Sisterhood. I used to think it only meant the relationship between a woman and her sister(s). I’m slowly learning that it comes in many forms. I’m fortunate to have a wonderful little sister, E., who not only was my first and best friend as a child, but whom now inspires me as an adult. It isn’t something I think about much, but last weekend, as my sister finally discovered GoodReads and I became inspired to write this post, I realized the depth of the shared experiences E. and I have. Of course, there is the obvious. We have the same wonderful parents, we share and adore a little brother, we spent almost our entire childhoods living in the same house, and we attended the same schools, even having some of the same teachers.
But there is so much more. We both grew up playing and working in the family business, Russell Canoe Livery, having our Dad as boss, as did our little brother. Our Grandma R. taught us all how to drive and supported us in everything we did. She and Grandpa were fixtures at E.’s basketball and softball games, as well as the football, soccer, and baseball games of G., our little brother. They even attended the games of great-nieces and nephews, many of whom E. and I considered our best friends. E. and I will always carry those lessons of love and support with us, thanks to the concerted efforts of our grandparents and our parents.
At the end of our childhoods, E. and I even decided to attend the same university, Michigan State, despite our planned vastly different career paths. Due to our age difference, almost exactly three years, and my tendency to study abroad, there was only one semester during which we both lived on campus. One night my sister had one of those freshman year meltdowns that seem to happen to everyone.
Guess who she called? Yep, her big sister. I ended up at her dorm room and we ended up spending a good share of that evening just talking, about everything and anything. I never realized she wasn’t anything but happy; she didn’t realize I wanted children someday or how deeply my infertility weighed on my mind (and still does). It was the first time we’d shared so much since we were children.
I love the fact that we now share an alma mater too. She eventually even met my wonderful brother-in-law at MSU and began serving as a Big Sister with Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Her little sister, C., who is not so little anymore, is very much a part of our family. C. and I were both in E.’s wedding party, along with E.’s gaggle of crazy friends.
E., Grandpa B., and Me ~ West Branch, MI ~ Christmas 2004
It wasn’t until fairly recently that I began to experience another type of sisterhood; the type that brings women together around a shared set of circumstances. On Facebook I belong to a very active group of women and girls with Turner Syndrome. Some Moms, and even a couple of Dads, of girls with Turners participate as well. As Turner Syndrome affects only women, we are our own sisterhood. Not only do we share a few similar physical characteristics, nearly all of us deal with infertility, short stature, growth hormone injections, hormone replacement therapy, and continued misinformation surrounding our specific genetic condition. Through the group, we have cheered on adoptions, supported those going through invitro fertilization, tried to provide accurate information for parents of girls with Turners, and encouraged each other in countless ways, in spite of sometimes severe medical issues and even untimely deaths. I can’t think of a better definition of sisterhood.
What gets me is this: Why can’t women carry this attitude with them every day, no matter what the circumstances? Instead we put each other down, act superior to other women, and generally make the lives of girls miserable throughout junior high and high school. Then, after college, after we think we’ve put all that behind us, the pettiness starts all over again. One of the worst bosses I ever had was a woman – and I’ve heard that from several other women. As a business woman and a manager, I can only hope I can do better. I will never understand why we must tear each other down in order to build ourselves up.
Lately I’ve been spending my time filling out the Ramblings of a Misguided BlondeFacebook page, which you can find here. I’m hoping to eventually create a community there that wants to have in depth conversations. Right now, as I’ve just set up the discussion boards, I’m having a conversation with myself! I visualize it as a place for readers to plug their blogs, discuss what books they just finished, and share ideas as to what they’d like to see here. I want to make Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde truly interactive. Currently I have 50 members, myself included. There is always room for one more.
Even though it has taken me a lot longer than I would’ve liked, I’m glad I’m finally starting to truly use social media to promote Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde. So, I’m curious – to all those writers out there: What social media sites are you using? How often do you use it? How do you create an audience for your work? I’d love to hear about all of your experiences. Good, Bad, and Ugly.
Bob, I thank you for taking the time for this interview today. I greatly appreciate it. I’m going to start off by giving people a little background. You and I go way back. I honestly do not remember a time when I did not know you. For the record, as a teenager, Bob worked for Russell Canoe Livery during the summer. While I spent my childhood summers swimming in the Rifle River near the Russell Canoe Livery dock, Bob spent his time hauling canoes. Due to a bit of nostalgia on my part, and mutual Facebook friends, Bob and I reconnected via Facebook. It’s been a fun trip down memory lane. The canoe livery was a huge part of my childhood.
