Over three years ago, our GM came back to the programming area and told us that we were going to be joined by a high school kid for a couple weeks and he would shadow us and just sort of get a feel for what goes on at a radio station. That young man's name was Stanley Kay. He came in and was very unassuming and was a very nice kid. We had no idea at that time what type of person that this nice young kid really was. Three years later and he's still here at the station.

He was 14 when he came in that first day and now he's 17 and going off to college. Today is his last day and we're all extremely sad about it. Stanley is a kid that you can't help but love. He is nice, outgoing, and overwhelmingly intelligent. While he is overwhelmingly intelligent, he is also extremely humble about it.

Here's a couple facts about Stanley:

1. His first cousin is Morgan Pressel and they are very close. I know I for one peppered him with a million questions about what it was like to grow up with a phenom like that. Over time I have realized that Stanley is a phenom in his own right. I know you've never heard of him like you have his cousin, but I promise you this kid is a phenom. If Stanley decides that he wants to work in a field where it could lead to him becoming famous, then you will know who he is eventually. This kid can do whatever he wants in this world and having known him for three years I can promise you that I will do anything in my power to help him out.

2. A year or two ago, Stanley was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This would be a huge downer for someone of lesser caliber than Stanley. He never got down about it at all. He just dealt with it and his life has improved dramatically. Even just a few weeks after he learned of his illness he started to look better and healthier. Every day in this world people are told that they have serious health issues, but it's how you react to those things that define you as a person. Stanley dealt with it with a carefree ease just as he does everything else. That's the thing about Stanley, everything just seems so easy for him. If you remember when Jordan was playing, he would do these miraculous things on the court and he made it look effortless. That's how Stanley does everything in life.

If you met Stanley right now you would think he was just a nice unassuming kid, and he is that, but he is so much more. He is going to Northwestern this year and he has an extremely bright future. If he decides to be a writer, you will eventually read his stuff and be enlightened by it. If he decides to be a broadcaster, there is no telling what he could do. Watch out Bob Costas is all I can say. If he decides to be a politician, then he will be running this country eventually. I would vote for him, that's for sure. If he decides to teach, he will touch as many kids' lives as any teacher ever has. I'm just thankful that I've gotten to know Stanley Kay and for your sake I hope you get the same pleasure one day.

For some reason I have started to pay at least a little attention to baseball and my Cardinals. I think it was Brandon Phillips talking smack that piqued my interest, but now every day I've been checking the box scores and keeping an eye on what the Reds are doing as well. I know you would think that these are things that I would do anyway, but honestly I really don't until the end of the season. Part of me wishes that I still wasn't into it. That way I wouldn't have to be bothered when my team loses to the lowly Pirates on a Tuesday night in the middle of a pennant race. Ugh. Oh well, it could be worse. I could be a Mets fan.

If you know anything about me, you likely know that I'm a pretty weird dude. On one hand, I'm very sappy and emotional, but on the other I'm almost always completely inappropriate with my sense of humor. Well, I figured I would throw another random fact about me out there that would make me seem even weirder. I have recently fallen in love with antiques. Some of you may say that loving objects with history isn't weird at all while others would definitely think I'm strange for loving them. I really just fell in love, so I haven't decided if I am going to collect one specific thing or whatever catches my eye or nothing at all. I really have no idea, but I do know that I am absolutely transfixed by objects with history. At this moment I own one antique. My lovely fiance picked it up for me recently because she is very well aware of my new found passion. She also knows I'm a weird dude and found something that she thought I would love and would find interesting and she was not wrong. She found a cigarette box that the owner thought was made in Germany in the 30's 0r 40's. It's neat. It's a wooden music box that opens up to hold about 40 cigarettes and has two side doors containing tiny ashtrays. I quit smoking 7 years ago, but it's just neat. I'm not sure why you would combine a music box with a cigarette box, but this make did just that and I think it's kinda cool.

You might have heard that Cincinnati Reds' moron Brandon Phillips had some choice words for the Cardinals. Here they are if you haven't seen them:

"I'd play against these guys with one leg," Phillips told reporters before the Reds' 7-3 loss to St. Louis on Monday. "We have to beat these guys. I hate the Cardinals. All they do is [complain] and moan about everything, all of them. They're little [female dogs], all of 'em. I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear – I hate the Cardinals."

Thank you Brandon Phillips for being so stupid. Not only did you make idiotic comments that appear to have fired up one of the best teams in the NL, but you've also done next to nothing to help your team in the series after you talked so much smack. There's nothing like a guy that talks the talk and then totally disappears when it's time to walk.

Good for Yadier Molina for getting in your face and letting you know that you're a punk. You know what Yadier did in that game? He helped out with a homer and a sac fly. Thank you Brandon Phillips for being so stupid. I really think that we have witnessed the turning point in the NL Central race and it's all because of you Brandon Phillips, so once again, thank you for being so stupid.

