Likes 71-80

71. HBO – The main reason that I have cable is HBO. From back in the day when they aired the Larry Sanders show I have been a fan of their original programming. Without a doubt when it comes to quality TV, HBO is the leader.

72. Artie Lange – He is more then likely the reason I started listening to Howard Stern. Hearing Artie’s Vegas exploits and his love of all things food and booze are hilarious. My favorite was when he ate two loves of his Mom’s Sausage bread at four in the morning in a drunken eating binge.

73. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Jewel – As I have often stated I am an Oatmeal Raisin guy. In the Jewel bakery they have these cookies which are like crack. I could eat the entire package of them in one sitting if I wanted to. Trust me, if you are a fan of the genre at all, pick these up.

74. Fantasy Baseball – OK, I am a baseball nerd. And as such there is no better outlet then playing fantasy baseball. It keeps me interested in every game and each morning when I grab the paper I head right to the box scores to check on my players. It is a harmless hobby that gives me a ton of joy and allows me to trash talk with my friends.

75. The Chicago Pedway – Once I found the pedway I was a new man. Now when it is cold or raining I can just hit the pedway to escape from the weather outside. I usually enter at the corner of Dearborn and Madison which is one short block from my building. I then can get all the way to the State of Illinois building which has a food court and suddenly I can enjoy a nice lunch.

76. Rolling Stone Records – Located right by the Harlem and Irving Park mall this record store should just give me my own wing, I’ve spent so much money there. It was on the brink of closing earlier this year and then miracles of miracles it got saved. Trust me this is a good thing as there are very few independent record stores left and this has always been one of the best.

77. Bag’s – No, not fun bags. I am not sure of the official name of the game but everyone knows what I am talking about. It is the game with the beanbags and you toss them into the wooden object with a hole in the middle. I first found this game at the Old Barn’s beer garden and have been playing ever since. A great backyard activity that I seem to get better at the more I drink.

78. Craigslist – If there is a better site to buy and sell shit I haven’t found it. The best thing about the site is that it is free to post there. Meaning if you want to sell that old exercise bike that you never use just put an ad on craigslist and you are done. A great site and I hope that it can survive without charging.

79. Conon O’Brien – I remember watching those first shows and thinking that guy has a lot of work to do. Well, he has done it and now hosts the best late night talk show of them all. A naturally funny guy who has a great writing team and has against some pretty big odds found his own voice and his own niche.

80. Ben and Jerry’s Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch – It is so good that it should be illegal. I never buy it because it won’t last more then ten minutes in my freezer. I can not describe just how good this ice cream is. I am glad it is out there yet, for the good of my gut I wish that they didn’t make it.

Likes 61-70

61. Urbandictionary.com – Where else could I learn what a Hot Karl and a Cincinnati Bow Tie are? At what other site could I find the definition for a Rusty Trombone and Jack Burn? I can guarantee that you won’t find what a Louisville Plugger and a Dirty Sanchez are anywhere else.

62. Peterson’s Salted Nut Roll – No that is not an act of perversion but a tasty treat. Basically it is peanuts with nugget in the middle. Not being much of a chocolate guy I got into the nut roll for a treat and have never looked back. If you have never had one, give it a whirl you might like them.

63. Neil Diamond – OK, bring it on all you haters. Liking Neil is so un-hip that it has become hip to like him. A great performer and song writer, his songs are filled with sing along lyrics and catchy hooks. Is he a musical god or musician’s musician, no. What he is, is a balls to the walls performer who knows how to write a good pop song.

64. Baking Soda – Here is a product I am convinced will cure cancer, because it does everything else. You can cook with it. You can use it as an antacid. You can use it as a deodorant. You can brush your teeth with it. You can use it to keep your refrigerator smelling fresh. There is nothing that this product can not do.

65. Stadium Movie Seating – How or why did we ever watch movies without stadium seating? No longer do you have to worry about someone sitting in front of you at a movie. I admit going to the movies can be a pain in the ass but this one invention has made the experience a lot more enjoyable.

