tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61001474523950876132024-03-05T22:57:10.746-06:00On Eagle's WingsThe non-political blog of Mike Ferguson. Faith, Family, Fitness and Finances...among other elements of real life.Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-16513853952917759602013-05-12T12:55:00.002-05:002013-05-12T12:55:59.879-05:00THAT was unexpected!Hi everyone,<br />
<br />
I just want to leave a quick note to say thank you to everyone who read, posted, shared and otherwise spread my last blog post around the web.<br />
<br />
I wrote that piece late on a Friday night and went to bed just felling a little better that I got some concerns off my chest. While I'm used to thousands of people listening to me on the radio and watching me on television, I was not expecting the response that article received.<br />
<br />
When I woke up on Saturday, there were several hundred views already. My midday, there were about 3,000 views. That's just the number of people who clicked on my blog. My understanding is that the article was copied and pasted on other blogs and websites and I received some notes that told me some talk radio stations (both online and over-the-air) read the article on the air.<br />
<br />
Within a week or so, there were over 23,000 views on my blog page.<br />
<br />
Many of you agree with my take on the whole situation, some disagree. Either way, thank you for viewing it and thank you to everyone who left comments.<br />
<br />
I guess my late-night writing session contributed something, in some small way, to a discussion I think America needs to have about personal rights and personal privacy.<br />
<br />
This blog is usually not political. Then again, I don't think my post was political. It was designed to encourage us all to look at our culture. What do we value? Can there be a balance between safety/security and our God-given, natural rights as enumerated in the Constitution?<br />
<br />
That's the discussion I wish we had in a more robust way these days.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the typical blog post here gets a couple hundred views so seeing nearly 24,000 has been an amazing thing to see.<br />
<br />
I'll try to blog more often, although the things on my mind aren't always this controversial.<br />
<br />
Again, thank you all for reading, sharing, agreeing or disagreeing as part of the life cycle of this article.<br />
<br />
MikeMike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-57444811156080070872013-04-19T23:20:00.000-05:002013-04-20T00:18:25.807-05:00About that Boston thing: America, I have some questions.<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This may tick off some folks. If that's you, I don't
apologize but feel free to write your disagreement in the comments. As long as
they aren't vulgar or threatening, I'll leave them in place because I'm a grown
up and can handle criticism.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I've been in the media for many years now. Most of that time
has been spent on the news side of the business. I've been a reporter, an
anchor, a host and an interviewer. I've been in politics from time to time but got
out of activism a few years ago. Since then, I've avoided making political
comments on Facebook or Twitter and hope this isn't considered a political
statement. It's designed to be something about culture.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the news business, we often brag about our role that
demands we ask the tough questions of those in charge. There's quite a bit of
self-importance felt in newsrooms, to be honest. That's because we feel we're called
to hold important people accountable for their decisions and we're supposed to
be generally skeptical of things.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I want to question some very important people...you. The
American people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I type this, the 19-year-old who is suspected of bombing
the Boston Marathon has apparently just been captured. There are cheers out
loud and cheers online over that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If he did it, then I'm thrilled that he's in police custody.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, America, I have some questions for you because I've
been watching your decisions that I think deserve skepticism.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe I was one of the few who didn't feel good about
hearing that a "lock down" had been ordered for Boston, one of our
nation's largest cities. Then, that lock down was expanded to surrounding towns.
People were told to stay inside and only open the door for approved, uniformed
government personnel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over a million people were ordered to not engage in
commerce, not to earn money to pay their bills and deny their children an
education that day. A few city and state officials (maybe just one or two) made
that decision for them without any objection from what I could see.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That personnel went door to door, demanding unquestioned
access to search homes without a warrant. Those teams exited their military
Humvees equipped with machine guns and body armor, they demanded to be let in
even if the homeowner knew for a fact the teenager they were looking for was
not there.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDUJitG1wGoRboDhvg3_stwYCX7ZpjQXOn2fWjNBf6mhyphenhyphen3nXuJst6rR7PdglNhhD1guHAwt5IT7e4StMd5PQdHKMaOlqO7ycbe9LvNxlUEig9k6V1xcJGPq4fMOG-a7VLgsyI7vlOmo4/s1600/Boston-manhunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDUJitG1wGoRboDhvg3_stwYCX7ZpjQXOn2fWjNBf6mhyphenhyphen3nXuJst6rR7PdglNhhD1guHAwt5IT7e4StMd5PQdHKMaOlqO7ycbe9LvNxlUEig9k6V1xcJGPq4fMOG-a7VLgsyI7vlOmo4/s320/Boston-manhunt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Image from Yahoo</em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was for everyone's own good, though, and access was
granted. Maybe some didn't like it but, hey, all these guys have big guns and
who's going to argue with that?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I know what the suspect is accused of doing. I am no less angry about it than you are. If the young man who was captured is guilty, then I hope he gets a speedy and fair trial, a just conviction and the harshest penalty possible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Government even pleaded with media and individuals to not
communicate in certain ways. Your Tweet or Facebook post might tip the suspect
off as to where they are, so stop talking to each other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You don't want the bad guy to get away, right? Just comply
and give up your rights for a little while, people were told. It's for your
safety.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I guess my surprise is at the fact those demands and those
actions were apparently not at least controversial. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How did we get to a point where thousands of people, without
objection or even question, comply with unilateral orders to not earn a living,
not go to school, not go on vacation, not enjoy that day off and visit the
coffee shop?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, America (not just Boston, because I believe the same
response would have happened anywhere in this nation), this has been a long
time coming and you've forgotten how you got us here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After 9/11, we were told we had to be safer, so the
government put blue shirt nobodies between us and our travel. They ordered us
to stand down as they did things to our bodies that, in any other circumstance,
would be prosecuted as sexual assault.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We complained. We asked "if we give up this portion of
our rights, what's next?" We demanded to be treated like free people and
not criminal suspects. We were told that safety required it. We were told how these
objections were unreasonable. It's not a big deal, after all; it's just a
little inconvenience and it's worth it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You don't want someone to sneak something dangerous on the
plane, do you? Now get rid of that shampoo.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, the complaints eventually dissipated and what once made
us angry is now hardly noticed. It's the new normal and we're conditioned to
accept it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, it didn't stop there. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Government demanded that we submit our financial information
to them when we open even a basic bank account. God forbid you deposit a large
amount of money in it at once - that has to be reported as well, even when
there's no suspicion of a crime taking place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We complained. We asked "if we give up this portion of
our rights, what's next?" We demanded to be treated like free people and
not criminal suspects. We were told safety required it. We were told how these
objections were unreasonable. It's not a big deal, after all; it's just a quick
form on the computer. It's just a little inconvenience and it's worth it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You don't want to allow someone to covertly finance
something dangerous, do you? Now sign here so we can send your information to
Washington's database. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The complaints lasted a short time and what once made us
wary is now just accepted as part of doing business. It's the new normal and
we're conditioned to accept it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Government then decided it needs access to our personal
communications. Our email, our social media, our movie and book rental history,
even.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We complained. We asked "if we give up this portion of
our rights, what's next?" We demanded to be treated like free people and
not criminal suspects. We were told safety required it. We were told how these
objections were unreasonable. It's not a big deal, after all; you won't even
notice that someone else is looking in or tracking. It's not even an
inconvenience and it's worth it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You don't want a potential terrorist to be able to coordinate
an attack online, do you? Or to learn at the library or on the web how to harm someone, do you? Now look the other way, snap that picture of your breakfast burrito,
hit "submit" and stop worrying about it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The complaints died down and what once gave us flashbacks to
an Orwell novel is now just accepted as part of life. It's the new normal and
we're conditioned to accept it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, America, since we demand safety, government wants to do
more than just protect us from terrorists.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All over the nation, your purchase of a perfectly legal item
must now be government approved and tracked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Government in most states demanded that we turn over our
identification to a complete stranger at a private business when we need medicine
for our cold or allergies. That product is approved for sale on the shelves,
but your purchase of it goes into a database even when there's no hint you have
any part in a crime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We complained. We asked "if we give up this portion of
our rights, what's next?" We demanded to be treated like free people and
not criminal suspects. We were told safety required it. We were told how these
objections were unreasonable. It's not a big deal, after all; it only takes a second.
