Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.

Friday, April 30, 2010

The Drive's A to Z Update-- April 30th-- That's About All

Sad to say, but the Drive is up to letter "W." That means it won't be long now. You can listen to it at www.wdrv.com and also see that massive list of songs, everything they've played for the last eight days. Lots and lots of memories looking at the list.


THE DRIVE'S "SUMMER," "UNDER," AND "WALK, WALKING, WALKS" SONGS

Since we are practically in summer right now.

Summer Breeze-- Seals & Crofts
Summer in the City-- Lovin' Spoonful
Summer of '69-- Bryan Adams
Summertime Blues-- Who

UNDER

Under My Thumb-- Rolling Stones
Under My Wheels-- Alice Cooper
Under the Boardwalk-- John Mellancamp
Under the Bridge-- Red Hot Chili Peppers

WALK

Walk Away-- James Gang
Walk of Side-- Dire Straits
Walk on the Wild Side-- Lou Reed
Walk On Water-- Eddie Money
Walk This Way-- Aerosmith
Walking in Memphis-- Eric Cohn
Walking on the Moon-- Police
Walks Like a Lady-- Journey

CURRENTLY PLAYED

The last five songs played as of7:32 AM

Where the Streets Have No Name-- U2
Where to Now, St. Peter-- Elton John
Where Were You-- Journey
While My Guitar Gently Weeps-- Beatles
While You Saw a Chance-- Steve Winwood

Sure Gonna Miss It. --RoadDog

Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Drive's A to Z Update-- Thursday Morning April 29th

In another seven hours, the Drive will have been doing the A to Z for a full week. Over 2000 songs, no repeats other than some same title but different group songs.

They are still in the letter "S." this morning. I'm dual-listening to the Drive on a regular radio and WNCT-AM Beach, Boogie and Blues out of Greenville, North Carolina, right now. Love that Beach Music.


THE DRIVE'S "STILL" AND "SOMEBODY" SONGS:

Somebody-- Bryan Adams
Somebody to Love-- Jefferson Airplane (Hey, Gracie Slick)
Somebody to Love-- Queen (Could a group do better vocals?)
Somebody's Baby-- Jackson Browne (Didn't that have something to do with Ridgemont High?)

Still Crazy After All these Years-- Paul Simon
Still the One-- Orleans
Still the Same-- Bob Seger
Still They Ride-- Journey

The last songs played:

Substitute-- Who
Subterranean Homesick Blues-- Bob Dylan
Suffragette City-- David Bowie
Sugar Magnolia-- Grateful Dead
Suicide Blonde-- Inxs
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes-- CSN
Suite Madame Blue-- Styx
Sultans of Swing-- Dire Straits

Sure Gonna Miss A to Z When It Ends. --RoadDog


Life Before Computers: A keyboard used to be only on pianos and typewriters.

Every Bloomin' Thing-- Late April

I've been working in the yard most days. Lots of weeding, cutting down dead perennials from last year, transplanting, thinning out, and avoiding bees since I have several large nests out in the flower beds. I also have to be careful about ant nests. Always an unpleasant experience to be kneeling on or standing on one. At least they aren't fire ants.

I've been enjoying listening to the Drive's WDRV 96.9 FM A to Z songs they have been doing since last Thursday. Sun, warm, tunes and dirt. hey, I tell you, "Don't get much better than that."

I'm going to have to do some leveling on some of the Windsor stone retaining walls later this summer.

I've planted two new Clematis plants, three columbines, three coral bells, a spirea and two ferns.

The robin spends lots of time sitting on her nest so perhaps there are eggs. Can't keep the birdfeeder full as the sparrows are sure ravenous. Talk about squabbling. We have at least one squirrel that hangs around and a couple days ago, i saw two.

The three Bradford pear trees and weeping cherry have about run out, but the four crabapples are bursting out. Daffodills and hyacinths are mostly gone, but tulips have replaced them. The various colors of creeping phlox are blooming as is some yellow perennial so lots of color there.

Just a Peek. --RoadDog


Here's a Real Groaner: I knew someone once who was a monorail enthusiast. He had a one-track mind. GROAN!!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

And Speaking of Mines!!

Yesterday, I posted about the many mines that still are in the European waters. Later, while looking through the alerts, I came across this story from the April 27th BBC.

A live World War I three-foot-long bomb was found next to the Portsmouth Ferry pontoon. A diver found it underneath the Hayling Island ferry at the entrance to Langstone harbor which is located by the English Channel.

The bomb was checked by the Royal Navy and moved to deeper water where it was exploded.

Not surprisingly, service at the Hayling Ferry was suspended for a period of time.

I guess people were very lucky for all those years, but I am not aware of bombs of that size being dropped during World War I.

A Bit Frightening to Say the Least. --Cooter

Well, oops. This should have been posted on my Cooter's History Thing Blog But I Am Too Lazy to Retype It So Will Leave It.

The Drive A to Z Update-- April 28th

It's now been over six days of playing music listed alphabetically. It has been rock nirvana, but, unfortunately we are in letter "s" which will take a long time, but, unfortunately, we are getting neat the letter "z."

They played 25 songs beginning with the word "Rock." The first was "Rock and a Hard Place" by the Rolling Stones and last "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by the Scorpions. The first song started at 6:55 am and ended at 9:02.


THE DRIVE'S "RUN" AND "RUNNIN'" SONGS

Run for Your Life-- Beatles
Run Like Hell-- Pink Floyd
Run Run Run-- Jo Jo Gunne
Run Through the Jungle-- CCR
Run to You-- Bryan Adams
Run With the Pack-- Bad Company

Runnin' Blue-- Doors
Runnin' Down a Dream-- Tom Petty
Runnin' with the Devil-- Van Halen

Bonus: Running on Empty-- Jackson Browne

The last three songs:

Shine on You Crazy Diamond-- Pink Floyd
Shock the Monkey-- Peter Gabriel
Shoot to Kill-- AC/DC

Sure Will Miss These. --RoadDog


Life before Computers: A program was a TV show.

Pretty Good Weekend-- April 25th

Sunday, I woke up before Liz and did a drive-around and followed US-14 into Chicago for awhile. Afterwards I went to Golf Mill Shopping Center in Niles, one of the first shopping centers built in the US, dating to 1950.

Went to Target and bought Greatest Hits CDs by Cheap Trick, Martina McBride and Judas Priest and an interesting one by the Dropkick Murphy's, Irish music with a heavy edge. Target opens into the mall so took a walk around it as well.

We then drove into Des Plaines, Illinois, and ate at the Choo Choo Restaurant where a model train brings your order to you. Quite an experience. I don't know who enjoyed it more, the little kids or adult kids.

Then went NTNing to Cheeseburger in Paradise, located a couple blocks from the Choo Choo and then up to Frank's in Northbrook which is part of the Algauers Restaurant/Hilton Hotel. Our wedding rehearsal dinner was held at Algauers back in August 1973 and we had never been back since then. We had never played at either of these places.

The rest of the day, we took pictures of homes and apartments Liz and I lived in over the years, including ones in Rolling Meadows, three in Palatine, one in Vernon Hills, one in Round Lake Beach, and the current one.

We also had a shake at Photos in Palatine which is on the site of the old Burger King that I worked at going through high school and some of college.

Lots of Stuff for One Day. --RoadDog


Life Before Computers: A cursor used profanity.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Drive A to Z Update

Just got on the ol' 'pute as I was busy working in the yard most of the day, and, of course, listening to this huge 2,000 alphabetical odyssey the drive is taking us on.

