From Rob O'Connor's List of the Day, Dec. 1st. He admits that there is no real reason he ranked them as he did. Someone just needed to make a list. he gave some details on each one as well. I'll include my comments.
25. 98 Degrees
24. Tiffany (Hey I liked her remake of Tommy James' "I Think We're Alone.")
23. Brandy (I had a dog by that name.)
22. New Kids on the Block
21. Frankie Lymon--(You've just got to like "Why Do Fools Fall in Love.")
20. Shaun Cassidy
19. Debbie Gibson
18. Ricky Nelson (I'd say he should be higher there, Rob.)
17. 'N Sync (Boy Band or Not, they were good. Same with #22.)
16. LeAnn Rimes (What a voice on that "Blue!")
15. Silver Chair (Who?)
14. Hanson (Their "Mmm Bob" was one great song.)
More to Come. Top 13 That Is. --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.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Where Were You December 7, 1969?-- Part 2
Continuing from Dec. 9th with Bob Stroud's Time Warp.
ELI'S COMING-- THREE DOG NIGHT-- This and the next song were both also written by Laura Nyro. From their second album, "Suitable for Framing."
WEDDING BELL BLUES-- FIFTH DIMENSION--
COME TOGETHER-- BEATLES-- Both from an album that had just been out a little over two months called "Abbey Road."
SOMETHING-- BEATLES-- "A" and "B" sides of current single.
BACKFIELD IN MOTION-- MEL AND TIM-- Out just in time for football season.
DOWN ON THE CORNER-- CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL-- flip side of "Fortunate Son" (Hard to beat a two-sided hit like this one and the Beatles one.)
JAM UP AND JELLY TIGHT-- TOMMY ROE-- part of a long list of hits from him (Many folks put him down, but this was some great stuff.)
SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER-- DIANA ROSS & SUPREMES-- Diana Ross' swan song with the Supremes.
NA NA HEY HEY (KISS HIM GOODBYE)-- STEAM-- The number One song this date. This was a studio concoction only meant to be a "B" side. The group of musicians who made this didn't think much of it, but when they presented it, the record company said, "Are you kidding?" (Hey, Nancy Faust made this the song of the Chicago White Sox during the time of the South Side Hitmen in 1977 and they've been playing it ever since and more than a few other teams use it, but we were first!!)
Bob Stroud also introduces each segment with a song and a few words about it. Here they are.
DADDY DON'T CRY-- ELVIS PRESLEY-- Follow up to "Suspicious Minds"
MIDNIGHT COWBOY-- popular movie at the time.
ELEANOR RIGBY-- ARETHA FRANKLIN-- recently voted by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best rock singer of all time. (And, I would have figured her for best soul singer.)
Still to come, Dec. 7, 1974.
Great Times to Have Been Listening to the Old Radio and Record Player. --RoadDog
ELI'S COMING-- THREE DOG NIGHT-- This and the next song were both also written by Laura Nyro. From their second album, "Suitable for Framing."
WEDDING BELL BLUES-- FIFTH DIMENSION--
COME TOGETHER-- BEATLES-- Both from an album that had just been out a little over two months called "Abbey Road."
SOMETHING-- BEATLES-- "A" and "B" sides of current single.
BACKFIELD IN MOTION-- MEL AND TIM-- Out just in time for football season.
DOWN ON THE CORNER-- CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL-- flip side of "Fortunate Son" (Hard to beat a two-sided hit like this one and the Beatles one.)
JAM UP AND JELLY TIGHT-- TOMMY ROE-- part of a long list of hits from him (Many folks put him down, but this was some great stuff.)
SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER-- DIANA ROSS & SUPREMES-- Diana Ross' swan song with the Supremes.
NA NA HEY HEY (KISS HIM GOODBYE)-- STEAM-- The number One song this date. This was a studio concoction only meant to be a "B" side. The group of musicians who made this didn't think much of it, but when they presented it, the record company said, "Are you kidding?" (Hey, Nancy Faust made this the song of the Chicago White Sox during the time of the South Side Hitmen in 1977 and they've been playing it ever since and more than a few other teams use it, but we were first!!)
Bob Stroud also introduces each segment with a song and a few words about it. Here they are.
DADDY DON'T CRY-- ELVIS PRESLEY-- Follow up to "Suspicious Minds"
MIDNIGHT COWBOY-- popular movie at the time.
ELEANOR RIGBY-- ARETHA FRANKLIN-- recently voted by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best rock singer of all time. (And, I would have figured her for best soul singer.)
Still to come, Dec. 7, 1974.
Great Times to Have Been Listening to the Old Radio and Record Player. --RoadDog
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Top Chicago Songs, Dec. 3, 1960
From WLS' Silver Dollar Survey. I was very happy when Chicago's True Oldies station changed its name to WLS-FM. WLS was one of the two stations kids listened to growing up in Chicagoland in the 60s and 70s. The other being WCFL, both AM stations.
