Chicago Writer's Association Awards

On Saturday night I went to the Chicago Writer's Association Awards at the Book Cellar on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. Congrats to the winners; James Finn Garner, Christine Sneed, Pamela Ferdinand, and Krista August.

Gaper's Block was there to chronicle the event.

A good time was had by all. You gotta love a place that sells Belgian beer and books; including a certain book co-written by a certain author/writer/blogger. Only five copies of "The Living Wills" were left, by the way. Good to see that it's selling well.

What the World Needs Now

I post this every year on Martin Luther King Day. This was put together by Detroit disc jockey Tom Clay in 1970. It's very powerful...

Cubs 365, January 16

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1910, Dizzy Dean was born. Dean was given his nickname by his sergeant in the army, where he picked up the basics of pitching. He was colorful, exciting, cocky, and the best pitcher in baseball. Unfortunately, that last description only applied to his years before he joined the Cubs in 1938.

His best years were with the Cardinals, where he led the league in strikeouts 4 times, wins twice (including 30 wins one year), innings pitched three times, complete games three times, and even saves once. In 1934, he won the Most Valuable Player award when he led the Cardinals to the World Championship. During those years he was undoubtedly the cockiest player in the game. He once bet he could strike out Vince DiMaggio four times in one game. He struck him out his first three at bats, but when he hit a popup behind the plate at his fourth, Dean screamed at his catcher, "Drop it!, Drop it!" The catcher did and Dean fanned DiMaggio, winning the bet.

He suffered an arm injury, however, and by the time Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley ordered his scouts to acquire Dean at any cost, he was just an ordinary pitcher. They signed him for $185,000 in 1938, which was a huge contract for the time. Dean helped the Cubs win the 1938 National League pennant, and pitched pretty well in Game 2 of the World Series before losing to the New York Yankees in what became known as "Ol' Diz's Last Stand."

After that, he was done. He tried to pitch for the Cubs until 1941, but he just couldn't do it anymore. He retired after that season. That's when he started his second popular career: radio broadcaster. His malapropisms were legendary, and fans loved it. In 1950 he began doing baseball's Game of the Week on national television. He remained in sportscasting for more than 20 years.

Father Knows Nothing

My latest "Father Knows Nothing" column is entitled "Snow Music".

You can read it here.

Cubs 365, January 15

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1998, the Cubs signed free agent closer Rod Beck. They called him "The Shooter" because he was like a gunslinger out there, and he didn't waste any of his bullets. Rod Beck was the Cubs closer during that wild card season of 1998, saving 51 games in truly scary fashion. His fastball was in the mid-80s at the very best—but he somehow still got the outs. Without him, the Cubs wouldn't have made the playoffs that year.

Chicago fans embraced him and his blue collar attitude. But after more arm problems the following year, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He managed to stay in the majors until 2004, and had a few more good seasons in Boston and San Diego, but he died tragically in 2007 from an apparent drug overdose.

Rod Beck was only 38 years old.

Chicago Radio Spotlight: John Landecker, Robert Murphy & Spike O'Dell

I was lucky enough to speak with three legends this week. Each of them have had big changes in their careers since I last spoke with them, and that was the subject of this week's Chicago Radio Spotlight.

You can read it here.

Cubs 365, January 14

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1984, Ray Kroc passed away. He is one of the most famous entrepreneurs in history, the man who made the golden arches famous around the world, and he grew up in Oak Park--a die-hard Cubs fan.

When he became a multi-millionaire he tried to rescue his favorite team from Wrigley family ownership, which he felt was ruining the team. He asked his good buddy George Halas to serve as intermediary with the Wrigley Family, to convince them to sell.

At the time (this was the early 70s), Phillip K. Wrigley was a disinterested owner, barely paying attention to his team. Nevertheless, he refused to sell the Cubs to Kroc because he had made a deathbed pact with his father never to sell the team.

Frustrated by his inability to buy his favorite team, Kroc settled on buying the San Diego Padres in 1974. He spent a fortune on the team and transformed them into a winner.

When he died in January of 1984, the Padres pledged to dedicate the season to their beloved owner. If memory serves, that team did manage to make it all the way to the World Series that season.

Unfortunately, the team they discarded on the side of the road on the way to that pennant was the team of Ray Kroc's childhood: The Chicago Cubs.

Rick and Brendan on video

Maybe it's just me, but I kind of like the aging fat guy with thinning hair and a tie that was tied in 1995 (on the left). To me, just watching him makes me think: "gravitas".



The links we refer to in the video, by the way, are here....

The event at the Catalyst Ranch

The best place to buy the book

Rick & Brendan on TV

Tune in to WGN-TV on Tuesday (Jan 17) morning, and you might see two familiar faces on the 11 AM News. Brendan and I will be on with Steve Sanders discussing our book "The Living Wills".

Set the DVR if you can't watch it live.

(And then, after the fact, please help your favorite technical idiot figure out how to post the video on my site.)

Tebowie

Via Jimmy Fallon...

Poems for Men & Women

Contributed by "DS"...


A WOMAN'S POEM:

Before I lay me down to sleep,

I pray for a man, who's not a creep,

One who's handsome, smart and strong.

One who loves to listen long,

One who thinks before he speaks,

One who'll call, not wait for weeks.

