Football, spaceships, and the devil – Bringing down the ax on great television

As I perused through my dvd collection the other night looking for a new show to introduce my wife to, I couldn’t help but notice that several of my favorite shows have only lasted a handful of seasons.  Max.  And then I started thinking about the junk that airs weekly on a yearly basis.

St. Louis: Gateway to America – Hockey, beer and birthdays

First of all, let me start off by apologizing by my blatant ignoring of this blog.  I know you all hang on my every word and countdown the hours between posts.  I’m sorry for wandering off like a small child with no warning.  I will do my best to make it up to you, and I offer you today’s novel of a post to help the healing process…I hope you enjoy!

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Several months ago, a friend approached me with the idea of taking a short road trip for his birthday.  The idea was as follows:  drive to St. Louis where we would capitalize on a sports package deal through a Hilton hotel to get tickets to see the Blues take on the Detroit Red Wings.  (He was born in Detroit, raised in Indiana, and thinks that makes it okay to cheer for the Yankees of the NHL.)  The package included an overnight stay, two game tickets, a souvenir, and free breakfast the next morning.  Not a bad deal at all!  A couple of days leading up to departing for the Gateway City, we came across the information that St. Louis would be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day that same weekend.  That meant that our hotel was smack dab in the middle of the parade route.  On top of that, there was some kind of 5k/10k/mini-marathon/dogsled race all located in the heart of the downtown area making navigating and parking a nightmare. 

The morning of our trip, all 6 of us loaded up into a couple of cars and headed out, beginning from different starting points…at six a.m.  On a Saturday. 

March Sadness – Tournament time tip-off

Late last week, I was tuned in as closely as I could be to the radio, internet broadcasts and ESPN live updates to try to keep up with my beloved Ball State Cardinals basketball team.  As the season drew to a close, and our conference tournament loomed before us like a veil covering our fate, I crossed my fingers and hoped on a prayer to the Lord Almighty that my team would be graced with the blessing of a post-season tournament bid.  After securing a bye in the first round, we pulled out a nail biter in overtime against Ohio University in the quarterfinals .  Remember them?  No, not the scarlet and gray clad Ohio STATE University.  Don’t be silly.  The Ohio Bobcats.  You know, the team that upset Georgetown in the first round last year?  Next up, conference favorite Kent State.  The same Kent State that made their heroic run to the Sweet Sixteen just 2 years ago and beat us on our home court by 13 earlier this year.  We gave them all we had, and in the end our improvement could not be denied…as we only lost by 11 this time.  Once that final buzzer sounded, the only hope that was left was for a second-rate tournament for losers.  (Yes, I say “we” and “our.”  I’m allowed to due to the massive debt I collected while getting my undergrad degree from there.  And my undying, die-hard love for everything cardinal and white.) 

Eurasia – Elementary school geography and concert tours

In a moment of random clarity today while walking through my office building, I suddenly found myself wondering if the classic rock bands Asia and Europe had ever toured together?  And if they had, would they combine their names such as in the manner that we were all taught in third grade geography?  Sure, it was a generic way to learn the continents, but Eurasia would put on an interesting show I bet!  Then I started thinking (quietly, because it really freaks people out when I walk around talking to myself), “I wonder what some of the most brilliant concert pairings have been.”  After a little research, I found a couple interesting combinations, then came up with a few of my own that I think would be intriguing and funny to see together on a poster. 

Don't Fear the Reaper...worry about Ironman and Godzilla!

 

In the early ’80s, Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult toured together and billed it the Black & Blue tour. 

Sometime in the ’70s, Bread teamed with the short-lived band Jelly…I don’t know if they advertised a clever tour name. 

“Old Time Rock And Roll” and the staying power of modern music

“Just take those old records off the shelf
I’ll sit and listen to ’em by myself
Today’s music ain’t got the same soul
I like that old time rock ‘n’ roll”

 – Bob Seger

You know, there’s nothing better than “the good ol’ days.”  Memories are always better than reality.  It’s so easy to reminisce of great stories of yester-year, all the while, dreading the start of a new work-week.  While growing up, I never understood my parent’s infatuation with listening to oldies.  Every time we got in the car, I was forced to listen to the likes of The Mamas & The Papas, Captain & Tenille, and Tommy James and The Shondells.  And I complained incessantly of not getting to listen to anything new.  When dad got behind the wheel though, at least there was a bit of a compromise.  I knew that I would hear something that was at least tolerable.  Instead of Diana Ross & The Supremes, I got Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. 

By the time I hit high school, I was more familiar with Jimi Hendrix, Bad Company, Queen, The Rolling Stones, and Aerosmith than I was with Bush, Live, Collective Soul, and…Aerosmith.  (At some point they’re gonna have to consider just sticking to the classics and stop putting out new albums!)  My cd collection more closely resembled a vinyl collection that was slaved over and gathered by some drugged-out hippie from my parent’s generation, than a 16-year-old growing up in the hair metal to grunge rock transition.  I completely ignored the birth of rap.  (But who could blame me for that?)  My dad would always laugh when I told him I wanted to listen to bands like Weezer, Buckcherry, and Cake.  It never failed, he would follow his laughter with the same question, “Where do these guys come up with these names?  Whatever happened to the days of Strawberry Alarm Clock, Mott The Hoople, and Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs?”  (Of course, he was being as sarcastic and ironic as he could.)