Something New: 3 Things I like and 3 Things I didn't like

Let's try something new.

Here are three things I liked this week and three things I didn't like this week.

The views and opinions expressed in this piece are mine and mine alone and do not represent the thoughts of anyone other than Mike Paterson.

What I liked:

1, President Obama's message in Tuesday's address about every American committing to an additional year of education. As the world and job market shrink and change, talent - and how you activate that talent - is going to separate you from others. Continuing education is one method to activate our unique and individual talents.

2, House of Cards on CNBC. If you have a chance to see this documentary, see it. DVR it. It puts a perspective into how we got into this economic mess. When Greenspan says "I have a strong math background and I don't understand some of these swaps and derivatives." That could be a sign of trouble.

3, The words of thanks from my colleagues in Atlanta. As I leave for new adventures, it's great to know that my two years in Atlanta made a difference.

What I didn't like:

1, The Octuplet Mother. Stay off the TV and internet. Spend time with those children. My blood pressure rises every time I see her. A year ago, this would not have happened. It's funny how kids change you.

2, The passing of two American media institutions: Paul Harvey and the American Newspaper (The Rocky Mountain News shut down on Friday by writing its own obituary). Scott Slade said it best on Atlanta's Morning News on WSB-AM Tuesday morning, "We need to get ready for a world without newspapers." Paul Harvey was the voice coming out of the radio for at least three generations: mine, my father's, and my grandfather's.

3, My last meal at Taco Mac as a resident of Atlanta. While it's sad to leave the ATL, new adventures await in MSP (and new restaurants).

-30-

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FW: Take Two

D belly laughing.

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FW:

We're takinf Astro for a walk.

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FW:

D at the gym

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FW:

The boys at the gym.

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FW:

We're a perfect pair!

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FW:

Laid back S.

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FW:

I just rolled from my back to my front, D hasn't done that yet!

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FW:

D belly laughing.

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FW:

Some morning tummy time before breakfast.

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Leaving Town ...

... There was some serendiptiy the other day when I was driving home from work on I-75 through Buckhead and heard Dexter Freebish's "Leaving Town" on the radio.

It seems like just yesterday we were getting ready to live in the ATL, yet in a matter of two years, we're packing and heading for frozen Minnesota and excited about every minute of it - especially when your mother-in-law cries because you'll be a short-drive from her house in Waunakee, Wisconsin.

I arrive at MSP on Sunday night in time to report for duty at K102 (KEEY-FM) as General Sales Manager on Monday morning.

Jen and the boys will transition to the Midwest over the next couple weeks, stopping to spend some time in Madison and Milwaukee.

While we weren't planning this move, we are very excited. It is a great professional opportunity and an even better personal opportunity. It puts us closer to our families where 6-month old grandchildren need to be.

It also keeps my wonderful, charming, beautiful, and sexy wife out of Mendota with relatives within a short drive to provide a breather from the world of baby twin boys.

It's also a great opportunity professionally and I know I'll succeed.

I remember walking into Z104 (WZEE-FM) almost 16 years ago as a college kid with a love for media. I knew right then that I wanted to capture the energy of the radio pros and channel that into a career in media. I didn't get that vibe at a newspaper. Radio was it.

So far, so good.

And, K102 is one of the top 5 country radio stations in America. Since my days with 93Q (KKBQ) in Houston, I have a passion for country music (Thanks Judy Lakin, Alana Thomas, Caroline Devine, and Jaymie Kosina).

Once you get it, you get it.

Let the fun begin.

We're jazzed to live in MSP with our friends from the University of Wisconsin nearby. While I've spent plenty of weekends around the Twin Cities, I've never been a resident.

Now, I'll be able to call myself a Minnesotan.

I may not be able to cheer for the Gophers, the Vikings, or the Twins (Go White Sox), yet I'm excited for State Fair and all the other events around The Cities especially hockey.

It's also with a heavy heart that Jen and I bid farewell to ATL.

We were just beginning to set roots and friendships.

We loved being 4 hours from Destin, Florida and within an hour of the North Georgia Mountains. Plus, we'll leave a great cast of friendships that were just beginning to blossom. The beauty of living in 2009 is Facebook, phones, email, and more.

It's also with a total sad face that I leave WSB Radio in Atlanta. It's a first-class organization and this is the place that invented the NBC chimes (you know the Duhn, Duhn, Duhn that NBC plays during primetime).

It's like playing in Yankee Stadium everyday.

When they say in sweepers "The home of Boortz, Clark, and Hannity" - they mean it. Plus, the morning drive has a 20+ share rating - unheard of in 2009.

Broadcast magic happens everyday in that building on 1601 West Peachtree Street and I'm a better broadcaster and media professional because of it. I would never trade my two years in ATL and at WSB/KISS/RIVER (et. al) for anything. It's a little sad that it will end so quickly.

Yet opportunity knocks and we know all good things come to an end.

