Second Eleven: Sam Cooke, Local Bars, and More

January 22, 2024 Leave a comment

No. A02

Sam Cooke

Born on this day (January 22) in 1931, Sam Cooke is a legendary soul singer and songwriter. He grew up in Chicago, and he a few years later attended the same high school as did Nat King Cole. Of course, Sam wrote and sang “A Change Is Gonna Come,” one of the most important songs in American history. Just so many great songs. One of my favs: “Havin’ a Party.”

Havin’ a Party

Grandpa’s Glenview

Grandpa’s is a pretty great local place to get a burger. When it’s nice out (unlike right now, btw), it’s also a great place for Happy Hour. Sit on the patio and have a beverage.

Where’s Votto?

Bob Nightengale, the USA Today baseball columnist, shared on the social media site formerly know as Twitter that three teams are interested in Joey Votto (one of my all-time favs … maybe my all-time fav).

Votto wrote on that same site: “Being a free agent is like that scene from Gravity where Sandra Bullock detaches from the Explorer. You’re all alone, no one is answering your calls, and you don’t know if you’ll get back to base. Your only hope is George Clooney saving you.

Save me, George.” The Reds should re-sign Joey Votto, in my opinion. Yes, I need to toughen up my soft heart.

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One Eleven: DnD Michelada, Green Onions, and Barbacoa Tacos

January 11, 2024 Leave a comment

No. A01

1. Down ’n’ Dirty Michelada

Are you going to make a Michelada? According to the web, first, search for the premium clamato, a combination of premium fish sauce and soy sauce, fresh-picked limes, and, OK, Modelo Especial. Get a shaker, some ice … wait!

No. That’s not this recipe. You can find plenty of those recipes on the Intertoobs.

When you find the premium clamato, get yourself some mediocre vodka, Worcestershire, tabasco, celery salt, freshly ground pepper, horseradish, lemon juice, celery, carrots, bacon, shrimp, dill pickles, and, I guess, fried chicken, for an over-the-top Bloody Mary. (Side note: No thanks.)

If you’re up for some Fun Trouble, go down ’n’ dirty and instead have a DnD Michelada. Simple. Quick. Delicious. Simple. And it won’t take long to make. Best of all, there is minimal cleanup involved.

Can of Modelo. Open. Drink a nice sip. More of a gulp.

Get some Tajin Clasico. Shake a liberal amount on the top of the can and in the opening. The Tajin is going to be key to the end product. It has some chili, with lime and salt. It is perfectly blended.

Worcestershire for me comes next. Just a couple of dashes in the can. Really if you do any more, I think you start to over dominate the taste of the Michelada.

Hot sauce. I prefer Cholula. Some prefer Tapatio. Either works for me. I’ve used various hot sauces. While I have my preferences, whatever you like in the hot sauce area seems fine. I like to do about eight good dashes, and three more for good luck. If that’s too much for you, adjust down.

Orange bitters comes next. Just a dash or two. To me this adds a nice hint of sweetness.

Limes. I like to use two or three lime wedges.

Swirl the cocktail around in the can. Then, enjoy.

If you want to have a little more sumthin sumthin for your Michelada, there is another step you can take. You can up your DnD Michelada game to a Ridin’ Dirty Michelada. Just add a little floater of a good tequila (I use Don Julio Blanco) and another little floater of Grand Marnier. (Of course, there are those who think that a tequila floater is not optional for a Michelada.)

The DnD Michelada is ideal for a summer day. It also works well in the fall, when the air is crisp. Or early spring, when it is damp and nasty. Winter, snow. Whenever.

2. The Story of Booker T & the MGs “Green Onions”

The Guardian ran a story several years back about Booker T & the MGs’s “Green Onions” and the path to this classic becoming a hit. Booker T Jones was 17 when he wrote it, and it was a B side to another song at first. The group was the house band at Stax, and when a vocalist up and left a recording session, the band had the studio to themselves. Booker T and the band jammed with some riffs that he had been working out on stage.

The unnamed cut that became “Green Onions” was the third take, said MG guitarist Steve Kropper. Kropper took the tape to Elvis’s guitar player Scotty Moore at Sun Records to cut a disc, then brought the record to DJ Reuben Washington at Memphis station WOLK. He played it, the song caught on with the public, and Memphis Soul pretty much was launched! According to Booker T: “‘Green Onions’ started the “Memphis soul sound,” that deep organ.”

