Things Not Looking Good for the Lincoln Highway

The second round of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) football playoffs have been completed and the Lincoln took-a-beatin' compared to Route 66 in this round, with just two teams left. Meanwhile, Route 66 has six.

The Lincoln Highway was 2-5 for an overall 9-8 record. Route 66 was 6-4 with an overall 16-12 record.

The Quarter Final Round begins Saturday.

Remaining teams for the LINCOLN HIGHWAY:

Class 5A

Joliet Catholic (also on Route 66) 10-1, ranked #2

Class 2A

Morrison 10-1, ranked #3



Remaining teams for Route 66

Class 5A

Joliet Catholic (also on Lincoln Highway) 10-1, ranked #2
Springfield 9-2, ranked #3

Class 4A

Pontiac 11-0, ranked #1

Class 2A

Staunton 10-1, ranked #5
Williamsville 10-1, ranked #3

Class 1A

Lexington 8-3, ranked #4

Things Aren't Looking Too Good for the Lincoln. --RoadDog

Rock and Roll Roots Vol. 11

These are the songs on Stroud's last CD:

LITTLE GIRL-- Syndicate of Sound
(LAY DOWN) CANDLES IN THE RAIN-- Melanie
CAN'T YOU SEE ME CRY-- New Colony Six

SUMMERTIME BLUES-- Blue Cheer
GIMME GIMME GOOD LOVIN'-- Crazy Elephant
CAN'T YOU SEE (THAT I REALLY LOVE HER)-- Flock

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF YOUR MIND-- Amboy Dukes
MY PLEDGE OF LOVE-- Joe Jeffrey Group
RUBY TUESDAY-- Rotary Connection

CAR HOP-- Exports
WILDFLOWER-- Skylark
FACE THE AUTUMN-- Family

Good Stuff, Maynard. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: Don't worry about your health. It will go away.

It's Them, Not Me: Big Time Gas Gouge Yesterday

I had noticed gas in Wisconsin was up to $2.90 Thursday, but in no way was prepared for the gouge here in northeastern Illinois yesterday.

Gas in Fox Lake went from $2.78 to $2.98 IN ONE DAY!!! That's a twenty cent spike in one day. What gives?

I heard someone say it is because the stock market went up a lot. That's ridiculous. Do we have to pull for the market to do badly so that we don't get jumped by Big Oil and the GRB Hedgie-Wedgies?

There is no excuse.

And, of course, when the current round of greed subsides, it will take stations two months to drop the 20 cents. Let's see, one day to go up 20 cents. Two months to drop 20 cents.

Something Ain't Right.

Something Stinks in Denmark, Or Is It the US? --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: I'm speeding, officer, because I have to get there before I forget where I'm going.

Good Luck, Papa Joe, But Not Today

I'll be watching the football game later this afternoon between Penn State and Northwestern when Joe Paterno goes for his 400th college victory.

I really like Joe Paterno and because of him, pull for Penn State, but Northwestern is my favorite college football team after Northern Illinois, East Carolina and Georgia.

Papa Joe can reach that plateau next week.

Hey, Papa Joe!! --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: Geezer (ge-ser)--noun. slang. Not young. Not dead. Somewhere in between. Now you know.

Rock and Roll Roots Vol. 12 Release Tomorrow

I'll definitely be listening to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show on the Drive in Chicago tomorrow from 7 to 10 am. He will be playing all 12 songs from the latest effort in his Rock and Roll Roots anthology.

He has his listeners pick the songs and always includes one or two that have never been on CD before and also, from time to time, ones I've never heard of before.

Afterwards, he is having a CD release party at the Borders store in Oakbrook. That will have quite a few of the famous bands from Chicago Sixties Rock and Roll. In the past, we've had Jim Peterik and the Ides of March, the New Colony 6, Mauds, Jim Sohns of the Shadows of Knight, Cryan' Shames and Buckinghams.

That's one great two hour show of memories, and, even better, it's free!! Afterwards, you can have the band members sign your CD.

You can listen live outside of the Chicago area at www.wdrv.com.

Play me Some O' Dat Music, Bob. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: I don't think about dying. It's the last thing I want to do.

JSS: Round 2: Route 66 vs. Lincoln Highway-- CMA AWARDS-- Boat's Put Away-- Half Price Halloween Stuff

JSS-- Just Some Sruff


1. ROUND 2: ROUTE 66 AND LINCOLN HIGHWAY-- The second weekend of the IHSA Football Playoffs starts today. I have the Route 66 teams playing the Lincoln Highway for the state Road Championship.

