April Foolin’

In general I'm not big into April Fool's Day.  Those that know me pretty well are usually surprised to hear that.  I tend to be a fun-loving guy who likes to laugh a lot.  I guess it can be surprising when I say that I have a tough time coming up with April Fool's pranks, or jokes, that are good.

Sure, stoopid April Fool's jokes are a dime a dozen.  Usually it's based on a lie that isn't hard to detect as a lie.  Everyone has an uncomfortable laugh and then gets on with the day.  Worse yet is a made up tragic story that causes wailing and sobbing only to be replaced by fists flying when the truth is revealed.

However, I do have one story of a joke that I actually planned out and pulled off that wasn't half bad.  This is that story.

It was years ago in Roswell, New Mexico.  I was the main Weather Anchor on the 6:00 and 10:00 news on KBIM-TV.  I brought my son and daughter to work with me on April Fool's Eve along with the suit and tie that I was going to wear the next night.  I used a photog to shoot the video.  By the 6:00 o'clock news on April Fool's night, I was ready.  I instructed my director to mess with the clipping on the weather wall shortly after I started my weather and then roll tape once I walked off camera.  It worked brilliantly.  Here's what the viewer saw that night in 1993: 

We came out of the commercial and I got 10 or 15 seconds into the weathercast when I started to fade in and out on the air.  I turned to the camera said, "something's not right, I'm gonna go check this out."  I then walked off camera and out the studio door with the camera following behind.  I walked into the control room and up to the "director" and it was my 4 year old son and 10 year old daughter.  My son had the headsets on and my daughter was at the controls of the switcher.  I looked at 'em and said, "I know it's your first time directing and all, but can you please try and get it right?"  They said in unison, "OK Dad.  NOT!"

I then walked back into the studio shaking my head and went on with the weather.

Fun times!  Great team work between a news photog, director, tape op and my kids.  My only regret is I didn't save a copy.

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my brother Chris!  Seriously.

Snowkids

Taken in Roswell, New Mexico in late 1992 (I think). The kids came over to my small place on Kentucky Ave. and we made a snowman. Michael’s mittens got soaked and he managed without them after that. Great job kids!

Spaghetti

I remember being a kid and going to visit Grandma and Grandpa and looking forward to a great big plate of spaghetti! Grandma’s sauce was the best! After all, she was born in Sicily and made the sauce her whole life.

As I grew older, I realized I wanted to learn how to make the sauce my own self. I asked Grandma for the recipe. Not only did she provide the recipe, but actual one on one instruction on some of the finer points. I think I was 21 or 22 when I really started making the sauce on a regular basis. I remember once having a party and making two or three batches for everyone. Of course, when I got married, it was something I made for the family regularly. After my divorce I made the sauce often when Michael would spend the night or the weekend. One time he gave me the best compliment ever.

“Hey Dad, you should open a restaurant.”

“I only know how to make four things.” I said.

“Yeah, but they are all good!”

After my divorce, my ex-wife once said, “Your sauce is the only thing I miss about you!” She was joking… I think :-)

Michael gets upset when I share the recipe. Last night I was over at friends and brought the sauce. My friend Matt was very kind and said nice things about the sauce. His wife Mary and our Pastors wife wanted the recipe, so of course I passed it on. Don’t tell Michael!

I’ve taught my daughter Amber how to make it. Michael has the recipe as well. The sauce lives on!

I guess next time it’s time to make the meatballs. Those are awfully good too!