Star Trek in the Dorm Room Back in 1969

I don't think I had ever watched the TV show "Star Trek" when it aired, but things changed in the fall of 1969 after I got to Lincoln Hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

My roommate was Chuck from a small town near Peoria and he had a little 12-inch black and white TV. Only one other room on the 24-room dorm floor (3rd floor A Wing if I remember) had a TV other than one in the meeting room in the middle.

Every night after dinner, Chuck and I would go back to our room and I would commence reading my copy of the Chicago Daily News that my parents had subscribed for me and right at 6 PM (or was it 7 PM?) the number of occupants in the room would jump to anywhere from ten to sixteen. There'd be guys sitting everywhere, four across the edges of the bunk beds. You couldn't walk across the floor.

WGN, Channel 9, would have a rerun of Star Trek at that time. I became a "Trekkie" at the time. (But watching the old episodes now, I have to admit they were probaby the worst acted things since "The Lone Ranger.) We would all watch intently and have discussions about it afterwards before the all-night card games would get started. Hearts being the favorite.

These, Of Course, Being the Days Before All That Technology Reached Colleges. --RoadDog

Saturday Flashback Goes to 1972

WXRT FM, 93.1 FM in Chicago goes back to the year 1972 on tomorrow's Saturday Morning Flashback with Wendy Rice. It is at 8 AM to noon, CSDT and streams live on www.wxrt.com. for you folks outside of the Chicago area.

In 1972, I finished up junior year with summer school at UGA and then transferred back to NIU and took lots and lots of education classes that fall semester so I could student teach in the spring of '73.

Of course, Sunday, Bob Stroud does his Rock and Roll Roots Show (featuring the 60s and 70s) on WDRV from 7 to 10 AM CSDT. Tune in to see if he plays two Beatles songs around 8 AM when Terri Hemmert starts her Breakfast With the Beatles show from 8 to 10 AM on WXRT.

All great shows.

Give It a Listen. --RoadDog

Won't Somebody Tell Me How to Get Off HTML

That is why there are still no paragraphs in my entries. I hate it, but have no clue how to get back onto compose (and even get spellcheck back). I have no idea how this mess started. Perhaps I hit the wrong key or somehing.

I have started using /// to show where a paragraph should be.

Definitely Technologically Challenged.

Bring Back My Paragraphs, Please!!! --RoadDog

My Boating Duh for the Week

Tuesday, we went out to the boat to go out on the Chain in our quest to go boating 40 times this season. As of today, we are at 18 (but with the much-needed rain, probably not going out).

Uncovered the boat, primed the engine, turned the key and....nothing. It was like it was trying to start, but not getting a spark. Continued trying and flooded the engine with gas. Sat and waited, then tried again...still wouldn't start.

Called our boat mechanic and he started having me check things (not a great thing as mechanically inclined I am not). Distributor, where's the distributor? No luck, no start. Set up arrangements for him to come over to the boat the next day.

After I hung up, Liz said to check the kill switch on the boat. I had already done so, but evidently not very well as it was loose. Tightened it and...the BOAT STARTED!!!

Embarrassed, I called the mechanic and he laughed at me.

Well, At Least the Boat Runs. --RoadDog

I Thought That Toilet Roll Was Getting Smaller

Well, this confirms it. From the July 24, 2013, Yahoo! Finance/Wall Street Journal. "Shrinking Rolls, Plump Profits. This confirms it.

The number of sheets are shrinking on this necessity. I had been thinking that the "Double Rolls" are getting down to about the size of the former regular rolls. Not only that, but it appears that the width is also shrinking. There appears to be more room between the edges of the roll and the t-p holder.

Or Maybe It's Just Me. --RoadDog

Ten Great Great Places to Live in 2013

From the July 25, 2013, Yahoo! Finance, Cost of Living.

These are cities based on affordability, good jobs and quality of schools.

10. DUBUQUE, IOWA, (We'll be there next week)
9. Anchorage, Alaska
8. ITHACA, NEW YORK

7. Morgantown, West Virginia
6. BILLINGS, MONTANA
5. Columbia, SC
4. SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

3. Bryan/College Station, Tx
2. BURLINGTON, VERMONT
1. Little Rock, Arkansas

--RoadDog

Weekend Recap-- August 15th-19th: Bands, a Fish Fry and Drive Around a Lake

I worked in the yard every day but Saturday and had breakfast out on the front porch every day. Out on the boat every day except Sunday.

