12-09-2010
10:49 AM
299 Loves
It all started when I was 13 and a friend of mine, a fellow junior high band member, gave me a pair of drumsticks as a birthday gift. I played cornet in band, but soon realized I would have had more FUN if I’d chosen percussion. On more than one occasion, our band director, Mr. Larry Colvin, caught me in a band hall practice room banging on a drum that I’d confiscated from the percussion closet—even though I received a scolding from Mr. Colvin, it was worth it to experience the joy of drumming. While I’m no John Bonham, Keith Moon, or Neil Peart, whenever I’m listening to a favorite CD on my home stereo, I can’t resist the urge to pick up my drumsticks and play along on my practice pad. It’s so exhilarating to imagine that I’m playing to thousands in a packed concert hall. One of our newest Employees, Dawson McPherson (aka Awesome Dawson), played on the drumline in high school, and I can tell you firsthand that he’s an accomplished drummer with great skills. We decided it would be FUN to bring our practice pads and drumsticks to work; take a small break from our daily duties; and conduct our own “drum clinic” in a breakroom during our lunch hours at Southwest Headquarters. Geez, I had no chance keeping up with him as he played circles around me. But you know what, I still had a fantastic time—so did Dawson. We took turns drumming away and had a blast comparing techniques. For me, this experience is another Freedom story made possible by working at the greatest airline on the planet—Southwest Airlines. And for our blog readers who are wondering, the title of this blog post refers to various drumming terms.
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11-11-2010
03:40 PM
334 Loves
… Into the Wild Blue Yonder. In early October, I was transported back in time to a bygone era when Americans lived a simpler life and, through sacrifice and bravery, rightfully earned their reputation as The Greatest Generation. It was a privilege to join others at the Vintage Flying Museum's 20th Annual Big Band Hangar Dance, an evening set aside to raise funds in support of the museum (located at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas). Attendees were dressed in World War II period military and civilian attire, and The Alan Glasscock Orchestra was onhand to get the place swingin' with big band tunes from the 1940's. A Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" Bomber, which is the focal point of the museum, was parked right in the middle of the hangar for all to gaze at in amazement. I jumped at the opportunity to board this awe-inspiring aircraft for a guided tour, and I’ll never forget the feeling that came over me when I was reminded of the devotion and sacrifice required to preserve the values of freedom and liberty. As a Company, we never forget that our mission of giving Americans the “Freedom to Fly” would not be possible if not for the men and women of the American armed forces—both past and present—to whom we all owe our freedom.
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07-15-2010
07:03 PM
18 Loves
Thank you for supporting these great kids. We work with Parkland on their website and are always touched by the photographs we get to update the Burn Camp site. Kudos to you and all the volunteers for their efforts.
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Hi latina4justice,
So sorry that you encountered one problem after the other trying to book your flights with us yesterday. It's especially disappointing to know that your experience led you to book with another carrier. I'd love to forward your comments to our Customer Relations Team so they can quickly address your concerns and come to a resolution for you. If you'd like to send me your contact information, I'll pass it along so we can have someone contact you. I'm hoping that we can restore your confidence in us.
Laurel
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12-09-2009
02:24 PM
210 Loves
June 6, 1962 saw this band's historic first visit to EMI Studios at 3 Abbey Road, St. John’s Wood, London. During the next eight years, they pushed the boundaries of recording music to unparalleled heights to create what is regarded by countless music fans (including me) and musicians as the greatest collection of studio recordings in Rock ‘n’ Roll history. Note to our younger blog readers: I’m referring to the one and only...The Beatles. Each generation listens to their favorite music via the format of the day, and technology has always dictated what that format will be. When I was younger, I listened to music on vinyl, cassette tapes, and eight-track tapes. Cassettes and eight-tracks dropped out of the market many years ago; vinyl was replaced with the Compact Disc (CD); and now it looks like downloading music online will eventually make the CD obsolete. (Surprisingly, vinyl is making a bit of a comeback lately for those serious audiophiles who actually own a turntable.) In 1987, The Beatles' albums made the move from vinyl to CD, and most serious Beatles fans will agree that the sound is somewhat thin and "tinny," not nearly as rich and full as what came out of your speakers when you listened to the lads in the days of vinyl. Since that time, technology has made leaps and bounds, and the sonic improvements you'll hear on CDs today are astounding. Now, after 22 long years of waiting, the time is finally here! The Beatles catalog has been digitally remastered and repackaged and is ready for rediscovery. A team of engineers spent over four years at Abbey Road Studios (where the Beatles recorded almost all of their songs) painstakingly remastering each and every Beatles song from the original stereo analog master tapes. I’m thrilled to report that the results are magnificent! I've heard these songs literally hundreds of times, and they've never sounded as rich, warm, full, crisp, and vibrant. Truly, the sound is spectacular—feels like you are actually in the studio with John, Paul, George, and Ringo as the sounds are being recorded. All 13 Beatles albums include a mini-documentary attached to each disc and are available in stereo—for sale individually or as a box set. Also, there's a box set containing the Beatles albums that were recorded in mono—these mono versions will not be released separately. Good luck finding a mono box set—only 10,000 were made, and there are no plans to produce more. Each album comes with a deluxe booklet which includes historical notes, recording notes, and many pictures (some previously unpublished) of the group at the time the record was being made. The earlier records also include original liner notes. The historical notes of each album chronicle the Beatles' chart action that the album generated, and in some cases, the decision behind the album cover is also revealed. The recording notes help to uncover the process by which the Beatles, led by their producer, Sir George Martin, laid down the sound in the studio. Listening to Beatles music has brought me such joy, hope, and inspiration over the years, and I'm thrilled that these albums (really historical documents of the turbulent 60's) have at long last received such a well-deserved upgrade.
