Random Thought for Thursday 3/31/11

Facebook -- it really is everywhere!!

And ... now featured as updates from the world of Star Wars.

[I guess "now" is subject to debate, as these have been on www.collegehumor.com for quite some time. But I've never professed to be the most up to date on these things. So "now" means "new" to me, and maybe to you too if you've not heard this tidbit before. Boy, I feel like I'm slumming a bit on this vacation -- putting posts up a day or two late, and spending most of this one in a stream of consciousness update that might appear to be more than it actually is. Maybe I should just give up now and go enjoy these triple digit temperatures in the Coachella valley of California!]

THEY CAN TYPE WHATEVER THEY WANT FOR CHEWIE AS YOU HEAR THE NOISE IN YOUR HEAD:

http://reface.me/status-updates/star-wars-status-updates/#

HOW TO BEAT THE HEAT? TAKE A TRAM TO THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS!:

http://pstramway.com/

WACKY NEWS (KIND OF RANDOM AND RETURNS WHEN I GOOGLE SEARCH 'VACATION':

http://www.wackynewspodcast.com/

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 3/30/11

Farm Fresh Air (Full of Microbes).

Used in a sentence, "An asthma study last month revealed that kids who grew up on farms were up to 50% less likely to develop allergies -- and that is being credited to that farm fresh air (full of microbes)."

I'm not about to go all Chicken Little with the extreme apocalyptic view of the SuperGerm that will wipe out the human race (you know, the one in the .1% that the anti-bacterial soap doesn't kill that is mutating as we speak in sterile households across America to get revenge on its fallen germ kin). But I guess this study does speak to the fact that it turns out that kids are supposed to get dirty and to eat dirt and to be outside and to get exposed to all kinds of things when they are younger and as their immune system is developing.

So the next time you are riding in the country with the windows down and get a whiff of some freshly laid manure, be grateful and breathe deep for the sake of your immune system! [And get your kid a portable game system already so that they have a reason to play outside!]

CITY KIDS HAVE IT BAD -- EXPOSURE TO ROACHES AND DIESEL BAD FOR ALLERGIES:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110223170831.htm

DRAGON's DROOL, FROG's GLANDS and SHARK STOMACHS MIGHT BEAT IT:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/supergerm.html

HOW's THIS FOR A DIRECT APPROACH:

http://playoutside.org/

Random Tune for Tuesday 3/29/11

I get it. The Supreme Court ruled that banning the protests was unconstitutional. Great -- free speech -- foundation of America -- sure, I understand.

But what about what's unconscionable? Where's the outrage? We need a little Jesus/Guidice table-flipping in the temple action (is it sacrilege to draw the connection between that story from the gospels and the finale of the first season of Real Housewives of NJ?) to hammer home to the Phelpsians that they are so completely off target.

Which is why I chose today's song as a response to the situation courtesy of a modern Christian rock singer -- and why I'll give no more space to those that desecrate the funerals of our soldiers for PR purposes. Instead -- I'll leave you with the thought that there are people rising to the occasion: like the bikers who serve to escort families past Westboro protesters at the military funerals.

FREDDIE, PLEASE!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6GjFWFwBHA&feature=related

Random Memorial for Monday 3/28/11

Gone but not forgotten: Mr. Gough.

In my mind, Alan Napier was the original (he shared my birthday -- albeit some 69 years before me). And Michael Caine is fine enough for the reboot. And there have been too many voiceover actors in too many cartoon versions to matter much to me. But it was Master Gough that will always be the image in my mind when I picture Bruce Wayne's butler, confidante, keeper of secrets, father figure, etc. etc.

The quintessential Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth, rest in peace -- you will be missed.

TRIBUTE CLIPS FOR MR. GOUGH:

http://www.the-back-row.com/index.php/2011/03/17/a-tribute-to-michael-gough-1916-2011

ALL THINGS ALFRED:

http://www.squidoo.com/alfredpennyworth

NEWS FOR THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (COMING TO YOU 7.20.12):

http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie/271139/the-dark-knight-rises/

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 3/27/11

What Chicago is talking about this week:

Old media is dying rapidly all around us. While driving around town today running errands, I couldn't help but notice the multiple Blockbusters that were closing their doors (now family movie night is a Netflix, Redbox or CableOnDemand affair) and the Borders that were now selling items at 50-70% off (plus fixtures now also on sale!). In an apartment where I'm surrounded by books, will I soon not be able to grow my library except at yard sales and flea markets (and those books usually smell funny)?

And the theme continued ... I just caught the headlines on the news and apparently caterpillars are also threatening to leave Illinois. Am I really prepared for a future in this state that is missing both tangible media products and butterflies!

