Getting Ready

It's getting close to go-time. I've finished up my Advanced Combat Skills Training, and all I need to do now is go to a mandatory Family Support briefing on Monday. I still don't know when I'm taking off, because I'm leaving in a package of one...The folks who send me out the door haven't returned my calls or e-mails. So I wait!

I have a few loose ends at home to take care of. I need to put Maddy's bike together...well really, it's just the hand breaks. I've always had a tough time with hand breaks. I'm not much of a "put together guy." Especially when the parts are small. I'm going to pack away the majority of my cloths before I leave so my lovely wife can have one of her dreams come true...a big closet all to herself. I have just as much clothes as she does. When you add my uniforms and the fact my stuff is just bigger than hers, there is simply no room for both of us. We've added "large closets" to our list of must haves when we move to Italy at the end of the year. Nigel is ready for behind the wheel drivers training. Two problems: 1) He's like 7'15". I swear his HUGE! He's as tall as a 6'5" pine tree...and I refuse to take the front seat out of the Saab, or to let the car smell like pine. 2) Shelly isn't too motivated to take him out, and she doesn't think I should. So he waits. Believe it or not, Ollie is the best of the bunch. He's grown so much, both physically and mentally, over the past year.


AHHH YEAH! We finally stepped up and bought a laptop. I'm on it right now. This is sooo cool. I'm watching MSNBC, talking to my friend Chris in Iraq, and writ ting about my looming trip. The notebook computer is just one of many things I've bought to prepare for the trip. I've also bought some coolmax-wicking underwear, sunblock, cologne, shaving cream, meds, hair care products, travel alarm clock, and ear plugs. Turns out, the one thing Chris didn't bring that he wished he did was a a bath rug. Also, the twin size sheets they issue to you are ratty and suck. So here is a PLEA FOR HELP! If you have a bath rug and twin sheets you're thinking about replacing...go ahead and do so. However, instead of throwing the old ones away, feel free to send them here:
TSgt Chris Eder
MNF-I / CPIC (AFN)
APO AE 09316
My feet and body say THANK YOU in advance! You can send them now because I'm close enough to leaving and then if you do I will have fresh sheets when I get there. I'm also in the market for a wireless router. So if you're in the market of replacing your current wireless market, consider making a donation to the Help Chris Fund! Already have a wireless router...thanks!



I plan to leverage modern technologies while I'm over in Iraq. If you're interested, I could end up on your local TV news or morning radio show...with you. If you're interested, let me know what your local TV news channel is and what your favorite morning radio show is. Also, feel free to contact any media outlet and tell them about me. I want to make this trip as much fun as possible. I will also have a webcam set up. I'm not sure what program I will use. The time difference is 7 hours east coast, 10 hours west coast.

AMERICAN IDOL UPDATE

I missed all of the shows while I was in New Jersey. It prepared me for my trip to Iraq. I will be watching the show a day late and won't be able to vote. That is ok, because between Shelly and Nigel I'm sure the right person will win. Last week's show was awesome! Shelly HATES GINA, and The Pretenders, and Gina sang a Chrissie Hynde song...and it rocked!

I know she won't win, but I'm still rooting for her. Either Gina or this girl are next to go:

For those of you who think Sanjaya should be next, don't hold your breath. He is UBER-famous. He's going to be around for awhile.
Here is how my house is divided:
Shelly and Maddy are both in love with:

Shelly's favorite is:

Nigel and I both like:


I predict the final four to be:




HEY eyes up!

WOW! This has taken me forever to publish. I must now pretend like I know how to fix things. Here is a picture of a distant relative of mine....I think

Combat Ready...or Wow! I'm Getting Old.

My good friends and enemies, I now know the first six lines of hand-to-hand combat the Marines use to teach their recruits. So now instead of just falling to the ground when approached by the bad guy, I know just enough to really piss him off.



One of the instructors asked the group to raise their hands if we thought we couldn't "pull the trigger, or use the hand-to-hand combat skills to kill someone." I swiftly raised my hand. I was one of maybe five in a group of 80. Not afraid of what others thought, I quickly took to the stage and explained. I've shot expert with M-16 and have just missed expert with the M-9 twice. During hand-to-hand (lines training) I quickly mastered the commands and was throwing everyone down to the ground. However, I'm a broadcaster! I've killed many bits, several punch-lines, but never another human. No one in the group has. I'd like to think that when push comes to shove, my sense of duty, self preservation, and lets face it...awesome hair would prevail. Its been leaked I will be receiving a lifetime achievement award for my hair when I return from Iraq. I think I'd be stupid and arrogant to assume I have it in me. My friend Bryan...he could kill people, already has. He has told me the emotional strain and heart pain associated with "pulling the trigger." He has also told me about the remains of the dead. None of which are too appealing to a peaceful loving guy who finds joy in how peoples eyes sparkle, or the enjoyment he gets from telling stories to others.

