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Mourning & Rocking In The 70's

April 30, 1979

Went to Sue's funeral.
It was done very well.
Went to Lindstom's after.
Saw Rod there.
Poor Rod.
Went to see the New Barbarians at Amphitheater with Joy.

Author's note:

Nothing like spending an entire day at a funeral, the after gathering at the deceased's house, spending time with the deceased's family and another friend who had recently BARELY survived a motorcycle accident and then going to a rock show. In my defense I'd had the tickets for some time and almost decided not to go but Joy agreed with me that of course Sue would've approved.
Now the quiz of the day would be "who the Hell were the New Barbarians?"
And the answer would be - a short-lived side project led by Ron Wood & Keith Richards.
Rockin'.

Partying On In the 70's

April 29, 1979

Worked all day.
Went to Sue's wake at night.
It was open casket.
Shit.
Debbie had a party after.

Sadness In The 70's

April 28, 1979

Sue Lindstrom and R.J. Paulson were killed this morning.
God dammit!
Kyle was put in the hospital.
Went to eat pancakes at the temple.
Went to Ward's at night to drown sorrows.

Author's note:
Sorry dear readers for the downer. Alas, isn't it the unfortunate classic tale? Senior year, two weeks before prom, a month before graduation, the kids party too much and drive fast and hit a tree. I could blame it on the 70's and suburbia but actually...

I just received a card in the mail from a high school chum as I post this - It says:

"When you're in jail, your GOOD friends will come and bail you out.
Your BEST friends will be in the cell next to you saying, Damn, that was fun!"

Fibbing In The 70's

April 27, 1978

Went to McDonald's for lunch with Nan & Debbie.
Had all the plans set for going to Western tomorrow
till I talked to Julie today.
Nobody will be there I guess.
Had to tell Triscia I couldn't go with her.
Went to Lisa's for a little while later.

Author's note:
Hmm. Something tells me NOW that Julie was probably full of it.
Nobody would be around a University on a weekend?
Me thinks Julie had a hot date and didn't want her highschool friends around to put a kink in it.
Damn, I'd buy anything from that girl back then. Me so gullible.

Passover At The House Of Bubbling Mud

I met two little girls in the bathroom at El Coyote.
They were no more than six or seven, black, or of "mixed ethnicity' as they say in the talent trade.
They told me, "Women shouldn't make coffee."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because, " the shorter one said, "In the Bible it says 'He Brew'."

They cracked up. Then the same girl asked if I was wearing a dog tag. Yup. I asked if they could tell me where it was from since it was in the shape of a state. She read it, said, "Brookfield." Well, yeah, but what state is it? They both asked for a hint. One asked for the first letter. I told them "I". One said "Idaho"? The other said "Illinois" and I gave her the thumbs up.
"I was born in Illinois," she said.
"No you weren't. " the other said.
"Yes I was."
"Nuh uh."
"Yes I was. I was born in Chicago."
"Oh yeah, okay."
And then they were out the door.

Snapets Of The Weekend

Movies Watched = 2 1/2 (Including Bridgette Jones: Edge Of Reason)
Alcohol Units Consumed = Stopped Counting
Bars Visited = Three
Parties = One
Naps = Two
Calories Counted = Never

Pretty Fun In The 70's

April 22, 1977
Went to Baskin Robin's for lunch with Nan.
Got another letter from Julie.
Went out with Debbie, Robin, Lisa, Debbie, Joy & Sue.
Jodee and Nan came with us for a while.
It was a pretty fun night except I found out
Chris is going out with some Rosary chick.
I took it pretty well though.

April 23, 1977
Nan called.
Went downtown with her & picked Debbie up from work.
Drove around for a while.
Nan picked me and Debbie up later
& went to her house.
She had a party.
It was pretty fun.
I had a good time except when Dru had to take us home.
Yuck.

Hometown News

AURORA — There is a certain pecking order among Bears fans.

Up at the top are the hardcore, the ones who show up to Soldier Field at 6 a.m. on game days to ensure a prime tailgate spot.

Then there's Mike Baum. For the last several years, the Aurora man has been at the center of the tailgate crowd, ever since he bought a former school bus and fashioned it into the ultimate Bears-mobile.

He hired an artist to transform its yellow paint job to a rolling mural of blue-and-orange Chicago pride. Modesty aside, Baum said, "it was gorgeous, man." In the front went a slick stereo system; in the back went five grills for preparing his signature tailgate lunch of prime rib and all the fixings.

Wednesday, the unique vehicle was stolen.

