Let's make a distinction between a new show that
runs on regular radio or the net-as opposed to "podcast".
Most, not all, but most regular radio special shows are
pre-recorded. A podcast is a prior show that is available
to listen to anytime you want. So what is the difference
between my show and one you would hear on
terrestrial radio?
None.
If it is pre-recorded. Most radio today is voice tracked.
Not all, but you would be surprised how much is.
So please understand what a podcast is.
On a personal level, 2010 was a huge turnaround for me personally.
I made many life decision's that many do and many do not.
I walked away from a past life I would like to and am doing
a good job of forgetting. Fading, and pretty much gone.
Deciding to leave a huge radio station, and moving across the world to be
with the one person I have looked for all my life. So, after 5 years as friends
it blossoming into true love, I made the right decision.
I moved to Berlin. I also made the commitment of marriage for the
third time. Only this time it is for good. I know it is real and will
last the rest of my lifetime.
I am back on radio on two stations, one from Los Angeles, and the other
from Berlin, Germany. Dreams do come true for those who work hard
to achieve respect.
So here I am, the happiest I have ever been in my life.
I wish all of you nothing but the best, warmest, and safe
holiday period.
2011 will be great for those who want it to be,
and work hard to make it so.
-Jonathan
The journey to September 29th, 2010 was over 5 years in the making.
As of this day Gabrielle and I were married in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Why Las Vegas?
Long story, so sit back and read.
Our intention was to wed in Berlin. Our intention was to
holiday in Venice, Italy. But, sometimes plans change. That life.
A couple of months ago, we went to the marriage bureau in Berlin. The
gentleman there was not the friendliest. He kept telling us due to my
two divorces, that I would need not just the recent divorce papers which
I gave him, but he wanted the wedding certificates from both, and the
divorce papers from the first marriage.
Jeez! Basically he said it was easier to be married in Las Vegas.
The first was back in 1965, and I divorced her in 1983. But, it wasn't just
having to supply the documents, he said we had to have them translated
into German also. In other words, maybe next year some time after all
papers were in order. We had our heart set on September 29th of this
year. He said, "go to Las Vegas, it is legal everywhere". He also told us that
after we return, that we have to submit the marriage license, an Apostle, and then
after a few weeks, the state of Germany would recognize us as a married
couple. Funny, everywhere in the world we are now husband and wife,
including Germany, even if we have to wait till the documents are on record.
Strange system, but we decided at that point to take his advice and go
to the United States to get married. For me, I had no intention of being
back in the states this soon. But we discussed it and it was a mutual
decision. This was after I had announced on Facebook that we were to
be married in Berlin and go to Italy. But hey, the man said it was easier.
Next, get plane tickets to Los Angeles. Done. Then hotel. Done. Find a
chapel online. Not easy. So many. But finally we decided on the "The Little
White Chapel" on Las Vegas Boulevard. Done.
Next was the hardest decision. Since this was Gabrielle's first marriage,
she wanted a very private ceremony. No family, or friends. Just the two
of us. With my past history of marriages, I readily agreed to this.
At this point some of you reading this might be angry, or unhappy I
never let on about Los Angeles and Las Vegas, but try and
understand our wishes of privacy.
Yes, we did see a few of my friends in Los Angeles, and I told no one
from Arizona about our plans. Not even my daughter, or my son. She
knows now, because we had a phone conversation before I left the
states, due to an e-mail through Myspace she sent asking what is up.
I will let my son know also by voice when we finally speak. I didn't want to
explain all this on an e-mail. I believe he will understand.
The friends I chose to see were very long time true friends. John Easdale
came to our hotel the day after we arrived and took us to lunch at the hotel.
My golf buddies came by that evening and took us to
dinner at the hotel. That was Monday September 27th.
The next day Gabrielle and I drove to Las Vegas. Very romantic. I
had never driven to Vegas.
First thing we did was drive right away to the Clark County
courthouse to the marriage bureau and register.
We checked into the Luxor in the early evening of the 28th.
