Job 33-36.
We're down to the nitty-gritty on Hell's Kitchen tonight. It's gotta be Danny and Paula in the finals, right? If Andrea makes it to next week, then we'll know who won- the one who's not Andrea, yes? Should be fun. I'm rooting for Danny.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday Reading
Job 29-32.
If you're 79 years old and still a party hopper, I feel sorry for you. Most people get that out of their system before they leave college.
If you're 79 years old and still a party hopper, I feel sorry for you. Most people get that out of their system before they leave college.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday Reading
Job 21-24.
It's allergy season, the 5th season. It's kind of like the 5th Beatle- it's out there but doesn't get its proper due.
It's allergy season, the 5th season. It's kind of like the 5th Beatle- it's out there but doesn't get its proper due.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Scottius Maximus Celebrity Of The Month
I'm not even sure where to begin this post. I mean, besides at the title. Which I suppose could be Celebrity Of The Year for that matter.
Sorry, Barb, this is going to be one of those "essays"!
This post is the reason I don't use tags. The list of tags for this post would dizzy everyone, not that you won't get dizzy reading this anyway.
Who decides what the tags should be on a post? Oh well. I don't care. So here we go.
St. Louis. World Series. Rock Concerts. Cassette tapes. Red Rocker. Pontiac Trans Am. Van Halen. Permanents. KSHE. The Who. Tommy Herr. Led Zeppelin. Ralston-Purina. Illinois State University. Southern Illinois University. MTV. Tequila. High school graduation.
Okay, so tags usually come at the end of a post. But, having to weave a tapestry of coherent thoughts together using all of the above is a challenge I can't pass up...
So I'll begin this post the night of my 1981 high school graduation. I attended a party hosted by a neighborhood friend I'd known since kindergarten. And there were a lot of people there I knew very well, and a lot I only knew by name. Most I would never cross paths with again for another 20 years, but that's another story for another time. This post is going to be long enough as it is.
That night I struck up a friendship with someone that lasted throughout college. Someone I had never talked to in high school. Not that there was dislike, just that we hung out with different people. But after that night, we hung out together with a couple other friends almost every night we were all home.
Anyway, he ended up going to school at ISU, a 45 minute drive down the road. Due to an interest in the theater, he ended working the lights for many concerts and productions that came to town.
I believe it was the summer of 1982 when my friend mentioned he had been up to school to do the lighting for our celebrity of the month, and said something along the lines of (that was over 26 years ago, I don't remember the exact quote) it being the coolest concert he had ever worked.
At some time during the concert, he had made a tribute to the recently disbanded Led Zeppelin, the greatest rock band in history and a Scottius Maximus favorite. So naturally this caught my attention.
So our celebrity played Led Zeppelin, played his own music, talked to the crowd...but mostly flat-out entertained everyone in attendance. Oh, and he's a patriotic guy, which is unusual for a rock musician.
I went out and bought his two most recent albums and they became a couple of my favorites. I didn't have to to buy any old stuff in order to listen to it, because my brother already had those albums.
It was around this time that the Cardinals began their drive to win the 1982 World Series. Glenn Brummer stole home that summer. And I did something that to this day I am somewhat embarrassed to admit- I had my hair permed.
You see, my favorite player on the Cardinals at that time was 2nd baseman Tommy Herr. And I just loved the way his hair flowed out from under his hat. And our celebrity of the month had a hairstyle just like it. So it just seemed natural. If one can call artificially reshaping one's coiffure natural.
The fall of 1982 not only brought the Cardinals a championship, but MTV was introduced to our house.
The original concept of MTV was music. MTV stood for music television. It was in its infancy and was a mishmash of music videos, interviews with rock and roll artists, and concert footage.
Which brings us to 1983. Our honored celebrity was once again on tour. March 13, 1983, I believe, was the date chosen for St. Louis.
Two of my friends from high school, no strangers to concerts, secured tickets and headed off from SIU to the late, great Checkerdome (named that in the '70s because of its ownership by Ralston Purina).
Unbeknownst to any of us, MTV had come calling to record the concert for their new cable network.
