Thursday, October 17, 2013
Incredible Hubble Telescope Photographs
These are really spectactular. Here are two examples. The first one is the Orion Nebula, and the second one is Carina Nebula.
What can you get for $24 billion
The government shutdown cost the country $24 billion. So, you could get a pointless government shutdown, or you could get the following things. From Business Insider...
1. Almost 1.5 NASAs.
2. 554,413 kids to private college.
3. 1,078,119 kids to college in their home state.
4. 15 $5 Footlongs from Subway for every American.
5. A single long-stem rose from 1-800-Flowers.com for every person in India.
6. 11 days worth of Social Security.
7. Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances damage combined.
8. Homes for 87,944 "average" Americans.
9. 8.3 billion free school lunches for children.
10. 7.1 billion gallons of gas for Americans.
11. 1,41,176,470 breast cancer screenings.
1. Almost 1.5 NASAs.
2. 554,413 kids to private college.
3. 1,078,119 kids to college in their home state.
4. 15 $5 Footlongs from Subway for every American.
5. A single long-stem rose from 1-800-Flowers.com for every person in India.
6. 11 days worth of Social Security.
7. Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances damage combined.
8. Homes for 87,944 "average" Americans.
9. 8.3 billion free school lunches for children.
10. 7.1 billion gallons of gas for Americans.
11. 1,41,176,470 breast cancer screenings.
Today's Best Tweets
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Roger Simon @politicoroger 16m
OK, Washingtonians, now you can go back to not visiting the monuments and memorials.
The Onion @TheOnion 25m
This pesto chicken sandwich looks almost exactly like British novelist Martin Amis: http://onion.com/1bCbNJw
WSJ MoneyBeat @WSJMoneyBeat 28m
The 16-day partial government shutdown and debt-ceiling debate cost the economy $24 billion, S&P says http://on.wsj.com/1hZjwD4
Funny Or Die @funnyordie 30m
18 Easy Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas: http://ow.ly/pUJxC
CollegeHumor @CollegeHumor 7m
If Drugs Had Mascots http://ow.ly/pUO7A Sneak peek at weed pic.twitter.com/RcAxqLEMfP
Slate @Slate 13m
What the what!? Russians found a huge chunk of last February's meteorite at the bottom of a lake--PHOTOS: http://slate.me/1arotjY
Will Smith @imWilISmith 18h
No matter how good or bad you think life is, wake up each day and be thankful for life. Someone somewhere else is fighting to survive.
BuzzFeed Politics @BuzzFeedPol 24m
John Boehner's Facebook Wall Is Not A Happy Place Right Now http://bzfd.it/16dBMbT
Paul M. Banks @PaulMBanks 21m
Chicago Cubs prospects Kris Bryant and Albert Almora dominate AFL: http://bit.ly/18pss3d
Paul Begala @PaulBegala 24m
I have obtained secret video of @SenatorReid in final negotiation w/McConnell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5QGkOGZubQ
Chickenman
"This American Life" host Ira Glass recently played a few episodes of the classic WCFL bit Chickenman on his show...
Stenographer Removed From House Floor For Shouting
It appears the House Stenographer just snapped.
When I first heard about it, I thought "Oh no, I hope Sean Hannity is OK."
(That's a joke, my conservative friends. Just a joke.)
An Unusual Way to Raise Money for Breast Cancer Research
These guys promised to donated $20 for every woman who let them "motorboat" them. They raised over $2000, and did in fact, donate the money to breast cancer research. (No nudity involved, but probably NSFW)
Pros and Cons of Coffee Consumption
In graphic form. Thanks to "BC" for sending this. Click on the picture to enlarge it.
Disney Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry
It was the 90th anniversary of Disney yesterday, the opening day of the exhibit. It runs through May 4th and contains more than 300 artifacts from the Disney archives. Sounds like something the little ones would love.
More details are here.
Don Geronimo Moving On
Just a few months ago John Landecker appeared on his show to promote "Records Truly Is My Middle Name". If you want to hear that interview, it's here. (At least for now)
Mike Greenberg
The co-host of ESPN's Mike and Mike, Mike Greenberg, did something wonderful yesterday...he donated $100,000 to breast cancer research.
Greenberg was inspired by the death of a good friend. He also wrote a novel that was inspired by her death. It's called "All You Could Ask For".
Ronan Farrow
MSNBC announced yesterday they just hired him to do a weekday show on their network.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Record Stores I Have Known
This week he's been focusing on "Record Stores I Have Known"; a look back at the places he purchased the vinyl that sparked his love of music. Brought back memories for me too. If you get a chance, I highly recommend checking it out.
Bobby's Facebook page is here. There are a few record store memories already posted and he promises more to come.
