Batfan63: A Dark Knight for a Dark World

Time To Count My Blessings In This Incredible Life

2012-01-16T14:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been away so long. Time, commitments, life, etc. have all contributed; that and a bit of apathy to write. I have not been inspired to write, until I went to church last week (Wesley United Methodist for those keeping score) and the sermon had me thinking. The sermon was about Mark and how Jesus let the younger children come to him and said basically that we need to look at the world with the eyes of a child and sense of wonderment. It made sense.

I know I could carry on and on with some medical transgressions I have had, but that would be fairly boring; yet one would be remised if one did not notice that I have survived some fairly incredible odds with somewhat experimental open heart surgery in 1964 at the age of two months and again at seven years old in 1972 and a massive stroke in 2009. Still I am fine and that should cause anyone some amount of wonder.

That aside, I have led a fairly incredible life.

I went to the Super Bowl in 2006.

I met many of my favorite football players in the likes of Tom Waddle, Doug Buffone, Mike Ditka, Mike Singletary, Jim Harbaugh, Jim Morrisey, Hunter Hillenmeyer, and Kevin Butler.

I actually met, chatted with, and had dinner with one of my all-time inspirational people in Adam West.

I met and flirted with Julie Newmar.

I have seen some of my all-time favorite musicians in concert such as Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Jethro Tull, Steve Earle, BOC, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Brian Setzer, Bob Dylan, John Hiatt, The BoDeans, and countless others.

I have sampled some truly wonderful tastes in some unique beers from all over the world.

I have read some of the greatest literature ever. From Shakespeare to Poe and beyond, I have read passages into the soul of humanity.

I have read and own some of the greatest artifacts of popular culture ever in comics. I highly recommend Batman 251 (Joker’s Five Way Revenge), The Killing Joke Graphic Novel, Amazing Spider-man 121-122 (Death of Gwen Stacy), and Dark Knight Returns to savor.

I have awesome friends who respect, tease, and build me up.

I have the best job in the word teaching the best students ever. My career is perfect.

I have been blessed with some unique pets—Pepto the intelligent cat, Foggy the kindest cat ever, Guinness the most emotional cat ever, Chumley the friendliest cat ever, and Babette, the most independent cat ever. They all touch my personality in some unique way.

I have been blessed with a loving and supportive family who have gone through thick and thin with me. My parents set a positive and hard-working tone on the three of us and deserve credit for raising pretty intelligent and industrious kids in a difficult time 91960s and 1970s and 1980s). My sister is incredibly kind and passionate. Her husband is a gentle guy and her kids are very respectful and kind. My brother is probably the most giving person ever and I am a better person having him as an older brother. His wife is a treasure.

I have a beautiful wife who loves me and who supports me. She is also incredibly gorgeous, incredibly intelligent, and more tolerant than she should be. Being a knowledgeable Bear fan helps me more than ever, as I have a football partner for life.

People need to spend more time counting their blessings and less time whining. Next time something more whiney, I promise.

Happy First Anniversary!

2011-11-05T06:36:00.001-07:00

“Baby's good to me you know,
She's happy as can be you know,
She said so…
I'm in love with her and I feel fine.

Baby says she's mine you know,
She tells me all the time you know,
She said so…
I'm in love with her and I feel fine.
I'm so glad that she's my little girl,
She's so glad, she's telling all the world;
That her baby buys her things you know.
He buys her diamond rings you know,
She said so.
I'm in love with her and I feel fine. ”

"I Feel Fine" by the Beatles, 1965.

I have been busy lately, but not so busy that I did not celebrate my first anniversary of marriage to my wonderful wife, Jennifer.

The last year has been a whirlwind, and one that has been as hectic, dizzying, as it as been fun. Jen and I simply enjoy being together. Most things we do are more fun because we share the moment. Going to Aruba, going to Florida, going to Hannibal, Mo; just going places is much more fun with Jen. I used to hate to travel, now I look forward to it.

We also share a great fondness with just enjoying the conversations we have had. We both said that was a huge priority and a huge pleasurable act that we do. To talk about our day, current events, sometime politics (Jen’s no John Bircher, but she’s no liberal either), and the like have been pleasurable on an intellectual level and a social level.

We love the Bears and the Illini, so sharing those games are more fun; especially because Jen knows so much about football. I am truly amazed at her acuity of football.

For me, the tender moments are the best. Jen refers to me often as “honey” and I love that. I will not go into any gauche or graphic moments herein, but the tender loving moments are truly something I have not experienced before, and they are welcomed and wonderful.

We occasionally disagree, but we talk it out and move forward. I am relatively certain we have not had a marriage fight, but we occasionally disagree. Jen does not see the value of comics as highly as I do, and I do not understand her impatience at some things (driving, my driving, other people’s driving) or her “sorry I’m late” comments. I have a propensity to spend money on “stupid stuff” (Comics, CD’s, books –because I have hundreds I have not read as of yet) and Jen is always running behind. So we help each other out with these flaws—she tells me not to spend money and I tell her we are leaving at 8:00 (or name your time here) PM AIS—Ass In Seat . It truthfully does not work for either of us, be we are at least aware of the other’s errors in judgment.

Truth is, I love Jennifer with all of my heart and I know she feels the same about me. I have never been happier and I only hope I can make her feel the same.

The Bears' Season, Thus Far

2011-10-14T17:25:00.000-07:00

I must admit, I just love football. I love the coolness of the fall weather, the smell in the air, and I love watching football. Jen and I are both football fans (I think this marriage will work well), and we love the orange and the blue. Pontiac, the high school I am employed with is orange and blue. Jen is an Illinois graduate, and we are season football ticket holders. My first and foremost football love is the Chicago Bears yet another orange and blue.

That said, I am discouraged by the lack of discipline in the Bears organization. The lack of attention on the offensive line, as well as the lack of concern about the safety position, both of which I have railed on ceaselessly and complained about for years on this blog and in public, is unheard of by the fans. To go into this season with that porous line and the lack of talent in the safety position is not only an insult to the fan base and other players; but it is a sheer act of treachery and deception. How many times in the last two years have I curse frank Omyale and Craig Steltz? They simply cannot play their respective positions.

I feel for Matt Fort, Jay Cutler, Brian Urlacher, and Charles Tillman. They cannot vocalize their discontent with their team members, but they have to know that the Bears management have not done enough to put them into a position to win a title. They HAVE to know it; because even I figured it out.

The formula for the Bears’ future success is apparent to me. Bye bye Jerry Angelo. It is time for you to catch that fastest train out of town. It is clear that he has no clue how to draft and build a champion team. I also would abandon the cover two. If the Lions figured It out, Hell, any team can. I would let less than lively Lovie Smith join the ranks of Abe Giberon, Jack Pardee and other ex-Chicago bears Coaches. Management needs to be cleaned out from top to bottom. I would consider Troub (special teams coach) to take the helm and star anew. This team has enough talent to be competitive, but blew it as a serious candidate to go for the Super Bowl the day they signed Roy Williams.

Let’s look at some other bonehead moves. Chester Taylor—one year and 4 million dollars later—gone. Need I mention the Benson matter? How about letting Barrian go? What about signing Spencer and finding out he cannot play center? How about the fine signing of Williams, who came injured and later showed he is just inept? What about the mind games they have played with an up and coming wide receiver like Johnny Knox, only to make him doubt his own abilities. How about not signing Matt Forte to a contract extension? I mean, he’s only the most productive player on the team and he makes up 60% of the offense.

There are many more questions the Bears need to answer, and rather than waiting for a response and wading through the muck of an answer, I would rather start fresh and rebuild the management and coaching staff.

Babbette is Home!

2011-07-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

I guess since she has lived with me for eight months, I am belated in introducing Jen’s female calico cat, Babbette.

Babbette has slowly captured my heart and filled the void left by Foggy, as the two are fairly similar. Babs is incredibly independent. She pretty much does what she wants around the boys, which is comical. When one of the two approaches her, she swats him in the face. She also enjoys hanging around with her “brother” Guinness. Jen has nameded them the “Wonder Twins.” Babs is a bit intimated by Chumley, but she swats at him regardless, to which he pretty much ignores her.

I think they think that she is still Foggy, and do not understand that Foggy has passed.

Every morning, she joins us in the bathroom and wants to be petted. She also likes to curl up with us and seems to enjoy a good snuggle. I do not know how intelligent she truly is, as she chases her tail (a Foggy trait) and she seems spooked often.

She loves Jen and she seems to like me more and more. She is amazingly cute, but a tad evil, thus the perfect female.

What I love about her is that Babs refuses to take crap from the other cats or me. She has made our home equally hers. This is the fourth home she has lived in and she has made her mark within.

She has spent many an afternoon napping and cuddling with me.

I admire the sweet kitten as she is not afraid of showing the boys who is boss. No wonder, she is Jen’s cat!

Aruba: Vacation In Paradise

2011-07-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

“Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you

Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama”
--The Beach Boys

We’re back from Aruba!

Jen and I shared our honeymoon (slightly belated) in the calming waters and crisp sands of Aruba. The temperature was between 82 and 87 degrees, which is warm for me, but I did not notice it much as we had a cool breeze consistently blowing in from the oceans. With extremely low humidity, it truly is a paradise.

We saw some incredible sights on the journey. We went to visit some ruins, we went to the first Catholic Church (1740s)on the island, we ventured into the catacombs of a cave inhabited by bats, and we spent most of our time on the beach.

The food was great, albeit expensive, as everything is imported. The island is made of lava rock, sand, and not much else. The people were wonderful. They were very helpful, spoke English, and were fun to be with. As we were leaving, our hotel manager told us she would see us again, God willing, because “no one goes to Aruba just once.”

Aruba is part of the Dutch Antilles Islands and the natives speak Dutch, English, Spanish, and their own language, which is a combination of the previous three plus some African. They accept dollars, so no need to transfer funds. They also brew their own beer, Balashi. I liked it quite a bit. It had a mild sweetness, like a good pilsner should have. It was also brewed there by the highest quality water purification in the world, no kidding. I had to snag a shirt. I have backed off my beer consumption considerably, but when in Aruba, do as the Arubans do.

Jen is an excellent travel partner, actually she is an excellent partner in everything, but in travel, she knows what she is doing. She booked the rooms through our RCI points, arranged the flights, and was a calming influence on my “ugly American” attitude. I may write on that phenomenon someday, but another blog for another time.

My best meal was either a seafood dish complete with red snapper, clam, scallops, shrimp, grouper, and calamari in a rich lime cream sauce or a delicious Ostrich steak, from the ostrich raised on the Island, both were courtesy of the Pirate’s nest, an eatery associated with the hotel two doors down from where we staying.

As calm and tranquil as the trip was, it was made even better by sharing the time with my beautiful bride.

In Brightest Day; In Blackest Night, No Evil Shall Escape My Sight

2011-06-19T09:59:00.001-07:00

“Superman or Green Lantern,
Ain’t Got nothing on me…”
--Donavan, 1969

Every once in a while, I allow myself to go into a completely comic book geek mode. This Friday evening, I did so at the Green Lantern movie. I have been looking forward to this one since I heard they were doing it. I was not disappointed.

The acting was good at times, even if Ryan Reynolds in the title role plays Hal Jordan/Green Lantern occasionally smarmy, but I can handle that. The supporting cast of Sinestro, Tomar Re, and Kilowog were great. I like Pieface and Carol Ferris was completely hot. All of that said, the comics came out a year ago and reformatted Hal’s origin and that origin was adopted in the film. The writers and overseers (namely comic writer Geoff Johns) also included elements and took liberties with the Parallax storyline. Still, I was impressed. Visually, this is a stunning movie. The action was consistent, and there was some tongue-in-cheek humor presented, which harkened back to the days when John Broone and Gil Kane revised the comic in the 1960s.

The critics and comic geeks who have railed on it have forgotten that this film is meant to attract a wider audience. I went with Jen who knew nothing about Green lantern other than my GL glass in the cupboard and my recitation of the Green Lantern oath en route to the film. I kept telling her “In brightest day; in blackest night; no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might, beware my power—Green Lantern’s light.” Imagine hearing that for twenty minutes straight; and you can guess how much her tolerance was waning. Jen liked the movie and more importantly, she followed it well and understood it.

GL is a complicated character and for her to have a meaningful conversation with me afterwards in which I explained the various nuances of Sinestro, Guy Gardner, Jon Stewart, Star Safire, Oa, the impurities of the ring against yellow, Alan Scott (original Green Lantern of the 1940s) and so on (and for once she was actually interested), well then you can imagine my joy. In fact, Saturday when we picked groceries, we passed a guy wearing a Flash shirt and I told Jen that I wanted to yell out the window that this was the wrong weekend for Flash, and he needed to gain some fashion knowledge and sport some Green Lantern attire. She even laughed and agreed.

Is this movie as strong as Dark Knight Returns, Iron-Man, or Spider-Man 2? Nope.

Is it better than Fantastic Four, Hulk (either of them and the TV show), Daredevil, Spider-Man 3, iron-Man 2, any of the Supermans, any of the 1980s and 1990s Batmans, and Ghost Rider? Yep.

I liked it more than Thor, but I am more of a DC guy than a Marvel one. That is not putting Thor down as it was incredible, but I liked Green Lantern better. Jen liked them equally, even though she thought Thor’s story was easier to follow because of Norse mythology that most folks have been exposed to and most be are at least familiar with. As far as Green Lantern, she said it was good science fiction and that her husband “over-explained things” after the movie.

Just call me Sheldon.

The End Of The School Year

2011-06-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

“Well the dawn was coming,heard him ringing on my bell.

He said, ``My name's the teacher,that is what I call myself.

And I have a lesson

that I must impart to you.

It's an old expression

but I must insist it's true.

Jump up, look around,

find yourself some fun,

no sense in sitting there hating everyone.

No man's an island and his castle isn't home,

the nest is for nothing when the bird has flown.''
--Ian Anderson of the band Jethro Tull, from the son “Teacher” from the album Living In The Past, 1972.

Well, this year offered a great graduation. This year’s seniors were impressive. One of my favorite foreign exchange students “Ang” was a delight to have in class. Ang is from Thailand. She told me that I was her favorite teacher, ever. This young lady has traveled to over fifteen countries in her life and been enrolled in numerous schools. She is highly intelligent and motivated. Her comments are a compliment to be sure.

Equally complimentary were the words of one of my former students. Pontiac’s Daily Leader (the local newspaper) features a former PTHS/Livingston County Illinois student every Saturday. Last week Neil Radke, former student, now teacher said this about me: ” He fondly remembers being in plays at PTHS with Tom Ramseyer and Eric Sweetwood. According to Radtke, Sweetwood lives on in the classroom of Klondike Middle School. “The reason why I became a teacher was I wanted to bring to my classes what he brought to his classes.”

How can I read that and not be moved.

I have long regarded myself as making a small impact in my own way. When such things are validated, it makes one wonder about the impact of how we all can make a difference in one another’s lives. I firmly believe that Neil would be a great teacher with or without the benefit of being a student of mine. He had a gifted sense of knowledge and an acceptance of others that rivals us all. He was articulate, positive, and very willing to help others—all a formula for a successful educator. Neil loves life and is more than willing to share that with others, which is something we share.

Each year I feel a kinship with the graduating class. Each year, I enjoy my job more and more.

Some folks often wonder whether they have chosen the proper career or not. I know I did and I will rest on those laurels for the next twelve years or so. I honesty believe I am doing exactly what I was meant to do.

The lesson is over for this year. This teacher says “class dismissed.”

An Anniversary With Some Humility

2011-04-22T06:42:00.000-07:00

As a historian of sorts, I believe we, as humans, mark anniversaries that have a wide range of specifics. We honor birthdays, marriages, engagements, days we purchase a house and the list goes on. We also mark tragedies in our lives because we wish to honor the memory of a loved one who has passed, or remember the dates of a divorce, or the dates of a medical procedure. Why I do the latter, I am not entirely certain.

I clearly remember the dates of my adulthood heart surgeries (October 4, 2004 and April 4, 2006). I also vividly remember my date with the destiny of my stroke, exactly two years ago today, April 22, 2009.

I have gone through so many changes since that date—most of which are chronicled herein this blog. I felt true love and commitment from Jen, so much so, I married her. I tragically lost one of my closest friends in my little feline girl, Foggy. I have felt pressure at work. I was nominated for an award and received a distinction. In the daily battles of life, I have won a few, lost a few, and broke even on the rest. I went on a spiritual journey and found myself, or at least felt more at ease with a part of myself, I had previously ignored.

In the moment I survived the stroke with little residuals, I honestly feel as if I was touched by the hand of God and I was spared not only death, but I was spared the effects and illnesses which often accompany a stroke.

Since that stroke, I have reassessed my life and my role in this life I share with others. Without going into all of Thoreau’s Existentialism, I have felt as if I have a purpose in this plane of existence, as does all of us, and I have a duty to myself and to those around me, to lead a better life in service to others. I also honestly believe that I have a commitment to fulfill happiness, give respect, teach knowledge, and bring out joy to others.

I still remember the words of Dr. Jim McCrisken as he told me that we owe it to ourselves and others to enjoy life and to bear in mind that each day is a gift without guarantees for a future day. That sentiment was echoed by my brother Mark.

I am thankful my Uncle Dan was with me and recognized that I was going through a stroke, as he acted quickly to save me. I am blessed to have the surgical skills on my side as Dr. Ajeet Gordhan guided a Merci Retrieval Cath through my body and into the brain to “pull out” the stroke.

Dr. McCrisken, in a recent article he was quoted about me, explained it better than I could hope:

In April of 2009 he began to experience symptoms of a stroke and reported immediately to the ER at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center (ABMC). He was seen immediately and a Code Gray called. (rapid response team to assist acute stroke patients.). Dr. Dick, a neurologist, saw Eric and quickly activated the Cath team under Dr. Gordhan's direction. Dr. Gordhan, an interventional neuroradiologist, then did a cerebral (head) angiogram and found a blood clot in the main artery in the right side of Eric's Brain. Eric was in the process of developing a severe and large stroke affecting the left side of his body. Using the "Merci" retrieval catheter Dr. Gordhan was able to remove the clot from Eric's brain, restore blood flow and thus abort the stroke that was in progress. As a result of such swift stroke team action, Eric made a complete neurological recovery and has no significant defect to this day!

Eric was at the right place, at the right time with an ideal set of circumstances that allowed immediate treatment of his stroke with the most advanced technology available in this day and age. One must say that he was extremely fortunate, and very blessed to have such a perfect scenario occur in the treatment of his stroke.

A few months later Eric was profoundly affected by all of this (as anyone would be!) and in quite a state of questioning and introspection regarding his stroke and survival with no significant defects. Sensing his inner turmoil and soul searching questions I did mention to him, at the end of a routine office follow up visit, that an upcoming Cursillo weekend may help him sort out some of his questions. I had been asked to be the Rector (leader) of that Cursillo weekend in March of 2010 and extended Eric an invitation to attend as a "candidate." This was a 3 and 1/2 day opportunity for him to get away from his hectic schedule and spend time in reflection, discussion, prayer and community to help him sort out his soul searching questions of why, how etc.. The Cursillo weekend (Short Course in Christianity) had a profound effect on Eric and helped him discern some of his deepest questions about his life and the meaning of his stroke, survival, recovery and how this all came together. He found this weekend extremely helpful in dealing with all of these great questions of life! God does work in mysterious ways for sure.

There was a dramatic and noticeable change in Eric, his view of life and a new sense of inner peace and joy that persists to this day. I am grateful that Eric has had such a wonderful outcome medically and spiritually and that he is able to ENJOY his new life and recent marriage!! It really does not get any better than that on this earth!

Eric certainly did have the best possible outcome possible for this potentially devastating stroke, he was in a "perfect scenario" for such a wonderful medical outcome, and clearly he had a transforming spiritual awakening during his Cursillo weekend as he worked to piece all these pieces of his life and life threatening medical puzzle together.

There are so many other people to thank, such as Jen, her parents, my parents, my sister, Karen; my neice Angela; my parents; my brother Mark and his wife Mary; my family; my principal Jon; my colleagues from work; my doctors and their skills; my cats for their affection; and all of my friends.

Perhaps most importantly, and I know I will never neglect this, I thank the Good Lord for the gift I was given and I hope I continue to show that I am worthy of the chances I received. In the “perfect scenario” that Dr. McCrisken mentioned, I completely believe that Dan’s recognition, the skills of the medical professionals, and God’s graces gave me the gift of an opportunity to live a full and enriching life.

Thank God I'm A Country Boy

2011-04-17T16:28:00.001-07:00

“I rode across the great high plain

Under the scorchin' sun and thru the drivin' rain

An' when I set my sights on the mountains high

I bid my former life goodbye.

An' so thank you ma'am, I must decline

For it's on my steed I will rely

An' I've learned to need the open sky

I'm subject to the natural forces

Home is where my horse is.” --Lyle Lovett “Natural Forces,” 2010. I must admit, I never thought I would write this, BUT, I really like some country music.

I know this is shocking.

I am well aware of my punk rock tastes. I am further reminded of my love of hard rock and metal. I also am aware of my revitalized and pumped up thrills of symphonic power metal. Having stated all that, Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt was the best concert I have ever seen and it profoundly changed me.

Alex, bless the young man, shot off some Hiatt and Lovett tunes on a MP3 and I went nuts. Having enjoyed them and blasting them on the old IPOD in the car and at school, I ventured out. On I-tunes, I found Dwight Yoakam is a contemporary of Lovett; Steven Earle and Townsend Van Zandt were influential of Hiatt and Lovett; and then I downloaded some Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley. Suddenly I was hooked. I replayed my old Clay Pigeons Soundtrack and re-admired Old 97’s. I have always enjoyed Johnny Cash, but now, he is a standard on the IPOD list.

Frankly, I have borrowed some CD’s from the library and found some stuff Jen likes—such as Lady Antebellum, Lucinda Williams, The Dixie Chicks, and Garth Brooks.

Before I am slammed, I must admit, there was a very recent time when I would have imagined myself listening to country akin with me praising Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George bush, Jr. That stated, however, I would argue to listen without prejudice. I am more into the Americana style of music that is folksie, bluesie, and rhythmic like Lovett and Hiatt. I have to admit, as a Dave Edmunds fan, that I can see why he worked with Marty Stuart. Stuart is great.

When we were in Florida, my father was listening to country, and I began to tease him. He told me that he liked country because he liked the rhythm and he could understand the lyrics. I guess I had a bias that I was not awareo f, in the past. Alternative country is very powerful; old rockabilly is essentially country, and country music is more than Republican (lack of) ethics and “putting boots up people’s ass.” In fact, I have went back and played some of my favorite rock “Gods” and saw some country roots. These artists include Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, and so many more.

So I am now going to announce that I am unashamedly a country music fan, and further I am unabashed by others’ criticisms.

Embrace Your Inner "Geek"

2011-03-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

"Stop talking about comic books, or I'll kill you..."

--OOKLA the Mok, 2003

I think everyone has a private little ‘geek” in him or her. The show Big bang Theory seems to make it all seem welcoming. Having been that weird little kid who knew every superhero genre toy or cartoon or movie or TV show that came out, I am no longer ashamed of my geekiness. My wife has that side to her as well. She is a fan of Star Trek (HAS TO BE THE ORIGINAL SERIES), Dr. Who, and Iron Man--although I will take blame/control for that latter selection.

My father was a fan of the original Captain Marvel (Shazam!)when he was a kid; and brother and I enjoy comics, GI JOES, Mark: Captain Action and me: Mego stuff. Dad bought all that cool stuff for us.

My sister collected Barbie and passed that down to her daughter. One of the reasons I did not have kids was I had a dream of passing on my comics and horror movie stuff (original Universal and Toho’s preferred) with my classic rock and metal CD’s and that dream would turn to a nightmare when my son would call me “trivial” or “quaint” and go off to take Mozart-inspired piano lessons and lead discussions on Algebraic equations.

What brought me to my point on geeks is when Jen and I went to the jewelry store to have our rings. The guy who cleaned them asked me if it was Ok and I said it would be a better ring if it had a Green Lantern in it. He asked me when the movie was coming out and then we discussed a wide range of subjects ranging from Green Hornet TV shows, Twilight Zones, the new GL film, Thor, and Star Trek.

I always am amazed when I meet with the parents of my students who hear about my references to rock music and sci-fi and comics and always ask me for more information as to where I get some of my stuff. I also love watching shows like Antique Road Show, American Pickers, and Pawn Stars and recognizing artifacts of pop culture. Must be why I am so good at trivia.

Jen's father encouraged her to marry a "geek." I am paraphrasing here, but what he told her was that "geeks are loyal and usually smart and will always have a job and make a financially secure living. Marry one, you could do much worse."

So I say embrace that geekiness in you. Find that moment of time where you can spend your moments simply enjoying something. I don’t care if it’s Batman, Gamara the flying Turtle, Conan Short Stories, Star Wars, Bela Lugosi, Kiss music, some obsession with some sport team or athlete, or something that takes you to your youth. Embrace and enjoy, because life can be frustrating without those moments.

Now if you’ll excuse me, time for lunch—cold pizza and Ice Tea. Should I use the Ghost Rider, Captain America, or the Avenger’s glass—or perhaps I should go with a DC one? So many choices, yet nice to know one can never go wrong.

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt: One Great Concert

2011-02-13T13:17:00.000-08:00

“Look around and you will see; This world is full of creeps like Me…”
--Lyle Lovett, 1994

Wow, I will be the first to admit that I am not one easily persuaded by a particular band/artist on a cursory listen, but I am changed musically and more than impressed with the concert that Jen and I attended last week at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts Theater.

We saw the BoDeans for my birthday in December and we heard that Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt were going to do an acoustic show in February; and I kind of begged Jen to go with me. She thought it would be a nice Valentines gift, since the show was on February 10, and we have decided to not buy gifts for each other, but rather go out to a show on our respected holidays. She was not expecting much as she knew who Lovett was—some quirky country/blues guy that was once married to Julia Roberts and a guy who appeared on my Clay Pigeons Soundtrack, while she had no idea who John Hiatt was. I downloaded a few songs of Hiatt from a freebie website that were more duets with Elvis Costello (Live a Little, Laugh a Little) and She Loves the Jerk, which Costello did a demo of that appears on the Goodbye Cruel World CD. She liked those songs, and we had read that the two have an interplay on stage that had as much affection and humor as it did musicianship. Besides, these guys were doing an acoustic show, so how offensive could it be? Since my recent dips into the darker forays of metal and hard rock, Jen was hesitant.

We both went to the show, looking forward to a relaxing evening; little did we know that we would walk out bonafide fans of Lovett and Hiatt. It was as if two gentlemen plied their craft with some friendly competition and jokes on their back porch and we, the audience, were fortunate enough to witness the friends sharing a laugh and having some fun.

The facial expressions and commentaries were what we really did not expect. They talked at length about their songs, their story-telling ways, and their characters. They also complimented one another quite readily and seemed to enjoy listening to the other’s music. Mutual appreciation aside, the music had a completely intimate and warm tone.

Lovett is the more demure of the two, but his jokes are right on while Hiatt is the more upfront and welcoming. They thrilled us with a fine assortment of musical accomplishments including: Creeps Like Me, If I had A Boat, Fiona, Private Conversations, My Baby Don’t Tolerate, LA County, and Family Reserve from Lovett; and Feels Like Rain, Slow Turning, Have A Little Faith In Me, Thunderbird, Tennessee Plates, and Thing Called Love (a hit for Bonnie Raitt) from Hiatt among others from both in the two and a half hour extravaganza.

I went home, calmer with a greater appreciation of music and the artists who performed them. I also went home wishing I could play a guitar. I did the next best thing and downloaded some songs by both on ITunes and decided to abandon my metal-esque quest for a bit and listen to some craftsman hone their skills and tell me a story about life.

Most would probably agree the change is probably a wise choice.

Goodbye, Foggy

2010-12-07T15:27:00.001-08:00

"I'll Remember you,
when I've forgotten all the rest;
You to me were true,
You to me were the best..."
--Bob Dylan, from "I'll Remember You" from the album Empire Burlesque, 1980.

Tonight I write a blog which I hoped to never have to do, but one that needs be done.

This afternoon at 2:30, I lost my beloved friend Foggy. Foggy was sixteen and a half years old (84 for you and me) and was the cat that practically no one ever saw. She ducked when strangers came by and basically lived in the third bedroom. About two weeks ago, I noticed a shift in Foggy’s actions/attitude. She found a new spot to hang out (the dining room) and she began to beg for food. My worst fears were confirmed when she ate some of Guinness’ regurgitated food, as it was softer and contained moisture. Gross, I know, but that was a clue that she could no longer keep kibbles down. She hung around the water dish off and on for months, but since I saw no vomit, I assume she was not going through kidney failure. I assumed wrong. When I took her to the vet today, her bowels were blocked and she was down to under four pounds. I knew the humane decision to make, and I made it.