Once again, our celebrity received high praise from my friends for putting on one of the best shows, if not the best show, they had ever seen. Little did I know that just a short time later I would be able to view this concert on the new music television.
I finally got to see why everyone loved this guy in concert. He was wild, energetic, entertaining, fun, and best of all, he rocked.
Things were happening fast around this time. Networks were just starting to broadcast in stereo, and MTV was naturally one of the first. So they were able to broadcast the concert in stereo.
I was able to hook the cable up to my brother's tape deck, and, voila, I had a stereo recording of the concert on cassette tape.
Both the video and audio were spectacular. And, having recently purchased this new thing called a VCR in the summer of '83, I was able to record the video as well. (It was a Beta, back in the days of the video system wars, and although it eventually lost out to the VHS for some unknown reason, it was a superior product).
I still have both video and cassette to this day. The videotape is a little scratchy, so the quality of the video has diminished considerably in 26 years, but I can still watch it.
Fortunately, portions of this legendary concert are now on YouTube. I just love YouTube. In fact, I think all of the songs of the concert are posted there, although some of the artist's banter with the crowd between songs isn't. Which is okay, because I have it on my cassette and video.
It was quite a set:
1. Love Or Money.
2. Three Lock Box.
3. Baby's On Fire.
4. I Don't Need Love.
5. Never Give Up.
6. I've Done Everything For You.
7. Heavy Metal.
8. Rise Of The Animal.
9. I'll Fall In Love Again.
10. Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy.
11. Bad Motor Scooter.
12. Red.
13. One Way To Rock.
14. Baba O'Riley- encore.
15. Remember The Heroes- encore.
Young, thin and in his prime here, the man knew how to put on a show.
Know who I'm honoring yet?
A few more hints-
He is an icon in St. Louis. Has sold more tickets there than any other artist. How does a southern California kid become St. Louis' adopted son? Somehow St. Louis, particularly KSHE, helped launch his career. St. Louis loves him and he loves St. Louis. He even can be spotted wearing a Cardinals cap at times.
He helped, in some small or large way depending on who you talk to, end the 55 mph speed limit in the 1980s.
He went on to bring some stability to Van Halen after the departure of Diamond Dave.
He loves tequila and is quite the successful businessman.
He still has a solo career with the Waboritas, and is presently releasing a new CD with his new group, Chickenfoot.
He recorded another St. Louis concert with the Wabos in 2006, and this one is available for purchase as a DVD.
By now you should know that the Scottius Maximus Celebrity Of The Month for April is Sammy Hagar, the Red Rocker.
Recently, I've gotten out my old cassette tape and popped it in the stereo. That concert is great work-out music.
Here's "Red" from the 1983 St. Louis MTV concert. Incredible. Note the red Trans Am on stage.
The last song before the encore, he rocks out from high above the stage, and incredibly rattles off his previous tour stops before climbing up that contraption and jumping down. This whole concert, which can be seen in segments on YouTube, is full of stuff like this. It is quite a show.
I hope to catch Sammy the next time he's in St. Louis, God willing. I'm sure he won't disappoint.
Anyway, here's to Sammy "Freaking" Hagar. Yes, there's only one way to rock.
Sorry, Barb, this is going to be one of those "essays"!
This post is the reason I don't use tags. The list of tags for this post would dizzy everyone, not that you won't get dizzy reading this anyway.
Who decides what the tags should be on a post? Oh well. I don't care. So here we go.
St. Louis. World Series. Rock Concerts. Cassette tapes. Red Rocker. Pontiac Trans Am. Van Halen. Permanents. KSHE. The Who. Tommy Herr. Led Zeppelin. Ralston-Purina. Illinois State University. Southern Illinois University. MTV. Tequila. High school graduation.
Okay, so tags usually come at the end of a post. But, having to weave a tapestry of coherent thoughts together using all of the above is a challenge I can't pass up...
So I'll begin this post the night of my 1981 high school graduation. I attended a party hosted by a neighborhood friend I'd known since kindergarten. And there were a lot of people there I knew very well, and a lot I only knew by name. Most I would never cross paths with again for another 20 years, but that's another story for another time. This post is going to be long enough as it is.
