My Time in the “Windy City” (From a guy’s perspective)

        It was the early 90’s. I graduated from high school in California in 1992 and was pulled away from the sunny skies and fair atmosphere a week later. (IF THAT!)

My then stepfather got a new job and I was forced to move. No time for my high school graduation to set in or any chance to go to at least ONE graduation party. The economy was tough (even back then) and I was torn away with NO chance to argue.

As always however I try to look at the bright side of things! The sports teams were EXCELLENT in Chicago before  I was there. The Bears (an NFL football franchisee) went 15-1 losing only to the dolphins that are the only team to go undefeated in a season. (Alas that happened in 1972) a full year before I was even born. 

Also during this time the NBA team did pretty darn good. Michael Jordon a former North Carolina Tar Heels came to town and help lead the Bulls to 6 NBA Champions ships. He (they) did it in an odd way too. 

         The first run was 3 championships in a row. The then took a sabbatical for two seasons and came back to win three more in a row to shock everybody whom followed basketball. As well a few who did not. (Guess who “retired” for a couple of seasons in the middle of the run.) 

Let me tell you I was blown away by the fantastic sports teams in that time. I am even fond of a nickname given to a baseball player during those daze. He was known as the Big Hurt. Which of the two professional Baseball franchises did he play for? You will have to figure that one out for yourself. 

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Saphphire

In a word, valuable. That’s what precious means to me, as in worth it 100%. This film was worth it 100%. Yes, my friends and fellow readers I can stand the violence and profanity if the storyline come across so clear and precise. That was the case in this movie. 

The acting was phenomenal. From start to finish every role was played magnificently. Gabourey Sibide was golden in her portrayal of the titular role. By golden I mean Oscar nominated on her big screen debut. She shone in the spotlight and deserved to be seated amongst the best like Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep on Oscar night. 

This film shone as well. It put the spotlight on domestic violence and told that is does happen so very close to home. What also hits close to home is the heartstrings plucked during this 109 minutes epic film. It was poignant, tear jerking and heartbreaking all at the same time. You are put through a flood of emotions during the aforementioned 109 minutes. 

           This is one of those movies that will stick in your craw for a long time. It is not one easily forgot nor should it be. It is powerful and magnificent and deserves all the accolades it got. I will not forget it anytime soon and hopefully you wont either. 

                                                                                                                                                                             Grade A+

Percy Jackson and The Olympians In The Lightning Thief

                                                                                                             By Rick Riordan

                                                                                                              A Book Report

My first thought when I started to read this book is how Harry Potter of you. Lets see a young boy, a multibook series, one is a wizard on is a god. He even calls himself a half-blood in the beginning. The comparison ends there. This book is creative, fun and imaginative. (not to say that Harry Potter is not) I even liked the audio book version read by Jesse Bernstein. 

This book was a hot commodity at the library. I had to borrow it from Media and it was on hold when the due date came up. I listened to the last few chapters on CD. 

The story moved well from start to finish all 25 chapters and 384 pages were easy to read and well thought out. The characters were original (except the Greek gods) and the concept new. This book was the most fun I had reading a book in a long time. 

               This is definitely a book you can read to the whole family. I would recommend it to anyone young or old. The series is off to a good start I just can’t wait to see the movie next month or read the next book in the series. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Grade A

MSU vs. Tennessee

         A trip to The Final Four was on the line. Tennessee had never been there before for MSU it was old hat they had been there 7 out of the last 12 times and was the only team still alive from last years Final Four. It was a nip tuck game with never more than a six-point lead held by either team. It was a game for the ages in a year of upsets and surprises any thing could happen. 

              The Volunteers started off strong with a 6-2 lead. They were at one point a perfect four for four from three-point territory. The Spartans ragged back however and tied tit up at 11. The teams traded threes and the battle raged on. 

There were spurts of strength at different times. MSU went on 7-1 run at one point followed up shortly thereafter by a 7-0 run by the Volunteers to tie it up at 21. The entire game was close and amazing exciting for all at home and in the crowd.

