This and that

Another Christmas gone by and I'm wondering if it's possible to catch that magic that made Christmas so exciting for me years ago.

Year after year I start looking forward to the holiday season, only to be disappointed time and time again.

Oh well, maybe next year?

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Illinois is 11-2 entering B1G play. I still can't figure out where they'll end up in the conference. I think maybe 7-11 with the possibility of going 9-9.

Getting a NCAA tournament birth is going to be dicey.

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What is going on with colleges and uniforms? It seems every week teams come out wearing some god-awful multi-colored uniform.

Oh for the good-old days when teams had home and away uniforms.

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I see A&E caved in the Phil Robertson/Duck Dynasty drama. No shock. The Robertson clan stood firm and threatened to quit the show altogether if Phil wasn't involved.

As is usually the case, the money won out. A&E knew they were screwed without their ratings giant.

Thank goodness. This story went on waaaay too long.

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The fantasy football season is over (for me anyway). I finished with 1 championship and 1 second place, both in 12-team leagues. Not bad.

The fantasy football radio show (Fantasy Football 101), has just finished up for the season.

This is the 9th season for the show...and the last one for me. After 9 years of doing FF 101 and almost as long doing Sports 101 on Sunday mornings, I've decided, mainly due to health reasons, to call it quits.

Thanks to station manager, Kevin O'Dea, who allowed me to do this for this long. To "Bondsy", who was the host of the show during the 1st 3 years. And finally, to Eric Pedigo and Adam Stark. You two guys made this gig fun for 6 years. Thanks so much.

But the callers were the ones who made these shows go. For those of you who called, thank you very much.

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Funny scene...during the ESPN NFL pregame show today, coming out of a commercial, we saw Keyshawn Johnson have to reach over and jostle Mike Ditka, who had decided to take a nap.

Anyone else out there wish that Chris Berman would be the one to sleep? Throughout the entire show?!

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How much longer till baseball season begins?

What do you do when...

You can't get a song out of your head??

A short time ago a friend of mine put together a video of his proposal. A very sweet video that, in fact, made me cry.

The background music he used had a different affect on me. I was hooked. I had to know the name of the song and who the artist was.

I found out...

The name of the song, All my Days by Alexi Murdoch. This song had a twofold affect. Not only did I get hooked on the song, Alexi sounds a bit like, Nick Drake...whose music once I start listening to, I can't stop.

I'm sure there's a term for this affliction, but I'm sure there is one.

Hmmm, I wonder since the holiday season is upon us, if I listen to a REALLY bad Christmas song, it might cure me?!

Here goes nothing...

Yep, it worked. Now I just want to run outside and scream.

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Now I know why I agree with the conceal/carry law. The way people have been driving lately makes me want to yank out a gun and shoot one of their tires so they'll get off the road and let the sane people get to their destinations!

This and that...

It's a great time of the year for many reasons...

The holidays are almost here (if you go into stores or watch tv commercials, they already are).
High school football playoffs are nearing the state championships.
You start realizing that it won't be long till you overdose on turkey.
You'll probably see family you don't see the rest of the year.
Illinois basketball.
AND....I become VERY popular with THESE people,

 

 

 

Yep, it never fails, right before the holiday season kicks into high gear, the credit card applications fill the mailbox offering fantastic interest rates...if I sign up now.

 

Why would I want a Wal-Mart credit card? I can't stand going in there now! When I go to a store to shop, the last thing I want to see are people shopping in fuzzy slippers and wearing their pajama's!

 

 

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To my fellow Nascar fans, I can no longer stand it. Enough is enough already. I see now why the stands are 25% empty at most of the races.

 

It's Jimmie Johnson's fault! The guy just won his 6th championship in the last 8 years. I can't stand hearing how great he is. According to some, he practically walks on water.

 

The one good thing is I'm not alone. Many of my friends have told me that they're tired of JJ's domination as well. As one friend of mine told me, "Maybe when Nascar decides they want people back in the seats, they'll lower ticket prices and figure out how Jimmie is cheating."

 

I don't know if he's "cheating," but I'm done watching the JJ show.