Look, I know I'm a sap and a wuss, but I figured I would write a blog that would prove that even further and give you more ammunition to make fun of me. There have been two songs recently that have made me tear up. I don't ever remember songs having that effect on me before. Perhaps I am getting even sappier in my old age. The funny thing about these songs is that they couldn't be more different. The first song is by the Zac Brown Band, and it's called Highway 20 Ride.

This song is basically a father talking to his son because he and the son's mother got divorced and every two weeks he makes the Highway 20 ride to see his son. Now, I will admit that I have a weakness for the father-son angle whether it be in movies or whatever. I have an incredibly strong bond with my father and if you ever want to get me emotional, that is one way to do it. Anyway, this song is heartbreaking because it's the father essentially apologizing to the son for not being there. Here is one of the verses with the chorus:

So when you drive
And the years go flying by
I hope you smile
If I ever cross your mind
It was the pleasure of my life
And I cherished every time
And my whole world
It begins and ends with you
On that Highway 20 ride....

And I drive and I think about my life
And wonder why that I slowly die inside
Every time I turn that truck around
Right at the Georgia line
And I count the days
And the miles back home to you
On that Highway 20 ride

There is one more unique twist about this song though. Based on the way it is written, you would assume that Zac Brown is the father dealing with not seing his son every day, but I saw the Zac Brown Band live and  I distinctly remember him dedicating this song to his father who was in the audience. He said that his father was the one that was making that Highway 20 Ride to see him. To me, this makes the song even more emotional because it's the son telling his daddy that it's ok and that he understands why everything happened the way it did. Ok, just thinking about it has tears in my eyes. Man, I am such a sap. I can't believe I'm putting this out there. Oh well, screw it. Here's a link if you want to listen to Highway 20 Ride:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZMCkufE0X0

Now, the second song that I've been listening to that makes me tear up couldn't be more different than the first. This one is about the loss of a best friend. It's from the new Eminem album and it's called You're Never Over. Em's best friend Proof was murdered a couple years ago and this song is dedicated to him. I can't necessarily relate to having a best friend murdered, but having someone you love taken from you far too soon is a feeling that I know all too well unfortunately.

The first time I heard this song I just thought about how I love Eminem, but I don't really like it when he sings the hooks. Then I really gave the song a chance and it's a really introspective look into how he's dealing with the loss of his friend. Here is a sample of the lyrics, but when you read this know that he and his boy called each other doody. I know that sounds weird, but it's true and there's a reason for it.

Homie I know I'm never gonna be the same without you
I woulda never came in this game, I'm going insane without you
Matter of fact it was just the other night, had another dream about you
You told me to get up, I got up and spread my wings and I flew
You gave me a reason to fight, I was on my way to see you
You told me nah doody, you're not, layin' on that table I knew
I was gonna make it, soon as you said think of Hailie, I knew
There wasn't no way that I was gonna ever leave them babies, and Proof
Not many are lucky enough to have a guardian angel like you
Lord I'm so thankful, please don't think I don't feel grateful, I do
Just grant me the strength that I need, for one more day to get through
So homie this is your song, I dedicate this to you
I love you Doody
 

(Hook)

The days are cold, livin' without you
The nights are long, I'm growing older
I miss the days of old, thinkin' about you
You may be gone, but you're never over

And it don't stop (oh)
And it don't quit (oh)
And it don't stop (oh)
And it don't quit (oh)
And I miss you (oh)
I just miss you (oh)
I just miss you (oh)
Homie, I'll never forget you (no)
 

Here is the link if you want to hear the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7r4p4ho7o0

I know it may seem weird for a rap song to get you emotional, but when he thanks God for having such a great guardian angel, it just gets to me. Why did I write this blog? Now my eyes are filled with tears and it's likely that nothing will come of this but my own embarassment. Oh well, nothing new there I guess.

I am just overwhelmed with national pride right now. The USA just advanced to the round of 16 in the World Cup and my brother in law is on his way back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

In case you missed it, the USA Soccer team just pulled out one of the most dramatic wins that I've ever seen. It was just perfect. Despite a legit goal that was disallowed earlier in the game, the USA pushed on. If we don't win that game, we don't advance. It was high drama. The match went into 4 minutes of extra time and I just resigned myself to the fact that we were going to finish in a draw again and be out of the World Cup. Luckily, we attacked and Landon Donovan came through for us again. Here at the office we had about 10 people in the studio watching the match and everyone went nuts when we scored. What a great moment.

My brother in law has been in the Marines serving our country for over a decade. He embodies everything that this country is about. He is strong, brave, and a wonderful father and husband. He's been in Afghanistan for nearly a year, but is now on his way home. I really am overwhelmed with national pride right now. USA!