Their website also has the Silver Dollar Survey, the list of the top songs in Chicago for the week.
The top songs for Dec. 3, 1960:
1. Are You Lonesome Tonight-- Elvis Presley
2. A Thousand Stars-- Kathy Young
3. Lonely Teenager-- Dion
4. Poetry in Motion-- Johnny Tillotson
5. New Orleans-- Gary "US" Bonds
6. Hucklebuck-- Chubby Checker
7. Exodus-- Ferrante and Teicher
8. Rat Race-- Richard Maltby
9. You're 16-- Johnny Burnette
10. Sailor-- Lolita
I'd never heard of numbers 8 and 10, but then again, I wasn't listening to pop music back then. It took a little old band from Liverpool in early '64 to get my attention.
The majority of the rest of the top 40 were also songs I am not familiar with.
However, I did like #15 "North to Alaska" by Johnny Horton and #27 "Last date" by Floyd Cramer.
Deejay Bob Hale had the "East of Midnight Show" Monday to Saturday from midnight to 5:30 AM. Well, you gotta start somewhere.
WLA, WLS, WLS!!! --RoadDog
Their website also has the Silver Dollar Survey, the list of the top songs in Chicago for the week.
The top songs for Dec. 3, 1960:
1. Are You Lonesome Tonight-- Elvis Presley
2. A Thousand Stars-- Kathy Young
3. Lonely Teenager-- Dion
4. Poetry in Motion-- Johnny Tillotson
5. New Orleans-- Gary "US" Bonds
6. Hucklebuck-- Chubby Checker
7. Exodus-- Ferrante and Teicher
8. Rat Race-- Richard Maltby
9. You're 16-- Johnny Burnette
10. Sailor-- Lolita
I'd never heard of numbers 8 and 10, but then again, I wasn't listening to pop music back then. It took a little old band from Liverpool in early '64 to get my attention.
The majority of the rest of the top 40 were also songs I am not familiar with.
However, I did like #15 "North to Alaska" by Johnny Horton and #27 "Last date" by Floyd Cramer.
Deejay Bob Hale had the "East of Midnight Show" Monday to Saturday from midnight to 5:30 AM. Well, you gotta start somewhere.
WLA, WLS, WLS!!! --RoadDog
All Hail the Gov
Time to get those old shoe boxes out. As they say, Illinois politics have hit a new low. You'd think that with the most recent governor behind bars, that the current one might have gotten the signal, BUT, NOOOO!!!
Dear old Rod got caught with his hand in the ol' cookie jar. Imagine trying to SELL the seat to the US Senate? And that was just some of the things he was up to. And there are still questions about his wife's real estate ventures.
I must admit, I never voted for the guy. His campaigns were just nothing short of dirty mud-slinging, His first election was so dirty, I couldn't vote for either him or his Republican opponent.
Then, there was his commuting to Springfield (and I believe at state expense) and refusal to live in the governor's mansion. I had my doubts about him right then. Anyone who would rather live in Chicago than Springfield?? Hhhmmmnnn.
And, I'm not even going to try to spell his last name.
A New Low. --RoadDog
Dear old Rod got caught with his hand in the ol' cookie jar. Imagine trying to SELL the seat to the US Senate? And that was just some of the things he was up to. And there are still questions about his wife's real estate ventures.
I must admit, I never voted for the guy. His campaigns were just nothing short of dirty mud-slinging, His first election was so dirty, I couldn't vote for either him or his Republican opponent.
Then, there was his commuting to Springfield (and I believe at state expense) and refusal to live in the governor's mansion. I had my doubts about him right then. Anyone who would rather live in Chicago than Springfield?? Hhhmmmnnn.
And, I'm not even going to try to spell his last name.
A New Low. --RoadDog
#1 Songs This Date in the Seventies
1979-- Babe-- Styx
1978-- Le Freak-- Chic
1977-- You Light Up My Life-- Debby Boone (Oh Well)
1976-- Tonight's the Night-- Rod Stewart
1975-- Fly Robin Fly-- Silver Connection
1974-- Kung Fu Fighting-- Carl Douglas (I wonder how it ranked on Stroud's list from Sunday?)
1973-- The Most beautiful Girl-- Charlie Rich (The Silver Fox)
1972-- I Am Woman-- Helen Reddy
1971-- Family Affair-- Sly & the Family Stone
1970-- The Tears of a Clown-- Smokey Robinson & Miracles
Some Great Stuff and Not So Good-- RoadDog
1978-- Le Freak-- Chic
1977-- You Light Up My Life-- Debby Boone (Oh Well)
1976-- Tonight's the Night-- Rod Stewart
1975-- Fly Robin Fly-- Silver Connection
1974-- Kung Fu Fighting-- Carl Douglas (I wonder how it ranked on Stroud's list from Sunday?)
