The Ceilings of Italy

After spending time in Italy, I realized that I've been wasting all the ceiling space in my home by painting them plain white.

This might be another way to go...

Legless Torso Book Promotion

I just posted my weekly Suburban Dad contribution to Kim Strickland's City Mom blog at ChicagoNow. This week's column is about the unique way I handled the challenges of book promotion when my first novel came out.

You can read it here.

Bridget in Italy

In Pesaro at night, with her husband.

Bridget in Italy

At the old Roman wall in Fano...

Bridget in Italy

On one of Pesaro's wide streets. Yes, cars did drive here...

Bridget in Italy

Overlooking the Adriatic...

Catching Hell

If you saw "Catching Hell" last night on ESPN, you saw a moment in our history that wasn't exactly Cubs fans finest hour. I actually thought the filmmaker did a really nice (and fair) job of capturing the zeitgeist. One of the participants in the program was Fox 32's Dane Placko--and they asked him to participate because they saw this video on my website Just One Bad Century...

Meatloaf

Happy birthday Meatloaf. He's 64 years old today...

Urbino

A 15th century city (and birthplace of Raphael) that is completely intact...

Acqualagna

Took this one during our truffle hunt (full story of that day to come).

Italian Roads, Take Me Home

Granted, we weren't exactly in the highest population centers of Italy, but this is pretty typical of the roads we traveled on the entire time we were there.

Mornings on the Adriatic

Took this one as we prepared to get on the bus for an excursion...

Pesaro, Italy

This is an outside wall, and no, it's not attached to a library...

Fano

An arch built by the Roman Emperor Augustus around two thousand years ago. The original etchings are still on the wall...

Loreto

The Basilica behind me was built around the birth home of the Virgin Mary, brought back to Italy during the Crusades. The church was only 700 years old. The fountain was only 500 years old.

An Italian Vineyard

We had an amazing lunch here last week in the hills above Fano, Italy. The food was delicious. The wine was incredible. Yes, that's right, wine for lunch. And lots of it...

The Italian Riviera

This was the view from my hotel room in Pesaro, Italy last week...

Rube Waddell

This is finally the last merciful week of the baseball season, so this is the last week of stories to come from Just One Bad Century.

The final Cubs Hall of Famer for the season is Rube Waddell.

Father Knows Nothing

Just got back from Italy, and this week's Father Knows Nothing column is about the very strange circumstances surrounding the day I left Chicago. It's called "An Italian Birthday."

You can read it here.

Italia

I'm on assignment this week in the Marche region of Italy, which is along the Adriatic. (Seriously, I am. Who knew this writing thing could be so fun...er...I mean grueling.)

I'll be here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

I'll be back this coming weekend.

Coming soon: An official announcement about my second novel. Until then, Ciao!

(P.S. That photo is not taken in Italy. It's at Elvis' grave at Graceland. It's the closest I could find to a religious picture--I'll be seeing lots of churches in Italy.)

This week at Just One Bad Century

I'm out of the country this week, but just because I'm gone, and the Cubs haven't shown up for months, doesn't mean that we aren't still going strong at Just One Bad Century.

We'll still have our weekly Cubs Hall of Famer: Bruce Sutter

We'll still have our weekly Great Nickname: The Rajah

We'll still have two Tales from a Bad Century: Bill Veeck Jr. and Norman Rockwell Nails the Cubs

We'll still feature Sights & Sounds

And of course, go back This Week in 1908, and This Week in 1945.

But even more importantly, our souvenir stand remains open, and wouldn't you like to buy one of our snazzy shirts or hats?

That's what I thought: Buy those here.

Father Knows Nothing

I'm posting this week's Father Knows Nothing a day early because I'm leaving the country tomorrow. In this week's column, I discover a new sleeping disorder.

You can read it here.

GM Hunt

Fox Sports analyzes the Cubs search for a big-name GM.

Sounds like they don't think any of them will be coming to Chicago.

Beer

My latest article is out in SHORE Magazine, and it was a grueling piece of reporting, let me tell you. I had to tour all of the microbrews in northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan.

You can read it here.