Takin' Care of Business
C.F. Turner from Bachman Turner Overdrive is 70 today. I bought this 45 when it came out in 1974...
Today's Best Tweets
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Joseph Carlson @joscarlson 2m
Fascinating: The true story of how the CIA promoted American abstract expressionist artists during the Cold War http://ind.pn/16MZCJZ
Breaking News @BreakingNews 4m
Bipartisan deal in hand to reopen government, avoid default, Republican senator says - @AP
Robert Costa @robertcostaNRO 11m
RT @sahilkapur Multiple Senate sources say Boehner has agreed to vote first on the Reid-McConnell deal. Game over.
Ezra Klein @ezraklein 5m
What Republicans got: Nothing. http://wapo.st/1gKDYJQ
Matt Yglesias @mattyglesias 8m
One problem with today’s debt ceiling deal—we’re just going to do this all over again in February: http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/10/16/debt_ceiling_deal_one_huge_problem.html
Talking Points Memo @TPM 8m
Matt Drudge predicts Pelosi will be next speaker: http://bit.ly/17K2eEd
Joe Scarborough @JoeNBC 2m
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was.... #ShutdownPolitics
Sam Stein @samsteinhp 5m
So, we will end up where we started, but only after absorbing a $4.8 billion economic hit. ($300m a day x 16 days)
Roger Simon @politicoroger 2m
I'll grasp at any straw right now, but I'll believe there is a deal when the House and Senate vote and the president signs it.
The New York Times @nytimes 1m
The NYT obituary for Hans Riegel, the man who made Gummi Bears a global favorite http://nyti.ms/GR6f3F
Chicago Flavored Vodka?
Absolut Vodka has created a Chicago-flavored vodka. What is Chicago flavored? Essense of olive and rosemary.
Okey doke.
Sounds more like an Italian chicken dish.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
This year's nominees have been announced. From Today.com...
Alternative rock band Nirvana, singers Linda Ronstadt and Cat Stevens, and pop duo Hall and Oates led nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2014 class, the foundation that runs the music museum said on Wednesday...Other nominees include U.S. rock groups Kiss, alternative pioneers the Replacements and early rock guitarist Link Wray, along with British rock bands Yes, Deep Purple and the Zombies, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation said in a statement. British singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 as a member of the rock group Genesis, also earned a nod for his solo work. American rapper LL Cool J and gangster rap pioneers N.W.A., which helped launch the solo careers of rapper-producer Dr. Dre and rappers Ice Cube and Easy-E, were the only hip-hop artists to garner nominations. U.S. disco band Chic, funk band the Meters and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band also received nominations for the second consecutive year.
Still no nomination for the band Chicago. My old pal Dick Biondi has asked to be removed from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame until Chicago is enshrined.
Still no nomination for the band Chicago. My old pal Dick Biondi has asked to be removed from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame until Chicago is enshrined.
The Average Man's Body
Just an average Joe.
The 60 Sexiest Female Sports Reporters of 2013
See the full list (with pictures) here.
USA Saves Mexico
What a dramatic night last night for US Soccer. The Americans had already qualified for the World Cup and were playing against Panama. If Panama won, Mexico would have been eliminated from the World Cup for the first time in many years.
When regulation time ended, the score was 2-1 in favor of Panama. The referee awarded an additional three minutes of time (which is common) because of injuries, and during that extra time, the United States stunned the world by scoring twice. The 3-2 win eliminated Panama, and saved our arch rival (in soccer), Mexico.
I got a big kick (not meant to be a soccer term here) out of this picture posted on the U.S. National Team's facebook page...
When regulation time ended, the score was 2-1 in favor of Panama. The referee awarded an additional three minutes of time (which is common) because of injuries, and during that extra time, the United States stunned the world by scoring twice. The 3-2 win eliminated Panama, and saved our arch rival (in soccer), Mexico.
I got a big kick (not meant to be a soccer term here) out of this picture posted on the U.S. National Team's facebook page...
New US99 Night Jock
From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...
After a six-planet search, CBS Radio Country WUSN (US99.5)/Chicago has procured its new live night jock, as PD Jeff Kapugi introduces Joel Lisinski. As we recently reported, US99.5 APD/MD Marci Braun had been tracking the night shift, but will now track the overnight show. Lisinski, a Chicago native, most recently worked for Entercom Milwaukee at Top 40 WXSS (103.7 Kiss FM) and Hot AC WMYX (99.1 The Mix). He previously worked at NextMedia Hot AC WXLC/Waukegan, IL. "I'm thrilled to come home to Chicago and work with Jeff and the amazing team at US99.5," said Lisinski, who makes his US99.5 debut during the week of Nov. 4. "I am truly humbled to have such a great opportunity at this legendary station." According to Kapugi, "We are still working on an air name for Joel... suggestions welcomed."
