The Gas Gouge Comes Back!: Donovan's, Sox, Bulls and a Movie

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20

Went to Donovan's and watched the Sox get blown out.  The Coz Man was not a happy lad.  But, the Bulls actually beat the Bucks in their playoff game, and beat them good to even up the series at one apiece.  That will probably be the last Bull victory, though.  But, this was a fun year to watch them, the best since the 90s.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21

Temps in the 60s.  Has spring finally arrived?  Drove to Fox Lake, Illinois, where gas has once again climbed to $4.40, the GRBs!!  

I saw then movie "Ambulance" which had a warning about the seemingly flashing lights of the way it was filmed and, I was pretty worn out by the time it was over.  That was some chase.

--RoadDog

JSS: Ukraine Flag-- Come On Weather!! -- Inflation Gets Personal-- Sad Sox, Sad Hawks & Sad Bulls

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  UKRAINE FLAG

I saw a Ukraine flag in the Jewel parking lot earlier today.  Come on Ukraine.  It is amazing what they are accomplishing against such overwhelming odds.

2.  COME ON WEATHER!!

No breaks from the weather  After a wonderful weekend with temps in the lower 80s, we now have 44 degree weather with a strong wind blowing the cold on us.  Is there going to be a spring?  Freeze warnings for tonight!!  

3.  INFLATION GETS PERSONAL 

Today at our local breakfast spot, we were getting ready to order from the specials list when a waitress ran over and quickly gathered the specials pages and replaced them with another one.  We saw that the new one was $1 more for everything.  Ouch!!

4.  SAD SOX, SAD HAWKS & SAD BULLS

Rough time to be pulling for Chicago teams.  The Sox are in the middle of a seven game losing streak and the only thing happening more often is the loss of players to injury.  Seems like a new one every day.

The Blackhawks can't end the season soon enough.  And, I remember when they won their 3rd Stanley Cup in five years back in 2015 that they were talking about a Blackhawk Dynasty.  Little did we know we were seeing the end of it.

At least the Bulls showed the first improvement since those wonderful 1990s and made the playoffs this year, but will most likely be eliminated tomorrow.

--RoadDog

Around Here: Da Bulls, Weird Hair on Athletes, Stucky's, Da Beatles and Stucky's Again

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15

We had snow flurries all day, but there was no accumulation.  That's a real good thing.  We went to Stucky's and watched the Bulls game, which sadly, they lost.  They are on a losing streak right now, but before that playing very well for the first time since the fabulous 90s when they won six NBA Championships in eight years -- the Michael Jordan years.  Ever since, they have been very sad.

I wanted to show Liz the hair that Bulls player Coby White had last year compared to this.  Back then it was one of those very eye-insulting 'dos, but now just a regular cut.  I don't like long, weird hair on athletes no matter if they're Whites or Blacks.

While looking for pictures of him, I found out that he was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, which perked my interest since that is also where I was born.  However, he played high school basketball in Wilson, N.C.  He went to UNC-Chapel Hill, but unfortunately was one of those one-and-diners.  I'm not real happy with these guys or the schools that "hire" them for that one year before they go to the NBA.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16

Bob Stroud featured the Beatles Album "Meet the Beatles" as later this week will mark the 58th anniversary of its release.  This was the fun Beatles in my book.  And, they were the ones who got me to listening to pop music.  I never did before.  And, of course, music has had a huge impact on my life.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, and watched two NFL Wild Card Playoff games.

--RoadBeatle

Getting Some of Those Old Chicago Teams on TV

Yesterday, I posted that with the dearth of sporting events these days, that it would be nice if some of the stations would dig into their archives and start showing some videos of the past.  I had written this one early this month, but not gotten around to posting it.

But in the last week, I have found some sites that are playing those old shows.

This past Saturday (or was it Sunday, these days seem to blend into one another), NBC ran the 2015 Chicago Blackhawk game which clinched the 2015 Stanley Cup for us and started our "Dynasty" which lasted until the end of the next season.

Then, our NBC Sports Chicago (old Comcast Sports) has been showing 2005 White Sox regular season games (they won the World Series) and 1998 Chicago Bulls NBA Championship games.  Plus,ESPN has that "The Last Dance" series about the 1997-1998 season when the Bulls won their sixth NBA Championship in eight years.

So, actually, I am getting some (but could sure use more) Chicago greatest hits videos.

Though, I'm Still Not Satisfied.  --RoadSports

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":   Breaking News:  Charmin Bears pass Jeff Bezos as wealthiest beings on earth.

