May 7 Rescue Me

It's been a hectic week at work but I finally got to watch this week's episode of Rescue Me. This might be the best show on TV right now. I've been watching since the beginning because I'm a fan of Denis Leary. Now in it's fifth season, the show just keeps getting better. It's about a group of firemen in NYC after 9/11. The shows writers which include Denis Leary (who plays Tommy Gavin a hockey playing firefighter) can make you laugh, cry and contemplate life in the span of a few minutes. Great writing with believable characters and crazy story lines combined with fantastic actors make this a must watch show. This season Miichael J. Fox has a recurring role and is just fantastic as a crazy parapalegic who is dating Tommy's ex-wife. I also watched the final episode of Scrubs which was another great show that mixed laughs with real life. It's too bad shows like these never top the ratings, it's one of the many things wrong with this country but that is a blog for another day.

May 6 The Faces Of Hockey

I've mentioned my hockey team several times on this blog. We are called Northstar which is Walter's companys name. He designs and builds custom cabinets. Tonight was our last game for a month because the rink is closing to redo the ice, so I thought I'd put faces to the players. This team is compromised of old friends, new friends, some young, some old but all have a love for the sport of hockey. Why else would we play so late on a work night? Maybe the comraderie, maybe the chance to escape all other parts of our lives for a few hours, maybe for the good laugh at someone's expense or the unbelievably funny stories that seem to be told each week. Whatever it is, here's the team.

The camera hog, Matt (just for the record, he is not holding a joint) and the shy guy, Ian

the clown, Justin

contemplating how we lost 3-0 tonight Brian & John

the optimists Vinnie and Paddy O

the baby faced Mike and beer league veteran Ken

disgusted with another loss, team owner Walt and Luke

May 5 Battle Of The Backyard Hammock

The old fat guy was tired and sore from a long day at work. He just wanted to relax on his hammock. The young challenger, known as 'The Fanook', was looking for a fight. He found one on the hammock, whoa nelly we've got a heavyweight bout now.

The young pup figured the old champ, known as 'The Fat Bastard", would be easy pickings, he jumped right up and made his claim for the hammock.

The old guy had slowed a bit over the years, but he didn't back down from this young contender.

The challenger staggered the champ with a couple of good shots, but the fight continued on.

The champ taunted the youngster saying experience and wisdom always triumphs over youth and stupidity.

The 'Fanook' showed the champ a little something. He impressed him with his determination. The 'Fanook' reminded him of his younger years before he was called "the Fat Bastard". He never backed down from a challenge.

In the end, the challenger lost his bid for the hammock. He vowed to return another day. The champ just laughed and said, "Who's the bitch now!!!!".

May 4 These Boots Are Made For Working

Try as I might, everyday doesn't bring something exciting. At least not to me, so I find it hard to believe that you would find it interesting if I don't. But I'm not judging everybody's quality of life or excitement levels. I'm guess I'm disappointed in my own lack of exciting things that occur each day. Enough of that crap. I had to get new boots for work. I have two pairs that I use for work, my thinsulate gortex winter boots and my summer boots. Today I had to replace my summer boots. The excitement level built all day long until I couldn't take it any more. I ran into Gus Bock's screaming at old people to get the fuck out of my way, I've got boots to try on. In my old age, comfortable boots are a neccesity. I tried on several pairs and settled for Wolverine boots with some kind of Rok Shok heel that absorbs shock and generates energy with each step, sounds like I could run a marathon in these fucking boots. I just need them to keep my feet comfortable because they have to carry my fat ass around all day long, it's the least I can do for them. Especially since my lower back hurts so much I can't reach my feet to wash them on most days. Hopefully these new boots will solve that problem too.

May 3 A Beautiful Sunday

I spent the whole day outside. The sun was shining and the temperature got to about 70 degrees. I took the dogs to the dog park but Oslo got into a fight with a boxer so we had to leave. I cut some tree branches away from the power lines in the yard. I fixed the fence that protects Chrissy plants from the "Fanook". I grilled some tuna steaks and jerk chicken breasts. I ended the day on the hammock finishing the book I wrote about the other day. I also got an email from my friend Tom Coyle. It had this Tom Tomorrow cartoon that I really liked. Since I didn't take any pictures today or do anything that interesting, this is all I got for the blog. I need the Republicans that read this to tell me what isn't true about that cartoon.

May 2 The Good Neighbor Parade

The first Saturday in May is always The Good Neighbor Parade in my town. The parade is staged on my street so every year beginning about 10am all the marching bands are practicing in the church parking lot across the street from my house. I usually will check out a few floats or take a couple of pictures of the bands but I have never actually gone to the parade. I'm not the old curmudgeon you probably think I am. I have always enjoyed the fact that my town celebrates the arrival of spring by having a parade. It does have a 1950's feel to it and that is a good thing to me. We all live together in our little town. We probably have a lot more in common with each other than some people will admit. The parade does make all the residents get together for a couple of hours and hopefully new friendships are created. In the 16 years I've lived here the neighborhood has really changed and I'm not talking about the racial changes. This was an old town. We used to joke that houses only go for sale when someone dies. That is how we got our house and the neighbors on both sides moved into their grandparents houses. Over recent years, white flight has also made the neighborhood younger. I think it's a friendlier neighborhood with all the young people, unfortunately that makes us the old people on the block. Anyway, while watching the parade, I saw a group of friends with their kids so I joined them. Most of them grew up here and some now live elsewhere but they still get together for the parade. The kids were having fun collecting the candy thrown from most of the floats and cars in the parade. While walking home I came across my neighbors, Chrissy's sister Kimmie and my niece, Kristian. Just to prove the parade really does bring neighbors together. So here's some pictures of The Good Neighbor Parade with a few thoughts. The parade goes through the downtown area which has seen some businesses leave but also has some new businesses. We try to support these businesses because I love being able to walk to stores or walk the dogs downtown. Why does Lansing have a dive rescue? Is it for rescuing people from their flooded basements? It was just a coincidence that Eric was in the clown car picture. Isn't a smile from a little girl what a parade is all about? That is Nick's wife Karen with their adorable little girl, Jenna.

May 1 Sunshine Glorious Sunshine

I woke up dead ass tired due to hockey. I played on Wednesday night and watched the Blackhawks rally with three goals in the third only to lose late in the game last night. Once again, the gray morning skies just put me in a bad mood. But thank the Lord, by 3pm the sun broke through the clouds. Some people around me at a Speedway on 95th Street actually dropped to their knees and praised Jesus for the sunshine. By the time I got home, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and I felt surprisingly full of energy. I picked up dog poop and cut the grass which was damn close to knee high in some spots. I had some errands to run so I asked the dogs "Wanna go for a ride?". Surprisingly, they always say "YES!". They don't say it verbally but physically. Fluffy tilts her and gets happy feet where she just runs in circles with her 'Grinch' feet flying about. Oslo lifts his ears and starts nudging me toward the car. These two make running around town seem so exciting. First stop is the bank drive thru, Fluffy's favorite place in the whole world because she always gets a dog biscuit from the tellers. I'm sure that her doggy brain thinks that is the only reason I stop there. Here's a picture of her impatiently waiting for the tube that supplies her with biscuits. Then off to pick up clothing from the dry cleaners. This place only hires good looking young woman who always greet you with a warm welcome and a sweet smile. I only go because of the great job of dry cleaning they do. Last stop is a carry out dinner from Café Borgia, my favorite Italian restaurant in the Chicagoland area. The staff here is also very friendly but the food is so good I would still go if they insisted on waterboarding me before every meal. One side note, look at that beautiful blue sky. Damn, it's good to be alive.