What Would You Do?
I was let go this week. That sucks, but it has afforded me some time to stop, take a step back and think.
I’ve been working non stop in radio since I was 20. Nothing more than a 2 week break for vacations at a stretch. I’d been in the same building for 16 years so there was never a chance to get up and stretch my legs between gigs – I’ve just been go go go go. I’ve had breaks to visit Iceland, Morocco, Machu Picchu, Easter Island, Thailand and more – but I’ve never had the chance to get up and go in the fall – we’ve always been in ratings.
So, this little situation I’ve found myself in is giving me a chance to take a break, if I want to. Yes, I’m dilligently knocking on doors, facebook pages, twitter accounts, email addresses and cell phones of anyone and everyone I know. I’m creating opportunity, but at the same time I’ve been given one.
So, given the gift of time, what would you do?
OPTION ONE
La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Buñol in the Valencia region of Spain. Tens of thousands of participants come from all over the world to fight in a brutal battle where more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets.
The week-long festival features music, parades, dancing, and fireworks. On the night before the tomato fight, participants of the festival compete in a paella cooking contest. It is tradition for the women to wear all white and the men to wear no shirts. This festival started in a casual way in 1945[1], but wasn’t officially recognized until 1952. [wikipedia]
OPTION TWO
The Egyptian pyramids are ancient pyramid-shaped masonry structures located in Egypt.
There are 138 pyramids discovered in Egypt as of 2008. Most were built as tombs for the country’s Pharaohs and their consorts during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods.
The earliest known Egyptian pyramid is the Pyramid of Djoser which was built during the third dynasty. This pyramid and its surrounding complex were designed by the architect Imhotep, and are generally considered to be the world’s oldest monumental structures constructed of dressed masonry. [wiki]
OPTION THREE
Auroras, sometimes called the northern and southern (polar) lights or aurorae (singular: aurora), are natural light displays in the sky, usually observed at night, particularly in the polar regions. They typically occur in the ionosphere. They are also referred to as polar auroras. In northern latitudes, the effect is known as the aurora borealis, named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for north wind, Boreas by Pierre Gassendi in 1621 [wiki]
OPTION FOUR
Your choice – what would you do if you were suddenly given the gift of time? A Safari? Tahiti? Australia? India? Everest Base Camp? Moscow? Alpe D’Huez?
The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?
Tags: goals
Buzz – I just want to wish you all the best and let you know that I’ll miss driving home with you in the afternoon. Someone with your talent/ smarts, etc. will no doubt take on new and awesome challenges and land firmly on their feet.
If given the gift of time, I think I’d spend some time roving the Italian countryside. I’ve been to bella Italia before, but this time I’d immerse myself in the culture….maybe rent a little villa, learn more of the language, spend my days browsing through street markets. Oh, to dream!
Buzz. Good for you! You put a interesting perspective to the situation and in your shoes, I think I would do the same thing. (Creating opps but learning to take the proverbial foot off the gas for a bit. I was with an organization for 15 years. Made a quick move at the first opportunity and sometimes regret it. Enough about me. What would I do? Option 1. Why? Because a) from everyone I speak to, the pyramids are over-rated, a bit of a meh… b), the northern lights are a great idea BUT the best time to go is not now but in the winter/late fall. The long days at this time don’t let you see much and sadly in the winter, storm systems tend to track through there a lot so the chances are high that you may miss them. (Unless you are willing to be up there a week or longer – very cold!! – and then the chances open up). So, with that… and perhaps of my Portuguese background, I would vote for La Tomatina…. Man! That would be one awesome way to blow off some steam and eat some wonderful food (The Valencia region is well known for their awesome cuisine!). Anyhow. Rambled enough…. I hope you do take some time to yourself and your family. A blessing in disguise this will be!
Me, I’d be going to Australia!
But I think no matter what, it should be something amazing that you, Jen, Zacharie and baby on the way will cherish and remember forever
I really am so sad about you not on the air today.
But I’m glad that you and Jen can embrace the time for your family (looking on a bright side)
I have a couple of “trips of a lifetime” on my list….
1. Renting a vintage Airstream and hitting the road discovering weird little towns
2. Travelling through Austrailia and NZ
3. Kayak trip on Lake Powell, in Utah
Enjoy the luxury of having the opportunity….I hope to have my gift of time start the begining of September.
