It Doesn’t Seem That Long Ago

During the last days of 1971 and into 1972 everyone was listening to and trying to determine what the lyrics meant in Don McLean’s American Pie. Other than alluding to the deaths of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Richie Valens on February 3, 1959, a day many have called the ‘Day the Music Died’ there could be many different meanings to parts of the song. McLean has said that he wrote it to be vague. And vague it is, but a very enjoyable vague that brings back memories to anyone who grew up during the 1960′s.

It was also during this time that I came of age. In August of 1971 I turned 13 and during that summer and since I spent many hours listening to music. As you can probably guess the music of the 70s is my favorite music. For a nice site for music of the 70s see 70sMusicRevisted.com

When listening to American Pie and trying to figure out the lyrics, many of those references seem to date to music of the 50s and 60s. To me that seemed so long ago.

Now 40 years later as I remember American Pie, which was the Number 1 song in January of 1972, Melanie’s Brand New Key, which saw 1971 out as Number 1 and all of the other great songs of ’71 and ’72 it doesn’t seem all that long ago.

First Round Predictions 2012 Football Playoffs

I wouldn’t really call myself a fan of football. I rarely watch any games other than those played by the hometown team, Baltimore Ravens. I am glad that they were able to be the Number 2 seed in the AFC, although I really feel that they should be Number 1.

But I do follow it enough to be able to make educated guesses on who will win games, and I do enjoy making predictions when Playoff time comes.

Let’s start with the AFC.

Both Cincinnati and Denver are in the playoffs coming off of a loss. The both may have slide into the playoffs, but they are there. And both teams have played better in 2011 than what many thought they would when the season began.

Cincinnati will be going to Houston, another team who lost there final game of the regular season. A few weeks ago Houston looked to be one of the teams to beat to reach the Super Bowl, but with injuries they have become a mediocre team. Even coming off the lost to Baltimore, I feel that Cincinnati is the better of the two teams. I feel that Cincinnati is the better of the two teams, butt feel that Houston’s defense will find a way to win.

The other AFC game finds the Pittsburgh Steelers heading to Denver to play the Broncos and Tim Tebow. Lately the Broncos have played more like they did at the beginning of the year than they did for those few weeks under the Amazing Tebow. And I think that will continue with Pittsburgh winning possibly on a last minute score.

Now to the NFC.

New Orleans will host the surprising Detroit Lions. Up until this year the Lions has been better known as losers and vying for the 1st round pick than a playoff team. This past weekend the Lions had a shootout with the Packers. They will have to do it again to have a chance on winning. I think the outcome will be the same and come up short. Perhaps way short.

The New York Giants should be a better team than they are and should have taken their division long before the final game of the season. Atlanta has the disadvantage of playing in the same division as New Orleans. Unless Manning’s receivers have a few lucky catches, I don’t see them being in the game. Atlanta should win with ease.

Recap:
Houston over Cincinnati
Steelers over Denver
New Orleans over Detroit
Atlanta over Giants

Merry Christmas

It seems as if for many they are afraid of offending someone so instead of saying what they believe and what comes naturally, they say Happy Holidays. Happy Holidays is alright during the season between Thanksgiving and New Years.

But for me and many others, during this time of year it is the Christmas season. So I want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas.

Also Happened on December 7th

December 7, 1941 will forever be remembered as an day of infamy. It was on that day that Japan attacked the military bases on the Hawaiian Island of O’ahu. Pearl Harbor Naval Base, where many of the United States Pacific fleet were docked on that day, and Hickham Field, which adjoins the Naval Base, were the two major points of attack.

December 7th should not only be remembered for this historic event. It was on December 7, 1917 that President Woodrow Wilson signed the Declaration of War against Austria-Hungary during World War 1.

December 7th also is one of the key dates in the formation of the United States. It was on this day in 1787 that Delaware became the “First State” when it was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution.

On December 7, 1972 Apollo 17 lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. On board were Eugene A. Cernan, commander, Ronald E. Evans, command module pilot and Harrison H. Schmitt, lunar module pilot. This was the last Apollo Moon Mission and when Cernan and Schmitt lifted off from the moon on December 14th, they were the last men to walk on the moon.

Rube Goldberg, an American Cartoonist who is best know for his cartoons depicting complex machines doing simple tasks died on December 7, 1970. He was born on July 4, 1883.

Also dying on December 7th was William Bligh in 1817. Bligh was an officer of the British Royal Navy, but probably more famously known as the Captain of the HMS Bounty in 1789 when a mutiny lead by Fletcher Christian occurred.

Last Dose of Aged Wisdom

Last night Andy Rooney gave his final dose of wisdom on CBS’s 60 minutes. For years he has been like that learned Grandfather who give his opinions, whether they are wanted or not, to anyone who would listen.

I haven’t always been a watcher of 60 Minutes, but when I do I always hung around for those final thoughts at the end.

Like Walter Cronkite before him, he will be missed.

And I hope we all can do for him his final wish and if you see him in a restaurant having a meal “Please, just let me eat my dinner.”