35 minute read
BOOM! Cover Profile
BOOM! COVER PROFILE Bo Goodson, "Teacher"
This month’s cover profile is a man who knows your neighborhood and how to sell your house. Bo Goodson is the owner of The Goodson Group, a real estate and property management company. Bo has been in the local real estate business longer than most and still loves helping people sell their home or make a career move selling real estate. Bo also loves to teach and has been operating one of the River Region’s best real estate schools for preparing to get a real estate license or keeping current with continuing education programs. As a real estate guy, Bo love’s Montgomery and the River Region but knows how important it is for our city to have a quality education system. It’s the most important concern when families are buying a house. Bo’s partner, Gail Ball shares her experience in helping him create a successful real estate business but perhaps most importantly, Gail shares her two dogs, Katie Faith and Anna Grace, Bo’s weakness for sure! We recently spent some time with Bo and Gail, Katie Faith and Anna Grace too, the pleasure was all ours and we think you’ll enjoy getting to know Bo as much as we did.
BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where you’re from, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, married, family, etc.?
BO: My Grandfather owned a grocery store, Goodson Grocery, on Highland Avenue for many years. My immediate family moved to Chicago after my Father was offered a position in my Uncle's food company, Custom Food Products. I lost my Father during my last year in high school and my Mother, Brother and I moved back to Montgomery. I found myself helping my Mother when my Brother left home to go to college. After graduation from high school, I attended college with my Brother. I got married after college and soon started having children. I have four girls and one boy. My girls are all married to great husbands and my son is a Marketing Executive. I have 10 Grandchildren and that is not
BOOM!: You are a real estate broker and the owner of The Goodson Group. Please share with our readers how you got started in the real estate business and what kinds of services you offer clients? What have been some of the biggest challenges operating The Goodson
Bo and his Partner, Gail Ball
Group? How would you describe the current housing market in the River Region? Is it a buyer or sellers’ market?
BO: I started attending real estate classes while playing in a band for extra money and working as a purchasing agent for a company in Gunter Industrial Park. I also was attending AUM in Pre-vet school. I was busy and remember being tired all the time. I started full time as a real estate agent in 1977. I worked for several fine firms and became the final number.
a Broker-Associate. I had always wanted to work for myself and own my own company. I decided to work on MY dream. In 2004, I opened my own firm. I was so excited. I had been teaching real estate courses and had a school at my previous real estate company. The school attendance and my sales and listings were increasing. I had a few rentals from previous sales clients. Gail Ball agreed to come with me and help me start the business. We hired other agents to work with us and I trained them to be the best. Our real estate office, our school and the property management company made us the source for real estate knowledge.
Our biggest challenges came from the economic downturn of 2009 that stretched into 2015. Sales of properties took longer to get to closing. Foreclosures and company layoffs affected everyone. Hard work by our staff and Gail Ball (Co Broker) enabled us to survive. It has profited the owners
of rental requirements BOOM!: Many people over 50 properties now limits the are looking for new investment that were "live" class opportunities. What role does The under size. Students Goodson Group play when it comes to water come to learn real estate investing? (more how to go into invested in the real estate BO: We provide the means to successful property business, but rental property buying and investment than 40 percent of management. We manage over 100 current our students homes for owners of property that enjoy paper want the the convenience of having someone value) in information to else handle the everyday requirement 2009 to better prepare of investment ownership. Our clients keep their to buy a rely on our ability to attract the kind of properties tenants that and earn One of Bo's passions, music therapy with his guitar pay on time an income and take from care of their their investment and begin to see their house or manage property like property as an asset that they could sell their own property they would for a profit in the future. investments. We themselves. teach Continuing The rental Our real estate market started expanding Education courses market is in late 2015 and by 2019 changed from for established booming right a buyer's market to a seller's market. By agents including now. Our early 2020, with the decrease in numbers Contract Writing, agents are of houses on the market, demand went Negotiation, Pricing aware of the up by 12%, while supply of house was Property, Code of investment down 14%. Ethics, and Property opportunities. Management to They know BOOM!: You operate The Bo Goodson meet their license rental rates, Real Estate School and many of our requirement. and areas that readers have thought about becoming rent well. Our real estate management agents. team
Bo with two of his very best friends,
