Saturday July 20: Part 1-The Audition

Hello everyone, welcome back. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read the first post for the 4th week of July. 

Hard to believe, but in about 5 1/2 months from now we will be looking at 2019 in the rear view mirror. For my wife and I this past Saturday will be one of the most memorable days of the year. It was both physically and mentally exhausting but extremely rewarding at the same time. 

In my pair of posts this week I want to share with you what made our day one we'll always remember. 

It started out early in the morning. I went to the Southern Kentucky Arts Center for my talent show audition. 

I had rehearsed all week. I added and cut jokes from the act quite a bit over that time. It wasn't until I went to bed Friday night that I finally decided the exactly banter Cecil and I would be doing before we sang our song. Paula helped me out by fixing up Cecil's costume late Friday night as well. 

The next morning we were dressed and ready to head to the venue about an hour ahead of when the audition was scheduled. 

I arrived at the Arts Center about 20 minutes before my audition. 

 There were several people already there waiting for their turn. The hallway outside the audition room was full of people waiting their turn. Some nervously practicing their talent right where they stood.

I checked in at the registration table and then took a seat on a couch in the center's lobby. I still had about 15 minutes before the scheduled audition time. But I didn't have to wait that long. After about 5 minutes I got called. I was rather nervous as I followed the young lady into the rehearsal hall. 

There was a stage area with a microphone on a stand and a video camera set up in the middle of the room. I quickly recognized the people who would be taping me were from Sublime Media Group. 

Let me take a few paragraphs to tell you about Sublime Media. I know them because they have been making local TV commercials for the last decade or so, using puppets.

In 2017, I went to an exhibit of their puppets in the SKYPAC art gallery. Here are a couple of my favorites.

The puppet commercials are the aspect of their business that I've enjoyed over the years. Here's a link to their You Tube Channel if you want to see some behind the scenes video of the commercials. 
Sublime Media Group You Tube Channel

But Sublime Media Group does a lot more than just puppets. They are one of the most creative and progressive production companies I've ever seen. Although they are headquartered in Bowling Green their work reaches way beyond the area.

Now back to my audition.
I handed the CD with the backing track for my song to a guy named Will, and gave him the vocal cue for when to start it. He took it back into the sound room. 

Austin, who was most recognizable of the 4 in the room because of his appearance in their commercials, immediately told me how much he liked Cecil's look. He directed me to the microphone. I got myself comfortable in front of the mic and my audition began. 

Although there were two videos shot as part of my audition; just one of was my performance. Once Cecil was finished singing, Austin asked me to stay and do an additional on-camera interview. This video will be edited and used as a pre-performance intro, should I make it into further into the competition. I called the "Here's Your Journey" video. Of course I agreed to do it.

I was a little distracted while being interviewed by Austin for a couple of reasons. First, I was trying to review and evaluate what Cecil and I had just done. 

Also, I was worried that the judges would be watching this video as part of their decision about me and I might not be saying "the right things." Among the questions, he asked me what I thought of SKYPAC offering this competition to the area. I struggled the most with that answer. 

But once the interview was done. I decided to tell Austin how much I appreciated and admired Sublime Media groups work and accomplishments. 

I walked out of the rehearsal hall and checked with the woman in charge of the competition. She told me that I could expect to find out if I moved on to the semi-finals by the middle of the week. 

Although I was not very sure I would do well in my audition, I am pleased with what I did. I gave it my best. I think I deserve to move on but that's up to the judges. 

So as I write this post I am very anxious to get the email with the news of my SOKY's Got Talent fate. But I will keep hoping that by the end of August...

...Cecil and I get to enjoy this view from the SKYPAC stage. I will be sure to let you know if I am going to the next round. 

Later on in the late afternoon of this memorable Saturday, Paula and I would venture out for her first time setting up at an event as a Color Street vendor. I will share our experience at the Duncan Heinz Festival in Friday's post. Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and read the Yankee Near Nashville blog. 

