Final thoughts on 2008.
I get the overwhelming feeling that more than any other year in recent memory, we all seem to be glad the last one is over!
So much going on in '08 dramatically changing our lives for better and for worse. Financial industry meltdown, economic bailouts, shoes being thrown at presidents, attacks in Mumbai, just to name a few lowlights. The sobering reality that the world's financial problems will continue, no matter what the calendar says, underscored by the highlight of the year '08 in America...CHANGE!
The election of Barack Obama is at the top of the great moments of 2008 for me. Before I became a displaced talk show host, I spent a great deal of the last two years talking about the 2008 Presidential election on my show. In my roughly 20 years of radio, it was the first election I publicly endorsed a candidate...and I picked the right guy, too!
Around 12:15pm, November 4th was the best of times, and the worst of times for me. I was preparing to stand in line for what ended up being roughly an hour, (Longest line ever for me.) to get my vote on. That hour, emersed me into reflection, because roughly 26 hours earlier, with a format flip on my station, I lost my job.
I thought about suddenly not being able to have a voice to discuss this historic moment we were experiencing, and how quickly it was taken away. I knew there was a domino effect too, making radio in Baltimore even less diverse than it unfortunately already is.
Of course I was thinking what's next, waiting for the reality to really set in...come on optimism, time to kick into high gear! Let's just say it was a tough day.
The skinny-legged kid won the election. I felt he would from the beginning. And I don't know about you, but to me this feels like the longest transition period ever! Let's go already! Turns out I still do have a voice, and my optimism has been tested many times before now.
I'm still standing, and so are you.
2008 is only a memory...time for us all to go out and make a little history!
Comments
Here here Troy!
I think 2008 was a trying time, and a testament to the strength and resilience of we, as a people. Americans came out in record numbers and made a change. Many of us had our children with us to witness history in the making. And I have never been more optimistic about the possibilities our future holds.
You are right sir. No more excuses. Each of us has a responsibility to make our mark. 2009? The year of no more excuses! No resolutions. Get up and do it!
Posted by: Helen | January 2, 2009 1:58 AM
....And you Troy and Marc shall get that voice back. God always has the right time. Both of you are super dynamic guys that mentored some of us in launching our careers....like me. I would not be a big music reporter today without calling into your WERQ show in 2002-2003 while I was in broadcasting school. Remember how I jacked the show after award shows the next day and did your "entertainment report?" Thanks for the memories and chance you gave me, Marc and Troy...and Marva wherever she is....
Wishing you a prosperous 2009!
You Go Kemi...International Star...we are proud of you!
Marc
Posted by: Kemi in Toronto, Canada | January 2, 2009 2:08 AM
Wonderfully said.
There is no exemption from life's challenges. I feel like 2008 was my "challenging" year. There are always going to be times when we lose our optimism, but we have to remember to pull ourselves out the pit that we are in because you will only stay in it as long as you allow yourself to and know that something better is going to come.
Posted by: Chelsey | January 2, 2009 8:41 PM
Troy, `68 was pretty bad, too. I'm a little older than you, so I remember everything that went down when I was 13 years-old.
Godspeed, Barry O'Bomber!! A guy with a brain will be in the White House. How'd that happen?
Posted by: Steve Larson | January 5, 2009 9:06 AM