It's only a small inconvenience and it's worth it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You don't want a drug dealer to get another child hooked on
meth, do you? Now let me see your I.D. for the tracking software.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The complaints washed away and what once insulted our very
being isn't even noticed. It's the new normal and we're conditioned to accept
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh, America, I could go on and on with example after
example. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The pattern is generally the same. Something bad happens and
We the People, along with a generally unthinking media, demand that government
do something about it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, they do. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They respond with new rules, new demands for access to
something about our personal lives and new requirements for government
permission to do perfectly legal personal, financial, medical and even social
things.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We complain. Maybe we toss in a quote or two from a
"Founding Father", cite the Bill of Rights and demand our rights for
a little while. Those who complain long enough are generally marginalized and
eventually laughed at as "extremists" or as someone who is out of
touch and on the "wrong side of history."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We're shown polling data that proves our demand for personal
freedom and privacy isn't popular. It's really just a "common sense
reform" to "close a loophole" so don't make a big deal out of
it. Everyone else wants it after watching the cable news, so government is just
responding to the will of the people. We live in a democracy, right? So just
accept it because the majority wins (we actually don't live in a democracy- we
live in a constitutional republic and there is a difference).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still complaining? Then you must be alright with children
being killed by bad guys. Those personal freedoms are out of date, anyway. Just
give up a little and you'll get safety. Doesn't that make you feel better?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh sure, we trust you but you can't trust the guy next door
and the rules have to be the same for everyone so, be a good citizen and hand
over your bank account information, register your personal belongings and don't
worry about what someone taps into and reads. It's just to make sure you're not
dangerous and, well, you don't have anything to hide so don't worry about it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In fact, don't even think about it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These things happen during the tenures of both Republican
and Democratic Presidents and at times when each party controls each chamber of
Congress at some point. It's not about politics. I don't care if you are a
conservative or a liberal or hold some other leaning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is about our culture. This is a mindset. This is about us as individuals
within that culture.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, America, here we are in 2013.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We've given up just a little bit of freedom over here for
safety. We've given up just a little bit of privacy over there for security.
We've given up a little more somewhere else because times have changed and
that's just how things are in this age of terrorism, extremism, uncontrolled
religion which could be dangerous and violent crime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I ask you, America, where your decisions have led us. You
can blame the politicians we elect, of course. I certainly do but we elect
them. Ultimately, we are to blame if we have a government, once famously
believed to be "...of the People, by the People, for the People...",
that is no longer the servant but the unrestrained master.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where has that led us? Well, from where I sit, it's led us
to Boston in 2013. Ironically, the city that was the cradle of American freedom
in the 1700's.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One or two government officials unilaterally ordered a
"lock down" and hundreds - maybe thousands - of armed government
personnel demanded complete access to homes, businesses and anything else
someone had.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_7sTF-gUtnaGzwN3B88CUTyyR4-Q_P5ELzyrnH6eyJf3E6ZjKqMMv92JZqUfMdvvNaoD3phkq6Kl1IlTnIGQOYDDureGtcddAJb6n5tZcOLe5TifwM86BYZmSPVUsMHwbq1NvJGcYYo/s1600/Boston-manhunt+SWAT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_7sTF-gUtnaGzwN3B88CUTyyR4-Q_P5ELzyrnH6eyJf3E6ZjKqMMv92JZqUfMdvvNaoD3phkq6Kl1IlTnIGQOYDDureGtcddAJb6n5tZcOLe5TifwM86BYZmSPVUsMHwbq1NvJGcYYo/s320/Boston-manhunt+SWAT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Image from the Huffington Post</em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What can reasonably be called at least a form of martial law
was apparently not even controversial. Unquestioned compliance was demanded and
given. It was maybe unsettling to some but it was accepted as just what had to
be done. Everyone wanted to get the alleged bad guy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No one seems to be complaining. But I'll ask: "If we
give up this portion of our rights, what's next?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm not directing this question to America's governments.
That is not what the nation is. I'm asking for an answer from some important people.
The people who are supposed to be in charge: you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are we conditioned to accept whatever we are told to do by
someone in a uniform or with a political title? Have we accepted that trade of
personal liberty for the promise of safety and security?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If so, the other end of the bargain was not delivered at the
marathon several days ago. Is the answer to trade just a little more?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or are we now at a point to question the direction we've
gone thus far?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Remember, America, if you want to reclaim freedom and privacy,
there is a risk. The world is a dangerous place. Bad people will still do bad
things. With freedom comes responsibility and accountability for us all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you want that or do you just not think about it and wait
for orders?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I await your answer.</span></div>
Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com114tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-11496376398940485272013-01-15T12:54:00.001-06:002013-01-15T12:54:26.502-06:00The Journey Continues...<br />
<div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img height="133" id="il_fi" src="http://andrewcomiskey.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/day29patience.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></div>
<br />
...slowly. And in a way that frustrates me because patience is not among my best attributes.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, honestly, it's not among any of them. Between my two jobs with two non-profit organizations, I work around 55 (and sometimes 60) hours a week. I like to get stuff done NOW and hate it when my time is wasted.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sometimes, that helps keep things at work moving along and it's a good thing. Often, though, my impatience is simply...well...impatience and it's a character flaw.<br />
<br />
Galatians 5: 22-23 (KJV) says "<em>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering [patience], gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law</em>."<br />
<br />
I'm not always fruitful when it comes to patience, which is why I was anxious on Monday when I went back into the cardiologist's office for a follow up exam. It's been about six months since I survived a major heart attack. It was time to find out how the recovery is going.<br />
<br />
I wanted to be "fully recovered". Now. Right now.<br />
<br />
All the medical professionals I've spoken with say a typical recovery is a year to 18 months. I don't care. I have stuff to do and want to put this behind me.<br />
<br />
Now.<br />
<br />
When I should have been happy with the report that was mostly good, I was frustrated with the news that there are some lingering problems when it comes to cholesterol. The doctor is happy with the progress in my weight loss. My blood pressure remains good and my heart sounded good, I'm told.<br />
<br />
But, I'm not fully recovered yet. I'm still on the path to a full recovery, though. And, sometimes, instead of just being grateful for that, I get mired down in my impatience because I have a tendency to let my personal priorities slip into first place instead of waiting to find out what God's plan is.<br />
