Widowhood Sux

Just found this today: http://widowhoodsux.wordpress.com/

Without going into specifics, some of which are obvious, I totally agree with the sentiment. I’ve already sent the blog’s editor three statements and I’m sure I’ll come up with more.

For those of you engaged or in a marriage, always know widowhood is a nightmare I wish on no one. Divorce, of course, is an altogether different nightmare I wish on no one. Marriage, unfortunately, has to end in one of these ways.

Of course, in my case, I wish Cindy and I celebrated births of children and grandchildren before we took our marriage to a discussion of “’til death do us part”. More to the point of this moment, I wish we were just coming off of a celebration of a fifth wedding anniversary.

This is why “treasure your loved ones” was added to my sign-off phrase on RockTrax when I returned to the air in February of ’07 after Cindy’s untimely passing.

Be Careful With Obituaries

When I rolled out of bed this morning, one of my internet friends messaged me and asked if I’d heard anything about the passing of Ronnie James Dio, a well-known heavy metal artist. I scanned a few websites and responded I couldn’t find anything official. I’d later learn there were false reports of his passing all over the internet.

Unfortunately, the false would eventually become true. During the 3:00 p.m. hour of Rock 104 RockTrax, I found this message on RonnieJamesDio.com — which I would relay to the radio audience…

“Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever.”

– Wendy Dio

…for the record, I awoke before 7:30 a.m. In a factual sense, news of his death was closer to rumor than truth at the time.

While I’m saddened to learn of Dio’s passing, there’s a lesson for all of us in this tragedy. We have to be careful when reporting on someone’s death — whether it’s a famous rock star, government leader or the barber down the street. Stating someone’s dead before the actual passing needlessly adds to the heartache the family and friends go through.

As I noted to a member of a local rock band today, it’s better that we’re last on the air with a story like this, and have all the facts correct in the process, than to be first on the story and air a lot of misinformation.

Reverting To “The Civilian Apprentice”

It was recently reported that The Apprentice will go back to its original version with a number of job applicants competing to win a job within Donald Trump’s organization.

As you’re probably aware, this and the previous two seasons have been all-celebrity versions. While lots of money has been raised for great causes and there have been some great moments (seeing Omarosa getting the boot again, Melissa Rivers’ post-elimination outbursts, etc.), I have a feeling the taping of last night’s episode gave us “the real reason” why The Celebrity Apprentice will be Celebrity no more.

Without spoiling, I’ll note…

\ One celebrity had to back out of the competition due to a family matter.

\ Another, I sense, is teetering on the brink of bailing out due to a daughter’s medical condition. At least I can go into specifics since it was the focus of a lot of promos. Bret Michaels was in touch with his daughter over the possibility she’s a diabetic. Michaels, a diabetic himself, was naturally devastated and freaking out.

\ Another had a previously scheduled appointment at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (The White House, for those of you in Alpha, Ohio).

\ Another was apparently ill.

…while they’re all excused absences, I could see Trump’s frustration in the boardroom. Sure, these sort of things happened in pre-celebrity versions (away observing religious holidays, death in the family, etc.) The thing is they happened few and far between.

Humbling Anniversaries

Over the recent weekend, Rock 104 celebrated its 15th anniversary. Concurrently, it was also my 14th year of association with the station. Looking back at it all, all I can say is — “WOW!”

Over the last 14 years, I’ve met and worked with some amazing people, been to amazing places and, of course, have had lots of fun along the way.

Later this summer, I’ll celebrate 15 years of association with WDAM television — factoring in my brief time as an intern and in a production capacity before moving on to newscast producing. With apologies to Chris Myers of Fox Sports, that also deserves a — “WOW!” Amazing people and places associated with the time spent with TV as well.

The reason I bring this all up is because these two jobs have commanded more of my attention in recent times. Hence the few and far between blogging. I’m aiming to spend more time here at Doug’s Place. So thanks for being patient — oh, and for checking in. 🙂

My Two Cents on Tiger

I’ve seen and heard Tiger Woods’ mea culpa in full three times now. These few sentences from today’s statement he issued have raised my eyebrows (and probably my blood pressure).

“I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn’t have to go far to find them.”

Are you kidding me?!?! Tiger thought he could get away mixing married life and fooling around. He enjoyed competing in the highest ranks of pro golf, raking in millions of dollars in the process, and he thought he’d be “allowed” to spend some of that money on extra-curricular activity (that’s putting it nicely, to say the least).