1973-- The Most beautiful Girl-- Charlie Rich (The Silver Fox)
1972-- I Am Woman-- Helen Reddy
1971-- Family Affair-- Sly & the Family Stone
1970-- The Tears of a Clown-- Smokey Robinson & Miracles
Some Great Stuff and Not So Good-- RoadDog
Where Were You December 7, 1969?
Good Old Bob Stroud had a Time Warp this last Sunday, back to Dec. 7th, 1969 and 1974.
I was in college in 1969 at Northern Illinois University and finishing up my first semester freshman year. I was having a great time with my dorm floor an Lincoln 3A, that's be third floor A wing. My roommate was Chuck Hartsell from Peoria and we had our own group called the Keggers. Later, it became an independent organization like a fraternity and even had their own house.
I was buying lots of 39 cent 45s at various places around Dekalb and back home in Palatine. These were 45s that had been on jukeboxes and you had to check for wear and scratches. A brand new 45 cost 99 cents. That was a lot of money for me back in those days.
Unfortunately, I slept through the first six songs since he starts at 7 AM CST. His comments follow. Mine are in parentheses.
EVIL WOMAN-- CROW-- (Definitely a heavy song)
HEAVEN KNOWS-- GRASS ROOTS-- (a much underrated group)
EARLY IN THE MORNING-- VANITY FAIR--
AND WHEN I DIE-- BS&T-- By Laura Nyro, one of three tunes she penned that were in the charts--(This and Lucretia MacEvil are my favorite Sweat songs)
BABY IT'S YOU-- SMITH--
UP ON CRIPPLE CREEK-- BAND-- From their second, self-titled album-- (bought all their albums as they released them, as I also did for Creedence)
FORTUNATE SON-- CCR-- one half of a two-sided hit-- (If I had to chose just one all-time favorite group, this would be it.)
HOLLY HOLY-- NEIL DIAMOND--
SUITE; JUDY BLUE EYES-- CSN-- the second single off their Crosby Stills and Nash album-- ( a third group I'd buy every album as released.
More to Come. --RoadDog
I was in college in 1969 at Northern Illinois University and finishing up my first semester freshman year. I was having a great time with my dorm floor an Lincoln 3A, that's be third floor A wing. My roommate was Chuck Hartsell from Peoria and we had our own group called the Keggers. Later, it became an independent organization like a fraternity and even had their own house.
I was buying lots of 39 cent 45s at various places around Dekalb and back home in Palatine. These were 45s that had been on jukeboxes and you had to check for wear and scratches. A brand new 45 cost 99 cents. That was a lot of money for me back in those days.
Unfortunately, I slept through the first six songs since he starts at 7 AM CST. His comments follow. Mine are in parentheses.
EVIL WOMAN-- CROW-- (Definitely a heavy song)
HEAVEN KNOWS-- GRASS ROOTS-- (a much underrated group)
EARLY IN THE MORNING-- VANITY FAIR--
AND WHEN I DIE-- BS&T-- By Laura Nyro, one of three tunes she penned that were in the charts--(This and Lucretia MacEvil are my favorite Sweat songs)
BABY IT'S YOU-- SMITH--
UP ON CRIPPLE CREEK-- BAND-- From their second, self-titled album-- (bought all their albums as they released them, as I also did for Creedence)
FORTUNATE SON-- CCR-- one half of a two-sided hit-- (If I had to chose just one all-time favorite group, this would be it.)
HOLLY HOLY-- NEIL DIAMOND--
SUITE; JUDY BLUE EYES-- CSN-- the second single off their Crosby Stills and Nash album-- ( a third group I'd buy every album as released.
More to Come. --RoadDog
Monday, December 8, 2008
JSS: John Lennon-- Bears Party-- Bye Bye Boston Legal-- Cold and Snow, Rain Snow and Cold
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. JOHN LENNON-- Sorry to say that Beatle John Lennon was murdered this date in 1980. Was it THAT long ago? The Beatles sure had an impact on me. They were the ones that got me interested in music. Without that, I never would have been a deejay.
2. BEARS PARTY-- Sunday, we had about 15 friends over for the Bears party. The earlier one last month against the Packers was rather dismal. At least Da Bears won this one against the Jaguars.
3. BYE BYE BOSTON LEGAL-- Sad to see that tonight will be the last episode of Boston Legal. I sure will miss it and always look forward to seeing what Denny Crane will do. I'll also miss Alan Shore's escapades in the courtroom.
4. COLD AND SNOW AND THEN RAIN-- Come on and give us a break. This is all we get these days. If it's not snowing, it's very cold. Today, I had to work on some strands of lights at the gazebo and what started as a perfect day for it, started raining by the time I got back home. Not much fun playing with electricity in the rain, but fortunately it had slowed down by the time I got out to it.
