Speaking of the thumb, I've been going to a hand therapy place in Fox Lake for therapy to try to get full use of the thing back.
They took all sorts of measurements and have me on thumb exercises as well as wrap-downs. Michelle, who runs the place is also a Spring Grove resident living in the southern mansion home by Main Street and Wilmont Road. They have the huge horse pasture next to them, but don't own it.
Everybody's favorite in the pasture is the lone donkey named Julio (as she told me). The donkey who thinks he's a horse. Quite a character.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of doing the chimpanzee dexterity exercise where I put about 150 steel pins into a board. I refrained from making monkey noises, however.
The "wound" has mostly closed up so hopefully it won't be much longer. It is still sore when I touch something.
Who's Have Thought That a Thumb Could Cause This Much Trouble. --RoadDog
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tough Life, But Somebody's Got to Do It-- Nah, I'm Retarred-- As In Retired!!!
As I start my third year of retirement, I woke up this morning at 8:15 am and thought to myself that I'd have been a ways into my first period class had I still been teaching.
Oh well. It's a burden I'll just have to carry.
As punishment, I sat out on the deck (OD) and wrote in my journal and read the journal from twenty years ago, 1988. I was still deejaying a lot back then, and had a new convertible top put on the '67 Firebird, a new back-up battery-operated sump pump for the basement and had broken down and bought central air thanks to a Really Hot and Dry Summer that had caused us to start sleeping in the basement seeking the cooler climes.
I also listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show from August 3rd, where he went back 40 years to a pretty good summer in my life, 1968. Those songs sure brought back the memories.
Right now, I'm sitting in the gazebo as it got too hot out on the deck. Especially without the umbrella which took off to parts unknown during a severe storm back in June. I have some extra umbrellas in the garage, but haven't gotten around to bringing one out. I'll blame it on the thumb.
Typing away, two-fingered on this here laptop and listening to Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville.
I Feel So Guilty. Later, We're Going Out on the Boat. --RoadDog
Oh well. It's a burden I'll just have to carry.
As punishment, I sat out on the deck (OD) and wrote in my journal and read the journal from twenty years ago, 1988. I was still deejaying a lot back then, and had a new convertible top put on the '67 Firebird, a new back-up battery-operated sump pump for the basement and had broken down and bought central air thanks to a Really Hot and Dry Summer that had caused us to start sleeping in the basement seeking the cooler climes.
I also listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show from August 3rd, where he went back 40 years to a pretty good summer in my life, 1968. Those songs sure brought back the memories.
Right now, I'm sitting in the gazebo as it got too hot out on the deck. Especially without the umbrella which took off to parts unknown during a severe storm back in June. I have some extra umbrellas in the garage, but haven't gotten around to bringing one out. I'll blame it on the thumb.
Typing away, two-fingered on this here laptop and listening to Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville.
I Feel So Guilty. Later, We're Going Out on the Boat. --RoadDog
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Teen Pop Primer
The Tribune also ran a Teen Pop primer on some of the performers and groups.
BUSTS--
FABIAN-- had hits late 50sand early 60s along with Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell.
DEFRANCO FAMILY-- Five Canadian siblings who hit it big with 2-million-selling "Heartbeat. It's a Lovebeat" in 1973 but were unable to follow it up.
TIFFANY-- Tiffany Renee Darwish-- toured shopping centers. First teenage girl with a #1 album. Hey, ease up on the Tiff. "I Think We're Alone Now."
SPICE GIRLS-- sold lots of records, T-shirts and lunch boxes, then were gone.
FAME
RICKY NELSON-- TV appearances with parents on "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" helped, but went on to sell 100 million records and recorded into his 30s.
MICHAEL JACKSON-- last of the Motown power cats launched the eleven-year-old to fame and continued into the 80s with the remarkable "Thriller" album. We won't talk about the later years even though he had several other very good efforts at recording.
BEYONCE-- Started with Destiny's Child and used it as a stepping off point for solo career.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-- 'N Sync vocalist who is a cross-genre hitmaker, especially with producer Timbaland.
Now You Know All About Teen Pop. --RoadDog
BUSTS--
FABIAN-- had hits late 50sand early 60s along with Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell.
DEFRANCO FAMILY-- Five Canadian siblings who hit it big with 2-million-selling "Heartbeat. It's a Lovebeat" in 1973 but were unable to follow it up.
TIFFANY-- Tiffany Renee Darwish-- toured shopping centers. First teenage girl with a #1 album. Hey, ease up on the Tiff. "I Think We're Alone Now."
