ťRobbie [v 2.0: Chapter II]Ť

Good Wednesday afternoon to all! I hope things are well with you. Things are peachy keen and hunky dory in my neck of the woods. Just another hum drum Wednesday - a.k.a. Hump Day. It's all downhill from here! I haven't done anything particularly exciting this week so I'm sure this is giving you a boring read. Some of my online friends have started this awesome new message board community called Plosh. You should check it out. It's purt dang cool. I have the rest of the week off from the library. I don't work Fridays anyway and tomorrow morning I have a doctor's appointment. Just a check up, that's all. Nothing major. The library owes me a paid day off so I'm taking it tomorrow. I'll go see Drew at his house tomorry too. I have to stop on the way home and pick up a birthday card for Tiffany. Her birthday is on Saturday. Well, I suppose that's all for now. I'll put my top 10 in here 'cuz that's my new Wednesday thang. Oh yeah, I'm finally on the KissKrew page at the KissFM website (I think I already mentioned this, lol). You can go ťHEREŤ to see it.

Hello all my faithful visitors! I am sorry I have abandoned you for three days and have not updated. It has been a very crazy past few days but now I finally have time to sit down and write for a bit. Also, if I don't write for a day or two it gives me lots of things to talk about, haha. I have some exciting radio station work related news to announce. Actually, I have three things I'd like to announce but can only talk about one of them at the moment. Starting the weekend of August 15th, I will be filling in Brian's spots on Majic 101.9. So, I'm quite excited about that. I'll finally be a DJ. Also, all of the folks back in the Basin will be able to pick me up 'cuz Majic's signal reaches that far. I'm trying to think of my DJ name. I go by Robbie "Stalker Of The Stars" on KissFM but it'd be silly to go by that on Majic - which is a classic rock station. I think I'm gonna go by Robbie Ray on Majic. The first person to ever believe in me in a radio capacity was my boss at Kiss, Tommy "Chuck." Years from now when I think back to the beginning of my career and those that were influential in guiding me in the right direction, I will always think of Tommy. Ray is Tommy's real last name so, yeah, I think I'll become Robbie Ray as my way of saying thanks to him.

Let's see if I can remember all I've done the past few days. On Thursday night I went with Riggs for the appearance at Chattanooga Food & Drink and I got to be a judge for the Miss Hawaiian Tropic 2003 competition. Can't complain about that! Lower in the entry I'll have a Boy's Only section where you can look at the pics from it, haha. Friday I went with Riggs to see Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - Cradle Of Life for the bit we do on Fridays, which is give away the ending to the big movie that comes out that weekend, lol. It was pretty good. The first one got a lot of flack from the critics for being too action driven and not plot driven. They made this one more plot driven than action driven and that disappointed me. However, it was still good. Yesterday I spent a couple of hours here at the station voice tracking the midnight to 6 a.m. shift. Adam is out of town on vacation and Tommy let me do his show this week. I listened to some of it on the air last night. I used to think I wouldn't have a good voice on air, but I think I sound pretty decent now. Anyway, I'm gonna go on and begin the Boy's Only section now so ladies...buh-bye!

Okay, so in this section I'm gonna post some photos from the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Contest on Thursday night and the Wet T-Shirt Contest on Friday night :-p The first two photos (the brunette in the white bikini) are Lisa. Lisa is the girl who won Thursday night's qualifying round and she's the contestant I gave all of my points too. Have I made you proud dad, haha? The blonde in the pink bikini is Precious. She was runner up on Thursday night and I gave her all my runner up points. As far as the last picture is concerned, that's a photo of Corrina. She's this girl that comes to the club all the time and she works as a Britney Spears impersonator at clubs in bigger cities. I didn't go to the club on Friday night and Tommy told me Corrina was in the wet t-shirt contest. Damnit!

What's going on everyone? Not much here. Got a little bit of a busy week going on but nothing too stressful. Got some work to do at the library and at the station. Yesterday afternoon I went to see Drew on his last day in the hospital. He got to go home this morning. I know he's thrilled about that. I also stopped by BestBuy. Picked up my first pair of professional headphones (I felt so official) and I got the South Park movie on DVD 'cuz it was only $9.99. You guys know I'm a sucker for those $9.99 DVDs.

