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MISCHKE: Fill In The Blank (ep. 101) - Garage Logic | Wave AI Podcast Notes

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MISCHKE: Fill In The Blank (ep. 101)

Garage Logic

Fri Apr 10 2026

Summary

Garage Logic: MISCHKE – Fill In The Blank (Episode 101, April 10, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Tom Mishke brings his unique blend of storytelling, humor, and listener interactions, weaving tales from life in "Garage Logic" with musings on odd holidays, personal anecdotes, and heartfelt conversations with callers. The show is a tapestry of springtime ruminations, whimsical banter about commemorative days, reflections on memory loss, and improvised musical moments. Key highlights include discussions on the absurdity of “National” days, tales from listeners like Navy submariner Nick Schultz, and a delightfully philosophical conversation with a precocious 12-year-old fan named Rosie.

1. Opening Musings and Observations on National Days

(02:24 – 16:24)

Springtime Ramble and National Days

Mishke kicks off the main segment with a musical, playful intro:

“I said a hootie hootie hoo. I said a hooty hooty I said a bone chaka waka doom. Yo ding flipping...” (02:24)
He riffs on the abundance of quirky national days and weeks in April—National Trombone Week, National Walking Day, Sourdough Bread Day, Hug a News Person Day, etc.—questioning their origins and legitimacy:

“So tweed gets a day, but somehow the trombone gets a week? ...Who decided the trombone got a whole week?” (03:18)
Mishke imagines the decision-making process behind declaring a whole week for the trombone and notes how fleeting our attention is for these random themes.

Notable Quote

“How often in your life have you thought about the trombone, People, let's go with seconds. ...the number of seconds for me was 11 over my lifetime.” – Mishke (04:26)

Reflection on Life and Holidays

Delves into how anyone can make up a “National ___ Day,” and suggests “National Fill in the Blank Day” for universal coverage:

“We ought to have that National Fill in the Blank Day. Wouldn't that cover everything?” (05:08)
Recurring theme: Life as a series of blanks to be filled—“born, fill in the blank, death”—a refrain delivered with rhythmic humor.

“Walk on the Wild Side Day” Sketch

Mishke invents a cheerful sketch about Chuck and Maureen’s attempts to “walk on the wild side” for the holiday—complete with fantasy outfits and tongue-in-cheek romantic tension:

“Chuck’s little game, the wild side. He'd walk alone, she'd stay where it was tame. He wished to blur the lines ...She said, chuck, at the risk of causing another tiff, I don't fear a dang thing, you simply bore me stiff.” (13:41)

2. Memory Care and Spinning the Listener Wheel

(16:24 – 19:06)

Memory Care Advertisement (Delivered with Empathy)

Mishke transitions smoothly from sketch to genuine, empathetic reflections on dementia and Alzheimer’s:

“We want our loved ones to be happy. Then they get dementia, or then they get Alzheimer's and we worry...Will there still be joy?” (16:24)
Praises Wellshire memory care for creating vibrant, supportive environments for those struggling with memory loss.

“Let’s Spin the Big Wheel”

The show's spontaneous, interactive spirit shines through as Mishke decides to “spin the listener list” and cold-call a listener.

“Let's spin the big wheel. Let's find someone on that Listener list and call them up.” (18:09)

3. Call with Nick Schultz: Submarine Adventures & Old Ties

(19:06 – 28:42)

An Arrest Unfolds Live

Mishke calls Nick Schultz right after Nick’s roommate is arrested, leading to a striking, unscripted peek into Nick’s life:

“You are catching me at a crazy time right now, Mishke.” (19:09) “Five minutes ago they arrested your roommate. And 20 minutes ago, what was going on?” (20:12)

Submarine Life & Reflections

Nick, a submariner in the Navy stationed temporarily in Norfolk, Virginia, shares a bit of his soon-ending military story and his plans to leave the Navy (“most of that being terminal leave” (22:32)).
Mishke and Nick reminisce about Nick’s childhood calls to the show, singing on air as a boy, and how ‘Garage Logic’ attracted audiences from kids to nonagenarians.