Foggy was my three-legged cat that some moron had victimized by cutting off her foot. That was nearly seventeen years ago. My hope is I gave Foggy a better home than the person who tried to destroy her will ever have. Foggy was also the cat that touched my heart. She was so gentle, and she always looked to me to comfort her. Truth be told, Foggy chose me after a friend recommended I take her, because when she came into the Humane Society, she was drenched in fleas, and as the animal care folks picked them off, she begged to be petted and purred. When I met her, she raised her paw and touched my face.

She had one elbow that was broken at a 90 degree angle by the person who held her and lopped off her foot at the ankle. She also had three breaks in her hip, more than likely from being thrown down, so she more than likely grew accustomed to pain. She was the reason I gave money to the Humane Society. I wanted to give animals treated like Foggy a chance.

Her name came from the Carl Sandberg poem, “the fog comes in on little cat feet” and because she was grey-ish and close to the ground. She also would chase her tail, so I surmised she was “foggy on the brain.”

She was not a mouser, not a greeter, and not a confrontational cat, although she could hold her own with the 32 pound Chumley. She was just fiercely loyal to me. When I had heart surgery, she came out in room of people when I went to my bedroom at home to be with me. That night, she stood loyal guard over me as I slept. She missed me when she had surgery and had to stay at the vets for a week. I would come and visit her every day and the vets remarked how up she was when I came in. She also missed me when I was out for the stroke and came bounding up when I arrived home.

I will miss her gentle spirit and her sweet nuzzles, as she liked to do to my belly. I will miss saying “HI Fogs,” every morning. Most of all, I will miss her hugs and leans when I would put her up on my shoulders.

Good bye my sweet friend, I will miss you very much. I hope I made you as comfortable as you made me. Love ya, Fogs. See you in the next life.

It Was 47 Years Ago Today...

2010-12-04T15:45:00.000-08:00

"It's a long December and I've got reason to believe,

That this year will be better than the last..."

--Counting Crows

Another year older, not altogether certain if I am another year wiser, but with experience comes some forms of intellect.
What can I write about being 47? I have gone through about three of the most stressful situations one can go through in the last five years—major illness, divorce, remarriage. I can say I have gone through all in a positive sense and am a better man for it.

In the last year, I am perhaps more spiritually lifted than I have been in quite some time. My sense of purpose has been opened to me. I am more loving than I have ever been, and I thank Jen for it. I have felt a kinship with the members of the family. I have also felt the occasional need to bite my tongue more. I am still debating if that is a “good thing” or not.

I have a feeling that the relative smoothness of the last year will continue. The wedding in October went off well. The subsequent “life together” has flown by with nary a problem. I have my health. I am resigned to the idea that every day is a gift and I have a purpose on this Earth.

As far as my popular culture moments, Batman has been a much better read than it has been in years. I am disappointed in how badly Daredevil’s Shadowland concluded. I was hoping for more from the Avengers, and I am confused by the book. Thor has been a fine read, and Captain America is good. DC-wise, other than the fore-mentioned Batman titles, Superman’s “walk across the US” series has been great, Blackest Night is dragging on much too long, Flash is horrid, and Green Lantern is dull at this point. Ok, I have proven I am still a geek.

Moving on in my annual birthday blog. Good Old Foggy is becoming just that—old. She is having difficulty eating kibbles and I am now feeding her soft food. She lost some weight as of late and her eyes are less clear. My fear is that her time is winding down. Chumley, speaking of losing weight, has lost none. He must be eating Foggy’s share. Guinness is Guinness and is as loving and annoying and neurotic as usual. We introduced Jen’s cat Babbett to the household and the transition has been fairly smooth. She and Guinness are liking one another, which is frankly the very last thing we expected. Both are relatively nuts, so it stands to reason, but I guess crazy loves company as much as misery.

The job is going well. The house is coming together. We have now transferred our attention to Jen’s house to make it ready to be sold in the spring.

I will close with a thought that I continue to live by. If every day you are here, you touch someone else’s life in a positive way, your life will continue to have meaning.
Here’s to another 47…

And I Love Her...

2010-11-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

“I give her all my love
That's all I do
And if you saw my love
You'd love her too
I love her

She gives me everything
And tenderly
The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her

A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me

Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her…”

--The Beatles

Well, we had a whirlwind weekend last weekend and now the reflections have come to pass. Most folks I spoke to at work or Jen’s work had a great time at our wedding. I am happy they did and even happier that Jen and I met, fell in love, and were married.

The week before the wedding is truly a time that tries “men’s” souls, as I dealt with a few minor meltdowns and a few calm downs. Who knew that I would be the nervous one on the day before the wedding? Sometimes I need to relax, but unfortunately, I am not really able to take my favorite tonic any longer. I was surprised at how easily the rehearsal went off and the dinner was even better. Everyone had a nice time. The day of the wedding, I could not eat, I could not relax, and I could barely make sense of myself, let alone others. When I saw Jen, I knew everything was going to be perfect. She truly looked lovely in her dress and her humor helped lighten my load. She is a beautiful woman, inside and out.

The wedding was fun and we enjoyed seeing family and friends. With Mark as my best man, Milt and Bud as my honored groomsmen, Gene and Mike as my ushers, I had very close people with me the entire time. Jen had Sarah, Anna, and Karen to help her, along with the Sproutletts and little Zack. Jen’s assistant Tracy saved the day more than a few times and she proved what a beautiful person she is. Pam, our photographer, was fun and a joy. Jen’s friends are cool. Alex, singing the Ave Maria was a joy for me, personally, as the man can sing and we are still close. He even thanked Jen for taking care of me and for loving me. The best part for us was honoring our parents and grandparents. Mom said she never participated in a wedding before and Jen’s Mom and she lit a candle. Jen’s dad had some tears in his eyes as he walked Jen down the aisle and my Dad was always a calming presence for me throughout the event. This was a wedding where we tried to include our family. We did not forget our grandparents who meant such a great deal to us, Jen losing three of her grandparents a little over two years ago, and me losing the family matriarch in my Grandma Kuglich almost three years ago. We knew all were smiling down on us and would have enjoyed being there that night.

I enjoyed the reception as I saw my friends from my past in Keith, Alex, Pete, Tim, Cary, and Jeff; along with current friends and coworkers. PTHS showed up in force for me and it really meant quite a bit to have all four administrators there, along with so many current and past fellow faculty members sharing in the moment. Jen’s friends were incredible as well. I really like Mike and Gloria, Stephanie and Tim, and all of their children. Jen has more cousins than a rabbit and it was nice to see all of them, although I never remember names at her family functions. They are less like cousins and more like sisters and brothers to her. We also enjoyed chatting with relatives of aunts; uncles; my cousin Jeff and his girlfriend Dove; my niece, Angela and her beautiful daughter Alaina; second cousins; and all of the friends of either her family or me and mine.

Another highlight for me was having former student and current BNQ DJ Faith Rinker playing the wedding. Faith is highly sought after and did a perfect job for us. She played music well and I enjoyed the songs, many I selected, but she had some freedom. She did not disappoint.

Amidst the pumpkins and decorations, costumes, trick or treating, and moments of laughter, I hope everyone there could see and bear witness to the love Jen and I share.

I am truly happy and blessed.

NEW ADD-ON:
To purchase or view pictures, go here and check out pictures as they are loaded. You can even add some of your own to our own personal Sweetwood Shutterfly page:

http://thesweetwoods.shutterfly.com

Happiness Will Prevail

2010-10-09T18:32:00.001-07:00

“Don't ask for help
You're all alone…
Pressure!
You'll have to answer
To your own…
Pressure!
I'm sure you'll have some cosmic rationale,
But here you are in the ninth,
Two men out and three men on…
Nowhere to look but inside,
Where we all respond to Pressure!”

--Billy Joel, “Pressure” from the Nylon Curtain album, 1982.

I have been strangely silent on this site for a while. This is both out of necessity and out of not wanting to stir people up. The necessity is that I have been swamped.

Most people say they are swamped and we all collectively roll our eyes behind their backs. In my case, it is true in the sense that I am teaching a new course at PTHS this year and I am working on wedding stuff nearly every evening with Jen. That does not bother me, as it is fun; but it is time consuming. We want to have a great beginning to our lives together, and we want to have our family and friends share in the moment.

I also have been silent because I do not want to stir people up. Little things have irritated me to the nth degree. I am stressed as we are not going to sell Jen’s house as quickly as we would like and I need to revamp so much in my own. Also, the fore-mentioned wedding is taking up time and stressing me out; as Jen becomes stressed and the cycle continues. We just want everything to be perfect and glitches, which we know will happen, seems to be approaching more and more.

Today I decided to clean out my garage of accumulated items that were either left in my house or stuff I no longer wanted and did not feel like posting on eBay. The sale was going ok, but then I noticed there was no traffic going down my usually busy road. Unbeknownst to me, the town of Normal had a 5K that ran past my house. So for over an hour, I had no customers. Those who later showed did not buy much. Sigh. Off to the curb we go.

After the garage sale, I unplugged my docking station with my hard rock/heavy metal IPOD in it as it was playing. Apparently I shorted it out and it is stuck. I mean, the click wheel is unresponsive, it will not play, and I have tried everything to correct it. Sigh. Any suggestions would be welcomed, as I have a good idea; note to the self: have Jen put it on the wedding registry at Target! Now that’s taking a negative and making a positive out of it. Whereas it is not the end of the world, I cannot live as comfortably without my IPOD. My first one has a battery problem and only works when attached to the docking station or with a charger in my car. The other one is my salvation when working out or needing a break at school and I bought it when my old computer crashed with all my songs. I have bad luck with IPODS.

On a more positive note, today was Jen’s bridal shower and she had a great time. Anna, Sarah, Karen, and Tracy gave her an extremely nice shower, and she was thrilled. I went there near the end to put stuff in my car and there I met baby Alaina, Angela’s beautiful daughter. She slept in my arms for about a half hour and was very sweet. Jen was extremely appreciative of everyone who came and made her feel special. Jen is special, and I am glad others see her beauty.

On a positive note, volume II, tomorrow, some of my groomsmen and I will have a bachelor’s party in Peoria. We are heading up to a Rivermen hockey game. Milt said we are doing that because we are too old or cheap to go to a strip club. He’s right on both accounts.

Three weeks from today, Jen and I pledge our love for one another and we start a new and wondrous life together. That is the most important thing and the other stuff is minor: yep, even the IPOD.

I guess stress is what we make of it, and I will calm down in a few weeks.

By the way, loyal readers—and I know who reads this blog--I hear IPODs make nice birthday gifts as well as nice wedding gifts, especially the 160 gig ones. Music also calms stress, from what my Psychology classes told me. Well “metal” and “hard rock” might not always calm the nerves, but you get the idea.

Quick Follow-up: 10:20 PM Saturday night--the hard Rock/Heavy metal IPOD has now started working again. Saints be praised!
Still, it IS only 120 gigs, and 160 WOULD be better, but enough for now...

The Fall Ritual Begins...

2010-09-12T07:12:00.001-07:00

“When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass…

I'm back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads…

Standing in the huddle listening to the call,

Fans going crazy for the boys of fall.

They didn't let just anybody in that club.

Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood,

To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall.

Kings of the school man, we're the boys of fall.”
--Kenny Chesney

Today is among the greatest days of the fall. It is the TRUE season opener for me, as The Chicago Bears play the Detroit Lions.

We will now see if the Bears changes are fruitful, but what kind of fruit will it bear? Will it be the juice off of the vines or sour grapes as they lose or barely beat the lowly Lions?

I felt the same type of feeling yesterday as Jen and I ventured to the first game of our season ticket holding season of Illini games. The Illini clearly dominated the Southern Illinois Salukis. This is almost the exact game we saw last year, when the Illini clearly dominated the Illinois State University Redbirds. Now put downs on my Alma Mater aside (this was the school that last season dominated The Bradley Braves in basketball—just seeing if my brother reads this), Illinois versus any other team in the state is an example of Men (Illini) vs. Boys (all other teams). The Illini had struggles rushing the ball against the SIU defense and the defensive line, to my memory, did not have a sack.

The Illini won 35 to 3 and one would think that is enough, but it really was not. I will give the passing game with a rookie quarterback some credit, but at times the game seemed less about Illinois being good and more about the difference between the Big Ten and all other conferences. The true test for the Fighting Illini will be against teams like Wisconsin (who dominated San Jose State yesterday), Ohio State, and the Michigans. Until then, Illini folks should not really brag—and I doubt they will.

Bear fans will have to wait a few weeks as well. The Lions are a perennial doorstop in the NFC Central. The Bears may be becoming one as well, but until the Bears beat someone, and by beat, I mean dominate, the Bears will not have bragging rights, or much of any other rights.

I have not, since being an active Bears fan, seen the team so utterly refuse to address such a glaring need as the offensive line. Last season they were pushed around, the running game clearly suffered, and they were dominated by the lack of an offensive line. In the offseason, they did nothing to address their weakest links (notice the plural) on the team. They brought a blocking tight-end in to bolster the line, unfortunately, he was damaged goods when the Bears brought him in and he is still injured. Sigh.

Finally giving up on the dream that Adrian Peterson (the Chicago Adrian Peterson not the Minnesota Adrian Peterson) was nothing more than a flash in the pan for a season or two, the Bears brought in an actual running back in Chester Taylor. Smart move, sure, but behind a line that could not block for a quality player like matt Forte, what good will it do?

Another concern for me at this point is that the Bears have some bizarre loyalties, which came out this Preseason. The Bears cut 6’ 8” quarterback Dan Lefevour and kept Todd Collins (brought in two weeks before the regular season begins). Apparently the strange notion of developing a quarterback makes no sense to them. I think we all know that Lovie has an urgency to win and win now, at all costs. If that is the case, why cut Special teams Standout Tim Shaw to keep Garrett Wolfe? Wolfe is an emotional player and draft choice, having played at Northern Illinois and setting records (see the above “Men Vs. Boys” quote) in a lower class of competition. He goes down on the first hit when he is a running back, so his contributions can only be on special teams, but it makes no sense to me to let Shaw go, considering last season Shaw earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors a few times.

The wide receivers are now an asset to the team, according to new offensive coordinator Mike Martz. If true, why keep Rashid Davis? The man cannot catch a cold in a kindergarten class, let alone a football during a game. Hester has shown me nothing in the improvement area. Watch his plays this season. It seems obvious to me the only play he can run is what we used to call a “button-hook” when we played at Washington School in my grammar school years on the East Side of Ottawa, Illinois. Hester, like us, would go out, stop and turn quickly after six or so yards, and then catch it. Like us, if he does catch it, the Defense is on him immediately. Unlike us, as kids, Hester cannot catch the ball. I say it is about time we called the “Hester Experiment” a dismal failure and move on. Let him run back punts and kickoffs like he was drafted to do, and quit trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. I was selected and hired by PTHS to teach Language Arts and Social Sciences. That said, I am effective and excel in my own ways at it. Asking me to teach PE or Math or Science is a huge mistake. The Bears are asking Hester to do something he simply cannot do.

How the Bears have ignored the safety position is almost as bizarre to me as the Offensive line problem. Chris Harris, a guy we let go three years ago with no return at the time, has been brought in and shows why he was let go in the first place. Uhg! Major Wright, rookie draft selection, shows promise, and I will give the Bears some credit, but Craig Steltz and Al Afalava were clearly NOT the draft picks they were projected to be. Danielle Manning has also proved that he is not deserving of the high draft pick honor.

Lastly, the Bears Defensive line has tons of questions about it to be answered. We let Alex Brown and Andewyale Oguleya go, and brought in Julius Peppers, a guy who has a reputation of “dogging it.” Speaking of dogs, when will the real Tommie Harris show up? I am sick of hearing and reading how he has so much potential. OK, time to deliver on that potential. I still have that image last season of him fighting the Viking player on the ground and getting tossed burned in my memory. So is Harris a player or a thug? My money is on thug at this point, simply because he has not “played” in years.

I will watch today’s game with hope anticipation, as I watched the Fighting Illini of Illinois yesterday. My comments at the outcome if the Bears win will be tempered with the level of competition they play against.

Something's Wrong With The Ole' Plumbin'

2010-08-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

"Problems, problems,

Problems all day through..."

--The Everly Brothers, 1956.

Well, what began as a weekend project has become quite a pain. Jen and I have invested time, money, time, pain (my eyes and my knees and her back) into putting together our bathroom. This has been a deceptive mission for the two of us.

We decided months ago that we would stay (or she would commandeer) my house in the late Fall when we marry. As such, Jen wanted some personal touches to make it her home as well. We all know the home really belongs to Chumley and Guinness, but that’s another issue.

We stripped the wall paper, which initially came down fairly easily. We felt it was a positive sign. When we removed the mirror, we noticed holes in the walls where some sort of piping came through. Not an issue, buy some screen and plaster stuff and repair. That also went surprisingly easily. We bought a new vanity and that was when the curse of my lack of handiness (I blame the shop teachers of my youth and my family for not teaching me stuff—heh heh—like they could have pulled me away from Spider-man Comic Books to do AYTHING, yeah right) came to light. The cabinet’s back is open for the pipes. I live in an old house, where the pipes are coming through the floor.

After our error, I figured it would be too difficult to take out the floor on a new piece of furnature, and then replace it after drilling holes. Jen agreed and decided to paint the old cabinet. We turned off the water to notice that our shutoff valves did not work properly. So we decided to call a plumber and see how much it would cost to replace the valves. I took some bids and a plumber came in and said that they could install the cabinets relatively easily, and drill the holes. I tried to return the cabinet to Lowe’s and they would not take it back because it was a clearance item that was discontinued. We did not know it, because we still paid a tighty sum of over $175.00 for it. Knowing I would eat that sum, I decided to let the plumbers put the new cabinet in. Jen agreed.

Then all HELL broke loose. The plumbers, in a nutshell, took the old PVC pipe and fitted it to work in the new cabinet. They, however did not drill the holes properly and they missed flushing the baseboards with the cabinet. See pictures. Realizing their errors, they oversized the wholes (see pictures). Jen came home from work, went livid, and called the plumbers, who scurried out of my house quickly, to let them know of her dissatisfaction. She called the owners, who directed her to the plumbers who told her that they were contacting the owner of the business and they were pretty much feeling nothing could be done, because they showed me the work. They did and I did protest, but they said the way the pipes were was how it was going to be; then they proceeded in the fore-mentioned scurrying. We waited an hour, I got us dinner and asked jen if she wanted to leave the house for a while. “No,” she remarked, “I will be rude to someone who doesn’t deserve it. And I don’t blame you, you don’t know any better.” I was not sure if this was an insult or whether I should feel relieved that I was not the source or recipient of anger. So I went with the latter and brought us dinner.

After an hour, I called the owner back and he remarked how the plumbers did not contact him, after they told me they had. I handed the phone to Jen and let the show begin.

The conversation was classic. She remarked how we paid $340.00 to ruin a piece of furniture and a bathroom that she is going to have to fix. She is, for the record, much more handy than I could ever be. Then she commented on how it looked like they had no training in putting in furniture. She also remarked that it was creating more work for her and we hired them to alleviate our workload. When she explained the one inch (and may I say exactly one inch) gap, and the holes, it was obvious to her that the drilled the wholes wrong and tried to badly cover it up. Then to make matters worse, they used caulk on a freshly painted wall and smeared it on with their fingers, which is true, because that I saw. The plumbers, according to Jen from her ability to listen in the background had walked in while she was explaining the situation. The owner excused himself and Jen could hear him tell them he wanted “the truth about the Sweetwood house...” He used words like “never, never, never” blah blah blah. He returned to the phone and offered to send them back. Jen said she did not want more holes in the furniture. He offered us a sizeable discount and returned over half of our money and gave us a free hour of labour. He also apologized profusely.

In the end, Jen was satisfied. We bought some wood (exactly one inch) to fit in the gap. We re-plastered the area to repaint. We are waiting to remove the caulk and touch up the paint (uh that is more of my error than anyone due to a poor job of taping and not staying in the lines. I was a rotten color-er as a kid as well.

So what did I learn? Know that an old house’s projects will burn you. I also learned how to paint better and not to hire someone because I liked their TV ads. Lastly, I learned to eat my pride when the future wife is ticked at somebody else, and let it ride.

Oh, and the bathroom is still not done.

The Greatest Award of the Year

2010-06-24T19:57:00.001-07:00

“Give me a word,

Give me a sign.

Show me where to look;

Tell me what will I find,

What will I find?

Lay me on the ground,

Fly me in the sky.

Show me where to look,

Tell me what will I find;

What will I find?

Oh, Heaven let your light shine down

Oh, Heaven let your light shine down.”
--Ed Rolland “Shine” by Collective Soul, 1992.

Well, it HAS been a long time.

Recently, I was awarded as a finalist for Gilder-Lehrman’s American History Teacher of the year. Over 700 United States History teachers applied for this distinction and one was awarded per state. To be nominated, honestly, is an honor. To make it to the final cut is great. I am both proud and humbled by the distinction. The winner receives ten thousand dollars worth of computer software for their district, one thousand dollars, and the chance for a trip to Washington DC for the honor. I would love to have had all of the above, but not this time. I will be receiving a certificate singling me out as a top finalist from the Illinois Board of Education, which is very kind and very cool.

When he found out, Mark emailed me and commented how this has shaped up to be a great year for me. I appreciate his kind words. I wish to express, however, that this award distinction was NOT my greatest accomplishment this year. Nor was the Presidential Who’s Who as a top teacher distinction.

The greatest award I received this year happened at graduation. The young man pictured in this blog's name is Ryan. The first picture, for the record, is one he posed for when he was a freshman, adding to the myth and illusion that I hate the freshman. Ryan has been a student of mine for four years. He is a classy individual whom I taught when he was a freshman. He exhibited intellect and maturity at a young age. He also exercised an incredible work ethic that set him apart from his peers. This young man grew to be a high-achieving student with a zest for learning.

Incredibly, he was humble about his accomplishments. Ryan earned straight A’s in his classes and was a valedictorian this year.

One day in the fall, he walked into my room before school. I had him as a student in Psychology, and he humbly asked me if I would write a letter of recommendation for him. To be honest, he was flattering to me. He hemmed and hawed for a few minutes and blurted out that he “really liked my classes” and that “I taught him most of his four years” and that he “liked and respected” me, and would I help him out if I “had time” by “writing a letter of recommendation.” This is a young man whom I could not refuse. I like to think they are all “my kids” to a degree, but Ryan was a young man I would be proud to have called my own. He was, as evidenced by the picture above, a small young man as a frshman. He was large in moral stature and intellect, but even he hinted he was small to me. He grew physically and emotionally and even morally before my eyes and distinguished himself among his classmates. There was not a teacher who did not remark how positive and intelligent an example of the future he was.

He was well-raised by two loving parents whom I have grown to know over the years. His father served on the school board and decided to step down while his sons are in school. That, to me, shows class. His mother is always complimentary of me and the district and truly wants her son to be respected and respectable.

To write a letter for Ryan was truly an honor. On awards night in the district, Ryan earned many distinctions, including the Social Science Award I presented. He may not have received any money from me, but it was an award I know he truly wanted. The other picture is from the awards night, in which he heaped praise on me, much of which I felt was a bit undeserved. Why is it that the people who can and seem to accomplish the most are the most humble? Ryan is truly a humble young man as he thanked me for helping him throughout the years.

That noted, my greatest distinction this year was on graduation. Ryan was a valedictorian and at the beginning of his speech he mentioned me and gave me a shout out.

In every speech I give at the school, and as a department chair, I give more than a few, I start out by simply saying “hi.” Ryan, who told me he was nervous about speaking, started out by saying “I really do not know how to begin, so I took a lesson from my social studies teacher over the years, Mr. Sweetwood, and thought I would first like to say ‘hi.’” He, like me, pauses for the laugh. Sometimes just saying something simple like “hi” puts everyone more at ease. I told him that once, and he took it and gave me a humble homage in his moment to shine. His speech continued to be about the service he gave the school as a peer helper as he worked with special education students with severe learning disorders. This young man made an impact in his four years and he did so in an unassuming manner.

Sometimes teachers wonder if they make an impact. Sometimes, we know it. The true “award” is when the students recognize you in their moments to shine and wish to give thanks so you, too, can share in the moment.

This year, I was truly humbled by a classy young man who will continue to accomplish great things in his lifetime. Is there truly a greater award? I did not think so either.

Iron Man Cometh Again

2010-05-15T06:11:00.001-07:00

“Tony Stark,
Makes you feel,
He's a cool exec,
With a heart of steel.
As Iron Man,
All jets ablaze,
He fights and smites…
With repulsor rays!
A blaze of power!
That’s Iron Man!
Amazing armor!
That’s Iron Man!”
--from the 1968 Marvel Superheroes “Iron Man” theme song.

Iron Man II was great. I would argue that the first one was better, possibly because of the “newness” of it all, but the second film was still great. Tony Stark is flamboyant and a jerk, Rhoadie is still official, the emergence of Happy Hogan (who in the comics marries and then divorces Pepper Potts) was good to see, and Pepper Potts is, well honestly, the weakest point of the film. Her characterization is the stuff of Hollywood, not the stuff of comics. Still if her presence brings in some Hollywood credibility and some fans in the seats, I will not be too begrudging.

I will not try to give away too much of the plot, but the idea of Whiplash being a Russian built on revenge of the Stark Industry because his father was screwed over by Stark’s father, left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Added on to this is the lack of mentioning the Mandarin, Iron Man’s greatest villain who was introduced in the last film. Sorry, but it is the comic geek in me that points this out. Special effects are nothing short of incredible and in the end, it is a very satisfying film. On an equally positive note, Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury is perfect. I love the tie-in with the Marvel Ultimate’s series, and this idea does not disappoint.

The acting by Mickey Rourke as Whiplash was not as I would have hoped and Don Cheadle was not half as convincing as Terrance Howard’s version of Rhoadie from the first film. I miss Howard’s characterization, as he looked like Rhoadie and played the character perfectly. Jen agreed with me that Cheadle, a good actor, could not pull off the military-minded, yet playful “big guy” that is Rhoadie.

Gary Shandling as the Congressional Senator that gives Stark some grief is another example of fine acting. Though only on the screen for a short time, the playful exchange between Shandling and Downey is terrific. The final scene with Downey vs. Shandling's characters is among the best in the film.

Marvel Comics does such a fine job with their films, Fantastic Four and the first Hulk film are exceptions (and I liked Daredevil and Ghost Rider--so back off folks--I swear, people are so vicious about those two movies), and it was a smart move to bring in War Machine as a more controlled image of Iron Man and as a "weapon" to be used by the government. Oh, and to give a spoiler away herein, nice to see Captain America’s Shield as well. I love the comic book tie-ins that are so subtle, and I actually watch for them. That in mind, folks, stick around after the credits for a clue as to the next film.

As Jen and I watched the last scene after the credits, an older woman shouted out in the theater, “I don’t get it. What was the point of that?” I went up and explained it to her and she seemed politely satisfied. Jen looked over to me and smiled as she said, “You are such a geek. That’s one of the things I love about you.”

Do I need more proof as to why I am marrying this beautiful woman?

Happy Anniversary

2010-04-21T18:24:00.001-07:00

“So what can I tell you?

If life's the length of this play,

Perhaps God gave the answers…

To those with nothing to say

But then the years are forgiving,

If God's forgiving in kind;

Perhaps we'll all find our answers somewhere in time.

I've been changing,

Redefining,

All the things I thought I knew…

So long ago,

When I was flying,

Through those years that seem so far away.

In the back of a reason,

In the back of my mind;

Where I've piled up the seasons,

That I've traded for times.”
--Jon Olivia of Savatage from the song Somewhere In Time, from the album Streets, 1991.

Some people remember anniversaries of positive things; while others remember tragedies. Some folks celebrate on anniversaries, some honor, some mourn, and some avoid the occasions altogether.

Today is the anniversary of having a stroke. It was one year ago when I sat with Uncle Dan at Medici’s, drank one beer, started slurring, lost control of my left arm, was told to lay down, was rushed to the hospital, was given a progressive procedure that went through my femoral artery through my heart and into the brain with a vacuum on the tip which sucked the 100cc clot out of my brain, made jokes with Jen and my sister Karen when checking into ICU, and began to recover.

Honestly, if a procedure or medical mishap could be a blessing, this was it. It sobered me up, it forced a healthier lifestyle, it gave me an appreciation for those around me, and it strengthened me spiritually and emotionally.

It could have gone worse.