Judging by a new set of tire marks on the lot where the bus was parked, Baum guessed that someone backed a trailer up to his beloved bus and simply drove away with it.

"What kind of dastardly person would take this?" Baum said. "It's of no value to anyone else. You can't sell it for parts; you can't take it to the grocery store or anything."

"There are some real tragedies in this world, and this is not one of those," he said. "But this bus was the most personal material thing in the world for me."

"They stole a little bit of my lifestyle, a part of my identity," he said. "I didn't want to deny myself a midlife crisis," said Baum, who turned 50 today. "So I gave my wife the choice between a blonde, a Corvette and a bus. The bus won."

Ever since, Baum has held a parking place of honor in the south lot of Soldier Field. Every home game, 10 to 15 other hardcore fans circle their wagons around Baum's bus for a day-long tailgate party, with each bringing a dish to pass. "People knew that I parked in that first spot and that prime rib was my specialty," he said.

The last time he got to use the bus was last year's game against Houston. "It was 11 degrees below zero that morning," he said. "We had to keep the beer on the grill to keep it from freezing."

He said he has no idea who might have been motivated to steal it. He doesn't know of anyone who has anything against him or his bus. "In my heart, I blame Packer fans," he said. "I've got a lot of hate in my heart for Packer fans right now."

Assuming the thief's heart can't be softened, he appealed to area residents to keep their eyes open for a blue-and-orange bus, covered with images of bears and football. "Someone's going to see it," he said. "It's totally a head-turning kind of thing."

What The Chuck

The other day at the dog park, I set my Coffee Bean cup and my ball chucker down on the picnic table so I could dispose of a doggie deposit. About twenty minutes later, as I was wandering the grounds with my three canine, another dog walker called out to me from forty feet away, "Excuse me. Excuse me! Is that your chucker?" I called back that it was and went about my business of chucking. I continued to hear her telling people that she'd lost her red chucker, that she'd laid it on that table and now it was gone....

Of course I had to keep reminding my Catholic-born guilt self that I indeed had my own red chucker and I didn't take anybody's damn chucker. She had about ten dogs with her and she had been chatting with another walker who had about ten dogs with him. Highly possible someone walked off with her chucker. Or maybe it was like "What The Bleep Do We Know" and she had experienced some kind of quantum mechanics leap where she saw me lay my chucker on that table but she saw herself doing it. Or maybe she was just psychotic and wanted me to hand over my $12.99 red chucker.

Later, as we both were leaving the park, she stopped by my car as I was putting the dogs in the back. She was giving Peyton, the Shepard mix, a pat and just to make a point I presume, I threw the chucker in back with the dogs and Oscar sat on it.

Coming Home In The 70's

April 19, 1976
VACATION
EASTER
Dave's birthday.
Lisa came home from Florida.
Julie, Lisa and I went driving around and picked up Sheryl.
Grandma came over for Easter dinner.
Julie called the Hawk and dedicated
"Sunshine Of My Life" to Steve!

April 19, 1979
Debbie came home from Florida.
Got absolutely crazy.

NoHo Theater District

Sunday Sundae

The Hollywood Spin Cycle

It's just so mind spinning when you go to a new restaraunt to celebrate your anniversary and you see across the aisle from you, some old friends. A television producer and his wife -an ex television producer - who you used to know through two friends, one who now works for him, and one who was once your boss. You notice the wife looking at you once or twice but you let them enjoy their dinner with some talkative friends and you and your mate enjoy your yummy chicken mole and margaritas in pint glasses. The husband doesn't utter a word throughout their meal until they are almost finished and the whole table cracks up because that's the kind of guy he is. A paid jokester who doesn't have to entertain the troops when he's not working. So you can't resist, after paying the bill, you get up, pop over there and tap the husband on the arm and they all look up at you like you're an actress about to heap praise and kiss some ass but you politely apologize for interupting them and remind them who you are by mentioning your name and your mutual friend's name in the same breath. They both light up visibly and say Oh hey, great to see you, I thought you looked familiar. The wife ponders how long its been and you say way too long to think about because truly its been years but remind the husband that you saw him at HELLHOUSE and you all chat about the rumor that HELLHOUSE is going to Broadway and that it's supposed to be made into a movie and how wild that all is. They both say again they're glad you stopped by and it's really great to see you and you apologize again because before you go you HAVE to ask if they have any word on your ex boss and they drop their smiles and both say he's terrible and he's a mess and it's not a good scene and that he kicked your friend out of his house for suggesting he pull it together and oh, well. You drop your shoulders and say you had to ask but nonetheless it was great to see them and they agree. You go home and call your friend and ask if its true and after you confirm where you heard it he confirms it was although it happened in a slightly more joking manner after the ex boss ridicules the show that the friend works on that by the way won the emmy for best comedy and oh, byt he way, the ex boss is at Cedars currently and your mind just, well continues to spin as you and your friend promise to get together soon for coffee.