Notable Exchange

Mishke: “Do you keep a guitar in your place?”
Nick: “Now I do. This is the last thing I was expecting today.” (24:32)

After a brief interruption (Nick is awaiting a call that turns out not to be his friend), Mishke jests about the dire fate awaiting Nick’s roommate, launching into darkly comic improvisation:

“I live something of a double life. We can get into all of that later. ...If you could show at the hangin, I'd appreciate it...” (25:04 – 26:01)

Musical Moment

Mishke asks Nick for “two bars of Take Me Home, Country Roads”—Nick delivers, recalling old show memories. (26:35 – 27:35)

Local Color

The discussion pivots to the “most German city in the United States”—New Ulm, MN, and its “third largest copper statue,” Herman the German. (28:09 – 28:34)

4. Call with Rosie: A Wholesome, Spirited Conversation

(32:37 – 55:28)

Meeting Rosie: Generational Fan

Rosie, a 12-year-old listener, calls in, continuing the show’s tradition of intergenerational dialogue.

“I just wanted to see how you're doing. And I just wanted to meet you.” – Rosie (32:46)
Her fandom is family-rooted—her father listened as a kid and introduced her to Mishke’s CDs.

Musical and Spiritual Threads

Rosie discusses possible futures: nun, mom, teacher. She loves music—Iron Maiden, classical, and hymns from choir.

“Either a mom or a nun. So if I become a nun, Mishke, I don't know. I won't have any kids then.” (36:54) “Speaking of which, I'm gonna go to an Iron Maiden concert later this year.” (42:44)
Random anecdote about Mishke’s sibling entering the seminary and leaving for love. Mishke reminisces about the mishmash of faiths among his listeners.

Notable Quotes

“You’re a hockey player? Mm, a hockey playing Iron Maiden. Lovin nun. The future is bright.” – Mishke (43:27)

“You know what the next line is? ‘I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.’ ...One of the weirder lines I ever stumbled upon when I was a kid.” – Mishke (44:13)

The “No Cussing” Rule

Rosie and Mishke agree that music and colorful language can be fun, but—if she becomes a nun—no cussing (even if dropping a rock on your foot gives you special dispensation).

Old Mishke Songs and Toaster Mayhem

Rosie recalls Mishke’s “Random Violence Man” song (live performance ensues) and references an old comedic bit about the Black & Decker SpaceMaker toaster blowing up (“had Armageddon written all over it” (50:47 – 53:09)).

Generations Meet at the State Fair

Rosie asks if she can meet Mishke at the fair’s beer stand. He promises a stage appearance and a first beer (when she’s 21).

“You jump on stage with me and deliver any part of an Iron Maiden song, and I'm buying you your first beer when you're 21.” (55:12)

5. Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

“So tweed gets a day, but somehow the trombone gets a week? ...Who decided the trombone got a whole week?” – Mishke (03:18)
“How often in your life have you thought about the trombone?...the number of seconds for me was 11 over my lifetime.” – Mishke (04:26)
“We ought to have that National Fill in the Blank Day. Wouldn't that cover everything?” – Mishke (05:08)
“Just how crazy is this time?” / “Well, my roommate just got arrested in front of me here.” – Mishke/Nick (19:13 – 19:15)
“You are going to be a gift to the world. Those kind of eclectic musical tastes already have me wanting to highlight you as human being of the year.” – Mishke (43:12)
“You jump on stage with me and deliver any part of an Iron Maiden song, and I'm buying you your first beer when you're 21.” – Mishke (55:12)

6. Important Segments & Timestamps

[02:24] — Main show intro, spring-themed musical riffing and musings
[03:18 – 05:08] — Bit on trombone week and invention of arbitrary holidays
[12:00 – 16:24] — Chuck & Maureen’s “walk on the wild side” sketch
[16:24 – 19:06] — Reflections on memory care, “spin the big wheel” listener call intro
[19:06 – 28:42] — Call with Nick Schultz: Navy life, moment of a roommate’s arrest, show reminiscence, song snippet, New Ulm trivia
[32:37 – 55:28] — Call with Rosie: multi-generational listening, nun/mom aspirations, music and hockey, Iron Maiden, state fair plans, comic song & toaster explosion memory

7. Overall Tone and Language

The episode is unmistakably playful, warm, and quirky, filled with quick-witted exchanges, gentle irreverence, and a comforting sense of community. Mishke maintains a conversational, almost vaudevillian flow, blending jokey asides with genuine affection for his callers and the memories they share.