<br />
Oooh...there's that word again: waiting. Ugh!<br />
<br />
Matthew 6: 19-21 says "<em>Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."</em><br />
<br />
Replace the word "treasure" with "priorities" - I don't think that takes the verses out of context - and you get a good reminder of what too many of us do too often: assume we know what's really important and assume that our priorities really should be our priorities.<br />
<br />
I wrote several months ago that I know there's a reason for both 1) the heart attack happening and 2) my surviving what, medically speaking, I wasn't supposed to survive. I still believe that. I've had several people, both in person and through the radio station, tell me they've learned something from watching me go through this heart attack and recovery.<br />
<br />
If I can be used to help someone else learn, that's great. I feel blessed to be in that position. It also appears that I have a few things to learn personally. Now. Right now. If there's something worth being impatient about, it's learning what God's teaching.<br />
<br />
I go back to the cardiologist in three months. In the meantime, I've been cleared to increase my cardio workout intensity. The goal: drop another 10 - 15 pounds (I've already lost over 20). I still have the goal of completing the <a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity.do" target="_blank">Insanity</a> workout within a year of the heart attack.Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-25675990013259911722012-11-19T23:15:00.000-06:002012-11-19T23:15:20.994-06:00On the road again, in style!Many of the people in my industry are...not in my industry anymore.<br />
<br />
When it comes to broadcasting, syndication has replaced your local DJ and your local program host. Budget cuts have reduced radio and television newsrooms to one or two-person operations. And that's for the stations that even bother with local news.<br />
<br />
Internet technology has replaced production specialists and both audio and video editors. A radio station that's staffed with local DJs, local reporters, local news anchors and local program hosts is certainly a rare and special thing anymore. The loss of local media harms local communities, but it is a sign of the economic times.<br />
<br />
I always try to keep these realities in mind because, for some reason, I'm blessed to have two radio jobs and one of those includes my producing and hosting a television show. I'm no more deserving than hundreds or thousands of others, but I have the opportunity and I'm taking it.<br />
<br />
The television show is recorded in the St. Louis area, at Lindenwood University. It's just under four hours of driving, one way, from my Grandview home, twice a month (we record three or four shows at a time). That's a lot of driving. I crunched the numbers and it's actually cheaper in the long run for me to just rent a car for the trips.<br />
<br />
I actually enjoy that because, in the wise words of Mama Gump: "You never know what you gonna git" when it comes to a car. Most of the time, I get a basic sedan. I always reserve the cheapest car possible: economy in order to save money. I've never been hung up on driving the coolest car. I like my '97 Camry because it's dependable and gets good gas mileage and I don't care what car I drive back and forth on I-70, as long as it has cruise control.<br />
<br />
I don't need to impress anyone and my car is paid off. I REALLY like not having a car payment.<br />
<br />
Today, though, I found myself falling into that guy stereotype. The one about guys and cars.<br />
<br />
I walk in to the Enterprise office in Grandview and the rental agent says "Mr. Ferguson, we actually have an economy car this time. Or we can upgrade you, if you don't like this one. It's a FIAT."<br />
<br />
I wasn't even sure what a FIAT economy car is and told them, it's ok, I don't need to look cool. I'll take the economy one.<br />
<br />
That's when another rental agent offered (insisted) that I take a look at both. I learned what a FIAT economy car is: a box that is slightly larger and barely heavier than the Hot Wheels cars I used to race on little plastic tracks in the 1970's.<br />
<br />
G.I. Joe would fit inside this thing.<br />
<br />
I was worried that a bird would land on the roof and crush it. If that happened, the firefighters wouldn't need the Jaws of Life to save me; they'd need a can opener.<br />
<br />
Then, he tells me " For six more dollars, we can put you in this..."<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5oy8RIxhrGYZuIg5JTSrs2KyNcgNAOoC5EBT3uHDwoNfC0n0WFAv3mT1eDgeoUWYOUoIlBpXFFZhbgJ1H7CxKNIJeElnAt-VVnEmm3sYVFHUYqs_2mw8OE-Y3_m0abJt6PGVgUTRmQg/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5oy8RIxhrGYZuIg5JTSrs2KyNcgNAOoC5EBT3uHDwoNfC0n0WFAv3mT1eDgeoUWYOUoIlBpXFFZhbgJ1H7CxKNIJeElnAt-VVnEmm3sYVFHUYqs_2mw8OE-Y3_m0abJt6PGVgUTRmQg/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
THIS is a brand new Dodge Challenger with less than 6,000 miles on it.<br />
<br />
Um, yeah. For six bucks, I'll take the challenger and it's muscle-car looks, unnecessary engine power and cool factor in which I'm out of place.<br />
<br />
I don't know what came over me. Mr. Save-every-penny and Mr. Get-the-best-gas-mileage who is also Mr. I-don't-care-if-I-look-cool suddenly jumped at the chance to, well, look cool. Hey, fake it till you make it.<br />
<br />
Here's the funny thing: you don't just feel like you look cooler in a car like this. You <i>do</i> look cooler in a car like this.<br />
<br />
It's really been interesting today. I pull into the gas station and get stared at, almost reverently, once I step out of the Challenger. I pull through the drive-through and the female employee, after looking over the vehicle slowly, thoroughly and almost sensually became the friendliest food server I've ever experienced.<br />
<br />
There was a line of cars behind me in the line but she wanted to strike up a conversation. About anything. With a lot of eye contact and giddy smiles. As long as I didn't drive that car away...<br />
<br />
I'm not used to getting much attention from women but that car and I sure caught some eyes today. I've even had complete strangers walk up in parking lots, praise the car while just wanting to talk to me. This is in one day.<br />
<br />
Are people that shallow that a person's appeal is judged by the car they drive? Well, yeah, maybe, but I'm not going to harp on it because I'll admit I ate it up. Not only did a piece of machinery change how people looked at me, it changed how I projected myself to others, knowing they were looking at the car.<br />
<br />
I don't know why, other that it's been fun. I know I'm not a high society guy and I'm never going to be rich (and I'm ok with that) but getting a little taste of what it's like has been a hoot.<br />
<br />
The car goes back to Enterprise on Tuesday, and I go back to being just me, with an old car. I'm ok with that, too. The real Mike still doesn't need a car to define who I am.<br />
<br />
But I'll take the Challenger for an extra six bucks again next time, if offered.Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-1675993099298595042012-11-08T16:47:00.000-06:002012-11-08T16:47:20.401-06:00The only constant...is change, so they say.<br />
<br />
Who are "they", by the way? "They" are quoted more than anyone else in history but I've never quite figured out who "they" are.<br />
<br />
But, I digress, as they say.<br />
<br />
Anyway, it looks like I haven't posted here in over a month and a half. Here are some updates:<br />
<br />
My trek back to full strength continues, but I'm not there yet. <br />
<br />
I've fallen off the wagon when it comes to my cardiac rehab workouts over the last few weeks. I haven't been perfect on my diet but I'm still eating alot better than I did before the heart attack.<br />
<br />
Somehow, I haven't put back the weight I've lost over the past few months.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnYHgUHCYm6vq-2sPjLf9a48dTOAQ5yqhvy483t4YVkdzus5f8yu_MD6x_o4SRVmMS84MEOjeWPvHVlfTT9pKxHLsomcYFhQXVmI83frTy3GkOndYMTu4rPsWKDwT3IclbQTxqmSnBpk/s1600/MAF+Promo+Pic-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnYHgUHCYm6vq-2sPjLf9a48dTOAQ5yqhvy483t4YVkdzus5f8yu_MD6x_o4SRVmMS84MEOjeWPvHVlfTT9pKxHLsomcYFhQXVmI83frTy3GkOndYMTu4rPsWKDwT3IclbQTxqmSnBpk/s320/MAF+Promo+Pic-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's me now. I'm about 198 pounds in this picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wxbq5w7l3WPoG2TOjL7toeZegBPkNnXTXAoQ9ee8z9S6UbaIMzGR499GZtUgacpwTb-SIDVODeeDICZpPZ3PzsfnGo4-ucrAtqgWB95dSORuKQ5iP-betFd7PoqcOryf_N-7zlSq9yE/s1600/MAF+Before+Cardiac-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wxbq5w7l3WPoG2TOjL7toeZegBPkNnXTXAoQ9ee8z9S6UbaIMzGR499GZtUgacpwTb-SIDVODeeDICZpPZ3PzsfnGo4-ucrAtqgWB95dSORuKQ5iP-betFd7PoqcOryf_N-7zlSq9yE/s320/MAF+Before+Cardiac-1.JPG" width="236" /></a></div>
And here's me shortly before it all happened, at about 221 pounds.