That night I struck up a friendship with someone that lasted throughout college. Someone I had never talked to in high school. Not that there was dislike, just that we hung out with different people. But after that night, we hung out together with a couple other friends almost every night we were all home.
Anyway, he ended up going to school at ISU, a 45 minute drive down the road. Due to an interest in the theater, he ended working the lights for many concerts and productions that came to town.
I believe it was the summer of 1982 when my friend mentioned he had been up to school to do the lighting for our celebrity of the month, and said something along the lines of (that was over 26 years ago, I don't remember the exact quote) it being the coolest concert he had ever worked.
At some time during the concert, he had made a tribute to the recently disbanded Led Zeppelin, the greatest rock band in history and a Scottius Maximus favorite. So naturally this caught my attention.
So our celebrity played Led Zeppelin, played his own music, talked to the crowd...but mostly flat-out entertained everyone in attendance. Oh, and he's a patriotic guy, which is unusual for a rock musician.
I went out and bought his two most recent albums and they became a couple of my favorites. I didn't have to to buy any old stuff in order to listen to it, because my brother already had those albums.
It was around this time that the Cardinals began their drive to win the 1982 World Series. Glenn Brummer stole home that summer. And I did something that to this day I am somewhat embarrassed to admit- I had my hair permed.
You see, my favorite player on the Cardinals at that time was 2nd baseman Tommy Herr. And I just loved the way his hair flowed out from under his hat. And our celebrity of the month had a hairstyle just like it. So it just seemed natural. If one can call artificially reshaping one's coiffure natural.
The fall of 1982 not only brought the Cardinals a championship, but MTV was introduced to our house.
The original concept of MTV was music. MTV stood for music television. It was in its infancy and was a mishmash of music videos, interviews with rock and roll artists, and concert footage.
Which brings us to 1983. Our honored celebrity was once again on tour. March 13, 1983, I believe, was the date chosen for St. Louis.
Two of my friends from high school, no strangers to concerts, secured tickets and headed off from SIU to the late, great Checkerdome (named that in the '70s because of its ownership by Ralston Purina).
Unbeknownst to any of us, MTV had come calling to record the concert for their new cable network.
Once again, our celebrity received high praise from my friends for putting on one of the best shows, if not the best show, they had ever seen. Little did I know that just a short time later I would be able to view this concert on the new music television.
I finally got to see why everyone loved this guy in concert. He was wild, energetic, entertaining, fun, and best of all, he rocked.
Things were happening fast around this time. Networks were just starting to broadcast in stereo, and MTV was naturally one of the first. So they were able to broadcast the concert in stereo.
I was able to hook the cable up to my brother's tape deck, and, voila, I had a stereo recording of the concert on cassette tape.
Both the video and audio were spectacular. And, having recently purchased this new thing called a VCR in the summer of '83, I was able to record the video as well. (It was a Beta, back in the days of the video system wars, and although it eventually lost out to the VHS for some unknown reason, it was a superior product).
I still have both video and cassette to this day. The videotape is a little scratchy, so the quality of the video has diminished considerably in 26 years, but I can still watch it.
Fortunately, portions of this legendary concert are now on YouTube. I just love YouTube. In fact, I think all of the songs of the concert are posted there, although some of the artist's banter with the crowd between songs isn't. Which is okay, because I have it on my cassette and video.
It was quite a set:
1. Love Or Money.
2. Three Lock Box.
3. Baby's On Fire.
4. I Don't Need Love.
5. Never Give Up.
6. I've Done Everything For You.
7. Heavy Metal.
8. Rise Of The Animal.
9. I'll Fall In Love Again.
10. Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy.
11. Bad Motor Scooter.
12. Red.
13. One Way To Rock.
14. Baba O'Riley- encore.
15. Remember The Heroes- encore.
Young, thin and in his prime here, the man knew how to put on a show.
Know who I'm honoring yet?
A few more hints-
He is an icon in St. Louis. Has sold more tickets there than any other artist. How does a southern California kid become St. Louis' adopted son? Somehow St. Louis, particularly KSHE, helped launch his career. St. Louis loves him and he loves St. Louis. He even can be spotted wearing a Cardinals cap at times.
