BEST OF: Straight Talk 11.2.1998

   Just because Sybil and I are out frolicking in the South Pacific, couldn't leave you guys hanging. So while I'm gone let's do what the syndicated radio shows do. Yeah, a little "best of ..."
   I'll post some of my favorite stories from the past and before you know it I'll be back live and in living color with tales from abroad.
   Thanks again for your patronage, your patience and your understanding of my honeymoon sabbatical.

STRAIGHT TALK
By Richie Whitt
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
November 2, 1998

   Once and for all, allow Troy Aikman to set the record ... straight.

   "I've heard the stuff about me supposedly being gay, and it's tough to take," he says of the inaccurate-yet-persistent rumors recycling in Metroplex comedy clubs and office cubicles. "It bothers me not only because it's not true, but it also goes against my beliefs. You'd like to have a thick skin and let it roll off you, but it's hurtful. I hate to have to

defend myself on something like that, but it's just plain wrong."

   With his heterosexuality secure and his collarbone all but healed, the

Cowboys' silver-and-blue-chip quarterback makes his prime-time return

tonight as confident and as appreciative as ever about his life, love and

longevity ...

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VACATIONWEDDINGHONEYMOON - DAY 6 - TAHITI

   Because we kinda like each other and because I love punching holes in conventional wisdom/cliched thinking such as "Don't dip your pen in the company ink!", Sybil and I fell in love in radio and are now getting married in paradise.
   Our South Pacific wedding/honeymoon will take us south of the Equator, east of the International Date Line and across 6 countries, 10 time zones and 11 airports over 18 days. By the time we return we'll have gotten hitched, seen a major sporting event, gotten totally confused by our tweaked and then re-adjusted clocks/calendars, and likely be zapped of both money and energy.
   There'll be pics and stories and more pics on this here blog when we get back in late January. Until then I'll provide a pseudo-itinerary and outline of where we'll be and perhaps what the what we're planning on doing.

   So much for exotic pampering. Taking the hour flight back to Tahiti, where we're staying at ...

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BEST OF: That Damm Spot 12.11.2008

   Just because Sybil and I are out frolicking in the South Pacific, couldn't leave you guys hanging. So while I'm gone let's do what the syndicated radio shows do. Yeah, a little "best of ..."
   I'll post some of my favorite stories from the past and before you know it I'll be back live and in living color with tales from abroad.
   Thanks again for your patronage, your patience and your understanding of my honeymoon sabbatical.

THAT DAMM SPOT
By Richie Whitt
Dallas Observer
December 11, 2008

   He always loved running. Helped him clear his head.

   If only Steve Damm could turn that trick now.

   Unfortunately, a pair of New Balance shoes and 15 miles per week can't combat inoperable brain cancer. Though a two-time ('01 and '02) finisher of the Dallas White Rock Marathon, chances are Steve will never run again.

   "Of the things I miss, running is at the top of the list," Steve says from his family's Frisco home last Wednesday, just hours after doctors revealed that the tumor at the base of his brain is again growing. "I used to go four miles, just to alleviate stress. Now there are days when I can't walk more than four feet."

   With his condition deteriorating and a desperate round of chemotherapy coinciding with the one-year anniversary of his courageous fight, Steve's body won't be able to complete Sunday's Dallas White Rock Marathon. His spirit, however, will proudly cross the finish line, lifted, carried and joyfully, if not painfully, delivered by 22 family and friends who will run for him.

   "I'm a very unnatural runner, but it's to honor him," says Steve's wife, Tyra. "It's not really something we ever shared. But I'm finding it therapeutic. I picked up his iPod and went three miles by myself the other day. I was bawling at a Coldplay song, a U2 song, and then I heard The Beastie Boys, and I started laughing. I could just hear him running along, trying to rap."

   It started with a headache.

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VACATIONWEDDINGHONEYMOON - DAY 5 - BORA BORA

   Because we kinda like each other and because I love punching holes in conventional wisdom/cliched thinking such as "Don't dip your pen in the company ink!", Sybil and I fell in love in radio and are now getting married in paradise.
   Our South Pacific wedding/honeymoon will take us south of the Equator, east of the International Date Line and across 6 countries, 10 time zones and 11 airports over 18 days. By the time we return we'll have gotten hitched, seen a major sporting event, gotten totally confused by our tweaked and then re-adjusted clocks/calendars, and likely be zapped of both money and energy.
   There'll be pics and stories and more pics on this here blog when we get back in late January. Until then I'll provide a pseudo-itinerary and outline of where we'll be and perhaps what the what we're planning on doing.

   Barring cold feet in this hot weather, this is the day Sybil Summers becomes Sybil Whitt ...

