WHEW!!!!!

I've had new jobs, but I've never been the first person ever to hold a position with a company before. It brings its own set of challenges, exciting mind you, but still challenging!

So, these past several days have been spent doing the following:

1) Getting settled at Robinson Radio! Getting to know the clients, new contacts, get my brain around the current systems and what efficiencies are needed to better them (as well as me!!) It's fun and NOT boring, that's for sure! I don't know what's coming from day to day, and that's cool by me.

2) The end of the school year! Robbie was ready to get out of school in, well, at Christmas Break. Rachel, meanwhile, ended her elementary school years last Friday, called me at the office crying, which made me cry, and she is ALREADY bored. And there's 10 1/2 weeks of summer vacation left! Go ahead, sing the Phineas and Ferb theme song now if you'd like......

She's missing her friends more this year than ever, and I think it has to do with going up to middle school next year. I also think the struggles I had for months losing my friend connections at Clear Channel had somewhat of an effect on her, too. Mom told her, "It's part of life, get over it." Rachel answered, "I'm like my Dad, and I can't just get over it." I'm proud of her. If you "get over" being with a friend hours a day, five days a week in a quick manner, it makes me wonder if you really, really enjoyed being around them in the first place, or if they were just "convenient friends". Know what I mean?

3) Sleep. Need I say more?

4) ANOTHER PET!!!! Starbuck Rock Witham, a new teeny-tiny Siamese Kitten entered the Witham Nation over the weekend. I come home from work this evening, and he's in my recliner. He's already taking over. :)

--------------------------

Then there's all the news and events I've been REALLY wanting to blog about, but didn't have time!!!

---The Death of Tim Russert: I heard the news from Sean Hannity on his radio show on an Internet stream, who actually announced it before it was posted on MSNBC.com, by about two to three minutes. Many "TV Heads" were right in saying the tributes to Russert got to be a bit much after awhile. I could understand NBC's coverage Friday afternoon/evening, and their prime time special was well done. I also understood Sunday's Meet The Press (wow, what a moving show!) and today's funeral coverage. But there was lots more than that, and it was somewhat overboard. I think part of it was because NBC News was so stunned, they didn't know what else to do at that moment, and subconsciously used coverage to help cope. Though the coverage was too saturated over the weekend, I can't fault their emotional state.

And I'm SURE if Tim Russert were here to see it, he would've put a stop to it about four minutes after the death announcement. What a shame that a man who loved politics and Presidential years (especially this one) won't be able to cover the November election.

---OIL!!!! I love the ignorant Democratic mantra:

"Even if we start drilling today, it wouldn't affect the price of gas for five to ten years."

Okay, then. You then admit had we started drilling TEN YEARS AGO, our prices would be LOWER today!

Are there Republicans in bed with oil? I'm sure. But Democratic thinking on this issue simply boggles the mind. They want conservation! It'll bring price relief quicker!

Good Lord, AL GORE's electric usage doesn't hold water!

So, why is it that we, Americans, you know, the innovators, the hard-working people of the world, for some reason, according to "insert politician name here", can't go after:

---Conservation
---New Oil Drilling Offshore AND in Anwr
---AND, AND create new energy sources!! More nuclear plants, more wind energy, more solar energy.

Why don't we, as Americans, go for it all!!! We settled the land, won our independence, got to the moon, got the nuclear bomb first before Hitler (imagine had he gotten it first)......we can do it all!

If the idiots who clog up our 6:30 newscasts would just get out of the way and shut up.

WHEW! There's other stuff in the world to discuss, but I'm all oiled out for now. Back soon. Sooner than 10 days. Honest!

Follow the bouncing Rob!

Rob has updated job news!

It's coming soon.

Until then, I haven't disappeared; today for example, I sacrificed myself for the kids at Busch Gardens. It was horribly hot. No other way to describe it.

May's Winning Numbers.....

.....9, 11, 22, and 31.

Considering all the strangeness that May contained, that's not bad.

FUTURE BREAKING NEWS: THE YEAR 2019

Groundbreaking took place earlier today outside Chicago for the Barack Obama Presidential Library, just three years after the one-time Illinois Senator completed two terms in office as America's first African-American President.

In a related story, former New York Senator Hillary Clinton announced she has not conceded the 2008 Democratic Primary race just yet, and will be meeting with her advisers and other party leaders later this week to see how the groundbreaking will affect her future role in the party, and her future personally in politics.

I am alive!!!

It's been a whirlwind last few weeks. Training and starting my new job, plus some substituting, dealing with routine changes here at home (as I work 4p to midnight now instead of days), the kids' winding down school, and the usual ups and downs of life.

