Down Da Road I Go

Was It the Blizzard of '67 or Great Snow Storm of '67? Music to While Away All That Snow

2012-01-30T13:01:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, Bob Stroud devoted his entire Rock and Roll Roots Show to the songs being played on WLS and WCFL that helped us young folks, I was 15 at the time, get through all that snow. He also included tracks from the albums in our collections.

The blizzard/snow storm was actually over by Jan. 28th, but the digging out and getting things back on schedule was going on big time.

From the show: "It was 45 years ago this past week that Chicago experienced its worst blizzard to date. This is the 45th anniversary of the Great Snow Storm of '67.

Bob Stroud's comments first. Mine in parentheses.

THE BEAT GOES ON-- SONNY AND CHER--
LOVE IS HERE AND NOW YOU'RE GONE-- SUPREMES-- (Nothing like that good old Motown. Loved the choreography.)

YOU HEAR ME CALL YOUR NAME-- ASSOCIATION-- Some of us got it for Christmas, the new Renaissance album. From side 2. (Right, I'm sure my dad would go out and buy me one of those stupid albums.)
I THINK WE'RE ALONE-- TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS-- Brand new and hit-bound. (And Tiffany wasn't even alive yet.)

TELL IT TO THE RAIN-- FOUR SEASONS-- (One of Liz's favorite Four Seasons songs. Was she ever belting this out while it was playing.)
GIMME SOME LOVIN'-- SPENCER DAVIS GROUP-- Getting our first taste of Steve Winwood.

Was That a Snowflake? --RoadDog

How to Spend a Non-Football Weekend

2012-01-30T09:23:00.004-06:00

Well, I don't really consider the NFL Pro Bowl a real football game.

FRIDAY

We went to Lake Geneva, Wi,, and had the great fish fry at Popeye's (not the chicken chain) overlooking the Riviera Docks and Geneva Lake. One of the best anywhere. Then to good old Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes for NTN and Liz's belated champagne birthday toast. We were at the other Donovan's in Panama City Beach, Fl., for the real one Jan. 10th.

SATURDAY

Just hung around home' a nice thing to do after all those weeks on the road. I did clear snow off the driveway, but no big accumulation.

SUNDAY

Bob Stroud was doing his Rock and Roll Roots show on the Blizzard of'67 here in Chicago, the biggest snowfall ever in the city. Snow was coming down as he did it and I was sure hoping we didn't have a repeat of 45 years ago. We didn't, but I still had to get out and shovel the driveway again.

Ate at Arby's for the first time in a long time, then went to AJ's Horsin' Around in Round Lake Park where we saw Terry Spizzirri and Nephew entertain for the annual bar bus trip (six bars in six hours). That guy puts on a great show and we all had fun. What else you wanna do on a Sunday afternoon with NO FOOTBALL!!

Play me Some Irish Music!! --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Skedaddle...(Get out of here mighty fast.)

WLS Top 40 for January 27, 1967: The Blizzard of '67

2012-01-28T16:31:00.002-06:00

Courtesy of Rusty Evans.

These were the songs playing on the radio when we got all that snow that my brother Bob had to clear off all by himself. (See my Cooter's History Thing Blog.)

I'll list the Top Twenty.

1. I'M A BELIEVER/STEPPIN' STONE-- Monkees
2. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH-- New Colony Six (Chicago's Own)
2. GEORGY GIRL-- Seekers
4. SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON-- Royal Guardsmen
5. PUSHIN' TOO HARD-- Seeds

6. YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET-- Blues Magoos
7. KIND OF A DRAG-- Buckinghams (Chicago'sOwn)
8. WORDS OF LOVE/DANCING IN THE STREET--
9. I HAD TOO MUCH TO DREAM-- Electric Prunes (Did I dream we got a lot of snow?)
10. 98.6-- Keith

11. RUBY TUESDAY-- Rolling Stones
12. GIMME SOME LOVIN'-- Spencer Davis Group
13. STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF LOVE-- Four Tops
14. NOW WINTER'S DAY-- Tommy Roe (Definitely an appropriate song.)
15. TELL IT LIKE IT IS-- Aaron Neville

16. WHERE WILL THE WORDS COME FROM-- Gary Lewis & Playboys
17. GIRL WATCHER'S THEME-- Bob Crewe Generation
18. KNIGHT IN RUSTY ARMOR-- Peter and Gordon Tom Jones
19. GREEN GREEN GRASS OF HOME--
20. COLOR MY WORLD-- Petula Clark

Who Knows, I Might Have Been Recording Some of Thes on My Trusty Grundig Reel-to-Reel Recorder. --RoadDog

Back to 1973

2012-01-28T09:15:00.003-06:00

Wendy Rice is one hour into her four-hour Saturday Morning Flashback Show on Chicago's WXRT and I'm along for the ride. You can hear it streaming at www.wxrt.com.

Along with the songs, she gives info about the year.

So far:

DANCING WITH MR. D.-- Rolling Stones
YOU'VE BEEN IN LOVE TOO LONG-- Bonnie Raitt
IF YOU WANT ME TO STAY-- Sly & the Family Stone
SAIL ON SAILOR-- Beach Boys
THE JEAN GENIE-- David Bowie

LONG TRAIN RUNNIN'-- Doobie Brothers-- Always reminds me of that summer and the wedding.
SUFFICIENTLY BREATHLESS-- Captain Beyond
BODHISATTVA-- Steely Dan
GIVE IT TO ME-- J. Geils Band
I THINK IT WAS THE WINE-- Siegel-Schwall Band

LET'S GET IT ON-- Marvin Gaye-- I can't hear this one without thinking of that King of Queens episode.
ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)-- Bruce Springsteen & E. Street Band
MYSTERY TO ME-- Fleetwood Mac
MIND GAMES-- John Lennon

Going Back for Another Two and a Half Hours. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Scarce as Hen's Teeth...(Something difficult to Obtain)

Going Bcak to the Cold: More Good Eatin'-- Curvin' It-- Home

2012-01-26T18:02:00.003-06:00

JANUARY 21ST-- SATURDAY

Woke up to the cold here in northern Mississippi and the long pants and sweatshirt I was hoping to put on in St. Louis came on early. Drove I-55 to Memphis, crossed into Arkansas and then did the foot of Missouri north to Sikeston.

Bypassed Lambert's and went to Dexter BBQ, which I had heard about and written about in my RoadLog. Every bit as good as I'd heard. And definitely you need to try their wine and cheese dressing. Some of the best ever.

Through St. Louis by the Arch and into Illinois. Had to stop for our taco fix at the Jack in the Box in Litchfield, a must stop even though we weren't real hungry. Checked into the TraveLodge in Springfield and then went on to the Curve Inn for drinks and partying. Real "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights."

JANUARY 22ND-- SUNDAY

Stopped at the Bonanza Sirloin Pit in Lincoln where their rolls are too good to be thrown, hear that Lambert's!!? And their pass around rolls and chocolate chip cookies are something else.

Foggy and icy driving most all of today. Not much fun.

But got home at 5 pm after 19 days on the road.

Good to Be Home. --RoadDog

Going Back to the Cold: Good Eatin' and Vicksburg

2012-01-25T08:31:00.003-06:00

JANUARY 20TH-- FRIDAY

Last drive along the coast to Gulfport and then US-49 to Jackson. Lunch at the Country Fisherman Buffet in Mendenhall, Ms. Lots of Southern dishes, but wish they put labels on selections. Some are not identifiable. Some really good eating and Blue Bell ice cream for dessert.

Took US-20 to the gambling hot spot at Vicksburg. Well, that's what it seemed like with all those billboards. But, wasn't there some sort of Civil War thing that happened there?

Paid our $8 a car to enter the park and drove it, seeing nary a wild hog as they had reported. The Illinois Memorial was the most impressive. Very impressed with the USS Cairo.

"I'm Going to Jackson" again, then I-55 to Canton. Stopped for a bathroom break at McDonald's and they had McRIBS!!! Wasn't hungry, but wasn't going to pass up McRibs, so had a meal.

Drove to Grenada and got a room at the Knight's Inn. Went next door to McAlister's for a night cap, but they were food only. However, behind the place was the Tiki Hut, a real hot bed of Ole Miss. Great time, reasonable drinks, tiki decor and a band. Not a bad second choice.

And, the weather today in the mid-70s so still tee shirt and shorts time.

Getting Closer to Home. --RoadDog

Where Were You January 1, 1972?-- Part 6

2012-01-25T08:12:00.002-06:00

NEVER BEEN TO SPAIN-- THREE DOG NIGHT-- New single written by the late great Hoyt Axton (The father on the movie "Gremlins."
LOW SPARK OF HIGH-HEELED BOYS-- TRAFFIC-- title track (Also known as the song that would never end.)

ROCK STEADY-- ARETHA FRANKLIN-- Out only as a 45.
SWEET SEASONS-- CAROLE KING-- From the album Music.

MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER-- ELTON JOHN--

SUNSHINE-- JONATHAN EDWARDS-- The Number One Song in Chicago as you battle the day after all that New Year partying.

Whenever Stroud comes back from commercial break, he plays a bit of another song out back then.

JOY-- APOLLO 100
PRECIOUS AND FEW-- CLIMAX-- Sonny Gervaci was the lead singer of a group called the Outsiders who in the 60s had hits like "Time Won't Let Me." Now, here in the 70s, he was in a band called Climax.

THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT-- ROBERT JOHNS-- a remake of an old song by a group called the Tokens.
I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SONG-- HILLTOP SINGERS-- If all of a sudden you want to quench your thirst with a Coca-Cola, I understand. A Cole commercial on your TV. (Wonder how they came up with the group name.)

Darn, Got That Tune in My Head Now, "I'd Like to Teach...." Darn You, Stroud, You Scalawag!! --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Scalawag...(a rascal or unprincipled person)

Mississippi Here We Come-- Breaking in NTN-- Throwing Rolls-- Knock Knock

2012-01-24T12:46:00.005-06:00

JANUARY 18TH-- WEDNESDAY

Left Fort Walton Beach and took US-98 to Pensacola Beach and "broke in" the new NTN site at Rip Tides in the Holiday Inn Resort with two Number Ones. Had another bout with them "Throwed Rolls" in Foley, Alabama.

On to Biloxi. NTN at Shep's Fort Bayou and again looked for the Adventures Bar for NTN, but couldn't find it. Hooter's at night.

JANUARY 19TH-- THURSDAY

Drove out to Waveland on Louisiana border and played NTN at Knock Knock Bar. A rare time for NTN. There were ACTUALLY folks playing it, a rare occasion. Saw the 8-foot high Katrina watermark in the bar. Drove along shore back to St. Louis Bay. Still recovering from Katrina damage.

Sat out by the pool for some rays. Drinks at Hooter's and Hog Heaven BBQ and Blues.

Time to Head Home. --RoadDog

Where Were You January 1, 1972?-- Part 5

2012-01-24T12:27:00.002-06:00

Now, that would be 40 years ago. If you remember that, you're gettin' kinda old.

A real,real big hit was Don McLean's "American Pie," but I already wrote about it way back on Part 3, which was a repeat of Part 4, as I found out.

WITCH QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS-- REDBONE-- (Good old Indian Rock!)

DAY AFTER DAY-- BADFINGER-- From album Straight Up. George Harrison started producing it but abandoned it while working on Bangladesh. Todd Rundgren got the call from America to finish it.
MONEY-- BADFINGER-- Flipside of "Day After Day."
WITHOUT YOU-- NILSSON-- While Badfinger was recording with Todd Rundgren, down the hall Harry Nilsson was recording this Badfinger song. He asked them to stop by and hear what he was doing with it.

JEALOUS GUY-- JOHN LENNON-- From his Imagine release, one of the Top Ten albums.
BLACK DOG-- LED ZEPPELIN-- The record company wanted them to release it as a single and the band said no, that's just not going to happen.

One Last Trip Back Coming Up. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Red up... (clean the house)

We're Back!!

2012-01-23T08:09:00.002-06:00

Drove onto our snow-covered driveway last night after a 19 day trip down to the Gulf Coast and some 2,790 miles. Since Friday, we were on the good old superslab, I-55 almost all the way from Jackson, Mississippi, to Dwight, Illinois. The southern terminus is in New Orleans and northern in Chicago.

Spent the next hour unloading the car and then had to water the plants, all of which appear to have survived.

This was a great trip, our second-longest-ever, almost three weeks. We stayed in Mobile, Alabama; Panama City Beach, Florida; Fort Walton Beach, Florida and Biloxi, Mississippi, for our main stops.

We also spent a night on the way down and way back in Springfield, Illinois. On the road nights were spent at Canton and Meridian, Mississippi.

