Arena update

I stopped by old town the other day and snapped this photo of Intrust Arena. It's starting to take shape now. I am so excited for it to open. It will be very nice to have something new around here. The Kansas Coliseum is a dump! I will keep everyone updated with photos on the blog. Bye now.

End of the season

Well, it's time to hang up the "58" jersey for awhile. My hockey team lost tonight 5-1 and ended our fall-winter hockey season. It was an interesting season. We changed names half way through the season and had our lone win of the season last week. The team is playing in a tournament in Kansas City in a few weeks, but I can't afford to make the trip. I am planning on playing with the team this summer and possibly in the Wichita River Festival tournament in May. It was a fun season. it made me realize how fat and out of shape I am. I hope to get into shape one of these years. I can tell you now that I am not planning on going to my 20th High School Reunion in July. I am a fatty and I would be embarrassed to be seen like this. I am amazed that Kristi and the kids can even stand it. I am not feeling sorry for myself. I am telling the truth. Well, I better get off the blog and eat another french fry. LOL!

FINAL FOUR BABY!!!

Let the week of hype begin. Thanks to a 59-57 Kansas University victory over Davidson Sunday in Detroit which was sweated out until the closing moments, the matchup everyone has been waiting for is set. Bill Self and Kansas will take on Roy Williams and North Carolina next Saturday in San Antonio, as Sunday’s victory propelled the Jayhawks to their first Final Four appearance since 2003. It also sets a Final Four field consisting of four No. 1 seeds for the first time since the field expanded to 64 teams 19 years ago.
This game scared the crap out of me! I hope that they beat Williams. That would be wonderful. Go Hawks Go!

Lost nugget from our ticket giveaway this weekend

I was getting videos ready for our station website www.kfdi.com and came across this video above. It's a KFDI fan that was the first in line for tickets to the KFDI Listener Appreciation Show. She went on to tell me off camera all about her personal life. Her ex-husband even brought her by a hot drink to stay warm. She told me that he also gives her money when she needs it. She was interesting to say the least. Watch the video to have your own opinion.

Kansas in the Elite 8.

The Kansas Jayhawks are in the "Elite 8." They play Davidson Sunday afternoon. Davidson has been the "Cinderella" team this year. I hope those glass slippers break today. This is the 20th Anniversary of KU winning it all and I am hoping that they can do it again. Go Hawks!

How to kill time. "Man Sandwich!"

It was a very busy day on Saturday. KFDI had a chance for listeners to be the first to get tickets to our Rodney Atkins concert at the "KFDI Listener Appreciate Show" on April 26th. There were hundreds and hundreds of people in the line waiting for the tickets to be released. We were there early in the morning getting ready for the event. We had a little down time here and there and came up with a new game. It's called "Man Sandwich." Scary name? I guess it could be, but what we would do is come up with a code word and then surprise someone. Above is the video of my assistant, Mike Clopton, intern, Simon Sumner and myself giving my assistant, Jeremy Stover (from Rifle, Colorado) a "Man Sandwich." He didn't see it coming. It was pretty funny.

Hanging at Charles Koch Arena

The Harlem Globetrotters were in town on Thursday night. We took the kids, but didn't make it all the way through. Destiny slept the entire time and was getting heavy on Kristi's arm and Zach was on a sugar high, or something. He was being a brat. We had to leave early. The kids were able to hook up for a couple minutes with the Grandpa. Dad was at the game with his little brother. I think they stayed for the game. Something tells me that the Globetrotters beat the Washington Generals, since the Generals haven't beat the Globetrotters in four decades.
It was a fun night, but very hectic.

Tulsa company signs deal to buy Wild West World

Wild West World is back.
Spectacular Attractions, doing business as Tulsa-based Murphy Brothers Exposition, has signed a $2 million contract to buy Thomas Etheredge's failed $30 million theme park out of bankruptcy, the first step in a plan to open the park later this year.

Final details were worked out within the hour, sources close to the bankruptcy said, and a motion to sell the park will be filed today with U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Bob Nugent in Wichita. Further details on the park's re-opening are pending.

The sale is scheduled to close May 31, although other bidders will have until May 8 to top the Tulsa group's offer.

The park purchase, along with $4.2 million for 35 rides to re-open the park, will be financed by industrial revenue bonds from the city of Park City. This announcement accomplishes the city's primary goal of getting the park up and running, officials said.

Murphy Brothers operates several mobile carnival rides at state fairs around the Midwest, most notably the Tulsa State Fair. The company is not involved in the annual Kansas State Fair.

