Day 46 Cleveland OH song: God Gave Rock N' Roll To You - KISS

Not much I can do as far as work goes on a saturday. I just stopped at a few places in Cleveland and off I went. Once again, I got a late start, the Nyquil has been putting me to sleep.

Finally, I got to the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Its definately a wierd building. It looks more like a science building. Not as big as I imagined but its pretty impressive. As was the price. I didn't have the finances to go in. So, I had to panhandle some CASH for CASH. This took me a while to raise the money, but eventually I got in.

It may have been the happiest day of my life.

I really have been feeling withdrawn to the childish feelings of wanting to be a rock star. I can tell from taking this journey, that I am not the same as I used to be. That maybe I was meant to do more than rock. Today, I felt like my rock n' roll muscles were fully intact. Seeing the outfits worn by Freddie Mercury, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presely and many others got me gitty. Tears almost came to my eyes when I saw legendary guitars, records, photos, lyric sheets. I remebered again why I love rock n' roll. Its not because of the glamour, the fun, or anything like that. Its that something that it puts inside of you that keeps you young forever. Rock n' Roll isn't something I choose to like, it chose me. Its in my blood and I can't help it. It will always be inside of me no matter how much I try to deny it.

Being in the Hall of Fame, I didn't know whether I should kneal at its front door or scoff at its existance. I love it and hate it at the same time. Rock n' Roll is the main ingredient to my dichotomous lifestyle. Part religion, part fiction. But I didn't care about any of that when I was there, I just loved it.
I read a quote while I was there. It read, "If you are not doing what you love, than you are wasting your time." - Billy Joel.
That quote couldn't leave my head. I stared at it. I guess thats easy to say if you are one of the most talented men in the history of the sport. But I think maybe he is right, at least for me. Maybe this is the key to why I took this trip. Because I can't stand not doing something I love. And dang it, I know its only rock n roll, but I like it. (Rolling Stones).
My favorite part of the museum was watching the induction videos. The best part was actually looking at the letter that Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols wrote when He denied acceptance the Rock N' Roll hall of fame. He wrote some mean Brittish colloquilsims in poor penmanship proving that he is pure punk rock until the end. It was pretty funny, you gotta respect Johnny Rotton.

The town of Cleveland was really nice. I can see myself migrating there someday. Its got sports, rock n roll and a good market size. My kinda place.

I capped the night with my mind heavy. I went back to see Katie and she took me with her friends to a drive-in to see the movies UP and A Night at the Museum 2. Lots of fun, but I spent most of the time thinking of how I can make my trip more sucessful. I need to find a way to really get in there and start doing some damage. I know that even if I don't find a jon it doesn't mean I wasn't sucessful. But it may mean, to survive, I need to be doing something I don't love. My time is running short, I need to be doing what I love, or die trying.

scripture: DnC 105:10

Day 45 Columbus OH song: Do You Remember Rock n' Roll Radio - The Ramones

Feeling a little bit cranky this morning. As I still have a 300 dollar traffic ticket sittin' next to me as I had 3 hours of sleep sitting up at dirty little rest stop. But I had to keep going, I can't treat any meeting too lightly.

Pulling into Columbus was a bit of a shocker. I had no idea how big it was. It was HUGE. It was probably pretty close to Sacramento size. Maybe. And seemingly pretty nice and clean. Not too much to write home about. I checked out Ohio State for a bit, and its a pretty impressive campus. That would have been a fun school to go to.

Quickly though I rolled into the radio station (radio one) where I was going to meet with the program director Jeff. This radio One Building looked like it was designed by a guy who does Hot Rods. This was easily the fanciest tricked out looking radio station I have ever seen. It looked like a professional place where chaos is organized. Jeff greeted me wearing VERY casual clothes and asked, "I hope you don't mind? Its casual friday." Then he immediately escorted me to the studio where they broadcast live. The studio was built for star wars days. Its really ahead of anyother technology I have ever seen in radio. The best equipment imaginable. It was AWESOME!! But the morning show planned on having me as a guest. They had me on the air telling my story. They too liked the story. They seemed mostly intrigued about the book and the video, letting me know that there are a lot more avenues for me to go. The power morning team was great. They really made me feel comfortable and treated me like a respected guest. They even let me plug A Letter To Bob Dylan.

