The Mason Minute

I was sitting around the house last night with nothing to do, and often, when that happens, my mind begins to wander. I was watching television and saw a commercial for the new Superman movie. And I thought to myself, why do we have so many remakes and reboots these days? So much of the media we consume is just an updated version of something we’ve seen before. I realize it’s easier to force-feed us something that the studios know we’ve already liked. But are we that afraid of taking chances? I do wonder. I understand that these c...

In my younger days, I was obsessed with sports. While I followed most sports, basketball, and baseball consumed my life. But somewhere in my early teens, sports started to matter a bit less. At that point, music became my passion. I didn't have any ability to play an instrument or sing, but with a radio studio always around, I was able to immerse myself in all types of music. It was only logical that music would be a significant focus throughout my radio career. And sometimes, I shock myself with the number of songs I know. A recent listen to...

I admire people who can keep an even keel, day in and day out. Throughout my life, I’ve been accused of being moody. And I am. My moods are very much driven by how my body feels. In my younger days, sinus headaches, stress headaches, and migraines ruled my moods. I do my best to manage my moods these days. However, sometimes the body prevails. Fortunately, I’m not the moodiest one in our house. And no, I’m not talking about my wife. I’m talking about our cat, Bizzie. She’s been that way since we adopted her. And w...

Air travelers got a pleasant surprise yesterday. The Office of Homeland Security announced that we would no longer be required to take our shoes off when boarding an airplane. While this was a slight hassle, over the last 20 years, we had grown accustomed to it. Now, thanks to the introduction of the Real ID, the need to remove our shoes magically disappeared. We all know that air travel changed after 9/11, and since then, there have been constant tweaks to the travel rules. To some, this is no big deal. However, Homeland Security states that we can expect further changes to...

What's that old saying: two's company and three's a crowd? I suppose that's the way you could view American politics and our two-party system. The Democrats and Republicans have done all they can to minimize any other parties coming to predominance. As you know, it wasn't always Democrats and Republicans. Initially, there were the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. Plus, later, we had the Whig party. However, throughout generations, we have evolved into the two parties we have today. But if Elon Musk has his way, we're going to become a multiparty system with his new America party, And that could...

Recently, we discussed how to maintain a happy relationship with your spouse. Today, we're exploring relationships and how they're portrayed on social media. One thing I've noticed is how some people constantly remind us how great their relationship is and how much they love one another. And while that may be true, new research suggests that most happy couples are essentially deceiving themselves. If a person needs to constantly remind everyone about how great things are, they're likely dealing with relationship insecurity. The more insecure people are, the more they need to remind everyone and themselves that all is well...

For decades, whenever people discussed their favorite baseball team, the answers were similar. And which one is America's team? It may be the Yankees, the Braves, the Dodgers, or the Cubs. But this year, when the question gets asked, The answer to the question could be a surprise. This year, the answer would likely be the Savannah Bananas. Everyone is going bananas for this exhibition baseball team. They've only been in existence for under a decade, but they're the only team that people are talking about. Many of their games are being covered by ESPN and, soon, network TV... Click...

The classic movie Back to the Future is celebrating a significant anniversary. The Michael J. Fox blockbuster just celebrated the fortieth anniversary of its release. It's hard to believe that the adventures of Marty McFly and Doc Brown have been a part of our lives for so long. There has been extensive social media coverage, along with numerous memes that I have lost count of. There was one that stood out to me. As we all know, the teenager travels back thirty years in time, from 1985 to 1955. The meme pointed out that if they made the film today in 2025, he'd...

Don't worry, everything's fine. I was scrolling through my newsfeed yesterday and read a story about emergency room coverage. Experts say that the 4th of July is, on average, the busiest night in the ER each year. Actually, the 4th and the 5th are typically most active thanks to injuries sustained from fireworks. Two other busier-than-normal times in the hospital are December 31st and January 1st. Of course, fireworks are used on those nights, too. While I appreciate watching a big, high-powered fireworks show, I don't have any interest in shooting them off myself. I don't know why so many...

Food trends come and go. Some last just a short time, and some never go away. Tapas parties were once a trend. It didn't last long. Fondue was a popular trend, but it cooled. It never went away but became niche. One trend that appears to be lasting and evolving is the popularity of hot and spicy foods. Cajun hot sauces and Nashville Hot Chicken are both part of the trend, and their popularity fluctuates. Now, some of the fast food chains are jumping on board. Wendy's is now promoting their Taki's Fuego Meal, with a Taki's chicken sandwich and...