I have a suggestion for an air name. How about Joel Lisinski? It is Chicago, after all. I think we can handle a Polish last name. There's no need to Billy Bob it up for us.
I have a suggestion for an air name. How about Joel Lisinski? It is Chicago, after all. I think we can handle a Polish last name. There's no need to Billy Bob it up for us.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Man Who Has Had Sex With Cars
The full story is here.
My question to him is not "Why?" That seems like something I could never comprehend. My question is different. My question is; "How?"
I guess I don't really want to know the answer, but I am curious.
Today's Best Tweets
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Deadspin @Deadspin 12m
Cardinals complain about Dodgers' "Mickey Mouse" celebrations: http://deadsp.in/wpC48CT
WXRT Chicago @93XRT 21m
.@PaulMcCartney Supports @MileyCyrus' Right to #Twerk: 'Come On, We've Seen Worse Than That!' http://cbsloc.al/1coELh1
Larry Sabato @LarrySabato 5m
To check out our presentation about new info in the JFK assassination, just click here: http://www.newseum.org/streaming/?stream=101513uva …
Steve Aschburner @AschNBA 7m
ICYMI: If D.Rose will be part-timer for Bulls this yr, make it on his/their terms. Circle 20-25 dates now to sit: http://on.nba.com/1aIlHIv
Roger Simon @politicoroger 2m
Q: If Ted Cruz & John Boehner were on a sinking ship, who would be saved?
A: America.
My column ICYMI: http://politi.co/18eSOEM
Matt Yglesias @mattyglesias 32m
Don’t look now, but Ted Cruz could unilaterally push us past the debt ceiling with random senate stalling tactics: http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/10/15/ted_cruz_unilateralism_he_could_cause_default_all_on_its_own.html …
Tamara Keith @tamarakeithNPR 46m
House expects to vote today/tonight on House Rs debt limit/government funding offer.
ChiTribSports @ChiTribSports 8m
Former Bulls guard Duhon injured during hit-and-run http://trib.in/1anaWK1
ChicagoNow @ChicagoNow 3m
Cool Halloween costumes that won't embarrass your teen http://www.chicagonow.com/tween-us/2013/10/halloween-costume-ideas-parents/
Ben Finfer @BenFinfer 3m
Still undecided about watching the 2003 Cubs documentary on @CSNChicago. It'll probably be a game time decision for me.
Most Expensive TV Shows For Advertisers
That makes total sense to me. The audience is young, upscale, and smart. A dream audience for advertisers. "The Voice" is #2, but they have a much bigger overall audience. #3 is another smart sitcom, "Modern Family".
Was Media Coverage Fair and Balanced in 2012 Election?
According to a new book that has studied the coverage extenstively, it actually was pretty fair, believe it or not.
Amy and John Landecker with Bob & Marianne
Amy Landecker, John's daughter, was on the radio yesterday afternoon. And there was another Landecker on the air before the interview was over...
The Radio Stress Dream
"They are always a variation of being suddenly placed in a new and unfamiliar control room and a record (always vinyl) is nearing an end or the stylus is scratching the label and I can find nothing to play. Either there are no records at all, or the ones I find are scratched beyond use or else they are covered with sticky gunk of some kind. One variation is that the records I find are all stiffs or things totally outside the format that shouldn't be played."
I still have that dream occasionally. It's almost exactly the same as that guy's dream. And I haven't been on the air as a disc jockey since 1993, and haven't played a vinyl record on the air since 1985. I'm sure there's a psychological reason for it, but I don't think I want to know what it is.
RIP Bob Sanders
Bob Sanders of the husband and wife radio team Bob and Betty (WBBM, WCFL), has passed away. Robert Feder has an excellent obit, complete with quotes from people who knew him.
I never met them, but I did interview their producer Steve Dale one time. This is what he said...
"My job was to be Executive Producer; to produce Bob & Betty, and keep an eye on the other shows. Bob and Betty were so much fun. They are the nicest people. They were also a pleasure to work with."
Just so you know, that's not something that is often said about people in the radio business.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Buzzfeed's Growth Plan
I found this fascinating. An article in the Wall Street Journal entitled: BuzzFeed's Brazen, Nutty Growth Plan. Apparently BuzzFeed can only grow if it expands into other languages, so it needs to translate some of their "articles".
The way they are planning on doing that is the interesting part of the piece:
In some ways BuzzFeed really bugs me. I don't like the fake ads disguised as articles, and I don't like the cynical way they bring in visitors, but I have to admit I admire them for being innovative.
