Hanging with Rich

Let's Go Cavs..... 1964 NFL Champs. So long ago black and white photos were popular. On December 27, 1964 the Cleveland Browns won the NFL championship. I was just a kid. A very young kid at that. The game was blacked out on TV in Cleveland, but I do remember not being more than 3 feet away from the radio. I'm sure I had some game materials in front of me while I listened. But I didn't need a roster. I had it memorized. (Still do.) I followed the Browns closely that season, and when they won it all I was extremely excited and proud. It was exhilarating for the entire area. Books were written about it, legends were made, and memories to last a lifetime. It stands as the last major sports championship in my home town. There have been plenty of near misses. The 97 Indians lost the lead in the 9th inning of the 7th game of the World Series. That one still hurts. I really believe the Indians were supposed to win that. There's no way the mojo of the universe should ha

Merry Halloween!..... "Trick or treat, smell my feet!" That was the familiar refrain we would say when I was a kid. But from costumes and candy, to parties and the house of horrors, Halloween has grown to become an over $8 billion dollar industry. I think I've been to more Halloween parties than for anything else outside of Christmas. But how did this happen? What was once a one-night stand for kids to get free candy has developed into an almost month long celebration of both merriment and the macabre. Have other holidays grown? Or have they suffered due to the growth of popularity of Halloween? Let's look at them. New Years Eve/Day: May have suffered the most. When I was younger, New Years Eve parties were a BIG deal. Everybody went to one.Yes there was drinking, and plenty of it.  But wherever you were, Dick Clark in Times Square was near. That was also the night you were careful when driving home. Now, maybe because of my age, I stay home. Dick Clark is dea

What's Your Favorite Sport, and Why?..... When you meet someone new, the first few minutes can be a struggle. Both sides will be looking to find common ground to continue the conversation. That means, among guys at least, there will be a question like this:  "How about those Browns?" The Browns are the Cleveland Browns, the World's Worst Professional Football Team.(so at least that's something). In my town, whether you are a fan or not, you have an opinion about them. But what is your favorite sport, and why? Is it a sport you grew up with, appreciate the athletic ability, or just enjoy playing? Let's look at the major spectator sports. What makes them popular, or lack of. (In alphabetical order). My favorite. Never saw him play live. Only in legend. BASEBALL: Yes, this is my personal favorite sport. Why? Part of it is because it's what I grew up with. As a kid I can remember playing catch, running bases, playing games, talking about it, liste

Too Old to Rock and Roll.... The Temple of Rock My town is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. This year it is celebrating its 20th anniversary and some people would say it is having a mid-life crisis. Some executives have been replaced, and the selection process has been modified to encourage the induction of younger artists. By that logic perhaps the Rosetta Stone should be replaced in the British Museum with today's Plain Dealer. I understand that all music, including Rock and Roll, is art and therefore is subjective. I don't like everything called Rock and Roll. Nobody would. However, the name Rock and Roll in my mind suggests a certain era, a certain energy, and a certain spirit. Recent inductees into the Hall of Fame include ABBA, Donna Summer, and Public Enemy. Some of the favorites to be nominated this year include  N.W.A. and Mariah Carey. Again, all art is subjective. At the risk of sounding like the ramblings of some old man, I think the mu