Ok, so I’m sure that many people understand where I’m coming from on this….can we take it one holiday at a time?? It is Thursday Oct. 29th and Halloween is two days away. I went to more than one store (Target) just to get some last minute things; i.e. cups with Halloween type of a theme on them, maybe some little decoration, nothing big but the kind of stuff that you would usually find there. To my amazement (and I don’t know why it still amazes me since its the same every year) their Halloween section had been taken down and replaced with Christmas tree, light and decorations. What the…?? Seriously, can I get through this holiday before I have the next one rammed down my throat?? And that’s just it…its not even the next holiday. Perhaps stores around town have forgotten about a little holiday called Thanksgiving?? It the last Thursday of Novemeber in case any of them are confused. One holiday at a time please!!

That is all…carry on
R

As I write this, it’s pouring outside. The past few days, it has been beautiful and has given many of us some great riding time…But today, not so much. It sucks, but oh well, it is October after all…and we’re in the Midwest. I’ll take a day like today if I can get a weekend as beautiful as what they’re predicting for this weekend.

I’m not sure what my plan is right now. We got the infamous Ryan Westward Halloween Party Friday night…Halloween itself on Saturday, and of course turning the clocks back on Sunday. Other than some maintenance on the house (that’s right, I’m moving from Downtown to the ‘burbs…I’m a home owner…Nivens, don’t hate me!), I’m thinking and hoping I can tack some miles on the odometer of my Heritage.

Not quite sure where I’ll be headed. Sunday is the last Breakfast Run for Cassoday, Kansas until March…The first Sunday of every month, the small town of Cassoday opens its arms to thousands and thousands of bikers who roll into town for the famous breakfast buffet, and to tour the numerous vendors who are set up. Click here for info on the run. I’ve done this ride once before, and it’s a lot of fun…It’s pretty cool to take the ride through the small towns of Kansas…and even cooler to roll into Cassoday and see bikes and bikes and bikes and bikes and, well, you get the idea.

We’ll see how the schedule works out. I know I’ll hit the road some this weekend, just not quite sure where my destination is…which is fine by me. Hell, the ride is more important than the destination, isn’t it? From one of my favorite books, well, probably my favorite book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, the narrator says, “Sometimes it’s a little better to travel than to arrive.”

Amen.

–F ‘Em Up

As of lately I’ve been posting little nuances and whatnot’s, on Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter, from all that I see and do living downtown and the expression when seeing/hearing these things is, “Life in the City”.  When I made a post recently about “Life in the City” and incorporated something about The Plaza David, from Ohio, pointed out that The Plaza wasn’t “the city, but nothing more than a shopping experience in the ‘burbs”. Now he’s partially correct, but seeing as The Plaza is part of Midtown one could deduce, then, that The Plaza fits the expression of “Life in the City”.  In fact, seeing as my life mostly consists of living and playing in Downtown/Westport/Plaza/and on occasion Strawberry Hill in KCK and working at 98.9 in Mission the expression, “Life in the City” encompasses anywhere I am in the “Urban Core”.

With that, let us proceed to some of my “Life in the City” postings:

Life in the City: I just saw the real life Jay and Silent Bob, aged fifty to sixty.

Life in the City: When visiting KC pay attention to ALL street lights please. One of you out of towners nearly T Boned us!

Life in the City: When making a left hand turn and someone’s walking across the crosswalk with their dog, don’t be a dick! Let them cross.

Life in the City: Only here can you walk into a Petco to get your vehicle tags renewed at the DMV.

Life in the city: Some hillbilly crosses a busy intersection on the Plaza, drunk, doesn’t have a green light and tells me to ‘F off!’ when we honk at him so we don’t hit him.

Life in the City: The window cleaner on Westport Road gets arrested by the man!

Check back often, as I’ll be updating regularly!

