The Mason Minute
Musings From the Mind Of Kevin Mason; a retired radio guy who just won't give up the microphone.
How Do You Say (MM #5080)

There's a meme that I see every so often across social media. The meme always starts with the phrase, "how do you say." Let me give you an example: How do you say you're old without saying you're old? That phrase was running through my mind last night as I watched the SNL 50th anniversary special. I watched the first episode back in 1975, and I don't think I've missed many through the years. When I was younger, I arranged my social calendar around who the host and musical guests were. And now that my calendar is much quieter, I never...
Smiles (MM #5079)

We visited Indiana to see some of our nieces and nephews for Valentine's Day. It's always a good time, and we never get to spend as much time as we'd like. But one of the greatest feelings is walking into the room and seeing them for the first time in a while. The smile that comes over their face is genuine. But, ask them to smile, and many have a hard time. Many of us have difficulty with what should be a simple act. Some find smiling easy, while others struggle. When I was younger, I often struggled to smile...
Bink (MM #5078)

Over the last few years, water bottles and tumblers have become fashion accessories. First, Yeti was the brand you needed. Then Stanley and Owala were the ones that all the trendy used. I never got past Yeti. I have numerous Yeti tumblers and water bottles. When I find a brand That works for me, I stick with it. But many people like to follow the trends. In the last couple of years, Stanley and Owala became the water bottles that everyone wanted. But if you follow the trends, it looks like a new player is entering the field. Bink is...
Hallmark Holiday (MM #5077)

It's Valentine's Day, the ultimate Hallmark holiday. While love is on the minds of many, it can also be a frustrating day for many. I've long struggled with Valentine's Day. As a dorky kid, I never enjoyed exchanging Valentine's cards, and as I got older, it was sometimes a good day and sometimes a bad one. But as a guy who's been married for a long time, it's gotten more challenging. My wife isn't obsessed with getting the perfect gift, but I try to surprise her with something special. But the longer you're together, the more challenging it is... Click...
Crime Tourism (MM #5076)

With all that is happening in Washington, DC, the FBI is hard at work trying to solve the recent burglaries of NFL stars Joe Burrow, Travis Kelce, and Patrick Mahomes. NBA stars Luka Doncic, Bobby Portis, and Mike Conley have also been victims. The experts feel that all of these robberies are the work of a South American crime ring. Law enforcement has arrested a few people and expects more to come in what they call crime tourism. These criminals come to the U.S. on a tourist visa with the sole intent of robbing the homes of the rich...
Inner Core (MM #5075)

I know a little bit about a lot of subjects. It's something I learned back in my radio days. If you have even an ounce of knowledge about a subject, you can chat with anyone about any topic, whether you're at a cocktail party or conducting an interview. One subject I try to keep up with is science. I did well in school, but it wasn't my favorite subject. But when I read an online story about Earth's inner core, I had many questions but no one to ask. This news story said our inner core could experience landslides and...
99 Cents (MM #5074)

For years, businesses have made us think we're getting a deal when a price ends in 99 cents. Instead of paying $20 for something, you often pay $19 and some change. It could be $19.99 or even $19.97, but it's still an old sales trick. Well, those days are changing. The President has told the Treasury Department to stop minting pennies. The coins you currently have will still be legal tender, but the days of prices that end in something other than a five or a zero might be gone. Right now, there are so many questions but so few answers. Prices may be changing...
Upcoming Movies (MM #5073)

Like many, I enjoy watching the Super Bowl for the commercials. If the game's not close, like last night's, the ads are usually what everybody is buzzing about the next day. And while some were amusing, I didn't see any commercials last night that we'll be talking about for decades. I don't know if cutting through the clutter with a Super Bowl ad is possible today. Another thing I noticed last night was the plethora of advertisements for upcoming movies. Most of them won't come out until this summer. And I'd love to hear the reasoning for spending so much...
Party Foods (MM #5072)

The Super Bowl is finally here. For many people, it's not about the game. Today is a day to get together with friends for a party. One of the most popular Super Bowl party foods is Buffalo wings, or just chicken wings if you don't like the hot sauce and blue cheese. Some people go all out for the game, while others keep it simple with things like chips and veggie trays. I always thought that wings were too messy. I keep my party foods simple. I'm all in for pizza, so go ahead. Call me pretentious, but a charcuterie...
Important Questions (MM #5071)

I've talked a lot about the bird flu over the last few weeks. I'm not obsessed, just curious. But sometimes, my curiosity gets the best of me. I sometimes go down rabbit holes online to find answers to my important questions. Okay, maybe they're not that important. But I enjoy the research process. The one thing I've been wondering about is why the price of eggs has gone up, but chicken prices haven't. It seemed like a simple query, but it took me a couple of days to find the answer. And because the Super Bowl happens tomorrow, people wondered...