54 LAST YEAR AND 180 BY END OF Q1:

http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/daily-brief/2010/12/23/blockbuster-plans-blockbuster-of-store-closures

A FEW BORDERS WILL BE LEFT (HERE's THE ILLINOIS LIST):

http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2011/02/nearly-half-of-chicago-area-borders-to-close.html

IT COULD BE THAT I DIDN'T EXPLORE THAT CATERPILLAR NEWS STORY ENOUGH:

http://chicagoist.com/2011/03/26/post_25.php#

Random Soapbox for Saturday 3/26/11

I don't mean to go off on a rave here, but ...

[yes, I did say rave -- I do recognize that I have a future as a grouchy old man -- that doesn't mean I have to race toward it ...]

... three cheers, two hurrahs and a big huzzah for Baghdad Pups for working to find a way around all obstacles to bring "helper animals" from war zones back to the United States as soldiers return home. Recently, they got involved with Smoke, a "therapy" donkey that boosted morale for troops in Iraq (and who almost got caught up in a ransom situation with a local sheik), who is now en route to the US to work with an organization that supports children of soldiers killed or wounded in action.

Baghdad Pups is the group involved in the donkey task -- having already established a mission to reunite pets adopted by troops overseas to a new stateside home come hell or high water (through complicated logistics, transportation and customs rules and regulations). In some of their most touching projects, they place pets of soldiers who never make it back with the families at home left behind. Feel free to read more in the links below ...

[And while I'm raving, let's not forget this week's Amazing Race Aside -- because nothing quite captures the joy of this race around the world like the pick-up game on a basketball court while waiting for a train somewhere in China between the Cowboys and the Globetrotters. With these production values, this host and so many glimpses into humanity, inter-personal relationships and how to be a citizen of the world as teams process the stress of the race, this is a competition reality show you can be proud to watch.]

OPERATION BAGHDAD PUPS:

http://www.spcai.org/baghdad-pups.html

THE STORY OF SMOKE THE DONKEY: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/02/25/1648528/kentucky-news-review-fen-phen.html#

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T MAKE IT BACK:

http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/dog-united-with-family-of-fallen-iraq-soldier-that-adopted-her-video

Random Flashback for Friday 3/25/11

How many of these pics of The Pajama Game (the LVC spring musical twenty years ago in 1991) do I have? Well ... a few more, including this classic backstage photo (is this the Presidents' Dining Room at LVC?) of the show's antagonist -- Old Man Myron Hassler, as paid by (Old Man) Byron. He wasn't so much an Old Man as a senior at the time of production, I believe.

The character was old, however, which explains the Kabuki effect here. Looking at this again, if he wasn't smiling (and he usually always was -- Byron, not Myron), this might have even passed as a zombie. I can see a remake -- Pajama Game of the Dead!

[By the way, I'm not sure if Judith Martin (she who uses the nom de plume Miss Manners) has informed me of proper Facebook tagging etiquette -- so please don't take it personally and untag yourself if people aren't to know this about your past.]

Random Thought for Thursday 3/24/11

Facebook -- it really is everywhere!

Including as a status update (back when they were easier to locate on FB) for an Israeli soldier who announced that a raid was about to go down. The raid got cancelled, and the soldier was relieved of combat duty as he clearly didn't quite understand how military strategy works. This is a guy with whom I want to play Battleship.

Had FB been around years ago, an update of "... inside the belly of a wooden horse with a bunch of guys ..." might have changed the course of history (and possibly the associations made when you hear my first name).

RULE #1: DON'T ANNOUNCE YOUR PLANS TO YOUR ENEMIES:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/03/03/us-israel-facebook-idUSTRE6223M520100303

NOTWITHSTANDING, OUR MILITARY ALLOWS ACCESS FOR OUR SOLDIERS:
http://www.physorg.com/news186502686.html

THERE's A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mesopotamian-military-strategy-and-tactics/137643932925798

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 3/23/11

Vino Vending.

Used in a sentence: "Apparently the French did it first, and the jury is still out on its overall effectiveness, but my home state of Pennslyvania is taking innovations from Homeland Secuirty and applying them to ... a grocery store based vending machine to purchase wine -- Vino Vending."

Which leads me to the following thoughts ...

* when I was little, it was Space Shuttle technology that was being brought to everyday products (except O-rings, naturally) -- now it's Homeland Security developments pushed to the marketplace -- that's its own sad commentary on today's world, no?

* the experiment was halted around the holidays due to technological difficulties -- but what's so hard -- you scan your ID, an employee verifies it remotely, you take an on-the-spot breathalyzer exam, and you get your wine (I'm not sure if they've been fixed, so I've added it to my ever expanding list of things to see when I'm home this May)!

* as a poor college student, I used to shake the machine to see what would fall (bottles would probably break on this gadget) or get down on the floor to find loose change underneath (as I'm sure winos have been inspired to do!