8. Summary for Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’ll get a distinct flavor of Garage Logic’s enduring charm: irreverent deconstruction of obscure holidays, heartfelt and humorous listener calls (including a live naval roommate arrest and a heartwarming generational torch-passing), musical interludes, and whimsical stories about toast-related carnage. Mishke’s rapport with listeners—regardless of age or background—remains the core magic of this long-running Minnesota favorite.

End of Summary

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Transcript

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Mishke (Podcast Host) (2:24)

I said a hootie hootie hoo. I said a hooty hooty I said a bone chaka waka doom. Yo ding flipping what you call your whiz bang highfalutin hatty Adyoski. To each and every one of you out there, Mishke here with you. Coming to you from the old. Outpost here on the Bleak barren tarmac of University Avenue Spring is in the air with every sight and every sound Spring is in the air Everywhere you look around what is happening to you? Spring is in the air don't you feel it? I mean a boom taka boom A taka waka daka doobie wa my doom bang don ba ding gadaka doobie baba doon died don't pop a duty on it. Stop it. Just stop it. We just got done with National Trombone Week, people. I don't know if any of you out there play the trombone. It's hard to find people who play the trombone. And how the hell the trombone got an entire week is beyond me. I mean, I see a lot of days out there. You can open up the calendar and find such and such day all over the place. In April, for instance, you have National Walking Day, National Sourdough bread day, national $0.01 day. That's a day where we celebrate the penny. You ever get together with your friends and just celebrate the penny? Line up the shots and just go crazy over the penny. National Burrito Day is in April. National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. National Find A Rainbow Day. National Tweed Day. So tweed gets a day, but somehow the trombone gets a week? I don't get it. Who decided the trombone got a whole week? The International Trombone association, way back in the 1970s. Yeah, in the early 70s, they decided there should be a National Trombone Week. You know why, don't you? What was going on in the early 70s? Well, I'll tell you what was going on. Pop music. And pop music didn't involve the trombone. No. No. It involved the electric guitar. It involved the drums and bass. Rock and roll was happening, that's what. Out in Laurel Canyon, they were getting excited about this whole folk rock movement. This softer rock. Your Crosby, Stills and Nash, your Joni Mitchell, your James Taylor. None of them wanted anything to do with the trombone. The International Trombone association was formed. They were panicking. Is this thing going to be played by anybody but little school kids forced to play it in the band? Someone said we should have National Trombone Day. And someone else said, that'll be forgotten in no time. We gotta have a week. An entire week. Oh, who the hell's gonna celebrate this for a week? Well, think about it. Who the hell's gonna celebrate it for a day? What's funny is, when I was reading about National Trombone Week this week in the article I read it said, feel free to celebrate it all month. Hey, thanks. Appreciate you giving me that permission. How often in your life have you Thought about the trombone, People, let's go with seconds. How many seconds in your life have you thought about the trombone? I spent a long time meditating on this question today, and I decided the number of seconds for me was 11 over my lifetime. If I add it all up, I've thought about the trombone for 11 seconds. That ain't nothing. Have you ever met anybody who said, I don't know. When I was a little kid, I just realized I was born to play the trombone. That's what I came to this earth for. I just realized I'm a trombone player, and I'm going to be the best damn trombone player there is out there. People are going to be interviewing me on radio stations, television stations. They'll want to know more about me and my incredible abilities on the trombone. Well, I'll tell you, I got pretty good at it, but no one ever wanted to talk to me about it. Not one person. I was never interviewed about the trombone. It was never brought up. People would ask if I play anything. I'd mention the trombone, and they'd say, hey, did you get a new haircut? What? Weren't we just talking about my trombone? Let's move on. In April, there's National Hug a News Person Day. Who the hell came up with that? National Hug a Newsperson Day. I actually researched how you get these days, and it was really sad. There are only a handful of truly official days. Very few an act of Congress is necessary. So all these days I'm naming are just days people came up with on their own. Turns out anyone can come up with any day for any reason. You just have to say National Fill in the Blank Day. Actually, we ought to have. We ought to have that National Fill in the Blank Day. Wouldn't that cover everything? Everybody's favorite pet project. Everybody's pet peeve. Everybody's pet could get a day if you just made it National Fill in the Blank Day. In the end, isn't that what life is? Born, fill in the blank death. Born fill in the blank death. Born fill in the blanket death. Born fill in the blanket death. Born filling the blank death. What'd you say there? Born, filling the blank death again. Born fill in the blanket death. One more