Life In The Last Lane---Keely Smith
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255 Views
03/09/09
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Saw a one-line item in one of those entertainment columns that singer Keely Smith had died at age 77. I felt bad for two reasons: one, that she had passed away and two that she was dismissed with so few words. In the 1950?s Keely and her mentor/husband Louis Prima produced some of the wildest versions of traditional love songs I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. Keely's crystal clear tone; phenomenal range and rocking rhythm blended beautifully with Prima's rough edge and unique arrangements. And Sam Butera and the Witnesses provided just kind of hard driving backup that they needed.As I listen to their CD "Louis Prima's Collector Series" including top recordings from the 50's and 60's her cool bell like high tones from songs like That Old Black Magic ("I should staaaaay away but what can I do?") I've Got You Under My Skin and Embraceable You still send a shiver up my spine to this day.After a decade playing some of biggest clubs in Vegas and a few years on TV the combo drifted apart. Keely and Louis divorced and he replaced her with a new singer who became his 5th wife but neither Keely nor Louis ever achieved the heights they had together although they both kept performing for many more years. Her real name was Dorothy Jacqueline Keely and she was born in Virginia Beach. Somewhere, some choir just got a new swinging soprano and they will be much richer for it. Break a leg, Keely and thanks for the memories...
I promise we'll get back to the Tall world and my adventures in it next time.
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Life in the Last Lane--Return Engagement
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137 Views
03/02/09
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Hey if Bret Farve can do it 3 years in a row I think I'm entitled to change my mind at least once. The relatively huge response to my farewell message--at least 3 times bigger than to any of my prvevious entries---shows me that there are readers out there--just silent.
HELPFUL TIP TO THE MEN READERS: I'm pleasantly surprised by the number of male readers but I can't help but wonder why.¿ If you men really want to attract women you have to put yoursselves where they can see you.
And they don't see you when you just read my blog; on the other hand I see who all of my readers are but I have no intention of being a matchmaker. If you really want the ladies to see you you either add a "comment" to my blogs or do your own blog. Or you can add a comment to some one else's blog.¿¿ They do get read---how much response you will recieve depends on what you say and how you say it.
2nd tip--whining doesn't seem to do much good so keep it on the positive side.
And for you ladies out there --young and old---I try to respond to each of you when you appear as a reader.¿ It has opened up some very nice conversations and that is one reason why I am encouraged to return. Thank you all for stopping by and of course if you want exposure to men posting a comment applies to you as well.
Well the sun is finally shining and the temps are in the low 30's--time to grab the dogs and head for the park--maybe there will be some lonesome women out today!
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Life in the Last Lane--Finales
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162 Views
02/11/09
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One of the toughest parts of public appearances is knowing when to leave the stage or pulpit or the keyboard. I've researched some of the best closing lines in show business history such as Bob Hope's "Thanks for the Memories" and Jackie Gleason's "And Awaaay We Go" but the one that always pleased me the most was "Good Night , Mrs. Calabash where ever your are". Jimmy Durante repeated that same line, with the same intensity after every appearance for over 30 years. People by the millions speculated on who the mysterious Mrs. Calabash really was. As far as I can tell Jimmy never told anyone in public and several stories developed over the years. The whole point being that it is time for me to take my leave of this site; I've had fun but I feel that I am on the verge of overstaying my welcome.
So Adieu,bon Ami,adieu; vayas con Dios; auf Wiedrschoen and Goodbye, Mrs. Calabash whoever you are!
Jim
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Life in the Last Lane:What's Funny
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99 Views
02/01/09
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A few weeks ago I saw a cartoon in the Chicago Tribune Magazine that gave me a good chuckle. Later that day I thought back on the cartoon and felt uncomfortable with myself for laughing at it.
The thing is I wouldn't have had those second thoughts in December---before I joined this site. Reading the blogs and forums I have realized that tall girls with short guys was a cause for more discussion than I would have ever imagined. Of course I have not been short since I was 13 and have never been a tall girl so it was not a subject I gave much thought to.
I'm printing the cartoon here to get your observations and not to be funny. Its was by a cartoonist named Bliss and it appeared in the Jan. 11 issue of the Tribune magaziine (I wrote them 2 weeks ago for permission to reproduce it here but they have never answered me. But what the heck lets do it any way.) Click the picture to enlarge it.
Am I being overly politcally correct ? If so it is the first time.
Please tell what you think.