I pray he's rich and self-employed,

And when I spend, won't be annoyed.

Pull out my chair and hold my hand.

Massage my feet and help me stand.

Oh send a king to make me queen.

A man who loves to cook and clean.

I pray this man will love no other.

And relish visits with my mother.



A MAN'S POEM:

I pray for a deaf-mute gymnast nymphomaniac with a

big chest who owns a bar on a golf course,

and loves to send me fishing and drinking. This

doesn't rhyme and I don't give a crap.

Cubs 365, January 13

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1950, future Cubs second baseman Mike Tyson was born.

As we mentioned earlier this week, he didn't have the greatest Cubs career, and it cost the Cubs a prized relief pitcher named Donnie Moore to acquire him, but Tyson had something that Moore could never quite pull off.

He had a hell of a mustache.

A Leap of Faith

You knew this was coming...a Tim Tebow song.

"The Living Wills" e-book on amazon

It's finally on amazon!

This is the direct link.

The price is right, by the way. It's only $3.99

Koyie Hill on the Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals signed former Cubs catcher Koyie Hill to a minor league contract, with an invite to spring training, and it elicited this response from a Cardinals fan to St. Louis Post-Dispatch beat writer Joe Strauss...

Q: The Cards and sneaky Mo have signed a good defensive catcher Koyie Hill today. Isn't that a sign that Molina is not going to sign an extention and the time to trade him is before the season starts? Angels would love to have him to keep little baby Albert happy....how about Trombo for Yadi straight up?

Joe Strauss: Are you projecting Koyie Hill as the Cards' long-range starting catcher? If so, seek counseling immediately.

It's good to see that Cub fans aren't the only ones that are semi-delusional.

More Reader Reviews for "The Living Wills"

Thanks to everyone who is posting their reviews of "The Living Wills" on GoodReads and Facebook. Here are a few more...






"What a great book by Sullivan and Kaempfer. Although I was born a Chicago native, I haven't lived there since 1979. The book brought back memories of my younger days and the characters reminded me of people I grew up with. The writing is both funny and moving, a great combination. As I neared the end of the book, I would only read 3 or 4 short chapters each night. I wanted to stretch out the ending for as long as I could. The way in which the characters' lives unexpectedly interconnect catches the reader off guard and provides a number of "Oh my gosh!" moments. This book was very skillfully written. The Living Wills is one of the best books I've read in quite a while, right up there with Mitch Albom's stories. I look forward to the next book."
--Francis A.

"I really was surprised at how magical the characters came together as the story unfolded. There were some very touching moments, too. And, a good laugh sprinkled in, of course. Don't take this the wrong way, but reading your book reminded me of one of my favorite movies "Love Actually." Multiple characters and plot lines come together and entertained me from start to finish. Thanks and congratulations! I hope you will continue to explore this unique and rewarding collaboration for all of your new and old fans. Cheers!"
--Jeff H.

"This book was a fun ride from start to finish. The authors introduce a bunch of characters connected to a bowling team at the beginning of the novel and you follow each individual's story in the early going, but hang on. As the book progresses, be prepared to be surprised as the plot moves forward and the characters start to link up. I adored all the references to my favorite city, Chicago, and had several laugh out loud moments, along with a few tearful ones. For a fast, fun read, I heartily recommend The Living Wills!"
--Kim S.

"After the first couple of chapters, I was a little unsure of where this was all going and what it was all about, but I was soon caught up with all of the characters, their lives, and how they were connected to each other. By the end. I had laughed out loud, several times, and cried, several times, and thoroughly enjoyed the book."
--Michael K.

"I could not put this book down, what a Great Read! Each chapter kept you wanting the next. Tell your Family and Friends to read this book they will thank you for it! I can't wait for their next book!"
--Nick C.

Our overall rating at GoodReads is 4.92 out of 5. We'll take it. If you've read the book and enjoyed it, please post your reviews at GoodReads or Facebook too (on the Eckhartz Press page). We know the e-book hasn't been out long, but any reviews at the B&N, Sony, or Apple sites that are selling "The Living Wills" would also be greatly appreciated!

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1902, future Chicago entertainer Joe E. Lewis (photo) was born. He was the headliner at the famous north side jazz club The Green Mill during the 1927 season. The owner of the club was Machine Gun Jack McGurn.

As you might have guessed from his name, Machine Gun Jack McGurn was a Capone henchman. When his star attraction Lewis refused to renew his contract and went to a competitor (New Rendezvous) instead, McGurn wasn't a happy man. Each day that Lewis packed the house there, McGurn got angrier.

On November 27, three of McGurn’s men stormed into Lewis’ hotel suite, beat him up, and cut his throat from ear to ear. The comedian survived the attack, and was even able to recover his singing voice, but McGurn's boss--Al Capone, was very unhappy with his lieutenant's behavior. He advanced Lewis $10,000 so that the performer could get back on his feet.

What does this have to do with the Cubs, you ask?

Well, on the very day this story was making headlines in all the Chicago newspapers, the Cubs quietly acquired KiKi Cuyler (photo) from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cuyler would lead them to two National League pennants during his Hall of Fame Cubs career. He was such an exciting player, Al Capone even came out to see him play at Wrigley Field.