Event Prep, Softball Memories & Enduring Friendship

This next to last Friday in July 2019 finds the middle and south east parts of the country in the midst of a heatwave. Around here, tomorrow, is supposed to be the hottest day of the year so far. This is going to impact our weekend.
As I wrote on Monday, this week I've been busy getting ready for my SoKY's Got Talent audition on Saturday morning. It's been a process of refining my vocal technique and revising my script. I've finally settled on what my performance is going to be but I still have to tweak it a bit.
It's also been a week of helping my wife prepare for her first ever outside vendor event as a Color Street stylist.
She will be setting up at the annual Duncan Heinz festival. Because it's an outside event, even though it's just 3 hours in the late afternoon/early evening, the excessive heat is going be a factor.
Its is been an even busier week for her than it has been for me. But there's an air of excitement surrounding the event preparation. With this event, she takes another step into something that will help her succeed as a Color Street stylist.
This week's "Throwback Thursday" pic that I put up on my Facebook page yesterday, was a team photo of my church softball team from 1987.

I spent 11 years playing for the Easton Assembly Of God softball team in Easton, Pennsylvania. 1987 was my last year. About half of the guys in this picture also started playing in 1976. I got the experience of having my dad on the team for the first couple of years. He was a pitcher. My cousin, Gary, also played those first couple of years.
I started out playing 2nd base but being left-handed that didn't work out too well. I eventually switched to catcher and that's where I stayed.
I was 15 years old the first year the church had a team. I was really into collecting baseball cards at the time. I ended up making my own softball card. This was way before there was any computer technology to help me design it. So I had to make it as an "arts and crafts" project. The only picture I had was my sophomore high school picture. I adopted a nickname for our team the "AGs". Here's my baseball card.

On the back of the card I put my first season stats, personal info, and a "fun fact" just like the real Topps baseball cards did. Of course I had to mention my dad.

I have so many stories about playing softball for the church. I can't even begin to share them all here. But there is one place I know stories about my church softball days will always be shared and it involves the reason I am writing this post.

In this second version of the softball pic, I've circled 3 people. From left to right: 26 year old me and my friends, Gene and Larry.
Out of all the people on that team, Gene and Larry are the only two I still have contact with. But to me they are more than former teammates I keep in touch with. They are lifelong friends.
In the last 20 years I've only had a couple of chances to spend time with them. In September 2016 they came to visit me in Kentucky. We went to Nashville and visited the Corvette Museum.

The following summer, in August 2017, on a visit back to Pennsylvania I had the chance to have lunch with them.

Both times we got together, it was like no time had passed since we'd seen each other.
Gene was my church youth leader when I was a teenager and Larry coached the softball team for a while. So we have a lot of stories to share about those days. But we have a lot more in common, too.
Gene and I exchange texts all the time. He sends me pics of all the festivals and activities he goes to in the downtown Easton area.
As of this post, Larry and his wife, Tina are planning a trip that passes by my way in October of this year. I look forward to seeing them again.
As a guy who doesn't have a lot of close friends, I must say that I really love these guys. I cherish their friendship and can't wait to see them again. It was Gene who sent me this picture of the softball team and I'm glad he did. It got me thinking about how blessed I am to have a pair of enduring life long friendships.
Do you have any friends that you don't see very often but have that "no time has passed" connection anytime you do get together? Let me know about them.
Thanks for taking the time to read this 2nd post of the week. I will update you on the events I mentioned in the beginning next week. I will see you then.

Audition Week

Hello everyone. This is the start of an important week for me. This coming Saturday I will be taking the first step toward winning a local talent contest. 

For the 2nd year the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, in downtown Bowling Green, is presenting a talent search inspired by the NBC TV show, America's Got Talent.   

"SoKy's Got Talent" invites people of all ages from a 10 county area in Southern Kentucky to sign up for the local talent competition. 

