JSIS: Stupid-Looking Hair Coming Out of Helmets-- Conference Championship Games-- NIU Football

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  STUPID-LOOKING HAIR COMING OUT OF HELMETS--  A couple weeks ago Liz and I saw the annual Army-Navy football game at the American Legion.  Sure was nice to see that no member of either team had hair coming out below their helmets.  I'm sorry, but that just looks stupid.  

Anytime you watch a college or NFL game it seems you see more and more of that long, funny-looking hair on both Blacks and whites.  I don't like it on any person.  Then, there is the guy on the Titans we all call Old Turd Hair.

2.  CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES--  Well, one thing nice about all the college conference championship games this year is the size of the crowds.  NIU is in the MAC and our championship games draw maybe 5,000 to 8,000 fans (but then again, who wants to go to Detroit).  Then the Power 5 games are standing room only.  This year, they are all essentially empty.  Wonder why?

3.  NIU FOOTBALL--  A sad year for Northern Illinois University football with an 0-6 record.  But, this really wasn't a real year anyway.  Too weird and strange with you-know-what.  But, the second year Joe Novak was our coach, we were 0-12 and then by the fourth year, it was all up from there as we were able to somehow keep him despite his success and the Big 10, 11,12,13,14 grabbing MAC coaches all the time.

Maybe This Is a Sign of Good Times to Come?  --RoadWin

In case you're wondering what the name of the group was that beat out the Beatles in their audition, scroll down to this months Music Deaths for David Munden.

JSIS In This Real Different Time: Piano Dirges-- __________ Times

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  PIANO DIRGES--  To use and overused term for 2020, in these troubling times, we are definitely going to bring about a big change in our lives.  Have you noticed all that piano dirge music accompanying the commercials these days?  I may not ever be able to hear a piano play again without these memories.  It's like seeing an old movie or TV show with the World Trade Center towers in it.  Not a fun memory.

2.  _______ TIMES--  And, another pair of words that you hear on the commercials all the time is ___________ times.  Put your favorite disaster word into the blank.  Actually, I have turned these two words into a sort of drinking game.  Every time you hear those words together, you take a drink.  Dangerous Times (Sip), Trying Times (Sip), Sad Times (Sip).

By the way, I had to take a lil' ol' sip with the title of the last post.

By the way, with the title of

You won't last a real long time.  Maybe two or three commercial breaks.

These Trying Times (Hey!!  Another Sip.)  --RoadSip

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  And, I was just about to start going to the gym again this week.  (Well, that's my excuse anyway.

JSIS In These Troubling Times: People's Wealth-- IPA or Malort?-- What About All That Beer In the Coolers?-- Buses

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff in These Troubling Times.

Taken from the Chicago Tribune.

1.  PEOPLE'S WEALTH--  One thing that alarms me is how many people in the United States appear to be living paycheck to paycheck with all these folks applying for unemployment.  This just shows the increasing gap between those who are super rich and most everyone else.

2.  IPA OR MALLORT?--  I see that Revolution Brewing Company was stuck with a lot of kegs of their flagship Anti-Hero IPA beer that was running out of freshness code and would have to be thrown out.  But, they have reached a deal with Chicago's CH Distillery to create a Malort liquor made from the IPA beer.  Making the best of a bad situation.

Malort is an extremely bitter liquor in Chicago.  I had a taste once... but not again.  Bitter is an understatement.  Of course, I don't like IPA either.  If I only had the choice of drinking an IPA or water, I's choose good ol' H2O.

3.  WHAT ABOUT ALL THAT BEER IN THE COOLERS?--  Which brings me to this thought.  What about all that beer in bar coolers when the shutdown hit?  Much if not most of that is now probably out of date as well.  What a waste of good beer.  And, we all know that the freshness code really is too short.  If it ain't funky, I'm drinking it.  Hey, what about specials on the expired beer?

4.  BUSES--  And, one "s" is the correct plural form of the word.  But, I had to look it up.  The nation's 3,000 or so private bus lines and the millions of people who rely on them for cheap transportation are worried about surviving this without government intervention.More than 95% of the country's private bus fleet is now shut down.

How Did That Old Song Go?  "A Change's Gonna Come."  --RoadLort

THOSE FUNNY COUNTRY SONGS:  "Did I Shave My Legs for This?"

JSIS: Democrats Behaving Poorly-- Just Mercy-- Congrats Kansas City

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  DEMOCRATS BEHAVING POORLY--  I watched the Presidential State of the Union Address, or should we have called it, "Democrats Behaving Poorly."  They hit a new low.  A bunch of petulant children.  Had they been in my classroom, especially the one sitting behind the President, they or she would have been sent to the principal's office.  And, both Liz and I did not vote for Donald Trump in the last election.  Maybe not this year, and we'd really like to vote against him again.