At 8:54, they entered the letter "P" with "Paint it Black" by the Rolling Stones and just played


THE DRIVE'S "NO" SONGS:

No matter What-- Badfinger
No More Mister Nice Guy-- Alice Cooper
No More No More-- Aerosmith (Not familiar with this one.)
No No Song-- Ringo Starr (You've just got to like this one.)
No One Like You-- Scorpions
No One to Depend On-- Supertramp
No Quarter-- Led Zeppelin
No Reply at All-- Genesis
No Son of Mine-- Genesis
No Sugar Tonight, New Mother Nature-- Guess Who
No Time-- Guess Who (The ultimate high school break up song.)
No Time to Lose-- Tarney Spencer Band
No Woman No Cry-- Bob Marley


THE DRIVE'S "OLD" Songs:

'Ol 55-- Eagles-- (Bonus Sing)
Old Days-- Chicago
An Old Fashioned Love Song-- Three Dog Night
Old Man-- Neil Young
Old Man Down the Road-- John Fogerty (Yeah, give me that CCR.)
Old Time Rock and Roll-- Bob Seger (Used to play this one a lot when I deejayed.)

LAST SONGS:

Papa was a Rolling Stone-- Temptations
Paper and Fire-- John Mellancamp
Paperback Writer-- Beatles
Paradise By the Dashboard Light-- Meatloaf (This one always reminds me of the impromptu rendition at the bar down on Bourbon Street.)

How Do You Get Better? --RoadDog


LIFE BEFORE COMPUTERS: An application was for employment.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Pretty Good Weekend: 100th Anniversary April 25th

Liz and I took a drive this past weekend to the land of 10% sales tax and $3.15 gas, that would be Chicago and Cook County.

Saturday, we got to play with some traffic jams on the Northwest Tollway and Kennedy, but then got to Liz's old neighborhood where the school she went to from Kindergarten to 8th grade, Our Lady of Grace, was celebrating its 100th anniversary. Hard to believe a school that old could be in that good of shape.

Liz actually remembered every room she had in those years and was able to get pictures of all but one. Every little nook and cranny had a story and she can remember them all.

Sad to see the class sizes now. When she was there, they had 40-50 kids in each room and 120 in her 8th grade graduating class in 1965. Now, the Class of 2010 will have a total of 12. That sure doesn't bode well for the school's future.

Back in Liz's time, most students were Polish or German. Now, most are Hispanic.

We then stopped at the apartment building, now condos, where she lived the whole time.

Went to the Super 8 in Morton Grove after unsuccessfully looking for the Buffalo Wild Wings in Northbrook, but we did see where they were building a new one.

They had a dinner dance at Chateau Ritz in Des Plaines where she got to meet and talk with lots of her Class of 65.

As an 8th grade Class of 1965, I graduated from Winston Park Junior High School in Palatine, Illinois. --RoadDog


Life Before Computers: Memory was something you lost with age, not virus.

The Drive's A to Z Update: Getting Green, Hey and Highway

THE DRIVES "GREEN" SONGS:

Green Eyed Lady-- Sugarloaf
Green Grass & High Tide-- Outlaws-- (I originally spelled them Potlaws, oops! Well, maube they did.))
Green Manalish-- Judas Priest (Never heard this one)
Green Onions-- Booket T. & MGs (Probably my favorite instrumental)
Green River-- CCR (Creedence, what can I say?)
Green Tambourine-- Lemon Pipers (Pschedelic Enough for you?)

Bonus:
Grey Seal-- Elton John


THE DRIVE'S "HEY" SONGS:

Hey Baby-- Ted Nugent
Hey Bullfrog-- Beatles
Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)-- Neil Young
Hey Joe-- Jimi Hendrix
Hey Jude-- Beatles
Hey Nineteen-- Steely Dan
Hey Tonight-- CCR
Hey You-- Pink Floyd


THE DRIVE'S "HIGHWAY" SONGS (Since I am a BIG ROAD fan):

Highway 61 Revisited-- Bob Dylan
Highway Star-- Deep Purple
Highway to Hell-- AC/DC

I Love It When These Guys Do the Alphabet Thing-- RoadDog


1955 Comment: No one can afford to get sick anymore what with the $15 a day hospital charges!

The Drive's A to Z Update-- April 26th

It's now 7:20 CDST and AC/DC's "Jailbreak" is finishing. They just finished the letter "I" five songs ago. They started way back at 3 pm Thursday.

I'm back at home after being on the road this last weekend where we listened to the Drive www.wdrv.com whenever we were driving somewhere. In Chicago, we had to switch over to 97.1 FM, the main signal. Here in McHenry, we have to get 96.9 FM to pick it up.

Since I got to the old 'puter:

Jail Break-- AC/DC
Jackie Wilson Said-- Van Morrison
Jackie Brown-- John Mellancamp
Jackie Blue-- Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Jack and Diane-- John Cougar
Itchy Coo Park-- Small Faces
It's Too Late-- Carole King
It's the End of the World-- REM

Yesterday, it too over five hours to do just the letter "I" as in "I Don't Want to Listen Anymore," starting with "I Am a Rock" by Simon & Garfunkel at 3:13 pm, and ending with "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty. That is a total of 64 songs.

Coming Up, Getting Green, Hey and Highway. --RoadDog


1955 Comment: They're crazy if they think I'm going to pay 30 cents for a haircut.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

The Drive's A to Z Update

Dual listening right now. The Surf, 94.9 FM in North Myrtle Beach, SC, is playing the Beach Top 40. SOS is going on right now where Beach Music fans from all over descend on Ocean Drive to party and dance the Shag. One of these days I hope to be there.

The Drive has four more songs to go with the letter "E" after having started it at 5:46 am, with Bob Welch's "Ebony Eyes."

The last set:

Expresso Love-- Dire Straits
Excitable Boy-- Warren Zevon
Evil Woman-- ELO
Evil Woman-- Crow
Evil Ways-- Santana
Everything's Coming Our Way-- Santana


The Drive's "DOWNs"

Down by the River-- Neil Young
Down by the Seaside-- Led Zeppelin
Down on Me-- Janis Joplin
Down on the Corner-- CCR
Down to the Waterline-- Dire Straits
Down Under-- Men at Work

The Drive's "DIRTYs"

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap-- AC/DC
Dirty Laundry-- Don Henley
Dirty White Boy-- Foreigner
Dirty Work-- Steely Dan

I'll Sure Be Listening Some More Today. --RoadDog


1955 Comment: We have to cut back on trips because it costs nearly $2 a night to stay at a motel.

The Really Last Look Back at the College B-Ball Season

Yesterday, I was glad to see that the NCAA Tournament was expanded by only 3 instead of that mega-32 they were talking about.

Expanding by the additional three teams isn't what excites me. What I am happy about is that ALL GAMES WILL BE AIRED live over four networks: CBS, TNT, TBS and TruTV (and, even better, I get all of them).

Right now, they are doing a mostly-ok job and cutting away to close games and upsets when they occur, but not as much as I would like. Even when my teams are the prime regional offerings, I don't much care to see a Duke or Carolina blow out. I'd much rather see those close ones and yet I still have to watch the blowouts.

This will put the choice of games up to me (well, the remote).

Good Move, NCAA!! --RoadDog


1955 Comment: I'm afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door for a whole lot of foreign cars.

Friday, April 23, 2010

A Final Look Back at College B-Ball (for the Season)

A look at "Recent NCAA Championship Games" in the Chicago Tribune earlier this month.

