Musings on music, sports, life in general from Quincy, Illinois.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Almost, QND

Quincy Notre Dame deserved a better fate in today's girls basketball Class3A state semifinal, but lost in overtime to Chicago Marshall.

Sophomore Karlee Gengenbacher is by far Notre Dame's best player. She carried the Raiders on her considerable shoulders and, like her team, gave a tremendous effort.

Here's to hoping they can bring back a third-place trophy to Quincy Saturday night.

The Cars - Drive

This IS the 80s.

For Jamie.

Miss Ben Orr a lot.

Trivia Questions: Which famous actor directed this video? And how do you spell Paula's last name?

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Drummers

Pat Cornwell has been a great addition to The Funions.

One, he's a good drummer.

Two, he can sing.

Three, he has good ideas for arrangements and how songs should flow.

There are other things, like actually showing up for practice, having a sense of humor, working hard and not complaining when we screw up a song, and just being a good guy.

Drummers are usually unusual. This is not a bad thing at all. The Funions have had some unbelievably talented drummers and each brought unique gifts and abilities to the band.

I'm just glad Pat is hanging out with us now.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Monday, February 25, 2008

By a neck ... Dr. Irvine

I do not generally give out recommendations for service providers in Quincy.

But I am not afraid to give love to chiropracter Dr. Shawn Irvine, who has saved me from dehabilitating back pain more than once.

Last week I slept wrong and messed up my neck and shoulder. Like most guys, I ignorned it and thought it would go away.

When I couldn't sit down in front the computer at work this morning, it was enough.

Shawn is very thorough and efficient. He gets the history, probes the area, puts you on the table, does the adjustment and you are good to go. His services are reasonably priced. Today I got some electrical stimulation which also felt wonderful.

I appreciate his professional manner and I appreciate Peggy, his office administrator, making me feel at ease.

On a separate note, I'd like to thank a friend who has stayed a friend through interesting experiences and times. I'm better for it.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Dare Duerr

The best local blog? Easy.

It's Chris Duerr, sports guru from KHQA.

http://www.khqa.com/sports/sports_story.aspx?id=99505

Josh Houchins' blog on WGEM ranks up there, too.

http://www.wgem.com/Blogs/sports_blog.php

The Quincy University basketball teams are peaking at the right time. Both men and women won yesterday in impressive fashion over Southern Indiana. The final regular season home games are Thursday and Saturday this week, and it would be nice to see big crowds at Pepsi Arena.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Bu Bu Busy

Understand a devoted blog reader is disappointed in a lack of updates. Well. It's that person's fault, partially.

Great Funions practice Wednesday night, we ploughed through eight new songs, most should be ready for the March 15 gig.

More Funions gigs in the works, as well. We are working on the Washington Theater show for May 17, hopefully we'll have something before that as well.

The great 80s rock band Asia is putting out a new album with the original lineup of Carl Palmer, John Wetton, Geoff Downes and Steve Howe. Snippets available at www.originalasia.com.

Gotta love a band whose drummer (Palmer) just had a heart stent process, and whose lead singer and bass player (Wetton) is recovering from major heart surgery. Experienced musicians forging on and doing what they love. Wish they'd come closer to Quincy this year on tour ...

Monday, February 18, 2008

Blogs, Sleep, Ca Ca Ca COLD

So Dick Tuck isn't crazy about going to a blog convention with "professional media."

Well. Dick. I'm not crazy about going to a blog convention with Anon Web Warriors. But that insinuates I'm "professional." Whatever that means. Remember, I don't mix bidness with personal blogs. And I don't hide my identity.

To those who are about to sleep for 11 hours, I salute you. And wobble slightly because the very thought boggles the mind. Careful going down them steps, dang it.

I'd give anything for a few hours of good sleep some nights.

OK, I'm Nanook Of The North, but I'm getting tired of this cold weather crap. Bring spring on!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Out & About

I've been conversing with a new friend about Dean Martin. You can Youtube.com a bunch of his clips and if you are a lounge lizard fan, you'll love his stuff.

I speak of lounge lizards because tonight Jack, Alan K. and myself reform Jack Inghram & The Congregational Hart Throbs at First Union, 12th and Maine, for the Evening Under The Stars.

Me: Do you think we should practice?

Alan: Practice?

Me: I'm sorry. Won't speak of it again.

So we'll do that voodoo that we do and that will be that.

Gotta love lazy Saturday mornings .... In a little bit I'll be playing paperboy, seeing if there's life on Aldo Blvd., staring inside my empty fridge, put off cleaning this place, and take a looooooonnnnnngggggg walk.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Record Freeze

For a record third time this winter, we've had a thaw and re-freeze.

The newest rage in pond skating is at South Park near the corner of Eighth and R.J. Peters Drive. Almost perfect shiny glass ice, covered in a quarter inch of smooth-protecting snow.

Glorious ....

Abe's birthday today. Gummermint work is good if you can git it.

I miss Orion The Hunter, "So You Ran" is on Pandora right now. The video is classic 80s schmaltz, if I can find it I'll post it later.

Funions practice tonight, staying warm in the Kingsridge basement by learning oldies but goodies.

Thinking of going out on a limb here shortly. Nothing to lose. Right?

Tookie has the plague. Stay away, Q-Town. Hoser cure has been offered on his latest post comments.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Just Like Old Times

Getting together the boys for Jack Inghram & The Congregational Hart Throbs' event this Saturday at First Union. It's for Michael Warneke's Evening Under The Stars. Jack, Alan K. and myself are all fired up about playing!

Funions continue to make plans .... Mark and I have learned several songs, including a couple of Buddy Holly classics. They stand the test of time and we can't wait to play them out.

There's also been some very preliminary discussions about a new Funions CD, more down the pipe.

Stay warm .... brrrrrr!

Saturday, February 09, 2008

The Cure

A good walk cures everything .... misbehavior, a heavy heart, bouncing off the walls.

There's a a person who reads this blog who is struggling right now with some stuff and I want to them it's all right. Things work out and there is a reason for everything. Faith, especially in the darkest of hours, is something you can't let go.

So.

Hang in there!

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

I'd take Anna

Listening to the great underrated 80s band Cock Robin.

"But I won't leave you until I turn to find you gone ..... I'm the biggest fool of all."

Gotta love lyrics that hit home ....

This band featured Peter Kingsberry and the gorgeous Anna LaCazio, who gives Patty Smyth a run for her money. I'd take Anna to my deserted St. Rachel Island in a second.

They've disabled the embedded feature on youtube.com, so you'll have to go there yourself, just about every song and video is worth listening to and watching.

"There's no path of least resistance, it's a fable you have heard ...."

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

March 15

Just wanted to make sure everybody knows our March 15 show at Turner Hall, themed "R Ya Irish?" is still on.

Hope you voted today.

No surprise on the school bond issue.

Billary or Obama vs. McCain. Ret O Wreck begins soon.