Jack Ramsey

My word. I seldom listen to pro basketball broadcasts but the radio is on right now. There was just a brief interview with Jack Ramsey. Holy crap! Even though he's always been extremely boring, now he sounds addled. They pay him for this!!!??? There are far too many announcers who should stay home! Jack Ramsey is one of those.

Don't the big-ass media moguls care at all what the listeners think of these olde morons? Get rid of all the soprano-sounding dipsticks and all the olde coots! Generally, I just turn off the broadcast when I hear them...also, those with speech impediments...there are lots of them! I just can't take it...and I don't. Don't the advertisers putting up the money have any say in these matters? If people like me tune out due to such poor delivery, don't they care that we just...tune out?

to Aaron Goldsmith

If I keep hearing you say, "top 1, bottom 3, etc" as opposed to, "top of the first and bottom of the third", I will turn off the radio. I am not a Californian and I do not like that shortening thrown out at me. Also, Dave Simms is one of the most boring people I have ever heard and I will never listen to him. As a matter of fact, Simms sounds like he's about to take over the play-by-play for this game...I'll turn everything off at that point. Also, Mr. Goldsmith, now that you have been on-air for a little while...what say you add a little emotion to you broadcasts? Thus far you sound unattached and...a bit boring. I must say, I appreciated hearing you say that so-and-so was so many years old...as opposed to Rizzs and Niehaus saying so many years of age. I always found that to be really stupid. I'm not 65 years of age. I'm 65 years old. Or...I'm 65.

Seattle Sports Radio

So…I turn on the local sports-radio show. It’s KIRO...or ESPN...or whatever they call it these days. The two guys at the station are interviewing someone about the Seahawks', Richard Sherman. The guy they’re interviewing is Tony Ventrella! Tony Ventrella is just another sports reporter! He’s nobody! (I ran across him in a grocery store once and found him to be a self-centered, arrogant ass-wipe. I have no interest in his opinion about anything!) Why in the world would anyone consider him to be an authority about anything? He’s not an athlete and did not play for the Seahawks or any other professional sports team. Broadcasters interviewing broadcasters…what a freeking joke! I've been pleased to have not heard or seen Tony Ventrella for many years and I have no interest in hearing his opinion...about anything...ever.

Note to Aaron Goldsmith

Okay Aaron...Don't say, "top three". Say, "top of the third". Don't say, "the five". Say, "I-five". Get it?
Seattle is not part of California! I didn't like  Dave Simms (partly due to his incredibly boring delivery and partly due to his "top three" type of reporting). Aaron...don't be another boring Dave Simms. You're close to what we need in the northwest but not quite there yet. Also...I appreciate hearing what else is going on during a game...how's the weather, what are the people in the stands doing, what is going on in the dugout, etc.? Is the infield in good shape? Is the umpire calling the game accurately? Tell me what's really happening because I'm not there. What's the weather like? Is somebody limping?

I don't want to hear any Vin Scully kind of thing...Many years ago, there was a streaker, running across the field at Chavez Ravine...Scully refused to even mention it! I want to hear everything going on in a game!

Mr. Goldsmith...I appreciate your Spring Training broadcasts so far but I'd be happy if you can take the next step. While Scully seems to have thought he was "painting a picture"...as did Niehaus...it's important to really do it. The next step is to REALLY paint a picture (unlike Scully and Niehaus). Look around during the game and tell us everything!

Anyway...no more, "top three" okay?

Also...I'm anxious to see how it goes when there are "color guys" included in the broadcasts. I don't ever want to hear Ron Fairly or Mike Blowers but I definitely like hearing Dave Henderson, Griffey and Dan Wilson (among a few others). Don't ever let Griffey (Sr) on the air...ever! If you can get Alvin Davis...great! There are others but they never seem to make it on-air.

I listen to almost every Mariners' game on the radio (with limited TV coverage here) and don't mind spending my own (limited) funds to help the team. I just want to receive information during each broadcasted game in a professional manner.

