The summer of ’21 has been over for a few days and I’m still looking back at it with melancholy regret. In particular, I’m thinking about my 6 ½ week vacation from teaching. There were plenty of plans made and in truth, very few happened. Things I wrote out to accomplish collected dust and will have to wait.
Some of what was on my ‘To Do’ list included-
Start eating healthier and exercise more. I did this in little spurts followed by days of gluttony and laziness. Mission not even really started, let alone progressing.
Keep up my yard and get it in good shape. My neighbor’s kid cuts my lawn (because allergies to fresh mown grass have stopped me from doing so) the grass looked O.K. but all the plants and weeds that surround my lawn (front and back, grew out of control with me doing very little to remedy that)
Patch up cracks in my driveway. I had the driveway sealed and it looks good but I wanted to touch up some spots before winter. Still hasn’t been done.
Clean out my garage. The good news is I have hardly anything in my car’s resting area but plenty of leaves and dirt. Nothing’s been done there either.
Creatively, I wanted to write someshort stories that are COVID related. I have about four different tales outlined but formal creation of those stories wasn’t even started. There was the hope to post those stories on my blog page. Maybe next year.
MY SUMMER WAS SPENT WASTING TOO MUCH TIME NOT DOING WHAT I PLANNED TO DO.
The two things I DID do this summer was swim almost daily at East End Pool and watch lots of White Sox and Cubs baseball. That was about it! I just let the days off drift into each other and they slid right into the crapper with nothing accomplished.
One thing I’ve learned; I am no good with so much open time. When it comes to work and teaching, I’m a regimented ‘Get it done’ on schedule person, but when left to drift on my own with no agenda, nothing gets done.
As the return to the classroom loomed, I kept mumbling to myself how I wasted my time off. On my first vacation day (June 26th) I was so full of piss and vinegar ready to accomplish tasks. I’m really great at making these free time plans, just not good at seeing them through. I’m disappointed in my total lack of effort.
Will next year be different? I’d like it to be. But that has to come from my own inner drive and discipline. Tune in a year from now and see if I’m spouting the old familiar line “Wait til next year.” I sure hope that’s not the case.
LOOK OUT SUMMER OF 2022, I HOPE TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT!
I haven’t posted blogs for three months. I’ve got plenty written but my new semester of teaching is so insanely busy (I’ll spare you the details for now) that until our winter break, just keeping my head above water is enough.
Still, I have something important to reflect on that I want to get out there. So here goes:
During last weekend’s coverage of the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, I caught Bruce Springsteen’s acoustic performance of “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” as he paid tribute to the thousands lost on that awful day and their surviving families and friends. That song comes from last year’s “Letter to You” album.
Despite being a longtime fan of Springsteen, truth be told, his last several albums just didn’t do it for me. However, “I’ll See You in My Dreams” is a song that HAS reached me! The video shows clips of deceased E-Street Band members Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici as well as modern day footage of Bruce and his band.
But it’s the lyrics that brought this one home to me, especially the line “I remember you my friend, and though you’re gone and my heart’s been emptied it seems, I’ll see you in my dreams.”
We’ve all lost people who meant so much to us. They are often remembered and there’s the pining and wanting for them to still be with us. Just one more day, one more dinner, one more get together, one more dance, one more laugh or one more hug.
WE ALL MISS OUR DEPARTED LOVED ONES AND WISH FOR MORE TIME WITH THEM.
Of my immediate family of four, I’m the soul survivor. My dad, mom and sister have been dead for years. All my grandparents, aunts, uncles and a cousin are long gone too. Add to this, the passing of no less than seven dear friends & co-workers who were as tight to me as family and the suicide of a former student who I closely worked with.
I miss every one of these individuals but often see them in my dreams, just like Bruce sings. The dreams of these departed ones come out of nowhere; I may not have thought of one of these individuals for a while and then boom! A dream rolls into my slumber and it feels like we’re together again.
You know how you have a great sleeping vision of wealth or other good things happening then you wake up depressed that it was just a dream? Well, when having my dreams of departed souls, I never wake up frustrated that what was experienced in my sleep was not real. This may sound a little cosmic but I see these dreams as visits. My dead family or friends come into my sleeping brain to say ‘Hi, all is well and hope you’re doing well too.” It’s a great feeling and one I welcome anytime it happens. I see them in my dreams and Springsteen’s song is a reminder of this to me and to others who grieve for lost loved ones.
A few years ago, actor Mark Ruffalo was asked how he got over the unsolved murder of his brother Scott. He said, you don’t get over it but you learn to live alongside it. I heard those words from Ruffalo on the very same day I was to give a eulogy for my dear departed sister Marianne.
That’s what I’ve learned to do, live alongside the passing of people who meant the world to me. And I take comfort in what Springsteen sings, “We’ll meet and laugh again, for death is not the end, I’ll see you in my dreams.”
SPRINGSTEEN’S SONG IS FITTING FOR ANY OF US WHO MISS THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US.
A while ago on Facebook I posted a little known fact about myself. So now I’ve decided to add in a few other little trivial spots on yours truly. Some of my friends and family are aware of some of these things but I don’t think anyone knows ALL of them. So here they are.