THURSDAY, 15TH: Chicago Tribute Anthology Band (music of the band Chicago) concert at It's Thursday in Antioch.

FRIDAY, 16TH: Fish fry at Granny's Diner in Antioch and karaoke at the Legion in Fox Lake.

SATURDAY, 17TH: Dan Deaver Memorial at Never Sink Inn in Spring Grove. Mitch performing on stage.

SUNDAY, 18TH: Cruise around Geneva Lake, 'Cue and Blues at the Abbey in Fontana, NTN at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes.

MONDAY, 19TH: Tacos at Dawg House and a new place called 50 K in Fox Lake.

Can't Beat Fun Around Here. --RoadDog

Yahoo's Greatest Songs of Summer-- Part 2

Continuing with the first round pairings. Do you see any you like? Again, * means I would have voted for it as favorite:

CALL ME MAYBE-- Carly Rae Jepson* vs. CALIFORNIA GIRLS--vs. Katy Perry

GET LUCKY-- Daft Punk vs. BLURRED LINES-- Robin Thicke*

PONTOON-- Little Big Town* vs. CRUISE-- Florida Georgia Line

MARGARITAVILLE-- Jimmy Buffett* vs. IT'S 5 O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE-- Alan Jackson (and JB)

SOAK UP THE SUN-- Sheryl Crow vs. ALL SUMMER LONG-- Kid Rock*

ISLAND IN THE SUN-- Weezer* FEEL GOOD HIT OF THE SUMMER-- Queens of the Stone Age

SUMMERTIME-- DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince* vs. IT WAS A GOOD DAY-- Ice Cube

VACATION-- Go Gos* vs. CRUEL SUMMER-- Bananarama

Sadly, Summer's Fast Slipping Away...AGAIN!! --RoadDog

Yahoo's Greatest Songs of Summer-- Part 1

These were the pairings for the first round of play. I didn't vote (didn't know about it), but if I had * would be my vote:

CLUB TROPICANA-- Wham vs. ROCK LOBSTER--B-52s*

HOLIDAY-- Madonna vs. SUMMER OF 69-- Bryan Adams*

SCHOOL'S OUT-- Alice Cooper* vs. SUMMER NIGHTS-- Grease

HEAT WAVE-- Martha & Vandellas vs. HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME-- Sly & Family Stone*

IN THE SUMMERTIME-- Mungo Jerry* vs. SUMMERTIME BLUES-- Eddie Cocran

WIPE OUT--Surfaris vs. SURFIN' USA-- Beach Boys*

PARTY ROCK ANTHEM-- LMFAO* vs. HOT IN HERE-- Nelly, GIN &amp

JUICE Snoop Dogg-- CALIFORNIA LOVE-- Tupac.

Dceisions, Decisions. --RoadDog

Greatest Summer Song Ever-- Part 3

"Surfin' U.S.A." was an immediate hit and went to #3 on the Billboard and Cash Box charts. Carl Wilson played the classic guitar riff at the beginning of it, but I have to wonder who is on that great organ you hear? 

In 1977, Leig Garrett covered it and it went to the Top Twenty and it was featured in the movies "Teen Wolf" in 1985, "My Blue Heaven" in 1990 and "Rush Hour" in 1998.

In order to reach number one, the song had to battle through five head-to-head rounds, beating out the Surfaris "Wipeout," "In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry, "Summer Nights" from Grease, "Vacation" by the Go-Gos and then a really tough round against Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville."

Those crazy Parrotheads put up a real big fight before "Surfin' U.S.A." won 57% to 43%.

Got to Pop My Beach Boys' Greatest Hits CD On Now. --RoadDog

Greatest Summer Song Ever-- Part 2: "Surfin' USA" Mike Love Sang It

The Beach Boys' "Surfin' U.S.A." beat out big summer songs like this year's "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke and last year's "Call Me, Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen.

It was written by Brian Wilson with Mike Love singing lead and released as a single March 4, 1963 (fifty years ago!!) and was the title track of their second album and the follow up to 1962's "Surfin' Safari."