Right now, Route 66 is leading 10-7 with the Lincoln taking the only head-to-head contest. But, last week, 66 started with 18 teams and Lincoln with 10.

You can follow on my Roadlog Blog: http://roaddogsroadlog.blogspot.com.


2. CMA AWARDS-- Going to go out and buy the new Jason Aldean CD today. Monday, I bought the new Trace Adkins and Brad Paisley double greatest hits CDs.

I am a big country music fan and am looking forward to the CMA Awards show next week.


3. BOAT'S PUT-AWAY-- Over the weekend, I got a call from Midwest Marine and they had finished the boat. Monday, I drove over and got it and took it over to Hebron, Illinois, to be put away for the winter.

The season is officially over. We started boating in 1985, so this was our 26th season.


4. HALF PRICE HALLOWEEN STUFF-- I've been out buying half price Halloween stuff since Monday. Hard to beat those prices. I've bought candy, candles, lights and other items so far.

Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: Young at heart...Slightly older in Other Places.

Some Scary Halloween Songs-- Part 3

THE MARTIAN BOOGIE-- BROWNSVILLE STATION-- The late great Cub Coda from 1974. (I've never heard it before, but it is a great one.)
WHITE RABBIT-- JEFFERSON AIRPLANE-- Through the looking glass with Alice. From Surrealistic Pillow.

BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN-- CREAM-- Old Albert King classic done up in Wheels of Fire back in '68.
HOCUS POCUS-- FOCUS- (Hey, that all rhymes!!)

BLACK MAGIC WOMAN-- FLEETWOOD MAC-- Giving you that VooDoo that we do so well. (Before Santana did it.)
(YOU'RE THE) DEVIL IN DISGUISE-- ELVIS PRESLEY-- The King calling her bluff.

CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN-- GUESS WHO--
WEREWOLVES OF LONDON-- WARREN ZEVON

FRANKENSTEIN-- EDGAR WINTER GROUP
THE RAVEN-- ALAN PARSONS PROJECT

AS THE RAVEN FLIES-- DAN FOGELBERG
STORMY-- CLASSICS IV

MONSTER MASH-- BOBBY "BORIS" PICKETT
SPOOKY-- ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION

Now, There's a Pretty Good Lineup of Halloween Songs If I Ever Saw One. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS:

I always cook with wine.
I sometimes even add it to the food.

Purty FunKnee Cartoons

Came across two funny cartoons that sort of sum up my feelings about all this new "teknolgy."

The first was a political cartoon from Mike Keefe of the Denver Post 8-20-10.

It's the first day back in school and class is in session. Two boys sitting in the back are holding books and looking puzzled. One turns to the other and says "Psst. How do you turn this thing on?"


The other was yesterday's Pickles comic strip. I'm really starting to like this one a lot because the old geezer Earl is so much like me.

FIRST PANEL Earl and wife are at the table and his wife is reading the newspaper. She says: "I notice that some hotels and eating places are starting to offer free wi-fi."

SECOND PANEL She says, "Do you have any idea what wi-fi is?" Earl replies, "No clue."


THIRD PANEL She says, "Me neither. I can't keep up with the new things anymore. I give up." (My feelings exactly.)


FOURTH PANEL Earl then says, "Maybe wi-fi is short for why fight it."

Tell It Like It Is, Earl. --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS:

FISHMORE & DOLITTLE
Retirement Planning & Consulting.

Decision Made

OK, yesterday, I had a dilemma. To have or not have a Crawfish Tackle Box or McRib meal.

The old mouth was definitely salivating. Did I hear a bell somewhere?


HEADS OR TAILS?

Drove into Round Lake Beach and after paying my truck insurance, went to Popeye's. They were having a free crawfish tasting, but not advertising it. You got a small cup with three fried tails in it along with that great horseradish sauce. I was going to get the Crawfish Tackle Box anyway, but not going to pass up on FREE crawfish.

I bought the Crawfish Tackle Box Combo which comes with a heaping helping of tails and sauce, biscuit, fries and drink. That really filled me up, but then I saw they had fried sweet potato pie so had to get that for dessert. Anything sweet potato is a treat.


IT'S SLOW GOOD

After watching another fantastic Clint Eastwood movie, "Hereafter" at the Fox Lake Theatre, I went over to buddy Rick's and then we went to McDonald's on US-12 where we had.........McRIBS!! It comes as a sandwich for $2.49 or meal for $4.99: sandwich, fries and drink.

My taste buds immediately were in heaven.

