I don't care anymore

My interest in NFL football has been waning the last few years. But this year, my interest sits at almost zero. I have watched virtually no football this season and I really don't plan to. I bring this up today because the Bengals play the Steelers on Monday night football tonight. In the past I would be pumped up and ready to watch the game. Ready to have the Steelers break my heart all over again. Tonight will be different. I won't be tuning in and watching. I'd rather do almost anything else.

The reasons for this shift in interest are many. It's not a simple explanation. I think it all started when the Bengals blew the playoff game against the Steelers and I saw some players acting like they weren't even bothered. I figured, hey, if they don't care, why should I? Then the whole kneeling down for the national anthem controversy happened. That REALLY soured me on football. I realize it was a just a few players and you can't punish the masses for the action of a few, but that just didn't sit well with me. Finally you have this whole Antonio Brown fiasco. I realize he is just one knucklehead, but it's indicative of a larger problem. Multi-millionaires acting like spoiled little children when they feel disrespected or if they don't get their way. The problem is pervasive and I truly can't watch it anymore. The game I grew up loving no longer exists. The spoiled brat Primadonnas and the penalty flags flying on seemingly every play have made the NFL unwatchable for me.

Don't get me wrong. I will still check scores and standings. I just refuse to invest any time or emotional energy into something that no longer holds any redeeming value for me. I guess I'm getting older and realize how very little time I have on this earth. I just can't waste time watching NFL football any longer. Life is too short and I have better things to do.

See ya, NFL. I'm out!

Inquiry

The democrats have opened an impeachment inquiry and it is utterly ridiculous!

The soundtrack of my summers

Yesterday was the end of an era. The 46 year run of Marty Brennaman broadcasting Reds games came to a sad end. Marty has been calling Reds games on radio my entire life. He was the soundtrack of my summer. There are few things I enjoyed more than sitting on my deck, cold beverage in hand, and listening to the Reds on radio. Marty's voice was more than just an integral part of Reds on radio... He WAS Reds on radio. Alas that has come to an end. I will still listen to my beloved Reds on the radio, but it will never, ever be the same. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a lump in my throat when Marty called the final out of the 9th inning yesterday. I guess it's a good thing the Reds lost. If they had won, and Marty had uttered his famous tagline... "And this one belongs to the Reds!", I probably would have been in full blown tears. Goodbye, Marty. I sure am going to miss you!

Here is a list a local sports journalist compiled of things we all heard Marty say hundreds (if not thousands of times).
If you don’t buckle up, what’s holding you back?
We welcome in our good friend, and we hope yours...
John Fay, aka “the bank president,” from The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Show me what you got.
That’s a great big Duh.
It’s nothing-nothing as we move into the top half of the 7th inning. A good ol’ good one.
A thrill a minute.
Just like we like it.
There’s a drive ...
Howa-bout that?
He spanked that bad boy. He gotta alla that baby. And two runs are gonna score.
How we lookin’?
I’m noticing a crowd gathering in the booth for this, my final broadcast. Say hello to:
Pot Roast Lou.
Mr. Baseball, aka Tony La Russa.
Doc Hollywood, Tim Kremchek.
Ruggedly Handsome Ron Millennor.
Quintessential Ladies Man Jeff Horrigan.
Steve “Bad Boy” Stewart.
Ol’ Leatherpants.
Our Mentor and Spiritual Leader Dave “Yiddy” Armbruster.
And of course me, the Poofy-Haired Fancy Boy.
If I was any better, I’d be twins.
What’s up, sweet thang?
Don’t get stupid on me. You’re killin’ me.
I’m not right.
Something’s wrong with you.
I gotcha covered.
C’mon, Doc.
The throw to the plate ... is not in time!
The Reds will bat in the 8th inning for what they hope will be the final time tonight.
In tonight’s ... titanic struggle.
Ain’t love grand?
In a word, remarkable.
No question.
For the edification of our listening audience ...
The Reds have given up the lead and will make a pitching change. In the immortal words of Lou Piniella, I have seen enough.
That’s a big ol’ hang with ’em.
How we lookin’?
And that’s a base hit.
Votto smokes a ball to the gap in left! Hamilton’s gonna score and ...
This one belongs to the Reds!
Back with more in a moment.
The Reds welcome in the Astronomicals tomorrow night, for the first of three. Until then, this is Marty Brennaman saying ...
So long, everybody.

Marty's Last Game

I took the last 15 minutes of school today and tuned into 700 WLW. I allowed my students to listen to a little bit of Marty Brennaman's last broadcast. 99% of these kids have no idea what the historical significance of this game is, but maybe one day they will look back and remember their teacher letting them listen in on this monumental day in Reds history.

How is this tied to learning you may ask? Well, two of our vocabulary words this week are advertise and promote. What better way to show examples of companies advertising and promoting their products than commercials on a Reds radio broadcast. Hey, I know it's a stretch, but it was a good excuse for me to listen to my man Marty one last time.

Here's my class posing for a picture around the radio.

Cabana on the River

We enjoyed a nice weeknight at Cabana on the River last night. The weather was gorgeous and we had a beautiful view. It's sad to think the Cabana will be closing for the season after this weekend.

Fishin' Buddy

I have lots of fishin' buddies. Here's the smallest one. His daddy took him and his two siblings fishing over the weekend. Very cute! Love the look on his face! And check out those dimples!

Autumn

Autumn arrived today. It is not welcome here. Let my depression begin!

YUCK!

Bias

The media is biased... Fact, not opinion.

Dreaming

I'm dreaming of the lake today. Seeing the beauty of God's creation at Lake Erie last weekend really gave me the itch again. I had forgotten how I love that lake so very much!

Zima

I don't know that I understand it, but apparently there is a nation wide shortage of White Claw. Seltzer water infused with alcohol does not appeal to my sophisticated palate. I never thought about it, but I guess White Claw is a lot like Zima. I never cared for that stuff either.

Stupidity?

Labor Laws

Aren't there child labor laws for this?

Where it all began

This is the boat where it all began. I was a first mate on "The Badman" before I had my own charter captain's license. Obviously my walleye fishing career began with my dad on The Hotfire, but The Badman was my first paid job on the lake. Lou Badman was my boss (the captain), and I learned a lot from him. I made $20 a day and that felt like a lot of money to me.

Time is a funny thing. When I worked on The Badman I was a skinny, somewhat handsome young man with dark hair. In this picture I am a fat, aging, balding man with gray hair. I miss the days on the lake, but time marches on, and things change. I don't know why The Lord took dad at such a young age. And I often wonder if I'd still be running charters if her were alive today. However, God's plan is perfect. I don't always understand it, but it IS perfect. It's not for me to question why.

Toft's

No trip to the lake is complete without a visit to Toft's. Really good ice cream and huge scoops. We love this place!

The Lake

We took a day trip to Lake Erie today. It was a lot fun visiting my old stomping grounds.

Dem Debate

The Dems had another debate last night. I don' think there is one candidate among the 10 on the stage that can beat Trump in 2020. In fact, I am making my prediction today, and I want you to mark my words. The person who will run against President Trump in 2020 was NOT on the stage last night. I think they will bring somebody in at the 11th hour. I think this will be done for two reasons. 1... to keep that person hidden for as long as possible to not allow Republicans time time to get opposition information. 2... to limit the exposure of the candidate to minimize the possibility of gaffes and saying stupid things. Look for a last minute candidate to slide in at the last minute. I'm thinking somebody like Michelle Obama. You heard it here first. Don't be surprised if it happens.

AARP

This is going to be us before we know it!

Never Forget

We will never forget. We will always remember where we were when we heard what happened that fateful day.

Teehee!

Tee Hee!

Achoo

A Sad Day

Yesterday was a sad day. The pool at Lago Vista Resort closed for the season.

Hurricane Dorian

Yay!

Cool! It worked! Next I will experiment with how to add a photo. I'm old... this new technology takes a while to learn.

Testing 1234

Trying to post to my blog using my phone. This is my first try. Up until now I have always used my laptop.

Tough Day

It was a tough day at work...

Crazy Uncle Joe

Creepy, crazy Uncle Joe is at it again!

This is war!

One day I will tell my grandchildren I was there... The great chicken sandwich war of 2019. For the record, I am 100% team Chick-fil-A!

The Lake

We had a family reunion at Lakeview Acres today. The fishing was good. Here's Tami's cousin Doug with the catch of the day.