Last night Riggs & I were gonna do a bit where the songs on the Phat 5 @ 8 were going to be our personal faves. However, he did an interview with one of the guys from Bowling For Soup instead so that bit got pushed back until Thursday night. I really think one of my favorite perks of working at a radio station is the free CDs. I'mma try to get someone to get me Mya's new album for free. I hear it's really good but I don't wanna pay for it and then not like it, y'know? Last night I took a couple of singles out of the duplicate/discard box beneath Tommy's desk. Snagged up Mariah Carey, Stacie Orrico, and Thalia. Anyway, I really don't have a lot to say today. I am gonna add a new feature where every Wednesday I post Robbie's Top Ten. These will be my top 10 favorite songs of the week. It'll be like my own lil' Casey Kasem or Rick Dees countdown. Anyway, here goes...

G'mornin'. Sorry I didn't update yesterday. I'm sure some of you are horribly distraught. I'm sure my lack of an update just threw your life into a horrid misbalance. If it did, I offer my sincerest apologies. This weekend was aiight. Didn't do anything super exciting but it was aiight. Friday afternoon I saw the new Mandy Moore flick, How To Deal. I think I already mentioned this but oh well. I'm too lazy to scroll down and look so you'll just have to read this again. It was an average film. On a scale of 0 to 5 I give it a 3. It's definitely a chick flick. I counted 19 bodies in the theater while I was there and I was the only guy. Friday night I did a bit with Riggs where I stood outside the studio with homeless people signs. One sign said "Will Play UR Songs & Free Stuff 4 Hot Chiks" and the other said "For A Good Time Call Riggs @ 642-9800." I couldn't come back inside until I got 98 car honks (since we're 98.1 KissFM). It was a fun bit and sounded great on the air.

I spent Saturday here at the library working. Afterwards I popped by the studio just to say "Hi" and Tommy let me voice track the last two hours of Adam's show. For all of you people that are not hip to the radio lingo, it basically means that I got to be on the air by myself as the jock for the first time ever very early on Saturday morning (4 a.m. to 6 a.m.). Tommy said he never critiques first time VTs or shows but mine were very solid and I should expect to VT all of Adam's show this week 'cuz he'll be out of town. He said I deserve it. So, yeah, I'm pleased with myself. Next month will be 6 months for me at Kiss and I'm now on the air, kind of. I don't know that it's going to lead to anything significant but one can hope. It's all part of the master Robbie plan anyway. More on that later.

A week and a half ago I got a giant lecture from my mom on how, like, she understands that I'm young and I have my friends and I like to go out, but there should come a point in time where family comes first and I'm only using her for a place to live, food, and laundry and that I need to spend more time at home. So for, like, the past two weeks I haven't gone out with anyone, I particularly haven't gone to Chattanooga Food & Drink. I made the mistake of going to their website and looking at the photos of what I missed and, yeah, I'm definitely going out this week. And get this! On Saturday Tommy & Adam were trying to get me to go to the movies with them and I wouldn't go 'cuz of my mom. I get home and I'm like, "Yeah, Tommy & Adam wanted me to go to the movies with 'em but I didn't go." Mom says, "Well why not? It'd've been a guys night out." I said, "Hello?! Didn't you just tell me about how I needed to stay at home more often?" She said, "Well, he's your boss and you never tell your boss no." So, this week I'm going out.

Anyway, I really should shut up. I know this is a long ass entry. I'mma go see Drew after work 'cuz I didn't go any last week. He gets to go home this week too. I know he's happy about that. Peace 'n' chicken grease!

I'm soooooooooooo bored. Working Saturdays at the library always sucks 'cuz it's that time of day where everything just drags by. Also, I'm starving too. I didn't take my lunch break 'cuz I figured the rent-a-cops (a.k.a. campus security) would unlock Brock hall and I could use the vending machines. No such luck. 'Tis okay though. I only have a lil' over an hour left.