<br />
So, there's that. That's some progress I'm happy about although I still have a ways (about 15 more pounds) to go. And I still plan to complete that Insanity workout program. It's not even so much about the weight loss and strength gains promised in the infomercial - it's about the principle of meeting a challenge I set out for myself and it's about proving that I am, in fact, back to full strength and recovered from the heart attack.<br />
<br />
I think that I'll feel like that entire episode is behind me once I'm back to full strength.<br />
<br />
In other news, the little project David White and I started in 2007 called "<a href="http://www.missouriviewpoints.com/" target="_blank">Missouri Viewpoints</a>" may be coming to a radio or television near you soon.<br />
<br />
My public affairs project that began as short interviews with camcorders in the now-defunct Hard Bean Cafe is not being recorded in an HD studio at Lindenwood University. That happened through the partnership with <a href="http://www.missouri-news.org/" target="_blank">Missouri News Horizon</a>, my other job, and the university.<br />
<br />
We're making the show for both radio and television and already have one radio station on board in St. Louis. One cable channel in St. Louis has also agreed to air the program weekly as well. There's also been interest expressed by two other television stations in the state...and this has all happened before we officially launch the program and begin our marketing effort!<br />
<br />
As I type this, three full shows are already "in the can" (completed) and we'll have three more done after I do new interviews this coming Tuesday.<br />
<br />
The program will not be just political. We're going to also highlight health, economic and cultural issues that affect the state. Frankly, this project has been alot of fun so far. I should probably not have any more heart attacks for the time being, because I don't want to get behind on this one.<br />
<br />
The target launch date for the show is December 1st.<br />
<br />
I remain blessed to be able to work at <a href="http://www.kljc.org/" target="_blank">KLJC</a> in Kansas City as well. I'm now hosting the afternoon show solo (3:00 - 8:00) because my partner-in-broadcast crime, Leslie James, moved to the morning show after one of the hosts had to leave due to health reasons. It's turned out to be a good move for the entire station.<br />
<br />
I'm now down to one kid in the house, as Austin has chosen to go live with my ex-wife in Florida. I covet your prayers for him as a result.<br />
<br />
Otherwise, I am close to having a schedule as busy as before with the radio show in Kansas City (not to mention my role as Program Director here), a television show in the St. Louis area, anchoring news and directing a non-profit news organization as a part time job and even working in a little writing for Kansas City's Christian newspaper, the <a href="http://www.metrovoicenews.com/" target="_blank">Kansas City Metro Voice</a>, sometimes.<br />
<br />
But, the change I'm struggling with the most right now: I now have a Mac.<br />
<br />
Yep. I'm a Mac-snob-in-training, assuming I ever figure out how to work this blasted thing.<br />
<br />
My FIRST night with the Mac? Election Night. So, I was trying to post news coverage of Congressman Todd Akin's election watch party on a computer system I've never used. Reporters from four different organizations took pity on my and showed me enough of the Mac basics to get through the night. One of them was a direct competitor of ours but media types tend to help each other out at times like this.<br />
<br />
I couldn't thank them enough and I'm sure they appreciated the amusement of my staring dumbfounded at the contraption most of the evening.<br />
<br />
That's about it for now. There are many things ahead for me and Amber that we'll be learning from and sharing here. Until then...Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-36474036137945474832012-09-11T14:40:00.000-05:002012-09-11T14:40:34.482-05:00To Beard or Not To Beard......<em>is</em> that the question?<br />
<br />
Right before I was about to start my <a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity.do" target="_blank">Insanity workouts</a>, I joked with my mom when she asked when I was going to shave my beard that I'd do it when I weighed under 200 pounds.<br />
<br />
I was over 220 at the time.<br />
<br />
Of course, that was shortly before my heart attack in late July that kept me in the hospital into early August. <br />
<br />
I'm told that when I went in for the second heart stent, my folks tried to talk the doctors into shaving me while I was incapacitated. It didn't work.<br />
<br />
I haven't started the Insanity program (yet!), but I have been losing weight. I'm doing cardiac rehab three times a week. That's basically supervised cardio workouts where nurses constantly check my vital signs and blood pressure.<br />
<br />
I've got a couple months of that left.<br />
<br />
I've also dramatically changed my eating - lots of vegetables, no more frozen meals that are loaded with sodium and lots of water. It's all coming together to work. This morning, my scale at home read 203 lbs. That's 18 pounds lost in less than a month and a half.<br />
<br />
The funny thing is that I remember how excited I was when I finally got to 200 pounds. I was really into weightlifting and was trying to build muscle for baseball when I played in the <a href="https://www.nionsports.com/sports/index.jsp?orgLink=msbl&fid=1003" target="_blank">Kansas City Men's Senior Baseball League</a> in my mid 20's through early 30's. I hovered around a very lean and strong 205 to 210 pounds for the prime of my baseball playing days.<br />
<br />
I drank protein shakes like they were going out of style and supplemented with sane amounts of creatine and glutemine. I also lifted some heavy weights. I wasn't the fastest guy on the base paths (hey, I <em>was</em> a catcher, so that didn't matter) but it was hard to bowl me over at the plate.<br />
<br />
After I stopped playing baseball, I stayed in the gym (off and on) and went from being in decent shape up to 230ish pounds at one point. I've been in the gym regularly these last few years, which may be one of the reasons I'm still breathing and typing this right now, but I focused on weightlifting and did cardio just to warm up or as a break from hitting the weights.<br />
<br />
That's not a way to slim down. It's a way to stay strong, but not a way to drop pounds. This new process has been a big change for me and, obviously, it's working.<br />
<br />
So, I'm probably a week or so away from permanently descending below the 200 mark for the first time in over 15 years. <br />
<br />
So, what do I do? Do I buzz the facial hair I've had for over a year now or do I keep the beard once I'm under 200 pounds for good? Here's a side-by-side comparison:<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5h25j-KOxGFWAQmt4kP-8J_O84c-lE-1X2TazrDMiiU-HqggamzyBLEkthRrjzpYVM-X9zFkta7w3dH7zK1pnHSEDOM6hKpALPowuk0oROUz6PEYwpjm6huCV6yLNEwzzK1w85Psggn4/s1600/MAF+Beard+Or+No+Beard+BandW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5h25j-KOxGFWAQmt4kP-8J_O84c-lE-1X2TazrDMiiU-HqggamzyBLEkthRrjzpYVM-X9zFkta7w3dH7zK1pnHSEDOM6hKpALPowuk0oROUz6PEYwpjm6huCV6yLNEwzzK1w85Psggn4/s320/MAF+Beard+Or+No+Beard+BandW.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm nowhere near being done with the weight loss. I figure I can probably drop another 15 pounds over time in a healthy way. Since there's no permanent damage to my heart, I expect to be cleared to push myself physically - which means I may still take on that Insanity challenge.<br />
<br />
If nothing else, it would be to prove something to myself.<br />
<br />
The question it, will I prove it with or without my whiskers?Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-23503792726390533552012-08-24T12:42:00.000-05:002012-09-11T14:56:12.367-05:00Progress and frustrationI'm now closing in on the one-month mark of my "cardiac event". That's a nice way the medical types use to refer to a heart attack, which happened to me on July 27th.<br />
<br />
So far, both stents are doing what they are designed to do with no side effects and follow-up tests (EKG, ultrasounds, etc) indicate that there's no permanent damage to my heart. Praise God for that!<br />
<br />
The progress is that the cardiac rehab is going well. I'm not back to the level of exercise I was doing just a few months before the...er..."event" but I'm far stronger than I was when I first started a couple weeks go. I guess I think I'm stronger than I really am, though.<br />
