My Top Ten All-Time REALLY Scary Movies

Using the Tribune's list of Top 25, these are my favorite Really Scary Movies:

10. Rosemary's Baby
9. Saw
8. The Fog
7. Children of the Corn
6. Poltergeist

5. Exorcist
4. An American Werewolf in London
3. Night Of the Living Dead
2. Psycho
1. The Shining

What happened to "Alien?"

Like, Boo!! --RoadDog


MUSING FROM A CONFUSED (and HAUNTED) MIND: Teach a child to be polite and courteous at home, and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to merge his car onto the freeway.

Flashback to 1983

I'm listening to WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback right now. Every Saturday, host Wendy Rice takes you back to one year from the late 60s to early double 0s. You get the music and lots of information.

Some songs to bring back some memories:

BANG ON THE DRUMS-- Todd Rundgren
BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE-- Talking Heads
SYNCHRONICITY 2-- Police
LET'S DANCE-- David Bowie
MAJOR TOM-- Peter Schilling

PINK HOUSES-- John Mellancamp
COME DANCING-- Kinks
RADIO FREE EUROPE-- REM
IN A BIG COUNTRY-- Big Country
BLISTER IN THE SUN-- Violent Femmes

NEW YEAR'S DAY-- U2
SWEET DREAMS-- Eurythmics

Notable Deaths:

The two bears: George Hallas and Paul Bryant
Tennessee Williams
Michael Conrad-- Hill Street Blue's roll call Sergeant Esterhaus
Arthur Godfrey
Slim Pickens
Carolyn Jones-- Better-known as Morticia Addams
William Demorest-- Uncle Charlie
Buster Crabbe-- Good old Flash.

Also, US forces invaded Grenada.

Saturday Morning Flashback is on WXRT 93.1 FM in Chicago from 8 am to noon. It streams live.

Have You Had Your '83 for Today? --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: They told me I was gullible and I believed them.

Top Ten Stutterers in History

From October 6th List Universe. Worth a look. They have pictures of the people and information. I'm just listing their names. I had no idea that some of these people stuttered. They seem to have overcome the problem

10. James Earl Jones

9. Bruce Willis

8. Somerset Maugham

7. Lewis Carroll

6. Scatman John (who turned his biggest problem into his greatest asset.

5. Anthony Hopkins

4. Claudius

3. Winston Churchill

2. Moses

1. Demosthenes

T-T-That's All Folks. --Cooter

Like Boo!! Scaring Me at the Movies-- Part 3-- Top Ten

OK, here we are at the Top Ten Scariest Films according to the Chicago Tribune Movies.

10. A different kind of animal in England. 1981

9. "What you can't see won't hurt you...It'll kill you." 1980

8. Jig will get you. 2004

7. Light poll and man looking up the stairs at a house poster. 1973

6. Hitting the books takes on a whole new meaning for five college friends. 1981

5. A year later, their footage was found. 1999

4. Before you die, you see. 2002

3. "For God's sake, Get Out!!" 1979

2. "If something frightening happens to you today, think about it." 1976

1. Vera Miles steals $40,000 and comes to regret it. 1960


Top Ten Answers Below.


10. An American werewolf in London

9. The Fog

8. Saw

7. The Exorcist

6. The Evil Dead

5. The Blair Witch Project

4. The Ring

3. The Amityville Horror

2. The Omen

1. Psycho

I have to say I agreed with some of the Top 25, but not others. There were a few I hadn't seen as well.

My Top Ten Tomorrow. --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?

I Hate When That Happens-- Those Darn Entertainment Books

Every year, I buy one of those Entertainment books where local restaurants put in coupons for reduced far, often buy-one-get-one free. I always have the best intentions of using them throughout the year until they expire November 1st.

And, every year, months go by and there is NO USE. Now, if you plunk down $25 you have to use it once in a while to get your money's worth. But, every year, it is the same thing. Little or no use for eleven months, then a whole lot of use in the last few weeks.

This year, the same thing.

Monday, we went to Choppers in Antioch for sandwiches. Tuesday to Channel Inn in Fox Lake for a 50% pizza. Yesterday I had a giant tub of popcorn for free at the movie theater.

Now, we have four days remaining to do our grazing, I mean eating.

Will I buy another one?

Most Likely. --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: If the world were a logical place, men would be the ones riding horses sidesaddle.

Like, Boo!! Scaring Me at the Movies-- Part 2

Some mighty scary stuff, Maynard.

I'll give you the catch line or information and year and you guess it. Answers below.


18. An adult nightmare. 1984

17. Face your deepest fear. 2005

16. No wonder the apartment has a bad reputation. 1966

15. They were warned. They are doomed. And nothing will save them.

14. They're here. 1982

13. If Nancy doesn't wake up screaming, she won't wake up at all. 1984

12. Here's Johnny!! 1980

11. The night he came home. 1978



Answers.

18. Children of the Corn

17. The Descent

16. Rosemary's Baby

15. Friday the 13th

14. Poltergeist

13. A Nightmare on Elm Street

12. The Shining

11. Halloween

Top Ten Tomorrow. --RoadDog

MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: If the world was logical, menwould ride women's bikes.

IHSA Football Playoffs Begin Friday

Exciting time here in Illinois with the football playoffs starting Friday in all eight classes of teams in the state.

I have my favorites, but am not saying because that would jinx them. However, in my Roadlog Blog, I have a competition going between the Route 66 schools and those on the Lincoln Highway. See today's entries at http://roaddogsroadlog.blogspot.com.

From the October 24th Chicago Tribune Preps Plus section.

BY THE NUMBERS

547-- Number of teams eligible for state playoffs

256 Teams that qualified for the playoffs

32 Teams per class

8 Number of classes

39 Number of Playoff Points needed to qualify

29 Number of undefeated 9-0 teams in playoffs

27 Number of seasons in a row DuQuoin has qualified for the playoffs. Mount Carmel is second at 25.

36 years since the IHSA began the state playoffs

17 Number of 5-4 teams that didn't make the playoffs

0 Number of 4-5 teams to reach playoffs

My old high schools, Palatine and Fremd, made it to the playoffs with 5-4 records. I taught for 33 years in Round Lake at the middle school. The high school team didn't make it and had a 1-8 record. Big surprise.

Our local kids go to Richmond-Burton High School which is in with a 9-0 record.

Ra Re Ree, Kick Him in the Knee. Ra Ra Ras, Kick Him in...the Other Knee. --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.

Like, Boo!! Scaring Me at the Movies-- Part 1

With that scary time of the year fast approaching, I have been watching the horror films on AMC. Last weekend, I saw Constantine, 28 Days Later and Jeepers Creepers 2.

I came across this list of the Top 24 Scary Movies of All-Time in the Chicago Tribune a couple days ago.

