The good folks at List Universe, on April 15th, had another one of their lists, this time about things people think they know about Britain.
10. British Nation-- actually quite a few parts like Wales, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland.
9. Warm Beer-- not really. When I was there, you got cool to cold beer. However, they are very stingy on ice cubes for drinks.
8. British people have bad teeth
7. God Save the Queen is not the national anthem of England
6. The Queen (or king) is ruler. I think most Americans know this. The prime minister is the boss.
5. Speak the Queen's English-- In parts of London, English is a second, third, or fourth language. After all, folks from all over the former English Empire live there.
4. Free Universal Health care
3. Scottish money legal tender all over Britain. Boy, the US dollar isn't worth much against the pound. Last time I was there, a three pound pint was $6 US!! Can't drink much at that price.
2. It always rains in Britain. It rains a lot, but not always. The last time there, we had quite the dry, sunny, and HOT weather.
1. British people drink excessive amounts of tea. No more tea than Americans drink coffee. speaking of which, time for another cup.
Stuff You Didn't Know. --RoadDog
FUN STUFF TO DO ON AN ELEVATOR:
Lay down a Twister mat and ask people if they'd like to play.
Ask if you can push the buttons for other people, then push the wrong buttons.
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Every Bloomin' Thing-- Late May
A Look at the Yard
The main colors right now are purple and white with both the wild phlox and daisies blooming. The creeping phlox are spent as are the regular lilacs, but the three Miss Kim lilacs are in full regalia (and smell) and the two Japanese lilacs are getting ready to bloom.
By the road, I have about a hundred purple/gold irises and lots of yellow/purple irises along the east side of the house. The geraniums are providing a splash of red and the majority of the annuals made it, so should have some continual color from them.
I bought three purple pincushion perennials yesterday at Menard's, so have to get around to planting them if the rain lets up. Buddy Jeff gave me eight tomato plants Wednesday as well, so they'll have to be planted and, I still have about 30 annuals that need to go in the ground.
I have been doing a lot of transplanting of perennials, plus, neighbor Joanne brought over a bunch of ones she had gotten from a friend.
Bought ten bags of cypress mulch at Home Depot over the weekend for $2 apiece.
I have lots of clover and dandelions in the grass, so will have to spray them. Also, I'm still trimming bushes by the deck, and would have finished yesterday except for a roving rainfall that hit.
Love This Time of the Year. --RoadDog
FUN STUFF TO DO ON AN ELEVATOR:
Pretend you're a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the others.
Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
The main colors right now are purple and white with both the wild phlox and daisies blooming. The creeping phlox are spent as are the regular lilacs, but the three Miss Kim lilacs are in full regalia (and smell) and the two Japanese lilacs are getting ready to bloom.
By the road, I have about a hundred purple/gold irises and lots of yellow/purple irises along the east side of the house. The geraniums are providing a splash of red and the majority of the annuals made it, so should have some continual color from them.
I bought three purple pincushion perennials yesterday at Menard's, so have to get around to planting them if the rain lets up. Buddy Jeff gave me eight tomato plants Wednesday as well, so they'll have to be planted and, I still have about 30 annuals that need to go in the ground.
I have been doing a lot of transplanting of perennials, plus, neighbor Joanne brought over a bunch of ones she had gotten from a friend.
Bought ten bags of cypress mulch at Home Depot over the weekend for $2 apiece.
I have lots of clover and dandelions in the grass, so will have to spray them. Also, I'm still trimming bushes by the deck, and would have finished yesterday except for a roving rainfall that hit.
Love This Time of the Year. --RoadDog
FUN STUFF TO DO ON AN ELEVATOR:
Pretend you're a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the others.
Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Why Men Are Happier
Friend Lianne sent this to me.
Men are happier than women because:
Our last name remains the same.
The Garage is all OURS. Also, the basement.
Wedding plans take care of themselves. (A big amen to that.)
We can never be pregnant. (I've seen birth on TV and can't imagine the pain.)
The world is our urinal. (Although of late, they have been getting VERY HIGH!!!)
We never have to drive to another gas station bathroom because this one is too "icky." (Well, Ive had to do do that a few times recently.)
We don't have to stop and think which way to turn a nut on a bolt. (I've had to practice and still go the wrong way often.)
Same work, more pay. (Not teachers.)
Wrinkles add character. (Especially when it gets you senior citizen rate.)
Phone conversations end in 30 seconds. (I never understand why Liz will be with her girlfriend for six hours, go home, and talk for two more.)
A five-day trip requires just one suitcase. (And, I'm packed in 15 minutes. Although, I'll have to buy items I forgot later on.)
It Ain't Easy Being Male. Or Is It? --RoadDog
FUN THINGS TO DO IN AN ELEVATOR:
Swat at flies that don't exist.
Crack open your briefcase or purse, peer inside, and ask, "Got enough air in there?"
Men are happier than women because:
Our last name remains the same.
The Garage is all OURS. Also, the basement.
Wedding plans take care of themselves. (A big amen to that.)
We can never be pregnant. (I've seen birth on TV and can't imagine the pain.)
The world is our urinal. (Although of late, they have been getting VERY HIGH!!!)
We never have to drive to another gas station bathroom because this one is too "icky." (Well, Ive had to do do that a few times recently.)
We don't have to stop and think which way to turn a nut on a bolt. (I've had to practice and still go the wrong way often.)
Same work, more pay. (Not teachers.)
Wrinkles add character. (Especially when it gets you senior citizen rate.)
Phone conversations end in 30 seconds. (I never understand why Liz will be with her girlfriend for six hours, go home, and talk for two more.)
A five-day trip requires just one suitcase. (And, I'm packed in 15 minutes. Although, I'll have to buy items I forgot later on.)
It Ain't Easy Being Male. Or Is It? --RoadDog
FUN THINGS TO DO IN AN ELEVATOR:
Swat at flies that don't exist.
Crack open your briefcase or purse, peer inside, and ask, "Got enough air in there?"
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I Should Add....
Elsewhere, I just came across three other cancellations, two I knew about and one I didn't.
ER-- (NBC)-- I kept watching it until the end. Nice finale as the emergencies just continued. However, I definitely liked it better in the earlier days, but good story lines continued.
BOSTON LEGAL-- (ABC)-- Now, this was one funny show with the strangest cases and then, the lawyers. I always thought William Shatner was a bit stick-in-the mud as Kirk in Star trek, but this was another whole side of his acting ability. What was the guy going to do next? And then there was his buddy's summations and court demeanor.
KING OF THE HILL-- (FOX)-- Definitely going to miss that animated group. Hank Hill was every day guy, and then the crazies, Peggy, Strickland, and Bobby. I'll miss this one for sure. I also hated it when they took "Futurama" off.
Some Great Shows. --RoadDog
FUN THINGS TO DO IN AN ELEVATOR:
When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and act like it wasn't you.
Push the buttons and act like they gave you a shock. Then, do it again.
ER-- (NBC)-- I kept watching it until the end. Nice finale as the emergencies just continued. However, I definitely liked it better in the earlier days, but good story lines continued.
BOSTON LEGAL-- (ABC)-- Now, this was one funny show with the strangest cases and then, the lawyers. I always thought William Shatner was a bit stick-in-the mud as Kirk in Star trek, but this was another whole side of his acting ability. What was the guy going to do next? And then there was his buddy's summations and court demeanor.
KING OF THE HILL-- (FOX)-- Definitely going to miss that animated group. Hank Hill was every day guy, and then the crazies, Peggy, Strickland, and Bobby. I'll miss this one for sure. I also hated it when they took "Futurama" off.
Some Great Shows. --RoadDog
FUN THINGS TO DO IN AN ELEVATOR:
When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and act like it wasn't you.
Push the buttons and act like they gave you a shock. Then, do it again.
Some Cancelled TV Shows
The Chicago Tribune's TV critic, Maureen Ryan, wrote about cancelled TV shows. Shows of interest to me:
NBC: "My Name is Earl," "Kath & Kim"
ABC: "The Unusuals," "According to Jim"
CBS: "The Unit"
Maureen mentions that another network could pick "Earl" up and added the word "Finally" after "According to Jim."
I watched "Kath & Kim" several times before deciding it was one of the dumbest shows ever. It did nothing for me. "My Name is Earl" always was, and still is, a favorite. Finally, a show that didn't feature NYC twenty-somethings, and with some of the funniest characters anywhere. Definitely a show for the Jerry Springer folk. I sure hope someone picks it up.
I saw a few episodes of the Unusuals and found it to be an interesting cop show. I am also a big fan of "According to Jim," but ABC moving the premiers back and wondering it it was going to be on, hurt the show. Plus, it seems to have run its course.
I really liked "The Unit" at first, but there are only so many secret missions you can go on. Another series that had run its course.
Spending Way Too Much Time Watching TV. --RoadDog
NBC: "My Name is Earl," "Kath & Kim"
ABC: "The Unusuals," "According to Jim"
CBS: "The Unit"
Maureen mentions that another network could pick "Earl" up and added the word "Finally" after "According to Jim."
I watched "Kath & Kim" several times before deciding it was one of the dumbest shows ever. It did nothing for me. "My Name is Earl" always was, and still is, a favorite. Finally, a show that didn't feature NYC twenty-somethings, and with some of the funniest characters anywhere. Definitely a show for the Jerry Springer folk. I sure hope someone picks it up.
I saw a few episodes of the Unusuals and found it to be an interesting cop show. I am also a big fan of "According to Jim," but ABC moving the premiers back and wondering it it was going to be on, hurt the show. Plus, it seems to have run its course.
I really liked "The Unit" at first, but there are only so many secret missions you can go on. Another series that had run its course.
Spending Way Too Much Time Watching TV. --RoadDog
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
52 Subs Lost in World War II-- S-44
The "Silent Service" lost 52 submarines during World War II. Out of 16,000submariners,375 officers and 3131 enlisted men were killed. Before the war, 10 submarines were lost, dating back to the Alligator in he Civil War (a search is being held now to locate it somewhere in the waters off North Carolina's Outer Banks/Cape Hatteras). Four submarines have been lost since 1945.
The Submarine Veterans of World War II have suggested that every state adopt one of the lost submarines, with New York and California getting two.
ILLINOIS GETS the S-44
The S-44 was the third class (S-Class) of US submarines. Launched in 1923 and commissioned in 1925. She was defending the Panama Canal early in the war, but later carried out four war patrols.
On September 26, 1943, the S-44 arrived at Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands. On patrol October 7th, radar contact was made with what was thought to be a small merchant ship and the S-44 closed for surface attack. The ship turned out to be the Shimushu-class escort Ishigaki which hit the S-44 twice. A crash dive was ordered, but there was too much damage so the Americans surrendered, but the Ishigaki continued firing.
The S-44 sank with the loss of all crew members (57) but two. The Ishigaki was sunk herself on May 31, 1944, by the submarine USS Herring, S-233, which was later sunk herself.
During her war aptrols, the S-44 sank two Japanese merchant ships, the heavy cruiser Kaku, and either sank or damaged a destroyer.
A Salute to the Crew of the S-44 and All Other WW II Submarines Who Are Still Out on War Patrol. A Salute to All Our Veterans.
The Submarine Veterans of World War II have suggested that every state adopt one of the lost submarines, with New York and California getting two.
ILLINOIS GETS the S-44
The S-44 was the third class (S-Class) of US submarines. Launched in 1923 and commissioned in 1925. She was defending the Panama Canal early in the war, but later carried out four war patrols.
On September 26, 1943, the S-44 arrived at Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands. On patrol October 7th, radar contact was made with what was thought to be a small merchant ship and the S-44 closed for surface attack. The ship turned out to be the Shimushu-class escort Ishigaki which hit the S-44 twice. A crash dive was ordered, but there was too much damage so the Americans surrendered, but the Ishigaki continued firing.
The S-44 sank with the loss of all crew members (57) but two. The Ishigaki was sunk herself on May 31, 1944, by the submarine USS Herring, S-233, which was later sunk herself.
During her war aptrols, the S-44 sank two Japanese merchant ships, the heavy cruiser Kaku, and either sank or damaged a destroyer.
A Salute to the Crew of the S-44 and All Other WW II Submarines Who Are Still Out on War Patrol. A Salute to All Our Veterans.
JSS: Yardwork-- OD-- A Great Memorial Day Weekend
And Birthday as well. The Big 58. Well past a half century.
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. YARDWOK-- Lots and lots of this. Cut the grass Friday. Still transplanting perennials, weeding, trimming bushes (when it's legal), doing the burn pile on weekends. Not to mention The sore back. Getting used to wearing the safety glasses and using gloves after the eye and thumb incidents the last several years. The yard's out to get me. And, I definitely planted way too much, so there I am dividing perennials and buying annuals.
2. OD-- Enjoying the time OD (On Deck). Brought out the furniture for the gazebo and set up the table and porch swing on the deck. Catching some rays when the temps right, but so far it has been a cool spring.
Fifty-Eight, But Only an Age. --RoadDog
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. YARDWOK-- Lots and lots of this. Cut the grass Friday. Still transplanting perennials, weeding, trimming bushes (when it's legal), doing the burn pile on weekends. Not to mention The sore back. Getting used to wearing the safety glasses and using gloves after the eye and thumb incidents the last several years. The yard's out to get me. And, I definitely planted way too much, so there I am dividing perennials and buying annuals.
2. OD-- Enjoying the time OD (On Deck). Brought out the furniture for the gazebo and set up the table and porch swing on the deck. Catching some rays when the temps right, but so far it has been a cool spring.
Fifty-Eight, But Only an Age. --RoadDog
Saturday, May 23, 2009
JSS: Day at the Cemetery-- OD-- Yardwork-- Memorial Day
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. DAY AT THE CEMETERY-- In honor of May being History Month, the Village of Spring Grove, Illinois, had their annual cemetery walk, this time to the Spring Grove Burton Township Cemetery on Main Street. Lots of interesting stories about early residents and we even had descendants present.
