Travel with a Beveridge: More of Amanda's musings

Monday, May 18, 2009

More of Amanda's musings

me and mark madden, originally uploaded by ybtc.

Dear Mark Madden,

On long drives home from work, 105.9 WXDX is number five on my car radio's presets. So I have the pleasure of listening to you do your thing for a few minutes each day. Granted, I don’t know – or care – much about the Pittsburgh Penguins. But I can tell you do.

With the voice of a Yinzer angel, you let both your fans and those who cheer on the Pens in on the news and gossip. And I really hate to bust on a brother when he is clearly in his heyday what with the Stanley Cup playoffs underway and all.

Now, MM, if I may call you that, my problem isn’t Penguins-related at all. It’s your spouting off about the Stillers that has me red.

As a media professional, I’m calling you on the one thing that irks me the most about on-air personalities and others who have the privilege of pontificating to the public: Come on, dude, enough with the Contraryism.

It’s not a real word. I just made it up. But this is what I mean: I think your distaste for Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward and All-Pro defensive linebacker James Harrison has more to do with being a dissenting voice in a land of fans more than anything.

You’ve called them both overrated. You called them loudmouths. You can’t be serious, can you? With the likes of Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson and T.O., how can a Pittsburgh boy compete?

Over-rated is a more relative term. I won’t get on you on that other than to say Mr. Ward might not be leading the league in receptions and scoring, but he is undeniably one of the best blocking receivers in the league. I don’t think I need to have years in the sports analysis booth to see the hits he lays out to corners or linebackers that get in his way. Remember Keith Rivers?

Hey, I’m just one woman talking. And I am telling you that trumping up any emotion (like hate of the Steelers or the love of porn stars and area strippers) just to get your ratings up is pretty poor.

So enjoy the Pens while you can. Pretty soon you’ll have angrier, more football-savvy Black-and Gold fans to deal with.

Warmest Regards,

Amanda “keeping it real” Gillooly

(Note: That photo was found in a search of Mark Madden at Flickr.com)

No comments:

Post a Comment

WELCOME TO NOWHERE

Scott Beveridge grew up in Webster, Pa., a village along the Monongahela River that experienced one of worst environmental nightmares in the United States. His family moved there in 1960 about the same time the nearby zinc and steel mills ceased production. Those mill furnaces were to blame for the damages that awoke America to the dangers of air pollution. After their demise, the grass and trees began to return to the barren landscape that appeared as if it belonged on the moon. His short stories about that adventure appear under these links: Introduction: The warning signs were there

Part 1: Where the houses turned black - The murders killed our reputation - Steel wives were desperate - A cantankerous boom town - Dying for fresh air - A railroad to disaster

Part 2: Bad boys of Webster - The seedy side of town - Swept out the door - A storm was brewing - The search for plant life - Little hope for Donora - Another mill folds

Scott sends dirty clothes home when on the road

If you are like him when you travel, your clothes seem to take up more space in your suitcase after you have worn them. Take a tip from Scotty and mail yourself a package home filled with those dirty socks, underwear and T-shirts after you have been on the road for five or six days. You can buy a box and enough postage at the post office for less than $15. Postal workers seem to get a kick out of the idea, and they will even help you fold your box and tape it closed, too. Seek out a post office in a small town, where the workers have more time to gossip, while driving to a tourist destination. Now, you have room in your carryon to cart home your souvenirs, without having to worry about them getting broken or flown to St. Louis when your switchover is aiming for Pittsburgh.

He also hates road warriors; prefers to chill on down time

The successful traveler packs a personality blessed with patience and some understanding of the road.

Scott says do everyone a favor and STAY HOME if you are an anal retentive, control freak who spends far too much time complaining about life. When traveling, folks always take the risk of flight delays and cultural misunderstandings, or having companions who don’t wear watches or luggage and could land in Macon, Ga., when they are flying to Istanbul.

So keep a book or two in your carryon in case you are stuck in the airport in Haiti while rebels are burning tires in the streets and preventing the pilot from reaching the cockpit of your plane. That bag should also carry any prescription drugs you need, deodorant and toothpaste, along with a toothbrush, clean pair of underwear and T-shirt.

When you arrive, please don't linger in your hotel room. Go outside to meet interesting people. You can sleep when you get home.

Always take a moment to sit down and remove your shoes, like the old man in Hanoi, who is shown in the above photograph at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.

And before you fly overseas, please check with the U.S. Department of State to find out which countries hate Americans the most.