Right after the morningshow was done with me, I went back into Jeff's office. Jeff couldn't have been more terrific. He seemed not only interested in my story, but really interested in me. Like all the others, I feel he would like to have given me a job if he could. He informed me of how some of his staff made it to the top by making themselves very marketable. How they found ways to make themselves valuable. Not just being a jock, but by being something more. He gave me lots of sound advice, and he told me, "People once gave me an opportunity, and I just want to give back." I love people who believe in karma, or maybe social justice. It just makes the world turn easier. He taught me that the most important thing I can do with most of the people I meet is to stay in touch. That If I fail to do that, I may miss that job opportunity I searched so hard for. He also took the time to watch some of my BYU-Idaho dating show called Dating With Rockin' Randy. He loved it, infact he sees the need for that talent in the evolving times for radio to sell a bigger web presence with radio. That was the first time I met someone who gave me honest to goodness feedback who wasn't already a friend. He thought this could make me much more marketable.
Of course, because of the way things are, he couldn't hire anytime soon. But he also told me he believes "The worst is over. There won't be anymore layoffs for on-air persona. Its been getting better for the last two months. It will be a long time before it fully recovers, but its already getting better. And I won't tell you to get out of radio. I love it, thats why I have done it for 30 years."
Jeff was easily one of the nicest people I have ever met. I hope badly a position opens there that I can handle.

I felt so jazzed as I left. I loved that station, this is where I hope to work. But, he sent me to see one of his friends across town who he thinks would really like me. His name is Randy as well. He is the VP for a independantly owned alternative radio station. Randy is like Jill from CNN. Randy thinks like it his mind is powered by google. His station doesn't operate under any large corportion from New York telling him what to do. It didn't follow any rules. They LITTERALLY played what they want (unlike the Jack format who only claims it). The jocks are promotion people first, and they have open programming music meetings for anyone to come every week. This looked like radio heaven. As intimidating as Randy is, he seems like another amazing guy to work for. Radio may seem dead everywhere else in the country. But in Columbus Ohio, RADIO IS KING!!

Radio is actually run how it should be, the way it used to be. It was run like a team. There was no trash talking, and such. The people work as a team to make the station move forward. It was the greatest thing I have ever seen. It was like they were all a crime fighting team like the Justice league. It was a fun work environment and they sell the radio station themselves. Randy told me that one of the keys to their success is the forward thinking of using media and community to keep moving things forward. With people like Randy out there, I can promise anyone, RADIO WILL NEVER GO ANYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (So bite me nay sayers)

I left there double jazzed. This had been one of the greatest days of my journey. Sure, I didn't get a job, but I got a few more connections, and a real reminder of what it is I am fighting for. But Randy did set me up with some tickets for a free lunch at a tent infront of the PGA gold tournament. I got the free lunch and I snuck into the golf tournament. Tiger Woods was there, I don't really care much for professional golf, but what I DO care for is, professional golf fans. I love watching them get so wound up over the sport and get library quiet during the game. They all whisper to eachother in commentating on every stroke the golfers get to the hole. "his strategy will now be to get the ball as close as he can, closer than his opponent". Its pretty amusing.

After a day of fun, I drove out to Kent stay with my friend Katie's grandparents. They are perfect. They love to talk and speak about the old times. I can't wait 'til I'm an old dude telling stories. I will make the coolest old dude ever. And it is also great to see Katie. Katie is another friend I went to college with who graduated in broadcasting. We'll have fun catching up.

Scripture: Alma 40:12

Day 44 West Virginia song: I Fought the Law - Bobby Fuller Four

Annie bought me a surprise the day earlier. She bought me some meds and a bandage for my foot and some insoles. It looks like my chuck taylors will last a little bit longer. And my foot feels much better, I no longer have to limp like a gansta. And after the blessing I recieved last night, I feel much better. It also helps to sleep in and take plenty of nyquil.



Most of the morning was spent mapping out the rest of my journey, doing laundry and e-mailing contacts. That is becoming a real chore which is good. That means I am getting somewhere.



On my way out I had a couple of friends to visit. First was the pretty red head I met in North Caralina, Amy (to describe Amy better, she looks suspiciously like Gina Davis....yeeeah) . We had a short encounter at her new job as a nanny. We spoke of the future, and the importance of getting to know ourselves. It was reasonably deep discussion as the little girl she watches kept giving her love notes to give to me. We ultimately came to the conclusion now is not a good time for anything more. We will keep in touch, but probably we'll just leave it at that. I won't think twice, its alright. But I hope she finds her direction home.