He helped, in some small or large way depending on who you talk to, end the 55 mph speed limit in the 1980s.
He went on to bring some stability to Van Halen after the departure of Diamond Dave.
He loves tequila and is quite the successful businessman.
He still has a solo career with the Waboritas, and is presently releasing a new CD with his new group, Chickenfoot.
He recorded another St. Louis concert with the Wabos in 2006, and this one is available for purchase as a DVD.
By now you should know that the Scottius Maximus Celebrity Of The Month for April is Sammy Hagar, the Red Rocker.
Recently, I've gotten out my old cassette tape and popped it in the stereo. That concert is great work-out music.
Here's "Red" from the 1983 St. Louis MTV concert. Incredible. Note the red Trans Am on stage.
The last song before the encore, he rocks out from high above the stage, and incredibly rattles off his previous tour stops before climbing up that contraption and jumping down. This whole concert, which can be seen in segments on YouTube, is full of stuff like this. It is quite a show.
I hope to catch Sammy the next time he's in St. Louis, God willing. I'm sure he won't disappoint.
Anyway, here's to Sammy "Freaking" Hagar. Yes, there's only one way to rock.
Weekend Reading
Job 13-20.
Great game last night. When bad things start to happen against the Cubs, like in the 7th inning last night, it's almost unbearable to watch. But I was able to hang in there. Despite feeling an overwhelming desire to use the clicker to escape, I kept my finger from pushing the button. Then I listened to the 8th and 9th on the radio and quickly fell into a satisfying asleep afterwards.
Great game last night. When bad things start to happen against the Cubs, like in the 7th inning last night, it's almost unbearable to watch. But I was able to hang in there. Despite feeling an overwhelming desire to use the clicker to escape, I kept my finger from pushing the button. Then I listened to the 8th and 9th on the radio and quickly fell into a satisfying asleep afterwards.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thursday Reading
Job 5-8.
I have a new favorite website. This website looks like a lot of fun. As most of you know, I love critiquing sports uniforms, although it's been a few seasons since we've done any evaluations. With all the new uniform designs being brought out, I need to get at it again.
I have a new favorite website. This website looks like a lot of fun. As most of you know, I love critiquing sports uniforms, although it's been a few seasons since we've done any evaluations. With all the new uniform designs being brought out, I need to get at it again.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
I've Had This Thought Before
There's a really humorous thread on World Mag Blog about the divorce of the US. Worth a read to get a few laughs. Of course, the Cardinals are naturally on the "red" team.
The really funny thing is that I've wondered about this really happening eventually.
The really funny thing is that I've wondered about this really happening eventually.
Wednesday Reading
Job 1-4.
I like Job. In our society, we often don't live as though disaster lurks around the corner. We don't expect bad things to happen. But they do, and when they do, it's hard not to cry out angrily. We are not in control. That's both scary and comforting.
I like Job. In our society, we often don't live as though disaster lurks around the corner. We don't expect bad things to happen. But they do, and when they do, it's hard not to cry out angrily. We are not in control. That's both scary and comforting.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Your Team Could Be A Lot Worse
Unless, of course, your team is the Washington "Natinals."
That organization can never, ever, live this down. Might as well start looking to relocate again.
Tuesday Reading
Esther 6-10.
The Cardinals made another completely irrelevant move in the futile hope that mediocre pitchers will cure their perpetual propensity to lose late inning leads. My only question is, will this guy carry a big enough gas can to the mound to burn down Busch Stadium (as Jim Rome might put it)? After reading about him, my only answer is "yes!".
The Cardinals made another completely irrelevant move in the futile hope that mediocre pitchers will cure their perpetual propensity to lose late inning leads. My only question is, will this guy carry a big enough gas can to the mound to burn down Busch Stadium (as Jim Rome might put it)? After reading about him, my only answer is "yes!".
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday Reading
Esther 1-5.
Even though scripture calls Esther fair, whenever I hear that name I can only think of this:
"Watch it, sucka."