JUSTifying In The 70's

April 13, 1976
VACATION
Went over to Julie's in late afternoon.
Watched television all day & night.
Bruce and Jerry called.
Asked me to come over tomorrow night.
Said no.
Bruce - yuch!

April 13, 1977
Watched the soaps and then just cleaned my room.
Talked to Julie for a while.
Went out with Julie at night.
Went to Dave's house for a while
then just drove around.
Had a good time.

I Don't Like Mondays, Tell Me Why

I go to Trader Joe's this morning and discover that my bank card has been de-magnetized.

I go to PetCo on my way to see Buster the Boxer so I can pick up one of those tennis ball chuckers. He's a real slobbertooth. I see an endcap advertising the chucker for $14.99 with "free" extra ball. I pick one up and continue down the toy aisle and see the regular chucker without the freebie for $12.99. I give them both a scowl and a clerk sees me and asks if I need help. I ask him to verify what I'm seeing and he does and golly they are both priced "correctly". What a load of crap. If there had been an alternative brand I would have bought it.

After playing with Buster for his half hour, I get on the freeway and I'm going 65 when a guy going 45 decides to change into my lane right in front of me while a big van is tailgating me and we both brake hard much to the a-hole's oblivion.

I get to Gatsby's house. I met Gatsby the Dachsund/Chihuaha mix Saturday and he's a recent rescue with lots of issues. Like he doesn't like people. But on Saturday after a few treats and cootchi coo's he warmed up to me and it seemed promising so we set up some appointments. Apparently Gatsby didn't remember me and if he did it didn't matter because he wanted nothing to do with me without his mother being around. I couldn't get near him for forty minutes and when I finally did he bit my finger, punctured it through to the nail. Blood and tears spewed and it pissed me off that it made me cry and that this little bugger has little hope of ever being socialized. I called his mother and while I waited for her to come home (I couldn't get him back in his kennel and I couldn't leave him out of it) he just barked at me incessantly and was more aggressive than before he bit me. Actually I couldn't have made it past him to the door if I tried. Luckily he had all his shots. I left the set of keys behind and Gatsby's mom paid me five dollars more than my fee. An ill-named dog if there ever was one.

Coming out of the Laurel Canyon Dog Park (with wonderful, sweet Missouri & Peyton), waiting to turn onto Laurel from Mulholland, a guy turned from the opposite direction, looking up from his lap just before he nearly sideswipes me with bigass SUV.

I stop at the bank. They no longer carry the machines that magnetize the cards. It'll be seven business days for a replacement to arrive.

It's our anniversary today, me and David. Do you want to go out to dinner, he asks me? I think staying home is the safest idea at this point, honey.

Miterettes

In honor of Pope John Paul II's funeral and going to a party with a slew of South Side Chicago Poles, I fashioned some miters out of the newspaper coverage of the rites. (With the help of internet directions for napkin folding...)

Did anyone else notice how dopey Bush looked at the ceremony? MJ and I pondered that since God supposedly talks to Bush, HE must have been sitting behind Dubya saying things like, "Tickle, tickle, tickle!" and, "Georgie, pay attention or I'm going to give you a grundy." George - "Doh, you kidder, You."

The Plus Side To Four Months Of Rain

Got this before those pesky gardeners come by this afternoon with their electric clippers.

Mighty Max

My new client, 11 week old Max, is an Irish Wolfhound. He has no idea how big he is going to be, yet is already about 35 pounds and has paws bigger than my fist.

Looking very forward to taking him to Runyon and cantering over the trails.

Spring Breaking In The 70's

April 7, 1977

Last day of school before vacation!
Went to McDonald's for lunch with Nan, Laura & Debbie.
Talked to Chris.
He's leaving for Florida tomorrow.
Poop!
Debbie stayed over night and we went over to Lisa's.
It was pretty fun.

Let's Hear It For The Brother & The Democrats

AURORA TOWNSHIP — Even a broken hip and attacks from a well-known local Republican couldn't stop Township Supervisor Jim Murphy from cruising to a third term Tuesday, as he easily withstood a challenge from Aurora Alderman-at-large Bob Shelton.

