February 2007 - Posts
February 25, 2007
Went to blows Friday night at Target Center. I don't normally lose my cool, especially in public, but it happened, and I can't take it back.
Crunch, the Timberwolves mascot celebrated his birthday at the Wolves/Suns game, and he invited me, his favorite media pal to take part in the festivities.
I served as the referee for the Halftime Roller Derby Musical Chair contest. Competing in the event were Crunch, several other NBA mascots, in town for the special event, and the Minnesota Rollergirls.
As ref, I made a point of running a tight ship. When the music stopped, and you weren't in a chair, you were out. Yes, I was animated, and yes, I made liberal use of my whistle. Unfortunately, the Houston Rockets mascot, Clutch, took issue and came after me. After throwing me to the floor, I bounced up and ripped off his jersey, exposing a pink thong.
It was a pretty ugly incident, and completely choreographed.
I got to hang in the dressing room and meet all the mascots without their masks. Those guys are cut from a rare cloth. All of them are quite athletic, some with gymnastics backgrounds. They all love entertaining others, but seem to very much relish their anonymity too. Their sense of humor can get warped at times too.
One of the mascots, who I won't name, wanted to go out on the court with a water bottle in his private area to give people the wrong impression. The other guys quickly talked some sense into him, telling him, you'll end up on You Tube and then Sportscenter. Your franchise won't be pleased they added.
He took the water bottle out.
An interesting night with a bunch of interesting characters. I was so caught up in what I was doing with these furry pranksters, that I barely recognized when NBA MVP Steve Nash walked right by me in the corridor.
perkout
February 18, 2007
My car has a digital read-out that tells me how many miles I have left on my gas tank before I am to run out.
The problem is, that read-out lied to me today. I ran out of gas on the way to work today. Thank goodness my producer was kind enough to get gas, drive it out to me, help me fill up the car on the side of the road, and then follow me to the gas station. Thanks Yen.
Sure enough, as I'm pumping up my car with gas, I get a phone call on my cell from a buddy, who says that his friend just called him and said, "I think I saw Perkins on the side of Highway 15!"
Which got me thinking. That stretch of Highway 15 is the exact same spot, I lost my cell phone 6 months ago. The phone was left on top of my car, and then slid off my roof, only to shatter on the highway.
And then I thought even more. That's also the same stretch of highway in which I spun out and did a 360 on the ice about 5 years prior.
How spooky is that?
Now I'm about to drive home. And yes, I have to drive through that stretch of Highway 15. I will be more cautious this time.
By the way, a word to the wise. If you need gas, get it. Don't push it to see how far you can go.
OK, Perkout
February 11, 2007
The part that I love about living in Minnesota is that the winter's completely beef up your constitution.
I actually walked around outside today sans jacket! It's been so brutally cold as of late, that today's 18 degree temps actually felt somewhat comfortable.
Weather can be weird. When I lived in Los Angeles, the smog was so prevalent, that I could not inhale deeply without coughing. About 6 months after I left, my lungs finally got to full capacity again.
Here in Minnesota, the cold makes me tolerant of any type of cold. And now, I can go anywhere in the country, and I usually feel warmer. If I visit my folks in Florida and the temps dip into the 50's, they are in fleece, and I'm laughing it up in a tee shirt.
There's something to be said for this weather here in the upper midwest that freezes the insides of your nostrils.
I just know that like L.A., if I ever leave, 6 months later, I'll be a wimp again.
perkout
February 9, 2007
I like a lot of people in the radio business. A couple folks in the game, I even consider friends. There is a hoarde of talent on the airwaves in the Twin Cities, but I may never listen to any of them again.
For Christmas, I received a couple items that vaulted me into a new era in listening entertainment.
One was an i-pod. I'd had one previously, but rarely used it because it held a charge for about 20 minutes.
I got the nano, and love the sleek nature of it. I've already loaded it up with my arsenal of favorite tunes from Van Halen to Wham!
In the car is where I normally listened to local radio. But my other music related gift at Christmas, was a subscription to XM Radio. I badly wanted it over Sirius satellite radio, because XM has the Major League Baseball contract.
However, I find myself addicted to the XM music stations. Since Christmas, I have not listened to any local radio. I am traveling through time now, listening to Buddy Holly, the SOS Band, Whitney Houston, Bell Biv Devoe, George Benson, Clint Black, whoever I come across, on my 300 plus stations.
Oh, and the best part is, no more Shane Jewelers commercials! Commercials don't exist on my XM.
If Wayne D in St. Cloud reads this blog. Dude, you're still my homey. Holla back. Oh, and thanks again Shell.
perkout
February 2, 2007
From Racine to River Falls, Wasau to Waukesha, the fans of the green and gold are thanking their lucky stars today.
Brett Favre is back baby! He will be back for at least one more season.
I must say up front, I am not a Packers fan. I don't have a favorite football team. However, I will say this about the Pack.
First and foremost, Lambeau Field is the best place to watch a football game. Period. I've traveled to most of the stadiums in the NFL, and can say as far as sheer ambience, mystique, and grandeur go, you can not touch Titletown.
Second, Packers fans are awesome. Their utter devotion is mind boggling. Spend any time in the Fox River Valley, and you'll feel overwhelmed by their loyalty. I will freely admit, Bills fans and Steelers fans are crazy into their teams too, but the Cheeseheads are right there at the top.
Third, Brett Favre is the best personality the NFL has going. He's not necessarily the best quarterback, although it can definitely be argued so, especially considering what he's been able to accomplish with a marginal receiving corps, but hands down, their is no one player who embodies the spirit of the game better than #4.
My first assignment at KARE was covering the Pack in The Super Bowl in New Orleans back in the day. I even got to visit Favre's hometown of Kiln, Mississippi, but these facts don't sway my decision. Favre rules.
I for one, am stoked he's back.
perkout