Peaches Day Tomorrow

Happy Thursday. My dad and I are heading up to Rockford (Illinois) tomorrow for some of the celebration of the Rockford Peaches' professional women's baseball team. The team's 75th Anniversary. I am sure that we will head over to Harlem Cemetery to see mom's new headstone too.

That's my bat girl mom on the left

I learned that a photo of my mom, as a Rockford Peaches' bat girl, appeared in today's Rockford Register Star newspaper. I will have to try to get a copy or two of the paper but I did see it on the newspaper's website so I know it to be true. I tried to print it but the file was too large. It is the same picture that I found when my dad and I were up at the Peaches' stadium Beyer Field months back.

I was gone for a while and now I am back. Jill and I went over to Fatty's for dinner. One thing that I really like about our town is that we are, for the most part, a very welcoming people. There are a few people who live here that I know who are, mildly, disabled. Many of the businesses will let them stay at their restaurants or musical venues while they are open... and buy nothing. They also give them complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and appetizers sometimes. There are many things that I don't care about in this city but this kindness makes up for most of those transgressions.

Don't worry. That asshat Trump is not on the show

We're home now and watching the new season of Arrested Development, Semi-Original Series on Netflix. What a funny show.

I think I want to make the blog more of a vehicle that makes a difference in the world rather than just my nonsense with the occasional making a difference by accident now and again. I am educated in journalism so that would make me feel like I was finally gaining back some of that Guaranteed Student Loan money that I had to repay? I did work for newspapers, radio and televisions stations and now I wish I would have kept that going with the low pay that may have lead to bigger money. So many cross-roads in life.

Why do we call ourself America? Maybe we are not "united" states?

Oh my, the St. Louis Cardinals game is on so I may have to go upstairs and listen to that. I will fall asleep before the end of the game, I am afraid. It was nice listening to the game yesterday while mowing the lawn. Noah and I will be at Busch Stadium in 13 days to see the game. Then, two weeks after that, Cha Cha and I will be in WAYYY Northern Wisconsin with no phone (signal), no lights, no motor cars, not a single luxury. It will be fun and relaxing. I guess we will be a bit northeast of St. Paul, Minnesota. Maybe we will defect to Canada. I really, really love Canada and I am really tempted. I hope you have room for us Lawrence!

If you have any ideas for me to turn this into something more helpful to the Earth please let me know. I am open to anything that is legal to maritime (or any time) law. Thank you so much for coming by. I may blog tomorrow but I can not swear to that given the dance card. TTT?...MITM (out) YA!

What a Muddy Day

I am so glad that my weekend is here even though I have had a pretty busy day. On top of that I got time-and-a-half for my 12 hours yesterday being whatever holiday it was (Memorial Day I think). I knew that it was going to rain today so I mowed the lawn this morning and then I went over to Lowe's and got: some more sod (only four rolls this time), three bags of decorative river rocks, a bag of black dirt and some grass killer for where the rocks are going to go. When I got home I added some of the black dirt to the area where the sod was going so that it was level. I rolled out three rolls of the sod and it started sprinkling while I laid the sod. As I was finishing the rain really let loose so I did not even have to use our water to water the area; mother nature did provide. I am happy that the rain began because I was pretty tired and looked forward to a bit of rest. Man, was I a filthy, muddy mess. Now I am all showered and shaved and feel tired and hungry. Jill is picking up Portillo's on her way home. I am getting the usual - chopped salad with no back and no pasta.

It is already 17:29; man this day flew by. Don't the weekend days go by more quickly than the work days?

I watched Rocky this morning and I am watching Rocky II now. I think they pretty much went down hill after this one. I did find Hulk Hogan (Thunderlips) and Mr. T (Clubber Lang) entertaining - like circus performer entertaining. I may see if Paradise Alley is on one of the ROKU channels that we have. I have no idea why I am in a Stallone mood today. I also love the that The Penguin (Burgess Meredith) is Mickey.

The 75th Anniversary of the Rockford Peaches women's professional baseball team began today in Rockford. I may go up there tomorrow and Friday but I am not sure about Saturday. I will see if Fabio has to work tomorrow and maybe he can go with me or us. I am going to try for Saturday because I think that is the only day that Splenda will be able to go. I have a childhood (Life-long) friend coming up here from Kansas City on Saturday and then I will probably head up there again. I am glad I did not go today because of the rain.

I wish that damn salad would get here.

I don't have much more on my mind because I am tired, I believe so I am going to wrap it up. I will probably blog sometime tomorrow depending how the Rockford trip goes. I will call my dad in the morning to see if he wants to go too. TTTT (probably)...MITM (out) TA!

Badges, I'm Gonna Show You Stinkin' Badges!

Happy Saturday or, as I like to call it, Happy Sunday! I guess I don't actually LIKE to call it that but since Sunday is my Monday I do just out of respect of the days of the week. Someone, somewhere in history, decided that we had to name the days of the week but I can make my own rules on those names as I see fit. Plus, today here in the MIDDLEwest it is sunny.

I finally got my $25 check yesterday for  serving one day as a juror that eventually lead to the sentencing of a man to 90 to 450 years in prison. He MUST serve a minimum of 100 years. So, why not just say that rather than doing the whole "90 to 450 years" deal? He is already 55 years old so I presume he won't even live long enough to serve the 90, let alone living another 450 years. Speaking of criminals, this morning I watched movie about the Zodiac Killer on HULU called Awakening the Zodiac (2017). It's pretty much fiction following many of the facts about the 1960's murder spree in the San Francisco area. It does include many of the facts of the case as well, of course. The original Dirty Harry movie was based on the Zodiac murders and case. I do think, however, that the 2007 movie called Zodiac was better I know I mention these kind of movies all the time but that is what I am into right now.

I think I like these movies because I have always liked the old television shows like: Beretta, Adam 12, Starsky and Hutch, Columbo, The Streets of San Francisco, Hawaii Five-0, Barnaby Jones, Rockford Files... I have always been intrigued by police and detective work. That is probably part of the reason that I am so nosy a lot of the time. I can tell you most of the comings-and-goings of  the people in our part of the neighborhood. For instance, this week alone, I can tell you who is having yard work done, who appears to be going on a trip/vacation today, who has hired people (most likely for cash) to re-shingle their home, who is having a larger home/yard project done - I come to this conclusion based on evidence that this person is very handy and usually does many things him/herself... I am the Mrs. Kravitz of the neighborhood but I am sure I am not the only one. I have considered, many times, to start a private detective agency. If I am so observant and nosy (on an Olympic scale) shouldn't I turn that into a career? I think that is a tricky gig though because one would have to be able to be contacted and paid... but you wouldn't want everyone to know that you're a detective. Therein lies the rub and the crux. Would I have to hire a person to answer the phones and such?