SPICE GIRLS-- sold lots of records, T-shirts and lunch boxes, then were gone.
FAME
RICKY NELSON-- TV appearances with parents on "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" helped, but went on to sell 100 million records and recorded into his 30s.
MICHAEL JACKSON-- last of the Motown power cats launched the eleven-year-old to fame and continued into the 80s with the remarkable "Thriller" album. We won't talk about the later years even though he had several other very good efforts at recording.
BEYONCE-- Started with Destiny's Child and used it as a stepping off point for solo career.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE-- 'N Sync vocalist who is a cross-genre hitmaker, especially with producer Timbaland.
Now You Know All About Teen Pop. --RoadDog
Who Are the Jonas Brothers?
Until just recently, I did not know who they were, but I went to breakfast with a friend and his ten-year-old daughter and she was wearing a Jonas Brothers tee-shirt and kept writing her name as the wife of one of them. These guys are quite big with the younger set.
The August 24th Chicago Tribune said that their new album, excuse me, CD, "A Little Bit Longer" debuted at #1 last week with 525,000 disc sold in this day of downloads.
This kind of music has been called Teen Pop.
FLAME OUT OR FAME
The Tribune had a list of Teen Pop stars who made it and didn't.
FLAME OUTS-- Fabian (late 50s, early 60s), Tiffany (late 80s), Spice Girls (early 2000s).
FAME-- Ricky Nelson (50s), Michael Jackson (early 80s version), Beyonce (late 90s), Justin Timberlake (mid-2000s).
Hey, I Liked Tiffany. --RoadDog
The August 24th Chicago Tribune said that their new album, excuse me, CD, "A Little Bit Longer" debuted at #1 last week with 525,000 disc sold in this day of downloads.
This kind of music has been called Teen Pop.
FLAME OUT OR FAME
The Tribune had a list of Teen Pop stars who made it and didn't.
FLAME OUTS-- Fabian (late 50s, early 60s), Tiffany (late 80s), Spice Girls (early 2000s).
FAME-- Ricky Nelson (50s), Michael Jackson (early 80s version), Beyonce (late 90s), Justin Timberlake (mid-2000s).
Hey, I Liked Tiffany. --RoadDog
All Those Calories Pay Off
Big Congrats to Michael Phelps on the record-setting 8th swimming gold medal.
Back on August 14th, I wrote about his 12,000 calories a day intake.
Michael Esposito, in the August 24th Chicago Tribune, went to fast food company webs sites and did some math to figure out what 10,000 calories is equal to.
Here are his findings:
10,000 calories is equal to:
74 White Castle burgers
41 Vienna beef corn dogs
23 Wendy's quarter pound singles
47 Taco Bell tacos supreme
77 KFC Original Recipe drumsticks
45 Eli's plain cheesecake slices
15 Burger King Whoppers
1,667 8-inch sticks of celery
Wonder why you get so much celery.
Thanks, Michael. --RoadDog
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Liz's and My 35th Anniversary-- A Day in the Life As It Were
Yesterday, Liz and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. As my Dear Old Dad would sing....
NOT SO FUN STUFF
It started with me making a Japanese beetle sweep out in the yard. Then, I called the Allstate Motor Club and had someone come out to look at the 2003 Malibu. It turned out to be a very dead battery. Didn't turn it off and drove the car over to Five Star Repair and they put a new battery in right away.
Then had the real joy of going to the bank and paying my second installment on the 2007 property taxes, a cool $3,929. Now mind you, I already paid the same amount back in June. That puts us just shy of $8000 and over $500 more than last year, even though the price of our home dropped significantly. You'd think that if the price of the house dropped, the taxes would also drop. That is the excuse they alway use to raise taxes.
SOME FUN STUFF
We then went out for a cruise and float on Fox Lake. Weather was comfortable, but a bit too windy, so lots of white caps.
Even a bad day on a boat is better than a good day at work. Hey, wait a minute, we don't work any more.
Then, we drove to Richmond and NOT SO FUN filled the gas tank at the NOT SO FUN price of $3.89, but AT LEAST IT'S UNDER $4!!!
Had a great meal at Dilar's. We have been going here since we were in high school when it was Mr. Sitka's. So it is one of those "special places" for us. I had a house specialty of chicken breast de joghne which was quite good. Then, there was that fantastic onion soup.
DONOVAN'S AGAIN
Then, it was to the International House of Wineand Cheese where we looked for a bottle of Blue Nun. Liz's dad Amby had given us a small bottle of it before we left the wedding reception back in Dekalb, Illinois, was back in 1973. We were to drink it once we got out to Galena and that has been a tradition ever since. Alas, no Little Blue Nun for us.
