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Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Allen Bestwick Rocks "NASCAR Now" To Its Core
It might have been a good thing that most NASCAR fans are used to watching NASCAR Now on ESPN2 while sitting down. Normally, this position was assumed so that if fans actually fell asleep, there were no traumatic injuries.
Often, the sleep came while Erik Kuselias, Doug Banks, or Tim Cowlishaw was talking. There was no defense for nodding-off while Erik and Tim "screamed" about the fact that the Charlotte race was "600 miles long!"
Some fans are still asleep from the day that Doug Banks spent quality interview time asking Kasey Kahne if he "stood by his statement that David Stremme was fat." That was an ESPN instant classic.
Wednesday, NASCAR Now opened the show and seated fans nationwide had a strange reaction. First, their heads snapped-up straight. Then, their shoulders straightened. Finally, they slowly began to rise to their feet and screamed in a loud voice "is that Allen Bestwick hosting NASCAR Now? It sounds just like him!"
Sure enough, the dreams of many NASCAR fans finally came true as Allen Bestwick stood in the middle of the High Definition Studio at the very core of ESPN. After an endless moving disaster of "NASCAR illiterate" hosts since February, one of the most respected NASCAR broadcasters was in Bristol, CT to show them how its done.
All Bestwick did in his thirty minutes was blow them away from start-to-finish. It may have been the first time for many ESPN staffers that they experienced a "true" NASCAR broadcaster hosting "their" show. While ESPN News anchor Ryan Burr is solid, having Bestwick in the building, and on the air, was meaningful in several ways.
Allen has a style that is well-known. This allows struggling on-air "talent" like Brad Daugherty to feel, perhaps for the first time, that he is being included in the "conversation" of the show. Bestwick went out of his way to include Brad in a comfortable and casual manner. He finally allowed Daugherty to "talk" with the host, after Brad had endured four months of nothing more than answering scripted questions. For the first time, NASCAR fans got a glimpse into Daugherty's personality. This has been the aspect so sorely missing from his many appearances on ESPN.
As the show progressed, Bestwick spoke with JJ Yeley from the Joe Gibbs shop. For fans who have watched NASCAR Now for months, they may have actually felt the planet stop spinning for just a moment. Bestwick and Yeley spoke freely, were obviously comfortable with each other, and covered all the bases on a wide variety of topics. There were no scripted questions, and no pregnant pauses. They just "talked."
One growing problem for ESPN has been the animosity between the NASCAR Now news reporters and the show hosts. Both Erik Kuselias and the "now apparently fired" Doug Banks would read a scripted question, wait until they "thought" the reporter was finished, and then ask the next one. I believe "sharp stick in the eye" was my quote from an earlier article. It was going to be interesting to see how the ESPN Producer dealt with Bestwick hosting the news segment. We didn't have to wait very long to find out.
Reporters Marty Smith and Terry Blount did the best they could to hide the smirks on their faces, but they knew well in-advance that there was a new sheriff in town. The best part was, he had a clue. Bestwick allowed Smith and Blount to speak freely and engaged them both in actual conversation for the first time since this show began. The only thing lacking was the ESPN technical crew not having a "three shot" split-screen. The next step is to have the reporters on-screen together, and to allow them to talk to each other. I am sure the guys over at Around The Horn are laughing. A couple of reporters on-camera talking is not a new concept.
With Kyle Petty stepping out of his car to do the TNT commentary, one of the drivers filling-in for him will be Chad McCumbee. Bestwick interviewed the twenty-two year old on the phone about this opportunity. If there was ever a moment in this show when the glaring difference between "those who know" NASCAR and "those who ESPN says know" NASCAR was front-and-center, this was it.
Bestwick guided this young man through a feel-good interview that allowed the driver to get comfortable, relate his experiences, and let the viewers see his personality. In order to do this, the host had to know a whole lot about racing. Allen Bestwick certainly does.
Last week, Erik Kuselias interviewed seventeen year old Joey Logano after his NASCAR Grand National win over Kevin Harvick in Iowa. Logano could have been an alien as far as Kuselias was concerned. Totally ignorant to the young man's history, Kuselias was forced to ask "talk radio" style questions. This included "did you ask Harvick for half of his million dollars?" To Kuselias, it was just another interview that would be over in three minutes and then he could go home. For Logano, it was a fantastic achievement to beat Harvick, and then be live on TV on ESPN. Logano was cheated, the fans were cheated, and the sport was cheated.
Bestwick then brought Daugherty back to discuss the fact that less than a full field of Busch cars are entered at Dover this week. Brad's opinion did not really address the issues behind this problem, including the COT car and the lack of true "Busch Series only" drivers. Bestwick accepted this naive opinion, and allowed Daugherty to walk away with his dignity intact. Maybe Daugherty will begin to rise to the occasion and focus on what role he really plays in the ESPN NASCAR coverage. This must be defined before the ESPN NEXTEL Cup TV coverage begins, or the media will eat him alive.
Then, just like that, it was over. Remember when Bob Jenkins never had enough time for SpeedWeek? When John Kernan used to crank-it-up on RPM2Nite from the moment the show came on the air? This is the pace that NASCAR Now had tonight. There was a ton of information, and then it was over. Can you imagine if ESPN used Bestwick on the one hour NASCAR Now Monday show? That would make any fan smile.
Tonight's show was the most positive step in the right direction this program series has taken since it started. Bestwick and Ryan Burr would change NASCAR Now into a completely different show if they were the co-hosts. Restoring the credibility lost with Doug Banks and Erik Kuselias can be done, but only with consistently good decisions in both talent and content.
Maybe, while Bestwick is still in Bristol, he can speak to ESPN about some other items that they might consider for NASCAR Now. These could include regional touring series highlights, behind-the-scenes team reports, a weekly feature on an interesting racing personality, or even video questions from the fans sent-in to the NASCAR Now experts.
If this was an audition of sorts for Bestwick, I hope he provided the ESPN executives with what they were looking for. Thirty minutes of fast-paced NASCAR news and information went flying-by in a snap with a knowledgeable host, good interviews, and smart reporters. NASCAR fans could get used to this, and wasn't that the original idea?
The Daly Planet invites comments from readers. Simply click on the COMMENTS button below, or email email@example.com if you wish not to be published. Thanks again for taking the time to stop by.
33 comments:
- Shoop said...
- May 30, 2007 at 10:34 PM
- Doug S. said...
It's really absurd that it has taken ESPN this long to do what has been a no brainer to NASCAR fans everywhere. Today Allen Bestwick showed us exactly what we should have been seeing for the past four months.
- May 30, 2007 at 10:47 PM
- Linda from FL said...
I was busy at my computer and all of a sudden we hear Allen's voice on the TV.....could that be NASCAR Now???? Yes it was and we hope to hear him a lot more, might even remember to watch again. Great show tonight and did you see everyone smiling? Good news. We hope they got it.....finally.
- May 30, 2007 at 11:54 PM
- Anonymous said...
- May 31, 2007 at 12:03 AM
- Anonymous said...
Amen. I saw "Nascar Now" on my TV "guide" and elected not to record it because the show usually sucks so bad. Now I will start recording a few episodes in hopes of improvement. I hope Allen is there.
- May 31, 2007 at 12:31 AM
- Anonymous said...
great show today. i had almost stopped watching altogether, but if they keep allen as the host, espn will have a loyal nascar now viewer. the pace, format, and information were great.
they should consider hosting this show from their on track studio thursday/friday. which btw, should include allen as the countdown host, not suzy kolber.
- May 31, 2007 at 12:46 AM
- SophiaZ123 said...
About darned TIME!!!
I could NOT believe my ears and eyes when AB hosted tonight...I was resting in bed, ready to get set to 'cringe' my way thru NASCAR NOW.
Imagine my delight when Mr. Bestwick appeared! PUHLEASE ESPN, watch this show against some other tapes of your alleged "NASCAR HOST".
THis show left me feeling good and SMILING. I loved the way he handled young Chad McCumbee's interview and asked him about his part in the movie "3".
It was the quickest 30 minutes in tv I had seen in awhile and I looked FORWARD to each segment.
Let's hope TPTB were paying attention.
- May 31, 2007 at 12:50 AM
- Anonymous said...
- May 31, 2007 at 1:07 AM
- Anonymous said...
Wow, I've only watched the show a few times. I didn't find it very informative, so I stopped. If Bestwick is there to stay, I say praise be and pass the remote!!
- May 31, 2007 at 1:20 AM
- Andrew S. said...
I miss Allen on INC and hopefully he will get a chance on this show. Maybe Schrader can join him at ESPN as well. Then we'd really have a reason to watch.
- May 31, 2007 at 2:39 AM
- Anonymous said...
What a great night welcome back Allen. It is great to have you back and I look forward to a great show every night. Now we just need to get you back in the booth.
Wanted to keep it upbeat but I don't miss Webber hope NBC puts him on some stick and ball sport he deserves that
- May 31, 2007 at 2:52 AM
- Anonymous said...
I missed AB's appearance..because I had STOPPED WATCHING this show. I will give it another shot today, and see if Bestwick's still there. If he is, I'll be back as a regular viewer.
- May 31, 2007 at 7:41 AM
- Cheryl said...
Great article, John! Maybe all your hard work is finally paying off and they've decided to make some positive changes.
What would be hilarious would be if ESPN put Bestwick on Monday nights opposite Inside Nextel Cup and NN outdrew them in ratings.
- May 31, 2007 at 8:02 AM
- Anonymous said...
Please pass these comments onto ESPN! I miss having Allen Bestwick on TV as a regular. He and John Kernin(sp) have been my favorites for years. Get the show moved to NASCAR Country and keep Allen or John on as the hosts.
- May 31, 2007 at 9:04 AM
- Joe said...
Wow, best Nascar Now ever. I rarely watch this show but happened to be flipping channels when it started. It's the first time I've sat through the whole show, and my goodness was it a good one. Hope Bestwick can become a permanent replacement.
- May 31, 2007 at 9:13 AM
- Joe from Philly said...
hope he was filing in for Kuselias because he was busy asking for his radio job back
- May 31, 2007 at 9:58 AM
- Vince said...
Dear ESPN Execs,
Thank you for getting your collective heads out of your posteriors!!!
Now do the right thing and keep Allen Bestwick as the host of Nascar Now. I hope to never see Erik Kuselias, Doug Banks or Tim Cowlishaw ever again. Send them back under what ever rock you found them. PLEASE!!