Last weekend was Fabio's college graduation. Jill, my dad and I were sitting in the second row on the main floor. There was a large family sitting in the bleachers at stage-right (to our left / 11 o'clock). There was on man that was very disruptive off-and-on throughout the event. He would stand-up and clap when nothing was going on. He would slap and yell very loudly when one of the faculty was speaking to the graduates... he was just being a nuisance and a distraction. My guess was that he was probably alcoholically-enhanced. Eventually, all the people in the row he was sitting in and the row below him were gone. I surmised that these were his family members. One young man still sat next to him (probably his son?). Eventually, a member of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department came down and stood in an alcove near him. The man was okay for awhile and then began being inappropriate again. The Sheriff's Deputy (an assumption on my part as he may have been the sheriff himself?) went over to the man and nicely asked him to calm down. The man was quite for a bit and then bellowed again. The officer went and talked to the man again. Soon a second officer was down with the first officer who had been handling the situation. Once again, after a bit, the man behaved inappropriately again and the man was quietly and peacefully escorted out. Once he was gone all the people that had left that area earlier cane back down and were able to sit and enjoy the rest of the commencement. On the way out to get the car I notice the Sheriff's Deputy and thanked him and commended him for the way he handled the incident. It was nice to see with all of the shootings and the isolated acts of force throughout the nation right now. I feel that this current national culture has given a green light to people to misbehave with little or no punishment. I know that most people know how to behave properly but the others are ruining most things for the rest of us. Police officers are our friends and they do want to help. Just stay away from Waffle Houses. Off the soapbox now.

I just went out back and dug-up a rock path because it is being redirected. I am sweating like something that sweats a lot. I thought about a sweat bee but I doubt that they sweat; I think they just like to sting us while we are sweaty. However, I am not a sweat bee expert nor do I claim to bee be. I don't need to be sued by the sweat bee's union.I really am sweating profusely. Can you do other things profusely like: dancing or farting or blogging...? I just like the word profusely and how often to we get to use that word?

Last night Jill and I went out for dinner and drinks with some of my friends since I was in fifth grade, I think. It was a great time`and we will do it again.

It is almost 14:00 now - geez. Oh yeah, the neighbor is getting his pool ready for summer.

I am going to end now and get out of these sweaty clothes. If you are sweating in your clothes aren't they considered sweat clothes no matter whether if it tuxedo or a swim suit? TTT (probably Wedensday)...MITM sweating OUT ~ TA!

A Blog You Will Forget For The Rest of Your Life

That's an odd spot to place that CBS logo

Did you hear about the sinkhole at the White House? I guess there is one on the outside of the White House too now(ba-doom-ching)   - ROFLMYO. Melania is tunneling out methinks.

I mowed the lawn again last night and the sod is coming in nicely in the backyard until we get a sinkhole out there from me over-watering it. Speaking Blogging of that I had better go out and turn the sprinkler off. Sprinkler off now.

I watched a show on Netflix early this morning called Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest of Your Life. I have always found the two of them hilarious. I wonder if Chevy Chase was busy because they were just missing one of The Three Amigos. He lives in New York and they did the show in New York.Did you know that his real name is Cornelius Crane Chase? I didn't until right now. He must be difficult to work with or maybe he is tired of the show business things because he: turned down the role of Dave Seville in Alvin and the Chipmunks, turned down the role of Forest Gump, panned on the role of Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters (seems like Bill Murray took all the roles he turned down), didn't want to be Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, was originally supposed to play Otter in Animal House, was considered as the replacement of Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show when Johnny Carson retired... Why didn't I get a call? I would have taken any one, or all, of those gigs. I got off-topic ,a s I often do, but I found the Steve Martin and Martin Short thing hilarious.

That is Andre the Giant holding a 12 oz. beer

A few nights ago (a non work night) I drank four bottles of wine in one sitting; all in about 20 - 25 minutes. Yes, they were only 1.7 ounces per bottle but they made me feel like Andre the Giant drinking four bottles of wine and not feeling a thing. Did you also know that Andre the Giant drank 14 bottles of wine (the regular sized ones) before he fought Hulk Hogan at Westlemania 3? I know I told you about my real life encounter with Andre the Giant so I will not mention it again.

I have been listening to a Cleveland radio station every night when I go to sleep. The only exceptions are if the St. Louis Cardinals are playing. The station I listen to from Cleveland is 98.5 WNCX. I listen to the Cardinals on KMOX radio St. Louis. I am so grateful for the technology to have the APPS to be able to do this. I use the MLB At-Bat APP for the Cards' games and I use the Radio.com APP for the various radio stations around the globe. I suppose I am regressing to the days when people sat around and "watched" the radio. That reminds me that I still have not received my tickets for the Cards' game next month. I called the box office and was listening to MUZAK for a bot over an hour (while doing other things, of course) and finally gave-up. I was told that they would be mailed between seven and 10 days from when they were ordered. I am right in that window but I am a worrier so I worry. I will check the mail box again when I go to the curb to get the garbage cans. Ha, now I am listening to Cleveland's Star 102. I think I am subconsciously listening to Cleveland stations because that's where The Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame is located? The commercial are weird because none of them apply to me not being in Cleveland with Drew Carey. Cleveland Rocks! Now, after adding that link and watching it a few times I cannot get the song out of my head. Isn't that called an ear bug or something? I was going to say earwig but that is something totally different.

Now I am missing The Drew Carey Show. It was a silly show but that's how we escape the realities of day-to-day stresses isn't it? I am so nostalgic about everything. I imagine that is a good thing but I may just want to think that to ignore my many neuroses (the plural form of neurosis I think).

I am going to end now because the washer and drier finished simultaneously which is a definite sign of something. I still have one day off of work after today so I will write again tomorrow. I hope you have a great day and night. TTTT...MITM 9out) TA!