We also stopped at a liquor store and Sentry in Twin Lakes, but no Blue Nun either.
Went to Donovan's. a favorite hangout and had a complimentary bottle of champagne with our many friends there. Played NTN and had quite a few national rankings.
Not a Bad 35th. Even with What Dad Sang. --RoadDog
NOT SO FUN STUFF
It started with me making a Japanese beetle sweep out in the yard. Then, I called the Allstate Motor Club and had someone come out to look at the 2003 Malibu. It turned out to be a very dead battery. Didn't turn it off and drove the car over to Five Star Repair and they put a new battery in right away.
Then had the real joy of going to the bank and paying my second installment on the 2007 property taxes, a cool $3,929. Now mind you, I already paid the same amount back in June. That puts us just shy of $8000 and over $500 more than last year, even though the price of our home dropped significantly. You'd think that if the price of the house dropped, the taxes would also drop. That is the excuse they alway use to raise taxes.
SOME FUN STUFF
We then went out for a cruise and float on Fox Lake. Weather was comfortable, but a bit too windy, so lots of white caps.
Even a bad day on a boat is better than a good day at work. Hey, wait a minute, we don't work any more.
Then, we drove to Richmond and NOT SO FUN filled the gas tank at the NOT SO FUN price of $3.89, but AT LEAST IT'S UNDER $4!!!
Had a great meal at Dilar's. We have been going here since we were in high school when it was Mr. Sitka's. So it is one of those "special places" for us. I had a house specialty of chicken breast de joghne which was quite good. Then, there was that fantastic onion soup.
DONOVAN'S AGAIN
Then, it was to the International House of Wineand Cheese where we looked for a bottle of Blue Nun. Liz's dad Amby had given us a small bottle of it before we left the wedding reception back in Dekalb, Illinois, was back in 1973. We were to drink it once we got out to Galena and that has been a tradition ever since. Alas, no Little Blue Nun for us.
We also stopped at a liquor store and Sentry in Twin Lakes, but no Blue Nun either.
Went to Donovan's. a favorite hangout and had a complimentary bottle of champagne with our many friends there. Played NTN and had quite a few national rankings.
Not a Bad 35th. Even with What Dad Sang. --RoadDog
Top Songs in Chicago-- August 3, 1968-- Part 3
Covering the third an final four of the show.
IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA-- IRON BUTTERFLY-- Not the edited radio version, but the FULL thing.
GRAZING IN THE GRASS-- HUGH MASAKELA
HUSH-- DEEP PURPLE-- Early heavy metal treatment on a Billy Joe Royal song.
MAGIC BUS-- WHO-- Love the percussion sticks or whatever it is on this one.
DESERTED CITIES OF THE HEART-- CREAM
YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON-- VANILLA FUDGE-- You'd never know this was a Motown song after they got through with it.
HELLO, I LOVE YOU-- DOORS-- One of my favorite Morrison songs along with "Roadhouse Blues." This one takes me right out to Honey Hill in Wauconda.
You may notice this list is a lot shorter than the other two. That's what happens when you include the full version of that Iron Butterfly song. Old Bob must have needed a bathroom break.
Looking Forward to Stroud's Last Time Warp to 1968 This Sunday. --RoadDog
IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA-- IRON BUTTERFLY-- Not the edited radio version, but the FULL thing.
GRAZING IN THE GRASS-- HUGH MASAKELA
HUSH-- DEEP PURPLE-- Early heavy metal treatment on a Billy Joe Royal song.
MAGIC BUS-- WHO-- Love the percussion sticks or whatever it is on this one.
DESERTED CITIES OF THE HEART-- CREAM
YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON-- VANILLA FUDGE-- You'd never know this was a Motown song after they got through with it.
HELLO, I LOVE YOU-- DOORS-- One of my favorite Morrison songs along with "Roadhouse Blues." This one takes me right out to Honey Hill in Wauconda.
You may notice this list is a lot shorter than the other two. That's what happens when you include the full version of that Iron Butterfly song. Old Bob must have needed a bathroom break.
Looking Forward to Stroud's Last Time Warp to 1968 This Sunday. --RoadDog
Top Songs in Chicago-- August 3, 1968-- Part 2
Continuing with Bob Stroud's playlist.
JUMPIN' JACK FLASH-- ROLLING STONES-- This song really brings me back to family trips to visit kinfolk back in North Carolina.
LEGEND OF A MIND-- MOODY BLUES
PIECE OF MY HEART-- BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY-- Janis Joplin again.
