We hit a high of 54 today and I took a slow walk around our yard to check out the grass. Squirrels are tearing it apart already looking for food. Gaping holes that will need to be fixed soon. Looks like 60's by the end of the week!
The Chicago Bulls picked up Ronnie Brewer for the stretch run. He was a member of their famous "bench mob" a couple of years ago. Only 5 more regular season games before the playoffs start.
Mickey Rooney passed away yesterday at the age of 93. He was 15 months old when he made his first appearance in his parents vaudeville act. From 1939 through 1941, Mr. Rooney was number one at the box office. WGN used to play the Andy Hardy movies on sunday afternoons in the winter and I imagine I saw them all. But he also appeared in some classic blockbusters such as National Velvet with Elizabeth, Captains Courageous and my personal favorite, Boys Town with Milwaukee native Spencer Tracy. Thanks for the memories Mickey, you were truly legendary!
Russell Crowe's new movie Noah has been banned in at least 3 countries so far with a few more likely. Apparently, some people missed the over exuberant millennium celebration which brought most of us into the 21st century. All of this censorship never ceases to amaze me. What's next? Some good old fashioned book burning down at the library.
The 6th congressional district of Wisconsin has passed a resolution urging state representatives to uphold the great state of Wisconsin's rights to secede from the union. Yes, unfortunately the mississippification of Wisconsin continues!
Later
Monday, April 7, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Capote and Harper Lee
Finally, a day that actually resembles a real spring day. Mid 50's and sunny which seems to be the trend for the upcoming week.
The Tosa Thunder finished their indoor soccer campaign with an 11-4 victory this afternoon. Coco took a pretty good shot to the side of his head but the victory made it all better.
It's official, Jimmy Buffett will be performing at Alpine Valley on August 23rd. There's much planning to do and texts are being exchanged as I write. This announcement alone just made my week.
Congrats to UConn and Kentucky for advancing to the championship game. Both games were top notch and with Florida losing I'm officially toast with my bracket.
I finally got around to watching Capote last night featuring the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman who won Best Actor for his portrayal of Truman Capote. The movie is a bit on the dark side but still a fascinating story of the classic non-fiction bestseller, In Cold Blood.
What started out as a major article for the New Yorker Magazine turned into a book after Capote became close with of the the killers after attending the trial. Capote even attended the hangings in 1965 after the death penalty appeals failed.
Ironically, Capote's research assistant for this story was childhood friend Harper Lee. She won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for her bestseller, To Kill a Mockingbird. It would be Harper Lee's only completed novel but she is still alive today battling a myriad of health problems. Who could blame her for the one and done? Her accomplishment is the sports equivalent of getting a hole in one, on your first golf swing of your very first golf game ever. It can't get any better than that.
Later
The Tosa Thunder finished their indoor soccer campaign with an 11-4 victory this afternoon. Coco took a pretty good shot to the side of his head but the victory made it all better.
It's official, Jimmy Buffett will be performing at Alpine Valley on August 23rd. There's much planning to do and texts are being exchanged as I write. This announcement alone just made my week.
Congrats to UConn and Kentucky for advancing to the championship game. Both games were top notch and with Florida losing I'm officially toast with my bracket.
I finally got around to watching Capote last night featuring the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman who won Best Actor for his portrayal of Truman Capote. The movie is a bit on the dark side but still a fascinating story of the classic non-fiction bestseller, In Cold Blood.
What started out as a major article for the New Yorker Magazine turned into a book after Capote became close with of the the killers after attending the trial. Capote even attended the hangings in 1965 after the death penalty appeals failed.
Ironically, Capote's research assistant for this story was childhood friend Harper Lee. She won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for her bestseller, To Kill a Mockingbird. It would be Harper Lee's only completed novel but she is still alive today battling a myriad of health problems. Who could blame her for the one and done? Her accomplishment is the sports equivalent of getting a hole in one, on your first golf swing of your very first golf game ever. It can't get any better than that.
Later
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Low Hands High Palms
Nine Cubans made it to the beach on Key Largo yesterday. Their long boat ride from Cuba ended about a mile offshore when their boat broke down. They swam the last mile while using some foam remnants off the boat to make it. Local residents greeted them with cheers and drinking water while getting their photos taken with the brave freedom seekers.