2. OD-- (ON DECK)-- I have been enjoying the deck a lot these days. I soak up rays on the chaise lounge, sit at the bar, and today, brought out the three seat porch swing. Sure enjoyed WXRT's Flashback out OD today as they went to 1968. Is that great music or what?
3. YARDWORK-- I have been working in the yard every day. Still have lots to do, but, it is beginning to take shape.
4. MEMORIAL DAY-- I always fly US flags both on the mailbox and OD. Would have liked to have had the boat in the water, but it's been too cool and then there's the zebra mussels problem.
Tomorrow afternoon, we'll be going to Baja Benny's on Fox Lake for a band out by the water. Monday,we will be at the Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for the parade.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
1. DAY AT THE CEMETERY-- In honor of May being History Month, the Village of Spring Grove, Illinois, had their annual cemetery walk, this time to the Spring Grove Burton Township Cemetery on Main Street. Lots of interesting stories about early residents and we even had descendants present.
2. OD-- (ON DECK)-- I have been enjoying the deck a lot these days. I soak up rays on the chaise lounge, sit at the bar, and today, brought out the three seat porch swing. Sure enjoyed WXRT's Flashback out OD today as they went to 1968. Is that great music or what?
3. YARDWORK-- I have been working in the yard every day. Still have lots to do, but, it is beginning to take shape.
4. MEMORIAL DAY-- I always fly US flags both on the mailbox and OD. Would have liked to have had the boat in the water, but it's been too cool and then there's the zebra mussels problem.
Tomorrow afternoon, we'll be going to Baja Benny's on Fox Lake for a band out by the water. Monday,we will be at the Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for the parade.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
Friday, May 22, 2009
Guess the Movie-- Part 2
Back on May 18th, I posted a list of famous movie quotes. Here are the answers to the movie quotes: The movie, date, character who said it, actor.
10. THE GRADUATE-- 1967-- Benjamin Braddock-- Dustin Hoffman
9. WIZARD OF OZ--1939-- Dorothy Gale-- Judy Garland
8. FIELD OF DREAMS-- 1989-- Ray Kinsella-- Kevin Costner
7. GONE WITH THE WIND-- 1939-- Rhett Butler-- Clark Gable
6. STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE-- 1979-- James T. Kirk-- William Shatner
5. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS-- 1991-- Hannibal Lechter-- Anthony Hopkins
4. CASABLANCA-- 1942-- Rick Blaine-- Humphrey Bogart
3. DIRTY HARRY-- 1971-- Harry Callahan-- Clint Eastwood
2. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS-- 1937-- The Queen-- Lucille La Verne
1. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK-- 1980-- Darth Vader-- Voice of James Earl Jones, actor David Prowse
Oh, and one other thing, NONE OF THESE LINES WERE ACTUALLY SPOKEN!!!
I'll give you the actual lines in a few days.
Didn't See That Coming? --RoadDog
10. THE GRADUATE-- 1967-- Benjamin Braddock-- Dustin Hoffman
9. WIZARD OF OZ--1939-- Dorothy Gale-- Judy Garland
8. FIELD OF DREAMS-- 1989-- Ray Kinsella-- Kevin Costner
7. GONE WITH THE WIND-- 1939-- Rhett Butler-- Clark Gable
6. STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE-- 1979-- James T. Kirk-- William Shatner
5. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS-- 1991-- Hannibal Lechter-- Anthony Hopkins
4. CASABLANCA-- 1942-- Rick Blaine-- Humphrey Bogart
3. DIRTY HARRY-- 1971-- Harry Callahan-- Clint Eastwood
2. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS-- 1937-- The Queen-- Lucille La Verne
1. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK-- 1980-- Darth Vader-- Voice of James Earl Jones, actor David Prowse
Oh, and one other thing, NONE OF THESE LINES WERE ACTUALLY SPOKEN!!!
I'll give you the actual lines in a few days.
Didn't See That Coming? --RoadDog
Thursday, May 21, 2009
JSS: Man, That's the Blues-- A Very Ramone Day-- World's Most Annoying Laugh-- HD Radio
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. MAN, THAT'S THE BLUES-- Another of my favorite radio shows is Tom Marker's Bluesbreakers Show on WXRT in Chicago from 9 to 10 PM, Mondays.
Each week, he spotlights a blues artist. Awhile back, he spotlighted Otis Rush. Now, if anyone ever had the "blues" more than Otis, I don't know who it was. Spotlighted songs were "I Can't Quit You" (covered many times by rock musicians), "Walking the Back Streets and Crying" (and even the title is desperation), "Any Where I'm Going is Better Than Where I've Been," and "Double Trouble" (Stevie Ray Vaughn's band took the name).
With lines like, "It's hard to keep decent clothes to wear," "Bad luck and trouble taken me," "I have no money to show," "It hurt me so bad," You ran me out of my house while you just stood there and grinned," if that doesn't get you, the crying guitars will.
The blues certainly haven't been nice to him. But, he's made some dough.
2. A VERY RAMONE DAY-- Little Steven, on his Underground Garage on WXRT Sunday nights from 9 to 11 PM, had a show devoted to the Ramones, a group that he really likes. I somehow missed them when they were popular, but am starting to like them a lot more, especially listening to Little Steven's show. I even bought their greatest hits album.
3. WORLD'S MOST ANNOYING LAUGH-- Yahoo's Today section had a video on what they regarded as the world's most annoying laugh. It was pretty annoying, but not more than the laugh of one teacher I used to work with. That was really b-a-d!!
4. HD RADIO-- I've been enjoying the commercials for HD Radio which are quite funny. I guess I ought to get one and listen to all that great stuff I'm missing. And, it's FREE after you get the radio. I wonder how much they cost?
Just Some Stuff-- RoadDog
1. MAN, THAT'S THE BLUES-- Another of my favorite radio shows is Tom Marker's Bluesbreakers Show on WXRT in Chicago from 9 to 10 PM, Mondays.
Each week, he spotlights a blues artist. Awhile back, he spotlighted Otis Rush. Now, if anyone ever had the "blues" more than Otis, I don't know who it was. Spotlighted songs were "I Can't Quit You" (covered many times by rock musicians), "Walking the Back Streets and Crying" (and even the title is desperation), "Any Where I'm Going is Better Than Where I've Been," and "Double Trouble" (Stevie Ray Vaughn's band took the name).
With lines like, "It's hard to keep decent clothes to wear," "Bad luck and trouble taken me," "I have no money to show," "It hurt me so bad," You ran me out of my house while you just stood there and grinned," if that doesn't get you, the crying guitars will.
The blues certainly haven't been nice to him. But, he's made some dough.
2. A VERY RAMONE DAY-- Little Steven, on his Underground Garage on WXRT Sunday nights from 9 to 11 PM, had a show devoted to the Ramones, a group that he really likes. I somehow missed them when they were popular, but am starting to like them a lot more, especially listening to Little Steven's show. I even bought their greatest hits album.
3. WORLD'S MOST ANNOYING LAUGH-- Yahoo's Today section had a video on what they regarded as the world's most annoying laugh. It was pretty annoying, but not more than the laugh of one teacher I used to work with. That was really b-a-d!!
4. HD RADIO-- I've been enjoying the commercials for HD Radio which are quite funny. I guess I ought to get one and listen to all that great stuff I'm missing. And, it's FREE after you get the radio. I wonder how much they cost?
Just Some Stuff-- RoadDog
Who Wasn't at Woodstock? and Why?
And, yes, the Who were at Woodstock and What's still on second. I Don't Know is....
Yesterday, while looking at Answer.com in regards to Joe Cocker's birthday, they also had a list of groups who were scheduled to be at Woodstock, but didn't show (and why) as well as performers who declined (and why).
They SURE missed out on a "Big Thing!" And, then, there was me, who missed out because I thought it was in Woodstock, Illinois. When I found out Creedence was playing, I drove there...and couldn't find the festival. Imagine that?
All groups had to be invited. The Rolling Stones weren't invited because they charged too much.
INVITED, AGREED, BUT DIDN'T SHOW UP
JEFF BECK GROUP-- broke up shortly before
IRON BUTTERFLY-- stuck at airport. Demanded helicopter. Told to get lost.
JONI MITCHELL-- agent put her on Dick Cavett Show instead. Didn't she write that song about being at Woodstock?
INVITED, BUT DECLINED
BEATLES-- John Lennon said he couldn't get the band together
LED ZEPPELIN-- higher paying gig elsewhere
BOB DYLAN-- turned down appearance because he was disgusted with hippies hanging around his home. Imagine that?
BYRDS-- still upset at melee at Atlanta International Pop Festival July 4th and 5th.
TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS-- Size and scope of Woodstock not indicated to them.
JETHRO TULL-- Thought it wasn't a Big Deal. Also, later, thought their Grammy for Best Heavy Metal Group wasn't a Big Deal either.
MIND GARAGE-- Thought it wasn't a Big Deal and had a higher-paying gig elsewhere. Bad career move for them. Maybe they would have made it. I NEVER heard of them before.
Hey, It's the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock. Wonder What Bob Stroud and the Drive, WDRV FM, Will Be Doing for It? --RoadDog
Yesterday, while looking at Answer.com in regards to Joe Cocker's birthday, they also had a list of groups who were scheduled to be at Woodstock, but didn't show (and why) as well as performers who declined (and why).
They SURE missed out on a "Big Thing!" And, then, there was me, who missed out because I thought it was in Woodstock, Illinois. When I found out Creedence was playing, I drove there...and couldn't find the festival. Imagine that?
All groups had to be invited. The Rolling Stones weren't invited because they charged too much.
INVITED, AGREED, BUT DIDN'T SHOW UP
JEFF BECK GROUP-- broke up shortly before
IRON BUTTERFLY-- stuck at airport. Demanded helicopter. Told to get lost.
JONI MITCHELL-- agent put her on Dick Cavett Show instead. Didn't she write that song about being at Woodstock?
INVITED, BUT DECLINED
BEATLES-- John Lennon said he couldn't get the band together
LED ZEPPELIN-- higher paying gig elsewhere
BOB DYLAN-- turned down appearance because he was disgusted with hippies hanging around his home. Imagine that?
BYRDS-- still upset at melee at Atlanta International Pop Festival July 4th and 5th.
TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS-- Size and scope of Woodstock not indicated to them.
JETHRO TULL-- Thought it wasn't a Big Deal. Also, later, thought their Grammy for Best Heavy Metal Group wasn't a Big Deal either.
MIND GARAGE-- Thought it wasn't a Big Deal and had a higher-paying gig elsewhere. Bad career move for them. Maybe they would have made it. I NEVER heard of them before.
Hey, It's the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock. Wonder What Bob Stroud and the Drive, WDRV FM, Will Be Doing for It? --RoadDog
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Who Top 40 Songs
This past Sunday, Bob Stroud did a Roots Salute to the Who in honor of Pete Townsend's 64th birthday yesterday. He played their top 14 charting singles. Strangely, they only ever had one Top Ten Bill;board Song in all those years of great music, and that one was "I Can See for Miles" in 1967, a song Pete Townsend considers his best and the song that really got me into liking the band.
Here they are. The number in parentheses is the top Billboard position according to Joel Whitburn in his "Top Pop Singles 1955-1993." Then, the year.
14. Call Me Lightning (#40) 1968
13. The Relay (#39) 1972
12. I'm Free (#37) 1969
11. Behind Blue Eyes (#34) 1971
10. Summertime Blues (#27) 1970
9. Magic Bus (#25) 1968 My favorite Who song. Love that bell.
8. Happy Jack (#24) 1967
7. Pinball Wizard (#19) 1969
6. Join Together (#17) 1972
5. Squeeze Box (#16) 1975
4. Won't Get Fooled Again (#15) 1971
3. Who Are You (#14) 1978
2. See Me, Feel Me (#12) 1970
1. I Can See for Miles (#9) 1967
Formed in London in 1964 with Roger Daltry singing, Pete Townsend on guitar and vocals, John Entwistle on bass, and Keith Moon on drums. Who can forget Townsend's guitar sweeps or those fringes on Daltry's jacket at Woodstock.
Sure Would Have Though They'd Have Had More Top Tens. --RoadDog
Here they are. The number in parentheses is the top Billboard position according to Joel Whitburn in his "Top Pop Singles 1955-1993." Then, the year.
14. Call Me Lightning (#40) 1968
13. The Relay (#39) 1972
12. I'm Free (#37) 1969
11. Behind Blue Eyes (#34) 1971
10. Summertime Blues (#27) 1970
9. Magic Bus (#25) 1968 My favorite Who song. Love that bell.
8. Happy Jack (#24) 1967
7. Pinball Wizard (#19) 1969
6. Join Together (#17) 1972
5. Squeeze Box (#16) 1975
4. Won't Get Fooled Again (#15) 1971
3. Who Are You (#14) 1978
2. See Me, Feel Me (#12) 1970
1. I Can See for Miles (#9) 1967
Formed in London in 1964 with Roger Daltry singing, Pete Townsend on guitar and vocals, John Entwistle on bass, and Keith Moon on drums. Who can forget Townsend's guitar sweeps or those fringes on Daltry's jacket at Woodstock.
Sure Would Have Though They'd Have Had More Top Tens. --RoadDog
NTN/Buzztime First Quarter Statement
As a person who spends WAY TOO MUCH TIME playing NTN/Buzztime, I am interested in how the home office is doing.
They released their first quarter statement a short time ago.
Of interest to me, the net site count grew by eighteen and they reduced payroll by $700,000 while revenues declined almost a million, $986,000, 14% to $6.2 million.
They say they're aggressively moving into high traffic locations in the top 30 designated market areas. Whatever that means?
There were 3,777 sites on March 31st, the end of first quarter, as opposed to 3,746 December 31, 2008. That's 31 additional sites, not 18.