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Life in the Last Lane---Spring Training
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76 Views
01/27/09
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I have always been the kind of a guy who sees the glass as three-quarters full--- it doesn't take a whole lot to get me feeling good. So just reading about the pitchers and catchers preparing for Spring training in February is enough to make me go out to get the mail today in my shirtsleeves. Of course the temperature was about 12 degrees and just about froze the water in that glass. Had to run back up the drive to the house. Whew
One of the things I like about baseball is that it can be played by all body types unlike basketball and football. I've seen major league players ranging from 5'6" to 6'10" and with weights from 140 to 280 pounds. All playing on the same field. That's why it's a favorite family game on picnics or in the back yard.Everyone can participate.
I was the tallest of 5 kids; my 3 sisters and mother ranged from 5'1" to 5'6"; my brother and father were about 5'8 or 5'9" I ended up 6'3" after a very slow start. A couple of my father's brothers were over 6 feet but not his parents. My mother's family was big in number but I'm not sure if any one of them was tall.
All of my 6 kids are considered tall; the 3 girls are 5'9", 5'10" and 6'0; the 3 boys are 6'1" (2) and 6'3". Their mother was 5"9' so I guess that's not too surprising. We made an imposing group when we hit the pizza joints. Today we actually would rate on the lower end of the tall scale.
Surprisingly only one girl and one son played any organized sports. Linda played high school basketball and Keith played football at the University of Pennsylvania. But they all loved baseball and we would make several excursions every year to Wrigley Field in Chicago. Still do when any of them are in town (see the pix attached)
How did your families handle height?
(Folks, I need some feed back. I know that I've got readers; what I need is some conversation. Help me out, please!
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Life In the Last Lane---When did you know?
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72 Views
01/22/09
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When did you know you were tall ?
I went to school for 12 years in Chicago.(K-12) This was in the midst of the Great Depression and the school system was geared to push "bright" students through the grade school (K-8) as quickly as possible. Therefore I was 12 when I graduated from eighth grade ---about 2 years younger than most of my classmates. Add the natural faster maturation of girls at that age and I was one of the shortest boy or girls in my class of about 32 in January 1941. Then we started high school a week later---I was 12 years old in the middle of 4000 students ranging up to 18 years of age. Was I ever happy to see the summer break come.
When classes resumed in September I remember my mother grumbling about how nothing I had fit anymore---luckily I had an older brother who was in the Army so we were able to put together a respectable wardrobe from his unused civvies. When I went back to school I realized that the lockers were suddenly a usable height and I was able to look girls in the eyes instead of somewhat lower which had always been embarrassing . The crowning glory was when my physical ed instructor wanted to know if I was coming out for basketball!
I had grown almost 6 inches in four months!
I continued growing for the next 5 years and finally was measured at 6'3" when I took my army physical at 19. I weighed 119 pounds ! Somehow over the next 60 years I managed to lose an inch and gain 80 pounds.
That year, 1941, when I turned 13,has always stood out in my mind as the summer I grew up.
(see picture of me in 1944)
What about you?
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Life in the Last Lane 3
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70 Views
01/20/09
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Spent most of the day watching the Inauguration---I don't think I have ever seen more people in one place before. It was amazing.
In 1945 on VE DAY I went to the celebration in Chicago's Loop. I took my girlfriend of the day and my sister-in-law who was married to my older brother who was in the Army. It was later estimated in the papers to be over 1 million people. It sure felt like it but you couldn't see it from above unless you got into one of the tall buildings. Since I was still 8 months away from draft eligible I felt like I was missing out on something. Uncle Sam took care of that a few years later
My first presidential election was in 1952 --- you had to be 21 to vote back then. I had just been discharged from the Army and I voted for Ike because he swore he was going to end the war in Korea and I was all for that. I was basically a Democrat even back then but Ike was recruited by both parties and he chose the Republicans because he could sense the that the country was getting tired of the Democrats after 20 years of FDR and Truman.
But I jumped back on the right track with JFK and have been here ever since---though a lot of lean years, believe me. I know this doesn't have much to do with being tall but I welcome any comments on any subject.
Come to think of it Obama and his wife are probably the tallest First Couple we have had although Eleanor Roosevelt and FDR were both about 6 feet if I remember right. What do you think?
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Life in the last lane 2
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58 Views
01/17/09
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Getting ready to watch the NFL Playoffs; no my Bears are not playing but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy watching the games.Sometimes it's more fun if I don't have to root for someone.
Weather has warmed around here --it is actually almost 20F above zero today! Maybe I'll go out at half time and shovel the sidewalk (if someone wants to talk me out of it I'm listening.)
I've been on this site now for about 10 days and haven't gotten much response to my efforts. I know I'm tall enough and smart enough and single enough--could it be my age? Who wouldn't want a lovable 80-year old widower? Wonder if this would fall in to the age bias category.
What do you think?
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