Winners and Runners-up (RU) that I liked:

2010 Duke-- Butler (RU)
2009 North Carolina
2008 Kansas
2004 Georgia Tech (RU)
2002 Indiana (RU)
2001 Duke
1994 Duke (RU)
1993 North Carolina
1992 Duke
1991 Duke
1990 Duke (RU)
1988 Kansas
1987 Indiana
1986 Duke (RU)
1983 NC State
1981 Indiana-- North Carolina (RU)
1978 Duke (RU)
1977 Marquette-- North Carolina (RU)
1976 Indiana
1974 NC State-- Marquette (RU)
1968 North Carolina (RU)
1967 Dayton (RU)
1966 UTEP

Well, These Are MY Favorites. --RoadDog


1955 Comment: It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch the kids so both can work.

The Drive's A to Z

They're thick into this most remarkable effort at the station now. They started at 3 pm yesterday with Genesis' "Abacab" and are into the Bs right now.


The "Blue" Songs

Songs beginning with the word blue played 6:29 am to 7:01 am:

Blue Collar Man-- Styx
Blue Money-- Van Morrison
Blue Morning Blue Day-- Foreigner
Blue Sky-- Allman Brothers
Bluebird-- Buffalo Springfield
Bluebird-- Paul McCartney & Wings
Blues Power-- Eric Clapton

The "Born" Songs

Played 7:37 am to 8:03.

Born in the USA-- Bruce Springsteen
Born on the Bayou-- CCR
Born to be Wild-- Steppenwolf
Born to Run-- Bruce Springsteen
Born to Wander-- Rare Earth

I Know Where I'll Be a Lot This Next Week. --RoadDog

www.wdrv.com


Comment heard in 1955: Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging 7 cents for a stamp???

Thursday, April 22, 2010

JSS: Wrigley Rooftop Owners-- Drive's A to Z-- 5 and 9

JSS-- Just Some Stuff.


1. WRIGLEY ROOFTOP OWNERS-- These are not my favorite folks in the world. Way too much of the Give Me Everything for Free Guys who are now really upset about a new big Toyota sign that is proposed to go up that will block some of their views of Wrigley Field.


2. DRIVE'S A TO Z-- At 3 pm today, the Drive, 96.9 FM starts their periodic A-to-Z where they play over 2000 songs alphabetically over the next week or so. You want your variety, ya got yer variety!! Well worth tuning in every so often.

You can listen online at www.wdrv.com.


3. 5 AND 9-- As of yesterday, both Chicago baseball teams possessed real stellar 5-9 records. Go Sox and Cubs!!

Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog


1955 Comment: If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help in the store.

Just Got Back-- Part 2

Drove into Round Lake and picked up Terri, a teacher I taught with for over twenty years, an we went to the IEA headquarters in Libertyville, where we caught a motor coach to Springfield, taking the Tri-State to I-355 to I-55 where we then paralled Route 66 to Springfield.

There were eleven teachers from Round Lake, including one from the high school and Ellis that I knew and another teacher from Magee Middle School where Terri still teaches and I taught for 31 years before we moved to another building.

We stopped at an excellent rest area south of Pontiac with views of a creek and picnic tables. I just might get off 66 someday and pack a picnic lunch to eat here. Definitely an enjoyable spot. I enjoyed looking at various signs for Route 66 along I-55 as I am usually doing the driving and we are running on 66 anyway.

We arrived at the state capitol building at 11 am after a four hour ride.

A R-e-e-a-a-l-l-y Big Rally Next. --RoadDog


1955 Comment: I see that some married women have to work outside the home to make ends meet.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Just Got Back

I took a bus trip today from Libertyville, Illinois, to the state capital in Springfield as part of a 15,000+ rally to encourage the General Assembly to pass House Bill 274 which would raise needed taxes for Illinois schools, almost all of which are facing such huge deficits that 26,000 teachers received pink slips. In accordance, the Illinois Education Association wore pink items.

It was a long day, with me having to get up at 4:30 after losing an additional hour's sleep due to a smoke detector battery. Great timing for that. However, I am happy to report that I still know how to set my alarm clock. You know us retarred folk don't usually have to worry about getting up real early. I usually wake up when I wake up and sometimes go right back to sleep.

Great Teacher's Ghost!! --RoadDog


1955 Comment: It seems like every new movie has swear words like "hell' or "damn" in them.

No "F-ing way!!"

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

That's Why We're Paying $6.75 a Beer at Wrigley-- Part 2

The Cub payroll is the third highest in the Majors at $146,859,000 with an average of $5,439,222. Well, that goes a long way toward explaining it.

The New York Yankees, of course, have the highest payroll at $206,333,389 for an average of $8,253,336 a man. At that price, they should win the World Series every year.

My White Sox, those lovable 4-9 guys, have the 7th highest payroll at $108,273,197, or $4,164,354 per. I wonder how that comes out compared to strike outs and runners left in scoring position?

After #9 LA Angels, the payrolls drop below $100 million with two teams under $50 million: #29 San Diego at $37,799,300 and #30 Pittsburgh at $34,943,000.

Maybe These Guys Are Overpaid? --RoadDog


1955 Comment: Did you hear that some baseball player just signed a contract for $50,000? Some day they might make more than the president.

It's Them, Not Me: Isn't That Just Wonderful!!!

Gas prices here in northeastern Illinois along the McHenry and Lake counties border is now over $3. In Fox Lake, along US-12, it is $3.04 at all three stations and $3.10 at the full service Mobil.

Something tells me that this outrageous price will look to be very reasonable in a few weeks as the GRBs at Big Oil and the Hedgie-Wedgies are out to make that almighty profit of theirs.

Now, we have to wonder if the government will do something about it. Last time, the leader was one of them, but now the leader isn't. Let's just wait and see.

To my way of thinking, this money-grab contributed heavily to our current economic woes.

Give Me $4, Give Me $4. --RoadDog


1955 Comment: Who would have thought gas would cost 25 cents???

Monday, April 19, 2010

That's Why We're Paying $6.75 for a Beer!!

Perhaps these ballplayers are getting PAID TOO MUCH!!! I can remember back in the 60s when Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax held out for $100,000.

The Chicago Tribune ran a graphic earlier this month with the average baseball salary going back to 1989, when it was $512,804.

Here are some selected years since then (all are rounded off):

1992 $1,084,000-- breaking the million dollar mark.
1997 $1,384,000
2000 $1,988,000
2001 $2,264,000-- breaking the two million dollar mark.
2005 $2,633,000
2008 $3,155,000
2009 $3,240,000
2010 $3,298,000

Well, that explains the price of those beers.

Good Work If You Can Get It. --RoadDog


In the 60s, people took acid to make the world look weird. Today, people take Prozak to make it look normal.

Way Up High in Wrigley-- The Bob Uecker Seats-- Part 2

*** And speaking of Bob Uecker and those hilarious Miller Lite commercials, I noticed that the Brewer announcer was not asked to sing the Seventh Inning Stretch as he has a habit of saying "Root, root, root for the Brewers" instead of Cubbies.

*** Rooftop Businesses. I haven't been to Wrigley in a lot of years, but am amazed at how many of the buildings across both streets in the outfield have bleacher-type seating. All but three buildings had them, and two of those had billboards.

*** What's in a number?-- Part 1-- I must admit that I didn't notice that all the players were wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. I didn't realize it until I was watching the Sox game and was wondering why I kept seeing that number. And, at $6.75, believe me it wasn't because I had had too much to drink!!

*** What's in a number?-- Part 2-- I noticed the foul poles on each side had flags of what I imagine were retired Cub player' numbers. On our side, we had Santo 10, Banks 14 and Jenkins 31.

The other foul pole was too far away to read the names, but I did see the numbers. Jersey watching in the ballpark, I came up with the names: Williams 26, Sandberg 23 and another 31. I couldn't figure out why Fergie Jenkins would have his number up twice. Then I saw a Greg Maddox 31 jersey. That's right, they both had #31 and that number was retired last year.