No word on whether Machine Gun Jack McGurn saw Cuyler play or not, but their Chicago careers lasted almost exactly the same length of time. Cuyler left the Cubs in 1935. McGurn left the earth in a hail of bullets in 1936.

Thanks Chicagolandradio & Media!

The moderator of Chicagoland Radio & Media gave us another plug yesterday. Thanks so much to Larz for posting the following on his influential site...

"Authors Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan, both former Chicago radio people, will be discussing how they created their new book "The Living Wills" in front of an audience at a special session at the innovative meeting/events space, The Catalyst Ranch (656 W Randolph St, Chicago). The two authors often met and brainstormed at this location during the formation of the new novel, so it made sense to have this gathering here this month. The event will take place on January 24th from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The Catalyst Ranch asks that attendees donate two children's books for Open Books or $15. For those who have not yet picked up a copy of "The Living Wills," the book will be sold at the event and the authors would be happy to autograph it. More information on this evening can be found HERE."

If you're downtown that Tuesday, please swing by after work. I can probably be talked into going out for a few beverages after the event. I don't get out much.

Aging Rockers

I just posted my weekly Suburban Dad column to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow. This week's is about aging rockers, and was inspired by the Van Halen video below.

You can read it here.

The New Van Halen Single

Your thoughts?

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1933, the Cubs were rudderless. Team president William Veeck had just died only months after team owner William Wrigley had died, and new owner Phillip K. Wrigley didn't know anything about baseball.

So, he turned to one of the minority owners of the team, William Walker, and named him President of the Cubs. The outspoken Walker hadn't been allowed to contribute to any baseball decisions during the Wrigley/Veeck era, and was chomping at the bit to take over. Why hadn't Veeck or the elder Wrigley listened to Walker? For a very good reason. He also didn't know anything about baseball; he was the owner of a wholesale seafood business.

Walker didn't last the year.

It didn't take long for word to get out that the Cubs had a neophyte running their organization. One of his first trades is still known as one the worst trades in Cubs history. He traded slugger Dolph Camilli (photo) to the Phillies for Don Hurst. Camilli went on to hit over 200 home runs, made two all-star teams, and led the 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers to the World Series. He won the MVP that year too.

Don Hurst, on the other hand, hit .199 and retired after the season. Walker was such a terrible team president that PK Wrigley was forced to buy him out just to get him to stop destroying the team. The man who succeeded Walker as team president, however, remains the worst team president in Cubs history.

PK Wrigley himself.

He remained in the job until the year he died (1977).

Hollywood Squares

I mentioned earlier this morning (see below) that I was looking for a classic Hollywood Squares clip of Paul Lynde, and MB sent me this e-mail...

Hollywood Squares: These great questions and answers are from the days when 'Hollywood Squares' game show responses were spontaneous, not scripted, as they are now. Peter Marshall was the host asking the questions, of course..

Q. Paul, what is a good reason for pounding meat?
A. Paul Lynde: Loneliness!

Q. Do female frogs croak?
A. Paul Lynde: If you hold their little heads under water long enough.

Q. If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you be
A. Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.

Q. True or False, a pea can last as long as 5,000 years.
A. George Gobel: Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes.

Q. You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman?
A. Don Knotts: That's what's been keeping me awake.

Q. According to Cosmopolitan, if you meet a stranger at a party and you think that he is attractive, is it okay to come out and ask him if he's married?
A. Rose Marie: No wait until morning.

Q. Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
A. Charley Weaver: My sense of decency...

Q. In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say 'I Love You'?
A. Vincent Price: No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty...

Q. What are 'Do It,' 'I Can Help,' and 'I Can't Get Enough'?
A. George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the next apartment.

Q. As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while talking?
A. Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing old question Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget.

Q. Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
A.. Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.

Q. Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries Are you going to get any during the first year?
A.. Charley Weaver: Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries.

Q. In bowling, what's a perfect score?
A. Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy.

Q. It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics, what is the other?
A. Paul Lynde: Tape measures.

Q. During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
A. Rose Marie: Unfortunately Peter, I'm always safe in the bedroom.

Q. Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A. Marty Allen: Only after lights out.

Q. When you pat a dog on its head he will wag his tail. What will a goose do?
A. Paul Lynde: Make him bark?

Q. If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A. Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.

Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A. Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army.

Q. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A. Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected.

Q.. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?
A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.

Q. Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A. Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?

Q. When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
A. Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car, the rest is up to him.

Q. Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occasions. What are they?
A. Charley Weaver: His feet.

Q. According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?
A. Paul Lynde: Point and laugh

Paul Lynde

30 years ago today Paul Lynde passed away in Los Angeles. I was always a big fan of his work on Hollywood Squares and went searching for a classic clip on YouTube. While there were a few good ones, this clip caught my eye instead.

The 70s really are inexplicable, aren't they?

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1973 the Cubs picked a young pitcher named Donnie Moore in the first round. Moore pitched parts of four seasons in Chicago and was beginning to show some promise when they traded him away for a middle infielder named Mike Tyson.

In typical Cubs fashion, Tyson didn't do much, while Moore became an all-star closer for the Angels.

Unfortunately, the Donnie Moore story has a very tragic ending. He was haunted by a home run he gave up in the 1986 ALCS, and just a year after the Angels released him, he took his own life at the age of 35.