Even though scripture calls Esther fair, whenever I hear that name I can only think of this:
"Watch it, sucka."
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Weekend Reading
Nehemiah 7-13.
I don't even want to tell you what I thought was going to happen when Soriano came to the plate yesterday in the 8th. Unless you ask. I've banged that drum enough this week.
I don't even want to tell you what I thought was going to happen when Soriano came to the plate yesterday in the 8th. Unless you ask. I've banged that drum enough this week.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday And Friday Reading
Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 1-2 yesterday and Nehemiah 3-6 today.
Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I was trying to post through telepathy, but it didn't work. Guess my psychic abilities only go so far.
Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I was trying to post through telepathy, but it didn't work. Guess my psychic abilities only go so far.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
I Asked Daphne
Her interpretation was that I am "a bit psychic."
Eerie thoughts went through my mind as Chris Carpenter walked off the mound after the 3rd inning last night.
You see, during the first game of the 2007 season, the game Chris Carpenter's injuries started, I distinctly thought in my mind "he's hurt" as I watched the game unfold, before any announcement was made that he was. I saw it in his face that night.
I saw that same look last night as he left the mound after the 3rd inning. "He's hurt again" was the thought that went through my head.
Sure enough, that was the last inning he pitched.
And although it has been claimed he pulled a muscle in his rib cage while batting in the 4th, I don't believe it. Because to believe that would mean I am "a bit psychic."
"Told you."
Wednesday Reading
Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 1-2.
Thanks to Cranach, I now remember what I was supposed to do today. Thanks, Cranach. I guess I won't be eating lunch today.
Thanks to Cranach, I now remember what I was supposed to do today. Thanks, Cranach. I guess I won't be eating lunch today.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday Reading
Ezra 5-8.
I keep thinking there is something I must do tomorrow, but I can't remember what it is. That gets frustrating at times.
I keep thinking there is something I must do tomorrow, but I can't remember what it is. That gets frustrating at times.
Battery Malfunction
Pujols' OBP has fallen below .500.
Maybe he needs a tune up.
Hat tip Viva El Birdos and, of course, ESPN Sports Center.
Maybe he needs a tune up.
Hat tip Viva El Birdos and, of course, ESPN Sports Center.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday Reading
Ezra 1-4.
Just when you think you've heard it all comes this. There are so many memorable quotes in this article, I can't pick just one. The whole thing is a treasure trove of zany citations.
Just when you think you've heard it all comes this. There are so many memorable quotes in this article, I can't pick just one. The whole thing is a treasure trove of zany citations.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Weekend Reading
2 Chronicles 29-36.
The MLB standings are always interesting to look at the first week or two. A lot of times they are the exact opposite of how things will end up. There are always so many over- and under-achieving teams. Even though there are 157 games left, it is hard not to get too excited with a fast start, or to reach for the panic button with a slow one.
The MLB standings are always interesting to look at the first week or two. A lot of times they are the exact opposite of how things will end up. There are always so many over- and under-achieving teams. Even though there are 157 games left, it is hard not to get too excited with a fast start, or to reach for the panic button with a slow one.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Friday Reading
2 Chronicles 25-28.
My favorite hymn, or in the top 5, is LW #241. It gets played a lot this week.
My favorite hymn, or in the top 5, is LW #241. It gets played a lot this week.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Thursday Reading
2 Chronicles 21-24.
I won't say much about Chris Carpenter...at least not for awhile. Except that it was a long 2 seasons without this guy.
I won't say much about Chris Carpenter...at least not for awhile. Except that it was a long 2 seasons without this guy.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Tuesday Reading
2 Chronicles 13-16.
Looks like the same circus with different clowns, after yesterday's meltdown.
Looks like the same circus with different clowns, after yesterday's meltdown.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Opening Snow Day
It's rare that it snows the first day of summer, but that's what they're calling for today.
Hope springs eternal is the MO for most teams. Here's an interesting piece of information from an article by Jayson Stark at ESPN:
"...over the last nine years, eight different teams have won a World Series, 14 different teams have played in one, and 23 of the 30 teams in baseball have played at least one postseason game."
So, unless you are the Pirates or Padres, you may be in it come October. Of course, you'll have to play the Cardinals, meaning your suffering shall be legendary.
I definitely feel a return to the post-season is likely. It's been 3 years. It's about time.
Hope springs eternal is the MO for most teams. Here's an interesting piece of information from an article by Jayson Stark at ESPN:
"...over the last nine years, eight different teams have won a World Series, 14 different teams have played in one, and 23 of the 30 teams in baseball have played at least one postseason game."
So, unless you are the Pirates or Padres, you may be in it come October. Of course, you'll have to play the Cardinals, meaning your suffering shall be legendary.
I definitely feel a return to the post-season is likely. It's been 3 years. It's about time.
Monday Reading
2 Chronicles 9-12.
Looks like my real bracket finally won out over the upstart better uniform bracket. It was a hard fought battle.
Looks like my real bracket finally won out over the upstart better uniform bracket. It was a hard fought battle.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
It Never Fails
Give children palm fronds for Palm Sunday, and you'll inevitably see some of them whacking each other with them. Happens each and every year, like a tradition.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
A Tale Of Two Brackets
As I'm sure you all remember, I made one bracket based on my actual thoughts on who would win the NCAA tournament. I made another whimsical bracket based on who I thought had the better looking uniform.
The results are far more hilarious than I could have imagined. I still think North Carolina is going to win, but that is the only one of the final four I got right in my actual bracket.
I got 3 out of 4 right in my goofy bracket. Villanova, Michigan State and North Carolina have the best looking uniforms, and they all made the final four.
And I presently have 40 more points in this bracket than in my other.
Just goes to show you I don't know what I'm talking about.
Which bracket I'll score more points in comes down to tonight's game of North Carolina vs. Villanova. If UNC wins, my real bracket wins out. If Villanova, my uniform bracket wins. Should be interesting to see what happens.
I'm actually rooting for Villanova, not only because they're the underdog, but because I think it makes a better story for me, personally.
The results are far more hilarious than I could have imagined. I still think North Carolina is going to win, but that is the only one of the final four I got right in my actual bracket.
I got 3 out of 4 right in my goofy bracket. Villanova, Michigan State and North Carolina have the best looking uniforms, and they all made the final four.
And I presently have 40 more points in this bracket than in my other.
Just goes to show you I don't know what I'm talking about.
Which bracket I'll score more points in comes down to tonight's game of North Carolina vs. Villanova. If UNC wins, my real bracket wins out. If Villanova, my uniform bracket wins. Should be interesting to see what happens.
I'm actually rooting for Villanova, not only because they're the underdog, but because I think it makes a better story for me, personally.
Weekend Reading
2 Chronicles 1-8.
Baseball countdown day 2. Unless, of course, it rains Monday. I'm all ready for another October surprise.
Baseball countdown day 2. Unless, of course, it rains Monday. I'm all ready for another October surprise.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Thursday Reading
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Wednesday Reading
1 Chronicles 17-20.
We're down to 5 days until baseball season starts. I'm so excited about today's baseball countdown video. I've haven't seen this broadcast since the original airing 27 years ago. Until today. Joe Garagiola was NBC's play by play man then.
I remember this vividly, as I was a sophomore in college and was sitting in my parents living room watching the game with them. The game turned bleak in the 6th, when Milwaukee took a 3-1 lead. But a 3 run rally in the bottom of the 6th, followed by 2 more runs in the 8th set the scene for today's video. The thing I didn't remember was how many pitches it took to finally get Gorman Thomas. I felt the tension in the air just watching it.
We're down to 5 days until baseball season starts. I'm so excited about today's baseball countdown video. I've haven't seen this broadcast since the original airing 27 years ago. Until today. Joe Garagiola was NBC's play by play man then.
I remember this vividly, as I was a sophomore in college and was sitting in my parents living room watching the game with them. The game turned bleak in the 6th, when Milwaukee took a 3-1 lead. But a 3 run rally in the bottom of the 6th, followed by 2 more runs in the 8th set the scene for today's video. The thing I didn't remember was how many pitches it took to finally get Gorman Thomas. I felt the tension in the air just watching it.
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