Missing Sports These Days and What To Do About It: Run Those Old Games

I sure do miss sports on TV.  To me, a mighty fine time is sitting at my downstairs bar (Margaritaville) with others or by myself, drinking beer or cocktails, eating snacks and watching a sporting event on the corner of the bar TV.  That, of course, with the tunes playing on my Ultimate Jukebox  (300 of my absolute favorite CDs).  The sound will be just so that the game can just be heard a little above the music.

I can still do all that, all, that is, except watch a sporting event.  Now, if I can figure out how to hook up the VHS VCR to that corner TV,  I could watch the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX game, or all the Chicago White Sox 2005 World Series games (which I have recorded on VHS).  But, alas, I can't figure out how to do that.

But, what I can recommend to the broadcast TV stations is rerunning great games of the past.  Personally, I'd like to see the entire 1985 Bears season, the Blackhawk Stanley Cup Champion series of 2010, 2013 and 2015.  Also the Cubs 2016 World Series Champions.  Of course, the 90s Bulls and you-know-who.

Oh yes, then, any game where NIU beats Toledo in football as well as our great 2003 season when we beat Maryland, Iowa State and Alabama (that's right ALABAMA).   Two notable players from that team were Michael Turner and P.J. Fleck.  And, of course, the man who made that year possible, Coach Joe Novak.

I'd also like to see some games of the 1967 and 1983 White Sox, 1969 Cubs (or any 1965-1969 Cubs game for that matter) and some of Walter Payton's greatest games.

That Would Get Me Through My Sports Negativity.  Think About It.  --Roadog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  If you truly believe God loved you, you would touch your face.

All Our Losing Chicago Teams...And, We Sure "Got" A Lot of 'Em

It has sure been a long year for us Chicago fans.

The only bright spot was the Cubs who at least went to the National League Championship Series.  The rest of our main teams were pretty much all last place dwellers.

First the White Sox who embarked on that rebuilding program and had a full throttle on last place until the Tigers imploded.

Then, it was DaBears, another last place team who hopefully have been able to get over the last vestiges of the Cutler-era.  So sad.

Then, we had hope for the Bulls and Blackhawks.  The Bulls were rebuilding so we weren't sure about them.  After an absolutely horrible start to the season, they came back for awhile but are now again deep into losing.  Only seven of the thirty NBA teams have worse records.

Then, there were the Blackhawks.  Back when they won their third Stanley Cup in five years in 2015, there was talk of a dynasty.  Well, little did we know, 2015 marked the end of that dynasty.  Out of 31 NHL teams, only seven are worse.

Hurry Up Baseball Season.  --RoadDog

JSIS: So Long Wilted Rose-- Cubs-- Sox

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  SO LONG WILTED ROSE--  Yesterday at Donovan's in twin lakes, I was talking about watching the NBA Championship game Sunday in Englewood, Ohio, and the  recalled the Bulls' glory years in the 1990s with Jordan and company with my friend Kevin.  I said it will sure be good when the Bulls get rid of the poison on the team, the one I refer to as The Wilted Rose for his attitude and effort.

I was shocked when Kevin asked me if I had heard that Wilted was traded today.  He wasn't too happy, though, as Kevin is from New York City and the Knicks are his team.

2.  CUBS--  Despite the sweep over the North Siders by that St. Louis team, this is an exciting group to watch.  Let's just hope we don't have a repeat of the 1969 season or the Bartman incident.  Remember...They ARE the Cubs!!

3.  SOX--  What started off as a great season for MY team has certainly hit the skids of late, even with the recent sweep of the Red Sox.  Still pulling for them though.

Too Bad, Kevin.  --RoadDog

PUNS TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY:  I'm reading a book about gravity.  I can't put it down.  (Maybe this will put a smile on your face Kevin.)

The Last Three Weekends-- Part 3

This was our back home weekend.

MAY 8, FRIDAY--  First full day back home, always something I enjoy.  I love traveling, but also love getting home.  Warm so had my first day of having breakfast on the front porch of 2015.  I did some needed yardwork, went to the Legion and watched part of the Bulls-Cavaliers game.  Came home and watched the rest at Margaritaville and quite happy when  Rose hit that three-pointer to win as time expired.  If he keeps this up, I'll have to stop calling him Wilted Rose.

MAY 9, SATURDAY--  Just stayed home, did yardwork and watched a movie at home.  It's good to be back home.

MAY 10, SUNDAY--  Mother's day so called Mom and wished her a happy Mother's Day.  Went to Hickory Lodge in McCullom Lake by McHenry and had the pizza/ beer special.  Then met Sue and Paul (the folks we met down in Panama City Beach last weekend, at Half Times in Johnsburg and watched the Bulls game, which unfortunately ended when James nailed the two-pointer to win as time expired.