Are you cool? I don't mean temperature-wise; I'm talking about your aesthetic. If you are, a wide range of people have to agree. I'm not embarrassed that I've always wondered about myself. I've always known the answer, but a boy or man can dream. A recent worldwide study has identified six traits that people who are perceived as cool across cultures share. The fascinating part of this research is that they feel these six traits are not only shared universally but also across time. While what was considered cool 50 years ago may not be so today, the traits that defined...

Even though people have often told me otherwise, I've never thought my voice was anything special. Through the years, I've known hundreds, if not thousands, of people with better ones. And with all my years talking on the radio, you'd think those muscles would be stronger than most. And perhaps they are, but then why does the voice always go out whenever I catch a cold or get the flu? Maybe it's because of all my sinus issues. While I feel congestion in my chest, I've never had a true chest cold. Perhaps that's because my voice muscles are so...

I had a rough weekend. This cold is tearing me apart. I’m physically exhausted. I don’t know why this cold is affecting me more severely than most, but I have lost my appetite. And for me, that says a lot. My sleep schedule is all out of sync, and my body wants to sleep in the evening, not in the overnight hours. When I take a shower, I need time to rest because all of the hot water drains me. My wife is still dealing with a cough, but at least she’s feeling a little bit better. I don’...

There's no question that times were much simpler in my youth. Toys were much simpler. Anything that might be considered high-tech required six D-sized batteries to operate. I'm sure technology plays a significant role in our loss of this simplicity. I used to love playing with Silly Putty. Even though its origins are technology-based, as a failed rubber substitute, it was a simple toy. Outside of Barbie and Hot Wheels, most of the toys from my younger days are long gone. Playing on a computer wasn't possible when I was a child, while today, kids as young as 3 or 4 are...

I've never been a person who takes many sick days. I could count the number of times I called off work on one hand. I should have taken the day off yesterday. This Summer cold has got the best of me. I don't have much energy. While I worked from home yesterday like I often do on Fridays. I would have been better off taking the day off. But I had a lot of work to do, so I plowed through. When I finally had a chance to take a shower, I felt worse. I felt zapped. I had to...

We're not even a week into Summer, and I already have a Summer cold. I didn't stand a chance. My wife started catching something over the weekend. We both have severe allergies, so at first, she wasn't sure if it was just allergies or something more. For her, it's a chest cold. It's not bad, just annoying. I started feeling it yesterday. Mine is in my throat. Just like my wife, I initially hoped it was just allergies, but my cough soon began, and I knew the truth. The way we both sound, you might think we smoked two packs...

Anyone married for more than a few years can tell you that you need to work on it daily. We all want a happy marriage, but it's easy to fall into a rut as the years fly by. Respect, honesty, and communication are some of the keys to making it work. But there may be a shortcut to ensure a couple's happiness. European researchers have studied hundreds of couples to learn the keys to a successful union. And it comes down to one thing: PDA, which refers to public displays of affection. For the most part, the type you choose...

I've talked about this subject before. A group called People's Union USA is organizing another economic blackout. This time, they're targeting McDonald's. In the past, they've gone after other major companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. They feel that corporate greed is causing many of the issues in our country. Allowing these companies to grow so large is a serious problem. While they get a lot of news coverage, no one is sure how much impact their boycotts are causing. Even if they are making an impact, there's no way that these companies would ever admit it... Click Here To...

Officially, Summer has just begun. But if you look at the thermometer, you'd think it was the middle of August. Most of the U.S., east of the Mississippi River, is under a heat advisory for the next few days. That doesn't often happen this early in the season. Sure, it gets hot in some spots, but there's one way that many have been categorizing this weather. Everyone keeps calling this oppressive heat; while we sometimes hear that term, this round of weather concerns many. They don't expect this to be the only major heatwave this Summer. And some say...

We're all guilty of having a bad habit or two—some worse than others. I've picked up a new nightly habit, and while it's not too severe, I find it causing me to stay up a little later than I should. Putting together The Mason Minute is one of the last things I do each night before I head to bed. One of the last things I do for the podcast is schedule the video version I post to YouTube. And while I only plan to upload one video and shut down for the night, the YouTube algorithm tries to dr...