All in all, not very good, but at least there are more sites. However, I have noticed that the number of players during the afternoon is down, normally around 3,000 to 4,000. Perhaps return all Countdowns and even the old Wipe Out during that time would help.
It's the Economy As Well, You Know. --RoadDog
They released their first quarter statement a short time ago.
Of interest to me, the net site count grew by eighteen and they reduced payroll by $700,000 while revenues declined almost a million, $986,000, 14% to $6.2 million.
They say they're aggressively moving into high traffic locations in the top 30 designated market areas. Whatever that means?
There were 3,777 sites on March 31st, the end of first quarter, as opposed to 3,746 December 31, 2008. That's 31 additional sites, not 18.
All in all, not very good, but at least there are more sites. However, I have noticed that the number of players during the afternoon is down, normally around 3,000 to 4,000. Perhaps return all Countdowns and even the old Wipe Out during that time would help.
It's the Economy As Well, You Know. --RoadDog
News and Observation: Some Birthdays and Anniversaries and Reunions
Some recent birthdays and what-not.
MAY 18th
REGGIE JACKSON, 63-- "Mr. October" Great pre-steroid ballplayer. Used to drive me nuts, though, as he played for those dastardly Yankees. Could he be that old?
GEORGE STRAIT-- 57-- Mr. Country, Mr, No. 1, with over fifty. And, he's one year younger than me!!
TINA FEY, 39-- Really like her on "30 Rock."
PERNELL ROBERTS, 81-- The last surviving of the Cartwright clan. That's Adam to you.
And, 1980, was the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, in Washington state. We went to it back in the nineties, and to use a kids word, it was "awesome" even all those years later. Sure had some great sunsets for awhile after that with all the ash in the atmosphere.
MAY 19th
Pete Townsend, 64-- The Who-- Yesterday, Bob Stroud played what Pete considers to be his best song, "I Can See for Miles" on his One Forty-five at 1:45 bit. Sunday, he featured the top 14 songs of the Who on his Rock and Roll Roots Show on WDRV, the Drive from 7 to 10 AM.
MAY 20th, Today
SUSAN COWSILL, 50-- "She asked my why, why I was a hairy guy?" Good thing she's a girl. her brothers have a hard time of it. I really liked her counterpart on the Partridge family, Susan Dey. My second unrequited love after dear old Annette from the Mouseketeers.
CHER, 63-- She of Sonny and those "provocative outfits." be still my heart. She gave old Tina a run for the money.
JOE COCKER, 65-- Was one of the only performers at both the original and reunion Woodstock. Known for his jerky motions while singing, especially at the original Woodstock. And then, there was the slurring of the words of that "With a Little Help from My Friends." Someone actually sat down and translated them with hilarious photos.
Of course, John Belushi got famous doing his Cocker imitation and taking it to the extreme.
What was he on at the time?
Five years ago, he summed up his 60th birthday, "I'm just a fat bald guy 60 years old, singing the blues, you know." Good summation, Joe.
ON HIGH SCHOOL REUNIONS
Oh, yes, and today I was listening to Georgia Lee and WRLR in Round lake Heights and she mentioned that the Round Lake High School Class of 1979 was looking for classmates for an October reunion. This would have been my first class of seventh graders to graduate high school. (My first group were my ninth graders in '77.)
Then, it reminded me that this year is the FORTIETH!! Class Reunion of my Palatine High School Class of 1969!! "We are great, we are fine. We're the Class of '69!!!"
Can We Be getting That Old? --RoadDog
MAY 18th
REGGIE JACKSON, 63-- "Mr. October" Great pre-steroid ballplayer. Used to drive me nuts, though, as he played for those dastardly Yankees. Could he be that old?
GEORGE STRAIT-- 57-- Mr. Country, Mr, No. 1, with over fifty. And, he's one year younger than me!!
TINA FEY, 39-- Really like her on "30 Rock."
PERNELL ROBERTS, 81-- The last surviving of the Cartwright clan. That's Adam to you.
And, 1980, was the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, in Washington state. We went to it back in the nineties, and to use a kids word, it was "awesome" even all those years later. Sure had some great sunsets for awhile after that with all the ash in the atmosphere.
MAY 19th
Pete Townsend, 64-- The Who-- Yesterday, Bob Stroud played what Pete considers to be his best song, "I Can See for Miles" on his One Forty-five at 1:45 bit. Sunday, he featured the top 14 songs of the Who on his Rock and Roll Roots Show on WDRV, the Drive from 7 to 10 AM.
MAY 20th, Today
SUSAN COWSILL, 50-- "She asked my why, why I was a hairy guy?" Good thing she's a girl. her brothers have a hard time of it. I really liked her counterpart on the Partridge family, Susan Dey. My second unrequited love after dear old Annette from the Mouseketeers.
CHER, 63-- She of Sonny and those "provocative outfits." be still my heart. She gave old Tina a run for the money.
JOE COCKER, 65-- Was one of the only performers at both the original and reunion Woodstock. Known for his jerky motions while singing, especially at the original Woodstock. And then, there was the slurring of the words of that "With a Little Help from My Friends." Someone actually sat down and translated them with hilarious photos.
Of course, John Belushi got famous doing his Cocker imitation and taking it to the extreme.
What was he on at the time?
Five years ago, he summed up his 60th birthday, "I'm just a fat bald guy 60 years old, singing the blues, you know." Good summation, Joe.
ON HIGH SCHOOL REUNIONS
Oh, yes, and today I was listening to Georgia Lee and WRLR in Round lake Heights and she mentioned that the Round Lake High School Class of 1979 was looking for classmates for an October reunion. This would have been my first class of seventh graders to graduate high school. (My first group were my ninth graders in '77.)
Then, it reminded me that this year is the FORTIETH!! Class Reunion of my Palatine High School Class of 1969!! "We are great, we are fine. We're the Class of '69!!!"
Can We Be getting That Old? --RoadDog
Monday, May 18, 2009
More May, 1975, Songs
Using Dave McAleer's "The Book of Hit Singles: Top 20 Charts." These were ones Bob Stroud did not play.
BEFORE THE NEXT TEARDROP FALLS-- FREDDY FENDER-- Part of a mini country invasion.
SHINING STAR-- EARTH, WIND & FIRE--
HE DON'T LOVE YOU (LIKE I LOVE YOU)-- TONY ORLANDO & DAWN-- Remake of Jerry Butler "The Iceman" song.
ONLY YESTERDAY-- CARPENTERS
THANK GOD I'M A COUNTRY BOY-- JOHN DENVER-- One of the best-ever country songs. Let's get the fiddle going.
I DON'T LIKE TO SLEEP ALONE-- PAUL ANKA & ODIA COATES-- Never heard of it.
HEY, WON'T YOU PLAY ANOTHER SOMEBODY DONE SOMEBODY WRONG SONG-- B. J. THOMAS-- I believe this is the longest-ever title of a song.
WALKING IN RHYTHM-- BLACKBYRDS-- Didn't hear this one until I heard Herb Kent play it several years ago.
SISTER GOLDEN HAIR-- AMERICA
OLD DAYS-- CHICAGO
KILLER QUEEN-- QUEEN--
WHEN WILL I BE LOVED-- LINDA RONSTADT-- One of her best two songs.
LOVE WON'T LET ME WAIT-- MAJOR HARRIS-- Never heard of it.
IT'S A MIRACLE-- BARRY MANILOW-- All sorts of artists on the charts.
Some UK hits:
LOVING YOU-- MINNIE RIPPERTON
STAND BY YOUR MAN-- TAMMY WYNETTE
HONEY-- BOBBY GOLDSBORO-- Oh well.
THE NIGHT-- FRANKIE VALLI & FOUR SEASONS
BYE BYE BABY-- BAY CITY ROLLERS
Even though their popularity was waning in the US, American soul groups Stylistics, Moments, Three Degrees, and Johnny Nash were doing well in the UK.
Carry Me Back to the Seventies. --RoadDog
BEFORE THE NEXT TEARDROP FALLS-- FREDDY FENDER-- Part of a mini country invasion.
SHINING STAR-- EARTH, WIND & FIRE--
HE DON'T LOVE YOU (LIKE I LOVE YOU)-- TONY ORLANDO & DAWN-- Remake of Jerry Butler "The Iceman" song.
ONLY YESTERDAY-- CARPENTERS
THANK GOD I'M A COUNTRY BOY-- JOHN DENVER-- One of the best-ever country songs. Let's get the fiddle going.
I DON'T LIKE TO SLEEP ALONE-- PAUL ANKA & ODIA COATES-- Never heard of it.
HEY, WON'T YOU PLAY ANOTHER SOMEBODY DONE SOMEBODY WRONG SONG-- B. J. THOMAS-- I believe this is the longest-ever title of a song.
WALKING IN RHYTHM-- BLACKBYRDS-- Didn't hear this one until I heard Herb Kent play it several years ago.
SISTER GOLDEN HAIR-- AMERICA
OLD DAYS-- CHICAGO
KILLER QUEEN-- QUEEN--
WHEN WILL I BE LOVED-- LINDA RONSTADT-- One of her best two songs.
LOVE WON'T LET ME WAIT-- MAJOR HARRIS-- Never heard of it.
IT'S A MIRACLE-- BARRY MANILOW-- All sorts of artists on the charts.
Some UK hits:
LOVING YOU-- MINNIE RIPPERTON
STAND BY YOUR MAN-- TAMMY WYNETTE
HONEY-- BOBBY GOLDSBORO-- Oh well.
THE NIGHT-- FRANKIE VALLI & FOUR SEASONS
BYE BYE BABY-- BAY CITY ROLLERS
Even though their popularity was waning in the US, American soul groups Stylistics, Moments, Three Degrees, and Johnny Nash were doing well in the UK.
Carry Me Back to the Seventies. --RoadDog
Guess the Movie
In the Yahoo Today section, I came across an article on movie quotes. I'll give you the quote, you guess the movie, date, movie character who said it, and name of the actor.
10. "Mrs. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?"
9. "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto."
8. "If you build it, they will come."
7. "Frankly, Scarlet I don't give a damn."
6. "Beam me up, Scotty."
5. "Hello, Clarisse."
4. "Play it again, Sam."
3. "Do you feel lucky, punk?"
2. "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
1. "Luke, I am your father."
How well did you do? The answers, perhaps, in a few days.
I Actually Got Most of Them. --RoadDog
10. "Mrs. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?"
9. "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto."
8. "If you build it, they will come."
7. "Frankly, Scarlet I don't give a damn."
6. "Beam me up, Scotty."
5. "Hello, Clarisse."
4. "Play it again, Sam."
3. "Do you feel lucky, punk?"
2. "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
1. "Luke, I am your father."
How well did you do? The answers, perhaps, in a few days.
I Actually Got Most of Them. --RoadDog
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Where Were You May 3, 1975? Part 2
Continuing with Bob Stroud's Time Warp.
SNOOKEROO-- RINGO STARR-- Flipside of "No-No Song," written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John, who realized that it sounded more like a Ringo song, so they asked Starr if he'd like to record it, and the way Ringo thought back in those days was, if it felt good, let's do it. An awful lot felt good to Ringo in the 1970s. (Never heard of this one before, but liked it. I either didn't buy the 45 or didn't flip it over.)
PINBALL WIZARD-- ELTON JOHN-- His version. Strangely enough, it was never released as a 45, it was just an album track from the "Tommy" movie and for some reason, it charted here in Chicago as well as in other markets on the 45 charts.
LONG TALL GLASSES-- LEO SAYER-- ("You know I can't dance," or, can you?))
HOW LONG-- ACE-- One hit wonder out of the UK.
LADY MARMALADE-- LABELLE-- a number one record. (one of the all-time great party songs. If this doesn't get them on the dance floor, nothing will.)
BLACK WATER-- DOOBIE BROTHERS-- (Laid-back swamper. Love the start and the acapella break.)
LONELY PEOPLE-- AMERICA-- When i hear this song, I think of all the western shirts and blue jeans I used to see walking up and down the boulevard.
BAD TIME-- GRAND FUNK RAILROAD-- Their last trip to the Top 40, one of my faves from Grand Funk.
YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL-- JOE COCKER-- tune co-written with Billy Preston (or Princeton?) (What, a pretty song by Joe?)
And, the Number 1 Song, PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM-- ELTON JOHN-- The Big Tuna, King of the Heap. Only a 45, couldn't get it on an album. This is Bernie and Elton, John and Taupin.
So, This is What I Was Doing. --RoadDog
SNOOKEROO-- RINGO STARR-- Flipside of "No-No Song," written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John, who realized that it sounded more like a Ringo song, so they asked Starr if he'd like to record it, and the way Ringo thought back in those days was, if it felt good, let's do it. An awful lot felt good to Ringo in the 1970s. (Never heard of this one before, but liked it. I either didn't buy the 45 or didn't flip it over.)
PINBALL WIZARD-- ELTON JOHN-- His version. Strangely enough, it was never released as a 45, it was just an album track from the "Tommy" movie and for some reason, it charted here in Chicago as well as in other markets on the 45 charts.
LONG TALL GLASSES-- LEO SAYER-- ("You know I can't dance," or, can you?))
HOW LONG-- ACE-- One hit wonder out of the UK.
LADY MARMALADE-- LABELLE-- a number one record. (one of the all-time great party songs. If this doesn't get them on the dance floor, nothing will.)
BLACK WATER-- DOOBIE BROTHERS-- (Laid-back swamper. Love the start and the acapella break.)
LONELY PEOPLE-- AMERICA-- When i hear this song, I think of all the western shirts and blue jeans I used to see walking up and down the boulevard.
BAD TIME-- GRAND FUNK RAILROAD-- Their last trip to the Top 40, one of my faves from Grand Funk.
YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL-- JOE COCKER-- tune co-written with Billy Preston (or Princeton?) (What, a pretty song by Joe?)
And, the Number 1 Song, PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM-- ELTON JOHN-- The Big Tuna, King of the Heap. Only a 45, couldn't get it on an album. This is Bernie and Elton, John and Taupin.
So, This is What I Was Doing. --RoadDog
Friday, May 15, 2009
Where Were You May 3, 1975? Part 1
I was just about to finish up teaching my second year at John T. Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois. I taught geography and history to 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. The next year, the ninth graders moved over to Round Lake High School.
We were still living in Vernon Hills at Villas by the Lake Apartments. Liz had gotten a job teaching first grade at Beach School in Round Lake Beach, and we were getting ready to move into the house we were having built by Fairfield Builders at 1013 Morningside, Round lake Beach.
This is what Bob Stroud played on his May 3rd Rock and Roll Roots Time Warp after he skipped ahead five years from 1970. His comments. Mine are in parentheses ().
AUTOBAHN-- KRAFTWERK-- What they call highways in Germany
CHEVY VAN-- SAMMY JOHNS-- Another fine GM car. "Sammiched" between to road songs (very funny, Bob!)
ROLL ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY-- BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE-- (Three good road songs in a row!! Road songs don't get any better than this, not even PPL's "Two-Lane Highway."
YOU'RE NO GOOD-- LINDA RONSTADT-- remake of a great old 60s R&B classic, an old Betty Everett hit. (I had a crush on Linda, but don't tell Liz.)
JACKIE BLUE-- OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS--
THE NO-NO SONG-- RINGO STARR-- Sounds just like Ringo, written by the late great Hoyt Axton (also wrote "Act Naturally" by the Beatles. (Well, Ringo sand that one also. Love this song.)
DON'T CALL US, WE'LL CALL YOU-- SUGARLOAF-- It had been five years since we last heard from them "Sounds like John, Paul and George." (Earlier, it was "Green-eyed Lady." At least Bob made up for Ringo's omission with the song before it.)
I May Not Be Good, But I Sure Try. --RoadDog
We were still living in Vernon Hills at Villas by the Lake Apartments. Liz had gotten a job teaching first grade at Beach School in Round Lake Beach, and we were getting ready to move into the house we were having built by Fairfield Builders at 1013 Morningside, Round lake Beach.
This is what Bob Stroud played on his May 3rd Rock and Roll Roots Time Warp after he skipped ahead five years from 1970. His comments. Mine are in parentheses ().
AUTOBAHN-- KRAFTWERK-- What they call highways in Germany
CHEVY VAN-- SAMMY JOHNS-- Another fine GM car. "Sammiched" between to road songs (very funny, Bob!)
ROLL ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY-- BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE-- (Three good road songs in a row!! Road songs don't get any better than this, not even PPL's "Two-Lane Highway."
YOU'RE NO GOOD-- LINDA RONSTADT-- remake of a great old 60s R&B classic, an old Betty Everett hit. (I had a crush on Linda, but don't tell Liz.)
JACKIE BLUE-- OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS--
THE NO-NO SONG-- RINGO STARR-- Sounds just like Ringo, written by the late great Hoyt Axton (also wrote "Act Naturally" by the Beatles. (Well, Ringo sand that one also. Love this song.)
DON'T CALL US, WE'LL CALL YOU-- SUGARLOAF-- It had been five years since we last heard from them "Sounds like John, Paul and George." (Earlier, it was "Green-eyed Lady." At least Bob made up for Ringo's omission with the song before it.)
I May Not Be Good, But I Sure Try. --RoadDog
It's Them, Not Me: It Was the Land of Really High Taxes
This past Monday, Liz and I went to the Northwest suburbs playing NTN and encountered the highest sales tax in the country, over 10.25% and more. Of course, a lot of this has to do with the Cook County taxes, which have drawn a lot of controversy and even some townships have broached the idea of seceding (just remember what happened to the South when they tried).
The head of Cook County, Todd Stroger, maintains these taxes are needed, although he got in trouble for NOT PAYING HIS INCOME TAXES, and the federal government has a lien on his home.
We were shocked by these taxes, but must admit, I can see the day fast approaching where 10% is going to be considered small.
These were the percentage of tax we paid at three bars/restaurants for Diet Cokes.
MORETTI'S-- 1799 S. Busse Road, Mount Prospect ($1.99 a drink)-- 11.06%
SWEET BABY RAY'S-- Elk Grove-- ($2.29 a drink)-- 10.92%
SHOELESS JOE'S-- Rosemont-- ($1.95 a drink)-- 11.54%
We did go to one bar, the Thornwood in Wood Dale, where drinks included tax and were $1.50 apiece. Much more reasonable.
I really hate places that charge tax on pop.
Dang!! --RoadDog
The head of Cook County, Todd Stroger, maintains these taxes are needed, although he got in trouble for NOT PAYING HIS INCOME TAXES, and the federal government has a lien on his home.
We were shocked by these taxes, but must admit, I can see the day fast approaching where 10% is going to be considered small.
These were the percentage of tax we paid at three bars/restaurants for Diet Cokes.
MORETTI'S-- 1799 S. Busse Road, Mount Prospect ($1.99 a drink)-- 11.06%
SWEET BABY RAY'S-- Elk Grove-- ($2.29 a drink)-- 10.92%
SHOELESS JOE'S-- Rosemont-- ($1.95 a drink)-- 11.54%
We did go to one bar, the Thornwood in Wood Dale, where drinks included tax and were $1.50 apiece. Much more reasonable.
I really hate places that charge tax on pop.
Dang!! --RoadDog
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Some More May 3, 1970
These are some of the top twenty songs from Dave McAleer's "Book of Hit Singles: Top 20 Charts" being played for the month of May that Bob Stroud didn't play. My quotes.
ABC-- JACKSON FIVE-- These guys really had some great songs back then, before Mikey went all weird on us.
TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME-- TYRONE DAVIS-- Great soul classic
LOVE ON A TWO-WAY STREET-- MOMENTS
FOR THE LOVE OF HIM-- BOBBI MARTIN
WHICH WAY YOU GOIN' BILLY-- POPPY FAMILY-- Cry Me a River after you gag me.
GET READY-- RARE EARTH-- Blue-eyed soul at its best.
McAleer also does a monthly British chart. For the month of May:
BACK HOME-- ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD-- What? Is this a soccer song?
HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN-- FRIJID PINK-- A heavy version
YELLOW RIVER-- CHRISTIE-- If I had to pick just ONE all-time favorite song, this would probably be it. It ranked #7 in May, but was the #1 song in the UK for June. Looking at several of the US charts, it never made the top twenty. When this song comes up on my juke box, I'm very liable to play it many, many times.
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER-- SIMON & GARFUNKEL
TRAVELIN' BAND-- CCR-- My boys!!!
CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE-- ANDY WILLIAMS
WHEN JULIE COMES AROUND-- CUFF LINKS
GIMME DAT THING-- PIPKINS-- How do you get better than this.
HONEY COME BACK-- GLEN CAMPBELL-- Oh well.
*** The Beatles were still together, but rumors were all over the place tat they were on the brink of ending as a group. All had solo projects going on.
*** It may have been the start of the seventies, but a sixties revival was underway with "The Letter (Box Tops/Joe Cocker), "House of the Rising Sun" (Animals/Frijid Pink), and "Get Ready (Temptations/Rare Earth).
Great Times Back Then. --RoadDog
ABC-- JACKSON FIVE-- These guys really had some great songs back then, before Mikey went all weird on us.
TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME-- TYRONE DAVIS-- Great soul classic
LOVE ON A TWO-WAY STREET-- MOMENTS
FOR THE LOVE OF HIM-- BOBBI MARTIN
WHICH WAY YOU GOIN' BILLY-- POPPY FAMILY-- Cry Me a River after you gag me.
GET READY-- RARE EARTH-- Blue-eyed soul at its best.
McAleer also does a monthly British chart. For the month of May:
BACK HOME-- ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD-- What? Is this a soccer song?
HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN-- FRIJID PINK-- A heavy version
YELLOW RIVER-- CHRISTIE-- If I had to pick just ONE all-time favorite song, this would probably be it. It ranked #7 in May, but was the #1 song in the UK for June. Looking at several of the US charts, it never made the top twenty. When this song comes up on my juke box, I'm very liable to play it many, many times.
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER-- SIMON & GARFUNKEL
TRAVELIN' BAND-- CCR-- My boys!!!
CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE-- ANDY WILLIAMS
WHEN JULIE COMES AROUND-- CUFF LINKS
GIMME DAT THING-- PIPKINS-- How do you get better than this.
HONEY COME BACK-- GLEN CAMPBELL-- Oh well.
*** The Beatles were still together, but rumors were all over the place tat they were on the brink of ending as a group. All had solo projects going on.
*** It may have been the start of the seventies, but a sixties revival was underway with "The Letter (Box Tops/Joe Cocker), "House of the Rising Sun" (Animals/Frijid Pink), and "Get Ready (Temptations/Rare Earth).
Great Times Back Then. --RoadDog
When Is It TOO Old to Rock and Roll?
The May 10th Chicago Tribune had an article by Mark Caro called "Too old to rock?".
He started off with the familiar words of the Who's Pete Townsend in "My Generation" in the sixties "Hope I die before I get old." Then, there was also Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones who once said, "I'd rather be dead than singing 'Satisfaction' when I'm 45. He is turning 66 AND STILL singing it.
Not only are THEY getting old, but their fans are GETTING OLD as well. I like Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show on Sunday mornings, but I could really do without all his birthdays. Since the show is sixties and seventies, those people are all in their late 50s and sixties, even seventies.
Who'd have figured that these folks would have lived so long, especially after all the excess back in the day. That one little year stretch back when Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix all died made me wonder if we'd lose them all, but, well, David Crosby and Keith Richards still live, and if they can make it, anybody should be able.
Talkin' 'Bout My Generation. --RoadDog
He started off with the familiar words of the Who's Pete Townsend in "My Generation" in the sixties "Hope I die before I get old." Then, there was also Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones who once said, "I'd rather be dead than singing 'Satisfaction' when I'm 45. He is turning 66 AND STILL singing it.
Not only are THEY getting old, but their fans are GETTING OLD as well. I like Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show on Sunday mornings, but I could really do without all his birthdays. Since the show is sixties and seventies, those people are all in their late 50s and sixties, even seventies.
Who'd have figured that these folks would have lived so long, especially after all the excess back in the day. That one little year stretch back when Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix all died made me wonder if we'd lose them all, but, well, David Crosby and Keith Richards still live, and if they can make it, anybody should be able.
Talkin' 'Bout My Generation. --RoadDog
JSS: Cheap Flowers-- Cheap CDs-- Cheap Book and the "Schnozzola"
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
Monday, we took a ride to Chicago's Northwest suburbs to visit Liz's parents graves at Memory Gardens in Arlington Heights. We'd planned to do it Saturday, but the weather was too bad thanks to the TNCW from the Round Lake carnival. Along with this, we made several other stops.
1. CHEAP FLOWERS-- Ezcayu Nursery on US-12 and Quentin Road south of Lake Zurich has 48 plant flats of annuals for $10.49 (Ace Hardware in Round Lake, the world's biggest Ace Hardware store has then for $9.99 this Saturday) and 49 cent geraniums.
2. CHEAP BOOKS AND CDS-- Further down 12 (or Rand Road as locals call it) there is a Half Price Books at the corner of 12 and Dundee Road. This is a family-owned chain of mom/pop book and records stores. And, as the name would infer, they are cheap!!! I wanted to return a Smiley Lewis CD that I had accidentally bought a second copy. Unfortunately, store policy does not allow any return after 30 days, and I bought it back in March. As good as it is, I now have two copies at $4.98 apiece.
Undaunted, however, I went through their CDs and bought four double "Best of 70s" CDs for $4.98 each, a double CD "Razor-Sharp Rockabilly for $7.98, and "A Taste of Texas: Songs 'Bout Texas by Texans" for $1.00.
3. CHEAP BOOK AND THE "SCHNOZZOLA"-- I also bought the hardcover book "Where Are They Buried? How Did They Die?" by Tod Benoit for $6.98. An interesting 600 pages of history and where are they now.
Since I do a lot of music in this blog, here's what Benoit had to say about Jimmy Durante, the old "Schnozzola." There is a mystery about his sign-off "Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are." After his death, it emerged that she most likely was waitress Lucy Coleman, of Calabash, NC. If you ever go to Wilmington, NC, or Myrtle Beach (the Home of Beach Music and I'm listening to Billy Smith right now on the Surf, 94.9 FM) and like seafood, you need to get yourself to Calabash. Try anything called Calabash-style. Population is around 900 with about 30 restaurants, you go figure it out.
In 1940, she ran a restaurant in the town, and Durante's group stopped there for dinner. Jimmy engaged her in talk and said, "I am going to make you famous." Soon afterwards, he began signing off his radio show with Mrs. Calabash and continued doing it until his death.
He died January 29, 1980, at age 86, after several years of ill-health and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Tod Benoit then gives directions to the cemetery, and even more important, to the grave.
There will be good reading in this book.
Still More to Come from the Trip. Anybody Looking to Buy a Smiley Lewis CD? --RoadDog
Monday, we took a ride to Chicago's Northwest suburbs to visit Liz's parents graves at Memory Gardens in Arlington Heights. We'd planned to do it Saturday, but the weather was too bad thanks to the TNCW from the Round Lake carnival. Along with this, we made several other stops.
1. CHEAP FLOWERS-- Ezcayu Nursery on US-12 and Quentin Road south of Lake Zurich has 48 plant flats of annuals for $10.49 (Ace Hardware in Round Lake, the world's biggest Ace Hardware store has then for $9.99 this Saturday) and 49 cent geraniums.