Not So Uplifting Today

I am starting to believe that most sleep issues have to do with television. Why don't television stations sign-off anymore? I majored in Radio-Television and I realize that shows now, with the advent of cable television and satellite television..., they entertain the entire world and we have many different time zones around the world so the shows just play on. I predict that, within the next ten years, television will be very different than it is now. I bhink everything will be a la cart. That is pretty much all we have at our house now with Roku and the things (channels/stations...) that we have added like: HBO Now and Pluto TV and Netflix and Amazon Prime television... In addition to those, and many other channels, we can order movies and shows right from the couch with the remote. Many can be rented or purchased. We also can order Redbox movies right on the television rather than having to worry about getting the disc back in time and being charged extra days.

I am going to stop for now and take care of some more bills before the mailman arrives. Mail has changed a lot over the past few years too hasn't it? With the devices that we hold in our hand and in our pockets and purses... being the main ways that we communicate most often.

I feel very badly for the people that are being targeted by many law enforcement agencies throughout our country. The most recent one (that we have heard of) Milwaukee Bucks' basketball star Sterling Brown. His only crime, that I saw, was that he was blocking a couple of handicapped parking spaces with his car at a Walgreen's. I agree that he was wrong (and he eventually did receive a ticket for that) but being tazed while he was cooperating was very excessive. I realize these are isolated incidents and most law enforcement agents (officers, chiefs...) are not like this and we are fortunate to have them when we need help. I worked for a police department for several years and I have many, many, many friends who serve their communities tirelessly who work very long hours to make sure that you and I are safe. Please do not focus on the bad ones that the news covers. Just like every job there are going to be good and bad people performing tasks.

I heard that Donald Duck Trump has backed-out of the meeting with North Korea. I am certain that he backed-out because he knew that Kim Jong Un was going to back-out and he cannot accept any kind of disagreement with him and he thinks this make him look strong when, in fact, it further shows his idiocy and jumping to false conclusions. According to him the Obama administration wire tapped Trump Tower before Trump became President. I hope this He now is saying that there are spies in the FBI and Justice Department and he is calling it "Spygate." He cannot admit that he is way beyond his depth. I so hope he is shown the door very soon. Should we start a pool for when World War III begins? I guess we won;t be here to collect if we win so, NO!

There is also the news of the NFL making players kneel during the National Anthem before the games. They can stay in the locker room until the song is done but if they are on the field they must place their hands over their hearts... I always sing the National Anthem when I am in a situation that the song is played but I TOTALLY accept that people have the right not to stand or sing.

I am so happy to see women winning political positions around the country. I hope that trend continues and they win larger and larger positions in our government. There have been many good and very bad women and men holding public office positions but something needs to change and I feel this could help.

Sinkholes, volcanoes erupting... our world is angry and many people are paying the price.

I am going to end now because I am getting myself worked-up. I hope you have a great rest of your day. I think I will blog agaon tomorrow and I will try to be more up-beat. TTTT...MITM (out) TA

Memories -Transistor Radios and Books

I am multi-tasking right now. I'm listening to the St. Louis Cardinals game on my transistor radio cell phone MLB At-Bat APP, I am writing this blog, I am watching Fahrenheit 451 on HBO Now, I am making my grocery list... I kind of miss those little transistor radios. Every generation has these romantic memories, I suppose, whether it be listening to show on the radio or just playing checkers. I am a romantic and I appreciate all of those things. I really like this new Fahrenheit 451 as I liked the book back in the day when we read it on school. Would it be ironic to burn Ray Bradbury's book?

I am going to return my books to the library today. I will pay my 60 cent late fee too. The irony that I am watching a movie about book burning is not lost on me. I am probably one of the last (not the last, thankfully) generations to love books. Most things like reading, these days, are done on a laptop or a tablet or whatever student use these days. I guess I sound like one of those "back in my day" fogies, That is probably because I am one of those fogies.

I woke up in the MIDDLE of the night last week and could not get back to sleep. Thankfully, it was not a work night or I would have had a tough time the next morning. So, I turned the television on and one of my favorite show from when I was a kid was showing. I don't know why I loved Thunderbirds so much but maybe it was because I was a budding ventriloquist with my Howdy Doody ventriloquist dummy. Why were they called dummys? The Thunderbirds were not ventriloquist dummies but they were a close cousin being marionettes. I think Clutch Cargo was kind of a marionette show too but they were kind more of cartoons. Maybe they just seemed like marionettes because they walked weird and had human lips with their cartoon characters. Perhaps they were the cross-overs?

It's a bit after 17:00 now and I am back from all my errands. I also stopped at the library and returned my three books and paid my 60 cent fine. I am no longer in fear of being in library prison. Going to go mow the front yard really quickly and I will finish this while dinner is in the oven. I am going to make chicken garlic parm.

It is now 17:38 and the front yard is mowed and the chicken is in the oven. I tried to set the oven to 451 but it didn't go that high. That's nice to know, actually.

Tomorrow I will probably mow the back yard though I would not mind if it rained and I were unable to do that. While I was out I had to buy a new pair of reading spectacles. I believe I left the ones I had in training school when I was training some new people yesterday. I will check at lost and found or maybe they are still upstairs at work at safety school? They're not prescription glasses so it's not really that big of a deal.

Okay the dinner is almost done and the kitchen is clean and the garage door just opened so that means that my baby is home so I will end. Thanks for coming by - sadly the Cardinals lost in extra innings. I will write again tomorrow. TTTT...MITM (out) TA!

HORRORscopes

My brand - cheap and delicious 

Yesterday I visited my dispatcher friends at NIU-PD. It was great seeing them again. I stop by now and again just to say hello and to catch up. I am still considering the thought of going back to work there. I really liked the job and everybody seems to want me back. For the most part, I believe it is up to me to decide for sure. I also have to check with human resources to find out what I need to do to go back. I also wonder what days off I would get. Last night I drank a bottle of moscato. I sleep like a baby when I drink some wine and then take some melatonin. The sleeping pill helps too. I know that I probably should not mix meds and libations. I woke up this morning so I guess I am doing it right. I did sleep a bit longer and sounder than usual.

I have today and tomorrow off of work and then back to the grind for three days. Tomorrow is Fabio's college graduation. I talked to my dad and he is coming for the festivities. Knowing Noah, he won't want a graduation party.

