THE TICKET GOES DOWN

     How's this for timing?  I just wrote on November 7th about how much I enjoy listening to sports talk radio on 93.9 The Ticket in Louisville, and now comes word that the station will be completely abandoning its sports programming effective this Friday.  The local shows are already off the air, leaving us with national ESPN radio programs running for the time being.  According to Angie Fenton's column in today's Courier-Journal, the rumor is that the station is going to change its format and play oldies.  Yes, oldies.  

     In the immortal words of the adventurous Bill and Ted:  BOGUS!  No more ESPN radio in Louisville?  No more Dave and Scott in the mornings?  No more Bob and Will Show?  No more Front Row or Freak Zone?  Bogus indeed. 

     Surely some insightful station will step into the void created by this change in format.  The Ticket has been an outstanding sports station during its relatively short tenure.  Many of my friends are regular listeners.  The Ticket carried the Cincinnati Reds games, as well as Indiana University football and basketball and southern Indiana high school sporting events.  Its hosts were insightful and knowledgeable, and they brought on an exciting and diverse array of guests. 

     The Ticket was a great way to pass the time whenever I happened to be traveling in my car.  I listened to it every morning, and at other times throughout the day.  I will miss it, and I hope that someone in the Louisville area seizes the opportunity to replicate it.  Soon.  

A GOOD QUOTE FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th

     "Inaction breeds doubt and fear.  Action breeds confidence and courage.  If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it.  Go out and get busy."  

       --Dale Carnegie    

JONESY JABBER

     And now for some random thoughts, reflections and happenings from your humble (and lovable) Meatbe:

     ***One interesting fact about the recent presidential election is that the winners, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, are both lawyers.  The unsuccessful candidates, John McCain and Sarah Palin, are both non-lawyers.  One has to wonder whether that fact came into play as voters weighed the perceived qualifications of the candidates.  

     ***I have found that I really enjoy listening to The Dennis Miller Show on radio.  The national broadcast airs locally on weekdays from noon to 3:00 on 970, WGTK.  I sometimes listen to it during lunch. Miller is a comedian by vocation, and his show is laugh out loud funny.  Although he is a conservative commentator, his show lacks the vitriol that is present in other programs.  It is an amusing and entertaining show, whether or not one happens to agree with Miller's political views. 

     ***I also enjoy listening to sports talk radio.  93.9 "The Ticket" in Louisville rocks.  I particularly enjoy listening to Dave (Ragone) and Scott (Padgett) in the mornings.  While neither of these guys will ever be called upon to teach an English grammar class, they are both knowledgeable about sports, and both are humorous. They are also both former professional athletes.  Of course, Dave played football at Louisville, and Scott played basketball at Kentucky.  There's an intense but good natured rivalry there. 

     ***I am looking forward to the opening of the new YMCA center in New Albany next week.  I joined over a month ago, and have been working out at the Clark County YMCA in the interim.  It will be splendid to have such an attractive exercise facility so close to my office.  There will be no excuse for me not to be a workout warrior once it opens. 

     ***At the urging of my cousin Dena and my good friend Melissa, I recently joined Facebook.  For those who may not know, Facebook is an online social networking site.  I believe that it was originally designed for college kids, but now it's available to old fuddy-duddies like me.  I'm still trying to figure out what it's all about, but so far it looks like an interesting way to stay in touch with friends and relatives.  

     I wish a grand weekend to all CoffeeSpoons readers.  Skoal!