Tag Archives: Blogging

The Podfather or: Clients Rule!

18 Tuesday Jun 2019

Posted by in Blogging, Life as We Know It, Podcasting, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

I love my job. I love all my jobs. I don’t do things that I don’t enjoy. Not anymore.

For many years I was the office manager/VP of my parents’ company. I loved that job, although they would probably not agree with me. Now, don’t get me wrong. I hated the industry. I hated trucking and I hated sand. But, I liked the business aspect of it.

I almost purchased a now-prominent restaurant in town and I would have loved that.

I briefly owned a comic book store. I loved that because I have always been a fan of comics.

I have been a musician most of my life, at least 34 years. I loved being in those bands (most of the time… and when I didn’t, I wasn’t in that band).Clients061819

I love being The Man Who Ate the Town. I love that restaurants trust me in promoting, talking about, photographing and eating their food. I really love that job.

I love talking for a living. Podcasting, voice-overs, announcing, emceeing, etc.

And, I love producing podcasts for others. I love getting them conceived. I love getting them started. I love the look on the faces of the clients when they hear their product and the sigh of relief when they can breathe after that first one and in some cases after the 20th one. Producing podcasts and consulting with companies that want to do them, is how I truly make a living. The Less Desirables Network is my fun time and with the exception of Fan Interference and Apartment 5B, I don’t get paid for producing them. I do get paid with sponsorships for some of the podcasts on the network but the production and consultations are my real paycheck.

I spend anywhere from 15-25 hours a week producing for others and about 10 producing the TLD Network shows. The other 5-20 hours a week is in blogging, doing voice-overs, eating, taking food photos, meeting with folks about podcasts, how I can help in the community, networking and so on. As I always say, if I’m awake, I’m working. Whether others would consider it working or not. Heck, even I don’t consider it work. I never go to “work.” I go do what it is that I do and do it darn well if I do say so myself.

Anywhat! Going back and checking what it is that I do, I realized that there are 10 companies that I either produce for or have helped with consulting for their podcasts. I have meetings set up over the next few weeks for even more. I love what I do and I love the folks that help me contribute to the integrity of my household by trusting me with their brand and voice. Thanks so much to Ty Collins & Hailey Brooke McFadden; Jeff Evans & Rory; Dara & Garth; Kerri Sigler; Will Lewis & Ken Coopwood; Elizabeth Nance, Jodi Tate, Julie Aites Campbell, Lorraine Howard, Billy Bjorklund, Kim Vestal; Kate Reece; Dr. Shawn Ricks; James Taylor; Kayla Bell, Michelle Bell & Heather Scherer. I love working with you all.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“If you care about a subject, there’s a podcast for it.” – Michelle Dean

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Easy Way Out? or: Reasoning

14 Tuesday May 2019

Posted by in Blogging, Life as We Know It

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Salutations™!!

You may have noticed that I’ve been posting a lot more music videos. Yep, I admit it. It’s been more than I’d like to post, but keeping up with this blog daily and getting my schedule filled beyond capacity has gotten hard. But, that’s not all. I have been getting back into listening to music as I can. Between clients, home doing some writing for podcasts, emailing clients, whatever. All these moments that I may get to listen to music again, I try to take advantage. hqdefault

Is it the easy way out? Yep, again. Will I continue to do it? Yep. I share things like anniversaries, new finds, curiosities and so on. I like sharing and you know what? Nothing says a blog post has to be 500 words. It’s my thoughts, my feelings, my insanity and so on. Also, remember that this blog is written from a character’s perspective, so you really never know what you may get. What you will get, though, is more videos. It is what it is.

Today, though, I’ll spare you. I put almost 200 words here. Tomorrow is a special day. You’ll find out more about that then.