We were groggy from the drive, but our stomachs
were empty, so we ate the most rockin' lamb chops with truffle mashed
potatos at Tender. We then went up to our room and relaxed, with
the excitement and anticipation of Wednesday, September 29th.
At this point I should let you know why that particular date was
important to us. It was one year ago on that date when I stepped
off the plane at Tegel Airport in Berlin, and we met face to face
for the first time after almost 5 years, at that time. It was instant
love and has never changed. Hence that date.
The next morning we checked out of the hotel and drove to the
chapel. This chapel is very famous, but that wasn't the reason why
we chose it. They were the friendliest and most informative from the
beginning. In a brief time, but romantic setting we were married in
the chapel by Minister Diana Alba. She was so sweet, and showed
us a lot of caring and love. It was a great ceremony. Our Hungarian
photographer was our witness. He was a great guy with a sense of
humor, and he spoke some German.
We then changed into comfortable clothing and left Vegas and headed
back to Los Angeles. On the way back we stopped at
Peggy Sue's Diner in Barstow, California.
What a great thing to do. Built in 1954, it was the real deal.
Had a slice of blueberry pie and coffee. Nostalgic. Very. I highly
recommend stopping there if you are in the area.
On Thursday we drove all around Hollywood, and
visited Marc Kordelis at his home.
Then that evening we were taken out to dinner by Felicia Swerling-Suslow
and husband Artur at the Stinkin' Rose in the Wilshire district. Garlic
heaven. :-) Always great food there.
On Friday we relaxed most of the day, and had lunch at Poquito Mas.
Always the best tacos. Gabrielle had a chicken Tostada.
Early that evening we drove over to Dodger Stadium and met
up with Shawn Alexander and his lovely wife Lisa,
who bought tickets to take us to the Dodgers game as a wedding gift.
Gabrielle loved the stadium, and all its flashy signs and the whole
experience. That was great.
It will be a long time that I will ever get to see my Dodgers again.
On Saturday we relaxed most of the day, and then in the late afternoon
went to Felicia and Artur's house for a home made meal of special
fish tacos that Artur cooked up. Yum.
On Sunday morning, we got up early and drove out to Malibu to
Zuma Beach, so Gabrielle could be on the ocean.
Kenny Ryback met us there.
We chatted a bit, and then bid farewell to Kenny, and
then drove down the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to meet up with
Geordie and Jenny Gillespie for lunch at the Reel Inn for a great
fish lunch. Gabrielle had grilled salmon, and I had grilled swordfish.
We relaxed all the rest of Sunday, and Monday we flew back to Berlin,
arriving at 6:00 pm on Tuesday. Very happy to be home.
So why only these people? Because they were trusted long time
friends, that I knew would keep our secret. Why no one in Arizona?
Sadly, because my ex keeps sending me threatening e-mails, and now
has other's sending me e-mails. I wish that she will move on with her
life and understand that I have. I have no hard feelings. I have none.
I have a new life in a beautiful city with the person I will spend the
rest of my life with. I am happy, and nothing is going to change that.
Part of life is understanding why some people want
their privacy on some matters.
I think you will understand.
Much love to all of you.
Defination:
Punk: Being your self and not giving a fuck what
people think about you or say about you.
So where did the word "punk" originate from? Not from the 70s, as most of you think.
Most envision Johnny "Rotten" Lydon of the Sex Pistols wearing a safety pin
in his ear as a defining moment. Punk rock man.
But where did the slang word originate from?
Let's take a stroll down memory lane, that is if you still have one. Back in 40's
and early 50's there were a series of films and then a television show, first
titled "The Dead End Kids," then later "The Bowery Boys".
You can thank Leo Dorcey and his cohorts for uttering the word
as part of their Brooklyn-ese vocabulary.
You could say James Dean and Sal Mineo were punks from the film
"Rebel Without A Cause". The hairstyles gave it away. Slicked back on the
sides and the pompadour in front. That lasted all the way through the 60's.