I could have died or been left debilitated. When I originally whined “why me?” in a selfish way, I later asked the question a more philosophical way; I pondered why was I left basically unscathed with minimal residual affects? Why me? I have seen others and trust me, as far as stroke patients go, my story is absolutely miraculous.

So today, I was fairly cautious, as the anniversary is a bit of a reminder of my fear. I went past my principal and assistant principal at work and remarked that it was my anniversary of a rebirth. The principal asked if I was going to go and celebrate. The idea never popped into my head to celebrate the event. “No,” I said, “I don’t like the reminder of what could have been.”
The assistant principal, a former department member of mine, remarked that it was “better” that I remembered the date and what could have been than if someone else had to be reminded of a tragedy.

That was incredible advice.

I mean it made a huge difference in my viewpoint, for which I thanked him. He’s right. I would rather be reminded or deal with my own fears than have Jen or my family spends the day remembering that I passed away.

His words lifted my spirit and we all know that our spirit carries us sometimes.

Since this is a Wednesday, and as any fan of Big Bang theory knows, Wednesday is the day new comic books come in, I went to pick up my books. I then reflected, knowing my uncle was across the street at Medici partaking in our once usual ritual of quaffing ale. I decided to stop in, thank him, remind him of the date, let him know I loved him, and was served a frothy root beer from my favorite bartender, who also worked the night of the stroke, Chuck.

Chuck had Angie hand it to me as to not jinx the moment.

Happy anniversary to all who helped me that day and supported me then and still continue to do so.

The weekend of April 17th, 2010

2010-04-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

“Got to get back to a reason;
Got to get back to a reason I once knew,
And this late in the seasons;
One by one distractions fade from view,
The only reason I have left...
Is you.”
--Savatage from the song “Got to Get Back To A Reason” from the album Poets and Madman, 2001.

Jen and I had a fun weekend. We decided to head to a Bed and breakfast in Galena to celebrate Ulysses S. Grant’s birthday. Galena is a very open and beautiful place. Rolling hills are mixed with lovely river country. The mansions are plentiful and intact and make nice Bed and Breakfast Inns. We stayed at the Virginia House that was originally owned by the Estey family. The senior Mr. Estey was a banker who made a fortune in the Lead Mines that dot the area. Grant often stayed at his house after serving as a General and a President in his retiring years when he came back to Galena.

In fact, our Innkeeper Rita told us, that Grant annoyed Mrs. Estey because he had a cigar habit of smoking 40 to 60 cigars daily. This ugly habit was a remnant of the Civil War, his cigar smell masked the wretched odor of death that was so prevalent wherever he ventured. As a result, Grant died of throat cancer. The smoking room in the Mansion had a fireplace with a build in vent to help fumigate the cigars’ stench. He also had a private room in the Mansion and Rita told us that he stayed there more often than he did at his family’s home, as the Mansion was far more elegant. History can be so cool.

Jen and I walked for miles as we shopped and busied ourselves with various attractions. We saw the famous Grant accepting Lee’s surrender at Appomattox painting at the Mini-Museum. We also went into The Great American Popcorn Company and sampled various flavors, settling on four (buy three, get one free) take-home bags of Zesty Ranch, Molasses, Galena Mix of Carmel and Cheddar and the Chicago Mix of Cheddar, Carmel and Butter (that one staying at Jen’s house when I come over).

We found a great Sport s memorabilia shop where I bought a Patrick Kane Black Blackhawk authentic jersey for 50.00 (normally, a good $150.00). They had Bear Jerseys there with the raised letters and numbers, and I was going to get one of Johnny Knox for Jen and a Briggs one for me, but they had neither player. They had lots of Julius Peppers, Robbie Gould, and Jay Cutler ones, but I was not as interested, unlike the very cool black Blackhawk Jersey. The store owner told me that he bought them wholesale and he could sell them at a reduced rate.

We also found an antique book store that had a book on the history of the Illinois Farm Bureau, which featured a nice full page photograph of Jen’s great-Uncle, who was a president of the organization, and mentioned her Grandfathers (both sides, I believe) and her father. This was very cool. I bought a book of Essays on the History of Illinois to use for my Illinois Studies class. It was edited by renowned EIU Illinois History Professor Donald Tingley, a true expert of the history of the state. I also found a great edition of John Cottrell’s Anatomy of an Assassin: The Murder of Abraham Lincoln. I could have spent hours in that store.

We ended up at the Galena Winery and sampled some wine. Jen is much more of a wine expert than I could ever hope to be. We bought a book when I was still drinking called She said “Wine,” When He said “Beer.” We both liked the Oktoberfest and we bought a bottle to share. I like sweet wines like Riesling and that kind of stuff. She also bought herself a Cranberry wine.

We also had some very solid and interesting food. We had a fun lunch at Victory’s Café and a delicious Pizza at Canova’s Italian food.

The Bed and Breakfast food was OK, as the sausage and fruit was good, the breakfast burrito left a bit to be desired for my taste. We also had some Ice Cream made in an old-fashioned Ice Cream Parlor. I chose Cinnamon, while Jen chose her usual, Mint Chocolate Chip.

Now back to the lower carbs after the weekend, well that is as soon as I finish the popcorn. I just love flavored Popcorn. I will work on it and nosh just a bit a day.

The absolute best part of the weekend was that we spent it together, no phones, no TV (the TV in our room did not work, and Rita offered to change rooms—but we had made a deal to not watch it anyway), no newspapers, no computers, and no internet. We missed none of the above, as we were too busy loving each other and relaxing. Jen is good for me, as she had me agree to drive the scenic "River Road" home for a leg of our journey, so we could enjoy the view of a part of the state we had never seen. It was both relaxing and fun, and the way I drive, even a bit dangerous.

I also believe I am good for Jen, as I played Savatage in the car and she actually hummed along and enjoyed it (which is not a stretch too much because this band emerged to become one of her all-time favorites, Trans Siberian Orchestra.

We relaxed and recommitted our love for each other. It was a special weekend at a time we could have both used a stress release.

The Spirit Carries On

2010-03-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

“I used to be frightened of dying,
I used to think death was the end;
But that was before,
I'm not scared anymore…
I know that my soul will transcend.

I may never find all the answers…
I may never understand why…
I may never prove…
What I know to be true,
But I know that I still have to try.

If I die tomorrow,
I'd be all right…
Because I believe,
That after we're gone,
The spirit carries on.”

--Dream Theater from the song “The Spirit Carries On,” 1999.

A few updates:

Last weekend I went on a Cursillo. This is a men’s retreat that is ecumenical in nature, but it is put on by a local Catholic Church. Out of respect to the group who spoke and to the people who may wish to take this journey, I will only say that I benefited quite a bit from going.

I came looking for a few answers and I think I found them. Or at least I am on the way to find them. Can we ever really fine all of the answers we are looking for anyway?

Last spring something really happened to me that was unexplainable. Since the stroke, which frankly woke me up a bit, life has been better. I cannot explain it, but it has been better. I really believe I was touched by the spirit and I was saved in a way that involves God reaching out to me. I think I have taken a spiritual path in my hopes to gain understanding. This path was not one I was willing to walk, but I am moving forward on it just the same.

Something truly happened to me; I would dare say something miraculous. This does not mean I will judge others or become holier-than anyone, but what it means to me is that there is an inner peace and comfort that I have not felt before. I have gained spiritual growth and even understanding of myself. Greatest of the gifts I was given lst spring was a sense of purpose and peace.

Update 2:
In another update of sorts, I am continuing to work on a federal Teaching American History grant with our PTHS grant writer John Mehlberg. We have submitted it and t looks good. Last year we made it to the final reading, which is impressive for a first time submission from what we are told. This year, we are hoping to accomplish our goals as we read our comments for improvement and have made the grant better by tightening up some loose ends.

Update 3:
Jen has her dress, of which I have not seen, and will see on the wedding day. I am so looking forward to being married to Jen. She has been wonderful. I am about to hit the diet hard and have tux fittings in June and go from there. Reception Hall is taken care of; Church is set; wedding party have been selected; and cats have been told.

Something more controversial or curmudgeon-like next time, I promise.

Chicago Bears Free Agents: Its Now or Never

2010-03-06T12:58:00.000-08:00

“Sunlight fall down on the fields...
Sunlight fall down over me;
Work all day be all that I can be: yeah-heh.
Say I can say words only simple,
Say I can say words only clear;
But, oh I can feel your heart is beating near. Yeah-heh

No, no, no, Don't pass me over

No, no, no, Don't pass me by

See, I can see good things for you and I...
Yeah, good things for you and I”
--The BoDeans, from the song, “Good Things.”

Having had less than 24 hours to digest the Chicago Bears Free Agent moves, I was at first alarmed at the lack of effort acquiring a safety. I was then miffed that there was no solid Offensive Line acquisition. Then it struck me, when I looked down the list of free agents, no real “impact” offensive lineman is readily available in the free agency. There are some “project guys” who have potential, but we tried that last year with Omiyale and the work is still in progress. The effort for Omiyale may pay off, as he has the size and the speed. Safety is another matter, where there are a few “better than what we already have” guys out there, there is no “worth a ton of money impact” players.

So having rested and reflected on the whole thing, I think the Chicago Bears made some really great moves.

Now, I do not believe in the Daniel Snyder (of the Washington Redskins) philosophy of building a team by buying big-name free agents. He’s tried it; it does not work.

The negative feeling pervasive in me, about the Bears management, is, as Elvis would say, “Now or Never” for Jerry Angelo, Lovie Smith, et al.

If the Bears win a Super Bowl in this manner, I am all for it. Let’s face it, the Patriots piecemealed a Super Bowl team three straight years by adding players at key positions, as did the Saints. The Cowboys tried, and failed, but their owner is truly a jerk who still cannot find a running back.

So in the "free agent era" that is now the Bears only method of gaining talent. Lvie's last hurrah may be years off if all works out from the moves of this weekend. His last hurrah could be mid-season if the moves do not pan out.

The first move is perhaps the Bears most bold. Julius Peppers is among the most dominant if not THE most dominant defensive line pass rusher in the league. This was a smart move. The Bears have wasted quite a few free agent moves and picks on the D-Line, but Peppers on the squad will solidify them. Guarding Peppers should free up Harris, and vice versa, and both should make for more safety and linebacker sacks, let alone sacks for each other. Peppers is an instant impact player that will fit in well and should help the “cover two;” the reason being is that if pressure is put on a QB, the post patterns are less effective.

The second key player, Chester Taylor, is a smart move as well. Bringing in experience from working in the Vikings system, Taylor is a utility guy that could shine under the right system. I still think Forte is an impact player, so sharing the load will not be an issue. The Bears will, more than likely, say goodbye to Kevin Jones and Adrian Peterson. But with Wolfe, Bell, Forte and Taylor (and an experienced Taylor at that) I think the running position can flourish, especially in Martz's system.

The other player brought in, Brandon Manumaleuna as a blocking tight end, is another smart move. I will be honest; I do not know much about this player. He worked well in San Diego which says something, considering how strong their running backs consistently play. As a blocking Tight End, he could make an impact on the running game without an investment of an offensive lineman. I would like to see Beekman inserted back in the line, and towards the end of last season, Shaffer came on strong. The good thing about Manumaleuna is that his insertion offers more two tight end sets and leaves Olsen the opportunity to be used as a big receiver. Will this strain the impact of Hester? Sure, but Martz made it clear, Hester will be utilized as more of a kick returner in his scheme, rather than a receiver: thus, Ron Turner’s ridiculous “Hester Experiment” is official over. Thank Goodness, as we all knew what the conclusion of that hypothesis would be.

So the Bears can go with Aromashodu and Iglesias as starters, use Olsen in the two tight-end set, and use Bennett as a slot and possession receiver, as he should be.

As far as the coaching moves, I have high hopes. In retrospect, I think Tice as an offensive line coach has some common sense. He played the position, probably never should have been a head coach in any situation, and could be a positive influence on a relatively young line. I think every Bear fan knew Marinelli would take over as the Defensive Coordinator. No surprise. I have made it clear in my past comments that I think Mike Martz is a crybaby and a bit of a weasel. I hope I am wrong, and if I can separate his personality flaws from his football intelligence, I may be a fan someday. His track record (with the exception of Detroit) is proven to be strong.

I call this weekend’s move a huge upgrade for the Chicago Bears, and, honestly, I think they need it. There are no tomorrows for Angelo, Lovie, and the rest.

In my world, August and the Pre-Season is just around the corner, and I cannot wait.

Just Driving Along...

2010-02-28T19:25:00.001-08:00

“I’m leaving on a jet plane…”
(Well...not really)

New Luggage for your travels--$30.00; Airplane Tickets--$520.00;
Car Rental when the flight is cancelled--$360.00

Opportunity to participate in your Brother’s fiftieth birthday--Priceless (especially if you have $910 lying around)

Ah…traveling…

It can be enlightening as well as frightening. In October of 2008, I drove out to Mark’s in Ohio with no problems.

Then I took Jen to Mark’s last October and we hit a hunk of wood in the road, which took out my car to the tune of some $500.00

Then this morning, after uneventful travel and a really good time at Mark’s house, I thought the “curse” of the last trip was a fluke. At 10:24, just as I turned in the keys to our room, Jen’s phone rang. It was an “800” number. The airline called to tell us our flight on the second leg of our journey was cancelled. Jen tried to have us booked on another flight because, we needed to find a passage home. Jen had to work on Monday as it is the busiest day of the year for farmers in their tax season. I, who had used my personal days on the previously mentioned October to Mark’s trip, would have been docked a huge chunk of change had I not attended work on Monday.

No luck with the airlines. Nothing was flying into Illinois that wasn’t overbooked from Delta. Hmmm…how telling is that?

Anyway, we decided to take the already in possession rental car to Bloomington’s Avis car rental company. To drive back to Pittsburgh would be an hour, followed by another hour of finagling with another car rental place, followed by another hour of driving back to where we were sitting, followed by praying that the car rental place in Bloomington would be open at 11:00 PM, which is not even close to being likely, so we would be charged another day.

With limited choices, we decided to venture home.

So off we drove for 8 hours heading back to the land of THE Illinois State University (and that great institution’s Number One ranking Social Science Education Department and Number One Ranking History Education Department—did I mention my master’s in History???); Illinois Wesleyan University, State Farm Insurance Home Office; Beer Nuts; Country Companies Home Office; The First Steak ‘N’ Shake in the world; The Prairie Thunder Hockey Team; the hometown of both Adlai (Vice President) and McLean (Henry Blake of M*A*S*H) Stevenson; the college home of Laurie Metcalf, John Malkovich, and the guy who played the friend of Will of the Will and Grace TV show whose name escapes me; and the place of the only large protest demanding justice on the announcement of Lincoln’s assassination—just to name of few of Bloomington/Normal’s historical and popular culturally relevant tidbits.

Our drive was surprisingly uneventful. We found a few cool radio stations playing 80’s music and “classic hits” that were giving tributes to Canadian rockers, due to Olympic hype.

Bottom-line, we had a great time visiting Mark and Mary, seeing Mom, Dad, Karen, Angela, meeting some of Mark’s friends, and sharing in the Celebration of Mark’s fiftieth year of escaping from the womb.

Jen and I also had some luck in driving, and as frustrating as air-travel can be, we know to be especially appreciative of people coming from all over to attend our wedding next October.

By the way, why does the airline put more emphasis on how much $2.29 shampoo I have than they do in supplying my travel home after they mess up to the tune of some $500.00? Just a question, I really do not expect an answer. I must be the one with the mixed up priorities, I suppose.

A Good Report

2010-02-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a relief.

I went to the doctors yesterday (that would be Cardiologist Jim McCrisken and General Practitioner Eric Duncan) and got an A from each on my semi-annual, post-stroke, post-valve replacement surgery, and just general health checkup.

Cholesterol is a tad bit above 150, triglycerides is 137, good HDL is at 34 and bad LD is at 74. Blood pressure at McCrisken’s was higher (but to be honest, going in there twice a year unnerves me a bit,) than at Duncan’s—so I will take Duncan’s score of 117 over 80 and the pulse rate with Duncan also a tad lower at 74. Everything is going well.

Both doctors waxed philosophical on me a bit, which probably shows that they know me as a person and care about me. Dr. McCrisken commented that I might want to check out a non-denominational Men’s group weekend retreat in March. He said it was good for folks who had gone through experiences similar to mine. To be honest, I am interested. Dr. Duncan said he would recommend the same. Both told me that I should live my life without dwelling on the stroke. Both thought that being cog nascent of my meds and keeping up with a healthy lifestyle and checking my INR is an adjustment of sorts, but other than “taking care of myself” there was no reason to worry.

Dr. Duncan gave me a great analogy. He said that it was extremely rare to have a stroke as a result of the valve in the first place, let’s say one in two-hundred thousand. To have it reoccur would even be more astronomical, considering they are monitoring me so closely, something like one in a million. He told me not to live my life with regrets and worrying about things 25 years from now that I could have, should have done.

Both commented that I was in a good mood that was noticeable and equally notable was that I was less of a worrywart.

After hearing their good news, I had reason to reflect. I cannot deny it, something happened to me: spiritually, physically, and amazingly that I truly do not understand. To be here after that stroke, and just as importantly to be here relatively unharmed and unchanged, is an amazing occurrence.

It is a testament to my doctors and the medical care in Bloomington-Normal, but I cannot help but think it is more than that. I feel awakened a bit, as I also feel more clear-headed and more confident. I mean, aside from being a worrywart about my health (which I know will never go away), and I know I will always be a bit too critical of others and things that annoy me; still I feel something happened.

I am relatively certain that I was helped and I experienced some divinity in my presence. I really do, and for someone who was fairly agnostic to admit to those words, well… miracles never cease, do they?

I feel as though I was given a second chance, or as Dr, McCrisken noted, a fourth or fifth chance for those keeping score at home.

I have always tended to look at folks who proclaim miracles or miraculous happenings in their life as a bit of a skeptic. If someone is bold enough to suggest divine-intervention, I also tend to have my doubts raised. I look in the same manner at someone who props themselves up as being more sacred than others in this world. I have no desire to infiltrate others lives with biblical quotes or stereotypical phoniness.

The above noted, I must honestly say that I was given yet another lease on life and I intend to live by an example of being a better person and being worthy of the important gifts I have been given. I will also learn to be more appreciative of those around me and give back to those around me in a meaningful way.

I truly feel my spirit has been lifted and it is an incredibly positive feeling, to be honest.

The Wolfman Remake, Takes Me Back To My Youth

2010-02-13T21:48:00.000-08:00

“Even a man who is pure at heart and says his prayers by night
Will become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the moon is full and bright.”

--The Wolfman, Universal Films, 1941.

Tonight I was transported back in time. When we were kids, Mark traded Cam Meyers for some Famous Monsters of Film magazines. This was every pre-teen male who loved horror movies (and who didn’t?) favorite magazine. One issue had a story about and pictures from Universal’s The Wolfman, starring the great Lon Chaney Junior s Larry Talbot and Bela Lugosi as Bela the gypsy. It also featured Ralph Bellamy and Claude Raines. I thought this was the coolest thing I ever saw, as a kid. Mark and I stayed up late to watch the Wolfman when it was on Creature Features on Saturday night. I always fell asleep before the good parts, but I loved the make-up and the effects, simple as they were.

Flash forward to 2010. Jen and I saw The Wolfman remake this evening. I picked it as a festive Valentine Holiday film, and it was awesome. Benicio Del Toro starred as Sir Lawrence Talbot and Anthony Hopkins played his father, Sir John. The scenes were gruesome and graphic and very exciting. The make-up was incredible, and there were enough plot twists to entertain. Thing I liked so much about this film was how true it was to the original.

It used the same character names, the basic plot and outline from the first film, and the atmosphere of the film was creepy and gloomy. The main difference was he 1941 original was set in the 1940s and the remake was set in the 1890s. Obviously, this is a minor difference at best. The remake was more logical and more concise in telling a story, as the original is too rushed. The remake contains the old gypsy woman as well, and honestly, their characterization is surprisingly similar. It is obvious that the new filmmakers paid an honor in their homage to the 1941 Universal classic.

Even Del Toro looks a bit like Lon Chaney Junior, and they explain his physical ethnical differences to father Anthony Hopkins in a very realistic way. I thought Del Toro was excellent in his role as the often troubled Lawrence Talbot. Anthony Hopkins takes the former Claude Raines Sir John to a new level of ego-driven arrogance. Evelyn Ankers' version of Gwen was beautiful, and I feel more attractive than the new Gwen in Emily Blunt. Ms. Blunt is the much better actress than Ankers, as my obsession with Ankers is more due to a third-graders crush than anything else. I always had/have a thing for blondes.

I will not give away any of the plot twists, but suffice to say the film is fantastic.

After we watched the new film, Jen and I watched the original from my Universal Horror films DVD collection at her house. She liked both and thought the 1941 sixty minute film was fun, albeit corny. She also said she could see why I was fascinated in Evelyn Ankers. We were both floored when the classically humorous Ralph Bellamy appeared in the 1941 film as a police inspector. It was a pleasant surprise. Best line in the classic was one Lon Chaney Junior’s character of Larry Talbot follows the grave diggers into the churchyard as they are about to bury Bela Lugosi’ gypsy/werewolf character. Two women watch the gravediggers bring the casket into the churchyard. One woman says “There’s the dead gypsy.” The other woman, who spies Talbot following slightly behind says, “and the man who killed him.” The look on Chaney’s face was so incredible.

Perhaps not the most romantic thing for me to watch on this Valentine’s Day, but Jen was certainly show her love for me by indulging in my geekiness and sharing a moment that she knows I will enjoy. I will treat dinner for her at her favorite steakhouse, Central Station, tomorrow.

I wonder if she is in the mood for Dracula.

Nah, I probably should not push it.

The Chicago Bears Just Have It All Wrong...

2010-01-05T20:06:00.001-08:00

"Everybody's heard it

How everything went wrong.

Advance was spent some time ago...

Agent's on the phone.

Young Mr. Rockcock...

Where do you belong?

The man ain't got no answer,
The man just got it wrong…"

--Lindsey Buckingham from the song “Wrong.”

The Wrong person has taken the blame for the mess that is the Chicago Bears. My lovely fiancé’ and my earnest brother will disagree with me, but Ron Turner is really not the first one on the Bears staff that should have been fired. He is a fall guy.

My brother’s blog this week gets tough on Lovie Smith. Fine, but he is also not the main culprit for the Bears’ demise.

My vote is Jerry Angelo does not deserve a job in this organization.

Let me make my case, and I will start with the season right after the Super Bowl loss. The slow demise of the Bears began when a messed up Rex Grossman was left as a starter. In the time he played, a clearly sharper Brian Griese sat on the bench. When Griese was allowed to play, he showed some glimmer of success, but that was taken away because Grossman returned. Then the Bears let their most prolific receiver go in Bernard Barrien. Without him, the Bears relied on the swift feet of an inexperienced and modified hope in Devin Hester and the hands of clay with the legs of lead that is Marty Booker.

The defense slouched during this time as well as the much-hyped Tommie Harris was given a huge bonus while injured. The worth the hype, best player on Defense, Lance Briggs was basically annoyed and practically run out of town. The most prolific lineman in Alex Brown was regulated to back-up behind Mark Anderson, who like the invisible man, has not been seen in years. When Alex reemerged, the comment was that Anderson with in a slump. Some slump.

This season the main draft issues were still ignored. No safety of any caliber has joined the squad, an essential ingredient for the lame Tampa Two or as Lovie now calls it, the Cover Two (no need to remind us that Lovie is no longer Tampa’s problem, but in reality ours). Perhaps the most consistent pass rusher for the team is about to be waived in Oligunlie while the Bears signed a second round draft pick away to snag former Tampa Bay bench warmer, Gaines Adams. The Bear spent 14 million dollars to have a second string offensive lineman in Frank Omilyalle to join the roster and show us why he was a second stringer (just in case we had any doubts). Jay Cutler was signed with much hype. Cutler is a great choice, except, our quarterback was not our biggest problem. I liken it to having mice furniture in a house that has a crumbling foundation and a leaky roof, without plumbing and electricity. One uses the furniture often enough, but there are other essentials needed first.

In the scenarios, one consistent remains: Jerry Angelo is the cause of the demise. Did Turner sign the lousy players? No. Turner wanted to keep Berrien, but was outvoted because the fore-mentioned insulted Briggs was about to jump ship.

Folks can hate Turner all they wish. His plays are formulaic, predictable, show a certain sign of fear as they players play “not to lose” instead of playing to win, and he makes lousy excuses. Cutler does not respect the man, and it is Cutler’s team, so Turner is an easy man out. Still the bears put a four inch band-aid on a gaping wound.

Next time Angelo calls a press conference, perhaps he should give us some truthful news, and I have his opening line for him “I am stepping down as the General Manager of the Chicago Bears because I have no idea what I am doing.” Otherwise Angelo, do not waste our time.

The "Spirit" of Christmas

2009-12-29T07:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas time is here again…

--From some kids as shown on the Charlie Brown Christmas

I remember as a kid with an overly eager attitude of “want” waking up Christmas morning to open gifts. Now my family is spread all over the USA, literally, so that same feeling has dissipated to a degree. Still the memories are there of my first G.I. Joe, and the “Mego Batcave,” and other cool gifts.

This year, Jen and I traveled to St. Louis area to be with her sister. We drove through rain, followed by icy roads in St. Louis, followed by clear highways on the way home.

We had fun as Zack opened his Batman Winged Fighter Batplane and we opened gifts. Jen’s Mom gave me an incredible gift of a gift card to the Coliseum for hockey and football games. Jen gave me the Batman vault book I requested, which is very cool. I also was given boxer briefs in the spirit of Mom giving me underwear and socks. These actually are kind of nice. I will also smell good, as Jen picked up another bottle of Hugo for me.

Now the joy of the holiday is giving, so I gave Jen an Illini jacket (normally $108.00 on sale at Gordman’s for $22.00 in clearance—I am all about the deal) and a necklace and her practical gift of a Crock Pot. I have less than flavorful and favorable memories of my Mom’s crock pot in the 1970s where everything tastes like stew coming out of it, but I caved, as this is when she wanted. It is programmable and holds five quarts, which means I will have five quarts of stew to eat every week when we are married. I am so looking forward to that.

In the coolness factor, Mark and Mary sent me a print of my second favorite comic character of all in Will Eisner’s The Spirit. This was a special personal and original drawing of the Spirit drawn by Alex Saviuk who did the inks over Eisner’s pencils for the Escapist. Nicely framed, I may add. Jen thought it was cool as well. Mark and Mary also sent seven rocking DC character watches for me. I have a character for every single day of the week, and I must admit, Green Lantern just rocks! The Plastic Man watch is cool as well. So my youthful energies remain intact.

Jen and I snagged Mark some Marvel Character glasses that represent the Marvel greats of the 1960s. Why they put Wolverine in the mix and not the classic X-men, is anyone’s guess. Still he liked them. I have to admit that I went Gift card crazy for my folks and Mary, but Karen and Bud will have things to open when we see them. My folks sent a great gift, as did Aunt Judy, both of which will serve as a contribution to the marriage fund or my dowry, whichever anyone wishes to call it.

Driving home from St. Louis was not so bad, especially because Jen drove, but the weather took an ugly turn for the worst on Saturday and Sunday as we were dumped on with eight inches of snow. It became unique as I was a greeter at church on Sunday while we had two inches fall in two hours, and I think I greeted about twenty people, as the church was fairly empty, especially those coming in my door. Speaking of the Church, Jen and I witnessed a lovely Christmas service at Wesley United Methodist in Bloomington. The music was incredible and the message was excellent.

Christmas is a time when we can teleport ourselves back to the past and enjoy the pleasures of our lives. That is the true Spirit of Christmas, although having an original print of the Spirit isn’t too bad either.

Happy Holidays to everyone and have a Happy New Year.

Christmas Well Wishes from Me

2009-12-21T09:15:00.001-08:00

"God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Saviour

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy."

--Traditional

Merry Tull Christmas as Ian and the boys have a go at the tune…

Well after last night’s Bears debacle, I am calmer; wearing some Blackhawk’s gear, with Guinness the cat nuzzling me, every chance he has.

I came across a great article about what happened to me this Spring, which I will share the link and the relevant text:

http://www.aolhealth.com/health/senior-health/stroke-catheter-penumbra?icid=mainhtmlws-main-ndl5link4http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolhealth.com%2Fhealth%2Fsenior-health%2Fstroke-catheter-penumbra

Bobby Laird may owe her life to a tiny vacuum cleaner that sucked a blood clot out of her brain.

In late September this year, Laird, 57, was rushed by ambulance to the Loyola University Medical Center emergency room after suffering a stroke. Paralyzed on her left side, disoriented and lapsing into unconsciousness, Laird was first treated intravenously with a clot-busting drug. She improved slightly, but only temporarily, and needed further medical intervention to save her life.