No More Denny and Alan. Sigh!! --RoadDog
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Pearl Harbor Anniversary Today
It was 67 years ago today. Also on a Sunday.
The Nov. 11th Joplin Globe had an article that pretty-well explains why we need to recognize and teach the date to our younger generations.
For years, Richard Ferguson went around to the schools of southwest Missouri talking about his experiences at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day. He died last month.
Associated Press estimates that around 1,000 World War II veterans are dying every day. A force that once stood proudly 16 million-strong is now estimated at 2.5 million.
Mr. Ferguson was 88 and a member of Battery "E" 64th Coast Artillery at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, during the attack. He was also the last survivor of a local breakfast club of Pearl Harbor survivors.
The Greatest Generation.
The Nov. 11th Joplin Globe had an article that pretty-well explains why we need to recognize and teach the date to our younger generations.
For years, Richard Ferguson went around to the schools of southwest Missouri talking about his experiences at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day. He died last month.
Associated Press estimates that around 1,000 World War II veterans are dying every day. A force that once stood proudly 16 million-strong is now estimated at 2.5 million.
Mr. Ferguson was 88 and a member of Battery "E" 64th Coast Artillery at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, during the attack. He was also the last survivor of a local breakfast club of Pearl Harbor survivors.
The Greatest Generation.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tomorrow, December 7th, the Day That Will Live in Infamy
Tomorrow is the "Day of Infamy." US forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, were suddenly attacked by planes from Japan and the country entered World War II.
An article in the December 4th Market Watch.
"You can count on one hand the number of events that changed everyone's life--everywhere, forever," says National World War II Museum President Dr. Gordon Mueller. "December 7th, 1941 was certainly one such event."
Quote from the article. "Though World War II was the most pivotal event of modern times, the memory of the valor and sacrifice of America's Greatest Generation grows harder to summon as the men and women who fought its battles both around the globe and on the Home Front are passing away. Veterans are dying at the rate of 900 a day, and vanishing with them, the personal stories of epic battles and deeds of sacrifice and heroism that museums and historians must keep alive."
The National World War II Museum has more than 2,500 personal accounts of veterans as well as more than 500 videos.
Anyone who has relatives who lived through this event should record their thoughts and recollections before it is too late.
Enough Said.
An article in the December 4th Market Watch.
"You can count on one hand the number of events that changed everyone's life--everywhere, forever," says National World War II Museum President Dr. Gordon Mueller. "December 7th, 1941 was certainly one such event."
Quote from the article. "Though World War II was the most pivotal event of modern times, the memory of the valor and sacrifice of America's Greatest Generation grows harder to summon as the men and women who fought its battles both around the globe and on the Home Front are passing away. Veterans are dying at the rate of 900 a day, and vanishing with them, the personal stories of epic battles and deeds of sacrifice and heroism that museums and historians must keep alive."
The National World War II Museum has more than 2,500 personal accounts of veterans as well as more than 500 videos.
Anyone who has relatives who lived through this event should record their thoughts and recollections before it is too late.
Enough Said.
50th Anniversary of OLA Tragedy
I didn't mention it here, (I did in my other blog, Cooter's History Thing), but Monday, December 1st, marked the 50th anniversary of the tragic Our Lady of Angels fire in Chicago in which 92 children and three nuns died.
I came across an article in the December 4th Marin (Ca) Independent Journal about the fire and a Navato resident by the name of Jonathan Cain. He is an OLA survivor and was also the keyboardist and a songwriter with the popular band Journey.
He attended the ceremony this past Sunday at Chicago's Holy Family Church where candles were lit and the names of victims read aloud. Some of the victims' relatives wore lapel pins with their pictures.
And, Cain played a song that he had written this past November about the event, "The Day They Became Angels." It will tear you up. The article had a link to the song. Quite an evoking scene painted in music and words, and by a survivor.
JONATHAN LEONARD FRIGA
As he was known back then was an eight-year-old in third grade, Room 101, on the ground floor of the school. When they smelled smoke, his class was herded outside and saw the black smoke and heard the screams of their classmates. One nun climbed a ladder to save those trapped on the second floor while another took the class inside the church located next door. They prayed.
Jonathan didn't stay long, figuring that being in a building next to one that was on fire was not a good idea. He went back outside and looked around in shock. "I ran home to find my mother on her knees (praying)" From their window above the deli about six blocks away, they could see a mushroom cloud. He remembers that the surviving children did not have the opportunity to have people available to deal with their post-traumatic stress like they do today.
A Very Sad Story Indeed.
I came across an article in the December 4th Marin (Ca) Independent Journal about the fire and a Navato resident by the name of Jonathan Cain. He is an OLA survivor and was also the keyboardist and a songwriter with the popular band Journey.
