Sunday, December 26, 2010

Here's a question for you...


What does the only person in history to win both a major pro sports championship and a major entertainment award have in common with the only basketball player in NCAA history, male or female, to record 2,000 points and 1,000 assists in his or her career?

OK, stop the "think music" from Jeopardy! The answer is: they share the same last name.

While Buddy Wayne Barefoot is a fictional character, Karen Barefoot is a real person. Her career numbers came at Division III Christopher Newport College in the Hampton Roads of Virginia, where she played in the early 1990s.

Today, she is the head women's basketball coach at Elon University in North Carolina. The nearest city to the campus is Burlington, about five miles away.

At these sites, you can read her official biography and see an interview with her from last season.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!

On behalf of Buddy Wayne Barefoot and his cast of characters, I wish all of you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

I found a fascinating article about how Christmas was celebrated in the early years of the United States. You can find it here.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Country shocker: Spears wins top CMA award

Here is another fakeout news story.


Brittany L. Spears, the near-namesake of the famous singer and entertainer who had herself lived in obscurity, shocked the country music world by winning the biggest prize at the Country Music Association Awards Wednesday night - that of Entertainer of the Year.

Against a formidable field that included Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, and Rascal Flatts, the 20-year-old bluegrass singer from Beattyville, Kentucky won the award in her first attempt.

At the moment she won, Spears dropped to her knees and cried. Her brother Blanton helped her up and she was able to walk to the stage to accept the award.

"I don't know what to say," Spears said on the live ABC telecast. "This is what happens when you are allowed to dream and make those dreams comes true."

"This is America's Susan Boyle right here," exclaimed Blanton later in one of a number of backstage interviews with the entertainment media. Boyle is the nearly-50-year-old woman who rose to become the most popular singer in Great Britain after appearing on the reality television show Britain's Got Talent.

Spears only became a solo artist in 2009 after years of being the lead singer of the Spears Family Band, whose albums are retellings of Appalachian folk tales through the medium of bluegrass music. The band consists of four generations of performers ranging in age from five to 62 years old. Because her name is a homophone of Britney Spears, she added her middle initial, which is different from Britney's.

In 2010, "When the Bough Breaks," a duet with Buddy Wayne Barefoot, gave Spears her first number-one song on both the U.S. pop and country charts.

Even with her increased popularity, no one figured that Spears would beat the Nashville establishment, with its slick production, professional songwriters, and marketing muscle, for one of its biggest honors.

"This is the greatest thing that ever could have happened to our music. It is on the map forever," said Alison Kraus, leader of the multiple Grammy-winning bluegrass band Union Station.

Spears married Barefoot in October 2009. The couple is expecting their first child in January 2011.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Don't blame me for a close election


The following is a fake-out news story.

Buddy Wayne Barefoot insisted today that the close margin in the race for the 2nd Congressional District seat in North Carolina should not be blamed on his decision not to endorse either candidate. The race, which was conducted in Barefoot's home area, is one of 11 still undecided, even three days after the election.

According to the latest returns, challenger Renee Ellmers, a Republican, trails incumbent Bob Etheridge, a Democrat, by about 1,600 votes, or about 1 percent. Etheridge has promised to seek a recount of all ballots if the margin dips below 1 percent when the state reveals its final certified tallies on November 11.

Barefoot insisted that a public endorsement would not have made a difference, but did admit to voting for Etheridge because "I had a feeling" that the GOP framed Etheridge in a video in which he gave an obscene gesture to a staffer who was posing as a reporter. Previously, he had endorsed Etheridge in every election; the two became friends over their shared backgrounds as basketball players at Campbell University.

"A lot of things are as work here," Barefoot explained to the media at Texas Motor Speedway. "First of all was that video that put doubt in a lot of people's minds, including my own and those in my family. Then there was the general trend of Democratic incumbents losing throughout the country. But what has made it close was that [officials in] Sampson County lost 3,000 ballots [on election night]. They counted them and Etheridge gained 443 votes."

He also acknowledged being spooked by a projection of Ellmers' victory by the Associated Press after Ellmers herself declared victory on election night. "I just hope those words don't come back to haunt her or the AP," he told the media.

Barefoot said that he reached out to both candidates and shared his hope that the battle be resolved as soon as possible.

(Photo courtesy of Politico)

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Happy Halloween!


On behalf of Barabbas McRipper and all his ghoulish friends, have a happy and not-so-scary holiday.

(Picture actually of the late Brandon Lee in the 1994 movie The Crow. Lee was killed in North Carolina while filming the movie.)