After further testing in the Loyola Hospital catheter lab to determine if she would benefit from a procedure to mechanically unclog the blocked blood vessel, John Whapham, M.D., began the treatment that would save Baird's life.

"It's a very high stakes procedure," said Whapham, assistant professor in the Departments of Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Whapham inserted a miniscule catheter device called a Penumbra into the artery in Baird's groin. He then guided the catheter slowly and carefully up through her heart and carotid artery and into her brain.

A tiny agitator was activated which broke up the clot, suction removed the clot fragments through the catheter and blood circulation resumed in the right side of Baird's brain, which controls the left side of her body.

"The mortality risk without this treatment was 60 to 80 percent," said Whapham. "The surgical risk was only three to four percent." But although the procedure must be performed cautiously, so that a blood vessel is not perforated -- which could be fatal -- it must also be done quickly because "time is brain," Whapham said. "Each passing minute with the clot still in place increases the risk of permanent brain damage."

Whapham has done hundreds of these life-saving procedures, "from teenagers to people in their 90s," he said.

"It's basically plumbing on a grand scale, like snaking through a clogged pipe."

Note to the self: Sound familiar?

I really feel that I had some fate and faithful intervention when I went down. My thanks again to my lovely fiance’ Jen , my uncle Dan, my sister Karen, my brother Mark, My niece Angela, My sister-in-law Mary, My brother-in-law Bud, my parents Lois and Dean, my soon-to-be inlaws Pam and Gene, my incredible doctors, coworkers, all other family members, all other friends, my former students, my current students, Chumey, Guinness, Foggy, and anyone else I may have missed who offered prayers of help and support.

This one, even months later, is still frightening to me.

So while I may whine about the Bears, complain about the State Farm Insurance People, attest to my usual minor curmudgeon-laced episodes, I must really say that I am very glad to be here and I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

Just think, I might have missed it…

Now That The Chicago Bears Season Is Over...

2009-12-20T20:38:00.001-08:00

“Shut your mouth...
My mother said...
Don't saddle me...
With selfishness.

Do you feel your tongue quivering?
It's moments like these I revel in...
Your conversation never sticks,
'Cause no truth in you exists

Yeah you bite before you lick
I love ya 'cause you're such a pr#ck…”

--Ed Roland of Collective Soul from the song “Vent” from the album Blender, 2000.

I am not even slightly kidding about this. I hope that NO ONE buys me any further Chicago Bears items for two reasons; since they have stopped caring, so have I and I do not want any money even associated with me going to that organization.

After the Bears shockingly ugly loss to the Bengals, Lovie Smith told the media that many teams would quit if they were in the Bears’ situation and the Bears were not going to quit. Guess what Lovie, you, your team, and coaches under you have all quit. Here’s some advice, do the respectable thing and make it official. Resign, tomorrow.

Millions of people are out of work in this great nation while Jerry Angelo, Lovie Smith, and Ron Turner have multi-million dollar jobs? No way, folks; that is hardly justice. The worst thing about this pathetic loss (the latest pathetic loss) is that Cutler finally quit playing the Ron Turner/Lovie Smith game of Russian Roulette. He simply refused to fake it any longer. Some might call Cutler’s throwing the ball out of bounds, running out of bounds, and spiking the ball plays he showed today as poor sportsmanship; instead I view it as Cutler saying in actions rather than words, the Lovie and crew have no idea what they are doing.

The way to win football games is a relatively simple formula: a strong offensive line and a strong defensive line give a team their best chance. Lovie has invested draft picks and future drafts picks, as evident by Gaines Adams joining the squad, that the D-Line is a priority, misguided in Adams, but a priority nonetheless. In the off season, the acquisition of Orlando Pace and Frank Omiyall show how misguided the O-Lone priority is. The former is an older, injury-proned, overweight, player that could not even make the roster on last year’s worst team, and the latter is an untested four year vet who never even started before the Bears shelled out 14 million dollars for him. In the meantime, starting tackle from last year Josh Beekman is left to wonder about his career as he is now confused and former first round draft pick Williams is showing how incompetent he is and how incompetent the Chicago Bear scouts truly are. .

The best receiver on this team is a man who did not even play significant time before last week in Devon Aromashadu. There are some who question Cutler, but I think he has made a player out of Earl Bennet and has shown the same sort of hope for Johnny Knox and the fore-mention Aromashadu. I think, under Cutler with the right lineman, the three will flourish.

Almost as bad as the Offensive line is, the safety position is in worst shape. Since Mike Brown has been down (and now out) that position has never been a serious draft consideration. Look at how awful Craig Steltz and Kevin Payne have played. In a cover two, the strong safety is probably the most important position on the field and if one ignores that player, the cover two is doomed to implode.

So fellow wary Bears fan, follow my advice and leave football. Remember it is Hockey season and the Blackhawks look great. And as positive as they are, the local Bloomington Prairie Thunder at least will go out and try and fight for a victory.

The Chicago Bears quit, checked out, and folded the circus weeks ago when they lost to the Bengals and the Cardinals. If the fans really want to show the team what they think, I say that they should not give the Chicago Bears any further financial support. A friend of mine who is a season ticket holder told me the Chicago Bears organization sent him an email noting there were still seats available for the Bears Packers game. What? When was the last time, Bear fans, a seat was available for the greatest rivalry in football? Shameful really, and now the Bears ownership needs to know how the fans feel.

Go ‘Hawks! And as far as the Bears are concerned, I wish Lovie, Ronnie, and Jerry would just go!

The Gift That Kept On Giving

2009-12-12T21:44:00.001-08:00

“So woowooooh,
I wanna be just like you...
I wanna walk like you,
Talk like you do...
You see it's true,
An ape like me,
Can learn to be human too, yeah”

--from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's second album, This Beautiful Life, adopted from the Jungle Book Movie Soundtrack song.

In an effort to declutter our houses and avoid “trinket” types of gifts, Jen wanted to "do something" for my birthday. She bought me dinner at our favorite local steak restaurant, Central Station, and she took me to see the band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

They are great and it is difficult not to really just want to stand up and dance to their music. I was into Big Bad Voodoo Daddy big time a few years ago when the “swing” music made a commercial comeback in such groups as The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and of course Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. This was always the most traditional of those swing era retro bands. I have truly not followed them too much since, but I enjoyed their older CDs of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and This Wonderful Life, the latter containing my two favorite cuts I Wanna Be Like You and Big Time Operator.

The band came to the Bloomington Performing Arts Center as part of the Center’s Christmas show extravaganza. I was not even aware that the band had a Christmas CD out, but they do and I ordered it from Amazon after we saw them play.

The night was filled with fun and great swing songs such as King of Swing, Jump With My Baby, Go Daddy-O, I Wanna Be Like You, and the hit from the movie Swingers, You And Me And The Bottle Makes Three Tonight from the classic era albums of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The new CD came out when I was recovering from the stroke and Jen picked it up for me, as it is their tribute to Cab Calloway songs, which Big Bad Voodoo Daddy highlighted and sprinkled throughout the concert, including a rousing version of Minnie the Moocher, complete with audience participation. The Christmas songs they performed were intriguing and entertaining as well including: Rockabilly Christmas, Is Zat You, Santa Clause, Jingle Bells Cha Cha, and my personal favorite Mr. Heat Miser/Mr. Cold Miser; a cover from the Year Without A Santa Clause Rankin and Bass Animated classic. That was purely fun.

After the show, Jen and I waited in line for the band to autograph our program, which they did. We wandered down after the show and found our way in line, fairly quickly,; timing being everything. After a ten minute and fifty patron wait, we were face-to-face with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. In the ensuing wait in line, I made conversation and chatted with band members as they signed my Program. The bassist was clearly a showman and had fun throughout the show, and I complemented his singing and his fantastic bass strummming. I talked to the trombone player about my good friend Pete, who loves jazz and once played with Sun Ra.

He seemed honestly impressed with hearing that of Pete. I clued the band members that my fiancé’ Jen had bought me the tickets as my birthday gift, and they congratulated us on our impending nuptials. The lead singer/guitarist/leader of the band, Scotty Morris was very kind after hearing of my birthday and Jen and my wedding plans and posed for a picture.

When the first one Jen took was blurry, she asked to try again, and Morris said, “for a birthday, we gotta get this right.” He was very grateful for the fans and very humble about his fame, I felt.

Last night, before heading ff to the land of nod, I went online and picked up the Christmas CD and the Save My Soul CD to round out the collection.

What I appreciated about the show, besides the great toe-tappin’ songs was the fact that Big Bad Voodoo Daddy looked and acted as if they thoroughly enjoyed performing and respected the talents of one another. They also played for over two hours and rocked out the finale, another of my personal favorites, So Long—Farewell—Goodbye.

Go out, "jump with your baby," and see Big Bad Voodoo Daddy if you have a chance. They will not disappoint. What a great birthday present.

Another Year Older...

2009-12-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

"I'm a runaway train on broken track;
I'm a ticker on a bomb,
You can't turn back this time…
That's right…

I got away with it all and I'm still alive.
Let the end of the world come tumbling down,

I'll be the last man standing on the ground…
As long as I got blood rush trough my veins…
I'm still alive.
--Meatloaf, “I’m Still Alive” from Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster’s Loose, 2006.

I wish you and yours a Happy Saint Nicholas Day.

Oh, yeah, it’s my birthday as well. From the web I found it to be a day of Celebration in Europe:

Traditional celebrations of Saint Nicholas Day in Northern Europe included gifts left in children's shoes (the origin of our American Christmas stockings). Good children receive treats - candies, cookies, apples and nuts, while naughty children receive switches or lumps of coal. Sometimes coins were left in the shoes, reminiscent of the the life-saving doweries the saint provided. Today - especially in families of German extraction - children still put a shoe outside their bedroom doors on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, and expect to find candy and coins or small gifts in their shoe on December 6th.

It is also the day that Samichlaus beer is bottled and then re-distributed a year later as a never-ending cycle of enjoying an 18 proof beer. Sadly, there cannot be a Samichlaus (like Santa Claus) for me to imbibe this year.

Quite a year has past since I last took up my traditional Birthday Blog. Here are some highlights:

December 12, 2008, I proposed to Jen and she said yes. I am very fortunate.

Christmas, 2009: Jen and I travel to see both families, visiting Anna and Joe in St. Louis where Zack is given his “Bat-friends” gifts and visiting Karen and Bud; Angela and Fred in Ottawa where Kaleb is given his Superman and Krypto.

January Through March, Jen and I enjoy the Hockey of the Bloomington Prairie Thunder. Great fun and fantastic action. The team is weak, but the fun exists.

Early April, Jen and I head out to Starved Rock. She enjoys it and the dinner we had at Lou Grottos Pizza.

April 22, 2009: I suffer a major stroke in Medici’s Restaurant, that my uncle, Dan Kuglich, catches. He insists I have an ambulance take me to the hospital; next thing I know I am in a hospital moving down a hall; then I am in a machine as I have a head ct, then I am in surgery with a pain behind my eye as a 100 CC clot is removed, then I am making jokes with Karen and Jen and the nurses about my medical condition, then I start the road to nearly perfect and complete recovery (in my world a 95% with some minor residual affects in my left hand). In the hospital stay, Karen, Mark, Mary, Angela, Dan, Dar, and friends visit and I begin to understand what is important in life.

Late April through May: no work as I recover. In the recovery I learn to accept that life is a gift and my faith grows. Strange, one might suspect the opposite, but not so. My weight loss begins as Jen, Mark, and Mary de-carb my house. May sees me return to action at PTHS by giving the Social Sciences Award and Baccalaureate, where I am allowed to address the Seniors. Also, one of my favorite institutions/past times is gone, as I decide that I should no longer drink beer. German Wheat Beer stock drops fourteen percentage points (or something like that).

June—final OK’s from Doctors. Bears sign Cutler. My hopes of seeing another Super Bowl (and sooner, not later) are rising. I attend a bridal show with Jen and her sister Sarah.

July—Family reunion at Aunt Cathy’s. Lots of fun and great food for all.
August—my boredom ceases as I begin a new school year. Great kids, great classes, and everyone is very welcoming. Hopes are continuing on the Bears. Jen and I begin serious wedding planning. Jen and I pick out wedding bands.

September—Jen and I go to the U of I, ISU game. My alma mater is slaughtered and we find out it is only one of three games U of I will win this year: Go Illini, Go Redbirds. Bears look OK in the Pre-season and start out well. Bear fans lose some hope as Urlacher goes down. Jen watches the games with me, as proudly wears the Calib Hanie jersey I bought her. Don’t ask…

October: Highlight is we see Mark and Mary in Ohio, as Jen saves our lives after we hit an errant hunk of wood on the road while she is driving at 9:00 PM. Car damaged, but we are fine and we still are able to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (the band formerly known as the Heavy/Epic Metal band Savatage--a personal favorite of mine) in Youngstown for a terrific show. Car fixed, to a degree, and now I fight with State Farm Auto Insurance. Weight down around 40 pounds.

November: By the week before Thanksgiving, State Farm finally pays me for my car damage. It is only been 21 days, but who am I to complain, right? Jen prepares a lovely Thanksgiving Turkey breast with great flair. She is an excellent cook. A nice, quiet, and loving Thanksgiving is had by us both.

Late November: Bears are now realistically out of contention for post-Season play. Cutler has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, especially in the Red Zone, and my faith in my sports teams has been rocked, as even the Prairie Thunder lose two games Jen and I witnessed, but played well.

Early December: My faith in Chicago Sports teams was restored when the Blackhawks signed Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

In Summary: I learned that life is a gift this year. In many ways, even with the stroke, it was one of my best years ever. I learned that Jen is perfect for me and our relationship gives me a chance to love life. I learned that family is more important than I ever knew and I love them all. I also think the stroke was a wake-up call to restore faith and promote a healthier lifestyle. I also have been more intelligent and more compassionate to others since it happened, so maybe God was letting me know that some corrections were needed.

Same time next year…

Unfortuantely, The Chicago Bears Have "A Lot Of Football To Be Played"

2009-11-30T16:16:00.000-08:00

"I'm a Loser, I'm a Loser,

And I'm not what I appear to be..."

--John Lennon of the Beatles, 1965.

Another terrific loss by the Bears!

I mean, you really have to try to lose that badly.

That game was pitiful. When will they learn: the cover two does not work if your middle linebacker and your safety are not in synch and superior athletes. Two touchdowns: one to the tight end and the other to a mid range receiver were directly tied to Farve picking apart the “cover two.”

Mark, my brother, called me on the Bears first series and I picked the first and second play the Bears would run on their first offensive series and Mark picked the third. WE both agreed with each other and we were absolutely dead on correct. If a guy from Illinois and another from Ohio can predict what is happening in Minnesota, why doesn’t Ron Turner think a Defensive coach with more knowledge than either of us have can do the exact same?

Someone has to be fired at this point, and I think the “fall guy” will be Ron Turner. I also think Lovie has another “Lovie Buddy” in Ron Martz waiting in the wing. I am not saying Ron Turner deserves to keep his job, but this is just putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. If Turner goes, then the Bears are going to keep Lovie around until it is too obvious. Why haven’t we heard Ron Marinelli’s name lately? Oh, I know, because the Defensive line sucks. How about Bruce Babbich? Oh, that’s because the linebackers are woeful with Urlacher. How about Harry Hiestand and Luke Butkis? Who are they, you may ask? Why they are respectively the Head O-Line and Assist O-Line Coaches. Do those two have a job when the season is over?

And if we want to replace the coaches, let’s look at who brought in all of the “talent” and let the “worthless” players go. I think talent evaluation is the key to success. I mean, yesterday’s game showed what a waste Bernard Berrian was to the roster; his yardage was so much worse than Hester’s wasn’t it? And Orlando Pace played so well, didn’t he? Didn’t the Bears lose a draft pick to have an impact player like Gaines Adams added to the roster? His impact has been tremendous, yes?

So our Genius Football Guru, Jerry Angelo, should do the respectable thing and step down. If he cannot do the respectable thing, then the McCaskeys ought to fire him.

I am so tired of hearing the same old dreck from Lovie after a game…”we missed opportunities…lots of football left…we are a good football team…blah blah blah.” First, you missed a great opportunity in not resigning Berrian. You have a lot of football left? Great, can’t wait to see who else slaughters us. You are not the coach of a good football team, or even a mediocre one. You are the coach of a bad team because the play calling and personnel are weak. Cut through the “crap” (your word, not mine) and be honest.

Ironically, after the Bears “tremendous” loss, NFL.com sent me an email to purchase Chicago Bears Merchandise at 20% off. I wouldn’t buy that “crap” (Lovie’s word, not mine) for 80% off.

Thank Goodness it is hockey season.

Go Blackhawks.

I have a new slogan for the Blackhawks: “Watch da ‘Hawks; it’s better than watchin’ da Bears!”

2009-11-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

Quick Updates time:

Me vs. State Farm

My car has been fixed and State Farm Insurance finally paid out and ponied up the money. It only took 21 days for my “good neighbor” to offer me assistance, but they at least paid. In the final tally, there was a discrepancy about a $4.50 cent nut they would not pay for. I have a nut I would offer, but frankly I am sick of State Farm squeezing it, so I will move on. All is well that ends well, I suppose. If this was a fight, I would consider it a draw.

Me vs. The Bears

After last week’s debacle, the Chicago Bears need to seriously consider finding a new coach and a new GM. I would court Mike Shannahan and bring in some offensive linemen and a new defensive scheme. The cover two is not working at all and having Cutler eating dirt back there is not a good thing.

Me vs. The Bird

Jen cooked a nice turkey breast/roast yesterday. We had some green beans, some baked sweet potatoes, some rolls and some pumpkin pie. It was all excellent, and we tried to watch the carbs. We also watched two boring football games and one good one. The Denver game was entertaining; the others were “meh…”

Hot Steel; Cold Ice

Hockey tonight for Jen and me, as the Bloomington Prairie Thunder takes on the Port Huron Icehawks. It should be a good one. We are looking forward to more Thunder wins, as Port Huron is in second and we are in third.

Lastly—Thanks.

Thanksgiving is upon us and we all know what holiday is next. Right, it is my birthday, in a few days. Anyways, I hope you had a good holiday with time spent with family and friends. I have quite a bit to be thankful for, so thanks for checking this out and being a part of my life.

Thunderstruck: Hot Steel On Cold Ice And Awesome Hockey

2009-11-22T06:15:00.000-08:00

“I was caught

In the middle of a railroad track (Thunder)

I looked 'round,

And I knew there was no turning back (Thunder)

My mind raced

And I thought what could I do? (Thunder)

And I knew

There was no help, no help from you (Thunder)

Sound of the drums

Beatin' in my heart

The thunder of guns!

Tore me apart

You've been - thunderstruck!

Thunderstruck--yeah, yeah, yeah!

Said yeah, it's alright

We're! Doing fine

Yeah, it's alright

We're! Doing fine

So fine

Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah,

Thunderstruck, thunderstruck, thunderstruck!”

--Angus Young of the band AC/DC from the song “Thunderstruck” from the album Razor's Edge, 1985.

Hey, let’s face it: The Chicago BEARS Suck!

All my prognosticating has led to a futile effort on my part of hoping against hope and dreaming the impossible dream.

Sigh…

So I have turned some of my attention to my second favorite sport, HOCKEY! This year, thanks to the Dish Network, I will see quite a few Blackhawk Games. I love to watch hockey and no, for the ignorant masses who do not understand the game; it has nothing to do with fights.

Hockey athletes are like soccer athletes and physically in good shape. There are no Orlando Paces out there on the ice (as it might crack and the players have to move). There is a grace and a skill involved. There is enough slamming and violence to keep me entertained (OK, maybe a fight once in a while is fun to watch). Finally, I just understand it and many others out there do not.

Jen enjoys the games as well. This is a sport we can cheaply enjoy together.

Our local hockey team is the Bloomington Prairie Thunder. Our mascot is a Buffalo named Chip (Buffalo Chip, get it?) which I think is funny. We are affiliated with the IHL and we have players who are starting their careers and some who are in the twilight of their careers, but it matters not to me. They put a good product on the ice and we are entertained. I like the action, Jen enjoys it to a degree, but she really likes the Music they play in between breaks in the action. Every game we hear AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” full blast echoing off the rafters.

After three years of mediocre play, The Thunder have a much-improved team. We had a run at seven straight wins this season, a bit earlier and now we have drifted down to third place. Still, having gone to my fair share of games, they are a much-improved team. They have an offensive strategy and two goalies that are incredible.

So while some go for the music, the contests, the promotions, such as: if the Thunder score four times, the local McDonalds gives the audience a free Big Mac the next day when a fan brings in a ticket stub or every game a row in a section will be given a scoop of the local Carl’s Ice Cream, and some go for the “kiss cam” or to see themselves on the jumbo-tron screen. I made the screen last night, but never have Jen and I made the kiss cam. Since we are never on it, she just kisses me and says “we don’t need no stinkin’ kiss cam.”

Jen dragged me to the “festival of Trees” a local Bloomington/ Normal benefit event; and next door to it they had the Sports-tacular with the college teams in town, the arena football team members, and representatives of the Thunder. I met Defensemen Armando Scarlato at the event and was taking shots on goal. From about forty-five back, I hit seven of eight shots. They gave Jen an autographed shirt for my efforts, as I talked to the player about the team. He was at the Thunder game last evening, and posed for a photo with me in his autograph booth. Nice guy and he says he enjoys playing on the team.

Tickets are twelve dollars each and the Thunder has tons of promotions as well.

I think I just may have to keep going, as I am never really too worked up if they lose, because I think the intention of the team (to provide good efforts and entertainment for the family) is honest, sincere, and legit.

Now, about those lazy Bears…

This Is Now Getting Silly...

2009-11-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

“No more Mr. Nice Guy,
No more Mr. Glee;
No more Mr. Nice Guy,
I’m sick, I’m obscene…”
--Alice Cooper, “No More Mr. Nice Guy” from the album Billion Dollar Babies, 1973.

Well, I guess State Farm owes me a kiss, at least what I usually receive when I have been screwed, but enough sick jokes for now.

The unreal has taken a turn towards the surreal, and the disbelief continues.

October 30, 2009; my car is damage.

October 31, 2009; I call in the accident to State Farm. Also on this date, with State Farm’s knowledge, I buy two new wheels from the local Saturn Dealership in Youngstown Ohio and have the local Pep Boys take care of it.

November 3, 2009; I call State Farm and speak to claims to explain what happened, and I get the “we-may-not-pay-for-it-all” runaround because State Farm did not have an adjustor inspect the car and I could be out $1,400.00.

November 6, 2009; I call State Farm and make an appointment with my local Saturn dealership to have someone look at the car on November 10, so State Farm (whose Corporate Office is four and a half miles down from my Saturn Dealership) can find time to arrange someone to look at my car.

November 10, 2009; State Farm agrees to the realignment, when Saturn discovers the knuckle and struts need to be replaced.

November 12, 2009; after leaving my car a second time at the local Saturn, State Farm Adjustors come out and look at it again and agree with the knuckle and Strut work; parts for which must be ordered. In the meantime, I have had two further calls to the Claims Department as they try to sell me more insurance (rental car) and I notice the company people on company time with their State Farm IP addresses on my site meter are visiting my blog after I rip on them.

November 13, 2009; I meet with my State Farm agent who is relatively nice and apologizes for the fore-mentioned runaround. Everything will be taken care of and I will be refunded the money I put in, minus a $500.00 deductible and no further repair costs will be made to me, I am assured. I am feeling better, and I am told that my strut and knuckle will be in on November 17, 2009.

November 17, 2009; My strut and knuckle are put on the car after the adjustor comes out. He leaves early as has been his custom, according to Saturn, and after the work is done, my car needs to be realigned, which is typical any time someone does any front-end work, especially like a strut and a knuckle. I mean if I know something about a car, I am more than confident 90% of the world’s population knows it as well.

Everybody up to speed? Good, here we go again…

After I learn that the adjustor left early again, I found out from the Saturn that the car needs another alignment. Since State Farm has to approve it, I have to take the car back again. This would be the fourth time. And still State Farm, who has receipts of my costs, has yet to contact me or pay me a dime.

Like a good neighbor? Well maybe in a condemned neighborhood, but not where I wish to live.

So tomorrow, we are back at Saturn, the adjustor comes out again, and we finish the job. The entire incident now is about hours. I called my agent, after Saturn told me that they felt the realignment would take 3 hours and State Farm Claims says it should only take 2.3 hour. Now I have to go back and forth for a lousy 45 minutes difference of time? That is just plain stupid.

When I called my agent today, I was given the goofiest nonsense yet. I was told by agent how she was surprised that Saturn did not give me a loaner car (you see, my insurance would not allow that—sheesh!). I was also told that Saturn should have told them it would again need to be realigned (don’t they usually have to after front end work on the wheels are done? I mean, even I assume that is a given.). And I was also told that State Farm has a book that tells how long it takes to do these jobs and if there is a discrepancy, State Farm is accurate.

All I want is my car back and as close to how it was as before the accident as possible. Well, that and the money I had to front because I dared to go back to work and not lose pay.

Now I must go back to Saturn with my still -"not fixed"-car-from-going-on-19-days for one more time. I turned to the Saturn Service Department leader and asked if he would please go over any and everything else related to my claim in the brief minutes the adjustor was there tomorrow so I can be done and over with this deal. He said he would and apologized for any problems. State Farm, who has paid nothing, makes excuses, not apologies. I was even told by my claims team that this was taking too long. You are telling me. I told her (the claims worker) I wanted their money so I could pay my Visa bill since it was the big expense on my card, and she laughed on the phone at me.

So what do I do now? Well, I have to admit, this has opened my eyes as to what insurance Jen and I go with or choose not to go with, when we are married next year. I also plan on going up the chain of command; and for the record, State Farmers, quit looking at my blog and get back to work on my claim.

Yesterday, a Thanksgiving card came in the mail from my State Farm agent; how thoughtful--how nice. Thanks, and happy Thanksgiving, as I hope to have my check or my car, and hopefully both, by then. Speaking of turkeys, there’s this company I know of…oops, that would be telling, wouldn’t it?

How The Chicago Bears Can Fix The Season Now And More Seasons To Come

2009-11-15T10:13:00.001-08:00

“This is a tricky situation;
I've only got myself to blame.
It's just a simple fact of life;
It can happen to anyone.
You win - you lose;
It's a chance you have to take with love.
Oh yeah - I fell in love;
And now you say it's over and I'm falling apart…”

--Freddie Mercury of Queen.

First, let me say, I LOVE the Chicago Bears. I plan my week around the game; I have spent numerous dollars on Bears paraphernalia. I encourage my students to follow the examples of players with positive actions and moral stature. Now, however, I feel betrayed.

My God, the BEARS SUCK!

OK, I feel better.

What a wretched and apathetic team. They have no fire, they have no sense of the game plan, and they have no sense of the team’s history.

Who do I blame? Lovie Smith, and it is time to fire him now.

Now I am fully aware that Lovie is not playing the game. I am further aware that yelling at players (ala Ditka) has long since his departure lost an appeal to the players, and I understand that Lovie is only as good as his players, buts let’s be fair.

Who calls the once formidable Defense? Lovie. Is cover two working anyone? Why no, it is not. Short mid-range passes will beat the Bears every time because they do not have a good safety. In fact, they let their best one go in Mike Brown. Without a good safety, the cover two does not work. Using it when it does not work and losing Mike Brown, that is the fault of Lovie. I will not even mention how Lovie’s ego could not handle Ron Rivera, who was also let get so “good buddy” Bruce Babich could come in and stink it up. Further on the Defense, the Bears and Lovie brought in another “good buddy” in Rod Maraneleli (sp?); a guy whose team went 0 and 16 last season. With friends like these, Lovie need not worry about his come-uppitence; and the fans just drudge through. I have many friends, that does not mean I would recommend all of them to do my job with me.

Ultimately the coaching staff rests on the decisions of the head coach.

Speaking of which, Ron Turner should be let go as well. I ca predict and figure out the offensive schemes within the first five minutes. Jen laughs at me when I call the offensive plays, just by looking at the alignments or when I predict with amazing accuracy (about 80%) of who will get the pass from Cutler. The predictability factor squarely rests on OC Ron Turner, yet Lovie refuses to let him go. Lovie does not even ask him to mix it up. The Screen Left play with three receivers bunched up DOES NOT WORK. The “reverse” DOES NOT WORK. The Tight end “over the shoulder catch in the end zone” worked the first week, has not since.