Looking ahead, 11-years from now, we'll be able to bring the boys for a drive down Peachtree Street to see the hospital where they were born (Piedmont Hospital) and where they lived for their first 6 months. And, I might come back for a visit and a beer at Fado over the next few years.

'Til we meet in MSP!

And, for the serendipity of the Dexter Freebish reference, when Jen and I moved from Austin to Houston, this was a record we made a hit at KHFI. The band broke up shortly after that. Long live the "Live Music Capital of the World."

-30-

29 years ago

Do you remember where you were when this happened on February 22, 1980?




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Baptism Pics and a couple other random fotos

It's been a while since I sat at the computer and posted photos. Most of the recent updates came from the handheld - yes, really it's referred to as a phone, however the handheld does so much more than dial a number.

The boys were baptised on 2/15/2009 at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection on Paper Mill Road in East Cobb (Marietta). Amie and Carrie (Jen's sisters) joined us as sponsors. My sisters were not able to attend because of other commitments. Grandparents Julie, Kathy, and Jack made the trip south. Grandpa Dale was not able to make it since he is waiting for a kidney transplant and not allowed to travel this far from University Hospital in Madison.

Below are some pictures of the boys and the families from the weekend! Have a great week!

Here's everyone after the baptism.

Amie, Carrie, and the Paterson Family.

More shots of the ceremony.

Derek gets Spencer in a DDT (wrestling move from the 80s invented by Jake The Snake Roberts).

Three generations of Paterson boys.

Derek, smiling about pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training.

Pregnant Jen at Stone Mountain with her father.

The boys after the baptism. It was the first time Pastor Dave has baptised twins.

-30-

FW:

Hi there, just chillin' on the couch after our walk down to the river.

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Mom let us dress alike today.

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FW:

D likes Mexican, too bad he's moving to MN...

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Monitoring the door at La Parilla

FW:

We love playing together.

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FW:

Brotherly love...

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FW:

Good morning grandma.

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FW:

We played really hard at the gym...

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FW:

S talking to the block.

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FW:

D still sleeping, we're not going to make it to the store this afternoon.

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D out from Above

D out

FW:

Spencer, stop kicking me in the face!

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FW:

Still sleeping.

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FW:

We have to wear our UGA Bibs now since we'll be leaving GA Soon.

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DJ eats a Cracker at Ted's

Nico throws the ice

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FW:

I got some too.

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FW:

Yummy, Waffle House!

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FW:

Yummy, pizza!

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FW:

I got some too.

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The amtrak station on Peachtree Street

Storm clouds forming.

FW:

Spencer is a major whiner today. Not me, I've had good naps today, so I'm happy.

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FW:

Mom figured out how to stop our whining...Feed us cereal & apple sauce.

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FW:

yummy, sweet potatos.

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FW:

Me & my kitty.

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FW:

Finally out!

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FW:

You & mom were wrong. No nap for me, however, S is out.

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Sunday's Dinner

Jennifer prepared a great dinner for us tonight after the boys went to bed.

This blog post is a double shout-out.

1, For Jennifer who got a little cooking bug and made a tilapia pan-fried in brown sugar and nuts, with a potato and green beans prepared in garlic on the side.

It was perfect.

With these two crazy boys, we're used to bowls of cereal after the two wonderful children go to bed about 8:15.

Tonight, it was a feast of fish followed by the Grammys.

Jen saw the fresh fish at the Disco Kroger in Buckhead and couldn't resist.

Now, if you don't know about the Disco Kroger, use the google and read more about it (go to google.com and type in "disco kroger" and you'll get the full story - it's worth your time).

2, Plus, we need to thank Jaymie and Chad Kosina from Katy, Texas.

Chad, actually.

The wine on the table is a gift from Chad. It's a Columbia Crest Merlot from the Reserve Collection of 2003. Chad passed this to us two years ago when we moved to Atlanta. All the Sideways jokes about merlot aside, this is one good bottle of merlot.

And, Jaymie stopped by our place in ATL a couple weeks ago when she was here on business. Check out the photos from her website here.

Can Chad send a couple more bottles since you work for the company?

-30-

Dad and boys at Maggiano's

We ate at Maggiano's yesterday.

It might be last time we dine out.

The boys are getting a little too interested in everything happening in the restaurant and don't want to stay in their car seats any longer.

Derek likes to flirt with the waitstaff and Spencer takes everything in and thinks about it.

-30-

FW:

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FW:

Sure, just when I was about to feed him his oatmeal & applesauce, he finally falls asleep.

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FW:

D's hair is extra wild today.

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FW:

D fell asleep, so I get to play in the jumperoo.

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FW:

We're getting so big & mobile, mom had to expand our play area.

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You Are Looking Live

The ESPN announcing team of Brent Musburger and ex-UCLA Coach Steve Lavin stopped in Madison last night to call the Badger-Illini game.

Last year, the made a pit stop on Lake Mendota for some ice fishing.

FW:

Look who's the good napper today!

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