Pep Talk: "When Duty Calls"

There are moments in life, at least for me, that drill deep into the marrow. Moments where truth, about key aspects of the journey, comes crashing into cranium and embeds itself. Powerful reminders about what’s REALLY important. I had one recently: Let’s never grow weary of doing good things for each other.

The reminder manifested itself in this old jock’s noggin’ during a ride to Denver International Airport, courtesy of a dear friend. As we cruised toward our destination, a powerful, and ultimate, example of never growing weary of good deeds was expressed as the woman - she’s like a sister - talked about her brother. Recently, the 56-year-old father of two, died, unexpectedly, while helping others. Tragic. 

On a snowy and icy stretch of Interstate 90 in Spokane, Washington, Scott Moore was driving when a car ahead spun off the highway and tumbled down an embankment. The Good Samaritan stopped, scurried down the embankment and discovered a family in the vehicle - rattled, but not seriously injured.

A short while later, the grandpa to three was helping the family trudge back up the hill toward the highway, and his warm car, parked along its shoulder. Then the horrific happened. Another car traveling the slick span lost control, slid off the highway and right into a man, who loved to fish, especially for opportunities to serve and help others. He died instantly. 

However, before this man’s life was terminated, far too early, he did something remarkable: shoved from harm’s way, a nine-year-old girl he was escorting to safety. Watching video of Spokane’s KREM-TV, Channel 2, report on the accident brings tears to the eyes to hear the young girl, spared probable death, leave a grateful voice mail at Moore’s son’s home, calling the heroic Moore, “an angel.”

“He died doing what he loved,” this precious friend offered as we cruised toward the airport to pick up her hubby and drop me off for a flight to Chicago. Amen to that. The parents of the child Moore saved went to social media praising and exalting their child’s “angel.” That angel grew up in suburban Denver before heading west and settling in Priest River, Idaho. He was also a son, brother, husband, hard-working railroad general manager and buddy to many. Scott Allan Moore brought great value to others’ lives. Ultimately, sacrificing his to ensure another. Honorable.

How can we bring value to others? Simple question with a plethora of possible answers.  For the crew at Victory Productions, a few things come to mind:  our reticular activating systems must be on alert for value-delivering opportunities and we must have the courage to act once we feel, as Emerson would say, “the vibration of the iron string within.”

I had one earlier in the week, before this drive and conversation but after learning of Moore’s heroism. I was parked in a Denver area coffee shop between meetings and catching up on emails. Minding my own business when duty called to never grow weary of doing good for others.

“I’m in Denver, I have no money, half a tank of gas and the weather is terrible,” a man seated close by emotionally told someone via a cell phone.” Denver was in the midst of its first winter storm of the 2012-13 season and conditions were bad, especially for a guy - learned this also from overhearing the conversation - from south Florida.

He was distraught and trying to drive to Salt Lake City. His 12-year-old son and former wife, who lived in Utah’s capitol city where involved in a terrible vehicle accident. Former wife was killed, son critically injured and now in a medically-induced coma. He was driving a car with front-wheel drive and bald tires. Passable for tropical Florida but disastrous in wintry Colorado.

I introduced myself. I learned the grieving father was a huge sports fan. It brought a smile to his face when informed what keeps me busy each weekday afternoon on The Odd Couple on Mile High Sports Radio. “You host a sports talk show? Wow, that’s always been my dream job!” We dove into strategies concerning getting him to Salt Lake City as quickly as possible.

A wonderful friend at KCNC-TV, CBS4, still have a key to the building after all these years, in Denver gave us updated weather information. It was determined the best route was through the mountains via Interstate 70 because going north to Wyoming and then west, while an easier drive in terms of terrain, would be taking him into the teeth of the storm. Once it was determined to go through the Eisenhower Tunnel that bores through Colorado’s Continental Divide we knew the grieving man needed tire chains. An auto parts store right across the street carried them. Grateful. What next? Gas. Needed to fill up. Service station was another block away. Mission completed.

Ya know it’s been said “God works in mysterious ways” right? What are the odds of being in that coffee shop at just that moment, hearing this man’s needs and then having resources at hand to help?

A man gave his life when duty called. I know Scott Moore’s spirit inspired me to help a desperate soul. This week let’s focus, when duty calls, on never growing weary of doing good things for others wherever we roam. It’s a great way to be remembered. Today, tomorrow, next year, forever.

Happy New Year and have a good week!