So, my decision was to have both. I just couldn't wait another day. Not good for me, but really good for me.

Love Those McRibs!! --RoadDog


SENIOR BUMPER SNICKERS: In Dog Years...I'm Dead!!

Some Good Halloween Songs-- Part 2

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL-- ROLLING STONES-- from the closest cousins to the Addams Family, from Beggar's Banquet.
FRIEND OF THE DEVIL-- GRATEFUL DEAD-- An American Beauty

DEVIL IN HER HEART-- BEATLES-- George singing lead vocal. In the states, we got it on the Beatles Second album.
DEVIL'S RADIO-- GEORGE HARRISON-- From his Cloud Nine release. Clapton ripping off that guitar solo.

EVIL WOMAN-- CROW-- From 1969 and on the Rock and Roll Roots Vol. 3.
THE WITCH QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS-- REDBONE--

I PUT A SPELL ON YOU-- CCR-- Great version of the old Screaming Jay Hawkins classic off their first album in '68.
SEASON OF THE WITCH-- BLOOMFIELD, KOOPER, STILLS-- My favorite version of Donovan's classic: Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper and Stephen Stills from the album Super Session.

EVIL WAYS-- SANTANA--
FIRE-- CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN--

Still More Scary Stuff to Come. --Roadog


THE VERY LAST MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: Is it me-- or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?

Decisions, Decisions!!

And we're not talking politics here.

We're talking McRib vs Crawfish Tackle Box.

They're Back, and we're not talking post-Halloween poltergeists. What I'm talking about is McDonald's wonderful McRIB!! I have to admit that I'm a big fan, no, actually an addicted FAN.

I will actually drive out of my way to get one. That is one special taste, let me tell you. The fact that it is for a limited time makes even each morsel just that more special.

Now, i see that Popeye's has their own limited time offering, the Crawfish tackle Box.

I sure do love crawfish when I don't have to shuck them.

I'm driving into Round Lake Beach in a few minutes. There is a McDonald's along the way in Fox Lake and another one in RLB and a Popeye's as well. That makes for a hard choice.

Just Which One Will I Be Attacking Today. --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants off.

It's Them, Not Me: Too Close to Call

Definitely some mad voters out there. Mad at the economy, mad at politicians in general and mad at the dirty campaigns and commercials we've been inundated with the last several months.

Elections were mostly close here in Illinois.

Republican Kirk beat Democrat Giannoulias for US Senate by 48.4% to 46.1%. At least we are spared another hard-to-spell and pronounce name after Der Blago. And perhaps we'll have the first bona fide US Senator there since four years ago.

This is the Senate seat held by Barack Obama while he was running for president. And then we had Blago's appointment of even less-effective Burris. Between the two of them, we have not had Illinois representation since 2006.

The governor's race is still, at 11:01 am, too close to call with less than 6,000 votes separating Quinn (who leads) and Brady.

With the Republicans capturing the US House of Representatives, hopefully both parties will see that people are tired of the same-old, same-old.

Let's Hope They're Smart Enough to Figure It All Out. --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?

Some Good Halloween Songs-- Part 1

This past Sunday, October 31st, Halloween, Bob Stroud had his annual really scary Rock and Roll Roots show devoted to all things frightening.

Unfortunately, I missed the first 30 minutes as 7 am is just TOO early to get up on a Sunday.

Prepare to have your wig scared off:

SPOOKY-- CLASSICS IV
WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE-- ALICE COOPER
BAD MOON RISING-- CCR

I HAD TOO MUCH TO DREAM LAST NIGHT-- ELECTRIC PRUNES
STRANGE BREW-- CREAM

Coming off break, Stroud played "Spiders and Snakes" by Jim Stafford to introduce the next two songs.

BORIS THE SPIDER-- WHO-- From album Happy Jack.
THE SNAKE-- AL WILSON-- On Rock and Roll Roots Vol. 4

SUPERSTITION-- STEVIE WONDER-- Creepy, crawly and look out for that black cat crossing your path. From his 1974 release Talking Book.
WITCHY WOMAN-- EAGLES--

Scared Yet? --RoadDog


MUSING FROM A CONFUSED MIND: How can there be self-help groups?

