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 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

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!

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!

Alright, F ‘Em Up Chuck and I hit the road, this time, to the beautiful town of Atchison, Kansas.

We took 435 south to MO-45. After about 9 miles, you hit MO-45 Spur that crosses the railroad tracks, take that toward Leavenworth, and just stay on it as it turns into the Amelia Earhart Memorial Highway. That’ll cruise you past a big Wal-Mart and into Atchison. Go through the first stop light (when it’s green of course!), cross the railroad tracks, and at the next stop light turn right on Main Street. Take Main Street all the way to 2nd Street, turn left (North), and look for Mueller’s Locker Room on the east side of the street! If you hit Commercial Street, you’ve gone too far, but you can turn right on it and  check out the beautiful Riverfront Park!

I might be getting ahead of myself here, but I’m going to go ahead and predict a Chiefs victory on Sunday! I really like the direction the team is going and I’ve seen some really good improvements that make me think the team can pull it off this weekend! And I’m not talking about a win that the other team hands to us, I truly think a win this weekend could be earned! There are those that say the NFC East is the toughest division in the NFL. Let’s say that they’re right and then look at the game last Sunday against the Cowboys. The Chiefs fought hard the entire game and took it into overtime. Improvements HAVE been made. Now granted there are still more improvements that need to come and the team is a long way from where they need to be but Washington is the fourth sraight NFC East team the Chiefs will face and think the previously three have toughened them up a bit…especially the Dallas game. I think the team can feel the momentum coming off of that game and we’ll see them play with it Sunday. I hope I’m right but I believe they can win this weekend!

Go Chiefs!!

Well it is coming up fast.
One of my top 3 holidays all year.
What you may ask…. Christmas, my birthday and yes Halloween!
What other time of year can you dress up, eat candy, pull pranks on friends without getting those strange looks. (as a grown up)
So….what direction ‘am I going with this?
Freakers Ball on the 24 at the Midland.
I know you have plans to make it out to at least one Halloween party this year but make time to hit ours up to!
This year we have a hell of a line up for you. Killswitch, Five Finger Death Punch, All That Remains, Shadows Fall, Two Cents, and our Club Wars winner Changing Faith!
Plus its the stuff between the bands that makes this more than just a great show!
Fire eaters, sword swallowers, and how can we forget the $1,000 costume contest!
I have seen so many killer costumes at the show that I cant even tell you what to expect…But I can almost guarantee a few school girl costumes!
Need I say more…Didn’t think so!
Get your ticket fast.
As of yesterday there were less than 300 left.
I cant wait!
See you at the show!
M

If you heard me at all yesterday talk about the show at the Uptown Theater last night, you know where I’m going with this.

Before that though…

I missed the opening band, High on Fire, which I heard kicked some serious ass. Converge came on after. Yes, they were intense, but I felt like they could spread their songwriting skills beyond, “Orr!! Orr!”… although they are from Boston and possibly giving props to their boy, hockey legend Bobby Orr.

Mastadon was the co headliner. For those that don’t know Mastadon, they’re considered by many to be one of the more solid Metal bands on the scene . Great set, but for me it was the necessary time needed to leak and get a beer refill. And before I forget, mad love to the ladies in the back bar for hooking a brother up.

I’m not even certain that I’m qualified enough to comment on the awesomeness that is and was Dethklok last night. I was  curious how they’d go about putting on the show seeing as they’re cartoon characters. The live, flesh and blood, band was up on the front of the stage dressed in black with not much light used to feature them. Really just enough for them to see their instruments. Behind the live band was the cartoon band, complete with mind bending video that had I been on some form of hallucinogens probably would have totally loved. Best part, for me, was when Murderface left the set to take a leak. If you weren’t there, you definitely won’t find that as funny as we all did!

What I had desired to be a rather low key weekend, turned into something completely different.

Vette broke down. Yeah, that was awesome!! Driving home on Friday from the studio, Northbound I-35, when all of a sudden… DEAD. I’m told it’s the cam…man…dea… hood…broke thing. Did I mention I’m not automotively inclined?

House fire next door to close out Friday night. So Allison and I roll out to the Club Wars finals at the Uptown Theater with Andy & Dave from RLC and as I’m getting into a taxi around close of bar time (3AM) I get a call from Ali that says, “THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR IS BURNING DOWN!!!” In my drunken stupor I ask her to elaborate… “6 FIRETRUCKS PUTTING IT OUT!”… Not that I could do anything, but I told the taxi driver to “Step on it!” (Video coming soon)

We’re moving into a new loft! After the disaster that was the house next door to our loft burning and the fact that if our stairs catch fire we’re screwed, we decided to pull the trigger on a loft we’ve been looking at in the Crossroads. North facing view of the entire downtown skyline! It’s pimp!! (photos coming soon)

Thanks to Macabre Cinema. For having me out Saturday night and thanks to all who braved the elements. You Rock!!

Andy Warhol exhibit at Union Station. We went to this on Sunday. Pretty dope. They don’t allow photos inside at the exhibit, but we snapped a few on the front lawn. Here’s one of Allison and I, with a giant Warhol banner in the background of MarilynMonroe. Exhibit runs till January 10th.

Spent the rest of the weekend packing and getting ready for our move.