I am still confused as to what the heck Brad Daugherty is doing on this show and what qualifies him to be "the voice of the fans"? Owning a truck team for a year or two doesn't qualify him for being MY voice!
Thanks again ESPN for bringing Allen back and I hope to see him again tonight as the host of Nascar Now.
- May 31, 2007 at 10:29 AM
- Jules H said...
I basically had "NASCAR Now" on last nite for background noise as I thumbed thru the day's mail. When I heard AB's voice I stated jumping around the room like a kid on Christmas morning!! The absolutely best "NASCAR Now" to date!
All I now hope for is for more AB!!!
- May 31, 2007 at 11:36 AM
- Dustin said...
- May 31, 2007 at 5:12 PM
- Billy Delyon said...
The ESPN HD graphic faded from the screen to the NASCAR Now Studio, and there stood AB. As with most other folks in this thread, this cat was jumping around the room screaming "Its AB! AB's hosting NASCAR Now!" my better half was looking at me like I'd lost my cookies, I just keep saying "Honey you don't understand what this means! JD's work is paying off!!!". ;~P anyway, was great to see him host and what a job he did. By far the fastest paced show of the series so far. Hope ESPN takes notice of the fan reaction. I've written them and stated my support for AB!
I think the Daily Planet is making an impact!
Thanks John Daily!
- May 31, 2007 at 5:17 PM
- Anonymous said...
What a relief to see AB host the show last night! Not only does Kusilias not know what he's talking about, he has an annoying sing-song delivery and is always flailing his hands around when he talks. Banks was even worse, but it appears he is gone. Please ESPN, put AB on as the permanent host.
- May 31, 2007 at 8:01 PM
- Anonymous said...
I had the same reaction last night, "that sounds like... could it finally be... Allen Bestwick?? Honey, get in here, it's Allen Bestwick!" Tonight, well, more Kusilias... Every one of the regular hosts is horrible, Banks was particularly horrible with Kusilias not much better. I wouldn't expect to see AB hosting this show on a regular basis, he is much too talented and busy to be messing around with a second rate production such as NASCAR Now. Totally changes the credibility of the show with Allen there, though. Best show (only really "good" show) I've seen to date. "Loud," ignorant, completely uninformed hosts make this show a train wreck every night. Hope ESPN learned something on Wednesday.
- June 1, 2007 at 1:28 AM
- Jules H said...
Oh well! That joy certainly was short lived.
ESPN, please bring back Allen Beswick!!
John D, keep up the good fight. Your efforts are appreciated!
- June 1, 2007 at 7:52 AM
- Anonymous said...
I missed the show. I'd stopped watching NASCAR NOW, as it just wasn't working for me. I've always loved the positive, forward atmosphere surrounding NASCAR, and I wasn't about to let Erik Kuselias, Doug Banks, or Tim Cowlishaw ruin that.
- June 1, 2007 at 8:38 AM
- Phyl said...
THANK GOD! I always thought that the worst decision SPEEDTV ever made was to take Allen away from INSIDE NEXTEL CUP and then NBC removed him from the booth during the race and replaced him with that moron Bill Webber! What a tool! I could not be happier. WELCOME BACK ALLEN!!!!!
- June 1, 2007 at 9:45 AM
- Anonymous said...
YES! Now all we need to stop wasting valuable time with the stupid Driver Pick 'Em and the Fantasy Racing experts.
I must admit though, I still FF (instead of sleep) whenever Brad Daugherty is speaking. Maybe he's trying to get a foothold in the industry, but I cringe when they introduce him as a NASCAR expert. Frankly, the guy next door has more insight then Brad, so there hasn't been a single piece of info to come out of his mouth that I've found useful or insightful. Sorry, but Brad adds zero value to this show.
- June 1, 2007 at 9:55 AM
- Anonymous said...
Couldn't believe what I was seeing. I laughed and thought about you! I immediately sent an email to ESPN thanking them profusely and saying I hope it wasn't temporary!!! Diane
- June 1, 2007 at 11:05 AM
- Don said...
I record NASCAR Now every day, and watch it when I get home from work around 11 PM, if you call having it on in the background while checking my email Watching, usually when it's over I have no idea what it was about, but upon hearing Allen Bestwick, I actually got off the computer and watched
- June 1, 2007 at 11:20 AM
- Anonymous said...
I've never really been a big Bestwick fan, but I thought he was a great fit for that format. Eric Kusilias has been nothing short of painful to watch all season. I hope the ESPN execs make it permanent.
- June 1, 2007 at 11:55 AM
- Anonymous said...
Yay! It really was Bestwick!
- June 1, 2007 at 12:33 PM
- Anonymous said...
I, too, couldn't believe my ears when the dulcet tones of Allen Bestwick reached my ears the other evening. I was watching on my DVR, because I use the FF button a lot when watching that show. I backed it up twice to make sure I wasn't imagining it! For once, I paid attention to every word, and actually enjoyed the show! I'm hoping this is a permanent change. The previous hosts not only displayed their lack of NASCAR knowledge daily, but their total lack of interest in speaking intelligently. The low point came the day one of them (I forget which, because they are all equally bad) referred to truck driver Kevin Hamlin as "Dale Earnhardt's former crew chief"! Please! A few seconds on Google would have corrected that amazing piece of idiocy. I wrote ESPN immediately after watching Allen shine on the show to express my delight. Thanks for expressing my feelings so well!
- June 2, 2007 at 2:26 AM
- Anonymous said...
I know Allen Bestwick is good at what he does, but his sufferin suckatash lisp is so distracting I can't concentrate on the race.
- September 13, 2009 at 7:21 AM
- Anonymous said...
Allen, you are the BEST!!! I always hope that you are back every season for Nascar. It's great that you always entertain with the people you have to work with.......YOU, are the greatest.
Thank you! Kat
- April 30, 2010 at 10:04 PM


text:
Dear Editor,
I recently visited Washington D.C. and while there toured Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home just outside Alexandria, Virginia. Upon returning home I have been reading the Life and Times of George Washington. I am impressed with his understanding of the importance of dealing with the public debt with which the new country of the United States was saddled after the War for Independence with Great Britain.
Washington had just resigned from the Presidency after serving two terms. Many citizens urged to him to serve at least one more term and some wanted to make him king. He was wise enough to understand that an 'imperial presidency' would set a bad precedent.
Washington understood that out-of-control debt could undermine American independence. He warned that we must "cherish public credit ... avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertion in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear."
Also, Washington warned about the dangers of what we would today call hyper-partisans: "They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community."
Mr. Washington could have been writing about our current very partisan Congress and President and our national debt. We are saddling our children and grandchildren with a public debt that appears insurmountable. Washington said we should use debt as sparingly as possible.
Currently, the United states is borrowing around forty cents of every dollar the federal government spends. President Washington would be appalled.
John W. Unruh,

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This Sunday, 28th November is my mother's 80th birthday. So I thought I would take a look back to a time when she was 17 year's old and working as a weaver in one of the local mills in Clitheroe, Lancashire.
Here is a newspaper article about changes to working practices recommended in a Cotton Manufacturers Commission report and Government White Paper.
The report and White Paper recommended a 20% increase in production mainly by weavers operating more looms. The tradition was for weavers to operate 4 looms and the new plan was for them to operate 10 looms.
The article tells the story of "Mrs Lucy Eccles (53), weaver since she was nine years old, moved on to 10 looms a months ago." and my mother Alice Musgrove.
"What it took Mrs Eccles 44 years to reach, 17 year old Alice Musgrove did it in 18 months. Then she was training as a weaver with two looms. Now she has 10 and is the champion wage earner among the younger weavers with £6 10s a week."
Happy birthday mum – I hope you've saved up your wages to pay for lunch on Sunday.


text:
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The Kenya Shilling is the most volatile currency in the world, as well as the worst performing one. Just a month ago our local unit reached a record low of 107 to the greenback. Sometime in 2008 it was USD/KES 61, a 75% depreciation, surely something went wrong. Everyone is affected, some positively but the majority are negatively affected by this steep decline in value of our local unit.
Importers are feeling the heat by buying the USD at a very high rate than 2, 3 years ago and most of them are adjusting their prices accordingly. Kenya is a net-importer of goods, we import almost 10 times what we export and it is very unsustainable. Our petroleum import bill is larger than our whole export receipts and that is why the Kenya shilling is losing value fast. Our current account/GDP is the same as Greece so need a change of game plan. Oil importers have revised their prices upwards as well as food importers and infrastructure material dealers.
Some economists say that exporters are benefitting from the weak KES but I beg to differ. What do we export? Tea, coffee, tourism right, but all these require inputs that are not locally available and have to be imported like fertilizers, equipment e.t.c. There is also the issue of inflation, people who are paid with USD may have some advantage but the way prices are going high, the difference is negligible.
Mwanainchi wa kawaida is one who is suffering most by this depreciation that is fueling higher inflation and exporting jobs to China. Furthermore, public debt is also increasing meaning that the government may have to increase taxes which will cause further rise in general prices of goods and services, making it hard to survive for the average/low-income household.
They are the biggest winners since their cash can buy more goods and services than they 3 years ago and a cheap holiday is what everyone is looking for in these tough times.


text:
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Happy Herbivore Abroad Giveaway!!!
Well, I was supposed to also host a giveaway, thanks to her generous publisher. But I forgot! So we'll do that today.
If you'd like to read a review (and see pics of her Pasta e fagioli and her Blueberry Bundt Cake) of Happy Herbivore Abroad, check out my post from last Thursday. If you want to win a copy, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post letting me know your favorite international food. And by that, I mean, a dish from a country that you don't live in.
Despite the international theme here, the contest is only open to residents of the U.S. and Canada, per the publisher's rules.
I'll randomly select one winner on Sunday evening! Good luck!
Oh, and as always with these contests, if your comment isn't linked back to a blog with a way to contact you, please leave me your email address in the comment so I can contact you if you win.
102 comments:
- Amber said...
I love this cookbook. The bundt cake is a Saturday staple at our house. My daughter has picked it as her reward for a good week. Although, to avoid the sticky mess of a two-year-old with glaze, I just put some lemon zest into the batter and leave it glazeless. So yum.
- April 16, 2013 at 10:48 PM
- Shannon said...
channa masala! naturally vegan & delicious!