Sunday, October 24, 2010

News from the last month

It has been one month since my last post, largely because nothing much has happened. However, there have been some developments:
  • As a result of my attendance at a high school class reunion earlier this month, I have gotten interest which could lead to possible sales of my book. I brought it to the reunion site, the Cerritos Sheraton hotel, to show my fellow classmates from 1990 what I have been up to. The reaction was mostly positive.
  • At some point in time, I expect to start work for Los Angeles Habilitation House, helping to negotiate contracts with the United States Department of Defense. This is part of a subcontract won by LAHH as part of the AbilityOne program, which sets aside some contract work for people with disabilities. I can't wait to share my book with some new co-workers!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Most common first names in Idealia

I haven't written anything in a while, but I wanted to reconnect with the site and I think publishing these simple lists is a good place to start.

TOP 10 FIRST NAMES FOR GIRLS/WOMEN

  • Laura
  • Rebecca
  • Heather
  • Jennifer
  • Brandy
  • Kimberly
  • Elizabeth
  • Mary
  • Bonnie
  • Amy
TOP 10 FIRST NAMES FOR BOYS/MEN
  • Robert (Bob/Bobby)
  • William (Bill/Billy)
  • Michael
  • Brett
  • Ryan
  • Brian
  • Brandon
  • Adam
  • John
  • Paul

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Hello there again!


If you haven't noticed, it has been more than three weeks since my last posting. I have spent most of that time cleaning up some old business.

Five years ago, I imagined what would happen if the top NASCAR drivers up to that point had competed in an all-time series. I ran race results in my head based on some statistics I picked up and ran the results. Unfortunately, I wasn't happy with some of what I created and threw everything away! Four years later, I learned of a website called the506 which breaks down which areas of the country receives NFL football games each week. I then learned of a forum that further analyzes what is on the main site, and which has since extended to a wide variety of topics. One of those was simulations of past sports event scenarios - e.g. what would have happened if the NFL had not gone in strike in 1982 or Major League Baseball had done the same in 1981 or '94. I remade the NASCAR sims, set in the same era, for the506 and added "all-star leagues" for other sports.

When administrator J.P. Kirby banned further use of the sims, a forum member named Anthony used some software to create a "spinoff" called alltimesports. I finished up NASCAR there, then added similar results, which I had planned to do in 2006, for the NFL, the NBA, college basketball, and the NHL. As for MLB, I have yet to add my all-star league for that, but I have helped an undermanned crew finish up the '81 and '94 simulations. The latter is still ongoing, but might be completed by September 1.

The point of all of this is to explain why this site has been inactive, despite my promise to be active here over the summer. I will try to pick it up before I expect to return to ABC Adult School next month.

I will, however, let slip the most exciting event in my world this summer: Pinky Ann McPipkin, the country/Southern rock singer and "biker girl," won the most recent Heritage Cup in her auto racing debut! In some ways, this is more incredible that Buddy Wayne Barefoot's win three years ago for many reasons. Two of them come to mind:
  • She is the first woman ever to win the 300-lap short track car event, akin to Danica Patrick winning at, say, Bristol Motor Speedway in a NASCAR race.
  • Just about everyone else had at least some experience in the Legends-style cars used in the race and some even competed in NASCAR races like Bunky Barefoot, Bubba Ray Lumpkin, and Luke Barneycastle.
I'll have an "interview" with Pinky (pictured at top right) about her extraordinary night, and I promise it will be within the next few days.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Buddy's required reading


Here are some recent web articles that I have found online and which I am sure Buddy Wayne Barefoot would also have felt passionate about:
  • Daniel Hemric won the Legends Million, the auto race I have referenced several times here on this site because of my character's decision not to compete in it. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular David Ragan finished fourth. Here's the story.
  • ESPN ombudsman Don Ohlmeyer, one of the top executives in the history of televised sports, cuts the network he is following a new one on its coverage of the announcement that LeBron James was to sign with the Miami Heat.
  • An obituary of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Vernon B. Davis honors not only his heroism, but his dignity in fighting in a U.S. Army that was still segregated. Comment #2 at the end of the article expresses the perversion of media priorities that Barefoot has railed about for a long time.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Odds and ends: Buddy's not racing, Brittany's pregnant, fundraiser

Some recent events in my world:
  • Buddy Wayne Barefoot disappointed some of his fans by choosing not to participate in next week's Legends Millions at Lowe's Motor Speedway. However, he will be on hand for some ceremonies and to present the trophy. "If my life after NASCAR racing was not fulfilling, and that's true for many people, I would have been tempted to return," he explained. "However, I have always said that my racing career is not the reason for my existence. So I am happy to stay retired." The final day will be shown live on Speed on Saturday night, July 17.
  • Brittany Spears, Barefoot's wife, revealed that she is pregnant and that the child, a girl, is due in mid-September.
  • The Barefoot Fund, the charity that supports efforts to save family histories, held its first fundraiser at the new NASCAR Hall of Fame on June 23. The highest bid among the 22 items available in an auction was for a cruise to Greece, Italy and Malta with Hendrick Motorsports drivers Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Mark Martin; that went for $11,000. Blondie and Bubba Brister performed.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Heaven TV: a closer look

Of course, this blog references My Ideal World, a television show on a network that I had Buddy Wayne Barefoot create in the book. The network was made out of seed money from a blockbuster feature film pooled together with money from Bud Paxson, a real life media magnate from Florida. I called it Rebel after the original film.

