Cubs Forever.

I never really knew what I was getting into when as a kid of 7 or 8, I was taken to my first Cubs game. The only way one in a family of 7 kids could see the Cubs when I was growing up was to go with Grandma and Grandpa. For some years, my grandparents were crazy enough to host each of us, one at a time, at their house for about 5 days. We got to eat what we wanted, watch TV "during the day", and do fun things that weren't plausible with 5-7 kids at one time. I had to hear about my brother and sister's good times for a few years, but soon enough I was going on my own "summer vacation" and planning my own trips. I can't remember the year, opponent, or much about the first few trips, but I do remember my grandparents being about as excited as I was, the hotdogs, the chocolate malteds, the souvenirs, and also the general feeling you get from being in Wrigley. Did the Cubs win? I've no idea... but a Cubs game isn't usually about that.

The Cubs Forever program was a great show and I couldn't help but think about the stories I've heard about Wrigley from older fans (My grandma saw a Bears game there), the memories of watching games in the cool basement during the hot summer months (My uncle has the Pirates vs. Cubs playoff series on VHS still), the good times I've spent seeing games there myself (I have a foul ball on my bookshelf), missing games b/c tickets were too expensive (Yankees vs. Cubs), and all the great players and staff over the years. I suppose it's a sign of me getting older, but I can rattle off many names, all of which bring up some memory or picture: Caray, Cey, Davis, Dawson, Dunston, Maddux, Matthews, Ramirez, Sandburg, Sutcliffe, Santo, Soriano, Sosa, Wood, among many. These are players that we've cheered for over years and Cubs staff that have made the games more memorable.

If you consider yourself a Cubs fan and missed the original airing of Cubs Forever (fan status now debatable), set your DVR to catch a re-airing or find the book/DVD at your local (or mega) bookstore.

More comparisons.

I wrote a recent post about the street signs up here in MKE that remind me of places in Chicago/IL. It happened again in a slightly different way as I rode along some of MKE's lakefront. Many of the properties seem similar to the Northshore in Chicagoland. I think it's even called the same nickname up here. Still, very nice, quiet, neighborhoods, and lots to look at.

This first shot reminds me alot of the lakefront in Chicago or Evanston. I know, duh - it's the same lake dingleberry.

This house and lot could literally be in Kenilworth or some other neighborhood I'll never live in. It also required special street to be put into the neighborhood and some other interesting public infrastructure. If you drive all the way back here, they make sure it's only b/c you live here. Of course, if you have time to kill on a bike, you can pretty much get anywhere you want.

This last one seemed to be the best use of property entrance framing the lake. I mean, that's what people want to see when they "arrive at the lakehouse!", right? I thought they did a good job here.

Results, Poll #14, 4 Seasons.

I guess I was one of the few that's been wanting to get out of the long winters lately:

2 people (15%) already do live in nice weather places - lucky (?).
3 people (23%) thought about it like I did.
5 people (38%) might have thought about it, but have given up.
3 people (23%) just love bulky sweaters, the break from body grooming, and hot cocoa.

Perhaps I should run this again, but in the dead of winter. Though, this weekend we did have 40 degree nightly temps, less sun, and winds in the 25-35mph range - winterish.

Commercials.

No doubt I watch my fair share of TV. And I don't have one of those fancy commercial-skipping machines from the cable company... so, by default, I watch my fair share of commercials too. Many miss the mark or don't resonate with me, but every so often a few get my attention.

Just some commercials that made me laugh or said "whoa, different!" (all on youtube):
> New Balance Love/Hate Bench
> Farmer's Insurance Rush Hour
> There can only be one: Iguodala & Hamilton

Earth Day.

Yeah, that's right, Earth Day is TODAY! You didn't really remember either, did you? Until you hopped onto Google and saw their holiday logo. I heard on the radio this morning, and then rememebred something I heard last week too. I did not have a big green event planned though. In fact, all this forgetfulness helped me remember the first few Earth Days as a kid (er, teenager?). It used to be a big deal and our class/school would do something to help our planet.

In that spirit, I will once again plug GreenDimes. They can help reduce junkmail at home, but for a slight upcharge, you also get some cool green accesories. I happened to have the opportuinty to use my packable shopping bag the other day on my WholeFoods trip... and I have to say - one of the nicest reusable bags I've tried. It's small, light, and literally & figureatively green. When in use, it seems strong, comfortable, and still literally & figureatively green.



I'd also challenege you to stop using disposable items, when you could very well use a reusable one. For example:
> A resusable shoping bag instead of new paper or plastic [duh, see above]. This can be at all stores, not just grocery. And if you look hard enough, I bet you could find some colorful, cool, trendy, dare I say, fashionable ones now... maybe at WholeFoods, or Trader Joes, or Marshall Fields, wait, Macy's (yuck).
> Bringing real silverware into work instead of using plastic each day at lunch. I'm not sure if this will go over so well at my office though, whadda ya think?
> Get washable dishcloths instead of using papertowels for everything. Maybe those infomercials from that annoying yelling guy aren't so bad if the product works.
> Don't let Starbucks give you a new papercup AND hand protector cozy thingy (OMG) everytime you buy your half fat, no foam, carmel, mocha frappucino. Instead, bring in a cool reusable mug. Go ahead, I say you can treat yourself to the fancy stainless steel one you've been eyeing. The Earth says it's ok to buy it.
> Use your hand and a bucket of water instead of toilet paper... ok, just kidding on this one... but you don't need to be a roll-hog!

Results, Poll #13, Lucky 21

In honor of a certain someone I know turning 21 last Thursday (Happy Birthday again), I wanted to see how many t.c readers had been drunk before their 21st birthday. Of course, the law here in the US is drinking only after you're 21. Well, it turns out the number 21 doesn't mean much. In what I believe to be the most lop-sided poll so far, almost everyone had been drunk as a skunk before being legally allowed.

> 15 people (88%) said they had been drunk before being of legal age. Our parents would be appalled... or perhaps secretly proud... lots of dads get this way, right?

> 0 people (0%) said that they weren't sure. I guess when you do some underage drinking, you make sure you're drunk everytime.

> 1 person (5%) said simply, no. No worries, once you are 21, it'll come fast and furious, no doubt.

> 1 person (5%) said they were straight-edge - alrighty then.

Could we have guessed this outcome for the beginning? Perhaps. One final high note for me - 17 respondents this week and I haven't heard that anyone voted twice this time. Cool beans. New poll up AHORA!

Coincedence?

Strange how the new city you live in often reminds you of the one you left... here's a few examples from a ride up MKE's lakefront this weekend.

We'll start with a city in the 'burbs of Chicago, and the same name used on a street here in MKE:

Maybe that's just not a very original name, for a city, street, or otherwise? Next, on to something a little more interesting. For those that don't know, the local high school in Glenview, IL is Glenbrook South, located off of Lake Ave. Another pic from the MKE burbs, I'm not making this up.



Finally, this is something that doesn't really remind me of Chicago at all... but was so odd, I couldn't help but take a pic.


Sounds a bit wonky, doesn't it? I'm not sure what it is or means, but maybe it belongs more on the Shire than here in MKE. What's next, "Elf Gorge Drive"?