2. CHEAP BOOKS AND CDS-- Further down 12 (or Rand Road as locals call it) there is a Half Price Books at the corner of 12 and Dundee Road. This is a family-owned chain of mom/pop book and records stores. And, as the name would infer, they are cheap!!! I wanted to return a Smiley Lewis CD that I had accidentally bought a second copy. Unfortunately, store policy does not allow any return after 30 days, and I bought it back in March. As good as it is, I now have two copies at $4.98 apiece.
Undaunted, however, I went through their CDs and bought four double "Best of 70s" CDs for $4.98 each, a double CD "Razor-Sharp Rockabilly for $7.98, and "A Taste of Texas: Songs 'Bout Texas by Texans" for $1.00.
3. CHEAP BOOK AND THE "SCHNOZZOLA"-- I also bought the hardcover book "Where Are They Buried? How Did They Die?" by Tod Benoit for $6.98. An interesting 600 pages of history and where are they now.
Since I do a lot of music in this blog, here's what Benoit had to say about Jimmy Durante, the old "Schnozzola." There is a mystery about his sign-off "Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are." After his death, it emerged that she most likely was waitress Lucy Coleman, of Calabash, NC. If you ever go to Wilmington, NC, or Myrtle Beach (the Home of Beach Music and I'm listening to Billy Smith right now on the Surf, 94.9 FM) and like seafood, you need to get yourself to Calabash. Try anything called Calabash-style. Population is around 900 with about 30 restaurants, you go figure it out.
In 1940, she ran a restaurant in the town, and Durante's group stopped there for dinner. Jimmy engaged her in talk and said, "I am going to make you famous." Soon afterwards, he began signing off his radio show with Mrs. Calabash and continued doing it until his death.
He died January 29, 1980, at age 86, after several years of ill-health and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Tod Benoit then gives directions to the cemetery, and even more important, to the grave.
There will be good reading in this book.
Still More to Come from the Trip. Anybody Looking to Buy a Smiley Lewis CD? --RoadDog
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Where Were You May 3, 1970?-- Part 3
Still more to come in the hour and a half Bob devoted to this date in his Time Warp.
LET IT BE-- BEATLES-- "A" Side
YOU KNOW MT NAME (LOOK UP THE NUMBER)-- BEATLES-- "B" side. The undeniable humor of John and Paul. (Fun Fluff from the Fab Four.)
AMERICAN WOMAN-- GUESS WHO-- "A" side of two-sided hit. Canadians taking shots at the good old US of A. Great song, though.)
NO SUGAR TONIGHT-- GUESS WHO-- "B" side
REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE-- MARMALADE-- Top Ten
PEOPLE AND ME-- NEW COLONY SIX-- Brand New. (I must admit I've never heard this one before. AND, I call myself a New Colony Six fan.)
And, the NUMBER 1 Song:
VEHICLE-- IDES OF MARCH-- Called selves the Shondells at first. Hometown heroes. (Great horn song with Jim Peterik and the boys.)
Bob also introduces each segment with a popular song from the date as well. He plays a little of the song and has a comment.
PUPPET MAN-- FIFTH DIMENSION-- Played it right before the Friends of Distinction song. New release by them written by Neil Sedaka.
DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS-- TOM JONES-- latest from him
SOOLAMON-- NEIL DIAMOND--
EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL-- RAY STEVENS-- A top ten song from him. Usually known for his novelty songs. (But this one definitely wasn't.)
Brought Back Some Mems. --RoadDog Cruising Back 39 Years.
LET IT BE-- BEATLES-- "A" Side
YOU KNOW MT NAME (LOOK UP THE NUMBER)-- BEATLES-- "B" side. The undeniable humor of John and Paul. (Fun Fluff from the Fab Four.)
AMERICAN WOMAN-- GUESS WHO-- "A" side of two-sided hit. Canadians taking shots at the good old US of A. Great song, though.)
NO SUGAR TONIGHT-- GUESS WHO-- "B" side
REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE-- MARMALADE-- Top Ten
PEOPLE AND ME-- NEW COLONY SIX-- Brand New. (I must admit I've never heard this one before. AND, I call myself a New Colony Six fan.)
And, the NUMBER 1 Song:
VEHICLE-- IDES OF MARCH-- Called selves the Shondells at first. Hometown heroes. (Great horn song with Jim Peterik and the boys.)
Bob also introduces each segment with a popular song from the date as well. He plays a little of the song and has a comment.
PUPPET MAN-- FIFTH DIMENSION-- Played it right before the Friends of Distinction song. New release by them written by Neil Sedaka.
DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS-- TOM JONES-- latest from him
SOOLAMON-- NEIL DIAMOND--
EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL-- RAY STEVENS-- A top ten song from him. Usually known for his novelty songs. (But this one definitely wasn't.)
Brought Back Some Mems. --RoadDog Cruising Back 39 Years.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Where Were You May 3, 1970? -- Part 2
Bob Stroud's comments first. Mine in parentheses ().
UP AROUND THE BEND-- CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL-- "A" side of the new single. (My favorite all-time band, or, do you just say CCR?)
HITCHIN' TO RIDE-- VANITY FAIR-- Back in the era when you didn't give a second thought to sticking your thumb out and hitching a ride. A little band out of the UK, this was their second and final hit. Their first one was "Early in the Morning" back in late 1969. (This song really reminds me of freshman year at NIU, especially that great pizza place and hang out called Rick's on Lincoln Highway across from the Junction Restaurant, which is still there. Rick's later moved over to the Village Commons by the dorms.)
LOVE OR LET ME BE LONELY-- FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION-- Another sexually integrated group out of Los Angeles who modeled themselves after the Fifth Dimension. Their third and final hit. (To me, their best song. Another one that brings back memories of NIU.)
LITTLE GREEN BAG-- GEORGE BAKER SELECTION-- some of that Euro Rock. (One of my all-time favorite singles. Quite different sound here.)
THE LETTER-- JOE COCKER-- Joe Cocker's version (of a Box Tops song. Don't go getting all spastic on me.)
SPIRIT IN THE SKY-- NORMAN GREENBAUM-- one hit wonder. (Also a favorite.)
INSTANT KARMA (WE ALL SHINE ON)-- JOHN LENNON-- (A great way to kick off a solo career.)
COME AND GET IT-- BADFINGER-- This and the last one were two in a row off the Beatles' Apple label, a Paul McCartney song.
VIVA TIRADO-- EL CHICANO-- Latino band out of LA. They were good for a couple hits, including this instrumental.
WOODSTOCK-- CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG-- by Joni Mitchell from the newly released "Deja Vu" album.
RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE-- CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL-- "B" side. (All CCR's singles were two-sided hits to me. Did they ever have a "bad" song?
CECILIA-- SIMON & GARFUNKEL-- My favorite S & G song.
SOMETHING'S BURNING-- KENNY ROGERS & THE FIRST EDITION-- Top ten song. (Before he went country. Soft at first, then rough at the end, right, Tina?)
A Swingin' Groovy New Decade. --RoadDog
UP AROUND THE BEND-- CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL-- "A" side of the new single. (My favorite all-time band, or, do you just say CCR?)
HITCHIN' TO RIDE-- VANITY FAIR-- Back in the era when you didn't give a second thought to sticking your thumb out and hitching a ride. A little band out of the UK, this was their second and final hit. Their first one was "Early in the Morning" back in late 1969. (This song really reminds me of freshman year at NIU, especially that great pizza place and hang out called Rick's on Lincoln Highway across from the Junction Restaurant, which is still there. Rick's later moved over to the Village Commons by the dorms.)
LOVE OR LET ME BE LONELY-- FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION-- Another sexually integrated group out of Los Angeles who modeled themselves after the Fifth Dimension. Their third and final hit. (To me, their best song. Another one that brings back memories of NIU.)
LITTLE GREEN BAG-- GEORGE BAKER SELECTION-- some of that Euro Rock. (One of my all-time favorite singles. Quite different sound here.)
THE LETTER-- JOE COCKER-- Joe Cocker's version (of a Box Tops song. Don't go getting all spastic on me.)
SPIRIT IN THE SKY-- NORMAN GREENBAUM-- one hit wonder. (Also a favorite.)
INSTANT KARMA (WE ALL SHINE ON)-- JOHN LENNON-- (A great way to kick off a solo career.)
COME AND GET IT-- BADFINGER-- This and the last one were two in a row off the Beatles' Apple label, a Paul McCartney song.
VIVA TIRADO-- EL CHICANO-- Latino band out of LA. They were good for a couple hits, including this instrumental.
WOODSTOCK-- CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG-- by Joni Mitchell from the newly released "Deja Vu" album.
RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE-- CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL-- "B" side. (All CCR's singles were two-sided hits to me. Did they ever have a "bad" song?
CECILIA-- SIMON & GARFUNKEL-- My favorite S & G song.
SOMETHING'S BURNING-- KENNY ROGERS & THE FIRST EDITION-- Top ten song. (Before he went country. Soft at first, then rough at the end, right, Tina?)
A Swingin' Groovy New Decade. --RoadDog
Monday, May 11, 2009
Where Were You May 3, 1970?
May 3rd, Bob Stroud did a Time Warp back to May 3, 1970 and May 3, 1975, on his weekly Rock and Roll Roots Show on WDRV, 97.1 FM. The depth of his knowledge about the sixties and seventies is amazing. The show streams live in www.wdrv.com from 7 to 10 AM Central. Once a month, he does a Time Warp, usually the first weekend.
The rest of the time, he features a band (usually if a member has a birthday. Yesterday, he did a Dozen of Donovan, in honor of Donovan Leitch's 63rd.
In May of 1970, I was a freshman at Northern Illinois University and pledging Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. The house was on Augusta Avenue, 242 I think, and east of campus. Most fraternities and sororities were north of campus out toward Greenbrier Street. We were planning on moving to Greenbrier the following year.
Delta Sigma Phi was a colony, having just affiliated with the national after being a local, Phi Delta Psi.
I sure was enjoying the Greek life and my grades were suffering.
Little did I know that the next day, at a demonstration protesting the US intervention in Cambodia at Kent State University in Ohio, four students would be killed by the National Guard, setting off and unbelievable week of civil disobedience and rioting at campuses all across the US, including some violent ones at NIU.
More to Come. --RoadDog
The rest of the time, he features a band (usually if a member has a birthday. Yesterday, he did a Dozen of Donovan, in honor of Donovan Leitch's 63rd.
In May of 1970, I was a freshman at Northern Illinois University and pledging Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. The house was on Augusta Avenue, 242 I think, and east of campus. Most fraternities and sororities were north of campus out toward Greenbrier Street. We were planning on moving to Greenbrier the following year.
Delta Sigma Phi was a colony, having just affiliated with the national after being a local, Phi Delta Psi.
I sure was enjoying the Greek life and my grades were suffering.
Little did I know that the next day, at a demonstration protesting the US intervention in Cambodia at Kent State University in Ohio, four students would be killed by the National Guard, setting off and unbelievable week of civil disobedience and rioting at campuses all across the US, including some violent ones at NIU.
More to Come. --RoadDog
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Five Days on the Road-- Charlie Brown's-- Indy 500-- Crown Hill
Back on April 28th, I wrote of just returning from a five-day American Road Magazine Forum road trip. This is the shortened version. For the longer, see http://roaddogsroadlog.blogspot.com.
APRIL 24th
Met Pat and Jennifer at Charlie Brown's in Speedway, Indiana (Indianapolis) for breakfast. Try the Charlie Brown omelet. We then took the $3 bus tour around the track of the Indy 500 and paid $3 to go into the museum. This was money well-spent. Lots of history here, even if I'm not much of a race fan.
This is the 100th anniversary of the track and 2011 will be the 100th of the 500 race. I ended up buying more than I intended when I saw this year's race will be on the same day as my birthday.
We then went to Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis which is huge. We saw the graves of John Dillinger (people put coins on it), 23rd President Benjamin Harrison (smaller than what you'd expect), Carl Fisher (founder on the Indy 500 tack, Miami Beach, Montauk, Long Island, Dixie Highway, and Lincoln Highway (in a crypt and nothing to indicate his accomplishments), and, on Strawberry Hill (the highest point in the city) is the grave of the children's poet James Whitcomb Riley which has a great view of downtown Indianapolis.
More to Come. --RoadDog
APRIL 24th
Met Pat and Jennifer at Charlie Brown's in Speedway, Indiana (Indianapolis) for breakfast. Try the Charlie Brown omelet. We then took the $3 bus tour around the track of the Indy 500 and paid $3 to go into the museum. This was money well-spent. Lots of history here, even if I'm not much of a race fan.
This is the 100th anniversary of the track and 2011 will be the 100th of the 500 race. I ended up buying more than I intended when I saw this year's race will be on the same day as my birthday.
We then went to Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis which is huge. We saw the graves of John Dillinger (people put coins on it), 23rd President Benjamin Harrison (smaller than what you'd expect), Carl Fisher (founder on the Indy 500 tack, Miami Beach, Montauk, Long Island, Dixie Highway, and Lincoln Highway (in a crypt and nothing to indicate his accomplishments), and, on Strawberry Hill (the highest point in the city) is the grave of the children's poet James Whitcomb Riley which has a great view of downtown Indianapolis.
More to Come. --RoadDog
News and Observation: Mother's Day-- Brothers?-- Mighty Expensive Places
News and Observation-- stories in the news and a comment or two.
1, MOTHER'S DAY-- Today is the anniversary of President Wilson proclaiming Mother's Day in 1914. It is also the date in 1960 when the FDA approved the Pill for oral contraception. Makes you wonder.
2. BROTHERS?-- Someone needs to wipe that smirk off of Drew Peterson, who finally was arrested a few days ago. But everytime you see him, he's got that attitude. Reminds me of a former disgraces Illinois governor. Could they be long-last brothers? Or brothers from another mother?