 

 

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Finally. I have a handicapped parking placard that I use on occasion. I have this because of the nerve disease that I've had for a number of years. I don't always use it because there are days when I feel pretty good and don't feel the need to use handicapped spots.

 

But in the last year I've had 2 people really give me crap for parking in handicapped spots. Both have said the spots are for people who, "really need them," not for "lazy" people.

 

I then informed both people that because of my disease my doctor signed a paper indicating that I should have a parking placard. I then told both of them that I'd give them the name of my doctor if they wish to check. If they didn't, then either apologize or move on.

 

Both instances made me realize, don't jump to conclusions. Things aren't always as they appear.  

 

Christmas music...too early??

I have to admit, I really enjoy Christmas music. I've already started listening to it, much to the chagrin of a few people.

Now, I'm interested in what Christmas music YOU guys like. I need to add to my library of songs.

The above video is, "Stille Nacht" by Manheim Steamroller. Fabulous.

So please, feel free to comment and list some of your favorites.

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Thank god the, "will he or won't he" decision by Cliff Alexander about whether he comes to Illinois to play basketball, is over.

With his decision to go elsewhere, sent many Illinois fans looking for sharp objects or ledges to jump off of.

Folks, he's an 18 year old kid deciding where he's going to play basketball. Life goes on, the earth will continue to rotate, and unfortunately, bills will keep coming in the mail.

Let it go gang. It's not worth the loss of sleep or the grey hairs. Just remember, there are plenty of 16 and 17 year-olds just waiting to put you all through this emotional wringer again!

A day to be proud to bleed orange and blue.

Yesterday was the day many illini fans have been waiting for, for what seems like an eternity.  Yesterday, 3 fine young men signed on the dotted line and decided that they will play basketball for the University of Illinois.

What makes this day particularly special is the 3 young men who signed, Michael Finke, Leron Black, and Quentin Snider, are not just superb basketball players, but fine young men.

Pictured above is Michael Finke and family as Michael prepares to sign his letter of intent. Family is the main thing with all 3 of the recruits...along with their faith.

There are a couple of ways to win. You can run a slick, sleazy, program that goes out and looks for nothing but, "one-and-done" type players. Or you can go out and find quality young men as coach John Groce has, young men that realize there is more to life than just basketball.

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As a huge fan of the show, The Walking Dead, naturally I look forward to Sunday evenings a great deal. To the point where I'll forego Sunday night football during the hour the Walking Dead is on.

A problem has arisen though. So far this season the story line has been about a "virus" spreading throughout the compound. While I understand it's part of the storyline, I've struggled to really get into the new season. Just not enough action for my blood I guess.

Well, at the the end of last week's episode, we see "the governor."

For those not familiar with the show...it's your loss. If you ARE a fan of the show, you realize that, things just got a lot more interesting and the excitement level just went up a few hundred degrees!

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Finally, I've decided to go on a one-man mission. I can no longer stand hearing people say, "you know, right?", "just sayin", or the word, "like" 30 times in 2 sentences.

I'm not stopping with the spoken word either. Somehow, someway, I will get people to use the words, they're, their, and there, in the correct way. While I'm at it, I'm also going to teach people how to correctly use, two, too, and to as well.

You can thank me next time you see me.

Illini off and running.

After an off season of anticipation and wonder, the University of Illinois men's basketball team finally got to take the floor and show the fans what they can expect in 2013-'14...and beyond.

Coach Groce has done a fabulous job of making the basketball program relevant again. His recruiting in just over a year and a half is being noticed throughout the NCAA.

Staying on that topic, this friday, Cliff Alexander, the #2 ranked 2014 recruit, will decide if he will go to Illinois, Kansas, or DePaul.

If Cliff comes to Illinois, the recruiting doors swing wide open. Illinois will be going after players once reserved for the Duke's, North Carolina's, Kentucky's...etc. 

It's ok to be an Illinois fan again everyone.

Away from sports...

Jan and I took a little jaunt to Abe's Hideout in Mechanicsburg for a late lunch. It was a nice drive with still plenty of color on the trees. And the food was very good.

The small town, off the beaten path places, usually are the ones that surprise you the most. If you live in or around Springfield, do yourself a favor and visit Abe's Hideout.