The guitar solo on “Green Onions” is one of my fav solos of all time. Falls right into the song.

3. Micklethwaite’s Beef Cheek Barbacoa Taco

I had my life vastly, vastly improved the other day. I had a beef cheek barbacoa taco at Micklethwaite BBQ in Austin. It was amazing! It was so tender and juicy, with the right amount of smoke. It was seasoned just right. The picture doesn’t do it justice, because I was half way through when I thought that I should take a picture of the damned thing.

I DID take a shot of the brisket. It is outstanding.

4. King in Memphis

Martin Luther King Jr. was in Memphis on April 3 and 4, 1968, to support the Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike. He gave his “Mountaintop” speech on April 3, and he was shot and killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.

Here are some articles for further information:

NPR “When MLK Was Killed, He Was In Memphis Fighting For Economic Justice”

Stanford “Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike”

Wikipedia “Memphis sanitation strike”

5. Mary J. Blige

MJB released her second album “My Life” in 1994. It is hailed as a landmark disc blending Old School R&B with New Jack Swing. Diddy produced the album, and Mary J. is outstanding on it.

“Mary Jane (All Night Long)”

“Mary Jane (All Night Long)”

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PK Communications – Pretty Kool

April 30, 2023 Leave a comment

(Really Kool Communications Cost Extra)

Delivering results in content marketing, copywriting, and managing brand marketing communications.

I have developed strategies and implemented programs for such content marketing, branded content, public relations, websites, social media, press releases, blogs, newsletters, and marketing collateral.

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2023 NFL Draft Underrated Prospects

April 27, 2023 Leave a comment

2023 NFL Draft Underrated Prospects. These are probably all Day Three prospects, either lower rounds or undrafted free agents. Of course, there may be a few who go Day Two, but I don’t think any of these players are considered third-rounders or higher. But you never know.

QBs

Adrian Martinez, QB, Kansas State
Signed by the Lions. Update 1/13/24: Waived by the Lions, signed by the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL.

Ha! I wonder how Cornhusker Nation feels about this? I would love to draft him. He’s got a ton of big game experience, he’s a great athlete and pretty good passer, and he has struggled through adversity. But when he’s at his best, he’s pretty great.

N’Kosi Perry, QB, FAU
Signed by the Bears. Update 1/13/24: Apparently cut by the Bears, Perry was in the CFL in Hamilton for a few games. Signed by XFL team Seattle, which looks to have folded in the USFL-XFL merger. Also, I missed out on Tyson Bagent, who was signed by the Bears and had a couple good games as a starter. Sorry Tyson.

Talented older prospect. Perry is athletic, good arm, transfer from Miami (Fla). He has a chance to do some good stuff. He was at Miami for years, including a Covid year. Went to FAU, had a pretty good year. Has a chance to be a pro QB.

Lindsey Scott Jr., QB, Incarnate Word
Invited to Jets NFL rookie camp
Selected second overall in the 2023 USFL Draft Update 1/13/24 Scott looks like he tried out for the Saints (??). It appears he has ended up in Arlington for a USFL team (??)

Scott started at LSU, went to Nicholls State and led the team in rushing a couple years, then moved to Incarnate Word. Scott threw for 4,600 yards of 60 TDs. Athletic. He is a SEVEN year guy. And he’s not what we like to call 5-11. But he has a chance in today’s NFL to be a backup guy.

Running Backs

Travis Dye, RB, USC
Signed by the Jets

Smaller back than I usually like, but in three productive years in the PAC 12, two at Oregon and the last at USC, he averaged 6 yards a carry. Each year. He can be a change of pace, a third-down guy, and a productive backup guy. He can run the damned ball.

Mohamed Ibrahim, RB, Minnesota
Signed by the Lions

This guy. I adore him. Gophers all-time leading rusher, ran for 1,600 yards last year though he got hurt, and racked up 4,600 yards and 50 rushing TDs. He’s 5-8 or so, 200 lbs., a 4.6 guy. The scouts have him at about sixth or seventh rounds. Those scouts may not have seen him play.

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Youngstown St.
Signed by the Broncos

Back-to-back 2,400 yard rushing seasons. I don’t care where (D2), but damn. Smaller but very quick runner. Moved from D2 to Youngstown State, where he racked up 1,500 yards rushing. He could be a backup now. If he develops receiving chops, he’ll be a productive pro.