- April 16, 2013 at 10:49 PM
- bitt said...
I love Vietnamese pho.
- April 16, 2013 at 11:09 PM
- Deanna said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- April 16, 2013 at 11:19 PM
- Deanna said...
I like Korean food - so I would have to say Korean "un"chicken.
- April 16, 2013 at 11:20 PM
- Sophia Cacciola said...
ALOO GOBHI is my favorite comfort food...have never figured out how to make it as good as the Indian restaurants!
- April 16, 2013 at 11:52 PM
- Abbie Tumbleson said...
My favorite international dishes are a toss up between falafel, hummus, veggies and tahini sauce all rolled up into a warm pita with extra pickles AND vegetable pad thai with tofu and extra peanut sauce. I'm sure there are plenty more amazing recipes in this cookbook.
- April 17, 2013 at 12:29 AM
My current favourite is Injera dish from Eritrea/ Ethiopia (I have a US address. This makes me qualified, right? :) )
- April 17, 2013 at 4:44 AM
- Michael said...
Gado gado from Indonesia.. simple, full of vegetables and easy to make.
- April 17, 2013 at 5:10 AM
- Lydia Paterson said...
Vegan Banh Mi with pickled daikon and jalapenos.
- April 17, 2013 at 5:39 AM
- Apollo Lemmon said...
Pakoras are my favourite international food due to the range of vegetables that can go into them and the ease of making them.
- April 17, 2013 at 5:55 AM
- KateMcGrath said...
It's hard to pick! Definitely something Indian, like channa masala.
- April 17, 2013 at 6:03 AM
- Adam said...
A local Indian place carries a tofu-based matar paneer, that is done vegan. It's pretty much the best thing on the planet.
- April 17, 2013 at 6:12 AM
- Maya said...
It's hard to choose, but I just woke up and would love something carby like pizza or pierogi !
- April 17, 2013 at 6:56 AM
- iamredmeat said...
There are a couple of local restaurants that make a vegan bahn mi and it is so so so good. Probably my favorite, but really how can one choose?
- April 17, 2013 at 6:59 AM
My favorite dish is definitely dahl from India!
- April 17, 2013 at 7:13 AM
- Sarah Haldeman said...
Mine favorites would be spaetzle from Germany (still haven't figured out a vegan version!), and falafel sandwich made my a specific turkish seller in Germany. Clearly, I miss my Germany days :)
- April 17, 2013 at 7:14 AM
- Tab said...
My favorite international food...has yet to be discovered! I am going to Egypt and Greece next week, so here's hoping! ;-) If I HAD to pick, I would go with something Indian.
- April 17, 2013 at 7:16 AM
My favorite food is a soup. And since becoming a vegan finding a replacement is hard. Tom Yum soup is a spicy tomatoe based soup with mushrooms, tomatoes, mung bean sprouts & thin bean noodles. The problem is there is shrimp & fiah sauce in the dish.
- April 17, 2013 at 7:42 AM
CURRY! Yellow thai curry.
I also love spring rolls of any sorts!
- April 17, 2013 at 8:02 AM
Pad thai..yum
- April 17, 2013 at 8:11 AM
- Carrie said...
My fave international food is falafel!
- April 17, 2013 at 8:11 AM
bubble and squeek
- April 17, 2013 at 8:21 AM
- Bethany said...
Definitely Ethiopian food over injera...YUM!
- April 17, 2013 at 8:33 AM
- Dana said...
I love tofu banh mi sandwiches!!!
- April 17, 2013 at 8:48 AM
- Babette said...
My favorite is Tom Yum soup. Hard to beat.
- April 17, 2013 at 8:49 AM
Mexican, mexican, mexican. In San Diego you gotta love Mexican food.
- April 17, 2013 at 8:52 AM
I love Indian food, and aloo matar is one of my favorite dishes.
- April 17, 2013 at 8:59 AM
- Hannah said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- April 17, 2013 at 9:10 AM
- Michele said...
is it cheating to just say "curry?" I know that's so broad/vague, but I seriously have never met a curry I didn't like :)
- April 17, 2013 at 9:10 AM
Well, lately I have been obsessing about burritos- I am not sure if they are really international, but that is my favorite.
- April 17, 2013 at 9:10 AM
- Hannah said...
My favorite international dish is Saag Paneer (veganized, of course!)
- April 17, 2013 at 9:11 AM
- Jody said...
Do I have to pick just ONE favorite dish from another country? :( Well, I can't!
Let's start with lavash made over an open fire in the desert (just name your Middle Eastern country) and schmear some homemade hummus on it. Now add some cucumber, fresh tomatoes, pine nuts and whatever else you choose.
Or, how about a vegetarian/vegan Ethiopian platter? Yum!
Or the Indian smoky eggplant dish that has a name I can never remember.
I could go on, but I won't!
- April 17, 2013 at 9:18 AM
Very hard to pick just one dish-how about 3? Aloo gobi, falafel, pad khee mao....I could go on and on.
- April 17, 2013 at 9:30 AM
- Cadry's Kitchen said...
So tough to narrow it down! Most of my favorite foods are from countries that aren't my own. I definitely have a soft spot for Gomen Wot (Ethiopian collard greens). I love its slightly metallic taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- April 17, 2013 at 9:32 AM
- Lulu34 said...
If I could only pick one and this is hard, I would chose Berbere Seitan stew with red wine and nice big salad. Yum!
- April 17, 2013 at 9:40 AM
- Nicole said...
What a wonderful giveaway! I love Mexican food.
- April 17, 2013 at 9:43 AM
- Ladywaters said...
Vegan stroganoff! I had the BEST in Berlin--yum!
- April 17, 2013 at 9:43 AM
- Quins said...
it is a toss up between aloo gobi and falafel. i could stuff my face with both for days!!!
- April 17, 2013 at 10:17 AM
- Stephanie said...
My fav international food is GRAPE LEAVES. Oh my gosh - I inhale them.
- April 17, 2013 at 10:18 AM
- Kyleigh said...
It's hard to pick just one - Chana masala, Falafel, Vietnamese Pho. Love THH -
- April 17, 2013 at 10:25 AM
- Jessica Forrestt said...
So hard to pick!! I love vegan egg rolls and tai food and of course hummus :)
- April 17, 2013 at 10:48 AM
- Changing the path said...
Vietnam veggie rolls...
- April 17, 2013 at 10:55 AM
- Jessica Caviness said...
I loooooove, love, love Saag! Have not mastered a recipe yet but I will. Oh yes, I WILL! ☺
jessica dot caviness @ gmail.com
- April 17, 2013 at 10:55 AM
- Changing the path said...
email@example.com, just in case ;-)
- April 17, 2013 at 10:56 AM
- Janneal Gifford said...
I <3 Chana Masala! :)
- April 17, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Vegetarian Pad Thai!!!! Yummm!!!!
- April 17, 2013 at 10:58 AM
One of my fave foods is from a local family run Chinese place that caters to vegans. It is General Tso's Tofu. Even my 12 year old loves the "spicy tofu" and has to make sure we get some every time we go.
- April 17, 2013 at 10:59 AM
- Vivian Oblivion said...
I live for Vietnamese, so I'm going with rice noodle salad with tofu. The other ingredients can be interchangeable.
- April 17, 2013 at 11:03 AM
- panda vegan said...
My current international fav food is saag aloo. I haven't been able to recreate the restaurant flavor at home though.
- April 17, 2013 at 11:06 AM
- Jennifer Manriquez said...
I have always been head over heels for Coconut-Curry dishes. The marriage of coconut milk and red curry paste is magical. Top it with fresh lime juice and I'm in heaven!
- April 17, 2013 at 11:12 AM
- Myken Briggs said...
Thai Food! I love tofu yellow curry. I eat it like 3 times a week.
- April 17, 2013 at 11:12 AM
- Michelle from Vegan In A Pretty Dress said...
My favorite international food is from the Philippines, it's basically coconut milk, potatoes and a ton of vegetables over rice. Thanks for the great giveway! I love the Happy Herbivore.
- April 17, 2013 at 11:27 AM
- megany09 said...
This is tough! A really good bowl of Vietnamese pho or a well done red curry!
- April 17, 2013 at 11:28 AM
- Kaycee said...
I love Malai Kofta from India! So yummy!
- April 17, 2013 at 11:39 AM
- Brianna Larkin said...
I love Channa Masala from India and Ratatouille from France!
- April 17, 2013 at 12:08 PM
tofu banh mi!! i'm addicted!
- April 17, 2013 at 12:10 PM
All things Thai- green curry tofu, and any and all other vegan thai dishes. The spicier the better!
wendympark @ gmail . com
- April 17, 2013 at 12:32 PM
- joel said...
Thai food! firstname.lastname@example.com
- April 17, 2013 at 12:45 PM
- Joyce said...
Dal, masoor dal, sweet potato dal, dal, dal, dal (and many other vegetarian Indian dishes)
- April 17, 2013 at 12:52 PM
It's a tough call, but I think it might be falafel. And all of the delicious toppings that come with. email@example.com !
- April 17, 2013 at 2:26 PM
- Sarah said...
- April 17, 2013 at 3:23 PM
- The Peace Patch said...
Falafel...specifically, Green Kitchen Stories' Baked Herb & Pistachio Falafel. I love that it's baked and pistachio'd and so very yumful. :)
- April 17, 2013 at 3:26 PM
- Taylor said...
im polish so obviously looove Sauerkraut and pierogies!!!my email is firstname.lastname@example.com
- April 17, 2013 at 3:53 PM
- Karen said...
Veganized lasagna
- April 17, 2013 at 3:59 PM
- Karen Young said...
Anything vegan from an Ethiopian restaurant!!
- April 17, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Mmmm, so many to choose from, I'd have to say jerk and since I'm relatively new at being a vegan, I think I'll try jerk tofu when I get home!!
- April 17, 2013 at 4:01 PM
- Christy Reed said...
vegan sushi! Yum!!
- April 17, 2013 at 4:35 PM
- Meredith said...
Easily baigan bartha (or most indian food)
mertower79 at yahoo
- April 17, 2013 at 5:12 PM
- Lorena said...
My favorite international food is one I grew up eating -- my Filipina grandmother's rice cake. Sticky rice, coconut milk and brown sugar baked in a banana leaf-lined pan. Delicious!
- April 17, 2013 at 5:13 PM
- TS =) said...