I'll give you the trailer words or information and year, see if you can guess the name.

25. 1977 "Don't head for the hills."

24. 1993 "Careful what you search for."

23. 1987 "He'll Tear Your Soul Apart."

22. 1978 "When there's no more room in HELL, the dead will walk the earth."

21. 1974 "For five young friends, a typical summer afternoon drive becomes a terrifying nightmare."

20. 1976 "If Only They Knew She Had the Power."

19. 1968 Getting trapped in a farmhouse.

Answers below.








25. The Hills Have Eyes

24. The Vanishing

23. Hellraiser

22. Dawn of the Dead

21. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

20. Carrie

19. Night of the Living Dead

Go Ahead. Go Ahead and Scare Me to Death. --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: Protons have mass. I didn't even know they were Catholic.

Tragedy Strikes NIU Again

Sad days at Liz and my old college, Northern Illinois University, in Dekalb. When we attended, graduating in 1973, nothing horrible ever happened much other than the sadness on the football field, but NIU now has had its third really bad incident in a little more than two years.

A freshman girl, Antinette "Toni" Keller, from Plainfield went for a walk back on October 14th, telling her floor mates at Neptune North that she was going to take a walk in the Prairie Park, just south of Lincoln Highway and the railroad tracks.

She did not return and a missing person's report was filed on the 15th.

A few days ago, human remains were discovered in the park and believed to be hers, but not identifiable at first.

Today, at a news conference, Dekalb police said they still aren't able to determine if the body is Toni's, but the case is considered a homicide. The body that was found is burned beyond recognition.

Students at the campus were angry because so few details had been released, but now there is considerable fear. The dorms are under lockdown and there is heightened security and police presence as the search for the culprits continues.

We were in Dekalb on the 16th and 17th for Homecoming and heard nothing at all about it until the 18th. We stayed in a hotel about a half mile from where the body was found.

Of course, Valentine's Day 2008, five students were murdered by a gunman who then killed himself in a lecture hall and this past February another student was wounded in the leg by a gunshot outside a residence hall.

Sad Times at Our Alma Mater. --RoadDog

Ten Windy Songs for ONE WINDY DAY

While on the subject of wind, I mentioned that Bob Stroud had changed his Ten at Ten show on the Drive at 97.1 FM in Chicago from 1973 to the subject of the day. And that would be Da Wind.

Here are Bob's Ten Windy Songs.

WINDS OF CHANGE-- Scorpions-- Just whistlin' in the wind.
THE WIND CRIES MARY-- Jimi Hendrix-- I can name it in three notes. How about you?
CATCH THE WIND-- Donovan-- Don't worry about catching it, it will FIND you.

EVIL WIND-- Bad Company-- I wasn't familiar with this one.
WINDY-- Association-- Makes you want to go out and frolic in the wind.
RIDE LIKE THE WIND-- Christopher Cross-- I liked this one better than his big hit. What was his big hit, anyway?

BLOW AWAY-- George Harrison-- One of the Quiet Beatle's Best efforts.
AGAINST THE WIND-- Bob Seger
BLOWIN' IN THE WIND-- Peter, Paul & Mary-- The answer would get blown away today.
YOUR OWN SPECIAL WAY-- Genesis

Stroud invites his listeners to vote for their favorites. I voted for "Windy" by the Association. In a rarity, it had the most votes at noon with 20.5%. Second is "Against the Wind" with 15.9% and third "The Wind Cries Mary" with 12.1%.

You can hear a rebroadcast tonight at 10 pm on www.wdrv.com.

What Did the Pirates Used to Sing? "Weigh Hey, Blow me Away." --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: I went to San Francisco. I found somebody's heart. Now what?

One Really Windy Day Here in Chicagoland

It's windy, and not just with all the political mudslinging we're now getting.

It was so windy that Bob Stroud changed his Ten at Ten from 1973 to Windy Songs for a Windy Day on the Drive, WDRV 97.1 FM in Chicago.

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain hitting the window and howling winds. The trees were really blowing almost over at 45 degrees.

I decided not to put the garbage out after watching the neighbors vainly attempting to do so. I did go out and take the Halloween wreaths down off the front door and front of the house.

The storm they had been warning about all day yesterday actually came to pass and was not just a Weather Channel effort to increase viewership. And, we are supposed to have it until Thursday and then it gets cold.

Yesterday, I took down anything that might blow over on the deck, patio and gazebo. We did have some a great day yesterday with breezes and warm enough for shorts and tee shirt.

But, now I guess Old Man Winter is Full on his way.

I Hate Winter. And I'm Not Too Crazu About Today, Either. --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: I had amnesia once--or twice. I can't remember.

Where Were You October 17, 1967?-- Part 1

Two weekends ago, good old Bob Stroud took us back to the fall of 1967 on his Rock and Roll Roots Show on Chicago's Drive radio station. Then, jumped ahead five years to October 17, 1972.

Listening to songs playing back then has a way of taking me directly back.

Back in 1967, I was a junior at Palatine High School and working at the Burger King in that village on Northwest Highway, US-14. I had just joined the school newspaper, RoadDog, Cub Reporter and was covering sports.

I had not yet met Liz. but would in just a few weeks.

My family lived in Winston Park subdivision on Anderson Drove, across from St. Thomas School.

I did not hear this show because we were in Dekalb trying to recover from Homecoming the day before, so all comments are mine.

EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR HEART-- SOUL SURVIVORS-- A great road cruising song.
I'M WONDERING-- STEVIE WONDER-- I don't remember this song by title, but might if I hear it.
KENTUCKY WOMAN-- NEIL DIAMOND-- Old Neil gets my vote for Rock and Roll hall of Fame.

DANDELION-- ROLLING STONES-- Psychedelic-Era Stones. Who's stoned? From "Their Satanic Majesty's Request."
DIFFERENT DRUM-- STONE PONEYS-- Be still my heart. That lead singer Linda was b-e-u-t-y-ful!!
LET IT OUT (LET IT ALL HANG OUT)-- HOMBRES-- Potentially a dirty little song Let what hang out? A great Garage Rock song.

Going Back to the Sixties. --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: I planted some birdseed. A bird came up. Now I don't know what to feed it.

School's Out...But Not Forever.

We did, after some effort, get the School's Out...Forever out of the water this past Friday.

We bought it in 2003 and until 2006, it was just School's Out. If you saw us out in it, school was out, either for the day, weekend or summer. Now that we are both retired, we added the Forever. Liz came up with the name and with some help from dear old Alice Cooper's "School's Out."

Our other getting out of school song was "Another Brick in the Wall" by Pink Floyd so I guess we could have named the boat "Another Brick." Then we could have added "...in the Wall."

We had quite a time naming it. I wanted a blockade-runner name like Banshee or Ad-Vance. But when Liz said School's Out, I realized she had given it the perfect name for a couple of teachers, and that was it.