If you have Netflix and you're not squeamish I recommend MINDHUNTER. It is not very visually violent (for the most part) though the mind makes it worse than it seems to be sometimes. The series is based on real-life FBI cases like: Charles Manson, Ed Kemper, Richard Speck, the co-ed killer, the BTK Killer (bind, torture, kill)... and how the FBI solved them and how this changed the way that major crimes have been investigated and solved since. I had watched it before but I started watching the episodes again; I finished season one again last night. I guess season two will be coming out soon. I love series/shows like this one. It is basically about how two FBI agents changed the way that criminal science has gotten into the psychology and changed law enforcement crime solving. I also like the background soundtrack; it reminds me of all the songs I loved in the 70's and 80's.

Oddly, I turned on the television for some background noise while I cleaned the kitchen after MINDHUNTER was done, and Dirty Harry is on the Roku Channel right now. Weird! This movie is loosely based on the Zodiac Killer case; this dude's name is Scorpio though. I wonder why they chose that one over all of the other astrological signs? I realize that my sign would not work; the Virgo Killer isn't too frightening. I am not much of a nightmare kinda guy and, if my dreams do turn tonight, I have learned how to steer my dreams in whatever direction I wish. It took me a long time to master that craft. It is pretty cool.

Scorpio probably is the best sign for this

I think I am going to eat lunch at a bar today and just eat at the bar. For some reason there is something romantic about that to me. I watch too many movies. Nah, I probably won't do that after all. It's less expensive and quicker to just go to the supermarket and get something to eat here.

My doctor's office called this morning to remind me of a doctor's appointment that I had scheduled (months and months ago) for next week. When I made the appointment I was working: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays so I made the appointment for a Wednesday. When I talked to the nurse/receptionist this morning I told her that my work schedule has changed and I have to reschedule the appointment. To accommodate my days, at this point, I have to wait until September unless something else opens up. Northwestern Medical seems to run just about everything medically in Illinois (and maybe even more) now and they cannot squeeze me in somewhere for a quick check of the oil and kick the tires?

I am not sure if I will be able to blog tomorrow because of Noah's graduation and then, the next day, I have to go back to work so it may not be until Tuesday again. I am confident that you can survive a few days without my nonsense. I do know that I am going to have to go and get another bottle of wine today. I think Jill will be home sometime tonight and maybe we will go out for dinner. Or. maybe we will all just go out for lunch tomorrow after the graduation. Either way I am 86% I won't write tomorrow. I hope you have a great whatever amount of time it is before I write again. Thanks for coming by. TTT?...MITM (out) Toodles!

Are You a Yanni or a Laurel?

Mine have more squared corners (old-school) 

This morning I started off the day by going to the local government center to get Jeff's new dog tags. He had his three year vaccinations and now he is good  until 2021. I have dog tags but it sounds funny for a dog to have dog tags because, in their cases, they actually are DOG tags. Maybe human tags or man tags or woman tags sounds too weird. I suppose we are kind of similar to dogs but we walk upright and don't eat our own feces. I might start wearing my dog tags again just as a bonding thing with Jeff.

I keep thinking this and hoping this - I do not think Donald Trump will be able to complete his first term. I may even start to meditate about it as I am not a praying person. I would like to talk to my dad about what he thinks about his beloved Trump but it is just spitting on the wind. I will see him in two days for Fabio's college graduation but I will canker sore the hell out of my tongue with all of the bites.

It is so funny to hear all of the questions about the Royal wedding. I bet (no pun intended) that they are wagering on who will walk the bride down the aisle. I cannot remember this much royal hubbub since Princess Diana's wedding to that dude with the big ears. I think it is cool that there will not be any world leaders at the wedding. I am waiting for the call that I have been selected in a lottery to walk Meghan down the aisle. I think the smart money is going to be on her mom (mum) walking her down the aisle. I bet Elton John will be there.

I have to get caught-up on my Jewel Monopoly pieces. I am hopeful that I have the one piece that we need to get the million bucks. I think that the game ends at the end of this month. I am not going to go out of my way to go there just to get more pieces. My dad said he will bring some here on Saturday. I suppose that, if we win with one of his pieces, cutting him in would be the ethical thing to do. Sadly, I have ethics and I will cross that dilemma should we have to cross that Boardwalk.

More tragedy and danger among airline tragedies. Maybe we were a lot safer during covered wagon days? It is so sad to hear about people losing loved ones in things that seem to have been avoidable had the flight crews and/or ground crews, mechanics... done the proper things. I have always loved flying but I think I would drive to Russia rather than driving.

Guess which one he hears. He has trained ears!

I am watching the news while I type and I just now learned about a Dixon, Illinois shooting. The seniors were in the gym practicing for graduation. Ronald Reagan was from Dixon. I am not coupling with his shooting with this shooting I am just stating a famous person from Dixon, Illinois. Maybe home schooling will make a big comeback now? Many of the home-schooled people that I have known seem a bit introverted and/or socially awkward but I have never heard of a home school shooting. I am not advocating home schooling but I am not denouncing it either. People are different and one way may be the right choice for some and other ways are the correct choice for others. I just know that I had a lot of friends from my school years and, for me, I believe it was the right thing for me.

The Yanni vs. Laurel debate is a who cares moment for me. Okay, I hear Yanni at first and then I hear Laurel over and over again after that. It seems to go back and forth for me, Here is A LINK in case you have no idea of what I am talking about.

Alright, I have to get some things done so I will end now - my days off start out one way and always end another way. Thank you for stopping in; I always appreciate that. TTTT...MITM (out) TA!

FAKE BLOG!

Not a successful businessman or husband - FAKE DAD!

I haven't blogged in five days and now it is 15:34 on this day already. Three of those days were my work days and we celebrated celebrated Mother's Day on Saturday. I apologize for not wishing YOU (yes, YOU) a happy Mother's Day. You (yes, YOU) are one of the best mothers that I know. I can say that because I would not be friends with someone who wasn't a good mother if, in fact, they are a mother. I cannot say that about some of the father's that I know. This was the first year without my mom on a Mother's Day. Father's Day is on the 17th of June and I will be working again on that day so happy Father's Day to the fathers that I know that deserve to be celebrated. Now I think of poor Eric Trump for some reason. And Tiffany now too. And now Barron. Those poor kids, I cannot even imagine.

Oh, I have to call my dad quickly to let him know about Fabio's college graduation day next Saturday before I forget again. Talked to dad and he is coming to the graduation. Sounds like he is still getting the run-around from the IRS and everybody from my mom's dying. There wanted paperwork, paperwork, paperwork... He has people from the nursing homes and such helping him but what the hell? It;s pretty obvious that mom died from natural causes and they had joint everything other than maybe her retirement and such.