So...Mr. Goldsmith...button up a few issues and you'll rise to the top. (Shit floats). Just kidding...the cream rises to the top, too.

New Mariners Announcer Guy

Okay...I've listened to a few pre-season games and, in general, I'm pleased with the new guy.

However, I must say, when I hear, "top six" instead of, "the the top of the sixth", I cringe and writhe in pain. Those "top six" and "bottom seven-type" terms make me feel like I'm in Southern California. (That's not a good place to be for a person in the Northwest. Really! Why shorten the term like that? It's not like there's such a limit on microphone time!) It's similar to calling I-5, "the five" and I-90, "the ninety". It's just plain wrong for this area!

Mr. New Announcer, please lose those terms now and remember you're in Washington...and we don't like anything to do with California!

I know I've commented on this before but even though it took me a long time to swaddle Rick Rizzs and even Dave Niehaus...they both grew on me. I just never EVER want to hear, "kerplunk" from Mr. Rizzs again.

I don't mind spending my money to support my local teams but it would be great if they supported us too.

As an aside, I was so ( ! ) distraught when Evening Magazine got rid of the local people that made me feel at home and hired that ass-wipe. I don't like him. I've seen him at events. He's an arrogant ass-wipe from Denver ( ? ) and I"d be happy to see him...gone. We have a unique place and culture here in the northwest and we should cherish it without diluting it all with ass-wipes from afar.

I'll get back to this. However, I have to go out and milk the yaks.

Fall City Bistro...OH!

Okay...while I really can't afford to eat out anywhere, any more...I forgot to mention...I'm told my grand daughter works there now! So for all those who can still afford to go out...I suggest going to the Fall City Bistro. My brief experience there was wonderful and I hope to enjoy it again. Also, sit in my grand daughter's section and tip her well! One would have to mention my last name (Walsh) to find her, eh?

Anyhow-way, the Fall City Bistro is many cuts above any other dining experience on the East Side. I only regret that my income dried up a few years too early, thereby preventing my own continuing continuous patronages! When they first arrived out here (in Fall City) and I realized what a gift it is to have such a wonderful place so near, I expected to be a "regular". Alas! These are tough times for some people (like me).

La Boheme, Seattle...my brief review

So...I brought one of my grand daughters to the performance. ( it was her first opera.)
She loved it!
On occasion, I'm a bit critical of the Seattle Opera...but not all that much.
(I loved the set!)
La Boheme, like all of Seattle Operas has a spectacular chorus. I'm standing beside myselves in amazement at the wonders of Beth Kirchhoff!
I can't find many faults with the entire production...although I can pick a few (one) minor nits...but I'll get back to that...
Anyway, Mr. Woodley is the best bass I have ever seen or heard. It was truly a pleasure and I feel honored to have been there. His voice was clear and strong...and carried! What a star!
Mimi and Musetta were both incredible and it was also an honor to be there to hear their voices.
The tiniest issue I have...and it's really tiny ( ! )...is the tenor. Don't get me wrong! His "Che Gelida Manina" really did bring tears to my eyes. It's just that I've heard Pavarotti so many times that I compare everyone to him. Of course, this is silly but he (Pavarotti) had a greater depth than Mr. Demuro. Again...don't get me wrong! I sit in the front row and have a very close connection to the sound. His Rodolfo was incredibly incredible throughout. (I remember being unable to even hear a "Nessun Dorma" at all, some years ago at Seattle Opera.)
Okay...since the only criticism I can come up with is that Francesco Demuro isn't Pavarotti...and since he brought me tears to my eyes anyway, anyway...I suppose this La Boheme thingy was (prolly) the best experience I ever experienced at Seattle Opera's, Seattle Opera, especially since it was the first experience my grand daughter had with real opera.
I feel blessed to have the continued opportunity to enjoy Seattle Opera.
In the end...La Boheme at Seattle Oprera was wonderful!
Okay...with all the people onstage, it was slightly confusing.
Anyhow-way...BRAVO!