Mr. Microphone

“I’ll be back to pick you up later,” the young man announced from his convertible to the blonde stranger standing on the curb. His voice had been mysteriously amplified over his car stereo. One of the wonders of the late 1970’s, Mister Microphone was one of those $19.95 as-seen-on-TV wonders that everybody had to have. A toy, really, it was a cheap wireless mic that sent a signal via FM that was tuned in on a nearby radio affording many hours of fun—such as picking up chicks. I assure you no young woman has ever been wooed by one of these novelties. Sorry Romeo.

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle. All rights reserved.

Roughing It

Oh how spoiled we have become in this modern age! For a few days I have been borrowing high speed internet from the public library and other municipal services that provide free Wi-Fi. God forbid I have to leave the house to get my Internet fix. Right now we’re stuck with dial-up Web. That was ok 10 years ago when no one had high-speed—but, come on.

Fitting nicely in my intent to become more active—or maybe yet another hinderance—mobile Internet allows me to see the outside world while not missing my electrronic “friends.” A few months back, in the Spring, I coined a new term for myself—eBreak—which is a vacation from all electronic devices: cell phones, computers, the Internet. My eBreak was an amazing success. For an entire week I abstained from all eMails, Facebook and other electronic distractions that had begun to overwhelm me. I highly recommend an eBreak to everyone. It’s just about time for another. Incidently, for my car guy friends: I know that an e-brake is shorthand for emergency brake, but my new word is spelled b-r-e-a-k; just so you’ll know.

Stay tuned

©2010 Neal Rhoden, the Peanut Whistle. All rights reserved. 

Wheeling and Dealing

This week I have been invited to help out with Family Fun Night at my church as a booth announcer for a live version of the classic TV game show Let’s Make a Deal. It sounds like a lot of fun is in store for families. Donated prizes are promised and, of course, there will be “Zonks.” Will it be curtain number one, two or three? Our live version will only have two curtains, but the game is the same.

I’ll take lots of photos and post them here. I can’t wait to see all the crazy costumes, which you’ll see here on The Peanut Whistle. Look out world.

See my Facebook profile for the details. If you’re in the area come and join us!

Stay tuned

© 2010 Neal Rhoden and The Peanut Whistle

It's a Man Thing

  We got some new living room furniture this weekend and had one small problem. What were we to do with the old stuff? I don't have access to a truck so taking away the couch and two chairs seemed an uphill battle. The furniture store charged a substantial delivery fee, but didn't do take away. I wound up taking the Lazy Boy to the Goodwill with no problem in the minivan. The next day when I took the large upholstered chair to the thrift store for donation, the guy almost refused it. It seems that even the Goodwill has its standards. Upon returning home I realized that the couch was too raggedy, but what was I to do with it? The trash man wouldn't pick it up. However, if the sofa was in pieces in bags... you see where I'm going with this. I broke out the heavy artillery: a claw hammer, razor knife, and the pièce de résistance, a Craftsman circular saw! I had so much fun disassembling that the kids envied me. A cloud of cloth and sawdust ensued and we carried out the couch in a thousand pieces. On trash day the unfortunate furniture departed with the rest of the garbage. All you men can now pound your chests and grunt like an ape just like Tim Allen.

Stay tuned

©2010 The Peanut Whistle. All rights reserved.