HURDY GURDY MAN-- DONOVAN-- I liked the humming intro.
STONED SOULED PICNIC-- FIFTH DIMENSION
QUESTIONS-- BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD-- One of my favorite all-time groups.
YOU AIN'T GOING NOWHERE-- BYRDS-- I play this a lot by Irish groups every St. Patrick's Day.
ALICE LONG (YOU'RE STILL MY FAVORITE GIRLFRIEND)
BORN TO BE WILD-- STEPPENWOLF-- Probably the ultimate Road Song.
SHAPES OF THINGS-- JEFF BECK-- Never heard of it.
CLASSICAL GAS-- MASON WILLIAMS-- One of the best-ever instrumentals.
TWO-BIT MANCHILD-- NEIL DIAMOND-- Don't much like this one.
PICTURES OF MATCHSTICK MEN-- STATUS QUO-- What an intro with that squealing guitar!! One really great one-hit wonder song.
I NEED LOVE-- THIRD BOOTH-- From Illinois.
More to Come. --RoadDog
JUMPIN' JACK FLASH-- ROLLING STONES-- This song really brings me back to family trips to visit kinfolk back in North Carolina.
LEGEND OF A MIND-- MOODY BLUES
PIECE OF MY HEART-- BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY-- Janis Joplin again.
HURDY GURDY MAN-- DONOVAN-- I liked the humming intro.
STONED SOULED PICNIC-- FIFTH DIMENSION
QUESTIONS-- BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD-- One of my favorite all-time groups.
YOU AIN'T GOING NOWHERE-- BYRDS-- I play this a lot by Irish groups every St. Patrick's Day.
ALICE LONG (YOU'RE STILL MY FAVORITE GIRLFRIEND)
BORN TO BE WILD-- STEPPENWOLF-- Probably the ultimate Road Song.
SHAPES OF THINGS-- JEFF BECK-- Never heard of it.
CLASSICAL GAS-- MASON WILLIAMS-- One of the best-ever instrumentals.
TWO-BIT MANCHILD-- NEIL DIAMOND-- Don't much like this one.
PICTURES OF MATCHSTICK MEN-- STATUS QUO-- What an intro with that squealing guitar!! One really great one-hit wonder song.
I NEED LOVE-- THIRD BOOTH-- From Illinois.
More to Come. --RoadDog
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Blooz Brothers
Last night, I went to the final It's Thursday party in Antioch, Illinois, to see the great Blooz Brothers Band put on a show. There is a four man horn section, bass and lead guitarists, drummer, and organist along with Jake and Elwood.
The whole pavillion seating area was packed. Hey, it was free. Hard to beat that these days.
The band played one song, then there were all these flashing lights and sirens as several of Antioch's finest "escorted" the Bloozmobile (replete with a huge speaker on the top) into the parking lot.
Jake and Elwood then made a mad dash up to the stage, uncuffed the brief case, and proceeded into "Everybody Needs Somebody" after thanking Antioch's law enforcement. They played several Blues Brothers songs as well as one Doobie Brothers and Sly's "Thank You Fa Lettin' Me B'Myself."
Unfortunately, I saw them covering the control booth and a few minutes later, Elwood said that a storm was about ten minutes out and we should start preparing, but the show would go on. Not having rain gear and not liking to get rained on, I left with heavy heart. I was having a really good time.
Hope They're Back Next Year. --RoadDog
The whole pavillion seating area was packed. Hey, it was free. Hard to beat that these days.
The band played one song, then there were all these flashing lights and sirens as several of Antioch's finest "escorted" the Bloozmobile (replete with a huge speaker on the top) into the parking lot.
Jake and Elwood then made a mad dash up to the stage, uncuffed the brief case, and proceeded into "Everybody Needs Somebody" after thanking Antioch's law enforcement. They played several Blues Brothers songs as well as one Doobie Brothers and Sly's "Thank You Fa Lettin' Me B'Myself."
Unfortunately, I saw them covering the control booth and a few minutes later, Elwood said that a storm was about ten minutes out and we should start preparing, but the show would go on. Not having rain gear and not liking to get rained on, I left with heavy heart. I was having a really good time.
Hope They're Back Next Year. --RoadDog
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Top Songs in Chicago-- August 8, 1968
At the beginning of the month, Bob Stroud took us back to the songs that were popular in Chicago 40 years earlier. I want to tell you, these songs brought back memories. Which, after all, is a major thing a song should do.
Here is the list with my comments.
SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE-- CREAM
SWLBR-- CREAM-- Hard to believe three guys couldmake this much sound. Besides CCR, this was the only group I bought every one of their albums when they came out. I first heard them from their "Fresh Cream" album while visiting my family in North Carolina.
LIGHT MY FIRE-- JOSE FELICIANO-- a little Latin flair.
SPANISH CARAVAN-- DOORS-- these last two kind of tied in together
PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE-- RASCALS
I'M A MIDNIGHT MOVER-- WILSON PICKETT-- One of my favorite soul singers. The Wicked Pickett.
DO IT AGAIN-- BEACH BOYS-- Going back to the good old days back in the good old days.
FRIENDS-- BEACH BOYS
SKY PILOT-- ERIC BURDON AND THE ANIMALS-- This song always reminds me of going to NC. LOve the first words and the battle sounds.
SLIP AWAY-- CLARENCE CARTER-- Dr. CC before he got down and dirty.
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME-- MAMAS AND PAPAS
INDIAN LAKE-- COWSILLS-- This song takes me back to Honey Hill in Wauconda where most of the Burger King crew would go during the summer.
JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE MIND-- AMBOY DUKES-- Was that the Detroit Wildman, Ted Nugent?
DOWN ON ME-- BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY-- Better known as Janis Joplin
More to Come. Songs Were Much Shorter Then. --RoadDog
Here is the list with my comments.
SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE-- CREAM
SWLBR-- CREAM-- Hard to believe three guys couldmake this much sound. Besides CCR, this was the only group I bought every one of their albums when they came out. I first heard them from their "Fresh Cream" album while visiting my family in North Carolina.
LIGHT MY FIRE-- JOSE FELICIANO-- a little Latin flair.
SPANISH CARAVAN-- DOORS-- these last two kind of tied in together
PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE-- RASCALS
I'M A MIDNIGHT MOVER-- WILSON PICKETT-- One of my favorite soul singers. The Wicked Pickett.
DO IT AGAIN-- BEACH BOYS-- Going back to the good old days back in the good old days.
FRIENDS-- BEACH BOYS
SKY PILOT-- ERIC BURDON AND THE ANIMALS-- This song always reminds me of going to NC. LOve the first words and the battle sounds.
SLIP AWAY-- CLARENCE CARTER-- Dr. CC before he got down and dirty.
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME-- MAMAS AND PAPAS
INDIAN LAKE-- COWSILLS-- This song takes me back to Honey Hill in Wauconda where most of the Burger King crew would go during the summer.
JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE MIND-- AMBOY DUKES-- Was that the Detroit Wildman, Ted Nugent?
DOWN ON ME-- BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY-- Better known as Janis Joplin
More to Come. Songs Were Much Shorter Then. --RoadDog
Billboard's Top 100 Charts-- Part 2
When I was deejaying more-or-less full time, part time,I used the Billboard charts a lot. I always tried to have the top ten pop and country songs at all times, either on 45 or lp. I even cut the lists out of the Chicago Tribune and put them in a scrapbook.
I also bought Joel Whitburn's Top 40 chart books that went from the 50s and were updated every couple of years. I even purchased a massive book listing EVERY top 100song as well as one for the top R&B songs. I would especiallyuse these to keeptrack ofmy always growing collection of albums and 45s, later cassettes and then CDs. It helped greatly if I was doing a wedding or private party and I had special requests for songs.
Joel Whitburn turned a passion into a full-time career with his Record Research Company. He started collecting records as a teenager back in the 50s and as his holdings grew began sorting and categorizing. I believe I heard that he has every top 100 song from the 50s.
It's Great When You Can Turn a Hobby Into a Career. Congrats, Joel!! --RoadDog
I also bought Joel Whitburn's Top 40 chart books that went from the 50s and were updated every couple of years. I even purchased a massive book listing EVERY top 100song as well as one for the top R&B songs. I would especiallyuse these to keeptrack ofmy always growing collection of albums and 45s, later cassettes and then CDs. It helped greatly if I was doing a wedding or private party and I had special requests for songs.
Joel Whitburn turned a passion into a full-time career with his Record Research Company. He started collecting records as a teenager back in the 50s and as his holdings grew began sorting and categorizing. I believe I heard that he has every top 100 song from the 50s.
It's Great When You Can Turn a Hobby Into a Career. Congrats, Joel!! --RoadDog
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Hot 100 Chart Turns 50
Billboard's Hot 100 chart turned 50 on August 4th after debuting that date back in 1958. The number one song was "poor Little Fool" by Ricky Nelson. To me, this is STILL what determines the top songs.
