I came across this article from which I learned quite a bit about a Holiday tradition, and feel compelled to share it with you! I'm particularly intrigued on the National Forests topic within. Here's everything you to know about the Christmas Tree industry, and then some! 

Why are Christmas trees so expensive? The economics of the U.S. holiday tree industry - Study Finds 

In my recent blog about my new Blazer, I included a few television advertisements from the late 90's promoting the vehicle. Searching for these led me down a YouTube rabbit hole of old automotive commercials, and there's too many good ones for me not to share with you here! Some make me laugh and some make me cringe, and all of them are perfectly antiquated. Enjoy these time capsules as we flash back to cars and trucks from years past!

There's nothing like a night-in watching holiday movies with the fireplace burning and a cup of hot cocoa or cider in your hands. Pair that with some popcorn and maybe a couple Christmas cookies, then add a fluffy blanket and cozy pajamas, and I'm good to go! 

There are surely a lot of Christmas movies out there, so I'm sure there's also many different favorites among us all. I'm simply here to get the discussion going and hopefully inspire you to reflect on some of the films you like best. Maybe I'll even remind you of one you forgot you loved. Let's dim the lights and turn up the surround sound, it's my top ten favorite Christmas movies! 

10. A Charlie Brown Christmas

9. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

8. The Polar Express

7. Home Alone

6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

5. Frosty The Snowman

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Live-Action)

2. Elf

1. The Year Without a Santa Clause

(A special shoutout goes to Shrek the Halls, which is more a feature than a movie at 30 minutes in length.) 

Thanks for reading and have yourself a happy holiday season! 

With several blogs on the topic, it's no secret I love the Grand Theft Auto series, and this Tuesday was huge in the timeline of events towards a new game as the official trailer for GTA 6 was released! This comes a decade after the release of the current game, GTA 5, and the new game itself won't even hit shelves until 2025. 

Rockstar has the potential to produce the greatest game ever made thus far in their hands here, so long as they do it right. I'm so incredibly nervous about it all. They had 12 years, so it had better be glorious. I'm especially worried about the online aspects of the game. I really hope they don't have any subscriptions or passes or pay-to-play features beyond selling Rockstar Points or whatever it is in GTA Online. The online part of GTA 5 is toxic and overwhelming and a shell of what it was originally, as it stands. It goes way too deep with the heists and missions and stuff, let alone the gangs and the businesses and whatnot. It's a real mess, so I stick to playing story mode and will do that again on 6 if it's equally unpleasant online.

I just hope they focus on the game itself more than adding silly missions and endless content. What I want more than anything is for each and every car you encounter to be different, just like in real life. In all the prior games, the cars come in packs, and the only differences among them are the paint colors, generally. I want to see bumper stickers, custom wheels, scratches/dents/rust, and completely unrelated vehicles spawning instead of just the same three at a given time in a certain area. I want to see roads with potholes and untrimmed grass in yards and unique NPC's too. That shouldn't be too much to ask with a decade plus of development going into GTA 6. 

With all this said, the GTA 6 trailer looks sick. I'm loving all the Florida references with it set in Vice City. Years ago, I prayed the new game would be Vice City (from GTA Vice City), since 5 was San Andreas (from GTA San Andreas) and 4 was Liberty City (from GTA 3). I'm anxiously optimistic about this new video game, but what do you think? Check out the trailer below! 

I'm stoked to announce: I bought a new car! Well... new to me that is. 

She's a '98 Chevy Blazer 2-door with a 5-speed manual transmission and relatively high mileage that I scooped up for a good price out of Kenmore. It was a California truck for most of its life and is stupid clean. Aside from some dents, dings, and sunspots, she's just gorgeous. There are little things that need addressed inside and out on the vehicle, but overall, I'm in love. 

The best part of it all is that the Blazer has 4x4! I have to keep telling myself, "Joe, you just bought this. Do not go mess it up mudding immediately. Keep it nice." I at least need it to make it through winter in one piece. It's not the Zr2 package either, so I need to do a couple things before she's ready for 'ffroading. At a minimum, I'd one day like to add a 2" lift, some meaty tires, mud flaps, skid plates, a bash bar, and a winch. It's cool to have a daily worth putting money into! 

I'm really excited to have it for transporting my powersports, especially. I just had a pressure washer in the back and it fit with room to spare, and the whole car just feels like it's a better size for me. I'm 6'3" in my cowboy boots, and never in my life have I owned a car with ample headroom. From my Valiant to my Monte Carlo SS, I've had to lean the seat back further than I would like to so as to avoid bumping my noggin. This Blazer however, just feels right to me, and even the backseat is roomy despite it being a coupe. I actually grew up riding in the back seat of a similar Blazer and I feel like it's all come full circle back to me now. 