I signed up last year but a case of laryngitis forced me to drop out.  

It all starts with the first round of auditions. They are being held in a rehearsal room at the SKyPac center this Saturday, July 20. 

Mine is scheduled for 9:50AM. I've entered as a ventriloquist in the "Meteors" category, which is the last of 5 age groups. It's for people 36 and older. 

The last time I performed in a talent show was back in 2015. It was a fund raiser for a high school Beta Club held at the Plaza Theater in Glasgow.  

Here's a link to a video my performance on my You Tube channel. 
Playing The Plaza-March 2015

Once again, I am going to use Cecil, my turtle for my audition. This time he's going to be dressed in Western clothes to go along with the song we're going to perform. Here's what he looks like. 

I have been practicing but I still need to put in a lot of work to be good enough to make it to the semi-finals in the competition. 

If I make it to that level I'll get to be on the stage at the Capitol Arts Theater. It's a refurbished movie theater that serves as SKyPAC's smaller venue. The finals will be on SkyPAC's stage. 

Getting to do my act on either or both of those stages would mean a lot to me. If for nothing else, because I saw two of the best ventriloquist in the business, Jeff Dunham and Terry Fator, perform on each of them, respectively.

But I'm not going to settle for just performing. I really want to bring home a trophy. There will be winners in each of the age group categories and an overall winner. 

On a day when the world celebrates the Apollo 11 mission. I am going for it. If they can put a man on the moon, I can win SOKy's Got Talent. So wish me luck and I'll keep you up to date on how I do. 

Now it's time to get back to rehearsing. While I will be working on the details of my act, I am also going to try and have some fun. Allowing part of me to just sit back and enjoy the experience. For the next 6 days I'm going to be saying a lot while keeping my mouth shut. 

A Positive Podcast Poll

Hey Y'all. It's great to be at the laptop keyboard writing again. Thanks for being patient with me as I dealt with being a little off my game earlier this week.  

I want to begin this post with a couple of points that explain why I'm going to ask for your opinion on about something I'd like to do. I feel it's important you know what's behind this request so here I go. 

First, for several years now I've been thinking about starting a podcast. But I have put it off again and again because I've been telling myself that no one would be interested in listening. 

For those of you not familiar with what a podcast is here's the easiest way I can explain it. It's a episodic  audio program automatically downloaded onto your phone or other electronic device. You can access and listen to it at your convenience. Kind of an audio"on demand" service.

What builds an audience for a podcast is it's being about something people are interested in and a host and guests they connect with. Based on what I've heard, these types of podcasts get the most subscribers. 

So I've come to the conclusion that if I want to have success with a podcast it needs to be genuine and appeal to a broad audience. 

I've kicked around several ideas and subjects. But for various reasons, none of them met the criteria for what a sustainable, successful podcast might sound like.

I've volleyed back and forth for years between attitudes of "I can't wait to get this started" and "It's never gonna work, I might as well not even try."

To be honest, the main issue holding me back for so long is not the choice of a subject. It's me dealing with my biggest personal character flaw. 

Like most lifelong issues, it is somewhat complex so I won't go too into it here. I'll just say, I'm looking for ways to overcome it. 

I came face to face with my issue of podcast procrastination, a couple of months ago when my wife decided to start a small business with a company that sells nail polish tabs.

When she decided that she was going to get involved in being a Color Street nail stylist she didn't hesitate. In fact she jumped in head first. 

Although a novice in certain aspects of how this business worked, she searched out information and training. She quickly learned how to start a Facebook group and do Live sessions. That's not out of the ordinary for her. When she gets her mind set on something she does it. That's one of the things I love about her.  

But this time the things she did to get started served as a "wake up" call for me. 

Here, right in my own house, was someone who settled in on an idea, which became a dream, then turned into a goal, and is now a reality. 

Sitting on the living room couch, watching her work hard at her dream, made me realize that it's time to start working on mine again as well. 