So, that's how it got its name.

Just Another Bayliner. --RoadDog


THE LAST SENIOR PERKS: Your supply of brain cells os finally down to a manageable size.

Actually, Liz and I fry more than a few when we're out at the bars, but often, we play NTN, so maybe that helps them somewhat.

2000 to 2009 in Review-- Part 2

Being an account of twenty events that took place in the US, Illinois and Chicago area for the last decade.

11. The former Illinois First Lady, Mrs. Blagojevich, was on a reality show. I bet I didn't watch it. And not because it was a "Reality Show."

12. More than 120,000 attend a woman's golf event at Sugar Grove in 2009.

13. Communicating virtually explodes with Facebook, My Space and Twitter. I've never "done" any of these so am incognito? Do blogs and Yahoo e-mail groups count?

14. A hockey game was played at Wrigley Field Jan. 1, 2006. Hey, if Jimmy Buffett can play there, the Blackhawks certainly can. After all, the Cubs sure don't play there.

15. And, speaking of the Blackhawks, "How 'Bout Dem Blackhawks?"

16. The Breeder's Cup at beautiful Arlington Park Race Track in 2002.

17. Loss of businesses: Randhurst Mall in Mt. Prospect torn down in 2009 (an important part of my high school days); Kimball Hill Builders, Linens & Things; Bennigan's; Pep Boys (they're back); Wicke's Furniture; and Circuit City (which i really miss.)

18. Quite a few Chicagoland athletes in the Olympics.

19. No more Tiger Woods?

20. The Daily herald is still publishing in all these newspaper problems.

Do You Remember? --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

The End of Another Boating Season-- Part 1

Looks like today will be the last day out on the boat for the 2010 season. The days are getting shorter and it is definitely cooler. All things that say, "Get the boat out of the water."

We did end up going out on the boat 40 times for the season. Liz's eye operations kind of put a dent in outings since early September. We did, however, meet the minimum of 30 times on the boat.

Most of the times we went out was for just doing what we like to call a "Boat Float." This is where we go out into the middle of a lake or bay (usually Fox Lake and Mineola Bay), turn off the engine and float while listening to the Drive (WDRV Radio) and reading newspapers and magazines for me and working crossword puzzles for Liz.

We're even too lazy to put out the anchor which means we have to start up the engine and move back to the middle (or opposite shore because of wind) and do the whole "Boat Float" over again.

A Day Out on the Chain...Priceless. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the National Weather Bureau.

Ten Things Not to Buy in 2010

From Smart Money.

1. DVDs
2. Land Line
3. External Hard Drive
4. Smart Phone
5. Compact Digital cameras
6. Newspaper subscription
7. Cds
8. New college textbooks
9. Gas-guzzling cars
10. Energy Inefficient homes and appliances.

Hey, I still buy CDs and have a newspaper subscription.

They'll Have to Pry That Last Newspaper Out of My Cold, Dead Hands. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: Your investments in health insurance is finally starting to pay off.

2000-2009 in Review-- Part 1

I'll call it that because no one still knows what this decade should be called in short form. Was it the "Aughts," "Double-Os" or "Os?" Who knows? Any Way.

From the Jan. 1, 2010, Daily Herald. The Daily herald is the newspaper of the northwest suburbs.


1. SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

2. BLACK MAN from Chicago, Barack Obama, elected president. Isn't he part white?

3. The BROWN'S CHICKEN case had grown cold, but in 2002, a tip led to the arrest of Juan Luna and James Degorski. Both found guilty, but no death penalty with life without parole.

4. COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL, VIRGINIA TECH and NORTHERN ILLINOIS murders. As a former teacher, this hits home, especially the last school which I attended.

5. Illinois Governor George Ryan's MORATORIUM on the death penalty in 2000.

6. The end of the O'HARE EXPANSION fight. It will proceed.

7. Record number of home FORECLOSURES. One of every 42 homes in Chicagoland foreclosed.

8. Two Illinois governors face CORRUPTION charges. Ryan to jail in 2008. Blagojevich arrested.

9. OPEN ROAD TOLLING 2005. The electronic I-Pass. Those without pay double. Illinois finds another way to rip off people.

10. Watch out for RED LIGHT CAMERAS. Illinois finds another way to rip off folks.

Ten More to Go. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: At least your eyes won't get much worse.

Beach Music's Top 40 from 1954-- Part 4

This list was compiled by the walking Beach Music encyclopedia, John Hook, also known as 'Fessa John Hook.

This appears on Cashbox Magazine's Top 40 Countdowns and changes weekly.
http://www.cashboxmagazine.com/countdowns/beachmusicweekly.html

Continued from September 23rd.

#10 I USED TO CRY MERCY MERCY-- Lamplighters-- Thurston Harris came out of this group.
HM IT WENT DOWN EASY-- Melvin Smith
#9 BIG FOOT MAY-- Hal Paige and His Blues Boys
#8 I DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT-- Spiders

HM PONY TAIL-- T-Bone Walker
#7 SHAKE THAT THING-- Wynonie Harris
#6 SHAKE RATTLE AND ROLL-- Joe Turner-- The "Dirty version" of Bill Haley's hit.

HM MOVE ME BABY-- Jimmy Witherspoon & Lamplighters
#5 WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER-- Checkers
#4 WORK WITH ME ANNIE-- Hank Ballard & the Midnighetrs

THE ANNIE MEDLEY: Annie Had a Baby, Loud Mouth Annie, Annie Pulled a Humbug, Annie Met Henry, Annie's Aunt Fannie, Little Annie, I'm the Father of Annie's Baby, My Name Ain't Annie, Annie's Answer. (That Annie Sho' Got Around.)

#3 ONE SCOTCH, ONE BOURBON, ONE BEER-- Amos Milburn
#2 MONEY HONEY-- Drifters
HM TV IS THE THING THIS YEAR-- Dinah Washington
HM FAT DADDY-- Dinah Washington

HM TIRED OF YOUR SEXY WAYS-- Four Jacks

#1 SEXY WAYS-- Hank Ballard & the Midnighters

Some Familiar Names and Some Not So. What's With That Annie Gal, Anyway. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: You tend to sing along with elevator music.

So, Your Boss Thinks You're Getting Paid Too Much?

I came across an article in the August 25th Chicago Tribune about TV's highest paid personalities. This is a sampling of top earners. tvguide.com has the complete list.

