A big 'Hi' and an enormous 'Happy New Year' to all! So, what resolutions did you make for this year? For me as always, it's to lose weight, eat less chocolate and exercise more ... all the difficult things in life for me!
But I think we should also all look at the bigger picture this year; especially with the turmoil, war and troubles going on all over our beautiful planet Earth.
What if we all sent positive messages to governments, politicians and leaders from all walks of life and religions around the world to just be more tolerant and friendly with each other? Ok, maybe it's overly optimistic but there's no harm in trying! Too often we all bury our heads in the sand and let things go by us, while saying and doing nothing.
What if, we also, as individuals, tried harder to be the best person that we could, and gave a little more of ourselves in terms of effort, kindness and generosity to others. If we all cared just a little bit more about others the world would be a much better place for it. So, instead of making New Year's resolutions like those I mentioned above that focus solely on ourselves and are destined for failure, how 'bout we try some that focus on helping others instead.
I feel that 2009 is going to be an unusual and challenging year. And my transition into the New Year was a little different than previous years to say the least. When I finished my shift at the radio I called into the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel to check the equipment and to meet up with the band I was to be working with for the night; the Danny Mannix Band who I'd worked with for the previous New Year's celebrations at 'the Dip'. We were enjoying jolly banter about football and such, when my telephone bleeped. I checked it and saw an SMS from Esther, our newsreader. She had written to ask whether I'd heard the 4pm news broadcast; a directive by King Hamad had been read, stating that live New Year's Eve concerts were banned in Bahrain in consideration of and in solidarity with the people of Palestine. I asked the manager what was going to happen and he replied he'd check it out and that I should still come in at 8pm.
So, off I went home to look for a white outfit in keeping with the 'Snow White' theme of the evening. I also had to switch my phone off to get a bit of a rest, as I had no idea really of what was going on and was being inundated with texts and calls from confused people all over Bahrain.
When I returned to the Diplomat everyone was still uncertain of what was expected and what action to take, so, I put on some quiet background music. I was eventually informed that the band should not play and that I should do a raffle. Straight after that I was told to turn the music up and 'off we went'. A pretty good night was had by all, including me, though I felt that I'd worked pretty hard! As a DJ I've been lucky over the last few years because, (let me tell a little secret) when you work with a band you only do half the usual workload! Strangely though, some DJ's I've met over the years don't like working with bands, and vice versa too. A band once told me a DJ they were working with asked for a list of the set they would be playing on the night and duly proceeded to play every one of their songs before they came on! Pathetic 'eh? And ridiculously insecure and nasty too!
As always, during the night I received my share of peculiar requests. One lady came up just as everyone was jumping around to Abba and having a great time to ask me to put Celine Dion on for the next song. I replied that I'd play it a little later when things had calmed down a tad. But, she came back after every song! What to do? Just grin and bear it. As the old saying goes 'you can't please everyone all of the time'... especially on a busy dance floor!
I eventually got to bed at around 4am, only to be awakened at 7am by my lively lovely daughter Hannah wishing me Happy New Year! Wendy promptly dragged her away for a few hours and later that day I did my last 12 till 3pm 'Midday Madness' shift on the radio.
Don't forget my new timing every day from 3pm through 6pm on the 'Kevin Drives You Krazy Show!'
So once again, a big 'Happy New Year' to you. Let's all do our best to spread some happiness and joy to anyone and everyone.
Love and Peace.Krazy Kevin x