66. Curb Your Enthusiasm – After watching this show you now know who the brains behind Seinfeld was. This show, which is completely unscripted, is consistently funny. Can Larry David be annoying or irritating, yes. But isn’t that the point? I find his antics to be hilarious and can’t wait for the new season.

67. Sprint Wireless PC Card – One of the cool things about my new job was they sprung for a wireless card for my laptop. With it I can get internet access wherever I am in the world. I know I sound like a geek, but it is pretty sweet. Now, when I am on the train I can fire up the laptop and surf the bestiality pages while riding home.

68. Potbelly’s – I have become a fan of this sub place. I used to always be a Jimmy Johns guy but, at some point I turned into a Potbelly’s man. My favorite being either the Wreck or the Italian sub. Also, the PB&J is a nice treat. All their sandwiches are good and heated and quite tasty.

69. 500 Rummy – I have been playing this game since I was in the womb. It is one of my favorite card games. It takes skill to be a good player and you also need a little luck. It is a game that rewards having balls. It also happens to be one of the card games that I am best at. In college my roommate and I would just keep playing an on-going game. I think we were up to like 15,000 by the end of the semester.

70. Miniature Golf – Back in the 80’s if you wanted to date Nick, more then likely you were going miniature golfing. Why, I still don’t know but it became like a ritual of mine to hit Haunted Trails and play some putt-putt. Why I thought the place was like Spanish fly I don’t know. I think because it involved doing something together with my date and if the conversation hit a lull I could always discuss the next hole or show my companion how to hold my club.

Likes 51 -60

For those bored of my likes, I am over half way home.

51. The Police – The band not the law enforcement agency. I would give almost anything to see these three reunite and tour again. Sting, however has become a dick and wants no part of a reunion tour. Which is too bad because for my money nobody was doing it better in the late 70’s and early 80’s then the Police. They didn’t release one bad record. Which is quite an accomplishment.

52. The Plush Horse – Located in Palos Heights this place makes the best homemade ice cream. They have a ton of flavors with my favorites being the apple pie and the mint chocolate chip. A great place to spend a summer night.

53. TQ3 Navigant – Have I mentioned just how much I like my new job. It is such a night and day difference in attitude and culture from the bank. I don’t mind getting up for work. I like my boss and I like my co-workers. I am a new man and am so thankful that I landed on my feet here.

54. Savage Love – I am a Savage love junkie. It is a weekly must read for me. I have never been much of an advice column guy. However, reading about other people’s off the wall sexual questions and experiences and then Dan’s responses are a guilty pleasure of mine.

55. Wrigley Field – I know I am biased here but there really is no better place to watch a baseball game. No where else that I have been, (and I have been to my fair share of ballparks) comes close to the experience of watching a game in the friendly confines. It is the last stadium left without a jumbo-tron and an applause meter. I know Sox fans hate it but that is all just jealousy.

56. The Soprano’s – Has the show lost some of its luster, yes. With that said it is still one of the best programs on television. The first three seasons were just incredible, with out a bad episode in the bunch. While I have some criticisms over the last two seasons, the quality is still there and it is must see veiwing for me.

57. Super Pretzel’s Microwave Pretzels – I am a fan of the baked pretzel and Super Pretzel makes a good one that is available in most of your grocer’s freezer. In 40 seconds you will have yourself a good and filling treat. Don’t add any salt and it isn’t that bad for you either.

58. Paul Giamanti – Another actor who is always good. I first noticed him in Private Parts of all things, as he stole every scene he was in. From that point on I have followed his career. It is comforting to me that a man with his looks and his stature can be a leading man. That gives me some hope for modern cinema.

59. Rolaids – If you eat like I eat and have a stomach like I have then Rolaids are a necessity. Almost instant relief from most digestion issues that I get. I am a fan of the cherry flavor but any will do the trick.

60. Firedustybaker.com – A therapeutic website. I have been calling for Baker’s head since he blew the NLCS in 2003. I am so sick of the Baker lovers out there who continue to make excuses for him. I found this website and it has become therapy for me as I read the rantings of another like minded individual who watched Dusty continually get out-managed and continues to retard the progress of young players.