OH, and a great holiday weekend with my bro and sis-in-law, including lunch at Roy's Big Burger!!

I'll be around more soon. I have lots I want to talk about, though the train has already left the station on most of the current events that made me wish to comment.

That's okay, I'm sure there's more where that came from!

Now, to remember to feed the fish when I get home!

So, exactly what has come to pass in these past six months......

Random thoughts now on things which have happened, people I've met, things in general that are in my life now that weren't there on 11/5/07 when I was advised to leave the Clear Channel Hotel.....

---the TV writers went back to work before I could....
---but, no new episode of "24" to be had....
---Henrico elected a practically new School Board....
---NFL fans went nuts when they couldn't see Dallas/Green Bay on NFL Network
---NFL fans went nuts when they couldn't see New England/Giants on NFL Network when the Patriots were going for 16-0, so they brought NBC and CBS in to broadcast it, too.
---the almost complete disappearance of Michelle Malkin from cable news.
---I'm glad I didn't own a radio station in town and had earlier come to agreement on a four-year deal to broadcast Richmond Braves baseball games.....
---Hanover beats PH, part deux, ending the Patriots' season at 7-5 in the Regional Final.
---Phineas and Ferb ("MOM! PHINEAS AND FERB ARE MAKING A TITLE SEQUENCE!!!")
---The ridiculous loss of Sean Taylor
---Michael Vick to jail....
---The death of Benazir Bhutto
---The shooting at New Life Church in Colorado
---The shooting at Northern Illinois University
---On a better note, my first salad at Chili's
---Mitt Romney's hair
---Mike Huckabee's guitar
---Ron Paul is still running for President somewhere
---Fred Thompson's Emmy winning performance as Best Actor Who Ran For President But Really Didn't Want To....
---No snowstorms in Richmond this winter (shut up, Gore)
---The New York Giants. Enough said. :)
---Geico's string of mediocre ads ends thanks to Mrs. Butterworth
---Led Zeppelin played their first concert in 25 years. 20,000 people suffered minor burns on their thumbs living in the past by using their lighters instead of their cell phone lights.
---The Fed cut interest rates 64 times to its current negative five percent.
---Queen Elizabeth just won't die.
---Some State U. beat some Tech in some sort of Bowl game sponsored by a company who just laid off a few thousand workers. Tens of people cheered from the stands.
---Wifey thinks constant throwing up and severe pain is a great way to get attention. It also got her gall bladder removed.
---My daughter fell in love with Jeff Hardy.
---My son keeps the faith to get in shape and become the next big WWE Superstar.
---Harry J learns quickly when it's time to go onto the front porch to greet Rachel off the bus.
---Oil prices eclipse $100, $105.....$768.....whatever.
---Gas prices eclipse the numbers found on your paycheck.
---We are introduced to John King and the CNN Magic Wall, the CNN Election Center that looks like the old Match Game set with the rows of three pundits each....
---Keith Olbermann committing the kiss of death in Liberal-land, that is, up until late 2007, by trying to push Hillary outta the way ever since, oh, I don't know....Iowa, maybe?
---"Senator Obama.....can we get you anything?"
---"Senator Obama.....are you sure, because it's not a problem."
---Mom sees wrestling live and survives.
---John McCain and Mitt Romney have the only fireworks of the Republican campaign at a debate at the Reagan library. Nancy kicks 'em both in the groin and tells them to grow up.
---Bill Richardson suspends his Presidential campaign, immediately begins growing the Obama beard.
---Bill Clinton single-handedly provides You Tube enough "blow-up" moments to teach the next generation how NOT to handle themselves during pressure situations.
---John Edwards ends Presidential campaign, completing a five-year, two-election cycle with every hair on his head in place at every single public function.
---Parts of China paralyzed for days by huge snowstorm (what about it, Al??)
---Tim Russert officially taken off Hillary Clinton Christmas card list
---Super Tuesday.
---Super Tuesday II.
---Sicka Tuesday III.
---Roger Clemens equals Cy Young total with mistress total.
---Fidel Castro retires and enjoys his new-found love, cable TV.
---Earthquakes everywhere...Peru, Sumatra, Nevada, Illinois, China.......
---Groundhog saw his shadow, gave us six more weeks of Clinton/Obama and said, "so long, suckers!" before burrowing back home.
---Brett Favre announces retirement
---The fall of Eliot Spitzer
---The Atlanta tornado during the SEC Tournament.
---Davidson to the Elite Eight.
---Kansas in overtime.
---Price of "Love My Bear Stearns!" t-shirts go into freefall
---Blow out the Olympic torch anyone???

(editors note: In 1996, I covered the Olympic torch coming through Richmond, live, on the radio. In retrospect, I'm not sure how the flame came out on the dial.)