DRAMA

Hugh Laurie "House" $400,000 an episode (for all that attitude)
Mariska Hargitay "Law & Order: SVU" $395.000 an episode
LL Cool J "NCIS: Los Angeles" $125,000 an episode
Jon Hamm "Mad Men" $100,000 an episode


COMEDY

Charlie Sheen "Two and a Half Men" $1,250,000 an episode (I think I just read that the kid gets $300,000!!)
Eva Longoria Parker "Desperate Housewives" $400,000 an episode
Tina Fey "30 Rock" $350,000 an episode
Betty White "Hot in Cleveland" $75,000 an episode


NEWS/LATE NIGHT/DAYTIME

Judge Judy Sheindlin "Judge Judy" $45 million a year
Matt Lauer "Today" $16 million a year
Matt O'Reilly "The O'Reilly Factor" $10 million a year
George Lopez "The George Lopez Show" $3.5 million a year

So, it appears funny wins out over drama.

Now, how about that raise?

Good Work If You Can Get It. __RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: You quit holding your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.

Pretty Good Weekend-- Part 2-- Usual Suspects at the Kross

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17th

One thing about Dekalb and Northern Illinois the morning after a homecoming celebration. Not many creatures are stirring, especially of your garden variety student.

Took a drive by the Lagoon and Altgeld Hall and then out through Augusta Avenue, a perfect residential area to complement a college environment and home of ther Delta Sig house when I pledged in 1970.

Stopped at a couple places on Sycamore Road (Il-23) looking forward some more Thompson's Cedartone stain for the gazebo, then drove down that great downtown of Sycamore.

We didn't go straight home, but went to the Kross Inn in Ingleside on Il-59, where we met the usual suspects for the Bears game. Kross Inn was just opened again after being bought by the folks who own Electric Harbor and Captain's Quarters (both on the Chain of Lakes).

Usual suspects: Kora, Pam, Sue and Paul, Kevin and Kelly, Laura and Ed.

Bears sure shot themselves in the foot and lost a game they should have won. Again, way too many Cutler sacks.

Then, the Packers lost by three points also.

What's With All Those Sacks? --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: You no longer think of speed limits as challenges.

Pretty Good Weekend--Part 1-- NIU Homecoming

FRIDAY OCTOBER 15TH

Spent the afternoon hanging on for dear life and staining the upper level of the gazebo roof and two of the lower level panels. One lil' slip and it's a long way down.

Met the usual suspects at Gasoline Alley on Grasslake for those buck domestic bottles.


SATURDAY OCTOBER 16TH

Drove out to Dekalb for Huskie Homecoming 2010. Liz and I used to do this all the time, but haven't for at least eight years. We were luck enough to get a hotel room after we got there because of cancellations, but paid dearly for it.

Did some tailgating and then saw the game which Northern won big-time after a slow start.

Left on the fourth quarter so we could get a seat in Lord Stanley's to see the Dekalb institution Dekalb Footstompers play in their 37th straight NIU Homecoming. Great party as usual.

Back to the hotel, but found a line waiting at Fatty's to see the Modern Day Romeos play. Walked to Pizza Pros and met the folks we had talked to at the game. He was a member of the 1983 Huskie California Bowl team.

Afterwards, we were serenaded by the Modern Day Romeos who were playing outside at a tent behind Fatty's which is next to our hotel.

A Good Day, Indeed. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: You can now get into heated arguments about pension plans.

Waiting for the Hall Call

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, that is.

From the September 29th Chicago Tribune.

On September 28th this year's nominations for the Class of 2011 were announced. Winners will be announced in December and induction will occur March 14th in New York, even though it should be in Cleveland at the Hall of Fame in my mind. The article mentioned a "potentially karaoke-friendly vibe" to the class.

The nominees:

Alice Cooper
Beastie Boys
Bon Jovi
Chic
Chuck Willis
Darlene Love
Dr. John
Donna Summer
Donovan
J. Geils Band
Joe Tex
Laura Nyro
LL Cool J
Neil Diamond
Tom Waits

I will be posting my five picks.

Quite an Impressive Group. It Will Be Hard to Select from Them. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: You can live without sex, but not your glasses.

Heading Out for NIU Homecoming

I'll be leaving shortly for Dekalb, Illinois, for Northern Illinois' Homecoming against Buffalo. Too bad my old fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi, is no longer on campus as we had a great tune called the "Buffalo Song" to the tune of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Lodi." It would be great to sing it with those guys again.

We used to go to homecoming every year, but haven't been for a long time. We used to get together with friends and stay at the Motel 6 elegant suites on Lincoln Highway.

After the game, we will go to Lord Stanley's downtown for the annual Dekalb Footstompers show. This is quite a band playing anything from oldies to polkas to off-color songs like "NIU Sorority Bitch." What would you expect from a band with a drummer, accordion player, tuba player and guitarist.

Lots of fun.

Unfortunately, we decided to go too late and can't get a room so will be returning.

No Drinkin' for Me!! --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: You can eat supper (or is it dinner?) at 4 pm.

Pardon My Vinyl

Chicago's Drive radio station has spent the whole day playing nothing but album sides, and we're not talking CD sides, but 100% pure vinyl, complete with pops and hisses and the intersong quiet.

This is the way I remember listening to my music way back when so it really takes my back. I have a good-sized album collection and must admit I haven't really been listening much to them because of the convenience of Cds. But, still....

Right now, the Drive, WDRV is playing HYSTERIA by Def Leppard side 1 from 1987.

Other album sides they've played in the last several hours:

ALBUM, ARTIST, SIDE, YEAR

L.A. WOMAN-- DOORS-- side 1, 1971
UNPLUGGED-- ERIC CLAPTON-- side 1, 1992
ELIMINATOR-- ZZ TOP-- side 1, 1983

WISH YOU WERE HERE-- PINK FLOYD-- side 1, 1975
GREATEST HITS (1974-1978)-- STEVE MILLER BAND-- side 2, 1978
BAD CO.-- BAD COMPANY-- side 1, 1974

NIGHT MOVES-- BOB SEGER-- side 1, 1976
PACK UP THE PLANTATION! LIVE-- TOM PETTY % HEARTBREAKERS-- side 1, 1985
BAND ON THE RUN-- PAUL McCARTNEY-- side 1, 1973

Great album sides. I have all these albums except the one by Pink Floyd.

Just one more great treat we get from this classic rock station, and coming so soon after the epic A to Z a week or so again.

Side 1 of Def Leppard's Hysteria really is more like a greatest hits album by itself.

Check it out streaming at www.wdrv.com. I've been listening to it off and on all day.

They're about to start The Beatles (White Album) side 3 from 1968.

Music, the Way I Remember It. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: Things you buy now won't wear out.

Goodbye Nancy Faust

On another sad note for the White Sox, long-time organist Nancy Faust has retired after playing at Comiskey Park (I don't use that other name) for 41 years. She was the Sox and provided me with much entertainment back in the 70s and 80s when I used to go a lot to Chicago's South Side.