FAKE GRASS!

I mowed the front yard this morning and just finished the back before I started this blog. When I got done with the front yard I fertilized it and treated it for dandelions and weeds. In order to apply the fertilizer the grass needs to be moist. The front yard is small enough (with all of the flowers and trees...) that I could hose it down and then fertilize. So I did. When I got done with the forest in the back I laid some more sod. I only got four more rolls but I think I may need a few more to cover some of the areas that Jeff had been digging up. While I mow I always wear my red hardhat (as well as gloves and eye protection). We have lots of trees in the backyard and I always crack my noodle on one or two branches. The red hardhat saved me twice from the same branch today. I don't know what I ever did to that branch to have it try to knock me out. I bet, if I look, there are red marks on that tree.

Fake MP3 Player!

I always listen to music while I mow (my version of whistling while I work, I guess). This morning I found my iRiver, which happens to be red like my hardhat so I listened to that instead of my phone. My taste in music has not changed any at all. Maybe next time I will use my hot pink iPod Nano?

I must have odd shaped ear holes or something. They seem to be round and round earbuds fit in them very well and they stay in my ears. I have some ear buds that are kind of oblong and they don't stay in my ears. They pop out all of the time and I have to re-insert them. I have a pair of round ones that are wireless but they come out too because of the heavy receiver thingy on them. Do I need to get the old-fashioned can-type that I wore when I worked on news and television stations many years ago? I might get some of those that have the things that wrap on the top of the ears?

I think I am going to have to figure-out dinner for myself. I won't see Cha Cha again until Friday, I think. I am going to have serious withdrawals. I still have to fertilize the backyard so that is something. I am hoping for some rain late tonight to end early so I can fertilize in the morning (not me personally as I am unable to do that any longer).

Fake Baseball Players

For fun this evening I may order A League Of Their Own on Amazon Video or VUDU or Fandango Now or Sling. We already have all of those channels. I think I would go with Amazon Video first. They all will charge $2.99 and I am not sure if that is for one showing or 24 hours or what? I may just read one of my library books? I bet I can order A League Of Their Own on Amazon Prime and have it forever? I checked and I can order a double DVD of A League of Their Own and The Natural for $9.99 and have it here tomorrow from Amazon Prime, which we are a member of. Would I watch it over and over again? We have a DVD player built right into the radio/CD  player in the JEEP so I could just go watch it in the garage if I wanted to. I could get some popcorn and pretend that I am at a drive-in theater, Decisions, decisions. I now I would just fall asleep but, since it was purchased and not rented I would have the option of watching it later.

That makes me think (it does happen sometimes) - we still haven't gotten our tickets for the St. Louis Cardinals' game for next month. And I haven't gotten my $25 check from jury duty yet. The junk mail sure finds it's way here though. Okay, I am done and I may blog tomorrow because that is how I roll. Have a great night and thank you, as always, for stopping in for my shenanigans. TTTT...MITM (out) TA!

"Thank You for Coming" - how odd

It's almost 1 PM and I turned the furnace on here. The air conditioner had to work overtime for the past few weeks and now the lazy furnace can pitch in and help. Right now it is 49 degrees outside. That is not cold but it isn't Springtime weather.

And he told we jurors "thank you for coming"

I told you about my jury summons and the day (Monday) that I spent watching television and getting paid $25 (check still forthcoming) for nothing after hearing all of the charges and "meeting" the defendant, the lawyers, the bailiffs and the judge. I have been keeping a close eye on the case in the local paper (mostly because I am nosy and I wanted to know if my hunches/impressions were correct. I learned that most of the jury was made-up of female jurors (probably because women are smarter than men and they can make better, more rational decisions - so that was smart). If you wanted to know what I told Cha Cha was "worse (that murder) in my mind" I will add a link to the newspaper and, as you can imagine, it is the lead story but be sure you want to know one of the worse things than murder - HERE IS THE LINK. It might ask you to sign-up for the paper but you can read enough of it to get the gist. The bottom line is that this guy was sentenced to 90-450 years in prison with a minimum of 100 years. I am sure he will not enjoy prison as, even among most incarcerated men, even among most incarcerated men, what he did was , (in my words), "worse than murder - in my mind."

Yesterday the people who were supposed to be here with the mulch never showed up. Jill called them this morning and the guy said something like there was not enough money in them to come her for Rockford. He said something about her sending photos of the yard and he would get back to her. She called someone in town and they are coming out to look at the yard and give her an estimate. I have done it ever other year but I suppose I didn't do a good enough job? I will keep that up. My ear buds fall out over and over again when mowing. I even tried two different pairs. My ears must be oddly shaped. At least I got the yard entirely mowed before today's rain.

I have not feeling well but I think it is just a slight bug from the temperature fluctuations. I am run-down a bit and it may be that I have not been sleeping very well, as usual. Is it Autumn already? I think I missed summer but that's okay.

One of my bosses quit on Monday. We're not sure why but we were all told toward at the end of our second break. I will find out why because I have been a journalist for many years, worked at the police department and, as I have said and as you know, I am nosy, nosy, nosy. I am not much of a gossip but I just want to know everything that I feel that I should know and that is everything. I am a know-it-all wannabe.

I have been watching a movie/documentary called Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon on Netflix while writing this which is why this us taking so long,; not that you would know how long this is taking me. I had always liked Saturday Night Live, Second City Television (SCTV) amd The National Lampoon and this is pretty much about how they all got started and kind of morphed into SNL.

Wow, it's almost quarter after two now so I should end for today. I will probably blog tomorrow but Splenda and Andy and Fabio are all coming over tomorrow, I think. It may be Sunday because that is the actual Mother's Day day but I think Andy and Chloe are staying over night and they work quite a bit further east than here. I hope it is tomorrow because I work on Sunday. This will be the first year without my mom on Mother's Day. Okay, have a great rest of your day and I may blog again tomorrow but that depends on the social calendar and the information contained earlier in this paragraph.

Thank you, as always, for giving me a reason to stretch my fingers on this keyboard. TTTT (probably)...MIYM (out). If I don't get back here tomorrow I wish all of you mothers a very happy Mother's Day.

House Arrest and Licking

It is 14:04 already and I am still under house yard arrest waiting for the mulch, and the mulchers, to arrive either today or tomorrow. While waiting I mowed the backyard. If they do not come today that means I will be under yard arrest again tomorrow also. Makes me happy that I have four-day weekends.

I went to the library yesterday and got the three books from three other libraries. I got: Black Gun, Silver Star from the Kankakee Public Library, Kammie on First from the Malta Township Library and A Game of Their Own from the Rock Island Public Library. They are all due back by May 30th. I mention the due dates because, when I checked them out, the receipt said that I have an outstanding balance of 60 cents. I am a library scofflaw. I did not pay the balance because I did not have any cash. So, I will take in some change when I return these at the end of the month. I thought the buzzers were going to go off when I walked through those scanner things but they did not.

I finally finished the book that I got for Christmas from Splenda, Lincoln (a novel) by Gore Vidal. It is a very good book. I may be going out on a limb here but I think Abe Lincoln was a better President than what we have right now. Anyway, Black Gun, Silver Star is a book about Bass Reeves who was a frontier Marshal. He is the real man that they based the Lone Ranger character on. And, of course, since our country was still a closet racist country when the show was on Clayton Moore (a white man) portrayed him in the television show. And then, in 2013, Armee Hammer played him in the movie and Johnny Depp was Tonto. At least Jay Silverheels, who played Tonto in the television show, was really Native American. Since Reeves was African American he lived among Native Americans who accepted people more than the white folk and Tonto was based on a sidekick of Reeves'. Perhaps he had different sidekicks based on situations? Maybe The Lone Ranger wore a black mask on television and in the film to honor the real Lone Ranger?

The other two books are about the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). I suppose, when the league was started during World War II, women were still kept down then like African Americans and Native Americans were during The Lone Ranger's days. Our country has come a long way baby but, I am afraid that, we will never be totally un-biased when it comes to: race, gender, religion, creed... in the world. Most of us, I hope and believe, are not prejudice but there will always be the people that are prejudice in one way or another. That thought makes me sad.

I have become obsessed with the AAGPBL. I guess finding that photo of my mom at the Peaches' baseball field flip a switch in me. I cannot wait for the celebration at the end of the month. I am considering putting the book that I am working on hold and write a story about women's baseball. There are books, obviously since I just checked two out of the library but there should be more. Of course, if I write and publish a book about women's baseball I will dedicate it to my mom.

I am still watching a lot of The Beverly Hillbillies, now and then, and Paul Winchell played a guy named Homer Winch. I could not place the face at first but he sounded like Tigger from the Winnie the Pooh movies and it was easy to know who it was after I heard his voice. I could also hear a little of Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff  as well  as other cartoon characters in there.


I saw a news report about a Boston Bruins' hockey player named Brad Marchand who is constantly licking faces of opponents. What the hell is that? Has been warned by team and the National Hockey League (NHL) to stop but he continues to do it. People in the crown hold up signs that say thinks like, "Hey Marchand, Lick This!"

It is almost 15:20 so I am off to accomplish something else. I may start by clipping my toenails. I hope you have a super rest of your Thursday. I will be able to blog again tomorrow because I will be here reading and waiting for the mulch people to show up. It better not be raining. Thank you for coming by and do not let people lick you unless that's what you're into. I cannot believe NHL players don't knock that dude out. TTTT kemo sabe...MITM (out).

May the Blog Be With You, Always!

well, that's a fine kettle of mulch

Holy Moly, it's already 12:52. I have gotten several things done today with the main one being getting the front yard mowed. I would also have done the back yard but there are things on the clothes line and I don't want them to get full of grass stains (especially the white bed spread). Sure hope it doesn't rain before it dries. I really wanted to get the front mowed because we have a load of mulch coming either tomorrow or Friday, Jill found a company out of Rockford that delivers the mulch and then: aerates the yard, pulls the weeds and spreads the mulch all for $100. I was tired of having to lug several bags of mulch home and then have to set the bags all around the yard and then spread it but for only $100 it would be stupid to not do this instead.

I only worked three days of my three because I had jury duty on Monday. I was there ALL day and then didn't even get selected. We all heard the details of the case and then went back down to the jury room and waited to see of our names were called to go up and be drilled by the lawyers to see if we were chosen as a juror. I was there ALL day and they filled the juries (they were selecting juries and alternates for two juries). Jill has been called many times for jury duty but, even though I vote ever single election (even the stupid ones like for dog catcher and stuff and she just votes for the biggies), I this was my first time. I was not selected and I am pretty sure why I was not. On the form that we had to complete and send  back one of the questions was "former employer." I wrote "Northern Illinois University Police Department" and I am fairly sure that is why I was not chosen. So I made $25 (check forthcoming) for sitting around and listening to nine heinous charges against the defendant and watching American Pickers in the jury room because that was what was on in there. I see why I don't watch that show.

We were allowed to use our phones and such (not in the courtroom itself, of course) so I texted Cha Cha a few times. One time she wrote, "maybe you'll get a murder trial." I wrote back something like "I wish because, based on what I have already heard in the court room, In my opinion this is much worse." I am trying to follow the case in the DeKalb County Chronicle newspaper because I am nosy. Why do you think I like working at the police department for so long? I felt like I was living a John Grisham novel but I was eliminated before chapter six. Grisham is one of my favorite authors though I have many favorites.

That reminds me that I need to head over to the library to pick up some books that I ordered from other libraries. I think that is pretty cool that, if your library doesn't have the books that you are looking for, you can put in a request and have them sent over from those libraries.

I am going back to St. Louis nest month for another Cardinals' game. This time I am going with Fabio (I think I mentioned a few weeks ago) that the last to time I was at a Cards, game was in 2006 for the World Series. So, I believe that was the last time that Noah was there. The night we're going on June 13th for Star Wars' night. A portion of the proceeds for this night goes to Stand Up 4 Cancer; does that mean that the tickets are tax deductible?  I already ordered the tickets and they may arrive today in the mail. In case you are looking to take me out I will be in Home Field Box, section 148, row one and in either seat number 3 or 4. I will be the old man of the people sitting in those two seats. We even get black jerseys with the Cardinals sitting on a light saber rather than on a bat on the front of the jerseys. I sure hope it doesn't rain that night because that is a long drive for a make-up game. Hey, the mailman came while I was mowing - I will be right back. I am going to go see if they arrived today or whether it is just a bunch of damn bills and junk mail. No tickets yet and mostly junk, as usual, but there was a paper shopping bag in the box for "National Association of  Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive." That is something that we will do. In addition to buying things specifically for this it will let us get rid of some things that we thought we needed and didn't use. Somebody else can benefit from our (mostly my) impulse buying.

It is looking a little dark outside so I am going to go out and check on that bed spread before it gets washed again, this time, by Mother Nature. "It's not nice to fool (with) Mother Nature." It was still a bit moist but I brought it in anyway because I believe it is going to rain very shortly. Don't tell Cha Cha but I put it in the drier for a bit. It will be fully dried very quickly.

I should probably figure-out something for dinner. Oh yeah, last night we had Noodles & Company dishes that I mentioned a day or two ago here that use zucchini noodles rather than pasta. It was pretty good (I had the pesto with grilled chicken) and I liked it. The one criticism I would have is that there was a lot of water at the bottom of the bowl when I was done. Jill said she experienced the same thing.

Okay, the drier just buzzed so I guess that is the end of the fourth quarter so I am going to wrap up. I am sure, since I am on a four-day weekend, that I will blog again tomorrow. Thank you for stopping by. TTTT...MITM (out) TA!

Cinco de Blogo!

It already 14:08 on Saturday de Mayo. Jill has been gone most of the day to the doctor and getting her toenails of fingernails or some nails done. I have been doing laundry and various other chores around the house. Tomorrow I go back to work after having an eleven day weekend. If we are slow tomorrow and they offer to people the opportunity to go home I may do that; I like to spend as much time with Cha Cha as possible.

I contacted one of my work buddies from my previous job at the police department last night. I was curious if they have openings for me to return. I was delighted to hear that there is a position open and that they would love to have me back after a couple, or more, of years being gone. I don't know if I want to risk getting over there, working nights, just to find out that the night shift would kill me. The problem with me having to leave last time is that I was trying to work nights and stay awake more during the day too because the kids were younger. I loved the job and the pay and the benefits but I also like to be alive. Actually, I don't remember not being alive so there is nothing to compare it to. The shift would be the same as before - 22:00 - 06:00. decisions, decisions.

Of course, I start writing this and I hear the garage door going up. Guess who is home. I wonder what we will do for dinner on this Cinco de Mayo. Do you think our President celebrates Mexico's (sort of) 4th of July? I suppose, being a Saturday and all, every Mexican joint in the city will be packed. Last night we went for salads and I ended up having two bloody marys (no blue cheese olives, damn it) and five margaritas. Probably not the smartest choices given my trying to be more healthy. Bloody marys are mainly tomato juice and some salad fixin's and vodka the margaritas are a little more dangerous when trying to watch my Mattly figure.

Wow, now it's 16:02.and we had better think about getting to that Mexican restaurant (probably Eduardo's) before the place fills up. I will see if mama is ready to go. I will end again for awhile but will be back before you can say Jack Robinson. Since you just read that I guess I was wrong.

18:08 now just in case you are keeping a score card. I am going to end now and get a few more things done.Thank you for coming by and maybe, just maybe, I will blog again tomorrow even though my work week begins. TTT?...MITM (out).

Oodles of Zoodles

I think it's Friday. Yes, it is Friday "May the 4th Be With You Day" and tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo. I have been watching what I eat and carbs are a tough one to avoid for me. But, I guess Noodles and Company has something new called "zoodles" that are noodles made from zucchini rather than pasta so it sounds like Jill is picking that up on her way home from work.  I don't really care for zucchini much but I don't like to be fat even more than I dislike zucchini. I was told that you can have whatever dishes they usually offer with the zoodles rather than having the regular pasta noodles. Okay, I investigated further and you can substitute them with any of their dishes for a 75-cent up-charge.

Then, on Sunday, it's Matt goes back to work after 11 days off in a row day. I am fairly sure we will go out for Mexican food tomorrow though I bet all of the Mexican restaurants will be packed. I would say that Mexican food is my favorite food. I wonder if they'll have zucchini tortillas and chips?

My dad just called and, while I was talking to him, I looked out of the kitchen window and I see that it is almost time to begin the weekly lawn mowing fun again. The fun parts are getting swatted by tree branches and stepping in dog land mines (poop). The last time I mowed I wore my red hardhat and I was happy that I did. The front yard isn't a hardhat zone but the back certainly is one. Then, when it gets warmer, there will be the mosquitoes.

The addiction I have for the Beverly Hillbillies lately is raging on. I never cared for the movie that was made in the early 90's with: Cloris Leachman, Dabney Coleman, Jim Varney, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Zsa Zsa Gabor... However, I did think it was funny that Buddy Ebsen, who played Uncle Jed in the original television series that I am watching just about every day now, was in the movie but played another of  his television characters, detective Barnaby Jones. Did you remember that Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz? Actually, he was going to play The Scarecrow at first but Ray Bolger wanted to be The Scarecrow so they swapped roles. Then, Buddy was allergic to the silver paint of the tin man and had to back-out all together. See what being a nice guy gets you Buddy? Weeeeell Doggie! I wonder if Bolger ever felt bad about that; I know I would have.

I just learned who the most famous comedian was the year I was born. In 1963 the most famous comedian was Jerry Lewis. Buddy Ebsen was the most famous comedian in 1966. I did not go looking for this but it just popped-up on my page. Oddly, the list begins with 1963 (the year I was born). Should I have an American comic when I was not born in this country? I don't know if there are any funny people from Germany.

I am going to have to go to the store today because I have a crisis on my hands - we are out of bananas. Yes, we have no bananas! But we will have more bananas today. We have apples and oranges to hold me over during these desperate times. I even ate the last of the grapes last night. What is this place coming to? There are always zucchini noodles on the way.

I have to go start some laundry as work resumes in a few days. Be right back.

I'm back.

I was one of people who got their password hacked on Twitter. Apparently, it happened to thousands of people. Twitter says that trolls are doing this kind of thing all of the time. This reminds me of The War of the Worlds. Is it just a coincidence that this happens right after I get back on Twitter or was I the target? Maybe we should all buy a bunch of stamps and go back to the old days of mailing paper letters?

Okay, as usual I have droned on again. Thanks a lot for stopping by. I will be able to blog again tomorrow. Have a great day - the weather is nice here right now and I hope it is where you are too. TTTT...MITM (out).

A Baer of a Blog

It is almost 11:00 on Thursday and I am in a hotel room in Evanston, actually sitting at a desk, writing the blog. It seems weird and like a job when I am sitting at a desk. To make it worse there is a mirror in front of me and I keep seeing my ugly mug now and again. 


I want to warn you that if you follow my personal Facebook page that there is a very disturbing video on there about a very young child being badly beaten. I saw it and added it in hopes that someone would see it and know the person and get it to the proper authorities. One of my friends, who works in law enforcement, commented that the person had already been dealt with by the child's father and the justice system. I am not sure of any more details nor do I need any but I am glad that, in my mind and heart, the person was exposed and dealt with though I am not sure how I feel about the father dealing with the woman in like fashion. I try to think how I would have felt had I seen a video of my child being treated in this way. I know I would have freaked-out but, by nature, I am not a violent person. I will leave it at that though, as you know me, I have plenty more on my mind about it.

Time to move on so I don't dwell on this sadness and viciousness.

So, I am in the hotel room with a "late check-out" - 13:00. After I leave here I am going over to Skokie to the Old Orchard shopping center to find a rain coat for her. I am kind of her valet / bodyguard in many ways; maybe more like her Alfred and her being Batgirl or something. Or her Mr. Blackwell. I don't know much about picking-out ladies' raincoats. If I do poorly  I will return it next week.

I think I have told you that I have been watching a lot of the original Beverly Hillbillies shows on Amazon Prime. It is so funny how television has changed. I am not talking about color vs. black-and-white but more the sponsors. They show the sponsors on a billboard that the Clampetts drive by in the opening and some episodes it will Kellogg's and some episodes it will be Winston cigarettes. They will even work the two sponsors into the opening theme song and the show, on occasion. And, during the end credits there will be a photo included of a pack of cigarettes or a box of cereal. Boy, has television changed. They can't even advertise cigarettes on television anymore. I also find it amusing that they have the actor playing Jethro as Max Baer when he is actually Max Baer Jr.. Do you suppose that they were garnering more viewers by making them think that that the heavyweight boxing champion for 364 days in 1934/1935. You may also remember him as fighting James J. Braddock in Cinderella Man and losing the title to Braddock. Baer was portrayed as kind of a jerk in the film but I suppose that has been most boxers personas throughout the history of any kind of professional fighting.

 I didn't know Miss Jane smoked (Jed - not surprised) 

Last night I went and saw Avengers: Civil War with Fabio. I like the movie but I am not sure that I am entirely sure what happened. The movie was almost three hours long. My favorite thing was that Peter Dinklage was in the film and he was a giant. That amused me because he is 4'5" tall in real life. You may know him as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones. We saw the movie in 3-D. I think I would like anything in 3-D but I had not followed the series of films very closely so I was lost most of the time. It was definitely full of action and violence which were better in three dimension.

I have to wrap-up so I can get packed and checked-out and onto my raincoat shopping. I thank you, as always, for dropping in.

Tails and Cox

How am I supposed to keep track of that many characters?

It is so funny how things change so quickly. Yesterday I wrote that I was going to go to Rockford today but that has changed. Fabio stopped by and asked if I wanted to go to the theater to see Avengers: Infinity War or go to the driving range. He has a certificate for a free bucket of balls or something. I said I would be up for either one. So, he went outside and started shooting baskets. I went out and rebounded for him for awhile and then came back into the house to see what time the movie starts. The first showtime here in town is at 4PM (in 3D) and it plays in our neighboring town of Sycamore at 6:45. It is now just a bit before 2PM and the movie is like three hours long. Mind you, he has already seen it. My guess is that we will not do either one. He wants to see it at IMAX now. There is one in Batavia at 3:10. I went outside and he doesn't want to go to that showing because it is so nice outside. So I got the tickets for the 6:40 show. I will be the superhero that is snoring. Those reclining seats make it tough to stay awake.

Tomorrow I am going to go to Evanston with Jill again. I will do my usual wandering around town and finding a different place to eat. The Evanston Public Library is right by our hotel and the Northwestern University is close too. Cha Cha just texted me and she said the hotel room is free (as in no charge). I am not sure if that is because of Hotels.com or our membership in the Hilton Honors program but free is free no MATTer how it happens. Maybe they like the publicity in the blog?

I spent most of the morning reorganizing my closet. It will be nice to be able to find everything more quickly for a few weeks. I also threw out a lot of things. We are regular Goodwill and Salvation Army donors (if "donor" is okay to use in situations other than diving blood and plasma and organs and such). I give blood and plasma too. Last week I finally got all of the towels and sheets over to the TAILS Humane Society to be used as bedding for the animals there. There are a lot of great animals over there if you are in the market for a new best friend. Mostly dogs, thankfully, because I am allergic to cats.

 May 30th and June 1st - 3rd 

Summer is here and I totally missed Spring. Do we only have the two seasons now? If I were to vote on the two season that we would keep they would be Spring and Autumn (Fall). The humidity isn't too bad today but we all know that is coming soon. I may have to get the hammock hung-up soon.

I spent a great deal of time in the local library yesterday amidst all of my running around. The books that I wanted were not available at this library but I requested they be sent here from three other library branches (one book from each of the three libraries). Now he walked in and asked me a question about the movie in another town and walked back out.

I just called my dad and spoke with him for awhile. He wanted to know about the Rockford Peaches' event in Rockford in at the end of this month and the beginning of June. There is a lot going on that weekend around the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) that weekend. Here is a link if you are interested - http://www.internationalwomensbaseballcenter.org/.

I will be right back - I have to start a load of laundry. I am back which is probably obvious to you since you are reading this.

Mr. Peepers / Wally Cox

Now that I am back I think I am going to wrap this up and maybe take a short nap. Is there a no snoring policy in theaters? I paid my money so I should be allowed to sleep if I want to sleep. Do they have outlets for C-PAP machines? I don't want to have to haul an extension cord into the place.

Thank you for stopping by. I may not write tomorrow depending on when we get to the hotel and all of that business. We should have our own regular room at the Hilton -Evanston (Hotel Orrington). I was curious about what famous people were from Evanston and the list is kind of long - Marlon Brando, Oscar Mayer (yes, the hot dog guy), Seth Meyers, Kevin Cronin, Chuck Heston, Peter Uebberoth, William Christopher (Father Mulcahey), Donald Rumsfeld, Wes Parker, Wally Cox (I loved him), Tim Kazyrinsky, Jeremy Piven, Eddie Vedder, The Cusacks (John and Joan)...many more. TTTT (probably from a hotel room again)...MITM (out) TA!