Udon noodles! They're so good. (My favorite is actually kachori, but I really have doubts as to whether or not anyone here has heard of it.)
- April 17, 2013 at 5:46 PM
- Simona said...
vegan lasagna!
- April 17, 2013 at 5:54 PM
- kzcakes said...
Ethiopian!! I want it in and around my mouth all day every day.
- April 17, 2013 at 5:57 PM
- Hannah said...
Anything Mexican. Donezo.
- April 17, 2013 at 6:01 PM
- jannifer said...
My favorite international food would have to be Pad Thai, with tofu and without eggs, of course.
- April 17, 2013 at 7:09 PM
- Christina said...
I love tempeh from Indonesia. Just with anything I guess. They make it the best. Does that count as a dish? haha
- April 17, 2013 at 8:52 PM
- PaganAngel said...
Navrattan Korma from Kabob and Curry here in San Jose--just because it's the only place I've had it, so it's the only one I can vouch for. Is that international enough?
- April 17, 2013 at 9:42 PM
- The Chubby Vegetarian said...
- April 17, 2013 at 9:48 PM
- kelly g. said...
Pierogies! Sadly, I have yet to master the art of pierogi-making. :(
- April 17, 2013 at 10:06 PM
- Lizzie Bordello said...
Count me as another vote for falafel and hummus! In a pita, with some diced cucumber and a dash of tahini sauce? Yumm!
- April 17, 2013 at 10:32 PM
- Lydia Claire said...
Pad Thai! One of my all time favorites!
- April 17, 2013 at 10:33 PM
- Corrine Greenfield said...
I really like a good coconut curry.
- April 17, 2013 at 10:41 PM
- anne said...
It would be a tie between pad thai and falafel. Delish!!
- April 18, 2013 at 5:05 AM
- Maggie Boxey said...
I love curry! I haven't sampled much vegan international food in the 8 months that I've been vegan I've mostly cooked in my kitchen following recipes.
- April 18, 2013 at 5:48 AM
- Uhu work said...
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- April 18, 2013 at 7:07 AM
- Jessica Caneal said...
My favorite international dish is Pad Thai, hands down! I have always loved noodles and when they are combined with peanuts, sweet tamarind, pungent green onions, and spicy chilis...well, I simply swoon!
- April 18, 2013 at 8:32 AM
- Zee said...
- April 18, 2013 at 8:33 AM
Lasagna, or pretty much anything else Italian!
- April 18, 2013 at 11:04 AM
- Margaret Hwang said...
I absolutely love Thai yellow curry with tofu....mmmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it!
- April 18, 2013 at 12:53 PM
- Jerilyn said...
I looooove pad thai :)
- April 18, 2013 at 1:16 PM
- Rachel S said...
I just read another review for this cookbook and I would absolutely love to own it!! My new favorite international dish is one that I just discovered- the burmese tea leaf salad. Oh my goodness! The fermented tea leaves are like something i've never tasted and you get all of the different textures from the different nuts, garlic, seeds. Its pretty much unreal!
- April 18, 2013 at 1:46 PM
- MonsterAteMy said...
We're really into Thai-style curries at my house. Mmm ...
- April 18, 2013 at 5:26 PM
- Heather D-H said...
peanut sauce on absolutely ANYTHING:)
- April 18, 2013 at 8:32 PM
Japanese Tofu and Sesame Noodle Salad :)
- April 18, 2013 at 10:01 PM
- Crissy Durst said...
I love Japanese food, avacado rolls are sooo yummy!
- April 19, 2013 at 6:08 AM
- Molly G said...
Vegan Pad See Ew is my absolute FAVORITE. I plan on having some in Thailand late this year!! So excited!
- April 19, 2013 at 12:15 PM
- Melissa Dion said...
Chana masala, but really I love all indian food.
- April 19, 2013 at 2:18 PM
- sara said...
vegan bahn mi :)
- April 19, 2013 at 7:58 PM
- Hannah said...
Mont Blanc. The French chestnut dessert I first tried in Japan. Best.
- April 19, 2013 at 8:44 PM
- Soozle said...
I am in love with the Ethiopian spicy lentil dish - I think it's traditionally called Wat
sbabij2 at shaw dot ca
- April 20, 2013 at 8:31 AM
- PREM SINGH said...
I love all of these dishes. Thanks for sharing this.
Modular Kitchen Collection
- April 25, 2013 at 5:20 AM
- Sharanya said...
My fav right now is Vietnamese Pho
- April 25, 2013 at 7:39 PM


text:
Look at Flintstone's eyes. Do you notice what I do? He has 2. Even Rubble has 2 pupils at least.
Everyone has the decency to have 2 eyes.
I'm ok with that.
For most of Flintstone's career he had 2 eyes like most of us, but then....
What's going on here?
Did Space Aliens go back in time to posess Fred's soul and remove his second eye, while leaving both pupils?
2 pupils on one eye! Horrors!
Are these the Space Aliens?
Pebbles looks like she is going through "the change".
Look carefully in the mirror every day. If you see your eyes beginning to merge, see an exorcist or something!
Here's a link to some Gene Hazelton comics where you can see different stages of Flintstone's condition emerging.
Something happens to your nose too, as your eyeballs meld.
It seems to shrink.


text:
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
Austin and I went to an orientation type event at the high school today. We went from class to class and listened to the importance of forming a 4 year plan; a 4 year plan that needs to be decided on now. They stressed over and over the importance of choosing classes wisely and always working toward your long term goal of college and after. I just sat there thinking, "But my son is only in 8th grade! I swear just yesterday he was learning how to walk. What happened? When did he grow up? When did he go from the little kid who was obsessed with animals and Hot wheels and Pokemon to the young man sitting next to me who was being instructed to start thinking about his career path? I had to bite my lip to keep from tearing up.
I'm glad we went to this curriculum introduction because man, oh man, have things changed since I was in high school. Did you know that a lot of high schools offer courses that count toward college credit? Our school offers classes that, when you do well on the final tests, can count toward a semester of college. On the one hand - yay for the parents because who wouldn't want their kid to essentially get a semester of college for free? On the other hand - HE'S ONLY IN EIGHTH GRADE AND YOU'RE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT HIS SECOND YEAR IN COLLEGE! I started hyperventilating and my son looked at me as if to say, "See, I told you school was evil."
Austin will have to take a very long, very important test in November which will determine his placement next year in high school. Come January, he'll have to choose the classes he'd like to take. You know, keeping in mind his college plans and what he'd like to do with his life. That's a lot of pressure! How is a 13 year old supposed to know what he wants to do with his life? I know a lot of people who didn't decide what they wanted to do until after college. Some switched majors fifteen times before graduating. Most ended up doing something completely unrelated to their majors.
Austin and I talked a little bit about his future career. "So what do you want me to do, Mom?"
"I want you to do something that makes you happy."
"Like what?"
"Well, you're a smart kid. I'd hate to see you settle for a job that doesn't use your full potential. You could really do anything you wanted to."
Did I just say that? Did I say that out loud to him? Flashbacks of my parents and my guidance counselor looking disappointed while admonishing me, "If only you'd work up to your potential.... If only you'd apply yourself, you could do anything you wanted to...." whirred through my head.
Jackson piped up and said, "I know what I want to do!"
"That's great," I think. At least one of my kids is driven and knows what he wants to do with his life! "What do you want to do, Jackson?"
"I'm going to work at the bakery so I get free cookies," he proudly announced.
That's my boy!
***** See my review blog HERE for the latest giveaways*****
Posted by Dawn at 10:54 PM
71 comments:
Hey Dawn. I'm in 11th grade, and I hear the college talk EVERY day. It only get's worse. They tell you a billion different dates. The fun is just beginning! =)
- September 23, 2008 at 11:35 PM
- Jade said...
Yeah see, that's why I'm a General Studies major. I'm getting the education *I* freakin want, and I'll be well-rounded because I didn't just pick a major that I won't end up using. If I decide later that I want to go for something specific, then I've already got the foundation to start it and go for my masters.
Expecting someone to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives by a specific age is such a touchy subject for me, lol.
- September 23, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Back once upon a time in my first year of college when I was choosing a major and thinking about career choices, I remember hearing that most students change majors at least once before graduation. Plans change. I know I'm not doing today what I originally thought of for myself, and I'm just as happy or happier. I think the important thing is to let him find himself through the studies and related extracurriculars he likes and dislikes (and, but not only, what he excels in).
- September 24, 2008 at 12:12 AM
I am 30 years old and I STILL don't know what I want to do when I grow up...albeit I'm mom and that's most important to me, but I still don't know what ELSE I want to do...and I have only been out of high school for 11 years and I'm scared to death for when my kids hit high school...things will be SO different! The pressure alone is stifeling..decide now what you want to be...good gravey! I'd buckle 'neath all of that!
- September 24, 2008 at 12:45 AM
Hi Dawn!
Oh, man. Trust your instincts. Life is too short to for Austin to decide his career path starting at 13.
Maybe he can learn what he feels like learning and then, as time goes on, his career path becomes apparent as he is enjoying his way through life.
When I started out, I thought life was a long, straight hallway where, as I made decisions, doors clanged shut behind me and I was propelled irrevocably forward without deviation.
Through the various surprises life had in store for me (some good, some challenging, some life-threatening), I got out of the hallway, changed my path as I saw fit and as my intuition told me, and at the ripe old age of 30 chose a decidedly non-traditional career (massage therapy).
Today I own my own business, am a published author (textbooks, not fun books like yours), am married to the love of my life (another massage therapist), have no 401K (which seem to be in peril these days anyway) and could not be happier. I have an enormous amount of freedom, no one tells me what to do, and get to use my talents as I see fit.
Life is what Austin will make for himself, not what others tell him it will be.
Sandy in Tucson
- September 24, 2008 at 12:48 AM
How well I remember those child/parent meetings and I DID tear up and my kids about died, I think. Geeez Mom!!
The most important thing for HS is to take the classes that are required for college. So that he always has the choice. If he doesn't take the classes and come the Senior year and he decides college is for him, he won't have that choice.
And at least 4 of my kids changed their majors in college 7 times....at least 7 times...maybe more.
Gawd, I'm 68 and I'm still not sure what I want to be when I grow up...I keep trying different things all the time!!!
- September 24, 2008 at 1:31 AM
- jennyonthespot said...
No. No. I cannot go there. Can't.