This morning, as I was driving to work, I was scanning my radio presets and stumbled across something called RetroPop on Alive 95. It intrigued me, so I listened and it turned out to be most awesome indeed. It was a whole two hours dedicated to the 90s. They played some awesome songs that drudged up some great elementary and high school memories. Songs like "All That She Wants" by Ace Of Base; "1979" by the Smashing Pumpkins; "One" by U2; "Constant Craving" by kd lang; "Heart Of The Matter" by Don Henley; "A Change (Would Do You Good)" by Sheryl Crow; and they closed with "Unbelievable" by UMF. Ahhh the memories.

I picked up two more FREE CDs at the radio station last night. Boy do I love my job there! I got Lil' Kim's La Bella Mafia and Matchbox Twenty's More Than You Think You Are. I found this really cool website for Real World and Road Rules fanatics like myself, not that I know any though. I think I'm the only one most people have ever met in their entire lives. Anyway, the site is http://realworldroadrules.blogspot.com The cool thing about this site is that it includes links to current and past members' websites. Anyhoo, I'mma bounce outta here. Might should do some work before I leave. Ain't no thang but a chicken wang!

*like Dr. Nick from The Simpsons* Hi everybody! Just thought I'd pop in and write a little update. Not a lot to say today. I saw one really good movie last night and one alright movie last night. I rented The Ring, which wasn't as scary as I thought it'd be, and Skipping Parts. I think Skipping Parts would be what's considered a stereotypical Robbie flick. It came off of the Sundance rack at Blockbuster and it was kind of dark and offbeat in the same way that Igby Goes Down was, and it didn't surprise my roomie John that I had Igby. I hope that all makes sense. Anyway, Skipping was a good movie. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Drew Barrymore, and Bug Hall are in it and it was very funny and dark. The Ring, while it wasn't scary, did keep me interested 'cuz I wanted to know the mystery.

Mariah Carey called the radio station today. I didn't get to talk to her, but that's okay. I did send Jane & Troy some Mariah show prep and suggested what they do and do not talk to her about. Tonight I'll be doing a bit with Riggs where I'll be playing a homeless guy outside the studio and I'll give out free stuff. I'm still really congested, so I think I'll called myself the "Congested Stalker Of The Stars" tonight. Anyhoo, I'mma bounce outta here. I get off work in a few. Behave yourselves and don't do anything I wouldn't do!

G'mornin'. Decided to write early today. I just got into work and I got something on my mind. I just have to point out the utter hypocrisy of the population of the United States. Now I'm not a very political person. If going to war is the necessary means for an end to something then I'm pro-war, as I was when Bush sent troops to Iraq. However, if war is not necessary then I might become anti-war. Either way it goes, allow me to point out the hypocrisy I speak of. I'm sure we all remember what Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks said when they were over in Europe. Y'know, about how she's ashamed the President is from Texas. Well, remember the horrible Dixie Chicks backlash for months afterwards? There was a huge backlash because Natalie didn't support the war. Now, let's turn our attention to the single sitting at the #14 position on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. It's the Black Eyed Peas' "Where's The Love?" I don't understand why there hasn't been a backlash against them and this song. Are people not listening to the lyrics? The song is so completely anti-war, especially with lyrics that say the real reason for the war is being kept secret from the public. I understand that this is America and they have a right to say how they feel, however, I don't see any difference in what they've done and what Natalie did. Just because Justin Timberlake sings the hook, that doesn't make it any less anti-war. So, yeah, just wanted to point that lil' bit out.

I stopped by McKay's yesterday afternoon. I picked up 2 Garbage albums. I just need their first one now. I'll get around to updating the CD section today with all my recent acquirements. Is that a word? I'll also fix the DVD section back to the way it was. I got very exciting news yesterday about a trip I'm going to be going on, but I can't give the details away yet. I'm gonna wait until everything is confirmed. I don't wanna jinx it. Anyhoo, I'mma bounce out of here. Peace 'n' chicken grease!