Some interesting facts about the Top 100:
Most weeks at #1-- Mariah Carey and Boys II Men with "One Sweet Day"-- 16 weeks (not a favorite of mine).
In 1964, the Beatles became the first group to replace themselves at #1 when "She Loves You" took the top spot from "I Want to Hold Your Hand."
At one point, the Beatles had the top five spots with "Can'y Buy Me Love," "Twist and Shout," "She Loves You," "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and "Please, Please Me." At one time they also had 14 songs in the top 100.
Otis Redding was the first to have a posthumous #1 with 1968's "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay."
Domenico Modugno's "Volare" was the first non-English #1.
Cher went the longest time between #1s with 1965's "I Got You Babe" and 1979's "Believe." That's 33 years and seven months.
The top 100 chart takes into account sales and play on the radio.
On August 4, 1958, there were only 48 states and gas was at the high rate of 25 cents a gallon.
The Real #1s. --RoadDog
Some interesting facts about the Top 100:
Most weeks at #1-- Mariah Carey and Boys II Men with "One Sweet Day"-- 16 weeks (not a favorite of mine).
In 1964, the Beatles became the first group to replace themselves at #1 when "She Loves You" took the top spot from "I Want to Hold Your Hand."
At one point, the Beatles had the top five spots with "Can'y Buy Me Love," "Twist and Shout," "She Loves You," "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and "Please, Please Me." At one time they also had 14 songs in the top 100.
Otis Redding was the first to have a posthumous #1 with 1968's "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay."
Domenico Modugno's "Volare" was the first non-English #1.
Cher went the longest time between #1s with 1965's "I Got You Babe" and 1979's "Believe." That's 33 years and seven months.
The top 100 chart takes into account sales and play on the radio.
On August 4, 1958, there were only 48 states and gas was at the high rate of 25 cents a gallon.
The Real #1s. --RoadDog
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Let Me Tell You About My Dumb Birds
Lately, we've been hearing a lot of tappa-tappa-tapping on the basement window. The sound comes from who we3 call Dumb Bird #1, a female cardinal who is intent on gaining access to the basement plants by flying through the window.
She perches on the bushes and then flies right into the window, with her beak making a tap. Now, you'd think that after awhile, she'd get the idea that she couldn't do it, but not her. I walk over to the window and she flies away and glares at me. Her mate is around, but he can't get her to stop either.
Sure hope she doesn't hurt herself. I've been wanting to get some cardinals to hang around since we moved in 15 years ago, but I'm not sure that I want a "challenged" bird or her family.
Must have one REALLY HARD BEAK.
Anybody Know How to Say "No" in Cardinasl? --RoadDog
She perches on the bushes and then flies right into the window, with her beak making a tap. Now, you'd think that after awhile, she'd get the idea that she couldn't do it, but not her. I walk over to the window and she flies away and glares at me. Her mate is around, but he can't get her to stop either.
Sure hope she doesn't hurt herself. I've been wanting to get some cardinals to hang around since we moved in 15 years ago, but I'm not sure that I want a "challenged" bird or her family.
Must have one REALLY HARD BEAK.
Anybody Know How to Say "No" in Cardinasl? --RoadDog
Monday, August 18, 2008
Gas Prices Falling, So What Happened Here?
Today's CNN Money said that gas prices across the country dropped for the 32nd straight day. The country's average is $3.74.
What I want to know is what caused our gas prices here on the McHenry/Lake county border here in Illinois to jump last Thursday from $3.88 to as high as $4.06? That was within a few hours. Now, of course, it will take over a month to drop back down. You know, ROCKET UP, FLOAT LIKE A FEATHER DOWN.
No cause for it, other than GRB Big Oil greed.
What I want to know is what caused our gas prices here on the McHenry/Lake county border here in Illinois to jump last Thursday from $3.88 to as high as $4.06? That was within a few hours. Now, of course, it will take over a month to drop back down. You know, ROCKET UP, FLOAT LIKE A FEATHER DOWN.
No cause for it, other than GRB Big Oil greed.
Guys Like This Really Burn Me!!!
An article in the Saturday, August 16th Chicago Tribune about United Airlines CFO Frederic Brace retiring. This person demanded steep salary concessions from the workers and destroyed pensions, all the while taking as a reward, $10.4 million and receiving 13,000 shares of restricted stock in 2007 "for his exceptional contributions..."
Let's see, I'll take it out of your pocket while you're working and really mess up those who worked all those years for the company and retired, and, I'll put it in MY POCKET.
No mention in the article as to how much he will get as a "retirement" gift. Maybe that can be "restructured" after he's gone.