From one red head to the next. Right on my way out to Ohio, I had to see one more girl I knew from school whom I thought I would never see again, who was Michelle. Michelle and I have a real funny history. Her and I are the closest I have ever come to kindred spirits. But, time is past situations are rarely convienient but we are now good friends. Her and I went straight into our normal routine of absolute sponteneity. We had some food at a jamaican quizine resturaunt and we didn't have what it took to eat what was in front of us. It was beyond our capacity. But it gave us good time to sit and talk about the age old philosophical debate about Free-will vs. Theological Determanism. In the process trying to analyze the role in theological determanism of what it is exactly I am truly hunting for in this epic journey, and why it is extraordinarily difficult. Michelle seems to believe that there is a reason for everythings causation that is directly linked to the higher power. If thats true, than maybe everyone I have spoken to have believed that as well. As I thought about it, I wonder , "how does every broadcaster know that no matter how bleak the job market is for us, they KNOW that "I" will be ok?"

Why of all people would I be the skeptic? Is it because I don't like being let down? Is it because believe fate is a belief for the simple minds? I believe in an ultimate plan, but I do believe you write your story. This is the next question that will haunt me.

Meeting with Michelle is a blast as always, she is one of the shortest lived but best friendships I have ever had. She will do fine, I can't explain, I just know it.


Now I have a late start, but I had to make it to ohio to make my 9 am appointment. This means I have to do some night driving which I almost have never done on this trip, only a couple of times. But rolling through the appalation mountains, you go through alot of steep up and downgrades. I passed up a slow moving truck on the way up and I rolled down the hill a little fast. Now, those who ride in a car while I drive know that speeding is not a problem of mine. However, at the bottom of this little hill out of the darkness a highway patrol comes charging after me. I thought the man must be evil, I was only going 74 in a 65 zone going down a really steep hill.

Officer" I recorded you at 87"

Randy "87!?!?!"

Officer "I know yer speedometer red somethin' else....."

as he pulled my licence and registration, he didn't even ask me if I knew how fast or why I was going. I know a lot of highway patrol don't really care, but they at least have to pretend to care thats the deal.

He got back to me MUMBLING "this is cittation s... sblalha hdbnalhd a d dk 290 dollars by the state dod akd akd blaha bablah you have baballahaha. Pull out safely."

as he threw the ticket on my lap. He said that routine like he says it a 100 TIMES A DAY! Which I imagine he does. He didn't even ask me anything at all. Or even give me a chance to get a word in. As he went back to his car I wanted to see if I could see his hooves and if the ground would open up he would join the rest of satans minion. This ticket will cost a third of what I have left to finish this journey.

Usually, I fes up to my sins as a driver, but this time, I was lied to and cheated. I would have been better off getting mugged in New York. At least they would have only gotten 40 bucks from me. As I watched him pull back into the next speeding trap nook, I shouted out loud my second Leutenant Dan moment (he couldn't hear of course) "Is this the best you GoT!!! I AIN'T GIVING UP!!! YOU'LL SEE, I WILL NOT QUIT!!!"



Afterwards, I kept driving wondering how am I going to survive now. So I began to count my blessings.
1st off, I unlike that cop, don't have to spend the rest of my life looking like a cross between Dick Cheney and Jabba the Hut.
2nd, The people I have met along the way who have wanted so much to help me: Becca, Bud, Ashley, Anita, Pilar, Samantha, Paul, Margaret, Jill, Eric, Ken,The gentlemen from the ohio school for broadcasters, they have genuinly wanted to see me suceed. I am not sure why it seems important to them, but they really wanted to know. Almost as if for some reason of their own.
Then I thought about Matt and Annie, Matt and Robyn, the Farmers, McKenzie, Ben (texas), Ben (Boston) Grant and Todd from grand Junction, the people who didn't know anybody but were kind enough to do whatever else it was they could do. I can't say that I haven't been really lucky. Or as Michelle would tell me, they were put there for a reason.

scripture: Proverbs 10:6

Day 43 Washington D.C. song: Happy Go Lucky Me - Paul Evans

Spent most of the morning sleeping off my cold. Drinking fluids, taking vitamins and Nyquil. Its been good. I seem to be getting better.

When I arose from the dead at 2pm, I kept e-mailing people to whom I may visit on the trip (broadcasting contacts) and hoped for the best. Got a hair cut from the Soul barber and then went to CNN.