I have Cher's "Gypsies, Tramps, & Thieves" stuck in my head. Thanks Dad. You got it stuck there yesterday with that joke you made. Sorry for the lack of entries as of late. I had to go out of town. My grandfather passed away Sunday evening, so I went back to the thriving metropolis that is the great Copper Basin to be with family. I really truly believe that the Copper Basin is just a giant time warp. My whole sense of time and day have been thrown off ever since I went there. Saturday felt like it was Friday; Sunday felt like it was Saturday; Monday felt like Saturday too; Tuesday felt like Sunday; and today feels like Monday. Got all that? Isn't it odd how funerals also turn into giant family reunions? I saw people I hadn't seen in years the past two days. Some of them I was very happy to see, like my cousins Mandy and Michelle. Michelle and her husband and chil'ren live in Valdosta, GA and Mandy lives in Savannah. I always laugh whenever they're around. However, I think having a great sense of humor - especially about ourselves - is genetic. I have to say, we're all pretty damn funny.

As for the Justin & Christina show. It was pretty cool. I think Christina's show totally kicked Justin's show's ass. I found myself very bored during his. I kept looking at my watch and I even yawned...yes, yawned...a few times. Even though the seats were high up, they weren't bad. I really don't think there's a bad seat in Philips Arena. I didn't bring back a super spectacular souvenir. All I picked up was a poster (that was $10!) that looks like Christina's album cover. I've been wanting one like that for a while. They had some pink thongs with X's on them for X-Tina and some booty shorts that said "Dirrty" on the butt. I'm sure I'd look fabulous in either of those. Anyhoo, I'mma hop off here. I never thought I'd be exchanging e-mail addresses with Nicholson relatives - who knew any of us were Internet savvy? - but I did and now I have to send all of them e-mails so they can't complain that I don't. Ain't no thang but a chicken wang!

And we're off! I'm at the library updating at the moment. Audra's gonna meet me here shortly and we're off to the ATL to see the Justified & Stripped Tour at Philips Arena tonight. I'm so excited. My goal for the evening is to scream so much that I can't talk tomorrow. It shouldn't be that hard to achieve though. I'm already a bit hoarse and raspy 'cuz my sinuses are acting up. I went to see Drew yesterday. I didn't stay very long. I went at a bad time. He'd just finished his therapy and it was lunch time. I got to stay about 10 minutes at the most. I took him some presents and he was happy about them. We got to talk for a few minutes. I can tell he really doesn't like being there, which is actually a good thing. He's really stubborn and he'll take that energy and put it into getting better quickly. I've started rocking a new look. We'll see what Audra thinks of it when she shows up. Y'know how the trend here lately has been wearing baseball caps or visors with the bill turned to the left or the right? Yeah, I'm rocking that look with the visor. So, yeay, my concert apparel is my khaki visor (turned to the left), my new red SpongeBob t-shirt (it has a yellow cross on it and says "Lifeguard" and there's a picture of him without his pants and it says "Swimsuit Optional"), my khaki American Eagle shorts, and my sandals. Anyhoo, I'mma bounce off of here. Audra just called and said she's about 10-15 minutes away. I'll think of all of you as I'm singing at the top of my lungs tonight with, like, 80,000 other people. The show is sold out.

"When it gets cold outside and you've got nobody to love, you'll understand what I mean when I say there's no way we're gonna give up. Like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams, is there anyone out there 'cuz it's getting harder and harder to breathe..." I've got that song stuck in my head. It's "Harder To Breathe" by Maroon 5. It's such an awesome song. I don't mind having it stuck in there. I'm gonna go try to see them, Lillix, and Everclear for $3 on July 24th in Nashville. I also think they're comin' through the Nizzle (a.k.a. Chattanooga) for a free show. I can't wait to see them live.

Yesterday, I got a nice surprise...free tickets to the Justified & Stripped Tour in Atlanta Saturday night! Woohoo! I've been asking for those since I started working at the station. Amber - the weekend girl - wanted the tickets and I wanted the tickets and I did get a pair of tickets so I think it'd be a nice gesture to invite her...and I did. I'm so amped for it. I'm not that big of a Justin Timberlake fan. I mostly wanna go for Christina but I have a feeling JT's show is gonna impress the hell outta me. This is definitely - in my opinion - the hottest tour this summer. I also got some pleasant news involving John Mayer. His new album is completely and is set for a September release. I love John Mayer too. He's, like, my favorite male artist of all time probably. I saw him in Nashville this past August (I think) front row at the Ryman. I'm sure he'll tour in support of this new album - named Heavier Things - and I'm for sure going to see him again. One of the perks of being in his official fan club is advance ticket sales, which is how I scored the seats in Nashville. The first single off the album is called "Bigger Than My Body" and the album will also include one of my favorite songs, "Something's Missing."