Until then, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Anybody can be specific and obvious. That’s always been the easy way. It’s not that it’s so difficult to be unspecific and less obvious; it’s just that there’s nothing, absolutely nothing, to be specific and obvious about.” – Bob Dylan

Ketchup? or: Time’s A-Rollin’

10 Friday May 2019

Posted by in Blogging, Food, Life as We Know It, Podcasting

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Salutations™!!

You have to be careful about what you ask for, right? You ask for more business, you get more business. You want more work, you get more work. Even when you aren’t at work, if you’re self-employed, you’re working. I had my networking meeting this morning and did run over to see my mother afterward, but when I got home, I had to go over some rates, get schedules finalized, maneuver other schedules around, plan new things, close out old things and just still work my arse off. 59dd89f6188ea6037ce2c15af676b6b3_1388540153_cropped

When it’s not podcasting, it’s food related, or voice-overs – more on that soon. I’m at restaurants taking pictures of food, writing about food, podcasting about food or I’m in the studio, still, making a commercial or Voice-On-Hold/Auto Attendant work. Or, trying to put in a show with Clay or VSS or a game with the Cobras.

And not one of those things above am I even remotely complaining about. I love it all. I love being busier than I ever have been. I love being under “pressure” with new clients. I love getting new clients and I love working with my old clients. I love clients. Can I work with anyone? No, no one can work with everyone, but we can narrow down what works for us and what we can do. Again, I love it. What do you do, Dear Reader? What keeps you busy? Is it life? Work? Kids? Talk to me about it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Auto-Attendant (or automated attendant) is a term commonly used in telephony to describe a voice menu system that allows callers to be transferred to an extension without going through a telephone operator or receptionist. The auto-attendant is also known as a digital receptionist.” – 3cx.com

A Piggyback Tasting or: With a Little Zesto

19 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in Blogging, Food

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Salutations™!!

I wrote a big long blog post on The Man Who Ate the Town blog today of our big tasting and blogger event at Zesto Burgers & Ice Cream yesterday.

15 Spicy Honey Chix

Spicy Honey Chicken Sandwich

I’m no stranger to Zesto, so I organized the blogger/writer event. It was good. We had close to 20 items. That’s a load of food. Read the blog post HERE.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Our menu is based on fresh products and over 70 years of passionate cooking for millions of customers” – Zesto Burgers & Ice Cream

Running Late or: Live!

21 Thursday Mar 2019

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Podcasting, Records

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Salutations™!!

I know I’m late. I was going to post about a Facebook Live that I participated in tonight to discuss what it is that I do. I say was going to, but I really did do the event but I think the event is private so I don’t think I can share it.

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Nike Roach

But, I was on Nike (pronounced Nee-kay) Roach’s Facebook Live show where he talks about marketers and business folk that do good in the world. I guess I qualify for that. I’m going to try to link it HERE.

Nike is a great guy and was on The Less Desirables a few weeks back. I was returning the favor.

I had fun. Check it out. If it doesn’t work, I’m sorry.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Business folks, moms and dads, cats and dogs, chickens and frogs, it doesn’t really matter, no matter what you do, you are in the right place at the right time…” – Nike Roach

Catching a Buzzy or: a Long Day Through

13 Wednesday Feb 2019

Posted by in Food, Life as We Know It, Podcasting, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

We recorded Fan Interference today and TC and HB interviewed Greg Dortch, a former All-ACC WR from Wake Forest who is attending the NFL Scouting Combine in a few weeks and hopes to be drafted. It was a cool interview.

WF Live

Sam (l) and Seth performing live on The Less Desirables

Then I ran down to Uncle Buzzy’s and attended a tasting especially for food bloggers. I ate myself stupid. I probably had around three pounds of food. That may or may not be the case, but it sure did feel like it. It was all so good, though. Look for a post about it in the next few days, over on The Man Who Ate the Town blog/podcast. Again, it was a lot of food.

Then we recorded The Less Desirables and we had Sam Foster and Seth Williams of the band Whiskey Foxtrot and they played three tunes on the podcast, live. I did Facebook Live teasers of the three songs. So you should go listen to them, as they’re pretty awesome tunes.