As it turns out, I have decided to expand the concept and change a few other things about it. For one thing, I would give it a new name: Heaven TV. The idea is to present what life is like in the world beyond for those who live in the here and now, and to be the official network for the world to come as described in the Bible book of Revelation.

Heaven TV would present the same kinds of shows that air on ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, except with a strong Christian message. It also presents programs that reflect the overall theme of heavenly life, "What life was before and will be again." In other words, nostalgic and timeless subjects prevail tying together the past, present, and future.

Here are some of the other primetime programs:
  • BunkMaster: Operation X - This is also mentioned in the book. Bunky Barefoot plays a character best described as part James Bond, part Mick Jagger. He travels the world to solve mysteries.
  • The Barney Show - Barney is one of the most common names ever for comedic characters, but this one is different. Barney Laughinghouse and his family star in an improvisational sitcom that combines "reality television" elements with strong messages.
  • The New Black - Singing star Melanie MacMelville plays fashion-magazine writer Melanie Black, who tries to balance family life and her magazine work.
  • King and Queen - Married rodeo stars Billy Bob Bryant and Krista Bamburg star as a pioneer couple in modern-day Arizona. This is the first Western series on primetime television since The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. went away in 1995.
  • Escape to Reality - Sixteen characters who are reminders of reality TV shows live together and try to use their talent in the context of the outside world. But as in the worlds they have left, one at a time are eliminated until there is a winner.
  • Bellinger Island - A cast comprised mainly of African-Americans play out drama, romance, and suspense in a world left for them by their former slaveholders after the Civil War.
Add a nightly newscast with Magdalena Babblejack, regular morning and late night shows, some daily game shows, a soap opera, a primetime newsmagazine, children's shows, and Sunday church services, and there is Heaven TV. It's a mix of religious and mainstream television that would be unique, and suitable for all family members.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

What I love about summer


One week ago, my classes at ABC Adult School ended for the year, so now I have a lot more time for other pursuits, including this blog. So what else would I write about for this first entry than Idealia's summer highlights?

Here in this part of heaven, the food tastes better, the water is purer, and the children even scream louder than anywhere on Earth. This is especially true during the hottest season of the year.

Here are the five biggest highlights:
  • Picnics and family gatherings - Every family gets together to eat barbequed meats, watermelon, corn on the cob, potatoes, and bread, among other things. In Idealia, the feasts overflow with food thanks to the abundant family farms. After dinner comes music, storytelling, and other entertainment based on the heritage of their relatives.
  • Watering holes - Several lakes, many streams, and other bodies of H2O provide relief for the hazy, lazy days of summer. The Timber Lake has an endless supply of brill, the unique local fish that combines genetic elements of bass, catfish, and brook trout. The waterfall into Biddy's Pond is a favorite of children and adults alike. The fall provides a 150-foot drop from a scenic rock to the water below, a ride far more scenic than anything at a man-made waterpark.
  • Treehouses - With school out, children spend the day in complete bliss with the shelter and security of burrows carved into the trees. Here is a site to gather and read, sing, play games, and just spend the days.
  • Porches - In the days before air conditioning, going to a porch at night was the best way to beat the heat that lingered even into the night. That tradition has returned due to the willingness of the local residents to return to old-time ways. The biggest attraction is to look up and see the stars in the darkness.
  • Relaxation - This is the time of year when the farmers get the most rest they will get all year, a break from planting, harvesting, and taking care of the land. Typically, farms will close for about three weeks during this period. Some will pursue other interests; it's no coincidence that events like the Heritage Cup auto race and the Cultural Arts Festival take place every summer.

Monday, May 31, 2010

From the vault: Brittany vs. Britney

The expiration of BuddyWayneBarefoot.com is just hours away. Here is another of my favorite pages from the site that I wish to keep.

It's the comparison chart between Brittany Spears, one of my other favorite characters, and Britney Spears. I originally composed this in 2007, so the ages are as of that time.