A True Leader Makes His Own Concessions When Times Are Tough, and Doesn't Step to the Head of the Line to Get Rich. Just Another Example of the Guys (AS IN CEOs and Evidently CFOs) We Have Running This Coutry's Business Today. --RoadDog
Let's see, I'll take it out of your pocket while you're working and really mess up those who worked all those years for the company and retired, and, I'll put it in MY POCKET.
No mention in the article as to how much he will get as a "retirement" gift. Maybe that can be "restructured" after he's gone.
A True Leader Makes His Own Concessions When Times Are Tough, and Doesn't Step to the Head of the Line to Get Rich. Just Another Example of the Guys (AS IN CEOs and Evidently CFOs) We Have Running This Coutry's Business Today. --RoadDog
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Bob Stroud's Summer Road Trip-- Part 2
Continuing With That Summer Road trip. Gas is on Bob. Thanks Bob!!!
ROLL ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY-- BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE-- One of the perfect cruising songs.
THE E STREET SHUFFLE-- BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
TOBACCO ROAD-- NASHVILLE TEENS-- Bob said these guys were part of the British Invasion. Were they singing about the UNC-Duke rivalry?
Get Your Kicks on Route 66-- Rolling Stones-- Hey Bob, other groups have done the song. You always play the Stones. How about Chuck Berry's version? The "ULTIMATE" cruising song,but then, I'm a bit of a 66 fan.
MAIN STREET-- BOB SEGER
LOVE STREET-- DOORS-- "Roadhouse Blues" would have been better, but this is good as well. Pretty much anything the Doors did back then was great.
ON BROADWAY-- GEORGE BENSON-- jazzing down that street
THE WALL STREET SHUFFLE-- 10CC-- very innovative band.
THE 59TH STREET BRIDGE SONG (FEELIN' GROOVY)-- SIMON AND GARFUNKEL-- Time to get out of NYC.
COUNTRY ROAD-- JAMES TAYLOR-- That's more like it. Out in the country.
GASOLINE ALLEY-- ROD STEWART
LAKE SHORE DRIVE-- ALIOTA--HAYNES--JEREMIAH-- Let's close it out in Sweet Home Chicago. Did LSD have a double meaning? Actually, US Highway 41 which goes from the Lake Huron shore in the Upper Peninsula all the way to Miami.
Still Wishin' I Could Afford to Cruise. --RoadDog
ROLL ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY-- BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE-- One of the perfect cruising songs.
THE E STREET SHUFFLE-- BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
TOBACCO ROAD-- NASHVILLE TEENS-- Bob said these guys were part of the British Invasion. Were they singing about the UNC-Duke rivalry?
Get Your Kicks on Route 66-- Rolling Stones-- Hey Bob, other groups have done the song. You always play the Stones. How about Chuck Berry's version? The "ULTIMATE" cruising song,but then, I'm a bit of a 66 fan.
MAIN STREET-- BOB SEGER
LOVE STREET-- DOORS-- "Roadhouse Blues" would have been better, but this is good as well. Pretty much anything the Doors did back then was great.
ON BROADWAY-- GEORGE BENSON-- jazzing down that street
THE WALL STREET SHUFFLE-- 10CC-- very innovative band.
THE 59TH STREET BRIDGE SONG (FEELIN' GROOVY)-- SIMON AND GARFUNKEL-- Time to get out of NYC.
COUNTRY ROAD-- JAMES TAYLOR-- That's more like it. Out in the country.
GASOLINE ALLEY-- ROD STEWART
LAKE SHORE DRIVE-- ALIOTA--HAYNES--JEREMIAH-- Let's close it out in Sweet Home Chicago. Did LSD have a double meaning? Actually, US Highway 41 which goes from the Lake Huron shore in the Upper Peninsula all the way to Miami.
Still Wishin' I Could Afford to Cruise. --RoadDog
Friday, August 15, 2008
How's This for a Jolt in the Old Gas Tank and Wallet
Yesterday, we went out boating and put five gallons of gas in the tank. It cost $3.88 a gallon for rtegular.
I always look at gas prices and have been encouraged that the price is dropping, sorry about that Exxon-Mobil. Although, it seems to have gotten stuck at this price at most stations in Fox Lake, Illinois. (I should mention here that Wednesday, we got gas in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a major tourist resort, for $3.79, the "cheapest" I've seen in quite awhile.)