This is the LA Times obituary, printed the day after his death.

Rick & Brendan at the Beverly Arts Center

Rick and Brendan have another author event coming up on the South Side of Chicago...

Date: January 29, 2012
Time: 2pm
Place: Beverly Arts Center
Address: 2407 W. 111th St
Cost: $5 (or $4 for BAC members)

Books are available to purchase at event to have signed by the authors.

Description of Event: Author Afternoon, starring Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer, co-authors of "The Living Wills". "Two former Chicago radio producers, Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan, have co-written The Living Wills, a novel about “a split-second decision made 30 years ago and the ripple effects it caused.”

Author Afternoons is a monthly interview series featuring Chicago authors discussing their works. Facilitated by Penny Golden, the series has welcomed Jonathan Eig (Get Capone), Dave Reidy (Captive Audience), Arnie Bernstein (Bath Massacre: America’s First School Bombing), Kevin Guilfoile (The Thousand), Hilary Wagner (author of the children’s fantasy novel Nightshade City) and more.

More info and box office here.

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1952, future Cub "Tarzan" was born. Joe Wallis earned the nickname "Tarzan" because he was fond of cliff diving. He played parts of four seasons (75-79) with the Cubs, playing all three outfield positions, but predominantly a very shallow centerfield.

Tarzan didn't hit much for average (lifetime .244), or power (16 career homers), and he didn't have a lot of speed (7 stolen bases in 5 big league seasons), but he did have one thing that many of his teammates desired for themselves...a great nickname.

The Living Wills E-Book

Many of you have been asking about it, and now here it is. It will be on amazon any day now, but it is now officially available at the following places...

Apple's iBookstore

Barnes & Noble's Nook Store

The Sony Reader Store

The retail price for the e-book is only $3.99.

Father Knows Nothing

My latest "Father Knows Nothing" column has been posted at NWI Parent. This week's is called "2011 Recap".

You can read it here.

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1953, future Cubs Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter was born. He was a great relief pitcher for the Cubs, winning the Cy Young Award and going to four all-star games as a Cub, but he entered the Hall of Fame wearing a Cardinals hat.

His Hall of Fame credentials are here.

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Hart, Meyerson & Dominique

Chicago Radio Spotlight is finally back after a lengthy hiatus. This week I catch up with a former interviewees Charlie Meyerson, Rob Hart, and Lise Dominique. All are now part of the radio experiment known as FM News 101.1.

You can read it here.

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1922, future Cub Alvin Dark was born. Dark had his best years with the Giants in New York, but as a member of the Cubs he was involved in one of the strangest plays in baseball history. It happened on June 30, 1959.

It all started when a missed strike three got away from Cubs catcher Sammy Taylor. Taylor, thinking it was a foul ball, didn't go after the ball. The bat boy, also thinking it was a foul ball, picked it up and tossed it to field announcer Pat Pieper.

Pieper saw that the batter was running to first base, so he realized it was a live ball, and let it drop at his feet. Third baseman Alvin Dark ran over to grab it. Meanwhile, the umpire gave Sammy Taylor a new ball out of habit.

In the confusion, the runner on first base, Stan Musial, made a run for second base. Cubs pitcher Bob Anderson took the ball out of Sammy Taylor's catcher's mitt and fired it to second base at the same time that third baseman Alvin Dark threw his ball to second base. Ernie Banks was covering second and caught one of the balls heading his way, while the other ball escaped into centerfield.

Ernie tagged out Musial with one ball, while center fielder Bobby Thomson lobbed the other ball into the dugout. Thinking that "real" ball has been tossed into the dugout, Musial kept on running and scored.

The umpires had a very long discussion about this play on the field before finally ruling that Musial was out because Ernie tagged him. The Cardinals were enraged by the call on the field and lodged an official protest.

The protest wasn't necessary.

The Cardinals won the game anyway, 4-1.

Pat Colander Reviews "The Living Wills"

We're very appreciative of Shore Magazine's Associate Publisher and Editor Pat Colander's review of "The Living Wills". She named the book one of her favorite holiday gifts this year.

"If the data that suggests people are reading more now that e-readers and tablets have come along, I am living proof. Read any good books lately? I sure have. Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan's The Living Wills, a saga of life, death, fractured relationships,lies and families. If you don't think people can keep big secrets for many years, you are about to meet some pretty complex characters. I loved this book despite how sentimental I am. It doesn't end happily for everyone; but it does for some of the characters --- just like in real life."

The Rise of "Rick"

Not me, mind you, the name itself.

I was just thinking this morning that there are two Republican candidates running for President of the United States named Rick. (Rick Perry & Rick Santorum) We've already taken over the internet (Rick Astley), the state of Florida (Rick Scott), the spiritual publishing world (Rick Warren), the ESPN Baseball booth (Rick Suttcliffe), the back page of Sports Illustrated (Rick Reilly), very kinky girls you won't take home to mother (Rick James), and Jesse's Girl (Rick Springfield). Time to take over America.

You can bet this subject will come up at our next "Ricks" meeting. This whole world domination plan of ours is really taking off.

Chicago Radio Spotlight

After a six month hiatus, Chicago Radio Spotlight is returning this weekend. I've got some catching up to do. Turns out, a lot happens in the biz during a six month period.