Full name

Britney Jean Spears

Brittany Lynnette Spears

HometownKentwood, Louisiana Beattyville, Kentucky

Age

25 17
Music style Pop/R&B Bluegrass
Parents

Jamie and Lynne (estranged)

Blanton and Rebecca (happily married)
Husbands/boyfriendsMarried and divorced twice; two kids from second marriage Has a secret boyfriend (psst, it's Buddy Wayne Barefoot)
Career start Mickey Mouse Club Parents' basement
Signed by... Business manager Louis Pearlman Race car driver Buddy Wayne Barefoot
Debut album released1998 2007
Album title Hit Me Baby One More Time Tales of a Jillbilly
Backup performers Session acts (no names available) Brothers Bunch, Blanton and Bradshaw; sister Bailey; cousin Brashears
Intended audiencePop music lovers, horny men 18-49 The whole family!
Movie crossovers Starred in Crossroads (remember that?)None
Outrageous moments Shaving her hair bald, lesbian-kissing, going to a public bathroom barefoot, and so many more None (as far as we know)
Rehab visits Several (in one week!) None
Biggest professional problem Where does one begin? Her name on Wikipedia redirects to Britney's page
Overall image Girl gone wild Girl next door you want to marry
Does she exist? Yes (unfortunately!) No (unfortunately!)











































































































































































































































































































































































































































Friday, May 21, 2010

From BWB.com: Lyrics to "Bluebird"

This is the second in a series of some of the essential pages from buddywaynebarefoot.com now being transferred to this blog. Please see this link for information as to why this is happening.

As a result of creating my character, I became a songwriter. Granted, I am not a professional and in fact this was my first-ever attempt. But I am confident that I conveyed his spirit through the lyrics of what would have been his songs.

Here is what the page looked like.


My character's signature song is "Bluebird." It is about the time, in 1997, that Buddy Wayne Barefoot left the United States for a new life overseas. He moved to an island off the coast of Africa because he thought it would provide for a great professional opportunity.

Unfortunately, his father did not approve and he had to sneak out of town through clandestine means. (For more information, see this page.) Although "Bluebird" was biographical, the theme is universal for anyone who is yearning for freedom. In addition, that this is a guitar solo makes it easy for just about anyone to play this song.--D.H.

Bluebird, bluebird, sittin' in a tree

Bluebird, bluebird, smilin' back at me

Bluebird, bluebird, sittin' in a tree

Bluebird, bluebird, smilin' back at me

Bluebird, bluebird, singin' a happy song

Bluebird, bluebird, all the day long

Bluebird, bluebird, singin' a happy song

Bluebird, bluebird, all the day long

One day I looked up expectin' to see

The bluebird perched at the top of the tree

But I was dumbfounded, I was amazed

To find the place empty, I was in a daze

Later, I found out he was taken away

Oh my, that had to be a miserable day

I searched everywhere, even asked around

But my dear bluebird was nowhere to be found

A few days later I discovered a cage

My reaction was nothing but a cold, hard rage

I found it in a house of a mean ol' man

I thought, "I want to stop him as fast as I can!"

Why, oh why, I attempted to say

Did that hard-hearted man want to take him away?

I had to do something, had to spread the word,

That someone had to free this beloved bird

My brave little bluebird/Thought of a plan

But couldn't get away/From the mean ol' man

Time passed away/And there was despair

The bird suffered more/Than anyone should bear

All the other birds/Knew of the little one's pain

And all of them vowed/He shouldn't suffer again

The cardinal, robin and sparrow too

Pecked away at the cage, oh yeah that was true

And soon the word spread across the great land

About the war that was ragin' and the birds' upper hand

In a last battle, the man tried one last time

But the bluebird's friends avenged the horrible crime

The cage broke wide open, the bird took his wing,

And at last my beloved bluebird was FREE AGAIN!

The aftermath saw a huge party in the woods,

The beasts of the meadow welcomed him back for good

The threat to his freedom, the days full of strife

Made the bluebird cherish his precious life

(Repeat first quatrain)

Bluebird

Bluebird

Bluebird

Oh, yeah, bluebird


(By the way, the link refers to a dummy page that would have been his Wikipedia entry had it existed, with this actual address.)

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

From the vault: The BWC movie

On Monday, I received an e-mail from Melbourne IT, which sells domain names to clients of Freeservers. Since 2007, I have maintained a website, buddywaynebarefoot.com, at Freeservers. However, for financial reasons, I will not keep the domain name after May 31. Therefore, Melbourne IT will reclaim the address for sale to another possible owner. More importantly, everything on my site will be erased.

The next several posts will be devoted to preserving some of the highlights of the site by transferring them onto this blog. First will be a "casting" of a movie based on The Buddy Wayne Chronicles, as posted on Dec. 7, 2007.




About one year ago at this time, the idea for The Buddy Wayne Chronicles was hatched. A sports and music celebrity gets away from it all, finds new adventures, and becomes more than he ever expected to be in the process.

All in all, it reads like a script for a Hollywood movie, with one exciting scene after another. So who plays the role based on the characters I created? And who fills the behind-the-scenes roles?