The Lone Ranger

It debuted on television on this day in 1949. I got hooked on it when I was a boy. WGN showed it on Sunday mornings, followed by the Cisco Kid. My son Johnny loved it when he was a boy too.

Why? I'm not sure I can explain it. There's just something about the Lone Ranger.

9/11 with Eddie Munster

I just posted my weekly Suburban Dad contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow. It's about my very strange memories of 9/11.

You can read it here.

Green White Soccer Club

My father was one of the founders of the Green White Soccer Club in Chicago in 1956. The current president of the club (my sister) has asked me to write the history of Green White, and I've agreed to do it.

But here's how I'm doing it. Every month I will feature another year in Green White history on a blog I've created just for this. If you are also a Green White member, or were once a member, please feel free to comment on each month's offering. It's like a group project. I was only born in 1963, so I haven't been around for all of this history. I need help. I've interviewed about a dozen of the old-timers already, but I need to interview a few more. I'm hoping at the end of five years (in time for the club's 60th anniversary), we'll have an actual book-worthy accumulation of stories and photos.

The first one (1956) has already been posted.

Smells like Teen Spirit

From Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac this morning...

"September 13, 1991…Geffen Records threw a party to launch Nirvana's single "Smells Like Teen Spirit." The band was thrown out of their own party after starting a food fight."

It's still a good song, even if it's 20 years old today and I still can't understand most of the lyrics...

The Monkees

45 years ago today America was introduced to the Monkees. You may notice something slightly different about the opening theme song of that first show. It's sung by Boyce & Hart instead of the Monkees themselves...

Oktoberfest

Last night we had a mini-Oktoberfest at the Kaempfer house. I went the extra mile to present an authentic atmosphere. It's the first time I've worn the lederhosen anywhere other than on stage with Landecker and the Legends. And yes, that mini-keg of Spaten is long gone.

Father Knows Nothing

My latest Father Knows Nothing column has been posted at NWI Parent. This week's column is about my wedding rings. (Yes, that's plural)

You can read it here.

Star Trek

45 years ago today Star Trek began its five year mission to explore new worlds and civilizations. I was a big fan of the show, though not quite at the go-to-conventions level. I saved the extreme geekitude for things like baseball cards and the Beatles.

This song was put together for the Howard Stern show a few years ago, in honor of Howard's frequent guest George Takei. Pretty funny.

$everance

Between now and September 28th, my publisher ENC Press is doing a contest giveaway with my novel "$everance" at the Good Reads website.

If you'd like a chance to win the book, click here.

(At the very least, click on the Good Reads site and give me a nice review. You know I'd do it for you.)

Embarrassing Confession Time

My weekly contribution to the City Mom blog at Chicago Now is posted. It's called "Embarrassing Confession Time."

You can read it here.

Dylan Gardner

I've known this young lad since he was born. He's the son of Landecker and the Legends guitarist Mark Gardner, and he was born around the same time as my oldest son Tommy.

We used to go to Mark's house every year for a Legends Christmas party, and little Dylan would be playing the drums in their basement (I seem to remember him doing this at a ridiculous age like 3 or 4). Dylan has also appeared on stage with Landecker & the Legends, most recently in 2009 when he performed the Doors song "Roadhouse Blues" at the age of 13.

The Gardners moved out to Arizona shortly after that show, but it's obvious that Dylan's musical career is just getting started. He plays guitar, bass, and piano on the song. I'm very impressed with the youngster.

Happy Labor Day!

Father Knows Nothing

My Father Knows Nothing column for this week has been posted at NWI Parent. This week's column is called "Emerging from Hibernation."

You can read it here.

This week in 1908, 1945

Every weekend JOBC goes back in time to the last year the Cubs won the World Series (1908) and the NL Pennant (1945).

This week in 1908, the Wright Brothers take the world`s first one hour flight, Frank Chance celebrates his 31st birthday, and the Cubs are still in third place behind the Pirates and the Giants.

This week in 1945, Gen. MacArthur accepts Japan's official surrender, the Palmer Castle is razed in Chicago, and Cubs third baseman Stan Hack gets his 2000th career hit.