Murphy, a Democrat who has been walking with crutches since fracturing his hip during a pickup basketball game on March 11, took home more than 63 percent of the vote in his bid to remain at the head of the local government body responsible for property assessments, general assistance to the poor and road maintenance in unincorporated areas.

Shelton, who had vowed to resign his City Council seat if elected, focused his campaign on the contention that Murphy has turned the $75,000-a-year post into "a part-time job."

"I don't think that issue gained any momentum," Murphy said late Tuesday. "I think the people of the township are aware that we've tried to do our jobs efficiently and with some vision for the future."

Shelton chalked up his loss to what he said was "a great night for Democrats" led by Aurora mayoral race winner Tom Weisner.

"Aurora is getting to be a more and more Democratic city," Shelton said. "The outcomes tonight were very indicative of that."

Hopping In The 70's

April 4, 1976
Went shopping and to lunch with Julie.
Went out with Lisa and Elaine at night.
Went to the sock-hop.
It was a fine nite until I saw Bob Healy.
He makes me sick.

April 5, 1976
Slept late today.
Lisa and I went for a walk on the Nature Trail.
Had a lunch on the bridge.
Came back to my house and listened to Beatles songs
to drown our sorrows. Ha.
Julie called later.

April 5, 1977
Went to Debbie's before school.
Went to Dairy Queen with Nan for lunch.
Talked to Chris a couple times today.
Went to Debbie's later.
Walked to Chris's and talked to him for about 10 min.
Then went to the Dairy Queen.

Thai New Year, 2005

It was the Thai New Year yesterday and they shut down Hollywood Boulevard between Western & Kingsley - otherwise known as Thai Town. It was festive and colorful, loud and sometimes disturbing, visually & aurally. However, we had some tasty dishes and Val, Stan & I can mark another bar off our list, as we required to check out The Stone in order to put the proper perspective on the festivities.

"Drop It Like It's Hot... And Pick It up Like It's Cold" was the motto of the dance team "Shaka". And pull up yo' pants like it's silly, sista.

I really have no idea what this was about but we had to move on. Quick.

The possibilities of a vegetable are endless!

Karaoke, Thai syle.

Valerie couldn't resist sidling up to Miss Asian America.

Or one of her escorts.

There were many princesses in attendance at the festival... When in Rome!

Revisiting John Paul II

I went downtown in 1987 to see the Pope. I actually went down there to see the people seeing the Pope. Going through these files made me very happy for digital advances because I have thousands of slides and proof sheets and loose photos in several different filing systems. From the file called "The Pope In L.A.", here are some pics I reshot, haphazardly off the proofs or slides, with my mini digital. This is my memory of the Pope and his Popemobile in Hollywood...

Oh, sure I got pictures of John Paul II also. Since I didn't buy any Pope souvenirs that day, at least I have the photos to say I was there. I also bought a t-shirt out of a dilapidated box for five dollars. (I'm sure it was all the money I had to my name that week, save for a bus ticket.) It wasn't a commemorative t-shirt. It was a black tee with a caricature of Joan Crawford flailing a wire hanger and the accompanying words, "Don't Fuck With Me, Fellas". I still have it.
Money well spent, filing system fairly well preserved.
Seeing the Pope in his Popemobile - priceless.

Some More Things I Liked In Texas

The beer vats at the Fredricksburg Brewery. A nice red ale took the previous nights edge right off.

The one horse town of Luchenbach. Literally four buildings, one of them an outhouse, one of them a general store (for all your t-shirt and memorabilia needs), a barn for the ho-downs, and a beer stand. Worth the price of my mud soaked tennies to be there.

Some jammin' and groovin' at the marriage reception.

The lone star in the lone star state.

The award for best jacket in the state of Texas goes to John Lee Hancock and the award for best search and rescue of said jacket goes to his wife Holly. This rare vintage find couldn't have fit him any better, nor could the tale of how she found it have been any more unbelievable!

And from a more personal point of view - some people pics from the KC & Roxie Celebration / Austin weekend...

16 In The 70's

March 31, 1977
Went to McDonald's for lunch with Nan.
Bought the old Nugent album today.
Was gonna go out with Debbie but she couldn't get the car.
Watched TV and talked to her all night.

April 1, 1977
Drove to Geneva in Driver's Ed.
Went to Dairy Queen with Nan during lunch.
Went to the Drive-In and saw "Carrie" and "Play Misty For Me".
Went with Debbie, Lisa, Debbie R., Mary, Wendi, Robin and Barb.
Had a lot of fun.