Always Good to Get Home, Though. --RoadDog

Where Were You January 1, 1972?-- Part 4

2012-01-23T07:56:00.004-06:00

Continued from earlier this month.

These were songs playing on your radio, 40 years ago.

FOOTSTOMPIN' MUSIC-- GFR-- From Top Ten album E.Pluribus Funk (as they changed direction to more pop.)
BITTER BLUE-- CAT STEVENS-- From Teaser and the Firecat album in the top ten. A deep cut from side two. (This is the album that got me into Cat Stevens.)

STAY WITH ME-- FACES-- From the great new album A Nod Is As Good as a Wink to a Blind Horse. First single release. (I always thought this was Rod Stewart out singing on his own.)
FAMILY AFFAIR-- SLY AND FAMILY STONE-- From There's a Riot Going On.

More to Come. --RoadDog

Death of Joe Paterno

2012-01-22T09:58:00.002-06:00

Last night at the Curve Inn in Springfield, Illinois, while watching the Louisville-Pittsburgh basketball game, we kept seeing flashes across the bottom of he screen that the family of Joe Paterno was going to the hospital to see him for the last time.

This morning, I see that he is dead at age 85.

The man had a brilliant career that was marred at its end by a horrendous situation, one that cost him his job (and rightfully so). But I kind of figured that he would not last long whenever the day came that he could not coach his team. It sure didn't.

I never liked Penn State until the time I went to Evanston, Illinois, to see them play Northwestern about ten years ago. I was really impressed when the 75-year-old coach ran onto the field at the head of his team.

We were sitting near the Penn State fans who wanted all sorts of horrible things to happen to him as the team was in the middle of a down time with losing seasons, something they weren't used to under Paterno's leadership.

If they want to know what losing is about, they should have gone to Northern Illinois, where I did.

After that, I became a Penn State and Joe Paterno fan.

So Long Papa Joe. --RoadDog

Walked into a McRib

2012-01-21T06:31:00.003-06:00

Now, if that just doesn't flat out make my day!!

We spent yesterday driving across the state of Mississippi, even got gas for less than $3.20...twice.

But one definite high point was a bathroom break in Canton at a McDonald's. Whenever we stop at a place of business to use their facilities, we buy something, usually in the $1 range, so I was at the counter looking to buy a McDouble when, what did my eyes espy, but a big ad for McRibs.

No question what I was going to order. One McRib Value Meal coming right up. Even though there was a considerable delay for change and then very slow service, I waited.

There are few food choices I'll wait for, and you-know-what is one of them.

And, now, I'll have to make the call, Lambert's in Sikeston, Mo., later today, or the McDonald's to see if they ave you-know what.

Decisions, Decisions. --RoadDog

To Fort Walton Beach: Grazing, Bar Hoppin' and the Bathroom Incident

2012-01-20T09:04:00.004-06:00

JANUARY 16TH-- MONDAY

Drove to Destin and grazed lunch at Golden Corral. Played NTN at Harry T's, right on the inlet, checked into the FEB Best Western. Enjoyed the gulf view from our 5th floor balcony. More NTN at Angler's, then Fudpucker's and some interesting characters at Swizzle Stick Lounge at hotel.

JANUARY 17TH-- TUESDAY

A day to relax on balcony and enjoy view. Grazing at the Golden Corral for supper No NTN at the Oasis, bathroom incident at McGuire's (read about it on my RoadLog blog). Good party at Swizzle Stick with Michael Stone singing.

Watch Them McGuire Bathroom Doors! --RoadDog

Waiting Till Next Year-- Grazing-- Fort Walton Beach

2012-01-19T08:33:00.002-06:00

JANUARY 15TH-- SUNDAY

Still in Panama City Beach. A great day for catching rays, so did. Da Pack playing and expected a win. Saw first half at Salty Sue's and second at Buffalo Wild Wings. Lots of Packer fans at both places pulling for them, but to no avail. Not sure what team that was playing. Not the Pack of this past season.

Said our goodbyes to the folks at Donovan's Reef.

JANUARY 16TH-- MONDAY

Drove to Destin and did grazing at Golden Corral. Checked in at Best Western and enjoyed sun. Went to Harry T's, Angler's, Fudpucker's and Swizzle Stick Lounge at the Best Western.

How Much You Getting Paid to Catch a Ball. --RoadDog

Gulf Coast Trip 2012: Still Hanging Around PCB

2012-01-18T09:36:00.003-06:00

JANUARY 13TH-- Friday

Still cool. Did some grazing at Ceci's Pizza. Sure are a lot of kids on school trips there. I think we picked the wrong time to go to school. I could see them taking us to a pizza place during school hours. Let's face it, the ultimate field trip.

So, its the first of three Friday the 13ths this year, which I also find is leap year.

Went to the Sandpiper, Dusty's and ended up at Donovan's Reef.

JANUARY 14TH-- Saturday

Breakfast at the upscale Another Broken Egg. Friend Dallas from Donovan's works there. Absolutely great Mardi Gras omelet. Weather improving and sat out by deck enjoying the sun.

Donovan's again at night.

A Fine Time. --RoadDog

The Gulf Out the Door

2012-01-17T09:48:00.004-06:00

Sitting here a-typin'away with warm Gulf breezes blowing in the open balcony and waves crashing ashore five stories down here in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where we arrived yesterday afternoon.

A perfect day with temps set at 72 degrees. There is a possibility of rain showers this afternoon. At home, high today expected to be 32 and 3-5 inches snow expected.

The beach outside our balcony is a different sort of dazzling white. As in sand.

Next two days here/home:

60 degrees/22 degrees
52 degrees/12 degrees

Getting ready to go out on the balcony and crack into a Corona.

Got to Enjoy It While We Can. --RoadDog

Jus' Hangin' Around PCB: Bars and NIU T-Shirts

2012-01-16T09:22:00.003-06:00

JANUARY 11TH-- WEDNESDAY

Considerably colder than we would like, but still better than at home. Drove all along the Beach Drive to the west end of Panama City Beach (PCB) and crossed the bridge into Panama City and had wings and played NTN at Joe's Corner Pub.

Later we came back and had a pitcher at Dusty's and finished up the night at Donovan's.

JANUARY 12TH-- THURSDAY

Went to McDonald's for breakfast and it was nice enough (still a bit chilly) to catch some rays outside.

Drove the short distance to local hangout Sharky's which opened for the season today and enjoyed their happy hour. One guy in there reminded us greatly of Ernest T. Bass. Then to Reggae J's and Buffalo Wild Wings at Pier Park. As usual enjoyed the antics of J, the resident macaw parrot, and of course those $6 wings and $1.50 happy hour bottles.

Walked over to BW3 and passed University shop and took a look around. As a joke, I asked if they had any Northern Illinois stuff. Unbelievably, they did, so had to buy it. Who'd have figured NIU would have stuff all the way down here at PCB?

Sure made our day.

Ended up at Donovan's as usual. It was the deadest I've ever seen the place at night.

Lovin' It. --RoadDog

JSIS: B53 Bomb-- McRib

2012-01-15T10:38:00.003-06:00

While on vacation, I catch up on the vast backlog of magazines I accumulate at home.

These two things are from the Nov. 7, 2011, Time Magazine.

1. B53 BOMB-- The last B-53 bomb, the most powerful bomb in our arsenal was dismantled. It was hundreds of times stronger than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

You have to wonder how you dismantle an item of destruction like that. I'd have to think VERY CAREFULLY. None of Bill Cosby's "Oops" here.

3. McRIB-- Anyone who knows me knows that I am a worthy McRib nut of the highest order. And we had them out back in November. McDonald's played us a bit though, saying they were ending sales of them Nov. 14th, a date I had carefully marked down. They kept selling them until almost Christmas, though.

The Time article said, however, they are on sale year-round in Germany.

Eating my McRib in my Liederhosen, Hat and Huge Stein of Beer. --RoadDog

All in All, This Will Do Very Well

2012-01-15T10:31:00.005-06:00

We haven't been very happy with the cool temperatures we've had here in Panama City Beach, Florida, this past week, but it has been warmer than back home in northern Illinois.

Temps for today and the next two according to Weather Bug. PCB first, home second:

Today 64 Home 28
Tomorrow: 65 Home 35
Tuesday: 68 Home 26

I'll find a way to live with it.

Somehow, Really. --RoadDog

To Panama City Beach: Throwed Rolls, NTN and Bars

2012-01-14T13:18:00.004-06:00

January 9th

Left Mobile and drove to Foley, Alabama, where we once again ducked them throwed rolls, this time at the second Lambert's Cafe. Then played NTN at a new site called Happy Harbor in Gulf Shore.

On to Panama City Beach and checked into our room right on the beach. Had cocktails at Dusty's and met the Mayor and all at Donovan's Reef South, here in PCB.

Januaary 10th--

Liz's 61st birthday. Went to Wal Mart to stock up for the stay here and also got one of those delicious Mardi Gras King Cakes to serve as her birthday cake. Played NTN at Applebee's Beaches, our 949th NTN site. I'm pretty sure none of the NTN folk who run the business can say they have been to that many.

Went to Donovan's Reef and celebrated Liz's birthday and had cake back in the room.

Liz says this is the warmest she's ever had it for her birthday.

Happy Birthday Liz. --RoadDog

You Know What Today Is: Paraskevidekatriaphobics

2012-01-13T15:14:00.003-06:00

From Jan. 13th USA Today.

Clue above. And there are three of them this year. April 13th and July 13th you get to experience them again. We usually get just two, and bagging three won't happen again until 2040.

Well, I ave up trying to pronounce it, but that's the long word in the blog title. It is even too hard to spell while looking at it.

Was there a movie series about the day.

So, Happy Parasidtenicalekiudtsg to You, Too. --RoadDog

JJSIS: Oyster Shuckin' at Wintzell's

2012-01-13T14:53:00.004-06:00

JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff from the Gulf.
From the Jan. 9th Mobile Press-Register.

OYSTER SHUCKIN'-- Alabama Oyster-Shucking Contest to be held at Wintzell's Oyster House at 605 Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile, this weekend, Jan.4th.. That would be the original Wintzell's.

Contestants must shuck two dozen oysters and will be judged on speed, quality and presentation with seconds added for mistakes.

The winner of last year's Seafood Show in Boston (where the idea came from) had a time of one minute, 36 seconds.

At any given day at Wintzell's restaurants statewide, between 15,000 and 25,000 oysters are shucked and served.

We were at this place and I strongly suggest a trip there if you're ever in Mobile. Great seafood, even if you're like me and love oysters, but can't eat them anymore after I got ahold of a bad one.

We've been over to Dusty's Oyster House here in Panama City Beach several times and sat at the bar where they do their oyster shuckin' and man are those guys fast. Somehow, they had gotten a copy of the Press-Register and were all fired up to go until I told them the contest was for Alabama residents only.

Just Ain't Fair to Florida!! --RoadDog

The End of a Great Huskie Football Season...And We Didn't Even Lose Our Coach!!

2012-01-12T11:48:00.003-06:00

This past Sunday's victory over Arkansas State in the Go-Daddy Bowl marks the end to one of the great Huskie football seasons since we've been 1A. We won 11 games for the second year in a row and went to our second bowl game in a row.

I certainly would have liked to see all that pan out into a Top 25 ranking, but that was not to be. But, not bad, USA Today ranked us at #26 and AP at #28.

A quick look at the scoring in the Go-Daddy Bowl:

First 12 minutes: ASU- 13 NIU 0
End 1st Quarter: ASU 13 NIU 7
End 2nd Qyarter: NIU 21 ASU 13
End 3rd Quarter: NIU 28 ASU 13
End 4th Quarter NIU 38 ASU 20

This ranks up there with the great 2010, 2003 and 1983 seasons.

2010: 11-3 Won Humanitarian Bowl
2003: 10-2 Beat Iowa State, Maryland and ALABAMA!! But no bowl, believe it or not.
1983: 10-2 Won the California Bowl.

And, I should mention, that unlike at the end of 2010 and 1983, we did not lose our coach as happens with so many mid-level football programs when they have success. But, I expect it won't be long before that happens.

Congratulations You NIU Huskies!! --RoadDog

Bowl Day in Mobile

2012-01-12T11:33:00.004-06:00

JANUARY 8th--

Drove by the home of Raphael Semmes and located the Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Went to a Books-A-Million and bought a Pearl Harbor magazine, World War II book and Civil War book.

We had planned to take the bus to the stadium, but didn't want a repeat of last night's disaster, so drove. We had no problems other than lack of signage as to where we were supposed to park. Mobile seems to be real good at supplying you with partial directions and information and letting you figure out the rest on your own.

We finally were surrounded by NIU Huskie fans at the tailgate party, a great relief after living in ASU-land since Friday. Great barbecue and drinks before the game.