2.  "JUST MERCY"--  I just saw this movie this week and in my opinion should have had Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominations.  This movie really moved me and perhaps there is something to Blacks saying they don't get proper credit in the film industry.

3.  CONGRATS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS--  What a game!  One of the best Super Bowls ever.  What a comeback!!  Liz and I were pulling for the Chiefs since they are Midwest and win about as often as Chicago.  Loved the Bill Murray Jeep commercial.  We also were pulling for the 49ers with the local connection of quarterback Tony Garappalo from local Arlington heights and EIU, Jimmie Ward from NIU and Robbie Gould from Da Bears.

Well Have to See.  --RoadDog

JSIS: A Travesty of Justice-- $3 Gas

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE--  Everyone around here is really angry that the TV guy who faked his mugging was let off yesterday.  I mean, come on, the guy was guilty of a HATE CRIME!!!  Trying to set up white people like he did.  What we have is another O.J. thing.

2.  $3 GAS!!   Well, they did it.  Gas around here in northeast Illinois hit $3 yesterday.  Well, it hit $2.99.9 which is REALLY $3.  Who do they think they are fooling at $2.99.9?

Why?  Who knows?

--RoadDog

NOT SAYING THAT BASEBALL PLAYER ARE PAID TOO MUCH, BUT....  Mike Trout's new contract calls for $1,645 per pitch for the next 12 years.

JSIS: $15 Minimum Wage-- Shoe-- Potholes

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  $15 MINIMUM WAGE--  I don't agree with this at all.  The idea for those low-paying first jobs is for a person to get experience and then go on to something bigger and that pays better.  Not for it to be an end-all.  I started my first job at age 16 at Burger King in Palatine, Illinois, for $1 an hour.

2.  SHOE--  From Fen. 19:  In Roz's Roost.  Roz is reading a newspaper (newspaper?) and says, "I think politicians should be limited to two terms."  The Professor, also reading a newspaper, replies, "So do I.  One office term and one prison term."

Anybody besides me wondering how so many politicians become so rich while and after they leave office?

3.  POTHOLES--  One result of that super cold we had earlier  in February is a bumper crop of potholes.  They are almost everywhere.  The poor tires are taking a beating.  Officer, I was just trying to avoid the potholes.  That is why I was swerving.

--RoadDog

JSIS: Thank Goodness, No Marchado-- Cubs TV?-- Zion's Blowout-- Smollet's Bust

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff.

1.  THANK GOODNESS, NO MARCHADO--  I was so happy to see that he signed with the Padres.  That's all we need, another overpaid, underperforming player in Chicago and especially on my White Sox.

2.  CUBS TV--  The rich get richer.  No way I'll pay for or buy this travesty.

3.  ZION'S BLOWOUT--  Hope he's ok,   but I don't much like one-and-done college players or their teams.  I used to be a huge Duke fan, but now I pull against them.  Shame on Coach K for doing the Kentucky thing.  Sure loved Virginia Tech's win over Duke this week.

4.  SMOLLET'S BUST--  Trying to play those Black and Gay cards.  I'm getting more than a bit perturbed by these.

--RoadDog

JSIS: Two NIU People Killed in Aurora-- Alabama Omits Lincoln-- Super Snow Moon

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff.

1.  TWO NIU PEOPLE KILLED IN AURORA--  As if Valentine's Day isn't bad enough fot Northern Illinois University, because of the five murders 11 years ago, but the day after it this year, two people with NIU connections were murdered by another gunman,  Trevor Wehner was starting his internship in preparation for his May graduation and alumnus Clayton Parker were both killed.

2.  ALABAMA OMITS LINCOLN--  Monday was Presidents' Day and Alabama did not include Abraham Lincoln.  Some called it racism, but it was actually a Yankee thing.  By the way, I didn't know Presidents' Day was a day to honor all presidents, not just Washington and Lincoln.

3.  SUPER SNOW MOON--  The last two nights were almost as bright as daylight because of it.  No sneaking through the blockade these last two nights.

Thinking About Millard Fillmore.  --RoadDog

JSIS: Chicago's Mayoral Election-- Grammys-- Tax Commercials--

JSIS--   Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  CHICAGO'S MAYORAL ELECTION--  Many, many folks running for it after the Rahm "decided" not to run after the McDonald affair.  But, one thing I am enjoying about the commercials is that they are not attacking each other, but saying what they want to do.  I get so tired of all the mud-slinging in the other elections.  

Listening to the other commercials, it would appear that all of the candidates should be in jail or in one of the lower realms of hell.

2.  GRAMMYS--  Watched parts of the Grammy Awards on Sunday.  I was amazed at how many musicians I'd never heard of before.  Guess I am now officially out of the music loop.

