I was listening to the Ramones this morning. It's so cool how they blended punk with 50's rock and roll. Simplicity and honesty. I guess that's why it worked. Sometimes if you've got something to say all you need is a guitar and 3 chords (see Bob Dylan). Keep it simple. Bigger is not always better... ladies! Seriously though, more more more doesn't always work (see New York Yankees) unless you're Billy Idol and it's the midnight hour (see "Rebel Yell"... ladies). There must be something real there. Which brings me back to the Ramones: they weren't trying to save the world, they just wanted to have a good time while they were part of it. I think that's an important lesson we can all learn from. Keep it simple and honest in everything you do, in the way you live your life. True, easier said than done, but that doesn't mean you can't strive for that to become your M.O. If you come up short, hell, you've still gotten further and gained some sort of understanding along the way than if you just sat there feeling crappy. Who would of thunk it: the Ramones can get me to focus on the bigger picture! As The Who once said, "Long live rock", at least for me. Maybe the kid next door gets it from Jay Z? Whatever... ladies. Take care. Later, Butch

Low, low, low. Feelin' low, layin' low. Low is the law of the land.

It's Opening Day for the baseball season. The Cubbies are in Cincy to take on the Reds. My dad isn't here. This sucks. I can't seem to get excited about it. My dad would be all over this game today. Zambrano is on the mound for Chicago. He loved watching that guy pitch. The amout of heartbreak I am currently feeling is beyond words. I miss my dad so much, even more on days like today, days we both looked forward to and shared so many times. As I write this I feel my eyes filling up so I will stop now.

OK, I'm ready to move on. I'm sucking it up for my Papa. I'll will try to watch our beloved Cubs. Can't promise I'll get through it all, can't promise I won't get upset while watching. But I WILL watch, and then tonight I will discuss it out loud for a few minutes before I go to bed, discuss it with him. Talk aloud to him like I do every night. Tell him I love him, miss him. Talk about our Cubs. Yep, that's what I'm gonna do. GO CUBS! Take care. Later, Butch