Number One Songs This Date-- November 1, 2010-- Part 2

1973 MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA-- Gladys Knight & the Pips
1972 I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW-- Johnny Nash
1971 GYPSIES, TRAMPS AND THIEVES-- Cher
1970 I'LL BE THERE-- Jackson 5

1960 SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME-- Drifters
1950 GOODNIGHT IRENE-- Gordon Jenkins & the Weavers
1940 ONLY FOREVER-- Bing Crosby
1930 BODY AND SOUL-- Paul Whiteman

1920 WHISPERING-- Paul Whiteman (Must have been a major performer with #1 songs ten years apart.)
1910 EVERY LITTLE MOMENT-- Harry MacDonough & Lucy Isabelle Marsh
1900 BECAUSE-- Haydn Quartet (I've seen these people on other #1 songs before 1940.)

To check out any date and #1s: www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneinHistory/SelectMonth.htm.

Taking a Look Back. --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.

It's Them, Not Me: Dirty Little Election Ads

The Chicago Tribune always runs political cartoons from around the country every Saturday on their editorial page. This past Saturday was all devoted to this year's political campaign and pretty-well sums it up for me.

CLAY BENNETT/CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS

A car is driving down the freeway and comes to two exits in opposite directions. One reads "High Road" with an arrow to the left. The other reads "Low Road" with an arrow to the right. The license plate reads "Decision 2010."

Guess which road our politicians took?


WALT HANDELSMAN/NEWSDAY


A family is on their couch watching TV which is saying "THIEF!!", "#@&*#%", "Moron!!", "He'll Steal Your $$$!!!", "Corrupt", and "Liar."

The mother says, "No--the new anti-bullying warnings don't cover political ads."


CLAY BENNETT/CAHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS

My favorite one. There's a chalkboard with the words "US POLITICS" written on it. There is a hand and the fingernails are going across it for that special sound.

I Sure Do Agree With You Mr. Bennett. --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: I used to be indecisive. Now, I'm not sure.

Number One Songs This Date: November 1, 2010-- Part 1

It's the beginning of the month, so once again time to take a look at the number one songs this date back to 1900. That's 110 years worth of music. As usual, thanks again to Josh Hosler for the list which he bases on Billboard Charts, still the real mark of a Number One!

2010 LIKE A G6-- Far'East Movement-- Hunh?
2000 COME ON OVER BABY (ALL I WANT IS YOU)-- Christina Aguilera-- Another Mickey Girl.
1990 ICE ICE BABY-- Vanilla Ice-- Who says white guys can't rap? Well, maybe.

1980 WOMAN IN LOVE-- Barbra Streisand
1979 POP MUZIK-- M-- I don't care what anybody says. I like this one.
1978 YOU NEEDED ME-- Anne Murray
1977 YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE-- Debby Boone (How did we survive these last two?)

1976 ROCK 'N ME-- Steve Miller Band
1975 ISLAND GIRL-- Elton John
1974 YOU HAVEN'T DONE NOTHIN'-- Stevie Wonder

More To Come. --RoadDog


MUSING FROM A CONFUSED MIND: My weight is perfect for my height--which varies.

It's Them, Not Me: Thankfully About Over

We have, by my count, one more day where we have to be affronted with all this mudslinging that's been going on the last several months. I thought it was bad last year, but things have gone to the extreme.

If we slung this much mud last year, we have to sling that much plus this year.

If I could find a non-mudslinger, I'd vote for that person.

Right now, with the state of the economy and the United States, I've got a mind to vote for anyone who is not an incumbent.

To hear the different camps, everyone running is a crook, a criminal and not to be trusted. Evidently, they are right.

Two more days, Jack.

Where's Mickey Mouse When You Need Him? --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: One nice thing about egotists, they don't talk about other people.

Ten Really Scary Songs

Friday, October 29th, Bob Stroud featured Scary Songs on his Ten at Ten Show. Ten real classic scare-you tunes to get you in the mood for the spooks and goblins.

DANCING WITH MR. D.-- Rolling Stones
WEREWOLVES OF LONDON-- Warren Zevon

MONSTER MASH-- Bobby "Boris" Pickett
DEVIL WOMAN-- Cliff Richard

FRIEND OF THE DEVIL-- Grateful Dead
BAD MOON RISING-- CCR

FRANKENSTEIN-- Edgar Winter
I HAD TOO MUCH TO DREAM LAST NIGHT-- Electric Prunes

BLACK MAGIC WOMAN-- Santana
CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN-- Guess Who



Stoud's listeners also get to vote on their favorites. The Top Three:

#3 Devil Woman

#2 Werewolves of London

#1 Monster Mash-- after all these years, still #1.

Like, BOO!!! --RoadDog


MUSINGS FROM A CONFUSED MIND: Experience is the one thing you have left when everything else is gone.