3. MIGHTY EXPENSIVE PLACES-- Forbes listed the twenty most expensive places to live in the US based on metro areas. No big surprise, Los Angeles and Chicago ranked #1 and #2. This was based primarily on earnings potential for bachelor degrees and living expenses.
I don't know about LA, but in Chicago, if the parking DON'T Get Ya, the taxes will.
Just a few Observations. --RoadDog
1, MOTHER'S DAY-- Today is the anniversary of President Wilson proclaiming Mother's Day in 1914. It is also the date in 1960 when the FDA approved the Pill for oral contraception. Makes you wonder.
2. BROTHERS?-- Someone needs to wipe that smirk off of Drew Peterson, who finally was arrested a few days ago. But everytime you see him, he's got that attitude. Reminds me of a former disgraces Illinois governor. Could they be long-last brothers? Or brothers from another mother?
3. MIGHTY EXPENSIVE PLACES-- Forbes listed the twenty most expensive places to live in the US based on metro areas. No big surprise, Los Angeles and Chicago ranked #1 and #2. This was based primarily on earnings potential for bachelor degrees and living expenses.
I don't know about LA, but in Chicago, if the parking DON'T Get Ya, the taxes will.
Just a few Observations. --RoadDog
JSS: Snow?-- Gas Prices, April 1989-- Happy Mother's Day-- Yardwork, Every Day-- TNCW
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. SNOW?-- The crabapple tree in the front yard is losing its white blooms, even more in all this wind today. The front yard by it looks as if it has snowed.
2. GAS PRICES, APRIL 1989-- While looking through my journal, which dates back to August, 1977, I was complaining about the rapid rise in gas prices. Back in March it had been 93 cents a gallon, and by April 8th was up to, hold on...$1.09. It eventually peaked at $1.20. Ah, bring back the good old days as the GRBs are fast raising it now.
3. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY-- I want to wish my mom a Happy Mother's Day. Hope the card gets to Goldsboro, NC, today (mailed it Wednesday). At least I don't have to worry about forgetting this date (like her birthday) as it is hard to avoid constant reminders. Happy Mother's Day, Mom.
I don't know of anybody who is more busy in retirement than her.
Later, planning on going to the Northwest suburbs and visiting Frances and Amby's graves in Arlington Hts.
4. YARDWORK, EVERDAY-- I have worked in the yard every day for the last few weeks. Lots of transplanting of perennials, weeding, and thinning. yesterday, i worked on the flower bed out by the ditch and along the west side of the house. Didn't finish either.
5. TNCW-- Last night it rained quite hard and we lost power twice. Very windy this morning and was overcast, but the sun finally broke through. Considerably cooler than the last several days.
This can only mean that the Round Lake carnival must have stuck around for an extra weekend. TNCW stands for Typical Nasty Carnival Weather, and we've had that lousy stuff almost every time since 1976. Someone needs to do something about that mean old carnival.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
1. SNOW?-- The crabapple tree in the front yard is losing its white blooms, even more in all this wind today. The front yard by it looks as if it has snowed.
2. GAS PRICES, APRIL 1989-- While looking through my journal, which dates back to August, 1977, I was complaining about the rapid rise in gas prices. Back in March it had been 93 cents a gallon, and by April 8th was up to, hold on...$1.09. It eventually peaked at $1.20. Ah, bring back the good old days as the GRBs are fast raising it now.
3. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY-- I want to wish my mom a Happy Mother's Day. Hope the card gets to Goldsboro, NC, today (mailed it Wednesday). At least I don't have to worry about forgetting this date (like her birthday) as it is hard to avoid constant reminders. Happy Mother's Day, Mom.
I don't know of anybody who is more busy in retirement than her.
Later, planning on going to the Northwest suburbs and visiting Frances and Amby's graves in Arlington Hts.
4. YARDWORK, EVERDAY-- I have worked in the yard every day for the last few weeks. Lots of transplanting of perennials, weeding, and thinning. yesterday, i worked on the flower bed out by the ditch and along the west side of the house. Didn't finish either.
5. TNCW-- Last night it rained quite hard and we lost power twice. Very windy this morning and was overcast, but the sun finally broke through. Considerably cooler than the last several days.
This can only mean that the Round Lake carnival must have stuck around for an extra weekend. TNCW stands for Typical Nasty Carnival Weather, and we've had that lousy stuff almost every time since 1976. Someone needs to do something about that mean old carnival.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
Friday, May 8, 2009
More Illinois Mom and Pop Record Stores
Enjoyed the names so well on the last list, that I went back to the website www.recordstoreday.com and found some more Illinois stores.
Champaign-- Exile on Main Street (reckon they're located on Main Street?)
It would seem that college towns are pretty-well represented by the mom and pops.
CHICAGO, as you might expect, has lots of them:
Dave's Records
Deadwax
Dr. Wax
Dusty Groove America
Gramaphone Records
Groovin' High
Permanent Record Music Experience
Raffe's Record Riot
Shake, Rattle & Read
Also, there is a chain with stores in 16 states called Half Price Books with a motto of "We buy and sell anything printed or recorded except yesterday's newspapers." They not only have books, but records, LPs, and Cds as well. Even cassettes.
I just found one in Palatine, Illinois, on US-12. Costs me some bucks to walk in that door. www.halfpricebooks.com
Support Your Mom and Pops. --RoadDog
Champaign-- Exile on Main Street (reckon they're located on Main Street?)
It would seem that college towns are pretty-well represented by the mom and pops.
CHICAGO, as you might expect, has lots of them:
Dave's Records
Deadwax
Dr. Wax
Dusty Groove America
Gramaphone Records
Groovin' High
Permanent Record Music Experience
Raffe's Record Riot
Shake, Rattle & Read
Also, there is a chain with stores in 16 states called Half Price Books with a motto of "We buy and sell anything printed or recorded except yesterday's newspapers." They not only have books, but records, LPs, and Cds as well. Even cassettes.
I just found one in Palatine, Illinois, on US-12. Costs me some bucks to walk in that door. www.halfpricebooks.com
Support Your Mom and Pops. --RoadDog
A Partial List of Mom and Pop Records Stores in Illinois
Still saddened by the sudden demise of the Record Revolution in Dekalb, Illinois. Just one more thing modern times is taking from me.
However, back in April, we celebrated National Record Store Day, and I was able to go to the great mom and pop store in Springfield, Illinois, Recycled Records.
The website also had a list of mom and pop records stores by state. I noticed, however, that Record Revolution and Recycled Records weren't on it.
Here are some of the Illinois and Wisconsin places:
Illinois
Des Plaines-- Algonquin Records
East Peoria--Co-Op Records
Geneva-- Kiss the Sky
Moline-- Co-Op Records
Normal-- Waiting Room Records
Carbondale-- P-Mac
Addison-- Platterpus Records
Barrington-- Rainbow Records
Norridge-- Rolling Stone Records
Mt. Prospect-- Sunshine Daydream Jam Band and Hippie Shop
Rockford-- Toad Hall
O'Fallon, Alton, and Glen Carbon-- Slackers
Wisconsin
There are eight Exclusive Record stores. I always go to the Exclusive in Oshkosh when visiting.
Quite a few interesting names with these stores.
Support Your Local Record Store!! --RoadDog
However, back in April, we celebrated National Record Store Day, and I was able to go to the great mom and pop store in Springfield, Illinois, Recycled Records.
The website also had a list of mom and pop records stores by state. I noticed, however, that Record Revolution and Recycled Records weren't on it.
Here are some of the Illinois and Wisconsin places:
Illinois
Des Plaines-- Algonquin Records
East Peoria--Co-Op Records
Geneva-- Kiss the Sky
Moline-- Co-Op Records
Normal-- Waiting Room Records
Carbondale-- P-Mac
Addison-- Platterpus Records
Barrington-- Rainbow Records
Norridge-- Rolling Stone Records
Mt. Prospect-- Sunshine Daydream Jam Band and Hippie Shop
Rockford-- Toad Hall
O'Fallon, Alton, and Glen Carbon-- Slackers
Wisconsin
There are eight Exclusive Record stores. I always go to the Exclusive in Oshkosh when visiting.
Quite a few interesting names with these stores.
Support Your Local Record Store!! --RoadDog
JSS: NIU Fire-- North Myrtle Beach Fire-- Weeds
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. NIU FIRE-- I was glad to find out that no one was injured in that fire at the fraternity house on Greenbrier yesterday. I lived on that street back during my sophomore year at Northern Illinois University in the Delta Sig House.
At first, looking at the pictures, it appeared that the fraternity house was next door to where I lived, but Liz did some research and it appears that the fire took place across the street. So George and my old room is safe.
2. NORTH MYRTLE BEACH FIRE-- Quite a bad fire down by North Myrtle Beach a few weeks ago. This is one of our favorite places to go and especially get our fill of that good old East Coast Beach Music.
They had problems with smoke for days afterwards and even interfered with radio signals. I know that one day last week, I couldn't get the Surf, 94.9 FM, over the internet. At least I have several sources of Beach Music now, so was able
3. WEEDS-- The weed wars are in full swing. From the rampant dandelions and clover in the yard to the attacks on the flower beds, these guys mean business.
My Uncle Bo sent this and I thought it was appropriate.
WEEDS-- AUTHOR UNKNOWN
"When weeding, the best way to
make sure you are removing a weed
and not a valuable plant
is to pull on it.
If it comes out of the ground easily,
it is a valuable plant.
I know I leave some suspicious characters in the ground as I'm not sure if they're a weed or not. BUT, BOY do I know those dandies.
Just Some Stuff. RoadDog
1. NIU FIRE-- I was glad to find out that no one was injured in that fire at the fraternity house on Greenbrier yesterday. I lived on that street back during my sophomore year at Northern Illinois University in the Delta Sig House.
At first, looking at the pictures, it appeared that the fraternity house was next door to where I lived, but Liz did some research and it appears that the fire took place across the street. So George and my old room is safe.
2. NORTH MYRTLE BEACH FIRE-- Quite a bad fire down by North Myrtle Beach a few weeks ago. This is one of our favorite places to go and especially get our fill of that good old East Coast Beach Music.
They had problems with smoke for days afterwards and even interfered with radio signals. I know that one day last week, I couldn't get the Surf, 94.9 FM, over the internet. At least I have several sources of Beach Music now, so was able
3. WEEDS-- The weed wars are in full swing. From the rampant dandelions and clover in the yard to the attacks on the flower beds, these guys mean business.
My Uncle Bo sent this and I thought it was appropriate.
WEEDS-- AUTHOR UNKNOWN
"When weeding, the best way to
make sure you are removing a weed
and not a valuable plant
is to pull on it.
If it comes out of the ground easily,
it is a valuable plant.
I know I leave some suspicious characters in the ground as I'm not sure if they're a weed or not. BUT, BOY do I know those dandies.
Just Some Stuff. RoadDog
Thursday, May 7, 2009
TNCW-- Typical Nasty Carnival Weather
Last Friday, we had dentist appointments in Round Lake Beach. The weather had gotten steadily worse, until it was in the fifties, overcast, and splats of rain.
About the time we got to the dentist's office, I saw the top of a Ferris wheel and other rides on Rollins by the Big Lots (where the old Eagle grocery store was). As most any old-timer in the Round Lake Area could tell you, the carnival is here, so the weather is miserable.
With the exception of one year, weather for this early spring carnival has been horrific. Just horrible.
It all started back when I was a Jaycee in Round Lake back in 1976 or 1977. We were sponsoring the carnival and I was manning a ticket booth on an absolutely beautiful day. Then, in the space of thirty minutes, the temperature dropped at least 30 degrees and the wind blew the cold right through you.
That was the beginning of a lot of lousy weather. It continues to today, although Sunday wasn't bad at all. Saturday was only so-so.
Most people in RL equate the carnival with bad weather.
The last several years, attendance was so bad, that the carnival stayed a second weekend, resulting in a second weekend of crummy weather. The nice weather we're enjoying now drops to the 50s by Saturday with rain forecast.
I don't know for sure, but my bet is that the carnival is staying another weekend.
Let's Ban That Rotten Carnival. --RoadDog
About the time we got to the dentist's office, I saw the top of a Ferris wheel and other rides on Rollins by the Big Lots (where the old Eagle grocery store was). As most any old-timer in the Round Lake Area could tell you, the carnival is here, so the weather is miserable.
With the exception of one year, weather for this early spring carnival has been horrific. Just horrible.
It all started back when I was a Jaycee in Round Lake back in 1976 or 1977. We were sponsoring the carnival and I was manning a ticket booth on an absolutely beautiful day. Then, in the space of thirty minutes, the temperature dropped at least 30 degrees and the wind blew the cold right through you.
That was the beginning of a lot of lousy weather. It continues to today, although Sunday wasn't bad at all. Saturday was only so-so.
Most people in RL equate the carnival with bad weather.
The last several years, attendance was so bad, that the carnival stayed a second weekend, resulting in a second weekend of crummy weather. The nice weather we're enjoying now drops to the 50s by Saturday with rain forecast.
I don't know for sure, but my bet is that the carnival is staying another weekend.
Let's Ban That Rotten Carnival. --RoadDog
Where Were You May 13, 1966?
More songs from this year. I was finishing up freshman year at Fremd High School in Palatine. Actually, it was still a part of Palatine High School. Freshmen and sophomores went to Fremd, while juniors and seniors went to Palatine. They were getting ready to split nthe two schools into separate entities.
The following year, sophomores and juniors who lived in the Palatine district, went to Palatine, along with all the seniors. All freshmen and sophomores and juniors in the Fremd district went to Fremd.
In other words, I ended up being low man on the totem pole two years in a row.
My comments.
SECRET AGENT MAN-- JOHNNY RIVERS-- not a cover, not a cover.
SOUL AND INSPIRATION-- RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS-- "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" Part 2 or was it part 1?
A GROOVY KIND OF LOVE-- MINDBENDERS-- before Phil.