Please share Katie Faith and Anna Grace specializes how The Bo in getting Goodson Real The prehouses ready to rent with cleaning, Estate School license and remodeling needs. We market our helps people classes rentals through over 400 plus websites. create a meet successful real every BOOM!: How have you been dealing estate career? Thursday with the COVID 19 challenges with your Do you offer night in business and personally? continuing our office education and classroom BO: We practice social distancing other training from 6 - 9 whether showing properties, assisting programs? p.m. Some buyers and sellers with the process of of our real estate and in our school. We wear BO: Our real students masks or shields when showing and are estate school Gail and Bo getting ready for Easter just want careful about interaction. We make sure flourished to sit and the home is unoccupied. We have had while training current realtors and learn; while others are eager to inject Open Houses and the people come in people aspiring to become agents. their concerns and interest. It is an up to large numbers and in sets of one, two or Our current facility will accommodate date real world examples class. We also three to view the property. We are doing up to 40 students, but the current have on-line courses. videos of houses for all clients whether
investing, buying, or selling. We have rented to our military using this method too.
BOOM!:
What are you most passionate about?
BO: Real estate is not upmost on Family get together: Bo's son Mark Goodson, Gail Ball, Shannon Goodson Carter, Leah Goodson, Terese Goodson (sister-in-law), and Bo my lists of passions. I BO: Playing guitar and singing at home am extremely passionate about teaching at night and writing gospel songs is how God's word, praying and singing praise I wind down. I am a bit of a workaholic, songs in church and Sunday School class so down time is something rare. I like and knowing Godly men in my men's to spend as much time as I can with my Bible study group. I am passionate partner and Co-Broker Gail Ball and her about education and educating buyers two dogs, Anna Grace, a 3 lb. yorkie, and and sellers and teaching buyers and Katie Faith, a vivacious red poodle. sellers how to buy and sell effectively. I especially love watching the growth in BOOM!: What are some of your favorite individuals, couples, class attendees and travel experiences? Favorite vacation agents as they follow the process and get spot? Any travel dreams planned? the training they need.
BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a full day’s activities?
BO: I love the Gulf beaches and a trip with just Gail would be great. You see, Anna Grace has health issues and leaving her has presented such anxiety that its almost better to stay home. Taking her with us is precarious too. We cannot take Katie and leave Anna either. That does not seem fair. We take short trips with them when Anna is up to taking a trip. In my bucket list is a to trip to my ancestral home of Ireland, and my spiritual home of Israel.
BOOM!: If you were not in the real estate business what kind of work would you like to do?
BO: I have loved real estate for 42 plus years, but I also love speaking and training large groups. I sometimes wish I had more time to do more speaking engagements for large numbers.
Favorite family restaurant, My daughter Ande, her husband Graham, leah, and Terese and 4 grandchildren
BOOM!: caring people and to seek Montgomery as their new home. Technology a beautiful scenery. Education would be a good first start. is a big part Green pastures and My youngest daughter is an elementary of our lives, flowing lakes and school teacher in Phoenix, Arizona where what’s your rivers abound in the public schools are terrible, so she relationship our wonderful state teaches at a charter school. A school with and town. system is the first priority in home buying technology? decisions. How does I really want technology play to stress the BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your a role in your seriousness of priorities changed? business? a good Public BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of? BO: I thoroughly enjoy living in Montgomery. I enjoy getting to know my neighbors and the friendly attitude of everyone I meet and know. Montgomery is completely a southern town. The south is friendly and gracious, filled with BO: Technology attack. Thankfully, I was able is the leader in to survive that attack and our business. return shortly thereafter to You cannot a regular routine. I love my manage work. Real estate has been my without it now. life for the last 40 years, but Our system of relationships are much more bookkeeping important to me now. Family works without Bo receiving the Realtor Emeritus award interactions have become books. We rely for 40+ years in the business more meaningful. I value every on electronic person I meet with whether deposit and transfers, plus the advent Education for a minute or a lifetime. of digital contracts and signatures have system. There Going through life threatening revolutionized our business. More is a great need events will increase the value and more real estate companies are for better you place on your relationship doing "paper-less" transactions and education with God, your loved ones documentation. 90 percent of home opportunities (whether human or canine) buyers start looking at a home via for our Bo with Gail and Katie Faith and your contacts. the internet. We utilize our website youth. Our advertising and internet advertising youth really are our future. I have BOOM!: Give us three words that through social media platforms and seen towns and communities flourish describe you? reach thousands. All platforms are an beyond expectations due to their school amazing journey with no reality ending. systems. Our new residents coming into BO: Religious, kind, hard working.