This weekend I'll be re-interviewing three previous interviewees. All of them are now part of the radio experiment known as News 101.1, a station that didn't even exist when my hiatus began.

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1900, Clyde "Jersey" Beck was born. Beck was a backup infielder for the Cubs for most of his five year Cubs career (1926-1930). He started nearly 90 games for them in the 1928 season, and then went back to the bench for the pennant winning 1929 season. The highlight of his career was probably May 12, 1930. The Cubs hit four homers in the seventh inning that day and were only the second team in history to do it. Clyde Jersey Beck hit the record-tying HR.

Jersey hit a career-high six HR that season but batted only .213, 90 points below the league average. The Cubs shipped him off to Cincinnati after the season, and that's where he played his final year in the big leagues.

He died in 1988 in his native California.

The 25 Funniest AutoCorrects

Having just edited and re-edited a 300+ page manuscript, I can't tell you how much I hate the "AutoCorrect" feature.

But this totally made my day. I'm still wiping the tears from my eyes from laughing so hard.

Hilarious!

The Catalyst Ranch Interviews Rick & Brendan

The following is re-printed from the Catalyst Ranch website. Brendan and I are really looking forward to this event...

Join us here at Catalyst Ranch, Tuesday, January 24th at 6pm when we welcome Brendan and Rick for the next installment of our Match Books series. For the Match Books event, creativity coach Brendan Sullivan wants to show you, not tell you! He has used the same techniques he brings to clients like Kellogg’s, PepsiCo, GE and Harley-Davidson (improv, mind mapping, other ideation processes) to create a just-published novel with a co-author, Rick Kaempfer. Much of the work was done during sessions at the Catalyst Ranch.

Cost is $15 or two children’s books to be donated to Open Books, check out Catalyst Ranch’s Happenings Page for all the info!

Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: Catalyst Ranch, 656 W Randolph St, Chicago

Cost: $15/person or 2 new children's books (all proceeds & books will be donated to Open Books). Light refreshments will be served.

If you are bringing books please RSVP to amber@catalystranch.com.

REGISTER HERE

"The Living Wills" will be available for purchase the night of the event.

About the Authors:

Brendan Sullivan is a creativity coach, helping organizational teams, leaders and individuals to realize their potential to be creative, innovative and collaborative. His clients include Kellogg’s, PepsiCo, Harley-Davidson and many others. He is a renowned keynote speaker on the topic of collaborative creativity. He’d be happy to talk to your company, association, school, writer’s conference, organization, etc. This novel is a living, tangible example of the power of collaborative creativity. Don’t tell them, show them.

Rick Kaempfer has written for magazines, newspapers, radio, television, advertising agencies, websites, and/or blogs, in addition to his two previously published books: the satirical novel "$everance" (2007), and “The Radio Producers Handbook” (2004). Rick also contributed to the book “Cubbie Blues” (2008). He currently writes a weekly parenting column (“Father Knows Nothing”), a humor column for Shore Magazine (“A Fine Mess”), a daily blog ("Rick Kaempfer") and is editor-in-chief of the Cubs history website, Just One Bad Century.



What prompted you to write the book as a collaborative novel?

Rick: Actually, this book was Brendan’s idea. He called me up one day and asked me to lunch. He had read my previous novel and thought that we had similar writing styles. His idea was to write this novel together as a tangible example of collaborative creativity. It’s always better to show people what is possible, rather than just tell them.

Brendan: Yes…and… .I thought the collaborative creation of a novel would be a tangible way to apply the ideation processes I use every day with my corporate clients. We used improv, brainstorming, mind mapping and other ideation techniques to generate characters, plot lines, and the flow of the novel.

What sparks your creativity?

Rick: Just about any and every thing. I’m always looking for creative sparks, and when you do that, you notice that they are all around you. Your wife, your kids, a trip to the store, a drive; you name it.

Brendan: Any opportunity to shake things up is a spark for me. I try to find new ways to do something. If someone tells me ‘that’s not how we do things around here,’ then I want to know why. Like Rick, I also find creative sparks in everyday things, not necessarily the extraordinary. Once you get going, and you’re having fun, it’s hard to stop.

What recently sparked your curiosity and how did you satisfy it?

Rick: The other night I had a dream about how to convert a children’s book I wrote into a young adult’s novel. I got out bed and wrote it all down. If I hadn’t done that, it would have either drifted away into the ether, or kept me awake forever. Now that it’s on paper I can get back to it whenever it’s convenient…instead of during the middle of the night.

Brendan: Lately, I’ve been curious about how the teenage brain works. I’ve been reading a lot about it, and I’ve been observing two of those brains as they operate under my roof. I haven’t come to any satisfying conclusions yet.

What’s one big thing you want people to take away from your book?

Rick: For me, it’s that everything is connected. We’re all connected to each other and every decision we make has an impact on everyone around us. When you think about things that way, it gives your life some purpose and meaning.

Brendan: There’s also the idea of the quiet hero. Our main protagonist did one very gallant thing long ago. It affected everything, yet he doesn’t talk about it, which is both noble and sad. I think there are a lot of quiet heroes out there that don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Share one of your trade secrets for keeping the energy and enthusiasm flowing when working through the creative writing process.