Most people would be satisfied to make $174,000 yearly plus benefits if they only had to work 113 days a year. Especially when you factor in that your accomplishments are minimal at best. But Democrat Congressman Jim Moran from Virginia thinks he is grossly underpaid and is seeking to an increase in his salary. I can actually hear the world's smallest violin as I type.
Krissy and I had dinner at Mai Tai on Brady Street last night before heading over to the Knick to meet Angela and John. I've got a nasty blister on my left foot so I was limping all night long. Enjoyed another fine performance by 5 Card Stud last night. Krissy even dragged me onto the dance floor despite the bum foot. Naturally, I felt inclined to try out my new dance move. I called it Low Hands, High Palms. That noise you heard last night was Fred Astaire rolling over in his grave.
John and Angela dropped us off around midnight and I had my picture taken on the ugly snow pile on the end of our block. We caught a second wind so stopped at the Standard Tavern for a nightcap. We must have been entertaining because the bartender gave us a free shot of whiskey. The shot pretty much took our wind away so we called it a night!
Later
Most people would be satisfied to make $174,000 yearly plus benefits if they only had to work 113 days a year. Especially when you factor in that your accomplishments are minimal at best. But Democrat Congressman Jim Moran from Virginia thinks he is grossly underpaid and is seeking to an increase in his salary. I can actually hear the world's smallest violin as I type.
Krissy and I had dinner at Mai Tai on Brady Street last night before heading over to the Knick to meet Angela and John. I've got a nasty blister on my left foot so I was limping all night long. Enjoyed another fine performance by 5 Card Stud last night. Krissy even dragged me onto the dance floor despite the bum foot. Naturally, I felt inclined to try out my new dance move. I called it Low Hands, High Palms. That noise you heard last night was Fred Astaire rolling over in his grave.
John and Angela dropped us off around midnight and I had my picture taken on the ugly snow pile on the end of our block. We caught a second wind so stopped at the Standard Tavern for a nightcap. We must have been entertaining because the bartender gave us a free shot of whiskey. The shot pretty much took our wind away so we called it a night!
Later
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| 5 Card Studs |
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| Slowly shrinking snow piles-very slowly shrinking:( |
Friday, April 4, 2014
Happy 100th Wrigley Field
We woke up to some heavy fog and rain this morning. Looks like we might head to the Knick tonight to watch Five Card Stud.
A fairly decent jobs report was announced by the Bureau of Labor this morning. January and February numbers were also revised upwards which is why I always scoff at over reactions when they are announced.
The last bridge that you cross over to get into Key West is known as the Cow Key Bridge. It's 360 feet long. This saturday is the first annual Cow Key Channel Bridge Run. A first race like no other in the world with the official race distance of 360 feet. Let's hope nobody exerts themselves too much during the race!
David Letterman announced that he will retire from his nighttime gig some time in 2015. I still remember when he debuted as Johnny Carson's janitor with Late Night. Known for his sarcastic and dry humor he's been a part of the late night talk show crowd since 1982. That's quite a run Dave.
Today is the Chicago Cubs home opener with the traditional 1:20 start. Wrigley Field is 100 years old this year. Originally it was called Weeghman Park for the Chicago Whales of the long forgotten Federal League. Over the years football games, hockey games and concerts have been added to the mix. Jimmy Buffett a devoted Cubs fan was the very first concert performer.
I've attended hundreds of games at the Friendly Confines since I was six years old. I've even been a season ticket holder. It's changed some over the years but it has remained true to history right down to the troughs in the men's room. I once saw a young boy drop his proudly held batting practice ball into the trough. Naturally, he quickly reached down and picked it back up. That's one way to ruin a shiny white baseball!
Later
A fairly decent jobs report was announced by the Bureau of Labor this morning. January and February numbers were also revised upwards which is why I always scoff at over reactions when they are announced.
The last bridge that you cross over to get into Key West is known as the Cow Key Bridge. It's 360 feet long. This saturday is the first annual Cow Key Channel Bridge Run. A first race like no other in the world with the official race distance of 360 feet. Let's hope nobody exerts themselves too much during the race!
David Letterman announced that he will retire from his nighttime gig some time in 2015. I still remember when he debuted as Johnny Carson's janitor with Late Night. Known for his sarcastic and dry humor he's been a part of the late night talk show crowd since 1982. That's quite a run Dave.
Today is the Chicago Cubs home opener with the traditional 1:20 start. Wrigley Field is 100 years old this year. Originally it was called Weeghman Park for the Chicago Whales of the long forgotten Federal League. Over the years football games, hockey games and concerts have been added to the mix. Jimmy Buffett a devoted Cubs fan was the very first concert performer.