Anyway, I think this entry has run a little long. I have a doctor's appointment in the morning. My doctor has realized no one has ever checked my cholesterol so I have to get that done which means I have to start fasting after, like, 10 p.m. tonight. I'm gonna go see Drew tomorrow. Take him a few presents. I'm not sure what CDs he lost in the accident but I got him a copy of Stripped from the station and I'mma buy him a copy of Mariah's Rainbow album along with a discman so he can listen to his CDs in his room. Anyway, I'm out. Peace 'n' chicken grease!

What's going on? Not much here. Well, I'm finally done with summer school but I'm not feeling very confident I passed the course which is very problematic because it was necessary for me to do so in order to receive fall financial aid. Talk about your complex sentence. Who knows? Maybe I'm just being pessimistic and maybe I did pass the course but Dr. Stanley's final comments didn't inspire much hope in me:
Dr. Stanley: Are you going on to second year, Mr. Nicholson?
Me: Yes.
Dr. Stanley: And which courses are you taking?
Me: 211 & 212
Dr. Stanley: You know 211 is a closed course now, right?
Me: Yes, I know. Dr. Steinberg got me in last session.
Dr. Stanley: Well...*very long pause*...good luck.

So, yeah, he didn't sound very confident in my abilities. So, if I didn't pass the course I'm royally screwed because apparently the deadline to appeal fall financial aid decisions has passed. Therefore if I failed the course I did not earn enough hours to receive aid for the fall and it's too late to appeal that decision. Everyone keep their fingers crossed for me.

Maybe a few of you are wondering about the chick situation. Well, there isn't one any more. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I really enjoy being single. I have enough to worry about at the moment with school and two jobs than to try and worry about seeing someone. Also, I'm extremely focused on building a career right now and I'm not willing to give up time for that for someone else. Anyway, I got in a bad habit of saying I'd call Allison on one day and I'd end up calling her the next and it really pissed her off so she kind of gave me an ultimatum. I told her I'd call her on Monday and she said, "Either call me or don't call me and let that be that." So I didn't call. It was an easy out. Besides I'm much more interested in Lynsie from Drink but I don't see that going anywhere either. I'm most likely not her type, but we'll see what happens. Anyway, I'mma bounce outta here. Later!

What's going on? Not much with me. Just sittin' here in the library, writing this journal entry. My final exam in French 102 is on Tuesday and Dr. Stanley is having a review session tonight at 6:30 p.m. I figure I should go 'cuz it's still pretty questionable whether or not I'm gonna pass the class. When I asked him if I was going to he said, "I hope so!" That was really helpful. I need a definite answer 'cuz if I don't pass it then I don't get financial aid and then I don't get to go to school.

Today has been an alright day. I woke up really early but that's because I went to bed really early AND I'm used to waking up early. I'm talking 7:30 a.m. early. Yeah. I've done much of nothing today. I've sat and watched tv all day. Scott came in about 11:30 a.m. which kinda pissed me off. I don't understand why he didn't have any rafting trips then. I was thoroughly happy having the house to myself and he put me in a funk. I went to see Drew on my way here. He's doing well. I only stayed about 20 minutes 'cuz he was really sleepy. I'll go see him later in the week. I'mma have to ask Tommy about that gift from Jason Mraz. It's still not here and I promised it to him.

Well, I'mma bounce off of here. This layout is kinda pissing me off. Every page works right except for this page. All of the computers at the radio station are 800x600 format and this page would not load properly on them yesterday, however, it does load properly here at work, but these monitors are 1024 resolution. Anyway, ain't no thang but a chicken wang!

Hey everyone! Hope you guys like the new layout. It's a work in progress. Some older sections of the site still have the Beyoncé layout up but I'm working on getting it all up this layout. For those of you that have traditional 800x600 size screens, if you would, e-mail me and let me know if the site fits your screen now. I'm redoing everything to make it more 800x600 friendly. I decided to use this Ashanti theme 'cuz her new album is AMAZING. I know I keep rambling about it but I really like it. It's good stuff.

