Ten Best Halloween Songs. Not exactly sure where I got theise earlier today.
1. THRILLER-- Mikie got a bit strange himself, even when not in make-up
2. MONSTER MASH-- Bobby Boris Pickett-- A retro classic
3. SUPERSTITION-- Stevie Wonder
4. GHOSTBUSTERS-- Ray Parker Jr. Okay, who thought of the Marshmallow Man?
5. NIGHTMARE ON MY STREET-- Will Smith
6. HALLOWEEN MOVIE THEME-- Watch Out for Wendy.
7. I PUT A SPELL ON YOU-- Screamin' Jay Hawkins A classic
8. TIME WARP-- Rocky Horror Show
9. I'M YOUR BOOGIE MAN-- K.C. & the Sunshine Band. Gettin' some scary disco.
10. HALLOWEEN from Nightmare Before Christmas Also the version done by White Zombie
Like, BOO!! --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.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Shriek-Along Songs: Ten Scary Movie Soundtracks-- Part 2
5. "WAIT UNTIL DARK" (1967)-- Who'd have though Henry Mancini could get so scary?
4. "THE EXORCIST" (1973)-- Michael Oldfield's "Tubular Bells and then that fuzz-box guitar. Shivers up my spine just typing this.
3. "JAWS" (1975)-- Spielberg at first thought John Williams' two-note theme of the man eater's approach was a joke. I never understood why those dummies didn't get out of the water when they heard those two notes?
2. "HALLOWEEN" (1976)-- Ushered in the age of slasher movies. John Carpenter's "Susperia" with the threatening bass. Then there was that "pshic, pshic sound." Again, hear that, GET OUT!!!
1. "PSYCHO" (1960)-- Bernard Herrmann's driving main title music. Hitchcock originally wanted no music for the shower scene. But those slashing, dissonant strings!!!
Getting That Old Scared Feelin'. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST?: Pepsi-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Tab, 7-Up Hey, pop my top!!
4. "THE EXORCIST" (1973)-- Michael Oldfield's "Tubular Bells and then that fuzz-box guitar. Shivers up my spine just typing this.
3. "JAWS" (1975)-- Spielberg at first thought John Williams' two-note theme of the man eater's approach was a joke. I never understood why those dummies didn't get out of the water when they heard those two notes?
2. "HALLOWEEN" (1976)-- Ushered in the age of slasher movies. John Carpenter's "Susperia" with the threatening bass. Then there was that "pshic, pshic sound." Again, hear that, GET OUT!!!
1. "PSYCHO" (1960)-- Bernard Herrmann's driving main title music. Hitchcock originally wanted no music for the shower scene. But those slashing, dissonant strings!!!
Getting That Old Scared Feelin'. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST?: Pepsi-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Tab, 7-Up Hey, pop my top!!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Shriek-Along Songs: Ten Scary Movie Soundtracks-- Part 1
From the October26, 2012, Chicago Tribune by Richard Knight Jr. Includes photos and more information. Worth a look.
10. "THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN" (1935)-- Considered the grand-daddy of all monster movie scores by Franz Waxman.
9. "ROSEMARY'S BABY" (1968)-- Polish jazz pianist composer Krzysztof Komeda's disquieting main title.
8. "THE OMEN" (1976)-- Jerry Goldsmith's only Oscar for this over-the-top score.
7. "SISTERS" (1973)-- Bernard Hermann's fee was the highest in this low-budget shocker, but worth it. (I'm not familiar with this one.)
6. "THE SHINING" (1980)-- Co-composers Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind's spine-chilling, synth-based main title is part of the movie's appeal.
Five More to Come Boomorrow. --RoadDog
10. "THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN" (1935)-- Considered the grand-daddy of all monster movie scores by Franz Waxman.
9. "ROSEMARY'S BABY" (1968)-- Polish jazz pianist composer Krzysztof Komeda's disquieting main title.
8. "THE OMEN" (1976)-- Jerry Goldsmith's only Oscar for this over-the-top score.
7. "SISTERS" (1973)-- Bernard Hermann's fee was the highest in this low-budget shocker, but worth it. (I'm not familiar with this one.)
6. "THE SHINING" (1980)-- Co-composers Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind's spine-chilling, synth-based main title is part of the movie's appeal.
Five More to Come Boomorrow. --RoadDog
Eight Best Sports Bars-- Part 1
From Yahoo! Travel.
Never been to any on the list, but do spend some time watching sporting events in our local Tommy's here in Spring Grove, Illinois. Pretty standard sports bar with lots and lots of TVs and typical pub food, but definitely try their beer nuggets and broasted chicken. Best day to go is Wednesday with $1 Miller product bottles and large, one-topping pizza for $10, extra toppings $1 each.
