We all know we SHOULD highlight the positive, diminish the negative, and we get more positive, right? Sure!
Yet, there are many times when I find myself blogging about a celebrity who caused a ruckus in a bar, or a DWI received by someone who's a household name, that sorta thing.
Well, this time? I get to blog about something positive.
AAA, the American Automobile Association, is offering free towing service for intoxicated drivers this July 4. On a holiday that's so associated with knocking back a few cold ones, it's so awesome to see AAA stepping up to be sure folks get home safe. Learn more at:
www.AAA.org
Thanks, AAA, for helping keep folks alive this summer season!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Siriusly Good Commercial
Any time I'm in my office working, my Sirius Radio is on in the background. Part of that is my obsession with news, part is my obsession with music, part of that is my obsession with finding relevant info to blog about.
Today, I heard a good PSA on underage drinking prevention. It dealt with only one thing: communicating with kids. Was it all that fantastic of a commercial? No, and it really doesn't have to be. It simply encouraged parents to keep open lines of communication with their kids, especially about drinking. Reminds me to do the same. Since I agree with the message, I'd like to share the link to the sponsoring org:
www.stopalcoholabuse.gov
Today, I heard a good PSA on underage drinking prevention. It dealt with only one thing: communicating with kids. Was it all that fantastic of a commercial? No, and it really doesn't have to be. It simply encouraged parents to keep open lines of communication with their kids, especially about drinking. Reminds me to do the same. Since I agree with the message, I'd like to share the link to the sponsoring org:
www.stopalcoholabuse.gov
Thursday, June 24, 2010
I'm Here
While I love working in the prevention arena and I love helping inspire intelligent choices, one of the other areas I'm passionate about is patient care. I figure when you've been through as much medical drama and trauma as I've endured, you've learned what makes up great patient care...and what just counts as medical treatment.
One week from today, Thursday, July 1, 2010, I'll be releasing my newest book, "I'm Here: Compassionate Communication In Patient Care."
While this is not specific to the prevention of drug, alcohol and DUI, the stories contained in "I'm Here" are a direct result of a drunk driver's actions. If you're in the field of health care, or you've just enjoyed "After This..." and "The Other End Of The Stethoscope", I hope you'll watch Facebook and Twitter for the release time. Also, we'll be having some giveaways and contests to hype the release...pay attention, you might just win!
One week from today, Thursday, July 1, 2010, I'll be releasing my newest book, "I'm Here: Compassionate Communication In Patient Care."
While this is not specific to the prevention of drug, alcohol and DUI, the stories contained in "I'm Here" are a direct result of a drunk driver's actions. If you're in the field of health care, or you've just enjoyed "After This..." and "The Other End Of The Stethoscope", I hope you'll watch Facebook and Twitter for the release time. Also, we'll be having some giveaways and contests to hype the release...pay attention, you might just win!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tipper Vs. Kid Vs. Marcus
When I was first getting into music, there seemed to be two camps: Tipper Gore/PMRC and real music lovers.
Tipper and the Parents Music Resource Group had the goal of censoring music, banning certain artists from being listened to by children and a whole slew of other agendas dealing with music. I, being a youngster (probably around 7th or 8th grade) hated Tipper Gore with every fiber of my Public Enemy loving heart. Why? B/c she was a person who wanted to take my music away from me. I loved my 2 Live Crew, NWA and Eazy E and all the shock of some of the hair bands who used shock to get the interest of kids. Granted, now that I remember some 2 Live Crew and Eazy E lyrics, I'm not so sure I'd want middle schoolers listening to it, either...but, these days, we have the internet to gang up on, not the artists.
If Kid Rock were around when I was in middle school, he'd have been one of my favs. Heck, as a 35 year old guy now, he's one of my favs (call it bringing out my redneck roots...a country boy funked up by growing up on gangsta rap)
I don't think there's anyone, even Kid Rock himself, who'd say his lyrics are family friendly. Heck, if Tipper Gore still wanted to ban music, it wouldn't be hard to figure out where she'd go first. Kid Rock's songs are full of references to drugs, alcohol, sex-name a "sin" and Kid probably has it covered lyrically. And did I mention I love his music? Hey, what can I say?
It's well known by anyone who listens to Kid's music for more than a few minutes that he promotes his persona as a big time party guy. You don't come up with lyrics like this without being a partier: "I'm in it to win it like Yzerman, I can drink about 15 Heineken...puffing the Winston, drinking the 40"
So, musically, I love to crank up Kid while I'm working out. I, however, don't really want my young neices and nephews listening to him.
Last week, Kid Rock hosted the CMT awards. When he performed, he glossed over some of his more offensive lyrics. This is national television and Kid is far too smart of a professional performer to want to get in bad with the FCC. So, where's my issue?
The folks at CMT included a skit or two in the awards show. One, in particular, made me a little disgusted. It showed Kid, several country musicians and even Paula Dean all in a back room drinking and partying. The "reporter" in the skit stumbles upon this room of partiers and gently confronts Kid saying stuff like, "Kid Rock! I thought you were going to wait until after the awards show to start partying." To which he replies, "Yeah, I don't know...I'm drunk."The reporter then goes to talk to Paula Dean and the country artists (also drinking it up) and asks them, "Oh my! Paula Dean...I didn't expect YOU, of all people, to be in here, too!"