Prior to purchasing the car, I had never really driven a standard shift. With almost no idea exactly what I was doing, I kind of just went at it with a sink or swim mentally. I managed to drive her home though, grinding gears and stalling the whole way through! While we're on the topic, I want to take the opportunity here to remind you that there are still people out there learning to drive a stick shift! Please, give me a little grace at those green lights; I swear I'm trying! I know it's green!!!

I'm back in that spot again where I have three vehicles in my name, so I'm selling the old daily and praying the gas money on this bigger car doesn't beat up my bank account too badly. My master plan is to use the Blazer as my daily, have the El Camino as my Sunday cruiser classic show car, and ride the motorcycle as much as possible otherwise. Not only do I love cruising around on the bike, but it's amazing on gas, so that'll all work out well I think. I can't wait to take the Blazer when I go out fishing, on little road trips, and even camping! 

I really could go on and on writing about my new set of wheels, but I wanted to ask, what should I name her? My Monte Carlo SS was named Carly, my Civic is Vicky, and the Elky is Eleanor. I'm leaning towards Whitney since she's white, but I'm very much open to suggestions. If you have any, I'd love it if you would drop a text in on the WQMX Studio Text Line (sponsored by Cricket Wireless) at 330-370-2000. Although I work overnights, you can do that any time and I'll be sure to see it. Thanks for reading this and for tuning in to WQMX!

This past Friday morning, I got the gut-wrenching news that the good-est boy ever, my childhood pup at my dad's house, Spike, had passed away. He died peacefully around midnight on Thursday, accompanied by my father and his "sister," Moosey.

Spikey, also known as Ralph or whatever other random name we wanted to call him in the moment, was born half Miniature Pinscher and half Chihuahua. His little stature contradicted so perfectly with his big dog mentally, as he would bark at everything and act like he was a real tough guy despite his ability to fit in a medium-sized purse. Spike was brought up around my all-time favorite canine, Molly, our white German Shepard. When she went to go live on that farm up in the sky, Spike needed another companion; and that's where the Moose came in.

Spikey was always a momma's boy to our dearly departed Sandy, my father's long-term spouse, and he had such a zest for life even in his elder years! I could go on and on about the memories made with that little pup by our side, but my favorite times were whenever we would all go fishing together. He loved going on car rides to anywhere, and I hope one day to have my own dog like him in that and so many other ways. He was a buddy to everybody once he got to know them, and every person who met Spike surely felt the same.

Ralph lived to the old age of 18 or 19, depending on who you ask, and had a good life showered in affection. I would always joke with my dad that I was coming down to his place not to visit with him, but with the dogs. The day prior to Spike's last, my father told me he was nearing the end, and I can't help but feel guilty for not having gone to say my goodbyes. I thought that maybe if I didn't acknowledge it maybe he'd just bounce back like he has before. Truth be told, he's been on his deathbed for years now, or at least that's what the vet has told us before. With this on my mind, I've long been appreciative of every moment I have gotten to spend with him.

I was only five years old when Spike entered into my life and my heart, and I really can't remember a time without him. As silly as it sounds, I thought he would be around forever and always. Spikey's up there with Molly and Sandy now trotting around in the fields of glory and enjoying as many soft tacos and plates of spaghetti as his little heart desires. Although I'm relieved to know he can finally rest and reuinte with his dog-mom, he will be missed dearly. I'm all torn up....

Rest in Paradise, Spike.

You read that right! The streaming giant just announced that it will be offering the Grand Theft Auto Definitive Edition Trilogy of games to subscribers via its mobile app. This would include Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. These games were originally released for the PlayStation 2 in the years 2001, 2002, and 2004, respectively. You could also play them on PC or Xbox, but nothing beats a PS2 in my opinion. 

Certain subtle differences can be found between the original games and the Definitive Edition ones, but even as a lifelong player of these specific titles, I hardly notice. I don't know if they added anything at all, but they removed or changed some little things such as content that may not sit as well in 2023 as it did in 2003. 

Last year for Christmas, my brother gifted me a copy of the GTA Definitive Edition trilogy for the Nintendo Switch. I've played it lightly, mostly taking it with me on road trips or wherever I need something to kill a little time. I can only assume the Netflix version will be nearly identical, but I'm curious how playable it will actually be without a controller. I know they offer other games on their app, but most every mobile adaptation of a traditionally controlled video game that I have played is garbage. I guess we'll just have to see, come December 14th when the trilogy will be available on Netflix Games. 

If you're considering playing them all but wondering which one to begin with, I'd have to recommend GTA III since it came out first. As you go newer with the games, the maps get bigger, the gameplay and graphics improve, and the stories become more intricate, offering a progressively immersive experience. Starting with GTA III allows you to appreciate the evolution of the series and witness the advancements in early open-world gaming.

