Goodbye, Darren...

One of the stars of my favorite Christmas movie, A Christmas Story, died this morning in California. McGavin was absolutely superb playing the father of Ralphie. And who can forget the famous leg lamp scene! Classic flick! We watch it every Christmas.

Goodbye, Don...

One of the stars for my favorite television show of all time passed away today at 81...the incomparable Don Knotts. I liked Knott's Barney Fife so much that we named our dog Barney.

Autistic Basketball Star...For a Game

If you haven't already seen it, you have got to check out the feel good sports story of the century HERE.

HT: Dad

Salukis Falling Apart

Growing Up in Southern Illinois, I was a SIU sports fan from as early as I can remember. Needless to say, I have thoroughly enjoyed following the Salukis men's hoops success of recent years, even from a distance. 2002's Sweet Sixteen was the high point, but the four consecutive Missouri Valley Conference titles have also been very exciting.

Unfortunately that streak is coming to an end. In the first half of this season it looked like the Salukis were going to surprise everyone and possibly be in a position to pull off a fifth consecutive conference season title. The Salukis tenacious defense and stellar guard play was permitting them to rack up win after win. But as of late, it looks like the preseason pessimists were right after all. In the year that some are projecting the Missouri Valley to get five teams in the dance, it's as if SIU actually doesn't want to be in the NCAA tournament. To get in, Southern will have to upset Northern Iowa in the season finale and then have an impressive showing in St. Louis in the conference tournament.

Nailed!

Don't you hate it when these things work? Yes, I'm an only child. No, that doesn't describe me 100% accurately.

You Are Likely an Only Child

At your darkest moments, you feel frustrated. At work and school, you do best when you're organizing. When you love someone, you tend to worry about them. In friendship, you are emotional and sympathetic. Your ideal careers are: radio announcer, finance, teaching, ministry, and management. You will leave your mark on the world with organizational leadership, maybe as the author of self-help books.

The Birth Order Predictor

Food Friday #3 - Best Cheeseburger

Ever crave a cheeseburger? Me too. We are a cheeseburger nation. I like mine with everything on them. I also like them with just a slice of cheese and a dab of mayo.

FAST-FOOD CHAIN RESTAURANT
Hardee's Angus - they brag about it being the best, and they are right, it is.


ONLY THE LOCALS KNOW ABOUT IT
East of the Mississippi: PVs Hut, Union City, TN - never thought I'd want slaw on my cheeseburger, but this place made me a believer.
West of the Mississippi: Permian Basin Hamburger Co., Odessa, TX - all kinds of unique burgers, with great fries on the side. You have to eat these burgers with a fork.


SIT-DOWN CHAIN RESTAURANT
I have no opinion in this category because every time I go to a sit-down restaurant I order something else. What do you think?


WORST CHEESEBURGER - every single one that is not made of beef, especially vegan burgers. Come on, people, if a cow didn't die for my burger, it ain't a burger!

Food Friday #2 - Best BBQ

When you think of great BBQ, you probably think of Memphis, Kansas City, and the Carolinas. Not too many people think of Southern Illinois, unless they are experts in the industry. If you are looking for great BBQ and find yourself in the southern part of the Land of Lincoln, you are in the right place.

The best BBQ I ever had was at a little neighborhood BBQ restauarant in the mid-1980s on the south side of Mt. Vernon, IL. The restaurant was called King Barbecoa. There was probably only seating for about 10 people. It was very inexpensive, but the guy knew how to make a BBQ that was out of this world. I think he has since passed away and I'm not sure if the restaurant even exists to this day, but back in the day...mmmmm...mmmmm!!!

I guarantee you will find great BBQ at the 17th Street Bar and Grill in Murphysboro, IL. While King Barbecoa is one of those diamond in the rough places that hardly anyone knows about, 17th Street is world famous. The folks at 17th Street are also known as the "Apple City Barbecue" team, the only team to win the Memphis in May World Barbecue Championship 3 times. They retired from competition after their third championship. 17th Street recently opened a new restuarant in Marion, IL. They also operate the Memphis Championship BBQ restaurants in Las Vegas.

At the very southern tip of Illinois, Shemwell's in Cairo (pronounced "care-oh") will satisfy your BBQ cravings. After a meal at Shemwell's, make sure to go to Fort Defiance state park just south of town, where you can stand at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

Outside of the area known as Little Egypt (So. IL has the towns of Cairo, Thebes, Goshen, and Karnak), there is decent BBQ to be found. In Memphis, I like the Rendevous. Down here in Florida, I like Sonny's.

Driscoll on Video Church

In previous posts, I have been very critical of the multi-campus, video church approach. Mark Driscoll, a pastor I respect very much, argues for this recent trend. Read his perspective HERE.

King's Memorial Service Gets Political

Unable to keep their tongues tied when restraint is most expected, two of the speakers at Coretta Scott King's Memorial Service couldn't resist the opportunity to criticize President George W. Bush, even while he was present to pay respects. It doesn't seem like it got as out of hand as at the late Senator Paul Wellstone's memorial service, but any bit of politicking at such a gathering is not only disrespectful and distasteful, but reveals the utter lack of self-restraint of some politicians. I'm referring to former President Jimmy Carter and Rev. Joseph Lowery, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Their comments don't deserve any more ink, so you'll have to find them elsewhere.

I used to respect former President Carter, even if I didn't agree with his politics. He's unearned that respect. He ought to go back to building houses.

And the Reverend ought to live up to his name and stick to offering people the hope of eternal life in Christ and leave the politics to the politicians. Well, he's probably more of a politician than a preacher anyway. As such he's sold his birthright for a mess of porridge.

Can the Democrats bury one of their leaders in a respectful and dignified way? Lately, it doesn't seem so.

Food Friday #1 - Best Hot Dog

My favorite hot dog place is Gene and Jude's in Chicago. Jut a few minutes from O'Hare, this little hot dog place is one of those "experiences" you cannot pass up.

We ate there on a Saturday at about 2 in the afternoon. The line went out the front door but moved quickly. There is unspoken pressure to have your order quick off your tongue when it's your turn. No messin' around. There are plenty of people in line behind you.


The menu is very simple and the prices are very low. One guy, we called him the fry guy, takes whole potatoes, sticks them in a grinder-like thing on the wall, pulls down, and the potato is instantly cut into perfect strips for fries. The strips are thrown into grease, pulled out, heavily salted and thrown on top of your hotdog before it is wrapped up.

There isn't much room inside to eat. You can lean against a counter and down your dog, but I noticed most of the locals just take theirs to go. If you need to go to the bathroom, you'll have to go around the back of the joint to the gas/convenience store behind.

Not the healthiest meal in the world, but oh so good!