So thanks to my wife's example, not only have I been inspired to start working on producing a podcast again; but I have come up with my topic as well.  

I believe that, just like my wife did for me, people can be encouraged and inspired by others who have made or are on their way to making their "dreams" a reality. 

Overall, it would be a positive program which would address "dreams" in a very broad way with a very practical and sincere approach. 

As I've looked around through the "everyone has a dream" lens I've seen that it applies to people from all walks of life. I have family members, friends, and people right here in my small town, who have worked to make their dreams come true who would make wonderful examples. 

Then there are people who are well known or "famous" that may be a little more difficult to get as a guest but would be inspirational. I think it would be a very positive thing to explore the ways they are "living their dream" and how they got there.  

On the other side of that same coin is the fact that producing a podcast, would be my personal version of "a dream come true." 
It's something,which up until now, I've been putting off. But making it happen would be an true success. 

Each episode, in and of itself, would be an example that life change can come from anywhere. I mean that in the most humblest way possible. If it was not for those in my life who have inspired me, I would not even be thinking about this. 

With all that said, here's my question for you. Would a positive spirited podcast with a focus on those whose dreams have come true, and those who would like them to, be something you would listen to?

If so, what type of people would you like to hear from? If you wouldn't be interested, why not? Please leave your responses in the comments below or on my Facebook page. 

Because it's been just an idea or a dream for so long, I've still got a lot to learn about the logistics and aspects of producing a podcast. 

Because its so popular there are plenty of resources. I have to take myself to school. So it may take a while until you can listen to my "dream" podcast. But I am determined to make it happen. I would like to thank my wife, Paula for the "push". Like the song by the group Chicago says, "You're The Inspiration." 

I appreciate y'all taking the time to read this post and allow me to lead you down my current path. I hope you have a good weekend and I'll see you back here next time. 









  




















  

A Best Of "RH Factors" Post

Hey everyone. When I woke up this morning I realized that I hadn't come up with an idea for a new YNN post. Not feeling my best for a couple of reasons (nothing long term just "one of those days" you get after 50 when you've had a busy weekend). I'm not in a very creative mindset today. It's hard to write with a headache. So, I have decided to flashback to a post from my previous blog. 

Today I am featuring a link to a post from my RH Factors blog that was posted a little over 5 years ago. This post was also written on a day when I was at a loss as to what to write about. Nevertheless, I did share some of the things that were happening in my world at the time. 

I know this a "rerun" or "best of" type move but I didn't want to not offer anything to my readers today. 

Some recent statistical research has shown me that I get the most "reads" from posts that are personally nostalgic. So I'm optimistic that some of you will read this look back 5 years. I hope you enjoy it. If not, I apologize. But come back Friday and I will have a new post about life as a Yankee Near Nashville. 

Thanks.   

Here's The Link:

Talkin About "B"s

One Toy Left Behind

Spoiler Alert: This post contains plot points and spoilers from Toy Story 4. However, it's not going to be a full on review of the film. If you haven't seen it yet and don't want to know what happens, I suggest you come back after you have. You've been warned up front, so I'm covered. Thanks. 

Last year, former Disney executive and longtime Pixar director, John Lassiter, left the company after admitting to workplace sexual misconduct accusations that were made public. 

Once this happened establishing a proper, fair, and appropriate work environment for everyone at Pixar became a very public priority. 

It would only seem logical that this cultural change would in some way be reflected in the features that Pixar created going forward. 

In June of 2018 Lassiter left Disney permanently. This gave the Pixar  creative team an entire year to include a public commitment to their new policies as part of Toy Story 4.   

The film, which is getting very good reviews by both critics and the public, is full moral messages and characters that break the sterotypes. 

After a prologue explains the reason for her absence over the last 2 films, Bo Peep returns. It immediately becomes evident  that she has become a strong independent toy.