* in the French version, it's BYOB (bring your own box?) for the filling! Seems simple enough overseas ...

NOW AVAILABLE (as of last summer) BUT NOT REALLY ...
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=7728947

GLITCHES REQUIRE THEM TO BE PULLED IN DECEMBER ...
http://www.walletpop.com/2010/12/23/pennsylvania-pulls-wine-vending-machines-following-glitches/

AND ... HERE's THE FRENCH VERSION:
http://www.asylum.com/2010/09/16/wine-vending-machines/

Random Tune for Tuesday 3/22/11

Tonight ... the letter F. [And, remember the rules for this occasional series are that I must have the song in my eccentric, eclectic and extensive cassette collection. Plus I have to be able to find a video on youtube for the tune I choose.]

So ... Bob -- sorry, don't have Falco in my collection, so no "Rock Me Amadeus". And ... Brandon -- I couldn't find the BFlat music channel on youtube, so I can't pick any of your original songs from the cassette I have from college.

Instead, here's a song that always revs me up (and, honestly, one for which I had to look up the lyrics because I don't really know what's going on besides all of the drums). With a little research, it now all makes sense as it apparently originated as a song they played for sound check.

And -- the really random part -- this video is a mix of the official one with a performance of the USC Marching Band on Solid Gold in 1980. I just couldn't resist it.

[(c) -- 150 in, I hope these lyrics don't ring too true.]

F IS FOR FLEETWOOD MAC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duv66-jnfi8

Random Memorial for Monday 3/21/11

Gone but not forgotten: when it was safe to tell AT&T what I actually thought of them.

I don't think it was a coincidence. On Sunday, I heard that AT&T was buying TMobile -- becoming the biggest player in the market. That same day, I got an update informing me that my AT&T Terms of Service were changing and now included this paragraph:

• Abusive Treatment: We have added language that allows AT&T to terminate the service of customers who repeatedly harass or abuse our employees.

They didn't provide the legal definition of the phrase "repeatedly harass or abuse our employees", but I'm thinking back to those multiple phone calls I had so far this year where I was ... um ... let's say ... very clear ... about the ineptitude of most of the employees with whom I had been forced to interact until I actually got what they promised.

[But one small victory ... Jewel has returned to providing a "fake" preferred card if you have forgotten yours (I'm sure not as a direct result of my recent post, but you never know).]

Phone calls from before the bully-tables got turned, you will be missed.

THEY'RE NUMBER 1:
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=147107

EVEN CONSUMER REPORTS SAYS IT IS THE WORST:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9200279/_i_Consumer_Reports_i_ranks_AT_T_as_worst_U.S._carrier

AT&Ts OWN WEBPAGE IMPLIES THEY STOPPED CARING IN 2005:
http://www.corp.att.com/history/milestones.html

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 3/20/11

What Chicago is talking about this week:

The city reeks of anticipation, a palpable electricity permeating the neighborhoods. [On second thought, a "palpable electricity" by definition probably means that "people are actually getting shocked". Anyway, you know what I mean ...] And, oddly enough, it is for so many different reasons ...

*those that are done with winter have seen the calendar turn to spring but know that they have to wait out at least one more storm forecast for next weekend;

*those that purchased a ticket to the sold out Charlie Sheen "winning-a-thons" recognize that he has to remain alive as a prerequisite for them to get to experience Charlie Sheen Live (d'uh ... winning!);

*those that have their bread buttered with Daley-flavored margarine have to wait out the Rahm transition;

*those that drink the "this is the year" kool-aid have a fortnight of goat goodwill to foster and have to process that the Cubs season opens on April Fools Day (not an omen at all!?);

*those that are fond of post-apocalyptic scenarios must process the map of nuclear reactors that demonstrates that northern Illinois is chock full of disasters-waiting-to-happen (and they are probably the same folks who have started digging the underground bunker after having read that some planes from Japan arrived at OHare with detectable amounts of radiation).

So maybe that palpable thing I'm trying to put my finger on is radioactivity ... hmmm ... must go get a Geiger counter or watch Silkwood again ...

OTHERS HAVE USED THAT PHRASE, ALTHOUGH THEY APPEAR TO BE MEDIUMS:
http://www.independent.com/news/2011/jan/12/electricity-palpable/

MY VIOLENT TORPEDO OF TRUTH/DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION (sorry, Charlie):
http://www.examiner.com/tv-in-chicago/charlie-sheen-tour-stop-chicago-sells-out-minutes

MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE NATION ... HERE's OUR 11 HOTSPOTS:
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=183207

Random Soapbox for Saturday 3/19/11

Look, I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... when I open up the national paper and see a reference to where I grew up, I expect it to be something good.