Rick: The trick is to just keep reminding yourself to look for inspiration around you. We all have a tendency to sleepwalk through life. It’s a totally natural and normal thing to do. My wife reads my weekly columns about our family (“Father Knows Nothing” at NWI Parent) and often says “I actually saw that happen and didn’t think it was profound or funny until you mentioned it.” But it was right there all along.

Brendan: Walk away. When I spend too much time focusing closely on a project and I hit a wall, I step away. I find that my subconscious continues to work on the challenge while I’m sleeping, exercising, playing with my kids. And when I go back to the project, the answer is often clear.

What fuels your creativity?

Rick: Super Unleaded. It’s a little more expensive, but so worth it.

Brendan: Guinness. It’s a little more expensive, but so worth it.

Big Z

Bye Bye now.

Good luck, Ozzie.

My condolences to the Marlins Gatorade cooler.

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1898, future Cub outfielder Riggs Stephenson was born. Stephenson was a former All-American football player, and his nickname Old Hoss fit his build. Old Hoss was a great hitter, one of the best in Cubs history. He still holds the Cubs record for hitters with more than 2000 ABs, with a .336 lifetime average.

In the Cubs' 1929 pennant-winning year, he combined with Hall of Famers Hack Wilson and Kiki Cuyler to form the only outfield in National League history with 100 RBI players at each spot. (Stephenson 110, Wilson 159, Cuyler 102).

He had his problems in the outfield, however. Old Hoss threw like an Old Hoss thanks to an old football injury. He had major arm problems which hampered him, and eventually shortened his career (1926-1934).

Reviews for "The Living Wills"

I knew that "The Living Wills" was going over pretty well because of the sales figures I get sent to me every day. Not only did we essentially sell out our entire first run of the book in only three weeks, I couldn't help but notice the large number of people that bought it, and then went back on our website to buy additional copies of the book to give out to friends.

I've also been keeping track of the comments on the site GoodReads. Here are a few of the comments posted on the page, all of them giving "The Living Wills" five stars...

"It's a page-turner with enough comedy, mystery, romance, and emotion to appeal to all audiences and at the end left me begging for the next book. To make me completely identify with every character, regardless of age, gender, or belief system is a feat that only talented writers can stage. The Chicago references brought about a familiarity that heightened my love for the story. Bring on the next one!"
--Stacy S.

"Great Read! I liked the way the characters' story lines were intertwined. It was poignant, yet with humor. (I laughed, I cried!) It was also well crafted, and the authors did a good job of not telegraphing where they were going next. I was able to follow the story where it led me, with a few surprises along the way."
--Doug

"'The Living Wills' is out and we should shout from the Chicago rooftops what a great story(stories) this is! I couldn't put it down. The characters and their stories are so true to life. A great book from 2 very talented authors! Don't miss this one."
--Linda J.

Is it still available? Why yes of course it is.

Where is the best place to get this five star book? Right here.

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1918, the Cubs acquired a left handed starting pitcher named Lefty Tyler. He was in his 8th major league season when he came to the Cubs from the Boston Braves. (That's Lefty on the far left, along with fellow 1918 rotation members Hippo Vaughn, Phil Douglas and Claude Hendrix)

Lefty had one great season for the Cubs, going 19-8 in 1918, and pitched well in the World Series that year, but developed a strange shoulder injury the next year. He was sent to Minnesota by the Cubs to get examined at the Mayo Clinic. They said there was nothing wrong with his shoulder...his problems were caused by unusually bad teeth. They extracted almost all of his teeth to cure his shoulder injury, which amazingly, didn't do the trick.

Lefty was never the same after that. By the end of 1921, his big league career was over.

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1919, future Cub Ed Sauer was born. Sauer was a member of the last Cubs pennant winning team (1945). After two years as a seldom used reserve, Sauer was in the 1945 Opening day lineup because of the holdout of Peanuts Lowrey and the injury to Frank Secory, and remained on the roster all season. He even get two at-bats in the World Series. Unfortunately, he struck out both times.

When all of the World War II veterans came back to baseball the following season, Sauer went back to the minors. Ed got his last shot at the big leagues with the Cardinals and Braves in 1949, and by then, his big brother Hank had taken his slot in the Cubs outfield.

Hank Sauer won the MVP as a Cubs outfielder in 1952.

Bye Bye Now

I probably shouldn't be so giddy getting the boys ready to return to school today. They don't seem to share my enthusiasm.

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1951, future Cub Bill Madlock was born. He is remembered by his nickname "Mad Dog" but to his teammates on the Cubs, he was known simply as "Buns".

His story is here.

Cubs 365

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365. I won't be posting it here every day, but I will occasionally point out some of my favorite stories. Like this one...

On this day in 1894, future Cub Lawrence "Hack" Miller was born. He was the son of a circus performer named "Sebastian the Strong Man", and he was one of the more interesting figures in Cubs history.

Here's a short excerpt from the Baseball Biography Project...