(Prior to the movie's release, Tom Hanks, during a publicity appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, revealed some talking points about Toy Story 4 issued by Disney.  Regarding the reappearance of Bo, he read. "Bo should be described as a strong character from the beginning. Her recent experience, perhaps, made her stronger, but she was never a week character" Now there's your affirmation that Pixar/Disney used this film to make an apology and convey their commitment toward the new corporate attitude, toward women in general) 

Now on her own for 7 years, Bo, now ascribes to a purpose that goes beyond being loyal to just one child.   

In the end Woody goes against what has been his dominant character trait over 3 films and follows his heart to take up with Bo. At the end of the film they become a team of lost toy advocates. Seeking to match them with the children who need them. 

I get this change and how it develops the Toy Story universe but I don't like it. How could Pixar break up, Woody and Buzz, one of the strongest team of friends in Disney features, if not in all of modern animated movies? It's like breaking up Laurel & Hardy or Abbott and Costello or Martin and Lewis. (Wait! that last team did break up, so never mind about them) 

Ironically, other than Woody, Buzz, and Bo, the original Toy Story characters aren't given a lot to do in this film. However, there are lots of strong and funny new characters. Many of them go against stereotype and display their individuality.  

But because of my personal bias I noticed that, in Toy Story 4 Pixar decided, not to break, but exploit, a stereotype of one toy that's already has a very negative image. I'm talking about the character of Benson, the ventriloquist dummy. 

Ventriloquist figures (a term preferred over "dummy" by those who perform ventriloquism) have been feared and misunderstood since they became part of touring entertainment troupes in the 19th century and vaudeville in the 1920s & 30s. 

In the 1940s, because of the popularity of Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy on radio and in movies...

...and later Jimmy Nelson...

 ...and Paul Winchell on television

Ventriloquist puppet toys became part of the American scene and marketed to babyboomer children through the new and fascinating medium of TV.  

But in addition to being part of kids shows, ventriloquist figures were also portrayed as sinister characters who were controlling, eerie and evil thanks to anthology mystery/drama shows like the Twilight Zone, One Step Beyond, and Alfred Hitchcock presents. This negative image also began to appear in movies and continues to this day. 

American children developed a love/hate relationship with the ventriloquist figure. But over the years, with a few exceptions, it's the fear that has remained prominent in the public psyche.  

Toy Story 4 perpetuates the stereotyping of these puppets by making them a squad of zombie henchmen who provide the "muscle" and do the "dirty work" for a doll named "Gabby Gabby". Throughout the film they chase and capture the good toys.

The decision to portray these characters in such a way gives this toy an unfortunate distinction among toys featured in the Toy Story franchise. 

Other than those toys that are the villains (Stinky Pete the Prospector, Zurg, Lotso Huggin Bear) there are not very many toys initially portrayed in a negative light who are not given an eventual path to redemption. 

Once Gabby Gabby, who is transformed into a sympathetic character, leaves the antique store with Woody and Bo, the Benson toys are left behind never to be seen again. They are not transformed or viewed in a positive way. Thus continuing the "ventriloquist dummies are scary and evil" stereotype.

Why Pixar? Why? Why celebrate the toys that everyone loves in a positive nostalgic way and not include the favorite childhood toy of many babyboomers including lot of famous people? Johnny Carson, Don Knots, Lisa Welchel, Terry Fator and Jeff Dunham, quite a few beauty pageant and TV talent show contestants, just to name a few. 

I'm not sure if I liked Toy Story 4 or even if it needed to be made. I'll wait to decide that once I see it a second or third time. But I do know that in a movie whose overall moral is that all toys should be accepted and loved by a child there's one toy left behind. The toy ventriloquist figure.

Not fair Pixar. Not fair at all. 

What do you think? Does this inconsistency mean anything to you? Please feel free to comment below. I appreciate what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to read this post. Come back next week for more on the Yankee Near Nashville blog. 