Well, we are nearing the month of November once again.
What does that mean other than lots of Christmas stuff?
NO SHAVE NOVEMBER!
Yep, last year a few guys started it here around the station and I figured what the hell.
Ill give it a shot.
Ended up with a fairly nice beard out of it!
Why in the world ‘am I telling you about this?
Not really sure but I figured over the next few weeks I would share my progress.
So gentleman lets do this!
Put the razors down for a month and see what happens.
Just don’t let a endangered bird set up camp.
I think we all know that ends up bad!
M

Holy hell, a lot happened in tonight’s episode. A seemingly somewhat minor character, all of a sudden Chibs is taking center stage with the arrival of his mysterious wife (who, for some reason, frightens Gemma). We watched as the Mayans have moved in on Leroy’s territory and almost stripped four Sons of their cuts (I don’t know if they would have been so forgiving in real life). Jax and Opie start getting a bit friendlier, or at least are headed down the right road to rekindle their friendship. Otto’s wife was brutally murdered (I’m so happy Tom Arnold is back in the show, even though his character is a piece of dirt). The Irish, the white League and the Mayans all get in bed together (Zobelle is just giving guns to the Mayans?!?!).   And perhaps the most interesting story in tonight’s episode was Trager and his apparent sudden turn toward good rather than evil.

What can I say? This episode is great…We are watching as the club slowly heads toward the downward spiral. Once the truth comes out about Donna, I don’t think Clay or Trager are going to have any friends. Bobby, Jax, Clay, Piney, Juice, Prospect…I don’t see any of them siding with the President or Sergeant at Arms. I think the truth is going to have to come out, because I don’t think Jax will ever forget it…Unless he and Clay learn about Gemma’s rape. I believe that is the only thing that will put the past in the past and bring Jax and Clay back together for the club and for their wife/mother. There are so many secrets that are going to be unearthed at some time, it just depends what comes out first. Gemma’s rape will unify the club. Donna’s death will divide the club. Bobby and Luann’s relationship (I’m right that they were fooling around, right?) will isolate him from the rest of the MC.

So, besides everything else, I am curious to find out what has flipped in Trager’s head that made him take the masturbater back and not grab the guns and/or cover clay during the shootout with the League. This is a great, new twist the the story of the Club…Maybe Donna’s death will push him closer to Jax and Opie…Although, at the end of the show, he was still pretty pro-Clay. Only time will tell.

What’d you think? What do you predict will happen to the club? Throw your two cents in, just leave a comment!

–F ‘Em Up

You guys already know this weekend was Freaker’s Ball! And one hell-of-a throwdown it was. Five Finger Death Punch was sick, All That Remains punched everyone squarely in the jaw. Opening acts Changing Faith & 2 Cents killed it. Shadow’s Fall always comes to play and Killswitch Engage brought that East Coast attitude we all dug on! And hats off to the Costume Contest winner, The Tin Man! That outfit was stupid!

Sunday was a massive success too. Here’s a headline directly from Animal Haven, “A record number of dogs and cats were treated to a new home for Halloween during Animal Haven’s Dogtoberfest Adopt-a-thon event.  Over 165 dogs, cats, and two rabbits were adopted during the 3-day event, reducing the amount of pets currently held at the shelter by 40%.  Many of the pets adopted over the weekend were dogs like Mischa, who had been at the shelter for over a year awaiting a caring home.” I want to thank them again for having me out on Sunday from ten to noon.

I’ve also gotta show some love to Heritage Tow, who came to get my Vette over the weekend. Perfect timing as we finally got neighbors that moved in below us, on the 2nd floor….

Strange timing as we’re now moved out. I’ve got some photos on a camera somewhere, I’ll make sure to get those up soon as well as a little video I put together.

Now back to my arrest, last Monday, and the processing that took place in Olathe. To quickly recap: Seven days ago I was stopped in the Target parking lot by an officer from Mission for having expired tags. Upon running my licence he, and I, discovered there was a bench warrant for my arrest for an unpaid ticket of $130. After some back andforth between the officer, his partner, who said “Sir if you don’t put your hands behind your back we will taser you”, and I, I was “cuffed & stuffed” and driven to Olathe for processing. From all accounts I was given the longer ride to prove a point, but I digress. Once into the processing area my arresting officer as tells them I wanted a private cell because I’m some Radio Personality. I assure you I did not, but after my mug shot they put me into one.

Let’s get into the mug shot, shall we??? After being processed a different cop had me come in, sit on the bench, remove my now shoe string-less shoes, remove my long knee high basket ball socks from the Will Farrel movie, “Semi-Pro”, which the officer thought were “F**kin’ Awesome”. I told him thanks and proceeded to stand for my photo shoot. A female police officer, from here on out known as ”Hot Cop”, had me look directly ahead for the Kodak moment. Once completed I was free to make my phone call. I knew what I had to do, what would be expected of me in a time like this….

Call the studio!

