Me and Grandpa Vleaminck. Wrigley Field. circa 1982
In 2003 the Cubs finished 88-74 and it was the last time I remember being excited about post-season baseball. This year they finish at a more impressive 97-64, but I’m trying not to let myself get too excited. Who knows what calamity will befall the Cubs this post-season to knock them out of the playoffs, but I’m going to remain positive. I don’t really believe in curses because to err is human. The impressive statistics from the season, I hope, will continue over the next couple of weeks and the mistakes and errors will not cost the Cubs another shot at redemption.
Regardless of the outcome of the post-season, I’m proud of the team this year. Their season has me thinking about four people: Harry Carey, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Grandpa Vleaminck.
My grandpa introduced me to Cubs baseball when I was just two years old. Harry made me love the Cubs during the 80s and 90s. It would be statistically improbable that either of them could have lived to see this team (both would be over 100 years old this year). Harry would have had to come up with a new catch phrase because “Holy Cow” would have been too trite for the spectacular season this year. “Elated” would have been too trite to describe how my grandpa would be feeling right now.
Ernie and Ron definitely left before their time and there is a definite sorrow in the air knowing that they could have lived to see this team (especially Ernie who only just passed away this year). As Cubs fans we know that they are all looking down, drinking some “ice cold Bud Light” and watching their favorite team play October baseball.
The first of the Cubs post-season games will be Wednesday night at 8pm (EST) against Pittsburgh.
#LetsGoCubs
Fourteen years ago was the darkest day in US history. 2,977 people lost their lives to a most heinous act of terrorism I’m sure I will ever see in my lifetime. I hope Evie will never have to endure that kind of unquenchable heartache. Since that day in 2001 I have never once complained about the extra precautions that are taken when going through airport security. I would rather be patient and let the TSA do proper checks then ever see an tragedy like that happen again.
I could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!
I tend to keep a pretty open mind when it comes to Star Wars; after all I am in the minority of people that don’t speak of the prequels with seething and disdain. There are so many books in the “old” Expanded Universe I still want to read that I will never be caught up. I guess this is an opportunity for me to try to keep up with the new Expanded Universe. It will be interesting to see how things progress from here. Will authors like James Luceno, Troy Denning, and Timothy Zahn continue to write books in the old “Expanded Universe” or is that world now off limits?
I know I troll social media a lot by posting meme’s and comments on hot topics to try to elicit cranial detonation, but this time I’m actually not trying to be a troll. Have you seen the video with Jimmy Kimmel criticizing YouTube latest “gaming” channel? He basically says that he doesn’t quite grasp the appeal of watching other people play video games, live. I have watched my fair share of live streams but I don’t need a whole product built on that concept.
I know, why would I write an opinion post on something that has been around for 40 years??! Since the birth of the iPad technology has been trending away from the nostalgic old desktop PC. Tablets and laptops (and other forms of mobile devices) are becoming more popular by the hour. The truth is, I’m not really a fan of laptops. Sure I use a laptop for work because it’s easier as a consultant to have your trusty computer with you when you need it, but work is the only occasion where I feel like having one is warranted.