Like This and Like That

Likes Continued…

41. Venice Café’- I have been eating lunch at Venice Café since the early 90’s. Fast, affordable and good Italian fare will always win me over. At Venice you will get a good hearty meal that won’t break your wallet. It recently had to move across the street from its original location and needless to say I made the move with it.

42. New Orleans – Like Vegas a place were debauchery rules. (Well it did before Katrina.) A place I am glad I saw when I was single, because I know I enjoyed it on a level I would not be able to now. Great food and another city that will kick your ass. I didn’t have one beer the entire four days I was there and I still got wasted. All I will say is that I stayed with two other guys and we averaged over a roll of toilet paper a day.

43. Fruit of the Loom Underwear – While I know conventional wisdom tells you that boxers are sexier and women prefer them, I just can’t let go of my FTL’s. My boys need a home and with the tidy whites they get that. Boxers just don’t offer that solid pocket and I am never comfortable wearing them. I need the support of my fruit of the looms, sexiness be damned.

44. The Simpson’s – Still going strong after all of these years. Sure the show has lost a little of its luster but it is still damn funny and still better then almost everything else on TV. This show has been on the air since 1989. Think about just how long that is. An amazing streak and in all that time it still hasn’t jumped the shark. A program that offers biting sarcasm and has given me so many laughs that I could never begin to verbalize just what this show has meant to me.

45. Redenbacher Natural Light Microwave Popcorn – I love popcorn and I love it plain. I know, how boring. Still popcorn without salt and butter can still be a very tasty treat. I used to pop my own but it is a bit of a pain in the ass. As soon as I found the natural light from Orval, I just started buying that. It is the best microwave popcorn out there.

46. Central Air – I could not live without it. I know that makes me sound like a pansy, but I am telling the truth. I have lived without it and I have been miserable. On a week like this one where the temperature is not expected to bet below 90, it is essential. I know all the arguments about how it is bad for the environment and it is expensive. Still, how can you put a price on comfort? Life is too short to sit around sweating your ass off because you want to save a couple bucks.

47. Tom Skilling – When you want to know what the weather is go to a weather geek. Well Tom Skilling fits the bill nicely. This guy doesn’t just give you the forecast, he gives you a ten minute explanation of why the weather will be what it is. A Chicago icon and a hell of a nice guy. A friend back in the day left him a voice mail at WGN asking him what the weather was going to be for the next Saturday as he was getting married. Skilling actually called him back and left a message with his forecast. How could you not like a guy like that?

48. Arlington Race Track – If you like to bet the ponies, (and I certainly do) then you owe it to yourself to go to Arlington. A beautiful race track and a great place to spend an afternoon. Even if you are not a gambler bring twenty bucks and bet two bucks a race. You will still have fun, I guarantee it.

49. The Onion – A paper that consistently cracks me up. It has become a sort of Mad magazine for adults. Spoofing everyone and everything, the Onion holds nothing back and is now the best place to read political and pop culture satire.

50. Neil Young – Still putting out good music all these years later. It is a rare thing when a musician keeps putting out quality for an extended period of time. Most jump the shark (i.e. The Rolling Stones) or just quit altogether. While the early 80’s for Mr. Young were bleak he has come back and made great music for a long time. I love his voice, I love his message, and I love him.

Like's Continued

I continue…

31. Water – When I gave up drinking pop a few years ago I thought it was going to be tough. I must say that now, I really don’t miss it. The reason for this is that I really enjoy drinking water. It is refreshing and it doesn’t fill you like a soda will. Plus it is really good for you and you should drink as much of it as you can.

32. Ankle Socks – I’ve been rocking the ankle socks now for over twenty years, even in the winter. If I could I would wear them with dress shoes. They are comfortable and my feet don’t get hot in them. I hate long or tube socks because the elastic eventually fades and you are left with a droopy sock. With ankle socks you don’t have that problem.

33. Primo’s – The best soft serve ice cream on the planet. I’ve tried a number of soft serve places and no one can hold a candle to Primo’s. I am a fan of the soft serve and as my Uncle Dan says they have chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate and vanilla. That is all that they need.