Honestly, the acting in this skit was embarrassing. And what does Paula Dean have to do with music, anyway? Yet, here's my thing...
This is Kid Rock's persona. We all know it. Still,someone at CMT had to think this skit was a good idea, write it, secure "actors" for it, a location AND choose to include it in a family friendly awards show. That adds up to a whole lot of people making a whole lot of choices without thinking through how this is going to be perceived.
Kid Rock is just being Kid Rock. I think the "I'm Drunk" comment could have been ad libbed. If so, that was unnecessary on this awards show. Still, he's just doing what he does. The real morons are those at CMT that allowed this skit to go on, glamorizing drinking and drunkenness to families across the country. For country music having such conservative roots and morals, someone at CMT dropped the ball on this one.
Kinda makes me long for the days of Tipper Gore when she'd have called the CMT execs on the carpet for this showing
Tipper and the Parents Music Resource Group had the goal of censoring music, banning certain artists from being listened to by children and a whole slew of other agendas dealing with music. I, being a youngster (probably around 7th or 8th grade) hated Tipper Gore with every fiber of my Public Enemy loving heart. Why? B/c she was a person who wanted to take my music away from me. I loved my 2 Live Crew, NWA and Eazy E and all the shock of some of the hair bands who used shock to get the interest of kids. Granted, now that I remember some 2 Live Crew and Eazy E lyrics, I'm not so sure I'd want middle schoolers listening to it, either...but, these days, we have the internet to gang up on, not the artists.
If Kid Rock were around when I was in middle school, he'd have been one of my favs. Heck, as a 35 year old guy now, he's one of my favs (call it bringing out my redneck roots...a country boy funked up by growing up on gangsta rap)
I don't think there's anyone, even Kid Rock himself, who'd say his lyrics are family friendly. Heck, if Tipper Gore still wanted to ban music, it wouldn't be hard to figure out where she'd go first. Kid Rock's songs are full of references to drugs, alcohol, sex-name a "sin" and Kid probably has it covered lyrically. And did I mention I love his music? Hey, what can I say?
It's well known by anyone who listens to Kid's music for more than a few minutes that he promotes his persona as a big time party guy. You don't come up with lyrics like this without being a partier: "I'm in it to win it like Yzerman, I can drink about 15 Heineken...puffing the Winston, drinking the 40"
So, musically, I love to crank up Kid while I'm working out. I, however, don't really want my young neices and nephews listening to him.
Last week, Kid Rock hosted the CMT awards. When he performed, he glossed over some of his more offensive lyrics. This is national television and Kid is far too smart of a professional performer to want to get in bad with the FCC. So, where's my issue?
The folks at CMT included a skit or two in the awards show. One, in particular, made me a little disgusted. It showed Kid, several country musicians and even Paula Dean all in a back room drinking and partying. The "reporter" in the skit stumbles upon this room of partiers and gently confronts Kid saying stuff like, "Kid Rock! I thought you were going to wait until after the awards show to start partying." To which he replies, "Yeah, I don't know...I'm drunk."The reporter then goes to talk to Paula Dean and the country artists (also drinking it up) and asks them, "Oh my! Paula Dean...I didn't expect YOU, of all people, to be in here, too!"
Honestly, the acting in this skit was embarrassing. And what does Paula Dean have to do with music, anyway? Yet, here's my thing...
This is Kid Rock's persona. We all know it. Still,someone at CMT had to think this skit was a good idea, write it, secure "actors" for it, a location AND choose to include it in a family friendly awards show. That adds up to a whole lot of people making a whole lot of choices without thinking through how this is going to be perceived.
Kid Rock is just being Kid Rock. I think the "I'm Drunk" comment could have been ad libbed. If so, that was unnecessary on this awards show. Still, he's just doing what he does. The real morons are those at CMT that allowed this skit to go on, glamorizing drinking and drunkenness to families across the country. For country music having such conservative roots and morals, someone at CMT dropped the ball on this one.
Kinda makes me long for the days of Tipper Gore when she'd have called the CMT execs on the carpet for this showing
Friday, March 12, 2010
Elon University
On Tuesday, March 9, I was honored to be the keynote speaker at Elon University. This program was sponsored by Elon's Safe Rides program, a system of transporting Elon students safely around the area. Whether the student is intoxicated, fearful for their safety or it's just too cold out, Safe Rides is there to help keep Elon students safe.
A huge thanks goes to Elon's own Nicole Parker, Pope, Kimberly, the SPARKS(s), and everyone who made my time in NC so memorable! Gotta say, hitting some North Carolina BBQ didn't hurt my feelings, either!
Also want to thank the brothers of the Lambda Lambda chapter of Kappa Sigma for helping provide transportation on Tuesday. Was great to get to know the brothers of the Lambda Lambda chapter. The chapter also showed up in full force to support my program – and that's showing a brother some love!
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Drop
If you've read "After This..." or "The Other End Of The Stethoscope", you may also been one of the tens of thousands who've said, "This story should be a movie!"
