Stuck on 25.

Taking our eyes off the national elections and turning them to some local news. Joe Newton has been suspended by the IHSA for violating the maximum amount of contact days, 25, with athletes during the off-season. The violation occurred during his off-season camp, which lasts 35 days. The suspension also includes assistant coach Charlie Kern. The York boys cross country team they coached won the IHSA class AA State Finals on Nov. 4th. It was their fifth straight year winning and the 26th in school history, but neither of them will be listed as coaches on the team this year.

Joe Newton is the John Wooden of Illinois high school cross country. 25 state titles in 50 years; he was also a coach at the Seoul Olympics. I never ran for Coach Newton, but both my brother's did.

Here is the transcript for an interview I conducted this morning via email with Tim Hendricks, my youngest brother and Godfather of Patrick. He's a former Elmhurst resident, and strangely, still registered to vote here.

Timmy, what years did you attend York HS? 1992-1996

What teams were you on that he coached? I was on the track team 1994, 1995, 1996, sophomore to senior years and Cross Country team in 1994 and 1995, junior and senior years.

What titles or accomplishments did you or the team have? The cross country team won the state meet in 1994 and placed second in 1995, breaking our streak of 6 straight state titles. In 1995, I ran on two all-state relays, placing 6th in the 800 meter relay and 5th in the mile relay. The track team placed 3rd in state in 1996

How would you describe him as a coach? He is a motivator that demands a lot from his runners. He expected a lot from his runners and he let you and every one on the team know when you weren't performing to his expectations. He knew everyone's name on the teams, and we always had more than 100 kids on both the Track and Cross Country teams, and everyone had the same rules.

Where you taught by him outside of being coached? Gym class? I never had him in gym class.

If so, how would you describe him as a teacher? From what I witnessed of him while teaching gym he was more relaxed and he didn't really care what you did as long as you treated him with respect.

Can you describe a difference between; Joe Newton the Coach and Joe Newton the Teacher? Joe Newton the coach yelled a lot more and expected greatness from his runners. It didn't appear he expected much from his students except again to treat him with respect and in turn he would treat the students with respect.

How would you describe him as a man? He is a willful person that is driven to be the best at whatever he puts his mind to.

Was he strong? In what way? Yes, he is a very strong person. He was in his late 60's when he coached me 10 years ago and he got up early every morning to run until he was physically unable to. So when running was to hard on his body he got up every morning to work out in the pool.

Could you take him in a fight? I doubt it, while I was running for him. Maybe now.

What nickname did Joe Newton give you? Mother Hen. The same as my older brother. (Our middle brother, Danny.) His nicknames were not always original but every one had one. (This blogger never received a nickname. I was merely, Hendricks.)

Has Joe Newton ever tried to kiss you? No.

Do you have any opinion about this suspension? I don't have any real strong opinions on the matter, I have thoughts. I think that there is to much scrutiny on amateur athletes, rules that apply to the very few and make it hard on the average athlete, who is competing because they enjoy the sport. High School Athletes can be suspended if they are found to be competing in other organizations outside the IHSA. However, rules are rules and Mr. Newton violated one. This rule I tend to agree with. I believe it is in place to protect the students from over ambitious coaches. High school athletes are not pros, they are not even college athletes, and sometimes coaches need to be reminded that their sport is not the only thing in a students life. This rule protects students from coaches demanding their players be in attendance more than they probably should be. After all, the great majority of High School athletes do not participate past the high school level and even though off- season work-outs can not be required by coaches, and are voluntary, we all know that is not the case for the best athletes.

Do I think 35 days instead of 25 days over the summer is a big deal, No. But that is the number of days the IHSA has decided on. I feel bad for Coach Kern who now has to miss the track season for the violation.

Timmy, have you ever tried to kiss Joe Newton? No.

And finally Tim, why does your fantasy football team suck so bad? Your team sucks.

2006 Midterm Elections

Out.

I guess our vote counted for something else.

2006 Midterm Elections

"We will win the Senate and we’ll win the House. And we’re going to win these elections because we understand the values and priorities of the American people."

So far, it looks like he was half wrong at least. Add it to the list.

Though Tammy Duckworth appears to have lost; this feels alot better than '04.

Happy Birthday Patrick!

Patrick Myles Hendricks, Glendale Memorial Hospital, 11/04/04.

It's an amazing thing when your child is born. Patrick was our second; but it is no less amazing the second time you go through it. It's one of the few things we all have in common. We all get born. A completely new, unique human being arrives on the earth. Right now he is young, but someday he will have friend's, lover's, failings and successes. He will effect people's lives for the better or for the worse. He will help and be helped. He will be taught. He will teach.

My birthday is one week before his. The day, and sad memory, of a friends passing falls in between the two. Dates such as these gives one pause, dwelling on hopes for the future, regrets for the past.

My one hope for Patrick, and his brother Philip, as they walk the difficult path of Life, is that they won't lay waste to the planet as super powerful mutants bent on making the world pay for their father's lack of love.
Jeremy & I, smoking our cigar's of celebration.

The Race For The Sixth District of Illinois. Part 4, Real Nice.

---

November 2, 2006

U.S. Tightens Medicaid Rules for Babies of Illegal Immigrants

By ROBERT PEAR

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 — Under a new policy, children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants with low incomes will no longer be automatically entitled to health insurance through Medicaid, federal officials said today.

Doctors and hospitals said the policy change would make it more difficult for such infants, who are United States citizens, to obtain health care needed in the first year of life.

Undocumented immigrants are generally barred from Medicaid, but can get coverage for treatment of emergency medical conditions, including labor and delivery. In the past, once a woman received emergency care under Medicaid for the birth of a baby, the child was deemed eligible for coverage as well, and states had to cover them for one year from the date of birth.