SOME FOLKS KNOW SOME THINGS ABOUT ME BUT NOT OTHERS. CHECK EM OUT.
** I have not thrown up, barfed, puked or hurled since February 5th 1991. Back in the fall of ’93 I came close thanks to having appendicitis but ended up holding in my soup.
** My front four upper teeth are capped. They have been since 1981.
** Back in 1974 I entered and won a ‘Name that New Park’ contest in Elmhurst. A plot of land near my house was to be named and the Elmhurst Park District chose my idea. Pioneer Park was dedicated on Labor Day 1974 and on that day at both Elmhurst public swimming pools, it was ‘Mickey Kahler’s Day.’ I still have the huge signs they made to mark this event. By the way, it rained all that day and it was cold. Doh!
THE ENTRANCE TO PIONEER PARK.FOR YEARS PIONEER PARK WAS JUST AN OPEN FIELD WITH A FEW GARDEN PLOTS. NOWADAYS IT’S A MUCH MORE FUNCTIONAL PLACE WITH A PLAYGROUND, BASKETBALL COURT AND SOCCER FIELD.
** In high school I failed Driver’s Ed Behind the Wheel. I didn’t get in enough practice time during off school hours and bombed the final road test. I immediately re-upped for the next class and a few weeks later got an A- final grade. Over forty-four years behind the wheel, I have a pretty clean driving record with only one accident that was my fault. (I’ve been hit by drunk drivers twice and even a beer truck)
** I never drink coffee. I like the smell of coffee, but not the taste.
** The same goes for anything with coconut in it. I enjoy the smell, like in a shampoo, soap or skin lotion but can’t stand the taste or texture of coconut.
** When ordering take-out meals to be delivered, eating at restaurants or having drinks at a bar I’m a very good tipper. For years my mother was a waitress at various eateries including Elmhurst’s swanky Stevens Steakhouse and I remember how hard she worked shlepping meals to diners. People in the service industry have a challenging gig and I don’t blink twice at rewarding them more than fairly.
**Back to drinks. When having cocktails with friends I usually toast them by saying “Slainte!” (Pronounced Slahncha) It’s an Irish & Scottish Gaelic word that means ‘Good health.’ I first picked up on this term watching the great Irish movie “Waking Ned Devine.”
I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD TIPPER. THIS IS THANKS TO REMEMBERING HOW HARD MY MOM WORKED AS A WAITRESS .
** I’m sort of left-handed, sort of right-handed. I write, throw, swing a baseball bat, a golf club and shoot a hockey stick as a lefty. Using a spoon or fork, I go lefty. However, I cut with scissors, kick a ball, shoot a gun and play guitar as a righty. Oh, and when using a phone, I’m always left eared.
** I always enjoyed cutting my own lawn but since 2010 had to stop. I developed a wicked allergy to freshly mowed grass. Hiring a landscaping service was the way to take care of my yard but now a neighbor’s son does my grass cutting.
** While I no longer have my appendix or gall bladder, I still have my tonsils, all my teeth and seventy-five percent of my hair. (Gray as it may be)
** I’ve only dated one red headed woman but often find myself attracted to ginger haired lasses.
SURE I’M ATTRACTED TO REDHEADED WOMEN, BUT METHINKS MODEL/ACTRESS ANGIE EVERHART MIGHT BE A LITTLE OUT OF MY LEAGUE.
SPRINGSTEEN’S “REDHEADED WOMAN” SAYS IT BEST.
DEAR READERS- I’ve going to take some time off from posting new blogs. So many folks are caught up in post-pandemic enjoyments (deservedly so) and I am too. Plus, I’m working on some short story ideas. See you back later this summer.
I have a few things on my mind that I need to get off my chest. (If that makes any sense)
BILLIE EILISH’S TROJAN HORSE
Billie Eilish is a very successful singer/songwriter who fits into the ‘emo’ category/low fi music style. Her vocals have been described as ‘whispery’ and ‘ethereal’ with lyrics that center around feelings of being outcast and wanting to be understood. In other words, Eilish’s music is right in the wheelhouse of many young teens trying to find themselves.
However, much of Billie Eilish’s notoriety comes from her physical image, sporting super baggy clothes, hoodies, dark sunglasses and black hair tinted with neon green highlights. For her first couple years on the music scene Billie looked like the 2010’s version of Ally Sheedy’s shy and troubled character in “The Breakfast Club.” A sullen, self-loathing loner who is struggling for acceptance.
A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THIS WAS HOW BILLIE EISLISH PRESENTED HER PUBLIC IMAGE.
Not anymore! Over the past several months Billie Eilish has undergone a major makeover. First there was a big hubbub when she posed for a photo that showed off cleavage and since then Miss Eilish has been appearing more like a Madonna meets Beyonce singing diva. No more baggy sweatpants, hoodies and funky colored hair. The once painfully shy wallflower has even posed for a cover of Vogue magazine.
So those who were into Billie Eilish’s ’s emo/I’m so lost and confused songs, are left in the dust. She’s no longer sitting with you at the back table of the cafeteria, wearing layers of baggy sweats and hiding in the shadows of peers she felt inferior to. Billie Eilish is now one of the “cool kids.” Folks, that ‘cool kid’ thing was always in Billie, she scammed many fans into thinking she was like them but she’s not. It’s a trojan horse styled hoodwink. Plain and simple.