In the 70's hair grew, but in the 80's it became the mohawk, and from
that point all the way up to today, a shaved head signifies at least the look.
And what was a "punk"? Was it an attitude?
But, of course it was and still is.
To the masses and the church going public, a punk was a juvenile
delinquent, later called a "greaser". The look was different also, as
compared to the 70's through todays. Punk spelled trouble.
Athletic types would love to beat up on punks. Punks would love to
beat up on athletes, and bookworms.
It was simply a progression of lifestyle clash.
Perfect name for the next real "punk" rock band, The Clash, of course.
Less attitude, but a hell of a lot better musically.
Was "Punky Brewster" a punk? No, but a nice use-age of the word
anyway. Was "Cow punk" for real? I don't think so.
Maybe Scott Goddard would dispute that.
The implications of "punk" in society has left its mark in society.
No doubt about that. Let's slice it up into different categories, shall we.
Punk-a-loco: The lowest form. Has the look. Has very little brains.
Acts before thinking. Usually from a poor background, and has little common sense.
Punk-a-boo: Has the look, and that's all. Just wants attention.
Could be the man or woman that has so many
metal piercings, but that is just for self-expressionism.
Punk-ability: Has a realism about them, and maybe the look.
Maybe not. But the attitude is in check.
Punka-alicious: The true punk. Has the look in their eyes.
Is bright, has a 'tude, and make no mistake, taken seriously.
Oh, that would be me. lol
A true punk is considered a "bad boy" in society's eyes. Many women
love them. Many clean cut men despise them.
"Bad boy's" from Robert Mitchum to Sean Penn and so many more
are adored by the mass appeal audience in film.
Shaving your head into a mohawk like DeNiro did in "Taxi Driver"
didn't make him punk, although for looks it had a point, it just made him a wacko.
Punk doesn't mean that you have to prove a point to anyone or everyone.
On the other hand, punk is most definitely a lifestyle. Be it looks or attitude.
My belief is that as a true punk, I really don't even know it. It is just pointed
out to me over and over, how punk I am. Not just punk rock. That is just
an expression. Example. "He's so punk rock". Now that doesn't mean
I sit around and dwell on the music from the early days of punk.
Of course not. Dig it. I like all styles of music. Okay, so maybe
I'm a bit hard edged in my tastes. That's just me.
The Southern California so called "Pop Punk" of the 90's which still is
remarkably around today, led by Blink 182, Green Day, etc
originally, was never my cup of tea, but the masses
ate it up and are still lapping it up today.
To me, someone like New England white boy rapper Sage Francis is
much more punk, musically, then 90% of the musicians trying
to recreate the old sound in 2010.
He is a wordsmith. His prose and style is so punk. Believable.
Punk is very much a state of mind. The thousands that recently converged
in the small town of Duisburg, Germany went under the guise
of a festival called "The Love Parade". Many were trampled to death due to
a poor setup in security and a tunnel that was a death trap.
The music they went to see was not what you would call
punk rock, it was an electronic music festival instead.
But, very punk in the whole scheme of things. The promoter, who could
not do the festival anymore in Berlin, after years of leaving rubbish in the
streets, took his caravan to a city that had a mayor Adolf Sauerland who
okayed it so the town could make money.
Most likely according to report's, this was the last festival.
As an observer, this was absolutely 'punk rock' from the beginning to the fatal end.
The new punk, is to not drink, not do drugs, and eat healthy, so you will live
longer and your views will be heard for many years to come. Yes my friends,
being self destructive is now the norm.
Hope I have put some of the pages back in for you. Now it is time for me
to take a nice long walk. Come home and drink der wasser, eat some fruit,
and crank some Rammstein loud.
Note: I wrote this piece for an upcoming reborn issue of
Howard Salmon's SLIT MAGAZINE.
Howard is an accomplished author and writer.
He began SLIT MAGAZINE in the early 80s in Tucson, Arizona.
The last issues were incorporated in my magazine NEWSREAL.