The way they are planning on doing that is the interesting part of the piece:
The site this month will launch versions in French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. These international sites will be populated with BuzzFeed posts that originally appeared in English, but BuzzFeed won't be using professional translators to create them. Instead, BuzzFeed's posts will be translated by crowds of foreign-language speakers who are learning English using an app called Duolingo. In theory, as part of their coursework, these hordes will translate a BuzzFeed post in a matter of hours—at a quality that rivals that of professional translators, but at the speed, scale and price that you'd get from a machine.
If it works—and BuzzFeed's tests say it does—the effort could prove the utility of something known as human computation, a theory that argues that instead of rivaling one another, machines and humans can get more done by banding together.
In some ways BuzzFeed really bugs me. I don't like the fake ads disguised as articles, and I don't like the cynical way they bring in visitors, but I have to admit I admire them for being innovative.
Study of Web Comment Sections
Study: Facebook Comments Are More Civil Than Newspaper Website Comments
The researchers surmise that because Facebook commenting is not anonymous, people pull back a little with the hateful rhetoric. If that's true, and I believe it is, I may have pruning to do on my facebook friends list. When I read my facebook feed, I see some pretty hateful rhetoric.
The only problem is that most of those people are my actual friends and acquaintances, not just my "facebook" friends. I can't quite pull the trigger on getting rid of them because I still like them personally. I just make a mental note never to talk to them about politics. Ever.
My own facebook page is a politics-free zone.
Nurse reveals the top 5 regrets people make on their deathbed
This is thought provoking.
A nurse who spent her time with dying patients, said that these are the five most common regrets she hears from her patients.
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
Words to ponder, no doubt. Notice what regrets are NOT on the list. No one wishes they had more money. No one wishes they had more fame. When all is said and done, those are life's two emptiest pursuits.
A nurse who spent her time with dying patients, said that these are the five most common regrets she hears from her patients.
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
Words to ponder, no doubt. Notice what regrets are NOT on the list. No one wishes they had more money. No one wishes they had more fame. When all is said and done, those are life's two emptiest pursuits.
What's in a chicken nugget?
You don't want to know.
I mean, you reeeeeally don't want to know.
But in case you're curious, here's the disturbing autopsy.
Joke for a Monday Morning
Thanks to "DM" for sending this...
A driver was stuck in a traffic jam on the highway outside Washington, DC. Nothing was moving. Suddenly, a man knocks on the window.
The driver rolls down the window and asks, "What's going on?"
"Terrorists have kidnapped the entire US Congress, and they're asking for a $100 million dollar ransom. Otherwise, they are going to douse them all in gasoline and set them on fire. We are going from car to car, collecting donations."
"How much is everyone giving, on average?" the driver asks.
"Roughly a gallon," the man replies.
A driver was stuck in a traffic jam on the highway outside Washington, DC. Nothing was moving. Suddenly, a man knocks on the window.
The driver rolls down the window and asks, "What's going on?"
"Terrorists have kidnapped the entire US Congress, and they're asking for a $100 million dollar ransom. Otherwise, they are going to douse them all in gasoline and set them on fire. We are going from car to car, collecting donations."
"How much is everyone giving, on average?" the driver asks.
"Roughly a gallon," the man replies.
Friday, October 11, 2013
PunditFact
The creators of PolitiFact, the site that fact checks politicians, is creating something that is long overdue: Punditfact.
Now pundits who are claiming nonsense will be called on it too. It's about time.
Today's Best Tweets
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Dan Bernstein @dan_bernstein 12m
#Bears just good enough to beat the lowly #Giants, but there are reasons to worry. Column from late last night: http://cbsloc.al/GQO9zk
Hub Arkush @Hub_Arkush 18m
Lots of great photos in our slide show from last night's #Bears win over the #Giants. ... http://shawurl.com/tnq
ABC News @ABC 2m
15 Health Questions People (Apparently) Only Ask Google http://abcn.ws/1gw2nCM
The Associated Press @AP 19m
German groom finds himself in trouble on the way back from his honeymoon: http://apne.ws/1at4xhL -AB
The New York Times @nytimes 11m
The NYT obituary for Scott Carpenter, one of the original seven astronauts http://nyti.ms/1bis1aq
HuffPost Chicago @HuffPostChicago 4m
LOOK: Awkward family photos of classic rock stars with their parents http://huff.to/19tXoj5
Paul Begala @PaulBegala 11m
Gallup: GOP has the lowest favorable rating ever measured for either party. Ever, ever, ever. http://www.gallup.com/poll/165317/republican-party-favorability-sinks-record-low.aspx
Taegan Goddard @politicalwire 2m
Shutdown backfires big time on GOP: Obamacare now more popular and Americans want government to do more not less
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/10/11/shutdown_backfires_on_republicans.html
Slate @Slate 11m
Straight people, please stop asking gays for their coming out stories http://slate.me/17tAOlS
McMurray, Pete @PeteMcMurray 17m
How would you like to get a $17,500 tip? Well, we found the bartender in Oregon who did! http://fb.me/2In4NShoy
To Be A Fly On The Wall
From Tom Taylor's NOW column today. This sounds like a fascinating lunch...
