Michael Zimny? No, I don’t know any Michael Zimny. Who’s that, Loop?
Mr. Zimny is with South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
That’s nice. Been listening to the radio lately?
He wants to interview you, SPHP!
Oh, come on now! What makes you think that?
That’s what he told me.
Told you? Hah! Dingo feathers! You don’t even know a Michael Zimny from SDPB or anywhere else.
Not yet, but I’m going to!
What’s got into you? Something a little stronger than usual in that water bowl these days?
Don’t believe me? Go take a look at the new comment on my blog!
Alright! A new comment on which post?
Not a post, the About & Adventure Indexes page.
Michael Zimny, March 5, 2020, 2:09 PM – Hi SPHP, I’d like to interview you some time for South Dakota Public Broadcasting, maybe a interview-ascent could be arranged, if you’d be interested. Let me know. Thanks.
Well, I’ll be! Heh, I’ll have to think about how to let Michael down easy, while still appearing grateful for the opportun …. Hey, wait a minute! What’s this? You already answered him?!
Lupe, March 5, 2020, 8:22 PM – Hi, Michael! If there is an ascent involved, count me in! I’ll work on that persnickety SPHP. Look for an email from us soon.
Told ya, SPHP! It’s my big chance at fame and fortune! Plus we get to meet my new publicity director, Michael Zimny, and climb a mountain in the Black Hills! It’s perfect!
Perfect, except for one thing, Miss Fame & Fortune! I’m not doing it!
Oh, yes you are, SPHP! Michael is expecting a list of possible peaks to choose from to climb during this interview, and I’ve promised you would be sending that to him soon. So figure something out, and get with the program.
Listen to me, Loop. I’m no public speaker. I sound like Kermit the Frog! I’m not going to do a radio interview, and be humiliated in my own home state!
Oh, pooh! It’s not public speaking, SPHP. It’s radio! Just you, me, and Michael going on a little trek up a mountain together. A simple private chat that will get recorded and edited. No live audience, so if you still somehow manage to humiliate yourself across South Dakota, you’ll never even know it. Besides, I’m counting on you not to do that. I’ll get Michael to fix your voice somehow. They must have audio technicians at SDPB. Who would you like to sound like?
Oh, I don’t know. How about having them change me into Lady Gaga? That’s about what it’s going to take for your fame and fortune scheme to work.
Lady Gaga? Good choice, but that’s a real stretch, SPHP. I’ll see what Mr. Zimny can do, but don’t expect miracles.
Believe me, I don’t. Not going to do this, anyway. We’ve still got lots of work to do to get Grandma’s house ready for the market. She’s depending on us. Besides, what am I going to say? We climb a bunch of mountains no one has ever heard of in the Black Hills?
Oh, please, please, please, SPHP! You’ve got to do it! Don’t make me look bad in front of Mr. Zimny! I’ve already told him you would. It won’t take all that long. Grandma will understand, and we can get right back to work on her house as soon as it’s over. We haven’t been anywhere in months now! Don’t I deserve a teensy tiny break? Can’t we climb just one little mountain in the Black Hills with Mr. Zimny? What to say is easy! Just talk about me! I’m your favorite subject, aren’t I? And say something good about the Black Hills! They’re our home, and we love them!
Tell you what, Loop. I’ll think about it. Let’s leave it at that for a day or two. No promises. OK?
Only if you agree to give it serious consideration, SPHP. Will you?
I suppose! If that’s what you want.
Fabulous! You’re never going to regret this, SPHP! You’ll see! Soon we’ll be climbing that beautiful mountain with Michael Zimny, and launching ourselves to fame and fortune on SDPB!
Umm, yeah. Now who’s expecting miracles?
3-11-20, 7:00 AM Centennial Trail off Hwy 16, Samelius Peak trailhead – Michael Zimny was right on time! Miss Fame & Fortune was waiting for him. Pre-transformed Lady Gaga, too!
First things first! After brief self-introductions, Miss Fame & Fortune wanted a quick photo with her new publicist, Michael.
The interview plan was simple enough. It started off with an informal recorded chat between SPHP and Michael while hiking a 0.75 mile long section of the Centennial Trail. Lupe would then lead the way up the N ridge of Samelius Peak (5,856 ft.).
Turned out Michael is originally from Chicago, but has served in the army and lived in many different places. He was easy to talk to since he was enthusiastic about South Dakota, and loves hiking in the Black Hills and Badlands.
Soon Lupe, Michael, and SPHP were all at the top of the mountain. Loop was thrilled to be out in the Black Hills again, even if only for this one peak.
20 or 30 minutes at the summit and the interview was about done. A round of chocolate coconut granola bars for everyone, then it was down the mountain. Partway down, out of the breeze where the microphone worked best, Michael wanted to stop to ask SPHP a few final questions.
And that was it. Back to the trailhead, good-byes and thank yous, and the interview was over. Lupe’s new friend and publicist Michael Zimny was on his way, and so were Looper and SPHP.
Two months went by before Michael sent an email saying the interview was going to be broadcast that Friday, May 15th at 10:27 AM during the “In the Moment” show. Naturally, Lupe and SPHP tuned in!
The Adventures of Lupe on South Dakota Public Broadcasting
21 minutes and 44 seconds of fame, Loop! More than our fair share, you know. Normally 15 minutes is about it for us mere mortals.
Went pretty well, don’t you think, SPHP?
Considering how little I gave them to work with, our friend Michael Zimny, along with Lee Strubinger, Joshua Haiar, Cara Hetland and the rest of the gang at SDPB did a fabulous job! I am disappointed with one thing, though.
What’s that?
My transformation into Lady Gaga seems to have been a complete flop.
Some things are technologically impossible, SPHP. You weren’t expecting a miracle, were you?
So as not to disappoint her fans, The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe and YouTube hereby present:
I’m really not Lady Gaga material, am I, Looper?
Not even close, SPHP! But did you notice those big dogs with Lady Gaga? How do you think I’d look if I dye my fur white? Instead of black spots, I’ll have stripes like a zebra! Since we’ve got the fame, but fortune still eludes us, Michael can bill me as the world’s first American Zingo on South Dakota Public TV! Maybe there’s money in video?
Oh, no you don’t! Just forget it, you crazy Dingo! We’re not doing any video!
Many thanks to Michael Zimny and everyone at South Dakota Public Broadcasting!
Links:
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This is pretty cool! You and the Loopster are celebraties
Great interview! Really enjoyed it. Chinle
PS I beg to differ about you not being social media stars. 🙂
Thanks Lupe and SPHP. I enjoyed doing the piece.
I enjoy readIng your blog lil puppy! I see read of your adventures on PB all the time.
We have covered some of the same ground and I hope that will hold for the future. Happy Highpointing,
Doug
Doug Melton! Now there’s a familiar prolific peakbagging name! Glad to hear you enjoy reading about my adventures.
See that you were PBing CoHP’s out here in South Dakota recently! Maybe we could cover some of the same ground at the same time sometime? Give us a heads up next time you are planning to be in the region.