Ninety nine percent of the radio people I know do not write out anything they say on the air…it’s conversational, adlibbed and more personal. That’s the way my era of radio announcer was taught. We hated HATED being told we had to use liner cards and read scripts. We even used a little dramatic license when we read commercials – live or recorded – to give it personality and hopefully make you interested in the product.

So when I ran across this clip from a TV show from Saturday Night Live it again reenforced my belief that radio people can take any opportunity to make a break or a introduction their own – and TV people like to read scripts. And when it goes bad for them it can really go bad.

I have become a texter. I promised myself I would not. But the world is become a texting world and I am just trying to keep up. So I finally got unlimited texting in my cell phone service.

I check my email, my Facebook, my Twitter and take video and photos with my phone.

Over time I have learned that – no matter how much I enjoy the immediacy and convenience of my Blackberry – it needs to go away every so often and I need to experience life.

The women in the video below learned that the hard way. I’d bet money though that she Tweeted, posted on Facebook and texted her spill once her phone dried out.

Recently I have been slapped in the face with the realization that most of the generation behind me – those say 25 and younger – have become so dependent on their cell phones they have no idea what is happening in the world.

Not just that there may be a fountain right in front of them or a staircase or a pole or a car or a cliff – but the actual world around them. Politics, community, family. #2 Son who is living with us now is a perfect example of an 18 year old who is about to discover that everything he needs to survice is not gonna be found on his cell phone. It may not be his decision to put it down and look around but it will be his lot in life the next few weeks while he lives with me.

The other day I was driving him over to the school where he was trying to enroll. We were driving through Houston’s Chinatown – a very interesting section of the city – and looking for a specific address. I am not familiar with this part of town and was being very careful not to pass the address so as not to get lost.

You would think that me saying I was not real sure where we were going would put him on notice that perhaps he should put down his cell and assist me in watching for the address. But nnnnnnooooo…

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Have you ever texted someone to tell them you were emailing them something? Maybe if it’s really really important and it needs their response right away or maybe if you know that person doesn’t check their email very often it would be okay. Right? I have done that one or twice. Usually just for my friend Lisa who checks her email about once a month.

That’s not obsessive. Or at least I don’t think it is.

But we have decided #2 Son’s Mom has become our Stalker Mom. Because within a 3 day span of him being here texts become reminders to check voicemails, which are notices that an email has been sent which I’m sure are follow ups to smoke signals which I cannot see from Shreveport.

Example 1: Yesterday I got a text from her telling me to check my email regarding something that wasn’t gonna need my attention until today…and really should have been sent to #2 Son because it was concerning his schedule. Both the email and the text were sent when I was in the movie theater and had my phone off. Shortly after I turned my phone back on and had checked both the text and the email I got a call to tell me what the text and email had already told me.

Example 2: There is a possibility that #2 Son may get to play in a soccer game against the pro Dynamo team this weekend (he is here to practice and train with the Dynamo junior Club). Pretty much that’s all we know. It may or may not happen and he may or may not sit the bench since he’s the newest guy on the squad. #2 Son’s Mom called about 10 this morning to ask me if she should come and bring friends to see him. (I’m kinda sure that’s a decision she should be discussing with him)

When I didn’t answer my phone because I was cutting up chicken to make some delicious home made soup, she left a voice mail. I figured I’d call her right back when my hands weren’t covered in raw chicken juice.

Then Katherine’s phone rang. Katherine was still asleep and I heard her kinda stumble across her bedroom floor to her cell phone.

Seriously? After a Facebook exchange which I ended with “call you rson and ask him, he really knows more of the details than I” and leaving a voicemail on my phone was it really necessary to wake a late sleeper?

Yeah, I’m, being a bit bitchy about it. I admit it. And in a few hours I may regret this post. For now I’m just glad I decided to “Nip it in the bud” and let #2 Son’s Mom know texting to tell us she is emailing us to tell us she is gonna call is overkill and she has turned from Soccer Mom to Stalk-her Mom.

For a while I couldn’t get enough of Viral Video Film School on Cuurent TV. Then it got movved to another night and I lost track. Yeah for YouTube. Now I can catch up and share!

Brett Erlich scours the internet in order to teach you a summer-themed lesson on how to avoid poolside accidents and mishaps with this collection of ocean, lake, pool, and boat fails. It’s one of my favorites!

(At 1:56 you’ll hear Brett utter one of the funniest lines in TV history!)

Remember the old Charlie Chan films where he always had his “Numba One Son”? Henry Oswald Lee Chan was the oldest of 14 children Charlie and his wife. (He was also played on screen by Keye Luke.)

Yes, Charlie was actually a very famous detective during the early 20th century before becoming a movie star.

It was always #1 son that I recall from those little movies. But there was a #2 son as well. I won’t get into all the actors who played Jimmy…it gets to be a little complicated.

Right now in my world I have a #1 Son and a #2 Son. Neither of which I actually gave birth to.

How Does This Happen?

Several years ago I spent my birthday in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Actually in a small little cabin about 10 miles outside of town. The Ozarks in the Fall is the most amazing place. Filled with beautiful leaves and fall colors and sweatshirt weather and warm soups and all things comfy it was a terrific vacaion.

I could have stayed forever. But real life called and I had to leave the ideal setting and return to my small townhome and job.

But now I believe I have found my retirment home in that neck of the woods. I may need to work some overtime.

If you’re in the mood for an opulent and unique home, but a $12 million private island isn’t your style, then Castle Rogue’s Manor might be right up your medieval alley. Located overlooking White River in Eureka Springs, Ark., this 15,000 square-foot castle sports 12 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 17 acres of land, and a $1.8 million price-tag. It is also a castle, just like the name implies.

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Jason Allen – I’ll Miss You This Christmas is one of my most favorite new holiday songs.

Not because it’s a “miss you song” but because his guitar playing and vocals are always spot on for this sound.

Click the link to listen to the song and if you have a chance to catch Jason is concert….GO. His guitar playing is worth your time.

As a radio person for many years WKRP has always held a warm spot in my heart. And one of the best Thanksgiving Day screw ups in radio promotion history just happened to happen on it…enjoy the turkey drop.

Every time I walk into Cedar Creek I see this sign. Cedar Creek is a beautiful multi level deck bar and grill in the Heights that is so perfect for dogs it’s sad they aren’t allowed in to sit in the shade with their owners.

But all that is changing in Houston now! Paws on Patios is making it possible for you to bring your well behaved best friend with you for a brew and a bite at selected eateries around town.

Now I know some folks are gonna be really turned off by having to share a patio with a pooch. And if they are not well behaved I’d prefer they stay home too. But I’ve sat in restaurants with wild kids that I’d like to send to obedience school!

Don’t give me any snot about “well, those are kids NOT dogs.” Have you ever had your ear drum pierced by a screaming kid during a dinner? And I LOVE the kid who can’t sit still and comes up to your table and stares at you. Especially when their parents do nothing to make them sit still and be well mannered.

Yes, I guess I am saying I’d rather sit with a sweet puppy instead of a sticky kid. And since dogs will not be allowed in the restaurants – only on patios where the owners have purchased a permit! – you don’t have to sit with them unless you want.

Watch the KPRC story here

Read the KPRC story