Friday, August 24, 2012

The Cubbie Condition


Last night, I watched a sports feature titled, "Chicago Cubs: Heart and Soul." It confirmed for me what I already knew--Cubs fans put themselves through a great deal of misery. We do it every year fully aware that it's likely we'll be disappointed at the end of the baseball season. Some call it a cult, others call it a sickness. Let's be a little nicer and call it the Cubbie Condition.

What struck me most about the program was how much the Cubbie Condition impacts families. Most of the people interviewed for the piece mentioned how being a Cubs fan was a generational thing. They also talked about what it might be like when the Cubs eventually win the World Series for the first time in over 100 years. Some fans will be celebrating and compelled to ask, "Why didn't my father live to see this?" Boston Red Sox fans can surely relate.

My father is guilty of passing on the Cubbie Condition to me. I've done the same to my son but not as successfully. He hasn't been fully infected. I remember the first Wrigley Field game I attended with my father. It was 1977 and the Cubs beat the Pirates 3-2. What I remember most about that day is walking up the ramp and seeing the green of Wrigley for the first time. After that it was the sound of the crowd and the skill of the players.

My father and I have had great moments at Cubs games. Years ago, the Cubs contacted the high school where my father has been teaching music for several decades. They invited his students and him to play the national anthem. He's been doing it for a while. The last couple of years it's become a family affair.

Have a look at my father conducting the anthem with his students in the video below. And don't miss the other link found just below it.

I hope the Cubs can win the World Series soon. It will be a great day for so many families. Most of all, I look forward to celebrating it with my father and the rest of my family.


DON'T MISS THIS
Two years ago, my father had the unique opportunity to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley as well. I was thrilled for him. He found a way to get my son and me on the field it as well. What a great moment for all of us.

Check out the video at the link below.

http://youtu.be/kShvc_oA6Ok


Thursday, August 23, 2012

Where Geography and Music Collide

I'm an avid music fan with tastes that range from Mozart to Metallica. In addition, my job has given me a real appreciation for geography. We have been producing social studies products--maps, globes, atlases and more--for over 100 years.

How can those two areas of interest collide? Technology makes it easy. Better yet, this technology is now available for educators and their students. 

Using StrataLogica, I was able to create a 3D presentation of a few famous composers and the locations often associated with them. Each includes a music sample. If you're not familiar with this application, I urge you to check it out and tell educators about it. Maps and globes didn't look like this when I was in school.

Check out this link and share it with other music and geography enthusiasts:

And, here's a video that explains what StrataLogica can do.  


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Blog Intro and A Word About Music

I have a lot of opinions. I plan to share those opinions on a variety of subjects--sports, music, business (especially marketing), entertainment, education, travel and more--via this blog. Honestly, I think my wife is tired of hearing me talk about these things so I have to get them off my chest one way or another. My first post will be brief.


I have very little patience for popular music that gets played on the radio these days. As the son of a music teacher, I was brought up on a wide variety of music--classical, opera, jazz. I absorbed the music of the 70s and consumed the 80s. To me, these were great times for music. In addition, I play guitar, drums, bass and can write music. I am, therefore, very critical of and rarely inspired by the current popular music.

Roughly a year ago, I heard Adele for the very first time. I was taken by the strength and tone of her voice as well as the quality of her songwriting. I acquired her album, 21, and quickly fell in love with it. There really wasn't a weak moment on the entire album. I couldn't wait to tell my wife about it. I said, "This is the best album I've heard in years. It's so raw yet perfect. There's hope for popular music after all."

It turns out Chris Cornell, the lead singer and songwriter from Soundgarden (a band I really admire), feels like I do. Check out his comments at the link below. 

http://www.guitarworld.com/soundgardens-chris-cornell-contemporary-pop-music-couldnt-be-any-worse-it-now