My 4th of July was pretty good, I hope yours was as well. On the 3rd I had a 20 hour day. I got up at 6:45 a.m. and worked from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Then, I had class from 1:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. and traffic was so horrible on the 3rd that it took me an HOUR to get from UTC to the radio station, which normally takes 20 minutes at the most. Once I got there I had to leave with Riggs and he did his show live from Pops In The (Coolidge) Park. Afterwards I went with him and the other guys to Chattanooga Food & Drink. I finally got in bed close to 3 a.m. I spent the 4th at home with mom. We fixed a nice lil' summer meal and just hung out on the deck. I rented a movie for her - and because Scott came home for once - and she didn't have to spend the night alone, so I went back to Drink last night. Now, I'm at the station again running a NASCAR race (Pepsi 400). Oh yeah, I realize I haven't really talked about the girl I met...

Her name is Allison. Last Friday, Riggs did his show from a house in Soddy Daisy (Sodomy Daisy) that had a pool. We decided we needed a lifeguard in case something happened so that's where this girl came from. She's a lifeguard at the Y and she didn't have anything else to do (and we paid her via a copy of every CD we have at the station). Anyway, it was kinda obvious she was digging me and I did enjoy talking to her, so at the end of the night I gave her my number. However, in a week's time, I'm slowly losing interest. She told me she'd just graduated high school so I thought she was 18 getting ready to be 19. Au contraire. She graduated a year early so she's 17 getting ready to be 18 and for those of you that don't remember, I'm 21. Also, next month she'll be starting school at UTK and Robbie doesn't do the long distance thing. Also, I just really enjoy being single too much and in all honesty, I don't have time for anyone. I'm way too focused on school and my blossoming radio career. Both of those are my life. Now, I just gotta figure out how to tell her that. I don't really wanna string her along for a month - 'cuz I know that's so wrong - but I am enjoying the attention. Anyway, I'mma bounce outta here. Peace out!

There's really not much to talk about today. I had fun last night. We played bra-size bingo at the radio station for a pair of Justin & Christina tickets. That was cool. I know I've hyped it up two days in a row now but go out and get the new Ashanti album. It's so good. My bosses here at the library are really digging it. We play it all the time. Anyway, like, I said, not much to talk about. If you go to other sections of the site, namely the journal section (lol), and it's not the same color as the rest of the site, ignore it. If I ever get someone to make me an Ashanti graphic, I'mma change the layout and the colors will have to go with it. Fo' shizzle my nizzle.

OMG, where'd all the writing go?! I opened up the journal section. If you miss a day or something from the previous month you can go back and read it in the journal section. I had dinner with Heather yesterday. 'Twas fun. I really don't have much to say today. Ashanti's new album, Chapter II, is in stores today. Go pick it up!! It's sooooo good. I think she's gonna be the new flavor of the month. I'm working on getting an Ashanti layout up. Cheri you may not wanna let Jamil see that layout either. If you wouldn't show him those Beyoncé pics, then you for sure won't want him to see the Ashanti pics I'mma use. I think you and I have something in common now. Think about it really hard. First a Beyoncé layout, now an Ashanti one. I think we're on the same page.

I can't wait for school to start back. My summer session ends next Tuesday. I'll have a month long break before fall session starts. I miss my friends and can't wait until they're back in the Chattanizzle. I'm really digging this new band, Maroon 5. I love their single "Harder To Breathe." I went on Pollstar.com to see if they were doing any shows near here and they're doing a show for $3 in Nashville on 7/24 with Lillix and Everclear. I'm not a huge fan of either of those groups but they're aiight and hell, you can't beat a $3 concert. I'm hoping to make a mini-vacation out of it. John lives in McMinnville and the concert is in Nashville. I know he'd go with me. I could get that day - which is a Thursday - off and I wouldn't have to be back in town until Sunday to run a race. I think I'mma call Jesse and see if he wants to tag along. We could go out to Nashville that Saturday night or Friday night and celebrate his birthday. I know all three of us are dying to go back to Deja Vu. It's by far the best strip club I've ever been to. Anyway, I've rambled enough. I'mma bounce outta here! Ain't no thang but a chicken wang!