3.  TAX COMMERCIALS--  I don't know about you, but I sure am tired of the near-constant barrage of do-your-tax commercials we are getting bombarded with until April 15.  Need a break.  And they will be happy to get you your refund immediately for a NOMINAL FEE.

Music?  What Music?  --RoadDog

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED  (From the Wassup Magazine):  2.  No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.

JSIS: The Snake At Sears-- Flip This-- Car Commercials

JSIS:  Just Some Interesting Stuff.

1.  THE SNAKE AT SEARS--  The situation at Sears just keeps getting deeper.  Something is mighty wrong there.  That owner is worthy of a Trump.  Wonder how many billions he's going to walk away with?

2.  FLIP THIS--  Listening to the Drive's A to Z, I am constantly insulted with the commercials to flip those houses and how rich you can get.  Truly another Sears person here as well.  I could tell them what to flip.

3.  CAR COMMERCIALS--  And speaking of commercials, I don't remember ever seeing so many cars with big ribbons on them as I have seen this holiday season.  But the one with Santa and his puppy is a fun one to watch.

--RoadDog

JSIS: Lisa Freeman-- Waffle House Index

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  LISA FREEMAN--  Congratulations to Lisa Freeman who has been selected as Northern Illinois University's new president last week.  She is the first woman to hold the job.  We saw her earlier this month when she spoke at the alumni reception before the NIU-Utah football game.

2.  WAFFLE HOUSE INDEX--  One thing I learned about as Hurricane Florence approached North Carolina was this quaint, but accurate way FEMA categorizes storms like this.  It has to do with that very Southern eating place called Waffle House, which are always open.

If the Waffle Houses in the area affected are open with full menu, that means the storm isn't too bad.

Open, but limited menu means somewhat bad.

Closed means real bad.

--RoadDog

JSIS: Drinking Beer Woes-- Gas Gouge-- McDonald's

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

From the May 25, 2018, Chicago Tribune.

1.  DRINKING BEER WOES--  The beer industry is blaming lagging sales on all this cold spring weather we're having.  Yep, not much fun being outside and having a beer when you're already cold.  Beer share of alcohol peaked in the 1990s and part of the reason for the decline is growing interest in spirits and wine.

Well, I drink inside most of the time anyway.

2.  GAS GOUGE--  Just in time for the Memorial Day Driving Peak.  National average for regular is at $2.96 and that has jumped 19 cents in the last month.  Of course, the Midwest is highest in price and especially in Chicago.

Sure hurting more to fill up these days.

3.  McDONALD'S--  McDonald's will be keeping plastic straws for now, even though environmentalists are against it.  There is still the Fight for $15 going on as well.  The way I look at it, working at a fast food place is an introductory job, not one to remain at your whole life.  Either go up to management or another job.

--RoadDog

JSIS: Kentucky Governor Inserts Foot-- Barbara Bush

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff.

1.  KENTUCKY GOVERNOR INSERTS FOOT--  This guy sure wouldn't get my vote next election.  He blames striking teachers for kids getting into drugs and getting raped because of the strike.  What an idge.

2.  Barbara Bush--   Sure sorry to hear that she is not long for this world.  Of all the recent First Ladies, I respected her the most.  Not many ladies can say they were married to a U.S. president and was also the mother of one.

A Wonderful Woman and a Dumb Governor.  --RoadDog

JSIS: College Football-- That Pesky Soda Tax-- Fall Color

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  COLLEGE FOOTBALL--  This was a shocker when Oregon State football coach Gary Anderson left the school by mutual agreement after a 1-5 start and 4-17 overall record AND he gave up the $12 million he had coming to him.  That is refreshing when a college football coach (most of whom are really OVERPAID) leaves money on the table.  I didn't think that was possible.

2.  THAT PESKY SODA TAX--  Cook County, Illinois, (which includes Chicago) has dropped it one cent an ounce tax on all drinks that are sweetened (even diet drinks) which was put in to make children healthier.  We all knew the REAL reason was to make money for the county.  Good Riddance.  Now, let's work on those safety Photo Enforced stoplights which really scare me.

3.  FALL COLOR--  A few trees around here in northeast Illinois are starting to change, but most have not.  Looking forward to that color.

Color me Fall.  --RoadDog

MORE COFFEE SIGNS:  You think being called a "drip" is a compliment.

JSIS: DeKalb-- Surf City

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

From the June 20, 2016, USA Today "State-By-State."

DEKALB--  Illinois:  The Labor Relations Board certified a new faculty union at Northern Illinois University, the Daily Chronicle reported.

SURF CITY--  North Carolina.:  Thirteen sea turtles are back home in the waves after their release by workers on the coast.  The turtles were released on the beach after treatment at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.

This center used to be at Topsail Beach where my mom has a condo.

--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.)