Mobile did a great job filling the stadium with locals. Northern had maybe 2,000 fans and Arkansas State over 8,000 and those guys were pumped and got even louder as NIU did nothing the first 12 minutes and they led 13-0. Northern finally rallied and had a 21-13 lead at half.

We went on to win 38-20!! Sure took those boisterous Red Wolves fan out of the game.

I didn't think the game would ever end. It started at 8 and the last second ticked off at 11:59 PM.

Stuck around for the awards, then got lost going back to the motel.

At Least We Won!! --RoadDog

Beach Boys Reunite

2012-01-11T12:10:00.003-06:00

From Jan. 9th USA Today.

Well, what's left of them anyway, but the important thing is that they have put aside past differences and will be on the road doing their music this summer on a 50-date tour starting in April at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Brian Wilson will be rejoining cousin Mike Love and Al Jardine and will also have Bruce Johnston, who has been a member since 1965 and David Marks who played with the band in the early 60s and late 90s.

Dennis Wilson died in 1983 and Carl Wilson in 1998.

Nothing says summer and cars and sixties better than this band. I may just have to get myself out to see a show if they get near to Chicago.

After All, Who Doesn't Love a Beach? --RoadDog

Just Hanging Around Mobile, Alabama: Semmes Thing, Wintzell's, Bars and a Mardi Gras Parade

2012-01-11T11:55:00.004-06:00

JANUARY 7th

We went off looking for Confederate Admiral Raphael Semme's grave and found it. Then had lunch at Wintzell's, a famous oyster place downtown and then hit a couple bars, the Blind Mule (billing itself as Huskie headquarters) and a new place called The Bar (Biggest Deck in Town).

Back to the Baymont and rest before catching bus downtown for the Go-Daddy Mardi Gras parade. A whoile lot bigger than the ones we have at Panama City, Florida. Great fireworks display afterwards and then got to meet Diesel, the NIU huskie mascot.

A real pain finding a bus back. Then went over to O'Charlie's for a night cap.

All day, we were badly outnumbered by Arkansas State fans. Getting "real"tired of their howling and ASU's.

Perhaps We Can Shut Them Up Sunday. --RoadDog

A Mobile Good Time

2012-01-10T10:42:00.004-06:00

January 6th-- Friday

After arrival in Mobile, we drove over to the All Sports Bar nearby. We'd played NTN there before, but they no longer have it. Friendly people. one guy had just dropped in to pick up tickets to the game, but was "forced" to stay for many drinks. Another lady said that she had a great place to watch tomorrow's Mardi Gras parade from.

Then went to Baumhower's and played NTN. A LOT of Arkansas State fans, but one table of NIU ones.

Last was O'Charlie's where we talked with both an NIU and Arkansas State fan. We had a great football talk and found out some more info on our adversaries.

The motel parking lot has about twenty ASU vehicles. We had five.

Definitely outnumbered Here, But Will Put Up the Good Fight. --RoadDog

Arrival: Met the "Enemy" and One Friendly Stomper

2012-01-07T07:43:00.003-06:00

Arrived in Mobile, Alabama yesterday after a drive from Canton, Mississippi. Total miles for trip from home a bit over a thousand.

Took US-98 from Jackson, Ms., to here. Played NTN at three places in Hattiesburg, home of the Southern Mississippi Eagles: Buffalo Wild Wings ($5 for two pops), Sidelines ($2 for a pop and a beer) and Corner Sports Bar ($4 for two pops) out by Camp Shelby.

There sure are not a lot of places to stop between Hattiesburg and the Alabama line, especially if you've had all those drinks. We finally found one, pulled in and this is where we first met our friends, the enemy. There were two car loads there doing the same thing we were. Gave them a big Red Wolves (their nickname) howdy.

Checked into our motel out by Airport Road and as we were putting on our Huskie gear, the guy next door came over and said, "Go Huskies!" He looked familiar, then I realized it was none other than the tuba player from one of our favorite bands, the Dekalb Footstompers, Rick. He flew in last week and had been playing music on Bourbon Street in New Orleans (he is also a retired school teacher).

The last time I had talked with him was at Lord Stanley's in Dekalb before their Homecoming show.

Should Be a Good Time, Now. --RoadDog

Two Days on the Road

2012-01-06T09:43:00.004-06:00

JANUARY 4th

Drove Route 66 from Dwight to Springfield. Found the sign at Ernie Edwards' Pig Hip Restaurant was down in Broadwell. Got our Cozy Dog Fix in Springfield. Happy to find out that George Ranks bar, on Route 66, is once again open. Played NTN at Third Base Bar and had drinks at the Curve Inn and Southside Pub, both on Route 66.

JANUARY 5th

Big mileage day, 586 miles, all I-55. Had our Jack-in-the-Box taco fix in Litchfield. Lost about thirty minutes because of accident south of St. Louis. Ate at Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston. Mo., ducking them throwed rolls.

Cheapest gas of trip south of there, $3.10. Lots of traffic around Memphis. Drove to Canton, Mississippi, where we spent the night.

Hope to Make Mobile by Tonight. --RoadDog

Where Were You January 1, 1972?-- Part 3

2012-01-04T07:45:00.003-06:00

FOOTSTOMPIN' MUSIC-- GFR-- Top Ten from album E. Pluribus Funk.
BITTER BLUE-- CAT STEVENS-- From Teaser and the Firecat. The album was in the Top Ten--a deep cut from side two. (I really liked this album.)

STAY WITH ME-- FACES-- From the great new album A Nod Is As Good As a Wink to a Blind Horse., the first single release. (I always thought this was just a Rod Stewart song for some reason.)
FAMILY AFFAIR-- SLY & THE FAMILY STONE-- From the album There's a Riot Going On.

EVERYTHING'S COMING OUR WAY-- SANTANA-- Good deep track from side two of Santana 3.
AMERICAN PIE-- DON McLEAN-- Hands down the most intriguing song of the era, climbing its way up to #1 on the singles chart here in town. Not there yet, but would be in another week. Somewhat of a new-comer, Don McLean, although he had releases before this, but this was the one that really put him in the forefront. (I tried singing it on karaoke once. Won't do that gain. Boy, does he sing fast.)

Still Some More to Come. --RoadDog

Pretty Good New Year's Celebration

2012-01-04T07:32:00.004-06:00

Now, it can be said.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30TH--

One last get-together with the Usual Suspects at Route 66 Bar to toast good friends with PBR.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 31, 2011--

We were part of a group of First Nighters in more ways than the fact it was going to be the first night of the new year. Last February, the motel at favorite stomping ground, Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, caught fire and was partially gutted.

This past June, construction began on it and we figured it would be open by September. Of course, delays, and they finally opened for business today. Quite a few regulars got rooms as well.

Went to Main Street at 5, but they were too crowded (having an early New Year's celebration. So ended up at Laurin's Landing for a couple or three.

Lots of friends at Donovan's and grabbed spots at the bar. Buck pints!! No band, but open juke box and had a great time with it. Good food out at 9. Stayed up way too late, 2:30 am.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012--

Recorded Bob Stroud's Time Warp this morning back to January 1, 1971, forty years ago. That was a trip.

Then Ultimate Bloody Marys at Main Street and back to Donovan's for Da Bears and Da Packers, both wins!!

Home and Crash!! --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Pretty is as pretty does...(Your actions are more important than your looks.)

Where Were You January 1, 1972?-- Part 2

2012-01-03T09:39:00.002-06:00

HAVE YOU SEEN HER-- CHI-LITES-- (Some Good Old 70s Chicago Soul. That's what the Chi stood for.)
LEVON-- ELTON JOHN-- (I was just getting into his music.)

THEME FROM SHAFT-- ISAAC HAYES-- (If there ever was a "tougher" song, I'd like to know what it was.)
LOOKING FOR A LOVE-- J. GEILS BAND-- (I liked this song, but it wasn't until "Centerfold" that I really got into this band. Great soul.)

TWO DIVIDED BY LOVE-- GRASS ROOTS-- Latest single.
MISTY MOUNTAIN HOP-- LED ZEPPELIN-- From Zep. 4.

WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS-- GEORGE HARRISON-- From the Concert for Bangladesh. His bud, Eric Clapton, stepping in to help like he did on the studio version.
SOME PEOPLE NEVER KNOW-- WINGS-- a respectable ballad from the pen of Paul McCartney, included in the very first Wings album, Wildlife.

RESPECT YOURSELF-- STAPLE SINGERS-- Chicago's own.
WHITE LIES, BLUE EYES-- BULLET-- UK one-hit wonder.

Taking Me Back. --RoadDog

Where Were You January 1, 1972?-- Part 1

2012-01-03T09:12:00.002-06:00

This past Sunday, Bob Stroud went back 40 years ago to January 1, 1972, and played the music on the radio and in our record collections as he likes to say.

His 7 am start was especially hard on me as I hadn't gotten to bed until 2 am and hadn't slept very well, but I really wanted to hear the Time Warp.

Back 40 years ago, I was a junior at the University of Georgia. I had been thinking of returning to Northern Illinois and had lost my room at the dorm and assigned to a new dorm. It turned out that my new roommate was the governor's son. He convinced me that his dad was governor when he went back "home" to get his stereo and it turned out to be the Governor's Mansion.

As usual, the quotes are from Stroud unless in parentheses, which would be mine.

HEY BIG BROTHER-- RARE EARTH-- Coming out of Detroit, Michigan. (Some Motown Blue-Eyed Soul.)
BACK TO CALIFORNIA-- CAROLE KING-- Final selection from her new album, Music, the follow up to Tapestry.

LET'S STAY TOGETHER-- AL GREENE-- (Or, the Right Reverend Greene as the Beach Music deejays like to say.)
NO ONE TO DEPEND ON-- SANTANA-- Featured on their third album, Santana 3, a top ten album here in Chicago. (Definitely a bit of that Latino feel to this one.)

SCORPIO-- DENNIS COFFEY-- An instrumental by a Detroit session guitarist. (I knew I'd heard the song, but with no words, sure couldn't name it.)
AN OLD-FASHIONED LOVE SONG-- THREE DOG NIGHT-- Just falling off the charts. One of two of their songs on your radio. Written by Paul Williams.

Good Stuff Maynard. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? PERT-NEAR...(Pretty near)

Number One Songs This Date, Jan. 2nd-- Part 2

2012-01-02T09:19:00.002-06:00

1969 I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE-- Marvin Gaye-- Where are those California raisins?
1968 HELLO GOODBYE-- Beatles (Imagine a Beatles #1 song in the sixties?)
1967 I'M A BELIEVER-- Monkees-- Go Shrek!!
1966 WE CAN WORK IT OUT-- Beatles
1965 I FEEL FINE-- Beatles

1964 THERE! I'VE SAID IT AGAIN-- Booby Vinton-- Before he went "Blue: and before you-know-who from Liverpool.
1963 TELSTAR-- Tornadoes
1962 THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT-- Tokens
1961 ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT-- Elvis Presley
1960 EL PASO-- Marty Robbins-- Country hits the charts.

1959 THE CHIPMUNK SONG-- David Seville & the Chipmunks
1958 AT THE HOP-- Danny & the Juniors
1957 SINGING THE BLUES-- Guy Mitchell
1956 SIXTEEN TONS-- Tennessee Ernie Ford
1955 MR. SANDMAN-- Chordettes-- Always like the Golden Girls version.

1954 OH! MY PA-PA-- Eddie Fisher
1953 I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS-- Jimmy Boyd
1952 CRY-- Johnny Ray
1951 THE TENNESSEE WALTZ-- Pattie Page
1950 RUDOLPH, THE RED-NOSED REINDEER-- Gene Autry-- Monkey Ward's was so proud.

1942 CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO-- Glenn Miller
1932 TIGER RAG-- Mills Brothers
1922 WABASH BLUES-- Isham Jones
1912 LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART-- Columbia Male Quartet
1902 ANY OLD PLACE I HANG MY HAT 'IS HOME SWEET HOME' TO ME-- Will Denny

How Many Did You remember? --RoadDog

Number One Songs This Date, January 2, 2012-- Part 1

2012-01-02T08:57:00.003-06:00

Taking a look back at the number one songs this date all the way back to 1802, 110 years ago. Other than the number one hit today and the #1 back in 1902, I've heard 'em all.

From Josh Hosler's excellent site based on Billboard Charts.

2012 SEXY AND I KNOW IT-- LMFAO
2002 HOW YOU REMIND ME-- Nickelback
1992 BLACK OR WHITE-- Michael Jackson

1989 EVERY ROSE HAS A THORN-- Poison-- Talk about your hair bands.
1988 FAITH-- George Michael
1987 WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN-- Bangles (or was it the Go-Gos?). OK, fess up, who besides me did the dance?
1986 SAY YOU, SAY ME-- Lionel Richie1985 LIKE A VIRGIN-- Madonna-- The Lady Gaga of her day.

