Joey's Blog

The 4th is a good time to reflect on all that is good with our great nation.

WALL-E.  Saw it!  Loved it!  Good flick.  Go see it.

Cole slaw.  Again - goes with anything.

Coke zero.  At this point, if I cut myself shaving, that's what's gonna seep out.

Air conditioning.  You sweet, seductive temptress - you had me at "on".

The DVR:  you magnificent machine.  If Philly built a statue for Rocky, then EVERY COMMUNITY ON THE PLANET should have a marble bust of a DVR somewhere near city hall.

The awesome variety of beers available at any grocery store.  (That one was NOT for the kids.  Not until you're 21, junior.)

The Office.  The Office re-runs on NBC.  The Office re-runs on TBS.  Me watching every season of The Office on DVD.  The Office webisodes on line.  The Office.  (That was like a whacked-out crackhead haiku).

I'm about to have to do final weather - so - I'll end with that.

I always work on the 4th of July.  But, there are a lot of reasons why I like the 4th of July. 

I love grilled meats.  And coleslaw.  In fact, coleslaw should be in the refrigerator year round.  Not just on the 4th.  Yet, I digress.

I love our flag.  And the way people will put the flag colors on ANYTHING (and of course, try to sell it at Target and Wal-Mart).

I love fireworks, and barbecues with friends, and coolers full of drinks dripping with ice.

But most of all, I love this country.

I feel like I should write that because it seems to me like we've been taking a beating of late - from over seas as well as from ourselves.  Gets a little old.

Sure, we're not perfect.  Sure, we've got corruption, problems, issues, bad politicians on both sides.  But it's still the best thing going.  We're still FREE to write a blog that the world can read, voicing our opinions about religion, our government, and so on - without fear of being imprisoned, or caned, or blown up.

We not only have fire trucks and ambulances and police cars moments away at any given time for protection - we have libraries and parks and zoos.

Do you know any vets?  I know a lot.  From my grandfather and father, to life-long friends.  I owe them a lot.

You do too.

So who saw my story on the 1936 Tupelo Tornado?  If you missed it, you're in luck!  Go to the search bar on the home page, and type in "Tupelo Tornado" and check it out.  Kip Gordon, a FOX13 Promotions Producer, worked with me on it.  He shot and edited it (we did all the work on our own time), and we're very proud of how it turned out.  Check it out and tell me what you think.

I also had a GREAT weekend.  Sure, my FOX13 Gold Team lost to Matt Stark's Blue Team in a station softball game, but it wasn't from lack of trying.  We had a good time.

Then later that night I got a serious treat.  One of my favorite bands reunited and played at Newby's!  That's right baby:  Tora Tora!  They've been asked to perform at the rapidly growing "Rocklahoma" festival (google it....very impressive), and decided to use the Newby's date as a warm-up.  I got to see my friends in the band, who I haven't seen in 10+ years...AND, they asked me to get on stage and say a few words about them right before they played!  I gotta tell you, I felt like a rock star myself.  The place was sold out, the crowd was amazing, and the show did not disappoint.  Even after all these years, those boys haven't lost a single note.  I hope that the world rediscovers what amazing music the made, and that they get paid to make even more of it.   (and you should check them out too!  go to their myspace page:  myspace.com/tora tora band and listen!)

 

(Joey note:  in an attempt to write more, i'm going to get all 'stream of consciousness' on you.  that means i won't capitalize everything i should, or even spell-check.  takes too long.  slows me down.  get on board and everybody wins)

Always a fair question.  I'm determined to write more. Of course, that means finding 10 more minutes out of every day (which is already jam-packed enough to give a palm pilot a coronary).  But I know you like to read, and I like to write, so in theory this should work like 'peas and carrots' (I always hear Forrest Gump say that line in my head as I write it.  Then I hear him say the name "Jenny", which is really pronounced more like "Jenn-Knee".)

My yard is languishing in between beautiful and not.  Water is a pain, but once freshly shorn, the grass is worth it.

I"m excited about some new opportunities that will (hopefully) be opening up soon on myfoxmemphis.com!  Stay tuned for more (too early to give you the specs yet, but I will).