I met with Jill the producer for Wolf Blitzer. She is intense. She is in broadcasting for a good reason, she makes having ADD seem like a super power. She operates superfast, she probably does more in two hours than most people do all day.
She gave me lots of sound advice, she told me that I should think about getting an agent. She gave me the idea of trying to get a job on the Hill (washington D.C.) and trying that, perhaps working for california senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer. She told me of some stories of other college grads who crawled up the latter from the bottom and are making their way to the top.
She quickly introduced me to alot of the staff. I even got to stand in the room where they broadcast the situation room, live. There wasn't much of a situation goin on, but it was a cool studio. I got to briefly meet Wolf Blitzer. His quote to me was
Jill: "Hey Wolf, this is Randy, a recent college grad and a potential."
Wolf: "Hello Randy its nice to meet you are you doing ok (?) good, it was nice to meet you."
Person Behind Wolf Blitzer : "Thats about all you're gonna get from him."

Jill really sincerely wanted to help me out, but she knows I can't go straight to the top of the market, thats ok, I don't expect to. But I loved that in her extremely busy schedule, she seemed to want to take the time to meet with me, I was honored.
"Your doing the right thing. I know you will find a job. You have the right attitude and this trip you are on gives you a lot of education. I am jealous. I just know you'll be fine. We will keep in touch, I promise. Because I really want to know what happens."

I got back to Matt and Annie's place, Matt gave me a blessing to help get rid of my cold. I might not seem like I am getting anywhere, But some how, some way, I feel pretty good about my plight.

Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 4:15

Day 42 New England song: As My guitar Lies Bleeding in my arms - Bon Jovi

This morning I woke up with the chills. I am definately ill. I will have to take it easy when I get back to DC.

My friend Amy called me up, we spoke for an hour as she grinded her teeth at the current situation we are in, meaning the recession. She was telling me how she wanted to become Ahmish. She is getting tired of having to apply for jobs that she is overqualified for. I understand, that is tempting to go that route. I wish I had something inspirational to say to her, but I haven't found any real job offers for me after all this work. All I could do is share some Rocky stories to her in hopes to get some inspiration. But it is hard, its hard to keep the chin up. All I could really do is listen.

My appointment I was supposed to have in Boston fell through that morning. Its ok, it was worth the effort. We spent most of the morning looking for Fenway park and getting lost in the Boston Traffic. That is one thing about Boston I would hate. The traffic sucks. And because it is an old town, it was built in a way that it is easy to get lost and you can't find your way later on.

Ben Left me at the bus station and I traveled all day. I was feeling terribly sick the whole way through, luckily I still have some nyquil. However, I got some flu like symptoms that I don't really need right now.
But I was stranded in New York City for a long long time waiting for my bus that never arrived. I was almost about to feint at one point as I waited on the busy steets of New York for 3 and half hours for my transfer bus to dc. Since it never came, I barely caught the last bus to Baltimore instead. Not feeling well, I will definately need a blessing and some drugs. Other than that, life is good. Thats all I got.

scripture:TBD

Day 41 Boston M.A. song: Doin' My Best - Gary Allan

This morning Ben and his friend Katie took me on what is called the freedom trail. It goes from all throuought the historical district of Boston, which is almost entirely historical. He taught me more about America than I learned in Elementary school in one day. I passed by John Kerry's place. The state House, the graves of many like Paul Revere, Sam Adams and John Hancock. There has been something surreal about many parts of this journey, and Boston was no exception. There wasn't a lot of monument of the past, there was real history that took place right where I was standing. Moments that made the United States what it is occured right there under my feet. I saw where battles were fought, protesters and people revolted, people slain and died standing up for the good of the many. I had to respect it in my silence. Boston really may be the most historical place in The U.S.

Afterwards, I chased that lead from Ben's friend Jared. We went into WBUR for an appointment I had with Margaret. She is an Aussie who has been in the business for years and was intrigued by my adventure, and like everyone else, thinks I will be just fine.
"You seem Like you want to do more comercial work. This is is NPR but we may have some free lance work for you, just to help you get in tha door. You seeem very motivated and would be a great asset to whom you wurk for. Talk to our production manager Glenn, I think he may be able to help you."
Margaret treated me like I was one of her own. She took me into her office and helped me find some more avenues to explore that would best suit my talents. She was great. She took my information and will be keeping up on the journey as well.

Across the hall Ben and Jared invited me to hang out in one of the broadcast studios. Now, NPR (National Public Radio) sounds like it would be boring and worthless. But this station was by FAR the largest radio station I have ever been too, it looks like it would be a lot of fun. By looking at it and how updated it is, you would think that radio is going nowhere that it is only just the begining.
But we played around on the microphones and played Disc Jockey for a while as we hosted a fake show. Of course, it is always fun to do that but it was GREAT fun this time around. I really needed that. It reminded me of how it was to be on the airwaves. Even though it wasn't broadcasted, the feelings came back and I loved it.