1984 SAY, SAY, SAY-- Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney
1983 MAN EATER-- Hall & Oates
1982 PHYSICAL-- Olivia Newton-John-- Our girl-next-door gets a bit "dirty."
1981 (JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER-- John Lennon
1980 PLEASE DON'T GO-- K.C. & Sunshine Band

1979 TOO MUCH HEAVEN-- Bee Gees-- These guys were kinda hot back then.
1978 HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE-- Bee Gees-- What'd I tell you?
1977 YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A STAR (TO BE IN MY SHOW-- Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis
1976 SATURDAY NIGHT-- Bay City Rollers-- How do you spell Saturday again.
1975 LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS-- Elton John

1974 TIME IN A BOTTLE-- Jim Croce
1973 YOU'RE SO VAIN-- Carly Simon
1972 BRAND NEW KEY-- Melanie
1971 MY SWEET LORD/ISN'T IT A PITY-- George (Please Don't Sue Me) Harrison
1970 RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAR-- B.J. Thomas

Good Stuff. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Persnickety...(overly particular or snobbish)

As 2011 Gives Way to 2012

2011-12-31T08:21:00.002-06:00

A look back at 2011 for Liz and myself.

I deejayed my last job at George's Cedar Inn in Lake Villa, Illinois. I'm retired from that now as well.

We fully funded our education scholarship at Northern Illinois University and two students received money for student teaching.

I have now been retired 5 1/2 years. Where does the time go? Doesn't seem like it.

We bought a 2011 Malibu for trips. That joins a 2003 Malibu, 1985 Firebird, 2005 Dakota. I need to sell one, but not sure.

In addition we have a 1994 lawn tractor and a 2003 boat.

No wonder I spend so much on gas.

I went to North Carolina three times to visit family. Liz and my two major trips were to Panama City Beach and a Missouri/Illinois Route 66 trip.

I will be starting two new blogs tomorrow, one on World War II and one on the Civil War Navy.

I spend way too much time researching and typing, but enjoy it.

And a Happy New Year to You. --RoadDog

Why I Don't Go to Blackhawks Games

2011-12-31T08:09:00.002-06:00

From the July 30, 2010, Chicago Tribune "Hawks: More red than black."

And, this was from last year.

Actually, a Blackhawk ticket is (was) one of the cheaper ones back then at $46.80 average. The Stars were at 35.66 and Maple Leafs at $114.10.

This graphic shocked me:

BLACKHAWKS FAN COST (family of four)

2 adult tickets $93.60
2 child tickets $93.60
2 small draft beers $14.00
4 small soft drinks $20.00
4 regular size hot dogs $23.00
2 game programs $10.00 (OK, save $5 and share one)
2 caps $40.00
Parking for one car $25.00

Yeah, Right. I'll Pay That Much. -- No Spring Chicken RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? No spring chicken...(not young anymore>)

Anchovies and House Dressings

2011-12-30T08:17:00.004-06:00

Whenever I go into a new restaurant and get a salad, I always inquire as to a possible house dressing. If they have one, I order it. You never know what you'll get. Some were real dogs, but many superb.

One place I used to like to go to, but can't hardly afford anymore (plus they're too far away in these days of GRB gas prices) was Carson's, the place known for their ribs, a well-deserved reputation.

We ate several times at the flagship place in Chicago. I found out their house dressing was anchovy-based. After a momentary pause, I dove right into it and ordered it on the salad. Anchovies be damned, full speed ahead!!

I got the salad and forked right into it. Hey, that's mighty good!! Actually, you didn't much taste it, but the anchovies were a nice addition.

When At Carson's, Always Get the Anchovy-Based Salad Dressing. --RoadDog

Movie Scratches: Story-- Sitter-- Eve-- Sherlock

2011-12-30T08:02:00.003-06:00

For the year, I saw 72 movies. I think that is a record. I saw my last one Dec. 21st and would have liked to see more of the ones out right now, but have to wait until school is back in session and people off vacations.

I am not a big fan of crowded movie theaters.

69. A CHRISTMAS STORY--12-10-- WOODSTOCK $1-- My all-time favorite Christmas movie for first time on a big screen. Full theater with about half adults who did almost all the laughing. Today's kids just don't get it. "I Triple-Dog Dare You."

70. THE SITTER-- 12-14-- FOX LAKE $4-- A slacker gets and gives valuable life lessons.

71. NEW YEAR'S EVE-- 12-20-- FOX LAKE $5.50-- Lives interconnecting in New York on that day.

72. SHERLOCK HOLMES: GAME OF SHADOWS-- 12-21-- FOX LAKE $4-- What dastardly thing will the prof think of next? Dr. Watson brings a cannon to a shootout.

Sure Enjoyed This Year's Crop of Movies. --RoadDog

WHAT'S THAT AGAIN? Needs taking down a notch or two...(usually a young person who thinks too highly of himself and needs a lesson.)

Scenes in a Bar: Generational Beer? and Anchovy Pizza

2011-12-29T08:32:00.004-06:00

Last night, Liz and I were at Tommy's in Spring Grove, Illinois, enjoying their $1 domestic bottle special along with a bunch of other folks. (Earlier we had been at The Dill Pickle in the same village having 35 cent jumbo wings and $6 pitchers of beer.)

A GENERATIONAL THING?

I saw a man and his son sitting next to us having their bottles of beer (the buck bottles are Miller products, the "Big" beer here in the area). Was this a generational thing, but the father was drinking a bottle of Miller High Life. His son was drinking Miller's Genuine Draft.

MY FIRST ANCHOVY PIZZA

Later, the two men next to us on the other side of us split a pizza. When it arrived, it had a particular aroma. We heard them say that it was half anchovy. Then, there was a general discussion as to the relative merits of anchovy pizza.

I'd always heard it was REALLY bad tasting, but never had an anchovy pizza. After all, who in their right mind would order a whole one? What if you don't like it? I finally offered to pay for a piece, but the anchovy guy had finished eating with half of his half left and said I could have a piece for free.

GAME ON!!

I got my piece and it was every bit as salty and fishy tasting as I heard. OK, but I would never order a whole (or even half) pizza of it.

The guy then had the rest of the pizza put in a box and took it home. he said his son regularly scrounges through the refrigerator for food and would find the box and eat. He couldn't wait to see the expression on his son's face when he bit into it.

"Dad, What the Hell??!!" --RoadDog

How's This for Some Soul for You?-- Part 2

2011-12-29T08:23:00.002-06:00

Continuing with the WDAS Philadelphia Soul Sounds Survey of June 26, 1967.

16. HERE WE GO AGAIN-- Ray Charles
17. MORE LOVE-- Miracles
18. ALFIE-- Dionne Warwick
19. I NEED YOU SO-- Cruisers
20. SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL-- Arthur Conley

21. GOOD TIMES ROLL-- Bunny Sigler
22. ALL I NEED-- Temptations
23. DO THE THING-- Lou Courtney
24. UNCHANGING LOVE-- Marvin Gaye
25. NERVOUS DADDY-- James Thomas

26. I COULD BE SO HAPPY-- Magnificent Men
27. FOUR WALLS-- J.J. Jackson
28. FOR YOUR LOVE-- Peaches & Herb
29. IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME-- Elgins
30. WASHED ASHORE-- The Platters

Some Mighty Good Stuff On This Survey. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Madder than a wet hen...(Really Mad)

Hooked On NTN

2011-12-28T19:36:00.002-06:00

Monday, we went to J's Sports Bar in Ingleside and had the half price pizza, BLT of course and down one-three beers pints for $1.25 and played NTN. Besides all the repeat games, judging from the extremely high scores, we had big problems answering the last question in each game and ended up with just one Top Twenty, #11.

We only play to get in the Top twenties.

Yesterday, we met friends and really good NTN players Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wi., and did considerably better.

We had twelve Top twenties, nine in the Top Ten.

#10, #5 DBLK #1 (10,000), #4, #7, #13, #9, #11, #7, #3 Parrot #8 Malibu #10, #10, #12 and #12 DBLK #4.

Not bad for a little old bar out in the Cheesehead Boonies.

Gotta Getta Life. --RoadDog

A Revolting Bears Season

2011-12-28T19:30:00.002-06:00

Just five weeks ago, things were rolling along as nice as you please, with a four-game winning streak putting Da Bears at 7-3 and looking like a trip to the playoffs was in the cards.

Now, five straight losses later, Da Bears are 7-8 with injuries galore and nothing much to play for in the season finale against the Vikings. Of course, we have had a lot of injuries (and I was just beginning to like Cutler).

Not much to play for except see how the second and third string can play. I was impressed with the way McGowan played considering last month he was coaching high school football. Then, Bell and Allen put in a very creditable running effort.

Wait Till Next Year. --RoadDog

How's This for Some Soul For You?-- Part 1

2011-12-28T09:11:00.003-06:00

From Fessa John Hook's Dancing on the Edge News.

The Fessa took a look at the June 26, 1967, WDAS radio Soul Sounds survey of the Top Thirty Soul Songs in Philadelphia. Of course, the Fessa did it with Beach Songs in Mind.

I am familiar with most of them. Some of them were made more famous by someone else.

1. FUNKY BROADWAY-- Dyke & the Blazers
2. AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH-- Marvin & Tammi
3. TURN TO STONE-- Four Tops
4. I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER-- Stevie Wonder
5. YOU GAVE ME SOMETHING-- Fantastic Four

6. MAKE ME YOURS-- Betty Swan
7. SOME KINDA WONDERFUL-- Soul Brothers Six
8. I WANNA TESTIFY-- Parliament
9. TRAMP-- Otis & Carla
10. BABY, I LOVE YOU-- Howard Tate

11. BABY PLEASE COME BACK-- J.J. Barnes
12. GROOVIN'-- Young Rascals
13. RESPECT-- Aretha Franklin
14. SWEETEST THING THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN-- Chris Bartley
15. HYPNOTIZED-- Linda Jones

More to Come. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Kit and caboodle...(The whole thing)

Don't Surprise Me None: Worst 2011 Movies

2011-12-27T11:12:00.004-06:00

And, if i don't get around to seeing many "Best" Movies, I make up for it in "Worst" Movies. Ones I saw with *.

10. THE HANGOVER PART II*
9. TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON*
8. MARS NEEDS MOMS
7. JUST GO WITH IT
6. THE THREE MUSKETEERS

5. LARRY CROWNE*
4. SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS*
3. ATLAS SHRUGGED: PART 1
2. A GOOD OLD FASHIONED ORGY
1. SUCKER PUNCH

I liked all four that I saw. I would have seen #6, but it was in 3D. I hate 3D. Hurts My Eyes.

Figures. --RoadDog

Don't Surprise Me None: Best 2011 Movies

2011-12-27T11:03:00.003-06:00

From Dec. 18th Chicago Tribune.

I don't know what it is about movie critics, but most of the time, when they say something is bad, it isn't. Also, most of the movies they say are the best are ones I've never heard of.

Their Top Ten:

1. POETRY
2. MONEYBALL
3. CERTIFIED COPY
4. THE DESCENDANTS
5. THE INTERRUPTORS

6. GUY AND MADELINE ON A PARK BENCH
7. A SEPARATION
8. THE TREE OF LIFE
9. TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY
10. WEEKEND

Of these, I only saw #2 and I did hear of #4, but didn't see it. And, I saw 72 movies at the theater this past year. "Moneyball" was an excellent movie, by the way.

I guess my local theater in Fox Lake, Illinois, doesn't get the others.

Been Seeing the "Wrong" Movies. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Jawing/Jawboning...(Talking or arhuing)

A Merry Christmas Here in Illinois

2011-12-26T07:27:00.004-06:00

DECEMBER 24TH, SATURDAY

Last minute shopping. So did everybody else. Won't do that again. Lunch at Steak and Shake.

Later, Dawg House, American Legion and Route 12 Bar with Sue and Paul for Christmas spirit.

Fell asleep watching "A Christmas Story" so no presents or egg nog.

DECEMBER 25TH, SUNDAY

Managed to get through "A Christmas Story."

Had huge buffet at the China Buffet in Fox Lake with crab legs, roast beef, four types of shrimp and everything. Forced to return home and take a nap.

Drove around looking at Christmas lights around our old house and neighborhood in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, (none at our old house) and the Bear-Packer game at Sue and Paul's.

Too bad, but that McGowan did well as did Bell and Allen.

Last quarter at Route 12 Bar.

And a Merry, Merry. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? I reckon...I suppose.