"Hack Miller entertained teammates by using his bare hand to pound tenpenny nails through two-inch planks of wood and taking the same-size nails and bending them with his fingers. It has been written that he pulled up “fair-sized trees by the roots” during spring training. He once was photographed holding a baseball bat above his head like a barbell, with a teammate hanging from each end. He bragged that one winter he lifted a car to free a woman who had been trapped beneath its wheels. And though he normally swung a 47-ounce bat, on occasion in the minor leagues he wielded a 65-ounce club that was two pounds heavier than those used by modern major leaguers of the 21st century."

Read the full Hack Miller profile here.

New Years Eve Comedy Show

If you're looking for something to do on New Years Eve, I've got a recommendation for you. My old Loop buddy Spike Manton and his long-time writing collaborator Tim Clue are producing a New Years Eve concert at the Hemmens Cultural Center: “The New Year’s Comedy Show for People Who Can’t Stay Up ‘Til Midnight!”

The headliner is Rocky LaPorte, who you've probably seen on HBO, Letterman and Leno. (You can see him here too)

With Special Musical Guest Sons of the Never Wrong

Plus, and I think this could be very interesting, two members of the WGN Morning News team are going to do Stand Up; Sports Geek Pat Tomasulo & Ana Belaval

But for me, the reason I'm considering going to this, is seeing my old pal Spike on stage, and Tim Clue. Tim has one of the best stand up acts I've seen in a very long time.

Tim Clue says, “We are extremely proud to be bringing top notch comedian Rocky LaPorte and the award-winning music of Sons of the Never Wrong. We know there are always high expectations for the show, so this year we’ve also begged WGN-TV Morning News funny peeps Pat Tomasulo and Ana Belaval to come out and showcase their off-screen comedy.”

Pat Tomasulo: “What a great night for a sports dork like me to get some laughs and meet some WGN Morning News fans of Ana Belaval. I don’t think I have fans.”

Ana Belaval: “C’mon, Pat has fans. They just won’t spend money to see him do stand-up.”

Rocky LaPorte: “Yeah, dis’ll be a good show. Hey, who’s Pat Tomasulo?”

Show time 7:30 PM. Rated PG. This show is family-friendly and appropriate for kids 12 and up. Enjoy comedy and music on New Years Eve at The Hemmens Cultural Center—where no seat is farther than 90’ from the stage!

Tickets: Balcony $25 Main $30 Premium $35 Golden Circle $45

Orders will be taken via phone (847-931-5900), via fax (847-931-6007), on-line at www.hemmens.org, or through the Box Office located in the Hemmens Cultural Center lobby at 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL.

Reviews for $everance

Every now and then I get an e-mail from a brand new reader of my first novel "$everance", and it makes me check out what people are saying about it on GoodReads. Since it's been out for 4 years now, there are tons of reviews.

Here are a few recent examples from the last month or so...


Ryan writes:

"I found $everance to be a very entertaining, easy read that I was able to finish in only a few days' time. It is the satirical story of Zagorski, a Chicago morning radio host for a failing station who just wants his severance pay and has met a tough match in the form of a boss who refuses to give it to him and instead is determined to make him quit by making the conditions as horrid as possible.

The book kicks into high gear very early when Zagorski sends an e-mail detailing all kinds of over-the-top, sarcastic tactics to improve the company and save money and includes the CEO of the billion dollar media conglomerate on it.

The CEO takes the e-mail seriously, however, and thinks Zagorski's ideas are brilliant. From there, Zagorski is made into the company COO, incredibly enough. Though many people would be enamored with the possibilities of that kind of a job, Zagorski still only wants his severance pay and pulls ridiculous stunt after ridiculous stunt in an effort to get fired. Nothing works out the way he thinks though, as always of his ridiculous ideas work out because they keep saving the company money or generating more revenue in one ridiculous way or another that Zagorski fails to anticipate.

As someone in the finance industry, I found the storylines here to be uproarious, and was more than willing to forgive the ridiculousness of some of his ideas succeeding in the name of a good satire."

Sandy writes:

“Severance is a black comedy that takes a on the subject of media moguls and the damage to truth in reporting that has resulted from the consolidation of media outlets. According to author Richard Kaempfer, who spent 20 years or so in broadcast media, the men pulling the strings at the six giant media outlets don’t really care whether their stations are pushing liberal or conservative agendas, because all that really matters to these folks is M-O-N-E-Y. Kaempfer’s take on the situation is amusing but at the same time depressing. It appears that the era of true “broadcasters” has come to an end and all we have left are profit-driven businessmen seeking yet one more way to lasso another greenback and place it in the company coffers.

The protagonist in $EVERANCE is a cynical and (according to the “powers that be” in New York’s corporate heaven) obsolete Chicago radio personality named Tom Zagorski, whose job has become redundant but whose employers balk at terminating him and paying him his severance pay. Instead they embark on a path to make his life at the station so miserable he will be forced to quit and thereby save the station 18 months of severance pay.

After many months or back and forth passive-aggressive antics between Tom and his boss Sherman Rose, Tom ultimately reaches his breaking point and sends a taunting e-mail to Sherman with a copy to the corporate CEO suggesting they fire every non-revenue producing employee and engage the services of security guards to protect the office supplies thereby increasing the company’s bottom line profit. Unfortunately for Tom instead of this action being viewed as the derisive message he hoped would result in his termination and the collection of his severance package, he is viewed as a forward thinking boy genius by the CEO as well as the Wall Street pundits and is offered a promotion to COO of the company.

