Archive for March, 2008
Kids Choice Awards
I came down in the middle of things. They were busy deciding who the best musician was for the year. Daniel explained to me that the Beatles were not in contention.
“But maybe next year they can be better,” he said, varnishing the truth as best as he could to let me down easy.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Thoughts on Snow
I think snow must have a cumulative effect on me, much like it has outside in nature. Snow has been piling up on me since I was a baby born between blizzards. The first few inches, like that first snow of the season, is something to watch. Something to treasure.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Poof Ball
“Dad…” I hear Daniel say in a voice about one octave higher than usual. I know I am being buttered up for something.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Coke Addict
Since Diet Pepsi has zero calories, I don’t feel guilty when I order the mongo sized serving. In fact the only thing preventing me from getting Diet Pepsi by the vat is that it wouldn’t fit the drink holder of my car.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 2 so far )My Blog Spot
A few months ago, I made the decision to try and write regularly again. This was easier said than done. I have my own office, but I spend too much time in there as it is with work. I tried sitting at the kitchen table. I liked the light, but couldn’t escape the siren-song of HDTV tempting me from the family room.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )The Second Day of Spring
I’m not surprised. Chicago news radio advertises “weather on the eights” and – even ten minutes apart – the reports are rarely the same. I’m not complaining. In this area we take an almost masochistic pride in the way that Mother Natures screws with us.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Photographs and Pictures
When I look back at all the pictures that I took, I don’t think to myself, “Boy, I wish I hadn’t wasted so much film on my newborn son.” I have to admit that any number of pictures that I take with my digital camera never make it past the initial preview on the two inch screen.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Arthur C. Clarke
I was an early reader; able to get through children’s books by the time I was three. I had my own card for the Schaumburg Public Library before I went to kindergarten. We’d go almost every week. I would go downstairs and find some small books that interested me while my parents perused the adult [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Thoughts on the Retirement of Brett Farve
I cannot say that I am a fan of the Green Bay Packers. I grew up in Chicago and I am a Bears fan. I grew up in the 70’s. We had Walter Payton, but that was about it. Here’s a typical play by play call from that era:
“Handoff to Payton… to Payton… Payton again… [...]
Mad Libs – St. Patrick’s Day
For the uninitiated, “Mad Libs” is a word game you play with a friend. Without letting them see the story, ask them for a noun or a verb; whatever is required to fill in the blanks. Because they are giving you the correct part of speech, the story will be – grammatically – [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )The Real Windy City
I pressed ahead. I think the fine sand all blew out of the area a long time ago, leaving only coarse sand and small stone chips. I was rapidly being violently exfoliated as I staggered into the area beyond the train station. The wind had blown down the cyclone fence (you know it’s windy when something called a cyclone fence is knocked down).
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )California Turnouts
I live in Illinois and – for those of you not familiar with the area – we don’t have a lot of mountains. A few thousand years ago about a mile of ice came down from Canada and crushed the land flat. Since I don’t have mountains to drive through at home, I always look [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Joshua Tree
I didn’t plan to go to Joshua Tree on Sunday. I didn’t really plan to go anywhere. I just found myself driving around in my rented Mustang convertible, listening to the radio and marveling that I could fly 2,000 miles from home and still pick up “Jack FM” or “The Eagle” if I chose to [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Belvidere to Palm Springs
I got a quick laugh when the flight attendant described what to do “in the unlikely event of a water landing” (take a look at where Palm Springs is on a map if you don’t get it) and then we were off. Thirty minutes later, we were at our final destination. I got off the airplane still wearing my winter coat. That came off in a hurry!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Take One in Playoffs, Drop to Rockford Lutheran
Belvidere had to wait a day before starting their regional playoff run last Thursday night. The small stands were full at Marengo Community High School, but the crowd was quiet for most of the game. Perhaps it was the lack of a band, or perhaps the fact the announcers introduced the teams but said nothing [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Natural Abilities
I have the ability to understand what it takes to be good at something… even if the person (a Natural, if you will) makes it look so easy. I can appreciate art. It allows me to appreciate what it takes to make a truly memorable movie and cartoon animation just blows me away.
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