Nothing Like Hangin' Around the House.  --RoadDog

While On the Subject of Annoying: Now We Know About the "Wilting Rose"

We are so lucky here in Chicago to have two of the most overpaid annoying athletes ever.  I'm talking about the Bears' "Scary Jay" and the Bulls' "Wilting Rose."

No one goes through the motions of being a "MVP qb (Trestman's words, not mine) better than Jay.

But our wonderful Rose is maddening because he so rarely plays, yet still gets that huge paycheck.  It's hard for the Bulls to rise to the top while pulled down by his anchor (not to mention the salary cap which so much of his money takes up).

But now we know exactly why he is unable to play so much.  The Rose is simply "Unable to Breathe" as his tee shirt says.  I would have to imagine it is quite difficult to play such an intensive game as basketball when you can't breathe.

Perhaps Rose Should See a Doctor About This Malady.  --RoadDog

A Few Sports Gripes

Lats night's Black Hawks-Wild game did NOT BEGIN until 8:45!!!  That is way TOO LATE for a home game to begin in Chicago.  And, I was even madder because it was only shown on NBC Sports Channel and the NHL Channel.  Unfortunately, we don't get either channel on out cable package, forcing us to go to Tommy's to watch it.

When a city's team is in the playoffs, people of that city should be able to watch it on an all-access station like WGN or WCIU.

Also, sad to see the Bulls season end.  I doubt that there has ever been a team with more heart and effort as they try so hard to overcome the Rose double-onus.  Not only has he not played essentially for two seasons, the $30 million a year he earns hurts the team when it comes to getting players that can help.

My vote for MVP is Joakim Noah.

--RoadDog

About Last Weekend-- Part 2 The Yard, Captain's. Bars, Bulls and Hawks

SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH:

 Did a whole lot of burning of yard waste, clearing out flower beds and raking on a pretty nice day at first. Took the lawn tractor out to cut the grass for the first time, but after 30 minutes it started making a strange noise and I found that the belt had pulled out and was broken.

Temps really started dropping around 3 in the afternioon.

Went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake to watch the Chicago Rev Up band play, but left after the first set as it was too crowded with a Fox Lake Fireworks fundraiser and a 70th birthday party.

Then checked out the new Angry Beaver on Grasslake (where the old Dirty Rooster was). They had a deejay, but not much going on. Ended up at Antonio's in Spring Grove and tried their new watermelon/cucumber margarita. Quite the tasty treat.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH:

 Drove to Twisted Moose in McHenry to watch the Bulls playoff game (unfortunately they were blown out by the Wizards).

The big reason was to see the sixth game of the Black Hawks-Blues playoff game. Huge crowd and most everyone in Black Hawk attire. We were joined by several of the Usual Suspects, our Bear-viewing crew. Great time, especially in the 3rd period when the Hawks really came alive and went on to win 5-1. Lots of air horns, flashing red lights and "Chelsea Dagger." And the Hawks go on to Round Two!!!

Stopped at Sunnyside Tap on the way home. And, both the Cubs and Sox won!!

Go Hawks!!! --RoadDog

A Pretty Good Time Around Here Last Weekend

And, we had some great weather to go with it.

FRIDAY, MAY 3RD

Went to KC's Cabin on Il-173 and Wilmot for their buy one get one free breakfast on a Round Lake Spring Carnival Induced crummy weather day.

Later, it was the Usual Suspects at Stormy Monday and a stop at the Legion.  Flood waters seriously receding.  The Blackhawks played more like they should and beat the Wild a second time in the NHL playoffs.


SATURDAY, MAY 4TH

Went to the Twisted Moose in McHenry, Illinois, for Tracy's fundraiser for her cancer treatments and watched the Kentucky Derby in all that mud.  I think the RL Carnival Curse extended to Louisville.

Then went to Captain's Quarters for the first band of the summer kickoff party with the band Blush.  Great music from a band we hadn't seen before.  And we watched the Bulls defeat the Nets to go to the second round of the NBA playoffs.


SUNDAY, MAY 5TH

Another great day.  Cut the grass and had a fire at the burn pile (weekends only April and May).  Then to All-Sports in McCullom Lake for $5 pitcher and $5 pizza.

Lastly back to the Twisted Moose for Cinco de Mayo $2 Coronas and the Blackhawk game.  We especially like to see the Hawks here because of the lights, horn and "Chelsea Dagger" song for goals.  Unfortunately, it was a loss in overtime.

Good Times in the Area, and It "Ain't" Even Boating Season Yet.  --RoadDog


TOO PUNNY:  She was only a whisky-maker, but he loved her still.