Sorry to hear about your news. That said, 16 years is a remarkably long time at one job. So, you know, embrace the change.
I try to travel where the tourists aren’t, so I’d pick a destination that was less traveled:
* Patagonia – the southern tip of South America
* Nicaragua – I’ve enjoyed my trips to Costa Rica and Panama a lot, so that seems like a natural next step.
* Havana – See it before Castro dies and things change dramatically
* Laos & Bali – I’ve never been, but they seem remarkably exotic
* Malta – I had a great time there.
* Morocco (or Tunisia or Libya) – See above
Wow… Great way to look at it…
I’m taking one of the many ‘trips of a lifetime’ next May, on my honeymoon. We’re going on a 14 night cruise on a brand new Celebrity ship to Northern Europe and Russia… I can’t wait!
Any one of your options sounds absolutely awesome, though.
Have a spectacular time!
I’m sorry to hear you’re no longer at Virgin. You were the reason why I listened to that station. Sending you all good luck thoughts for new great opportunities in the future. I know something great will show up soon, I’m sure of it.
That being said, the top country on my list of ones to visit right now is Italy. The history, food, architecture and everything about the country is so fascinating to me. I’d love to spend time in several cities and regions, just soaking up the culture, eating my weight in pasta, and drinking copious bottles of wine. I’d love to spend a month just traveling around, seeing whatever tickles my fancy.
All of your options sound good to me. I love to travel, and have been able to see some pretty amazing places in my life so far. I try to go somewhere new once every year. Maybe Italy will be the new place for me in 2010.
Have a blast, whatever you choose!
Sorry to hear about your loss, but I’m really excited to see your positive outlook on this. You’ve been a great mentor to younger generations and I know you will land back up on your feet with the many opportunities that will be coming your way!
Good luck my friend and enjoy the new adventures
Rob
So many beautiful places to visit, I don’t think I could name them all…on the top of my list are: Belize, Fiji, Tahiti, Dubai, Ibiza, Africa, Australia (Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef), Germany, Russia, Ireland….
The list goes on and on and on..
As disappointing as it is to lose a job you loved and felt so passionate about, it is such a great opportunity to start fresh, attack new challenges, and see the world from a different point of view. So, I congratulate you, and as much as the airwaves will miss you in Vancouver, this gives you an opportunity to showcase to the world your many other talents.
Enjoy this time with your family, your friends…
Well, I guess I won’t be answering the survey with with Virgin being my #2 station (CBC1 has that place, sorry). We will miss your energy and humour making the drive time a bit more bearable. Hope this truly is an opportunity. They say things come in threes – a sib for Z, a wife for you and the time to spend with your family. I hope you get everything that you wish for all of you. Doors and windows open and close. We get to see what’s on the other side.
I want to trek around some medieval castles of Europe!
oh! and Morocco would be pretty special too.
I think you need option 1… it sounds like a riot of laughs and a great way to get some negative energy out without negative consequences.
Portugal and Spain are fabulous places to relax and to eat. Try out a week on the Algarve at an apartment near the beach. Or wander through the hill towns of southern Spain. Or visit the Allahambra and drink in the history. And bite into a pomegranate (in Granada) and drink a cafe con leite the way it was meant to be on a plaza high upon a hill in the Old Section of Lisbon. And dip churros in chocolate for breakfast in Madrid after staying up till all hours sampling the original tapas in a city that goes straight to work from the bars and only sleeps during the hot day siesta time.
Indeed! I’ll have what Scott is describing any day!!
I have seen the Northern Lights, I have seen the Pyramids, I have never been in a tomato fight in Spain…so my own personal selfish-ness is driving for that one…and Spain is really close to Italy, and France (although you just went there recently), and Turkey, and…Although my second choice would be Egypt, and someone said Austalia (been there would go again in a minute)…
I must say that I disagree with Jeremy about the pyramids being Meh…it was one of the most fantastic trips I’ve ever been on…it’s more about absorbing the culture…and Abu Simbel was worth the 4 am wake up call and the 4 hour drive…
I’m also sorry this happened Buzz, but glad you’re seeing the bright side…it’s their loss, not yours!
Of all the traveling I’ve done, one of the best experiences of my life was attending a football (soccer!) match in the Olympic Stadium in Rome. It was Roma vs. rival Cagliarie (sp?). The game was tied for the whole game until Roma scored in the last. minute. of. the. game. literally.