Nancy Faust set the level for major league organists. She was one of the first to play song snippets about players when they came to bat, and of course, whenever you hear "Na Na, Hey Hey, Goodbye," that was Nancy who started that in the 1977 Southside Hitmen season.

I have talked with her on occasion and she was always available to fans, always with a smile. I even have an album of her playing music out at Comiskey.

She will be missed.

As Bob Hope Would Say, Nancy, "Thanks for the Memories." --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: There is nothing left to learn the "hard way."

So, What's with the Twins Against the Yankees? (Or, What Do the Twins Have Against the Sox?)

I had to sit through a season where those pesky Twins absolutely dominated the White Sox in 2010. If they got a man in base with two outs, he scored. Id a great play had to be made, it was. If a Twins pitcher needed a great outing, he got it.

Then there was that last-ditch, must sweep series against the Twins in September where a sweep did occur, only it was those TCers (or Twinkies as the Hawk calls 'em) swept us. Then, to prove it was no fluke, the Sox got swept by the Tigers in three straight. Our season record against Minnesota was 5-13.

Then, the Twins play the Yankees in the ALDS. Too bad the Twins could not have imagined the Yankees in Sox uniforms then they would have done better.

They got swept 6-4, 5-2 and 6-1 in a series described as having" all the suspense of a public execution."

On top of that, from 2004-2010, the Yankees have now won nine straight post season games from Minnesota, that's three straight ALDS series.

That ties the Yankees for third for all time most consecutive wins versus an opponent in post season history:

11 Red Sox over Angels 1986-2008
10 Athletics over Red Sox 1988-2003
9 Yankees over Twins 2004-2010
9 Yankees over Rangers 1996-1999

And the Yankees play the Rangers next.

Somebody's Got to Beat Dem Bums. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

"Rock of Ages"-- '80s Music at Its Best-- Part 2

From the October 6th entry.

Continuing with the songs featured in the musical "Rock of Ages."

ACT 2


THE FINAL COUNTDOWN-- Europe (1086)
ANYWAY YOU WANT IT-- Journey (1980)
PARADISE CITY-- Guns N' Roses (1988)
HIGH ENOUGH-- Damn Yankees (1990)

I HATE MYSELF FOR LOVING YOU-- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (1988)
HEAT OF THE MOMENT-- Asia (1982)
HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT-- Pat Benatar (1980)
CAN'T FIGHT THIS FEELING-- REO Speedwagon (1984)

EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN-- Poison (1988)
OH SHERRIE-- Steve Perry (1984)
KEEP ON LOVING YOU-- REO Speedwagon (1980)
THE SEARCH IS OVER-- Survivor (1985)

RENEGADE-- Styx (1978)
DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'-- Journey (1981)

Even if the musical wasn't any good, the music would have been worth it.

Did these songs bring back any memories?

That Last One Was the "Song" of the 2005 Chicago White Sox World Series Champions. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: People call at 9 pm and ask, "Did I wake you?"

It's a Blackhawk Thing By the Numbers

Never sure if it is properly the Black Hawks or the Blackhawks. Only the chief knows for sure.

In honor of the NHL season beginning last Thursday, the October 7th Northwest Herald had a Blackhawks by the numbers. Above it was a picture of them after winning the Stanley Cup and the players no longer with the team had their faces circled.

BY THE NUMBERS:

10: Players from the Stanley Cup championship roster no longer on the team.

12: Years since an NHL team has won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.

19: Age of the youngest player on this year's Hawks roster, defenseman Nick Leddy.

35: Age of the oldest Hawk, goalie Marty Turco.

120: Days since the Hawks clinched the Stanley Cup on June 9 in Philadelphia. (actually 125 today)

$201.25: Cheapest ticket for Saturday's home opener via Hawks' ticket exchange.

$30,000: estimated cost of Hawks' Stanley Cup ring, which includes 404 diamonds.

3: The number of Blackhawk items I have bought since they won (a hat, mug and sign).

3: The total number of Blackhawk items I have.

Not Jumping On the Bandwagon, Much. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: No one expects you to run...anywhere!!

Wow!! Another ECU Come-from-behind Win

Called my mom Saturday and she mentioned that the East Carolina Pirates were losing 20-0 to arch-rival Southern Mississippi, always a tough foe.

Later, at 11:30 pm ESDT, I got a call from one ecstatic mother saying that ECU had come back to win the game 44-43 at the end. That had to be some win as usually she's asleep by ten.

Right now, I am listening to "Beach, Boogie and Blues" on WNCT-AM in Greenville, North Carolina via the net, and Alan Vick is ecstatic still, talking about it, playing the radio coverage of the winning TD, a 32 yard TD on 4th and 7 with two minutes left. Of course, this Saturday is hated NC State in Greenville.

It was coach's Ruffin McNeill's 52nd birthday as well.

Earlier this season, in the first game, ECU scored as time ran out on a 33 yard pass to beat Tulsa 51-49. Now, that was some game.

I hope it's on, but of course, Saturday is also our alma's Homecoming, Northern Illinois.

Congratulations to the ECU Pirates. --RoadDog


SENIOR PERKS: In a hostage situation, you are likely to be released first.

A Proper Way to Commemorate 10-10-10

Listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots on the Drive from 7 to 10 am, and, of course, it was called "Ten Songs' with 13 songs directly dealing with the number ten.

After his show ended, the Drive went to a "Ten at Ten" Marathon. Monday to Friday, Bob Stroud has a Ten at Ten show at 10 am (rebroadcast at 10 pm) where he plays "Ten great songs from one great year." That is, of course, unless he spotlights a topic such as songs with cowbells, one-hit-wonders and the like.

The Drive played nothing but Ten at Tens until 10 pm. Of course, we also had the Chicago Marathon today as well.

I finished staining the deck.

Then we went to Paul's house where we had a Bears party out in his garage and the Bears won! That was especially great after the train wreck last Sunday night against the Giants.

Came home, enjoyed the setting sun on the deck, recorded some Ten at Ten, wrote in the journal and later had a bonfire out on the Grand Strand.

Even better, after that severely cold weekend we had last week, temperatures all weekend and today were near 80 degrees, summer's last gasp.

A Proper and Fitting Salute to Tens Across the Board. --RoadDog


OLD AGE PERKS: Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

Songs for 10-10-10

Bob Stroud was not going to let the once-in-a-lifetime event of 10-10-10 pass without doing a Root Salute to it on his weekly Sunday morning Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's Drive FM, 97.1 and 96.9 FM.

His first song was "Thirty Days in the Hole" by Humble Pie. Can you guess why? Answer is below.