8. CHICKIE'S AND PETE'S-- Philadelphia. Try the crab fries.
7. STATS-- Atlanta-- Six separate viewing areas. (That's great so you don't have to watch a game with annoying fans for the other team. Thank goodness I'm not an annoying fan.)
6. CHAPPELL'S RESTAURANT AND SPORTS MUSEUM-- Kansas City-- Over 1,000 helmets, Super Bowl rings, Hall of Fame autographs, baseballs and more. And, their famous Chappell Burger. Kind of like the Hard Rock of the sports world.
5. DUFFY'S SPORTS GRILL-- several around Florida. The one in Miami has dockside parking, 200 flat screens and the Dolphin Express bus to games. Oh yes, a pool side bar as well.
We don't usually go to Buffalo Wild Wings as it is TOO EXPENSIVE.
More to Come. --RoadDog
Answers to the last WHICH CAME FIRST: Ping-Pong (1901), Crossword Puzzle Book (1924), Monopoly (1933), Scrabble (1943)
Never been to any on the list, but do spend some time watching sporting events in our local Tommy's here in Spring Grove, Illinois. Pretty standard sports bar with lots and lots of TVs and typical pub food, but definitely try their beer nuggets and broasted chicken. Best day to go is Wednesday with $1 Miller product bottles and large, one-topping pizza for $10, extra toppings $1 each.
8. CHICKIE'S AND PETE'S-- Philadelphia. Try the crab fries.
7. STATS-- Atlanta-- Six separate viewing areas. (That's great so you don't have to watch a game with annoying fans for the other team. Thank goodness I'm not an annoying fan.)
6. CHAPPELL'S RESTAURANT AND SPORTS MUSEUM-- Kansas City-- Over 1,000 helmets, Super Bowl rings, Hall of Fame autographs, baseballs and more. And, their famous Chappell Burger. Kind of like the Hard Rock of the sports world.
5. DUFFY'S SPORTS GRILL-- several around Florida. The one in Miami has dockside parking, 200 flat screens and the Dolphin Express bus to games. Oh yes, a pool side bar as well.
We don't usually go to Buffalo Wild Wings as it is TOO EXPENSIVE.
More to Come. --RoadDog
Answers to the last WHICH CAME FIRST: Ping-Pong (1901), Crossword Puzzle Book (1924), Monopoly (1933), Scrabble (1943)
Monday, October 29, 2012
JSIS: Congrats Giants-- Klingon Wedding-- A-Rod Leaving?-- Motel Keyless Locks
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff
1. CONGRATS GIANTS-- Not bad coming from 2-0 down and 3-1 down in the NLDS and NLCS, then to sweep the Tigers in the World Series. Even if I was pulling for the American League. And striking out the last three Detroit players!! I was hoping for a Midwest WS. There's always. as the Cubs say, next year. Who knows, maybe Cubs-Sox?
2. KLINGON WEDDING-- You just knew this had to happen. A 29 and 23-year-old couple in Britain got married as Klingons. Wonder what the Klingon words for "Till Death Do Us Part" are? That is taking Geekdom to too high a level. Did her father give her away?
3. A-ROD LEAVING?-- Rumors have it that the Rodriguez guy from the Yankees is leaving. Sure hope the Sox don't get him. We already have our Peave Man.
4. MOTEL KEYLESS LOCKS-- A new study shows that these cards you get to open your door are very easy for the bad guys to open. Of course, there are times I can't get into the room no matter how I use them. Maybe easy for crooks, but not so for me.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
1. CONGRATS GIANTS-- Not bad coming from 2-0 down and 3-1 down in the NLDS and NLCS, then to sweep the Tigers in the World Series. Even if I was pulling for the American League. And striking out the last three Detroit players!! I was hoping for a Midwest WS. There's always. as the Cubs say, next year. Who knows, maybe Cubs-Sox?
2. KLINGON WEDDING-- You just knew this had to happen. A 29 and 23-year-old couple in Britain got married as Klingons. Wonder what the Klingon words for "Till Death Do Us Part" are? That is taking Geekdom to too high a level. Did her father give her away?
3. A-ROD LEAVING?-- Rumors have it that the Rodriguez guy from the Yankees is leaving. Sure hope the Sox don't get him. We already have our Peave Man.
4. MOTEL KEYLESS LOCKS-- A new study shows that these cards you get to open your door are very easy for the bad guys to open. Of course, there are times I can't get into the room no matter how I use them. Maybe easy for crooks, but not so for me.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Ten More Famous Songs With Unknown Originals
From the Oct. 14, 2012, Listverse.
Well, I should actually say Little-Known originals. I knew of some of the originals. No pictures with the site, but lots of information.
