Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Remember When Kids Just Beat On Other Kids?

I was just checking out an article via MSN recently and the headline read:

"ADHD: Kids With It May Be More Likely to Bully Others"

Alright, I think I can understand and see that. I can remember vividly living in the outskirts of Chicago in the late 1970's, venturing to school. I was a "walker" back then, close enough to school to walk, alone most of the time, providing for what is my creative side. Lots of ideas and thinking time way back then.

Enter Jeff Wagonnconneckt (Wagon-Connect).

Looking back at Jeff's behavior back then, I have to tell you - I think this kid was just an asshole, and he just wanted to beat on other kids. I don't know if "Mommy didn't love him enough," if his Daddy was playing "pull my magic finger" with him or what - it didn't matter to me then and doesn't now.

What I do know is that I sustained 2 school seasons of walking-by beatings, thanks to one Jeff Wagonnconneckt, the errant 6th grader because he got his jollies and giggles from it. It wasn't anything to do with ADHD, it was that he liked pounding on kids that would allow themselves to be pounded on.

This continued on until the day I was walking home with Sweet Virginney - I know not where she is now, but man - she was my first true crush, the likes of which Forrest Gump has never imagined. While she and I were walking home from Twinbrook, along with my friend Rickey Horagis and Wendee Collins, I heard the soon-to-arrive Vvvv-Vvvvv-Vvvvv-Vvvvv of snake skin BMX bike tires owned by Wagonnconneckt and instantly prepared to snap into cower-mode with my pedestrian friends.

But something in the air that early 1978 afternoon made me understand something that I've become universally aware of as an adult -- There is a time to make a break for it, sure. There is also a time to stand, and this was it. To defend my young honor in front of not only the kid that I shared every single STAR WARS ACTION FIGURE WITH, but also to brave the cruel potential of being a dork-feeb-weakling in front of the only girl that had my seven-year-old heart in her clutches.

Rather than run, I made my stand - and got my ass beat on once again.

Thankfully, my friends didn't think any less of me. They, even at their young age, understood that Jeff Wagonnconneckt was just a bike riding dick, and the world didn't come to an end. Virginney? She and her parents moved away that fall to Texas, so no whirlwind romance there. I moved to a different area that same fall and never saw or spoke to Virginney or Ricky, or Wendee again, so my 7 year-old lack of fighting skills was hidden from most.

The final conclusion here folks, is that the kid was just an asshole, beating on a kid that took it.

Justice is truly a cruel and ironic companion however. When meeting up with another friend from that age many years later, Benjamin Huu, he told me that he learned that Jeff Wagonnconneckt was -- (insert drumroll.wav) run over by a car that fall -- while riding his bike on one of the main nearby arteries that surrounded our subdivision.

While it's never 'justice' truly, when a kid gets mowed down by a car, -- well, yes it is. :) If I I've learned anything from not only my parents, friends and my own experiences, it's that you always do get what you give.

Loving It When a Plan Comes Together...

It's not often that I'm "right" and so when it does happen I shall trumpet it.

Late last year, when The 2GuysTalking: 24 Podcast was nominated for Best Entertainment Podcast, and Best Podcast, we rubbed elbows with some outstanding podcast shows that were available on the web. One that stood out, perhaps because of the subject matter, or that they had multiple hosts that included "a chick" - I'm not sure which, I wanted to secure and have The Galactica Quorum Podcast on our original content podcast network.

Finally, as the new year arrived, we did - The Galactica Quorum Podcast is giving our network a shot and folks - the traffic they've enjoyed so far makes the head reel. It's clear to me that there are a series of shows, that enjoy a very solid and like fanbase and we've been able to collect much of that interest via the podcasts that are currently available on our network.

Whether it's their engaging interviews with Galactica-based stars (which is what's rocked their bandwidth world recently - interviews with stars always do), their banter between eachother that reminds me a lot of great podcasts gone by, or their professionally done website stuffs, The Galactica Quorum Podcast has their collect Podcast briefcase together and I am very proud to have them as a participant in our network.

It also makes me understand how I need to follow my gut and initial instincts more and not think things to death ;)

Check out The Galactica Quorum Podcast via our 2GuysTalking Podcast Network website, or visit them directly. Tell them what you think of their show and website resources. I'm certain you won't be disappointed.

More Outstanding Entertainment - The TERMINATOR Podcast...

Those of you that have any interest in the TERMINATOR series movies now have something special to enjoy, along with something brand new that harken back to characters and stories long gone by.

It's the TERMINATOR Podcast, the newest piece of The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network puzzle that taps another great and existing fan-base that is collecting fans left and right, and TRULY provides you with something entertaining and memorable. Whether it's the feature film reviews of all 3 great TERMINATOR silver screen options (in detailed multiple parts - take note TERMINATOR geeks) , or the weekly following of the new hit Fox show, "The Sarah Connor Chronicles", I and a gaggle of guest-hosts, ranging from previous and current podcast hosts, to life-long friends, have truly hit our stride in the recent review of the 3rd episode that is just excellent podcasting.

Check out these new podcasts and be sure to take just a moment to let us know what you think of them by visiting The 2GuysTalking TERMINATOR Podcast website - click on the Contact button on the top right hand side and fill in the quick webform and let us know what YOU think!

Never the Two Shall I See...

Ahh, who'd have ever thought that the first post of a new year would be concerning two of my most hated items: Monty Python and Clay Aiken.



Clay apparently will be the focal point for a grand, new Broadway show called "Monty Python's Spamalot" in creator Eric Idle's old role. He talks about lots of pressure, lots of opportunity -- right, and then the second picture available in the article the one shown above: Clay Aiken choking the chicken.

What pieces of artistic genius in this combination am I missing here, folks?

After seeing the first photo I realized how much Aiken reminds me of someone else that I really like - but who is also grating on the nerves - Martin Short. And what is it with the pseudo-JohnTesh hair there?
Check out the pictures below and let me know what you think!