---Ric Flair retired. Honest. I think. :)
---Pope Benedict to America. In a little known fact, the night before he celebrated Mass in Yankee Stadium, he got the save for the Cardinals. Get it?
---Robbie gets to Chicago, sleeps thru an earthquake, and sees Da Cubbies!!
---Danica Patrick gets off the shnide!!!
---BIG BROTHER!!! My TV haven in lieu of no "24".

Highlights?

---Sheila and Adam, the hatin' couple, end up in the final three. They were my favorites anyway.
---Sharon was on the block for 74 weeks before being evicted.
---Ryan got SO lucky on day 28 when they split up the couples.
---James, could you just leave already?

And let's not forget Big Brother After Dark, featuring:

---Joshuah playing bowling with objects I cannot remember
---Watching Ryan and Adam play golf with plastic toys
---The night Sharon saved the snail and had Sheila "snail-sit" it while she had to report to the diary room
---When it was only Ryan and Adam left, Bonnie enjoyed one night where they showed both of them.....sleeping.
---Chess games.
---And, occasionally, some interesting conversation.
---And, 15,204 promos for "The Tudors". Good Lord.

We lost....

---Evel Knievel
---Jim Beauchamp
---Don Chevrier
---Dan Fogelberg
---Beverlee McKinsey
---Eight Belles
---Lynne "Angel" Harvey
---Jim Hager
---Paul Davis
---Stanley Kamel
---Charlton Heston
---Richard Widmark
---Ivan Dixon
---Gary Hart
---Eve Carson
---William F. Buckley
---Larry Norman
---John Shand
---Johnny Weaver
---John McWethy
---Suzanne Pleshette
---Lois Nettleton
---Allan Melvin
---Bobby Fischer
---Ernie Holmes
---Sir Edmund Hillary

....and a trip to Virginia Beach, a flirt with Big Brother 10, and lots of naps.

I CANNOT WAIT to get back to work! :)

April's Winning Numbers.....

....are 9 and 27.

Oh, dear.

Oh, well........

.....welcome Darren McFadden to the already crowded backfield in Oakland.

BTW, who gave Justin Fargas a new contract anyway?? WHAT?????

Quick last-second draft thoughts......

1) To the Oakland Raiders----PLEASE do NOT take Darren McFadden. That's all we need; most of our $$$ tied up on two "rookies" as catalysts of the offense. We need to replace Warren Sapp. We need a defensive stud. And since it looks like Howie's boy can't make it two generations in Oakland, we'll welcome Ghoulston, but DEFINITELY would welcome Glenn Dorsey!!!!

2) To the New York Giants----get a linebacker and a DB. And, in round 7, grab a kicker to scare Lawrence Tynes!!!

Muslims, Christians, Apostasy, Death Threats, and the British MSM.....

....the church I pastored supports a missionary family whose work has been/is to evangelize to Muslims in and around London, England.

Doesn't sound too tough when you think of the stereotypical "missionary" picture that comes to your mind. You know, jungles, dirty bare feet, strange people with piercings speaking a language no one knows, and you, the missionary, enjoy life in a hut.

Think again.

It's not the clothes or the shelter that often determine a degree of "difficulty", to the human eye at least, when it comes to the life of a missionary family.

I know that for my friends in England, 9/11 changed their entire lives, ministry focus, purpose, reactions.....everything.

So, when you read THIS article, note how the tide of "theocracy thought" amongst younger British Muslims is rising. Many believe, don't throw the book (secular laws) at them, throw the Quran. And they DON'T live in a country run by a "religious" faction, et al.

But note even moreso, how HORRIBLE the persecution is on those who choose to believe Christ, leaving their Muslim faith behind.

I know if one of my kids ever came to me and announced they were converting away from Christianity, I would be wounded to the core, but I would LOVE them, and BE with them, and, least of all....I wouldn't try to KILL them!!

And I add my thanks to the British media for finally showing their countrymen how some of their own wish to discard the government and begin to rule Britain in a totally different light.

My TV loss is Dallas' gain......

Jennifer Lopez has exited the Weather Channel. She is going to the NBC affiliate in Dallas, Texas.

For me, she ranks with Jeanetta Jones and Jill Brown as my all-time favorite Weather Channel ladies. Good luck to the REAL J-Lo! :)

Mourning the loss of another lifelong friend.....

I lost my first best friend in 2003, eight months after my mama died. He was only 36.

Saturday I shockingly discover that the first friend I made in first grade, another lifelong friend, had died suddenly at age 40. Arrangements are pending.

If I'm not around for awhile, I just wanted to let the world know why.

