Barnes & Noble, I Love 'Em!

People like to bash Barnes & Noble, accusing them of being a big corporate book store.

I beg to differ. I think they're punk rock.

My book, Rated F, is on a small, indie publisher and is hard to get into traditional book stores. (For more information on my books, go to www.junkfiction.com). However, I was geeking around at the Murray location of Barnes & Noble, and I spotted two copies of Rated F in the fiction section. Other people have informed me of similar sightings at various area Barnes & Noble stores.

This is significant, because I know that people at our local Barnes & Noble stores are bending the rules in order to stock my book. Thanks for fighting the power! Thanks for giving an up-and-coming nobody writer a chance!

Now if I could get Sam Weller's Zion Bookstore to stock Rated F and Path of Totality, then I'd really feel like a rebel! Actually, I'd need Deseret Book to stock my work to feel like I've overthrown the system, but that ain't gonna happen.

I'm heading up to Park City later this afternoon to check out the new and improved signal for X96 on 96.3. Spread the word that the invasion of Park City has begun!

X96 is on in Park City!

The engineers survived the elements and have turned on our Summit County booster. This gives X96 coverage of the Park City area at 96.3 FM. Tell all of your friends to tune in.

Do you live or work in Park City? Email me and tell me how it sounds. heytodd@x96.com

Todd Nuke 'Em
KXRK Program Director

X96 In Park City!

Right now, even as I type this, Trent and Tyson of the X96 engineering department are risking life and limb riding snowmobiles to the top of a mountain in Park City in a blizzard to finish construction on our Summit County booster. We hope to have it on later today, but we'll see how the crappy weather treats us. Once complete, X96 will have much improved reception in various parts of Summit County, including Park City, Coalville, and Kamas. You will be able to receive us on 96.3 FM.

I'll let you know when it's officially on. Props to Trent, Tyson, and Scot. These three guys are never thanked enough for their hard work.

Park City, here we come!

Todd's iPod songs for Friday 4/8

10:20 "Swing Life Away" Rise Against (I know, I know. I'm obsessed with this song.)
1:20 "Only A Lad" Oingo Boingo (Hey there Johnny boy, I hope you FRY!)

WARM WEATHER = SHIRTLESS FAT GUYS

I knew it would happen today. The temperature is approaching the low 70's, and I had to experience the unfortunate vision of the season's first Shirtless Fat Guy. Our studio overlooks the corner of 500 South and 700 East, and while we're positioned deeper within the building, I still have a clear view of the sidewalk.

Here I am playing music on the radio, minding my own business, when I glance up to see a Shirtless Fat Guy out for an early afternoon jog. Gentlemen, for the love of god, if you really need a bra, please--I'm begging you--don't go jogging with your shirt off. It's so very unfortunate for the rest of us.

I'm not surprised. It happens every year at this time.

Spring has officially sprung. And if you think Shirtless Fat Guys are unattractive, watch out for my unpleasant exposed white-ass legs!

Todd's iPod tunes for Thursday 4/7

10:20 "Riot Radio" The Dead 60's (The Clash? Nope. It's just this little band from Liverpool that I sort of like.)
1:20 "Love Removal Machine" The Cult ("You guys never play The Cult.")
Thank you. That is all.

Todd's iPod songs for Wednesday 4/6

10:20 "Swing Life Away" Rise Against (A chill song from these hardcore punks? Yup. And it's damn good!)

Great lyrics on this one:

"I'll show you mine, if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away"

Brilliant. I love lyrics that mean something. But I'm a writer (please buy my book) so what do you expect?

1:20 "Not an Addict" K's Choice (My personal addictions: Mountain Dew, chocolate, coffee, cat food...)

War on Junk Email

The "art" of blogging is something I haven't yet mastered, but I'm trying. I must give credit where credit is due, though, to a couple of geeks (and I use the term with love and respect) who have helped me get this thing going. First, our very own Steve Baxter, who is overworked and underappreciated. He built the entire site, and many, many others. Props to Steve Baxter!