Song-- Who Originally Sang It-- Person/Group Who Made It Famous
10. BLUEBERRY HILL-- Gene Autry in a 1941 film-- Fats Domino
9. TAINTED LOVE-- Gloria Jones, a Motown-style "B" side-- Sift Cell-- We were just talking about this song last night when we heard it at Stormy Monday
8. CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE-- Slade--
7. I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL-- Arrows-- Joan Jett & the Black Hearts
6. BETTE DAVIS EYES-- Jackie DeShannon-- Kim Carnes This one surprised me.
5. GEORGIA ON MY MIND-- Hoagy Carmichael-- Ray Stevens, Willie Nelson
4. KITTY-- Racey-- Toni Basil Much more famous as the song "Mickey. I was wondering about this famous song until I saw the other name.
3. ME AND BOBBY McGEE-- Roger Miller-- Janis Joplin OK, I've got to hear the Miller version.
2. MACK THE KNIFE-- Kurt Gerron-- Bobby Darrin
1. TURN, TURN, TURN- Bob Seeger-- Byrds
Stuff Many Don't Know. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST? Monopoly, Scrabble, Crossword Puzzle Book, Ping-Pong
Well, I should actually say Little-Known originals. I knew of some of the originals. No pictures with the site, but lots of information.
Song-- Who Originally Sang It-- Person/Group Who Made It Famous
10. BLUEBERRY HILL-- Gene Autry in a 1941 film-- Fats Domino
9. TAINTED LOVE-- Gloria Jones, a Motown-style "B" side-- Sift Cell-- We were just talking about this song last night when we heard it at Stormy Monday
8. CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE-- Slade--
7. I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL-- Arrows-- Joan Jett & the Black Hearts
6. BETTE DAVIS EYES-- Jackie DeShannon-- Kim Carnes This one surprised me.
5. GEORGIA ON MY MIND-- Hoagy Carmichael-- Ray Stevens, Willie Nelson
4. KITTY-- Racey-- Toni Basil Much more famous as the song "Mickey. I was wondering about this famous song until I saw the other name.
3. ME AND BOBBY McGEE-- Roger Miller-- Janis Joplin OK, I've got to hear the Miller version.
2. MACK THE KNIFE-- Kurt Gerron-- Bobby Darrin
1. TURN, TURN, TURN- Bob Seeger-- Byrds
Stuff Many Don't Know. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST? Monopoly, Scrabble, Crossword Puzzle Book, Ping-Pong
Friday, October 26, 2012
JSS: Das Boat-- Weather-- Shelter Challenge-- Halloween-A-Go-Go
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. DAS BOAT-- Pulled it out of the water and over to Midwest Marine for winterizing Wednesday. Ready to go yesterday and will pick it up today, bring it home to clean out and then to the barn in Hebron tomorrow. Looks like our 28th season boating is at an end.
2. WEATHER-- Took the boat out Wednesday as that was the last decent day in the near future. Monday to yesterday we were in the upper 70s. The next five days forecasts call for highs in the 40s and lows near freezing. Makes me think winter is near.
3. SHELTER CHALLENGE-- We vote for Shelter Challenge to raise money for our local animal shelter, Save-A-Pet. We won $1,000 the last contest and are ineligible to win twice in a row, but are still #2 in Illinois, but way behind Animal House in Huntley.
In order to vote, you have to punch in some verifying letters and numbers. Today, it was particularly hard as they the letter "c" right next to the letter "w." Almost looked like an "a."
Sadly, this used to be something where you looked at a picture of an animal and spelled it out. But, it had to be spelled correctly. "Dog," "cat" and "lion" were evidently TOO HARD for some to spell and they switched to numbers and letters.
4. . HALLOWEEN-A-GO-GO/ 1977-- This Sunday, Bob Stroud will be doing his annual Halloween-A-Go-Go show from 7 to 10 AM on WDRV in Chicago. Three hours of scare-you-to-death music. That is CDST.
Wendy Rice's Saturday Morning Flashback on WXRT goes back to 1977 from 8 to noon, CDST.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
1. DAS BOAT-- Pulled it out of the water and over to Midwest Marine for winterizing Wednesday. Ready to go yesterday and will pick it up today, bring it home to clean out and then to the barn in Hebron tomorrow. Looks like our 28th season boating is at an end.
2. WEATHER-- Took the boat out Wednesday as that was the last decent day in the near future. Monday to yesterday we were in the upper 70s. The next five days forecasts call for highs in the 40s and lows near freezing. Makes me think winter is near.
3. SHELTER CHALLENGE-- We vote for Shelter Challenge to raise money for our local animal shelter, Save-A-Pet. We won $1,000 the last contest and are ineligible to win twice in a row, but are still #2 in Illinois, but way behind Animal House in Huntley.