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BEST OF: Gambling Man 12.6.1998

   Just because Sybil and I are out frolicking in the South Pacific, couldn't leave you guys hanging. So while I'm gone let's do what the syndicated radio shows do. Yeah, a little "best of ..."
   I'll post some of my favorite stories from my writing past and before you know it, I'll be back live and in living color with tales from abroad.
   Thanks again for your patronage, your patience and your understanding of my honeymoon sabbatical.

GAMBLING MAN

By Richie Whitt
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
December 6, 1998

   "B.H." is a lot like you and me.

   Lives in a tranquil Tarrant County neighborhood. Has an adoring wife of 18 years, a 17-year-old son, a '91 Ford truck and passions for sports and cold, hard, cash. He smokes too much, swears like a sailor, is uncomfortable in ties, gives what he can to charity and relishes his time on the golf course.

   But look closer - where few are offered a view - and B.H. is nothing like

you and me. While the rest of us were casually watching the Minnesota

Vikings-Green Bay Packers Monday Night Football game on Oct. 5, he propped

up his feet, popped open a cold one and illegally made $17,000.

   Some people live for sports; others live on sports. You betcha, B.H. is a big-time bookie, an independent member of a thriving local underworld fraternity ...

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VACATIONWEDDINGHONEYMOON - DAY 4 - TAHITI

   Because we kinda like each other and because I love punching holes in conventional wisdom/cliched thinking such as "Don't dip your pen in the company ink!", Sybil and I fell in love in radio and are now getting married in paradise.
   Our South Pacific wedding/honeymoon will take us south of the Equator, east of the International Date Line and across 6 countries, 10 time zones and 11 airports over 18 days. By the time we return we'll have gotten hitched, seen a major sporting event, gotten totally confused by our tweaked and then re-adjusted clocks/calendars, and likely be zapped of both money and energy.
   There'll be pics and stories and more pics on this here blog when we get back in late January. Until then I'll provide a pseudo-itinerary and outline of where we'll be and perhaps what the what we're planning on doing.

   With our wedding looming tomorrow, I guess this calls for a Polynesian bachelor party tonight? ...

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VACATIONWEDDINGHONEYMOON - DAY 3 - TAHITI

   Because we kinda like each other and because I love punching holes in conventional wisdom/cliched thinking such as "Don't dip your pen in the company ink!", Sybil and I fell in love in radio and are now getting married in paradise.
   Our South Pacific wedding/honeymoon will take us south of the Equator, east of the International Date Line and across 6 countries, 10 time zones and 11 airports over 18 days. By the time we return we'll have gotten hitched, seen a major sporting event, gotten totally confused by our tweaked and then re-adjusted clocks/calendars, and likely be zapped of both money and energy.
   There'll be pics and stories and more pics on this here blog when we get back in late January. Until then I'll provide a pseudo-itinerary and outline of where we'll be and perhaps what the what we're planning on doing.

   Maybe a day of snorkeling. Maybe a massage. Maybe drinking on the beach. Maybe ...

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VACATIONWEDDINGHONEYMOON - DAY 2 - TAHITI

   Because we kinda like each other and because I love punching holes in conventional wisdom/cliched thinking such as "Don't dip your pen in the company ink!", Sybil and I fell in love in radio and are now getting married in paradise.
   Our South Pacific wedding/honeymoon will take us south of the Equator, east of the International Date Line and across 6 countries, 10 time zones and 11 airports over 18 days. By the time we return we'll have gotten hitched, seen a major sporting event, gotten totally confused by our tweaked and then re-adjusted clocks/calendars, and likely be zapped of both money and energy.
   There'll be pics and stories and more pics on this here blog when we get back in late January. Until then I'll provide a pseudo-itinerary and outline of where we'll be and perhaps what the what we're planning on doing.

   First full day in Tahiti. The possibilities in French Polynesia are endless ...

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VACATIONWEDDINGHONEYMOON - DAY 1 - DFW to LAX to TAHITI

   Because we kinda like each other and because I love punching holes in conventional wisdom/cliched thinking such as "Don't dip your pen in the company ink!", Sybil and I fell in love in radio and are now getting married in paradise.
   Our South Pacific wedding/honeymoon will take us south of the Equator, east of the International Date Line and across 6 countries, 10 time zones and 11 airports over 18 days. By the time we return we'll have gotten hitched, seen a major sporting event, gotten totally confused by our tweaked and then re-adjusted clocks/calendars, and likely be zapped of both money and energy.
   There'll be pics and stories and more pics on this here blog when we get back in late January. Until then I'll provide a pseudo-itinerary and outline of where we'll be and perhaps what the what we're planning on doing.

   With any luck the next time our heads hit the pillow we'll be in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, way south of Hawaii and and halfway to Australia ...

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WHITT'S END: 1.10.14

      Whether you're at the end of your coffee, your day, your week or even your rope, welcome to Whitt's End:

   *Details of where I'm headed and predictions on what our world will look like when I get back ...

   *The most dangerous voice on TV is ...

   *Our weirdest three-letter name is ...

   *A story you almost never read about a local team ...

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