This training was tough. I thrashed my body all around while perfomring tasks like convoy commander and combat medic. For those of you on your way to CST, or simply deploying, I urge you...get in shape. I've lost 27 pounds since Jan 1, and shed a minute off my 1.5 mile time...and I'm beat after 14-days of training. BE PREPARED!

With that said, I know I'm not going down before I accomplish several things...like meeting one of the greatest artists of our times:

Seriously, there should be no doubt...I'm a trained warrior...ready, willing and able.

CST DOT 4

Yesterday we ran through tactics. Basically we learned how to be an asset in a fire team in the event we take fire from insurgents. It was a long tough day. I chose to wear my full body armor, which weighs in at around 40 pounds. I'm very sore and tired. I'm not sure how some of the other folks are making it. I've lost 27 pounds since the first of the year and shaved a full minute off my 1.5 mile run time. I look around me and we have some really old National Guardsmen, and Reserves here, plus some rather hefty out of shape folks.

Tonight my squad heads out for night operations. New Jersey is in a winter weather watch. They are calling for flash floods tonight and 1-3 inches of snow in the morning. THIS WILL BE THE BEST TRAINING FOR IRAQ EVER! Snow and Rain!

Later this week we learn Urban warfare...with paint guns. I've already informed everyone that my feelings will be hurt, and I'd probably start crying if someone hit me with their paint gun. I also told them I would drop my gun and engage in hand to hand combat if they hit me...!

Action Will Always Beat Reaction...Combat Skills Training Day 1

I'm at Combat Skills Training in New Jersey. Stuck...12-fellas to a room. The guy below me sticks something wicked. Other than that...I'm ok, well kind of.

I ran out of my ADD meds right before I came here and was unable to get a new prescription. That isn't a bad thing. The bad thing is...combine me without meds and instructors who are down right horrible...then Chris' mind is free to roam. And roam it did during DOT 1 (Day of Training)

Instead of listening to what the instructors where trying to teach, I was listening to what they were saying. It wasn't good, but very funny. Here are some one liners that had me going:
-Things of that nature...
-...and what not!
-You want it loose, but not sloppy loose.
-You want to take that in the rear.
-I'm too big to hid behind a sapling, I need a big bush to hide in!

This continued through DOT 2. PLUS...NO AMERICAN IDOL for the next two weeks!

There was some good that came from the first day of training. I ran into two people from my past that really have helped set the tone for my future. The first is a guy named Brian Purtell. I knew him as SSgt Purtell, now he's Capt Purtell. Brian was the very first TV news story I covered. He won an award for a picture he shot. Later, I bumped into Sgt First Class Ken Hudson. Ken is an Army Public Affairs troop that was with me in Baghdad in '03. He was there the day insurgents rocketed our hotel. He is training for another deployment just like me.

Combat Skills Training...

I'm on my way to Combat Skills Training. This is a two week course were I...Chris Eder...Broadcaster Numero Uno...will learn how to yield my M-16 with great vengeance and furious anger on those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. You will now it was me, a broadcast journalist, who was there, when I lay my vengeance upon you.

OK! Maybe it won't be like that, but I will learn how to clear out buildings and how to take up offensive and defensive positions. This time instead of blasting Celine Dion music from my iPod and yielding my three-barreled tripod, I will actually have some lethal skills.

I know, some of you would argue Celine is just as powerful as a M-16. Others would argue, no one would want to take me as a POW, because after 10-15 minutes of me talking, any sane and even insane person would let me go. To that I say THANKS! You're right. And that is my plan if ever I am captured. I will revert to my days when my aunts used to pay me top dollar to be quite for 15-minutes. It worked then and it will work now. Only now, I'm equipped with knowledge...and knowledge is power. Plus, I still plan on bringing my iPod with a playlist called Karaoke. In dire situations, I plan to engage the enemy in song. No one can beat me or tolerate me when I'm singing Sweet Caroline, or Tiny Dancer. Consider yourself warned.

I'm looking forward to my training and believe that the training, prior experience and a dedication to family, America, and life, I will be prepared.


...a picture of me at work....
Here is my mailing address: (Don't send anything until I leave...for security reasons I can't discuss the date)

TSgt Chris Eder
MNF-I / CPIC (AFN)
APO AE 09316

Some have already asked if I will need anything over there. I've started a wishlist which is located under my profile on my blog page. Some of the items are frivolous, others kind of spendy, and then the rest is what I really need and can't get over there. Not on the list, Hot Mama pickles...they are awesome.

Top 12...And My Top 6,7 Prediction!

Well...did America get it right? Almost. I only really upset about one person who made it in the Top 12.

The bad thing about Haley and Sanjaya still being in is...there are two more really good singers who will go home before their time...maybe even four more! YOU GOT TO VOTE! In fact, you have to vote even more, because I will be away from the show for two weeks.

