It’s Super Bowl weekend, and time to once again dust the cobwebs off an old Wisch List column from my book that’s just perfect for the occasion. So, take a few minutes and dive into what I guarantee like Joe Namath is the best — and quirkiest — Illinois football story that you’ve never heard […]
Monthly Archives: January 2009
Oh, Town Education
After college, I spent seven years working and living in little Ottawa, Ill. I still love the place and its citizens. The Friendly City is like a second hometown to me. But, if people wonder why I didn’t date maybe a little more often when I lived there, well …
St. Louis snow fun in January
The Rams aren’t in the Super Bowl (although their old QB is). There’s no NBA basketball (not that there is in Chicago, either). And, really, who cares about St. Louis University hoops (besides Rick Majerus’ mom). Yeah, sports-wise — besides the last-place Blues — there’s not a lot going on in St. Louis these this […]
Google Street Duel
Speaking of Google Street View (see previous Wisch List post), an image captured by Google’s crew that started getting buzz this week has to be one of my favorites: It’s as if Dwight Schrute took a trip from “The Office” in Scranton over to Pittsburgh to meet a friend. Ah, the Internet. Gotta love it.
True Lies
Sure, it took a clever video cut-and-paste job. But, finally — finally — Rod Blagojevich speaks the truth.
Two Tickets to Paradise
Last week, I had a friend tell me that my life is like an episode of “Seinfeld.” To which I replied that, no, it’s not like one at all. It IS one. Funny things just happen to me. And anyone who knows me also knows I have a story for every occasion (probably two stories). […]
Hot and Cold
Ever wonder what happens when you spray hot water at –20°? Well, thanks to this lady in frigid Minnesota, you’ll wonder no more.
The Big Chill
Right now, it’s 40 degrees in Anchorage, Alaska. And minus-5 in Chicago. Yeah, that’s the kind of winter we’re having this year. As I continue to get back in the swing of things with this blog, I thought I’d delve once again into the reservoir of my storytelling past and share with you a tale […]
The Bradley Braves Shuffle?
I love the “Super Bowl Shuffle.” Every Bears fan does. But the whole thing — the dancing, the lyrics, the singing — is also godawful. Blissfully godawful, but godawful nonetheless. Every Bears fan knows that, too. Which makes it all the more inexplicable as to why — why?! — the Bradley University basketball program thought […]
Cold Case: Chicago
Three years ago, during my first full-time winter in Chicago — and back when I was blogging for the Trib — I asked my readers to share with me their tales from the frozen tundra of Windy City winters past. They responded with — naturally — an avalanche of amusing anecdotes. This week, as I […]