I just went to the curriculum night for my 1st and 3rd grader. The 1st grade one was fun and cute and flowery and gushy... but 3rd grade. I almost cried... I thought HE was going to school. I paid my time. I did 3rd grade already!
It's overwhelming. I can't even imagine 8th. *patting you on the back... breathing in paper bag...*
- September 24, 2008 at 2:12 AM
- Vic @ Glowstars said...
Well at least working out his four year plan should be fairly easy!
It's such a shame that kids are made to start choosing their direction at such an early age. I can't help feeling it would be better to give them a broader education up to college and then start moulding the shape they want to form.
- September 24, 2008 at 4:21 AM
- Amanda said...
It's sad, but true. My husband just left a job where he was in charge of getting kids the information they needed for ROTC scholarships in college. He worked very closely with admissions and he said that the kids even need to start visiting schools in their sophomore year now so that they can narrow it down Jr. year and apply early admission because nowadays if you don't apply early admission you pretty much aren't getting into your first choice. That's just crazy to me.
If you're talking about the AP classes for college credit, they're great! I either got credit for or tested out of several of the 101 classes by taking them in high school.
- September 24, 2008 at 5:11 AM
- Janis said...
Oh my how this brings back memories - and not all of them good! I recall going to a meeting or presentation of some sort when my son was in 7th grade (yes, 7th grade!) and I literally left in tears. By the time the guidance counselors and other guest experts finished talking I felt that since my son the slacker wasn't already placed in the advanced math and science programs for 8th grade, we had pretty much missed the boat for any chance of a meaningful college placement. Can you tell I'm still a little resentful? I'm happy to say that despite the morbid forecast for his future, he recently received his degree and is happily and gainfully employed and we are oh-so-happy for him.
With that said, our HS has the same program to allow for college credits and it is a wonderful opportunity. Our daughter, who is an over-achiever, is building up quite a stash in that regard. She's been told and gives a great deal of weight to the theory that some of her most challenging subjects are more easily dealt with at the HS level.
I'm grateful for these new opportunities (and as you said, what a blessing to save on college expense!) but at the same time, I am wary of this developing trend to pressure them at an earlier and earlier age to make monumental life decisions. They are still babies, aren't they?! ;)
- September 24, 2008 at 5:19 AM
- Susanne said...
We just went through the same thing with my 14 year old freshman daughter, except that we were transferring from a private school so she didn't get to take the long important test and had to decide a week before school started what she wanted to do with her life. Talk about overwhelmed! She chose the Hospitality career path because she's already developing some pretty mad culinary skills. I like that they can get college credit, but sheesh! I remember my father sitting down with me occasionally during junior high and high school and asking what my five year goal was. In my head it was, "Still breathing," but of course I gave some dutiful answer like, "Going to college." Did I go to college? Nope. Am I still breathing? You betcha! Reach for the stars, baby!
~from a successful mom of seven, down to five at home
- September 24, 2008 at 5:19 AM
- Steph said...
I ended up going back to college because I didn't like my first degree... I don't know how you are supposed to know when you are 13! I suggest he just take lots of gen ed classes that can be used towards anything.
- September 24, 2008 at 5:29 AM
- dorthyinoz said...
I totally understand. My oldest is 20 and has been driven to succeed since 6th grade. She graduated with High Honors, a tough track to go, lots of stress and sleepless nights, lots of migraines but she was determined no matter how much I wanted her to back off. She didn't do well enough on any of the tests to get college credit, but she did get A's in her classes - just not a good test taker. After 2 1/2 years of college - and graduating with her Associate's in General Studies - she doesn't know what she wants to do with her life now. She has discovered that what she loved and was going to have a career in just isn't what she wants on a day-to-day basis. Take lots of deep breaths and tell him that it is not the end of the world if you change your mind. Don't let the school scare you and pressure you. You are the parent! Keep remembering that!
- September 24, 2008 at 6:01 AM
- Sara said...
I never knew what I wanted to do no matter how much people asked. I ended up in engineering because I liked science and math, there was supposedly a good job market out there for engineers, and it paid well. That was the sum total of what I knew about engineering.
Everyone I know has HATED their first job out of college. I would say it's definatly hard to decide where you want to go in 8th grade, but I think the important thing is to focus on school and see where God leads you. God can intterupt or change your plans no matter how hard you try to plan out your life.
- September 24, 2008 at 6:02 AM
Dawn - try not to stress about it! Try not to THINK about it!! Just block the whole thing out of your mind! He's 13 - what does he know?! He'll change his mind at least 20 times between now and 18. Is he college material? Then get him into college-bound classes and that's all you really have to do.
As far as the college-credit classes - WATCH OUT!!! High Schools often offer lots of classes that are supposed to be college-credit classes (AP) but then it turns out no colleges accept the credit from those classes - ie. geography, history. Most accept AP math and science, tho. Just make sure the credit from any AP class he's going to take will be accepted by the college he's most likely to attend. Been there, didn't do that! Wasted a lot of $ and stress and time getting a high school kid thru those classes that then didn't count for diddly. Best deal is to let the high school kid go to jr or community college for all or part of his jr-sr years. Take everything the high school counselor tells you with a large ration of salt! Have fun and enjoy it!!
Barbara O.
- September 24, 2008 at 6:41 AM
- Kyddryn said...
The Evil Genius just had the conversation about potential and working hard. He's five. Sigh.
I think I will avoid thinking about his future for a little while longer, if I may...I just want to enjoy the sweet little-boy hugs, kisses, cuddles, and weirdness.
Shade and Sweetwater,
- September 24, 2008 at 7:02 AM
- Heather said...
My 9 year old 4th grader daughter has VERY HIGH aspirations of becoming a "Sandwich Artist" at Subway! I think her thoughts are along the same line as Jacksons! Good Luck with High School!
- September 24, 2008 at 7:19 AM
- Gigi said...
I can sooo relate to this. My oldest is in 8th which is in the high school in our town. Just recently turned 13 and is fond of reminding me in three years she can get her license.
I remind her she will be driving a minivan and her sisters!
- September 24, 2008 at 7:33 AM
**teeheehee** Jax has the absolute right idea! God bless your kids, Dawn, they are awesome!! Thanks for my morning giggle!
Donna in PA :)
- September 24, 2008 at 7:54 AM
- Becs said...
I was able to start college as a sophomore (10 years ago) because of so many credits from HS. While that did mean I had to declare a major from the get go, it also gave me the freedom to explore other classes and change my major without adding any additional years (rather than the traditional 4, which I hear is becoming 5). I had never intended to get out in 3 years anyway.
(I was also lucky enough to have a full academic/athletic scholarship.)
The majority of advanced placement classes that would be taken are the basics: english, math, history, intro to psych etc... and it is really nice to not have to sit through English again when you already know it. Instead you can take classes like Stained Glass and History of Horror Story and Film instead :)
It all sounds pretty daunting, but I assure you its less threatening and serious than it sounds. The school is probably under a lot of pressure too, which is why they stress it so much.
I wish Austin luck on the placement test. If he worked at the bakery, you could get free cookies too though :)
- September 24, 2008 at 7:54 AM
- scarlett said...
Kids are so refreshingly honest! Funny too!
- September 24, 2008 at 8:06 AM
- Brenda said...
: ) 3 of mine have in the past or are following the college plan. One is not. The other is in 8th grade and will follow the college plan if he can focus enough to complete it. My oldest changed her major 4 times and ended up being a business major which we would have NEVER guess. Oh and by the way, at age 52 I am working on a masters to become a therapist.
- September 24, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Awwwhhh, I'm so proud! My nephew is taking after his aunt. Although I worked at a bakery so that I could get the free DONUTS!
- September 24, 2008 at 8:11 AM
I am so glad that I wasn't the only mom who felt this way. My son is in 9th grade this year. We had the same meeting last year. The booklet said to choose classes that will lead into your future career. What? His career right now is passing high school. That's it. He's special ed and that's enough for him to handle right now. He doesn't need the extra pressure of the rest of his life on his shoulders.
I'm a 42 year old mom and I STILL don't know what I want to be when I grow up! I ended up becoming a substitute teacher. Never would have seen that one coming.
What did YOU want to be when you were growing up?
- September 24, 2008 at 8:27 AM
- Jennifer said...
I have to come out of lurking to say that Jackson is a smart one. When my son was in second grade, they had an assignment where they had to pick a future career, draw a picture of it and write a paragraph about it. He chose ice cream man because 1) he likes to make people happy and 2) he'd get all the free ice cream he could handle.
Boys, huh? :)
- September 24, 2008 at 8:42 AM
- Sarah said...
Gosh,I'm fifty-three and still not sure what I want to be when I grow up! Now I'm totally happy being a wife/mom/homemaker/part-time jobber right now, but eventually I'll need something else.
- September 24, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Speaking as a college instructor in physics with 20+ years experience I'm going to give you some unsolicited advice. I've taught both traditional and returning students. The one thing returning students all have said is they wished they had taken more college prep courses in high school as opposed to their trade classes. While the trade classes helped them find first careers it left them ill-prepared for the college courses they needed for advancement or career changes forced by unemployment. This has left me believing that even if you want to go into the skilled trades prepare for the possibility of college later on.
The other piece of advice I have for you is about AP (Advance Placement) classes. I don't recommend them for math and science. During the past 20 years I have seen a steady decline in my students' math abilities. Most of my traditional freshmen start calculus in high school but they never learned basic algebra skills. So while they can do the advanced math they can't do the simple stuff they need in support of the advanced stuff. So, too many students come out of their AP classes with credit for freshman level math and physics but are very ill prepared for the sophomore level classes they go into. They spend a lot of time playing catch up to the students who took the freshman level classes.
Sorry for the long post
- September 24, 2008 at 8:46 AM
You know ,I choose my career by 8th grade.Now at 45 I wish I had chosen a different career.
My sister is convinced is that the reason for midlife crisis is that we force children to choose career paths by 18
- September 24, 2008 at 8:47 AM
- Mabunny said...
Wow, no pressure there for sure ( read that line with sarcasm...)
When I went to school here in Texas, junior high was considered 7th-9th grade and HS was 10-12th.
How did it get turned around to middle school being 4-6. jr high only 7-8 and HS 9-12?
way weird...
- September 24, 2008 at 8:49 AM
- Lucrecia said...
When my son started high school 2 years ago - we had a long talk about how real life began when he started high school - not when he finished it. It still has not sunk in with him.