Under the new policy, an application must be filed for the child, and the parents must provide documents to prove the child’s citizenship.

The documentation requirements took effect in July, but some states have been slow to enforce them, and many doctors are only now becoming aware of the effects on newborns.

Obtaining such documents can take weeks or months in some states, doctors said. Moreover, they added, illegal immigrant parents may be reluctant to go to a state welfare office to file applications because they fear contact with government agencies that could report their presence to immigration authorities.

Administration officials said the change was necessary under their reading of a new law, the Deficit Reduction Act, signed by President Bush in February. The law did not mention newborns, but generally tightened Medicaid documentation requirements because some lawmakers were concerned that immigrants were fraudulently claiming United States citizenship to get Medicaid.

Marilyn E. Wilson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Medicaid program, said: “The federal government told us we have no latitude. All states must change their policies and practices. We will not be able to cover any services for the newborn until a Medicaid application is filed. That could be days, weeks or months after the child is born.”

About four million babies are born in the United States each year, and Medicaid pays for more than one-third of all births. The number involving illegal immigrant parents is not known, but is likely to be in the tens of thousands, health experts said.

Doctors and hospitals denounced the policy change and denied that it was required by the new law.

Dr. Jay E. Berkelhamer, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said the new policy “punishes babies who, according to the Constitution, are citizens because they were born here.”

Dr. Martin C. Michaels, a pediatrician in Dalton, Ga., said that continuous coverage in the first year of life was important because “newborns need care right from the start.”

“Some Americans may want to grant amnesty to undocumented immigrants, and others may want to send them home,” Dr. Michaels said. “But the children who are born here had no say in that debate.”

Under a 1984 law, which remains on the books, infants born to pregnant women on Medicaid are deemed eligible for Medicaid for one year.

In an interview today, Leslie V. Norwalk, acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the new policy “reflects what the new law says in terms of eligibility.”

“When emergency Medicaid pays for a birth,” Ms. Norwalk said, “the child is not automatically deemed eligible. But the child could apply and could qualify for Medicaid because of the family’s poverty status. If anyone knows about a child being denied care, we want to know about it. Please step up and tell us.”

Representative Charlie Norwood, Republican of Georgia, was a principal architect of the new law. “Charlie’s intent was that every person receiving Medicaid needs to provide documentation,” said John E. Stone, a spokesman for Mr. Norwood, who is a dentist and has been active on health care issues. “With newborns, there should be no problem. All you have to do is provide a birth certificate or hospital records verifying birth.”

But Dr. Berkelhamer of the pediatrics academy disagreed. Even though the children are eligible for Medicaid, he said, undocumented immigrants may be afraid to apply because of “the threat of deportation.” And the new policy “will cost the health care system more in the long run,” added Dr. Berkelhamer, because children of undocumented immigrants may go without immunizations, preventive care and treatments needed in the first year of life.

Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, commissioner of the Baltimore Health Department, said: “From the standpoint of public health, the new policy is senseless. It creates delays in getting insurance for children at precisely the moment when they need it most, in the first few months of life.”

Anne Marie Murphy, the Medicaid director in Illinois, said: “The new policy will be a barrier to Medicaid enrollment for citizen children. If we pay medical claims for childbirth at a hospital in Illinois, we know that the child was born here and is eligible for our program, based on income. It would be physically impossible for the child not to be a citizen.”

Doctors, children’s hospitals and advocacy groups, like the National Health Law Program, have been urging states to preserve the old policy on Medicaid eligibility for children born to undocumented immigrants.

Sara Rosenbaum, a professor of health law at George Washington University, said: “The new policy reflects a tortured reading of the new law and is contrary to the language of the 1984 statute, which Congress did not change. The whole purpose of the earlier law, passed with bipartisan support, was to make sure that a baby would not have a single day’s break in coverage from the date of birth through the first year of life.”*

I go back and forth with Republicans I know on this thing called Medicaid. I don't have enough experience studying it nor using it to make a very educated argument. It falls in the catagory of, "Entitlement program," makeing it, by default, tax money wasted by the government. Without any expertise on the subject, I'm prone to agree, entitlement programs may be a waste of money. That there are lazy, crooked people in this world taking advantage of such programs.

And the government doesn't have much money these days. Record deficit, if you haven't heard. As the atricle says, this policy is based on the Deficit Reduction Act, Bush signed in Feburay. A deficit that didn't exsist 6 years ago... But hey, split milk. We gotta make some cut's somewhere. This victory celebration party won't pay for itself.

But when it comes to basic, timely, health care for children, and not just children, newborn infants. Babies. U.S. citizens. I believe it is our job, in the spirit of improving this country for all, to provide basic, timely care for them. I won't buy the argument that the greatest, most profitable country in the world is unable to, can't, or won't. To me, that isn't an entitlement as much as it is keeping this nation healthy, strong and well.

Please, get out and vote on Tuesday.

*Thanks to I Dislike Your Favorite Team for bringing this article to my attention.

My Actor Friends. Part 3

So I completely forgot to mention, this guy Jeremy Luc, is gonna be on CSI:NY tonight. I guess it's a big, special guest part. I think he goes by Jeremy Luke now. Jerk. Please check him out. As always, thanks for your support.

Happy Halloween!

Team Hendricks. Halloween, 2006.

Team Brennan & Bad Art.


Shelto & Ava

The Halloween Hendricks wagon is rollin'!!

A grumpy, Mr. Incredible.

Here's to the sunny slopes of long ago. Part 2.

My buddy Ashley passed away on Halloween, 2001.
It was sudden, shocking and profoundly sad.

Ashley had magic in him. He was a brilliant light.

Driving home from his funeral, in a car full of sad friends, silence fell over us. Behind the wheel I asked aloud, "So, where do you think Ashley is now?" Someone said, "Everywhere," to all our agreement.