Add to this, Billie EIlish is now accused of so called “Queerbaiting” due to the video for her new song “Lost Cause” which features her dancing and cavorting suggestively with a group of young ladies. She then posted a short follow up video stating “I love girls.” Eilish is currently dating actor Matthew Tyler Vorce. There was also a recent report that Billie Eilish uttered an Asian slur and she has since apologized for that comment, giving the usual excuse racists give stating, “That’s not who I am.” Please. Sounds like she’s becoming a ‘mean girl’, far from the sad downcast image portrayed not too long ago. Anyone who believes this young star is the genuine article could very well be mistaken.
THIS IS THE MORE UP TO DATE IMAGE OF THE ONCE SHY BUTTERFLY BILLIE EILISH. SHE’S SCAMMING HER FANS.
WET TEDDY BEARS? If I ever met the guy in those Liberty Insurance commercials selling ‘wet teddy bears’, I’d have to give him a big smack upside the head. Totally obnoxious ads that you cannot help but see when tuning into TV shows. And whoever came up with Liberty’s simplistic jingle, you get a smack upside the head too. Here’s their jingle: “Liberty, Liberty, Liberty, Liberty!” Wow. Genius
WHO WANTS A WET TEDDY BEAR? ONLY IF I CAN GIVE THIS OBNOXIOUS GUY A SMACK UPSIDE HIS HEAD.
“HACKS” CAN HACK IT
Having HBO Max is worth the extra money thanks to the comedy series “Hacks.” Jean Smart stars as Deborah Vance, a Joan Rivers styled comedian (complete with her own jewelry/fashion line sold on cable infomercials) This comic is about to lose her long running Las Vegas residency at the swanky Palmetto Hotel & Casino. Her reluctant co-hort is a recently disgraced due to a bad tweet comedy writer named Ava (played by Hannah Einbinder). Christopher MacDonald co-stars as Smart’s sometimes business associate. The lines are fast, clever and have such a real feel to them. “Hacks” brings us the darkly funny and at times enlightening side of those who’ve made it in show-biz but have a realization that their time in the spotlight may be running out. HBO recently announced a second season of “Hacks” will happen, and I can’t wait!
JEAN SMART (right) PLAYS WORLD WEARY BUT STILL FUNNY COMEDIAN DEBOARAH VANCE. HERE SHE’S WITH HER WRITING ASSISTANT AVA PLAYED BY HANNAH EINBINDER.
MISS CRUMP GETS A ‘D’
As a lifelong watcher and lover of the Andy Griffith Show I’ve come to the conclusion that Sheriff Andy Taylor’s girlfriend, Helen Crump was a bad school teacher. Here are just some examples of this educator getting a low grade from me.
There was the time Helen messed up transcribing students’ grades that made poor Opie Taylor think he got all “A’s” on his report card. Not only were Opie’s grades low, he got a ‘D’ in math!
Another time when struggling in math, Opie was told by Miss Crump to blow off his homework and go play football after school. Sheriff Taylor wasn’t too happy to hear that.
Also, I’m not sure what vibes Helen Crump was putting out to young Opie but she inspired him to buy her a gift of black silk stockings. Hey now!
MISS CRUMP SHOWN HERE DANCING WITH OPIE SEEMED TO SPARK A LOVE INTEREST IN THE YOUNG BOY.
Getting back to Sheriff Taylor, Helen Crump was in an open and obvious romantic relationship with Andy, this despite being his son Opie’s teacher. While this is not illegal it sure smacks as being professionally inappropriate.
Finally, there was the time when Ernest T Bass was trying to get an education in Miss Crump’s class. Ernest T kept interrupting a lesson being taught and instead of sending him to the principal or having him take a ‘time-out’, Miss Crump smacked Ernest T with a ruler! That kind of move would get this teacher fired or at least suspended for a few days. Miss Crump, get yourself together.
MISS CRUMP SHOWN HERE TRYING TO DISCIPLINE ERNEST T BASS. IN HER RIGHT HAND IS THE RULER SHE’S ABOUT TO SMACK HIM WITH!
So, in conclusion– Billie Eilish is a Trojan Horse pulling scam artist, the wet teddy bear salesman needs to get smacked, “Hacks” is a funny TV series and Helen Crump was a bad teacher. O.K., everything on my mind is now off my chest. Class dismissed.
NEXT BLOG– Some things you didn’t know about me and didn’t think to ask.
Forget about loving the smell of napalm in the morning. I’ll take the sweet smell of Banana Boat SPF 30 sunscreen every time. Yes, this past Saturday Elmhurst’s East End Pool opened for the first time in over 21 months. Man, I knew I missed the water but didn’t know I missed it THAT much!
REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD! HAPPY TO HAVE MY LOCAL POOL OPEN FOR BUSINESS AGAIN.
Lots of families with their young children were on hand and every person I swam by had a big smile on their face. There were plenty of comments from folks saying how much they missed pool time and how thrilled they were that things were fully opened after the dry summer of 2020.