34. Law and Order – I am a sucker for a good courtroom drama. This is why I have been a fan of this show for so long. Sure, I realize that a real courtroom is nothing like the one on L&O but so what. It makes for good drama and I like guessing along with the show. Some day I will write a blog on my favorite Law Order cast.

35. Rob Neyer – Probably, my favorite baseball writer currently working. Neyer is a new school thinking man who analyzes the stats to back up his arguments. He has written a number of books on baseball and his column on ESPN.com is a must read for a baseball geek like me.

36. Billy Bob Thornton – A completely underrated actor. I’ve seen him in bad movies but I have never seen him be bad. He has range, and can do almost anything. His performance in a Simple Plan is to me the most unappreciated acting jobs I have ever seen. Maybe he is weird in real life, I don’t care. This man can just plain act.

37. Step Down Golf Tee’s – One of the biggest problems I have had with my golf game is consistency in my drives. Part of that was due to my placing the tee at different heights at each hole. However, ever since I went to step-down tees I no longer have that problem. Each tee allows me to place the ball at the exact same height which makes my swing a lot more consistent.

38. The Who – I’ve wavered over the years between the Who and the Beatles on which was the best rock and roll bank ever. I think I have finally settled on the Who. Quite simply they never put out a bed record. Townsend, the musical God, who was a brilliant writer and musician. Entwitstle is quite possibly the best R&R bass player ever. Keith Moon, and his frantic, out of control drumming and of course Rodger Dalutry. Quite possibly the best vocalist for any band of that era.

39. Golden Grahams – A nice big bowl with ice cold milk, there is nothing better. With my digestive issues with milk, I don’t eat as much of it as I used to, still there is always a box of it at home. I have always been a fan of cereal and this is my favorite.

40. IMDB.com – I am a movie junkie and as so, IMDB has become a daily visit. So many questions have been answered thanks to this site. Movie Quotes, ratings, and reviews this site has it all for a film geek like me.

Tombstone

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Here are the like’s of Nick continued.

21. Mozilla Firefox – Firefox is so much better of a browser then Internet Explorer it is not even a competition. With a built in pop-up blocker and a better way of saving history, Firefox blows away IE. If you are not using it start, it is free to download and is very user friendly.

22. Kevin Smith – What can I say, the guy makes me laugh. His movies for the most part are low budget and have a lot off sophomoric humor. Laughter is just that, it can’t be faked. I like crude humor, sue me. With that said, there is always a heart to any View Askew film. Kevin Smith is a down to earth guy living the American dream. He took a huge gamble by making a movie, using credit cards and it paid off. I say good for him and I can’t wait to see Clerks II on July 21^st.

23. Levi’s – The most comfortable pants on God’s green earth. Without Levi’s I would walk around naked. I love my Levi’s jeans and could give two shits how they look. They are comfortable as hell, and they last forever.

24. Seinfeld Reruns- I’ve seen them all at least ten times and yet, I still watch. I could watch each episode another hundred times and it would not matter. Too me this may be the best non-animated show in television history. Sure other shows were smarter but, there is something about the chemistry of those four characters that Seinfeld and David created that was amazing.

25. Dean’s Popsicles – Man do I love popsicles. Joyce has gotten me to start buying Dean’s with real fruit juice in them and they are just as good, if not better. A nice summer treat, and while they do contain a lot of sugar they are still only 40 calories per serving so they aren’t going to kill you.

26. Tenacious D – For sheer musical enjoyment, there is nothing that gets me in a better mood then the D. From the first time I put it into my cd player I was hooked. The songs are surprisingly catchy and the music is fun. I can not put a number on the amount of smiles that Jack and Kyle have given me.

27. Whiffle Ball – If there is a better game for backyard fun I have not found it. If there was a pro league, I would have been in it. I can still make a whiffle ball dance and stymie a hitter. You must use the original skinny yellow bat and only the official ball can be used. The game is great because kids and adults both can play and you can make the rules up depending upon where you are playing. Also, you need a good lawn chair as the proper strike zone.

28. Lindy’s Chili – The best chili I have ever had. Spicy but not to spicy this stuff is like crack. They offer it with beans or no beans. (I prefer the no beans.) You can also get onions, cheese or macaroni with it. No matter how you get it, it’s damn tasty. Just put some oyster crackers in there and you have yourself a meal.

29. Las Vegas – How could a non-believer like me not like a place called sin city. Gambling, hookers, one pound hot dogs, and Wayne Newton, Vegas has it all. It so is so trashy and so elegant all at the same time. When you are in Vegas, time means nothing. I can stay up all night playing blackjack, sleep for an hour and be at my make your own omelet breakfast in the morning. So much to do and best of all there are not a lot of kids running around. It may be the last place on earth for adults to go to have adult fun.

30. Ace Hardware – The local hardware store is about as rare as a good Ben Affleck movie, but there are still a few left. If you want to have a question answered by someone who knows what they are talking about go to Ace Hardware. While Menards might be cheaper and Home Depot might have more selection, Ace has a much more knowledgeable and helpful staff. I try to go there as often as I can for my hardware needs.

Untitled

Sorry to break up the like’s list but I had to get this off of my chest. Today I went into work like any other day. I grabbed a donut, turned on my computer and started my day. It was like almost any other morning that I have had here since I have been at my new job. Then around 9:30 I got an e-mail that took me aback.

My friend Chuck, sent me an e-mail letting me know that a former co-worker of ours from Chase had taken his own life. Now, I can’t say I was friends with the guy or that I knew him that well. Still, he sat two cubes from me for a year. I talked to him and was friendly with him in our work environment. Still, after leaving the bank it would have been unlikely that I would have thought of him much anymore.

But for some reason this news has really hit me hard. I heard that he had recently broken up with his fiancé and that may have been a contributing factor. Still, I am sure the uncertainty over his job situation and all the layoffs the bank was having had to weigh on his mind. I mean not that I ever contemplated such a drastic measure but that stress over my job was taxing. Thank God, I have a good woman who loved me. If Joyce were to leave me in the middle of that living hell that was Chase bank, I am not sure what I would have done.

So, I sure hope those corporate assholes who kept stressing job cuts and off-shoring so that their profit margin didn’t dip can sleep well tonight. I am not blaming them entirely but at some point you have to start to realize that these are people you are fucking with, not numbers.

With that said, I wish I knew what was going on in my co-worker’s mind. I’ve been dumped, I’ve lost jobs. I would have liked to tell him that it is not the end of the world. There are other women out there and I could have personally told him that there are better jobs out there. But, I didn’t know him and sadly I will never get the chance to run into him on the street and tell him what I have told all the other Chase employees I’ve run into. That, there is a life after JPM Morgan Chase, a better life. That working there you tend to forget sometimes that not all companies operate like they do. I tell them all that, leaving that God forsaken place was the best thing that has happened to me in a long, long time. Keith, I wish I could have told you that. Sorry, I didn’t try to get to know you better.

More Likes

Here is part two of my list of things I like.

11. Duke’s Beef – I could never become a vegetarian simply because of Duke’s Beef Sandwich. I have had a lot of beef sandwiches in my day but no one can hold a candle to Duke’s. Just the right size and they use just the right amount of spices. The world is a better place with Duke's Beef around.

12. Party Poker.net – I like playing poker. Having a website where you can just sit back and play for free with strangers is a great thing. Not only do I get to brush-up on my techniques, I get to kill some time playing a game that I love.

13. Stoney Creek Golf Course – Are there better and tougher courses, sure. But you will not find a better value for your money then Stoney Creek. It is a reasonably priced course that is in very good shape. They keep the greens nice and watered and I have never had any issues with the staff. A great place to spend an afternoon.

14. Miller High Life – Ah, the champagne of beers. I have always been fond of the High Life through the years. However, within the last two or three I’ve come to almost exclusively drink it. It’s sweet aftertaste and bubbly goodness is my candy. I can escape in a High Life and suddenly the world’s problems don’t look so bad.

15. The Office – I liked the British version and was leery that the American one would not be able to live up to it. Boy, was I wrong. Just a great show that offers fresh comedy. Plus if you happen to work in an office like I do, this show is like a kind of therapy. The ultimate water cooler show, I can always take comfort in the fact that I don’t work for a Michael.