Can't wait to hear Tora Tora perform this Saturday at Newby's.  Will be great to hear those guys (interesting side note:  I was a bartender in Midtown during the recording of one of their albums.  they used to come in to, shall we say, hydrate.  i was their bartender, and got to know them.  they even took me over to Ardent studios and showed me around.  great memory.  anyway, when that album came out, i'm mentioned in the liner notes as 'one of the poeple we'd like to thank'!  i'll always be proud of that.)

Trying to stay cool seems like a 24 hour job.  And i never fail to be amazed, when i walk from the the soggy humidity outside into the crisp, cool air-conditioning of a home or office, that for A VERY LONG TIME people in the south didn't have a/c!  I mean, come on!  seriously.  Must have been a lot of snarky, moody people back in the day (which, by the way, always cracks me up when i hear anyone under the age of 30 use that phrase.  i think you need to be at LEAST 31 to say "back in the day". )

I hope this next fact gets some airplay soon, but it just came to my attention that this site you're on - MyFoxMemphis.com - is a hairs-breadth away from being tied with the Commercial Appeal for 1ST PLACE in WHERE MID-SOUTHERNERS GET THEIR ONLINE NEWS (or something like that).  Pretty dang cool!

It's also way cool that we've got this great blog system.  I'm all for empowering the people and giving you a medium for your thoughts.  And this site has a great system for that.  I hope you're getting the most out of it.

I'm tired of reality shows, for the most part.  Hell's Kitchen is still interesting, but some of the others I just don't get.  I'm ready for the culture to shift back to well-writen comedies.  Peopled with unknowns (ala The Office) who will work their tails off to make it work.  (I mean, don't you hate it when a good show goes on for years, and the cast gets jaded and 'too-big-for-tv', and you can see it in their acting?  they're all, disinterested and aloof?  check out the last two seasons of Friends to see what I mean - particularly Jennifer Aniston.)  Please bring back The Office soon!  (Andy Bernard is one of my all time favorite tv characters, and amazingly acted by Ed Helms.)

Wish I lived closer to work.  If I did, I'd ride my back every day.  And I'd always know whether to wear a slicker or not, as I'm a weatherman.

Great comics to read in the CA (or online) until tv gets better:  Get Fuzzy (brilliant).  Dilbert (has yet to suffer a bad season - Scott Adams is a genius).  And for some reason I can't yet explain, I want to see the relationship flourish between Brad DeGroot and fellow ((female)) firefighter Toni Daytona in Luann.  I know - Luann, right?  I'm even embarassed to type it, for crying out loud.  But, when the eyes aren't held in check, there's no telling where they will wander to.

And why' can't gas stations all pick the same low, basic price and all agree on it?  Can't we just ignore this whole "free trade" and "capitalism" thing for once?  Earn your profits on hamburgers you've shaped into hotdogs and oversized cans of cheap beer iced down by the front door.

Speaking of which:  that "oversized cans of cheap beer iced down by the front door" is unbelievable!  There should be a sign right next to it that says, "Hey, man!  PLEASE drink and drive!  Do NOT let this thing get any warmer!"  I mean, who's going to hold an iced-down can of beer, on a HOT SOUTHERN DAY, ice and condensation dripping all down the side, and say to themselves:  "This is going to taste really good when I get home and it's about 20 degrees warmer!"  COME on!  ((Reminds me of the ridiculous sight that greeted me on a past trip to New Orleans:  Drive thru frozen daiquiri shacks.  No kidding.  You could walk up, or drive through.  That's it.)

Got more to add to this?  Love to hear it.  That's what the "Comment" tab is for.

Peace out.

 

 

How Mid-Southerners get their 'weather warnings' is an often debated topic.

When local weather-anchors break-into your shows to tell you what's happening, two things happen:  ratings skyrocket, and people complain. 

Your very own FOX13 here in Memphis is the creator and pioneer of what's now being studied across the country:  the "No Hype" weather approach.

What does that mean?

Let me start with what it DOES NOT mean.

"No Hype" DOES NOT mean we will never jump into programming.  When it's important, we ABSOLUTELY will.

"No Hype" means WE WON'T STAY IN YOUR SHOW, and IN YOUR FACE. 

FOX13 has a team of dedicated meteorologists with years and years of experience that scrutinize every single storm.  Our job is to look for potential dangers, and pass those warnings along to you, our friends and family in the mid-south.  "HOW" we do that is what differentiates tv station from tv station.