So why is it that when I see Pennsylvania featured, it's about vino vending (more about that on Wednesday)?

And why is it that Lebanon, PA has some sensational murder every few months (now that the memory of our town halls during the presidential race has faded)? Are people that desperate to replace the Blue Eyed Six?

And tell me, please -- when I see my high school alma mater name checked in an article, why, why, WHY (!) is it about a lawsuit over the charging of a parent around $27000 for a truant child?

At least the attempted extortion/parent-accountability-fine/collection efforts were for a good cause. Apparently, the courtyard that was once the stomping grounds for seniors who behaved (what was that special hall pass named again that let you go outside?) will soon enough be an enclosed area connecting the three rings that created my high school circus.

I know that time marches on, but we city folk were always told that we missed out on a school swimming pool (like the rich suburb kids' school had) because the administrators chose the stone facing around the building. Can't the pool be first on the list of ways to spend the beaucoup bucks received from the truancy fines so that we can right the wrongs of the class warfare that came before us?

SEE THE ARTIST's RENDITION OF THE NEW ATRIUM:
http://www.lebanon.k12.pa.us/docs/2010/newsletters/2010FAllNewsletterforWEBSITE9.27.pdf

IT ALL STARTS WITH A 14% TRUANCY RATE FOR LHS:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/01/suit_targets_lebanon_school_di.html

IS EVERYONE COMPETING TO BE THE NEXT BLUE EYED SIX?:
http://www.sgtmajor.net/blueyed.htm

Random Flashback for Friday 3/18/11

A new town is a blue town -a "who do you know" and "show me what you can do" town. There's no red carpet at your feet. If you're not tough, they'll try to beat you down in a new blue town.

A new town -it's not like the old town. You don't take long to find that you're in a cold town. But you know you can lick it. Didn't buy [hold high note] a round trip ticket to this cold cold new blue town.

Well nobody asked me to come here, and nobody asked me to stay. Made up my own mind and I know [hold even higher note] that I'll find my own way.

Since that first day when I said, "Hi town". They've damned well tried to make me say "goodbye town" ... but I won't leave until I make it my [hold really really high note] town they'll see!

This one-horse-two-bit-hick-of-a-new-town ain't gonna lick me.

--from LVC's The Pajama Game, performed in the spring of 1991, a rare time I sang on stage--

[And, here's this week's Amazing Race Aside -- if I was singing in China like on last week's episode, I would have sung "PIG" as I put my wish in the Zodiac thing. (Even though I was born in 1972, the year of the Rat, the Chinese New Year is a lunar calendar, and so my January birthday was still in the 1971 Year of the Pig.) And may I posit that, although the eyes are the window to the soul, the wish that you write down to share with the world is also a peek into that same soul. Look back at last week's episode to see who wrote wishes for others, and whose wishes were selfish. My decision to route for teams like Mallory and her dad and the Cowboys was affirmed.]

Random Thought for Thursday 3/17/11

Facebook -- it really is everywhere!

Recently, it turned up in a Florida lawsuit from a woman who claimed that her privacy was violated when a debt collector used it to make requests of her family members to pay her overdue car loan.

It can only be a matter of time until the mafia applies its intimidation techniques to those mixed up in "family" business (and I'm not talking about the ever popular game-app Mafia Wars). I can see it now -- people's virtual pets will be eliminated, links to horse heads will appear on your wall, goons will ask to befriend you and then make it a mission to tag and post embarrassing pictures from your youth (wait ... I do that now -- am I a goon in training?) ...

You've been warned!

IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH -- NOT ALL FB WOMEN IN BIKINIS CAN BE BELIEVED:
http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2011/03/fla-judge-says-debt-collector-cant-use-facebook.html

I DON'T PLAY, BUT THIS WAS RECENTLY RELEASED FOR THOSE WHO DO:
http://www.the-mafia-wars-guide.com/

FIGHT THE POWERS THAT BE:
http://steadfastfinances.com/blog/2009/12/08/debt-collector-scare-tactics-straight-out-of-goodfellas/

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 3/16/11

Zoonoses.

Used in a sentence: "Could it be that Rick Santorum is best suited for a career in zoonoses?"

Stay with me here ... I know that Rick has been predicting that bestiality is right around the corner since his 2006 campaign (if you are a fact checker, please be sure to google 'rick santorum' and not just 'santorum'), and now the news comes from those who study the disease transmission between animals and humans (or, zoonoses) that sleeping with your pets can be harmful.

In rare circumstances, having your pets beside you as you sleep can apparently lead to the bubonic plague, chagas disease and even cat-scratch disease (is that what the cat-scratch fever song is all about?). I don't mean to tempt the health-fates here, but I've gone to bed with an animal beside me and woken up in the morning next to a completely different one (insert knowing glance and a wink here) ... I even caught my cat Mauler grooming my bald spot one night when I woke up in the middle of a dream.

