My Thoughts (so far) on the USFL

So far, in its three week history, I've managed to catch the better part of two games and almost the full length of todays Tampa Bay-Houston game. I would have watched the whole thing, but the local station interrupted to spend half an hour talking about a potentially dangerous weather system SW of Milwaukee. If social media is to be believed, I missed a heck of an ending. Certainty the league thought so:

I was excited to hear that a professional, well funded summer football league would add to the available sports mix of my weekends. It's not the NFL, for sure, more the equivalent of watching AAA teams in baseball, but whatever; it's still football. And the game play IS improving, with today's game a doozy.

I'm not a fan of the saturation of mic'd up officials, players, and coaches, all being broadcast in real-time. At some point it stops being information and descends into white noise. You can eventually tune it out, but it grates on you, it really does.

I wish the USFL success and a long tenure. Give it a watch!

RIP Naomi Judd

County star Naomi Judd has passed away at 76. My mother was a big fan of The Judds in my childhood.  Rest in peace. 

For real

Sometimes I re-read my old posts and think "Bruh, why so angry? Chill. Egbar."

Oh No!

For Father's Day many years ago now - it was, by my recollection, 2004 or '05 (it was referenced here in 2008) Lisa bought me a bird feeder. It was an odd gift, as I would never have bought it for myself, but my word was that a great gift. I've used it ever since, and enjoyed the heck out of the local bird population. 

And then, a few weeks ago, after a night of 50 mph winds, I found this on the front lawn:

I was devastated, but comforted that it happened in a spring where birding groups are encouraging you NOT to feed, so as not to spread the current Avian flu epidemic that recently cost the life of a bald eagle in my neighborhood.

A one year old YaYa, and a Lisa 8 months pregnant with LuLU

Walking the Dogs in the Park with Lisa

A great quote for weddings

"Marriage resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they can't be separated; often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing anyone who comes between them." - (Adam Smith) I used this quote in the best man toast at my sister's wedding.

Yup

 

This bleeping hip

I gave up complaining online about my hip because it sounds so repetitious and attention-seeking (in the wrong way), but I feel I *have* to document the last 24 hours. 

My hip has been aching, and in response I've unconsciously adjusted my walk to compensate, which in turn has thrown off my other leg, and my back, and my side . . . I woke up midway through the night, and again an hour after that, and after that, and after that. 

 My entire body aches. It's been miserable. I feel like I fell off a truck.

My YaYa's blog - Age 8

 From August of 2009: From PrincessYaYa's blog:

"we had to go too the fire darpartment becase i got a braslet , we triyed to get it off but it got tighter and tighter and soon my hand went purple! they cut it off then we (stacey & I) got a candy bar . I got butter finger Stacey got a rice crippey treat ,yumm . i was cool threre so cool!"

My Grand Niece

What a game!

 THAT was a great comeback by the Celtics. After being down 17, they win 114-107 against the Nets!

Mountain Dew Flaming Hot

Mountain Dew flaming hot, found @ pick n save on holt. Get ‘em before they go on eBay… again… for $25+ - YaYa

Happy Easter everyone!

 

Father Stu

Today Lisa and I went on a double date to see Father Stu, the new movie with Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson.

Based on real events,  it's the story of a former boxer, failed actor, and staunch atheist who initially attends a Catholic church only to woe a devout woman,  but eventually finds himself called to the Priesthood.

It's a movie that doesn't shy away from a sincere depiction of and affection for the Church,  so know that going in. Both Gibson and Wahlberg are staunch Catholics who have atoned for troublesome sins and no doubt empathize with their subject. But unlike typical "Christian" movies, Stu doesn't avoid foul language and sexual innuendo; it was part of Stu, and so it's part of his movie. 

I really liked the movie,  and I was happy to support a positive portrayal of my faith. 

Go see it for yourself. 

Lizzo!

Music star Lizzo retweeted YaYa today. TWICE.

RIP Gilbert Gottfried

Comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried, known for his exaggerated, shrill voice, died today at 67 after a long illness. RIP.

Exciting!

 

RIP Kathryn Mays

Actress Kathryn Mays has died at 88.

She played matriarch Kim Hughes for 28 years! on the great soap opera As The World Turns.  It was my Mom's favorite soap and I admit a great fondness for it as well. 

RIP

         (Mays with her onscreen husband)

Help me Identify this Spider-Man Issue

As a kid,  I loved a stand alone issue of one of the Spidey titles so much it inspired me to write a letter to the editor. Please help me ID the issue!

It would have been in the mid '80's (say 85 to 87?) and featured a melancholy Spidey thinking of Gwen on what I believe was the anniversary of her death.  Meanwhile a 3rd tier villain with a whip robs a bank, and when Spiderman intervenes he's so distracted by his grief that he finds himself trapped beneath some rubble and being choked to death by the bad guy.

Thankfully the memory of Gwen inspires him and Spidey rises to win the fight,  mercilessly pointing out to the villain how unimpressive he is compared to his traditional foes. 

Does it ring any bells?

Hair ain't done but my civic duty is. 😉  - Lisa

Obligatotory voting post. #95 at 10:25. - Dan

The Jayhawks are National Champions

I didn't have a horse in the race, but I enjoyed the heck out of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game. Kansas barely defeated NC, in the process coming back from the largest deficit in the history of the championship game. Congrats to them, and to NC for putting up a great fight. 

Smiley Rocks the ACT!!

So THIS happened last Thursday, and I finally got Smiley's permission to post it publicly!

Great job kid!!

Tavolino

 

We - meaning me, Lisa, and Lisa's bestie, dined tonight at Tavolino, a restaurant on Milwaukee's East Side. 

The decor was simple and clean, with a modern slightly-more-than-casual vibe. For appetizers we shared polenta con funghi, aka polenta with mushrooms, and an order of meatballs (on the menu as polpetta di carne). 

Both were ample and delicious, although I prefer a meatball with a firmer texture. 

A small loaf of bread and olive oil was served before the main entrees. No complaints there. Yum. 

For dinner Lisa chose salsiccia - spicy sausage, nduja, ricotta, Calabrian chili oil, and rigatoni. 

It was genuinely spicy - and, in my opinion, the best dish of the three entrees. 

JJ ordered spaghetti and chicken breast - I don't recall what sauce - and both women agreed the breast was cooked perfectly. *I* wasn't allowed to try it. Hmph. 

For myself, I ordered the pan seared black cod in a pomodoro broth with leeks, carrots, peas, and fennel. It tasted great, but I would have preferred Lisa's dish (esp at only 2/3rds the cost of mine!)

Dessert was a lemon semifreddo that was brought to the table with three spoons so we could share; a laughable gesture by the server as it was the size of a free sample at Costco. None-the-less, the four molecules I had tasted wonderful. 

If there's any complaint I can register it was the service. The server was very pleasant and knowledgeable, but seemed to disappear for long stretches, and the wait time between courses was unusually long. Neither can be blamed on a packed house. While it was busy when we  were there, it wasn't crowded by any means. 

A very good dinner, and a very nice time. Recommended. 

Mealy

I just learned there’s a word for the texture of certain apples that I hate [greatly dislike - ed.] so much - YaYa