Brad Hicks' Blog

When I was at the gym today, ipod in my ears, all of a sudden -- and much to my surprise -- Bananarama's Venus started playing.  I don't even own the song so I'm not sure how it got there-- and it's not a very good workout song.   I had my ipod in for software servicing recently, so I'm guessing they somehow dumped a few songs onto my workout playlist.  I'm mystified.

I am, however, responsible for Michael Jackson't Beat It being on my ipod, and whenever the shufle lands on this song I hope no one can hear it.  I'd be embarassed.  There are a couple other embarassing songs on my ipod as well.  

LeBron James was recently outed for having Mandy on his ipod.  I don't have any Barry Manilow on mine.  That would be REALLY embarassing. 

  Which brings me to the point of this blog--  It seems everyone has a few "secret songs" hidden away on their playlist that  they hope no one else will hear.   Fess up-- what are yours?

Now, here are a couple good workout songs to amp you up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8_fuoypsik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv3xM3v4-rI

A few weeks ago on the news, I was rattling off a list of toys that have been inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. 

Mr. Potato Head is one such toy, and I briefly mentioned as an aside that  I really wanted one for Christmas when I was a little kid (Cappy Piercy across the street had one), but my parents never gave me one.  (I don't know if they had a thing against the plastic spud or what).

Anyway, when I came into work today, what's on my desk???  A MR. POTATO HEAD!!!!  A Fox6 viewer sent it to me with a very nice note about how no kid's Christmas is complete without the friendly fellow.   What a great surprise.  She made my day!!!    Fox6 viewers are The Best!!!

Okay-- it's not really a secret.  Did you catch the way the Packers' secondary was celebrating interceptions on Sunday-- Handshakes all around.  

I like it!  Did you?

Last year I tasted dozens of pizzas and picked the top 6 in SE Wisconsin.  I have a new one to add to the list:  MY OWN!!!!

Here's my homemade Margherita pizza:  I made the dough from scratch, and made the sauce from homegrown herbs (oregano and basil) and homegrown heirloom Brandywine tomatoes.  It's topped with fresh Mozzarella, homegrown Brandywine and Black Krim tomatoes, basil and parmigiano reggiano.    I enjoyed it with a Luna Sangiovese.  YUMMMMM... :)

I was craving bicycling in the mountains recently, so I decided to drive to The Black Hills in South Dakota.   I had modest expectations; they were greatly surpassed.

The drive is pretty BLEEP-hum, but the destination was great.  I stayed in Custer for a couple days and did some great rides-- lots of bison, beautiful rock formations, etc.

I also spent some time in Spearfish Canyon.  Nice place.  And, of course, I bicycled up to Mt. Rushmore.  Very impressive.

Have you ever been to the Black Hills?

In Chicago, students in 20 public high schools are going to get paid for getting good grades:  $50 for an A, $35 for a B, and $20 for a C.

I have a basic problem with paying kids to get good grades.  Whatever happened to getting good grades because you want to do well?  

But what really kills me is they're going to pay $35 for a B and $20 for a C!!!  You've got to be kidding me.     That's pathetic.   Reward mediocrity-- that's a great lesson for the kids.

Okay-- just a little gripe here.  You know the generic voicemail message that comes on after the personal message?  The woman's voice says, "To page this person, press 5, or, after you leave a message you may hang up, or.... blah blah blah."

I know how to leave a message thanks.  I think most people do by now.  Why do the phone companies have this default message after the personal greeting?  Drives me nuts-- and wastes my time.

Okay- I feel better.

Whe we do our newscasts live from the field, it usually draws a crowd.  When there's drinking involved, it's usually a pretty rowdy crowd.   (Some of you may recall the mauling when I was at Summerfest.)

But Saturday night was a first:  I was on Old World Third Street anchoring live from the Harley 105th Block party.  As I was broadcasting, I felt a pinch behind me, turned around, and there was a woman on her knees bitting my butt!    Women have grabbed my butt when I'm working, but I've never been chomped on before.   Different.   Very different.

Seems everywhere I go I hear, "Hey, you're a lot taller than you seem on TV" or "You're bigger than on TV."  

So earlier this week, when someone said they figured I was about 5'4", I figured I should set the record straight.   I'm 6'2", 218lbs.    Don't know if that's a surprise to you.  Don't know if you even care.  But there ya have it! 

I don't want to promote another network (cuz the boss would have my hide!), but if you're interested in watching the Olympics I highly recommend watching the live streaming video on NBC's website as opposed to their TV coverage.

Not only do you actually get to see the events live (the TV stuff is delayed hours and hours), but you can pick which sports and events YOU want to watch.  Moreover,  you don't have the commentators talking constantly.  It's like being there in Beijing!

Last night, for example, I watched the entire women's 63kg weight lifting competition.   They have tons of great camera angles, including cameras in the back staging area so you can see the athletes warmnig up and getting psyched.   This is something you'd never get to see on network TV.

BTW, my favorite weight lifter, Natalie Woolfolk, came in 12th.  GO NATALIE!!!   Here's a link to videos of her lifting those heavy weights.  She's awesome!  Click here