16. The Oak Lawn Library – I love Oak Lawn and I hate Oak Lawn. Many aspects of the town piss me off but I must say they have the best library in the suburbs. Two floors with a ton of books, CD’s or video’s. They recently remodeled it and added a coffee shop and a drive up book return. I could spend a day there if I had to.

17. The Loop – Despite all of the pitfalls that can come with working downtown, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love the hustle of bustle of it all. I like having all my lunch options and being in the center of one of the biggest cites in the United States on a daily basis.

18. My DVR – I don’t know how I watched TV before I had a DVR. I am no longer beholden to the networks as to when I can watch a TV Show. Now, I can trust that it is being taped and I can watch a certain show at my leisure, when I have spare time.

19. Top Notch Burgers – Heaven's diner must have a Top Notch cheese burger with fries and a Strawberry shake on the menu. Top Notch grinds their own meat, and cuts their own fries. Nothing is frozen here and the result is the freshest hamburger you will ever eat. To top it off their shakes are the best I have ever had. Located in Oak Lawn, Top Notch is just that.

20. Steve Dahl – I grew up with Steve and have been a fan for decades. His show has gone through a ton of face lifts over the years but one thing remains a constant, he makes me laugh. From his early “shock” jock days to his current technology geek status, Steve has been able to consistently put a smile on my face.

What Nick Likes

I use this blog to bitch and complain about things that piss me off or things that I truly dis-like. It is therapeutic and I will in no way stop doing that. However, I can come off as a constant complainer who is joyless. So, I have decided to write about 100 things that bring me joy. I will post ten at a time. These are things that range from entertainment to food. These are in no particular order. So here goes.

1. Baseball Tonight - Simply a must watch for anyone who loves the game as much as I do. While I have issues with the East Coast bias, I am an addict of this show. If I miss it, I feel as if I am missing a limb.

2. A Fasano's Cheese and Sausage pizza – I am a simple man with simple pleasures. As such to me there is nothing finer then sitting down and feasting on a pie from Fasano’s. Yes, it is greasy and yes it is not good for you. I don’t care. I like it and I don’t want to live in a world where I could not eat this pizza.

3. Netflix – I admit that I watch a lot of movies. And let me tell you if you are a movie buff then you need to belong to Netflix. I can’t fathom ever stepping into a video store ever again. Netflix is simple and inexpensive. If you to watch independent or older releases then really, netflix is your only option.

4. Airwalk’s - Simply the most comfortable shoe on the planet. I have owned many a pair and let me tell you, they rock. Maybe they don’t look the most fashionable, but I will take comfort over looks any day. Airwalk’s just seem to fit my size 10 feet better then any other shoe I have ever bought.

5. Mulitseed Corn tortilla Flat Breads from Trader Joe’s – There is no better snack on earth then these tastes of Heaven from Trader Joe’s. Now I can give or take the place as a whole but let me tell you these things are addictive. I mean I can eat a hundred of them without blinking any eye. Fortunately they aren’t that bad for you and it is a lot better then eating an entire bag of Jay’s.

6. My 1994 Ford Ranger – I have owned a lot of cars in my lifetime and I wound up hating most of them. With the exception of my Corolla, every other car I have ever owned has disappointed me. My Ranger on the other hand has been as reliable as can be. I got it for a song and it is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. Sure, it looks bad, doesn’t have air conditioning, and is a gas guzzler. Still, I love driving it and I have become something I never thought I would become, a man who loves pick-ups.

7. AC\DC – You can’t listen to them and be in a bad mood. It is impossible. They are simply a rock and roll band. They don’t pretend to be anything else. Their music is without pretension and you can enjoy it without feeling guilty. They play power chords and I can always put in Dirty Deeds, Back in Black, Highway to Hell or High Voltage any time I need to get my rock on.

8. Rescue Me – This Denis Leary show may be the best thing on TV right now. Brilliant writing and dialogue and all of the characters are somehow flawed and real. At times you laugh your ass off and then at others it will lay on the drama. Either way you are entertained.