ACTORS

  • Buddy Wayne Barefoot - Jason Lee (My Name is Earl). Of all the major film and TV stars, he is the closest in age, physical appearance, and accent to B.W.
  • Shayla McLamb-Barefoot - Reese Witherspoon (I Walk the Line, Election). I would be so privileged to have an Oscar-nominated actress in this film.
  • Bunky Barefoot - Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings trilogy). Picked because of his youth and his distinctive curly hair, matching what I think Bunky should look like.
  • Brenda Barefoot - Kathy Bates (Misery). Even better: an Oscar winner in this role! Trivia to wow your friends and co-workers: Her original stage name was Bobo Bates.
  • Dylan Bryan-Brown - Either Adrien or Adam Brody. The brothers are both favored by many movie critics and have been nominated for awards.
  • Will Hawks - Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy). Derrick "McDreamy" Shepherd is not only a rising star, but also a sports-car driver.
  • Bubba Ray Lumpkin - Nick Cannon (cut his teeth on Nickelodeon, several other films since). The moon face looks familiar...
  • Alonzo Barefoot - Wilford Brimley (TV commercials, 1980s series Our House). If he could be persuaded to shave his mustache and put on a gray wig, he would be perfect.
  • BooTeasha Baltimore - Tyra Banks (Tyra, America's Next Top Model) - My personal pick may also be the most difficult to obtain due to her schedule. If Banks is not available, either Gabrielle Union or Queen Latifah could step in.
  • Brittany L. Spears - Taylor Swift. This teenage country singer beats out Kellie Pickler (American Idol) for the role of a bluegrass star. Swift is closer to the age of the character than Pickler is.
  • Bubba Brister - Taylor Hicks (American Idol). Another reach, as Hicks would have to dye his hair for the part. But Hicks' R&B/blues background is somewhat like Brister's.
  • Voice of Althea McBiddlewhiskers, the guardian angel - Marianne Muellerleile (too many TV shows and movies to count). One of Hollywood's great character actresses, she has over 200 credits in the last 30 years.
  • Ms. McBynum, the restaurant owner - Mo'nique (various TV shows). This would be her first big movie role, no pun intended. And she deserves it.
  • The other roles - including pro wrestlers Big and One Man Gang; Blackman Bibb, who runs the conference center; and Randy Mantooth, the serviceman turned racer, will be filled by unknowns, either character actors or first-timers. (For example, some National Football League players could play the pro wrestlers.)

BEHIND THE SCENES

  • Head scriptwriter - Bonnie MacBird. MacBird not only has a name that could fit among the denizens of Idealia, but she more importantly has more than 25 years of writing and executive experience. Her most famous script was for the 1982 Disney hit movie Tron. She currently teaches a scriptwriting class at UCLA Extension called "Write Side of the Brain."
  • Director - Ron Howard. The co-head of Imagine Entertainment has been a fan favorite as an actor, director, and producer for over 40 years, going back to when he played Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show. I think he is best at telling this type of story.
  • Stunt/race coordinator - Stanton Barrett. Currently driving in the Busch/Nationwide Series, Barrett has over 25 movie credits as a stuntman, including Spider-Man 2, The Dukes of Hazzard (film), and 8 Mile. No actual person knows the world that Buddy Wayne inhabits better than Barrett.
  • Brian Barefoot is not only the namesake of the star character, he has worked on all 14 seasons of Survivor to date as an editor. Don't know if he has any film experience, but I would hire him for this.
Some updates: Mo'Nique is now the second Oscar winner in my cast, as she won Best Supporting Actress in 2010 for Precious: Based on Push by Sapphire. Instead of 14 seasons of Survivor, there have now been 20. In 2009, Cannon became the host of America's Got Talent, and returns for a second season in that role on June 1. Finally, Tron: Legacy hits theaters this coming December.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

It's been a while, so...

While I reviewed my website to import some photos to fulfill an assignment for the adult school, I found that it has been a month since I made my last posting. So here is a brief update:
  • I have added a new, important link that you can access by clicking on Buddy Wayne's picture. It is the page at which you can buy my book. This is the most important feature I have added to the site, and I am so sorry that I did not do this earlier - probably at the moment this blog was created.
  • As mentioned, I am creating a new final project for my InDesign class using my characters. The eventual result will be a 12-page "press kit" with "biographies" of selected singers. The Brittany Spears page will be labeled Spears Family Band due to my teacher's lack of ease over the use of a similarly-named recording artist, and I have changed the name of the Barenaked Ladies (too provocative to use in a class project) to Slumber Party.
  • The NASCAR Hall of Fame opened on May 11 in Charlotte, NC. This is a place after Buddy's own heart, as it honors the past of the sport but also provides a setting for interactivity, just like science museums. The Hall can also be rented out for special events, and indeed I have "scheduled" one for June 23, honoring the Barefoot Fund, an organization that honors family history, military service, and moral and ethical causes. The form I would have used to make the reservation links from this page.
  • Finally, there is still no decision as to whether or not Buddy Wayne will enter the million-dollar legends car race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I will continue to take my time.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Will one-million-dollar purse lure B.W. back?