I wish they couldd stay young and carefree longer :(
- September 24, 2008 at 8:51 AM
My son, who is 5, by the way, told me the other day that he wants to be a Marine Biologist and then he wants to retire and write books about marine animals. Yes, he's only 5! He's started writing his own "chapter book" at home...
- September 24, 2008 at 9:17 AM
- Me, Myself and I said...
Well, I know that it sounds very overwhelming to a 13 year old and the parent too... but honestly.. mine are Seniors (yes.. I AM ancient!!) and they have both changed their minds each year they have been in HS. Every year the counselors sit down with them and go over the 4 year plan again and see if they still think they want to follow that track and if not... they change the classes that they will be taking next year. It really isn't set in stone :) It's really is a great way to get them thinking though. At least this way by the time they get to college they have thought about it enough they won't have to spend all four years trying to decide.
Good Luck!!! And savor the moment!!!
- September 24, 2008 at 9:37 AM
I had that same thing when I was in 8th grade. It literally gave me a panic attack. I figured out for sure what I wanted to do around junior year in high school (I was always interested in medicine) but in 8th grade who could even think that far ahead to college?!
I'm in my senior year of college now and I still can't even think more than a week ahead. Hmm.
- September 24, 2008 at 10:02 AM
- Valerie said...
It is sad but true... "life" begins early. Before I had my baby, I taught 1st grade and we went through a horrible few years when our elementary school/county was trying to help focus the kids on their future goals... we even had to go visit college campus and find fun appropriate things for the kids to do... to expose them to the world of higher education. Ok, so does a field trip to college sound fun and appropriate for a 6 year old??? Thankfully someone got a life and realized that perhaps kindergarteners and first graders didn't need to be quite so college focused. Learning to read would be good too!
- September 24, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Are you talking about Austin or Jackson? You've put both boys' names within the conversation. Sorry to notice the typo, it's what MY job is, lol.
I have a 10th grader whom I thought would give us career-decision troubles, but alas, he's finally chosen a field that the high school incorporates as an ROP class. The administrators don't really want that final choice in 8th grade, they just want the smart kids to take the college prep classes rather than the general classes. Like Advanced Lit over basic Language Arts.
Don't worry, your son will survive and maybe even have fun!
- September 24, 2008 at 10:32 AM
- Geev said...
I wish I had more direction in HS like Jackson is getting. I'm the same age as you Dawn and I got the whole "just graduate" lecture from my HS counselor and parents and then when I hit college I was in a fog. I've been in college for 20 years trying to figure out what I want to do with my life!
But now there is a very cool thing you can do to help Jackson . . . College Career Counselors! Oh yes, there is a whole field of folks who will help your child identify what they want to do, help them select their HS classes and start them on their college application portfolio's (kids now needs sports and community involvement to be "considered" at some university's). But the best part of it all is that now your child has someone else they need to answer to so you, as a parent, avoid the "bad grade" arguments and discussions.
Something to think about!
- September 24, 2008 at 10:36 AM
- Dawn said...
To anonymous,
It wasn't a typo. I was talking about Austin who is in 8th grade. However, Jackson, my 10 year old, piped up and added his bakery idea to the conversation.
- September 24, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Hey Dawn,
I have a 12yo 8th grader too, and Open House at his school was filled with High School planning, college tracking etc...
I agree with the Physics prof. that the AP science/math coursework is over rated, in that students who take them lag behind in the 2nd year work; they just don't have enough time to finish the book. They learn enough to score well on the exams but not for the subsequent courses.
The History/ English ones are better as they leave you with more options: more interesting classes than English 101/102 and American History 101, etc
He's going to do whatever he's going to do, you really can only encourage, support, and lead by example. (Read: pray and hold your breath!!)
- September 24, 2008 at 10:54 AM
- Chelf said...
Jackson has the right idea. He knows that cookies make him happy, and what better way to get them than to decide which are the "dirty shames" (MIL calls the broken ones that, 'cause it is a Dirty Shame that she has to eat them!).
I still don't know what I want to do, and I am 34. I never finished college. My hubby is actually working in a field that uses his degree. Very rare.
Potential is not the bad thing we have always thought. Expectations... now there is your bad advice gone wild.
Good luck to Austin, making all those adult decisions so young. I just hope he is never afraid to change if he finds a better choice.
- September 24, 2008 at 11:03 AM
I know how you feel, my oldest is 12 and in 8th grade. Her shcool is talking about a 4 year plan too. One of the things that the students in her school have to do in 8th grade is put together a portfolio of school work done throughout middle school (6, 7 & 8) that they got good grade on or are proud of. Then they take that portfolio and sit down with some professionals that come from different businesses in the area to do mock interviews. I don't understand how this is benefiting them at age 12/13 to be trying to pass an interview.
At least she has been pretty steady on what she wants to do when she "grows up" for quite a while now. She wants to be a marine biologist specializing in marine mammals. Too bad we don't live near an ocean or she could have already been doing research, the only water we have near is the Great Lakes.
- September 24, 2008 at 11:45 AM
LOL,I love Austin's thinking!! I knew I didn't want to do anything that I had to go to college for but my parents did not give me a choice of going to college or not. I told them that it wasn't for me and they said too bad, pick one or we are picking for you. Guess what? It wasn't for me and all and all I got out of it was a bunch of debt that I had to pay myself. I love my life and even though I probably missed out on the fun college days of partying and meeting great people I don't miss sitting in classes for hours on end being lectured to and being quizzed on things I don't even remember being covered when I went to class every day.
- September 24, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Poor kids get so rushed these days. I homeschool my children and 1/2 of my daughter's 7th grade social studies this year is all about careers. There's a 3-page chart of possible jobs and you are to check mark the column that indicates your level of interest in each one. The problem is that my daughter has OCD and a generalized anxiety disorder so is in tears frequently worried that she has to be whatever it is she's reading about. :-/ At 12-years-old all she wants to do is sing ... and as of yesterday's announcement, marry an exterminator. I guess he can then rid her world of every kind of bug! :-) There's her long-term plan. lol!
- September 24, 2008 at 12:36 PM
- Covey and Justin said...
Dawn--let him take whatever he wants. I graduated Highest Honors with a Masters in Biomedical Engineering then moved to a small town and became a SAHM. I love my life and will not go back to my "chosen" career. I plan to take classes at the community college and get a degree in something I will actually enjoy and go back to work once my munchkins are in school. Don't sweat it. I wish I had gone and worked for a few years before doing the college thing--I would have had more of a clue. Of course I am glad I did go to college when I did, I met my hubby there :)
Good Luck--I am about 11 years away from that situation!
- September 24, 2008 at 12:50 PM
- Melissa said...
Are the classes you're talking about (that let you earn college credit) Advanced Placement or International Baccaularete (sp?) classes? If so, they're pretty cool to take advantage of. One way to think of them is that they get rid of the need to take GE classes in college, freeing you to take more classes that you're interested in. For example, I passed 8 AP classes (ok, that's overboard though...) Not all of them were accepted by my university, but at least a few were, so I didn't have to take boring classes like Political Science and Intro Calc. Instead, I took Sign Language and Spanish Lit, which I was much more excited about. That being said... I think the uni tested me up too high, and I wasn't ready for the next level of Calc they put me in. But AP motivated me to study and learn more than regular HS classes would have.
That's pretty crazy that they're asking him to think about his career path already though. Does he at least know what sorts of classes he likes (math, literature, science)?
- September 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM
- Crazy Raven Productions said...
Yeesh! Talk about forcing kids to grow up fast! I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up and I'm 33. I went through 3 majors, took a couple years off along the way (Criminal Justice, Metalcraft & Jewelry, year and a half off, Communications, couple years off, more Communications, now 3 classes away from completion after 6 years off, no idea what I want to do with said degree IF I decide to finish it.)
If he has no idea what he wants, I'd say focus on the basics... math, science, lit, social studies. Maybe some part of one of those classes will inspire him. Maybe he'll get to skip some college classes (our school only had AP English and Physics, so I got English credit. Never took Physics.) Maybe it'll give him more questions than answers. But it'll get him thinking.
- September 24, 2008 at 1:17 PM
- Pam said...
It boggles my mind why they *must* know these things so early! My 17 year old son is asked constantly what he will do after high school - his answer - I have no idea and right now I don't have to know!
- September 24, 2008 at 1:17 PM
My grandson is facing this issue now. After filling me in on what he's already achieved and all the questions he's answered in the process I noticed one question was never asked. He asked, so I suggested he make 2 lists. First, frequently ask yourself, "What do I like to do now that I could never imagine myself not wanting to do?" Make a list and ammend it as you mature. These are your passions, which help define your God-given purpose. They may change slightly over time, but there will be a distinct common thread. Second, create a living list of all the things you want to do in life. Read these 2 lists at least once a year (on your birthday?) and add or delete entries as your perspective changes. If nothing else you'll have created a verbal map of your life that will be interesting to read when you advise your grandchildren.
- September 24, 2008 at 1:22 PM
- ComfyDenim said...
I wish I'd thought of that...mmmm free cookies.
- September 24, 2008 at 1:45 PM
At least that's better than here in Germany, where these decisions have to be made in FOURTH grade. At age ten, or even nine. Secondary school starts with fifth grade (except in Berlin, where it starts with seventh grade), and there are three different types of school: college prep (Gymansium) which finishes after 12th grade (used to be 13th, recently changed, maybe changing back, politicians are arguing...), "real school" (Realschule, finishes after 10th grade, at which point students can go to vocational school or the best ones can theoretically continue at Gymnasium), and "main school" (Hauptschule, finishes after 9th grade, very limited career choices after that, essentially a remedial school). Oh, and there's also "all together school" (Gesamtschule), which is theoretically the best of all three, but actually, the students are tracked there, too--they can't take Gymasium-level math and Hauptschule-level language, it's all or nothing.
Reason number 127 for homeschooling...
- September 24, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Way to go Austin! :) THAT would be MY dream job too! A bakery where you could eat your mistakes.
TOO MUCH PRESSURE on kids to decide now...ridiculous. LET THEM BE KIDS for heaven sakes!
- September 24, 2008 at 2:04 PM
- Sarah Brooks said...
Cool Jackson! If they need anymore help let me know... I'm in!