SHAPES OF THINGS-- YARDBIRDS
EVOL NOT LOVE-- FIVE AMERICANS-- Hey, that's love spelled backwards!!!
HOW DOES THAT GRAB YOU DARLIN'?-- NANCY SINATRA-- Kiss my boots!!! Part 2.
RAINY DAY WOMEN #12 & #35-- BOB DYLAN-- "They'll stone you when you're..."
GOOD LOVIN'-- YOUNG RASCALS-- Probably the best garage rock song ever.
KICKS-- PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS-- probably the second-best garage rock song.
DID YOU EVER HAVE TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND?-- LOVIN' SPOONFUL-- This song was the one Liz kept playing in the fall of '67 back when I had to make up my mind between dating her or Roxanne.
#1 Song in Chicago-- MONDAY, MONDAY-- MAMAS AND PAPAS-- Brother Coz's song.
That Was Only 43 Years Ago. How Time Does Fly. --RoadDog
The following year, sophomores and juniors who lived in the Palatine district, went to Palatine, along with all the seniors. All freshmen and sophomores and juniors in the Fremd district went to Fremd.
In other words, I ended up being low man on the totem pole two years in a row.
My comments.
SECRET AGENT MAN-- JOHNNY RIVERS-- not a cover, not a cover.
SOUL AND INSPIRATION-- RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS-- "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" Part 2 or was it part 1?
A GROOVY KIND OF LOVE-- MINDBENDERS-- before Phil.
SHAPES OF THINGS-- YARDBIRDS
EVOL NOT LOVE-- FIVE AMERICANS-- Hey, that's love spelled backwards!!!
HOW DOES THAT GRAB YOU DARLIN'?-- NANCY SINATRA-- Kiss my boots!!! Part 2.
RAINY DAY WOMEN #12 & #35-- BOB DYLAN-- "They'll stone you when you're..."
GOOD LOVIN'-- YOUNG RASCALS-- Probably the best garage rock song ever.
KICKS-- PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS-- probably the second-best garage rock song.
DID YOU EVER HAVE TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND?-- LOVIN' SPOONFUL-- This song was the one Liz kept playing in the fall of '67 back when I had to make up my mind between dating her or Roxanne.
#1 Song in Chicago-- MONDAY, MONDAY-- MAMAS AND PAPAS-- Brother Coz's song.
That Was Only 43 Years Ago. How Time Does Fly. --RoadDog
Where Were You May 13, 1966?
Last year to on May 13th, Bob Stroud went back to the songs playing in your radio on May 13, 1966. Comments are mine.
I'LL GO CRAZY-- BUCKINGHAMS
IT'S A MAN'S MAN'S ROAD-- JAMES BROWN-- "Please, Please, Please."
COOL JERK-- CAPITOLS
TIME WON'T LET ME-- OUTSIDERS
I AM A ROCK-- SIMON & GARFUNKEL
THE SUN AIN'T GONNA SHINE (ANYMORE)-- WALKER BROTHERS
DIRTY WATER-- STANDELLS-- third greatest garage rock song
LOVE IS LIKE AN ITCHING IN MY HEART-- SUPREMES-- great vocals, but even better moves.
EIGHT MILES HIGH-- BYRDS
RHAPSODY IN THE RAIN-- LOU CHRISTIE-- Let's all sing like Frankie Valli.
SLOOP JOHN B.-- BEACH BOYS
Back to '66 Again. --RoadDog
I'LL GO CRAZY-- BUCKINGHAMS
IT'S A MAN'S MAN'S ROAD-- JAMES BROWN-- "Please, Please, Please."
COOL JERK-- CAPITOLS
TIME WON'T LET ME-- OUTSIDERS
I AM A ROCK-- SIMON & GARFUNKEL
THE SUN AIN'T GONNA SHINE (ANYMORE)-- WALKER BROTHERS
DIRTY WATER-- STANDELLS-- third greatest garage rock song
LOVE IS LIKE AN ITCHING IN MY HEART-- SUPREMES-- great vocals, but even better moves.
EIGHT MILES HIGH-- BYRDS
RHAPSODY IN THE RAIN-- LOU CHRISTIE-- Let's all sing like Frankie Valli.
SLOOP JOHN B.-- BEACH BOYS
Back to '66 Again. --RoadDog
It's Them, Not Me: GRB's Gettin' Richer and Richer
Twenty-five cents in nine days!!!
As if they didn't need to get richer, the Big Oil GRBs, also Daytraders, hedge fund folk, and investment bankers are getting RICHER again while we get poorer.
On April 29th, eight days ago, the price of regular in Fox Lake, Illinois was $2.10 for regular. May 4th, $2.30, May 7th $2.35. Today at Rock Corner, on Il-173 and Wilmot, it was $2.40!!!!
That's 30 cents in nine days. Why? Mama needs a new pair of shoes or a Lamborghini. Maybe that second McMansion.
These folk aren't happy with a lot of money. They want loads and loads of money. However, I will take this over the rip they were giving us last year this time. I would hope the new president will put a stop to this profit-mongering this year. Remember, he does not have the Big Oil/CEO background that someone else had.
By the way, a GRB is a Greedy Rich Bums. Hey guys, we're watching and aware of what you're doing.
We Could Really Use a Break, Guys!! C'mon!! --RoadDog
As if they didn't need to get richer, the Big Oil GRBs, also Daytraders, hedge fund folk, and investment bankers are getting RICHER again while we get poorer.
On April 29th, eight days ago, the price of regular in Fox Lake, Illinois was $2.10 for regular. May 4th, $2.30, May 7th $2.35. Today at Rock Corner, on Il-173 and Wilmot, it was $2.40!!!!
That's 30 cents in nine days. Why? Mama needs a new pair of shoes or a Lamborghini. Maybe that second McMansion.
These folk aren't happy with a lot of money. They want loads and loads of money. However, I will take this over the rip they were giving us last year this time. I would hope the new president will put a stop to this profit-mongering this year. Remember, he does not have the Big Oil/CEO background that someone else had.
By the way, a GRB is a Greedy Rich Bums. Hey guys, we're watching and aware of what you're doing.
We Could Really Use a Break, Guys!! C'mon!! --RoadDog
JSS: NTN-- Movie Day
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. NTN-- Played NTN/Buzztime yesterday at Hello Folks in Fox Lake, Illinois, and was happy to see the Dennis back up on the boards at Fargo Lounge in Moline, Illinois. He had been off for months when the place didn't upgrade.
He dominates the earlier national boards and was always the "guy to beat" when we played at Folks and Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.
Welcome back, Dennis.
2. MOVIE DAY-- Well, it rained and rained yesterday from about 12:30 on. After doing yardwork, I went over to Hello Folks for those great 99 cent Chicago Dogs (with Vienna Beef) and then saw two movies at the Fox Lake Theatre across the street.
Each cost $4 with senior matinee. The first was "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." It is a prequel and shows how the Wolverine came to be. Lots of action and "You wanted the Animal? You got the Animal!!" I wonder who wouldwin, Freddie Krueger or the Wolverine if they got into it?
I admit that I thought the X-Men shows would be too teenagey, but on a flight to Europe, it was showing and I enjoyed it.
Then, I saw "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past." Hilarious and a takeoff on "A Christmas Tale."
1. NTN-- Played NTN/Buzztime yesterday at Hello Folks in Fox Lake, Illinois, and was happy to see the Dennis back up on the boards at Fargo Lounge in Moline, Illinois. He had been off for months when the place didn't upgrade.
He dominates the earlier national boards and was always the "guy to beat" when we played at Folks and Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.
Welcome back, Dennis.
2. MOVIE DAY-- Well, it rained and rained yesterday from about 12:30 on. After doing yardwork, I went over to Hello Folks for those great 99 cent Chicago Dogs (with Vienna Beef) and then saw two movies at the Fox Lake Theatre across the street.
Each cost $4 with senior matinee. The first was "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." It is a prequel and shows how the Wolverine came to be. Lots of action and "You wanted the Animal? You got the Animal!!" I wonder who wouldwin, Freddie Krueger or the Wolverine if they got into it?
I admit that I thought the X-Men shows would be too teenagey, but on a flight to Europe, it was showing and I enjoyed it.
Then, I saw "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past." Hilarious and a takeoff on "A Christmas Tale."
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A Dog's Flick View
Comments on movies I have seen this year.
6. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE-- 1-27-- $5.50 Fox Lake Theatre-- How to "experience" your way to $20 million. Who wants to be a millionaire, Indian-style. "Who is the third Musketeer?"
7. DEFIANCE-- 1-27-- $5.50 Fox Lake Theatre-- Living free is winning vs. the Nazis.
8. PAUL BLART; MALL COP-- 1-28-- $4 Fox Lake Theatre-- Misfit with a heart of gold becomes a hero and gets the girl. Kevin James is a REAL funny guy.
9. PUSH-- 2-10-- $4 Fox Lake Theatre- Regular folks with really extreme powers. Move over X-Men.
10. HE'S JUST NOT INTO YOU-- $4 McHenry Indoor Theatre-- Chick Flick. Falling into and out of love.
Roll the Film. --RoadDog
6. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE-- 1-27-- $5.50 Fox Lake Theatre-- How to "experience" your way to $20 million. Who wants to be a millionaire, Indian-style. "Who is the third Musketeer?"
7. DEFIANCE-- 1-27-- $5.50 Fox Lake Theatre-- Living free is winning vs. the Nazis.
8. PAUL BLART; MALL COP-- 1-28-- $4 Fox Lake Theatre-- Misfit with a heart of gold becomes a hero and gets the girl. Kevin James is a REAL funny guy.
9. PUSH-- 2-10-- $4 Fox Lake Theatre- Regular folks with really extreme powers. Move over X-Men.
10. HE'S JUST NOT INTO YOU-- $4 McHenry Indoor Theatre-- Chick Flick. Falling into and out of love.
Roll the Film. --RoadDog
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
News and Observation: A Boat and An Island
The May 4th Chicago Tribune had two interesting articles.
THE QUEEN MARY
1. A BOAT-- One was about the possibility of the Queen Mary taking to the high seas again. A small Las Vegas entertainment company would like to renovate and restore the Queen Mary ocean liner to its former glory and put it out to sea again. It has been docked in Long Beach, California, for the past 42 years as a tourist complex with hotel, restaurants, and exhibits. It is estimated the cost will be $1.5 billion and take four years to get her ship-shape again.
At least this ship LOOKS like an ocean liner. Not like the new ones which look like floating boxes.
FLORIDA VS. CUBA TOURISM
2. An Island-- With the president moving toward reestablishing relations with Cuba (about time), Florida is taking big-time notice. And starting to worry about lost revenue. Estimates say that as many as 2 million Americans would go to Florida for vacation, roughly one in five who would have gone to Florida.
Hey, there are lots of old cars in Cuba and I'm sure prices would be considerably lower.
I for one, would go to Cuba, but also will continue going to Florida. We especially like the panhandle in winter.
Boating or Driving. Not Bad. --RoadDog
THE QUEEN MARY
1. A BOAT-- One was about the possibility of the Queen Mary taking to the high seas again. A small Las Vegas entertainment company would like to renovate and restore the Queen Mary ocean liner to its former glory and put it out to sea again. It has been docked in Long Beach, California, for the past 42 years as a tourist complex with hotel, restaurants, and exhibits. It is estimated the cost will be $1.5 billion and take four years to get her ship-shape again.
At least this ship LOOKS like an ocean liner. Not like the new ones which look like floating boxes.
FLORIDA VS. CUBA TOURISM
2. An Island-- With the president moving toward reestablishing relations with Cuba (about time), Florida is taking big-time notice. And starting to worry about lost revenue. Estimates say that as many as 2 million Americans would go to Florida for vacation, roughly one in five who would have gone to Florida.
Hey, there are lots of old cars in Cuba and I'm sure prices would be considerably lower.
I for one, would go to Cuba, but also will continue going to Florida. We especially like the panhandle in winter.
Boating or Driving. Not Bad. --RoadDog
Monday, May 4, 2009
JSS: Drinkin' Cheap-- Pesky Robin-- Good Ol' Analog
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. DRINKIN' CHEAP-- I like to drink, especially on the cheap. Today ranked about as cheap as you can get. Played NTN at Pug Mahone's in Fox Lake with Bill K and enjoyed $1 draft Coors Light. Then went to the American Legion and had 50 cent 10 oz. drafts. It would be hard to drink that cheap at home. And, at the Legion, they had 50 cent hot dogs with fresh cut tomatoes, onions, and relish.
2. PESKY ROBIN-- I finally had to take the robin's nest down from the top of the deck light. I had tried to scare them by showing myself by the window and sliding door, but, they kept coming back.
Personally, I wouldn't mind them having a nest there, but, this is the main way to walk out. Every time I've gone by in the past, Mama Robin had a fit and put up quite the commotion. One year, she even abandoned the nest, dooming the little birds.
Too bad she can't understand that I obviously intend her and her brood no harm. If I haven't done anything, I'm not likely to.
3. GOOD OL' ANALOG-- June 12th, analog TV, which I grew up with, is no more. I guess I should be happy as it was supposed to end back in February. We don't get Channel 26, WCIU, on cable and they show Sox and Cubs games. Tonight, the Cubs lead the Giants 3-0 after a two-run The Riot, Theriot, homer. Guess I'll have to figure out how to use the converter really soon.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
1. DRINKIN' CHEAP-- I like to drink, especially on the cheap. Today ranked about as cheap as you can get. Played NTN at Pug Mahone's in Fox Lake with Bill K and enjoyed $1 draft Coors Light. Then went to the American Legion and had 50 cent 10 oz. drafts. It would be hard to drink that cheap at home. And, at the Legion, they had 50 cent hot dogs with fresh cut tomatoes, onions, and relish.