In order to vote, you have to punch in some verifying letters and numbers. Today, it was particularly hard as they the letter "c" right next to the letter "w." Almost looked like an "a."
Sadly, this used to be something where you looked at a picture of an animal and spelled it out. But, it had to be spelled correctly. "Dog," "cat" and "lion" were evidently TOO HARD for some to spell and they switched to numbers and letters.
4. . HALLOWEEN-A-GO-GO/ 1977-- This Sunday, Bob Stroud will be doing his annual Halloween-A-Go-Go show from 7 to 10 AM on WDRV in Chicago. Three hours of scare-you-to-death music. That is CDST.
Wendy Rice's Saturday Morning Flashback on WXRT goes back to 1977 from 8 to noon, CDST.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
JSIS: Stones Tickets-- Goodbye Ozzie-- Political Advertising
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff
1. STONES TICKETS-- Folks are abuzz about what think will be the last Rolling Stones shows, just four of them and tickets are huge with standing-room only tickets going for $3,702 for one London show. I like the Stones, but definitely not that much. Monday, I went to the local Mom and Pop record store, The Vinyl Frontier, and bought the Stone's CD with "Satisfaction" on it. I can't remember the name of it. At least, I can afford that.
2. GOODBYE OZZIE-- One year and gone. The "Mouth" is out of that cushy Miami Marlins job after just one year. I liked him with the Sox, especially in 2005, but there is no room for all that public potty mouth. And then, to say you admire Castro in Miami? Pretty dumb move. Time to think before engaging mouth, Oz.
3. POLITICAL ADVERTISING-- About a week and a half to go and I'm sure tired of all the commercials. Someone found out that Democratic ads were really heavy on "Two Broke Girls" and Republican ones on reruns of "The Andy Griffith Show." Not sure what all this means.
But, above all else, I sure am glad Illinois is not considered a swing state. People in those states are really getting the dose of mudslinging.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
1. STONES TICKETS-- Folks are abuzz about what think will be the last Rolling Stones shows, just four of them and tickets are huge with standing-room only tickets going for $3,702 for one London show. I like the Stones, but definitely not that much. Monday, I went to the local Mom and Pop record store, The Vinyl Frontier, and bought the Stone's CD with "Satisfaction" on it. I can't remember the name of it. At least, I can afford that.
2. GOODBYE OZZIE-- One year and gone. The "Mouth" is out of that cushy Miami Marlins job after just one year. I liked him with the Sox, especially in 2005, but there is no room for all that public potty mouth. And then, to say you admire Castro in Miami? Pretty dumb move. Time to think before engaging mouth, Oz.
3. POLITICAL ADVERTISING-- About a week and a half to go and I'm sure tired of all the commercials. Someone found out that Democratic ads were really heavy on "Two Broke Girls" and Republican ones on reruns of "The Andy Griffith Show." Not sure what all this means.
But, above all else, I sure am glad Illinois is not considered a swing state. People in those states are really getting the dose of mudslinging.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
Why It Takes So Long to Do These Dumb Blogs
Well, one thing leads to another.
In connection with son Al's death, I went to You Tube. It is always a mistake to go to You Tube as that usually is a three hour layover. One thing leads to another. I hate those video offerings on the right side. Takes up a lot of time.
Anyway, with Alfons being such a Cub fan, I looked up Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" on You Tube and found one of him playing on one of the famous rooftop places across from Wrigley Field's left field. It was six minutes of Steve playing a guitar and singing the song. I have to wonder how he remembered all those words. Great video.
Then, there was one of him playing my favorite country song, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name" made ever-so-famous by David Allan Coe and also called "The Perfect Country and Western Song" which is what I called it when I played it back in the deejaying days. Always a great sing-a-long, especially when you hit that one part. Well, Steve did not sing that "one part" the way we've always heard it.
Then, there was that great "Lincoln Park Pirates" and "City of New Orleans" of Goodman's.
Unfortunately, Steve Goodman said he co-wrote "Name" with John Prine, well, that took more time. I'm a big Prine fan as well.
So, That's Why? --RoadDog
ANSWERS TO MONDAY'S WHICH CAME FIRST: Teddy Bear (1902), Ragedy Ann Doll (1918), Yo-Yo (1929), Frisbee (1957)
In connection with son Al's death, I went to You Tube. It is always a mistake to go to You Tube as that usually is a three hour layover. One thing leads to another. I hate those video offerings on the right side. Takes up a lot of time.
Anyway, with Alfons being such a Cub fan, I looked up Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" on You Tube and found one of him playing on one of the famous rooftop places across from Wrigley Field's left field. It was six minutes of Steve playing a guitar and singing the song. I have to wonder how he remembered all those words. Great video.