The Offensive line looms as the Bears largest and most obvious problem after not having a safety. Frank Omiyell cannot play, Orlando Pace, is too old and too fat, they messed with Beekman’s head and now he doubts himself, and Garza is always good for a hold every two games or so. Mike Gandy, who Lovie released, played well against them two weeks ago—so much for Lovie’s ability to judge talent. Not bringing in capable talent at core positions is the fault of Lovie’s as well. We have all seen what a wasted draft pick Chris Williams is, but watch the San Fran game for yourself if you do not believe; he was whipped like a drunken mule the entire game. This is the main reason why Forte is looking so poor. He does not have holes created and he does not trust his line. The offensive line is the reason for the interceptions as well. Cutler is running for his life and does not have time for the plays to develop as he heaves the ball downfield.

As far as the “not-so” Special Teams, has anyone noticed that since the experiment of Hester as the “go-to” receiver, he has not scored? Hester’s lack of scoring reminds me of my high school career at dating, which is funny, but not very productive or satisfying. I believe Hester WANTS to score, but he cannot find a good opening to charge through (I will not stop with the analogy, as you get the idea). That decision to move Hester to the “go-to” receiver was Lovie’s as Turner argued they needed to keep Berrian and Lovie said “no.”

Lastly, and psychologically, Lovie needs to be fired because no one on that team respects him. That is the main job of the coach, to pump the players up and earn their respect. Again, look at the all-too telling San Francisco game. At the end, Mike Singletary calls a timeout to pump his players up to stop the Bears in the last twelve seconds. Lovie is looking up at the clouds. There is no pumping anyone up, there is just “we’ll be OK” Lovie looking as if his mind is wandering. I had more passion when I “coached” a volunteer game for charity a month ago. Seriously, I did.

I think almost as telling was Lovie’s lack of attention or lack of reprimand about Tommy Harris’s ejection the week before. The inmates are running this asylum and Lovie has lost the authority and mutual respect he once had.

Even if we give credit to Lovie for brining in Jay Cutler, my argument is the same: if you put a prom dress on a pig, you still have a pig. Cutler is the prom dress, the rest of the team is that pig.

This week’s tirade is not personal against Lovie Smith. He is a nice guy and has served the Chicago Bears well. His service, however, is no longer doing the job and for the Bears to reach a better position sooner rather than later, Lovie must be shown the door and a new coach should be brought in to clean house; just as Ditka was. I suggest Mike Shanihan as that coach and he and Cutler can light up the Chicago skyline with some excitement of their own.

Thanks for sticking with me this far, now I must find my meds….

You Mean This Site Has A Site Meter? Uh-OH!

2009-11-05T17:09:00.000-08:00

“WE GET THERE BY HOOK OR BY CROOK,

WE DON'T DO A THING BY THE BOOK.

NEVER NEEDED SPECIAL CLOTHES, (oh-oh)

HOW WE DID IT, NO ONE KNOWS. (oh-oh)

GUESS WE MUST HAVE HAD WHAT IT TOOK.

HEY, HEY, WHAT DO YOU SAY?

SOMEONE TOOK THE PLANS AWAY.

SO WHAT'S ALL THE FUZZ,

AIN'T NOBODY THAT SPIES LIKE US, SPIES LIKE US.”

--Sir Paul McCartney, from the song "Spies Like Us" from the Spies Like Us Soundtrack,1985.

Well, I think I may have offended some readers. Since my “neighbor” blog on State Farm Auto Insurance, I checked my site meter and noticed that quite a few of the local State Farm employees have been using Google Reader and have logged into my site. Many have stayed for quite a while like 22 minutes, ten minutes and the like.

This site, besides showing me where folks are logging in from, and how long they are here, also catalogs the time visitors log in, whether someone checks my site out at 10:30 AM, 11:17 AM, 1:41 PM, or 3:15 PM.

This of course causes me to wonder and even begs the question, why are people logging into an internet blogging site when they are supposed to be working to keep my insurance costs down? Hmm….makes me wonder. So apparently, State Farm has time to play around on the internet, but they do not have time to go to check out what service needs to be done to my car, which I scheduled on Tuesday to give State Farm their ample 72 hours notice.

At what point did these guys stop working for me and decide that paying out claims was not a part of the insurance package?

I can only imagine that my rates will soar because I dared to file a claim when someone driving my car, in the dark hours of the evening, hit an errant piece of wood which fell off of another vehicle onto the road and an accident, in which neither I nor the driver have done anything faulty, ensued.

Perhaps, State Farm should take a line from Robert Frost and their new slogan could be “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors,” not that I am saying, like organized crime, a fake business is referred to as a fence nor am I stating that this company wishes to block people out, I am just trying to be poetic.

Next time I will try something more fun. Now for you State Farmers, get back to work and quit reading blogs on company and consumers' time, not that anyone is noticing or anything.

With "Good" Neighbors Like These, I Just Might Move

2009-11-04T03:50:00.000-08:00

“Is it any wonder...

Is it any wonder...

That we fuss and fight?

Neighbors, do unto strangers,

Do unto neighbors,

What you do to yourself, yourself, yourself!”
--Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones from the song “Neighbors,” from the album Tattoo You, 1981.

Well, I got the scary Halloween stuff out of the way, or so I thought.

Jen’s driving was actually quite remarkable, as indicated by our accident. She managed to avoid hitting a vehicle in front of us that also hit the hunk of wood, she managed to move us to the shoulder, and she managed to keep my car under control.

Having said that, we were stranded a bit in Youngstown, which is not bad as we had a great place to stay with fantastic accommodations as Mark and Mary were wonderful hosts and Mary is a terrific cook. Our room was to our liking, although I would have preferred Beatles décor as opposed to Elvis, but Mark is older so I understand his clinging to the less desirable heroes of the past, as we all know my pop culture references are not as transfixed on merely American influences.

That stated, everything was fine and we were able to relax, after Mark made some quick calls, with some minor amounts of pleas and cajoling for my sake, to have the only two Saturn Aura rims in Youngstown Ohio checked out to see if they would work. I was blessed as there are four types of rims that could have been offered and I was fortunate enough to have ruined the type that they just happened to have on hand in their parts department. I was also fortunate that the Pep Boy guys were fantastic and did quick and quality work on my car.

Suddenly the company of “like a good neighbor,” decided to shut their blinds on me and refused to answer their door.

So when I came home, a different crash occurred. I had been in contact with State Farm since the day after the accident. I reported the crash reference number I was given by the kindly State Highway Patrol Officer, explained no one was hurt, explained the exact damages on the car, was told to call State Farm when I arrived home, and thought I would receive $1200.00 of my $1700.00 back.

Then I called State Farm yesterday. The claims adjustor was quite concerned because I had the work done without their investigator there to approve it. I thought, “you must be joking…” I tried to explain that I was over 500 miles from home, I would have been docked a day of work pay if I did not make it back, and Jen had to work as well. “Well,” said the agent, “ you paid full price for a car that is two years old and we may have outsourced them from someone other than a Saturn dealership, which could have saved significant dollars.”

So I asked, “Would State Farm had paid my lost wages and the lost wages of my fiancé’ if we were forced to stay a day longer or so?”

“Well,” she drew out, “no, we cannot do that.” No kidding. She then said it could take up to three day to have an adjustor or claims expert to go to the service area of the car to figure out the costs. So if State Farm did not pay for one day of lost wages, they certainly would not pay for four, counting the extra day it would take to fix it after parts arrived and all, as I explained. “Well…that’s true," she drew out again, "but if you had rental insurance, we could have provided a car and paid distance fees.” Again, I stressed that I was eight hours from home and work, and I would have had to have taken time off to retrieve the car and still lose a day’s pay. “Well, at least you would not pay rental car fees after $100.00. Can we put you down for that in the future?”

Unbelievable: if this is “like a good neighbor,” I might move to a different neighborhood.

They actually try to sell you something else, when you make a claim? I was stunned.

I still have some minor work to check on at the Saturn in Bloomington and told her that there was still work to be done on it. “So could you send someone to the Saturn dealer tomorrow afternoon to check on it?” I asked.

“Well, typically we ask for 48 to 72 hours to check on a car…” was the response.

I exclaimed, “Yeah, but its in Bloomington, Illinois, the same town as your corporate office. Certainly you have someone available?”

“Well, sir, we have adjustors throughout the country, we cannot say if they will come from Bloomington or not,” was the response.

And we wonder why our insurance costs are so high, right folks?

I mean, they could send someone from Scranton, PA to check on a car when they have a coprorate office less than four miles away from the exact dealership? As a consumer, I wonder if that is fiscally prudent (please note the sarcastic tone).

My Saturn dealership was well aware of the rigmarole that State Farm puts their customers through and the flaming hoops we must leap through to obtain service. They were helpful, said they would have exact price checks on the rims/wheels, exact estimates on the other repair needed, and would try to explain since they had just seen the car a week before, that it was in absolutely perfect condition, and that I was regular and thorough to the point of being excessive on my road checks and my routine maintenance checks on my car.

As a company, Saturn was helpful and even going beyond customer service in both my town and Youngstown, Ohio.

Now I ask the obvious question, why is Saturn going out of business, while State Farm is profiting in this market?

Hoo-ray For Halloween....

2009-11-03T04:26:00.000-08:00

“Crawling from the wreckage…”
--Dave Edmunds, 1979.

This was a bit of a frightening Halloween. You know, this holiday costs more and more each year.

Jen and I traveled (and traveled and traveled for eight hours) to Youngstown, Ohio, to see Mark and Mary and go to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. We set out on our journey at 11:30 Am, met some road construction about 1:00 PM, and were nearing our destination bout 7:45 PM when WHAM!, we hit something in the road. A car about 100 yards in front of us was on the side of the road, and Jen controlled our car to avoid hitting anyone else and safely pulling us into the shoulder.

I asked Jen what she hit, and then how she was. I called Mark, Jen called 911 and the police came, as he also almost hit the 2 by 6 that had errantly fell off of some vehicle at some point and was left to lay across the left lane.

WE gave information, the road crew guy helped me change the tire, and we drove on the donut tire to Mark’s house.

To make a long story short, Mark contacted the local Saturn dealer to help me buy two new wheels at $1,116.00 and the local Pep Boys placed the wheels on the car, added the new tires, and I was ready to go another $543.00 later. I should get the majority of that money back and the good thing was Jen’s driving was perfect as no one was hit.

My nervous Nellie habits would have hit something else or killed us all.

Still we had fun at Mark and Mary's (excellent hosts), as the Bears won, we hung out with kids who were trick or treating in costume, and the TSO show was fantastic. Next year at this time, people from near and far will be driving, flying, and otherwise coming in to see Jen and me in different costumes, just for the record.

And the day before we thought of flying because I hate driving long distances, but we decided not to because of costs. Oh the irony.

More later…

One More Game III: One More Chance To Live A Dream

2009-10-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

“Play the game, everybody play the game…”
--Freddie Mercury of Queen.

Two weeks ago, I coached One More Game, Volume III. The picture provided above is courtesy of Jim Dunning.

My good friend and former teaching tag team member, Mick Peterson asked me to coach again this year, as I won last year. Now that I understood the program, my expectations were high. Mick coached at PTHS for over twenty years and brought a State Championship home. Another of his team made it to the State’s championship, only to lose to a polished and heavily recruited Northern Catholic team—more on that some other time.

Mick gave me my plays the week before and I ran through an aggressive game plan. I had a desire to combine long range passes with some tight end plays and some quick pitches to the running back, using trap blocks and options for the running back to throw or run slants. I was “into it” this year, trust me.

Here is a link to the article and very cool slide show on the game:
http://www.champfit.com/news-events/one-more-game-2009

The One More Game idea is akin to a fantasy football camp where everyone practices, runs through plays, and then plays a game. One of my all-time favorite students was quarterback last year, in Augustana’s former standout Tommy Green. This year, Tommy was on the other team. I had a key running back returning to my squad in Andy Lauber and a beefy offensive line, anchored by former student Brian Johnson. Former students and quality player Ryan Miller was my Quarterback, along with many other former students in Tommy Allen, Chad Nelson, Drew Peterson, DJ Wallace, Jess Butcher, Mike Thorne, and Chris Green. Many of the other players from the Twin City Dawgs, a traveling football team, sprinkled both teams.

I coached against some of my former students as well. My football mind was pitted against Pontiac Mayor Bob Russell’s mind. Bob is a great guy with a zest for life. He and I got along very well in our practices s we helped one another. He said he knew my Dad and remarked that I had a character with my students that would do my Dad proud, as I have taught his granddaughters. Nice thing to hear.

Born with a bad heart valve, I missed the competition of contact sports as a kid. I love football, watch it incessantly, and have become a student of the game. I know how defenses line up, I can throw subtleties and wrinkles into offensive schemes, and I can predict and figure out the other team’s offenses by watching tendencies. I mean if the Chicago Bears Assistant Coaches Ron Turner and Bruce Babbich can do it, how difficult can it truly be?

Proceeds for the game, based on the fees that participants give, go to supply local schools with athletic equipment from Pontiac’s Champion Fitness Sports Center. Owner Jeff Shade plays and is active in the community promoting healthy choices and healthy lifestyles. He is also a heck of a linebacker and is the anchor and Captain on the defense, as I have learned for the two years he has been on my team.

In our first few series on offense and throughout the first quarter, we were aggressive, moving the ball seventy plus yards on two series and scoring once. I actually thought my team would score two more times. Then fatigue sets in, fumbles happen, I call a stupid run when the pass was open long, then I move to having the QB throw the long ball to see interceptions, and I quickly learn that pitches to running backs have to be quick exchanges or fumbles can occur or defensive linemen arrive in the backfield all too often.

We played three more quarters and discovered that we are tied, and in double overtime, my guys run the ball on the first play, when I thought we had two plays, as the other team scored on their first pass, and we lose. Oh well, it was fun.

The men who played were great. I was called “coach,” I was slapped on the back, and some former players who played football for the district when they were high-schoolers remarked, “you really know what you’re doing…you could coach for real.” I just smiled to them and said, “Nah, I am a football fan. Your coaches teach character and skills that go beyond the field, remember that and thank them some time.”

Mick and I always have fun with this program, just as we did when we taught together. Mick never had the respect he deserved as a teacher, because he did a great job, particularly with students who did not like high school. I always respected and admired his intellect and his enthusiasm. I appreciate his trust in me with the guys he brought up the ranks to be men.

One more Game, Part IV, I am there when called upon whether to participate or to become a fan once again.

The Chicago Bears: First Quarter Of The Season Review

2009-10-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

“Listen all you people come gather ‘round…
I gotta get me a new game plan gotta shake you to the ground.
Just give me what I know is mine,
People do you hear me just give me the sign.
It ain't much I'm asking if you want the truth,
Here's to the future for the dreams of youth.
I want it all (give it all) I want it all I want it all and I want it now…
I want it all (yes I want it all) I want it all (hey)…
I want it all and I want it now!”

--Queen, “I Want It All,” from The Miracle album, 1990.

Here is my Chicago Bears Update for you all.

We have to be fair, Bear fans.

I readily admit that I would much prefer Jay Cutler over Kyle Orton as the Bears Quarterback for many reasons. I feel that a game is never really at a loss if the Defense can keep them close and Cutler has a chance to win it. I also feel a great quarterback, like Cutler can turn average receivers into great ones. I mean, seriously, how good is Marshall without Cutler? How good is Braylon Edwards without Anderson? How good was McKinnon without McMahon? I also think Cutler wins games, on his own, and he puts his team in the position to win.

That stated, I want good things for Kyle Orton. I am glad he and his team is 4 and 0. He deserves it. He was a strong player for the Bears and a utility quarterback that kept the team in the game. The thing with Kyle Orton was that I never thought he could take the game on his shoulders and win. He needed the other characters on the team to be actively involved in the cast.

Cutler can do it all. His passes are lasers and his touch, when needed, is something to behold. Jay Cutler can also scramble with the best of them. He has stamina, savvy, smarts, and a fantastic arm.

Aside from the much hyped Cutler, I feel Alex Brown is the unsung hero of the Defense. He consistently makes plays and has a nose for sacks. Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye are my favorite Defensive linemen. They have been let loose and they show me that Bruce Babich was promoted much too early and had far too little experience last year. The players want to play for Rod Marinelli . I foresee good things for this unit.

Personally, I am sorry my friend Hunter Hillenmeyer was injured and I am glad to see he will be back in two or three weeks. I switched from my Cutler jersey to my Hillenmeyer one when the Bears lost to Green Bay in week one. Three weeks and no washing the luck out, the Bears and Hillenmeyer have held up. Go Hunter and heal up soon! This is your moment to shine!

Lance Briggs is a beast and can play with the best of them. He is the strongest player on the team and he shows it down after down. I shudder to think what would be happening right now if he was not playing or if he was released a few years ago.

Jen’s favorite player is Caleb Hanie. After him, she was long ago, in the pre-season, singing the praises of Johnny Knox. She loves his name and loudly in the pre-season would announce “Johnny Knox, All-American!” Little did anyone know how prophetic my future wife’s predictions and comments would be. I may take her to Vegas to pick teams for me. Only Jen knew that Johnny Knox, All-American (her words, not mine) would emerge as probably the most prolific rookie receiver in the league. Great call Jen.

The earliest flaw I see on the Bears is the offensive line. I hope they can gel soon, as Williams has proven himself to be a great first round pick. I respect Garza and Kreutz. I think Pace may be past his prime, and I am one of the fans calling for Josh Beekman over Frank Omiyale.

AS far as the tight-ends are concerned, the Bears have the best in the NFL. I like the two-tight-end sets and they can strike at any given moment. Someone needs to work with Greg Olsen on the basics of catching, but other than that, they will be fine.

Forte is struggling because of the fore-mentioned offensive line. He will be ok as the season progresses. I still question keeping Garrett Wolfe around, but that’s just me.

I think the Bears will continue to improve and make post-season play-offs. I will not back down from my NFC Championship game prediction, but that Offensive Line, privately frightens me.

Once Lost, Now (hopefully) Saved

2009-09-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

In a move a bit out of character for me, Jen and I joined the Wesley United Methodist Church today. We went to a couple of classes, after we became interested in this church. We were going to Second Presbyterian and considered joining, but the $1,100.00 price tag for them to perform the wedding was a big price tag. Wesley United Methodist was abit cheaper, even though we decided to tie the knot at the church Jen’s family helped build in Minier.

I am not a very religious person and I lean on it when I am afraid or I want the Good Lord to help me out of some trouble. I once referred to it as Catholic by Convenience. Since I was divorced and refused to go through the annulment ceremony of Catholic greed and guilt, I decided to abandon the whole thing. Then I met Jen. Religion is very important to her and she seems to derive pleasure from attending services. I decided to share in the moment as well, and then it started to hit me, particularly after the stroke, that these sermons I was hearing was about me. It seemed as if the minister was directly speaking to me.

This week, on the week of our joining, the sermon was about people who do not believe in organized religion, and how the good Lord still talks to them and still blesses them. The pastor also warned against sanctimonious attitudes that prevail in our society. It was like talking to me, before I met Jen.

I have always been a spiritual person and I believe there is something greater in the next life. I just felt religions were full of pious people who seemed to condemn people for being gay, or for having abortions. It made no sense to me, since we are really not supposed to judge others. Granted my skew on the religion was a result of popular culture references, but it just seemed the churches wanted money and the people who followed who were not pious were hoping against hope for some good fortune to fall their way.

This church, and probably many others would have, changed my view. When I can see my life in the words spoken and I can make comparisons and analogies from my life when I listen, I think it has to have had a good effect.

Today we were introduced, we were given an NIV Bible with our names inscribed in it, and we were given a membership certificate (I told Jen it was a certificate of authenticity, and she gave me the “bad joke” look).

After the service we stood in a receiving line and I shook many hands. I felt like a politician, running for an obscure office. Folks were very kind to us and were very welcoming. It was a nice start to a better week. Every day is a gift, it is best to celebrate it and enjoy.

ISU vs. U of I

2009-09-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

“You gotta be true to your school,
Like you are to your girl…”
--Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, 1965.

Jen and I had some fun at the Illini vs. ISU game Saturday Night.

ISU was pounded, and to be frank, both teams were inept. ISU’s line cannot block, but they can certainly hold. Jen’s Illini cannot pass; they can run with the best of them, as their quarterback reminds me of when I was a kid, watching Bobby Douglass of the Bears run the ball rather than throw it.

The Illini lost their starting quarterback on the first offensive series, as he pulled up hard with what looked like a damaged leg after a twenty plus yard scamper. Not a good deal, considering this was a meaningless game for the Illini. Everyone knew who was going to win (Come on, a Big Ten School vs. the Missouri Valley Conference school—let’s be serious).

What I admired about ISU was how they continued to fight and continued to play. Even after being down 24 to nothing in the first half, they came back in the third quarter and scored 10 unanswered points. Then the Illini took control again, but even in the last ten minute, ISU set up an excellent scoring drive. Granted this was ISU’s Super Bowl, to speak, it was also their Little Big Horn or their Waterloo, so to speak. They knew they were not going to come close to winning, but they fought hard and vaulted their ambitions to play with a degree of seriousness.

The University of Illinois and Northwestern, along with Illinois Wesleyan, are the cream of the crop higher education schools in the state. ISU, being the first public University in the State and the teacher Mecca of the Midwest, has little athletically to prove with U of I. They have even less to prove academically (although I will plug my program here to note that U of I has no Masters program in History, yet ISU has a multi-award winning one—my degree, and I thank you very much for it). I went to school with many former U of I guys when pursing my Masters and the 44 hours beyond in History. My colleagues and Bachelor Degrees alums from U of I were impressed with the facilities and the quality of the Professors Illinois State University had to offer in History.

Even though many ISU fans would like to erase the game Saturday evening from the annals of recorded history, I was proud of the Redbirds. It takes character to go into a fight as a severe underdog, and even after taking a beating, to come up swinging. I was proud to be an alum of THE Illinois State University.

As for Jen, she spotted me 14 points, and I still owe her a steak dinner. Oh well, if you are going to lose, at least enjoy what you bet. A steak dinner for two that normally I would have paid for is not so bad. If I had won, I would have saved money. Otherwise, it would business as usual.

Oh and as long as Jen was with me, I am the true winner.

The Chicago Bears Are Set

2009-09-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

“Well I know what your thinkin'
You got me up against the wall…
But the higher that your flyin',
The further down you gotta fall.
Now don't you be fooled by my shakin' knees,
'cause I can fight dirty and when I'm scared,
I get mean!

Gonna Go Down Fighting.
Well I know you're thinkin',
That the odds are on your side.
But the first thing you gotta learn is,
That it just don't come down to size.
I can see the seeds of doubt,
Begin to grow on your face,
If you wanna back down now,
You know that's no disgrace.”
--Nazareth from the song “Go Down Fighting,” 1973.

I am not worried about the Chicago Bears at all. No, I am really not.

They have strengthened the Offensive Line. They found a safety in Afalava. They have a great running back in Matt Forte. The Linebacking Corps is intact. The have a Quarterback that can make the worst receivers in the world look good.

Now I am eagerly awaiting the start of the season.

My fantasy football teams (I have four) are sprinkled with Bears throughout. I have the Bears Defense in each of them. Yah! I have Forte in two, Cutler in one, Earl Bennet in two, and Gould in one.

The crummiest thing about the Bears this season is I have to wait for Late-Afternoon games, Night games, and Thursday games, and all sorts of weird crap this season.

Football in the Midwest, should be played on Sundays at noon. Period. I do not mind a special game on Monday Night, but now we have Thursday night, Sunday night, Sunday at 3:15, and the like. In Central Illinois, the NFL will not cut out of a game if the local team starts the late game. It just sucks. I cannot count the hundreds of times I watch the end of a crummy game like the Texans vs. The Lions to catch the Bears.

So I figured it out. To make football more interesting, have some joker on every team on your fantasy football rosters. Then you can have something to occupy your time. The problem is, there are no good players on teams like The Lions or The Texans.

Concluding the Bears, though, they should have waived Rashid Davis and kept Brandon Rideao. Davis cannot catch and even if he has experience in the Bears’ system, who wants the kind of experience that Rex Grossman brought?

The Bears will have some controversy this year, as I am certain Cutler will say something stupid, someone key like Tommie Harris will be hurt, the refs will blow a game, and the corners will suck a game or two. Throughout it all, I predict they will be in the NFC Championship game this year. Stay tuned to see if I am right.

Old Friends

2009-08-02T11:04:00.001-07:00

"Well, there's one thing

That I'll never forget,

It's the beauty of a friendship,

That's not over yet.

Ah, if we never meet again,

If goodbyes remain unspoken…

I won't glorify our past,

But our bond remains unbroken…

If we never meet again."

--Roger McGuinn “If We Never Meet Again,” from the album Back From Rio, 1991.

It was a good time this weekend when I went to Ottawa to visit Pete Rose and his lovely wife Carol and their two sons Charlie and James. Alex Dittmer joined us as well. Pete was in town for his 25th Reunion, (mine was at a football game—sheesh, how lame) so he contacted me and we met up at Bianchi’s for some out of the world Pizza.

After, we had foo-foo drinks at a Pizza/bar place down the street. I am not drinking alcohol at this point, and my beer snobbery would not allow me to enjoy anything at the bar anyhow, so a virgin strawberry Marguerita was on my mind.

Alex had been at the Bears Training Camp and I visited my sister before we met up. I had a nice chat with Karen and Bud and went to the Ottawa Annual Book Sale in the park. Lots of junky “fix-it up books, Time/Life series, religious books, college texts, beat-up kids books, and the like. Not so much of the treasures I found when I was younger. Alex said the Bears looked good and was busy taking photos during he day.

While we chatted we noticed our missing or graying hair, our extended waist-lines, and assorted wrinkles and battle-scars of time’s erosion, yet we picked up our concern and humor for one another instantly. It was like transporting back to 1983 and making jokes and kidding each other like we always had.

Changes occur, as Pete was more mature than Alex and me so there was no surprised that he is more settled than us. He has still pursued his passion for music as he plays in jazz combos and bands now. Alex was the most dynamic with his wit and his friendly approach. It was no surprise that he moved to New York to work. Alex still acts, pursuing his passion for the stage. I was the more sage-like and a bit of a ham. I pursued my dream of teaching and using it as an opportunity to tell bad jokes to a captive audience: kind of a “wisdom and wit for the ages” thing.

Between the three of us, we have three marriages, two divorces, four engagements, an apartment, two houses, at least four cars, three Master’s degrees, and three employments. I would say we did just fine.

I hope to see my good friends again soon. Perhaps sooner than my wedding, but more than likely not. If we can grab Jim, Bryan, and Tim, we could “borrow” the dining room or den in Tim or Pete’s former houses, and set up for some poker. I am sure the current owners would not mind; as we are all “great guys”—no really!

Family Reunion, 2009

2009-07-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

“Living this life has its problems,

So I think that I’ll give it a break.

Oh, I’m going back to the family…

`cos I’ve had about all I can take.”

--Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull from “Back To The Family” from the album Stand Up, 1971.

We had a nice weekend in Sandwich, Illinois at Cousin Jason’s house. This was my Mom’s side of the family from Illinois’ Reunion. Jason and his wife Stephanie hosted the event.

I caught up with my twin Cousins Jason and Eric. I also chatted with their Mom, my Aunt Kathy and her husband Jeff, and two of their other children Ally and Nick. I met Jason’s and Eric’s sons and daughters. Uncle Dan (from Normal) and Aunt Dar were there, as they brought up Aunt Judy from Florida. It is always nice to see Dan and Dar and their sons, my cousin Danny (who I share a bond of teaching , music, and beer with) and Jeff, who brought his girlfriend, Dove.

Karen and Bud were there with Angela and Fred and of course, little Kaleb stole the show on cuteness alone.

Jen and I had fun as she mingled and met people she had not known before. Everyone was very welcoming towards her, which I greatly respect and appreciate.

Jason perfectly cooked a filet tenderloin on the grll and beer can chicken. We played bago--horseshoe type of game with Chicago Bears design and bean bags. All chatted and talked, and carried on.

Nice to see family. Jason told me that the last time we were all together was at Grandma’s funeral and we did not need more of those. Then he joked on my condition after the stroke.

It was also nice to see everyone was doing financially well and maintaining a sense of balance in family and business life. Grandma and Grandpa would have been proud.

The older I get, the more time slips past. I remember when the twins were little kids. I remember my first Communion and Aunt Judy giving me a transistor radio and the first song I heard was Heart of Gold by Neil Young on it, playing WLS. I remember the stuffed Winnie The Pooh that Aunt Judy gave me for my third birthday, as she told me it was the only thing I ever told her that I really wanted. I remember hanging out with my Aunt Kathy in the 1960s as she was funny and loved us kids. Of course I see Uncle Dan, aunt Dar, and Danny quite often, and I am glad they have always been supportive and welcomed me into their lives. And I still contend, Dan is a hero who saved my life.