I've attended hundreds of games at the Friendly Confines since I was six years old. I've even been a season ticket holder. It's changed some over the years but it has remained true to history right down to the troughs in the men's room. I once saw a young boy drop his proudly held batting practice ball into the trough. Naturally, he quickly reached down and picked it back up. That's one way to ruin a shiny white baseball!
Later
Thursday, April 3, 2014
The Great Steak-Umm
Overcast and rainy today with temperatures in the mid 30's and still some snow pile remnants. It looks like the weekend will be decent though so maybe that will be the spring turning point.
The Cubs bullpen have blown their first two games of the season. At least they held on today for their first victory of the season. New Cub Emilio Bonifacio has 11 hits in his first 16 at bats. That's like a beast of a little league statistic. It's the hottest start I can recall in recent years.
Kentucky Senate candidate Matt Bevin attended a rally to make cockfighting legal again in Kentucky. I actually thought this was an Onion newspaper type joke but 700 people actually attended this event. Apparently the 21st century isn't as alive and well as I give it credit for. In addition to spending millions of his own money in the race he has been backed by the Tea Party in the race against incumbent Mitch McConnell. Good luck with that campaign strategy Mr. Bevin.
I ate the last of my steak-umm's for lunch yesterday. In high school and college I used to eat them twice a week. The thin beef sliced just right, placed on a warm roll and covered with ketchup. I remember how delicious they were and would always have two.
It took me forever to find them in a local grocery store. At the time I found that extremely odd so I bought two boxes in case there was a national shortage. Much to my surprise they totally suck now. I'll never buy them again. How did this happen? Did my taste buds change? Was I so poor back then that I tricked myself into thinking they were great? I won't lose any sleep over it as I think I'll try toasted cheese sandwiches again. They still make Velveeta, right?
Later
The Cubs bullpen have blown their first two games of the season. At least they held on today for their first victory of the season. New Cub Emilio Bonifacio has 11 hits in his first 16 at bats. That's like a beast of a little league statistic. It's the hottest start I can recall in recent years.
Kentucky Senate candidate Matt Bevin attended a rally to make cockfighting legal again in Kentucky. I actually thought this was an Onion newspaper type joke but 700 people actually attended this event. Apparently the 21st century isn't as alive and well as I give it credit for. In addition to spending millions of his own money in the race he has been backed by the Tea Party in the race against incumbent Mitch McConnell. Good luck with that campaign strategy Mr. Bevin.
I ate the last of my steak-umm's for lunch yesterday. In high school and college I used to eat them twice a week. The thin beef sliced just right, placed on a warm roll and covered with ketchup. I remember how delicious they were and would always have two.
It took me forever to find them in a local grocery store. At the time I found that extremely odd so I bought two boxes in case there was a national shortage. Much to my surprise they totally suck now. I'll never buy them again. How did this happen? Did my taste buds change? Was I so poor back then that I tricked myself into thinking they were great? I won't lose any sleep over it as I think I'll try toasted cheese sandwiches again. They still make Velveeta, right?
Later
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
America's Finest Whorehouse
I took Coco to school this morning after missing the last couple days sick. He looked much better despite it being 28 degrees this morning. There's still some snow remnants and I'll let you know when it's all gone.
The world's newest and highest Ferris Wheel opened on the Vegas Strip. Built by Caesars Entertainment (CZR). the 550 foot High Roller takes a full 30 minutes to go a full revolution. Tickets are $25 bucks for a daytime ride and $35 for a nighttime ride. The original Ferris Wheel was designed by George Ferris Jr. for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Ironically, I dated one of his great grand daughters 90 years later.
Sarah Palin called Paul Ryan's new budget proposal a "joke." Of course, she wasn't provided a copy before she posted her comments but low information statements seems to be her shtick. To date, America's Death Panels have not executed one single old person. Unfortunately, she was a day late for the April Fool honor but I'm going to give her a Lifetime Fool's award just for being a sad pathetic soul.
The latest Supreme Court ruling regarding election campaign donations ensures that big money will always buy elections. The Capitol Building in D.C. will remain America's largest whorehouse will total disregard for the American people unless you're willing to pay for a quickie. The will of the people be damned as long as a body of politicians with a 12% approval rating sell their ass to the highest bidder. When politicians, high rollers or PAC's spend $40-$100 million for a job that pays less than $200,000 common sense dictates that something isn't right. Today, even the good people of Denmark smell something rotten in the United States.