So I did and much to my sha-grin Westward answered. We chatted for a few moments and I told him I’d do my best to be back by the Drive at Five. Hot Cop, AKA Tweety, or Birdie or Cricket reassured me “That won’t happen”. They all then proceeded to listen to Ryan berate me on air, while I was locked in the cell. Once sprung, bonded, bailed out (around 6PM) it took about another thiry minutes or so to get me completely out of the building. It was at this point I called A-Hole Bob, rushed back to fill in for Westward’s seven to midnight shift since he covered my ass, and await all the fun that was and is still being had at my expense.

Don’t forget, you have until 10/31 to enter into the “Incarceration Caption Contest” You could win tickets to Zombie, Chevelle, or Kiss!

Alright, I got my hands on it…the brand new Creed album, known as “Full Circle.” Now I know I’m gonna catch a lot of flack for being jacked to hear new Creed. I get it. Scott Stapp, to a lot of people, is a douche bag. To me, he’s a guy with a set of killer pipes that has made some highly douchey moves in his life…but he can still sing. So, sling your insults, sing your praises, do whatever you gotta do…I get it.

We’ve all heard Overcome, the first single off of the new album. In my opinion, it’s one of the best tracks on the album…It’s hard, it’s fairly raw. I said in an earlier blog post that it reminds me a little bit of Sevendust. It has that hard feel to it, which I dig and am excited to hear a band like Creed get to that level. The album, for the most part, carries on that feel. It’s music you’d crank up when you’re pissed off. It’s music you might just bang your head to. It’s actually pretty damn good music!

Now, with that said, there are a few snoozers on the album, which means Creed is not quite to the level of making hard, rough, raw music for the sake of hard, rough, raw music…they’re still pumping out gems for the Top 40 folk…Which, whatever, it’s their music. I am not a major-label recording artist right now, so I won’t talk too much smack. But, the feeling you get when listening to a track like Overcome or Bread of Shame quickly goes away when you hear Rain or The Song You Sing. But, I think overall, there are enough rockin’ tracks to make this really a stellar album in my opinion.

So, there it is. I praise the new Creed album. I think my opinion of the band has changed since seeing them live on this newly reunited tour…Scott is cool to the crowd. Hell, here in Kansas City he made a shout out to a mud-slinging, rainy concert back in 2000, which might have been Rockfest if I’m not mistaken!! That’s pretty badass for a lead singer to reach out to the audience like that…And, I had the opportunity to sit in on the soundcheck and Stapp and the whole band were really cool guys. So, yes, my opinion changed a bit after that and probably affected my listening to the album.

BUT, let me tell you, if you’re looking for the same hard sound that you get from Overcome, check out Bread of Shame, Fear, and Full Circle. And for the hell of it, listen to A Thousand Faces.

That’s my two cents. Throw yours in, just leave a comment!

–F ‘Em Up

Greetings blog readers!

As I’m sure many of you know, yours truly joined the ranks of many other Americans out there when I was “Cuffed & Stuffed” on Monday. And in case any of you are concerned about my influence upon your children, I’ll let you know, it was and is harmless. An unpaid ticket, of which I didn’t show and handle properly, led to my arrest. A single, silly, $130 ticket… led me to my arrest. Cuffed & Stuffed style!

Here’s a recap of what went down:

It’s close to 2 PM on Monday, the 19th. I’m on I-35, southbound, out of downtown. As I’m taking the Metcalf exit I notice a Mission cop in my rearview mirror. I knew I had expired tags. Pure laziness, up to this point, is why they weren’t renewed. As I turn left at the stoplight in front of the Super Target Officer Tom* turns on his lights. I pull into the Target parking lot and he tells me he stopped me for the very reason I know why he stopped me. I proceed to give him my driver’s license and insurance. He comes back to my truck, back up in tow, and tells me I need to get out because there’s a Bench Warrant for my arrest from the City of Mission. I don’t believe this to be true, try to explain my situation about having to be on air at 3, and if I can handle this tomorrow seeing as I have no idea I’m even wanted by the law. On a side note, it’s nice to be wanted, just not by the law…

There’s some more discussion about how much this fine is for, $130 which the Officer asked if I had on me, how I need to park my truck and blah, blah, blah. Having grown up here in Kansas City, I know that not much crime in Mission happens. To this arresting officer, this is a tension filed moment of which he’s trained for and prepared for his entire career. So much so that once out of my truck the co-arresting Officer Sanchez* says to me, “Sir! If you do not put your hands behind your back, WE WILL TAZER YOU!”