Weeding down to the Top 6 would be easy as pie if it weren't for votefortheworst.com They have Sanjaya as their pick all the way! AHHH! So while I know my Top 6-7 is what really should be, it may not if votefortheworst can keep the votes going their way.
Here is my Top 6-7, ranked in order of their performances. The Top 4 are so close. It really depends on what voter group rallies behind their singer the most.






And just hanging in there...

If you have some extra time on your hands...checkout America's Next Top Model. It is really good this cycle.

Citizen Journalism, or The Decline of Standards, or 15 Minutes of Fame, Instead of Actual Money

At work we have been talking about ways to streamline our processes in an effort to add immediacy to our products. What good is news, if the content is a week old? A day old? Now...my boss and I have had some rather good debate on the issue. (Suck up time!) I like him! He's able to hear my opinion for what it is, and not attack the the person (usually me) delivering it when he disagrees. I also like the fact that this dude is SMART! I can't blow smoke in any direction without him calling my bluff. SO...I've done my research to support my point of view...(Back to topic)



My boss suggested we don't need to worry about quality so much because our society has accepted a lack in quality in favor of immediate reports. He's right! In "The Customer Is Always Right," Harlan Neugeboren says:
During the past year, we have seen many changes in the way that viewers use and consume news. Viewers know that they can search Google Video, YouTube and MySpace and find news content that they want. The key words are "what they want." Many viewers will search and find any type of news content--it does not necessarily have to be from traditional sources. Viewers are also willing to trade content for quality and don't know or care that it was shot on a Sony XDCAM or Panasonic P2, for example.
There are two problems with this...especially for military journalists.
1) According to Neugeboren, To compete with these other sources, broadcasters need to be in the content business and to provide viewers with as rich an experience as possible. We're not in the content business, some would argue, we're not in the news business. We're in the business of changing hearts and minds, by telling the Air Force story. (Side note...we're not doing this so well, and I feel we're trying to grasp at straws and implement change for the sake of change...and for some civilians to keep their kooshie jobs.)
2) When I write a story, it goes through a very lengthy qc process...hence the reason for the topic to begin with...how to streamline. Bottom line, like it or not, when my product does hit the web, TV, or radio...it better be accurate. Not the case in Citizen Journalism...There is no QC process. Sometimes this is great. Like when the first photos of the tsunamis emerged and a global outcry for help was answered. However, sometimes this happens:

Adnan Hajj took this picture. At first glance, it looks harmless. Media giants the world over started running the picture as proof of what was going on in Beirut. Hajj is a free-lance photojournalist. He has submitted some great photos...Not anymore! You see unlike me, Hajj has no QC process. He, like any citizen journalist simply submits, and we the people...ACCEPT! The above picture was "photoshoped!" It is not an accurate representation of what really was happening in Beirut. Here is the original picture:

Japanese around the world were outraged that Hajj could be so insensitive!

Citizen Journalism is not new! According to Dan Gillmor's "We the Media,"(another kiss-up opportunity for my boss who is a huge history buff)
The roots of citizen journalism can be traced to the founding of the United States in the 18th century, when pamphleteers such as Thomas Paine and the anonymous authors of the Federalist Papers gained prominence by printing their own publications. Further advances such as the postal system — and its discount rates for newspapers — along with the telegraph and telephone helped people distribute news more widely.
What is new...is the internet! Well relatively new...According to Frank Beacham's article "Corporations Co-opt Citizen Journalism,"
Advertising forecasters predict double-digit growth for online media outlets in the new year. Traditional media, including television and newspapers, are slated for flat growth, at best, during 2007.
THAT GOTS ME SCARED! Who will I turn to for help? How can I keep my job? Contacts?

Probably not! Tracy Johnson in "Morning Radio," claims that anyone can be a radio DJ, (or broadcaster for the context of this post) but to be really good, you have to always strive to be the best...that is what will seperate you from everyone else.
This will also be true in Citizen Journalism v. Professional Journalism. Dan Gillmor recently predicted in an online blog that:
...professional photographers and videographers will soon see their ranks dwindle as the "the ability to make a living at it will crumble soon." He said. "They can't possibly compete in the mediasphere of the future. We're entering a world of ubiquitous media creation and access. When the tools of creation and access are so profoundly democratized, and when updated business models connect the best creators with potential customers, many if not most of the pros will fight a losing battle to save their careers." The good news is according to Gilmore...
there will always be in demand by a group of discriminating consumers who will pay for their services.

