Monthly Archives: August 2007

Bob the kegler

Aug. 29, 20072:46 p.m.

I haven’t bowled in a league since the early 1980s, when I did so with my wife. She’s no longer my wife. I’m not saying bowling had anything to do with that, but I’m not saying it didn’t, either.

But after a 25-year absence I am returning to the lanes next week in a mixed doubles league at Seneca Bowl. And I’m kind of excited.

I grew up bowling, joining a league in Derby when I was in the fifth grade. I was an all-around kid sports star in Derby (honest) and bowling was one of the sports I did best. My average was always in the top two or three in the league. It was a Saturday morning league and I found out in a hurry that chicks, even fifth-grade chicks, dig strikes. Some even dug spares.

So bowling was a little bit of a show-off thing for me. I did a little fist pumping. It wasn’t beneath me to contort my body as the ball rolled toward the pins.

My high game is 231. I had a 650 series once. I do not put any English on the bowling ball, I simply roll it as hard as I can and hope it hits the pocket. I owned a green bowling ball, which I no longer have. I’m considering investing in another ball, since I’m relatively sure this bowling thing is going to become a huge part of my life again.

Make fun of me if you wish. All I know is that on Tuesday nights, I’ll be at the bowling alley.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (5)

Eagles fans

Aug. 29, 20071:36 p.m.

I want to hear from you. I want to know who you are. I want to know how long you’ve been a fan. Obviously, I’m pumped about the new CD that will be coming out on Oct. 30 with 20 tracks.

20!

This is the place to be for a lot of Eagles discussion up to and after the release date.

So, what do you think of the new single? How Long. I think it’s a great first single because it’s so reminiscent of the early Eagles. The sound, the harmonies, the instruments. It’s a definite return to the band’s country roots. But I look for a lot of different sounds on the new CD and, of course, a lot of social commentary. One of the best things about the Eagles is their diversity.

Who is your favorite Eagle?

What is your favorite Eagles song?

How many times have you seen the Eagles in concert?

Wouldn’t they be a great band to open Wichita’s new downtown arena?

Let’s go, people. Let’s talk.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (4)

Crushes Part II

Aug. 25, 20074:20 a.m.

As Denise correctly points out, of course I had crushes on the women I would eventually marry. Big-time crushes. Sorry to forget that in post No. 1 on this subject, which is sure to have people around town talking. Or not.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Crushes

Aug. 24, 20079:33 p.m.

Who doesn’t have them? And aren’t they great, whether they’re returned or not.

I have had numerous crushes on girls and women in my life. This is just a partial list, with a detail or two thrown in:

Chris Costin _ High school. She was a cheerleader and in my geometry class. We flirted and became good friends. I remember visiting her at her job once. I believe she called the cops.

Girl at the Eagle I _ I don’t remember her name because it was way, way back. But the Doobie Brothers were in town for a concert and I wanted to ask her to go but never did. What if I had? Well, perhaps I would then remember her name.

Girl at the Eagle II _ She worked in advertising, I remember that. But not a lot else except she had gorgeous hair. And I also think she called the cops.

Kim _ A girl from Derby who was three or four years younger than me. I worked with her sister at the Dairy Queen when I was in high school. She was amazingly attractive and fun, which meant I had no chance although we did date briefly when I was in my early 30s.

Woman across the street _ I was a kid in high school and there was a really attractive woman who lived _ with her husband and children _ across the street.

Denise _ My most recent crush actually became a relationship for a while. It’s not now, though. She still reads this blog, by the way. Read it and weep, baby.

That’s all I can think of for now, although I’m sure there have been more. Anyone who has had a crush on me, please feel free to respond.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (3)

My youth

Aug. 21, 200712:30 p.m.

These are the top 10 things I remember from my youth in Derby, from the age of 5 through, let’s say, 15:

1) Riding my bicycle. I rode it everywhere. I could do that wheelie thing where I just rode on the back tire. I thought that was cool. It’s really the first "cool" thing I could do. It might be the only "cool" thing I’ve ever done. Chicks dug it.

2) Playing countless hours of basketball in my backyard. My dad put up a goal and we eventually created a smooth surface of hard dirt on which to play because me and my friends played so much. I got to be a pretty decent shooter because of all those hours spent playing. I never guarded anyone, though.

3) Spinning records. My parents spent a lot of time at the old Giant store on Oliver and they always let me pick out three or four 45-rpm records. I listened to music a lot, in the solitude of my room. I had a tiny record player which served my needs.

4) Watching TV. I was such a spoiled kid. My mother would make me breakfast in the morning and serve it to me on a tray while I watched The Lone Ranger. Then, when I got home from school, she had a snack ready for me while I watched Major Astro.

5) Play war. All kids played war in those days. We used two alleys on both sides of my street and it was quite exciting. I think I was a pretty good solider. Once, me and my friends dug foxholes in my back yard. I remember how that pleased my parents oh so much.

6) Attending Shocker football and basketball games. And NBC World Series games. And Victory League games. And Derby High games. My dad took me to all kinds of games, which is probably the reason I’m doing what I’m doing. I got hooked early on, especially to Wichita State basketball. What a time.

7) Baseball days. I got up very early in the mornings during the summer. So did a friend of mine who lived across the street. We started playing catch and warming up for the afternoon’s pick-up game at Pleasantview Elementary, which we played almost every day. Kids don’t do that now. Kids are missing out.