To hear the interview with Mr. Dortch, listen HERE. To hear the songs from Whiskey Foxtrot, listen HERE.

I’m done. Oh, the “posting movie” this week is 1984 starring John Hurt, Richard Burton and Suzanna Hamilton.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I need a wheel barrow.” – Me after Uncle Buzzy’s today.

Showing Support or: None of Your Business 40

01 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Rant

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Salutations™!!

I just wanted to leave a quick (is that possible from me?) word about this town again. I know I went on a tear and ripped it a new one for traffic problems earlier this week. But, as I said on that post, I still love my city dearly and today, I saw more of why.

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The collective response from businesses downtown personified. (Jim Moody by ©Jack Pennington)

There was some condescending post from someone in some official capacity that was directed at businesses downtown who are struggling that says that perhaps these business owners should take some class at the local community college to learn how to start a business or how to make their existing business better as if they don’t know how to operate a business, already. The idea was that the businesses downtown are just whining about the closure of Biz 40 and whatever.

Well, to that person who wrote that garbage, screw you, pal!

These businesses were thriving before the closure. And, I don’t blame the road closure. I blame scare tactics, whether on purpose or inadvertently from media and officials about how bad it is to be downtown now that Biz 40 is out of commission.

Granted the closure of multiple bridges all at the same time has cut a few arteries into town but you can still maneuver. Come from Peters Creek or go a little further east to Cherry or even 52 to get into town.

There are people who will complain just because they already hate the town about how bad the traffic is now that there are only a few arteries into town. Suck it up, furball, this is what progress looks like. That road was built at a time when we were just past covered wagons and it needs to accommodate 100,000 cars a week. It needed to be gone. If you already don’t want to come downtown, there’s nothing that we can tell you or do that would change your mind. We’re not looking to.

Who we are talking to is the people that have just been talked into being scared of being downtown. If you let that nonsense set in, you’re going to set this town back 15 years to what it was when no one wanted to come downtown. It will go back to being a “suburb without a city” that it was in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. You can get to it. Just give yourself 20 minutes more to get there. Be patient. We all have to go on those same roads and none of us want to traverse the traffic any more than you do, but we who love downtown for the friends (personal, interpersonal and figurative) we have grown to know. To us, it’s worth the hassle. It will be over soon.

There are plenty of downtown businesses that need your support. It’s not Biz 40s fault, it’s the naysayers. Don’t listen to them.

Tuesday I was at Finnigan’s Wake. Wednesday I was at Zesto Burgers. Yesterday, I visited Coffee Park (Arts), Zesto Burgers (no, it’s not downtown but it’s independently owned in town).  Today, I went to Footnote Coffee at Foothills, West End Coffeehouse, and Mr. Barbecue. What businesses did you support this week? The ones you did visit, they appreciate it and I appreciate it because when you support them, they’re there when I want/need to go there.

I know all of that is food/beverage related and The BCPF and I going to Xcaret tonight with friends downtown, but it’s not all about food places. Retail, services and other industry downtown need your support. They support each other but they need you.

The camaraderie between the “allies” and businesses downtown has made me smile and it’s uplifting in a somewhat troubling time.

If you’ve not been downtown WSNC (or close proximity to it) lately, take a bit of time to go explore. You may find that it’s not as difficult to traverse as you’ve thought/been told. Andy, you may find some really cool things you didn’t know was there. Tomorrow is Saturday, take a drive, shop, support, enjoy!

Second time this week that my soapbox has been out from under the bed. I apologize, or really sorry (not sorry). And, I know, too, that it was not quick. Sorry (not sorry) for that, too!

Until tomorrow, where I’ll hopefully see you out and about…
Scorp out!

—
“There is not a one-size-fits-all solution.” – Jim Moody

Another Podcast? or: She’s Getting Better

15 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Podcasting

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Salutations™!!