Gas was still $3.92 at the unfriendly Philip's 66 on US-12, but $3.88 everywhere else, including Idiot Boy's Citgo on 12. On the way home, we were shocked to see the price at $4.06!!!!! That's an 18 cent increase in just over 3 hours!!! What gives??? It takes the stations over a month to drop that amount!!!!
What happened? Did the Boy blow his cool, or did some Mideastern or African dictator sneeze? Or perhaps, the GRB Bog Oil Dudes just WANTED more money.
After All, $11.6 Billion Just Ain't Enough to Buy Food No More!! --RoadDog
I always look at gas prices and have been encouraged that the price is dropping, sorry about that Exxon-Mobil. Although, it seems to have gotten stuck at this price at most stations in Fox Lake, Illinois. (I should mention here that Wednesday, we got gas in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a major tourist resort, for $3.79, the "cheapest" I've seen in quite awhile.)
Gas was still $3.92 at the unfriendly Philip's 66 on US-12, but $3.88 everywhere else, including Idiot Boy's Citgo on 12. On the way home, we were shocked to see the price at $4.06!!!!! That's an 18 cent increase in just over 3 hours!!! What gives??? It takes the stations over a month to drop that amount!!!!
What happened? Did the Boy blow his cool, or did some Mideastern or African dictator sneeze? Or perhaps, the GRB Bog Oil Dudes just WANTED more money.
After All, $11.6 Billion Just Ain't Enough to Buy Food No More!! --RoadDog
Lake Geneva Here We Go-- Part 2
I knew Lake Geneva got busy during the summer, but had no idea just HOW busy. We had to detour to get over to Popeye's located across the street from Geneva Lake. Traffic was backed up tremendously and it didn'tappear that we would be able to get through the stop light.
Popeye's, not to be confused with the popular New Orleans fried chicken chain, has been there since the 1970s and, from a modest beginning, has really built up one of the most popular restaurants in town. And then, there's that view of the lake, especially if you are fortunate to get a table along the windows. We didn't, but still had a nice view from a table located more to the interior.
Then, there's the great food, albeit a bit on the expensive side. About the cheapest sandwich on the menu is $8.99. We usually only go when we get 50% off coupons for our birthdays, or in this case, a local VIP coupon, also good for half off and for EVERY WEDNESDAY in August. This helps offset the price and gas to get there. I should mention that once a month, they have a $2.99 meal. This month it's chicken and dumplings.
Great meal.
WALKABOUT
Afterwards, we visited a windsock shop and another with all sorts of signs and other dust-gatherers, but am happy to report we didn't buy anything. Of course, being a tourist spot,there are tee shirt places (where we got the idea for our "I Don't Want To, I Don't Have To, You Can't Make Me, I'm Retired" idea for Liz's Zazzle shirts.
We visited one store famous for their delicious varieties ofpopcorn and the owner talked about Route 66 when he saw the name on my hat. Maybe we should have a special Route 66 popcorn variety.
One sad thing is that after this season, the local video machine place will be closing forever, a victim of the times. This used to be a really hot spot for kids to spend their quarters and play the latest games, but now, they have their own hand-held devices as well as the games on computers.
Then, Again, Sometimes I Feel Like a Victim of the Times. --RoadDog
Popeye's, not to be confused with the popular New Orleans fried chicken chain, has been there since the 1970s and, from a modest beginning, has really built up one of the most popular restaurants in town. And then, there's that view of the lake, especially if you are fortunate to get a table along the windows. We didn't, but still had a nice view from a table located more to the interior.
Then, there's the great food, albeit a bit on the expensive side. About the cheapest sandwich on the menu is $8.99. We usually only go when we get 50% off coupons for our birthdays, or in this case, a local VIP coupon, also good for half off and for EVERY WEDNESDAY in August. This helps offset the price and gas to get there. I should mention that once a month, they have a $2.99 meal. This month it's chicken and dumplings.
Great meal.
WALKABOUT
Afterwards, we visited a windsock shop and another with all sorts of signs and other dust-gatherers, but am happy to report we didn't buy anything. Of course, being a tourist spot,there are tee shirt places (where we got the idea for our "I Don't Want To, I Don't Have To, You Can't Make Me, I'm Retired" idea for Liz's Zazzle shirts.
We visited one store famous for their delicious varieties ofpopcorn and the owner talked about Route 66 when he saw the name on my hat. Maybe we should have a special Route 66 popcorn variety.
One sad thing is that after this season, the local video machine place will be closing forever, a victim of the times. This used to be a really hot spot for kids to spend their quarters and play the latest games, but now, they have their own hand-held devices as well as the games on computers.
Then, Again, Sometimes I Feel Like a Victim of the Times. --RoadDog
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