When we left, Ben took me over to his female friend's apartment. We hung out and jammed like the old days and entertained and Ben told everyone about my fifteen minutes of American fame on the airwaves. Everyone seems very supportive and intrigued. I guess I like that a little, I often felt that people I knew secretly thought of me as an idiot for doing this trip, especially in the first couple of weeks. But I guess I was paranoid. But the funny thing is though, everyones story is just as entertaining, only thing different that I do is my little online journal. I have just as much and more to respect from others. So I tried to spend the time trying to get to know them. I don't have much interest in telling my story to people so much. I have my blog for that.

When I got to Ben's home, I had the chills. I have been fighting different symptoms of a cold and this one feels much more serious than the one I had in Tennessee. I am a bit fatigued and I have a busted left foot. When I get to D.C. I may have to ask for another blessing. I may be past the half way point, but I still got a long road ahead of me.

scripture: Romans 5:3

Day 40 Boston MA song: Living On a Prayer - Bon Jovi

I'm half way there livin' on a prayer. I came into Fox almost blood shot this morning. I was tired and wired and ready to rock the casbah. There was a woman who put make-up on me against my will.

When I got to the studio the anchors quickly introduced themselves and 30 seconds later away we went. They asked me some question that I did not anticipate from the pre-invterview and I was a little caught off gaurd. They took an angle that I didn't expect. From the folks I have met on this journey who really have been supportive, they have been viewing my trip as a sign of hope. At first once the interview was over, I thought I did a terrible job. I felt like I was there to tell the world that the economy was hopeless. I really wanted to say the exact opposite, but then again, I haven't found a job. I didn't want to be one more person telling the world that there is no hope out there. But, who am I kidding?

The rest of the day I felt a little sick inside. If even in New York I couldn't find work, where am I going to? Maybe I need to wake up and realize that it is hopeless. That I am living a pipe dream. I checked my e-mail and blog, and I had NOBODY try to contact me with any leads. With the largest national news network in the world, I couldn't get any leads in finding a job. Maybe it is time.

I kept my silence about my feelings as I went to church in New York city. My perception of New York church goers was definately not skewered. The gentleman who gave the talk looked as if he sings for Color Me Badd, and his talk was on how the latest fashions relates to the gospel. Then our sunday school teacher preferred playing Hymns as sung by Gladis Knight to the class. However, she gave a lesson teaching how Satan tries in many ways to destroy us. His greatest tool agaisnt us is to take away our hope. Our hope is the most important thing we got. If he takes that away, we are rendered powerless.

I came out church feeling much better. It was just what I needed to keep on keepin on. I can't believe I came as close as I did to raising the white flag.
Anita took me to the subway where I caught my bus out of town. She was so terrific to me. She gave me an incredible experience. She did it so gleefully too. She also wants to know how the trip ends. I guess I can't dissapoint the others.

I hoped the bus to go to Boston having done NO homework for radio or tv in boston. On the way Tom from KNCI called. He told me that the interview looked great. And that it didn't come off pathetic at all but that I was funny. I hadn't really seen it at that point yet. But I told him, "Look, if you're going to have me on the morningshow tomorrow, I am not going to play Rockin' Randy. I am not going to play the pathetic college intern. I have earned better than that. I am on a mission to do something great and I won't back down and I won't take crap from anybody."
Tom's Response: "I hear ya. Don't worry, if anything we would be celebratory. You are in the business of getting attention and stirring things up and you did just that. You are getting out there and doing the right thing. And you ARE a sign of hope and inspiration to the nation. What you are doing is like a small brick in the wall to patch up this mess we're in. Keep at it, I am proud of you."

I was relieved. That made me feel a lot better to know that I have finally out grown the shadow of the goofy 19 year old Randy the entertainer.

When I got to Boston I was greeted by other friend Ben. Ben and I used to play in a band together in sacramento. He showed me around boston that night.

I stood where the Boston tea party and Boston massacre took place. I saw some of the countries most historical sites.
He then introduced me to his roomate Jared who works in radio and is going to get me a connection out here in Boston. Then he introduced me to a very bubbly, witty and pretty girl named Cassie who is going to get me a connection in radio in the chicago area. Once again I have come to a place where I feel so welcomed. I have had a great trip so far. I have made so many incredible friends, I wish they could all live in the same town with me, This is the most amazing thing I have ever done. I don't know If I ever want it to end.

scripture: DnC 4: