McAvoy Brewing was one of many brewers to operate since 1857 at the current site of Thornton Distilling.
For the first time in several weeks, I have a Sunday beer-related event to bring to you. We have seen a few more establishments adapt to the “shelter-in-place” environment, since it may last yet another month.
Fresh Beer Events, occasional bacon, but always spam free, opt out any time.
Meet The Blogger
Mark McDermott
Writer, trivia maven, fan of many things. I thought to learn all there is to know about beer as a way to stay interested in learning. It is my pleasure to bring Chicago’s craft beer scene to you.
“On the first part of the journey, I was looking at all the life. There were plants and birds and rocks and things. There was sand and hills and rings. The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz And the sky with no clouds. The heat was hot and the ground was dry, But the air was full of sound.”
I can’t even begin writing without laying down the absolute law that “the first thing I met was a fly with a buzz” is perhaps the greatest accomplishment in the long history of human communication the world has ever known. “A rose by any other name…?” Nah. “Four score and seven years ago…?” Eh, kinda. “It was a dark and stormy night…?” That’s getting closer to this linguistic brilliance, but you have to remember it was a fly, with a buzz, on his journey. If you don’t agree, well, I don’t like you, either.
How’s it going, Denizens? It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?
Like nearly all of you, I’ve been in lockdown. I’ve been protecting my own and helping those that are less fortunate. I hope you and your loved ones are safe, and that we all can get back to arguing about baseball soon enough. I didn’t even plan on writing this, but like most of you, I suddenly realized I haven’t even checked on baseball news or visited any of my favorite baseball sites since, well, ?. It’s hard to follow baseball, or write about baseball, when there is no baseball. Our favorite game isn’t of the upmost importance, but I’m also worried about the loss of community. So many of us have lost their routine. I thought about us here, and I miss you.
Dewey Bunnell wrote of a journey through an unknown dessert, aided by a lot of uncertainty and much optimism, real or otherwise. Some (or most) of it had come from questionable sources. And here we are.
Remember arguing about who should start at 2B for the Cubs coming out of camp? My money was on Nico “Suave”, though most of the prospect “experts” insisted he wasn’t ready because of his limited MiPB AB’s and other inane issues.
Recall the luxury tax conundrum? Who knows what’s going to happen, but we’re still over, while our entire organizational focus for the offseason was to get below. I won’t go any further, because we are all already too depressed.
In keeping with the first verse of this classic piece of Americana, I’ll try to stay upbeat. Chatwood was going to establish himself, Heyward was putting up his best season yet on the North Side, and El Mago was about to lay waste to anything we previously thought to be even possible by a human being playing the sport of baseball. Ya know, just the upcoming 2020 season. I was ready, but…
“After two days in the desert sun My skin began to turn red. After three days in the desert fun I was looking at a river bed. And the story it told of a river that flowed Made me sad to think it was dead.“
We were gonna win it all, weren’t we? I had my hopes high, I always do. Between keeping Bryant and the Javy maturity and the simple continuation of the core from what we accomplished in 2016, it’s given.
Then this weird bug came. I was going to prove everyone wrong who said Cincy would win the NL Central because they won the offseason and the Cubs couldn’t compete because they lost the offseason and because the DirtyBirds suck and so does Milwaukee but we’re better because of Hendricks and Javy and Rizzo and because my source in Milwaukee says they aren’t ready and neither are those dudes in any of the other towns of whoever. Period.
I imagined a season where we could win. It was tough, but I really could envision it, if everything went just right. Then this happened. Doubt began to override my optimism, and reality set in.
My skin began to turn red.
Hey, man, I’m all full of Cubbie Blue and green ivy, so let’s go! It can’t be that bad, I said to myself. There will be baseball because there always has been, and because I said so.
But then reality reared it’s ugly head, this time for real. Javy’s HR total on the 2020 season went from 136 to 74 to possibly *bleeping* 0. No Gold Gloves for Rizzo or J-Hey or Cy Young consideration for the ultimate showman Kyle Hendricks. We even had a movement on twitter to have scantily-clad cheerleaders introduce our emotionally-charged “Professor” to get him engaged in the mundane aspects of the game, but alas…
“After nine days I let the horse run free ‘Cause the desert had turned to sea. There were plants and birds and rocks and things. There was sand and hills and rings. The ocean is a desert with it’s life underground, And a perfect disguise above. Under the cities lies a heart made of ground But the humans will give no love.”
I’m not even sure I want to go here, but is it avoidable? I’m not ready to let my horse run free, let alone to chase a mirage on the horizon, but what? We can’t give up, yet we can’t stand up. This is such an awkward situation, one we’ve never encountered before, and I’m not even talking about our love of baseball.
There have been mentions of partial seasons and schedules, quarantined players and sites. I love baseball as much as any of you, but I just don’t see the powers that be endangering their multi-billion $ industry simply for our entertainment. I also can’t expect the players to abandon their lives and accept a life of solitude to play a farce of a game so we can indulge.
I see that utopia, but I’m too pragmatic to release my vehicle. I hope to ride it again, soon.
Stay safe, my fellow Denizens. I miss you, and I miss baseball.
Something new to talk about, debate and discuss is a beautiful thing. And, from tonight through Saturday, the NFL plans on entertaining us.
But how much of a gong show is the 2020 NFL Draft going to be? Wifi connection issues, communication breakdowns and who-knows-what-else could make for a long three days across the NFL.
The final trade reflected in this last mock draft is the fourth rounder heading from Tampa to New England for Rob Gronkowski. With Gronk joining Tom Brady in Tampa, the likelihood that OJ Howard is traded during the draft is just one of many stories to follow.
However, the mock draft that follows does not assume or make up any trades; there will undoubtedly be players you see in the draft below and think “no way he’s still around” and you’ll probably be right. But without projecting any possible deals, some guys may appear to be lower based on the needs of the team ahead of them.
Finally, here’s my last take on the first six (6) full rounds. I also put in the work to break it down team-by-team after the six rounds.
As always, enjoy reading and let us know where we’re right, how crazy we are and how far we are out of our ever-loving minds.
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
ROUND ONE
1. Cincinnati – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU 2. Washington – Chase Young, DE, Ohio State 3. Detroit – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa 4. NY Giants – Jedrick Willis Jr, OT, Alabama 5. Miami – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville 6. LA Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon 7. Carolina – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson 8. Arizona – Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State 9. Jacksonville – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama 10. Cleveland – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia 11. NY Jets – Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn 12. Las Vegas – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama 13. San Francisco (from IND) – Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina 14. Tampa Bay – Josh Jones, OT, Houston 15. Denver – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma 16. Atlanta – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama 17. Dallas – K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU 18. Miami (from PIT) – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State 19. Las Vegas (from CHI) – Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia 20. Jacksonville (from LAR) – AJ Epenesa, DE, Iowa 21. Philadelphia – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU 22. Minnesota (from BUF) – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson 23. New England – Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma 24. New Orleans – Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU 25. Minnesota – Antoine Winfield Jr, S, Minnesota 26. Miami (from HOU) – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama 27. Seattle – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgie 28. Baltimore – Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan 29. Tennessee – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida 30. Green Bay – Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame 31. San Francisco – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State 32. Kansas City – Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
ROUND TWO
33. Cincinnati – Austin Jackson, OT, USC 34. Indianapolis (from WSH) – AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson 35. Detroit – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington 36. NY Giants – Marlon Davidson, DE, Auburn 37. LA Chargers – JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State 38. Carolina – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn 39. Miami – Michael Pittman Jr, WR, USC 40. Houston (from ARI) – Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin 41. Cleveland – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU 42. Jacksonville – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU 43. Chicago (from VG) – Grant Delpit, S, LSU 44. Indianapolis – Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma 45. Tampa Bay – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU 46. Denver – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State 47. Atlanta – Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne 48. NY Jets – Tyler Biadasz, iOL, Wisconsin 49. Pittsburgh – Tyre Phillips, OT, Mississippi State 50. Chicago – Levischka Shenault Jr, WR, Colorado 51. Dallas – Lloyd Cushenberry III, iOL, LSU 52. LA Rams – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State 53. Philadelphia – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia 54. Buffalo – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama 55. Baltimore (from NE) – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor 56. Miami (from NO) – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin 57. LA Rams (from HOU) – Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn 58. Minnesota – Robert Hunt, iOL, Louisiana-Lafayette 59. Seattle – Ashtyn Davis, S, California 60. Baltimore – Josh Uche, OLB, Michigan 61. Tennessee – Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma 62. Green Bay – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame 63. Kansas City (from SF) – Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M 64. Seattle (from KC) – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
ROUND THREE
65. Cincinnati – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU 66. Washington – Jimmy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois 67. Detroit – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah 68. NY Jets (from NYG) – AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College 69. Carolina – Lynn Bowden Jr, WR, Kentucky 70. Miami – Terrell Lewis, OLB, Alabama 71. LA Chargers – Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU 72. Arizona – Jordyn Brooks, ILB, Texas Tech 73. Jacksonville – Logan Stenberg, iOL, Kentucky 74. Cleveland – Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas 75. Indianapolis – Anfernee Jennings, OLB, Alabama 76. Tampa Bay – Julian Okwara, DE, Notre Dame 77. Denver – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia 78. Atlanta – Damien Lewis, iOL, LSU 79. NY Jets – KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State 80. Las Vegas – Malik Harrison, ILB, Ohio State 81. Las Vegas (from CHI) – Ben Bredeson, iOL, Michigan 82. Dallas – Van Jefferson, WR, Florida 83. Denver (from PIT) – Jacob Phillips, ILB, LSU 84. LA Rams – Matt peart, OT, UConn 85. Detroit (from PHI) – Collin Johnson, WR, Texas 86. Buffalo – Tremayne Anchrum, iOL, Clemson 87. New England – Bradley Anae, DE, Utah 88. New Orleans – Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Mississippi 89. Minnesota – Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado 90. Houston – Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee 91. Las Vegas (from SEA) – Davon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State 92. Baltimore – Josh Martellus, S, Michigan 93. Tennessee – KJ Hill, WR, Ohio State 94. Green Bay – Natane Muti, iOL, Fresno State 95. Denver (from SF) – Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri 96. Kansas City – Cam Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State 97. Cleveland (comp from HOU) – Jason Strowbridge, DE, North Carolina 98. New England (comp) – Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio State 99. NY Giants (comp) – Troy Pride Jr, CB, Notre Dame 100. New England (comp) – Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota 101. Seattle (comp) – Albert Okwuebunam, TE, Missouri 102. Pittsburgh (comp) – Cam Akers, RB, Florida State 103. Philadelphia (comp) – Zack Moss, RB, Utah 104. LA Rams (comp) – La’Mical Perine, RB, Florida 105. Minnesota (comp) – Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU 106. Baltimore (comp) – Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
Kamal Martin, ILB, Minnesota
ROUND FOUR
107. Cincinnati – Kamal Martin, ILB, Minnesota 108. Washington – Brandon Bowen, OT, Ohio State 109. Detroit – Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington 110. NY Giants – Leki Fotu, DT, Utah 111. Houston (from MIA) – Jonah Jackson, iOL, Ohio State 112. LA Chargers – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue 113. Carolina – Joe Bachie, ILB, Michigan State 114. Arizona – Anthony McFarland Jr, RB, Maryland 115. Cleveland – Lavert Hill, CB, Michigan 116. Jacksonville – Markus Bailey, ILB, Purdue 117. Tampa Bay – Landon Dickerson, iOL, Alabama 118. Denver – Shane Lemieux, iOL, Oregon 119. Atlanta – Jonathan Greenard, OLB, Florida 120. NY Jets – Jabari Zuniga, DE, Florida 121. Las Vegas – Shyheim Carter, S, Alabama 122. Indianapolis – James Lynch, DT, Baylor 123. Dallas – Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic 124. Pittsburgh – Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty 125. New England (from CHI) – Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State 126. LA Rams – DJ Wonnum, DE, South Carolina 127. Philadelphia – Khalid Kareem, DE, Notre Dame 128. Buffalo – Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State 129. Baltimore (from NE) – Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s (MN) 130. New Orleans – Steven Gonzalez, iOL, Penn State 131. Arizona (from HOU) – Terence Steele, OT, Texas Tech 132. Minnesota – Bryce Perkins, QB, Virginia 133. Seattle – Lucan Niang, OT, TCU 134. Baltimore – Solomon Kindley, iOL, Georgia 135. Pittsburgh (from TEN) – Walker Little, OT, Stanford 136. Green Bay – Troy Dye, ILB, Oregon 137. Denver (from SF) – Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt 138. Kansas City – Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina 139. New England (comp from TB) – Logan Wilson, ILB, Wyoming 140. Jackonville (comp from CHI) – Alex Highsmith, OLB, Charlotte 141. Miami (comp) – Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn 142. Washington (comp) – Lorenzo Neal, DT, Purdue 143. Atlanta (comp from BAL) – Tanner Muse, S, Clemson 144. Seattle (comp) – Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin 145. Philadelphia (comp) – Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama 146. Philadelphia (comp) – Jon Runyan, OT, Michigan
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
ROUND FIVE
147. Cincinnati – Darrell Taylor, DE, Tennessee 148. Carolina (from WSH) – Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest 149. Detroit – Matt Hennessey, iOL, Temple 150. NY Giants – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan 151. LA Chargers – Brandon Jones, S, Texas 152. Carolina – Steven Montez, QB, Colorado 153. Miami – Alton Robinson, DE, Syracuse 154. Miami (from JAX) – Zach Shackelford, iOL, Texas 155. Minnesota (from CLE) – Nick Coe, DE, Auburn 156. San Francisco (from DEN) – JaMycal Hasty, RB, Baylor 157. Jacksonville (from ATL) – DeeJay Dallas, RB, Miami 158. NY Jets – Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami 159. Las Vegas – Terrell Burgess, S, Utah 160. Indianapolis – Jalen Elliott, S, Notre Dame 161. Tampa Bay – Nate Stanley, QB, Iowa 162. Seattle (from PIT) – Sanford Samuels III, CB, Florida State 163. Chicago – James Morgan, QB, Florida International 164. Dallas – Krys Barnes, ILB, UCLA 165. Jacksonville (from LAR) – Coy Cronk, OT, Indiana 166. Detroit (from PHI) – Trevon Hill, DE, Miami 167. Buffalo – Creed Humphrey, OL, Oklahoma 168. Philadelphia (from NE) – Jared Pinkney, TE, Vanderbilt 169. New Orleans – Akeem Davis-Gaither, OLB, Appalachian State 170. Baltimore (from MIN) – AJ Green, CB, Oklahoma State 171. Houston – Colton Mckivitz, OT, West Virginia 172. New England (from SEA) – Isaiah Coulter, WR, Rhode Island 173. Miami (from BAL) – Rashard Lawrence, DT, LSU 174. Tennessee – Blake Haubel, K, Ohio State 175. Green Bay – Brian Lewerke, QB, Michigan State 176. San Francisco – Willie Gay Jr, LB, Mississippi State 177. Kansas City – Cameron Brown, OLB, Penn State 178. Denver (comp) – Kenny Willekes, DE, Michigan State 179. Dallas (com) – Hakeem Adenjii, OT, Kansas
Khaleke Hudson, OLB, Michigan
ROUND SIX
180. Cincinnati – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas 181. Denver (from WSH) – Khaleke Hudson, OLB, Michigan 182. Detroit – Trishton Jackson, WR, Syracuse 183. NY Giants – Trey Smith, iOL, Tennessee 184. Carolina – Raequan Williams, DT, Michigan State 185. Miami – Tommy Kraemer, OL, Notre Dame 186. LA Chargers – Mychal Walker, ILB, Fresno State 187. Cleveland (from ARI) – Robert Windsor, DT, Penn State 188. Buffalo (from CLE) – Pauldon Adebo, CB, Stanford 189. Jacksonville – Nick Harris, iOL, Washington 190. Philadelphia (from ATL) – Jordan Mack, ILB, Virginia 191. NY Jets – Keith Ismael, iOL, San Diego State 192. Green Bay (from LV) – Geno Stone, S, Iowa 193. Indianapolis – Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Georgia 194. Tampa Bay – Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech 195. New England (from DEN) – Trystan Colon-Castillo, OL, Missouri 195. Chicago – Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech 197. Indianapolis (from DAL) – Mike Danna, DE, Michigan 198. Pittsburgh – Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah 199. LA Rams – Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA 200. Chicago (from PHI) – Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford 201. Minnesota (from BUF) – Carlos Davis, DT, Nebraska 202. Arizona (from NE) – John Simpson, iOL, Clemson 203. New Orleans – Qaadir Sheppard, DE, Mississippi 204. New England (from HOU) – Michal Ojemudia, CB, Iowa 205. Minnesota – Calvin Throckmorton, OL, Oregon 206. Jacksonville (from SEA) – David Dowell, S, Michigan State 207. Buffalo (from BAL) – Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State 208. Green Bay (from TEN) – Gage Cervenka, OL, Clemson 209. Green Bay – Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern 210. San Francisco – Quartney Davis, WR, Texas A&M 211. NY Jets (from KC) – Erroll Thompson, LB, Mississippi State 212. New England (comp) – Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern 213. New England (comp) – Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA 214. Seattle (comp) – Justin Strnad, OLB, Wake Forest
Since not many mocks perform this service for fans of teams, I’ll now do y’all the favor of breaking the mock down team-by-team through the six rounds above. Teams are listed alphabetically.
Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Arizona Cardinals
1 (8) – Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
3 (72) – Jordyn Brooks, ILB, Texas Tech
4 (114) – Anthony McFarland Jr, RB, Maryland
4 (131) – Terence Steele, OT, Texas Tech
6 (202) – John Simpson, iOL, Clemson
2 (43) – Grant Delpit, S, LSU
2 (50) – Laviscka Shenault Jr, WR, Colorado
5 (163) – James Morgan, QB, Florida International
6 (196) – Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
6 (200) – Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford
Cleveland Browns
1 (10) – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
2 (41) – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
3 (74) – Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
3 (97) – Jason Stowbridge, DE, North Carolina
4 (115) – Lavert Hill, CB, Michigan
6 (187) – Robert Windsor, DT, Penn State
Those are just some of the words to describe almost all of us and our emotions during the last month of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s effects has a toll on our brains, maybe even more than on our bodies.
Most of our minds have been working overtime. There’s so much information to digest. There’s so much to think about. Too much to think about!
So when it’s night time and you desperately have to get some needed rest, how do you turn off your thoughts so you can get to sleep? Do you have any special tricks that help you get to sleep?
This is a little weird and hard to believe, but I had more trouble sleeping before the pandemic started. A couple of nights a week, I just couldn’t shut out real life and I’d find myself awake at two or three am. Eventually, I’d tire myself out and would fall asleep, but I’d be worn out for a couple of days afterwards. In the last month, that has only happened twice. I don’t have an explanation for this. You’d think that during a time where I’m much more neurotic about health issues than usual, I’d be wide awake up every single night.
I do have a few tricks that helps me fall asleep. First, I wait until I’m tired before trying to sleep. Usually that comes between midnight and twelve-thirty. I know not everyone can stay up that late, but I can and it works for me. Next I try to think of something from my past that makes me happy. Usually it’s a visual of my children when they were young. Lot’s of good images to use! If that doesn’t work, I play music. I think of a song that I like and know well, and I play it in my head. If that doesn’t work, I count sheep….really! I can picture the sheep and see them jumping over a fence. I know it’s cliche, but it almost always works.
We’re only a bit more than a month into this pandemic. We’re going to need plenty of rest to get through this. I’m sure you all have your own sleep tricks. It may include Ambien, melatonin or even some form of cannabis…it’s okay, I won’t tell anyone. Whatever it takes, right?
It’s getting late and I’m going to try to fall asleep. Here comes the sheep….1…..2…..3…..4
My so called friends think it’s time to edit this section. After four years, they may be right, but don’t tell them that. I’ll deny it until they die!
I can’t believe I’ve been writing this blog for four years.
It started as a health/wellness thing and over the years has morphed to include so many things that I don’t know how to describe it anymore.
I really thought this was going to be the final year of the blog but then Donald Trump came along. It looks like we’re good for four more years..God help us all!
Oh yeah…the biographical stuff. I’m not 60 anymore. The rest you can read about in the blog.
We already know that redheads are more sensitive to hot and cold, and need more anesthesia, and have a higher pain tolerance.
But could redheads also be more emotionally sensitive? At some point, I realized that I noticed a lot of autistic people happen to be redheads. And as we know, people with autism tend to be very sensitive! I’ve even heard that it’s often a misconception they that don’t have empathy; instead they are profoundly empathetic and feel way more than us normies do — they actually can’t handle how much they’re feeling on many, many different sensory and emotional levels.
Anyway, several months ago, I was listening to one of the How to be a Redhead sisters’ podcasts, and they happened to mention that they had noticed that along with having sensitive skin, redheads also tend to be more emotionally sensitive.
I felt like it was a breakthrough moment for me. I’m a redhead, and I’ve also always been told I’m too sensitive. I’ve found ways to explain it — I identify as an HSP, or highly sensitive person, an actual biological trait that is meant to be a genetic advantage for the tribe (and is also found in animals). And if you’re into astrology, I just happen to have a Pisces moon (and the majority of my chart is water).
I’ve spent years trying to work on “not being so sensitive” until finally I realized that’s just who I am, and that it’s actually a gift. Even if nearly everyone in America and the rest of the Western world tells me differently. Cue Jewel’s 1996 hit, “I’m sensitive, and I’d like to stay that way…”
But the thing is, we live in this world, in America at least, where sensitivity isn’t valued. So I often carried this shame and what felt like a burden alone, trying to hide it and pretend I was tougher, until I met my friend Rita. Rita’s a psychology PhD, and one day mentioned that she loved this one woman’s research on love and sensitivity.
And that’s when I discovered that I now knew another HSP, for certain! But…
The most interesting thing about all this is that…
Rita also happens to have red hair! So I started noticed this, and then other redheads started to notice this and…
I’m thinking that we’re onto something! But the question is…why!?!? What, praytell, was the genetic advantage, when homo sapiens started moving north out of Africa, to evolving to have tons of allergies, super sensitive skin and even more sensitive emotions???
I know that the HSP research says that in the tribal sense, those blessed with sensitivity are the ones meant to spot the predators, to see them before they are coming, while the other 80 percent of the population are meant to be the warriors who go into battle with the lions.
But why would redheads need to evolve to be like this? If most redheads are in Scotland, where we know we evolved to need less melanin for obvious reasons (less sun), then, why did we need more sensitivity? Emotionally and physically?
And…on another, more NSFW note…I’ve had many a men tell me that one of the main reasons they “had a thing” for redheads was because it felt like redheads had more of a spiritual type of experience during sex and were more reactive to what was happening in the moment.
So what do you think? Are redheads more emotionally sensitive? Why do you think that might be? Why did we evolve to be this way? Also…could this partially be why redheads get bullied more often? Besides obviously having something different about us, the those perceived as “weak” get picked on the most…
The Ginger Phile has had the unfortunate disposition of being a ginger since birth. She has tried various medications to cure her gingervitis, including therapies such as tantrum-throwing. Her efforts have been to no avail. Instead, she is trying to write it out, via this blog. Unfortunately, she doesn’t think it will bear a soul for her. The Ginger Phile is from the exotic land of Wisconsin, where she had daily inner turmoil over whether she was a ginger or a daywalker. So far, three of three votes say daywalker. She begs to differ, as someone recently told her they would want to be with her if they were biking at night because she is so pale.
Author’s note: Thank you to my reader, good friend, and former teacher Dr. LRW for this idea based on misuse and shifting meanings of the word “virtual” in these days.
I have written elsewhere of the differences between virtual and verbal, but I am more troubled now by growing misuse of the word virtual. We’re having conference calls and meetings by computer — so they are being known as “virtual meetings.” As Dr. LRW pointed out to me, “virtual” Advanced Placement (AP) exams will be given this spring now that Illinois schools are closed.
But they are really tests — so they should not be called “virtual.” Yes, they seem to be by computer — but see what my dictionary, Webster’s New 20th Century, has as a definition for virtual: “Being in essence or effect, not in fact; not actual, but equivalent, so far as effect is concerned.” Even in Google’s dictionary, sorting the definitions by “computing” or searching for “all” definitions yields this as the first definition: “almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition.”
The AP tests coming up are going to be real tests. They will be just as valid as the one I took in high school — at the high school. They won’t be “almost” AP tests. They will be the actual tests. So let’s save that beautiful “not actual, but equivalent” distinction by avoiding the word “virtual” to describe them.
The accompanying photo is a photo of real teddy bears — but virtual bears.
If you want to describe something you’re doing by computer, say or write “I did it on my computer” or “I did it by computer.” You can also say it was “online” if you were actually connected to the Internet at the time. If you felt like you were visiting somewhere because you saw it on a computer, saying you “paid a virtual visit” would be fine. But filling out applications or taking tests are real events. They shouldn’t be called “virtual” because they are, actually and in fact, the tests and applications that would happen “in person” if the stay-at-home order were not in effect.
English has so many words with precise distinctions. Let’s keep them alive and use them well.
Margaret Serious has a page on Facebook.
Is there a word you’re worried about? Let me know by e-mail, [email protected], and I’ll investigate. Don’t miss the results – subscribe today. Type your e-mail address in the box and click the “create subscription” button. My list is completely spam-free, and you can opt out at any time.
I moved to Chicago from the south suburbs in 1986. I have diverse interests, but I love writing about what I’m interested in. Whether it’s a personal interest or part of my career, the correct words to get the idea across are important to me. I love words and languages — French and Scottish words enrich my American English. My career has included years as a journalist and years working in museums, and the two phases were united by telling stories. I’m serious about words and stories. So here I am, ready to tell stories about words and their languages.
Steve Miller, that’s who! I think we’ve taken the song for granted far too long.
Tonight I had an epiphany and couldn’t stop singing the hook. Then, the thought occurred to me, “Man, who writes a song like this?” …and how?
[embedded content]
It’s a moving thought, turned song.
“I wanna fly like an eagle, To the sea/Fly like an eagle, Let my spirit carry me I want to fly like an eagle, ‘Till I’m free/Oh, Lord, through the revolution”-Steve Miller
The album went down as the best record of 1976 and still ends up in every Best Of list written. But the song finally spoke to me the other night, and I appreciated it for the soulful rocker that it is. It used to be “our parents” song, being heard in the background as the soundtrack to their lives. At cookouts, on the radio, and in movies. But after being struck by the deeper meaning in it, it will also be mine.
I want to extract a copy of this masterpiece from the cutouts, as it contains two of my other favorite SMB songs, “Take the Money and Run” and “Rock’n Me.”
Staying at home for days on end is not fun. But I’m in a spacious apartment with my wife, not stuffed with a hundred-plus British soldiers into a 15 x 18 ft Black Hole of Calcutta. I’ve missed out on dinner dates at the city’s fabulous restaurants, but I haven’t missed a meal. And I’m more likely to succumb with an audible groan from the COVID-19 puns on my email page than the virus itself.
So yes, it’s been a drag to bounce off the walls these past weeks. But it’s been tolerable. What I remind myself is, for many of us it’s been deadly.
The Coronavirus crisis has highlighted the persistent inequalities in race, wealth and health that exists in the wealthiest nation on earth.
If I was ever in doubt before this pandemic about the threat to democracy our country faces, and my role in supporting the societal struggle to achieve liberty and justice for all, I’ve become clear-eyed as the Eagle on the country’s emblem.
Unfortunately, in response to the crisis, the self-serving blowhard who is our President has reduced government’s role as the guarantor of equal access to the benefits intrinsic to public policies that enforce educational, health, economic and legal rights.
The hypocrisy behind all the “inspiring” ads lauding the front line grocery clerks and bus drivers and hapless cleaning ladies mopping up the fetid floors of the ICU only points up the discrepancies. COVID-10 gets the headlines, but less affluent Americans also suffer disproportionately from the diseases of labor like black lung and mesothelioma and the diseases of poverty like obesity and diabetes.
There is a sinkhole of despair between affluent Americans in million dollar penthouses and eleven million desperate families that spend more than half their incomes on rent. And it is growing larger by the day, without any genuine prospect of betterment. Not to mention the half million homeless population who will sleep in the streets tonight. There is one hell of a difference between being inconvenienced and facing eviction.
Most worrisome is the continuing decline of the public school system as the great equalizing force in American life. For every tear jerking photo showing wonderful mom home schooling adorable kids there are millions of neglected children falling further behind, lacking both reliable internet access or an adult who can afford to stay home to help with the math.
As for seniors like myself cheating death by finding joy and meaning in a purposeful old age, the statistics citing the astonishing disproportion of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes spotlights the growing crisis of an aging demographic.
As a friend of mine wrote me, at a certain point, even the most oblivious among us must realize how fortunate many of us are. Our fridge is full and there’s an invitation to Zoom cocktails at five. On the bell curve of life, genetics, circumstance and good fortune have rolled the dice in our favor, but those on the backside need a helping hand, because the fact is, we really are NOT all in this together!
As we grew up, we were taught to be guided by our conscience. Now, told to shelter in place, most of us do so out of respect for our city’s effort to flatten the spread of the virus, a response guided by social conditions. But what I’m suggesting is a more far reaching response spurred by a higher level of truth, our consciousness, or Guiding Force, that is rooted in personal morality rather than social conditioning.
Deal with the shelter in place mandate on this level and you understand that your inner sense of truth goes beyond the headlines and statistics… and the bleating of Trump and the charts of Doctor Fauci. The coronavirus crisis becomes the “micro of the macro.” Your see clearly that America is facing more than crisis of its health system; the moral conscious of its society is being questioned. Democracy governing a pluralistic America is at stake.
In the course of a long business career I held many titles familiar to the corporate world. But as I quickly learned the lofty nameplates no longer apply when your career comes to a close and you move from the corner office to a corner of the den. The challenge was to stay vital and active rather than idling on the sidelines. I had to create a new foundation upon which to build life’s purpose and joy.
I stopped adding up my stock portfolio as a measure of my net worth and developed a healthy self esteem independent of applause from others.
