The Avengers dominated the box office again with 150 million more dollars.  Let's see how the new flicks are this week!

Long Shot  (Review)

This had the formula to be really funny, and fun. This stars Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen in a classic "She's out of my league film."  She is a high roller, and he is just a sloppy dude, and somehow they find each other set up for romance. 

There is much to like here, like Theron's great performance, and the formula in general.  Rogen is very good in some aspects of this movie, and boring and lazy in others.  His man-child characters have a certain appeal, but the same language, and virtually the same gags, and middle school humor is wearing thin.  He just can't seem to help himself selling out to the lowest common denominator of humor instead of being funny in a new, or creative way. And even though he does things here very well he's not really done before, he drops the ball when he decides it's more fun to make 6th graders laugh.

I think every guy has felt this at one time or another in their life.  Whether its accurate or not in reality, guys can sometimes find themselves on a date with someone they feel is out of their league.  And many times you find yourself surprised to who you are attracted to. So the formula is here for a high level of truth and should be lauded. This is Pretty Woman in reverse so to speak, but there is enough difference and time lapsed to make it on it's own.

Rogen has a good idea here, and a strong co-star.  This is not a bad movie at all.  But it is a opportunity missed I feel, to make something legit and very different, and still funny.

The Intruder   (Review)

OK, this is terrible.   Dennis Quaid stars a creepy dude that sells his house to a nice young couple but can't seem to let go of the past or the house.  So he terrorizes them.  How Quaid got tangled up in this mess of a movie is beyond me.  This could be one of the worst scripts I have had to labor through in a long while.  Horrible story, terrible dialogue, characters that are so incredibly clueless, it's laughable.  Hey, I've got an idea. CALL THE POLICE!  This doesn't dawn on these people for the entire movie.  So instead they put up with this  "Intruder" for one hour and 40 minutes of manure filled film.

This will be on many critics radar as one of the years worst. 

Yesterday it was Adopt A Shelter Dog Day, and the fact that day even exists makes me happy.  I am a big believer in shelter dogs, as I feel they have a special purpose.  They, more times than not, had a rough start.  Being abused, dumped, forgotten, or just given up on in some way.  So, they silently wait behind bars for a hero to show up who will introduce them to new, and better sunrise.   Dogs love people. At least they want to.

When you adopt a shelter dog, you are giving them a second chance at happiness.  And because of the sense you get from them, you may feel the same way.  Many times an adopted dog comes to you as a result of a loss of another dog, or a need you have to care for something, the company, or simply the love you have for dogs.   You see, you and your shelter dog have more in common than you think.

Juneau After Adoption!

I adopted Juneau The Husky 8 years ago when she was just one. She had been dumped, and was on the run for about a month before she would finally succumb to the elements and hunger.  After she was collected up and taken to a shelter, I adopted her.  I was interested in a Great Dane that was there for a long time, but he was adopted a day or so before. So skinny and scared (Atika)   -  or Juneau as I would rename her, went home with me.  She deserved everything new, as it was a new day for her!

We have filled the voids in each other, as I feel she chose me.  Isn't that the charge of a shelter dog?  I think so. PLEASE consider adoption they next time you are looking for a dog.  It's about as nice of a thing as you can do.  Telling someone you don't even know, that you will be thier best friend for the rest of thier life!

Well, Avengers:Endgame is out, and the money is rolling in. DON'T WORRY, there will be no spoiler here during our chat.

I always feel movies of this magnitude are difficult to review. The problem is, no one wants to hear anything that isn't glowing.  If you don't love it you're judged and called "not a real fan." Which is ridiculous.  Fans of this franchise already love every frame of this movie without even seeing it. There is virtually nothing they could have done to make fans not love this.  That is the challenge of the reviewer here.   In today's world it is tough to look a many pop culture items honestly for many. 

I think movies for the most part should be reviewed on what they are, and who they are made for.  And this is made for its core fans, and in that respect it delivers everything they can possibly want. - And more! -  Yes, this is 3 plus hours, but that is not a problem.  This moves along nicely, keeps you in the game.  This movie brings all the other movies into play, and tries to tie it all up in tidy fashion.  Tough task.  And most will be satisfied.

One of the troubles they have here, it's tough to have all of your favorites play a vital role in this entire production, and some may be mad that some of their favs do not play the large role some of the others do.  There is just not enough screen time for all to be the star, so Marvel did its research and made thier decision. Something had to give.  There also are a couple of scenes here that don't make much sense, but who cares?  It's superheros on screen fighting evil, with a grand payoff.

And the ardent and casual fans will love it.

The past few weeks I had the honor of remembering fondly the early part of my radio days.  A few weeks ago, Windy and I were in Nashville on a fun weekend, and I saw a great old friend named Dave Lenahan who is working at the Ryman these days.  Dave was the Program Director at WOBL in Oberlin, Ohio that gave me my first job in Country Radio, My first big break, back when the Earth was cooling.  My first job in radio was a Pop/Rock station (in those days)  WLRO in Lorian, Ohio I was 19.

Dave gave me my second radio job and introduced me to a whole new world that has been, and continues to be very good to me all these 38 years later -  every day!   I have worked at only Country Stations ever since Dave hired me.  It was great to see him.

Me and Dave at the Ryman!

Then a week or two later, I learned of the passing of a friend of mine named Damon Sheridan.  Damon gave me the second big break of my career, when he hired me to do mornings at WRMZ in Columbus, Ohio, a new Country Station, when I was newly 22 years old.  He hired me away from Dave at WOBL.