Included in the crowd was MSU graduate Magic Johnson whom was in one of the most popular ever MSU games in 1979 where he faced of against Larry Bird for the first time. The air was electric and the seemingly mutual crowd cheered its heart out the entire game. 

This was my first game ever as a MSU fan. I cheered, screemed and went a little horse in this exciting back and forth game. The winner was to face Butler in Indianapolis and a trip to the Final Four. 

Despite holding a two point lead at half time and going on a 11 -2 run at some point in the second half the underdog Volunteers couldn’t muster up a win. Christina B. a long time Volunteers fan said she was proud of her team however because they had never gotten the far before in the finals.

It was a game for the ages and not one I will soon forget. I am personally happy to have watched such an amazing game. This is not one I will soon forget nor should I neither will any of the Spartan fans I know here in PA. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Grade A+

The Coffeehouse Creature

It was a busy Sunday at the local coffee house. There were many customers that day. Many of them regulars a few of them first time visitors and even a few that were guests of the aforementioned. There were five employees on that day. The owner named Dennis whom only worked on weekends. Jack was the lone male hourly employee and he left a small amount of liquid in a tiny glass on top of the counter. Shelley asked him several times to throw it away, pour it down the sink or dispose of it somehow but he refused. “I ain’t touching that thing!” he replied. “It doesn’t look safe to me.” Now we all know he was joking and a few of the customers even got a chuckle out of it. They lacked the knowledge however of what lied ahead. The terror inside that 4-ounce container. Although it was only half full that woluld be enough. The longer it sat and brewed the worse it became. Little did the staff know what danger comes it small packages. If only Jack knew how much trouble a few ounces of “unknown liquid” could cause. If only he was aware of the countless hours of indescribable horror that lied ahead, I am sure he would have thrown the liquid away when he got the chance.

Nine lives and Five homes of a cat!

They say a cat has nine lives; I say it has nine homes as well. I know the title of the story say five but hey, deal with me here. I work a nine to five workday so deal with it. The best part of that day is coming home to somebody who loves you. Some people come home to a spouse, other come home to children and infants, yet others come home to a barking dog with a wagging tail. Those people are crazy! You must feed and clothe a child. One is required to talk and actually get a long with a spouse. (Crazy huh.) I am to lazy for that I like to just sit in my easy chair and pet my kitty. (She is usually sitting in it in the first place.) Within a few minutes he or she is purring away, licking my hand, and biting my chin! (Ouch) Very little responsibility is required to take care of a cat. As I said before I am a lazy bastard! I don’t want to work at home as well as in the office. I desire only to throw a ball of yarn, scratch him behind on his head, or brush her fur. Some times I play with their tail and clip their claws but what ever I do they are purring within a few minutes and content to sit in my lap as long as I don’t put them on the floor. I have had many feline friends over the course of my life. I have required them in many ways. My mother and sister found one at a flea sale. We later acquired one from a neighbor whom had a litter of them. We took two that time, and my latest acquisition was left on my front door step like a baby in a basket. There is no BAD way to adopt a young friend, just as long as you take good care of them through thick and thin. Some kitties cough up fur balls others meow all night, and some will scratch up any piece of furniture in your home. (Declaw the last type they cost money!)

Great Television Voices

As children we are told it is best to be “Seen and not heard”! As a result when a parents are busy paying the bills, washing the dog, or making the family dinner. We are sent to the living room to watch television. You see I am a child of the 80’s so I grew up watching shows like: Charlie’s Angel’s, The Dukes of Hazzard, and Knight Rider. The theme woven amongst these hour-long adventures was each of them had an “unseen” character. All of these hour-long adventures had a theme amongst them. No, I am not speaking of the music played at the beginning of each episode. I refer to the common thread woven amongst these hour-long dramas. That theme was fast cars and strong women, and where would our society be with out a voice of reason. All three of these TV shows had a “Voice of Reason” and each played an integral part of the plot, store line and over all feel to the story. In the following few pages or paragraphs we will explore each shows unseen character or “Voice of Reason”.