He attended the ceremony this past Sunday at Chicago's Holy Family Church where candles were lit and the names of victims read aloud. Some of the victims' relatives wore lapel pins with their pictures.
And, Cain played a song that he had written this past November about the event, "The Day They Became Angels." It will tear you up. The article had a link to the song. Quite an evoking scene painted in music and words, and by a survivor.
JONATHAN LEONARD FRIGA
As he was known back then was an eight-year-old in third grade, Room 101, on the ground floor of the school. When they smelled smoke, his class was herded outside and saw the black smoke and heard the screams of their classmates. One nun climbed a ladder to save those trapped on the second floor while another took the class inside the church located next door. They prayed.
Jonathan didn't stay long, figuring that being in a building next to one that was on fire was not a good idea. He went back outside and looked around in shock. "I ran home to find my mother on her knees (praying)" From their window above the deli about six blocks away, they could see a mushroom cloud. He remembers that the surviving children did not have the opportunity to have people available to deal with their post-traumatic stress like they do today.
A Very Sad Story Indeed.
It's a Chicago Thing, Gouge Then Gouge Again
An article in yesterday's Chicago Tribune about the new and more expensive Chicago parking meters. I mentioned it in yesterday's JSS.
I think Mayor Daley is making a big mistake, getting paid BIG up front, but losing the revenues for 75 years which will be much more than the $1.2 billion the city gets now.
The 36,000 meters generate $20 million a year. Neighborhood meters go from a quarter an hour to a buck nect month and then to $2 by 2013. Prime downtown ones go from $3 now to $6.50 in five years. WHAT A RIPOFF!!!!
Yet another reason NOT to go to Chicago. And we're not even going to talk about those exorbitant parking garages and facilities.
I used to go to Chicago a lot (about 50 miles away), but have stopped since they put street parking by places you want to go by sticker only. That was thanks to night games at Wrigley.
If You Go Downtown, Be Prepared to Pay and Pay and Pay. --RoadDog
I think Mayor Daley is making a big mistake, getting paid BIG up front, but losing the revenues for 75 years which will be much more than the $1.2 billion the city gets now.
The 36,000 meters generate $20 million a year. Neighborhood meters go from a quarter an hour to a buck nect month and then to $2 by 2013. Prime downtown ones go from $3 now to $6.50 in five years. WHAT A RIPOFF!!!!
Yet another reason NOT to go to Chicago. And we're not even going to talk about those exorbitant parking garages and facilities.
I used to go to Chicago a lot (about 50 miles away), but have stopped since they put street parking by places you want to go by sticker only. That was thanks to night games at Wrigley.
If You Go Downtown, Be Prepared to Pay and Pay and Pay. --RoadDog
JSS: The Fessa-- C-O-L-D-- Water From the Ceiling-- Snowblower Started
JSS-- Just Some Stuff.
1. THE FESSA-- Just sitting here typing away and listening to the Fessa, that'd be Fessa John Hook, doing his Beach Music Top 40 Countdown at Endless Summer. Sure is great getting some Beach Music all the way up here in the Northlands along the Illinois-Wisconsin border. AND, while it's snowing outside.
Some really great songs so far are: Mercy- by Duffy, Carina/Jacqueline by James Hunter, Think by Angel Risoff, Any Other Way by Sensational Epics, Love That Girl by Raphael Saadiq.
The Top Five:
#5. Mercy-- Duffy
#4. Shoo Da Wop-- Mr. David
#3. Turn Back the Hands of Time-- Royal Drifters
#2. Falling-- Rhonda McDaniels
#1. Hey Mr. DJ-- Lonnie Givens
2. C-O-L-D-- Sure picked a bad time to come home. If I hadn't had to DJ tonight, I might have stayed a bit longer in NC. It doesn't appear that we'll get over freezing in the next week and all the snow just keeps piling up with no chance to melt off. We also had a mean December last year.
3. WATER FROM THE CEILING-- Last night, I was in Margaritaville watching Ghost Whisperer (OK, I like that show), when all of a sudden water started torrenting down through a basement light feature. Turns out, there was something wrong with the water coming into the washer upstairs. Also started getting water through a nearby heat vent. You wouldn't expect to get water from above while in the basement. Wet floor to say the least. ALL SORTS OF FUN CLEANING UP THIS MESS. Don't know what's wrong with the washer.
4. SNOWBLOWER STARTED-- On a happier note, yesterday I mixed the oil and gasoline in the old snowblower, turned on the choke, primed it, turned the key, pulled the cord...AND IT STARTED UP RIGHT AWAY. Sure needed it as we got quite a bit of snow while I was gone.
I had forgotten to fire it up before leaving. Sure glad it started.
5. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS-- Liz has the inside looking like a winter wonderland as we put up WAY TOO many Christmas decorations. But, they look good. I had put up all the outside lights before I left and had to set the timers (some of which had to be taken inside to thaw out). I have a few strands I'll have to work on, but the house is ablaze with color bith inside and out.
Just a Few Things. --RoadDog
1. THE FESSA-- Just sitting here typing away and listening to the Fessa, that'd be Fessa John Hook, doing his Beach Music Top 40 Countdown at Endless Summer. Sure is great getting some Beach Music all the way up here in the Northlands along the Illinois-Wisconsin border. AND, while it's snowing outside.
Some really great songs so far are: Mercy- by Duffy, Carina/Jacqueline by James Hunter, Think by Angel Risoff, Any Other Way by Sensational Epics, Love That Girl by Raphael Saadiq.
The Top Five:
#5. Mercy-- Duffy
#4. Shoo Da Wop-- Mr. David
#3. Turn Back the Hands of Time-- Royal Drifters
#2. Falling-- Rhonda McDaniels
#1. Hey Mr. DJ-- Lonnie Givens
2. C-O-L-D-- Sure picked a bad time to come home. If I hadn't had to DJ tonight, I might have stayed a bit longer in NC. It doesn't appear that we'll get over freezing in the next week and all the snow just keeps piling up with no chance to melt off. We also had a mean December last year.
3. WATER FROM THE CEILING-- Last night, I was in Margaritaville watching Ghost Whisperer (OK, I like that show), when all of a sudden water started torrenting down through a basement light feature. Turns out, there was something wrong with the water coming into the washer upstairs. Also started getting water through a nearby heat vent. You wouldn't expect to get water from above while in the basement. Wet floor to say the least. ALL SORTS OF FUN CLEANING UP THIS MESS. Don't know what's wrong with the washer.
4. SNOWBLOWER STARTED-- On a happier note, yesterday I mixed the oil and gasoline in the old snowblower, turned on the choke, primed it, turned the key, pulled the cord...AND IT STARTED UP RIGHT AWAY. Sure needed it as we got quite a bit of snow while I was gone.
I had forgotten to fire it up before leaving. Sure glad it started.
5. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS-- Liz has the inside looking like a winter wonderland as we put up WAY TOO many Christmas decorations. But, they look good. I had put up all the outside lights before I left and had to set the timers (some of which had to be taken inside to thaw out). I have a few strands I'll have to work on, but the house is ablaze with color bith inside and out.
Just a Few Things. --RoadDog
Friday, December 5, 2008
NIU Planning Feb. 14th Observance
This Feb. 14th will mark the one year anniversary of the murders of five students on the campus of Northern Illinois University in Dekalb last Valentine's Day.
Gayle Dubowski, 20
Catalina Garcis, 20
Juliana Gehant, 32
Ryanne Mace, 19
Daniel Parmenter, 20
Sixteen others were injured.
NIU President John Peters said a "dignified and simple" observation will be held that day, beginning with a 10:30 AM memorial ceremony at the Convocation Center, an opportunity to view the thousands of objects sent by people from across the country and a candlelight vigil at 6:30 PM at MLK Commons.
The future site of the memorial and artist renderings of it will be shown. Also, there will be a luncheon for the first recipients of the Forward Together Forward Scholarship Fund which was set up to honor the slain. Up to five students will receive $4,000 scholarships.
This was especially difficult for my wife and me because we are both alumni.
That Was a Sad Time Indeed. --RoadDog
Gayle Dubowski, 20
Catalina Garcis, 20
Juliana Gehant, 32
Ryanne Mace, 19
Daniel Parmenter, 20
Sixteen others were injured.
NIU President John Peters said a "dignified and simple" observation will be held that day, beginning with a 10:30 AM memorial ceremony at the Convocation Center, an opportunity to view the thousands of objects sent by people from across the country and a candlelight vigil at 6:30 PM at MLK Commons.
The future site of the memorial and artist renderings of it will be shown. Also, there will be a luncheon for the first recipients of the Forward Together Forward Scholarship Fund which was set up to honor the slain. Up to five students will receive $4,000 scholarships.
This was especially difficult for my wife and me because we are both alumni.
That Was a Sad Time Indeed. --RoadDog
JSS: Recession Here We Are-- Chicago Parking Rip-Off-- Work for a Buck-- Obama Tour
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. RECESSION HEREWE ARE-- How about this breaking news. The guv'ment finally admitted we are in a RECESSION. I'm so glad they told me. I had no idea. AND, we've been in it for a year now. As the kids say, "No Duh!"
2. CHICAGO PARKING RIP-OFF-- Parking in Chi-Town, already a rip-off, is getting to be even a BIGGER rip-off. Parking meters have been turned over to a private service and soon, it will cost a buck an hour to park at a meter, and no more of those FREE holidays or Sundays. Yet more reasons NOT to go to town.