*** And speaking of Fergie Jenkins, the local Fox Lake Menard's store had a grand reopening and Wednesday they had Jenkins there signing autographs. I dropped by after the movie, but the line was at least two hours long, so decided not to wait.

He's looking good.

A Great day for a Ball Game. Too Bad the Cubs Lost. --RoadDog


Life is like a jar of jalapeno peppers. What you do today might come back to burn your ass tomorrow.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Way Up High in Wrigley-- The Bob Uecker Seats-- Part 1

Some Wrigley Field Observations:

*** $6.75 beer!!! Like, oh yeah, I'm sure going to spend that much to drink. But that sure didn't stop the people on the bus. I remember writing in my journal after my first trip to Wrigley back in 1981 that they had raised the price of beer to $1.50 and I couldn't drink there anymore.

*** We were sitting way up high in the left field upper grandstand. My seat was Row 8 seat 108. The absolute farthest you could get was Row 9 seat 112. I sat there for awhile. If you're going to be almost as far away as you can get, you might as well be the farthest you can be. Like Bob said, "Must be in the front row."

*** Real funny bus driver. As we were preparing to leave Sequoit Lodge in Antioch, Illinois, he got the microphone and said, "By the way, you do realize you can't drink on busses in Illinois. There was a momentary pause and gasp, then every one started laughing. Real funny!!

A Bad day at the Ballpark is Still Better Than a Good Day at Work. --RoadDog

Maxine says the economy is so bad that CEOs are now playing miniature golf.

JSS: Achin' Back-- "Pops"-- The "Y" Generation

JSS-- Just Some Stuff.

I definitely must be getting older. And here are some reasons.


1. ACHIN' BACK-- Right now, my back and muscles all over are screaming after I put in a lot of time working on weeds and dead flowers on the east end of the arboretum and north end of Frances' Back Forty. Back in my 40s, when we just bought the house, I did a lot more and with no pain. Maybe I'm getting old (well, older).


2. "POPS"-- I'm not sure, but I think one of the people on the bus we took to Wrigley Field Thursday called me "Pops." How could that be? Oh yes, the average age on the bus was probably 27.

Looks like another epiphany like with the Delta Sigs in the late 80s when Liz went looking for me and I was having a perfectly good time at the house party. She went up to the girls at the door and asked if her husband was in there. They said, "You mean that old man?" Liz, of course, found this very humorous. When she told me, I realized they could have been my kids.


3. THE "Y" GENERATION-- Like I said, the average age on the bus to Wrigley couldn't have been more than 25. I don't think I ever heard the "F" word used more in one day. It has become THE universal adjective with this new generation. Quite a few tats and piercings also.

Of course, it is the "Y" generation referring to their rear ends with those low lying pants. Plus, we had one guy who couldn't have been prouder of his tight little derriere that he wanted everyone to admire. He was asked to leave by park personnel and then two females got upset and started using language and were asked to leave as well.

Pucker Up Buttercup. --RoadDog

Maxine says that Congress is looking deeper into the Bernie Madoff scandal. Well, ain't that just great. The guy who made $50 billion disappear is being investigated by people who made $1.5 trillion disappear.

Friday, April 16, 2010

So, Who Were They?: Harper's Bizarre-- The Five Americans

Back on April 3rd, I listed Bob Stroud's songs from March 28, 1967.


HARPER'S BIZARRE

This group had a song out called "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)."

They were one of the first groups to play what is called Broadway/Sunshine Pop Sound with this remake of the Simon & Garfunkel song. Harper's Bizarre was formed from a group called the Tikis from Santa Clara, California whose name was a play on the magazine Harper's Bazaar (which is the way I always spelled it before seeing it).

The song went to #13 and none of their other efforts did so well, so you'd have to call them One-Hit Wonders.


THE FIVE AMERICANS

The had a hit that date with "Western Union" which went to #3 and was their only top 20. They set the record for most use of a repetitive word or phrase with "dit".

They originated from Southeastern State College in Duran, Oklahoma, and were together from 1965 to 1969. My other favorite song of theirs was "Zip Code." Other songs of theirs were "Sound of Love," "Evol Not Love."


Big Five American Fan. --RoadDog


Maxine says the economy is so bad that Hot Wheels and Match Box stocks are selling higher than Chrysler and GM.

So, Who Were They?

Since music is a big part of my life, this blog reflects that. There are lots of blog entries on the subject. My brother one time said to me, "Oh, that blog with all the music."

I don't know about you, but for me, music brings back a lot of memories.

Every so often, Bob Stroud plays a song by a group or performer that I don't know a lot about, such as these two bands. I am familiar with the name and song, but don't know much about them. So now I do some Wikipedian for a short history.

So, from now on, I will be featuring this "So, Who Were They?" entries on a more regular basis. Usually, these will be lesser-known groups.

I have to wonder whether or not Bob Stroud looks up most of the stuff he says or if he just knows it. I'm thinking he just knows it, more along the lines of a walking, talking encyclopedia.

You can hit the labels below and take a look at some earlier groups.

Lovin' That Old Time Music. --RoadDog

Maxine says the economy is so bad that parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children's names.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

It Was a Cubbie Thing

We just got back from a bus trip to Wrigley Field where the Cubs lost 8-6 to Milwaukee.

Sequoit Lodge in Antioch, Illinois, sponsored it. For $65 a person, this was a hard deal to beat, including a ticket to the upper deck, deluxe motor coach and beer and food going and coming back.

Wrigley Field has gotten extremely expensive. The tickets were $28. Had we driven, parking would have been $20-30. Beer in the ballpark is $6.75. I had six beers on the bus which would have been $40.50.

We almost didn't get the tickets as we waited until Tuesday to register to go. April can be a tricky month in the Chicagoland area. Today, the temps were in the 80s and with a strong wind (no cold in it either). That kind of wind means home runs, and we had five.

This is the first Cubs game I have seen in a very long time.

My Second Favorite Team Playing My Third Favorite. --RoadDog


Maxine says the economy is so badMcDonald's is selling the "Quarter-Ouncer."

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Doin' My Part to Get the Country Back on Track

Even if Big Oil and the Hedgies aren't.

Not only am I stuck with CDs earning whopping interest anywhere from .5% to 1.5%. But, also today, I fired off a check for $5,195 to Uncle Sam on top of the taxes I already paid.

I am doing my good citizen thing. And, I haven't even seen my NEW property taxes which were $8500 last year. Definitely bleeding taxes through the ears.


A CUBS RESPITE

Tomorrow, I will drown my sorrows going out to Wrigley Field, well, on the bus there and back, anyway. I can't afford to pay he prices at the ball park. I'm betting they are at least $6.

I can't help but remember writing in my journal back in April of 1981 that I had gone out to Wrigley for the first time that season and found that I couldn't afford to drink there any more as they had raised beer prices to $1.50!!!

A Cubs fan...Unless They Play the Sox. --RoadDog


Maxine says the economy is so bad that Exxon-Mobil had to lay off 25 Congressmen.

Where Were You March 28, 1977?-- Part 2

Oops. I put it on another blog, this date.

http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com.

The number one song in Chicago was "The Things We Do for Love" by 10CC.

Sure hate When I Do That. --RoadDog

Maxine says the economy is so bad a truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Every Bloomin' Thing: Early Spring

The great outdoors calls.

Always an exciting time of the year with all the plants starting to bud out. I have some ground cover blooming blue right now as well as hyacinths and daffodils in full color.

The trees are starting to bud as well. The Japanese lilac trees are about open.

The robins are almost finished with their nest (I lost again in my efforts to stop them. The sparrows and small birds are really attacking the bird feeder. Mr. Squirrel is getting bolder and often up on the deck. Mi casa es his casa.