I am the co-author of The In-Sourcing Handbook: Where and How to Find the Happiness You Deserve, a practical guide and instruction manual offering hands-on exercises to help guide readers to experience the transformative shift from simply tolerating life to celebrating life. I also am the author of 73, a popular collection of short stories about America’s growing senior population running the gamut of emotions as they struggle to resist becoming irrelevant in a youth-oriented society.
Football fans are craving league news, and ChicagoBears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky delivered by joining former teammate, Chase Daniel on his new webcast series, “Chase Chats.”
While this was a more conversational webcast episode, it was evident that Trubisky was extremely relaxed, and looked very confident with where he is both mentally and physically.
One of the biggest nuggets of the webcast came when Chase Daniel asked the North Carolina product how rehabilitation was going in relation to his injured shoulder.
Well, it looks like Mitch is very much so back and better than ever…
Chicago #Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky on his injured shoulder:
“It’s great, it’s great. I’m back to 100%. I haven’t been able to see a doctor to be officially cleared, but I’ve cleared myself. It feels better than it did before.”
So other than knocking off some rust, you can omit injury fatigue from being a hindrance during the quarterback competition this coming season.
Another interesting tidbit that came out during the webcast was Trubisky’s 2017 NFL Draft night experience. With the 2020 NFL Draft just hours away, Chase Daniel asked the former second-overall pick how his draft night unfolded, and Trubisky did not disappoint…
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When discussing how it went in the green room, Trubisky said, “it was a very cool experience” and had no idea that Chicago would pick him when they traded up to second-overall.
The kicker? The Bears forgot to call Trubisky on draft night…
Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky says that the #Bears “forgot to call” him when they selected him second-overall in the 2017 #NFL Draft.
That’s right… Well, the Bears most likely didn’t “forget” to call Trubisky to let him know he’d be headed to the windy city. Instead, time was probably of the essence due to extensive trade talks with the San Francisco 49ers front office.
With things being rushed, I’m sure Pace wanted to make sure that the trade was approved by league officials and that the pick had been submitted in time. I mean, that’s “conviction,” right?
Either way, here was Trubisky walking onto the stage, feeling the bright lights — and heading right into post-selection interviews, all without ever being spoken to by the Bears brass. That’s just so fitting, right?
A couple more quick hitters that Trubisky shared with the online viewers were that he is watching the critically acclaimed Chicago Bulls documentary, “The Last Dance” while also “binge watching” Netflix series, “Ozark” and “Money Heist.” Sometimes it just feels good to know that we’re doing the same ole things as a professional athlete, right?
To be entirely honest, I give Trubisky huge props for heading onto Chase Daniel’s webcast. The easy route would have been pushing off the interview until the draft had passed and the Bears were headed into the season. Letting the dust settle, if you will?
The one thing that really stuck with me from the interview? Trubisky’s persona. His urbane demeanor with how he spoke, looked and carrier himself. Okay, am I going Jay Cutler Era crazy?
I don’t want to be that guy, but after seeing Mitchell start to crack and crumble under the enormous amounts of pressure during the tail end of last season, it was refreshing to see #10 looking cool, calm and collected.
Will it carry on into the the 2020 NFL season? One can only hope. Either way, it’s easy to root for Mitch and hope that he succeeds with the Bears. I mean, that is the best case scenario for the upcoming season, correct? Well, we shall see…
The 2020 NFL Draft is going to be a wild one, especially for the Chicago Bears. Our bold predictions lay it all out on the line.
It’s here. It is finally here — the 2020 NFL Draft is upon us. For over a month now, all of us have been dying for something real and tangible to happen when it comes to live sports. Well, here we are. Live sports — kind of. At least our Chicago Bears will be doing something that has real meaning.
With most of us hanging out at home, aside from the essential workers — thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, by the way — I would assume Bears fans are a lot alike. We love our NFL Draft content. I cannot get enough of it, personally.
But, today is the day it all begins for real. General manager Ryan Pace has his work cut out for him this year. The Bears get to sit back and watch the first round as they think about number 52 on their current roster and remember how well-worth the trade he was.
But, as Round 2 kicks off Friday night, that’s when all eyes will be on Pace. The Bears have two picks in the second round, and as of right now, won’t pick again until the fifth.
Will that change? We’ll get to that in a minute. Over NFL Draft weekend, anything can happen. Expect the unexpected. Get ready for pure mayhem. It’s going to be epic — and here are a few bold predictions I give to you regarding our beloved Bears.
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