It's Official: MY SON CAN SLEEP THROUGH AN EARTHQUAKE

Yep. He's tried to tell us for years he was a heavy sleeper. And we knew that, as he sleeps nightly in his bedroom while his TV blares away for all the animals to be annoyed by (and yes, his sister's TV is the same way....).....

Now we have concrete proof. The 5.2 earthquake that hit Southern Illinois at 4:36AM CT was centered about 230 miles south of the Windy City, but it swayed the skyscrapers there. Didn't sway Robbie.

Neatly wrapped in his sleeping bag somewhere in his hotel room with who knows how many guys and chaperones.....he never felt a thing.

When he called this morning, his focus was on the fact he'd lost his good sunglasses.

Sure is good to write about my son and a surprise earthquake, and be able to humor about it.

------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERATION ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!

This afternoon after a half day of substituting a marvelous group of third graders, I sat my keyster in front of the TV to watch a Cubs/Pirates baseball game.

Why in the world would I do that?

Because a Witham would be there. :)

Robbie made it to Wrigley Field today, and we talked twice by phone. After our call just after the game ended, I realized the following.

1) I remember my Dad talking about going to Fenway Park in Boston when he was young and he saw the great Ted Williams hit a home run during a game.

2) So, in 1985, when I made it to Fenway Park, I couldn't help but use the pay phone, call back home to Virginia, just to tell my Dad, "Guess where I am? I'm at Fenway!"

3) In 2008, my son, no sports fan, calls me at home twice from one of the three baseball stadiums I want to visit before dying, Wrigley Field. He got there before I did. And that's fine with me. :)

Had I pondered it another 20 seconds, I would have blubbered. :)

THIS HAS BEEN A WITHAM GENERATION ALERT.......

Ric Flair Makes Congress!!! WHOO!

Thank you Representative Sue Myrick of the 9th District of North Carolina, for her speech of earlier today! WHOO!!!!!!!!!!

Can you help this congregation??

This church is part of the denomination of the church I pastored for nine years. They have made a great decision in the face of this battle to keep the historical building, but need to finish the inside work in order to finish the project.

They are doing lots of fundraisers and more (read article), but they can still use our help.

Click HERE to go to the website of New Ipswich Congregational Church, in New Ipswich, New Hampshire to read the stories and learn how you can help!

Thanks!

Apparently Ben Bernanke Couldn't Sleep This Night....

Economic 3rd-shifters rejoice! Hillary's on the case!

At least he's smart enough to try to blow up privately.....

....Bill Clinton, that is.

Big Brother 9's Big Baby!!!!

Good Lord. I thought my kids could throw a fit.

James, before winning POV AGAIN, throws the biggest hissy fit in the world, after catching Sheila in a fib. Now, it's fine for James to come out from his room (where he overheard Sheila) and call her on it in front of the other guys.

To then come back with two MORE fits, including an explosion directly at Sheila (heard by everyone west of Denver) was hissy city. He cries and complains no one is with him, no one wants him to stay.

It's a GAME, here to beat the REST of them. You're supposed to be an island, ultimately. DUH!

Sorry. Can't handle six year-olds in the house.

March's Winning Numbers.....

.....9, 10, and 20.

Not a stellar first quarter. But it's not a recession!

I hope!

BREAKING: Keith Olbermann has never listened to Rush Limbaugh!

My comedic evening fodder, Keith Olbermann (you know, the guy who has the same five people on as "guests" every night), thought he was REALLY funny and witty tonight!

He couldn't believe that Rush Limbaugh had, during his "Operation Chaos" on his radio program, possibly caused a "Democrat" to win a future Congressional election!

Here's the deal: Rush tells Mississippi listeners, hey, go vote for Hillary in the Democratic Primary. Keith thinks that Rush didn't know that, in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District, if you crossover, you then couldn't vote in the Republican Primary two weeks later.

This, he says, means up to 3,000 voters who may have voted for the more "conservative" Republican won't (how does he know a number??), thus the more "moderate" Republican would get the victory.

THEN, he adds, what's more, the Democratic Congressional nominee is actually "more conservative" than 85 percent of the Republicans in the District. (Based on what? The Huffington Post Index?)

Therefore, Keith's conclusion, to his glee, is that Rush may actually help vote a DEMOCRAT into the House!!! Watch Keith's eyes gleam! See him foam in victory! Too bad it's not in HD!!

NOTE TO OLBERMANN: If you ever listened to Rush, you would know that Rush doesn't push for getting "Republicans" into Congress. He's all about "CONSERVATISM".

If the Democrat is conservative, all the better!!

I am not so juvenile as to call Keith a "worst person" like he does.

I'm just calling him out on some facts.