I cut the grass Friday, which was in big need of it. The lawn tractor and mower is now 17 years old. Like they say, nothing runs like a Deere. Love that John Deere Green.

I had a fire out by the burn pile Sunday (we can burn on the weekends when it hasn't rained or it is not too windy). I have now finished cutting back and trimming the whole front yard and both pine islands.

In the Spring, an Old Guy's Fancy Turns to... the Yard!! --RoadDog


Maxine says the economy is so bad that Motel 6 won't leave the light on for you anymore.

JSS-- Happier on the Weekends-- Don't Change It-- Obama the Sox Fan?-- Asteroids 41,335,740

JSS-- Just Some Stuff-- Stuff From the Newspapers.

1. HAPPIER ON THE WEEKENDS-- The Jan. 20th Chicago Tribune reported that new research showed people are happier in the weekends. Who could have figured that?


2. DON'T CHANGE IT-- The April 7th Chicago Tribune had an editorial requesting that the NCAA not "mess with March madness. You have a good thing now." It currently is nearly a perfect mix of traditional programs like Duke and upstarts like Butler. "It creates tremendous interest in fans" and those incessant tournament brackets. Proof that expansion isn't good is Academy Awards Best Pictures from 5 to 10. I sure agree here.


3. OBAMA THE SOX FAN?-- John Kass in the April 7th Chicago Tribune about President Barack Obama, America's #1 White Sox fan. He threw out the first pitch at the Washington National's baseball game last Monday, wearing a Nationals sweatshirt, but that great old battered Sox cap.

Warm feelings here, but the problem came afterwards when he talked with announcer Rob Dibble in the booth afterwards. Dibble asked him "Who was one of your favorite White Sox players growing up?" Obama couldn't give an answer. Oh, oh. As a Sox fan, you should have some favorites. Makes you wonder, but in his defense, he grew up in Hawaii and probably wasn't a fan back then. But, he should have said so.

By the way, my favorites are Harold Baines and Tommy Agee.


4. ASTEROIDS 41,335,740-- A short article in the April 7th Tribune was about the unofficial record score on the game just set by John McAllister of Portland, Oregon. This would break the old record of 41,336,440 set by the late Scott Safran of New Jersey in 1982. Since McAllister played it at a friend's house, it will have to be verified by Twin Galaxies.

Sadly, the blurb ended with the old record being "set at a place called an 'arcade'."

I didn't play many games in arcades, but I did really like this one, but, unfortunately, didn't play very well. It is sad that the reporter thinks people won't remember what an arcade was.

Shoot That Asteroid to Pieces, But Watch Out for Fragments. --RoadDog


Maxine says the economy is so bad I ordered a burger at McDonald's and the kid behind the counter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"

Monday, April 12, 2010

Where Were You March 28, 1977?-- Part 1

The second part of Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots Time Warp show of March 28th was to this date in 1977.

In 1977, we were living in Round Lake Beach, Illinois and I was teaching 7th and 8th grade at Magee Middle School in Round Lake. Liz was teaching 1st grade at Beach School. This was my fourth year teaching.

We were having a great time with our neighbors at the time: the Walkers, Bergstroms, LaBoys and Kranzs. We got along with Hank but the others didn't as they had kids and Hank wasn't much of a fan of kids.

Our dog Brandy, a Sheltie/Beagle mix, was ruler of the yard.

Again, all comments are my own since I didn't get to hear it.

RICH GIRL-- HALL AND OATES-- Did they really say she was rich bitch?
SO INTO YOU-- ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION--

I WISH-- STEVIE WONDER-- Stevie pre-dreads. Just hitting one of his peak times of output.
WALK THIS WAY-- AEROSMITH-- Great rock and I also liked the Run DMC/Aerosmith rap version. This second time around in the 80s resurrected the band.

Sure Wish We Still had Those Gas Prices. --RoadDog

Maxine says: The economy is so bad if the bank returns you a check marked "insufficient funds," you call and ask if this means you or them.

Box Office Blockbusters

Since I have become a considerable movie fanatic, I found this list of movies with the Top Ten Domestic Grosses to be of interest.

From the Jan. 29th Chicago Tribune. Of course, this was during the really big release of "Avatar" which I saw once in 3D and once 2D.

As of Jan. 29th: Title, date and gross

1. TITANIC-- 1997-- $600.7 million
2. AVATAR-- 2009-- $561.3 million
3. THE DARK NIGHT-- 2008-- $533.3 million

4. STAR WARS-- 1977-- 461 million
5. SHREK 2-- 2004-- $441.2 million
6. ET: THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL-- 1982-- $435.1 million

7. STAR WARS EPISODE 1- THE PHANTOM MENACE-- 1999-- $431.1 million
8. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN; DEAD MAN'S CHEST-- 2006-- $423.3 million
9. SPIDER-MAN-- 2002-- $403.7 million
10. TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN-- 2009-- $402.1 million

Of course, these numbers are all based on today's money without regard to ticket-price inflation.

I've seen all but #9 and all when released.

For the top ten with inflation-adjusted prices, see today's date in http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com.

Too Much Movie Time for Me. Hey, last Week I Saw 5 Movies. --RoadDog


Maxine on the economy. Thanks Liane.
The economy is so bad I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Where Were You March 28, 1967?-- Part 3

PENNY LANE-- BEATLES-- Who wants to bet this a two-sided hit?
STRAWBERRY FIELDS-- BEATLES--

UPS AND DOWNS-- PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS-- I sure have had them, most recently with the $5100 plus I owe Uncle Sam. I thought when you retired you no longer had to pay as much to taxes. WRONG!!!
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH-- BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD-- Stills, Young and boys. "There's something happening here."

DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE-- MAMAS AND PAPAS-- Coz's favorite all-time group.
HAPPY TOGETHER-- TURTLES-- How do you do pop better than this?

I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW-- TOMMY JAMES 7 THE SHONDELLS-- The number one song in Chicago on this date.

Again, all comments mine as I didn't hear the show.

Bringing back Those Memories. --RoadDog

The difference between north and south.

The nawth has the rust belt, the south has the Bible Belt.

Time's Numbers

Some numbers as appeared on the April 5th World Page in Time Magazine.

22-- the number of pens used by President Obama to sign his new health care reform bill into law.

32%-- the number of US caesarian births in 2007, highest-ever.

$2.2 million-- sale price of one of Oskar Schindler's original lists. Must have been one of those hedge fund managers.

69%-- percent increase in portion sizes at the Last Supper over the past 1000 years according to researchers who studied the meal.

Give me a Number. --RoadDog

Difference between north and south.

The nawth has green salads, the south has collard greens.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Congratulations Billy Williams!!

The April 1st Chicago Tribune had an article about Billy Williams, one of my all-time favorite Chicago Cubs. The Cubs announced that the Hall of Fame left fielder will have a statue unveiled September 7th outside Wrigley Field.

he will be joining statues of Harry Caray (1999)and Ernie Banks (2008).

Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry said, "He's not only one of the greatest Cubs ever, but one of the greatest influences on Cubs players and Cubs employees." Too bad this couldn't rub off on Mr. Bradley.

He has spent more than 40 years with the Cubs as a player, coach and in management after being the 1961 Rookie of the Year, a six-time All Star.

The statue will be sculpted by Lou Cella, the same one who made the Banks statue.

I'd Say It is Also About Time for Ron Santo to be So Honored. --RoadDog

The difference between north and south.

The nawth has Cream of Wheat. The south has grits.

It's Them, Not Me: Gas Gouge's Coming Back

The April 6th Chicago Tribune reports that oil prices climbed to 18-month highs, which, as we all know, means higher prices at the pump. Some worry that this bides bad for economic recovery.

To my way of thinking, it was this run for the money back two years ago, when gas got to over $4 a gallon that initiated the whole economy thing.