So Santorum be damned, if I catch the bubonic plague the next time I lie down with a dog, then I say what an ending for my autobiography!

IT's NO LONGER JUST ABOUT PICKING UP SOME FLEAS:
http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/pets/2011-01-24-Petsleeping24_ST_N.htm

THE 'BEST' OF RICK SANTORUM:
http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/59722/rick-santorum-no-seriously-hes-nuts/#

TED NUGENT KNEW IT LONG AGO (circa 1977):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW8S58CYQqs

Random Tune for Tuesday 3/15/11

On this date in 1989, I ran away from home (successfully -- I had tried a few times before but it didn't quite "stick"). It has been a path always surprising, leading me to adventure after adventure with a freedom to make my own mistakes and to experience all kinds of unpredictable circumstances. In a paradox of sorts, it's been a somewhat solitary endeavor ... made possible by the kindness, support and love of many. On this day, I specifically thank Jarrod S and his family (where I stayed the first night), Kerri G and her family (where I stayed the first week), Wendy W and her family (where I stayed for the next few years), Steve B (my employer who helped me take some of my first steps) and my sister Sherry G (who guided me every step of the way). But, ultimately, I thank all of you for sharing this special moment with me in a social media kind of way.

And ... here's a little song that makes me think about breaking away that day 22 years ago (although, admittedly, I just got out of the situation without resorting to pyromaniac tendencies as the story goes in this ditty) ...

SING IT, MARTINA!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8-4ATH8DcM

Random Memorial for Monday 3/14/11

Gone but not forgotten: Gilbert Gottfried as the AFLAC duck.

Fired today for insensitive posts about the disaster in Japan ... it's really no wonder that there's no love lost with him for that country. It turns out that Japan is a huge market for AFLAC and that his voice was not used in campaigns there because it was too abrasive (and the Japanese apparently don't like to be yelled at like we do in America). Additionally, the commercials were adjusted because it would have been rude to not address the duck (in America, the duck is ignored in the ads and just squawks "AFLAC" to deaf ears) -- so in Japan, the actors interact with the duck. Clearly, Gilbert was a little bitter.

More power to you with whatever project comes your way next, but in those annoying ads, you will NOT be missed.

TOO SOON, GILBERT, TOO SOON:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gilbert-gottfried-fired-as-aflac-167382

A SOOTHING DUCK THAT IS NOT IGNORED AND INTERACTS:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/08/entertainment/main552921.shtml

THANKS TO THE YOUTUBE, EXHIBIT A:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JokbugkYEpM

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 3/13/11

What Chicago is talking about this week:

The triple disaster in Japan (an earthquake, a tsunami and a nuclear meltdown or two -- what is this, a Bruckheimer film?) is on the minds of many (and not just those in Arlington Heights, which apparently has the largest concentration of Japanese in the environs).

My personal and direct exposure to natural disasters is somewhat limited -- I watched the Blizzard of 2011 in Chicago from my apartment window; I experienced my first "real" earthquake last Easter in the Palm Desert of California (the minor tremblers in Lebanon and Harrisburg of my youth don't count); I was much too young (and just outside of the immediate evacuation zone) when it comes to Three Mile Island's meltdown (and I guess that would be a manmade disaster after all) and I hadn't even had a birthday when Hurricane Agnes flooded so much of Pennsylvania.

Sure I've lived through some pretty violent storms in my time and experienced some remnants of hurricanes before -- and I've driven across PA even after they've closed the turnpike during a snowstorm and slid my car down the road at LVC during a pretty nasty ice storm. I've even driven past the intersection of 501 and 322 in Brickerville to look at the path of a Lancaster County tornado in my youth.

But none of that makes me understand the tragedy unfolding overseas. I'm sure the celebrity fundraising concert is being planned ... but, in the meantime, Red Cross is a reputable place to make a donation -- and prayers for those affected are free.

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS:
http://www.redcross.org/

BEFORE ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, THERE WAS A NISEITOWN 'HOOD HERE:
http://www.examiner.com/ethnic-community-in-chicago/chicago-s-lost-ethnic-neighborhoods-niseitown

MY EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCE WAS A 7.2:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/us/05quake.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Random Soapbox for Saturday 3/12/11

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... I want me some damn chicken and waffles.

I'm getting bombarded everywhere -- IHOP has a special on it right now (and there's an IHOP just a spit and a holler away from where I live in Chicago). The new Sunday night reality show The Next Great Restaurant (it's on before the train wreck edition of Apprentice -- just 'cause it's a train wreck, doesn't mean I'm not gonna watch it) features a contestant pushing that as his fast casual chain restaurant idea. What with all this chicken and waffle buzz, I pulled out the menu to the local diner delivery place and got excited when I saw it in front of me.