Later
The world's newest and highest Ferris Wheel opened on the Vegas Strip. Built by Caesars Entertainment (CZR). the 550 foot High Roller takes a full 30 minutes to go a full revolution. Tickets are $25 bucks for a daytime ride and $35 for a nighttime ride. The original Ferris Wheel was designed by George Ferris Jr. for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Ironically, I dated one of his great grand daughters 90 years later.
Sarah Palin called Paul Ryan's new budget proposal a "joke." Of course, she wasn't provided a copy before she posted her comments but low information statements seems to be her shtick. To date, America's Death Panels have not executed one single old person. Unfortunately, she was a day late for the April Fool honor but I'm going to give her a Lifetime Fool's award just for being a sad pathetic soul.
The latest Supreme Court ruling regarding election campaign donations ensures that big money will always buy elections. The Capitol Building in D.C. will remain America's largest whorehouse will total disregard for the American people unless you're willing to pay for a quickie. The will of the people be damned as long as a body of politicians with a 12% approval rating sell their ass to the highest bidder. When politicians, high rollers or PAC's spend $40-$100 million for a job that pays less than $200,000 common sense dictates that something isn't right. Today, even the good people of Denmark smell something rotten in the United States.
Later
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
My Favorite Fool
You have to love opening day fans. Krissy and I went out for a walk last night and encountered 5 very loyal Brewer fans. Not having a camera phone for this is my biggest regret of the year. They wore matching caps, jerseys, and bright canary yellow tight pants. They were feeling absolutely no pain at 8pm!
I somehow forgot to mention another John Wayne story in yesterday's blog. I have another Uncle Wayne who was a boat mechanic in San Clemente, California. He received a call in the middle of the night to drive down to the marina to repair a large yacht that was on it's way to Mexico. Sure enough, he gets down there and encounters the Duke as it was his yacht and he was in a hurry to get to Mexico.
Tiger Woods had back surgery for a pinched nerve and will miss the Masters Tournament. His first Masters was in 1995 when he was still an amateur and this will be his first time missing the legendary tournament since then. Hopefully he'll make a comeback in the summer.
The first quarter of the stock market was mostly stagnant mixed with pessimism. The second quarter has a good start so far. Historically, April has been a very good market month and has been a gainer 70% historically.
Soda sales have been on a downward trend the last couple of years. Both diet and regular soda. I can assure you that our household can not be blamed for that!
Jazz in the Park announced their 2014 lineup yesterday. Jazz as us locals call it is a thursday night free concert at Cathedral Square. Started in 1991, it's become quite a successful weekly festival. Dogs have been banned recently as was bring your own alcohol. Still, it's a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to King Solomon on July 3rd and Five Card Stud on August 14th. The full lineup can be viewed at www.easttown.com
Ted Cruz showed up on Fox this morning sporting a fake Winston Churchill tattoo on his arm. Seems the new fool is the same as the old fool!
Later
I somehow forgot to mention another John Wayne story in yesterday's blog. I have another Uncle Wayne who was a boat mechanic in San Clemente, California. He received a call in the middle of the night to drive down to the marina to repair a large yacht that was on it's way to Mexico. Sure enough, he gets down there and encounters the Duke as it was his yacht and he was in a hurry to get to Mexico.
Tiger Woods had back surgery for a pinched nerve and will miss the Masters Tournament. His first Masters was in 1995 when he was still an amateur and this will be his first time missing the legendary tournament since then. Hopefully he'll make a comeback in the summer.
The first quarter of the stock market was mostly stagnant mixed with pessimism. The second quarter has a good start so far. Historically, April has been a very good market month and has been a gainer 70% historically.
Soda sales have been on a downward trend the last couple of years. Both diet and regular soda. I can assure you that our household can not be blamed for that!
Jazz in the Park announced their 2014 lineup yesterday. Jazz as us locals call it is a thursday night free concert at Cathedral Square. Started in 1991, it's become quite a successful weekly festival. Dogs have been banned recently as was bring your own alcohol. Still, it's a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to King Solomon on July 3rd and Five Card Stud on August 14th. The full lineup can be viewed at www.easttown.com
Ted Cruz showed up on Fox this morning sporting a fake Winston Churchill tattoo on his arm. Seems the new fool is the same as the old fool!
Later
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