10-10-10 Songs

30 DAYS IN THE HOLE-- HUMBLE PIE
DELTA LADY-- JOE COCKER-- Well, she really was a "TEN!"

TEN MEN WORKIN'-- NEIL YOUNG AND THE BLUE NOTES
10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT-- BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

TEN DOLLAR MAN-- ZZ TOP
CLOCK STRIKES TEN-- CHEAP TRICK

HEAVEN IS 10 ZILLION LIGHT YEARS AWAY-- STEVIE WONDER
TEN YEARS GONE-- LED ZEPPELIN

DIME-A-DANCE ROMANCE-- STEVE MILLER
BIG TEN INCH-- AEROSMITH

The next three all have to do with the name of the group.

INDIAN GIVER-- 1910 FRUITGUM COMPANY
THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE-- 10CC
I'M GOING HOME-- TEN YEARS AFTER


"Thirty Days in the Hole" Thirty= 10+10+10. Get It!!

Of course, he could have included "Bobby Bare's "Numbers" because "There Ain't No Ten!"

Neat Day, Coincidence Numbers? --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: I'm so old that whenever I dine out, they ask for my money up front.

10-10-10

Big day tomorrow on the wedding circuit, October 10, 2010. There will be lots of them so people can say they were married 10-10-10.

Our Camp Commander of the Camp Douglas Sons of Confederate Veterans said he had a wedding practice and rehearsal dinner today and would be performing a wedding tomorrow after service.

Only once in a life time do you have a 10-10-10. The next book triple number will be Veterans Day 2011, November 11, 2011.

Happy 10-10-100! --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: Florida. God's waiting room.

How 'Bout That No-Hitter

We were at Tommy's in Spring Grove, Illinois, this past Wednesday, talking with friends, enjoying the $1 bottles and sort of watching the Philadelphia-Cincinnati game on TV. Music was playing, so the sound was down, but I knew the Phillies had a 4-0.

During the 7th inning, J.C. came over and said that the Phillies pitcher, Roy Halladay had a no-hitter going. After that, we paid much more attention, especially when the Reds were at bat. Everyone was pulling for Halladay to go all the way.

And, he did!!

The numbers, and they are IMPRESSIVE, according to the October 7th Chicago Tribune.

25-- 1st-pitch strikes out of 28 batters faced

3-- counts that reached three balls

79-- number of strikes thrown

104-- number of pitches

1956-- the only other no-hitter in postseason history (Don Larsen's perfect game)

5-- pitchers with 2 no-hitters on a season (the last one was Nolan Ryan in 1973)

Halladay also threw a perfect game earlier this season.

I'm pulling for the Reds, but that night, Go Phillies.

Pretty Impressive. Congrats Roy! --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICHERS: I'm not old, I'm chronologically gifted.

That Bob's a Funny Guy

Bib Stroud on his September 26th Rock and Roll Roots Autumn show also played two trio of songs and was funny about it.

See if you can guess what he said according to the trios/

FIRST:

FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC-- Grand Funk Railroad
CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN-- Guess Who
SHOUT IT OUT LOUD-- Kiss


SECOND:

SEASON OF THE WITCH-- Donovan
BITCH-- Rolling Stones
LITTLE LATIN LUPE LU-- Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels


Answers:

FIRST: Srompin', Clappin' and Shoutin'.


SECOND: A Witch, a Bitch and a Mitch.

Har-De-Har-Har. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: Sometimes I wake up grumpy and some times I let him sleep.

Autumn Songs

On September 26th, Bob Stroud spotlighted Fall/Autumn songs on his Sunday Rock and Roll Roots show. He came up with an impressive list, but definitely had to dig for some.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'-- Mamas and Papas
BACKFIELD IN MOTION-- Mel and Tim

FACE THE AUTUMN-- Family
SEPTEMBER-- Earth, Wind & Fire

SWEET SEASONS-- Carole King
INDIAN SUMMER-- Doors

AUTUMN ALMANAC-- Kinks
TIME OF THE SEASON-- Zombies

INDIAN SUMMER-- Poco
SEASON OF THE WITCH-- Donovan

AUTUMN-- Edgar Winter Group
MOONDANCE-- Van Morrison

INDIAN SUMMER-- Joe Walsh
FOREVER AUTUMN-- Justin Hayward

I Can Smell the Burnin' Leaves Right Now. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: That snap, crackle, pop you hear in the morning ain't my cereal.

JSS: Cold Nights-- No Firebird-- Embarrassing Bears-- Warmer

JSS-- Just Some Stuff


1. COLD NIGHTS-- The last four nights have gotten VERY COLD. Yesterday, we had patchy frost. I had to move a lot of the potted plants inside as I'd like to get a few more weeks of bloom and of course, hoping for an Injun Summer.


2. NO FIREBIRD-- I took the '85 in two weeks ago as it was leaking radiator fluid. It still isn't done. Guess I'll have to find another mechanic.


3. EMBARRASSING BEARS-- Sunday night was the worst I've ever seen the Bears get beat, well, actually, our quarterbacks were "Beat Up." The "O" line is not that good and I'm surprised Martz didn't make offensive changes like he did versus the Cowboys.

It was amazing only to be losing 3-0 at half with no offense.


4. WARMER-- Temps to be in 70s today. Hope to get the rest of the power washing finished and perhaps take the boat out.

Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog



SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: I'm so old I don't buy green bananas.

"Rock of Ages"-- 80s Music at Its Best-- Part 1

It's over, but the musical was showing at the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago, covering 2 hours and 15 minutes. It ran to October 2nd.

Looking at the list of songs, I felt the need to LIST them. Imagine me LISTING songs.


ACT 1

CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE-- Quiet Riot 1983
JUST LIKE LIVING IN PARADISE-- David lee Roth 1988
NOTHIN' BUT A GOOD TIME-- Poison 1988
SISTER CHRISTIAN-- Night Ranger 1984
WE BUILT THIS CITY-- Starship 1985

TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS-- Styx 1981
I WANNA ROCK-- Twisted Sister 1984
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT-- Twisted Sister 1984
MORE THAN WORDS-- Extreme 1991 ??????
TO BE WITH YOU-- Mr. Big 1991 ?????

WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU-- Foreigner 1981
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE-- Bon Jovi 1987
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS-- Foreigner 1984
HARDEN MY HEART-- Quarterflash 1981

SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT-- Pat Benatar 1982
HERE I GO AGAIN-- Whitesnake 1982

The 80s: One of My Favorite Decades. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: I asked my wife if old men should wear boxers or briefs. She said "Depends."

It's a Summer Thing 1970-- Part 6

Definitely the end now. These are Bob Stroud's bonus songs, the ones he uses when coming back from breaks.

GROOVY SITUATION-- GENE CHANDLER
I JUST CAN'T HELP BELIEVING-- B.J. THOMAS
WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN-- CARPENTERS
SILVER BIRD-- MARK LINDSEY
RAINBOW-- MARMALADE-- the follow up to "Reflections of My Life" getting a smattering of airplay.
A song by Todd Rundgren which he didn't say and I don't know.
WHY CAN'T I TOUCH YOU-- RONNIE DYSON

Now that we're way into fall, I finally got around to finishing off summer. I'll use the A to Z excuse, though.