On Saturday I didn’t see any fellow pool regulars, (my summer family) but they often skip that day since there is no hourlong adult swim. The one downer is for this year the adult swim is only set for Mondays thru Fridays, no Sunday adult swim sessions. Personally, I don’t care if a thousand members of the Mickey Mouse club show up to swim, I plan to spend as much time in the water as possible.
Saturday was a sunny humid ninety-degree day and the cool chlorine waters of the public pool were just the antidote we pandemic stifled people needed. I didn’t go super crazy, staying in the drink for an hour and a half before heading to Mc Donald’s for a large frozen pink lemonade Slushie.
Sitting at home after my dip, I could feel a slight glow on my face and shoulders which means while protected with the sunscreen, I’m still getting some tanning color. By mid-July I’ll be brown as a berry.
NO I DIDN’T RUN INTO SCARLETT JOHANSSON OR HUGH JACKMAN AT THE POOL, BUT THE SWIM SEASON IS JUST BEGINNING.
Later Saturday afternoon I went to Sport Clips and got my annual summer buzz hair-cut. My regular stylist Britany did the cutting and it was nice seeing her for the first time in about a year. Britany had been homebound during the pandemic taking care of her two young children while her husband worked his full time job. I was going to wait until summer school ended to get my buzz cut but the weather is just too hot and sticky and I needed to get my long locks trimmed down.
YOU KNOW SUMMER HAS ARRIVED WHEN I SHOW OFF MY ANNUAL WARM WEATHER BUZZ CUT.
On Sunday I ran into a couple of the East End regulars and the first thing they asked was how my year of teaching during the pandemic went. I politely gave them the shortened version of what a challenge that deal was for students and staff. We all agreed that the important thing was we’re all still alive and back in the pool.
The rest of my time was spent taking some leisurely laps and remembering my swim strokes’ mantra. “Pick an apple, put it in your pocket, pick an apple, put it in your pocket, pick an apple, put it in your pocket.” It’s a huge relief to see everyone in their swim wear. Board shorts, gym shorts, one piece swimsuits, bikinis, tankinis, etc. Thankfully nobody was sporting tiny Speedos or the dreaded banana hammock. Whew!
I’ve got eight more half days of summer school to roll through so my swim time will probably be limited to the Saturday and Sunday regimen until Monday June 28th. That’s fine with me. It just feels good to get back in the swim of things.
A SUMMER SELFIE TAKEN BEFORE GETTING MY BUZZ HAIRCUT. I MISSED BEING IN THE WATER AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE SWIM SEASON AT EAST END POOL.
Lots of random thoughts running through my head, time to let em loose.
CALL ME CRAZY BUT…
*Panera Bread’s food is way over-priced. A close second is Jason’s Deli.
*The coolest member of the Rat Pack was Dean Martin.
*As dorky as they may look, Asics athletic shoes are super comfortable.
FORGET SINATRA OR SAMMY, THE COOLEST MEMBER OF THE ‘RAT PACK’ WAS DEAN MARTIN. BEST SINGING VOICE AND HE ALWAYS SEEMED BEMUSED BY ALL THE ATTENTION GIVEN TO THE WHOLE GROUP OF ENTERTAINERS.
CALL ME CRAZY BUT…
*I miss Quisp cereal and Olympia beer. (But not at the same time)
*If I could change one thing about myself physically, it would be to have perfect vision without glasses or contact lenses.
*Given the choice, I’d rather smell dog poop than cigarette smoke.
I MISS QUISP CEREAL. A CHILDHOOD FAVORITE FOR SURE.IN HIGH SCHOOL, ME AND MY PALS WOULD SWITCH BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN DRINKING OLD STYLE AND OLYMPIA BEER. I HAVEN’T HAD AN ‘OLY’ IN 20 YEARS.
CALL ME CRAZY BUT…
*My favorite Steve Winwood song will always be “Back in the High Life.”
*Hard as I try, Kevin Hart’s stand-up comedy and movies just don’t do it for me.
*Toe rings are the most idiotic jewelry items ever sold to women. And if you’re a guy wearing a toe ring, you’ve just lost the ‘man card’ you never deserved in the first place.
LOVE THE MELODY AND LYRICS TO STEVE WINWOOD’S “BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE.” (SO DON’T BE SURPRISED TO SEE ME BACK IN THE BRIGHT PART OF TOWN.)
CALL ME CRAZY BUT…
*I’ll never get the attraction of models, actresses and every day women sporting thong bikini bottoms jammed up their ass cracks. It looks so uncomfortable, desperate and worst of all, UNSANITARY! Most women look much better in one-piece swimsuits.
*Of the M. Night Shyamalan movies, “Unbreakable” was my favorite, even topping “The Sixth Sense.”
*The Delta Sonic Car Wash in Downers Grove does a great car scrubbing and interior cleaning. Well worth the cost, which isn’t that high.
FORGET THE THONG ‘UP YOUR CRACK’ BIKINI BOTTOMS MANY FAMOUS WOMEN OPT FOR. EVERY WOMAN LOOKS MUCH BETTER IN A ONE PIECE SWIMSUIT LIKE LOVELY AUSSIE MODEL FIONA FALKINER.
