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“Think I’ll let her keep on going
Where ever it is, she’s goin’, too.
Give her my autograph and tell her
It’s been nice knowin’ you.”

The Monkees—“Star Collector”


What is it with this preoccupation of mine of collecting autographs? I have a few rock music autographs, a few more comic book writers and/or artists autographs, and many, many more Chicago Bears autographs.

I mean, after all, they are just people. They are no more significant than you or me, right?

My wife told me that my Walter Payton autograph was worth nothing because I will never sell it. On the not selling it note, she is correct—I will NEVER SELL IT.

Other than that, she is wrong.

Walter was the greatest offensive football player to ever play the game. He ran more yards than anyone else in the league for a very long time—his record recently broken by Emmit Smith who played behind much better Dallas Cowboy teams than the Chicago Bears ever had. And yes, he is a significant person.

My autograph of Shelly Moldoff—golden age comic artist with a Batman sketch—is priceless. He lived through the single most significant comic generation and created an entertainment medium that has been cherished for decades.

My Will Eisner autograph on a personal letter on personal stationary is equally priceless. He started the graphic novel and redefined how comic books should look and feel. Sequential Art was what he called his developments.

My autograph Dick Butkis and Gayle Sayers and Mike Ditka—all are priceless. They represent the game in the way it was meant to be played. Equally true of Dan Hampton, Tommy Waddle, Jay Hilgenberg, Jimbo Covert, Kevin Butler, Mike Singlegary, Gary Fencik, Matt Suhey, Jim McMahon, Otis Wilson, Steve McMichael, and Tom Thayer autographs.

Sure, these are human beings with a knack for being famous, but I think it is fitting to pay homage to them. If I ever do anything of great magnitude and someone asks for an autograph, how humbling it would be.

The most recent autograph I obtained also has that picture above associated with it. I helped to arranged to have Doug Buffone as a guest speaker for our United Way Kick-off Breakfast this year. I had the extreme pleasure of listening to him tell stories of the glory days of the black and blue division. I was fortunate enough to chat with him while we ate, and I performed his introduction to a large audience of well over 100 guests. It was an honor, it was a privilege and it was done out of respect for this man who gave the fans something to cheer about.

Usually we snag an autograph of a person who has changed our view, entertained us, made us forget our troubles for a while, and brought us some pleasure. They seem larger than life and they seem to grace us with their presence, if only for a short while. Here is a man who did what I have only dreamed of doing—playing professional football for my favorite team; now talking about it on 670 AM—The Score in Chicago; and he actually took the time to help out our volunteer agencies. He also actually took the time to talk to me and complimented me on my teaching career. He seemed larger than life because in many ways he was.

He was among my older brother’s and my father’s favorite players. He changed our lives for the better and gave us something to cheer about. He is significant.

And I feel better having his autograph.

I will remember that when I sign a student’s yearbook—they ask me to sign because I changed their life for the better, gave them something to think about, or perhaps seemed larger than life.

Now, if only I could have played professional football for the Bears…

But that’s another story.

Sometimes Older is Better: A Thought For the South

“Get me back on my feet again
Back on my feet again
Open the door and set me free
Get me back on my feet again”
Randy Newman

My heart goes out to the good folks who have lost so much in the south from the Hurricane Katrina. I cannot imagine their loss.

And while I certainly understand people who want newer homes, perhaps there is a lesson here for homeowners: They built them better a long time ago. The older houses will still stand when the newer ones have scattered throughout the South.

I live in an older house and we (my wife, two cats, and me) are very pleased with it. Ours was built in 1914 and it is not going anywhere. Sure, we had to replace the plumbing as the feeling of a hot shower was excruciating when someone flushed the toilet or ran water.

Yes, the electricity was replaced as well because of power surges every time the heater or the air conditioning kicked on—but it gives the house some charm; as does the creaky floors, the drafty windows, curved bathroom wall and the strangeness of having a huge utility closet in the bathroom for no reason when the other ones are so small that we need to step outside to change our minds.

Learn a lesson folks—old houses are simply built better.

Learn another lesson, folks—older Presidents in our country's history were simply made better.

I will not Bash President Bush today as no President could expect the damage done by this storm. It is a natural disaster and he deserves no blame. However, for his other more “human” disasters, well…he is fair game for criticisms. I hope the military personnel are more understanding to the troop members whose families were harmed. I hope we send some federal relief to the region, and I hope we “liberate” our people in the South (regardless of socio-economic status or race) from the “terrors” they have received this week. Remember, for my right-wing friends, the South voted for this administration--please deliver the people the strength they need--and I mean physical and material, here. This is the time to help our brethern.

Again, from Randy Newman:

“Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man)
We've taken all you've given
But it's gettin' hard to make a livin'
Mr. President have pity on the working man

We ain't asking for you to love us
You may place yourself high above us
Mr. President have pity on the working man

I know it may sound funny
But people ev'ry where are runnin' out of money
We just can't make it by ourself

It is cold and the wind is blowing
We need something to keep us going
Mr. President have pity on the working man

Maybe you're cheatin'
Maybe you're lyin'
Maybe you have lost your mind
Maybe you're only thinking 'bout yourself

Too late to run.
Too late to cry now
The time has come for us to say good-bye now

Mr. President have pity on the working man
Mr. President have pity on the working man”

I am hoping the current administration does the right thing and helps our citizens out as much as we jump (with) the gun to save others.

Speaking of Randy Newman--all of these lyrics from his ironic Good Old Boys album--I thought I would leave you with his lyrics from Louisiana.

“Louisiana
What has happened down here is the winds have changed
Clouds roll in from the north and it started to rain
Rained real hard and it rained for a real long time
Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline

The river rose all day
The river rose all night
Some people got lost in the flood
Some people got away alright
The river have busted through clear down to Plaquemines
Six feet of water in the streets of Evangelne

Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tyrin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away

President Coolidge came down in a railroad train
With a little fat man with a note-pad in his hand
The President say, "Little fat man isn't it a shame what the river has done
To this poor crackers land."

Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away…”

May your people and our fellow countrymen and women find some solace and some peace in these troubled times. Let us not wash away the lives and memories of these bold and noble people.