Festival. I went to the party awaiting to be thrown onto the street. Alas no such thing happened! The movie screening after some swank eats was based on hockey legend Rocket Richard. It was rather long. After the showing I felt like I had spent 2 hours in the penalty box.

At the after party, while chatting to the director who did I see but an exhausted Earl Greenburg sitting down!! Here was my chance to flaunt my revenge. I could walk up and be a wiseguy. But discretion was the better part of valor that day. I quietly slipped out.

Earl has since passed and curiously has been whitewashed from the Film Festival history. Only one mention of him in the paper's 25 year review that I could get on line. I have not been to a screening since either. I wonder if that ban is still in effect.