<br />
More about that in a moment.<br />
<br />
I did pack on some pounds recently. I was out of the gym for the most part from late May to early August. Before that, I was working out 3-5 days a week and working out pretty hard, focusing on weight circuits to both tone up and trim down after many years of weight lifting and little cardio.<br />
<br />
But, that approach has changed this month. Now I'm doing almost all cardio workouts. It is working...check out this comparison:<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-0m83UUpHuSb66YM5fXYCxWu4DrKw7mUqrkE5ny04ZuiI1ItW8xE763F3WqKOq8dVhtoZ0M_SVMO7JiOLlF07c_2FPTDdkrCHysHAujQA_t-DClLUYLEHM1J6sqHl3d19-AVI-noMIc/s1600/MAF+July-Aug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-0m83UUpHuSb66YM5fXYCxWu4DrKw7mUqrkE5ny04ZuiI1ItW8xE763F3WqKOq8dVhtoZ0M_SVMO7JiOLlF07c_2FPTDdkrCHysHAujQA_t-DClLUYLEHM1J6sqHl3d19-AVI-noMIc/s320/MAF+July-Aug.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
I was just over 220 pounds the day of the attack. I'm now just under 210. It's not a huge difference yet, but it's a start. <br />
I am eating better. I thought I was eating well before but now know that just because a frozen meal has the word "Healthy" in it's brand name doesn't make it good for you. I never worried about salt/sodium before - but those things are often loaded with it.<br />
<br />
I've switched to fresh and frozen veggies and I'm now - ugh - cooking the meats myself and am trading out pastas for brown rice or baked potatoes. (side note - top the 'tater with plain Greek yogurt instead of butter & sour cream...it's really good...)<br />
<br />
OK, now the frustration.<br />
<br />
I never did go through the depression the hospital said I would after the attack. I guess I just recognize that this happened for a reason and God's doing something to me or through me with it. I'm not going to whine about it.<br />
<br />
I have found myself frustrated with how far behind this has set me when it comes to being athletic and in terms of my personal strength. Remember, I was planning to start Shaun T's Insanity workout program just three days later when it all happened.<br />
<br />
This morning, while trying to push myself on the elliptical machine, one of the nurses in the cardiac rehab center got on my case "You need to slow down. That's too many steps per minute...you're going to raise your heart rate too much."<br />
<br />
She was cheating because she looked at the computer screen. They have me hooked up to that little electrical octopus-looking contraption that measures my heart rate and other vital signs in real time.<br />
<br />
I felt fine and know that I'll have to go all out for three minutes at a time if I do ever get strong enough to try Insanity. I'm just trying to move forward and get back in shape.<br />
<br />
"Slow down!"<br />
<br />
Grrrr......fine. I'll slow down. A little. For now.<br />
<br />
Then, after my cardio workout, she said those sweet, sweet words I've been wanting to hear from her for a couple weeks now: "Do you want to do some free weights?"<br />
<br />
I thought you'd never ask. <br />
<br />
I was so excited to get back to some weight training. I camped out at the weight rack area while she finished up getting blood pressure readings for one of the octogenarians on a treadmill.<br />
<br />
When she was done, she came over and got me started on my "weight training" by handing me....two five-pound dumbbells.<br />
<br />
Five pounds.<br />
<br />
Seriously? I''ve got books at home that weigh more than that. Five pounds?<br />
<br />
It's hard to concentrate on your arm curls...that I was doing with 30-pounders a few months ago...with little more than a Q-Tip on steroids as my resistance. She wasn't budging, though. If I wanted to do this, I was doing it with the dumbbell that she was ok with. Not the one I was ok with.<br />
<br />
So I did the routine in all of three or four minutes and called it a day at the gym.<br />
<br />
Patience is not my strong suit, obviously. This leads me to Romans 5:1-5.<br />
<br />
<em>1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.</em><br />
<br />
<em>3) And not only so, but <strong>we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulations worketh patience. 4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope</strong>:</em><br />
<br />
<em>5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.</em><br />
<br />
So, my question for you: what trouble, trial or difficulty ("tribulation") are you experiencing that you may be viewing incorrectly?<br />
<br />
God may not be punishing you. He may be strengthening you or preparing you for something later in life.<br />
<br />
He may be putting you through a tough time because someone else needs to see you remain strong in faith and needs to learn from your journey through it. Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-15796755577800370992012-08-13T17:47:00.001-05:002012-08-13T17:47:38.350-05:00Climbing Back Up to the PastI'm now in my second week of cardiac rehab, and it's an interesting experience.<br />
<br />
The first and most obvious thing about my thrice-weekly workouts is that I'm generally the only one in there who is under the age of 105. I'm also the only one in there who was bench-pressing 250 (on a machine) just three months ago. <br />
<br />
That's part of the frustration I'm dealing with, post-heart attack. <br />
<br />
I was on a roll when it comes to my fitness up until the end of May. That's when I moved back to Grandview and, unfortunately, stopped going to the gym because of time constraints.<br />
<br />
Working out has been part of my lifestyle for most of my life. I've studied fitness, subscribed to the magazines and used a variety of exercise approaches. I've also had times where I got out of the habit and got out of shape...but have always been able to refocus, get back in the gym and get back in shape.<br />
<br />
It's not that simple this time.<br />
<br />
I've been shocked, repeatedly, at how tired I get now. It's frustrating. The doctors and nurses keep telling me I can make a "full recovery", but right now I feel like that's light years away. I'm doing a fraction of the cardio workout I was capable of just a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
And that "full recovery"? That's apparently not an absolute term. One of the nurses told me today that I'm not going to be able to go back to weight circuits and heavy lifting. I'm supposed to be content with cardio machines from here on out.<br />
<br />
We'll see about that.<br />
<br />
Even though I'm just two weeks removed from a serious heart attack, I'm already deciding what fitness and work and spiritual goals I should be setting for myself. I'm still eyeing that Insantity workout that I just received - we'll see how my recovery goes, but I'd call it a victory to complete that program within a year of my "cardiac event".Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-60816017505952651782012-08-07T19:40:00.001-05:002012-08-07T19:40:59.862-05:00Serious as a..."You are lucky."<br />
<br />
Those three word are among the little I remember of Friday, July 27th. A nurse said that to me very matter-of-factly. I'll get to that shortly.<br />
<br />
I keep meaning to blog more (more than once a year). I might have a reason to be on here regularly now. I have some surprising challenges ahead of me in the next several months. I turned the big 4-0 last December and it really wasn't a big deal to me.<br />
<br />
Everyone tells me a look younger than I am and I'm in better shape than most guys my age. Up until the time the kids and I moved back to <a href="http://www.grandview.org/">Grandview</a> in late May, I was in the gym 4-6 times a week and was on pace to lose the extra weight I put on in 2010. I'd gotten up to about 230 pounds and was weighing in around 210 when we moved back home.<br />
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The last few months have been a mix of immense blessing and trials. Just a few days before moving, an accidental fire damaged the home we were moving from. No one was hurt, praise God, but there are ongoing issues regarding the insurance and finances.<br />
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Other than that, it's been a great time. I'm now the Program Director for <a href="http://kljc.org/">KLJC</a> and am half of the afternoon show team. I've also managed to get a part-time job as the News Director & radio anchor for <a href="http://missouri-news.org/">Missouri News Horizon</a>. MNH is a non-profit journalism organization that provides statewide news coverage to radio, tv and newspaper outlets around Missouri.<br />