2. PESKY ROBIN-- I finally had to take the robin's nest down from the top of the deck light. I had tried to scare them by showing myself by the window and sliding door, but, they kept coming back.
Personally, I wouldn't mind them having a nest there, but, this is the main way to walk out. Every time I've gone by in the past, Mama Robin had a fit and put up quite the commotion. One year, she even abandoned the nest, dooming the little birds.
Too bad she can't understand that I obviously intend her and her brood no harm. If I haven't done anything, I'm not likely to.
3. GOOD OL' ANALOG-- June 12th, analog TV, which I grew up with, is no more. I guess I should be happy as it was supposed to end back in February. We don't get Channel 26, WCIU, on cable and they show Sox and Cubs games. Tonight, the Cubs lead the Giants 3-0 after a two-run The Riot, Theriot, homer. Guess I'll have to figure out how to use the converter really soon.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
Dr. Pepper and Me
Earlier, I mentioned that a man had discovered a possible formula for Dr. Pepper dating back to when it was invented. I mentioned that I really liked my Dr. Pepper (remember, no diet back in the fifties and sixties) when I was younger and Diet Dr. Pepper now, although I am drinking a 12 oz regular Dr. Pepper with a football on it right now.
Personally, I like Coke and Pepsi just as well, especially whatever is on sale.
One fond memory I had growing up was when I visited my father's parents in Mt. Olive, NC. On really hot days, we would go over to my Uncle Delbert's service station. He had his soft drinks (pop here in the Midwest) in a cooler that was so cold that a little bit of ice formed at the top of the pop, indicating it was about as cold as it could get without freezing.
You then popped the top off in the built-in opener, put it up to your mouth, turned the bottom up and took a deep drag. One that was good enough for a belch if you did it right. Instant cool-down. Instant satisfaction. A real "AAHHH!" moment.
Sometimes for an encore, you'd pour a bag of Lance's Peanuts or Mr. Peanuts into it for a snack along with the blast.
Now, That Was Living. --RoadDog
Personally, I like Coke and Pepsi just as well, especially whatever is on sale.
One fond memory I had growing up was when I visited my father's parents in Mt. Olive, NC. On really hot days, we would go over to my Uncle Delbert's service station. He had his soft drinks (pop here in the Midwest) in a cooler that was so cold that a little bit of ice formed at the top of the pop, indicating it was about as cold as it could get without freezing.
You then popped the top off in the built-in opener, put it up to your mouth, turned the bottom up and took a deep drag. One that was good enough for a belch if you did it right. Instant cool-down. Instant satisfaction. A real "AAHHH!" moment.
Sometimes for an encore, you'd pour a bag of Lance's Peanuts or Mr. Peanuts into it for a snack along with the blast.
Now, That Was Living. --RoadDog
JSS: Not Much-- Dr. Pepper-- Yardwork-- Flooding
JSS-- JustSome Stuff.
1. NOT MUCH-- I didn't hear much about the 39th anniversary of Kent State today. The Chicago Tribune and Answer.com mentioned it, and Bob Stroud playes CSNY's "Ohio." Quite a big event, especially in light of the following days when itseemed to me that the end of the US was eminent.
2. DR. PEPPER-- A story on the internet about a guy who bought an old ledger book at an antique store which contained a possible early formula for Dr. Pepper. According to the company, it didn't. Dr. Pepper is one of my favorite soft drinks. I remember the old "10-2-4" advertising. You were supposed to drink it at 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM.
3. YARDWORK-- The last two days I've worked in the yard transplanting perennials and pulling up weeds. And, I have the sore wrist to prove it. Great weather for it.
4. FLOODING-- With all the rain we've been getting, it is no surprise that the Chain of Lakes here in Illinois is flooding some. Water is over the stationary docks and up past the benches at the Fox Lake park.
Water, Water, Everywhere. --RoadDog
1. NOT MUCH-- I didn't hear much about the 39th anniversary of Kent State today. The Chicago Tribune and Answer.com mentioned it, and Bob Stroud playes CSNY's "Ohio." Quite a big event, especially in light of the following days when itseemed to me that the end of the US was eminent.
2. DR. PEPPER-- A story on the internet about a guy who bought an old ledger book at an antique store which contained a possible early formula for Dr. Pepper. According to the company, it didn't. Dr. Pepper is one of my favorite soft drinks. I remember the old "10-2-4" advertising. You were supposed to drink it at 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM.
3. YARDWORK-- The last two days I've worked in the yard transplanting perennials and pulling up weeds. And, I have the sore wrist to prove it. Great weather for it.
4. FLOODING-- With all the rain we've been getting, it is no surprise that the Chain of Lakes here in Illinois is flooding some. Water is over the stationary docks and up past the benches at the Fox Lake park.
Water, Water, Everywhere. --RoadDog
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Kent State Anniversary Tomorrow
Today Bob Stroud Time Warped back to May 3, 1970 for part of his Rock and Roll Roots show. I was a freshman at Northern Illinois University and pledging Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. I was trying to remember if May 3rd was before or after the shootings at Kent State.
Liz said she thought it was May 4th and looked it up and was correct.
The aftermath of Kent State, with all the riots at college campuses across the country, including a rather bad one at NIU. I thought I was witnessing the end of the United States.
Mighty Scary Times. --RoadDog
Liz said she thought it was May 4th and looked it up and was correct.
The aftermath of Kent State, with all the riots at college campuses across the country, including a rather bad one at NIU. I thought I was witnessing the end of the United States.
Mighty Scary Times. --RoadDog
Saturday, May 2, 2009
JSS: Transplanting Perennials-- A Very Derby Day-- A'wrasslin' I Did Go
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. TRANSPLANTING PERENNIALS-- Temps in 60s and partly sunny, so spent the day out in the yard transplanting daisies, mums, lillies, and hostas. The neighbor across the street came over and said she had dug up some hostas and sedum and I was welcome to get some, which I did. I'm always looking for new varieties of hostas.
2. A VERY DERBY DAY-- Went to Baja Benny's on Fox Lake for the Kentucky Derby. Several ladies were wearing those strange Derby hats. Missy made me a mint julip for $5.50. I've always wanted to try one. I wasn't too impressed the first sip, but by the time I finished, it was tasting much better. We had two horses in the pool. One came in third.
3. A'WRASSLIN' I DID GO-- Yesterday, my buddy Rick mentioned that he had an extra ticket to the wrestling show at the American Legion tonight. I picked him up and saw my very first ever pro wrestling event and must admit that I enjoyed it a lot.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
1. TRANSPLANTING PERENNIALS-- Temps in 60s and partly sunny, so spent the day out in the yard transplanting daisies, mums, lillies, and hostas. The neighbor across the street came over and said she had dug up some hostas and sedum and I was welcome to get some, which I did. I'm always looking for new varieties of hostas.
2. A VERY DERBY DAY-- Went to Baja Benny's on Fox Lake for the Kentucky Derby. Several ladies were wearing those strange Derby hats. Missy made me a mint julip for $5.50. I've always wanted to try one. I wasn't too impressed the first sip, but by the time I finished, it was tasting much better. We had two horses in the pool. One came in third.
3. A'WRASSLIN' I DID GO-- Yesterday, my buddy Rick mentioned that he had an extra ticket to the wrestling show at the American Legion tonight. I picked him up and saw my very first ever pro wrestling event and must admit that I enjoyed it a lot.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
Friday, May 1, 2009
Every Blooming Thing-- May 1st
It's that time of the year again, and none too soon,
All this rain has brought spring upon us in a major way.
The last two weekends, I've been down south, April 18th in Springfield and Litchfield, Illinois. April 25th in Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Got a good dose of spring down there, but now, it's here.
The grass is completely green and I even had to cut it Wednesday.
All the bushes and trees are budding. The two Japanese lilacs already have their leaves. The three Bradford pear trees are getting ready to bud.
All the daffodils are in full bloom as are a few of the tulips and the rest have already set their buds. Creeping phlox are starting to bloom as are the goldens. The hyacinths and grape hyacinths are out as well.
Rhododendrons are gloriously purple. The chick and hen type plants are gray and gold.
It's Good to Have You Back, Spring. --RoadDog
All this rain has brought spring upon us in a major way.
The last two weekends, I've been down south, April 18th in Springfield and Litchfield, Illinois. April 25th in Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Got a good dose of spring down there, but now, it's here.
The grass is completely green and I even had to cut it Wednesday.
All the bushes and trees are budding. The two Japanese lilacs already have their leaves. The three Bradford pear trees are getting ready to bud.
All the daffodils are in full bloom as are a few of the tulips and the rest have already set their buds. Creeping phlox are starting to bloom as are the goldens. The hyacinths and grape hyacinths are out as well.
Rhododendrons are gloriously purple. The chick and hen type plants are gray and gold.
It's Good to Have You Back, Spring. --RoadDog
Number One on This Date
Let's get ready to take atrip back in time and bring back the memories of former #1 songs. Thanks to www.joshhosley.biz for the list based on Billboard charts, the ONLY correct list of national songs.
I took the entire decades of the sixties and seventies because that is MY ERA.
2009-- BOOM BOOM POW-- BLACKEYED PEAS-- ????, I don't know this one. Reckon I'll have to listen to American Top Forty soon.
1999-- NO SCRUBS-- TLC
1989-- LIKE A PRAYER-- MADONNA--
1979-- REUNITED-- PEACHES & HERB--
1978-- NIGHT FEVER-- BEE GEES-- Disco, anybody?
1977-- HOTEL CALIFORNIA-- EAGLES-- You can check in, but never leave, like the Roach Motel.
1976-- LET YOU LOVE FLOW-- BELLAMY BROTHERS-- Country, in the top 40?
1975-- HE DON'T LOVE YOU (LIKE I DO)-- TONY ORLANDO & DAWN
1974-- THE LOCOMOTION-- GFR-- Was Little Eva ever mad.
1973-- TIE A YELLOW RIBBON ROUND THE OLD OAK TREE-- TONY ORLANDO & DAWN-- Two number ones in three years? Who'd have figured?
1972-- THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE-- ROBERTA FLACK--
1971-- JOY TO THE WORLD-- THREE DOG NIGHT-- What was the name of that bullfrog we used to get drunk with?
1970-- ABC-- JACKSON FIVE-- Before bthe weird.
1969-- AQAURIUS/LET THE SUNSHINE IN-- FIFTH DIMENSION-- From the rock musical "Hair."
1968-- HONEY-- BOBBY GOLDSBORO-- Totally gag.
1967-- SOMETHING STUPID-- NANCY & FRANK SINATRA--
1966-- MONDAY, MONDAY-- MAMAS AND PAPAS--
1965-- MRS. BROWN, YOU'VE GOT A LOVELY DAUGHTER-- HERMAN'S HERMITS--
1964-- CAN'T BUY ME LOVE-- BEATLES-- Beatle mania reigns.
1963-- I WILL FOLLOW HIM-- LITTLE PEGGY MARCH-- Give us some estrogen.
1962-- SOLDIER BOY-- SHIRELLES- More estrogen
1961-- RUNAWAY-- DEL SHANNON-- One of the greats. "I wonder, why, why, why, she ran away." I can hear some of you singing right now.
1960-- STUCK ON YOU-- ELVIS PRESLEY--
1959-- COME SOFTLY TO ME-- FLEETWOODS--
1949-- CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER-- RUSS MORGAN
1939-- OUR LOVE-- TOMMY JAMES--
Any Memories? --RoadDog
I took the entire decades of the sixties and seventies because that is MY ERA.
2009-- BOOM BOOM POW-- BLACKEYED PEAS-- ????, I don't know this one. Reckon I'll have to listen to American Top Forty soon.
1999-- NO SCRUBS-- TLC
1989-- LIKE A PRAYER-- MADONNA--
1979-- REUNITED-- PEACHES & HERB--
1978-- NIGHT FEVER-- BEE GEES-- Disco, anybody?
1977-- HOTEL CALIFORNIA-- EAGLES-- You can check in, but never leave, like the Roach Motel.
1976-- LET YOU LOVE FLOW-- BELLAMY BROTHERS-- Country, in the top 40?
1975-- HE DON'T LOVE YOU (LIKE I DO)-- TONY ORLANDO & DAWN
1974-- THE LOCOMOTION-- GFR-- Was Little Eva ever mad.
1973-- TIE A YELLOW RIBBON ROUND THE OLD OAK TREE-- TONY ORLANDO & DAWN-- Two number ones in three years? Who'd have figured?
1972-- THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE-- ROBERTA FLACK--
1971-- JOY TO THE WORLD-- THREE DOG NIGHT-- What was the name of that bullfrog we used to get drunk with?
1970-- ABC-- JACKSON FIVE-- Before bthe weird.
1969-- AQAURIUS/LET THE SUNSHINE IN-- FIFTH DIMENSION-- From the rock musical "Hair."
1968-- HONEY-- BOBBY GOLDSBORO-- Totally gag.
1967-- SOMETHING STUPID-- NANCY & FRANK SINATRA--
1966-- MONDAY, MONDAY-- MAMAS AND PAPAS--
1965-- MRS. BROWN, YOU'VE GOT A LOVELY DAUGHTER-- HERMAN'S HERMITS--
1964-- CAN'T BUY ME LOVE-- BEATLES-- Beatle mania reigns.
1963-- I WILL FOLLOW HIM-- LITTLE PEGGY MARCH-- Give us some estrogen.
1962-- SOLDIER BOY-- SHIRELLES- More estrogen
1961-- RUNAWAY-- DEL SHANNON-- One of the greats. "I wonder, why, why, why, she ran away." I can hear some of you singing right now.
1960-- STUCK ON YOU-- ELVIS PRESLEY--
1959-- COME SOFTLY TO ME-- FLEETWOODS--
1949-- CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER-- RUSS MORGAN
1939-- OUR LOVE-- TOMMY JAMES--
Any Memories? --RoadDog
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