time. Born, fill in the blank death. That's what life is. Born, fill in the blank death. In April, they also have National Walk on the Wild side Day. Who came up with that? Lou Reed National Walk on the Wild side Day? I think someone came up with it who was just worried that we were all becoming a little too Boring. All of us, we were just doing things we were supposed to. We were getting jobs and we were going to those jobs. And we were coming home and stopping by a grocery store to get some food. And then we were preparing dinner and watching television. Afterward, we would brush our teeth and go to bed. In the morning, we'd get up, shower and. And go back to work again. We were filling in the blank and someone said, They screamed, it's time for Walk on the Wild side Day. They thought of making it a week, like they did with the trombone. But who could really handle being on the wild side for an entire week, Especially with how wild one can go. No, they stuck with the day. National Walk on the Wild side Day. Every April, we get one of those. I think people feel like spring is in the air and it's time to, you know, walk on the wild side. Maureen, would you get in here a moment? Yes, Chuck? It's National Walk on the Wild side Day, and I'm feeling the need to honor the good people who have gone before me and have walked on the wild side at great risk to themselves. They were our pioneers, Maureen. And I want to slip outside the comfort zone today in honor of them, I want to walk on the wild side, at least for an afternoon. Just what exactly will that look like, Chuck? I'm mulling that over now, Maureen. I'm thinking I might dress up like a little furry bunny. Just a cute little furry bunny. Maybe pink and green. And visit that old biker bar on the east side. Ask if anyone wants to do the Tumbleweed dance with me. Boom boom, boom boom boom, boom boom Want to do the Tumbleweed dance? Wanna do the tumbleweedy dance with me? Boom boom Wanna do the Tumbleweed dance with me? Bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum Come on, do the tumbleweed dance with me. You ever try the Tumbleweed dance, Marine? I saw it on a YouTube video yesterday when I was researching things one can do if they want to walk on the wild side. That dance is not for the faint of heart, I'll tell you that. Nasty as the day is long, particularly in a bunny outfit at a biker bar. But if you're going to walk on the wild side, I say you go all out. Chuck, you're going to get yourself killed. I've been inside that biker bar. You have? Well, Maureen, you've apparently done some walking on the wild side yourself. What went on in there exactly? Was that the time that I found that corrugated aluminum bikini out by the garage which one of the fellows built that for you, Marine. More rivets in that than a DC10. As I recall. I went to that bar to make an Amazon delivery. That's when I was driving for Amazon. Get your mind out of the gutter. And what corrugated metal bikini? What are you talking about? What the hell has gotten into you? I've never seen this side of you, Maureen. I'm a balding, 57 year old insurance agent whose life has been as staid as an academic academic lecture. And it's time to stretch my wings and let my freak flag fly. I want to take a walk on the wild side, Marine. I want to honor this very special day. Marine, would you ever go mountain biking with me nude? I will not. Will you go to the thrift store with me? Yes, I'll do that. Will you wear this? My God, Chuck, what the hell is wrong with you? What is it? The color, Chuck. It's a scuba outfit. It's a wetsuit with scuba gear. And your point is? No. Marine would not play Chuck's little game, the wild side. He'd walk alone, she'd stay where it was tame. He wished to blur the lines, raise the bar, find the edge. She wanted to stay a hundred feet from any freaky ledge. So their love slowly faded. And then one day it died. And Chuck was left alone walking on the wild side. Singing, He shouted, baby, baby, why must you be so lame? Don't fear what is wild, fear what is tame. And she said, chuck, at the risk of causing another tiff, I don't fear a dang thing, you simply bore me stiff. And she sang, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo ba doo doo doo. I've been doing ads for Bradshaw and Bryant for a long time now. You know. How long? A dozen years. That's how long I've been talking about Bradshaw and Bryant for a dozen years. You'd think somewhere in there someone would have run me over with their car so that I could have gotten up, shaken myself off and said to him, well, you just made a big mistake, buster. Ha. I'm gonna make a quick phone call here. You hold on a moment. And I'd go to Minnesota, personal injury dot com. And I'd connect with the folks at Bradshaw and Bryant again. I'd turn and say, hold on now. Let's not make this a hit and run. You wait right there. I'm calling some guys I know. You wait right there. I'd call Brad. Sh. Brian. I'd say, it finally happened. A careless, callous, reckless SOB just ran me over. Ran me Right over. I mean, he drove right over me. You ever have a car drive over you? It's the damnedest thing. Anyway, I'm one hell of a mess. I mean, every bone in my body is broken at least once. I'm like a rag doll. And I'm happy. I'm blissful, knowing you're gonna come through and get me the compensation to make me whole. And I'm not gonna pay you sobs a nickel until you come through for me. Cause that's how it works. I can't believe I'm laughing in this much pain. Learn more at MinnesotaPersonal Injury.com