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I get to keep my hand in news and work full time in Christian radio! My children get to go back to <a href="http://www.brcskcmo.org/">Blue Ridge Christian School</a> and we've been able to resume attending <a href="http://sbcbelton.com/">Southland Baptist Church</a> - our church family.<br />
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Things were settling into place better than I could have imagined. I was even ready to start Shaun T's <a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity.do?code=SEMB_MSN_SAN">Insanity</a> home fitness program on Monday the 30th. I was ready to amp up my fitness routine and take on a new challenge.<br />
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Boy-oh-boy did I get one. Just not the challenge for which I planned. Back to that Friday I mentioned above.<br />
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I took my car in for an oil change and then walked over to a fast food place. Suddenly, I wasn't feeling well. Have you ever had<em> that</em> feeling? A lump in your throat when something's wrong or you're worried or have some other emotion. I'm talking about that physical feeling. Tightness, pain, dry throat, discomfort in your upper chest.<br />
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Crank that up by 10. That's what I felt for a few minutes.<br />
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Then, waves of pain shot through my chest and, at times, my shoulders.<br />
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I managed to get my car, pop a couple aspirin and drive home. By then, it felt like a red-hot vice was squeezing my chest and pain was shooting down my left arm at times. By now, it was hard to breathe. <br />
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I sent my brother, Chris, a nonsensical text. He called, came over and then took me to the E.R.<br />
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At the ripe old age of 40, I was having a serious heart attack. I remember some of the E.R., the tests and then an ambulance ride to Research Medical Center but much of the day is fuzzy. <br />
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I remember waking up on a table in the room where I was being treated. I asked how much was left in whatever was happening and was told they just finished up. As I was being moved from the table to a stretcher/hospital bed, the nurse looked down and said very plainly "You are lucky."<br />
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I didn't know what that meant until everyone filled me in later that night and the next day: there was a 100% blockage of one of my heart's arteries. The doctors had put a stent in me in that room. Another blockage was still happening - 90% - but that would have to wait until Monday. It turns out that I was still having the heart attack <em>during</em> the procedure, so they didn't want to push my body that far.<br />
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So, I rested for a couple days and, instead of starting my Insanity workouts, I was having a second cardiac stent installed in my chest. I could barely walk to the bathroom.<br />
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It didn't make sense. I'm 40. I've never been a smoker, have a history of being an athlete but a bad family history on my dad's side of the family is what trumped when it came to my health. Lousy genes, basically, won out over weight room circuits and bench presses.<br />
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So, I have to decide where I go from here. I choose to deal with it as both a reality and as a new challenge to get past. God has a reason for things like this. I don't know what it is but He left me here to accomplish something still. <br />
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I'm amazed at how quickly I get winded and how physically weak I am, so there's a great deal of physical rehab to do. The doctor says I should, eventually, make a full recovery if I'm smart about my next several months.<br />
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I've also, because of this heart attack, been reminded of just how blessed I am. I see other parts of my life clearer.<br />
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My church family is checking on me each day and has provided meals and other help that's been, literally, a Godsend. If you aren't involved in a church that cares for people like mine, then send someone over to visit with us. We'll show you how it's done. Southland's people are eager to serve others.<br />
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Both of my jobs are giving me the time off needed to recover. My parents and brother stepped up to run errands and drive me around when needed. From grocery shopping to just getting things from the kitchen when I was too sore to get them myself for a few days, I've been very fortunate to have this much help. <em>That</em> is lucky.<br />
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Sometimes, God uses what we think are bad situations to enact His greater plan. It's easy to forget that and it's easy to wallow in self-pity. Easy, but wrong. Giving God the glory in ALL things is what we often say we want to do...when times are good. Keeping that same outlook when times are rough is harder, but still what we should want to do.<br />
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I don't know why I had a heart attack at a young age. I don't know why my personal goals are being delayed (or maybe derailed) by this. It might be to bring about a change in me. It might be so God can impact someone else through my situation.<br />
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I don't know and God doesn't owe me an explanation. <br />
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For now, I'll focus on 1) getting healthy, 2) getting back to work and 3) keeping my mind and heart open to any direction regarding how my ordeal should be used for God's glory.<br />
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Oh, and I'm not sending that Insanity workout box back just yet...Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-72822180488969597332011-05-01T13:32:00.002-05:002011-05-01T14:25:20.879-05:00Let Me Reintroduce Myself To YouWhen I set this blog up a number of years ago, I really <em>meant</em> for it to be something I updated regularly. Really. I did.<br /><br />I haven't had much chance to recreationally write lately. I do enjoy blogging and have tried my hand at it a couple times but tend to get busy and blogging just isn't the priority for me that it is for alot of other folks.<br /><br />Anyway, here's an update with my thoughts on some of the things we've experienced in the last couple of years.<br /><br />Our lives - by "our" I mean the kids' and mine - have changed dramatically. I took that job I referenced in late 2009. The kids and I moved to Columbia in January of 2010 where I went back into full-time radio, working for the Zimmer Radio Group as a news reporter.<br /><br />In less than two months, the afternoon drive-time talk show host (Gary Nolan) left and I was moved into that role. It wasn't a new task, as I had been Gary's back-up for a couple of years but having a weekday, drive-time talk show has been both challenging and fun. "The Mike Ferguson Show" went on the air on February 22nd, 2010.<br /><br />I kept anchoring KLCJ's news in both the mornings and afternoons for about a year. Budget cuts and consolidations resulted in that part-time endeavor ending in early 2011. I miss the work but don't mind the extra time (and sleep) at home.<br /><br />The kids transferred from Blue Ridge Christian School in Kansas City to Christian Fellowship School in Columbia, which is a good school. It's been quite a transition for Austin (now 14) and Amber (now 12). CFS is more demanding, academically, overall but it's far less demanding doctrinally. That's not a slam against CFS so much as it is a reflection of the very liberal culture and mindset of Columbia, Missouri.