The 2007 Heritage Cup race, a stock-car racing event in which drivers represented their family names, was supposed to be Buddy Wayne Barefoot's farewell. And he won it in the most unforgettable style, flipping across the start/finish line and landing with the wheels pointed the right way. It was the most dramatic finish ever in racing.

Since then, I have vowed that my character would never again go racing.

But it seems that nothing is final in auto racing, or in the world of sports in general. The names of great athletes who have come back or extended their careers have been very famous - Michael Jordan, Brett Favre, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Michael Schumacher are just a few of them.

Now, Barefoot is faced with the temptation to return, in the form of the Legends Million, this coming July at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The purse, of course one million dollars, is the largest in the history of U.S. Legend Cars International, which has similar cars to what Barefoot drove that magical night.

The Legends Million is scheduled for July 14 through 17, and it was announced today that the final rounds will be televised live on Speed.

Will Buddy fill out the entrance form and thereby end a well-deserved retirement from the sport? Or will he stay in the garage area as up to 1,000 other drivers go for the top prize of $250,000? Stay tuned!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Buddy blabs away

Things have been too quiet lately in the world of my characters, so I approached Buddy Wayne Barefoot earlier this week and spoke to him on some of the hottest topics of the day.

Health care in the United States: It's about time something happened. We have seen all the other industrialized countries in the world start some kind of health-care system that protects all of its citizens. I cannot believe that no Republican - not one of them - supported the new health-care system, even though there is no "single payer" option as there is in the other nations. Even an executive order banning the use of federal funds for abortion was not good enough for them. You have a top-notch system of care in Congress, why not share that with the public? That's what happens when you believe that death panels will soon kill Grandma.

The right wing gets violent: This is why the Tea Party movement has lost me. A few people have spoiled it for everyone through racial slurs, bricks thrown through windows, and drawings of President Barack Obama as if he lived in the jungle. No matter what you think, he is our president and we all must respect him. And the talk-show hosts are horrible: Rush Limbaugh has slid into irrevelance and Glenn Beck is clearly paranoid. (Unfortunately, Keith Olbermann is no better on the left. Yes, the Iraq war has been questionable at best, but George W. Bush is not the Antichrist, either.)

Possible expansion of the NCAA men's basketball tournament to 96 teams: No! This cheapens the tournament and invites more mediocre teams to the postseason. It also will not save the jobs of head coaches, as some has suggested. The only reason this would happen is so that the NCAA can tear up the current TV contract - with three years left - and replace it with a new pact and receive more money. That's sad.

Simon Cowell to leave American Idol: The show won't be the same without him. I wish him good luck on the American version of The X-Factor, which will be on Fox beginning in the fall of next year. Thankfully, the Howard Stern-as-replacement rumors have gone away, otherwise I would never watch the show again. One of my fans asked me if I were interested in replacing Simon on the judges' panel. I think I would be served better as a mentor for a single episode. My nature is better suited for helping performers instead of critiquing them. So, no, I don't want to be a judge.

That's it for now. I'll "talk" to him again soon, maybe when something big happens in Idealia. Until then, happy Easter.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

My characters go to school; UWF results

I haven't posted in exactly two weeks, so appropriately I have combined two posts into one.

The first part is that I have integrated my characters as part of classroom assignments at ABC Adult School in both classes I attend. In the Photoshop I class (10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.), I am creating a "concert poster" with Buddy, Blondie, Brittany Spears, and Bubba Brister performing at Brian Warner Park on a fall day with the colorful leaves as a backdrop. (I chose Brian Warner's name because it is the given name of punk rock star Marilyn Manson.) The Photoshop assignment is due at the end of class on April 1. In the Illustrator class (12:20 p.m.-2:10 p.m.), I am creating an artwork in which Barefoot has a bluebird on his shoulder, symbolic of the title of his hit song. That task has already been completed, and I am thinking of a second project which could have a similar theme.


The other subject is the Ultimate Wrestling Federation card I wrote about in Chapter 3. Strangely, I was inspired by the infomercial that pitched both Santo Gold jewelry and a B-grade picture called Blood Circus. (This page has all the details.) That got me to thinking that I haven't given away all the results yet. So, as Jim Lange said decades ago, herrrrre they are:

