CB Day

Today is October 4th (10/4). This makes it CB day. Remember the heyday of the CB (Citizens Band) radio in the 70's and early 80's? I sure do! My parents took us all to see Smoky and the Bandit in the theater. It was risqué for us kids, but we're no worse for it.

So today I wish you a happy CB day. 10-4 good buddy! What's your 10-20? Watch out for Smoky up ahead. Make sure you stay on the double nickel. This is Hotfire Jr... over and out.

Truth

The truth has been spoken. President Trump is not perfect, but he is doing more for our country than any President since Ronald Reagan. The attacks on the office and on him personally are unprecedented. I didn't like our previous President, but I never disrespected him or the office. What's happening now is truly a shame.

Welcome to Cincy

After the Bengals embarrassing blowout loss to the Steelers, I offer this:

Welcome to Cincinnati- The only place in the world where heat records and the spirit of Bengals fans can be broken in less than 24 hours.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary! This blog, Silence Runs Deep, celebrates its 8th anniversary today.

The date was on October 1st, 2011. It was a Saturday and I was sitting in my recliner noodling around on my laptop. I had a lot on my mind, but not being a big talker or conversationalist, I had no real outlet for my thoughts and feelings. I'm not sure what led me to the idea of starting a blog. I think it's just one of those things that just happened on a whim. Anyway... here I am eight years later still going strong. I have made more than 3,200 posts and sometime in the next few weeks I will eclipse 90,000 page views. This is all because of you, my loyal readers. I have no idea why you keep coming back to read the so very unimportant thoughts of such a simple man. But I've always said, "As long as you keep reading, I will keep posting". This is a commitment I have kept for eight years. As always, check back often. I usually post something every day. Every now and then I am "not feeling it", and skip a day. Thanks for sticking with me for eight years. It has been a fun ride.

And as always... To God alone be the glory (Soli Deo Gloria).

Further Proof

If you need further proof I am done with football, look no further than last night. The Bengals played on Monday Night Football and I didn't watch one second of it. In addition, the Bengals lost to the dreaded Steelers and I couldn't care any less. In the past I would have been really bothered... almost in mourning. Not anymore!

Also, yesterday my school had a "Who-Dey Monday" where students and staff could wear Bengal garb. I wore a red shirt. To me it was just plain old Monday.

The final bit of proof that I am done with football... I completely quit playing fantasy football. I used to really enjoy it, but now I loathe it. Things certainly do change.

Now I just have one question. How many days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training?

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.