Then, there was one of him playing my favorite country song, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name" made ever-so-famous by David Allan Coe and also called "The Perfect Country and Western Song" which is what I called it when I played it back in the deejaying days. Always a great sing-a-long, especially when you hit that one part. Well, Steve did not sing that "one part" the way we've always heard it.
Then, there was that great "Lincoln Park Pirates" and "City of New Orleans" of Goodman's.
Unfortunately, Steve Goodman said he co-wrote "Name" with John Prine, well, that took more time. I'm a big Prine fan as well.
So, That's Why? --RoadDog
ANSWERS TO MONDAY'S WHICH CAME FIRST: Teddy Bear (1902), Ragedy Ann Doll (1918), Yo-Yo (1929), Frisbee (1957)
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Saying Goodbye to Alfons
Tuesday, there was a memorial service for Al Sowka.
He had been cremated, so no body, but lots of pictures, many of which were the Alfons we remember. As Liz was signing the guestbook, she heard me chuckling around the corner where I found a shot of a long-haired, mutton-chopped late 60s early 70s hippy Al. Now, that was funny.
Enjoyed looking at all the photos and as the deacon said, we were not just there to see Al off, we were there to celebrate our lives with him and those old pictures sure did.
Al's Cubs and Bears jacket were up at the front as well, although I think the jacket should have been cremated with him.
Back at Donovan's, Jeff was playing Alfons' NTN board. I played Cub Al and Go Al and Liz played an Al board, trying to get him on the Top 20 nationally, or at least Top Ten locally, but it wasn't to be.
Yesterday, I mentioned the song "A Dying Cub Fan's Dying Lament" by the late great Steve Goodman and decided to go to You Tube and give a watch.
I found a really great one of the song featuring Goodman sitting at one of the Rooftops across from Wrigley Field with the ballpark behind him and groundskeepers going about their work
A very fitting memorial to Alfons as well. See it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xBxZGQ1d3k.
Or, just type the song and name in.
Goodbye, Alfons.
He had been cremated, so no body, but lots of pictures, many of which were the Alfons we remember. As Liz was signing the guestbook, she heard me chuckling around the corner where I found a shot of a long-haired, mutton-chopped late 60s early 70s hippy Al. Now, that was funny.
Enjoyed looking at all the photos and as the deacon said, we were not just there to see Al off, we were there to celebrate our lives with him and those old pictures sure did.
Al's Cubs and Bears jacket were up at the front as well, although I think the jacket should have been cremated with him.
Back at Donovan's, Jeff was playing Alfons' NTN board. I played Cub Al and Go Al and Liz played an Al board, trying to get him on the Top 20 nationally, or at least Top Ten locally, but it wasn't to be.
Yesterday, I mentioned the song "A Dying Cub Fan's Dying Lament" by the late great Steve Goodman and decided to go to You Tube and give a watch.
I found a really great one of the song featuring Goodman sitting at one of the Rooftops across from Wrigley Field with the ballpark behind him and groundskeepers going about their work
A very fitting memorial to Alfons as well. See it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xBxZGQ1d3k.
Or, just type the song and name in.
Goodbye, Alfons.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Alfons and "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" by Steve Goodman
If there were ever a bigger Cub fan than Alfons, I'd sure like to know who that might be.
So, it was kind of strange Monday morning, while I was listening to Len Braemer on Chicago's WXRT and he played Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request." That is a very fitting song to remember Alfons by, who took a lot of grief from all the Sox fans at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. But his devotion never wavered.
Just about every day you could find Al at the bar, sucking down beers and playing that NTN game. And, if there was a Cub game on, woe be the person who tried to change it as it would be the Wrath of Al.
And, there he would be with that blue Cubs jacket. Well, seasonally. If not the Cubs jacket, it would a Bears jacket, his other team.
The words to the song hit home. WXRT is celebrating its 40th year of broadcasting Chicago's Finest Rock and going back to one year each weekday and spotlighting it. Monday was 1981. Braemer dedicated the song to Steve's mother, Annette Goodman, who still lives on Chicago's Northwest Side. The song payed at 9:33 AM. It sent shivers down my spine, having learned that Al had just died the day before.
Some of the words that hit home:
"Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy covered burial ground"
Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
Make six bullpen pitchers carry my coffin
and six groundskeepers clear my path.
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
in all their holy wrath.
It's a beautiful day for a funeral
Hey Ernie let's play two
Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats
and toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in the beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind.
That Pretty Well Covers It for Ya, Alfons.
So, it was kind of strange Monday morning, while I was listening to Len Braemer on Chicago's WXRT and he played Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request." That is a very fitting song to remember Alfons by, who took a lot of grief from all the Sox fans at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. But his devotion never wavered.