Montgomery need to have many reasons BO: In 2011, I had a heart
Bo with 4 0f his 5 children at the Goodson Family Farm, L-R: Leah Goodson Bridges, Terese Goodson, sister-in-law, Bo, Ande Goodson Taylor, Shannon Goodson Carter, Mark Goodson. (missing Rebecca Goodson Beaulieu from Phoenix, Az)
BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention?
BO: I love my guitars. I love gospel music, singing, and playing music.
BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in community, civic or church activities?
BO: I am involved in my church. I have a men's class that meets every week. These are some of the finest men I know. I have a Sunday School class that I love. I substitute teach for the class, too. It's time consuming to prepare to teach, but I learn so much.
BOOM!: How do you like to spend time with family?
Bo with his team, minus 6 people out on sales calls.
Bo teaching his real estate classes at The Goodson Group
BO: My children live in Virginia, Tennessee, Illinois, and Arizona. They come with their families and take over my house. I love sitting with one of them and playing my guitar. I play duets that I am still able to do what I enjoy with my son and grandson. On my 70th doing so much. birthday they all came with their families. Goodson Group? How do you view the It was hectic, but completely enjoyable. Renewal comes with transition. Transition comes with anxiety about the Gail’s family live in Alabama. I spend a future and summons up a commitment. lot of time with her sisters 5 children, I see many students in some sort grandchildren, and great grandchildren. of transition. They are faced with a Gail has 2 commitment girls and 4 decision, grandchildren a financial too. It’s lots decision, and an of people for emotional one. holidays. Gail Stay focused has a great and work hard. granddaughter Have patience on the way, with yourself McLain Boykin. and diligence to We are all move toward looking forward your new goal. to her. It is lots Why make a of people for Bo spending time with Gail's family decision that holidays. I am a requires change member of that family and love each one without a firm of them. commitment? I remember starting in BOOM!: Many people as they age seek children with each one having different new experience, a renewed sense of demands on my time. I was taking purpose, new goals, even new careers, someone to YMCA camp or to aerobics how would you describe this sense of classes and trying to sell and list houses. renewal in your life? Any advice for the It was a course in time management. rest of us seeking renewal? What’s the Sometimes I wasn’t sure where I was future look like for Bo Goodson and The needed next. real estate in my early 30s with 4 small idea of retirement? The Goodson Group is expanding our sales force and continuing our education BO: After the heart attack, I had a great classes for active realtors and new sense of renewal. I thank God everyday agents that want to start a new career in
real estate sales, land sales or property management. All of us need a goal to shoot for that will keep us on track. Enlist your families help. Make them a part of your decision and goals.
Retirement is not something I have had time to consider. The best I can say is it probably is in my future, although it has been said that I will be putting a for sale sign in a yard or meeting a client when God decides that MY new home is in heaven. I hope.
We want to thank Bo for sharing his story with us in this month's cover profile. If you want to connect with Bo, or have a real estate question email him at bogoodson@charter.net. To learn more about The Goodson Group visit www.thegoodsongroup.com or call 334.551.0225. A special thanks to Bo's partner Gail for sharing her home (and dogs) with us for the cover photo shoot. If you have questions, comments or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to Jim Watson at
jim@riverregionboom.com.