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08-18-2009
11:55 AM
5 Loves
Well Jim, I seem to remember this big white light and a guy dressed in white with a surgical mask slapping me. Seriously, I remember very quick flashes around age 2, but I'm not sure of my oldest sustained memory.
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My daughter is a burn survivor and a camper at Camp I-Thonka-Chi. She absolutly lives for this camp! We start packing a month in advance and it brings such peace to heart knowing that there are such wonderful people like Southwest Airline Employees and Parkland Employees that take their time to be with these very special kiddos and make sure they have such a wonderful time. I wanted to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all you do. This is so important for them. Deana Parrish
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04-20-2009
05:07 PM
217 Loves
They call him “Q.” More on this in a minute. I’m sure that most of our blog readers are aware that Southwest Employees are encouraged to work hard, have FUN, and be themselves. Well, after 12 incredible years as a member of the Southwest Family, I’m here to tell you that there’s another vital element that each Southwest Employee adds to the mix—it’s the Freedom to express our passions—whatever they may be—even on the job. One of my greatest passions is music, especially Rock & Roll, and the thought of even a day without hearing some of my favorite tunes is incomprehensible. If I ever have the privilege of meeting you, you’ll see that the topic of music usually makes its way into the conversation at some point. Okay, back to my “Q” story. I’m not usually star-struck, but when Quincy Jones (often referred to as “Q” by his legion of colleagues and fans) arrived in Dallas at the Barnes & Noble down the street last week to sign his new book, The Complete Quincy Jones, I could barely contain my excitement. Honestly, the thought of actually meeting this bona fide musical genius (oh, and living legend) was enough to make me almost speechless. As I stood in line waiting to get my book signed, I felt like a nervous little kid preparing to meet Santa Claus. Needless to say, Quincy is a pop culture and music icon and easily one of the most gifted musicians, composers, conductors, and arrangers who ever walked the planet. We are the World and Michael Jackson's Thriller are two of the most notable high points in Quincy's unparalleled career. Q has also worked with a host of other heavy-hitters in the music world, including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, and, believe it or not, Ringo Starr. Even though my visit with Quincy was brief, I’m smiling when I tell you that Q was genuinely humble, friendly, and generous (he signed albums, photos, etc., even though his handlers strictly advised that he would be signing only The Complete Quincy Jones). So, all in all, the main point of this post is to joyfully and gratefully state that I’m thrilled beyond belief to work for a Company that not only allows me to express my passions, but encourages me to do so.
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12-19-2008
07:16 PM
5 Loves
I'm with you, Wendy! Anyone who can keep from crying at the end of that movie needs a new heart!!
Kim
Sentimental Blog Boy 🙂
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Thanks so much for your kind words, Joseph. Welcome to our blog and Happy Thanksgiving!
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10-20-2008
10:00 PM
20 Loves
Brian....U r 2 funny... He will be going on his "Magical Mystery Tour" down "Abbey Road" in his "Yellow Submarine" , also. Give him some Hershey candy corn kisses to take along for his "Helter Skelter" trip.
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08-15-2008
09:18 AM
4 Loves
Jim
that sounds like an incredibly rewarding time. Congratulations to you and everyone who participates.
Brian
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07-28-2008
11:43 AM
5 Loves
Jim:
You make a great "Waterboy" and I LUV it that you are "my Waterboy."
xoxo,
Colleen
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05-23-2008
12:44 AM
4 Loves
The Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich, a whole series of them, starting with One for the Money, up to Lean Mean Thirteen and counting. Absolutely laugh out loud hilarious! Read them in order.
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