Met My Wife; Changed My Life

Today is my wife, Paula's birthday. I always joke with people that the most important thing about that is it means mine is only 10 weeks away. 

But what I really want this post to be about is shining the spotlight on her and celebrate the miracle of having her in my life.  

I will share with you how she gives me the life I never thought I'd ever have in a bit. But first I want to expound on the one thing I admire the most about her, her resilience. 

All her life, no matter what circumstances she has gone through, Paula has survived and grown. Sometimes because of them but mostly in spite of them. 

She has and continues to have an amazing way of finding the positive aspects and finding ways to make life better every day. She survives and triumphs at the same time. 

I guess the best way to explain it is that to say she's a living example of the Serenity Prayer. She accepts and adapts to the things she can't change and does what she has to do get through them.  While also, having the courage and drive and insight to move forward and change in ways she can. 

Her fortitude has helped her succeed in a 30+ year career with the same company. Over that time she has risen from an entry level job to a position in upper management. 

The same thing is true with her personal life. She did what needed to be done to raise her two boys. They are both now young men in their 30s with lives of their own.
   
As her husband and someone who doesn't always handle life's issues very well, there is a sense of security and assurance in knowing that with Paula by my side, we will always make it through.  

I could write a book about events and circumstances we have survived since we've been together as well as those she over came before we met. Maybe one day I will. 

Let me summarize what I'm saying about her with this. In this day and age when women who overcome obstacles and come out on top are celebrated, Paula should be a headliner. She is the toughest person I know. Nothing beats her, she won't let it. Of the million things I love about her that probably tops the list. 

Recently, Paula has taken the next step in living her best life. She made the decision to follow a dream of owning her own business. She found a product she believes in and is sharing it with her world. 

It has been a pleasure seeing her go full force into this with all her skills and creativity. 

But not only that, it is taking her to places she has never been before.  She has had to learn a lot of about marketing. This includes getting deeply involved with social media. 

I never thought I'd ever see my wife go on Facebook live, once, but now she's going live every week. 

I have had things I've said I wanted to do for quite a while now. Seeing her following her dream has inspired me to finally stop hesitating and get em done. 

The next thing I want to share about my wife is how she has given me the gift of a life that I never would have ever had without her. 

Twenty years ago when I moved to Kentucky to be with her, I had no idea much better my life would become. 

Being married to Paula has taken me places I had only dreamt of going before I met her.   

In 20 years I have been to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee multiple times; Walt Disney World 5 times; St. Louis, Chicago 4 times; Chatanooga, Myrtle Beach, Cincinatti, Milwaukee, Destin, Florida and most recently Branson MO. 

But I'm not only talking about travel. Because of the encouragement, assurance and security Paula has given me, I have been able to do so many other things. 

I became a ventriloquist; was able to build my own home recording studio enabling me to create the music programs I love to write; taught myself to play the ukulele, and became a blogger. 

I have owned two brand new cars, been able to subscribe to XM radio which may not seem like a big deal but enjoying it is a big part of my life. 

I can't even begin to list the number of shows, plays, and entertainment events we have gone to over the years.  

And last but not in anyway the least, she has given me the blessing of being a father and a grandfather. Those two things are by far and away the best things she's ever given me. 

I realize that I have just written quite a bit about myself.  But it is all to illustrate the amazing things that being married to Paula has allowed me to do. Not only that she has always supported me through all of it.  

Now I know there's no way I could ever know what my life would have been like if I had not met and married Paula. (Actually, I really don't even like thinking about it) But based on where I was, in life, when we met, I can't ever imagine having a life close to the one she has enabled me to live. 

I want to close this post with a link to one of my favorite Ronnie Milsap songs that expresses the spirit of gratitude and love I want this post to convey to my wife on her birthday. 
What A Difference You've Made In My Life

To my soul mate, Paula Kaye Havens, the life changer God led me to over 20 years ago. I Love You Always And Forever. Happy Birthday Darlin.