Monday, average gas prices across the nation hit $2.82. Around here, northeast Illinois, it ranges from $2.94 to $3 with most stations keeping it at $2.99.9 so people won't know they are really paying that magic $3. Of course, we are always higher than the average.

There is a fear that motorists will cut back on driving and elsewhere. Well, as the kids say,, "No duh!" (Do they still say that?) It happened two years in July 2008 when oil was selling for $4.11 a barrel and by December had dropped to $33.

Who is to blame? I have noticed that oil prices were kept up higher than it should have been during the winter. Around here it got down to about $2.49, then jumped back to the $2.60s and stayed there until this last month. That is exactly what happened back in 2008. Gas was kept high.

By who? I am not sure exactly, but am fairly certain the GRBs at Big Oil, you know, the guys who made those obscene profits in 2008, are involved in it. Also, those Middle East countries, perhaps as punishment to the US for our stuff in that area. And let's not forget the day traders and especially the hedge funds.

Thanks a lot guys. I am definitely going to cut back on my driving.

Remember, What Goes Around Comes Around. --RoadDog


The difference north and south.

In the nawth, you have Indy Car races. In the south you have stock car races.

It's Them, Not Me: OK, I Sure Didn't Buy One

I'm getting a bit tired of reading and hearing about the NEXT BIG THING that around 300,000 plunked $499 or more down Saturday the first day the iPad went on sell. Possibly 4 million will be sold this year. More than 1 million applications(?) had been sold by Sunday. I take it an application is something else the thing can do. Do they have to pay extra for the applications? I take it that is what they are talking about when I hear something having apps.

Why do some people have to immediately get the NEXT BIG THING? Even when it costs considerably more to get it right away and before defects are completely known.

Plus, I hear it's rather bulky, certainly too big to put in a pocket or loop onto a belt.

Of course, my big problem is that I hate learning new technology, preferring to make do with what I know as long as I can. Probably why I still use cassettes and VCRs.

Like Detective Munch on Law and Order SVU said when he found they were getting new phones in the squad room, "Hey, I just learned how to use the old ones."

Things Moving Way Too Fast for Me. --RoadDog


Differences North and South.

In the nawth you have double last names. In the south you have double first names.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

It's a Lost Cause-- The Robins Are Going to Beat Me Again

Currently I am involved in the annual battle with the robins to try to convince them to build a nest somewhere else other than on the lamp by the sliding door from the sun room to the deck.

i have a pair actively building a nest right now. Even though I have walked up to the window and door and jumped at them, that just makes them flutter away and come back a short time later.

The nest is about a quarter built and I have chased them away with lots of twigs in their beaks.

I actually don't mind if they build there, but the problem is the hassle every time I walk out the door or onto the deck. If they could only realize I mean them or their babies no harm we wouldn't have a problem. But every time I'm around, its fluttering all over and lots of fussing.

Looks like something else I'm just going to have to live with.

Perhaps These Are Some of the Baby Robins That Hatched Last Summer. --RoadDog

Its Them, Not Me: NCAA's Possible Big Mistake

Sadly, I have heard that the NCAA is considering plans to expand the NCAA Basketball Tournament to 96 teams from its current 64 (well, 65). The additional 32 teams would have to play in while the top 32 get a bye in the first round.

This would still take the three weeks of play as currently exists.

I think this would be a really bad move. As it is, some of the bottom of the current group don't have a chance and further diluting the pool would dilute the enjoyment of the whole thing.

Like I've heard before, "If it ain't broke, don't break it."

Now, what they should really do is to "fix" the way the National Championship for football is played. I'd suggest taking the top eight or sixteen teams and setting up a tournament for them, even though this would add four games to the schedule for the final two, this would eliminate the problems of the current system.

More Teams in Football, Not Basketball!! --RoadDog

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Dead Page: Survived Both Atom Bombs

TSUTOMU YAMAGUCHI, 93

Only recognized survivor of both attacks died of stomach cancer.

Yamaguchi is a certified "hibakusha," radiation survivor. It was known that he survived the bomb at Nagasaki August 9, 1945, but in March 2009, the Japanese government confirmed that he had also been at Hiroshima on a business trip for Mitsubishi Shipyard at 8:15 am when the first one went off.

He recalled, "It was very clear, a really fine day, nothing unusual about it at all. I was in good spirits. As I was walking along, I heard the sound of a plane, just one. I looked up into the sky and saw the B-29, and it dropped two parachutes. I was looking up into the sky at them, and suddenly it was like a flash of magnesium, a great flash in the sky, and I was blown over."

he was badly burned, but returned home to Nagasaki. Over 140,000 died at Hiroshima and 70,000 at Nagasaki.

many survived but had radiation-related problems. Mr. Yamaguchi lost his hearing in his left ear, suffered acute leukemia and had cataracts as a result of his exposure.

Talk about your being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Japanese media claims that 165 people were at both explosions, but he was the only confirmed one.

This entry should actually be in the Cooter's History Thing Blog. http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com

It was a "Hail" of a Time

one thing about weather here in Northern Illinois this time of the year. You can absolutely count on it to change and often drastically.

After two near-perfect 70s days Thursday and Friday, Saturday was rainy and Sunday sunny but very windy.

Monday wasn't too bad, but yesterday, i was a wakened by the sound of pitter-patter upon the roof and it wasn't any reindeer. We had a pretty bad hail storm with good-sized pellets pinging around all over the place.

About twenty minutes later, I took the garbage out to the street and picked up several inch across pieces of hail. No damage to the truck which was parked outside though.

After the movies, I went to get the oil changed in it and the people at the Dip Stick said they didn't get any in Fox Lake, about four miles away.

Rainy all yesterday and today and tomorrow temps are in the mid-40s and even possible snow tonight.

I've Definitely had Enough Snow. --RoadDog


North-South Differences:

In the Nawth you have switch blad knives. In the South you have .45s (and not the old records, either).

One Fine Tournament

Monday night, I watched one of the best-ever, if not the best NCAA National Championship games ever. Even though I have been a Duke fan for over thirty years, I was cheering all the way for Butler. Had that last midcourt shot at the buzzer gone in, this would have replaced the Duke-Kentucky game as my favorite all-time college game as well.

I can definitely live with the Duke win, but Butler can hold its head up. Like Gonzaga, they will never again be able to sneak up on anyone. Everybody knows 'em now. I have been watching them the last several years when they first started cracking the top 25.

Of course, now Butler has to worry about keeping their coach and the Horizon League has to worry about Butler staying in it.


AND THEN, THAT TOURNAMENT!!

The Chicago Sun-Times was nice enough to print up the whole tournament bracket with all scores and games.

In the first round, I counted 11 really good games which were either really close or an upset or both.

There were seven such games in the second round. So, out of 48 games, there were 18 really good ones.

What was really great about the Sweet Sixteen was that there were five teams I would consider Little Guys in the athletic world still playing: Northern Iowa, Butler, Xavier, Cornell and St. Mary's. That and along with five Big Guy schools that you don't expect to see still around at this point: Tennessee, Kansas State, Washington, west Virginia and Baylor. This makes for some excitement instead of the same-old, same-old.

Then three of the Sweet Sixteen games were really good and all four of the Elite 8. Who could ask for a better Final Four game than that between Michigan State and Butler, and then that Championship Game.

Great job to the selection committee,

Counting Down the Days Until the Next College B-Ball Season Starts. --RoadDog


North and South Differences:

In the Nawth you have dating services. In the south you have family reunions. Ooh!! Low One.

Where Were You March 28, 1967?-- Part 2

Continuing with Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots Time Warp back to this date. All comments mine since I was driving on I-40 in North Carolina then, and even with the two simulcast stations, it was too far to pick it up.

