Sheryl Crow / Rick Springfield? WHAT??????

The St. Louis Cardinals have advanced to the NLCS (National League Championship Series) and will face the Los Angeles Dodgers to see who will play in the World Series. I don't have to tell you who I am rooting for. My prediction of a Red Sox / Cardinals World Series is still alive. I don't care if that prediction is wrong except for one half of it - you know which half. I cannot help but wonder how Albert Pujols feels. Since he left the Cardinals for the Los Angeles or Anaheim or California Angels (you have to have a program just to remember where they are from) I think the Cardinals have been in the post season every single year. He seems like a nice fellow so I am sure he is happy for his friends. What is the deal with the California teams? Didn't the Raiders and the Rams (not counting St. Louis -ironically) continue to change their city names back in the day? ("back in the day" refers to a time in the past that I am not exactly sure of and am too lazy to Google. How lazy am I that Googling something is too taxing?)

Well,goes there goes our chance to get Sheryl Crow on Dirty Laundry Podcast. Our people have been in negotiations with her people to get her on the show when she performs here in town in a little over a week. Today a story hit that she reportedly told investigators about her knowledge of Lance Armstrong's doping in 2011. She said she spoke to feds that she saw him getting a blood transfusion on a plane in 2004 and he told her that "it was just part of the sport" and the old "everybody in the sport is doing it." She was told that she would not be prosecuted for her testimony and she spilled about her ex. Thanks a lot Oprah! I am fairly certain we will not hear from her people again. Though, this would be a cool place to hide from the media and we would post the show after she got out of Dodge. I actually heard them use that saying on Gunsmoke a couple of week's ago. I would even agree not to discuss this new revelation unless they were cool with us talking about it. It seems like we are always right in front of things but then those things are blowing by us watching us fall back in their rear-view mirrors. I will remain tenacious and a pesty dude and eventually, I hope, we will hit a bag a big one.

Two People who will probably not be on Dirty Laundry Podcast

A couple of weeks ago, before he appeared in our town, I asked Rick Springfield about being on the show and he said he "don't talk to strangers." He didn't really say that but he didn't talk to me so I guess he said it without saying it. It's cool that we get celebs in our little MIDDLEwest corn-filled town but we need to start getting some of these people on the how.

I am going to try to change things up today. I am going to take my pre-work nap from about 16:00 - 19:00 so I can see people here before I go to work. I still get about six hours in the morning / early afternoon but the dishes and laundry and lawn aren't going to clean or mow themselves. Tomorrow right after work I have to get Jeff to South Elgin by about 07:00 so he can have the procedure that we discussed on the how done. I am sure he will have the time of his life. I think he will have to wear one of those plastic discs around his neck. I will try not to make fun of him. When I had this procedure done I had a bag of frozen peas on my "area." I didn't have to have one of those discs around my neck because I am not a limber as Jeff. I sure hope, in addition to helping not get testicular diseases, this will take some of the craziness out of him. He is a total madman dog. The main reason to get this procedure done for dogs is not the reproduction reason, as Bob Barker suggests, rather it is to prevent cancers and other diseases that may occur by not getting it done.

I am gonna try to get a few more things done around here before my pre-game nap. We are gonna be VERY busy the next three days at work. I don't mind busy - actually I prefer busy. And, I get to work some OT on Saturday. Happy to see you were here again and that you listened to the podcast. don't worry, eventually we will have a huge star on the show and give them our rare form of interviewing. Have a great night (or day depending what part of the world you are reading this from). I think I will blog again tomorrow depending on the Jeff thing, sleep and work. TTTT?....MITM (chillin') TA!

Was Jesus Made Up?

LOVE ME SOME BUDDY JESUS!

Man, I wish we were recording the new Dirty Laundry Podcast today. There is a story that I just learned about that is going to be HUGE!!!!! I am talking about HUGE around the world - like JESUS HUGE (literally). There will be arguing and disagreement ... and I wish we could have been the cause of that; unfortunately, that's how you get recognized these days. By the time we record the next show and get it uploaded it will be in the midst of world-wide discussion and controversy and I would have liked to have spearheaded that craziness. I guess that one of my hopes is that the podcast gets big and we can do that for a living one day. I know that this will most likely never happen because I am not willing to risk everything we have built to do the "all-or-nothing" move. It's always easier to make that move if the "all" is closer to "nothing."

I guess I may as well tell you the story that I GUARANTEE you are going to hear about everywhere withing the next two days. An American Biblical scholar, Joseph Atwill, will be appearing in England on October 19th to show his evidence / proof that that New Testament was written by Roman aristocrats and that they fabricated Jesus Christ. He says that the evidence that he has is conclusive and proves that Christianity was started as a sophisticated government propaganda project to pacify the Roman people. He says that Jewish sects were waiting for the prophesied warrior Messiah which would have caused much more violence in the region so the Romans "invented" a loving, caring, peaceful Messiah (a compassionate belief system) so the Romans would "turn-the-other-cheek" rather than resort to violence. He goes on to say that Jesus was not even based on a real person. There will be A LOT of talk about this but you may have heard it here first. I don't think this will change things in religion but it will make people think - something that many religions and governments are afraid of. I am very interested in this story. I like all history. Anybody who knows me well knows that I am not very religious but I am extremely spiritual in that I want people to all be kind and considerate and get along; I think religion has been a great vehicle to help deliver this action.

It's kind of funny because in the most recent load of Dirty Laundry Podcast that was just uploaded yesterday we talk about how we are thinking about starting to go back to church because we like the new Pope - oh, the irony of life. He seems caring and like Jesus would have been. I am not Catholic, nor have I ever been, but I have been to more Catholic masses than any other masses in my life. I was even married Catholic. Additionally, last night at work, a discussion arose about the Higgs boson or Higgs particle and it started to get into a big bang vs. divine intervention discussion and I quickly said I was not going to get involved in that discussion. I just mentioned what the particle discovered at Fermilab possibly suggests. I guess that's why I am The Agitator. I didn't start the discussion but I was starting to get sucked in to the black hole before I wisely jumped out. I think that if there was a Jesus he was a pretty good dude and I would have liked him a great deal. I am not sure if Atwill is correct or incorrect but there will be plenty of discussions that will resolve nothing coming up. It's ironic that there have been so many religious wars fought over a dude that may have been made-up. There were never any wars started over Santa Claus (yes, I have heard the rumors that he is fictitious too).

This weekend at work is gonna be hella-busy. And, I get to work some overtime on Saturday night. I signed up because: A) who doesn't like extra $ B) I want to show them that if they keep offering it I am interested and, C) I am off Sunday so I get to rest the next day too (I don't have to wait until the seventh day for my rest). Though, ironically, Sunday is the seventh day I guess. even I rest on the seventh day.

I find it fitting that while I blog I am watching a Little House on the Prairie marathon. I am pretty sure Charles Ingalls was a real person, unless Laura made him up too, but I doubt that he was as nice as he is portrayed in this show. When I was a kid adult men were assholes and this was waaaaayyyy before that and they had no running water or decent transportation or ready-to-eat food so these dudes had to be crabby as Hell. How different would drive-up windows look in those days?

I didn't intend for this blog to turn into a "what is real and what is not" blog but, then again, I never know where it's headed when I begin and I always wonder how it got there when I am done. I think I am gonna get a few winks before work. Thanks a lot for stopping-on-in and for listening to the podcast. I appreciate you mucho. Have a great night and, what is this, Wednesday only? I was gonna say have a nice weekend but it is only hump day (for you). I will probably blog tomorrow so I can continue to whore up the podcast for those who don't get to the blog today. TTTT...MITM (off to never never land) TA!

Podcasters: Where Are They Now?

We finally recorded Dirty Laundry Podcast  a couple of days ago BUT - I know, I always  have a big but - I began editing it last night and discovered that the audio was compromised. I don't suspect terrorism or espionage. Before we recorded the show we were experimenting with two microphones to try to improve the quality of the already near-perfect show. I began editing the show and there was feedback on the voices. We sounded like two robots in an echo chamber. Our technical staff (Cha Cha) worked diligently to try to save it as it was but it could not be saved. So, there is no new show up yet and we will have to rerecord tonight. We talked about some fun things but now we will probably not talk about any of those things because they will no longer be spontaneous and won't be quite as topical. I guess I could put it up as is but I think it would give you a headache or some kind of spasms or something. But (another big but) you could try to sue us and then we would become famous and then be exposed that the suit was phony so we could become world-popular and then we'd be pariahs and be forced to be on a podcast reality show or a Podcasters: Where Are They Now show in about ten years.

I wouldn't make him have something done that I didn't try first

I probably shouldn't have started this blog because Jeff has his next appointment in two hours. I guess I don't need to shower. I love being a guy, sorry ladies, because I can just throw on a baseball cap and leave. Brushing teeth takes far less time than a shower... I think this is only more vaccinations but I wish this was for the snip, snip. He's not humping things very much but he is full of pee and vinegar. What does that mean? My parents always said that when we were kids - "full of pee and vinegar." Maybe it's "pea and vinegar?" Not really sure. It's funny how we use these words and phrases we hear as kids when we don't know what the Helser they even mean. I can honestly say I don't think I have ever used that phrase until right now and I am too big of a hurry to find out what it means but, you know I will find out because that's just how full of pee or pea and vinegar I really am. I will schedule the snip, snip today though as blog is my witness.

Tomorrow Cha Cha and I will begin to get back to the gym. We have been really busy for the past couple of weeks so have not been as diligent in our work-outs.There are always excuses and we could have gotten there if we tried since they are open 24 hours per day but we don't seem to have many hours together when we are both awake so... excuses, excuses, excuses.

I have to start getting things together for our trip to South Elgin. I could have been more productive blogging but I had to keep throwing a purple rubber football that kept coming back to me so that I would throw it again. I will let you know when the new show is ready. This was a really boring blog - sorry for that. Have a great day. TTTT...MITM (out) TA!

OT Blog

I don't mean for this blog to turn into Matt In The Middle of the Field of Dreams but, it is noon and the Cardinals and the Pirates are at it again. It is noon and game two of the NLDS is underway. The Cards won pretty handily yesterday and I figure I must have been part of that since I wrote a lot about baseball in yesterday's blog and you don't mess with what works. Why are sports' fans so superstitious? I think it is pretty much most sports but I think baseball is the most predominant. It doesn't happen often but, it's days like yesterday and today that I am happy I work nights. I like that Bob Costas is announcing too. I have always liked him.

Last night was my second of two days nights of foot patrol per week at work (Tuesdays and Thursdays). I like that I get to do different things at work. I think a great way to get burnt-out is to have to do the exact same thing every day - variety is the spice of work. I also like knowing, unless something unforeseen occurs, what I am going to do before I get in each night. It sounds like several things are going to change coming up with the recent hiring of our new boss's, boss's, boss's, boss - I will call him Chief both here and in person. I am excited for some of the changes that I am hearing may come. I am also excited that there are going to be more chances for overtime. Next Saturday I am already getting to work 3 1/2 hours of OT. Previously, with my nearly four years with the same place of employment (four separate positions / three different departments during that time), I have only gotten OT two times.

Man, Carlos Belltran is a beast in the post-season. I am happy that he is our Kraken! I blogged too soon; today's game is starting to look just the opposite of yesterday's game. The Cards are down 3-0 in the third inning - lots of time left in the game.

I have to end because I just got a call that I am being picked-up in 15 minutes and whisked away for lunch. I suppose I should get dressed. My jammies are fashionable but at my age it;s just sad to be seen in public in pajamas - it looks like senility. Thanks for stopping by - the podcast will be recorded this afternoon. TTTT (probably)...MITM (out to lunch - more ways than one) TA!

Post Season Blogging!

There is a meatloaf in the oven for all of the carnivores in this house (minus Jeff). I will include a vegetable and probably mashed potatoes.

Game one of the NLDS (National League Division Series) begins in an hour. As you can imagine, I am rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals. They have won 11 World Series. This is the Cards' third straight year in the post season; they made it all the way to game seven of the National League Championship Series last season and the year before (2011) they won the World Series. You can probably tell that I am pretty pumped. Do you think Albert Pujols is watching the game? They are playing the Pittsburgh Pirates. I have always kinda liked the Pirates but not this year. The Pirates have never been in a division series before. The last time they were in the playoffs there was no division series. I have always kind of liked the Cincinnati Reds too. I liked the Reds because of: Bench, Rose, Concepcion, Griffey (the first one), Foster, Morgan, Seaver, Driessen, Perez, Geronimo and Sparky. How cool of a name is Cesar Geronimo? And to pronounce it Say-Czar! Rose and Bench were my favorites. The Pirates was all about Roberto Clemente. After he died I wrote a paper about him in, probably, 4th grade, I wrote a letter to the Pirates and they sent me a lot of Clemente and Pirates' stuff including an autographed card. I have no idea what happened to that thing but I sure hope I find it in a filing cabinet one day. Alou and Stargell were pretty good too. The Bucs had the good Alou brother - Matty! Their real last name was Rojas... did you know that? Do you know who the fourth Alou brother was? Boog! For the Series this year I predict the Cardinals and the Red Sox. The Cards will win in six. I actually do wish my friends who are Cubs fans could experience this excitement. There are many jerky Cubs fans but I suppose that can be said about any team; I just see these jerks because I live in the Chicago area. 

I have been really tired lately. I figured it was my weird schedule and, just after having pretty much gotten used to it, my days off switched so maybe that has something to do with it? A lot of people are saying that they have felt tired lately too so maybe it is just the change of seasons. I could have a terminal disease that is just beginning and I will ignore the symptoms and will probably die when I should have gone to the doctor. Truth be told, I would rather die than go to the doctor so they can charge me for stupid crap that I don't need. I have switched back to my old doctor in Geneva, IL and have been much happier since I switched. He hasn't charged me or sent me for unnecessary crap. It is weird to find out that I am older than he is - one or two months older but, still weird. I guess it has to happen to all of us if we live long enough huh? Imagine if Doogie Howzer were your doctor. But, he is older now too I guess.

When I was a kid doctors all looked like this guy

Still no podcast recorded yet. At this point we may as well wait until Sunday and call this a week off. A lot of the stuff I had to talk about was pretty topical but now I am not so sure. Que Se Pod Se Pod. Cha Cha and I have both had a lot going on over the last week. I bet, at his point, there will not be a new show until Monday. 

The game is finally starting. I watched ESPN for the last hour while cooking dinner so, I am pretty hyped up. A pretty good start - striking out the lead-off batter. Don't worry, I am going to end it here pretty quickly so you won't have to endure my hype. 

The dinner bell is beeping (the oven timer, that is). I have to mash the taters and get the peas seasoned - I use celery salt and dill and some times those little crunchy onions. The old "season to taste" routine. Thanks a lot for stopping by. Have a great night and I may blog tomorrow - tough to tell at this point. GO CARDINALS! TA! 

Short and Short

I wish that was why my feet hurt

The government shut-down didn't stop me from working last night thankfully. My feet hurt this morning because I walked about 10 mile over seven hours but it is more of just an ache really. Aching feet is much better than a hurting bank account. Is that what they mean by "a good pain?"

We still haven't recorded the new show yet. Maybe this afternoon when Cha Cha gets home from work? This has been a really busy week. I feel like I am letting people down by not having the new show ready yet but at least it's free. If we charged for the show I would get something up even if it were just me talking. I know a few people who would come over in a pinch but I know you have grown to expect a certain whatever it is that we do and I don't like to disappoint people; it's one of my weaknesses. That is not to say that I don't let people down because I believe I let many people down every day of my life but, it is seldom my intention. I let myself down more that I let others down though so, I guess it's fair.

Remember a week or so ago I wrote about the creator of Beanie Babies being charged with tax evasion? I guess he pleaded guilty and then broke down crying in court. Dude, you don't cry. That's not gonna give you much street cred in prison. Now you are guaranteed to be some dude named Bubba's Beanie Baby. I don't usually feel bad for people like this because I am a rule-follower. I may not be rich or powerful but I am not somebody's Beanie Baby in cell block H.

I have no idea what to write about today. Is it obvious? I have idiot's block - is that redundant? I think I am gonna make this a real short one (like I haven't heard that before). I am gonna try to take a nap because when Fabio gets home in about an hour I promised to take him to Buffalo Wild Wings. I know that is real poor English but if my government can shut-down so can I.

Have a great day and maybe I will talk to (podcast) and/or blog you tomorrow. Thanks for spending a few moments with me - I appreciate you. TTTT (one way or another or both)....MITM (zzzzzzzzout) TA!

Will There Be a Blog Shut-Down?

You may have noticed that there is no new Dirty Laundry Podcast yet. You may not have noticed that too. In dishonor of the United States' federal government shutting-down we did not record the new show last night. It may have had something to do with Cha Cha missing the train yesterday and having to drive to Evanston. It actually had more to do with her driving home from Evanston because she had to drive home after driving there in the morning because she missed the train. I am not sure when we will record the new show and, then, I am not sure when I will get it edited and uploaded. Life always gets in the way of things.

It's embarrassing that our government acts like a bunch of babies. Of course, each side blames the other side and I know what I believe and I also know there are just as many people that believe the opposite of what I believe than believe what I believe. I heard on the news this morning that some state and local government people may be asked to go home too when they get to work. I work tonight and, technically, I work for the state of Illinois. If I don't get to work tonight I would appreciate it if they'd just call me ahead of time. I'd much prefer to work but if I am not gonna work don't make me come in. I guess I should say that I'd much rather get paid but it seems that nobody wants to pay anybody not to work these days. Unless you work for the federal government, ironically.

If I get locked-out or shut-down or sent home or whatever term they use for getting screwed I am going to pack up the tent and a sleeping bag and head to one of the National Parks and go camping. Mesa Verde would be a cool place to camp. If I slept at Abraham Lincoln's house I wouldn't even need a tent or sleeping bag if I get there early enough; I could sleep right in Abe's bed. Sleeping in the Arch in St. Louis would be cool too. I could wake up late and watch one of the Cardinals' play-off games right from my bedroom window (with the aid of binoculars, of course). Wow, the options are overwhelming. Mt. Vernon? Camping on the White House lawn would be eventful I bet. Imagine all of the cool places to sleep in The Smithsonian Institution- wasn't there a movie about that? That whole town is some kind of an "institution" as far a I am concerned.

 BED & BREAKFAST

I have to take the Fiat over for service this morning. I think we still have like five free services left. They say they are "free" but we all know that they are figured into the price of the car when you buy it. We're really not as dumb as they think we are. At least I get to take it right here in town now. They didn't tell us that when we bought the car in Schaumburg but that's because, even though we don't pay each time we get the service done, I believe, the dealerships get some kind of pay from the manufacturer when they perform the services. I pretty much always figure I am getting screwed by someone most of the time. I don't think that very often when dealing with individuals like you but when dealing with companies I pretty much always feel that way. We all know people who behave this way too but, for the most part, I believe people are good.

I had better start getting dressed. The car appointment is in an hour. I will let you know when the podcast shut-down is over - probably today or tomorrow. If I do get "shut-down" let me know if you get "shut-down" and we'll start our National Park Service Bed and Breakfast. Imagine fresh buffalo steaks and eagle egg omelettes for breakfast in Yosemite or lunch while sitting on Teddy Roosevelt's glasses on Mt. Rushmore. When the government gives us crap we may as well make crap sandwiches.

Have a great day. Thanks a lot for stopping-in regularly and for listening to the show if the shut-down ends. The previous shows are still there if you need a fix in the meantime. TTTT (almost assuredly)...MITM (shut-out) TA!