Just about every day you could find Al at the bar, sucking down beers and playing that NTN game. And, if there was a Cub game on, woe be the person who tried to change it as it would be the Wrath of Al.
And, there he would be with that blue Cubs jacket. Well, seasonally. If not the Cubs jacket, it would a Bears jacket, his other team.
The words to the song hit home. WXRT is celebrating its 40th year of broadcasting Chicago's Finest Rock and going back to one year each weekday and spotlighting it. Monday was 1981. Braemer dedicated the song to Steve's mother, Annette Goodman, who still lives on Chicago's Northwest Side. The song payed at 9:33 AM. It sent shivers down my spine, having learned that Al had just died the day before.
Some of the words that hit home:
"Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy covered burial ground"
Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
Make six bullpen pitchers carry my coffin
and six groundskeepers clear my path.
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
in all their holy wrath.
It's a beautiful day for a funeral
Hey Ernie let's play two
Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats
and toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in the beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind.
That Pretty Well Covers It for Ya, Alfons.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
A Goodbye to Alfons
Last Thursday, we went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, as we do around once a week, and were saddened to hear that our buddy, or son as I will tell you about later, had gone to the doctor after he though he had had a stroke and while examing him, terminal cancer was found. He was given only two weeks at the max to live. He died Saturday.
That is a shock.
We had just played NTN with him a month ago and used to play the game every time we went to Donovan's as he used to live in Twin Lakes, but had moved back to Illinois in the last year. We had no idea he was ill.
He was one great NTN player and was especially good at movies, an area I am unbelievably bad in even though I see a lot of movies. And, he shared answers. We always did better as a team when he was there.
He was also in our age group, having been born in August 1951 and had been an Arlington High School in Illinois Class of 69 graduate. This school was right by where we graduated from, Palatine. They were our arch-rivals and were not well-liked. We liked to kid around about past rivalries.
Plus, he was regarded as our "son." We called him "son" and he called us "Mom and Dad." That stemmed back to the time I was deejaying a St. Patrick's Day party at George's Cedar Inn in Lake Villa. Liz. Al and his wife were sitting at the bar when the bartender asked if Liz was Alfons' mother. That got to be a standing joke after that.
Alan Sowka (1951-2012)
Anyway, Alfons, Old Buddy, Sure Gonna Miss You.
That is a shock.
We had just played NTN with him a month ago and used to play the game every time we went to Donovan's as he used to live in Twin Lakes, but had moved back to Illinois in the last year. We had no idea he was ill.
He was one great NTN player and was especially good at movies, an area I am unbelievably bad in even though I see a lot of movies. And, he shared answers. We always did better as a team when he was there.
He was also in our age group, having been born in August 1951 and had been an Arlington High School in Illinois Class of 69 graduate. This school was right by where we graduated from, Palatine. They were our arch-rivals and were not well-liked. We liked to kid around about past rivalries.
Plus, he was regarded as our "son." We called him "son" and he called us "Mom and Dad." That stemmed back to the time I was deejaying a St. Patrick's Day party at George's Cedar Inn in Lake Villa. Liz. Al and his wife were sitting at the bar when the bartender asked if Liz was Alfons' mother. That got to be a standing joke after that.
Alan Sowka (1951-2012)
Anyway, Alfons, Old Buddy, Sure Gonna Miss You.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Movie Scratches: Hope-- Lawless-- House-- Curve
A Dog's Eye View of some of today's movies.
37. HOPE SPRING-- 8-29-- FOX LAKE $4- A chick flick for old chicks. Could Tommy Lee get anymore crocheter?
38. LAWLESS-- 9-12-- FOX LAKE $4-- "Have you met Howard?" "Nancy Boy vs. the bootleggers.
39. THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET-- 10-3-- FOX LAKE $4-- Not what you'd think. Definitely not.
40. TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE-- 10-3-- FOX LAKE $4-- Imagine Clint Eastwood making another great movie...and, at his age.
The Rush For the Bathroom After the Movie. --RoadDog
37. HOPE SPRING-- 8-29-- FOX LAKE $4- A chick flick for old chicks. Could Tommy Lee get anymore crocheter?
38. LAWLESS-- 9-12-- FOX LAKE $4-- "Have you met Howard?" "Nancy Boy vs. the bootleggers.
39. THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET-- 10-3-- FOX LAKE $4-- Not what you'd think. Definitely not.
40. TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE-- 10-3-- FOX LAKE $4-- Imagine Clint Eastwood making another great movie...and, at his age.
The Rush For the Bathroom After the Movie. --RoadDog
What Is Ray Stevens Up To These Days?
From the American Profile Magazine.
Ray Stevens, a native of Clarkdale, Georgia, is 73 and spent the past two years producing a 108-song box set of laughs, The Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music, which includes about 20 of his hits like "The Steak," "Guitarzan," "Along Came Jones" and "Ahab the Arab."
He won Grammys for "Misty" and "Everything Is Beautiful."
I would sure like to hear that set of comedy music. This was one of the funniest guys ever.
"Don't Look Ethel!!" --RoadDog
Ray Stevens, a native of Clarkdale, Georgia, is 73 and spent the past two years producing a 108-song box set of laughs, The Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music, which includes about 20 of his hits like "The Steak," "Guitarzan," "Along Came Jones" and "Ahab the Arab."
He won Grammys for "Misty" and "Everything Is Beautiful."
I would sure like to hear that set of comedy music. This was one of the funniest guys ever.
"Don't Look Ethel!!" --RoadDog
Just Hanging Around
FRIDAY OCTOBER 19TH
Wet, overcast day. Ten at Ten was to 1969 and my pick for favorite was "Proud Mary" by CCR. I am a huge Creedence fan. Other songs: What Is and Never Should Be, And When I Die, I Want You Back, Because, These Eyes, Get Ready, Space Oddity, Space Cowboys and Wooden Ships.
Met the Usual Suspects at Stormy Monday and enjoyed Jim Seig performing at Route 12 Bar.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20TH
Went over to McHenry for a talk on Civil War weapons by a former FBI agent who headed up the Operation Graylord Sting where several judges were arrested. The governments secret witness was Terry Hake and we went to Palatine High School with him.
Ate lunch at Culver's and came home and watched Northern Illinois defeat Akron and unfortunately, Purdue and Northwestern both blew leads to lose at the end.
We were surprised by a phone call from Cousin Joe saying he was in Madison and would be stopping by on his way back from Aberdeen, SD, where unfortunately he did not get the city manager job. We took him over to Captain's Quarters where the Average Joe Band was playing. You've got to like a band that calls themselves a name like that. Introduced Joe to the joys of brats, specifically Johnsonville Brats!!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21ST
Joe and I boated over to McDonald's and around the Chain for awhile before he left. We then drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin to watch the Packer game (Bears play tonight). Packers won, but we were saddened to find out that our friend Alfons had died yesterday.
Came home and raked leaves and burned some and watched some of the shows that I had recorded on the VCR this last week and that great AMC "Walking Dead."
Sure Glad To get Another Chance to see Joe. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST (Put them in order)
Raggedy Ann Doll, Teddy Bear, Frisbee, Yo-Yo
Wet, overcast day. Ten at Ten was to 1969 and my pick for favorite was "Proud Mary" by CCR. I am a huge Creedence fan. Other songs: What Is and Never Should Be, And When I Die, I Want You Back, Because, These Eyes, Get Ready, Space Oddity, Space Cowboys and Wooden Ships.
Met the Usual Suspects at Stormy Monday and enjoyed Jim Seig performing at Route 12 Bar.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20TH
Went over to McHenry for a talk on Civil War weapons by a former FBI agent who headed up the Operation Graylord Sting where several judges were arrested. The governments secret witness was Terry Hake and we went to Palatine High School with him.
Ate lunch at Culver's and came home and watched Northern Illinois defeat Akron and unfortunately, Purdue and Northwestern both blew leads to lose at the end.
We were surprised by a phone call from Cousin Joe saying he was in Madison and would be stopping by on his way back from Aberdeen, SD, where unfortunately he did not get the city manager job. We took him over to Captain's Quarters where the Average Joe Band was playing. You've got to like a band that calls themselves a name like that. Introduced Joe to the joys of brats, specifically Johnsonville Brats!!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21ST
Joe and I boated over to McDonald's and around the Chain for awhile before he left. We then drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin to watch the Packer game (Bears play tonight). Packers won, but we were saddened to find out that our friend Alfons had died yesterday.
Came home and raked leaves and burned some and watched some of the shows that I had recorded on the VCR this last week and that great AMC "Walking Dead."
Sure Glad To get Another Chance to see Joe. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST (Put them in order)
Raggedy Ann Doll, Teddy Bear, Frisbee, Yo-Yo
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Movies That Tanked in 2011
From Yahoo! Movies "Gobble Gobble: The Biggest Box Office Turkeys of 2011" by Kurt Orzeck.
*-- I didn't see it.
Rum Diaries
Mars needs Moms*
Larry Crowne
Cowboys & Aliens
Green Lantern*
Conan the Barbarian
Your Highness-- Probably one of the worst movies I ever saw.
The Dilemma*
The Big Year
The Thing
Other than "Your Highness, I really liked all the other movies, but then again, I like most movies that I see.
Want Some Dressing With That Turkey. --RoadDog
*-- I didn't see it.
Rum Diaries
Mars needs Moms*
Larry Crowne
Cowboys & Aliens
Green Lantern*
Conan the Barbarian
Your Highness-- Probably one of the worst movies I ever saw.
The Dilemma*
The Big Year
The Thing
Other than "Your Highness, I really liked all the other movies, but then again, I like most movies that I see.
Want Some Dressing With That Turkey. --RoadDog
JSIS: SUV Seats-- Fake Ketchup-- Haunting Business
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff
From today's Yahoo!
1. SUV SEATS-- People are stealing the third row seats from SUVs and getting as much as $1,000 each. Sounds like a sit and run to me.
2. FAKE KETCHUP-- Police found a factory making fake Heinz Ketchup. What next, fake blood?
3. HAUNTING BUSINESS-- Haunted houses have become big business. We have several here in northeast Illinois. People will pay big money to get the bejeebers scared out of them. I remember one of the best times I ever had was working in the Round Lake, Il., Jaycees Haunted House. I really loved scaring people, especially my students who got a little extra in their scare.
You Know What They Say About Payback. --RoadDog
Answers to yesterday's WHICH CAME FIRST?
Mechanical Dishwasher (1879), Electric Oven (1889), Self-Contained Electric Clothes Washer (1907), Home Refrigerator (1913)
From today's Yahoo!
1. SUV SEATS-- People are stealing the third row seats from SUVs and getting as much as $1,000 each. Sounds like a sit and run to me.
2. FAKE KETCHUP-- Police found a factory making fake Heinz Ketchup. What next, fake blood?
3. HAUNTING BUSINESS-- Haunted houses have become big business. We have several here in northeast Illinois. People will pay big money to get the bejeebers scared out of them. I remember one of the best times I ever had was working in the Round Lake, Il., Jaycees Haunted House. I really loved scaring people, especially my students who got a little extra in their scare.
You Know What They Say About Payback. --RoadDog
Answers to yesterday's WHICH CAME FIRST?
Mechanical Dishwasher (1879), Electric Oven (1889), Self-Contained Electric Clothes Washer (1907), Home Refrigerator (1913)
Friday, October 19, 2012
What Is Americana Music?
It is music that kind of defies classification, but nonetheless, really good stuff. Unfortunately, it is not very popular compared to hip-hop and rap and the sort. I accidentally came across a radio station in Central Illinois on my travels called the Whip, WHHP in Farmersburg (?), and they play the stuff. 98.3 I believe.
Anyway, Cashbox Magazine has a bunch of countdowns that you can listen to, and one of them is the Americana Top Twenty (wish it was Top 40 and also that it would be hosted and not just played.
The most recent has some songs that I really liked:
ALL FALL DOWN-- Shawn Colvin
O SUSANNA-- Neil Young and Crazy Horse
HO HEY-- The Luminers
THE BOXER-- Jerry Douglas and Mumford & Sons
SING UP TO THE MOON-- Leftover Salmon (You've just got to love a group with that name.)
NORTH SIDE GAL-- J.D. McPherson
WHAT THE HELL IS GOIN' ON-- Paul Thom
ROLL ME UP-- Willie Nelson
ROOSTER RAG-- Little Feat
HAIL HAIL-- Shovels & Rope (Another different sort of name.)
LEVI-- Old Crow Medicine Show
Oh Yes, and Bob Stroud is going back to 1969 on his Ten at Ten show this morning (repeated at 10 PM tonight). www.wdrv.com . That would be 10 AM CDST. Worth a listen. Ten straight songs, no commercials, but little tidbits that take you back every two songs.
I'll Be Listening. --RoadDog
Anyway, Cashbox Magazine has a bunch of countdowns that you can listen to, and one of them is the Americana Top Twenty (wish it was Top 40 and also that it would be hosted and not just played.
The most recent has some songs that I really liked:
ALL FALL DOWN-- Shawn Colvin
O SUSANNA-- Neil Young and Crazy Horse
HO HEY-- The Luminers
THE BOXER-- Jerry Douglas and Mumford & Sons
SING UP TO THE MOON-- Leftover Salmon (You've just got to love a group with that name.)
NORTH SIDE GAL-- J.D. McPherson
WHAT THE HELL IS GOIN' ON-- Paul Thom
ROLL ME UP-- Willie Nelson
ROOSTER RAG-- Little Feat
HAIL HAIL-- Shovels & Rope (Another different sort of name.)
LEVI-- Old Crow Medicine Show
Oh Yes, and Bob Stroud is going back to 1969 on his Ten at Ten show this morning (repeated at 10 PM tonight). www.wdrv.com . That would be 10 AM CDST. Worth a listen. Ten straight songs, no commercials, but little tidbits that take you back every two songs.
I'll Be Listening. --RoadDog
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)