Is one way right, or one way wrong?  Is one way better, or one way worse? 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? 

First, read this article from the Charlotte Observer (weather coverage is an issue EVERYWHERE).  Then, sound off.

I'll try to answer when I can.  And I'll be sharing some of your responses on-air, also.

The FOX13 Weather Authority is committed to keeping the mid-south safe during severe weather.  We also respect your opinions and comments, and believe that good dialogue makes a difference.

Good, responsible communication is where it starts.  And we want to hear from you.

(don't forget to read this!)

http://www.charlotte.com/112/story/617846.html<
/p>

Lightning bolts appear above and around the Chaiten volcano as seen from Chana, some 30 kms (19 miles) north of the volcano, as it began its first eruption in thousands of years, in southern Chile May 2, 2008. Cases of electrical storms breaking out directly above erupting volcanos are well documented, although scientists differ on what causes them. Picture taken May 2, 2008.REUTERS/Carlos Gutierrez (CHILE)

This is a 'heads up' for all baseball and Nascar fans planning on watching games all day on Fox13:  we've got a patch of serious weather headed this way.  Possible supercells, possible tornadoes (some may be long-lived, on the ground tornadoes).

The potential is VERY HIGH.  Because of this, your dedicated FOX13 Weather Team has been watching the skies closely since Friday night, and will most likely be breaking into programming periodically to bring you up to speed.

THAT'S WHAT 'NO HYPE' WEATHER MEANS.

"No Hype" DOS mean we will bring you exactly what you need to know.

"No Hype" DOES NOT mean we're going to ignore the weather, and never break into programming. 

It's our responsibility to keep all viewers in the FOX13 area apprised, up to date, and informed.

I still get e-mails, whenever we have to jump into programming, that say:  "I thought y'all were No Hype!  What's the deal?"

The answer:  No Hype means concise, pertinent, effective information.  But that information still has to be shared...ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S A TORNADO WARNING.

Given the recent events of Tornado devastation in both Earle, AR and Tupelo, MS, emotions are high and good people are scared.

So elevate your caution, keep your eyes open, and know that we're right here with you.

Joey

(from FOXNews.com)

A massive sinkhole near Daisetta, Texas, continues to expand; the zigzagging hole, the size of two football fields, threatens to swallow a nearby oil field.

If you missed tonight's "Weather Wise", let me recap (because it was purty dang interesting!):

The human body is made up of (between) 95% to 98% water.

That means a person weighing 200 pounds would have 190 pounds of water inside them!  Sheesh!

Hydrate, people.  And not solely with hops and barley products. 

Remember:  Everytime you drink water, you're giving your insides a shower.

Well, I really didn't go anywhere.

I just haven't been as dependable as I would like in writing.

However, what about all you good folks with your OWN amazing blogs?  Well done, friends.  Well done.  Some good thoughts and discussions are going down right here at myfoxmemphis.com, all because of your efforts.

SO...how can I make it up to you, for not writing often enough?

How about with this fascinating story:

A bird of prey gets killed by its meal....because it clawed it's way out of the birds stomach!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353420,00.html<
/a>

It was 1985.

The Tigers of Memphis State University had taken the city by storm, and were in the Final Four.  That was exciting.  What was maybe more exciting was how they got there.  Several last second wins by a bucket.  In overtime.  Pulling our nerves a country mile, and twangin' on them like an acoustical guitar.

Everybody was a fan.  White folk.  Black folk.  Rich folk.  Poor folk.  Us Raleigh-Egypt boys.  Them Christian Brothers guys.  Everybody.

I knew then and there I didn't want to go to Harvard, or Ole Miss, or anywhere else to learn how to be an adult.

I wanted to go to Memphis.

I'm glad I did.

And now, I get to re-live the magic.  Every moment.  Wearing my Memphis blue and gray.  Planning a big party for Saturday.

And do you wanna know whats better about this time around?  We've already won.

Oh sure, it would be great to take that prized jewel of 'being number one'.  And honestly, even for us fans, the odds are against us.  It's the NCAA tourney.  Anything can happen.  And Saturday just may be our last game.

But this time around, I don't care.  I'm not sweating blood with every bucket.  I'm not moments away from a heart-attack with every questionable call.  Call it maturity (or idiocy), but I'm already happy.