Here are some great links on Citizen Journalism:
Corporations Co-opt Citizen Journalism
Trust in the Age of Citizen Journalism
Your Guide to Citizen Journalism
The Customer Is Always Right

I leave you with a quote from Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban...of all people.
"Is there any more lame a comment than "You just don't get it". Its a simple, dismissive phrase that says more about the person saying it than the person/organization its directed to. Its a way of saying "You don't agree with me, but I don't have anything of consequence to say. "You just don't get it" stops any discussion where I might be asked to say something worthwhile dead in its tracks..
I have a simple question. Who does get it?"

I know I'm not smart enough to have the answers. Maybe some alternatives, which I will report with exactness, but not the answers. I only hope I can learn and master my craft so I can have a job. PS...Although I don't completely support Citizen Journalism...I am in fact...a Citizen Journalist...AHHHHHHH!

YOU GOTTA VOTE...YO!

Is this who you want to be the next American Idol?


Or is this who you want to win?


Listen folks...there are some really mean people, who call themselves Americans, who much like terrorists, want to ruin everything that is sacred in our pathetic reality-tv filled hole we call our life. Don't let them take away our dignity! VOTE.

Good news/Bad news:
GOOD

My juicy under-dog Gina is still in. Every season I pick someone Shelly hates and don't stop talking about how great he/she is. It drives Shelly CRAZY! Gina is that person this year...however, I really do like her voice, and I think she is juicy...I like juicy!

You just made a fool of yourself on national TV! Sorry, turns out you really weren't that good!

BAD



THESE PEOPLE ARE STILL ON AI.....VOTE THEM OFF!

On a side note, Kelly Pickler was on the show...what the hell happened to her hair? Who did her make-up? And, did she look different?

Is Hip-Hop Dead?

Sales of rap music are declining as more are critical of its message
"...after 30 years of growing popularity, rap music is now struggling with an alarming sales decline and growing criticism from within about the culture's negative effect on society."

Why? Well initially, I would say sales of all albums are down, largely due to popular music download sites like iTunes, or even Peer to Peer (P2P) sites. Then I would say, American Idol has produced some real good artists over the past five years. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood both are major award winners at all levels. Plus Kelly is hot!!!

Hip-hop superstar NAS even tried to rebuke the fact Hip-Hop was dying releasing an album titled "Hip Hop Is Dead." Sales are bleak. Sales are down across the board, but Hip-Hop has taken the biggest hit...21% between 2005-06.
Is Hip-Hop on the down because of it's negative message, soft-core music videos, over-indulgent lifestyle, or the latest fashion....the grillz? I say none...I say the true reason for the decline is blamed on VH-1

This show led my MC Serch from the 80's Hip-Hop group...3rd Bass, brought 12 white would-be rappers to the Bronx, home of Hip-Hop. I smell Emmy! Wait, no, that's not what Emmy smells like, that is trash I smell. The White Rapper Show doesn't get full credit for killing Hip-Hop. This guy started the Trimspa drip back in the 90's.


I don't think Hip-Hop is dead, dying maybe, but not dead. iTunes now makes it possible to buy only the songs you want, instead of the entire album...this makes great sense. We recently did just that yesterday. Norah Jones is back and better than ever...at least she's better than DAUGHTRY in record sales.
"Not Too Late" by Norah Jones remained atop the Billboard 200 for the third, non-consecutive week.
Jones' release becomes the first album to claim the No. 1 spot for three weeks since the "Now 22" compilation last summer. Read the rest...

So while Hip-Hop sales are down, ratings for American Idol are up...way up, and iTunes and P2P sites are moving media at a clip similar to Britney's rehab visits.

My Funny Valentine Is Leaving On A Midnight Train...The GIRLS!

Once again, just like the fellas...half of them were really good, and the other half are WAY out of their league. I really think it will be very easy for America to vote off singers all the way down to around Top 8-ish. Side note: I only have a few more of these posts to make, because when I get to Iraq, AFN airs the show a day late...

So the show...It seems the girls who are really good, are humble...and the girls who are not so good, but really hot...are on ego-trips. There were a ton of price-less expressions after Simon told girl after girl, "That was not good!" You know...I love to have a few drinks and go to a karaoke bar and sing like I know what I'm doing...the problem is...I'm not a very good singer, rather, I have a good time and hope I'm entertaining, and hope those watching had a good time. Not the case for three of the girls last night. Haley, Aliana, and Antonella ALL SUCKED and had sour puss faces after the judges told them so.

My girl LaKisha was hot, but not as much as last week. She took her midnight train to Georgia. Melinda came out and sang My Funny Valentine...a song Const sang a few seasons back...However, Melinda's version once again...top 10 material of all performances. Not much of a change from last week's Top 4, or Bottom 2. OBTW...Jodin Sparks sang Reflections, by Chris V's girlfriend....


HERE IS MY TOP 4





My juicy favorite Gina...comes in a close 5th


YOU SHOULD BE SAYING GOODBYE TO: (however, vote for the worst will keep the 1st in)



Lastly...for the ladies who read...Check out this up and coming AFN Idol: