tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79594647089504237972012-02-14T12:01:11.508-06:00Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.comBlogger331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-88468826134623652582008-11-22T08:51:00.003-06:002008-11-22T09:28:02.207-06:00

It's been months since I've done any posting here. Don't have a very good reason, except that it's been a difficult and confusing time.Since I last posted, the manager of my department at work grew terribly ill and passed away. It was not an easy time, both professionally and personally. He was a terrific guy to work for, and certainly a good friend. I miss him very much.Around the same time,

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-46188105047960868392008-08-28T12:25:00.003-05:002008-08-28T12:57:46.498-05:00

Here ya go, anonymous. Red Barchetta by Rush (at least the first few bars):

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-82691088873239206092008-08-18T12:09:00.012-05:002008-08-19T12:42:20.589-05:00

Since my employer decided to prohibit internet usage, I've been forced to look for other ways of filling my down-time here at work. Not that I don't have enough work to keep me busy throughout the day. I have plenty. But there are times when I get caught up that I might otherwise spend 15 or 20 minutes checking my email, message boards, or seeking out funny videos online.I've thought about

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-22340096661041882392008-08-04T12:16:00.006-05:002010-12-31T09:45:47.950-06:00

Last year, while driving home from a weekend in Wisconsin, I had an odd experience. For just a moment I looked in my rear view mirror and saw my oldest daughter, Kendall, looking out her window, listening to her iPod. Not that THAT in itself was odd. But the way the setting sun lit her face was just, well, captivating. She just looked beautiful. I decided to just keep this moment for myself, for

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-20702794863865379702008-08-01T12:21:00.007-05:002010-12-31T10:00:19.498-06:00

My two youngest daughters have had to endure the harshest of living conditions throughout their lives: they share a bedroom. Torture, really. For both of them. If they had their way, and were somehow able to get word to D.C.F.S., I would certainly end up in prison. Detainees at Guantanamo Bay got NOTHING on these poor girls. Just ask them.The horror that is their co-habitation is quite evident at

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-71889495174691031572008-07-29T13:03:00.004-05:002008-07-29T19:00:58.964-05:00

At work this morning we had an all-employee meeting. This is something that has been occurring every two weeks or so over the last few months. Management decided this would be a good way to keep everyone here abreast of things: new clients, new jobs, new policies and general announcements. So far, I think it's been a good thing. Until today. It was announced that due to an increase in

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-4170996936262868102008-06-24T10:54:00.007-05:002010-12-31T10:02:38.937-06:00

For the last 6 years we've been hosting Fourth of July parties. Pretty good bashes, if I do say so myself. Attendance has broken triple-digits most years. It's become a tradition for many of our friends and family members. My friend Dean (who's come every year, along with his sisters, their spouses and kids) tells me his nieces and nephews look forward to our parties almost as much as they do

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-85759454137506156502008-06-12T12:25:00.007-05:002008-06-12T13:21:48.849-05:00

My kids are at that age where they often use words or prases that I really don't care for. They're always asking each other, "sup, yo?" or refer to each other as "homeys." Apparently, they are often "chillin'" when they are "kickin' it with their peeps." Also, they share their "digits" so they can call each other on their "cellies."I've also caught them "rocking" - which, for the untrained, can

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-33090633349248248212008-05-22T14:54:00.004-05:002008-05-22T16:24:01.809-05:00

As most of you probably know, in addition to my full-time job, I also work at US Cellular Field, selling beer at White Sox games. I work at a stand in right-center field, alongside one of my best friends, Greg. I've been working there since the middle of the 2005 season. That's right, I was working there when the Sox were in the World Series. I worked Game 2, watched Konerko hit a grand slam,

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-79886604633100319522008-05-15T11:46:00.009-05:002010-12-31T10:04:20.975-06:00

A few weeks ago, we purchased a new set of patio furniture. Nothing fancy, really. It was a nice set with six chairs, two tables, and a couple of footstools - all in one big box, on sale at our local Jewel-Osco®. We needed something for our screen porch, as one of our cats began peeing on the cushions of our old set. These chairs have no cushions. Problem solved!After putting all of the furniture

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-74379263994606969722008-05-15T11:40:00.003-05:002008-05-15T11:45:56.947-05:00

Seems I have once again been a bit lazy about posting. I think the passing of my grandfather took a bit of the wind out my sails. Not that I'm feeling all better about it now, just thought it was time to let loose a few stories that have been bouncing around in my head.I'll try to be more frequent. Honest!

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-8835633598479097022008-03-31T01:25:00.012-05:002010-12-31T09:38:15.526-06:00

On the evening of February 19 this year, my phone rang."Hello," I answered."Hiya, Richie. It's Grandpa, just calling to wish you a happy birthday. Geez, it's hard to believe. Forty-two years ago I was sitting there in the waiting room with your father at Christ Hospital..."It was the same phone call I'd gotten on my birthday every year for as far back as I can remember. He always retold the story

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-88330886552151824172008-03-13T12:50:00.007-05:002008-03-31T02:50:59.801-05:00

I know it's been a couple of weeks since my last post. Sorry. Been busy - or perhaps lazy.I thought I'd take the easy road today and post a piece I'd already written. It's a short story I entered in my friend The Moon Topples' fiction contest. Entries had to be 500 words or less - the theme was "vision."I didn't win anything, but I hope you like it:No Other SensesOur excursion so far held little

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-25744497596212936692008-02-27T16:38:00.010-06:002008-03-13T12:47:51.268-05:00

I have never owned a brand new car. Never. I'd say it's a fact of which I'm neither proud nor ashamed. Although it is a streak, and I suppose I've gone long enough as an adult without owning a new car, there's no reason to give in now. If i happen to win the lottery though, all bets are off.The closest I've ever come was right outta college, after getting my first full-time job, when I bought a

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-17018736101498579372008-02-11T13:17:00.004-06:002008-02-13T13:06:05.614-06:00

Over the last few years, our village built what is now known as the "New Lenox Commons." It is an area located in the center of town where you'll find a pond surrounded by walkways, gardens, benches, a bandshell for summer concerts and movies, the library, Village Hall, etc. For what it's worth, the American Institute of Architects listed the Commons as one of the 150 Great Places in

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-154116131395830772008-01-22T12:39:00.003-06:002010-12-31T09:26:32.717-06:00

Actually, I have a new attachment for the toy I got last spring - a snow blade for my riding mower.That's right, baby. My John Deere LA110 Lawn Tractor (19.5-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine with overhead valves, Kanzaki Tuff Torq™ hydro/automatic transmission, 42-inch cutting and mulching deck, headlights and a cup holder) is now sporting a 46" snow blade: front-mount assembly with quick pin

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-33605888804803988012007-12-28T10:15:00.002-06:002010-12-31T09:48:49.925-06:00

Last year for the holidays, the company I work for gave me a ham - fully cooked, spiral sliced. I warmed it up on the grill and served it on Christmas Day, along with a 20 lb. turkey and all the fixin's. It worked out quite nicely.This year I had a choice of a ham, a turkey, a dessert assortment, or a gift certificate. Last year's ham was SO delicious and SO easy, I went ham again, as did most

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-77187489832905206132007-12-27T12:00:00.001-06:002008-03-05T16:31:54.156-06:00

Okay, I can't really take credit for this one. A friend, Mary, emailed this to me. I don't know how the cake tastes, but I'm pretty sure it's fun to make.Enjoy!Tequila Christmas CakeIngredients:2 cups flour1 stick butter1 cup of water1 tsp baking soda1 cup of sugar1 tsp salt1 cup of brown sugarLemon juice4 large eggsNuts1 bottle tequila2 cups of dried fruitSample the tequila to check quality.

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-80548393711601728032007-12-18T12:20:00.001-06:002010-12-31T09:40:31.971-06:00

I usually decorate outside during the Christmas season. This year, I have not. No particular reason, just haven't had a weekend free when the weather would permit me to wander around my roof for hours, trying to get strands of icicles to light that worked PERFECTLY inside when I tested them. This also means I won't be falling off my roof as my ladder slides out from under me like last year. My

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-25129404731824586352007-12-05T16:34:00.000-06:002007-12-06T16:32:10.969-06:00

Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything. If I have any readers left, I apologize for the lack of activity. Not that I haven't had anything blogworthy, I just haven't been, well... feeling bloggy. Let's look at it as a show of support for the striking writers. OK with you?Fine.So I thought I'd end my silence with an oldie-but-a-goodie. Some of you have certainly heard this one before,

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-47152835348290781412007-11-20T11:59:00.001-06:002010-12-31T10:06:10.356-06:00

In a couple of days we'll be heading up to Wisconsin for spend Thanksgiving. I, for one, am looking forward to stuffing myself with gravy-covered white meat and sweet potatoes until I can't move. Then, watching football in a recliner. Heaven.I am a glutton when it comes to holiday food. I usually don't eat breakfast on Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter in order to leave more room for the eventual

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-11365928382067670162007-11-12T09:36:00.000-06:002007-11-14T14:11:24.657-06:00

My friend Dean, whom I've known him since kindergarten, has been putting a softball team together for 20 years or so. There are others on the team I grew up with, mixed with players Dean has been adding to the roster over the years. In the summer of '06 he asked me to come out and play on his team as a sub. Then in the fall league he added me to the regular roster, not for my stellar playing

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-65988433143488108042007-11-07T09:31:00.003-06:002010-12-31T09:49:45.651-06:00

My kids make me laugh. Sometimes on purpose, other times not. I may be partial, but I think they each have a wonderful sense of humor. Certainly their ages (15, 13, 11) allow for occasional bathroom humor and general silliness, but more often then not they come up with comments, punchlines and smart-ass remarks beyond their years, of which I'm quite proud.Last night, for instance, the family was

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-66319791075564624962007-11-01T13:50:00.000-05:002007-11-08T16:58:31.894-06:00

Apparently we're knee-deep in the 2008 presidential primary cycle, or as I'm calling it, "All Candidates from Both Parties Attack Hillary Clinton."With so many candidates running, I thought it might be useful to go to one of my favorite websites, selectsmart.com. They ask a list of questions to get your take on many of the more pertinent issues. You also get to choose if each particular issue is

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-30359911754559305772007-10-26T12:22:00.001-05:002010-12-31T09:32:57.333-06:00

This morning at work, while checking dozens of photos of Kohl's jewelry for dust and scratches, I treated myself to a morning snack - chocolate chip cookies, dunked in my coffee. It was delicious, thank you. While I was enjoying my little treat, I was reminded of a former co-worker who used to soak his Girl Scouts peanut butter sandwich cookies in Diet Coke®. Weird, right? I agree. Nonetheless

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-12036811365888580512007-10-22T12:16:00.000-05:002007-10-22T13:14:02.289-05:00

A few weeks ago, my friend and co-worker David told me he had given his notice. He had accepted a position with another company in the biz and would be moving on. I was sad, but not shocked. David is a good worker - the kind who really cares about his work, regardless of whether or not he really likes what he's been asked to do. It's a trait that is sadly rare in advertising, and even more rarely

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-23178286991291566202007-10-17T11:39:00.001-05:002010-12-31T09:53:01.300-06:00

Some friends are going to see Van Halen this week, and for a couple of reasons, I'm quite jealous.First, it's a group of people whom I consider good friends, yet they didn't invite me. Now I'll grant them the fact that they bought the tickets late one night after a few beverages. It was impulsive. I wasn't there when they decided to try to get tickets. That's the problem. I'm never there. They

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-63317866196084770842007-10-12T16:42:00.001-05:002007-10-20T10:29:45.207-05:00

I have been SO, SO busy at work, I haven't had time to add any clever quips or witty anecdotes. I promise as things let-up, I shall return.I just can't find the time to write my mind the way I want it to read.Rich

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-26087413036523042502007-10-05T12:15:00.000-05:002007-10-20T10:30:22.112-05:00

When I was tagged by Maht with my "Nice" award, I visited his blog. I found that he, as tribute to David, had created a list of 20 words he liked. I found it interesting. Some of the words I even recognized, although I'm pretty sure he made up a few of them ("frisson" ...RIGHT!).I probably could not, however, come up with a list myself. Not that I have a limited vocabulary (although I probably do

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-7411526496521671522007-10-03T12:26:00.002-05:002010-12-31T09:54:13.399-06:00

I'm a Chicago White Sox fan. Two years ago I was lucky enough to watch my team go 11-1 in the MLB Playoffs and win the World Series. It was a joyful time. I could go on and on about that season, but I'm not going to. At least not in this post.This year the OTHER Chicago team, the Cubs have made it into the post-season, and tonight they start a 5-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. And

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-85019254263088555482007-09-28T12:41:00.000-05:002007-10-20T10:31:27.886-05:00

I've been listening to Marvin Gaye on iTunes as I slave away here at work, scouring over images of towels and DVD players for focus problems and dust. He was simply an amazing vocalist, and a true loss to the music world when his father shot and killed him in 1984.Whenever I hear his music it always reminds me of his appearance at the 1983 NBA All Star Game. Marvin was invited to sing the

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-71486339440391981452007-09-20T10:04:00.001-05:002010-12-31T09:57:19.581-06:00

Now that I've taken the plunge and decided to keep this here blog, I find myself obligated to post with some frequency. Leading a pretty simple, boring life requires that I spend my idle time (i.e. driving or watching TV) thinking about things I can write. I have to weigh whether or not something is blog-worthy. Most of my ideas have since been tossed in the waste basket section of my brain.On my

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959464708950423797.post-84918326449964907822007-09-19T12:59:00.000-05:002007-10-20T10:36:10.466-05:00

My good friend Moon Topples has been blogging away for a while now, and he's been prompting me to start a blog of my own. I'm not much of a writer really, but I did enter one of Mr. Topples' fiction contests once and, my lack of winning any awards aside, found the experience not too unpleasant. So, I thought I might have a go of this blogging thing myself.Basically I'm not sure at all what I'll

Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16016474759001709394noreply@blogger.com3