A Holiday Hootenanny

2011-12-25T16:51:00.003-06:00

OK, I wasn't going to blog today (it being Sunday), but got in the mood.

I listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots this morning on Chicago's WDRV, the Drive, where he did his annual Christmas Hootenanny show.

Some of these aren't your same-old, same-old Christmas songs.

These are the ones played the first hour:

STEP INTO CHRISTMAS-- Elton John
HEY SANTA CLAUS-- Moonglows
A CHRISTMAS SONG-- Jethro Tull
SLEIGH RIDE-- Ronettes
ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE-- Brenda Lee

CHRISTMAS-- Who
JINGLE BELLS-- Booket T. & the MGs
I WISH THAT EVERYDAY COULD BE LIKE CHRISTMAS-- Bon Jovi
SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN-- Elvis Presley
MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY-- Otis Redding

LITTLE SAINT NICK-- Beach Boys
RUN RUDOLPH RUN-- Chuck berry
SANTA CLAUS AND HIS OLD LADY-- Cheech and Chong
SLIPPING INTO CHRISTMAS-- Leon Russell

To see Them All, Go to www.wdrv.com, click on air and scroll down to Bob Stroud.

Another great Christmas show will be tonight on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM, when Little Steven does his annual show. I guarantee there will be some songs you've never heard before. It streams also.

Lovin' My Christmas Music, But gettin' Tired of It. --ToadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Hoosegow...A jail.

It's Them, Not Me: A Christmas Gas Gouge

2011-12-25T16:48:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, in Fox Lake, Illinois, I noticed that the price of gas had jumped from $3.15 (still a rip-off) to $3.25.

And a Merry Christmas to You Too, GRBS!!

Coal for Youse. --RoadDog

How's That Nog With Your Egg?/Fascinating Facts About Christmas

2011-12-24T09:12:00.002-06:00

What's the "nog" in the egg nog.

Since I won't be posting tomorrow, it being a Sunday and Christmas at the same time, here's a Christmas-related story.

A typical cup of egg nog has 343 calories of all the worst sort of stuff for you, but, it's tradition and good-tasting as well.

This liquid doughnut consists of eggs, sugar, cream, milk, nutmeg and vanilla. The nog is for the liquor you put in it.

We like brandy, but whiskey will do in a pinch. Liz bought our egg nog yesterday. We drink out of glasses we have had since 1973 when we toasted with Liz's parents. Both of them are no longer with us and one of the four glasses broke and was thrown out a long time ago.

So, the two of us will drink out of there glasses, one for her parents.

If you go over to my history blog at http://cootershistorything.blogspot, you can see Ten Fascinating Facts About Christmas.

Figgy Pudding is Actually a Cake. Sugar Plums Are Plums Rolled in Sugar. --RoadDog

It's Them, Not Me: Gas Prices

2011-12-24T09:03:00.003-06:00

Just heard that the average American Household spent $4,155 on gas this past year, a cool 8.4% of what they took in.

Gas average $3.50 a gallon for the last year and is expected to do over $4 again this coming spring.

Big Oil likes to use the increase in Third World demand as an excuse, but we all know, it is to get richer.

And then, there are the countries in the Middle East getting unimaginable wealth above and beyond. And how about our good friends to the north and south of us raking in the money as well. Perhaps we should insist Mexico start paying for all their folks here who are receiving services they didn't earn.

And them, there are those states getting rich off oil, and of course that candidate from Texas taking credit for his state's doing well (while double dipping into a state pension).

Man, It's Enough to Make Me Start Drinking. Wait a Minute, I Do That Already. --SadDog

A Music Tip Off

2011-12-24T08:53:00.003-06:00

Today, Wendy Rice is going back to 1974 on her Saturday Morning Flashback on Chicago's WXRT. It streams until noon CST. Playing Stevie Wonder's "You Ain't Got Nothing" right now.

I'm also listening to Fessa John Hook doing his Beach Music 1969 four hour show. You can find it at the Cashbox Magazine website. Look up Beach Music. You'll hear songs you know, like "Chokin' Kind" by Joe Simon and ones you don't (unless you grew up around NC or SC like "For the First Time" by Billy Scott & the Georgia Prophets.

Tomorrow, Bob Stroud does his annual Christmas Hootenanny Show on WDRV from 7 to 10 am CST. All sorts of old rockers.

No Breakfast With the Beatles with Terri Hemmert on WXRT, though. She has the day off.

I Know What I'll be Doing. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Hold your horses...Be patient.

Not Your Father's Big Mac

2011-12-23T12:50:00.003-06:00

From Time Magazine.

McDonald's has announced that it would be adding baguettes to its offerings in France.

here's a look at other region-specific McTreats.

CANADA-- McLobster, a creamy seafood sammy. (I remember seeing McLobster Tolls once in Maine. Sure wish I'd tried one.)

HAWAII-- Spam, Eggs and Rice for breakfast (What would Monty Python say about that?)

FRANCE-- McBaguette, a breadstick served with jam.

SINGAPORE-- McRice Burger with rice cake buns.

JAPAN-- Ebi Filet-O, a shrimp burger.

PHILIPPINES-- McSpaghetti

These last two are from me.

NEW ZEALAND-- McKiwi Burger with beets and hard-boiled egg slices.

AUSTRALIA-- You can also get vegemite as a condiment.

When I travel to other countries, I always check out the local McDonald's to see what they have. I would never, however, order a Big Mac or something I can get here in the US (well, unless maybe it was a McRib.)

Well, I Can Afford a McDouble. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Fearher in your cap...To accomplish a goal. Indian warriors receive a feather for defeating an enemy.

Another Day, Another Dollar-- Part II: What We're Not Spending Money On

2011-12-22T08:39:00.002-06:00

VETERINARY AND PET SERVICES -6% (I don't know about this. Some of our friends are spending real big bucks on operations on their pets.

CLOTHING AND REPAIR ALTERATION -19% (For the most part, it is just cheaper to buy new stuff.)

POSTAL AND DELIVERY SERVICES -28%-- (Is that why the post office is having problems?)

DENTAL SERVICES -4%-- (Not life threatening, put it off)

CASINO GAMBLING -11%-- (Other than the GRBs, who has money to throw away. Plus, how about bringing back the $1 and $2 tables.)

PLEASURE BOATS -12%-- (Not to mention the price of gas on the water. Something that can easily be given up.)

NEW AUTOS -12%-- (Sticker shock!)

NURSERY SCHOOLS -5%-- (Hard to believe this is dropping. Where those kids going?)

TOBACCO -16%-- (Folks quitting I guess.)

JEWELRY -7%--

FOREIGN TRAVEL BY US RESIDENTS -4%-- (Not surprising with sorry state of US dollar.)

MUSEUMS AND LIBRARIES -9%-- (I'm surprised by this one.)

I Also Have Cut Way Down on All Sorts of Travel. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Dicker: To bargain or trade.

Another Day, Another Dollar-- Part 1

2011-12-21T07:29:00.003-06:00

From the Aug. 15th Time Magazine.

In these days where I get great joy looking at how much interest my CDs are earning, here's a look back at what Time calls six months before the official beginning of the Great Recession, 2007, as they're calling it. Unemployment was 4.6% and Americans were saving less than 2%. Today, people are saving 5.4%.

Of course, this is before the GRBs had their way with us.

SINCE 2007 CONSUMERS ARE SPENDING MORE ON:

Higher education-- 6% (Not surprising with the ever-increasing tuition.)
Movie theaters-- 12%
Watches-- 13% (I'm surprised at this. Fewer and fewer folks have watches, instead using their cell phones.)

Used autos-- 4% (Used cars, however, are getting much more expensive.)
Cell-Phone services-- 31% (Big surprise here.)
Lotteries-- 16% (You just never know.)
Physician services-- 7% (I'm surprised this is so low.)

Alcohol-- 5% (Not surprising as the price of booze keeps going up, plus you can always drink to forget.)

Foreign Travel in the US-- 17% (Lots of folks from overseas are sure taking advantage of our worthless money. keep those printing presses rolling!)

What Are We Spending Less On, Next. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN: Catawampus...Something that sits crooked.

Eleven Terrible TV Parents

2011-12-20T07:44:00.003-06:00

From the Dec. 16th Listverse.

I found this to be very interesting, especially since I watch all of them except two. Other than #10 and the two I haven't seen, #7 and #1, I have to agree with the person who compiled the list.

11. RED FOREMAN-- That 70s Show

10. HANK HILL-- King of the Hill. He is mainly just disappointed with his son not being more like him.

9. LOIS-- Malcolm in the Middle-- (And her husband wasn't much better.)

8. FRANK AND MARIE BARONE-- Everybody Loves Raymond

7. ROCHELLE-- Everybody Hates Chris

6. EVELYN HARPER-- Two and a Half Men

5. DON AND BETTY DRAPER-- Mad Men-- (But a lot of it just has to do with the way parents were in the 50s and early 60s.)

4. PETER AND LOIS GRIFFIN-- Family Guy (This would be my choice for worst. What both, but especially Peter to his daughter is really mean.)

3. HOMER SIMPSON-- The Simpsons (Other than often choking Bart, a lot of this is Homer's preoccupation with himself.)

2. AL AND PEGGY BUNDY-- Married With Children-- (They're also mean to each other.)

1. JON AND KATE GOSSELIN-- Jon and Kate Plus 8 (I don't watch reality shows.)

And, remember, List Universe also has photos and explanations.

I Sure Enjoyed This One. --RoadDoh

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Calaboose...a jail.

Bars...Not Saying We Hang Out In...But At Least the Beer Didn't Get Warm

2011-12-19T08:40:00.003-06:00

Friday it was Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes for NTN. ($1.50 pints)

Saturday, it was Captain's Quarters in Antioch for a Christmas party. Since we are big-time customers (and live next to the manager) we were invited. A whole lot colder than this summer. (Free food, free drinks, Cover Story band and a DJ)

It was so crowded, we had to sit out at the outside bar (Which was enclosed for the winter, but still cold. At least the beer bottles didn't get cold.)

Sunday, it was Fire Wood in McHenry for Da Bears ($6 pitchers and $4 sandwiches) and then to the Twisted Moose in McHenry ($1 drafts, $2.50 brats) to drink our Bear sorrows away.

Later today, it's to J's in Ingleside ($1.25 pints and half-price pizzas) for NTN. Last Monday, we had the best BLT pizza ever.

Too Many Bars, Too Little Time. --RoadDog

JSS: Snow-- Bears-- Popeye's

2011-12-19T08:29:00.003-06:00

JSS-- Just Some Stuff.

1. SNOW-- We got our first real snow of the season, about an inch, Friday night, after everyone was going around boasting that we hadn't had any yet. Guess we opened our mouths too soon.

Guess I'll have to go out and fire up the old snow blower. Sure hope it starts.

2. BEARS-- Another horrible game yesterday, crushing our hopes after a 14-7 lead at half. The Seahawks sure took advantage of three intercepted passes to score three TDs. That's 21 points when the Bears lost 38-14.

Playoff hopes are gone, but have to win the Christmas Day game against you-know-who. That will make the season a success.

3. POPEYE'S-- Friday, we drove to Lake Geneva and had the most-excellent fish fry at Popeye's overlooking the Riviera Docks and Geneva Lake. For December, they dropped the price from $12,49 to $9.99. Real fine fried and broiled fish as well as coleslaw (w/pineapple and beans) and some of the best potato pancakes ever.

Never Get a Two-Stage Snow blower. I Hate Mixing the Oil with the Gas. --RoadDog

Where Were You August 19, 1965?-- Part 2

2011-12-19T08:20:00.003-06:00

11. TAKE ME BACK-- Little Anthony & the Imperials
12. ALL I REALLY WANT TO DO-- Cher-- Doing an old Byrds song.
13. PRETTY LITTLE BABY-- Marvin Gaye
14. JU JU JAND-- Dion
15. YES, I'M READY-- Barbar Acklin

16. I WANT CANDY-- Strangeloves-- One of the best-ever garage rock/frat rock songs ever!
17. SAVE YOUR HEAR FOR ME-- Gary Lewis & the Playboys-- Daddy would be so proud.
18. (Couldn't read this one)
19. I LIKE IT LIKE THAT-- Dave Clark 5-- Glad they finally got their rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
20. LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE-- Gene Pitney-- Loved his songs.

Good Stuff, Maynard

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Blinky...Between sweet and sour as in milk. (never heard of it.)

Where Were You August 19, 1965?-- Part 1

2011-12-17T11:59:00.003-06:00

I was a mere 14-year-old, just having graduated junior high and getting ready to go to Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois.

This Top Twenty songs comes from WAIR 1340 AM radio out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I found this on Fessa John Hook's Beach Music Site.