Turns out -- it was the great chicken and waffle tease of 2011. All three of these places serve FRIED chicken NEXT to a waffle COVERED in honey or syrup! I mean -- come on! WTW (as in what the waffle)!

My PA Dutch adjacent upbringing tells me that the waffles get covered in a light gravy that's full of chicken pieces. And I can't find that anywhere! I've been culinarily coddled with Lebanon Bologna at the local Strack and Van Tils ... and Tastikakes [spellcheck warning -- it suggested I replace this with the word Testicles] imported from the East Coast at the Philly's Best that delivers to me. I think I'm going to have to go to Indiana's Amish country to be chicken-and-waffle-satisfied (or --gasp-- wait until I'm back in PA over Memorial Day weekend or --double-gasp-- try to make it myself)!

I am not pleased.

SEE -- TERI KNOWS WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!:
http://teriskitchen.com/padutch/chickwaffles.html

IHOP -- WTW?!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eInIXmYEHLw

JAMAWN FROM DETROIT -- WTW?!:
http://www.nbc.com/americas-next-great-restaurant/bios/jamawn-j-woods/

Random Flashback for Friday 3/11/11

"Seven and a half cents ... doesn't buy a hell of a lot. Seven and a half cents ... doesn't mean a thing. But give it to me every hour, 40 hours every week ... and that's enough for me to be living like a king."

For the next few weeks, here come pics from LVC theater's 1991 spring musical The Pajama Game -- a story of labor troubles in a pajama factory and romance that blooms between the head of the grievance committee (that's her on the right) and the new factory superintendent (that's me [not yet in the picture] in one of the few times I sang on stage). [Maybe that could be the solution in Wisconsin? Can Governor Walker find love with the head of the AFSCME? Maybe those protesters can all burst into song?]

By the way, if you add up the two times that 7.5 cents is mentioned in the song lyrics, you'll have 15 -- which is the number of minutes early that the plane would have arrived this past week [time to squeeze in an Amazing Race Aside!]. If only these racers had been in 6th grade with me and Mr. Schucker -- who lined his classroom with proverbs -- so that they could have internalized the meaning behind "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"!

Random Thought for Thursday 3/10/11

Facebook -- it really is everywhere!

Including from the pulpit on a Sunday in Neptune, New Jersey! Recently, a pastor there told his married church leaders that they could quit Facebook or resign from his church. Says Cedric (not the entertainer) Miller: "There's a reason why your past is the past." Turns out -- to really illustrate the saying, where there's smoke, there's fire -- it turns out Cedric was an entertainer, having had a private party for three with his wife and a male assistant years earlier. So Aaron Sorkin could have gone a completely different route and made Zuckerberg the devil's handmaiden?

THE TEMPTATION IS TOO GREAT, SAYS THE PASTOR:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/11/pastor-cedric-miller-thou-shall-not-facebook-living-word-christian-fellowship-church-in-neptune-new-jersey.html

YEP, THERE's A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR EVERYTHING:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71078939453

WHETHER HE HAD A PRIVATE PARTY FOR THREE, I JUST DON'T KNOW:
http://www.ceddybear.com/

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 3/9/11

[Today's post comes with the following warning: possible blasphemy ahead!?]

Booty-free Bible.

Used in a sentence: "If you haven't heard, the latest version of the heavily Catholic used New American Bible has stricken the word 'booty' from its pages (it now will read 'spoils', as in 'of war') -- creating a Booty-free Bible to keep kids from snickering in Sunday School."

I grew up Methodist and was all up in the NIV -- but I've seen an RSV or King James or Living (ah, hippies) editions of the good book -- and I've been to a mass or two in my life (mostly on special occasions). All this talk of translation and debate over words makes me kind of wish I was friends with Mel so I could get the Aramaic slant on things.

And, to be honest, I snicker more in Genesis 38 when Onan defies the Levirate marriage and spills his seed on the ground instead of impregnating his dead brother's wife -- not that they ever illustrated that in Sunday School when I was younger.

Oh -- and will they fix the crown of thorns in the next edition? Because I hear that it's more likely it was acanthus leaves that grew in Jerusalem and not thorns, or so says provocateur Garry Wills.

And -- final thought ... can I infer from this change that Beyonce is the anti-Christ? Or maybe even JayZ (which is kind of like JC, if you know what I mean).

I'll stop now .. and go do penance (and monitor my friends list on FB to see if I lose any over this post ...)

THE BISHOPS DON'T WANT NO BOOTY:
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=25363

LEARN ARAMAIC AT OXFORD (AND MAYBE YOU CAN BE IN A MEL GIBSON MOVIE):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/dec/21/aramaic-language-oxford-university

IT WAS A CROWN OF ACANTHUS LEAVES, SAYS HE:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/books/review/Gibson-t.html

Random Tune for Tuesday 3/8/11

I'm up to the letter E on my newer series AtoZ Musical Eccentricities (the cassette years), which means I passed over options from the Eagles, Gloria Estefan, the Eurhythmics and the East Coast Family (oh how I almost chose that one) to pull a tune from one of my four cassettes from Extreme. And I chose to choose not the well-known "More than Words", but the follow-up "Hole Hearted", which Wiki now tells me made it all the way to number 4. [Almost makes me want to seek out the reunited band's 2008 and 2010 releases (Methinks Gary is just trying to make Eddie jealous, if you catch my band-swapping drift)].

E is for EXTREME!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_69WxDsTSO8

Random Memorial for Monday 3/7/11

Gone but not forgotten: Great Communicator Ronald Reagan.

My DVR is full right now with hours of programming honoring what would have been Reagan's 100th birthday -- American Experience on PBS ran a four hour documentary, HBO had another one last month, the History Channel (which lately seems to be mighty fine with recreating history) had a special and even Lifetime kicked in with a Nancy Reagan interview. And, look, I'm not taking sides in the debate over Reaganomics or Star Wars or that scandal where Ollie North smuggled documents out of his office in his secretary's underwear ...

.. but I do miss his actorly ability to communicate with the American public. He was the first president that I can recall growing up (I was too young to know much about Carter) and no matter whether your blood bleeds red or blue or the very modern color of tea, he had a way with words that rallied a nation.

And I just stumbled on this quote of his on political pragmatism that spoke to me as partisanship continues to lead to inexcusable gridlock: "I'd rather get 80% of what I want than to go over the cliff with my flag flying." You'll find me in the middle of the independents when it comes to a party allegiance -- but action and progress strike me as admirable goals for our leaders if you ask me.

He who made great proclamations like "Mr. Gorbachev ... tear ... down ... this ... wall", you are missed.

REAGAN AT 100 -- A FEW QUOTES:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2011/feb/3/reagan-100-fdr-prayer-god-pragmatism-smoking/#

LIMITED GOVERNMENT, FREE MARKETS and PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY:
http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/7725-happy-birthday-ronald-reagan

CAPITALISM AT ITS BEST:
http://www.jellybelly.com/shop/shopmain.aspx?CategoryID=Reagan

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 3/6/11

What Chicago is talking about this week:

Well, it depends ... so here's a potpourri of topics ...

IF you're go-to small talk conversation starter is the weather, well then it's now official that three of the last four winters have had the most snowfall since modern record keeping.

IF you're the guy who can only talk sports due to society's rules of enforcing its gender norms, then those Blackhawks sure have been on a winning streak of late with seven wins in a row.

IF you're Irish OR have an affinity to the Irish stereotype OR are a hard core partier OR are an alcoholic seeking justification for drinking at 7am (I'm not naming names here -- but if the bottle fits, then chug it), then it's all about planning for the next two weekends of St Patrick's Day drunken bacchanalias.

IF you're familiar with family dysfunction and are lucky enough to have a ticket, then you've probably seen (or will be seeing) comedian Christopher Titus since he's in town. I became familiar with his particular style of genius when he had his eponymous show on FOX a few years ago, but he's a master of taking you to the edge and allowing you to laugh your way back. I recommend him for any who have had a less than normal life experience as we all can take a lesson from how he's used humor as a coping mechanism and to find value and perspective for the most important things in life.

ALL HAIL IRISH QUEEN SARAH GORECKI IN THE 2011 PARADE:
http://www.chicagostpatsparade.com/

BLACKHAWKS WIN SEVEN IN A ROW!:
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/03/hawks-game-day-facing-the-hurricanes.html

HE's A SELF-PROCLAIMED COMEDY REVOLUTIONARY:
http://christophertitus.com/

Random Soapbox for Saturday 3/5/11

I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...

... here's a chance to help an organization that is looking to rectify the past crimes that occurred on a property in rural Virginia. Need more specifics while I crawl up on my soapbox? How about the goal of Dogs Deserve Better to buy the property that was once Bad Newz Kennels to turn it into a Rehab Center (for dogs -- not NFL players with warped psyches)!?

Look -- I know that Vick has rehabilitated his image with his successes on the gridiron this past season, but the fact remains that the twisted sport of dog fighting continues across this country (and he's forever a poster child from his past actions). And I don't want to hear anyone say it's a cultural issue that I just don't understand (or compare it to cock fights south of the border or any other "sport" that pits animal against animal for sick human bloodthirst satisfaction) -- because the fact remains that one of the early signs of a psychotic break in people's personalities is cruelty to animals.