Moments later, the sky above showed a brilliant light.
It looked as if God had taken a paintbrush to the night sky.

Green and orange swam above dripping towards the horizon.
Lighting our sad faces which now smiled.
Aurora Borealis confirming our conclusions.

A toast!

To Ashley Hugen and the sunny slopes of long ago!

* A thanks to Lisa for the pic of Ashley, she also remembers Ashley today.

Patrick's Baptism.

Cousin Edward and Team Hendricks
Patrick's Baptism 2006

This past Saturday, we got Patrick Baptized along with his 3 month-old cousin, Marybeth. Patrick will be two on Saturday. We are rather lazy Catholics.

My cousin Edward is a Deacon. He Baptizes everyone in our family. I like that I have a family member perform the ceremony. For me, it becomes a family celebration rather than a obligatory religious ritual. My brother, Tim, is Godfather, The Wife's sister, Karin, Godmother.

He always gives a good service. On this occasion he brought the New Testament (Christian) closer with the Old Testament (Jewish); describing how Jesus taught the Old Testament of 'love thy neighbor' second only to 'love thy God.' Later he examined the 'Our Father' prayer, focusing on 'We forgive those.' Both good, appropriate messages in these times of dwelling on overly exaggerated differences between people and religion.

There is the added pleasure of getting the family together. My Uncle, and Godfather, is a Jew named Herb. He's a big personality, loves to talk and kid. When my son Philip asks, "What's that," while pointing to the Stations of the Cross, my Uncle informs him that it's, "My cousin, Jesus." Earlier in the year, when my Grandmother O'Donnell passed, the flowers he ordered formed a Star of David, which he set in the coffin with her. High comedy.

Marybeth carries her Grandmother's name. I always get a kick out of my wife's family. Everyone is a redhead. My wife is one of six. Her aunt had twelve. Getting them together for these things, you'd think the Midwest's entire population of redheads was in attendance.

Edward is fond of telling family stories; often educating us on our history. Ed is my Grandfather's, sister's son; they were the youngest of thirteen children. Patrick carries his Great-Grandfather's name. My Grandfather's older brother's were bootlegger's in the '20's. Al Capone was at my Great-Grandmother funeral. I should really sit down with him and start a written record of our family history.

Long story short; great fun was had by all.

3, Is The Magic Number.

Today I turned, 33.

More specifically, I turned 33 at 3:33 this morning.

My address is 333 1st street.

I am the 1st of 3 sons.

I am the 2nd of 3 Phil's living in this house.

My father served in the 3rd Marine Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

Today I turned, 33.

The Job Part 2

With their bill in my apron, I approach table 8 asking if they enjoyed the desert. As I reach for, what I assume is her finished sundae, my customer swats my hand away. "I'm not done with that," she says in a joking manner.

She didn't injure me, but we aren't such good friends that I find this all that funny. We did just meet about forty-five minutes ago.

"Pardon me," I respond. I guess she likes cold, chocolate soup.

"You know, I just wanted to mention that my wine glass was very dirty," she states, lifting the glass for my inspection. "Some of this is mine, but alot wasn't."

The glass is rather dirty, but I have little sympathy for customers who complain after the fact. After it is too late for me correct the problem. Of course, this was unintentional, but a mistake was made and I want to correct it.

Why would you drink out of a filthy glass?

Smiling, to hide frustration, "I wish you would have told me. I'd have happily gotten you a clean glass."

"That's alright, I just wanted you to know." Great. Now I know. I hope you tell all your friends about it.

"Please Miss, in the future, tell me if there is any problem and we will fix it right away." Because, I would never drink from a dirty glass. I certainly don't expect you too.

"I don't like to waste food, you would have dumped out the wine." Well, that explains the chocolate soup.

"We could have poured it in a clean glass for you."

"That's true."

I've gotten written complaints to bosses for conversations like the one above. I've been described as rude and defensive. I've been trained to return to a table after either two bites of their entray or two minutes after it has been served. When I do I ask if everything is alright. If it isn't, tell me.

Waiting tables will teach you that, sometimes people just want to complain. That if the problem were fixed, they would be less happy for lack of something to complain about.

They did tip well, so maybe they just wanted me to know.

But... Gross.

Playtime 10-26-06

Suburban Yard in Fall.

Patrick and Max.

Philip testing his theory that, "Leaves fix my car and make it go really fast."

Only known photo of the elusive, feral, Pumpkin Boy.

Philip.

Locations In Elmhurst That Maybe Fronts For A Government Cover-up.

Location: Elmhurst Quarry

Wikipedia alleges it is, "A 150-foot deep limestone quarry covering about 59 acres is located half a mile west of downtown along West Avenue and 1st St. A tunnel from Salt Creek diverts water into the quarry in case of a flood."

Calcite with Marcasite Inclusions found at site. Sounds like a fancy name for Kryptonite?

Another site claims, "The rock is here well bedded (see Illustration sheet 1, fig. 16) and shows abundant traces of organisms. The strata form a gentle anticline with northeast-southwest strike, and the surface shows glaciation. Some dimension stone is quarried." What "organisms," it never says.

Yet another site offers views of the "quarry." Curiously, none of the camera's work.

Suburban teens make it their business to break into places like this. I've never met a single person that has seen the inside.

Open your eyes people.

My Actor Friends Part 2: World's Greatest Dad.

Really. I'm a very good father.

For more info on this film visit, Monkey Come Home.

What's The Big Deal? Part 2

I majored in acting at Illinois State University. We had a lovable acting professor named Patrick. Patrick's greatest tool as a teacher was his passion. Passion for the work. Passion for acting. Passion for the students.

He wasn't a bad drinking buddy either.

Well, Patrick has gotten himself into some trouble. Seems he's gone and kissed a student. A male student. You can read the article here.