Pep Talk: "Act Like A Clown"

Ever been chastised for acting like a clown? I sure have. But if ever accused of acting like Blinky, consider it an honor.

First, some background. Co-hosting three hours of sports talk radio each weekday afternoon from 3-6pm on Mile High Sports Radio is a blast. I am blessed to possess such a job and enjoy the banter about topics with my co-host, Eric Goodman. Officially, we’re known as Afternoon Drive with Mac and Goodman. Heard at AM1510 and FM93.7, I prefer, The Odd Couple: Afternoon Drive.... and enjoy slipping it into the conversation when possible. Eric and I are like Felix and Oscar. I’m Oscar.

Another interesting aspect of life on Lincoln, Mile High Sports’ location in the Beauvallon building, is on-air talents sell their respective shows. Yep. A unique business model. Goodman, yours truly, and other yakkers must find sponsors to help pay for the air time. No salaries. All the men and women hosting shows need satisfied clients. Happy sponsors. 

Victory Productions loves working with Mile High Sports crew, led by James Merilatt and Doug Ottewill, because, collectively, we can offer a multiple marketing strategy to businesses. Through radio, magazine, online, social media, television and community we market businesses. Victory specializes in helping small business owners achieve dreams and overcome challenges. That’s Victory’s mission and job. We’re not perfect but do try.

One of Victory’s clients is Steve’s Snappin Dogs, owned by Linda and Steve Ballas. Wonderful couple. At Colfax and Monroe, just west of National Jewish Hospital, Steve’s is a yummy spot for lunch, quick-and easy dinners and celebrations, like birthday parties, kiddos and adults. I’m gonna have my next birthday party there. The theme is “I can Thrive at 55!” You’re welcome to attend, details to come. I highly recommend the Atlanta Slaw Dog and a Steve’s Snappin’ Ale. I’ve tasted many. Try one sometime and tell the crew Chatty Patty sent ya! For more information on Chatty Patty read the Pep Talk from two weeks ago. 

This one is about Linda’s father, Russell Scott. Many of you will recognize this cool dude as “Blinky the Clown.” For 40 years he entertained children of all ages through a popular television show on Denver’s KWGN, Channel 2. Before pulling his signature red nose off for the final time, Scott, who passed just four months ago 91, became the most tenured host of any television children’s show in American history, second in the world. Sorry for the sports analogy, but a first-ballot Hall of Famer when it comes to providing quality programming for kids.

Victory is working with the Ballas’ in an effort to have Blinky placed in the History Colorado Museum. What this clown represented is deserved of public remembrance. We would be, my opinion, in pretty darn good shape as communities if we practiced what Blinky preached. 

I would encourage you to YouTube “Blinky the Clown” and watch videos captured during Blinky’s Fun Club’s four-decade run deep into the hearts of Centennial State kids and families. Everyone should sing “Happy Birthday” to kids like Blinky. Watch these videos. They’re hilarious and inspirational.

At the end of each show, Blinky would always encourage kids watching to do three things that day: “When mommy comes home, hug her and tell her you love her. When daddy comes home, hug him and tell him you love him. Finally, pick up your toys!”

What a great message to send to kids. What a great message to send to each of us. Love each other, be respectful of one another and clean up your own damn mess.

Can you imagine? What the heck would this community - region, nation, world - look like  this week if each of us made the conscious decision to live that terrific trio?

Bartender, another round for everybody at the bar buying into that!

But unfortunately, that darn thing called life gets in the way of our best laid plans, right? We start out with an attitude of love, respect and responsibility but then the unwanted and unexpected detours rattle our cages. Sometimes with horrific consequences like the tragedy in Connecticut, to name just the latest.

Blinky the Clown reminded kids, and anybody else watching with them, to be loving, respectful and responsible. Whenever we have a moment to immortalize someone like that, we should do it. We hope History Colorado Museum officials agree.

Until next week, focus on being loving, respectful and responsible. No guarantees, but I think I could get John Fox, George Karl, Mike MacIntyre, Tad Boyle, and other successful coaches we have on The Odd Couple, to concur, a team committed to loving, respecting and answering to one another has a good chance, no guarantee, at success.

The venues may change. It might be building a successful business, team or family. It don’t matter. What does matter is realizing opportunity to play like champions, whatever endeavor pursued, diminishes greatly if there’s questions about the right mix of love, respect and responsibility being poured into the foundation. 