Well, you get your wish!
We've just released a short film entitled, "The Drop." This short film follows yours truly from his freshman year of college, through the crash that blinded and disfigured me, and into the rehabilitation process that had to be necessary before returning to college. The official site for the movie is:
www.TheDropMovie.com
As with almost any film project, there was film left all over the floor of the editing room. I hate that. We had so, SO much more that just wouldn't fit into the seven minute time limitation.
Specifically, "The Drop" doesn't mention that this crash was caused by an intoxicated driver. Was it in the screenplay? Absolutely. Did we film the scene where the Marcus character is told he's blind due to an unsafe choice by a third party? Yep...but did it get in the movie? Unfortunately, no.
Yet, if you want to see an inspiring tale of overcoming tremendous obstacles, I hope you'll watch the film at:
www.TheDropMovie.com
And, if you'd like to help us out, I'll tell ya how...
See, the seven minute time frame is due to the fact we wanted to enter "The Drop" into a certain short film contest. That contest is sponsored by:
www.TheDoorpost.com
If you go to www.TheDoorpost.com and search for "The Drop", it'll show you the method for voting and viewing. The more views, the more votes. The more votes, the closer we are to having a full length feature with a strong anti-DWI component.
Personally, I'd like to see this sort of story become so commonplace that it's referred to in the anti-DWI world. And if you'd like to help, we'd be really, really appreciative!
Well, you get your wish!
We've just released a short film entitled, "The Drop." This short film follows yours truly from his freshman year of college, through the crash that blinded and disfigured me, and into the rehabilitation process that had to be necessary before returning to college. The official site for the movie is:
www.TheDropMovie.com
As with almost any film project, there was film left all over the floor of the editing room. I hate that. We had so, SO much more that just wouldn't fit into the seven minute time limitation.
Specifically, "The Drop" doesn't mention that this crash was caused by an intoxicated driver. Was it in the screenplay? Absolutely. Did we film the scene where the Marcus character is told he's blind due to an unsafe choice by a third party? Yep...but did it get in the movie? Unfortunately, no.
Yet, if you want to see an inspiring tale of overcoming tremendous obstacles, I hope you'll watch the film at:
www.TheDropMovie.com
And, if you'd like to help us out, I'll tell ya how...
See, the seven minute time frame is due to the fact we wanted to enter "The Drop" into a certain short film contest. That contest is sponsored by:
www.TheDoorpost.com
If you go to www.TheDoorpost.com and search for "The Drop", it'll show you the method for voting and viewing. The more views, the more votes. The more votes, the closer we are to having a full length feature with a strong anti-DWI component.
Personally, I'd like to see this sort of story become so commonplace that it's referred to in the anti-DWI world. And if you'd like to help, we'd be really, really appreciative!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Pure Energy...Or Pure Stupidity?
While sucking down my morning java, I was flipping around the Sunday morning news shows. I came across a very well known physician who is often seen on these sorts of talk shows.
One of his commentaries was about the consumption of energy drinks while consuming alcohol. Paraphrasing here, but the spirit of the doc's position was this:
"If you're going out to have drinks, don't consume energy drinks. They mask the effects of the alcohol."
Um, isn't that precisely why people DO drink energy drinks?
Whether it's mixing energy drinks with booze to create a cocktail that won't knock you out, or slugging down an energy drink at the beginning of the night, this is precisely why people do consume these things! And why? Because going out on the town, dancing, drinking, socializing, flirting...they're all fun. And when alcohol may make a drinker sleepy or groggy, why wouldn't he/she want to suck down some energy so as to continue the night?
Back in the day, people used to think that, if they were drunk and had to drive home, a cup or two of coffee would help sober them up. We now know that this is simply not true. It may keep the person more alert and less likely to nod off, but it does not diminish the level of intoxication. Only time can do that.
Whether it's energy drinks or a cup of coffee or whatever, these news studies don't really tell us anything we didn't already know. And as always, it's personal responsibility and having a plan that'll truly keep you safe when you're out on the town. Be careful, folks!
One of his commentaries was about the consumption of energy drinks while consuming alcohol. Paraphrasing here, but the spirit of the doc's position was this:
"If you're going out to have drinks, don't consume energy drinks. They mask the effects of the alcohol."
Um, isn't that precisely why people DO drink energy drinks?
Whether it's mixing energy drinks with booze to create a cocktail that won't knock you out, or slugging down an energy drink at the beginning of the night, this is precisely why people do consume these things! And why? Because going out on the town, dancing, drinking, socializing, flirting...they're all fun. And when alcohol may make a drinker sleepy or groggy, why wouldn't he/she want to suck down some energy so as to continue the night?
Back in the day, people used to think that, if they were drunk and had to drive home, a cup or two of coffee would help sober them up. We now know that this is simply not true. It may keep the person more alert and less likely to nod off, but it does not diminish the level of intoxication. Only time can do that.
Whether it's energy drinks or a cup of coffee or whatever, these news studies don't really tell us anything we didn't already know. And as always, it's personal responsibility and having a plan that'll truly keep you safe when you're out on the town. Be careful, folks!
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