CALL ME CRAZY BUT…
*Any guy who sports the so called ‘Monkey’s Tail’ beard is a putz.
* On “The Andy Griffith Show”- Sheriff Andy Taylor’s best girlfriend was Peggy the nurse. She was the most attractive and her daddy had tons of money.
*Forget Oakley or Ray-Ban sunglasses. I’ll take my twenty-five dollar Blu-Blockers over them every day.
THE MONKEY’S TAIL BEARD IS THE MOST IDIOTIC THING A GUY CAN WEAR. (EXCEPT FOR A TOE RING)
While many people think of the first day of summer being around June 20th, I’m going with what the weather experts say. The Meteorological season of summer begins on June 1st and runs through August 31st. Then Fall happens from September 1st through November 30th and so on. In other words, summer IS here!
LOUNGING ON A RAFT IN A POOL WITH A BEER, YES THAT MEANS SUMMER HAS ARRIVED!
Like tens of millions of people, thanks to the pandemic, I NEED this season more than ever. Last year not only was my swim season at East End Pool called off but there were no movies to see since all cinemas were shut down. My summer was at a standstill. That bastard virus forced me to stay indoors and away from people for long stretches of time. I was living a solitary and paranoid life like Charlton Heston in “The Omega Man.”
Add to that, all last summer the block I live on was torn up in a funky dusty mess thanks to a project that protects almost one hundred homes from basement flooding. Four houses were torn down and a major dig happened with giant sewer drainage pipes installed, then covered over with a beautiful field of grass. That field is just waiting for neighborhood kids to come and start up games of Wiffle ball, running bases, batting practice and frisbee throws.
The first special mark of every summer for me is June third. As faithful blog readers know, that’s my favorite day in music. “It was the third of June another sleepy dusty delta day” is how Bobbie Gentry’s southern gothic song “Ode to Billy Joe” opens. We’ll never know why Billy Joe Mc Callister jumped off the Tallahatchie bridge; but that haunting song about indifference in a small town is a classic I never get tired of.
THE THIRD OF JUNE, IS MY FAVORITE CALENDAR DAY IN MUSIC. STILL, WE WONDER WHY BILLIE JOE MC CALLISTER JUMPED OFF THAT BRIDGE.
Let’s not forget that Neil Diamond’s song “Desiree” also refers to the third of June. Neil sings how he ‘became a man at the hands of a girl almost twice my age.’ That track was released in 1977, I was sixteen, and yeah, I remember thinking more about older women thanks to “Desiree.”
THIS COMING OF AGE SONG BY NEIL DIAMOND INSPIRED MY INTEREST IN OLDER WOMEN.
Next up we have the C.W. Mc Call truckers’ classic song “Convoy” which opens with, “Was the dark of the moon on the sixth of June in a Kenworth pullin’ logs, cab-over Pete with a reefer on and a Jimmy haulin’ hogs.” Schlocky song which I’m not posting to spare you the grief, but still a fun date to mark.
I’LL SPARE YOU THE SCHLOCKY SONG “CONVOY” AND JUST POST THIS PIC OF THE REBELLION OF TRUCKERS THAT HAPPENED ON THE 6TH OF JUNE.
June sixth also marks the birthday of the late great radio legend Larry Lujack. My old boss and longtime friend would’ve been eighty-one years old this year. I remember Larry telling me how ‘seventy’ was a tough age to say since it was three syllables. Eighty-one would be the same way and while I miss Ole Uncle Lar very much, I’ve got plenty of good memories with him to think of.
JUNE 6TH ALSO MARKS THE BIRTHDAY OF MY DEAR DEPARTED PAL, RADIO LEGEND LARRY LUJACK. ALWAYS MISSED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN!
East End Pool’s swim season is set to open on Saturday June 12th and I can’t wait to get back there. The pandemic related protocols the Elmhurst Park District initially planned have been lifted! It appears we’ll have a normal swim season and I look forward to spending time with my ‘summer family.’
LESS THAN 2 WEEKS BEFORE WE GET BACK INTO THE SWIM OF THINGS AT EAST END POOL.
I’m in the first week of teaching ESY (Extended School year) and the summer session ends on Friday June 25th. Thanks to carefully saving my earned days off I’m going to be taking half days for the last couple weeks of the summer session. To say our students and staff are impatiently counting down to 6/25 would be a gross understatement. As Clint Black sang, “For my day in the sun, I’ve been working til the sun don’t shine.”
“SUMMER SCHOOL” WAS A FUN LATE 80’S MOVIE AND ALSO WHAT I’M TEACHING UNTIL THE LAST FRIDAY IN JUNE.
My summer plans are simple. Get lots of time in at the pool and watch plenty of White Sox and Cubs baseball. I’ll keep a scorecard on televised games at least twice a week. Add to this, I have an AMC Theaters gift card that’s only been used once. Finally, every summer when my break arrives, I often say I’m going to get in some serious writing and then never do. This year could be different because I’ve outlined several post-pandemic short stories. If I get them written they’ll be posted here in a special section.
PEEKING OUT THE DOOR, I SEE SUMMER HAS ARRIVED!