What follows is situation after situation of laugh out loud absurdity that soon morphs into an insightful look into the scandalous environment of corporate America as well as an scathing indictment of our media and the men who control it. (To aid the reader in identifying the guilty, Kaempfer has graciously provided a who’s who glossary of media outlets, what they control, and who is at the helm of each, at the back of his book so that readers don’t have to second guess the true identities of the “imaginary” culprits in his novel.) For those who enjoy their “awful truth” of terrifying possibilities served up with a spoonful of humor, Severance fits the bill."

Jessica writes:

"From start to finish, this hilarious romp through the media business will have you chuckling and all-out laughing! There are so many great jokes as you follow an average guy who just wants one thing - to be fired so he can get his severance package - who ends up finding out that life doesn't always work that way, even when you try hard! With plenty of laughs and irony, the action moves from political mumbo jumbo to Ben Hur to ants drowning in organic kool-aid which will keep you on your toes! This is a highly recommended read for any adult who understands the complexity that arises from a focus on profits, or who has a job they desperately want to escape."

A 25-year-old bet

My weekly contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow is about the culmination of a twenty-five-year old bet between two of my college roommates; Dave and Steve.

You can read it here.

Some South Side Love for The Living Wills

Brendan Sullivan, co-author of The Living Wills, grew up on the South Side of Chicago. That caught the attention of The Beverly Review. Thanks so much to writer Caroline Connors for the nice write up. The following is a short excerpt from the piece...

Like many novelists, Brendan Sullivan writes what he knows.

Born and raised in Morgan Park and Oak Lawn, Sullivan said memories of his childhood, including those of his father’s daily commute to work on the Rock Island, helped shape the characters and events in his new book, “The Living Wills.”

“That evening, Reed climbed onto the 5:25 p.m. Rock Island train home just like he’d done every weeknight for as long as he could remember. … The rhythm of the train rocked Reed into a comfortable lull. Twenty-six minutes later, he stood up and exited the train at his stop, 95th Street and Longwood Drive, without looking up and without waiting to hear the conductor’s announcement, like an old man who didn’t need an alarm clock, whose body just knew it was time to wake up.”

But “The Living Wills” is not just a trip down memory lane, Sullivan said. More than anything, he said, it was a chance to put his work as a creativity coach into action.

“My real job is to help organizational teams on collaborative creativity,” Sullivan said. “I work with Fortune 500 companies and teach them tangible skills—like listening actively, being in the moment and trusting one another— that they can inject into their environment so that innovative ideas can be developed.

“People were always telling me that I should write a nonfiction book about collaborative creativity, but I’ve read every book on the topic and didn’t think there was much more I could say without being redundant.”

So, Sullivan said, he decided to go one step further and co-write a novel with Rick Kaempfer, a friend from his radio days when he was producing the Jonathan Brandmeier show and Kaempfer was producing the Steve Dahl and Garry Meier program.

“We did a little bit of research and didn’t see anything like this for a novel,” Sullivan said. “There’s a lot of books out there telling people how to be collaborative, but this is showing them that it actually can be done.”

There's much more at the Beverly Review. It's a nice long write up.

Of course, the book Brendan is talking about, The Living Wills, is available at www.eckhartzpress.com, and it's also available on the South Side at Bookies.

Happy Hanukkah

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

#1 song in the country on this day fifty years ago...

Let it Snow!

Type "Let it Snow" into your Google browser and see what happens.

Pretty cool.

But then again, I'm easily impressed by technological developments.

"The Living Wills" on the North Side/South Side

For those of you that simply must buy "The Living Wills" in a bookstore, it is now available on the north side and the south side of Chicago.

On the north side, go to "The Book Cellar" at 4736 N. Lincoln Avenue (right next door to my old hangout "The Brauhaus").

On the south side, go to "Bookies" at 2419 W. 103rd Street in Beverly.

And by the way, "The Living Wills" is also coming soon to the Apple store, amazon, Sony, and Barnes & Noble as an e-book. The paperwork has been filed and it will be available before the end of 2011.

Of course the best way to get it is still via our website at Eckhartz Press (www.eckhartzpress.com)

Moises Alou

Ten years ago today the Cubs signed an outfielder that liked to toughen his hands by urinating on them. Remember him?

Can't recall if he had any memorable moments in a Cubs uniform.

Cubs interested in Rizzo

You may not have heard of Anthony Rizzo, but he appears to be the guy the Cubs are really interested in acquiring to play 1B for them.

He's 22 years old, hit .331 with 26 HR and 101 RBI in only 93 games for San Diego's AAA team last year. The Padres got him in the Adrian Gonzales trade with Boston last year. The GM of Boston at the time was Theo Epstein, and the GM of San Diego was Jed Hoyer. Plus, the Padres just got another young 1B stud in a trade with the Reds (for Mat Latos), which means Rizzo is probably available.

It will cost them, but wouldn't you rather see them get a young stud for once, rather sign a big name free agent that could be 300 pounds in a few years? (Not naming names)

By the way, this Rizzo is no relation to that other Rizzo.

Father Knows Nothing

In this week's Father Knows Nothing column, my 9-year-old son Sean proves the existence of Santa Claus to his friend.

You can read it here.