Stay Tuned for the Summer of 1971 Coming This June. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: I was always taught to respect my elders. Now, I don't have anyone to respect.

The Drive's A to Z: It's All Over Now

What do you think the last two songs were? Hint, D. B. and Scorps.

What "Wild," "Woman," "Workin'" and "Your" songs do you think they played.

After 8 days, 194 hours and some odd minutes, the Drive's monumental ode to Rock and Roll just ended at 9:26 am.

You can still register to win an iPad (whatever that is) loaded with all 2,100+ songs and see the complete list at www.wdrv.com. warned that they will do it again and invite suggestions for new songs the next time.


LAST TWO SONGS

ZIGGY STARDUST-- David Bowie
ZOO-- Scorpions



WILD HORSES-- Rolling Stones
WILD NIGHTS-- Van Morrison
WILD THING-- Troggs
WILD WILD LIFE-- Talking Heads
WILD WORLD-- Cat Stevens
WILDEST DREAMS-- Asia
WILDFIRE-- Michael Martin


WOMAN-- John Lennon
WOMAN FROM TOKYO-- Deep Purple
A WOMAN IN LOVE-- Tom Petty & Heartbreakers


WORKIN' FOR THE WEEKEND-- Loverboy
WORKING MAN-- Rush


YOUR LOVE-- Outfield
YOUR LOVE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY-- Sammy Hagar
YOUR MAMA DON'T DANCE-- Loggins and Messina
YOUR MOTHER SHOULD KNOW-- Beatles
YOUR SONG-- Elton John
YOUR TIME IS GONNA COME-- Led Zeppelin
YOUR WILDEST DREAMS-- Moody Blues
YOURS IS NO DISGRACE-- Yes

They also played 24 songs beginning with the word "You" beginning with "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" by BTO and ending with "You Wreck Me" by Tom Petty.

Looking Forward to the Next Time Already. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: We got married for better or worse. He couldn't do any better. I couldn't do any worse. (Hey, I resemble that!!)

It's a Summer Thing 1970-- Part 5

Finishing up on Bob Stroud's Final Salute to the Summer of 1970, finally.

Back to a great summer between my freshman and sophomore years at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb.

INDIANA WANTS ME-- R. DEAN TAYLOR-- Brand new debuting on our radio. (Love the siren. I song this song every time we enter Indiana. Just ask Liz.)
FRESH AIR-- QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE-- new album "Just for Love." (Wonder how they came up with that name?)

SIGNED, SEALED DELIVERED I'M YOURS-- STEVIE WONDER-- in the Top Ten. (One of my favorite Stevie songs.)
ADD SOME MUSIC TO YOUR DAY-- BEACH BOYS-- a stunning production from an album by the Beach Boys that had just been released. They left Capitol Records after all those years and now were with Warner Brothers Reprise. The first single from the great "Sunflowers" album. (Never heard this song before.)

ALL RIGHT NOW-- FREE-- Great new band from England debuting this weekend. (When you say Rock and Roll, you say "All Right Now." It doesn't get any better than this.
GO BACK-- CRABBY APPLETON-- A great one-hit wonder. On our Rock and Roll Roots Vol. 2. (A Really fine one-hit wonder.)

HO-DE-HO-- BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS-- The first single from their third album. A Carole King song.
IT'S UP TO YOU-- MOODY BLUES-- Just a couple weeks old at this point in time. Their new album "A Question of Balance. Lead off selection from side 2, a Justin Heywood tune. (A great album cut that should have made Top Ten, but didn't.)

And the #1 song in Chicago September 5, 1970:

WAR-- EDWIN STARR-- Motown's Edwin Starr. (And a war that was never going to end.)

Wait a Minute, I Have One More Entry to Make. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER STICKERS: I'm on the initial stages of my golden years: SS, CDs, IRAs, AARP.

Mary Schmich On Stuff You May Not Know About Fall-- Part 2

Back on September 25th, I started this blog about my favorite season, fall. The Drive is playing "Time of the Season" by the Zombies this very moment, 9:51 am.

This past weekend, we got a serious blast of what lies ahead and that would be the lousy winter. But hopefully, that cold will fire up Mother nature to get on with her fall display.

Continuing with Mar Schmich's "10 questions on season loved by all" from the September 22nd Chicago Tribune.

6. WHEN CAN WE EXPECT PEAK FALL COLOR?

Later than usual according to Doris Taylor at the Morton Arboretum. Chicago color usually peaks around Columbus Day, but thinking late October this year.

7. CAN YOU REALLY BALANCE AN EGG ON ITS END ON THE FALL EQUINOX?

If you're really good at balancing eggs, you can do it any time.

8. IS THERE ANYONE WHO DOESN'T LIKE FALL?

NO. Some allergy sufferers hate spring. Some heat wimps hate summer. Some people hate winter because of shoveling snow, but everyone loves fall.

9. WHY DO PEOPLE LOVE FALL?

"The tender air, the angle of the sun, the incongruity of that color flaring while the light fades."

10. ARE THERE ANY GOOD POEMS ABOUT FALL?

Not enough.

Never Enough Fall For Me. Wouldn't It Be Great If It Lasted Two Months Longer. RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: I'm Retired. I was tired yesterday and I'm tired again today.

The Drive's A to Z-- Part 7-- The Letter "T"

How many songs beginning with "Sunshine," "Sweet" and "Time" can you name? Answers below.

I don't post on Sundays so here we are on Monday, the eighth day of this musical marathon. I'm beginning to miss my Beach Music, but am staying with the Drive. I've just got to see what they will play next.

This moment, they just finished "Time Has Come Today" by the Chambers Brothers with that "Yeeeaahh!" with guitar crash at the end. "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce now.

The Drive began the letter "T" at 3:21 this morning with "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell followed by that great Route 66 song "Take It Easy" by the Eagles, you know "Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona."


Sunshine-- Johnathan Edwards
Sunshine of Your love-- Cream
Sunshine Superman-- Donovan


Sweet Baby James-- James Taylor
Sweet Caroline-- Neil Diamond
Sweet Child O' Mine-- Guns N' Roses
Sweet Dreams Are Made of This-- Eurythmics
Sweet Emotion-- Aerosmith
Sweet Hitch-Hiker-- CCR
Sweet Home Alabama-- Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Chicago-- Blues Brothers
Sweet Jane-- Lou Reed
Sweet Talkin' Woman-- ELO


Time-- Pink Floyd
Time for Me to Fly-- REO Speedwagon
Time Has Come Today-- Chambers Brothers
Time in a Bottle-- Jim Croce
Time is On My Side-- Rolling Stones
Time of the Season-- Zombies
Time Out of Mind-- Steely Dan
Time Passages-- Al Stewart
Time Waits for No One-- Rolling Stones
Time Won't Let Me-- Outsiders

Sure Gonna Miss This Later Today. But, I'm Sure They'll Do It Again. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: When I was young, all I wanted was a BMW. Now, I don't care about the W.