While I knew Bob worked as a local musician, I really didn’t know any of the particulars until we became Facebook friends. The more I learned about his career, as a musician and otherwise, the more I wanted to know. He appears to be one busy man!
Thank you, for taking the time to put this together. I definitely go back, and like you say, can’t remember a time when I didn’t come around at least once in a while to say “Hi” to everyone and make sure you and your family were all doing well. It was always a good feeling, that’s for sure, to see you guys.
Bob, I want to start at the beginning. When and how did your passion for music and radio begin? When did you first begin performing?
Honestly, for as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed music and been fascinated by radio as a medium. I can remember my brother and I lip syncing and playing air guitar as little kids. I did the high school band thing and played drums, tuba, trumpet, baritone and bass guitar, probably due to an A.D.D. thing, but it was a solid footing for learning the basic workings of music. From that, I played with a couple of garage bands in high school and had fun doing it. We played some small shows, so I guess that when I really began performing in front of people. I also started working with some friends developing basic DJ skills and knowledge. However, I didn’t realize at the time that I was missing some key components of a musical education which led to a period of 15 years of really doing nothing with music or in radio as I made my way through corporate America. It wasn’t until after I became disenchanted with a career outside of music that I realized how much I actually missed the world of music.
How did you land your first gig? Would you mind telling us a little about it?
Yeah, that’s kind of a funny little story that involves a little background info. Around 2000 – 2001, I saw a guy playing guitar and singing at a party and I thought to myself, “Gosh, he’s not very good. I could be that bad and have fun doing that.”, and I also saw a dude from Northern Michigan, Pete Kehoe, who was playing at Bay Harbor. Pete was, and still is, AWESOME. And, my goal changed…I told myself, I wanna do what that guy does. So, I got a hold of Pete and asked him what gear he had and I went out and bought as much of the same stuff as I could find. I then started practicing in the basement and, after I lost my job in 2003, my living room. Very popular with the wife! When we moved back to Michigan in 2004, I was continuing to practice and got a chance to play at a “Relay for Life” event in Tawas or Oscoda, I can’t remember. From there, I literally started playing at a restaurant/bar about a mile from my house for dinner, and things got better from there. Pretty soon, I was playing anywhere from 3 to 5 nights per week.
Speaking of your musical career, I noticed on your website that you state a second solo album is in the works. Is that still the case? What led to your first album?
Time is the biggest thief and he’s got a great disguise. I do have a second album in the works. It’s difficult to work on, due to the time I spend in the studio on everyone else’s PAYING work. It’s coming along, though…just at a slower pace than I’d ever like. I have 6 songs in preproduction stage. I’m mostly trying to figure out how produced I’d like it to sound, or how much instrumentation I’d like to put on the tracks. I want to do as much as I can on this by myself. I think my first album…I like that we say “album”, we’re old….was a necessity for my head, just to see if I could do it. I had some great help from fellow songwriters, musicians and an incredible producer in Allen Bondar, from Dharma Records in Grayling. He offered me the opportunity to work with him and I jumped at it.
Bob, you currently play with a reunited THE POOL BOYS. I was wondering if you could tell us a little history of the band, past and present.
Well, The Pool Boys are kind of one of those love-hate bands. I love what we do, but I hate what it does to me! We have WAY too much fun and it’s a lot of strain on my body and voice. Anyway, Sal Agnello, a talented musician from Tawas was playing with an outfit and had caught my acoustic act. Him and I sat down and started fiddling around with some acoustic stuff. He then suggested that we try some “sequenced” tracks, which are pre-produced tracks that lack vocals and, in our case, guitars. So, basically, we’re playing along with a computer directed keyboard producing all of the drums, horns, pianos, bass, etc., whatever we wanted. The practice has been around since the mid to late 80′s, but a lot of musicians kind of shy away from it. However, it’s really cool, because the songs you can play are only limited by your imagination and ability.
So, right out of the gate we got the house gig at the old Holiday Inn in East Tawas, and had that for a couple of years. Then, did the casino circuit for a bit and due to my throat problems and extra children, we had to take a hiatus for a bit… which was good, because Sal really perfected the sequencing of the tracks. Last year, we started talking about the market for sequencing and we picked up a drummer, which really adds to the sound, and viola….The Pool Boys are back running around, again. We’re focusing more on resorts, casinos, private parties and festivals, for purely selfish reasons!