Of interest, it costs $17 for the first hour to park at Millenium Park and toll on the Skyway is 50% higher than it was in 2004.
3. WORK FOR A BUCK-- That was mighty big of Ford CEO Allan Mulally to say he was willing to work for $1 a year. Here that, all you overpaid CEOs?
4. OBAMA TOUR-- Now, you can take your very own Barack Obama Tour to the spots he was at in Chicago. This is roughly the same price as what it will cost you to park, so enjoy.
Question: Among retirees, what is considered formal attire? ANSWER: Tied Shoes (or sandals with black socks)
Ain't Things Just Peachy? --RoadDog
1. RECESSION HEREWE ARE-- How about this breaking news. The guv'ment finally admitted we are in a RECESSION. I'm so glad they told me. I had no idea. AND, we've been in it for a year now. As the kids say, "No Duh!"
2. CHICAGO PARKING RIP-OFF-- Parking in Chi-Town, already a rip-off, is getting to be even a BIGGER rip-off. Parking meters have been turned over to a private service and soon, it will cost a buck an hour to park at a meter, and no more of those FREE holidays or Sundays. Yet more reasons NOT to go to town.
Of interest, it costs $17 for the first hour to park at Millenium Park and toll on the Skyway is 50% higher than it was in 2004.
3. WORK FOR A BUCK-- That was mighty big of Ford CEO Allan Mulally to say he was willing to work for $1 a year. Here that, all you overpaid CEOs?
4. OBAMA TOUR-- Now, you can take your very own Barack Obama Tour to the spots he was at in Chicago. This is roughly the same price as what it will cost you to park, so enjoy.
Question: Among retirees, what is considered formal attire? ANSWER: Tied Shoes (or sandals with black socks)
Ain't Things Just Peachy? --RoadDog
Back Home Again
As much as I like traveling, it's always great to get back home again. I got in at about 7:30 PM last night after driving from White House (north of Nashville), Tennessee, where I spend Wednesday night with my nephew and his family.
WEDNESDAY
I left Goldsboro, NC, Wednesday morning and drove US-70 to I-40 and took it all the way to the outskirts of Nashville and then some backroads to their house. Gas was generally around $1.60 to $1.65 with the exception of around Asheville, NC, where it is always ten to twenty cents higher. Ate at the Golden Corral in Winston-Salem. I highly recommend these restaurants when you're on the road.
Interesting sight on the superslab was the pickup truck with a gun rack containing a rifle and an umbrella under it. I guess he didn't want to get wet while shooting something.
Enjoyed Andy and Andrea's kids, Charlie and Aylin, and got to watch some of Charlie's favorite movie "Cars" which was on TV for the first time. Maybe we'll have another Route 66er as he gets older. Charlie is 5 and Aylin two and a half.
THURSDAY
Yesterday, I took I-65 all the way to Remington, Idiana, about half way between Chicago and Indianapolis, and then US-24 to Il-47. Had lunch at a KFC buffet in Lafayette, the Home of Purdue University. This place was not to far from the B-Dub (Buffalo Wild Wings) where we once had to drive back to after I forgot my drivers license which I had to turn in to get NTN boards.
Got the cheapest gas the whole trip at a Pilot station a little south of Indianapolis. It was, get this, $1.50 ($1.49.9)!!! Never thought I'd see gas under $2 again. Something I can definitely live with.
Also got gas at the Becker BP station in Dwight, Illinois, for $1.63. This station is right by the old Route 66 and sells lots of Mother Road memorabilia and is done in a Route 66 motiff, even the Burger King located in the store.
Superslabbin' and Good to Be Home. --RoadDog
WEDNESDAY
I left Goldsboro, NC, Wednesday morning and drove US-70 to I-40 and took it all the way to the outskirts of Nashville and then some backroads to their house. Gas was generally around $1.60 to $1.65 with the exception of around Asheville, NC, where it is always ten to twenty cents higher. Ate at the Golden Corral in Winston-Salem. I highly recommend these restaurants when you're on the road.
Interesting sight on the superslab was the pickup truck with a gun rack containing a rifle and an umbrella under it. I guess he didn't want to get wet while shooting something.
Enjoyed Andy and Andrea's kids, Charlie and Aylin, and got to watch some of Charlie's favorite movie "Cars" which was on TV for the first time. Maybe we'll have another Route 66er as he gets older. Charlie is 5 and Aylin two and a half.
THURSDAY
Yesterday, I took I-65 all the way to Remington, Idiana, about half way between Chicago and Indianapolis, and then US-24 to Il-47. Had lunch at a KFC buffet in Lafayette, the Home of Purdue University. This place was not to far from the B-Dub (Buffalo Wild Wings) where we once had to drive back to after I forgot my drivers license which I had to turn in to get NTN boards.