When I see these good folks, I think back to the 1960s and 1970s. The memories flood back, and usually only the good memories return. I have no ill will towards any of these good people and we all share a common bond of fellowship, respect, decency, and lineage. In this day and age of the breakdown of families, it is nice to see people who still wish to get together once in a while and share their past and build on their future.

I know I will everyone again at my wedding in October of 2010. I also hope I see more of my family before then. We are all good people who ultimately care about one another.

Reflections Of, The Way Life Used To Be...

2009-07-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

“So many faces in and out of my life, some will last
Some will just be now and then.
Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes;
I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again.

Moving on is a chance you take anytime
You try to stay together (Whoa).
Say a word out of line, you'll find that the friends
You had are gone, forever, forever.”

--Billy Joel, from the song “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,” from the album Songs In The Attic, 1980.

I have lately felt like I have a bit of a wanton spirit. I am not sure why, but perhaps the stroke (and its aftermath and doctor visits) and being home for so long has made me feel somewhat nostalgic for my friends from my past. Lots of things have changed in my milieu lo these past three months.

Perhaps joining Facebook was a cause, as I see familiar faces from a time that was so much simpler and my life was so much less reliable on responsible behavior. Gas money was paid for, I had no mortgage, and food was free. My biggest worries revolved around what to wear, where to meet the friends, who to date, and what jokes to make.

With the times, values change, as we grow older. In three years I will have my thirtieth high school reunion. I will be almost fifty for goodness sake.

It is the curse, I think, of the history teacher. We, as Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull sang, “are living in the past…” and somewhere along the line, we want our youth back. I believe in my personal life of looking to the future.

I have a wonderful life ahead with Jen, I have a firm foundation in the past, and I have lived through some truly miraculous medical events. It scared me as well as made me appreciate people, places, events, cats, and things. So in my journey of the mind, my doctors warned me that boredom might set in and sometimes we are our own worst enemy. It is true, as I have reflected during this time off, I wonder how I will handle retirement. I think I may be bored, so I have to start writing my book, so I can write a few sequels along the way by then.

During my hiatus from teaching, I have fallen into some routines. I stir up the comments section of my local papers by supporting Obama and bashing the right wing; it is soooo fun. I watch Judge Judy and Keith Olberman as often as I can when I am home. I see Jen when she is not working at one of her two jobs. I read old comics. I prepare for next year’s classes, and I probably bug the crap out of old friends and current ones, talking on the phone and emails and the like.

So if I have bugged you, consider an emotional residual affect of the stroke, not my being my usual insecure and bored self. Thanks for understanding. Personally, I think I am having a middle-aged crisis. I wonder if I should go buy a Porsche or something?

Anyhow, every doctor has said the “wanton spirit” will go away once I start working in the five or six weeks when school begins. In the meantime, I will try to remain focus.

I sought and found some refuge in the Book of Psalms in the Bible. Among my favorite thoughts or teachings, if you will, and a path that I would like to live by is from Psalm 106, verse Three: “Blessed are they who maintain justice, who consistently do what is right.” I guess I am resigned to the idea that I need balance and I will be more fair and more even-handed in my future.

The picture above is of two of my closest friends and two guys I have known as coworkers, but with all respect I can afford, I call TRUE EDUCATORS. Milt on the left, Mike in the center, and me from Mike’s son’s wedding last weekend. The three of us have shared many laughs, a few tears, great respect, and a sense of purpose for each other. These are the guys who have saved my sanity at work on more than a few occasions. I hope they can say the same of me. Milt’s retired, Mike announced he will be parting to retirement in four years, and I have about thirteen. “So many faces in and out of my life, some will last, some will just be now and then,” indeed.

The Political Shell Game: Hypocrites Unite!

2009-06-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

“She moves like she don't care, Smooth as silk,
Cool as air,
Oooh it makes you wanna cry.
She doesn't know your name and your heart beats like a subway train.
Oooh it makes you wanna die.
Oooh don't you wanna take her? Wanna' make her all your own? Maria …You've gotta see her.
Go insane and out of your mind.
Latina…
Ave Maria.
A million and one candlelight’s.

I've seen this thing before,
In my best friends and the boy next door.
Fool for love and full of fire,
Won't come in from the rain…
She's oceans running down the drain…
Blue as ice and desire.
Don't you wanna make her?
Oooh don't you wanna take her home?
Maria…
You've gotta see her.
Go insane and out of your mind.
Latina,
Ave Maria…
A million and one candlelight’s”
--“Maria” by Blondie off of the No Exit album.

Liar Liar, pants on fire; or in the case of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, the fire is in the pants; so to speak.

I really am not as interested in if he had an affair with Maria from Argentina. What I like about the latest political scandal is that the Republicans were so quick to condemn Clinton, so quick to call themselves the party of family values, and so obnoxious to pry into the private lives of every Democrat out there. And when one of their own is caught, well, “we have to respect his/her privacy,” and “feel sorry for his/her family.”

The other thing that offends me is the romantic writing if the emails Sanford sent.

For example Sanford writes, “You have a particular grace and calm that I adore. You have a level of sophistication that so fitting with your beauty. I could digress and say that you have the ability to give magnificent gentle kisses, or that I love your tan lines or that I love the curve of your hips, the erotic beauty of you holding yourself (or two magnificent parts of yourself) in the faded glow of the night’s light…but hey, that would be going into sexual details.”

Lord, how sophomoric. Tan lines, curve of the hips, and I wonder what two parts of Maria are magnificent in her eroticism? Translation for those who are not catching it all, Mark Sanford likes Maria’s big boobs. And as for the “hey that would be going into sexual details” line, nice save, NOT! Can you imagine this buffoon, I openly admit that I like your boobs, but I do not want to talk sexually. What a dipstick.

Then this married guy who stands up for family values gets this reply from Maria: “You are my love ... something hard to believe even for myself as it's also a kind of impossible love, not only because of distance but situation. Sometimes you don't choose things, they just happen... I can't redirect my feelings and I am very happy with mine towards you.”

These sound like the lyrics for a bad pop song by the Bay City Rollers, or Elton John, or the Raspberries or some other schlock band of the mid-seventies. We “don’t choose things?” Well, wrong Maria and Governor Sanford, yes we do. You chose to be unfaithful. You chose to write drivel and dreck. You chose to check out each other’s “magnificent parts” each other’s bodies.

Now I am curious what she looks like, because the Media dragged out picture of Sanford’s wife, Jenny. She’s fairly attractive. I need to understand Mark Sanford’s position as I want to see the magnificent parts of Maria that she holds up erotically in the moonlight.

Now will Sanford do the responsible thing and step down? No, I suspect not.

The thing about this is that this “man” heck’s out Maria’s “magnificent body parts” on Father’s day. Hmmm, not the best candidate for Man of the Year, huh?

I know I am turning over a new leaf and trying not to judge others, but “Duh.” I feel, especially after reading these letters, that I have intercepted one of my freshman’s notebooks and the kids collects love notes. I can see it now, a Big Notebook with a heart on it and inside the heart it “Says Mark Loves Jenny” (and then it is scribbled out and in its place is) “Maria.”

A Titanic Trip

2009-06-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

“There are wounds that bleed inside us...

There are wounds we never see...

They are part of our refinements,

That allow a man to be.

There are wounds that bleed in silence...

With aristocratic grace;

There are tears we keep beside them;

Never seen upon a face

Dear God

Do you think it's wise

To remember everything that has ever happened?

Dear God

Could we compromise

Or must the shadows of this night be everlasting?

I believe what the prophets said...

That the oceans hold their dead.

As I contemplate this stand...

What I do,

Is who I am

I believe what the prophets said...

That the oceans hold their dead,

But at night when the waves are near...

They whisper...

And I hear”

--Jon Oliva from “The Wake Of Magellan” from the album of the same name, 1997.

Jen and I ventured out last Sunday to see the traveling Titanic Museum. In this show, sponsored by country companies, as one can clearly see, various artifacts were brought to the surface for viewers to see the largest disaster ever caused by an iceberg and ego-maniacal people.

We saw watches and trinkets, money, suitcases, buttons, notes, money, photos, a spittoon, and other treasures from the relic.

We were given a boarding pass to match our passenger at the end to see if we made it. I was married and took the cheap seats on the voyage. As a result, my wife, children and I perished. Jen was a wife who was in second class, a class above me. Lotta good it did her, she died as well as her husband and children, too.

Still it was interesting to see.

The problem was we arrived at 1:00 PM, and from where we started they said “3 hour wait.” We decided to stick it out. 4 and ¾ hours later, we arrived to where the picture above was taken, just before the entrance. Now Jen looks a bit like Kate Winslett to me, but I am not Leonardo Di Capreo at all. The walk through exhibit lasted about 25 minutes from start to finish.

We would go ten feet every fifteen minutes. We both were sunburned and our backs were sore. Still we waited. Jen took a break to get some chocolate from the Borders in the mall where this exhibition was showing—the exhibit was in the lot. WE saw a woman feint twice and EMT’s were called. The classy people of Peoria, Illinois, were understanding and made room for the EMT’s to help, except for a few jokers who were taking pictures (and no I am not kidding) of the person suffering heat stroke. Where would you share that photo?

Afterwards we went to the Kaiserhoff German Restaurant, which had 16 German beers on tap, including a wide variety of excellent (I am confident) wheat beers and Pinikatas and BBK Dark.

I had none; although I had a Sprecher Root Beer from the tap. It was good.

When we arrived home, after Jen slept in the car, me jamming out to Kamelot and cranking the air-conditioning, we entered her house, hit the TV, and found Titanic on TNT.

We were both a bit creeped out by the irony.

The Final Stroke

2009-06-03T18:51:00.001-07:00

“Lock me away, where the silly boys go;
I’m on top of my nerve, don’t you know?
Take me apart ‘cause I’m out of control
Send me a letter on a midnight scroll…
I got a lot on my head,
Most of it’s you
Got a lot on my head,
Can’t forget about you.”

--Ric Ocasek and Ben Orr, “I Got A Lot On My Head,” as performed by The Cars, from the album Candy-O, 1979.

The “you” above refers to the stroke. Pun intended on the lot on my head line.

Home now for six weeks, bored, depression has crept in and out and the basic lack of carbs have all contributed to the dreaded “C” word. Not that one, but rather change.

Warren G. Harding wanted a return to normalcy. I do as well, and perhaps that is what is needed. Someone stop me, now. I am quoting bad Republican Presidents for goodness sakes.

Some changes cannot be reversed. Less carbs, no beer, and more healthy eating is essential for the survival. That I understand. Surprisingly, I do not miss the beer. I miss potato chips now and again, but not beer. That kind of takes me aback to a degree. Thus a change.

Less stress is needed in my life. That is also a change, especially for a type A Personality like me. I really wish folks would do me a favor, and not push my buttons on stressful stuff. I do not want to get involved with the daily stressors that I normally fend off for others. As an example, I went to school Friday, and was hit up for a union issue, as an immature teacher felt there was a reason to bother our membership leaders and me for a petty question/concern that had nothing to do with the union. I am resigned to thinking that if you live a venomous life like this annoying faculty member, you will have poison running through your relationships with others.

One thing I did not expect was how depressing this damnable thing has been. I think that is only enhanced by boredom. My doctors agree. So I am back to see my counselor who helped me during the “pity me; I have had heart surgery” years. He's helped calm me down. The church Jen and I attend and are joining has been a spiritual revival for me as well.

One thing is that if I go out and return to my “social tendencies,” although some would call it a cross of my ego and my ability to be a ham or show off or something similar. It was very therapeutic for me to go back to the graduation. I saw some of my seniors off, some I missed, and I mingled. I also went back to work Friday to say hello to faculty members missed and goodbye to some of those leaving. I was living to make a difference, blessed to be a blessing to others.

People ask questions and they are concerned, but I have a tendency to give too much information, and then I have a tendency to bore the snot out of them. Suffice to say, this is the last “stroke” blog for a whole. I will get back to the usual stuff soon. People do not want to hear my procedural stuff, the fact that I really think I was blessed, and the like. I now just say, “The doctors are pleased, so I am pleased.”

One thing, folks reading this who know me and random readers who happened to hit this site, I must say:

Here is my last stroke Blog/Advice Commentary:

Eric Sweetwood's “If-you-know-someone-who-suffered-a-stroke-or-something-similar-how-to-act-and-how-not-to-react” Primer.

Most stroke patients go though the surprise of the whole thing, the fear it will happen again, and the shock of it all. Please, for their sake, do NOT add to their stress: be extra kind and extra gentle and upon occasion, just be quiet.

Further, comparative comments like “when my aunt had that she had rehab for six weeks—you are lucky,” or comments like “well, it could have been cancer, you are lucky.” No one with a stroke feels lucky. If they have recovered well and they know (like in my case) they will realize their good fortune, luck, blessing, the divine intervention or whatever you wish to call it, soon enough. Pacing is the key.

Lastly, please follow this last bit of advice for dealing with the stroke victim: do not play doctor and demand answers or offer commentary as to the cause of the stroke—as an example, someone said to me, “well, if you did not drink so much beer..” blah blah blah or another asked “well why don’t they know what caused it? You need to know, bah blah blah” and comments like that.

The best thing I can suggest for anyone going through this is as Warren G. Harding suggests is a return to Normalcy. My God, I am still quoting bad republican Presidents—maybe my brain is not as clear as I thought. Anyway, normal activities are good. It felt good to be at the awards evening, or the graduation, or talking to friends.

Yes, I dwell on this stroke because it confuses me as to why it happened, but I am getting over the “pity me” part of this thing, but talking (or even writing about it) is a reminder.

I am glad to be alive, I am thankful for the love of my family (thanks Dan, Karen, Angela, Mark, and Mary—you all now why) and friends, I am thankful Jen and her uncompromising love and the fact that she took care of me for two weeks (see picture above--she is so cute and has a beautiful heart), thanks for all of the good folks who visited me or sent cards or emails of well-wishes and the like, I am glad I was treated so quickly, the Doctors knew what they were/are doing, and I feel honestly as if I was blessed by God..

As one doctor told me, “live everyday like it is your last and have fun, or live everyday like you will talk about it in twenty-five years—you will find that both are the same. If you live your life looking over your shoulder waiting for the next stroke, fear wins, and that is not a good way to live your life.”

I refuse to give in to fear and let it pervade in my life. It is time to go back to normal. I promise something about the Bears, Batman, social comments, my damn ego, or the like next time.

Doctor Meetings

2009-05-16T21:55:00.000-07:00

“Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy whah-hey…”
--Green Day

Well, I went to see to Doctors’ this week.

Dr. Dick is my Neurologist. He’s a nice guy, and he posed for the above picture with me. He let me drive, told me I would not be allowed any strenuous activity (that includes any and everything) for four more weeks, and then said that the higher coumadin range should solve the clot problem. He does not expect me to have another clot. He mentioned that I had the best recovery of any of his patients up-to-date with the procedure they did. He also told me that the clot was just that: a clot, not scar tissue or anything else.

I also met with my personal doctor, Dr. Duncan this week who was more concerned with my mental health. He told me that there were no guarantees out there (reminded me a bit of Mark and Karen) and that I had basically three choices. Live today like it is your last and enjoy it; live each day like you will talk about the events of the day again in twenty years; or live like you are dying and then the clot and the fear wins.

Both perspectives are interesting to me. Dr. Dick was so positive, but Dr. Duncan has known me for 15 or so years and he understands the depression I am going through.

I have done nothing to deserve it, I was in the therapeutic range with the blood thinner, and I basically worry over the make-up of my health—partially because I am sitting around the house dwelling, or I am bored. I have also had whacky dreams.

With time, I am thinking, the depression will end. To be more than confident, I have booked sessions with a counselor in two weeks.

I do know the enemy: sometimes, it is me. I am hoping for faith and my strength from above to deal with uncertainty, the fear, and the unknown associated with the stroke. I have much to be thankful for, and I am appreciative, but like the kid who is sick, looking at the neighborhood baseball game from his window, I want to go out and play .

So it seems like it is time to get back into the game.

My Kinda Brave Face...Needs To Be More Brave

2009-05-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

“My Brave Face…
I’ve been living in style,
Unaccustomed as I am;
I’ve been hitting the town;
And it didn’t hit back.”

--Sir Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello from the song "My Brave Face" from the album Flowers In The Dirt 1990.

Week two since the stroke is over.

I went to the Award Night at the school to present a Social Science award to six dynamic kids. All went well.

This weekend I began to feel like my old self.

This Tuesday, I see Dr. Dick the neurologist (Probably better for him if he was urologist, but we have one in town named Dr. Leeky—no joke). I should send Guinness to see him.

Hopefully on Tuesday I will be free to drive and plan to be back to work by the end of the year. That would be fabulous.

It might also ease some burden on Jen. Jen is pictured above from a nice shot Mark took. She is so cute. She has that wry smile because she abandoned all of my high carb foods, which essentially means everything I used to eat.

Perhaps it was the drugs, the boredom, or the stroke itself this week, but I grew quite despondent about people I expected to send a note or call or something; and nothing occurred. Kind of bugged me, as some were from work, some relatives, and the like; but I then figured everyone has their own lives, and I should not be their focal point. And amazingly, I had an epiphany of sorts from Mark and Karen and Jen and my good friend Milt and my good friend Mick and others. What matter is how you respond? Mick reminded me that:

"Get Busy Living!" That doesn't mean live like you were dying; it means to enjoy each day each moment for what it is. We spend so much time dwelling on the negative; we forget to see all of the light that's out there.Eric, you still have a lot to give. Keep giving! You have a lot to live for. Keep living! No matter what others may think, feel, or say, you know that today is better than yesterday; tomorrow will be better than today. Values you have; use them to make your life better.Refuse to give people the satisfaction of thinking that you are defeated. Never, ever, ever, ever give up!”

Which was great advice. Karen told me how amazed she was all the former students who were concerned on Facebook and the like. “Lots of people love you, be appreciative.”

Mark reminded me that we cannot change how people feel and the best thing is not let them bring us down. If we do, we basically harm ourselves.

Jen reminded me, that I was incredibly lucky. Worry about what you do have going for you, do not worry about what you cannot control.

I really do not relish looking behind my shoulder wondering when the next stroke hits, so I moved to a low to no carbs diet; no beer; and hopefully more positive thinking. Depression is often accompanied by a stroke, but I will see someone, based on Dr. Dick’s approval/recommendation, and work it out.

The lines to one of my all time favorite Dave Edmunds songs, goes like this:

“I’m gonna start living again, if it kills me;
If it’s the very last thing I do…”

Seems like a decent philosophy. I mean some of my heroes made it back from their hard times: Superman died, Spider-Man lost the love of his life because someone knew his identity, Batman lost his parents, Green Lantern died, Green arrow died, Flash was trapped in time; Captain America died.

In the real world Walter Payton, the fittest man ever died; my friend Jerry (whom I worked with) passed away; I have friends who have survived cancer; one of the women I dated had her former husband hold a knife to her throat; I know people who have gone through Alzheimer’s cancer, heart attacks, and strokes themselves and all made it. They had courage and lived life to the fullest after their incidents. I want to be that example for Jen, my students, my family, my friends, other victims of stroke and heart disease; but probably most for my toughest critic, myself. I do not think that is selfish, I plan on being more forgiving and less annoying and less annoyed in the time I have left. I plan on being healthier as well.

Last night, while waiting for Jen to come by after work, I went out on the front porch, opened the door, and sniffed the air. It felt and smelled good. I noticed it and thought about good fortune and that there is a plan for me. I finally think that there is a/the Holy Spirit within me after all.

WHY Is Such A Simply Confusing Word

2009-05-02T07:25:00.001-07:00

“So tell me why it don't feel the same

Tell me why I've got to feel this way”
--Collective Soul

Do you ever wonder, why me?

Why did this happen? Why did I think that? Why doesn’t this person like me? Why does the Good Lord ignore my pleas?

After the latest medical “happening” I came up with the answer: Why not me?

It has often been said that our load is not more than we can handle. I understand that philosophy, but my load is getting full.

That noted, I was pretty lucky last week. My Uncle Dan (pictured above with me) knew exactly what to do, as I wanted to “go home, I am overheated” I kept slurring. He insisted on calling medical emergency and kept saying, “You’re not right, man. Something is wrong.” The medical team showed up in perfect time and it was a five minute trip to the hospital. The machine that sucked my clot out is relatively rare to have in a community of 105.000 people. To have someone who knew how to work on call when I had my stroke, was equally unique, there was no waiting. Blessed to Be a Blessing, and counting them, as well. There is a purpose in my existance.

Karen and Jen have reminded me that when the doctors ran down their medical questions, I was making jokes. Like “are you pregnant?” My answer: “NO, I just look like it.” “Do you have a living will and does someone have power of attorney?” Jen said I did and my sister had the power, but they both said they could hear me in the background yelling “I WANT TO LIVE.” There were other jokes, but I do not wish to offend anyone.

Jen’s sister dates a nice guy named Ben. Ben has a few degrees his way and he is a bit of a right-wing republican—he also served in Afghanistan. The GOP bit aside, I like the guy. We discussed philosophy and he bought me a great book about the Case of Christ, offering a historical view of the Christian faith.

Since I have been home, I have lost 9 pounds. I have no residual affects of the stroke. I can move my left side fine, my grips and face muscles are fine, I have not failed one strength or command of faculties test.

I mean I know I need to lose weight, but this was not a wake-up call; it was a wake-up HOLLER! I know I have ignored my one beer limit more times than I can count, so this was a good thing there as well.

I learned my valve is functioning perfectly, I know I could have a DNA blood thinning problem (which I will alert my siblings about), I know Guinness, Chumley, and old Foggy love me very much and Guinness will not leave my side as I recover at home. I have learned that Jen loves me; that my family loves me; that my students miss me; my coworkers care; and that I have a wealth of friends.

Maybe I needed a wake-up holler.

Out Of The Darkness

2009-05-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

"Now everybody have you heard

If you're in the game, then the stroke's the word..."
--Billy Squire

Pictured next to me is my fast-thinking and even faster acting Uncle Dan Kuglich whom I owe my life, if not my health. If you know Dan, call him and tell him he's a hero. No cape, but a hero nonetheless.

Last Wednesday evening, I threw a blood clot to the brain. I believe the Doctors said it was 100 CC. It went directly to my brain behind my right eye. Dan (former NCHS teacher) was with me and noticed the slurred speech and my lack of movement on my left side. I could neither lift my left leg or my left arm and was sweating profusely. The doctors used a newish procedure where they took a cath up my femoral (sp?) artery and used a machine to suction it out. It was extremely rare to have it here in Bloomington/Normal and to have a tech that could run it available. The good news is that the quick actions saved me from paralysis and/or death.

To be frank (and earnest if I can), it was the single most frightening moment of my life. I was dehydrated which could have thrown the clot, it could of been scar tissue from previous surgeries that tore away, or it could be a factor 10 (Factor X) blood condition. There was also a stress factor that could have lead to the condition--we all face stress, yet in my case I internalize much too much and am more than aware that I take too many things personally. My meds had been up to date, so I was following Doctors' orders and in a theraputic range. I had a team of six or so doctors trying to figure it out. I felt like it was an episode of House.

I am now home for the next three weeks.

Every situation teaches a lesson. When you lay alone in a hospital bed for a week, often you are alone in your thoughts and your thoughts are about being alone. I believe this was a warning shot. Thank Goodness I have Jen's love to share.

Big news, I am removing myself from the beer, I am on a low carb and healthy diet, I am learning to relax more, I have found the woman I wish to spend the rest of my life with, and I recognize that which is important.

For any pettiness on my part towards any of you, my heartfelt apologies and I will work towards a more kind view of life. I feel a if I have lived through a spiritual experience, as many of my friends know I found a good church in Second Presbyterian, in Bloomington before the incident. Life changes when you find out you almost actually cashed in your chips.

"Time it was, and what a time it was,

It was a time of innocence, a time of confidences .

Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph.

Preserve your memories; they're all that's left you..."--Paul Simon

I really appreciate the efforts of Uncle Dan and his wife my aunt Dar, My sister Karen who was with me for the procedures, Jen who was also there for everything; My beautiful neice Angela for coming down with Karen helping out and making sure I was OK; Jen's folks for checking on me; My brother Mark and his lovely wife Mary who drove 8 hours to help me set up at home, including making great meals and helping clean a house where pisspot Guinness and Chumley the slob had their run of for a week; I also appreciate my parents concern, as I am sure they were going nuts not being here, but I am fine. I also owe an incredible debt to my great coworkers and dear friends Mike McGuckin for informing eveyone and for the visits; Elston FLowers for the visits and the Heavy Metal SCI-Fi magazine; Milt McKeever for always helping with my surgical stuff and calming me down, my friend and carpool mate Sharon Jones for her kind words and prayers and calming influence; my friend Pearl for the visit and card, and my principal Jon Kilgore for rushing to the hospital to make sure I was OK that evening. If I have neglected anyone, forgive me--blame the drugs.

We are not sure as to a cause for the stroke. The hematologist is checking for a protein deficiency called Factor X (I think the X is a ten). As an example, my fiancé' Jen has Factor 5 Leyden (sp?) which means she is prone to clots. It is a genetic thing, as her father and sisters have it too.

They (the team; hematologists, cardiac doctors, neurologists, general practitioners)--I really feel as though I am living through a House episode are convinced it is some blood thing or dehydration. Originally they thought I was not taking my blood thinner (Coumadin) but that was not the case as my thinning reading should be between 2.5 and 3.5 and I was a 3.0 when brought to the hospital. This means I was therapeutic and following the Doctors' orders.

They next thought that the replacement valve was not working, but a TEE test (they stick a camera down your throat) showed the valve as functioning properly and had no obstructions; this test also possibly ruled out scar tissue build up or plaque, but the jury is still out on the scar tissue.

Dehydration and weight was/is an issue as well. I was sweating profusely when the stroke hit and my clothes were still soaking three days later. As a result of this incident, I have given up beer and alcohol completely. SELL YOUR GERMAN WHEAT BEER STOCK NOW! I have been very loose about my "one beer maximum daily" orders in the past few months, if not years. Divorce was a factor for imbibing, I assume. I also shot up to a whopping 256 pounds, when after the last heart surgery, I was 184. I am now on a low carb/healthy food/no caffeine (I did not know it dehydrates you) diet of portion control and healthy eating. If any of you want some really good beers let me know. By the by, I lost seven pounds since released fom the hospital. Thanks Mark, Mary, and Jen.

Dr. Dick the neurologist (and yes that name was killing me as you can imagine--I am such a Beavis) noted that Stress is also an issue, so my promise is to keep my humor and lose the angst at work and in life in general. I have so much to be thnkful for. I feel as if I am blessed to b a blessing.

The treatment thus far is to load me up on more blood thinner and keep working with the hematologist to find the combination of blood thinners that work best.

The reason I cannot resume work immediately (of which for the record bugs me, because I do not feel comfortable having other people do my work, even though Gene, my sub, is among my best friends and I have full confidence in the man--heck, he took me under his wing) is because I need to build my strength back and let the soft tissue around the area of the brain of the clot/stroke scar up (if that is the correct term) to prevent bleeding. I guess having a repeat incident at work in front of kids helps no one, and even traumatizes kids, let alone faculty.

If anyone randomly reading this has any insight or information, please post; it would be appreciated.

So sorry for not posting for a week or so. Anything new with you?

This Weekend

2009-04-08T18:28:00.001-07:00

"Got a pot belly,

It's not too big

Gets in my way

When I'm driving my rig

Driving this country

In a big old rig

Things I've seen

Mean a lot

Friend has a pickup

Drives his kid to school

Then he takes his wife

To beauty school

Now she's doin' nails

Gonna get a job

Got a good teacher

There's a fork in the road ahead

I don't which way I'm gonna turn

There's a fork in the road ahead,"

--Neil Young, 2009

Jen and I spent the weekend in Starved Rock last weekend. We hiked, found we were not in shape for hiking, went shopping, relaxed in the pool, and enjoyed life.

I took my bride-to-be to Lou La Grota’s for Deep Dish Pizza done right. I took her to Duffy’s bar, complete with the British and Irish beer and tin ceilings, for a tenderloin. I took her to the big Mansion in Peru. I took her to a comic shop with little complaints uttered by Jen. I took her on a few trails where a kind couple took our picture.

I did not mind when she fell asleep in my arms at 10:45 on a Saturday night. I just held her and cradled her as she drifted to the land of nod.

I laughed when I awoke at 9:00 AM Sunday and reread the Watchman graphic novel in the bathroom (the only place with a light and a door I could close so Jen could sleep), and she told me to wake her at 10:00 AM.

We enjoyed a nice brunch and then set off to find antique shops to find an old door knob for her house, to no avail.