- September 24, 2008 at 2:56 PM
As a teacher, I just have to say Thank you George Bush for No Child left Behind. Now we put pressure on kids to test well and to test often and leave creative thinking totally out of the picture. At my high school students/parents are required to sign a form when they enroll in 9th grade to state whether they will be taking courses on the college path or the technical school path. We should just be teaching our students to think and to problem solve. Please vote for anyone who will get rid of No Child Left Behind!
- September 24, 2008 at 4:00 PM
- Britney said...
It's pretty early in the year for the four year plan/college talk, but as an 8th grade teacher I can attest to the fact that it's pretty standard to have one. My students start creating a four year plan right around Thanksgiving. It seems really overwhelming, but once the kids figure out most of their classes in high school are "fixed" (US History is an 11th grade course, Government is 12th,etc.), they calm down. Also, in my state (IN) kids have to have a certain number of credits in each subject to graduate, so it's really easy to fill a four year plan just by plugging in the required courses.
And honestly, no one follows the four year plan they make as an 8th grade student, so don't knock yourself out with it when the time comes. It can always be changed later if Austin decides he'd rather take an art class than a business class.
- September 24, 2008 at 4:52 PM
- Kristine said...
Go Austin! My 7 yo wants to be a chef. The 9yo, paleontologist. All I want from my kids in high school is for them to be able to apply to most colleges. That means taking math, science and probably a language. And getting decent grades. Hopefully by the time they're done with high school, they'll have some idea of what they want to do in college . . .
- September 24, 2008 at 5:00 PM
- Ali A said...
Man I turn 26 next wensday and still have no idea what I want to do!
Did you hear about this.
Brought tears to my eyes. Poor Dad.
- September 24, 2008 at 7:43 PM
- Carrie said...
Jackson cracks me up. My son wants to work at Krispy Kreme for that same reason...free donuts. Or he wants to be an ice cream truck driver, free ice cream. Now his daddy works part-time at Maggie Moos (a specialty ice cream shop) and now he wants to do that as well...free YUMMY ice cream. Anything involving sugar laced food and he is there.
- September 24, 2008 at 8:08 PM
- Marylynn said...
Maybe Jackson will grow up to be a cookie baking brain surgeon. Now THAT'S a life goal that any mother should and would be proud of!!
- September 24, 2008 at 8:12 PM
- SuburbanCorrespondent said...
I believe you're talking about AP courses - if you do well on the AP exam, you might (might) get some college credit. It depends. I did well on English and Math, but my university wouldn't give me credit on either unless I was majoring in one or the other. Thanks a lot. The kids would be better off dual-enrolling in community college, where they would get actual college credit, in my opinion.
I'm with him on the bakery job. Yum!
- September 24, 2008 at 9:50 PM
- Angie said...
As someone who currently teaches at a university and graduated not that long ago, I just couldn't resist giving my 2 cents. I agree that it's totally unreasonable to ask a middle schooler (or high schooler or college student or recent graduate.....) to plan out the rest of their life. However, taking college-prep courses in high school can really pay off when it comes time for college, no matter what your major and career end up being. Building a good record that will get you into college doesn't happen overnight. He needs to take classes that will prepare him for the workload of college and that will reflect well on his college applications. When I was a HS student I took every college class I could including optional advanced classes like Calculus. In the end, I had one semester of college free, tested out of lots of requirements (like math classes :) , and had a great record. That good record really paid off when it got me into a private, liberal arts college that offers all students free tuition. (http://www.berea.edu/) So, no, he doesn't have to plan out his whole life right now. But if he wants to go to college he should be making decisions that will make it easy to get in four years from now.
- September 25, 2008 at 9:41 AM
- a mom serving her 2 kids! said...
My daughter is in 9th grade, so we went thru all of the long term planning last year.
Fortunately, she knows what she wants to be-a pediatric pulmonologist. She has known this for 4 years. Unfortunately for me, it is going to cost alot of money.....
- September 25, 2008 at 9:51 AM
Well I have a senior this year and she has just now figured out what she wanted to do. All of her friends have taken dual credit course, but I wouldn't let her. I wanted her to be a kid as long as she could. She is finally taking a college algebra class this year. I also found out that if you take all those courses if you want to go the Junior college direction most of the time you can only do one year because you have already taken all the courses. My daughters wants to play softball in college and wants to go the junior college route so we did the right thing. I guess it depends on your kid.... Good luck... I only have two more behind this one, so I'll keep praying for you....You'll need it...LOL.. Dede
- September 25, 2008 at 11:35 AM
My daughter was in tears for a week when she went through this in 8th grade. She kept saying "i'm just a kid, how do I know what I'll like when I grow up?". I just told her not to sweat it because most grown ups still don't know what they want to do. When she was younger, she wanted to be a ballerina/dog walker/doctor. Funny, she always hated walking our dog.
- September 25, 2008 at 1:33 PM
- Lisa said...
I have a 13-year-old son too. He wants to be a baseball player -- specifically he is certain he will be plaing third base for the New York Mets when he grows up.
You can be certain that I will never, ever tell him that he likely won't be playing for the Mets -- that the chances of him becoming a professional baseball player are minute.. That's his dream, and it's not my place to stomp on it. I admire his passion for fulfilling that dream more than I admire anything on earth. I am sure the day will come when he realizes that he either has what it takes to be a professional baseball player, or that he needs a "Plan B." When that day comes, I'll be here ready to support him wherever his life's path takes him.
I went to his middle school, 8th grade parent/teacher night recently, and I was amazed that the entire focus of the evening was about preparing the 8th grade students for high school. It seemed like the teachers had completely forgotten that 8th grade has just begun. They also discussed careers. I was tempted to say that my son didn't need to worry about that since he had already chosen his career -- and that he would be playing third base for the Mets, but I decided to keep my mouth shut. :o)
By the way, I am VP at a large corporation, and by some standards considered successful. I have a master's degree, and I work hard to support my family. But, my day job is not my dream or my chosen career. My dream is to sell belts, and lots of them, and you can be certain that there isn't one person out there who can convince me that I can't!
- September 25, 2008 at 1:36 PM
- Julia said...
Hey Dawn, as a freshman in college I promise you (and Austin) that it's okay. They're making that up about eighth graders having to know what they want to do with their lives. When I was in eighth grade I think I still wanted to be a doctor or an astronaut? I don't even know. But they told me the same thing. In all honesty, you don't HAVE to take specific classes in high school to get where you need to be in college. You can decide what you wanna do once you're there. I figured out senior year that I wanted to teach Spanish. So here I am. Learning how to do that. And the fact of the matter is, my university has made it very clear that if I realize this isn't what I want? THAT'S OKAY! And they're here to help fix it and get me where I need to be. I'm hearing the same things from all my friends at other schools too. So no. Don't worry. He's not stuck having to figure out his whole entire life at 13 years old. He'll be JUST FINE (and so will you). Relaxation is key even though I know how hard that is in your house sometimes. =)
- September 25, 2008 at 4:30 PM
- Michelle said...
It's all ok. The good news is that the schools are just trying to get you to panic and focus so THEIR test scores go up so they get rated well so they don't lose funds blah blah blah. As long as he's fairly well rounded and gets through the basics fine, he can do whatever he wants. Even if he doesn't figure it out until he's 37. Witness my sister starting vet school in Champaign this fall at the age of 31.
oh, and what's the deal with suddenly posting daily when I finally figured out the reader thing but you blog can't be read by the reader and I keep forgetting to manually check it so now I have four posts to read? :)
- September 25, 2008 at 7:35 PM
- mommeeof9 said...
I can guarantee that if he joined the military, he would decide after 4 years that it was not a good career choice. He'd also have money for college...
- September 25, 2008 at 8:38 PM
On a very hot summer day so miserable out we were staying in for the afternoon, I read a book to my 4 year old, it was about being a policeman, fireman etc. At the end of the book, I asked him, what would you like to be a policeman or fireman when you grow up? He hestitated then with a glint in his eyes, and a huge grin, he stated, I want to be the ice cream man. One of my favorite memories!!
- September 26, 2008 at 12:45 PM
As a mom to 2 high school kids ( and having a bad attitude towards this topic myself since I was about 8 ) I had to comment. First, I think they don't care what your kid studies. I think they care that your kid is thinking toward the future. Sure, he can change his mind, but the kids who don't have plans for after high school are not the ones who succeed. They don't care and don't try and have a much higher drop out rate. That leads to the low self - esteem that can take years and a GED to overcome.
Second, I hated this as a kid almost as much as being asked what my dad did for a living. Afterall, what my dad does has little if anything to do with me. You see, the person asking will immediately make judgements of me and my father based on his education, wealth, field of study, and profession. He might be a total jerk or he might be a genius who loves to do what he is doing. Whether he is a garbage collector, or a Judge, who cares?
So, to drive that question away, when people asked me what my dad did for a living, I just told them he was a sex therapist. It completely ended conversations. He was actually a PhD Mechanical Engineer and Professor.
When asked what I wanted to be when I grow up, people judged me for it. If I wanted to be a baker so I could eat the cookies, kudos! But if I wanted to be a lawyer so I could be rich, that was better. Well, I told teachers in essays that I wanted to be a sumo wrestler. I told friends or classmates that I wanted to be a prostitute. That usually stopped them from bothering me on that subject. I laughed inside and felt like I won on that subject that bothered me so much. I refused to be keyholed!
The best answer I have ever heard on this subject however came from a very wise young man once. He was asked what he wants to be when he grows up and his response was, "A person."
And yes, he was your son....
- September 26, 2008 at 2:31 PM
PS, I stopped saying, when I grow up I want to....
Now I say, when you grow up, I want to....
Afterall, I only have 15 more years to go before I have an empty house!
- September 26, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Have to add ONE more comment!
my son wanted to be a candlestick maker for 7 years after preschool. He is now in the gifted track in 7th grade middle school.
My daughter wants to go to college to study spelling and sneaking up on people. And she wants to be the tooth fairy when she grows up.
She is almost 8.
And my youngest wants to be a monkey when she grows up. She is 3.
I just want them to grow up! -But not too fast.
- September 26, 2008 at 2:39 PM
- Stressed Out said...