Got the cheapest gas the whole trip at a Pilot station a little south of Indianapolis. It was, get this, $1.50 ($1.49.9)!!! Never thought I'd see gas under $2 again. Something I can definitely live with.
Also got gas at the Becker BP station in Dwight, Illinois, for $1.63. This station is right by the old Route 66 and sells lots of Mother Road memorabilia and is done in a Route 66 motiff, even the Burger King located in the store.
Superslabbin' and Good to Be Home. --RoadDog
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
WKRP is Back
WKRP is back on the air again in Cincinnati, and this time for real. A low-power TV station in the city has changed their call letters to those used by the radio station in the popular 1970s sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati."
It was formerly WBQC to promote its new digital format.
While in Cincinnati a couple weekends ago, I went by the building where the station's studios were located, the Flim Building, actually the home of the Cincinnati Enquirer. I had always thought it to be in the taller building with columns on the top.
If I had to pick one all-time favorite sitcom, it would be "WKRP in Cincinnati." It is too bad the network kept changing its times and days throughout its run, or it would have been even more popular.
Dr. Johnny Fever Would Be SO PROUD. --RoadDog
It was formerly WBQC to promote its new digital format.
While in Cincinnati a couple weekends ago, I went by the building where the station's studios were located, the Flim Building, actually the home of the Cincinnati Enquirer. I had always thought it to be in the taller building with columns on the top.
If I had to pick one all-time favorite sitcom, it would be "WKRP in Cincinnati." It is too bad the network kept changing its times and days throughout its run, or it would have been even more popular.
Dr. Johnny Fever Would Be SO PROUD. --RoadDog
Bare Naked Ladies
Just saw Bare Naked Ladies perform a Christmas song on the Regis show on ABC. You'd think that a group with a name like that would be wild and crazy. Nothing further from the truth on this count. They are one of the most clean cut groups around.
They are also a favorite band of mine. I especially like their "One Week," "If I Had a $1,000,000," "It's All Been Done," and "Brian Wilson" songs. I have several of their CDs. I especially like the chorus to "It's All Been Done."
They were formed in Canada in 1988 and are classified as alternative rock. Their live shows are noted for humor.
Give It a Listen. --RoadDog
They are also a favorite band of mine. I especially like their "One Week," "If I Had a $1,000,000," "It's All Been Done," and "Brian Wilson" songs. I have several of their CDs. I especially like the chorus to "It's All Been Done."
They were formed in Canada in 1988 and are classified as alternative rock. Their live shows are noted for humor.
Give It a Listen. --RoadDog
Monday, December 1, 2008
Trip to Kinston, NC
Took a trip today out to Kinston, NC, about 28 miles from Goldsboro.Mom had an old picture she wanted given to a history organization there, plus, I wanted to see the full-scale replica of the CSS Neuse and, I had also reported on quite a few Civil War stories out of the city in my Saw the Elephant Blog.
On the way in, I saw a sign for the Kinston-Lenoir County Visitors Center and decided that would be the place to go. I gave them the reproduction and information of Simon Bright, who turns out to be an important person in local history dating back to pre-Revolutionary War.
Spent a lot of time in the center and found out a lot about the two Civil War battles fought there as well as on the Confederate ironclad ram Neuse.
Next stop was bbq at King's which dates back to the 1930s. Mighty fine eastern Carolina-style 'cue, cole slaw, fried okra, tea and hush puppies.
Drove around the town and found the CSS Neuse II, a full-scale 150 foot reproduction of the ship. If you've ever wanted to know what a Confederate ironclad looks like, this is where to go.
Last stop was out at the actual remains of the Neuse's hull which is currently housed in a partly open building, but there are plans to build an enclosed, climate-controlled structure to stop the vessel's deterioration.
Kinston, Your Stop for Civil War History. --RoadDog
On the way in, I saw a sign for the Kinston-Lenoir County Visitors Center and decided that would be the place to go. I gave them the reproduction and information of Simon Bright, who turns out to be an important person in local history dating back to pre-Revolutionary War.
Spent a lot of time in the center and found out a lot about the two Civil War battles fought there as well as on the Confederate ironclad ram Neuse.
Next stop was bbq at King's which dates back to the 1930s. Mighty fine eastern Carolina-style 'cue, cole slaw, fried okra, tea and hush puppies.
Drove around the town and found the CSS Neuse II, a full-scale 150 foot reproduction of the ship. If you've ever wanted to know what a Confederate ironclad looks like, this is where to go.
Last stop was out at the actual remains of the Neuse's hull which is currently housed in a partly open building, but there are plans to build an enclosed, climate-controlled structure to stop the vessel's deterioration.
Kinston, Your Stop for Civil War History. --RoadDog
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