When I attended, this would not have surprised me much. I never felt threatened, but it happened. There were some occasions when a complaint went to the head of the department, or the dean. Usually I thought this an overreaction.

College friends have written about it. You can read some here, here, here and here. Some feel that Patrick has been wronged. Some think if the student's feelings had been brought to Patrick's attention he would have stopped. Some argue, well, it is a theatre department. Behavior as a norm is a little more experimental. All, go on record as his friend.

I can't help but think that these are excuses that friends make for another friend. That if the victim had been a women and the Professor less lovable, we wouldn't hesitate to call it harassment. Even in this case, some who knew Patrick, feel he crossed the line years ago.

I made fun of Mark Foley, who I'm not sure did anything illegal, here myself and I'm embarrassed by another Congressional cover-up. I don't think we enabled a sexual predator in Patrick, but I think I should be consistent.

He's a friend.

I think his behavior was inappropriate and unprofessional.

I'd still go drinking with him anytime.

The Job.

I'm a waiter. Been doing it for years. I'm old enough now to feel no shame in it. I chose it, and I like it. I take pride in doing a good job. I enjoy showing people a good time. It helps pay for the food my kids eat, as well as their saving for college.

At it's most basic, you are providing people the food they live on. At it's best, you are a guide through a beautiful gallery of artworks that nourishes all their senses.

I work in a casual, corner bar in Lincoln Square, Chicago. There are white table clothes and lobster on the menu, but it's still a corner bar. I recommend the steaks and burgers.

Last night as I waited tables, a five top sat down. As I welcome them, they interrupt and order a bottle of Zinfandel. We have a pretty extensive wine list. Some thirty-five bottles. I'm happy to suggest a few things, discuss it with them, because the chances of me picking the right wine are small. On Sunday's it's marked half off on all bottles. I try to point out the discount wine list, adding that they may want to pick one out for themselves rather then have me pick it out. They interrupt again, saying that's all fine just bring the cheapest Zinfandel.

I brought our cheapest Red Zinfandel, showed them the label, opened and poured.

You guessed it. They meant White Zinfandel.

Trying to avoid a, "I told you so" tone, I explain that this can happen sometimes when letting your server choose things for you. That it was was partially my fault really, I should have asked which type of Zin they wanted.

I got lucky, one of the people at the table agreed to drink it and I brought them their White Zin.

Blocked.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I'm not a very disciplined writer. I'm not a writer at all. I rely on inspiration to write. If I'm not close to my computer when it comes, it is often lost.

The bar is set pretty high by the writers of the blogs I read. I want to produce that quality a blog myself. Now it is twisted in my head and I have no ideas.

What are some of your writing tricks? What steps do you take to remain productive?

Thanks for reading.

Do You Tag?

The Fantastic Four

FOUR JOBS YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE

1. Waiter
   
2. Boom Mic Operator
   
3. Bread maker
   
4. Script Proof Reader
   

FOUR FICTIONAL JOBS YOU WISH YOU HAD

1. Superhero crime fighter
   
2. Jedi
   
3. Father Time
   
4. Auror
   

FOUR MOVIES YOU COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN

1. The Big Lebowski
   
2. Remains Of The Day
   
3. Kicking and Screaming
   
4. Swinger's
   

FOUR CITIES YOU'VE LIVED IN

1. Normal, IL.
   
2. Key West, FL.
   
3. Hollywood, CA.
   
4. Chicago, IL.
   

FOUR TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH

1. Deadwood
   
2. Lost
   
3. The Wire
   
4. Professional Football Broadcasts
   

FOUR PLACES YOU'VE BEEN ON VACATION/TRAVELED TO

1. Amsterdam
   
2. New York City
   
3. Grand Tetons, Wyoming
   
4. Gettysburg
   

FOUR WEBSITES YOU VISIT DAILY

1. Espn
   
2. The Nation
   
3. Craig's List
   
4. Chicago Tribune
   

FOUR OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS

1. Ice Cream
   
2. Dungenes Crab
   
3. Jury's Burger's
   
4. Jamaican Jerked Mahi-Mahi
   

FOUR THINGS YOU WISH YOU COULD EAT OR DRINK

1. I have no allergies, so I eat anything I want.
   
2. Unless something is prohibitively expensive, I eat it.
   
3. Human Flesh.
   
4. Human Souls
   

FOUR THINGS IN YOUR ROOM

1. PS2
   
2. College Diploma
   
3. Computer
   
4. Ironing Board
   

FOUR THINGS YOU WISH YOU HAD IN YOUR BEDROOM

1. Hot tub
   
2. PS3
   
3. Wet Bar
   
4. A Better Computer
   

FOUR THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW

1. Black T-shirt
   
2. White tube socks
   
3. Glasses
   
4. Wedding Ring
   

FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW

1. Key West Fl.
   
2. Amsterdam
   
3. On a road trip
   
4. Velvet Goldmine
   

FOUR FICTIONAL PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW

1. The Bridge of the Star ship Enterprise D.
   
2. Endor
   
3. Xanth
   
4. Sodor
   

FOUR PEOPLE YOU’D REALLY LOVE TO HAVE DINNER WITH

1. Bill Clinton
   
2. Michael Chibon
3. Michael Jordan
   
4. Marlon Brando
   

FOUR FICTIONAL PEOPLE YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH

1. Peter Parker
   
2. Clark Kent
   
3. Dr. Bruce Banner
   
4. Prof. Charles Xavier
   

FOUR MORE PEOPLE YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH

1. Let's call it a party and invite everyone.
   
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. 
   

I tag Johnny Yen....

Tolerance In My Community.

Visitation Catholic Church in Elmhurst.

Every October, Respect Life Month, the front lawn of Visitation Church is adorned with little crosses. The crosses are meant to remind us of women who have died having abortions. Every year they do it.