Mishke (Podcast Host) (50:47)

You're bringing up another oldie. Holy smokes. That goes back to the mid-90s. Big news. The Consumer Product Safety Commission renewed efforts this week to advise consumers to stop using Black decker spacemaker Optima T1000 toasters. You hear that? No more Black and Decker SpaceMaker Optima T1000 toasters. Yeah. These things are dangerous. They want Black Decker to knock it off. So if you got a Black and Decker SpaceMaker Optima T1000 toaster, don't use it, people. Because it can blow up your home and leave a gaping crater in your neighborhood the size of a. The size of Poughkeepsie. You hear me? If you got a Black and Decker SpaceMaker Optima T1000, I want you to take it right now. I want you to pick it up by the cord. I want you to swing it around over your head like a flamin lasso and chuck it out a second story window so it can plunge to earth, landing with a mighty crash, never again to destroy another American family. People listening? Are you listening? How many have to die before you people settle for cold bread? And. And get rid of these death traps? I would have been suspect the moment anyone slapped a name like that on my toaster. What the hell kind of a name is that for a toaster? Sounds like the name of a frickin doomsday machine. Black and Decker, Grim Frickin Reaper, spacemaker Optima satanic T1000, millennium world splitter. Why'd you buy one of those? It had Armageddon written all over it. Get rid of it. Get rid of them now. Out the windows, off the rooftops, to the streets below, they go smash, crash, bash them up, mash them up before they. Before they're used to make any more toast. Black and Decker saying it isn't a big deal. They're saying, don't worry about it. They're saying, leave it plugged in. The toasters no great threat. Oh yeah? Oh yeah. You want to tell that to my wife and kids? Well, you can't because they're no longer with us, thanks to your little toaster. They just wanted to heat up a couple of frozen waffles, that's all. Was that too much to ask? Simple little God fearing, humble American citizens with hatred for no one and a love of life that was exceeded only by their love of waffles. Did they love waffles too much? Apparently they did, because that's what did them in. That and your godforsaken evil incarnate Black and Decker, Prince of darkness, space maker, casket maker, grave digging T1000 corpse machine. You want to tell me again how it's not that big of a deal? Is that what you want to tell me? Cuz it's pretty lonely at my house these days. You know what a lifetime of grieving coupled with zero toast and cold hard frozen waffles is like? Come and see me in the morning Round the break day. Wanna see me hug my pillow? Look out where my baby used to lay? Okay, well, all right. I had me a beautiful wife, three kids in their teens. They just wanted a waffle. Man, I feel God awful. They were blown to smithereens. Come and see me in the morning. Well, I'm gonna let you go. I've delighted in talking to you, Rosie, and I'm sure glad you let me know you wanted a visit. I still have your voicemail here, so. Most people have texted mentioning that they'd like to be on the callers list, but this is what I got from you here.