When I was younger, I hated to sit still. I always had to be doing something. Like many, I feared missing out. I'm unsure what I thought I was missing, but there was always something to keep me busy. But today, I live for the days when I can do nothing. Yesterday was one of those days where my wife and I had no errands to run and no projects to do. So we laid low. We had a late lunch, took naps, and didn't shower until late afternoon. While having a quiet day was nice, I hoped it would...

If you've had kids in your house sometime over the last 20 years, you've likely encountered Slime. This children's toy was most popular in the late 90s and early 00s when the TV show Double Dare on Nickelodeon was at its peak. Today, kids don't settle for the little plastic container you can buy at your neighborhood big box store. They prefer to make it at home. I thought Slime first gained popularity with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But I recently found out it hit store shelves in the 1970s when I was a teen. I must have been too...

For years, many people dreamed of having a cushy office job. They came from blue-collar families and never thought they had a chance to sit behind a desk from 9 to 5. But as our society shifted, office jobs became the norm. But that norm may be no more because, for many, there is no such thing as an 8-hour workday. Thanks to technology, we're always on the clock. It seemed like we could never escape work. Some say this shift in the workplace has created an infinite workday. If your boss needs you after hours, they can reach you. If you...

Who doesn't love getting something for nothing? But as we eventually learn, nothing is ever free. There is always a cost involved. We all pay for perks. Many people seek out a credit card because of the perks that come with it. But that could change depending on your income. Chase has launched a new credit card that comes with a lot of extras. But the annual fee is nearly $800. Chase isn't looking for new middle-class customers. They want people who make a lot of money and spend a lot. Chase makes their money on the card's wipe fees. They're...

Over the years, I've been accused of being a complex person. Some consider this a compliment, but to others, it's not. But as I've gotten older, I've mellowed. And now, you might even say I'm simple. I get excited about the little things. And one of my favorite things is doing nothing. I always had a problem sitting still. But now, I live for those times when I can do nothing. I spend most of my free time sitting on bleachers, watching my nieces and nephews in the field or on the court. I often thought being simple was a...

Anyone who pays attention to sports loves a good Cinderella story until that underdog faces your favorite team. Like many, I was following the rise of the Murray State Racers in the Men's College World Series. Their unexpected journey ended yesterday with a loss to Arkansas. Sadly, this story didn't last long for the team, just two games. Nearly every year, there are one or two special basketball teams that make it to the Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight. It's these David versus Goliath stories that keep us engaged and keep us coming back every year. They give us hope...

I've been driving for a long time and have held a license in numerous states. And while laws aren't the same in each state, they're very similar. I was on the road last Friday, driving through Kentucky during a torrential downpour. As I drove, I witnessed something I sometimes see, but this time, it was extreme. Most drivers on the road had their hazards on. I haven't looked at a driver's manual in many years, but I've never lived in a state where that was acceptable. I've never held a license in a state where that was legal. Is this...

I've reached that age where you start thinking about slowing down. By the time my parents were my current age, they had retired. I can even imagine the fact. Then again, it's hard for me to believe that my father will turn 90 later this year. It seems like only yesterday I was tagging along when he went to work at the TV station. You and I both know that was thousands of yesterdays ago. The other day, I realized that my dad retired roughly 25 years ago. How can that be? Time is flying. My father told me that's what happens...

During the pandemic, many companies forced employees to learn how to use online video conferencing software like Zoom, Webex, or Teams. For some, it was a tough adjustment. Many hoped these tools would go away once everyone returned to the office. However, many companies continue to use them today. Since I've spent a lot of time in front of a camera, I enjoy using them. But I'm sometimes obsessed with the camera, microphones, and lighting. Some people don't care how they look on a video conference. But I'm constantly tweaking the lights. I'm still trying to find the best solution...

Sometimes, the strangest thing can trigger a memory. I don't remember the trigger, but the memory is as vivid as it can be. The other day, I started thinking about my childhood pediatrician. While I can't remember his name, I can remember the layout of his office and the waiting room. In the waiting room, he had a big rack filled with magazines. There were things like Reader's Digest, Sports Illustrated, Good Housekeeping, and one of my childhood favorites, Highlights. Nearly every kid ran around the waiting room looking for the latest issue. And since it came out monthly, there...