Chris had an interesting post recently about tolerance. I'm not sure if this is, but I think it might be a good example of conflict and tolerance.

The church and I disagree. I am Pro Choice. I drive by it everyday. Though I disagree with it, I consider it an effective method without disrespecting me.

They aren't barring my entrance anywhere. They aren't trying to intimidate me, physically or otherwise. Based on their newsletter, they approach the problem with compassion and counseling rather than guilt and condemnation. I do think their focus is selective, but who's isn't. I do hope they preach education and safe sex, but I don't wanna get my hopes up.

We have some neighbors whose children attend school there. My kids play with their kids. Everyone gets along fine. I submit we are tolerant of one another's views.

The Password Is: Music

Echo's hands are everwhere. Tagging.

Like most people now-a-days, I have an extensive music collection. One of, I think, the best features of modern technology, along with Tivo and celebrity space travel.


1) Music That Has Changed Your Life: All the music I listen to changes me for the better, but the era of early '90's alternative music really got me "into" music. *Of course, the definitive example of this is Blockhead.*

2a) An Album That Has Stayed With You For More Than Ten Years (In a good way): Liz Phair-Exile in Guyville, Nirvana's-Nevermind, Beastie Boys-Paul's Boutique, the Pixies-Doolittle. The list is rather long.

2b) Music you're supposed to like, but you're embarrassed to say you never really did: I'm really only a casual fan of Hip-Hop. Bluegrass? Yeah, that's fun... I guess.

3) Music That Makes You Laugh: Before there was R.E.M. and U2 in the late '80's, Weird Al Yankovic was the voice of me and my generation. I still think he is hilarious. One of the best concerts I ever saw was Weird Al at I.S.U. in '94. Really puts on a great multimedia show.


4) Music That Makes You Cry: Usually this happens when a song reminds me of a time and place. If I haven't heard the song in a long time the impact is more pronounced. This happened recently when my buddy Dave made me a mix CD and on it was California by Luna. Not a great song. Not a great time in my life. But I was young and free.


5) Music You Wish You Had Written: Rubber Soul-The Beatles, O.K. Computer-Radiohead, Mutations-Beck, Dark Side of the Moon-Pink Floyd, A Ghost is Born-Wilco...etc....


6) Music You Wish Had Never Been Written: All Musac remakes.


7) Current Music You Like: I tend to be exploring the masters that I have neglected. Otherwise, Wilco. Bright Eyes. Radiohead. Beck. The Flaming Lips.


8) Music You've Been Meaning To Hear: The latest Beck album. I also want to get to know more classical stuff.


Let's see. I TAG Dave at BadArtGlobal.


*Echo, correctly, points out I neglected to included Blockhead. Corrections have been made.

Your Chicago Bulls!!!

Yeah. I'm getting excited.

For what reason?

Why haven't we been attacked again?

If you believe, like I do, that our policies and actions have made the U.S. less safe, why do you think we haven't been attacked again?

Is the plan to take the fight to the terrorists working?

I like to think, with very little evidence, that the men and women who actually fight the war on terror have learned many lessons and perform their duties with conviction. That this is the main reason we haven't seen more attacks.

But I really don't know.

I would like every ones input on this.

Honor Among Thieves and The Truth Will Set You Free.

Barry Bonds has some company.

Up until now he has been easily the most successful and high profile baseball player linked to the current steroid scandal in baseball. Maybe not so much anymore.

Jason Grimsley, a journeymen right-handed reliever who last played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, has named names after being found in possession of HGH (Human Growth Hormone), steroids and amphetamines. Each name kills the kid in me alittle more.

Grimsley getting busted was a fairly big deal. The people he is talking about now make it a much bigger deal. It also continues the destruction of an entire generation of sports heroes.

He named Roger Clemens among others. Without this scandal, Roger Clemens is one of the best players to ever play, as is Barry Bonds. If this sticks to either of them in the form of hard evidence, and Barry might already, they are frauds, liars and phonies.

Driving home from work, ESPN Gameday on the radio, John Seibel said something about Grimsley I found interesting. Without a direct quote, he claimed that if he was in Grimsley's place he would hope he kept quiet about what other people did. That naming others in his confession was a second wrong.

Why does everyone think they are in Goodfella's? Why is there some kind of expectation of honor for these people. They are in this position because they lied, cheated and broke the law for their own gain.

It is this misguided sense of honorable silence that allows crooked cops and corrupt politicians to get away with it just the same as baseball players. What would make you think that they wouldn't sing like a canary?

Why would their silence be reason for respect.

The little kid in me would like to see something. I think it would be cool if Jason Giambi, maybe the only guy to come close to admitting publicly he used steroids, who then came back to perform at a high level even after having a brain tumor, got in front of the camera, admitted he did it and using his current success as an example, tell the kids playing ball they don't need it.

I thought I needed it and I don't.

Maf54: Cool.

Cool is right, Congressman Mark Foley.

What's the big deal?

I ask everyone the same thing.

Maf54: Do I make you a little horny?

I promised myself I'd respond to every TAG.

Dirty Tagged Me.

1) Would you bungee jump? No. I just don't think falling is much fun.

2) If you could do anything in the world for a living what would it be? Quarterback the Chicago Bears.

3) Your favorite fictional animal? A Liger.

4) One person who never fails to make you laugh? My buddy Anita.

5) When you were 12 years old what did you want to be when you woke up? A lawyer.

6) What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? go to the bathroom.

7) Have you ever gone to therapy? No.

8) If you could have one super power what would it be? For a comic book fan, this is a difficult question. Probably invinciblity, there's just something cool about takeing a bullet with no problems.

9) Your favorite cartoon character? Another tough one, probably Bugs Bunny, despite his habit of cross-dressing.

10) Do you go to church? No.

11) What is your best childhood memory? Going on vacation to Wisconsin every year.

12) Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual? No. But I do think it's meaning is unique for everyone.

13) Do you own a gun? No.

14) Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? No.

15) Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? Yes.

16) What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? If they smile or not.

17) What is your biggest mistake? Not taking better care of my credit.

18) Say something totally random about yourself... I eat about a gallon of Breyer's Ice Cream a day.

19) Has anyone ever said that you looked like a celebrity? Yes. Most common: Jerry O'Connell

20) What is the most romantic thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you? Marry me.

21) Do you actually read these when other people fill them out? Sometimes, depends on my interest in that person.

I'll tag Megan over at By & By.

The Race for The Sixth District of Illinois Pt. 3

Illinois Sixth District.
The Fightin' Sixth!

Friday was the first debate between Illinois 6Th District Congressional candidates Dem. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Peter Roska. The debate is available on WBBM 780's "At Issue." The chief topics debated are immigration, taxes, Iraq and stem cell research. Duckworth has been getting alot of heat for not being open and available to news outlets as well as voters. That may or may not be true. You be the judge, I think she holds her own nicely.

Also, Bridget in the Sixth, Wurfwhile and Soapbox/Chicago are doing great work getting info out on the various elections this year in Illinois.

Word.

C.I.A. Reqruitment Commercial

Is anyone else alarmed by this? Do they really need to run commercials advertising the benefits and opportunities at the C.I.A.
I'll admit most of what I know about the C.I.A. is limited to what I picked up from movies and T.V. I always figured they plucked the best and brightest out of the highest institutes of learning and the armed forces. Do they really expect to improve the quality of applicants by running adds on cable? If anyone is considering a career change, here is their link.

Celebrities I've Waited On.

Celebrity: Robert Plant

Date: 1998

Location: Mity Nice Grill, Chicago

Robert Plant came into my restaurant and sat in my section. I was rather excited, this being the first celebrity I had ever waited on and no minor celeb at that. He was curt, but polite, ordering a salad and coke, meeting my gaze with his own. Our mutual respect was obvious.

"Good choice, that's what I had today."
"Great, uh...thanks."

People began to realize who he was, creating an audible stir throughout the restaurant. One of my tables passed me a hundred, ordering me to pay for Robert's meal with it. Taking some pride in my new position as guest artist/collaborator on Robert's lunch; I told him I had to ask Mr. Plant. He rejected the offer out of hand. He seemed to find it silly. I silently agreed with him. This lunch didn't need guys like him, Robert.

After he had finished his meal and paid, I found myself in the bathroom with him. This being before the days of widespread cell phones, he was using the payphone. Later in the day we found he left his glasses resting on the phone. Trying them on I was a little put off by how dirty they were. How could he see out of these, I asked myself. I wear glasses. A single speck of dust on my lens will drive me insane. His had multiple thumbprints, entire areas light would have trouble passing through. How would I ever listen to "Physical Graffiti" again? He had tipped 20%, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd witnessed the dirty side of Rock & Roll.

My Musician Friends.

My Name Is Phil.

This is my song.

My buddy Aaron, pictured above, just spent the weekend recording. This is a link to his MySpace to hear the song, "My name is Phil," among others.

Please check it out and, as always, thanks for your support.

Brett Favre can't hurt you anymore.

It's all over. Nothing more to fear. The worst nemesis in Chicago Sports history is done. Brett Favre shouldn't be feared any longer.

All sports teams need rivals. It happens naturally. One team plays another. You cheer for your team, boo their opponents. Loyalties are based, mainly, on location. If you are from Chicago, or the area, the Bears become your team. If you play a team every year, competing for a Divisional Championship, the rivalry grows.

Sports have been in Chicago a long time. We have two baseball teams, a hockey team, basketball and football. In all that time, none of those teams has had an enemy like Brett Favre.

Isiah and the Pistons were tough, but the Bulls broke them over their legs and went on to much greater heights. We even adopted Dennis Rodman as our own for awhile. Reggis Miller? Maybe, but only for one year, in one series. The Knicks? Please.

The Cubs have the Cards, and previously the Mets, but the Cubs have never been serious contenders for anything. No single team, or man, has ever stood between them and glory. Usually, it's just themselves.

The Sox biggest rival is the Cubs, a team that's not even in their league. Also, divisional realignment has changed their yearly rivalries. The winning of The World Series last year washed away so many bad memories. On their way to the top they didn't have to face anyone or any team that had historically bested them. There is no Yankees to their Red Sox. Go White Sox!

Hockey, well, no one really pays attention to the Blackhawks. If they do, then I assume their public enemy #1 is the owner himself.

The Bears greatest rival is the Packers. We play them twice a year and have been for nearly a hundred years. And, we are a Bears town. Even when the Bulls were collecting championships they had to fight for headlines with Dave Wanndstedt. Kevin Butler of the '85 Superbowl Championship team still does commercials here. You ever hear a Judd Buchler commercial? Nope, it's all about the Bears here.

And the Bears hate the Packers.

Brett Favre is Green Bays quarterback. He has been for 211 straight games.

We hate Brett Favre.

Here's some number to illustrate why.

Brett Favre first start was on Sept. 20, 1992. He hasn't missed one since.

Games versus Bears, by season.
'92 1-1 CH W in GB.
'93 0-2
'94 0-2 CH beaten in season series by a total score of, 73-9.
'95 0-2
'96 0-2
'97 0-2
'98 0-2
'99 1-1 CH W in GB by blocked FG. Nov. 1, Payton passes
'00 1-1 CH W in GB.
'01 0-2 CH swept by GB despite going 13-3 and winning division.
'02 0-2
'03 0-2
'04 1-1 CH W in GB.
'05 2-0 CH first season sweep of Packer since '91, the freakin' year I graduated high school.
'06 1-0

Total 32 games played, 9 Bears wins, 22 Bears losses.