Kids at Cirque du Soleil

We took the kids to Cirque du Soliel at the Kansas Coliseum on Wednesday night. The station was a the sponsor for the evening. It was awesome! The kids loved it, too. They weren't real sure about the clowns on stilts, though. Check out the video above.

Kory the Easter Thief!

We had Easter at the house on Sunday. Here's video of the festivities. Watch Kory steal money from an Easter Egg. He did pay up, though. That's good. It's pretty funny! Push the play (arrow) button above to watch the video.

How sweet it is!

The Kansas Jayhawks are moving on to the Sweet 16! They beat UNLV 75-56 on Saturday night in Omaha! Go Hawks Go!

Season is over.

I snapped this photo Saturday night from my perch at the top of the Kansas Coliseum. It's the Thunder and Tulsa Oilers wishing each other a early trip to the golf course or back to work in Canada. The Thunder wore their "WT" jerseys. I like to refer to them as the "White Trash" jerseys. I am sure that they caught a lot of that when they wore them on the road this season. I like the jerseys personally. I would like one for myself. Well, I guess it's time for the NHL full time now. Go Av's!

Bye Bye to this view till October

This is the view from wear I do the music at the Wichita Thunder hockey games. I love the view and wanted to share it with you. You can see all the plays develop from this view. I love it. I am actually at the game doing this blog. It's 4-2 Wichita in the 2nd Intermission. I am using the Coliseum's wireless internet. Gotta love technology!

A view from the top

Tonight is the final game of the Wichita Thunder's hockey season. They can only dream of making the playoffs. It's also my last game of the season playing the music for the crowd. I dropped the kids off at mom and dad's tonight. They are watching the kids while I work this game. I got here a few minutes early tonight and decided to go up on the catwalk at the Kansas Coliseum and take a picture of center ice some 50+ feet below me. I think the picture is pretty cool. Heights don't scare me too much. The only things that scare me are the IRS and my ex mother-in-law! Just teasin! The IRS isn't that bad. I know. It's a joke! I am not scared of her. Just kidding!

March 22nd - Happy Birthday Ally

Saturday is Ally's 12th Birthday. She has a busy weekend planned. She is going to celebrate her B-day/Easter weekend with both us and her father's family. Here is a picture from awhile back when Ally was skating at the Wichita Ice Center. Happy Birthday Ally!

Bad news for Broncos fans. Jason Elam is gone.

This just in. The Atlanta Falcons have signed Denver Broncos kicker Jason Elam. Elam played 15 seasons for the Broncos. I met him a couple of times and he was a very nice guy. You can get more information on this at the following link:

http://www.nfl.com/freeagency/story?id=09000d5d80757ec3&template=without-video&confirm=true

Future Hawk?

Here's a picture of Zach Friday afternoon. He was playing basketball out in the driveway. He's sporting the crimson and blue for KU! The kids are wearing KU stuff this weekend to support the Jayhawks in the NCAA tournament. Go Hawks!

Watch your feet while shopping at Towne West

I stopped by Towne West mall this morning and almost stepped on this when I got out of the car. Yeah. It's a syringe. That's pretty sick. I don't want to even think about who's used this. Nasty!

K-State has first NCAA Tournament win in 20 years. Yawn.

The Kansas State Wildcats are #11 Seeds in the Midwest Region (the same region as Kansas). K-State played USC on Friday evening and ended up beating them 80-67. It was their first win in 20 years in the tournament. Michael Beasley (#30) is really good! This kid is just a freshman and has a great chance at being the NCAA Player of the Year. I would love to see them and Kansas play one another in the tournament. One thing though. KSU has no sign of black in their logo. Why the black uniforms? I hate it when teams do that! Oh wait, I don't like K-State either! Why does it matter?

No play time in Arkansas

I got this picture e-mailed to me from Kristi's cousin, Dwana. There is a lot of water near her home in Arkansas. Here is a picture of a playground under water. The area from Arkansas to Ohio is having a lot of flooding right now with melting slow and lots of rain. I am not sure how close the waters are to Dwana's house. My wife hasn't let me know when we can get down there. I yet to meet the Morrison crew in Arkansas. Maybe she's keeping from them? LOL! Thanks for the pictures, Dwana. Talk to you soon.

Another Hubbard on National T.V.

Jeremy Hubbard made his debut on ABC full time from New York this week. He is not the only Hubbard to make it on the tube. I snapped this picture from the TV on Thursday night. The show "American Chopper" was in Wichita back in January. You can find that back in the blog archives. The episode from their Wichita trip was on TLC Thursday night. I was on there a few times. Here's a picture of me and Paul Jr. The TV does add a couple hundred pounds! :)

One down! Five to Go!!! KU wins big 85-61!