  • The Hillbilly Kid pinned Bobby James. Kid was played by all-league tight end Ricky Biffle, who was making his wrestling debut
  • Chill Town (C.J. Brookshire and Bryan McFalls, dressed as reality TV stars Will Kirby and Mike Malin, respectively) defeated jobbers R.D. Reynolds and Bryan Alvarez in tag-team action
  • "The Real" Biggie Smalls took the UWF Television Title away from the Dead Men Wrestling clique by pinning Danny Boy (based on Davey Boy Smith, but with an Irish accent)
  • Barbie Blank (WWE's Kelly Kelly) beat Big Rhonda of DMW to win the women's championship
  • DMW member Badd Boy Brady Boone, Jr. pinned Super Black Ninja to defend the hardcore title. The final blow came when Boone attacked Ninja with the handle of the scythe provided by the ringleader The Ripper.)
  • DMW member Squashing Leamy beats Crusher Bennett. After the match, Bennett threatened former manager Ashley Mae Basher until "The Real" Biggie Smalls entered the ring to save her.
  • The New Blade Runners, Brick and Flash, won the four-way international table ladders and chairs match as representatives of the U.S. They beat "Owen Hart" and "Brian Pillman" (Canada), Tanaka and Ito (Japan), and El Rana and El Vaquero (Mexico).
  • Big defended his UWF heavyweight championship when he pinned One Man Gang. The pin move came from a head scissor move after Big had plunged from the top of the video lighting stand 45 feet above the ring.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Melanie MacMelville "interview"


My series of "interviews" with Idealian characters continues with its resident bubble-gum pop singer, Melanie Elaine MacMelville. She has a lyrical name and a girl-next-door look. Her music is a blend of pop, rock, and Christian music that all ages can enjoy. Once again, Magdalena Babblejack asks the questions.

MB: Mel, unlike most of the other music artists here, you are not from the Southeast United States. Rather, you hail from Long Island, New York. Does that make you feel awkward?
MM: Not at all. What is important to me is that my music matches the values and beliefs of all of the other singers, and that matter all the other entertainers. I stand for breezy, catchy tunes with an underlying message.

MB: When did you first dream of a musical career?
MM: I first sang when I was five years old. From that point on, I listened intently to every song on the radio and hoped to be one of them someday.

MB: When were your first performances?
MM: When I was in high school, I sang at shopping malls and coffeehouses on Long Island. Then at age 16, I jumped on the Long Island Expressway, stopped at the Grand Central Terminal [in New York City] and walked all the way to Times Square. That's how much I wanted so badly to have a career in music. I sang on the sidewalk. And yes, I had my parents' blessing.(LOL)

MB: How did Little Boy Records discover you?
MM: Brandon McLamb [Buddy Wayne Barefoot's publicist] attended a Mets baseball game and heard me sing "The Star Spangled Banner." He absolutely loved it! He went to the press box and arranged for a meeting face-to-face. Buddy heard that song and some demos and he signed me. That was before I "died" and entered Idealia. Once that happened, the contracts were transferred over.

MB: Talk about some of your songs.
MM: "I'm Breezin'" sounds like a standard-issue pop song, but in the end it is about how to stay grounded and stable in a world that is full of temptation. "I Will Not Yield" is similar, but it has a slower pace and a more overt Christian message. "Good-Natured Barb" is about a day I spent with my mother, who is also my best friend. Her name is Barbara.

MB: Like so many other singers, you have also dabbled in acting. Tell me about that.
MM: On OurNetwork on Thursday nights, I have a show, a sitcom, called The New Black. On it, I play Jennifer Black, a fashion executive who dreams of a better and less busy life and will do anything to get it. My father William is a retired executive at a tea company, so this is a role that I can identify with.

MB: What does your future hold?
MM: I have a movie and album out called Hollaback Girl. I heard Gwen Stefani say that she "ain't no hollaback girl," so this is my response. I love to be someone who talks to people and "holler back" at them.

MB: Thank you, Melanie, for your time.
MM: You're welcome as always.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Hey, Idol: Here's someone better than Stern

This week, American Idol wrapped up its first week of semifinal performances and four singers have been eliminated.

But two topics of conversation have dominated the show: its ratings are in decline (trailing the Winter Olympics for the first time), and Howard Stern has shown interest in becoming a judge. The show is seeking to replace the iconic Simon Cowell, who is leaving after this season.

Yes, Howard Stern. The "King of All Media" and the source of annoying prank phone calls for all occasions, whether it's a natural disaster or simply the retirement of an ex-pro football player.

I firmly believe that the inclusion of Stern will mean the end of Idol. He will be rejected by the public because he knows little about the music scene and is too controversial.

I have a better idea for the new judge on Idol.

He is one of the most famous recording artists in history. He once had a song that was number one for a record 18 weeks. Due to his parallel career as a pro athlete, he is one of the famous personalities in American history. In addition, he started his own record company with a stable of artists that have turned off hit after hit. Whatever projects he has been involved in have seen a surge in public interest. Finally, he can be blunt and honest when he has to be, an American version of Cowell.

If you haven't already guessed, it's Buddy Wayne Barefoot.

Too bad Fox and FremantleMedia can't hire him.



For that reason, I nominate either Ace Young (who looks a bit like Barefoot) or Matt Rogers for the vacant spot. Both have been on Idol before and would provide some good analysis.