So Randy Michaels, Larry Wert and Jimmy deCastro had dinner...That’s not the setup for a joke – it really happened, Wednesday night in Chicago. Was it to discuss Tribune possibly buying or LMAing one of Merlin Media’s FM properties? To convert it to “WGN-FM,” perhaps? The fact that these three heavyweights should be talking business isn’t surprising. But what is surprising is that they chose to do it publicly, at a Chicago watering-hole. This trio could’ve met behind closed doors. (Perhaps Tribune Tower has a Batman-style clandestine elevator.) Instead they conferred in public. Merlin’s Randy Michaels, Tribune’s Larry Wert and WGN manager Jimmy deCastro weren’t just yakking about the Bears – they were talking about possibilities. Tribune’s 50,000-watt talk WGN (720) is a standalone, and deCastro’s already begun a second audio stream, featuring Jonathon Brandmeier. There’s plenty of audio content coming out of Tribune, and Merlin may have the answer to where to put it. Merlin owns two full-power stations in Chicago (classic rock WLUP/97.9 and hot AC “i101.1” WIQI), and it manages alt-rock WKQX/87.7 on the audio of a low power Channel 6 TV station. Lots of possibilities – like putting Brandmeier back on the Loop.
I wonder who tipped off Taylor.
So Randy Michaels, Larry Wert and Jimmy deCastro had dinner...That’s not the setup for a joke – it really happened, Wednesday night in Chicago. Was it to discuss Tribune possibly buying or LMAing one of Merlin Media’s FM properties? To convert it to “WGN-FM,” perhaps? The fact that these three heavyweights should be talking business isn’t surprising. But what is surprising is that they chose to do it publicly, at a Chicago watering-hole. This trio could’ve met behind closed doors. (Perhaps Tribune Tower has a Batman-style clandestine elevator.) Instead they conferred in public. Merlin’s Randy Michaels, Tribune’s Larry Wert and WGN manager Jimmy deCastro weren’t just yakking about the Bears – they were talking about possibilities. Tribune’s 50,000-watt talk WGN (720) is a standalone, and deCastro’s already begun a second audio stream, featuring Jonathon Brandmeier. There’s plenty of audio content coming out of Tribune, and Merlin may have the answer to where to put it. Merlin owns two full-power stations in Chicago (classic rock WLUP/97.9 and hot AC “i101.1” WIQI), and it manages alt-rock WKQX/87.7 on the audio of a low power Channel 6 TV station. Lots of possibilities – like putting Brandmeier back on the Loop.
I wonder who tipped off Taylor.
Say it isn't so!
The Jonas Brothers are breaking up. They cancelled their tour.
You're going to have to give me a moment, here.
(Exhale)
Oh no, here come the waterworks.
You're going to have to give me a moment, here.
(Exhale)
Oh no, here come the waterworks.
Very Bad Poll Numbers
How does a government shutdown end? When one party realizes they are committing suicide. The new WSJ/NBC Poll is death for the Republicans...
Their approval ratings are down to 24%, their lowest ever. The Tea Party is down to 21% approval. The President's numbers went UP. Obamacare, the thing that they tried to kill by doing this, is also MORE popular now. And Republicans are being blamed for the shutdown by a 53-31 margin.
It's just a matter of time now.
This restores my faith in the country. If you only listen to the crazies, you start to think that everyone is crazy. I'm so happy to see that most people aren't buying it. Maybe we can have a normal government again, now. Is that too much to ask?
Bye Bye Dominick's
When I was a kid there were exactly two grocery store choices in Chicagoland: Dominick's and Jewel. Lots of others have entered the market since then, and it's obviously taken its toll on Dominick's. From Fox News Chicago...
GOODBYE DOMINICK’S: Safeway Inc., the parent company of Dominick’s, announced today that it will leave the Chicago market by next year. The chain of 72 stores in the Chicago area said the move comes after losing $13.7 million in the third quarter of 2013 and $35.2 million in the first 36 weeks of the year.
GOODBYE DOMINICK’S: Safeway Inc., the parent company of Dominick’s, announced today that it will leave the Chicago market by next year. The chain of 72 stores in the Chicago area said the move comes after losing $13.7 million in the third quarter of 2013 and $35.2 million in the first 36 weeks of the year.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Can You Imagine McCartney Playing at Your School?