I have four children - 20, 18, 11, and 9. When my 20 year-old was in high school, they said NO WAY on dual enrolling in the local college, but she did earn 13 credits from her AP classes. The next year, with my next child (who is just a year behind her in school since he skipped a grade) I again went to the principal and since he knew my daughter had graduated 2nd in her class he said "SURE your sone can dual enroll in the college!" and then my son said NO WAY (UGH!!!) However, he took more AP classes than her and ended up with 26 credits for college. Long story short, She's a junior and he's a junior. He'll graduate 2 months after he turns 20. Sickening. But, over the last 2 years, we've only paid - not kidding - $1200 in tuition for him because he got a full ride at that local college. THe oldest, on the other hand, turned it down and went to a big 10 school at $22k per year (with room and board.)
If I knew then what I know now -
I'd FORCE the school to have them take their PSAT's - they're "optional" at our school, so they don't really advertise them. GREAT scholarship money there.
We live in Michigan, and the MI MEAP tests are another source of money ($$4k for my son, $2K for the oldest) - the only thing is if you want your child to POSSIBLY dual enroll in their senior year, you have to request they take the MEAP their sophomore year because they need the score from that to determine if they can dual enroll (or so my school district says). The 4 year plan is really a precurser to the BIG 4-year plan (which in both my kids cases is the 6- or 8-year plan since they both want to do something that requires grad school) Of course, it could happen that 2 days before the start of his freshman in college, your son can change his major just like mine did - for the 3rd time in 6 months! That's what happens when you get to college at 17!
My oldest wants to be a social worker. She'll have her undergrad in Psychology.
My 2nd wants to be a physical therapist. His undergrad will be in athletic training.
My 3rd can't decide between a vet and a dentist (plenty of time there!)
My 4th wants to be a mom or a scientist (I say why not both?)
Me - I finish my BSN in nursing in December. All that stuff I learned about getting my kids through college is actually helping me. Yes, three in college at one time. My husband is a saint - works like a dog to afford us all. I just know it'll be worth it!
- October 2, 2008 at 10:45 PM


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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Race Reporters: Interview Comments
Tonight at 7PM Michael Knight will host his Internet radio program called The Race Reporters. Among the guests are former Yahoo! Sports NASCAR writer Bob Margolis and yours truly. I will be on live at 7:30PM ET. Click here for a direct link to the Internet radio location.
I have limited my interviews this season on radio and Internet podcasts. Last year things got so busy that it was tough for me to keep life balanced. This season has been working quite well in terms of time management. I enjoy the guys over at Rowdy.com and watching them develop that website over the last three seasons has been fun.
Wednesday night is my first time on The Race Reporters. Knight is a veteran of Indy Car, NASCAR and many other racing series. He is a talented journalist with lots of experience in motorsports public relations and marketing.
Once the interview is over, I will continue to talk about those topics and take your questions and opinions in the comments section of this post. To join in, just click the comments button below. Thanks for listening to the interview and for stopping by to chat.
31 comments:
- peggyann said...
John, you started strong, but I turned you off when you left Mikey off of the Truck Series announcers and then trashed Digger. It's your opinion, I know, but it's not everyones and is a good way to lose followers.
- September 30, 2009 at 7:39 PM
- SonicAD said...
He's named Michael Knight, eh? What, did you do the interview in KITT? XD
- September 30, 2009 at 7:51 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
peggyann, Michael Waltrip is not a favorite of mine and Digger is the worst thing to happen to NASCAR TV in years.
If you disagree, you should offer your reasons why rather then flee.
- September 30, 2009 at 7:59 PM
- Karen said...
I thought you were excellent. You could have bashed JP a little more for my taste. Loved the Kyle Petty stuff. I totally agree. No love for Andy Petrie? I like him. No moving AB to PxP?
Michael Knight is a Philly boy with that accent. Unmistakeable.
Overall, I'm glad I didn't miss the broadcast. Again, excellent.
- September 30, 2009 at 7:59 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
He has been around a long time. Signed the first CART deal for the IndyCars way back when.
Smart guy, asks good questions.
- September 30, 2009 at 8:00 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Karen, not enough time for the second in the booth topic. That is the enemy of live stuff. Thanks!
- September 30, 2009 at 8:01 PM
- Sophia said...
I missed the first half darn it..is there an archive of the podcast! I enjoyed the statement you ended with & that should be a mandate by NASCAR TPTB (mention ALL teams during the races & show them) For those that say tough, make sure your drivers are in the top 10, well some of us love drivers that NEVER finish in the top ten and all deserve RESPECT or at least a MENTION for their sponsored cars.
I missed the MW bashing tho I am no fan of digger...everybody thought that was OVER DONE..except Mr. Hill.
- September 30, 2009 at 8:14 PM
- Charlie said...
I listened to you. Very good job. Was neat to hear what you sound like. You do a good interview.
Wish they had more time to talk to you.
- September 30, 2009 at 8:17 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
Super show- exceptionally thoughtful. A must-hear for me now. I was amazed , fascinated, and thrilled to finally hear someone criticize that insightful commmand "Talk about," which alone would have made the show for me. I was most impressed with the quite diplomatic way in which you cut to the heart of matters. Thank you.
- September 30, 2009 at 8:22 PM
- tom in dayton said...
So far, three really fine racing programs this week - two on television and one on radio!
Kudos to you for filling in the additional slot!
Thanks for giving us the heads-up to Knight's broadcast website!
(did you know you sound a lot like the filmmaker Michael Moore?)
- September 30, 2009 at 8:23 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Thanks guys, Sophia this is Internet radio so you can click on the "episodes listing" button and replay it anytime.
- September 30, 2009 at 8:27 PM
- Lou said...
As usual another great interview JD. That half hour went just way to fast. could have filled the whole hour w/you. Question, since this was a live program, did you have any advance notice on the questions Mike would ask?
- September 30, 2009 at 8:29 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Nope, MK just had me call in a couple of minutes before the show and we did it live.
He is a super journalist and very hard hitting sometimes. I like that style, what a surprise!
- September 30, 2009 at 8:37 PM
- Vicky D said...
Great comments JD. It was everything we had been saying.
- September 30, 2009 at 9:40 PM
- Dot said...
I'll have to click the replay and listen.
JD, I want you to appear on TV so we can see what you look like. :)
- September 30, 2009 at 9:40 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Dot, that would require a NASCAR TV partner to actually have a TV show that talks about issues...
- September 30, 2009 at 10:04 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- September 30, 2009 at 10:05 PM
- Trinity929 said...
Very good job, I appreciate hearing an opinion that seemed to be geared towards the fans and not the franchise. I appreciate the fact that Nascar is a growing community, but that does not mean it has to turn into a gimmick. Ratings are down, because some of us are TIRED Of the Jimmie Johnson show. Ratings are down because people are interested in variety and they are not getting it. There are millions of race fans there are typically 43 cars starting each week, We dont all bleed 48, we dont all bleed Mark Martin, give the people what they want. There can not be 43 winners any given Sunday (or Saturday night) but there are 43 extremely talented people out there fighting for their jobs, and trying to show off for their sponsors, give them a chance.
Everyone has an opinion, but mine is get back to smarter ideas...There are certain things that are fun and dont take away from the show, but seriously DIGGER...come on.
I cant seem to figure out what the magic is with race commentators, sometimes they make me so angry and other times I love them. I love Allen Bestwick and I miss Wally Dallenbach...I can do without DW he makes my brain turn into MUSH...but strangely it does not mean I dont miss his occasional ability to burst into song.
Nascar needs to stay smart...make sure key people are right where they need to be each week in order to maintain the integrity of the sport.
Ok, I know you guys have talked about this to death, Im stepping off my soap box now.
- September 30, 2009 at 10:53 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
I'm not really sure which galls me more - the laziness of commanding someone to "Talk about....." - or the impoliteness of not at least saying Please. I guess I just showed my age.
- September 30, 2009 at 10:55 PM
- Karen said...
Dot, if you go back to the website and click on newsmaker, some info about JD is there. Then click on more ... up pops a picture of JD.
- September 30, 2009 at 11:24 PM
- Beating a Dead Horse said...
Thank you for going to bat on behalf of the great unwashed masses, JD. Michael shut you down just as the interview was delving into the main issues we have here. Were you two about to step on some toes in Daytona?
This captcha thingy is hard on dyslexics.
- September 30, 2009 at 11:24 PM
- Kenn Fong said...
I hope your readers here stayed tuned because the second guest was AWOL and you filled another segment.
Usually I tune out when he goes to drag racing, or some other circuit as I don't have any interest but this time I was AFK, and was just about to tune away when I realized you were back for another segment.
West Coast Kenny
Alameda, California
- September 30, 2009 at 11:37 PM
- Sophia said...
WOW, thanks for your info. How the heck did you know what to click on? I use FFox and could not see if and IE was totally lost..went back to FFox and STUDIED the site and sho nuff, up came a picture of JD!
JD I always wondered what you looked like. You should put your picture here. It's GREAT to see the face with the name and I've never found a blog (well at least the few I READ) that did not INCLUDE a photo of the blogger....(well, except for the one about Life in the Witness Protection Program..but I kind of understood that guy :) )
Really helps to personalize this site.
I'm a visual kind of dame or maybe it's just my generation.
- October 1, 2009 at 12:08 AM
- Richard in N.C. said...
If anyone happened to listen to both "The Race Reporters" and PRN's "Pit Road Reporters" tonight the difference was stark and indicative of the focus of the bulk of the so-called NASCAR media. The prevailing subject on the PRN show, in my view, seemed to be cutesy - how many borderline funny wisecracks could the panelists make, rather than seriously addressing NASCAR issues on and off the track.
- October 1, 2009 at 12:20 AM
- Karen said...
WCK, I didn't know JD did two segments. Have to go back and listen.
Sophia, dumb luck on my part.
- October 1, 2009 at 1:00 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Yep, I stayed since Michael could not get the phone hook-up to work with the NHRA driver.
So, there is an extra segment with me after he first says goodbye.
This is still new to him and I think the scripted nature of the questions right now will slowly transform into allowing for follow-ups.
All in all, fun time.
- October 1, 2009 at 6:40 AM
- Anonymous said...
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- October 1, 2009 at 12:38 PM
- Kenn Fong said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- October 1, 2009 at 2:02 PM
- Anonymous said...
Is this the same Michael Knight who managed Nigel Mansell at CART Newman-Haas?
- October 2, 2009 at 11:16 AM
- itsonlyrockandroll said...
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- October 2, 2009 at 4:51 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Wow, those CART days were a long time ago...for all of us!
- October 2, 2009 at 7:43 PM