Feelin' Hot, Hot, Cold

Temperatures could reach 100 degrees in Chicago today.

In my house they vary. Upstairs in the bedrooms, it will be about 175 degrees. The curtains should be melting by noon. On the ground floor by the thermostat, it will be about 75 degrees. And in the basement, where you'll find me, I'll be lucky if it gets up to 40 degrees.

Yesterday I had to warm my hands on the dog's belly to get the feeling back in my fingertips. She's not a big fan of that, by the way.

Every team leads the league in something

That's the thesis of this article in USA Today.

For instance, the White Sox lead the league in being hit by pitches. And the Reds lead the league in balks.

As for the Cubs? They lead the league in errors.

(Sigh)

A Reader's Question

I don't know the answer to this question, but I'm throwing it out there just in case anyone does know. It came in via my Just One Bad Century mailbox... 

"Hi Rick, I really love the website. I’ve been a Cubs fan for nearly 50 years. One of my earliest memories is of Ed Bailey hitting a home run at Wrigley in 1965! Still remember the roar of the crowd to this day. I have so many great memories over the years. My question is about the old Chicago Cubs flags that the Wrigley’s flew from the foul poles. Do you know what ever happened to them and why they have never been brought back? I have written the Cubs a couple of times about this but have never received a reply. To quote the 1968 press guide: “The Chicago Cubs flag-red and white on a blue background-displays 16 red stars representing the Club’s 16 National League Championships. The two blue stars represent the Club’s two World Championships.” I think it would be a nice touch to have them above the flags of the retired numbers, a remembrance of the glories of the past. Once again, thanks for the site and keep up the good work! Go Cubs! Mike Bowers"

It's funny that the flag would still work. Still have the same number of NL championships. Still have the same number of World Championships.

If you know the answer to Mike's question, drop me a line at rick@justonebadcentury.com

The Snotty Police

My weekly Suburban Dad contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow is posted and ready for your perusal. This week's is called "The Snotty Police".

You can read it here.

Best Marriage Proposal Ever

DO NOT try this at home, kids.

A female GM?

The sports business writer at Forbes Magazine has an interesting suggestion for the Cubs General Manager opening.

She just happens to be a woman.

I don't see why not.

Hurricane Irene Update

This comes via e-mail from my friend "BP" in Providence...

"Day two of power outage. State says they are restoring the 300,000 customers with power out based on public safety. I haven't showered since Saturday. If that isn't a public safety issue, I don't know what is."

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing at NWI Parent, and this week's is called "Brotherly Virtue."

You can read it here.

Theo Epstein

Could the Cubs really get Red Sox GM Theo Epstein?

They seem to be taking this possibility very seriously in Boston.

I'd be shocked if the Cubs actually pulled it off, but the fact that they're worried in Boston is a very good sign.

Graceland

From Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac this morning...

"August 25, 1986…Paul Simon released the single "Graceland," with backup vocals by the Everly Brothers. As the title track of his album released two weeks earlier, the song revealed Simon's thoughts during a road trip after the failure of his marriage to actress Carrie Fisher."

It may be 25 years old today, but it really stands the test of time, especially the lyrics. In my boat, Paul Simon is one of the top five lyricists of all time (in the same category as John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, and Bruce Springsteen).

Ode to a handshake

I just posted my weekly Suburban Dad contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow. This week's is called "Ode to a Handshake"

You can read it here.

When Nature Calls

When nature calls, nature calls.

Just ask former Cubs outfielder (and current Mets outfielder) Angel Pagan. Nature called the other night while his team was batting, and he held up the game because he was indisposed when it was time to head back out to the field.

The gruesome (but funny) details are here.

I believe he was the #2 hitter that night.

The Hallelujah Chorus

All three boys have their first day of school today. This song has been in my mind all morning, in eight part harmony...

A terrible tragedy

Art Anderson was one of the founders of WPGU Radio, the station that got me started in the business. I had met him several times over the years at WPGU reunions, and he was as upbeat and cheerful as anyone you'll ever meet.

This weekend he was stabbed in the neck while leading a group of Boy Scouts on a nature hike. Art was just in the wrong place at the wrong time; the killer had just killed one of his own dogs and assaulted his mother, and was presumably fleeing the scene of the crime.