It happened in New York yesterday. From the RAMP Newsletter...
More than 400 lucky students at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, NY were fortunate enough to participate in an amazing iHeartRadio Album Release Party with the legendary Paul McCartney yesterday. The surprise event was hosted by WAXQ (Q104.3)/New York morning personality Jim Kerr (who just celebrated his 10th anniversary with the station!). McCartney and band ripped into a set that mixed Beatles and Wings classics along with material from McCartney's forthcoming album, New. They kicked things off with "Eight Days A Week," "Save Us" and "Jet." In between stops for Q&A with the students, McCartney performed "New," "Lady Madonna," "We Can Work It Out," "Everybody Out There," "Blackbird," "Mr. Kite," "Obla Di Obla Da," "Band On The Run," "Back In The USSR" and the obligatory sing-along closer, "Hey Jude."
Unbelievable. Lucky kids.
More than 400 lucky students at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, NY were fortunate enough to participate in an amazing iHeartRadio Album Release Party with the legendary Paul McCartney yesterday. The surprise event was hosted by WAXQ (Q104.3)/New York morning personality Jim Kerr (who just celebrated his 10th anniversary with the station!). McCartney and band ripped into a set that mixed Beatles and Wings classics along with material from McCartney's forthcoming album, New. They kicked things off with "Eight Days A Week," "Save Us" and "Jet." In between stops for Q&A with the students, McCartney performed "New," "Lady Madonna," "We Can Work It Out," "Everybody Out There," "Blackbird," "Mr. Kite," "Obla Di Obla Da," "Band On The Run," "Back In The USSR" and the obligatory sing-along closer, "Hey Jude."
Unbelievable. Lucky kids.
Today's Best Tweets
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Jake Griffin @DHJakeGriffin 13m
When @BurtConstable gets to write about the @Cubs, you should read it. This time Pafko's legacy in Mt. Prospect: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20131010/news/710109943/ …
John Arguello @CubsDen 3m
#Cubs manager search: The favorites, speculating on a couple more names, and don't expect a celebrity... http://fb.me/ZZUYqsRu
Talking Points Memo @TPM 20s
Football great Mike Ditka: My "biggest mistake" was not beating Obama in 2004: http://bit.ly/17qMiqg
Hub Arkush @Hub_Arkush 17m
A unit-by-unit breakdown of Bears vs. Giants by @kfishbain, who makes his pick in this week's "Who has the edge?" http://shawurl.com/tlt
New York Daily News @NYDailyNews 2m
Ohio report cites possibility that Ariel Castro died of auto-erotic asphyxiation, not suicide. -@AP
Greg Sargent @ThePlumLineGS 4m
Shorter Boehner: If we threaten the hostage with a knife, and not a gun, will Ds agree to negotiate then?
Robert Costa @robertcostaNRO 30m
The hard thing for leadership, esp during open mic now, is that a large # of Rs are simply unhappy w/ anything that's not a BIG WIN
Gawker @Gawker 12m
Calling and yelling at a random member of Congress while drunk has never been easier http://gaw.kr/K7gxSOg
Raise Your Hand @ILRaiseYourHand 26m
If you didn't know IL ranks 49th or 50th depending on year in terms of state portion paid towards educ funding.
Rolling Stone @RollingStone 33m
Elton John gives Cameron Crowe a guided tour of his life in 20 songs: http://rol.st/1eb2l1g
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
RIP Andy Pafko
RIP Handy Andy Pafko, one of the greatest Cubs players of all time. I met him a few times (he lived in my neighborhood for years) and he was a true gentleman.
The Tribune has the obituary.
I've obviously written about Andy a few times at Just One Bad Century.
His Nickname
His incredible 1950 season
His appearance in the 1947 All Star Game
His 1945 season
and, of course...
The terrible trade the Cubs made when they got rid of him.
The Biggest Story in Germany
While this country is mostly talking about a government shutdown, the Germans are transfixed by the story of a snapping turtle in Bavaria who bit an 8-year old boy. From the Wall Street Journal...
The animal's natural habitat is the lakes and streams of North America, where turtles are the stuff of summer camp legend. But here in manicured and tightly ordered Bavaria, the attack on the boy ushered in the latest installment of a modern German tradition: an exhaustive and exhausting, minutely documented search for an animal that isn't where it's supposed to be.
"We need peace," Mr. Lieb said, with the reptile still on the loose and the crush of media attention finally abating. "That is, the turtle needs peace."
It actually sounds like a pretty good story.
Joke for a Wednesday Morning
Sent by "WN"...