Another respected geek is Zack Shutt. This kid has a blog that initially got me hooked. Granted, Zack's blog is mostly an outlet for his comedy and ... um ... unusual (again used with respect) thoughts on various issues. I want to share a post he recently made regarding junk email. He has come up with a brilliant solution to curb the spammers of the world. I thought it was hilarious.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Zack Shutt...

http://zsdotnet.typepad.com/blogofinsanity/2005/04/were_looking_to.html

What the hell am I doing up this early in the morning? (5:46 a.m.)

I'm putting the finishing touches on a brand new novel that I recently completed. Its tentative title is Breathing the Stain. Watch www.junkfiction.com for more details about my writing projects.

Todd's iPod songs for Tuesday 4/5

10:20 a.m. "Lyla" Oasis (New album coming soon...)
1:20 p.m. "Bad Habit" The Offspring (minus the naughty words so the FCC doesn't imprison me)

Does anybody even read this stuff?

Black & Decker 18 Volt Drill/Driver

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to my bee-yoo-tee-ful new Black & Decker 18 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver with the GelMax Comfort Grip. This unit features removable chuck with Quick Connect, 24 position clutch, built in accessory bit storage, and variable speed reverse for drilling and driving control. You know what this means? I'm going to be boring some serious holes in stuff. I even purchased a deluxe bit set. Big holes, little holes, medium holes ... I'm covered. I'm thinking of drilling a big smiley face on the wall right now with big holes for eyes and small holes that dot out the grin.

Don't mess with me. I've got a drill. Welcome to the world of Todd's powertools, gentle readers.

http://www.blackanddecker.com/productguide/ProductDetail.aspx?PID=6598&P=ProductDetail.aspx&ATT=AttachmentDetail.aspx&ACC=AccessoryDetail.aspx&ACS=AccessoySet.aspx&R=ProductListByType.aspx

Happy Birthday Matthew!

I gotta wish my brother a happy 18th birthday today! Matt Nuke 'Em will graduate from Fremont High School in just a few weeks. Damn, I'm feeling old. Happy birthday, dude!

I took Matt to the Vans Store in Fashion Place yesterday and let him pick out some sweet clothing for his B-Day. The Vans store kicks some serious booty.

There is also a Vans store in Park City, but you can't pick up X96 there. Yet.

Todd's iPod songs for 4/4/05

10:20 "Jerry Was A Race Car Driver" Primus (He drove so goshdarn fast...)

1:2o "Drinkin" Reel Big Fish (This is a brand new song from their new album that goes on sale tomorrow. The record company thinks that Reel Big Fish's cover of "Talkin' Bout A Revolution" should be the single. But what do record companies know? Screw 'em. I'm playing "Drinkin".)

Support Indie Cinema, Please

Last night I saw the movie Imaginary Heroes at the Broadway in Salt Lake. We went to the 7:25 showing, and there was a grand total of seven people in the theater.

Seven.

Now I know that if I had attended one of the big Hollywood movies, the theater would have been packed. I don't try to be a movie snob. It just depresses me when such a great movie like Imaginary Heroes can only get seven people to see it on a Saturday night. Do yourself a favor. Go see this movie. I compare it to somewhere between American Beauty and Ordinary People. (Note that both of those films won Best Picture.) This movie is about a severely dysfunctional family and how they attempt to heal after a suicide. Sigourney Weaver is excellent, as is Emile Hirsch, who portrays a teen trying to find himself in the midst of this family crisis. Damn good movie.

Now, on a lighter note, it looks like one of my overly-creative buddies has given us some comedy. Please check this out:

http://www.ysite.com/ldsfakepages/story/260619327.htm

(I think I know who authored this little bit if Internet comedy. Ain't that right, Smellson?)

Oh, by the way, X96 loves Park City. (And we're about to prove it!)