An unspeakable tragedy.

Starlin Castro

I thought Bobby Valentine was being a little rough on Castro during the ESPN game on Sunday night. For one pitch, yes, Starlin wasn't paying attention. But Valentine began to hyper-focus on him after that--and I don't know many players that would look good if they were being watched on every pitch.

On the other hand, after Mike Quade reviewed the tape, he benched Castro.

So what do I know?

Led Zeppelin

On this day in 1979 Led Zeppelin released their final album "In Through The Out Door", which included this great song...

Rhyming Movie Lines

I enjoyed this little mashup...

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This week's is called "The Best Laid Plans" and it's about one of the worst days of my summer.

You can read it here.

Jim Hendry Gets The Hook

Wow. I never thought they'd actually do it, but boy oh boy is this move overdue. The Cubs have fired the architect of this team.

Details are here.

Rahm's Open to Wrigley Funding

I heard Crain's reporter Greg Hinz on Kaplan & Noonan's show last night discussing his piece in Crain's Chicago Business.

It may be a little different for the Cubs now that we have a Mayor that's actually a Cubs fan.

Martin Mull

He's 68 years old today. Here's one of my favorite Martin Mull numbers...

Mancow

During the signoff of Q-101 last month, everyone that had been on the station during it's alternative rock hey-day came back to participate in the farewell. Everyone, that is, except the biggest star from that era, Mancow.

He tells Robert Feder this morning why he said no: "They had ratings with me, but they never appreciated what they had,” he said of his former co-workers. “I found them to be a bunch of selfish, unappreciative people when I worked with them. Lazy, miserable, ultrahip nobodies who loved to hear themselves talk. They’d celebrate this local music show [Local 101] with 10 people listening, and over here you’ve got Mancow with millions. Why was I not the hero? I’ll never know.”

I think that quote explains Mancow better than any other thing I've ever heard him say. It must not be easy walking around with such a giant chip on your shoulder.

Cold War Intrigue

On this anniversary of the Berlin Wall's completion it seems like a good day to trot out my favorite personal story of Cold War intrigue as my weekly Suburban Dad contribution to City Mom's blog at Chicago Now.

You can read it here.

The Berlin Wall

50 years ago today the East Germans completed the Berlin Wall. (Photo taken that year). For those of you too young to remember, it's hard to explain the significance of the wall.

It was really the first time a country had built a wall not to keep people out, but to keep people in. I visited West Berlin several times in the 1970s, and my Boy Scout troop even camped out within eyesight of it once, and let me tell you, it was a life changing experience. To see the guard towers, to hear the stories of the people that were shot or blown up by land mines trying to escape to West Berlin, and then to travel inside East Germany and see the Russian Soldiers with their guns walking on the streets--it's not a memory I'll ever forget.

One time I accidentally entered East Germany with proof that my father worked for the US Department of Defense on my person. (Not a good move--Wow was my dad mad at me that day). Another time we were taking a train through East Germany and Russian soldiers came into our berth and searched all of our luggage--screaming at us in a language we couldn't understand.

East Germany was simply the scariest place I've ever been. I'm so happy that it's gone forever (as it was in the 60s and the 70s).

The 25 Greatest Unscripted Movie Scenes

I had no idea these scenes were unscripted. Interesting stuff (although note--the clips in here are not bleeped)

Happy Birthday Roy Hobbs

Roy (Robert Redford) Hobbs is 75 years old today...

Big Z's Very Bad Weekend

To me, the most shocking part of Carlos Zambrano's latest blow up isn't that he lost it on the mound or in the clubhouse. It isn't that he tried to throw at an opposing batter. It isn't that he said he was retiring, or that the Cubs took the extraordinary step of suspending him for thirty days.

The most shocking part is the name of the player who chastised Carlos in the clubhouse while it was all going down.

Would you believe it was Alfonso Soriano?

Father Knows Nothing

My latest Father Knows Nothing column has been posted at NWI Parent. This week's column is about a phone call I got from my buddy Dave.

You can read it here.