R.I.P. "Na na na na - na na na!"

I have some sad sad news to report from up here in the Great North - many of you may not know the name Bob Kames, but everyone knows at least one of his creations. It's original name is "Dance Little Bird", but the name we all know it by today is "The Chicken Dance". This is the song that made Bob famous and was recorded by him in 1982. It also wasn't his only hit song as he had hit songs (many on the organ) well before that time. In fact, I learned he used to tour the country with the Army as something of the official organist.

He died today here in Greenfield, WI. He must have been king of the neighborhood. I would be pretty satisfied with myself if I knew every GOOD wedding reception used one of my songs to celebrate the event.


Rest in Peace, "Chicken Dance King".

Site Sighting.

Nothing long and boring (zzzz) today:
I give you - Hot Chicks with Douche Bags.
Enjoy.

Results, Poll #11, Guinness

So, this poll has been chugged down in a few frothy gulps.
> 6 people or 46% said "Yes, bring 'em on!". Seems like the majority, just by a couple, edge out the other options. Good news for Guinness. I should sell them this "market research".
> 1 person or 7% said "Yea, but only if I have to." Sometimes beggars can't be choosers.
> 3 people or 23% said "Nah, I'd rather eat my meals." They don't dig on the dark beers... but it seems to be an aquired taste, I understand.
> 4 people or 30% said " No beer, served here." Wow, you would not do well in WI. What do you drink!?! And don't tell me you don't drink...

This was a decidely light topic, but important none-the-less. The new poll is up and is of a heavier nature. Thanks for 14 total votes - keep it up!

A courtyard.

I don't hear much about courtyards anymore. I heard about them as a kid b/c (pretty sure) we had one in our gradeschool. Last night, I was led into one in downtown Chicago (no, it wasn't at gunpoint). Once invited, I was eager to go in b/c I had probably passed this courtyard (from the street) many many times in the past, but had never gone in. It's totally accessible by the public, but I suspect many people, like me, have never ventured inside. I would highly recommend checking out the "courtyard" in your own city.

The photos aren't the best quality (did you know almost all photos on t.c are taken with a camera phone?) - however, these should be almost unmistakable. I'd go far as to say that the darkest/worst photo might be the most recognizable. .. just give it a minute to sink in.






Challenge - The final "Clean Plate Club" t-shirt extra to the person that posts a comment with the correct courtyard location (or comes closest to it). Note: the other challenge winner has received her prize, as promised.

Is this bad?

Saw this when I go home the other day - Maybe I should call my landlord?

Opening Days.

As many of you know, this week marks the official opening of Major League Baseball around the country. Monday was the opening day for my favorite field, Wrigley, and team, the Chicago Cubs. Friday is the opening day for my current hometown's team, the Milwaukee Brewers (little known fact - players have to drink a Miller product before every at bat).

I heard something I did not know before the other day too - the stirrup pants, knickers, or short pants, baseball players can wear even to this day, started as a way for the players to show the umpires the location of their knees - yes way! This helped the umpires see the strike zone for each player that came to the plate.

Of course today, many players choose to wear full-length pants. But what about helping the umps?! Well, from what I researched, it seems as though the feeling of most players is that the strike zone is so small lately that it wouldn't help if they wore small, red, blinking, LED lights on their knees.

It is also comforting to point out that baseball is one of the most well-documented sports around. They have records that go back well over 100 years, pictures, video, etc. You can find out things on all kinds of websites, including MLB's. How do you think I found out about the Brewer's drinking game?

Food for thought - Nay, hotdogs and CrackerJacks for thought. Batter up!

Paperwork.

Is anyone else continually amazed at the size and amount of receipts that we now get? And let's leave grocery stores out of it for now (they can be longer than my arm). Let's just take something that would seem really simple, uhh, BlockBuster. And no, I'm not sure anyone actually goes to BlockBuster anymore, but bear with me.

Before I had re-upped my Netflix subscription, I went to BB a couple of times. Not only did the movies cost about $5 each, the two individual receipt tapes that came with my movies were longer than the DVD boxes, and really couldn't have been more useless. I don't save DVD receipts (and we all know how anal I am). I don't think I've ever had to return a rental with proof of it (even the rental clerks can remember I was just there). And you return the movie the next day.

Why do we need so much paper for a $10 transaction? More examples can be found almost everywhere - take your car in for service, 4-5 sheets; eat out, up to two receipts; God forbid you return something at Kohls, 2-3 receipt tapes, all stapled together. And not only is a record of what you bought, it's often some coupons or marketing material stuck in for good measure. I mean, I just BOUGHT something at your store, why do I need more purchasing incentives?

Why can't we, as consumers, have the option for e-receipts for all transactions? You could be asked at checkout how you want your receipt - paper or electronic. If you choose to save a tree limb, they send it to your extra email account (doesn't everyone have at least 2?). Sure, some marketing junk gets sent too, but you were walking out with it stuff in your pockets anyways. And if you ever need the receipt in paper form, print it out.

This isn't rocket science and I've never been confused for some that smart.