As you can imagine, the entire stadium went nuts. It still gives me goosebumps. If I were you I’d head to Europe and take in a bunch of sporting events where the fans are nuts for their team and just have a blast.
I have a million other ideas for you, but that one probably tops my list.
Take this time to do the things that you always wanted to. I will truly miss hearing you on the air, and I must say you were the reason I listened to Virgin. Thankyou Buzz for all the great years of entertaining me and keeping me company. The people responsible for your dismissal should be ashamed at the way you were let go. We the listeners hear you one day, and the next day NOTHING. After 16 years on a radio station, I truly think you deserved a sendoff. Speaking for your listeners and fans, I am sure we would like to have phoned in to say goodbye. Hope to hear you soon on a radio station here in Vancouver. My afternoons will never be the same.You are a class act.
Hey Buzz,
I’m sorry to hear about your job at Virgin. This isn’t the first time the station has undergone changes though and hopefully like last time everything will right itself once more.
In the meantime, I would go with Option One. A friend of mine was there for the tomato fight a few years ago and absolutely loved it! It’s supposed to make you feel very clean in the end too because they hose you off in the streets and the acidity from the tomatoes cleanses your skin.
Have fun!!
Cheers from Oz,
Anny
Buzz,
What the hell happened? Sucks that you’re gone. I’ve been listening to you since I was 10 years old and Tarzan Dan hosted the hitlist on YTV! Hit List without Tarzan Dan and Radio without you is just…wrong.
My suggestion for your getaway if you go….Egypt. I was there last October and it was amazing. I’m sur eyou’ve had many “wow” moments in your travels but Egypt was such an eye opener for me. It was cool for Egyptian standards yet still hot for ours. The Pryamids are AMAZING! Standing at the top of the hill overlooking them and the Sphynx really makes you understand the power of man. Knowing they were built from rocks from the Nile and not even being able to SEE the Nile from the hilltop is an awe inspiring moment. Take a few days and go to Luxor. We stayed at the Iberhotel right on the Nile and hired a tour (the guys name was Osama and his tour guides name was Heba – HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER) of the Valley of the Kings. You can go right into a few tombs and if you’re lucky like we were, King Tuts mummy will be there (it usually tours around). Karnak Temple in Luxor was also amazing. Such great history there and VERY interesting.
It’s so cheap in Egypt, too! 5 Egyptian pounds is $1 Canadian. Our hotel in Luxor cost us *maybe* $60/night. You can barter with venders and get low prices. THey want you to buy something…anything…so they’ll go low. It’s really great. I added you on facebook – my pictures (if you need something to persuade you) are up there (my profile is under Kelly LM). It’s so cheap there, BUzz, and simply amazing! Everyone is SO friendly (they all kept saying “oh, Canada Dry” when we told them we were Canadian and not super pushy. I also have a cousin who lives there so if you do decide to go and would like more info, I can hook you up
Buzz, not being from Vancouver, I didn’t hear the news and hadn’t seen all your tweets yesterday. I’m really sorry. I’ve always hated the way media summarily dismiss people without giving them or their listenership a chance to say goodbye. I don’t know if that’s how it worked with you, but either way, it sucks.
I would go for the Northern Lights! But you have to wait until the sun is not so high in the sky. Not seeing them was my biggest regret when I visited the Yukon — amazing place, I’m putting up photos on Flickr from my trip there — in May 1996. Since it was almost a 24-hour day by that time, it was not possible to see the lights. But even if they don’t play for you when up there, it is an absolutely awesome experience to visit Canada’s north. Stay at least a week and you will feel the spirit of the North. Kid you not. The memory will stay with you forever.
I wish you the best of luck in finding work soon, the kind that will make you want to get up every morning!
Sorry to hear the news. Can’t believe it given you have the pulse on everything going on offline and online in this city. What looks like a mistake now will be an advantage to you in no time. You probably wouldn’t have left on your own accord – hard to do sometimes when things are comfortable. You are uber talented so you won’t have any problem finding something else and I suspect this will open doors that you would not have considered before.
That said, give yourself some good time off to enjoy family and travel before you dive into your next incarnation. I recommend Africa – Kenya and surrounding area for a month on safari to see the country and wildlife before they are depleted. I’ve heard from anyone who has been there that its spectacular and a magnificient site to see thousands of animals at once and meet local tribesmen. Believe friends went in Sept or Oct last year when migration was happening – amazing photos.