Paced by Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush - who brought their offense from the tail end of last weekend's Big 12 Tournament to Omaha with them - KU crushed Portland State 85-61 Thursday morning, advancing to Saturday's second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Jayhawks will get the winner of the Kent State-UNLV contest, set to take place right after this morning's game, in the Qwest Center Saturday evening at around 6:00 p.m. Brandon Rush led KU with 18 points, scoring 15 of those in the first half on 3-of-6 three-point shooting. Darrell Arthur was consistent on the offensive end from start to finish, scoring 17, while Mario Chalmers added 16.
KU was 12-of-26 from three-point range, while holding Portland State's leading scorer, Jeremiah Dominguez, to 13 points on a frustrating morning.

They let anyone on the ice!

Here's a picture of my brother-in-law Kory, my niece, Brittney and me after the Thunder game on Sunday night. They have a public skate with the players after the games on Sunday's. This was the last Sunday game of the season. The Thunder season comes to an end on Saturday night. They can only dream about the playoffs. Maybe next year.

Arkansas under water

I got a few pictures from Kristi's cousin, Dwana e-mailed to me. There has been some flooding on Highway 74 in Arkansas near there house. Here's one of the pictures that she sent. I don't know if I put it up because of the flooding, or the fact that there is trees and hills. Ah. I miss hills, mountains and water. Dad, why did you have to take that job in Garden City years ago??? Just teasing. I wouldn't have met the wonderful people that I have in my life if you hadn't have taken the job. But still! Why? LOL!

Kansas wins Big 12!!!

The Kansas Jayhawks are Champs of the Big 12! They beat Texas 84-74 on Sunday. They are also a #1 Seed in the NCAA Tournament. Their first game is this week from the Midwest Regional in Omaha. They will play Portland State. That team has Kansas connections. Two of the starters on that team are graduates of Wichita Southeast High School.
I think that the Hawks are peaking at the right time. It would be so awesome if they can win it all on the 20th Anniversary of their championship. I remember that like it was yesterday. I was on Spring break in 1988. I rode the train to Missouri and spent the break with my friend, Mark Dinwiddie. I remember riding the train through Lawrence the morning after they won the game and all the excitement. It was very cool. I love Lawrence. That is such a great town. I miss living there.

Jeremy's debut from New York City

I was sleeping early this morning. At 4:02 a.m. my phone rings. It's a text message from my friend Chris. The messages says "Jeremy is on TV right now." He was in Woodward, Oklahoma at his hotel. He has work to do in Oklahoma and was getting up early to drive to Oklahoma City. He was watching the news and realized that Jeremy was on TV. I have a bad habit of not being able to go back to sleep once I have been woken up. I hate it. So, I called Chris back and we talked for about 30 minutes. I was watching Jeremy at the same time.
I have set my DVR to record "World News Now" and "ABC This Morning" each weekday. I appreciate Chris calling, but I also appreciate and need my beauty sleep. I thought that it was cool that he called, though.
Jeremy, you are doing awesome! Keep up the great work, bub!

They Have Arrived!

Jeremy and Taunia have made it to New York City. I spoke with him a few times along the way. He called me from Sanduski, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I finally got a call from him Sunday with the news that they made it to NYC. I snapped this photo at Dillard's. I thought that it was fitting. Best of luck guys. Love you.

Special guest at the station today

Country star Miranda Lambert came by the station today. She is in town for a concert tonight. I met her at the Country Music Awards back in November in Nashville. She is very nice. She is dating Blake Shelton. He is a very cool guy. You can find out more on Miranda at www.mirandalambert.com.

Look Out! It's the Parkridge Street Stinkers!!!

Here's a picture of Madison, Zach, Tiana and Austin playing a little Hubbard-Nice Garage Hockey. They took time away from their game to pose for this picture. It's a nice spring day and it's lighter later, so they wanted to open the garage door and go at it. They are sporting their free Thunder jerseys from last night's hockey game. The Thunder lost 6-0. They are the real stinkers!
A little side note. The kids would've had a different look on their faces if I had taken this 30 minutes earlier. I went out to the garage and noticed that they were using my good hockey sticks and I was not happy. One stick was a Christmas present from Kristi and it wasn't super cheap. They did tear up the other stick, which is also pretty nice. I whined for a little bit, re-taped the sticks and then everything was back to normal. As normal as it can be here. :)