9. My Craftsman Lawnmower - Man, I used to hate cutting the grass with my old mower. Bagging the grass was simply a pain in the ass. Then one day my Father was so kind as to buy me a Craftsman mulching lawnmower and my life was forever changed. Now, I can mow the lawn in about fifteen minutes without the annoyance of having to bag. Life is good.

10. Matt’s Chocolate Chip Cookies – I am not really into chocolate that much nor am I into chocolate chip cookies. I usually prefer Oatmeal Raisin. Still, that Matt’s Chocolate chip is one hell of a cookie. Just the right amount of chipage per cookie makes this easily the best of its genre.

More High School Memories

The very little positive feedback I get for my blog is usually saved for when I write about some mis-adventure from my past. A lot of the stories or experiences I had in my youth tend to get lost as I get older. However running into an old, old friend the other day, revived one of those memories.

I needed to get my driveway seal-coated, so I started calling around and getting estimates. My friend Chuck then called me and told me an old friend Paul, who we went to high school with is running a company that does that. So, I called the place and got an estimate. Sure enough, he gave me the best deal so on Sunday I went over to his office and gave him the signed contract. I hadn’t seen Paul in over ten years and seeing him and talking to him reminded me of a story from my senior year of high school.

It was December of 1986. I remember it was a Friday. The day before, the student body had demonstrated a walkout to protest some budget cutbacks that were very unpopular. There were rumors we would do it again the next day. So, as I went to school on Friday I was not in the correct mindset to attend classes. As I got to school I learned that the day’s walkout had been cancelled. I was bummed as I was on my way to my first class. I ran into Mike Doyle and Paul in the hall and we were bemoaning our having to actually have to go to class, when Paul had an idea. He suggested we ditch and go downtown.

It was like music to my ears. I was not someone who cut school often. I mean I was no angel but, cutting for the whole day was not something I did often. Mike and I agreed with Paul and we hurried to find Dell and Zar to tell them that we were leaving. We were forming our own semi-protest and heading into the big bad Loop. So, we piled into Paul’s brown 1970’s Ford Torino and were off to explore the city.

Of course with such poor planning came pitfalls. We had like ten bucks between the lot of us. We could barely afford to park the car in a garage. We had no money for anything, which when you are seventeen and downtown can be a big hurdle. Paul had an ATM card for an account which had $5 dollars in it. He went to an ATM in the Loop and promptly somehow was able to withdraw $200 dollars. This was in the days before banks could talk to each other instantly and the ATM he went to allowed him to withdraw up to $200 which is what he did.

Mind you, again not a one of us was older then seventeen and fiscal responsibility was something we had not learned as of yet. So, instantly we went from stinking poor to being dirty rich. Our first stop was Burger King. Now, I know you are asking, why would you go to a Burger King in the Loop when you could have gone to one on 79^th and Harlem? The answer is we were seventeen. We ate a semi-breakfast and were off to the Sears Tower. We went to the observatory and killed some time there. We then wandered the streets having a ball and cracking each other up.

I will never forget the look of glee on Paul’s face as he crossed the street with a wad full of bills in his hand. He was so ecstatic that he crossed a busy loop intersection without even looking causing a taxi to come to a screeching halt, barely missing hitting him. Then there was the scene of Doyle philosophizing with a homeless man outside the Burger King about the world. I am sure a lot more went on but my memory tends to fade.

Eventually we made our way home. We stopped at Paradise restaurant and had ourselves a dinner made for a king spending the last amounts of the two hundred. It was one of those days that gets burned into your memory and is what being young is all about. Of course eventually we would all have to pay the piper.

We would all receive a Saturday detention for cutting. Meaning we had to get up the next Saturday at eight o’clock and be in school for four hours. I would usually buy the Saturday Sun-Times and read it front to back. I mean I read every classified ad and obituary that was in the paper trying to kill time. The bank would eventually catch up with Paul and thanks to a generous loan from his mother, was paid back in full. Still, it was all worth it. I had a fun day and learned more about life and friendship that day then I could have ever learned in a classroom.