A LITTLE BIT ME, A LITTLE BIT YOU-- MONKEES-- Loved that short-lived Beatles knock-off show. What were the zany lads up to next and what really was under Micheal's hat?
THERE'S A KIND OF A HUSH-- HERMAN'S HERMITS-- "All over the world, tonight

BERNADETTE-- FOUR TOPS-- Ahh, that great Motown sound. Go Levi. Go Levi.
BABY I NEED YOUR LOVIN'-- JOHNNY RIVERS-- Imagine Good Ol' John doing a cover song? Who could have figured? I'm sure Bob played this after the previous song because this was a Four Tops effort.

WESTERN UNION-- FIVE AMERICANS-- A two-hit wonder with bad news in their hand.
MR. UNRELIABLE-- CRYAN' SHAMES-- Chicago's own off the "Scratch in the Sky" album. "There's no need to worry about the future."

MY BACK PAGES-- BYRDS-- A great Byrds song you don't get to hear often enough.
DARLIN' BE HOME SOON-- LOVIN' SPOONFUL-- One of my very favorite Spoonful songs.

SWEETS FOR MY SWEET-- RIDDLES-- Liz was quizzing me over the songs by giving me the title and I had to guess the group. I missed Johnny Rivers and never would have guessed this one. Riddles? Must be a Bob thing. I knew the song, but not the group. "Sugar for my honey."

I Know What I'll Do for a Job. I'll Sling Whoppers. --RoadDog


The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Beatlemania 46 Years Ago

This past Sunday, April 4th, Bob Stroud did a Roots Salute to the Beatles, who, on April 4, 1964, not only had the Top Five songs in the US, but a total of 12 efforts on the Top 100. No group has ever come close to matching that before or after.

The Beatles were absolutely everywhere and then there was the unbelievable merchandising campaign that accompanied it.

Stroud played all 12 of the songs in order:

#74 Thank You Girl
# Roll Over beethoven (I didn't get this ranking)
#65 You Can't Do That
#58 All My Loving
#46 Do You Want to Know a Secret
#41 From Me to You
#31 I Saw Her Standing There
#5 Please Please Me
#4 I Want to Hold Your Hand
#3 She Loves You
#2 Twist and Shout
#1 Can't Buy me Love

That is an amazing record and Bob said that the following week they had two more, with 14 songs in the Top 100, but had lost the Top 5, which is why he chose this weekend to feature it.

It Was a Beatle, You Wouldn't Understand. --RoadDog

North-South Differences: In the North (or Nawth) you have coffee houses. In the South you have Waffle Houses, or as my nephew calls them, "Awful Houses." I think he once ate at one when he had not been out partying at UT.
#4

Movie Scratches: Shutter-- Cop-- Brooklyn's-- League

Some Dog Sniffs at Today's Movies.


21. SHUTTER ISLAND-- 3-9-- Fox Lake Free-- Who's crazy and who's not.


22. COP OUT-- 3-10-- Fox Lake $4-- Bruce and Tracy make a great pair as your funny salt and pepper.


23. BROOKLYN'S FINEST-- 3-10-- Fox Lake $4-- Three cops: one burned out, one undercover and one with financial problems. Who survives?


24. SHE'S OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE-- 3-31-- Fox Lake $4-- A hard 10 with a 5, maybe a 6. Bobby Bare would be so proud.

They're getting to Know Me in Fox Lake. --RoadDog


Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote. --Benjamin Franklin

Monday, April 5, 2010

And Speaking of the Census

The April 5th Time Magazine asked ten questions of Robert Groves, the Census director.

Some interesting questions and answers:

DO PEOPLE LIE? Research is clear that few people lie, but there are some interesting answers. Every decade, some people answer "human" in the question for race and that's probably not a lie.

WHY IS THE WORD NEGRO USED ON THE FORM? Studies show that an aging group of blacks use it comfortably. In 200, on the space for blacks, 50,000 people checked it and then wrote the word Negro.

WHY ONLY A ONE-PAGER THIS TIME? Noticed in 2000 Census, the return rate for the short form much higher than long form.

WHAT WAS THE RATIONALE FOR THE SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL? Spent $2.5 million on it, watched by the biggest audience in US TV history. Our purpose was to make people aware the Census was coming.

Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog

Easter Bunny Says:

Some body parts should be floppy.
Keep your paws off other people's jelly beans.

It's Them, Not Me: A Case of Mistaken Identity?

One just has to wonder why the president only marked black/Negro on his census form when he had the opportunity to indicate mixed race.

I understand his mother was white.

Dazed and Confused. --RoadDog

The Easter Bunny Says:

Everyone is entitled to a bad "hare" day.
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

Some Good Old Beach Music

Listened to 'Fessa John Hook's Beach Music Top 40 Saturday at Cash Box. I especially liked the following Beach Songs:

I LUV THAT GIRL-- All-4-One
STOMP THE BLUES TONIGHT-- Duke Robillard & Jumpin' Blues Revue
WILLIE-- Delbert McClinton
STUFF YOU GOTTA WATCH-- Levon Helm

TELL ME WHY-- Joe Louis Walker
AIN'T NO LOVE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY-- Jerry Wilson & the Jewels
JUKEBOX-- Holiday

FAR TOO LONELY-- Darrell Nulisch
STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART-- Johnny Cobb
UPTOWN-DOWNTOWN-- Mike Jones & the Grand Strand Blues All-Stars

WHY DON'T WE JUST DANCE-- Josh Turner
SHAGLAND-- Rev. Bubba D. Liverance & CHP
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY-- DieDra
I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU-- William Dell & the Wee Jams

Now, That's Some real Good Stuff. --RoadDog


The Easter Bunny Says:

All work and no play can make you a basket case.
A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

A Really Good Day for Sports

WHITE SOX HOME OPENER

I'm going over to the Sequoit Lodge in Antioch, Illinois, to watch it. They're having an all-day season opener party as the Cubs and Brewers also start. Free peanuts, hot dogs and other specials. The White Sox are my favorite MLB team.

NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Watched both Final Four games Saturday downstairs at Margaritaville while listening to my ultimate jukebox.

The Michigan State-Butler game ranks as one of the best-ever. What a game!! However, the Duke-West Virginia game was boring after the half, and especially after the West Virginia player, De'Shawn Butler, got hurt and it appeared the Mountaineers just gave up.

However, I heard that he had received an award for his grades and community service and had visited a big-time West Virginia fan in a hospital after the fan had had a heart attack in last week's Kentucky game. In this era of basketball players with serious attitude problems, this is a refreshing thing.

Looking forward to tonight's game.

NCAA Basketball Tournament. The Best Sporting Event. --RoadDog


Uncle Bo sent me this for Easter, so will get as many of the Easter Bunny's sayings in as I can, though late for the holiday.

Easter Bunny says:

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Big Time for the NCAA Tournament-- Part 2

Like I said, I like all four teams.

MICHIGAN STATE because I am a Big Ten (Eleven) fan and they are not OSU or Michigan.

BUTLER because they are a Little Guy school and have never been there.


WEST VIRGINIA because I always back them in both football and basketball.

DUKE because I have been a fan since 1980 and who can ever beat that Kentucky regional championship game. I am also an ACC fan. Actually, I back Duke unless they play UNC.


HOW ABOUT THAT BUTLER

An interesting article in the March 31st Chicago Tribune about Bobby Plump who became an Indiana legend in the 1954 state championship when he hit the shot that made tiny Milan High School to Number One. He then played his college ball at Butler.

He will be at his restaurant north of downtown Indianapolis Plump's Last Shot which should be party central.