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Looking for Love During COVID-19
Despite the pandemic, older singles are still hoping for connection
When government leaders instituted stay-athome orders and other quarantine rules in the spring, more than just hairstylists and restaurants were suddenly shuttered. People’s love lives were instantly shelved, too, as the lack of places to go and concerns about the virus overshadowed the desire to couple.
By Tami Kamin Meyer
five dates at either a park or outdoors at a restaurant. Sparks did not fly during any of those socially distanced meetings, but Jane said if they had, COVID-19 would not have kept her from kissing.
Still, humans crave interaction, so online dating exploded in popularity.
The numbers tell the tale.
In research conducted April 22-24, 2020 by Morning Consult, a data intelligence firm, 31% of the 2,200 American singles surveyed who use a dating app reported “somewhat more” use of online dating apps during quarantine. And 22% revealed they were utilizing dating apps “much more” than they had pre-pandemic. Nearly half of those who use a dating app said they logged on every day.
The Challenges of Dating During Quarantine
Jane (not her real name), 59, who lives in Ohio, found herself single when her 37-year marriage ended in 2017. She lived alone for the 18 months prior to her divorce, giving her time to adjust to her new and strange reality. She began online dating six months after her divorce was finalized. Kate Kaufmann, 68, likes to say her divorce was “completed” in 2016 following a 34-year-marriage. Soon thereafter, the Oregonian joined, then quit, Match.com, thinking it was too soon to start dating. In 2018, she spent three months on eHarmony, where she was emotionally misled by a would-be suitor.
In June 2019, Kaufmann returned to “I was thinking ‘where does a fifty-sixonline dating. She joined OkCupid, year-old go to meet people?’ Online where she met a man she dated for dating seemed like the only viable six months. She rejoined the site in option,” said Jane. January 2020 when the two of them broke up. Over the past three years, Jane has tried five dating apps and has met over Despite her reliance on the internet 106 men in person. She for assistance finding a was in a relationship when partner, Kaufmann has Ohio issued its coronavirus not been on a virtual date quarantine orders on during the pandemic. “I March 29, so the new don’t even know what that rules didn’t impact her life means,” she admitted. much. However, when that Since quarantining became relationship ended, “it the norm, she has met two was back to the drawing men face-to-face. board” of online dating, she said. “Everyone wore masks, Ohio lifted its stay-atwhich feels odd. It adds home orders on May 29. another layer. No one Since then, Jane has met Kate Kaufmann, 68 knows the protocols
nowadays. I can’t even picture how it works to get to [becoming close],” she said. For her, kissing during COVID-19 is an absolute no-no.
While she does not find dating during the pandemic satisfying, Kaufmann has no plans of quitting.
Still, not every dating boomer agrees that physical interaction during COVID-19 is wrong, despite overall concerns about contracting the virus. They keep their love alive in a variety of ways appropriate for a pandemic. For example, they enjoy a dinner date over Skype every Saturday night. They each sit at their respective dining room tables and eat the same menu. Thursday nights are reserved for Netflix movies, which they watch simultaneously, then discuss afterwards. Virtual tours of museums throughout the world and virtual cooking classes have also proven enjoyable.