Tavion Thomas, Utah, RB

Finally a big back. 235 plus, former UC Bearcat, Utah guy. Thomas ran for 1,100 yards as a junior and 600 plus as a senior. He is not great at quickness, but if he gets to a place where is he is able to make a cut and go (ahem 49ers), he can be a productive backup.

OL (finally)

Ha ha. Had about 25 guys originally.

Alan Ali, C, TCU
Signed by the Vikings

Ali is a 300 pounder who started 39 games for SMU at center, guard, tackle. He earned Second Team All-AAC in 2021. He transferred to TCU for 2022, starting 15 games at center, earning All-Big 12 honors. He has a chance to develop into a backup, and maybe a starter.

TJ Bass, T-G, Oregon
Signed by the Cowboys

Big kid out of Oregon, two-time All-Pac 12 and second-team All-American left tackle. He probably projects as a guard, since he’s 330 pounds. The pass-blocking skills at tackle will have to develop, so his power.

Quinton Bobo, G, Bowie State

A shorter (6′) guard, Bobo needs a good camp to stick with an NFL team. He might be a little light to make the NFL, but he might be able to put on some good weight.

Connor Galvin, G/T, Baylor

Signed by the Lions

At 6’7″, 3 bills, Galvin is a big OT. He made 50 starts at LT at Baylor, and he was named the Big 12 Lineman of the Year. May be a little less athletic than the top-tier prospects, but he looks like he can make adjustments and get the job done.

Jaxson Kirland, T-G, Washington
Warren McClendon, OT, Georgia
Alex Palczewski, T, Illinois
Alex Pihlstrom, C, Illinois
Trevor Reid, T, Louisville

Tight Ends

Kemari Averett, TE, Bethune-Cookman
Payne Durham, TE, Purdue
Griffin Hebert, HB-TE, Louisiana Tech

Wide Receivers

Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Xavier Smith, WR, Florida A&M
Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton
Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
Isaiah Winstead, WR, East Carolina

Edge Rushers

Isaiah Land, Florida A&M, Edge
Isaiah McGuire, Edge, Missouri
Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan Edge
Zeke Vandenburgh, Edge, Illinois State linebacker
Tyrus Wheat, Edge, Miss State
Byron Young, Edge, Tennessee

Interior DL

Aaron Lewis, DL, Rutgers
PJ Mustipher, DL, Penn State
Keith Randolph, DL, Illinois

Linebackers

Seth Benson, LB, Iowa
Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State
Cal Haladay, LB, Michigan State
Aubrey Miller Jr., LB, Jackson State
Bumper Pool, LB, Arkansas

Cornerbacks

Brandon Barnes-Brown, CB, Fayetteville State
Keenan Isaac, CB, Alabama State
Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
Rejzohn Wright, CB, Oregon State

Safeties

Anthony Johnson Jr., S, Iowa State
Isaiah Bolden, S, Jackson State

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Welcome to the Jungle

February 13, 2022 Leave a comment

Super Bowl 56 I think. #WhoDEY Welcome to the Jungle. Here’s Etta James cover from 2011.

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Tony Perez Reds Baseball Legend 111

July 13, 2021 Leave a comment

Tony Perez Announces His Arrival in the 1967 All-Star Game

Tony Perez was my favorite player when I was growing up. Doggie was many of my friends’ favorite player. I think this is significant, because there were many players who were likely guys: Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Lee May (not at the same time).

Before I became a fan, the Big Dog announced his presence as one of the most clutch, the clutchest, of player by hitting a homer off Catfish Hunter in 67 in Anaheim in the 15th inning to win the game 2-1. Won the game’s MVP Award. This is a game that really, really used to matter to the players, fans, managers, owners, groundskeepers, everyone.

Tony was moved to third base because the Reds stuck Lee May at first. Because ol’ Lee could hit. A ton. And while Perez may not have been Brooks Robinson at third (he wasn’t), he could hit.

This is how Phil Cola of SABR put it:

… much to Perez’s surprise Los Angeles Dodgers manager Walter Alston named him to the National League squad for the All-Star Game in Anaheim. Perez entered the game in the tenth inning, struck out in his first at-bat in the 12th, and then, in the 15th inning he hit a one-out home run off Catfish Hunter to give the National League a 2-1 victory. Perez was voted the game’s most valuable player.