8) Going to school. Actually, I don’t have a lot of memories of being in a classroom and learning. But obviously I learned a great deal. I mean, look at me now.

9) Memories of my mother, one of the smartest people I have known. But she had only an eighth-grade education. She taught herself by reading almost constantly. She rarely left the house, though, except to go buy groceries or see friends in the neighborhood. So much of who I am _ good and bad _ is linked to my mother.

10) Tennis balls and a car windshield. I tossed the balls off the back window of my mother’s car and invented a baseball game while doing so. That took creativity.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (3)

A new Eagles record

Aug. 19, 20079:23 a.m.

It was 1980 and I was in the drive-thru lane at the bank I was doing business with at the time when the song ‘Heartache Tonight’ came on the radio. It was new and it was performed, of course, by The Eagles, the band I have seen 17 times in concert.

The band, my friends will tell you, that turns me into an obsessive freak.

Well, there’s a new song out by The Eagles this week. It’s called ‘How Long,’ an appropriate title for a group that hasn’t released a full CD of new music since 1980’s ‘The Long Run.’

I love this song. Surprise, surprise, huh? And now I’m counting the days until Oct. 30, when the new Eagles CD will be released. It is going to include 20 songs _ 20 freaking songs. And I feel as excited about it as I did all those years ago.

Why the Eagles? you ask. Well, do you really need to ask that. They’re great musicians and great singers. And great songwriters, too, especially Don Henley. You can expect the new record to have a mix of ballads, country-rock roots and commentary on the current political state, which is one of Henley’s specialties. I love the Eagles because they’re a group of smart, talented guys.

Hey, we could have a listening party on Oct. 30. Nah, probably not.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (4)

Greensburg

Aug. 16, 20078:32 p.m.

Visited for the first time since the tornado Wednesday. I’m writing a column for Sunday on the new football coach. There are so many stories out there and I was inspired by the people. There is virtually nothing in Greensburg now but the townspeople are focused on keeping their town alive. It’s really something.

I spent some time with the football team and the kids were so much fun. Great guys and they seemed no different than any other teenagers, despite what they have been through.

There is great inspiration in the Greensburg story and I hope to write about some of it during the football season.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Why golf?

Aug. 9, 20076:18 p.m.

Listen, I get it. Many people think golf is boring. And unless it’s a major tournament, I rarely watch a tournament on television. But the majors carry drama. So much is at stake because of their tradition and because of the field full of great players who play in these things.

Covering the PGA Tournament is a treat. I won’t pretend it’s hard work. Today, I followed Derby’s Woody Austin for four holes. Later, I went and took a walk around the course, watching different groups for about 45 minutes. But my column for Friday’s paper fell in my lap when John Daly shot a 3-under 67. Daly is one of the most captivating professional athletes out there. I could have written all day, based on his humor during the news conference after his round. How can you help but like Daly, warts and all?

Covering a golf tournament requires a lot of sitting around and waiting. A lot of watching the leader board. A lot of watching the television coverage. It’s a slow process. Scott Paske, The Eagle’s lead golf writer, and I arrived at the course around 9 this morning. We’ll leave around 7 or 8. It’s a long day, but not a difficult one. I’ve read the paper, eaten lunch, sent out some e-mails. And, of course, kept track of what’s going on so I have an idea of what to write about. Tomorrow I’ll write about Austin, who is just an emotional cauldron. He wears it on his sleeve. And, best of all, he plays in the morning Friday.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (3)

Sports Daily

Aug. 6, 200710:47 p.m.

Sometimes we have some really great guests on the radio show. We had Pat Summitt, the Tennessee women’s basketball coach. We talked to former Detroit Tigers play-by-play man Ernie Harwell. Tomorrow, we’re talking to the voice of the Royals, Denny Matthews, at 10:05. I love baseball announcers. A lot of it is because that’s what I wanted to do as a kid. I wanted to be the next Jack Buck or Harry Caray.

It will be a real treat to visit with Denny, whose voice is identifiable with more than 30 years of Royals baseball. I hope everybody tunes in.

Then, on Wednesday, I leave for Tulsa to cover the PGA with our golf writer, Scott Paske. That’s a good gig, one I’m looking forward to.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (2)

Forgive me, Don

Aug. 5, 200710:23 p.m.

Don Henley, or as I call him, God, was in Oklahoma City tonight, performing at the Zoo Ampitheater. Henley is the lead singer of the Eagles, for those of you who don’t know that. And if you don’t know it, what are you doing on my blog, anyway. Get out of here immediately!

Anyway, I did not see Henley tonight. I stewed and stewed and eventually decided not to go. I had the Wichita Open golf tournament to cover, anyway. And I just went to a great concert last night at Cessna Stadium. Hippiefest was so much fun with the Turtles, the Zombies, Mitch Ryder, Badfinger, Mountain and Iron Butterfly, as well as a couple of other bands.

The Zombies stole the show, in my opinion. That is one great group with its two founding members still around. ‘She’s Not There’ is among my favorite songs of all time.

But back to Henley. I have seen him seven times in person, going as far as North Carolina to do so. I can’t get enough Henley, but tonight I didn’t answer the bell. Don, forgive me. I know the Eagles are putting the finishing touches on a record that is to be released later this year. That is to be followed by a major tour in 2008. I vow to see the Eagles at least twice during that tour (come to Wichita again, guys). But tonight, no go. Please forgive me.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (8)