Radio Maverick

When I first moved to the PNW from my home on beaches of Southern California, My friends back home were deeply concerned when I accepted a job in Oregon. “How are YOU gonna survive the dreary sky in Eugene?”

Back in the day, Johnny Carson mentioned on the Tonight Show that it was against the law to ride an ugly horse in Wilbur, Washington. Apparently, it’s true. It was signed into law in 1894. But it was repelled 100 years later.

If you were to google search Grace, Washington, two things are gonna happen. You’re gonna find 30 stories about someone by the name of Grace Washington or Nancy Grace is reporting on something bad that happened in Washington, long before you find something about this tiny town. Grace sits just off route 522, where if you slow down enough to where the car behind you honks their horn, you’ll see a sign that reads, "Town of Grace. Established in 1906. Population 12".

Yeah. National Nerd Day is a thing. When we were kids, that may have been an insult. But as an adult, for me at least, I’ve embraced the status. Perhaps maturity. Or perhaps the opposite, as it brings out the kid in me. And that brings us back full circle. lol.

I was chatting with a listener on the request line who was heading home from work, looking forward to more snow to fall in the Wenatchee Valley. “Really?”, I asked. “Yes! The snow is beautiful!”, she replied. “I love it!” My jaw dropped, stunned. “Well…ah…ok.”

I know, we’re ankle deep in snow and Wenatchee Wild games, but I’m already dreaming of warm summer days and heading over to Paul Thomas Sr. Field for another season with the Wenatchee AppleSox. How odd was seeing an AppleSox post on Instagram with a bunch of photos of the stadium seats covered in snow. It’s like when two seasons collide!

If you’ve ever watched the old 70’s/80’s TV show, Laverne & Shirley, their favorite beverage was milk and Pepsi. Today it’s known as a dirty soda. Perhaps you recently saw Pepsi’s holiday campaign featuring Lindsay Lohan with their Pepsi and milk commercial, calling the drink, Pilk. It sounds gross, but I finally tried it....and it wasn’t bad.

It was one of the bigger stories here in the Wenatchee Valley in 2022. And it frustrated many trying to fly out of Pangborn Airport for business, family affairs, vacations, or for those who just enjoy sitting closely to others in very tiny uncomfortable seats on an airbus.

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a workaholic. I love what I do. It gives me the opportunity to be creative in so many ways. But when I look back at all the things I did in 2022, there were less than a handful of fun things that I did. And they were all work related. I rarely got out. I get out out bed, head into work. After work, I go home, take a shower, go to bed. Are you like me? Eek! I hope not. Maybe you’re not as bad as me. So how can we make a change? It all boils down to two things.

I wonder if Washington state officials have thought about making an offer to convince Kris Kringle Corparation to pack the bags and move the whole operation to the Evergreen State?