1. I GOT YOU BABE-- Sonny and Cher-- Way before anyone ever thought of a "Groundhog Day" movie.
2. IT'S THE SAME OLD SONG-- Four Tops-- Some great Motown.
3. PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG-- James Brown-- The first time I'd ever heard of him.
4. I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU-- Spinners
5. HELP-- Beatles-- Wouldn't be a 1965 chart without a Beatles song on it.

6. UNCHAINED MELODY-- Righteous Brothers-- Way before anybody ever thought of a "Ghost" movie.
7. DOWN IN THE BOONDOCKS-- Billy Joe Royal-- This song and "I Got You Babe" always remind me of my graduation trip from 8th grade that my parents gave me that summer. I went on a week-long fishing trip to Canada. These songs played over and over and over.
8. NOTHING BUT HEARTACHES-- Supremes-- Some more great Motown
9. BABY, I'M YOURS-- Barbara Lewis
10. CALIFORNIA GIRLS-- Beach Boys-- What about those Illinois girls? OK, Midwest farmers' daughters.

Good Stuff. Ten More to Come. --RoadDog

Me and Technology

2011-12-17T11:53:00.004-06:00

From the Dec. 7th Chicago Tribune.

DUSTIN COMIC STRIP

FRAME ONE: Dustin, an unemployed, live-at-home, college grad and his dad are sitting at the table. Dustin is sitting at his laptop looking smug. His dad is reading a newspaper.

Dustin: "Admit it Dad...There are lots of things I get with the internet that don't come with the newspaper."

Dad: "Okay...I admit it."

FRAME TWO: Dad: "But who wants viruses." Dustin sits there looking a bit sheepish.

Hey, One for My Side!! --RoadDog

Goodbye Creepy Burger King

2011-12-17T11:41:00.002-06:00

Burger King has scrapped its creepy-looking plastic king. Good, he creeped me out. They could make a great horror show using his likeness.

he was the symbol of the hamburger fast-food restaurant since 2004.

According to Time Magazine, he joins some other dropped "mascots in that great greasy restaurant in the sky."

Do you remember these:

McDonald's Hamburglar

Arby's Oven Mitt (that was just plain dumb)

Quiznos Spongemonkey (I don't remember this one, but Quiznos is fairly new to our area.)

Domino's Noid (I liked this one.)

Taco Bell Chilhuahua (I'd really love to see come back. I really liked the one where he was going to catch Godzilla in a little box and after seeing the monster said, "I think I'm going to need a bigger box" with that great accent.

OK, so it wasn't for a restaurant, but I also liked the Frito Bandito.

Guess These Last Two Aren't Very PC These Days. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Between hay and grass...Not a child or an adult. Could it be a "Tween?

Chicago's Northwest Suburbs: CheezBorgers and Old Times

2011-12-16T09:34:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, Liz and I drove to Palatine and Arlington Hts. as a trip back into our past.

We drove Fairfield Road south to Old McHenry Road and then to Quentin Road to US-12. We drove this road many times to Liz's parents when we live in Round Lake Beach. We stopped at Save-A-Pet Animal Shelter on the way to make a donation.

I never go to Arlington Heights that I don't make a stop at Half-Price Books in Palatine. Visited Liz's parents at the cemetery in Arlington Hts and then to the old Randhurst Shopping Mall, which has a new configuration.

Ate at Billy Goat Tavern at Randhurst Village as it is now called. I've always wanted to try a "cheezborger and cheeps, no fries, Coke, no Pepsi" but it is not likely I'll get to Chicago to go to the original what with Chicago's present rip-off all tourists program.

Walked around Carson Pirie Scott store, which was one of the origina; big three occupants of Randhurst.

Then drove to Palatine and ate at Photos, on the site of the old Burger King where I worked in high school and part of college. Before that, drove around Winston Park and looked at our old homes and those of friends.

Nice Trip back to the Past. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Been through the mill...Had a rough time of it. Grain used to be ground up in the mills.

Going Back to My Past Last Night

2011-12-15T07:26:00.004-06:00

This past Friday, I was reading the Lake County Journal here in northeast Illinois and came across an article about the president of the Round Lake Area Library Board retiring after 35 years of being on the board.

I was also on the board and a former president of it, and knew Linda and her husband Lisle very well. He recently retired as reverend of the local Presbyterian Church. He had once taken me up in his plane and over the years, we had been at many weddings. He officiated and I deejayed.

Linda was retiring because they will be spending several months a year in their paradise, Hawaii.

The board was having a special session thanking her for all those years of service on Wednesday night. I figured to go myself and congratulate her, plus her husband and other people I knew might be there as well.

Barb, the former library director when i was on the board, was also there. I had a nice talk with Linda's husband, Lisle. Their son, Lisle Jr, is in the Ukraine right now, teaching and is a Fulbright Scholar. He has a PhD. I taught him way back in 7th grade and am quite proud of him.

Nothing Like Meeting Old Friends Again. --RoadDog

Liz and My 44th Anniversary

2011-12-15T07:15:00.003-06:00

No, not our wedding anniversary, but the one where we started "going Steady" back in high school when I gave her my ID bracelet (we were juniors at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois, and didn't get our class rings until the end of junior year).

We had met back in October at a party. Her parents were moving to Palatine from Chicago, where she had attended Madonna High School. They were living in a rental home until their new one could be constructed in Winston Park.

I gave her the ID bracelet while she was doing her family's laundry at a laundromat at Palatine Plaza.

The place is no longer there, but we have an idea where it was a few store fronts east of what used to be Pankau Drugs. We'll be looking for it.

We will be going back to the scene of the crime...oops, great event, today.

How's That for Being Romantic. An ID Bracelet in a Laundromat. Can't Help But Think of That Old Song, "Leader of the Laundromat." Who's That Banging on the Piano? I Don't Know. --RoadDog

Axed TV for 2011-- Part 2

2011-12-15T07:01:00.004-06:00

Again, there were over 80 shows cancelled for one reason or another. These were just the ones I liked.

LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT: USA-- I always thought a show with Gorham, Monk and Columbo as the cops would have the criminals going nuts.

LAW & ORDER: LA-- This show was getting better after a poor start.

MAD LOVE-- CBS-- Loved the best buddy and best girlfriend.

MEMPHIS BEAT-- TNT-- Blues Music and some great characters.

MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE-- TNT-- Since I am on the older side of these guys, I can relate. I was really a big fan of these last two shows on TNT.

OUTSOURCED-- NBC-- One of the funniest shows with an interesting slant on culture. Instead of a foreigner getting used to American culture, it was the other way around.

PRIME SUSPECT-- NBC-- Much too soon to yank the plug.

"S#! MY DAD SAYS-- CBS-- Of course, Shatner was great, but I really liked the married son and his wife.

Note to TV Execs Trying to Get Good Shows for Their Lineup. These Be Them. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Bee in your bonnet...To have an idea that won't let loose.

V-- ABC-- I like my sci-fi. Boy was the alien leader a mean one.

Things in Nature That Just Aren't Right

2011-12-14T07:27:00.002-06:00

From the Dec. 11th Chicago Tribune SMACK! on Sports Page, Main Event.

Always pretty funny. They divided the Things in Nature That Just Aren't Right into two categories: non-sports related and sports-related. Pictures accompanied each item.

NON-SPORTS-RELATED

Blago's hair, platypus, Jim Belushi (hey,I like the guy) and Great Salt Lake.

SPORTS-RELATED

Joakim Noah's shot, Adam Dunn's swing (I wonder how much he earned for each strike out in 2011), Charles Barkley's golf swing and Tim Tebow's pass.

We can add, Chicago Bear coaching staff play-calling after Sunday's game.

Ya Just Gotta Wonder. --RoadDog

Axed TV for 2011-- Part 1

2011-12-14T07:02:00.003-06:00

From the Yahoo! TV Blog by Brian Waters.

Over 80 TV shows got the axe in 2011. I had never watched most of them, thankfully, as I always hate when a favorite of mine goes into the vast deadland.

These are my favorite no longer-with-us shows and some comments.

BETTER WITH YOU, ABC-- The comparisons between the three couples was hilarious. I especially liked the parents.

CHASE, NBC-- Just good old drama and action and one really tough gal.

DEFENDERS. CBS-- Love that Jim Belushi and the Chicago connection.

DETROIT 1-8-7, ABC-- One superb cop drama. Setting it in inner city Detroit was a great move. In the opening episode, two detectives went out to a bridge to find a spent bullet for a case. They found what seemed to be about ten. That pretty well summed it up. This and the next show are the two that I will miss the most.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, NBC-- Definitely "Don't Miss TV for Me." Since we don't have Direct TV, I couldn't wait to see the new episodes.

GLORY DAZE, TBS-- OK, I am an Unreconstructed Frat Rat.

More to Come. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Barking up the wrong tree...talking about something that was completely the wrong issue with the wrong person. (A hunting term when the hounds bark at the base of a tree and the animal isn't there.)

A Good Time Over the Weekend (Other Than the Bears)

2011-12-13T11:33:00.006-06:00

FRIDAY, the 9th

Helped serve the annual Christmas dinner to the North Chicago VA Hospital folks at the Fox Lake American Legion in the afternoon.

Met the usual suspects at the Route 12 Bar

SATURDAY, the 10th

Saw my favorite Christmas movie, "A Christmas Story" on the big screen at the Woodstock, Illinois, Theatre for $1. An almost full theatre, about half and half kids and adults. Adults did more laughing than kids.

Then a McRib at the local McDonald's.

Lastly, the annual Army-Navy football party at the Fox Lake American Legion. I was pulling for Army to win after nine straight losses, but it was not to be. Obama there for first time. Must be coming up on election time.

SUNDAY, the 11th

Christmas party at Captain's Quarters. First half of Bears game. Route 12 Bar and second half. Overtime at friends' house.

Other Than Da Bears, Da Good. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN: Barking at a knot...meaning that your efforts were as useless as a dog barking at a knot on a tree.

Tebow Didn't Beat the Bears; the Bears Beat the Bears

2011-12-13T11:21:00.004-06:00

Still overly disgusted with that Bronco-Bear game Sunday. And even more disgusted with any idea that Tim Tebow beat the Bears. He had help from the other sideline and on the field. The Bears beat the Bears.

Until the 4th quarter, the Bears defense completely had the Denver qb under control. Then, it all fell apart.

All the Bears were doing was trying to prevent any big plays. That Denver TD drive was nothing but 6-8 yard passes to WIDE OPEN RECEIVERS. Each time, there was no Chicago player anywhere around. Great call there, Tice.

Then, there was Martz calling the offense. Everyone in the stadium, everyone watching at home and in bars, and worse, everyone on the Denver sideline knew exactly what the plays would be, hand-off to Barber and a resulting two straight three and outs.

Now, Mr. Martz, I am not a super knowledgeable football coach, but everyone knows that you absolutely do not want the other team to know what plays you're going to run. That never works. A pass every so often was definitely called for.

Then, there was bonehead play by Barber who should know not to run out of bounds. And to top it off, he allowed himself to have the ball stripped out of his hands when the Bears had a great opportunity for a field goal and win in overtime.

As punishment, time to cut your hair.

So, a 10-0 lead with three minutes left became a 10-10 tie and a loss in overtime 13-10.

Sad, Sad, Sad. --RoadDog

Friendliest Confines: Epstein's or Wrigley's

2011-12-12T12:12:00.003-06:00

From the Dec, 8th Chicago Tribune Sports Section.

Well, new Cubbie General manager just bought a $3.25 million Lakeview home near his job at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The SMACK! column ran a comparison between Theo Epstein's digs and his word digs.

First Epstein's new house, second Wrigley Field.

NOTABLE DIMENSIONS: 7,800 sq. feet / 400 feet to center field

BEDROOMS: 5 / 0

REPAIRS REQUIRED: Minimal / more than $200 million

STATUES: 0 / 4

FIREPLACES: 4 / 0

TROUGHS IN THE RESTROOMS: no / yes

INDOOR PARKING: yes / no

FACADE: Hand-craved limestone / big red message board

FLOORING: herringbone-design wood/ Kentucky bluegrass and rye

Pretty Funny. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Bad Egg...Someone who is not a good person.

Just Some Interesting Stuff: Looking for That Perfect Baby Name

2011-12-10T08:03:00.003-06:00

From the Dec. 1st USA Today "What's in a name choice? Major pressure" by Sharon Jayson.

Whatever happened to the golden oldies like Mike, Tom, Don? Or, how about that little old band with John, Paul George and, well, Ringo?

These are most popular ten names according to BabyCenter.com.

