Hello world, this is Utah!

Monday, May 12th, 2008 @ 12:30PM

Most of the country is getting more of our fair state than they’ve seen since the 2002 Winter Olympics.  Take the Utah Jazz for example.  They handed the LA Lakers their only two losses in the playoffs so far this year.  We hope to hand them another loss on Wednesday night!  But the Utah Jazz are certainly getting some naitonal TV time in the playoffs.  As is our little American Idol David Archuleta.  Thanks to his popularity on that program, everybody is seeing Utah.  People like to gripe about Utah and how lame it is here.  But I don’t.  I like it.  Utah is the proud home of todd’s iPod, after all.

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Promise” Eve 6
1:20 “Bigmouth Strikes Again” The Smiths

American Idol Paparazzi

Friday, May 9th, 2008 @ 1:03PM

David Archuleta in my office!

As I’ve confessed on this very blog, I like to watch American Idol.  It’s because I’m fascinated by all aspects of the music business, even the mainstream side of it.  So you can imagine that I was excited to catch a glimpse of local American Idol contestant David Archuleta.  Our sister station, 101.5 The Eagle, had him on this morning.  I have never seen a bigger swarm of cameras and fans than I saw here today.  It was insane.  I joined in the fun and shot some paparazzi video when he entered the building.  I think this kid as extremely talented and will likely win the whole contest.

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Lips Like Sugar” Echo and the Bunnymen
1:20 “They Say” Scars On Broadway (This is Daron from System of a Down’s new project.)

Late Jazz Game = No Sleep

Thursday, May 8th, 2008 @ 11:03AM

Darn it all, we lost!

The last thing I need before I try to go to bed is a tense Jazz game.  OK.  It wasn’t all that intense as it was frustrating, but the result is the same.  I was way too wound up to go to sleep afterward.  You should know that in grade school and part of junior high I was on a youth league basketball team.  I played guard for the Hooper Hawks, and then later we became the Hooper Hornets.  My specialty was being shorter than everyone else and lacking any athletic talent whatsoever.  OK, I was extremely mediocre at defense, but too short and too much of a wussy to really cause any trouble.  Once I almost fouled out of a game, but that was it.  Therefore, I’m qualified to talk about basketball.  My observations are brief.  We have a good, talented team.  Boozer is awesome as is Korver.  Kirlenko is an amazing athlete.  I just hope we can put the smack down on the Lakers when they’re in town tomorrow night.  We might lost this series, but I hope to land a few good punches.  The Utah Jazz has the talent to beat these guys.  We just need to get it synced.

I was also extremely talented at sitting on the bench during my games.

todd’s iPod

10:20 “Ringfinger” Nine Inch Nails
1:20 “Bixby Canyon Bridge” Death Cab For Cutie (On the new album Narrow Stairs.)

Wednesday already?

Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 @ 1:31PM

Yup. Looks like it is Wednesday.

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Clint Eastwood” Gorillaz
1:20 “The Pot” Tool

Well I guess I should post a blog today.

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 @ 11:54AM

Since I didn't do one yesterday.

I don’t know how I spaced my blog yesterday.  Shame on me.  I’m usually a prolific bloggist.  I was probably too excited because of the Trax train that mashed into an Ace Hardware truck just down the street.  It was right by the Trax station that I use every day, and it happened less than an hour after I got off my train.  Or maybe I forgot to do my blog because I was too excited for the new Nine Inch Nails album that you can download for free from http://www.nin.com and the fact that NIN will be here on September 3rd and we’re giving away tickets before they go on sale this Saturday morning at Smith’s Tix.  It could also have been the new Offspring song we got yesterday that I love.  That might be why I forgot to blog.  Anyway, I’m back.  Yippee for me.

Yesterday’s todd’s iPod songs
10:20 “I Am One” Smashing Pumpkins
1:20 “Animal” Pearl Jam

today’s todd’s iPod songs
10:20 “Echoplex” Nine Inch Nails
1:20 “Possum Kingdom” Toadies

Frontrunner running like a champ!

Friday, May 2nd, 2008 @ 1:26PM

I took Frontrunner to work yesterday and I was a little bit concerned about the way things would be on the ride home.  But UTA made some big adjustments to their service to handle the 5pm rush and everything was perfectly on time and it was a pleasant ride home.  Zipping past a congested I-15 at 79 miles per hour while relaxing on a brand new train is not a bad way to get home.  If your commute brings you from the north into Salt Lake, you should seriously consider riding on Frontrunner.