I’ve got plenty of regular blogs pre-written. These ones aren’t time sensitive so every Tuesday you can count on a new post as I opine on music, movies and other things on my mind. The bottom line is summer’s here so let’s all get as much out of these coming days as we can.
CLINT BLACK’S “SUMMER’S COMIN” COVERS MY ATTITUDE RIGHT NOW, EXCEPT SUMMER IS HERE! “FOR MY DAY IN THE SUN I’VE BEEN WORKING TIL THE SUN DON’T SHINE.”
Warning: For those who are squeamish around bare feet, the following blog may be disturbing. (Lord knows it was hard for me to write)
The warm weather is here and it’s time to re-visit my barefoot phobia. Regular readers know about my issue with naked, exposed dogs. Facebook friends are hip to my foot aversion, often posting on my page pics of ugly feet or those novelty rubber shoes that masquerade as normal looking feet in sandals. They think it’s funny, I tolerate it but don’t need to see any more of the same.
TO MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS, ENOUGH WITH SENDING ME PICS OF THESE BAREFOOT RUBBBER SANDALS. THANKS!
Feet are the least attractive part of the human anatomy. I don’t care how ‘cute’ or ‘well shaped’ or ‘meticulously pedicured’ someone’s lower extremities are, they’re still not good looking. Now that the outside temperatures are going up, everyone is out and about in their flip flops and open toed sandals, dress shoes and all the other piggie exposing footwear.
It’s this over-exposure to bare feet that drives me nuts. Let me put it this way. Think of a food you don’t like to eat. Something that others do but it’s just not something you want to chew on. Now, picture having to eat this food many times a day. You don’t like that food but you’re getting exposed to it every time you sit down to eat. That’s the same as me seeing so many people constantly flashing their feet throughout the summer.
I get it that when at the beach or local swimming pool like everyone else, I’m going to be seen in my Reef flip flops showing my bare dogs. That’s fine. But that’s the only place I want show off mine or see someone else’s exposed heels, insteps and toes. End of story.
THIS RECENT PIC OF REESE WITHERSPOON MAKES SENSE. SHE’S SHOELESS BECAUSE SHE’S POOL SIDE. THIS IS ACCEPTABLE.
Now here’s a great example of the needless over-exposure of shoe and sock free feet. Model Christie Brinkley and her two daughters Alexa and Sailor are featured in new ads for a blue jean company. There are several photos of them wearing the jeans with their shoes on. Then, we get this pic, all three women sporting the jeans and posing in bare feet. Why? It’s beyond contrived and silly.
CHRISTIE BRINKLEY AND HER DAUGHTERS IN A TOTALLY UNNECESSARY BAREFOOT POSING PHOTO. THIS IS BEYOND STUPID AND CONTRIBUTES TO MY DISDAIN FOR EXPOSED FEET.
One disturbing trend this year is the sale of false long toenails. Toenails! Not the long acrylic fingernails that women often wear. Why the hell would someone want to glue false nails on their toes to parade around in? Are they trying to emulate predatory birds that swoop down and catch prey with their talons? I have no words for how gross that looks. See for yourself in these pics.
CAN FAKE FALSE TOENAILS BE ANY UGLIER?IN A WORD, YES, THESE FAKE TALONS ARE EVEN UGLIER. WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH THESE PEOPLE?
Two summers ago, Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood” was released. As much as I enjoyed that movie, the hippie women who followed Charles Manson were constantly shown in their dirty smelly bare feet. What a turn-off that was. Tarantino is a renowned foot fetish guy and those grotesque toe baring scenes were proof of that.
A SCENE FROM “ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD.” IF I’M BRAD PITT, I KICK THIS DIRTY FOOT FLASHING HIPPIE CHICK OUT OF MY CAR ASAFP.
One ally I have in my foot phobia is WGN Morning News anchor Robin Baumgarten. Robin and I could have a ‘hate-off’ of bare feet and toes and it would probably come to a tie. The Morning News crew often notes Ms. Baumgarten’s feet fears and they’ve played a parody song I put together with my pal Al Flash. I took the old song “Barefootin” (gross, I know) and turned it into “Baumgarten” as we addressed her disgust with naked lower extremities. So, enjoy the tune, welcome the warm weather and for God’s sake, cover your feet! Oh, and Quentin Tarantino, get some professional help.
A TRIBUTE TO FELLOW BAREFOOT PHOBIC ROBIN BAUMGARTEN.
It was fifty years ago, Tuesday May 18th 1971 when the Montreal Canadiens broke my heart. Or maybe it was the Chicago Blackhawks who did the heart breaking since they were the team that lost to Montreal in game 7 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at the Chicago Stadium. Just writing these words gives me shivers.
At the time, I was ten years old and a Hawks fan since I was five. I never missed watching a road game on TV and since their home games were not on local TV, listening to Lloyd Pettit on the radio was my way to follow the club. This team had stars like Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Dennis Hull, Jim Pappin, defensemen Pat Stapleton and Bill White plus ace goalie Tony Esposito. (My personal hero)
THE 1970-71 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS TEAM. SO CLOSE TO WINNING IT ALL BUT IT DID NOT HAPPEN.
The Hawks clawed their way to the best of seven Stanley Cup Finals against the Canadian dynasty that already won more Stanley Cups than any other team. They had accomplished players like soon to retire Jean Beliveau, Henri Richard, Jacques Lemaire, Yvan Courneyer and tough to beat goalie Ken Dryden. Dryden at 6’4 with a large frame and cat like reflexes seemed to come out of nowhere to lead his team to a shot at yet another championship.
My dad and I went to game 1 of this series which was at the Stadium but we watched it on a big movie screen via closed circuit at the Ritz Theater in Berwyn. Landing tickets to see the Blackhawks in person during the regular season was tough and the play-offs were an impossible ticket. The Hawks won 2 to 1 in a second sudden death overtime. How good was Canadian goalie Ken Dryden that game? He stopped 56 out of 58 shots on goal!
TALL WITH QUICK REFLEXES, CANADIENS GOALIE KEN DRYDEN WAS SO HARD TO SCORE ON.
The series progressed to a 3-3 tie in games and the Stanley Cup would be decided at the Stadium on May 18th. I was so sure the Blackhawks would win that I missed listening to the first part of the game to attend our elementary school’s annual ice cream social early that night. By the time I got home, my Hawks were leading Montreal 2-0 in the second period. This was a done deal. Not so fast Mick.
Fourteen minutes into the second period Montreal’s Jacques Lemaire took a shot from outside the Hawk’s blue line and Tony Esposito missed what appeared to be an easy save. It was a freak goal. Four minutes later Henri Richard tied the game.
Then heartbreak hit. Two and a half minutes into the third period that rat bastard Henri Richard with the puck on his stick, out maneuvered defenseman Keith Magnuson, got one on one with Esposito and beat him for his second goal of the game. Montreal 3 Blackhawks 2.
HENRI RICHARD IS ABOUT TO SCORE THE GAME WINNING GOAL AGAINST HAWKS GOALIE TONY ESPOSITO. OH, THE HUMANITY!
I listened to the rest of that third period on my trusty transistor radio in the dark of my bedroom. Every time the Hawks were in Montreal’s end of the rink, I thought for sure they’d tie the game and bring it to sudden death overtime. It wasn’t to be and when the third period ended, I was in shock.
My team, my Blackhawks lost 3-2. It was over. No Blackhawk on that team would take a victory lap around stadium ice while hoisting the silver Stanley Cup trophy above their head. There would be no drinking champagne from that chalice in the locker room. All the spoils of victory went to the visiting Montreal Canadiens. Ow!
TO THE VICTOR GO THE SPOILS, HENRI RICHARD HOLDING THE STANLEY CUP TROPHY.
A few minutes after this loss, my shock turned to anger and I trashed my bedroom. With tears streaming down my face, I jumped out of bed, turned on a light and tore the many Blackhawk newspaper photos off my walls. I flung Hawks trading cards all over the place, kicked over my desk chair and threw my little handheld radio against the wall as hard as I could. Some plastic chipped off that radio but it was still working as Lloyd Pettit solemnly did the game summary. I was overwhelmed with grief.
This loss stayed with me like an unwanted houseguest that refuses to leave. My mom and I used to frequent a local restaurant where one of the waitresses had Blackhawk season tickets. I often talked hockey with her and the first time we ate there after game 7 she told us how hard the boys tried but just couldn’t pull out the win. This was my first ever sports related heartbreak but it would not be the last. I once read how 1971 Canadian team member Yvan Courneyer talked about running into angry and dejected Hawks fans decades later. He couldn’t believe these fans hadn’t gotten over that game 7 loss. That’s easy for a guy on the winning team to say, harder for us fans to do.
YVAN COURNEYER (left) SAYS HE CAN’T BELIEVE HAWK FANS DID NOT GET OVER THE SERIES LOSS IN ’71. EASY TO SAY WHEN YOU’RE ON THE WINNING TEAM!
The good news is years later the Chicago Blackhawks won Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015. While I was thrilled at these championships, it wasn’t until the 2015 four games to two victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning that I pretty much got over that loss to Montreal. Why then? Because it was the first Blackhawks Stanley Cup title clinched on home ice during my years as a fan. That win happened at the United Center since the old Stadium was torn down in 1994 but I finally felt some vindication.
DESPITE WINNING STANLEY CUPS IN 2010 & 2013 ON THE ROAD, THE BLACKHAWKS CLINCHING THE 2015 STANLEY CUP ON HOME ICE FINALLY GAVE ME MUCH NEEDED VINDICATION.
The bitterness and hurt over 1971 is gone, but a scar remained; faded as it might be. Damn you Ken Dryden, Jacques Lemaire and Henri Richard and damn you, hockey gods for letting me go through such pain at a tender age. I learned then that things don’t always go the way you want. And it sometimes takes nearly forever to get over those losses.
NEXT BLOG- Dealing with the season of exposed feet.
RAYA IS THE APP WHERE REGULAR UNKNOWNS CAN MEET AND MATE WITH FAMOUS TV, MOVIE AND MUSIC STARS.
Actor Ben Affleck was in the news twice last week. First, Ben was seen hanging out with his former fiancée Jennifer Lopez, who recently split from former baseball star/fiancée Alex Rodriguez.