Of course, Milan became even better known because of the 1986 movie "Hoosiers." Last spring, I went to the high school gymnasium in Knightstown, Indiana, used as a stand-in for Milan in the movie.

Thirty Minutes to Go!! --RoadDog

Big Time for the NCAA Tournament

I know where I am going to be in about 45 minutes. Time to do some serious TV watching.

I like all of the Final Four teams.

That Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight was mostly the thing that makes college b-ball so great. Four of the Sweet Sixteen games were what I classify as "Something Else."

Michigan State's win over Northern Iowa (59-52), Tennessee's victory over Ohio State (76-73), Butler knocking off #1 Syracuse (63-59), and Kansas State's double overtime win over Xavier (101-96) were all stuff of legends.

Then, three of the four Elite Eight games were "Something Else" as well, with the fourth's West Virginia 73-66 win over Kentucky (who I thought would win the whole thing) was no slouch.

Sunday, I listened to the two games when I could get reception and watched part of them while stopping at NTN sites. Actually, I drove by Durham, NC, home of Duke and Knoxville, home of Tennessee on Sunday. And, I was really hoping the Volunteers would win as i would have stopped at the party along Cumberland Avenue (US-70). There are many, many, many bars in a three block stretch.

That would have been a great victory party, but alas, Tennessee had every opportunity to win, but blew it.

The Duke-Baylor game was back and forth until the last two minutes when Duke hit those two three-pointers to open it up.

Here's Hoping Tonight's Games Will be Just as Good. --RoadDog

Where Were You March 28, 1967?-- Part 1

Well, I missed Bob Stroud's Time Warp again, but have an excuse. I was driving on US-70 and I-40 in North Carolina at the time, a bit far for the Drive's signal.

That date, I was a sophomore at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois. This was the longest we had lived in one place since I was in 3rd grade in Raleigh, Noth Carolina where I been since 1st grade.

In 4th grade we had lived in Jacksonville, Florida, and Greenville, North Carolina. Fifth grade was still Greenville. Sixth grade we had moved to Rolling Meadows, Illinois and then we had lived in Palatine since then.

Since I would be turning 16 in a couple months, it was time to start thinking about getting a job.

here are the songs that were playing on WLS and WCFL in Chicago back then. I, of course, did not hear Stroud's comments, so all you see are mine.


I'M A MAN-- SPENCER DAVIS GROUP-- How do you get better Garage Rock than this. Little Steven would be so proud.
BEGGIN'-- FOUR SEASONS-- the Original Jersey Boys

THE 59TH STREET BRIDGE SONG (FEELING GROOVY)-- HARPER'S BIZARRE-- Originally done by Simon & Garfunkel.
AT THE ZOO-- SIMON & GARFUNKEL-- I know why Bob followed the above song with them. My second favorite S&G song.

LAWDY MISS CLAWDY-- BUCKINGHAMS-- Chicago's own, or had they defected to LA by then?
SOCK IT TO ME-- MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS-- More great Garage Rock. And you though Detroit was all Motown.

What to Do, What to Do For a First Job. --RoadDog

Friday, April 2, 2010

It's Them, Not Me: A Hedge of a Way to Go

I must have gotten into the wrong line of business.

The April 1st New York Times had an article about hedge fund managers doing fairly well while I am nailing those unbelievable CD interest rates.

One of these guys, initials D. T., pulled down a cool $4 billion for his efforts. He bet correctly that the government was going to bail out the banks and as a result, his fund went up 130% last year. I'll think of that when I get my next three-fourth of a per cent of interest on my six month CD.

The article went on to say that the 25 highest-paid hedge fund managers pulled in 25.3 billion for their gambling efforts. G.S. had $3.3 billion. Overall, HFMs made a minimum of $350 million.

I'm glad to see that some folks are doing so well.

Something Just Ain't Right Here. --RoadDog


I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on.

Number One Song This Date-- Part 2

1964 Can't Buy Me Love-- Beatles-- What, just one Beatles #1 song on this date in the 60s. Must be an April Fool's Thing.

1963 He's So Fine-- Chiffons-- Oh, those girls groups!
1962 Johnny Angel-- Shelly Fabares-- What would Coach think?

1961 Blue Moon-- Marcels-- Ok, let's stop that Doo Wop part!! Now, in our best bass voice, "Blue Moon."
1960 Theme from "A Summer Place"-- Percy Faith

1950 Music! Music! Music!-- Theresa Brewer
1940 In the Mood-- Glenn Miller-- Still the best-ever song.

1930 Stein Song (University of Maine)-- Rudy Valle-- Any relation to that guy with the Four Seasons?
1920 Dardanella-- Ben Selvin's Novelty Orchestra

1910 Where the River Shannon Flows-- Harry MacDonough-- Irish enough for you?
1900 When You Were Sweet Sixteen-- Jere Mahoney

Who's Have Figgered a College Drinking Song? --RoadDog


The trouble with life is there is no background music.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Number One Songs This Date-- Part 1

Looking back at the number one songs in the country this date according to Billboard. As listed by Josh Hosler. www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneinHistory/SelectMonth.htm.

2010 Rude Boy-- Rihanna
2000 Say My Name-- Destiny's Child
1990 Love Will Lead You Back-- Taylor Dayne

1980 Another Brick in the Wall-- Pink Floyd-- My retirement song. "Hey, teacher, leave those kids alone!" Gladly.
1970 Bridge Over Troubled Water-- Simon & Garfunkel-- Always reminds me of the Tune Room at NIU.

1969 Dizzy-- Tommy Roe-- Very under rated performer. Sure had a lot of good stuff.
1968 (Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay-- Otis Redding-- Hit number one after his death.
1967 Happy Together-- Turtles-- One of the Hap-Hap-Happiest songs ever.

1966 The Ballad of the Green berets-- S/Sgt. Barry Sadler-- Good old John Wayne.
1965 Stop in the Name of Love-- Supremes-- Throw those hands out, girls and do that show.

More to Come. --RoadDog


Ham and eggs. A day's work for a chicken. A lifetime commitment for a pig.

JSS: 80 Degrees!!-- 1000th JJs-- All Hail Geo-- Good Old Yardwork

JSS-- Just Some Stuff


1. 80 DEGREES-- Hard to believe but after temps in the 70s yesterday, it got to 80 degrees today. Can the interminable winter finally be over? We got snow at the beginning of December and had it until about March 9th. During that time, we only had a couple days above freezing. Thanks a lot, Al!!


2. 1000TH JJS-- Champaihn, Illinois, based JJs, or, Jimmy John's, they of the mile-a-minute commercials, just opened their 1000th store after opening their first in Charleston, Illinois, home of Eastern Illinois University, back in 1983. If you've never had their food, check it out. It's gourmet.


3. ALL HAIL GEO-- Went to Donovan's reef in twin Lakes, Wisconsin, today for our salute to good friend Jeff who goes by Geocas and Geoluv for his love of geocaching. Everyone played a variation of geo from Georat, Geonut, Geowas, etc.. Great April Fool's Day thing, but he wasn't mot amused much.


4. GOOD OLD YARDWORK-- I was able to get out and commence working on the yard, starting with the dead flowers in the front yard.

Can It really Be Spring? --RoadDog


A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.

Spring Has Sprung!!

How about returning home to find all my daffodils and tulips in full bloom as well as crabapple trees and weeping cherry. I even have to cut the grass which is a deep green and on the rise.

Oh, yes, and gas prices dropped to under $2 and grocery prices returned to where they were five years ago.

And my property taxes went down and I am getting money back from Obama on my taxes.

Listening to Myrtle Beach's Surf radio station right now, and Uncle Billy is back on the morning show.

Wait a Minute. What's the DATE? --RoadDog


He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD!!