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Why Can’t I Be You?” The Cure
1:20 “Babypain” Inteferon

Ridin’ The Rails

Thursday, May 1st, 2008 @ 1:04PM

On the train again.

After the mess Monday night trying to get out of Salt Lake on the new Frontrunner trains I decided to wait until the trains are no longer free. Today is the first day where you have to pay to ride. This morning I awakened with a sense for adventure, so I paid my $6 for a round trip pass on Frontrunner and Trax. The ride to work was fine. I left my local station at 8:10 and was stepping off Trax a block away from X96 at about 9:05. It was fun watching the stopped traffic in Davis County on I-15 as we flew past it at 79 MPH. The real test will be this evening when I try to leave during rush hour. Hopefully they’ve adjusted to accommodate the throngs of commuters leaving Salt Lake at 5 pm.

$6 ain’t bad. I spend about that much on gas for a round trip to work, plus I miss all the traffic. And I’m on a train! Did I ever mention that I love trains?

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Love Remains The Same” Gavin Rossdale
1:20 “Take On Me” Reel Big Fish

The Used in our studio tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 @ 11:45AM

And in concert tomorrow night at Salt Air.

Our friends from The Used will be in concert tomorrow night at Salt Air, and they’ll be in our studio at 4pm to chat with our very own Artie Fufkin.  Will he ask them if they’ll send postcards to his 97 year old grandmother?  Will he lick Bert?  Will Bert lick Artie?  Tune in tomorrow to find out.

After attempting to ride Frontrunner on Monday, I may try it again tomorrow when it is no longer free.  Monday’s ride to work was fine, but trying to go home that night was a mess.  There were thousands of people crowding the train station for free rides and it took forever to get home.  I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Mandinka” Sinead O’Connor
1:20 “Message to the World” Story of the Year

The Ass Family.

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 @ 11:29AM

Hahahaha!

A friend of mine sent me this picture.  I think this is a perfect family!

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Soul Meets Body” Death Cab For Cutie
1:20 “Bound For The Floor” Local H

I rode the train to work today!

Monday, April 28th, 2008 @ 11:52AM

Choo-choo!

UTA’s Frontrunner is finally running and I decided to test it out for my commute today.  I boarded at about 8:40 in Farmington and arrived at Salt Lake Central at about 9:10.  Then I hopped on a Traxx train and arrived at Trolley Station in time for my 10 am shift.  Things were a little off schedule this morning, but it is their first live day with commuters.  I have to walk a couple blocks to our studio, but it was fine.  I expected the trains to be crowded, but at the time I rode it was very comfortable.  I might ride an earlier train tomorrow morning to see what that’s like.  The cool thing about it is you can go to http://www.rideuta.com and enter your departure and arrival destinations and the time you wish to arrive and it will plan your trip for you.  It’s pretty sweet. 

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Blue and Yellow” The Used
1:20 “Last Train Home” Lost Prophets (It was the only train song I could think of.)

todd’s iPod

Friday, April 25th, 2008 @ 12:30PM

todd's iPod for today

10:20 “Promise” Eve 6
1:20 “Cuts You Up” Peter Murphy

Spring Fever is eating me alive!

Thursday, April 24th, 2008 @ 11:59AM

I'm craving a little hike.

So the snow/hail is bumming me out because I’m ready for summer.  I was talking to my buddy Kurt (we named Kurty the X96 Short Bus after him) about hiking Mount Timpanogos and it sounds amazing.  He showed me some pictures of it on the summit and I want to hike it.  He and his brother Anthony have been on that hike several times and they want to take me this summer.  So that’s my summer goal.  Fortunately, Kurt is a well trained medic in the army reserve so if I have a heart attack or break my ankle, he’ll save me.  We have to wait until well into the summer for the snow to melt, and even then there’s a bit of snow at the top.  If you come to our live remote broadcasts, you’ll likely see Kurt--he drives our vehicles.  Say hi to him and tell him to take it easy on me when we go hiking.

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Fake Plastic Trees” Radiohead
1:20 “Worlds Away” From First To Last

Todd’s iPod today

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 @ 12:59PM

Look at my post from yesterday for my train ride on UTA's Frontrunner

todd’s iPod

10:20 “Just Like Heaven” The Cure (They’re here on May 23!)
1:20 “Judith” A Perfect Circle (I forgot how good this song is.)

Riding the UTA Frontrunner.

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 @ 5:37PM

It opens this Saturday!

We got to take a ride on the new UTA Frontrunner today, and I got to have a first hand view of the Bombardier Cab Car.  Watch the video and get ready for commuter rail in Utah.  Thanks to UTA for the advance preview.  They made this nerdy train geek very happy!