R.I.P. Cleo

GODDARD - Holdeman, Cleo Ann (recently of Goddard), after 73 years, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus at 3:00 am on March 9. Cleo was born in Hutchinson June 6, 1934 and enjoyed a brief career performing as a roller skater in the Wichita area before marrying Willis D. "Chuck" Holdeman (who had just been discharged from the Marine Corps). They were wed in El Dorado, December 15, 1951. Cleo became a licensed cosmetologist and operated her own beauty salon out of her home (so that she could be mother to her four children). Her career outside the home included Cessna and food service. Cleo is survived by her devoted husband, Chuck; her brother, James T. Rackley of Stanton, CA; two sons, Thomas (Wanda) and Bradford (Carolyn); two daughters, Margie (Ray) and Jamie (James); five grandchildren, Kristie (Timothy), Andrew (Noelle), Misty (Scott), Michelle and Jennifer; six great grandchildren who lovingly call her "Nana", Kinsey, Emma, Haylie, Mattie, Timothy James (T.J.), and Ava and one on the way. Visitation will be Thursday 6:00 to 8:00 pm and funeral service will be 10:00 am, Friday March 14 both at Resthaven Mortuary.

Looking forward to spring

Daylight savings time is here. I am very excited for spring. I usually love winter, but I am getting tired of it this year. My mom sent me an e-mail about Kansas winds and it had this picture. The e-mail had it motion and it was hilarious. It had the power pole jumping rope with the power lines. Well, I hope that you set your clocks forward and you are ready for spring. I know that I am.

Bad Hair Day?

Good morning, Destiny! We all woke up this morning to prepare for a day of activities. Zach got up right away to play video games. Austin was playing with his PSP and Maddie and T.T. are watching T.V. Destiny was with mom getting her hair down (or up), so she can wash it and braid it again. Man! That kid has some hair! I snapped this photo of her this morning. I wanted to share it with you. Dad. This is what hair looks like. Just teasing! :)

A long day (and night) in the books

Thursday was a very busy day. KFDI had a big concert at the Kansas Coliseum. Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood had a Sold Out show. We were out there early in the day to set up outside. We wanted to make sure that the station kicked all the other's butt's out there. We did. It was great. The show was awesome, too! I was able to enjoy the show and sit by my wife. I think that was the most time that her and I have been able to spend together in some time. It was very nice. I finally got home and in bed about 1 a.m. It was a long day and night, but it's my job. Above is a picture of Keith Urban at the show.

Happy Birthday Uncle Ken!

I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to my Uncle Ken Collins. Here's a picture of Ken thinking about something. I think he's probably looking over towards the backyard where his sons and nephews where running around without any clothes on back on a late summer's evening in the early 80's. I wonder who that was that did that? :) Happy Birthday Uncle Ken. Love ya!

Fatty in Action!

I am trying to go from "King of the Buffet" to "King of the Rink!" I have a LONG road ahead of me. LOL! Here's a picture that my friend Darren took of our game last night. I am scrambling to get to the puck. Man! I am so out of shape. I was breathing very heavily throughout the game. I have finally decided to start working out and not eating as much as I have been. I am dancing around 255-260 pounds. 260 is the most that I have ever weighed and I lost 90 pounds after hitting that. I am going to do it again. I have to. I don't wanna die young. Well, that's enough of my "I am fat and need to get a life" speech. Have a nice evening.

End of an era

I have been playing hockey for a few years now. I took off a couple of years when I moved to Missouri and went through my divorce. I just started back last fall to try and get back into shape and to take out frustration. I have always worn a jersey with the number "7" on it all the years I have played. I have used that number, because of John Elway, of course. Gotta love that #7! Well, that has all changed. Our team, the Lucky 7's had a lot of issues half way through the season and about half of the team was asked to leave. I was not involved with any of that drama. I don't have the time and didn't care. I just wanted to play and try to lose weight.
The team changed it's name from the Lucky 7's to the IceAssins (that's how they spell it). I know. I had nothing to do with that, either. The team got new jerseys with the new name. They are very basic jerseys, which is fine with me. They didn't cost us anything. Anyway, my new number is "58." They gave me the jersey with "7" on it, but it didn't fit. Yep, I am officially a fatty and have to wear a bigger sized jersey with another number. So, until I can lose some weight, it's #58! Oh, and to add to the "F.A." stuff. I was in a game a couple of weeks ago and made a sweet pass to one of our guys, who went on to score a goal. After we scored, a player for the other team skated by me and said "Nice Pass Fat Ass!" I laughed. Hey! It's the truth! I told some co-workers, so when someone does something good at work we just say "N.P.F.A.!" People are starting to ask what that stands for, and we just laugh it off. So, until I drop some pounds I will be wearing #58 and the title "F.A.!"

Move Over Harry Potter!

Kristi took this picture of Destiny at Price Optical on Saturday. We were there to pick out glasses for Austin. Do you like this look? Pretty interesting. I hope that she never needs glasses! LOL!