Q. What did the elephant say to the naked man?
A. "How do you breathe through something so small?"
Q. What did the elephant say to the naked man?
A. "How do you breathe through something so small?"
Today's Best Tweets
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Paul Meincke @PaulMeinckeABC7 10m
Today in history. Yanks sweep Cubs to win 1938 World Series. Dizzy Dean tough luck loser in game two. pic.twitter.com/cQfjZk8pQr
Eric & Kathy @EricandKathy 1m
Research Shows: The average person will be cheated on 4 times in his/her lifetime. #MIXMindBender
MancowMuller @MancowMuller 1m
Exclusively on The Mancow Show! "Seka" has revealed that Bob Evans, cinema genius, lied under a glass coffee table & wanted her to deficate.
Arianna Huffington @ariannahuff 2m
Unlike the French (looking at you Académie française), the Germans
are all about adopting foreign words "Sh*tstorm" http://huff.to/1aKxg5e
WGN FM @WGNFM 8m
Says the best thing while working at @nbc for 13 years? @LesterHoltNBC says playing bass guitar with Steve Miller and Jefferson Starship.
Daniel Engber @danengber 1h
Q: Is a dickhead someone whose entire being consists of the head of a dick or someone who has a dick for a head? http://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2013/10/04/dickhead_parsing_the_compound_noun_to_figure_out_what_image_it_conjures.html
Matt Spiegel @MattSpiegel670 16m
This is good, from @Hub_Arkush. Brandon Marshall is not a "problem." Just extremely self-aware, and incredibly open. http://www.hubarkush.com/2013/10/08/hub-arkush-brandon-marshall-is-not-the-problem/aeidpfw/
Brett Taylor @BleacherNation 47m
#Cubs: Sammy Sosa Wants to Reconnect with the Cubs and Other Bullets http://bit.ly/1gpYMq4
daveweigel @daveweigel 51m
"The markets" should actually talk to some Republican members of Congress instead of assuming how they'll behave.
Steve Benen @stevebenen 59m
If default deniers are right, and crisis won't be "that bad," why should anyone pay their ransom? http://on.msnbc.com/1bb8Cbw
Casey Kasem
From Tom Taylor's NOW column. The Casey Kasem saga continues...
Casey Kasem’s daughter petitions a court to put her in charge of his health care. More on the startling story from last week, where a protest in front of Casey’s lavish L.A. home featured family members (children from his first marriage) and longtime friends and associates like Don Bustany and Tom Rounds. Casey’s three kids from his first marriage know they’re out of his will, but they haven’t been allowed to see their dad, now in the later stages of Parkinson’s, for quite a while. Now E! News says daughter Julie has “filed for a conservatorship that would put her in charge of her dad’s health care.” Last week, Julie told KABC-TV that “the disease may be killing his body, but it doesn’t need to kill his spirit and soul...I simply want to see my father on a regular basis, give him a hug, hold his hand, give him a massage, put a smile back on his face.” Julie, Michael and “Sixx Sense” radio show host Kerri Kasem claim that Casey’s second wife Jean hasn’t allowed them to see their dad – and won’t even let him accept their phone calls.
Casey Kasem’s daughter petitions a court to put her in charge of his health care. More on the startling story from last week, where a protest in front of Casey’s lavish L.A. home featured family members (children from his first marriage) and longtime friends and associates like Don Bustany and Tom Rounds. Casey’s three kids from his first marriage know they’re out of his will, but they haven’t been allowed to see their dad, now in the later stages of Parkinson’s, for quite a while. Now E! News says daughter Julie has “filed for a conservatorship that would put her in charge of her dad’s health care.” Last week, Julie told KABC-TV that “the disease may be killing his body, but it doesn’t need to kill his spirit and soul...I simply want to see my father on a regular basis, give him a hug, hold his hand, give him a massage, put a smile back on his face.” Julie, Michael and “Sixx Sense” radio show host Kerri Kasem claim that Casey’s second wife Jean hasn’t allowed them to see their dad – and won’t even let him accept their phone calls.
Hawk Harrelson Superlatives
I got a kick out of this list. White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson is known for declaring players "the best ever" at unusual things. Jim Margalus of SB Nation compiled a list of Hawk Harrelson's superlatives this season.
Here are 122 of them.
My favorites include...
Probably the best in this league at staying with low line drives: Alex Gordon
Running-est pitching staff in baseball: The 1967 White Sox.
Best catcher Hawk ever played against: Bill Freehan
Most flexible body: Tony Fernandez
Best Hawk ever saw in the minor leagues: Joe Moeller
One of the best Hawk has never seen, first baseman holding somebody on, hook it in that hole over there: Omar Vizquel
John Lennon
I admired him so much, I named my second son after him. John Lennon would have been 73 years old today. I have many favorite John songs, but at the present time, this one's my favorite...
6 Television Gags We'll Never See Again
Observational humor relies on things that you can observe. Obvious, right?