Tim (who asked that his last name not Online Safety Tips for the to be used), who has been divorced Pandemic and Beyond four years, has taken two women out Eric Resnick fields dozens of questions since Ohio’s stay-at-home orders were from clients about dating every day. As lifted. owner of Profilehelper.com, Resnick has been helping singles write their The 55-year-old Columbus resident said dating profiles since 2005. That adds up despite regularly donning a mask when to over 25,000 profiles on every dating he can’t social distance site imaginable (unless outside or in a store, he the site promotes would consider having adultery). sex with a woman he met online. “If I trusted her, and Dating sites appeal to a knew she wore a mask in wide range of audiences, public regularly, I would even from the general (like sleep with her,” he said. Bumble) to the niche (like Farmers Only). Creative Virtual Dates Still, “ninety percent Norma Bryant Howard, 73, of the dating market is is a Louisville divorcee. She probably on ten” sites, began hosting a weekly namely Match, Bumble, podcast on her Facebook Hinge and OkCupid, said page about boomers and Norma Bryant Howard, 73 Resnick. dating in January 2020 because “I discovered there were so many women However, there is a nefarious side who had totally given up on the to the online experience. As dating sanctity of having a loving connection apps gain in popularity, so do the with a high quality man,” she said. Her opportunities for schemers to ply their program, ‘The Princess Secrets: Dating craft. Advice and More for Today’s Baby Boomers” is presented live on Fridays Resnick cautioned daters aged 50 at 7 p.m. ET. and older to be mindful of would-be partners who might be frauds because On a personal level, Howard has been singles in that demographic are “the in a long-distance relationship with her most regularly targeted markets for boyfriend for nearly nine years. Due to scammers.” concerns about the virus, the couple has only seen each other twice since He urged boomers to stick to locals March. when it comes to online dating. That’s because distance is an excuse a scammer often uses to delay an initial meeting, pandemic notwithstanding. Meet face-to-face in a public venue within a week of an initial online encounter, said Resnick, “so the fantasy doesn’t keep building.”
According to Resnick, scammers prey on men and women differently. Widows over 60 are prime targets, with a popular ruse being the “hero scam.” In that scenario, which usually occurs early in an online interaction, the scammer claims to have experienced a small emergency that can be resolved with less than $200 worth of assistance from the victim.
“You solve their problem, you feel like a hero and they know they’ve got you,” Resnick said.
Female scammers usually take longer to percolate. A favored scheme is less about a crisis and more about a “large opportunity, like property development. It’s a scam of opportunity and emotional blackmail,” said Resnick.
Despite the inherent risks associated with online dating, it is COVID-19- resistant.
Resnick said, “Now is a great time to try it because it gives you the opportunity to meet like-minded people without” the additional pressures of sexualizing the relationship.
Source: www.nextavenue.org
Tami Kamin Meyer is an attorney and freelance writer based in Columbus. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, MarketWatch, Better Homes and Gardens and Cannabis & Tech Today. She is the Social Media Chair of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. @girlwithapen
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Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier Burke County North Carolina
Start thinking mountains and colorful leaves!
As fall approaches, it’s time to start thinking mountains and colorful leaves! Burke County, North Carolina, only an eight-hour drive from the River Region, is called Nature’s Playground. The county seat of Morganton is a quaint town from which to launch an outdoor adventure. The best place to stay is the Morganton Hampton Inn just off I-40, 50 miles east of Asheville. This Hampton is fairly new, wellmanaged and convenient to many of Burke County’s outdoor treasures like Linville Gorge, Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountains, three of North Carolina’s most recognizable landmarks.
Like me, you may wish to start your first morning by indulging the Hampton’s exemplary breakfast buffet. Woof down a generous portion of fruit, followed by yogurt, an omelet, large waffle drenched in butter/syrup, one banana, and a pomegranate-guava smoothie. Then walk-off breakfast with a stroll up the hill behind the hotel past the splendid Morganton Medical Center—as you may need emergency care. I actually did eat all of the aforementioned before hang gliding in Burke County’s Thermal Valley ... and nearly threw up at 2000 feet. (See BOOM! January 2020.) But I couldn’t help myself. It was all so delicious. So, go ahead, and figure on skipping lunch.
Just for you, I’m ordering a crisp fall day with blue sky and peak-season color in beautiful North Carolina. Take an easy hike or bike ride in the Lake James State Park along the Fonta Flora Trail. This trail extends for 100 miles and crosses the Eastern Continental Divide. It’s wellmarked and snakes along Lake James in
Table Rock, North Carolina
Burke County. One can hike all the way to Asheville or take a short hike to the attractive Fonta Flora Brewery at Whippoorwill Farm for an excellent craft-beer and sandwich break. Or skip the hike and just check out the brewery! It’s worth seeing and has modern, clean bathrooms. It doesn’t serve food, but there’s usually a food truck on site that makes unique and excellent burgers.