Damon Sheridan.  I wish I had a pic together with him.

I guess what I have been feeling is that we all have those we will never forget in our careers.  Those who made a HUGE impression, even if we are too busy to really digest it at the time, because all is happening too fast.  It was great to reconnect with these memories within a very short time. 

To Dave, and Damon. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for your belief in me at the very beginning.  I will continue to try to do you both proud, all these decades later. Dave - It was great to see you, and Damon  - Rest well my friend.

Windy and I at the Ryman!  -

“Support, Makes The Heart Grow Fonder…”

I know you’ll say the the word is  - “absence “  -  in the famous quote, and I believe that to be true also.  But “support” to me is far more close to home, and more powerful.  As I believe showing support for someone you love is a daily happening, as well as one that can be easily transferred when absence is a temporary part of your life.

I am a big believer that supporting the important players in your life is one of the best gifts you can give them.  And equally, I feel it is one of the most valuable you can receive when it’s your turn.  And someday, it will be your turn.  When you gladly, and with a happy heart, support them in endeavors that are worth supporting you are saying to them, “I love and believe in you, and your charge.”   And that glad act goes well up and beyond the spoken word, of  “I love and care about you.” It is action.  Support is a verb in this case.  There are some, but there are few words I would rather hear than,” I support you.”  Those words are like gold to me to hear.

Sadly, this is not the always the case with people in our daily lives as many factors can get in the way.  And yes, not everyone’s actions can be supported, obviously.  But for those people that have found their way into your world, or more importantly, into your heart, many times that is what they want up and beyond your love.  And I feel it is up and beyond love.  It is a higher love.  And who wouldn’t want that?

And when they venture out in some fashion, whether it be a new career,  a new job, a healthier life style, or setting out on a journey worth taking somewhere on our globe, they want to know you are with them. 

And when you choose to support them fully with your heart  –  that’s exactly   -  where you are.

Stand By Me .....

This week is a week you may remember for a long time. Avengers:Endgame comes out, and this will more than likely rewrite every single box office record there has ever been.  And at least temporarily be the biggest movie of all time!

Good idea to buy them in advance, online or go in the middle of the night.  Gonna be huge!

What's better than being a golf course dog?  Every now and again at a public golf course you see a dog that somehow came to live at that course.  He, or she, can be seen running along side the mowers and among the workers on the course.  You can see them having the time of their lives, and when I see it, it warms my heart. All that space, cool grass, air, and friends   -  for that lucky dog.

There was a dog that lived on a course in Columbia Station I have played before, (Creekwood) but it was years ago. I used to see him running alongside the big fairway mowers.  I am sure he slept well at night, probably in the cart barn, or the maintenance shed.  I also remember a great dog at Sugarbush in Garrettsville in Portage County that roamed the clubhouse early in the morning, and then watched us all play the 18th hole from the cool grass later that morning!

I'm thinking those dogs fell on hard times, and somehow hit the jackpot when some bighearted golf course workers decided to make them their own.  I recently learned of a dog named Dewey that passed away this week at Bob-O-Links in Avon (Lorain County) and it moved me enough to write this. He was a part of the landscape there for about 11 years.  He was such a part of the course, they posted this pic on Facebook to announce his passing. What a great life!

Photo Courtesy of Bob-O-Links Facebook Page

Sleep well Dewey.

And Speaking Of Dogs!  

It's that time of the year when a bunch of us from WQMX come together and support Pay It Forward For Pets, the wonderful non-profit organization run by our friend Georjette Thomas.  Their annual casino night is this weekend, and I and a few of us will help emcee this wonderful event that raises money for this great organization to fulfill its charge and help hundreds of dogs find homes in Summit County.

Would love for you to support these great people!

We have been riding the weather roller coaster that last few weeks, and like you, I am ready for the good weather to get here for good.   Tons of mowing yesterday, and tons of rain today, and then cool - to darn near cold for a day or so.

Gotta be patient!

The weather, is like anything else, sometimes you just have wait your turn.    We're waiting!

And Speaking Of Dogs.....

“Dogs find that one hidden place in our hearts, that alludes virtually everyone, and everything else”

My Dog – Juneau The Husky!   If I watch closely enough, she teaches me much

If you are a dog owner, you understand this as well as you know anything.  Dogs, find a place within us that nothing else can.  It’s uniquely their charge, as dogs themselves are unique.  Our dogs come to us in various ways.  Bought, adopted, found, inherited, and so forth. And they don’t care how they get to you. They only care that they do. 

The key to this is simple.  The genesis of your relationship with your dog makes no difference to your dog.  Your new friendship is predicated on, just being friends.  There is no judgment, or baggage between you.  Granted, in some cases your new dog may have some baggage on his own.  His past could be tough and tumble, or horrible.  But all he wants is to start again, anew, with you.  No other friendship we have, has this as its starting point.

From that moment on your dog has only one goal in mind.  Pleasing you and making you a part of his life.  One thing I think we all have to remember, is that as good of company as our dogs can be for US, we are THEIR best friend.  WE are all THEY have. They look to us daily for everything they need and want.  And dogs give us all they have to give every minute of every day.  They have nothing else to give, besides their loyalty and love, which to them is one of the same.

So if you wonder why you feel the way you do about your dog, and why he is in a place within you that is different and separate from every other being on the planet?  It’s because that’s how you are   –  to him. They find that place, because they want to.

There is much to learn from a dog, that is worth learning