However, this second Ben Affleck story is the juicier one. A woman named Nivine Jay posted a video saying Affleck DM’d her on Instagram after she ‘unmatched’ him on the Raya dating app. Raya is an exclusive platform where celebrities look to hook up with attractive non-celebrities. It’s Tinder for Tinseltown.
A LOVELY BUT UNKNOWN WOMAN SHARED WITH THE WORLD HOW SHE REJECTED INTEREST FROM ACTOR BEN AFFLECK.
Then we learned “Friends” star Matthew Perry was spotted on Raya trolling for a date with a lovely young woman. How young? Well, the woman was 20 and Perry is 51. Hey ‘Chandler Bing’, could you BE any creepier?
You might wonder what movie and music stars need to use a spot like Raya to get a romance going. Ask Sharon Stone, Channing Tatum, John Cusack,Teri Hatcher, Elijah Wood and Zach Braff. All of these celebrities have reportedly looked for love on Raya.
Famous people who have everything good going for them scouting an app for dates? Weird, I know.
Getting back to Ms. Nivine’s rejection of Ben Affleck; apparently, she didn’t believe the Ben Affleck on Raya was the REAL Ben trying to hook up with her so she rejected of ‘un-matched’ him. Then Ben posted a direct message to Nivine Jay asking, “Why did you un-match me? It’s me!” How sad for an Oscar winning A-lister to be whining and pining because some stranger rejected his interest in her. What line do I often quote about ‘desperation’? “It’s the world’s worst smelling cologne.“
Thanks to Raya, everyday people can meet up and even mate up with famous stars. But to get into Raya, you need to be INVITED to the platform by a current member of the dating app.
I doubt I’ll ever make it on the Raya Celebrity Dating App. BUT, if I did, here are just a few of the famous lasses I’d hope were also on the platform. Women I’d make a play for in no particular order.
KATE WALSH- I remember 53 year old Kate from the Drew Carey show and the quirky “Bad Judge” TV series, but never watched her in her biggest role, playing Dr. Addison Montgomery in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice”. My interest in Ms. Walsh? First, she’s tall, attractive, great eyes and smile. More important, anytime I’ve seen her doing a guest shot on a talk show or game show, she shows a confident and fun persona. This celebrity appears to ‘get it’ and doesn’t take herself too seriously. Add to this, Kate Walsh is a lifestyle products mogul, selling perfumes, candles and other girly items under the cute moniker “Boyfriend.” She’s only been married once but the rub on Kate Walsh is despite being born and raised in the USA, she now lives in Australia. That’s quite a way to go for a date but hey, I’m not adverse to taking a long distance journey.
ACTRESS AND BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR KATE WALSH HAS IT ALL. GOOD LOOKS, HUMOR AND AN ENGAGING PERSONALITY.
JENNIFER GARNER- With Jennifer’s ex-husband Ben Affleck trolling Raya, why shouldn’t she do the same? Besides starring on the TV series “Alias” and many films including the popular “13 Going on 30”, Ms. Garner, age 49, does TV pitch work for Neutrogena beauty products and Capital One Credit cards. Add to this, she’s raising three kids co-parenting with Ben. So, what’s MY selling point to Jennifer Garner? I’m the opposite of her ex-hubby. I’m not famous, not an alcoholic or a serial dater or a degenerate gambler. Add to this, I’ve always fancied this hazel eyed beauty ever since she played that card tossing ‘Go fish’ scene with Leonardo DiCaprio in “Catch Me if You Can.”
JENNIFER GARNER AND LEONARDO DI CAPRIO PLAY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ‘GIRL-BOY’ SCENES IN “CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.” GO FISH LEO.
TERRI CLARK –This 52 year old Canadian born and bred country music star is one of my favorite singers in Nashville. The twice divorced Terri has a great sense of humor, which you’ll find in songs like “Better Things to Do,” “Girls Lie Too” and the video for “You’re Easy on the Eyes.” Full disclosure: In my country radio days at US*99, I met and hung with Ms. Clark on a few occasions. She wouldn’t remember me. I’m just another of the many radio goofs she’s met in her thirty-year music career. However, anytime I was around Terri I’d mention how she was the best Canadian export since Molson Golden. She always laughed at that line, so I have that going for me.
ONE OF THE FEW FEMALE COUNTRY STARS WHO WEARS A COWBOY HAT AND WEARS IT WELL, TERRI CLARK IS FUN TO BE AROUND.
HERE ‘S TERRI CLARK SINGING HER NEW SINGLE, “THE HIGHWAY.” WRITTEN AND ORIGINALLY RECORDED BY HOLLY WILLLIAMS, THIS SONG EVOKES HOW MUSIC STARS MISS BEING ON THE CONCERT TRAIL.
So it’s Kate, Jennifer and Terri, three potential options for me in the ‘Do you want to date a big star’ sweepstakes. I doubt any of these women are on Raya and I’m not either. But who knows what the future brings us? Stay tuned.
P.S. Some of you may be thinking, “Hey Mick, what about Bill Gates’ soon to be ex-wife Melinda? She’s going to be looking for a new man at some point. Well, something tells me Melinda’s future is going to be filled with loads of drama. I’ll take a cautious and polite pass.