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©Promise Mangum

The first half of the title of this, for once, doesn’t apply to me. This time I was actually on someone else’s podcast. It is called the “Pop-Up Podcast” with Promise Mangum and I really can’t talk much about it until it’s published. When it’s published, I’ll let you in on how to find it because that’s what I do, right? I promote. I’m a promoter. He did a great job and I’ll make sure to post some links when they’re available. The plus side of this situation is I got to spend a good bit of time with my good friend Sandy Meeks. I miss talking to her more.

On the other front, The BCPF is getting better. She (and others) have told me that I’m full of crap for saying I’m not a good caregiver. She told me that “your presence makes everything better.” I’ll pause for the “awws” here. I appreciate it and I guess she’s right, I just know that I can never be the caregiver that she is. So, she got the short end of that stick. But, the good news is, she is better. I still haven’t gotten to kiss her other than on her forehead. Tomorrow, dang it!

Speaking of tomorrow, well… I’m not going to jinx it. I’ll wait. It will give me something to write about.

How’s that for a teaser?

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“

Late Night Getting It Right or: The Cop Out

03 Thursday Jan 2019

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Salutations™!!

Yeah, I know this is late but I’ve been stuck behind a computer all evening trying to figure out why things aren’t working the way they’re supposed to. When you have POS computers, and I’m not talking about Point of Sale, then things go wrong. It’s not my main computer, mind you, it’s my old one here at home. But, you see, I need to burn CDs for my sister and my new computer is so new-fangled it has no CD drive. "How's your blogging going?"

So, I tried to use my old one. It’s screwed up. The BCPF let me use hers and it’s not working right either. Probably wouldn’t be so bad on that one if she didn’t have 23 things open on it and goes without restarting it for long periods of time. But, that’s not the main problem right now.

It’s trying to get ONE of them burned. It’s not working out and I’m frustrated. That threw me behind, but I have to post because, well, I have to. So, this is it. Sorry that it’s short.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy.” – Joseph Campbell

Too Busy to Notice or: Just How I Want It

13 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Blogging, KISS, Life as We Know It, Podcasting

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Salutations™!!

Since I was out of “the office” on Monday and Tuesday, I had to make up some serious ground yesterday and today. I was in the studio from 10:30a until 9p yesterday and from 10:45a until 6:30p today. None of it was doing anything other than busting my arse editing four podcasts, prepping for The Less Desirables/Apartment 5B combo podcast (including the Underdog Records and Bull’s Tavern commercials and Apartment 5B’s “Today in Music” spot) and Phoenix Rising’s “Rule 1 Podcast.” SNSMedia

I stared at my computer screen — and the many, many, many waveforms and edits in ProTools that went with the podcast edits — so long that my eyes still haven’t uncrossed. But, I really love my job and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Actually, I want even more. If I had a full week to do edits, I could edit/produce about four external podcasts, eight in-house podcasts and still be able to have meetings and networking. That would be a full week and I would love to do that. So, I’m working on doing that. I have most of that filled, I just need to fill the last few pieces.

But, whilst I was so busy over the last two days, I hadn’t had time to realize that no one, not one person said anything about my KISS rankings. I figured I would catch some heck for Dressed to Kill‘s low ball number, my least-liking of Ace’s solo album and Music from ‘The Elder’ being my top album. Only one person “liked” either post on Facebook and nothing else. I don’t get it. I guess I’m having no readers on the posts? *knockknockknock* is this thing on!? I don’t know.

Anywhat, if you have any comments on both of those posts, I’d hear them. Otherwise, I’ll just keep on posting and keep on editing. Oh well. Have a good night.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I think blogging, by and large, is basically therapy. And I’m sure, and I know, that there are some terrific bloggers and some legitimate bloggers. But I think, by and large, a huge percentage of people who are blogging are doing it for self-therapy.” – Mike Barnicle