If you are wanting something close to home, I agree with Darren Re seeing Havana before things change.
Embrace the time off. It will be gone before you know it. All the best!
This is a tough one…
There are far too many places in the world to see. But I would have to go with a tour of the following: Morocco, Egypt, Turkey & Greece. Hit them all up in one long journey, sampling a taste of each, sitting on bar stools along the way…
Sorry to read about your job ending. I remember the changes from Z98 (that “name the sound” contest was a riot!) to Crave to Virgin. Life goes forward, eh?
I think you should propose a show to Shaw Cable and do something like your pals Fiona and Michael already do with Urban Rush. Transfer your radio show into a visual and active local show focusing on families from a father’s perspective and getting good deals in town (your wedding was an excellent example of how to save money on big events).
I would watch such a show instead of CBC’s “Living Vancouver” (which has outstayed its welcome, imo) or Life’s “The Mom Show” (which focuses too much on mums instead of dads).
As for what I’d do if I was given the gift of time, I’d pick option #4 and that would be to take my immediate family and go to Rome for a whole month. We would rent a villa and just veg out. Soak in the culture, the ancient ruins, the food, and the architecture. Then come back to the daily grind with a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation of life and it’s roller coaster rides.
Good luck with your future endeavours!
I was actually in Vernon when I saw your tweet. It’s probably a good thing to because if I had been at home I probably would have marched right up to Virgin and given them a piece of my mind. I can’t tell you how great it’s been to feel connected to my local media. You have reached out and touched the community in ways that have made your content MUCH more relevant to the current atmosphere than anything else I have experienced. I’m often frustrated by our lack of ability to affect what we hear/see in the media and your content is (I’m saying ‘is’ because Virgin did not stop the force that is Buzz. It LOST Buzz and is worser for it) a breath of fresh air. You created and maintained an interactive relationship with your audience, which in my opinion is genius and modern and very business savvy so I don’t doubt that it will take you far. I’m sorry that this has happened but I know that unexpected changes can often lead to the most wonderful things. I remember when you came to my elementary school for Career Days and I think you were the biggest celebrity we had ever even dreamed of meeting. I didn’t get to have your workshop but I remember some of the girls bragging that they got your autograph and I was SO jealous. Never would I have thought that I’d be able to actually have input into your content and discussions beyond phoning in a song request. You deserve your accolades, and as such you deserve this break to reflect on what matters and spend some extra time with the important people in your life.
Maybe Rome in the fall – super romantic and kid friendly since most of the monuments are open-air and rock solid. Save a return to France for when Z is a bit older because le français might pique his interest more and he’ll be mature enough for the language to stick in his memory.
And heck, now you can make that classic trip to Disneyland outside of peak season, without it being CRAZY busy!! Z won’t have to queue to meet Mickey; he’ll have him all to himself!
Firstly let me say I know you will land on your feet! I just hope we don’t lose your talent to some other city! Vancouver is your home, and I hope you stay here.
As for a trip, let me recommend a drive down to the Oregon Coast. Then on to Highway 1 in California. End-up in San Diego for a couple of nights at the Hotel del Coronado. It would be a great family trip. Maybe fly home from there, or go catch Disneyland on the way back.
Sorry to hear that.
Id say…Go to Egypt!! Ive been to Rome, I loved that. How about the UK?? Ireland and Scotland are beautiful. I myself am going to Toronto, Niagara falls, Gettysburg, Washington DC, and NY on a 13 day tour this fall! Cant wait!!
Hi Buzz,
I’ve been a longtime lurker at your blog — but I’m delurking to tell you I’m sincerely sorry that you’ve been let go. Best wishes for your job hunt!
Also, I think travelling would be a great way to use this time you’ve been given. Egypt would be rad! Or do you have any projects you’ve always wanted to try, like making a film or learning to paint or cook or something? Might be fun to have a stretch of time to give it a shot.
Jhenifer
Thanks for each and every kind word, it’s humbling. Im
sorting through things this week and realized a big vacay is probably not prudent just yet.
However…. 5 days in re kootenays is just fine. Never been, always wanted to go and looking forward to seeing my pal Roger.
Doesn’t mean some big bucket let items won’t get checked off- just not this month.
I hope to be back oN your radio soon.