These guys have made us all winners.  Great national press.  Respect.  We say we don't have it, but we really do.  And LOTS of press!

We're there.  We're one of the best.  We held the NUMBER ONE spot for weeks!

We've had a fun ride.

Of coures, I want it to last....till Monday...when we win.

But if we don't?

We already have.

You read right, friends! 

It's the "Joey Sulipeck Secret to Immediately Improving Your Life!"

Now, how much would you pay for that?  $19.95?  $29.95?  What?!  $700.00?!?

Well, for a limited time, it's free!  As a MyFoxMemphis.com visitor, you've been chosen to download this valuable information directly from your eyeballs into your brain by simply reading the SECRET right here in blue!  (Just tell your brain to click, download, and save!)

THE JOEY SULIPECK SECRET:

STOP LOOKING FOR REASONS TO BE OFFENDED!!!!!

That's right, friends!  And if you act now, you'll find that the air becomes sweeter, food tastes better, your clothes fit more loosely, and....for the first time ever....you'll hear birds singing outside!

"Why, Joey", you say, "I don't think I can do that!  I'm too used to being offended by the simplest remark I hear, or read!  I'm too used to reacting immediately and angrily to all things around me!  How can someone like me take advantage of your offer?  More simply, how can I stop looking for reasons to be offended?"

Thanks for asking, and not trying to strangle your mouse! 

Here are three simple steps to stabilizing your sanity: 

1- Give people the benefit of the doubt!

2- Stop being insulted by everything that happens around you! 

3- Remember that most things that offend you will turn into a pile of wind-swept dust in roughly 24 hours!

Sound crazy?  You bet!  Does it work?  You know it!

Heard a rumor that someone was talking badly about you?  Well, maybe they really didn't!

Angry that your neighbor put his trash in your trash can?  Perhaps there's a reason why, that you haven't yet seen!

Peeved that the person in the car next to you is on her cell phone and driving like a moron?  Maybe that call REALLY IS important! 

With my revolutionary new plan, you'll be enjoying a more pleasant day and marvelling at your quality of life in no time at all!

And for our first 1000 readers, you'll get this ADDED BONUS "Life Changing Happiness Secret"!   

WHAT IF IT WERE YOU?!?

That's right!  What if the offensive moment HAD BEEN COMMITTED BY YOU?

I mean, we always find a way to forgive ourselves, don't we?  We rarely hold ourselved to the same exacting standards that we impose on everyone else around us, right?

OF COURSE WE DO!

So remember the two easy steps to the "Joey Sulipeck Secret to Immediately Improving Your Life!"

STOP LOOKING FOR REASONS TO BE OFFENDED!!!!!

and

WHAT IF IT WERE YOU?!?

You're on your way to a much better day!

Seriously.

Soon it will.

Check it out:

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUS
N1334900820080213?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Written by Phillip Gossett in 1864:

"The ground on which we stood began to move slowly.  I soon sank up to my shoulders and began descending backwards.  The speed of the avalanche increased rapidly, and before long I was covered up with snow.  I was suffocating when I suddenlly came to the surface again.  I was on a wave of the avalanche and saw it before me as I was carried down.  It was the most awful sight I ever saw.  The head of the avalanche was already at the spot where we had made our last halt.  The head was prceded by a thick cloud of snow-dust; the rest of the avalanche was clear.  Around me I heard the horrid hissing of the snow and far before me the thundering of the foremost part of the avalanche.  To prevent myself sinking again I made use of my arms much in the same way as when swimming in a standing position.  At last I noticed that I was moving slower; then I saw the pieces of snow in front of me stop at some yards distant; then the snow straight before me stopped and I heard on a large scale the same creaking sound that is produced when a heavy cart passes over frozen snow in winter.  I felt that I also had stopped, and instantly threw up both arms to protect my head in case I should again be covered up.  I had stopped, but the snow behind me was still in motion; its pressure on my body was so strong that I thought I should be crushed to death.  This tremendous pressure lasted but a short time: I was covered up by snow coming from behind me.  My first impulse was to try to uncover my head - but this I could not do, for the avalanche had frozen by pressure the moment it stopped, and was frozen in."

Thank you to Hardin County and the National Weather Service for this:

 

http://www.hardincountyfire.com/images/ema/2-5-08to
rnado/prelim_tracks.png