The Mason Minute

I've never met anyone pleased with insurance prices. Whether you're looking for auto rates or the cost of a homeowner's policy, the costs are continually increasing. And those price hikes are only going to get worse. If you've had to renew any policies recently, you'll likely notice that rates have skyrocketed. Many factors come into play, but experts warn us to expect steep price hikes for the ne...

One of my favorite hobbies when I was young was my slot cars. My parents got me my first track and cars in the early 1970s and was hooked. I used any money I saved to buy more cars and accessories. Like most hobbies, popularity comes and goes. But I always found time for some racing, even after I got out of college. We used to keep a track set up in one of our guest rooms. I still have many of my...

As I was scrolling through Spotify looking for music to play, I realized just how much I missed the record stores. While I do have everything I want to listen to available all the time online, the joy of searching isn't the same. There was something magical about the record store. The big box stores like Tower Music, Peaches, or Tracks were magical places. Even the mall stores like Camelot Music,...

The month of March is here, and if you believe folklore, it's coming in like a lion. Don't worry; it will leave like a lamb when the month is over. I don't know when they taught us that old proverb, but I bet it was in 2nd or 3rd grade. And without fail, I think of that saying every year at this time. I always thought that the lion and lamb were interchangeable. If the month came in like a lamb, i...

People often seem to forget Leap Day. Most people pay little attention since it only happens every four years. I've always thought that we should celebrate it in some unique way. Most people would want to turn it into a drinking holiday like St Patrick's Day or Cinco de Mayo. But honestly, I'm thinking something more like a day of service. It would be nice to make it a worldwide day of service. I...

Many industries prefer to use a dynamic pricing model. The airline and hotel industries are great examples. But have you ever heard of a fast food restaurant using this surge pricing system? Well, if you haven't, you'd better get ready. Wendy's announced that it will try this new pricing system starting in 2025. Their new CEO is hoping that dynamic pricing will improve their profitability. While i...

Everyone knows that Nashville has been called Music City USA for eons. Everywhere you turn, there's music, and not just of the country variety. If you had the time, you could watch concerts nightly. It hasn't always been that way. Things started changing when they revitalized the Lower Broadway area. But enjoying shows every night may be the dream of someone visiting. But for those living in resid...

Two times each year, in January and July, the state of Tennessee enacts the laws passed by the legislature. Almost five years ago, the state passed a law to help reduce distracted driving. The Tennessee Hands-Free Law made it illegal to drive while holding a cell phone in your hand. On the surface, it's relatively straightforward and a good idea. But many are now calling it a worthless law. That's...

In the world of marketing, few details get left to chance. When marketing in the entertainment world, the cover art on a video or piece of music matters. Once they release a project to the public, the artwork is the primary way for everyone to connect visually. It makes me wonder why Netflix constantly changes the visual image associated with a movie or TV show. It's my biggest pet peeve. They cha...

One of the fastest-growing business sectors in cities across America is the automated car wash. No one has the time or desire to do it by hand anymore. But some cities are starting to say 'NO' to developers. Automated car washes take up a lot of space and employ few people. And in our current business and political climate, those factors aren't considered positive. They may be convenient, but the...

Years ago, there was an Indiana restaurant chain called Sunshine Cafe. And their slogan branded them as a place where it was always sunny and 72 degrees. There are still a few around. I thought about them yesterday when reading an article about global warming. Scientists have determined that the optimal temperature for living entities is 68 degrees. And while that's important, it reminds me that t...

No matter how you look at life today, no one is happy with the state of politics. Many think they have the answer that will disrupt the current extreme climate. Here in Tennessee, there's talk of changing the process of how you run for office. I doubt it will ever be discussed, but it's an exciting idea. Basically, it says you can't run for a new political position if you're currently in office. Y...

I've always had empathy for those who have insomnia. My father has suffered for as long as I can remember. Most of his was stress-related. Fortunately, I never had to worry about it until recently. While I didn't always sleep well, I never had issues falling asleep. But lately, that's changed. I've experienced numerous periods of insomnia over the last couple of years. They can last a day or two o...