Buzz, I will miss listening to you on the radio. Even though I live in Gresham, Oregon, I would tune in on the net to listen to your show on 95.3 fm.
If you got the finances, take a trip to Western Australia and visit Perth!
Take care and the best of luck in your new ventures!
Bruce MacGibbon
Gresham, OR
Coming through Salmon Arm ?? please let me know and will treat you all to gelato , if we are around . Yes, see BC first !!
I was laid off in the recent cuts at Telus and was able to use part of my severance to see Paris and Wimbledon with my mom. It was the best vacation EVER. (When have I had the time and money to create those kinds of memories with my mom? I didn’t take one second for granted.)
No matter how beat down you feel, you will RISE. You are bigger than the show, the station, the city. If I were you, I would use part of my severance to go to London and get a meeting with Richard Branson (maybe under the auspices of research for a book on his empire. Hey, if you can stay employed in radio for 6 years, you can do this).
Or maybe pitch and host a much-needed variety show in Vancouver?
You’ve already created your brand, which is the hard part. Good luck – like many Vancouverites, I am in your corner!
I’m shocked but not surprised. I’ve ridden along with you for many of those years – a bit with Top Kids in Richmond a decade ago when I first learned about your love for technology and more recently through Twitter and Facebook. If fact, what brought my attention to this was the group to bring you back to Virgin (yes, there IS a lot of love out there for you!).
My father was a broadcaster in Vancouver since the late 50’s. He worked with Red Robinson in the early years and later on CKWX (before it changed its format) and in his later years with CJVB (before it was bought by Fairchild). Through all those decades I have seen the good, the bad and a whole lotta ugly in the business. He told me his wish was for me to diversify my interests and talents… not to put all my excitement and effort into one are but to have skills and knowledge in other transferable industries. I’ve been very impressed with your “other life” in technology and am watching with great interest where your talent will take you next as you open this new door to your life.
Take the rest you deserve. Check off a dozen things off your “bucket list”. Then stand up, brush yourself off and reinvent the next cool Buzz Bishop.
I’ll be watching with great interest and cheering you on. Go Buzz Go!
awww buzz..
i went for vacation for 3.5 months and came back, turned on the radio, and everything is different..
I love the chat you had with KJ during rush hours and all that, the issues and events you guys debated, it was a lot of fun hearing you guys!
i hope everything goes well with you! Enjoy your time off! A break now is the preparation for the long run! Hang in there! let me know where you are gonna be next, keep us updated and we will tune in for sure!
As for travelling, I just got back from Asia and U.S. So, i would say, go to Japan if you have never been there.. go some where different where the culture is 100% from yours because you will find things more exciting and the trip will be a lot more memorable.
If not, i would go for Italy in Europe.. (i once asked a friend, spain or italy, they allllll said Italy for sure! It’s very romantic and it’s just very relaxing, great place to recharge).. and if you want some where a lot closer, you can always go to Disney in Florida (Sept would be off season, will be less hot and less crowded) with Jen and the baby boy, or go to San Diego where the biggest zoo and Lego Land is!
Hope to hear you back on air soon!! Keep us updated!
Sorry to hear what happened, Buzz. We were in Manitoba and didn’t catch up on the goings-on until now. It’ll be very strange to turn on the radio in the afternoon and not hear your show. I still remember listening to you back in the 90’s on Z. I’m sure you’ll find bigger and better things after Virgin!
As for vacations…I vote for Option 1. Tomato fight sounds awesome! One of my contributors is going to Antarctica – a good spot for those that want to go down the road less travelled.
MANNNN I’VE been living under a rock for the longest time. I was waiting and waiting and WAITING to hear YOU back on air in the afternoons but i kept hearing Kiah! (not that he’s bad), but i thought you were on vacation or something…so today, i decided to look up your blog up to see what’s up…(sorry i’m so behind)
sorry to hear the “old” news buzz. i wrote you before on myspace ..w/ the comment about how you are the link to 95.3….like trevor is to the canucks….and how glad i was that you were still with Crave (at that time)
as long as i can remember Z95.3 it always had you in it.
i’m going to continue reading your blog and follow your adventures…i hope to hear you back on air soon…or hey, maybe tv? who knows what doors can open….all the best to you and your family buzz!
ps: go to egypt…that’s on my “to do” list…
http://ca.contiki.com/tours/102-egypt-the-nile