We drove home to the music she chose (Bon Jovi) against the rain splatter on the highway.

We ended up watching a God-awful movie at my house (RV with Robin Williams) as Jen relaxed on the couch to Guinness’ endless pawing and Chumley’s napping in her lap.

We ended up eating fast food fish and watching House reruns at her place and enjoying just being together.

Throughout it all, I learned a great lesson: Life is Good if you find the right person to share it with.

They Are All Driving Me Crazy

2009-03-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

“You, you're driving me crazy!
What did I do? What did I do?
My tears for you make everything hazy,
Clouding the skies of blue.”

--Frank Sinatra

Hey, do you have four hours to kill?

Who doesn’t, right?

Granted I was on Spring Break this week so my time was not pressing, but I wasted FOUR HOURS of my life at “Driving class” because I blew a stop sign on Casimer Pulaski Day on my way to pick up Jen for lunch.

I was moving down the road and slowed down, saw no one was near the intersection except for a white car that was parked two blocks away (uh…which happened to be a cop car not parked, but stalking good citizens); rolled through, chased for two blocks by “Officer Friendly;” and was cited for failure to stop at a stop sign.

Since I have not exhibited a stellar driving record, I opted for the class. One sacrifices four hours of a Saturday, pays extra fines to the state of Illinois, and suddenly, all is forgiven: the prostitutes.

Anyway, two years ago, I went to the class only to witness a cop cry when relating the death of a foster child he once cared for as a result of a drunk driver hitting her.

I understand the human element, but he could have told us everything for the class in 20 minutes; but they drag this thing out for four hours. I think part of the problem was they showed the Princess Diana cgi film where it is expressed that if only she had worn a seatbelt, she might have lived. Cruel as this sounds, at one point I had seen her flopping around in this car so much, I really began imitating it.

This time, we were indulged with the “audience participation” in which we share our thoughts with those at our table and fill out ridiculous questions. You know the type: what impairs vision, should you drive drunk, and who is really responsible for you being here today.

I would have loved to just be jerk and answer the questions with sarcasm. I did not because they have a clause that if you are disruptive, you need to repeat.

This instructor, however, was so condescending. He asked things like “How would you feel if you killed someone in a car?” or “Do you know it is illegal to be completely drunk and drive?’ or “What do you do if someone cuts you off?” I would feel awful if I killed someone—who wouldn’t? I know what is and is not legal as far as having a beer and driving. And if someone cuts me off, I ride right up to their ass, honk, flash brights, flip them off, and make myself a terror on the road (OK, I don’t, but don’t you really want to?).

We had one guy in the class who would not shut up, as he explained that he was an older cab driver. He kept explaining how young people drive too fast and too recklessly. Really, Gramps, then why are you here?

We had another dumb kid whining how seatbelt laws infringe on his rights and how the country is too liberal. I wanted to say “yeah and not carrying a concealed weapon infringes on my right to have fun by cutting your arm off.”

We had a woman in the class with her hair with one of those doily things in a bun wearing a jean skirt telling us all how alcohol is a tool of the Devil and ruins relationships, families and lives. I wanted to ask her to let her hair down and be herself and tell us what SHE thinks, not quotes from Ecclesiastics.

We had some cute little ISU spoiled brat, who reminded us that if she was in “the ‘burbs or the city” she never would have been given a ticket and these hicks downstate just want to ruin her record. She was at my table and told me that she did not think the cops were out at 3:00 AM. Yeah, drive around the “city” of Chicago at 3:00 AM and come back and tell us about it; oh yeah, you won’t come back, Ditz.

And once the foolish fodder is over, we have to sit there while the instructor asks us to relate something we learned in class. Seriously, I learned nothing, so I said something about how a car hydroplanes. It was complete crap, but it was better than “I learned I am never coming here again and some of you morons better get out of my way when I pull out of the lot because I am fully insured and have a bad attitude, especially for the right wing kid and the old cabbie.”

So lessons were learned. One, never ask stupid, rhetorical questions to my classes that sound condescending; two, remind people that it is better to shut up in a group setting and keep opinions to yourself—rather than exposing yourself as a nut-job; and three next time, learn to sleep with my eyes open.

Well, I Earned It

2009-03-21T14:21:00.001-07:00

"Don't Stop Believing;

Hold On To That Feeling;

Streetlight people...ahhhaaaahaaaaaaaaaa"

--Steve Perry; Journey.

My mother was not too thrilled with me because I have taken a break from blogging.

Last week was parent night, the week before was a grade issue at work, and the week before that, Guinness the Maine Coon cat puked on the keyboard.

One new keyboard later and an ensuing trip to the computer fix-it-store for a reset keyboard in the laptop hopefully this week; and I am fine.

Last night Jen and I went to the Prairie Thunder Hockey game in Bloomington. As per usual, we lost. I think I have only seen them win two games out of six this season thus far.

Anyway, we arrived early and were talking when some gal who worked for the Thunder stopped by and asked if I would participate in “finish the song” which is a kind of karaoke thing to a popular song.

Me, sing with a mike and they show it on the big screen? Are you kidding me? Hell yeah, I will sing anything.

The girl said to me, “you can talk the words if you wish, but we really like it if you would sing.”

“No problem,” I said. “Just remember, you asked for it.”

The best part besides looking like a fool and playing to an audience, is if you finish the song, you win two pounds of chicken wings from a local haunt of good bar food called Schooners.

I even agreed before I knew what the song was. So I then asked what song. I mean, if one is going to make a fool of one’s self, one should be informed.

The song was “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. For the record, I freaking hate Journey.

So the game went on and I went to the restroom in the first intermission and awaited the second one. Must have been nerves.

The girl came by, they put me on the big screen, my name appeared with the Schoner’s logo, and I was pumped.

The time approached in the middle of the second intermission and I rose to sing. What I did not know is how long the intro was, so I started singing the lyrics on the screen, and then Steve Perry’s voice came on. Oh well, so I started singing with his voice—“Just a small town girl….blah blah blah…” Second verse, I jumped ahead again—you see, I really hate Journey and do not play them…so I retraced my way and started singing when the voice came on again. “A singer in a smoky room…blah blah blah.”

It was then that I figured out that without the words to “finish the song,” I would sing the chorus on my own with no big screen lyrics to help.

So I just started: “Don’t stop believing…hold on to that feeling” and then my mind went blank. I knew the lyrics sound like street lights beat right or some damn thing and so I belted that out and muffled it. And then I muttered the last three syllables ( I think I said “in the darkkkkkkk”) and I knew I had to end on a high note which I did. Talk about totally faking it.

So curious, I looked it up today on the net:
Don’t Stop Believing
Hold on to that feeling
Streetlight people”—and then Perry improvises by going ahhaaahaaaaaaa (high pitched).

Well anyway, everyone laughed; I hammed it up; Jen was crying because she laughed so hard (or was embarrassed—not really sure); everyone clapped; and the game went on.

And me, after the red face faded, I earned my two pounds of wings.

Happiness is a Warm...un...Something

2009-02-28T13:23:00.000-08:00

“I need a love to keep me happy,
I need a love to keep me happy.
Baby, baby keep me happy.
Baby, baby keep me happy.”

--Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones.

You know, I am happy, right now.

It’s a feeling of contentment, calmness, assurance and love.

Jen gives me that.

My work gives me that as well, as all seems calm.

Maybe that is the key to happiness; ignore the drama and accept.

Maybe the calm of finding a church where I feel positive attending helps.

Maybe the cats’ relative calming affects helps.

Maybe the idea of not having to fight every fight helps.

Maybe the relative sobriety over the last month helps.

If, I were a betting man, I would say Jen is the biggest contributor.

Somewhere down the line, I have begun to feel more comfortable in my skin, even though I wish to shed some of it. I also have felt the impact of the positive life through my students and my former students who write to me, talk to me, or ask me to view their facebook pages.

Maybe the positive nature with my family has helped. I get along fine with all.

Maybe it is the calming affect of playing George Harrison and Counting Crows as calming affects on the mind has lessoned the load.

Whatever it is, I suggest everyone finds their niche and expands their goodwill to the people who matter in your life.

The positive vibe is surreal.

Something more crabby next week, I promise.

Do The Clothes Make The Man?

2009-02-17T04:27:00.000-08:00

“Don’t want to be a fat man,

People would think that I was

Just good fun.”

--Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull from the song "Fat Man" from the album Stand Up, 1970.

I had yet another reminder I need to lose weight this week.

I was deciding on a suit coat to wear the other night when I took Jen out for Valentine’s Day. I have two black ones and one needs to be cleaned. Essentially, and when I am in a hurry, they both look somewhat the same, so I checked the label before I put it on.

To my surprise, the label insulted me.

It read: “48L” skipped a line, and then it said in plain English “portly.”

“Portly?”

Since when does one’s clothes decide to insult the owner?

I felt like Wimpy from Popeye. He’s portly.

I always think of portly people as short, squatty guys wearing derbies or little hats with moustaches.

Yep, Wimpy is the best image I can think of. “I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” I wonder what job Wimpy had where he was always paid on a Tuesday or a Monday evening. Obviously the job was for a “portly” fellow.

I looked up portly and found this definition at Webster online:

Main Entry:
port·ly
Pronunciation:
\ˈpȯrt-lē\
Function:
adjective
Inflected Form(s):
port·li·er; port·li·est
Etymology:
3port
Date:
15th century
1 : dignified , stately 2 : heavy or rotund of body : stout

Just before the definition was an ad for “portly” suit coats that were 72 L to 58L.

No 48L’s, huh?

Now I will take dignified and stately and I love a good stout beer, but heavy or rotund of body? Nah, I don’t think so.

As Jen told me, I do not need to lose weight as much as I need to “empty the keg on my belly.”

I am not sure if that is better than portly, just for the record.

Those Old Conservatives Need a New Lesson

2009-01-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

“Books of true tales, Mirrors of tragedy;

Remorseful and pale;

As in past, these news travel fast.

Books of true tales, Mirrors of tragedy;

My life is no game;

It's a real shame the false news travel fast.”

--Sonata Arctica, “False News Travels Fast” from the CD Silence, 2002.

Good Day.

It has been a while, and I feel as though I have reached a level of political security.

My local newspaper, the Daily Pantagraph, allows anonymous people to leave remarks with clever little nicknames. I use my initials. This is done, according to the newspaper editors, so people will not retaliate against one another.

The paper is supposed to block hateful or mean-spirited emails that call names or falsely accuse others; so if the paper were to follow its own policy, one would not think that protection is really needed from knowing the bloggers/comment-makers/posters names.

That stated, tons of self-righteous people are writing in to comment on how after nearly two weeks, Obama has not made changes.

Lordy.

These ignorant masses of conservative sheep will never allow or accept that their fearless leader, George Dumb-O-U Bush, took eight years to ruin our international peace, our fiscal policies, our right to privacy, and our sense of decency; not to mention ending the lives of US soldiers and citizens of Iraq.

OK, the last part is a bit strong, I will concede it to the more narrow-minded, but this man really screwed the country.

And the man is so indignant about it. He believes he is doing “God’s work.” I guess the Religious President Bush skipped the whole Sixth and Ninth Commandment (thou Shalt not Kill and Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness {lying}) thing when he was being so pious.

So while I muddle through the mish-mash of silly commentaries and bait the dips on the website with logic, I am amazed at how staunchly people support a party.

I still think one should think for him or herself in this world.

I voted for Illinois Governor Rod Blagovich and I have to admit; he’s a dirt bag that needed to be removed. What a slime ball. He’s a thief, a liar, and a corrupt individual. I have no problem saying it, as he betrays my trust.

Why can’t folks say the same about President Bush? Are they afraid they will lose their guns, they will be labeled as Un-American, they will support a growth of abortion clinics, bunches of gay people will become married; teachers will burn Bibles in their classes? I mean, really now, what is there to fear.

I don’t really know, but one would think (I am a) Dick Cheney and George W. Bush would know as they were experts at using fear and paranoia for personal gain.

Freedom of Speech; glad to have it back; I have missed you. Congrats President Obama.

What The Bears Need

2009-01-15T23:33:00.000-08:00

“I’m gonna make you bad for good…”
--Meatloaf from the album Bat Out of Hell III.

Wow, the Bears are really messed up.

Super Genius, Jerry Angelo has stated that he felt the quarterback position must be secured.

Hmm…poor Jerry must have forgotten that he could put Joe Montana back there, but if he does not have a receiver it is relatively pointless.

Jen and my brother are both calling for Ron Turner’s head, but I have some sympathy for the man. I mean, let’s see what Jerry gave Turner to work with: no receivers, an unproven and untested rookie running back (that’s after letting Thomas Jones go and banking on a moron like Cedric Benson), an offensive line that (like good cheese and wine) is aged, and a quarterback that was a fourth round draft pick from four years ago and a #1 that is clearly lost his edge. For the Bears to have won nine games, I say Turner deserves a medal.

With that in mind, the Bears MUST acquire new offensive lineman in one way or another.

The reason the Bears lost is that their Defense is weaker than suspected and their special teams have some problems.

The Bears solution is to hire Rod Marinelli, a move I agree with. The new Defensive Line coach is a mean SOB, and to be frank, we need that. Lovie will be calling Defensive plays; which translates to Babich returning as a linebacker coach. The Bears went to the Super Bowl with Babich as their linebacker coach, so I see no problems, after his bruised ego heals. Let’s face it, folks, Babich is NOT a Defensive coordinator. In fact, he sucks as one.

Tommy (I Really SUCK for 10 million a year) Harris says he is happy with the new Defensive Line Coach. He wants to play for him. Well, that is great, but I thought you should play with whoever is coach.

Rod Marinelli has recently praised Alex Brown, as well he should. Alex Brown was a bright spot this season, a season of dark holes. Between Manning and Brown, I am torn as to who I enjoy watching more. I will admit to being critical of Daniel Manning, but the guy can play and he does so with heart.

The other Brown, Mike Brown, deserves a one year contract. I hope the Bears give him one. Fill it with incentives if he plays a full season and he will be happy and productive.

As far as the other defenders, light a fire under Anderson and Urlacher (the latter will be an albatross across the team’s neck for a while longer) and draft some decent safeties. I would go free agent for a QB and two wide receivers. I would also dump Booker and Davis and keep Lloyd and Hester.

Unwillingly to a degree, and because Jen has convinced me so, I would develop Caleb Hanie and let him in on the competition for quarterback. He is better and bigger than Grossman, and for that alone he deserves some accolades.

Lastly, I think it is time the Bears parted ways with Adrian Peterson, John St. Clair, Truman McBride, Rex Grossman, Garrett Wolfe, Olin Kruetz, John Tait, Marty Booker, and Rashid Davis.

Oh, and the Bears can dump Jerry Angelo any time they wish. And based on the picture, no Jerry Angelo, it is not good.

Happy New Year: Renewed and Happy

2009-01-04T20:24:00.000-08:00

“Once in a lifetime you'll find someone heaven sent for you…

For a lifetime you'll feel there's a reason to believe…

In a love that's meant to be…”

--Meatloaf from the song “What About Love” from the LP Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster’s Loose.

Happy New Year!

I have some big news on the home-front. Even though it happened about three and a half weeks ago, Jen and I are now officially engaged.

Her sister Sarah took the picture below.

We have been seeing each other for some time, and sometimes you just know what and when it is right.

I try to keep my “personal” personal life out of this blog for reasons of disregarding some silliness at work or awkward situations with some of my “more liberal” opinions.

This however, for me and Jen, starts the new year properly with hope and inspiration.

We share much in common: we both love football, we both like the Chicago Bears, we love horror films, we both like science fiction, we both like Edward Gorey, we have similar tastes in music, we find each other attractive, we do not grow bored when we speak to each other and conversations are exciting, we both look forward to seeing each other, we both respect the other’s space, and we both are in love with each other.

The families seem to like the other.

The cats seem to like the other.

The other seems to like the other.

We have our differences: I am a bit more liberal, Jen is a bit more pragmatic, I like fish, Jen likes artistic stuff that I frankly do not understand.

We both like comedies (as we are going to Spam-a-lot next month). Jen collects DVD’s and I collect CD’s and cartoons on DVD.

Jen tolerates my comics and I tolerate her shoes.

Jen has firm moral beliefs and I…well..we all know I have a problem with organized religion as such.

We bought a book that shows one of our differences: He Said Beer; She Said Wine.

I screw up laundry; she does it properly. I drive automatic, while she drives a stick. I like ISU; Jen is a U of I fanatic and I stress that word fanatic.

Still, we are willing to learn about the other.

Jen is willing to listen to my progressive metal music; and I listened to her Cold-Play and Evanescence. She likes to sing and has a beautiful voice; I cannot sing and she still complements my ability to try.

The great thing is that we encourage each other and laugh with each other.

To be honest, especially since October, my life has been an exciting whirlwind and I really love being with Jen. And without sounding too dopey, I have had more fun than I thought I could or deserved to have.

Jen is a Pizza addict and I have become a hockey one. So after a local hockey game, we enjoy some Pizza at her favorite restaurants: Lucca’s or Tobin’s. It seems like we share the best of each other’s world within the time.

And perhaps that is the true key to it all. We will share each other’s world within our time together.

The other key is that we do love each other.

Hoping the New Year finds you happy, restored, and excited.

Chicago Bears Final Grades For The Year

2008-12-30T07:12:00.001-08:00

“Teach the ones below you something you've learned,
And learn from the ones above you;
Fear is your deepest wisdom...
For these last days...

Praying for the moon,
Hiding for the day,
These might be our last days...
I ain't gonna see you taken away...

Heading for the dawn,
Of our way of life,
You're welcome to give it your best try...
Look me in the eyes, oh, Bear-fans (my words),
This ain't your fairy tale...”

--Sonata Arctica from the song “This Ain’t Your Fairy Tale” from the CD Reckoning Night, 2004.

I did not want to write anything while really angry, but oh well; I am at least calmer, although the gout I am experiencing in my big toe has given me some angst.

For the Bears, the plan is simple, and much more simple than Lovie’s “we do not need to rebuild, we need to retool” type of thinking. I think we need to “remove” before we retool and rebuild. So here comes my “teaching grades” for the Bear students.

Speaking of “tools” here are my worst first:

Secondary: Tillman and Vasher who were given contract extensions both deserve D’s, but Vasher I am more willing to give an incomplete for the second year in the row. Finish a season, Nate. Corey Graham earns a B+ with promise showing. McBride—Mc Bye Bye—D.

Defensive Line: Last year we gave Tommy Harris some extra credit that he did not deserve and he has slipped to a D as well. Shows promise, but Harris, you are inconsistent. Dusty, D as well. No F’s on the line, but they need “extra effort” in pass rushing. Anderson is an incomplete because he was absent for much this year. Alex Brown deserves an A and Ogulinye deserves a B+. The rest, average: C.

Linebackers: Briggs played exceptionally well and deserves an A. Urlacher is not playing to his potential and makes careless errors at times. He needs to focus and thus earns a C. Hillenmeyer also a C, or a C minus. Good attitude is shown, but he lacks fundamental skills. Roach earns a C, but showing signs that he could improve.

Safeties: Mike Brown earns an A for effort, but has dropped off on his study skills, so he earns a B. Kevin Payne started to show some progress, but it quickly dropped off. I will give him a C with consideration for a counselor to look into a situation of ADD for him. Daniel Manning is earning a B with noted improvement over last year.

On Offense and how offensive can we go, here are the marks.

Quarterback: Kyle Orton earns a C. Showed promise early, but discovered he could not recover from a set-back. Such a shame, as he needs to focus. Kyle also needs to complete his homework and eliminate careless errors. Rex Grossman earns an F and is recommended to be held back a grade.

Running Backs: Matt Forte earned an A. New student to the class and showed he can work well with others. Kevin Smith earned a D for lack of consistency and too much absenteeism. It is recommended that he be reviewed for remediation. Adrian Peterson earned a C for carelessness and sloppy work. Jason McKie earned an incomplete due to prolonged illness.

Offensive Line: As a group, these students seem to have a gang mentality. They do not work well with others and they tend to show disrespect. Still Kruetz is recommend for a Behavioral Disorder review, Tate is recommended to be passed on to a more age-appropriate setting, Roberto Garza earned a B- and Josh Beekman earned a B+ as a promising start. Williams and St. Clair both failed miserably and I think they are copying from Metcalf’s lack of talent. St. Clair has a good attitude, but needs to be dropped to a lower grade, as he cannot compete with the others.

Receivers: They are all underachievers at this point. It is recommended that all be held back a grade and given a failure except for Hester who shows some promise with a C and Lloyd with a D, but be advised that Lloyd deserves some critical reviews if is not showing marked improvement next year. Booker, Davis, and the rest have earned solid F’s and I do not want them in my class any longer.

Tight Ends: Both Clark and Olsen have played well and shown they can work well with others. Olson needs to finish his work as he often takes short cuts, earning him a B. Clark needs to concentrate more, as he has earned a B-.

Special Teams: Maynard deserves an A for neatness and care. Gould earned a B and continues show great promise. Manning earned an A for effort and Hester has failed in this part of the class.

Coaches: Lovie Smith needs to show more compassion for his work and makes careless errors. He lacks maturity and may be over his head. It is recommended that he earns a D and be put under review. Babich and Turner need to be expelled for lack of self-control, lack of motivation, and having no imagination to their work. Both have failed.

Owner/General Manager: Jerry Angelo earns an F. Jerry may continue to insist he is gifted, but more than likely; he is a candidate for special education. For the McCaskey family, it is hoping that you remove yourself from the Board, as I still see favoritism from my higher-ups being shown.

You can take the teacher out of the school, but you can never take the school out of the teacher.

Class dismissed.

That Was Truly Winning Ugly.

2008-12-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

“Take the time to close your eyes and look around,

'cause anyone who helped you out can let you down.

And look out, look out, look out, the voice is now the choir.

Can you feel it getting down to the wire? “
--Neil Young

Lord, what an ugly game.

The Bears were outclassed, outmatched, outmanned, and taken out of that game early. Then game the 4th Quarter.

Adrian Peterson mucks up a decent return with a horse collar, Alex Brown blocks a field goal, Brian Urlacher head-butts the coin for luck, and the Bears rely on the pure energy that is an injuried Matt Forte.

Guess what? The Bears pull a miracle out of their collective hats.

Now Lovie praises the team as they fight for their playoff lives.

Now Robbie Gould has been elevated to a higher status than he feels he deserves.

Now Mike McCarhy can go back and look like Larry Mondello and think about next year.

So the Bears need help from the Giants, from the Eagles (which is plausable) and they need the lowly Raiders to defeat the Bucs. Oh yes, they need to beat the Texans. All are not the most likely, but as I have always said, NOTHING GOOD EVER HAS COME OUT OF TEXAS (Cedric Benson, George Bush Jr., No Child Left Behind to name a few) although I like the Lone Ranger.

So suit up Bears, do not play like Paris Hilton’s chest (flat for those not in the know) and go out and freaking win a game without testing my heart valve every week.

And I thank you.

The Chicago Bears: Time Is Fleeting

2008-12-13T07:34:00.000-08:00

“Even when we are out of touch;
Now I know that I’ve seen too much…
Seen too much.”
--Elvis Costello from the song “Possession” from the LP Get Happy, 1980.

You know, there is an old expression that goes: “be careful what you wish for; it just may come true.’

Truer words were written by me two weeks ago when the Bears were tromped by the Vikings.

Reality time Bear fans: they played an anemic Jag team (use your favorite joke wherever you wish on that one) and a good Saints team that crept back in the game.

The Bears will have another ten days to heal their wounds and rest before facing the Packers who have pride to play for to the Bears errant success.

So for the Bears to make the playoffs the following must happen, according to Yahoo Sports: The VIKINGS MUST LOSE. The Bears then have to outright win both games they have on their schedule. Considering the Vikings play The Cardinals, The Giants and Atlanta; that could happen. The problem is the Giants game is the last one where everyone rests their players.

Aside from that four of the five MUST happen:
— Washington to lose one of its three remaining games.
— Philadelphia to lose one of its last three.
— Atlanta to drop two of three.
— Dallas to lose two of three.
— Tampa Bay to lose its final three games.
I would think Washington might lose, Philly might lose, and the other scenarios are not as likely.

So Bear fans, where does that leave us?

Well, memories are wondrous things. Remember how the Bears lost to The Panthers, Bucs, and Falcons in the last few moments? If The Bears could have finished the game, they would be atop of the Division and looking back.

Reality is that the coaching staff lost those games more than the players.

Lovie Smith, if Mr. Excitement is to be retained, needs to let Ron “No Adjustments” Turner and Bruce “Who Me? I Dunno What To Do” Babbich go.

The Defense has lost intensity since Rivera left (not saying the Chargers are beating anyone like a drum) and the Offense has no cleverness to it whatsoever.

Management also needs to take a slap on the wrist (with some shackles) for allowing a situation where the team has NO viable wide receivers. I mean none. Brandon Lloyd had a catch that Houndi would have been proud to make last week, but Marty Booker is inconsistent (and slow and old) and Rashid Davis could not catch a cold in a Kindergarten class. The Hester experiment may have dividends, but I want results now.

Forte is a great shot in the arm and a player to build an offense around. Orton has proven himself as a leader, game manager, and a pretty strong quarterback. Sign him now.

John St. Clair (and I am sympathetic because I met his older sister and her husband at the Super Bowl) is a good guy, but he is a reserve player. Drafting an injured Williams was just plain stupid. Tait is showing his age, Kruetz is becoming an annoyance, and Garza is OK.

Defense lineman is supposed to be their strength, but I just do not see it. Harris shows up for a play a game; Anderson has been inconsistent and has dropped off; Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye are playing great football and are the bright spots in a bizarre unit; Israel Idonije and Marcus Harrison are quickly becoming my favorite players, and Anthony Adams now has proven that Dusty is a liability.

I like Urlacher’s play that last two weeks, Briggs is a stud, I have a bias to put Hillenmeyer in over Roach, and the rest of the linebacking corps do not impress.

Tillman needs to be reawakened (here is a clue Peanut: strip the ball AFTER the opponent is stopped otherwise you will be burned) Graham might be too small; Manning has impressed me more than I ever thought he would, Payne is more hype than player, and Mike Brown is a stud.

Rather than playing their highest picks, perhaps the Bears need to play their best players. Dusty was horrid in the line and Adams seems to make a difference. Graham is playing better than I expected over injury-proned Nate Vasher. Hillenmeyer was perhaps smaller than Roach, but he was in on the tackles. The difference between Orton and Grossman is like the difference of having a hot dog or a warm puppy for dinner.

Maybe the problems begin with Jerry “Super Wile E. Genius” Angelo.

Or maybe the problem for me is that I believed the pre-season hype.

I wish them well on the next three weeks. As Asia put it, “only time will tell.”

Sheesh, this team has me so frustrated, I am quoting Asia lyrics. Someone put me out of my misery, now.

Another Year Older

2008-12-05T22:16:00.000-08:00

“Bass and treble heal every hurt

There's a rebel in a nylon shirt

But the words are a mystery,

I've heard

'Til you turn it down to 33 and 1/3

'Cos it helps with the elocution

Corporations turn revolutions.

So don't you weep and shed

Just change your name instead

What do you lose when it all goes to your head?
I heard something peculiar said:

"Perhaps he's got a shot and now he's dead."

Bells are chiming and tears are falling

It creeps up on you without a warning.

Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat

Every breath that I bless

I'd be lost, I confess

45”
--Elvis Costello "45" from the CD When I Was Cruel, 2004.

Well today I hit the big 45.

I guess there should be some reflection of sorts to go with it. I mean, over half of my life is over.

I have defied a few odds; added some self-destructive behaviors; probably not given enough thanks; probably have been too nice; probably been too mean; probably laughed when I should have felt some shame; probably felt some guilt when I did not need to; and probably made as many good decisions as I have made bad ones.

And thus my philosophy of life is the following: “Life is what we make of it; and ultimately one controls one’s own destiny.”

No whining; no complaints; no regrets; no changes (OK maybe some changes); and somewhere in the vast cosmos of my world is a strange feeling of acceptance and a serene spirit.

I have made great friends in this life; I have great family members; I have great cats that allow me to live here; I have a great career; and I have a great spirit of humor and an acute knowledge of humankind.

Somewhere along the way, the ills have mixed with the joys; but what can we do? Deal with it and move on.

Without sounding too cliché I amazed how the doors have closed and opened in the last two or three years. I have spiritually grown, I have upon occasion felt some divine intervention, and I have found myself when I thought I was lost. It has been just really surreal to be honest.

So here’s to another 45 (oh and we all know that is sooo unlikely—but what the Hell—my blog I can do with it what I wish).

