The Opinionated Optimist

“I made a mental list of all the things I can’t do: I can’t walk, I can’t write with a pencil, I can’t clean myself, and I can’t swim or play baseball. Then I made a list of all the ways Heavenly Father has compensated for all the things I can’t do…,” said Hans Smith a student studying communications.

Hans Smith is fulfilling his dream of broadcasting sports as a radio host. One day about two years ago, Smith decided to type in “start own radio show” on www.google.com. The first hit was a site called Blog Talk Radio. It’s a free program allows people to set up and cast their own radio shows. The program is all internet based, functioning just like a normal station with phone lines and web windows for listeners to participate.

Smith anticipates the growth of internet radio blogging with companies such as ABC, ESPN, and NBC taking hold of the new trend. “It’s not a sorry excuse for radio. I think it’s the new face of radio. It functions completely as any other [radio] talk show would,” Smith said.

Cerebral Palsy has affected Smith since he was born and for twenty two years, he has been confined to a wheelchair. The list that Smith made to counteract all of his deficits helps him see the bright side of things. “I can’t walk, but I have a wheelchair that goes10 mph, 3x times faster than the average human can walk. I can’t swim, but the Lord invented life jackets. I can’t play baseball, but I have my PlayStation 3; I love it. I can’t write, so I can’t compete well in college classes. But now they’ve developed software, and it writes when I speak to it [computer],” Smith said.

Smith and his co-host, Zach Anderson, a student studying Communications, spend Friday evenings discussing and debating baseball. They appropriately call themselves the Opinionated Optimists. Smith said, “It goes from 8-9 pm mountain time every Friday. We cover all of major league baseball…we find articles off of www.mlb.com, or other places and we analyze and discuss what’s going on in the world of baseball for that week. We discuss controversial news, argue why so-and-so was suspended; was it valid?”

Being a broadcast major with prior experience on the air, Zach Anderson enjoys working with Smith and sees the benefits from their encounter last semester. “I’m here for a purpose, to be friends with Hans for this time period. I’m here to help him fulfill his dream, and he’s here to help me achieve my goal of broadcasting,” Anderson said.

Blog Talk Radio has recently set up a money incentive for successful radio casts. The Advertising Revenue Program rewards successful shows with space for advertisements on their site. Part of the money from ads will go to the main site, Blog Talk Radio, and the other portion will go to the hosts of the show like Anderson’s and Smith’s.

In order to get people to tune in, the men handed out 1000 flyers to all the off-campus men’s apartments for their upcoming show. Smith said, “Monday when I walked into class, the first thing someone said to me was, ‘You did a really last Friday. It was very active.’” He continued, “I realized two things. One, I really knew what I was talking about. Two, we’re reaching our goal of being out there. I felt like screaming like a little girl because I was so happy,” Smith said.

Smith and Anderson hope that their show will draw listeners and evoke great discussion. “We definitely want to encourage people to listen. What makes it good is when people contribute in any way to the show. It induces debate/discussion, and better understanding of baseball for all of us. Our url is www.blogtalkradio.com/the_rain_delay,” Smith said.

Smith is drawn to radio because he gets to do what he loves as well as dissipate faulty notions. “Radio is just another example of how we could erase the stereotypes in our minds. We could get rid of that and realize even handicap people have something to say too,” Smith said. He feels he stereotypes people as well and that is another reason why he knows radio works best for him.

Anderson does not have physical ailments like Smith, but together they can communicate the same. Smith said, “One of the things I really enjoy is being able to work with someone who is not disabled on an equal level, and have him look at me at an equal level. We work together to prepare the show. Once on the air, we’re just two people who talk baseball.”

#2 Beat Boise State Veterans Day

Veterans Day used to just be a day off. A day to eat tuna sandwiches and go to the beach. It was a "holiday." I've never been aware of what it meant to honor people on Veterans Day...until Raliegh Scott called me.

"How are you, Brooker?" I immediately felt elated as I heard my best friend's voice. "RALIEGH!!!! OH MY GOSH, HOW ARE YOU?!" I was spitting on the phone from sheer excitement. Raliegh Scott signed up for the Army in April. He is from Star Valley, Wyoming and grew up on a farm...a legit cowboy. He hunts, ride horses and prides himself on tight jeans and his accent. Signing up for the Army seemed out of his comfort zone--why would this outgoing, down-to-earth student sign up for the rigid army? Talking to him that night made me realize--inside everyone is a love for our country.

Students at Boise State University held a rememberance on Veterans Day. They gave speeches, played patriotic music and respected those still serving and those who have passed. I had the opportunity to perform at a Rexburg Veterans Day celebration here as well. It was so wonderful to watch the men stand and say the Pledge of Allegience. With my jazz band, we serenaded the crowd and shared mutual feelings. It was so different for me; I was actually not viewing this as a holiday but as a day to think about what others have done for ME.

Talking to Raliegh on Veterans Day was special. He and the other men got the day off. He sounded somber on the phone. He graduated Army training camp a few weeks ago; therefore, last week was the first time I really got to talk to him (they weren't allowed to have cell phones). He's now in Oklahoma being trained in the artilery department...I guess his hunting skills have come back to help him.

I appreciated so greatly the example Boise State displayed by taking the time and effort to honor men and women that helped shaped our country.

First Beat Blog_Vaccination shots

Students shoot 2,500...

In researching stories about higher education in Idaho, one stood out to me in regards to Idaho State University. I was looking over their website and I found an article about some great things the students are doing. The College of Pharmacy at ISU had their students issue more than 2,500 influenza vaccinations shots to local residents. They were under the supervision of faculty and liscensed pharmacists. These students gave health awareness speeches at fairs where they administered numerous shots. I don't think I personally take the flu too seriously. After reading the article I felt like maybe I should get a shot too.
I enjoyed researching how these students were putting their education to good use. We pay thousands of dollars to attend universities; we're trained in whatever we want to do in life. I have the opportunity to be trained in journalism, music, english and broadcasting. I feel so blessed when I look back on my days at BYU-Idaho. In less than one month, this saga will come to an end. I appreciate the ISU students getting out into the community...creating health awareness followed up by shots. They had facts and information and the skills to back them up. When I return from my mission, I will be able to put my education to work...I look forward to that day.