As a musician, what are your favorite bands and artists? Which is your favorite genre?
Oh, man…mostly people I don’t play! Um, Led Zeppelin’s always been huge for me, the Doors, Pearl Jam, Bob Seger, almost anything from the 80′s, because it was when music was fun. But, from a creation stand point, I look to The Thorns or Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. The great harmonizers! As far as my favorite genre, folk based rock.
Copyright 2009-2012 Bob Hughes
Let’s switch gears for a second. I know that you also host a local radio morning show called “The Drive By” on Mix 92.1 | Caro, MI. What led to your radio/announcing career? I also read that you announce for the local minor league baseball team, The Great Lakes Loons. How did that come about? As both an avid fan of radio and baseball, I find it all fascinating.
Going back to always being interested in radio and music, I worked as a mobile DJ from the time I was 14 until the time I was 23, which kept my interest and built some skills. Also, I got an opportunity to work in radio right out of high school, when I was way too young to handle it and realized there was NO money in it, and I was fine with that, back then. So, I went on my merry way. Fast forward to 2010, when my wife and I bought a house in the Caro area, I saw a radio station on the way home from the closing and stopped to see if they needed someone, well TA-DA, I had a job in radio. Some personnel changes were made to move me into a morning show co-hosting slot and that’s where I find myself today. With the Great Lakes Loons, I responded to an open tryout and got the job as their on-field host. I’m really pretty fortunate, I have very fun jobs and both Mix 92.1 and the Loons are great organizations with great people.
Ok. It is time to discuss the inevitable. There is a local well-known radio personality on WHNN-FM that happens to share your name. What confusion has that created over the years? I know you had fun with the situation when you were younger.
Really? No kidding? I hadn’t heard of this fellow….Yeah, Bob is a great guy and we have a lot of fun together, especially with the name thing. We only live like 7 miles apart, which again is interesting. It’s a two way street for the confusion, though. He gets questions about his name being on a marquee for a performance and I get people trying to tell me they’ve listening to me for years. I’m not sure if there is any other radio market in America that has this problem. I know when I first worked in radio in the area, the station had me use a different name. This time around, I was like, who cares.
And, yes, there were times in the past when Bob’s name was thrown around a bit liberally for shameless acts that shalln’t be mentioned! Good times.
In addition to performing on-air and off, you also own Bob Hughes Studios. How did you first become involved in voice-over work? What made you decide you to go into business for yourself on the production side of things? What projects do you have coming up?
Once again, back to my disenchantment with corporate life, I had an opportunity to get back into media productions in 2004. I started working with some outdoor television producers, including Mike Avery, which led to videography, video editing, commercial production and lending my voice to show intros and spots. So, I found myself buying a bunch of gear and figured I better make some money to support the purchases and Bob Hughes Studios was born. I work mostly online with a couple of ad houses and contract sites, and it keeps me pretty busy. One thing I have found is that with my name on the door, I definitely care more about what leaves the editing bay. I take great pride in having won industry awards for quality and creation, having my voice on 6 of 7 continents, as well as watching my business grow over the past 8 years.
Developing projects are kind of hard to nail down. Currently in the hopper are a couple of product videos for the web, a steady stream of eBooks and other voice over projects. I don’t like getting too far out in the calendar, though because it slows down turnaround time for customers and I like getting them their products as quickly as possible.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a creative career and go into business for his or her self?
Find your passion and do it early in life! Don’t be afraid to ask for help and take the chance while you have nothing to lose. Get the education for the creative career you are interested in and be aggressive in your pursuit!
The one regret I have is not pursuing music creation more aggressively when I was 20 or 21. I didn’t know I had a gift and I never took the time to really look into myself and find out what was in there. But, had I just listened to my heart and looked to others to help me find this out, who knows what could have happened, good or bad.
Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions! It was fun catching up. I know you are a vet of Operation Desert Storm. I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for your service to our country.
Well, thank you for thanking me. I’m glad I was able to serve, because so many are not able. It’s always great chatting with you, that’s for sure. Thank you for considering me an interesting topic! I hope your readers find something interesting, as well!