If you’re up for a more rigorous adventure, hike Linville Gorge, Table Rock, or both. The Linville Gorge Trail ascends to a scenic spot that looks way down on Linville Falls. Way down, okay? But then you’re pretty much done. Plus, it can get a little crowded up there on a busy weekend. Accordingly, my favorite is Table Rock. The path is rocky and makes for a slow trudge up the mountain. But once you reach the top, 3,680 feet, the 360-degree view is spectacular. Expect to make friends along the way as you pause and greet other hikers. I met the young Windmiller family from the Black Jeff on top of Table Rock Mountain area. Mr. Windmiller, a particularly dedicated and sure-footed young dad, hiked the entire trail up the mountain with his youngest daughter on his shoulders!
Close to Linville Gorge is a popular road-side eatery known as Famous Louise’s. The menu offers something for everyone and the food is excellent. Louise’s has a quaint, mountainy atmosphere. I enjoyed it and will definitely stop again when in the area. Morganton also has some good restaurants. I don’t have a favorite there. But if you’re craving really great barbeque, drive 12 miles east on I-40 to Rutherford College and
Lake James, North Carolina
Windmiller girls
JD’s Smokehouse! They’re only open Hill Orchard and Cider Mill just south Thursday, Friday and Saturday and are of town. This thriving family business always packed. People drive from far is nestled in the picturesque foothills and wide to eat at JD’s. It’s that good. Historic downtown Morganton is worth exploring. Grab a to-go box from one of the downtown restaurants and have a picnic on the lawn of the old Burke County Courthouse in the town square. Check Whipperwill Brewery, North Carolina out the county’s colorful history at of the South Mountains and features the History Museum of Burke County. activities for all ages: you can enjoy a Stroll along the river at Morganton’s wagon ride through the orchard, pick Catawba Meadows Park. Or visit Apple your own apples, taste homemade
Famous Louise's, North Carolina
goods from the bakery, or browse through the Country Store. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Happy trails.
For more info:
www.applehillorchard.com www.blueridgeheritage.com/ destinations/linville-gorge-and-falls https://ashevilletrails.com/linville-gorge/ table-rock-mountain-trail www.facebook.com/louisesrockhouse www.facebook.com/ fontaflorawhippoorwill www.jds-smokehouse.com www.ncparks.gov/find-an-activity/trails https://thermalvalley.net/
Jeff S. Barganier is a freelance writer and manages Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC in Pike Road, Alabama. (www.cindybarganier.com) He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact him at Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Follow him on Instagram #jeffbarganier.
How Do You Know If You’re Ready for Your Second Act? six of us have married, birthed, adopted,
Tips from 'Your Second Act' author and 'Carol's Second Act' star Patricia Heaton struggled, prayed and laughed together You probably The other can turn to them with and for advice. know actress interesting thing Patricia Heaton about motivation One of my friends, who has been an from her TV is that you can actress for many years, has transitioned sitcom roles fuel it by your into screenwriting. I now send her scripts on Everybody actions. Which to critique because she’s extremely Loves Raymond, brings me to perceptive. The Middle or my next point: Carol’s Second just take action, Another one, an artist, was also ready to Act. That last because action make a change. She didn’t really know show, recently fuels momentum. what she wanted to do next, so she cancelled, led set aside some time to do some soulHeaton, 62, When moving searching. As part of her self-exploration, to explore into a new she took the European pilgrimage El the subject of season, it’s a Camino de Santiago, or, in English, the second acts by good idea to walk of St. James. She still hasn’t settled interviewing 16 people who’ve launched make peace with your past and take on what she wants to do next but is more them and writing Your Second Act — a the time to really mourn it if necessary. grounded internally and at peace with book with their stories and advice, plus You have to allow yourself to mourn herself, her faith and this stage of her life. her own tips. She’s in a second act herself, the person you used to doing humanitarian efforts with World be and acknowledge A few things you could try to Vision, selling the Patricia Heaton Home disappointments, missed help you decide whether to line of housewares at Walmart and being opportunities, expectations launch a second act: a producer and author. not met. Then choose to forgive yourself and anyone Take a class. Just stepping out How do you know if you’re ready for your else who comes to mind in and learning something new second act? the process. will do wonders for you. Also, There are some telltale signs that it’s When we let go of what tuition to adults age 62+, so time to make your move: a sense of didn’t work out and our look online for options. restlessness, general dissatisfaction, the preconceived ideas and Read books. Reading is a awareness that there is more, a dreadful expectations, we make room Patricia