I'm sure you're familiar with the term mansplaining. If not, let me explain. I'm kidding! I don't think I have an issue with it; if I do, no one has pointed it out to me. I give everyone, man or woman, the benefit of the doubt that they know what I'm talking about. If they don't understand, I have no problem offering guidance at that point. But I've run into a situation that is not precisely the same; I view it similarly. I've dubbed this 'Britsplaining'. Since much of our social media team works in London, I must be aware...

The business of news is in constant flux. How it's gathered, reported, and presented is constantly changing. They have been for decades. For many years, people got the information they needed from the newspaper. But once radio and television entered the scene, the shifting quickened. In recent years, the internet has started affecting those longtime practices. Turn on the tube, and you can see that TV news is struggling with these changes. It's trying to keep up. And the next change may shock many. AI news readers could replace many local and national newscasters. And this could happen soon... Click...

Sometimes, I see items in my newsfeed and shake my head in disgust. Last week, I saw the stories online. There was a zebra on the loose south of Nashville. A couple from nearby Murfreesboro decided they needed a zebra for their farm to go along with roughly 100 other animals. So they bought one from a company and had it shipped to Tennessee. The animal escaped through a fence in less than 24 hours and went on an eight-day journey. It was finally captured, unharmed on Sunday. Thankfully, the couple decided that having zebras on their farm wasn't a good idea...

Since yesterday, the phrase no good deed goes unpunished, rolling through my head. It was one of those weekends. We traveled to Northern Kentucky to watch one of my nephews play baseball. The drive one way lasted longer than the game. His team whipped the other so badly that the game only lasted three innings. And the opposing team never hit a ball close to him in left field. They never hit one out of the infield. And we dodged rain most of the day. Then I gathered up my sound system for a project I'm putting together, and it...

For years, I never understood old people trying to explain how young they looked and felt. Now that I'm old, I get it. I'm not saying I look young, but I'm always pleased when people still think I'm in my fifties. But sometimes, I must stop, reflect, and realize how much times have changed. Of course, technology plays a significant role in these changes. But it's not just that. This weekend, I went to see my 10-year-old nephew Rhett play baseball. He's in a travel league. And the field he played on is closer to a major league stadium than...

Some people say that we're living in the golden age of comedy. Of course, they often say the same about the 1950s, the 1970s, and even the 1990s. One thing I've noticed is that we have so many comedians today. Well, at least we have people who think they're funny. Now, I'm not taking a jab at the professionals or even those who try out a routine at open mike night. The people on social media jumping into every conversation and hijacking it, trying to be funny, is causing this problem. I'm sure some have been doing this for years...

Do you remember Ronco? If you watched any TV in the 70s or 80s, I'm betting you do. Perhaps you remember their founder and inventor, Ron Popeil. If neither of those rings true, you might recognize some of their products: the Veg-o-Matic, Pocket Fisherman, or Mr. Microphone. I was thinking about one of their products recently. I was in my kitchen and had an issue with a stuck lid on my Yeti tumbler. All the items in my junk drawer to open lids weren't working. At that point, I needed to see if I could still find a Cap Snaffler...

Have you ever been involved in those class action lawsuits? I frequently get a settlement notice either via email or from the post office. I'm connected to so many websites that I get one of these things every few weeks. Most of the time, I don't even know if I even have a claim. Sometimes, I'll fill out the paperwork. Often, it's not worth my time and effort. My share of the payout is rarely more than a few dollars and often under a buck. The lawyers are the only people who really profit from the things. There should be...

While I love technology, I also like to hold onto my old stuff. People sometimes make fun of me for still using my old iPods. Sure, I've got an iPhone with all the bells and whistles, but I still like to use the old stuff for some projects I work on. But we now live in a world of planned obsolescence. Rather than repair the old tech, they tell you to throw it away and buy a new one. Most of my old gadgets still work. But every few years, they need battery replacement. And these days I can't find...

One of the current trends on TikTok is called the McMigrane Meal. It's spreading the word that people can get relief from migraines and severe headaches. The recommended cure is to drink a regular Coca-Cola with french fries. It may not work for all, but it can't hurt. I suffered from migraine-type headaches for many years. And I swear by a similar 'cure'. My go-to is Coke and Pringles potato chips. I guess I should have posted my version on TikTok. Who knows; it could have gone viral. While these options are exactly alike, they both include two things: sugar...