Act like a clown and feel good about it.

Pep Talk: "Don't Stop Believin'"

Rarely has the sometimes, I think most parents relate, laborious task of playing taxi driver to a teenage child been so cherished.

That was the overwhelming sensation as old jock transported precious princess and persuasive boyfriend, each sophomores in high school, toward Denver’s Pepsi Center for a much anticipated Friday night encounter between the home-town Nuggets and  Memphis Grizzlies.

Earlier in the day, on our sports talk radio show, The Odd Couple: Afternoon Drive with Mac and Goodman, partner Eric Goodman and I had talked, along with producer Josh Pennock and several callers, about the early-season challenges the Nuggets had faced: a ridiculous schedule that had Denver playing 17 of its first 23 games on the road; the inability of grown men to consistently hit free throws and terrible outside shooting making the most zealot Nuggets’ fans, daughter is one, wonder if the players needed their eyes checked. My opinion, they need to quit dribbling so much and pass more often. George Karl’s team was home. Fans ready, guardedly, to embrace.

The short drive to the arena was almost complete. The lovebirds were snuggling a tad close for a father’s approval. The rearview mirror does not lie. However, a pensive mood was lifted. One of the greatest rock songs ever began to play on the car stereo. Released in 1981, Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, brought tears to my eyes while gazing, in the rearview mirror,  at a beautiful daughter and others’ handsome son. Who, by the way, needs a haircut.

Why? Earlier on this day, parents in Connecticut, were rocked from their worlds with the horrifying news their precious children had been killed by a deranged 20-year-old man who, after shooting and killing his mother at their home stepped into a elementary school and decided to barrage other with bullets: 20 children and six teachers/administrators dead. Horrifying.

The senseless tragedy unfolded long before The Odd Couple went on the air at three o’clock on Mile High Sports Radio, AM1510 and FM93.7. It led to frank discussions concerning show content. Sports seemed quite insignificant. Who cares if the Broncos beat the Ravens? Throughout three hours, Goodman and I made repeated references to the horrific drama, asked listeners to keep those affected in thoughts and prayers and tried to maintain some semblance to operations as usual. One caller did say, “Thanks for bringing some relief to what has been a horrible day.” No problem buddy.

The traffic lights around the Pepsi Center, and headlights of other cars meandering toward the common destination were a blur as I proclaimed to the passengers, “This song needs to be played really loud.” I cranked it. Music experts have proclaimed Don’t Stop Believin’ as “the perfect rock song” and as an “anthem” featuring one of the best opening keyboard “riffs” in rock music history. In the sports world, the song has been used often by teams, including the 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers, much to the chagrin of lead vocalist Steve Perry, a huge Giants’ fan considering the band was formed in San Francisco.

I was tearful, first and foremost, in joy my child was safe. I would suspect many parents, upon learning the terrible news, muttered, “That could have been my kids’ school.” Sympathy for the victims and families where IT WAS THEIR SCHOOL adding fuel for the tearful flow. And then a cranium crasher inspired by a song that, as of last year,  was the top-selling catalog track in ITunes history with more than five-million digital copies sold: We, as Americans, can’t stop believing we can do better.

It has become far too commonplace in our society. Venues long considered safe sanctuaries from the craziness of life - schools, theaters, post offices, shopping centers, arenas - transformed into massacre and mayhem. We can’t stop believing we have the capacity to become superior to our former selves. I’m just a simple dude from Missouri but smarter gun laws and mental health treatment policies come immediately to mind in this case. I know also, it’s multi-faceted and complex. Nothing, when it comes to laws and treatment, will completely eliminate the chances of insanity knocking on our doors, in places and times we least expect, that’s life unfortunately. But, really?

A police officer working traffic control vigorously waved an illuminated wand in guiding me to the proper drop area near the arena. It was close to game time. Daughter and testosterone-laden lad, infatuated with one another, life and its possibilities, departed into the night with thousands of others. Folks having fun on a Friday. We know from experience, no guarantees. 

I prayed for their safety. What could possible happen to them at an NBA basketball game? We know the answer to that question. Life is fragile, full of “What the heck is going on?” moments. It can get scary and depressing. We can’t shrink from it.

We can make it better. Let’s not allow another senseless tragedy to fade from memory without at least trying to learn from, this unimaginable experience. Don’t stop believing there is room for improvement.

We owe it to those we’ve tragically lost to at least try.