And, yes, the Vickster's served his time and most of the dogs have been rehabbed as well (at least those that survived). Now's the chance to rally together as a team of concerned individuals to exorcise the demons that might still exist on this property and to create a mission of help and hope and proper care to a misunderstood breed. [And, speaking of demons, I sorely miss my American Staffordshire "Demon", on this third anniversary of his passing (you can see a photo or two in the "Raining Cats and Dogs" album on my FB page).]

Please consider donating to the cause at the link below -- or, if not, at least "like" the group on FB so that they can have a matching donor contribute the full amount of a possible grant (they're on a mission to get 999,999 likes).

[Not to water down my rant, but can I also just mention, since I'm late with an Amazing Race Aside for the second episode of one of the rare "classy" reality shows, that I've never seen so much "teamwork" so early in the season as I did last week?! So many groups working together in individual challenges has to come back and bite a team or two in the future, no? Those red headed cheerleaders will take a helping hand from anyone to get ahead!]

SUPPORT THE CAUSE -- WITH DONATION OR BY "LIKING" THEM ON FB:
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/ddbcenter.html

THE DOGS THAT RESPONDED TO LOVE AND AFFECTION AND POSITIVE ATTENTION:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/07/06/ST2008070602429.html

DEMON, I MISS YOU:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanstaffordshire.htm

Random Flashback for Friday 3/4/11

OK ... just one more shot of Casey Jo's first birthday party twenty years ago -- this time with the nineteen year old me holding my niece -- before I turn to LVC's production of The Pajama Game (LVC alum FB friends, you've been warned). And what a full head of hair (on both of us -- but only one of us still has it two decades later)!

That's Casey Jo as in C and J -- which , in an overdue return of the series "Amazing Race Aside" for the new season, are the same letters as teammates Cord and Jet (or Cara and Jamie -- but they're the mean girls), ending the first episode in danger from a word puzzle (oh my gravy)! [Since this edition premiered while I was on vacation, it took me a minute or two to get caught up on the ole DVR.] Just like Top Chef: All Stars, it's going to be hard to deal with people going home when so many favorites are in the game from challenge one.

Random Thought for Thursday 3/3/11

[New occasional series alert: Facebook Ubiquitousness!]

Facebook -- it really is everywhere!

It just turned up in court documents in Virginia because Awais Younis used it to promote pipe-bomb-building as it related to Metro blowing-upping. Some people have privacy concerns about whether their phone number and personal information might be seen by others. Sounds like young Awais could have used some of that concern before he used social media to communicate his domestic terrorism threats!

Let's you and I make a pact. If my random soapbox rants on Saturday ever blow the stridency dial off the charts, please contact the appropriate authorities (link listed below)!

FACEBOOK -- IT's NOT JUST FOR CYBER-BULLYING ANYMORE:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/crime-punishment/2010/12/facebook-chats-alert-authorities-va-mans-bomb-threats#

BUT AWAIS, IT's SUCH A PRETTY PRETTY SUBWAY:
http://www.visitingdc.com/boat-bus-metro/washington-dc-metro-subway.htm

NOW CELEBRATING 8 YEARS:
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm

Random Wordplay for Wednesday 3/2/11

Pulpo Paul Phenomenon.

Used in a sentence: "I may not be the most hip, but when I saw the list of Top 10 Tweets of 2010, I felt confident that I would be 'in the know' about every item -- which is why I was so shocked to discover I had missed out on last year's Pulpo Paul Phenomenon (#10 on the list)."

Somehow I went through months not knowing that the outcomes of World Cup matches were being determined by a prognosticating octopus (an oddity made more palatable once I considered my own country's faith in Punxsutawney Phil). And how could I have not heard that Mahmound Ahmadinejad railed against it as a sign of the west's decadence (what was it, a gay octopus?)?

So this is what waking from a coma feels like ...

I KNEW THE VUVUZELA AND THE JUSTIN BIEBER:
http://mashable.com/2010/12/13/top-twitter-trends-2010/#

I'M SURE THE OCTOPUS JUST WANTED TO EAT!:
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Paul-the-octopus-has-made-his-final-selections?urn=sow-254898

DECADENCE AND DECARY, CRIES MAHMOUD!:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/7912418/Mahmoud-Ahmadinejad-attacks-Octopus-Paul.html

Random Tune for Tuesday 3/1/11

I'm always seeking balance. So after yesterday's non-romantic post, I'm practically obligated to drop a random tune about unrequited love and "the world stopping if you aren't in my life". The fact that I know it from when Garth Brooks sang it as his alter-ego Chris Gaines and the fact that the video I found on youtube is an homage to when Heroes was still on the air and before it lost its mojo -- well those facts just make it all the more random. Here's Rosie Thomas' version ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3RkGaDgTA8