BOYS

10. Logan
9. Lucas
8. Noah
7. Ethan
6. Jayden

5. Jacob
4. Liam
3. Mason
2. Jackson
1. Alden

GIRLS

10. Abigail
9. Emily
8. Madison
7. Chloe
6. Lily

5. Ava
4. Olivia
3. Isabella
2. Emma
1. Sophia

Hit Me With That Name Again. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? At Sea...Lost or Not Understanding something.

It's Them, Not Me: On Corporate Sponsorship

2011-12-10T07:41:00.002-06:00

Is it me, or is that getting a bit too much. So many things now have the name of some corporation attached to them like Chicago's All State Arena or the Old Comiskey Park (still won't use that one).

From the Barney & Clyde comic strip in the August 7th Chicago Tribune.

FRAME 1: Either Barney or Clyde (this is a new strip to me, is in his easy chair watching a baseball game on TV. The announcers says, "It's a beautiful day for baseball at Coors Field."

FRAME 2: "The Rockies are up 3-1 according to the Mitsubishi scoreboard." "Pitcher goes into his Rolex windup..."

FRAME 3: "Tulowitzki lifts a Jell-O pudding pop fly to second base. Clyde looking perplexed, "Okay, I'm a committed capitalist..."

FRAME 4: Announcer, "And it's caught for the third out of the Red Roof Inn-ing." Clyde, "But this is getting a little out of hand."

My feelings exactly.

Na Na Hey Hey. --RoadDog

Me and Technology

2011-12-10T07:26:00.005-06:00

Not that I am completely ignorant of new technology, but practically so. Obviously, with these blogs, I must know a little something about it. I know what I know, and that "ain't" much.

I can't help but laugh in some of the comics when this awkward, backward technology comes full fore. One great comic strip I like is "Pickles" about an elderly couple, your grandparents type. I have really come to relate to the old codger of the pair, Earl.

From the Aug. 7th Chicago Tribune.

FRAME 1: Earl's wife Opal is dusting. Grandson Nelson asks, "Gramma, where's Grampa?" Opal replies, "He's on the computer trying to figure out how to send an e-mail."

FRAME 2: Nelson, "Old people aren't very good at computers, are they?"

FRAME 3: Opal, "Well, we didn't grow up with them like your generation, Nelson."

FRAME 4: Still Dusting, Opal says, "Some of us are pretty god at learning computer skills."

FRAME 5: They are now in the computer room where Earl is at the computer, an old pc unit like I use. Earl has a look of exasperation and says, "Oh, shoot! I think I just deleted the whole darn internet."

FRAME 6: Opal and Nelson walking away, and Opal says, "Others of us, not so much."

This would explain why Liz can do so much on a computer and I can't.

Well, That's My Excuse, Anyway. --RoadDog

HOW"S THAT AGAIN? One bad apple spoils the whole barrel...One corrupt or bad person can cause all others to go bad if you don't remove the bad one.

A Shock at Virginia Tech

2011-12-09T08:34:00.002-06:00

Sitting in Donovan's Reef yesterday, I was shocked to see news of shootings at Virginia Tech again. Four years ago they had the 30+ murders. And now, again, deaths at the college.

Not much was known at the time, but now, apparently, a university cop made a traffic stop. Someone else ran up and killed him then killed themselves. It was not another mass-slaying.

This hits home for me especially because of the Valentine's Day murders at my old school, Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, where five students were killed.

Murders on campus were something that never entered my mind when I was at college. And, I went through the Kent State Riots and anti-war movement.

Northern has since had a shooting and two murders on different occasions.

Not the Same World. --RoadDog

A McRib Reprieve

2011-12-09T08:27:00.002-06:00

Was I ever happy to espy a sign on the McDonald's at Wis-50 and I-94, by the world famous Brat Stop, that said McRibs. I like to scared Liz to death as my very quick turn in to the place. This was while returning home from Thanksgiving in North Carolina.

This is definitely a pleasant surprise to sink my teeth once again into that absolutely wonderful tasting treat. I thought they were gone for another year back in November.

I wrote about it on the Fun on the Fox website and a couple replies came in saying McRibs were also available at some other McDonald's in the area.

I called the Fox Lake McD's and they said they had them, so I had another one this past Wednesday.

Can You see My Smile Right Now? --RoadDog

Top Country Radio Play for the Past Decade

2011-12-09T08:20:00.002-06:00

One part of Monday's Academy of Country Music awards I really liked was their list of the Top Ten country acts in radio play over the past ten years. I'd heard of all of them and have many, many of their albums.

10. Keith Urban
9. Brad Paisley
8. Garth Brooks
7. Rascal Flays
6. Brooks & Dunn

5. Alan Jackson
4. George Strait
3. Kenny Chesney
2. Tim McGraw

1. Toby Keith-- My Man!!

By the way, the ACM Entertainer of the Year was Jason Aldean.

Good Sing', Guys. --RoadDog

"Buffalo Soldier"

2011-12-09T08:07:00.002-06:00

Listening to Chicago's WXRT right now, at 8:07 am, and Lin Braemer is playing Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier," one of my favorite songs of all time...and one of historical significance referring to black soldiers serving out west in the US Army after the Civil War.

I used to use the instrumental part of it (on side two of the 45) to introduce myself when I was deejaying.

"Dreadlocks, Rasta" Baby. --RoadDog

Movie Scratches: Heist-- Edgar-- Dawn-- Jack

2011-12-09T08:05:00.002-06:00

Movie Scratches: A Dog's Eye View of Current Movies.

65. TOWER HEIST-- 11-9-- FOX LAKE $4-- A truly motley crew of break-in guys. Whatever you do, don't drop the Ferrari.

66. J. EDGAR-- 11-14-- FOX LAKE FREE-- A very complicated guy. DiCaprio should get a nomination for this one.

67. TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN-- 11-27-- GOLDSBORO, NC $6-- Marrying a vampire can be really dangerous to your health.

68. JACK AND JILL-- 12-7-- FOX LAKE $4-- Much funnier than I thought. Who'd have thought Al Pacino. I'd buy his coffee.

So, I've Seen 68 Movies So Far This Year. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? AN AXE TO GRIND-- Someone who has a hidden motive.

It's Them, Not Me: The Smirk's Gone

2011-12-08T12:25:00.003-06:00

Is that what it takes to get that smirk off disgraced Illinois Governor Blago's face and to get the swagger out of his walk. Put him in jail for 14 years.

The Blago we saw the last several days was nothing like the cocky one that we've seen ever since he was arrested all those years ago. Then he proceeded to further embarrass the state with the circus he created about it.

How he was found innocent in the first trial because the one woman would vote to convict is highly suspicious.

He finally gets his just dessert.

Let's hope to get on with our state and forget this ugly chapter.

At least, I smugly admit, I NEVER Voted for the guy. I may not be proud of other folks I voted for, but at least not with him.

Bye, Bye Blago. Justice is Finally Done. --RoadDog

Academy of Country Music Awards 2011: "When Alabama Gets the Bomb"

2011-12-08T06:30:00.006-06:00

Quote from Tom Lehrer's "Who's Next" from the album That Was the Year That Was.

Monday night I watched the 2011 Academy of Country Music Awards Show on Fox. Well. actually, I recorded it on the old VHS and then watched it at 10 pm. By jumping over commercials and parts of performances, I was able to see the whole show in one hour (instead of the two).

I was glad to see the band Alabama get an award. Also happy to see they're coming back after that forever goodbye tour they had a few years ago. Judging from their facial hair, perhaps we should change their name to the "Graybeards." The three front men are still with the band. I didn't get a look at the drummer, so am not sure he is back.

I have all of Alabama's albums and on into their CD era. I liked them right out of the gate. As an Alabama bonus, we used to go to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, every year and often spent a night drinking ice cold beer, staring in amazement at how many mugs of beer the waiters could carry in one hand, and doing the hand signals to order at the wonderful old roadhouse, excuse me, boardwalk/beach house, The Bowery.

If you want some real fine country music, this is the place to go. This is where Alabama learned their chops, much like the Beatles did in Hamburg and Liverpool. The house bands play for free and depend on tips to get by. Plus, they play every night except Sunday.

There are pictures of Alabama when they were performing at The Bowery.

Love That Alabama. --RoadDog

HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Have you ever wondered what some sayings, especially by older folk, mean?

A BONE TO PICK (someone who wants to discuss a disagreement)

Seventy Years Ago Today, Pearl Harbor

2011-12-07T08:15:00.002-06:00

An event that plunged the United States into World War II, although it was obvious by preparations that it was just a matter of time before that happened.

Along with the Alamo, this battle is one of the non-Civil War battles that I am most interested in and have several books devoted to it. I have been doing blog entries on it ever since I started, especially in my history one.

Back when I was teaching, I would at least mention it to classes in my earlier years before it became a one-day lesson and eventually a three-day one. One year, I even had a Pearl Harbor Survivor come in and give a talk. And, these lessons were considering that I did not teach that era.

I put up my three US flags once we had daylight today.

Today, every one of my blogs will be about the event, even my Civil War one.

And then there was another sneak attack that happened ten years ago.

I'll Not Forget It.

"Na Na" #1 This Date 1969

2011-12-06T17:44:00.003-06:00

The number one song in the nation this date, 42 years ago, was "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by a group called Steam.

The c-writer of the song, Paul Leka, recently died on October 12th. I wrote about him in my history blog on December 1st.

There was not a band called Steam when it was released, just Mr. Leka and his writing partner. The "Na Na Hey Hey" was added to extend the song so it wouldn't be played on radio because it was too long. It was the "B" side and they wanted the "A" side played.

See http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com

As Dear Old Andy the Clown Would Say, "G-o-o-o-o-o You W-h-i-t-e S-o-x!!!" RoadDog

Congrats to Ron Santo

2011-12-06T07:13:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was great news for the family and fans of former Chicago Cub third baseman Ron Santo who FINALLY got his much deserved spot at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Too bad they couldn't have done it while he was still alive as he died just over a year ago.

A player with stats like his should have gone in soon after retirement. And then, he was a Cubs announcer for twenty years.

Talk about a man who bled Cub blue. And I am a White Sox fan. He did play for DaSox his last year, though.

I'll never forget the time he gave a young high school kid, me, a ride home from Fremd High School in Palatine and THEN came in for coffee with my parents. What a guy!!

Way to Go No. 10!! --RoadDog

Not Forgetting Tomorrow, 70 Years Ago

2011-12-06T07:07:00.003-06:00

That would be Pearl Harbor and the 70th anniversary of that event that finally got the US into World War II even though we had been preparing for it many years in advance.

I'll be putting my US flags out, hoping others do as well.

I am writing nothing but Pearl Harbor on my history blog:

http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com

Sad to see all the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association chapters shutting down as their memberships fall to zero. But an 18-year-old sailor there would now be 88.

Same for all the rest of the Greatest Generation.

Not Forgetting.

Killed a Keg, But Bears Lost Anyway

2011-12-05T08:30:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, we had our annual Bears football game party with about 45 in attendance. We killed a full half barrel by the end of the game, or what was called a game. It was pretty pathetic. The Bears effort against KC surely does not bode well for any playoff hopes.

We even didn't have much "juice," my special concoction where shot glasses are downed for every Bear TD (there were none) and qb sack (we had a few). Plus, we did several rally shots. Even the infamous "Rally Rat" couldn't get the boys going.

Folks were really crowded along the bar, "Margaritaville," the bar area as well as the pit and "skyboxes" in the "North Woods" to watch the game. There was another group upstairs at "Key North" watching as well.

Many stuck around for the Packer-Giant game which was everything the Bear game wasn't. The Packers won on a field goal as time expired.

Of course, we had our usual "Name That Tune" contest and later listened to the "Animal House" soundtrack.

If You Can't Win, At Least have a Good Time. --RoadDog

Hey Chicago Tribune...It WAS a BIG Game

2011-12-03T17:01:00.002-06:00

I'm running a bit behind in my newspaper reading since I got back from North Carolina Thursday, but I just read Friday's Sports Section.

I was more than a bit surprised that there WAS NO ARTICLE on Northern Illinois' Mid-American Conference Championship game later that night. Hey, I realize we are not one of the Big Guys, but even then, there are a lot of NIU grads living in your service area.

At least you did send someone to cover the game in today's paper, but that was PAGE THREE!!

At least the Daily Herald had a front page article on Northern's linebacker Pat Schiller in their Friday paper.

Ya Done Been Scooped. --RoadDog

The Rest of 1970

2011-12-03T12:01:00.003-06:00

Well, since I listed most of all the songs Wendy Rice played, I might as well do the last six.

You can hear her Saturday Morning Flashback Shows every Saturday morning from 8 to noon CST on Chicago's WXRT FM, 93.1, and it streams.