Heaton New Book wonderful way to expand the nagging on the inside. Or, very clearly: you inside for healthy things, like dreams for mind, find inspiration, learn, and grow. feel that you have no other choice. Sounds the future. Marci Alboher, vice president of Encore. a little like a midlife crisis. The problem org, has a wonderful book called The with that term is the word crisis. A better Sometimes life has this wonderful way Encore Career Handbook that you may word would be metamorphosis. You don’t of providing unexpected launchpads find useful. have to have a crisis when you are focused into our next season. One very common Journal. Your journal doesn’t have to be on your calling. launchpad for a second act is loss. Perhaps about your deepest emotions and private you experienced a layoff or divorce or the thoughts. You can write goals. Journaling It’s a good idea to take some time to death of a parent or a loved one. Maybe helps you slow down, really connect with reflect so you can clearly see what those you had an illness. your inner drive and motivation. clues are and figure out how to put them together. I think understanding your If you are in a season of loss in your life There’s no right or wrong way to frame motivations is a good place to start. right now, don’t view that loss as an end; up your second act. Start from a place of view it as a launchpad. Then, try to move openness and curiosity and step out. Our greatest motivation strikes when forward and find meaning from it. the pain of staying the same becomes And why not grab your friends and make a stronger than the pain of change. So, One thing to keep in mind: Even though “second act” party out of it? Have a freestop and think for a moment about your it’s your second act, you can’t stage range inspiration session — share ideas, life and how would you feel if nothing it alone. A core group of friends with make vision boards, write goals, and hold changed for the next five years? What common values helps make it easier to each other accountable! Who knows? You about the next 10 years . . . or the next navigate the unchartered terrain. I have may find someone who’d like to come 20? How does the thought of that make wonderful friends that I’ve known for along for the ride. you feel? years, and we are all walking through for more than 30 years. I always know I many state colleges offer free this second act transition together. The For now, let me be the first to officially say . . . welcome to Your Second Act!
This is not a column. It’s a therapy hours every day scouring for any session. My experience in therapy and all Covid-19 information and is so vast I’ve learned how to get to after 5 months, I have come to the bottom of my own issues. realize the worst- I don’t know nuthin’. Here’s the challengeI want my life back. I still want my life back. What’s missing? I’m not alone. Many friends, associates and radio listeners have I’ve continued working 2 shows a said the same thing. Going on 6 day, every day. The alarm goes off months now, we’ve led lives of at 2:22AM so the routine is the limitation and obedience. Wear same. The shows are still fun to do the mask or risk attack from despite news that makes no sensesomeone who’s submitted to the news I couldn’t have made up just fear. There are still long lists of a few months ago. things we’re “allowed” to do and Greg, with morning show team members Jessie Lynn, Rich and Chase Thomas not do. and Jay Scott- in a photo taken during the pandemic with NO casualties! It’s what I’m missing after the mics are turned off. I haven’t had a “normal” day since we Not only was the “heat theory” celebrated my daughter’s birthday in unadulterated baloney, they’re already I exit the studio into a building that’s Florida March 12. The shutdowns and warning us about the upcoming flu season! empty. Radio stations are tight social lockdowns were still days way. One circles. I work with people whose company moment from that dinner I remember I was a happy guy at Janelle’s party. The I enjoy and they’re now working remotely. specifically was sharing a nugget of next day I drove back to a Montgomery My friends in sales and administration are wisdom I’d heard from “the experts”. “The maelstrom of dark rumors about what was not there. I miss the schmooze time with coronavirus does not survive well in the coming. And it came. Within a week, I was them. heat. It’ll die down in the summer but will driving to work during curfew, Media ID in become an issue again in the fall, like the hand, hoping I wouldn’t be stopped as a Former BOOM! coverboy and our boss, flu”. If heat killed the virus then everyone lawless, after-hours germ spreader. Rick Peters, had a grandbaby arriving not in South Florida would be safe, right? As a NewsTalk 93.1FM host, I’ve spent long after the lockdown so he wisely set
up at home. He’s not there for some idle chit chat at 2:45. His Frenchies aren’t there hoping for treats. I miss those few minutes. He did stop by our building a few days ago. It was great to see Rick, but we hadn’t sat and talked for months. Not normal. Like many businesses the new normal “remote workplace” may be permanent because it’s succeeded but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. I don’t. I’m not a fan of “new normal” in general.