It is not actually original, however. It's melody was taken from Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen." It debuted on TV's "Steve Allen Show" two days before it was released where the group lip-synched it (common practice back in the days where live recording was a hit-or-miss thing).

Gettin' In That Summer Mode. --RoadDog

What the Magazine Said About "Surfin' U.S.A."

"Brian's songwriting had a momemtum of its own. March 4, 1963 saw the release of the band's first top 10 hit, 'Surfin' U.S.A.'. Based on Chuck Berry's 'Sweet Little Sixteen' (Berry finally won co-writing credit in the mid-70s after suing the group), the sprightly tune name-checked a number of popular surfing spots-- many in California, but also two in Hawaii and one in Australia.

The song peaked at #2 and served as the title track for the band's second album, released on March 25. It was Carl who came up with the memorable guitar intro, which itself owes something to Duane Eddy's 'Moving and Grooving.'"

That Is One Great Guitar Lick. --RoadDog

Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tribute

I recently finished reading "Life Story: The Beach Boys: 50th Anniversary Tribute."

This was from last year's tour when all remaining Beach Boys were together again for the tour and they put out that album that really harkened back to their glory years in the 60s. As a matter of fact, they are going to be at the Walworth County Fair in a couple weeks and thinking about going to see them.

Great magazine with lots of information and hundreds of photos. Also, one section is "25 Far-Out Facts About the Beach Boys."

Worth a Read. --RoadDog

My All-Time Favorite Summer Song (and Summer Band)

If I had my say, my all-time favorite summer song, without a doubt, would be Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime."

I'd like to know how they made that "Shhsss da shsssh" sound? However, my all-time favorite summer band would have to be the Beach Boys. It's hard not to get into the summer mood when you hear one of their classics.

Right Barbara Ann? --RoadDog

Greatest Summer Song Ever-- Part 1: "Surfin' USA"

From the August 14, 2013, Stop the Presses "Beach Boys' 'Surfin' U.S.A.' Voted Best Summer Song of All Time" by Jon Wiederhorn. The voting took place this last month on Y! Music. (I never heard of it and didn't vote.) It was a mega poll to determine the greatest summer song of all time.

The site gave the selections, covering all genres and years.

To win, the Beach Boys had to battle these songs in head-to-head competition:

WIPE OUT-- Surfaris

IN THE SUMMERTIME-- Mungo Jerry

SUMMER NIGHTS-- Grease

VACATION-- Go-Gos

MARGARITAVILLE-- Jimmy Buffett

Personally, I'h gave voted for "In the Summertime" and "Margaritaville."

Just Another Summer. --RoadDog

Beginning My 8th Year of Retirement

Teachers went back to school in Round Lake, Illinois, yesterday, which officially begins my 8th year of retirement. Man has that time really flown by!!!

I still don't know how I managed to get things done back when I was working.

-- RoadDog

Good Times in the Area: August 8-13th-- Part 2

AUGUST 11TH, SUNDAY-- Rally By the Lake Classic Car Show on Nippersink Lake at Lakefront Park in Fox Lake. St. John the Baptist Parish Fest in Johnsburg with concert by New Odyssey. Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive Commemoration at Veterans Park in McHenry.

AUGUST 12TH, MONDAY-- JABD-- Boating. Boat Float on Fox Lake. Rain chased us to Grasslake. Port of Blarney for pizza. American Legion.

AUGUST 13TH, TUESDAY-- JABD on Kevin and Kelly's boat downriver to McHenry. Stops at Epic Deli in Johnsburg for lunch, Foxhole in McHenry, Dockers and American Legion in Fox Lake. By car to Antonio's in Spring Grove.

Why Go Anywhere Else? --RoadDog

Good Times in the Area: Aug. 8-13th-- Part 1: Bands, Boating and a Picnic

AUGUST 8TH, THURSDAY-- McHenry, Illinois. Dinner at Vickie's Place on the Fox River. Chain Crawl Stamp at the Foxhole on the Fox River. Old CDs at Vinyl Frontier and New Odyssey concert at Veterans Park.

AUGUST 9TH, FRIDAY-- JABD-- Just Another Boating Day with Kevin and Kelly and on the deck at Stormy Monday on Fox Lake.

AUGUST 10TH, SATURDAY-- Lakes Area American Legion Post 703 picnic on Nippersink Lake with Ron Payton spinning the tunes.

--RoadDog