I've always tried to keep up with the latest entertainment and pop culture offerings. Back in my radio days, it was easier. There were fewer cable channels, no streaming services, and less content overall. But I recently realized it's impossible to keep up with everything. I never tried to consume it all; I just tried to be aware. And now, even that's impossible. The sheer volume of content that c...

After the news came out about the Kansas City Chiefs championship parade tragedy, Like many, I was shocked to learn that they arrested two teenagers for the shootings. I shouldn't be surprised that was the cause. Teens with guns have become a significant problem across the U.S. In Nashville, we've already had 20 students bring guns to school. And the nightly news often has a story involving car br...

For many, we seek to find that moment of zen in our lives. How and where we do it differs significantly for everyone. Today, I'm in my happy place, which I consider zen-like. For me, that special feeling happens right around this time every year. It doesn't matter where I am, as long as I'm in front of the TV or listening to the radio. Today is the Dayton 500, the opening race of the NASCAR season...

There's a long-running debate that never seems to go away for good. Should hamburgers and hot dogs be considered sandwiches? Some say yes to one but not the other. Others say yes, they're both sandwiches. Then there's the large group of people that say absolutely not! To me, it's a silly debate. But it also opens up other questions. These are silly questions, but people's passion for this subject...

I've been a student of politics for as long as I can remember. While it's easier to keep track of the big offices like the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, I still pay attention to state and local action, too. Our state legislature has been in the news lately for both good and bad. Some things they're considering right now make me scratch my head. One of the current bills u...

The Nashville area continues to grow at a rapid rate. Last I heard, we still have approximately 100 people moving here daily. And one of the biggest complaints about Nashville is our lack of sidewalks and bike lanes. These complaints started long before our growth spike. Unless you have a car, Nashville has never been an easy city to get around. Work on additional sidewalks is making slow progress...

Today is a day that many love and a whole lot hate; It's Valentine's Day. And for many, it's a day usually filled with stress. The pressure is on finding the perfect gift for that special person in your life. And those who aren't in a relationship feel the stress of wondering why. At this point in life, I don't worry about it. With my wife, I try to make every day special. Some days, I succeed, an...

I don't know when it started, but I've loved trivia games since I was just a youngster. It may have been from watching Jeopardy with original host Art Fleming in the 60s. When the game Trivial Pursuit came out in the 80s, I memorized the answers to 4 or 5 of the available versions of the game. So, I'm always looking for a good game of trivia. A few weeks ago, we were watching TV and stumbled upon...

For years, doctors have said that sitting is terrible for our health. But, like many people who work in an office, I do a lot of sitting. I spend most of my day on the computer, working on the internet, sending emails, working spreadsheets, creating slide decks, and in Zoom conferences. There's not much standing in any of those activities. And after years of ignoring the advice of those doctors, I...

It's Super Bowl Sunday, and this year feels different in many ways. Sure, the contest between the Chiefs and the 49ers is the big story. Many people will tune in just for the commercials or Usher's performance at halftime. All of that amounts to a regular year. But we have to add the Taylor Swift factor into everything this time. While the Super Bowl is always the highest-rated TV program of the y...

Like most kids back in the day, I loved Saturday morning cartoons. One of my favorites was a short-lived racing-themed show called Wacky Races. It only lasted one season, but like most cartoons of the day, it lived in repeats for many years. It's the place where we first saw Dick Dastardly and his mischievous dog Muttley. I was thinking back to that show recently as I headed to work. Many people f...

For as long as I can remember, I've loved tomatoes. Back then, we didn't have any varieties of the fruit. Take that back; we did have cherry tomatoes, but usually only when you visited a restaurant with a salad bar. I'm trying to remember when I first learned about Beefsteak, Roma, or the Heirloom variety. But we've finally gone too far. Growers have just announced a new type of tomato, and it's p...