If you're thinking about cracking into just one of the three games, I urge you to go with San Andreas. I consider it an absolute masterpiece; it's one of my all-time favorite videogames, without a doubt! I probably could have mastered an instrument or learned a foreign language in less time than what I've dumped into this specific game through my years, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

When I first saw the headline that Netflix was adding Grand Theft Auto, my mind instantly jumped to the conclusion that they must be making film adaptations of the games. Wouldn't that be so cool? I think so, but unfortunately, it isn't much more than a new platform picking up a few old titles. Still, I appreciate the continued revival of these legendary GTA's and the opportunity Netflix is giving its subscribers to feel like they're in the early 2000's again. Whether it's an original player rekindling their love for the games, flooding themselves with the nostalgia, or a new player experiencing the joy of Rockstar Games' finest for the first time, I love to see it! 

It's what some call thirsty Thursday, so what better time than the present to rank my top ten beers! 

When people ask me what type of beer I like, "cheap" is the best word I can answer with. I'm a simple guy who prefers longnecks over cans, and drafts best of all. I'm not into IPA's, stouts, porters, or any of that fancier or more mature stuff. I generally like an easy-drinking, lower percentage beer over a bolder one with a strong flavor; if you get what I'm saying here. 

So, let's get into this list! I'd really love to hear how you feel about my choices and how they compare to yours. 

10. Coors Light

9. Michelob Ultra

8. Dortmunder Gold

7. Miller Lite

6. Shock Top

5. Busch 

4. Busch Light

3. Coors Banquet 

2. Miller High Life

1. Corona Extra

As always, thank you so much for reading this and for listening to 94.9 WQMX! 

Working the overnights, it's all but necessary for me to have some form of caffeine each shift, and there's hardly anything I prefer more than Monster's Khaotic blend. It's a full flavor "Juice" variant of the drink characterized as Tropical Orange in flavor. For me, it's like a sweet nectar that I must force myself not to slurp down too quickly! It tastes so good, but the flavor it quietly replaced, Khaos, was even better. I miss that and the old Monster Mad Dogs with all my heart. I can't emphasize enough how badly I want those Mad Dogs to come back....

Once or twice a week, I will stop by my local gas station to restock on the Khaotics. I can only carry about four of them at a time to the counter, so that's generally how many I will scoop up while taking advantage of that 2-for-$5 deal you'll commonly find. Unfortunately, I don't think they make multipacks for this variety like they do for other Monsters. Most places I've bought this specific drink from run out of them relatively quickly and are slow to replenish, but somehow this new Marathon I discovered has been reliable. When a store is out of the cans I like best, I gravitate towards Grape NOS if they have them. Otherwise, it's the O.G. black and green cans of Monster. 

I loathe artificial sweeteners and in turn any low calorie, sugar free, low carb, etc. types of energy drinks. It seems as though I'm way in the minority on this however, as there are oodles of options in those categories as opposed to what I call "full-flavor" drinks. As much as I love sweet stuff, I'd rather have water than a diet pop any day of the week. 

Ultimately, I just wanted to give a shoutout to my go-to drink, my nightly friend, Monster Khaotic. If you've never had it but enjoy the original blend of Monster, I'd highly recommend giving it a try! I think it's particularly appealing as a morning time drink with it's orange juice sort-of base flavor. It's a bit more mellow tasting than the original Monsters too and feels less like a battery on your tongue! Whether you drink coffee, energy drinks, or both; let's give a hand for caffeine on this hump day! 

I check Facebook Marketplace daily, primarily looking at vehicles and powersports stuff. It's sort of like a game. If there's something worth buying, odds are it has been posted within the past 24hrs, so I like to stay current on what's out there in the area. I've been loosely looking for a new daily driver and a few other items, but it's unlikely that I will actually try to buy anything, typically. I'm in a group chat with my close friends and we really enjoy simply sending each other our cool finds. I don't know why, but It's so entertaining and fun to do! 

I look at a ton of trucks, and there are some really sweet ones out there at any given moment. I was revisiting my photos for inspiration for this blog when I found a screenshot I had taken of one that stood out to me especially. The truck itself is rad, but what really makes me love it is the mural of itself on the side! It's a silly little thing, but also a reminder of when vehicles were more than just a way of commuting, but a piece of our personalities. I can only imagine the individual who commissioned this artwork, but let me tell you; that's someone I feel like I could have a fun time with! 

So, let me throw this towards you. Have you customized your car in any way, big or small? Maybe it's as simple as a couple stickers on your back window, or maybe you have a full camo paint job. Maybe you have custom wheels and a lift kit or an aftermarket glasspack muffler and a sporty spoiler. Some places are quite strict on what modifications you can do, but Ohio is certainly not one of them. Take advantage of this freedom and don't be afraid to express your personality through your car! I love to see it. 

Thank you for reading, and take care now. Don't forget to catch me on-air from Midnight-5am, right here on Your Country 94.9 WQMX!