Baseball finally came back, but the Montgomery Biscuits season was cancelled. Every Saturday night this summer I missed something and realized the Saturday night Biscuit games and fireworks were not an option.
I can once again pop on the baseball network to catch major league scores in this bizarre season, only to see games played in sporting mausoleums with cardboard fans.
Instead of exciting highlights, I get treated to the spectacle of multi-millionaire athletes lecturing me on social justice. America’s professional sports leagues seem to be on a suicide mission, abandoning entertainment to enshrine their fans in a cultural Hall of Shame.
I’m hoping the delayed return of college football will put the game’s first, though the thought of the Iron Bowl being played in front of paper fans is unsettling. Movie theaters are slowly re-opening but seeing a movie in a mask will have the social ambience of visiting someone in the hospital (and you still can’t do that right now, either).
One day recently I realized I’d forgotten a cigarette lighter so on the way to work, I stopped at a Dollar General and briskly walked through the front door. Once inside, I froze. I’d forgotten my mask! Horrified customers dutifully separated by 6 feet holding items that had likely been touched by a dozen other hands before them, looked at me like I walked in naked with a weapon in hand. I about-faced and slunk out of there so humiliated, I went to a different store, rather than re-face that jury of my sneers.
Have you had that awkward moment with a friend where you go to shake hands like you have a thousand other times, only to reach the mutual Pause of Terror? If someone offers me a hand, I’m shaking it. So far, so good. I hate the doubt, though. I want that unabashed social contact back in my life.
In 1969, the Honk Kong flu was a global pandemic. I remember nothing of it. Instead of shutting everyone in, we had Woodstock and went to the moon. In 2020 we’ve replaced concerts with riots- excuse me- “civil unrest”, events apparently immune to spreading COVID-19. I’m also missing something to look forward to. Governor MiMaw (term of enfearment) just extended the Safer at Home mandate until October 3rd! You can get a round trip plane ticket to almost anywhere for $10 to fly home for Thanksgiving. Who’s going to be there? Our parents and grandparentsthe most vulnerable- have been cooped up “for their own good”. I know more than a few seniors who’ve said “Enough! I didn’t survive my entire life to spend my last days in a choiceless vacuum of Matlock reruns.”
Christmas? Instead of neckties, we’ll be gifting designer masks and fancy hand sanitizers. Stockings will be stuffed with rolls of toilet paper. Rooms formerly scented by the sweet pine of a Christmas tree will probably reek of Isopropyl.
It will get better my friends! New Year’s Day will eventually arrive and no matter how we celebrate it, one thing is certain. It won’t be 2020 anymore!
If you have a comment on this column, email me at gregbudell@aol.com. It's still fun to hear from new people!
Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and has marked 15 years in the River Region. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas & Jay Scott, 6-9 AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6 PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Rosie Brock. Greg can be reached at
gregbudell@aol.com
