I mean, you all are on twitter aren't you? If not, then I am so sorry for this post please forgive me and find a place in your heart that will welcome me back in one day.
ONWARD...
If you are into twitter, then you understand hashtags... I've really started to enjoy the "#DuvalThings" tag that people use when posting something about Jacksonville.
They are always so interesting.
Sometimes a bit dirty, or upsetting... but interesting.
Here's an example of a few:
Some are repetitive, but perhaps we're getting the idea here.
Let me get to the point... I'm going to start doing a series of stories based solely on #DuvalThings focusing on the positive and cool stuff.
Not the "jogging in white jeans and a mesh tank top" stuff. #DuvalThings.
This all stemmed from my story today, about Big Jim... a steam whistle that's been sounding off in Jacksonville since 1890.
Rarely is there a story where I get more quotes and soundbites than what I experienced today...
I interviewed Boss Hog Calhoun... a pro wrestler in here Jacksonville doing a couple shows for United States Wrestling Alliance and United States Championship Wrestling (yes, those are actual things).
More on this later in the week.
However... I went ahead and haphazardly threw together some highlights for us all to enjoy.
Again, we'll be seeing more of this dude later next week... as we get closer to show time.
That was my day's work, hanging with the lady whose donkey can sing. I told her story for the 5:30pm news, but there was some stuff that didn't make the air, namely our attempts at making the donkey sing again.
Here's that effort:
Here's her full singing donkey story... including a little on why the donkey has a lot to be singing about:
In the news biz ((look at me, all big and bad saying "news biz." HA!)) the Friday before the Super Bowl is intense. Especially if your station is the one with the game.
First Coast News has the Super Bowl.
I'll be watching from either the chair or the couch in my house. Maybe both at different points of the night. Who knows.
But so many folks are going to embrace the passion of the wild... and head to a sports bar.
I talked to a guy named George today, he owns Players Grille on Hendricks... he expects to triple business Sunday.
Triple.
That's awesome. And just shows how huge of a business the pro football thing is... even in Jacksonville, with no real hometown rooting interest in the game, places are going to be raking in the cash.
I may contribute to that, by purchasing a case of Pepsi and some dip.
Here's the contribution to television I made today... my take on the ole "are you ready for the Super Bowl" story that floats around year-to-year:
I was 13, pitching in a county league baseball game, losing by 13 runs.
As I took the mound in relief, in what I think was the first time I ever pitched in a game, my coach shouted from the dugout: "It's a bloodbath and I'm the rubber duck."
I laughed the entire inning, recorded three straight strikeouts and secured my spot in the starting rotation.
That story popped in my head today while thinking about the "Great Battle of the Radar" here in Jacksonville.
NWS RADAR
VS.
First Coast News RADAR
Those are the only two in town. We use our own to track systems, the rest of the broadcasting and weather world uses NWS.
The NWS RADAR is fine... in fact it's great. It takes info from several vertical tilts and creates a nice volume scan for us to use and show storms in 3-D.
We change the tilts on our radar manually and do not get a full volume scan... however our data comes in immediately. NWS required a couple of minutes to go through their full scans. Hence our "Two Minute Advantage."
We can see cells moving along with our sweep in real time. However, the NWS RADAR looks is a bit more herky-jerky, as cells appear to jump across the screen every couple minutes.
I KNOW... THIS IS FASCINATING.
BLOODBATH... and I'm just floating around in the madness.
Now, from February 13-26 NWS RADAR will be taken offline for some awesome upgrades. They're going to a dual polarity radar, which is totally awesome and will be very helpful. However, ours will still be the only live RADAR... in fact, during the days NWS is offline, our Doppler will be the only one in town.
That's just a heads up as we get closer to severe weather season. We can get severe storms anytime here in North Florida, but as we get into February we could see more build up.
Here's My Severe Weather Discussion For Today's Topic: TORNADOES!!!!
Here's my severe weather discussion from Monday, the topic: LIGHTNING!!!!!
If this blog seems a bit, oh I don't know, sarcastic, I'm sorry.
I just bit my tongue and I'm very very mad about it.
You know that feeling? It's usually a quick but fleeting anger.... wait.... uhhh, yeah... nevermind, it's gone. I'm happy again.
Anyway, there's an untapped resource of potential republican voters. They are the Parrotheads that are flocking around my TV station tonight.
First Coast News is located right next door to the arena where Jimmy Buffett is playing tonight.
That means colorful folk hanging 'round the premises.
I'm a topical guy. I enjoy events happening currently... you could call me a current-eventsmith. I talked to some of the Parrotheads about Republican politics and the Florida primary specifically tonight. And I must say, overall it went down smooth and had a nice finish.
So you may be asking: "What the heck?"
Believe me, I asked that too. But, it made for some funny responses when asking a guy with a full beer funnel if he prefers the far right leanings of Newt Gingrich to the more moderate appeal of Mitt Romney.
Actually, this guy with the funnel said he was voting for Donald Trump because he's a "political outsider."
He has a point, Trump is so far outside he's not even on the ballot.
Trump apparently won't be playing the "Good Ole Boy" style of politics by refusing to have people have a way to vote for him.
That's serious.
Turns out the beer funnel guys isn't an American citizen. He's actually from Norway in town to see Jimmy Buffett. So he can't vote anyway.
So what did I learn today:
1. If you start talking political issues at a drunken tailgate party and throw a couple thumbs up, some will think you're an actual candidate for president and will want to take your picture. I made 3 campaign promises and think I'll get at least 2 votes after the ballots are tabulated tonight.
2. Carrying a video camera and tripod around a Parrothead Party is just asking for debauchery. You don't even have to open your mouth. Don't say a word. Just set your camera and tripod up (microphone adds even more) and see what people will say to you. It'll make you re-think logic and the things you learned in grade school.
3. Politics and Buffett don't mix. But tequila and lime juice do apparently, that's all anyone was drinking.
Here's the video from my lessons today:
Anyway, have a great night everyone... I'll be glued to First Coast News tonight to see if Donald Trump managed to pull off an incredible upset in Florida.
I did not spot Mr. Khan today. From one boater to the next, I'd like to give him a silent nod of approval from across a very crowded room... he'd know exactly what I was talking about. We wouldn't even need to speak.