We didn't win in Green bay from 10/25/92 till 11/7/99. That streak was broken just days after Walter Payton had passed away. Emotionally, the greatest game I've ever watched.

Brett Favre had a 13 game winning streak in Soldier Field. I went through my twenties never seeing the Bears beat the Packers in Chicago. This guy made it a yearly ritual to come to Chicago and beat our butts in. Virtually every Packers game during my six years in college was misery. Highlighted by a Halloween smack down in '94 that still haunts me.

This past Sunday, the Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers, in Green Bay, 26-0. That's right!! 26 to Nothing!

It is the first time Brett Favre has ever been shutout in his NFl career. It is the ONLY time Brett Favre has been shutout in his life. Brett Favre has played in more straight games at the quarterback position then anyone else in the history of the NFL. He had our number like no one ever has. But we beat him in his last home opener, cause this year is it for him.

Yeah, he was a great QB. First ballot Hall-of-Famer. I always thought he was a bit of a frontrunner. Sure, he won a Superbowl, but when he ran into a team that punched back the next year, he blew it. He should have retired two years ago when everyone loved him. Now, everyone is just sick of him. He's proving to be a bad teammate, selfish and unwilling to change. Unwilling to help a bad team move on without him.

Enjoy the next 16 weeks, Brett.

The Race for The Sixth District of Illinois Pt. 2

Illinois Sixth District.
The Fightin' Sixth!

The campaign rages on. We have received seven, expensive looking, flyer's mailed to our home. Three from the Republican Party. Four from the Democratic Party. All related to Illinois's 6TH Congressional race. The Dem's took the lead with three in my mailbox today. Not including today's flyer's, the main focus of these is immigration.




This one was sent by the RNC. Tammy Duckworth's responses is to call him a liar, saying she supports increased military presence on our borders.

I consider immigration to be one of those election year issues. An issue that hits close to home. Gets people emotional. They pull it put out; fight about it. I don't think the G.O.P. or the Dem's really want to do anything about it. Different than Gay Rights issues which they do in fact want to do something about. Bad somethings. Other than a knee-jerk, fearful, nationalistic urge to protect ourselves from the foreign; do they really want to eliminate all that inexpensive labor? I doubt it.

I'm not sure illegal immigration is a problem in the Sixth. I do think our boarders need to be more secure. Not just our southern boards, our northern boarders, and especially cargo that arrives in this country whether by air or sea. I did find this study on illegal immigration if you are interested.

None of these flyer's discuss any plan to deal with immigration. They only attack the position of the other. I favor a "path to citizenship" for illegals. Rounding them all up, prosecuting them for illegal immigration and deporting them seem wildly unfeasible.

No, the flyer's are all about perception; as so much is in politics today. Peter Roskam is playing the perception with his unscheduled debates ploy. There are four debates coming up. Roskam schedules debates outside those already scheduled, invites Tammy Duckworth. She turns down the invite; Roskam goes and beats up an absent opponent.

Today's mailing looks like this:
Playing up the link between Roskam and Pork Barrel spending. They are right to do it; Roskam has already pledged to earmark funds for road construction needed here in the 6TH.

I have no end to this post. Check out all the info and get to the polls in November.

Elmhurst Teachers Council Vs. Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205: Pt. 3

Looks like the Teachers Union and the School Board have come to an agreement on a two-year contract.

This is good news; no strike. I hope they feel they got a fair deal.

I'm happy, if the teachers are happy.

New picture.

I got tagged and didn't realize it.

Sorry about this. I didn't notice Frank tagging me.

A Book That Has Changed Your Life: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. If you talk to friends they'll tell you that I like to indulge myself. I have attempted to recreate the opening paragraph to this book, and the contents as a whole, in Vegas on a couple of occasions. Honorable mention: One Knee Equals Two Feet by John Madden.

A Book That I've Read More Than Once: The Catcher In The Rye. When I was young it helped me feel like I wasn't the only kid pissed off all the time. As an adult it reminds me that kids are pissed off all the time. That's an oversimplification of course. Honorable Mention: Watchman by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons.

A Book That Makes You Laugh: Fargo Rock City. Deconstruction and defense for an era and musical genre that often get the short end of the stick. Honorable Mention: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard.

A Book That Makes You Cry: The 9/11 Commission Report. Much better written than I expected. Say what you want about it, it humanizes the events of that day better than anything I have read on 9/11. Honorable Mention: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote.

Book You Wish You Had Written: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. The best "modern" American novel I have read. A grand historical-fiction about the origin of comics, the people who created them and America in the 20Th century. Honorable Mention: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller.

Book You Wish Had Never Been Written: The Bible. I know the other religious texts out there have caused some trouble, but has any book ever written been the justification for more misery than the Bible. Honorable Mention: Dianetics by L.Ron Hubbard.

Book You Are Currently Reading: A People's History of The United States, 1492-Present. Excellent "alternative" history from the perspective of the oppressed throughout U.S. history. Thanks for the recommendation Chris. Honorable Mention: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

Book You've Been Meaning To Read: The Bible. I should know more about it if I'm gonna criticize it so much. Honorable Mention: Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard.

I tag Dirty Laundry. And also Johnny Yen.

First Day Of School

Today was Philip's first day of school. Preschool, actually. He attends Precious People classes at the local YMCA. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Nine a.m. till eleven a.m. He was enrolled in the same class, same teacher, last spring semester. So, it isn't a completely new experience for him. He was fairly excited to go back, see his friends and teachers.

Why the YMCA? One, the price is right. I don't like to put a price on my kids education, but let's be honest, the cost of a standard Montessori school is a bit much. There is probably something to be said for rampant consumerism invading our school choices too. I'm not the guy to make it other then to say, the costliest isn't always the best.