Copyright 2009-2012 Bob Hughes
You can find more information on Bob Hughes and all his endeavors as the links below.
After a few personnel issues at work last week, I finally have a few days off. While I won’t go into details, the issues at work led to me working all last weekend, as in ten days straight. That is why I haven’t been online much as of late. I’m hoping to change that as of now. There is just so much I need to say. I want to thank all of you loyal readers who have stuck with me through thick and thin.
Unfortunately this “break” in blogging couldn’t have come a better or worse time. Let me explain. It happened to come at a time when I am questioning just what direction in which I’d like to take this blog. While I haven‘t made any definite decisions, the break was needed and allowed me to clear my head somewhat. At the same time, as a result of the nearly forced “break,” I was tempted not to resume blogging until I’d made some definite decisions with regards to content. Long story short: It became a very convenient excuse not to blog. I’ve fallen into that trap before and it isn’t pretty. I do not want Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde to become a ghost town for months on end. I simply Must. Keep. Going.
Below are a couple of great writing articles/posts I came across this morning via Twitter. If you haven’t followed me via Twitter yet, please do so. Just click on the “Follow Me” graphic on the right side of the blog. You’ll receive all of the latest blog posts – and more! Oh, and I follow back.
Well, I’m delving into Twitter once again. If you are so inclined to follow me, you may do so via the button in right hand column of this page. You may also friend Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde on Facebook. That “like” button is located directly above my twitter feed. I’m looking to make this blog more interactive. I come across so much great material it is hard to keep up at times.
As for all of my new followers, whether Facebook, Twitter, or WordPress, welcome! Please take the time to look around. I’m always looking for feedback.
It all began this morning while making my usual Facebook rounds. I saw that a friend of my brother posted a YouTube video featuring a vintage travelogue of Michigan from the 1940s. I just had to share it. Michigan is home and has been for all branches of my family going back generations now. As much as it kills me to admit this, I am a Michigander to the core. I’ve lived in Michigan most of my life thus far, I graduated from Michigan State University, and the Great Lakes are in my blood. I even grudgingly admit that I have a Michigan, not Canadian or Minnesotan, accent. Yes my fellow Michiganders there is such a thing.
Once there was a time in my life when I desperately wanted to leave it all behind. Just like so many other people in my family, I wanted to live in Texas. My family’s off-again, on-again love affair with Texas is a separate issue that could easily fill another post. Oddly enough, it extends to both sides of my family. Why do I bring this up? I bring it up because it was through my experiences in Texas, and those of a cousin, that I realized Michiganders are unique.
Let me explain. I have an older cousin who lived in Texas herself for a year or two. I followed suit after graduating from college. I then noticed something when I came home. She and I had our own accents. It didn’t last long as we reverted back to our Michigan accents, but for a while, if one carefully listened to how we spoke, it became easy to identify the Texas influence in our speech. I loved it. We had our own version of Spanglish. Texigan?
The entire experience, which I may have mostly imagined, made me think long and hard about the impact of place on culture. It then occurred to me that, if it were geographically possible, the place that I’d feel most comfortable would be with one foot in Michigan and the other in Texas. Here’s the problem. I love Michigan. My entire family is here, I can’t imagine not living near so much fresh water, and the change of seasons is great, even when someone decides to cancel winter.
Where do I even begin with Texas? I love the independent spirit of Texas, and unfortunately, I find it seriously lacking in most Michiganders, much of my family excluded. There is a reason why Texans are fixin’ to do just about anything. Michiganders, not so much. Texans know how to recognize people with big hats and no cattle. Michigan would be so much better off if we could develop that sixth-sense!
Unfortunately I am much more politically aligned with Texans than I am with Michiganders. I despise most unions, I can’t stand political apathy, and I am all for limited government that recognizes the rights of the individual. I’ve watched my entire life as Michigan hedged all of her bets on a dying auto industry. Instead of trying to build new industry here, we shipped our best and brightest off to Texas, Arizona, and California. Especially Texas.
Texas continues to reinvent itself and roll with the punches, exactly what Michigan needed to do and needs to do now. Texans had the foresight to embrace technology in all forms instead of relying solely on oil and ranching. I think of Michigan and see nothing but lost opportunity. It deeply saddens me. I truly love Michigan and care about the state. I just hope the recent signs of life here are the start of something wonderful. Michigan does have a history of reinventing herself too; it is just that the entire process is hindered by misguided politicians and union influence. Maybe almost losing it all will finally wake up those eternally skeptical Michiganders.