New Nine Inch Nails Today!

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 @ 11:14AM

Breaking News! We will have a brand new song from Nine Inch Nails today.  Stay tuned for details.

X96 Big Ass Show 2008

Monday, April 21st, 2008 @ 12:01PM

Coming soon!

We’re already working on preparations for the 2008 X96 Big Ass Show.  We must have decent weather this time, that’s for sure.  So far we have some good options for bands, and we will likely move the event to USANA Amphitheater.  This will keep costs down and make it possible for us to crank the sound up.  Please post any comments you have for bands you’d like to see.

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Train In Vain” The Clash
1:20 “Wonderwall” Oasis

UTA Frontrunner!

Friday, April 18th, 2008 @ 7:53AM

I'm way too excited!

It looks like we’re going to give X96 listeners the opportunity to ride the new UTA Frontrunner commuter train before it officially opens on April 26th. Richie T. is setting something up with UTA, listen to Radio From Hell for details. The best part is that he’s working on an arrangement for me to ride in the locomotive with the engineers. I’m thrilled to get an up-close look at the MotivePower MPXpress locomotives that are paired with the Bombardier bi-level cab coaches for the opening of the commuter railroad. Did you know that the the locomotives and cars operate in a push-pull system that allows for the engineers to operate the train from the cab coach for southbound trains? This reduces the need for a wye and reduces time and energy used to turn the train around. It will appear as if the train is moving in reverse when headed southbound, with the locomotive remaining at the rear of the train. Did you know that MotivePower is located in Boise, Idaho?

OK. I’m a little bit geeked on the trains. I’ll settle down.

Yesterday’s Todd’s iPod
10:20 “Love Remains The Same” Gavin Rossdale (Former lead vocalist of Bush and Gwen Stefani’s sperm donor has a new solo album on the way.)
1:20 “Stay Away” Nirvana (Because it’s a great song lost in the album that contains “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

New WEEZER!

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 @ 12:47PM

-W-

We found the brand new Weezer song and we’re playing it every hour on the hour all day today.  The song is entitled “Pork and Beans” from the Weezer red album set to come out June 24th.

I forgot to post my songs from todd’s iPod yesterday, so here they are.
Todd’s iPod Tuesday 4/15
10:20 “Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine” The Killers
1:20 “Perfect Drug” Nine Inch Nails (I suck trying to play this one on Rock Band.)

todd’s iPod Wednesday 4/16
10:20 “Gray Cell Green” Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
1:20 “A Wish Away” The Wonderstuff

Oingo Boingo, possibly one of the greatest bands ever.

Monday, April 14th, 2008 @ 12:33PM

(According to me.)

I’ve been on this little Oingo Boingo kick for the last few days.  It started on Saturday when I pulled out one of their old CD’s to listen to, and since then I’ve been ruminating on their greatness.  Danny Elfman is a genious with his lyrics and they know how to utilize a horn section.  Today on todd’s iPod I played “Only A Lad” and the sarcastic tone of the song made me smile.  Good stuff.  Of course Mr. Elfman makes a ton of money scoring movies and from his theme for The Simpsons.  That’s probably a good gig.  But check out some of the old Oingo Boingo tunes out there.  Good stuff!

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Only A Lad” Oingo Boingo
1:20 “World In My Eyes” Depeche Mode
(I must be in an old school mood today.)

Home-made fajitas!

Friday, April 11th, 2008 @ 12:35PM

Last night it was a delicious serving of fajitas from my favorite new piece of kitchenware.  For xmas we got some new pots and pans plus a cast iron skillet.  I love cooking in the skillet.  I made the best fajitas last night, they were so good they even rival Chili’s fajitas.  The fact that I’m starving as I type this blog entry must have some reason for the subject, since I’m thinking about how yummy dinner was last night...and I have leftovers.  That’s the one thing about working the 10a to 2p shift--I work through lunch time.  But I guess I did the same thing back when I worked the same hours at Golden Corral.  But I digress.  The fajitas were delicious.  I’m not a bad cook.  You should come on over to the house for dinner one of these nights.

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Close to Me” The Cure
1:20 “Jigsaw Falling into Place” Radiohead

You really should check out my new shoes.

Thursday, April 10th, 2008 @ 11:42AM

My new shoes are awesome.

I’m like a woman with my appreciation for a fine pair of shoes.  These are my latest.  In addition to looking freaking awesome, these shoes are comfy!  Don’t you wish you had cool shoes like these?

todd’s iPod
10:20 “Pain” Jimmy Eat World
1:20 “White, Discussion” Live