The Drive's A to Z-- Part 6-- The Letters "P" and "Q"

What songs can you name that begin with "Midnight," "Old," "On," "Pink" and the letter "Q?"


Tuned into the drive on my way to and back from Grant's Homecoming Parade and am listening to it right now as I two-finger away on the keyboard.

The letter "P began at 5:52 am today and at 11:27 am Bobby Skafish just finished off all three "Q" songs.

If you want to see the list of all the songs played so far, and it is impressive, go to the website www.wdrv.com and click on the A to Z box.


MIDNIGHT BLUE-- Lou Gramm
MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS-- Grass Roots
MIDNIGHT CRUISER-- Steely Dan
MIDNIGHT RAMBLER-- Rolling Stones
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL-- CCR


OL' 55- Eagles
OLD DAYS-- Chicago
AN OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG-- Three Dog Night
OLD MAN-- Neil Young
OLD MAN DOWN THE ROAD-- John Fogerty
OLD TIME ROCK AND ROLL-- Bob Seger


ON BROADWAY-- George Benson
ON THE DARK SIDE-- John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band
ON THE LOOSE-- Saga
ON THE ROAD AGAIN-- Canned Heat
ON THE TURNING AWAY-- Pink Floyd


PINK CADILLAC-- Bruce Springsteen
PINK HOUSES-- John Mellancamp

QUADROPHENIA-- Who
QUESTION-- Moody Blues
QUESTIONS 67 AND 68-- Chicago

The first "R" song was "Radar Love" by Golden Earing.

Sure Gonna Hate to See This Extravaganza End. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: Cremation? Think Outside the Box.

JSS: Homecoming Parade-- Not That Old-- Halloween and Oktoberfest

JSS-- Just Some Stuff


1. HOMECOMING PARADE-- Earlier today, I was in Fox lake, Illinois, for Grant High School's Homecoming parade. It wasn't very long and where did we get all this cold weather? Only one band and all floats and vehicles were high school related. No politicians. Guess they "figgered" most of the students were too young to vote.


2. NOT THAT OLD-- The Class of 1980 had a float. I heard some youngsters remark as they went by, "Man, 1980, that's O-L-D!!" Oh yeah? Try Class of '69!!!


3. HALLOWEEN AND OKTOBERFEST-- Getting ready to put my Harvest/Halloween stuff up which means pumpkins in all front windows, orange lights outside and assorted sundry items.

Later, Liz and I are planning on going to Fox Lake's Oktoberfest at the Lake front Park. Brats and sauerkraut and Oom-Pah Music. Later, the New Invaders play. An excellent group that focuses on music from '64 to '69.

Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog


WHY MEN SHOULD NEVER TAKE PHONE MESSAGES. This was a found on a refrigerator.

"Someone from the Gyna College called.
They said the Pabst Beer is normal.
I didn't even know you liked beer."

The Drive's A to Z-- Part 5-- Letter "L"

How many songs beginning with "Lay" and "Long" can you name?



Listening to the Drive right now and they are in the letter "L." Bob Stroud is playing Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown" right now.

He just played "Low" by Cracker, "Low Rider" by War and "Low Sparks of High heeled Boys" by Traffic before that.

Before that, Steve Downs and Stroud played 24 songs beginning with the word "Love" from 8:07 am to 10:10 am.

As they say, "A music event unpredictably yours."

LAY DOWN (CANDLES IN THE RAIN)-- Melanie
LAY DOWN SALLY-- Eric Clapton
LAY IT ON THE LINE-- Triumph
LAY LADY LAY-- Bob Dylan
LAYLA-- Eric Clapton



THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD-- Beatles
LONG COOL WOMAN-- Hollies
LONG DISTANCE RUNAROUND/THE FISH-- Yes
LONG LIVE ROCK-- Who
LONG LONG WAY FROM HOME-- Foreigner
THE LONG RUN-- Eagles
LONG TIME-- Boston
LONG TIME GONE-- CSN
LONG TRAIN RUNNIN'-- Doobie Brothers
LONG TWIN SILVER LINE-- Bob Seger


Bob just played one of my all-time favorites "Lucky Man" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

Rockin' Letter by Letter All Week. --RoadDog


The last NO PUN INTENDED: Acupuncture is a job well done. (I don't get it?)

Every Bloomin' Thing-- Fall

As we go into October, my yard is really starting to put on its Fall Scenery.

All the mums, and there are hundreds of them, mostly yellow, are coming into full bloom, always a gorgeous sight. The geraniums and impatiens are still blooming as well.

The mums always are my prime fall plant.

The sidewalks and retaining wall have never looked better as Lance finished power washing them. I'll be starting on the deck and railings this week as he left the machine. They will then get a needed stain.

The amur maples are coming into fall color and skyline honey locusts a golden yellow.

Always a great season around here when that happens.

Love Those Falls. --RoadDog


NO PUN INTENDED: Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.

Number One Songs This Date-- October 1, 2010

Thanks to Josh Hosler's Website. Based on the Billboard charts.

2009 I GOTTA FEELING-- Blackeyed Peas
2000 MUSIC-- Madonna
1990 CLOSE TO YOU-- Maxi Priest
1980 ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST-- Queen

1979 SAD EYES-- Robert John
1978 KISS YOU ALL OVER-- Exile
1977 STAR WARS THEME/CANTINA BAND-- Meco

1976 PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC-- Wild Cherry
1975 FAME-- David Bowie
1974 I HONESTLY LOVE YOU-- Olivia Newton-John

1973 HALF-BREED-- Cher
1972 BABY DON'T GET HOOKED ON ME-- Mac Davis
1971 MAGGIE MAE/REASON TO BELIEVE-- Rod Stewart
1970 AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH-- Diana Ross

1960 MY HEART HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN-- Connie Francis
1950 GOODNIGHT IRENE-- Gordon Jenkins & the Weavers
1940 I'LL NEVER SMILE AGAIN-- Tommy Dorsey

1930 LITTLE WHITE LIES-- Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians
1920 ST. LOUIS BLUES-- Marion Harris
1910 CALL ME UP SOME RAINY AFTERNOON-- Ada Jones, Billy Murray & American Quartet
1900 MA TIGER LILY-- Arthur Collins

Old Billy Murray Again, Any Relation to Our Bill Murray? --RoadDog


GROANER: Two Alaskans got cold while paddling onthe Yukon River. They decoded to build a fire on their boat which naturally burned and sank. This proves that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.