Below are a few videos of interest:
The video above is the video I came across this morning that inspired this post. The video below is an inspiring version of “Michigan My Michigan” that honors those Michigan soldiers that fought for the union. I’m proud to say that I have a great-great grandfather who was among them.
Below is an attempt to explain the Michigan accent. It freaks me out because my recorded voice sounds so similar to hers. If you ever wondered what I sound like, this video will give you a pretty good idea.
I’m pleased to be a part of a Blog Tour for the first time. You can find more information on Jennifer Malone Wright and The Birth of Jaiden on her website.
In support of her first blog tour, I interviewed Jennifer Wright, author of The Birth of Jaiden.
I’ve watched via Facebook and various forums as you’ve worked hard to promote your first book, The Birth of Jaiden, largely using grass root efforts. What would you consider the best part of the experience so far?
I’d have to say that the best part so far has been all the wonderful people I’ve got to meet. I’ve met the best fans, other awesome indie authors, and lots of other creative people through this process. I love that there are so many people out there who support and help each other and I’m proud to know each and every person I’ve met through this process.
What is the biggest frustration you’ve faced throughout the process?
I think the biggest frustration would have to be formatting my manuscripts. I have the worst time doing that so far. Formatting is the one thing I can truly say that I absolutely detest about this job. LOL
What inspires you as a writer?
I’m inspired by everything! I’m inspired by music, by pictures, by beautiful scenery, by things people say, it could really be anything that inspires me.
What drew you to the vampire sub-genre?
I’ve always had a thing for vampires. I really don’t know exactly where this came from though. My first idea was about twelve years ago when I had this little tidbit of an idea about a vampire raising a human baby. But, I’ve always been a huge Anne Rice fan, so maybe she inspired my love of vampires…who knows.
Please briefly describe the dynamic relationship between Alexander and Jaiden for readers. What makes their relationship different from the usual human/vampire dynamic found in most series?
The relationship between Alex and Jaiden is different from normal human/vampire relationships because it is the love between a child and a father. In most vampire books a mortal and a vampire fall in love, but Alex is give then task of caring for this child and eventually he begins to love her and think of her as his own. Jaiden will grow up knowing Alex as her father, he (and Isabella) is (are) all that she knows.
What qualities do you like most in Alexander and Jaiden? What made them come alive for you as a writer?
I love the fact that Alex is so loyal, it’s one of his best qualities, which I think is why he was chosen for The Great Council. Alex has this inner goodness that he just can’t hide; I love that about him too! Jaiden is a baby, so there isn’t much she does that can grow on you, but she is a powerful little infant and I like that about her.
Any sneak peak as to what is next in the series?
I can tell you that in the next book, Jaiden will be six years old so there will be a lot more to love about her. And, I can tell you that there will be a wedding in the future. I’ll leave it up to you to ponder who it might be.
What advice would you give young (or older) writers just starting out on their own?
My best advice is to just keep keepin on…don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do what you’re doing. If you want to be a writer then study everything you can about writing, about the craft, about the business part of it, about marketing, everything. If you want it bad enough, then you will achieve it.
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!
Thank you for having me! I enjoyed answering the questions and hope everyone has enjoyed, or enjoys The Birth of Jaiden!
Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde now has its own Facebook fan page! It’s still a work in progress, but readers will now be able to keep up with all posts, etc. using Facebook just by “liking” the fan page.
I began test-driving Google+ a little over a week ago. Thus far, I love it. It is still too early to tell if Google+ will replace Facebook for me. If I had to guess, I’d say no. It won’t replace Facebook entirely. I may simply prefer Google+ to Facebook.
My experience so far has been this: I love the simple interface and layout of Google+. Personally I find it more intuitive than Facebook. I also like that I appear to have more control over Google+. I’m not sure if that is the case. I do know that I love that the people I’ve come across on Google+ thus far seem more interested in actually interacting in meaningful ways. There appears to be much less whining.
I also love the fact that Google+ is game free so far. I know that it is inevitable that games will debut sooner rather than later. I just hope that it is easier to block invitations to games, etc. than on Facebook.
I love being an early adopter on websites! I enjoy watching new features develop and content grow. Below is a list of tutorials and information on Google+.