I’m not certain my reply. Could have been, “ARE YOU SERIOUS???” or “ARE YOU HIGH???” Luckily one of our sales goddesses, Jen Morten, came pulling through the parking lot. I tell her to inform A-Hole Bob I’m being taken to jail. Officer Sanchez tells her to proceed to Mission City Hall to post my $130 bond. She does so, and this is where it gets fun.

Officer Tom goes inside, gets my paperwork, and takes me to Olathe. Ms. Morten is pulling into Mission’s City Hall as we’re pulling out. I ask him what he’s doing, he replies, “Taking you to Olathe to process.” I ask him why were doing that when he told her to come bond me out. He states he never told her that. I said, “Ok, then your partner told her.” He states, “I don’t know what my partner told her.” Then, on the ride out I hear a call on his radio, “… there’s a woman her to post bond for Nivens.” Again with the reply about taking me to Olathe. I ask him why were going out there when he saw my friend pulling in to pay the fine. His reply, “I don’t know who your friend is”.

I could go on and on about his aloofness bordering on ineptitude, but I got the picture. He wanted to show me just how much wrong I’m in and how it’s his job to enforce the law. Ya know, “To Protect and Serve”.

Don’t worry Officer Tom, I got served. You did your job… and now, I’m doing mine

Come back Monday as I regale you with my processing and the little hottie they called Birdie or Tweety that took my now infamous mug shot (have you added your caption yet?)

ALSO… Sunday from 10 AM to Noon I’ll be at Animal Haven. Stop by and let’s help find some little critters a nice home!!

*Names changed to protect my ass!

In my opinion, this was the second best episode so far this season, the first of course being the season premiere. There were so many tense scenes in this episode…From Gemma at the church talking to Elliot, to Juice and his possible lover, to the set-up Opie botched, to the fight between Clay and Jax.

We expect the fight between Jax and Clay to continue. This is nothing new. But to actually see them physically brawl is something I didn’t think would actually happen. But it did, and we won’t find out about how it helped or hurt the situation till next week. Although we did see how it immediately affected the club; while the MC walked into the Redwood, Jax headed out on his own. Who knows what this means.

The most disturbing part of the show now, in my opinion, is watching the deterioration of Opie. He was always the calm one, always the “moral” one…Now, as that has been slowly passed onto Jax, he has slowly become more and more jaded, dark and pissed off at the world. He’s alone, just like he told Tara. And, it can’t help that he ruined a set-up for the Club. Can he be depended on again?

As Jax and Clay get further apart, Gemma and Tara get closer and closer. It’ll be interesting to watch their relationship as Jax and Clay continue to split up. Obviously, Gemma and Tara have a very, very tight friendship, because Tara is one of only a few individuals to know about the rape. I am waiting for details of that to leak to the Club…Maybe that is what will finally bring Clay and Jax together and forget the past and focus on bringing justice to their mom/wife. I think that’s the only possible sign of hope those two have, and they don’t even know about it yet.

Next week looks like it’s going to be another killer episode. The brawl didn’t fix anything between Jax and Clay…Clay apparently wants to go get his guns back from the League, and Jax is dealing with a situation with the Mayans…by himself. Hopefully we’ll find out about how Juice is doing as well as Chibbs.

Before I sign off, one last note…I loved how they brought the ATF Agent back, and I thought it kicked major ass when Jax asked her if she has heard from Coen (the very same ATF Agent that Jax killed in the first season). The look on her face was perfect, and the tension blew up when he told her it’s dangerous being a fed.

I love this show! Let me know what you think of the season so far.

–F ‘Em Up

If you haven’t already, you gotta check out the 100 Mile Radius with Moose…Him and I hit the road and take a couple cameras with us. Check out the first one we did to Warrensburg and the most recent one to Atchison.

It feels so good to hit the road. Yesterday was gorgeous…the ride to Atchison was unreal. We took 435 south to MO-45, which was awesome, and then cut over to Leavenworth. Considering the weather we’ve been having, yesterday was absolutely awesome! It felt great to get out with Moose and just ride.

If you ever have an idea or suggestion for a place we should hit up for 100 Mile Radius, email Moose at moose@989therock.com or leave a comment on the blog…We’re all ears!

Looks like today is just as nice…In the seventies? Hell yes!

–F ‘Em Up