Anyone but Howard Stern. Anyone.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

New calendar, Super Bowl prediction

I have created a calendar with the 12 singing stars I created and nurtured in my very first post. It is being published through Lulu.com, the same place as the book that started it all.

Right now, it is not available for sale, but if it does happen, here's where to buy it.

As for the Super Bowl, I will quote what I wrote to an online forum:

"Let me just say that Mardi Gras will start early and won't end anytime soon.

Saints 27, Colts 17"

Thursday, January 28, 2010

600 Racing changes its name

Speedway Motorsports, owners of 600 Racing, has changed the name of its Legends car unit to U.S. Legend Cars International. The change took place sometime late in 2009. Speed is now airing TV commercials with the U.S. Legend Cars name with 2009 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year Joey Logano, as well as fellow Sprint Cup drivers Reed Sorenson and David Ragan.

Of course, Buddy Wayne Barefoot would be the most famous name of all from the Legends car program. He "raced" in similar cars overseas in the 1990s, and of course the big race at the end of The Buddy Wayne Chronicles was in an oversized version of the 600 Racing cars, scaled up to compete on a bigger, more banked racetrack.

For more information on U.S. Legend Cars International, visit http://www.uslegendcars.com.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Changes to bracket, support for quake victims

As someone who lives in southern California, I respect the damage that earthquakes can do. But even knowing that, what happened in Haiti on Tuesday was beyond horrible. The death toll has been estimated at 50,000. In addition, the already-fragile infrastructure of the country is nearing collapse as rescue workers race against time.

This blog joins many others in supporting the efforts of the American Red Cross. There are three ways to do it:
*By phone at 1-800-733-2767
*Online at http://www.redcross.org
*Via text: "HAITI" to 90999 ($10 charge to cell phone account)


Speaking of Haiti, someone who would be familiar with the territory is a Louisiana boy named Beaulieu Barrilleaux. He is a pirate who makes Jack Sparrow look like a weakling, and his ways would be legendary all over the Gulf Coast and Caribbean. It would be easy for him to find some adventures in Port-au-Prince and other such towns.

Unfortunately, when I made the Tournament of Characters, I left him off the list of 32 contestants, and looking back that was a mistake. In fact, I am making several changes in the field from the one I composed this past summer.

Barrilleaux replaces Lulabettie Littlebridge in the 14th of the 16 first-round matches. That means he loses to Rumpelstiltskin Ritterblatt in round one. Littlebridge now loses to Althea McBiddlewhiskers in the same round, while Elizabeth Hildenbreath is no longer entered.

But the biggest change is that Melanie MacMelville now advances to round two over Bobby "Hootie" Pittman, who replaces Brett Bartlett. Pittman is the "real Hootie" of Hootie and the Blowfish, now a beach music band. Unfortunately, I didn't think of him when the original tourney was being conducted. MacMelville goes on to lose to Buddy Wayne Barefoot in the second round. Meanwhile, Bobbington Hogg, a winner in round one over Mudd Bunch Sidebottom, now loses to Brian Patrick Ryan McHooligan in round two.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Annual calendar of events

Here is a rough listing of annual events and milestones of Idealian life. Dates in parentheses are in 2010 if necessary.

JANUARY
January 1: New Year's Day

FEBRUARY
Mid-February: African Life Festival
To coincide with Black History Month in the U.S., there are a number of special events including a "battle of the bands," a fraternity step show, and a gospel music concert.

MARCH
March 14: Buddy Wayne Barefoot's birthday
This is marked by music, storytelling, and other events.

March 21: Robin's Day
Named for the bird that is the symbol of the coming of spring, it is intended to celebrate the bounty of nature.

Last Sunday in March: Easter
This holiday is on a more standardized date than is celebrated in the real world, which can take place between March 21 and April 20.

MAY
Third Monday in May (May 19): Heroes' Day
This honors Barefoot, Ritterblatt, McHooligan, Bryant, and others who made it possible for Idealians to celebrate their lives.

JUNE
First two weekends: Film Festival
The latest movies from local filmmakers are all released at this event that simulates all the Hollywood buzz.

Fridays starting on or about June 21: Concerts in the Park
Bass-Timberlake Park hosts a series of concerts and readings. All the local favorites, such as Barefoot, Blondie, the Spears Family Band, and Hootie & the Blowfish, have performed in this series.

JULY
July 4: Heritage Cup
This is the race of vintage automobiles that was the site of the most unforgettable event of Buddy Wayne's life.

SEPTEMBER
Ten days from first Friday to second Sunday: Blue Ribbon Days
Bass-Timberlake stages a replica of an American country fair, including food contests, rides, and special shows.

OCTOBER
October 31: Death's Holiday
This event, commemorating the moment that Heaven was realized and when sickness and death was eradicated, substitutes for Halloween.

NOVEMBER
Fourth Thursday (Nov. 25): Thanksgiving

DECEMBER
December 25: Christmas Day