First off congratulations to the York Dukes varsity football team for a fantastic season. For the first time in their history, the Dukes made it to the final game for the state championship down at Illinois State University. Unfortunately, the Dukes lost to Loyola Academy but what a great year it was for that gridiron gang!
Driving by York’s beautiful stadium on Friday nights and seeing the stands packed guts to butts is way cool. I opt for watching their games live on You Tube. York’s sophomore team had a great season and those second yearers will move up to the big squad in 2025. Look for more great things from these hard working young players.
The Dukes of York had a great season and expect to do as well or better next year.
We all know what a nightmare this Bears season has been. As usual, me and parody pal Al Flash put together a song for the ‘Midgets of the Midway. WGN Ch. 9 Morning News aired about half the video then had to cut to commercials. Here’s the whole tune.
The Bears poor season earned this parody song from me and Al Flash. And yes, with head coach Matt Eberflus just getting fired, we have another tune in the works.
I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy dreams about my departed parents and sister Maryanne. I wake from them never frustrated but grateful they came for a ‘visit.’ My most recent dream had me driving my mom to a hospital appointment but she wasn’t sick. We get to the lobby and mom buys me a book written by comedian Jim Gaffigan and he signed it. Mom also was hiding a birthday card for me that would be given later after she stuffed lottery scratch-off tickets in it. How this dream came about is anyone’s guess but before falling asleep that night I watched Jim Gaffigan do a guest shot on the Jimmy Kimmel show.
Comic Jim Gaffigan’s recent visit with Jimmy Kimmel played into a dream I had about my dear departed mother.
Over the past couple of years, I realized I am the KING OF PARKING. It seems anytime I need to park my humble Chevy Cavalier, I always find the closest and best parking space, almost instantly. One example is when I go to the York Theater in downtown Elmhurst, every time I locate the perfect space either right next to or across the street from that movie palace. Same goes for when I arrive at East End Pool for my summer swims or when I do my grocery shopping at Jewel. I bragged about this parking skill on Facebook and Dan White, a former classmate of mine, claimed to be better than me when it comes to finding the best rest spots for his car. Maybe Dan and I should have a play-off or call it a park-off.
The parking gods love me as it seems like an open spot in a choice location is always waiting for me.
One thing that brings huge smiles to me is when I’m on Facebook and click into quick video clips of dogs being adopted out of Animal shelters. Seeing those wagging tails and how excited the shelter workers are that another pooch has been rescued is a huge mood lifter. I wish there were more cat rescue videos to see but most felines are so mellow and low-key that their reactions aren’t as electric.
Seeing pics and video clips of dogs being rescued from shelters is an automatic mood lifter.
The Grammy Awards nominations came out recently and I was happy to see Sarah Jarosz land two nods. Sarah is a much respected singer-songwriter in the style reminiscent of Mary Chapin Carpenter. Her most recent album is titled “Polaroid Lovers” and it includes good tunes like “Jealous Moon” (love that title) and “Runaway Train.” Sarah’s work is big with those who are into the Americana category of music.
Sarah Jarosz’s music is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
As much as I love country music, I’ve never really warmed to Jason Aldean’s songs. However, his thoughtful tribute to Toby Keith at last month’s CMA awards was damn good.
Jason Aldean’s tribute to the late Toby Keith was heartfelt and top notch.
Another fun music find is on You Tube. The Middle Aged Dad Jam Band is a group of musicians who cover well known pop hits. One jem is their playing the Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton hit “Islands in the Stream” with guest singer Kristen Bell. BTW, “Islands in the Stream” is just another song that was written by the lone living Bee Gee, Barry Gibb.
Actress Kristen Bell guest sings with the Middle Aged Dad Jam Band. Well done!
One more music note- HBO has a new documentary on Yacht Rock. It’s a deeply researched feature on a type of music we all know but never had a real label for it. Interesting stories are shared by the musicians who created this music.
I learned lots about the musicians who created the songs I’ve been listening to for decades. Yacht Rock is the label and the stories behind it are fun to hear.
I remember fifty years ago when I thought that the coolest thing in the world would be when I matured enough to start shaving. Whiskers kicked in at age 16 for me and by the time I graduated high school I was shaving 3 times a week. Then my face got hairier. Throughout college and into my first few post grad years, I grew beards, mustaches, goatees, etc. However, by the time I hit 30, I realized shaving was a gigantic drag.
Shaving was something I looked forward to when I was much younger. Today, not so much.
Do you know a phrase I hope goes away? It’s when someone is about to make a statement and their first words are “I ain’t gonna lie…” I hear this from my high school students all the time, but now more folks of all ages are saying the same phrase. Enough, please. And I ain’t gonna lie, knock it off!”
Please! Let’s lose this catch phrase ASAFP.
NEXT BLOG: Some coming attractions.