Big Dog went on to have a bigger hit in the greatest World Series ever played, the 76 against the BoSox. And he was a Red until I think last year. No, but it was the 80s. Dude is a great player.

One day, we’ll discuss the 20-24 record with the Reds that Doggie had as a manager. And how “boy genius” Jim Bowden fired him 44 games into a season because, I guess, Bowden’s players could never start a season four games under .500 (I couldn’t find Jimmy Boy’s record, but I’m sure it ain’t much better than that winning percentage).

Big Dog, Doggie. Tony Perez. My guy.

This is my fav pic of Tony Perez being hailed by Bob Gibson and Willie Mays after homering in the 15th inning of the 1967 All-Star Game.

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Italy Break in Football Season

October 26, 2019 Leave a comment

My lovely and talented (and did I mention “lovely?”) wife and I took a little midseason break to vacation in Italy. It was our first big vacation in years. We were going to go to Paris for our 25th, and that fell through. So we went to Italy for our 31st wedding anniversary. We flew into Rome, spend a couple or three days. Trained to Orvieto. Spent a day. We then took a train to Florence. Three days in Florence. Trained to Venice. We were in Venice for three days. Then we flew home.

Here’s a nice shot of Venice at sunset.

Venice Sunset

Our last night in Venice, we had a nice table at a cafe. I took this shot.

 

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Hawkeyes at Wildcats, Buckeyes Wisc W9 10-26-19

October 26, 2019 Leave a comment

Iowa Sits at No. 20 in Nation, Northwestern Struggling

Going into the game, the Hawkeyes are 5-2 with a couple of tough losses to ichigan and Penn State. Northwestern is having a down season, with just one win and a quarterback problem. The Hawks are coming off a 26-20 win over Purdue, while the Wildcats lost to the Buckeyes 52-3.

 

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Iowa Hawkeyes at ichigan W6 10-05-19

October 5, 2019 Leave a comment

Hawks Ready to Roll, and Ohio State Hosts Sparty Later

The Hawkeyes travel to that state up north to take on the Big Yellow Weasels in Ann Arbor. The Harbots are feeling good about themselves because they beat down Rutgers last weekend. The ichigan fans are all up ready for the dynasty to begin. Any day now. Any day.

Later the No. 4 Buckeyes host the Michigan State Spartans. Spartans are now ranked 25, getting ranked after beating Northwestern and Indiana back to back. This was following a loss to Arizona State. Sparty is 4-1. Ohio State is just chugging along.

ichigan Starts Fast; Hawks Look Confused

 

 

 

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Northwestern at Wisconsin plus Blocktoberfest W5 9-28-19

September 28, 2019 Leave a comment

Middle Tennessee at Iowa and Bulls at Miami Early Games

Week Five’s early games feature the Wildcats traveling up to Madison to take on a Badger team coming off a huge win against the Giant Yellow Weasels of ichigan. Miami University is hosting the Bulls of Buffalo at Yeager Stadium in Oxford, while the Middle Tennessee State Eleven, the Blue Raiders, travel to Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The UVA Cavaliers early afternoon play Notre Dame. The Irish need to beat UVA convincingly, then have UVA beat everyone else.

And … Glenview’s Blocktoberfest. I am volunteering for a short while, celebrating, and coming back to watch a little football.

 

Glenview Blocktoberfest T-shirt

Look at this. This is the volunteer shirt for the Blocktoberfest in Glenview, IL. Good. Lord.

 

 

OK. Glenview. Blocktoberfest. Did a little setup. Did a little carrying. It’s underway. Little windy and about 60 degrees, with some drizzle. But … I’m done for a while and will watch some football.

Watched a little Hawkeyes vs. Middle Tennessee State. Iowa was romping 34-3 when I turned it to Miami-Buffalo (on tape). The Bulls struck first, with Bulls quarterback Matt Myers throwing a 20-yard TD pass

Gary Cuozzo UVA quarterback

Gary Cuozzo in the 1960s showing his moves as the Cavs QB.

Hoos Playing Domers Tough, Until Some Turnovers

The Cavaliers were going toe-to-to with the Irish at South Bend until Notre Dame sacked Virginia QB Bruce Perkins a couple of times, a couple of fumbles, and the Domers go up 28-17. As that was happening, North Carolina was playing tie football with No. 1 Clemson. Watching the UVA game, the UVA tackles can’t play with the Notre Dame defensive ends.

 

 

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