BIG YELLOW TAXI-- Joni Mitchell
THE MAN WHO STOLE THE WORLD-- David Bowie
SPIRIT IN THE SKY-- Norman Greenbaum

SUMMERTIME BLUES-- Who
THE LETTER-- Joe Cocker
ALMOST CUT MY HAIR-- CSNY

Great Year. --RoadDog

NIU Huskies Going Bowling

2011-12-03T10:20:00.005-06:00

It's a good thing we've got over a month to recover now, but Northern Illinois' Huskies will be going south to the Go Daddy Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, January 8th. It looks like we'll be playing Arkansas State.

This comes about after last night's come-from-behind 23-20 victory in the Mid-American Conference's Championship team over the University of Ohio.

As a matter of fact, the Huskies have been winning about as ugly as you can the last several games and this was no different. There was no offense in the first half and a so-so defense, even so, we were down just 20-0 at half time.

The second half didn't start too well either. But then Northern finally scored. A second TD had a missed PAT to make it 20-13. A drive with about five minutes left resulted in a tie score 20-20. The defense held and Northern drove down the field and had a field goal as time expired for a Northern victory.

We watched the game at the new Route 12 Bar and Grill on US-12 in Fox Lake, Illinois. The owners were nice enough to put the game on several TVs and keep the sound up. The majority of the patrons could have cared less, but, believe me, when the Huskies won at the end, they got a spirited rendition of the Huskie Fight Song.

The owner said next year he would be willing to make the bar Huskie Football Headquarters.

At age 60, my heart doesn't need these kinds of games.

So, now, Liz and I will be making plans to go to Mobile in a month. Warmer weather and the Gulf Coast beckons.

Go Huskies!! --RoadDog

WXRT's Flashback to 1970-- Part 2

2011-12-03T10:13:00.005-06:00

I've been writing down the songs as they play, but the website also has them. There is just shy of thirty minutes left right now and the station, WXRT does stream.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER-- Canned Heat
BOX OF RAIN-- Grateful Dead
CARAVAN-- Van Morrison
THANK YOU FOR LETTIN' ME BE MYSELF-- Sly & the Family Stone
ANGEL-- Jimi Hendrix

LOLA-- Kinks
LET IT RAIN-- Eric Clapton
SWEET JANE-- Lou Reed
RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE-- CCR
ROADHOUSE BLUES-- Doors

BEWARE OF DARKNESS-- George Harrison
SOUTHERN MAN-- Neil Young-- Remember what Lynyrd said to you.
WAR-- Edwin Starr
MEMO FROM TURNER-- Ry Cooder
ALL RIGHT NOW-- Free-- One of my all-time favorites.

MAYBE I'M AMAZED-- Paul McCartney & Wings
GALLOWS POLE-- Led Zeppelin
OYE COMO VA-- Santana
NO MATTER WHAT-- Badfinger
THEM CHANGES-- Buddy Miles
I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU-- Al Green

The Tempts Would be So Proud, Al. --RoadDog

You Never Know What Might be Followin' You in a Jungle. --RoadDog

WXRT"S Flashback to 1970-- Part 1

2011-12-03T09:59:00.004-06:00

Since 8 am, I have been listening to Wendy Rice's Saturday Morning Flashback to the year 1970, one of my good old college days. I was at Northern Illinois at the time and had joined Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity.

Lots of memories in these songs.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN-- CCR-- I was voting in the animal rescue site and the security numbers and letters was ccr3x. Liked the first three letters.
MIDNIGHT RIDER-- Allman Brothers
TAKE ME TO THE PILOT-- Elton John
WORKING CLASS HERO-- John Lennon
LAKE SHORE DRIVE-- Alliota, Haynes & Jeremiah

SWEET BABY JAMES-- James Taylor
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED-- Stevie Wonder
IF NOT FOR YOU-- Bob Dylan
NATURE'S WAY-- Spirit
VENUS-- Shocking Blue

BELL BOTTOM BLUES-- Derek & the Dominos
I HEAR YOU KNOCKING-- Dave Edmunds
WHERE DO THE CHILDREN PLAY-- Cat Stevens-- From his Tea for the Tillerman album. I played the grooves out on this one.
GET BACK-- Beatles
ARE YOU READY-- Pacific Gas & Electric

Were They Saying "I'm Your Venus" Or Something Else? --RoadDoh

A DOG IS BETTER THAN A KID BECAUSE it doesn't ask for money all the time.

Just Got Back

2011-12-02T09:24:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, I flew out of Raleigh-Durham Airport to Atlanta's Hartsfield then on to Milwaukee where Liz picked me up.

I had been visiting family in Goldsboro, NC, since Nov. 21st for Thanksgiving. Stayed at my mom's. My brother and his wife live next door, a good thing because Mom is 81.

My sister, her two kids and grandchild also visited. We got to visit with my cousin and his wife several times in Wayne Memorial Hospital.

Always good to visit with family as well as getting home.

Preparing for our big Bears party Sunday.

Too Much Fun. --RoadDog

THIS JUST IN:

The Supreme Court has ruled that there will be no Nativity Scene in the nation's capital this year. This is not for any religious reason. They can't find any Wise Men and have about given up finding a Virgin.

Number One Songs This Date, December 1st-- Part 2

2011-12-01T22:48:00.003-06:00

1969 NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE-- Steam
1968 LOVE CHILD-- Diana Ross & the Supremes
1967 DAYDREAM BELIEVER-- Monkees

1966 WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL-- New Vaudeville Band
1965 TURN! TURN! TURN!-- Byrds
1964 RINGO-- Lorne Green
1963 DOMINIQUE-- The Singing Nun

1962 BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY-- Four Seasons
1961 BIG BAD JOHN-- Jimmy Dean
1960 ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT-- Elvis Presley

1951 COLD, COLD HEART-- Tony Bennett
1941 CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO-- Glenn Miller
1931 GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART-- Guy Lombardo

1921 SAY IT WITH MUSIC-- Pail Whiteman
1911 LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART-- Columbia Male Quartet
1901 GOOD EVENING CARRIE-- Dan Comma

Good Stuff Maynard. --RoadDog

Number One Songs This Date, December 1st-- Part 1

2011-12-01T22:37:00.003-06:00

As usual, big thanks to Josh Hosler for making this list available.

2011 WE FOUND LOVE-- Rihanna
2001 FAMILY AFFAIR-- Mary K. Blige
1991 BLACK OR WHITE-- Michael Jackson
1981 PHYSICAL-- ONJ
1980 LADY-- Kenny Rogers

1979 NO MORE TEARS (ENOUGH IS ENOUGH)-- Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer
1978 YOU DON'T BRING ME FLOWERS-- Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond
1977 YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE-- Debby Boone

1976 TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT (GONNA BE ALRIGHT)-- Rod Stewart
1975 FLY, ROBIN, FLY-- Silver Connection
1974 KUNG FU FIGHTING-- Carl Douglas
1973 TOP OF THE WORLD-- Carpenters

1972 PAPA WAS A ROLLIN STONE-- Temptations
1971 FAMILY AFFAIR-- Sly & the Family Stone
1970 I THINK I LOVE YOU-- Partridge Family

Sixties and Earlier Up Next. --RoadDog

A DOG IS BETTER THAN A KID BECAUSE...they eat less.

Megapolitan: A New Geography

2011-11-29T21:19:00.003-06:00

From the Nov. 29th USA Today by Haya El Nasser,

I have heard of the terms metropolitan area and even megalopolis, which is when metropolitan areas grow together. I even taught it to my classes.

However, evidently there is a new term in use in urban geography, megapolitan.

The article had a map showing 23 megapolitan areas that form ten even larger megapolitan clusters.

Megapolitan Cluster, megapolitan areas, states where located.

CASCADIA: Puget Sound, Williamette (Wash. & Ore.)

SIERRA PACIFIC: Sierra Pacific (Cal. around San Francisco)

SOUTHWEST: Southern California, Las Vegas, Sun Corridor (Cal. Ari. Nev.)

MOUNTAIN: Wasatch Range, Front Range (Utah & Colorado)

TWIN CITIES: Twin Cities (Minn. & Wis.)

TEXAS TRIANGLE: Central Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston (Texas)

GREAT LAKES: Chicago, Michigan Corridor, Steel Corridor, Ohio Valley (Wi. Il. Mich, Ind. Ohio, Pa.)

MEGALOPOLIS: New England, New York/Philadelphia, Chesapeake (Me, NH, Mass., NY, Pa., Md., Va.)

PIEDMONT: Carolina, Atlanta (NC, SC, Ga.)

FLORIDA: Central Florida, Florida Atlantic (Fla.)

The article described these areas as "cities and counties linked through man-made and natural connections such as shared transportation networks, labor markets or water supplies."

Those Are Some Big Areas. --RoadDog

ECU Shooting for the Highest Level of Sports Competition-- Part 3

2011-11-28T09:17:00.005-06:00

The website also noted that East Carolina fans travel to support the team. In 2010, ECU had the highest ticket sales of all C-USA teams going to bowl games. The entire ticket allotment to the Military Bowl was sold out.

Then, there is the sale of licensed merchandise, another big fan indicator. ECU has the highest selling merchandise of all non--automatic qualifier schools east of the Mississippi. Last year sales of athletic items would have ranked ECU seventh in the Big East and ninth in the ACC.

How ECU compared in football attendance in 2010 season'Average football attendance 49,665 for a 99.33 percentage capacity.

BIG EASTWest Virginia 56,325 93.87%
Pittsburgh 52,165 80.25%
Louisville 50,648 120.59%
EAST CAROLINA
Rutgers 47,013 89.63%

ACC
Clemson 75.786 94.38%
Florida State 71,270 86.60%
Virginia Tech 66,233 100.00%
North Carolina 58,250 97.08%
North Carolina State 56,877 98.77%
Miami (Fla) 52,575 70.18%
EAST CAROLINA
Georgia Tech 46,499 84.45%

Here's Hoping. --RoadDog

ECU Shooting for the Highest Level of Sports Competition--Part 2

2011-11-27T21:12:00.007-06:00

My school, Northern Illinois University, another one of those weather vane schools, has tried to rise above mid-level status, but with no success.

We were in the Mid-American Conference, but left in the mid-eighties to seek the higher levels as an independent. It didn't work out and we are now back in the MAC again.

ECU is now a member of Conference USA, but would like to rise to ACC or Big East level. The Winter 2012 East magazine of ECU devoted a whole page to this quest titled "Big enough for the big leagues."East Carolina has applied for membership in the big East and even retained former NC Governor Jim Hunt to lobby for the school.

This past fall the university debuted a fact-filled website to push its case at www.ecu.edu/undaunted. East Carolina is a consistent TV ratings power house and has a rabid fan base.

Nationally, ECU ranks #44 in average football attendance and ranked #2 among schools that don't belong to conferences that get an automatic bid to a national bowl game.

More to Come. --RoadDog

ECU Shooting for the Highest Level of Sports Competition-- Part 1

2011-11-24T17:25:00.008-06:00

From the East Magazine: Magazine of East Carolina University.

Over the last decades, East Carolina University has striven to play at the top levels of collegiate athletics, and it hasn't been easy. I am a big supporter of the East Carolina Pirates, even though I did not go to school there.

My parents did as did an aunt and two cousins. Had I continued living in North Carolina, it is very likely that I would have gone.

I watch the football team whenever I can and wear the team shirts and hats often. There was always the time that Liz and I were in a bar in Dodgeville,Wisconsin, on New Year's Day watching the Peach Bowl game between ECU and North Carolina State many years ago.

Now, those people had never heard of ECU, but by the end of the game they were all pulling for the Pirates. Of course, with NC State jumping off to a big lead and East Carolina coming back to win in the second half, it was a close one.

More to Come. --RoadDog

Where Were You November 20, 1972?

2011-11-20T13:20:00.005-06:00

I was a senior at Northern Illinois University and taking lots of education classes in preparation to student teach in the spring. Liz and I were getting ready to get engaged.

YOU WEAR IT WELL-- Rod Stewart
ROCK AND ROLL SOUL-- Grand Funk Railroad
DIALOGUE PART 1 AND 2-- Chicago
IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-- Albert Hammond
VENTURA HIGHWAY-- America

I WANNA BE WITH YOU-- Raspberries
ELECTED-- Alice Cooper
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC-- Doobie Brothers
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING-- Chi Coltrane
KNIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN-- Moody Blues

BE WITH YOU-- Al Green
SUMMER BREEZE-- Seals & Crofts
I DIDN'T KNOW I LOVED YOU-- Gary Glitter
WITCHY WOMAN-- Eagles
FROM THE BEGINNING-- Emerson, Lake and Palmer

I'LL BE AROUND-- Spinners
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW-- Johnny Nash-- the #1 song in Chicago.

Want to be a Teacher. --RoadDog