So thanks go out to Mom and Dad, Karen, Mark, Bud, Mary, Angela. Matt, Fred, Kaleb, Dan, Dar, Danny, Jeff, Judy, Kathy, Jeff, Fogs, Chum, Guinn, my colleagues former and current, all those musicians whose music I own, the creators of Batman, my beer buddies, the friends of my youth, the friends of the now, my students, my bosses, my student teachers, Special Friends: Keith, Jeff, Joe, John, Dan, Jim, Scott, Denny, Denny, Charles, Mike, Elston, Mick, Milt, Andy, Zack, Eric, Megan, Gene, Lou Ann, Sharon, Jon, Roger, Beth, Gary, Dave, Martin, Amy, Kelly, Jaimie, Joanne, Tom, Linae, Murph, Mack, Don, Jarret, Jon, Derek, Jason, My partners in crime in my youth: Alex, Tim, Peter, James, Brian, Chevy, and our "women": Amy, Dawn, Gaylene, Gerri, Kari, Amy, Barb, Sue Mac, Mo, Abby, Lisa, Becky, Suzanne, and my medical team: Dr. Duncan, Dr. McCrisken, Dr. Wright, and Dawn.

And a very special thanks to a wonderful lady named Jen.

If I have not seen you on my list as much or often as I would like, consider it time and distance as opposed to anything else. We are all getting older. I often think good thoughts of you all.

Without you folks, I never would have made it to “45.”

I Question The Bears Players' Heart; So I Have Some Questions

2008-11-30T22:15:00.000-08:00

“I’m a Loser
And I’m not what I appear to be…”
--John Lennon of the Beatles, 1965.

Let me begin by stating that I love the Chicago Bears. It is one of the truly fine things I look forward to watching, week in and week out.

I own the 1985 season on DVD. I also own 1986 and most games since 1988.

That stated, what I saw tonight was a pure mess.

I am now decompressing with an Erdinger Octoberfest Weizen beer. Other than seeing Jen, this is the best thing I have enjoyed this evening.

The Bear game, on the other hand, was a complete debacle.

This team has no Heart. They cannot readjust to problems within the game. Since I question their heart, I have some heartfelt questions.

Some questions for Ron Turner to begin:
Why let a rookie who has never touched the ball, run on a third and one play for a touchdown?

Why do you only throw the ball to Hester?

Why do you have a job? Seriously. Do us a favor if you cannot answer the question and quit, with a little pride still intact.

Some questions for Bob Babich and the Defense:
Do you guys know how to tackle?

Tillman, why in the world did you turn in and ignore Berrian streaking past you?

Why is Hillenmeyer not starting?

When is Tommie Harris going to show us why he has earned 10 million a year?

Why don’t you guys pick up a real safety?

Do you know what a sack is against a team that has won more than three games?

Who still thinks Dusty is good?

Some questions for the offense?
Orton, do you understand that your players wear either Blue or white? Purple is not on your team.

Can we run somewheres besides straight up the middle?

Why not play Adrian Peterson more? He has more heart than anyone else.

Why don’t we have a receiver besides a tight end?

Why did we let Berrian, Bradley, and Mohamed go?

Who said Davis can catch?

Are we going to finally draft a healthy offensive lineman so when we let St. Clair go (nice guy by the way—nothing personal) or have St. Clair as a back-up, the new player can block?

Who told Lloyd he could catch?

Why is Booker here and not on the geriatric squad? I think he is older than my brother.

And lastly questions for Lovie:
Do you have any courage? You seem to play not to lose instead of playing to win.

Do you understand that players who make millions can handle being chewed out when they suck. By the way, sharpen your teeth, as you have a lot of chewing to do.

Don’t you think Babich and Turner can ruin other teams and should be fired?

Would you show some emotions on the sidelines? Anything? Huh? Please, just look pissed once in a while.

Next Week:
Next week, the Bears will play the Jags. Somehow, after watching this game and the Green Bay game, I think the Bears are the real “jags.”

The Bears New Defensive Scheme: Let's Lie To The Public

2008-11-22T16:42:00.001-08:00

“You must sleep in the stinking bed that you made.
When you're down where you belong hear what they say.

Stay for a while, stay forever.
Sing for the times you are bound to betray.

Run for your life, run forever,
Your eyes tell a lie and the liar must always die.”

--Sonata Arctica from the song 8th Commandment, from the LP Ecliptica, 2002.

Good Lord.

Last week was the worst pounding I have ever seen the Bears suffer.

I mean it; the worst. They could do nothing, they could stop nothing, and they seem to have nothing of a clue.

Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith, here is a thought DO SOMETHING.

Make some noise. Show some emotion. Get Pissed. Beg, borrow, plead, act—just do something—ANYTHING! And, I thank you if you do.

This week Lance Briggs said (now this is after ten weeks of football) that this is the time. To quote Sir Lance “We don’t point the finger, but let’s start holding teams. Let’s start putting it out there that we’ve had enough and we’re ready to make a stand. That’s kind of where we are. You back yourself into a wall, and we’ve done that, and now you’ve got to start fighting back.”

Yeah, OK. Where were you against Tampa, against the Titans, against the Panthers? Hell, where in the world were you last freaking week? NOW your back is to the wall? NOW?

Oh please, Lance. The Defense has been crap since last season. Still they rewarded you, Tommie (No Show) Harris, Brian (Does He Even Play Anymore?) Urlacher, Charles (Call Me Toast) Tillman, and Nathan (I’m Even Toastier) Vasher.

Big contracts and little production; there is the real problem for the Bears.

Add to that, the players justify their lack of productivity by lying.

This week they will play the even more inept St.Louis Rams and they should overpower them and receive a shot in the arm; but the fans know the truth—it is really just a shot in the ass, because we will stand and cheer and become trapped by the possible logic and the stacked numbers that the Bears will be 11 and 5 and make the playoffs.

So before the illusion rears its ugly head, and trust me—I hope I eat these words, the Bears will win two more games this season and wallow in their own self-pity, worthless bravado, and serious lack of urgency. Briggs, Urlacher, Tillman and company will have their riches, and the fans (just like every Bears Defensive back) will be burned at the end.

Liberal-Minded Bullying

2008-11-06T19:57:00.001-08:00

“'Cos years have passed and things have changed;

And I move anyway I wanna go!

I'll never forget the feeling I got,

When I heard that you were home!

An' I'll never forget the smile on my face;

'Cos I knew where you would be!

An' if you're in the Crowd tonight,

Have a drink on me,

But go easy... Step lightly... Stay free...”

--Mick Jones, Joe Strummer of the Clash from the song “Stay Free.”

When I was younger, I, like many who read this, was teased.

I had very buck teeth from sucking my thumb for six years and the kids called me “Bucky.”

It took me a bit longer to “get over” my fear of falling off of my bike, and the kids made a song as they harmonized, “Eric Sweetwood, take off the training wheels… 1-2-3-4… Eric Sweetwood take off the training wheels.”

I had acne and was called Pizza face.

People made fun of my knobby knees, long-ish hair, and braces to correct the afore-mentioned buck teeth.

And now the name calling has changed even further:

I was shunned as I was pronounced that I am a “liberal.”

Let’s see, in our current society, a liberal does not thump a Bible and play “holier-than-thou.”

A liberal today seems open to all races.

A liberal does not judge a person’s sexuality.

A liberal does try to tell a person, particularly a female, as to what she can or cannot do to her body in the choices she makes.

A liberal is more often than not more educated and does not fear Devils and Boogie-men or other myths.

A liberal believes in making a profit, but understands that some people have misfortune and may need assistance due to circumstances beyond control.

A liberal believes there should be a reason to go to war and risk the security of America in the political scene.

And as a liberal, I refuse to accept stupidity, prejudice, bullying, and sanctimonious attitudes. I will no longer hide my intellect and I will work for the betterment of ALL people in our society rather than a select few.

The difference between my past and the bullying I took compared to now is that in the past, I had no choice about teeth, acne, knees, and fears.

Now I choose to be the name of ridicule.

So if you wish to use words like liberal or radical when you have disdain as you describe me, please remember that:

You may not be as intelligent as me;

You may consider yourself more cruel than me;

You probably act with more prejudice than me;

You seem to want to regulate what people do to their own bodies more than I do;

You wish to not question a war predicated on a falsehood;

You often wish to control others through fear;

And you often times deny freewill as you cherry pick phrases from a book of philosophy and apply those ideas as you see fit—ignoring what you may do.

Tread lightly when you spew your ignorance because in the words of Pete Townshend of the Who “We're not gonna take it; Never did and never will; We're not gonna take it;Gonna break it, gonna shake it; let's forget it better still!”

Bat-Weekend

2008-10-25T13:43:00.001-07:00

“You got lucky, babe…”
--Tom Petty

Last weekend, we had a great time as I was invited by brother Mark to SCREAMING TIKI CON.

The cool thing was that the cast from Batman’s 1966 show were there: Malachi Thorne (False Face), Julie Newmar (Catwoman and Pictured with Mark and Me), Yvonne Craig (Batgirl), Lee Meriwether (Movie Catwoman), and of course Adam West (uh…you know, Batman!).

It was a riot to be honest.

Boba Fett and Chewbacca actors were there as well; along with a delightful Noel Neill (Superman Movie Serial and TV show Lois Lane--who I was chatting with for quite a bit) and Margo Kidder (who I avoided).

The guy who draws Patrick The Wolf Boy was there and did a sketch of me as Batman, Mark as Hulk, and Mark’s friend Brad as Kid Flash (uh…I dunno…but HE likes him and it WAS cool). The creator of Ghost Rider was there. The creator of Franklin Richards Son of a Genius was there. The artist for The Batman comic (based on the animated show) was there. All were kind enough (along with some cash) to give an autograph.

I told the comic crowd and Jim at Acme and they were impressed.

I had a nice drive out to visit Mark in Youngstown, Ohio: beautiful scenery and a nice chill in the air. It was fun and the new Saturn and the new IPOD made the drive enjoyable. If you ever make the trip, watch out for the police in Indiana. They are hiding everywhere. No tickets for me, thankfully.

In Ohio, we had some great beers as well, as I loved the Great Lakes Octoberfest on tap and Mark and Mary made sure to supply me with some Great Lakes Nosferatu for home. It is a fantastic Stock (or Pub) Ale. Great Lakes is brewed in Cleveland and we all know that Cleveland Rocks.

What made the weekend even more unique was we had dinner with Adam West and the Batman cast. Julie Newmar took advantage to leave when she felt insulted or something. Oh and prior to the dinner, I insulted Lee Meriwether by saying she did not look a day “younger” when I meant to say “older.”

Sometimes I should just shut up.

She politely seemed to forget about it and posed for a picture with me, which was cool.

Adam West sang the Adam West Song (from Family Guy) when persuaded by Mark. I asked what was his favorite episode of Batman and he said he liked the first one with Frank Gorshin as the Riddler and Jill St. John. Hell, who wouldn’t like Jill St. John?

We also saw the Bat-copter, the Bat-cycle, the Bat-shield, the Robot from Lost in Space, and R2D2.

The celebrities seemed genuinely kind, although I think Newmar may be a bit odd. In the picture above she told me to “stick out your chest, Big Boy!”

I remarked, “Only if you stick out yours first…”

Then she laughed. She gave Mark and me a card for her website in which you can write in personal fantasies. A bit out there for me.

Actually, she was cool. She was kind enough to sign a picture for Jen and for me and for Mark.

I really cannot think of anything that would top this weekend as it was a childhood fantasy come true for me.

The Batman show and the character literally changed my life, as I have obsessively collected Bat-Items for decades.

Mark and Mary were wonderful hosts and their cats Louie (who let me pet him—shy as he is), Clyde (the world’s friendliest cat), and Sammy (the Kitten with a huge personality) were fun.

So thanks Mark and Mary—this blog is dedicated to you.

What a great gift! Thanks again!

Meet The Families

2008-10-15T17:28:00.001-07:00

“It's a lonely life I live and I live this life to go… And if I leave you with one thing it's just that I want

You to know…

I'll still be loving you tonight.”

--Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull from the song “Still Loving You Tonight” from the album Catfish Rising.

Kind of hard, I am sure, to meet the parents.

Any new relationship has various peaks and valleys, and trust me; I have discovered that fairly quickly for the last three years.

I either have to protect myself or protect others. I suppose a protective attitude is very Batman-esque, but one must remember that Batman is a “character.”

Two months ago, Jen met my parents. We had a great time at a lunch when the folks landed, and then we had an even better/closer time at Medici’s. Jen was very gracious for the opportunity.

I met her father and mother about three months after we dated when Jen moved into her new home and we had an “after moving” dinner of Pizza and beverages. They were kind to me and very welcoming.

Two weeks ago, Jen’s grandfather passed away and I met the family at an after-service dinner. I met cousins, uncles, aunts, brothers-in-law, and assorted folks somehow related to Jen. It was very nerve-racking prior to my arriving in the car as I imagined every mondo-bizzaro scenario possible, but it turned out quite pleasant and quite nice.

This weekend, Jen invited me for dinner with her closest friends. We dined on Mexican delights (Steak Fajita Quesada’s) from La Pordillos in town.

So now I wait for the approval nod from the friends.

Jen has met Mike McG., a gentleman I work with at the school who is among my closest friends. It seems wherever we go, like last night, Jen meets someone who is a current student, a former student, a current parent, a former parent, an associate, or a neighborhood friend of mine.

Karma is a great thing because I am fairly decent to all and they give me compliments. The kids get extra-credit for saying nice junk or if their parents do so, of course. Hey, it is only fair.

The only weird thing is at times I feel like I am in a situation comedy; and I have a feeling Jen does as well.

You know, you walk into somewhere at watch the chance awkward moments; like if the former wife shows up at a gathering you have been invited to.

Let me tell you, the hilarity prevails.

That last line was sarcasm, for those not in the know.

Still we manage to enjoy the company, accept the compliments, and deal with the rediscovery of meeting someone anew.

I am reminded of an episode of NYPD Blues when Medavoy is talking to Kelly about divorce and Kelly tells Greg that he decided that the only way he could be happy again was to divorce Laurie. Kelly admitted the divorce was difficult and he lost sleep over it and wondered quite a bit, but in the end, he made the right choice.

I remember at the time I watched it thinking nothing really particular about it. It must have made an impression on me, though, because I so clearly remember that scene.

Eleven years later, it makes perfect sense.

Meeting of the Minds

2008-10-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

“Smile your little smile,
Sip some beer (i.e. tea) with me awhile;
Brush away that black cloud from your shoulder…”
--Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull from the song “One Brown Mouse” from the LP Heavy Horses, 1978.

The older I have grown, the more I believe in the chance meetings of people that truly make the world smaller than it is.

Tonight, Jon of Medici’s emailed me about picking up an OCTOBERFEST mug. The mug is filled with beer (and trust me, it is filled with 40 plus ounces of beer for $15.00 and as a patron I kept the mug) that is a bargain at any price because it has the Medici’s logo on it. As a true Wednesday Warrior (the beer club that I was the THIRD participant of) I felt the necessity to partake in the festivities.

While I sat at the bar, I was noticing these four folks to my right. The man closest to me was studying the various Unibrou beers.

I said to this kind man that the La Fin Du Monde was my favorite and he spoke in a heavy German accent to me as he said “I cannot get this in Canada, which is where I live.”

After beer chat (he was drinking the Old Rasputin Stout and I recommended the Thelonius Monk or the Alpha Kings) he chatted with me about his accent. His name is Peter, he was born in Austria, he has traveled the world over as a civil engineer, he married his wife who was from Canada, his wife’s sister married a man from Normal and they were here for a visit, the man his wife’s sister married was a math teacher in town who knew Uncle Dan and the former Canadian wife was a secretary in Normal’s district and knew Dan and Aunt Dar, and he loved Illinois. We chatted about travel, Europe, the ways of life, the universe and everything. He was an engaging conversationalist.

Jen’s grandfather recently passed and I was invited to the family gathering in Minier for dinner at a German restaurant. Peter mentioned it and I told him I had just been there for the first time and loved the food. Peter commented that it was the best German food he had ever had in the United States.

Jen’s family is German and they have a fondness for German food.

He mentioned the dish he had, which was the same Jen ate Thursday evening, complete with red cabbage. Mine had Sauerkraut, two types of German Sausage, and pork tenderloin. Peter commented on the beers and we had a fun and frank discussion on the best Weizen’s from Germany.

As Peter told me about the Alps, and Munich, the French beaches, and England (which I knew a bit about), I thought this was one of the rare and fun moments in time. Peter has been retired for nine years and he has seen much. He commented on how the United States and Canada were essentially the same. He talked of his past and seeing sights I can only dream of seeing.

His food arrived and I wished to interrupt these good people no further, although they offered me a portion of their pizza. I politely declined.

I readied myself to leave, offered my hand to Peter and thanked him for his engaging conversation. “Peter,” I said, “You are truly a gentleman. Thank you for your conversation and your kindness.”

“Eric,” he said, “you are a gentleman as well. We would be great friends if I were younger or you were older. I respect your profession and your kindness. I wish you well my young friend. You have a good heart and a strong mind.”

Lesson learned: whenever we think ill of the world, we meet folks who make us understand what a glorious place it is. The world is truly smaller today, and I think my meeting was inspired by fate.

Thank you, Peter.

I Was a Coach for "One More Game"

2008-09-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a weekend.

I really need to thank my good friend, fellow educator, and author Mick Peterson.

He asked me over the summer to coach the One More Game team—which is a group of former players from Pontiac and other schools who come back to the field to play one more game. Trust me; there is some hitting and some very strong juices flowing.

I, as the coach, call the plays. For the first half, that was true. The second half, I let the guys kind of dictate how they wanted to go.

Thank goodness I had one of my all-time favorite students Tommy Green as my quarterback. He was a polite, intelligent, and respectable kid who was always willing to use his intelligence. He was respectful enough to help me draft some new plays for the second half.

I also had another all-time favorite students Kendrique Coates. Thank goodness for Kendrique. Mr. Coates as he liked to be called, was a great student with a positive attitude. He was elevated to a starting tailback his sophomore year, and handled the pressure with grace and class. He never let his studies falter and he acted so mature as a student and a person in our district. I really enjoyed him in my classes.

Rounding out my Pontiac crew of former students in Mike Thorne (who I never taught), Travis Miller, Eric Bauman (who I specifically asked for), Luke Thompson (another request), and Eric Saxton. I also employed at my disposal, Jared Carter (a heck of a receiver), Andy Lauber (a fine full back, Jake Hepner, Seth Siergey, Randy McCloskey, Ryan Mayhew, the incredibly big Ian Scott, and coordinator fullback/linebacker Jeff Schade. We played tough defense, as one of my players left the game with a broken collar bone, and we stopped the run in the second half.

We played more than a little smash-mouth with Tommy, Kendrique, Jeff, Andy, and others.

We refused to lie down as we “went for it” on 4th and two and made a first down, which helped us win the game. I was proud of my guys and glad to help a fund-raiser as Champion Fitness takes the proceeds for various sports programs.

Pictures from the game will be forthcoming.

The guys teased me about my fist-pumping, my yelling, my loss of voice, and my attitude of “we will this (expletive) game.”

We did, as the Orange team won 14 to12 against the White team.

Lots of fun, as I bought each of my players a beer after the game and they chipped in to buy me one as well.

I think I could have had a beer all night.

In other football news, THE BEARS WON! A great defensive stand on the goal line only added to their win. Go Bears! Watch them run away with it now.

The Chicago Bears Season Opener Revisited

2008-09-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

“But baby, since I've been loving you, yeah,

I'm about to lose my worried mind…”

--Led Zeppelin from the song “Since I’ve Been Loving You" from the LP Led Zeppelin III.

As most regular readers note, I predicted a resounding victory against the Colts for my Super-Bowl Bound Chicago Bears last week.

As I also clearly stated, Jeff will owe me a beer.

Why do you people doubt me?

That Defense was incredible. The shot on Joseph Addai was fantastic by Lance Briggs. The strip by Charles Tillman was a thing of beauty, added by the luster of Brigg’s run back of touchdown.

Yes indeed, I certainly called a great scheme for the Bears. After that game, we can all shout Ron Rivera who?

Matt Forte was awesome as well.

Orton was efficient.

The Bears Offensive lines were making more holes that a drill.

I would like to see Kyle (Don’t Call Me Cowboy Bob) Orton open up to Lloyd and Davis more, bit wwho is complaining? I also love the two tight end set, as it was nice to see Clark come back with a good win.

As Jen and I watched the victory unfolding, me in my Hillenmeyer Jersey and her in her Urlacher one, I elt as if Sunday was a day of reckoning of sorts for the Chicago faithful.

Next week, do it to the Panthers. As I watched the other NFC Central games, the Bears have a great chance to win it all as the division is ripe for the taking.

The Bears Season Opener Is Sunday

2008-09-05T21:39:00.001-07:00

“So close, so close and yet so far…”
--Frankie Valle “My Eyes Adored You.”

So the Season is here.

The Bears will be visiting the Indianapolis Colts in the Colts new Stadium for a rematch of Super Bowl 2006.

Yeah!

Well, there are some exceptions: gone are the prolific running attack of Thomas Jones and the passing attack (?) of Rex Grossman. Gone are the solid catches of Mohammad and Berrian. Gone, too, are the Defensive schemes of Ron Rivera for the Bears.

Gone from the Colts is the running game of Rhodes, the tighten end Pollard, and a receiver or two, whose name I cannot remember.

This time around, The Bears will have Tommy Harris and Mike Brown in the line-up.

This time around the Colts will…well…they really were not missing anyone before, so they should be OK.

The Bears have minor injuries. The Colts have major ones on the Offensive Line.

The Bears have Orton now.

The Colts have Manning as before.

The Bears have Booker and Lloyd now.

The Colts still have Harrison.

The Bears still have their Defense.

The Colts have Feeney.

Do I think the Bears have a chance?

Well, with the return of a decent running game and some key players in the Defense considered; while thinking of the special teams play and the new offensive leader of Orton, I have examined this issue closely.

No, I do not think the Bears have a chance. And I hope I am wrong, but we all face realism at some point in our lives.

Enjoy the game, Jeff (pictured with me above as we went to the Super Bowl in February, 2006.), and I will owe you even more Beer at the end of this one.

Follow Up To Now It Is Up to The Cut Volume II: Bye Bye Ricky Manning Junior

2008-08-26T16:42:00.000-07:00

Boom Boom Boom, Another one bites the dust.

From the Chicago Bears Official Website:
"The Bears on Tuesday terminated the contract of vested veteran cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr."

Yeah, so far so good on my predictions.

Follow-up On Now It Is Up To The Cut: Volume I

2008-08-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Well so far, I have been correct on two. From The Bears Official Website: “The Bears on Sunday waived wide receivers Marcus Monk and Ryan Grice-Mullen, cornerback Leslie Majors and safety Josh Gattis.”

Let’s see how many more next weekend.

To Be Continued…

Chicago Bears: Now It Is Up To The Cut

2008-08-23T22:07:00.000-07:00

“Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers on the right,,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you…”

--Gary Rafferty of Steel Wheels from the single “Stuck In The Middle With You.”

Good Lord, the Chicago Bears looked awful Thursday.

I know I am writing this on Saturday Night/Sunday after Midnight, but that was because I was with Alice Cooper on Thursday (see my review here: ( http://sweetwoodsmetalmoments.blogspot.com/2008/08/alice-cooper-concert-review-from.html ) and I watched the replay from the DVR Friday.

Orton looked good, Bradley caught some passes, and Dusty Dvoracek actually played without a new injury resulting. Awesome.

I was looking at the Depth Chart and I have my cuts in line, so Here We Go:

QB: The Bears will cut none and offer Hanie a “practice squad” shot unless someone is hurt.

Running Back: Pope is gone and Wolfe should be as well.

Offensive Line: Poles is gone, Oakley should be, Reed and Barton might stick.

Tight Ends: Mines is gone and Davis will make the cut.

WR: This is the toughest to pick, but someone has got to go ad I assume Hass and Rideau are more than likely gone. I also think the Bears will give either Booker his walking papers as well. If they go speed and youth, Booker should not be out there. Lloyd has looked sharp, Hester is learning, Davis has been exceptional as he reminds me of a Dennis McKinnon type of player, Bennet will improve, and the Bears have too much money invested in Bradley to release him.

Kickers: Bye Bye Atterbury.

Linebackers: Wilson is out for the year, Okwo and LaRocque are more than likely gone as well.

Defensive Line: Osborne, Bazuin, and Baldwin are gone. The coaches are really disappointed in Bazuin.

Corners: Troy Brown, Majors, Bowman, McBride and Ricky Manning Jr. are all gone.

Safeties: Steltz (too small) and Gattis are also gone.

Keep your scorecards handy and see if I am right.

The Chicago Bears Name The Starting Quarterback

2008-08-18T21:24:00.001-07:00

Note To Rex Grossman:

“Nobody likes you...

Everyone left you...

They're all out without you...

Having fun...”

--Green Day from the song “Letterbomb” from the album American Idiot, 2004.

The Chicago Bears have named Kyle Orton as the starting QB.

Thank God!

More than likely Caleb Hanie will make the practice squad and will be used if an injury occurs.

Even more than more than likely, Rex Grossman will not be a Chicago Bear after this season.

The starters are expected to play for three quarters on Thursday; I will be watching Alice Cooper in concert and taping the Bears game for Friday evening.

Here We Go Again: The Experiment Is Over Bears Fans

2008-08-17T08:38:00.001-07:00

“Driven to the margin of error;
Driven to the edge of control;
Driven to the margin of terror;
Driven to the edge of a deep, dark hole.”

--Neil Peart of Rush from “Driven” from the album Test For Echo, 1996.

Ok, the experiment is now officially over.

I am sitting here, sober, as I was last evening watching the Bears blow it. I am sipping my Diet Orange Crush from my Ghost Rider New York Comic Con 2007 ‘Toon Tumbler glass, listening to Rush’s Test For Echo after just downloading the Sweeney Todd soundtrack (good movie by the way) and trying to gather my thoughts for my new classes on Monday.

And one thing is persistently bothering me.

No offense but Rex Grossman is just flat-out horrid. Whether he calls the wrong plays, whether he is gun shy, whether he lacks confidence, whether he just never had it, whatever “it” is one conclusion is clear from this experiment: the experiment is over and Rex is not the answer.

Now I know the argument is the line gave him little time; but come on. Orton comes in during the last two minutes and executes. In 28 previous minutes Rex is on his back often, throws an interception, misreads defenses, overthrows two open receivers, has an intentional grounding call, and seems more confused than my freshman will tomorrow. His dump off passes even show a lack of authority.

In the press conference, I have to give the man some credit. He takes his hits from the reporters after having taken them from the Seahawks as his nose looks cracked and his arm is bandaged up. The kid has class and maybe that is to his credit more than we think. However, he is not a starting quarterback.

I want to play music; very badly I may add. I, after numerous “experiments” however admit that I cannot. I simply do not have the ability to do it; I cannot sing for anything, my fingers did not work on the guitar and my brain just does not function in the manner of a musician. No amount of training will break me; and even if it could, my mental block is obvious and detracts—a bit of learned helplessness. Grossman is at that point in his career. Maybe he is a good back-up and needs to be regulated to that role.

It is absolutely unfair to the Bears faithful at this point to deny a chance to Kyle (Don’t Call Me Cowboy Bob) Orton.

In other bright spots, Brandon Lloyd had a great game with passes from Orton; Earl Bennet made some decent catches; Caleb Hanie proved he can play; and rookie 6 foot seven inches of Tight End Kellen Davis (pictured above) had a remarkable game with catches out of nowhere. With a possible injury resulting in a high/low knee hit to Desmond Clark, perhaps this is not as much of a worry as it could be. I happen to be a huge Clark fan, so I hope the best for him. The Defense played well and my boy Hunter Hillenmeyer was back in action. Peanut Tillman was great, Vasher played well, and Mike Brown looked good. Urlacher played ok, and rookie DT Marcus Harrison was fantastic. He showed his talent and will be a force.

Besides the dismal QB situation, Matt Forte ran OK at times and nothing spectacular. Back-up Adrian Peterson did not have much of an opportunity and Garrett Wolfe, who looked very sharp last week, may just have proven that he is too small. The jury is out on him. Mark Bradley sucked as usual and really should be off the team at this point. Safety Payne looked great and then “surprise-surprise” he was injured AGAIN!

The punting was inconsistent and Robbie’s Gould last second field goal that could have, should have, would have won it; missed. That “Uhg!” you heard was not Charlie Brown when Lucy pulled the ball away—it was me.

Marty Booker was basically not utilized and Rashid Davis was at home taking care of his wife and new-born daughter. Congrats to him.

Tune in same time next week for the recrap…uh…recap of the game.