tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51223917780060492382024-09-01T08:20:19.541-05:00Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-35905972800660632562012-02-16T22:27:00.002-06:002012-02-16T22:27:48.496-06:00

Follow Just Getting Started on Chicagonow: http://www.chicagonow.com/just-getting-started/2012/02/guns-and-butter-and-coffee/

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-22959056373344608122012-02-06T16:09:00.001-06:002012-02-07T19:43:29.400-06:00

My mother-in-law passed away the other day following a stroke. Dr. Edna Richard was 76.  She passed away barely six months after my father-in-law.  To lose loved ones so suddenly, in succession, leaves us with heavy hearts and often overwhelming grief. And memories.  Rich, wonderful memories.  Edna Richard gave the world three wonderful daughters while

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-32035618133643696122012-01-31T22:26:00.001-06:002012-02-01T07:00:29.424-06:00

I love a good argument. Just ask my friends and family, and if they tell you I don't like one get back to me and I'll convince you they're wrong. Some people have this crazy notion that arguing is a bad thing and it's best to keep things to yourself or just nod in tacit agreement. Which brings me to the Florida primary.  No noddin' in agreement there.  Instead, the Republican

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-3878575534189353142012-01-23T23:07:00.001-06:002012-01-24T08:45:21.503-06:00

As a market commentator I have always taken CNBC's Jim Cramer for what he is: An effective entertainer.  The host of "Mad Money" has been around a long time and is a fixture among financial talking heads.  Cramer was interviewed the other day by MSNBC's Alex Witt about tax policy.   Here's the link: http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-43173195434307954932012-01-13T21:29:00.000-06:002012-01-13T21:29:44.589-06:00

At 6:00 am last Sunday, my son Thomas, age 13, and I headed out to his club wrestling tournament. Cue the theme from Rocky, "Gonna Fly Now." Youth wrestling tournaments are quite the spectacle, beginning with the early morning traffic jam for weigh ins.  We arrive just before 7:00 am at the dark, dank gymnasium north of Chicago, a perfect setting for a blue collar sport.&

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-8212837987107546122011-12-30T21:13:00.000-06:002011-12-30T21:13:52.637-06:00

I'm not much for New Year's resolutions.  I'm not much for New Year's anything besides football, movies, Chinese take out, busting out the karaoke player or a good game of cards. Many years ago I got in the habit of taping the "Rockin' New Year" show with the ball at Times Square.  The kids and I would watch over breakfast, same result. A creature of habit, that

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-27392656487888283402011-12-20T18:40:00.000-06:002011-12-20T18:40:56.970-06:00

Did the clock run out on "Tebow time?"  Has "Tebowmania" run its course? After leading the Denver Broncos to a series of dramatic, come from behind victories in recent weeks, quarterback Tim Tebow and company lost to the New England Patriots last Sunday. “God’s Quarterback” has come back to earth (pun fully intended).  Or has he? For some, the game is an

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-74376680975520506952011-12-09T14:51:00.003-06:002011-12-09T14:55:12.877-06:00

In the end, Rod Blagoevich was a lousy politician and a dumb, inept crook.  "The harm is the erosion of public trust in government." Those were Judge James Zagel's words to the former Illinois Governor as he handed down a sentence of 14 years, one of the stiffest ever for corruption by a public official.  Zagel's words were a rebuke to the defense team's notion that

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-61868345823992339102011-11-24T22:31:00.002-06:002011-11-24T22:50:29.836-06:00

Thanksgiving 2011 was like no other, as the entire Republican presidential field came to our home for turkey and fixins.  How were we so lucky? Amazingly, we were chosen via robo call to host the live event for Donald Trump's new Internet channel, EGOTV. Here's how the day went: 10:00 am - The candidates arrive in their custom made buses, creating quite a traffic jam in

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-61132260330936116952011-11-20T22:13:00.005-06:002011-11-20T22:16:19.231-06:00

It's official.  I have "debate fatigue" before primary season even starts.  It seems there is a Republican presidential debate on every night, or at least as often as "Law and Order."  I love a good debate, and God bless 'em for having so many of them.  They have provided plenty of good moments and, indeed, some comic relief.  But every time I watch

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-81975102782031913292011-11-08T22:37:00.000-06:002011-11-08T22:37:36.653-06:00

Joe Paterno, the legendary Penn State University football coach, the winningest coach in the history of college football, is all but gone for his role in an explosive abuse scandal involving one of his former coaches.  Jerry Sandusky, who served as an assistant coach under Joe Paterno for over two decades, was indicted this week, charged with sexually assaulting over 40

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-230183519207488522011-10-31T13:33:00.013-05:002011-10-31T13:38:51.820-05:00

I have watched and read quite a bit about the "Occupy Wall Street" movement, which began in New York and has since spread to a number of other locales.  While some demonstrations number in the thousands, other groups would be challenged to occupy an elevator.  As much as I try, it's hard for me to grasp the message of the Occupy movement.&nbsp

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-19028255297238256962011-10-21T22:13:00.000-05:002011-10-21T22:13:38.330-05:00

I found myself watching David Letterman the other night, which is rare.  I can count on one foot the number of times I have watched Letterman through the years.  Former President Bill Clinton was the guest and I was struck by two things: 1)  Clinton looks great.  In fact, sans the gray hair he looks better than he did twenty years ago. 2) &