<br /><br />Columbia is a university town with all the good and all the bad that comes with that. The bad is I've seen a tremendous difference in the Christian community here when compared to the church family we moved from. The worship is less reverent here with more or less every church embracing the seeker-sensitive, Rock-n-Roll Jesus approach: throw on your ball cap, grab some cargo shorts from the bottom of the pile on the floor, crank up the guitars and wave your hands in the air like you just don't care...<br /><br />That's not the Sunday morning church I grew up with.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I enjoy contemporary Christian music (much to my Dad's chagrin). I picked up Jeremy Camp's new album this weekend and love it! I just think there's a time and place for everything in the perspective of reverence and, to me, hopping up and down to a rock band is not reverence in God's house. In the car? Sure. When working out? Yep. When preparing to listen and meditate on a sermon? Ehhh....not so much.<br /><br />I also like jazz and blues and the crooners like Sinatra and Martin and Bennett. Is their music "sinful". I don't think so but it's not right for church.<br /><br />I'm used to breaking out the suit or sport jacket and tie. Doing that here makes you stick our like a sore thumb and, as a result, makes you a visual distraction. So, I'm slowly getting used to the casual attire - it still feels weird to dress down on Sundays. But that's not all of the challenge: the liberal mindset of this community has worked its way into the churches and, as with all seeker-sensitive churches, the Gospel and Biblical truth sometimes takes a backseat to "tolerance" and ecumenicalism.<br /><br />Even this morning I heard an otherwise good sermon with a clear error in doctrine. It was a minor point of the sermon but part of Ephesians was misrepresented - with the more modern, politically-correct, liberal version of what God (through Paul's writing to the Ephesians) instructs for the Christian family winning out over, well, what God <em>actuall</em>y instructs for the Christian family.<br /><br />I won't get into too much theology with this post but suffice it to say we're being challenged spiritually here. After almost a year and a half, the kids and I are still unable to find a really strong church. I've greatly prefer a Baptist church but, so far, every one we've visited is just as watered-down in some way as the others, so we're looking at non-denominational churches as well.<br /><br />Maybe that's the challenge. It pains me to type this, but God isn't Baptist. In fact, I'm pretty sure He doesn't care what the lettering is on the outside of the church building you attend. Denominations are man-made; I just believe conservative, fundamental Baptist churches generally have the most accurate reading of the Bible and the strongest teachings.<br /><br />We will settle in somewhere and it will likely be very different from that which we are accustomed.<br /><br />The challenge is that we've (especially me) been drop-kicked out of our comfort zone in so many ways with this move. We have to be more discerning when it comes to what we hear from both the classroom and the pulpit, for instance. My personal homework load has gone up as a result, which is not a bad thing. I wasn't spending enough time in devotions before the move, anyway.<br /><br />But still, hearing incorrect things was been a serious source of frustration for me for several months and, then, I got to thinking: maybe, just maybe, God knew what He was doing when he sent us here...<br /><br />I've had to start separating the "must haves" when it comes to finding a church from the "nice to haves".<br /><br />Hmmm...that means I should (gulp) stop complaining and start listening more. Maybe there's something I'm supposed to learn here from an unexpected source - someone I may instinctively think is unqualified to teach or something that's unconventional in my eyes.<br /><br />I still have no idea why this is where we are supposed to be right now. I do believe it is where we are supposed to be. I don't know for how long, but that's not for me to decide.<br /><br />How often to update this blog, on the other hand, is up to me and I'll try to do better at that.Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-17221380651648460692009-11-12T10:39:00.003-06:002009-11-13T00:03:03.442-06:00Home, Sweet Home...for now?The recession has impacted most everyone in America over the past couple of years but particularly in the past twelve months. Blame whom you want - George W. Bush or Barack Obama - but it is bad out there in the job market.<br /><br />My kids and I are no exception to being impacted. We're feeling the financial sting just like everyone else. Personally, I don't buy into the claim for a minute that the country's economy has "turned the corner" toward recovery.<br /><br />That has me in the position to make some possibly life-changing decisions very soon. Life-changing for me and for Austin and Amber. There is so much to consider right now: money, job security, education, social support and networks and, of course, God's plan for me and the kids right now.<br /><br />In one of those good news-bad news situations, I expect to receive a job offer next week. A good one.<br /><br />That's the good news...that, and it is also a job I would thoroughly enjoy and be very good at. It is the kind of work that drives me, that I have a passion for and would want to get out of bed to go to each day.<br /><br />The bad news: it is not in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Grandview</span> (or the Kansas City area). It would require the kids and I to move at some point in the near future.<br /><br />I can't really say much more about it right now for business reasons.<br /><br /><br />There is so much to consider.<br /><br />I read an <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/06/stimulus.jobs/index.html">article on CNN.com </a>earlier this week that put the jobless situation in a different perspective. When you consider <em>all</em> the people in our country who are looking for full-time work and compare that to the number of full-time jobs that are available right now, it is - statistically - just as hard to get into Harvard (8% of applicants) as it is to find a full-time, permanent job in America right now.<br /><p>Whoa. Mentally chew on <em>that</em> for a minute.</p><p>I am working two part-time jobs right now and getting some short-term (some would call it contract) work on occasion. It is tough but I am, frankly, blessed to have that much work at the moment. Many others have nothing and are seemingly losing everything. My budget is very tight but there always seems to be just enough provision to get by.</p><p>I have been looking for full-time work since the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">presidential</span> campaign ended over a year ago (I worked for one of the campaigns in a high-level, but low-paying role). The campaign job was a step down financially, so my income has drastically changed since I left the corporate world over a year and a half ago.</p><p>The strange thing is: I've been personally happier even though I'm making only a portion of what I have made in corporate salary in the past. Sure, I'm frustrated with not having any nibbles on my resume week after week. However, I get to work from home most of the time and have missed very few of my kids' events. </p><p>I'm in elected office and thoroughly enjoy it. Being an Alderman is intellectually challenging, tests your resolve on occasion and is a constant education. I love it. I appreciate the challenge of contributing to solutions, even when the problems are serious.</p><p>Austin and Amber have only been in one <a href="http://www.brcskcmo.org/Home_Page.html">school</a> since they day each entered kindergarten. The people of the school - faculty, staff and other parents - have watched my kids grow up, watched me go through a divorce and were a tremendous help most anytime I needed it after getting custody of the kids.</p><p>Blue Ridge Christian has been very good to me and , more importantly, to Austin and Amber (although Austin would argue that assertion whenever he's assigned math homework that includes story problems). It has been a rock of stability and a good influence on them.</p><p>My want is for them to finish school at Blue Ridge Christian School. I know that is what they want, too. </p><p>We are also in a church that is ideal for us. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Southland</span> Baptist Church in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Belton</span>, Missouri is not too big, not too small and has an active youth group that Austin benefits from. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">AWANA</span> program is unusually large for a church our size and something Amber really likes. The church is also another wonderful source of high-quality people who have stepped up over the years to help me when I've needed it.</p><p>Oh, and by the way, it's doctrinally correct and provided excellent teaching.</p><p>My want is to stay right where I'm at, with my friends.</p><p>I have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">alot</span> of great people and things right now, even if money is not among them. That could be called being in a comfort zone, I guess and it is scary to think that I may have to step outside of it in such a big way.</p><p>I know that, if we moved, Austin and Amber would make new friends at their new school. I did just that a couple of times when I was a kid. I also know that we would find another church, although I cannot imagine that we would find one as good as where we are now.</p><p>It's just nerve-racking when it comes down to pulling that proverbial trigger....facing that decision to uproot and start over.</p><p>Sometimes, it's easy to forget that we are not supposed to fear: <em>The fear of man <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">bringeth</span> a snare: but whoso <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">putteth</span> his trust in the Lord shall be safe. (Prov. 29:25)</em></p><p>I catch myself with that doubt and fear sometimes. What is the right decision? Where should I go now? Where am I supposed to be? <strong>What is the best thing for Austin and Amber?</strong></p><p>I have not figured out the answers to those questions yet. </p>The only thing I have figured out so far is that I'm not smart enough to figure it out. I know that I am not supposed to fear and the track record of having enough provision to meet my needs should be all the proof I need to have faith.<br /><br />I don't know if this is the right approach, but what I've prayed and what I've told the kids to pray is for God to do one of two things: throw open the doors to this possible opportunity so wide that I can't help but fall through or slam the doors shut so hard I could not try it even if I wanted to.<br /><br />Otherwise, I'm relying on just me to make a life-changing decision and I want to do much, much better than that.<br /><br />Wherever we are, be it here in Grandview or somewhere else, I want to know we are in the right place. The rest may not always be easy, but it will be a good thing.Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-27199858902458118612009-10-10T18:53:00.006-05:002009-10-10T20:15:36.977-05:00¿Se enviará en una fecha conmigo?Routine things sometimes turn into unusual events.<br /><br /><br /><br />After picking the kiddos up from their friends' house this afternoon, I really didn't feel like making anything for dinner* and decided to take them out to eat. Of course, given that things are financially tight right now, Taco Bell was an easy pick. It's nearby, it's tasty and - of course - it's cheap.<br /><br /><br /><br />When we walk into the restaurant, we're caught off guard a little because the first thing we see is a couple having a candlelight dinner.<br /><br /><br /><br />Did I mention we were at Taco Bell?<br /><br /><br /><br />Obviously, the young man wanted to make an impression and make the evening memorable. He had a bottle of Mt. Dew on a bucket of ice (turns out Taco Bell was out of champagne), candles, nice plates on which to dine and wine glasses (obviously for the aforementioned Mt.Dew). The table was covered in a tablecloth. It didn't match the "89-cent Menu" window stickers that provided the backdrop but, hey, they had the nicest table in the joint.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkR3Tq6tuaaSoVlw7nSmZ3-xSvCqQk6dqoEbwHKaaBGuaUiKQxvl_35bzu7m092f8I26BdItVWp8ZijOvRzRwtMEqKvfXMjR2lxyhdUmMeqkI1yYVBt_tg1I54A2wZdy4qwidykmtbnl8/s1600-h/Yo+queiro+date.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391130745073013154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkR3Tq6tuaaSoVlw7nSmZ3-xSvCqQk6dqoEbwHKaaBGuaUiKQxvl_35bzu7m092f8I26BdItVWp8ZijOvRzRwtMEqKvfXMjR2lxyhdUmMeqkI1yYVBt_tg1I54A2wZdy4qwidykmtbnl8/s320/Yo+queiro+date.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />He carefully poured refilled her glass when the Mt. Dew ran low. Very gentlemanly.<br /><br /><br /><br />The cashier told me this was a first date. The guy set it up with them in advance. I don't know how it went for them, but it will be memorable either way.<br /><br /><br />I was tempted to laugh at them (well, him) but, then again, he actually had a date.<br /><br /><br />Actually, I think it was clever. I don't know these folks, but maybe they are suffering financially like millions of others and they found a way to have a date without spending <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">alot</span> of money.<br /><br /><br />Maybe they are college students and, like most people that age, are short on cash.<br /><br /><br />Maybe he just wanted to be different than the other guys. Either way, he seemed to be acting with a level of manners not always seen in today's young people and I have a feeling that will make more of an impression on the young lady than the Beef & Cheese Burrito.<br /><br /><br />For their sakes, I hope the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">faux</span>-Mexican food that is Taco Bell's product doesn't make an impression at any point in the date...just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sayin</span>'....<br /><br /><br />Really, the more I think about it, there's really no downside for him in all this. Think about it: let's say the date tanks and they don't like each other at all. Big deal - he spent something like $8.46 on dinner. Also, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Grandview</span> Taco Bell provides a bowl of after-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">quesadilla</span> mints which will come in handy in case he gets himself a first date goodnight kiss.<br /><br /><br />Now, let's say things went well and they are the perfect match for one another. The expectations aren't set very high - the honeymoon could be at the Super 8 near Six Flags and he's not going to disappoint.<br /><br /><br />Genius! This guy is a genius I says!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />* <em>"making anything for dinner" is a relative phrase. I can't cook worth a darn to start with, so my <strong>not</strong> cooking is nothing unusual. A typical "Mike recipe" is 1) Open Box 2) Lift Corner of Film to Vent 3) Microwave on High for Three Minutes...</em>Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6100147452395087613.post-11405475385116739322009-10-05T20:16:00.000-05:002009-10-05T20:34:19.869-05:00Let me introduce myself to you...First posts on a new blog are sometimes the toughest. Do they set the tone for the blog?<br /><br />I don't know - I guess I'm not THAT tuned into the blogosphere. I do know that I have a number of little nooks and crannys on the web. For the most part, they relate to my work and/or political things in which I'm involved.<br /><br />This blog, though, is going to me from <em>me</em>...not Mike the news reporter or Mike the elected official: it will be my thoughts on other aspects of real life. So, here's the basic introduction:<br /><br />I'm a 37-year-old single Dad in Missouri. Right now I juggle two part-time jobs: being the morning news producer/anchor for KLJC (Calvary 88.5 FM in Kansas City) and being an elected Alderman (what most cities call City Councilman). I also do a fair share of work filling in for both the morning and afternoon drive-time talk show hosts on KSSZ (The Eagle 93.9 FM in Columbia, MO). I dabble in public relations work as well.<br /><br />My children, Austin (13) and Amber (10), and I live in Grandview, Missouri. They attend Blue Ridge Christian School. The kids live with me 100% of the time.<br /><br />This blog's name, "On Eagle's Wings", comes from my favorite Bible verse: Isaiah 40:31.<br /><br />Faith, family, fitness, finance...that's more or less what I'll write about here. I'll save the politics and media stuff for other online places.<br /><br />Hopefully, I'll connect with some new people and maybe make a few new friends. If nothing else, there might be something interesting that comes along here that you might enjoy.Mike Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03685105147072412299noreply@blogger.com0