I don’t even want to begin to calculate how much money he spent on the other women (I don’t have the time; I’ll let someone else do that). All I’m going to say is that money could’ve been spent in better ways (improving neighborhoods, gifts for the Mrs., maybe even opening up golf camps for youth).

Tiger’s certainly not the first pro athlete to become unbelievably rich and run afoul of marital vows in the process. As long as pro athletes make those millions, “the temptations”, as Tiger called them, will always be there.

Doug’s Place Flashback: While May 28, 2005, proved to be the official start of a brief marriage (for the benefit of those of you seeing my blog for the first time, I’m widowed), Cindy and I took the vows we exchanged to heart. While not every day was a bed of roses, we loved each other deeply and stayed committed to each other until the marriage’s natural end.

Unfortunately, during our time together, at least five other marriages involving couples Cindy and I knew were hitting the skids and on their respective ways toward “the big D”. One of those situations was just so unbelievable, I can remember I didn’t sleep well one night. When Cindy got into bed with me, I remember holding her real close and saying to her, “I never want to lose you.” The feeling was mutual.

Memo to those of you in a marriage: Stay committed to it. Make sure any and all temptations are in your rear view mirror. Move forward, never backward. If you have money to burn, that’s the golden opportunity to brighten your spouse’s day with a surprise gift.

Starting To Feel Like A Monkey’s Uncle

In February of ’09, I was at a Super Bowl party at a local restaurant. A waitress was wearing Saints gear — and I specifically told her, “Darling, it’s going to be a cold day in Ecuador before they win a Super Bowl.” Well, they’re 120 minutes away from the Lombardi trophy.

Fast forward to the summer and fall and all the drama of whether Brett Favre would suit up for the Vikings or stay retired. During a pre-season game, I blogged, “I’ll be real surprised if Brett Favre and the Vikings make the playoffs.” Well, they’re also 120 minutes away from the Lombardi trophy.

OK, I’ll eat crow on my latter statement and will be glad to take a second helping if the Saints win the whole shebang. The part about Ecuador getting a visit from Old Man Winter probably won’t happen by this time next month.

But back to the teams themselves. In order for the Saints or Vikings to win the Super Bowl, one team must defeat the other. Such is the fact for Sunday’s NFC championship game.

To say the least, there’s tremendous interest in this game throughout these neighborhoods. The Saints, the de facto home team, are playing against the Vikings, quarterbacked by a hometown hero.

At the end of Sunday, my sincere hope is that it will be a competitive game and it will be something we all talk about for years to come.

As for a prediction, I’ll just go this far and say the winning team in Sunday’s game will be — the one with more points on the scoreboard.

What The (censored) Were They Thinking?

A disturbing story that hit home crossed the wires today.

Kings Island amusement park, located just outside Cincinnati, had an early Halloween exhibit featuring “skeletons” of celebrities who’ve died within the last few months — including Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.

But wait, it gets worse. The exhibit also had the likeness of a deceased Steve McNair, again in skeleton form, holding a football helmet with a hole in the top. How tasteless.

This hits home for two reasons. McNair was part of South Mississippi’s neighborhoods before moving on to stardom at Alcorn State and fame and fortune in the NFL. I think we’re at a point where the less said about the circumstances that lead to his untimely death the better.

The other reason: My family and I lived near Dayton for eight years — and I’ve visited Kings Island with family and friends a good number of times. The last visit had to have been around 1990.

That “last visit” will be a “last visit” in more ways than one. I’m planning to revisit Ohio next year and the year after that. During those and other times I visit Ohio, none of my money will be spent at Kings Island.

With Halloween more than a month from now, a simple word of advice to those of you planning something similar to this atrocious display: DON’T!

Thumb’s Up To The SWAC

Like any other Southern Miss fan, I’m counting down to kickoff. But at the same time, I’m sure there will be heavy hearts on the other side of the ball come Saturday.

The Eagles’ first opponent: Alcorn State — alma mater of the late Steve McNair.

Word came today the powers-that-be in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, of which Alcorn State is a part of, are requiring players of their football teams to have #9 stickers on their helmets — in tribute to McNair.

I’m sure the Braves, at least, would do something to this effect. But during McNair’s collegiate career, he made a *lot* of people aware of the SWAC.

There are also plans to remember #9 during Saturday’s game. Another touch of class.

On a totally different football note, I’ll be real surprised if Brett Favre and the Vikings make the playoffs. A pre-season game against the Texans is taking place as I type this — and the Vikings were penalized minutes ago for too many players on the field. Might be a sign he’s trying to get used to them and vice versa.