Well, if you concede the premise, you'll also concede that these six gags will never be repeated on televison or film.
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
The Popularity of Congress
From Time Magazine...
Eight days into the shutdown, Congress’ approval rating is at just 8 percent. Americans hate Congress so much that, according to a new Public Policy Polling poll, they hate Congress even more than dog poop. Here are a few things that are currently even more popular than Congress:
Hemorrhoids
The DMV
Hipsters
Jury Duty
Zombies
Wall Street
Toenail Fungus
That's not a bit. Congress really is less popular than those things.
Dark Side of the Moon
From today's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac, this little tidbit from 25 years ago today...
October 8, 1988…Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" finally fell off Billboard's Hot 200 Album chart after a record 741 weeks.
Check out this video of the film Wizard of Oz synched up to the album. I can only imagine how high the person had to be to notice this the first time...
October 8, 1988…Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" finally fell off Billboard's Hot 200 Album chart after a record 741 weeks.
Check out this video of the film Wizard of Oz synched up to the album. I can only imagine how high the person had to be to notice this the first time...
Salmonella Outbreak
It's affecting 18 states, but here's the terrifying sentence from the article in USA Today...
CDC disease detectives who specialize in tracking multistate food-borne outbreaks are not on the job and that could affect the investigation.
Great. Just friggin great.
Today's Best Tweets
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Rolling Stone @RollingStone 2m
Paul McCartney played a pair of 'New' tunes and a Beatles classic last night on #LNJF: http://rol.st/17jnyjB
jimmy fallon @jimmyfallon 2m
.@PaulMcCartney invented the selfie and the photobomb. http://youtu.be/vwe_qzInXvQ
Jesse Rogers @ESPNChiCubs 2m
Manny Acta had a seven hour meeting/interview w Cubs front office yesterday. He checks a lot of the boxes including being Latin-American
Jimmy Greenfield @jcgreenx 7m
RT @WFAN660: Say it ain't so, Joe! #Yankees manager Girardi reportedly wants to "explore" Cubs vacancy. | http://cbsloc.al/1b7bOEY
msnbc @msnbc 44m
The Budget office can't give estimates on the $$ pain caused by the shutdown--because it's shut down. #irony http://on.msnbc.com/15j2pte
ThinkProgress @thinkprogress 3m
Arizona Legislator compares President Obama to Hitler because National Parks are closed http://thkpr.gs/1hz77p1
Bruce Bartlett @BruceBartlett 11m
It's slowly dawning on Wall Street & business community that they don't control GOP; you can't control insane people.
Taegan Goddard @politicalwire 1h
New poll shows Americans overwhelmingly opposed to GOP efforts to tie shutdown to effort to defund Obamacare
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/10/08/americans_overwhelmingly_opposed_to_gop_approach.html …
Deadspin @Deadspin 14m
The eleven best things you can buy from Curt Schilling's bankruptcy/estate auction: http://deadsp.in/l4UJhEL
Len O'Kelly @LenOKelly 58m
There is a lot of truth in this list. 10 Life Lessons From DJs http://jacobsmediablog.com/2013/10/08/10-things-you-can-learn-from-djs/ …
Paul McCartney & Jimmy Fallon Switch Accents
Let's be honest here, Jimmy pulls it off much better than Paul...
Joke for a Tuesday Monring
Thanks to "GR" for sending this...
A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."
The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet.
"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."
The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head. The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.
The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck." The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman.. The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill.
"$150!" she cried, "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!"
The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150.
A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."
The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet.
"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."
The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head. The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.
The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck." The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman.. The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill.
"$150!" she cried, "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!"
The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150.
What Makes Malcolm Gladwell Facsinating?
I've never actually read one of Gladwell's books, but I do follow his career with interest. He's a social scientist who comes up with counterintuitive theories. His methodology is very controversial, and he has lots of critics, but he does get people talking. His new book is called "David & Goliath".
This article is a good primer on Gladwell, if you're interested.
1945 World Series
Today is the anniversary of the last time the Cubs won a game in the World Series, Game 6 of the 1945 World Series. It's immortalized in this old newsreel film...
Monday, October 07, 2013
I Wanna Be Your Man
From Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac, this little tidbit from 50 years ago today...
October 7, 1963…At De Lane Lea Studios in London, the Rolling Stones recorded the Lennon-McCartney composition "I Wanna Be Your Man."
For the record, the version by the Stones is way better than the version by the Beatles, sung by Ringo.
October 7, 1963…At De Lane Lea Studios in London, the Rolling Stones recorded the Lennon-McCartney composition "I Wanna Be Your Man."
For the record, the version by the Stones is way better than the version by the Beatles, sung by Ringo.
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