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-78384585089292752692011-10-06T22:52:00.000-05:002011-10-06T22:52:05.964-05:00

Author Jeff Pearlman's new Walter Payton biography, "Sweetness," has some unflattering details about the Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back.  In the book, Pearlman alleges that Payton had affairs, battled depression and abused pain killers. I have not read "Sweetness," though I did read the Sports Illustrated excerpt containing the allegations, which I found

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-35738936748723731792011-09-29T21:44:00.005-05:002011-09-29T21:47:38.674-05:00

Have you heard about "Go the Fu*k To Sleep?"  Described as a "children's book for adults," it's pure genius.  Check out Samuel L. Jackson on this youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNhnCD0EZtE C'mon, this is funny stuff.  It's O.K. to laugh. I love "Go The F*ck to Sleep" because it's another chink in the "perfect parent" armor; A sippy cup in

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-16912138202363530172011-09-22T22:05:00.005-05:002011-09-22T22:08:20.937-05:00

A friend of mine was recently lamenting the fact that a member of his family, an elected official, is often attacked on Internet message boards.  He's not bothered by criticism per say but that the fact that most of it comes via anonymous "comments" on political and newsie websites. In the old days a dissenter had a few choices. Either show up at a meeting or hearing, call or write

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-58826468538299800642011-09-08T21:57:00.001-05:002011-09-08T22:04:31.822-05:00

Aluminum foil. My wife will tell you I have an aversion to it.  A big one. I'm not afraid of it, but won't use it, unless I have no choice.  Growing up, my father used aluminum foil.  And reused it.  There was a drawer in our kitchen full of crumpled, crinkly used pieces of foil.  In fact, I don't recall seeing a fresh sheet of aluminum foil, coming from the box,

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-1960517181236902642011-08-30T22:33:00.001-05:002011-08-30T23:24:02.213-05:00

"Remember when' is the lowest form of conversation". So says Tony Soprano during an episode of "The Sopranos" the other night.  Some shows never get old.  I find myself watching reruns of shows like "The Sopranos," "King of Queens" or movies like "Caddyshack" over and over.  I've seen "Goodfellas" so many times that I am prepared to perform it live for birthdays, Bat Mitvahs and

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-70305382290895267202011-08-18T22:57:00.001-05:002011-08-19T07:40:03.931-05:00

Dateline Miami. Nevin Shapiro, a University of Miami booster, came forward this week alleging he paid thousands, and thousands, of dollars to Miami Hurricane jocks for the past eight years.  72 athletes are named as recipients of Shapiro's alleged largess. What's not "alleged" is that Shapiro is squealing from the federal pen, where he is serving a 20-year sentence for running a

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-273318029730511082011-08-10T12:05:00.001-05:002011-08-10T22:34:24.189-05:00

There are three "young child activities" every adult should witness at least once: 1.  Watching a child eat an ice cream cone 2.  Watching a child dance 3.  Watching a child head off to summer camp I have experienced all three in the past month through the eyes of my 4 year old daughter.  We signed her up for summer camp three days a week.  Could

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-54676714286598555682011-07-26T23:21:00.000-05:002011-07-26T23:21:20.263-05:00

I was sorry to see TNT's "Men of A Certain Age" canceled after two seasons.  The show had a great cast and was smartly written, so naturally it drew a few more viewers than a public access zoning hearing.  I suppose without "very special episodes," DNA tests or brawling hillbillies it was doomed.  "Men" focused on the lives of three middle aged guys played by

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-43838703207699118902011-07-14T23:16:00.000-05:002011-07-14T23:16:33.722-05:00

There was big "hoo ha" over this year's major league baseball All-Star game.  And not because the National League won 5-1.  It seems that nobody watched, with ratings hitting a record low.  Baseball meets C-Span.  A few years ago Commissioner Bud Selig made the idiotic decision to give home field advantage in the World Series to the winner of the

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-73058055520821233822011-07-08T23:58:00.000-05:002011-07-08T23:58:24.066-05:00

Last weekend I attended my 25th high school reunion. The Facebook reunion.  Everything took place virtually, from the planning to the invites, until the event itself, which made it somewhat surreal. Ever meet up with hundreds of your "friends" at once in a shotgun chat room? Don't get me wrong.  I had a great time.  But there were two big differences from

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-17196914908529359132011-06-25T23:52:00.001-05:002011-07-09T08:47:14.614-05:00

My father-in law passed away the other day after a brief illness. Steve Richard was a man of faith, in a better place after minimal suffering.  A native of Haiti, Steve was a retired surgeon. A warm, proud and intensely private man. He was also a striking, stylish man.  Always impeccably dressed. Cuff links, pressed pants, not a hair out of place. If he owned a pair of jeans it must

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5122391778006049238.post-78442842772370146642011-06-14T12:35:00.001-05:002011-06-14T16:02:13.131-05:00

I caught the Republican debate last night on CNN.  Yeah, that's right, I'm the guy who watched.  Me  and the canidates' parents. The debate was fine, rather pedestrian in terms of questions and answers.  Not unexpected this early, where the last thing anyone wants to do is implode before voters even have a chance to google you. What struck me, however, was a news item about

Bill Gaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03070923831144255129noreply@blogger.com0