Two, we love the facilities. No it ain't much to look at, but they take the kids swimming ever week. In the winter they ice skate and swim. Very few preschool programs offer that. Philip's heroic level of energy require's it. Activity equals expended energy which equals naps. Sweet, sweet naps.

First days of school occur for millions all over the world. Normal. Ordinary. What is just as common, but much more difficult, is the feeling a parent has as they leave their child behind at that school. The child is partially on their own, partially in the school's care. Most important, they are not in my care.

Your child trusts you to keep them safe. We drop them off and trust that they will be. I trust the parents of his fellow students. All the parents trust the other members of the Y coming and going. You trust the community the school is in. Strangers in a web of trust, or TrustWeb, for our purposes. If you asked me if I trusted a stranger with my son, I'd say no. I'd be lying. I trust strangers everyday to keep them safe. I should be more honest. When that safety is menaced, history tells us it will be those strangers first to help.

Thought I would forget the most important reason we attend the Y? We like the teacher. Her name is Ms. Maryellen. After meeting her last semester we were impressed with her patience, openness and creativity. I try to get daily behavior reports on Philip plus any homework for me; ways I can re enforce what she is working on with the kids. She has been very good for Philip. We trust her.

Random Elmhurstian Sightings.

A few months ago, a buddy of mine had a bachelor party. Perhaps the worst bachelor party a group of guys could throw for a friend. It ended up being rather fun, but at one point we were all standing around my broken down car after our lunch at a Blimpie's. Broken down car and Blimpie's are not two things you want at any bachelor party.

Later that evening, wandering from bar to bar in Lincoln Square, we stop at the Chicago BrauHaus. It's a nice German restaurant we go to from time to time. Unfortunately it was packed on this night. There was no way twenty guys were gonna fit comfortably in there.

Loitering out front, trying to decide where to go next, Dave and I needed to use the bathroom. We step into the Brauhaus to use their faculties. One of the stalls was in use so I took the free one. Dave used the toilet. Dave finishes first and moves to the sink. I guess he washes his hands after using the bathroom. Yuppie. Anyway, Dave is from Elmhurst too.

He wonders out loud, "What was the name of that German place in Elmhurst?"

Still standing at the urinal, "I don't remember any German place in Elmhurst."

"It used to be right downtown."

"Must have been before my time."

"What was the name of that place?"

"I don't know, Dave."

Before we came to blows over this, from my left at the next urinal I hear, "The Heidelberg."

Dave exclaims, "That's it! The Heidelberg."

Zipping-up I turn to look at the person talking. I haven't noticed this guys face because, well, men don't really look at each other in the bathroom. Now that I am looking at him there's something familiar.

"Guido?"

"Yes?"

"Guido!"

"Phil."

Excited, and more than alittle drunk, I holler "Dave, Guido's here!"

I also begin to kick Guido in the ass as he still stands facing the urinal. From what I remember, Guido was the type of funlovin' guy who wouldn't mind being kicked in the ass as he is trying to zip-up.

I'm not getting that from him tonight.

Guido is a former Elmhurst resident and York High School alum. Turns out Guido is there to propose to his girlfriend, who works at Chicago Brauhaus. I guess he doesn't like getting kicked in the ass, standing at a urinal, right before he is about to ask the women he loves to spend the rest of his life with him. Yuppie.

Guido invites us to come back in awhile to see it all go down. Unfortunately, we can't guarantee anything. Snapping a picture in the bathroom and wishing him good luck; we walk up the stairs and out the door. Bachelor parties being what they are, we never do return.

I hope it went well. I hope they are happy. I hope I wasn't the only guy to kick you in the ass on your engagement night.

Burn Hollywood Burn.

I was reading the latest post over at [Catchy Title] about his hatred for Hollywood. It's the first post over there I have ever read. I don't have anything against Brian. I'm assuming I don't know him. This isn't an attack on him. It just gets under my skin when anyone brings up the subject of Hollywood. Invariably, they hate it.

I hate Hollywood.

It's a cliche. I hate Hollywood. You hate Hollywood. Everyone hates Hollywood. If you have any urge to be unique, when the subject of Hollywood comes up, say nothing. Even if you hate it. It can go unsaid. Everyone hates Hollywood. You wanna be punk and edgy try loving Hollywood.

I hate Hollywood and that whole L.A. scene.

Most people who hate Hollywood base their entire opinion on the film and television industry. MTV's Next is bad T.V. poisoning our youth, so the beauty of a sunset while sitting on Malibu beach can't be considered. Or watching whales surface while migrating north or south at Santa Monica Pier sucks cause of it's proximity to NBC.

I think California is morally and psychologically killing the children.

Sometimes they even like to roll all of California into their hatred; you know those ancient Redwoods are responsible for teen anorexia. I wonder if people hate Washington D.C. because of political corruption. Do they hate Nevada because of gambling? Do you hate Utah because of the Mormon religion? Why would you hate an entire city or state because of a single industry? Nobody ever says, I hate Nashville. I hate Tennessee. No. They say, I hate country music.

It's a plague.

Film and Television products are just that, products. Watch or don't watch. Hollywood is a city. Thousands of people who live there have nothing to do with the products Film and Television produces. California is a state with millions of people and natural wonders that have nothing to do with film and television.

I hate everything about it.

I lived in Hollywood for awhile. Both of my sons were born at Glendale Memorial. My time there is a laundry list of friendly gestures and helping hands; hardworking people trying to support one another. From crashing on couches to free babysitting. Rides to auditions. Agent meetings. Rides to work. Food. Cash. I had a friend who would watch my son, Philip, while he auditioned. Would you take a friends son to a job interview cause they needed it? I now live in the near west suburb of Chicago, Elmhurst. Sometimes I wonder if the people here, my friends included, are as welcoming, open and generous as those I left behind in L.A.